31 August 1938

Dear Mother:

These nights are lovely and cool and cool and oh! Boy! - the stars. Did dive bombing on an armoured motor boat again this morning and later took a two-seat fleet fighter Osprey up for a try out. Lovely machine but very heavy. Malta is a very interesting island - beautiful - the cities of Valleta and Sliema have beautiful buildings and old walls, gates, etc. This island was first populated about 800 B.C. Rumours going around the whole time - the latest being that we will sail next spring to China to relieve the aircraft carrier Eagle - hope so. The Mediterranean fleet have all returned to Malta from the last cruise and they make a wonderful sight in the Grand Harbour at Valleta. I often wondered why I enjoyed geography so much and now I know. Dad was always so interested so I guess its in the blood. This life or career of mine means a great deal to me and I often wonder why I have been so fortunate -its more than I deserve. The life couldn't be more healthy and I always feel like a million dollars - (wish I had them!). Dad always makes references about my ability in the dish washing line but alas, I have a wizard Royal Marine looking after me and so I lose all practise.

The Navy, as you know, is taking over the whole Fleet Air Arm under their control instead of 50/50 with R.A.F. as heretofore - so they wanted a limited number of R.A.F. to help along with organization so here I am. One of the first of the new Air Branch and one of the first four to the Mediterranean. It will be two years before any new direct entry officers will be available for use in the new (A) branch. We at present include Navy, Marines and a few R.A.F. officers. Bob says that the Navy has an aversion for R.A.F. but not so - The R.A.F. doesn't like the Navy because of the small cabins they are forced to live in afloat. No opportunity to go to town every night - no opportunity of marrying and really living a decent life ashore. Naturally the average chap would hate it. It's only a life for the single fellow with few home ties. The aeroplanes of the Royal Navy are almost entirely serviced by RAF. personnel and it will be some time before R.N. personnel can be trained for their new, highly-specialized jobs. Our aeroplanes kick up a terrific dust here at Hal Far - not like wet old England - no more velvety lawns for aerodromes. At least I won't have a wet, cold winter this year.

Wish I had a camera - I could take some wonderful pictures while I am abroad. Last night we had the wind straight from Africa - very sticky. Made the perspiration come straight through your shirt - nevertheless I revel in it. First taste of really fine weather I have had. I have left a box of R.A.F. clothes that I couldn't sell in England with P/O Overall - would make good clothes for Ronny - but don't use the buttons - real first line offence.

The visibility here is grand and I can see the mountains of Sicily quite clearly when I fly along the north coast of Malta. On any ordinary map we probably appear only as a dot, but we are a might important dot - dead in the centre off the Mediterranean.

Send some pictures of yourself, Ronny, Dad, Bob and Jean. Don't forget to write often - once a week at least and I can still appreciate a letter even in Malta - in fact I am very disappointed when mail arrives not to see Canadian mail - you in Canada must help the old Empire along.

With lots of love

Bill
Address again:
Sub-Lt. (A) W. H. Martyn R.N.
802 Fleet Fighter Sqdn.
HMS Glorious (Mediterranean)
G.P.O. London