25 December 1936
To Dad · Telephone: No 217 uxbridge
Dear Dad:
As you may note from the letterheads of my note paper, you can see I'm getting along (moving along) in the world. I am now Acting Pilot Officer Martyn.
I have had two fittings for uniforms in London.
You should see my mess dress - skin tight breeches with high Wellingtons which come inside legs of trousers and take three men and a boy to pull on and six to pull off.
Even at that with the little jacket with R.A.F. wings they look very smart.
The cloth in the officers' service dress is sure good. Everything is tailored right to your measurement in one of the most exclusive shops in London.
London central is 12 miles from Uxbridge and we get leave every so often to go in for further fittings.
All service dress is Air Force Blue and every button has R.A.F. wings on it and are we proud to hold commissions in the General Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force?!
Our little squadron are only staying 15 days at Uxbridge - most the others here are staying one months. - Well we don't mind.
There is a tremendous amount of service etiquette to be crammed into over short stay here and we are continually on the jump.
Woe to us if the Wing Commander seers a dirty collar, crease in trouser, etc.
The silk scarf you and Mother sent me sure hits the spot. It is correct in every detail for my evening dress. - We have to dress every evening so you can see I'm turning into a real boiled shirt of a fellow.
The Flight Sergeants, poor fellows, are not allowed to touch us when drilling, although they say they would love to - this doesn't hurt our feelings. They swear at us but they have to call us Mr. so and so and salute us when we meet each other.
There are about seven of us here at Christmas. Figure this out
1 Canadian Montreal, 3 Calgary, 1 Edmonton and 1 New Zealand, 1 South African.
On January 9, I go to No. 3 F.T.S. R.H.F. Grantham for advanced training wireless, formation flying and slightly higher ? cruising speeds on Hawker Harts as well as very many more subjects.
Here's wishing you a prosperous New Year.
Love Bill.
royal air force,
uxbridge.