C.T.C. Headquarters
Eglan Court,
7 Knyveton Rd.
Bournemouth

April 9, 1942

Dear Mom, Dad and All:

     On duty again and in a writing mood, so while I have a crack at this typewriter and will dash off a few lines, although there isn't much to write about at the moment.
     I received your letter of February 20th on the seventh of April after it had made a rather circuitous journey around the country.  As yet the last package I received was the one containing the vitamins.  I hope I get the others alright.
     I don't remember whether I told you in the last letter that I hope to go to Ireland the last of this month or the first of the next if I get my passport visaed.  I'II look up at the relations and write you about them when I get back.  I want to go now as they are sending a lot of fellows overseas and I may be sent too, although I don't believe any CTC man have been sent yet.
     I went to solemn High Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral Easter Sunday and the ceremony was very nice.  The altars were beautifully decorated and the priests and bishops wore the Gothic vestments.
     My pal Des, whom I wrote you about has been ordered overseas, but he is fighting against the order as he wants to get into air crew.  Guess he hasn't much chance as he is to be the NCO in charge of the group going over and has had so much experience on this job.  Once again I lose a pal.  War is like that I guess.
     Saw a couple good shows in [censored] the other day.  "Hatter's Castle" was one of them and "Belle Starr" the other.  The former was the best.  I went with the Flight Sargeant and another bloke.
     I am next in line among the Mechanics on the station for promotion, but of course it may be a long time before there will be necessity for another promotion.
     Just stopped to chew the rag a bit with some of the WAAF's around me.  We have the communications radio tuned into one of the local stations with American songs.  Very comfy and nice working in such surroundings.
     The war has developed a new slanguage of the King's English over here.  Here are some of the terms and their translation.  Are they used over there yet?

Binding-  Rag chewing, studying, chattering
"Browned off"- Fed up
Gen-   General information
Duff Gen-  False Information
Pukka Gen-  True Information
Kite-   Aeroplane
Shot down in flames- Squelched
Cheesed off or
Completely cheesed- Same as browned off
Flicks-           Movies
WAAF's-  Members Womens Auxillary Air Force
Wren's-  Members Womens Royal Naval Service
At's-   Members Auxillary Territortial Service
Wangling-  Chiselling

     Can't think of any more now just when I want to.  A "bind" is a pest or one who talks all the time.  These expressions are used continually and if you don't know what they mean you wouldn't know what the boys and girls were talking about.
The relief watch is here now so will sign off and go to bed.

Goodnight,

(Signed) Bob