April 12, 1944 (Wednesday)

Dear Mother, Dad and all,

        I'll try and write this while everyone else in the room plays bingo. So if it sounds a bit screwy, don't blame me.
        First of all, on behalf of you all, I'd like to wish my self a Happy Birthday!!!  I bought a couple of mickeys for this occasion but think it better to keep them hidden while at sea.  It will be two more to share with whoever I meet from home.

        Without a doubt, I couldn't have wished for a better trip. As I said before, our train ride was most enjoyable.  We even had a porter to shine our shoes at night if you can imagine it.  The only tough road so far was transporting my trunk and bag etc. from the train, up the long and steep gang plank and then down into the boat.
        Most of us officers were quartered in cabins but a few had to sleep up on the promenade deck.  I have a swell bunch of fellows in my cabin and the cabins themselves are very comfortable.  In fact, they are 1st Class cabins in civilian life.
        We should be in England a week and a day from the time I wrote you the post card which is good enough for me.  Tell Laura that the neighbours boy was all wrong, (Content censored)
        We have been at sea for a couple of days now and no signs of seasickness. Literally speaking, I'm holding my own quite nicely.  However, the sea is very calm thus far which makes a difference.
        We only get two meals per day on board the ship.  My sittings are at 7am and 5pm but we fill up during the day on tomato juice, orange juice from the officers lounge and chocolate bars and cookies from the canteen.  It's hard to get to the canteen for the line-up, but I have gotten a carton of Chesterfields and one of Phillip Morris so far.
        Most of us plan on spending our disenbarkation leave in Scotland.  However, I'm not deciding on anything definite until I try and get in touch with Phil and the boys.  I'll drop them all a line as soon as I land.  Then it's up to them to reply at once.
        Mother, I got three more suits of broadcloth shorts and another pair of brown leather gloves Saturday afternoon.  We were allowed to go down town for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon.
        Tell John Burke that my watch stopped the moment I got on board ship.  I hope it starts again once I get ashore.  If not, I'll try and get it fixed in England before sending it home.  I'm sort of lost without it.
        Well, I guess that's all for today.  Will write more in a day or so.  Just don't worry about me for I wouldn't miss the experience for all the world.  Cheers for now.

Son