13 September 1937

Dear Mother:

Things are very quiet here for the next two weeks, as we are reconditioning our aircraft in advance of receiving new machines. The weather is damp and cold with real showery weather.

Today I am Orderly Officer and so have lots to do. My Flight Commander F/O Wallace is down at Northold near London on a weekend and cannot fly back on account of mist, so will have another night in London. I'll bet he's disappointed! I received a letter from Dad in Regina today via Wittering, so he evidently didn't know I was posted North. I don't know where I will go for Christmas, but am looking around. I spent the last one at Uxbridge and London.

You should see our ante room here at Catterick. It is huge, with plenty of leather chairs and davenports. A terrific, open fireplace. The mouth of it is easily as wide as the end of our living room at home. Two davenports go easily in front of it, with a couple of leather chairs. It is a very cheerful Mess, and everyone from the C.O. Squadron Leader Adams down mingle together with no bunkum.

The tiled showers and bathrooms would bring tears to the normal person. Especially when your batman takes your towels, soap, etc. down and gets your bath read and all you do is get into it - Um! Back and everything laid out, no lost links, etc.

If I went home for the holiday, you would make me take out the garbage, so I'm not returning.

I believe Mrs. Culbertson visited Kenneth Keith in the hospital. She wanted me to go into London, but I got posted up here.

Well, in twenty minutes I inspect the Guard - haul down the flag and dismiss the fire picket. For Orderly Officer one wears his peaked cap.

General Salute! "Present arms!" The trumpet blows, and the flag is slowly hauled down. Slope Arms! Guard Commander take post! Guard! to you dukes, quick march!

Love Bill