]]>
Jeremy Lodge]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Julie Williams]]> Pending review]]> Pending revision of OH transcription]]> eng]]> Sound]]> Civilian]]> Royal Air Force]]> Royal Air Force. Bomber Command]]> Second generation]]> Germany]]> Great Britain]]> England--Lincolnshire]]> England--Norfolk]]> England--Suffolk]]> Germany--Essen]]> Germany--Ruhr (Region)]]> 1941-09-15]]> 1942]]> 1943-02]]> 1943-03-12]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Eastbourne (East Sussex)]]> England--Sussex]]> 1943-03]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Oxfordshire]]> 1943-01-18]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Eastbourne (East Sussex)]]> England--Sussex]]> 1942-03]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Norfolk]]> 1943-03]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Sussex]]> England--Eastbourne (East Sussex)]]> 1942-04]]>
Bill describes his mounting flying hours during air navigation training and the imminent start of bombing training. He can’t wait to be doing it for real on operations. Writes on use of bombing trainer simulated attacks on the Essen Crupps works and a bridge over the Dortmund-Ems canal. Bill displays his excitement at the prospect of extended summer leave. Includes an illustration of a man in flying gear jumping for joy.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Artwork]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-07]]>

]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Oxfordshire]]> 1942-12]]>
]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Sue Smith]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Sue Smith]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--London]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Alan Pinchbeck]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Wales--Aberystwyth]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Civilian]]> Royal Air Force]]> Great Britain]]> Wales--Aberystwyth]]>
He writes that his time at Aberystwyth is nearly over and there are various ideas where they will be sent. The next phase of his pilot training will be a three-week pilot ability assessment. He then writes that he believes that America is a ghastly place with strict discipline and low pass rates, Canada would be preferred. Thanks people for presents and cards and sends money for his mother to buy Savings Certificates on his behalf.

Has managed to do some walking in the local countryside, but also saw lots of mines washed up on the shore.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Civilian]]> Royal Air Force]]> Great Britain]]> Wales--Aberystwyth]]> 1941-12]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Jan Morgan]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Civilian]]> Royal Air Force]]> Great Britain]]> England--Berkshire]]> England--Theale (West Berkshire)]]> William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Jan Morgan]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]>
Excited that cadets now have own mess and, although not popular with the ground crew, aircrew need a special diet. Food is now much better and describes meals. Writes of flight up to near Aberdeen and about their weekly service in the 'Scotch Hut' which was to be broadcast on the BBC.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christain]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Scotland--Dumfries and Galloway]]> 1942-08]]>

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

Will on be at the current establishment for two more weeks and having a series of medical and other tests for selection as aircrew. Will then go on to Initial Training Wing.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--London]]> 1941-09]]>

There have been all kinds of tests, drills, lectures, PT and next week they will have vaccinations etc. He's not sure he will pass the maths and may have to stay there to retake it - would rather do this than fail at the Initial Training Wing. Describes Preselection being before a Psychological Board of WAAFs.

Has now got his uniform - which is a bit hot. Finding the food disappointing, although it is getting slightly better. So many officers in West End that saluting them makes your arm ache.

London doesn't seem to be altered - especially during the day, but at night everyone is on alert and the tube shelters are full.

Not sure where he will be posted to. Gets a good reaction to his uniform in London - 'we're getting some of the glory for the Battle of Britain'.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christian]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--London]]> 1941-09]]>

Catches up with family and farm news as well as his daily activities.

Gives new address at the end (but only for a week). Has passed his exams and will be posted to Initial Training Wing soon.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christain]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--London]]> 1941-09]]>

He describes the run-up to an inspection by the Wing Commander which they have to go through every week, but it went very well.

Writes about news from home and the trains he will catch when he comes home for leave.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Trevor Hardcastle ]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Wales--Dyfed]]> Wales--Aberystwyth]]> 1941-10]]> 1941-11]]>

Includes orderly room administration duties, being captain of squadron running team, being issued with flying kit (which he details), exams, his visit to an elderly local man (who had been Curator of the National Library of Wales) and a 1000-man church parade for Armistice Day.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Jan Morgan]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Wales--Dyfed]]> Wales--Aberystwyth]]> 1941-11]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Jan Morgan ]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> Wales--Dyfed]]> Wales--Aberystwyth]]> 1941-11]]>
Postscript: his been up in plane today and really enjoyed it. Food good.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Ashley Jacobs]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Berkshire]]> England--Theale (West Berkshire)]]> 1941-12]]>

Finds it a bit different being at Sulhamstead House and only having one day off a week, after Aberystwyth, when they could easily go into town. Mentions that the food is good, served up by local women and although they have 'civvy' rations, and quantity is fine.

Postscript detailing amount of pay.]]>
William Akrill]]> IBCC Digital Archive]]> Robin Christain]]> eng]]> Text]]> Text. Correspondence]]> Royal Air Force]]> Civilian]]> Great Britain]]> England--Berkshire]]> England--Theale (West Berkshire)]]> 1942-01]]>