R-208467 L.A.C. MOORE, J.L.
#436 SQDN R.C.A.F.
S.E.A.A.F.
July 29/45

Hello Mom & Dad,

I was never so glad to receive anything in my life as I was today when your parcel came. Many thanks for all the swell things, but I really think the pictures did me more good than the food. They occupied my eyes & thoughts for a good half hour after I opened the box. I see by the date that it took only two months to come and was smashed on one end only, which is considered good out here. The smashed end being the one containing the talcum powder, sort of did away with the powder over the 10,000 or so miles of travel. I could certainly have used it too, for heat rashes out here are something awful. That Noxema you sent some time ago certainly helps. How is Jim, and where is he now? I do hope he can get home soon. I have had no letters at all from anyone for nearly two weeks now, so you can understand how I felt on seeing those pictures. In Margaret's last, she said she would be sending another picture of herself, and perhaps some pictures of her sister's wedding, which was to take place soon. Did I tell you before, that I hope to be in England for Christmas at least? We know we are going back there, but we don't know when. "Anywhere but here" is the most often heard wish. We've another pet in our collection now and that's "Ricky", a mongoose. He's a very odd creature but friendly. They are noted for killing snakes and man is supposed to be his only friend. I have managed to get a few pictures from chaps who have had better luck with their film in this country than I have. In the Christmas day shot, please don't be too upset by the bottles. You need never worry about me coming home inebriated. In the Calcutta shot note the rickshaws. There are thousands of them running day & night all over the city. They are very nice to ride in, though at first you are apt to feel full of pity for the labouring coolie, but you get over it. Their average life of actual pulling is said to be four years. The Gujrat shot in which we have our helmets on was taken on a pay day when we had to put some clothes on. The only way you can tell little Joey is by his lack of height. The snap of the crew by the shop is a recent one. We are draped over a homemade crane we built from an old truck. You'd laugh if you could see the front end rear up in the air as it often does when we put in or take out engines. Sorry I can't send you some snaps of the aircraft and us doing a change, because of censorship. The structure behind us is or was part of what the Burmese call a jail. The wood is sure tough in this country. We had an awful time making a hole in the wall to swing our engines in & out. That shot of me on a camel was taken one day when I got off and went out on a run with the motor transport. Some of those Indian villages are horrible yet fascinating in a way. Well it's late and the mosquitoes are bad so I'd better turn in. Hoping to hear from you soon,

Goodnight. –

Your loving son,
Joe.