May 18 /43

Dear Mother:

Still here—with no prospects of an early move. Our number seems to increase rather than remain at any set level, the only undesirable result being a change in the messing system. Now we have to line up for our food just as we always did. It is still good though. It is hard to estimate how many officers there are here. I am sure many do not get to any parades. A poor example I think, especially as the NCO aircrew are treated so badly here compared to us.

I went out to Camp Sunshine for two days. I don’t know what I expected but something a little better, I think. There were a hundred of us crowded into two old houses, wash basins out of doors and meals in a big tent eaten army style out of those aluminum dishes they have. Fortunately the first day was perfect, not even the thinnest of cirrus anywhere and I basked in the sun all day. I really enjoyed it. After supper we got a boat, the camp owns three and the boys rented more—all old and Siwashy looking. Ours was a gaff rigged sail boat, good in its day, and had it not lost its centre board would have given us some fine sailing. However it took us with the wind accross the harbour to a store where we got crackers and cheese and cokes. It was a long pull back but we took off again later in another boat, a rowboat this time, and heading in a different direction found another store.

We did a little fishing too. Any old bit of string with a hook and a clam for bait will catch a sole but they don’t fight at all so it is not much fun. It is very pretty country out there. Most of the people are of Dutch descent and so it is only natural that their houses lookas if they might have been painted last week.

The second day brought heavy rain and drove eight of us back to Y depot. Others would have come back too no doubt in our places had they been a little quicker in getting to the staff car which brings out supplies. The balance came back the following day and we 8 thus felt we had the day for our own. In the afternoon some of us went on the army supply boat, a vessel about half the size of the Pentowna, which took us all around Halifax harbour for about two hours.

Now we are back to routine starting with PT at 0900. This was good this morning for it took the form of a hike over to part of the harbour along the edge and back. This took almost two hours, getting us back too late for a lecture of some sort so that completed the morning.

There is a list in the mess of items suggested to be taken overseas. This included an alarm clock. Is mine too busily employed to be sent on. Let me know because I can get one at Eatons although they don’t look as if they were much good.

Thanks for the proofs. I would like a small one of which ever one you decide on. Of course I have no objections to Anne or Amy having copies.

Has Archie printed my pictures yet. I would like to see them and White would like copies of the ones in which he appears.

Another old friend has shown up here—a fraternity brother this time. He has left already as he was crewed up having taken OTU here. Pilots are always the last to go so they must have a great surplus of them in England.

Just after you purchase a theatre ticket a persistent little girl tries to make you purchase a W. S. stamp—hence the enclosed.

I am sending back the insurance policy on my car.

With love from
Tony.

[Note: Transcription provided by collection donor.]