Ord. Smn. J.T. Gray V50267
“F” Block
H.M.C.S. Stadacona
Halifax N.S.

Dear Mother;

I am in Halifax waiting for a ship. I may be here for a while and I may not. I can’t get my commission until I am 19 so I shall have to wait. I am pretty sure of it then though. That’s a comfort. Will you thank Mr. Manuel for his good recommendation. It will be a great help when I pass the board at the end of November.

When you answer this letter will you send me the addresses of all my relatives in England?

I may be over there some time soon and the addresses will be very handy. I hope I get a ship right away. I am sick of living on shore. I didn’t join the Navy for that.

Don’t worry about me if you don’t hear from me very often. You can’t post mail on a ship until you reach port. I may not get a ship for a couple of weeks, and I may get one tomorrow. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be O.K. I am capable of taking care of myself. Give my love to all the family. I will write to Huldie and Jeanie tomorrow night.

Your loving son
John

P.S. I could use some socks.

[Editor’s note: The envelope’s postmark has been used for dating the year of the letter.]