Keith Thompson diary 1945

Keith Thompson diary 1945

Covering all of 1945, Keith Thompson was a navigator on 1659 Conversion Unit at RAF Topcliffe flying Halifax III on his rest tour, having finished his first tour in May 1944. In February posted to 199 squadron, RAF North Creake flying operations on Halifax Mk 3 until VE day. In July posted to 192 Squadron, RAF Foulsham and in October to R.W.E. at RAF Watton, all on the Halifax. Diary covers all aspects of his life during this period.

1945

one booklet

This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.

YThompsonKG1238603v5

COLLINS ROYAL DIARY 1945

[Page break]

F/O. THOMPSON. K.G.

R.A.F.V.R.

[Calendar 1945 including Common Notes for the Year]

[Page break]

[Underlined] V.J. [/underlined] = AUG. 14 // [underlined] V.E. [/underlined] = MAY 8 4-7

[Page break]

[Details of Public Holidays and Quarter Days]

[Page break]

[Calendar 1944]

[Calendar 1946]

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Monday 1

Tuesday 2

Arr. Hull 12.05. Train for Selby & York 5.35. Went to canteen. York at 7.20. Just missed 7.10. Had to wait for 8.45. Camp at 10.0. NO MAIL. Changed. Saw Bill in Sallie Ann. Dinner [Underlined] Letter from Ma. Card from Mary. [/underlined] On trainer all afternoon. Changed library book. Mo more mail. [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined] Played Bob at draughts. Drew & won.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Wednesday 3

Up at 7.45. Had bfst. Went to flights. Hung about then went to gen room. [Underlined] Letter from Ma. [/underlined] Lunch – COLD as usual. Hung about again till 3.30. Flew out to sea for firing. Up an hour in V. (H2S & G.) No more mail. [Underlined] Letter to Ma & Avice. [/underlined] Went to picts with Bob, “Moonlight in Vermont” College & Farm story. Andrew Sisters in “How’s about it” AGAIN.

Thursday 4

Up early. Went for early dinner. Did 2 & 3 eng. flying bags of snow. No mail. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined] 3 hours in trainer. Bed at 1.30. [/Deleted] Letter. [/deleted]

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Friday 5

Up at 8.15. Had bfst then shaved. Lecture on G. (US) Early dinner. Flew for an hour. Air to sea in K. No mail at all. Went with Bill & Bob to Harrogate. Saw”2000 Women” Quite good & funny. Bed at 1210.

Saturday 6

Radar Dem. Went with Baker & Nav. & B/A. & our crew. Not too bad. B- cold though. Late lunch at 3. Sat reading in Mess. [Underlined] Letter from Ma. Violet & Avice. [/underlined]
** [Underlined] Invitation to Corky’s Wedding. [/underlined] **
[Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mrs. C. [/underlined] made fire.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Sunday 7

Didn’t get up till 10?? Nav. section been rowing for us. Did 2 hrs before lunch. Went back after & continued C2. Crew flying but Reg & I on H2S from 6 till 9. Did X C. (2.15.) Sat in Mess & finished Sextant Blake. Had supper. Bed 11.30.

Monday 8

Up at 10-0 again. Went to Mess. Rtd. Sext. Blk. Had lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Dry Swim all PM. Finished same at last. Had tea. [Underlined] Wrote letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined] Sat reading till 11.0. Snowing like hell!

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Tuesday 9

Got up for bfst. Shaved. Finished N 1. & started C3. [Underlined] Letter from Ma. [/underlined]

Had lunch. Staffed in Mess all PM. Changed. Had tea then went to H’gate. Saw “Women in Bondage” & “The Kid from Spain” with Eddie Cantor. Had supper at the old café. Train back. Bed about 12.30.

Wednesday 10

Up about 11.0. [Underlined] Letter from Ins. Co. [/underlined] Lads got a 48 so I’m going too. Had dinner then went & changed. Train at 2.0 10/1d from H’gate at 3.20. Leeds at 4.18 didn’t leave till 4.30. R’ham at 6.30. Stopped in all night. Bus to Th.croft. full so didn’t go to Jock’s.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Thursday 11

Didn’t get up till 12.0. Shaved & washed. Dad called for me at 2.30. Went to Jock’s for advice re. car. Had tea then went to Empire with family to see Rita Hayworth in “Cover Girl”. Bags of colour. Fish & chip supper.

Friday 12

Up at 7.0. left home at 8-0 train 8.45. Leeds 10.30. Next train Ripon at 11.22 didn’t arrive till 11.40. Ripon 12.45. Bus at 1.10. Missed lunch. Lecture on PFF. [Underlined] 3 Letters from Avice & one from Doris. [/underlined] Had tea. [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Ins Co [/underlined]

Went to picts. Chls Boyer & Ingrid Bergman in “The Murder of Square” Based on “Gaslight”.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Saturday 13

Up at 8.0. Bfst. On XC. Evans not turned up so we are scrubbed!! He’s on the pegs. No mail. Nowt doing this afternoon. 9.30 tomorrow. [Underlined] Letter to Avice Ma & Mrs Watson. [/underlined] (Ken’s Ma-in-law to be) Sat in Mess reading Made fire!!!!! Gave Brenner my, all, writing paper.

Sunday 14

Up about 9.0. Hung about till 11. Control at 11.30. Dusted off for din & back at 1-0. Hung about till 3.30 & still no kite. Had sleep in Mess. Reading all night & Mess Meeting.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Monday 15

Up at 8.0. Hung about. Kite at 11.30 [underlined] again. [/underlined]

U/S so went to another that was U/S too but was fixed while we waited an hour. Did F/A for 2 hours. Down at 3.0. Had late dinner. NO MAIL. Had tea. Night F/A at 6.30 weather U/S Had cup milk in YMCA. [Underlined] Letter to Ken, Avice & S.P.&T. NO MAIL IN [/underlined] !!!!

Tuesday 16

Up at 8.15. Grapefruit All Bran; & 2 flapjacks. Nowt doing. Went to SWO, SP’s; AMC’s; M/T; F/O Bell & back to M.T.D. re car. Dinner. [Underlined] Letter from Avice Cheque & letter from Ins. Co. [/underlined] Went to Thirsk. Played one or two card games. Tea. Flying scrubbed again. [Underlined] Letter home & to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Wednesday 17

Up at 10.30. Went to see to M.T.D. again. Had another look at the bus. C – Charlie not in dispersal. Had lunch NO MAIL!!! Nowt doing all PM. Sat in Mess reading. Scrubbed again!! Went to ENSA show several good turns. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined] Bed at 12.30 !!!

Thursday 18

Didn’t get up till 11.45. Shaved & washed in Mess NO MAIL! Had lunch. Sat reading in the Mess. Scrubbed again. Had tea [Underlined] STILL NO BLOODY MAIL FROM ANY BASTARD!!! ROTTEN BUGGARS !!! [/underlined] Sat reading in Mess Bed at 10.30 after making fire.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Friday 19

Up at 11.30. [Underlined] Letter from Ma & Ken. Statement from Bank. [/underlined] Had lunch. 5/- stamps. Sat reading all afternoon M.T.O still not been to Thirsk. Had tea. SCRUBBED AGAIN. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. NOTE to Avice [/underlined]

Draughts with Brennen. Bed at 12.15.

Saturday 20

Up at 8.15. Bfst. EGG!!! Went down to flights. Bill arrived at 9.45. Nowt doing. Dinner. [Underlined] NO MAIL [/underlined] Sat in Mess. Snow again Bill came to tell us we could buzz off on a 48. Caught 4.13 from Thirsk. 9/5 & 2/9 5.13 from York. 6 ? from Seamer Brid 6.40. DRIFFIELD !!! 7.45. Back to B. Agnes on 8.26 which arrived 8.45. B Agnes at 9.5. Lissett 9.30 Rocked Avice out of bed. Supper in Mess. Billet 31/5.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Sunday 21

Up about 11. Shaved. Had dinner. 3/- for lot. Went to Mrs. Foster’s. Still B - cold & freezing. Cup of tea at Mrs. Foster’s. Cycled back to Lissett. Met Avice. Lashed bikes up & walked to Mrs. Foster’s. The two of us had tea in front room. Then sat round fire. Mrs. Foster brought bit of supper in about 10.30. Walked back. Picked bikes up. Bed at 1.15 (app)

Monday 22

Up at 11.0. Bfst. 9/- for bed, tea’s etc. Snowed in night nice & thick. Bad for cycling. Had din at Smokey’s. Cycled back. Saw [underlined] W/O [/underlined] Waites. Left Avice at S.S.Q. & went to Burton Agnes 1/1 (7d for bike & 6d for me) train to Brid at 2.25. Went to see Rose Marie Nelson & Jeanette. 2/2d coffee & spam sands. Train 7-10. Seamer 8.15. York [underlined] 10.59 [/underlined] Thirsk 11.50

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Tuesday 23

Camp 12.30. [/underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Read it. Bed at 2-0.

Up at 12.30. Just got lunch. No mail. Sat in Mess. [Underlined] Letter to Avice [/underlined] Went to see M.T.O. [Underlined] Bods been for car this AM!! [/underlined] Tea. [Underlined] Letter from Ma & In Law [/underlined] Reading papers. [/Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined] Went to see “The Canterville Ghost” Chls Laughton. Very funny.

Wednesday 24

Up for bfst. Washed in Mess. Fog & still freezing. In Mess all AM. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Had lunch. Met new B/A. Went to Radar Mov. Went on bench set a couple of hours. Crew got a 48. No mail at tea time. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Sat reading before writing letter.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Thursday 25

Up about 11. Shaved in the Mess. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Went on bench set for 2 hours in the mechs. room or workshop! Had tea. Could not get in picts. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined] Bing in “Going my Way” Some good acting. Supper, fire, letter.

Friday 26

Up at 12.15!!! Had dinner. Made appt with Dentist, 2.15 hrs on trainer. [Underlined] No mail all day. [/underlined] Tea, [underlined] letter to Avice, Henley’s, Violet & five letters. [/underlined] made fire. Posted letters [Underlined] Bed ?? hrs. [/underlined]

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Saturday 27

Up at 12.0 [Underlined] Letter from Ma. [/underlined]

Set Joe on with Dry Swim. Went to dentist had temporary filling in two front teeth. One at back to be done. Had tea. 2.30 hrs on trainer. More snow. Fire.

Sunday 28

Up at 8.30. Egg for bfst. On trainer for 2 hours. Lunch. Trainer No.I for 2 1/2 hrs. Lads been up flying. Couple of circuits. Tea. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined]

Went to see “Variety Jubilee.” Thought it wasn’t too bad. A very poor house of about a dozen.

[Page break]

JANUARY 1945

Monday 29

Knocked up! by Bob & Joe. Bfst. Put on XC. Nice trip but bags of panic. SCRUBBED as per usual. NO MAIL. [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined] Had lunch. Went to Rad Nav. to look at last logs. OK. [Underlined] STILL NO MAIL [/underlined] !!! Sat in mess reading. More snow, went to see “The Unconquering Hero.” A Good Laugh all round. Fire out at last. Took some lighting.

[Underlined] TEETH [/underlined] !! Tuesday 30

Up at usual 8.15 Bfst. Went & had teeth done. Front re-filled, back filled & 2 capped. Got chit to have front ones done. No flying. Lunch. No mail till late. Titch’s billet all PM. [Underlined] Letter from Ma & 2 from Avice [/underlined]

Some from Avice missing ?? [Underlined] Letter to Ma & Avice. [/underlined] In mess all evening.

[Page break]

JAN. – FEB. 1945

Wednesday 31

Up at 7.20. Bfst. XC. briefed Flt Plan started. SCRUB. Tried to get 48 but CI wouldn’t let me go. Had lunch. Went to Titches billet. No room to sit in our mess. Had tea. [Underlined] NO MAIL !!! [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Pipes all thawed out. ENSA play became “Amateur Night” Some good fun.

Thursday Feb. 1

[Underlined] Up at 5 AM [/underlined] ! Briefed at 6.15-30. T.O. 9.0 but didn’t get off till 9.25. H2S U/S Gone 15 mins & SI. eng U/S. Feathered. GEE now gone. Returned to Base. Did 1/2 hrs GEE with Joe. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Ma. [/underlined] Watched lads play cards. Tea. Saw “I’ll walk Beside You” Touching. Went to Staff Mess [Underlined Letter from Avice (Chingford) [/underlined] Went to our mess on bikes. [Underlined] Letter to Ma & Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Friday 2

Up at 8.15. Bfst. Flights didn’t want us. RAIN. No mail. Nav brief at 13.00. Put back to 14.00, but 2 routes. B’eye & XC, made complete flight plan for both. Had early tea. Went out to kite, 150 MAG drop. Kite we had yesterday still U/S too. Wrote & sent [underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] no mail for me all day.

Saturday 3

Up at 8.15 again. Nowt doing. Watched lads play cards all AM. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Avice [/underlined] (written WEDS.) Bill went to flights at 2-0. Didn’t see him again all afternoon. Just B-D. off. Lost 1/6 at cards. Had tea then went to see Abbot & Costello in

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] More rain & wind.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Sunday 4

Up at 8.15. Bfst then worked XC. Coffee & tongue sand’s. Not too bad a trip. Winds all over the place. Went over London & R’ham. Fried egg & [underlined] ham [/underlined] (boiled) for flying meal. Sat reading in Mess till 10.30. Bed just before 11.0.

Monday 5

Up at 8.15 again. Down at flights. YMCA for tea. Went to see yesterday’s effort. NOT so hot. [Underlined] Letter from Ma. [/underlined] Parcelled laundry etc. (gum & choc) [Underlined] Short letter enclosed. [/underlined] [Inserted] ok meal 14.30. [/inserted] Briefed at last for XC. Changed & just ready SCRUB. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined]

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Tuesday 6

Up at 8.15 as usual. Bfst. Nowt doing. Rain! [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Lunch. Meal at 4.0. so wrote [underlined] letter to Avice. [/underlined] Still raining. [Underlined] Parcel to Mum. [/underlined] & one for Jock. Scrubbed so went to see Ginger Rogers & David Niven in “Bachelor Mother.” Rather funny. Cocoa & biscuits in mess.

Wednesday 7

Up as usual. Bfst. Made [underlined] parcel up to Hanley’s. [/underlined] Had lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Hanley’s. [/underlined] Sent Parcel. Briefed & went in B – BAKER. Back at 11.30. Bed at 1.30.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Thursday 8

Up at 10.15. Lunch. [Underlined] 2 letters from Avice. [/underlined] Went to Nav section after [underlined] letter to Avice. [/underlined] Went over trip. Did some more of dry swim. Tea. No mail from Mum. Briefing at 7.30. Bags of cloud & ice probable. Got off 10 mins late. S/C about 10 late too. Got up through cloud OK.

Friday 9

Bed at 6.30. Up again at 12.30. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mrs. French & laundry from home. [/underlined] Clearance chit. Got a good few signed. Packed – BATH. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Rain & Wind Bed at 12.0

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Saturday 10

Up about 8.15. Bfst. Best Blue on. Finished clearing & got log book signed Got travel warrant. No mail. Transport to Thirsk 1.20 train to Leeds via York. 4-18 from Leeds. Taxi for kit home, (2/6d) Cycled myself. Dad home & in bed. Unpacked & re-packed bed about 1 or 1-30.

Sunday 11

Up at 1-0 just after news. Snowing. Cleaned battle-blouse. Went up to see Dad. Took Sallie to Station. She fell over & grazed her chin. Bathed hew when we got back. [Underlined] Letter to Avice [/underlined] Took Sallie up to see Dad. Sat talking till 1.30.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

[Underlined] N. CREAKE. [/underlined] Monday 12

Up at 8.20. Eventualy [sic] got a taxi. Took Mum P & P to Stn. Doncaster, Grantham. Met Boys at P’Boro, carried on to March, K’s Lynn then Heacham & Wells. Rotten b’s charged us 5/3 cash for bikes. Transport to Station. Had dinner in Mess. Collected blankets & sheets & went to billets In with “Nobby” & his crew.

Tuesday 13

Up at 9.30. Got chit & went round with it in pouring rain. Lecture on Flying Control. Unpacked a few odds & ends to get ready to go on leave. Cycled to Wells with Pick. Saw “Fanny by Gaslight” Got tight on Port in the Mess. Bob tight on whisky.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Wednesday 14

Up at 8.15. Filled leave form in. C.O. not in so got warrant etc. about 11.30 Had lunch. Lads took my bag to Fakenham in taxi. 2.43 to P’boro. 5.43 to Retford. Cycled from Sheff. Had to pay 3/- for Ret to Sheff. Home at 10.0. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Ted still here.

Thursday 15

Up at 5.15. Phoned station. Caught 9.25 to Leeds. Got my hair cut at last. Bus to Huddersfield. Trolley bus to Church. Got there just right. Taxi to reception. Went to Hilda’s home. Photos. Saw Ken & Hilda off & his Dad & brother. Set off back on 8-5 bus. Met Jim’s (L.M.P.O.) Train at 10.0. House at 11.30. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Mum H. Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Friday 16

Up at 9-15. Took tunics & Gt. Coat to Prices to have F/O braid put on. 5/- book of stamps. Met old “Henery” Had half pint with him. No 3 speed levers. New tyre 6/3d. & brake blocks. Had din & set about bike. Can’t get chain wheel off. Painted back mud-guard & put name on it. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined]

Saturday 17

[Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Didn’t get up till 12.0. Doc came to see P & Dad. U. Wilf rang up. Gnpa. called to see us. Finished bike (more or less) Went round Woolies for a few odd & ends. (Rhino – [indecipherable] – torch bulbs.) Collected one tunic & greatcoat from Mr. Price’s Did shoes with Rhino.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Sunday 18

Up at 1PM. Had dinner then went to Station & then to Mores. Had a bit of tea there Home then went to see Mr. More in hospital. Had tea at home. Sorted a few odds & ends ready for tomorrow. Went across to Dinn’s for an hour or so.

Monday 19

Up at 9-0. Train at 10.35 (SB 10.16) thro’ to Hull. 1.20 from Hull. Brid about 2.30. Toast & cakes at Royal Cycled to Lissett. Saw Avice. Went on to Mrs. Foster’s. Avice met me just in [indecipherable] Went to Smokey’s then to Brid. [Inserted] PUNCTURE [/underlined] Saw “Adam Had Four Sons”. & Vera Lynn in some “Night” or other. Fish & chips. Cup of tea at Mrs. Foster’s. Bed at 2-0.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Tuesday 20

Up at 10.0. Met Avice at 1-0. Cycled to Carnaby. Left bikes & coached to Hull. No train till 3-? so got bus to Brid & caught 3.18 from Bris. £5 from Bank. Had tea when we arrived in Hull. Went to Regal Cinema. 7.40 train back. Cycled from Carnaby to Brid. Had supper in Café on corner. Bed at 1 or 2 again.

Wednesday 21

Up at 10 to 9. Avice just missed bus & I would have only just caught it. Caught right one to Brid. & 12.20 to Scarbro’ saw old Fisher. Had lunch at Albert’s. 4/9d for Polyphoto Went to Odeon. Two pretty good picts. Pork shape at café? Went to dance at the Spa? Bus back. Sat on the Prom. Taxi at 11.30. Left Avice 12.15. Set off from Mess about 1-0. Arr. Hull [underlined] 4-15 [/underlined] ??!!

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Thursday 22

Tea & cakes at the canteen. Train at 6.10. Home 9.30. Packed Mum & Pat went to Stn with me. Sheff at 1.45. Best train at 3.20. Change. Lincoln & March then K’s Lynn & Heacham. Arr at Wells about 11-0. Camp at 11.30. Bed about 12.30. WVS & Army Capt on train from Lincs to March.

Friday 23

Up at 8.10. Bfst. Went to Flights. Got Nav. watch. Got locker with Joe. No harnesses. Went up after lunch & drew Nav. kit. Did an hour’s Loran. [Underlined] Letter to Ma & Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

FEBRUARY 1945

Saturday 24

Up at 8.30. Bfst. Back to billet to shave. Took flying kit to flights. Lunch. Sat reading in Mess. [Underlined] Letter to Avice [/underlined]

Joe “orderly dog.” Went to ENSA’s hour “Ladies in Retirement [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

Sunday 25

Dragged out by Joe. Did a bit of local stooging. Had lunch & early tea. XC. about 4 hours. Not a bad trip. H2S not so hot.

[Page break]

FEBRUARY-MARCH 1945

Wednesday 26

Up for bfst. Shave. Nav. Sect. Lunch. On battle order! at last. Had lunch. Short rest on bed in billet. Op. meal. Briefed. Bags of “no” gen. Just a nice trip, Gee all the way nowt to see (V-Vic.) Only a half. [Underlined] Letter from Ma [/underlined]

Thursday March 1

[Underlined] Rum & tea. Bed at 4-0 AM [/underlined]

Up about 12.0. Lunch. On the Reserve in T. Had to make out two routes & all routes for different points. Eventualy [sic] finished in kite. Got away on route No. 2. 6 1/4 hrs. Back at 11 PM. 3 eggs & bed. [Underlined] 2 letters from Avice [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Friday 2

Up at 12.15. Had lunch. Bill got a 48. Jim S/C at 2.5-10 & I followed at 2.15 Packed best blue, towel etc. Arr. Fakenham about 2.40. 1s/4d. Return to K’s. X & for cycle storage. Bill & Jim there. 5.44 from P’boro. arr 7.25 K’s X. Tube to L’pl. St. Enq. About trains. No. 33 about 8.55. [Indecipherable] in bed bad. Got into bed about 11.45 – 12.00.

Saturday 3

Cup of tea at 9.30. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Got up at 11.30. Washed & shaved. Wrote & posted letter. Walked around shops. Buzz bomb! Reading & talking rest of time.
Bed at 11-0.

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Sunday 4

Up about 11-0. Shaved [deleted] after dinner [/deleted] V2! Went to Petticoat Lane to Dog n Paw. Very interesting. Didn’t buy owt. Had dinner & sat reading. Packed after tea. Changed to battle dress. RAIN. Fine when I walked to Station. Train at 11.26 Lpl. St. at 12-0. Other train in so got in & made sure of a seat.

Monday 5

Left at 2.45. Norwich at 6.30. Left again at 7.20. Caught hold of Jim. Got out at Fakenham & fetched bikes from other station. [Underlined] Letters from Mum (2) Avice (1) Violet (1) Bank Statement. [/underlined] Had tea. Bill not back. [Underlined] Another letter from Avice. Letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Tuesday 6

Up at dinner time. Stand down but we are on fighter Affil. Kite U/S after messing about. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. & Pullover from Avice. Letter from Ma [/underlined] Went to see “Buffalo Bill” in Wells. [Underlined] Letter to Doris. [/underlined]

Wednesday 7

Up for bfst. Shaved. Flights about 10 or 10.30. Swung Oxbox. Dinner. Ops. on. Briefed & got off in V-Vic. Artificial Horizon U/S. & API doubtfull, [sic] so turned back. Had to stooge to waste petrol. Still no mail.

[Underlined] Letter to Ma-in-law. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Thursday 8

Up at dinner time. On Battle Order. Briefing 2.30. In V-Vic again. Up for 7 hours.

[Underlined] 4 [/underlined] eggs, my two & Joe’s.

[Underlined] Letter from Avice & Mum. [/underlined]

Friday 9

Up at dinner time again. Battle Order. Briefing 2.30. [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined]

On, off, reserve, & then on again!
Got off OK. Up for 5.50.

[Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Saturday 10

Up at 12.30. Shaved. Not on tonight. [Underlined] Letter from Doris. [/underlined] Bought car for £35. Paid mess bill. Went to Ensa. Pretty good show. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined]

Sunday 11

Didn’t get up till 10.30. Just washed, Nowt doing. Had dinner then had a look around car. Had tea then changed. Had dinner then sent [underlined] Log Book & Licence. [/underlined] also another [underlined] letter to the Care of ordnance Course College. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Monday 12

Up for bfst. Went to nav section. Read order book changed protractor. Had lunch. [Underlined] 2 letters from Avice. [/underlined] Tinkered with car. Cleaned inside up & had seats out. Had tea then changed. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. Also Miss French. [/underlined]

Tuesday 13

Didn’t get up till about 11.0. Bill gone to group. Went & got flask & torch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined]

Joe, Jim & I went to Wells. Took shoes in Had “egg” on toast for tea. Went to picts. Quite a nice film. Had few sandwiches in W.V.S. Cycled back. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Wednesday 14

Up for dinner. Battle order. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & to Avice. [/underlined] 2 routes. Took off & did [indecipherable] one. No diffinite [sic] gen. Saw main force bomb NE of Saarbrucken. Up 6.45 (F-fox.) Waited 20 mins for bus. Bed at 2-0.

Thursday 15

Up at 12.15. Not on tonight [Underlined] Letter from Avice, Statement from Bank. Letter & form from Insurance Co. [/underlined] Hair cut. Went & got times of flips. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to see “Goodbye Mr. Chips”. Another [underlined] letter to Avice. 2 letters from Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Friday 16

Up at dinner time as usual. Battle order. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Nice 7-hour trip for another damn half.

No mail from anyone when I got back.

Saturday 17

Up for dinner. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Battle order – Scrubbed. Compass swing in T. Didn’t get down till about 6.30.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice (?) Mum & Pam Violet & Bank. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Sunday 18

Up for bfst. Shaved then went to Dentist & had two front ones filled again. Stand down for us. Took plugs out, cleaned them & battery out. Cleaned terminals. Drop of petrol in, only 1 & 4 oiled up badly. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Doris. [/underlined]

Shandy with Bob.

Monday 19

Didn’t get up till 12-0. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Reading [/Underlined] Short letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Stand down. Had dinner then went for a shower. [Underlined] Parcelled gum & soap for Alec. [/underlined] Also [underlined] laundry to Mum. [/underlined]

[Page beak]

MARCH 1945

Tuesday 20

Up for bfst. Went to Nav Section. Swept up. [Underlined] No mail!! [/underlined] Run up after dinner in “Q” !!!! No mail at tea time Meal at 8.30. Ordinary R.C.M stooge. 6 hrs 50 from midnight to 7 AM.

Wednesday 21

Bed at 9-0 [deleted] or 10-0 [/deleted] Up for tea at 4.30 – reserve in an [underlined] unknown [/underlined] A/C. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Avice. Car Registration Book returned New cheque book & Gen from B.I.E.T. [/underlined] Meal at 9PM. “KIEL” window trip (reserve) V-Vic, at last. False alarm Got in ready but didn’t go.

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Thursday 22

Bed about 3-0. Up at 12.0 for dinner. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Going ride with Jim. Lost him so “FIXED” tyre up. Had tea. [Underlined] Letter from DAD & Mum. [/underlined] Had dinner then went with Joe to Picts in Wells. George Formby.

[Underlined] STINKING LETTER TO AVICE [/underlined]

Friday 23

Up for dinner. On battle order. Still no mail. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined] Window trip 5 hrs in V. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Bed about 2.30.

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Saturday 24

Up for dinner. No mail again. Cleaned front wheels & steering rods. Had tea. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Avice. [/underlined] at last. [Underlined] Letter from Mrs. Hanley. [/underlined] Went to ENSA Concert Pretty good show.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice, Mum & Hospital. [/underlined] Filled most of form in for B.I.E.T.

Sunday 25 [Drawing]

Up for bfst. Got 48 signed & petrol application. Took acc. to be charged up. Ed. Off. not in. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Rain after dinner.

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Monday 26

Up for bfst. Saw Ed. Offr. Went up to Section. Drizzle. Got petrol after seeing S.A.O. about altering HP. 8-10. Collected battery. Stand down so off I went. Left abut 2.0. Picked two Ludford lads up & took them to Sheffield. Home just after 8. Took Dad & filled up with petrol & oil at Mr. Hacker’s. Bed at 2.30.

Tuesday 27

Up at 20 to 7. Went & changed wheels at O & D. Bfst. and off at 9.25. Arrived on camp at 2.0. Ops on. Meet at 3.0. Window trip & bombing too. Just over 4 hours. Bed about 2-0.

[Underlined] Letter from Mum & Avice. [/underlined] Reply to THE letter.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Wednesday 28

Up at 12.30. No mail. Stand down. [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined] Sat in Mess reading. [Underlined] Letter from Sheff. Hospital. [/underlined] (can’t do teeth.)

Went to see Ed. G. Robinson in “Man & the Woman.” Went in the bus. She’d burned the 2 qts. of oil. [Underlined] Enrolment form & cheque to BIET. [/underlined]

Thursday 29

Didn’t get up till about 11.30. Stand down again. Took Joe, Bob & Jim to Fakenham then Bill to Wells & went back for Bob & Jim. Went to see “Ministry of Fear” Then back to camp. [Underlined] Letter from M & D [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Avice [/underlined]

[Page break]

MARCH 1945

Friday 30

Up at bfst. Dental officer on leave. Went up to flights Bags of lines about AOS & commissions. Ops on but we aren’t on. V-Vic air test. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined]

Went to see “Mark Twain” on camp with Bob, Joe & Jim.

Saturday 31

Dragged out by “Nobby” & “Pek”. Bill & Jock came down. Going to Norwich. No mail. Dropped Joe at Fakenham. Went to Dog Track. Not too keen. Had sos. beans & chips. Couple of half shandies. Then some fish & chips. Went round the fair. Set off back about 9.0. Back on camp about 10.10. Bed about 11.30.

[Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Sunday 1

Up at 11.30. Stand down. Sat in Mess reading papers [Underlined] Letter to Avice, Mum & Ma-in-law. [/underlined] Blowing like billio. No lights so no cinema. Oiled windscreen-wiper & took trafficator off. Bed by 9-30 BST 10.30 DBST.

Mended puncture & changed tyres.

Monday 2

Up for bfst. 8.15. Shaved. Tyre flat so had to have it off again, patch given way. Managed to get brake drum off washed wheel. Valve gone this time. Went to see “Double Indemnity.” With Jim.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice & Insurance Co. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Tuesday 3

Up for bfst. Went to flights [Underlined] Letter to Avice. Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Battle order

Scrubbed at the last minute.

Put trafficator back on car.

Wednesday 4

Up for bfst. Cleaned car all morning. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Violet. [/underlined] Battle order. Went to flights to run up. Meal at 3.30. Off at 7.50. Back at 11.30. (3.40) Nice N. Sea trip.

[Underlined] 3 letters from Avice. Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Thursday 5

Up about 9-15. Filled up. Washed & shaved then went to Walsingham with Bob & Jim. 2 qts oil & 2 gals petrol. 8/6d. [Underlined] Cover note from Ins. Co. [/underlined] Set off about 1-15. Dropped Joe at Boston & Jock at Retford. Took Bill to Sheff. Home at 7-15. Got washed & changed then went to see Pat. Went to see Gran & Pa. Miss Clayton there.

Friday 6

Didn’t get up till about 10. Went down with battle dress then to O & D. Had dinner then went to Mr. Hacker’s. Mended two punctures. Garage full.

[Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Short

[underlined] one to Avice. [/underlined]

Got floor boards out & a few more odds & ends of Jane.

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Saturday 7

Up about 10.0. [Underlined] Letter from Avice & Ken. [indecipherable] [/underlined] Got Jane stripped. Started after dinner on AYU. Percy Law came & gave me a hand. Got both engines out Cleaned 10 engine & body of AYU. Washed shaved & changed. Went to see Pat & to Gran’s.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Ted arrived.

Sunday 8

Up with Ted about 9.15. Work at 10.30. Gordon helped me to put engine in & cetra. No kick out of her. Home for dinner. Biked back. Gordon cleaned plugs. Started OK. Had to use Jane’s exhaust pipe. Brought Ted home with me. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Phone call from Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Monday 9

Up at 9.15. Got Car & Ins. Licences. Stuck holder on windscreen. Took Ted to Station. Went to O & D. finished stripping Jane. All but wires & dials. Home for dinner. Got dials & trafficator out. Set Arthur on to cut window. Gordon measured petrol filler. Had tea. Fitted door up. Changed & went to see Pat & Gran. Brought M & D & P back [/underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined]

Tuesday 10 [Drawing]

Up at 9.15. Took Dad to work. Got petrol cap fitted OK. Got Percy & Gordon 10/- each. Got battery off Arthur. Washed, shaved & change. also ate at same time Cheque £5 – just in time. Changed spare wheel. Set off at 3.20. Filled up at Jock’s (3 gals) no oil. York 5.25. Avice arrived 6.10 Had tea. Took her to YW. Found bunk for me, then went to see “Winged Victory.” Supper. Bed at 11.0. Polyphoto

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Wednesday 11

Up at 10.30. Washed & shaved. Had lunch then roamed around for a comb. Went round the Minster then sat beside the river. Went for tea & back to the river again. Spot of rain as Avice & I queued for “Mrs. Parkington.” Too late so went to Empire Corral Services discoveries & variety show. Supper & walk beside the river. Left her at 11.0.

[Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

Thursday 12

Up at 10.30 again. Shave & wash. [/underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

Lunch. Went round Museum – Very interesting. Especially the 19th cent Street in York. Met Avice at 5.0 had tea then went to see Mrs. Parkington. Not too good. Bed at 11.30 or so.

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Friday 13

Up at usual. Roosevelt [underlined] DEAD. [/underlined] Ordered 2 kites 21/-. Lunch. Roamed around then sat beside the river reading. Bought the carnations for Avice. Met her at 5.30. Tea. Picked out Polyphoto Went to Brid. Had supper then went to Lissett. FOG. Left at 10.15 Home at 2-0 AM.

Saturday 14

Up at 8.15. Packed. Fetched “AYU” & loaded her up. Gave Mum £1-5s for Pat & B.D. Card. Set off at 10.30 Battle Dress 3/-. 3 gals juice. Petrol trouble. Camp at 3-30. On Battle Order. Bill NOT back yet so scrubbed. [Underlined] Books from BIET. Letter from Avice & Pabey from Ins Co. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Order (2.12.9) to Rowntrees. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Sunday 15

Didn’t get up till 11.0. Just washed. Got junk ready to move. Had dinner then loaded car. Reading in Mess. Bob packed & we moved. Had dinner. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Read bit of chemistry book.

Monday 16

Up for bsft. Orderly Of. Guard Report. Rations. Airmen’s Mess. Ops on again. Made report about 5 Site. Inspected teas & made complaint about bread baskets. Report about that. Bill back. “Do” with W/O B - - ? about Bill’s bike.

Bed at 1-0.

[Underlined] Letter from & to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Tuesday 17

Up for bfst. Handed reports etc into Stn Adj. Went to Nav Section. Bill got 48 to get uniform. Inspected A’men’s dinner’s & baskets. Blooming Marshalling Officer. Took Bill to Fakenham. Got 3 gals juice. Dashed around for & with rations etc. [Underlined] Letter from Avice & to Avice. [/underlined]

Wednesday 18

Bed at 6 AM –

Up at 1-15. Got lunch after a bit of a do. Went up [inserted] to [/inserted] the flights. Went to Wells for shoes. NOT READY !!! [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Went with Jim & Bob to Walsingham. Had 3 shandies.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Thursday 19

Didn’t get up till 10.30. Went up to flights. Flat front tyre on bike. Had lunch. Valve gone. Rubbed car down & checked tyres. Filled battery up. Went to flights to see Jim. Had tea with Jim & dinner. [Underlined] Receipt from Rowntree’s. Letter from Mum Letter to Mum, Avice & Violet. [/underlined]

Friday 20

Up for bfst. Went to Honily in T. Had lunch there. Brought Nobby & crew back here. Stand down. Had tea then took Bry & Joe to Wells. Went to picts then had 3 Shandies. Supper at Bry’s place, very nice too. Back on camp about 11-0. Storm.

[Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Saturday 21

[Deleted] Up for [/deleted] Didn’t get up till about 10.30. Boys on air test. Didn’t get off. [Underlined] Letter to Avice.. [/underlined] Had lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Avice. [/underlined] Took the lads to Wells. Shoes not ready. No foolscap paper. Short XC with F/A. Used H2S for a bit. Supper & bed about 12.30. Changed billet to Bob’s place.

Sunday 22

Up just before 11.0. Raining, blowing & damn cold. Battle Order. [Underlined] Letter to Avice [/underlined]

Short window 4.30 hrs in P-Peter.

Saw nowt as usual.

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Monday 23

Up for lunch. No mail. Moved Bill to our hut. [Underlined] Lanc & Haly models arrived. [/underlined] Started cleaning up stand.

Still no mail at tea time. Ground reserve & 6 forms. Got off on No. 5. 4-15. Swapped G fox round with Loran. Bed about 3-0.

Tuesday 24

Up for lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Went to Wells for shoes. 4/9d done at last. Went down to the beach. Back for tea. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Had tea. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Bob Hope in

[Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Wednesday 25

Up about 10.30. Shaved & went to flights. Stand down & Bill gone to hospital. Swept corridor. No mail. Busy on aero’s & stands all afternoon. Had tea. [Underlined] Letter from & to Avice. [/underlined]

Changed. Had dinner then took Bill, Jim & Joe to Wells. Joe & I went to see Maria Montez in “Gipsy [deleted word] Wildcat.” Left WITH [underlined] OUT [/underlined] Bill & Jim at 10.45.

Thursday 26

Up for Bfst. Went to see D.O. Fixed up for next Wed. at 10 AM. Saw Smudge. Shall get railway warrant but no petrol. No mail. Cleaned George’s mud guard a bit. Then went to billet & cleaned model Hal. a bit more. [/Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Went on 6 bus to Wells. Saw “The Pearl of Death” Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. Had pint & half shandie then back on 10.30

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Friday 27

Up about 10.30. Bryant got passes for us. Filled them in. Had lunch. [/underlined] NO MAIL !! [/underlined] Went & filled up. Took Bry to Wells. No one in at Pub but he will call at night. Changed. Had tea & went to K. Lynn Saw “The Climax” with Susan Foster & Boris Karloff. also Margaret Lindsay “Lets Have Fun (?)” Two dances. Back in camp at [underlined] 3-0 AM !! [/underlined]

Saturday 28

Up for bfst. Took Bob to Walsingham. [Underlined] SNOW !!!! TEL TO AVICE. [/underlined] Went to flights after packing. Got warrant & ration card. Had dinner [Underlined] Letter from Avice & her mum. [/underlined]

Cycled to F’k’ham. Left bike at station. Caught 2.43. Row at Sheffield again as usual. Home at [deleted] 10.30. [/deleted] 9.45.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

APRIL 1945

Sunday 29

Didn’t get up till about 2-0 PM. Got busy with “Halie” again. Had tea & continued filing. Didn’t go out at all.

[Monday 30

Got up at 9.30. Shaved. Went to O & D. Put “kites” on every wheel. Percy gave me a couple of files. Went home for dinner. Went to R.G.S saw most of the masters. Got Mr, Aitcheson’s address off Miss Hawley. Saw Freddy. Mr. Johnson took me to see Mr. Atkinson. Went to see “Cook”. Busy filing again all night.

[Underlined] AVICE RANG ME UP. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Tuesday 1 [Underlined] ADOLF?? DEAD?? [/underlined]

Up at 9.0. Took Pat to school then went to Gran’s. Caught bus to town & saw Gnpa at office. Home for dinner. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Took letter to G.P.O. went on up to LMS Station to get times of trains. Took Jane’s log book in as scrapped. Fetched Gnpa’s car from Motor Co. for him. Bought Foolscap Cardboard Cover. Packed & then polished Hally up a bit. Shave & Bath.

[Underlined] BERLIN TAKEN !!!! [/underlined] Wednesday 2

Up at 6.10. Left home at 6.45. Town 6.50. T’Bus to Stn. 2/8d to Leeds. Arr. about 9-0. Went to Dentist School. Sat in chair from 10.30 till 12.30!! Is my BTM sore & teeth too. Matrix made Lunch (SDC) 9/10d return to Brid. [Underlined] Tel to Avice. Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Train to Selby. Hitched to Driff Train to Brid. Went to see “2000 Women“ again. Taxi to camp & back 12/6d.

[Underlined] ITALY TROOPS SURRENDED!!! [sic] [/underlined]

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Thursday 3

Up at 9.30. Bfst. Went out at 12.30. Lunch at Prom. Café. Roamed around – EARLY CLS. DAY. Went to see “2 MILLION SWEETHTS” & “Who killed the Blacksmith” Tea at Prom Café. Met Avice & went to see “The Hairy Ape” for the second time. Walk round the harbour. Supper EGG & CHIPS at Corner Café [Underlined] HAMBURG SURRENDED!!! [sic] [/underlined] Taxi to camp & back 15/- !!!!

Friday 4

Up at 6.0. Bfst. Train at 7.0.AM. Arr. Leeds 9.45. “THEY” got busy at 10.30 Finished at 12.15. Look OK. too. Feel funny. Ate & just caught 1-0 PM train. Arr. St. Panc at 6.45 Got away with ticket. Home at 7.30. Had supper & natter till 11 or so. Bed about 11.45.

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Saturday 5

Up about 12-0. Raining. Shaved. Avice out with her Dad. Went to Edmonton with Mum & Avice [Indecipherable] lighter & paper. Had tea then went back to Edmonton to see “Belle of the Yukon” Also had a good variety turn on. Home about 10.15. Avice tucked me in with bottle.

Sunday 6

Up about 1.30 PM. Bfst in bed about 9.30. Went in the wood by the bathing pool. Took 2 snaps of Avice & Bunky & one of Bunky. Avice took one of Bunky & I. Had tea then went to picts at Walthamstow. “Nelson Touch” again but still enjoyed it. Bed at 11.0 after Good Night kisses.

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Monday 7

Up at 8.30. 2 eggs boiled for bfst. Set off at 10.0 L’p’l St. at 11.0 - £2.17.5d for our tickets. Mum gave me £1 towards them. Train out at 11.50. Changed at Heacham. Wells at 4.45PM. Hitched to camp 2/- taxi. Drew cheque for £5. [Underlined] Letters from Mr. Dixon, Mum Avice & Receipt from BIET. [/underlined] 3 gals juice. Went to Cromer. Nowt to eat. Saw Bryant in Pub. Took me for cupatea. Camp at 11.15. Bob came in EARLY!!! (1.30AM)

Tuesday 8

Up at 8.10. Egg. Bfst. Joe back. Took Nobby & Co to Wells. A’s Mum at the Station. Went to Norwich. Another 3 gals. Had lunch then roamed around. Back to Wells for tea. Went to Picts. Missed both the PM’s & George’s speeches. Storm & TIFF Kissed & made up in the end.

[Underlined] V.E. DAY [/underlined]

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Wednesday 9

Up at 8-0. Egg again. Took M & Avice to Hunstanton then back to Wells. Packed then went down to beach. Had “farewell” hug & kisses on sand-dune. Train at 3.27 (Sun service) Camp about 3.40. Read papers. 3 – 1/2 pts shandy. Dinner. [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined]

Sorted B.I.E.T. stuff out.

Thursday 10

Up about 10.0. Went to section. Lunch. No mail. Paid Mess bill 16/1d Section again at 14.00. Roll call. Ban on flying lifted. Rhur [sic] effort tomorrow. Took Bob, Jack & Joe to Fakenham. Collected bike. Tea in Walsingham Shower. Went to Wells. “Kiss the Birds Goodbye” a bit RISCKY!!! Also Atrocity News Film.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Friday 11

Up for bfst. Battle Dress for a change. Flights Rhur [sic] scrubbed. Weather duff. Boys busy with George’s car roof. Lunch. [Underlined] No mail. [/underlined] Nowt on in afternoon. Got busy & fitted other rear light on “Belinda”. Wants “stop” switch doing up. [Underlined] No mail. Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Sat on bed & re-read Chemistry Book I-V. Bed at 10.30 & sat reading Drawing Book.

Saturday 12

Bob up at 6.0. I didn’t wake again till 10. Rhur [sic] effort on. Went to flights on bike. Jim back. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Nowt doing at flights. Went with Jim to Circus in Wells. Not too bad. Had dinner when we got back after couple of shandies. [Underlined] Did first Chemistry questions. [/underlined]

New nib in pen.

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Sunday 13

Up for bfst. Shaved. Went to show D.O. my “new” teeth. Missed Church Parade. Lunch. [/underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Fitted runners on left seat of car. Dinner Fixed felt on floor to stop draught. Put seat together & went to bed.

Monday 14

Bfst. Flights. Nowt doing. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Went to section then billet. Fixed saloon light & trafficator switch. Had tea then went to Norwich. Pub & Bed crawl Supper in Cove. Eventually got a bed.

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Tuesday 15

Up at 8. Had bfst. (7/6d) Left Norwich at 9.15 without other bloke. Camp at 10.30. Changed to fly with F/L. Ward in Z. Went to Brussels, Aachen, Cologne Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Bochum, Essen, Duisburg & back to Brussels. Also saw “Duren’s” heap of rubble. (5.45.) [Underlined] Letter from Avice, Violet & Bank. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Wednesday 16

Up for bfst. EGG again. Went back to billet to shave. Went in car to section. Nowt doing. Went to Mess. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to billet. Fixed trafficator Switch wired wrongly. Cleaned back out found glass for rear light. Went for dinner. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [underlined] Billet.

[Underlined] Draughted [sic] letter to Loughboro & Mr. Aitcheson. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Thursday 17

Up for bfst. Used car to go to flights. Rhur [sic] effort scrubbed. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Avice. Letter to Mr. Aitcheson [/underlined] On 1/2 hour’s link !!!!

XXX XXX Went to Wells. Shoes not ready. Went swimming had tea then went to pictures. Belita in “Lady lets Dance”. Some wizard ice skating. 3 x 1/2 shandies [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Avice & Loughboro. [/underlined]

Friday 18

Up for bfst. Cycled to flights. Sat around till 12.0 after getting passes & log book signed no mail. [Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined] Cleaned car with Bob’s help. Had tea & wrote [/underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Bryant showed me his DFM. Went with Bob to see Rita Hayworth in “Cover Girl.” 4 x 1/2 shandies.

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Saturday 19

Up for bfst. Picked Jack & Frankie up. Went to Norwich. Had lunch at Cove & went for Bill. Flat!!! Changed with Tich’s help. Went to dogs. Cheesed off so got busy with tyre levers. Mended puncture. 3 Civies put tyre back & helped blow it up. Tea at Cove. Went to picts alone. Saw Allan Todd & Loretta Young in “And now Tomorrow.” Supper at Cove Took “Bill” back to hospital [/Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined]

Sunday 20

Didn’t get up till 12.15. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Ma-in-law. [/underlined] Read newspapers till tea time & then till dinner time. Went to see Canadian Air Force show. Very good & almost clean throughout, for a change (Tyre Down!) Beer (shandy) in Mess.

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Monday 21

Up at 10.30. Shaved & went for hair cut. [Underlined] 2 letters from Avice. [/underlined] Went to flights. Wheel & tyre changing & roof repairing. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Read newspapers. Went to see George Formby in “He Snoops to Conquer.” Not so bad.

Tuesday 22

[Underlined] Letter from & to Mum & from Mr. Aitchison. Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Up for bfst. Weather duff. “Compass Swing!!! Lunch. Went to lecture by F/L Gibson on Resettlement – Release. Says should get Grant. Went to Wells with Joe & Bob. Saw “Stormin’ over Lisbon” & Charlie Chan in “Black Magic.”

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Wednesday 23

Up for bfst. No Rhur [sic] on. George on Base. Sorting Charts into separate drawers. Lunch. Went to Wells for Basic Ration Book & Jock’s bike. [Underlined] Letter from Avice & to her. [/underlined]

Dinner. Went & did some Geometric Drawing. Dam cold!

Thursday 24

Up for bfst. Shaved BEFORE too. Finished sorting charts. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Letter to Mr. Aitchison & Mum & to & from Doris. [/underlined]

Funnies in the Mess. Tea & dinner. Pictures full!!! Load bike on car & wheel. Had a go at whiper again Packed bag & trunk.

[Underlined] Bed at 12.00. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Friday 25

Up for bfst. Took Bill to Mess & Flights. He arranged kite to take him to Warrington. [Underlined] Letter from Ken. [/underlined] Picked Jock up & set off. Picked two of lads up. Took one to Lynn & the other right to Sheff. Dropped Jock at usual. Home at 10 to 7. (Left at 10 to 1) Gran T. & Flo at home. Mended punctures & put one tyre back. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Saturday 26

Didn’t get up till 12.0. P & P still in bed. Shaved. Fetched the “bus” Dick came for Jane. Fixed her up with [indecipherable] Had blow out on the way. Filled up with oil at Dick’s. Didn’t get till after 6 PM. Took Jane to bed after another wheel change. Went to the Empire & saw “Music in Manhattan.” Very Good.

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Sunday 27

Up at 9-0. Went with Mum to communion then went to Grans Had dinner at home. Raining. Went to Dick’s & emptied & refilled sump. Sun out at last. Home for tea. Didn’t go out again. Messed about with lamps. Drawing ops. on one chart. A bit too congested.

Monday 28

Up at 11.0. Mended puncture & sorted wheels & tyres out. Had dinner then took tyre to Shef.10/6 & might not be any good. Picked Dad up on way back. Went to Anna’s & Mary’s at Wickersley to dance. Didn’t have a good time. [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mrs. Foster. [/underlined]

[Page break]

MAY 1945

Tuesday 29

Up at 10.0. Cut privet at front. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] (expects to be moved!) Fetched car & went to Jock’s. Got “A” bulb & new front for WD lamp (6/6 & 3/-) Fetched Dad & got bracket made for WD lamp. [Underlined] Sent Tel to vice [/underlined]

Went to Elsecar to see Dad’s Aunt’s & Uncle’s. Home at 11-0. Ted home again.

Wednesday 30

[Underlined] Tel from Avice. [/underlined]

Up about 10.0. Finished packing. Put bike & wheel on back of “bus”. Took Mum to town Drew £5 & Mum got £7.10 for Savings Certs. for me. Set off at 2.15. Arrived at 4.45. Pushed it a bit too. (70 miles) Had tea & met Avice at 6.15 Went to see “Kiss the Bride Goodbye” again.

[Page break]

MAY-JUNE 1945

Thursday 31

Up at 12.0!!! Sat talking till 3. after dinner. Shaved & changed & had tea. Met Avice at 5.40. Picked a couple of bods up & took them in. Went to see “The Climax” with Boris Karloff & Susanna Foster. Again! Had sos & chips. Used my last E coupon for 3 gals.

Friday June 1

Up at 12.0 again. Cleaned buttons on tunic & shoes. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Did a bit more to “Hally”. Cycled to Lissett. Met Avice at bus station after hitching in. Went to see Judy Garland in “Meet me in St. Louis”, and “Strangers in the Night.” Fish & chips & Taxi back.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Saturday 2

Bfst in bed. Up at about 10. Shaved & put short pants on. Too cold for ‘em so put long ones on again. Met Avice at 2.30. Went & had lunch at Prom. Café then went to Scarbro. Booked seats for Concert Party. Roamed around. Had tea. Shower. Messed about with seats & ended up on 5th row in stalls. Back at Lissett about 10 to 12.

Sunday 3

Up at 11. Fetched Avice for lunch. Went down to Smokey’s & sat looking at the sea for a bit. Had tea then went to Brid. Saw “Brigham Young.” Story about the Mormon’s in America. Had fish & chip supper after walking along the beach & back by the road & prom. Camp at 5 to 11.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Monday 4

Up at 12.0. Cool & blowing [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Met Avice at 5.45. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to Regal to se Chls Boyer, Joan Fontaine & Alexis Smith in “The Constant Nymph.” Very queer but touching. Fish & chips after walk on the sands. Late pass.

Tuesday 5

Up at 11.0. Took acc. for Mrs. Foster. Polishing Hally. Met Avice in Brid at Bus Stn. Went to W. Gdns & saw “Her Primitive Man & “Singing Sheriff.” Fish & chips. Had a bit of a tiff but made it up afterwards.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Wednesday 6

Up about 9-0. Bfst down stairs for a change. RAIN again. Put bike & tyre on car. Fetched milk. Set off at 10.30. Given gal. juice by civvy. Home at 1.45. Went to Sheff. for tyre & took Dad. Went to see how drills are made. Tyre gone in two other paces. Put some canvas inside. A. Ella poped [sic] in to see us.

Thursday 7

Up about 9.45. Shaved. Read paper then went to O & D’s. Home. Changed wheel for repaired one. Put bike & other wheel on back. Packed bag. Had dinner & set off about 2.15. Cashed coupons at Mr. Hackers & got pint of oil. Left about 3.0. Had flat with repaired tyre. Left jack etc. I had to go back for em & look for tyre gauge. Had egg on toast in Walsingham [Underlined] Letter from Mum, Mr. Dixon, Mrs. Hailey.[/underlined]

[Page break]

[Underlined] 3 from Avice, one from Mr. Aitchison & entrance form from Loughboro also Chemistry papers returned. [/underlined]

JUNE 1945

Friday 8

[Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined]

Up for bfst. Went to flights Nowt doing. Had lunch. No mail. Went & did a spot of drawing. Had tea. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Had supper & went to flicks with Bob. “The Ninehundred” about Tito’s patriots also “For You Alone” Return from Malaya & eternal triangle.

Saturday 9

Didn’t get up till about 12.0. Sat reading in the Mess. Had tea then wrote to [underlined] Mum, Avice, Violet. Ken & Mr. Dixon. [/underlined] Had dinner & started messing with car. Put other horn on & re-wired for new headlamp.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Sunday 10

Stopped in bed till 12.30. Read papers all afternoon Had tea then went & [indecipherable] cut out on dyno on car. Dashed down for supper then went to see “Two Girls & a Sailor” with Harry James & Gord. Quite good & funny.

Monday 11

Up for bfst. Went & got [deleted] shaved [/deleted] haircut. Nobody in section. Picked bus up. No mail. Went to try for a tyre but no luck. No mail at tea time. Took Bob, Jock & Joe to Wells. Saw Dottie in “Rainbow Island”. Not so hot. A bit funny in parts. Bill back.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Tuesday 12

Up for bfst. Went to section. [Underlined] No Mail. [/underlined] Messed about with Log Markers [underlined] “new [/underlined] bus.” Went up to flights in it. Walked back for tea. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Letter to Mum & Avice [/underlined] Had dinner then went back to billet, found a small tool box. Put small mirror on car, & messed about generally [sic] [Underlined] Letter to Avice & Mum. [/underlined]

Wednesday 13

Didn’t get up till 10.30. Nowt doing. No mail. Messed about with tyre all afternoon. Still no mail. Fixed “STOP” switch. Put bit more tyre in, fastened horseshoe on front. Got tyre app form.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Thursday 14

Up for bfst. Got tyre form signed & gave gen inf about tours & dates also flying hours. [Underlined] B.D card from Mrs. Hanley. [/underlined] Took bloke to Fakenham (on leave.) Briefed for tonight. [Underlined] Bank statement, BD cards & letter from Mum, BD card from Gran, Letter from Avice. Letter to Mum & WROTE one to Avice. [/underlined] F/AO Bombing. Landed [Underlined] DOCKING [/underlined]

Friday 15

[Underlined] Bed at 2.45 [/underlined]

Up at 11.30. [Underlined] B.D. Card from Avice. [/underlined] Went up to section nowt much doing. Bit of rain. Bags of wind. [Underlined] Start P.S. to Avice to include with yesterday’s letter. [/underlined] Feeling cheesed off. Had supper then went to see “Bowery of Broadway.” Jack Oakie, Susanna Foster, Maria Montez & Lauren Bey. [Underlined] END OF LETTER TO AVICE. [/UNDERLINED]

[Page break]

June 1943

Saturday 16

Went for bfst. Nowt doing at flights. [Underlined] No mail all day. [/underlined] Helped George for a bit with his car. Had wash & changed!!! Went for tea. Took Douglas & his B/A to Wells to see “Meet Sextant Blake” with David Farrar as S. Blake. Came back for dinner. Got a bit tiddley in the Mess.

Sunday 17

Up about 11 or 11.30. Went for dinner. Read papers. Changed inner tube in D. tyre. Can’t get [deleted] nut [/deleted] stud out of lock axle to check oil. Put some on brake cables. Messed about with petrol gauge. Still N.B.G. Went to see “Hangover Square.” Quite good but creepy.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Monday 18

Got up at 12.0. Shaved. Went to section. Nowt doing. Went & had tea in Wells then went to see Gary Cooper & Ingrid Bergman in “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” Not bad.

[Underlined] Letter to & from Mum & Avice. [/underlined] Bill back.

Tuesday 19

Up for bfst. Nowt doing again. Had lunch [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Went down to beach. Sun bathed then went for a swim & sun bathed again. Tea & cake in WVS. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Had dinner

Did some Geom Drawing till 11.0.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Wednesday 20

Up for bfst. Still nowt doing. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined]

Went sunbathing again. Helping S/Ldr Knight with his NEW Austin till 11.30. [Deleted] Letter to [/deleted]

Thursday 21

Up for bfst. Went to flights. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & A [/underlined] Had lunch. Briefing for X.C. & F.A. tonight. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum [/underlined]

Met briefing. Started up. X.C & F.A became F.A. only. [Underlined] Up for 1/2 hr in S. Up in AM for 1/2 hr in W [/underlined]

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Friday 22

Up for bfst. Rhur [sic] tour. in W. Took Jack Witton with us. Up for 5.15hrs. Had tea & supper combined [Underlined] No. MAIL. [/underlined] Put floor back in car & went for a short run.

Went over Mr & Ramsgate. Gasometer on fire at R’gte.

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Saturday 23

Up at 11.30. [Underlined] Letter from Mum Avice & Permit. [/underlined] Went to Beach. Had to use can of juice. Took shoes to another cobbler. Had swim not much sun. Had tea at WVS then went to see Tommy Tinder in “Fiddlers Three.” Came back & had supper Changed & went to dance in Walsingham.

[Underlined] Another letter from Mum [/underlined]

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Sunday 24

Up at 11.30. Had lunch then went down to beach. Sunbathed then had a swim. Sandwiches & Pop. More swimming. Back for dinner. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined]

Read papers.

Monday 25

Up for bfst. No tyres for a month. 2gals & pint oil no gear oil. [Underlined] Letter from Violet (THRYB). [/underlined] Nowt in Nav. Sect. Had a look at G’g’s tyre. No hole. Went bathing – sun & water. Tea at W.V.S. Went to picts & saw “Two Yanks Abroad” & “Danger in the Mists” Not bad. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

[Drawing] Tuesday 26

Up for bfst. Went to flights Checked Nav. kit. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Helped George with his springs. Bags of panic on Tannoy. Exercise on! [Underlined] Letter to Avice [/underlined] Tried to get some sleep. Bryant woke me up at 11.0 Just as we were dropping off.

Up at 2-0 AM. [Underlined] Short letter to Pam. [/underlined] Briefed. 10 [indecipherable] & ground reserve!!!!!!

Wednesday 27

[Underlined] Scrubbed! Bed at 6-0. [/underlined]

Up at 12.0. No mail again. Read papers. Do on again. Sat around billet Shower. Went for tea. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Avice. Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Helped Bill Knight all evening till 11.0. Got Austin running OK.

[Page break]

JUNE 1945

Thursday 28

Up for bfst. Shaved. Took Depo to Fakenham. Got “paints” for George. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. [/underlined] Had tea – changed & went to see camp show – “The Merry Monahans.” Pretty good. Went to dance afterwards Bed at 1-0 AM.

Friday 29

Up at 9.45. Went to section. Nowt doing. Had lunch. NO MAIL. Air Test in X for 20 mins (T/O 1438.) Exercise expected. Tea & still NO MAIL. Tannoy – Wakey, Wakey at 3.15. Bfst. 3.45.

Bed at 9.45 PM. –

[Page break]

JUNE-JULY 1945

Saturday 30

Up at 3.15. Bfst. Flt Plan & Scrub at 5.45. Won [indecipherable] rations! Bed at 7.0. [Underlined] Letter to mum (in bed) [/underlined] Up at 11.15. Meal at 12.00. Flt Plan – rations – SCRUB again. NO MAIL. till tea time – [underlined] from Mum. [/underlined] Went to Ensa show. Some good turns too. Had dinner. Bed about 9.30 or so Made laundry up.

Sunday July 1

Up for meal at 9-0. Prs. in X 150 mag drop. Went in P for Nobby. Bags cloud & ice. No joy on GEE. MTB’s & MFB’s. RTB in the end. Cloud & rain. No mail being Sun. Phone for Bob. Bed at 11.45. Battle order for tomorrow.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Monday 2

Up for bfst at 8.45. Flight Plan – SCRUBBED! Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. Letter from Avice. [/underlined] On at 7.15 put back to 10.15. Just got in queue & it was scrubbed. Got meal in the end. Bill & Nobby played Table Tennis till 11.35.

[Underlined] Sent laundry home. [/underlined]

Tuesday 3

Up for bfst. Section at 9.20 meal at 11.0. Stand by in Mess. Rush at 12.15 to Briefing Room. Took off at 14.15. Should be 14.05 (Xray U/S again & swapped to P.) [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] (before Briefing)

Up for 5 hrs. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Back to billet after odd hour or so.

[Underlined] Newsletter from Mr. Dixon. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Note to Betty re battle dress pants [/underlined]

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Wednesday 4

Bfst. Briefed. Put back an hour. T/O in X at 12.40. Recce for 4.10 hrs. Left early 18.15 [indecipherable] U/S & W/T U/S. Flew kite for about 3/4 hrs. Home at 7.30 Meal. [Underlined] 2 letters from Mum. [/underlined]

Betty mended battle dress pants.

[Underlined] Letter to Ma. [/underlined]

Thursday 5

Up for bfst. Briefed for attack on Fredericia with Main Force Went for lunch. Car conked. No juice!!! Biked down & back on borrowed bike. Took off at 2.45 Saw a Lanc – from Ludford. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Friday 6

Up for bfst. Nowt on at flights. Bags of bods posted. Sorted Gee sheets etc. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Avice. [/underlined] Went to Fakenham Got gear oil & 3 gals petrol. Took Jack & pal to stn. & Jim & Nobby for haircuts. No more mail. Filled gear box. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

Saturday 7

Up for bfst. Stand down till Monday PM. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Went to cricket match. Had tea in Walsingham. Helped a bit in the kitchen & in bar [deleted] at [/deleted] under the [indecipherable] Fetched & Took Bill’s babes. Took 3 mess girls for a ride round.

Bed at 3.30-45.

Bob & Bill in at 4.20.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Sunday 8

Up at 11.45 for lunch. Took Jim & Jimmy – Eva & Margaret to Wells beach. Wizard sun, swim & tea. Ran around for a drop to eat & drink for supper. Bed at 11.45. Put the girls out at WAAF Site.

Monday 9

Up for bfst. Haircut. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined] Shave. [Deleted] & haircut [/deleted] Took “Doc” Murray to Station. Got form to renew licence then went to beach. Back for tea. Read papers. Supper then went to Pictures Not a bad film Had the odd beer or two. Paid mess bill.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Tuesday 10

Up at 9.45. [Underlined] Posted licence application. [/underlined] No one wanted me in Accts. No one in Section. No mail. Went with Peck (Johnnie), Marg & [indecipherable] to Norwich. Carl for tea then to Pictures. Bath [Underlined] FLAT TYRE [/underlined] Good Supper at Cove. Stopped by Special in civvies – said I was driving without due care & attention. Bed at 11-45. [Underlined] Letter from Mum [/underlined]

Wednesday 11

[Underlined] Letter to & from Mum. [/underlined.

Up for bfst. Nowt doing in Nav. Section. No Mail. Collected [underlined] Reg. Pcl. From Mum. [/underlined] mended two flats & filled one or two tyres. Tea. [Deleted] To [/deleted] Another flat! Took Bill, Jim, Johnnie Peck to Forgan & Mary & Blondie to Walsing. Took Nobby to Langham Rtd. at 2.15 AM. Bed at 3.0.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Thursday 12

Up at 9.45. Just washed. Flying scrubbed. Sorted Gee Reports out. Lunch. [Underlined] NO MAIL. Letter to Mum & Violet. [/underlined] Sat in office till 3-45. Tea. [Underlined] NO MAIL. [/underlined]

Went to camp show “Ghost in the House.” Quite good. Sneaked into Signals Party.

Friday 13

Up at 8. Bfst. Got Rhur [sic] efforts going. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Davis R. [underlined] Took girls to station then flew to Finningly, Ringway & Abingdon. [Underlined] Another letter from Mum. New licence & log books Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Saturday 14

Up for bfst. Cleared F/O. Clark & started clearing myself. No mail at all. Handed Nav. Kit in. [Underlined] Bank Statement. [/underlined] Took bloke to Fakenham for 2 gals juice & some oil. [Underlined] Start letter to Avice. [/underlined] ENSA Show, Dagenham Girl Piper’s Very Good. Entertained them in the Mess afterwards.

Watch back one hour.

Sunday 15

Up for bfst. Went to flights. Locker Room locked up. Put new contact on dyno cut-out and rewired spot light. Went on beach with 2 Jim’s & Finnymare. Came back for dinner. Argued till 11.0 PM on all sorts of subjects.

[Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Monday 16

Up for bfst. Finished clearing. Filled in petrol application. Packed kit & took it to billet. [Underlined] Two letters from Mum. [/underlined] Took petrol application in. Helped move [deleted] d [/deleted] charts out of Nav Section. Packed personal kit in trunk & for leave. Greer Garson in “Pride & Prejudice”. Very Good. [Underlined] Another NOTE TO AVICE. [/underlined] !!!!

Tuesday 17

Up for bfst. Shaved after & finished packing. Got petrol coupons. 24 gals Loaded car. Got [underlined] letter from Mum. [/underlined] 5 gals in Fakenham. Let off at 1-0. arr home 7-0. Took Bob to Lynn & Joe & another chap to Boston road. Sgt. from [indecipherable] to [indecipherable] & Lt. Coln to [indecipherable] 2 lads to Sheff. Took Pat to C.D. Dance at Assembly Halls.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Wednesday 18

Up at 10.30. Got busy on tyres. Pint oil. Dinner. Pam at home with sprained ankle. No tyres at Depot so left permits. Got a rear light bulb. Fetched Dad home. Went up to Dick’s. Got 3 cam-rods & a Jack. Home again at 9.30. Cleaned Jack up a bit.

Thursday 19

Up at 9.20. Soldered bottom of petrol tin & eventu got it water tight. Mended shoes & put rubber heels on best. Cleaned & put polish on car – RAIN !!! Took family to Mrs. Rosa. [Underlined] TELEGRAM – RECALL!!! [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Friday 20

Up at 10.30. Went to bank. Put in & took out £10. Gave Mum £2.15. Cleaned rabbits out. Let off at 2.30. Stopped at Lynn for an hour. Picked WAAF up for Messing. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Avice. [/underlined] Went to see Joe at Cranwell.

[Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice [/underlined]

Bed at 12.45 AM.

Saturday 21

Up at 9.30. Went to Nav. Sect. Saw George & got the gen. Astro watch been finished. Had lunch. Put a bit in tyre & put piece of stuff across to protect inner tube. Had tea & went to Wells with Geoff Clark. Late supper on return. Read papers etc & had couple of shandies

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Sunday 22

Up at 9.30. Too late for bfst. Nav. Section at 10.30. S/Ldr. AP.M. Sgt & Cpl & U/T F/O. Eng. arrived about 10.45. Clark made his statement. Made mine after lunch. Had bind about petrol & warrants. Clark got his warrant OK. Try for petrol tomorrow. FIXED?? Tyre. Went to see Belita in “Lady Lets Dance.” Mended !!! tyre again. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined]

Monday 23

Up for bfst. Tyre flat again. Packed bag etc. Went for petrol, got 17 gals. No one in Nav. Section. Saw George. OK to go on leave again Got new ration card. Took Nobby Clark to Lynn & Norman to Boston Home at 7.30. Went to Hacker’s WITHOUT tyre!! Home at 10.30.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Tuesday 24

Up at 9.15. Went to Hacker’s & mended tyre also topped others up & got 4 gals juice. Loaded car up with wood etc. Took Mum to town Set off at 2.30. Arrived 5.30 [Underlined] AVICE POSTED LAST FRIDAY [/underlined] Unloaded at Mrs. Fosters Had bacon & 2 eggs. Set off back at 7.45. Home at 10.15.

Wednesday 25

Ip at 9.15. Took Pat to school then Dad to work. No con-rods at Ford Depot. so can’t do big end. Got 9 & 11/10 rod for gudgeon pins. Stuck rubber seals on best shoes. Went for a run out Roche Abbey way & Tickhill. Read Wild West before bed. Gran M. not in.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Thursday 26

Up at 12-0!! [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Went to RGS. Sports Day. Took M & P to High School to fetch Pat & books. 4 gals petrol from R’ham Motor Co. Had tea then went for a run to Kilnhurst. Passed Gran M. on way. Went to Green Lane then to Swinton to Senior’s. Stopped till after 11.0. Home at 11.40.

Friday 27

Took P & P to School then went to Gran’s. Got permit for Gran for extra milk & eggs. Went to S P & T. Eventualy [sic] got “paid.” £8.15s. Went off to O & D. Saw Gordon Got Allen key ground to fit back axle. Went for a run round Maltby, Conisbro’, Mexbro’, & Swinton. Called at Gran’s on way back.

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Saturday 28

Up about 10.0. Took change to Sects (£8.10s.) Banked another 10. Gave Dad 7.5 for carts. Got petrol for tomorrow. [Underlined] Sent TEL to Avice [/underlined] Went to K. [indecipherable] for tomatoes. Called at No 8. Went on to Roche Abbey. Had tea & walk round. Pint shandie with Dad & Gnpa. Packed. Bath.

Sunday 29

Up about 10.0. Did DI & loaded up. Had dinner & set off about 1-0. Arrived Witchford about 6.0. Found SSQ & Avice. Went short run. [Underlined] Broke engagement. [/underlined] Left about 9.30 with ring in my wallet. Picked Clark up at Lynn & also took two women just outside Lynn. Camp at 12.30. // 2 Shandies

[Page break]

JULY 1945

Monday 30

Up for bfst. [Underlined] Collected photos from P.O. [/underlined] No letters in Mess office. Tried for petrol. No coupons. Big parade for APM, Early tea. Got to wait till tomorrow now. Greased car round. Supper then went to show with Cec. Bob & Joe. “This is the Life.” – Susanna Foster. Seen it before. A few cutting scenes. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

Tuesday 31

Up for bfst. Saw adj. Loaded car & went to Foulsham. Got gal. petrol coupon to go. Went to see 192 Adj. Tea. Unpacked. Supper. Went to camp show “Mrs. Parkington.” Greer Garson & Walt Pidgeon.

[Underlined] Letter to Mum & Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Wednesday 1

Up for bfst. Sat in Mess reading. Went to gen talk by S.O & Adj’s also went to see E.V.T. officer. Lunch. Read papers. Game of billiards. Drew nav. kit before lunch. Sat & watched cricket match for a bit. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Doris Ryall. [/underlined]

Went to see Abbot & Costello “In Society.”

Thursday 2

Up for bfst. Shaved. Went to flights. Filled leave pass in. Got ration card. Walked back with Owen & Sam. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Changed & went to W. Raynham to cricket match. Sing-song in pub at Fakenham. 1/2 pt cider in mess on return. Packed for leave.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Friday 3

Up for bfst. Went back to billet. Fetched Bill’s kit then loaded up. Went to Creake. Had lunch & tried to find some blankets for bed. Parade & short service in hangar. NO TEA. Scrounged a couple of cups & some sandwiches & left ‘em to it. Took Nobby to Lynn, Walker to Bawtry & Bill & Curly home. Bed at 2.0AM.

Saturday 4

Up at 6.30. Took B & C to Westgate Stn. Unpacked. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Read papers [Underlined] Note to Bank. [/underlined] Went round town with Mum & Dad. Had tea then went to Dick’s & Mr. Hackers. Scotty arrived after tea.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Sunday 5

Up at 10.30. Went with Dad to O & D. & made “doings” for dyno. Dinner then tried fitting dyno. Hole a bit out. Went to Dick’s Out again. Storm. Had tea then went to Gran’s.

Scotty told me about Avice going out with Paddy.

Monday 6

Up about 10.0. Went to Dick’s & got hole drilled. Kev’s Dad took wrong sizes. Went to Grandpa’s. Had 2 + 1/2 pt. Shandies. 3 Land Army girls in “Park.” Fixed Dyno at last. Tea, Fitted cut out switch. 25amp charge with both dynos on together. Took car to bed & Sallie for a walk.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Tuesday 7

Up at 9.30. [Deleted] Took wheels to Dick’s. Can’t fetch M & D P & P back. Carried on [/deleted] Went to Scotts & met with Sal Bottle medicine for her. Loaded up after [deleted] going to No 8 [/deleted] dinner Set off at 2.45. Saw U. John, Cath, Barrie & Gran T. at [indecipherable]. Arrived at 6.0 PM on the “Pip.” Had tea then went down to have a look at the sea.

Wednesday 8

Up about 9.30 again. Bfst. Walked to [indecipherable] & eventually got down to beach. Lunch at 2.0. Ran down to Chitter. Had a swim & tried to sunbathe. Bit too windy. Had late tea at 7.0. Went into Brid. Quite crowded too. Home at 10.0.

[Underlined] Letter to Bill & Joe. [/underlined]

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Thursday 9

Up about 9.30. Went to beach. Rain & wind. Dinner. Sat & read books till tea & after tea. Going for run but car wouldn’t start. Got it going eventualy [sic] but too late to go for run.

Friday 10

Up at 10. Blowing but sunny. Went to beach & sat in car. Did a bit to Lanc. Had dinner then went on beach. Made “wind shield” to cut N. wind out. Bags of sand blowing .

[Underlined] WAR OVER IN JAPAN [/underlined]

[Underlined] Not official yet! [/underlined]

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Saturday 11

Up about 9.30. Went down to beach. Had swim & sun bathe. Lunch. 4 gals juice. Went to Brid. Bus just left. Chemist, pint oil. Picked Dad up on lane. Went round village. Tea. S/C at 7.15 Went Lissett way. No “Hikers” at all. Home at 10.15. Petrol out of can. Supper at Grans. Bed at 1. After reading papers.

Sunday 12

Up at 9.30. Read paper. Bill & Mum & Dad both rang me up. Put watches in “hole”. Went for car. Mrs. Dryden in a fix. Rats or mice in lounge. Took A’men to Bircotes. S/C at 1.15 Camp at 7.15. Went round Norfolk from Lynn to Fkm. 153 mls. “Cobra Women” Maria Montez Jon Hal & Sabu. Bags of “bush.” [Underlined] 2 letters from Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

[Drawing] Monday 13

Up for bfst. Returned for a shave. Went to Nav. Section, [inserted] Mae West, Chute & Harness [/inserted] Adj. Disap & “A” Flt. Cmdr. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to Nav. Section & Synthetic trainer & Nav Section (Stn.) Tea. Changed for dinner. Went to see “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.”

[Underlined] V.J. DAY [/underlined] Tuesday 14

Up for bfst. Flying with F/L. Hood ferrying kite from Creake. Saw Eve & Mimi in Acrew mess. Bus to Creake. Scrubbed. Saw Marg & Emy in Mess. Made date with them. Changed Picked Molly, Eve & Mimi up & went to Creake Went down to Wells. Saw “Greenwich Village.” carried on to faire & then to Walsingham faire Rtd. at 11.0.

Attlee broadcast [underlined] “Peace in the World.” [/underlined]

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

X Wednesday 15 X [underlined] Gnpa. [/underlined]

Shave. Bfst. Went to Fkham to cash cheque. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] None from her yet. Lunch. Went to picts to see “Eternaly [sic] Yours”. Loretta Young & David Nivilan [sic]. Had tea then changed. Went for dinner. Had 3 shandies. Dance not so hot. Took 3 Creake girls to Creake & had a good dance. Back at 2AM!

Thursday 16

Up for lunch! Took the Girls & Johny to Creake Went in to Wells then show on camp. “The Mask of Demetrios.” Very slow but good. 2 x 1/2 pt in Mess then went to Dance in NAAFI. Do in Sgts. Mess 3 girls a bit under & very well under. Foulsham to Creake & back to Foulsham.

[Underlined] Letter to Gnpa. [/underlined]

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Friday 17

Up at 10. Ferrying on but nor reqd. Changed. Had early lunch. RAIN. Went to Creake. Picked Emy & Marg up. 3 gals juice in Fknm. Had haircut (1/6d) Took an hour!!! Went to see “[deleted] The [/deleted] To Have or Have Not.” Humph. Bogart Rather good. Heart to heart with the two girls.

New Basic petrol book.

Saturday 18

Up for bfst. C.O’s parade scrubbed for flying. Application to keep car on stn. put in. [Underlined] Letter to Mum, Doris & Avice. [/underlined]

More rain. Messed with dyno Had tea. Changed & went to Reepham to Dance. Had some chips & a couple of shandies. Got back about 12.30.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Sunday 19

Up at 8.15. Church Parade. Not reqd. for ferrying. Had read papers. Got busy with a bit of chemistry at last. Went to a show Brazil. Not so hot. Saw Marie & Mim.

Monday 20

Up for bfst. Got pr. shoes & 4 towels. Nowt doing for me! so read chem book & played patience. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. Two from Mum, one from Dad, P & P. [/underlined] Went to pictures on camp “The Hour Before Dawn.” 2nd time of seeing. Franchot Tone & Veronica Lake. [Underlined] Letter from Doris. [/underlined]

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Tuesday 21

Up for bfst. Went to section. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Letter to Doris [/underlined] Read papers. Went up to section again. Fetched photos from Photo Section. Watched cricket match. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Had supper then went to Reepham to dance with Peck.

[Underlined] Phoned Marg & saw Joan [/underlined]

Wednesday 22

Up for bfst. Went to section. Ferrying from Creake to here. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. [/underlined] Bags of rain Took Bill & “trio” to Creake. Had tea. Took Connie & lad also Margie to Hunstanton Roamed around & went to see ”Under the Clock” Judy Garland.

Left Bill at Creake Camp at 5 to 12.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Thursday 23

Bfst. Ferrying Creake to Here. Kite U/S so went for lunch. Brought it back OK after lunch with Non Melie & crew. also brought negative of Sqdn. Crest. Ordered 3 x deg copies for lads. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. Letter from Doris. Rapid reply & later a longer letter. [/underlined] Went to see William Bendix & a few others in “Hostages” Very Good.

Friday 24

Bfst. as usual. Ferrying in afternoon. Crew photo. Lunch. [deleted] no mail [/deleted] [Underlined] Letter from Joe Welsh. [underlined] Went to Creake for kite. 15 mins again. All ranks dance in Gym.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Saturday 25

[Underlined] B.D. Card to Dad. [/underlined]

Up as usual only a bit earlier. Washed my feet. Clean socks & underwear. C.O’s parade. [Underlined] Letter from Mum [/underlined] Car to Norwich. Left it at County Court. Had lunch train at 2.15. 17/10d for ticket [Underlined] Telegram to Doris. [/underlined] Arr 5.45 Doris not there. Got room at Red Shield, Iwers Road, S.K. Went & found Doris’ billet. Went up town. £1.13.3d for dinner (60/- for bottle of wine so said “NO.”) Tube back. Left at 10 to 3. Arr 10 past. Nice little walk.

Sunday 26

Up at about 10. Lunch on Doris near Marble Arch. Went round British Aircraft Exhibition. Tea at place near by. Went to see Betty Hutton in ”Incendiary Blonde”. Quite good. Had bit of supper in flat. Bags of thinking on both our fronts. Left at 2 AM.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Monday 27

Up at 7.45. Met Doris at Montreal Bank. Cashed cheque for £5. Bought two shirts £3.5 & 14 coupons. Had salad lunch. Rtd to hotel after seeing Doris on her way to work. Went on tour of L’pl St. Simpson’s for ointment. No watch strap. Eileen, Mum & Nan at home. Had tea there Eileen gave me watch strap & Nan receipt for ring. Late getting back Doris wrote letter to Syd. Went for a walk around. Left just after 11-0.

Tuesday 28

Train in at 12.15 AM. Pulled out at 2.40. Norwich at 6.0. Camp at 7. [Underlined] Two letters [indecipherable] from Mum. [/underlined] Had an hour in bed. Bfst. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to flights, nowt on so sent for a swim in mill stream. Lunch. EVT lecture. Sleep on bed. Tea. “Dragon’s Teeth” Quite a good film about China. Changed & had dinner. [/underlined] Another letter from Mum. [/underlined] Bed at 9.30.

[Page break]

AUGUST 1945

Wednesday 29

Up for bfst. Shaved??? Went round [indecipherable] Air test & air to sea. Went to Grimsby, S.O.S, Mablethorpe & Skeg. Vis lousy. Homed on GEE Down to 200 ft to find drome (hr1.05 mins.) [Underlined] Letter from Mum, Norah & Parish Chch. [/underlined] Lunch. [/Underlined] Letter to Mum & Norah [/underlined] Had tea then went to picts. “Make your Bed.” Damn silly but good. Bed at 9!!!!

Thursday 30

Up for bfst. Lecture on DRC. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Letter to Mum & [deleted word] Avice. [/underlined] Went into Foulsham to cash last coupons. Bags of rain. Had tea. Went back to billet. Was pestered by Peck & Co to go to Dance. Gone in in the end.

[Page break]

AUGUST-SEPT. 1945

Friday 31

Bfst. Nowt doing in section. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum [/underlined] also cheque for £20. [Underlined] Request for new book. [/underlined] Lunch. Went to EVT for Gen Know lecture. Got list of lectures for future use. Had tea & supper in battle dress. Sorted kit out in trunk.

Saturday Sept. 1

CO’s parade. [Underlined] 2 letters from Mum. [/underlined] one enclosing [underlined] note from Avice. Letter to Mum [/underlined] after cleaning & polishing car. Changed & went to dance at Reepham with Jimmy & Johnny. Met Cath for first time.

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Sunday 2

Bfst at 9.10. Church Parade & Communion Read papers. Lunch [Underlined] Letter to Doris. [/underlined] Went for swim at Mill. Back for tea. Went to show “Patrick the Great” Usual story of big actor, new young lady, promising son etc. [Underlined] Letter to Avice. [/underlined] Peck doing logs.

Monday 8

Bfst. Went to flights at 9.45. Rhur [sic] tour with Nobby King. T.O. 11.30 back at 3.30 PM. Took 3 or 4 chaps from Creake & a waaf. One lad out of N.C. Off. Mess. [Underlined] NO MAIL. [/underlined] Mess Bill [Underlined] 12/6 Telephone calls!! [/underlined] Only made one call. Went to see “The Fifth Chair.“ Will Bendix, Don Ameche etc, etc, etc.

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Tuesday 4

Bfst. Nav sect. Went to SS4. Saw accident tween car & cycle. Not fatal. [Underlined] 2 letters from Mum. Election card. [/underlined] Lecture on Resettlement also Maths (logs) lecture. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to dance in Reepham.

Wednesday 5

Bfst. As usual. Cleaned office up a bit. Air test in G-George. (35MIN.) Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Guestwich to fetch bat woman’s bike. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to picts. Bing Crosby in “Paris Honeymoon” Quite good & funny [Underlined] Parcelled laundry at last. [/underlined]

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Thursday 6

Bfst. Rhur [sic] Tour with Bill. (4.15hrs) 2 waafs & 2 airmen. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Replied to same. [/underlined] Went with Peck & Jimmy to Reepham.

Friday 7

Bfst. Ferrying to Edzell. Went in Hally & came back in Fort . Got negative of 199 Sqdn. Crest. [Underlined] NO MAIL. [/underlined] Took Bill & 3 girls to Creake. Went to Picts. Saw News reel of Parade also “Sea Hawk with Errol Flynn. Quite good. Crew photo printed OK

[Page break]

[Boxed] * MUM [/boxed] SEPTEMBER 1945

Saturday 8

Up for bfst. C.O’s parade inspected by Sqdn,. Cmdr. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Read papers [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Lunch. Went to village. [Underlined] Got & sent card to Mum. [/underlined] Had tea. Did a bit to Lanc & watched Jimmy do his shield. Dinner. Eventualy [sic] found Cawston Manor & Had a good time Bed at 1.30 M!!

Sunday 9

Didn’t get up till 11.30. Lunch. Read papers. Joyce pressed blue for me. Went to Swannington after dinner. Wandered round peri-track & runways. Found Off Mess & Gym & Kath all ready there Back to billet at 2 AM.

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Monday 10

Bfst. Briefed for Schleswig T/O about 11.0. Took Drs, stuff not ready got lift to town & billets after getting load & changing 10/- to 20 marks. Bryant & self roamed aroundtill feet sore. Met Bill & Bob. Went to RAF Stn for dinner. WIZARD too. Soup; fish; steak, cab, roast & boiled spuds, carrots & sweet! A few ports & a bottle 10 Mks (8/-) Bed at 10 BST 11 C.G.T.

[Underlined] Letter to Mum from Schleswig. Beer & STINK [/underlined] (Seaplanes)

Tuesday 11

Up at 8.30 (7.30 BST.) Bus to Drome. Met duff. Bfst & bus back to town. Tried for picture. Got another 10 Mks. & went back. Got it for bar of choc (2d – 7M.50F – 3/9.) Bought 10 pict. DC’s for 9M50F. Left 2d & 3d bit. Daughter spoke a little English. Sat by lake for a bit. Glass milk & cake in “Malcom Club.” Bus back. Met duff but took off. 2.45 or so, RF25. U/S. Honed at 2-300ft Went to dance with Jack & Jimmy. [Underlined] 2 letters Mum & Newsletter from Clifton [/underlined]

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Wednesday 12 30 Secs Tokio

Up for bfst. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to flights Bill on cricket. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Filled leave book in & got petrol form & had is signed by adj. Bill cricketing. Car sticky again. Had tea & bath. Took Kath to Aylsham. Saw “30 secs over Tokio” Spencer Tracy. Ran out of juice. Pushed car to a garage – pub & got some. Bed at 2.30

Thursday 13

Bfst. [Underlined] Letter from Doris. [/underlined] (in leave box.) [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Bags of rain. Nowt from Mum. Got petrol app. Signed by Sqdn. C.O. Went to dance at Reepham. Took Kath home. Brought Jimmy & Jack back.

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Friday 14

[Underlined] Letter to Mum & Doris (13 pgs) 2 Letters from Mum. [/underlined] Went & had tooth put back then went up to section. Lunch. Went to SHQ for petrol coupons then went round Horsa, Warwick (lifeboat) Ju 188 Typhoon & Mosquito. Tea. Changed. Took Kath & her sister to Swannington then Camp pictures. “Fugitives at Large”. Alan Holt. Gangster effort.

Saturday 15

Bfst. C.O’s parade. NO INSPECTION. Went to sections then I went off to Fham for petrol for tomorrow. [Underlined] Letter & parcel from Mum. [/underlined] Nowt doing in SNO. Eventualy [sic] got Rlwy war. & ration card [underlined] s. [/underlined] Went round Lanc & Hangar. Took two chaps to see Gee & H2S. No tea. Shaved & had dinner. Went to Reepham. Had a few words with Joe. Bed at 2.30 AM!!!!

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Sunday 16

Bfst. Packed & loaded. S/C at 10.40. Took Bill & Jock. Had dinner & got gears at Sleaford. Arr. Sheff at 4.40 PM. Train for Bill at 5.5 & Jock after 8 PM. Home about 5.45. Unloaded bike etc. Saw rabbits. Gnpa & ma for tea. Got busy on short in Gnpa’s car. U.E. & A.E. called. Bed at 1 AM Gave mum port & towels for B.D. present.

Monday 17

Up at 10.30. Gnpa here to see us. No spring for his car. Took “motor” to stn. 3/10d. Fetched bread. Took Sallie with me. Got busy & greased round & dug flints out of tyres. Mr. Dixon called to see us. Washed, shaved & changed. Pam cleaned buttons. Went to Dance. Had good time. [Underlined] Letter to Kath. [/underlined]

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Tuesday 18

Up about 11.30. Lunch after starting on bike. Got cotter out OK but can’t budge crank. Went to O & D for some oil, parafin [sic] & grease. Moved crank!!! but can’t get it off. Banged, hammered, filed & twisted it off & my thumb, with Dad’s help. Sorted Mum’s & Avice’s letters.

Wednesday 19

Up at 10.30. Took spindle out of crank & sorted balls out. 2 smashed. Got two new pins for back brakes on car. Ground spindle down to fit chain wheel. Fitted it on return home but cone too loose. Fitted pins on brakes & attempted spot light. Went to Jock’s to ask about valves. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Avice. [/underlined]

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Thursday 20

Up at 8.30. Took Dad to work also bike & bits. Got busy & took head off & de-coked it. Bags of carbon. Eventualy [sic] got sump off. Had lunch with Mr. Carpenter. No 1 big end bad. Changed it. Also checked tothers [sic] No 4 not too good but will do. Cleaned rods etc up a bit. Ready to put sump on now.

No mail from Cath.

Friday 21

Early again. Got sealing wax & pen nibs. Only half gasket for sump, no pins for wheels. Finished cleaning & oiling springs. Put sump back. Collected £sd from SP & T. Fetched qt. oil from down road. Cyl. head gasket leaked so had to put on again. Filled up with oil & water & started up eventualy [sic]!!! One plug not working. [Underlined] Letter from Cath. [/underlined] Went to Gnpa’s. Got couple of lugs off him. [Underlined] Letter to Cath [/underlined]

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Saturday 22

Up at 8.30. Took Dad to O & D. Got busy on dyno fixture. Did it all but having bit taken off fully. Dennis arrived when we got home. Gnpa & Ma called at 3. Got off eventualy [sic] at about 4. Went to Sherwood Forest. Couldn’t go & see Major Oak. Out of Bounds. Had tea & came back. Got to No 8 just after dark. Home at 11.0.

Sunday 23

Up at 11.0. Mended ? Pat’s puncture. Helped Dad with Shelter. Got a bit of the end out. Went down to O & D for pulley & to take Percy Lowe & Whiting up towards home. Hanna & pals came to tea & had a bit of a sing song. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined]

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Monday 24

Up at 11.0. Read paper & [underlined] letter from Cath. [/underlined] Got busy on brakes. Took nearly all afternoon. Fitted dyno on & its OK for the moment. Fetched Dad from O & D in my “muck.” Went to dance at Wickersly with Mr. D. P & P. Gave Dad £38 cheque for £11.10 for 20 certs.

Tuesday 25

Up about 10.0. Did my shoes. Read paper. Went to Gran’s for case for shed Took shoes to Timsons & went for Dad. Took him to Station then went to Jock & Dick’s. Got some oil off Dick & returned Jock’s con-rods. Uncle Wilf [inserted] came [/inserted] for tea. Went up to Hanna’s for evening. Returned at 11.30. Mary gave me razor & [indecipherable].

[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Wednesday 26

Up about 9.0. Packed a bit Went to O & D for bike Not done but brought it with me. [Underlined] Haircut [/underlined] Had 2 cups of tea with Mr. Carpenter. Loaded up. Took Mum to town. S/C about twenty to 3. Arrived at 5 to 8. Dinner. [Underlined] Letter from Violet & Bank Stmnt. [/underlined]

Put bike together. Lads arrived at about 10 or 11.

Thursday 27

Bfst. Nowt doing. RAIN. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Lunch. No Mail. [Underlined] Letter to Mrs. Hanley & Doris R. [/underlined]

Gave RLWy warrant in. Unused.

Nowt doing in afternoon. Went to Dance at Reepham didn’t get to bed till 3-0.



[Page break]

SEPTEMBER 1945

Friday 28

Up for bfst. Naval movmnt op WORK!! New gen on M/F fixes. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & note from Avice with ring Letter to Mum. [/underlined] In Nav. off. all afternoon. Had tea & went for bath. Worked late. Went to Aylsham to see “Kiss the Bride Goodbye.” Got back to Cawston about 9.45. Showed Cath the photos. Gave her one of me in café. Bed at 2 AM.

Saturday 29

Up at 7.45. Damn cold & damp. Roll call. Insp. by Sqdn. Cmdr. Went to billet & did some Chemistry!!! [Underlined] Letter from Mum & P.C from Ford Depot. [/underlined] Read papers. Collected fire wood. Shaved in Mess. Picked Cath up at 6.30. Went to Cawston Social. Red X do. Finished about 11-0. Bed at 2.0.

[Page break]

SEPT.-OCT. 1945

Sunday 30

Up at 8.50. Bfst. Church Parade. Sat in mess & wrote [underlined] letter to Mum. [/underlined] & read papers. Tried to do some Chemistry Had sleep. Tea late. Washed & shaved. Arr. at Cawston at 7.45. Tea & cake. Went to dance at 9.0. Stayed till 12.0. Bed at 2.15.

Monday Oct. 1

Up for bfst. I/C Nav Section. Messed about generaly. [sic] [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. [/underlined] Did Chem problems. Had tea & changed. Cawston at 6.30 Cath got to go to Red X Lecture. Sat at home & read paper. Went for Hellen not on train. Fog. Left at 12.30. Fog gone.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Tuesday 2

Bfst. Sorted a few maps out for myself. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum [/underlined] Collected maps. Messed about with landing Cat. Went fit lead light. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Tea. Washed & changed. Went to Aylsham. & saw “Slam Business.” Bed at 2.30!!!

Wednesday 3

Bfst. Short talk by C.O on Watton. Maps again [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum Letter from Doris. [/underlined] Tearing old logs & charts up. Tea. Washed & changed. Cath’s at 6.45. Red X lecture again. Bed at 1.0 AM – improvement!

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Thursday 4

Bfst. paper tearing. Went to Watton. Late lunch. Mess Bill (£2) [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Mucked out a bit in Section. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Tea then went to see “Prisoner of Zenda.” Quite good. Washed & changed. Took Johnny to Reepham & went to Cath’s. Didn’t go out. Bed at 1.0AM.

Friday 5

Bfast. Air Test. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. [/underlined] Ferrying Scrubbed. Went to Watton with load. Back tor tea. Cath’s 6.45. Went to Swannington to see Humph. Bogart in “To Have & Have not.” Left at 12.30. Party just finished in Mess.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Saturday 6

Bfst. Run up then trip. Scrubbed. Bags of Ribbon off “winds” Went over after lunch. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. [/underlined] Cath’s at 6.30. Went to her pal’s wedding party, had pretty good time. Bed at 2AM. Watch back an hour.

Sunday 7

Didn’t get up till 12.15. Went to Cath’s for tea. Dance at Swannington. Dead loss. No one there & darn cold. Bed at 2. AM.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Monday 8

Bfst. Nowt doing so came back to billet & did bit of sorting out & packing. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. [/underlined] Went on scrounge for some juice. Tea after shave. Kay Keyser at cinema Changed for dinner. Cath’s at 9.15.

Tuesday 9

[Deleted] Bfst. [/underlined] Didn’t get up till 10.15. Paid mess bill & got clearances finished. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Pam. [/underlined] Lunch. [Underlined] letter to Mum [/underlined] Went scrounging petrol. Packed bag then went for tea. Cath’s at 6PM. Went to see “Make your Own Bed” at Swan’ton. Bed at 12.0. at Mrs. Budrey’s.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Wednesday 10 [Drawing]

Cath woke me at 8.50. Bfst. then went off in van. Back for tea at 5.30. Had tea & usual [underlined] “fight.” [/underlined] then went to Aylsham & saw “Twilight Hour” also a Dogwood effort. Camp at 2.0.

[Underlined] Photos from Avice [/underlined] but no negatives.

Thursday 11

Bfst. Packed & loaded up. Full to top. Fetched coupon for juice & set off. Took about 45 mins. Booked in. Unloaded & fixed billet up. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Sorted kit out & furniture. [Underlined] P.C. to Bank, Letter to Mum Cath, Avice & Doris. [/underlined]

Bed at 11.30.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Friday 12

Bfst. Parade at 9.45. Few words by G/C Willis. Went to F.Ham to clean up Nav. Section. Had lunch there. Came back at 3PM. [Underlined] Letter from Mum P & P. Letter to Mum & Violet. & Cath & Pam. Bath. [/underlined]

Saturday 13

Bfst. Jock Barren going on leave. Few “brushes” with O’Leary Deputy Nav Ldr. [Underlined] Letter to & 2 letters from Mum. [/underlined] Messed about with boiler for ages. Finaly [sic] got off at 4PM. Got licence in. Dereham. Cawston at 5.15. No one at home. Vera & Cath came a few mins later. Joe arr’g Norwich 11.PM. Went to fetch him. Ride for an hour or so. Train early so missed Joe. Bed at 12 PM.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Sunday 14

Up at 10. After Cath dragged me out. Bfst. Messed about till lunch. Went nutting for chestnuts on Peter’s bike. Joe went at about 5PM. Sat around reading. Bed at 1 AM.

Monday 15

Up at 7. Bfst at Cawston. Camp at 9 AM. Went to flights in car. Nowt doing except cleaning up section. Lunch [Underlined] No Mail. [/underlined] Went to section (s) roamed around. Tea & still no mail. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Went to dance with Johnnie.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Tuesday 16

Bfst. Flights. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined] Filled leave application in & took to Central Movements. Got Car & bike forms. Filled em in. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum. [/underlined] Applied for petrol & fixed forms up for bike & car. [Underlined] Letter to Loughboro [/underlined] Dinner. [/Underlined] Letters to P & P. [/underlined]

Wednesday 17

Bfst. Went to flights. Usual amount of work. Went round kite checking on H2S etc. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Cath, Mum & Mr. Dixon [/underlined] Went to see about petrol Had to write another letter a bit stronger. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Missed camp post. Changed for tea. Took Bill, Bob, Les & Dick to Norwich. Peck & I went to picts. Saw Hedy Lamarr & Paul Heinrich in “The Conspirators” also “G.I. Honeymoon” Back at 11.15. CRAZY

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Thursday 18

Bfst. Messed ahout. Went down to Watten for haircut. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Left section about 3. Took box for fire wood. Cleaned car & polished same after tea. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined] Post went before 3.50. Turned bur round & did back. Changed tyres for a bit better one & messed with wiper. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

Friday 19

Bfst. Went to flights. Had look in locker & got flying times. Had look at H2S trainer. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Cath, Mum & Pam. [/underlined] Flights. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined] SNO’s office. Bath. Changed. Tea. Set off about 5. Got 1 1/2 galls juice. Arr. 6.15. Rough House!!! Didn’t go out.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Saturday 20

Bfst about 10.30. Cath fetched me. Messed about all day till tea time. Took Vera & Cath to Reepham to dance. Joe came down on bike. Brought him back.

Sunday 21

Bfst at 10. Up before Cath!!! Chick for dinner Messed with wiper & cleaned inside out. Tea. Took Joe to Norwich Train at 10. so went to picts. Laurel & Hardy in “Jitterbugs” & E.G. Robinson in “I am the Law!” RAIN!!

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Monday 22

Up at 7. Cath called me. No X. Bfst at 7.45. On the road at 10 past 8. Camp at 9.5. [Underlined] Letter from M. & Cath [/underlined] Ready changed, got bike & went to flights. Hours wanted & ops. XC. briefed. Early lunch. SCRUB. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Mum Letter from Mum & Calendar from Loughboro. [/underlined] Discussion in Section on teaching. [Indecipherable] on Pecks bike. Putty!! Supper Fixed loop on dyno. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Mrs. Hanley. [/underlined]

Tuesday 23

Bfst. Rain. Went up to section. No flying. Read TM’s till 11.0. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Section. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Mum. [/underlined] Went to EVT Bod & got some gen also collected 10 coupons for leave. Had tea & wired insp. lamp up for car. Dinner. Listened to news at 9. Kit sorting for leave.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Wednesday 24

Bfst. Very dull. Rained. Moved map chests. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Lunch. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined] No one in section. Went to billet. Fitted plug on insp lamp & on car. Tea. Cake hauling after “lifting” box for rabbits. Dinner. [Underlined] Letter to Mum [/underlined]

Did lesson III of Chemistry

Thursday 25

Bfst. Late! Nobby playing patience. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Cath & Mum. [/underlined] Lunch [underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Packed bag. Pouring with rain. Went to Fham Had two near misses. Cath at Red X Exam. Still bags of rain.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Friday 26

Up at 7.0. Bfst at 8.0 Camp at 9.50!! Loaded up & got on way at 10.30. Bags of rain & wind got wrong road at Watten. Dropped Johnnie at K. Lynn. Had lunch at Sleaford. 3lb. pears 3/-. Gal juice. Still blowing & raining. Out with family to picts to see “Waly Time.” with Anne Zeigler & Webster Booth & Richard Tauber.

Saturday 27

Quick bfst at 11.30. Went to see Elsie Storey married Spoke to Mr. Dixon & Joyce Richardson & her young man (Sgt. 14th Army.) Took Pam to Music Lesson. Took crank out of bike. Helped Dad with hutch. Took bike to O & D. Brought Percy Lowes & Stan Brab. to town. Got gal juice. Picked Mum up in town. Stuck sabs on shoes. Went to Gran’s. Bed at 2.0 AM.

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Sunday 28

Up at 10.30. Fetched car & got two spares off. Took tyres off. Cleaned & painted 3 best rims. Dinner. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined] Put new tyres on & blew ‘em all up. What a job too. Tea. Messed about with switches & landing light. [Underlined] Letter to Elsie. [/underlined]

Monday 29

Up about 10.30. [Underlined] 2 letters from Cath. [/underlined] Put switch on for lead light & made heater switch ring. Also put trafficator together & drilled & painted it. Poured with rain all day. Went to Dance at Wickersly

[Page break]

OCTOBER 1945

Tuesday 30

Up at 9.30. Fitted heater ring & altered head light switch. [Underlined] GNPA gave me 2 gals. [/underlined] Painted roof. Filled a few holes with Bostic & put some “draught excluder2 on doors. [Underlined] Letter from Cath [/underlined] Took Dad to Chadwicks, then went to Hacker’s. Ran out of juice. Fetched wood & Dad from work. Dad [indecipherable] by me made small insp. lamp. Made some fire works. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined]

Wednesday 31

Up at 9.45. Packed bag Fetched car & changed wheels Packed odds & ends inside Set off about 11.30. No spare petrol anywhere. Lunch at Sleaford. No pears Got spare gal at F’ham. Went via Foulsham to avoid traffic. Arr. 6.10. Shaved with interruptions as usual from Cath. Both lost tempers. [Underlined] Letter to Mum [/underlined]

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Thursday 1

10.0 o’clock as usual. Put trafficator on & had glance at dyno. Did spot of mixing! Changed & went to camp. Car bad starting. Took Cath, Marg & Dad. Got changed & went into Norwich. Went to Cove & then to see Phyllis Calvert & James Mason in “They Were Sisters”.

Friday 2

Up about 10.0. Put windscreen wipers on, two together. Car wouldn’t start so Cath & Marg pushed a bit. Went & got 3 gals juice to improve the paraffin. Went to Norwich then on to Betty’s. Had tea & played cards Locked to [sic] car up with keys inside so had to cut the chain. Home about 12.0. Bags of rain.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Saturday 3

Up about 10. Put new lamp holder in rear light on bike. Had to earth front lamp. Fixed insp. lamp up that Dad made me. Went to Norwich after dinner. Roamed around & bought new chain. Saw Bob & Les. Had tea at Haymkt. Went & saw “Dillinger” & “Twice Blessed.”

[Underlined] 2 letters from Home. [/underlined]

Sunday 4

Up at 9.30. Bacon & egg bfst. Filled [sic] bit off trafficator to free it. Fitted switch on dash & “backing light” on back. Puttied round ventilator to keep rain out. Went to Norwich. Picked Joe up on our way in. Saw Kay Keyser in “My Favourite Spy.” also “We Meet Again” for second sitting. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Joe locked me out so woke Cath & slept in chairs.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Monday 5

Dad up at 5.15. 2 cups of tea. Cath up at 7.15 another cupa. Vera up later & another cupa twice. Another with Hellen & Marg then one before I left. FTB!! [Underlined] Letter from Mess Bill & BIET. [/underlined]

[Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined] Rations. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Garage TAKEN by [indecipherable] Bed at 10.30.

Tuesday 6

Up at 8.10. Bfst. Flights. Gee XC. T/O 11.10. Airborne 3 hrs. Joe did bit of Gee for about half hour. Down at 2. Lunch in A/mns Mess No Mail. Car wouldn’t start so had tow. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined]

Fixed dyno. Needs new brush. Went short run to pep battery up. Head lamp bulb gave on “full.” Bed at 11.0.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Wednesday 7

Lousy bfst. H2S. X.C. H2S U/S so used GEE. Only up 2.20. Had lunch in our mess. NO MAIL. Made log book up & took it down to flts. Went in car for some stamps. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined] Did bit of Handicraft Drawing. Bed at 10.15.

Thursday 8

Up for Bfst. Fixed up to take 2 lads to Norwich & on to Cawston. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & two from Cath Letter to Cath. [/underlined] Witnessing officer on pay parade in No I & III hangar. Picked lads up at gate & 3 more. Nice big load. Caths at 5.30 – 6PM. Went to Aylsham & saw “The Agitator” Rather queer but Good. Bed at 2AM.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Friday 9

Up at 5 to 7 without being called. Bfst & off at 10 to 8. Picked lads up at 25 past & on camp for 9. Did Taff Owen’s “0.0.” Nowt unusual as yet. (8.30PM.) [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Mrs. Dixon & SPT. [/underlined] Sat in Adj’s office & ans’d his phone & C.O’s. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Mum [/underlined] Party in mess. Went to Curly’s room.

Saturday 10

Up at 8.0. Got flag up OK in end. Bfst. Gave Key to Ast. Adj. & handed over to Warner. X wind again Ferrying tomorrow! so No Church Parade. Took Curly to Norwich. No Mail. Got 3 gals juice & 3 pints oil in Nwch. Had tea & went to picts in Norwich. Sonya Heni. Bed at about 2!! Picked Joe up on way back.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Sunday 11

Up at 10.0. Bfst. Put 2 gals in. Had ammeter out & cleaned terminals. Changed door straps at back & put lock catch on offside one. Went to Heydon Memorial Service. Had tea & went to Haymarket Cinema in Norwich. [Underlined] Tears. [/underlined] Bed at 12. for a change.

Monday 12

Up at 7.10. after Cath called me. Left at 8.40. Camp at 9.40. Flying scrubbed. [Underlined] Letter from & to Mum from Cath. [/underlined] (written in section.) Got changed & put g’tcoat on. Caths at 5.30 affn. Went to dance at Cawston. Left at 11.45. with some of the lads from Swannington & Valerie. Bed at 1.30.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Tuesday 13

Called by Cath at 8!!! Slice bread & cup cocoa for bfst. Left at 10 to 9. Camp at 10. to 10. Nowt doing except lecture for A/B’s. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Took Peck home. Met wife & people he is staying with. Little girl took to me OK. Retnd. & changed. Car in garage. Conjuring tricks by Sports officer. Bed at 9.30. Sleep at 10.0

Wednesday 14

Up at 8.0. Bfst. 55 mins air to sea. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Ma. [/underlined] P.T. & basket ball. Tea. [Underlined] BATH Letter to Cath & Mum. [/underlined] Went on scrounge for juice. Had spot of supper in YM in Swaffham. Shave at 10.30. Bed afterwards

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Thursday 15

Bfst. Frost in night. Flights. Not flying. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Had look at Kira’s bike £2/10s but not so hot so don’t think I’ll bother. Got changed etc & went to Nwch & Cawston. Didn’t go out so drained rad. Bed at 12.0? or maybe 11?

Friday 16

Up at 7.15. Tried car at 7.45. No joy. Stuck till 10.15. Tow by beet lorry. Cost me 4/-. Got to camp at 11.30. Not flying thank goodness. Saw F/Lt. Yates about seeing A.O.C. tomorrow re – Gee map. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & wedding cake from Elsie Storey. [/underlined] Got rods for car & wired them up. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Saturday 17

Bfst. Went to flights then to see A/C. Weston. He got [indecipherable] on plane & I was held for 3/4 hr. Had to ring up “Maps” for a set of the World. [Underlined] Letter from Cath & Mum. Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Picked up Harry. Got drop of “aqua” & set off for some eggs. Stuck an hour with petrol pump Caths about 6. Went to 2nd house. Aylsham. George Brent & Hedy Lamarr.

Sunday 18

Up at 10.10. Cath just getting up. Helped Joe with tyre and started my head light. Finished after lunch. Did path before lunch & helped Joe again after lunch with another tyre. Took gang less Marg to Norwich. Joe went for train we went to Haymarket to see Sonja Heni in “Lovely to Look At” (1933!!!)

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Monday 19

Up at 7.15. Took Cath & Hellen to Norwich. Didn’t see Harry. Not flying till 1.30 PM. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Violet. Bank stmt [/underlined] 1.25hrs flying. Gee Homing & SBA. Had Elsies wedding cake. [Underlined] Letter to M & Cath. [/underlined]

Did some woodwork drawing.

Tuesday 20

Bfst. Nowt in Nav. section. Went to SHQN. Maps not arrived. Made up topo for local area. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] SHQN. Haircut. Gave Harry 2 gals back & 10/- Took car out garage & put close to house. [Underlined] Letter to Mum, Cath & Elsie. [/underlined]

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Wednesday 21

Bfst. Sat around in section. Went to SHQN. Maps not arrived as yet so rang up Command again. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Went & watched F’ball match & hockey. Dyno’s won 4/3. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Got bus going. New bloke in billet. Too foggy to go out. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined] Supper, Geom. Drawing.

Thursday 22

Bfst. Rain. Went to section. Nowt doing. SHQN. Maps arrived so got busy. Penciled [sic] circles in for areas. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Section & SHQN Put circles in in coloured pencil. Went to see A/C. Weston again. Wanted local map. 6” – miles. Had to order some over phone. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined]

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Friday 23

Bfst. Posted letters. Bags of organising to buzz off. Went to SHQN. Took Les to Thetford. Went to Mkt. for a few eggs. Got a “few” 3!!! Got some petrol & had lunch in Swaffham Didn’t get changed to go to Cath’s. Put car in Mr F’s shed. Didn’t go out. Bed at 12.0.

Saturday 24

Got up at 10. Fetched bus. Petrol pump NBG. Had look at it. Sucks OK. Pipes clear. Cleaned round a bit. Spare wheel rubbed. Had one of whipers [sic] to pieces. Battery topped up Took M. to Norwich for glasses & some apples. Saw Bry. Went to Aylsham & saw “Between Two Women” & “[indecipherable] in Hollywood”

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Sunday 25

Up at 10. Trafficator bulb reqs. re-soldering. Topped up with oil. Other whiper [sic] to pieces. Hole in side of new tyre. Worn by spare wheel bracket. Hole filling soln. gone hard Put tyre back on Vera’s bike. Filled bath with water. Scrap with Cath. Tea. Shaved & changed & went to “Ship”. Had shandy & thanked landlord for use of shed. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

Monday 26

Cath called me at 7.15. Raining a bit. Bfst. Ted arrived at 8.45. Beginning to give him up. Camp at 9.50. Whipers [sic] not quite synch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Two from Cath. [/underlined] Parcelled laundry & posted it. Nav Sect. SHQN. back to Sect. Tea. Put maps up on A/Cmdrs office wall had to do list of Clrs a bit bigger. Washed & changed. [Underlined] Letter to M & G. Bed. 10.30. [/underlined]

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Tuesday 27

Bfst. 3 1/2 hr DR. X.C. with F/L. Dickinson. Lunch in AMn’s mess. OK too. [/underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Read papers Section. Stores. No A/C. Europe. Tea. Read papers. Changed. Supper. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Mum. [/underlined]

Bed. 10.30.-45.

Wednesday 28

Bfst. Short natter by G/C re parade tomorrow. Dug grass up outside Section with Barnstack. [Underlined] 2 Letters from & 1 to Cath [/underlined] Tooth filled at 4PM. riddled coke. No fresh left. Changed. Took Bill, Bob & Les to [indecipherable] Fog. 6/- for 2 new “spot” bulbs. Saw “Over 21.” Not too bad, bags of fog on way back.

[Page break]

NOVEMBER 1945

Thursday 29

Up at 7.10. Bfst. Parade at 8.10. Insp. by A/Cdr. Flights. Nowt on but sat nattering. Lunch. [Underlined] 2 letters from Mum. [/underlined] None from Cath. Section after lunch. Made log book up for month. Warned out of flying with G/C. Willis. [Underlined] Letter to Ma [/underlined] after tea.

Friday 30

Bfst. Went with Bill for aqua. Took him, Bob & Jimmy Knox to Stn. Lunch. [Underlined] 2 letters from Cath, one from Mum & Elsie. [/underlined] Read papers. Packed luggage/picked map Clerk up & S/C about 4.15. Cath’s at 5.15-30. Went to Aylsham “Tarzan’s Secret Treasure” Seen it before. Dad home.

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Saturday 1

Up at 10.0. Had a go at table & fixed some of it up. Read paper. Took Vera to Cawston Joe arrived when we got back & Cath passed us on the way. Drop of rain. Hellen & Marg went to Norwich.

Sunday 2

Up at 10.0. Bfst. Got some water. Fetched “bus.” Tried to grease round but no grease in gun. Had dinner & sat reading papers. Took bus back to Camp. 3 lads from Swannington came for tea. Ddn’t go out.

[Page break]

DECEMBER

Monday 3

Up at 7.15. Cath only just up. Went on round with here. [sic] Got 2 pairs of stockings [deleted] with [/deleted] for Cath. Vera off club so we can go home tomorrow. Sat reading till 11.0. Car frozen stiff when I tried to put her to bed. Got her going with bags of pushing. Bed at 1. AM.

Tuesday 4

Up at 8.45. Set off at 10.40. Bags of carb trouble Got some juice & cleaned jets out. Had lunch in K’s Lynn. Home at 5 PM. Dad not home. Went to take Pat to Bessie’s. Came home & changed & went to Gran’s.

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Wednesday 5

Up at 9.45. Bfst. bacon & egg. Mucked cupboard out. Dinner. Fetched bus. Changed & went to Gran’s. Gnpa in bed. Went shopping. Got diary, Bible, drawing sets. Fetched Dad from work. Went to Grans after tea. A. Les. there & quite affable. Mum & Dad arrived at 10 PM. Glass of wine.

Thursday 6

Up at 9.15 & again at 9.45. Bfst. bacon & egg. Went shopping again. Got pair of gloves & lamp plug. No gloves for Cath. Got wood for Gnpa. Took Pat for Exam. Went to Grans for tea Xmas Crackers. Had P & P & Cath pushing to get home. Went to see Jock & Dick & Ford Depot. Gave Cath my ring.


[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Friday 7

Up at 9.0 & 10.0. Changed plug & pipe on pump re-fastened carb on. Packed & loaded S/C at 3.30. Arr. 8.15. Got puncture in re-tread. Joe helped change wheels. Put “her” on corner & covered “her” up. Bed at 1.0.

Saturday 8

Up at 6.10. Had to push with Joe’s help to get her going Ran big end out after first mile or two. Got to Stn at 7.5 Train still in. Home again at 7.40. Cath still in bed. Went on round with her. Bags of tea snow & cold! Dad home [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Sunday 9

Bfst at 10.0. Busy mending puncture & filling holes in tyre. Before & after lunch. Read paper. Went & tried to start car but no joy. Had shandy at home. Bed at 1230.

[Underlined] Letter to Mum [/underlined] (Cath & I)

Monday 10

Up at 7.50. Just saw Cath as she left home. Car almost started Got tow & she went OK after 5-10 yds. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath [/underlined] Paid mess bill. Flights. Started on car did one or two odd jobs.

[Underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined]

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Tuesday 11

Up at 8.20. Posted letters. Bfst. Flights. H2S. X-C. Curly as B/A. Scrubbed FOG. Lunch. No mail. Got busy. Took car’s exhaust & inlet manifold off, pump, valve cond cyl lead sump & No 1 piston out or off. No’s 1 & 3 valves (EX) burned out. Stripped front brake pads & cleaned them. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath [/underlined]

Wednesday 12

Up at 7.15. Bfst. Posted letters. Parade. Insp. by Sqdn Ldr. Due to do A/S & 3 eng ldg. Fog so scrubbed. Did speed test. [Underlined] Letter from Cath [/underlined] Got away in car with Harry’s help. Tea & busy again. Dinner. Read a few papers. Geoff Kim on run for some valves. [Underlined] Letter to Cath. [/underlined]

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Thursday 13

Up at 8.15. Flying on & off. Eventualy [sic] went on GEE homing. Had to cut. Escape hatch falling out. Took off eventualy [sic] (H) for 50 mins. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Cath. [/underlined] Went to try for valves etc. No joy. Got 2 exhaust out & inlet. Put sump back. Got Xmas cards. Drawn for bottle of gin. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Xmas cards to Violet & Elsie [/underlined]

Friday 14

Bfst. F/A & 3 eng landing. Lunch. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath [/underlined] Got busy & eventualy [sic] wangled some valves. Got paste & funnels. In hours c & l’s night. Flat tyre. Had tea & ground a few [deleted] more [/deleted] in. Dinner. Busy & did lot Put cover on, pump & exhaust cone inlet same carb. Bed at 1AM

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Saturday 15

Up for bfst. Got cyl. head on OK. Harry put wheels on. Going OK but rattles a good bit. More oil quietened it down a lot. Got nearly to Dereham & she ran out again [Underlined] Letter to Mum, Cath St. James & Bank stmnt. [/underlined] Left her at little garage between Dereham & Nwch. £2 odd for 4 new cam rods. Caths at 6.

Sunday 16

Up at 10.0. Rain. Didn’t go out at all. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] Bed at 12.30.

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Monday 17

Up at 6.30. Bfst. On road at 8. Camp at 10.30. Lecture on Lanc. fuel systems. [Underlined] Letter from Mum & Cath [/underlined] Went for car towed to Dereham. Took engine out. I stripped it. Tea in “Sally Ann”. Bust!! Couple of shandies. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Mum Cards to Dennis, Mrs. Hanley, David, Doris, Les Swales, Joe, Ken, Mrs. Mace, U. G. G.T. U.G.M. Vera, Dad F. Mum & Dad. [/underlined]

Tuesday 18

Bfst. X wind again. Lecture on Lanc. Went to Dereham. Took pulley wheels off & studs out. Towed chassis back to camp. No mail. Went for some juice in Chuck’s car. [Underlined] Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined]

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Wednesday 19

Bfst. No flying. Lecture by F/O. Bates. Went to village & got some stamps. [Underlined] Posted Xmas Cards. Card & letter from Cath. [/underlined] Did some Chemistry & a bit of Geom. Drawing. Tea. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & card. [/underlined] Supper. Took “Lady” out for trot round garden. Finished lesson No 4. Chem

Thursday 20

Bft. DR XC. in K. (3.35.) Dinner in AMs mess at 3.15. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. Card from Corby. [/underlined] Read papers. [Underlined] Letter to BIET supplies. [/underlined] Changed. Dinner. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Friday 21

Bfst. On XC. 5hr DR but Bill O.O. so got out of it. Got ration cards for weekend & 4 days (3 x 48’s.) Lunch [Underlined] 2 letters from Cath. [/underlined] Bath. Packed. Bill £2/10s for bike. S/C at 3.0PM Dereham at 4. PM. Train 5.35. 1/1d ticket. Bottle of ink from Wooley’s. Nowt else. Cath’s at 7.0 One change. Icing cakes Bed at 12.0.

Saturday 22

Up at 7.0. [Deleted] Met [/deleted] Cath at Dents at 8.15. Finished round at 5. Cold turned warmer. Bit of heavy rain. Several cups of tea the odd apple & biscuit. Dad home. Sos & spud tea. [Underlined] Letter to Mum. [/underlined] (under Cath’s orders.) Joe home

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Sunday 23

Up at 10.0. Cath didn’t get up. Got her some gin from “Ship.” Had her dinner in bed. Gather up for tea Nellie, Cliff, & Kennie came for tea.

Monday 24

Up at 7.0. Walked to Cawston with Helen. Cath got flat battery. Chased round Buxton finished all but 7 by lunch. Had to go back for fresh load. Cup-a-at home & at (Mrs) Winnie Dents. Finished Buxton & went to Aylsham. Got two boxes powder (Helen & Marg.) Lost temper with Marg. Filled! stockings with Cath.

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Tuesday 25

Up about 10.0. Nothing extra special. Didn’t go anywhere.

Wednesday 26

Went to Cawston to see about bus for Joe. They left in a panic for 4.30. Waited in rain. Joe had to hitch. Family returned.

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Thursday 27

Scramble to get ready to catch 12.18 train. Made it with 10-15 mins to spare. Went to Samson Tea Dance. Went round faire for few mins. then went to Carlton & saw “Duffy’s Tavern.” 8.40 train filled out at 9.30. Home at 11.0 Fetched couple of loaves from bakery with Cath Bed at 12.30.

Friday 28

Up at 7.0. Raining!! Walked to Cawston with Cath’s bike. Left it to be done up. Train at 10.10 (10.25) Still wet at Thetford. No hitch for 1/2 hr or so. Geoff Kira picked me up in the end. No flying. [Underlined] 2 Letters from Mum, Gran, Violet Card from David & Doris [indecipherable] [/underlined] Went with Chuck to Warton His gasket gone. [Indecipherable] 12-6. [Underlined] Letter to Cath & Mum. [/underlined]

[Page break]

DECEMBER 1945

Saturday 29

New battle dress etc. No flying. [Underlined] Letter from Mum. [/underlined] Had lunch & left about 3.PM. Bought inner tube for Cath. Bags of rain & sludge. Lunch 4PM. Roamed around for odds & ends. S/C for Cawston 4.30. Arr. at 10 to 6. Didn’t go out at all. Sewed braids, wing & ribbons on battle dress.

Sunday 30

Up about 9.30. Helped a bit. Sewed new ribbons on best tunic. Went with Cath to Cawston to Dents for a new loaf. Bed at 11.30. Locked out!

[Page break]

DEC. 1945-JAN. 1946

Monday 31

Cath called me at 7.20. Bfst. Roads icy & fog. S/C at 8.10. Arr. at 10.25. Foggy at Watton so I was OK. Put clean dry clothes on & left others to dry. No flying morning or afternoon because of fog. [Underlined] Letter from Mum Letter to Mum & Cath. [/underlined] Bed at 11.0.

[Page break]

[Deleted] 27 MARCH } GNPA & FLO
28 MARCH } [/deleted] THOMPSON
OCT GNMA &
AUG PA. MACHIN

[Deleted words]

4 AUG DAD 12 APL – PAT & CATH
SEPT MUM 28 JUN – PAM.

TYRE GOODYEAR 58 D 89554

79,182 aircrew lost.

[List]

[Sets of Figures]

[Page break]

[Flower]

Pressed flower inserted between

Mon 26 – Thurs 29 March 1945.