Continuing letter on following day, they have no started their course, which looks like it will be difficult, but at least only on navigation. Food is better than at last posting RAF West Freugh. No much to tell her yet.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Oxfordshire]]> 1942-10]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Artwork]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Nottinghamshire]]> England--Newark (Nottinghamshire)]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-10]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-10]]>
Writes of mix up on return journey with respirator cases with ATS girl and he now has two respirators and she has his pyjamas and vests etc. Cartoon drawing on fourth page of servicewomen with pyjamas and another in gas mask facing a servicewoman sergeant and a male officer who look surprised and cross.

Bill is sending his bicycle home since he does not know where he will be posted to.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Artwork]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-09]]> 1942-10]]>

Nothing definite on leave, but really hopeful for to come home next week. Have only got two night trips, a day's bombing and some exams to go. Have completed the Bombing Exam and interview with senior officers.

Party was a great success and much better than he had feared. Almost everyone behaved themselves, they had a good meal and fine entertainment.

Gives likely details for leave. Bill adds that he gave up the chance of special bombing course at Manby near Louth (local to home) as did not want to waste navigator training.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-09]]>

Bill comments that 'the wretched aerodrome's spread it's [sic] tentacles as far as Potter Hill'.

Mentions night flying and upcoming grand dinner in Portpatrick. ]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> Scotland--Portpatrick]]> 1942-09]]>

After catching up with home news, pleased to report that they now have good news on leave: since the photography exam has been postponed, he can go on leave as originally planned.

Describes one night's flying when the weather was very bad and one of the planes, with course instructor and two men, got lost and had to land in Blackpool.

Remarks how much he misses everyone on a Sunday and thinks about them having breakfast together.

Had their Station Sports Day today, which was rather spoilt by the wind and rain.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> England--Lancashire]]> England--Blackpool]]> 1942-09]]>

Had a good day bombing yesterday in good weather (unusually) and will be night flying tonight.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-08]]> 1942-09]]>

Bill is interested to hear about the 'fellows in the caravan', who seem to be conscientious objectors. Says he has sympathy for people with genuine objections and has talked with several of them in Collingham.

He is detailed to fly at 2.30 am that night, so will not have any sleep before then, although the weather might cancel it. Mentions that flying can be treacherous due to the frequent fogs. Discusses death of Duke [of Kent?] in a Sunderland, when it crashed into a mountainside.

Mentions yesterday's visit of Lord Trenchard (Marshall of RAF) and today's of an Air Marshall and the Commander in Chief Training Command. They had stayed for dinner, so Bill wonders what they were given, as the men had just had a terrible meal.
]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-08]]>

He gives a vivid description of dinghy drill, which was very funny to watch, but got on well with his own swimming and went on to Girvan where he describes what they did on their day off.

Resumes letter the following evening. The parcel has arrived with tomatoes. There is a rumour that they will have to take their exams before getting leave (so six weeks rather than four) and Bill mentions local exams in photography and bombing. He has been bombing and writes of daily routine and that he will probably be unable to attend the service which will be broadcast as he has flying scheduled.

Next page has cartoon drawing of two fighter pilots captioned 'FIGHTER BOYS!'. Mentions Churchill's visits to all over the world. Describes hut 20 drawing which he has taken down from the wall. ]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Royal Air Force. Fighter Command]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-08]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Royal Air Force. Fighter Command]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-08]]>
Bill says he enjoyed his last leave, although he mentions that the nearby aerodrome is expanding and aircraft going overhead. He did, however, managed to get a trip in an aircraft over his local area. He continues with more home news, especially commenting on the way his family clearly worked hard to give him the best possible things to eat when he was on leave. Writes that camp food has improved in the last week, but his mother's food parcels are very welcome.

Discusses a new church minister at home, who Bill is yet to meet. Remarks that previous minister was very influential in Bill's christian conversion and church membership. Catches up with course progress and describes some trips briefly. Notes that the church at the station is having a community singing evening and it will be broadcast on the radio.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-07]]> 1942-08]]>

Catches up with friends and family news. He also writes that the Air Officer Commanding is visiting the base and that they have been busy cleaning and tidying. He has also been tidying up the garden outside their hut but was amazed at the ignorance of the other men about gardening. Has had interim bombing theory exam. Mentions he has just finished a drawing of hut 20 going to bed. ]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-08]]>

Now senior course so lots of cross country flights. Dropped his first bombs, which he describes in some detail. Continuing with bombing and navigation flights. Mentions that he is taking swimming lessons since all navigators have to be able to swim.

Remarks that aerodrome near home (RAF Swinderby) is very noisy and 'a horrible place - like a festering sore smothered with flies'. He hopes it will be replaced with farms and woods again after the war.

Finishes with thanking mother and Mary for all the food they made for him to bring back with him.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> England--Lincolnshire]]> 1942-07]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-07]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Royal Air Force. Bomber Command]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-07]]>
Weather is cold and showery and looking forward to leave. About to go into an ENSA concert (adds a note that it was a good musical show). PS bemoaning the fact that he has to put 'props' on his uniform and lots of buttons need sewing on.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-07]]>

He has no definite news on leave but longs to come home where he can eat well and have uninterrupted sleep.

The boys from his former offer have sent him a large bundle of magazines which have been greatly appreciated by the men.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-06]]> 1942-07]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-06]]>
Describes what the local farmers are working on presently and would really like to help them, but he has not got to know anyone yet. Has managed to do quite a lot of bicycle rides around the area. Also describes the local wild flowers and wild 'rockeries' on the seashore, which he would like to take home with him.

Problem with having a bicycle with him is that everyone wants to borrow it. Doesn't mind this occasionally, but if asked too often can be a bit awkward having to refuse.

Discusses washing and sending money etc home.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-06]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> Scotland--Western Isles]]> 1942-06]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-06]]>
In answer to her questions, Bill describes how much flying they have to complete on the course, after which he should get stripes and brevet. Describes Stranraer and hope bike will arrive soon. Writes of experiencing air sickness. Catches up with news. Describes flying trip round northern England.

Bill thanks her for food sent. ]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> Scotland--Stranraer]]> 1942-06]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-05]]>
Concludes with three cartoons. First of 'Reveille 6.30', getting out of his bunk bed; second of students at desks entitled 'Gunnery Lectures'. Third cartoon shows farm scenes with people animals and buildings with aircraft flying overhead with figure looking out. Entitled 'I'll be popping over to have a look at you one of these days'.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Tricia Marshall]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Artwork]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-05]]>