31 December 1938

Dear Dad:

Well, how did 1938 come out in Canada? Hope you did a bang up business. Will probably be back in Canada in a couple of years' time to drive your new Plymouth.

I've got the Mediterranean under control (for awhile at least) but Mussolini keeps sticking up his nose!

Does Ronald still believe in Santa Claus? I'm listening to "Doing the Lambeth Walk" from a short wave station in Paris.

I don't suppose the R.C.A.F. at Calgary fly during the weekends, so you can't see them much.

I believe No.'s 1 and 13 Fighter Squadrons are in Calgary or soon will be. No. 1 is permanent and 13 non-permanent active Air Force.

Where did you get the idea that the Royal Canadian Air Force was called Canadian Royal Air Force? Even Aunt Ida calls it Canadian Royal Air Force - Look at their buttons (R.C.A.F.)

Our flying badge is an "A" in laurel wreath thus:

(picture)

worn above ring on left sleeve

(picture) (Member of the Air Branch of R.N.)

Wish I were back in Canada now smoking one of your cigars? We could go out and buy a quart of milk too. Boy! You never know how good real milk is until you have to live on "Klim" - practically the only place in the world where cow's milk is unobtainable and the only place where you can get Maltese fever from goats' milk!

All the cities and towns on the island have their original walls and forts guard all the harbours and anchorages.

As I have said before, England is 100 percent different from North America and the east is 100 percent different from England, so there you have it (in fact you can have it?)

I was tickled to hear that Jean has become a member of the Alpha Gamma Sorority - it shows that she is a good all around sport and well liked.

The only fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force besides ourselves abroad are 80 and 33, both on active service in Palestine. From all reports the Arab sharp shooters are pretty good - in fact they shot down four Gladiators in a month with rifles.

Both 80 and 33 were sent out after I had been accepted for R.N. In fact while I was still in 41, volunteers were asked to proceed abroad and two of our chaps were accepted from 41, P/Os Roulston and Bartholomew.

While I have met Bartholomew at Ismailia in Egypt, I didn't meet Roulston because he has since been selected to take over a flight of Wellesley Bombers in Nairobi, Kenya. Roulston has since been promoted to Flying Officer.

Well, I can't think of anything more to write about except I wish you would ask mother not to work too hard and to tell Jean she must stay in more and look after Ronny.

Love Bill