Bournemouth, England.

August 1, 1945

Dear Mom,

I haven't heard from Al lately, but I have heard from Hugh Kinsman. He's in the Pacific Ocean aboard the Canadian ship" Uganda". He said he recently had a leave in Sydney, Australia. Now that's something, isn't it ? If I were there I would go over to New Zealand and visit Elsie. She still writes to me.

Out activities here in Bournemouth are, going on parade at nine a. m., and then have the rest of the day free. I call it vacation time! Something may change, but so far it's pretty good.

The other day I took a bus to Boscombe, and then went furthur on, to Christchurch, where I visited an eight hundred year old church, from which the town gets it's name. I also saw the ruins of an old castle. I bought a few stamps for my collection. By the time I get home I'll have quite a few.

I've been catching up on my ice-cream eating and have seen some great pictures too. I saw Judy Garland and Robert Wagner in "Under the Clock", and little Margaret O'Brien in "Music for Millions". I also saw the other child star Peggy Anne Gamer in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". But the best picture was "National Velvet" with that great child actress, from here in England: Elizabeth Taylor. That picture was marvellous, and beautiful in Technicolor. If you haven't already seen it, you should, Mom.

Now, so long, Love, Lewis.