A/B Curtis B.R. V-69246
H.M.C.S. B.D.V. 19
Esquimalt, B.C.
Nov. 29/44

My Dearest Audrey:-

Hi there darling, received your letter (novet) to-day and I was certainly glad to get it as it is the first one I’ve received since I came aboard the “Old Mans Home.” Pardon me duck supper is ready and I have a few vacant corners in my tummy to fill up [punctuated with a circled kiss symbol “X”] Well here I be back again and rarin to go. I was going to write to you last nite hon but I went ashore and saw Pat (Flannigan) for half an hour or so. His ship is tied up right where I get off the liberty-boat so I didn’t have any trouble in finding out where he was at. He was on quarter master duty last nite when I saw him so he couldn’t get off very well. Anyways we stood around and chewed the fat till 5:15 then I had to scram cause I didn’t know quite where the Halls lived; so-o-o I went down to the bus depot and asked the girl in the information booth where it was. She had a chart on the wall that takes only a second or so to find it, so I was on my way out in jig time. The street car ride was everything but comfortable; gad!! what cars they have in this town. I went right out to the end of the car line and then went back a block and up half a block and whaddaya know?? It wasn’t there – I was on the wrong side of the street; ha ha. I didn’t have you worried there did I hon? Well I nips smartly across the street in an (un)seaman like manner, goes up the steps and pushes a button. – I sure like the chimes they have; just like the ones Fibber McGee has on his programme; reckon we will just have to have some like it hon. Young Billy answered the door and it wasn’t very long till I had met the rest of them ie. Mr and Mrs Hall. They sure are swell duck; gosh, they made me right at home in no time at all. We had a good talk all about “Scotland” – (of course) and anything else that came into mind – no slams hon or you’ll go over me knee and I’m just the guy that can do it too; I suppose you realize that by now. I had to leave just after 9 in order to get back to Esquimalt in time to get the boat back out to the barge.

I went over to see Pat but he was flaked out and asleep so I just left a message with the boys to give him. We are going roller skating on Thursday night for a while so I’ll try and write to you before I go to bed; I think I’ll be able to do it if it doesn’t take too long. I’ll give it to Bill to mail, so, if you get a letter mailed from Ladysmith don’t be surprised.

The water outside must be quite choppy as we are doin a bit of rolling around just now.

Yes dear I’ll remember not to slam doors when Brenda (????) is asleep ha.ha. Just be sure you do the same cause it will be you that has to get up. I guess that will hold you for awhile. Yep we sure did have a swell week-end hon; I only wish that all the others to come are as good. Pat and Irene are sure a swell pair; I think they are more fun than Lorna and Gord cause they don’t get into those pouty moods. I’ll have a few jokes to tell you next time I’m up ///// maybe. I know hundreds of them but they are mostly on the “crude-side” they would “nevah” do – or would they?? If Moose Connelly remembers to bring back a typewriter this week-end, I’ll type a few out so as not to forget them.

I didn’t get paid to-day, instead I have to go over to Nadin to-morrow after noon for it. I’ll possibly get about $10 if I’m lucky but this navy is just full of surprises and I know that for a fact. Gosh I’ll be happy when I’m out of this outfit in more reasons than one too. I hope you don’t hog the blankets hon cause I can’t sleep if I’m cold. I darn near froze last night – the darn blankets kept slipping off me. I think I’ll have to lash them down with cable to-night.

Well darling I guess this will be all for now but I’ll do me d---dst to write on Thurs. Give my love to all the family and say hello to all the “kids” for me. Sure love and miss you a lot darling. Sure wish we had that home of our own darling. “Cheerio” for now hon.

All my Love and Millions of Kisses
Xxx Bill XxxxXx