Letter from Glenn Brooks to his Family

Letter from Glenn Brooks to his Family

He thanks them for letters recently received. He has been missing breakfast because he gets up late and the mess is a mile away. Glenn writes about his lazy life style.

1944-01-10

One handwritten sheet

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EBrooksGWBrooks[Fam]440110

10 Jan 1944: Hello Everyone
Well here I am back so soon. I wrote you on Saturday and it's only Monday night. I received the picture today, 3 air mail letters from Dora dated December 28, 29, 30. Also a letter from you forwarded from Halifax including Jesse’s letter. The first mail I have received. Boy! it was really a treat.
Haven't received a parcel over here as yet.
I'm in good health and doing practically nothing. I get up about 8:00 o'clock, breakfast is served between 6:30 and 8:00 and I sleep about a mile from the Mess Hall, so I always miss my breakfast. I dress and walk ½ mile, sign my name in a book and I'm free until 2:00 in the afternoon. I usually go downtown have toast and coffee for breakfast. I then do anything that I can find to do until 11:30, when I walk to the Mess Hall.
I report and sign my name at 2:00 pm and I'm off until next morning. I try to do some studying and reading but it's becoming very tiresome.
I ran into Trevor Davidson last night in one of the service clubs. He says two of the Hopper boys from Bowmanville are here with the army but I haven't seen them. Davidson is a Sergeant pilot1.
I guess according to Jesse’s letter the Ford is in bad condition. I don't think it owes me very much anyway. It's too late to do anything about it now.
According to Dora you had a very nice Xmas and New Year. She liked her present very much I believe. I haven't received her picture as yet but there is still time for it to come through.
I may be able to get some more leave soon. If that is possible, I'm going up to see Dora's brother about 200 miles away from me. [Ed. might he be stationed in Scotland?]
War news is very good today again. It may wind up pretty fast as far as Germany is concerned but the other [Ed. meaning Japan] will take some time yet I believe. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned. I'm going to get awful lazy if the war last [sic] much longer. A day's work would kill me. They stop every hour over here for their cup of tea. It's getting to be a habit with me too. I hope I didn't start talking like a blimey. Some of the fellows who have been here a few years talk that way now.
Tell Gwen and Grant not to study too hard. Hope Gwen’s music is coming OK and Grant isn't dancing too much. As Jesse says he swings a mean toe [Ed. tune?]. According to the letter Dad is feeling some better, hope he stays that way. Thanks for the chocolax and aspin [Ed. does he mean chocolate and aspirin?] also gum. Send your letters airmail if you can. Send the Statesman to me if possible.
Will say so long for now.
Love Glenn
1 Not all pilots held officer rank. Progression in the RCAF was from Air Cadet (training) to Sergeant (3 stripes) to Pilot Officer. This last promotion didn’t seem to adhere to a formula, such as number of missions. Glenn would be promoted from Sergeant just before 19 September.