H.M.S. Gloucester
July 8th
Dear Mother –
Thank you very much for your last letter & the bags & shoes have just arrived – Don’t quite know why you’ve sent Topher’s bags- as I left mine behind – the only ones belonging to that grey Hopes suit – they must be somewhere I suppose-
What a mass of friends seem to have come in on Sunday -, by your letter they appeared to be pouring in continuously- I hope Topher is’nt sickening for anything serious – I wonder what it is.
We have just been ashore to hear the Archbishop of York speak – he’s apparently been visiting the “Navy” lately & giving sermons. Most interesting it was & he spoke awfully well – I’ve never seen such a crowd of sailors before. About 10,000 of them altogether.
Suppose everyone will be fairly busy seeing dear old Ted off when you get this. Is he leaving on the 10th or only going up for another medical board?
I am at last investing in a fountain pen. I have so much writing to do, I really had to – I don’t think I shall like it a bit.
There appears to be a slight heat wave down your way – how lovely – cos lately up here we have had miserable wet days & yesterday evening we had a fire!
Awfully little news – with ever so much love to you all, from your ever loving son
Paul
Bags = trousers
