Friday, April 02, 2004
Postmarked Rockcliffe M.P.O AU 9 41
Written on RCAF stationery
Dear Mom
Well, I'm still O.K. and getting along fine here although I think we were gypped on this guard business though as there is a lot of fellows (pilots and observers) leaving Toronto to-day (Aug 8) and going straight to Initial Training School and not having guard duty at all. I guess we were the last lot to get it.
The First day I was on duty I was in the Station Guard Orderly Room. I started at 11:00 at night till 5:00 in the mornings then again at 11:00 in the morning till 5:00 at night. 12 hours all together. Of course I just sat there but it was a long time. The second time I was on duty I was guarding the aeroplanes and hangars down by the river. I went on last night at 5:00 till 7:00 then 11:00 till 1:00 and then this mnorning at 5:00 till 7:00 so I was through by 7:00 this morning till 4:00 tonight. We get a 24 hour pass at 4:00 to night till 4:00 tomorrow and then start on guard duty again.
As I had nothing to do this afternoon I got through stores and got a summer uniform. It's over the tailors being fixed up now and another pair of boots. The boots are repaired ones but they are pretty good.
Yes mom the meals are pretty good here, in fact. I think they are better than what we had at Toronto. Of course I don't care for the salads they have at supper but I can always buy a sandwich or a hot dog at the canteen for a nickel. Chocolate bars are only 4 c as are 1/2 pints of chocolate milk.
It's too bad the stadium had to burn down but I bet it made a swell blaze. I guess you couldn't keep Dad away from the games if he had to stand in the ashes to watch it.
So Vic has started to gad about. It must be quite a novel sensation to him. Tell him to be careful and not stray from the straight and narrow path now that he is releasing all that energy he as kept pent up all these years.
I can't say I've started to gad about yet as I have not been out of barracks since I've been here so I can't tell you what Ottawa is like although the boys say there isn't much to it. I would like to see the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill one of these days. The guards alternate between the ARmy and the R.C.A.F. although I don't know if it is shift by shift or day by day. They are special guards and are supposed to be pretty good.
No, Mom, I haven't heard from Grant since just before I left Toronto and I haven't wrote. I guess I should have but we don't get a great deal of time as when we are not on duty we drill all day the next day on duty we get pretty tired. I guess I'd better wait and make sure if he does move or not. You can let me know give me his new address if any.
Well I'll be looking forward to that parcel. I hope there is some more fudge in it, tell Viv that it was swell. May be I'll get my laundry from Toronto at the same time. It's not here yet but I guess it will take time as it would not have been ready until Thurs.
Well I hope I get moved back to Toronto for my Initial Training School because then I'll be able to get home and see you again.
Well I guess there's not much more to say except do tell Bill to write so I can answer. I can't think of any thing to say to him as it is and I'd like to write to him.
Well, I guess that's that so give my love to everyone there.
So long for now, Mom.
Your loving son
Herb
PS. Note the address at top of this letter as it is correct and saves the clerk a lot of trouble.
Love
Herb
Written on RCAF stationery
F/C2 H. Webb
R103489
RCAF
Security Guard
Rockcliffe Station
Ottawa, Ont
Dear Mom
Well, I'm still O.K. and getting along fine here although I think we were gypped on this guard business though as there is a lot of fellows (pilots and observers) leaving Toronto to-day (Aug 8) and going straight to Initial Training School and not having guard duty at all. I guess we were the last lot to get it.
The First day I was on duty I was in the Station Guard Orderly Room. I started at 11:00 at night till 5:00 in the mornings then again at 11:00 in the morning till 5:00 at night. 12 hours all together. Of course I just sat there but it was a long time. The second time I was on duty I was guarding the aeroplanes and hangars down by the river. I went on last night at 5:00 till 7:00 then 11:00 till 1:00 and then this mnorning at 5:00 till 7:00 so I was through by 7:00 this morning till 4:00 tonight. We get a 24 hour pass at 4:00 to night till 4:00 tomorrow and then start on guard duty again.
As I had nothing to do this afternoon I got through stores and got a summer uniform. It's over the tailors being fixed up now and another pair of boots. The boots are repaired ones but they are pretty good.
Yes mom the meals are pretty good here, in fact. I think they are better than what we had at Toronto. Of course I don't care for the salads they have at supper but I can always buy a sandwich or a hot dog at the canteen for a nickel. Chocolate bars are only 4 c as are 1/2 pints of chocolate milk.
It's too bad the stadium had to burn down but I bet it made a swell blaze. I guess you couldn't keep Dad away from the games if he had to stand in the ashes to watch it.
So Vic has started to gad about. It must be quite a novel sensation to him. Tell him to be careful and not stray from the straight and narrow path now that he is releasing all that energy he as kept pent up all these years.
I can't say I've started to gad about yet as I have not been out of barracks since I've been here so I can't tell you what Ottawa is like although the boys say there isn't much to it. I would like to see the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill one of these days. The guards alternate between the ARmy and the R.C.A.F. although I don't know if it is shift by shift or day by day. They are special guards and are supposed to be pretty good.
No, Mom, I haven't heard from Grant since just before I left Toronto and I haven't wrote. I guess I should have but we don't get a great deal of time as when we are not on duty we drill all day the next day on duty we get pretty tired. I guess I'd better wait and make sure if he does move or not. You can let me know give me his new address if any.
Well I'll be looking forward to that parcel. I hope there is some more fudge in it, tell Viv that it was swell. May be I'll get my laundry from Toronto at the same time. It's not here yet but I guess it will take time as it would not have been ready until Thurs.
Well I hope I get moved back to Toronto for my Initial Training School because then I'll be able to get home and see you again.
Well I guess there's not much more to say except do tell Bill to write so I can answer. I can't think of any thing to say to him as it is and I'd like to write to him.
Well, I guess that's that so give my love to everyone there.
So long for now, Mom.
Your loving son
Herb
PS. Note the address at top of this letter as it is correct and saves the clerk a lot of trouble.
Love
Herb
