R-208467. L.A.C. MOORE, J.L.
#436 SQDN., R.C.A.F.
INDIA COMMAND.
Feb. 22/45

Dear Mom & Dad,

I was very glad to receive your letter of Feb. 5th last night. I was just figuring I had a little time and would write & let you know I had received the birthday box. I got the biggest surprise I've had for a long time when I saw the ring. Thanks very very much to you both. It fits my little finger perfectly and the crest is an unusually good one. We enjoyed the chocolates very much. Did I mention getting Christmas boxes from Mrs. Pyke and from Uncle Tim & cousins, in my last letter? I won't wear the ring until after the war because it would get scratched and dirty all the time from the engines. By the way, did you ever get that old watch back from the jewellers? The balance shaft is gone in my good one and I am lost without a watch. There's no place anywhere in this part of the country to get it fixed. If you send my old one, please send it registered air mail, for that is the fastest way. Maybe in a few months, I'll be able to get my good one fixed in Mandalay. If Ken was at the northwestern Hyderabad I can verify his statement as to the heat and smells, having seen Karachi. However did he manage 28 days in Ceylon. We have trouble getting a day off. I met some R.A.F. chaps from the place where Rev. Graham the missionary was working. They just can't get warm here even in the heat of the day. I'm sorry I cannot write more about this sector like I did in the Queen Charlotte Islands. The natives burn the 3 to 5 foot grass in the surrounding hills every night. It's quite a sight. Well, I've got seven other letters to write if I can in the next few days. They were from Mary Anderson, the Carnegies, Aunt R. and Uncle L., Cliff, Aunties B. & E., the Woods family, and one from an old friend in Galt. I had letters from Margaret and Gwen & Jim the other day. The chap in the next desk to Jim is a chum of our Sgt. instrument "mech." Hoping this finds you as it leaves me. So long for now.

Love, Joe.