Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Letter from Lewis Ellis to his mother and father

Writes that they had been very busy. Acknowledges receipt of letters and catches up with family news and finance matters. Catches up with news of friends. Writes that life is the same but there was a bit more mud and weather was getting colder. Mentions rear gunner going sick and having to fly with replacement. Comment on health of rear gunner. Writes that they have a crowd of Americans in the mess and mentions enclosing a Christmas present.

1944-12-18

Four page handwritten letter and envelope

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EEllisELEllisH-[Fa]441218

[postage stamp] [postmark 18 DE 44]

[inserted] [circled 44] [/inserted]

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

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I

Dear Mam & Dad,

Sorry I did not write earlier but we have been pretty busy recently. I received our Sidney’s letter at the begining [sic] of the week and yours yesterday. I hope our Sidney did O.K. in his exams. From the statement of accounts, which is my airmans’ account you will see I am £20 better off.

By the way I understand if I make an allotment I have to arrange it myself with the bank so if you are short let me know or go to the bank (Sheffield Savings) or if you like I can send you a cheque.

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II

By the way you will see I am now a Flying Officer so I have caught the other lads up now.

It was back dated to the sixth of November.

So Hats is now in Holland, his mother said she would write and send me Hat’s address as soon as she got it but I have not heard from her yet. I was sorry to hear Mrs Eccleston has not had any news of Stan but it is rather early yet and there is lots of chance while he is still listed as missing.

Our Sidney is starting rather young isn’t he it will cost you about £10 if he is caught in a pub. If my Grandma is killing a pig you should be alright for Christmas but I do not think

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III

I shall get my leave now until after the New Year but I shall let you know definitely in my next letter.

Life here is pretty much the same except there is a bit more mud and it is getting a bit colder. Last week young Ralph the rear gunner, [inserted] went sick [/inserted] and I had to fly a spare gunner but he was pretty good and we had no trouble. Ralph is flying again now but I still think he is pretty sick and the boys say he never eats anything so I think I shall have to see the [deleted word] doctor about him but I don’t want to loose [sic] him.

Let me know when you send the kit bag and then I can go

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IV

up to the Post Office otherwise I shall not know when it arrives here.

Today we have a whole crowd of yanks up at the mess, you can’t get through the door for them and we look like having a hot time in the mess with them tonight I hope I can get into the dining room and get a seat at the moment I am expecting to queue for it.

You will find a Christmas present enclosed so you and my Dad get something for yourself and have a drink with it.

I guess that’s all for now,

Remember me to all,

Your loving son,

Lewis