Written by: Gavin Howard

Frederick and Mildred McCallum

57 St. Anne’s Road
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M6J 2C4
Dear Mom and Dad, 29 May,

1944

Things are getting chaotic here in Portsmouth. We are immensely

busy preparing for an invasion in which we don’t know who will come out

on top. I apologize if this piece of parchment is damp. I am crying even

just at the thought of not seeing you both again. Just thinking about my

young twenty three year old body being blown into oblivion wholly

sickens me. I hope that at the end of the storm I will still be alive enough

to return home to our marvelous family. I hope we can be together again

after the battle, and I will do my best to return home to you. I know you

are feeling scared, but I think that it’s very important that you know how

much I love you both. I also wish to inform you that I have a plan for this

upcoming invasion, whenever that will be.

 I no longer fear death to the extent as I once did. I am prepared to

accept oblivion or getting sprayed down, whenever that time may be. I am

going to do my best to come home. I crave that familiar scent of the

kitchen’s burning oven, that familiar smell of the crackling, toasty

fireplace, and the sight of the beautiful, breathtaking, glistening golden

sunrise on the horizon of the farm. I would do anything to prevent this

war, however, there is nothing we can do from here on out. Despite the

comforting hope of returning to our wonderful farmhouse, if a young boy

needs my help of the battlefield, I would gladly sacrifice my life for I have

nothing more to live for. Once the war has finished, I will be ever so

thankful to return to this magnificent place I call home.

Until then,

This has been your loving son,

Russell
Frederick and Mildred McCallum

57 St. Anne’s Road

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

M6J 2C4

Dear Mom and Dad, 4 June,

1944

I’m indubitably terrified of what’s coming. I’m as prepared as I will ever be,

yet I fear that may not be enough. The battle is near, I have a harrowing feeling

inside, and it’s slowly overtaking me. I feel like in a few hours, I shall be no longer

living. I am expecting to be slaughtered in this gruesome battle, but I can’t help but

feel the sorrow of the young boys around me. I stated this before, but I will say it

again. If a young boy is in a bad predicament, with a sniper or gunman lined up to

his head, I must sacrifice my life for theirs, for I have nothing more to live for. The

only love I have in life is for you both, and is this is my final remark, I just wanted

to say how much I love you both, and how thankful I am for everything. I truly do

appreciate every single little thing you do for me. If I don’t come home to you, I

just wanted to say that even though it may not seem like it, I will always love you;
whole heartedly. Thank you for teaching me how to ride a bike. Thank you for

teaching me how to shave. Thank you for helping me with my homework. Thank

you for driving me to a friend’s house. Thank you for providing food for our family.

Thank you for everything you do for me.

Love you always,

Russell
Written by: William Doyle

Sidney W. and Della M. Sparkes

500 Kingston Rd
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4L 1V3

Dear Mom and Dad May 18th, 1944

I have some tragic news, I think we are about to go to war with the Germans. Our superiors
haven’t told us anything and by us I mean my unit. I assume this because the Nazi’s are our
main problem in this war. A few years ago I became quite a good carpenter and my unit has
been building the camps for soldiers arriving here in England. I Can’t say our exact location just
incase a spy gets hold of this letter. I’m assuming this is for a big battle or something. I can’t
sugar coat it, right now it’s crazy here. Everyone is yelling, stressed, and depressed we have
already had many people die during training and at least one commit suicide. It’s very dark
here, there little to no happiness and we all know the gist of what’s going to happen. Most of us
will die. We could be going into battle anytime now, so that is why I decided to write to you
just incase. We have all grown used to the smell of smoke and gun powder. We are all smoking
cigarettes and it’s nice cause they give them to us for free, but all that smoke is making many of
us have a pretty bad cough. We are all sweaty, mad and depressed and the worst is yet to come.
There is some light in this darkness for me because I have just received permission by my
Commanding Officer to marry Miss Doreen Daisy Mabel Middleton which I have known for
around 18 months. This has made this whole situation a lot better and easier to deal with. I don’t
think I will come back though because I will be on the battlefield right there in the action and I
have to believe that the Germans will be waiting for us there. Anyway I love you Mom and Dad
and you did a good job as a parent and I am okay with me dieing for my country, but if I do
then Please Take care of my wife to be.

Sincerely Raymond
Sidney W. and Della M. Sparkes
500 Kingston Rd
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4L 1V3

Dear Mom and Dad June 5th, 1944

It’s crazy over here, I’m writing this in the evening. I just found out that we were supposed to
storm Juno beach today, but due to fog we are storming early tomorrow morning. As of now I
am panicking and I don’t know what to do. This might not be easy to hear but I am freaking out
over here, everyone is on edge, no one can sleep or even rest. I am going to try to keep my cool
and not get too worked up, but I don't know if I can. I am going to miss my beloved wife and
you my parents will be in my heart until my last breath. I will miss the warm summer days we
spent together and the soft fluffy snow we would play in, in the winter. Overall I will miss that
one day on February 3rd, 1927, It was my fifth birthday and even though it was a hard time then
and we didn’t have much money, you bought me a Buck Rogers spaceship Tin wind-up toy. I
wanted that toy since the first time I saw it. I would play with all the time for years. I appreciate
that you did that for me and I know now that you had to work some extra jobs to get it for me,
so thank you. Thank you for everything, for staying with me and helping me when I was sick,
putting bandaids on my cuts, making me happy when I was sad, and most of all putting on a
brave face. Putting on a brave face can help a lot and I have learned that here in the military
because if you show your emotions here then It makes everyone nervous and upset. A brave
face is a necessity to have as a soldier and because I have learned what not having a brave face
can cause I am grateful that you kept a brave face throughout all of the hard times growing up.
If you didn’t stay strong then I wouldn’t think that everything is fine, like I did and I would be
worried. If I knew what hard times we really going through it would scar me. So just to sum it
up, you did a good job keeping a brave face growing up and a good job at parenting and I love
you Mom, Dad. I don’t think I will survive this battle and that is okay because I am dying for
peace and to stop the evil rath that the Germans bring upon the Allied countries. Goodbye

Sincerely Raymond
Written by: Laurenne Tetreault

WIlliam Robert McCutcheon

15201 Victoria road
SummerLand, BC
V0H 1Z3

Dearest Gertrude, 28 May, 1944

All I do is think about you. I remember the time we had at the beach last year. There's

been talk about going to land on a beach soon. That's all i’m allowed to say. I don't know when

you'll get this letter, they probably take weeks to arrive. I'm still at the same staging camp

preparing everyday for the fight that is coming. New recruits arrive every day and I have gained

a few more boys from BC and other places back home. There is this one kid who sticks out and

he makes me laugh. He follows me around like your brother Timmy did back home, so in some

ways it has added some normal to the place. His name is Marty and he is just 17 years old. I

thinks he's one of the youngest kids here. I feel bad for him really. He is a sand sampler which

means he goes to enemy territory and gets some sand in the middle of the night. We need the

sand to see if our tanks can go on it and do not sink. Not knowing who could see him, he could

be shot and killed. He left yesterday on an assignment. I wished him luck before he boarded the

boat and then I said a prayer Everyday I see boys ages 19 or younger and all I can do is hope for

the best. Our freedom is riding on the backs of these boys. Everyday I just have to hope that this

will all be over and I could go home, Im very scared for the outcome of this war. Who knows

how long it could go on for, Maybe another year or two. If we go into battle tomorrow or the

next day, I have to say that you, Gertrude you're the love of my life. I hope he is doing well and

I hope everything is fine at home. Im okay and I will come home for you soon.
 I’m am only for you, Gertrude.

Will

WIlliam Robert McCutcheon

15201 Victoria road

SummerLand, BC
V0H 1z3

Dear Gertrude, 5 June, 1944

I've been lugging bags and weapons onto ships, I know that I will be deployed soon. I

don't know the day exactly but When you're over here you don't know what to believe and what

lies ahead. Funny, I've gotten use to the smell of gunpowder, but I don't forget the smell of

home. I am in Dorchester right now. There's one thing I want to tell you and it's if I don't make

it back, I know as much as you hate when I talk about this but being here people come and go

really quick. Marty, a sand sampler left a few days ago hasn't come back, he's the kid I was

telling you about that reminded me of Timmy. Words cannot describe how I will feel if this my

last letter home, to you Gertrude. I care about you so much. Tell my Mom and Dad, that they

where the best parents I could have ever asked for. They help me grow up into a man, and now I

will go onto helping the world, I want this world to change it's wrong and I know that and so do

you. I am scared for what comes tomorrow but for all the other little kids I want them to grow

up in a world that’s better than this.

To Gertrude the one and only love in my life, from

Will
Written By: Sam Humphrey

(Week Before)

Miss May Ballantyne

450 Main Street

Alberton, Prince Edward Island

COB 1B0

Dear May 29, 1944,

About a month ago my Regiment and I have made it here to Portsmouth, England, the reasoning for us

being stationed here I do not know, but I fear of an invasion on the Western Front. The smell of

gunpowder and chemical fire is now commonplace, but I cannot sleep with it, knowing all it brings with it

is death, no matter German or Allied; murder is murder to me and I can't bear knowing that one day I

will be forced to lose my life or take someone else's. I hope everything back home is going smoothly, and

send my regards to Mum & Dad. I wish I could see your face, but such is the sacrifice of giving freedom

to the helpless. I am sorry I left you, I wish did didn't have to happen but I feel responsible for protecting

the people, no matter who they may be. I promise you I will stay safe. I will write to you again soon,

Love,

Daniel
Miss May Ballantyne

450 Main Street

ALberton, Prince Edward Island

COB 1BO

Dear June 5, 1944

I've begun to fear for my life, suddenly our training has greatly increased in intensity and urgency: the

worst, has come an invasion on the front is imminent. I know I promised you I would stay safe, but that

may be impossible now. I know most people don't know of our relationship, and I can't imagine how it

must feel to be alone and pregnant all of the judging looks and unholy titles that are being thrown your

way, please use this letter as proof that I am the father to your son. Please forgive me for leaving you

alone. I have no choice now. The existential dread of my expendability in this war is haunting me. The

only person in this world that I mean anything to is you. I won't stop thinking of you until my last breath.

I will never stop loving you, no matter what happens. If the worst happens I bequeath my life insurance

and my victory bonds. If I die tell our son that I am proud of him every night. I wish to be buried back

home, so that I can feel the beautiful sea air before I go on to the next. I must complete this task. This

may be my last day on this earth, but at least I have made my peace. I can't wait to be home, whether it

be with you or with God.

Love,

Daniel
Written by : Riley Hodgins

Clarisse Vermette
706 1st Avenue E
Sainte Rose du Lac, Manitoba, Canada
R0L 1SO

Dear mother, May 30th, 1944

How are you? I’m sure you wouldn’t like to hear the specifics of the war over

here. It is not for the faint of heart, so I’d prefer if we focused on the better things.

I’ve been placed in Greenock, and enjoyed a nice little leave while there. Now I’m

back with the 22nd field ambulance, meaning I get to help the injured on the

battlefield. I promise that Emile and I will be back soon. He and I like to talk about

how much better it’ll be at home. Like the bakery, and spending time with you at

home. Like all the smells of the fresh bread and all that. We miss it a lot. And, I

know I said I didn’t want to talk about the war, but I simply must tell you about the

rumours going around. I heard my superiors talking about some sort of mission at -

--- -----, but it’s still just talk. I’ve never been to ---- ----- before, or any ----- for that

matter. Was there a reason we never went in my childhood? I realized it was hard to

support us financially without dad, but I believe Emile and I would have enjoyed it.

You would have enjoyed it too. Well, with that, I believe it’s time to go. I hope you

receive this letter.

Sincerely, your favourite son, Antonio

Clarisse Vermette
706 1st Avenue E
Sainte Rose du Lac, Manitoba, Canada
R0L 1SO

Dearest mother, June 5th, 1944

Today is the day before our big mission. I believe I know where we’re going

now, but I don’t think I’m supposed to. Everyone was trying to keep it secret so the

Nazis don’t catch on to our plan. If they do, the war would be over for us. And even

if they still remain clueless to our plan, there’s quite a big chance that I could still

perish in battle. I don’t mean to alarm you, but what I’m saying is true. This could

very well be my last day alive on Earth. At first, I viewed that as a scary concept,

but now, it doesn’t seem all too bad. After hearing about so many stories of friends

and fellow soldiers, German or Allied, die at the hands of this war, the idea of my

inevitable mortality has humbled me. We all gotta die sometime, so I might as well

die with honour. Don’t fret. If I go, I would have gone fighting for you, and only

you. Not just our nation of Canada, but you. It was always for you. It was for dad

too. I wish he was here to see what I’ve become. I’ll fight until my dying breath to

protect you and our noble country. I’ll make sure to make father proud, if he’s

watching down on me. And if I join him by tomorrow’s dawn, then I’ll be watching

down on you too. I love you, from the bottom of my heart.

Love, Antonio
 Written by: Shaylee Huestis

Adelaide Harkness

108 Grexton Drive

Grandview, Manitoba, Canada

R0L 0Y0

May 19, 1944

Dear mom,

It's been hard. Not knowing what's going to happen. Who’s going to die. I ask myself too often

if I might be someone who loses their lives on the battlefield. I'm stationed here in South

Hampton for now. Everyone has been training non-stop. Working so hard, maybe just to die in

the end. I'm sorry, I don't mean to dump all this on you, it's just that, i'm scared. Scared of what

will come in my friends and my own future. I don't want to die. I'm not ready. I still have so

much to do. Get married, have kids, I know you’ve always wanted grandchildren. I want to

grow old. I want to live my life to the fullest. I miss you, more than you could ever imagine. I'm

also so sorry, for leaving you alone with dad not doing well. It must be unbelievably hard taking

care of all the animals, the farm, and dad all alone. I feel so much guilt everyday. It's not all sad

though, I’ve met many people who I can call my close friends. I feel you would really like

Chad. He also works on a farm, really close to us. He says when the war is over he would come

visit and help us with our crops. Because let's be honest, your amazing with animals, but our

crops are barely hanging on. I miss you so much. More than I could ever say in words. I would
come back if I could. To help you, dad, the farm. I miss you so much, and can't wait to see you

when this war is over.

Adelaide Harkness

108 Grexton Drive

Grandview, Manitoba, Canada

R0L 0Y0

June 4, 1944

Dear Mom,

I’ve been thinking over these past couple days, and I’ve come to a realization. I'm ok

with dying. I'm not sure if this is me changing my perspective or realizing my fate. Because

even though I hate to admit it, I'm going to die. I don't want you to be sad. I don't want you to

try and remember what life was like with me there. I need you to live life without my shadow

following you around. And know that when I died saving my country, I don’t have any regrets,

except one. Not telling you how much you really mean to me. When dad got sick, you were

always there for both of us. You were there for me, every step of the way. And I love you for

that so much. Words cannot describe how much you mean to me. And I wish I didn’t have to

leave. I wish I could of been there for you just like you were there for me. You deserved so

much better than what you got from me. You gave my everything a guy could ask for in a mom.

I know I promised you grandchildren, and I'm sorry I couldn’t provide. Instead of doing

something purposeful in life, I lived at home wasting away, using up your resources. I was so

messy and gross and did nothing except get in the way, yet you let me stay. You make me a
home cooked dinner every night. And I gave you nothing. And I will never forgive myself for

being so selfish the 20 years I spent treating you as if you needed to treat me with such kindness

and love. I also have a message for dad. Tell him I love him. I never told him enough. I didn’t

treat him as if I loved him. I treating him with such disrespect that he didn’t deserve after he got

sick. I need him to know that I love him, so much. I knew he couldn’t do things he used to be

able to do, yet I still expected such things from him, which he didn’t deserve that. Also tell him

that he can’t die yet. Someone needs to be there for you, and I’m sorry that can't be me. But

don't feel remorse for me, I'll take good care of grandma and grandpa up there. I promise I’ll be

much better to them then I was to you and dad. I love you both so much. Never forgot that.

Take care of eachother.