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Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Last letter before leaving West Freugh. Writes about potential choice next courses as navigator or bomb aimer. Chooses navigator course at Upper Heyford. Considered navigator as harder job. Catches up with news and writes in pencil at the end that he…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes of insect bite and catches up with family news.
Excited that cadets now have own mess and, although not popular with the ground crew, aircrew need a special diet. Food is now much better and describes meals. Writes of flight up to near…
Excited that cadets now have own mess and, although not popular with the ground crew, aircrew need a special diet. Food is now much better and describes meals. Writes of flight up to near…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill is at the Receiving Centre in London. He writes that he has had a good Sunday with going to a Baptist Chapel and being invited for tea by the pastor and meeting up with another cadet - 'I can say my first Sunday in the RAF has been splendid'. …
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes that he is about to be posted within London for a short period. [page missing] Have been given food to improve night vision but he really misses getting fresh milk. Are about to move and really feel they have left 'civvie street'…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes that he is looking forward to coming home on leave in a week's time. All the parades have paid off since they have been given some extra leave. Before then have a whole week of exams. Trying to find out about the trains, but will have…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes describing his new living accommodation in Sulhamstead House, Theale, where his bedroom overlooks rose gardens, park land etc. All except the flying takes place here, whereas the airfield is a couple of miles away. Writes about the…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill describes the set up at the Elementary Flying Training School, Theale where there were two flying courses and some Turkish students. He describes his first flight as a passenger which he found 'great'. Goes on to describe flying the next…
Tags: aircrew; military living conditions; pilot; Tiger Moth; training
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Describes how flying training, although fun, is becoming harder. He seems to be struggling with navigation and landings. He remains happy but accepts he may not have the aptitude to pass this phase of pilot training. Will have to do a test with chief…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Letter written over several days. Initially expecting to have his flying test the next day and be able to return for leave soon after, but this is changed following snow. He and six others are unable to take their tests in time and remain at the…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes he is not going with grading course but staying at Theale for Elementary Flying Training School. Mentions he had a test with Chief Flying Instructor which didn't go too badly. Writes he will now have to get down to work and there will be no…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Disappointed to tell his mother that he has failed the flying test. Bill described the final test with the Chief Flying Instructor, which went badly, despite having completed a successful test beforehand with his own instructor. Has now been…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes to confirm that he has arrived in Brighton, although clearly wasn't expected by anyone and took some time to get a bed. He is waiting for posting to Air Observers Navigation School. Has met up with friends and was delighted to receive parcel…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes that he doesn't have much time to write letters. He has managed to take a couple of long walks on the downs and around Beachy Head and through local villages. Mentions allowance that should be sent home for mother. Exams next week and…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Begins with catching up with news from home. Mentions not much chance of leave but that he has had photograph taken of himself. Writes that Brighton is change from previous locations and describes activities. Went to see an ice hockey match between…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes that he hasn’t received a letter from her for a while, but did get the one she sent on from a friend. He also writes that he is expecting to be posted to Eastbourne shortly with 120 others but this will mean he has to start work again.…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill was excited to receive good news from home about Mary's baby.
Explains that now he is reached Eastbourne will have to work hard - 6 days and 4 nights a week for the next 6-7 weeks. He might get leave after the exams, but that will be…
Explains that now he is reached Eastbourne will have to work hard - 6 days and 4 nights a week for the next 6-7 weeks. He might get leave after the exams, but that will be…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill wishes he had more letters from home recently. The work is much harder than on the pilot's course and he is struggling to get the hang of the using a sextant. Describes daily training hours through the week, but have games on Tuesday…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Describes difficulty of travel by train due to restrictions. Has very little free time. Catches up with home news of family and friends. Hopes to be home on Friday.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes of journey from home to Eastbourne. Mentions mid course exams coming up that week and end of course exams in 3 or 4 weeks time. Says it was good to be home, but such a rush around he wished for a longer stay.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Tells of meeting land girl on train while returning from leave. Writes of games afternoon, played golf. Writes of changes to plans for next leave because has the 'fateful medical' the next day. Notes very good weather.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill gives details of his expected travel arrangements for his seven-day leave at the end of the week. As he will be part-way through his final exams and has the medical on Saturday, he will leave soon after.
Mentions air raid warning but no…
Mentions air raid warning but no…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes about exams and passing. Mentions leave possibility and church parade. Speculates over embarkation and writes of being re-equipped. Starts writing about a friend's experience of a bombing attack on Bath but then breaks off. Resumes to write of…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes that he is still alive despite Lord Haw Haw's broadcast of German bombing attacks on Eastbourne. Mentions damage to nearby buildings. Describes attack by Me 109s including machine gunning and dropping bombs - and how they had to hide from the…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes about measures after bombing attack - half the course to go on leave and other, including his flight, to man gun post. Describes how he and friend Derry rushed to get the first post. They are on a very exposed gun post with a Vickers machine…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes about possible leave - keeps changing. Now on 2-3 hr shifts on the gun post, but also have to get there quickly if there is an air raid warning. Says no air raids recently but saw Me 109 at high level and resulting anti aircraft fire.…