May 8, 1944 (Monday)

Dear Bett,

      Here I am back in camp -- and what a hole!  It wouldn't be too bad if we were occupied at least some of the time.  But no! Just another Lachine but worse.
       My leave was really wonderful though.  I phoned Phil the afternoon of the 28th and it was well I did.  You see I had planned on going straight thru' to Edinburgh and seeing her on the way back but that would have been too late.
     By the time I reached her I was well worn out.  First I travelled on the underground for 1/2 hour then on the train and then walked 2 miles.
      On my way thru' the station where my bags were checked I picked up a mickey.  As I wasn't wearing a raincoat, I couldn't transport anything larger, ha!
      It must have been 5:00 PM before I contacted her and my last bus into town was at 8:15 PM so we only had a short visit. But it was wonderful.

Trafalgar Square

      As there were no bars in the town open we just sat down in the lobby of a hotel and mixed our Scotch with water.  After we polished it off we stepped into the dinning room and had another ale - then dinner.
       Believe you me, we talked blue murder.  Phil got all the news from home and got the "gen" (?) on the boys over here.
       Bud had just been to see her 3 weeks previous and Poke just before that.  She also told me where George E was stationed which came in handy.
       Well, we were still gabbing away when the bus pulled up so we beat it out in a hurry.  I almost forgot to pay the bill, ha! Phil saw me off on the bus and I headed back for London.  I had a room at the Grosvenor Court Hotel not far from Trafalgar Sq.  The price taught me never to stay at a hotel in London again -- about $4.50 (in our money) for a bare room -- not even a towel in it.
        I left for Edinburgh then, Fri noon and arrived 11 PM.  The train was terribly crowded and I stood up over 1/2 the way.  I would have been better off with a 3rd class ticket instead of a 1st but that's the way it goes.

Innerleithen - c. 1953

        Fri PM I was booked in an officers' club which was quite nice and not too expensive.  Sat AM I contacted the Douglas's at Innerleithen by telephone.  Mr. Douglas answered the telephone and what a real Scotch accent he had!  I pretended I couldn't hear him for the noise on the street and it went over like a charm.
        They invited me out for as long as I could stay but as my time was limited I could only stay from Sat aft - Sun aft.
        You can tell Gram R that she has some very fine relations on this side and believe you me, there's nobody like a Scotchman (sic).  They couldn't haven been nicer to me and have hearts as big as mountains.  While I was there we had steak, some of Bess' Canadian canned chicken, lots of fresh eggs, sugar, butter etc and they shined my shoes at night and wanted me to have breakfast in bed.  Now can you beat that?
        Mrs. Morrison is a grand old lady too.  She was ever so glad to see me.  I'd say she's about 75 and as spry as they come.  I was hoping to see Lorne there, but no such luck.  He hadn't been down for some time.  Apparently he's undergoing intensive training but not far from there.

Post Card - c. 1944

        I stayed in Edinburgh Sun PM at the same club and left for Darlington the next day.  Razor and I went up to see Mac Browse (?) there and had quite a chat with him.  Then Geo and I went looking for a room to drink up a 25 of Kingsplate but no such luck.  So we just sat in a pub and poured it into beer.  By 10 PM he was as white as a sheet and most likely I was too.  I saw him off on his train and then missed my own so sat in the station for an hour or so; then the RTO got me a room.  We had a wonderful reunion and a lot of fun.  I left the next day at noon for London.
        For that reason, I was a day late arriving back in London thus missing Hank.  I tried to contact him the previous Thurs but he was not at his office.  Had I known he was going back I would have postponed my trip to Scotland.  Besides, he could have taken my watch back for me.
       As soon as I arrived in London I phoned Fred Cass.  He took me to one of his clubs for luncheon - quite a ritzy joint - and then I invited him up to where I was staying for dinner.  I saw a show in the afternoon while Fred was at work.
        For the 3rd time I had a real old chin-whack about that famous little town in the Ottawa valley.  Then I called Helen Ellis and went out to see her on Thurs.  I spent the afternoon and evening with her and our tongues never stopped -- especially Helen's, ha!  She has the sweetest kids in England  The one twin, Vallery, was in the hospital recovering from a run-over by a bus, so I didn't see her.  But if she's like the other two girls she's a darling.

RCAF Battle Dress

        Incidentally I didn't forget to take out the stockings Mother and I also brought along all the chocolate bars I had for the children.  Helen has certainly had her times with the blitz and rationings and also with Vallery's accident.  But she has been a real brick through it all and never complains.
       I would suggest that you send Mary some cigarettes and they would be greatly appreciated.  Don't send them to Helen as she would probably not get them.  The children would also appreciate some chocolates or something.
       Friday afternoon I went downtown and ordered a new uniform.  It should be a really nice one. I'm getting pleats in the trousers and a real drape model.  I had the bank transfer $100 from my account in Winchester to my account over her as I want to pay cash for it.  I hope to get into London this week-end to have my first fitting.
       Well, Bett, I think I have done very well, don't you?  This is the longest letter I have ever written.  I won't be getting any mail yet for another week so they tell us.  What the hold-up is makes me wonder.  I hope my watch gets here soon -- I'm shipping my old one home to-day.
       Guess that's all for this time.  Am expecting about 100 letters when our mail catches up to us.  Hope my oldest sister is doing well and it's got to be a girl!  Give my two nephews lots of hugs and kisses for me.  Oceans of love,

Brother

PS - Helen didn't have Mary's address so I'll send it as soon as I get it.
     - Did you know Ritchie has his commission? Fred saw him in his new uniform and says he looks great.