From: Hastings, Sussex
31 Aug. 1918

Dearest Mother -

I told you a week ago about getting your letter of Aug. 5, I have received none from you since. I doubt very much if I ever get the three or four you wrote previous to that one, but I should soon be getting another later one. Just a week ago, I received a letter from Florence Willson which she wrote on July 18th and which had been forwarded alright from France.

This past week we have been doing special parades most of the time, practising for the King's inspection which took place yesterday. He came about 11 o'clock, inspected the RAF Brigade as they were formed up in squadrons and wings and again as they all marched past him. He was away again by 1 o'clock. It happened that yesterday forenoon, I had an appointment with the dentist so I didn't have to go on the parade and missed seeing the King. As it happened, the dentists wanted to get off for the inspection and were only working on a few cases that were aching. So, nothing was done to the tooth they treated last week and I have to go again, a week from today.

In one way, I would have liked to have seen the King but I was better off not to be in the inspection as they are very trying and tiresome things. It is rather strange I never happened to see him while in London as he is often about, but I guess I haven't missed. I have seen so many of his pictures and been on so many similar inspections that I know what they are like.

We had a half holiday for what was left of the afternoon yesterday. On Wednesday too, we had a half holiday as there was a "Grand Fête" in Alexandra Park under the auspices of the Brigade to help raise funds to rebuild some hospital in France. The W.A.A.C.'s and W.R.A.F.'s attached to the Brigade had their sports and there were several sorts of side shows - money making schemes conducted by some of the cadets. I have had a slight cold this past week but apart from that, have been feeling real well. Altho sometimes tired at nights, I have not so far found the drill nearly so hard as I expected. Lectures form about half of our daily routine so it is not at all bad.

I suppose school will be starting again in a day or two for Gladys, Cecil and Arthur. The time is passing very quickly isn't it? It seems hardly any length of time here from one week end till the next, tho' when I think of several weeks together it seems long enough. Things are moving along fine on the Western front now aren't they? It looks as tho we have the Hun now about where we want him. I hope that you and the rest are all well. Love to all.

Yours sincerely,
Gordon