Letter from Bill Akrill to Ros and Harry

Letter from Bill Akrill to Ros and Harry

Catches up with family news and discusses the christening of his nephew and whether he will be able to attend. Remarks that being a Christian has made being in the RAF 'such a grand enjoyment' rather than a 'misery'.

1942-04-02

Two page handwritten document

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EAkrillWE[Recipient]R-H420402

No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
No 2 Flight D Squadron.
No 1 E.A.O.S.,
R.A.F.,
Thurs. 2. April 42. Eastbourne,
Sussex.

Dear Ros & Harry.

I think (unless anything unexpected turns up) that we will be getting another 48 next week-end - the 10 [underlined] th [/underlined] to 12 [underlined] th [/underlined]. So I’m afraid I shan’t be able to get for the 19 [underlined] th [/underlined] as we’re on church parade that day. However, if you would like & if Harry is better I can come over next week-end for Michael’s christening. I should be coming home the fortnight after that for several days so p’raps you’d prefer to wait until then. Of course [deleted] I’m [/deleted] you can easily manage just as well without me but I’d like to be there.

You didn’t say where he was being christened or who was doing it. Well, he’s far too grand a little chap to be involved in any unpleasantness with Meek. Apart from that I don’t see that it matters where, how or when he’s christened, if at all, as after all, he’ll decide for himself when he grows up whether he wants to be Christian, Buddist, [sic] or [indecipherable word] nothing at all. I think it would be the grandest thing if Mr. Goodridge christened him. You know how much I admire him & its through him that I am, I

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hope, a Christian at all (I nearly wasn’t) & that’s the only thing that has made life in the Air Force such a grand enjoyment where it would have been a misery. Well, if you do decide for him to be christened next week-end, I’ll most certainly be over. I shall be writing to Mr. Goodridge so if you let me know what you’ve decided I can ask him. It’s going to be a rush for the 12 [underlined] th [/underlined] though I’m thinking.

Anyway if you write & tell me I can make arrangements for coming home. Otherwise, unless your [sic] all really anxious for me to come home I don’t think I shall do this time. It’s very tempting & I really want to but it’s such a rush & rather expensive - though I might not get so many chances soon. If I don’t come home I shall spend the week-end in Brighton.

I wonder how you’r [sic] all getting on. & if Harry’s face is any better. How’s Mary’s mouth & Daddy’s neck & Irene’s leg? I did enjoy being home & very pleased with Michael but I wished I was staying longer.

Must get on with some work. Passed in all exams so far but I’m far from satisfied with myself & must put in a fortnight’s very hard work. Hope you get this on Sat & then I might get a reply by Monday & I can decide what to do. Love to all Bill.