Maurice Stimpson's 1942 Diary
Title
Maurice Stimpson's 1942 Diary
Description
An intermittent record of Maurice's year. It starts with some time in the UK then he travels to Perth then the US for pilot training.
Creator
Date
1942
Temporal Coverage
Spatial Coverage
Coverage
Language
Format
One printed diary with handwritten annotations
Conforms To
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.
Contributor
Identifier
YStimpsonMC155249v1
Transcription
[crest]
THE AIR FORCE DIARY
[page break]
8/4[?]
5
[page break]
Curly grips Films
[page break]
PERSONAL MEMORANDA
Name STIMPSON MAURICE CECIL
Service No. 1337721
Home Address PARKFIELD LODGE, HEADSTONE LANE, N. HARROW, MIDDX
Dates of Promotion LAC. 14-11-41
[page break]
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Prestwich 2007
Mrs Archie H.E. 1467
Nellie N/wd[?] 823
Vera Pin 162
Aunty N/wd 213
Crowthers Scar. 2882
Mrs Roseway Pin 1342
Flat [two indecipherable words]
Faded ['thereford' sign]
(G/NCO.)
Wymslow
Kit
[page break]
ADDRESSES
Pat.
Oakwood
15 ST Mary's Rd.
Prestwich
M/C
[page break]
Mr. [indecipherable word]
2. Dunholme Green
Lower Edmonton
London N.9.
Mr Cooper
4 Mcdonald Rd
Morecombe & Heasham
Lancs
[page break]
c/o Sinclair
53 Polefield Grange
Berry Old Rd.
Prestwich
Manchester.
[deleted] Pendleton 2392 [/deleted]
2271 Pendleton
[page break]
1942 JANUARY
A good oil up at Perth Oriks[?] House
THURSDAY 1
Running fit
Air Plot
Multiple wind[?] finding[?]
[page break]
TUESDAY 6
("Leave") left Perth 2030 hrs
Paid.
WEDNESDAY 7
arrived home about 3 PM. Mum quite surprised
[page break)
FRIDAY 9
Ted came home, had a good time
[page break]
SUNDAY 18
Took Dorothy to flicks not very interresting[sic], long walk home everything under control?
MONDAY 19
Made a date with Dorothy but I didn't go. Went to town with Terry instead
SATURDAY 24
Went to Coop & took Margerie[?] home long walk rained like hell, home 1.30. Met Dorothy, bit complicated about not keeping the date.
[page break]
SATURDAY 31
Went to a dance with Joan & anty[?] had a good time, slept at Joans not [underlined] with [/underlined] her, poor old Pete.
Took Pat home wanted me to write
[page break]
FEBRUARY 1942
SUNDAY 8
Water! Water, Water! NAAFI sold out
Very rough waves over front of ship, sick again. Waves 20' cheesed off to the teeth, feed[sic] up with sleeping in our stinking hold No 4
MONDAY 9
Fairly Calm, up 4.0. Made some Bovril "was it good." Very cold got rougher during day but not too bad. Pork chop for dinner, oh boy)
Past[sic] Newfoundland during day did not see it too far out
TUESDAY 10
Fairly Rough
Very misty, land was just seen for a few minutes, played card all the afternoon, saw Mickey Rooney on the screen at night.
never answer if your name is called it means a guard,
WEDNESDAY 11
Calm.
Very cold 30°f, Catalinas[?] escorted us near coast, Dodging Guards all day. found some eats where[sic] they good. met another convoy, Fire in hold trust 4 hold. Fruit & biscuits Grand.
[page break]
frozen stiff, but to see land was well worth it, Catalina's taking off. anchored ready to bearth [sic] 1100 hrs. Snow amongst fir trees ashore,
THURSDAY 12
[underlined] LAND [/underlined] 16° frost
Bloody cold, ice frozen round water line, Docked 5.30 disembarked 6.0 caught train to Moncton went mad when we saw chocolate, oranges, but only [indecipherable word] any good, arrived 2.0 FRI. Had a real good meal,
FRIDAY 13
Went to bed 6.0 clock lovely firm bed, road covered with ice.
Paid $10
[page break]
SUNDAY 22
Changed to U.S.A. money
MONDAY 23
Up 4.0, Parade 6. left Moncton 8.0. Snow every marvelous scenery. Watches back 1 hour. Crossed Moose river in U.S.A. In the morning Train very fast
TUESDAY 24
Snow gradually dissappearing[sic] lovely lakes & rivers.
Lake Ontario "took 45 mins to Pass, just like the sea. Toronto not allowed out of station had a look at engines (two) Detroit & saw skyscraper for first time
Snow gone but not too warm. Turner Field 7.30 officers look tough. Billetted then a slap up meal, plenty of sand.[?]
[page break]
24
24
12
THURSDAY 26
Woke up by band marching all round camp, be on parade in 15 mins,
[page break]
MARCH 1942
THURSDAY 5
Experienced 20 mins in [indecipherable word] trainer. not too bad.
FRIDAY 6
Paid $5
Went Albany not very exciting
[page break]
SUNDAY 15
Went out to Dinner to Poulon, we intruded to have a ride, 10 piled in the car.
[page break]
FRIDAY 20
12 dollars paid
[page break]
MONDAY 23
Paid $3
SATURDAY 28
Caught taking photos, interview by Master Sgt & Capt Davisson destroyed film have camera tomorrow
M.P. was a [two indecipherable words]?
[page break]
SUNDAY 29
Left Turner 1100 Reached Dorr 1145. Had an enjoyable swim.
MONDAY 30
Had another swim, improving gradually, no diving yet?
TUESDAY 31
Started flying Stermans got on quite well. Mr Smith instructor much better than I anticipated.
Broke my goggles, Terry did the same in the evening
APRIL 1942
WEDNESDAY 1
Started Ground Sch. not so bad
[page break]
FRIDAY 3
Paid $20
SATURDAY 4
Open Post, went to flicks, visited several night clubs, well oiled arrived in Billets next morning 4.30
[page break]
SUNDAY 5
$650 for Taxi to Shellmans[?] three nice girls Byrel, Martha, Sara,
[page break]
SATURDAY 11
1st Solo, round three times, last time did a ground loop[?]. O.K.
[page break]
FRIDAY 17
Paid $21
SATURDAY 18
Went in hospital
[page break]
SATURDAY 25
Came out of Hospital had a good time
[page break]
JUNE 1942
TUESDAY 2
Moved to Macon[?]
WEDNESDAY 3
Mother's Birthday
[page break]
SEPTEMBER 1942
MONDAY 21
My 21st
[page break]
OCTOBER 1942
TUESDAY 27
left Moncton N.B. Canada 0900. hrs
Tremendous & good quarters Easely loose[sic] your self.
WEDNESDAY 28
Food Good
Plenty of canteens short of money[?]. Lost myself about a dozen times
[page break]
THURSDAY 29
Still in port, Good breakfast, nothing to do. Took things easy
Usuall[sic] boat drill
FRIDAY 30
Set sail 1000 hrs. Bag pipes played on the way out, bags of hurries [Hurricanes?] low flying [indecipherable word]
SATURDAY 31
Slept well, lovely breakfast, Gunnery practice.
clocks[?]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 1
Making good speed Fairly rough but[?] stable
clocks
MONDAY 2
Not allowed on Deck, Very little to do, 50[?] cigs issued.
TUESDAY 3
Not allowed on Deck Everything quiet. Duff gen on when we were docking.
clocks
WEDNESDAY 4
Anchored. Fog quite thick, delayed disembarkation.
Panic every where
[page break]
THURSDAY 5
Plenty of tenders, Bag pipes busy. Left ship 1500 hrs. Marveleous[sic] reception by the People, Train journey, had fun throwing candy to the kidies[sic]
FRIDAY 6
Arrived
0400 hrs, good organisation, up at 0900 hrs. bloody tired,
Rang Vera,
[page break]
DECEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 27
Surry[sic] House, High St, Esher, Surry.[sic]
[page break]
FLYING LOG-BOOK
[inserted] 6.41 7.55
[underlined] 4.12
12.07
DATE AIRCRAFT CREW DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TIME IN AIR REMARKS
19-12-41 T.MOTH DUEL[sic] 65 mins
21-12 55
22-12 6856 30
23-12 9128 Mr. Smith 40 2345
31-3 P.T.17 No. 13 Duel 1415 1500 45
1-4 No. 6 [indecipherable]
stalling[?]
2-4 No. 10 stalls 49
3-4 5 " spins 53
4-4 7 " " bumps 53
6-4 [indecipherable] 4 S.S.P. circuits 52
7-4 4 S. circuits 50
landings
8-4 4 Stalls circuits 52
landings
9-4 5 circuits & Bmp
47
[page break]
Norway Oslo
Sweden Stockholm
Finland Helsinki
Yugoslavia Belgrade
Romania Buckarest
Bulgaria Sofia
Hungary Budapest
[page break]
[underlined] Subject, [/underlined] Explanation of the report, late for 1930 Pay parade 12 inst.
Report of June 13 [underlined] To [/underlined] The Commandant of flying cadets
1. The Report is correct
2
3 The offense[sic] was unintentional
[page break]
Sandiford
2 Park Lane
Hale
Cheshire
Eng
[page break]
STATIONS VISITED
1-9 - 4-10 A.C.R.C
4-10 - 15-12 Scar. 10 ITW
16-12 - 6-1 Perth 11 EFTS
14-1 - 1-2 Heaton Park A. FLT. 1 SQD[?]
2-2 - 4-2 Gourock
4-2 - 12-2 Atlantic
13-2 - 23-2 Moncton
25-2 - 29-3 Turner Field
29-3 - 2-6 [indecipherable]
2-6 - Cochran Field
[page break]
1500138 Rob[?] J.H.
1529904 EA
2 shirts
1 Pants
1 Vest
1 Pyjamas
2 prs socks
3 handkerchieves
1 Ties
4 Collars
2 Towels
1 Bag
[page break]
[underlined] 1. Infinity. 8f. 50 [/underlined]
[page break]
[newspaper cutting]
BOMB WAS BLOWN BACK INTO PLANE
When his bomber was hit by A.A. fire over Hamburg, an R.A.F. flight-sergeant saw the head of one of the bombs, with fuse still attached, blown back into the bomb-aimer's compartment.
With great coolness and regardless of the danger, he cut away the fuselage with an axe, released the fused portion and threw it out of the plane.
For this deed Flt.-Sgt. Thomas Cable, of Cleethorpes, Lincs, gains the D.F.M.
He is one of 137 officers and men of the R.A.F. decorated for gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations in many theatres-attacks on Berlin, the Ruhr, against U-boats, in the Western Desert and in Burma and Ceylon.
[page break]
C[?] 6BD, PRSD 8 6 RCXMVHPR922PACY578Q [deleted] 0 [/deleted] NMT
Chap 9
Page 131
Chap 14
[page break]
[deleted figures]
[deleted] W. N.A. [indecipherable letter] [/deleted]
OWILL YOU TELL US WHAT TIME IT IS PLEASE
[underlined] SEND SLOWER [/underlined]
[deleted] FO [/deleted]
PACK U [diagram of a little devil]
[page break]
8069
Walker F J T
Warnes C A
B Sqn
Flying Cadet Basic Training [indecipherable word]
Cochran Field
[two indecipherable words]
[page break]
[back cover of Diary]
THE AIR FORCE DIARY
[page break]
8/4[?]
5
[page break]
Curly grips Films
[page break]
PERSONAL MEMORANDA
Name STIMPSON MAURICE CECIL
Service No. 1337721
Home Address PARKFIELD LODGE, HEADSTONE LANE, N. HARROW, MIDDX
Dates of Promotion LAC. 14-11-41
[page break]
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Prestwich 2007
Mrs Archie H.E. 1467
Nellie N/wd[?] 823
Vera Pin 162
Aunty N/wd 213
Crowthers Scar. 2882
Mrs Roseway Pin 1342
Flat [two indecipherable words]
Faded ['thereford' sign]
(G/NCO.)
Wymslow
Kit
[page break]
ADDRESSES
Pat.
Oakwood
15 ST Mary's Rd.
Prestwich
M/C
[page break]
Mr. [indecipherable word]
2. Dunholme Green
Lower Edmonton
London N.9.
Mr Cooper
4 Mcdonald Rd
Morecombe & Heasham
Lancs
[page break]
c/o Sinclair
53 Polefield Grange
Berry Old Rd.
Prestwich
Manchester.
[deleted] Pendleton 2392 [/deleted]
2271 Pendleton
[page break]
1942 JANUARY
A good oil up at Perth Oriks[?] House
THURSDAY 1
Running fit
Air Plot
Multiple wind[?] finding[?]
[page break]
TUESDAY 6
("Leave") left Perth 2030 hrs
Paid.
WEDNESDAY 7
arrived home about 3 PM. Mum quite surprised
[page break)
FRIDAY 9
Ted came home, had a good time
[page break]
SUNDAY 18
Took Dorothy to flicks not very interresting[sic], long walk home everything under control?
MONDAY 19
Made a date with Dorothy but I didn't go. Went to town with Terry instead
SATURDAY 24
Went to Coop & took Margerie[?] home long walk rained like hell, home 1.30. Met Dorothy, bit complicated about not keeping the date.
[page break]
SATURDAY 31
Went to a dance with Joan & anty[?] had a good time, slept at Joans not [underlined] with [/underlined] her, poor old Pete.
Took Pat home wanted me to write
[page break]
FEBRUARY 1942
SUNDAY 8
Water! Water, Water! NAAFI sold out
Very rough waves over front of ship, sick again. Waves 20' cheesed off to the teeth, feed[sic] up with sleeping in our stinking hold No 4
MONDAY 9
Fairly Calm, up 4.0. Made some Bovril "was it good." Very cold got rougher during day but not too bad. Pork chop for dinner, oh boy)
Past[sic] Newfoundland during day did not see it too far out
TUESDAY 10
Fairly Rough
Very misty, land was just seen for a few minutes, played card all the afternoon, saw Mickey Rooney on the screen at night.
never answer if your name is called it means a guard,
WEDNESDAY 11
Calm.
Very cold 30°f, Catalinas[?] escorted us near coast, Dodging Guards all day. found some eats where[sic] they good. met another convoy, Fire in hold trust 4 hold. Fruit & biscuits Grand.
[page break]
frozen stiff, but to see land was well worth it, Catalina's taking off. anchored ready to bearth [sic] 1100 hrs. Snow amongst fir trees ashore,
THURSDAY 12
[underlined] LAND [/underlined] 16° frost
Bloody cold, ice frozen round water line, Docked 5.30 disembarked 6.0 caught train to Moncton went mad when we saw chocolate, oranges, but only [indecipherable word] any good, arrived 2.0 FRI. Had a real good meal,
FRIDAY 13
Went to bed 6.0 clock lovely firm bed, road covered with ice.
Paid $10
[page break]
SUNDAY 22
Changed to U.S.A. money
MONDAY 23
Up 4.0, Parade 6. left Moncton 8.0. Snow every marvelous scenery. Watches back 1 hour. Crossed Moose river in U.S.A. In the morning Train very fast
TUESDAY 24
Snow gradually dissappearing[sic] lovely lakes & rivers.
Lake Ontario "took 45 mins to Pass, just like the sea. Toronto not allowed out of station had a look at engines (two) Detroit & saw skyscraper for first time
Snow gone but not too warm. Turner Field 7.30 officers look tough. Billetted then a slap up meal, plenty of sand.[?]
[page break]
24
24
12
THURSDAY 26
Woke up by band marching all round camp, be on parade in 15 mins,
[page break]
MARCH 1942
THURSDAY 5
Experienced 20 mins in [indecipherable word] trainer. not too bad.
FRIDAY 6
Paid $5
Went Albany not very exciting
[page break]
SUNDAY 15
Went out to Dinner to Poulon, we intruded to have a ride, 10 piled in the car.
[page break]
FRIDAY 20
12 dollars paid
[page break]
MONDAY 23
Paid $3
SATURDAY 28
Caught taking photos, interview by Master Sgt & Capt Davisson destroyed film have camera tomorrow
M.P. was a [two indecipherable words]?
[page break]
SUNDAY 29
Left Turner 1100 Reached Dorr 1145. Had an enjoyable swim.
MONDAY 30
Had another swim, improving gradually, no diving yet?
TUESDAY 31
Started flying Stermans got on quite well. Mr Smith instructor much better than I anticipated.
Broke my goggles, Terry did the same in the evening
APRIL 1942
WEDNESDAY 1
Started Ground Sch. not so bad
[page break]
FRIDAY 3
Paid $20
SATURDAY 4
Open Post, went to flicks, visited several night clubs, well oiled arrived in Billets next morning 4.30
[page break]
SUNDAY 5
$650 for Taxi to Shellmans[?] three nice girls Byrel, Martha, Sara,
[page break]
SATURDAY 11
1st Solo, round three times, last time did a ground loop[?]. O.K.
[page break]
FRIDAY 17
Paid $21
SATURDAY 18
Went in hospital
[page break]
SATURDAY 25
Came out of Hospital had a good time
[page break]
JUNE 1942
TUESDAY 2
Moved to Macon[?]
WEDNESDAY 3
Mother's Birthday
[page break]
SEPTEMBER 1942
MONDAY 21
My 21st
[page break]
OCTOBER 1942
TUESDAY 27
left Moncton N.B. Canada 0900. hrs
Tremendous & good quarters Easely loose[sic] your self.
WEDNESDAY 28
Food Good
Plenty of canteens short of money[?]. Lost myself about a dozen times
[page break]
THURSDAY 29
Still in port, Good breakfast, nothing to do. Took things easy
Usuall[sic] boat drill
FRIDAY 30
Set sail 1000 hrs. Bag pipes played on the way out, bags of hurries [Hurricanes?] low flying [indecipherable word]
SATURDAY 31
Slept well, lovely breakfast, Gunnery practice.
clocks[?]
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 1
Making good speed Fairly rough but[?] stable
clocks
MONDAY 2
Not allowed on Deck, Very little to do, 50[?] cigs issued.
TUESDAY 3
Not allowed on Deck Everything quiet. Duff gen on when we were docking.
clocks
WEDNESDAY 4
Anchored. Fog quite thick, delayed disembarkation.
Panic every where
[page break]
THURSDAY 5
Plenty of tenders, Bag pipes busy. Left ship 1500 hrs. Marveleous[sic] reception by the People, Train journey, had fun throwing candy to the kidies[sic]
FRIDAY 6
Arrived
0400 hrs, good organisation, up at 0900 hrs. bloody tired,
Rang Vera,
[page break]
DECEMBER 1942
SUNDAY 27
Surry[sic] House, High St, Esher, Surry.[sic]
[page break]
FLYING LOG-BOOK
[inserted] 6.41 7.55
[underlined] 4.12
12.07
DATE AIRCRAFT CREW DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TIME IN AIR REMARKS
19-12-41 T.MOTH DUEL[sic] 65 mins
21-12 55
22-12 6856 30
23-12 9128 Mr. Smith 40 2345
31-3 P.T.17 No. 13 Duel 1415 1500 45
1-4 No. 6 [indecipherable]
stalling[?]
2-4 No. 10 stalls 49
3-4 5 " spins 53
4-4 7 " " bumps 53
6-4 [indecipherable] 4 S.S.P. circuits 52
7-4 4 S. circuits 50
landings
8-4 4 Stalls circuits 52
landings
9-4 5 circuits & Bmp
47
[page break]
Norway Oslo
Sweden Stockholm
Finland Helsinki
Yugoslavia Belgrade
Romania Buckarest
Bulgaria Sofia
Hungary Budapest
[page break]
[underlined] Subject, [/underlined] Explanation of the report, late for 1930 Pay parade 12 inst.
Report of June 13 [underlined] To [/underlined] The Commandant of flying cadets
1. The Report is correct
2
3 The offense[sic] was unintentional
[page break]
Sandiford
2 Park Lane
Hale
Cheshire
Eng
[page break]
STATIONS VISITED
1-9 - 4-10 A.C.R.C
4-10 - 15-12 Scar. 10 ITW
16-12 - 6-1 Perth 11 EFTS
14-1 - 1-2 Heaton Park A. FLT. 1 SQD[?]
2-2 - 4-2 Gourock
4-2 - 12-2 Atlantic
13-2 - 23-2 Moncton
25-2 - 29-3 Turner Field
29-3 - 2-6 [indecipherable]
2-6 - Cochran Field
[page break]
1500138 Rob[?] J.H.
1529904 EA
2 shirts
1 Pants
1 Vest
1 Pyjamas
2 prs socks
3 handkerchieves
1 Ties
4 Collars
2 Towels
1 Bag
[page break]
[underlined] 1. Infinity. 8f. 50 [/underlined]
[page break]
[newspaper cutting]
BOMB WAS BLOWN BACK INTO PLANE
When his bomber was hit by A.A. fire over Hamburg, an R.A.F. flight-sergeant saw the head of one of the bombs, with fuse still attached, blown back into the bomb-aimer's compartment.
With great coolness and regardless of the danger, he cut away the fuselage with an axe, released the fused portion and threw it out of the plane.
For this deed Flt.-Sgt. Thomas Cable, of Cleethorpes, Lincs, gains the D.F.M.
He is one of 137 officers and men of the R.A.F. decorated for gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations in many theatres-attacks on Berlin, the Ruhr, against U-boats, in the Western Desert and in Burma and Ceylon.
[page break]
C[?] 6BD, PRSD 8 6 RCXMVHPR922PACY578Q [deleted] 0 [/deleted] NMT
Chap 9
Page 131
Chap 14
[page break]
[deleted figures]
[deleted] W. N.A. [indecipherable letter] [/deleted]
OWILL YOU TELL US WHAT TIME IT IS PLEASE
[underlined] SEND SLOWER [/underlined]
[deleted] FO [/deleted]
PACK U [diagram of a little devil]
[page break]
8069
Walker F J T
Warnes C A
B Sqn
Flying Cadet Basic Training [indecipherable word]
Cochran Field
[two indecipherable words]
[page break]
[back cover of Diary]
Collection
Citation
Maurice Stimpson, “Maurice Stimpson's 1942 Diary,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 24, 2024, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/34224.
Item Relations
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