This letter is the first in the series of +300 letters, photos, and other documents from the early 1940s when my grandparents wrote letters throughout his time fighting for the Four Freedoms with Canada and the Allies. Prior to joining the army in 1943, Horgie wrote this letter to his Peach-Pie in Toronto while he was on vacation about 2 hours north east of Toronto.

Letter #410707

Burleigh Falls, Canada, July 7, 1941

Dear Peach Pie:

I finally have sobered up so I am taking this opportunity to write to you. Everything is swell up here except the fishing, which hasn’t been so good yet. Jack and I were out at eight o’clock this morning and caught one Muskellunge but we threw him back as he was too small. We are going out all day tomorrow and should catch something.

We are now having a terrific thunderstorm. It is really pouring rain and blowing quite hard. We can hardly wait till it stops so we can go fishing. It has been nice and cool up here at nights and the sleeping is fine. The girls were swimming in the nude Sunday night at midnight. We haven’t got up enough nerve to go, yet.

I am gradually turning a beautiful salmon pink color, but it is from the sun not from drinking. Gord and Jack and I drove into Peterborough Saturday to buy some articles so I managed to get a pair of swimming trunks. I went swimming this morning before breakfast and it sure felt good.

Well I guess I better stop talking about myself for a while and find out how you are. How are you? Hope you are standing up under the strain of me not being there. I certainly wish you were here as we could have a swell time. There was a lovely full moon last night, and I was down to the wharf at midnight thinking of how nice it would be if you were here. I have found a lovely place for us so you better buy your slacks, etc. for next year.

How is everybody at home? Hope your mother is not bothered by the heat too much. Well, I guess I better close this letter as it is, if you get this in time to answer, send it in care of Jack Hendrick, Burley Falls, Ontario. So we’ll see you next Monday, get in good condition for I sure do miss you.

Love Hawgan XXXXXX

P.S. I am saving the rest as a personal gift.