Letter from Kenneth Gill to his mother

Letter from Kenneth Gill to his mother

Mentions he recently sent a telegram and it would not be long before he saw them as he had seven days leave coming. Asks for news of friends and asks about food shortages at home. Mentions items he had brought back. Explains what he is doing and his plans in Bournemouth. Writes of his colleagues and possible futures.

1942-10-10

Three page handwritten letter

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1438901. SGT. GILL. K.
No3. R.A.F. P.R.C.
BATH HILL COURT.
BOURNEMOUTH.

OCT. 10th/42.

Dear Mum & all,

Hope you got the telegram O.K. mum, I hadn't the cash to send Vera one at the time, but I'm O.K. now as I've changed my Canadian money into English.

Well it shouldn't be long before I see you again, we're given 7 days leave & it should start sometime next week. It isn't anything like what we expected but we'll have to grin and bear it I suppose. They do say as how we're needed pretty quickly so that's perhaps why only 7 days leave,

Have you had any news from Ron lately, I wrote him two or three times. I wrote quite a few letters & I haven't had replies to them

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Have you heard from Albert at all of late & Pip or Margaret Franklin. I wrote to all of them but ain’t 'eard.

However I s'pose I'll see them maybe soon. I say mum how's the food situation at home? there doesn't seem to be much of a shortage here of anything.

Tell David I'll bring him some apples when I come home. I brought some oranges onto the boat with me but they didn't keep, then I got some more on the boat but they didn't keep either, I'm sorry David lad but apples is all there is.

I brought some milk chocolate with me too, but our kitbags haven't arrived from the boat so I can't tell how it's fared. I have a little surprise for you mum & one for David; don't say anything but suppose you could still use your

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sewing machine mum?

I doing O.K. down here at Bournemouth; we have lots of time off and intend to explore a little. All the Leuchars lads, excepting four are with us here, we have pilots, observers, navigators, gunners & what-have-you, it seems queer that we should all be finished together and awaiting our next posting. Who knows maybe we'll have some of our own lads as crew.

Well, I'm stuck for something to say, pity you aren't here to prompt me mum, like you do dad, still I'll see you soon then we can 'jaw' our heads off.

Cheerio & God Bless You.

Your Loving Son.

Ken (kisses)
David