Letter to Sqdn Leader Hay from Ian Hay

Letter to Sqdn Leader Hay from Ian Hay

Letter from Sergeant Ian Hay to his father Squadron Leader Hay. He writes thanking him for his letter, advising that the weather is very cold in Scotland and that he is now operational as Rear Gunner on Ansons. He also writes that he is currently confined to camp and that there is not much to do except go to the cinema.

1940-09-08

Two handwritten sheets and one handwritten envelope

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EHayRHayIXX0908-0001, EHayRHayIXX0908-0002, EHayRHayIXX0908-0003

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Squadron Leader J. V. Hay.
Royal Air Force Station Weeton,
Preston,
Lancashire.
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906233. Sgt: Hay. I.
Sergeants Mess,
R.A.F. Kinloss,
Nr. Forres,
Moray.
Sunday 8th September.
Dear Daddy,
Thanks for your letter, but one piece of advice – I shouldn’t visit Scotland this year, it’s too damn cold! – I’ve been wearing sweaters etc: since I arrived & I’m still not warm, I think winter is just on the horizon in these parts. Still it will be very nice if you could manage to run round this way while you’re up.
As to your question whether I’m operational or still u/t; when I received your letter I was u/t, as this was No: 19 O.T.U. – that should have gone on for 8 weeks, but as from to-day, we have become operational & are supposed to take off within a few minutes, if so required, for fun & games over the North Sea. The reason, as I expect you know is that A.M. is in a flap about invasion or something similar. Anyhow to-day we were all crewed-up. Those who have been here some weeks are on Whitleys & the rest of us are bunged into Ansons – so I am now the rear gunner of an Anson, & also 2nd W/Op
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if the other proper W/Op (who has only been here a fortnight longer than I) gets a basinful.
Unfortunately [deleted] the [/deleted] we are confined to camp, but I hope the whole thing is only temporary. Thank God I got Saturday (our free day) in Inverness, where I did quite a bit of shopping, & then went to a dance at the ‘Caledonian’, which wasn’t too bad. Incidentally the beer per 1/2 pint is the same price as whisky, so its just as cheap to stay on whisky. While I’m on that subject, is there any pub in Inverness where one can obtain Tallisker?
This place is a little boring though, & the pictures seem to be about the only form of entertainment – so I divide my time between Elgin, Forres & Inverness for them.
I don’t think there is any more news for the time being. I hope your leave materializes, I could do with a spot myself.
Best love
[underlined] Ian [/underlined]