Feature Letter of October 17th, 2024
Chesney, Margaret Helen
[Written by WRCNS Wren Margaret (Peggy) Helen Chesney, stationed at H.M.C.S. Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, to her friend Eira Williams in Regina, Saskatchewan.]
Dear Eira :
. . . Well, still think the Navy quite wonderful and wouldn’t want any other life until this struggle is over. Naturally there are times you would give anything just to go into a home even for a few minutes, and have a nice home cooked meal. Speaking of meals the past week ours have been horrible. However, I am not losing weight as I live on bread and butter, chocolate bars and cokes. There is a mess meeting tomorrow night so hope they will be improved.
We aren’t supposed to mention the weather but this is a very grim day. When it rains in Cornwallis, rubbers are no earthly good. The girls all wear men’s high rubber boots.
Pat Richards is home eh. We heard the girls at “Stadacona” got 21 days. We only get 14. A person who enforces discipline in the Wrens is a regulator not orderly. I think you would make a very good one Eira. A few of the ones we have around here are anything but pleasant, tho’ and give me a pain. Believe me you can’t get away with much in the Navy. One minute adrift now and you are on the Quarter Deck as a Captains Defaulter. . . .
I was going out on the Saguenay last Sunday – but the party was cancelled due to the weather – the same thing happened to-day. I have seen many different kinds of ships now, and beginning to distinguish them. There were quite a number in the Harbour the week I was in Halifax. Oh, I’m quite an old salt now, have been in nearly three months.
How is Faith. I have met all kinds of people since being in the Wrens, but none quite as queer, or should I say odd as our little Faith. Talking about odd people I had lunch at the cafeteria at the Naval Hotel in Digby last night with a sailor, who told me truthfully and very seriously why he joined the Navy. I thought it very amusing – apparently when he was a child he got the idea into his head he wanted to see China, and especially Tibet. He says he knows he won’t be able to rest at ease until he does. Joining the Navy is his only hope. He certainly did things in a big way as went R.N., so that if he doesn’t get a chance while the war continues, when he is still in the Navy after the war, he is bound to sooner or later. He says people think him crazy, but says his mind won’t be at ease until he sees Tibet. He is the funniest fellow. I have a date with him in two weeks, as he is on duty next week end. . . .
We are kept busy at the office, but the Commander doesn’t believe in making us come back at night. I really think I am working in one of the nices offices. The boys are screw-balls, but are pretty good to us and go out and buy us cokes in the afternoon. Did I tell you the other Wren in the office is Peggy also, so we are known as Peggy I and Peggy II. The other girls name is Audrey Honey - She is called Honey by everyone and anyone who doesn’t know her name is “Honey” begins to wonder what kind of an office we have.
Well, I really think I must sign off for now. Don’t be so long in writing next time. Give my regards to your Mom and Dad.
Love
Peggy.