Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Catches up with news from home. Writes about adventures while horse riding. Describes flight to Winnipeg to pick up Bolingbroke. Mentions that Canadian winter had started. Still no news on date to go home.

1942-11-02

Three page handwritten letter and envelope

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EEllisELEllisH-[Fa]421102

BY AIR MAIL
PAR AVION

[postmark NO 2 42]

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

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1238597 SGT E.L. ELLIS.
[symbol] 7 B & G School
Paulson
Man.

Dear Mam & Dad,

Sorry I have not written for a fortnight but here I am. Last Wednesday I received your airgraph, it was very small but I had no trouble reading it. I was sorry to hear our Renee had been ill but I am glad she is getting on O.K. now.

I have not heard from Hats yet but I guess I shall have a letter pretty soon.

I think I told you in my last letter we had started horse riding, well the other day Greene (pilot) and Knox (New Zealand gunner) and I went horse riding and Knox was trying to jump a ditch. Well the horse got over O.K. but the saddle girth broke and Knox baled out and landed on his head. Greene then went and administered first aid and then helped Knox to his feet but no sooner had Knox stood up than he fell down again while Greene was trying to fix the saddle then I rode up and saw Knox lying with his head on a big jagged rock. Poor old Greene thought he had killed Gus (Knox) and I could not help laughing at the look on both their faces. Well Gus has recovered now but I do not think

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we shall go horse riding again.

Last Tuesday three of us (pilots) were sent to Winnipeg to fetch three Bolingbrokes (Blenheim IV) back. We came back through sleet snow and rain in formation, one of the best rides I have had.

I think that is about all the news from here except the Canadian winter has started and you can guess what that means. Poor old Gus Knox after living on the shores of the blue Pacific (Auckland) shivers when you blow him, he’s going to have a great time when it gets cold.

I have not heard anything about coming home yet so I guess I shall be here for Christmas.

It was good to hear the circle is still carrying on and a letter from them would be very welcome.

I guess thats all for now but I am sending three more photos along and this time keep the side face one [underlined] yourself as well as the full face one. [/underlined] If anybody else wants one tell them to write to me and I’ll send them one. Did you say Mrs Taylor had one. Remember me to all.

Your loving son

Lewis

PS Have you heard from Chicago yet.

P.T.O.

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The photograph was taken on top of the highest skyscraper in [deleted letters] Chicago.