Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Writes that he had been busy after returning from new year's leave which he describes. Says that they had stopped flying due to intense cold. Acknowledges receipt of parcel (cigarettes) and letters. Comments that all RAF pilots expected to be home before March. Says he is fed up with Canada and wants to get home. Records temperature of -44 degrees.

1943-01-20

Two page handwritten letter and envelope

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EEllisELEllisH-[Fa]430120

[postage stamp] [postmarks JAN 20 43]

[inserted] 1/43 [/inserted]

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

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[RCAF crest]

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[RCAF Crest]

GB1238597 Sgt Ellis
No 7 B & G School
Paulson
Man.

Dear Mam & Dad,

Sorry I have not written for a while but since I came back from New Years leave I have been very busy.

We (Knox Greene & I) had a super time at New Year in Winnipeg, We had a grand room in the Fort Garry Hotel and if we ever had need of anything, drink, food, trousers pressed etc all we had to do was lift up the phone and ask for it. Most of the time we spent at parties or dances and coming home to Paulson the three of us had a drawing room on the train and traveled [sic] in style.

Since I came back I have had lots of flying but today we had to stop flying because of the intense cold in fact if you run from the barracks to the mess you are asking to be frostbitten; luckily I have not been frostbitten yet but I do not like the idea of having my hair cut.

I received the cigarettes when I returned from leave they are certainly better than the Canadian Players we get here which are very dry.

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I have also received letters from Hats & Fred. All the R.A.F. pilots here expect to be home before the end of March so I will let you know if we hear anything more about it.

As you can imagine we are all very fed up of Canada by now and would like to get home and see some action. Another thing is all the Canadian pilots have been promoted to Flight sergeants but they will not promote us in Canada and I think we deserve to be promoted before some of the Canadians.

The temperature today went down to -44⁰ so you can imagine how much clothing we wear to fligh [sic] in. I look like “Mr 5 by 5” and still feel the cold especially on the face and hands despite three pairs of gloves and the heaters in the planes.

I guess thats about all for now

Your loving son

Lewis.

P.S. Did everyone receive their Christmas cards.

P.P.S. Hope you had as good a Christmas and New Year as I had.

Lewis.