7 July 1938

Dear Dad:

Received your post card from Grande Prairie. Leaving for Catterick by air on the 10th.

I have been offered a commission to fly for the Navy which I am accepting.

It is for seven years and I will travel and serve on shore stations and ships afloat.

I at the same time must sever for all time my connection with the Royal Air Force.

The Admiralty are giving me posting instructions - some time in August. At the present I will continue to serve with 41 Squadron.

I will become a pukker naval officer and will not wear RAF uniform again.

I had an interview some weeks ago at the Admiralty in London with Admiral Sir E. Dowding and his staff and I was told I would be given naval rank equivalent to Flying Officer or one step up with the same seniority which I now hold as Pilot Officer which is October 12, 1937.

My rank will be Sub-Lieutenant (A) Air Branch WWH etc. R.N. Further, on October 12, 1939 I shall, if I pass exam, become Lt. R.N. which is equivalent to Captain, Army, or Ft. Lt. R.A.F.

As the commission runs for seven years with the alternative after seven of staying on to complete 15 years combined R.A.F. and R.N. flying, it's not bad. In fact I shall be an old man of 30 when I finish.

Pilot Officer Ryder has a picture in his room of a tramp sitting on the rail of a railway track and below these famous words:

"You may be on the right track but don't sit there."

I am taking the commission because of the increased experience and navigation difficulties plus the added opportunity of world travel with the British Fleet.

I have been getting quite good front gun scores on air targets here and I have just signed my annual confidential report which goes to Fighter Command and Air Ministry.

On it the C.O. Squadron Leader Adams states that I am a keen pilot and a cheerful and confident officer - Has the makings of a very good shot (shades of Bishop and Collishaw) Ho! Ho! So I shall leave the R.A.F. with a good taste in my mouth.

I think life as a naval officer will suit me as I have no family ties in England and it really doesn't matter to me if I live in London or three miles south of Singapore.

The Admiralty are giving me £50 or $250 to help buy uniforms and I will do my best to manage.

How would you like a navy flyer opposite the one of the R.A.F. on the piano!

I shall have one thick gold ring on each sleeve and next Oct. 1939 two thick gold rings, thus:

(at the double please)

Aye! Aye! Sir

Until I wire you, send all mail to P/O Martyn at 41 as before.

My new title will be written thus:

Sub-Lieutenant (A) WWH Martyn R.N. (G.P.O. London -probably).

The old name of Fleet Air Arm is obsolete now that the Admiralty have taken over and is called the Naval Air Arm and I have been selected for the Air Branch of the Royal Navy (Proper Terms).

Who knows? I might some day be catapulted off a cruiser in Vancouver and drop in to see you.

Don't let this letter shock you! It could have been worse.

Love Bill
I am proud to know that the Admiralty consider me fit to hold a naval commission and fly for them.
My career has certainly got drawbacks - Doesn't sound much like a settling down in the little old home in the West, but I'll tell you more next time I smoke your cigars.
W.H.M.