Browse Items (121 total)

  • Creator is exactly "William Akrill"

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Bill describes his new location in Scotland as a desolate place, comparing it unfavourably with his previous stations: 'posh hotels, fashionable seaside resorts, country mansions'. Stranraer is about 12 miles away. Mentions that there are Ansons,…

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Bill writes that he is happier with location and work will be interesting. Little chance of long leaves. Would like to get his bike up there, so he can go on 'good rides' around the local countryside. Mentions Stranraer as a 'dismal sort of place'.…

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Thanks her for parcel with food. Complains about food and mentions passing of summer. Mentions doing night flying and sleeping all day and that he was allowed to fly on trip from Holyhead to Mull of Galloway, not as much fun as Tiger Moth. Says he is…

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Writes that his bicycle has arrived and has a good ride and it is now locked it up. Describes in some detail the local countryside and type of farming. Mentions flying to Western Isles and Ireland and had fun with Lysander used as gunnery target.…

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Bill describes how his flying hours are going and (they are really 'navigating' most of the time, if the pilot co-operates) how they will be going on to reconnaissance flights and aerial photography next. Reassures his mother that it is safe for him…

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Catches up with news of family and friends. Mentions dairy farming in local area. Describes photo reconnaissance work and other flying activity. Talks of journey home on next leave. Writes of bad news on Libya and good news on RAF bombing operations.

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Bill opens with finance matters (it is pay day) and that he is doing the same old routine flying over north-western Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales. Would like to fly nearer Lincoln (home) occasionally. Now on bombing course…

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Bill catches up with domestics, family and friends news. Describes station parade of 2000 men. Now devoting one afternoon a week to station defence. Mentions Winston Churchill and A Sinclair passing through Stanraer. Mentions American in local area…

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Bill is delighted to receive his mother's parcel and letter, and especially the home-made fruit pies which reminded him strongly of home. He includes a cartoon of him eating one with a house and farm behind him. States that the entire station has…

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Bill writes of the dreadful journey back to West Freugh after leave. Nearly had to report sick due to wasp sting on hand which had swelled up badly. Feels better for leave but seemed to go really quickly and journey back terrible. Catches up on news…

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It is pay day, so Bill is sending money home and asking his mother to send his comb and diary which he left there.

Now senior course so lots of cross country flights. Dropped his first bombs, which he describes in some detail. Continuing with…

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Bill thanks her for her parcel and letter. Shocked by story of bombs jettisoned by friendly aircraft but shouldn't judge until know the facts. Worried about Lancaster base being so close to home ('Those Lancasters and the drome are a menace').…

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Bill hopes harvest is going well and complains about food in the camp.

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…

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Catches up with news and tells his mother not to worry about him.

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…

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Bill writes that it was good to find her parcel and letter when he landed last night and has been eating the plums, tomatoes and cake.

After catching up with home news, pleased to report that they now have good news on leave: since the photography…

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Bill thanks his mother for parcel with food and letter - tomatoes and cucumbers arrived in good condition this time. Mentions harvest at home and compares to local area, where they stack their crops quite differently.

Nothing definite on leave,…

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Bill writes that he returned safely to West Freugh. They were recalled from leave because they were to be posted at the weekend but it was decided they needed to do more bombing trips. Bill had already done enough successful ones, so did not need to…

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Describes preparation for leaving course but cancelled at last minute and no idea when will be posted. Very cheesed off as could have been passed out and sent on leave, but are just hanging around. Plan to go to pictures in Stranraer. Misses bike…

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Bill writes of bad train journey to RAF Upper Heyford and how no one was expecting them there, so problems with billets etc. Since arriving have been doing a lot of physical exercise.

Continuing letter on following day, they have no started their…

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Bill catches up with home news. Comments about cold and rain conditions and heating not being turned on until 1st November. Writes some course details and crewing up with bombadier.

Provides a detailed description of his and others experiences…

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Bill mentions events in Grantham and to an Oxford. The weather is holding them up (and probably at home as well). Does not expect to get leave for Christmas and only the occasional 48 hour leave. He did spend of day in Oxford, where he went to the…

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Bill thanks her for the parcel with apples and cake. Writes of weather, course progress - have finished all the ground subjects - and upcoming 48 hours pass, when he hopes to get home. Mentions improvements in dining hall and quality of sergeants…

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Bill catches up with news, referring to someone who he hoped would answer Bill's question about how difficult it was to get into the Pathfinder Force. Urgently asks his mother to send down his bicycle by train. Borrowed one the other day and would…

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Bill writes of being very busy with night flying - although often they are almost ready to go before it is cancelled due to bad weather. His bike has arrived at Upper Heyford station but he has not had time to collect it.

Describes his crew in…

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Bill writes of flying activity, or lack of it when flights are abandoned or postponed. Mentions visit of circus comprising Ju 88, Me 110 and Heinkel which gave flying demonstration and after he was able to look over them. Was not impressed with crew…
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