Browse Items (143 total)

  • Collection: Akrill, William

EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420419-0001.jpg
Bill gives details of his expected travel arrangements for his seven-day leave at the end of the week. As he will be part-way through his final exams and has the medical on Saturday, he will leave soon after.

Mentions air raid warning but no…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420413-0001.jpg
Tells of meeting land girl on train while returning from leave. Writes of games afternoon, played golf. Writes of changes to plans for next leave because has the 'fateful medical' the next day. Notes very good weather.

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420330-0001.jpg
Writes of journey from home to Eastbourne. Mentions mid course exams coming up that week and end of course exams in 3 or 4 weeks time. Says it was good to be home, but such a rush around he wished for a longer stay.

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420324-0001.jpg
Describes difficulty of travel by train due to restrictions. Has very little free time. Catches up with home news of family and friends. Hopes to be home on Friday.

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420319-0001.jpg
Thanks her for parcel including half a cheese-cake. Describes in detail afternoon ground school activity practice plotting an attack on Saarbrucken in Stirlings. They are using the instructors actual logs to do the plots. Notes there will be a stiff…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420311-0001.jpg
Bill wishes he had more letters from home recently. The work is much harder than on the pilot's course and he is struggling to get the hang of the using a sextant. Describes daily training hours through the week, but have games on Tuesday…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420307-0001.jpg
Bill was excited to receive good news from home about Mary's baby.

Explains that now he is reached Eastbourne will have to work hard - 6 days and 4 nights a week for the next 6-7 weeks. He might get leave after the exams, but that will be…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420304-0001.jpg
Bill writes that he hasn’t received a letter from her for a while, but did get the one she sent on from a friend. He also writes that he is expecting to be posted to Eastbourne shortly with 120 others but this will mean he has to start work again.…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420228-0001.jpg
Begins with catching up with news from home. Mentions not much chance of leave but that he has had photograph taken of himself. Writes that Brighton is change from previous locations and describes activities. Went to see an ice hockey match between…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420223-0001.jpg
Bill writes that he doesn't have much time to write letters. He has managed to take a couple of long walks on the downs and around Beachy Head and through local villages. Mentions allowance that should be sent home for mother. Exams next week and…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420220-0001.jpg
Writes to confirm that he has arrived in Brighton, although clearly wasn't expected by anyone and took some time to get a bed. He is waiting for posting to Air Observers Navigation School. Has met up with friends and was delighted to receive parcel…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420215-0001.jpg
Disappointed to tell his mother that he has failed the flying test. Bill described the final test with the Chief Flying Instructor, which went badly, despite having completed a successful test beforehand with his own instructor. Has now been…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420207-0001.jpg
Writes he is not going with grading course but staying at Theale for Elementary Flying Training School. Mentions he had a test with Chief Flying Instructor which didn't go too badly. Writes he will now have to get down to work and there will be no…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420205-0001.jpg
Describes journey back to Theale and snowy weather. Still unclear about his future. Says he enjoyed his brief visit home.

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420130-0001.jpg
Bill still does not know what is happening to him. Weather has been terrible for flying but he had to go up with the Commanding Officer and it went badly (page missing from letter, so no end to story).

Complains again about the lack of food and…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420117-0001.jpg
Letter written over several days. Initially expecting to have his flying test the next day and be able to return for leave soon after, but this is changed following snow. He and six others are unable to take their tests in time and remain at the…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420114-0001.jpg
Describes how flying training, although fun, is becoming harder. He seems to be struggling with navigation and landings. He remains happy but accepts he may not have the aptitude to pass this phase of pilot training. Will have to do a test with chief…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420102-0004.jpg
Bill describes the set up at the Elementary Flying Training School, Theale where there were two flying courses and some Turkish students. He describes his first flight as a passenger which he found 'great'. Goes on to describe flying the next…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]411231-0001.jpg
Bill writes describing his new living accommodation in Sulhamstead House, Theale, where his bedroom overlooks rose gardens, park land etc. All except the flying takes place here, whereas the airfield is a couple of miles away. Writes about the…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]411114-0001.jpg
Bill writes that he is looking forward to coming home on leave in a week's time. All the parades have paid off since they have been given some extra leave. Before then have a whole week of exams. Trying to find out about the trains, but will have…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]411108-0001.jpg
A detailed letter from Bill to his family, explaining life and events in the RAF Camp.

Includes orderly room administration duties, being captain of squadron running team, being issued with flying kit (which he details), exams, his visit to an…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]411101-0001.jpg
Bill writes before having to take part in an inter-squadron run that afternoon, which he is not looking forward to. They are all getting excited about the prospect of leave, but if they fail exams this will be cancelled for them.

He describes the…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]410926-0001.jpg
Bill writes that he is about to be posted within London for a short period. [page missing] Have been given food to improve night vision but he really misses getting fresh milk. Are about to move and really feel they have left 'civvie street'…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]410921-0001.jpg
Bill is at the Receiving Centre in London. He writes that he has had a good Sunday with going to a Baptist Chapel and being invited for tea by the pastor and meeting up with another cadet - 'I can say my first Sunday in the RAF has been splendid'. …

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]410915-0001.jpg
Writes from the Receiving Centre of his billet in a 'rather nice block of flats' near Regents Park and of walking round looking at bomb damage to some old haunts in London.

They go to the zoo for their meals ('lot of monkeys').

Will on be at…

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