D-Day: A Canadian soldier's final letter home

Walter Dowden was a young man of 25, hopeful, but "practical," as he prepared to land with the Allied forces on the beaches of Normany in June, 1944 and wrote his parents what would turn out to be his final letter.

Dowden had left Brantford, Ont. for England in 1941, where he trained for war and met a young woman named Rae, whom he had hoped to marry after the war. Before sailing for France, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Sergeant.

• Walter Dowden's Veterans Affairs memorial page and obit
• D-Day Live: The historic invasion in real time

Dowden survived the assault on the beaches on June 6, and three days later had made it as far as a crossroads named Putot­-en­-Bessin, on the road from Bayeux to Caen, when he was shot and killed in battle.

Dowden is buried in Ryes War Cemetery, France.

In his final missive, the 133rd of his letters home, he speaks of his fear but also his hope for the future, and with a full understanding of the history of the moment, before signing off with a "cheerio" and "au revoir."

Here is the full text of his letter, sent to CBC News by his niece, Linda Neal, of Woodstock, Ont.:

Saturday, June 3rd, '44,

B11194 - L/Sgt. Dowden W.R.

No. 133, 12th R.C.A.

Dearest Mom & Dad:

I'm writing this week's letter a day early, just in case I don't get a chance to do any writing tomorrow. No mail has come in during the past week, & we don't expect to receive any for a few days yet. Since my last letter to you, I have written to Alex, Joe Martin, Gran' & GranDad, Rae, Joan & Fern, & Dorothy ­ in that order.

At this time I find myself staring into space, wondering what I can write about, what I can say to you folks at home.  Much will have happened by the time you receive this. The radio & newspapers will burst forth with news of all the latest happenings, as the war goes on.

But the radio or the newspapers could not convey to you the thoughts I have at this time. I'm not sure that I can tell you what my thoughts are, or even that I want to tell you.

I am a part, however small, of a great force, which in the months to come will bring the war in Europe to a great and victorious conclusion.- L-Sgt. Walter Dowden, June 3, 1944

You & I have heard of many chaps, who, under circumstances such as this, write very touching letters to be forwarded to their loved ones ­ just in case. I must admit that I thought of it myself, but decided against it.

As you know, I am a very practical person.  I am also a bit of a fatalist, feeling sure that what is to be will be, that whatever happens, always happens for some good reason, altho' we may not realize it at the time.

Great things are in store for me, for us. I will speak only of myself, but what applies to me also applies to thousands like myself.  I am a part, however small, of a great force, which in the months to come will bring the war in Europe to a great & victorious conclusion.

It will be hard.  Yes, I realize that & am ready for it.  You may wonder if I am afraid.

I have wondered about that myself, & have decided that if I do feel any fear, it must be overrun by other emotions such as curiosity, the will to fight & win, & many other things which I am finding awfully hard to put into words.

Of this I am sure. I am not afraid of Death. I believe sincerely in a Hereafter & I have no regrets on the life I have led on earth.  I have had more than my share of joy & happiness, I have loved & been loved in return, my friends have been good & many, & my experiences in Life, altho' they would not seem important to others, have to me been most pleasant & interesting.

So, altho' I do not expect to go to the Great Beyond until I am an old man, I am ready for it when it does come. As for being wounded, well, I thought about that too, & have decided that a hospital could be a most pleasant place, if there are many nurses like Rae around. She begins her training period this month, you know.

Now,  I am wondering what your thoughts are after reading my letter this far.  Have I been too practical, too outspoken ­ ? I don't think so, for I have only spoken our thoughts.

It's like this, Folks, Syd & I, along with all the rest have a job to do. We'll do that job, & we'll look after ourselves while doing it.  I know it won't be easy for you folks back Home, but we do ask you to keep smiling, & not to worry. Just carry on, as usual ­ for us.

"Monty" himself says that we can beat Germany in six months. Think of that, just six months ­ if all goes well.  Of the Canucks, "Monty" is quoted as having said "The only thing the Canadians will stop for, is to read their mail." ­ He can say that again!

I am sorry if this letter sounds rather "screwy," & perhaps a little too outspoken. But it surely is a "screwy" world we are living in just now ­ but give us just one more year, & we'll straighten it out, this time, for good!

Well, enough of that! I suppose you are proud of you Lance­Sergeant son. You can be every bit as proud of our Syd', for he too has an important job to do, & he'll do it well.

And now there doesn't seem to be much left for me to say. Once again I ask you, all of you, not to worry too much, keep the Home fires burning, & with all of us lads over here, look forward, & hope & pray for that glorious day when we'll all be together once again, happy, contented, & free to live our lives as we wish.

Keep the letters coming, 'Gang', & I'll write whenever I get the chance. I'll say "Au Revoir" for now, & until next time you hear from me, Cheerio, Cheri's ­ & damn it all, Keep Smiling!

God Bless You, Mum & Dad, ­ all of you.

Loads of Love. xxx...

Walt.  
xxx