25 March 1939

Dear Mother:

I am in the ship for watchkeeping duties - additional duties to my flying ones. As long as they don't want me to get my sea watchkeeping certificate, I am safe from the bridge while at sea.

My hours today are:

Relieve Decks 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. On my feet the

Afternoon 12:30 - 4 p.m. whole time

Last Dog 6:15 - 8:30 p.m.

Middle 12 - 4 a.m.

I am visiting the dentist in the ship these days - getting some work done. All at the government's expense, so all right with me.

April to go by here and then the south of France for fleet holiday - can get up to three days leave to go anywhere, but have no definite plans yet.

Did I tell you that Squadron Leader Lynch had been promoted to Wing Commander? He is going to Seletar - the aerodrome at Singapore. I spent Christmas with him and his family, you remember.

Went to the cinema last night with C.O. Nott, Strange, and Garlick -"Blockade." Old picture about crisis in Spain - too much "good earth" about it - very mushy. Will certainly be glad to visit Egypt again next September -really fascinating to a geography lover like myself!

It has an ideal climate - hot but very dry - and cool evenings.

All these countries on the Mediterranean are cool in the evenings -perhaps our blood gets thinner (I am sure of this) and we feel colder as a result.

Love Bill