1
25
12
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Fifty one military personnel
No 26 Elementary Flying Training School 14 January 1942
Description
An account of the resource
Fifty one personnel of differing ranks, some in the rear are RAF trainees wearing tunic and white flash side caps, other may be staff or from other air forces (Turkish). Personnel in front are sitting and those behind standing. In the background an imposing mansion (Sulhamstead House, Theale, Berks) with columns and windows. On the reverse 'No 26 E.F.T.S, 14,1.42'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-01-14
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-01-14
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
K N Crowe Photographers, Reading
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PAkrillWE1915, PAkrillWE1916
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
aircrew
pilot
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill
No 26 E.F.T.S.,
Theale,
Reading, Berks.
Sun. 15.2.42.
Dear Mum,
Pleased to get your letter on Friday.
Now I’ve got some news that’s really going to disappoint you – that’s the worst part about it -. I managed to cut a promising career short last Tuesday, or at least I had it cut short for me when the C.F.I. decided to suspend every body he could!
I told you I’d had the one test. That seemed O.K. Then he started giving every one of us another. Peachey passed me out for Solo. He was quite satisfied & didn’t seem to have the least doubt about me & I’d none either & we were both chatting happily about what we’d do when I’d done my first solo. I flew with him in the morn & again in the afternoon did a couple of circuits before he got out & C.F.I. got in. He told me to taxy [sic] out & I had to go right round the field to get right for take off, at a slow pace & I suppose
[page break]
2
that must have shattered my nerves rather. Anyway I went all to pieces but never, never imagined that I’d get suspended for I’d been so sure & confident a few minutes before with Peach. I simply couldn’t believe he meant it & Peachy nearly wept, but couldn’t do anything about it. He’s a grand instructor – young, quite a little boy to look at but a F/L & hot stuff.
That was that but I’ve managed to get recommended as observer, & am now waiting for the posting to come through when I’ll go to Brighton. It’ll be a very interesting job anyway – It’s always been interesting to me & if I hadn’t had a crack at pilot & found that I liked it & could do it I wouldn’t mind at all. I’d prefer to be observer to pilot on a bomber anyway. The pilot’s just the bus driver there & does as the observer tells him, though in England the pilot is usually
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
the captain. But it makes me feel so useless not to have got through & I feel most upset that you’ll be disappointed. However it’s perhaps prolonged my life a bit. If I had been a bit unsafe or doubtful it may have meant that I’d have come to a sad end one day in an Oxford. There are ghastly stories from the S.F.T.S. near hear [sic] of the number of pupils who are killed.
The C.F.I. asked for me the other day to sign papers ac. & had the cheek to say [inserted] twice [/inserted] that it was sheer bad luck that I hadn’t made it & then went on to say that it was a definate [sic] loss to the Air Force as I would have made a very good pilot !!!!!????? He also said that had it been peace time he’d certainly not have let me go as I only wanted a little more time which I couldn’t have in war time & that I’d had a rather unfair chance!! Well I didn’t know [underlined] what [/underlined] to make of it nor do any of us, but it looks as if anyone left over from Grading Courses has little or no chance of getting through as we’re just in the way.
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
It means that I lose my 2/6 a day flying pay but I’ll get 2/- of this made up when I get to AONS (Air Observer Navigation School). [deleted] Two [/deleted] Once trained the pay’s the same.
Your brain-wave seems to have worked alright. Yesterday I went to the Wrays when I had my day off & got to know where Emmerdale Rd was. Its only a few mins. walk from there. Today I just “brake camp” & went to Reading again so I’ve had a whole week end off. It was a risk & I’d have been in for it had anyone found out but it was worth it.
I looked Joan up in the afternoon & sure enough she still lives there & though she didn’t recognise me she made me very welcome & I stayed for tea. Her husband isn’t called up yet. The child was a vile, hefty little brute, with a shocking temper which was politely put down to a cold & a tooth & various other reasons but I think that the
[page break]
5
the chief reason was insufficient use of a heavy hand. Joan is growing the image of her mother. Auntie Gertie is still living in Bourne, but she says uncle doesn’t do much travelling these days. The twins are both working in a Solicitors Office. Can you imagine them as somebody’s capable secretary? She says they’re getting on very well. One gets a slightly higher wage than the other so they split the difference!
The Wrays is just like a “home from home” these days & I can just wander in & out & do as I please. Mrs. Wray’s given me the freedom of the garden – and the tools so I can amuse myself there. I’ve got to know the guests too & find that only 3 are school missesses [sic] & they are not as bad as you’d think. They’re all just a happy family party & its grand to join in with them.
I’ve also got to know some people in the village. The minister at the Cougl. Chapel I attend asked me to supper.
[page break]
6
one night & I’ve a pressing invitation to go whenever I like & they’re also wanting me to go to this & that chapel function. They’re very nice people. The minister’s young & newly married & his aunt & sister are living with him. They’re grand homely Welsh folk. So you see just as I’m about to depart I’ve found plenty of friends! Next I start exploring Brighton. Wonder if Miss Mary has any friends there!
I had a grand walk today along the [deleted] pa [/deleted] tow path of the River Kennet to Reading. I don’t know how far it was but it took me 3 hours. It was a lovely walk & I did enjoy it. The folk at the Wrays suggested it. They’re great walkers & country lovers & we have great discussions on Natural History ac.
Well, I’m feeling very sleepy after my exertions but I can’t go to bed yet as I’m Orderly Corporal today which means that I have to tuck everybody [inserted] else [/inserted] in bed first. I suppose I’d better attend lectures tomorrow as the old brain will have to get used to hard usage now
[page break]
7
I don’t suppose I’ll be able to get 48 as they never know when my posting will come through. Unfortunately George, Thornhill & Harty were posted to Brighton the other day but I don’t think I’ll be alone as there have been so many suspentions [sic] that some are bound to get recommended as Observers. I think Brindle will be coming anyway (of [underlined] all [/underlined] people)
Best of love to everybody.
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
Yes, written to Auntie, & to Annie who has replied v promply [sic]. Will send mucky clothes when I get to Brighton but I haven’t another pr. pants to change into.
[page break]
[underlined] 8 [/underlined]
[underlined] P.S [/underlined] Must tell you this. We’ve got a new Cadet Commander whose been looking into Food Question & inquired about what happens to our Jam and Cheese Rations & has ordered that we get a 3 course meal at 6.30 instead of the feeble mouthful of bubble & squeak we usually get.
One morning we actually got EGGS but when [deleted] 40 [/deleted] there were found to be 40 short [underlined] we [/underlined] were accused of pinching & there was a terrible scene over it.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
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 recommended for training as an observer (probably in Brighton) and is awaiting posting. On reflection quite happy with this, but disappointed at failing to become a pilot.
Describes the various local friends he has made through a family and via the chapel. Also taking a walk suggested by some friends along the river Kennet to Reading.
Ends with PS that they have a new Cadet Commander who has been investigating the question of food and it seems to have improved. Suggestion that eggs which have gone missing probably not stolen by the men.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-02-15
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Eight page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420215
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-02
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
aircrew
military living conditions
military service conditions
observer
pilot
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18009/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420207-0001.jpg
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No 1436220 LAC Akrill
No 26 EFTS
Theale,
Reading, Berks.
Sat. 7.2.42.
Dear Mum,
Definite “pukka gen” at last. I asked the C.F.A. myself & got to know from him what was happening to us today. No doubt you’ll be pleased to here [sic] [inserted] it [/inserted] & though I believe its definitely for the best I did feel disappointed to learn that we are not going with the Grading Course on Wednesday but are doing our E.F.T.S. Course at No 26 Theale!
I had a test with the C.F.I. today & thought it strange but it was apparently the solo test. I think I achieved something by going up with him & not be stormed at once. He only once swore when I nearly landed on some “bloody ice” which covers half the field. He told me I must wait for some nice fine weather & then see what I can do. He was extremely pleasant on the whole & I can’t imagine all the gruesome stories I’ve heard about him.
So now I suppose I’ll have to get down to
[page break]
work in good earnest & I’m afraid there’ll be no leave yet awhile so it’s a good job I snatched those few hours when I’d the chance. I shall have a crack at getting another like that when I feel [deleted] brown [/deleted] a bit browned off. My part-annual leave is due in just over another month [deleted] so [/deleted] but I can’t see either the C.F.I. or the C.O. condecending [sic] to let us have it.
Had an excitement the other day when one of the Seniors was doing Low Flying Practice & left his undercarriage on a muck cant. He circled the drome & everyone, ambulance fire tender M.O. ran out to the field as he came to land. He ended up on his back but neither he nor the instructor were hurt though they are to be Court Martialled [sic].
Thank Ros a pip for letters. Will answer later. Grub is [underlined] glorious [/underlined] & it was grand being home. Hope the snows gone at P.H.
Love
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
[inserted] It was a lovey [underlined] gusty [/underlined] day for a test
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
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 leave. Writes of incident where student left his undercarriage on a muck cart and aircraft ended up on its back. Fortunately no injuries but both student and instructor to be court martialled.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-02-07
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420207
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-02
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
aircrew
military discipline
military service conditions
pilot
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18008/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420205-0001.jpg
767d87341efd70c7ffaa60835a397d83
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18008/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420205-0002.jpg
6fb1ae195b671b0f4fef9531b20735e0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
No 26 E.F.T.S.
Theale, Reading,
Berks.
Thurs. 5.2.42.
Dearest Mum & All,
Thought I’d better get this written as soon as I could & get it posted when I can – just to let you know that I arrived without hitch. Am doing it during morn. lectures .
I hadn’t a seat until I got to Peterboro’ but there was plenty of room after that. Arrived at Kings X rather late & I was afraid I’d “HAD” the Reading train from Padd. Anyway I charged to the tube & bounded into a train that was just leaving & raced out at Padd. just as the train was due out. Just got to Reading in time to get the bus & found the other boys there as well.
I found Nip’s letter waiting. I expect Ros’s & the parcel will arrive today
It was snowing hard all the way to Peterboro’ when I drew the black-out but most of the snow has cleared here & the Flying Group has gone down to the field but there’s a nasty wind & it’s
[page break]
beginning to snow a bit so I don’t suppose they’ll get much done.
I heard from one of the Grading Course this morning that there is a new Grading Course coming in on Wednesday so it seems quite definite that they’ll be going then, so I hope I’ll be joining them. I’ll see if I can get some gen on the subject before I post this letter. This course has only got in about 3 – 4 hours so they can’t have much of a test. There’s a Tiger I can here [sic] just gone over so it sound [sic] as if they’re flying after all.
I did enjoy my fleeting visit home. It was great just to be able to come breezing in for a few hours so unexpectedly. If I come on Wed. don’t bother about a bed. I had a lovely night by the fire. I’ll let you know more anyway & ring you up from Newark. Hope the weather clears at home.
Love to all
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
P.S. Got parcel & Ros’s letter alright. Have a picnic tonight. They seem to be flying in spite of the snow so will post this when I go down.
[underlined] B [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother and all
Description
An account of the resource
Describes journey back to Theale and snowy weather. Still unclear about his future. Says he enjoyed his brief visit home.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-02-05
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420205
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-02
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Rights
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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.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
aircrew
military service conditions
pilot
Tiger Moth
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Friday 30 Jan ‘42
No 1436220 LAC Akrill,
No 26 EFTS.
Theale.
Reading, Berks
Dear Mary Mum & All,
Very pleased to get your letters yesterday. Sorry I didn’t write before but I was so uncertain about what was happening that I didn’t know what to tell you. Still not sure what’s happening to me but I went up with the C.O. one day & he seemed quite pleased so I suppose the few who are left may be going with the new Grading Course here. I’ve not been passed for solo yet but I hope that I shall be soon though of course the weather’s so uncertain for first solos.
When the weather broke I hadn’t flown for over a week except for a few minutes with Peachey (one of the instrs) when one morning early I learned that the [underlined] C. O. [/underlined] was waiting for me. He’d taken George up the morning before & suspended him so I should have felt a bit scared. Anyway I rushed off & jumped in & away we went. I’ve never known worse weather. There was a terrible blizzardy gale blowing from all directions & the little plane was buffeted & bumped & felt as if she’d capsise [sic] any minute. So you can guess I had a terrible time with one thing
[page break]
missing page
[page break]
rather - they seemed to consist mainly of schoolmisseses [sic] but Mrs & Miss Wray made me feel very much at home. Its fine to know that there’s somewhere like that where you know that you’r [sic] very welcome at any-time. I think they also have a corporal from a drome on the other side of Reading who they provide an open house for. Miss Wray has some grand books. No, I’ve not heard from Miss Moakes about her nephew. Its my day off tomorrow so I expect I’ll go into Reading have a look round & go to the pictures & then call on Mrs. Wray. Also have some good feeds, which is one of the main interests in going out.
Gee I could do with a bit of pig cheer if you could manage it. It makes my mouth water to write it down. I’ve never known what it is to be hungry before. If it wasn’t for the dry bread & scrape I manage to pinch during break I don’t know how I’d live. [deleted] The [/deleted] It really is a disgrace the food they put before us – amount & quality & it’s a criminal offence to ask for more or complain. Ah well I seem to thrive on it anyway.
So the ceiling’s given way at last! Perhaps the Curtis Estate will consider doing something about it now. Hope Mr. Henry wasn’t in bed when it happened
[page break]
Sorry Ros hasn’t been feeling very grand. Hope she’s better by now.
Am sending Group photo. Hope the grin pleases you better.
I’ll be looking out for the pig!
Love to all
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to Mary, his mother and all
Description
An account of the resource
Bill still does not know what is happening to him. Weather has been terrible for flying but he had to go up with the Commanding Officer and it went badly (page missing from letter, so no end to story).
Complains again about the lack of food and discusses local people who have been hospitable and catches up with home news.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-01-30
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
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Three page handwritten letter [at least one page missing]
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420130
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
aircrew
military living conditions
military service conditions
pilot
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
No 26 E.F.T.S.
Theale,
Bedks [sic]
Sat. Jan 17 ’42.
Dear Mum,
Thought I’d get this letter written now & then after my test tomorrow I can let you know the result & let you know whether or not its likely that I’ll be coming home on Wed.
Most of our flight have already had their test & got through. Some had it yesterday & our day off was cancelled today & a few more had it & just as I thought I was going up with the C.F.I. this afternoon he decided that we’d been working so hard that we deserved a bit of rest so we’ll take it tomorrow morning I expect. Shan’t I be glad to get it over!
We’ve spent the last 2 days down on the flying field & I’ve been getting in all the flying I could. I was a good way
[page break]
[circled] 2 [/circled]
behind in my hours & my landings were still “power dives” or “arrivals”. Everything else I’ve got taped quite O.K. & my approach & landing has improved a lot. I had another instr. as my own’s been away & he just concentrated on landings & gave me both praise & encouragement which I’d not had before. Still standing by the Watch Office watching some landings that have passed the C.F.I. I don’t think I need fear about getting through! The ordeal of the test isn’t a pleasant thought though. The boys say that the C.F.I. can swear better than anything they’ve heard before and simply screams down the inter-com “you blank fool, you silly blank what the blank are you doing. blank [sic] blank blank [indecipherable symbol] !!!” with his teeth set all the time. When it’s over he’ll possibly say “Well its the blank worst blank flying I’ve ever seen. Oh I suppose you’ve scraped through.”
[page break]
[circled] 3 [/circled]
Once that ordeal’s over there are the ground exams on Monday or Tuesday & then I believe we get leave on Wednesday for a week or maybe more. So I thought I’d have this letter ready & if I get through the test I could pop it in the post perhaps you’d get it on Tuesday or Wednesday & be in some way prepared if I decended [sic] upon you on Wed sometime. I shall be able to get a train from Kings X & can get right to Newark I should think. Though if I get stranded at Grantham it won’t be far hitch hike.
So keeping in mind the susceptibility [inserted] of those in power [/inserted] to change their minds at the last moment I’ll hope to see you sometime about Wednesday.
I absolutely forgot Harry’s birthday & could have kicked myself when I found out. I’m afraid days just come & go here & my poor old memory’s been working overtime
[page break]
[circled] 4 [/circled]
Still it’s not too late to wish him “many happy returns” I wrote only the other day & still didn’t remember.
I’ve seen the group photo & ordered you one. There are too many on for it to be a good [deleted] grou [/deleted] photo but you’ll have the satisfaction of seeing that I was smiling anyway.
Gee it’s COLD today & upstairs my nose just seemed to turn to water. It’s still very sore & very red. Thats the worst of having such a big one!
Thanks, Mary for letter, I’ve been very lucky this week - 4 one day 2 the next & 2 the next and 2 at the beginning of the week! Miss Mary has raked up a friend in Reading!
[underlined] Friday 23 Jan’1 [/underlined]
I guess you’ve been wondering just what on earth’s happened! Well [underlined] I’ve [/underlined] been wondering just what’s going to
[page break]
[circled] 5 [/circled]
happen. I’d better explain what this week has brought forth — On Sunday morning we got up in all eagerness & confidence for our test only to find that there was a heavy covering of snow & that it was still snowing. It snowed all Sunday night & by Monday there was a foot of it. By this time rumours were around that we were leaving on Wednesday & the two of us who’d yet to have their test realised that we’d had it. On Tuesday we knew that 18 were going - first for 1 days embarkation leave & then to Manchester. I was not among them. We were a dismal crowd on that Tuesday - the 7 who were left! The others were so noisy about their thought of Canada & grumbling because of their short leave that we thought it would be a relief to get rid of them. Now the only [deleted] worry [/deleted]
[page break]
[underlined] 6 [/underlined]
grumble I have against the affair is that I’m separated from them. They were the grandest set of chaps one could wish for.
Since then, knowing that the worst had happened, I’ve just settled down to enjoy things. The [deleted] 8 [/deleted] 7 have all settled down in my room & we’re taking life as comfortably as possible. A new grading course has come in & as far as we can gather we’ll join them for another 3 weeks here. So life should be pretty good for the next 3 weeks for we’ve taken our ground exams & needn’t worry much about lectures & as soon as the weather’s fit we can get on to flying, get our test over & then amuse ourselves. Its funny but you’ve got to get down on your luck to realise how well off you are.
[page break]
7
The boys the went away on Wed. morning were grumbling in the same old way!!!
For the last few days we’ve been shovelling snow or dodging shovelling snow. Somebody has decided that a large + of runways should be cleared & the entire camp has been working on it — flying instructors, pupils, Ground Defence, assisted by some of the Civvy Staff & [deleted] one indecipherable word [/deleted] It was quite a grand sight to see everyone shovelling together with a few crazy flying Instrs. rushing madly around with the lorries. I admit I quite enjoyed it all - though I didn’t work very hard! Today its raining hard so it was all to little avail.
The remaining 7 are an odd collection. Brindle, who I get on with very well except for times when his all too
[page break]
8
[underlined] “frightfully” [/underlined] Oxford drawl gets on my nerves. At times he can be too superior forwards, but for the most part he’s good fun to have around. Hart & Nash I’ve not had much to do with. Their fathers fought together throughout the last war & they’ve managed to stick together so far. Warren’s rather a dumb cluck. The best two are Thornhill & Cook. Cook has been my room - mate all the time I’ve been here & George & I have got on very well together. He’s in my flight & group & the other one who’s not has [sic] a test yet. The others have had one test & not got through - in most cases because they’d not had enough hours. The tests are very unfairly carried out.
But I’m just beginning to get settled here so I’m not bothering in the least & I’m feeling chalks better than I ever did in Aber. I don’t think the mild
[page break]
[circled 9 [/circled]
sticky atmosphere suited me at all. Of course I get plenty of fresh air here which I didn’t there, as well as daily P.T. The food’s very very limited & I’m often hungry at nights though we can buy cheese sandwiches in the bar here. This is a scandal as everyone knows that it’s our own cheese ration that we’re buying. Phillips & Powis (the Civvy firm that run this joint) are the biggest swindlers out. At the canteen in the camp we have to pay 2d for a tiny little tart that disappears in a mouthful. [deleted] They [/deleted] P & P are the one big snag at this place. Their own employees are earning collosal [sic] wages - at our expence! [sic] Its real crazy that a civillian [sic] firm should be allowed such a free hand in such an important work - especially in war time.
Well if I go on at this rate I’ll
[page break]
[circled] 10 [/circled]
be needing an outsize envelope to hold all this - have enclose [sic] £8 in notes too. We got paid today & there’s no sence [sic] in keeping it. We seem to get 6/6 a week deducted for insurance & various other mysterious things. We were paid £4.12 for the fortnight.
Well its gone 8.0. I like to retire about 8.0 for a bath & then snuggle into bed for a little read before turning over. Life must have its little luxuries.
Best of love to all. Thanks for letters — always [underlined] very [/underlined] welcome. Please pay for stamps out of my money. Would send some if it was easier to get them. I doubt if I’ve one left for this letter. If you got a couple of books while you were at it I could do with one but they must come out of my money.
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
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 unit for the next three weeks. Once he has accepted this, he is quite positive, since they only need to take their flying test (having done the ground ones), and should be easier.
Critical comments on the food provided by a civilian firm and suggests that they are selling some of the rations back to the men.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-01-17
1942-01-23
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Alan Pinchbeck
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Ten page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420117
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
aircrew
military living conditions
military service conditions
pilot
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No 1436220 LAC Akrill.
No 26 E.F.T.S.
Theale,
Wed. 14.1.42 Reading.
Dear Mum,
Pleased to get your letter today. Sorry about colds & humbugs. Hope all over now. Thought I’d better get this off now though I’ve no gen about leave or posting or Exams. I expect that by next week at this time we’ll not be here (I certainly hope so) but where we’ll be I’ve not the vaguest idea.
I expect that that those who get through O.K. will gather up all their kit & get some leave before being sent for to Manchester to be embarked. That’s the usual procedure I believe. Of course it’s by no means sure whether I’ll get through or not. This is certainly the most difficult rung of the ladder so far & once over the top is [deleted] almost [/deleted] is quite hopeful (with plenty of hard work) the course
[page break]
[circled 2]
Is certainly a far stiffer one than we had been led to imagine. We thought were in fir just a few joy rides but now find that we have to take a flying test with the Chief Flying Instr. & also do the usual Ground Exams. The lectures are hopeless & we’re always missing them to go on the link &c. We’ve 3 subjects we know nothing about - Engines, theory of Flight & Airmanship. We get off after tea about 7.0. at night & are much too tired to do much swotting so I don’t know what kind of a mess we’ll make.
Of course flying matters most. After about 10. hrs we should be able to take the C.F.I. up on “Circuits & Bumps” - that is start up the plane, taxy [sic] out, take off, do a good circuit of the drome & land again, repeat process once or twice & taxy [sic] back. The weather’s been very bad & though I’ve got 7. hrs down I’ve not done much “circuits & bumps” yet. Some chaps have 11 hrs & are quite ready for tests or solo. I’m afraid it takes a bit to
[page break]
[circled 3]
sink into my thick scull [sic] but both the Link Instr & my Flying Instr. tell me I’m improving at last. My Flying Instr. told me it would be hard work for me as I’ve not got “air-sence” [sic] & it doesn’t come natural. Still I [deleted] tho [/deleted] can do the take-off & circuit O.K. provided I don’t get lost & I can get the plane down somehow, though once today I thought I was going to take the top of a tree with me! Tigers stand plenty of rough handling but people say they’re the hardest possible to fly. I’ve been doing several spins!! When my Instr. first showed me one I thought I was being flung out of the cockpit & the earth was revolving up to meet me. “Right” he said “now you do one to the right” so I swallowed hard, set my teeth & sat squarely on my seat & away we went spinning down to mother earth & I felt no queer sensation at all & came out of it right way up
[page break]
[circled 4]
I’ve done several since then and really enjoy them. The ground’s been covered in snow for the last 2 days & we got no flying in yesterday & had to pack up early this afternoon because of bad visibility. Don’t expect there’ll be any in the morning.
We had another group photograph taken today by the main entrance of our stately residence. It will be really funny complete with Turks & their high officers our Ground Instrs., snow and plenty of wide grins. You’ll soon have quite a gallery.
Pity I didn’t know Joan Reeson’s address. Yes Barney & I have found a little Congregational Chapel in Theale but on working Sundays its a rush to get there & we miss our 3rd meal anyway.
Had a real fan . mail today - Ron Melton, Dave Nip & your’s. Ron tried once again to get in for training as Pilot but didn’t succeed. Don’t think he’s enjoying life too much. Sad about his sister. Dave tells me of
[page break]
[circled 5]
More troubles in the office. Jelly has gone into hospital with Sugar diabetis [sic] & Mr. Sunman has a bust ulcer in his stomach causing internal bleeding. Poor old CTS. He never was very strong - especially in that quarter. I’m afraid it’ll shake him up for a long long time & goodness knows what the office will do. [undecipherable word] & Gorgeous will carry on I suppose! Titch used to live at Theale when a nipper.
Well must retire as it’s striking 9.0. and I like to be in bed by then.
Will let you know immediately I get to know anything — until then take it I’ll be gone from here in a week and —WISH ME LUCK!!!! (I’ll need it) [underlined] Bill [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
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 flying instructor. Bill is concerned that some of the lectures are poor and they miss some due to other training. Unsure when he will be moved on and where to. Concludes catching up with family and friends.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-01-14
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Robin Christain
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420114
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
aircrew
military service conditions
pilot
Tiger Moth
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No 1436220 [inserted] LAC [/inserted] Akrill.
No 26 E.F.T.S.,
Theale,
Fri. 2nd January 1942 Nr. Reading.
Berks
Dear Mum,
Afraid I’ve run out of notepaper & have to fall back on the good old notebook, but I guessed you’d want to hear a bit more than my scribbled note on Wednesday when I was far too tired & sleepy to know what I was writing.
We’re still feeling rather strange here (I am anyway) as its such a change from I.T.W. Yesterday we started off good & proper. We parade outside on the gravel in two groups – flying & lectures. There are, not including the Turks, 2 courses here ourselves, the junior, and about 20 more in the Senior Course who have passed out & are waiting to go to [deleted] 59 [/deleted] S.F.T.S. Then there’s a complicated arrangement about groups & flights. Joe & I are in different flights but in the same groups. Thus we fly [deleted] & do lec [/deleted] at the same time but from different parts of the field, & do lectures together but do not get the same day off which is a pity. Well, as I was saying we paraded
[page break]
[deleted] and [/deleted] with the Turk officers & answered our names. Imagine the excitement when, with a group of officers present, the Sgt. Read out their first name & their [sic] came a [deleted] so [/deleted] high pitched voice out of the darkness, “I am here!” They’re hopeless at marching & drill & it was painful marching behind them to the flying field. Well it was a bad morning so we had to sit around in the Crew Room till the weather cleared after our various instructors had been along & given us the low-down on the plane & instruments &c. Finally the weather cleared somewhat & I grabbed parachute & helmet & booked out at the Timekeeper’s Office & stumped across the field, strapped on my ‘chute, struggled into rear cockpit & strapped myself in. My instructor told me it was to be a purely passenger flight as the C.O. insisted that first flight should be.
We taxied across the field turned gathered speed & up & away leaving the drome buildings below our left wing tip. We flew to Reading & circled by the Thames. My instructor was doing his best to give me some idea of direction & whereabouts but I was quite lost. Then I got demonstrations in pitching, rolling & yawing. Gosh did my heart & stomach come in my mouth the first time he shoved the
[page break]
stick forward. Well after 20 minutes we came down & my Inst. asked me how I liked it. My beaming face must have answered him. It was [underlined] great [/underlined]! I was deaf for about an hour after but today I felt no effect. My Inst (I’ll call him [underlined] Mr. H [/underlined] for short) also had a Turk so I got no more that morning. In the afternoon we had lectures, very dull as we’ve done it all at I.T.W. We also got P.T. We do 1/2 hr. every day with the Turks. They’re a funny crowd! [deleted] In the [/deleted] After tea [deleted] we [/deleted] Joe & I went into Reading as we get a chance to go on the service bus once a week. Nothing else to do but pictures though.
Today we should have done lectures in the morning & flying in the afternoon but as the Senior Course are night flying there was no flying this afternoon so we had to get in what we could just before dinner. I got in 45 minutes but as I was at the controls most of the time it didn’t seem anything like long enough. I could have gone on soaring around there high above the lovely Berkshire countryside all day – not that I saw much of it, it was foggy & I was far too busy turning, and keeping the kite level to admire it. I flew for miles along a small river & then had to make turns for lakes, smoke &c. Finally I was shown how
[page break]
to decend [sic] with a glide, he’d demonstrated some glides before. Suddenly I realised that we were on the edge of the flying field & I felt Mr. H take the stick but I still had the rudder bar & was giving it plenty of right as instructed & so we made a landing. I’ll never be afraid of attempting a landing alone now I’m sure. Oh folks its glorious!!! I feel like doing a dance every time I think about it. I’ve simply [underlined] got [/underlined] to get through – but I don’t see why I shouldn’t. Of course Tigers nearly fly themselves. They’re the most glorious kites on earth I think. I don’t want to get on any heavy two-engined jobs now. It was grand when three Spitfires zoomed in front & just below my nose & at the same time I saw a Wellington far below.
So much for that. Now about life here. It’s very different being stuck here in Sulhampton [sic] House, from the old days in Aber. when one could always be popping into town, getting to know plenty of people. We get one day off weekly. This week ours is Saturday. What to do I don’t know but it will be a rest anyway. I shall go into Reading as there are a few things I want. Sunday is work as usual. We’re pretty well treated here. Food is cooked & served up by women from the village & we’re waited on by A.C.S. Flying Schools are primarily civilian concerns
[page break]
5
which have been taken over by the RAF. Theale is only a new station & been going since August but it’s still Civvy with RAF. butting in & you never know where you are. We get Civvy rations (to prevent jealousy from the Civvy Staff we’re told) but they’re not too bad for quantity & very well dished up. Flying certainly gives you an appetite.
Sulhampstead House is a glorious place to live in but when it’s not home I don’t care for living so far away from anywhere. It’s a very lovely district as I can see from the air. It’s a pity I don’t know any one in London or round about as a lot of the boys have gone up tonight to spend their day off there. I [underlined] thought [/underlined] of hitch hiking home but not very seriously. Max & some of the old flight go to Brough near Hull today. I’m sure I could have got home from there. Well I’ll perhaps be home soon & have plenty to tell you.
Glad to get your letter. Poor old pear tree. It won’t be at all like home but it was certainly not much use however ornamental it may have been though I’m sure there be no fruit on any new trees that are planted.
Best love to everybody [underlined] Bill [/underlined] PTO.
[page break]
Now getting 7/6 a day but have to pay 5/- a week insurance. I believe I’m now liable for income tax but I don’t suppose it will be deducted.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
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 day.
Finds it a bit different being at Sulhamstead House and only having one day off a week, after Aberystwyth, when they could easily go into town. Mentions that the food is good, served up by local women and although they have 'civvy' rations, and quantity is fine.
Postscript detailing amount of pay.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-01-02
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Robin Christain
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420102
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
aircrew
military living conditions
pilot
Tiger Moth
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
No 1436220 LAC Aksill,
No 26 E.F.T.S.
[deleted] R.A.F. [/deleted]
Theale,
Nr. Reading ; Berks.
Wednesday 31 Dec. 1941.
Dear Mum,
Am writing this from the sumptuous mansion of Sir Norman Watson, where we are billeted. Sulhampstead House is its name and its in a glorious park setting, and quite a fine example of modern architecture. I’m in a lovely bedroom overlooking the rose gardens, pergolas, wall gardens and park. Here we eat and sleep, do our drill, P.T, all lectures and link trainer – in fact all but the flying. The drome is two good English miles away and the station quite another so that’s one disadvantage though there is certain
[page break]
transport to the drome at times. Reading is about 15 mins journey from Theale and London less than an hour from Reading. I’m feeling dead tired as you can guess. We had to work to the very last minute in Aber. and marched off from the Lion at 5 o’clock to catch the 5.25, all looking very jaunty, waving goodbye to old friends with Sandy charging in front barking wildly. Our Officers and Brownie wished us farewell at the station and as we looked out for the last time on our old haunts we found we’d got Sandy in with us! We put him out at the first stop with instructions for taking him back. Well just 12 hours after starting we got into Reading and had to wait until 8.15 for a train to Theale. You can guess we were dead tired
[page break]
but we got no chance of a minutes rest or wash or any of the common neccessities [sic] of life until late tonight and then I found I had to do fire patrol at 7.0 and 11.0 so it will be late when I get to bed. [underlined] Never [/underlined] have I longed for sleep more. Today we’ve rushed up and down to the drone for parachute fittings, medicals, issuing of lockers for flying kit, lectures and interviews by various officers, filling in forms, issuing of kit and dorms and on top of all that I can’t get to bed until nearly midnight and I’m flying tomorrow. Thigs are certainly starting off in a rush and there looks like being a busy time ahead but we get Saturday off though this week we work on Sunday all day we have Sat and Sun off on alternate
[page break]
weeks but there’s no hope of both. We have some Turkish officers here who are training with us.
Well I haven’t the energy to write anything else. Will write and let you know how I get on later.
Got Mums letter. Glad to know you had a good time.
Love [underlined] Bill [/underlined]
[underlined] Wed. [/underlined] Been up today. Its [underlined great [/underlined] You’re to enjoy life!!! Will be at controls every five day now.
[deleted] Got [/deleted] For your peace of mind I have a very steady instructor a Flt/Lt of 15 years experience. Most are crazy Sg/Pilots. In Reading tonight food good.
Love Bill
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
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 journey from Aberystwyth, which took over 12 hours.
Postscript: his been up in plane today and really enjoyed it. Food good.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1941-12-31
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Ashley Jacobs
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]411231
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1941-12
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
military living conditions
military service conditions
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
1436220 L.A.C. Akrill
No 26 E.F.T.S
Theale,
Nr. Reading,
Berks
[underlined] Wed.[/underlined]
Dear all,
Very glad to hear from mum & Mary today. Been looking out for a letter. I’m quite shut off from the outside world here & letters are even more valuable.
Poor old Maim & Smokey. It always seems to be my favourite. Remember Midge Minor? Hope Tub’s O.K.
Sorry about May’s teeth and cold. Hope they’re better by now. Yes I left my cold in Aber. The climate there was very sticky and mild. Here it its been frosty & my cold’s quite gone so that’s no need to worry you.
Mary says “ Fancy going up in
[page break]
a plane.” Well, after all that’s what I joined the Raf for isn’t it!
Yes as you say mum, the Raf certainly [underlined] is [/underlined]thoughtless as far as personal feelings & comfort are concerned. Tired wasn’t the word after working all Tues. travelling all night & rushing round all Wed. & guard until 11.0! Yes this is a lovely spot but of course the gardens & park & woods are very definately [sic] out of bounds. The garden’s full of birds & squirrels & the park has a fine herd of dairy shorthorns, & scores of cock pheasants walking right up to the lecture room windows. So you see its quite like home (except that that pheasants have a very undisturbed life)
I’ve done an hour or two’s flying now but our group’s always been unlucky with weather conditions & day’s non flying & we’ve done much less than the others
[page break]
My instr. also seems to have his hands full elsewhere so I don’t get much in. I’m getting on O.K though & it’s grand while it lasts. I have to work hard while I’m up too – no joy riding with my instr. I’m at the controls all the time (after he’s taken off I’ve not done that yet but may get it tomorrow [underlined] if [/underlined] weather [indecipherable word] is ok) I’ve done straight & level flights climbing, gliding, turning, stalling and pulling it out of stalls & also I land with his guidance & assistance. Weather conditions make all the difference. On my second trip it was very bumpy & I met my first clouds & got quite muddled for a while. Stalls are great. You pull back the throttle, pull the stick back into your stomach & the nose goes right up & the plane stalls. You lose all control & down you go nose first. Luckily its easy to regain control
[page break]
I’ve also had a coupe of hours on the link. This is far more advanced than the tiger & a hundred times more difficult to handle. If you can fly a link you can fly anything. We’re not supposed to start on it until we’ve done 30 hrs sols, so you can guess we’re finding it difficult. My first 2 attempts were hopeless & nearly turned my instrs hair grey but I managed to grasp it more today. You have a whole panel full of instruments to watch & the thing is so delicate & sensitive that the slightest movements send the thing of course. I was like a bull in a china shop & my instr. kept yelling “ Don’t treat the stick like a beer pump handle”
Lectures are boring & the instructors have no idea how to teach. We don’t have to do much but we get an exam at the end. I think its definate that
[page break]
whatever happens we’ll be gone at the end of 3 weeks. Grade 1 & leave I hope!
Alright Mya I’ll be [underlined] very [/underlined] careful!! There have been a very few minor accidents here & one serious one when a bright young chap “shot up” an A.T.S. camp near here & was flying low over the parade ground with eyes on the ground & suddenly saw a tree in front & ended up in the next field on his nose. He wasn’t hurt but the kite was “written off” & he was Court Martialled yesterday & has now disappeared from no 26 EFTS. So that should be lesson enough!
Well, nearly tea time I’ve got off early today been having [one indecipherable word] & so missed flying again, we usually work until 6.0
Best love to Rose, Harry & Paddy & all. Love to Kelsey folk. Afraid I haven’t written.
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
P.S. Yes I’ve got on thick pants thick vest and pullover
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
Writes of importance of getting their letters, especially in a new place and catches up with news. Describes journey to Theale and new location. Writes about his how his flying training is going as well as time in a link trainer and how poor the ground instruction is. Mentions flying accident which led to the pilot being court martialled.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five page handwritten letter
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo][Date]-05
Coverage
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Civilian
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Contributor
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Jan Morgan
Rights
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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.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
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William Akrill
aircrew
crash
military discipline
military service conditions
pilot
training
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
Title
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Theale (West Berkshire) [place]
Description
An account of the resource
This page is an entry point for a place. Please use the links below to see all relevant documents available in the Archive.
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/474/8381/MClydeSmithD39856-160919-04.2.pdf
f7527bdcc9b68b15110a25b101935993
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Clyde-Smith, Denis
Clyde-Smith, D
Description
An account of the resource
Collection contains 26 items and concerns Squadron Leader Denis Clyde-Smith Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, who joined the Royal Air Force and trained as a pilot in 1937. He flew in the anti aircraft cooperation role including remotely piloted Queen Bee aircraft before serving on Battle aircraft on 32 Squadron. He completed operational tours on Wellington with 115 and 218 Squadrons and Wellington and Lancaster with 9 Squadron after which he went to the aircraft and armament experimental establishment at Boscombe Down. The collection consists of two logbooks, aircraft histories of some of the aircraft he flew, photographs of people and aircraft, newspaper articles and gallantry award certificate.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by John Clyde-Smith and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2016-09-19
Identifier
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Clyde-Smith, D
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
The enclosed aircraft histories are all in respect of Tiger Moth aircraft flown by you while undergoing ab-initio training at Sywell. I have commenced the breakdown of their service life as from the date of their impressment into RAF service. However, prior to this, the Tigers in question were operated under a Type ‘A’ Civil Contract which was put into use under the Expansion Scheme of the 1930 era. Then on the 30th of November, 1939, the Air Ministry took over command and RAF roundels were applied to the Tigers, although their civil markings were retained until 1940/41. The Tigers at Sywell were impressed under two Contracts, each issued on the 17th of September, 1940, as follows:
BB693-706 allocated to 6 E.F.T.S. under Contract No. All3015/40 dtd 17/9/40.
BB788-793 allocated to 6 E.F.T.S. under Contract No. All3015/40 (2nd part)
G-ADGF c/n 3345 impressed as BB704
Used at Sywell until 9/8/42, when it was transferred to 10 OUT at Abingdon. Released to 6 MU Brize Norton on the 9th of February, 1943, and later issued to 16 E.F.T.S. Burnaston. Here BB704 was coded ‘7’ later taking the code FIP:A (the four letter codes were issued to Flying Training Command, circa 1945/46). On 31/7/46, BB704 was flown to 9 MU Cosford, and stored until released to 21 E.F.T.S. Booker (near High Wycombe) on 25/3/48. Coded FIW:O, BB704 remained with 21 E.F.T.S. until transfer to 7 F.T.S. Cottesmore on 30/3/50. On June 19th of the same year it was transferred to Station Flight, Feltwell, taking the code ‘W’. However, it’s active use was now rapidly drawing to a close, and on 30/11/50, it was allocated the instructional airframe serial 6805M and delivered to No. 664 ATC Squadron, St. Walter & St. John’s Godalming County School (Surrey Wing).
[page break]
G-ADGG c/n 3346 impressed as BB695
Used at Sywell throughout it’s entire career and was destroyed in a landing accident on 12/5/41.
G-ADGT c/n 3338 impressed as BB697
Continued in use at Sywell until transfer to 26 E.F.T.S. Theale on, 15/7/42. Coded B26, BB697 remained in use at Theale until it was released to store at 12 MU Kirkbridge on 18/7/45. It’s next move was overseas to Germany and 652 Squadron where it served from 17/10/45 to 9/5/46. Following a year spent at No. 151 Aircraft Repair Unit, BB697 was flown to 5 MU Kemble for disposal.
On 27/8/47, BB697 was sold to a civilian operator, and was restored to the Civil Register, and during the early 1960’s it was still in use, registered to Westwick Distributors, Foulsham.
G-ADGV c/n 3340 impressed as BB694
Used by 6 E.F.T.S. until transfer to 29 E.F.T.S. Clyffe Pypard on 15/7/42. Released to 5 MU Kemble on 14/8/46, BB694 was eventually released to the Royal Navy. In RNAS service BB694 served at Stretton, Lossiemouth, and Arbroath before transfer on 17/11/60, to the Britannia Flight at Roborough (Plymouth).
G-ADGW c/n 3341 impressed as BB706
Sevred at Sywell throughout the war years, and was eventually released to store at 10 MU Hullavington. Struck off Charge on 22/5/50, BB706 was disposed of to W.A. Rollason Ltd., who in turn sold it to the D.H. Technical College for ground instruction purposes.
[page break]
G-ADGX c/n 3342 impressed as BB698
Continued in use at Sywell until 9/8/42, when it was flown to RAF Doncaster. Following a brief spell at Taylorcraft, BB698 was released to 5 MU Kemble on 24/6/43. From Kemble BB698 was transfered [sic] to the Royal Navy and delivered to RNAS Hinstock. Attached to 758 Squadron and later RNAS Lee-on-Solent, BB698 went on to serve with B Flight of 798 Squadron, Station Flight Lee-on-Solent, RNAS Evarton, and 727 Squadron RNAS Gosport, in that order before being sold to the Wiltshire School of Flying on 5/2/51. Restored to the Civil Register it was lost in a crash at Thruxton on 11/7/53, when it’s pilot overshot the airfield.
G-ADGY c/n 3343 impressed as BB699
Served for it’s entire life at Sywell, and was lost in a crash during a low flying exercise near Turvey, Bedfordshire, on 25/7/44, when it struck some power cables.
G-ADGZ c/n 3344 impressed as BB700
Used at Sywell until transfer to 7 A.G.S. Stormy Down on 13/8/42. Delivered to Towyn U.A.S. in 1943, and damaged beyond repair taxing [sic] at RAF Towyn, 10/2/44.
[page break]
G-ADIH c/n 3349 impressed as BB789
While in use at 6 E.F.T.S. BB789 took the code ‘89’. Released to 5 MU Kemble on 9/8/42, and then to RAF Speke on 31/10/42. However, by 6/12/42, BB789 had found it’s way back to 5 MU, where it was eventually converted to an instructional airframe. Bearing the serial 3654M it was delivered to 2006 ATC Squadron at Cheltenham on 2/4/43.
During 1946 this Tiger was handed over – without Air Ministry approval – to the Gloucester Flying Club, who promptly spent £425 in restoring G-ADIH to flying condition, and naturally thought the Tiger their property. However, the Air Ministry then stepped in and requested the return of their aircraft – the matter being eventually settled by a payment by the Gloucester Flying Club of £50 to Air Ministry. G-ADIH remained on the Civil Register until 20/11/52, when it was destroyed during a landing accident near Ramsgate.
G-ADII c/n 3350 impressed as BB701
Served with 6 E.F.T.S. throughout the war years, and was released to 9 MU Cosford on 30/8/46. Remaining in storage until 6/4/49, when it was delivered to 9 R.F.S. Doncaster. Destroyed on 22/4/50, when it spun into a sports field near Hansworth.
G-ADIJ c/n 3351 impressed as BB788
Used at Sywell throughout the war, and taken to 9 MU Cosford on 19/7/45, for disposal. Sold to Marshalls of Cambridge in 4/46, and restored to [crossed out]the the[/crossed out]
[page break]
to/ [sic]
the Civil Register as G-ADIJ. In December 1952 G-ADIJ was sold abroad to New Zealand as ZK-BBS and was converted for crop spraying. Used in this role by Northern Aviation Limited, ZK-BBS was destroyed in a crash near Dargaville on, [sic] 15/12/55.
No details at present for G-ADEZ – may have been lost prior to 1939. Further information on the aircraft that you flew will be passed in due course.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Aircraft histories of Tiger Moth aircraft flown by Denis Clyde-Smith
Description
An account of the resource
Histories of twelve Tiger Moth aircraft flown by Denis Clyde Smith while undergoing ab-initio training at Sywell.
Format
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Five page typewritten document
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Personal research
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MClydeSmithD39856-160919-04
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Navy
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Oxfordshire
England--West Midlands
England--Wolverhampton
England--Lincolnshire
England--Stamford
England--Norfolk
England--Thetford
England--Cumbria
England--Carlisle
England--Berkshire
England--Theale (West Berkshire)
England--Northamptonshire
England--Northampton
England--Buckinghamshire
England--High Wycombe
England--Surrey
England--Godalming
England--Norwich
England--Wiltshire
Scotland--Moray
Scotland--Angus
Scotland--Arbroath
England--Cheshire
England--Warrington
England--Devon
England--Plymouth
England--Yorkshire
England--Doncaster
England--Hampshire
England--Gosport
England--Bedfordshire
England--Bedford
England--Gloucestershire
England--Cheltenham
England--Cirencester
England--Chippenham (Wiltshire)
England--Shropshire
England--Shrewsbury
Scotland--Ross and Cromarty
Scotland--Invergordon
England--Andover
Wales--Mid Glamorgan
Wales--Bridgend
Wales--Dyfed
Wales--Aberystwyth
England--Kent
England--Ramsgate
Germany
New Zealand
New Zealand--Dargaville
England--Cambridgeshire
England--Cambridge
England--London
England--Hounslow
England--Cumberland
England--Middlesex
England--Staffordshire
England--Royal Wootton Bassett
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1955
1960
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
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.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Flying Training School
RAF Brize Norton
RAF Clyffe Pypard
RAF Cosford
RAF Cottesmore
RAF Feltwell
RAF Kemble
RAF Lossiemouth
RAF Stormy Down
RAF Sywell
RAF Towyn
Tiger Moth
training