Letter from Bill Akrill to Harry

Letter from Bill Akrill to Harry

Describes life at RAF Upper Heyford including visiting servicemen living locally and bemoaning the posting of a colleague to another Operational Training Unit. Remarks that neither Harry nor the 'censor gentleman' will find the letter particularly interesting.

1943-01-18

Three page handwritten letter

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EAkrillWE[Recipient]H430113

[underlined] 1- [/underlined] No 1436220 Sgt. Akrill,
Sgts’, Mess,
Wed. 18.1.43. R.A.F. station,
Upper Heyford,
Oxon.

Dear Harry,

I’m afraid this will turn up a bit late to wish you many happy returns on your birthday and its very late to thank you for your letter and Christmas present. Still, better late than never!! I don’t get so much chance for letters these days! What’s more there’s nothing much to write about — things go on just the same.

Been quite busy of late but am free tonight. Last night was the first free night for over a fortnight. It does seem strange! Will be on again tomorrow I expect.

Last night Sgt. Hughes asked me to spend the evening with them He’s a grand chap. It was good of them.

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[underlined] 2. [/underlined]

I managed to get to Chapel on Sunday and went round to the Bates after. I got plenty of leg pulling because of the girl next door (where I went to a party) - a particularly plump young lady of 30 - asked me to supper next Sunday. They’re farmers & have 3 daughters!! I’d rather stay at “home” at the Bates but I shall enjoy going.

[deleted] I [/deleted] Some of our lads achieved my ambition the other night of getting down just where I’d wish, [deleted] to [/deleted] spending a [deleted] night [/deleted] couple of nights & days there. Why couldn’t it have been us!! It’d have been as good as the 48 I seem to have missed. No break now until we’re finished.

One of our best pals has been posted today. It’s a rotten shame. He didn’t get a crew as a few odds & ends had mishaps so he’s gone to another O.T.U. Poor old

[page break]

[underlined] 3 [/underlined]

Johnny he’s been with us so long that we shall miss him a lot. But it’ll be worse for him setting off on his own again. He slept next to me & I’ve now moved to his bed - a nice cosy corner one right along the hot water pipes!

Well I’m ever so tired & its gone 9.30 so I’ll get into bed. There’s nothing to write about anyway. Afraid neither you nor the censor gentleman will find this particularly interesting.

Hope Ros and Michael are fit. Looking forward to the time when I can see you all again. Love to all [underlined] Bill [/underlined]