RAF Station
(Return address censored)

April 4, 1942

Dear Mom, Dad & All:

     Back on duty again after a couple days off because of a sprained ankle.  Last Wed. morning as I was walking down to the billets from the station with the Sargeant and Corporal, a bloke on a bike (a civvy), ran into me from the rear and knocked me into the ditch, himself and the bike on top of me.  Net result, one sprained ankle.  He had no brakes or bell and we didn't hear him coming.  Guess he thought he could squeeze through between me and the ditch, but he didn't quite make it.  The "Doc" taped it up for me and I spent the last three days loafing around, reading "My Early Life" and "Step by Step" by Winston S. Churchill, eating four or five times a day and sleeping.
     I've received the first group of lessons from the British Institute of Engineering Technology and the textbook.  One of the girls here tells me it's the same book she used at Durham University in England.  It's Electricity and Magnetism and is about the same as the course I had at the "U" so it will be mostly a review.  Completing the course will make me eligible to take the examination for Associate Membership in the British Institute of Radio Engineers, similar to the American Inst. of Radio Engineers.  Imagine it will take about a year to complete the full course.
     I have written to London about renewing my passport and getting a visa for a visit to Ireland.  If all comes out well I hope to go there the latter part of April.  I will get a travel warrant to cover my railroad fare and a ration allowance while traveling since I am going to visit relations there so the trip will not cost anything except the extravagances I allow myself in the way of eats, etc.  I have 16 (pounds) 10s in the Postal Savings now, about $62.00 in U.S. Currency.  I am saving 2 (pounds) a week out of the 3.15.0 (pounds) I receive in salary.  Is my allottment increase coming through there now?  I haven't received any mail from home since Jerry's letter arrived about a month ago.  I received three bundles of newspapers and two packages since coming here.  One package contained the new pajamas and the second the cigarettes from George Kroll.  It's hard to describe these packages in a cable so better number all of them and keep a list of the numbers and what they contain so I can refer to them.  The rest of the pajamas or the Ralelgh tobacco or the other underwear have not reached me as yet.  If you had sent it prior to Feb. 15th, better have the post office trace it, if it was insured.  I will cable the receipt of every package within a day or so after receiving it.  If you have them numbered you will be able to tell if any were lost.  It takes them from six weeks to two months to reach me.
     Did you receive my last three letters, the long ones covering my exploits from the 15th of December to date?  I hope so, because I don't think I could remember all I wrote enough to repeat it again.
     I think I will stay here as long as I can in the CTC instead of returning to accept my commission.  I am just as well off financially and being a civilian has it's advantages.  None of the B.S. routine of the army to contend with as well as personal safety, although that would be a toss up in either case.  I have yet to hear or see anything that might indicate there was a war on except the defense precautions.  If I did go back I'd probably end up in Australia or some place else.   I wouldn't be much nearer home, at any rate.  So for the time being, I think yours truly will stay put.
     Send some more pictures of the individual members of the family and especially Cathy.  I have that small one of her from the photographers in my billfold and every time I take it out to pay for something everyone asks to see it and raves about how cute she is.  I suppose she really is talking a blue streak now.  I haven't any pictures of Pete or Mary or Mom individually.   George might do a little portrait work on all of you, including himself.
Well, Cherrio for now.  Must do a bit of work.

Love, Bob