Letter from Bill Akrill to his aunt

Letter from Bill Akrill to his aunt

Bill catches up with family news. Mentions going home on recent 48 hour leave. Writes of course progress and compares current base with previous in Scotland. Despite being near three towns, has only get into Oxford once, although he was impressed by it. Concludes with more family and home news.

1942-11-30

Four page handwritten letter

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421130

No. 1436220 Sergeant Akrill,
c/o Sergeants’ Mess,
R.A.F. Station,
Upper Heyford,
Oxon.
Mon. 30.11.42.
Dear Auntie,
Letter writing seems to have grown very spasmodic and uncertain with me of late. I’m afraid that even home’s been kept wondering at times You must forgive me.
I’ve heard from time to time from Mum how you are all faring tho’ of course restrictions won’t allow them to get over. Mum is talking of coming over to see you by bus one day but I hope she won’t attempt it just yet. She & daddy went over to Kelsey one week-end but war-time travel really is too much for her. As for my getting over – I don’t know when that day will be. If, later, I chance to get stationed nearer home, I shall, perhaps be able to manage it but leaves to date have been all too
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short to allow me to get any distance.
Last week-end I managed to get home on 48 hrs leave and it did me a world of good to get some good food & Potter Hill air. There’s really no air in the world like it. I think it would be a good idea to fill my oxygen bottles (for high flying) with Potter Hill air. It’s a cure for body & soul I always think. Mother had the best of things to eat, and as usual, every body fussed me up!
I’ve been at Heyford 6 weeks but flying has been held up. I like it, tho’ of course aerodromes are 2 quite different things in Summer & Winter & life’s quite different too. That’s perhaps why I miss some of the happy times I had in Scotland. In spite of some of its disadvantages I really did enjoy being up there, & they were wonderful bike rides I used to have. Here, of course, we’re much nearer to civilisation – three towns being near, Oxford, Bicester & Banbury, but we get little time off & I’m not much for raking round at night
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so I’ve merely been to Oxford once. It’s really a marvellous place and I was thrilled at it’s architecture & for all that it’s Colleges stand for. The district’s pleasant too, and I’ve sent home for my bicycle tho’ there’ll not be very [underlined] much [/underlined] opportunity of using it
I’ve found a chapel in the village & made some good friends. Yesterday, when we had a rare day off, I was asked to tea and supper. We do appreciate the thought of those who are glad to share their fire and company now and then.
Potter Hill seems as usual. And as usual they are very very [sic] busy. They’ve just got some more land and it is grass which has to be ploughed. However daddy managed to get another man who’s starting today. He’s living in so that will mean more work in the house. Some soldiers from the searchlight camp were getting very helpful & 4 came every day until they were moved. The land girls arn’t [sic] up to much I’m afraid. Irene
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of course is still with us. She’s a good sort on the whole I think.
Harry is getting more like himself again but he’s had a nasty time. Michael James is a splendid lad – such a great hefty fellow he’s getting, full of life but good as gold. He seems a different lad every time I see him.
I wonder how your young man is getting along. Please remember me to every one at Metheringham. One of these days, maybe, I shall be seeing you all.
David is quite near here – at Winchester. I saw him at home for a few hours about 6 weeks ago. He’s a grand friend.
Mind you keep well this uncertain weather. I hope Miss Cabourne is recovered from the nasty shock.
Will be glad to hear from anyone when there’s time to write.
[underlined] Billy Akrill [/underlined]