Bates_B2278_F1_099

from dear old Les -- a beautiful one it
is dear - he asked me to forward to you as
he had not your latest address.

He says in writing to me [underlined] today. "Eighteen of us
bombers expect orders within two weeks to
move us to Long Island. Everybody is sore
because they are not on the list.

'I am on it.' [underlined] Having dropped so many
love letters into mail boxes they rightly choose
me to drop more bitter missives into Suton ---
land" "So do not be surprised if one of these
days I should send a telegram announcing
my definite order to go. I told Edward he'd
beat me to France but I'l [I'll] beat him to Berlin."

"Im glad to hear of Major NCB. He deserves it &
will be glad to hear of it. Now Dick will be next &
then Edward K.C.B. Lord knows he'll need
the Bath altho [although] not necessarilly [necessarily] in the Knight"!

"Have just shipped you the hub of the propellor [propeller]
the tip of which you have already received ---".
(This was broken by Les in making a forced landing
I fancy he had a narrow escape as he wants to
keep it evidently) Do what you want with it but please
do not give it away." "Some people put clocks in theirs
perhaps you don't care for that I don't myself".