RH Gray Lt., R.C.N.V.R.
Box 517,
℅ F.M.O., Kilindini,
B.E.A. –
Nov. 7/43

Dear Mother and Dad,

Well, I am back in the job again after my leave with everything going as before. It is Sunday afternoon and I have just had an hours sleep. It is so hot these days that you just have to lie down and stay still whenever you can, anyway, I am duty this afternoon and could not go out if I wanted to. – I have had no mail since I last wrote on the 2^nd and I do not think it is coming to me as well as it is going the other way. I have had no wire which you said you were sending. They often go astray once they get here for some reason. My birthday passed just as any other day. They don’t seem very important these days. The only date that is important is one that is yet to arrive and that is the end of the war. That is looking closer now, all the time, and I would not be surprised to see Germany finished within two or three months. That is probably just wishful thinking but at the moment she is taking an awful beating from the Russians and from us in the air. – Old Mac-King seems to be having a pretty tough time these days. The odd bits of news I read about Canada he is losing all the bye-elections and Ontario has shifted the Liberals out. The only question is who is taking their place. It looks as if the C.C.F. is the coming party. Well if they do get in I don’t think they will do much harm. They are pretty wild but at least they are sincere and trying hard which is more than you can say about most politicians at home. However I get so little news about that sort of thing that I can’t tell just what is happening. (I do not mean by this last that I am not satisfied with your letters. It is just that Canadian news is very seldom printed in any of the papers that I see.) – I was glad to hear Mother that you had had a trip to the coast and to hear that everyone there was well. I suppose you can expect to see some signs of failing in Grandma but due only to her age. I only hope that if I live to be as old as Grandpa Gray did or as Grandma I shall be able to be as satisfied with a good and useful life – Don’t worry about my teeth Mother. I have them looked at quite frequently and they are in quite good shape. Last time I had one filling and had them cleaned. I am sure they are good for a few years yet. My hair isn’t all gone either although it probably will be in five years time – Much love to you both.

Your son
Hampton