Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Mentions mail he had received and upcoming change of location. Comment on the food at his location and that he had not found the Blitz too bad or seen much damage. Writes about inoculations, guard duty, getting his kit, exams and promotion. Thanks them for sending stamps and comments on his feet, sending luggage home, going to the cinema and complains about pilot officer in charge of them.

1941-07-31

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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EEllisELEllisH-[Fa]410731

[postage stamp] [postmark 31 JUL 1941]

Mrs Ellis
54 Wulfric Rd.,
Manor
Sheffield. 2.

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Wednesday.

1238597. AC2 E L Ellis
WO1 Aircrew R.C.
No. 4 Squadron N 3/4 Flight
Bentinck Close
Prince Albert Rd.,
London N.W.8

Dear Mam & Dad,

I got your letter and one from Norman Haseldine & one from Derrek Roper this afternoon. On looking through all the envelopes I found the 1/- & the stamps just when I needed it. I sent you one letter this morning but that was before I got yours so I thought I’d better write again. As you will see I got your letter in two days so don’t post me any letters after Thursday until you get the new address. You might tell Fred, Hats & Norman I shaln’t [sic] write to them until I get their second letter in reply to my first one. I shall try and find time to write to Derek Roper & our Cyril tonight.

The food here is good & not so much sausage but I don’t miss it. We get tea bread butter jam corn flakes bacon & sausage for breakfast: Potatoes, meat, beans or rotten brown cabbage & sweet for dinner & usually a meat tea with beet root or something & cake.

I got through the blitz alright its not half what the papers make out although we did hear bombs we stayed in the billet. The damage to London is hard to find although there is some by the docks.

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I haven’t been inoculated yet so it looks like I shall have another Saturday night in the billet, if I’m done this week end. Last Saturday as you know I was one guard from 8-10pm 2-4 [deleted] pm [/deleted] [inserted] am [/inserted] I got out of the 8 to 10 however but from 2-4 I was walking up & down a back alley in tin hat and overcoat & skeleton webbing equipment, my body was red hot & my face & hands like ice.

Ive got all my kit, [deleted] now [/deleted] except my service gas mask. even down to knife, fork, spoon, scarf, gloves & ear plugs.

In about eight weeks (maybe) I shall take a exam (official secret) & if I pass I shall get promoted & get 5/6 a day as a leading aircraftsman [drawing] but it all depends on how I work in the next eight weeks.

I got the stamps out of your letter to day thanks a [deleted letter] lot I needed some. My feet ain’t so bad now but I think the [two indecipherable words] will come in useful. I sent my luggage this morning in the case by L.M.S. I could have got a lock but they were 2/6 and I couldn’t afford it so I tied the locks with string, I hope you get it alright. I’ve been to the pictures tonight to see “Pimpernal Smith” & “Texas Ranges Ride Again” it was pretty good.

The pilot officer in charge came round this morning, he’s the rottenest [sic] chap I’ve met, and played H - - - about the way we packed our things away he didn’t pick on me but some chaps got it, I’ll be glad when we flit as he is not our officer then. I think that’s all I can say. for now Your loving son Lewis (excuse scribble)

After the exam I may get a few days leave. Where I’ve put “official secret” I mean it

P.S. I’ll have to stop in tomorrow as I’m broke any how I’ll be able to have a bath & write letters. Remember me to all.