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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
inserted] Am sending Eastbourne photo in all the wrappings. Thought you’d like to have it. Have you got the photos from Brighton yet? Denny is 3rd row down 4th from right straight below me. [/inserted]
No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
Hut 20,
No 4. A.O.S.,
West Freugh,
Stranraer
Scot.
Friday 5.6.42
Dear Mary
Ever so pleased to get your letter. I’m always on the look-out.
You seem to be getting plenty of rain as well. Guess its been making things grow. Summers suddenly clamped down here. We are in the middle of a region of High Pressure – an Anticylone [sic] & the heat is stifling without a breath of wind. A wind seems to be getting up a bit now so perhaps its passing over. Yesterday it was terrible – caught me with my winter combs on!
Gosh tomatoes!! [underlined] Do [/underlined] have some ready for my leave. I [underlined] may [/underlined] get 7 days in August. If I’m lucky it will be
[page break]
2
in the [deleted] begginning [/deleted] [inserted] beginning [/inserted] of the month. I can do with a change of diet. Its no use getting fed up with this as its all I can get. Its no worse than usual I suppose but it’s a bit skimpy. Last Saturday we thought we’d have a civilised meal in Stranraer & had to queue for an hour to get a seat in the only cafe Still it was worth it.
Glad you’ve got your dental tortures over. Hope to see you with a sparkling grin with your new set when I get home. We had one of our frequent examinations the other night & the dental officer decided I should have a small stopping done. They’re very keen. They’ve got a mania for the needle here these days so we’ve got stiff arms.
Now all these questions. We shall be here until we’ve completed the required number of hours flying. Nothing else will keep us as we’ve passed exams. We have
[page break]
3
to do 100 hrs Navigation flying & 30 hours bombing flying. As a good lot of it is night flying it will depend on the weather. It may be about 5 months. After that its usual to get our stripes & brevy & go for Operational Training. We join with our own crew (get “crewed up”) & fly in planes we will do “Ops” in. We have to do a good bit of flying & study there & then we are ready for Adolf. A.O.S. is Air Observer School.
Afraid I don’t get anywhere a real town. Stranraer isn’t a very wealthy sort of place & there’s nothing in the way of kilts in the shops. I looked for something “Scotchy” for mums birthday but there was nohting worth having. If I was near Edinboro’ I could get you something that would make Isobel green. What is Fair Isle anyway?
Glad Daisy’s foal is alright. She’s a good old lass.
[page break]
4
Pleased to hear your sending the bike soon. I shall find it more than useful. There are some lovely rides round here & a very keen cycling club which I think I’ll join. We can wear civvies or P.T. Kit when we go out on bikes. We walked to Stranraer on Sat. It was great. The “hedges” are banks covered with the finest gorse & broom I’ve seen. The grass & meadows are real rich stuff & there are some lovely herds of Ayrshires. We cut across fields & I really enjoyed it.
We’ve got the morning off today as we did our first night trip last night. We’re [deleted] off [/deleted] up again this afternoon. I thought I was going to be sick last night. I felt sick & had a terrible head-ache [deleted] just [/deleted] before we went up just before midnight. I didn’t enjoy the trip & felt terrible when we landed & walked back to the Ops Room. Anyway I was determined not to give way & got into bed as soon as I could & slept it off. Air sickness is the most
[page break]
5
ghastly thing I’ve seen fellows have. The other day we were sitting on the grass waiting while they tested our kite which we had found to be u.s. (unfit for service) & a kite landed & one poor fellow staggered out collapsed & lay kicking & groaning for 10 minutes & no one took the slightest notice. Its no good going up unless you’r [sic] feeling absolutely well.
Just got a parcel and a letter from Annie. Seem to have got the birthdays mixed up. Felt sure Mum’s was 3rd. Anyway many happy returns to both. Think we’ve got a long trip into England this afternoon so must collect my maps & instruments & get my harness & parachute & Mae West ready. Finish this later.
[underlined] Evening [/underlined] Just back, had tea & a wash & found letters from Dave & Mr. Goodridge waiting. This [underlined] is [/underlined] a lucky day!!
Had a long trip – all but 4 hours & feeling tired but it was great. Saw
[page break]
6
dear old England again. Came right down to S.E. Yorkshire. From Dumfries over Gretna Green & Carlisle to Harrogate, close by York to Maltern, Northallerton, back close by the Tyneside towns, & so back again. It was good weather v. stable [deleted] though [/deleted] [inserted] and [/inserted] Anticyclone over the whole country & this meant a lot of Industrial haze over N. Yorks which made visibility poor. Looking forward to the day when we come a bit farther South.
What a cheek giving us 19/6 instead of a pound. Its crazy to have different values anyway. I’d heard rumours about the value but didn’t think it was true. Of course everyone except a few pupils here seem to be Scotch.
No mum I’m not worried by Polish or Canadian pilots except that it’s hard to tell what they say! I think after a bit I can persuade them to let me fly the thing when I’m not on any too exacting job.
[page break]
You seem to have got Spring cleaning fever.
Yes our raids are terriffic. [sic] Gosh I live for the day when I can join in & send my basket of eggs crashing & pounding on to the German towns & factories. If things go on like this though I shall have a job to find anything left by the time I’m ready.
Thanks for the eats. They’ll come in fine. See you’ve carried out the sacking idea. It’s a good one but where did you affix stamp? There wasn’t a sign of one when I got it. Pity you sent thick pyjamas. Too hot for [underlined] any [/underlined] this weather.
Enclosing [deleted] £3 [/deleted] [inserted] £4 [/inserted] in parcel. It should be alright. Scots pounds I’m afraid!
Love to all
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
[underlined] xxxxx [/underlined]
[inserted] Wish you could have seen me stuffing cheese cakes & cheese away last night. Ate em [underlined] all [/underlined] before I stopped. Gosh it was good to get some real food in my mouth again! Afraid I shall eat you out when I do get leave! Think Mr. Henry was right when he said I’d been fed too well at home to be satisfied with RAF rations! [/inserted]
[inserted] P.S. How are the Rock-Plants from Mrs. Curtiss? [/inserted]
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
Description
An account of the resource
Bill writes about the hot weather which has caught him out. His diet could be more varied (Mary has mentioned tomatoes) and there could be more food. He queued for an hour to get a seat at the only cafe in Stranraer.
In answer to her questions, Bill describes how much flying they have to complete on the course, after which he should get stripes and brevet. Describes Stranraer and hope bike will arrive soon. Writes of experiencing air sickness. Catches up with news. Describes flying trip round northern England.
Bill thanks her for food sent.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-06-05
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven 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]420605
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Scotland--Stranraer
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-06
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
navigator
RAF West Freugh
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
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh.
13.6.42.
Dear Mum,
Ever so many thanks for the parcel just received. Its jolly good of you to send one 2 weeks in succession. I’m just about used to this food now & seem to thrive on it alright. I suppose its just “faddiness” but its really terrible stuff they have the cheek to dish up day after day, week after week. Still you don’t mind it after a time. Please thank Auntie for the cake.
Sorry about Mrs. Bains. Its very hard for poor Miss Bush.
Yes the summer seems to have gone again. It [underlined] was [/underlined] hot while it lasted. May get some more though as there are a lot of anti-cyclones about. The last one just missed us.
Been living like a fox for this last week, out all night & sleeping from dawn to noon. Prefer sleep at night but I suppose I shall have to work principally at night. The other day the pilot let me fly the [deleted] pla [/deleted] kite from Holyhead in Wales to the Mull of Galloway. It wasn’t as exciting as the Tiger Moth!
Must finish this or I’ll miss the bus to Stranraer. I am going to the station
[page break]
to see if my bike has got there. It should have by now.
Poor old Dave seems to be roped in at last! He’ll be glad though.
Love & Happy Birthday
[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
Thanks her for parcel with food. Complains about food and mentions passing of summer. Mentions doing night flying and sleeping all day and that he was allowed to fly on trip from Holyhead to Mull of Galloway, not as much fun as Tiger Moth. Says he is going to station to see if his bicycle has arrived.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-06-13
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]420613
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-06
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
navigator
RAF West Freugh
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 L.A.C. Akrill,
Hut 20,
R.A.F. Station,
The Freugh,
nr. Stranraer,
Scotland.
Mon. 15.6.42.
Dear Mum,
Thought I’d best let you know that my good old Lizzie [deleted] g [/deleted] was waiting for me at the station at Stranraer. She’d not suffered at all for all the long journey. Had a lovely ride on Saturday night until it came on wet & I had to pedal hard for base & had to change tunic & pants when I got back. Found the key & chained her firmly in the shed so I think she’ll be O.K. One of the lads had his tyres & inners lifted but I don’t think they’ll get at mine very well. I’ll get a pump &c when I go to Stranraer & borrow in the meantime.
Its quite a good district for biking in
[page break]
I like the country very much & wouldn’t mind living here at all though its never very warm. They go in chiefly for dairying & there really are some beautiful herds of Ayrshires. They’re a treat to see. Wish Daddy could have a look round here. Where the lands good & well farmed it’s a rich ley (I think they work on that system) Of course a lot of the land’s poor & weedy. [deleted] The [/deleted] & corn’s poorish. Nice few spuds. Farm howses, [sic] cottages & buildings [deleted] Base [/deleted] look strongly built – squat & square & whitewashed. Think Mary & Nip should come camping here – prepared for wind cold & rain though.
Just back from a trip over the Western Islands of Scotland. The scenery there’s lovely – just a maze of rugged, wooded islands and lakes. Came back over N. Ireland. It would be [deleted] bo [/deleted] grand to have a boat & spend a camping holiday there.
Yesterday we had a bit of fun with
[page break]
a Lysander (you remember them don’t you mum) We took a gun-turret on to the Sand-dunes and fitted in place of machine guns a cine-camera gun. The Lizzie made diving attacks on us & we took it in turns in the turret to “fire” on it. We each took a film of the result & they will be able to tell when the moving picture is shown on the [deleted] sceen [/deleted] [inserted] screen [/inserted] what sort of an air gunner we are
We have the Air gunnery exams tomorrow.
There is a rumour going round that we are only on an 11 week’s course but we can get nothing official. It may be true as we are rushing flying hours in & have done nearly 30 of the 100 already. Now we’re flying at all times of the day & night & should get through it in no time.
We’ve really got down to work in the air now. Think I just want practise & to grow accustomed to working things out in the air. It has surprised me how reliable my calculations can be.
If the rumour about 11 weeks is true
[page break]
it means no leave in sight for we should go straight to O.T.U. from here.
Well we shall see what happens!
Please thank Ros [deleted] f [/deleted] and Harry for letters.
Love
Bill
P.S. Enclosed 10/-. You’ll want some for carriage on bike, parcels &c.
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 that his bicycle has arrived and has a good ride and it is now locked it up. Describes in some detail the local countryside and type of farming. Mentions flying to Western Isles and Ireland and had fun with Lysander used as gunnery target. Gunnery exam coming up. Speculates on length of course - may have no leave before going to the Operational Training Unit.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-06-15
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420615
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Scotland--Western Isles
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-06
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
air gunner
aircrew
Lysander
military living conditions
military service conditions
navigator
RAF West Freugh
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,
Hut 20,
R.A.F. Station,
West Freugh,
nr. STRANRAER,
Scotland.
Friday. 19.6.42.
Dear Mum,
Found your letter waiting when I got back from N. Ireland & the Isle of Man. (feeling in a bad mood & fed up with the pilot who wouldn’t – or couldn’t – maintain correct courses heights and speeds.) Most of the boys are flying tonight & will have to spend half their day off in bed but luckily I escaped that. I’ve got about 40 hour’s flying in now + 17 more at E.F.T.S. We’re now really “navigating” – when the pilot will play though most are O.K. Next week we do some reconnaisance [sic] flights and have to do some aerial photography. There seems no limit to the jobs we have to do but its
[page break]
all very interesting. Saw the films of the Lysander the other day. No I don’t think it’s very risky letting me fly – I’m surely not as dangerous as all that – I want to be a good pilot as well if I can.
Glad David came to see you before he went. I’ve been looking out very anxiously for a letter but not yet got one. I do hope he likes it & fits into the life alright. I know he’s dead keen but things seem very different when you get into the services & get messed about. Still if I’m O.K. & happy he should [deleted] be O.K. [/deleted] get on alright.
Poor old Bob. I was sorry to hear about him. He was a nice old dog. Wish we had one of Bess’s pups now she’s getting on. I like the snap with mum & her on. Good job Tommy recovered.
Wonder if Annie will be coming back with you tomorrow. Hope you don’t upset Michael dragging him off to Metheringham
[page break]
You’ll be busy with the singling. I’m wanting to find some deserving case & go & do a bit in my spare time when I’m not flying at nights. They’ve started cutting seeds here. Don’t like to think I’m doing nothing for an hour or two when I should enjoy doing a bit. Trouble is I don’t know [deleted] ab [/deleted] anybody.
My bike’s going fine. Had 2 grand spins at nights. The scenery’s really lovely but the hills take some pushing up. Still what goes up must come down! All the streams have steep banks covered with trees & thick with ferns, foxgloves, bluebells & masses of flowers. The wild “rockeries” on the sea shore are a picture at this time of the year. I’d give anything to move one bodily to Potter Hill. The wild plants growing here beat anything cultivated. I got into some desolate parts last night & got home pretty late as well as tired & hungry. Chief trouble with having
[page break]
a bike is people wanting to borrow it. There’s a certain pilot found out about mine & comes in as regular as clockwork just to see if I’m using it. Don’t mind lending it now & then when it’s needed but its usually a case of “Sorry Sarge.” Hope to have a good ride round tomorrow but must get hold of some oil first.
Will get off to the Scotch Hut for cup of tea & couple of buns & get parcel of washing [deleted] off [/deleted] made up. Can’t change vest as you didn’t send clean one back. Believe I said I had enclosed 10/- in last letter but didn’t do it. Now enclosing £4. P’raps you’d look after it or get some certs from Mrs. Taylor. I seem to be giving you all my financial affairs to deal with. As long as they keep right way!
[underlined] Love Bill [/underlined]
P.S. Am sending collars as the laundry here has made them so shrunk they nearly choke me. Don’t suppose you can “unshrink” them!
[page break]
[underlined] Sat P.S. [/underlined] Sending home my watch which konked after its first trip upstairs. Luckily I’ve got an issue watch. Also sending a book I bought so it will be out of the way. Not heard from David. Been wondering about him all the week.
[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
Bill describes how his flying hours are going and (they are really 'navigating' most of the time, if the pilot co-operates) how they will be going on to reconnaissance flights and aerial photography next. Reassures his mother that it is safe for him to fly as a pilot.
Describes what the local farmers are working on presently and would really like to help them, but he has not got to know anyone yet. Has managed to do quite a lot of bicycle rides around the area. Also describes the local wild flowers and wild 'rockeries' on the seashore, which he would like to take home with him.
Problem with having a bicycle with him is that everyone wants to borrow it. Doesn't mind this occasionally, but if asked too often can be a bit awkward having to refuse.
Discusses washing and sending money etc home.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-06-19
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
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
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420619
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-06
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
navigator
RAF West Freugh
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,
HUT 20,
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh,
Stranraer,
Scot.
Sat. 27.6.42.
Dear Mum,
Many thanks for parcel & letter. How did you manage to make the rolls? Not much washing this week but its my “clean [underlined] undershirt week” [/underlined] so am sending that.
Had a letter from Dave & one from his mum who was very shocked to hear that he was to be 5 whole weeks at Skeg. without leave & thought somebody had made a mistake. Afraid I had to smile, bless her heart. Dave’s finding things a bit strange but I hope he’ll settle in & find a good pal.
Yes I bet our young ‘un showed the Thompson’s up. Joyce told me in her letter he
[page break]
2
is as brown as a berry & Mrs. Hiffe said Joan was taken up with him. You see I hear about him from all quarters. Hope Mary thanked Joyce & Harry for their letter. I will write back [underlined] some [/underlined] day.
Wonder how you’re getting on with seeds. Think it’s an early season isn’t it, saw some oats in full shaq the other day & plenty of fields of tates up.
Sorry about Mary’s abcess. [sic] Hope its O.K. by now. You must all get better for when I come on leave. Tomorrow begins the 7th week here so with luck I may be coming home 3 wks or a month as last night. Time’s going quickly enough. How is the garden off for lettuce, radishes &c? Go down very nicely with cold rabbit pie & a big glass of milk. And what about a Berry Pie & Custard? Good old Ben Brust knew what was good!
[page break]
3
Once or twice lately as a special concession the aircrews have been allowed milk at supper. (Think they must have had some likely to go bad) It was jolly good too – from the farms near I guess. Dairying’s the big thing here. I passed one of Nestlés factories the other day. My! What a smell of creamy chocolate. Bit of black-market there I bet – it was right in the middle of the country. Wonder where it was going?
Thank you for sending me the flower. Are [deleted] they [/deleted] all the plants alike?
Nothing very exciting happening here. Days & weeks just come & go. We’re getting on to more involved & interesting work now. Had a lovely trip the other day doing a photographic reconnaissance of places in N. & S. Wales. – over the I. o Man, Angelsy, [sic] Holyhead, Caernarvon (that’s lovely I guess) near enough to see Aberystwyth, & down
[page break]
4
to do a reco. & take photos of harbours &c in S. Wales. Yesterday the Sqdn/Ldr went on leave / & they came to our classroom to ask for 2 volunteers to navigate his plane to Hendon (N. London.) Unfortunately I wasn’t sitting on the front row so missed it. I’ll wait until the Group Captain wants to visit his grandmother at Lincoln! As our boys landed at Hendon Sir Archbld. Sinclair was taking off to come to W. Freugh. Saw his plane come but not seen him. Heard some thing about the King & Queen in N. Ireland. Wonder if they left in the old [deleted] bo [/deleted] train-boat from Stranraer. It’s very likely. Didn’t think of looking up the poor lads at The Freugh on the way.
Expect when I [underlined] do [/underlined] come on leave, I’ll get the Carlisle train, change Carlisle, Crewe & then get the Derby train & change for Nottingham & get there at some unearthly
[page break]
hour. There’s another of our boys from Nottingham & one from Mansfield.
Well must go & get a button stitched on my Battle Dress & chase up the pilot as I let him share my bike last night & he’s not yet returned it. He said it was a matter of National importance last night – something to do with the W.L.A. I think!
Love to all,
See you soon
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
Got Liz back alright – Don’t think she like Sgt Pilots!
P.S. A course “passed out” last night. You should see them stitching on stripes & brevy’s. Oh for that day!
[drawing]
[page break]
Yes Libya has been a bit of a blow – it will wake us up a bit I hope. We seem to have been forgetting we’d still a war to win & be thinking about treaties, pacts & post war problems while Jerry was thinking about war. Now they’ve staged another mass-raid to bolster up morale & get us into that old feeling of our own strength. Afraid I think all this talk about American production is just plain lies.
Still these raids are terriffic. [sic] I was up that night. It was grand. We took off just after midnight & later when the moon got up it looked perfect shining over the water. I thought something was in the wind when we were given various precautions at briefing. Gee when I looked down on the picture of the moon on the water & the islands I wished it was the coast of German occupied Europe we were heading for – with a good load of bombs. (Started Bombing Course & should be dropping our first bombs before I come on leave)
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
Catches up with news of family and friends. Mentions dairy farming in local area. Describes photo reconnaissance work and other flying activity. Talks of journey home on next leave. Writes of bad news on Libya and good news on RAF bombing operations.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-06-27
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
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]420627
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-06
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
bombing
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF West Freugh
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.
Hut. 20. R.A.F. STN:.
W. Freugh.
Wigtownshire.
Wed: 1.7.42.
Dear Mum,
Pay day today so I thought I may as well send it off home as I got it There’s £5. Think I can save a good £2 a week here which is a bit more than I could at S.W. & Co’s.
Nothing at all interesting to tell you. Same old [deleted] daily [/deleted] [inserted] weekly [/inserted] routine. Flights over the same old country. N. W. Scotland, N. Yorkshire, the Lake District, N. Wales & N. Ireland are just like a daily walk round the garden. Wish we could come to the Midlands or N. Scotland for a change. If I do come to Lincoln & have a decent pilot I’ll get him to run down to Potter Hill & shoot you up & also let me take some photos. I can always [deleted] sa [/deleted] enter on my report “Testing Camera” & try to get the
[page break]
Photo Section to let me have them. Our cameras take good photos.
On the Bombing Course we’re now busy in the Bombing Teacher. Have a sort of cinematograph film projected on the smooth floor. It’s [deleted] afrom [/deleted] from p [sic] an aerial photo of a part of Germany & when set in motion moves as if we were flying over it. We sprawl over it with our Bomb Sight. The film can be varied for different heights, speeds & winds. They certainly have some wonderful ideas for training us.
[drawing]
Still no definite gen on leave but we’re all hoping that it will start a fortnight on Friday. Gosh I’m certainly ready for it. The constant strain’s beginning to tell. A week’s rest when I can be sure of a night’s rest & a good meal & be able to do just as I like will work wonders. Last night just as I’d got to sleep at getting on for midnight & feeling dead tired
[page break]
I was wakened up to be informed I had to collect all my materials & instruments ready for getting up to fly at 6 next morning. I was flying the night before & during the day so I’m ready for a good long night tonight! Dearest mum, I’m longing to see you waiting with a great big kiss & a hefty piece of rabbit pie. Ask Ros if she’s finished off that bottle of brambles! You’d think by these letters that all I thought about was eating & all I wanted leave for was to get a good feed but I’ve been used to the two best cooks in the world & miss them.
Heard from David again. He’s been in Sick Quarters with laryngitis, but seems O.K. Sent me a very amusing account of his uniform (which seems [deleted] ver [/deleted] rather complicated) complete with diagrams. His mum & dad are going over to see him on Saturday.
The people from the office sent me a big bundle of magazines last week. You should have seen how the boys pounced on them! Its impossible
[page break]
to get anything like that here.
Well, pop along for a cup of tea & bun & then come back for a wash & bed.
Love to all of you
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
xxx
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 opens with finance matters (it is pay day) and that he is doing the same old routine flying over north-western Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and Wales. Would like to fly nearer Lincoln (home) occasionally. Now on bombing course and busy on the trainer. Bill describes the use of the 'bombing teacher' which projects film of Germany on a floor and enables training in bomb aiming (includes sketch).
He has no definite news on leave but longs to come home where he can eat well and have uninterrupted sleep.
The boys from his former offer have sent him a large bundle of magazines which have been greatly appreciated by the men.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-07-01
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four page handwritten letter including sketch.
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]420701
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-06
1942-07
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
bomb aimer
military living conditions
military service conditions
navigator
RAF West Freugh
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
underlined] 1 [/underlined]
The Freugh.
Monday 6. July 42.
Dearest Mum,
Ever so many thanks for nice long interesting letter.
Didn’t send dirty clothes this week as I’d not got the bag. Still they’ll keep.
You seem to be starting the “visiting season”! Fancy Lucy M. turning up. Gee I envy Gordon! Have to admit that nobody has to ask me twice to have a meal when I call on them. Afraid I just go scrounging round like a wolf. Haven’t got to know anybody here though. Hope you survived Avril on Saturday! Wonder if I shall see Mr. Henry when I come home for 7 days. Hope Sis & Nip had a good time at Warsop. Yes I’m longing to see Mary’s garden – & taste lettuces, cucumbers &c. Hope the rasps ain’t [sic] done. Oh! rasps & cream!!!!
[page break]
[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
Had a grand station parade on Thursday. Wish you could have seen us – about 2,000 of us Aircrews in battledress, Ground mechs. &c in overalls, the Waafs & the officers – everyone marching past the hangars to the [deleted] time [/deleted] [inserted] playing [/inserted] of our pipe band – bagpipes, drums & all, with tartan flying in the breeze. We’re now devoting one afternoon a week to Station Defence. The whole station has to take part in the training so after the march past we all got shovels, picks, rifles, stenguns, machine guns &c & marched off to our posts with them. – to have a nice snooze in the sun for most of the afternoon!!
Winnie did come to Stranraer on his return. Think Sir A. Sinclair came to meet him. He also left from here for U.S.A. I saw his flying boat moored in the Loch. We’ve got Americans all over the place here. [deleted] So [/deleted] Can see them on invasion exercises
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
when we go near Lough Neagh in Ireland. Must find out what station Joyce Blow’s at as we sometimes have to land in Ireland. I know its Bally something but so is every other place in Ireland.
Been cold & showery here lately – another depression on the way – Hope its perfect weather for leave – not like my last. And leave is a week on Friday – getting home for dinner on Sat – and will I be hungry. Rabbit pie (or boiled bacon) rhubarb pie & custard & you can have a good excuse for a cup of tea!
Must run to get into the queue for the ENSA concert.
Love to all of you xx
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
P.S. A very good Musical Show. Some lovely music & good singing.
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 catches up with domestics, family and friends news. Describes station parade of 2000 men. Now devoting one afternoon a week to station defence. Mentions Winston Churchill and A Sinclair passing through Stanraer. Mentions American in local area and seeing them on invasion exercises when they go near Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland.
Weather is cold and showery and looking forward to leave. About to go into an ENSA concert (adds a note that it was a good musical show). PS bemoaning the fact that he has to put 'props' on his uniform and lots of buttons need sewing on.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-07-06
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420706
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-07
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
Churchill, Winston (1874-1965)
entertainment
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
No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
Hut 20.
R.A.F. Station.
West Freugh.
Stranraer.
Scot.
Friday 10.7.42.
Dear Mum,
What a lovely parcel & letter! Oh thanks a lot! I had both the pies with sugar last night. The juice had gone into the crust round the edges but they were a bit of all right. I had the little one first with the rasps, red currant & goosegogs in.
[drawing of man eating pie in the countryside]
I’ve never believed the stories about 5 and 20 blackbirds being baked in a pie but I’m sure all Potter Hill was inside them! They were a real bit
[page break]
of home & I could just believe I was having Saturday dinner round the kitchen table at home. And I hope I will be a week tomorrow! Not quite sure about trains yet but I’ll let you know as soon as I do though as I shan’t be home until [deleted] late [/deleted] dinner time at best I should be able to get right to Collingham or Potter Hill. Hope this small-pox panic doesn’t get any worse. The entire station has had to be vaccinated. I was done barely a year ago but if it looks like holding up our leave I shall have another lot.
I expect there’ll be a lot of hay this year. Must see if I have any energy left to give you a bit of a hand. It’ll do me good! But I want some nice warm weather so have some ordered!
You must have had a shock when Tommy joined you in the garden. I should think that now you’ve finished the daisies & started of [sic] the buttercups there’ll not be much green left on
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
the lawn! Glad there’s a Guineafowl laying!! Keep her going ‘till I come!
There’s a few peas ripening outside our hut door in the feeble bit of garden our instructors try to look after. I’ve got my eye on them. Should be very nice when I come back from flying some night.
You seem to see plenty of the Henrys. Hope the holy terror doesn’t come each time. It was nice of Deadly to write; I’m sure David will be flattered. Hope she doesn’t get to know I’m at home.
I spent most of last night stitching buttons & props on. It was a terrible job & my fingers are sore with stabs from the needle. Afraid you’ll have to take the props off & put them on properly. They do look a mess & will only last home anyway. I stitched the sleeve up first & wondered why I couldn’t get my arm in. What a problem! I was ready for the pies when I’d finished.
[page break]
Nothing much to tell you. Not flown for the last 2 days as my hours seem to be more than some of the others. Had a look at pilots’ reports & the assessments on my logs yesterday. They were quite encouraging. I got an especially good report from the pilot who borrows my bike!!!! Yes I think this was meant to be my job from the first but I used to think it was too far beyond my brain-power.
We had 2 Stirlings on the ‘drome yesterday. What an excitement when the first landed the night before. Half the station rushed out & there was plenty of room for all to get round! Gosh what a beautiful monster it was. Didn’t I feel envious of the crew. I believe the take off was a sight to see. They took off down wind with hardly any take off run.
We were playing at soldiers again yesterday afternoon when there was another Defence Programme on. We spent the afternoon
[page break]
re-enforcing our trench. The officers thought they were being very clever but I wouldn’t like to use it after a bit of weather. It’ll fill up again as soon as the sand is dry. Still it makes a break even if it is a waste of time.
The heather’s coming out on the moors & I’ve been looking for some “Real Scotch White Heather” but haven’t found any yet. Remember getting that from Stapleford?
Well until tomorrow week I’ll say Cheerio, Will let you know when I hope to be getting home. P’raps leaving Notts. on the next train after 10 am.
Love to all
[underlined] Billy [/underlined]
P.S. Heard that the course that passed out just after we arrived hear [sic] have been on Ops already. The fellow who had my bed before me took a successful part in one of the 1000 bomber raids!! Gosh its getting near!!
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 is delighted to receive his mother's parcel and letter, and especially the home-made fruit pies which reminded him strongly of home. He includes a cartoon of him eating one with a house and farm behind him. States that the entire station has been vaccinated against small pox, given the current scare. Bill discusses farming matters and that he is keeping an eye on some peas which are ripening outside his window. He spent last evening sewing on props and badges, which didn't go very well, but will have to last until he gets home on leave in a week's time. Good results from assessments. Noted they had two Stirlings on base and got to look over them. More ground defence activity. Notes that previous course already on operations including 1000 bomber attacks.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-07-10
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five page handwritten letter with sketch
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]420710
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 Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-07
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
RAF West Freugh
Stirling
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.
Hut 20. 4. A.O.S.
West Freugh,
Stranraer.
Scot.
Sunday. 26.7.42.
Dear Mum,
I’ve just got my first Air Force meal resting very uncomfortably & insecurely on my stomach & am [deleted] jus [/deleted] wondering what you’ll be having for dinner at this minute. I must get my stomach used to it gradually!!
Thought I’d better get this off as soon as I could to let you know I got back to camp more or less in one piece this morning. We had a pretty awful journey. I met the Nottingham lad at Derby & the others at Crewe. We had to change at Carlisle & I thought we were never going to get to Stranraer. Gosh my behind hurt with sitting squashed there. Eventually got to Stranraer in pouring rain
[page break]
at just gone eleven to find that the 11.15 bus wasn’t running any longer. As nearly all 40 of us were there we got the R.T.O. to ring up the Freugh for transport. We stood in cold & rain, hungry & hardly able to keep awake until nearly one o’clock. My hand was an awful mess & had been most of the journey. Swelling went right up my arm & it felt as if it was going to bust. Eventually a lorry & a bus turned up & we piled in. On the way we in the bus nearly ended upside down in the ditch but at last reached camp (after our passes had expired) raided the cookhouse for a hot pie & a mess-tin full of cocoa, sorted out our sheets & bedding & didn’t get settled down till gone two.
We all overslept this morning & didn’t go on parade & finally trickled into the classroom very late & minus breakfast (though Ted D. did bring me a mess-tin of
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
tea) however we got away with it & with “overstaying leave” What a game!!
[underlined] Night [/underlined] Every body on the train & all the boys were horrified at my fist & I was more or less ordered to see the M.O. today. However it had gone down this morning & I hate reporting sick so I havn’t [sic] bothered. It really was a mess last night – never seen anything like it. I shan’t sniff at a wasp sting again!!! It’s still inflamed & stiff but itches more than anything. I squeezed out a lot of fluid from the spot where he punctured it.
It was great being home and I certainly feel better for it. It didn’t seem very long though. I’d hardly realised I was at home before I had to be off again. Somebody remarked that we should get 7 days leave & 3 weeks travelling allowance!!! That journey’s terrible – especially from Carlisle to Stranraer. Think I could like it as
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
quick – which reminds me I found Lizzie quite O.K in the shed. Well now to make by bed & get some sleeping hours in. I’m ready for it.
Well now its back to some real hard work for a few months & then – dear old home again. What a treat to look forward to!
Love to Ros Harry & Michael who I didn’t see to say goodbye. Please thank Mr. Henry again. He was very good. Tell Sis the sandwiches were super good - & the sausage rolls. Must stop. Writing’s not very good as my hand’s giving me some “hemp”.
Bless you 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 his mother
Description
An account of the resource
Bill writes of the dreadful journey back to West Freugh after leave. Nearly had to report sick due to wasp sting on hand which had swelled up badly. Feels better for leave but seemed to go really quickly and journey back terrible. Catches up on news and is now back to hard work.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-07-26
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420726
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-07
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
RAF West Freugh
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
Hut 20
R.A.F. Station,
West Freugh.
Stranraer
Scot.
Wed. 29.7.42.
Dear Mum,
Pay day today so I’m sending off £7 right away. A bit short this last month.
There are 2 things I left at home & which I forgot to ask you to send when I last wrote. My comb is in the top breast pocket of my brown jacket & my diary is on the right hand side on top of the books on the bottom shelf of the book case in the dining room.
I’ve let Miss Mary have the snap of me & Ma. Hit. So perhaps Mary would get a couple more done in case of further urgent demands & send the bill to mum in charge
[page break]
[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
of the treasury. Miss M.’s kept asking me for one. She wrote a lovely letter which I got yesterday.
Settled down to work again now. Got a couple of pretty hard months before us. We are senior course here now & it means we’ll get all the long X country flights – particularly by night and also fill up plenty of bombing details. In addition there’ll be even more of the usual swotting.
We had to rush off to fill in a bombing detail on [deleted] Tuesday [/deleted] Monday. & I dropped my first 6 bombs. It’s good fun messing about with them, & safety pins & things and a real excitement dropping them and whatching [sic] them to down & down to the deep blue water, to disappear as a speck until the final impact when a smoke puff showed their position from the target. I didn’t do anything startling of course but I should get something like tomorrow. Oh dear its
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
going to mean baling out from my little bunk terribly early to be ready for “bombing up” at 7 a.m. And then bombing all day!! Who’d be an observer?
Had my first Navigation flight since getting back yesterday, [deleted] over [/deleted] on my favourite route over the Western Isles to the Hebrides. Rain stopped flying today so we’ve been having signals & plotting tests. Ended up the day with cleaning out the swimming pool. A number of us have to have swimming lessons as no observer is supposed to leave here who isn’t able to swim. I shall be glad to learn though the pool is a horrible hole!
Wonder how the hay’s going. And what sort of a dance the Terrible Infant is leading you! Hope them confounded noisy Lancasters haven’t been keeping you awake lately
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
I wish I could think the aerodrome would just disappear & be replaced with farms & woods again after the war. It’s a horrible place – like a festering sore smothered with flies. (That’s looking at it as a lover of the countryside)
Well there’s nothing to write about so I’ll toddle off to the Scotch Hut to invest in a glass of lemon squash & a couple of biscuits. Thanks ever so much Mum & Mary for all those grand things you made for me while I was at home & for the cheesecakes, sausage rolls & eccles cake I brought back. They’re grand & nearly gone. I havn’t [sic]found an appetite yet but it’ll work up gradually!
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 his mother
Description
An account of the resource
It is pay day, so Bill is sending money home and asking his mother to send his comb and diary which he left there.
Now senior course so lots of cross country flights. Dropped his first bombs, which he describes in some detail. Continuing with bombing and navigation flights. Mentions that he is taking swimming lessons since all navigators have to be able to swim.
Remarks that aerodrome near home (RAF Swinderby) is very noisy and 'a horrible place - like a festering sore smothered with flies'. He hopes it will be replaced with farms and woods again after the war.
Finishes with thanking mother and Mary for all the food they made for him to bring back with him.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-07-29
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420729
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
England--Lincolnshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-07
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
bomb aimer
bombing
Lancaster
military living conditions
military service conditions
navigator
RAF Swinderby
RAF West Freugh
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.
Hut 20.
The Freugh,
Stranraer.
Friday [deleted] Sat [/deleted] 7.8.42
Dear Mum,
Very many thanks for the parcel and letter which turned up this morning. I havent [sic] yet investigated the contents of the parcel as we’re all upside down but I dare say they’ll come in very handy tonight!! Pleased with the letter as I don’t write many these days & consequently don’t receive many.
I was simply shocked at the story of those bombs. David (who had just got home after walking from Newark) told me about it in great disgust in the letter I got from him tonight. I suppose we mustn’t find fault unless we know all the facts of the case but I’m glad that they were able to jettison the 4,000 lb &c anyway
[page break]
[underline] 2 [/underlined]
But if you say that you have a bit of a bomb they can’t have jettisoned all of them safe. Of course I quite see that they [underlined] may [/underlined] have been able to do no other than get rid of them there but why couldn’t they all be jettisoned O.K. Though I still think it bad to bring them back to a [deleted] overcrowded [/deleted] [inserted] thickly populated [/inserted] district like that. Still, as I said, we don’t know the true facts. I should certainly like to though. (By the way [underlined] I [/underlined] mustn’t say too much as I came back the other day with 3 bombs unaccounted for!!!) Has Mr. Henry let out any gen? Those Lancasters and the drome are a menace. I hate to think of them being so near home.
Sorry Jerry’s been bothering you lately. Glad you’ve got the hay in safely. I hope Mary’s had a successful camp. You’ll be glad when the visitors have gone Sorry Michael didn’t get a prize. But
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
never mind, he’s a grand lad.
David was home on Sat. & Sun. last but didn’t come up to see you as all he wanted to do, he said, was to get into civvies and lounge at home. He sends you all his love and has been asking if you’ve got the “Youth” finished – he thought Nip and Daddy had got a tough job. He said holiday crowds were terrible. I know there were [underlined] thousands [/underlined] on the week before – hence [underlined] our [/underlined] terrible journey. This in [underlined] spite [/underlined] of all.
This last week there’s been absolute panic in Camp as today the Air Officer Commanding announced that he was visiting us. Goodness what a scrubbing & polishing [underlined] everywhere [/underlined] Our very weedy garden plot (that is the officers & instructors garden plot) was handed to a bunch of us & we’ve made a lovely job of it. I spent all yesterday afternoon in it alone with a hoe. I must say the boys are pretty ignorant about gardening. Their efforts at digging made me want to scream
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
They didn’t know weeds from vegetables & thought I was a magician when I produced carrots and peas from a maze of greenery. They must have been dim not to know [underlined] they [/underlined] were there. We had a terrible time in the barrack – leaving it in sparkling nakedness. It’s very awkward as our things have to be hidden away and after all the A.O.C. now isn’t turning up until Sunday. What is worse this awful bulsh. Has to be kept up permanently – some hope! It’s crazy to expect it. We’re planning mutiny.
Nothing at all interesting has happened this week. We had our interim Bombing Theory exam. this morning. Got our leave confirmed – 6 weeks today. 18th September.
Love to all
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
[inserted] P.S. Enclosing a few gaspers for Harry. Hope they’re alright. The boys complain that they give them a sore throat. Also sending 2 books I’ve got finished reading. The girls might be interest in the butterfly one.
I’ve just done one of the best drawings I’ve ever done – one of [deleted] the [/deleted] Hut 20 going to bed. 40 beds & 40 airmen! The boys have grabbed it & pinned it on the wall but when they’ve grown tired of it I’ll send it home.
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 thanks her for her parcel and letter. Shocked by story of bombs jettisoned by friendly aircraft but shouldn't judge until know the facts. Worried about Lancaster base being so close to home ('Those Lancasters and the drome are a menace').
Catches up with friends and family news. He also writes that the Air Officer Commanding is visiting the base and that they have been busy cleaning and tidying. He has also been tidying up the garden outside their hut but was amazed at the ignorance of the other men about gardening. Has had interim bombing theory exam. Mentions he has just finished a drawing of hut 20 going to bed.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-08-07
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420807
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-08
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
bomb aimer
bombing
Lancaster
military living conditions
military service conditions
navigator
RAF West Freugh
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,
Hut 20. A.T.W.,
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh
Stranraer.
Scotland.
Sat. 8.8.42.
Dear Auntie,
I’m afraid you’ll be thinking that I’ve more or less disappeared from the civilized world! I [underlined] am [/underlined] pretty far out and I don’t seem to get many letters written other than to home and David, who is now in the Navy. But be sure I’m often thinking about you and mother keeps me in touch with news of you all.
You must forgive me for not having been over during my not very frequent leaves but I feel that I simply [underlined] can’t [/underlined] leave dear old Potter Hill for a minute longer than neccessary. [sic] However, one of these days you’ll be having me turn up. Now [underlined] you [/underlined] should
[page break]
have gone over to Potter Hill for a fortnight or so & then I might have seen you.
I did enjoy my last leave, though it was over very quickly and such a lot of it was taken up with rushing to see people who lived near enough to expect a visit – or more! They were all very very [sic] good but next time I think I’ll put a notice in the paper when I shall be giving interviews [underlined] at home [/underlined]!
Everything was going on much as usual at home and yet it’s so obvious even there that there is still a war on. The aerodrome has crept nearer and monster bombers are for ever roaring over head. How I hate to think of them being there and its my dearest wish that the entire bag of tricks disappears to give way to farms and fields and woods again after this war. However I wasn’t alone having a flip in one of them whilst on leave. It
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
wasn't much of a change from work but it was interesting to have a look down at familiar places. Harry’s getting better very slowly. Its been a rotten time for the old lad. Ros has been having her teeth out and I think he’ll be better when he can get his out. The youngest member of the family, however is doing fine. Never has there been such a sturdy brown boy. He’s as good as gold but full of life.
The garden was looking splendid. Mary has certainly put some work into it. I’d some very good feeds of [deleted] straw [/deleted] raspberries and cream and other things from it. I did enjoy eating at home. I miss the good food I’ve always been used to more than anything. But they [underlined] were [/underlined] good at home – obviously been [deleted] scaping [/deleted] scheming and saving for weeks to get something simply delicious for every meal. It made me feel like weeping sometimes when I looked at the good things they’d got ready for me. Camp food has
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
improved during the last week but at one time I was living on enough to keep a mouse alive. Mum sends me a parcel once a fortnight or oftener and mighty welcome it is!
Mary said that you know or have known our new minister. I’m looking forward to meeting him though I’m afraid my general attitude will be that he can never take the place of his predecessor. Mr. Goodridge has been the finest, most understanding friend. It’s to him I owe the fact that I am a Christian and a member of our church. It’s an enormous disappointment to all of us that he’s going. He is to be super in the Gainsboro’ Circuit so he’ll not be so very far away. So I shall be very interested to meet our new minister.
Life goes on here without much change Classroom work alternating with practical application in the air. I’ve now
[page break]
well over a hundred flying hours in. We have some interesting trips all over the Northerly parts of England, Wales & Ireland as well as Scotland. We are now taking the Bombing course and I’m finding it very interesting. We have still a good time to go before training is finished I hope to be having another week’s leave following the 18th September
On August 24th our Sunday evening service is taking the form of a community singing and is being broadcast at 7.30. p.m.
We are holding a “rehearsal” next Sunday So listen in if you can! I expect it will be on the Force’s programme.
Please give my best regards to all next door. I hope to see you [underlined] one [/underlined] of these days
[underlined] Billy [/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 aunt
Description
An account of the resource
Catches up with news and apologises for not visiting while on leave.
Bill says he enjoyed his last leave, although he mentions that the nearby aerodrome is expanding and aircraft going overhead. He did, however, managed to get a trip in an aircraft over his local area. He continues with more home news, especially commenting on the way his family clearly worked hard to give him the best possible things to eat when he was on leave. Writes that camp food has improved in the last week, but his mother's food parcels are very welcome.
Discusses a new church minister at home, who Bill is yet to meet. Remarks that previous minister was very influential in Bill's christian conversion and church membership. Catches up with course progress and describes some trips briefly. Notes that the church at the station is having a community singing evening and it will be broadcast on the radio.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-08-08
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
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]420808
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-07
1942-08
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
faith
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Swinderby
RAF West Freugh
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,
Hut 20.
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh,
Stranraer, SCOTLAND.
Wed. 12. August 1942.
Dear Mum & Mary,
Pleased to get your letters this morning. I had one from Ros this afternoon.
Glad the weather was fairly good for the Camp. It just rains, rains, rains here. Talk about Atlantic Gales & Scotch Mist! Its rather bumpy flying! Glad the hay’s in O.K.
Afraid the food hasn’t kept up to the standard it was on the first day after the change but it’s a bit better than the old Mess & I certainly have more appetite for it. Of course we got a very posh dinner when the A.O.C. came round. Flowers on the table an all!
I’m sorry Jerry’s making himself a nuisance. I keep hearing on the news that he’s been around our district.
Wonder how much more grass they’ll want ploughed up. There’ll be a job on draining it. Guess there’ll be some stuff on the 4 acre & the 19 acre this year.
[page break]
[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
Pleased the Polyphotos have come at last. Yes I’ll take David’s down when I come home but Harry & Ros can claim theirs.
Don’t know how Frank Stanley knows that he’s going to be a pilot after being in a month. It’s odd if he’s going straight overseas too and as for piloting – well I don’t think you get to I.T.W. until you’ve been in more than a month or two these days!
Glad you’ve been able to raise enough for 2 dinghies. There’s no doubt they are a mighty useful & necessary part of aircraft equipment – even if its only for sitting on! We have to be always well up in dinghy-drill & some of us are going to the baths at Girvan on Saturday to be chucked in in full flying kit & a dinghy to make the best of it. They’ve saved a good many valuable lives & it’s the Navigator’s job to inspect them from time to time.
We had a visit from a Spitfire
[page break]
Squadron for a week a while ago. Their ground crews turned up in Harrow troop-carriers – in fact their entire station moved. It shows just how quickly our Fighter stations will be moved when the 2nd front is started. You should have seen what a sight the pilots were slouching round with flowing locks, leather jackets (flying) tunics & shirts flung open & their nakedness hardly covered by yards of silken scarves. It certainly shocked authorities here – they’re so particular at training stations, as discipline is very essential among crews.
The broadcast will be on the Force’s wavelength I expect at 7.30. on the 24th. We’re having a “rehearsal” on Sunday.
Hope Nipperette has a good leave. Have you still got the other two Landgirls?
Wonder if there will be any carrots ready by 18th
[page break]
I had a look & I guessed they’d soon be ready. Thought about them with a bit of bacon, & a nice hearty cabbage & some new potatoes the other day. The Eccles Cake was more than good.
[deleted] Emc [/deleted] Enclosing £3. Pay’s down again this week.
Must collect my kit. We’re detailed for night flying tonight though the weather’s filthy. Been bombing all day in & out of squalls.
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 his mother and Mary
Description
An account of the resource
Bill catches up with family news and comments on the wet weather. States food is now better, although not as when first improved. Catches up with more news of farm and friends as well as family fund-raising for dinghies. Outlines what they do for 'dinghy-drill' and how valuable they are in saving lives. Notes visit from Spitfire squadron and describes dress and demeanour of fighter pilots. Mentions forthcoming radio broadcast and is enclosing money.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-08-12
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420812
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
Royal Air Force. Fighter Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-08
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
navigator
RAF West Freugh
Spitfire
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
Hut 20.
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh.
Stranraer.
Thursday 19.8.42.
Dearest Mum,
I was pleased to get your letter. You write lovely common-sence [sic] letters & believe me every bit of them makes the best reading.
Hope the harvest’s going all right & that you’ve had better weather than we’ve had. Expect the R.T.Gs will be [deleted] her [/deleted] at home this week-end. I shall like to see the new little Peggy. [deleted] Fa [/deleted]
Fancy talking about tomatoes & mushrooms! Couldn’t I do with a plateful of mushrooms just now. I’m just feeling as sick as a pig after tonight’s tea. Our staple diet of mouldy bread was mouldier than usual tonight & even the marge wasn’t strong enough to disguise the taste. I was so hungry I had to eat a couple of slices but I’m suffering for it now & have been trying to take the feeling off with canteen buns – they should be dry enough! No wonder so many are still [deleted] sick [/deleted] air-sick
[page break]
But I swear I’ll not grumble [underlined] out [/underlined] of camp so enough said.
I went to the baths last Sat. though not to do Dinghy Drill. I thought it a good chance of getting some swimming in. It was great fun & I had a good day – We had a long bus ride along the wooded coast. The scenery was fine. At the baths I watched Dinghy drill for a bit & nearly died with laughing at the escapades. You dive in in flying suit & Mae West, blow up May [sic] West in the water & then try to turn the dinghy over & this being done they scramble in looking like drowned rats & paddle in triumph round the bath. I got on fine with swimming. After this the bus stopped at a small seaside resort – Girvan - & 2 of us decided to stay & catch the 7. o’clock train to Stranraer. We had a real “day off” 3 big meals – all very good, some raspberry ices, a game on the putting greens, wandered round the shops & amusements & on the front. It was a real good day though compared with my usual spending cost a lot – 8/-. I think we are due for dinghy drill on Sat. & it would be nice to stay again but I don’t think I shall.
I’ll see if I can whisk away the drawing
[page break]
from the wall though I expect there’ll be an outcry when it goes. It’ll show you something of what Hut 20 looks like anyway. Well I’ll try to get some rest as I’ve to be up at 6 in the morning to bomb up ready for bombing.
[underlined] Friday night [/underlined]
The parcel and letter turned up on this afternoon’s post. The sight of those tomatoes was good. I’ve already eaten a couple of small ones. Havent [sic] explored the tuck box yet as there’s the wreckage of the cheese cakes in the way. Afraid they don’t bear the post very well though what’s left’s very good.
It may not be true but there’s a rumour going round that we have to take exams before having our next leave & that this now won’t be ‘till 6 weeks today instead of a month. Ah well it’ll be good to get them over anyway. If only we could get our tapes as well I wouldn’t mind. In any case I’ll have to start working on some subjects though I’ve really passed wings exam on Navigation subjects & gunnery. They are giving us some more “local” exams though, not set by the Central
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
Examinations Board. They are giving us Photography (which takes a bit of grasping) and Bombing which isn’t too bad.
Have been bombing this morning until a bad weather report came through followed by some bad weather which kept us grounded. It’s a lovely evening now – the first for several weeks. I don’t think a day has passed without rain since I came back from leave. I’m glad you’ve had some fine days tho’ Ah yes 48 hrs (without the travelling) would go down very well at the moment.
I do hope that leave is O.K for the 18th as David is hoping to have leave then. It’d be just too grand to get it together. I was afraid it was too good to be true.
Afraid I may not be able to [deleted] hear [/deleted] [inserted] attend [/inserted] the service broadcast on Sunday as I’m detailed for flying late in the afternoon & may not get back in time to get there. Even if I do I’ll not feel much like singing as I’m on 2 details which will mean 7 hours flying at least & that can be tiring. However I’ve no doubt it’ll be good as we rehearsed it last Sunday.
The Squadron Leader’s suddenly got a notion for sending us up to 10 thousand feet & though it’s nice
[page break]
to get up above the murk & gloom below the clouds to the sunshine above its apt to be tiring at that height as well as cold & it gets monotonous looking at clouds all the time
[cartoon drawing of two fighter pilots]
FIGHTER BOYS!!
David was tickled at a drawing I did of the fighter boys so I’ve done another for you. Its really not as exaggerated as it looks
Good old Churchill! What other man of his position would you find rushing all over the globe & working as he does. America Cairo, Moscow. I [deleted] expe [/deleted] wouldn’t be a bit surprised to hear of him in new Delhi or China next. I expect you got excited over the Dieppe raid. Every body did here (yes even [underlined] us [/underlined] !!!!!) & thought it was the 2nd front! Rehearsal I expect. Gee I hope I’m ready when it starts.
Well, I have to be up early for dinghy drill in the morning & I’ve to wash & make up my bunk bed make up [deleted] my [/deleted] the parcel etc etc
[page break]
So I’ll say good-bye for the time being.
I’ll explain the Hut drawing more when I see you. It’s a view I see every night from my bed. The fellow with the ball is our P.T. Instructor who is in charge of Hut 20. He’s a grand fellow.
Lots of 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 his mother
Description
An account of the resource
Bill hopes harvest is going well and complains about food in the camp.
He gives a vivid description of dinghy drill, which was very funny to watch, but got on well with his own swimming and went on to Girvan where he describes what they did on their day off.
Resumes letter the following evening. The parcel has arrived with tomatoes. There is a rumour that they will have to take their exams before getting leave (so six weeks rather than four) and Bill mentions local exams in photography and bombing. He has been bombing and writes of daily routine and that he will probably be unable to attend the service which will be broadcast as he has flying scheduled.
Next page has cartoon drawing of two fighter pilots captioned 'FIGHTER BOYS!'. Mentions Churchill's visits to all over the world. Describes hut 20 drawing which he has taken down from the wall.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-08-19
1942-08-20
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six page handwritten letter including coloured cartoon.
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]420819
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
Royal Air Force. Fighter Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-08
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
arts and crafts
Churchill, Winston (1874-1965)
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
No 1436220 L.A.C. AKRILL
Hut 20. A.T.W.,
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh,
Stranraer.
[underlined] evening [/underlined] Friday 28.8.42.
Dear Mum,
Thanks a lot for letter which turned up this morning with one from Miss Mary. You seem to be having plenty of trouble with the old binder & the reaper. Still you’r [sic] doing pretty well & I expect you’ve had some reasonable weather these last few days, unless the[deleted]re’s[/deleted] thunder down there has caught you. We’ve actually had 3 perfect hot, sunny days but I think the end is in sight. For 48 hrs at the [deleted] beggining [/deleted] begining [sic] of the week it came down in a solid sheet. I’m looking forward to seeing little Peggy. I must chase the mushrooms up when I come. Yes we did D.D. again & I enjoyed it but didn’t stay in Girvan. Glad you heard the service but you wouldn’t hear my sweet voice. It was the first I’d missed – it started earlier than usual. Don’t start worrying about me yet. I’ve [underlined] months [/underlined] before I go bombing yet - & I may never do so of course. And even if I do I shall be safe enough. We’ve got
[page break]
[underlined] 2 [/underlined]
to be prepared for anything & I think I am, but we do worry when we think you may be worrying. Anyway we’ll forget all about it until it’s time!
Are the fellows in the caravan staying long? I must call on them. My sympathies are always with a genuine C.O. I’ve had a talk with a number of them at Collingham & they seem very good souls though I think they do wonder when they see that I’ve volunteered to bomb & kill! But there’s no other way. Sorry Mary’s duties are’t [sic] so good. Hope Jerry isn’t keeping you awake but I expect he’ll do his best this winter. Yes I can believe you’r [sic] busy with teas and meals – gosh I’d like to intercept a tea basket on its way!
We are detailed for flying at 2.30 in the morning so can’t get [underlined] any [/underlined] sleep tonight Don’t get back ‘till 6 on the morning or our day off. For the [underlined] 3rd [/underlined] time our Saturday will be spoiled. However there’s a lot of low stratus cloud coming up so it may be cancelled. Flying is rather treacherous round here these nights – conditions being ideal for the formation of hill fogs &c. These Scotch fogs are terrific. I can quite understand the Duke’s Sunderland
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
hitting a mountainside if it was flying low but I can’t make out [underlined] why [/underlined] it was flying low. It’s suicide to do it voluntarily & a kite like the Sunderland shouldn’t be forced down like that. We can certainly sympathise but we feel proud to know that he died in sharing our own dangers.
Don’t think I’ll do the same tho’ – they don’t send us into bad weather & we have good pilots & I should be a good navigator by now!
We’ve had lots of brass-hats up here lately (in connection with a recent incident we guess) Yesterday the biggest of all came and gave us – without any silly ceremony, a very good talk in a hangar. He was Marshal of the RAF Lord Trenchard who you’ve no doubt heard of. I believe he gives War Commentaries. Today a not so big wig turned up an Air Marshall and the Commander in Chief Training Command. He came almost unexpectedly & went into the cookhouse where they were serving a terrible dinner & I’d like to know what happened. With these visitors the higher the rank the less the “bull” & panic there is I think its much more sensible for them to turn up unexpectedly & find out just what is
[page break]
[underlined] 4 [/underlined]
happening.
I can’t get hold of any brown paper so the tin & Harry’s sigs [cis] will have to wait till I get the bag
Well, there are lots of stars showing tonight so while I’m waiting till time to go for briefing or else able to get to bed when the “tannoy” announces that its cancelled I’ll go out & take some sights on some of them – provided I can see thro’ the sextant tho’ my eyesight seems a bit shakey there at times. Gosh it [underlined] has [/underlined] to be good for some of the stars.
Love to all, think I’ll be seeing you 3 weeks tomorrow
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
P.S. Tell Nip I keep looking out for a nice breezy letter.
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
Catches up with news and tells his mother not to worry about him.
Bill is interested to hear about the 'fellows in the caravan', who seem to be conscientious objectors. Says he has sympathy for people with genuine objections and has talked with several of them in Collingham.
He is detailed to fly at 2.30 am that night, so will not have any sleep before then, although the weather might cancel it. Mentions that flying can be treacherous due to the frequent fogs. Discusses death of Duke [of Kent?] in a Sunderland, when it crashed into a mountainside.
Mentions yesterday's visit of Lord Trenchard (Marshall of RAF) and today's of an Air Marshall and the Commander in Chief Training Command. They had stayed for dinner, so Bill wonders what they were given, as the men had just had a terrible meal.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-08-28
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420828
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-08
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
RAF West Freugh
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,
Hut 20,
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh,
STRANRAER.
Wednesday 2. Sept ’42.
Dear Mary,
I want to get this off, if I can, in time to wish you many happy returns of the 4th (I hope that’s right, but I make so many mistakes on birthdays that I feel a bit nervous about getting mixed up these days.)
Anyway – happy birthday, and many of ‘em. Afraid I couldn’t find anything in Stranraer or Girvan that was worth sending you but I expect its best to do without things these days.
Afraid I still don’t know anything about leave but if we get any I think it will be on the 25th as our photography exam is pretty definite for the 23rd – during the week originally planned for our leave. It’s possible that we’ll be passing out and leaving Freugh in 5 weeks but thats [sic] not sure. Everythings [sic] very uncertain at the moment. I expect we’ll
[page break]
suddenly get exams rushed at us tho’. I’m fed up & I think everybody’s the same. I shall never leave a place more gladly than this and never [deleted] am [/deleted] was I more ready for leave. The Freugh itself’s alright and I’m happy as anything here but it’s the eternal training, training, “binding”, and working and all to no encouragement that is sometimes [deleted] is [/deleted] apt to be a bit wearing. To have 3 tapes & a brevy at O.T.U. will seem like a timely reward & will spurt us on a bit! Anyway they’re bound to give us a good leave after O.T.U. It’ll be rotten luck if I miss Dave. I wonder if you saw him last week-end. I fancy he may have been up. It seems years since I was home. [deleted] [three indecipherable words] [/deleted] There goes the Station Pipe Band again – Bagpipes, drums an’ all. They’re for ever making no end of a wild din dancing around the camp. There was to be a display of Scottish Folk Dances one night but, as usual it rained. What with bagpipes and the hills and moors all around just a glowing purple mass of heather we can feel really in Scotland.
Wonder how the corn’s going. I dare say the weather’s still been pretty good with you
[page break]
How is the garden? Expect the Michaelmas Daisies asters &c will be coming out. You’ll be having plenty of tomatoes I guess.
Nothing happening here. Had a good day on bombing yesterday. Weather was fine & it was lovely. Bombing’s rotten when the weather’s bad as it was on Sunday. We’re night-flying tonight and I’m thinking I’ll have to stop and collect my belongings. Expect it will be cold tonight its not a very good night.
I shall be ever so pleased with any letters anybody feels like writing.
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
Description
An account of the resource
Wishes her happy birthday, no news of next leave. Is now ready to leave West Freugh with its eternal training. - the Operational Training Unit must be better. Notes Scottish band passing by 'they are for ever making no end of a wild din dancing around the camp'.
Had a good day bombing yesterday in good weather (unusually) and will be night flying tonight.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-09-02
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
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]420902
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-08
1942-09
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
RAF West Freugh
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
[deleted] Po [/deleted] No 1436220 L.A.C. Akrill,
Hut 20, R.A.F.,
West Freugh,
Stranraer.
Friday 4 Sept. 1942.
Dear Mum,
It was good to find your parcel and letter waiting when I landed last night – especially as I was too late for a decent tea. I tucked in at the plums – which were a very pleasant surprise & I wondered where they’d come from (are there many this year? There looked like being a bumper crop) When I’d finished them I set to work on the tomatoes and some little carrots which I can carefully sort out from the allotment when it gets dark enough. (Just criminal thieving I’m afraid) That was good and I finished up with some of the cake, which is a bit of all right. Bless you all you’re too good you know! The cucumber & tomatoes will come in fine [deleted] f [/deleted] at teatimes About a couple of the tommie’s just bust but they were OK except that the stain seems to have got around the washing. By the way I always have a job detatching [sic] my combs. from the bag & label which seem to get stitched together!!!!
[page break]
2
Hope there’s some plums around for leave You know its unkind talking about hot weather and David actually wrote complaining of being reduced to a spot of grease in a heat wave!! Winter’s setting (or set) in here good and proper. Expect you’d be having a busy time threshing the barley on Wednesday or Thursday.
Pleased Mary saw David tho’ sorry he didn’t come up. Still I expect he prefers to stay at home every minute he can. Expect you’ll see him when he gets his 7 days. Must say Joyce Blow is lucky but after Ballyhalbert she certainly deserves to get near somewhere Its about 30 miles from here & I’ll believe it’s a dump. Hope I’m spared anything like that.
[underlined] Leave News [/underlined]. Well for this letter the situation has definitely improved since last writing. The Photo. Exam which looked like upsetting things has been postponed after all so – it looks as if we’ll be coming a fortnight today after all. [underlined] Won’t [/underlined] I be ready for it – and with dear old David home too (I hope) its going to be grand. You can’t guess what the very [underlined] thought [/underlined] of leave can do. I can strongly recommend it as a keeper-up
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
of morale! So tell Michael to be ready to meet me at the station - & I hope its not raining
Been pretty busy this last week – raking out of bed at 6 in a morning & then night flying means you don’t get to bed again till 6 the next. Still tomorrow’s Saturday & a “lie in” day. Weather’s been bad for flying too. One night when we were briefed the Met Officer gave us a shocking report & everyone listened in deathly silence & when he asked “Any questions” we had to laugh. Anyway most of us risked it tho’ we couldn’t see a thing. We were recalled after 2 hours & ran into shocking low cloud & rain squalls & I can tell you I patted myself on the back and heaved a sigh of relief when we came out right over the aerodrome. That was my part of the job over but the next was getting down as we couldn’t see the flarepath half the time. However we all crossed our fingers & sat tight & came down safe and very thankful. One of our kites – with our course instructor & 2 of our boys in got lost & the searchlights – scores of them – picked them up & guided them to Blackpool where searchlights & rockets & signals showed up all round to get them on to the drome. The
[page break]
poor folk in Blackpool got the wind up thinking it was an air-raid!! Anyway the boys had to stay in Blackpool all next day ‘till the weather improved so everybody’s hoping that they’ll get lost & have the wireless set go wrong another night!!! We’ve also done a lot of bombing, which reminds me I must go and collect my flying kit for flying on bombing first thing on Sunday morning. What a way to spend a Sunday!!! I always think of home at Sunday dinner time – all day Sunday in fact I’m wondering what you’re all doing & wonder if you’re wondering what new antic I’m up to! And just as we’re taking off – especially on first detail Sunday, when I know you’ll be all together having breakfast, I’ve just time to be there in spirit anyway!
We’ve had our Station Sports Day today and it would have been a great success if only the weather had been good but it was miserable shivering in the wind & rain. The Pipe Band was there - & the Dancers Kilts & plaids & bonnets – I wish you could have seen them.
Well, Think I’ll brave the wind & rain & make for my warm little bunk, a tomato & a bit of cake.
Cigs for Harry enclosed Love [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
Bill writes that it was good to find her parcel and letter when he landed last night and has been eating the plums, tomatoes and cake.
After catching up with home news, pleased to report that they now have good news on leave: since the photography exam has been postponed, he can go on leave as originally planned.
Describes one night's flying when the weather was very bad and one of the planes, with course instructor and two men, got lost and had to land in Blackpool.
Remarks how much he misses everyone on a Sunday and thinks about them having breakfast together.
Had their Station Sports Day today, which was rather spoilt by the wind and rain.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-09-04
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420904
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
England--Lancashire
England--Blackpool
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-09
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
RAF West Freugh
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,
Hut 20.
No 4 A.O.S.,
West Freugh,
Stranraer.
Wednesday 9. Sept 1942
Dear Mary,
As I got your letter this morning and it’s pay parade tonight, I thought I’d get this off. I was very pleased to get both your letters. Good grief I [underlined] must [/underlined] have sounded fed up!! Well I suppose every body’s apt to now and then but I’m glad to say it doesn’t last long with me. It’s this not knowing what’s going off that gets everybody down. We just can’t get to know what’s happening to us. Still I think we have got the satisfaction of finding out something definite about leave tho’ by roundabout means. It’s certain that there is not much chance of leave on the 18th and in fact little chance of any at all here. Even as I’m writing this somebody comes along with some story that we might be getting leave after all!! So you see how things stand!!! I think the best thing is to forget all about it & take what turns up. Don’t know how long we’ll be here
[page break]
or when & what exams we’re getting.
I was interested to hear about Leonard Johnson. Suppose he must have gone as “straight A.C.” as I can’t think how he’s managed to pass out so quickly otherwise. I think Ray Ward went to Rhodesia but I’m not sure. Have heard from several of our boys out in Miami U.S.A., living in luxurious hotels & getting marvellous food – every sort of fruit they want. Just think, if my name hadn’t begun with “A” I [deleted] might [/deleted] [inserted] would [/inserted] have been there too! Still I’d have had no chance of leave then!!! Or at least no chance of getting home.
What a pity about the greens. You looked like having such a good lot & the garden looked such a picture when I was home last. I guess it must be heart-breaking for you after all the work you’ve put in. It takes some doing. Glad the tomatoes are so good. Afraid I had a calamity with the last lot. There were more squashed than I thought & as I went out on Sat I didn’t open them up again ‘till Sunday & they’d gone quite bad. I think they must have been a bit too big & ripe. The first lot were lovely. Yes I’d certainly like some more
[page break]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined]
if only they could be got here safely.
It’ll be nice to have the new rose trees. They’re just the thing for that bed. What sorts are they I wonder. I suppose you mean the pups are a mischievous pair. I havn’t [sic] seen Peggy yet.
Do you mean 3/- a night for ARP?
So the wretched aerodrome’s spread it’s tentacles as far as Potter Hill. I think Bomber Command will soon have taken possession of all of the Eastern side of the country.
Remember me to Joyce will you. I’m afraid I havn’t [sic] got her letter answered.
Had a letter from David yesterday & he sent me a group photo of his “flight” or whatever they call it in the navy. He looked very well in uniform & very fit too. He’s getting the advantage of fine weather, says its sweltering down there, tho’ it seems incredible up here. Still I remember Eastbourne. By the way I heard from some friends there a bit since & they’re still getting the usual.
On night-flying tonight so we get all tomorrow off as we don’t get down till 6. That’s the good thing about night flying.
[page break]
I must toddle off to collect my stuff.
We’re holding a grand dinner (& general booze up I expect) a week tomorrow in Portpatrick, a nice little seaside village near here. I shall go tho’ it’s not my line. Still life’s a bit monotonous & I guess I can manage to enjoy myself without acting daft.
I’ve heard where there might be some white heather growing so I’ll see if I can find you a bit. I’ve been looking out for some all along.
Well, honest. There’s nothing at [underlined] all [/underlined] to write about as nothing different happens!
Best of love to all of you,
Enclosing £2.
Hope to see you sometime before long
[underlined] Cheerio [/underlined]
Bill
P.S. Sat. The cucumber was simply delicious. Could do with another when you send my washing next week if there is one. Thank mum for letter. Better let David have the Photo if he come up.
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
Description
An account of the resource
Bill writes they are still waiting to find out what is happening to them. Catches up with friends news who went abroad for training. Discusses which crops have been successful this year and how good the tomatoes she sent were (although some were over-ripe and went bad quickly).
Bill comments that 'the wretched aerodrome's spread it's [sic] tentacles as far as Potter Hill'.
Mentions night flying and upcoming grand dinner in Portpatrick.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-09-09
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four 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]420909
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Scotland--Portpatrick
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-09
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
RAF Swinderby
RAF West Freugh
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,
Hut 20,
R.A.F. Station,
W. Freugh,
Stranraer,
SCOTLAND
Friday 18.9.42
Dear Mum,
Thanks ever so much for the parcel and letter which turned up this morning in perfect condition. The plums were O.K. and have already practically disappeared and the tomatoes & cucumber look as fresh as if they’d just been gathered. I shall enjoy them fine. The blades fit alright. Can’t get them & my last one has an edge like a saw. Please thank Harry for his letter.
Glad you’ve got the harvest in alright but you still seem to have plenty to do They’ve got a good lot in round here but what surprised me was the way they stack
[page break]
2
it. Instead of putting up a decent stack in the yard you’ll see two rows – about 6 in each of little cobs in a corner of the field. It looks funny to me who’s [deleted] yo [/deleted] used to seeing real long stacks and I havn’t [sic] found at [sic] why they do it like that. The hay cocks they put up are nearly as big as the corn stacks!! And I’ve seen some of them standing weeks with a sort of roof on.
Well now about leave. Still nothing definite but if all goes on O.K. I think we can count on coming next week. At least we’ve found out how we stand. First we’re to do 2 more night trips, 1 day’s bombing & a few exams & then we can go!
It’s not a cheerful week in front, but we’re getting squared up.
[page break]
3.
We were up till the early hours [deleted] last [/deleted] this morning on our dinner outing, night flying after midnight tonight [deleted] till [/deleted] which means sleeping most of tomorrow [inserted] (day off) [/inserted] up at 6 for bombing on Sunday & flying that night till 6 next morning. Sleep on Monday, & start of exams on Tuesday.
We had our Bombing Exam yesterday morning & I think I got thro’ that alright. My actual bombing results are satisfactory so that’s that. We had our interview with the Group Captain, the Wing Commander and the Squadron Leader Armaments today (What an ordeal) so we’re getting on. Just a few odds & ends of exams now.
The party was a great success and turned out far better than I’d feared. I didn’t look forward to it at all but [underlined] almost [/underlined] all behaved very well and I really had a thoroughly
[page break]
good time. We invited the CO. the Wingco. the Squadron Leader Navigation, the Gunnery Leader, and, of course, all our instructors.
We had the most beautiful meal – anything but a war time one & then settled down [deleted] to [/deleted] round the piano & a number of talented members of the party gave turns. One of our lads is marvellous for that sort of thing and made us ache with laughing. Of course it was a bit beery but only one got more than he could manage gracefully. I’d a half-pint of shandy & was quite satisfied. One F/Lieutenant who’s i/c Operations Room just flung himself among us to enjoy himself & his songs on the bus back must have wakened the whole countryside. You can understand folk letting themselves go once in a while after 5 months here!
[page break]
[underlined] 5. [/underlined]
Its good to see the officers “with their peaked caps off” as the C.O. put it for once in a while.
Well must make up my bed. & try for a spot of rest before flying. I’m on Night Bombing so it’ll be cold. The other night we waited up till 2. o’clock all ready & then were told it was cancelled.
No, I forgot to enclose the £2. but as I hope I’ll be coming home a week today I’ll bring it then. Expect I’ll be on the same train. 12 something isn’t it. Hoping that I’ll be able to catch sight of David. He should be coming home tonight. Expect he’ll be coming up. If anything turns up to stop me coming on Sat. I’ll let you know but I think its pretty safe. Oh gosh Arn’t [sic] I ready for it!!! So I’ll be looking out for Mary & [deleted] Mickey [/deleted] [inserted] Michael [/inserted] & Ros on
[page break]
[underlined] 6 [/underlined]
Sat – 26th. If I get an earlier connection at Carlise [sic] I’ll [deleted] let [/deleted] ring you up.
By the way – forgot to tell you I had the chance of going on a Special Bombing Course to Manby, near Louth, & getting posted as bomb-aimer (after passing out here as observer) on a Lancaster Squadron. It was very tempting as it meant getting near home & doing [inserted] a [/inserted] good job on Ops. but I don’t want to have done all this Navigation for nothing.
Cheerio till Sat
Love to all
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
Sat A.M.
Got our aircraft returned safely tho’ some of them seemed to have had fun & games over Eire!! [underlined] We [/underlined] bombed our target successfully. Bed at 6.30 but as it was Sat I got up at 9.40
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 thanks his mother for parcel with food and letter - tomatoes and cucumbers arrived in good condition this time. Mentions harvest at home and compares to local area, where they stack their crops quite differently.
Nothing definite on leave, but really hopeful for to come home next week. Have only got two night trips, a day's bombing and some exams to go. Have completed the Bombing Exam and interview with senior officers.
Party was a great success and much better than he had feared. Almost everyone behaved themselves, they had a good meal and fine entertainment.
Gives likely details for leave. Bill adds that he gave up the chance of special bombing course at Manby near Louth (local to home) as did not want to waste navigator training.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-09-18
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
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]420918
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-09
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
entertainment
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF West Freugh
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
[underlined] The Freugh [/underlined]
Thurs. Morn. 1.10.42
Dearest Mum,
I know you’ll be looking out for news so if I get this off this morning you should get it for Sat. We got back again safely, at any rate, to this beloved home from home. As usual it took us hours from Dumfries to Carlysle. [sic] It’s a one track line & we had to wait for the down trains. Got in 3 hrs late at midnight and had to wait in a thunderstorm for [deleted] a [/deleted] transport to come from the Holiday Camp. No sooner had we nicely got to sleep (or so it seemed) when a horde of instructors decended [sic] upon us to inform us that we had to be over for bombing on the first detail. They didn’t get an enthusiastic reception
[page break]
2
[underlined] Thats [/underlined] the reason for fetching us back. We’re being posted “at the week-end” (whenever that is) and the Wingco suddenly decided we’d more bombing to do so off went 39 telegrammes. [sic] The annoying fact is that I’ve none to do as I’ve done enough exercises and what’s more enough successful exercises so I’ll just spend all today & most of tomorrow doing absolutely nothing. I rolled out of bed at 10. o’clock. Oh if only I’d known the reason I’d have been pretty wild when that telegramme [sic] arrived. Don’t think I’d have gone back ‘till the afternoon train anyway. You can catch the boat train at Crewe & you get here
[page break]
[deleted] 4 [/deleted] 3
only a few hours after the one I came on.
A very funny thing happened on the way. We had 2 A.T.S. girls in the compartment and when they got out at Newton Stewart one of them bagged a respirator from the rack. I asked her if she was sure it was hers. She said it was but I still wasn’t satisfied & asked her to look again. “Oh yes” she says, “it’s mine alright.” However when I got out mine wasn’t where it should be but another one – apparently hers was near there. So I’ve now got 2 respirators and she’s in possession of a pair of my pyjamas, vest, shirt &c. There’s no name in her respirator [deleted] but [/deleted] and all I know is that her name’s Peggy, she comes from Edinboro’ & is stationed at an Ack Ack camp on Burrow Head
[page break]
4
However there’s my ‘bag’ inside the one she has isn’t there? So she’ll be able to send that with my things & her address & I can then return her respirator I only hope she finds out before they have gas drill!!
[cartoon drawing]
We’ve all had a good laugh over it anyway. So until it turns up again I’m minus my winter pyjamas & combs and have neither soap nor [deleted] ration [/deleted] coupons.
[page break]
5
Then to add to things I’ve just walked into a tar spray! Don’t know where we’re going of course or when but I’ve a good idea it’ll be tomorrow night so I think I’ll ride into Stranraer tonight to get my bike off. Think I’d better send it home for I shan’t know where we’re going ‘til we get there & as winter’s coming on I shan’t find as much use for it.
I’ll write as soon as I arrive whereever [sic] it is we’re going.
Love to every body, hope Michael’s teeth arn’t [sic] giving him any more trouble Hope to see you for a respectable time before so very long.
[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
Bill writes that he returned safely to West Freugh. They were recalled from leave because they were to be posted at the weekend but it was decided they needed to do more bombing trips. Bill had already done enough successful ones, so did not need to be recalled.
Writes of mix up on return journey with respirator cases with ATS girl and he now has two respirators and she has his pyjamas and vests etc. Cartoon drawing on fourth page of servicewomen with pyjamas and another in gas mask facing a servicewoman sergeant and a male officer who look surprised and cross.
Bill is sending his bicycle home since he does not know where he will be posted to.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-10-01
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
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
Artwork
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421001
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-09
1942-10
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
arts and crafts
bomb aimer
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF West Freugh
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18064/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421003-0001.jpg
71331cce9068369113f8d3b30575fc91
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18064/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421003-0002.jpg
3586d07c3ed4338061805f871e22a616
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18064/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421003-0003.jpg
aafba42e78958b2355f7588ee65593b7
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
The Freugh.
Sat 3.10.42.
Dear Mum,
You will see that I’m still here. And when I tell you what’s [deleted] h [/deleted] happened you’ll feel a bit cheezed. After spending 2 days doing nothing and absolutely fed up with doing it we got all ready for passing out yesterday afternoon. We handed in all our equipment, added up flying hours; filled in certificates of passing out, qualification & all that ready for the Wingco to sign cleaned & cleared our classroom & brought in chairs & sat there waiting for the C.O. to come along with speech, tapes & brevy’s to pass us out. The brevy’s & tapes were waiting ready – our kit bags packed & at 5.30. a scared instructor crept in & said he’d been looking for the Wing Commander, discovered he was playing squash & that there was just no question of our
[page break]
being posted this week-end. Maybe next – maybe the week after nobody knows. Well you can guess what we felt like. That instructor needed some courage to tell us!! I wouldn’t have liked his job. So I suppose we just carry on killing time. Why on earth they can’t pass us out & send us on leave to await posting I don’t know. We’re certainly kicking for it but I’ve not the slightest doubt that we’ll not get it. Some silly twerps failed in exams & are down in flying so they’ve that to square up & we’ll have to hang on till they do. But to recall us & then have to get bored stiff killing time is the limit! I could [deleted] have [/deleted] easily have had 14 days. Don’t mind missing leave if [deleted] it’s [/deleted] there’s good reason but I hate wasting time. Courses have had to wait long enough & had things postponed & cancelled
[page break]
times enough but I think we take the biscuit [deleted] for [/deleted] by sitting with tapes & brevy’s all ready, waiting for passing out & then being told nobody knows if or when we’re going.
Well think I’ll catch the bus to Stranraer [deleted] to [/deleted] and go to the pictures. Things are pretty bad when I catch a but to the pictures but it’ll be a change. I miss my bike which I posted home on Thursday. Felt real sorry at parting from poor old Liz. She’s been a good friend to me here Don’t know what I’d have done without her. Pouring with rain as per usual.
Love to Harry & Ros. Hope Michael’s alright. Has Mary gone to Mansfield? If you write here early in the week I shall get it O.K. Not go ‘til next week-end any way.
Love
[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 preparation for leaving course but cancelled at last minute and no idea when will be posted. Very cheesed off as could have been passed out and sent on leave, but are just hanging around. Plan to go to pictures in Stranraer. Misses bike which he has sent home already.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-10-03
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
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]421003
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-10
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 service conditions
RAF West Freugh
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18065/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421007-0001.jpg
e7b83a749dd5c4dbdbcac346accab175
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18065/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421007-0002.jpg
d773b1e1e16e6fa1d643bb97329fc3a8
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18065/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421007-0003.jpg
f79e04dcfac7944d17cce2b58ee291bf
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
[underlined] Potter Hill [/underlined]
Wed. 7.10.42.
Dear Old Sis,
Letter from your “luvving bruvver [sic] Bill” and as you see I’ve managed to get home to dear old P.H. again to carry on where I left off in such a hurry a week ago.
Sorry I contrived to turn up while you were having a holiday but when leave’s going I have it. However (except for recalls &c) I don’t go back ‘til Tuesday morning next which means I’ll be leaving on the 15.11 from Collingham on Monday so I shall see a bit of you.
Still mumkins thought you’d like to know I was here then if you [underlined] do [/underlined] feel like it you might come back with Miss [deleted] Mok [/deleted] Moakes on Saturday instead of Sunday as I shan’t see much of you otherwise. It does seem a pity to spoil your holiday though. Guess you’r [sic] enjoying the change & rest.
Still havn’t [sic] passed out! Still I do know definitly [sic] that I shall do. 37 out of 40 who had really passed the exams at Eastbourne [deleted] are [/deleted] have got through as Observers. Quite good really. So that means going back that binding journey to
[page break]
the Freugh. That old doddering woman “The Wing Commander” says we’ve all got to be posted together from the Freugh so he wouldn’t let us come in our glory. Which meant that most of us had to come without greatcoats or rip the tapes off in a hurry. I’d taken so long getting mine on that I decided to come without it. Didn’t know about leave til just before we set off. Now [underlined] I [/underlined] can say I’ve been sent on leave because they didn’t know what else to do with me. Nearly didn’t get it as we’re not supposed to have 2 free warrants within 7 days. But it annoys me to think I might have been here all along for all the good I’ve done. Still I think we’ll definitely be going when we get back.
Well, see you Sunday, if not before Remember me to Miss M. If you see Miss Witham [deleted] ther [/deleted] tell her I’ve just spotted some mushrooms and am about to collect them. Will we have a feed!!
Cheerio
[underlined] Bill [/underlined]
P.S. Found Liz waiting at the stn. so I was able to ride home. Think David’s home on Sat & Sun. What a lark about my pyjamas!! Still haven’t got ‘em back. Think Peggy The A.T.S. must be short of night attire.
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
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 sister
Description
An account of the resource
Bill writes he is home again after just a week but has to return to West Freugh to pass out with 37 out of 40 students. Moans about the total confusion and having to return there unnecessarily. Found his bicycle at the station when he got back so rode it home. Followed by cartoon of man (probably Bill) struggling to pedal a bicycle with luggage and overflowing kit bags piled round him. A chicken is running along the path in front of him.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-10-07
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
Artwork
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]421007
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--Nottinghamshire
England--Newark (Nottinghamshire)
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-10
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 service conditions
RAF West Freugh
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18170/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420527.jpg
da53051f86895a155fd4bf9ace3c6d01
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.
Hot 20 – No 4. A.O.S.
W. Freugh,
Stranraer,
Scotland.
Wed. 27.5.42.
Dear Mum,
I intended enclosing this surplus cash last time but forgot. Don’t like carrying it around. Would you ask Dave to get some more certificates if he is up again? There should be £7. there. Should be saving a lot more now on 7/6 a day & with nothing to spend it on.
Nothing at all to write about. Its [sic] pouring with rain as usual. Have written to Harry and Ros & enclosed letter.
Looking forward to seeing you in a few month’s time.
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 his mother
Description
An account of the resource
Writes of sending cash and asks about getting savings certificates.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-05-27
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One 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]420527
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
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-05
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
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Bradley Froggatt
military service conditions
RAF West Freugh
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18182/PAkrillWE1913.1.jpg
e01cff7d3411e711cff6e4d126299758
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18182/PAkrillWE1914.1.jpg
96ec0bcefe240c14b5fcf0699e5b1d02
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
GREY SPICER WOLDSWORTH BARTHOLOMEW COLLINGS AMES
BOYES BERESFORD DEMPSTER ROLLINGS PEBODY [indecipherable] DOOLITTLE MEEDON
45 COURSE. BOMB AIMERS.
[PAGE BREAK]
Part 13 Course
4 A.O.S.
West Freugh
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
45 Course bomb aimers
Part of 13 Course 4. A.O.S, West Freugh
Description
An account of the resource
Fourteen airmen sitting and standing in two rows. All are wearing tunic with half brevet and side caps. Captioned '45 Course Bomb Aimers'. Names of men written on their photographs. On the reverse 'Part of 13 Course 4.A.O.S, West Freugh'.
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
PAkrillWE1913, PAkrillWE1914
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
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
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
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Claire Monk
Air Observers School
aircrew
bomb aimer
RAF West Freugh
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
Searle, Rex
Rex Ormond John Searle
R O J Searle
Description
An account of the resource
62 items. Two oral history interviewws with Rex Searle (b. 1919, 615463 Royal air Force) He served as ground crew before becoming a flight engineer and flying operations with 432 Squadron. after the war he served with Coastal and Transport Commands. The collection contains his log book, decorations, photographs and two albums.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Rex Searle and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
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
2017-07-25
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. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Searle, ROJ
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
Permanent Pass
Description
An account of the resource
A pass issued to Rex Searle
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940-05-01
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One printed booklet with handwritten additions plus a typed sheet
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Service material
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MSearleROJ615463-170725-130001,
MSearleROJ615463-170725-130002,
MSearleROJ615463-170725-130003,
MSearleROJ615463-170725-130004,
MSearleROJ615463-170725-130005
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 Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Sussex
Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
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.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1940-05-01
601 Squadron
RAF Tangmere
RAF West Freugh