14 October 1937

Dear Mother:

I have full particulars from the Canadian Pacific here and think I will leave Saturday January 1 from Liverpool on the Duchess of York arriving in Halifax Jan 8. Leaving Montreal on the 9 after Boat Train and arriving in Calgary on the 12.

I would have to leave Calgary some time in the first week of February to catch the Duchess of Atholl.

I will have to get permission from No. 12 Fighter Command Group Headquarters to leave the country but feel confident that I can.

Of course I should greatly prefer coming home for Christmas but the little extra cash I could have by January more than warrants my delay.

I hope you don't mind if I come in January. I know its not the same as being home for Christmas.

I hope you will find out if those railway rates hold good for January and let me know as soon as possible.

I am glad to hear that Jean enjoys High School so much. Ronny should be quite a boy now. I was just thinking that I would be 22 when I

return - getting on whot? - Too old to spank now.

I hope they have good variety at the Grand during winter months as I desire to take my mother to some as I enjoy it very much.

Is Dad still 200 lbs. I showed Blatchford Dad's photo the other day - the one at Medicine Hat in overcoat.

He said sure! I have seen him often at Hawks or some other place around aerodrome at Edmonton. Small world eh?

Wish you were here to hear 41 Squadron roar off on an interception patrol - I hope to tell you all about it.

Love Bill