April 3, 1942                                                                           

This is your son, Alastair, on inactive service with the weekly weather report along with the news and views. Here it is Monday morning and it finds me in yet another job. This time, I am orderly room clerk. I’m not sure how I am going to like it, as it is strictly “indoor,” but intend to give it a good try. There is one thing about it, and that is you are in the know, as you are in contact with the Battery Commander all day long.

Now for the weather report, and then to get on with my letter. The weather is cold and cloudy at present, though the past week has been fine.

Jack Derry, Wes Taylor and I went to Holy Communion yesterday at the village church. This particular church is a particularly old one, constructed of sandstone, which probably makes it look older than it is. The interior is like all the old churches over here, simply lovely. The floor in the main body of the church is largely cement and, in this, is laid the graves of ancient members. While I sat there, my feet rested on the head of some old chap who died in 1652. I hope he didn’t mind. The Easter Parade was slightly drab in comparison with other years no doubt, but even in these times there were a few new hats to be seen.

I received a newsy letter from Dad in which he gave an account of a fire which he was caught in recently (hotel fire in Stettler). Of course, he made light of it, but I happened to see an account of the same fire in a newspaper one of the boys had. Please tell Dad that I commend his presence of mind in getting out with all his belongings. Also tell him that I got to thinking of the ten-foot drop, but after taking into account his height and reach, I’ve come to the conclusion that he didn’t jump at all, but merely stepped down.

I also received a letter from my old lady with the usual news and was glad to hear that the old pins were slightly better, but I must caution her about getting too enthusiastic when the gardening starts.

I had a rather embarrassing incident this morning when a young lady sent a call through the orderly room for me. It wouldn’t have been so bad if the new Major and the Battery Captain hadn’t been standing right at my shoulder. You see, we have our telephone system which can be connected up with the Post Office system for outside calls. However, we are not supposed to use these facilities for our private business. I managed to cover up so that the Boss didn’t twig, but I hate to think what the young one thought. Oh well, I suppose that is the price one must pay for popularity.  I have a chance here to qualify, in which case I will draw trades pay. There is one thing about it, I will certainly be versatile when the war is over, as I’ve had a go at almost all the jobs with a few exceptions. I haven’t heard from Liulf, so had better drop him a letter and find out why.