#46

RCAF Overseas
Dec 28. 1944

Dear Mother:

Well Christmas has gone and we had quite a successful two days holidays. Celebrations started on Christmas Eve with a show in the Mess by local officer talent. Perhaps the talent wasn’t of the best but it was a good party anyway. I have met a great many people here I knew before, not only tour-expired chaps from the squadron but some dating back to ITS and EFTS days and before which all helps. Also the mess is a very comfortable building, quite modern (built in 1938 I think and with several lounges, one particularly spacious. I didn’t get up till about one on the big day, having a bit of a head, so only got a piece of bread and a cup of coffee out of what had been a very good buffet lunch. Afterwards two of us went on a long walk, so far in fact we reached the next town where we called on my second pilot and his wife who are living there. We had to leave almost as soon as we arrived in order to catch the train back but we got back just about at the right time to get ready for the turkey and of course I was ravenous by this time. The meal itself was good but it was rather a dead affair. Far to many people in one room and most of them feeling rather subdued after the previous night and the afternoon. After supper the bar was closed for about two hours while some of the officers served up supper to the whole mess staff but after this things got going and we had a wizard party. Later a lot of us went over to the sergeants mess and I met the rest of my crew except two who were out of town for Christmas. Boxing Day was another slack day. I believe I played snooker all afternoon but after a buffet supper there was a big cocktail party and from this I went on to an all ranks dance. I had to be home moderately early due to the thought of lectures at 0815 the next am.

It is amazing how little the civilians regard Christmas day here. While I was lying in bed a laborer came in to install a new stove and people seemed to be working just as if it was any other day. Apparently Homanay is the big day with them.

With love from
Tony.

[Editor’s note: Transcription provided by collection donor.]