Sunday, Aug. 18/8/40
Dear Georgia –
Well I received a letter from Auntie Kate the other day and she I guess is having a pretty tough time. I think I will sign over to her nine dollars deferred pay I have as I think by the way she talks she needs a little help. There is nothing much I have to say except this is a horrible country for army life but I would love it in peace-time. I have had a bad cold but otherwise I have remained in good health although I have had narrow misses from being killed in air raids as the other afternoon we had a raid and machine gun bullets and shrapnel came through the windows and we were laying flat on the floor while couple of standing chaps got all cut up. I saw Cecil Slack about a month ago and he was telling me some of the places he’s been and he wanted me to tell you he was fine. I suppose the kids are really running around now and will they be going to school this September? Will you send me a picture of them. I would like one very much.
I see by a clipping that Jean sent me that Aruthur Simpson is getting or rather got married to Jean Nicolson. How is everything in general. I suppose you are working hard now with threshers and by the time you receive this you will be having corn-cutters. I was on leave to a place of 100, 000 people called Ipswich where I saw a place called the “Mansion” where Queen Elizabeth slept and her room was just the same as it always was. Then I saw the “Ancient House” where Charles 2nd hid and I saw the window where he was signalled to and signed a visiting ledger and also the tunnel to the docks. Also the beautiful flower gardens, houses, parks and old buildings I saw were nice. It would be very nice to come on a trip here in pre-war time. The houses are mostly very modern. Well I must say cheerio for now.
Heaps of love
Raymond Francis
P.S. Please Write.