Toronto
5-8-18

Dear Mother,-

Last thursday afternoon we reported to Armour Heights having finished the Course at Beamsville. The C.O. at Armour Heights gave me leave till Monday, to-day, and I went back there this A.M but as it is a civic holiday, they had washed out flying, so I came back to Dymple’s.

To take this course at Armour Heights you have to be recommended several times as a fairly good flier. It is an extra course, one where they send those who might make instructors and more or less of a stunting school.

I have been posted to Capt. Rogers, a splendid fellow and Pilot and he will instruct me. We went on leave together last aug. and came home on the same boat. His Aerodrome was only a couple hundred yds. from ours.

It has been rather difficult to decide what to do about taking this Course. If I say so now I won’t have to take it and will get final leave then go overseas. But if I take the Course they will likely make me a flying instructor and remain in Canada for a few months instructing. I want the Course as Capt. Rogers will be good and I’ll get some useful instruction but don’t want to be an instructor would much sooner go overseas. The trouble is if you take the course you can’t likely stop at that but have to instruct.

Armour Heights
Tues. 6-8-18

I commenced the course this morning so will go on and take the chance of being able to go overseas without instructing. It is likely this is quite possible at least it seems so just now.

Had leave since last thursday and had a pretty good time. Stayed at Dymples all the time. Intended to go to Orillia but was unable to get Jean Thompson on the phone. She wrote 2 or 3 times while at Borden but didn’t get over there. Guess I missed it as they have a car and live on the Lake.

Friday afternoon I got a Ford and Gourlays and I drove to Schomberg first to see Browns (Mr. Brown died you know) and then on to Orangeville. Had some coffee at a Mrs. Clark’s, saw place where cousin [Marie?] used to live met Mrs. McGuire who wished to be remembered to you.

Aug. 12/18

Must finish this up and post it.

On last thurs. my instructor, Capt. Rogers, gave me leave and I phoned Jean Thompson at Orillia and went up there. She had written to Borden while I was there but never managed to get over. Her mother is Uncle Fred’s sister. Beattie Ramsay told them about me.

So I went up there friday morning and spent one of the best holidays possible. They were camping 9 miles from Orillia on the Lake North of Lake Simcoe, forget the name. They are all awfully nice people, very jolly. Mr. Thompson has the post office in Orillia.

Their Cottage is right on the shore and everything is so handy, water etc. They have all the equipment for amusement, Canoes, Sail Boat, Motor Launch, and Car. There are 3 in the family, oldest boy (Grant, I think) is overseas, Jean and John (15). Jessie Carss was there also, she is the daughter of Angus Carss, brother of Uncle Fred’s. I also met two other sisters of Uncle Fred’s driving their own new car. They are all extremely nice and if there is anything I’d like better than staying there for 4 days it would be to stay their for 8 days. But as it is I came back early monday morning, didn’t report here (Armour Heights) till this morning (tues.) and now I am free to go away till to-morrow morning again. I should have stayed up at the Lake over my leave. Why I have had so much is because there are very few machines in our flight, only one in fact, and we are waiting for more.

Well Mother you’ll likely be camping now. I’ll perhaps be home in a couple or three weeks. Too bad about Allan, I liked him very much. Had him out to lunch while here. Reg. shouldn’t be in a hurry to join the Artillery (Heavy).

It is more than likely that they might make me an instructor, as this is an instructor’s course. I’m not sure that they will as one can’t tell what his own flying is like very well. As I said before I have no desire to be one and would much sooner go overseas when this course is finished. Willie is still over there and I have been so fortunate in getting such long breaks that I feel that it is time that I go back again.

Your last letter of aug. 5^th and one before that july 19^th I have.

Dymple has been extremely good and I’ve taken them out several times. A week ago friday we motored to Orangeville, oh! I told you. They thought I was a very fast driver, in a ford, and were in hysterics most of the time.

Those are 3 splendid fellows who have been killed lately Sam Taylor, Clarence Tanner and Allan.

I think the birthday parcel came on the 19^th or 20^th. You know now why I didn’t come home from Beamsville – because taking this extra course in special flying. Are the Reids home yet?

War news is very good but it will take time yet before there are any signs of peace.

Hope it isn’t too hot out there. It is very warm here. Dymple is sending the doll thru the mail. At least it is all tied up and she wants to know if it will be O.K. With best wishes and love to each one.

Jim.

[Collection update: Added April 8, 2025]