Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Writes of arriving in Canada. Describes a little of crossing and arriving at Moncton. Describes going into local town and first impressions of the area. Comments on social life, food, living expenses, accommodation and an abundance of chocolate and cigarettes.

1941-11-11

Four page handwritten letter and envelope

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EEllisELEllisH-[Fa]411111

[air mail stamp] [postage stamp] [postage stamp] [postmark]

MRS. ELLIS,
54, WULFRIC RD.,
MANOR,
SHEFFIELD. 2.
YORKS.
ENGLAND.

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1

1238597 LAC ELLIS [RAF]
c/o R.C.A.F.
OTTAWA
CANADA.
11 NOV. 1941

Dear Mam & Dad,

Well at last we’ve got to Canada. The crossing was pretty calm and the ship was very comfortable. Tyler & I had a cabin to ourselves: the food we got on board was good be [sic] the water was not so good so we relied on oranges when we were thirsty.

When we disembarked we caugh [sic] a train and were brought to this camp at a place called Moncton rather like Wilmslow only much bigger.

Last night was our first night out of camp so we went into the town [quite a large place]

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The first thing that struck us was the lights; neon signs, electric lights etc. Another thing is the cars – everybody [deleted word] appears to have a car and there [sic] are as big as buses. Food is also plentiful and for 55c cents [2/6] we got a five course dinner including chicken & blackcurrant jelly.

The houses round here are all wood with very few brick building but I think on whole I preferre [sic] the English brick ones. The clothes the Canadians where [sic] are on the female side like the English but the men usually [deleted letters] wear a soft hat with a six inch brim a zip or lumber jacket, riding trousers & knee boots. Even the children were [sic] the riding trousers & boots.

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The social life consists mainly as in England of cinamas [sic] & danses [sic] and at the danses [sic] there are no fixed steps – you just grab a partner & jump round the floor to a terrific swing or jazz tune. The cinamas [sic] are not half so big and no where near as comfortable I’m told and smoking is not allowed inside as the buildings are wood.

Although food is cheap money goes quickly as eg a haircut is 45c - 1/10 cinema 32c or 46c. Beer if you can get it because there are no pubs is about 40c a pint and has to be drank of [sic] the premises but not in the street.

Well I’m having a great time & feeling very fit, we are well fed and have very got [sic] sleeping quarters

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4/

There is an abundance of chocolate & cigarretts [sic] and one can easily get “Player’s” or Cadbury’s. Very soon I [deleted letters] think we shall be leaving here and going to a flying school so by the time you get this letter I shall probably be there.

Well I think I shall close now tell Fred & Hats I’ll be writting [sic] shortly.

Your loving son

Lewis.

P.S. Did you get my cable? if so when did it arrive

P.P.S. The Canadians are grand people & very generous. This morning we had a armistice parade with the R.C.M.P. leading it, all the town turned out.