Browse Items (1240 total)

  • Tags: military living conditions

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

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

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

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

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

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

He gives a vivid description of dinghy drill, which was very funny to watch, but got on well with his own swimming and went on to Girvan where he describes what they did on…

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

Bill is interested to hear about the 'fellows in the caravan', who seem to be conscientious objectors. Says he has sympathy for people with genuine objections and has talked with…

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

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

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

Nothing definite on leave,…

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

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

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

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

Provides a detailed description of his and others experiences…

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

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

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

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

Describes his crew in…

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

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Bill writes after Christmas, relating the cards he received and all that happened to him. Everything went very well: he went to camp pantomime and cinema just before Christmas and spent Christmas Day at his friends' house in Lower Heyford. He…

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Bill says it is difficult to write letters as he is so busy flying, or preparing for flights which never happen. He did manage to fly very close to his home the other day. Getting through the flights now, so should then get some leave.

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Bill writes of flying close to home and an upcoming kit inspection early the next morning.

Last night he went to the church fellowship in the village and then to his friends for supper. Has also had an invitation from their neighbours, so is…

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Starts with domestic issues. Will be sorry to leave Upper Heyford as made many friends. Mentions slippery roads locally and writes of activities. Will be there for another 3 weeks. Concludes with reminiscences of home.

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Writes of only a few trips to do on course including war load. Leave due when course finished. Plans for journey home but will not know exactly when. Mentioned going to chapel and supper with friends.

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Thanks for parcel and letter. No leave for about 3 weeks, nearly finished course. Mentions pilot has injured his knee and may need to get a staff pilot soon to finish their training hours. Mentions local friends and stricter two-way censorship now in…

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Bill starts with domestic matters and catch up with home news. Writes that nearly everyone has finished course and they did last trip previous evening. Their pilot is now fit again.

Has visited his local friends, who work very hard but are so…

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Bill has now received his posting and is coming home on leave. Rushing about clearing out and saying goodbye to friends.

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Bill writes he will now be staying at East Wretham for the time being. Possible conversion course in two weeks but currently training on Wellington. Pilot arrived after touring country looking for Honnington. Most crews have now arrived. Describes…

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