410158 Horace Mervyn Hall as a sergeant, pilot, Royal Australian Air Force, Second World War [recorded letter]

Horace Mervyn Hall records a letter to his family in Australia during a period of leave in the United States in transit to the United Kingdom. The recording was made possible by The Massachusetts Conference of Christians and Jews.

Hall enlisted in Australia, 5 December 1941; undertook flying training in Australia and the United Kingdom; served as a flight sergeant, later pilot officer, Nos 578 and 51 Squadrons Bomber Command RAF, England, January-April 1944. Hall was killed in action in a raid on Lille, France, 11 April 1944.

TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDING:
Hello Mum and Dad. Dais, Rita, Thora and Win.
Quite a list of names I guess but I wanted to get you all on this record which I hope will arrive safely and afford you a little pleasure at least.
I am greatly indebted to certain kind people who have afforded me [inaudible] of having this record made.
Well, I have greatly enjoyed the trip so far and having a really fine time in this big American city. People have been wonderfully gracious to us and their offers of help in regard to billeting and pleasure-finding far outweigh our ability to make use of those offers.
Also we are able through Service Clubs to obtain a free pass to various shows. You’ll see that our time is very much taken up whilst on leave.
People and their customs are tremendously interesting to the boys from "Down Under" and we are approached by numerous people who wish to speak to and about the chaps from the "Land of the Kangaroo".
The weather is much colder here, as you would guess, from our mild to wild clime, and the fall of snow is a grand sight.
I’m keeping very well and thinking of you all the time, wondering how you are, and do hope that all in the family circle are quite well. Please don’t worry about me dears, I’ll be quite ok and am patiently waiting for the day when I see you all again.
Cheerio and my love to you all.