15 August 1936
To Mother
Dear Mother:
I am writing this from the Lounge Room of the Empress, sailing east on the St. Laurence. The letter will be taken off at Father Point. The vibration spoils my letter a bit. My room mate is 39. Mr. H. W. Waterfield travels for a wood pulp company in Montreal - fine fellow. I got my passport all right and everything is okay. The wind on deck is terrific. The boat does thirty m.p.h. Only one-third of a boat load this time. If this is the smooth river, yo! ho! for the ocean. I met George Walker and Frank Mills going to the R.A.F. from Calgary. You saw their pictures. They stand the same chance as I do - they are on the same boat.
I got absolutely no thrill on the train and none yet on the boat. Not a tremor when the boat pulled out - good nerve for flying. I would never have anybody see me off at dock - terrible sight spoils the trip. My friend offers me everything - very nice. How is Jean? Ronny, where's Bill? (Bull).
I suppose the passport officer or R.C.M.P. at Quebec seemed to know me. Asked name and then nodded to another Dick or something.
It is nice to have a passport picture. Certainly looks tough though.
Love Bill
Last letter till England.
- Am I not a model son? Three letters.
CANADIAN
PACIFIC
STEAMSHIP
LINES
ON BOARD THE
CANADIAN PACIFIC STEAMSHIP
"Empress of Britain"