22 July 1938

Dear Dad:

Doing a lot of flying this week winding up my duties with 41 Fighter Squadron. Feel rather sick about leaving in some ways but nor many.

Did a radio telephony long range test in a Fury and came back 150 miles above 10/10 cloud at 10,000 feet by Direction/Finding from signal station at Catterick. Wing Commander wanted F/O Goodbody flown to Church Fenton, so I took him in Station Magister (new type Miles Hawk monoplane) - main reason so I could see old pal P/O Thomson of New Zealand.

I received my official appointment the other day.

By command of the

Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom etc.

To Sub-Lieutenant (A) W. H. Martyn R.N.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty hereby appoint you Sub-Lieutenant of His Majesty's Ship "Glorious" and direct you to repair on board that ship on the Mediterranean Station.

Your appointment is to take effect from 1st August 1938 -H.M.S. Glorious for fleet fighter duties in 802 Squadron.

I have to be inoculated for typhoid before leaving.

Stan Snell (Red Deer) has written me. He is an Aircraftsman 2nd Class in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Camp Borden - apprentice for an Air Riggers course. Hopes to get posted to Calgary next year - you know of course that the Siskins are to beat Calgary - I hear they are so old now some of the pilots refuse to go up in them.

Flying Officer Pete Gordon Red Deer, who is a B.Sc. Edmonton and flew R.C.A.F. at Borden and is now a permanent commission R.A.F. was here for a week.

He is in 19 Fighter Duxford Squadron - a fine chap - going home on holiday soon - hope he calls in to see you.

Pete is a Flight Commander of six single seater Gauntlets to he has plenty of responsibility - a real good type. If you meet him a few Rye High Balls are indicated.

Eddie Cantor is here for a holiday and gave us one of his Sunday night programs - certainly enjoyed it - just like old times, Ida and all the daughters.

I was Duty Pilot today and of course half the aeroplanes in England chose to come here on cross-countries. We are sort of the halfway house to Scotland so are quite a magnet.

By the say, I wish I had one of those cigars of yours - the same thing here costs 10d or 20¢ each so I go easy.

Pilot Officer Gambler, whose father is a Commander in the Navy, has been giving me a few pointers. I sure need them. I'm quite sure that I will get on well.

Hope old Missy doesn't drop a bomb on me as I round Giv (see Naples and die)!!

Love Bill