Dick Curnock's Wartime Log
Title
Dick Curnock's Wartime Log
Description
In the log Dick Curnock recorded crew and friends names and addresses, an obituary of Ginge Wheeldon who was shot by a Typhoon whilst on a march, cartoons, sketches of aircraft, dates of letters received and samples of window.
Creator
Coverage
Language
Type
Format
29 page handwritten book
Publisher
Rights
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.
Identifier
MCurnockRM1815605-171114-093
Transcription
A WARTIME LOG
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
A WARTIME LOG FOR BRITISH PRISONERS
Gift from
THE WAR PRISONERS’ AID OF THE Y.M.C.A.
37, Quai Wilson
GENEVA — SWITZERLAND
[page break]
[hand drawn R.A.F. crest]
[hand drawn sketch of a Halifax aircraft]
[page break]
THIS BOOK BELONGS TO
R M CURNOCK. 2108
SUNNYCROFT.
59. MINEHEAD STREET.
LEICESTER
[Y.M.C.A. crest]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
CONTENTS
Addresses of the Crew Page 122
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
1
[private addresses - aircrew]
S. J. Wheadon — G I. Dunsmore — Wesley Skink
[page break]
2
More of The Crew
C. A. Stowell — R. Friskey
[page break]
3
Pals
Gord. McGillway — Robert J H. Prince — A. Laing. — George. F. Cole.
[page break]
4
Basil Cotton — Eric G. Standen. — A. G. Hunter
[page break]
5
Jack French — A. G. Fripp. — W. N. Wiffen — Jim Toole.
[page break]
6
C. A. MELLING. — J. M. Hudson — ALFRED HUNT
[page break]
7
A. J. Gulucke — W Marshall Featherstone — F. A. Bartlett — George. A. Kirk.
[page break]
8
David Y. Young, — D, Stubbs, — W R Forbes,
[page break]
9
John. Waldron.
[page break]
20
[blank page]
[page break]
21
APRIL 20th 1945 To our Engineer “Ginger” Wheadon
Ginge was killed by a bullet from a Typhoon whilst we were resting during a march on April 19th 1945, he was killed instantly. We are trying to get some of his personal kit to bring home for his Mother and Mary his girl. He was buried at a village of Heydekrug, 4 KM. from Gresse where we had just drawn food parcels. He was buried by our Padre and a parson. The time of his death was approximately 12 noon.
Harry looked after one or two of the badly wounded lads, I went back to Ginger only to find that all his kit had been taken and his pockets empty. Some thieving B — had pinched everything he had on him.
I only hope the food
[page break]
22
choked them and all the other things brought them the worst luck possible.
[page break]
23
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a scantily dressed female firing a bow and arrow]
MAMA MIA
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a person holding a tray of steaming tea, the steam is obscuring their face. From out of the steam is another face saying “WHERE”]
[underlined] BREW UP DICK [/underlined]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of an air gunner in the rear turret of an aeroplane. The fuselage of the aeroplane is twisted like a corkscrew.]
NOT SO VIOLENT NEXT TIME CHUCK!
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
1st
[underlined] D. H. TIGER MOTH [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of a Tiger Moth aeroplane]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a Lysander aeroplane]
[page break]
3rd
[underlined] BOULTON PAUL DEFIANT [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of a Defiant aeroplane]
[page break]
[underlined] AVRO ANSON [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of an Anson aeroplane]
[page break]
5th
[underlined] AIRSPEED OXFORD [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of an Oxford aeroplane]
AIRSPEED OXFORD
[page break]
6th
[underlined] WELLINGTON] [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of an Wellington aeroplane]
WELLINGTON
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a Halifax aeroplane]
HALIFAX III
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a Dakota/DC3/C47 aeroplane]
DAKOTA
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a line of washing hanging above 4 cupboards]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a drunken man leaning against a crooked lampost]
OPERATIONS CONTINUING ACCORDING TO [underlined] PLAN [/underlined]
[page break]
55
[blank page]
[page break]
56
[blank page]
[page break]
57
[underlined] A KRIEGIES X COMMANDMENTS [/underlined]
I THOU SHALT NOT REFUSE ANYTHING.
II THOU SHALT DO NO ARBIET. NIETHER [sic] SHALT THOU DO DHOBI. NIETHER [sic] SHALT THOU LABOUR WHEN ON STOOGE NOR DO ANYTHING IN HASTE. THOU SHALT ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO BLUDGE.
III REMEMBER THAT THOU KEEP HOLY PARCEL ISSUE DAY.
IV HONOUR THE RED CROSS. Y.M.C.A. AND GENEVA CONVENTION LEST IN THE DAY OF NEED YOUR CRIES GO UNHEEDED.
V THOU SHALT NOT WALK OVER THE WARNING WIRE.
VI THOU SHALT NOT BE FOUND OUT.
VII THOU SHALT GET INTO AS MANY RACKETS AS POSSIBLE.
VIII THOU SHALT EXPOSE THE REST
IX THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOURS SPACE
X THOU SHALT NOT COVERT THY NEIGHBOURS BEDBOARDS, NOR HIS PALLIASE, [sic] NOR HIS DIXIE NOR ANYTHING THAT IS HIS.
[underlined] AMEN [/underlined]
[page break]
62
11
12 didn’t sleep very well about 4 1/2 hrs up 6.30 picked up a 7.10 went to Bristol thru evesham stratford still [one indecipherable word] about breakfast, transport cafe dripping toast into depot [inserted] lunch on way back [/inserted] back to Shawbury for delivery into work at 3.45 did some jobs home about 5.20 went to badminton home just after 10-00 bed at 12 and slept quite well up once only.
13 up at 11.30 breakfast read paper read a part of book Dutch resistance watched [one indecipherable word] long range desert group. Sea of sand Richard Attenborough, went for walk in garden finished The stand started another about Dutch resistance. very good.
14 didn’t sleep well up 10.30 lovely morning went in garden and did a bit of tidying up same after dinner.
15 very cold and windy had log fire sat by but chilblain on toe playing fine tune had to move to other end.
16 after dinner started jigsaw. B out. phone rang got it too late bed 11.30 raining.
17 up 9.30 walk to Branston. Peter phoned from work wonder what budget surveyor B gone to town made self coffee 11.30 Rich cold no Badminton raining would have walked down B hair then TLG home been on own most of today.
[page break]
18th Rough nite with children snowed today most of morning walk in Garden afternoon cut some plaster off to set at toe.
19th Nice morning B at Drop out then hair do finished nuzzle watched snooker went to badminton read a bit bed at 12.
20th up 10.30 was going for walk but it snowed for a while. Went for walked [sic] when finished 1.30 it is snowing again.
21 Not good night snowed again today watched snooker and filmed T.V read book F Forsyth fourth protocol. J Stewart film to finish up bed 12.05
22 up 10.30 after good night went for walk round new st met a number of folks after dinner Peter came in Sues car then their house to watch Rugby France Ireland. F won Wales v Scotland S won then to B & R for tea then played cards till 11.50 nice meal not too [one indecipherable word] home at 12 now watching final of [one indecipherable word] snooker [two indecipherable words]
23
24 Up 7.30 to LRI FOR 8-50 straight in had plaster of saw doc no more treatment, walk as much as possible no [one indecipherable word] 3 wks leg all scaly and white feels funny not much sleep went to badminton Lynden taking me into work Mon
[page break]
64
25 up by 10 cold day tho sunshine finished book 4th Protocol F Forsyth good Frank came in 3pm went 4pm brought book on RAF, been for walk but not very good, starting work Mon.
26th Went for walk as far as Branston foot rather swollen read watched tele Rick & C came told us they have decided to go back to Aussie later this year [two indecipherable words] winch went badminton watched Bowls
27th Two slates of [sic] roof had to prop up fence mine also blown down by Mrs Austin lots of destruction severn bridge closed also Humber an M2 lots of lorries blown over
[page break]
65
[blank page]
[page break]
104
AUGSBURG — FRANKFURT AM MAIN — DAEMSTADT — FALLINGBOSTEL NR HANOVER — THORNI (POLISH CORRIDOR — HYDECRUG [deleted] NR HANOVER [/deleted] EAST PRUSSIA — MARCH - CELLE CROSSED ELBE HEADING FOR LUBECK — LUNEBURG CAMP FLEW HOME
[page break]
105
COSFORD
[page break]
106
RANKS AND SERVICE Nos OF FRIENDS
[page break]
107
[blank page]
[page break]
108
[list]
Letters received and sent.
[page break]
111
[blank page]
[page break]
112
[blank page]
[page break]
113
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
WAR PRISONERS AID
AIDE AUX PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE
KRIEGSGEFANGENENHILFE
WORLD’S ALLIANCE OF YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS
ALLIANCE UNIVERSELLE DES UNIONS CHRÉTIENNES DE JEUNES GENS WELTBUND DER CHRISTLICHEN VEREINE JUNGER MĀNNER
Quai Wilson, 37
GENÈVE (Suisse]
Centre International
Addresse Télégraph, : FLEMGO-GENÈVE
Compte de Chèques postaux : 1. 331
Téléphone 2.70.60
Dear Friend,
After the Canadian and American editions of the War-time Log, here is a special issue for British prisoners of war. Though its format is somewhat different, its purpose is just the same as the others: to bring you greetings from friends and to facilitate your recording some of your experience during these eventful years.
Not everyone will want to use this book as a diary. If you are a writer, here is space for a short story. If you are an artist, you may want to cover these pages with sketches of your camp, caricatures of its important personalities. If you are a poet, major or minor, confide your lyrics to these pages. If you feel that circumstances cramp your style in correspondence, you may write here letters to be carried with you on your return. This book may serve to list the most striking concoctions of the camp kitchen, the records of camp sports or a selection of the best jokes cracked in camp. One man has suggested using the autograph of one of his companions (plus his fingerprints?) to head each page, followed by free and frank remarks about the man himself. You may write a commentary on such photographs as you may have to mount on the special pages for that purpose with the mounting-corners in the pocket of the back cover. This pocket may be used for clippings you want to preserve, or, together with the small envelopes on the last page, for authentic souvenirs of life in camp.
Your own ingenuity may suggest to you many other ways of using this book, which comes to you with our greetings and good wishes.
Yours very sincerely,
WAR PRISONERS’ AID OF THE YMCA.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
A WARTIME LOG FOR BRITISH PRISONERS
Gift from
THE WAR PRISONERS’ AID OF THE Y.M.C.A.
37, Quai Wilson
GENEVA — SWITZERLAND
[page break]
[hand drawn R.A.F. crest]
[hand drawn sketch of a Halifax aircraft]
[page break]
THIS BOOK BELONGS TO
R M CURNOCK. 2108
SUNNYCROFT.
59. MINEHEAD STREET.
LEICESTER
[Y.M.C.A. crest]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
CONTENTS
Addresses of the Crew Page 122
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
1
[private addresses - aircrew]
S. J. Wheadon — G I. Dunsmore — Wesley Skink
[page break]
2
More of The Crew
C. A. Stowell — R. Friskey
[page break]
3
Pals
Gord. McGillway — Robert J H. Prince — A. Laing. — George. F. Cole.
[page break]
4
Basil Cotton — Eric G. Standen. — A. G. Hunter
[page break]
5
Jack French — A. G. Fripp. — W. N. Wiffen — Jim Toole.
[page break]
6
C. A. MELLING. — J. M. Hudson — ALFRED HUNT
[page break]
7
A. J. Gulucke — W Marshall Featherstone — F. A. Bartlett — George. A. Kirk.
[page break]
8
David Y. Young, — D, Stubbs, — W R Forbes,
[page break]
9
John. Waldron.
[page break]
20
[blank page]
[page break]
21
APRIL 20th 1945 To our Engineer “Ginger” Wheadon
Ginge was killed by a bullet from a Typhoon whilst we were resting during a march on April 19th 1945, he was killed instantly. We are trying to get some of his personal kit to bring home for his Mother and Mary his girl. He was buried at a village of Heydekrug, 4 KM. from Gresse where we had just drawn food parcels. He was buried by our Padre and a parson. The time of his death was approximately 12 noon.
Harry looked after one or two of the badly wounded lads, I went back to Ginger only to find that all his kit had been taken and his pockets empty. Some thieving B — had pinched everything he had on him.
I only hope the food
[page break]
22
choked them and all the other things brought them the worst luck possible.
[page break]
23
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a scantily dressed female firing a bow and arrow]
MAMA MIA
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a person holding a tray of steaming tea, the steam is obscuring their face. From out of the steam is another face saying “WHERE”]
[underlined] BREW UP DICK [/underlined]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of an air gunner in the rear turret of an aeroplane. The fuselage of the aeroplane is twisted like a corkscrew.]
NOT SO VIOLENT NEXT TIME CHUCK!
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
1st
[underlined] D. H. TIGER MOTH [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of a Tiger Moth aeroplane]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a Lysander aeroplane]
[page break]
3rd
[underlined] BOULTON PAUL DEFIANT [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of a Defiant aeroplane]
[page break]
[underlined] AVRO ANSON [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of an Anson aeroplane]
[page break]
5th
[underlined] AIRSPEED OXFORD [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of an Oxford aeroplane]
AIRSPEED OXFORD
[page break]
6th
[underlined] WELLINGTON] [/underlined]
[hand drawn sketch of an Wellington aeroplane]
WELLINGTON
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a Halifax aeroplane]
HALIFAX III
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a Dakota/DC3/C47 aeroplane]
DAKOTA
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a line of washing hanging above 4 cupboards]
[page break]
[hand drawn sketch of a drunken man leaning against a crooked lampost]
OPERATIONS CONTINUING ACCORDING TO [underlined] PLAN [/underlined]
[page break]
55
[blank page]
[page break]
56
[blank page]
[page break]
57
[underlined] A KRIEGIES X COMMANDMENTS [/underlined]
I THOU SHALT NOT REFUSE ANYTHING.
II THOU SHALT DO NO ARBIET. NIETHER [sic] SHALT THOU DO DHOBI. NIETHER [sic] SHALT THOU LABOUR WHEN ON STOOGE NOR DO ANYTHING IN HASTE. THOU SHALT ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO BLUDGE.
III REMEMBER THAT THOU KEEP HOLY PARCEL ISSUE DAY.
IV HONOUR THE RED CROSS. Y.M.C.A. AND GENEVA CONVENTION LEST IN THE DAY OF NEED YOUR CRIES GO UNHEEDED.
V THOU SHALT NOT WALK OVER THE WARNING WIRE.
VI THOU SHALT NOT BE FOUND OUT.
VII THOU SHALT GET INTO AS MANY RACKETS AS POSSIBLE.
VIII THOU SHALT EXPOSE THE REST
IX THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOURS SPACE
X THOU SHALT NOT COVERT THY NEIGHBOURS BEDBOARDS, NOR HIS PALLIASE, [sic] NOR HIS DIXIE NOR ANYTHING THAT IS HIS.
[underlined] AMEN [/underlined]
[page break]
62
11
12 didn’t sleep very well about 4 1/2 hrs up 6.30 picked up a 7.10 went to Bristol thru evesham stratford still [one indecipherable word] about breakfast, transport cafe dripping toast into depot [inserted] lunch on way back [/inserted] back to Shawbury for delivery into work at 3.45 did some jobs home about 5.20 went to badminton home just after 10-00 bed at 12 and slept quite well up once only.
13 up at 11.30 breakfast read paper read a part of book Dutch resistance watched [one indecipherable word] long range desert group. Sea of sand Richard Attenborough, went for walk in garden finished The stand started another about Dutch resistance. very good.
14 didn’t sleep well up 10.30 lovely morning went in garden and did a bit of tidying up same after dinner.
15 very cold and windy had log fire sat by but chilblain on toe playing fine tune had to move to other end.
16 after dinner started jigsaw. B out. phone rang got it too late bed 11.30 raining.
17 up 9.30 walk to Branston. Peter phoned from work wonder what budget surveyor B gone to town made self coffee 11.30 Rich cold no Badminton raining would have walked down B hair then TLG home been on own most of today.
[page break]
18th Rough nite with children snowed today most of morning walk in Garden afternoon cut some plaster off to set at toe.
19th Nice morning B at Drop out then hair do finished nuzzle watched snooker went to badminton read a bit bed at 12.
20th up 10.30 was going for walk but it snowed for a while. Went for walked [sic] when finished 1.30 it is snowing again.
21 Not good night snowed again today watched snooker and filmed T.V read book F Forsyth fourth protocol. J Stewart film to finish up bed 12.05
22 up 10.30 after good night went for walk round new st met a number of folks after dinner Peter came in Sues car then their house to watch Rugby France Ireland. F won Wales v Scotland S won then to B & R for tea then played cards till 11.50 nice meal not too [one indecipherable word] home at 12 now watching final of [one indecipherable word] snooker [two indecipherable words]
23
24 Up 7.30 to LRI FOR 8-50 straight in had plaster of saw doc no more treatment, walk as much as possible no [one indecipherable word] 3 wks leg all scaly and white feels funny not much sleep went to badminton Lynden taking me into work Mon
[page break]
64
25 up by 10 cold day tho sunshine finished book 4th Protocol F Forsyth good Frank came in 3pm went 4pm brought book on RAF, been for walk but not very good, starting work Mon.
26th Went for walk as far as Branston foot rather swollen read watched tele Rick & C came told us they have decided to go back to Aussie later this year [two indecipherable words] winch went badminton watched Bowls
27th Two slates of [sic] roof had to prop up fence mine also blown down by Mrs Austin lots of destruction severn bridge closed also Humber an M2 lots of lorries blown over
[page break]
65
[blank page]
[page break]
104
AUGSBURG — FRANKFURT AM MAIN — DAEMSTADT — FALLINGBOSTEL NR HANOVER — THORNI (POLISH CORRIDOR — HYDECRUG [deleted] NR HANOVER [/deleted] EAST PRUSSIA — MARCH - CELLE CROSSED ELBE HEADING FOR LUBECK — LUNEBURG CAMP FLEW HOME
[page break]
105
COSFORD
[page break]
106
RANKS AND SERVICE Nos OF FRIENDS
[page break]
107
[blank page]
[page break]
108
[list]
Letters received and sent.
[page break]
111
[blank page]
[page break]
112
[blank page]
[page break]
113
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
WAR PRISONERS AID
AIDE AUX PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE
KRIEGSGEFANGENENHILFE
WORLD’S ALLIANCE OF YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS
ALLIANCE UNIVERSELLE DES UNIONS CHRÉTIENNES DE JEUNES GENS WELTBUND DER CHRISTLICHEN VEREINE JUNGER MĀNNER
Quai Wilson, 37
GENÈVE (Suisse]
Centre International
Addresse Télégraph, : FLEMGO-GENÈVE
Compte de Chèques postaux : 1. 331
Téléphone 2.70.60
Dear Friend,
After the Canadian and American editions of the War-time Log, here is a special issue for British prisoners of war. Though its format is somewhat different, its purpose is just the same as the others: to bring you greetings from friends and to facilitate your recording some of your experience during these eventful years.
Not everyone will want to use this book as a diary. If you are a writer, here is space for a short story. If you are an artist, you may want to cover these pages with sketches of your camp, caricatures of its important personalities. If you are a poet, major or minor, confide your lyrics to these pages. If you feel that circumstances cramp your style in correspondence, you may write here letters to be carried with you on your return. This book may serve to list the most striking concoctions of the camp kitchen, the records of camp sports or a selection of the best jokes cracked in camp. One man has suggested using the autograph of one of his companions (plus his fingerprints?) to head each page, followed by free and frank remarks about the man himself. You may write a commentary on such photographs as you may have to mount on the special pages for that purpose with the mounting-corners in the pocket of the back cover. This pocket may be used for clippings you want to preserve, or, together with the small envelopes on the last page, for authentic souvenirs of life in camp.
Your own ingenuity may suggest to you many other ways of using this book, which comes to you with our greetings and good wishes.
Yours very sincerely,
WAR PRISONERS’ AID OF THE YMCA.
Collection
Citation
Dick Curnock, “Dick Curnock's Wartime Log,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 25, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/22409.
Item Relations
This item has no relations.