20 December 1936

Dear Jean:

What did Santa Claus bring you this year? I'll bet Ronny enjoyed himself. This is probably the first year I have seen Christmas without snow.

I am spending Christmas week in London. We will spend most of our time along Piccadilly where all the cinemas are and wonderful foreign restaurants. Piccadilly at night is lighted up with thousands of lights and is very beautiful.

I was piloting the Superintendent of Reserve through the air a couple of days ago when the following conversation took place.

S.O.R. - What would you do if the engine caught fire?

Bill - Shut off petrol, open throttle until petrol in carburettor was used up, switch off magnetos and sideslip flames away from machine.

S.O.R. - And if flames started to get worse?

Bill - I'd jump.

S.O.R. - So would I.

(short and sweet)

Orton and I went to the cinema in Reading last night and saw Carol Lombard in "The Princess Comes Across" and "Hot Money" - they were both very good.

I shall spend lots of time at Canada House in London where I can read the Calgary papers for a couple of months at past. It should be very interesting.

I had to buy a medium-sized steamer trunk for my clothes - I needed room for dinner jacket suit and also new lounge suit.

It is quite filled up. I shall really need another when I get uniforms during Christmas.

Mess jacket and trousers etc.

Service Jacket, 2 pairs slacks

Great coat, etc.

Shoes, etc.

We also get a service revolver issued to us for shooting lost pigeons in the air.

I should like to take Dad and Mother to Lyons/Brasserie in Piccadilly - It is all done on the German style. Four of us got tired of the food here and went to London one night for a good meal. We had tall glasses of Lager, real steak, onions, baked potatoes - and all the trimmings. Total Bill was £1 including tips.

They have a real musical hall atmosphere.

Ask Ronny if he still remembers "Bill."

Love Bill
royal air force,
uxbridge.