RN Air Station
Westgate-on-Sea
Kent
30 November 1916

Dearest Best Family

Very many thanks for the ring which arrived last night. It is just the right size and my elegant finger shows it off to perfection…

Things are pretty quiet here, bad weather accounting for several stale days. Tuesday we had a bit of a hickboo [slang for a rumpus] – submarines supposed to be about and I was out for an hour on a Schneider but saw nothing much. Then of course the fellow who went out after me came down with engine failure and drifted about for 6 hours before he was picked up and then it was 1am before he got back…

We are having a sale of work on the 7th to provide a beanfeast for the wounded soldiers of the local hospital in whom nobody has taken the slightest interest. Their show will probably take place at Christmas with a tea, entertainment and Christmas tree… Am counting the days till the 22nd [Dec]…

Much love to all
Douglas

NAS: GD486/132