Archives Record
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2022.50.206.2 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Letter, Nancy Ward to George Ward, 1943 |
Date |
11 May 1943 |
Year Range from |
1943 |
Year Range to |
1943 |
Description |
Letter from Nancy Felicia (Howitt) Ward to Major George Everett Ward, dated 11 May 1943. A two-page handwritten letter in blue ink on blue paper. The letter reads: 221 Woolwich Street, Guelph, Ontario May 11th 1943, Tuesday. George My Darling- Last Friday no one around 221 had heard a news broadcast in the afternoon so it wasn't until we were at dinner that night when we heard the great news about Tunis & Bizerte - It was so thrilling we could hardly believe our ears and I bet it had you keyed up to the nth degree. The very thought of what it means next though Darling frightens me no end. My last word from you Darling is dated April 11th a month old today - grim thought! I was on the heels of our postie yesterday and today hoping [Page] two he would spring with one but he let me down with an awful wallop. Have you heard anything more about being moved to the 1st Fld Regt Sweetie? After you mentioned this in your letter of March 28th I've been expecting a cable any day telling me of your new address. They have had you at CARU now for nearly five months! Ooh, Darling you have no idea how I long for the cable that will read - "Will be seeing you in a couple of weeks" or to that effect!! Everytime I get a cable from you I always hope and pray while I'm tearing it open that it is the one & bring the answer to my prayer. Jessie Tate told me several weeks ago Art Kearns is coming back for the next course at R.M.C. - Lucky stiff! Says the greeneyed monster! - Ted is going out to Terrace B.C. for 3 mos this summer to be with an Infantry outfit. [Page] three Jessie and Barbara are going out too. Last night your Father phoned me Darling - He wanted to know if I had heard from you because it had been over a month since he had had word. Told me he had sent a parcel off to you that morning. He said he was well but I think he [sic] poor Darling must be finding it awfully quiet around 69. I have had the rottenest luck in trying to get down to see him - my plans have been scuppered every time but by hook or by crook it will be within the next two weeks. Mother and Aim have gone down to Toronto - Aim is coming home tonight & Mum tomorrow night Aunt Grace is still in the hospital and is just so, so - Up one day down the next, She is terribly weak because she has had no solids for ages - nothing but beef juice and intravenous. The Blood Donors Clinic is expected to open sometime this month - I am going to work in the office when it does. The clinic will be at the old Priory Club. I am looking forward to this job & I think it should be very interesting. Last Monday night at the St. Geo's War Services Meeting they tried to land me with the job of "Treasurer" - but thank heaven I didn't let them. The job of 'secretary' is enough for me - and boysie how I still hate writing up those damn minutes and reading them aloud! Last Tuesday night a Dutch officer who left for New York the next day had a farewell party in the Mess. It was quite fun and everyone did their fair share of imbibing. Two new officers had arrived the day before. These two chaps had no idea that the one who was leaving was or rather had been in Guelph! The three of them were in Geneva together for seven mos! You can imagine their surprise when they walked into the Mess in tiny, little Goofy Gulf - to bump bang into each other! The lad who left for N. York expects to away to Australia soon then Batavia? [Page] four Saturday morning Helen Morrison phoned and while we were talking up popped her telegram from Washington to say they had accepted her! - Sweetie, you should have heard the screams & howls of delight. I nearly lost a lung and eardrum. If Helen doesn't go completely off her dot in the meantime she expects to leave this Saturday. Had a long letter from Marg Rudell Campbell the other week telling me all about herself & life in Shelburne N.S. We are still having the craziest - God-damndest weather!! Nothing but rain now the past week! It has been enough [Page] five to drive anyone coo-coo. Wednesday was Canteen night and we were kept quite busy. I forgot to mark down a couple of my cigarette sales so it was oh 'Joy' when time came to balance the money in the tills however after much re-checking I was able to straighten it out. Last Saturday night I saw the movie "In which we Serve" Darling and thought it was wonderful. Have you seen it? Shed many tears but would like to see it again. Wish we would get that movie "Next of kin" - have heard a lot about it. Sunday night Mum and Dad had Jane & Jan Pete van Berkhout, Major Carp & Aim in for buffet supper. We had some nifty gin cocktails (for a change) - from the usual "old fashions" before dinner. After dinner we had a liquer [sic] - cherry brandy - Nancy's hand being quicker than H.O.H.'s eye horned in on three of these! The other day I read in the paper that Jack Watt's was a member of the 'caterpillar club' "winged boot" & "goldfish" club and along with this has the D.F.C. - I'm just twigged Darling!! - I have him confused with the chap "Wadds" - you know- well anyhoo Jack Watt's is from Hamilton & perhaps you know of him. Bernice is going out & is having a bit of a struggle & time as to which sweater she should wear with her suit - comes parading into my room every five min. to get my okay' she's an amusing gal to say the least. Helen Morrison is trying to scare up a wardrobe trunk & has had little or no luck up to date. Wants me to go with her up to the Kay's tonight because she thinks she might be able to buy one from Betty. Now that I have just discovered it is Bernice's night out I'll have to stay put & hold the fort. It is a couple of months since I have written a letter to go by boat - as we were out of "blue forms" around 221 thought I'd try it tonight for a change - so here is hoping it goes thro' in P.D.Q. fashion Darling. Last Fri. I was speaking to Sue MacKay on the phone (her ship is "the Preston Springs Hotel"!!) She told me she was pushing off this week for the East Coast. That night six of us went dancing over at the Highlands". Betty Howitt Helen Morrison & three Dutch officers. The orchestra is quite good and in this vicinity it's the nicest and best place to go dancing. I'll be hopping mad if the postie doesn't spring with a letter for me tomorrow - He has been darn slow the past week or two so one is due sometime this week. Wish I had some half decent news to tell you Darling but there's just nothing so this I'm afraid is one of the duller ones again. Must drop this in the box now with ALL my love, kisses & hugs to you George Darling & the very best of luck in the world to you - God Bless you my Darling Nan |
People |
Carp, Major Dunbar, Amy Grace (Howitt) Howitt, Amy Brehart (Saunders) Howitt, Betty Howitt, H.O. (Dr.) Kearns, Arthur Saunders, Grace Tate, Jesse (Mrs.) Tate, Ted Ward, George Everett Ward, Nancy Felicia (Howitt) |
Search Terms |
8th Field Regiment Priory Club Woolwich Street World War II |
Subjects |
COMMUNICATION - LETTER LETTERS AND MAILINGS VETERANS WORLD WAR II (WWII) - 1939 -1945 |
Collection |
Archives |