7 December 1936

Dear Mother:

I received your parcel today containing clothes bag and pants. The bag is marvellous - just the type for an officers' mess.

Today I went on another cross-country trip to Sywell R.A.F. aerodrome. After juggling with maps, compasses, parallel rulers, etc. I set off. I arrived at Sywell frozen completely through but officers there soon thawed me out. While warming up Pupil Pilot Grattan-Bushe and Leading Aircraftsman Steed and Australian from Woodley arrived in their Tiger Moths.

In the interval clouds came down to 900 feet but we decided to fly back. The three of us decided to fly back in formation. Steed had nearly lost himself coming to Sywell and Sir Grattan-Bushe's son did not have much confidence in his navigation so I was elected Flight Commander. One after the other we left the aerodrome - I throttled back and they slid in behind my tail on each side and I turned over Sywell aerodrome at 900 feet and set my course for Woodley.

I had to go along at 1600 revs. so that the Moths could stay with me. - We thundered along in a tight V over little towns, farms and cities, hills and forests. I had to do navigating and my two henchmen just sat on my tail. It was great - we arrived at Reading - shot in different directions and landed at 5-minute intervals.

Huit, one of our chaps, lost himself and landed somewhere near the Scottish border. Ross, another of our chaps, lost himself near Reading - of course instructors go out and bring the machines back and the poor pilot feels like a bird with pin feathers.

I have some postcards which I am sending to Aunt Ida, Ross, Mr. Sinclair and Bill Edwards and probably Lois - I don't know all the addresses and would appreciate it if you would address them for me. I am sending one to Bamboroughs too and some others.

One some of the high hills which we flew over today I could see snow. Dad was right when he admired open fire places. - I think they're wonderful - a mess wouldn't be a mess without one.

Excuse me while I rub my nose. I think I froze it today.

I shall spend Christmas in London and hope to have a good time. Devey took me to a Spanish cafe in London and ordered meal in Spanish -what a place! Real fun though. There are a lot of cars here and we get up to London in 2 hours.

Grattan-Bushe got lost on his way to Sywell - so he flew low over a railway station and read the name of it on a sign and got his directions from that.

Fix up my spelling of Mrs. Hare if its wrong.

Dec. 9 Wed.

Fog on the ground today - so thick we have to grope our way to school. KLM Liner of Dutch Air Lines crashed after take-off from Croydon and killed 14 people.

P.S. Enclosed of £2-10 for Jean and Ronny. Buy them something. I will send Dad, Mom and Bob's later when I get a little money.

Love Bill