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At Aldershot, soldiers listen eagerly for the call: "Canadian mail's in!" Letters and parcels take more than a month to cross the Atlantic and occasionally go missing. Because the mail often arrives in bundles, both David Hazzard and Audrey carefully number their letters so they can be read in order. In this note, he describes the importance of mail as a lifeline to home. (The text is abridged.)
Aldershot, England, Wednesday Oct. 22, 1941
Dear Sweetheart,
I have seven men in my platoon who are not getting any parcels and very little mail. I'll give you two of them and ask you to try to persuade the young ladies' class or anyone you know to send them something for Christmas. It is surprising how little some people realize what a difference a letter can make and for the men parcels and food of any kind in them are like manna from heaven.
The more I see and hear of some of the men's marital difficulties the more thankful I am that I fell in love with you. I get mail from you every time mail comes in and it is always a pleasure to read your letters. It is the next best thing to having and seeing you.
But some of the boys haven't received any mail at all yet. Why their wives can't spare a few minutes now and again is more than I can understand. I feel guilty sometimes when I haven't written to you for two or three days and I know what letters mean to you, but I could never let two or three mails pass without writing something even if it was only a line to say I love you.
The thing that strikes me about our relationship is that we must be particularly blessed to have such a happy marriage and such complete understanding. What I'm trying to say is that I know you love me and that you know I love you. With that assurance and having confidence in each other, nothing can ever come between us. And we'll pick up our lives when the war is over just as if nothing had ever happened except that we will have a deeper appreciation of our need for each other.
I have a parcel today from Dunlop [Tire, where he worked] filled with the usual assortment of useful articles, and I expect that your last two parcels will be in this week. There is still truckloads of mail coming in every day and the postman says that there is approximately forty tons still unsorted at the depot.
That's all I have to say just now but I particularly wanted to tell you how much I love you and that every day I'm more thankful that I married you. Believe me? I really mean it. With all my love to you, Anne, Karen and Nanny.
I am as always and forever yours
David K.
P.S. I love you
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