DEC 3rd 1942

DEAR JIM,

               RECEIVED ALL YOUR MAIL TODAY! TWO PARCELS OF BOOKS, TWO AIRGRAPHS AND THE PHOTOGRAPH WHICH WAS A SURPRISE INDEED. THE CHRISTMAS MAIL WAS VERY MUCH IN TIME.  I’M SAVING THE BOOKS FOR THE NEXT PATROL AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT HEMMINGWAY [SIC] WITH PLEASURE. IT IS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN. IT HAS BEEN LONGER THAN USUAL THIS TIME. I’M GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE WELL AND HAPPY. IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU COULD MAIL ME THAT COTSWOLD COUNTRY WALK. I COULD DO WITH IT NOW!

               SO YOUR BROTHER IS ON THE MOVE AGAIN? I WONDER IF IT TIES UP WITH THE GOOD NEWS WE HAVE BEEN GETTING FROM NORTH AFRICA? THE NEWS HAS BEEN RATHER GOOD LATELY, DON’T YOU THINK?

               HAD A COUPLE OF LETTERS FROM HOME TODAY WHICH MAKES IT A SORT OF RED LETTER DAY FOR ME. THE FAMILY ARE WELL AND HAPPY WHICH IS A BIT OF A RELIEF FOR ME.

               I’M GOING TO THE REST CAMP TOMORROW. I’LL WRITE YOU A LONG AIR MAIL LETTER IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

                              CHEERIO

                              HUGH