June 6, 1944 (Tuesday) D Day

RAF Station
SNITTERFIELD

Dear Mother,

    Last week’s letter was very brief but I wrote it and mailed it in about 10 seconds flat.  I was on the move about then.  My new station is a real set up.  The fellows on course with me are swell heads and I  have made a particular chum of a guy named Andy Anderson from Toronto.  We seem to like the same things etc and before we knew it we were chums.

Juno Beach

    With a bit of luck I should be flying again within a week.  The aircraft will be quite a change for me but I think I’ll be able to manage it.  At present all we have is ground school.  We just brush up on what we learned months ago.
    I was terribly sorry to hear about Carl Empey(?).  You might tell Pearl that she can keep hoping for the best.  I can’t tell you anymore than that but I know for a fact that there are going to be a lot of unexpectidly happy mothers when this is all over -- and I don’t think we’ll be waiting long.
    The invasion has created quite a stir over here.  Looks like they’re making headway too.  It’ll be months and months before I’ll be on that far so you needn’t worry my dear.
    Glad to hear the old business is making a neat profit Pop.  Just wait until we’re all back in it.  Things will really be booming then.

Grand Casino - Birmingham

    To-day was red letter day again -- latest was Bett’s of May 19 which arrived in England June 2 and got to me June 6, also got Eileen’s of May 10; Jean’s of May 13; Tom of May 16; Mothers of 13 and 16; Jack Pat of 15 and John Smith’s of May 15 and one from Vaugh(?) Jack.
    I was more than thrilled to hear about Nancy Jane -- in fact, greatly relieved, ha!  I’ll pick up a card for her in Birmingham his week end.  I wrote Tom(?) an ordinary letter yesterday and tell her to read it in private as I let her in on some of the English ways of living which are fairly crude -- excuse me Mom Dear.
    Well, I guess that’s all for now -- will try and pick up a present for Grandma R in Birmingham -- better late than never.  Ah yes, that news RE Louis Bouchard was sort of a shock.  Give Mrs. Bouchard my sympathy.  Louis was a darn swell man.  Will close for now until Sunday.  I guess it’s Pop’s turn for the next letter, eh?  Bye for now. Oceans of love to all,

Son

PS - In case my little note hasn’t yet arrived, my new address is:

P/O Melvin DR
J 3995 9
RAF Station
SNITTERFIELD, ENG