Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Writes he now has over 200 hours flying. Mentions daily routine and upcoming wings parade. Writes about starting formation flying and speculates about leave in Canada before returning home. Writes about what he plans to bring home from Canada, including silk stockings. Mentions mail from friend.

1942-05-21

Three page handwritten letter and envelope

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EEllisELEllisH-[Fa]420521

[postmark]

Mrs H Ellis,
54, Wulfric Rd.,
Manor,
Sheffield. 2.
Yorks.
England.

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[RCAF crest]

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[RCAF crest]

1238597 LAC EL ELLIS
12 S.F.T.S.
BRANDON
MAN.

21/5/42

Dear Mam & Dad,

Well I’m still getting on O.K. and I now have over two hundred hours flying in. I do not think there is much to write about this week. We still get up at 6:30; parade at 7:30; flying starts at 8:00 and finishes at 1200 for lunch. The afternoon should be spent in ground school but as we have finished that we either fly, shoot or practise on the bomb aimer.

Its now only a fortnight to June the fifth which is the day of our wings parade so everyone is in a happy mood at the prospect of going back to England but some of the chaps are staying in Canada as instructors

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and they are not very pleased. I think I am among the lucky ones who are coming straight back.

Last week we started formation flying solo, its great fun being able to wave to your pal in the next plane but unable to speak to him unless you use the radio intercomunication [sic]

I don’t know wheather [sic] we get any leave here in Canada before we return home, I hope not it costs you so much money even on 48 hours and as the R.C.A.F. never issue ration or leave money it has to come out of your own pocket.

I do not know what to bring back to England from Canada as I do not know what people want but I shall bring two or three pairs of silk stockings if I can get a WAAF to get them for me. As for our Sidney, Charlie Bobbie and Hazel

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I guess it will be clothing and I hope it fits. I suppose my dad & Uncle Charlie will not mind smoking Canadian “Players”, but they are not like English cigarettes.

By the way I got a nice long letter from Hats yesterday so I shall have to reply to that today.

I guess thats all for now remember me to all at 69, 52 & No 6.

Your loving son

Lewis.