Montreal May 21 - July 22 -'42
May 21. No 3
Dear Mother "<" Dad.
I'm starting sending post cards for a change. I have a B.B. tomorrow, "<" have not studied any tonight. I've written a card to Max "<" one to Joe. I think the Butman's should move to Ann Arbor.
We should be through here by the first Sat in July - the 4th -. The campus is
very pretty now - so green and cool looking. But the place is dead. - End of
school year. I've been spending Sun afternoon riding the streetcars. Can get
across the island for 6 1/4 cents - through farm land. Lots of fun. Joe lost
his cap out the window once. Got it again. Well, I've run out of space.
88 W.E.Y.
1942-6-8-13-15 No 4
Dear Mother "<" Dad, Got two letters from Desbarats - Lady's
a rip. I think the veranda will be OK. The only thing is tt the more we put on
the cabin, the harder it will be to build a cottage. But that won't be for
some time. I'd like to help build the cottage after the war. Have gotten a
total of 3 cards from Joyce W. Didn't answer the last two because I thought tt
U wd b in AA by then. I was awefully slow answ katy's letter, she'll not like
it, I'm thinking. My final exam wont be until July 8th. So wont be home until the 11th at least. Last week I got 86% on my test "<" this week our room got
67 (moi), 67 (Ken), 68 (Keith), 69 (Bill). I knew the stuff but just had a
bad day. Well I must go to class.
88 Wendell
No 5
Fri, June 12
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Got the letter abt the condition of
the house. Too bad we couldn't have gotten Jean. It's been very humid here.
Finally got our summer uniform "<" today they told us tt we could go to class in
our shirtsleeves. - Can't go anyplace else that way. We haven't even got the
ambition to go down to eat. Writing this in the can at 2305 hrs. This is the
only place where the lights are on. I probably wont be able to leave Montreal
until the Sat night after the 8th of July. Haven't heard from Katy since she
left AA. The way the wx is here, I'd like to spend my next leave at the cottage.
I would also like to see Katy. I realy don't know which. If I took my car to
the cottage, I could get 20 gal for it "<" save your 20 for some other time. It
would cost abt 15.00 to put my car on the road. Probably wouldn't be worth it.
Its too hot to go to bed but I guess I will.
88, W.E.Y.
June 18, '42 No 6
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
As usual I discover things too late to do much about them, Sun is father's day. We will be starting to review pretty soon. Have not build our little superhet yet. Must write Max a letter. Will try to write one to you tomorrow "<" Max too. I guess its been some time since I wrote last. These last two weeks have gone very fast. It's almost time for lights out. Bill went to Toronto on a spec. 48 to see abt getting married on this next leave. So far as I know, things will go as sked.
88 Wendell
Montreal
June 21, '42
Sunday, Noon
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Yesterday "<" today have been very nice. Sun shining but not to hot.
Mr. Smallwood came around Fri. night to see if I had heard from Joe. I hadn't. I guess Joe's as bad a letter writer as I am.
Sat. morning's Lecture was the end of the new stuff. All we do now is review. I don't think I'll have any trouble getting it.
I think that next week we build our little radio. After we've finshed it we can buy it (if it works) if we want to. I don't know if I will or not. It costs abt $9.00. There is nothing wrong with the course except that I'm not made for it. The standards are so low to pass - compared with university - that I wont have any trouble. I've been running between 75 "<" 85% (50 is passing).
I can't stand trying to solder a resistor a 1/4 inch long into a space 5/16 inch long.
While the passing mark is low, the mark for a commission is equally high and then some. I think that two of the boys in our bunch will get commissions. They've been working with radio all their life "<" just eat it up. I don't like the idea of being a LAC for the duration. Especially when both Jack and Edwin will probably get commissions.
Regulations have been changed so that I stand a very good chance of getting to be either a flying instructor or a staff pilot. I don't know what to do. A lot depends on what you think. Here's what: The air force will take fellows with 20/60 eyes in "<" give them special goggles "<" train them as pilots.
I would be absolutly sure of being an officer, and any one with previous flying experience can get to be an instructor if he wants - Most of the boys don't want it. It's sort of boring -
They take the top men that want either inst. or staff jobs "<" give them extra training. I havn't the slightest doubt that I could be top or next to top in my class.
If I do anything about it, it will be after my leave - If I get it. If I were to start flying I wouldn't be through flight training until after next summer. Which is about a year instead of a min of 13 more weeks. The whole idea in changing the eye reqmts is that it releases a lot of pilots with 20-20 eyes that were doing non-combantent flying "<" substitutes pilots with glasses.
I must go to Lunch now. Let me know what you think. I've put off writing this trying to make up my mind. I would rather fly a boxcar than keep on this.
88
Wendell
No 9
1942-6-22-13-35
Dear Mother "<" Dad, I have a few min before parade.
Everything abt the same. Except that I'm a little short. We didn't get our
whole advance this time. Could you spare $2.00? - 3.00 would be better, but no
more! Have to fall in now so 88,
Wendell
No 8
1942-6-29-08-30
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Got your letter with the $5.00. As soon as I get LAC pay I'll be getting 2.00/day or 50 (+10) per month. Wrote Katy 2 weeks ago. Havn't heard from her. Spent Sun with the Smallwoods. Drove across the river "<" saw Mrs. S's G2mother house. I don't quite understand when you want me to phone you. I don't know any more about my leave now then I did when you were here. I'll have to see the C.O. to get permission to visit in case I do get leave. I also want to see him about air crew. Alice Smallwood had a baby girl 2 days ago.
88 W.E.Y.
Montreal
July 3, '42
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Just before parade. Nothing much new. Might get into AA Sun afternoon July 12. If I get a leave, I'll only be in Toronto from 6:45 to 8:30 Sun morning.
We are building a radio - a 5 tube super het. They are quite good. - I'd like to buy mine - it's $9.00. I have $10.00 to get home on. So I'll hope that you can lend me $9.00 "<" I'll borrow it from Weber now because if we buy it, we have to get it now. If you can't spare it, I can sell the radio to Bob Smallwood. Thus will be able to repay Paul. I'd rather not, so see what you can do.
I've written
Katy at her new address. It's
145 Farrand Park
Highland Park, Mich.
(I have the number written down, but not here). Well must go now
So 88
Wendell
No 1 - New Series
1942-7-7-8-40
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
So far as I know I'll be able to leave here Sat at 1500 hrs. Of course, I don't know for sure if we'll go at all. If I should leave at 1500 hours, I'd get into AA early Sun morning. I'd like to walk home so just leave the key out. If I don't get there Sun morning, you can meet the afternoon train. If I can't come I'll send a wire or phone.
I have two pair of Army brown oxfords in my room. One pair has sort of pebble grain leather, "<" a bar across the toe. The other pr has plain toes. If you have time, I'd like you to get the plain toed shoes dyed black "<" leather heels put on. We can wear low shoes now when off duty. I don't want to take a chance of not getting them done if I should have only a short leave.
I got a swell birthday telegram from Katy, yesterday. It came as a complete surprise. A fb YL.
I haven't written to anyone except you and Katy in weeks. Maybe I can catch up when on leave.
When I'm at Toronto, waiting to be posted to Clinton, I'm going to try to re muster to pilot. The one thing in my favor is tt I've flown before. I don't know where I want to spend my leave. I'd like to take you "<" Katy to the cottage "<" rent one of Langstaff's cat boats. I'll write Thur.
88 W.E.Y.
July 22. A2
Dear Mother "<" Dad, Toronto Ont.
The train was a little late in AA "<" later at Toronto. We havn't done much of anything here except Drill "<" P.T. I couldn't do anything abt aircrew the first few days "<" now I'm on "draft" "<" so they won't listen. I'm almost mad enough to wash-out on my next test.
We've been split up. None of the lads that I went around with are on this draft. They will [word?] in a week or more.
I'll write from my next station "<" let you know
my correct address. I'll write Katy a note. She's a pretty swell girl! I'll
have to go on parade now.
88 Wendell
Clinton July 25 - aug 19, 1942
July 25 Th
1942
R-145388, LAC
Young, W.E.
Room 8, Block 8A
No. 31 Radio School, RAF
Clinton, Ontario
Canada
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
I've been quite busy since I got here on Thurs. We don't start classes until Mon. This is the best station so far. I don't know about the work, yet. But I think that I will like it very much.
Clinton is 31 miles from Teeswater. I've only been off the Station once. Went into Clinton to take my uniform to the cleaners. We do our own washing. Bought a share in a washing machine. $1.00. Joe Walsh, my bunkie, "<" I just washed 41 pieces. Took one hour. Did all right, too. Iron shirts Wyoming style.
As you see, I'm a "LAC" now. - means Leading Aircraftsman - Also will be getting more money ($50 + $10 per 30 days).
Have written one letter to Katy (from here). I get one "36 "<" one "48" in the first 6 weeks. I'm going to try to get my 36 at the end of the second week of classes. And, usually, we have to take our "48" at the end of the 4th week. I'm going to try to get home on both of these. I may be able to get only as far as Detroit on my 36 - Hi. Hi.
Must take in the laundry
88
W E Young
My Air Force signature. I did it with out thinking
1942-8-1-15-25
R-145388, LAC Young WE
No. 31 RDF School, RAF
Clinton,
Ontario.
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Our address has been shortened some what. Got your 2 letters. The pictures are good. Got a letter from Katy, too.
The whole trouble with leaves from this station is that we don't get off duty until most of the trains "<" busses have left "<" there are no trains on Sun. We get out at 12:30 (noon) "<" on a 36 have to be back my midnight Sun or if a 48 by 12:30 (noon) Mon. We are 2.7 miles S'ly of Clinton. I'll have to look up the highway number. The highway up the shore is the best one i.e. shorter. Clinton is only 90 miles up from Sarnia (sp).Why don't you ask Katy if she would like to drive up with you?? I wouldn't want you to come alone. Let me know what you think of the idea.
I might be able to thumb from here to Port Huron "<" bus to Detroit. If I did, it would probably be Sun morning before before I got to Detroit "<" I would have to start back in a few hours. I asked Katy to send me a map of Detroit. Well, as I said, let me know as soon as possible what you think. Our mail is very slow. I may have to wire or phone an answer.
There isn't much I can say about the work. I expect to like it as well as any part of radio.
This is Sat afternoon. We (Joe "<" I) have just finished another washing and we are lying on a blanket in the sun. We may go swimming at Goderich tomorrow.
All our books are locked up. We can study only at certain times. It's a good system. We never have the feeling that we should be studying because we can't.
I might try thumbing to Port Huron "<" by bus to Detroit on my "36" an then see what is what for the "48". It would be sad if I didn't make to Detroit at all on the 36. Or if I couldn't hitch-hike from P. Huron to Clinton on Sunday. They are quite strict about being a.w.o.l. here. I would probably loose the next 48.
We don't do much of anything during the week. I still have $5.00 US. I think that I will go in "<" take a shower. This may not go out until Monday. I don't know. I might phone Thur night. Don't know for sure.
88
Wendell
P.S. I think Katy's a nice girl, too.
W.E.Y.
Aug 11, 1942
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Nothing new has happened here. The work is about the same. I was a little tired from the weekend. Not was much as I expected, though. I've written a note to Mrs. Butman $ one to Katy.
I didn't get any messages so I guess Mother got home all right. I want down to the Guardroom at 11:00 to see if there were any.
Send me Maxwell's address
when you think of it. Mine is:
R-145388 LAC Young WE
RAF Station
Clinton, Ontario
I can't think of anything else just now.
88 Wendell
1942-8-13-19-30M
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
got Dad's letter about the car today.
Good thing nothing worse. Be sure to ask about Katy coming to the cottage in
Sept. They are taking less "<" less fellows in the long course. I may get my 2
weeks in Sept. Must go into town now so 88
W.E.Y.
Fri noon
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Jut got your letter written in Wed. A.M. re the Butmans using our upstairs. Sounds like a good idea. Wht with war conditions etc. It would also aid, maybe, in Katy going to the cottage. It would ne nice, also, because in the winter Katy could help exercise the horses.
I wouldn't mind if Katy drove my car. - for groc. etc. She would only be allowed to use it for fun "family business" "<" would have to get student plates "<" insurance. With a new windshield it would be all set. Katy using my car (except going to school, waste of gas, 2 cars) would tend to keep them more independant "<" thus more out of your way. Of course if her sked was out of phase with dad's it would be perfectly all right for her to go to school in my car.
Can't think of anything
more just now. I'll mail this tonight "<" it will go tomorrow morning. 88
Wendell
Aug 25 - Sept. 26. 1942. Clinton - Montreal - Halifax.
1300 hrs
Monday.
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Made Port Huron by 8:15. Had a new exhaust gasket put in. Labor 1.00; gasket 10 cents. Left Sarnia 9:30. Arrived London (north of) 10:45. Arived RAF Station 11:30. Some trip!
Hell blown out of my exhaust manifold. Will replace it with a new or used one this week. I wouldn't bother but air leaks in to the intake manifold "<" cuts down gas milage (only 10 or 11 miles ger gal.) It's quite cool. I'm wearing the sleevless sweater - no tunic.
The speedometer doesn't work "<" I had no idea how fast I was going, so I thought I had better be on the safe side "<" go a little faster. I must have been really traveling!
All of the fellows are back, I think.
Class starts in 20 min. - It's now 13:25 hrs. - so I can't think of anything else.
88
Wendell
[It's about 90 miles from Sarnia to Clinton, takes around an hour 57 minutes these days on paved provincial highways. Dad was driving entirely too fast!]
Thur. P.M.
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
I got a very disappointing letter from Katy just now. (About going to the cottage). Aside from my own selfish reasons of wanting her up there, I think it would do her a world of good.
Here are her reasons. See what you can do about countering them ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
(1) Impossible for for her to get ready in a day or so for a two weeks visit. (I wont be able to get ready, either, so it probably won't be for a full two weeks. - I'd even settle for ONE week)
(2)She doesn't want to leave her mother the day after they arrive in A.A. (It probably wouldn't be the day after. And settling alone would give her mother something to do) (3) Mrs. B. can't go to "Grandma's" alone. (The Hell she can't! "Grandma" would understand that Katy would need a rest - at a cottage with something to do)
(4) The possibility of not getting a place in A.A. (nothing is impossible!)
All in all I think that you should be able to get her to come up. I'd be perfectly willing to just go up for one long week! Let me know what the score is.
I got the car fixed OK. Cost $6.44. (manifold 4.85, gasket 10 cents, labor $1.50) Quite satisfied with price "<" results.
The fudge is swell! I still have some left. Got a letter from Mrs. B. Thanking me for the candy. I haven't gotten your umbrella yet. We write our exams on Tue "<" Wed. I have not had my interview yet. It doesn't worry me because I don't want the next course.
I wrote Katy this morning during break-period. I may not write to her until I hear from you.
88
Wendell
Sat. At Smallwood's
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Got here OK. But have poor connections from here on and will be a few hours late. They can't do much to me, though. I'll have most of the day here. Mrs. S. seems quite happy about Joe. Says he may be going overseas soon, too. That I doubt.
You can pick up the proofs on Mon. Put my watch in the safe. Told Katy if she were stuck for a car for something to use mine. She can handle it OK. I write a letter when I arrive.
88 W.E.Y.
Tue night.
R-145388, LAC Young WE
No 1 "Y" Depot RCAF
Halifax, N.S.
Canada
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
Got the 10.00 OK. 5.00 would have been a bit thin. Soap, tobaco, etc. will come to 5.85. I didn't word the telegram. I sent a ten-word night letter to Katy so tt she would have my address as soon as possible. I thought that I had nothing to loose "<" everything to gain.
Mrs. Smallwood gave my this paper. I've sent quite a few cards to Katy. Gee, I miss her ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Jack Kelly got an additional 7 days leave. To get married, I expect. He'll be here tomorrow.
I'm one day behind the rest of the boys. I expect to catch up, though. Writing on my knee. We have to be very careful about what we say! I don't think very much of Halifax. Maybe if I had a car it would be more interesting.
Must go to bed.
88
Wendell
Sat. morning
Dear Mother "<" Dad,
I got your first letter yesterday. - Got the 10.00, too. I'm sending a paper showing how to address mail for overseas. I've circled the right one. This so you will have it in advance.
I'm very dissappointed. I haven't had even a card from Katy! We sort of live from one day to the next you know. I wrote her a letter last night.
I got a wire that my telegram to Katy was not delivered to Katy. So I wired her my address again. I thought I had nothing to loose "<" everything to gain.
I wonder where Max will be sent? I sent him a card. One to Grandma "<" Grandpa too.
Jack Kelly is married. had an extra 7 days to do it in. Not bad!
Well, I must get to work.
88
Wendell
P.S. Send me some Briggs, hard chocolate (Bitter sweet if possible) "<" a recent picture of Katy suitable for framing for Xmas (not over 4 x 5 or 5 x 7.
You can send it anytime "<" it will be waiting for me.
WEY
Just those 3 things. Unless you want to include some knitted gloves.
