Letter to his sister from Arthur Biscoe

Letter to his sister from Arthur Biscoe

He describes a visit to his Aunt Mary at Carleton Place. He visited Ottawa but forgot his camera. His base at Trenton is described as luxurious. He describes the trouble he had by sending a parcel which had to be repacked.

1942-09-28

One five page handwritten letter

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P/O A.E. BISCOE
[underlined] No 1. F.I.S. [/underlined]
TRENTON
[underlined] ONTARIO [/underlined]
[underlined] 28/9/42 [/underlined]
My Very Dear Mary
I bet that shook you. – Well here I am at long last penning a few lines in answer to three letters I have here from you, - but first I’ll tell you all about me – if I may – My last letter was from Moose Jaw, I am now back to the grindstone again as you can see, after having spent a few days at Aunt Mays. I arrived at Carleton Place last Tuesday afternoon, I didn’t know when I’d arrive, so I wired Aunt to say I’d get there Tuesday or Wednesday, - and she got up to meet the 6 o/clock (A.M.) train, - I went the other way though, and arrived about 4 o/clock (P.M.) I managed to find the house O.K. and had a very nice time, Connie is at home, and she’s lots of fun I like her a lot, Winnie and her Husband live about 10 miles away at another town, he has a car (rather old I’m afraid) and they came over to see me (I think) and stopped all day (Wednesday) we went for a drive in the evening. Thursday we went to Ottawa for the day, very nice too, Connie & myself went up the tower of the Parliament Building – but Muggins didn’t have a camera, - it was
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grand, - we had a [deleted] reall [/deleted] real good time, and arrived back home at about 11 o/clock, Friday was a lazy day. I went over the Mills where Aunt May works – (I also went over the Foundry where Uncle Walter used to work – but that was Wednesday) – Then Saturday afternoon we all squeezed into Alans car (Winnies husband) and did some sightseeing and shopping around the neighbouring towns. Then Sunday was the day I left, - it poured with rain, Win, and Alan and the baby came over to see me off and that was that. – I had a really grand time, and am going again as often as I can. I saw Reggie at the Foundry, but he’s turned out a bad egg I’m afraid, - and Fred is working at Niagra Falls or something, and Win has the cutest little boy you ever saw (except me) – his name is Freddie, and he’s a grand little fellow, I’ll send a snap one day.
Oh did I tell you that I have my uniform now, its not bad really, I haven’t had a photo done yet but I will very shortly – no kidding
As I’ve said I’m back off leave now, and at the largest and best equiped [sic] station in Canada, - everything is the very last word
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in luxury – the Officers mess is more up to date and luxurious than any club in Canada or USA, its just like a huge modern hotel, - I really can’t describe it, it’s a thousand times better than Wardley and you know what I thought of that. – Everything about the camp is the same, all the buildings are white, all the lawns and grasses are perfect, there’s not a speck of paper or rubbish anywhere on the camp, - its really beatifull, [sic] – it should be for it’s the model station of Canada – I’m [deleted] lik [/deleted] living in a huge white house, which was originally built for a high officer, but the Mess was too crowded and we’re using it, - I met a chum who was at E.F.T.S. with me, and we’ve managed to get a room together, its really grand too, - then we have our shoes and buttons cleaned for us, our beds made, our room swept and tidied, suits pressed, and all the other odd jobs there are to do, - its a grand life this believe me, - but we’ve still some hard work to do before we’re instructors, - this course is eight weeks and if you only knew what we have to do in that time, - whew, - still we’ll manage I expect – (I hope, - or do I??)
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Well, now to answer your letters – here goes. The dress pattern you have seems to be something like the one I (I mean [underlined] we [/underlined]) chose, but I can’t quite remember, any way it should look OK. – I’m glad the parcel arrived O.K. – about me likeing [sic] nailvarnish, [sic] lipstick etc. – I [underlined] dont [/underlined] – but I’m not there to see it, so why worry – you like it, (moderately I hope) – but you’re right all the girls over here from the age of 14 up, use it, - with one or two exceptions of course, Esther uses a little sometimes. – About the packing of the parcel I packed it originally, but the Post Office was shut and Esther said she’d post it, but it was too heavy, so she asked if she could unpack it and take something out, I suggested she should remove some chocolates if it was no bother, but she bothered and that’s how the wigwam [deleted] smalls [/deleted] got its name of “Stinker” – OK???
About the photos of Regina, - that lovely city is close on 2,000 miles away from here, so I’m very much afraid that it can’t be did, - yet
By the way, does the “pick up” work after all your trouble 14/- and all the rest
Your next letter contains congratulations
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- thanks a lot little sister, thanks a lot
I’m glad the compact arrived O.K. – alright I know it’s the wrong shade – but how would I know – and I still like ‘em homespun – you betcha!! so on with the woolen [sic] stocking!! [indecipherable word]!!
Well that’s about answered all your letters (I ‘ope) so I’ll say Goodnight now.
Be Good, God bless
Your very bestest bruver [sic]
Arthur