Letters of Ronald Henry Etherton, November - December 1943-Part 1 of 6

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Part of Quest:
Letters to Ronald Henry Etherton
Subject:
  • Love Letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2020.22.4
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Letter 33 snng is he Deasest Sear, This evering I feel sessibly down in the dempo I don kow earetly what it is Iwish could shap out of It. If we could only get sone he done a feet better a ou present rate of progues well go rowhere in a danned long tine Wire a dead lisbility to the Au Force and inder present condiions will neves be any better. Yon the Ar Tone and wis the ovr ough to be You th ay Torce and help waste the Respayers norey Havig got that off ay ches, I feet a lotle better. Yeoryday, being our day off, I wes into Wolaehampton. I posted your present by registued at tupiutily, I had to discive wha it was or the cartous st so it wort be a suprise In the good or, I should cay, bad English care Iwas ho si by s sap Lust I had io seat all the knots of the ding with seating was I bought a stick at a shop to rear t be bot office and asse silling the building with mnoffe, goe it all fixed op. The Hhe dont goon betod the condee go to vork. Gre esteig it iy elveat wrong books anrd putting sweat orong stickees or it she tuly said it was y the time the loo Office was full of people waiting to be serves.I gues thy ere glad to se re go. Dig I tell you that I received the book you sent Sharks a lot Wize with a sady is good story I rear it somwwhere before Iieorly read it ad the first sory so far do cortive about yesterday we wadered aoud the sop for a while, took the bus to Soarbridge, has a gone of billiards, wet to to see Dackgou o arges again because d seen the shos at the other three fetes t00 an te a back to camp. What an exciting day 81s enough to upset angore to have to sped a withday like that to cher us if a be nos, wive beey in the seat box the yathetic Paye, all day. It's bad enough to have to puble aroune in the dart of a night without having to do it of a day 200. To brak the yorting I foolea aoun with the big raid set as it I got a boodeas station with some sasie, 1is a charge to go masie in you holedt in stead of southing like this Hello havigator Hello havigalor This is the Pilst speaking shu's a sed light below us. Do you know whoe is is When will we be at_ what is our gext course? Thei's a furny clowd a lead. Will goe give me a course gound it if is not sefe to go through a heaahill he gos to staye of course and anghow, you cant answer him secause you re holding a sister with both hosts ad if you had asther an youa ned it to sate rates.
I chousant have dosted to wiite tonight dll be nating you anhappy too so I'll aut it short ad wnts tonorow if tr is a better unsa yous as aloays Ron. wond AIR LETTER Miss Jean Ayre 13007- 122 St. 137 Eamonton alet loan
Letter 34 Thiay & 2h Mouby 4 Dearest Jear I feet for brighter this evening than whe I was onting to you lest night. I should or on hing I received to letter from you soas They are nanbers 11 and 16. Te were cone plotss with the eartier one. Theyre great. The ppstey of the var seathe is now solved. I life you playeed s4 thes what you call it Did you beg it for the vesked at libe Hape you dois eve see out of filus else I wois got on nos photo's. I could hich ryself sucuse you diad get ay lettes for a wonth of thas happered to ye sd go gagy. Is soit be faits tf i happens again, relieve ne, the voible has been that I sent two letters sering by a t es I received you book as sritten before hast right I was reading i she I got is a par t you hea wesked. you sergeant doess like you He sooes you to depeation In sony goe have such tusts with the glve wache. I wre have see one that works On Ratt about shating please. Fo give anything to be able to go shating at the biler Glade with you or aything, argihue with you. To soncone going to build across the road) Wich is was re bare has writler to you be nayle by oversyil we s be to wait you. Voy of by That pacel to going to be good to shore it will you if you'll shore the rest con go sont with ne, wish you wild. an y wl begone a said the reward is tac for cows Friany oth hast night, we had a fire in the hal three of us puched sone bu aa bitle for the ris ad sut wourd loasting it ad shooting on respective by hs an old As Force custom bvgore quite a yai about sonithing usually a bet of stily flyng hoose believes you bet it's not gore to voice one doubts. The regult was that I did sost to write wtil late and before long eveyore was howling for the lights to be pe out. are I becky soday I seceived loree 18 youre a well froo you give no such a bt to look forwera to I will be hard to live up to what you desire u a oe you sad bfo rade yo so hapy to receive yourng lole that foe ben askex seeal ies t aftes wl the ray of sunshire had come from I like your phots so such for the very resion for which you doit life it. Ohe could be better then for it to be like you. In cory I eat move the enpin of your lips copldely bet Ito ?Thee you read of the firt ravigales to comae on Head suo of lous He sas son whue I used to live, Hogard. Harcs are good hile but there are bigge & better in the offing. Helifoesi their ne clothing have a bit of on edge from our poir of view so we will have a sall songe, lned hough it is to choose () fror I hope angt seng to the mistle past or ayahue de but if I am &a it wapes no differce to us. Tuot slsp for we will be tanson so naty
haw for it is This aperion as se been souing is Howbridge, was paetly cold and not rach for at all not shen I shat of - you know you soil here wat apulse so you hest sue I wrte. I'll b to tell you sore What would you like to know I howt se seaed to ast is ayting you say to know Dois worry if this ep suells of bee ore of the fillows just spitled some & pretsy doark so I have t much charces of witig wore but morse all my lose Ror MatoN AIA LETTEAOSHHE Da Mias Jea Ayre 13007 122 So bamonton Alee Caas 24
Loee 35 Sunday 7th Novertu Dear Sean, Hills, how are you to day? Bill as beaiful as cas? fust at present to siting nealy or lop of the fix. Is quite car li but yeI nose away it's desibly cold. I realy froge ep top this aperson. Ihaid govreso te a one of the lipp dorg, woud row i calesays its sady Osevi, I wowan know. I receive a Aegraph from you gestwday Ws herse_ H ha I worde how ofte 1 forget o I could write last nigh because we were doing gaod duty Contray to orcers, we slep in his roring. They said thy took a de view of that. De sold the what so of a o i look of being put on guardo as were quits. eve that an fyng I don't feel at all fisty. I should write several litter ought u the others ca wait I want to sell you now about ayself but n ow whoe to sast, unless it's at the beginng I was born at a place called- ges sh this if you find d amuestig- Drumoge. Hs a sout or the appe reaches of lyan thbor, h a Dad were living with s pily aphe has died some tine before. He isd to be a sail believe an has worked as a sailess before she was naried Dad was working is a fariture fhe we o to athe ser aaa I shak it was. While we were living thus, thee was big strike in the e pardon is lbe i t and s& Dad had a petly lan li Wedyary 10th hovern be Dear Jean, going to stast assish. You on rear the first page if you like. Bayle P'l continue it awa to l abou i abed te reee b 19a0 10. I dont how whether you nothe is impowing as a photographer or whither you i grawing you beautiful. you see look goard is you new est Fo s bad if you haven got a rit at latse when will you go - 114 Drest? If you so, gont have ageting to do with any Autseliars tes They ss sdle you cant sut the so far as you con o m e h ye geatus vey very joatous, thy should angose ho is banort te oar o you like children you do youn too mat not 10 If Iwas a williares Is have e of chiten on s tenot likely to be witlsraws maybe it ootant to such of a iae in ony case suse I dont want to he to s you will boo say. Wort they be boy rangy streats Ds halfa hou we I wrote that bat pergyraph. Ill gast have to give in intil mri All yours or&
AIR LETTEI arrnne 1seneioe wald GIE or ocomaer ne Miss Jean AVRE 13007 122 S1 EDMONTON Albert9 Canadg
t Niss Fean AYRE 13007-122 51., LOMONTON MeTa CanaL s Pih La Raat C to to here & o wde ns 10m Jer long I havn seey able so write ang shs s twdays holle &o is sitt only bal wlley b tll pobably so able to fiish of tonns I0 also sed me phosss toe seived n agraps fo you Ihe wrote Today Tusday has bee on day off sice as wer flng last sigh ait about 100 I suppse I stould say half say off, I an an the fillow, boy Ou hav see to Dustey Judging by the wids nould stay shil proved us these said to any australios 0 t to a senswty show Io was shed sals, a worse, but Ias given ip expecting mus Sa is a woll up as down the say staee an the bs ise, endiets ou sicks neration Sir ibly conlig in it? Thee beng wore to light 16 fis she bet is sike a in soe as son as toe prissed shis te gong to dive into bea, although $1s probable be te by the isones untl in you ye sy as we as you are yours only boy LL am
10: Mis Jeon AYRE 18001-122 54 LOONTON Abera Cnodo to t t lea or Imy 11t6 novenber 6 an p received you litte 4 laay I has see eoyng a slap t after tyng tes right sone of the fillows w on s ths wong the lights o on I thought r poua s ig to get ip of couse, the a see the fanry cuse of it y cteds t pgllg up so easly 16 pene as of on ps wnto i cap or of the felows covng back is the wiell lows of the nomg after a ret ithethe lghts on an prson ils sote up she sre fell tught is s tes to get i as wert doe ssagor a ad the as all rdy to go on pas at AN Dis be cuss he of our ht ed to b own wan corle he woke is up stoubig ores On right to secays to was playing with toy cas and son got if to chase on awoes the bu He sots up she lyying to get isto the vorg feet as pset vi lyng to silll ou pootings to wher woy owt fror al haw t ye 40n to on place, Too to byt if is scollers, and the out to the said place. s guit a probter My se 844 able to sull you to right but i any case, onlit ML
Letty 38 Senday 1th homuber Deavess Jean, Don't blave the lost Office for this lelses being compled. Isaid d's my fault Well Foe been posted to the Ops Taning tal way up in scotlond Os rather, I and another fellw oy Olse solus to go there want leaving the rest of the cowe but shat's bound so happen soone or late. the long HaTcove will be going with us (Qwentions be one before) The place were going to is or the bast Coas sonewhere about the 5814 parallel so it's about 350 ailes close to the worth pole thor is Eauorton. I'll be able to ask you how it is down in those sed tropical parts. There il probably be snow shee already Well have that is sonon then, I reve believe anything In tobe nu but Ive hoae that o a good station bavyone says ses & pretty wild soud those parts I unustant sby yea the sarouding couty well, it contant be rach more ilvesing than the swandgs of this cap and anhou at all ou attention will be reeded for work. We'll soon be leaving the old rson behind this a fine old lady but Foe seen eough of he. Will protably go onto Wellygtors, wayde Aheleys but orly ay it vire finished on e also o our crews there We flew agan on Friday nigh and were to have yesteday and today off infortuatily the westhe seraued fae, o, at least fex nough for then to snd is of for aother Exp. About 60 miles from base on the way back e sae wo ea weshe and satieto lake on a log of in The compass was playing up so we put doay at another wore about 3AY. We had a fee hous sey ant then sper nost of yesterday filling a n conpasing and songing it to soeg a copess you have to push tho aseast woud to welve diffe headings as ths was strage station had to do his owselves A great way to spen your leave! We arrived oacd hee late gestwaay. Ive slept nos of the e suce then sic a so con be botheed going ito lown. Orer nos Ive got the few going are an sitting nealy on lop of woulder is be vorderful if you were with se and we were sitting by the firs in our hove not not reading the paper. With you in by ano, your has against my cheef I couta just let the workd go by for we as wer. could forge that tho rot of the wrld essed I noe restued iit I cane to bet you how wonderfal such suplicity could be. As you said feling like this charges the rering of rorge it charges the meowing of lets of Theags you asked ae in one letter what I though was the nost inportant shing is life thats rta hard guestion eI ea, it takes aeverything broadly, I shall thas you ca be ay a con at the sad tee not doe & to as oything which aythgh
night nake then bapy the he is doing his be to the work wop it can be Ou that is too oague to pariculise, everyore advise the nbitious u don you thil that we ale the anbition is wortly writes I reaches a pc whe is becone a sae the, to entiuelo sext the gorl causes sous whapps0 pis ofte seeand to hhis good nderng to do so be a shigs whet he culd not othease as go soue t hs t4e exuse It is to help io echev anbilion. Therefore is is not wrong secause an biias is good. The, there is what I shal is the oppoine state of affars- that of stagration which coyes of lack of autition are of which comes the cause of so much that is not good - bordon. It is so easyto fall ito the way of letting every thing go on ao d ope tha the fett lige i ais often tha ee to shigs go or to So you has what u anbiliors as? to one way they seery defint bu the othe a little vages. Thy are to rape you y wife, to wake you keppy, to rake you seave, or faet you & iy antitions, wiything Yours Ar anar AIR LETTER 8 C Miss Gean Ayse 13007- 122 S 12 Edmonton Alpite Causas

Letter 33 
Wednesday 3rd Nov. '43
Dearest Jean,
This evening I feel terribly down in
the dumps. I don't know exactly what it is. I wish I
could snap out of it. If we could only get something
done I'd feel better. At our present rate of progress
we'll get nowhere in a damned long time. We're 
a dead liability to the Air Force and under present
conditions will never be any better. "Join the Air
Force and win the war ought to be "Join the Air 
Force and help waste the taxpayers' money."
Having got that off my chest, I feel a little
better. Yesterday, being our day off, I went into
Wolverhampton. I posted your present by registered
mail. Unfortunately, I had to describe what it was
on the customs slip so it won't be a surprise.
In the good or, I should say, bad English manner
I was hog tied by red tape. First, I had to seal
all the knots of the string with sealing wax. I 
bought a stick at a shop k near the Post Office and,
after filling the building with smoke, got it all
fixed up. Then the damn goon behind the counter got
to work. After entering it in several wrong books
and putting several wrong stickers on it she
eventually said it was O.K. By this time the Post
Office was full of people waiting to be served. I
guess they were glad to see me go.
Did I tell you that I received the book
you sent. Thanks a lot. "Wine with a lady" is a
good story. I read it somewhere before. I've only 
2. 
read it and the first story so far. To continue
about yesterday, we wandered around the shops
for a while, took the bus to Stourbridge, had
a game of billiards, went to to see "Background
to Danger" again because I'd seen the shows at
the other three theatres too and then came
back to camp. What an exciting day! It's
enough to upset anyone to have to spend a
birthday like that.
To cheer us up a bit more, we've been in
the "sweat box", the synthetic trainer, all
day. It's bad enough to have to fumble around
in the dark of a night without having to do it
of a day too. To break the monotony I fooled
around with t the big radio set until I got a
broadcast station with some music. It's a
change to get music in your helmet instead of
something like this"Hello navigator. Hello 
navigator. This is the Pilot speaking. There's a 
red light below us. Do you know where it is? 
When will we be at ____? What is our next 
course? There's a funny cloud ahead. Will you 
give me a course around it if it's not safe 
to go through it.?" Meanwhile he gets to blazes 
off course and anyhow, you can't answer him 
because you're holding a sextant with both 
hands and if you had another arm you'd 
need it to take notes.

 

3.
I shouldn't have started to write tonight. I'll 
be making you unhappy too so I'll cut it 
short and write tomorrow if I'm in a 
better mood. 
Yours' as always 
Ron. 
←First fold here→


BY AIR MAIL 
AIR LETTER 
IF ANYTHING IS ENCLOSED 
THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT 
BY ORDINARY MAIL

33 
Miss Jean Ayre
13007 - 122 St.,
Edmonton 
Alberta Canada

←Second fold here → 
←To open cut here→ 
Sender's name and address:- 
Aus 423088 
Sgt Etherton R.H. 
RAAF Base P.O. 
London England

ORDERLY ROOM
4 NOV 1943 
← To open cut here

 

Letter 34
Thursday 4th November '43 
Dearest Jean, 
I feel for brighter this evening than 
when I was writing to you last night. I should. 
For one thing, I received two letters from you today 
They are numbers 11 and 16. There were some photo's 
with the earlier one. They're great. The mystery of 
the warm weather in now solved. I like your playsuit. 
I think that's what you call it. Did you buy it for 
the weekend at Seba? Hope you don't ever run out of 
films else I won't get any more photo's. I could kick 
myself because you didn't get any letters for a month. 
If that happened to me I'd go crazy. It won't be 
my fault if it happens again, believe me. The trouble 
has been that I sent two letters running by Air 
Mail. Yes, I received your book as I've written before. 
Last night I was reading it when i got to a part I 
you had marked. Your sergeant doesn't "like" you. He 
loves you to desperation. I'm sorry you have such 
trials with the glue machine. I never have seen one 
that works. Don't talk about skating, please. I'd give 
anything to be able to go skating - at the Silver Glade 
with you or anything, anywhere with you. Is someone 
going to build across the road? Wish it was us. 
Edna has written to you but maybe by 
ordinary mail which might take some time to reach 
you. Boy oh Boy! That parcel is going to be good. I'll 
share it with you if you'll share the next corn you 
roast with me. Wish you could. 
I don't miss eggs so much. We get one now & 
then. After raids the reward is bacon & eggs for crews 
2.
Friday, 5th. 
Last night, we had a fire in the hut. Three of us
pinched some bread and butter from the mess and 
sat around toasting it and shooting our respective 
lines. That's an old Air Force custom. Everyone makes 
quite a yarn about something usually a bit of 
sticky flying. Noone believes you but it's "not done" 
to voice one's doubts. The result was that I didn't 
start to write until late and before long 
everyone was howling for the lights to be put 
out. 
Aren't I lucky! Today I received letter 18. You're 
a swell person. You give me such a lot to look 
forward to. It will be hard to live up to what you 
deserve but I'll try as I've never tried before. It 
made me so happy to receive you're letter that I've 
been asked several times this afternoon where 
the ray of sunshine has come from. 
I like your photo as much for the very reason 
for which you don't like it. What could be better 
than for it to be like you. I'm sorry I can't 
remove the imprint of your lips completely but I'll 
try. 
Have you read of the first navigator to command 
an RAAF Squadron of Lancs. He was born where 
I used to live, Kogarah. Lancs are good kites but 
there are bigger & better in the offing. Halifaxes in 
their new clothing have a bit of an edge from our 
point of view so we still have a small range, 
limited though it is, to choose (?) from. I hope I 
aren't sent to the Middle East or anywhere else 
but if I am I in it makes no difference to us. 
First stop for me will be Edmonton no matter

 

3. 
how far it is. 
This afternoon we've been swimming in 
Stourbridge. It was pretty cold and not much fun 
at all - not when I think of - you know. 
You don't know much about me, do you. 
Next time I write I'll try to tell you some. 
What would you like to know? Don't be scared 
to ask me anything you want to know.
Don't worry if this sp smells of beer.
One of the fellows just spilled some. He's 
pretty drunk so I haven't much chances of 
writing more. Until tomorrow
All my love
xxx Ron. 
 
← First fold here → 

BY AIR MAIL 
AIR LETTER 
IF ANYTHING IS ENCLOSED 
THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT 
BY ORDINARY MAIL

34
Miss Jean Ayre
13007 - 122 St.,
Edmonton
Alberta Canada 
← Second fold here → 
← To open cut here → 

Sender's name and address:- 
Aus 423088 
Sgt Etherton R. H.
RAAF Base P.O.
London England

ORDERLY ROOM
5 NOV 1943 
← To open cut here

 

Letter 35
Sunday 7th November,
Dear Jean, 
Hello, How are you today? Still as 
beautiful as ever? Just at present I'm sitting 
nearly on top of the fire. It's quite warm here 
but if I move away it's terribly cold. I nearly 
froze up top this afternoon. Thank goodness I'm not 
in one of the kites droning around now. My 
calendar says it's Sunday. Otherwise, I wouldn't 
know. 
I receive an Airgraph from you yesterday. 
It's "Letter______" Ha ha! I wonder how often I forget 
to number mine. I couldn't write last night 
because we were doing guard duty. Contrary to 
orders, we slept in this morning. They said 
they "took a dim view" of that. We told them 
what sort of a view we took of being put on 
guard, so now we're quits. Between that and 
flying I don't feel at all frisky. I should write 
several letters tonight but the others can wait.
I want to tell you more about myself but 
I don't know where to start, unless it's at the 
beginning. I was born at a place called - just stop 
this if you find it uninteresting - Drummoyne. It's a 
suburb on the upper reaches of Sydney Harbor. Mum 
and Dad were living with Mum's family. Grandfather 
had died some time before. He used to be a tailor, 
I believe, and Mum had worked as a tailoress before 
she was married. Dad was working in a furniture 
factory. Then we moved to another suburb, Annandale, 
I think it was. While we were living there, there was 
a big strike in the timber, pardon me, lumber 
industry and Mum & Dad had a pretty lean time.
2.
Wednesday 10th November. 
Dear Jean, 
I'm going to start afresh. You can read the 
first page if you like. Maybe I'll continue it 
another time. Now I want to talk about us. Since 
the unnumbered letter I've received number 19 and 
20. I don't know whether your mother is improving 
as a photographer or whether you're growing more 
beautiful. You sure look grand in your new coat.
It's too bad if you haven't got a rink at Calder. 
Where will you go - 112 Street? If you do, don't 
have anything to do with any Australians there. 
They're terrible. You can't trust them as far as you 
can throw them. Ha,ha! Gee, I'm jealous, I'm 
very very jealous. Why should anyone be in Edmonton 
if I can't?
Do you like children? I'm sure you do. You're 
too natural not to. If I was a millionaire I'd have 
dozens of children. Don't shudder, I'm not likely to be 
a millionaire. Maybe it wouldn't be much of an idea 
in any case because I don't want to have to share 
you with too many. Won't they be long rangy 
streaks!
It's half and hour since I wrote that last 
paragraph. I'll just have to give in until 
tomorrow.
All yours 
Ron x x x

 

BY AIR MAIL 
AIR LETTER 
IF ANYTHING IS ENCLOSED 
THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT 
BY ORDINARY MAIL. 

35 
Miss Jean AYRE 
13007-122 St., 
EDMONTON 
Alberta Canada 

←Second fold here→ 
←To open cut here→ 

Sender's name and address:- 
Aus 423088 
Sgt Etherton R.H 
RAAF Base P.O 
London England 

NOV 1943 

←To open cut here

 

Write the address in large BLOCK letters in the panel below. 
The address must NOT be typewritten 

TO:- Miss Jean AYRE 
13007 - 122 St., 
EDMONTON 
Alberta Canada 

353975 
DATE STAMP 
10NO 
43 
___________________________________________________________ 
Write the message very plainly below this line. 
___________________________________________________________ 
Sender's Address Aus 423088 Sgt Etherton RH. RAAF Base P.O London 
Letter 36 
9th November 1943 
Dear Jean,
Sorry I haven't been able to write during the last
few days. Letter 35 is still only half written but I'll
probably be able to finish it tomorrow. I'll also send
some photo's. I've received two Airgraphs from you since
I last wrote. Today, Tuesday, has been our day off. Since
we were flying last night until about 2 AM, I suppose
I should say "half day off". I and another fellow, Roy Olsen,
have been to Dudley. Judging by the wide mouth stares
which followed us, there can't be any Australians
stationed near there. We went to a vaudeville show.
It was third rate, or worse, but I've given up expecting
much. That, and a stroll up and down the main street 
and the bus ride, constitute our week's recreation. Terr-
-ibly exciting, isn't it? There being no one to light the fire,
the hut is like an ice box. As soon as I've finished
this I'm going to dive into bed, although I'll probably
be awoken by the latecomers. Until I see you again,
"stay as sweet as you are" Yours only
Ron xxx
___________________________________________________________
This space should not be used.
MAKE SURE THAT THE ADDRESS IS WRITTEN IN LARGE BLOCK LETTERS IN THE PANEL ABOVE

 

Write the address in large BLOCK letters in the panel below. 
The address must NOT be typewritten 

TO:- Miss Jean AYRE 
13007 - 122 St., 
EDMONTON 
Alberta Canada 

787563 
DATE STAMP 
12NO
43 
___________________________________________________________ 
Write the message very plainly below this line. 
___________________________________________________________ 
Sender's address Aus 423088 Sgt Etherton R. H. RAAF Base P.O London England 
Letter 37 Friday 12th November '43 
Dear Jean,
Received your letter 24 today. I had been enjoying a sleep
in after flying last night. Some of the fellows didn't get back
until 6:30 this morning. When the lights went on I thought
that someone had forgotten about the sleep in and was starting 
to get up. Of course, they didn't see the funny side of it
when they were asked why they were getting up so early. It
reminds me of our first weeks in camp. One of the fellows
coming back in the small hours of the morning after a weekend 
switched the lights on an someone else woke up. The
second fellow thought it was time to get up so went down
and had his shower and shave and got dressed. And there
he was, all ready to go on parade at 2 AM. Did he curse!
The baby of our hut used to have vivid dreams. Sometimes
he woke us up shouting orders. One night he dreamt he was
playing with toy cars and even got up to chase one across
the hut. He woke up when trying to get into the wrong bed. 
Just at present we're trying to settle our postings to
the next stations among ourselves. Someone will have to go on
his own to one place, Two to high up in Scotland, and the
rest to the same place, It's quite a problem. Maybe I'll be
able to write again tonight but in any case, until I can - 
All my love, Ron. 
___________________________________________________________ 
This space should not be used. 
MAKE SURE THAT THE ADDRESS IS WRITTEN IN LARGE BLOCK LETTERS IN THE PANEL ABOVE

 

Letter 38 
Sunday 14th November. 
Dearest Jean, 
Don't blame the Post Office for this
letter being crumpled. 'Fraid it's my fault. Well,
I've been posted to the Ops Training Unit
'way up in Scotland. Or rather, I and another
fellow, Roy Olsen, volunteered to go there. It
meant leaving the rest of the crowd but
that's bound to happen sooner or later. The
long RAF cove will be going with us (I mentioned
him once before.) The place we're going to is
on the East Coast somewhere about the 58th
parallel so it's about 350 miles closer to the
North pole than is Edmonton. I'll be able
to ask you how it is down in those sub-
tropical parts. There'll probably be snow there
already. We'll have that in common then. I never
believe anything I'm told now but I've heard that
it's a good station. Everyone says "Its a pretty
wild round those parts" I understand they mean
the surrounding country. Well, it couldn't be much
more uninteresting than the surroundings of this
camp and, anyhow, at OTU all our attention will
be needed for work. We'll soon be leaving the
old Anson behind. She's a fine old lady but
I've seen enough of her. We'll probably go onto
Wellingtons, maybe Whitleys but only until we've
finished OTU. We also join our crews there.
We flew again on Friday night and
were to have yesterday and today off.
Unfortunately the weather remained fine, or, at
least, fine enough for them to send us off 
2. 
for another trip About 60 miles from base on
the way back we ran into bad weather and
started to take on a load of ice. The compass
was playing up so we put down at another
'drome - about 3 AM. We had a few hours sleep
and then spent most of yesterday fitting a new
compassing and swinging it. To swing a compass
you have to push the aircraft around to
twelve different headings. As this was a new
strange station we had to do this ourselves.
A great way to spend your leave! We arrived
back here late yesterday. I've slept most of the
time since then. It's such a lousy day I couldn't
be bothered going into town. Once more I've got
the fire going and am sitting nearly on top of
it.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you were with
me and we were sitting by the fire in our
home. No! Not reading the paper. With you in
my arms, your hair against my cheek I could
just let the world go by for ever and ever. I
could forget that the rest of the world existed.
I never realised until I came to meet you how
wonderful such simplicity could be. As you said
feeling like this changes the meaning of songs;
it changes the meaning of lots of things
You asked me in one letter what I thought
was the most important thing in life. That's
rather a hard question to answer. I mean, it takes
in everything. Broadly, I think that if one can be
happy and content, at the same time not doing
anything to make anyone also happy unhappy 
and not neglecting to do anything which

 

3. 
might make them happy, then he is doing his
bit to make the World the Utopia it can be. But
that is too vague. To particularise, everyone admires
the ambitious. But don't you think that even when
the ambition is worthy, sometimes it reaches a
pitch where it becomes a mania. Then, to continue to
seek the goal causes someone unhappiness quite often
because the seeker has the one idea in mind - to
reach his goal. In endeavouring to do so he does
things which he would not otherwise do just because
he has the excuse "It is to help me achieve my
ambition. Therefore it is not wrong because ambition
is good" Then, there is what I think is the opposite
state of affairs - that of stagnation which comes of
lack of ambition and of which comes the cause of so
much that is not good - boredom. It is so easy to
fall into the way of letting everything go on as they
it is are, I know. It's often that I've felt like it,
and it's often that I've let things go on so.
Do you know what my ambitions are? In one
way they're very definite but in the other a little
vague. They are to make you my wife, to make
you happy, to make you secure. In fact you are
my ambitions, everything. 
Yours
Ron. 
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BY AIR MAIL 
AIR LETTER 
IF ANYTHING IS ENCLOSED 
THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT 
BY ORDINARY MAIL. 

38 
Miss Jean Ayre 
13007 - 122 St., 
Edmonton 
Alberta Canada 

←Second fold here→ 
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Sender's name and address: - 
Aus 423088 
Sgt Etherton R. H. 
RAAF Base P.O 
London 
Eng. 

ORDERLY ROOM 
15 NOV 1943 

←To open cut here 

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Jacqueline KennedyJacqueline Kennedy
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