The family of a WWII soldier from McCreary is sharing his last letter sent home.
Private Melvin C. Smith was 23-years-old when he died overseas on May 4, 1945 — just days before the end of the war.
He gave a letter to his sister two years prior, to give to his mother in the event he lost his life fighting for this country.
The letter reads:
Dear Mum and all: Just a line to let you know all is fine; am well, and hope this finds you all the same. Well Mum, here is my thought and what I think of fighting for Canada and also what I think of my home.
Let every Canadian fight to the last drop of blood in his body. Let him keep the golden fields and the busy streets clean and fresh and let him keep the air he breathes free from the stench of Nazism. I have no regrets of dying. Give this message to my friends and to the people of Canada if it is possible. I would like to thank you Mum and Dad for making my life a very happy one indeed, and for giving me every possible chance in life to make a success of it.
I have no regrets dying for my country; it is a grand country – any man who can call himself a Canadian should be proud to die in the struggle for freedom which I am sure Canada will always have. I am sure that our troops – the lucky ones – will march victorious through the streets of Berlin. I am proud of those brave lads of the Tank Corps with whom I had the honour to fight side by side.
So I will say goodbye and God bless you all. Love, your son, Mel.
