Letter from Bill Akrill to his aunt

Letter from Bill Akrill to his aunt

Bill mentions that he was disappointed not to go overseas for training but that his mother would be pleased he is staying for home training. Writes of enjoying Eastbourne but is now at new completely different type of location at West Freugh. Mentions navigator training and catches up with news of family and friends.

1942-05-24

Three page handwritten letter

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420524

No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
Hut 20,
No 4. A.O.S,
West Freugh,
Stranraer
Scotland
Sat 24.5.42.
Dear Auntie,
Very many thanks for writing. Your letter got to Eastbourne just after I had left and was sent on here.
I had fully expected being sent to Canada or Rhodesia but with the summer coming on training in this country has started again and I was rather disappointed at not being able to see the world. However its satisfying to know that mum will be more pleased and home training is far superior to any other.
I had grown to like Eastbourne – it was such a happy, friendly town that has stood up so bravely to the drastic circumstances brought
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about by the war-time loss of its life and trade. It has also stood boldly at the front facing the spiteful attacks of the Nazis. I made grand friends and aquaintances [sic] in the town.
West Freugh is a vast change and I’m now experiencing real service life. It’s a longish camp in a rather desolate spot near the coast at the head of Luce Bay. Stranraer, our nearest link with the outside world is 7 miles away, a small, seemingly hostile little town on Loch Ryan. But I shall like it well enough for I’ll be busy most of my time
I’m now on the hardest & most interesting training – really learning to be a navigator. So far it’s not been as exciting flying in large bombers as “passenger” as it was piloting a tiny training plane but once I get down to the difficult work it will be exciting enough finding my way about! We fly over difficult country, hills, lakes, seas, islands, & the wild
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looking mountains. I shall be here for a good many months.
Pleased to hear about Nellie’s young fellow. Our Mickey’s doing fine. I do hope you’ll see him soon. I’m going to miss a lot not being able to see him again for months. He’ll have grown beyond recognition I’m thinking.
Yes Irene’s a grand lass, I’m glad you like her. She’s got a simple, unspoiled nature that takes a lot of finding. We’re the very best of pals.
I hope you’ll still be able to get to Potter Hill this year. The dear old place must look perfect at this time of the year. I wish I had a chance of getting there soon!
All the best regards to the Ts
Billy