"Somewhere in England, 23-2-422. The Bradford Witness, Bradford, Ontario. Dear Sir; I would like to thank all the friends who contributed in sending me the swell parcel which I have just received. I cannot find time to thank all of you individually, but I want you to know that I greatly appreciate your kindness. It means a lot to me to receive a gift from folks i have known as friends. Again, thank you one and all. I received a copy of The Bradford Witness to-day. Thanks a million for sending it so regularly. I am awfully glad to get them and always look forward to receiving the next copy. Wishing you all the best of luck in everything, I remain, Yours sincerely Eric Wright. B29439 Spr. E. Wright, 2 Cdn Rd. Const. Co'y., R.C.E. Cdn. Army Overseas."
"News From home Appreciated Most By Boys May 25, 1944 Dear Mr. McKenzie: My first copies of The Bradford Witness arrived a few days ago and I can assure you it was indeed a pleasure to read news of the old town. My mail has been coming through exceptionally well, but even so I found a number of items of news in your paper that my wife and mother apparently had overlooked. Spring has at last arrived in England and is most welcome after a winter of fog and rain. I am at present on a drome in the centre of the fruit-growing district and the trees are a mass of bloom. Whoever wrote about the beauties of "An English Apple Orchard in the Spring" didn't half do it justice. Like everyone else these days, we are kept very busy, but last week I managed to get sufficient time off to visit Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-on-Avon. It is a beautiful little town and the Memorial Theatre is very interesting. I hear from Ron. Sutherland and Lorne West quite regularly by letter, but it is difficult to arrange one's leave in order to get together. My sincere thanks to you and Mr. Earl Rowe for making it possible to receive your paper. Without a doubt, news from home is cherished most by all the boys overseas. My kind regards to all the good people of Bradford and district. Sincerely, Laurie Melbourne."
"With Our Men in Uniform" was a weekly column where letters or the location of Bradford and West Gwillimbury troops in the Second World War was disclosed to the town. It was a way to give updates on their conditions, or let the soldiers themselves thank the community for any gifts, support, or to say how they were doing overseas.
This week promoted three letters from soldiers, the location and well-being of Hedley Dimock and letter of thanks from Ken Ogilvie.
"Dear Mr. McKenzie: I would like to thank you and the members of the bradford Canadian Corps Association for your kindness extended to me while in this country. I wish to thank the Corps for their regular assignment of cigarettes. It is hard to express one's appreciation for Canadian cigarettes, as the English fags are very interior when compared to ours. I have been receiving a very welcome visitor weekly in the form of The Bradford Witness. It keeps me well abreast with all the local happening and recalls to one the days at home. I wish to thank you and the Hon. Earl Rowe for making this possible. I haven't met anyone from Bradford or vicinity over here in my wanderings, but, judging from your column, "With the Men in Uniform," in The Witness, it is well represented. Thanking you again, I remain, Respectfully yours, Harold Wilson."
"To the Bradford Witness: Have arrived safely overseas. As this is my first trip to this country, I'm looking forward to seeing a great deal of it. I think, in fact, I know that I'll still like good old Canada. I'm writing this letter along with one to my family, so it will be short. Will be glad to hear from anyone who will write to me. There was a wonderful bunch of men who came over on the last draft, so it won't be long now. Will be seeing you all soon. -Bruno In his letter to his parents Bruno Cavallo told of meeting Baldwin Stoddart, Calvin and Wilfred Aikens and several men from Orillia and Sudbury whom he knew when working in those towns. His address is - Cpl. Bruno Cavallo, B-108600, No. 4 C.I.R.U., Canadian Army Overseas."
