Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother

Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother

Bill was excited to receive good news from home about Mary's baby.

Explains that now he is reached Eastbourne will have to work hard - 6 days and 4 nights a week for the next 6-7 weeks. He might get leave after the exams, but that will be embarkation leave. If he gets part of the weekends off he has three separate invitation from friends in Brighton.

Tells a story about some paratroops who got lost returning from France and ended up at Newhaven.

1942-03-07

Two page handwritten letter

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420307

No 1436220 LAC Akrill,
No 2 Flight, D Squadron,
No 1 E.A.O.S., R.A.F.,
Imperial Hotel,
Eastbourne,
Sussex.
Sat. 7.3.42.
Dear Mum,
I just managed to get your letter as I was leaving Brighton & read it as I was waiting with all my kit for the Posting Parade. After reading your letter I didn’t expect Mary’s bit to contain quite such exciting news & I’m not sure but I think I shouted when I read it & then for some extraordinary reason I felt I wanted to weep. I’d been wondering if the next letter form home would have any news & looking out anxiously as I hadn’t heard for some time. I guess you’r [sic] all excited about it – especially Grandma and Auntie Mary though I should think Grandpa’s pretty pleased on the quiet. I know that Uncle Bill is. I shall want to hear all about the young man of course. I expect any letters you’ve sent to Brighton will get here sometime.
Arrived safely at Eastbourne this morning.
[page break]
Its only about 1/2 hr on the fast train from Brighton. I think I shall like it here very much. Going to have plenty of work anyway. We work 6 days and 4 nights a week for 6 or 7 weeks & then after our exam get a few days leave – embarkation leave I’m afraid! Some weeks I think we can get off from 4.30 on Sat. to Sunday night but I’m afraid I couldn’t get home in that time. However I’ve had 3 separate invitations to Brighton so I think I’ll go over there. It’s a lovely journey across the [deleted] downs [/deleted] Sussex downs.
Mr. Sidebottom (the minister) was telling me that some of our paratroops who had got lost on the return from France landed at Newhaven, just near here between Brighton & Eastbourne, the other night. He said they were lined up & marched off & not one even opened his mouth to say a word.
Glad to hear all the other news in mum’s letter. Always wanting to know what’s happening at home. Sorry about Harry’s ringworm. Perhaps now his young son’s arrived he’ll feel better. Gordon’s lucky! If he does come over a lot just think about me. A fire & a cup of good tea mean a lot (they do to me anyway) Well you’ll be too busy rushing round to Harry’s & thinking about babies to read this.
Love to Ros & all
Bill