1
25
4
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1857/33287/YAdderM170573v3.1.pdf
878f8add24f8248eb610ac3cdc13cd76
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
Adder, Mervyn
M Adder
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
2017-05-29
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
Adder, M
Description
An account of the resource
88 items. The collection concerns Pilot Officer Mervyn Adder (1922 - 1944, 175073 Royal Air Force) and contains his diaries, correspondence and photographs. He flew operations as a navigator with 44 Squadron and was killed 15 March 1944. <br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Mary Sprakes and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /><span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-GB" lang="EN-GB" class="TextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0">Additional information on<span> Mervyn Adder</span></span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span> </span>is available via the</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW207633627 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> </span><a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/100101/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
THE SERVICES DIARY
[Royal Air Force, Army and Navy crests]
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
JANUARY 1943
1 Fri.
Stayed in at night – revision etc. wrote to Mary – still very cold here
2 Sat.
Letter from Mary – wrote to Geoff – Had Arms Exam today – result of Signals 100 percent – packed parcel for home listened to part of Music Hall in the NAAFI – met Lucas – snow & sleet falling
[page break]
3 Sun.
Went to Communion in the morning with Ernie – very cold but bright & sunny – went to see Johnny Eager (Robert Taylor Lana Turner) with the boys at night – although was compulsory study night
4 Mon.
Up early bathed – started to write to Mary – went for a walk in the afternoon with Tom Arnold – asked each other questions etc – very cold but clear & bright – finished writing to Mary at night & revised at night started snowing in the late evening
5 Tues.
Stayed in at night to swot – have a rather bad cold – a few inches fall of snow today very cold.
6 Wed.
Stayed in again at night to do the usual grind – [deleted] wrote [/deleted] cold still bad
[page break]
7 Thur.
Letter from Mary today – miserable weather still cold & damp – had Navigation Gen & Met exams today.
8 Fri.
Had Plotting Exam this morning – stinker of a plot – away early in the afternoon – Wolves – Birmingham. Leeds & so home at about 11-15.
9 Sat.
Up fairly early – went shopping with Alex in the morning – met Mary at the station in the afternoon – looked devine [sic] – brought her home to tea – later went to the ‘Good Fellowship’ at night had a marvellous time Edith Alex Ron & his girl were there. – had to walk to Telford St 1417 Leave Bridgnorth after in a very cold wind – cycled home
[page break]
10 Sun.
Up late this morning – met Mary in the town brought her home to dinner & then saw her off at the station – met Don & went to Ken’s for tea went to the Regent afterwards Bob Hope in ‘Caught in the Draft’ – wrote to Mary
11 Mon.
Don came for me in the morning – talked until dinner – both went into town in the afternoon – had a haircut found very little to do – went to a dance by myself at the Bev Rd Baths at night – did not enjoy it miss Mary very much.
12 Tues.
Went into the office this morning met most of the staff & Col Rhodes – later called in at Reg’s office – went to the Carlton in the afternoon with Alex saw ‘Tortilla Flat’ (Hedy Lamar, Spencer Tracy & John Garfield) a very good film – read at night letter from Fred
13 Wed.
Went along to see Mrs Johnson in the morning with Alex – took Mother into the town in the afternoon – later went to see Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire in ‘Holiday Inn’ at the Dorchester – called on Geoff at night
[page break]
14 Thur.
Caught 1.40 train to Doncaster arrived tea time – little before Mary – had tea & both of us cycled into Epworth to the pictures – saw Anna Neagle in ‘Amy Johnson’ – not bad –
15 Fri.
Up at ten o’clock in the morning – did little all day besides read – finished reading Sorrell & Son – we went dancing at night to the Home Guard Dance in Belton church hall – very small – very crowded & very warm did not enjoy it very much.
16 Sat.
Rained in the morning – packed & caught the 2.0 o’clock bus to Doncaster as Mary couldn’t get any time off work – went to the flicks but had to leave early to catch the 5.27 to Hull – slow journey & delayed missing Alex who went back at night – went home first then cycled to Mary’s uncles where I met her father & we talked together although I believe Mary & I were very tired – arrived home late
[page break]
17 Sun.
Up reasonably early – Fred called round but had to dash to meet Mary & bring her home to dinner – she was late – after dinner we went to see her Aunt after meeting her father then I saw her off at the statin & how I disliked saying goodbye – believe she is the only girl I could like as much – Fred came to tea at night
18 Mon.
Caught the 11.0 o’clock to Leeds then to Sheffield – B’ham – arriving at tea time so went along to the Services Club with the chaps I had travelled down with – caught 7.15 to Kidderminster & so to Bridgnorth – arrived on Camp 10.0 o’clock – the end of a perfect day?
19 Tues.
Rained a little today – stayed in at night cleaned buttons etc & wrote to Mary – read a little of my book before turning in
20 Wed.
Went to see ‘Hellzapoppin’ at the Station cinema at night – wrote to Mother – rained hard today
[page break]
21 Thur.
Letter from Mary – wrote to Alex at night – played soccer in the afternoon – grand day warm with sunshine
22 Fri.
Another letter from Mary – wrote to her at night – rained hard all night went to the NAAFI later – duty flight today spent the day skiving had an easy time.
23 Sat.
Went to Station cinema at night saw Edward G Robinson, Marlene Dietrich, George Raft in ‘Manpower’ – not too good – sports afternoon grand day but I refereered [sic] – started copying up my notes
Memo.
1910 From B’ham – Bridgnorth 18.1.43
[page break]
24 Sun.
Stayed in bed in the morning – had coffee & bread & butter brought by Ron & newspaper up before dinner for a bath – super day warm & sunny went for a walk with Johnny in the afternoon – made friends with a horse – went to see Walter Pidgeon & Rosalind Russell in Design for Scandal’ with the boys at night – super picture – wrote to Mary.
25 Mon.
Did very little today – wrote up a few notes & wrote to Mary in the afternoon – poured with rain nearly all day – some of the boys are packing ready to leave for Penross & Dumfries tonight – Ron with them Ron & the boys leave.
26 Tues.
Stayed in at night – later went into the NAAFI for supper had ham & chips – sent a parcel home to Mother & wrote to Mary
27 Wed.
Stayed in at night – went into the NAAFI to listen to ‘Dancing Club’ had a very good supper – wrote up a few more of my notes.
[page break]
28 Thur.
Stayed in at night as we were duty Flight today & I was on the Canteen wrote to Mary at night – had a letter from her today – went to the ‘Aaron Arms’ with Tommy, Steve & Bolding – played darts – rained hard on the way back
29 Fri.
Had a plotting exercise this afternoon finished fairly early so went into town with Johnny & Len – had chips & lemonade before going to the flicks to see ‘Dangerous Moonlight’ – later had very little time but managed to find some cheese sandwiches, very interesting & amusing letter from Mary
30 Sat.
Rained heavily this morning – had short cross country in the afternoon – stayed in at night & wrote to Mary – listed to Music Hall in the NAAFI – letter from Alex today Ken came in very drunk tonight – Steve was very merry as were quite a few others poured with rain – Berlin bombed in the morning & afternoon by Mosquitos to interrupt speeches by Goring & Goebbels
[page break]
31 Sun.
Up late this morning – poured with rain – cleaned up & went to the flicks in the afternoon with Harold to see ‘Mystery Ship’ – stayed in & read at night – visited the NAAFI
1 FEBRUARY Mon.
Wrote to Mary – did very little all day except have pay parade FFI etc – heavy showers today – left Bridgnorth 6.0 transport to station – had to wait a couple of hours – stopped at Shrewsbury for 1 1/2 hr had tea & sandwiches – also coach shunted into siding at Crewe for over an hour – slept occasionally –
2 Tues.
arrived Millam 8.0 o’clock this morning – had breakfast FFI etc – found quarters & tidied up did little else – wrote to Mother & Mary at night then went to an Ensa show – rained a little today
3 Wed.
Issued with instruments etc – had lectures on dinghy drill etc – one of our aircraft missing during night found later on hills – rained a lot today – went into SA Canteen & wrote to Roland at night – later went to Intelligence library with Tom
[page break]
4 Thur.
Went to Red Shield at night wrote to Mary –
5 Fri.
Went to the NAAFI at night & wrote to Geoff – fine day today – practised taking Drifts in the AMBT’s section –
6 Sat.
Had gunnery today – weather fine & clear – started to rain after tea but went into town with Tom & Jock – had fish & chips before going to the only cinema where we saw Bob Hope in ‘My Favourite Blond – which was very amusing – had stopped raining when we left there to catch a bus back to Camp – two letters from Mary today.
[page break]
7 Sun.
Late up this morning & school orderley [sic] – had instruction in gun turrets in the morning & armaments etc in the afternoon – very cold today but clear & fine – snow on Black Coomb [sic]
8 Mon.
Parcel from home today – with letters from Marian, Don & Louis & many nice things – wrote to Mother & packed parcel at night –
9 Tues.
Finished lectures early today – had another talk by Intelligence Officer on Geography enjoyed it – very interesting – had an early tea caught train into Barrow where we went swimming – had tea at the Ritz afterwards sa [sic] William Powell & Hedy Lamar in ‘Crossroads’ a very good film – arrived back in Camp about 10.30.
10 Wed.
Wretched day today – rained heavily vis. bad – our flying cancelled but four of us were going on search for Beaufighter down in the sea – but it was scrubbed at the last minute – went to library at night & wrote to Mary – two letters from Mary today
[page break]
11 Thur.
Went swimming again in the afternoon had tea at the Ritz & then went to the Coliseum at night with Tom & the boys
12 Fri.
Letter from Mary today wrote to her at night & to Fred – day off – stayed in bed in the morning – walked into Millom in the afternoon with Tom – did some shopping – felt ill at night
13 Sat.
Reported sick this morning & put into Hospital – influenza – damned nuisance as should be flying today
[page break]
14 Sun.
Feel very bad today – managed to write to Alex – high temp read a book – slept
15 Mon.
Very high temp – feel very bad wrote to Mary – letter from Mother today
16 Tues.
Letters from Mary, Geoff & Alex also papers from home – still feel very bad – cannot understand it.
17 Wed.
Tom was discharged today cough very bad today & didn’t sleep at night – had to take tablets during night
[page break]
18 Thur.
Sick nearly all day – only highlight was another letter from Mary.
19 Fri.
Letter from Mother, Mary Don & Geoff – still feel groggy with a bad cough
20 Sat.
Letter from Roy today – feel a little better
[page break]
21 Sun.
Still feel shaky – again not allowed to get up – Tom brings me a parcel from home at night
22 Mon.
Taken to Military Hospital at Conishead Priory – several very embarrassing situations – bathed in bed by nurse etc
23 Tues.
Wrote to Mary tonight – feel much better.
24 Wed.
Feel a little better
[page break]
25 Thur.
Wrote to Mother & Mary at night – very nice day – still unable to get up
26 Fri.
Two letters from Mary today one from Mother as well as papers & books – wrote to Mary & Tom today – very nice today
27 Sat.
Letter from Mary today cough worse today – listened to Soccer International on wireless very good game England beat Wales 5-3.
[page break]
28 Sun.
Wrote to Mother & Mary today cough better but a little deaf today
1 MARCH Mon.
Feel better today – still not allowed to get up – another letter from Mary & papers from home.
2 Tues.
Letters today from Tom & Mary – wrote to Mary – still not allowed to get up – slightly deaf
3 Wed.
Wrote to Mary, Mother & Ken – letters from Mother Mary & parcel from home
[page break]
4 Thur.
Feel better today – papers from home – grand day – wish I were out Jap convoy of 14 ships sunk by Americans near New Guinea – fifty aeroplanes also shot down 15,000 troops drowned
5 Fri.
Letter from Mary – wrote to Mary at night – not yet allowed to get up – but sat in front of fire in dressing gown for an hour & had tea up
6 Sat.
Glorious day – do not feel quite so well – read & slept nearly all the day.
[page break]
7 Sun.
Feel much better today – up for short while in dressing gown – read a lot today & wrote to Mary & Edith
8 Mon.
Allowed to get up for short while again today – wrote to Roy Herst – letter from Edith & papers from home.
9 Tues.
Letter from [deleted] Edith [/deleted] Mary – wrote to Mary at night – given blues allowed to get up after tea.
10 Wed.
Up after dinner today – glorious day – brilliant sunshine – letter from Alex – wrote to Louis – went to see ‘To be or not to be’ a film showing in the Priory
[page break]
11 Thur.
Went for a walk with Ridges & Hill after tea – glorious sunny day again – had a parcel of sweets from Mary – wrote to her at night
12 Fri.
Up soon after dinner – wrote to Mary & received a letter from her today very nice day again – warm & sunny – went for a walk along the beach in the afternoon with Hill also just before supper – afterwards went to concert in Priory
13 Sat.
Saw Doc this morning prospects of getting out very soon – had a pass & went into Ulverston after tea – went to the flicks to see ‘Crossroads’ which I saw at Barrow 6 weeks previously – parcel of biscuits from home – glorious day today.
[page break]
14 Sun.
Glorious day again today went for a walk round the grounds in the afternoon with Ridges – wrote to Don at night
15 Mon.
Another glorious day – papers from home – went into Millom after tea – with Hill, Gains & Gillie – first had a haircut then went to the flicks to see George Raft in some Broadway film – enjoyed it very much.
16 Tues.
Another fine day – letters from Mary & Louis – stayed in until just after tea – then went for a walk with Hill & Ridges – went to Concert in the Priory after supper.
17 Wed.
Wrote to Mary & spend most of the day making up Jig.Saw [sic] Puzzles – went for a walk with Ridges before supper – given my discharge today
[page break]
18 Thur.
Drew my kit from the stores sunbathed in the afternoon – went for a short walk after tea & wrote home – received two letters from Mary.
19 Fri.
Up early packed my things – left hospital at 9.25 – arrived back at Millom 11.15 – met the boys & spent the rest of the day straightening things out – wrote to Mary at night in the Red Shield.
20 Sat.
Given leave – spent the morning chasing passes etc. – caught 4.45 train to Carnforth – Skipton – Leeds & so home at 1.30 on Sunday morning
[page break]
21 Sun.
Up very late – glorious day so went for a walk to Anlaby with Mother in the afternoon – met Cousin Tom & Mrs Brown – tired afterwards – stayed in at night – called in to see Ken & Wriggy before tea
22 Mon.
Up late today – went into the town in the afternoon – rang Mary called to see Mr Rogson but he was ill – dropped in to see Peggy – went to the Tower at night to see Humphrey Bogart in ‘The Big Shot’ – wrote to Mary at night
23 Tues.
Not up very early today – very nice day so went for a cycle ride in the afternoon – discovered some wild violets – stayed in at night & wrote to Alex
24 Wed.
A letter from Mary today – up fairly early – changed later & went into the town – called at the office – rang Mary – went to the Regal with Mother in the afternoon to see ‘In Which I serve’ – good film – stayed in at night
[page break]
25 Thur.
Up in time to get ready & catch the 1.40 train to Doncaster arrived at Mary’s at 5.0 o’clock – Mary looks grand & we spent a very pleasant evening together –
26 Fri.
A very dismal day today – raining very hard – spent a very pleasant but quiet day – went to meet Mary at night & to the pictures together at night – saw ‘Uncensored’ a very good film – Mary cannot have Saturday morning & my hopes that we might get engaged have vanished.
27 Sat.
Up late today – very dismal day but brightened in the afternoon when Mary & I caught a bus to Doncaster – Mary did a little shopping bought shoes etc. & then we had tea before going to the Gaumont to see ‘My Sister Eileen’ a very amusing film (Brian Aherne & Rosalind Russell) also ‘Rubber Racketeers’ – caught last bus back.
[page break]
28 Sun.
Went for a walk to Temple Bar Wood in the morning – stayed in in the afternoon caught the 4.50 bus to Doncaster – Mary saw me off & so ended three very enjoyable days with dear Mary.
29 Mon.
Up late & scouted round collecting odds & ends together went into the town in the afternoon called at the Office & N.J.P’s office (paid OH’s sub) met Trevor Russell Ken came round towards supper time – I went to see Coastal Command at the Carlton beforehand.
30 Tues.
Up early caught 8.55 to Millom arrived camp 5.0 o’clock at night – went to the Red Shield at night & wrote to Mary wrote to Roland
31 Wed.
Didn’t do anything today besides write letters one to Mother, Johnny & Fred
[page break]
APRIL
1 Thur.
Went to lecture room & copied notes etc. until half past eleven – had Gas lecture – free then for the rest of the day – 25th Anniversary of RAF. played billiards in the Red Shield in the afternoon with Tom & Alan – also table tennis & darts – wrote to Mary – went to the flicks with them at night – saw ‘The Palm Beach Story’ – very funny.
2 Fri.
Down for flying today – but the weather was too bad – did plotting in the morning & very little in the afternoon – went to lecture room at night letter from Mary today
3 Sat.
[deleted] Letter [/deleted] Papers from home – wrote to Mary at night – reflighted [sic] today to 106 Course Alexander is on this Course – changed huts – very nice day today – took Stars sights at night
[page break]
4 Sun.
Had P.T. this morning – did very little in the afternoon & went onto the beach before tea with Alex & Clarke – flying tonight up at 1.15 briefing etc – time 3.15 – 6.15 – base Skerries Bardsey – base wrote to Mary at night
5 Mon.
Stayed in bed until 1’oclock [sic] – wrote to Louis in the afternoon & read in the intelligence library – wrote to Mary at night & went into the intelligence library again – played billiards with Bob Clarke in the Red Shield – papers from home
6 Tues.
Showery today – lectures in the morning – went into Barrow in the afternoon swimming – later went to the Coliseum to see Mary Martin in ‘Happy go Lucky’ – letters from Mother, Mary & Alex
7 Wed.
Stayed in at night – went into the intelligence library – and turned in early tonight
[page break]
8 Thur.
Up early – flew in the morning – BASE CARNFORTH STAFFORD – SHREWSBURY then to some Hall which we had to photograph – also took obliques of Shrewsbury – then to RHYL – BASE – weather closed down in afternoon – didn’t fly – letter from Mary – wrote to her at night – Red Shield
9 Fri.
Day off today – up late fine day walked into Millom & back packed parcel & wrote home in the afternoon – read in the Intell Library at night prepared lecture on Iceland wrote to Geoff.
10 Sat.
Had PT this morning also flew as 1ST NAV at short notice – BASE – CHICKEN ROCK – BARDSEY – ST BEES HD – BASE took photographs BASE CHICKEN R. & VALLEY AERODROME – very clear day – had gunnery in the afternoon – letter from Mary – stayed at night & wrote to Mary.
[page break]
11 Sun.
2ND NAV first detail this morning – very clear day took Sun sights & line aerlap BASE – WHITEHAVEN – PORT PATRICK SKERRIES – BASE – afternoon detail cancelled – worked out sun sights etc & also at night sea fog closes down later in evening 100 percent vis saw exciting episode of kite getting home [indecipherable word] missed flagstaff
12 Mon.
Should have been flying but weather was too bad – played soccer last period today – wrote to Mary at night
13 Tues.
Reported sick in the morning – did very little work – clothing parade in the afternoon & went swimming into Barrow – later went to the Coliseum with Prest & Welfare saw ‘Sweethearts of the Fleet’ later had a drink before catching train
14 Wed.
Day off today – up late – bathed – haircut changed my tunic – read in the Intelligence library in the afternoon & wrote to Mary – letter from Mary today – had a short walk to Haverigg at night.
[page break]
15 Thur.
Turret Manip this morning – on the 250 range in the afternoon – went swimming to Barrow – went to the Ritz afterwards saw ‘One Day of War’ (Russian film) & ‘Till We Meet Again’ – Vera Lynn
16 Fri.
A letter from Mary today – had lectures today – very fine day – had a marvellous game of soccer this afternoon – stayed in at night & took Moon sights – parcel from home letter from Louis
17 Sat.
Flying on first detail – Base Bardsey Chicken Rock – Pt Lymes – base (based Wadney) grand today – worked out Astro sights in the afternoon – wrote to Mary after tea – then went to the dance at the Palace at night
[page break]
18 Sun.
Had lectures – gunnery today rather cold & windy – wrote to Ken & Wriggy tonight – turned in early
19 Mon.
Flying 1ST NAV this morning – very bumpy – sick nearly all the way Base-Harrogate-Haddington-Whitehaven Base – Flew 2ND NAV in the afternoon – did quite well – Base-Carnforth-Harrogate-Shrewsbury Carnforth-Base – back about 8.0 o’clock – washed, shaved etc – turned in early
20 Tues.
Played touch Rugby this morning – had the afternoon off night flying 1ST NAV 8.00 – 11.45 Base-Carnforth-Stafford-Rhyl-Chicken Rock-Base – didn’t do too well – moonlight flying again 4.15 – 7.40 2ND NAV. BASE-CHICKEN ROCK-PT LYNAS-CATTERICK-BASE – wrote to Mother earlier in evening letter from Mary – papers from home
21 Wed.
Stayed in bed until dinner time – changed & caught the 4.45 train to Barrow – went to the ‘flicks’ saw Bud Abbott & Lou Costello in ‘Who Done it’ – had supper in YM – returned Camp.
[page break]
22 Thur.
Got up after dinner had a bath – walked into Haverigg to the post with Smith – had tea spent the evening in the classroom – had supper in the NAAFI – turned in fairly early.
23 Fri.
Flying on 1ST DETAIL 1ST NAV BASE-DALBEATTIE-BARDSEY-DR POSN-BASE – average trip – afternoon details scrubbed – poured with rain – letters from Edith Mary & Geoff wrote to Edith & Mary at night –
24 Sat.
Wrote to Sandy today – grand day today until this evening when we were due to fly – scrubbed & worked in the D.R trainer until midnight
[page break]
25 Sun.
Up for dinner – rained nearly all the afternoon so stayed in Huts – became brighter towards tea time & was able to go to church with a few of the boys, started writing to Mary.
26 Mon.
Letter from Mary today – wrote to her today – had gunnery all day – wind still very strong – turned in early tonight
27 Tues.
Papers from home today – flew twice 1ST NAV 1st detail BASE-RECCO OF WHITEHAVEN & ST BEES PORT ELLEN-MAUGHAN HEAD-BASE – very bad weather bumpy & heavy cloud – flew last detail BASE-CHICKEN ROCK-DR POSN-BASE arrived back to find ‘drome obscured by rain cloud – circled for 1/2 hr
28 Wed.
Day off today – up late – letter from Mother wrote to Mother same night – did a little work in the afternoon & flew on the first detail at night – wireless US had to return BASE-MAUGHAN HEAD PORT ELLEN-BASE
[page break]
29 Thur.
Up fairly early this morning – caught the 1238 train into Barrow with Caruth had tea etc in a canteen before going to see ‘Star Spangled Banner’ (Bing Crosby etc) had tea in the YM. played billiards – caught 6.15 train back to Camp – raining fairly hard – wrote to Mary
30 Fri.
Had lectures today – received a parcel from home & two letters from Mary wrote to Mother at night – very nice bright day today
MAY 1 Sat.
Did lectures today – flew at night BASE-CHICKEN ROCK-PORT ELLEN-WHITEHAVEN-BASE – [deleted] parcel from home today [/deleted] letter from Alex. – wrote to Mary
[page break]
9 Sun.
Caught the 8.45 to Leeds this morning changed here Manchester & Wigan arrived Camp 8.45 at night –
10 Mon.
Snowed heavily this morning – brightened in the afternoon early details scrubbed at night – in DR trainer at 11.00 until 12.15 when decided we should fly – flew on 4.15 detail – BASE PT LYNOS DR POSN-CHICKEN ROCK-BASE went to bed after breakfast – wrote to Mary today & Mother
11 Tues.
Woke at two o’clock – cleaned up & went to tea before going along to the Intelligence library & classroom went to the NAAFI concert later that night very good show indeed it was the first concert party formed this War
12 Wed.
Astro Exam today – wrote to Mary – received a letter from her today – rained all day so flying scrubbed
[page break]
13 Thur.
Received a letter from Bruce today – weather rather bad & night flying cancelled at night – worked in the DR trainer until half past two in the morning
14 Fri.
Day off today up before dinner – wrote to Roland & posted Bruce’s Astro book – later went into Millom with the boys to the pictures & saw Nelson Eddy & Jeanette Macdonald in ‘I Married an Angel’ – walked back straight after the show – turned in fairly early.
15 Sat.
Flew twice today BASE-CARNFORTH-CHURCH EATON-GRANTON HALL-PRESTATYN-LLANRWST-BASE – bombed up again nearly straight away – BASE-Middleton-WETHERBY-EVERINGHAM CROFT-BASE only about 10 mls from home – lovely day – feel very tired tonight – did not eat until tea time when I changed bathed & afterwards wrote to Mary
[page break]
23 Sun.
Wrote to Mary today – up late as usual rather nice day – changed early to go to church at night – met Alex & Clarke in church & afterwards went onto the beach – met two WAAFS borrowed their cycles & had a dirtrack [sic] round the swimming pool – went to the ‘Rising Sun’ before going back
24 Mon.
Flying today on the 1.15 detail – 2ND NAV for a change & enjoyed the trip – BASE-DUMFRIES-LOCHRANZA-CHICKEN ROCK BASE – saw 3 Aircraft Carriers & 2 destroyers also met a ‘Baracuda’ (same slipstream) – went to the Station Dance at night – had a jolly good time & danced with a superb dancer – Tom Varey’s bed again despoiled
25 Tues.
Fine day today – had lectures & went to Barrow to swim in the afternoon – later went to the Ritz with Joe Wesly to see ‘Me & My Gal’ with Judy Garland – quite good – had supper in the YM before going back
26 Wed.
Flying scrubbed owing to weather – had lectures & Astro-plot – had a letter from Mary today & wrote to her at night – went to ENSA show in the NAAFI before going to the Music Circle – Rossini ‘Barber of Seville’ Bach’s [indecipherable word] Suite in ‘G’ Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Swan Lake’ The Finale is terrific
[page break]
27 Thur.
Yarwood wake [sic] us at 10.30 – changed into P.T kit & played soccer until dinner time – wiz-oh day – had dinner outside – in mess tins – wrote to Mary in the afternoon – went to the show at the NAAFI after tea ‘The Glass Key’ Brian Donlevy, Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake – had to leave early as I was flying on the 10.15 detail
28 Fri.
BASE-DR POSN-TUXFORD-WHITCHURCH-HARROGATE-BASE – landed about half past two bed at 4.0 o’clock – wakened at 10.30 by Clarke dashed round caught eleven o’clock bus & train to Coniston – a glorious day – warm & sunny – had dinner at the Crown & went for a walk at the side of the lake – wrote to Mary – had tea at the Crown & so back to Camp – had to wait an hour at Fairfield had a drink at the ‘Princes Head’ – letter from Mother –
29 Sat.
Another glorious day today – went for a run instead of PT round Haverigg & 3 of us went for a swim in the sea as there wasn’t anybody about – it was glorious – volunteered to play in six a side soccer as a team was short – missed dinner & caught train to Cark. 14 teams in competition, 2 Army – 3 Millom – 2 Cark 1 Barrow Morecambe etc. our teams did fairly well – we got into the semi finals – very had work played 3 times – very warm work & had a blistered foot – finished about six o’clock & caught the 8.11 pm back to Millom – arrived 10.30 pm – letter from Mary waiting for me – very tired
[page break]
JUNE
6 Sun.
Had Met exam this morning – a stinker too – did some plotting in the afternoon – had a kit inspection & played soccer with a Rugby ball before tea & for P.T. – B Squad won 2-0 – glorious weather – went to Church with Alex & Clarke after tea
7 Mon.
On the first detail this morning – foul weather ran into a Warm front BASE-SILLOTH-P. PATRICK-BALLYQUINTON PT.-RHYL-BASE – rest of flying scrubbed for the day – had plotting exercise & basket ball in the hanger – wrote to Mary – played billiards with Caruth & Benny
8 Tues.
Day off today – stayed in bed until late – letter from Mary – idled the afternoon away – not flying at night – read in the Intelligence library & wrote to Mary – went for a cycle ride with Gibby onto the beach – had late supper & turned in
9 Wed.
Day off today – wrote to Roland – went into Millom at night with Bing & Caruth played billiards – walked back fairly early – saw the ENSO hour at the NAAFI in Camp (4 Welsh singers who were very good) called in later at the Music Circle
[page break]
10 Thur.
Had lectures today – wrote to Mary in the morning – finished early as we were flying at night very poor weather – spent 2 hours in the Astrograph room until 22.00 hrs. flew on the 1.15 detail BASE-ST BEES-PT LYNAS-DOUGLAS-SKERRIES ST BEES-BASE – poor vis. 8-10 [inserted] TO [/inserted] cloud fog patches
11 Fri.
Day off today – stayed in bed until dinner time had our Flight dinner at the West County tonight – grand time I didn’t drink too much – Bing had too much & after we had all adjourned to the dance afterwards when we left we found Bing in the Church yard – helped him home – 6 of us taken into guard room for making a row – beds were all tipped over in the huts – eventually things quietened down
12 Sat.
In the DR trainer this morning – pay parade in the afternoon – finished early – not flying tonight – started writing to Louis but Clark who also wasn’t flying persuaded me to go along with him for a drink before bedtime
[page break]
13 Sun.
Generally clearing up today – stayed in at night – packed & read most of the night
14 Mon.
Passing out parade today – talk by Groupy – very decent chap – caught the 7.45 train with some of the boys after a farewell at the Station Hotel – had to change about 5 times & our luggage was a nuisance – had to wait at Preston for the London train to return some of Lindleys kit
15 Tues.
Arrived home 5.30 this morning letters from Mary & Roland waiting for me – Met Mary’s train & dear Mary before lunch – saw ‘Orchestra Wives’ at the Regal in the afternoon & had a short walk to Anlaby in the evening.
16 Wed.
Called for Mary in the morning – late as usual – had a look round the town & saw Peggy before lunch – lunch at Jacksons – we chose an engagement ring this afternoon & are really engaged – saw ‘The Belle of New York at the New & danced at the YPT later
[page break]
17 Thur.
Had to rush to catch the 13.40 train to Doncaster today – arrived Belton at 1700 hrs – cycled to the flicks after tea – saw Carmen Miranda & Alice Faye in “A Weekend in Havana’
18 Fri.
A very bad day today rained nearly all the time – stayed in and read – I felt very restless & was glad of a short walk just before bedtime but I don’t think Mary was thrilled with the walk.
19 Sat.
Up fairly early this morning caught the 11 o’clock bus into Doncaster – had drinks at ‘Davies’ walked round the market afterwards – Mary wanted me to have my photo taken but we couldnt [sic] find the shop – went to the Gaumont & saw Bud Abbott & Lou Costello in ‘Money for Jam’ & a murder film ‘Quiet Please’ – had tea & caught the 8 o’clock bus back – jumped off at Epworth to go to the pictures – saw one of the best films I have seen for a long time ‘Hudsons Bay’ – had to walk home – a beautiful night & enjoyed it but Mary’s feet hurt
[page break]
20 Sun.
Received a telegram yesterday extending my leave but am going home today – had a short cycle ride before dinner – Mary saw me to the bus & so home.
21 Mon.
Wrote to Mary today – a very warm & sunny day – it would be – up late as usual – went to the office in the afternoon later met Johnny Bygett & a boy I had flown with at Millom – went to see Ken & Wriggy after tea – Ken is still farming – went to the Carlton with W. saw Micky Rooney in Andy Hardy’s Double Life – had a [indecipherable word] afterwards to beloved Mary & a walk –
22 Tues.
Another very warm day – went for a cycle ride before lunch – called to see Mrs Johnson – had my photo taken in the afternoon & strolled round the town – missed Mary more than ever tonight – went to the Regal by myself – saw ‘Random Harvest’ Greer Garson Ronald Colman – a very good film – letter from Don today
23 Wed.
Up none too early again – went out with Mother in the afternoon – had a walk round the town & to the Pier – booked to see Chu Chin Chow at the New – a very good show
[page break]
24 Thur.
Letter from Mary today – raid in the early hours of the morning – damage by fire bombs tonight the 1.40 to Belton – arrived just before Mary came home for tea – very nice to see her again went to the flicks in Epworth ‘Flying Fortress’
25 Fri.
Very nice day today spent part of the morning & afternoon mending a puncture – Mary was home early for tea but had to go to Crowle to work – took Mrs B. to a Whist drive – we did not go to the dance afterwards as Mary was very tired.
26 Sat.
Up early this morning – another fine day Mary & I went to Scunthorpe in the afternoon – very little doing had a look round & had tea – queued for the Variety show at the Savoy (Jack Warner etc – not very good) home fairly early Mary’s father had come for the weekend – talked & Mary & I stayed up until Florrie & Norman came from the dance – telegram to report to Bruntingthorpe on Tuesday wherever that may be – sounds rather wild
[page break]
27 Sun.
Not up very early today – glorious day very warm & sunny – cycled to Miss Browns & Mary & I picked red currants in the orchard – had late dinner & sunbathed afterwards – had a hectic journey to Doncaster on the bus – Edith & Rollo met me at Paragon – Ron & Alex who was home – came in later
28 Mon.
Up late again found out the times of the trains for tomorrow & went to the Dorchester to see Hedy Lamar & Walter Pidgeon in ‘White Cargo wrote to Mary after tea – went to see Ken & Wriggy Don was in town but was out with Mary so didn’t see him –
29 Tues.
Don called for me this morning & we went to the station together – caught the 9.15 to Rugby – met F/O Glen on the train – he is instructing near Oxford – met nearly all the boys at Rugby & we eventually reached a small village called Welford by 5.0 o’clock – waited 2 hrs for transport – wrote to Mary
30 Wed.
Very dispersed drome – spent all the day getting arrival matters settled – a very warm & sunny day – wrote to Mother at night & spent a short time in the Mess – am sharing a Hut with 9 of the boys – have to walk a mile to the Mess
[page break]
JULY 1 Thur.
Another very warm day today – sunbathed after tea & wrote to Mary – had lectures today by the Groupy, Sports Officer & SWO also had drill & P.T.
2 Fri.
Another broiling day – had the usual P.T & drill & lectures finished early this afternoon so we hurriedly changed & ‘Ger’ Smith & Harold Boardly & I hitch hiked to Leicester – went to the flicks saw ‘Shadow of a Doubt’ at the Odeon – a very good film – caught 10.33 to Lutterworth & had to walk 5 mls back to Camp
3 Sat.
Stayed in at night sunbathed & afterwards had a shower before going into the Mess to write to Mary & to have supper – later listened to the wireless – another very warm & sunny day –
[page break]
4 Sun.
On lectures today – had church parade – talk by M.O. on the usual topic VD etc. – spent the evening in the Mess again – wrote to Sandy & Mother.
5 Mon.
Had clothing parade etc today – very warm again – left Camp with Doug & Bing at 4.30 – walked to Bruntingthorpe given lift to Leicester & then to Sheffield – missed connection by 20 mins – tram car to Rotherham & bus to Doncaster – caught train for Hull as unable to reach Belton that night arrived 12 o’clock
6 Tues.
Up fairly early & called to see Edith at the office before catching the 1.40 for Doncaster – Mary looks adorable – very brown – went to the flicks at night – saw a couple of films which werent [sic] very good ‘Murder will Out’ & ‘Singapore Woman’ – stayed up with Mary until Midnight letter from Fred – one waiting from Louis
7 Wed.
Left Mary at 8.30 – caught the 10.42 from Doncaster – met Edna (Marians friend) on the train – travelled up to Leicester together – went to the flicks saw ‘I Married a Witch’ & ‘Manilla Calling’ – train to Lutterworth arrived back 8.30 in the evening
[page break]
8 Thur.
Had lectures all the day – much colder today – started writing to Mary but didn’t feel in the mood – turned in fairly early
9 Fri.
Up early again at 6.30 – had to be for roll call – lectures again today bit of a ‘bind’ – no letters for me today – rained quite a lot – wrote to Roland at night in the Mess.
10 Sat.
Had lectures again & all the day – miserable weather – fine rain nearly all the day – only bright spot was a letter from Mary – arrived back at the Hut rather wet – our forces invade Sicily this morning – wrote to Mary in the Mess at night
[page break]
11 Sun.
Lectures again all the day – but finished at 4.0 o’clock – seven of us went to church after tea to [indecipherable word] Doug Bing Gerry ‘Happy’, Frank Joe & myself – three of us went back to Camp for supper & turned in early – the rest came in late – Dick went drinking again
12 Mon.
Had lectures all the day & had to go to a ‘discussion group’ after tea – subject Should the Colonies have Home Rule at the End of the War’ – interesting but a ‘bind’ – papers from home today
13 Tues.
A letter from Mary today – wrote to Louis at night – lectures as usual today – confined to Camp for the Site being dirty – more like I.T.W this place – had a shower before supper and about the first time I have had time for a few days.
14 Wed.
Usual lectures again today & had a talk after tea by a visiting Wing Co. on Tactics – wrote to Mother & Mary in the Mess after this – another letter from dear Mary today
[page break]
15 Thur.
Lectures again today – rained heavily after lunch caught the liberty bus into Leicester – Harold Gerry & I went to the Savoy saw James Cagney in ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ – fair had supper & short walk before catching bus back – crashed just before Gilmorton – nobody hurt – just missed turning over-ploughed hedge & roadside up.
16 Fri.
Glorious day today – very warm – letters from Mother & Mary – hitch hiked to Lutterworth but just missed train – hitched a lorry to Leicester – reached there at 7.15 – booked a room at the Midland Hotel – went to the De Montfort Hall to an AA dance – met a very nice girl & a very good dancer – (widow – husband killed in RAF) saw both her & her sister home – arrived hotel just before Gerry who had seen a girl home
17 Sat.
Up fairly early – had a glorious breakfast – did some shopping, had haircut etc – Gerry rang his girl up & we are going to mee them this afternoon – met Dick Caruth & had dinner together – the three of us went to see the girls – went to a wedding & then into the park – had tea at their place & caught the 6.55 back to Ashby Magna – they came to see us off – had to walk 4 mls back to Camp – arrived very tired had Guinness & chocolate for supper –
[page break]
18 Sun.
Lectures again today – felt very sleepy all day – spent the evening writing to Mary.
19 Mon.
Letter from dear Mary – parcel & papers from home – usual lectures – the Discussion Group after tea – subject a poor one ‘Cooperation’ – wrote to Mother afterwards.
20 Tues.
Another talk tonight after tea – this time by a Naval liaison officer on mine-laying etc – wrote to Mary afterwards
21 Wed.
Lectures again today – with a Signals Exam in the morning – stayed in at night & wrote to Fred before going down to the Mess for supper & a shower
[page break]
22 Thur.
Didn’t do very much today – had to give a talk on Dinghy & Parachute Drill for Instructor test – read in the Intelligence Library most of the day – went into Leicester with Happy & Gerry after tea saw ‘The Black Swan’ (Tyrone Power Maureen O Hara George Sanders) very good film.
23 Fri.
Did very little again [deleted] tonight [/deleted] today – letter & photograph received from Mary today – wrote to Mary after supper – very warm this afternoon when the sun broke through & I sunbathed after tea – Americans capture Pallermo. [sic]
24 Sat.
Stayed in at night & wrote to Mother after tea in the Mess also wrote up a few of my notes – very warm again today – sunbathed a short time after tea – letter from Mother today
[page break]
25 Sun.
Very warm day again today – flew this afternoon – 4 hr trip N. Sea Scarboro’ etc – late when we landed – wrote to Mary just before I turned in tonight Mussolini resigns
26 Mon.
Another warm day today & we were on lectures all the day, letter from Roland & papers from home – had to fly again at night but none of us wanted to do – BASE-GOOLE-PICKERING-FILEY-DR POSN (N. SEA) DR POSN MABLETHORPE-BASE – went to bed at 4.30.
27 Tues.
Stayed in bed until dinner time changed & went into Lutterworth with Joe & Gerry – borrowed Happy’s bike – nothing doing here so hitch hiked to Leicester – went to the flicks saw ‘Air Force’ – a very good film had supper & caught the last train back – letter from Roland today
28 Wed.
Still no news of Mary today – very warm again – had lectures all day – wrote to Mary & Alex – had to fly at night (6 1/2 hrs) BASE FAKENHAM-DISS-NEWBURY-NORTHAMPTON-MABLETHORPE etc – took Astro sights & wrote to Mary – glorious night & very nice trip
[page break]
29 Thur.
Landed at 5.30 this morning – had breakfast & then to bed at 7.30 – slept until four o’clock in the afternoon – had a letter from Mary today – caught the liberty bus into Leicester – had a walk round – visited the ‘Swan with Two Necks’ & then the Opera House where we saw Turner Layton, Nellie Wallace & Billy Russell very good show –
30 Fri.
Another scorching day – on lectures another letter from Mary – not flying tonight – sunbathed after tea – had a shave & after supper in the Mess wrote to Don & Geoff – also received a letter from Edith today
31 Sat.
No flying today on ‘CDI in the morning & had plotting Exam in the afternoon – stayed in at night & wrote to Mary – also copied up a few notes – not very exciting for a Saturday night – but hellishly warm & was too hot & lazy to walk the 5 mls into Lutterworth
[page break]
AUGUST
1 Sun.
In lectures again today – had the ‘G’ Exam – flying scrubbed tonight – stayed in.
2 Mon.
[deleted] Lectures today [/deleted] (G.I’s in the morning did some swotting in the afternoon – went into Leicester with Gerry & Happy on the Liberty Bus – saw the Andrew Sisters in ‘How’s About It & ‘Desperadoes’ both quite good pictures – went to the Fair afterward
3 Tues.
Lectures today – finished early Dick Bing Gerry & I went into Leicester – called at the Milk Bar then the ‘Board’ where we met Gibby’s Pilot & W.O.P and went with these to a dance at the Palais – had a wizard time - - - - - - censored
4 Wed.
Letter from Mary today – stayed in at night – listened to Victor Sylvester on the radio – wrote to Mary & Mother this morning after GDI’s
[page break]
5 Thur.
Had Intelligence lecture in the morning & exam in the afternoon – packed our kit after tea & moved to our satellite Bitteswell – even more dispersed than the other which means bags of walking – wrote to Mary before I went to bed – a very nice parcel from Mother today.
6 Fri.
Didn’t do anything in the morning & after dinner wangled a ‘48’ – walked to Lutterworth – hitch hiked to Leicester & caught the 5.20 to Nottingham – then to Grantham, Doncaster but reached here too late to go out to Mary – met Mr Seymour’s Son – had a drink in the ‘Elephant’ & caught the 10.15 to Hull arrived at midnight to find Alex at home.
7 Sat.
Up fairly early – Alex & I went to see Stan & young Noble who were also on leave – went for a short walk but had to be back early to catch the 1.40 to Doncaster – Mary met me she looked adorable – we couldn’t get in at the ‘flicks’ so had a walk round & caught the 4.30 bus to Belton – it started raining after tea but we cycled to Miss Browns & went along to the dance in Epworth – very warm at the dance & it rained like hell on the way back – but I had a good time.
[page break]
8 Sun.
Up fairly early in the morning – went for a cycle ride with Mary to Owston Ferry before dinner – called at Miss Brown’s for some apples etc. – caught the usual bus to Doncaster after tea – the 6.15 from there to Sheffield – walked round here for a few hours met Dick & Bing – 11.55 to Leicester was very crowded – struggled in to the YM at 3.30 for a couple of hours sleep caught the 6.20 to Ullesworth & reached Camp at a little after seven.
9 Mon.
Very tired today – did a plotting exercise & walking in the afternoon – papers from Mother & letter from Mary, Alex & Louis – wrote to Mary
10 Tues.
Didn’t do any work all day – but wrote to Mother in the morning & packed up early in the afternoon so I could get away early to Leicester – Gerry & I went to the Palais and I had a very good time indeed.
11 Wed.
Stayed in at night – listened to the radio in the Mess & went along to the Cinema show on the Camp. Letter from Don today – wrote to Mary today.
[page break]
12 Thur.
Wrote to Roland & packed a parcel to Mother – after tea walked into Lutterworth with Happy – hitch hiked to Leicester went to the Palais – met Gerry’s Peggy and her friends – danced with them all the evening & had a very jolly evening – Peggy & Bessie saw us off at the Station
13 Fri.
Letter from Mary today – did a little plotting etc today – caught the 7.40 Ullesthorpe to Migston & Alex, Happy, Joe Frank & Ted & myself went to an ATS Sergeants dance at the Barracks store – had a wizard time – arrived back in Camp at about 1.15.
14 Sat.
Was going to fly this morning but it was cancelled at the last minute – stayed in at night & wrote to Mary in the Mess – listened to the wireless – turned in early & read in bed.
[page break]
15 Sun.
Did very little today – took a few Sun sights – wrote to Don – went to Church in Lutterworth with Dick after tea.
16 Mon.
Had to stay in tonight as we were flying at night bombing – letter from Mary & Birthday Cards from home – had a fairly decent trip tonight.
17 Tues.
Stayed in bed until dinner time – sunbathed in the afternoon – had to fly tonight so couldn’t go out to celebrate my birthday – what a way to celebrate! – letter & Card from Mary – took off at 9 o’clock but came back too late to go to the dance at night
18 Wed.
Had to stay in again today as we were flying at night – wrote to Mary & played Cards until 2 o’clock in the morning – after which we tried to sleep – called at 3 o’clock but was recalled before we could do much bombing
[page break]
19 Thur.
Went to bed at 6 o’clock this morning but had to be up again before twelve o’clock to get cleared etc ready to go back to Brunt. – reached there before tea dashed straight out & caught the 6.10 from Lutterworth to Leicester – had a meal & then onto the ‘Saracens Head’ from there to the dance at the Corn Exchange – slept the night on a sofa in the YM. – letter from Mother today
20 Fri.
Caught the 6.20 from Leicester this morning after a very uncomfortable night – walked to Camp from Ashby Magna – tried to get organised today –
21 Sat.
Did not Fly this morning – scrubbed – made out a few charts etc. – stayed in at night & wrote to Mother & Mary – letter from Mary today & also one from Sandy
[page break]
22 Sun.
Flew this morning – 4 hrs – very bumpy conditions – had a late dinner & had very little time to do anything before tea – after which Arthur, Johnny & myself walked into Welton where we had supper & met Joe.
23 Mon.
Flew again today landed late again – washed etc & spent the evening in the Mess wrote to Mary – letter from Geoff today
24 Tues.
Letter from Roland today – duty plotter & did very little until 4.30 when we were briefed for flying that night – took off at 9.0 o’clock & landed again at 12 o’clock
25 Wed.
Letter from Mary today – no time to write myself as we didn’t get up until dinner time & were flying again at night – late getting back owing to late start due to burst tyre.
[page break]
26 Thur.
Didnt [sic] get up until dinner time – then did dinghy drill etc with the crew – weren’t flying at night but couldn’t get transport to Leicester so went to the Canteen in Welton with the crew – then to a sing song in the Dog & Gun.
27 Fri.
Did our War Load this morning & enjoyed the trip very much – didn’t land until after 3 o’clock & had to dash around to get away on my ‘48’ – hitch hiked to Leicester & home soon after twelve o’clock.
28 Sat.
Up fairly early – pouring with rain but went for a haircut & to ring Mary – caught the 1.40 to Doncaster & met dear Mary – she looked very sweet & after a short look round & tea we went along to the Gaumont where we saw the Andrew Sisters in ‘Hows About It’ – I had already seen it & Thunderbirds – we afterwards caught the 8.20 to Belton
[page break]
29 Sun.
Felt very tired this morning – for some unknown reason as I didn’t get up until late & was ill after dinner – had been eating too many nice things – Mary travelled to Doncaster with me – had quite a time to wait here & proceeded to miss connections right & left.
30 Mon.
I arrived at Leicester at 3 o’clock this morning – met Arthur & Johnny on the Station & were fortunate enough to secure beds at the YM. – reached Camp 9 o’clock & have felt washed out all today
31 Tues.
Not flying tonight – did very little during the day – wrote to Mother & Mary – letter from Mary – went to the Ensa Show in Camp tonight – very good indeed – turned in late
1 SEPTEMBER Wed.
Stayed in & wrote to Sandy & Mary in the Mess as it was raining – later went down to the Canteen in Welton with the boys.
[page break]
2 Thur.
Went into Leicester at night on the Liberty bus with Gerry – went to the Odeon & saw ‘We Dive at Dawn’ also [deleted] We [/deleted] ‘They Live Alone’ quite a good show
3 Fri.
Did very little today – flew at night – very poor trip – several things went U.S & it was very cold no heat – letter from Mary today
4 Sat.
Didn’t get up until 3.0 o’clock in the afternoon – found we were flying so had to go along to the briefing room straight away – six hour trip – good trip – Italy invaded Russians breaking through – went to bed about six o’clock again.
[page break]
5 Sun.
Up late again today – three o’clock not flying again tonight so spent the evening in the Mess & wrote to Mary – still no news from home or a letter from Mary
6 Mon.
On CDI’s this morning – the crew had to go to SSQ this afternoon for decompression chamber test – Joe was ‘Joe’ – in other words the guinea pig went to Leicester on the Liberty bus with Gerry to make a four up at the theatre – Chris, Peggy, Gerry & I – saw Joe Loss – very good played Jealousy – Mary’s favourite
7 Tues.
Thought we were flying tonight but it was scrubbed at the last minute – wrote to Mother at night & went to the Canteen in Welton with the boys – Bing killed tonight
8 Wed.
Letter from Mary today – wrote to her [deleted] tonight [/deleted] this afternoon – had an early briefing as we were on an ‘op’ trip – quite a good trip bombed just South of Boulogne – heavy flak – not accurate ITALY CAPITULATES
[page break]
9 Thur.
Up late again today – flew in the afternoon to take Sun sights as we have finished here now – stayed in at night & worked
10 Fri.
Still cannot get away on leave – the whole crew went on the binge to Leicester tonight – hitch hiked to Leicester – went to the Picture house – saw Alice Faye Jack Oakie & John Payne in Hello ‘Frisco Hello – a very good musical & we enjoyed it very much had half an hour to reach the ‘White Swan’ where we became very merry on Port Rum, beer etc. – set off in search of a dance making a terrific row over it – but all very happy walked into the private dance at the Palais – had a jolly time – afterwards hot dogs at the Coffee stall & back to the YM letter from Mary today wrote to Mary.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined] 11TH.
Did very little today – very tired after yesterday – wrote to Louis at night & went along to the Canteen in Welton [inserted] Italy capitulates 8.9.43 [/inserted] where we played table tennis – no letter from home yet.
[page break]
12 Sun.
Stayed in at night & played Squash with Arthur – still standing by but believe we will get away in a few days time.
13 Mon.
Given 36 hr pass & are leaving on Thursday – poured with rain all the morning – wrote home & packed a parcel wrote to Mary & received the much looked for parcel from home – hitch hiked to Leicester with the boys – went to see Judy Garland in ‘Presenting Lily Mars
14 Tues.
Slept at the YM. up fairly early breakfasted at Lewis’s – shaved, brush up & met the other boys at the Tower Hotel felt very gay when the time came to have dinner (at Lewis’s) – rained in the afternoon – couldn’t go to swimming – played billiards & went to the flicks – had tea & went to the Palais by myself as Arthur & Johnny had dates – rang Mary today.
15 Wed.
Busy getting cleared today – really off tomorrow – went to the Canteen at night with Arthur & Johnnie
[page break]
16 Thur.
Finished packing this morning – had difficulty with a hell of a lot of kit but reached Leicester at 7 o’clock with Arthur & Johnnie – had a few beers together & then I caught the 10.30 to Sheffield
17 Fri.
Arrived home this morning at 5 o’clock – didn’t get up until lunch time – saw the people at the office & Les & Peggy at their office in the afternoon – called on Geoff who was also on leave
18 Sat.
Met Mary at the station this afternoon – went to the Goodfellowship [sic] at night & had a jolly time – lousy day rained a lot went to the Dorchester in the afternoon
MARY EPWORTH 77.
[page break]
19 Sun.
Up fairly early (10.30. [deleted] I had [/deleted]) went for a short walk with Mary & Rollo – went to see Mary’s father this afternoon & from there to the Dorchester where we saw ‘Joan of Paris’ – quite a good film
20 Mon.
Went into the town this morning walked round the shops – had dinner & then took a bus to Hessle where we sat on the foreshore – went to the Dorchester after tea & saw Deanna Durbin in ‘The Amazing Mrs Holliday’ – a good film
21 Tues.
Up very early this morning to catch the bus to Scarborough – had lunch at Lewis’s as soon as we reached there – then went onto the beach – it was a glorious day but windy & not too warm – but we had a very good time together & enjoyed the day immensely air raid warning tonight.
22 Wed.
[deleted] Stayed [/deleted] lunched at home today after spending the morning in the town – took a bus to Beverley & spent the afternoon on the Westwood – went to the theatre after tea to see the play ‘As You Like It
[page break]
23 Thur.
Spent the morning getting ready to leave for Belton this afternoon – arrived tea time & afterwards Mary & I cycled to the pictures where we saw ‘Mr Foreman goes to France’ a very good film which I had seen before.
24 Fri.
Up early this morning to accompany Mary to Scunthorpe where she was to have her hair set – but couldn’t so spent the morning walking round the town & the afternoon at the pictures – Mickey Rooney in ‘Human Comedy’ & caught an early bus back to Belton – stayed in at night – Mary knitted
25 Sat.
Went to Scunthorpe again this afternoon Mary went to have her hair set & I went to a soccer match – saw Grimsby Town beat Barnsley 1-0 & enjoyed the game very much after tea we went along to the theatre where we saw the play ‘Damaged Goods’ & then back to Belton
another 2 air raid warnings tonight
[page break]
26 Sun.
Went brambling this morning with Mary & Jean – had a very jolly time together & collected loads of brambles – had to go back this afternoon & travelled back to Hull with Mary’s father who had come home for the weekend
27 Mon.
Stayed in bed until late – wrote to Mary & Ken this afternoon – Wriggy wasn’t at home when I called this evening – went to the Carlton by myself saw Arthur Askey in ‘Miss London Ltd’ – fairly dull day – nothing much to do
28 Tues.
Was again up late this morning – went to see Mrs Gatman this afternoon – Sheila was home on leave & Harry’s wife was there – stayed tea – then came home for Edith & we went to the flicks together – to the Regent – it was ‘The Silk Queen’ George Brent etc & quite good
29 Wed.
[deleted] Cycled [/deleted] [inserted] Went [/inserted] to the office this morning to see NJP. but he was out – Mother & I went into the town this afternoon – our expedition wasn’t too successful – Wriggy & I went to the Mayfair tonight – saw No time for Love
[page break]
30 Thur.
Cycled into the office this morning caught the 1.40 pm to Doncaster this afternoon & met Mary at tea time after several days of boredom by myself in Hull it was grand – went to the flicks in Epworth saw Bette Davis, George Brent in Mary & I stayed up late tonight – I love Mary very much.
OCTOBER 1 Fri.
Up early this morning & Norman & I went for a walk as it was such a grand day – read in the afternoon & went with Mary & Miss Brown to the library after tea – had a drink together which made dear Mary very happy
2 Sat.
Up early this morning – read & sat in the garden as it was such a nice day – Mary & I went into Doncaster in the afternoon – walked round the shops with Miss Brown & Mr Hasler – couldn’t find Mary a handbag – had tea at the Gaumont & spent an hour at the flicks before we had to part – my train was late – reached home 11 o’clock a very amusing film Claudette Colbert & had a few drinks together in the Manchester after catching the bus into town
[page break]
3 Sun.
Up early to pack – caught the 12.25 to Doncaster – met Edna & travelled with her reached Newark & met Joe & Arthur soon after 3 o’clock – no transport so had tea in town later taken out to Morton Hall – slept in tents – wrote to Mary
4 Mon.
Went to Swinderby in the morning for FFI etc & had PT & games in the afternoon – didn’t go out tonight but stayed in the Mess & wrote home.
5 Tues.
Had bayonet practise with pikes this morning – route march after break – called at a pub & stopped there quite a while – took short cut across fields coming back – had to jump ditches etc – talk by Air Commodore this afternoon – followed by games & PT went into Newark with the boys went to the flicks [indecipherable word]
6 Wed.
Had unarmed combat – bayonet fighting & boxing this morning – boxing more unarmed combat & a cross country run after dinner – we were last off on this & took a short cut – wrote to Mary at night [indecipherable word]
[page break]
7 Thur.
Had a cross country march this morning – again called at the Regal Pub – had the assault course this afternoon & our crew mad the best time played soccer afterwards – scored 3 & we won 5-0 again the crew shone – went into Nottingham with the boys after tea – drank Port at Yates Wine Lodge – then on to a dance at the Palais – had a wizard time – plenty of nice girls there.
8 Fri.
Had another route today – PT & games etc. – stayed in at night & spent the evening in the Mess with the boys wrote to Roland
9 Sat.
Still no letter from Mary or home – stayed in at night wrote to Mary & listened to the wireless – had the assault course today – scared the new Engineers with a thunderflash tonight
[page break]
10 Sun.
Had to do the assault course again today – had the afternoon off – so changed & went into Nottingham after tea with the boys – went to the Premier Club – danced & drank there – were going on to another Club after this one closed but it was very foggy & we lost our guide
11 Mon.
Did very little today – had clothing parade etc – stayed in at night & wrote to Mary & Mother – roasted chestnuts on the stove – packed – raided the Engineers again & generally messed about letter from Mary today.
12 Tues.
Left Morton Hall this morning & came to WINTHORPE – a new ‘drome & very like Bruntingthorpe – had the usual arrival talks – went into Newark after tea with Arthur & Johnny – had haircut meal etc then went to a dance – I reached home at 12.30 o’clock –
13 Wed.
Were on lectures today – miserable day – foggy & flying held up – did some binding in the Mess – Denis the Engineer joined the crew today
[page break]
14 Thur.
Weather still very bad – on lectures all day – stayed in at night & wrote to Mary – received 3 letters from Mary today.
15 Fri.
Weather still too bad for flying spent the evening in the Mess listened to the wireless & wrote to Fred – letter from Mother today.
16 Sat.
Stayed in tonight & wrote to Mary Had lectures as usual today –
[page break]
17 Sun.
Reported sick this morning – rained all the morning but the weather improved for me to go into town after tea – intended going to church but couldn’t find one – went to the flicks & met Johnny – saw ‘Woman of the Year’ Katherine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy
18 Mon.
Were supposed to be flying today but weren’t needed so had quite an easy day – went into town after tea with Denis & Johnny – saw ‘I Married a Witch’ at the Kinema – had seen it before but they hadn’t – later went to a dance
19 Tues.
Had the usual lectures today & P.T after tea – stayed in & wrote to Mary.
20 Wed.
Finished lectures early & went along to collect my pass with Johnny – we were fortunate to catch a lorry at the gates – caught the 4.6 to Doncaster from Newark & the 5.30 to Hull – reached home at seven o’clock
[page break]
21 Thur.
Up fairly early this morning sent telegram to Mary & cycled to the Station to find out train times – met young Nob. who was also home on leave – went to Mary this afternoon – went to see ‘Ships with Wings’ after tea – turned in fairly early as Mary was tired.
22 Fri.
Said goodbye to Mary this morning & caught the 11.0 o’clock bus to Doncaster walked about the town – had lunch – a haircut etc & then caught the 4.3 to Newark where I had tea & then went to the Savoy – saw ‘Arabian Nights’ – rained a lot tonight the boys didn’t come back until later
23 Sat.
On the usual lectures today – stayed in the Mess tonight & wrote to Mary.
[page break]
24 Sun.
Had to be up early this morning – went to Cranwell for wet dinghy drill – wrote to Mother after dinner – went into town with the boys after tea – had quite a binge & a very pleasant time together
X 25 Mon.
Still very misty here most of the day & we didn’t fly again – stayed in at night & wrote to Mary.
26 Tues.
Still no flying – weather bad – went into Newark with Ron after tea – we went to the Kinema & saw ‘Sin City’ Broderick Crawford Constance Bennett & a Will Hay film – which was quite amusing – letter from Mary today
27 Wed.
Again foggy today & again no flying – stayed in the Mess tonight – wrote to Sandy & listened to the wireless
[page break]
28 Thur.
Very foggy again today – no flying again so ‘genned’ up on each others subjects – letter from Mary today – wrote myself at dinner time to try to make up the apparent rift in our affections – waiting anxiously for reply – packed a parcel for home – went to the flicks tonight with the boys – saw ‘Silent Village’ & Dinner at the Ritz
29 Fri.
Still no flying today although the weather is improving – so might get off tomorrow stayed in at night
30 Sat.
Flew this morning – we were all sick doing steep turns in the Lanc – a wizard kite – got away soon after tea today & went to Nottingham with Arthur Johnny & Dennis – first went to Yate’s then to a dance at the Victoria Ballroom had a super time – slept as well as was able to on the platform caught the 4.16 & went to bed at 6 o’clock this morning – Monday
[page break]
31 Sun.
Felt very tired today – should have been flying but the weather was too bad – stayed in the Mess at night & wrote to Mary – no letter from Mary today.
1 NOVEMBER Mon.
Still wet & miserable today – were on lectures – had to go to the Sick Quarters at Swinderby this afternoon – wrote to Ken in the Mess after tea – letter from Roland today – he is getting married soon
2 Tues.
Stayed in again tonight – filthy weather again today – letter from Mary today – but we are still estranged – went to the cinema show in Camp tonight – Arthur Askey in Miss London Ltd
3 Wed.
Weather has improved today – but we were on lectures – stayed in the Mess & wrote to Mary tonight
[page break]
4 Thur.
Went into town with Arthur, Dennis Jock & Johnny – had tea at the Savoy & went to see ‘Silent Village’ & ‘Hi Buddy’ there
5 Fri.
Didnt [sic] fly today – weather bad – went into town early with Arthur – joined later by Johnny & we spent the night in the local – I kept to shandies – letter from Mary today
6 Sat.
No flying today – although quite a decent day – very pleased too as I had planned to meet Mary in Doncaster – caught the 4.3 pm train & met Mary – had tea at the Gaumont & later went to the flicks there – talked over certain things & I feel much better & things have straightened out a little – Mary caught the 9.0 o’clock bus – I went for a Sherry then to a dance – caught the 11.25 back met Arthur in the bus
[page break]
7 Sun.
Very cold & windy today – with bright sunshine – still no flying as most of the kites were pranged or U.S – stayed in at night & wrote to Mary.
8 Mon.
Very nice day today – but still no flying as kites were U.S. – wrote to Mother tonight – had a parcel from home to acknowledge
9 Tues.
Very misty today – therefore no flying again – did a little work in the morning later played Crown & Anchor & won quite a bit – played again in the afternoon – letter from Mary
10 Wed.
Flew both in the morning and afternoon – went out tonight with all of the boys – we went to the Kinema where we saw Lupino Lane & Sally Gray in ‘The Lambeth Walk’ – all went round to the Rem afterwards
[page break]
11 Thur.
Stayed in tonight & read in the Mess – flew this morning & Arthur went solo – letter from Louis today
12 Fri.
Letter from Mary today stayed in & wrote to M. tonight – flew again today – only for an hour
13 Sat.
On early flying this morning – weather was rather bad – we did corkscrew practise – flew again after lunch on cross country – weather very bad – had to come down to 2000’ due to icing – wanted to go to Doncaster today to see Mary but flying interfered – went to an ENSA show in Camp after tea as it was pouring with rain, very cold & windy – it was very amusing & Johnny Dennis & I enjoyed it very much indeed
[page break]
14 Sun.
Absolutely foul day today – rained nearly all the day & there was a very strong wind – stayed in the Mess at night & wrote to Louis
15 Mon.
Papers from home – flew this morning & weren’t needed in the afternoon so Arthur, Johnny, Dennis, Jock & myself went into Newark for tea – afterwards went to the Savoy saw ‘The Gentle Sex’ – had supper & came back – wrote to Mary
16 Tues.
Letters from Mary, Edith & Roland – still very cold today – didn’t fly – did a little dinghy drill etc today – wrote to Roland & went to the cinema show in Camp Chester Morris in ‘After Midnight’
17 Wed.
Didn’t fly again today & were given the afternoon off Arthur, Dennis, Johnny & myself went into Nottingham – had tea – the other two went to the flicks – Arthur & I went to the Wine Lodge & then to the Palais – I met Pat & had a jolly time – letter from Alex today.
[page break]
18 Thur.
Not flying today & again had the afternoon off – the boys went home – it was such a grand afternoon that I decided upon a walk & went to Newark & along the Trent – came back for tea & wrote to Mary – turned in early – letter from Mary today.
19 Fri.
Up early this morning as we were on early briefing – took off at 9.30 & landed again at 1500 hrs – very cold & frosty today – letter from Ken today – stayed in the Mess after tea.
20 Sat.
Very foggy today – wanted to get away this afternoon to go to Doncaster but were on night flying which was scrubbed until late – too late to go – was I annoyed – changed & went into Newark with Arthur, Dennis & Jock – saw ‘My Sister Eileen’ at the Kinema afterwards had supper in the W.VS & a drink – letter from Roland today – who was married this afternoon
[page break]
21 Sun.
Very foggy today – didnt [sic] fly – stayed in at night & wrote to Mother received a parcel from home – wrote to Edith & Mary
22 Mon.
Down for night flying tonight – had to stand by in the Mess from 8.30 until four o’clock in the morning – didn’t fly – played cards with the boys.
23 Tues.
Didn’t get up until dinner time – on night flying & again didn’t get to bed until four o’clock in the morning – flew again tonight – wrote to Mary today.
24 Wed.
Up again at dinner time – briefing in the afternoon – had to wait for a kite to be made serviceable – hellish night – rained hard – took off at 3.30 in the morning & landed again at 8.30 – lousy trip – letter from Mary today
[page break]
25 Thur.
Went to bed at 10.30 this morning – up again for tea & then went into Newark to post a parcel home – went along to the flicks & saw a very good film ‘A Night to Remember’ Loretta Young & Brian Aherne- received a piece of Rolands Christmas cake today
26 Fri.
Down for flying again tonight but the kite was U.S. so had to hang about for an hour before it was scrubbed – wrote to Mary
27 Sat.
Again down for flying tonight but the weather interfered again & it was scrubbed so was able to go to the concert in Camp ‘Time for Rhythms’ a very good show indeed & I enjoyed it very much – very much above the standard of the shows we usually get here
[page break]
28 Sun.
We made it at last tonight – the weather has cleared – landed at one o’clock in the morning which was fairly early.
29 Mon.
Up at dinner time today – had to fly in the afternoon on Fighter Affil but it was too late & had to land again without doing it – went into town tonight with Arthur, Jock, Dennis & Joe saw Lloyd Nolan in ‘Time to Kill’
30 Tues.
Wrote to Mary today as received a letter from her to – flew tonight – landed about two o’clock but didn’t go to bed until after four o’clock in the morning – wrote to Alex & Fred
1 DECEMBER Wed.
Didn’t get up until tea time received a photo of Mary today – went into Newark with Denis & Gerry – had intended going to Nottingham but missed train – went to the flicks
[page break]
2 Thur.
Didn’t get up very early today – busy getting clearance chits signed today – stayed in at night & wrote to Mother & Mary – [deleted] Letter [/deleted]
3 Fri.
Up fairly early today, packed & left Winthorpe at 1.15 – arrived at our Squadron 5.0 o’clock – found billets etc & then went along to the Mess – wrote to Mother & Mary – letter from home
4 Sat.
Spent most of today getting settled in – had talk by Intelligence Officer & at 4.0 o’clock were told that we were on a bullseye & had to take off at 6.0 o’clock – had a fairly decent trip – landed at 1.30 o’clock
[page break]
5 Sun.
Spent today settling down – had to change billets & are on an even muddier site (if possible) – the looked for Squadron comfort is lacking on this ‘drome – wrote to Don in the Mess tonight
6 Mon.
Very foggy today & didn’t do any bombing although we were down for it – went into Lincoln after tea with Johnny, Denis, Gerry – saw ‘The Four Feathers’ – missed the last bus – came home via Scampton.
7 Tues.
Again very foggy today – no activity – spent the night in the Mess – didn’t write but felt unusually tired & slept near the fire.
8 Wed.
Another wet miserable day – however received a letter from dear Mary & parcel from home ferryed [sic] a kite to Swinderby & came back via road.
[page break]
9 Thur.
Flew this morning but couldn’t do any bombing as the weather was too bad – went out to sea for air firing – stayed in tonight & wrote to Don – [deleted] received [/deleted]
10 Fri.
Did very little today – had to fly tonight on short cross country & did J.L.B got off fairly early & were in bed by midnight – received a letter from Mary & wrote before we took off
11 Sat.
Stayed in tonight as I have a cold – listened to the wireless in the Mess & wrote to Geoff – very cold today
[page break]
12 Sun.
No ‘ops again today – as we are in a moon period – cold still bad & can only speak in a whisper – flew this afternoon – short cross country to Harrogate in formation – wrote to Mary tonight.
13 Mon.
Received two letters from Mary which had been forwarded from Winthorpe – had to clean our kite this afternoon – bags of bull on the station went into Lincoln with Arthur after tea to do some shopping – went to the flicks
14 Tues.
A thick mist & frost blanketed the ‘drome today – did quite a lot of marching to & fro – too much – had talk by base commander – spent the evening in the Mess & wrote to Ken
15 Wed.
Still very foggy & frosty – reported sick this morning – didn’t go down to the section this afternoon but played dominoes in the Mess with the boys – letter from Mary – wrote home & to Mary
[page break]
16 Thur.
Flew tonight – target Berlin – fairly quite [sic] but long trip – Arthur is missing – letter from Mary.
17 Fri.
Didn’t get up very early – our future is not certain yet but there is a chance that we shall get a spare pilot here – wrote to [deleted] Rol [/deleted] Mary in the Mess tonight
18 Sat.
Met our new pilot a Rhodesian & F.O. – seems to be a decent chap went for a short flip together to get to know each other in the air stayed in the Mess this evening – addressed & sent my Christmas cards – wrote to Alex & started writing to Arthur’s people
[page break]
19 Sun.
Met our new Pilot today & we flew on a bullseye tonight – he is a very good pilot & think we will get on very well together –
20 Mon.
Didn’t get up until late today - & did very little in the afternoon – we all went into Lincoln after tea but I missed the bus – went to the Savoy saw Charles Laughton in ‘The Man from Down Under’ – met the boys afterwards in a hotel – letter from Mary today.
XX 21 Tues.
Johnny has gone into hospital so that we are now minus a W.O.P. – stayed in the Mess tonight & finished writing to Arthur’s Mother & also wrote to Mary.
22 Wed.
Flew today – did a little fighter affil. – stayed in the Mess again tonight & read the book Mary has sent me for Christmas – parcel from home & card from Edith
[page break]
23 Thur.
On ops tonight – target Berlin – had a good trip – hit by flak N. of Osnabruck damaged elevator & Oil tank – did no noticeable damage – had to stand by for take of [sic] which was late so wrote to Mary & went to an ENSA show in Camp – received cards from Mother & Mary.
24 Fri.
Landed this morning – rang Mary & said I would cycle over – went to bed for a couple of hours & overslept – set off at 3.30 pm & after a very long ride reached Belton at 7.30 – it was grand meeting Mary again – after tea we went to a dance until midnight but I was very tired.
25 Sat.
Didn’t get up until ten o’clock played darts etc before dinner – had a wizard Christmas dinner – Mary’s father was home & Peter – had a short walk in the afternoon & walked to the flicks after tea – saw Rosalind Russell in ‘Married but Single’ – had seen it before enjoyed the walk home with Mary & we didn’t go to bed until 1.30.
[page break]
26 Sun.
bathed at 4.40 this morning after Mary’s Mother had very kindly made me breakfast set off – reached Camp at 9.30 – didn’t do anything this morning – as we had our Christmas dinner today – didn’t have to go down to the Flights – wizard dinner – had lots to eat – went to bed at 8.0 o’clock as I was very tired
27 Mon.
Flew this morning – couldn’t bomb due to bad weather – stayed in the Mess tonight & wrote to Mary, Mother & to Edith.
28 Tues.
Did very little today – went into Lincoln after tea with Denis & Jock – went to the flicks saw Flanagan & Allan in ‘Theatre Royal’
29 Wed.
Didn’t have time to do an N.F.T this morning – made us late for dinner – bombed Berlin tonight quite a good trip
[page break]
30 Thur.
Stayed in the Mess tonight & wrote to Mary – did very little today couldn’t fly as they were working on our kite
31 Fri.
Letters from Edith & Mother today – briefed for raid but scrubbed so we were all able to go out & to celebrate the New Year – we all had dinner at the Saracen’s Head Hotel & then went along to a dance – it was very crowded – we had a taxi back at 1 o’clock & after something to eat in the Mess on our return – managed to get to bed by 2 o’clock
[page break]
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Name. – ‘Phone Numbers.
P. Usher. – 58318
Pat – 41915
[page break]
[deleted] 4 Oct CORRECT 2100 [/deleted]
9 Oct CORRECT 2100
11 Oct 25 secs fast 1700
13 Oct 54 “ “ 1230
14 Oct 25 secs slow 1800
15 Oct 9 secs fast 1300
16 Oct 22 secs fast 2100
[page break]
Aug 11 – 1300 hrs watch 12 secs slow
“ 12 1300 “ 20 “ fast 32 gain
“ 13 1300 “ 48 “ 28 gain
“ 14 1300 “ 81 33 gain
“ 20 1300 “ 2 min 5 secs fast
“21 1300 “ 6 secs slow
2100 3 secs fast
“ 23 2100 16 secs fast
1 Sept 12 secs slow at 1300
2 “ 29 “ “ “ “
5 “ 15 secs slow at 1800
(Correct 1700 – 4 Sept.
[page break]
[underlined] 40 hrs [/underlined]
Look up ‘gen’ on Iceland
Visit office – re income tax
Refill needed for Loose leaf book
Drawing pins Rate watch
Rubber
Box for instruments
NB.
Sign bombing order book before going on bombing detail
52 05 N Woodbridge
01 24 E
Emergency
[symbol] OCCULT
X PUNDIT
[page break]
Rubber
Tooth brush
Air graph from.
anti clockwise
BST 2208 34
ARCT. 24 44
2159.5310 1/2 0024W
161 O/S
Fr 153
24 Oct Watch 5 secs slow at 1300
27 “ “ 3 40 slow 1300
3 55 1800
U Track 044 (T) Dist 13.8 mils. N
Make note of Ex 7, 9, 16, 20
Early flying – ring for approved route whether (9 A, B or C etc
Time & Dist mins. made between Lincoln Cathedral & Watch office
[underlined] 1 [/underlined] Give Pilot Course
[underlined] 2 [/underlined] Pilot weaves & flys [sic] on instruments BA. has bomb sight vertical – gives me directions.
3. Nav checks repeater rdgs. every 20 secs & records the [indecipherable word] on a slip of paper
[underlined] 4 [/underlined] Take fix [deleted] with [/deleted] at the correct spin of taking photograph NOTE WAG
[page break]
[underlined] Lining up the Inner frame with the GYRO [/underlined]
Use reversing mate in the top of the instrument
[diagram]
Energise one coil & it will turn in one direction energise the other & it will turn the other. If A strip is energised then the A coil will be energised & it will turn
[page break]
With.
Mr. & Mrs. R.W. Northedge.
Compliments.
8, Council Houses.
Owmby – by – Spital.
[underlined] Lincoln [/underlined]
[page break]
Scampton 274.
[page break]
DR Compass – a magnetically controlling gyro
[underlined] Lining up the GYRO with the magnet [/underlined]
[diagram]
As the gyro is out of line The short contact on A strip then this contact strip will energise the A pat magnet and so turn gyro the correct way.
[page break]
Altering Co. in 1 min
[diagram]
Only use if the one alteration is [indecipherable word]
[page break]
[underlined] Rate of Pay [/underlined] 13/6 a day Sgt
14/- Flt Sgt
17/6 W.O.
13/6 a day £44.18.0 tax liability
Family allowance 21/6 Sgt. to wife
& your “ 3/6 a day compulsory allowance
[underlined] Income tax [/underlined] – deduct 1/10 & £86 & taxed at 6/6 in the £1 on the first £165.
Special subsist allowance Sgt 5/- a day free of Income Tax & this for [deleted] a [/deleted] 40 days a year – only on an ops. station (PO’s 10/- a day)
Paid July 8 £6.16.0
“ July 22 £6.16.0.
“ Sept 2 £12.0.0.
16 £9.10.0.
[page break]
EFFECT OF POT MAGNET
[symbol]
[diagram]
Inner frame held up & lined up by the gyro.
[deleted] Inner fr [/deleted] Magnets line up outer frame & therefore the scale
[page break]
NIGHT TRIP
W/V 129/12K
[underlined] Astronomical Wander or Drift [/underlined]
When axis of the gyro is not in line with axis of the earth
[diagram]
[page break]
[underlined] Precession [/underlined] is the turning of a force through 90 degrees and will act against the line of force
[two diagrams]
Apparent topple – or [deleted] precession [/deleted] (a) Pointing to Star away from earth – then Pointing to Star towards earth
[page break]
[underlined] Plotting – Nav Gen – Met – A/C Rec [/underlined]
(300) 8 – (200) – (100) – (50)
235 – 147 – 70 – 36
Total percentage 75.3 degrees [underlined] Signals [/underlined] 100 percent
[underlined] Armaments [/underlined] 75 percent
82
[page break]
?
4.45 Carnforth 7-8
Leeds 9-48
22, Butler Ave
Harrow on the Hill
Mddsex
[page break]
[underlined] By Analysis [/underlined]
[underlined] Wind Change error [/underlined] – Dist between end of used Wind Vectors & actual Wind Vectors
[underlined] Calculation Error [/underlined] Distance between the used Wind Vectors & base.
[underlined] Other Error [/underlined] Dist between actual Wind Vector & base
[underlined] Cumulative Error [/underlined] is the total errors in relation to the air distances
[underlined] Final Error [/underlined] is the dist between actual finishing point & base – all taken as percentages of total air distances
[page break]
[diagram]
Say off courses & air distances put the [deleted] actual [/deleted] [inserted] used [/inserted] Vectors used during this time – put in actual Wind Vector for this line
125-140
[diagram]
[page break]
[various calculations]
[page break]
[various calculations]
[page break]
[set of calculations]
31 Oct 16 secs fast at 2100
1 Nov 55 secs slow at 2100
3 Nov 227 “ “ “ 1230
3 Nov 253 2100
8 Nov 7 secs slow 12.30
“ 30 secs 2100
9 50 slow 1230
98 2100
10 “ 123 2100
11 “ 148 0800
“ 4 slow 2100
[page break]
Aircraft Rec. Copy 124
Air Almanac 25 24.11.42
ANT’s 144
AP1234 210A
Q Short step to side with L.F
Q Half close R. foot to LF
S Side L.F
Cross R.F well over in front
S of L.F.
S Point L.F. forward keeping weight on R.F
S Point L.F back keeping weight on R.F
[page break]
AFC 137. Evasion in Air Fighting. New Method of Bombing
120K. G/S.
Set 120 against 36 a time scale on computer if dist from landmark to target is 6 mls then read off time against this which will give you your time to [deleted] meet [/deleted] reach target after nuliffying [sic] by 10 in secs.
Give bomb aim Wind height & TAS
When bomb aimer has landmark in sight he shouts [indecipherable word] & you time from then when only 30 secs to go you start giving the time to BA 25 20 15 10 etc.
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
Mervyn Adder diary 1943
Description
An account of the resource
Daily entries for activities in 1943. Covers, films seen, weather, training and exams, leaves, training at Bridgnorth, medical issues, war news. Posted to RAF Millom, mentions activities, leave, aircrew flying training, navigation training routes, social and entertainment events. Posted Bruntingthorpe for more training in July. Describes training and activities, weather, flying navigation training routes, social activities, leave. Posted to RAF Winthorpe, describes training and activities, flying and not flying due to weather. Posted to operational squadron in December 1943. Mentions operation to Berlin on 16 December 1943, reports Arthur (their original pilot) was missing and new pilot arriving. Target Berlin on 23 December 1943. Concludes with various notes.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Shropshire
England--Cumbria
England--Leicestershire
England--Nottinghamshire
England--Lincolnshire
Germany
Germany--Berlin
England--Lincoln
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943
1943-07
1943-12
1943-12-16
1943-12-23
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
M Adder
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Sixty-five pages of handwritten diary entries
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Diary
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
YAdderM170573v3
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
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
Pending text-based transcription. Under review
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
aircrew
entertainment
military living conditions
military service conditions
missing in action
navigator
RAF Bridgnorth
RAF Bruntingthorpe
RAF Millom
RAF Winthorpe
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1857/33286/YAdderM170573v2.1.pdf
716fe7532dec4c7427830ca2572059db
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
Adder, Mervyn
M Adder
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
2017-05-29
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
Adder, M
Description
An account of the resource
88 items. The collection concerns Pilot Officer Mervyn Adder (1922 - 1944, 175073 Royal Air Force) and contains his diaries, correspondence and photographs. He flew operations as a navigator with 44 Squadron and was killed 15 March 1944. <br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Mary Sprakes and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /><span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-GB" lang="EN-GB" class="TextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0">Additional information on<span> Mervyn Adder</span></span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span> </span>is available via the</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW207633627 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> </span><a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/100101/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
M. Adder.
153, Albert Ave.
Anlaby Rd
Hull.
Those mighty periods of years
Which seem to us so vast,
Appear no more before Thy sight,
Than yesterday that’s past
90 [deleted] Psalmm [/deleted] [inserted] Psalm [/inserted]
[page break]
Friends are the end & reward of life. They keep us worthy of ourselves & when we are alone we are only nearer to the absent
Stevenson
I count myself in nothing else so happy.
As in a soul remembering my good friends.
Shakespeare
Like threads of silver seen through crystal beads.
Let love through good deeds show.
Arnold.
[page break]
Mr J. Heath
38, Oxford St.
East Kirkby
Nottingham
Mr. J. Crowe.
12, Empress Ave.
Ilford.
Essex.
[page break]
A.N.T. C191
Nav. Inst. Manual C4/10
Almanac 24
Met. D9/4
Comp. D9/2
Protractor D9/49
Rule D9/32.
[page break]
[underlined] JANUARY [/underlined]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
[underlined] 1st:- [/underlined] Stayed in at night as it was snowing – gunfire heard here early in night – 500 people discovered on Pacific island – abandoned by German raider who had sunk their ships – R.A.F raid invasion ports
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
[underlined] 2nd:- [/underlined] Went to see ‘My Two Husbands’ at the Tower by myself – very little action in the film – was not impressed very cold at night – freezing – Bremen attacked & about 20,000 incendiaries dropped – fires seen over 100 mls away
[underlined] FRI. [/underlined]
[underlined] 3rd [/underlined] Bremen again raided – H.M.Sub.
[page break]
Thunderbolt (late ill-fated Thelis) sinks Italian submarine – Aussies launch attack on Bardia & secure positions – went to Rolands at night & listened to his new records – later went for a walk – still freezing.
[underlined] Sat [/underlined]
[underlined] 4th [/underlined] Played R.E’s lost 7-5 good game 5” of snow on top – soft underneath very hard going – went to Newington at night – had a very good time – met Mary Boatyman (very nice – dark & slim very pretty) saw her home – she was staying the night with Mary Glansford – more prisoners taken at Bardia received a Christmas Card from Marian in America
[page break]
Sun.
[underlined] 5th [/underlined] Very nice morning – freezing but fresh – went to Cadets with Don & Gee – paraded on Corp. Field – went a walk in the afternoon with Roland Ken Gee & Wriggy – went to Wriggy’s at night – Gee’s gramophone broke – mended it – took nearly all night –
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
6th Bardia taken – also over 30,000 prisoners – our casualties about 400 Italians show little fight – have a cold stayed in at night
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
7th Went to see ‘The Boys from
[page break]
Syracuse’ with Mary – a very funny picture & very American – Amy Johnson missing over Thames Estuary – acting as ferry pilot
WED.
8TH Stayed in at night & cleaned part of my bicycle – our western forces pushing on to Tobruk Roland receives his papers – is going to Helmsall [sic] – (between Brigg & Scunthorpe) – N.W Germany bombed
THUR
[underlined] 9TH [/underlined] Went to Cadets at night intruction [sic] in Navigation & Theory of Flight –
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
FRI
[underlined] 10TH [/underlined] Daylight raid on invasion ports by our bombers escorted by fighters – a very successful raid – 3 enemy fighters shot down – we suffer no losses – Milan & Naples attacked & a 35,000 ton battleship damaged – our forces are pushing on to the West of Tobruk – stayed in at night
SAT
[underlined] 11TH [/underlined] Played the R.E’s again lost 2-1 played a wrotten [sic] game – went to Newington at night had a good time saw Mary to the bus station
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
[underlined] 12TH [/underlined] Went to Cadets in the morning
[page break]
with Gee & a walk in the afternoon to the Golf Course with Don & Gee & a walk at night with Wriggy & Gee later we went in Wriggy’s house
MON
[underlined] 13TH [/underlined] Channel ports raided by RAF & fighters machine gun German troop emplacements – stayed in at night & cleaned my bicycle – met Mary in the town after work.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
14TH. German & Italian aircraft attack convoy in Med. area 12 shot down. HMS Illustrious damaged & HMS Gallant (Des.) HMS Southampton (Cruiser) was also damaged & later had to be sunk
[page break]
- went to see ‘Andy Hardy Meets Debutante’ with Mary at the Cecil – a very good film & we both enjoyed it.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
[underlined] 15th [/underlined] Stayed in at night – dive bombers dropped 1000’s of bombs in recent attack in Med. – gunfire heard here tonight – wrote to Fred –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
16TH:- Wilhelmshaven heavily raided by R.A.F as reprisal for Med. attack – very cold today went to Cadets at night
[page break]
FRI.
[underlined] 17TH:- [/underlined] Very cold temp 23 degrees this morning – stayed in at night – wrote to Edith – stated that 40 aircraft were destroyed in raid on Catania (Sicily) – Greeks capture 1000 prisoners & sink two supply ships.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
18TH:- Played at Kilnsea won 5-0 9 degrees below cold piercing wind & blowing snow – went dancing at night & had a moderate time as I was tired – 20 dive bombers brought down in raid on Malta – (several German planes) snowing tonight
[page break]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
19TH:- Over 1’ of snow on the ground large drifts due to wind – another 19 planes brought down in raid on Malta – went for a walk in the afternoon with Don & Gee & also at night with Ken, Wriggy & Gee later went to Wriggy’s – Edith came home for the weekend – Olaf also was here.
[underlined] MON. [/underlined]
20TH Snow melting – very dirty underfoot – our troops have taken Kassala in the Sudan region Abysinnians revolting under the leadership of our military mission
[page break]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
[underlined] 21ST:- [/underlined] Rained today & also at night – snow has melted & left a dirty mess – went to see Bing Crosby in ‘If I had my way’ at the Tower with Mary – saw Mary & Bob there – enjoyed the picture very much – our forces start the attack on Tobruk
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
22ND:- Tobruk captured – Australians again lead the way – went to the Newington at night with Don & Gee Sirens sounded 3 times today luckily not at night as I was on fire duty.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
23RD:- Stayed in at night as
[page break]
it was a very dark & wet night – fighters piloted by Poles carry out offensive sweep of Channel ports & German occupied territory – they went unchallenged
[underlined] F.RI. [sic] [/underlined]
24TH. Rang Mary she is staying in tonight & so I also stayed in – Tobruk prisoners excede [sic] 14,000 Hailie Selaissie is back in Abyssinia
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
25TH:- Played an Army team at Pocklington lost 2-1 (had to get washed under a tap – no tea – proper Army do) returned 6.30 & went to Newington at night – had a good time with Mary & the gang
[page break]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
26TH. Went to the Cadets in the morning with Gee & went for a walk with Don, Gee Ken & Wriggy in the afternoon Gee came to our house at night – reported rioting in N. Italy – (Germans take over post office, stations etc) – our forces in Africa attack Lybia, [sic] St Som. Eritrea simultaneously – Greeks still do well
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
27TH:- Met Mary from work – somebody rang her up & asked for a date – believe it has something to do with Don or Spillers – went to see ‘Gentlemen of Venture’ with Gee at the West Park –
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
28TH Met Mary from work – rained & snowed all day – went
[page break]
to Cadets at night & had gunnery instruction with the Lewis gun – no raiding again today
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
29TH Stayed in at night – our forces capture Derna Greeks repulse Italian counter attack – Roland goes back after leave
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
30TH. Having a couple of days leave – stayed in bed in the morning & went to see the ‘Dead End Kids’ & ‘La Conga Nights’ at the Tower with Mary in the afternoon – stayed in at night.
FRI
31ST. Stayed in bed again in the morning & took Rollo for a walk in the afternoon – stayed in at night – our forces pushing on to Benghazi
[page break]
[underlined] FEBRUARY [/underlined]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined
1 Feb:- Played army team at the gun position in Costello playing field lost 6-1 – went to the Newington at night & had a very good time Mary was very affectionate & was introduced to Miss Pettman – our force pushing on to Benghazi & also on the other 3 fronts
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
2nd:- Went to Cadets in the morning for a rehearsal – started to snow & continued for our inspection by C.O from Leconfield & presentation of the band – later dedicated at church stayed in at night.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
3rd:- More snow today – met Mary from work & went to collect her photo’s [sic] from Cecil Studios however
[page break]
they weren’t ready – she was going to the dressmakers tonight – so we didn’t go out together.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
4TH Met Mary from work & called for her photograph at the Cecil studios – went to Cadets at night – bombs dropped in Goddard Ave., at night – 4 killed several injured – our forces pushing on in Africa – Cyrene captured
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
5TH Bombers escorted by layers of fighters attack Channel Invasion Ports both at night & during the day 5 German planes shot down – 7 of ours are missing – arranged to meet Mary at night but she didn’t turn up – went to see ‘Crooks Tour’ at the Central (Basil Radford & Naughton Wayne) – snowing heavily
[page break]
tonight – many warnings today
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
6TH: About 8” of snow has fallen which melts very quickly – rang Mary this morning & she is sorry she didn’t come last night – promises me a photograph – [deleted] received letters [/deleted]
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
[underlined] 7TH [/underlined] Met Mary from work – gave me photo, she can’t come out tonight – stayed in Benghazi captured – armoured division leaves coast road at Derna – covers 130 mls in 30 hrs & surprises Italians leaving Benghazi to the south – received letters from Roland & Fred.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
8TH. Played Balloon Barage won 5-1 very muddy – hurt my ancle [sic] – offer to sign for City – went to the Newington at night – saw Mary to the bus
[page break]
& had to walk home – buzzers go on duty for about 20 mins fire-watching – Genoa shelled by Navy
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
9TH. Went to Cadets in the morning & went for a walk with Mary in the afternoon – rained a bit so went to the Art Gallery & the museum – stayed in at night – our forces pushing on on all fronts in Africa.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
10TH:- Went to a dance at the ‘Sacred Heart’ with Mary at night wasn’t thrilled – a bit common & band was not up to scratch – reported over 300 tons of shells were fired into Genoa during recent raid – HMS Renown, Ark Royal & the cruiser Sheffield took
[page break]
part accompanied by light forces.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
11th Stayed in at night – after training at City – met Mary from work earlier – reported German infiltration in Bulgaria our ambassador leaves – our forces in Africa still push on
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
12th Stayed in again at night & wrote to Marian – Greek air force shoot down 8 Italians & we account for 5
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
13TH. Mary rang up today to say that she might be working late on Friday night – met her leaving work to give her her ticket – Miss Pittman also rang up to ask me to get her tickets for
[page break]
the dance – stayed in at night
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
[underlined] 14TH [/underlined] Went to the dance tonight had a very good time – heavy gunfire all the night however – saw Mary home – walked from Preston Rd. – got home 1.50 –
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
[underlined] 15TH [/underlined] Stayed in bed in the morning & went to watch our boys team in the afternoon – could not play myself as I had a bad ankle – went to the Newington at night & later saw Mary to the bus – Parachute troops land in Italy to destroy an important dam – Italians say all captured after doing slight damage we say very little – Germans still filter into Bulgaria – Roland is home – he also went to Newington
[page break]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
16TH Went to Cadets in the morning on Church parade & later a walk round the town – went to see Roland in the afternoon & went for a walk afterwards with the gang – went to Ken’s at night – played dominoes & listened to gramophone records – Edith is also home this weekend – have a nasty cold coming on
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
17TH. Have a terrible cold – met Mary from work & went with her & Joyce to Jerome’s to collect some photo’s [sic] – 4 German planes shot down today – Turkey signs a friendship alliance with threatened Bulgaria
[page break]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
18TH. Firewatching tonight had a quiet night & slept nearly all the time – cold very bad today – our troops still advance in Africa
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
19TH. Cold has improved considerably met Mary from work at night
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
20TH Met Mary from work at lunch time & she has a cold so she wasn’t able to come to the pictures with me at night – arranged to meet Don & Gee but they didn’t turn up so I went to see Robert Montgomery in ‘Busmans Honeymoon’ at the Cecil it was a very good film being taken from the novel by Agatha Christie. – snowed during the night but it soon disappeared
[page break]
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
[underlined] 21ST. [/underlined] Rang Mary this morning but she was away ill – stayed in at night – Germans still mass on Bulgarian border – our troops land at Singapore to counter Japanese threats
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
[underlined] 22ND [/underlined] Went into the town to choose the material for a new suit walked through Hammonds but Mary wasn’t at work – went to the Newington at night but did not enjoy it as Mary wasn’t there – heavy gunfire during the night & bombs dropped in Hawthorne Ave (unexploded). Preston Rd & other districts several people killed
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
23rd Went to Cadets but did not stay long – went for a walk in the afternoon with Don & Gee & went in the town at night with Wriggy &
[page break]
Gee – met two girls & danced in a shelter as there was heavy gunfire & plenty of shrapnel flying about – bombs dropped in De-La-Pole Ave about 100 yds from home – a few people killed – mothers cold still bad Alex & I cooked our own dinner
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
[underlined] 24TH [/underlined] A quiet night for a change met Mary from work & she didn’t want to come out as she was going to bed early – very tantalising [deleted] stayed [/deleted] went to the pictures with Ken & Gee to the Carlton to see ‘When the Daltons Rode’ which was a typical western –
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
25TH. Rang Mary in the morning but she won’t come out until Friday more gunfire and enemy activity here tonight
[page break]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
[underlined] 26TH. [/underlined] Stayed in at night – Cologne & invasion ports heavily bombed – our forces capture capital of Italian Somaliland & push on on all African fronts
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
[inserted] 27TH [/inserted] Rang Mary this morning & arranged to go to the Regal tomorrow fire watched tonight & had no Air Raid Warnings – wrote to Fred during the night & had a very pleasant time with the other firewatchers
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
28TH Indo China dispute still unsettled – Japan introduce pressure – about 38 Italian planes shot down in the last two days on the Albanian front – Mary rang this morning to say that my Mum was ill & unable to go to the pictures at night
[page break]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined] Played the balloon Barrage at Sutton in a strong wind & drew 1-1 my ankle has not quite recovered – went to the Newington at night & had a good time – Mary was there although she had a slight cold – bombs dropped meanwhile & 6 people were killed in James Reckett’s Ave. – Bulgaria signs pact with Germany & becomes a member of the Axis – troops move into Bulgaria HMS. destroyer sunk –
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
[underlined] 2ND MARCH [/underlined] Went for a walk with Don & Gee in the morning as it was such a nice day & with Don Gee Ken & Wriggy in the afternoon – we walked round the golf course & I fell in the drain with my best clothes on – went for a walk at night with Ken Gee & Wriggy who left us later on & went with Audrey Gladstone –
[page break]
I was fire watching tonight but we luckily had a quite [sic] night
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
3RD. Met Mary from work & arranged to go to the Regal tomorrow – Roland is home on 7 days leave – went to see ‘Viva the Frisco Kid’ & ‘The Girl in Room 313’ at the West Park with Ken & Gee.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
4TH Went to the Regal with Mary & Elsie & Roland to see Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland in ‘Strike up the Band’ which we enjoyed very much – went to train after work – a very nice day again
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
5TH Met Roland after work & went to see Mary & Elsie at Hammonds – later met them from work went to the Newington at night with them – Don Madge & Gee were there
[page break]
had a good time – we break off diplomatic relations with Bulgaria 2 German bombers shot down in night raid on Cardiff – we land troops on Lofaten Isles & capture a few Germans & several Norwegian fishermen – 9 Italian planes shot down – Abyssinian patriots capture important position, our forces push on in Italian Somaliland
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
6TH. Went to Rolands to tea with Elsie Ken & Gee – listened to gramophone records – over 200 Germans captured in Lofaten raid – several Quislingites & 300 loyal Norwegians brought off – oil factories etc destroyed several enemy ships sunk including armed trawler – we suffer no casualties Short Sunderland attacked over Atlantic by two enemy bombers – one was shot down & the other severely damaged
[page break]
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
7TH met Mary from work & stayed in at night – Italian cruiser sunk in Med.
SAT
[underlined] 8TH [/underlined] Played RAFVR in pouring rain & on a very muddy ground won 6-1 had to go to work to firewatch all the night – Mother went to Grantham this morning to see Edith
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
9TH I stayed in until the night when I went to the Regal with Mary to a concert with Billy Scott Coomber & his Grenadiers & a good dance band on the programme – we enjoyed it very much
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
10TH Met Mary from work – stayed in at night & read
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
11TH Mary rang up to say
[page break]
that she wasn’t going to the Newington & so we went to see ‘Tom Browns School Days’ at the Cecil & we enjoyed it – 9 German planes brought down today
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
12TH Met Mary from work & talked over the dance arrangements stayed in at night – gunfire heard here nearly all the night – raiders were over Mersey side – 49 of them were brought down – we carry out the largest raid ever on Germany (Berlin & Bremen visited) – 2 more planes destroyed at dawn & 1 ME shot down whilst trying to intercept our bombers – German destroyer put out of action by torpedo from one of our planes – we lose 5 planes in both day & night raids.
[page break]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
13TH Went for a walk with Don & Gee at night – a very nice sunny day – heavy raid here at night – (incendiaries dropped in the Avenue but soon put out [deleted] [underlined] FRI [/underlined] [/deleted] 13 German planes brought 141 down during raids – Sissons receives a hit & burns for a while many people killed in Hull
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
14TH Another raid tonight bombs dropped down Bean St. – 6 German planes brought down – met Mary from work Blackburn’s dance at the City Hall has been cancelled stayed in at night.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
15TH Played Mersey St. O.B. & lost 2-1 (after leading 1-0 the greater part of the time) very good game & it was an ideal [deleted] game [/deleted]
[page break]
day for football – was very tired afterwards – went to the City Hall dancing at night with Mary, Elsie & Gee – had a moderate time – the band was poor –
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
16TH Went to the Cadets in the morning with Gee & went for a walk nearly to Anlaby in the afternoon with the gang – as it was a very nice day – went to the Regal at night with Mary Elsie & Gee to a concert with Issy Bonn & a broadcasting dance band did not enjoy it as much as last week – saw Mary home – Edith came home yesterday for the weekend.
[underlined] MON [/underlined] [inserted] 17TH [/inserted] Firewatched at work tonight & had a short warning at 5.15 AM Berbera retaken in Br Somaliland
[page break]
& we push on on all fronts Jugoslavia [sic] is ready to fight if invaded.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
18TH. A very heavy raid here tonight lasting from 9 o’clock until 4.0 o’clock in the morning – gunfire all the time & Jerry over continuously – bombs dropped on Anlaby Rd, Beverley Rd & many more districts – I stayed in at night – rang Mary in the morning – we lost 25 ships approx 98,000 tons last week
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
19TH Went to the Stellag Boxing Club & did a little training – very nice day met Mary from work – London receives a very heavy raid
THUR
20TH Went to see Tommy Trinder – Jack Hulbert
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH [/underlined]
in ‘Sailors Three’ at the Central with Don & Gee – a very funny picture – Lorient sub. base raided by R.A.F
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
21ST. Met Mary from work at night & stayed in Lorient sub. base again raided along with other objectives – the Bremen has been severely damaged by either the RAF or sabotage
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
22ND. Played the Queens Reg & lost 4-2 – went to the Cecil with Mary at night to see Ronald Colman & Ginger Rogers in ‘Lucky Partners’ had a good time & went right home with Mary afterwards walked home arrived about 11.30
[page break]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
23RD. Stayed in bed in the morning & went for a walk in the afternoon with the gang – arranged to meet Mary at night but she didn’t turn up so took a Preston Rd bus & walked down Hedon Rd into the town – YugoSlavia [sic] still resist attempts by Germany to make them sign a pact
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
24TH Met Mary from work – stayed in at night & wrote to Edith & Roland –
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
25TH Stayed in again at night – rained very hard – Yugo-Slavia signs pact with Nazi Russia & Turkey agree to remain neutral if one or the other is attacked
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
26TH Fire-watched at work all the night & luckily had nothing to do – growing unrest
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH [/underlined]
in Yugo-Slavia
[underlined] 27TH [/underlined]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined] Stayed in at night – riots in Yugo-Slavia – Prince Paul the Regent flees & King Peter takes over – ministers who signed pact are imprisoned – Keren the well defended strategic town in Abys. captured – raid by German dive bombers on Malta repulsed with heavy losses to the enemy
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
28TH Went to the Cecil at night with Mary to see ‘Hired Wife’ – Dunkirk & other Channel Ports bombed Roland is home
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
29TH Played the Hampshires with a short team – a very nice day & enjoyed the match very much lost 7-0 – went to the Regal at night with Mary – Elsie & Roland
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH [/underlined]
to see ‘Tin Pan Alley’ (Alice Faye) at the Regal – enjoyed it very much – it had such tunes in as ‘Katie’ You say the Cutest Things Baby’ ‘On Moonlight Bay’ [symbol] A.R.W & had to leave Mary after the show as I was fire-watching [inserted] (Honeysuckle Rose) [/inserted]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
[underlined] 30TH [/underlined] Went to the Cadets in the morning & did a little Morse – a very nice day but fairly cold out of the sun – went for a walk with the gang in the afternoon Roland went back – stayed in at night.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
31ST Met Mary from work new boy starts at work – blitz here tonight from 8.0 – 11.30 heavy gunfire & many bombs dropped Shell Mex Office Infirmary ARP [indecipherable word]
[page break]
in Ferensway down – many places in town (Prospect St) severely damaged bombs in Beverley Rd, Hessle, Liverpool St & many other places – 4 Cruisers 3 Destroyers of the Italians sunk in night Med. action off Cape Palermo – one of our Cruisers acts as decoy when Italian force suspected & allows ‘Warspite’ ‘Formidable’ & other ships to make contact & shatter the ‘Wops’ with their broadsides – F.A.A does well – Italian warship 35000 tons reported torpedoed & unlikely to reach port – 2 of our aircraft lost are the only casualties – 2 German dive bombers shot down – stayed in at night.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
[underlined] 1st APRIL [/underlined] German destroyer sunk by our bombers – Bremen raided – Asmara (capital of
[page break]
Eritrea) captured – new type of bomb used on Emden last night smaller but has great destructive force – shipping losses are down this week (10 Br 6 Allied & 1 Neutral lost) 6 Germans brought down during today.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
2ND Rang Mary but she isn’t going dancing tonight – went to the Newington & had a good time an Italian destroyer sunk –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
3RD 2 more Italian destroyers sunk by our aircraft in the Red Sea – went to the Tower at night with Mary to see Brian Aherne in ‘The Lady in Question’ enjoyed it French family – juror adopts acquitted woman & takes her home – domestic love affairs & squabbles – humorous – half way home with Mary when
[page break]
buzzers go – made me leave her & walked home – she promised to go on Sat – gunfire just before I reach home – incendiaries dropped.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
4TH Benghazi again evacuated by our troops as Italo-German force move – Brest with Gneisenau & Scharnhorst raiders in the docks raided by R.A.F – firewatched at work at night warnings & gunfire 9.15-10.0 & 1.0-2.40 – rang Mary this morning arranging to go out with her on Sunday with Edna & possible Wriggy.
[underlined] SAT. [/underlined]
5TH Played an Army team & lost 4-2 went to the Newington at night & had a good time – saw Mary home missed the bus & had to walk home arrived 11.40 – Addis Ababa taken
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
6TH Stayed in bed in the morning went for a walk to
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
the golf course in the afternoon with the gang – went with Mary to the Regal to see the concert (Don Carlos – Alf Collins & Manchester Hip band etc) it was very good – met Mary & Bob inside – saw Don & Ken who later went with Joyce & Audrey who were also there – Germany declares war on Yugoslavia & Greece Russia signs no aggression pact with the former –
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
7TH German destroyer torpedoed & sunk by Coastal Command aircraft – Brest & other ports bombed – bombs dropped here at night (Spring Bank Kirklands Rd) – met Mary from work – 5 German planes brought down in widespread raids
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
8TH Firewatched at home & had long warnings 10.0
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
2.0 & 2.15-4.00 went to bed at 1.30 – Kiel raided & over 30000 incendiaries dropped – warehouses gutted & destroyed in dock area – 1 sq mile of fire in centre of city – A.A defence gradually worn down & smoke envelopes town – largest raid ever – Yugo-Slavs retreat from Greek-Bulgarian border & Germans are therefore on the Greeks left flank – Slavs take Fiume & other towns in Albania
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
[inserted] [underlined] (9TH) [/underlined] [/inserted] Stayed in at night many more German planes brought down during raids on this country – Coventry & Birmingham raided – Berlin heavily raided – Germans take Salonica Yugo-Slavs advance into Albania
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
10TH Went with Don & Gee to the Criterion to see ‘Sky Murder’ fantastic & did not
[page break]
enjoy it – more German planes brought down in raids on this country.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
11TH. Went for a walk with Don & Ken in the morning & went on the Pier with Ken in the afternoon – saw the two Mary’s – met Edith at the station – went with Alex Ken & Gee to the Langham to see ‘Charlie Chan on a Murder Cruise’ & enjoyed it very much
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
12TH. Went to Leconfield with the Cadets to play Rugby won 19-13 – I scored a try & had a good time – went to the Newington at night & had a good time although it was crowded – Edith & Peggy were there introduced them to Mary – 43 German planes have been brought down in recent
[page break]
moonlight raids
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
13TH Met Mary in the town on Sunday afternoon – went for a little walk but it started to rain so we went home – firewatched at work at night & had a clear night.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
14TH Stayed in bed in the morning & was going rowing in the afternoon but it rained all day up to tea time so we tried to get in the pictures but were unlucky – Don Gee & Joyce went dancing & I went to Ken’s – went to the Newington at night but Mary wasn’t there – Germans advancing in Lybia [sic]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
15TH 27 German planes & 15 tanks 300 killed or wounded – destroyed in attack on Tobruk – went to work but had very little to do – went
[page break]
home at 3.30 – saw Mary in the town at lunch time – went to see ‘North West Mounted Police’ at the Cecil by myself as Mary was staying in to wash her hair (a fairly good picture with Gary Cooper Cary Grant & Preston Foster) – Air raid lasting from 9.30 until 5-0 in the morning – bombs dropped
[underlined] 16TH [/underlined]
WED. Rang Mary in the morning but she is staying in – stayed in & cleaned my bike – Don & Gee go to the Newington – Alex off work with cold – nice day – Yugo-Slavs have no unified command – are having to use guerrilla tactics – 165 German planes brought down by Y-S over Belgrade – bombers unescorted over 300 planes destroyed by their air force in 2 days (consists of Hurricanes
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
& other British planes) our forces hold German thrusts – heavy casualties inflicted on enemy on raid on Tobruk
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
[underlined] 17TH [/underlined] Went to see ‘I Want a Divorce’ with Mary to the Cecil & thought it fairly flat – saw Mary home & walked home – London has worst raid yet – Germans attacking strongly in Greece – our forces retreating to form a straighter front –
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
18TH Berlin heavily bombed last night our new bombs & bombers used – stayed in at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
19TH Played Boulevard E.I & lost 3-2 went to the Newington at night & had a good time – saw Mary into the town – our forces at Tobruk repulse German attack – a few tanks destroyed & casualties
[page break]
inflicted – Roland is home on leave –
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
20TH Went for a walk with the gang in the morning when was warm & sunny – went for a cycle ride with Don Ken Gee & Wriggy left them & went by myself to Melton – gathered some wild violets went for a walk by myself at night up Hedon Rd, Preston Rd. – as Mary was unable to come out – Germans attacking strongly in Greece & losing many men – Anzacs in rear guard action cut them to pieces 15 German planes shot down in battle over Athens – 7 of ours (3 pilots safe.) more shot down or destroyed in Lybia [sic]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
21ST Stayed in at night – Mary’s brother was married
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
at our church this afternoon – supply ship torpedoed by H.M.S. Tetrarch (Sub) on way to Lybia [sic]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
22ND. Fire-watched at work at night & had a quiet night wrote to Edith – met Mary from work – our forces in Greece take up defence line from Larissa stretching west to the opp. coast – Tripoli bombarded by the Navy & severe damage inflicted on port installations power station & many ships sunk in the harbour – F.AA planes shoot 4 out of 5 enemy transport planes down
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
23RD Went to the Tower at night with Mary to see Judy Canova in ‘Scatterbrain’ & Jene [sic] Autry in ‘Gaucho Serenade – both were very good flics
[page break]
and we laughed very much over the first – Greek Army in Epinea area of Albania has to surrender being cut off – King of Greece & Gov. go to Crete –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
24TH Had the afternoon off went to the East Park with Mary Elsie, Joyce & Gee & had a good time – skipped, played a ball game went on the swings – went to the Langham at night with Gee to see ‘The Saint Strikes Back’ and enjoyed it very much.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
25TH Stayed in at night, - bombs dropped here at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
26TH Went into the town in the afternoon with Don Wriggy & Gee went in Lyons & had ice cream & coffee & biscuits – later went with Wriggy to get a sports coat & Ken bought some trousers – Alex
[page break]
went to Grantham to see Edith, who rang me up earlier in the morning went to the Newington & had a good time – sirens go as we go into town Athens reported occupied by the Germans
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
27TH Went to Cadets in the morning – went for a walk in the afternoon with Mary, Elsie, Joyce Don & Gee – took a bus to Hessle – walked along the foreshore – across fields to Ferriby & took a bus home – met at night & all went to the Regal to see ’21 Days’ which was not very exciting – had a walk round the town after & then I saw Mary home – missed the last bus & had to walk home – arrived 11.30.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
28TH Cycled to Melton at night & found some primroses
[page break]
our troops are evacuated from Greece – Dessie taken along with 2,000 prisoners & material
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
29TH Went to see ‘Argentina Nights’ with Mary Joyce & Gee & enjoyed it (Ritz Bros & the Andrew Sisters starring) – saw Mary home & missed the last bus & had to walk home arrived 11.20
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
30TH Stated that at least 48,000 troops out of 60000 have been safely evacuated from Greece – heavy material left behind Greeks told us to evacuate to avoid needless bloodshed – which was very heroic of them – many Germans have been killed – stayed in at night – went to bed early – Plymouth raided last night – 5 planes shot down by A.A &
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
3 by fighters –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
1 MAY Firewatched at work at night & had a quiet night – have a bad cold – 1 German plane shot down at night – raid on Merseyside –
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
2 MAY Rang Mary but she is going to Edna’s at night – stayed in as cold is a nuisance – evacuation of Greece completed – about 43,000 men escape – 500 lost at sea – Iraquian troops open fire on our men who have entered Iraq under our treaty – 4 German planes shot down in raid on Merseyside at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
3 MAY Played for Cadets against Lee. at Rugby lost 26-0 had a good time – went to the Newington at night but only had a fair time – enemy aircraft
[page break]
over tonight – dropped a couple of mines on Hedon Rd. – S.W also raided – Merseyside – 14 enemy planes brought down by fighters & 2 by A.A our forces attack Brest & other objectives
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
4TH Went to Cadets in the morning – very warm day – went for a walk round Cottingham in the afternoon with Mary & along Anlaby Rd & Holderness Rd. at night – had a good time – German planes pass over tonight heavy A.A fire – our bombers attack Iraqui troops & cause shelling of RAF aerodrome to cease – fighting continues – led by fanatic who has ceased [sic] power from loyal forces
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
5TH Rang Mary this morning & had a row somebody had been telling her a pack of lies about Sunday – stayed in at
[page break]
[underlined] MAY ]/underlined]
night & wrote to Fred 8 German planes brought down during last night & this morning – heavy gun fire here tonight – German Cruisers at Brest bombed 4 hit
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
6TH. Stayed in at night & wrote to Roland – received a letter this morning from Edith – rang Mary but she is staying in & believe that our going out together is all washed up 9 German aircraft brought down last night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
7TH Blitz here tonight Hammond Thorntons & nearly all large buildings hit in the city – stayed in at night – 24 enemy planes brought down during night
[page break]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
8TH Another blitz at night & more buildings hit – including Ranks, Reckitts & nearly all the dock area – office damaged went to see Crazy Gang in ‘Gasbags’ at the Cecil – which was later destroyed by bombs 15 enemy aircraft brought down
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
9TH We carry out heaviest raid on Germany yet (Hamburg Emden & [deleted] Ger [/deleted] Berlin as a subsidary [sic] target – went for a cycle ride to Preston Rd. at night & saw 1000’s of refugees leaving the city later went to Wriggys with the gang
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
10TH 33 German planes brought down in heavy raid (on London) by our night fighters (2 by A.A)
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
Played tennis in the afternoon with Don & Ken – fire watched at work at night – still blowing buildings up in the town
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
11TH Went for a walk in the afternoon with the gang – took a bus to Cottingham – cut across fields & walked to Willerby – caught bus home – went for a walk by myself at night – gunfire again tonight here
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
12TH Went to see John Garfield & Pat O Brien [sic] in ‘Flowing Gold’ at the Tower & enjoyed it very much
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
13TH Rudolph Hess (Hitler’s Deputy) has landed in Scotland by aeroplane & unaccompanied – stayed in at night – Roland is home on leave
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
14TH Mary rang up this morning & she was going back to Belton in the afternoon so that I met her in the town & saw her off – went to ‘Fighter Command’ at the Regal with Don & Gee – was not impressed
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
15TH Stayed in at night & wrote to Mary – German forces allowed passage in & through Syria by Vichy Gov. – 7 German fighters brought down today – 2 of ours losts [sic] – 1 pilot safe.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
16TH Wrote to Edith today stayed in at night later went for a walk with Ken & Gee
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
17TH Played tennis at the Park with Ken & Don – went to St Johns to a dance at night.
[page break]
with Gee – did not enjoy it (J.F’s band – but a wrotten [sic] floor & rotten crowd) left early went for a walk went to firewatch at work but couldn’t get in – so went home – our troops advance in Gyrenaica [sic] take German prisoners & destroy material – reported surrender of Duke of Aosta from last defended position – terms asked for.
SUN
18TH A very warm day – went to Cadets in the morning – took a bus to Willerby in the afternoon with Wriggy Ken Don & Gee had a nice time – went to church at night – later met Ken Don & Gee coming from pictures – 22 enemy aircraft shot down in Med area since Sat. ([deleted] 1 or 2 [/deleted] Germans over Iraq) etc.
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
19TH. Went for a walk with the dog at night – Duke of Aosta surrenders & campaign therefore nearly over – our forces capture important position in Iraq – 5 German fighters brought down without loss many destroyed on ground in Syria
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
20TH Parachute troops land in Crete but are all killed or rounded up – went to Cadets at night – about 18,000 Italians have surrendered
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
21ST. Went for a short walk at night with Ken & Gee & wrote to Mary – [deleted] saw [/deleted] received a letter from her this morning – Germans try to land sea forces on Crete but convoy intercepted – 2 transports & 1 destroyer sunk – more parachutists land & battle continues – more successes round Tobruk
[page break]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
22ND Went to a Red Cross dance at the Wenlock Barracks with the gang – very crowded & very warm visited the bar – went to Cadets earlier but lessons were too late – we carry out daylight raids on Germany & northern France & destroy Power plant etc. 2 bombers & 6 fighters lost – 5 German fighters shot down
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
23RD Went for a little walk at night – battle in Crete still severe
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
24TH Played tennis with Ken, Don & Wriggy in the afternoon started to rain – went to the Regal at night with Gee to see ‘Arizona’ enjoyed it. – HM.S Hood sunk near Greenland in battle against Nazi cruiser Bismarck which was
[page break]
damaged – but escaped – lucky shot in magazine blew ship up & very few men were saved.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
25TH Went to Cadets in the morning & drilled Cadets for a few minutes – had arms drill & navigation from Capt Beare – played records & darts in Wriggy’s shed in the afternoon – rained at night so stayed in – H.M.S Hood sunk by lucky shot in mag by the Bismarck – blew up & very few saved – B. pursued & reported damaged by torpedoes – wrote to Mary
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
26TH Stayed in at night & wrote to Fred – still after Bismarck heavy fighting in Crete – Germans break through in one area & man drowned in attempts to land by
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
sea
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
[inserted] 27TH [/inserted] Bismarck has been sunk by torpedoes – two cruisers & 5 destroyers sunk during naval fights against Nazis bombers off Crete German patrols reach Egypt in recent action in Libya – went to Cadets at night & learnt morse have about 5 words a min.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
28TH Went for a walk with Wriggy, Ken & Gee – later played darts in W’s shed – wrote to Alex our forces withdraw in Crete & also from Hell fire pass in Libia [sic] – A.R.W from 1.15 – 5.0 at night & was firewatching – gunfire & bombs heard went to bed at 3.15.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
(29TH) Went to navigation lecture at Cadets & later went to Wriggys H.M.S York which was under repair
[page break]
in Suda Bay has been sunk only 3 survivors from the Hood we retreat in Crete in face of reinforced German troops
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
30TH Went to Wriggy’s at night – our forces push on in Iraq & Abysinia [sic] – but retreat in Crete – 100 survivors from the Bismarck landed (2000 on board) – but a destroyer was sunk by aircraft after the battle
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
31ST A very nice day today – played tennis at the Park with D. W & K went to see Fred at night (home for weekend) met Alan his friend & had a walk round the town.
SUN
[underlined] 1ST [/underlined] Up early & went to Sewerby with D.W.K & Gee – went for a walk to Flamborough in the afternoon & played football – called
[page break]
at the Ship Inn on the way & went in café there – went into Brid at night to the amusements – played cards until 3.30 (I went to bed early) – Crete evacuated 15,000 taken off – clothes rationed
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
2ND Went into Brid in the morning & had dinner at the Regal – went for a walk round the shops in the afternoon bought Mary a [deleted] brace [/deleted] necklace – had tea in a café in Sewerby – arrived home 8.0.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
3RD Bombs dropped here early this morning (after OK signal) did not hear them awok [sic] 8.45 too late to go to work – so stayed at home – wrote to Mary Kiel Canal bombed & shipping in daylight raid yesterday & the Ruhr & Berlin visited at night.
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE [/underlined]
WED
4TH Played tennis with Ken & Wriggy at the Park met 2 nice girls & arranged to play them on Friday – our forces in Iraq occupy Mosul important oil town
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
5TH Went to Nav. lecture at Cadets – we carry daylight raids on Germany – 5 bombers destroyed in last nights fairly intensive raids
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
6TH 2 supply ships & 1 armed trawler connected with the Bismarck were sunk during the action – played tennis with Wriggy at the Park – Don & Gee were also there
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
7TH Went to see the Marx Bros in ‘The M.B. – Go West’ & also the Farmers Daughter, both were very good films, with Don Louis Ken & Roland
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE [/underlined]
at the Regal – stayed in at night.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
8TH Our troops march into Syria – went to Cadets in the morning a very warm sunny day – went for a walk in the afternoon & at night with Wriggy Ken & Gee
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
9TH Stayed in at night – 2 more Bismarck supply ships sunk – our forces in Syria push on – very slight opposition – Derna & Benghazi bombed 15 aircraft destroyed on the ground & explosions reported at various spots.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
10TH Went to Cadets at night for Morse instruction
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
11TH Went to see ‘The Mark of Zoro’ at the Dorchester with Ken, Wriggy & Gee (Tyrone Power, Basil Rathbone & Linda Darnell) enjoyed it very much – had a letter from Mary this morning
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE [/underlined]
our forces push on in Syria
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
12TH Went to Nav. lecture at Cadets – our forces carry out largest raid ever on Ruhr area – 6 aircraft lost. – our forces push on in Syria
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
13TH Stayed in – mended a puncture & cleaned by bike – a German pocket battleship torpedoed by Beaufort off Norway – retire at reduced speed with escort.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
14TH Played the School at cricket (won 124 for 4 – 113) scored 4 took 2 wickets for 14. – went for a walk at night with Gee – 14 enemy aircraft shot down on all fronts – Ruhr district again heavily raided
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
15TH Stayed in bed in the morning & went for a walk in the afternoon & at night when I met Edith at the station
[page break]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
16TH Played for OH’s against Hull lost 78 to 79 for 7. (scored 2 – caught 1) very warm & sunny today
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
17TH RAF daylight raid on Cologne 11 German fighters shot down & night raid on Ruhr – more enemy shipping sunk by Coastal Command – 14 planes shot down in Med. area – navy helps land forces in Syria – were [sic] there is heavy fighting – we launch new attack in Lybia [sic] – by our armoured divisions – fire watching at home tonight & had to get up – went to Morse at night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
18TH We have invented a new device – Radio Location for detection of enemy aircraft etc – our troops are now a few miles from Damascus – our forces in Lybia [sic] retire to advance positions & capture many prisoners & destroy enemy tanks etc
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE [/underlined]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
19TH Went to Nav. lecture at Cadets at night – more daylight raids by our fighters & bombers in daylight – many enemy fighters destroyed Turkey signs pact with Germany but it must in no way interfer [sic] with English Agreements
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
20TH Went to Cadets sports field to practise running.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
21ST Went to Lec. to run & did very well in the Relay race after being cut off – drew with winner of the 100 yards sprint – had to hitch hike home – picked up by Wing Commander - & taken into Beverley caught another car into Hull – wrote to Mary at night – our bombers supported by later fighters carry out daylight sweep – 28 German fighters shot down 5 of ours lost
[page break]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
22ND Went to Cadets in the morning & have transfered [sic] to Grammar School flight – very hot & sunny – played cricket for the officers in the afternoon & lost – played in my trousers – went for a walk with Wriggy & Ken at night into the town – another R.AF. daylight sweep & 30 Germans brought down to 2 of ours (1 Pilot safe) Germany declares war on Russia
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
23RD. Went to Nav lecture at Cadets – very little to report on Russian front – we advance in Syria another R.AF daylight sweep – less opposition encountered 7 planes shot down – 2 of ours lost
[underlined] TUES [/underlined] Went to Morse lecture at Cadets later went to Wriggy’s – Russians inflict losses on Germans both in tanks & men
[page break]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
25TH Went for a walk with Don Ken, Tony Gowland & Gee – Russia hold Germans & destroy about 200 aeroplanes on the ground also 100 shot down – Russians lose about 300 nearly all on the ground.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
26TH Went to Nav lecture at Cadets – Alex came home this dinner time – another daylight sweep by RAF 9-3 in our favour.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
27TH Went to see ‘Argentine Night’ at the Regal (Don Ameche & Betty Grable) & enjoyed it also the supporting film ‘Private Detective’ – Russians hold Germans & inflict heavy losses – retreat to prepared positions in the North. – Finland is going to fight Russia – Sweden allowing German troops through her territory
[page break]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
28TH Received a letter from Mary – went to C.C Assoc. meeting at Doncaster with Misses Clayton, Sandham & Geoff – had a moderate time – walked round Doncaster afterwards – more sweeps & bombing raids by RAF.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
29TH Stayed in bed in the morning & sunbathed in the afternoon went to see Ronald Colman in ’Under Two Flags’ at the Carlton with Wriggy later went for a walk
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
30TH Played for O.H’s against Town Clerks lost 128-61 (scored 2 L.B.W. – stumped) Germans push on – Russians claim to be holding a line from Sweden to the Black Sea
[underlined] TUES:- [/underlined]
1ST Went to Morse at night
[page break]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
2ND R.A.F attack German occupied aerodrome in daylight bomb buildings & dispersed aircraft 7 fighters & 2 bombers lost – 18 enemies shot down – went for a walk to Pickering Park with Gee & Ken at night
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
3RD Went to a Nav. lecture at Cadets stiff fighting on Russo-German front – our forces push on in Syria more daylight raids on Germany
[underlined] FRI. [/underlined]
4TH Essen Bremen bombed in daylight – 7 bombers lost – daylight sweep 16 enemy fighters shot down & 4 of ours lost – played tennis with Ken at night – wrote to Mary yesterday
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
5TH Played cricket for Cadets – went to a dance at night with Edith to Hessle also Sandy
[page break]
Nicky, Les & Clarie met Dick Burrell who was on leave – had to walk home
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
6TH Church parade this morning – boxed & trained in the afternoon at St Mary’s B.C – went for a walk later at night – still very warm –
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
7TH Played R.AMC lost 176 for 4 – 60 (scored 10 not out) – fighting breaks out between Ecuador & Peru Western Germany heavily attacked by RAF both during day & night – Russian peasants carry out Stalin’s order to destroy everything & Russians counter attack & take offensive – 2 German destroyers reported sunk by them in Baltic – our Med Subs. Sink Italian Cruiser – Indian forces push on in Syria – met Elsie as I was leaving work she is on holiday
[page break]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
8TH Went to Morse lecture Russians are holding the Germans – R.A.F carry out extensive operations both by day & night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
9TH Went to Wriggy’s at night Russians push German-Rumanian troops back
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
10TH Went to Cadets but there was no lecture – armistice in Syria asked for by Gen Denty – terms given – 16 Germans shot down in day light sweep we lose 9 – (2 Pilots safe) fairly heavy raid here tonight – Russians gain more victories
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
11TH Went to P.T instruction at the Training College – very good Russians obtain another victory over 3000 Germans killed & 2000 captured Naples bombed
[page break]
[underlined] JULY [/underlined]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
12TH Wrote to Mary in the afternoon went to the pictures at night with Ken & Wriggy to see Bing Crosby in ‘Rhythmn [sic] on the River’ very warm – German thrust halted – fighting has stopped in Syria –
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
13TH Thunderstorm in the morning stayed in bed – went for a walk to the Pier in the afternoon very warm & went with Wriggy & Ken at night for a walk round Anlaby – we sign pact with Russia
MON
14TH Played Driffield lost – out first ball – bombs dropped here at night German attack has not started again more bombing raids by R.A.F
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
15TH Went to Cadets at night to Morse lecture – am improving – rained a lot today
[page break]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
16TH Went to the Regal with Ken & Gee to see Will Hay & Claude Hulbert in ‘Ghost at St Mich Germans still held on Russian front
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
17TH A heavy raid here at night fires started Ricketts General Post Office, Smith & Stephens & Spillers damaged by fire – daylight raid on Rotterdam by Blenheims – 22 ships (145,000 tons) sunk in harbour & another 5 outside we lose 4 planes – Russians still do well – went to Nav. class at night
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
18TH Went to P.T at night had a good time later played crocquet [sic] at Wriggy’s – heavy fighting on Russian front heavy losses on both sides – battle of 700 tanks Russians do well
[page break]
SAT
19TH Went boxing at Leeds & lost on points – had a good time – went in Mr Smith’s car with his wife & [underlined] daughter [/underlined] – came back with Mr Johnson – boxed at Headingly football ground – Hull won championship
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
20TH Wrote to Mary – stayed in bed in the morning & stayed in in the afternoon & went for a walk with Wriggy at night met Irene & Ada Irene works with Don at Spillers
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
21ST. Played Sutton lost – I did well scored 13 & caught one – Moscow bombed at night – little damage done 22 Germans brought down by AA & night fighters – heavy fighting on Russian front had a letter from Mary.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
22ND Went to see Gene Autrey in ‘Melody Range’ at the Tower
[page break]
with Ken & Gee enjoyed it – saw Mary & Peggy when we were walking home –
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
23RD Went for a walk to Pickering Park with Ken & Gee
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
24TH Went to Nav lecture at night played croquet at Wriggy’s afternoon
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
25TH Daylight attacks on German battleships (Greisenau Scharnhorst) during day & night – by our big bombers Boeing Fortresses, Halifax, Stirling – Boeings operate at fantastic heights & score hits on battleship with armour piercing bombs – during operations since Wed. we lose 15 bombers & 7 fighters (shoot down 33 enemy fighters) H.M.S Fearless destroyer sunk in Med. during attack on convoy which get through unscathed – Russians destroy whole German division
[page break]
[underlined] JULY [/underlined]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
26TH. Stayed in as it rained all the afternoon & night – read a book ‘Farthing Hall’ by Hugh Walpole E boats tried to raid harbour at Malta all sunk by shore batteries & our aircraft shoot down 3 planes which tried to cover their retreat
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
27TH Went to Cadets in the morning & also in the afternoon to a proficiency exam in morse, drill & P.T. – went to the New Theatre at night with Gee & Ken to see the Lanc Fusiliers Dance Orchestra enjoyed both the military & dance band
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
28TH Stayed in at night & swotted some navigation & maths
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
29TH Stayed in at night poured with rain all the day – later went to Wriggy’s & played
[page break]
cards at Wriggys – our planes carry out daylight sweep on Sicily 34 enemy planes destroyed – none of ours lost – Russians still holding the front & report 106 German planes shot down to 36 of their own.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
30TH Went to Cadets at night but there was no Exam – so I went to see the lads later at night – Roland & Elsie came up later – Roland is on 48 hrs leave
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
31ST Went to a dance at the Wenlock Barracks at night had a moderate time – saw Joan home afterwards – small fair worked at Marcus’s lived top of St Georges Rd., - Don Madge & Gee were also there
[underlined] 1ST AUG [/underlined]
FRI. Went to a lecture on baseball RAF Proficiency Exam was on but
[page break]
AUGUST
did not take it – rained heavily today
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
2ND Went dancing at Hessle with Gee met Dickie Burrell & his girl had a good time met Judy Westoby & also Daphne Wells – walked home – R.A.F carry out heaviest bombing raid ever on Berlin – a flying fortress on reconnaissance bombs Wilhelmshaven from prodigous [sic] height unheard & unseen –
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
3RD Stayed in bed in the morning went for a walk with Ken Gee & Wriggy in the afternoon & to the pictures at night to see ‘Stagecoach’ at the Carlton – gunfire here at night – Russians destroy German 131 division which was rushed up to reinforce attack around Smolensk but was cut to pieces before it could form up to attack
[page break]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
[underlined] 4TH [/underlined] [deleted] Went [/deleted] Cycled to Withernsea with Ken & Gee had a good time but it rained a lot so after having dinner on the sands we went to the pictures to see James Stewart in ‘No Time for Comedy’
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
5TH Went for a walk with Ken at night – our bombers carry out night raid on Hamburg etc in strong wind – heavy damage & extensive fires reported.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
6TH Japan threatens Thai after occupation of Indo China is nearly complete – stayed in at night & wrote to Fred – had a letter from Roland.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
7TH [deleted] Went for a walk at night with Ken [/deleted] – Gee has gone to Brid for the day – went
[page break]
[deleted] [underlined] FRI [/underlined] [/deleted]
8TH Went to the West Park at night to see ‘Old Bill & Son’
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
8TH Went to the dentist – went to see Wriggy later who is going to Scarborough tomorrow with Ken – Russians claim heavy German losses during the 7 weeks fighting
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
9TH Russians bombed Berlin the other night – Germans reported earlier, raid by RAF but we refute claim – went into the town with Edith in the afternoon to choose Alex’s present went to Hessle at night with Gee – had a moderate time Elsie was there – had to walk home in the pouring rain
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
10TH Stayed in bed in the morning went for a walk with Gee in the afternoon & to see George Formby in ‘No Limit’ at the Criterion at night
[page break]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
11TH Went for a walk in the morning read in the Park afternoon – at night played Cricket did not bad wrotten [sic] game – R.A.F raid Cologne & Ruhr all return Russians again at Beken – heavy fighting all along the front
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
12TH Wrote to Roland – had a letter from Mary asking me to go over for the weekend – wrote accepting – morning walked into the town & also in the afternoon – went to see ‘The Saints Vacation’ at the West Park with Gee – bombers including flying fortresses at great height & roof top flying Blenheims escorted by fighters raid Western Germany in daylight hits on power plants. [inserted] Ediths [/inserted] Dennis has come for the weekend
[page break]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
13TH Alex came home at night – is going abroad – went to the Priory with Gee to see ‘Angels with Wings’ met Mary there & we saw her home afterwards – went for a walk in the afternoon in between rain showers
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
14TH Went to Mrs Johnson’s in the morning with Alex – went for a walk with Gee in the afternoon & at night – Churchill has met Roosevelt in the Atlantic & peace aims formed
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
15TH A letter from Fred & postcard from Mary telling me about Sat. arrangements – went to the West Park at night to see Conrad Veidt in ‘The Spy in Black’ – enjoyed it very much Alex had a party at night & Sheila Wilf & his girl & Ron Crew were there
SAT
16TH Caught the 9.20 train with Edith & Alex – I went to Doncaster
[page break]
[underlined] AUG [/underlined]
Edith to Sheffield & Alex to Liverpool on his way to Canada missed the bus at Doncaster but caught one to Haxey & then on to Belton – met Mary who looked very nice – is getting fatter – had dinner & then went to Scunthorpe – looked round the shops & then went to the pictures to see ‘Seven Sinners’ Marlene Dietrich stayed in at night & talked – Mr Boatyman came over for the weekend
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
17TH Stayed in in the morning started to walk along the river but Mary wanted to go back – caught the 4.40 bus from Belton – called to see Mr & Mrs Axe – Mr Boatyman came back with me – air raid at night several people killed including Don Birkbeck’s father & sister Brenda
[page break]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
18TH Went to the West Park with Ken & Gee to see ‘ A Night at Earl Carrolls’ enjoyed the singing we carry out heavy raids on Germany Germans advance in Ukraine Nickolieu captured (port on Black Sea) but Odessa further East is holding out.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
19TH Went to the dentists at night & stayed in later – R.AF carry out daylight sweeps & night offensive – wrote to Mary at night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
20TH Stayed in at night & later went for a walk to Springhead I register on Sept 6th – Russians claim that 1 1/2 million Germans have been killed in the fighting up to now
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
21ST Went to the West Park at night to see ‘The Penalty’ a gangster film which I enjoyed
[page break]
[underlined] AUG [/underlined]
[inserted] FRI [/inserted] [underlined] 22ND [/underlined] Went to PT. at night & practised forward rolls, somersault etc. – ARW at night went to see the lads who were on duty – wrote for permission to volunteer.
[underlined] 23RD [/underlined]
SAT Nasty day raining – went to Wriggys in the afternoon & to the Danse de Laxe at night with Gee but did not enjoy it very much as the people were fairly common – although the band was good & also the dance floor.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
24TH Went to Cadets in the morning but did not stay long a nice warm sunny day & a nice change – went for a walk by myself in the afternoon as the lads stayed in – went to the pictures with Wriggy Ken & Gee to see David Niven, Richard Green in ‘Four Men & a Prayer’ at the Carlton
[page break]
I enjoyed it very much it being one of the best I have seen recently Russians have inflicted heavy losses on Germans in counter attacks.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
25TH Went to the dentists at night later went to a Nav. lecture at Cadets 2 AR.W’s during day believed bombs dropped at Hornsea – British & Russian forces cross frontier into Iran – slight resistance offered to our forces.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
26TH Went to Cadets at night later went for a walk with the gang & raided Gee’s orchard at night – I have permission from the Dept. to join up.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
27TH Again went to Cadets at night for reference – went for a walk by myself.
[page break]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
28TH Volunteered for R.A.F. today – went to the Priory at night to see ‘Freedom Radio’ (Clive Brook) – Laval & Deat shot & wounded
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
29TH Stayed in at night & did some navigation – later went to Wriggys – warning sounded & so had to firewatch – had a letter from Mary this morning Duisburg heavily raided by Sterlings [sic] last night – Russians blow up Dnieper Dam (Took 6 yrs to construct) – went to dentists at night
SAT
30TH Went to bed in the afternoon – tired after last night – went to Hessle at night did not enjoy it as by myself
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
31ST A nice warm sunny day went to Wriggy in the afternoon later went for a walk by myself & met Louis & Jessie – went to
[page break]
Fred’s at night he was home for the weekend – sat in Pickering Park for an hour as he was out – had a talk later & was on my way home when bombs & gunfire started – a few people killed in raid.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
1 SEPT Went to Cadets (Nav.) at night – wrote to Mary today – warnings & gunfire again tonight
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
2ND Went to the Dorchester with Ken & Gee to see Artie Shaw in ‘Second Chorus’ battle of Leningrad expected soon – warnings & gunfire again
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
3RD Stayed in at night – Berlin bombed last night –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
4TH Stayed in again at night battle still raging on Russian front – heavy fighting near Leningrad
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
5TH Went for a walk with Ken at night – later went
[page break]
to Wriggys – raided Gee’s orchard with Wriggy – U.S.A destroyer attacked by sub. on way to Iceland – depth charges dropped & sub. is now being hunted – passed my medical exam for R.A.F – over 70 German planes shot down over Leningrad & 100 over the Baltic – German sub. sunk in the Baltic – Italian sub. rammed & cut in half by HMS Hermione (Cruiser) in the Med – Italian Cruiser & large liner torpedoed by our sub in Med 10 enemy to 2 of ours shot down in this area
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
6TH I registered today – one more Italianian [sic] liner sunk – went to the Priory at night to see James Cagney in ‘The Fighting 69TH enjoyed the picture.
[page break]
[underlined] SEPT [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
[underlined] 7TH [/underlined] Got up late – went to Wriggys in the afternoon & practised with Gee’s air pistol – went to the ‘Rampant Horse’ at night
[underlined MON [/underlined]
8TH Went to see ‘Goodbye Mr Chips at the Carlton with Ken & Gee about 300 planes raided Berlin & did a lot of good – 20 missing – 2 Fortresses lost on reconnaisance [sic] U Boat captured by aeroplane – bomb it – comes to surface – machine gunned surrenders – guarded by Hudson until destroyer arrives – too rough to board – later boarded towed to port – Russians also capture one in Baltic
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
9TH Russians cut up 8 German divisions in counter attack went to dentists at night later
[page break]
[underlined] SEPT [/underlined]
cleaned my bike – received letter from Roland today – Spitsbergen occupied by our forces
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
10TH Stayed in mended my puncture & cleaned my bike – wrote to Fred today – Russians do well in central section counter attacks – kill about 7000 Germans
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
11TH Played football at night in practise match on Ella St. –
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
12TH Went for a cycle ride with Ken at night who went to sign in for night class later went to Wriggys
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
13TH Played Earles & won 4-0 on their ground played on hockey pitch – went dancing to Hessle at night by myself had a fairly decent time
[page break]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
14TH Had to sign on this morning for fire-watching later went for a little walk with Ken & Gee went to Wriggys in the afternoon played cards & listened to gramo. records in their shed – went for a walk into the town together at night – they went drinking but I came home & went to bed early
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
15TH Gee has got his motor bike – we tried it out in the Avenue – Turin bombed by our long distance planes – three German transports sunk in the Baltic – received a letter from Mary
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
16TH Went to see ‘Men are not Gods’ at the Carlton with Gee – enjoyed it – based on the Play Othello (Rex Harrison Sebastian Shaw) attempted German landing
[page break]
[underlined] SEPT [/underlined]
[underlined] 16TH [/underlined] CONT on the island of Qesel – 2 more transports sunk by Russians along with motor launch etc. – Hamburg heavily raided by our planes – Shah of Persia abdicates through the trouble caused by difficulty over rounding up the 5th columnists
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
17TH Went to the dentists & had a couple of teeth out – Karlsruhe heavily raided by our bombers all return – Blenheims escorted by fighters attack power plant at Bethune – 1 Blenheim & 7 fighters IPS lost – 7 enemy fighters shot down 3 Swedish destroyers blow up & sink at moorings –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
18TH Went to see ‘The Trail of the Vigilantes’ at the West Park with Roland & Gee (Broderick Crawford
[page break]
Franchot Tone Mischa Auer) – a tough western – a change –
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
19TH Wrote to Mary – Germans on the outskirts of Kiev – assaults on Leningrad beaten off – went to see ‘Target for Tonight’ & ‘City for Conquest’ (James Cagney Ann Rutherford) at the Regal with Roland – enjoyed the latter – sentimental – but a good story & good film.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
20TH Should have played the RAF but they didn’t turn up – went to see ‘The Philadelphia Story’ at the Carlton with Roland & Ken enjoyed the film (Cary Grant Kath Hepburn, Ruth Hussey James Stewart later went to the ‘Rampant’ & [deleted] Palais de [/deleted] Danse de Luxe) for 15 mins
[page break]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
21ST Went for a walk in the morning with the gang to see a motor [inserted] bike [/inserted] for Ken – went for a walk in the afternoon went to the pictures at night to see ‘Algiers’ (Hedy Lamar) – met a couple of girls – made a date which Gee is keeping for me – went to Roland’s for supper – gunfire here tonight
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
22ND Went to Cadets at night 2 large Italian transports sunk in Med – Kiev evacuated by Russians – another American ship sunk
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
23RD Firewatched at work at night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
24TH Went for a short walk at night & then stayed in 5 more Italian ships sunk in
[page break]
the Med. by our subs. or aeroplanes
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
25TH Went for a walk at night & then stayed in & read until bed-time – still fighting hard on Russian front
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
26TH Went for a walk with the dog at night –
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
27TH Played the battery at Costello & won 2-1 – enjoyed the game although it was a bad pitch – went to the pictures with Trevor Russell but could not get in so we went dancing at ‘Chestnut Ave’ enjoyed it – only a radiogram – nice place RAF carry out sweep over N. France
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
28TH Stayed in all the day & did some navigation – another R.A.F sweep all our planes return still heavy fighting on the Russian front
[page break]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
29TH Went to Cadets at night very interesting – RAF raid Turin, Genoa etc & targets in Sicily also Hamburg – I go for my medical on Friday – wrote to Roland
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
30TH Firewatched at work at night warning & slight gunfire 8.40 – 11.10 – wrote to Mary Stettin & Hamburg again raided – Convoy attack going through Med. 14 enemy planes shot down by fleet fighters (3 lost 2 crews safe) & gunfire H.M.S Nelson struck by torpedo nobody killed only causes reduction in speed – heavy shooting in Czech by new tyrant.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
1 OCT Stayed in at night & more RAF raids – slight gunfire here tonight
[page break]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
2 OCT Stayed in at night
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
3 OCT Went to Cardington today set off 11-00 arrived 5-20 – had a look round the camp at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
4 Oct Up at 6.30 & had small written test, medical etc sworn in photographs taken finished at 5.30 left the camp – went into Bedford with my two friends from Hull Tom Stacey & a boy from Bev. left our cases at the station – had tea at a restaurant – went back to the station & had a pint – caught the 9.30 train to Kettering – waited 30 mins there & caught the Edinburgh express to Leeds arrived 3.0 (We had a good wash & shave on the train) – caught a train to Hull arrived 5.30 & so to bed
[page break]
[underlined] OCT [/underlined]
SUN
[underlined] 5TH [/underlined] Got up at about half past twelve went for a walk in the afternoon & went to the Carlton at night with Ken & Gee to see Rosalind Russell & Cary Grant in ‘That Man Friday’
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
6TH Received a letter from Fred went to Gee’s & Wriggy’s at night exchange of sick prisoners held up by German attitude – heavy new German onslaught on the Russian front
[underlined] 7TH [/underlined]
TUES Received a letter from Mary this morning – firewatched at work at night – Germans launch big offensive – railway between Kharkov & Moscow reported cut
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
8TH Wrote to Mary at night Russians evacuate certain towns but retreat in orderly
[page break]
manner.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
9TH Stayed in at night – Hull trawler captures a sub. in Med. – depth charges bring sub to surface – machine guns & large gun make crew surrender – sub sinks 40 survivors picked up (trawler was less heavily armed than the sub) rained all day today
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
10TH Wrote to Don – went to the VR. Class (Nav.) tonight warning & gunfire here tonight – Russian counter attack & are holding the Germans
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
11TH Played North Hull Amateurs won 11-0 with ten men – went to a dance at Chestnut Ave. with Trev & Ali (on leave) had a good time we all got to know somebody – met Jean – warning at night
[page break]
[underlined] OCT [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
12TH Stayed in bed in the morning – went for a walk in the afternoon with the lads – a very nice day warm, clear & fresh stayed in at night – warnings & gunfire tonight
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
13TH About 300 planes raid places in the Ruhr, Bevariatte & do well – fighters in daylight sweep destroy 20 enemy fighters lose 12 two pilots safe – heavy fighting on Russian front – went to the dentists at night – firewatched at work slept through one warning
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
14TH Took the dog for a walk after tea – stayed in at night – another heavy raid on Germany last night – SW. Germany again visited by our bombers
[page break]
[underlined] OCT [/underlined]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
15TH Stayed in at night wrote to Alex
[underlined THUR [/underlined]
16TH Went to an RAFVR lecture in Morse & Maths taken by Mr Colbert [deleted] as [/deleted] Germans very near Moscow – heavy fighting
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
17TH Went to the dance at Chestnut Ave with Ali Mason & Trev. had a very good time Jean & Eileen were there – saw them home – given a lift from Willerby to Carew St arrived home 11.15
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
18TH Played East Hull Amts. won 6-0 in a very strong wind walked to Langham at night but could not get in – so walked home & listened to the wireless – Russians slow up German advance on Moscow which is now nearly at a standstill
[page break]
[underlined] OCT [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
19TH Stayed in bed in the morning – went for a short in the afternoon as it was very wet & it rained a little – improved after tea walked round to town could not get into the pictures so stayed in at night
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
20TH Went to see Judy Canova Bob Crosby & his wild Cats in ‘Sis Hopkins’ with Carbyon – warning & gunfire early tonight – received a letter from Mary
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
21ST Received a letter from Roland – stayed in at night – went with Edith to buy Mary’s birthday present after dinner – bought a powder compact
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
22ND Firewatched at work at night – gunfire but went to bed – wrote to Mary – Naples
[page break]
heavily raided last night - & also targets in Holland etc.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
23RD Went to Morse & Nav. lectures –
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
24TH Went to a dance at Chestnut Ave. & had a very good time danced with Jean nearly all the time – had to walk home – warning at dinner & tea time –
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
25TH Played R.AFVR & won 3-2 went dancing again to Chestnut Ave as I couldn’t get into the pictures had to walk most of the way there & all of the way back – had a moderate time – Jean danced with somebody else most of the time & I would have socked the kid only she appeared to prefer his company or dancing to mine & I did not wish to appear ridiculous although
[page break]
[underlined] OCT [/underlined]
I felt like a fight
[underlined] 26TH [/underlined]
SUN Stayed in bed in the morning & went for a walk in the afternoon – went to see Jack Buchanan in ‘Middle Watch at the Priory at night.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
27TH Went to see James Cagney & Olivia de Haviland in ‘Strawberry Blonde’ at the Tower with Ken & Gee enjoyed it very much – Hamburg was the main target for our bombers reported frontier clash between Russian & Jap soldiers – Germans held near Moscow, but make progress in the Crimea.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
28TH Had a letter from Mary this morning – stayed in at night
[page break]
[underlined] OCT [/underlined]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
29TH Wrote to Don at the night & stayed in – have a slight cold – Russians hold Moscow front but have to fall back in the Crimea – snowed today & was very cold.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
30TH Stayed in again at night wrote to Roland – Coastal Command Hudsons raid Aalsund sink 4 transport ships – machine gun in oil factory – put out of action defence posts & guns – all return safely.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
31ST Went to Nav. lecture at night also to the dentists for my teeth
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
1 NOV Played Endike Lane OB & won 3.0 in pouring rain & sleet stayed in at night & wrote to Mary firewatching at home & had to go
[page break]
[underlined] NOV [/underlined]
petrol & bad weather
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
9TH Up fairly early today – went for a walk in the afternoon with Ken, Wriggy & Gee – very cold but dry – firewatched at work at night – talked all night in bed about 1.0 & did not get up until 8.0 o’clock.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
1OTH Stayed in at night & wrote to Roland at the Office – Hamburg raided last night – HMS Aurora, Penelope & two destroyers attack convoy in Med & sink 10 ships, 2 destroyers & damage another we suffer no casualties – famous destroyer HM.S Cossack sunk
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
11TH Stayed in at night – do not feel very well still having trouble with – wrote to Mary had a couple of letters from
[page break]
[underlined] NOV [/underlined]
Alex today –
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
12TH Went to the Regal at night with Geoff to see ‘Married but Single’ Rosalind Russell & also a Dr Kildare film
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
13TH Stayed in at night received a letter from Roland.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
14TH Went to VR class at night but Capt. Beere did not turn up so we did morse & Byrne gave us a lecture – HMS Ark Royal sunk
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
15TH Went for a walk round the town in the afternoon as I couldn’t get in at the Dorchester went dancing to the YU at night with Edith – had moderate time band was lousy – 1 casualty in Ark Royal
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
16TH Went to PT (VR) in the morning – played football
[page break]
[underlined] NOV [/underlined]
& did a little drill – went for a short walk in the afternoon but it started to rain so we played ‘Monopoly’ at Wriggys went to see ‘Oh Mr Porter’ at the Carlton with the gang at night.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
17TH Went to Court in the morning & afternoon nice change – stayed in at night – (Ark Royal hit by torpedo & after being towed sunk only 20 miles from Gib.)
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
18TH Went to Court again in the morning – very nice day firewatched at work at night had a quiet night.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
19TH Very foggy tonight went to Sheila’s 21st & Wilf was also married in the afternoon Mary & Bob were at the party
[page break]
[underlined] NOV [/underlined]
arrived home 1.0
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
20TH Went to see ‘Andy Hardy’s Secretary’ with Mickey Rooney etc also ‘The Black Parrot’ at the Regal with Geoff and enjoyed it very much – Russians evacuate Kirsch in the Crimea – went to [deleted] [underlined] FRI [/underlined] [/deleted] Rolands after pictures until 11.30
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
21ST We start an offensive in Libya & are already 50 mls into the country – went to Nav. lecture at VR.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
22ND Stayed in both at night & in the afternoon read most of the time – we do well in Libya – capture Fort Capuzzo.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
23RD Went to P.T & drill in the morning & went for
[page break]
[underlined] NOV [/underlined]
a walk with Wriggy & Gee in the afternoon – played Monopoly at Wriggy’s at night.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
24TH Went to see ‘That Night in Rio’ (Don Ameche Alice Faye & Carmen Miranda) with Gee at the Carlton – tank battle in Libya continues – heavy fighting again near Moscow
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
25TH Stayed in & read at night – later went for a short walk – Russians are holding the Germans near Moscow& counter attacks gain ground.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
26TH Received a letter from Mary this morning – stayed in at night – battle still raging in Libya –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
27TH N.W Germany raided by RA.F wrote to Mary
[page break]
[underlined] NOV [/underlined]
our forces join up with Tobruk tank battle resumed both forces bringing up reserves went to VR class at night & later firewatched at work.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
28TH [inserted] Received letter from Fred [/inserted] N.W Germany again raided – went dancing with Gee & his friend who was home on leave – had a fair night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
29TH Rostov retaken by the Russians – Germans retreat still heavy fighting in Libya – played Tarraneans won 3-1 stayed in at night & read.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
30TH Rolled downstairs about 11.0 wrote to Roland went for a walk with Wriggy, Ken & Gee – later went to Wriggy’s to tea (his birthday yesterday) & then went to see ‘Juarez’ Bette
[page break]
Davis, Paul Muni at the Carlton – then played monopoly at Wriggys
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
1ST. Went to the pictures with Ken & Gee to see Barbara Stanwyck & Henry Fonda in ‘Lady Eve’ enjoyed it – later went for a walk.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
2ND Stayed in at night & wrote to Fred & Louis – received a letter from Louis this morning – Germans cut the corridor between Tobruk & our forces – 18 1/2 – 50 men to be called up – boys & girls between 16 – 18 to register for youth organisations A T.C etc. H.M S. Sydney (Cruiser) sunk after sinked [sic] large armed merchantman (HM.S Dorchester sank an armed merchantman but did not
[page break]
pick up survivors as there was a sub. in the vicinity)
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
3RD Went to [deleted] Roland [/deleted] work fire-watching & read all the night [inserted] received a letter from Mary. [/inserted]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
4TH Russians pushing on to Taganrog - & hold Germans round Moscow went to Morse lecture at night later went to Rolands
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
5TH Went to a party at Rolands all the lads were there Doreen Jarvis, Doreen & Doreen Tadman Mary & Elsie didn’t turn up had a good time – arrived home 2.30
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
6TH Played Reckitts boys with 10 men lost 2-0 cold & started to rain near the end stayed in at night & wrote to Mary
SUN (7TH) Stayed in bed in
[page break]
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
the morning & went for a walk in the afternoon with Roland, Gee, Ken & Wriggy – stayed in at night AR.W for a few hours – Japan raids Phillipine Isles Hawaii & American Naval Bases – heavy casualties inflicted – invade Thailand & N. Malay.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
8TH Went to Court today – Thailand stops resistance – more raids by Japs on American bases – Hong Kong attacked but our forces repell [sic] invaders. America declares war on Japan we, all our Dominions, Holland etc (we declared war on Finland Rumania & Hungary on Sat. 6TH)
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
9TH Went to Court in the morning – went to see ‘Dogs of the Air’ James Cagney Pat O’Brien
[page break]
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
etc with Geoff – wrotten [sic] picture. Japs make very little ground in N. Malaya against our forces
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
10TH H.M.S Prince of Wales (new ship 35000 tons) & HMS Repulse sunk off Singapore – Russians retake Tikhvin – our forces in Hong Kong repulse attacks & inflict heavy losses – wrote to the RA.F. went to Maths lecture & later played billiards
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
11TH Stayed in & read – over 2300 men saved from Repulse & Prince of Wales: Admiral Sir Tom Phillips among the missing – the Japanese battleship Hamura 29000 tons has been sunk by aircraft.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
12TH Went to Nav lecture at night – very interesting
[page break]
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
13TH Played City Engineers & won 6-0 with 8 men – rotten game – firewatched at work at night – had a letter from Louis
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
14TH Stayed in bed & listened to the wireless in the morning – arrived home about 12.0 – played Monopoly at Wriggy’s in the afternoon & finished writing to Mary at night our forces in Med – sink Italian cruiser & seriously damage another
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
15TH Went to see Errol Flynn in ‘The Sea Hawk’ at the Carlton & enjoyed it very much Brest & Ostend raided – our forces push on in Libya – stated that 1 battleship & 5 other
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
16TH Stayed in at night Russians retake Kaunin
[page break]
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
17TH Received a letter from Mary – H.MS Dunedin (Cr. sunk in the Atlantic – stayed in at night.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
18TH Stayed in at night – German & Italians in full retreat in Libya – Russians push on –
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
19TH Received a card from Mary this morning & rang her up – Japs make landing in Hong Kong – [deleted] Duchess of Gloucester [/deleted] – went to library & bought Christmas Cards – stayed in at [underlined] night [/underlined]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
20TH Up early caught 9.20 train to Doncaster & bus to Epworth met Mary from work – arrived cottage 2.15 caught bus to Epworth 5.50 & saw ‘Keeping Company’ Ann Rutherford – enjoyed it – arrived
[page break]
home 9.30 & talked until bed time.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
21ST Went for a walk after breakfast – called to see Mary’s aunt & then called for the milk, - had tea left at 4.0 to catch 5 o’clock bus from Belton – 6.50 train to Hull arrived 8.30 went home – changed & went to work to firewatch.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
22ND Very tired today – wrote to Mary at night – R.AF raid Brest etc Hong Kong still holds out.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
23RD Bought Mary’s present a bracelet – it had to be altered – went to see ‘Cottage to Let’ at the Dorchester & enjoyed it very much – Russians still push on – left off for Christmas
[page break]
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
tonight
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
24TH Don came for me this morning – he is on embarkation leave – went a short walk – went for my bracelet but wasn’t ready – met Geoff in the town in the afternoon – went on the pier etc – collected our goose from Mrs Johnson – also called again for bracelet still not ready – went back later on my bike – eventually collected at 6.15 on my way to the dance at the Bev. Baths – enjoyed it very much Jean was there also Joyce (Les’s friend) finished at 11.0 – Denis has come for a few days – talked had a drink went to bed about 2.0 o’clock.
[page break]
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
[deleted] [underlined] THUR [/underlined] [/deleted] [inserted] FRI [/inserted]
26TH [sic] Benghazi captured by 8TH Army stayed in at night – have toothache – posted Mary’s present this morning – went to see ‘Ziegfeld Girl’ at the Carlton in the afternoon – (James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, [sic] Lana Turner & Judy Garland) Russians probe straightened German line.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
25TH Stayed in bed in the morning – went to see Hull beat York 26-20 in the afternoon – stayed in at night played cards with dad & drank rum.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
27TH Stayed in all day – teeth still bad – received a letter from R.A.F saying that I shall be called up in March
[page break]
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
28TH Went for a walk with Wriggy & Ken in the afternoon – very cold but fresh went to see Sonja Henje [sic] at the Carlton with them at night in ‘My Lucky Star’ – later played Monopoly at Wriggy’s
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
29TH Firewatching at work – went to the Tivoli – rotten show – Norman Long etc. (Edna Squire-Brown in ‘Dance of the Doves’ good & also Kusharney) – in action in Libya 22 tanks destroyed & 20 damaged we make a small landing in Norway kill or capture whole German garrison & set fire to Oil stores etc & sink 5 ships – 2 armed trawlers & 1 armed tug – great cooperation by 3 Services Uncle Tom died yesterday
[page break]
[underlined] DEC [/underlined]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
30TH Received a [inserted] Christmas [/inserted] letter from Marian & also from Alex – stayed in at night & wrote to Louis – our forces withdraw from Sarawak – Americans being pushed back in Phillipines – Russians capture important towns.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
31ST Received a letter from Mary – stayed in at night – Russians make landing in Crimea & our forces push on in Libya –
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
1ST Stayed in at night & wrote to Bert – we make another landing in Norway in Lofoten Isles – destroy communications sink a few ships – capture many Germans & Quislings – take back many Norwegians & destroy
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
oil plants etc we suffer no casualties –
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
2ND Went to see ’Sorochintse [sic] Fair’ at the New (Russian Ballet & Opera) & with Geoff & enjoyed it very much – Russians push on.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
3RD Played for Constable St O.B. against R.AFVR & won 13-1 rained most of the time – Frodin is home on leave – went to work at night to firewatch – wrote to Mary – H.M.S. Neptune sunk by mine in Med – survivors taken prisoner – also destroyer HM.S Kandahar sunk when going to assist her – convoy of 30 ships also attacked for 4 days – only 3 ships sunk & our forces destroy 3 subs & a Konder raider
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
4TH Russians push on past Kaluga – Japs push on in Malaya & Philippines [sic] – went for a short walk in the afternoon with Ken & Gee it rained slightly – the lads came to our house at night & we played Monopoly.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
5TH Stayed in at night as Frod & Peggy came to supper – very cold today – very bad weather experienced in Libya
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
6TH Went to see ‘The Golden Hour’ at the Carlton with Geoff (James Stuart & Paulette Goddard) enjoyed it very much funny & witty – snowed during the night – very dirty underfoot Japs capture an aerodrome in Malaya – Americans sink destroyer & damage battleship
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
in raid on Jap convoy.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
7TH Stayed in at night & read Russians still advance – we retreat in Malaya – still cold
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
8TH Went to Morse lecture at night – our forces in Libya force Rommels men to retreat from Jabanihal? – stated that 7 Jap naval craft were sunk in previous engagement – still cold & freezing
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
9TH Firewatched at work at night went to see ‘Footsteps in the Dark’ at the Tower with Geoff & Lucas (Errol Flynn) enjoyed it very much – Brest raided for the 5th night in succession
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
10TH Have a bad cold – curse it played Army Eleven – lost 8-3 went to the Bev Rd Baths at
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
night with Gee – thin time because of cold – freezing & foggy at night – letter from Mary.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
11TH Stayed in all day as I have a cold – still very cold wrote to Marian.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
12TH Went to Court today – cold a little better – still very cold – wrote to Mary at night we retreat further in Malaya – evacuate Kualar [sic] Lumpur – received a letter from Roland.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
13TH We take Sollum – American in Philip. Stop Japs advance wrote to Alex at night – went to Court today – still very cold.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
14TH Snowed hard this morning – wrote to Fred at work – went to the Regal at night with Geoff to see ‘Billy the Kid’ (Robert
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
Taylor & Brian Donbery) & ‘Elsie & Doris’s Weekend (Elsie & Doris Waters) Russians push on
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
15TH Hamburg & Emdin raided by the RAF – went to Morse lecture later firewatching at work – still very cold.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
16TH Felt very ill & weak today believe cold – or perhaps the soup consumed other night – Hamburg again raided – stayed in at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
17TH Cleaned part of my bike in the afternoon danced at the Bev Rd at night & had a very good time Halfaya surrenders & many prisoners taken
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
18TH Stayed in bed in the morning – short walk in the afternoon with the lads – went
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
to Ken’s at night & played Monopoly – his sister also played – snowed a little at night – Von Reichenau – Nazie [sic] General reported dead of a seizure on way back from front after being dismissed – Churchill arrived back from America yesterday by aeroplane.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
19TH Went to George Hotel with Louis for lunch – went for haircut after work with Gee – made us very late – went with Gee & Ken to the Carlton to see ‘The Woman’s Face’ very good picture, - sat next to a very nice girl – wish the lads hadn’t been with me
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
20TH Went to the Tower with Fred who is
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
over on leave it was ‘Flight from Destiny’ also ‘The Dog in the Garden’ & was a very good picture – Mozaisk [sic] retaken from Germans – very cold today – received a letter from Mary
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
21ST Had a telegram from Alex this morning – he is back in England – went dancing with Gee to the Bev. Baths Russians push on in the Moscow sector – worst weather experienced for 10 years in Lybia [sic] – still very cold here
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
22ND Stayed in at night & wrote to Mary – very cold today – Japs. land in islands very near to Australia & our forces again retreat in Malaya
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
our bombers raid Emden, Hamburg etc & enemy aerodrome in Holland
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
23RD Very cold today – rained & froze when it fell in the morning – later rained heavily – Rommel’s forces take Jedabya – Russians push on stayed in at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
24TH Axis convoy attacked in the Med & several transp. sank also a destroyer & Cruiser played Endike Lane OB (4-4) very dirty game in both senses scored from pen. went to Bev Rd at night with Gee – pouring with rain so took an umbrella Joan who works with John was there with a friend Edith away for weekend
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
20TH Snowed heavily this morning – stayed in bed – went to Wriggys in the afternoon – pouring with rain also went at night & listened to the gramo. W’s friend Joan was also there
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
26TH Went to the Tower with Ken to see ‘A Night in the Tropics’ – more ships sunk by Americans in raid on Jap Convoy in Macassar Straits
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
27TH R.AF raid Brest – stayed in at night & read – wrote to Bert today – still very cold & more snow Rommels forces push on in Libya
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
28TH Firewatched at work at night – RAF
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
again raid Brest & other targets – Rommels push said to be held & slowered [sic] down Russians still advance
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
29TH Went to Morse lecture at night – reported H.M.S Barham (31,000) sunk in November Alex arrived home in the early hours of the morning – received a letter from Mary – rang Mary
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
30TH Received a letter from Roland Japs 18 mls from Singapore we evacuate Benghazi again – Russians push on – went to see Tauber in Schubert’s ‘Blossom Time’ with Geoff & Lucas at the New Theatre – snow gone.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
31ST Stayed in & wrote to Mary in the afternoon danced at Bev Rd at night with
[page break]
[underlined] JAN [/underlined]
Gee – our forces evacuate Malaya & return into Singapore Island.
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
1ST Went to Wriggys in the afternoon & to the Carlton with Ken, Wriggy & Gee at night to see George Formby in ‘Let George do it’ snowed at night – had a snowball fight after pictures
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
2ND Went to see ‘Love Crazy’ (Myrna Loy & Wm Powell) at the Carlton – very funny & amusing US. Navy sinks many ships by means of aircraft etc in raid on Jap occupied base in the Atlantic & 1 ft of snow at night
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
3RD Went to the dance at Bev Rd – had a fairly good time met Miss Clayton (works in Edith’s office – Esther & Mary
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
Vise were there – arrived work 11.50 – firewatching – snow is melting making seas of slush
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
4TH Alex comes back from Leeds & has to return to Bournemouth at night – saw him off at the station
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
5TH On holiday – finished cleaning my bike in morning – helped dad chop wood in the afternoon & also read – went to Morse lecture at night – had a letter from Mary she is coming over for the weekend
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
6TH Cleaned dance shoes, football boots, cycle bag – very busy this morning – went to work near dinner time to receive telephone
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
call from Mary – went to the pictures in the afternoon to the Dorchester to see Walter Pidgeon, Joan Bennett & George Sandys in ‘Man Hunt’ a very good picture – rang Mary again afterwards & stayed in & read at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
7TH Went to meet Mary in the afternoon – didn’t arrive telegram to say had missed connection – met 6.31 London train but didn’t arrive until 7.15 – dashed to Marys Uncle’s (Telford St) – then to the dance at the Baths – arrived 8.45 – took taxi home – talked & had supper until 12.10 walked home – arrived 1.15.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
8TH Up early called for Mary later went to Edna’s & then saw Mary off in the
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
afternoon on the 4.25 train went to the pictures at night to see John Garfield & Priscilla Lane in ‘Dust be my Destiny’
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
9TH Firewatched at work at night & wrote to Mary – Japs make landing on Singapore Island – counter measures being taken fighting near Gezala in Libya –
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
10TH Court again this morning – went to see Arthur Askey etc in ‘I Thank you’ at the Dorchester – Japs take aerodrome on Singapore Island – only 10 mls from the town itself – wrote to Roland
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
11TH Stayed in at night – very nice day (for a change) – Japs approach Singapore City believe it is all up there
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
Bert came into the office this morning
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
12TH Bert came back from Scarborough tonight – had tea together went to Morse Exam a V.R. (100 per cent on 6 wp.m) whilst Bert went for Margaret – went to the Regimental Dance at the Bev. Rd Baths – not too crowded had a fair time – arrived home 12.30 still hanging on in Singapore
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
13TH Schamhorst, Prince Eugen & Greisenau move from Brest to Heligoland Bight & up the Channel – our air force (torpedo planes bombers & fighter bombers & escorts) attack supporting E boats, trawlers, destroyers & the 3 ships & also our destroyers & MTB take part – stated several hits
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
made which slowed their speed down to 18 Knots – we lost 6 Swordfish, 20 bombers & 16 fighters in the [deleted] ta [/deleted] attack – destroy 18 of their fighters – Japs capture Singapore’s City reservoir – report of successful American naval raid on Gilbert Isles – 18000 ton aircraft carrier sunk – many Jap planes destroyed & bases very severely damaged
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
14TH Played Hessle Amateurs lost 10-0 with 8 men – went to the Wenlock Barracks at night with Gee – not a very good dance too crowded – not a nice crowd – left early – our American fighters in Libya meet 30 enemy planes destroy 20 & damage the rest.
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
15TH Stayed in bed in the morning – went to Wriggy’s in the afternoon – firewatched at work at night – short warning – aeroplane over & machine gunned – later shot down – Singapore has surrendered
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
16TH Received a letter from Mary & Roland – stayed in at night & swotted some navigation – warning again tonight
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
17TH Received a letter from Louis – 2 Italian Cruisers & 1 Destroyer torpedoed in Med. stayed in at night & wrote to Mary
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
18TH Had another letter from Mary – finished writing to her at work today went to the Tower at night to see ‘The Tower of Terror’ a terrible film – ridiculous
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
19TH Went to Morse lecture at night – RAF raid Bremen etc. Japs raid Port Darwin in Australia
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
20TH Received a letter from Fred stayed at work for tea then went to the Regal with Geoff & Lucas to see ‘International Squadron’ which was a very good flying picture – also Robert Young & Jane Hussey in ‘Bachelors Honeymoon’
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
21ST Japs attack island of ‘Bali’ in preparation for invasion of Jurva – allied naval forces blow up 1 Cruiser sink 2 destroyers for one of our own & also several transports played for Grammar School ATC Squadron in the afternoon
[page break]
[underlined] FEB [/underlined]
in heavy snow – lose 6-0 with only 7 men – later went to work to firewatch & read part of the night – had a roaring fire kettle boiled on the hearth
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
22ND Arrived home 12.0 o’clock went for a walk in the afternoon – snowed a little – went to Wriggy’s at night played cards & dominoes
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
23RD Went to see Tommy Dorsey & his band in ‘The Gay City’ at the Tower with Ken & Gee – fair picture – more snow here today
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
24TH Stayed in at night & wrote to Roland – Japs take aerodrome on isle of Bali
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
25TH On holiday – wrote to Mary in the morning – a walk into town in the afternoon
[page break]
by Navy to effect the withdrawal Rangoon position serious – [inserted] FEB [/inserted] Convoy of troops approaching Java dispersed by allied Naval action.
[underlined] MARCH [/underlined]
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
1ST Took the Nav & Maths Exam at the Cadets in the afternoon – short walk at night with Ken & Gee – later went to Wriggy’s & played Austin’s Rummy – had to leave early as Fred was over on leave
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
2ND Stayed in at night & wrote to Roland – Japs make landings in Java.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
3RD Received a letter from Mary & wrote to her at night – she also rang me up this afternoon to see if I would go over to a dance – Japs held in Java but
[page break]
[underlined] MCH [/underlined]
Dutch Gov. leave Batavia & say they will not be able to hold Java
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
4TH Jap bombers attack U.S fleet in Pacific – 16 out of 18 shot down – no damage to Fleet – RAF raid Renaud works near Paris which is working for the Germans – Vichy say heavy damage & about 600 people killed over 1000 injured – started to snow at night went to the Bev Rd Baths had a moderate time
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
5TH Snowed all today went to V.R class later to work to firewatch – Japs infiltrate throughout Java – Russians push on.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
6TH Stayed in at night have a rotten cold – communications with Java cease – Dutch
[page break]
say will fight to the end.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
7TH Played City Engineers with 9 men lost 6-2 – thick snow enjoyed it really although cold was a nuisance – Trev. Russell home on leave – he played – stayed in at night – Russians push on
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
8TH Very nice day for a change up late – played cards at Wriggys in the afternoon – stayed in again at night – cold still bad wrote to Alex.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
9TH Japs make landings on New Guinea – Rangoon evacuated scorched earth policy taken – stayed in at night cold still bad received a letter from Roland
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
10TH Convoy attacked in Med – 1 Cruiser & 1 destroyer set on fire also a transport
[page break]
[underlined] MAR [/underlined]
details given of Japanese atrocities in Hong Kong – Rangoon evacuated – more landing on New Guinea – RAF again raid Essen
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
11TH Cold still bad went to the Tower at night to see ‘Moon Over Burma’ (Dorothy Lamour, Robert Preston, Preston Foster) enjoyed it – Tirpitz attacked off Norwegian Coast – escapes from our planes under a smoke screen
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
12TH Les & Peggy came round at night – received a letter from Mary & wrote to her at night
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
13TH Stated that 3 Subs were sunk in attack on our convoy last Dec. (in which one of our destroyers was sunk after sinking one of the U boats the day before – this sub was one of those sunk
[page break]
[underlined] MAR [/underlined]
Australian bombers attack Japs in New Guinea & prevent further landings being made – went dancing with Gee to a late dance at the Bev Rd Baths
SAT
14TH Very nice day warm & sunny played Earles lost 7-2 short team but a very good game – Roland is over on leave – went to late dance at Bev Rd Baths – very warm but had a very good time – Allied Naval forces lost in battles near Java – including H.M.S Exeter about 13 ships lost – several Jap ships sunk incl. 2 Cruisers – 10 German planes shot down over Channel area this week none of ours lost
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
15TH Went for a walk with Roland in the morning
[page break]
[underlined] MAR [/underlined]
a very nice day – listened to Roland’s records at Gee’s in the afternoon – went to Wriggy’s at night & played cards Dolcy Rogers was there.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
16TH At Court this morning went to see Errol Flynn in ‘Santa Fe Trail’ at the Tower with Roland Gee & Ken enjoyed it – had a drink after to celebrate my going away –
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
17TH At Court again this morning went to the Monica at night with Gee & Roland to see ‘The Road to Zanzibar’ – E. boats attack North Sea convoy – several accounted for by destroyers – also our aircraft encounter them later & sink or damage more – one of our destroyers lost
[page break]
MAR
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
18TH 25 Jap ships incl 10 battleships sunk or damaged off New Guinea – firewatched at work at night – received a letter from Mary & wrote to her & Fred at night
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
19TH Went to Morse class at night –
20TH
[underlined] FRI [/underlined] Stayed in at night –
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
21ST Stayed in bed in morning met Mary in Doncaster in the afternoon – had a walk round the town went to the Gaumont to see Sonja Henie & Glen Miller in ‘Sun Valley Serenade’ also ‘Badmen from Dakota’ enjoyed it very much – only had time for snack afterwards caught 9.0 o’clock bus to Belton – had a very nice journey.
[page break]
MCH
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
22ND Went out after breakfast called at Mary’s Aunts Eileen & Maisie’s and so back to The Turbay caught the 4.50 bus to Doncaster travelled home with Mary’s uncle.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
23RD Very busy at work today – left late – wrote to Mary at night received a letter from Bert & Fred
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
24TH Firewatched at work at night – wrote to Bert – Italian battleship & Cruisers attack our Med Convoy beaten off by light Cruisers & the battleship hit by torpedo
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
25TH Cleaned my bike – went to Cadets – R.A.F carry out heavy raid on the Ruhr area
THUR 26TH. Went dancing to the Blind with Edith
[page break]
[underlined] MAR [/underlined]
had a moderate time – gunfire here tonight – fighter escorted bombers raid Cologne – 8 enemy fighters destroyed – 2 of ours lost Chinese reported surrounded in area in Burma – fighting back & repulsing Japs.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
26TH Went to the pictures with Geoff and Lucas at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
27TH Said goodbye at the Office – gave me 25/- to spend – very good of them – saw Mrs Johnson gave me eggs & oranges – met Mary at the Station in the afternoon – bought her a locket – saw the other Mary at Hammonds – brought Mary home to tea – later went to the YPI to dance – crowded not very nice – caught last bus walked home – our naval
[page break]
land & air forces attack St Nazaire
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
28TH Very nice day – went for Mary in the afternoon – said goodbye – travelled up to Doncaster with Mary – sorry to leave her – arrived London 9.35 – cup of tea at Salvation Army Canteen – directed to their Hostel in Russell Squ, very nice place – modern – many amenities ie billiards etc – nice bedroom
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
29TH Went to Lords – saw Alex – collected kit wrote to Mother & Mary at night Alex came round
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
30TH Had a dental exam & Maths lecture – did a lot of marching rained a little today – wrote to Roland at night – took uniform back to tailors.
[page break]
APRIL
[underlined] 1ST [/underlined]
WED. Morse lecture at Lords – night vision test & radiography – wrote to Mary at night
[underlined] 2ND [/underlined]
THUR Took Morse Exam (100 per cent) another Maths lecture collected uniform – C.O. paraded us at 17.15 & asked if anybody didn’t want to go overseas at the end of the month – looks promising – packed my civvies up and put a letter in
[underlined] 3RD [/underlined]
FRI Went to the Odeon to a lecture by C.O – Maths at the Zoo in the afternoon – wrote to Mary at night
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
4TH Morse in the morning – had a haircut in the afternoon went into town with Eric Bob & Harry – had a look round the Westminster Abbey
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
saw Houses of Parliament – went to the YMCA for tea – went to see ‘Dumbo’ down Edgeware Rd. – went back to the YMCA for supper – back to billet by 23.57 (two mins to spare)
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
5TH Helped in Canteen in the morning – missed Church Parade – had a ball – polished buttons etc. went round the Zoo in the afternoon – on guard at night – wrote to Mother & Fred. (Guard 18.00 – 2000: 2400 – 2.00: 6.00 – 8.00)
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
6TH Late at the Odeon for sea lecture – (very sleepy this morning) also lecture by M.O – drill in afternoon – gas lecture – then P.T. stayed in at night.
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
7TH Had inocculations [sic] & vaccinated today – do not feel too good but better than the rest – had a fairly quiet day – had flight photograph taken – wrote to Mary & the office at night – turned in early
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
8TH Had a quiet day – security lecture – went to London Pavilion at night with Bob & Frank – had a letter from Edith
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
9TH Rained nearly all day – had pay parade – cinema show on Careless Talk – aircraft rec etc – went into gas chamber – had to clean canteen up for the WAAF dance as the whole flight was on fatigue – wrote to Mary
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
10TH Went with Norman to
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
have my photograph taken did very little today – went to another cinema show – had full kit parade on roof.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
11TH Received a letter from Mary – our vaccination was inspected in the morning – later were issued with flying kit – vol. to help clean the Zoo canteen ready for the dance – got a free ticket & late pass – not very good dance – Alex was there
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
12TH Wrote to Mary – Church Parade – went into town with Frank & Bob – had a great time – saw Hyde Park went into Church Army Canteen there – then onto the Beaver Club – caught a lot of buses then went to YM in Tottenham Ct Rd & back to billets
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
13TH Had a full kit parade before the C.O. today – lecture on Organisation in the morning – wrote to mother at night – Alex came round [inserted] (letter from Mary) [/inserted]
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
14TH Another lecture this morning on Law etc – went into centre of London to studio to hear dance [inserted] RAF [/inserted] band recording & also heard Pat Kirkwood & Elizabeth Welsh – wrote to Louis & the lads.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
15TH Did very little today – flat orderly C.O. inspected billets – wrote to Mary at night – went to the Tottenham Ct Rd YW but there wasn’t a dance – went to Baker St for my photo
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
16TH Not posted today although part of our flight was including
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
Bob, Eric, Harry & Norman – very disappointed – went to the Odeon at night with Frank to see ‘You’ll never get Rich’ Fred Astaire
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
17TH Did very little today – some drill & retired to YM in the afternoon for an hour or two – wrote to Mary at night – stayed in, received a letter from mother & Mary
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
18TH Received a letter from Fred Eric, Bob Norman & Harry left us – I was a runner this morning – went into the town in the afternoon also went to Beaver Club to tea later rowed on Regents Park with Frank.
SUN
19TH Church parade in the morning wrote to Mother – went into Regents Park in the afternoon – then Beaver Club for tea – came back to our
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
[underlined] 19TH [/underlined] YM at night & went to bed early.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
20TH Wrote to Mary – did very little today – Alex came round at night – he is going to Blackpool tomorrow.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
21ST Had a letter from Edith & Mother wrote to Roland – then went to see ‘Appointment For Love’ (Charles Boyer) & ‘Paris Calling’ (Basil Rathbone, Eliza Bergner & Randolph Scott) at the Odeon rather late leaving had to run back to billets – did arms drill today
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
22ND Went dental sick in the morning – had one filled – wrote to Mary & Mother – had P.T in the afternoon – very nice – went to the New Victoria Cinema at night to take collection for RAF Benevolent Fund – saw Arthur Askey in
[page break]
‘The Boy from the Back Room’ & also ‘Texas’ – had a decent time went with 7 others from our flight – had a drink after arrived back 11.45.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
23RD Had posting parade in the morning – posted to Scarborough pay parade & did very little in the afternoon – went with Frank & Ron to the London Pavilion at night to see ‘The Foreman went to France’ which was a super picture & also ‘Hay Foot’
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
24TH Had to stay in barracks at night – went for supper, a drink & more to eat – Group Captains inspection in the morning & FFI in the afternoon wrote to Mary
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
25TH Up early caught 10.0 train to York & so on to Scarborough arrived about 5.0 o’clock – went for
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
a look round the town at night
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
26TH Did very little today – had FFI etc. & lecture by C.O. stayed in at night & wrote to Mother, Mary & Bert – food good here & having a good time
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
27TH Wrote to Fred at night stayed in – had aircraft rec. & P.T this morning -, drill & dental in the afternoon – very nice day.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
28TH Had P.T & drill Maths & Hygiene today – wrote to Mary at night very nice day but very windy – A.RW at night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
29TH Had a letter from Sandy Alex, Mother & Mary – wrote to Mother & Alex – had Maths Morse & kit inspection in the afternoon.
THUR 30TH Had 2 letters from
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL [/underlined]
Mary & one from Mother – wrote to Mary at night – had Maths, Morse, Gas & aircraft rec as well as drill today – another air raid warning at night.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
1ST MAY Went to the dance at the Royal at night – moderate time – had Morse Maths (100 per cent in yesterdays test) Hygiene Gas etc. – Paid today 34/-
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
2ND MAY Had Maths & march past the C.O went to the Odeon in the afternoon with Fred & Mike saw Tyrone Power in ‘Blood & Sand’ later went to the YM & wrote to Mary – received a letter from Louis & parcel from home.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
3RD Went to early communion – sewed buttons on etc in the morning – went for a walk on the cliffs & sands with Mike & Fred in the afternoon
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
climbed cliffs explored wreckage on the shore.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
4TH Had a letter from Edith today wrote to Mary, Mother & Sandy at night – mine washing about under out hotel – went for a 5 ml cross country run in the afternoon came 15th out of 38
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
5TH Wrote up my notes at night played table tennis
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
6TH Wrote to Mary – at night did some aircraft rec. – sports day went to play golf but they hadn’t any balls – took a canoe out on Peasholme Park –
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
7TH Stayed in at night – wrote up some Gas notes – had letters from Fred and Mother
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
8TH Went to look up train & bus times at night – not very good to
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
Hull – wrote home at night received a letter from Mary.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
9TH Acted as marker for cross country run – unable to run – stayed in at night – wrote to Mary.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
10TH Went to Communion in the morning – Mother & Father came over for the day & we had a grand time dinner at the Victoria Hotel & tea at the Odeon – walked round by Olive’s Mount & down the front – had to catch 6.15 bus back.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
11TH Received a letter from Alex & Mary – wrote to Mary at night ran about 4 mls in the pouring rain up Olive’s Mount this afternoon – had Maths afterwards.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
12TH Wrote Louis at night another cross country run today
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
13TH Wrote to Fred at night
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
had our Maths today which was very easy received a letter from Mary & Sandy – wrote to Mary & sent her the photograph – played baseball this afternoon.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
14TH Had Gas Exam today – parcel of food from mother
[deleted] [underlined] FRI [/underlined]
15TH [/deleted] Had a letter from Mary slight cold – paid today wrote to Mother & Mary – stayed in at night.
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
16TH Rained in the morning – nice day later on – did very little today Gas practise – inoculated again – went shopping in the afternoon stayed in at night – wrote to Alex went to bed early didn’t feel too grand
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
17TH Didn’t get up until 12 o’clock felt rotten – went onto the
[page break]
front in the afternoon & felt a little better – bed early.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
18TH Felt very unfit today with cold went sick but put on M & D on guard at night 10.0 – 12.0 wrote to Mary – played tennis in afternoon
[underlined] TUES. [/underlined]
19TH Letter from Edith – stayed in at night.
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
20TH Wrote to Edith – bathed in the sea & played football on sands in the afternoon – stayed in at night felt rotten
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
21ST Received a letter from Mother & Mary – wrote to Mary – had practise invasion parade with full kit & goodness knows what – in the afternoon – called out again for same thing at 10.45 at night
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
[deleted] 21ST [/deleted] Still feel far from fit on guard at night
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
23RD Very nice day received a letter from Alex – desk duties in afternoon – walked round town with Mac. – went to Futurist with Hobby & Mike at night to see Meet John Doe.
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
24TH Communion in the morning – wrote to Mary – Edith & Peg came over for the day had a grand time – saw Jean Thorley –
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
25TH [underlined] Whit-Mon [/underlined] – Rained in the afternoon – went ‘skeet’ shooting
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
26TH Wrote to Mary & Sandy at night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
27TH Had medical in the afternoon navigation 4.0 – 6.0 – received a letter from Geoff
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
28TH Had a letter from Mother & Mary wrote to Mother at night – on
[page break]
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
guard – had short Nav & Aircraft Rec exams.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
29TH Went to dance at night – had a good time – pay parade
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
30TH Raining this morning only had CO march past – wrote to Mary – went to see ‘Each Dawn I Die’ with Mac at the Odeon – stayed in at night
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
31ST Went to Holy Communion at 7.0 & later wrote to Alex & Geoff – read in the Italian gardens in the afternoon went to the concert at night.
[underlined] MON [/underlined]
JUNE March past in the afternoon – also played tennis stayed in at night wrote to Mary.
[underlined] TUES [/underlined]
2ND Had a letter from Edith & heard that Don has had a serious accident another march past – wrote to
[page break]
Gee at night
[underlined] WED [/underlined]
[underlined] 3 [/underlined] RD Another march past which I missed by spending the afternoon in the NAAFI after dentists – very very [sic] warm today – wrote to Edith & Mary – on Guard at night.
[underlined] THUR [/underlined]
4TH Had march past AOC today & had a letter from Mary very very [sic] warm here today.
[underlined] FRI [/underlined]
5TH Had a letter from Mother went to the dance at night met Doris who worked in the Timber Control at Hull – bathed in the sea this morning – still very hot
[underlined] SAT [/underlined]
6TH Went bathing again this morning – into town in the afternoon – on guard at night
[underlined] SUN [/underlined]
7TH Wrote to Mary – went to bed until dinner after church – went for a walk in the afternoon &
[page break]
[underlined] 4/9 [/underlined]
Bear not false witness
slander not nor lie
Truth is the speech
of inward purity
Edward Arnold
[indecipherable words] MC95275
Letter, 10 Mch 1941 from dept re calling up
JL
19, Estcourt Ave
Headingly
Leeds 6
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
WALKER’S
DIARY
FOR
1942
Summer Time used from April 19 to October 4
[page break]
Give all thou canst: high Heaven rejects the lore
Of nicely calculated less or more.
Wordsworth.
[page break]
[details of memorable dates in 1942]
[page break]
Mr FD Cronin
48 Benhill Wood Rd.
Sutton
Surrey
Don Wakeling:- Home address
‘Windyridge’
Marton Corner
Sewerby
nr Bridlington
[page break]
Maths:- 97 per cent
Armaments 81 per cent
Gas. 83 per cent
Morse Sending 100 per cent Receiving 100 per cent
Aldis “ 90 per cent “ 100 per cent
Aircraft Rec 96 per cent
Law & Hygiene 67 per cent
Navigation 74 per cent
[page break]
JUNE 1942
Sunday 7
met Doris – went with Mac at night to the Odeon to see the Missing Million – poor film
Monday 8
Played tennis in the afternoon had a letter from Mary – did some swot at night
Tuesday 9
Received a parcel from Mother wrote to Mary & Fred Cronin at night
Wednesday 10
Stayed in at night – wrote to Mother & did some Arms revision
Thursday 11
Stayed in at night – did some Arms – bathed etc. – received a letter from Mary.
Friday 12
Went to the dance at night Arms Exam today – farce had own Corporal – letter from Bert & parcel from Mother
Saturday 13
Kit inspection 0730 rained rest of day – wrote to Mary, Roland & Fred
[page break]
Sunday 14
Church in morning – concert at night Doreen Howard & Paddy were also there after meeting in afternoon – wrote to Louis rained all day
XX Monday 15
Still raining hard – played table tennis at Yorks. Club – letter from Edith & Ken D.
Tuesday 16
Went to see ‘The Lady has Plans’ with Mac. – kitting parade
Wednesday 17
Stayed in at night & did some swot – went shooting on the Ranges in the afternoon
Thursday 18
On Guard at Marsden’s – wrote to Mary
Friday 19
Received letters from Mother, Mary & Roland – stayed in at night – prepared by route march.
Saturday 20
Route march from 0800 – 1700 17 mls – very warm with full pack & rifle – up Forge Valley & met Edith & Dennis after tea – sat & talked
[page break]
Sunday 21
Church in morning – wrote to Mother & Mary – saw Edith in the afternoon went to the concert at night with Mac & Mike
Monday 22
Stayed in – did Aldis & revised at night – went sick on 2 days light duties – glorious day today
Tuesday 23
Received a letter from Geoff & Mary – dental in afternoon very warm & sunny – aldis at night
Wednesday 24
Swam in the morning & on guard at night – wrote to Mary received a letter from Mary
Thursday 25
Did aldis & a little swot at night – wrote to Roland – received a letter from Fred Cronin
Friday 26
Received letters from Joan Burton Fred & Louis – saw Edith at night
Saturday 27
Drill pass out practise – round town in the afternoon – listened to wireless in the Bay Room at night – letter from Mother & Alex.
[page break]
Sunday 28
Church twice in morning – took Aldis later – stayed in in afternoon wrote to Mother did some swot with Mike at night
Monday 29
Stayed in at night – CO.’s interview – have a rotten cold
Tuesday 30
Had Morse, Aldis & Drill pass out today – letter from Mary – wrote to her Mrs Wakeling – bathed in the afternoon
Wednesday 1 July
Stayed in at night & swotted – had Flight Photo. taken – cold still bad
Thursday 2
Had Aircraft Rec. & Law & Hygiene in the morning – bathed in the afternoon lovely day – letter from Mary
Friday 3
Nav. Exam – pay, dentist taylor [sic] etc in the afternoon – dance at night plenty of beer – P.O Williams treats D Flight
Saturday 4
Arrived home 10.00 hrs – pictures in afternoon – met Mary at night & went again to the pictures – Alex came home & went for a walk with him
[page break]
Sunday 5
Geoff called early – went for a walk met Mary in the afternoon – came to tea Ron also came saw Mary to bus at night
Monday 6
Called in at the office – later went shopping with Mary – went into town again tin afternoon – pictures at night with Mary [inserted] ‘Weekend in Havana’ [/inserted]
Tuesday 7
Met Mary in the town in the morning – caught the afternoon train to Doncaster –
Wednesday 8
Walked to Epworth in morning [inserted] took short cut [/inserted] lost way stayed in in the afternoon – [symbol] went to see Andy Hardy picture at night – supper with Miss Brown
Thursday 9
Helped Mary with potatoes in the morning went into Doncaster to the pictures after dinner said goodbye & wrote to Mary when I arrived home
Friday 10
Went to Office in morning & to see Mrs Johnson – OB’s dance at night had great time – saw Dorothy – home
Saturday 11
Stayed in bed in the morning back to Scarboro’ in the afternoon letter from Roland
[page break]
Sunday 12
Church parade – walk with Mac Mike to Castle – ice cream hot day wrote to Fred, Don & Fred on guard at night
Monday 13
Played squash in the afternoon stayed in at night & wrote to Mary.
Tuesday 14
Had a letter from Mary – wrote to Louis went to see Gene Tierney in Sundown with Mike
Wednesday 15
Sunbathed & had dinghy drill in morning – good fun – wrote to Mary at night
Thursday 16
Stayed in at night & wrote to Mother
Friday 17
Birthday card from Mary – wrote to Bert & night went to the pictures with Mac – poured with rain
Saturday 18
Still raining – went into town sewed V.R’s on uniform – wrote to Roland.
[page break]
Sunday 19
Went home for day – 10.00 train arrived 12.10 left by bus 5.25 – arrived 8.10 went to church canteen for supper wrote to Mary
Monday 20
On OD’s at night – had to polish floors etc for Air Chief Marshals visit tomorrow
Tuesday 21
Went to see Robertson Hare & Alfred Drayton in Banana Ridge at Londests’ with Mike Wrote to Mother.
Wednesday 22
Stayed in at night & wrote to Mary – rained a lot today
Thursday 23
Went to Church Canteen at night raining again
Friday 24
Took train home on 48 hrs leave – arrived 8.15.
Saturday 25
Library in morning – saw King Solomons Mine at Tower with Ken in the afternoon danced at ‘Good Fellowship Inn’ at night with Ken – very enjoyable
[page break]
Sunday 26
Walk in morning with Ken [inserted] letter from Mary [/inserted] & into the park in the afternoon – went back by bus at night – saw Stan & Mr Noble before I went
Monday 27
Went to Peasholme to the bathing pool in afternoon – warm & sunny grand time Wrote to Mary & went to Pay Accounts at night
Tuesday 28
Went to the Odeon with Mike to see ‘Reap the Wild Wind’ a very fine sea story – wrote to Mother
Wednesday 29
Hamburg again heavily raided 32 missing – letter & photo from Mary on guard at night – wrote to Mary.
Thursday 30
Stayed in at night & wrote to Joan – beach in morning – very warm & sunny slept during Nav. in afternoon
Friday 31
Went gardening all afternoon had binge in town at night with Mac Mike Don, Priest Machin & Baxter
Saturday 1 August
Short run by ourselves in morning had invasion exercise in afternoon very warm Home Guard took part & ambush etc. gas bomb – stayed in at night
[page break]
Sunday 2
[indecipherable word] early morning wrote to Mary Geoff in the Bay Room after – had a walk Don & Mike in afternoon – Church canteen at night with Mike
Monday 3
FIFF etc for posting tomorrow went with Mike to Odeon see Green Eyed Lady [indecipherable word] of £32 wrote to Mary
Tuesday 4
[indecipherable words] Brough – stayed 2 hrs in Hull saw Mother & Edith – wrote to Mary at night
Wednesday 5
[indecipherable word] 75 mins today – grand fun wrote to Father
Thursday 6
[indecipherable word] straight & level in morning [three indecipherable words] in afternoon – wrote to [indecipherable word]
Friday 7
Another 65 mins today – spins & stalls 90 mins on [indecipherable word] training over Goole saw [indecipherable words] – wrote to Fred – Don arrived today
Saturday 8
Wrote to Roland – letter from Mary & Father [indecipherable words] today & raining – went home with [indecipherable words] – went to see ‘Next of Kin’ [indecipherable words]
[page break]
Sunday 9
Home in morning with Don – walk with Ken & Wriggy in the afternoon stayed in at night – Peggy came to tea took 9.00 train back
Monday 10
No flying today afternoon off went to office – haircut – saw Babes on Broadway [indecipherable words] with Geoff – wrote to Father & John – letter from Mary
Tuesday 11
No flying today letter from Mary wrote to Mary – half day went home –
Wednesday 12
No flying again – sports in afternoon – wrote to Mike.
Thursday 13
Did landings & take off today – had a grand time – letter from Mary & Father – wrote to Mary & Alex – saw Firebrand [indecipherable word]
Friday 14
Wrote to Louis – no flying church parade – walked 5 mls through Ellington at night.
Saturday 15
65 mins landing & taking off this morning flying stopped in afternoon – went home – letter from Don
[page break]
Sunday 16
Flying today landings & take offs 65 mins with F.O. Lamont – a very nice chap – wrote to Don & Mary
XX Monday 17
Birthday today – cards from Sandy Mother Dad Edith letter from Roland & Fred – 90 mins today – spins circuits & bumps
Tuesday 18
More circuits & bumps & 7 hrs test – did fairly well – letter from Alex
Wednesday 19
Letter from Louis – circuits & bumps in the afternoon still bad & have done 10 1/2 hrs – went to canteen at night – Dieppe area invaded –
Thursday 20
Went solo today & finished the Course – packed in the afternoon wrote to Mary & went to dance at night
Friday 21
Paid – medical in morning – home in afternoon went to see Wriggy & Gee’s people at night.
Saturday 22
Gee is home – went into the town in the morning & in the afternoon with Ken – went to the Good Fellowship at night – wrote to Don
[page break]
Sunday 23
Walk in morning with Gee & Ken & Wriggy came in the afternoon – Gee went back at night & I went to Communist meeting with Ken & W
Monday 24
Went to the office in morning – wrote to Roland & Mary – saw Bob Hope in Louisiana Purchase at Dorchester with Geoff at night
Tuesday 25
Wrang [sic] Mary today – went with Geoff to see ‘The Lady has Plans’ at Criterion at night
Wednesday 26
Went into town in afternoon called to see Mr Blocker & Margaret – chose a ring – went to dance at YPI at night – Wriggy was there
Thursday 27
Rang Mary & wrote at night – might come over at weekend
Friday 28
Went to see Grasson’s at Preston in afternoon – might go next week – Alex came home tonight
Saturday 29
Went into town in morning & in afternoon with Geoff – went to Good Fellowship at night with Alex – Ken & his girl Phil were there later came round to our place after dance
[page break]
Sunday 30
Stayed in all day – saw Alex off at night – wrote to Fred.
Monday 31
Went to Preston & helped Arthur on the farm all day – stooked & [two indecipherable words] – sulphate from Hedon –
Tuesday 1 SEPTEMBER
Louis home on leave called in morning went into office later – coffee at Miss Thompsons Drink at ‘George’ with Mr W & Phil etc went to Criterion with Geoff at night Bride came COD
Wednesday 2
Louis came home this morning had dinner with Mr Grasson in town later went to Criterion & to the Tivoli at night with Geoff
Thursday 3
Louis came over – played tennis in morning – rang Mary – went to Criterion to see Look how’s [sic] Laughing & Tivoli at night with Geoff
Friday 4
Went into town with Mother – had dinner out & went to Belton later in afternoon went to dance in village with Mary at night
Saturday 5
Up late – went into Doncaster with Mary in afternoon – had grand time saw One of our Aircraft is Missing & Brooklyn Orchid both very good pictures
[page break]
Sunday 6
Stayed in until after tea when Mary & I went for a walk – came back & played cards with Mary’s Mother & Father
Monday 7
Went to Scunthorpe with Mr & Mrs Boatyman & Mary – did some shopping in the morning & went to pictures in the afternoon saw ‘They Died with their [inserted] Boots on’ (Errol Flynn) [/inserted] & at night went to see Briggs Family & ‘Murder in the Air’ with Mary
Tuesday 8
Went for short walk at night with Mary & then spent rest of evening in doors.
Wednesday 9
Spent day in the garden & playing cards with Mary’s Mother & Father – went to see High Sierra with Mary at night – Mary accepts offer of engagement when I return from Canada
Thursday 10
Reached home dinner time – went in town in afternoon to the office
Friday 11
Went to office in morning & to see Miss Johnson – rang Mary – met Louis in town in the afternoon & stayed in at night
Saturday 12
Met Mary & brought her home to lunch – went shopping in the afternoon bought her a watch for her 21st – went to Good Fellowship at night & had a good time – took taxi home then cycled back.
[page break]
Sunday 13
Brought Mary home to dinner & talked etc until it was time to see her off – went to see The Ghost Breakers’ at Regal at night
Monday 14
Wrote to Mary – went to see Mrs Gateman Ken Wriggy & one or two more people – Ken came in at night.
Tuesday 15
Took 9 0 train to Manchester & travelled with 3 Sergeants – arrived dinner time wrote to Mary & Mother at night – letter from Bert
Wednesday 16
Church parade – FFI – CO’s lecture – today went into town at night with Brow Heath & Evan for haircut – didn’t succeed
Thursday 17
Told I am to be a Navigator – disappointed had a haircut in town at night & later wrote to Mary at the Y.M.
Friday 18
Letter from Mother & Fred – went to see Arthur Askey at the Palace with Johnny Jack Stanley & Evan – good show – did a little rowing this afternoon
Saturday 19
Letter from Mary – wrote to Mary & Mother had morning off – went into town with 3 lads had a look round – went to see Jungle Book at the Gaumont after tea
[page break]
Sunday 20
Read my book in the morning after parade on cookhouse duties in afternoon with Johnny & Jed from 2.0 to 6.0 – had shower afterwards.
Monday 21
In Canteen in morning – had afternoon off & went into Manchester – had tea & went to the Gaiety to see Bud Abbott & Lou Costello in ‘Rio Rita’ had a drink & returned early – wrote to Mary.
Tuesday 22
Raining again today – went to a lecture on Music in the morning – letter from Edith & Mary – stayed in at night.
Wednesday 23
Wrote to Mary – rained nearly all the morning [indecipherable word] the afternoon off so I went into Manchester with Jack & Johnny – ate in the Y.M. went to see Du Barry was a Lady at the Palace at night
Thursday 24
Rained again today – stayed in at night & wrote to Edith – had lectures today.
Friday 25
Went to the YM at night – wrote to Mary – letter from Alex – rained again today.
Saturday 26
Went swimming in the morning – went into Manchester after dinner with Johnny & Jack – went to Belle Vue – had chips & pie at a small café – drinks in the Zoo – went to the wrestling – met 3 girls etc. letter from Mary
[page break]
Sunday 27
Stayed in bed in the morning – after parade – went rowing in the afternoon & wrote to Don – went for a walk at night with the lads & met Sylvia, Betty, Doreen & Rona
Monday 28
Went to see ‘Next of Kin’ in morning – wrote to Alex, Fred & Mary – stayed in at night.
Tuesday 29
Had the morning free – on canteen duty in afternoon & until late at night
Wednesday 30
On duty until 2.0 o’clock – off in afternoon had shower – wrote to Mary went to see The Saint in Palm Springs & Dot Lamour in Beyond the Blue Horizon [inserted] with Roy & Jack [/inserted]
Thursday 1 October
had a letter from Mary & Mother Went to the ‘Ostrich Hotel with Jack & Roy played darts & dominoes
Friday 2
Wrang [sic] Mary – unable to come over for weekend left Manchester 6.30 arrived home 11.0 o’clock spent an hour in Leeds – had a letter from Sandy
Saturday 3
Up late – wrote to Mary had a bath – took Mother to a football match (Polish XI v Red Army XI) in the afternoon – went to the Langham at night to see Douglas Fairbanks Jnr in The Corsican Brothers – a very good film
[page break]
Sunday 4
Up late walked to the station to find out the times of trains – wrote to Sandy in the afternoon & caught the 4.25 to Manchester – arrived 8.30 – letters from Mary & Don waiting for me.
Monday 5
Stayed in at night – wrote to Mary & Roland – had P.T today
Tuesday 6
Went to the Odeon at night with Johnny & Jack to see ‘The First of the Few’ dealing with the birth of the Spitfire) – later went to the Long Bow & [indecipherable word] to celebrate Jack’s birthday became quite merry
Wednesday 7
Stayed in at night & wrote to Mary & Geoff – letter from Mary
Thursday 8
Rained a lot today – on assault course in the afternoon – Air Marshal Babbington here – haircut at night – letter from Mary wrote to Mary & Mother
Friday 9
Received parcel from home & letter from Bert & Roland – rained a lot today had talk on Canada & at night went to Long Bow with Jack & Johnny (they are posted) met Joan.
Saturday 10
Went into town & Belle Vue in the afternoon with Johnny & Jack – went to wrestling match in evening – missed the last bus (had to walk to Vic) – rained again
[page break]
Sunday 11
Stayed in bed until 12.0 o’clock – changed etc & wrote to Mary in the afternoon – went to the Ostrich at night with Johnny & Jack – nice warm sunny day.
Monday 12
J & J have gone today – I am posted went into town to meet Joan but she didn’t turn up – pleased really & went to see Red Skelton in ‘Ship Ahoy’ – very funny enjoyed it
Tuesday 13
FFI, Pay Parade – etc today – very foggy in morning – later cleared & sun shined wrote to Mary & had a letter from Mother
Wednesday 14
Up early – troop train right to Bridgnorth arrived 2.10 – on guard at night – after F.FI etc. very nice district, hilly wooded with a very pleasant river
Thursday 15
Had afternoon off went into town with Ron – to the Falcon had tea at the Crown & returned early – wrote Mother & Mary
Friday 16
Went for a ramble in the afternoon with Ron & to the camp pictures at night to see Bette Davis in ‘The Three Forces’ – wrote Mary
Saturday 17
Went into town in the afternoon with Jack & Johnny, Beaton & Drewery – ate apples & then went to the Swan & the Crown & then to the dance – didn’t dance – came back with Jubbs
[page break]
Sunday 18
Wrote to Roland, Don & Joan B – went for a walk with Jack in the afternoon – lovely day – were invited out to tea – spent rest of evening in N.A.A.F.I
Monday 19
Warm sunny day – had 3 hrs Navvy – drill & P.T. stayed in at night & wrote to Mary & Ken at night in the NAAFI.
Tuesday 20
Had a letter from Mary & paper from Mother today – wrote to Bert at night – rained heavily after tea – more Navvy drill & P.T. today
Wednesday 21
Letter from Mary – wrote to Alex – went to see ‘Dive Bomber’ at the Station Cinema with Johnny Jack & Ray – not very good true American
Thursday 22
Stayed in at night – wrote to Mother & Mary – Genoa & Turin bombed
Friday 23
Played a scratch game of soccer in afternoon – enjoyed it – [deleted] stayed in at night [/deleted] wrote to Louis – went to Station Cinema at night to see ‘They Met in Bombay’ – Clark Gable
Saturday 24
Went into town after tea with Jack – went to the Majestic to see Robert Young in ‘Meet Mr Jordan’ & Fred McMurray in another film – had fish & chip supper
[page break]
[inserted] [underlined] SAT [/underlined] (CONT) walked home – grand night full moon. [/inserted]
Saturday [circled 25] XXX
Up fairly early – wired Mary (her 21st birthday today) & then went into Bridgnorth to church – rained all afternoon stayed in & wrote to Mary
Monday 26
Offensive started by us in Egypt – parcel from Mother & Joan & Lilian – also letters from Alex, Mary, Sandy Fred Mother – stayed in – wrote home
Tuesday 27
Letter from Edith – wrote to Mary Joan & Miss Clayton – went boxing again and well-hurt my thumb – stayed in at night
Wednesday 28
Letter from Edith – wrote to Sandy at night very misty earlier this morning – went to NAAFI at night & [deleted] wrot [/deleted] letter from Mary
Thursday 29
Went to Camp pictures at night & saw ‘Sergeant York’ – Gary Cooper – very good film – wrote to Mary
Friday 30
Played Soccer today – rained & didn’t play very well won 5-2 – did very little work today letter from Geoff.
Saturday 31
Learned that I was posted – informed Mother & Mary – didn’t do any work & finished at 4 o’clock went into town after tea with Johnny & Jack – saw ‘Hot Spot’ at the Majestic
[page break]
NOVEMBER 1942
Sunday 1
Clothing parade in the morning – rained went for a walk with Bill Kelly in the afternoon collected chestnuts – went into the NAAFI at night after reading in front of the fire
Monday 2
Received letters from Louis, Roland & Don wrote to Fred – didn’t do any work all day – had pay parade & FFI – packed at night went to see Les.
Tuesday 3
Up early left Bridgnorth 8.30 & arrived Manchester 4.30 – thick fog today & had difficulty in finding my Hut – wrote to Mary at night
Wednesday 4
Did nothing but stand about all day – finished writing to Mary at night
Thursday 5
Feel far from well today – headache etc. – went to a lecture in the morning (Dutchman – reporter -) & to a Review Flying High in the afternoon.
Friday 6
On Camp Co-ops in morning & had talk by Padre in the afternoon – had bath at YM at night – wrote to Mary.
Saturday 7
In the Canteen in afternoon after Camp Co-ops in morning – went to Assembly Rooms (Cheatham Hill) with Johnny to a dance there – Rommel beaten
[page break]
Sunday 8
Canteen duty until after midday – went to the YM for tea & wrote to Edith later went to Premier to see ‘Third Finger L. hand’ had seen it – US Army lands in N.W Africa
Monday 9
Posted today – did very little besides hang about – stayed in at night & wrote to Mother & Mary – letter from Edith
Tuesday 10
Letter from Mary – packed etc at night later went to Heaton Park Cinema with Johnny & Roy – saw 3 Smart Girls – had a drink & chips after
Wednesday 11
Travelled to Bridgnorth today – on a Course at last – letter from Mary there – wrote to Mary & Edith
Thursday 12
Wrote to Don – did very little besides be equipped with books etc. – spent night in the NAAFI – met Lucas & Welborn – OH’s
Friday 13
Domestic night – stayed in read Met. notes – bed early – did very little today.
Saturday 14
Lectures all morning – soccer in the afternoon – lost 3-2 enjoyed the game fine day – went to see Bette Davis in The Great Lie at Station Cinema [inserted] (wrote to Mary [/inserted]
[page break]
Sunday 15
Wrote to Mother – church parade in the morning slept during the afternoon & went to the Station Cinema at night with Joe to see ‘Tall Dark & Handsome’ (Cesar Romero) very good
Monday 16
Stayed in at night – later went to boxing match & exhibition in the Gym – very good – enjoyed it.
Tuesday 17
Letter & paper from Mother – compulsory study tonight so wrote to Mary
Wednesday 18
Letter from Mary today – wrote again to her at night after compulsory study. – chose soccer team
Thursday 19
Played soccer in afternoon lost 5-3 we had most of the play – bath, shave collected laundry & wrote to Mother
Friday 20
Compulsory study at night – went to the pictures to see Bing Crosby in ‘Birth of the Blues.
Saturday 21
[deleted] [underlined] XXX [/underlined] [/deleted] Letter from Mary & parcel from home – wrote to Mary & Louis stayed in at night. – very cold today
[page break]
Those mighty periods of years
Which seem to us so vast,
Appear no more before Thy sight,
Than yesterday that’s past.
The Ninetieth Psalm.
[page break]
Sunday 22
Worked all day – compulsory study at night – very cold again today freezing in fact
Monday 23
Wrote home sent parcel – took special bus into Wolves with Johnny & Ron – had photo taken went to see Henry Fonda & Gene Tierney in ‘Rings on her Fingers’ – letter from Mary waiting for me when I came back
Tuesday 24
Stayed in last night & wrote to Mary – paper from Mother – domestic night. –
Wednesday 25
Stayed in at night – compulsory study – very cold
Thursday 26
Soccer this afternoon – drew 3-3 good game – stayed in at night & did nav. – wrote to Sandy
Friday 27
Letter from Edith – stayed in at night compulsory study – had a good game of rugger today for P.T
Saturday 28
Went to Station Cinema to see ‘Tess in a Taxi” later wrote to Mary – letter from Mary today
[page break]
Sunday 29
Went to church in the morning – had dinner at the Swan – came back to Camp & wrote to Fred – went to the pictures after tea saw ‘Hatters Castle’ Robert Newton Deborah Kerr Emlyn Williams – plotted at night
Monday 30
Compulsory study at night
Tuesday 1 December
Letter from Mary – wrote at night rained nearly all night – also letter from Alex.
Wednesday 2
Paid today – letter from Roland – took star sights at night – compulsory study.
Thursday 3
[deleted] Letter [/deleted] Rained this morning – sports in the afternoon & won 3-2 good game stayed in at night sent parcel home
Friday 4
Compulsory study at night – letter from Mary – boxed this afternoon did quite well
Saturday 5
Stayed in at night – worked astro-sights out & wrote to Mary
[page break]
Sunday 6
Working today – also compulsory study at night
Monday 7
Wrote to Alex – hitch hiked to Wolves bought a couple of present & went to see ‘All Through the Night’ – at flicks before coming back.
Tuesday 8
Domestic night wrote to Mary – papers from home & letter from Sandy
Wednesday 9
Compulsory study at night – letter from Mary.
Thursday 10
Stayed in at night – played soccer in pouring rain & icy wind lost 3-0 parcel from home – wrote home
Friday 11
Compulsory study – stayed in & did some revision
Saturday 12
Exam today – letter from Mary & stayed in at night to write to her – plotted a few Star sights etc. – listened to the wireless in the NAAFI
[page break]
Sunday 13
Up early went to Holy Communion – had a bath – wrote to Roland – took Sun sights & went for a walk in the afternoon worked sights out at night
Monday 14
Stayed in at night & swotted boxed in the afternoon – wrote to Mary.
Tuesday 15
Boxing match postponed – swotted Met nearly all the night
Wednesday 16
Met exam today – rained quite a lot – letter from Mary and wrote to her at night – swotted again at night – parcel from home.
Thursday 17
Stayed in at night & swotted – posted Christmas cards & parcel home
Friday 18
Letter from Mary & Don today wrote to Don at night – had Met [indecipherable word] Nav. Theory today.
Saturday 19
Plotting Exam – wrote to Mary at night & went to see HM Pulham Esq with Ernie – very good picture – Johnny & Ron go on the beer – Card from Sandy
[page break]
Sunday 20
Stayed in at night & worked out Astro sights. – went to Communion in the morning
Monday 21
[underlined] XXX [/underlined] Mothers birthday – sent telegram went into Bridgnorth with Jock in the afternoon – stayed in at night – parcel from home
Tuesday 22
Stayed in at night took Astro sights – wrote to Sandy – Christmas Card from Don
Wednesday 23
Went to the flicks at night with Johnny Ron Harry & Harold – saw ‘The Ball of Fire’ Barbara Stanwyck Gary Cooper [inserted] very good [/inserted] – wrote to Mary
Thursday 24
Cross country in the afternoon – 6 mls took it easy – a book photographs & Card from Mary – went to the ‘Ash’ at night with the boys met Pete bad show
Friday 25
Had superb meals all day – wrote to Mary – Card from home – went to see A Gentleman After Dark with Collins and Colm at night – YM afterwards enjoyed it
Saturday 26
Stayed in at night – wrote home – listened to the Music Hall in the NAAFI
[page break]
Sunday 27
Went to Communion this morning – wrote to Fred – did a little swot in the afternoon – on guard at night letter from Mary.
Monday 28
Felt very tired today turned in early – letter from Edith
Tuesday 29
Did more revision at night – wrote to Mary – letter from Mother – very cold today
Wednesday 30
Compulsory study at night – letter from Geoff – wrote to Mother at night – icy North wind.
Thursday 31
Stayed in at night to revise letter from Alex. – listened to wireless in NAAFI for a short time Johnnie comes back with cut nose after revelry
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
Auxiliary Hospital
Aske Hall,
Etwall
nr Derby.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
For nothing this wide universe I call,
Save thou, my rose: in it thou art my all.
W. Shakespeare.
[page break]
5.8.42
Flying 30 mins morning 11A2 [inserted] ? [/inserted]
“ 45 “ afternoon 2,3
[page break]
Size ‘9 1/2’ stockings
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
Mervyn Adder diary 1941 and 1942
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending review
Description
An account of the resource
Day by day description of events and activities for 1941 and 1942. Records films seen, war news including RAF operations, football matches played, weather, going to cadets, air raids, dates with Mary, social events, meeting friends, fire watching duties, playing tennis and cricket, lectures at cadets, presents for Mary, invention of radar, German operations in Russia, medical issues. On 2 October went to Cardington for medical and photographs then returned home. Mentions his work, meting friends and mail from family members and Mary. Covers Japanese operations and war news,. Goes to London for aircrew reception centre 28 March 1942, describes activities and training. Posted to Scarborough 25 April 1942 and goes on to describe activities and training. Continues with daily activities, leaves, medical issues, Carries on to Manchester for more training September 1942. describes daily activities and training. Continued to Bridgnorth for training. Describes activities and training.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
M Adder
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1941
1942
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One hundred and twenty-seven handwritten diary entries
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Diary
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
YAdderM170573v2
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Yorkshire
England--Bedfordshire
England--Hull
England--London
England--Scarborough
England--Manchester
England--Shropshire
England--Lancashire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-02-28
1942-04-25
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
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
bombing
entertainment
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Bridgnorth
RAF Cardington
recruitment
sport
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/302/20770/YLambAM1827673v10001.2.jpg
7ef9c298c648506c853841df10fb80fe
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/302/20770/YLambAM1827673v10002.2.jpg
7d87296a8987f430bff339f907bac42e
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/302/20770/YLambAM1827673v10003.2.jpg
a000e8dc640be0c7255040c9dbcda167
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/302/20770/YLambAM1827673v10004.2.jpg
af198e192a836c1d83a4eefe06da66bb
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
Lamb, Alexander
Alexander McPherson Lamb
Alexander M Lamb
Alexander Lamb
A M Lamb
A Lamb
Description
An account of the resource
11 items. An oral history interview with Alexander McPherson Lamb (b. 1925, 1827673 Royal Air Force), his decorations, album and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 15 Squadron.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Alexander Lamb 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
2015-07-25
2017-08-16
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
Lamb
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
1827673
SGT. LAMB.
AIR. GUNNER.
R.A.G.S. BRIDGNORTH,
7 A.G.S.
14 O.T.U.
AIRCREW SCHOOL
1654 H.C. UNIT.
15 SQUADRON.
[page break]
OPERATIONAL DIARY.
[underlined] STARTED:- MARCH 21ST. [/underlined]
MARCH 21st. 1945.
MUNSTER TARGET I MARSHALLING YARD. II TOWN OF MUNSTER.
[underlined] BOMB LOAD. [/underlined] 1 x 4000lb H.C. 14 x 500lbs g.p.s.
[underlined] TYPE OF ATTACK. [/underlined] POOR ATTACK FLAK MADE FOR POOR FORMATION FLYING on TARGET I. TARGET II GOOD ATTACK.
[underlined] OUR ERROR:- [/underlined] 400 YRDS. BOMB FELL ACROSS RAILWAY LINES S.E. from MUNSTER
[underlined] LOSSES:- [/underlined] 15 SQDN. NIL: 622 SQDN. NIL:- MAIN FORCES 5 A/C:- 3 by FLAK: 2 by Falling BOMBS.
[underlined] A/C INVOLVED [/underlined] On both targets 175: 3 Group Effort
[underlined] OPPOSITION [/underlined] VERY HEAVY ACCURATE FLAK. (VISUAL).
[underlined] INT [/underlined] SAW 5 CHUTES going down over target.
[page break]
MARCH 22nd. 1945.
BOCHOLT. TARGET: TROOP CONCENTRATIONS GOODS. SUPPLIES.
[underlined] BOMB LOAD. [/underlined] 1 x 4000lb H.C. 12 S.B.C. 4lbs INCEDIARIES [sic].
[underlined] TYPE OF ATTACK. [/underlined] G.H. (FOLLOWER) DAYLIGHT.
[underlined] EFFECT. [/underlined] WELL CONCENTRATED AND ACCURATE ATTACK
[underlined] OUR ERROR [/underlined] : NIL: AIMING POINT PHOTOGRAPH.
[underlined] LOSSES: [/underlined] 15 SQDN. – 1 on take off (W) 622 SQDN: NIL MAIN FORCE 1
[underlined] A/C INVOLVED [/underlined] 100. 15 SQDN 14 A/C.
[underlined] OPPOSTION [sic]: [/underlined] MEAGRE ACCURATE FLAK (VIS) ONE ACCURATE BURST & SALVO FROM ARNHEM.
[underlined] INT:- [/underlined] SAW MONTGOMERY’S SMOKESCREEN. MILES OF TANKS & TRANSPORT MOVING UP TO FRONT BEHIND IT.
[page break]
APRIL 13th 14th 1945.
KEIL TARGET. DEUTSCHE WERKE YARDS.
[underlined] BOMB LOAD. [/underlined] 1 x 4000lb. H.C. 12 x 500lb G.P.s
[underlined] TYPE OF ATTACK. [/underlined] T.I.S. BURSTING AT 9,000 [underlined] NIGHT. [/underlined]
[underlined] EFFECT:- [/underlined]GOOD ATTACK. MANY FIRES.
[underlined] OUR ERROR:- [/underlined] BOMB JETTISONED NEAR TARGET AREA.
[underlined] LOSSES. [/underlined] 3 A/C.
[underlined] A/C INVOLVED. [/underlined] 15 SQDN. 16 A/C 622 SQDN. 16 A/C. 3 GROUP.
[underlined] OPPOSITIION [/underlined] [underlined] FLAK [/underlined] AT 16,000 ACCURATE – MODERATE TO SEVERE. ROCKET FLAK & TRACER.
[underlined] SEARLIGHTS [sic]:- [/underlined] PLAYED ON BASE OF CLOUD FOR FIGHTER AID
[underlined] FIGHTERS. [/underlined] ALTHOUGH CREWS SAW SEVERAL A/C WITH LIGHTS BURNING NONE CAN BE DEINATELY CLAIMED AS FIGHTERS I SAW [underlined] “SCARECROW” [/underlined] ON LEAVING TARGET.
[underlined] NB [/underlined] On crossing enemy coast port outer had to be feathered W/T RX-TX. WAS U/S. Radar equipment U/S. Lights failed temporarily. Rear turret U/S and DR compass. As we steadily lost height pilot decided to jettison 4000lbs HC. This was done at 16,000 over German territory south of FLEANSBURGH [sic]. At this point we were still losing height & target not visible we jettison rest of load and made for base.
[page break]
APRIL 18th 1945.
HELIGOLAND. TARGETS I. AIRFIELD on DUNE ISLAND. II BARRACKS on North of ISLAND. III Dock INSTALLATIONS on SOUTH
[underlined] BOMB LOAD. [/underlined] 10 x 1000lbs M.C. & 4 x 500lbs GPs
[underlined] EFFECT. [/underlined] PERFECT ATTACK WHOLE OF TWO ISLANDS UNDER RED SMOKE PALL. SAW DENSE COLUMN OF OIL SMOKE ON TARGET 3, IMMEDIATELY AFTER BOMBING. MANY E-BOATS and G.MTB’s SHOT UP BY MUSTANG ESCORT WHILST TRYING to ESCAPE TO HAMBURG VIA ELBE ESTUARY.
[underlined] OUR ERROR. [/underlined]
[underlined] LOSSES:- [/underlined] NIL
[underlined] A/C INVOLVED. [/underlined] 15 SQDN 18 MAINFORCE 973.
[underlined] OPPOSITION:- [/underlined] FLAK. NO HEAVY AT ALL, but small stuff was observed – probably firing at master bomber.
[underlined] TYPE OF ATTACK. [/underlined] ALL A/C BOMBED on YELLOW T.I.s or MASTER BOMBERS INSTRUCTION. (DAYLIGHT)
[underlined] INT:- [/underlined] SAW AIRBOURNE LIFEBOAT DROPPING FROM WARWICK TO MEN IN DINGY. [underlined] POSN:- [/underlined] 0440E 5405N (APPROX)
[page break]
APRIL 22nd. 1945.
BREMEN. TARGET:- TROOP CONCENTRATIONS AND DEFENCES in SOUTH BREMEN.
[underlined] BOMB LOAD: [/underlined] 1 x 4000lbs M.C. 10 x 500lbs G.P.s. 4 x 500lbs MC.
[underlined] EFFECT: [/underlined] GOOD ATTACK.
[underlined] LOSSES: [/underlined] 15 SQDN NIL 622 SQDN 1 A/C
[underlined] A/C INVOLVED: [/underlined] 600-700 MAINFORCE of which [indecipherable word] 3 Group actually bombed.
[underlined] OPPOSITION: [/underlined] MODERATE TO SEVERE HEAVY FLAK: ACCURATE: OWN A/C HIT IN STARBOARD INNER NACELLE. FLAK DEFENSES [sic] AT WILHENSHAVEN [sic] PARTICULARLY ACCURATE & ACTIVE
[underlined] TYPE OF ATTACK:- G.H. (FOLLOWER) DAYLIGHT.
INT:- SAW 6 BALE OUT OF GI. “T”. Plane last seen circling & losing height.
[underlined] NB [/underlined] The A/C on which we were supposed to bomb had U/S Equipment & consequently overshot. Bomb Aimer noticed this & brought back load with exception of 1 x 4000lbs H.C. which was jettisioned [sic] in N. Sea jettison AREA.
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL 30th 1945. [/underlined]
[underlined] SUPPLY DROPPING. [/underlined]
ROTTERDAM.
[underlined] LOAD:- [/underlined] FLOUR, CHEESE, DRIED EGGS, PEAS & CARROTS CIGERRETTES [sic].
AREA:- TWO AND A HALF MILES NE ROTTERDAM CENTRE.
[diagram] [underlined] EFFECT:- [/underlined] WELL CONCENTRATED RELEASES NO CONGESTION OVER A/P.
THERE were crowds of Dutch women and children in the dropping area dispite [sic] the fact that the Germans have threatened to shoot people for this offence.
[underlined] INT. [/underlined] P.F.F. pranged a house north of the square of water, with T.I.s. House appeared to be well alight The Dutch people in all area which we flew over gave us a tremendous reception. Over one roof I saw two large allied flags Stars & Stripes & Union Jack.
Saw coastal defences [indecipherable word] over Flackle.
[page break]
MAY 2nd 1945.
[underlined] SUPPLY Dropping. [/underlined]
[underlined] THE HAGUE. [/underlined]
[underlined] LOAD:- [/underlined] SAME AS FOR ROTTERDAM 30-4-45 only decreased.
[underlined] AREA:- [/underlined] SPORTS TRACK 2 MILES NORTH of THE HAGUE CENTRE.
[underlined] EFFECT:- [/underlined] WELL CONCENTRATED RELEASES. NO CONGESTION OVER A/P. DROPPING WELL DISPERSED.
[underlined] INT [/underlined]
In Rotterdam area British & Dutch flags in greater evidence than a previous trip. Less Germans observed than on sortie of 30.4.45.
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
Alexander Lamb's Operational Diary
Description
An account of the resource
An unofficial diary kept by Alexander from March 21st, 1945 to May 2nd 1945.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Alexander Lamb
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One book with eight handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Diary
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
YLambAM1827673v10001, YLambAM1827673v10002, YLambAM1827673v10003, YLambAM1827673v10004
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.
Germany--Bocholt
Germany--Kiel
Germany--Bremen
Netherlands--Rotterdam
Germany--Helgoland
Netherlands--Hague
Germany--Münster in Westfalen
Germany
Netherlands
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.
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945-03
1945-04
1945-05
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Christian
14 OTU
15 Squadron
1654 HCU
3 Group
622 Squadron
air gunner
Air Gunnery School
aircrew
anti-aircraft fire
bombing
bombing of Helgoland (18 April 1945)
Heavy Conversion Unit
Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945)
Operational Training Unit
Pathfinders
RAF Bridgnorth
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1011/11568/YStavesME203137v1.1.pdf
c2b251e3ff7d9bc634c0f51413d5913c
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
Staves, Malcom Ely
M E Staves
Description
An account of the resource
77 items. The collection concerns Flying Officer Malcom Staves (1924 - 2012, 1591418, 203137 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, items, documents, photographs, and training notebooks. He flew operations as a wireless operator with 207 Squadron. <br /><br />There is also a sub collection concerning Flight Lieutenant <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/1020">D A MacArthur.</a><br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Christina Chatwin 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
2016-02-26
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
Staves, ME
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[underlined] Monday 26th April 1943. [/underlined] Caught 9-45 am train to London
Arrived. Lords Cricket – Ground at 3-15pm.
Billeted Regents Park Flats.
27th Apl. Innoculations [sic] [indecipherable word]
28th RAF. Concert at Seymour Hall. The Squadronaires & Vera Lynn. Etc.
29th Lectures
30th Signals Test
[underlined] Sat [/underlined] 1st May. Started to wear RAF Uniform. (Went to Wembley.)
[underlined] Sun [/underlined] 2nd. Church parade & tour of London with Station Padres in afternoon.
3rd. N.V. Test Confined to billets for the night.
4th. Posted civvy kit home.
5th. NV. Test
6th. Fatigues at Abbey Lane. Seymour Hall Hi–Gang evening
7th. Eye test Abbey lane.
8th. –
[underlined] Sun [/underlined] 9th. Church parade. London in afternoon. Boating lake at night
10th. Pack inspection.
11th. Medical board. 9.15am Drill all day. Photo taken and on boating lake at night.
12th. Innoculations [sic] 11am
13th. Posting parade : [underlined] not [/underlined] posted. Met King & Queen at Church army services club at 3pm.
14th. Saw S/LDR Wilson re leave for Gwens wedding. Got posted in afternoon. FFI at Lords.
[underlined] Sat [/underlined] 15th. up at 3-30am. Left Kensington station at 10am arrived Bridgnorth [sic] at 3.40pm.
[underlined] Sun [/underlined] 16th. F.F.I etc. Billeted in hut 42. “C” Squadron.
17th. Up at 6-30am “day off”.
18th. Hut orderly for the day.
19th. On fatigues in the N.A.A.F.I.
[underlined] thurs [/underlined] 20th. Got 54 hour pass for Friday. Moved to hut L ‘A’ Squadron
[underlined] Fri [/underlined] 21st. Lift from camp in a “Persil Van”. Caught 8.28 train from Wolverhampton. 10.45 from Birmingham. Arrived Selby 3am Arrived Hull. 4.45am.
[underlined] Sat [/underlined] 22nd Gwens wedding. 2-30pm.
[Page break]
Page 2
Sunday. 23rd May. Caught 8.45am train to Leeds. 11.40am to Birmingham 4-45pm to Wolverhampton. Arrived camp 7pm.
24th. Lectures all day. On stretcher party at night.
25th Lectures all day.
26th -Ditto-
27th -Ditto- On Guard 11.30pm To 1.30am & 4.30am To 6am.
28th Lectures all day
29th Cricket match in afternoon.
[underlined] Sun [/underlined] 30th. Lectures all day
31st day off.
June 1st Lectures all day.
2nd -Ditto- 1 hour gardening at night.
3rd. -Ditto- Hut cleaning at night
4th. Pay day.
Sat. 5th Clay pigeon shooting in afternoon
[underlined] Sun [/underlined] 6th. Up at 7am. Football match V hut No2. Won 6-1
7th Lectures all day
8th -Ditto-
9th -Ditto- On camp fire party. 7pm to 6-30am. (Duties 9pm to 11pm & 3am to 5am)
10th. Lectures all day
11th Ditto.
[underlined] Sat [/underlined] 12th. Football V hut 2 in afternoon. Won 6-5.
[underlined] Sun {/underlined] 13th Reported to M.O. (2 days treatment for knee) On camp fire party 9pm to 11pm 3am to 5am.
14th Lectures all day
15th. -Ditto- Treatment furthur [sic] 4 days
16th -Ditto-
17th -Ditto-
18th -Ditto- Gas test. Pay day.
Sat. 19th Football V hut 3. Draw 3-3.
Sun 20th Day off. Church parade at 10am.
21st Lectures all day
22nd -Ditto-
[Page break]
Page 3
[underlined] 1943 [/underlined]
[underlined] June [/underlined] 23rd. Lectures all day
24th -Ditto-
25th -Ditto-
[underlined] Sat [/underlined] 26th. Lectures
[underlined] Sun [/underlined] 27th Lectures. Cookhouse fatigues at night.
28th Day off. Went to Bridgnorth in afternoon.
29th Lectures all day.
30th. -Ditto- fatigues in hut
[underlined] July [/underlined] 1st Lectures all day. Cleaning all night. 6-30 to 11pm Hut floor polished like glass. Stones outside hut painted white
Fri 2nd. Inspection by C.O. of station. Pay day.
Sat 3rd Football V 10 Flight ‘C’ Squadron. Lost 5-2.
Sun 4th Day off
5th Lectures all day
6th -Ditto-
7th -Ditto- On guard duty 7pm to 6.30am (Duty) 2.45am to 6.30am
8th -Ditto-
9th Lectures & kit inspection
Sat 10th Cross-Country run in afternoon. 1 hour cookhouse fatigues
Sun 11th Lectures all day. Squadron duty cadet 8am to 12noon. Bridgnorth in afternoon.
13th Lectures all day
14th -Ditto-
15th Morse test at 9am Aldis lamp test at 10-30am
16th Armaments board at 8-30am. Pay day
Sat 17th Aircraft recognition test 9am. Football in afternoon.
Sun 18th Day off. Church parade 9.30am
19th Signals theory exam at 9am
Tues. 20th Law and admin, hygiene & FA exams. Mathematics exam 9am to 12-15pm F.F.I at 1-30pm full inspection at 3-30pm (packed kit)
Wed 21st Left camp at 11-15am left Bridgnorth at 12-20pm arrived Birmingham 3pm arrived Leeds. 6-45pm arrived Hull 10-30pm arrived home at 11pm.
22nd. On leave. Up at 9am. Caught 1-15 boat to Grimsby arrived Stickford. 7-20pm.
[Page break]
Page 4
[underlined] 1943 [/underlined]
[underlined] July. [/underlined] 23rd. At Stickford.
(Sat) 24th Caught 12pm bus from Stickford arrived home 5-30pm
(Sun) 25th Church at 8am
26th. Various at home
27th -Ditto-
28th Caught 8-40pm train to Selby 10-07 to Birmingham.
(Thurs) [underlined] 29th [/underlined] Arrived Worcester 4-15am caught 7-10am train to Hereford. Arrived 8-45am. [underlined]Arrived Madley 3pm [/underlined]
30th First full day at Madley.
(Sat) 31st Sundry.
(Sun) [underlined] August [/underlined] 1st Up at 8-15am
2nd Started lectures 8am to 5pm.
3rd Lectures all day.
4th -Ditto-
5th. -Ditto-
6th -Ditto-
(Sat) 7th -Ditto-
(Sun) 8th Up at 8-15am went to Hereford in afternoon. Round cathedral
9th Lectures all day
10th -Ditto-
11th -Ditto-
12th -Ditto-
13th -Ditto- Pay.
(Sat) 14th -Ditto-
(Sun) 15th Church parade at 10am.
16th Lectures all day
17th -Ditto-
18th -Ditto-
19th -Ditto-
20th Lectures. Tech exam
(Sat) 21st Lectures. Morse exam. Went to Hereford at night. Bought pipe.
Sun. 22nd. “Blank” “Except for writing letters”.
23rd Lectures all day – Digging at night.
24th. Lectures. Went to Hereford swimming in afternoon
25th Lectures
26th Lectures. Evening class on Tech.
[Page break]
Page 5
[underlined] 1943 [/underlined]
August. 27th. Lectures.
(Sat) 28th Lectures. Went to Hereford. Had photos taken.
(Sun) 29th. Up at 8-15am. Various jobs etc.
30th. Lectures and combatant training.
31st Lectures. Gas test. Evening class at night.
September 1st Lectures. Went to see “Fantasia.”
2nd. Lectures. Evening class at night.
3rd. Service at 11am (All the radio school). On guard at night 5-15am to 8am.
4th. Nothing to record (Except letter writing)
5th. Church parade at 9-45am
6th. Lectures
7th. Lectures. Interview with C.O. in the morning. Evening class at night.
8th Lectures. Swimming in afternoon. (Haircut).
9th Evening class at night
10th Went to ENSA concert.
Sat 11th Nothing recorded except letter writing
Sun 12th -Ditto-
13th Lectures all day.
14th. Lectures. Wheeler left for Eastchurch.
15th On bayonet drill. “Battle of Britain” parade in afternoon.
16th Lectures. Evening class proceedure [sic] at night.
17th Tech exam. 7th week.
(Sat) 18th Nothing recorded except letter writing.)
(Sun) 19th -Ditto-
20th Lectures all day.
21st Swimming in morning. Lectures. Evening class
22nd Got watch.
23rd. Lectures. Bill re-classed to 10 ent. Left hut (8 weeks at Madley.
24th Lectures. ‘Pay day’
25th “Only letters recorded.’
26th Moved to hut 16. [underlined] from [/underlined] hut 14.
27th Lectures.
28th Lectures. Evening class on tech.
29th Lectures.
30th Reported sick. Treatment twice a day for a week. On live grenades in afternoon.
[Page break]
Page 6
[underlined] 1943. [/underlined]
October 1st. Treatment. ‘Haircut’.
(Sat) 2nd. -Ditto- “Started to wear greatcoats”.
Sun. 3rd. -Ditto- at 9-15am.
4th. -Ditto- Lectures. Kit inspection at night.
5th. -Ditto- Evening class.
6th -Ditto-
(Thurs) 7th. Removed into hut 5. 5 site ‘B’ Squadron. 10 entry. Treatment for 5 more days
8th Treatment
(Sat) 9th -Ditto-
(Sun) 10th -Ditto-
11th -Ditto- Lectures all day.
12th 4 more days treatment
13th Treatment. Defence.
14th -Ditto-
15th -Ditto- Tech exam.
(Sat) 16th Treatment complete
(Sun) 17th ‘Only letter writing recorded.’
18th. E. James joined. RAF.
19th Issued with kharki [sic]
20th. –
21st Lectures
22nd. Outstations test. ‘Pay day’.
(Sat) 23rd Haircut. Best on parade. Excused guard.
(Sun) 24th Only letter writing recorded.
25th Lectures
26th -Ditto-
27th Film on mosquitos etc
28th On defence – Throwing grenades.
29th. –
(Sat) 30th –
(Sun) 31st –
[underlined] November [/underlined] 1st. Went to wing concert.
2nd –
3rd –
4th Lectures. – Binding.
[Page break]
Page 7
[underlined] 1943 [/underlined]
November. 5th. Binding.
(Sat) 6th. P.T. Proficiency test.
(Sun) 7th. Binding all day
8th Binding all night.
9th Binding
10th. Board on Tech, Proceedures [sic] & Morse.
11th Results of board – “Passed”. Went to see 49th Parallel
12th. Lectures. Sent telegram.
(Sat) 13th. Caught 2-32pm train from Hereford. Arrived Hull 1am Home at 1-30am.
(Sun) 14th Up at 6-30am. Church at 8am.
15th Up at 9am. ‘Various.’
16th ‘Various’
17th “ A.T.C. at night.
18th. Bought tie. Macarther came.
19th Various
(Sat) 20th “
(Sun) 21st Caught 8-45am train to Leeds Arrived Hereford at 8pm Back at Madley camp. 9pm.
22nd. Lecture on defence in afternoon.
23rd. Lectures
24th Lectures – Writing up notes etc.
25th Lectures
26th Flying in afternoon 3hrs. Passed ex1 67%
(Sat) 27th Flying Cancelled.
(Sun) 28th Letter writing only recorded
29th Lectures
30th Flying in afternoon, 1 1/2hrs. No exercise.
December 1st Lectures
2nd Flying in afternoon 3hrs. Passed ex2. 65%
3rd [deleted] Exercise [/deleted] -Lectures-
(Sat) 4th Letter writing only recorded
(Sun) 5th -Sundry-
6th Flying cancelled
7th Lectures
8th Flying cancelled. ‘Haircut’
[Page break]
Page 8
[underlined] 1943 [/underlined]
December 9th –
10th Went to Hereford – Had photos taken. Went to see “The Great Waltz”.
(Sat) 11th. 15 minutes solo – Flying cancelled.
(Sun) 12th Defence exercise all the morning
13th Class leader
14th Finished at 4pm
15th. Lectures
16th Tech and signals orgs tests
17th Flying cancelled for day -Pay- Finished at 3-30pm Went to Hereford saw “Now Voyager”
(Sat) 18th Lectures
(Sun) 19th Flying in afternoon 3hrs. Passed Ex4 65%
20th 1hr Flying in afternoon
21st Lectures
22nd 2hrs Flying in afternoon. Passed Ex6. 64%
23rd –
24th Went to 11-30pm service of H.C. at Station gym.
(Sat) 25th Up at 7-30am. Went to station cinema to see “The Rains Came.”
(Sun) 26th Up at 11-15am [deleted] letter writing [/deleted] Went to Hereford. Saw “Design For Scandal.” Went to service 6-30pm at St Peters Church.
27th Up at 11-15am. Letter writing
28th Lectures again
29th -Ditto-
30th -Ditto-
31st Left Hereford 2-32pm Arrived Hull 1-15am Walked home arrived 2-45am. (48hr pass)
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
(Sat) January 1st Various activities
(Sun) 2nd. Caught 8.45am train from Hull. Arrived Hereford 7-30pm.
3rd Lectures
4th. -Ditto-
5th -Ditto-
6th -Ditto-
7th -Ditto-
(Sat) 8th Tech test
[Page break]
Page 9
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
(Sun) January 9th. On guard at the drome.
10th Lectures
11th Lectures Flying cancelled
12th Lectures
13th Lectures
14th Lectures -Pay-
(Sat) 15th Lectures
(Sun) 16th Swotting all day
17th Flying cancelled
18th Lectures all day
19th Lectures
20th Lectures F.F.I in afternoon
21st Lectures
(Sat) 22nd Got flying kit
Sun 23rd –
24th Lectures
25th Lectures. Took tunic to tailors
26th Sigs org and proceedure [sic] tests.
27th Lectures
28th Lectures. Pay day
(Sat) 29th Only letter writing recorded
(Sun.) 30th Up at 8-o-clock.
31st Lectures
February 1st Final morse board.
2nd Lectures
3rd Lectures
4th Lectures
(Sat) 5th Collected tunic
(Sun) 6th Sundry work
7th Game of football
8th Lectures
9th Flying 2hrs Ex 1&2. Haircut
10th No flying bad weather.
11th Flying. Passed Ex 3 twice 80%
(Sat) 12th Finished flying. Passed Ex 5 80%
(Sun) 13th At drome in the morning. Binding.
14th Binding all day
[Page break]
Page 10
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
February 15th. Final board. Passed
16th. Sundry work “Joe Peterson gone for a burton” “Wade bailed out”
17th Commission board in afternoon.
18th Passing out parade. Promoted SGT. Caught 2-30pm train from Hereford.
19th Arrived home at 2am.
20th Various
21st A.T.C. at night. Had photo taken.
22nd Various
23rd Various
24th Various
25th Caught 8-55am train to Hereford. Arrived -6-5pm Camp at 8-15pm.
Sat 26th Went to Hereford in afternoon.
Sun 27th Only letter writing recorded.
28th Went to Kingstone P.O.
29th. Lectures
March 1st Lectures
2nd. Lectures
3rd. Lectures
(Sat) 4th Lectures
(Sun) 5th Lectures. Camp cinema at night
6th Reported sick. Taken to hospital.
7th In dock.
8th In dock (Haircut)
9th Out of dock
10th Treatment
11th Went to Station cinema to see “Life & death of Colonel Blimp.
12th went to Station cinema.
13th Finished treatment
14th Lectures
15th Lectures
16th Lectures. Went to pay [indecipherable word]. 33 weeks
17th Lectures
(Sat) 18th Went to see gang show at station cinema.
(Sun) 19th went to see “The Plainsman.”
20th Moved to 6A and back to 5A.
21st Moved to 17 hut ^A site.
[Page break]
Page 11
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
March 22nd. Lectures
23rd Lectures. Half day off. Went to Hereford – saw “North Star”
24th Lectures. Pay £5.00
(Sat) 25th Lectures. Flying in evening 2hrs Dominie.
Sun 26th Lectures. Saw “Silver Fleet”
27th On defence
28th Lectures
29th Moved to 35 hut 6A. Site
30th Lectures
31st On 48hr Caught 2-30pm from Hereford. Arrived home at ?
(Sat) April 1st Various
(Sun) 2nd Up at 10-30am caught 7pm train from Hull left Manchester 11-55pm
3rd Arrived Hereford 3-45am arrived camp 6-15am (Haircut)
4th On defence.
5th Lectures
6th Defence exercise in afternoon
7th Flying cancelled. Pay £5.00
(Sat) 8th Afternoon off. Went to station cinema
(Sun) 9th Communion at 8-30am (Easter Sunday) went to Hereford to pictures & St. Peter’s Church
10th On drome all week. Afternoon off.
11th 2 hours flying. Went to see “San Francisco”
12th Half day off.
13th F.F.I at 7-30.
14th. Went to Hereford in afternoon. Went to pictures
(Sat) 15th Afternoon off
(Sun) 16th –
17th School again.
18th School again. Half day
19th Played football V 6D. Lost 3-1.
20th Lectures
21st Lectures. Went to see boxing at station cinema £4 pay.
(Sat) 22nd Lectures
(Sun) 23rd Sundry odd jobs
24th Lectures
25th Lectures. 1250 Photo taken.
26th Lectures
[Page break]
Page 12
[underlined 1944 [/underlined]
April 27th Lectures. Cricket in afternoon (4wkts for 10 runs) Digging at night.
28th Lectures. Half day. Haircut – went to station cinema. “The Petrified Forest.”
(Sat) 29th Lectures
(Sun) 30th Lectures
May 1st Lectures
2nd Lectures. Issued with defence boots.
3rd Caught 2-30 train from Hereford. Arrive home 1am.
4th Various
5th Various
(Sat) 6th Various
(Sun) 7th Various
8th Various
9th Various
10th Caught 8-40 train from Hull
11th Arrived Hereford 4am. FFI at night.
12th Reported sick. Missed flying.
(Sat) 13th Lectures. Half day.
(Sun) 14th Lectures. Station cinema in evening.
15th Lectures
16th Lectures. Half day.
17th Lectures. Went to see play on the wing. “Rope”.
18th 3hrs flying in the morning. Ex 4 and 6. 65% and 64%
19th Lectures. Pay £4-00
(Sat) 20th “ Tech test.
(Sun) 21st H. Communion at 8-30am – Went to see “Gentleman Jim.”
22nd Lectures. Tech result 65%
23rd Lectures. On evening instruction - Morse
24th Lectures. -Ditto-
25th Lectures. Half day. Went to Hereford saw “Phantom of the Opera.”
26th Lectures
(Sat) 27th Cricket match 4wkts for 10 runs. Half day in afternoon
Sun. 28th Lectures. Went to see “Great Waltz.”
29th Lectures. Half day.
30th Lectures
31st Lectures
June 1st Sundry – “Postings Through.”
[page break]
Page 13
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
June 2nd. Morse board 20 W.P.M. Went to see ENSA play.
(Sat) 3rd Various
(Sun) 4th Various
5th Flying in morning 2.35hrs
7th Half day. Saw “Gone with the wind” in Hereford.
8th Posting through “Dumfries.” Flying in morning 2.35hrs.
9th. Flying cancelled 2 innoculations [sic]
(Sat) 10th Various
(Sun) 11th. Various. Went to see “Kings row.”
12th (16th week) left Hereford.
13th Arrived Dumfries 8-15am. Went to see “Lamp still burns.”
14th Various tests.
15th Lectures
16th Lectures
(Sat) 17th Lectures
(Sun) 18th Church parade 8am. School all day
19th Lectures all day
20th Lectures all day
21st Lectures all day
22nd Lectures all day
23rd Lectures all day. Evening Harwell.
(Sat) 24th Flying 7 hours
Sun. 25th ‘Day off.’ Went to Dumfries.
26th Flying 3 ½ hours Landed at Macrihanish F.A.A. station Stayed tea and dinner. Back at 9-30pm
27th Lectures. Tom Rhodie pranged.
28th Flying scrubbed. Nav.
29th Lectures
30th Flying scrubbed
July 1st (Sat.) Flying scrubbed night in H.B.
2nd (Sun) Stand off.
3rd. Flying scrubbed. Night in H.B.
4th Stand off in morning. Flying scrubbed in afternoon.
5th Flying in afternoon and at night 12.30am
6th Bed in morning. Flying in afternoon. Posted.
7th Flying scrubbed H.B. night. Posted to 16 O.T.U.
[Page break]
Page 14
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
July 8th (Sat) stand off. Haircut. Flying in evening.
9th (Sun) Church parade. Kit inspection. Swimming. Tests in afternoon cinema in evening.
10th Clearance. Left Dumfries 11-00.
11th Arrived London 7-15am left 1-45pm arrived Oxford 3-30pm arrived Upper Heyford 6pm.
12th Varioos [sic] lectures. F.F.I. etc
13th Lectures and tests.
14th Went to station cinema. P.T. in evening.
(Sat) 15th On P.T. Notes E.T.C.
(Sun) 16th. Lectures all day. Notes E.T.C.
17th. Lectures. Saw “Goodbye Mr Chips.”
18th Day off.
19th. Lectures. Station cinema. P.T. in evening
20th. Lectures
21st Lectures all day.
(Sat.) 22nd Lectures. ENSA show in evening.
(Sun.) 23rd Lectures. Went to see “Sahara” in evening.
24th Lectures
25th Dingy drill at Oxford. Moved to Barford at 7pm.
26th Lectures
27th Flying.
28th Lectures
(Sat) 29th Day off. Went to Banbury with Ren etc
Sun. 30th Lectures
31st Flying
[underlined] Aug [/underlined] 1st Lectures
2nd Flying.
3rd Cricket
4th Defence exercise
(Sat) 5th Up at 10am. Went to Banbury. Phoned home.
(Sun) 6th Flying. Late finish.
7th Flying (Night).
8th Lectures
9th Lectures
10th Flying.
[page break]
Page 15
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
August. 11th. Lectures.
(Sat) 12th. Day off. Went to Banbury. (Saw Canterbury Tales)
13th Lectures. Flying evening & night.
14th Up at 12 noon. Flying
15th Flying.
16th Bed at 6-30am Up at 12-15. Flying.
17th. Bed at 8-15am up at 3-30pm.
18th. ‘Flying’ – Night flying scrubbed.
(Sat) 19th Flying scrubbed.
20th. Flying scrubbed.
21st. D’ Exam. Flying scrubbed.
22nd. Moved to Heyford. Went to station cinema.
23rd. Lectures. – Barford – Night flying.
24th. Up at 12pm. Barford in afternoon.
25th Barford. Flying at night.
(Sat) 26th Barford. Flying.
27th. Lectures
28th Flying at Barford. Back at 7-15pm.
29th. Dinghy drill at Oxford.
30th Barford. Flying
31st. Lectures. Swotting in evening.
[underlined] Sept. [/underlined] 1st Barford. Flying. Swotting.
(Sat) 2nd Lectures. (Pay £8.00)
3rd. Barford. Flying. Landed at Driffield. Landed at Wyton. Slept night at Wyton.
4th Stayed at Wyton all day. Went to cinema after tea
5th Went back to Heyford in afternoon.
6th Moved to Barford. Written board in morning.
7th Flying scrubbed.
8th Flying at night
(Sat) 9th -Ditto-
[Page break]
Page 16
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
September 10th. Up at 12 noon. Various.
11th X-Country in afternoon.
12th -Ditto-
13th X-Country. Flying at night.
14th. Cinema at night.
15th Parade in morning
(Sat) 16th Flying at night
17th Up at 11-15am
18th H. Level bombing – Finished flying.
19th. –
20th. Moved to Heyford.
21st Signals board. Clearences. [sic] Cinema.
22nd. Pay £10-2-0. Caught 1pm train from Heyford arrived home 10-45pm.
(Sat) 23rd Home on leave
24th. -Ditto-
25th. -Ditto-
26th. Caught 4.30pm boat to Cleethorpes arrived 6.30pm.
27th. Left Grimsby 12 noon. Arrived Stickford 2.30pm.
28th Up at 9am. Went to “The Mill.”
29th. Arrived home at 6pm.
(Sat) 30th Various.
October 1st Church at 8am. Various
2nd Various.
3rd. Various
4th. Left on 1-15 boat arrived Lincoln 4-16pm. Arrived Scampton 5-30pm. Arrived Balderton 8-15pm
5th. Up at 8-15am. P.T. in afternoon.
6th. Lecture and drill P.T. and games
(Sat) 7th -Ditto-
8th Posted to Winthorpe
9th Moved to Winthorpe. Cinema in evening
10th Lectures and tests.
[page break]
Page 17
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
October 11th. Various
12th. Various
13th. Lectures. – Letter from Hank.
(Sat) 14th. Swotting. Swimming at Cranwell in morning.
15th. Lectures.
16th. Clothing parade.
17th. Flying. Went to station cinema.
18th. Best blues changed
19th. Flying
20th. –
(Sat) 21st. Went to Newark.
22nd. Flying scrubbed. Went to station cinema.
23rd. Flying scrubbed
24th. –
25th. –
26th Flying scrubbed. Letter from Hank.
27th Flying 5 ½ hrs Pay £4-0-0.
(Sat) 28th. Sgts mess dance
29th Flying
30th Cycled to Newark
31st Flying 5hrs
November 1st Lectures.
2nd –
3rd. Flying. Went to Newark.
(Sat) 4th Up at 12noon Night flying.
5th.Up at 12-30pm. Station cinema in evening
6th Lectures.
7th Reported sick – No flying
8th M.O. at 10am No flying. Haircut. Newark at night
9th Newark in evening
10th Flying at night
(Sat) 11th Up at 12noon. Binding.
[page break]
Page 18
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
November 12th. Final tests. Sgts mess concert.
13th Newark in morning. Flying scrubbed. Station cinema in evening
14th Flying scrubbed. Wrote letter to Hank.
15th Flying
16th. Up at 12noon Flying scrubbed. Camp cinema.
17th. Flying scrubbed. Went to Newark
(Sat) 18th. Flying scrubbed
19th Flying. Station cinema in evening. Night flying scrubbed.
20th Flying. Night flying. Bed at 8am.21st Up at 1pm
22nd Letter from Hank. Station cinema.
23rd Flying
24th No flying. Wrote letter to Hank.
(Sat) 25th No flying. (Haircut).
26th No flying. Went to station cinema. “This is the Army.”
27th Flying. Diverted to Bardney. Back at 6pm.
28th –
29th Caught 6-50pm train from Newark arrived Hull 9-40pm
30th On leave.
[underlined] December [/underlined] 1st On leave
Sat 2nd On leave
3rd Church at 8am.
4th Various on leave
5th Various on leave
6th Various on leave
7th Various on leave
8th Various on leave
(Sat) 9th Caught 2-10pm from Hull arrived Newark 5-15pm camp at 7-15pm.
10th Up at 11am station cinema in evening
11th Haircut, Caught 4-36pm from Newark arr. Hull 7-30pm home 8pm
12th Various on leave
13th Various on leave
14th Various on leave
[page break]
Page 19
[underlined] 1944 [/underlined]
December 15th On leave.
(Sat.) 16th Caught 2-10 from Hull arrived Newark 5-20pm
17th. Station cinema in evening
18th Moved to Syerston.
19th Various.
20th Various
21st In hospital.
22nd In hospital
23rd. Caught 1-26pm train from Newark arr. Home 4-55pm.
24th On leave.
25th. Church at 8am.
26th Caught 9pm train to Doncaster arrived Newark 1-30am
27th Walked to camp. Arr. 3-45am. Lectures.
28th Lectures all day. Binding.
29th Lectures – Binding
30th X Board. Caught 4-39 from Newark arr. Home 9-15pm.
31st On leave
[underlined] 1945 Jan [/underlined] 1st. On leave caught 9pm train from Hull
2nd Arrived Newark 1am camp at 2am.
3rd. Arrived home 12-20am.
4th At home
5th At home
6th Caught 9pm train from Hull
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
Malcolm Staves Diary
Description
An account of the resource
Copy of a day by day diary kept by Malcolm Staves from 26th April 1943 to 6th January 1945. Covers training, lectures, gardening and cleaning tasks. Also covers his social life and home leave.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Malcolm Staves
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
19 handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Diary
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
YStavesME203137v1
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--Herefordshire
England--Hull
England--Lincolnshire
England--London
England--Nottinghamshire
England--Shropshire
England--Yorkshire
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
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943
1944
1945
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Ashley Jacobs
David Bloomfield
aircrew
bombing
entertainment
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Balderton
RAF Bardney
RAF Bridgnorth
RAF Cranwell
RAF Driffield
RAF Dumfries
RAF Madley
RAF Scampton
RAF Syerston
RAF Upper Heyford
RAF Winthorpe
RAF Wyton
training
wireless operator