June 17, 1944 (Saturday)

RAF Station
SNITTERFIELD

Dear Jean and Hughie,

    Have just come back from my day off to find seven letters waiting for me -- not bad eh what?  Your Air Mail from June 4 was included.  Boy, you don’t know the thrill it is to get a bundle of mail.  No Press as yet nor cigarettes (except those in Mom’s parcel with my wallet).
    I am real proud of the wallet and it’s exactly what I wanted.  I have shown that 1944 Canadian nickel to every Canadian I have run into.  I hope to be getting cigs before too long as English cigs are horrible.  Still have enough Winchesters for a couple of weeks tho! (and they’re still fresh!)
    This afternoon I ran into Lionel Coleman in Leamington.  He and Sonny are stationed just ten miles from me so I’ll see them on my next day off.  Sonny was flying so couldn’t get into town with Coleman -- also ran into a Queen’s man last night - Newt Williamson - he was in my year.  He’s at OTU now.  Sonny is having some trouble with air sickness.  Guess those long trips don’t agree with him.
    I’ll write both R.L. and George Corry (?) to-nite.  Perhaps I can see them in my next leave which should be in seven more weeks.  I’ll try and see Razor too.  Got a nice long letter from Bobby and Melvin too.  Bobby says it’s still OK for me to give her tummy a couple of taps, ha!
    I picked up a little gift for Grandma R. to-day -- a little late but couldn’t be helped.  Also got a cute card for Nancy Jane and a book for Peter.  I hope to get Johnny Smith something next time.  Haven’t received my new uniform yet and do I ever need it.  This one is filthy and I can’t send it to the cleaners until I have a substitute as battledress cannot be worn in the mess after 5 PM.
    How about a snap of Harold Lannin’s (?) new house when it’s finished.  I’ll bet it will be a pip.  Will be looking forward to getting Maclean’s Magazine.  You couldn’t have picked a better one.  Tell Gam (?) she can send Reader’s Digest -- would sure appreciate it.  Ah yes, send me Bill and Alga’s address -- also John Challies’ if possible.  Glad to hear of Sam’s promotion -- mine should be coming through any day now.  I hope Poke Fader turns out OK but do you think he’ll be able to stay awake? Ha!
    Poor Phyllis will sure experience plenty -- only hope she’s far behind the lines.  You sure did things up right that Wed PM in Ottawa -- how I miss the night clubs!  Hope my mail to you is coming thru’ now -- I’ve written an awful lot.  Tell Audrey Locke to send me over a steak dinner form the Rosedale.  It wouldn’t last long if I ever got my hands on it.  Glad you are getting a cottage.  You can have my quota of beer for that month.  Boy how I’d like to hear my nephew curse -- he gets that from both sides of the house if you ask me, ha!  Must go now.  Keep writing all of you.  Oceans of love,

Brother.

PS - Am listening to Ellington's "Do Nothing till You Hear From Me." -- It's super!
     - Let this do for my Sunday letter home