Bertie Henington's Diary Extract
Title
Bertie Henington's Diary Extract
Description
Three pages of Bertie's diary covering March 19 to April 5. He had just returned from Canada but after three weeks he was posted to Filey.
This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No better quality copies are available.
This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No better quality copies are available.
Creator
Coverage
Language
Format
Three handwritten pages
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
YHenningtonAJM154960v1
Transcription
MARCH
19 For the previous three weeks of this diary I was enjoying what I thought was to be a leasurely [sic] months leave after having returned from Canada. My cousin a sub Lt in the R.N. also on leave, we spent some time together. Tomorrow I intended to visit the B.T. at Slough where Henry and myself would doubtless have painted the town red
20 This morning I was greeted with a letter recalling me from leave and attaching me to Filey that bloody hole. I immediately enquired about my overcoat but was told it would'nt be ready until next Mon. The whole idea was most upsetting and I think it was damned bad form to reall [sic] us. This posting will mean a pair of service boots for the foul mud at Filey. Bloody good aircrew training.
21 A letter from [indecipherable name] hoping to see me soon. Pathetic isnt it? Poor little kid I had to sit down and give her the bad news. I've thought very tentatively of marriage but immediately dismissed the idea as being impractical in my present state of mind, training, and financial stability. Far too attached to the folks at present I fear.
[page break]
22 left the folks on the station this morning and entrained for bloody Filey. Arrived to find everyone else here and also that we would live in chalets. The old man seems a decent type and doesn't [indecipherable word] us too much. The meals seem reasonable even if not too wewll served. There has been some talk of leave after this but I’m not hoping too much. Just as well I hadn't thought seriously of marriage I'd have had it.
23 nobody woke us this morning so I spent half the night waiting for someone else to move. Issued with denhams [sic] but declined boots had my own. Interview with old man. Posted first letter home. Nothing very much occurred we did a bit of marching. Recieved [sic] a letter from [indecipherable name], he tells me the place is packing up. Must pop along to see him one day.
24 Had a lecture on the general purpose of the course from the “old man”. Had a drill period – not too bad but hard to get used to 120. Period of battle training introduction into how to make use of week-ends. Seemed a bit risky to me but will consider it. Tonight went to camp show – extremely good. Indulged in the bun fight for supper and flopped into bed.
[page break]
25 This morning drill, and a rather tactless [indecipherable word] instructor. Then P.T which was enjoyable but such a [indecipherable word] to have to keep changing from Denhams [sic] and battle dress. Into lectures and handing out of A.P. & KR’S. popped along to village of [indecipherable name] for a quick pint and walked back wrote home, had tea and cleared off to camp flick – [indecipherable word] Bun Fight and bed. Rusty had already put up black-out.
26 this morning surprised to find Waafs as batwomen Given to understand I was almost descovered [sic] in bed when she came in. wrote a letter to Enid. Had a walk into [indecipherable word] tonight. While in back parlour of pub special constable arrived & Bought him a drink and it turned out he had known Bills grandfather. Bill was always trying to shoot this line to people.
27 Had a game of billiards – [indecipherable word]. [indecipherable word] Anti-room and wrote a few letters. Tonight visited old pub again. Got into conversation with a girl. Then a stranger came in in civies and said his wife wanted to see Bill – more family matters. So we arranged to go round to his place tomorrow. Finished the evening with a huge plate of excellent Yorkshire fish and chips.
28 Some of the boys are being posted straight to A.F.U. from here. A fact that most of us deplore having had so little leave. The Waafs are proving an absolute boon. They certainly get cracking and are boots and buttons are polished regularly. The weather astonishes everyone by its mildness.
[page break]
29 Had expected to play football this afternoon, but was left out of the team. So I played rugger instead. Half the chaps had no idea and [indecipherable word] up the [two indecipherable words] by all deciding to be 3/4. Not a bad game all the same although I didn’t see much of the ball. Had a shower and went to bed. A bit tired I’m afraid after my days heated efforts.
30 Nothing much to report today things are beginning to become a bit tiring on the camp. Had a letter from Enid in which she spent two whole pages in telling me she had had a gay time amusing the bloody yanks in Cambridge. Naturally an extremely dim view was taken especially as the renumeration appeared to be high 10/- per hr. [two indecipherable words] write a tactfully suggestive letter later.
31 Flight Commander this morning and made a slight [indecipherable word] of it. Wasn’t too bad however. This afternoon combat training on the golf links which proved to be an excellent opportunity to sleep. However discretion demanded an [indecipherable word] alteration of sleeping quarters. Heard that my overcoat will not be ready until today, which means it wont arrive here until next week
Memo. MOST OF THIS WEEK WAS WRITTEN FROM MEMORY AND BECAUSE OF LACK OF IT
[page break]
APRIL
1 I’ve been making a habit of going without breakfast and have risen in consequence somewhat late. Didn’t eat too much lunch, because I was visiting the [two indecipherable words] proved to be a sweet old dear, but the daughter, Christ, a little short tubby girl with glasses and whats more to my way of thinking – in fact. Seemed to find a lot of pleasure in simpering and smiling at me.
2 This morning as usual I was up late and missed breakfast. Spent the whole morning writing letters. After lunch – simply pouring with rain, almost [indecipherable word] to the [indecipherable word]. Olga the daughter was there and the old folk kept clear. Jesus I’ve never had such an uncomfortable evening in all my life. I just wouldn’t look her in the face the expressions and [two indecipherable words] most disconcerting
3
Still raining far too hard to be comfortable and we all got really in a mess on the assault course but it really is fun and given the time and continued practice should make a show of it Overcoat arrived today – good fit. Went down to [indecipherable word] and returned determined to have an early night.
4 Today it is still raining and people are pretty miserable. Saw a number of films on lice, mosquitos and C.T. Extremely morbid news going about regarding leave i.e. we won’t get it. Semed [sic] our cake etc in mess and inadvertedly [sic] made a spot of dough by cutting the cake too small. Had a couple of whiskies and went to bed.
[page break]
5 This morning no rain and we went on the range [indecipherable words] Wellies. Not bad [indecipherable word] but [indecipherable word] and need a [indecipherable word] of energy to pull them. Route march blast it. Afternoon off [indecipherable words] tonight. Lost it. Tonight [indecipherable word] that all leave for the forces had been cancelled. This [indecipherable word] that training was being speeded up makes everyone [indecipherable word]. Want to see London before I die. Slept on it.
19 For the previous three weeks of this diary I was enjoying what I thought was to be a leasurely [sic] months leave after having returned from Canada. My cousin a sub Lt in the R.N. also on leave, we spent some time together. Tomorrow I intended to visit the B.T. at Slough where Henry and myself would doubtless have painted the town red
20 This morning I was greeted with a letter recalling me from leave and attaching me to Filey that bloody hole. I immediately enquired about my overcoat but was told it would'nt be ready until next Mon. The whole idea was most upsetting and I think it was damned bad form to reall [sic] us. This posting will mean a pair of service boots for the foul mud at Filey. Bloody good aircrew training.
21 A letter from [indecipherable name] hoping to see me soon. Pathetic isnt it? Poor little kid I had to sit down and give her the bad news. I've thought very tentatively of marriage but immediately dismissed the idea as being impractical in my present state of mind, training, and financial stability. Far too attached to the folks at present I fear.
[page break]
22 left the folks on the station this morning and entrained for bloody Filey. Arrived to find everyone else here and also that we would live in chalets. The old man seems a decent type and doesn't [indecipherable word] us too much. The meals seem reasonable even if not too wewll served. There has been some talk of leave after this but I’m not hoping too much. Just as well I hadn't thought seriously of marriage I'd have had it.
23 nobody woke us this morning so I spent half the night waiting for someone else to move. Issued with denhams [sic] but declined boots had my own. Interview with old man. Posted first letter home. Nothing very much occurred we did a bit of marching. Recieved [sic] a letter from [indecipherable name], he tells me the place is packing up. Must pop along to see him one day.
24 Had a lecture on the general purpose of the course from the “old man”. Had a drill period – not too bad but hard to get used to 120. Period of battle training introduction into how to make use of week-ends. Seemed a bit risky to me but will consider it. Tonight went to camp show – extremely good. Indulged in the bun fight for supper and flopped into bed.
[page break]
25 This morning drill, and a rather tactless [indecipherable word] instructor. Then P.T which was enjoyable but such a [indecipherable word] to have to keep changing from Denhams [sic] and battle dress. Into lectures and handing out of A.P. & KR’S. popped along to village of [indecipherable name] for a quick pint and walked back wrote home, had tea and cleared off to camp flick – [indecipherable word] Bun Fight and bed. Rusty had already put up black-out.
26 this morning surprised to find Waafs as batwomen Given to understand I was almost descovered [sic] in bed when she came in. wrote a letter to Enid. Had a walk into [indecipherable word] tonight. While in back parlour of pub special constable arrived & Bought him a drink and it turned out he had known Bills grandfather. Bill was always trying to shoot this line to people.
27 Had a game of billiards – [indecipherable word]. [indecipherable word] Anti-room and wrote a few letters. Tonight visited old pub again. Got into conversation with a girl. Then a stranger came in in civies and said his wife wanted to see Bill – more family matters. So we arranged to go round to his place tomorrow. Finished the evening with a huge plate of excellent Yorkshire fish and chips.
28 Some of the boys are being posted straight to A.F.U. from here. A fact that most of us deplore having had so little leave. The Waafs are proving an absolute boon. They certainly get cracking and are boots and buttons are polished regularly. The weather astonishes everyone by its mildness.
[page break]
29 Had expected to play football this afternoon, but was left out of the team. So I played rugger instead. Half the chaps had no idea and [indecipherable word] up the [two indecipherable words] by all deciding to be 3/4. Not a bad game all the same although I didn’t see much of the ball. Had a shower and went to bed. A bit tired I’m afraid after my days heated efforts.
30 Nothing much to report today things are beginning to become a bit tiring on the camp. Had a letter from Enid in which she spent two whole pages in telling me she had had a gay time amusing the bloody yanks in Cambridge. Naturally an extremely dim view was taken especially as the renumeration appeared to be high 10/- per hr. [two indecipherable words] write a tactfully suggestive letter later.
31 Flight Commander this morning and made a slight [indecipherable word] of it. Wasn’t too bad however. This afternoon combat training on the golf links which proved to be an excellent opportunity to sleep. However discretion demanded an [indecipherable word] alteration of sleeping quarters. Heard that my overcoat will not be ready until today, which means it wont arrive here until next week
Memo. MOST OF THIS WEEK WAS WRITTEN FROM MEMORY AND BECAUSE OF LACK OF IT
[page break]
APRIL
1 I’ve been making a habit of going without breakfast and have risen in consequence somewhat late. Didn’t eat too much lunch, because I was visiting the [two indecipherable words] proved to be a sweet old dear, but the daughter, Christ, a little short tubby girl with glasses and whats more to my way of thinking – in fact. Seemed to find a lot of pleasure in simpering and smiling at me.
2 This morning as usual I was up late and missed breakfast. Spent the whole morning writing letters. After lunch – simply pouring with rain, almost [indecipherable word] to the [indecipherable word]. Olga the daughter was there and the old folk kept clear. Jesus I’ve never had such an uncomfortable evening in all my life. I just wouldn’t look her in the face the expressions and [two indecipherable words] most disconcerting
3
Still raining far too hard to be comfortable and we all got really in a mess on the assault course but it really is fun and given the time and continued practice should make a show of it Overcoat arrived today – good fit. Went down to [indecipherable word] and returned determined to have an early night.
4 Today it is still raining and people are pretty miserable. Saw a number of films on lice, mosquitos and C.T. Extremely morbid news going about regarding leave i.e. we won’t get it. Semed [sic] our cake etc in mess and inadvertedly [sic] made a spot of dough by cutting the cake too small. Had a couple of whiskies and went to bed.
[page break]
5 This morning no rain and we went on the range [indecipherable words] Wellies. Not bad [indecipherable word] but [indecipherable word] and need a [indecipherable word] of energy to pull them. Route march blast it. Afternoon off [indecipherable words] tonight. Lost it. Tonight [indecipherable word] that all leave for the forces had been cancelled. This [indecipherable word] that training was being speeded up makes everyone [indecipherable word]. Want to see London before I die. Slept on it.
Collection
Citation
Bertie Henington, “Bertie Henington's Diary Extract,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed April 25, 2025, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/41100.
Item Relations
This item has no relations.