Jim Allen's 1944 Diary

Jim Allen's 1944 Diary

A diary recording events during 1944. Includes detailed notes on operations, military life, the weather etc.

1944

One printed diary with handwritten annotations

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YAllenJH179996v1

1944

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[Printed frontspiece]

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WALKER’S

DIARY

FOR

1944

(LEAP YEAR)

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[1994 Calendar]

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[Postal rate information and Holiday dates]

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[Table of Sunrise and Sunset times]

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[Table of Moon phases]

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[Table of Church Festivals and Common Notes]

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[Table of English Law Sittings, Seasons, Eclipses and University Terms]

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JANUARY 1944

SATURDAY 1
Gave B/A some Link this morn:- OK. Was to have done bombing:- too cloudy. P.M. In Int. Lib. till 1545. 16.20 Left camp. went to Maidenhead. picked up my cycle. Got back to camp 20.50hrs. Asked for day off this morning, a [underlined] very dim [/underlined] view taken.

SUNDAY 2
Dual bombing this morning. B/S U/S Bombed from 3,000’. Error converted to 20,000’:- 183x. 1500 Solo bombing. Only one dropped. Sent home, too many a/c on target (4 actually)
Wrote to my darling this evening

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JANUARY 1944

MONDAY 3
Did some Dinghy Drills today. Nothing else. Down for F/A but too cloudy. Could easily have been given the day off.
Feel absolutely fed up tonite, just about sick of it all. Do so want to see June again.

TUESDAY 4
Did .3 F/A this A.M. Report by Itr. Pilot-: “Very Poor” Corkscrews & D.Turns very poor. Feel rather badly about it. P.M. in INT.Lib till 1515. Then dashed off to London with Dudley. Didn’t meet any Snoops. At No.89. 2010hrs. Very glad to be able to see June even for a few hrs. Asked if she’d come away for a week’s holiday if I get Leave:- “No”. Disappointed. Otherwise evening O.K.

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JANUARY 1944

WEDNESDAY 5
Got to Pad. By bus 0315 after much sweating & walking. (0230 Flak Barrage put up, I was at Bank) Met Dud, came back on Paper train. Two lots of bombing A.M. First 154x error, 2nd 99x at 20,000. Actual hits:- 9,500 & 10,500’. 30mins F/A 1600hrs. Bit better, I think. Received letters from Stan, Mum & Mr, Cunningham (Agate) Made a very bad lndg tonite 1755hrs.

THURSDAY 6
Did .20 P.T. first. Then C.G.I. asked if I wanted to go overseas:- “No”! Rest of day spent mainly in C/R. Saw film of 1st F/A. Not able to see yesterdays Dunton says fighter didn’t get inside 300x. Phoned home 1930. Most of the evening spent in writing to my beloved June.

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JANUARY 1944

FRIDAY 7
0800 Paid £3/14/-. Allotment now 5/- per day. Did .30 F/A. Not as good. a/c wouldn’t do a C/Turn to the left. P.M. 1/2 link with Phillips. Short X-C run, for about 15mins. Then in Gee room for .20 or so. Tried to exchange sox & pants at stores:- closed. Wrote to Stan this evening. F/L Reade did a nickel tonight.

SATURDAY 8
No bombing:- too cloudy. P.T. 0830-0920. Lec on A.S.R.S. 1115-1145. Received a letter from June. N/F tonite. Briefing 1500. T-O about 1800. C&B with F/O Kerbey, he was O.K. My bumps were awful, couldn’t land at all. Weather clamp just after 2000. Got rations tho’. Egg & bacon supper. In bed 0200.

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JANUARY 1944

SUNDAY 9
Link 09-1000;-poor. 1100 Church Parade. Weather duff, [deleted] pm [/deleted] in mess all afternoon. Wrote short letter to June. Had tea 1545. 1640 N/F cancelled. 1800 went to flicks “Gentleman Jim,” quite good. Went to bed 2100.

MONDAY 10
N/F tonight. Briefing 1430. C&Bs again with F/O Kerbey. Did the first half at H. Norris. Went solo O.K. All lndgs. good except last one at 2240. Egg & bacon supper again. Full moon, but vis poor. Flying satisfactory. Got to bed 2359.

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JANUARY 1944

TUESDAY 11
Up 1030. Weather very bad:- vis bad. raining. 1400 told “Briefing at [underlined] 1900 [/underlined] hrs.” Maddening. Wanted to get 1700 train to Padd. Flying appears impossible. 1800 [underlined] N/F scrubbed [/underlined]; makes me sick. Absolutely fed up to the teeth.

WEDNESDAY 12
On so called “Crew Disposal” this A.M. Some mucking about in hangar 0915-0945, which passed as P.T. Cleared off into billet rest of morning. P.M. Briefing postponed to 1900. Did some Live Fusing & Bombing up. Wrote home after tea. Flying scrubbed [underlined] 1745 [/underlined] just an hour too late. Have rarely been so fed up.

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JANUARY 1944

THURSDAY 13
Spent a couple of hrs. in Gee room with Dudley this morning. P.M. Killed time in Int. Lib. saw Met-man, until 1600hrs, - briefing. Expect to fly about 2359, as weather is duff, expected to clear. Wrote another short letter to my darling. Am in no mood for writing. Went to “Musical Appreciation Concert” 1945. Airborne 2212, on dual X-C. P/O Baker as screen. Made a bad start. Had no Gee.

FRIDAY 14
Landed 0420; Last hr was F/A. Very tired. “Supper” at 0500.” Usual egg & bacon. In bed 0530. Up 1215. Received letter from June, just what the doctor ordered. Weather beautiful. 1720 T-O on solo X-C. Went to Scillies, 15,000ft. vis wonderful. Could see whole of peninsular from Bristol to Land’s End. Had a bad shaking 1900. Thought I was upside down for a few secs. Laded 2200. Scillies – I of M. Anglesey – Base.

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JANUARY 1944

SATURDAY 15
Foggy all day. Flying scrubbed 1655. Tried to get train to London. Got to Reading 1840. Came back 1940. London train had not then arrived. Fed up & miserable. Came back by bus. Left cycle in Didcot. Have until 1200 tomorrow free.

SUNDAY 16
Still foggy. Got cycle back. Left camp 1635, with a pass. Got to Padd 1940. Didn’t leave Lvpl. St until 2100. Mad as a hatter. Cursing & swearing quietly all the way. Arr. home 2240. Too late to see June. There was a bad crash at Ilford, but didn’t know about it.

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JANUARY 1944

MONDAY 17
Up 0535. Saw my darling 0625-0730. At Ilford 0740, saw wreckage. [Deleted] To [/deleted] 8 persons killed. Made me feel small, for cursing as I did, what does it matter about being late, compared to this. Clamped all day. Briefing postponed until 1900 at first, then to 2100. [Underlined] Scrubbed at 2050hrs. [/underlined] F/LT. Woodven was killed this morning. Pranged in the fog. Wrote to Wilf & Stan today.

TUESDAY 18
“Crew Disposal” all day. Usual messing about. Pyros Lec. this morning. Also did some Gee with Dudley. P.M.- AML till 1545. Cleared off after that. No flying again tonite. Am down for a 6hr. X-C when we can get to it. Wrote June this evening.

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JANUARY 1944

WEDNESDAY 19
In INT. Lib. & E.H. Room all morning Made up Link times in Log Book, & spent about an hr. in gym, this P.M. No flying, weather lousy. Wrote to June.

THURSDAY 20
Gave 1/2 hrs’ instruction to each gunner, in Link 11-1200hrs. 1500 Briefing. 1745 T-O for “Bullseye” exercise. Couldn’t fly at 15,500; so came down to 10,500’. Target :- green Pk. London. Caught in S/Ls for a few secs; found & “bombed” target O.K. on time. At Dorchester S/Ls held us for 80 secs. Violent E/action!! Very excited over target. Back 2315. Interrogated 2345, egg & bacon, then bed.

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JANUARY 1944

FRIDAY 21
In bed 0115, up 1100. Two letters from Stan. Phillips excused flying for 48hrs Solo X-C tonite. Other B/A didn’t turn up. T-O 1805. 1904 something wrong with engines; ht 15,000’. Crashed 5 mins later. No one hurt, Wooly knocked out for a few secs. A Miracle, that we did [indecipherable]/S. Engine torn off. thought I’d bought it. Taken to Rufforth, (Con. Unit) by C.O. Couldn’t sleep. Thought of June, as we hit, wondered how she’d take it.

SATURDAY 22
Got what stuff we could find, from a/c, & dumped it in ‘chute room. a/c pretty badly smashed. Left York 1435. Brought Navi & W/OP’s stuff. Got back to Didcot 2330. Don’t feel like flying again.

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JANUARY 1944

SUNDAY 23
Saw C.I. 0900. He balled me out!! Said I imagined it all. Just about finished me with any hope of wanting to fly again. Saw Smith 1430, he was better. Went up & told off the C.I. Was on N/F programme for tonite!! Got pass till 1200 tomorrow. 1530 pass not ready, went without it. Saw June 2015. Went home, then took her home again.

MONDAY 24
Up 0540 At no. 89 0625. Left her at Ps 0750. Got 0915 from Padd. Court of Inquiry opened this afternoon. Talking from 1400 to 1845. Went over every little thing twice, at least.

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JANUARY 1944

TUESDAY 25
C of I continued. Made up Log Book. Hanging about all afternoon, in case we were needed. Have thought of nothing but the prang all the time. At least I managed to keep fairly cool altho’ I was sure I’d bought it. Wasn’t afraid to die, only very sorry. Received letter from Harold.

WEDNESDAY 26
Link this morning, - very ropey. C of I again this P.M. Nothing found to be wrong with the a/c. Trying to put it down to me switching off ignition switches & failing to check. Looks as if I’ll get the can.
Wrote to Harold.

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JANUARY 1944

THURSDAY 27
Tried to get today off, - nogo. Scrounged out of a grope, had rest of morning off. 1300 went to Streatley for sailing. Very enjoyable afternoon. Got stuck in a backwater once & had to paddle & push our way out. Best afternoon I’ve had for a long time. Wrote to June this evening. Know what it is now to be alive. Appreciate the fact.

FRIDAY 28
Had a dream in the night; Joyce, Stan & Dorothy had died; so long as it only stays a dream. Went sick, want a medical. M.O annoyed because crew hadn’t been examined since prang. Scrounged off rest of morning. P.M. Saw M.O. 1500. Had a good moan to him. Didn’t give me a medical tho’. Got 1658 train to Padd. Saw June by 2000hrs. Cheered me no end, just to see her for a couple of hrs. Left on the 22.21 from Romford.

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JANUARY 1944

SATURDAY 29
Arr. Didcot 0230, after having overshot to Swindon. In bed 0315, up 0710. Flew to Rufforth to get kit. Already been collected. Flying rather ropey, but am O.K. Had F/O Evans as screen, a binding b – d. Back 1500. Late dinner at 1545; made me sick, literally, 1700. In bed 1835.

SUNDAY 30
Went sick 0900. Wrote to June 1100. P.M. Tried to get a day off, again nogo. Got off 1515.Went to Romford, saw June 1935-2200. Only her Mum in, with her. Didn’t show any tact, or consideration for us. Left Rom 2230. Missed 2330 from Padd. There was a Nickel tonite. Would have been on it but for the prang.

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1944

MONDAY 31
Got to bed 0640. Down for .30 F/A. Low cloud:- scrubbed. Did some Link:- ropey. Had a look at Bullseye photos:- O.K. Spent most of the afternoon in chasing up our flying kit. Got it by 1730. Went to bed at 2030. Am disgusted at not being given day off. Had expected at 48 at least.

TUESDAY 1 FEB.
Swimming 09-1200 at Oxford Baths. Quite good. P.M. Gave Dudley some Link, then did an hour, myself:- much better. Wrote home after tea.

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FEBRUARY 1944

WEDNESDAY 2
Asked again for day off. No! Am just disgusted. Went to Ox. Baths P.M. Got 1540 train to Padd. At Ps 1840 June gone home. Saw her 1900. Went to flicks. Saw a Betty Grable film. Had supper afterwards. June says she wants to get married fairly soon. Has been doing some serious thinking, & I think she’ll have figured all the angles. O.K. by me, anytime.

THURSDAY 3
In bed 0600, out 0700. Weather rough, after a clear night. N/F tonite. Did 3hr X-C & bombing. Dual all the way. Very tired at the end. Bombing results 91x @ 20000’. Actual error 51x @ 6,000. Flying fairly good. I’ll be all right. Still a bundle of nerves. Jumped when intercom was used. Very pleased with bombing. Glad I went to Rom. last night.

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FENRUARY 1944

FRIDAY 4
N/F again. Briefing 1500. T-O 1810. Did 4hr X-C, then bombing. Dropped one flare; 12 bombs. Results poor. Was very tired by the time we did the bombing U/C trouble at the end. Pumped it down, [deleted] l [/deleted] only got 10° of flap. Landed O.K. Egg & bacon as usual.

Bombing result:- one stick 30x error @ 20,000’. Pretty good.

SATURDAY 5
Briefing 1500. Pretty much as last night. X-C & bombing. Went to I of M Good moon, bit hazy. Phillips took over for about an hr. Bombing better. Stick not so good but group 135x @ 20,000’. This finishes our night bombing. Landed 2307. Borrowed a book from Woolly “Sex factor in marriage”. He read it on X-C.

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FEBRUARY 1944

SUNDAY 6
Down for bombing tonite. 6 sticks to count as daylite, finish us. Weather clamped. Wrote to my beloved this evening. May be on leave in a few days.

MONDAY 7
Couldn’t bomb A.M. due to low cloud. On N/F programe. T-O after some trouble. Dropped 6 sticks on Udstone. Cloud 4,000’, bumpy. 250x @ 20,000’.:-Lousy. Went up again 2230 for another go. Cloud 3,000’. 2 sticks, useless. As we left each time, the cloud cleared. Annoying, [underlined] very [/underlined]. Finishes our flying. Egg & bacon 2359. Receive most complimentary letter from my darling.

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FEBRUARY 1944

TUESDAY 8
Spent the morning in bed, & the P.M. getting a small C.Chit filled up. Made up Log Book. ‘Phoned home 1815. With luck may get away tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY 9
Saw C.G.I. this morning. All crew has done pretty well. Hinted that I may get a com. In a little while. P.M. Told to get cleared from station!! Going on leave till 24th then to Driffield, probably a Battle Course. Got C.C. 1600. Paid 6gns. 1525. Received letter from Wilf. He’s now a Cpl. Good Show!

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FEBRUARY 1944

THURSDAY 10
Finished getting cleared this morning. Saw CGI 1430. Got away eventually on the 1658 train. Parked cycle & kit at Padd. ‘Phoned home from Lpl. St. 1935. At June’s house 2105-2205. Home 2230. Left my cap at No. 89. Clear night, - full moon.

FRIDAY 11
Went & got my cap first. Then got kit from Padd. Got a taxi from R. Stn. P.M. Jawing to Pop till 1500. Shaved etc. & went to Ilford. Got 4 tickets for show tomorrow nite. Met June 1700. Went to Havana 1900. Left her 2230. She has a good idea on how the wedding will go off. Has the basic ideas taped. Can safely leave it to her. We can have the front room of No. 89.

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FEBRUARY 1944

SATURDAY 12
A.M. Collected cycle from Padd. P.M. At No. 89 1500-1900. Went to Ilford Hipp. 2000. Met Freddie Howe. Show fairly good. Had supper afterwards:- foursome. Some rain, drizzle. Got June home 2350. I Love her so!! She is certainly the most beautiful girl in the world, to me. Is all I could ask. She’s been much more fun lately, & more demonstrative.

SUNDAY 13
Saw June 1400. Went up to town. [Underlined[ All [/underlined] flicks full up, so had tea a Lyons Corner House 1630. Very good. Saw a Bob Hope flicker 1745. Not up to usual standard. Raid 2030-2145. Heavy flak barrage. Got to no. 89 2210. Left 2255. Am sure looking forward to marrying June. Had a spot of doubt a week ago. Not now!!!

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FEBRUARY 1944

MONDAY 14
Spent A.M. cleaning some tools at home. P.M. Went to Ilford, had a look around furniture shops, to get some idea of prices. I did! Terrific. Met my darling 1700: went home & stayed there all evening. Leave it entirely to her re going out. [Deleted] D [/deleted] She’ll get more tired than me. I get up when I feel like it: not at 0600.

TUESDAY 15
Went to Town A.M. Got 4 tickets for Show at Vic Palace. Back home 1500. Met June at Ps 1700 & went to Ilford Hipp. So-so. “Jane” got boring. Back at no. 89 about 2100hrs, until 2245. Got tummy-ache. June’s sex education isn’t so good as I though. At present she finds the thought of sexual intercourse repulsive. Will have to be very careful.

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FENRUARY 1944

WEDNESDAY 16
0500 Sick. Up 1015, stomach lousy. O.K. after dinner. Went to flicks with June 1900. “Lassie come Home”. Not bad. Met Ivy & boyfriend just as we were going in. Withdrew £10 from P.O.

THURSDAY 17
June took day off. Went to Lon. to do some shopping. Got only 2 utility pillow cases. 1530 bought 22-carat wedding ring: 8gns. Met Dud & Joy 1655., they were 25 mins late. Had tea, went to Vic. Pal. Arthur Askey, “The Love Racket”. Very good. Had a drink, Dud left 2130. Got June home 2225.Everything in town was a terrific price, & mostly trash.

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FEBRUARY 1944

FRIDAY 18
Went to Vic. Rd. [deleted] O [/deleted] & collected my suitcase. Came back to Rom. & bought a set of carvers (£3/10/-) & water set (£1.) Suspect I was Joed. Gave them to June. Did not go out tonite. Don’t want to tire her out too much.

SATURDAY 19
Met June1220 & proceeded to Bedford. Left St. Pancras 13.30. Arr. H.Con. 1540. Was mad at myself for not taking any grub. Spent the evening sitting round the fire. June went to bed 2130. Had a boiled egg each for tea.

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FEBRUARY 1944

SUNDAY 20
Got up 0900. Egg & porridge breakfast. Saw Phil 1030. Back 11.40. Spent next hr. in front room with June looking at the fire:- cosy. Left 1540. At no. 89 2000. Left 2145. A raid on. Took shelter in a house in Hav. Rd. Heard bombs, ducked under the table as the ceiling came down. When quiet went to see if June was O.K. Yes. God looks after me, my cup overflows.

MONDAY 21
Did a bit of shopping this A.M. Got a tin of salmon, for wedding:– 32 pts. Have managed to scrounge two books of points per month from Mum, to help get stuff for wedding. Didn’t go out tonite. Stayed in, looking at June all evening. Not very exciting.

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FEBRUARY 1944

TUESDAY 22
Took one kitbag to Kings + this A.M. Met my darling as usual 1700; went to “Ritz” Romford:- flicks. Saw “North Star” & “Henry Haunts a House”. Not bad. Latter very funny. Left June 2230.
A raid during the night. Flak fire heavy, bags of noise; no incidents near here.

WEDNESDAY 23
Took 2nd kit bag to Ks+. 1300 had a cup of tea with June & Rene & Fred in Vic Café. Made up a parcel of grub for Grandma. Stayed in with June most of the evening. Just had one port in “Maurneys Arms”. Alert 2210, some firing. Left 2304. Not a very exciting day. Left £5 with June.

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FEBRUARY 1944

THURSDAY 24
Met June 0625. Went to work with her. Left Ks+ 0935. A short Alert 0845. Saw a vapour trail, some AA. Had dinner in Y.M. Doncaster, 1400. Left 1530. Got to Selby 1600. Walked around, shops all closed:- half day. Arr. Driffield 1940hrs. Got a lift to camp in an Army truck. Rest of crew here. Came up from Ks + with Phillips. Billetted in Barrack Blocks. Course expectation 18 days – 5 weeks.

FRIDAY 25
Breakfast 0730. Oat cakes. Didn’t do much today. Talk by W.O. usual line. P.M. on bed all afternoon. Given further 3 days leave. Not much use to me. Got 8/-. Wrote a letter to June this evening. London raided again last night. RAF flew over 1,000 sorties last night, lost 35.

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FEBRUARY 1944

SATURDAY 26
Walked to Driffield 1005. Took 20-25 mins. Managed to get a pair of [underlined] sheets & white woollen blankets. [/underlined] Cost £4/8/10. Put deposit of £2 down. Drew further £3 from P.O. 1230 got bus to Hornsea. Found Aunt Alice about 1415 hrs. Took a look around town, & at the sea. Not much doing. Feel very pleased over sheets & blankets. Uniform did it;- pukka. After tea:- raining fairly heavily.

SUNDAY 27
Got up 0930. Sitting about all day still raining & snowing. Went to Service 1800. Didn’t think much to it. Then went up to Y.M. until 2010. Got some Horlicks. Bed 2300.

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FEBRUARY 1944

MONDAY 28
Left on 0850 train. In Hull 0930-1040. Got records “Dearly Beloved” & “All my Heart”, at last. Been trying to for months. Drew £3 from P.O. & paid for blankets. Shopkeeper is wrapping & posting them for me. Had another blanket – grey – put aside for me. Spent afternoon writing to June, then had a hot bath. After tea made down beds of rest of crew. Liver for supper – good. Bed by 2100 hrs. Wrote a letter home after tea, too.

TUESDAY 29
0915 had my teeth scaled. Nothing doing for rest of the day. In billet all morn, listened to Woolly’s domestic trouble, advised him as well as I’m able. Wrote to Wilf & Aunt Alice. P.M. spent trying to learn shorthand again. Made fair progress. Haven’t done any for 4 yrs. Only slightly before. Find I’m constantly “singing” “All my Heart” & “Dearly Beloved”.

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MARCH 1944

WEDNESDAY 1
Drew rifles & denims this morning, dodged FFI, expect trouble. P.M. spent in crawling about in mud & snow. Watched demo squad scale walls, fences & get thro’ barbed wire. Wrote to Grandma. Received expected letter from my beloved June. Replied. Did 1hr shorthand.

THURSDAY 2
Pretty easy day. Some ‘Observations’ this morning, & pay parade P.M. £4-4-0. Did nowt else. Got a pillow slip. We have no sheets here. Evening spent in composing & writing a letter to Wooly’s girl. She has to choose between her family or him. Made it a very formal type, but put the point. He’s very worried, & I asked her to let him know where he stands.

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MARCH 1944

FRIDAY 3
Room orderly today. Took 2hrs. to clean & tidy up the room. Went to Driffield 1400. Bought blanket & sent it off to June. Wrote her a letter too. Wrote home, sent £1-6-0. Back for tea, letter from Wilf.

SATURDAY 4
Did some bayonet practice, in the snow 10-1100. Shown film on night patrolling. P.M. Told we’re on a night op. tonite. Me as 2 1/2 Platoon. Had a look at the ground 15-1600. Marched off 1945. Op started 2010hrs. Three patrols. I just hopped around independently. Fresh fall of snow, but warmer than expected. Finished 2120. Quite good.

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MARCH 1944

SUNDAY 5
Paraded 0900 for Bull Parade:-Cancelled 1015 drew 2nd pr. of denims & webbing. P.M. went round the obstacle course, - rehearsal for A.V.M. tomorrow. Finished 1500hrs.
Wrote to June after tea.

MONDAY 6
1030-1200 visit by A.V.M. Parade, pep talk etc, then did ob. course. Seemed quite strange, everyone so busy, bags of activity. Had afternoon off. Didn’t go out as my crew is Town Patrol tonight. Received a letter from June. Phoned home 1910hrs. T.P 2030-2330. Spent most of the time in fish shop & station waiting room. In bed 2359hrs.

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MARCH 1944

TUESDAY 7
Went to [deleted] Middleton [/deleted] Millington by coach. 2 mile march across fields, -muddy, & snow. Went around the course, under two culverts, & thro’ a filled ditch; fell into the first stream, soaked to the waist. Water cold. Plenty of mud about. Had a hot bath as soon as we got back. Warm enough going round the course, altho’ wet, but got cold in the bus. Wrote to my darling after tea. 7 pages, for a change.

WEDNESDAY 8
0815 went sick. Right hand hurt during yesterday’s exercises. Told its only bruised. Stiff & sore. Stayed in billet rest of morning. P.M. “House clearing”. Quite good fun. Shown a couple of short films. Elementary map-reading, & a tactical film. Wrote to Stan after tea. Still doing shorthand, going rather heavy. Told that Charlton & Avery have been killed with crews. Avery crashed at night!!!

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MARCH 1944

THURSDAY 9
A.M. ‘Battle Drill’:- stupid. Saw POW film “Information Please” very good. P.M. Playing at soldiers again. More water & mud. Sun out, quite warm. Received letter from my darling. Wrote to Harold & June. Dreaming of her last night, nothing unusual. Saw her very clearly.

FRIDAY 10
Dreaming of June again, dreamt we were married, 2nd in succession. On a scheme today. Dumped 2m South of Brid., with 2 gunners. Had dinner at Sgts. Mess Lisset. Just walked in & took it. Got lift home via Cornaby. Bags of cheek used. Really enjoyed it. Lovely day. Got a letter from Stan, replied.

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MARCH 1944

SATURDAY 11
Wood-clearing this A.M. Square bashing stupid, but actual clearing interesting. Blanks, smoke & thunder flashes used. P.M. Went over the Assault course. Piece of cake compared to Millington. Finished by 1530. Had another bath, 3rd in a week. Wrote to June this evening.

SUNDAY 12
Our turn at sentries while ‘N’ Course did the small ramble. Truck broke down just after we left. On a control point from 1150-1430. A bind, weather squally. Dinner 1630, ropey. Didn’t do any [diagram shorthand] tonite. Wrote home. [Diagram shorthand] heavy. Needs two to learn it properly.

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MARCH 1944

MONDAY 13
Rifle Lec. & cleaning until 1100. Then a talk about the 8th Army in Libya, by one who was there. Very interesting. P.M. Briefed for tonite’s ‘Ramble’. Received a letter from Harold; also one from my angel. 1800 left camp in bus. Dropped at 1940hrs. 7ms. N. of Scarb. Walked it by 2145.
In an open goods wagon 2230-2330, then went into guards van. Very cold. With Wooly & Denton.

TUESDAY 14
0230 got up, all 3 of us frozen. Walked about until 0400. Snoozed on some benches until 0600. 0640 on Scarb. Stn:- no tickets. Left 0730, at D. 0850. Jumped the fence in camp 0830. Very dirty, had cleanup. In Brid. 1500. Got a bed cover 27/0 sent it to June. Received letters from Wilf & Stan. Intended writing letters after supper, too tired. Wrote to June at mid-day.

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MARCH 1944

WEDNESDAY 15
Room orderly. Wrote to June, received one from her. Am posted to [underlined] Rufforth. [/underlined] Would like to see June again, her letters make me a bit lovesick. Got laundry from Harold at last. Went to Ensa show 2000hrs. Ropey & corny,- very poor. Finished packing. This included a blanket. I have to pay for gloves lost in prang, so will have it back this way.

THURSDAY 16
Up 0550. Left 0800. Got to Rufforth 1330hrs. P.M. spent cleaning up hut & self. Wrote home, to Harold & Stan. Food today very good egg & chips for tea. All crew in same Hut.

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MARCH 1944

FRIDAY 17
Running around with Arr. Chit all day. C.G.I. talk 0910hrs. Paid £4-4-0 1100. Saw training report from O.T.U.:- Slow, nervous, sound; not dangerous. Not firm enough with crew. Recmd. for commission at a later date. All rest of the crew in York this evening. Wrote to Wilf. Wish I could see June again. Literally my heart aches for her. Sent £1 home. Also 1/8d for ‘phone call.

SATURDAY 18
Finished off Arr. Chit. Had a look round a Hally. P.M. Met my F/E. Spent rest of afternoon in various Hallys. He seems to know his gen. A Newcastle chap, under 21 yrs. We are a kindergarten crew, only 2 being over 21:- W/OP & M/UG. a/c is quite spacious & clean inside. Think I’ll like it. Received a letter from my darling, replied.

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MARCH 1944

SUNDAY 19
At school all day. A.M:- did the petrol system of the Hally; P.M. the Messien Hyd. System. Nothing else doing until bed 2115.

MONDAY 20
Did Dowty Hyd. System, cooling system & carb. today. Heard that we go into Flights on Wed. or Thurs. Not known if 2nd Dickie trip are still going; hope so. Took laundry into York 1820, inc. 15 collars from rest of crew. Looked in a dance on camp 2130, discouraging, left 2230.
Food is very good here, so far anyway.

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MARCH 1944

TUESDAY 21
School again all day; engine handling limits, George etc. Got battle dress changed at last. 1620 got a lift into York with Dud. Bought a brevet [deleted] 2/ [/deleted] 2/6d. Had tea at Betty’s. Dud paid (7/-) Went to flick “Jane Eyre”. Heavy. Back 2230. Sewed on badge & tapes. In bed 2330. Started a letter to June in cinema.

WEDNESDAY 22
School A.M. Pneumatic system. P.M. Collected 3 oranges for each of the crew. Did a tour of a/c with F/E. until 1600hrs. Received mail from Stan, Home, & my beloved June. In it she writes “I Love You”, I know it, & it is the most beautiful knowledge in the world, to know that I’m loved by the one I love. And I love her with all my heart & soul.

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MARCH 1944

THURSDAY 23
Not much doing. AM Had Int. Lec. on evasion. P.M. Got Lockers & Harness for all the crew. In ‘D’ Flt. now. Asked for it as F/O Wilson, a screen, was Woolly’s Pilot on Ops. Wrote to Stan.

FRIDAY 24
Didn’t fly today. AM Hanging about, read flight orders. P.M. did 1/2 hr. dinghy drill. Posted blanket home. Also wrote. Received shirt from Mum. See that we’re down for flying tomorrow, 1st detail. 73 a/c lost in raid on Berlin.

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MARCH 1944

SATURDAY 25
Up 0620. Got rest of crew out. Airborne soon after 0830. Did stalls, 3 eng flying, C&B’s. T-O awkward, bumps easier than expected Vis. lousy. Couldn’t see the drome on the circuit 1100 landed. 1140 got gauntlets replaced free, CIV action. Didn’t think I would. P.M. D.D, ‘Chute D. & some turret manip. 1910 hrs. observe a large force of Heavies going S. Received letter from June, replied.

SUNDAY 26
AM spent mainly in a/c rec. room. Was to fly 1300 hrs. but scrubbed. Did a tour of a/c with a screen. F/E 1430-1530. Wrote to Grandma & June. June’s letter wasn’t so good, not much to write about. Planes last night raided N. France, 1 lost.

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MARCH 1944

MONDAY 27
Killing time most of the day. Beautiful day; no flying. Asked for a 48 “No! Well, come again tomorrow”. Said I wanted to make final preps for my wedding. FLT/Cmd, was married last week so have him biased. In York 1830. Got laundry, spent rest of time with Dud. in Library & TOCH. Very nice young lady serving. Almost as good as June. Wrote to Harold.

TUESDAY 28
0800 asked again for 48. OK. Made out pass. Left 1215 hrs. Got a lift to York, left on 1440 train. Kings + 1910. At no. 89 2025 hrs. Is good to see Her again. She finished my last photos. A couple of nights ago, I asked God if I could see June again soon. It seemed impossible at the time. My prayer was answered quickly. Left her 2230.

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MARCH 1944

WEDNESDAY 29
Took June to work. Spent morning enquiring about catering & taxis for the wedding. Met June 1700. 1930 saw vicar of St. John’s Church & put up the banns. Left him 2030. At no. 89 rest of the evening until 2220. June a little unwell. Pay Parade at 1100hrs. in camp.

THURSDAY 30
Took cycle to Ks.+. Met June 1230hrs She took the P.M. off from work. Walked round home, picked up money & resp. case. Walked about until 1640. At flick 0 A.Askey – 1740-2025. Stood outside her house until 2055. About the only chance I ever have of having her to myself. At Ks.+ 2214. Just missed 2215 train, got 2315. (Gave June a little talk, in case I am a bit overdue sometime}

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MARCH-APRIL 1944

FRIDAY 31
At camp 0530. Hut locked crew away, app. A 48. Reg my bike, got it stamped & painted. Received letters from Wilf & Harold. P.M. Stooging about, tried vainly to get the stove going. Replied to Wilf & Harold. Not much to do; crew on a 48 too. until tonight. Wish I’d known. My thoughts constantly of my beloved. It hardly seems possible that my ideal girl actually loves me, & will soon be my wife. (RAF lost 96 last night)

SATURDAY 1 APRIL
Playing around with a sextant up to 1100’. Link until 1145:- ‘K’ Test, O.K. Flying 1530-1800. Was lousy. Not done so badly since grading school. Twice failed to T-O, due to swing. Landings terrible. Harold came up, met me 1800 at Dispersal. Slept in our Hut. He has bags of stuff for me to collect. Wrote to June, sent £4; proceeds of the sale of a pocket watch.

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APRIL 1944

SUNDAY 2
Weather very poor. No flying. Went to York Stn. with Harold. Got lifts both ways. He got train 1537, first stop N’castle. Wrote to my darling after tea.

MONDAY 3
Spent morning in billet. Still raining. Link 1500. Long 8. Duff. Wrote a short letter to Stan. Received one from him.
Camp very muddy.

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APRIL 1944

TUESDAY 4
AM:- Up 0830, still raining. Did Gee 0930-1145. P.M. In Nav-Section with Dud. Raining all day.

WEDNESDAY 5
Hanging about all day, in case we [underlined] might [/underlined] fly. Made arrangements for a postal course on Diesel engines. Evening spent in billet receiving advice (?) on how to run my married life. 2145 borrowed some coak from compound, with Dud. No mail from June sine my 48.???? Wrote to Harold.

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APRIL 1944

THURSDAY 6
Hanging about all morning. P.M. Wrote to June, sent £3-10/- to replace that borrowed on 48. Went into York 1620. Had tea, - stung 1/8d for a fishcake (?) & mash. Went to flicks “Miracle of Morgans Creek”, quite good. Rather lonesome, on my own.

FRIDAY 7
Up 0630 for first detail, didn’t fly. P.M. 1330 Link, - good. In billet rest of the afternoon. Received mail from June, Stan & Harold. The W/OP in trouble with his girl, crew composed a letter to her, all signed.
Wrote home, & to June.

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APRIL 1944

SATURDAY 8
Did a spot of D. Drill, & T-manip. On first detail again, didn’t fly. P.M. kept hanging about. 1545hrs. told we’d fly at 1630. 1640:- a/c U/S, no flying. Cheeses us off. Beautiful day. Wrote to Stan. 1130hrs suggested a couple of ideas re D.Drill to C.G.I. Good view taken. Dreamed last night that my wedding date would be July 4th ????

SUNDAY 9
Went sick 0845. Want to make sure I’ve not got T.B. Get X ray tomorrow. Have had a bad cough for the past week, & bags of phlegm. P.M. In billet rdg. Pilot Notes. Evening spent mainly in telling very old & very weak cracks. Crew composing a letter to “Daily Mirror” re reports of pilots feats in papers, & no mention of the rest of the crew.

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APRIL 1944

MONDAY 10
Solo-ed 1020hrs. in the Halifax. Flying & landings much better. 2 Solo lndgs. best ever. Vis very poor. Did 4 circuits before making the first landing. Can’t taxy for nuts. P.M. Had chest X ray. Just to make sure I’ve not got T.B. when I marry. Am O.K. Bomber Stream going over 2100 hrs onwards. Wrote to my darling. Also to Harold.

TUESDAY 11
Vis poor. Flew 1030-1330. Bad weather C&Bs. Rate 2 turns at 3-500ft. Did 1.25 solo. O.K. More or less map-read round the circuit. Landings all very good. Raining hard after 1500hrs. Received a letter from June. Last night we lost 22 a/c. Replied to June.

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APRIL 1944

WEDNESDAY 12
No flying for us today. On “[deleted] seff [/deleted] Self Help” 1015-1500,- Cycle mechanics. P.M. Got washed etc by 1530, forgot it was half day closing. Seem to be suffering from bridegrooms nerves, somewhat. Phoned home, spoke to Stan, asked Pop to ask June to ‘phone me. No call by 2045.

THURSDAY 13
Went sick this morning just to tell the M.O. I’m O.K. Got away at 1100hrs. Only saw him for a min. 1130 told I’m flying at 1300hrs. 1300 airborne. Did 3-eng. flying at Holme. Solo 1445. On 2nd circuit P. Outer packed up, so made a pukka 3-eng. lndg. Flew back to base OK. A prang during the night. Only R/G got out alive. Wrote to Stan .

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APRIL 1944

FRIDAY 14
Paid 0930. £4/2/-. Had a look at the airborne lifeboat, for the rest of the morning. Didn’t fly today. Took cycle into York for repair. Bought a 5 watt bulb & a bottle of Vol-par gels;- for my wedding night. Went to flicks with Ron & Phil, “The girls he left behind him”:- stupid & boring. Wanted to get drunk, not time. My mind having a terrific fight with itself. Had photo taken 1700hrs.

SATURDAY 15
Got up to find my wallet & this diary missing. Most huts cleaned out during the night by some swine. Got wallet & diary back, only £5 from wallet lost. Have been saving hard. Might have been worse. Mad. Didn’t fly today. [Underlined] Stan [/underlined came up 1500hrs. Went into York. Nothing doing. Feet sore,- we walked back.

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APRIL 1944

SUNDAY 16
Wrote to June after tea.
Feet like balloons. Phoned Met 0700 to see if we’d fly at 0830. “No”! Stan left 1000hrs. 1400 told we’d fly at 1700. Then told “sometime before darkness.” 1815 scrubbed. Day utterly wasted. Something is wrong with me. Am constantly analysing myself. Even doubting my love for June! Oh God, what is wrong with me? Do want, in fact [underlined] must [/underlined] see her soon; I do love her so; but why this battle in my mind.

MONDAY 17
Didn’t do much A.M. PM:- 1410 airborne. Did climb,- to 18,600ft a/c ceiling. Should’ve been 20,000. Did A/sea firing 5-600ft. SBA on Riccal’s Beam. Down 1730. Good landing. Received letters from Wilf & my darling. Feel [underlined] much [/underlined] better. I know again I love her. She’s absolutely a perfect angel.

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APRIL 1944

TUESDAY 18
No flying this morning. POW talk & film 1400-1530. Airborne 1630 with F/L Hartley. S.Ts. 2 eng. flying, Corkscrews. Am too gentle with the a/c. Controls were very stiff. 1830-2000 Solo, repeat exercises O.K. Egg & chip supper 2045.
Got a bottle of gin from mess 21.30. 28/-.

WEDNESDAY 19
Nothing doing this morning. 1100hrs told we could have the afternoon off. 1200 told to report at 1400hrs. Raining 1400, all details scrubbed. Then impossible to get to Blyth. Too disgusted for words.
Wrote to my beloved 1700hrs. No doubts now. Don’t know what was wrong with me. Wrote home at mid-day.

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APRIL 1944

THURSDAY 20
Airborne 0845-1145. Air/Sea firing too cloudy for bombing. 1200 made up 4 Log-books of the crew who pranged last week. Got 1420 to Newcastle. At Blyth 1740. Got stuff from Harold, & left 1915. Got vest & pants, two towels, handkerchiefs, & a few oddments inc. 5/- of sweets. Left for York 22.35, after ‘phoning home, & writing to June.

FRIDAY 21
Arr. York 0055. In bed 0205. On 1st detail. Dual F/A. Didn’t touch controls, felt sick. Afternoon spent in a/c with Geordy. Received expected letter from my darling.

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APRIL 1944

SATURDAY 22
Airborne 0855. F/A 0930-100hrs. Bombing 1100hrs. at Elam. Hd. Dropped two bombs, didn’t see them go off. B/Sight U/S, so came back. P.M. collected cycle & photoes from York. Photo is about the best I’ve had taken;- & is out of focus!! N/F tonite. A/B 2135. Went to Poc. Sent solo after 5 C&Bs. Very bad lndgs. Swung of rnwy 2355. Thought the u/c had gone. Not a very successful day.

SUNDAY 23
In bed 0230. Up 1030. Down to fly 1400. No a/c. Wrote to my beloved. C&Bs 2230. Check dual, then solo. Lndgs improved steadily. Dropped heavily on the last one tho’. Had “O” again. A bastard a/c. Everything in it stiff & awkward. Didn’t leave the circuit. Did 3hrs all told.

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APRIL 1944

MONDAY 24
Landed 0130. In bed 0235. Up 1115. Got letters from Stan & Harold. Sent box of sweets to June. A/B 1630. Bombing 1700. 3 sticks of 3, should’ve been singles. Very bumpy. Did a bit of SBA. Made a wizard landing 1830. Hard work, flying today. Wrote a short letter to Harold. Made up a parcel, inc. the Gin, to send home to myself.

TUESDAY 25
Made up Log-Books. 1115 told we do a X-C this P.M. Briefing 1130. A/B 1410. Flew at 13-14000ft. instead of 20,000. Bombed at St. Tudwalls. B/Sight U/S again. Drift & s/angle mixed up. Gave B/A & R/G some dual. Also used George. Back 1930. Bad swing on lndg. Finished up going backwards. U/C O.K. tho’ I think.

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APRIL 1944

WEDNESDAY 26
Got up 1115 hrs. On N/X-C tonite. Wrote a short letter to my darling. Briefed 1600hrs. In a/c 2000, & took off 2101.5. S/B dead on time 2133hrs. Went North to Stirling, S. to Fishguard & E. to Ely. 5.25 hrs. all told. Target Seagull Isles. We were a couple of mins late. No T.Is. seen at all. Very poor show. Wizard navigation by Dud. No George fitted. Chewed one piece of gum for the whole trip.

THURSDAY 27
Landed 0225. Good landing. Interrogated, had supper, in bed 0415, up 1200. Got a letter from June. She sounds cheesed off. Hope to get a 48 this weekend. 1400 hrs. told we can have off to 0800 Sat. Got 14.51 from York. Saw June 2035hrs. I’m too thankful for words.

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APRIL 1944

FRIDAY 28
At No. 89 1105hrs. With June all day. Did some shopping, then went to flicks 1600. Not very keen, but June wanted to see the film. “Cross of Lorraine”. All doubts about my Love for her gone!! Saw her wedding dress. Very good. Am so thankful to God for being able to see her, even if only for a few hrs. She sent me a photo last Mon, haven’t yet received it. Left Ks+ 2240hrs. (22.15 train)

SATURDAY 29
Arr York 0315. In bed 0400, but couldn’t sleep. ???? Must be this thing, Love. Up 0820. Spent until 1430 getting cleared. Photo not arrived. Going to 578 Sqd. Burn Nr. Selby. Could be a lot worse off. Packing most of the evening. Thinking & talking of June, just like old times I must have been nuts to doubt myself. I Love her with all my heart & soul!!

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APRIL-MAY 1944

SUNDAY 30
Said tata to F/L Hartley 1100hrs. Spoke to Bailey. He pranged Fri nite. Hit another a/c on a Bullseye. a/c badly damaged. He crash landed on a drome. No one hurt. Flew it over Welsh Mts. Couldn’t steer it properly. Good show. He didn’t bale the crew out. I would. Left Ruff. 1507. At Burn 1630.

MONDAY 1 MAY Maureen [underlined] 8 [/underlined] yrs
Usual C.C. running about A.M. 1430 told I’m [underlined] ON. [/underlined] tonight. 2nd Joe trip. Quick work. Rather glad, didn’t fancy hanging about too long. Briefing 1800hrs. T-O 2210. Went to Malinse in Belgium. Saw a little L. & H. Flak. Saw no T.Is Lots of other a/c. Attack regarded as very poor.

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MAY 1944

TUESDAY 2
0001hrs. Leaving T.A. Saw glow of a fire for about a minute. Landed 0200hrs. In bed 0400. Woolly flew with another crew, too. Up 1100. Wrote a short letter to Harold. Talk 1430 by P.F.F. & a Master Bomber. Was to have done conversion this P.M. but the weather stopped it,- low cloud. Wrote to my darling 2000hrs; & home. A beautiful evening re weather.

WEDNESDAY 3
Did conversion this afternoon. First landing atrocious. Swing again. Others OK. a/c very fast taxying, bags of power, climbs like a lift. Evening, went to mess dance, just to get some eats. Bed 2330. No ops on from here.

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MAY 1944

THURSDAY 4
A.M. Got a RAF bike, & did some D.D. 49 a/c lost last night. On X-C tonight. T-O 1810 climbed to 22,000’. Highest yet. Had “Charlie”. a/c I went in to Malinse. Climbed lovely to 18,000. Very slow last 4000’. Carried 5,000lbs dummy 500’s, dumped them in the sea. No change of trim noticed. Use awful lot of fuel. Eng. Handling poor. Landed 2340hrs. Inter-com U/S on circuit, & S.O. cut for a few secs. Very glad to get down;- trembling & sweating.

FRIDAY 5
Up 1130. Weather duff. Received a letter from June; & one from Harold. In F/Cmdr’s office 14-1530, being given Ops griff. May get our leave before June 2nd. Won’t be able to get married if so. 2000hrs Saw a serious play “The Father”, by ENSA. Very good acting by the leaders.

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MAY 1944

SATURDAY 6
F/A 1430-1450. at 9,000’. Had my RAF bike pinched. Free now till Mon. morning. Dud gone home. Haven’t the money to, or I would. Went to York, collected laundry. Back 2230 hrs.
Received Banns Certificate. Sent it home. Wrote to Harold, too.

SUNDAY 7
Got up 1130hrs. P.M. Went for a cycle stroll with Phil & Geordie 1500-1700. Beautiful day. Scenery lovely. Wish I’d been able to go home. Just the day to go for a walk with June.
Wrote to Grandma after tea.

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MAY 1944

MONDAY 8
Didn’t do much A.M. 1400 See I’m ON tonight. Had a look over the a/c, “D”. Briefing 1830-1930. T-O 2130, after a lot of finger trouble. Target:- 3 Heavy Guns (155MM.) on French Coast. PFF on time, we dropped first bombs. Pilot very pleased, right across the markers. Some unpleasant vibrations on the way back. More finger trouble by me on the circuit. Very pleased with the bombing. [Underlined] Ht. 8,600ft. [/underlined]

TUESDAY 9
Bed 0330hrs. Received letter from June. Will not be marrying on next Leave. ON again tonight. Briefing 1830. Wrote a short letter to June. Received letter & snaps from home. Went to camp concert 2000hrs. Quite good. Snoozing 2200-2330. Egg & bacon supper 2350

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MAY 1944

WEDNESDAY 10 Ht. 9,000’.
T-O 0145. Target:- 6 x 155MM guns at Morsalines. [Underlined] 100% HANG-UP [/underlined] Jettisoned after some difficulty. Load 16 x 500lbs. Brought one back Landed 0530, - dawn. Dropped 3’. Bed 0730. Up 1345. “Windowing” 1530-1630-. Not on tonight. Photoes taken last night very good. Made me niggly, all hanging up. P.F.F. bang on. 300x out the night before. Wrote to Stan & Home.

THURSDAY 11
Received a letter, & watch from June. [Underlined] ON [/underlined] tonight. 1000hrs paid £4/5/-. P.M. spent out at aircraft. T-O 2237. First off, dead on time. Target:- 6 guns at Trouville. Everyone late, I think. We bombed OK. 0051 1/4 hrs. Some flak about. More than I’ve seen before. R.P.M. counter of S.I. packed up 0045, approx. Ht. 10,000’ Posted watch to Wilf.

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MAY 1944

FRIDAY 12
Landed 0240. Poor landing. Bed 0430. Up at 1200. Saw photoes 1400hrs, wizard. Best of the Squadron. Lovely picture of A/P. Some chaps [underlined] miles [/underlined] out. No ops tonight. Wrote to Stan & June.

SATURDAY 13
A.M. POW Lecture again. 1145 told we are [underlined ON [/underlined] tonight. 1430 got a couple of gadgets compasses. DI-ed. a/c after that. 1820 Ops scrubbed. Wrote to Wilf. Received another letter from my beloved. Replied, sent her the snaps.

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MAY 1944

SUNDAY 14
No Ops tonight. P.M. Gas test, ie:- respirators. In mess rest of time. Had expected to be on tonight. Weather OK here. Wish I’d had today off, would have gone home to see my beloved.

MONDAY 15
A.M. to have done practice bombing. 0900 a/c U/S. T-O 1030. 10/10 cloud over target. Gave Phil some dual. Me very nervous as we descended thro’ cloud. Lndg ropey. P.M. went to Snaith to see P.As. 2000 at flicks in Selby. Will Hay “My Learned Friend.” Quite funny. First evening out for a long time. Received a letter from Stan.

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MAY 1944

TUESDAY 16
A.M. No Ops, hanging about. Drew out £38 from P.O. Closed account. Received £5 from Wilf for watch. P.M. Lectures on nitrogen system; & N/F tactics by Wingco. Raining most of day. Wrote to June 2000 enclosed money order for £40. She has all the money if cart goes wrong. Received letter from H.C. & “Recorder” from home. ‘Phoned home 2040hrs.

WEDNESDAY 17
Stand down again. Raining, Met Chart looked a mess. P.M. Lockers organised. Wrote to Wilf, having received another letter today. 2000hrs. saw film “The Sky’s the Limit,” free, in camp. Walked back with LACW Doreen -? Made a date for tomorrow nite. Haven’t forgotten my darling. No danger.

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MAY 1944

THURSDAY 18
Tried to do some bombing 1140hrs. Cloud base 1,000ft. Hopeless, sent back. Waste of time. Woolly sick. 1430 First Aid Lec. No Ops tonite. 1800 met LACW Doreen Bramley. Saw “Behind the Rising Sun” at “Ritz”. Told her at the start I’m engaged. After show, spent most of the evening talking about June. Bad manners, I guess, but its natural for me. She is not booked. Total cost of evening 3/10d Made a break, have been very fed up; I was out with June, not D.

FRIDAY 19
1040 Ops on. 1050 No Ops. 1400hrs:- on a Bullseye tonight, in “C”. Woolly sick, carrying an erk as passenger. T-O 2245. P.I packed up at 12,000ft. Returned, landed on three. My mouth parched when we got down, 2330. Last time we flew with an incomplete crew, we crashed ???? Won’t take any more pass’s. Wrote a short letter to my darling.

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MAY 1944

SATURDAY 20
Got up 1115. Stand down. Wrote to my beloved June. News: B. Good. out last night “in very great strength”. Would have been up there if we’d had bombs on last nite Throttle rod broke, actually. 20.00hrs. Saw “The Taming of the Shrew” at camp convert hall. Very good: Shakespeare was a bit of a dirty old blighter, methinks. Most enjoyable show. Don’t expect quite so much trouble in my married life!!

SUNDAY 21
1140 A/B to do air & sea firing. 3. ATC kids as passengers. 250-500 ft. over the sea. Nearly got mixed up in the balloons at Hull, on the way in. Wizard lndg, best ever in the Hally. Absolute Feather-bed. Wrote home 1800; & to June. 2000hrs. Saw concert in camp, free. Quite good, but for a couple of stupid Waafs behind me.

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MAY 1944

MONDAY 22
1100hrs. Natter by the Wingco, then a first aid talk by the Doc. Ops ON. Taking “C” – Charlie, not happy. P.M. D.I’d the a/c:- OK. Receive another letter from my beloved. T-O 2355, s/c 0010. Dunton sick, - temp. 101°F. Last minute panic to get another gunner. Had P/O Walker. Even less happy. We are flying with an incomplete crew [underlined] again [/underlined]!!??

TUESDAY 23
S/C 0010. D.R. Compass packed up within 15 mins! Rather bumpy. On target 0215:- Rly yards at Orleans, France. Dozens of flares. Phil could see ground detail perfectly. [Underlined] BOMBS FAILED TO RELEASE [/underlined] again. Jettisoned 6 at F.Coast. Fed up, over this. No flak or fighters near us, fortunately. Didn’t see any flak personally. Landed 0505. Bed 0700. No ops on tonight Wrote to June. We got a perfect photo of A/P.

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MAY 1944

WEDNESDAY 24
Had haircut AM. just stooging about most of time. Ops [underlined] ON [/underlined]. In “C” again. Eric still in dock. P.M. at a/c checked bombing gear. Seems OK. Received letter from Harold, & another from my June. Have a Canadian M/UG with us tonite. T-O 1158 1/2. Had trouble with P.I. at dispersal, held us up.

THURSDAY 25
On target 0020 bombs went OK. Landed 0155. Good landing. Got up 1200 hrs. 1340 Looked at crew lists my name not up. Ops ON. Paid 4gns. 1450, then went to Blyth. Arr. 2035, Harold not in, had to leave right away. Got 2235 train back to York.

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MAY 1944

FRIDAY 26
In bed 0530, up [deleted 20 [/deleted] 0840. Wilf here. Told I [underlined] was [/underlined] ON last nite. To Manstein. Scrubbed 2220. Saw Wingco 1000. Balled out, but not disciplined. God is with me!!!! Have missed a C.M. by skin of my teeth. Fainted in W/C office, first time in my life. Saw M.O. am OK. Bombing, (DNCO) & Air-Sea firing. 1400. Very bumpy, vis bad. Wilf went back 1400hrs. Wrote to June. Received a letter & stationery from her.

SATURDAY 27
AM. hanging about. 1100. Ops ON. PM. out at a/c. “B” Baker. T-O 0003hrs. Sun. Target:- German Camp at Bourg [inserted] Leopold [/inserted]. (Belgium) On Target 0213 1/2 hrs. Bombs went. 18x 500lbs Some flak & fighter flares. Gunners saw one a/c shot down. No incidents for us. Diverted to Silverstone. Arr 0345, landed 04.26hrs. (Sun)

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MAY 1944

SUNDAY 28
Hanging about for petrol until 1600hrs. Back at Base 1645. Had tea -ham, egg & mash, & interrogation. Showered & went to bed. No sleep for 36hrs. Wizard weather for holiday. Scorching. Too hot for work, flew back with all windows open. Eric got out of Dock.

MONDAY 29
Practice Bombing 12-1245. DCO. at last. 11,000ft. Flew in shirt sleeves. Quite a nice line in the papers about Sats. raid. Wrote home & to my beloved after tea.
Thundery in the evening. Saw film show 1930 in camp.

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MAY 1944

TUESDAY 30
Very cloudy, colder. Crew Con, 1000-1100hrs. Ops ON. Rather surprising Met. man reckoned no. PM. Wrote a short letter to Harold. DI’d a/c. Hot again after dinner. 1800 Ops scrubbed. Not sorry. Spent evening stooging about in the mess. Will soon be holding my darling again, only a couple of days now.

WEDNESDAY 31
Ops ON tonite. P.M. at a/c as usual. T-O 2210, bang on. Had “D” Donald. Went to Trappes, near Paris. About the third a/c to bomb. Half moon, & white st. below us. Rather worrying. Got of track after bombing. Made it up OK. Some flak about. Hell of a long route back. Phil satisfied about the bombing.

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JUNE 1944

THURSDAY 1
Landed 0415. Had flown thro’ storm on the way back, as going out. Very tired (6hr trip) bad lndg. P.As didn’t turn up, got away 1420, without pay. Got a lift into Donc. & 15.56 to Ks+. Met June 2035. Left 2250 on [underlined] her [/underlined] bike. Sat up until midnight gassing & lineshooting with Pop & Mum.

FRIDAY 2
Met June 1200 & visited inst. Shop for .30 mins. Had dinner with June. Met her again 1700. Told her about LACW D.B. A dim view I fear. Went to Ritz, “The Desert Song”. Wish now I’d not taken D. out, altho’ God knows I did nothing wrong. Don’t feel very happy over it now. Left June 2330.

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JUNE 1944

SATURDAY 3
Went to a show “Panama Hattie” in the evening.

SUNDAY 4
Went to Richmond, with Ivy & boyfriend. Beautiful day. My love for June is even greater, if possible, her honesty is amazing; most profitable day, - not in money. Wizard day all round

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JUNE 1944

MONDAY 5
Spent P.M. at Rus. Pk. With June’s aunts & uncles. I love June more than I ever dreamed possible, & she returns it in full. Used to pray to God that June would love me half as I love her. Have been answered 200%.

TUESDAY 6
Saw show “Meet me Victoria,” – Lupino Lane. Very good.

[Boxed] Troops landed on N. Coast of France. Invasion begins. [/boxed]

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JUNE 1944

WEDNESDAY 7
Stayed in at No 89. P.M. Evening – flicks. Am sure looking forward to next Leave.
On my knees when I got to bed.

THURSDAY 8
Go back today. Left Ks+ 1730. June came up, left 1700. Met Phil, & F/S Ridell (Banff.)
June looked very good, even if a bit prim, due to her perm. I Love her more than I would have thought possible, & she returns it in full. An excellent Leave, enjoyed every minute, & learned a lot. Have no doubts about a happy married life.

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JUNE 1944

FRIDAY 9
In bed 0015. Slept solidly 8 hrs. F/S Walker & S/L Watson missing. My chiefy thro’, also Phil’s, & Woolly’s W/O. Wrote to Aunt Alice mid-day. No Ops. Wrote to June 1800 hrs. Very tired, still. Glad we aren’t on tonight. Next leave 14th July. Wedding date 15th (Sat.)

SATURDAY 10
Ops ON tonight. In L-Love, an old a/c, no API or Monica. Did .20 local flying 1210-1230, just to see if I could still fly. Cloud base 900ft. Wrote to Stan. Guess he is in the invasion, somewhere. [Underlined] Ops [/underlined] scrubbed 1915. Issued with .30 revolver.

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JUNE 1944

SUNDAY 11
Wrote to Harold. Ops [underlined] ON. [/underlined] tonight. Hung about all evening, then briefed in a terrific rush. Had a row with crew, told I’m pretty unpopular, - too bossy. Didn’t realise it. T-O 2154. Rly. yds South of Paris. Ht. 5,000ft & less. Low cloud. Made [underlined] 3 [/underlined] runs before bombing. Had “L” Love. Trip went off OK. Good landing.

MONDAY 19
Landed 0222hrs. Up 1030 & paid £7/10/- 1150hrs. Ops [underlined] ON. [/underlined] tonight. In “Z” zebra, another old a/c. Briefed 2000hrs. Changed a/c to “J” for June. T-O 2335. Went to Amiens. Bags of S/Ls. Crew saw either 5 a/c or “scarecrows” go down. Most opposition I’ve met. Did a very long steady run-up. Target seemed to be pranged OK. Phil did .30 or so flying on the way back.

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JUNE 1944

TUESDAY 13
Landed 0354. Lousy lndg. Two a/c missing. In bed 0530. No OPS tonight. 27 a/c lost last night. Wrote to Grandma to try & scrounge some clothing coupons for June. Wrote to June after tea.
Saw flicker “Lifeboat” 2100hrs., utter waste of time. Load of tripe. Straightened out a few things with Phil & Dud over my Captaincy.

WEDNESDAY 14
Ops ON tonight. Have “B” Baker, which was “L” last Sun. Replace other “B”. – lost Mon. night. Get a [underlined] new [/underlined] a/c as soon as one comes into Flight. Received letters from Harold & Wilf. Briefing,- 2000hrs. Target Douai (France) T-O 0005HRS 15-6-44. On Target 0204 1/2. Not so lively as we expected. Very few S/Ls. 10/10 cloud from Δ to E/C. wizard. Bombed from 8,000ft.

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JUNE 1944

[Underlined] cont. [/underlined]
THURSDAY 15
Ron saw bombs burst 0205. Near T.Is. Landed 0400hrs. Received letter from my darling. 1200hrs. told we T-O 1700 for [underlined] daylight [/underlined] Op. 1400hrs. cancelled. Briefed 1830. At a/c 2030. S.O. U/S Revs. stuck at fully fine. [Underlined] OP scrubbed. [/underlined] for us. Annoying, but wrote to June 2220-2320 Target for tonight:-fuel dump near Rennes, (France.)

FRIDAY 16
Got up 1100hrs. Stand down. Target was well pranged last night. Jerry crashing pilotless a/c with 2,000lbs bomb on each, on London at a rate of 9 per Hour. Feel mad at this, worried for June. 1800 Went to flicks in Selby, then met Phil & Geordy in Y.M. Back in camp 2230.

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JUNE 1944

SATURDAY 17
Up 0930. Getting quite lazy. Ops ON. Ron on a 36 to go to his brothers wedding. Taking a W.O. W/OP tonight. Received a letter from June, & invite card for crew to wedding. P.M. at a/c. T-O 2315 HRS. Target:- supply dump at St. Martins L’Hortier ([deleted] F [/deleted]) 10/10 over target. Bombed glow of T.Is. Not permitted to go down. Got over London, outwards. Raid on, lots of flak; thinking of June. Very quiet trip otherwise.

SUNDAY 18
Landed 0320hrs. Bed 0500. Ops [underlined] ON [/underlined] tonight. Saw photo of last nite. Lovely picture of 10/10 st.cu. Briefed 2015. Ops scrubbed 2215. Had supper tho’. Can’t get to sleep before about 1.AM when we don’t operate.

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JUNE 1944

MONDAY 19
Ops [underlined] ON [/underlined] tonite. P.M. API fitted to Baker. Very pleased. Cleaned the Perspex of my cabin. Briefed 2000hrs. Target:- A [deleted] roc [/deleted] flying bomb installation in France. 2145 [underlined] OP scrubbed [/underlined] as we were ready to go to a/c. Scoffed the rationed. Very annoyed as these bombs have become a personal matter.

TUESDAY 20
OPS ON. Conference 1500. Told to stand by something big on!! 1830 another con. No gen, - go to bed & get some sleep. 2200 a/c loaded with I.Bs. Overload tank on. Told we T-O at 0600HRS. ???? Norway?? Bed 2200hrs. Received letters from Stan & H.C. Replied to Stan. Grandma has sent June 10 clothing coupons.

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JUNE 1944

WEDNESDAY 21
Crew Conf.1000hrs. Told we were to have gone to BERLIN, on target 1035hrs. Weather stopped it. To have been 2,500 bombers, & 1,500 fighters. Briefed 1400 for daylight over France. At a/c, at the ready till 1700. 1800 hrs. scrubbed. Everyone fed up. Bombload had been changed three times in two days. Received letter from June. 25 days to go now.

THURSDAY 22
OPS on [underlined] TODAY. [/underlined] T-O 1320. Target:- a doodle bug Ramp in France:- Siracourt. 18,000ft. Some accurate flak at F/coast. In first 5, with Wingco. In a pack, not formation. Went over Brentwood, saw Romford. Hundred [deleted] s of [/deleted] planes on. Back 1720. No fighters seen, ours [underlined] or [/underlined] jerry’s. A Tempest formated on us just after Reading on last leg. Letter from Stan. Wrote to June, sent £3 for her birthday. [Boxed] 13th trip [/boxed]

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JUNE 1944

FRIDAY 23
Saw photo of yesterday’s do. Plotted as Sqdn’s 2nd best. Ground staff gave us a small piece of flak, from P.I. No damage. Briefed 1800 after some flapping. Sent card to June, for Mon. T-O 2256 after some bother with S.I. Flew down Eng. in formation. Op. Ht. 17,000ft. Target:- doodle-bug site at Oisemant. Very bumpy, - high concentration of both a/c & bombs. Target pranged. B Baker not fast enough for me, over 10,000ft.

SATURDAY 24
Landed (?) 0240:-Lousy. OPS. ON. Tonight. Briefing 1900hrs. Got wizard photo last night. Bombx plotted as straddling A/P. Target tonight:- P.Plane base at Rossignol. (France) A.P.I. went wrong. met. winds all to cock. Ht. 17,000ft 8 mins late on target. Everyone late. Very poor trip, all round. Wrote home. [Deleted] Rotten [/deleted]

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JUNE 1944

SUNDAY 25
Landed 0440. Lousy. Bed 0600-1400. Saw photo:- one little T.I. in corner. Later plotted OK. Stand down. Wrote to “Winston Hotel“ Picc. to book room for our wedding night. Bed 2000hrs.
[Deleted] Wrot [/deleted]

MONDAY 26 June is 22yrs today.
Weather lousy. Stand down. Read complete novel “Four Just Men”. Wrote to Grandma. Received a letter from June. Flickers in mess 2000hrs. “George Washington slept here”. Very funny. Ideal way of seeing a film, in a armchair, with a glass of cider. All I needed to improve it, was June.

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JUNE 1944

TUESDAY 27
Up 0615. Briefed 0915 after 1 1/2 hrs wait. T-O 1140hrs. Went to big doodle-bug place between Calais & Boulogne. Ht. 17,000ft. Lot of Cu. Pitot head froze up at one time. Cabin frosted. Back 1448, cut up on the circuit. Made me so mad, Some guys should learn to fly. Have to stand by for Ops [underlined] tonight. [/underlined] Bed 2130. Received letter from Stan.

WEDNESDAY 28
Up 0030. Briefed 0130 & Meal 0300. T-O 0520. France again. T.O.T 0720. Bombs from Q nearly hit us. Too close for me. Shook me up. Landed 0855. Had a much needed shower; & bed 1200. Slept till 1930. Wrote to my darling.

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JUNE 1944

THURSDAY 29
My crew stood down today. Ops [underlined] ON. [/underlined] Went to Snaith PM. saw Pay Accounts get 10gns. next Pay day. Back 1615. Diesel engine text book arrived. Wrote home. 2115. Wrote to my darling. Only a fortnight to go now, am counting the days.
Received a letter from June.

FRIDAY 30
Briefing 1530. T-O 1745. Target:- Villers-Bocage, France. 3 panzer divs. to be smashed. Biggest armada I’ve ever seen, Lancs & Hallys everywhere. Target obliterated. Told there was 250 a/c on the target. Seemed more. Most impressive. Glad to help the poor B.I. Geordie saw the bombs hit – bang on. No trouble.

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JULY 1944

SATURDAY 1
Ops ON. Briefed 1200hrs. First a/c off, -us – 1530hrs. P. Plane base at Ouisement (see 23-6-44) We were bang on time, all others early. Very lonely, but some fighters kept us company on the way back. Bombed visually, about the only ones who did. Got letter from Winston Hotel, room reserved OK. Trip today quite good.

SUNDAY 2
OPS on. Scrubbed 1300hrs. Crew Con. 14.30-1530. Wrote to my darling. Did first part of Diesel course. Wrote to Stan. Weather lousy. GOT SHEETS at last.
(Note in 1987. These sheets were for June & me. Such things were [underlined] very [/underlined] difficult to obtain in 1944).

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JULY 1944

MONDAY 3
Weather still duff. Briefing put back twice during the day.
Op scrubbed 1800, everyone having got dressed. Wrote to Harold. Received a letter from June. Roll on the 15th.

TUESDAY 4
OPS ON. T-O 1210: target P.Plane at St. Martin’s L’Hotier again. Hit by flak just as B/Ds opened. A.H knocked out & all suction gone;- no D.I. or T&B. Flew visually. S.O. packed up over Farnboro’. 10/10 Cu. except for a fair sized “chimney”. Descended, & landed at F. on 3. Phoned WIllky OK 1500. Landed 1515. Meal ready for us, & beds. Met [underlined] Riddell, [/underlined] spent night at his billet.

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JULY 1944

WEDNESDAY 5
Damage assessed;- will take a week to repair. Left 1500, smart work. In London 1700. At No. 89 1815. So glad to see June, even if only for 2hrs. P.Planes busy, causes me a bit of worry. Phoned RTO & booked seats on 2315 train. Left R. 2100hrs. & got train OK. Borrowed £1-0-8d from my darling.

THURSDAY 6
Got to camp eventually at 1100hrs. De-briefed. Saw Adj; to see W/C, & asked if I wanted a commission. Given the bumpff. Think Dud is to get one, too. Received a total of [underlined] 6 [/underlined] letters, including one from June, & the Hotel. Wrote to my darling. [Deleted] Sent telegram to H. [/deleted]

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JULY 1944

FRIDAY 7
Hanging about all day. Wrote out a report about our damage. Briefing 1930hrs. Target:- Nantes, near St. Nazire. Scrubbed 2100hrs. Posted letter to June, sent £9. Had 6 tries to see the Adj today, re the com. bumpf. Sent telegram to Harold re wedding.

SATURDAY 8
Papers checked by Adj. Ops on. Hanging about all day waiting for times of M.B etc. Finally postponed indefinitely. Wrote home. Received parcel from Harold:- 2 towels; 2 pr sox, vest & pants; very pleased.

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JULY 1944

SUNDAY 9
Ops ON. Briefing 0900. T-O 1108hrs. Target Les Cotelliers flying bomb base. Some trouble finding target. Stooged around for 5-10 mins before finding it. Very bad flying weather over England. In cloud all the way with rain & ice. My 21st Op. 2000hrs. saw concert on camp by camp personnel quite enjoyable.

MONDAY 10
Stooged about all morning. Ops. ON. In L. Crew Conf. 1430. FP 1500 MB 1530. Target N.W of Paris. Ops scrubbed 1800 hrs. In billet most of the evening, being sketched by Joe.
Received a letter from my beloved, replied. Wired Stan & Wilf.

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JULY 1944

TUESDAY 11
Ops ON. FP1400. At a/c 1500. Op postponed 1505. Back at a/c again 1640. Scrubbed 1645. Letter from Grandad;- won’t be at wedding. Disappointed. So many people have let us down, it makes me feel ill. June’s efforts wasted. She’s worked so hard, & now for so little. Feel pretty miserable. Had wire from Wilf:- nogo either.

WEDNESDAY 12
Ops ON. Mucking about all day, getting some M.T. hrs in. T-O 1805. Went to [deleted] the [/deleted] “Thrivern” near Paris. 200 a/c. very good concentration. Bombed on gee. Had a shell burst a few feet under the tail, hell of a bang. Three holes in skin of a/c:- one bit of flak. No one hurt. Landed 2240. Not a bad landing.

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JULY 1944

THURSDAY 13
At Snaith PAs. 0910. Paid £9. Packed up & away 1200hrs. Raining. Got 15.50 train from Donc. Romford 2030. Met Stan at No. 89. June round home. Met her at home 2200. Lovely as ever. Not the slightest doubt!! Have done pretty well in presents it seems.

FRIDAY 14
Shopping this AM. Got officer type F.S. cap. Fixed taxis, etc. Blew £5 or so. Received £4 from Wilf. P.M. Ironing & pressing. At No 89 18.30. Saw June once or twice. Played darts for quite a while. Saw some of our presents. Amazed, they are wizard. Saw cake. Shook me rigid, better than I’d dared hope.

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JULY 1944

SATURDAY 15
[Underlined] Our Wedding Day [/underlined]

Married [inserted] at [/inserted] St. John’s Church 2P.M. Very good Service, everything O.K. Went off 90% perfect. Very pleased, & fully satisfied. Stan made it. Joe Best Man.

SUNDAY 16
Arrived Marlow 1415 hrs for our honeymoon.

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JULY 1944

MONDAY 17
Went to Windsor.

TUESDAY 18
Reading.

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JULY 1944

WEDNESDAY 19
Henley.

THURSDAY 20
Came back.

Honeymoon 80% perfect. Weather beautiful, like June.

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JULY 1944

FRIDAY 21
Back at camp 0815. [Underlined] 6 [/underlined] a/c lost last night. Harrison & Coture included. Shaken me. No Ops. Went to Snaith 1500 to see about an allowance for June. Very tired, bed 1930. Weather:- dull & windy.

SATURDAY 22
No Ops. F/A 11-1200. Lovely above the clouds. Feel quite happy. Evasive action leaves room for improvement. Wrote to my beloved 1530hrs. Evening:- posted June’s letter, saw flick “Quiet Wedding”:- June looked better than the film bride. In Y.M 2030-2130. Not exactly an exciting evening.

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JULY 1944

SUNDAY 23
OPS ON. Briefed 1845. Target:- KIEL, Germany. T-O 2250, Joe all but forgot dividers & prot. T.O.T. 0120. 10/10 Stcu all the way. Saw the Town by a flash once. As expected, opposition rather heavy. Lots of flak;- 2 very close; no fighters. Saw an a/c on fire over the sea, on the way back, it went down after 2 or 3 mins. 6 a/c lost.

MONDAY 24
Landed 0405. Not a bad landing. Bed 0600-1300. Ops ON. a/c “C” fitted with wing [underlined] and [/underlined] belly overload tanks. 2000-odd galls. Target:- STUTTGART. T-O 2140hrs. T.O.T 0150. Easier trip than expected. Bomb-load 9 x 500lbs. Saw a He 111 & a S/E a/c. One a/c went down over T/A.
The KIEL raid is being plugged heavily by radio. [deleted] in papers [/deleted] No mail from my darling.

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JULY 1944

TUESDAY 25
Landed 0540hrs. 8hr. trip. Very tired. Bed 0700-1500. Stand down. Got a letter from my beloved June. RAF lost 25 a/c last night. T.O & landed in daylight. MUG oxygen U/S, Geordie managed to improvise. Turret half U/S. 2 mins from Δ. R/Turret motor burnt out.
Wrote to June.

WEDNESDAY 26
No OPS. Nothing much doing. Have stirred up the Int. section this last day or so over the lack of security on camp. Have found out that it was pretty common knowledge about the Stuttgart raid. Shook me.
Wrote to Wilf.

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JULY 1944

THURSDAY 27
Nothing doing. Stand by all day. Wrote to Aunt Alice.

FRIDAY 28
Up 0200. Briefing 0230. Op scrubbed 0600. Asleep till 1100. Briefed again 1400. T-O 1630. Target:- a forest in France, contents unknown, but very important. Bombed visually, led in by 2 mossys. Strip torn off me for being ahead of Sqdn. Only a/c on time at C.P.
No mail from June. Got a 21st card from “Mum & Dad” but has June’s handwriting??

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JULY 1944

SATURDAY 29
OPS. ON. Got up 1000hrs. Briefed 1500HRS. Wrote to my darling; received a letter from her. T-O 1802. Target same as yesterday. Foret de Niepe. P.O. packed up at 9,500ft on climb. Flew 70 miles out to sea & dumped bombs. Landed OK [deleted] 9 [/deleted] 1947hrs.

SUNDAY 30
Am 21 yrs. today. No Ops. Did air test in Baker 1600HRS. New P.O. Main bearings packed up yesterday. Wrote to my darling; & home. Got a parcel from mess bar containing 3 birthday cards. From June, Her Mum, & Stan.
2130hrs went to Station dance & got a little merry. Not drunk.

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JULY-AUGUST 1944

MONDAY 31
No Ops. Hanging about most of the time waiting for gen. Received stationery & wedding snaps from my darling. Wrote her another letter. In good form lately.
Evening did a spot of swotting on the diesel engine.

TUESDAY 1 AUG.
OPS ON. Nothing much doing A.M. Briefed 1630. At a/c 1830. Tried to T-O. swung off runway. Checked engines again & had another go. S.O. would give only 1300 RPM. Sortie abandoned. Cheesed off. Twice running. Sent wedding photoes back to June.

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AUGUST 1944

WEDNESDAY 2
Hanging about all day. Didn’t operate.
Did a bit more reading on the diesel. Wrote to my darling again.

THURSDAY 3
Ops.ON. Took-off 1140. Target:- doodle bug site near Paris. No trouble, tho’ S.O. vibrated badly when leaving the target, for a time. Bit of H.F. quite accurate too. Didn’t touch us. ‘M’ came back with a bomb hole in his wing.
Wrote to June after tea.

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AUGUST 1944

FRIDAY 4
Paid £4. 12.15hrs. Reduc. Of income tax allowed me almost pays my allowance (3/6d) to June. Very nice. No OPS. Very hot today. Went swimming in Selby baths 1630-1730. Saw flick; a Gert & Daisy film. Received a letter from Wilf.

SATURDAY 5
OPS.ON. Pulled out of bed 0715. T-O 11.17hrs. Foret de Niepe again. We were about the only a/c on track. Others seemed to be following the leaders. We ploughed our own furrow to the target. No trouble, good trip. Very hot day again, a ‘High’ almost stationary over Eng. Landed 1540.

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AUGUST 1944

SUNDAY 6
OPS on. Not much doing A.M. Briefed 1530. T-O 1900. First a/c off. TOT 2101.Marshalling yard at Hazebrouck, France. Hit A/P. Bomb right across the lines! ‘B-Baker’ running beautifully. Last a/c down. Good landing. Lot of flak,- comparatively over Δ. Almost an ideal trip. Rather congested over Δ.

MONDAY 7
OPS ON. Yesterday’s photos bang on. Wrote to my darling, received a letter from her. Briefed 1600. Army support south of Caen T.O.T. 2303. One min from Δ M/B gave “Lemonade”. Cheesed off. Jettisoned bombs 10MS. W. of Cherbourg. Brought back 4 x 1,000lbs. (max.) Ailerons jammed for a couple of secs. on way out. Wrote to Wilf.

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AUGUST 1944

TUESDAY 8
Bed 0230. Called 0830 – “Scramble”. Paniced for an hr. then it was scrubbed. P.M. Had a short sharp storm. Hail bigger than peas. 2000hrs. saw show on camp. Very good, but smutty at the finish.

WEDNESDAY 9
OPS.ON. Called 0730. T-O 1120. Target:- fuel dump in Foret de Mormal Wizard prang. Ron saw our bombs straddle the A/P. Getting good these days. T.O.T. 1304 hrs. In B. S.O. gave only +2 in S gear at R.B. Woolly finished now, his 30th trip today. My 30th too. Wrote to June 1940hrs.
Wrote home 2150hrs.

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AUGUST 1944

THURSDAY 10
No ops. Hanging about all day. Yesterday’s photoes bang on, -as expected. Mail from June & Stan. June has furniture permits now; what a wife! Wrote to Stan.

FRIDAY 11
OPS OM. T-O eventually 1330. Target:- rly. yds. at Somaire (France) Among first to bomb. Had to dodge a load of bombs from some fool flying at 15,000. We were at 10. Have another M/UG. Cloud-hopping on the way back. Not a particularly good trip, tho’ bombs fell on target. Two bombs went safe! Load 9 x 1,000lbs, 4 x 500lbs. Received letter from June, as promised.

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AUGUST 1944

SATURDAY 12
OPS ON. Briefed 1800. Target:- Opel M.T. works at Russelsheim. T-O 2120, in ‘B’. T.O.T. 0016. Training AE taken of by another a/c. Wizard fire in Target area. Seen nothing like it. 0120 both P. engines cut out at 10,000ft for 10-15 secs. Made me flap. 0130 shot up by accurate flak. P.O. U/S. Sweating & praying all the way back. Thirty or more mins to E/Coast.

SUNDAY 13
0226 Landed (?) on Woodbridge Strip. Shaken up a bit. Nerves stretched. Place well organised. Left 1530. Returning via London. Met by June & Mum & Pop at Lvrpl. St. Stn. Spent night at no. 89. Didn’t get much sleep tho’ not for lack of trying. Too much in love with my wife.

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AUGUST 1944

MONDAY 14
Up [underlined] 0600 [/underlined] Ugh! At Ks+ 0840. Left 1030, in camp 1730. Two a/c were lost on Russ. Letter from June waiting for me.

TUESDAY 15
Up 0545. OPS on. T-O 1007. Target:- N/F ‘drome in Belgium – Tirlemont. Hit it. 2,000 a/c hitting N/F ‘dromes this morning.
A ‘chute -no. 13 – is missing & I’m holding the can. Wrote to June, cycled to Selby to post it 2000.

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AUGUST 1944

WEDNESDAY 16
OPS on. A German target. Not at all happy. Briefed 1730. Target:- Kiel again. Very unhappy. T-O 2130. In Z Prayed all the way round. God heard me, & looked after us. Z a wizard a/c. Twice nearly hit by other a/c. Saw no fighters. Bags of flak. Two good fires going in the town. My 34th trip. Shot a line to Public Rel. Off. after de-briefing. [Underlined] Very [/underlined] glad to get to bed.

THURSDAY 17
No OPS. Paid 4gns. 1415. 1430 Crew Conf. Wrote to June & Harold. Bed 2030. Received a letter from June.

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AUGUST 1944

FRIDAY 18
Mail from June & Stan. Stan going abroad soon. OPS on. Briefed 1830. [Underlined] Happy Valley [/underlined] Niggly. At a/c 2130. P.O. rev counter U/S. Bags of flap. Couldn’t put it right. Not sorry at all. OP scrubbed. Not keen on flying this side of Leave. [Underlined] Four [/underlined] a/c failed to get off.

SATURDAY 19
Got up 1130. Stand down. Good, another day nearer leave. Did some binding on on Diesel course P.M.

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AUGUST 1944

SUNDAY 29
Nothing on. Raining heavily all day. Am on the hooks for a missing ‘chute. My commission thro’, w.e.f. July 28th. A couple of short plays in concert hall 2015. Passed the evening. Have got 290-odd clothing coupons.

MONDAY 21
Running around most of the morning getting Warrants for rest of crew. Had to go to Snaith. Left Doncaster 1600hrs. Ks+ 2000hrs. Met by my darling wife. Happy now.

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AUGUST 1944

TUESDAY 22
Walked around Ilford most of morning looking for a tailor to make me a uniform. Nogo. P.M. Went to Moss. Bros., fitted me out in an hour. Very pleased & thankful. Met June 1700 at Ps. Weather duff, rain & drizzle all day. 1900 saw “For Whom the Bell Tolls” at Havana. Quite good.

WEDNESDAY 23
A.M. running around R. P.M. Collected uniform from Moss’s. Tea at June’s Gran’s Ilford. Weather;- hot & clear, bit muggy. Bought a canvas bag:- holdall, 56/-

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AUGUST 1944

THURSDAY 24
Did a bit of shopping A.M. P.M. & evening raining hard. Played Rummy after tea, lost 4d.

FRIDAY 25
Went up to town. Wore my nice new uniform. A snoop shook me by saluting me. Managed to cope. Saw a Deanne Durbin film, absolute bind. Bought a suit case 26/6.

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AUGUST 1944

SATURDAY 26
Stayed in R. Evening spent at flickers “Up in Mabel’s Room”, very funny.

SUNDAY 27
Went to Leytonstone 1600:- foursome. Pleasant afternoon. Evening played rummy again, lost a bit more.

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AUGUST 1944

MONDAY 28
Took June to work, dumped big bag at Ks+. Back home 1000, got changed, left 11.44. Dinner at ‘Super’ with my sweetheart. Left Ks+ 1600. Walked most of the way from Selby, got to camp 00.45. 29th Dog-tired, arms aching.

TUESDAY 29
First day as an officer on camp. Have [underlined] n’t [/underlined] enjoyed it. Boobed in mess several times. Handed in kit, started getting cleared. Moved to No. 4 Site. Rather a strange feeling to be called “Sir”. Received a letter from Wilf. Wrote to my beautiful wife 2000hrs.

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AUGUST 1944

WEDNESDAY 30
No OPS. Continued a while more running round with C.Chit. 1500 Crew Conf. Wrote to Harold & Aunt Alice. Joe’s commission is now thru. Very pleased.
1900hrs. good dinner. Fish & chips very well cooked, plums for desert.

THURSDAY 31
Ops ON. but not for me, very annoyed. Down for [underlined] practice bombing [/underlined] 1500hrs. Just about the last straw!! a/c was U/S, very pleased. Wrote to June & Wilf.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

FRIDAY 1
No Ops today. F/A & air test 1100. In ‘B’. Carried a spare Eng. for a test for him, & a Hgte. pilot – for a ride. P.M. Standing by. Ops on & off in 5 mins. Letters from my darling, & Harold.

SATURDAY 2
OPS on. Meal 0830 F.P. 0930. Scrubbed 1330. Got rations tho’. Spent P.M. chasing round Selby & York looking for rug-canvas. Nogo. Weather lousy. 2100 Wrote to June. [circled] A5 [/circled]

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SEPTEMBER 1944

SUNDAY 3
OPS. [underlined]] ON. [/underlined] Briefed 1030, then postponed T-O 1515. Target:- Drome at Venlo, on Belgium-German border. Opposition negligible. In ‘B’, a/c & weather both lousy. Last 50ms back Q8B 200-550ft. Diverted to Carnaby. Landed 10-15ft high. All but hit a Lanc. on the way back. Stood a/c on its tail, cleared [underlined] his [/underlined] tail by less than 10ft. Thought it’d come, so did crew. ‘Drome was very well lit.

MONDAY 4
T-O from Carnaby 11.40 without Joe. Landed at base 12.02. hrs. No mail from June, Expected some. Running around all afternoon, with very little result. 2100hrs. spoke to F-Fox’s captain. He’d stopped a shower of bombs, a 1,000lb er thro’ fuselage, belly of a/c ripped out, port tail-plane hit by another, & S. side of fuselage scraped. Very shaky do.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

TUESDAY 5
1000hrs. natter by Winco on rubber cheques. 10.10. went sick with upset stomach & hauled into dock. Was sick twice during the night, very little sleep. Slept big part of day; wrote to June. Not a very good letter, I fear. Feel pretty ropey.
2200 hrs. Joe brought in a letter from June. Feel [underlined] much [/underlined] better.

WEDNESDAY 6
Feel OK this morning. Wrote to my darling again. Got up 14.30. Did a bit of reading on the Diesel engine. Think I’ll take it up seriously.
One of the WAAF nursing orderlies is rather frisky, today. Weather still lousy. Joe got my F603’s fixed up at Snaith. Very pleased.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

THURSDAY 7
Came out of dock 12.20.hrs. P.M. spent clearing up stores etc. Got £5 advance from P.A.s. Weather:- raining all day. Received another letter from my darling.

FRIDAY 8
Saw Doc 1000. OK. Got rest of the day off. Wrote to June. P.M. Walked round Leeds with Joe looking for rug-canvas. Nogo. Raining hard so got soaked. Back in camp 2010.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

SATURDAY 9
Up 0145HRS. OPS [underlined] ON. [/underlined] T-O. 0610 for Le Havre. M/B scrubbed it over Δ. 10/10 Cu. Started 5 1/2 mins late. Only 1min late at Δ. Dropped bombs in sea near a convoy. Some went off & bounced a/c. Ht. 2,300ft. Wasted effort but another one chipped off. Brought 5 x 1,000lbs S.A.P. back. Ropey landing as usual. Wrote to my beloved 1700, got 1830 post. Made a rug needle from ali tubing.

SUNDAY 10
OPS. ON. Lovely day. Briefed 1130. Le Havre again. T.O.T. 1645 1/4. Wizard bombing, terrific concentration. Our B/S U/S. Phil straddled T.I.s tho’. Very pleased with the trip. Made a good lndg. too.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

MONDAY 11
OPS. [underlined] ON. [/underlined] Briefed 1330. Target:- Gelsenchkirchen, (Ruhr). T-O 1455. T.O.T. 1830 1/2. Very heavy opposition. Flak thick enough to walk on. Saw a Hali go down, Phil saw its tail break off. I felt a bit sick;- but very busy at the time. Two other a/c seen to go down. Used ‘George’ a lot today. B/Ht 17,600ft. Made a good lndg. 2025. No mail from June?? Received a letter from Stan.

TUESDAY 12
OPS ON. T-O 1601 hrs. for Munster, B/Load 1 cookie & 3 cans of IB’s. 1830hrs S.I. oil press failed at O. Ness. E.R. rather niggly. Very good lndg. Others said trip was reasonable. Mail from June, Stan & Wilf. Wrote to June 2100. Sent off Test 4 of Diesel Course. Good chance of being screened by the 26th. Maybe 14 days. (Yesterday’s raid was very successful, our photo:- A/P bang on!!

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SEPTEMBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 13
No Ops. Hung about all morning. Did 1/2 hr “Link”:- rdg magazines. Its stupid to give us Link now. Given a handbook,- “The a/c Captain” if you please: I have two more trips to do to finish 1st tour!!! Another letter from my beloved. Heard from the Bank today. Wrote to June & Grandma.

THURSDAY 14
Am stood down today. P.M. In York with Joe. Got some writing paper:- that’s all. Looking for sack-cloth,- nogo. Back for dinner, (1900) Did a bit more of D. course. Sqdn. Recalled from OP. Target was Wilhemlshaven. Joe bought parts of a miniature radio set. Spent evening sorting it out.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

FRIDAY 15
Battle of Britain Day. Stood down again today. P.M. Bought some rug wool (Kt) & pinched two sandbags. Tried rug-making 1800hrs, -failure, need a pukka needle. Eric is [underlined] on [/underlined] tonight as a spare gunner.
Wrote to my loving wife 2040hrs.
OP is a night trip, not sorry I’ve missed it; getting a bit jittery.

SATURDAY 16
No OPS. My A/FO is thro. Sewed on the braid P.M. Made wire rug needle & did three hours rug-making. Result quite satisfactory, but is rather slow at present. Miss June an awful lot, a week to go. The sooner the better. OPS on at 0300 tomorrow. Clocks back an hr. BLACKOUT GOES TONIGHT.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

SUNDAY 17
Up 0520. T-O 0909hrs. Target:- Boulougne. Bang on!!! Had trouble with S.I. Concentration dangerously thick. Saw an a/c 30ft dead above us with bombs [underlined] on [/underlined]. Moved rather smartly. He went round again. Bombing well concentrated, 3 M/Bs on, [underlined] none heard [/underlined]. Fog at base, landed as per Farnboro’ effort. P.M. Wrote to my beloved & did 3-4 hrs rugmaking. OK now.

MONDAY 18
No OPS. Received letter from June as expected. Spent afternoon rug-making again. Improving the quality now, if not the quantity. Progress satisfactory. Received a letter from Grandad;- wrote to Wilf.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

TUESDAY 19
No OPS. Again. Cheesed. Letter from Mum, replied. Cheque book from bank. 1400 at Snaith PA to query my pay. Spent rest of day to 1900hrs. rugmaking. Received another letter from my beloved; & replied. Joe’s radio working now. Am quite pleased with my rug-making, takes an awful long time to do so little tho’.

WEDNESDAY 10
No OPS [underlined] AGAIN. [/underlined] Ops on 11.00, off 12.00. My hopes went up, & down. 1400-1530hrs. buried W/C Wilkerson. He was killed in a ‘Baltimore’ several days ago. Sorry:- he gave me a break once. Could’ve broken me. Did a bit of shopping in Selby, & continued rug-making. Received another letter from my darling.
Wrote to Stan.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

THURSDAY 21
OPS ON. Briefed 1300. Target:- Bottrop (Ruhr). Scrubbed 1400, we were at a/c. Rugmaking again. P.M. Wrote to [deleted] Stan [/deleted] June.

FRIDAY 22
OPS on & off in half an hour. Same target. Rugmaking getting on OK now. Have decided not to go on leave till next trip is done, & C. of I. over lost ‘chute is finished. Can’t go till C. of I. is done, anyway.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

SATURDAY 23
Nothing doing. Finished the wool part of rug. Taken about 22hrs. Wrote to my darling wife 2035hrs.

SUNDAY 24
OPS ON. T-O 1545 for [underlined] CALAIS [/underlined]. Took 64 mins to get to Δ. M/B scrubbed it:- disgusted. Ht 2,000ft. Bags of L/F. Didn’t get hit; in V. Had to go out into N. Sea to dumped 2000lbs of bombs. Landed 2009. Good landing. Had 8 x 1,000lbs on board. Weather very sticky. My 40th trip. Completed first tour. (A Snaith a/c shot down over Δ. Didn’t see it.)

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SEPTEMBER 1944

MONDAY 25
Screening confirmed. Note from Bank, Moss Bros. paid. C of I started. Took 1/2 hr. of my time this morning. Asked to go to a S. [deleted] OU [/deleted] OUT. ‘Phoned home, wired June. Spent evening in mess. Twenty four hrs. to go & I’ll be with my beautiful wife. Roll on!! Have 14 days leave, (& nights) (M/B believed to have scrubbed CALAIS. op because of weight & accuracy of L/F. Some chaps damaged.

TUESDAY 26
Got away 1410hrs. after a spot of running around. Phil staying to fill in Com. papers this P.M. Very pleased. Left Don. 1435. In London 2050hrs. [Underlined] 1 1/2 hrs. late [/underlined] June & Joy waiting for us. Got home 2230hrs. Didn’t sleep very well, as expected.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 27
Up 0600, went to Ps with June. Spent most of time round No. 26. Had dinner with June, tho’. Met her 1700. Got wet as it rained & I had no mac. Harold was with us. Evening spent at June’s aunt Lizzie’s house.

THURSDAY 28
Got up [underlined] 0845. [/underlined] Round home (26) most of the day. Met June 1700. Saw flick 1900 “Canterville Ghost”. Very good.

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SEPTEMBER 1944

FRIDAY 29
Same programme as yesterday. Saw “Going my Way”. Bing Crosby. Not so good.

SATURDAY 30
Left St. Pancras 1530 for Bedford, arr. 1650. At H.C. 1815. Took rations this time. Bed 2130.

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OCTOBER 1944

SUNDAY 1
Up 0900. Saw Phil - & new baby girl – A.M. P.M. Indoors nattering. 1800-1900 Chapel. Bed 2145. More in love with my wife every time I see her. The capacity doesn’t get any bigger;- but stronger.

MONDAY 2
Left Bedford 11.10. Train packed. In London. 12.40. Went to Bank & made my account joint, with June. Wandered around for an hr. or so, came home.

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OCTOBER 1944

TUESDAY 3
[Deleted] Did some shopping A.M.
Saw flick “Story of Dr. Wassel” A true story messed up by Hollywood. [Boxed Stayed in this evening [/boxed] [/deleted]

WEDNESDAY 4

[Deleted] A [/deleted]
Saw “Dr. Wassel” this evening.
Made it properly at last.

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OCTOBER 1944

THURSDAY 5
A dull day. Went to Ilford Hipp. 1800. Show was so so.

FRIDAY 6
Dull day. Went to Southend after dinner. Very cold wind. Had no mac or coat. Brought back a jar of cockles. Home 2100. A doodle bug passed over Shenfield Stn. at 2000hrs, we were waiting for a connection.

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OCTOBER 1944

SUNDAY. 8.
[Deleted] SATURDAY 7 [/deleted]
Went to Chadwell Hth. with Mick & got cockles & winkles. P.M. Sam, Ivy & Norman arrived. Played rummy after tea, won two games. First time I’ve ever won a penny at cards.

SAT. 7.
[Deleted SUNDAY 8 [/deleted]
After dinner went up to town with June. After a bit of difficulty got seats for a show “The Banbury Rose”, quite good. Home 2230. In love with June more than ever, although a day or two ago had some queer ideas. Must have been barmy.

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OCTOBER 1944

MONDAY 9
AM. Bought a pair of slippers for June. Also shoes for self. June back at work, met her 1700. Saw a flick 1900hrs. “Mr Emmanuel”. Bit boring.

TUESDAY 10
Up 0600, went to Ps with June. Went round home (26), then packed, left 1100hrs. Met Phil at Ks+, & Joe at Donc. Came to camp by bus, arr. 1915, just nicely for supper. Mail from Stan & Wilf & statement from Bank.

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OCTOBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 11
10.00hrs. asked if I’m posted. I am! To Lossiemouth, last place I wanted. Got cleared in an hour. Went to P.As. 1400. Found I’d £26- odd to come. Weather lousy. Wrote to June 2015. Spent an hour or two in crews’ billet nattering, until 2230.

THURSDAY 12
Packed. Told I’ll be attending a D.C.M. soon as principal boy. Had crew photo taken. Left 1200. Arr. Perth, via Edinburgh 2030. Spent night at Salutations Hotel. (Charge 11/6d) Didn’t sleep very well. Room contained twin beds. Oh June! wherefore art thou?

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OCTOBER 1944

FRIDAY 13
Up 0630. After a lot of bother, -changing etc. arr. camp 1500. Got my cycle here without paying for it. Met Chick Henderson. Tea 1730. First full meal for 18hrs. Food so-so. Wrote to June & hotel. Have claimed marriage allowance & £1 expenses.

SATURDAY 14
0915 saw Groupie. Filled in more forms. Started [underlined] GROUND-SCHOOL. [/underlined] Airmanship & Navi. Told I’ll get the chance to [deleted] fly [/deleted] fly a Master, & a Hurri. Seriously thinking of getting June up here. G/C says I may be here for [underlined] 18 MTHs [/underlined] Food is quite good Weather lousy. Sent 11/6d to Hotel in Perth. Wrote to Phil.

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OCTOBER 1944

SUNDAY 15
Did a bit of stooging about first off. 1030 went to Int Lec. on [underlined] Briefing & De-briefing. [/underlined] PM. Did some Navi & Air. 1hr. ea. Wrote to June, & bank asking about marriage allowance.

MONDAY 16
Attested 3 yrs. ago. Called as usual by WAAF batwoman at 7AM. 2hrs. Navi 0815-1015. Am quite keen on this. 1030-1230 Air:- Electric props. P.M. Went to Lossie twice, & cleaned my bike. Navi 1645-1745. Wrote to Mum & Dad.

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OCTOBER 1944

TUESDAY 17
Stooged about all morning. Received mail from June, feel a [underlined] lot [/underlined] better. P.M. Did 1.30hrs Air:-engines. Replied to my darling. Asked about getting Gin & whisky from the mess. Gin probably whisky doubtful. Sent June another 20 coupons.

WEDNESDAY 18
Wrote to Harold 0845. 1000hrs:- a successful shopping expedition to Elgin. Fixed up cycle saddle & mud-guard. Put shoes in for repair, ready in [underlined] 3 days [/underlined] :-max. time. Chap was ready to do them in 30 [underlined] mins. [/underlined]P.M. In Air. Hangar for a couple of hrs. 1800 Went to Elgin, saw flick “The Purple Heart”. Wrote to Stan 1600hrs.

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OCTOBER 1944

THURSDAY 19
Wrote to Wilf 0845. G/S again Navi 1030-1230. Plotting. P.M. in decomp. Chamber. Went up without oxygen, to 26,000ft. Received a letter from June, & spent the evening replying. Rather bored here, & lonely.

FRIDAY 20
Received my Log-Book. 1030-12.00 Air. (Oxygen & carb.) No mail yet from crew-??
Spent some time checking & re-checking my Log book. P.M. In a terribly mess. Don’t know how I got such ridiculous figures. Robbing myself of about 9hrs. 1830 saw “Captains Courageous” at camp flick. Different from expected. In Gee room 1545-1745. Happy as a sandboy.

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OCTOBER 1944

SATURDAY 21
A.M. Finished checking log book after some difficulty. P.M. Did 1hr Air, then went to Elgin to do a bit more shopping. Received mail from my darling. After tea wrote to June, bathed:- so to bed.

SUNDAY 22
A.M. In mess readin most of the morning. Wrtoe to Joe. Dinner was lousy. P.M. Got back to diesel course at last & got another lesson done. Received flying gloves from June. Wrote her a short letter after tea.
Am Cheesed off, - so bored.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1944

MONDAY 23
Navi all morning in D.R.I. Didn’t get along so well. P.M. Told I’m to attend a C.M. Oct 30th. As a witness. Believed its to do with the money I had stolen from me when at Rufforth. Did some painting in Air Hangar 1530-1730. Something to do; & better than school. Saw flick “Standing Room Only” on camp. 1830. Quite good.

TUESDAY 24
Had most wizard dream of my beloved June last night. Did some more painting this A.M. Letter from June; found the stone of her engagement ring. P.M. Drew £5 from Bank. May need it of I can wrangle a day at home, Sat mid0day to Sun. 1900 went to a special radar lecture. Quite good. Wrote to June 2000hrs.

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OCTOBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 25
A.M. reading Diesel gen till 1000hrs. Air exam for pupils. Mail from Home enclosing a quid. Got a bottle of Gin for June’s Mum. P.M. Spent in changing over the tires on my bike. Evening spent sitting in the mess. Nothing else to do. Tried to get a ticket for an “all-girl” camp show tomorrow night. Was [underlined] one [/underlined] too far down the line. Bed 2130hrs. Jimmy Seal believed alive, in Germany. “Missing” for over 2YRS.

THURSDAY 26
0815-1015 Air. Lecture on Dinghy & ‘Chute drills. Went to Elgin, collected shoed, & left another pair for repair. Letter from June, bless her. Air Lec. 1545-1700. Played checkers with F/O McMaster, he beat me each time. Be with my angel in 48hrs:- I hope!

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1944

FRIDAY 27
AM. Stooging about. Got Warrants & booked out. Paid mess bill 19/4d. Left camp 1230, got Aberdonian at 1900hrs.

SATURDAY 28
London 0815. Home (89) 0945. Front room looks wizard. Met June 1200. P.M. Went to tea with Mrs. Monk. Home 2000hrs. [Deleted] B [/deleted] Played rummy for an hor. 21-2200 hrs. Finished up won. Had a good start. Bed 2245. As expected, I couldn’t sleep, tired as I was. Love June more than ever.

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OCTOBER 1944

SUNDAY 29
Saw Mum & Pop 1100hrs. Left No. 89 1440. June came to Ks+. Arr. York 2106, & Rufforth 2230. Met [underlined] Joe [/underlined] in the mess. He’s on N.I. course. Rest of crew on [underlined] indefinite leave. [/underlined]

MONDAY 30
D.C>M. this morning, 1000hrs. Only rqd. For 3mins. Left York 1445. Went to Blyth & spent the night with Harold. Given a super supper by one of the Wrens. Bacon, tomies & bread, fresh Milk & jam tarts. Had a spot of rum later.

[Page break]

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 1944

TUESDAY 31
Breakfast in bed 0800hrs. Left camp 1300hrs. Harold came to Newcastle. Travelled all night, with an F/O from [underlined] Stornaway [/underlined]. He’d just become a father. Nice chap.

WEDNESDAY 1 NOV
Arr. camp 1030. Packed up [deleted] parq [/deleted] parcels for June & Pop. P.M. Posted parcels, collected repaired shoes. Drew £5 from bank. Wrote to June 1815.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944

THURSDAY 2
AM. Got 3lbs rug wool from Elgin. 1100:- wet Dinghy drill in Elgin. Tried it with Flying suit & M. West. PM. Made out lecture notes for Drills;_ D,P, & B/L mds. As a sort of exam for me. Evening:- patched battle dress trousers. Got a fire going. Used wet & green wood & lots of paper. Miss June badly.

FRIDAY 3
AM. Posted to Gunnery Flt. Did 1hr flying with F/LT. Baker. Wimpy seems awful slow, but lighter. PM. Saw C.I. met Ginger. No Flying. Drew harness & mae West. Received letter from June. Replied, also wrote home. Cheesed off.

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NOVEMBER 1944

SATURDAY 4
Airborne 3 times today. Don’t like the R/H seat. Bit sick second trip. Went to camp flick 1830. “The Angels Sing”, enjoyed it muchly. Had intended going to Elgin. Weather lousy & no bus by 1815.

SUNDAY 5
Nothing doing this morning. Weather cold, but fine. Hung about all afternoon Was to have flown, but too windy for the Hurribox’s. Wrote to June 1925. Line-shooting after supper with P/O Fry & F/O Anderson.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944

MONDAY 6
Flew two details, 1AM, 1PM. Mail from Aunt Alice & June. Replied to June 1600hrs. Spent the evening nattering to F/O Anderson.

TUESDAY 7
0915 A/B. Cloud base 800-1000ft so scrubbed it. Approach wicked, landing OK. Hung about rest of day, - Weather U/S. Mail from Stan & home. Replied to Stan. Got an invitation to a dance at [underlined] Burn. [/underlined] Got £2 expenses for C.M. [Underlined] Boobed, [/underlined] intended to get 3. Made up parcel for June. Received shirt & scarf from her.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 8
A/B 100 after a lot of messing about. A/B again 1345-1500hrs. C/S all the time. Hard work. Had ‘B’ again. Had the engines cutting at tops of C/S. Mail from June, replied. Forgot to post her parcel. Did a bit on the Diesel course 2130-2200.

THURSDAY 9
No flying – too windy. A gale on. Went to Elgin 1530. Had tea at Austin’s with F/O Cartwright. Two drinks later with two more chaps. Flicks 1815-2050. No a very hot show. Back 2130. Definitely decided to have June up here. Probably in the New Year.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944

FRIDAY 10
One detail AM. Two P.M. Did O.S. at 65 MPH. Shaky do. Mail from my darling, also from Wilf. Replied to June. Party for erks, in Lossie 1830 onwards. Got merry, good time had by all. Quite a respectable meal laid on. Egg (dried) bacon sausage & chips. Back 2230.

SATURDAY 11
Two details A.M. Made a lousy landing, O.S. C.I. saw it & ‘phoned up Flt. 1 detail P.M. Finis 1500. Camp flick 1830. “Fallen Sparrow” not so hot. Worried about myself. Afraid of the Wimpy Keep living that crash over again. See the C.I. if I can’t get over it soon.

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NOVEMBER 1944

SUNDAY 12
Very miserable day. Nothing to do. Wrote to June P.M. not a very good effort. Met a chap from 69 course Assinibion. He’s a pupil.

MONDAY 13
Lousy weather again. Saw C.I. 1215 about getting off Wimpeys. Mail from June as expected. Wrote home. Got some hessian in Elgin. Saw “Phantom of the Opera”, 1830 in camp. Said ta-ta to Woolly. He leaves tomorrow.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944
Weather lousy, no flying. Found two scrap drogues, linen. Gave them a home. Made a rug needle. P.M. spent hemming new rug & drawing on the design. Wrote to my darling.

WEDNESDAY 15
Did two details A.M. Dicing with Death, first one. Claggy. PM. rug making. Mail from June, Stan, Mum. Stan on leave, wrote to him, 1820.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944

THURSDAY 16
Did a double detail A.M. Had the afternoon free, -rugging again. 20.00hrs. saw Ensa show “Ladies in Retirement”. Very good, a drama. Wrote to June, & Wilf. Think this rug will be much better than the other.

FRIDAY 17
No pupils to fly, so got day off. Rugging all morning. In Elgin 1400 Got some Xmas cards & a scarf for Reg. Evening – did a little more on Diesel course. Mail from my darling. Drew £5.

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NOVEMBER 1944

SATURDAY 18
One detail A.M. New course. Formation. Don’t like F., no future. Weather better. Two details P.M. one C/S/ Did another 1 1/2 hrs. on the rug. Wrote to June.

SUNDAY 19
Did one detail A.M. Cloud clamped. Did circuit at 150-250ft.
P.M. Saw Wingco & Adj about going to a Con Unit. Rugging again after tea. Nearly half way. Have put in 14 hrs. so far. Wrote a dull letter to Grandma.

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NOVEMBER 1944

Monday 20
Flew 3 details. C/S much better. Made the worst landing ever today. The last one. G Flt. Really in trouble today. Finished all the course. More rug-making after tea, another 2 1/2 hrs. Looks OK. so far. Mail from my beloved 1200hrs.

TUESDAY 21
No work. Spent most of AM. rugging again. Lovely weather. Letter from Stan. Wrote to June. In Elgin 1600. Tea in ‘George’ café, dried egg, chips bacon & saus. Saw flick Abbott & Costello “Hold that Ghost”. Funny.

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NOVEMBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 22
Hung about all AM. Nothing on. Mail from June, as expected Rugging all afternoon & evening. Finished pushing the wool thro’. Only to be backed now.

THURSDAY 23
Day off. 0830 Wrote to June. Spent most of the morning in the mess. Shopping P.M. Got backing & some XmasS cards. Did more rugging after tea. Wrote to Harold.

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NOVEMBER 1944

FRIDAY 24
No work again. Hanging about all morning. Rugging PM. & evening. Finished 2202. About 35 working hrs. Packed it up for posting 2230. Mail from my darling.

SATURDAY 25
Still no work. Was to have done one detail, but won the toss. Another letter from June. Wrote to her, posted rug. Went into Elgin 1600. Saw “lady in the Dark”. Quite good. Supper if “59 Café.” Fish & chips, wizard. Lovely fire for me in room on return. Bang on!

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944

SUNDAY 26
Flew one detail 0930-1030. S & L. A/G’s dire!!! Rest of day off. Wrote home. If I could only be within reasonable distance of London!! Almost a whole week off, & no use for it.

MONDAY 27
AM. No fly. a/c all iced up. P.M. A/B 1430 approx. a/c vibrating violently 1440 ordered “Bale out”. Only W.O.P. got out. Landed at Dalcross. W/C came up, flew a/c. As expected “Nothing wrong.” Am sick of it. Flew it back OK. See Adj. tomorrow about posting. In mess 2100 had natter with Doc. Given 4 tablets to help me sleep.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1944

TUESDAY 28
AM. Spent writing out report. Vic Baker says I’m to have a go on singles. Drew £5 from Bank. P.M. Saw W/C & Adj. W/C a bit more civil. Adj. grounded me. Says I’ll be away in 2-3 weeks. Maybe Transport Cmd. Hope so. & see the Old man Thurs. Have said I will not fly Wimpys again. Adj. sympathetic. Was talking to the Old Man at the time of trouble. Wormald (WOP) in dock. Not hurt.

WEDNESDAY 29
1030 Saw G.C. Adj. said he’ll put me on Leave in a couple of days. Met Beaumont (EF & SFTS.) Did a spot of painting. No mail from June since Sat. ???? Bit worried. Wrote to her, also home. Did Lesson 9 of Diesel course. “Dining In” Parade in mess. Didn’t go. Lot of bull.

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1944

THURSDAY 30
AM. Read letter that’s going to Group, re.me. OK. Got C.C. & made out Leave app. Form (2-15 Dec.) P.M. spent in getting cleared. 1730. Adj. tells me [Underlined] Leave is scrubbed. [/underlined] Mail from my darling, at last. All OK. 1830 Saw Ensa show. So-So. Ventriloquist, Lloyd Nelson, was very good. Paid mess bill, £3-2-11.

FRIDAY 1 DEC.
Painting straight edge on hangar floor all morning. Messing about all the afternoon. F/LT. Blanks spilt a load of white paint down his front, most of it inside his blouse. Considered very funny. Wrote to June 1300.

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DECEMBER 1944

SATURDAY 2
Feel sick. Couldn’t eat breakfast. Painting hangar floor AM. Felt very ill 1100hrs. PM. Sitting round fire, nattering. Mail from my darling, as expected. She’s received the rug OK. Made up parcel containing a bottle of Gin. Got it from mess bar a few days ago. Started a letter to Stan. Went to flick 1830. Projector U/S, - no flick. Film “The Nelson Touch.”

SUNDAY 3
Day off. Breakfast 0920. In mess all day. Finished Lesson 10 of Diesel course. Completed Stan’s letter. Started reading a book “All this & Heaven too.” Saw flick 2100. Talk 1900, on Discipline, C.Ms etc. Quite good.

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DECEMBER 1944

MONDAY 4
A.M. Painting hangar floor with broom again. Hands rather sore now. P.M. In bombing lect. 1545, just listening. Reading all evening. Book very interesting. Vic Baker tells me that the G.C was approached re my leave, nogo.

TUESDAY 5
Messing about in the Hangar all day, as usual. Spending every spare 1/2 hr. or more reading the book. Letter from Stan. Posted from Iceland. Saw film “Princess O’Rouke” 1830. Very good. Wrote to Stan. No mail from June. Had expected a letter.

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DECEMBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 6
Dreamt last night, unpleasantly, of my darling. Her love had died, & she regretted marrying me. Must be certain that that never comes true; certainly can’t see it. Went into Elgin 1030-1215. Got only one more Xmass card. Mail from June. No doubt about her love for me! Wrote back 1300hrs. Letter was a bit better than my recent efforts. Did 2hrs Link this afternoon. Gave 2 Engineers an hr. apiece. W/C O’ [indecipherable] is back. Wonder if this will increase my chances of leave?

THURSDAY 7
Usual mucking about all day. Letter from Harold. No word of posting, no hope of leave, feel very unhappy. Went to section booze-up in “The Crown” 19-2100. Just 10 of us. Had 2 beers, 2 whiskies

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DECEMBER 1944

FRIDAY 8
Painting hangar floor again. Still fed up as can be. Letter from June 1700. Tells me Joe & Ivy have fixed “The Day” for 13-1-45. 1800 Wrote to my sweet. Saw camp show 20.00hrs. 2 1/2 hrs. First half very poor, second, very good. A girl sang “The Holy City,” – perfect.

SATURDAY 9
0830 Finished book “All this & Heaven Too”, - verdict:- very good. Did a bit of painting AM. Killing time all afternoon. Saw flick 1830 “Destination Tokio,” quite good as a film, interesting.

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DECEMBER 1944

SUNDAY 10
Day off. Spent most of the day reading. Am bored almost to tears. Wrote to Harold. Oh how I want to get out of this place. To go South where I could see my June on a day off.

MONDAY 11
Weather lousy. Raining hard all day. Mail from my darling as expected, bless her. Replied 1300hrs. Did a bit of painting during the day. Mail from Stan & Wilf 1700hrs. Stan still in Iceland 28-11-44. Wrote home 2000hrs. sent cheque ‘019’ for £7.

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DECEMBER 1944

TUESDAY 12
1100hrs in Elgin. Posted letter home with £7 in cash. Destroyed cheque. Drew £10 from Bank. Got a piece of hessian, for another rug. Letter from Grandad. Obtained a fair-sized piece of P.S. rather dirty, but useful.

WEDNESDAY 13
Usual wasted day. Received a letter from June, as expected. Replied 1300. Letter to her was very short. She didn’t send Bank statement:- a pardonable mistake, but for a moment I lost my temper. Why??? My nervous condition is certainly bad.

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DECEMBER 1944

THURSDAY 14
More painting, occasionally. Read “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Got it yesterday, finished it 20.00hrs. Hope of Xmass Leave. (6 days.) F/LT [inserted] Blanks [/inserted] arranging it for me.

FRIDAY 15
Day same as usual. Letter from my darling, replied 1300hrs. Miss meeting 19-20.00 hrs.

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DECEMBER 1944

SATURDAY 16
Did a little painting. Finished book “Lord Tony’s Wife.” Received a letter from Mum, - Aunt Katie passed away. Xmass card from Stan. 1830 at camp flicks “Hour Before Dawn.” Tripe.
How I miss June!! Pray that I be with her Thurs. Have prayed every night, & know I won’t be disappointed.

SUNDAY 17
Did a wee spot of floor painting A.M. the W/C has signed my Leave app. Only the G/C now. P.M. Wrote to my darling wife. Reading most of the time. General Service lecture 19-2000hrs. Hygiene & Sanitation.

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DECEMBER 1944

MONDAY 18
Finished painting lamp shades. Mail from June, Stan & home. Wrote to Stan 1900hrs. Finished reading “The Cross-eyed Bear,” a very poor book, I think. Xmass camp draw drawn 1800hrs. First prize £100, over 100 prizes, didn’t get one. Debating whether or not to scive off tomorrow. Nothing to do on camp.

TUESDAY 19
Couldn’t get my warrant, blast them. As usual everyone is scared of everyone else. Killing time all day. Xmass card from Harold. Saw flick “Gung Ho. “ Not so hot.

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DECEMBER 1944

WEDNESDAY 20
Got warrant 1045hrs. Tried to get a lift south by air. Too foggy in the south, no a/c went. A Sqdn. landed here last night;- just my luck. Left camp 1230. Got Aberdonian 1800. Good feed in Princess Cafe 1730. A bloke in Aberdeen asked me for “something to get a meal with” as he was “down & out”. He had a tweed jacket on that I’d’ve liked. Was very rude to him.

THURSDAY 21
Ks+ 0920. Went to No.26 1100hrs. Phoned Inst. Shop 1120; met June 1230 for lunch at “Super” cinema. Collected her 1700hrs. Weather:- foggy & miserable, Stomach giving me trouble. Ivy & Norman came round later in the evening. [Deleted] Comple [/deleted] June gave me a pocket watch for Xmass. She’s got a dressing-gown: but I can’t see thro’ it!! X

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DECEMBER 1944

FRIDAY 22
Up 0610. Was going to go to Ps with June, but tummy too bad. 1040 at Bank, London, querying my account. Got it straight, drew £5. Lunch with June at Lyons. Ilf 1240. Collected her 1700hrs. Went to her Gran’s at Ilford. Home 2030. Brought back cake & chicken. June received a necklace & 34/- from Inst. shop. for Xmass-box.

SATURDAY 23
Up 0900 after a somewhat restless night. Awake from 0400 onwards. Drew £5 from bank, June £15. Fog cleared. Trying to buy shoes for June & myself this afternoon – nogo. 1830 flicks, Bing in “If I had my way.” Seen it before.
X

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DECEMBER 1944

SUNDAY 24
1530 visited Mum & Dad, left 1905, saw Mrs. Seal for 30 mins, there. 20.00, at Ivy’s home until 2100. Very enjoyable afternoon & evening. June is lovelier & sweeter than ever. Mum gave me a cake to take back, Mrs. Seal gave us a chunk of Xmass cake.
[Underlined] Received recall telegram 0900. [/underlined] Return by 1200 hrs. 27-12-44.

MONDAY 25
Xmass dinner at Aunt Lizzy’s house. Stayed until 2230. Quite an enjoyable time. June a bit sick later in the evening.
Returned to no. 89 to sleep. (Only June & I.)

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DECEMBER 1944

TUESDAY 26
Up 0845; June had tea & toast in bed for once. Left 0950. Train from Euston1300hrs. Changes at Carstairs, Perth & Aviemore. Company to Crewe with a RAF officers wife. Left Carstairs 2315.

WEDNESDAY 27
Arr. Camp 0710hrs. Slept till 1200. Am posted to Pocklington to pick up a crew for [underlined] Transport Cmd. [/underlined] All my prayers answered. Got cleared again during the afternoon. Feel happier than for weeks past. Saw camp show 1830hrs. free. Not bad.

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DECEMBER 1944

THURSDAY 28
Left 1330. Got Aberdonian 1800hrs. York 0300hrs 29th

FRIDAY 29
Arr. York 0300. Met P/O Fenwick (SFTS) He’s in T.Cmd. Freeman went into the sea Boxing Day. His mate. Glad to have met him. Train to Pock. 0748, arr. 0820. Very cold. At camp I’m unwanted, sent on indefinite leave! Can hardly believe it. Left York 1800 hrds. At Ks+ 2345. Very foggy. Have sent June a telegram, telling her to have next week off.

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DECEMBER 1944

SATURDAY 30
Hung about Lvpl. St. Stn. all night. 0200 nattering to Mr. Seal. Arr. No 89 at 0600hrs. as June was getting up. Had an hr. or two’s sleep, & collected kit bag from Ks+. 1700 at No. 26 for a party. Harold home. Not a bad little do. tho’ I incurred June’s displeasure. Very sorry, I’d never hurt her, knowingly.

SUNDAY 31
Up 10.00hrs. P.M. Visited by Joy. Gave her Lockets & money for blankets as a wedding present. Got Ron’s & Geordie’s addresses & crew photo. Stayed until 20.00. Very glad we were able to see her again, hope we can get to the wedding. Took 3 hrs. to get home.
X

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CALENDAR FOR 1943

[Calendar]

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MEMORANDA

Joe Dudley.

559, Footscray Rd., New Eltham, SE.9.

N Phillips.

118c, Croftdown Rd.,

Highgate Rd., London N.W.5

E.G. Dunton.

37, Courtland [deleted] Ave [/deleted] Drive

Alvaston, Derby.

649746 W.O.

L. Woodridge,

127, Huddersfield Rd.,

Staly Bridge,

Nr. Manchester

Cheshire.

14-844. F/S R.E. Adams

61, Littlemore St.,

Balby

Doncaster

Yorks.

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MEMORANDA

Ilford 3040. Ex. [deleted] IT.[/deleted] 44.

André Maurios.

174058 [deleted] 174508 [/deleted] F/O. Anderson, Lossie.

F/S R. Stobbs

28, Ridley St.,

Klondyke,

Cramlington

Northumberland.

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[Deleted] Library ? [/deleted]

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Printed page

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