May 28 1944 (Sunday)

RAF Station
SNITTERFIELD

Dear Mother,

    The week sure has gone by in a hurry.  However nothing exceptionally exciting has happened since my letter to Dad on the 24th.  Believe it or not I’ll be flying again very soon only about half an hour or so from Mr McRae so will do my best to look him up my first day off.  I hope it all comes back to me as I’d hate to have to learn all over again.
    The Eighth is really going places in Italy, isn’t it?  I do hope that our boys survive.  Haven’t heard from Poke yet so he must be on his way.  I am sorry I missed him.  It looks like everyone will be seeing real action before me.  I doubt very much if I’ll experience any of it over here.  I’ve got a heap of training yet to do.

British Eighth Army

    The weather is just like summer again over on this side of the pond.  We had a week of nasty weather and did I ever catch a cold.  But the last two days of solid sunshine have made me a new man again.
    Yesterday was red letter day again but it’s all written before May 9.  I don’t understand why my mail isn’t coming through faster.  It certainly should by now.  By the way, did you receive the flowers and cable on Mother’s day?  I sent it 10 days ahead.  Also another cable for May 25th.  From what I hear, Pop “came across” with a healthy sum for your birthday ha!  Well, I think you deserve it all my dear.  I sure would like to see the new dress.  I heard it was a knock-out.
    Everyone is out for a walk right now but me.  My poor dogs just won’t take any more.  I’ll buy a bike this week or next when I get settled.  I got my suit back from the cleaners yesterday so went to town last night -- had a date with an Irish red-head.  So I told her all about my famous grandfather. Ah yes, send me a snapshot of Gramp and his  silk hat.  I’ve got a snap of Gram (taken with me) but none of the other half, ha!
    Sonny is at OTU now and all crewed up.  His pilot is a chap that was on Security Guard in Toronto with Sonny and me.  He’s a real swell guy.
    I’m anxiously waiting for news about my oldest sister.  I do hope that everything is OK by now and that Peter didn’t get too lonesome.  After this is all over Mom I think Dad had better take you on a holiday -- and no fooling.  You both need a rest and change of environment -- too bad I can’t go too, I’d sure like to get my hands behind the old steering wheel again.
    Well I must close and write to Sonny and Lorne.  Will continue this Wed or Thurs on an Air Mail.  Till then, oceans of love

Son