Letter to Lewis Ellis from Gus Knox

Letter to Lewis Ellis from Gus Knox

Writing of experiences of manning depot in Toronto. Describes personnel at location and mentions compatriot New Zealanders. Speculates on future and describes some activities.

1943-05-08

1943-05-10

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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E[Author]GEllisEL430508

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SGT. E. L. ELLIS R.A.F.
# 7 B & G.
PAULSON
MANITOBA
[underlined] CANADA [/underlined]

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# L M.D. TORONTO. Saturday 8th May – 43

Dear Lew,

Well we have been initiated into the “wonders” of a Manning Depot. We were at first supposed to leave tonite [sic] for N.Y. but it has been set back three days now and we have the intervening time to ourselves. We don’t work naturally, and the morning had a pay parade for $20.

This joint is packed full of A.C2s and aircrew washouts. We are the only N.C.Os & officers here and the new recruits gage with envy upon our wings, [indecipherable word] crowns etc. There are thirty N.Z.rs going back and a lot of them are the boys I came over with. They have been at A.OS,s for ten months or so and have around six and seven hundred hours in, which makes my fifty look pretty sick. We really had a reunion yesterday, and last nite [sic] there was much feasting and drinking. We are definitely going

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home as things stand at present, and we leave for N.Y. Monday or Tuesday nite. [sic]

I saw that show “Yankee Doodle Dandie” last nite befor [sic] suppertime, it is not bad but there is bags of flag waving and B.S.

I hear they are organising a trip to Niagara for us and perhaps Ottawa, whether it comes off or not remains to be seen.

I spent around $25 yesterday on stuff to take home, but space is the big problem. I have stowed my parcel of 6L6s etc. in the middle of the kitbag I am keeping with one and the two bags are almost full.

I will close now and send you a card from the big city. Please give my regards to Mickey and all the boys.

Cheerio for the present, from your cobber

Gus.

P.S. Are you using Boli [deleted letters] in drague yet?