Royal Naval Depot
Crystal Palace
Norwood, S.E.
Wed.
[postmarked 30 may 16]

Dear Ann

This is my last week at the depot, but as they only tell us one day before we leave, I do not know where I shall go. Some to destroyers, others to Portsmouth & * other places. You will be sorry to hear that Jaffy Jones was killed a few days ago. It just a report but I think it true.

I saw Shank Dalton in London on Sunday quite by accident I spotted him from a bus so we had quite an afternoon seeing Hampton Court. There are quite a few other boys from Toronto. Some can put up quite a fight with the other element.

I intended to bring Eloise over but think it would hardly do just now as I am too uncertain where I will be & I have very little time to myself as they keep us at it. Then she would be far better off with friends at home than over here. If we get through this OK there will be an awful rush back to Canada.

We have a beautiful organ at the Palace that plays at mess & in the evenings. I can't describe things very well but they are very fine & I will be sorry to go away as it is the best station in England.

I had pictures taken & sent them to Eloise to forward to you today. The mails are very slow, some fifteen days is the best so far. We are getting a good grounding in Navigation & machine guns. They take no chances in the Navy, quite different from the Royal Flying Corps who are very slack. Duggan & R.A.C.* starting off for France not even knowing the points of a compass & machine gun not even mounted. You remember Duggan. He was at Longbranch so long at the Curtiss school.

Is Skip going to take the training? & how long will you be at North White Plains? Jessie does not write very often & Eloise has nothing to say so I depend on you for news. Will send a flying pin over with Mix. He is over here for the Loundes Co. buying. They cost too much to take a chance in the mails so you will get is in a few weeks.

There is nothing much of interest to tell. You know what England is like. There is very little difference in war time to the same old England.
I know very little of how the war is going as the papers publish nothing & it's only repeats of new that you pickup. The American papers make for better reading. Wish you would send along a New York paper. I almost forget what head lines are.

With lots of love to you & Skip. Pete.