Dear Mother;

I arrived here (overseas) quite safely and am in a most excellent town. The people here are almost unbelievably friendly. They can’t seem to do too much for you. That is a surprising thing, especially in a seaport. I think I will enjoy my stay here immensely. Another thing which I like is that I think I will be able to visit my relatives quite often. I plan on trying to spend Christmas with them, I can’t see any reason why I won’t be able to.

You haven’t any reason to worry about my safety now because I won’t be in the least danger. I’m just as safe as I would be in my own little bed.

I haven’t written a letter for a whole week now and my fingers are rather stiff. You soon get out of practice.

I can’t seem to think of anything much to say: the trip over was very dull. Nearly everyone was sick, and that didn’t make it any nicer. When the guys are sick, you have to do your own work and theirs too.

I may be back in Canada next spring by the look of things. There is a possibility that I may get leave again too. That would be swell, wouldn’t it?

I promised to send you a photo of myself for Christmas but I won’t be able to get one ready that soon. It takes quite a while over here. You have to have an appointment and go through a big routine to have them taken. I have another reason too why I can’t have my picture taken right now, but I am going to keep that to myself for a while. You might forget sometime and tell someone so I won’t tell you about it till the time is right. (Its nothing bad)

Well, I am nearly out of paper so I had better close. Take good care of yourself and remember, I am quite safe and well. I’ll give your regards to Aunt Nance when I see her. I plan on going there a couple of weeks from now. Cheerio,

Your loving son
John.