Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother and Mary

Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother and Mary

Bill catches up with family news and comments on the wet weather. States food is now better, although not as when first improved. Catches up with more news of farm and friends as well as family fund-raising for dinghies. Outlines what they do for 'dinghy-drill' and how valuable they are in saving lives. Notes visit from Spitfire squadron and describes dress and demeanour of fighter pilots. Mentions forthcoming radio broadcast and is enclosing money.

1942-08-12

Four page handwritten letter

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No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
Hut 20.
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh,
Stranraer, SCOTLAND.
Wed. 12. August 1942.
Dear Mum & Mary,
Pleased to get your letters this morning. I had one from Ros this afternoon.
Glad the weather was fairly good for the Camp. It just rains, rains, rains here. Talk about Atlantic Gales & Scotch Mist! Its rather bumpy flying! Glad the hay’s in O.K.
Afraid the food hasn’t kept up to the standard it was on the first day after the change but it’s a bit better than the old Mess & I certainly have more appetite for it. Of course we got a very posh dinner when the A.O.C. came round. Flowers on the table an all!
I’m sorry Jerry’s making himself a nuisance. I keep hearing on the news that he’s been around our district.
Wonder how much more grass they’ll want ploughed up. There’ll be a job on draining it. Guess there’ll be some stuff on the 4 acre & the 19 acre this year.
[page break]
[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
Pleased the Polyphotos have come at last. Yes I’ll take David’s down when I come home but Harry & Ros can claim theirs.
Don’t know how Frank Stanley knows that he’s going to be a pilot after being in a month. It’s odd if he’s going straight overseas too and as for piloting – well I don’t think you get to I.T.W. until you’ve been in more than a month or two these days!
Glad you’ve been able to raise enough for 2 dinghies. There’s no doubt they are a mighty useful & necessary part of aircraft equipment – even if its only for sitting on! We have to be always well up in dinghy-drill & some of us are going to the baths at Girvan on Saturday to be chucked in in full flying kit & a dinghy to make the best of it. They’ve saved a good many valuable lives & it’s the Navigator’s job to inspect them from time to time.
We had a visit from a Spitfire
[page break]
Squadron for a week a while ago. Their ground crews turned up in Harrow troop-carriers – in fact their entire station moved. It shows just how quickly our Fighter stations will be moved when the 2nd front is started. You should have seen what a sight the pilots were slouching round with flowing locks, leather jackets (flying) tunics & shirts flung open & their nakedness hardly covered by yards of silken scarves. It certainly shocked authorities here – they’re so particular at training stations, as discipline is very essential among crews.
The broadcast will be on the Force’s wavelength I expect at 7.30. on the 24th. We’re having a “rehearsal” on Sunday.
Hope Nipperette has a good leave. Have you still got the other two Landgirls?
Wonder if there will be any carrots ready by 18th
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I had a look & I guessed they’d soon be ready. Thought about them with a bit of bacon, & a nice hearty cabbage & some new potatoes the other day. The Eccles Cake was more than good.
[deleted] Emc [/deleted] Enclosing £3. Pay’s down again this week.
Must collect my kit. We’re detailed for night flying tonight though the weather’s filthy. Been bombing all day in & out of squalls.
Love to all
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]