– Documents: This letter is to Maitland Newman, veteran of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) in WWI. Newman was in Toronto at the time of this letter and was working with Regimental Associations and the Home Battalion to provide items to the 1st Battalion 48th Highlanders overseas. The letter is from Brigadier Eric Haldenby who had served also with the 15th Battalion and was the Commanding Officer taking the 1st Battalion overseas in 1939. Haldenby had been promoted in England to Brigadier and during the Italian campaign was located at Avellino in Italy as Officer Commanding the training and deployment of replacement troops to the Canadian Army there. “Don” refers to Lt. Col. Donald Mackenzie who had been appointed  Commanding Officer of the 48th right after the Hitler Line battle in May 1944.

C.A.A.7

Passed by censor No. 9615add

to. Mr. M.F. Newman

605 Dominion Bank Blvd.

Toronto, Ont.

Canada

29 September 1944

Dear Mait,

I received your letter re Christmas parcels a few days before I received your cable. I sent the following cable to you today.

“Glad to make distribution. Thirteen hundred required, chocolate, gum, writing materials, socks, handkerchiefs, regimental flashes.”

I hope you have received this OK. I have talked the question over with various individuals who should know and I think these things would be appreciated the most. About writing paper. Would there by any chance of having the Regimental Crest printed on the papers. It is not necessary nor allowed on envelopes. I know this would be difficult but I’m sure the men would get a kick out of it. They are always wanting nice new flashes. Food is fairly plentiful and unless it is something very special it would not be any treat. Any little touch that suggests Christmas is of course very welcome. Toilet articles are in fairly plentiful supply but are always useful. There may be the things that you can think of.

The Regiment has been doing some more wonderful work. Don is magnificent commander and everyone speaks highly of him. He has succeeded in every job the battalion has been given. I have see a great many of the wounded and they are all in good spirits. I cannot tell you what a joy it is to me to hear the general appreciation of the Regiments’ work.

I don’t think I ever thanked you for your very kind letter of sympathy written to me at the time of father’s death.

The weather here has been very wet now for days and we are all afraid it may hurt our offensive. We have been hoping to get the Hun out of Italy this year but you can’t fight in marshy land. Everything has been going so well here and in France that we all have high hopes on seeing the Nazis collapse very soon but I feel he has nothing to hope for if he capitulates and he will fight on until we root him out piece by piece.

I saw Deeks yesterday and he has recovered from the wounding of his hand. He looked very thin though. I suppose you know Dave Mills is with Corps HQ as an L.O. He is doing a good job and the regiment will always be grateful for his loyalty.

I saw some of the fighting at Rimini and it was certainly as tough as anything our people have had. My gang have been extremely busy but we have had good reports of the results of our small part of the success. Kindest regards, Mait. Hope I shall see you fairly soon. Eric