Letter to Lewis Ellis from Gus Knox

Letter to Lewis Ellis from Gus Knox

Writes from the United States saying he is attached to Pacific ferry. Mentions he will get six weeks leave after completing his first tour in the South West Pacific. Contemplates what he will do on leave. Speculates on second tour of 50 trips and hope he will remain as lucky as on his first. Writes about his new son named Lewis. Talks about activities in San Diego. Comments on his own health and previous stay in hospital.

1944-04-28

Three page handwritten letter and envelope

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EKnoxATEllisEL440428

[postage stamps] [postmark]

SGT. E.L. ELLIS,
1238597 R.A.F.V.R.,
1 WULFRIC 11,
SHEFFIELD
YORKSHIRE
ENGLAND.
U. K.

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SENDER

F/O [indecipherable letter]. T. KNOX 415535
R.N.Z.A.F. FERRY
CORONADO HOTEL
SAN DIEGO
CALIF.
U.S.A.

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1.

[crest]

[italics] Hotel del Coronado [/italics]
CORONADO, CALIFORNIA

28th April – 44

Dear Lew,

Just a brief note, and I guess the address is rather a surprise to you. I am attached to the Pacific Ferry for a short while, and when we deliver this lot I have six weeks leave at home, having completed my first tour of duty in the South West Pacific.

I am really looking forward to the rest at home, I just feel as though I could go away for a six month rest somewhere and forget the Air force for ever. But I suppose we will be back at work again in a couple of months. If I am as lucky with the second fifty trips as I have been with the first, well, everything will be O.K.

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2.

I have a surprise for you this time, when I arrived here, there was a cable waiting for me, and this time it is a boy. So we now have a Lewis in the family.

The wife liked the name, and so do I, so you can at least say that you have made your impression in New Zealand anyway.

I am staying at the above hotel at San Diego, and I am making up for lost time with regards to meals. The war has scarcely touched this country, [underlined] loads [/underlined] of eggs, turkey, roast chicken, steaks, and not to mention, poor Les Green’s favor[deleted]t[/deleted]ite, liver & bacon.

That all makes your mouth water doesn’t it. Needless to say I have eaten my share, and more, of what

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3

there is to offer.

I hope you can decypher [sic] this writing, as my hand is as shaky as the devil. I had a short stay in hospital a month or so ago as a result of a small mishap we had, and I guess the shakes have not worn off yet.

Well Lew, I will sign off now, and hope you are keeping well, all is 100% here. Don’t forget H.T.M.P.F.C.G.S.I. and happy landings.

Yours as always

Gus

P.S. Love from Jean, Valerie, and Lewis.