This letter picks up almost a year after the last one left off.
H.M.S. WIDGEON
20th Sept.
Chunking
Dearest Mother-
We have arrived up in Chunking again – after a very quiet trip- No shootings. We stayed at Wanhsien for a day- and it being fairly near the anniversary of the bombardment – the people naturally rather resented us being there – but up here everything is very peaceful and quiet- no Avenging Societies – no strikes and we get all we want in the way of food / coal etc. I don’t quite know how long we shall stay – all depends if the British firms run their ships again – which I think it rather doubtful-
I have seen the Chinese Generals up here – so called friends of a year ago – all very affable-
We are very quiet here – as there are only 3 British residents & I hope a few more will return sooner or later.
I shall have to go down to Ichan or Hankow sometime or other because I rather think I am going to one of the new gunboats – Peterel & to do her maiden trip up the River – I am muchly looking forward to it. – sometime next month I expect.
We get very little news up here – but good to-day – I hear there is a mail arriving on Friday for us-
Still very hot out here – & I am rather looking forward to the cooler weather – I simply can’t get rid of my prickly heat-
Hope everyone at home is flourishing – my best love to you all from your ever loving son
Paul
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Peterel_%281927%29
