The son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred G. Laing, Lafontaine St., Wallaceburg.  Reported returned from overseas service attending a Wallaceburg Kinsmen ‘Welcome Home’ dinner.  CDN. 24/01/45.

LAC Laing was reported returning to RCAF Regina after being on a four week “sick leave” staing with his parents. WN 15/05/41 [the cause of his illness was not reported]. The Wallaceburg News 16/10/41 reported that Pilot-Sgt. Billie Laing had met Aircraftsman Percy Hebert, also from Wallaceburg, they had met at one of the overseas service clubs.

The WN 22/10/42 in their section “From Boys Overseas” published the following letter:

R78889, RCAF

Sgt. Pilot, Laing Wm. G.

128 Squadron, RAF.

A.P.O. S101

West African Fords.

 

Cowell Bros.

Dear Sirs,

   As you will see by the above address I am no longer in England, but in the dark continent of Africa. Since I have been here nearly five months. I have received four of your papers. Last night I received 300 cigaretes from my pals the Kiltie Band and 3 ‘Burg’ papers dated May 28^th, June 4^th June 18^th. As you will notice there are some missing, but can’t be helped. I am very grateful to get the odd ones. You say they go to England first then come out here.

   I am receiving by mail quite regularly now and  our stay be in the colony is from 12 to 18 months.Then I hope to come home. I read the paper from cover to cover including the ad. It is sure good to see on paper “Come to Bunny’s Ice Cream sundies 15 cents.” We never see icecream out here and hardly any chocolate. We are fortunate in getting an abundance of fruit though.

   I was sorry to read in your paper of May 28 that F.Sgt. Bill Valkenier is missing. He and I joined up and went out west together. I haven’t run into and chaps out here from the home town bur there are a few from Toronto, new Brunswick and the West. I see where Brian Crist is in England. Eric is in Malta. Our flight commander “Pip” Mortimer and a few of the pilots here are the originals at Maltaand our now here with us.

   At the present er are in the midst of the rainy season here it sure does rain. We have a very high rate of malaria here but so far I have been lucky.

  The natives are very interesting to watch as they go about their work and their mode of living and houses are very much different to our way of living.

   We are busy during the day but the evening seems to drag by. We have no games here except cards and the radio. Now and again some of the chaps get books from England. The food isn’t so good but we all have to make some sacrifices and the sooner this thing is over the sooner we get home and read the News every Thursday evening instead of a few months later.

   Well folks this is just a little note to tell you how much I appreciate receiving the hometown paper. Who would ever think the Wallaceburg News would be read in West Africa.

   I think that is a good idea of Stan Glover’s in publishing a small book with the names of all of the lads from Wallaceburg and sending us each one each, I’m sure all of the otherfellows will agree 

   Thank you once again for forwarding the News to me. Goo luck to all the people of Wallaceburgin their drive for victory!

 

Sgt. Pilot Laing  

Reported returned from overseas service attending a Wallaceburg Kinsmen ‘Welcome Home’ dinner CDN. 24/01/45.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources

CDN (24-01-1945)

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