8 September 1937

Dear Mother:

The motto of my new Squadron is "Seek and Destroy" - nasty, whot?

I have much to learn here. It is a really highly technical business - using R/T and doing organized interceptions.

This Squadron is protecting the east coast hereabouts, and one must know the sector backwards. The whole job is a deadly serious one, but very interesting. The country around here is very hilly. The towns of Darlington and Richmond date back to antiquity - old cobblestone roads and market places - making it very rough for the buses.

I have a bad cold and am feeling generally rotten, but I suppose I'll live. I could get a month's leave, but I really have no place I'd like to go that I could afford anyway.

I am using a Canadian's room here at present - R. A. Barton. He's back in British Columbia on eight weeks' leave I believe. He must have a private income. Most of the English chaps here have private incomes of some sort and run cars.

The other Squadron here is 26 Army Co-op Squadron. They have Hawker Hectors, 24 cylinder machine. They make a dreadful row.

The bathrooms here are all tiled, as well as the walls back of the sink in the bedrooms. The huge wardrobe is built into the wall and has two large mahogany doors that swing out. One has a full length mirror built into it.

They have a large military camp at Catterick all around here and the R.A.F. often cooperate with them in low-flying attacks, etc.

Freddie McCall has his records in pictures all over the wall here as well as Claxton and other aces.

My Squadron has just returned from Aden. I wish it had stayed.

My Yorkshire barber just told me that Yorkshiremen are very generous and free and easy. They'll give you everything but money.

Love Bill