Cragside
Crescent Road
Bournemouth

September 12, 1943

Dear Mother & Dad,

You will probably guess from the address above that I am on my leave that I told you I was expecting in my last letter. I have been down here now for about four days with my rear gunner who is also staying with me at Uncle Jim's. We are really having a swell time down here and are taking life pretty easy. What a soft life, Aunt Florence brings us up tea every morning which we have in bed before coming down to breakfast. Doesn't that make you jealous? In the afternoon we go to the tea dance and after supper we go to a show or any other entertainment we happen to fancy.

I had some rather bad luck coming down here, as I left my suitcase on the underground train in London and among many things it contained some shirts, my writing kit, photography album, and my films. I'm hoping that some person will turn it in. I went down to London today to see about it, but it hasn't turned up yet. However, I'm still hoping.

Uncle Ted came down to the station last week to see me and we had an evening out together. I'll be going up there next week to see them and to spend a few days. We have had a bit of rain here during the past few days but it's turned out quite nice today. I only hope it keeps like this while I'm on leave. I've got twelve days altogether but I suppose it will go pretty quick.

Well, I see Aunt Florence is just getting tea ready, so I'll say goodbye for now and tell you more about things in my letter next week.

Your loving son,
Arthur