April 24th, 1942

Dear Mom,

I am answering your letter of March 9th which has just arrived a few days ago. I sent you off a telegram today because I have just realized that I sent one before my operation and none after it, maybe you are worrying. I hope not, for I am quite alright really. I told you not to worry you know, but I also know you will.

There is not much that is new for life in here can be very monotonous. I am restless all the time and though I know what is wrong, I can't help it. I try to tell myself to be patient - my day is coming but somehow, it seems to take so long. I am enclosing a letter that I just received from a new friend of mine to whom Mrs. Sayers introduced me or rather, she put me in touch with. This Mrs. Robertson has taken me out several times since I came in here and I have enjoyed being with her very much. I showed her my poems and this is the letter she sent me in return. I value her compliments very much for I feel that she is honest and at the same time she really knows what she is talking about. I am going to see her next Tuesday again.

I am also enclosing a letter from Lord Trenchard which was published in The Times. It is valuable to me apart from its information because I know Lord Trenchard - or rather I have a nodding acquaintance with him. He is a friend of the Beverly's, lives in the same house they do and I have ridden up and down the elevator with him and exchanged casual remarks about the weather. But the information in it is also valuable and therefore I thought you might like to read it. I have just realized that I tore up Mrs. Robertson's letter this morning but I have rescued the pieces so that you can put them together and read them if you are curious. If not, just throw them away. I have numbered them in their proper order.

I just received a letter from Burnett Laws today. He is an LAC. in the RCAF., is stationed at Yorkton where he and his wife are living. He is now a Group 1 tradesman and gets $2.25 a day, plus 75 cents a day crew money every fortnight when they go on operational flights, plus allowances, so I gather he is making very good money. He says he is expecting to come over here very soon. His father is CO. of a camp at Dundirn, Sask. and his mother lives in the Hotel Bessborough in Saskatchewan.

I am interested in your horoscope and wonder how much it appeals to other people
because it certainly appeals to you, even down to your marrying the right "house". Rather peculiar that. And I am also glad to hear you are both working. Only wish I could say the same, but I'm not. I'm rotting.

Yes, as soon as he gets Overseas, I can claim Stanley for my regiment if he wants to come and if the CO. of both units agrees. But I don't know whether I want Stanley in the Unit or not. He is far more likely to get ahead farther where he is, especially if he is taking up something special like demolition or constructional engineering or explosives. A trade is the only thing. Let him take up something tangible and he'll be farther ahead.

I met Capt. Hunter's son only once or twice while I was out at the regiment. I can't say what he's like for I haven't had any experience with his commanding. I remember the painting you refer to. I wonder if it is valuable. Why don't you try to find out? I can also remember the announcement of his death over here. There is not much more to say except "Love to all."

Yours affectionately,

Jim

PS.
Mrs. Sayers sends her love and apologies for not writing. Both she and Mrs. Beverly are up to their ears in work and vainly wishing for 10 more pairs of hands!