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Oakville Historical Society

The Hitchcox Letters

Hitchcox Letters

Description

Writing from Barrie, Ontario, during a wet spring season before Easter, Dudley of the 76th Battalion medical staff writes to his beloved Minnie to share his hopes for an upcoming month-long furlough. He discusses news of nearby battalions departing for England, a potential transfer to Toronto, and affectionately responds to her recent letter. The 76th Battalion left Halifax for England on April 25, 1916. This letter may have been written around late March or early May, 1916
Hitchcox Letters Number 6 page 1
Hitchcox Letters Number 6 page 1

Transcription

142556.

  1. Battalion
  2. Medical staff
  3. Barrie.
  4. Ont.

My Dearest Minnie.

It's now Sunday night and as the roads and side walks are so deep with slush, I thought I'd write you a little letter, Well how is my little nurse getting on these days, the weather here has turned a lot warmer and the snow is going fast, and I only hope it keeps on going as fast, I put my name in yesterday for a months furlough, and if I get it, I guess I'll be coming down in about a week or so, but I don't know wether [sic] I'll get it or not, but I am pretty sure of getting as I am going on fathers place, and wouldn't it be great for you to come down home for Easter, you know we would be glad to have you down, and me more than any of them, 

The seventy fourth and fifth left for England on Saturday and I heard we would be going down to Toronto, or moving out of here in three weeks time, and dearest I only hope we do go to Toronto as it would be lonely then wouldn't it dear. I think I’d get a midnight pass every night then. Well dear I’ll finish this letter after I get yours monday. 

Well here I am again, and your nice letter came to day, also one from Lilla, and they say the house is looking fine, and are anxious for me to go down and see it again. It is an awful day out, raining something fierce, and the roads and sidewalks are awful. I wonder what J.E. thought when you and I passed him, but I guess you won't be leaving him yet, will you dear. I wonder what ever made you think I thought you [?] were a flirt, as I never thought that of you yet, did I dear. I wonder what I would do if [you] never wrote to me for a whole month, but dear you will just have to write home oftener, won't you dear, as I'm sure they get anxious about you if you don't write. 

I know the folks at home do if I miss a letter. I think you can tell me that joke in your next letter, as I would sooner you tell me than Mrs. Melford that is if you want too [sic]. Well dearest I'm afraid you will think this a short letter but really dear there isn't much to say so will close hoping this reaches you in the best of health. Good bye with love and kisses from your ever loving

Dudley. XXXXXXXXXX

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Additional photos

Hitchcox Letters Number 6 page 2
Hitchcox Letters Number 6 page 3
Hitchcox Letters Number 6 page 4

Hitchcox Letters Number 6

Description

Writing from Barrie, Ontario, during a wet spring season before Easter, Dudley of the 76th Battalion medical staff writes to his beloved Minnie to share his hopes for an upcoming month-long furlough. He discusses news of nearby battalions departing for England, a potential transfer to Toronto, and affectionately responds to her recent letter. The 76th Battalion left Halifax for England on April 25, 1916. This letter may have been written around late March or early May, 1916