“Please Excuse Pencil”
This comment can be found on several of the letters. In the 1940’s the ‘fountain pen’ with its refillable ink was mainly in use. The ballpoint pen or 'Biro' did not become available until the 1950’s. Like many things during WW2 both writing paper and ink were scarce. Despite Edith living in the East End of London with the bombing blitz and William away as a soldier the politeness of the era was still maintained with the often written apology, “please excuse pencil”.
