12 September 1936

Dear Mother:

Received your letter this morning via air mail, and letter of acceptance last night at 9:00 p.m.

I wired you today at 9:00 a.m. London time. You are seven hours behind us, but will get it early in the morning.

My board is only thirty shillings a week. I was forced to move here by the Air Ministry (hint). It is actually cheaper than the old place.

My instructions re clothing are quite explicit and have to have them. Imagine dressing for dinner every day. Wine comes to 20 shillings a week (heh! heh!) etc. My gym equipment goes by board. All stuff must be white military - running shoes are no good, basketball shorts may be all right for basketball.

We start drilling the first day, as well as flying. I have to get new shoes, clean my clothes, press, dry clean pants, get sports coat, dinner jacket suit, etc., before admittance to school.

Address all letters from now on to

Wm W. H. Martyn

"Civil Flying School"

c/o Phillips and Powis Aircraft Ltd.

Reading, England

I am a pupil pilot from Oct. 12, 1936. I am to be posted to Uxbridge and then to Grantham for advanced flying (No. 3 Flying Training School). I will be at civil training school till after Christmas, I expect.

I certainly feel proud of myself and I hope you do the same. Tell Ronny "Bull go bye bye in plane." I have to be vaccinated, etc. I am sure glad I joined October 12. They asked me if I could keep myself till January if necessary, to find out my financial standing. I said yes, but they didn't take me up.

Love to everyone
Bill