April, 1942
Halifax, Tuesday afternoon
Howdy All:
Here we come again from the same station folks. We'll soon be a permanent fixture here I'm afraid. Hope to get moved before fall however.
How is everybody doing? I hope Paw has recovered from his sneezy-weezys. I have them too and just can't seem to shake them. I can cough up a lung any old time, but still feel fine. So you have Betty home for the busy season yes? The grain bags & stones, manure, etc. will sure fly around now. Pa won't have to cut down the wheels on the wagon this summer if Bet is doing the pitching and next summer Ed [his 14-year-old brother] will be six feet high—just you wait and see. I have not heard from James lately. I suppose he is at an air observer's school by now trying to guide some bored pilot from town to town via maps, compasses and protractors. One thing about it he will be able to check the engines to be sure of getting back. He'll be riding in Ansons likely—his favourite. Say, is Elmer is going over? Seems to me its nearly time. I'm here 3 weeks now so may get same boat as he gets. If he doesn't I'd like to meet a guy who goes from his unit. I think there'll be action here right smartly now, so I am not starting any continued stories.
Well folks, I sure enjoy those oxfords. They are really a huge help at a dance. We have dances here every Tues. & Sat. nites in the gym—ladies (I guess) are supplied. Was over to North End "Y" to a sailor dance and they had a swell sailor orchestra. It was really good but I was in listening to the hockey match most of the nite. All the dances here quit at 12 and start at 9 instead of 11 till 1:30 in Ontario.
Did you know that Bob Hunter from Holts was killed over Scotland? His brother was through Galt with Jim. I think he was over there only 3 months.
Was down town last nite for a few hours and had a swell time. We ate in a big café down there where all the sailors hang out. First we met a sailor from Newcastle, England and he told us some interesting tales. He was on the Ark. Royal when she was sunk and got away home. He said he had a leave of 33 days after that. He really loved that ship like a mother. He is now on a corvette but don't like it as well. Then I met a couple of sailors from Fergus. They are just young fellows and darn nice to talk to. I got their address and am going down to see them again. They have a shore job signalling all the boats in and out of the harbour. It seems quite interesting. Then we ran into bunch of American wireless men in the U.S. army air corps. They really think they are (the Yanks) going to do the trick in a hurry. I said they likely would as long as the British Navy kept them safe from the Germans so they could work in safety.
What did you think of the bombing of Japan. Gee, I wish we could flatten these bamboo huts. It sure is tough to see British built engines powering their fleet and American copied aeroplanes and British built flying boats bombing our own lands—but wait—eh?
The weather here must be effecting my blood. I got a boil on my face a few days ago. I got her busted finally and I am going over to the M.O. in a few minutes and let him finish it off. I guess I'll have to start to eat more old nails, etc.
Turcott showed me a picture taken in London after their recent snow storm and it sure looked like real winter. His car was nearly covered over with it. I bet you are really getting the good old sunshine these days. The Harvards & Ansons will be sure churning up the air over the sugar bush these days. There are not many around here. They usually go in pairs or threes—formation flying—Tomahawks or Spitfires and they go by so fast you hardly notice them. There are the big Catalina flying boats too, and they just roll along as if they could park up there whenever they took the notion. They really give the subs a beating.
A fellow from Chatham—Brownie, we called him—who got his wings at Aylmer, was here and then drafted to Dartsmouth—across the harbour. He used to shoot-up Chatham every day when at Aylmer & sure enough yesterday he was over here in a Harvard giving us the works. He is dying to get at the Hun and he doesn't care for anything. He plays "crap" all the time he can get a "sucker" and makes up to 40 bucks in a nite. He cleaned out most of the fellows here.
Well, the news looked better this morning, for once. Hope it continues—they must know we're coming. Well, I'm going for now—keep up the very good work Mum—you sure can cover the ground and I sure do appreciate your letters. Of course the rest can write too—or can they? I haven't found out yet.
Thumbs Up
Bill VVVVV
P.S. Warden Howes is here. His uncle in Harriston told me to look for the biggest man here and that's him & he was nearly correct.
