"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."

"Dear George:
Just a line to let you know I received another 300 cigarettes from the Can. Corps to-day. Many thanks to you and to every member of the Bradford branch.
It just occurred to me that I neglected to write last month, so I also thank you for them, as well.
The weather has been rather bad lately, so we haven't been flying a great deal for the past few days. However, we do manage to keep pounding the Germans fairly regularly. In fact, planes take off from some parts every night to go to Germany and France.
Well, I must sign off. Once again, many thanks. Most sincerely, Lorne E. West."

Two page hand-written letter in black ink tied together using a green piece of ribbon, with a blank covering page. Letter is addressed to George and Hettie (Banting) Atkins and signed from Thomas Reynolds, Ellen Reynolds, E. J. Chapman and Catherine Chapman. Given to the Atkins at the time they moved from the community.

A panoramic letter card received by Birdie Webb from a member of the Saint family who was fighting overseas in WWI in 1915. This type of card had a letter as well as photos like a postcard inside.

"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.