In the fall of 1941,  my uncle Arch Curtis was attending Oshawa Missionary College. He was a popular, optimistic fellow, a talented pianist and artist. He had a restless spirit and had traveled quite a bit already for a man his age in that era. Arch’s letters from that time reveal his thoughts.

October 13th, 1941

Dear Folks:

About my going away, or joining the Merchant Navy. I can’t say as yet just what my decision is going to be. Every day I think it over and I must confess that I really have a desire to go. However I do not want to do any thing that would make you folks worry too much if I can help it but if the truth were known I am really considering two angles to the question:——Money is very scarce with me and I surely needs some clothes. Shoes and other things….At least if I join the Navy they’ll give me a uniform and that’s something to wear!

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada. We sure have an awful lot to be thankful for do we not? Look at all the people in Europe at this time! We have gotten along very nicely thus far, and we should really appreciate it a whole lot more than we do!

October 26th, 1941

Dear Folks:

Here I am in New York City! Last night I walked down Broadway all alone, 23rd street, 54th Street, 8th 5th 9th Avenues 42nd Street, Bronx, Hell’s Kitchen and everywhere!!!

I left Oshawa last Tuesday and came by Pullman train to New York from Montreal. I am having a grand time and I only hope that you are as happy as I.

Now I don’t want you to worry about me. I’ll write you as often as possible so you can depend on that. We are loading war supplies for Europe and will be leaving here to join the convoy sometime within a few days.

I am telling you this so that you will not have to surmise anything. The ship is owned by the United States Lines and was formerly an Italian merchant vessel.

I can’t talk much about the ship or the voyage. All I know is that we are bringing supplies for the war-front.

Now as I said before, do not worry. There are hundreds of parents tonight that have sons flying over German-held territory and risking their lives 30,000 feet in the air! How do you think they like it? I mean the parents. The main thing to do is to be brave and know that we are doing a noble work for the uplift of all humanity.

My ship is laying at anchor over in Weehawken, New Jersey. Just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Pop would know where that would be!

November 2nd, 1941

“Hello” Folks!

Here I am again in North Sydney! Had a good trip up here from New York. Very calm you know!

Hope you are feeling fine, because I never felt better in my life. I have a slight cold but that doesn’t amount to much.

When I get back to the States I am going to enroll for an Art Course. I expect to have about $400.00 and that will see me through. In the meantime I am alright, good and comfortable with lots of warm clothes (to) wear, so you need not worry about me one teeny-weeny bit!

Don’t lose any sleep and above all Mom don’t let your imagination work on you! I never take chances so you can be assured that I will not run any risks! That’s my nature you know that.

I have a brand new Bible here with me and I am going to read a chapter every day! Remember me often and I know you do!

I hope to get my feet on a good foundation. Better late than never you know and hope to be a Commercial Artist some day!! Pray that I may realize that ambition!

I will close now and will endeavour to write as often as conditions permit. Don’t worry and everything will be O.K.

(End of Letters)

Nine days later on November 11, 1941, the M. V. Meridian fell behind the rest of SC-53, a slow convoy heading across the North Atlantic to supply the war-front. It was last seen by the HMCS Chambly at 5:30 in the evening. At 11:35 in the evening, it was torpedoed and sunk by U-561, a German U-boat. There were no survivors.

My uncle’s war lasted three weeks.