J26543 [arrow points to this with postscript: “Note new number”]
P/O Biollo P.J.
#1 y Depot RCAF
Halifax N.S.

Dear Mom, Dad and Family,

I received your very welcome letter today and also one from Edie. I also got a telegram from Jean and Tom. It was nice to hear from you so soon. I hope everyone is feeling fine, as I am. Let me know how the garden is progressing eh? As I have part interest in it eh what? Pardon the pencil, I have run out of ink.

I never hated to leave home as I did on Tuesday, I sure am going to miss you all terribly. It was very unfortunate and embarrassing when Edie didn’t show up and it kind of hurt. I thought she was hit by a car or something. I hope she doesn’t feel too bad about it. It couldn’t be helped as you say. She sure is a sweet gal and thanks for being so kind to her. She really thinks you are all so nice to her and I appreciate that.

Mom could you send me your suitcase, as I can take it over o.k. As soon as possible, because we may leave any time. Thanks a lot. Also I am signing over to you $85 a month out of which will you please pay Johnstone Walkers $10.00 a month for the extra amount spent there. The air force is paying $150 and I pay the balance of $89.60. I am sending the bills to you so you can see for yourself. I guess the money for the car will pay you off Dad and if there is any left you can spend it on the family if you wish. I hope my pay comes soon as I am kinda low.

The trip was dull as far as Winnipeg, but Ontario was interesting and has grand fishing and hunting resorts. I’d like to take a trip thru that country some time. Quebec province is glorious for scenery and nearly beats the coast. We stayed in Montreal a day and looked over the town, climbed mount Royal and saw lovely homes, ate in restaurants where beer and wine were served with meals. It’s a huge place and I also got a chance to use my high school French at Montreal and every stop thru Quebec, boy some fun. The people in Montreal were very friendly and it was a nice thing to see a bit of the city. We passed thru Ottawa and Quebec City at nite so we didn’t see much. One thing about Quebec province struck me and that was the primitiveness of the people in the small towns and yet they had the loveliest churches I have ever seen, huge places and breathtaking in beauty inside and out. They beat our Western Cathedrals all hollow and are really only parish churches.

Halifax is not much and there is nothing for officers to do I met some P/O’s whom I hadn’t seen since P.E. school, stationed here with me and we sure had fun talking of old times in Vancouver. So I have lots of friends here. I met David Gordon (Navy) last nite up town too and we had a good chat. I haven’t seen the sun since I left and it is damp and cold here, also the heat is turned off. It is so cold in my room I can hardly write. Oh I got my bag OK and my raincoat cam today. The great coat should be here soon. Mom could you send me a warm sweater in the suitcase please? I’ll need it overseas. If you or Dad or the children need anything, dig in and help yourself to my money – when it comes, because it won’t be any good to me laying around. The food is grand and our officer’s Mess is really nice and cosy. We all get together at meals and smoke in the lounge after; pilots, bombers, navigators, air gunners and wags all together. Thanks for Tony’s letter. Dad will you please give Edie the negatives of my pictures as she would like them and don’t forget to send me some prints too eh Pop’s and I still have plenty of smokes – ha-ha. Please give all the chillun and the big uns and Mom and Dad a smackeroo for me. Tell Ray to keep his eye to the sky when I go over, ha-ha. I sure wish the sun would come out around here, it’s sure cold. Well loved ones I must hit the hay and someone kiss Edie for me please. Please write soon.

God bless and keep you all.
Your loving son and brother.
Peter.

P.S. Also please send my album, small scissors and underwear in suitcase.