10 September 1937

Dear Dad:

One side for good old 41 Squadron. Barton, one of our Canadian chaps, is back in B.C. now, having eight weeks' holidays. He went via the Queen Mary to New York and flew the rest to B.C.

Overall from Ontario is going back for Christmas and yours truly wouldn't mind either. I could probably get eight weeks and if so could I have $200 here at receiving end to bring me back to England. Train is $75 including berths third class one way and $87.50 or so boat out of Halifax or other port - $200 should cover it.

I could with temerity scrounge another $100 to get over to your side by boat.

What I am getting at is this. Could you motor down east and pick me up. äI can't see how you could get down before Christmas, but even after would be better than not.

I suppose the roads would be open during December, and if you could motor down east, everything would be okay!

I don't know how this silly scheme sounds, but it looks all right to me. At least I should have no expense while at home, which I wouldn't mind seeing for awhile. I wish you would write and say if it's okay, as then I could apply pressure and get the necessary red tape cleared up.

I have been flying continuously since I have joined, and am liable to blow up if I don't go on leave soon. I also weigh over 185 lbs., so don't think I've lost weight through worrying of any kind. The wind is very cold in Yorkshire and foretells a real cold winter and a damp one too, unfortunately.

I live quite close to Mr. Bamborough now, but have lost his address. I know where to find him though, if I go to York.

I have been flying every day learning my sector by heart - all along the coast over Hartlepool, which was severely bombed by Zepps during the war (remember it). I don't think it will happen again - Heh! Heh! This country is very beautiful to fly over here and there are many fine castles and country estates with swimming pools, terraces, fountains, and huge grounds. There are also many old abbey ruins, which show up clearly from the air. The country about here has many large rivers and large industrial cities, which pour forth smoke continuously. Imperial Chemical have large ammonia plants at Middlesborough and do they cover ground. I can hardly resist wanting to drop a bomb on it myself.

Yesterday I flew over Scarborough (large ocean resort) at one thousand feet. The waves and huge breakers look stationary at that height, but are very clear cut and white.

Well, I could go on like this for weeks, but here's how!

Waiting to hear from you.

Love Bill