Letter from Bill Akrill to Harry

Letter from Bill Akrill to Harry

From Bill Akrill who is undergoing training at No.1 Elementary Air Observer School, Eastbourne, congratulating him on the birth of his son and saying how good the food is.

1942-03-08

Two page handwritten letter

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EAkrillWE[Recipient]H420308

No1436220 L.A.C. Akrill
No2 Flight, D Squadron, No1 E.A.O.S.,
Imperial Hotel,
Sun. 8.3.42. Eastbourne,
Sussex.

Dear Harry,

I think it’s the usual thing to send congratulating letters to the father though why he should get all the praise I don’t know. Anyway I do think it’s great to have got a son and heir in the family. What does it feel like to have proud grandmas and aunts rushing about admiring [underlined] your [/underlined] young’un?

I can just imagine the excitement at Potter Hill though it’s the first time its happened in our family in my day. Other folk’s babies cause enough excitement but with a real Akrill there’s no telling what they’ll do. You’ll have to watch them well. He hadn’t been born 3 hours before Auntie Mary had written all about him.

Still I guess I’ve no room to talk & expect I’m just as pleased about it as anybody and looking forward to seeing the latest partner of Akhill & Sons

[page break]

Mary didn’t say that mother & son were doing well but I’ll take that for granted.

I was sorry about your ringworm. Think it must have been worry! You seem to be busy as usual at this time of the year, and now you look like being busier with nappies to wash etc.

Tell mum I’m liking this place very well. Managed to chum up with another lad from an E.F.T.S who seems a jolly good sort. The food (so far) has been exceptionally good. Do you know, today at dinner we had trifle with decorations in sugar icing on the top! Eastbournes a lovely place but just about dead now. It’s had a lot of raids.

It’s really warm in the sun today so I think I’ll get out and enjoy it while I’ve a chance. I must climb Beachy Head before I leave.

Give my best to Ros and thank her very much for the birthday present. Couldn’t have a better ever. I’ll write to her soon as I want to give the young feller a present and she’ll know best what he wants. All the best [underlined] Bill [/underlined]