1
25
34
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36095/PBakerWB1609.2.jpg
2016d51a99255ab5f664fdebbeae6c08
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
Baker, William Benjamin
Biff Baker
W B Baker
Description
An account of the resource
45 items. The collection concerns William Benjamin "Biff" Baker DFC (Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents art work and and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 115 and 626 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pamela Baker and catalogued by Nigel Huckins and Peter Adams.
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
2016-11-28
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
Baker, WB
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Photograph]
"J" Johnnie. Lancaster.
Berlin
La Rochelle.
Essen.
Keil. [sic]
Duiesberg. [sic]
Frankfurt.
(Pilson
(Skoda Arms Works.
(Czechoslovakia.
Duiesberg [sic]
Bochum
Dortmund.
Dusseldorfe. [sic]
Essen.
Elberfeld-Wuppertal-
Barmen.
Essen.
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
"J" Johnnie Lancaster
Description
An account of the resource
Top - Front quarter view of the front of a Lancaster with gremlin nose art and airman leaning out of cockpit.
Bottom - Notes with list of operations.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Germany
Germany--Berlin
Germany--Kiel
Germany--Essen
Germany--Duisburg
Germany--Frankfurt am Main
Germany--Bochum
Germany--Dortmund
Germany--Düsseldorf
Germany--Wuppertal
France
France--La Rochelle
Atlantic Ocean--Baltic Sea
Czech Republic
Czech Republic--Plzeň
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
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
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Text
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w photograph and two handwritten notes mounted on an album page
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PBakerWB1609
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
Babs Nichols
bombing
gremlin
Lancaster
Lancaster Mk 2
nose art
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/2601/45188/SHomewoodWR1577093v1.1.pdf
1aa64a69dde4f9184207fd0fc4c1ed3c
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
Homewood, William Robert
Homewood, W R
Description
An account of the resource
17 items. The collection concerns William Robert Homewood (1577093 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents, photographs and a piece of shrapnel. He flew operations as a bomb aimer with 51 Squadron.
The collection was loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Jeffrey Homewood and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019-07-24
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Homewood, WR
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
51 Squadron, 4 Group, RAF Bomber Command
Description
An account of the resource
A detailed account of William's service in 51 Squadron including copies of the squadron's operational record books.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Homewood
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Yorkshire
South Africa
Germany
Germany--Oberhausen (Düsseldorf)
Germany--Kleve (North Rhine-Westphalia)
Germany--Bochum
Germany--Wilhelmshaven
Germany--Duisburg
Germany--Cologne
Germany--Düsseldorf
Germany--Gelsenkirchen
Germany--Jülich
Germany--Münster in Westfalen
Germany--Essen
Germany--Hagen (Arnsberg)
Germany--Osnabrück
Germany--Oppau
Germany--Hannover
Germany--Hanau
Germany--Saarbrücken
Germany--Magdeburg
Germany--Stuttgart
Germany--Mainz (Rhineland-Palatinate)
Germany--Wanne-Eickel
Germany--Worms
Germany--Kamen
Germany--Heide (Schleswig-Holstein)
Germany--Hamburg
Germany--Dortmund
Germany--Wuppertal
Netherlands
Netherlands--Nijmegen
Germany--Helgoland
Germany--Düsseldorf
Germany--Dülmen
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
United States Army Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Memoir
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
94 page book
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SHomewoodWR1577093v1
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
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending text-based transcription
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944
1945
4 Group
5 Group
51 Squadron
578 Squadron
6 Group
8 Group
air gunner
aircrew
anti-aircraft fire
bomb aimer
bombing
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Medal
flight engineer
Gee
gremlin
ground crew
ground personnel
Halifax
Halifax Mk 3
Lancaster
Master Bomber
mess
mid-air collision
mine laying
Mosquito
navigator
Oboe
Oxford
Pathfinders
pilot
RAF Burn
RAF Carnaby
RAF Elvington
RAF Kirmington
RAF Leconfield
RAF Lissett
RAF Marston Moor
RAF Odiham
RAF Snaith
RAF Tangmere
Red Cross
Spitfire
Stirling
target indicator
Typhoon
Wellington
Whitley
wireless operator
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1913/41107/MHoldenJ1521290-170725-020001.1.jpg
6e4177f34eef8513982609d61c58032f
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1913/41107/MHoldenJ1521290-170725-020002.1.jpg
df133dd3ed4e65d8216ffaa1991ba90f
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
Holden, John
J Holden
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-25
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. 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
Holden, J
Description
An account of the resource
30 items. The collection concerns Sergeant John Holden (1521290 Royal Air Force) and contains photographs, documents and correspondence. he flew operations as a wireless operator with 49 Squadron and was killed 10 June 1944.<br /> <br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Andrew Whitehouse and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on John Holden is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/110983/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[underlined] A. W/OP’s LAMENT [/underlined]
A YOUNG W/OP AG lay dying
At the end of a bright summer day
His comrades were gathered around him
To carry the fragments away
His Kite had piled on his wishbone
The Vickers were wrapped round his head
To those who had gathered around him
It was plain that he soon would be dead
He spat out a valve and a gasket.
And stirred in the sump where he lay
And then to his wondering comrades
These last parting works he did say
Take the manifold out of my larynx
The butterfly valve from my neck
Remove from my Kidneys the conrods
Theres plenty of good parts in this WRECK
Take the piston rings out of my stomach
The sparking plugs out of my brain
Remove from my Liver the crankshaft.
And assemble the engine again
Take the longeron out of my backbone
The turnbuckle out of my ear
From the small of my back take the rudder
Theres all of your aeroplane here
I’ll be riding a cloud in the morning
No engine before me to cuss
Take the lead from your feet and get busy
Theres another damn fool wants this bus. AR.
[symbol] on D Range. [symbol] sweet [symbol].!
[deleted sketches] [symbol]
[sketch] [sketch] Gremlins!
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
A W/OP's Lament
Description
An account of the resource
A poem about a wireless operator lying, dying. His body is full of aircraft parts. There is also a 'Chad' sketch and reference to Gremlins.
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
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Poetry
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two handwritten sheets
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MHoldenJ1521290-170725-020001, MHoldenJ1521290-170725-020002
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
Steve Baldwin
aircrew
arts and crafts
crash
gremlin
wireless operator
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1375/23747/PEdgarAG19010098.2.jpg
288e5149be5599d08de6071277028107
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1375/23747/PEdgarAG19010099.2.jpg
44ce569edf3b6ec4e223238a4e5f954f
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
Edgar, Alfred George
Edgar, A G
Description
An account of the resource
83 items. The collection concerns Pilot Officer Alfred George 'Allan' Edgar DFC (b. 1922, 172180 Royal Air Force) He flew operations as a pilot with 49 Squadron.
The collection has been licenced to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pip Harrison and Sally Shawcross nee Edgar, 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
2018-07-04
2019-10-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Edgar, AG
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
Aircraft Cockpit
Description
An account of the resource
A double exposure image of an aircraft cockpit superimposed over two small men behind the control column. On the reverse 'The Gremlins get to work & my Camera complied with their demands. I'm finished "shooting" for the day. SFTS '43'
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Alan Edgar
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
One b/w photograph
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PEdgarAG19010098,
PEdgarAG19010099
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.
1943
gremlin
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/636/40433/MRoyallGL1801494-220420-02.2.pdf
892ccf70a41390650b41dd6e81c492f1
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
Royall, George
G Royall
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Royall, G
Description
An account of the resource
46 items. An oral history interview with Warrant Officer George Royall (1801494 Royal Air Force) his flying log book, photographs, correspondence, course notes, examinations, newspapers and parts of magazines. He served as a bomb aimer on 166 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by George Royall and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
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.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-07-20
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
B. O. N. magazine - May 1943
Description
An account of the resource
Magazine of 48 Air School, South Africa. On the front cover is written: '1801494 LAC ROYALL G.L. 27/6/43'. The magazine contains articles of local and war news, a description of what life is currently like in Britain, photographs of key personnel at the air school, several humorous poems and stories of life in general and at RAF Woodbridge, an obituary for F/Lt Parry, an article about and letter from Field Marshall J. C. Smutts, a short history of East London, officers' and sergeants' mess news, sports news and results, entertainment news and 'what's on'. There are also numerous adverts for local shops and suppliers.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-06
1943-06-27
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
South Africa
South Africa--East London
North Africa
Egypt
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
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Photograph
Artwork
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
52 page printed magazine
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MRoyallGL1801494-220420-02
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.
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending text-based transcription
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
48 Air School, Woodbrook, East London. South Africa
aircrew
arts and crafts
bomb aimer
gremlin
military living conditions
mine laying
navigator
observer
sport
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/834/18874/YGeachDG1394781v3.1.pdf
0ac2178ce957f882e1ba3691a9434011
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
Geach, David
D Geach
Description
An account of the resource
<a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/218400/"></a>52 items. The collection concerns Warrant Officer David Geach (1394781 Royal Air Force) and contains his diaries, correspondence, photographs of his crew, his log book, cuttings and items relating to being a prisoner of war. After training in Canada, he flew operations as a bomb aimer with 623 and 115 Squadrons until he was shot down 24 March 1944 and became a prisoner of war. He was instrumental in erecting a memorial plaque to the Air Crew Reception Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. <br />The collection also contains a scrap book of photographs.<br /><br />Additional information on his crew is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/218400/">IBCC Losses Database.</a><br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Harry Wilkins 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
2016-03-14
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
Geach, DG
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Cover Page]
PJZ4 HUT 7
PER ARDUA AD ASTRA MIM
[/Cover Page]
[page break]
[underlined] BOOK 2 [/underlined]
COMMENCING MY FLYING TRAINING, AND MY ADVENTURES UP TILL THE TIME OF LEAVING ENGLAND
[page break]
[underlined] Saturday June 20th [/underlined]
Our first stage in flying training has commenced, we are no longer cheesed with periods of studying, drilling, & various other binding pastimes. Our journey from St. Andrews to Carlisle was pretty uneventful, we caught the connections, & arrived here at about 1 p.m. Dragging those two kit bags around was pretty deadly, & we were glad to dump them. All the lot of us, 19, are in a large room of a hut, rather a collection of huts called the town-centre. This is just opposite the station, the actual station is about 4 miles out from Carlisle & the name of it, is Kingstown.
I know it seems early to form an opinion, but we all dislike this place intensely. It is very hard to describe, but we have never known a place to cheese one so completely. The general air of the place & the slip-shod way it is run all contribute to discourage us more than anything.
[page break]
There is a civilian here parading around in a W/O's uniform although he has the badge of a civil airways on his arm. He goes under the title of S.W.O. - what cheek, & we have to address him as Sir. Although he is unable to put us on a charge he can give us an hours digging on fatigues, & he makes good use of that. From what we can see he practically runs this station, despite the officers.
That is one of the main faults here, the place is half R.A.F. half civvie, & a general fiasco ensues. The food is catered, & served by civilians, & one word describes it, disgraceful, honestly! I never thought food could be served out in such a state. It is not my personal feelings, everyone is the same, & one only has to see all the cadets eating hot meals in the Y.M.C.A. to realise it. The officers cant [sic] do much about it only request [?] the chap who is in charge of the mess to alter things, needless to say there isn't much difference.
[page break]
In a big gloomy converted hangar now called the 'Crew Room', why I don't know, are our lockers. We have one ordinary sized steel locker between two of us, & we both have to keep our flying kit, kit-bags, P.T. kit, & books in this, it is almost impossible to close the doors. P.T. is every day & we change behind the lockers, have a terrific long roll-call, run to a nearby field for about 10 mins. P.T. & run back again. Hurriedly changing we rush to the N.A.A.F.I. & find a large queue there, the time being 11.a.m. & the N.A.A.F.I. closing at 11.15 a.m. we never get it. So we never have a cup of tea while we are here in the morning.
Another annoying rule is that once we enter the gate in the morning at 8 a.m. we are not allowed out till 6 p.m. even during the dinner-time, so we drift around aimlessly. There being only 4 lavatories & 3 wash-basins available for the couple of hundred cadets here, we even have to queue for those necessities. Yes I have never seen a station where there are so many things wrong and so few right.
[page break]
The ground lectures are a farce, and they might just as well scrap them. First thing every morning or afternoon we have Aldis practise, [sic] & I have heard it rumoured that some people take it. We have had one Navigation lecture, stuff we did right at the beginning of I.T.W. Armaments, a chap came & nattered about the Browning Gun, the Signals Officer is a P/O an Observer from the last war, who seems slightly wrong in the head! A large part of the programme consists of going to the Cinema Hut for M.O.I [sic] films, of, the Enemy has Ears, variety, some of these bring home to one how vital it is to be guarded in conversation.
For entertainment each Sunday and Monday night they have a movie film, free, Bing Crosby & Bob Hope are on this Sunday in 'Road to Zanzibar'. Once a fortnight there is a dance in the mess and a good few women from the town come. They had one the evening we arrived it was a pretty good band. Well being tired I don't feel like writing any more so will close.
[page break]
[underlined] Wednesday June 24th [/underlined]
We have been here exactly a week now, & are wishing we had gone to Perth for it must be better than here. I don't know whether the A.M. realises it, but a place like this & a training system like these Grading Schools is enough to make anyone completely fed up with flying. I remember last week the first time I went up, I guess it was the biggest thrill I have ever had. Strapping myself in with the Sutton harness, I waited & then we gradually moved forward, gaining speed & all of a sudden I had a shock for looking over the side I saw the ground about 50 feet below us, I had not noticed that we had left it. Sitting there admiring the view I felt a strange sense of exaltation, as if I had left worldly things behind, & was all alone in the universe. I was jerked out of my isolation by the instructors voice crackling through the inter-com, & we began the business of flying.
[page break]
Being the first time the instructor didn't give me any of the patter, he just let me get used to the new sensation. I had rather a shock when he cut the motor, & announced he was going to practise [sic] a forced landing, although he didn't actually touch down he would have made it easily. Coming [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] [inserted] back [/inserted] he flew low along the course of the Eden, & this was great, I got a bigger kick out of the low level flying than anything. The following lessons were all graduated each hour for teaching one thing e.g. the first lesson - straight & level flying, then medium turns, climbing, gliding etc. on to take-offs. landings & spins. It certainly is marvellous how correctly trimmed the aircraft will fly by itself almost smoothly, yet as soon as we touch the controls she lurches about - gremlin trouble - maybe.
I think the whole idea of Grading Schools are a farce though, & every instructor & pilot on 'ops' that I have spoken to agrees. They maintain that it is impossible
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to discern whether a fellow will make a pilot in 12 hours or not, the time is too short. A fair amount depends upon one soloing in the time, & yet a fair few well known pilots today soloed after 12 hours. Another point is that the instructors can't take any real interest in a fellow for no sooner have they got him up to the soloing stage, when he goes & someone completely new comes in his place. So I guess no-one can blame them for feeling cheesed & not being able to give the individual attention to us that we need. All these points & the atmosphere of this station as well all go to make us lose heart in the flying & ask are we being given a fair deal.
From our point of view we definitely are not, for we know that if we had received our papers a couple of months before we did, we should have missed this scheme & gone abroad as usual, & stood
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a much better chance of getting our wings being, as we would be on a full E.F.T.S. course. From the A.M's [sic] point of view I suppose they are fully justified. They are short of Observers, & these new Air Bombers, so the easiest way is to just whizz a few [one indecipherable word] potential pilots off the course, & re-muster them. As they say it being for the good of the country our personal feeling don't count. It certainly is hard when you have set your heart on being a pilot, & volunteered for it to be just placed on one side, without a fair trial of one's capabilities. Still there it is, but it seems ever such a great waste of youthful enthusiasm & keeness [sic] to me, I can see, and also feel it myself, the old spirit gradually dying away & being replaced with a browned-off feeling, & a 'nothing matters' outlook. It is the way that this country has always been though, & I guess it always will be. Who are we to question the wisdom of the great.
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[underlined Sunday June 28th. [/underlined]
The end of the week, and a fast-moving week at that, things sure have happened speedily. Four of the boys have finished their course already & are going on leave tomorrow. This is embarkation leave, just in case we should get a pilot, which I doubt. Amongst those going are 'Nob' Davies & Cooper, they were withdrawn from lectures & their flying speeded up to four hours a day at times. Consequently they often reached a period when the instructors words would go in one ear & out the other, they just couldn't take any interest in it. Cooper soloed at 10 hrs 25 mins, but 'Nob' didn't. The way they are rushing us through with this flying, they are either desperately short of aircrew, or else are getting our 12 hours over with just because the training system is so choked & they have to get as many through as possible. I think the latter is the case, & as usual it benefits all but us.
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I guess I should have finished my flying by the end of the week, & be on leave, it seems rather absurd to be home on leave again, seeing I only left a fortnight ago - still I'm not grumbling. I had my 7 hour progress test with the F/Lt. in charge of C flight & didn't do too bad, I learnt afterwards I had 555 marks which is average. As long as they don't rush me with my flying I'll be alright. One of the fellows from St. Andrews have [sic] been taken off because he gets nervous every time he goes up. It's hard lines on him, for some people are made that way & he has gone through his I.T.W all for nothing.
There is a fair in the park in town & we will go there tonight, for it is Carlisle's stop-at-home holidays week & they have different attractions. Carlisle itself is quite a nice town, a lot more livelier than St. Andrews, & a very fine park. They have a large Y.M.C.A. here - the John Peel Hut, & it
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really is a fine place. If people only knew how much these places matter to service men I am sure they would receive more support.
Cooper has received a letter from a pal at Manchester who has been classified as a pilot. He said it is a matter of luck what percentage of pilots they require at the classification time, whether we get a pilot or not. I must say it doesn't sound too hopeful, still maybe whatever happens is for the best.
I did spins for the first time this week, it is a queer feeling when the aircraft stalls & lurches forward & the earth spins round & round. This was a thing I managed to get hold off [sic] quite easily & could do pretty well. My instructor did half an hours aerobatics yesterday & I hardly knew if I was on my head or heels. He is a real decent fellow though, never binds a bit even when I make silly mistakes, not like some instructors.
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[underlined] Wednesday July 1st. [/underlined]
My brief period of flying is over, it certainly was short & sweet, it lasted under a fortnight, & from that someone can tell whether I would make a pilot after a few hundred hours flying - maybe. Right at the last couple of hours my instructor was changed because another instructor didn't like his pupil, there was a switch & now my instructor has the chap. This other one binds more, but I [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] [inserted] was [/inserted] not worrying about that for I had [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] at last got my landings O.K. So he promised me half an hour to go solo on Tuesday, but it seemed that right at the last Fate took a hand. For on Tuesday I was called out of lectures & told I would have to let my solo go & do my last two hours, & get my 12 hours test over that morning. Feeling pretty cheesed I did & did fair in my test. They told me the fact that I was about to solo would go on my record yet I doubt if that will cut much ice.
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Today I & Jack Dawsett [?] have been dashing around with our clearance chits, trying to locate people, who don't want to be located. We managed to get them in the end & got our clothing settled. Because a few chaps flew on Sunday they issued Daily Flying Returns with everyone down as having 'Attended Lectures' being as we didn't know we omitted to sign, so Dodds the W/O fellow, put us on an hours digging tonight, our last night too, I'd like to meet him outside.
Still my outstanding thought, is thank the Lord we are leaving this place. Tomorrow we only have an F.F.I. & get our warrant & ration cards then we are away, & most probably will be able to catch the midday train - then home and some good food. I expect Mary will get a shock when she sees me. Ah! well I'll close this my last entry at Carlisle, my first flying school, & not the last I hope.
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[underlined] Sunday July 12th. [/underlined]
It is a week & a half since I have made an entry, only I never enter anything when I am on leave, don't combine business with pleasure in this case. I am now at my fifth station, as I have mentioned, Manchester in this case. After enjoying seven days leave I was due to report here on Friday at midday. To do that I would have had to catch the 4 a.m. train from Euston & sleep on the station all night. So I took the 8.15 am. with Jack Dawsett & practically all other cadets went on it as well. We arrived at London Rd Station about 1.45 p.m. & caught a 1d services bus to Victoria Stn. where we connected the train to Heaton Park. This type of train is electric & reminded me of a cross between a London Metropolitan Train & an armoured train. We finally arrived at the park at 2.30 pm. Nobody said anything, all was bustle & confusion, hundreds of cadets wandering around, harrased [sic]
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N.C.O's endeavouring to get some semblance of order, what a panic.
To anyone who has never been to Heaton Park the word "Park" is apt to be misleading. The place is over 500 acres of natural country, complete with hills, vales, woods, streams, lakes, and in peace-time must have been a really lovely place. It was originally owned by an Earl, his name escapes me, & he presented it to Manchester Corporation for a public park, which in its turn was taken over by the R.A.F. At the time of writing the mansion itself forms No. 1 Squadron's offices, the officers mess, & various other rooms contain service branches. The huge lawn is a parade ground - can hold over 2,000 men. The Cafeteria built for the public is our mess, & another one has been built for No 2 Squadron's Mess. In the natural theatre by the stage & pavilion are lots of tents & more by the tennis courts, & everywhere one looks, ugly Nissen Huts have served [?} themselves up.
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It certainly has spoilt the appearance of the park, but I'm afraid we don't care about the beauty a lot. We are constantly moaning about the terrific distances we have to walk from place to place on the station. Talk about dispersal, everything is miles away from anywhere else. Jack & I are in billets outside the camp, we are both in nice houses, I have good rooms. The only trouble being in the morning when we have about a 2 mile walk to get to the mess for breakfast. I always have to dig Jack out, & sometimes we miss it.
The food here on the whole is pretty good, & one thing there is plenty of it. Being as there are about a thousand cadets here, they certainly handle the queues quickly. Not so with the N.A.A.F.I. this is in the tea-bar that is by the boating lake, & it is a devil of a wait outside, then a mad scramble at the counter with no orderliness at all. Consequently tea fly's [sic] over everyone & tempers become short.
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We got fixed up pretty quickly on the day we arrived, issued with mugs etc. and all the usual performances were got through, that always have to be done on joining a new station. After some searching we located our billets & nearly dropped dead getting our kit-bags there. The following day we commenced the programme, what there is of it. Nothing is hardly done here, for it is just a Classification centre, & then a posting Centre. Discipline is very slack indeed nobody pays any attention to the N.C.O's & people slide off when & where they like, there is rarely more than 3/4 of the flight present when a check is taken. This is rather a rest cure in some ways.
I have met 'Nob' Davies & Cooper, they arrived on Tuesday, & are in tents! We have Saturday afternoon off, but have to come all the way over to the park on Sunday, just to answer a roll-call. For the church parade is held on Wednesday. Well, thats [sic] enough for now, I'll describe the station & Manchester more next time.
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[underlined] Wednesday July 15th. [/underlined]
Life just slips uneventfully by, and we [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] slide along in a regular rut. Most of our day is spent in dodging off, our sergeant is one of the nervous & conscientious type, & fusses like an old hen. The [deleted] trob [/deleted] trouble he takes to get us all in the open-air swimming bath is marvellous, but then he never succeeds. The fellows in camp are allowed out till 11 p.m. each night excepting Friday & Saturday when it is 23.59. Almost the entire camp pours into town, by means of the electric train service, or various buses.
Manchester is more after my idea of fun, for it is large like London, and very busy. There are bags of up to date cinemas, the prices are rather high though. There is a good theatre the Palace, they sometimes have productions there prior to them opening in the West End. Strangely enough there are poor facilities for troop canteens, one
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Y.M.C.A. which is always packed, a C.W.L. canteen, equally crowded, and a Forces Canteen on Victoria Stn. which is pretty good, but with limited accommodation like the others.
We certainly lead a gay life, and we pay for it, the money really pours away, we spend £2 pocket money a week easily. Admitted about 15/- a week goes on food in the cafes, but we also go to the films about 3 or 4 times weekly & dances twice. The Ritz Ballroom is a pretty good place, but gets very packed. There was a dance in our mess in the week & that was well crowded.
Coming back from town we catch a train they run at every ten past & twenty to in the hour & the late ones are very crowded but we generally make it. Jack and I get out at Bowker Vale the station before Heaton Park, as it is right by our billets, I don't stay out late though, about 10 to 10.30 p.m – so far.
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treated as children, & numbers, but never human beings, and last of all, these long hanging about periods, all tend to dull the edge of the keenest appetite. It certainly is a shame, there are thousands of young fellows who volunteered to join Air Crew, & I am not line shooting when I say we are treated as though we were the last people that were needed in this war.
We had Navigation the other day, in a long Nissen Hut, one can't really whip up any enthusiasm here. Most of our days are the same we always try to slip off early to tea, before the colossal queues appear, then we can get an early start into town. I believe we might get a 48 hr pass this weekend, I hope so, for I feel as though I have been away ages. That sure is a rush on the London train, and also coming back, Sunday night, still I wont [sic] mind that as long as I get home.
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[underlined] Tuesday July 28th. [/underlined]
Today is my 19th birthday, and has been quite an eventful day, I had a Greetings telegram from Mary & cards from the family & friends. Beside this however it was our classification day, & I am now a A/T Air Bomber. The parade was held this morning, we were all marched, through the rose gardens, down to a beautiful green, with a small lake, a truly peaceful spot. There we layed [sic] upon the grass & listened to the Wing Comdr. reading out our destinies. There were about 30% pilots out of this parade. I felt sorry for one fellow who was made a Navigator, he flew so well at Grading School, and went solo in a record time, that he had a letter of congratulations from Group. Yet after that he was made a Navigator, ah! well it is a funny system.
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[underlined] Wednesday July 18th [/underlined] [pages in wrong order]
The lady with whom I am billeted informed me upon my arrival that it would be unlikely I should be here more than 10 days, well, that has passed, so we are wondering how long we will be here, it won't be longer than 3 weeks I should say. 'Nob' is expecting to be classified Monday or so, I wonder what he will get. It is a weird way they appear to classify them, nobody knows how they do it. A fellow who got a pilot the other day was taken off the flying coarse after 5 hours & told he would never be able to fly. Still I wouldn't mind an Air Bomber, its [sic] a nice short course, & that's what attracts me at the moment. We may be classified at the same time as 'Nob' I hope so, might as well get it over with. There'll be some disappointments, I guess.
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There is a familiar cry at this place, "Stand Still!" Every time we are on parade someone screams that, an officer or an N.C.O. everyone of them love saying it. Parades are fairly lengthy here for after the roll calls etc. long lists of fellows are called out for various reasons. Then the N.C.O's in charge of the flights are called out at the double & their instructions issued regarding the day's programme. This place is apt to get rather deadly after awhile, life becomes too monotonous.
I hear they are opening a new N.A.A.F.I. for 2 squadron, this should ease the pressure on the other one. The complement of the station is growing for fellows are coming in & none being posted. The weather is lousy rain and more rain and one never sees a blue sky, oh! give me the Sunny South!
[underlined] Wednesday July 22nd [/underlined]
The Classification Parade was held on Monday, but our flight wasn't on it. 'Nob' Davies, was made an Air Bomber, he was pleased over that, Cooper a pilot, Brayshaw a Navigator, there were about 40% pilots, I should say a rather large total. I thought we should have been classified, well, maybe we will have our chance next week, if I get an Air Bomber I'll be happy.
We have been on Camp Co-operation lately, this is rather a farce. On a camp this size, & so short staffed, there are bags of work that has to be done by the cadets so different flights are detailed for these. They are varied these fatigues – beg pardon – if anyone should make the mistake of referring to them as fatigues, they can be placed on a charge. Anyway, we sweep clean, paint, build
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fences, tend vegetables, dig, and everything imaginable! Needless to say there is bags of skiving, (or slipping off) as its [sic] called. Salvage is the biggest dodge, practically all the cadets are on this after the Church Parade, Wednesday. The S.W.O. who is a decent little fellow, has 27 years service in, is pretty keen on salvage.
I am not feeling bitter or anything, when I express the sentiment that the Press should know the full details of Air-Crew Training, I am merely voicing the feelings of almost every cadet under training. For in practically every case one sees, keen enthusiasm, turn into a oh! – what the hell attitude, it is unavoidable. The Wing Comdr here, admits this but states this can't be helped, I don't think so, if it were all reorganised, by young brains we could really get somewhere This changing from station to station, being bound at by dumb N.C.O's
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I am pleased with myself though, if I can get a posting pretty soon, the course is only 12 - 14 weeks, & I shall be home on leave for Xmas as a sergeant. The stations we are posted to are Dumfries, Stourbridge, Isle of Man, & it is rumoured that there is a station opening at Reading, I would like to be posted there, its [sic] near enough to London. I am now in 'H' flight with a decent crowd of fellows, & a really smashing corporal, he's the opposite of the sergt [sic] we had, this one wangles us off everything, & gets plenty of opportunities for skiving. It was only a rumour we were having a 48, I didn't really credit it, for we had, had one the previous weekend. This certainly is a station for rumours, anything is believed here, postings, different methods of training, everything wildly buzzes around amongst the cadets. Now my next worry is when I shall be on a posting I guess, ah! well I shall remember my 19th birthday.
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[underlined] Saturday 1st August [/underlined]
Well, there is a posting of Air Bombers, but I am not on it, 'Nob' Davies is though. It was the first half of 'F' flight & as I am in H flight, we will have to wait awhile I guess. It is to Bobbington near Stourbridge I believe it is a pretty good station, they are due to leave tomorrow evening. So at last 'Nob' is on his way, 12 weeks & then he will have his tapes, [?] lucky guy.
We are definitely getting cheesed with this place, we can thank the Lord for having Oxenbury for a Cpl, he is about the best N.C.O. I've ever met. He gets us off different things & plays around, boy he sure takes a lot of the burden off us. I guess we'll stroll around this afternoon & have tea in John Lewis's cafeteria, that is quite a nice place, than finish off with a show. The cinemas are about the best choice for the
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dances are so crowded, we sometimes go to the dance in the Y.M.C.A. though. On our first Saturday here, we went to Belle Vue, I didn't think a lot of the fun fair, it was rather dear too. We went into the Speedway & enjoyed quite a good programme, we were going into the all-in wrestling after, but decided we didn't have time. What a job it was to get back, though, thousands of people dashing for the buses, huge queues everywhere. Phew! I thought we would never [one indecipherable word] but luckily we jumped on one & got back O.K.
They are having a regatta here on the lake, shortly, I don't mind watching as long as it isn't on our Saturday afternoon off, they can pull little tricks like that, all too easily. We have had Navigation again this week, we professed not to know the computer again, so the instructor went through that. Ah! well anything that averts work is a good thing.
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[underlined] Sunday 16th August [/underlined]
I haven't made an entry in this diary for a fortnight, owing to the fact, that there has been hardly anything to enter. Life has just slid along in the hum drum way it does at Manchester, without anything important happening. By every right we should have been on a 48 hour pass this [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] week end, [sic] it was our turn, but they jumped us heaven knows why, so two sergeants in our flight are going to have an interview with the C.O. about it. I hope we get it next weekend, heaven knows I need it, I feel I have been here for months.
This certainly is a meeting place for everyone, from all different times in ones life. I have already met Frank Young who was in my room at Hall Rd, he is a Navigator W/T, & will 'cake' the wireless, being [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] a wireless officer in the Merchant Navy, before he
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joined up. In my flight now is 'Bill' Bailey who was in my class at school, I never knew he had joined up, I had a great surprise, when I met him. Also another chap I have bumped into was Jimmy Twigson [?] who I worked with first of all, he is an Air Bomber, so far I haven't met any fellows from the office who joined up with me.
The regatta finally got cracking after it had been washed out once by a torrential downpour of rain, number 2 squadron won it. Last night we had a pretty good time, we generally get pretty tight in the Gaumont Long Bar, one of the few places that we can get Youngers at. I have had a letter from 'Nob' giving all the 'gen' on the course and it seems there is a fair amount of work more in fact than I thought. Still whatever it is the sooner we are on it the better.
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[underlined] Monday 24th Aug [/underlined]
Well, we had our 48 hour after all the week end just passed. The two sergeants had an interview with the C.O. & he expressed surprise that we had been missed, & agreed to grant one. We were lucky to get away a bit earlier than usual, and after a frantic struggle managed to catch the 2.15 p.m. from London Rd. What was more akin to a miracle was the fact that I acquired a seat, something very much out of the ordinary. I spent a most enjoyable week-end, & naturally finished up feeling pretty cheesed at having to return. Then followed the old scramble for the midnight train at Euston, with crowds of cadets everywhere. Then we would try to snatch some sleep during the journey & arrive in Manchester around five. The grey dawn would be breaking & there would be the lucky ones who were huddled up, waiting for an early train to take
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them into London on leave - how I envied them. Our eyes would be continually closing & we could hardly keep awake & then we would trudge to Victoria Stn. for the first train to Heaton Park. 48's sure are fun but hellishly short, & terrible to return from.
The past week we have had another corporal, helping Oxenbury, & what an object. He was in the band, & had two fingers in plaster maybe he caught them in his harp, & he had the queerest voice I have ever heard. Nobody could tell whether he was shouting Left or Right, or what, it was a perfect mess. He doesn't seem to be with us now thank the Lord. There are rumours circulating of an Air Bombers posting, but we have heard so many ones like this that we are inured to them now. I think I will go to the WAAF's dance at the Bowler [?] tonight, they are generally pretty good.
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[underlined] Saturday Aug 29th. [/underlined]
The rumours of a posting weren't rumours after all, we are actually going, but there is a lot of doubt & puzzlement in our minds. When they announced the place we were going to - Hastings, I nearly jumped for joy when I heard that, for I had never dared to hope I would be so near London. Then we found out that all the Air Bombers, 400 of them were going, which seemed rather strange, & now the news has gone circulating round, that this place isn't anything more than another Manchester - we just have to await a posting from there. I'll leave this entry awhile & finish it tonight, something may have turned up by then.
It is now night & our fears have been realised, the Wing Comdr. in his address to us, told us Hastings was another pool from where we would be posted. Still it is nearer
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to London, & I might be able to get home, it does seem silly to have a station so near to Jerry I think. We are leaving tonight, there will be a glorious beer [?] up before we leave I guess.
This afternoon there were the Inter-Squadron Sports, & although it was Saturday afternoon no-one was allowed to leave the camp, everyone had to watch it. Even us who were leaving that night, weren't allowed out for our last few hours, it doesn't seem much, when one mentions it, but believe me, when one experiences how you can be pushed & pulled around well it isn't so hot.
I think I'll trot out with "Bud" Flanagan tonight, on a pub-crawl, & drawn my sorrows. We have to report back at 9 p.m. for a check & supper & then after the usual delay, I guess we will be on our way. So it finally is goodbye to Manchester, I seem to have been here ages, ah! well, it wasn't so bad after all.
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[underlined] Wednesday 2nd Sept. [/underlined]
Here I am down in the sunny South again, & it certainly is a change to see a lovely blue sky again after Manchester. Yet what wouldn't I give to be back there I never realised how easy it really was. Still theres [sic] no time to cry over spilt milk and I'd better recount what happened when we left.
As I guessed we all went out and became gloriously tight, & rolled back into Heaton Park for the final checks. What a shambles – they first tried to call the roll in the dark - heaven knows why. Trying to do that with 400 fellows at least 300 of them well under the weather, was just asking for trouble. About twenty voices would answer for each name called out, as nobody knew who was present & who was not. Then some fellows began throwing pieces of earth at the officer holding the flashlight, gee! it was a fiasco.
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Then, finally it penetrated the official mind, that, it would be a lot easier if they went into the mess hall where it was light - so in we went. Here they got through a roll call of a sort, & as time was passing they decided we had better have supper. This was easily the best meal I have had at Manchester & one of the best in the R.A.F. It was fried egg, or was it eggs I wasn't sober enough to remember, & a lovely golden brown potato ball, it went down well I know. They finally moved us off then, & we were passed through the door one at a time, between two officers so they were able to get a proper idea of who was missing at last. 'Taffy' Evans was there tight to the eyebrows & screaming himself with laughter at another fellow who had a few flowers stuck in his great pack. All the time Taffy, unknowingly, had a terrific bunch of them, sprouting all over his pack & webbing! When he passed the officers, one reached out despairingly to stop
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him, but as if he said "oh! whats [sic] the hell", let him go.
We marched to the gate, laughing and singing, & there came to a halt, we waited half an hour & moved across into the station. The train arrived after a little while and we all dived in with the usual scramble for seats. I got settled with the three Scotties, Bob, Bill, & Jock, & tried to snatch some sleep. Our carriage had the windows hermetically sealed, & believe me, they put a good few men on troop trains, fellows sleeping on the floor & everywhere, phew! it was hot. Being a troop train it was going right through with no changes, a blessing. I awoke early next morning cramped & thirsty & attacked my meagre rations, some of which where bad. I had the devil of a shock when some while later we pulled into Willesden Junction, I thought we had crossed the Thames long ago. It was heart breaking to pass right through London & across Chelsea Bridge, so near & yet so far to home, but not a chance of reaching there.
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We picked up speed when we were clear of London, & were soon rushing through Tunbridge & on & on till we finally arrived at St. Leonards.
Our worst fears were realised when we saw our reception party, all the N.C.O's had smart uniforms, terrific creases, dazzling boots & buttons & worst of all brilliant white blancoed [sic] belts. It certainly was a home of bull we judged - & we were right. They fell us into line & away we went, with them constantly whipping up our step, I thought bitterly it won't be long before they have broken us in. After a tidy march we reached our quarters, Marine Court, a magnificent huge modern block of flats. What a target for Jerry I thought, about 12 floors of huge glittering white stone & glass. The usual settling in process followed, bedding, rooms, wash, eat, 'gen' chats by different officers & the C.O. details of parades, all the old routine, then time to ourselves. One's first job on such occasions is always to dash off letters with the new address to all & sundry. Being late, & myself being tired I'll close this until the next entry.
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[underlined] Sunday Sept 6th. [/underlined]
To continue with the life of this station, the C.O. seemed very gruff & hellish bad tempered at times, but he was alright if everything went right. A Flight Lieut Observer there, everyone hated the sight of, a supercilious cocky guy, a last war Obs. incidentally with Gen Service & Victory Medals up. Our squadron C.O. seemed one of the biggest baa-lambs under the sun a hell of a binder. I think everyone retired with some misgivings on Sunday night as to what the morrow would bring. Our rooms were lovely, I was in one on the 7th floor with three other fellows, the room had French windows opening onto a balcony overlooking the front & the rear, the balconies were out of bounds.
Reveille was at 6.15 a.m. and up we scrambled, & came down five floors to the dining hall. The food here was terrible & very little of it, there were scores of complaints that day, but very little action. We waited for awhile [sic] before we were served, here they have a ticket punching
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idea, that ensures nobody goes around twice for a meal, I can't imagine anyone that would. After breakfast we scrambled [?] beds, & then followed a rush of bulling brasses sweeping the room, & making bed packs, & then we dashed down in time for the parade at 8 a.m. This was held in a tiny street at the rear of Marine Court. After a helluva lot of 'attentions' & Stand at Ease', there came the familiar "For Inspection Open Order March", & then we came under fire. I have been on many inspections but never one like that, the A Sqdn C.O. P/O Stuttaford, was meticulous to the point of ridiculousness, ever such tiny faults were magnified into major offences, it was terribly cheesing. At last it was over & after the usual 'guff' about making ourselves 'lots smarter', the days [sic] programme commenced.
We were soon to become familiar with the curriculum, first we marched to the streets around Warren Sq for 2 hours drill. Foot drill after our I.T.W was long passed go it was binding, then we were marched back & given a quarter of an
[page break]
hours [sic] break, during which it was impossible to get ones nose in the N.A.A.F.I. & we weren't allowed out to any cafe's. Right after this we paraded in P.T. kit & ran about 2 miles to White Rock Park, where we had 2 hours P.T. & then ran back again. Dinner followed that, then the whole afternoon was devoted to a route march. It was hellishly long & I know it crippled a lot of the older N.C.O's the F/Sgt didn't show his nose in any again. This programme was adhered to rigidly every day of this week. In the end we began to wonder if we were on a Commando Course or what the hell. The bull was continued all the [one indecipherable word], the usual stuff of rooms being scrubbed with trimmings like polishing the brass on the window frames & black polishing gum boots. Our food has improved slightly but not a lot.
Yesterday we went to a local cinema for a 'gen' chat by a Flt/Lt. Observer, just off 'ops' who is taking a hand with a course they are organising. It seems to me rather a farce being mainly
[page break]
I.T.W subjects & hardly anything we will get on our course, we are too cheesed off to worry now though. There is leave as the C.O. graciously calls it one 36 hour pass once a month, & this is stopped at any time if there is any little thing wrong with the rooms. The laundry is a decent one here thank the Lord, but the system of giving out mail is chronic, instead of giving it out to each flight N.C.O. 'Chiefy' or F/Sgt Tate shouts it out for the whole squadron, bloody poor system.
He is one of the biggest binders I have met, & thats [sic] saying something here. On inspections in the morning, what with him, Stuttaford & half a dozen others screaming 'Stand Still', 'Take his Name', I realise what the Guards go through. One hardly expects it in Air Crew though. To make up for the lack of food in the barracks we eat a lot in the cafes, there seems to be plenty of food in town, luckily there are bags of fruit too. Gee! but I guess we will all heave a sigh of relief the day we leave here.
[page break]
[underlined] Thursday 10th Sept. [/underlined]
This certainly is a lot quieter than Manchester, when we drill in the streets it sends a shiver down my spine at times; They are all deserted & nearly all the large boarding houses empty & boarded up with broken windows paint peeling off, & cracked walls, it is a ghost town in some parts. Around London Rd there is plenty of life, though, & also in Hastings itself. Most evenings we spend in cinemas, the films are very old at times, but the seats are good, & at cheap prices too.
Our routine is the same this week as it was last, but I am feeling lovely & fit now. With bright sunshine most of the time & the sea air it is a lovely change. On Sunday I dragged my 'biscuits' [?] & pillow out onto the balcony & lay there sunbathing all day. Strangely enough most of us like the route marches now. Admitted Sgt. James (one of the best) generally takes them & we march 3 miles & then lay down in a
[page break]
field & sunbathe.
I now have a 'distinguished' post, I am 'A' Squadron's Messing Representative, and it was marvellous the way I was given the position. After returning from a route march one day, we were dismissed & I happened to be standing around with my hands on my pockets. 'Chiefy' Tate pounced on me immediately, "Name & Number?" he said, getting out his note-book, I argued thinking I was on a charge, but he took my name, & then said, "For having your hands in your pockets, you are A Squadrons messing representative", ho! ho! such is service life eh!
I think I shall put in for a pass this week end, for I'm getting a little cheesed & the way things go on this station one never knows when they will be cancelled. This certainly is the place for alerts, there's a warning every hour, but hardly any action at all. I'm expecting a real 'do' one of these nights. I hope it isn't tonight anyway for I feel really tired and want a good nights [sic] sleep.
[page break]
[underlined] Monday 14th Sept. [/underlined]
This is a fine bloody station I am now on "jankers", and this is how it happened. I got my week end pass after a bit of humming & hawing, & spending the Saturday morning on rifle drill. I caught the train O.K. & got home about 5.30, after a meal & a wash & brush up I went over for Mary. We had a swell weekend, well I say weekend it was only a day really, too short. However I caught the train from Victoria O.K. & although I had to stand all down I didn't mind it was a nice trip. All the cadets poured into Marine Court & handed in their passes & then so to bed. I got into my room and put on the light to get into bed, when in walked an S.P. & [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] took my 1250 for having the lights on after lights out. Holy Mackerel! "Lights Out" was at 10.45 p.m & this was just gone 11 p.m. & not allowed a light for a few minutes to get into bed. This is an example of red tape carried out to the maximum. Anyway we were marched before P/O Stuttaford
[page break]
& after him having his little bind, he awarded us 4 days – 4 days hell! in this place it equals 7 days on any other station just for a little offence like that – anyway today I started.
Its [sic] wonderful what scam they get for S.P's the sgt. in charge of the jankers parade screamed and bawled as if we were the most hardened criminals, oh! its [sic] not worth describing it. He gave me an ultimatum to get my hair cut tomorrow or else – . We worked for two hours from 6 - 8 p.m. cleaning lavatories – oh! to be in air crew. The parades each day are at 7 a.m. (that means early rising) 1 p.m. to make sure we can't get out in the dinner - time. Then 6 p.m. when we work till 8 p.m. parade again at 9 p.m. & at 10 p.m. Ah! well the first day is nearly over anyway. I hear that C Squadron when charged with the same offence were only awarded 2 days, there will be a do about this, the sooner we are off jankers the better.
[page break]
[underlined] Wednesday 16th Sept. [/underlined]
My jankers have finished, so short & sweet they were too. As I [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] prophesied there was a moan over C Squadron only getting 2 days & us 4, & it had its results this morning. We were on drill in Warrior Sq when old Stuttaford came round & called us out. In a big hearted tone he told us that owing to our rooms being very clean (he'd moaned about them the day before) he would let us off the last 2 days jankers. Quite an amusing effort on his part to save his face. Still we didn't bother to query the if's & buts we were off and that's all that mattered.
I nearly dropped in for it again this afternoon though – in fact I'm not sure whether I have or haven't. Being Wednesday afternoon I went to the Messing meeting and made the usual complaints over the food, which has improved considerably but is still fairly bad. After this I found everyone was down in the garage
[page break]
on Armaments, not feeling like this, I went up to my room & dropped my biscuits & pillow out on to the balcony & lay out there reading a pile of Daily Mirrors.
I heard footsteps in the building but took no notice of them, happening to look up I saw Stuttaford gazing, horrified at me. Boy! I thought here's where I really get it, opening the door he screamed "Come in here", there followed quite a scene, & finished by him shouting for Sgt. Tasker [?] to take my name & no. Tasker [?] was decent & he may do something for me, I hope so anyway.
Think I'll go to the cinema with Bob & Bill, "They Died with their Boots On" is in Hastings. This course or farce of a course is getting pretty binding, I'll be glad when its [sic] over I know the Sten Gun inside out. The Sgt. Pilots & Observers who take us are as cheesed as we are, so its [sic] a fine state of affairs
[page break]
[underlined] Monday 21st Sept. [/underlined]
Events moved fairly quietly up to the weekend, I was never charged for being on the balcony, so I guess old Tasker was able to get it "washed" [?] he's a decent old stick. I felt sorry for Taffy he had a pass for the week end & had arranged with his girl, for her to travel from Birmingham to London & he would meet her there. Then on Wednesday Stuttaford came round in an even worse temper than usual, and swore his mug (that is displayed on the bed lay out) was dirty. It wasn't much good arguing with him, Taffy was awarded 3 days 'jankers', Thursday, Friday, & Saturday. So he lost his weekend pass as well, & had to wire his girl, cancelling the arrangements – all that just for a drinking mug – reputed to be dirty, its [sic] funny what swines there are in the world. I'm gonna fight like hell for a pass on Oct 16th as Don and Betty are being married & I must be there.
[page break]
This morning what I had been expecting to happen did, it was like this:- The morning was devoted to a swimming parade in White Rock Baths, an event which was appreciated by all, even though we did have to pay 6d each to get in. We paraded promptly about 8.45 a.m. in the little street at the rear of Marine Court & away we marched. As usual we marched through the streets of the town & then out onto the promenade by Warrior Sq. Hardly had we marched onto the prom, when there was a roar of aero engines, which made us look out to sea hastily. There was a low lying mist which suddenly parted & two F.W. 190's flying about 20 ft above the water rushed in. Luckily they were between us & Marine Court, consequently being unable to fire upon us without altering course. Before we had time to move at all they lifted off the water & each released, the 500 Kgm bomb, they had slung underneath, at
[page break]
Marine Court.
There was a minor explosion as one entered, but being on D.A. we took advantage of the delay to dive for cover, then with a roar it exploded. The other missed the building & exploded in the small park behind. Everything had happened so swiftly & with such surprise that not a shot was fired at the raiders. We continued on to the Baths, but all agog to get back & see what had happened. As we turned onto the gradient next to Marine Court, we observed that the 7th, 8th, & 9th floors, above the dining hall were blown in & quite an amount of damage done to the 10th, quite a lot of damage for one bomb, but it wasn't a very solid place, more for show in summer time. I must record here, our true feelings when we saw the damage, onlookers standing around apparently expected us to burst into tears, but if they had, had the time we did there I daresay they would have acted the same.
[page break]
We cheered, & meant it, and cries of "Bullsh– Mansion Gone at Last", & Critchleys Palace Destroyed", (Critchley was reputed to have shares in every place we were billeted) greeted the night. One dear old soul gazing at us, & apparently hard of hearing for she couldn't have heard our remarks, said loudly "Ah! the 'boys' will get their own back for this", needless to say the 'boys' received this with obvious merriment. Bob, Bill, & myself had dinner in a cafe we weren't intending to hang around for hours, upon returning we were told to go down to the car park in the basement. Here lots of salvaged equipment was heaped & we settled down. Each floor was ordered upstairs in turn to clean their rooms or what was left of their rooms. At last came the 7th & up we trooped, [?] glad at last to get a look at what was going on.
Some boys on the salvage party were having a fine time slinging stuff around. Our room wasn't damaged except for a few cracks & the door
[page break]
blown in. We staggered up & down to the basement (9 floors in all) carrying kit bags & bedding, until we were cheesed & skived off for a rest. Leaning on the balcony of the 11th we watched the demolition party at work. The street below that we had paraded in 15 mins before Jerrie's arrival, was covered with large [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] blocks of stone & debris, so I'm glad they insisted on punctuality there. Anyway the demolition party were throwing pieces of stone etc. onto the pile and amusing themselves & the onlookers by aiming them at a lamp standard underneath, & in this way succeeded in completely ruining it.
About 5 p.m. we were told to parade on the prom, & were then marched past Warrior Sq about 110 yds. to the Eversfield Hotel which was our new quarters. It was a dark & dingy place, and we didn't like it as much as Marine Court, but Taffy & I got a room to ourselves, with our own wash bowl, quite lucky. Naturally our first action was tea, then unpack & well here I am
[page break]
[underlined] Friday 25th Sept. [/underlined]
I am writing this amidst constantly changing surroundings – on a train. You see, we settled down to normal work again on Tuesday lessons in the Victoria Hotel once more, & apart from numerous clothing parades for those who had to be re-kitted, & wangling of kit by a good few more everything went on the same. The C.O. came & shot an awful line about the bombing happening, because a few had disregarded orders & gone out on the balconies when a reconnaissance plane had come over at 25,000 ft a couple of days previous. He apparently overlooked the fact, that on the day of our arrival he himself had told us the Hun would know we had arrived. Even if this was so, he greatly under rated the German Secret Service (particularly active in Hastings), & also I would have liked to have met the fellow who could see a human being from 25,000 ft. Well everything was O.K until yesterday & I went to a messing committee meeting at Marine Court & had hardly returned to Eversfield when with a roar, 11 F.W's or ME 109's roared past the window about 30 fit off the deck. A few
[page break]
seconds later came the clump of exploding bombs, getting nearer, I ducked & waited. Nothing happened, so I looked out of the windows again, the raiders were already well out to sea, & three others who had been circling round in the sun ready to take a hand if any of our boys came along joined them.
About 11 bombs had been dropped, three up on the hill leading to the sports field one on a blind home, two by the Victoria Hotel, and three in Warrior Sq, where I had been a minute before. A single V.G.O. was mounted at each end of Marine Court, & one fellow got off a good few rounds at them – a good show. Unfortunately not like the Monday, when nobody was injured there were a fair few civilian deaths & casualties, also our boys didn't escape. They had been marching back from football, when they were spotted, a F.W dived & let his bomb go on the houses nearby & two others side slipped to roof top height & opened with cannon & machine gun. I think about 6 chaps were killed & 30 injured, it was a swine being unable to strike back.
[page break]
'Nobby' Clark appeared in the mess last night & said he had contacted the A.M. & we would leave Hastings as soon as possible. He was right too, they woke us up at 3 a.m. this morning & we packed, hung around & had breakfast & then left at 6.30 a.m. It was a 4 mile walk to the station – to carry 2 loaded kit bags it was impossible, I carried them for a bit, then dragged one, & finally sat down by the road with some others, really worn out. P/O Stuttaford came along carrying a suitcase (he had sent 6 fellows down to the station with his stuff) and shouted at us like pigs to get moving, my blood boils when I think of it. We struggled on for a bit, & then rested again - he screamed at us again then a Sgt took pity & said he'd take charge of us, & we hopped on a bus. We got in the troop train, I think there were about three and at 8 am. we moved off, our destination is secret, [deleted] [one indecipherable word] [/deleted] but everyone knows it is Harrogate. It broke my heart to travel through old London, & not be able to get out. We stopped for a 1/4 hour about 2 miles from Mary's place, we expect to arrive in Harrogate about 5 p.m.
[page break]
[underlined] Tuesday Sept 29th [/underlined]
I certainly get around I'm writing this at Manchester & am on a draft at last. We were billeted in the Grand Hotel at Harrogate, & received us so well that after 13 hours on 2 sandwiches & an apple, they gave us two slices of bread, no butter, & a few pieces of cheese – a fine supper. People hear of the glory of the R.A.F. its [sic] a pity they don't hear how they train aircrew. I was put on a draft right away with 18 others, & we spent Saturday getting kitted out & wasting time. I am glad I shan't be staying in this hotel, it used to be a WAAF's billets. [sic] There is plenty of 'bull' here, polished floors & everything, lights put out with a master switch & everything. Saturday afternoon we looked round the town, it wasn't a bad place, high prices & queues & everybody endeavouring to forget the war, but bags of women, there being all the Civil Service, a WAAF & AT.S training place. I saw a girl I worked with before she was evacuated to Harrogate but didn't speak to her. We saw Abbott & Costello in " Rio Rita" in the evening.
[page break]
Next morning away we marched to the station, "Nobby" gave us a farewell talk, & W/O Roberts bound to the last, "Chiefy" Tate unbound a little but I doubt if the meant it. The journey to Heaton Park didn't take long and we arrived here Sunday afternoon & passed through the old familiar gates, we had a good meal upon arrival. As our so called embarkation leave was 3 months previous we were entitled to another 7 days & naturally expected to hear something about it. On Monday though we were paraded & marched straight off to camp co-operation. My God! nobody knew anything about us, the C.O apparently didn't want to see us, we could get no 'gen' from anyone, here we were on the point of going overseas & being denied a chance of saying cheerio to our people. Its [sic] funny how they can bugger you around when they fancy to. When we were entitled to leave & to be put on fatigues & told nothing that was too thick, its [sic] funny how C.O's appear devoid of human feelings. Well, we will just have to wait hear [sic] eating our hearts out.
[page break]
[underlined] Wednesday 7th Oct. [/underlined]
I am writing this aboard the Queen Mary now under the name of HMT 02. we came on board this morning. No leave was granted to us at all at Manchester, we hung around all that time & could have had 7 days leave easily. Nothing was done until the last two days, we did fatigues all the time. Pat Kinsella had an interview with the C.O regarding leave, but was told it wasn't definite how long we would be at Manchester, how delightfully vague, still I guess there is no good crying over spilt milk.
We were allowed out into town for the last afternoon and had to report back fairly early. There followed the same old roll calls and a fine supper, just the same as when we went to Hastings. We entrained just after midnight, at Heaton Park, & being a troop train it was crammed as usual with little ventilation. We travelled through the night & arrived at our port at 8.30 am.
[page break]
Our port of embarkation was Greenock & we stood by on a tender for a couple of hours, engrossed in the busy scene on the Clyde. Every variety of naval craft, destroyers, corvettes, transports, cruisers, an aircraft carrier, & scores of landing craft dodging about, truly a busy scene. At last we moved out to our transport which we could see was a large one, & by hookey! it was a size when we got alongside. We passed in through a door way down in her side, & were given a berth number. In each cabin, they used to be single or double I should imagine are 12-15 bunks, pretty crowded, its [sic] a lovely ship though. The dining hall is colossal, one can't imagine they are afloat, we shall have that fact borne upon us, after tonight I guess as we sail then.
I'll close this now & on my next entry we will be a 1,000 miles away from land. This closes this book, and my next one will be about our trip and my experiences over in Canada.
[page break]
CONCLUDING BOOK 2 AND FINISHING MY GROUND TRAINING IN ENGLAND.
[page break]
[Faint handwritten dates on outside of back cover]
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
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Book 2, Commencing my Flying Training and my Adventures up till the time of Leaving England
Description
An account of the resource
Second of David Geach's diaries, describing his training for aircrew at Kingstown, Heaton Park, Hastings and Harrogate until his embarkation to Canada on the Queen Mary. Covers the period from 20 June 1942 to 7 October 1942.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
David Geach
Format
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One handwritten diary
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Diary
Identifier
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YGeachDG1394781v3
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Carlisle
Scotland--Perth
England--Manchester
Scotland--Dumfries
England--Stourbridge
Great Britain Miscellaneous Island Dependencies--Isle of Man
England--Reading
England--London
England--Hastings
England--Harrogate
Scotland--Greenock
Canada
Scotland--St. Andrews
England--St. Leonards (East Sussex)
England--Berkshire
England--Sussex
England--Worcestershire
England--Lancashire
Temporal Coverage
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1942-06
1942-07
1942-08
1942-09
1942-10
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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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.
Contributor
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Joy Reynard
David Bloomfield
aircrew
bomb aimer
bombing
entertainment
Fw 190
gremlin
ground personnel
Me 109
mess
military living conditions
military service conditions
navigator
Navy, Army and Air Force Institute
Nissen hut
observer
pilot
RAF Heaton Park
sport
training
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/110/1078/MBubbGJ1477939-160322-02.1.pdf
8c66263bade7e2b33a613146df0da748
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
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Bubb, George
G J Bubb
Description
An account of the resource
13 items. Collection covers the wartime service of Leading Aircraftsman George Joseph Bubb (b. 1911, 1477909 Royal Air Force), an instrument fitter on 44 Squadron. the collection contains notebooks from training courses, a service bible and 1946 diary as well as the contents of a scrapbook which include personal documents and photographs of people and bombing operations.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Dave Pilsworth and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2016-03-22
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
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Bubb, GJ
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[underlined] BUBB. G.J. [/underlined]
1477939-020001
[page break]
BUBB. G.J. 1477939
ENTRY 35.
BERRYFIELDS, MELKSHAM. SEPT 2.21 1943.
[underlined] CAMERA COURSE [/underlined]
[page break]
Formula for batteries
BATTERIES
Formula [underlined] LEAD. ACID CELL [/underlined]
Formula [underlined] CHARGED [/underlined]
Formula for [underlined] DISCHARGED [/underlined]
Formula for [underlined] ALKALINE CELL [underlined]
[page break]
[underlined] Batteries [/underlined] or [underlined] Accumulators [/underlined] are used for storing electrical energy in the form known as. D.C. the capacity of the battery is the quantity of energy it can store and is expressed as ampere hours. There are two common types of storage batteries – [underlined] lead acid [/underlined] having lead plates with diluted sulphuric acid as electrolite [sic] . – the [underlined] Alkaline [/underlined] type having nickel and cadmium or nickel and iron plates with caustic potash as electrolite [sic] ([underlined] caustic potash [/underlined] is supplied as a granulated powder or solid and is a caustic.)
[underlined] Lead Acid [/underlined] . The battery consists of several cells, each cell having a number of plates spaced alternatively positive and negative with their pieces of insulating material between them, each positive plate in a cell is connected to one
[page break]
terminal and each negative is connected to the other terminal. The cells in the battery are connected by metal strips [underlined] in series [/underlined] (positive to negative) when charged positive plates are charged chemically into [underlined] lead peroxide [/underlined] and in colour a deep reddish brown. The negative plates become [underlined] salt lead caused [/underlined] spongy lead [/underlined] coloured silvery grey. The electrolite [sic] should have a specific gravity between 1.27O – 1.285 according to type, when discharged all the plates are changed to [underlined] lead sulphate [/underlined], a dirty grey in colour, the specific gravity of the electrolite [sic] has now fallen to 1.150, the voltage of a single cell on open circuit will vary between 2.3 volts charged and 1.8 volts when discharged, so that a 12 volt battery when fully
[page break]
charged, will read on open circuit 13.8 volts and when discharged 10.8 volts. Cells must never be discharged below 1.8 volts.
[underlined] Charging [/underlined]
The capacity of a lead acid battery is usually given at a 10 hr rate for a continuous discharge so that a 12 volt 4O A.H. battery should give for 10 hrs 4 amps of current and the battery should not be charged at a higher rate than 4 amps, unless there are special instructions. Capacity depends upon surface area of positive plates and is roughly .04 amps per square inch. Positive plate always has negative each side. Voltage to allow for the charging is 2.5 volts per cell. Temperature during charging should not exceed 100 ̊ F, if it does it reduces the current The battery
[page break]
is fully charged when each cell in it has maintained for about 1 hr the correct S.G. and P.D of 2.7 volts obtained whilst the cell is charging. Batteries must only be charged in series. Before charging check level of electrolyte in each cell, this should be at least 3/16” above the plates, top up with pure distilled water only. Keep vents clear. The advantages of a lead –acid battery are. Low internal resistance giving high P.D.
Big capacity relative to weight and size
[underlined] Do not [/underlined] short circuit, heavily discharge for long periods, discharge below 1.8 volts or S.G. 1.150, charge too fast, treat rough or leave in a discharged condition for any length of time.
[page break]
[underline] Alkaline Cells [/underlined] . positive plates – nickel oxide and negative cadmium and or iron. Containers are welded steel with terminals fitted in insulated collars, to prevent short circuiting. The electrolyte is a solution of caustic potash and pure distilled water to a S.G of 1.190 when fresh. S.G. does not change with charge and discharge so it is no indication of the batteries condition. After about 18 months the S.G. will have fallen to 1.160 it is then poured away the cells rinsed out with pure water and refilled with fresh solution. The voltage of a single alkaline cell on open circuit will vary between 1.4 volts charged and 1.1 volts discharged.
[underlined] Charging [/underlined] is done similarly as the lead acid cell, but is accomplished at higher amperage.
[page break]
Normal charging amperage is stated on makers label and varies with design. A safe rate is 1 ½ times the capacity divided by eight. The battery is fully charged when each cell has maintained for an hour a P.D. of 1. 7 volts. Top up with distilled water, keep vents clear, allow 1.5 volts to charge it.
Advantages, high rates of charge and discharge possible without harm, no deterioration if left discharged for some time, strong construction giving longer life
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[underlined] MOTORS. [/underlined]
Simple electric motor consists of a curved permenant [sic] magnet, known as the [underlined] field magnet. [/underlined] Between the poles is a shaft free to notate on bearings, on the shaft is a [underlined] ‘former’ [/underlined] upon which wire is wound, this is the [underlined] armature [/underlined] the ends of the armature windings are attached to brass segments, forming a collar around the shaft these are the commutators, each segment is electrically insulated from the others and current is fed to the segments and so through the armature by brushes of coppered carbon or other suitable substance. When current is switched on the combined magnetic fields cause rotation of the shaft, its speed depending on the voltage supply and load reversing the supply polarity will reverse the motor. Because the field of strength in the permenant [sic] magnets cannot
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be made very large and decreases with time a strong magnetic field is produced by coils of wire, wound round an iron core. In a series wound motor the field coil and the armature windings are in series. The characteristics in a series motor are, big starting torque, speed variable with load or voltage variation, but is good for a steady load. In a shunt wound motor the field coil and armature windings are connected in parallel to each other, this gives a different characteristic to the series motor as follows, small starting torque, steady speed, irrespective of slight current variation or of load. From then it will be seen that a series motor is very suitable for photography where immediate high operating speed is necessary and the load on the motor is steady. The series motor
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used in the F.24 and G.45 cameras have a speed of 6,000 revs per minute and, 5,700 revs per minute respectively The shunt motor is used in the Torpedo Training Camera F.46 at 6,500 R.P.M. and the T.35 Electrically controlled at 3,500 – 4000 RPM.
[underlined] Care and maintenance [/underlined] of electric motors consists of bearing lubrication cleaning the commutators and renewing or adjusting the brushes combined with general cleanliness. In camera the lubrication should be as little as possible, surplus oil always being wiped off, the commutator can be cleaned with a soft cloth and motor spirit or meths, aviation spirit is not to be used, brushes require little attention, but when renewed make sure that good contact is made. G 45 camera motor has a type of centrifugal governor, which operates a switch
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cutting in a resistance and limiting the motor speed. There are two adjustments one coarse and one fine, the coarse adjustment should not need tension after leaving the depot or works, it is regulated by altering the tension of a spring controlling the C.F. weight. Increased compression of the spring requires more R.PM to throw out the weight and produce the movement which separates the spring contacts.
[underlined] Fine Adjustment [/underlined] – is by grub screw to set the position of the fixed contacts, this needs only about a ¼ of a turn.
[underlined] F 24 Motor Maintenance [/underlined] – bearings examined and oiled every six months every 12 months partly dismantle clean casing, examine brushes, renew if down to 3/8 nh or less, the friction clutch of F.24 motor adjust by the spring compression between two drums
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when motor shaft is held, the extension shaft can, by an effort, be turned by hand
[underlined] F46 Motor Maintenance. [/underlined] one drop of oil in top bearing weekly, monthly if camera not in use, examine brushes
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[underlined] AIR – CAMERA. F. 24 [/underlined]
This camera may be used as “hand held” or fixed camera having various mountings as follows,
[underlined] Type 16 [/underlined] for flying boats, hand or electrical operation, stows on the bracket and can be hand held or mounted on a bracket outside the hole in use camera secured in mounting by two spindle ended screws, has adjustable handgrips and trigger release, tubular sights.
[underlined] Type 21 [/underlined]
has two adjustable handgrips and trigger release, tubular or frame sights for 8” cone interchangeable stows in frame.
[underlined] Type 25 [/underlined] . for mounting on camera rails in aircraft, camera secures y screws. camera will tilt and lock in a gimble system – fitted with levels and fore and aft scales.
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has big shock absorbers, quick release fitting and drift scale
[underlined] Type 24 [/underlined] – similar, smaller, going out of date.
[underlined] Type 26 [/underlined] – similar to 25, but has extension arms giving clearance for oblique photography and long cones
[underlined] F24 [/underlined] is used for either vertical or oblique photography and with an electrical timing control for making ‘mosaics’, the camera is made on the unit system for interchangeability of parts – these parts are, the [underlined] body magazine, shutter, gear-box [/underlined] and [underlined] lens cone [/underlined]
[underlined] Camera body. [/underlined] – houses the shutter frame and provides a mounting for the magazine, lens cone, and gear-box and includes the register glass
[underlined] Magazine [/underlined] – houses the spools of exposed and un-exposed films it has
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two parts, the spool carrier and the magazine couple, the mechanism for releasing film during winding for measuring and operating an exposure counter and film wind indicator are part of the spool carrier the cover makes the assembly light-proof, except for the aperture left for making the exposure, which is covered on the inside by the pressure [inserted] pad [/inserted] exposures are 5” square with a 3/16” margin for clearance 125 exposures are made on 56 feet of film, loaded in a dark room. The pressure pad is supported by a bar secured to it by a hinge, the bar is hinged at one end and has a projecting piece at the other end, this piece goes through a slot in the magazine and rests on the meshing lever. Light proofing of the slot is obtained by two large steel washers having between them a felt pad and
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a spring. Pressure is adjusted by moving an end of the spring along the toothed rack below the pressure bar. Feed spool roller has an adjustable friction loader, the receive spool roller is geared to the film measuring roller and has a friction drive.
[underlined] Magazine Friction Test [/underlined] – have magazine level and spare spool in receive side, put tester between feed spool holders with its weight at feed and arm at right . angles and away from feed adjust tension so that arm will just fall from horizontal with light tapping. Testing receive spool holder, the weight is put to “receive” and arm at right angles over the bridge, spare spool in feed side, adjust friction drive so that when turned by measuring roller gear, the weight arm just
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lifts and falls again
[underlined] Universal Shutter Mk I [/underlined]
Is a fixed slit variable speed focal plane self capping type. Two interchangeable blinds are supplied and are easily changed by sliding the brass rod at each end through the slot in the correct roller and then making adjustments The blinds are, [underlined] Type B. [/underlined] 3/8” slit, exposure speed 1/150 – 1/300 of a sec. [underlined] Type C [/underlined] 3/16” slit, exposure 1/350th – 1/500th of a sec. Adjustments on main blind, when replacing worn blind or changing blind. A) Initial tension 15 turns counter clock. B) With trailing edge of blind 90 ̊ over pinion roller when in set position, the toe of the brake lever should be in the root of the cam, allow to run back and toe should be on the highest part of the cam. C) Anti-acceleration spring tension – disengage
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A.A. gear wheel from pinion and release tension, re tension gear – wheel anti-clockwise a ¼ turn for B, 1 ¼ turns for C – re-engage gear and pinion. Pinion fractions should not slip when drawing blinds, but can be by hand if roll is held.
[underlined Capping Blind [/underlined] . Tension with 6 turns of roller spindle anti-clockwise. Blinds should be renewed when cracks or wear on material begins to show light.
[underlined] Gear-Box [/underlined] . has the following component. worm wheel with spring clutch gap wheel with cam and contact plate, driving pinion, handle with snail clutch, locking lever, locating lever, meshing lever, release block and post main blind pinion locking post. A worm gear driven by flexible drive operates the gear box when power is used. Adjustments :- by eccentric bear of meshing lever, if
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all other points easy running, 2.) of locating pin by eccentric bearing
[underlined] Lens Cable [/underlined] – mounts the lens the correct distance from focal plane and has mechanism for adjusting the diaphragm opening sizes 3 ¼” & 5” wide angle, 8” 10” 12” & 14” and tele-photo 20”, 30”, 36” & 40”. Capital F usual indicates focal length and indicates the cone’s size, F/2.9 = stop number = [underlined] FOCAL LENGTH APERTURE [/underlined]
[underlined] Testing [/underlined] (1). Load camera with complete length of waste film, having 100 exposures on receive spool operate 6 exposures. (3.) Remove magazine and pencil line across aperture H. (4) Fit magazine and operate once, pencil again as in (3) and so on to end of film (5) Unload and measure overlap of marked spaces, this must not exceed a ¼” if variable or camera fails to wind over last few feet that remain tension is incorrect. Ref.. 1355 Vol 1 Part 2 Chapter 1. Para 76-93 for [underlined] Maintenance [/underlined]
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[underlined] Push switch control [/underlined] is used for remote operation of the camera from the cock-pit or observers position. This has a feeder type counter and a green lamp to show camera re-wind.
[underlined] RUNNING FAULTS [/underlined]
(1.).[underlined] NO EXPOSURE MADE AND FILM NOT WOUND [/underlined]
Indicated by failure of green lamp in electrical control to light. or, when hand or semi. automatic operation, by film wind indicator failing to rotate.
1.). Magazine fouling meshing lever.
2.). Faulty or broken spring tooth.
3.). Broken meshing lever spring.
4.). Broken release post spring.
5.). Faulty timing or push button switch in electrical control.
II.). [underlined] EXPOSURE MADE BUT FILM WOUND [/underlined]
1.) Broken spring in main or capping blinds.
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Graph of [underlined] F.24 TYPE E. GEAR-BOX. DUAL VOLTAGE [/underlined]
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2.). Main blind pinion slipping.
3.). Failure of spring post of locking lever to hold the shutter in the wound position when hand operated.
3.). [underlined] CAMERA. “RUNAWAY” [/underlined]
Indicated by continuous rotation of film wind indicator or continuous burning of green lamp.
1.). Broken spring on locking lever
2) Failure of time switch in control box.
3.) Push button or switch jammed
4.) [underlined] MOTOR FAILING TO OPERATE CAMERA [/underlined]
Indicated by failure of film wind indicator to rotate on power, but can be operated by hand.
1.). Broken or faulty clutch spring on worm wheel.
2). Faulty motor or clutch in motor
3). Broken pin on worm in camera or motor driving shaft.
5.) [underlined] INCORRECT SPACING OF NEGATIVES [/underlined]
1.). Incorrect tension on feed or receive spool pinions.
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2). Damaged film spool
3.) Failure of locating lever spring.
[underlined] T.35. ELECTRICAL CONTROL OF. F 24 [/underlined]
This is to enable photographs to be taken at pre-determined intervals of time, range of time interval is from 2 secs to 50 secs being controlled by [underlined] interval setting [/underlined] knob which moves over a scale. The control is mounted on a cast base and is made up of units designed for easy dismantling necessary wiring from the plugs is in the base, circuit being made to the components by spring contacts. Units are :- (1) [underlined] The movement [/underlined] consisting of a DC shunt motor coupled through a friction drive to an escapement which is geared to the timing wheels. A push [underlined] exposing button [/underlined], a [underlined] counter [/underlined]and [underlined] warning light contacts [/underlined] are on the same framework. (2) [underlined] The Base [/underlined]
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with plug connections, warning lights, pilot’s indicator lamp plug, and the wiring. (3) [underlined] The Main Switch [/underlined] with delayed action control and a safety switch. (4) [underlined] The Camera Contacts [/underlined] for operating camera release solenoid, there is a front cover and back with wedge fittings. (5) [underlined] The Timing Gear [/underlined] in the movement consists of an escapement, vibrating about 240 times per minute, (that is 120 oscillations) a brass outer case driven by a crown wheel from the motor and two timing wheels geared to a driving pinion on the escape wheel shaft, the front timing wheel turns anti-clockwise and the rear clockwise Between the timing wheels is the radius arm turning on the same bearings but free from the wheels, a triangular steel plate against each wheel acts as a friction loading between wheels
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and radius arm to take up play. The base of the radius arm is fitted with a metal shoe which works the delayed action on the main switch The top as a projecting steel pin at right angles through it (the wiping pin) Pivotted [sic] to the top of the radius arm are two catch claws at an angle of about 160 ̊ from each other so that when one claw engages with the teeth of the front timing wheel, the other is just clear of the rear wheel. Engagement of the claws is controlled by what is known as the heart shaped cam and trip plate, contacts in the form of spring buffers projecting up from the base of the radius arm close the red warning light circuit for about 4 secs. The heart shaped cam is operated by the trip plate which is spring loaded to each side of the
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radius arm, the plate is free to move up and down in the slot in the radius arm and also has side play so that it can rack the claw as it moves over the cam. With front catch claw engaged the radius arm will turn anti-clockwise till the trip plate comes up against a fixed stop which in some models is made capable of adjustment, the radius arm continuing it’s rotation a little, causes the trip plate to move over the cam on the claw shaft, which then pivots and disengages the front claw but engages the rear claw in the clockwise timing wheel. Radius arm moves clockwise until reaching the variable stop positioned by the interval setting knob, the time taken by the radius arm to travel from rest to the variable stop may be any interval between about 1 sec and 25 secs
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thus giving 2-50 secs complete cycle. The exposure contacts are closed by the wiping pin about 2 ½ secs after the warning light contacts are closed and remain closed for slightly over ½ sec. this action takes place [inserted] generally [/inserted] just after the radius arm has reached the fixed stop and begun to travel clockwise
graph for [underlined] TYPE 35 ELECTRICAL CONTROL OF F.24 CAMERA [/underlined]
[underlined] REAR VIEW [/underlined]
[underlined] The Main Switch [/underlined] has delayed action so that the machines arm will always stop in the same position, although the main switch was turned off some seconds before. In [one indecipherable word] model this ensures that as soon as the main switch is turned on an exposure will be made for the switch is spring loaded and has on the under side[sic] of the knob two dowel[?] holes which fit a peg on the body of the unit to turn on the switch, draw knob out and twist quickly 180º, allow to re-engage to prevent it returning by accident. If safety switch has been included in the circuit between exposure contacts and operating solenoids to counteract the closing[?] of the camera contacts if bumps[?] cause main switch to close or camera contacts to close, this does not affect the operation of the push switch. The push exposure switch is operated
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by pushing the white centre of the interval setting knob, this completes a circuit to the operating solenoid in the F.24 [one indecipherable word]box and makes one exposure re-winding camera ready for an other[sic].
[Diagram of camera mechanism?]
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[underlined] The Counter [/underlined] – is a large disc numbered around its edge from 0-125 by fives with a knob for resetting. The disc is mounted by a spring friction plate upon a free running gear wheel with 130 teeth. A lightly sprung [one indecipherable word] prevents the wheel turning backwards. In operation the wheel is turned one tooth at a time by a spring tension lever operated by the counter solenoid, the solenoid draws the lever back and the spring returns it and moves round the gear[?] wheel. The movement of the counter lever can be limited by loosening three screws and adjusting the [one indecipherable word] and eccentric stop respectively.
[underlined] Exposure Contact Unit [/underlined] - consists of one or two phosphor bronze strips bent over at the ends. The strips are fixed to metal blocks which are separately pivotted[sic] and tensioned by long springs mounted on the unit
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body. The block holding the shortest[?] strip pivots about the centre of its length while the other pivots about a 1/3rd from the top, this causes friction between the contacts which are situated at the back of the metal blocks being insulated from them with leads taken to an attached terminal block contacting steel spring strips at the base.
[underlined] Action [/underlined]
The [one indecipherable word] pin comes down on the bent part of the strip, bends them forward and slips through the “gate” cut in them . Wiping[?] pin now changes its direction and returns to press up on the bent over strip making the camera release contacts.
[underlined] Maintenance [/underlined] – contacts are all self-cleaned. Test for [one indecipherable word] and insulation – keep screws tight, lubricate very sparingly with anti-
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freeze[?] oil, keep a log book with running times, intervals, height and faults if any. Every three months or when required dismantle, clean and examine.
[underlined] N.B. [/underlined] Take care to adjust escapement if hair-spring has been loosed from balance staff or its end[?] unpinned. Impulse [inserted] pin [/inserted]dead between balance staff and pallet staff when spring normal.
[diagram]
[underlined] ESCAPEMENT MOVEMENT {/underlined]
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[vertically printed] [underlined] TYPE 35 No. 19 [/underlined]
[underlined] ELECTRICAL CONTROL OF F24 [/underlined]
[underlined] REAR VIEW [/underlined] [/vertically printed]
[diagram]
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[underlined] Y[?] 35: [/underlined] 15 & 6 two sec minium [sic] intervals for several cameras with distribution for P.R.U’s only. 11 & 12, 1y:18 now modified to 19 & 20.
[underlined] [one indecipherable word] 19 & 20 [/underlined] Are for use with night camera. Y.504 for altitudes between 2,000 ft & 22,000 ft. This control operates the electro. Magnetic release of the flare [one indecipherable word] so launching the flash at the instant the bomb release is operated and control started. A photograph of the area beneath (about 6,300 ft square from 10,000 ft height) is obtained about 6 secs before bomb impact, which is accurate enough for plotting the a/c position relative to the target, To prevent film “fogging” two frames are wound over about 8 secs before flash explosion and two frames, including exposure about 4 or 5 secs after flash explosion, failure of control or camera means that the aircrew
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will lack positive evidence of their success of attack. The differences are the camera contact phosphor bronze strip is re-shaped to contact on both transits of wiping pin and give time for two frames to be wound over by high speed gear-box. Push switch in knob for dial lumination. Single exposure main switch and solenoid operation. A plug and socket each for bomb release and flash release circuits. Fixed stop gives 12 sec interval between main contacts making on left hand transits. Red[?] warning flashes to show that flash is released. Green shows time for level altitude and connects to pilot’s indicator.
[underlined] Action [/underlined] Bombs and flash are released together and controls start clockwise notation to meet variable stop and returns after pre-set
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Interval, wiping pin closes camera contacts for about 2 ½ secs and camera winds over two[?] frames. Green light and pilot’s warning light glow. Trip plate reaches fixed[?] stop flash explodes about now and arm returns and after about 4 ½ secs makes camera contacts and operates camera winding over two frames, control switches off.
[underlined] Night Photography Mk[?] III – Simplified [/underlined]
The layout consists of – lens core with 8” focal length lens stopped to f2.9, aperture is always at that setting. A light [two indecipherable words] type is fitted to the base of the cone to prevent light from the exploding flash being directly thrown onto the film and ‘fogging’ it. Except for the shutter other parts are standard F.24 equipment. Control T35 19 & 20 is used and
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pilots indicator may have the word “level” shown in read.
[underlined] Procedure for Use [/underlined]
Test bench[?] to be level and camera mounting installed with camera levelled off or set to operational tilt, the angle being taken from table supplied, depending on height and speed. Give[?] several testing cycles in workshop and after installation [inserted] in A/c [/inserted] test again, first making certain that bombs are safe and/or bomb doors closed. That photo flash is not in shute and magazine if fitted, is not loaded – remove if loaded. Turn Y35 knob to start control, run a complete cycle and after fitting magazine wind over one frame by pressing release [one indecipherable word] (The photographer will have written start and a/c details on this exposure), before fitting magazine to a/c. A rubber draught excluder and heater[?] muff are fitted to camera, the
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muff is switched on when a/c is airborne. When bomb aimer intends to take the photograph he must put his No 3 shute flare selector switch to CAMERA” before pressing bomb release
[underlined] NOTE [/underlined] Variations in the use of the Universal shutter and type N [one indecipherable word] may be found in different Bomber Groups, but principle is similar
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[underlined] TORPEDO TRAINING CAMERA TYPE F.46 [/underlined]
Replaces P.39 for torpedo attack training and conformation of the results of the attack. The second special camera is mounted in the cock-pit to record photographically the instrument dials at the moment of release. This is the airspeed recording camera. The F.46 may be mounted in the wing on type 2Y mounting or may be under the fuselage or wing where special mounting type 30 is required Type 30 is a steel cradle to which type 2Y is bolted either above or below. If under-slung in the lower position the usual plain top plate of the camera is replaced for one with the dove tail fitting so that the camera is held by a stop grip. Type 30 mounting secures beneath the wing or fuselage to the lugs provided for the light series
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bomb racks which it replaces when the aircraft is on torpedo practice or attack. The F.46 is made up of interchangeable units, principal items being the body, lens heaters and optical flats magazine and mechanism panel which carries the motor and gearing, switches, wiring and shutter with its operating gear.
[underlined] The body [/underlined] is a strong casting having a lens mount in front, slides for the mechanism panel while the rear is cut away to make the aperture or focal plane. The surface of the aperture is burnished to provide a smooth face for the film to slide over. In the body are three spring contacts for the heater curcuit [sic] and watch lamp circuit. The watch holder fits in a slide beneath the body and is spring locked to it. On the side are the shutter manual control lever, the magazine catch and
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the safety catch for booth[sic]
[underlined] The lens [/underlined] is a [indecipherable symbol] 5’ wide angle with Extra Maginal [sic] Illumination (E.M.I.). This unit and heater assemblies are held in a tube which secures to the body by a flange, neither lens or mounting should be moved or disturbed from its position on the body. The [one indecipherable word] diaphragmets[?] adjust the aperture is between the lenses and the setting ring is bracketted [sic] to the outer setting ring which has a spring locating pin pressing into notches to hold the ring at the required aperture setting. Spring loaded plugs make the contacts for both heaters. The front heater is of cross-wires bedded on a ring of insulation, the rear heater has the element wound around slots in the periphery of the insulation ring, vents are cut in the ring to allow free
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circulation of the warm air. A thin piece of insulation is stuck round the ring to prevent electrical contact with the lens holder tube.
[underlined] The Front Heater [/underlined] consists of a clamp ring, shim ring, broad sealing washer of rubber or linotex, the filter flat, enamelled sealing washer and possibly packing ring or rings. If the clamp ring does not compress the sealing washer add packing rings. In the rear assembly are the retaining ring, clear optical flat, seating[?] ring and heater.
[underlined[ The magazine [/underlined] consists of the cover and bottom panel which supports all mechanism, is day light loaded, usually 4 exposes. The bridge piece on the panel mounts the pressure pad and spool holders. Three one-to-one gears form the drive from re-wind dogs[?] to receive spool, which has a spring loaded [one indecipherable word], coloured
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datum marks on the dog plates of both drives must be aligned with the datum on each unit before fitting magazine to body. The pressure plate should depress with the weight of over 1 ½ lbs but under 2. Flat[?] friction spring bearings and each spool should be adjusted to give even feeding from the feed spool without slack and reasonably tight winding on the receive spool.
[underlined] The mechanism panel [/underlined] forms the left hand side of the body and part of the base where the gear frame to the film re-wind dogs is positioned. On the side is the Y pin plug. The front of the [inserted] panel [/inserted] supports the [inserted]motor [/inserted] [one indecipherable word] type shutter and mechanism. The side of panel holds the release solenoid and bracket for part of the gearing, whilst the remainder of the gearing is on the bottom
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panel, with the change-over switch and three knife contacts for the heaters and watch lamp circuits. The connections engage when panel is pushed in and screwed up. The shunt motor (6,500 RPM) mounts vertically and drives a twelve toothed pinion, through a loose self-aligning coupling. Motor can be withdrawn without touching the gearing, brushes and [one indecipherable word] are visible for inspection and a shield is fitted around to prevent sparks fogging the film. Epicyclic [?] gearing gives reduction of 1400-1. Re-wind dog-wheel 4 revs in about 51 secs loaded.
[underlined] The shutter [/underlined] is a louvre type operated by a solenoid, the blades are grooved on one edge with a strand of wool stuck in for light proofing. A spring loaded rack turns the blades 90° to spin the shutter, the rack being depressed by a spring
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panel[?] on the solenoid carriage. As the blades reach the open position the panel[?] is tripped by an adjustable trip rod, so allowing the shutter to close. Exposure time is about 1/100th of a sec. and cannot be adjusted to much less without great loss of light and intensity. When the armature reaches its’ full travel, it closes a pair of contacts known as the release switch the exact instant of closure can be adjusted by means of a screw bearing on the lower contact so as to vary the distance between them these operate the release solenoid. The change-over switch before and during operation keep the motor contacts open and the shutter lamp circuit closed. When the release solenoid operates it allows a cam to turn under the spring pressure of the set-off lever
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this forces the switch lever out of the cam depression and operates the change-over switch to break the shutter contacts and make the motor contacts, motor starts and re-wind continues for one revolution of the cam. When the switch lever again drops into the cam depression motor circuit breaks, shutter and lamp circuit makes at change-over switch, release solenoid armature has locked the cam and camera is ready for further exposure.
The above sequence of operations is begun by pressing the torpedo release switch so energising the solenoid and watch lamp circuits, at the same time a second parallel circuit exposes the [underlined] air-speed recording camera [/underlined] in the cock-pit, this photographs the A.S.I and other instrument so recording their readings at instant of release. This small camera takes
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a picture 1½” x 1” on standard 35mm 8 exposure film. F 4.5 for mk I and 5.6 mk II they will focus to a minimum distance of 4 feet for nearer objects put scale to 4 feet, remove set screw from lens mount and turn lens mount anti-clockwise the distance stated in the table in A.P.1355 vol II B.34. A special holder for this camera has solenoid release arm. Re-wind of camera 1½ complete turns of winding handle. [underlined] The test adaptor [/underlined] is a skeleton magazine cover so that film wind can be watched. Film should wind over evenly and should not rock the pressure pad, if it does gently adjust the spring tension pressing the film on the spools. A sighting unit is for harmonizing the camera with the torpedo aiming sights. It is in two parts, framed ground glass screen and a plain mirror set at
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45° in a mounting which slides into the frame. A vertical hair line is ground on the glass for centering [sic] [underlined] Installation and Maintenance [/underlined] 1355 vol I Part II [one indecipherable word] Y 83.85 para. And 91.96
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[underlined] CINÉ CAMERA GUN G 45 [/underlined]
[detailed diagram]
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This can be used with suitable mountings in place of any existing British aircraft Machine Gun for training as for recording actual combat.
[circled] 1 [/circled] With type 2Y wing mounting and 32 adaptor plate in place of a fixed gun [circled] 2 [/circled] With type 29 mounting and 32 adaptor plate in place of Dickens[?] gas-operated m. gun
[circled]3 [/circled] With type 31 adaptor plate and modified gun-handle and switch mounts on the V.G.O. [one indecipherable word] in place of the magazine. [circled] 4 [/circled] With 33, 34 & 35 adaptors it replaces usually the upper right hand Browning in [two indecipherable words] type 4, Boulton-Paul and F.h type 16 Turrets respectively
Extensions lenses are always used in turrets with F.2”. Cameras in 12 & 24 volts – 18 having red label.
G.45 builds up in 10 units some [one indecipherable word] inter-changeable with similar units
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of same voltage. The body with gears lens unit and claw unit are not inter-changeable.
[underlined] The [circled]1 [/circled] body and [circled] 2 [/circled] lens units are optically matched to each other and must not be otherwise fitted to different ones. Lenses are of 2”, 2.2” or 2.4”. indicated by coloured bands on mounting yellow for 2” green 2.2” red for 2.4” all have f 3.5 and an infinity of over 30 ft. G.45B has optional stop f.6.3all lenses are fitted with heaters.
[circled] 3 [/circled] [underlined]Magazine container [/underlined] is hinged at top of body and can be loaded from top or through a door inside of body. When using side door take care not to foul the claw.
[circled] 4 [/circled] [underlined]Magazine [/underlined] is just a spool carried with 4 toothed sprocket to work footage indicator and a grooved pressure pad behind the gate. Feed spool is lightly friction loaded and
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in G.45B the receive spool holder has spring device to check reversal.
[circled] 5 [/circled] [underlined] Motor [/underlined] passes 16 frames per sec. at about 5.YOO R.P.M. G.45B is adjusted to 20 frames per sec. [one indecipherable word/symbol] repairs to be made.
[circled] 6 [/circled] [underlined] Claw Unit [/underlined] for drawing film over the exposure aperture and is driven by the large intermediate gear through a small pinion carrying on it’s shaft a cam and an eccentric pin. The pin works in a slot in the lever on which is mounted a spring loaded claw, as this claw moves down it draws the film with it and on it’s return upwards is forced by it’s shape, out of the perforation of the film which is kept still during the operation by the register pin held in engagement with the next hole but one by the action of the cam
[circled] 7 [/circled] [underlined] The shutter unit [/underlined] is a sector shutter
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driven by a pinion and helical gears from the intermediate gears. Has a normal open sector of 45° for “cloudy” and a reduced aperture of 13½° for “sunny” . Sector is reduced by a solenoid which causes magnetic & frictional drag to be exerted on the auxillary [sic] shutter blade against the pull of a coiled spring so that the auxillary [sic] shutter is [one indecipherable word] until the pin on it reachs [sic] the end of a slot in the main shutter and both turn [one indecipherable word]
[circled] 8 [/circled] [underlined Electrical wiring [/underlined] can be removed as a unit, all connections to other parts being made by plugs or contacts. This unit carries the thermostat control which operates at 65°F + 5°. Adjusts by small grub screw in front of body after removal of the lens unit.
[circled] 9 [/circled] [underlined] The intermediate gears [/underlined] are:- large motor gear, driven by armature pinion of the motor and having frictionally
[page break]
Connected to it is a small pinion. A large rewind gear with friction driven core[?] to magazine. A small intermediate pinion and a large intermediate gear driving the claw & shutter.
[circled] 10 [/circled] [underlined] Motor Speed Test [/underlined]. Load with waste film mark film with pencil at top edge of magazine aperture – run for 10 secs mark again, repeat several times. Amount of film passed in 10 secs to give 16 frames per sec is 4 ft + 3”. G45B will be 5ft + 6”. Depress plunger of release solenoid when not in use – this released spring tension.
[underlined] Maintenance – Sect II – 1Y49 Chap. 10 Para 103-114
[underlined] Footage Indicator [/underlined] includes the –“sunny-cloudy” switch. Footage is operated by a solenoid which draws down one
[page break]
end of a spring-loaded pivotted[sic] lever the rising end of the lever lifts a lightly sprung pawl resting on a toothed wheel. When the circuit is broken the pawl returns and moves the wheel round one tooth. Another pawl prevents the toothed wheel from returning backwards. Friction loaded pointer for zero setting. Adjustment for one tooth movement by screwed stop and/or solenoid position.
[underlined] Titling [?]Unit [/underlined] is operated by clock-work and is fully wound by six turns of the handle. When releases this exposes about 9” of film which photographs the title and details of the pictures previously written in black pencil on the ground side of a cellon tablet, this is placed in the slot on the front of the lens a second slot can be used to insert a clean cellon tablet for
[page break]
varying the lighting intensity for varying the exposure. Speed control is by a pre-set mechanical governor. Camera arrangements similar to G.45. Maintenance similar to camera. Repairs on squadrons only very minor. Replacements nil
[underlined] [one indecipherable word] Unit or Harmonyed [?] must be treated with care and will then need little attention. Do not breathe upon or finger the stainless steel mirror [one indecipherable word] clothe[sic] or camel hair brush only to be used for cleaning. Do not carry the unit loose in the pocket or leave lying about – use the box
[underlined] Type 29 Mounting. [/underlined] This is used with type 32 adaptor plate and provides a free gun mounting in the shape of a dummy gun and is designed from the Vickers “K” Gun. It incorporates all the external wiring circuits including footage indicator Type 44. Dummy barrels carry ordinary bead[?]
[page break]
and ring sights which are adjustable for harmonization and a socket is provided for a reflector gun-sight. Camera secures by type 32 adaptor. Footage indicator works similarly to type 45, plugs into mounting and is a replaceable unit. Electrical circuits are the same as for a fixed camera gun, except that push-button firing switch is replaced by two micro-switches in series with each other and operated by the cocking handle and trigger.
[underlined] Action. [/underlined] On drawing back cocking handle a spring loaded sear secures it and a friction loaded sleeve presses back the locking spring. When cocking handle released [inserted] new[?] [/inserted] spring of front switch contact breaks. When pressing back sleeve [one indecipherable word] releases button and makes contact in rear[?] switch. When trigger is pressed sear is rocked
[page break]
cocking handle returns forward under tension of long return spring running round a pulley [?], sleeve does not move from it’s position because the locking spring is held by a locking plate on the heel of the sear lever, when cocking handle reaches the end of its travel it depresses leaf spring of front micro-switch and makes contact, both switches are now made and camera runs so long as trigger is depressed. A rubber pad and a steel collar makes a shock absorber for cocking handle return. When trigger is released sear is rocked in opposite direction under its spring tension so that the locking plate on the heel releases the locking spring, which pushes the sleeve forward so pressing up the stud so breaking the circuit, camera stops. In this movement the locking spring [one indecipherable word] over the top of
[page break]
the locking plate and prevents the trigger being pressed again until the cocking handle is re-set
[underlined] Maintenance ]/underlined] Sect 3. Chap 2 Para 49-51
[page break]
[blank page
[page break]
[Coloured drawing of an animal holding a stick with caption “The Camera Gremlin” and a signature]
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
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Camera course notebook
Description
An account of the resource
64 pages of course notes. Inside front page ' Bubb G J 1477939, Entry 35, Berryfields, Melksham, Sept 2-21 1943' Contains information of batteries and motors in general then specific notes on F24 camera and controls, night photography MkIII, torpedo training camera type F46, cine camera gun G45. Last page has hand-drawn colour cartoon figure of camera gremlin.
Creator
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George Bubb
Format
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Cover and 32 double page notebook
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Training material
Identifier
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MBubbGJ1477939-160322-02
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
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Great Britain
England--Melksham
England--Wiltshire
Temporal Coverage
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1943-09
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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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.
Contributor
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Sue Smith
Karl Williams
David Bloomfield
Trevor Hardcastle
Tricia Marshall
gremlin
ground crew
ground personnel
superstition
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1622/25096/PQuineJW16020268.1.jpg
98a57ee8c177225e958c820ada8a4a07
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1622/25096/PQuineJW16020269.1.jpg
4e7ccdc12a9c6773f0049db66708e508
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1622/25096/PQuineJW16020270.1.jpg
5d2c3350b760d4a06ad4ad1b945061f7
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1622/25096/PQuineJW16020271.1.jpg
d3577d4623c6b17459ea91bc1a2465b2
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1622/25096/PQuineJW16020272.1.jpg
a1c416dc9e24f1adb3a47996c7ad522d
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
Quine, John Wakeford. Photograph album
Description
An account of the resource
69 album pages showing aircraft, people, activities and places while at the Spartan School of Aeronautics, No 3 British Flying Training School, Miami, Oklahoma. Includes trips to El Paso, Terrel Texas, Chicago and the trip home via Canada.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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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.
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
Canada
Description
An account of the resource
Top left - view across railway tracks of a bay with town on far shore. Captioned 'Bay at St John's'.
Top right - telegraph pole with open ground and trees on the left. There is a blemish on the photograph at the top right of telegraph wires. Captioned 'Gremlin on the wires'.
Bottom left - view over trees of a bay. Captioned 'and so on our way - '. Bottom right - three double story buildings on left, centre and right. Captioned 'to Monkton'. Includes individual scans of all four photographs.
Format
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Four b/w photographs mounted on an album page
Type
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Photograph
Identifier
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PQuineJW16020268, PQuineJW16020269, PQuineJW16020270, PQuineJW16020271, PQuineJW16020272
Coverage
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Civilian
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
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Canada
New Brunswick
New Brunswick--Saint John
New Brunswick--Moncton
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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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.
gremlin
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/834/18749/MGeachDG1394781-160401-06.1.pdf
ca98f1b8b466efa09ded2313b64ec41b
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
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Geach, David
D Geach
Description
An account of the resource
<a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/218400/"></a>52 items. The collection concerns Warrant Officer David Geach (1394781 Royal Air Force) and contains his diaries, correspondence, photographs of his crew, his log book, cuttings and items relating to being a prisoner of war. After training in Canada, he flew operations as a bomb aimer with 623 and 115 Squadrons until he was shot down 24 March 1944 and became a prisoner of war. He was instrumental in erecting a memorial plaque to the Air Crew Reception Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. <br />The collection also contains a scrap book of photographs.<br /><br />Additional information on his crew is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/218400/">IBCC Losses Database.</a><br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Harry Wilkins and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2016-03-14
Rights
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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
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Geach, DG
Transcribed document
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Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
DAFOE Harry
DIGEST
[Picture of an aircraft]
NO. 5 B & G SCHOOL – DAFOE
‘XMAS [RAF Crest] 1942
[Page break]
[Boxed] A Word from the Editor
We present for your approval, the first issue of DAFOE DIGEST. Before you start to read it, may we take time to explain to you something of the policy of this issue.
It is intended that this shall be a monthly publication, and in this, our first issue, we have made an attempt to give you a general introduction to our station. You will find herein a report from almost every section on the Station. We have made an attempt to make these reports general so they will act as an introduction. Naturally this procedure could not be continued in future issues, so it is our intention that, from now on, the news will be more current and personal.
We would like to thank our Commanding Officer, Wing Commander P.W. Lowe-Holmes for his gracious patronage; LAC Morrison for his fine work in designing our first cover and each and every one of those who have contributed to this issue.
In closing, might we take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may the new year bring Victory and Peace, so that we all may soon be home with our loved ones. [/boxed]
[Page break]
THE DAFOE DIGEST
Published by the Kind Permission of our Commanding Officer, Wing Commander P. W. Lowe-Holmes.
Managing Editor – TOM MacDONALD, (Y.M.C.A.)
Associate Editors
F/L E.N. MORRISON
F/L/ J.M. CRUISE
F/O H. WAUGH
F/O E.E. McCALLUM
P/O W.L. JONES
P/O I.F. LUMA
Art Editor
LAC W.H. MORRISON
Photographers
F/S E.R. BARRETT
SGT. R.K. ARNOTT
Circulation Manager
F/L W.H. DUNPHY
VOLUME 1 – NO. 1 DECEMBER, 1942
Commanding Officers Message … 4
Headquarters … 5
Accounts Section … 6
Station Hospital … 7
The Wireless Operator Air Gunner … 8
Small Canteen … 10
Fire Hall … 11
Dental Clinic … 12
Handing Over Ceremony … 13
Air Bombers … 16
Station Workshops … 17
A Message from the Padres … 18
Works and Buildings … 19
The Gremlins at Dafoe … 20
The Control Tower … 21
A Note from the W.D.s … 22
Introduction from the Parachute Section … 23
Equipment Section … 26
Y.M.C.A. … 18
R.C.A.S.C. … 29
Sports Headlines … 30
Gunnery Flight … 32
Bombing Flight … 33
Drogue Flight … 33
Wireless Section … 34
Trophy Winners … 35
Beneath the Southern Cross … 36
Airmen’s Mess … 38
From the Education Office … 39
M.T. Section … 40
Maintenance … 41
Photographic Section … 42
M.P.O. 1206 … 43
Security Guard … 44
Chronological Summary … 45
Bust Road Incident … 46
Aussie Doings … 48
[Page break]
4 THE DAFOE DIGEST
[Boxed] Commanding Officer’s Message
[Photograph] Wing Commander P.W. Lowe-Holmes
I hope this magazine will be read in many homes and in different parts of the world. Its production is a triumph and a good indication of industry and ingenuity on the part of the editorial staff.
If this magazine gets the support it merits, regular monthly issues are contemplated.
A Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year to all at Dafoe.
[Signature] [/boxed]
[Page break]
THE DAFOE DIGEST 5
Headquarters’ High-Pressure
By Foreign (Eastern Canadian) Correspondent
“Exigencies of the Service” (and in particular this publication) seem to demand that Station Headquarters (Administrative, of course) be subjected to the doubtful advantages of being verbally pictured. Notwithstanding the opinions of some of the inhabitants (natives) of that lofty seat of decision, however, it is felt that the consummation of any such dali-ish inclinations would be utter nausea. However, to the infernal glorification of Building No. 1, No. 5 B. & G.S., as well as for the consumption of the more hardy of our readers (if any), we shudderingly tender this boring epistle.
Headquarters is, in its better moments looked upon by the remainder of the Station as the “ne plus ultra” in information bureaus. Regardless of the remote logic by which any problem is related to administrative matters, it seems inevitable that the matter finally devolves into the wastebasket, or onto the desk of, one of the satellites or lesser constellations in H.Q.
In particular however, this thesis will deal with what the Orderly Room, Records Branch and Central Registry, in particular are responsible (used under advisement) for. It is not to be interpreted as meaning that we actually do these things. And so in reverse order ….
Central Registry—The Nervous Centre of the Station
This doubtfully reasonable facsimile of an office-boy’s desk in any good civilian firm is our mailing department. Through its devious channels pass the frenzied outpourings (reduced, of course to mere words) of staff officers and A C 2’s alike. Everything from the crisply official “envelopes, manilla, O.H.M.S., R.C.A.F.,” to those smoking “billets d’amour” penned by the more sentimental of our personnel, are accorded the best of receptions by our clerks. In addition they are more or less employed otherwise in everything from juggling the stamp account to the satisfaction of our Accounts Section, to the handling (and mishandling) of those peculiar collections of typescript, manuscript and just plain script which fall within the categorization of the Station filing system. Reputedly, our staff can locate, within a matter of mere days usually, everything from the last Inspector-General’s Report to the application that A C 2 Jerk J. made for a sleeping-our pass that wasn’t granted. (N.B. – It might be well to mention that, to obviate anyone interpreting this to mean that we are in possession of a select bunch of “meanies” making decisions, A C 2 Jerk was refused such pass on the technical grounds that he was not, as yet, possessed of the necessary adjunct, to wit, a wife and/or family). The staff of this most prominent section of our fair organization comprises, at the moment, Miss M.E. (Billie) Howard of Lanigan, Sask. (to whom congratulations are in order on her imminent marriage); L.A.W., E.J.N. (Emily) White of Saskatoon and A.W.2 J.G.P. (Julia) Maffett of Regina and New Brunswick.
And so we leave C.R., with its waving palm trees and the myriad morasses of mail and memos, and continue our H.Q. travelogue in the direction of---
Records Branch—the Gestapo of Dafoe
Our “F.B.I.” as personified by the Records Branch, is responsible for and does (to some small extent at least) maintain a complete (much to some people’s disgust and regret) record of all and any personnel on the Station. So complete are these records that our F.L. McBeth , at the recent series of Officers’ and N.C.O.’s Administrative lectures, was prompted to remark that “I sometimes marvel at the way some
(Continued on Page 14)
[Page break]
6 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Accounts Section
By Sgt. O’Leary
[Photograph of a group of men and women in uniform]
Two years ago great minds (if there were any) gathered together on a wind-swept, desolate, alkali part of the earth which has oft been spoken of as “God’s Country” (Bless the Indians!) It is said that they had a great star to guide them, but alas, these wise men for they must have been wise men, were also good men and it is said of the good that unto them no harm must come (such as being posted to Dafoe).
These wise men had – CENSORED – and thus was formed what was destined to become one of the most sought out, most popular (we have fourteen W.D.’s and Miss Evelyn White) sections on this Station, namely the Accounts Section. Perhaps some of you have never heard of us, if not, you are invited to attend our family get togethers – we usually have (at least) two a month. All that is required from you is your number, rank and name, and here, so help us, is a plug – NUMBER – RANK – NAME.
Enough of this, let’s face facts and write something. We could tell you all about our W.D.’s but you would not be interested. “What’s that; Ha! Ha! Yes, we guess you could tell us about them PERIOD. Anyway we will gladly give you their number if it is requested.
Of late the Accounts Section had been denuded of males. There are only six left and God knows they are not the best examples of the “Atlas type”. The current boys are Squadron Leader Broughton, late of C.N.S. Rivers; Flying Officer Moffatt (who luckily escaped with his life from a harrowing experience and whose heart now “pants” when stepping to and from taxi cabs); Flight Sergeant Hamilton (claims he is from Canada – wherever that is); Sgt. Pattinson, a drip of scotch, pardon that slip, we meant drop; Sgt. Joseph Bruno, Felix, Leonide, Chretien, Free Irish; and last and least, Sgt. O’Leary, French Sinn Feiner.
We are just recovering from the loss of a very wonderful personality, namely, Flight Lieutenant Jim (to his friends) Morton. He was a real good egg and you know how short we are of those these days. With Flight Lieutenant Morton we also lost Pilot Officer Norman, R.A.F., who came all the way from England to see Dafoe. He has now returned to his native haunts (I hope not).
SEE YOU PAY DAY
[Page break]
THE DAFOE DIGEST 7
Station Hospital
[Photograph of men and women, some in medical uniform]
The Station Hospital thrives and expands in importance under the able guidance of S/L R.N. Lawson (the well known hunter), Fl/Lt. W.J. Boyd (Smiling Bill), and Fl/Lt. A. Paterson (also known as the Station Vet). We see everybody come and go – shades of inoculations and blood groupings.
Admissions are duly recorded by F/S G.A. Glacken, and then received in the ward by our ever smiling Nursing Sisters, Ruby McSorley and Violet Taylor. It’s amazing how we ever manage to get anyone out of the Hospital. Since the last issue of this magazine the Hospital along with all other sections, has been improved by the arrival of the W.D.’s. Were they received with open arms? Incidentally they still are by many.
The Hospital is proud of its record and has established quite a reputation among other Air Force Hospitals. In the past month, we have been “At Home” to thirty five M.O.’s from other stations. Their greatest source of wonderment is “How and where does Dafoe get all the equipment?” Fellow M.O.’s at other stations, that’s a deep dark secret. Personally the writer thinks the explanation lies in the fact that when S/L Lawson begins talking and explaining why he needs something, the easy way out is to give it to him. You’ve heard the saying about “talking the hair off a brass monkey” but maybe that’s getting personal.
Here in the hospital we find the real inside life of a person; more heart moving love scenes, usually during visiting hours, and the cranky obstinate scenes in the early morning hours, during which many a true confession is told, would if published in book form, reap a fortune.
The important folk in the hospital, however, are the patients and they’re the best in the world. We can’t avoid mention of LAC’s Ron Ward and Mike Bowen, now of International reputation. They have given us all a lesson on ”How to take it”, during the past four months. However they’ll soon be up and around. LAC Harris was also part of the inventory for five months, and tho he has now left the service, we still think of him as one of us. Good luck Gordie! We hope you like that old job again.
What about the Staff you ask? Now you should know them well, but for those unfortunate healthies who are uniformed, here’s the roster –
S/L Lawson – “Curly” to his intimates, and the best scrounger in the service. Must be related to Frank Buck, if it’s not fastened down, he’ll bring it back. Mayor of Boom Town for 19 months.
[Page break]
8 THE DAFOE DIGEST
F/Lt. Boyd – What a “cutter upper” is Willie James! He’s always ready to operate but don’t mention “open house” to him. Fond of ice cream – known in the mess as “Three Scoop Willie”.
F/Lt. Paterson – The red haired California Scotchman who can cure anything from the left front radius of a canine to the exhuberations of a canary. Good old “Pat” lends his ready wit and genial personality to all station social do’s.
N/S McSorley – “Our Ruby” the brightest jewel in our crown. Never knows when to stop working and represents the acme of her profession.
N/S Taylor – Hi, Vi! Why are you so damn good looking! When you arrived, the wolves were at once on the prowl, but “Frankly” they hadn’t a chance.
F/S Glacken – He maintains the orderly room in peace and quietness, or what do you think? We’ll never know why it is called the “orderly room”.
Sgt. Cullen – In our dispensary you will find him there to fill your wants in the way of pills and potions. Specially fond of canaries.
Sgt. Mason – To whom we bid welcome, is a little too good looking to have control of the W.D.’s.
Cpl. Hedderson – Will see through you so don’t try pulling the wool over his eyes.
Cpl. Henley - The best “all round” cook, we know. There’s only one answer to the question, “where are the best meals served on the station”.
Cpl. Paddle – Who said those night slippers of yours were “Sneakers”?
LAC Marshall – “What attraction does the Linen cupboard hold, Marsh”? As a suggestion an armchair might be an asset.
Cpl. Cook – A flip to Regina was bad enough, but woe, what about T.C.A. to Vancouver, you can’t take a bus back this time.
LAC Kells – Music may soothe the savage beasts, but not the patients at 6 a.m.
AC2 Beaulieu – Welcome, hope you’ll like us as well as Yorkton.
AW1 Farmer – If she doesn’t want to walk someone will always “Wheeler”.
LAW Simpson – With all these late passes could it be that our school ma’am is tutoring a certain S.P (that does not mean Sergeant Pilot).
LAW Farrell – Good at her trade, but rumours say that she would be a much better street-car conductor. (Re Bessborough Hotel).
LAW Schwengers – The blonde bomber – where’d you get that hair-do Kay?
LAW Sinclair – “The Belle of Foam Lake” – with Winnie on duty there is never a dull moment.
LAW Winnik – “An unco-operative patient” but a good hospital assistant.
LAW Sneddon – Since her drill test she’s even changing beds by numbers.
AW1 McDowall – Code and cipher will be a cinch after trying to fathom our treatment book.
AW1 Cassidy – Rather funny a red head hooks up with the fire department.
AW1 Morgan – Yes she really is alive, just drop in to a W.D.’s dance for verification.
AW1 Cohen – When the cat’s away the mice will play – or do their damndest – what about it Nat?
LAW Gaucher – Our little man hater, but why all those tears after your 48’s.
LAC Stewart – Methodical “Stew” but really a whizz with the women.
The Wireless Operator Air Gunners
Ever since the first Course of W.O.A.G.’s arrived at this station early in 1941 there have always been a number of these students in and around G.I.S. The eager attitude of the average WAG is easily explained. After long months of guard duty or its equivalent and still longer months of training at a Wireless School these airmen come
[Page break]
THE DAFOE DIGEST 9
[Drawing of a Wireless Operator]
to No. 5 for the last lap – at the end of which come the wings and hooks to indicate that the trainee is ready for advanced or operational training. This enviable reward is handed out by the Commanding Officer at the end of the course.
What about a glimpse at an average day of an average WAG during his stay at No. 5? First of all there is the little item of getting up, cleaning up and filling up. After breakfast we SHOULD find our hero on morning G.I.S. parade where after a spot of P.T. his Course Leader will suggest that lectures are in order. During the next two hours Willie Wag may be in his own classroom hearing the inside story on turrets or Brownings or pyrotechnics or angles of deflection or points of harmonization or something. Only with the super-student are all of these topics dealt with at the same time. It is now the third hour of the umpteenth day of our WAG and very likely he is in the dark – physically of course – studying the humps and bumps of certain aircraft so that he will not shoot down more than his quota of allied planes. Rumor [sic] has it that mistakes in recognition are frowned upon in operations so Willie is wide awake in the dark. To finish off the morning in a profitable way the student will likely do some Morse – just to keep up his terrific speed against the day when the examination comes along.
In the afternoon of your average day Mr Wag is slated to fly and so reports at 1300 hours to the Gunnery Flight. He dons flying clothes from boots to helmet, draws a parachute and harness signs for a few hundred rounds of ammunition and awaits orders from ‘Pat’ Despatcher. Presently Willie is airborn [sic] along with Bolingbroke, a pilot, other classmates, a turret and plenty of ammunition. During the next few hours our trainee is shooting the drogue full of holes (he hopes) while learning some of the tricks in loading, handling and clearing Brownings in sub zero weather while travelling at a high rate of speed in a turret that is not winterized. Ask Willie, he knows. Well after defrosting and having a smoke the young hopeful may go up for another exercise to finish off the afternoon. After all, his stay is short and most evenings are spent with the one hundred and nineteen pieces of the Browning. And so to bed.
Of course our typical day couldn’t include everything. During his Couse the trainee is destined to spend many hours manipulating the different types of turrets – the types he will use overseas. Still further he will find his way to the ranges a few times during his stay at No. 5. At these points he will learn the fine old art of gun cleaning as well as firing many hundreds of rounds from turrets. Seriously, Willie is convinced that in operations the serviceability of his guns that counts the most. He should know more about his guns than any other person on the squadron.
And so the Wireless Operator Air Gunners are trained for a highly specialized job in which there is practically no room for errors. G.I.S. handles all of this training except the air exercises and puts forth every effort to give the trainee what he will need most in operations. Good luck to you, Willie Wag, and to all your brothers in aircrew.
o o o
M.O. – The best thing you can do is give up smoking, drinking and women.
AC2 PATIENT – What’s the next best thing?
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10 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Small Canteen
[Photograph of an eating area with tables and chairs]
The Small Canteen offers you a comfortable homelike atmosphere in which you may work or play. It is conveniently located and well furnished with writing desks, armchairs, piano, radio, rugs and numerous reading lamps as well as an open fire place which makes it a popular place in the evenings.
It is the headquarters of the YMCA which organization contributes greatly to the welfare of the men by placing writing material and library facilities at their disposal.
The Small Canteen also harbours the offices of the Chaplains; the “Y” Supervisor and the Educational Officers. These people are always ready and eager to help you. Get to know these fellows as it will help to make your stay at Dafoe more pleasant. Let us briefly introduce them to you. First we have Father Dunphy, a jovial good natured fellow who is a tonic for depressed spirits. He has a way of making one see the bright side of the picture, and rumour has it that he is an expert on matters pertaining to the fuel supply. Then we have Padre Morrison, a serious but kind and friendly fellow. He has been an AC2 and through his wealth of experience in the service can offer words of advice to you who are new. He is the steadying influence in the Small Canteen. Next we have F/O Brown, the educational officer. Bill is a great fellow; an allround athlete and a great teacher. He is always ready to chat with you and to discuss your problems of remustering and further education. Education is important. Get to know F/O Brown. We know that Bill has only one vice and that against justice for he once stole spuds from F/O Carr’s potato patch and loaded them into the “shirts” car. Since the day that the educational officer took over his duties here, the work has expanded greatly and today we find two educational officers. The new arrival, Pilot Officer Jones is a great asset to this work. We all think
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 11
that he is a great lad. He is really fitting in well and Bill Brown says that he is OK. Assisting in some of the clerical work is our little WD; LAW Pope. Winnie, apart from her work with the library, helps the educational officers; the padres and even Tom. Gee, Father Dunphy got a surprise the day Winnie arrived. He had not met her at the time, but Tom told him that Pope had arrived. He replied “from Rome?”
Now we come to Tom McDonald, the “Y” supervisor. Tom is a happy fellow and his good humour is contagious. Many of the boys say that he is always ready to laugh at their troubles, and strange to say, Tom has the cure for many of them. Tom tries to stay well within the law, but once he went a-shooting and got caught. (S/L Lawson can explain.) His happy disposition stands him well in his present occupation and we do not hesitate to say that Tom is one of the best supervisors that can be found anywhere. (Of course they are few Pat).
Now fellows you will see why we suggest that you get acquainted with the Small Canteen and its personnel. Make it your headquarters for letter writing, study and reading and also for meeting your friends in the evening.
Merry Xmas from the Small Canteen and come to our Xmas party. We almost forgot to say we have one of the best care takers on the whole camp. Good old Alex.
FIRE HALL
What goes on behind the scenes in a fire fighter’s life is very seldom known to the public. Here is a general idea of what a fire fighter has to do and what is expected of him at Dafoe.
First, they have some 50 odd buildings and 650 pieces of fire equipment to inspect and maintain daily.
Second, they have to drill the fire picquet daily in ladder and hose drill and instruct them in the use of all fire equipment.
Third, they have to instruct all service and civilian personnel on the station I the use of all fire equipment.
Fourth, they have to have their own drills three times a week and five lectures a week on fire prevention and fire fighting.
Fifth, they have the job of training the crash crew in the use of the equipment on the crash tenders and what to do when a crash occurs.
Sixth, they have to see that al fire orders are adhered to and the everlasting job of teaching and fire prevention.
Then to top it all off they have the job of protecting our neighboring city known as Boom Town and see that the airmen’s families are not burned out of house and home. A fire fighter has to be on duty 24 hours a day, whether he plays cards or fights fires. Fire waits for no man.
We also have the job of making the ice for the winter sports so that the lads who have their days work finished can enjoy themselves while the lads whom they have so often criticized for being lazy are on duty waiting for the every lurking enemy FIRE.
So wouldn’t some of you lads like to be a fire fighter so that you can get up out of your nice warm beds and help us slug lines of frozen hose around.
Granted it has never happened here but it CAN happen, so all we have to do is keep our vigilance in fire prevention and don’t take any chances with fire.
Thanks, lads and girls, for your co-operation, and in keeping down the fire loss at this station. As you all know, we can protect ourselves from an enemy we can see, but we cannot from one we can’t see and never know when and where he is going to strike next.
F/S J. Weibe, Fire Chief.
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12 THE DAFOE DIGEST
The Dental Clinic
[Photograph of a dental consultation]
The Dental Clinic at No.5 B & G. School, is staffed by two operators, Captain Neptune, Officer in Charge, Captain Shapera, two N.C.O. chair assistants, and an orderly.
The main objective at the clinic is to have every man, who is posted overseas, 100 per cent dentally fit. It is of prime importance that Air Crew arrive overseas with no dental trouble.
Emergency work is given prompt attention and we want the personnel of the station to feel free to come to the Clinic at any time for dental treatment.
The Clinic appreciates the whole-hearted co-operation received, and while it is the last place anyone usually wants to visit, the personnel, on the whole, have been excellent patients.
Wea re proud of our equipment and supplies, and we are glad to render dental service to the R.C.A.F.
We take this opportunity of impressing on the personnel the importance of reporting to the Clinic at the first sign of sore or bleeding gums.
THE ARMAMENT SECTION
Greetings from the Armament Section! Here is a hard working group of airmen who are making an indispensable contribution to the whole training programme of the station. They are few in number but are doing a big job. Consider the guns, ammunition, bombs, pyrotechnics and other highly specialized items of armament equipment required at a school of this nature, and you will appreciate something of the task that is theirs.
Located in Gunnery Hangar, you will find the section a most interesting and friendly one to visit. Flight Sergeant Cook is in charge, and is ably assisted by a very fine staff of Armourers (Bombs) and Armourers (Guns). Cpl. Ritchie supervises all machine gun repairs and the cleaning of guns and equipment. An expert with factory experience, LAC Stewart looks after the power-operated turrets that are mounted in the gunnery slips. Cpl. Hamm on the bombing line supervises the fusing and inspection of the practise bombs before having them attached to the carriers.
Much could be said in regard to the work of our sections; still more about the men who perform its varied tasks, but this will be enough to show something of its interest and importance on the station. To the Commanding Officer and all personnel of No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School we of the armament section extend heartiest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 13
Handing Over Ceremony
[Two photographs of a senior officer in uniform]
On Saturday, August the First, 1942 an event of importance in the history of No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School took place. On the Parade Square in the presence of all station personnel, Group Captain, R.A. Delhaye, D.F.C.; the Commanding Officer from the inception of the station, handed over to Wing Commander P.W. Lowe-Holmes, the new Commanding Officer, the responsibility of command.
[Photograph of three men in uniform, one signing a document]
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14 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Headquarters High-Pressure (Cont’d)
people conduct themselves, knowing full well that their every action, you might say, good or bad, is kept track of …”.
Paramount among such responsibilities are the handlings of leaves, promotions, remusterings, reclassifications, the maintenance of documents, etc. to say nothing of such distasteful tasks as transcribing conduct sheet entries and making “logging” entries for our wayward ones.
In general Records Branch can be entombed with the blame for anything from not getting a leave pass signed to being late in the delivery of clearance certificates when, and if, some fortunate member of our happy family obtains his parole.
To make this brief story even briefer, Records’ motto is deigned to fill the bill: “If it was done, and you did it, we know it; and if it wasn’t done, we did it!”
Noted among the unfortunate presently penned into this portion of petrified prairie are: Cpl. P.E. (Ed or Pudge) Winott of Kingston, N.S.; AW1 M.F. (Marg) Sager of Saskatoon and Chilliwack, B.C.; AW2 W.M. (Wendy – no relation to Peter Pan) Dalzell of Montreal, Que. and our recent addition Miss U.B. (Ulah) Beaton of Viscount and Humbolt.
But time is short – and this column should be shorter (regrets, gentle reader) so we doff our parkas, eskimo-suits and hand-chewed moccasins and in a respectful slow march bid a fond farewell to “Records” (Phone 4 r 2). Leaving the land of the Midnight Oil behind us we journey far and across the Trans-Headquarters highway to our mecca ….
The Orderly Room
(Any similarity between this and the normal interpretation of “orderly” is purely – we mean it – co-incidental).
“Never in the history of human endeavour have so many been browbeaten so much by so few”. (Except, perhaps, in the gl-l-l-lorious Third Reich)
Anyhow, this might well be a direct quotation from, say, Maintenance or Training Wing or, for that matter any section of the Station when Headquarters O.R. “goes off the deep end” so often as they opine.
Actually, we are a very nice bunch of people, broadly considered.
Unfortunately, however, a sad fate inevitably befalls Orderly Rooms as a whole and in particular, Headquarters’. We are the Charlie McCarthy’s on the knees of the powers-that-be. It matters naught what normal reactions are, but H.Q.O.R. has a positively amazing faculty for getting inundated with the blame for any apparently “radical” idea that first sees the light of day in, or around, Station Headquarters.
As a note of explanation to those unfortunates who have, from time to time, found it necessary to make personal appearances in what is usually a fruitless endeavour to straighten out some “little” point, we would offer these few “bon mots”. In other words, it is wellnigh impossible for Headquarters Orderly Room to predict D.A.P.S. on matters of postings, promotions, remusterings, etc.; therefore, it will be appreciated that we cannot possibly KNOW:
IF your application for compassionate (passionate) posting to … (CENSORED) has been approved,
IF we are going to get special leave to celebrate the advent of the fifteen year locusts,
IF there is any truth in the rumour that we are commencing the New Year, to get a forty-eight and a seventy-two each week, with Saturdays and Sundays off,
IF, when the weather gets colder, as it does in this province in January and February, we are going to be issued with electrically heated blankets made into parkas for the convenience of runners, etc. (For this one we would refer you to the Equipment Section).
IF it is true that the government is paying a bounty on all members of the Service who want to get married (with or without permission).
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 15
However, if you want to know anything about anything, everything, or nothing, ask the Headquarters Orderly Room – you will always get an answer correct or incorrect, civil or profane, but we will never give an answer that can be quoted as an authority.
Nevertheless (and vide para so-and-so above) we are, as noted, a “by-and-large” nice bunch of idiots. Noted among this collection are the following: WO2 R.B. (R.B.) Eaton of Winnipeg and the Coast; Sgt. K.M. (Morg) Morgan of Ottawa, Canada; LAC L.A. (Lorne) Wood of Biggar, Sask., (Native); LAW E.P. (Drunkard) Bible of Edmonton; AW1 M. (Green-eyes) Carlisle of Wapella, Sask.; AW2 A.J. (Jean) Hamilton of South Devon, N.B.; and Miss H.P. (Helen) Putnam of Watson, Sask., (‘nother native).
Let that, in itself, suffice to introduce you briefly to the H.Q.O.R. – and since we will not want to linger any longer than necessary – we will, hurriedly, bid the joint a fond farewell.
And now, last but not least, to our outside offices – and out best (?) publicists ….
The Runners!
Anyone who is anyone around Dafoe, and who has their eyes open cannot but have noted our “ripper-arounders”. At present (and this is subject to change without notice – courtesy of the Priorities Board) we have, numbered among these, LAW V. (Vern) Farrow of Toronto, Ont.; AW1 A.E. (Hey you!) Knight of Swift Current, Sask.; and AW1 D.R. (Newfie) Young of - well, you guess! Although we could go into the utmost of detail concerning the varied and diverse duties of our “runners” (or walkers, as it seems) suffice to say that their major accomplishments to date has been “Newfie’s” incomparable knack for winning when it comes to flipping quarters with the personnel she meets (and she meets almost everyone) along the way. For this we refer you to Flying Officer Ducharme, late of Maintenance, who, we understand, was a “plunger” and who has since retired to a quiet haven (Newfie-less) on the West Coast to drown his sorrows.
So-o-o-o-o-o, at long last, we will allow you , gentle reader, to turn the page unmolested, and depart, with the literally winged feet of Mercury from this apparently incurable bunch of maniacs who we boastfully consider as “staff”. So, with just a parting shot in the direction of our hallowed and inhumanly lucky alumni, we bid our adieus and flitter gracefully in the imaginary wings.
Noted, some time back, among us were the following who have since departed upon their ways to, we hope, bigger and better things (what am I saying?):
Cpl. Hotson, A.G. of Tavistock, Ont. – enroute (the last we heard) to an ocean rendezvous.
LAC R.F. Watson of Winnipeg – headed for a “Vulcan-izing”.
LAC R. Wragg of Oshawa, Ont. – creditors please forward all bills to Mossbank.
LAC F.A. Rodberg of Edmonton, Alta. – now helping the C.O. run the “X” (mysterious, isn’t it) Depot at Kamloops.
LAC N.E. Boyd of Toronto, Ont. – departed, the lucky stiff, to Toronto.
AW1 B.E. Martin (Sprinter) – headed for 6 “M” Depot, Toronto and the W.D. Admin Course.
AW1 P.H. Yeomans (latest departure) – for 7 “M” Depot and subsequent posting to Washington (in the interests of Pan-American unity, of course), and
Miss E.E. (Edie) Hughes – who also crossed the border enroute to middle-aisling it with S.Sgt. Pilot K.T. (Dusty) Blakely of the U.S. Army Air Corps (recently Sgt. Piot of Dafoe) at Columbia, S.C. Lotsa luck, “Porky” and congratulations.
ISN’T THAT ENOUGH MR. EDITOR? FINIS.
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16 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Air Bomber
The Aircrew is a team – a fighting group of specialists – each highly skilled in his particular job – and an important member of that team is the Air Bomber.
[Picture of an Air Bomber in his crew position]
Sometimes we here at Dafoe become wrapped up in our own particular work and do not realize that the sole purpose of this station is to turn out students who will be capable of doing their job in a bomber team overseas.
In order that we may better know our trainees’ problems, and by so doing further the value of our work here, let us follow the progress of an Air Bomber through his course at this school.
Arriving here after many weary weeks of study at Depots and I.T.S., our Air Bomber starts in at G.I.S. on the most important phase of his work, the study of the theory of bombing and the manipulation of the bombsight. Solid weeks of study – theory – problems – more theory – back to school, not interesting ‘tis true, but every Air Bomber knows that only those who have a thorough knowledge of this theory will be able to drop their bombs on their target every time.
Then to test out their new found knowledge on the bombing teacher, that marvel of wheels, gears, lights and screens that allows a student to do everything on the ground that he can do on a bombing flight except get air sick. He learns to navigate, find winds and eventually to drop bombs with deadly accuracy – all on the ground. Hour after hour, daytime and night-time our student will be found practicing on the Bombing Teacher – for he must pass all test here before he is ever allowed to go into the air.
Then the great day arrives, he is declared ready by G.I.S., and he climbs into one of our bombers for his first practice bombing run. His school work does not end here however, many hours are spent in G.I.S. with competent instructors analysing the errors he has made in the air – learning about new equipment he will eventually use overseas – bombing devices – fuses – detonators – bomb carriers – pyrotechnics and explosives. And so on through the more advanced phases of his air work, the different types of bombing, flying this morning, school this afternoon, flying tonight, school to-morrow, till he passes into the final stages of his training – gunnery.
Now more intensive ground training in G.I.S. Browning guns – the why’s and the wherefores of all its pieces – its faults and their remedies – its care and its uses. Then many hours of turret work – of firing machine guns on the ranges in the daytime and at night – and finally the student is ready for air exercises in gunnery.
And so into a turret in one of our gunnery aircraft goes our air bomber – and realises after a few tries that he still doesn’t know all there is to know about turrets, machine guns, and stoppages, and so through the various phases of his gunnery training from one kind of attack to another till he becomes a dead-eye Dick when looking at a drogue and makes the required percentage of hits to pass his gunnery course.
Meanwhile any spare time our Air Bomber might have had is used up studying aircraft recognition or practicing sending and receiving with the Aldis Lamp – all preparing for the great day of final examinations in bombing, gunnery, signals, aircraft recognition, turrets, etc. Many have fallen by the wayside at this point, but the high standard of training that No. 5 has established throughout Canada must be maintained.
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 17
At last graduation day arrives, and we no longer have a student, but a highly skilled bombardier and air gunner, ready to take his place, after further training elsewhere, as a member of a bomber crew overseas.
And as we see him receiving his graduation certificate from our Commanding Officer, we who remain here at Dafoe, cannot help but feel proud that we have all played some small part in making him better able to fight our battles for us overseas.
STATION WORKSHOPS
“We mend everything but the break of dawn”
Somewhere on this station there is an unimpressive but important building upon whose staff (existence) hangs the welfare of this training center. It is to this building that all broken parts are brought for repair. Here parts are fitted carefully together and through the untiring efforts of those who toil within are once more able to be used where they are most needed.
Let us enter the building and find out for ourselves how this important unit functions. In the north-east corner of the building there is an invaluable piece of machinery where the carpenters prepare the fundamental materials for cupboards and filing cabinets. The general shape of plywood to be used in the repair of aircraft is also cut here. The machine is known as the circular saw. Nearby is another conspicuous machine known as the jig-saw. It is indispensable because of its ability to turn out fine pieces of material with very intricate patterns. This instrument was designed and constructed at this station under the supervision of G.W. Smith who is to be recommended for his successful completion of the machine. Near the jig-saw is a small but efficient machine, the steel lathe where all the metal turning is done.
Across form this is the steel metal shop which is always busy modifying cowlings, baffle plates and other such necessary parts. Also many items of various design are modelled here and used in the aircraft for the benefit of the pilot.
In the back of the shop we find the spark plug department. This is a complete unit within itself and is separated from the rest of the shop by a small barricade. The duties of this section are to clean, repair and maintain a continuous supply of spark plugs for all aircraft.
Another self-sufficient unit found near here is the welding shop, where there are two welding outfits in continuous use. They do the work for the entire station.
Last, but not least, there is the fabric department. Like the spark plug department, it is entirely self-reliant. It is shut off from the noise and bustle of the building and performs its duties under expert leadership of the members of the Women’s Division.
And so from this center of activity comes a hearty approval of this station magazine and wish for its success in months to come.
RIFLE CLUB
No. 5 B. & G. Miniature Rifle Club is affiliated with the “Dominion Marksmen” who supply the targets, a series of proficiency pins and an “Expert Shield”.
The club was formed early this summer and the response has been very good. There are now over 100 members, including a number of W.D.’s.
Firing on our 20 yard range in Drogue hangar takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Two “Spoon Shoots” are held each month, at which the members compete for sterling spoons with crests and engraving.
To date several of our members have acquired “Dominion Marksmen” proficiency pins, and two, Sgt. Ladd and LAC Chipman, have qualified for the Expert Shield which requires a score of at least 5860 out of 6000 , and must be fired from prone, sitting and standing positions.
Inter-Station competition via the postal method has been tried, the team from No. 4 S.F.T.S. proving a little too strong for our team who are now busy practicing and looking for a few more crack shots to help out in the next competition.
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18 THE DAFOE DIGEST
A Message from the Padres
H/F/L W.H. Dunphy H/F/L E.N. Morrison
“LOVE ONE ANOTHER”
With the advent of the anniversary of one of God’s great acts in the economy of Salvation, it behoves us, His Followers, to turn our hearts and our minds to a greater than ever incitation of love, one for another.
The old philosophy, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” has been found wanting and has been supplanted with love for one another, in the coming of the new Dispensation. We, therefore, creatures of God, objects of His love, must be amiable to those who are worthy of His perfect love.
The echoes of that first Christmas chant proclaiming the coming of the New-Born King “Peace on earth to men of good will” must resound down the aisles of time and find a responsive note in our souls.
Our recent victories have come as “glad tidings of great joy” to the hearts of all sympathizers of the allied cause. With them must come the thought of the end of this conflict, Peace. And if we are to have a genuine peace we must have love; a great love; love of our enemies as well as love of friends. We, in the magnanimity of our heart, can justify this love for forgiving them “for they know not what they do.”
Thus entering upon this festive season of the year with love in our hearts, we will partake of that peace, - that old and genuine peace to men of good will.
Station Chaplains
Station Drum and Trumpet Band
[Photograph of a band with instruments in front of an aircraft]
Under the capable leadership of Drum Major J.S. Young, the station Drum and Trumpet Band, starting from scratch last July, has since developed to the point where it is decidedly a credit to our station. It is composed of 28 people. 14 of them airmen and the rest airwomen. These people were all (with the exception of the Drum Major) novices at the time of the organization of the band, and their present standard of excellence is the result of long hours of diligent practice. To the members of the band we say “Hats Off”.
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 19
Works and Building Section
[Photograph of a group of men in uniform]
The boys of the Works and Building Section are a group of highly specialized workmen under the general and able supervision of Flight Lieutenant Rogerson, Engineer in Charge.
This section is usually the “happy hunting grounds” for the scroungers of scrap lumber, paint, putty, nails, electrical equipment and the occasional borrowing of a plumber’s wrench. (When the Electricians return them).
The Tractor Operators under the capable direction of Corporal Hack are a very efficient staff. It is the duty of their section to maintain the airport roads, runways and dispose of snow which would endanger the take-off and landing of aircraft. These men also operate the crane used for handling aircraft damaged during forced landings. Corporal Hack’s men annoy him by whistling while they work. Flight Sergeant Bishop says that they just whistle.
The Carpenters Section is supervised by Flight Sergeant Bishop and Sergeant Lamothe. Under the watchful eyes of these N.C.O.’s the buildings are kept in a perfect state of repair for Officers, N.C.O.’s W.D.’s and Airmen (mostly Officers, N.C.O.’s and W.D.’s).
Paint is used extensively in this type of work and to the painters goes the credit for the clean, well decorated buildings.
Perhaps the station plumbing can be compared with the finest, and the honors go to the Works and Building Plumbers for the care and maintenance of this intricate system. The plumbing department is supervised by Flight Sergeant McKenzie, who cuts inconveniences in plumbing down to a minimum … (when he remembers to bring his wrench on the job-.
Two other very important divisions located in this Section are the Electricians and Firemen. These are in charge of Corporal Colley and Flight Sergeant Mathias, ably assisted by Corporal Smyth, Corporal McCallum and Corporal Lawson, who operate the heating plants and boilers on the station.
Our office staff ranks with the most efficient. The office boy is very intellectual and the stenographer is “Hm, Hmmm, some class”.
But perhaps if it wasn’t for the assistance given by our Works Foreman Flight Sergeant Cambridge (have you seen the plumbers, carpenters, electricians, painters?), our branch would not operate so smoothly.
If you should doubt our efficiency, just phone us. “Service with a smile” (maybe).
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20 THE DAFOE DIGEST
The Gremlins at Dafoe
By A.D.
Lately a great deal of attention has been paid to the little-known Gremlin, and, as information on this subject is so scarce, this article is dedicated to the types of gremlins particular to Dafoe.
In order to gain information, a typical Dafoe gremlin was interviewed. He turned out to be somewhat older than the other gremlins, and had a very serious (you might even say poker-face) expression. This was a short commissioned gremlin, and he was sitting on the engine of an aircraft. He carried a spanner in one hand and some chewing gum in the other and was frantically applying both to the motor before him. His customary sangfroid had been destroyed by the obvious importance of the job before him, and upon our approach his usually expressionless face took on a scowling look. Upon trying to approach him I was rebuffed and informed that he was much too busy to try to get one-even one-aircraft serviceable for the morning’s flying. He finally broke down and wept like a gremcub (baby gremlin) “I became so discouraged”, he cried, “for you reporters continue to print articles on all the bad gremlins and there are so many of us who are the good type”. “Take myself for instance,“ he continued, “it’s my lifetime job just repairing these so-called engines as fast as my destructive relatives make them unserviceable.”
“You know there are a great many more types of gremlin than this world dreams of, and so far only our flying unit has received any attention. Possibly you remember ‘Black Friday’ as we called it last summer. Well, ever since then our flying personnel wont [sic] even talk to the rest of us, and they continue to flaunt their log books at every opportunity”.
By this time the grease grimed gremlin had warmed to his subject and, seizing me by the arm, exclaimed: “I want you to meet the ace of the flight that was on duty on “Black Friday”. He led me into the cockpit of a nearby aircraft, where a dark handsome gremlin was intently studying the instrument panel. On being introduced, he flashed a dazzling smile and exclaimed, “Buenos notches senor” – indicating that he had spent some time in a land where the Spanish tongue is spoken. With a gleam in his eye he confided, “I was on duty on Black Friday, and was posted to an aircraft with a pilot making his first solo circuit. When we came in to land he put down his undercarriage, and when we were about one hundred feet off the ground, I fixed the indicator to show the wheels were up. He became flustered and raised his undercarriage up once more, so we made a belly landing and washed out an aircraft.” He chuckled savagely and stuck out his chest displaying the wings and decorations he had won that awful day. He told us some more of his experiences, and soon became absorbed in thought-planning nefarious methods of fooling pilots.
So we passed on through the various hangars and shortly came upon a tall, handsome gremlin officer drilling the gremlin duty flight. My guide who had now become “Gus”, began a very enthusiastic description of this officer. “You know”, he remarked, “we find that since our work parallels that of the airforce so closely, it is most satisfactory to arrange our ranks like theirs. For instance, I am a Flight Lieutenant, that officer is a Flying Officer and the men he is drilling vary from AC1s to Warrant Officers.
Gus’ voice took on a puzzled tone, and he observed, “That Officer is a man of the wide open spaces, you can see that just looking at him, and yet the airgremlins don’t seem to appreciate his drill periods whatever”.
“To be frank”, Gus continued, “there is a great similarity between the Air Force and our Organization, for with us it is also the air-gremlins who know nothing but do everything; the Sgts. who do nothing but know everything and the officers who know nothing and do nothing.”
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 21
As we rounded the corner of the next hangar a strange sight met our eyes – for we were confronted with a most distinguished looking gremlin carrying a bow in a hand, sailing majestically over a hangar in pursuit of an arrow.
Gus chuckled quietly to himself and remarked that Cupid was taking his exercise early today.
So we left the hangars and proceeded to walk around the rest of the camp and very soon we met a rather singular gremlin who wore his collar backwards. We stopped and chatted for a short while and I couldn’t help but notice how plump and well-fed this dumpy gremlin appeared.
We continued on our tour and in approaching the next building Gus’ features lighted up and he remarked: “This is our hospital unit, and although there are wonderful opportunities here for both the bad and good types there is no doubt that the good types are definitely in the majority. They have done very well, and have made quite a name for themselves here at Dafoe. In fact I think they are all good types in here with the possible exception of that curly one down there, about whom we sometimes have our doubts”.
Proceeding to the last building in the camp, Gus resumed his worried look, “See here”, he stated, “if I don’t get back to my hangar those bad types will have all my aircraft unserviceable – so we will look in this building and then I must leave you”.
“This is the guard house”, he continued, “where the gremlins who are framed (Gus spoke out of the side of his mouth) are kept for varied amounts of time.”
We inspected the guard house and found only one prisoner – not a gremlin as you may think – but a human. His beard touched the floor; his uniform hung loosely upon him; he was chained hand and foot to the wall and presented a deplorable appearance.
“This prisoner”, Gus explained in hushed tones. “has been here a long time – years before I came to Dafoe. His is a sad case, for it seems he wrote an article for the Dafoe Digest concerning the various types of gremlins at Dafoe – way back in 1942.
THE CONTROL TOWER
Unfortunately, to many, particularly newcomers, the chief duties of those in the Control Tower are misunderstood, being considered more or less as spotters for infractions of flying regulations.
While it is true that we must endeavour to see that flying regulations are enforced, in so doing we are working in the interests of all flying personnel. Their safety is our first objective and at the same time to control traffic in such a manner as to eliminate confusion as far as possible.
It is only through 100 per cent co-operation of all those engaged in flying activities that our objective can be accomplished and to those who fail to co-operate – you are not only making our task more difficult but creating confusion among your fellow airmen and possibly endangering the lives of many.
In our everyday activities some of us forget the importance of the mission we are on. “The winning of the war”. Every act that hinders or makes more difficult our successful operation is helping our common enemy and any damage to aircraft, other property or injuries to personnel through gross negligence is nothing short of sabotage.
Those in charge of the Control Tower will always welcome constructive criticism from any member of the R.C.A.F. regardless of rank, and, should you at any time feel that we are not working in the best interests of the majority, do not complain to your pals, but draw it to our attention, as misunderstanding only breeds discontent and unrest, resulting in curtailment of our war effort.
Little drops of water and little grains of sand make the Mighty ocean and form the Mighty land.
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22 THE DAFOE DIGEST
A Note from the W.D.’s
You know us. We’re the W.D.’s. Just about six months ago fifty of us marched on to the station and you groaned and said “what did we do to deserve this,” or “Dafoe was bad enough before but now …”. There have been more and more of us coming since then and now there are … And you aren’t really sorry we came at all. Or are you?
We’re the people who own the Barrack Block at the far end of the Station. You don’t see very much of that Barracks except at night when you take us home from the movie … and then there’s apt to be a pesky corporal nosing around with a flashlight. There’s no justice at all, is there!
We manage to have a lot of fun in those Barracks. Of course we’re a bit crowded now. That gives us a few inconveniences to grumble about…but then we have to have something to grumble about. We have to hurry home after supper to get at the showers first cause the hot water always runs out about 7 o’clock. And they won’t let some of us turn on the lights when we get up at four cause there are some sissies around that don’t go to work till eight … and they seem to like sleeping. But you get used to sweeping your bunk in the dark. And you get used to a Barrack Block where “if you want privacy, shut your eyes”.
There’s always something crazy going on in those W.D. Barracks. Just now it’s quite likely to have a Ouija Board connected with it. That thing predicts anything form the results of the Trade Test Board to the winner of the next Kentucky Derby. The corporals are unreasonable about that too. They insist on putting it away at lights out time. As if we’re sleepy!
And we’re those crazy people who took a dog on sick parade. But the M.O. put the plaster cast on his paw and now he hobbles around on three feet. When he’s better we’re going to make him an official resident and guardian of the Barrack Block.
We gripe about being stationed at this last outpost just like you do. “Why did they ever send us here,” we say. But every time one of us is posted we go tearing up to Headquarters Bldg.
[Photograph of women in uniform on parade] Dafoe Precision Squad on Review in Winnipeg
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 23
and tell A/Section Officer Darte “We don’t want to go. Can’t you send someone else?” Criminal isn’t it!
But you do see quite a bit of our Canteen. It’s not a bad place. You come down any evening to play ping pong or Chinese checkers and drink cokes with us. And lots of you come down on Wednesday nights. We like that cause we can dance till midnight. We all agree the music could be better (except when the orchestra obliges), and the refreshments could be improved on (if we have any at all). But you can’t gripe too much cause its free – except when we take up a collection to buy wax for the Barrack Room floor. And you wouldn’t begrudge us a couple of cans of wax, would you?
So now we’ve been here for six months, and you’re quite used to us. You’re used to finding a couple of us in every section of the Station from the guardhouse to workshops and the Control Tower. You’ve got over the shock of finding people who like drill enough to form a Precision Squad and take it to Winnipeg. You aren’t really surprised any more when we confess that we like to shine our buttons.
You agree now that we can be of some use in the Air Force, that, surprisingly enough, we can accomplish a lot of work. And you’re sort of glad we came to Dafoe. Aren’t you?
Introduction to the Parachute Section
[Photograph of women packing parachutes]
If you walk north on ‘Bust Rd’ until you come to ‘F’ hangar you will find our well-equipped parachute section. You can’t miss the place because right out in front, where all can see, there is coal, coal and more coal. To the left of the door there is a small sign, reading, rather humorously, ‘KEEP OFF THE GRASS!’. I say humorously because there really isn’t any grass there.
As you open the door you are apt to think that you are walking into a showroom instead of a place of work; everything is so neat and orderly. The first thing that strikes the eye is the row of parachutes hanging from the ceiling. They are periodically hung out this way to air.
Running parallel with the windows is a long table, the top of which is highly varnished to prevent the snagging of the silk canopy while the ‘chute is being packed.
Now for some pertinent information on the personnel who operate this essential section. LAC Davidner is the ‘bloke what runs the place’. If you can’t find Hy in the section he is almost sure to be in the target room, busily patching up drogues on the sewing machine. Then there are AW1 McLeod, AW1 Armitage, LAW Nekorak (a budding wireless operator) and last but not least AW1 McNutt. Pam is now resting up in the station hospital, having injured her ankle recently. Don’t take my word for it but I heard that the incident occurred whilst Pam was trying to beat the rest of the section to pay parade.
If anyone doubts the efficiency of the packing done in this section I would advise them to communicate with WO2 Haggert who is the only airman on this station who has tried ‘hitting the silk’. He swears by ‘em.
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[Double page of photographs depicting life at Dafoe]
AUSSIE ANTICS
W.D. ORDERLY ROOM STAFF
PRINCESS ALICE VISITS DAFOE
STATION DANCE
AFTER THE BALL
SPORTS DAY
IT COMES OUT HERE
SHINING UP FOR WED. NIGHT HOP
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26 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Equipment Section
Equipment is the Life-Line of the Service
[Photograph of people in uniform across a desk]
Everything from an aircraft (complete as per inventory column six) for a new button for a uniform passes through the different sections of stores on your station. Few people realize the enormous amount of articles and materials covered by that one word ‘equipment’, without which the R.C.A.F. simply could not be. Quite a procedure is required to take care of an article and its covering voucher from the time it is received in I. & R. Section until it is issued to the section or person demanding. This procedure is completely outlined in C.A.P. 10, R.C.A.F. Vocabulary of Equipment, in sixteen parts. This publication is the book and bible of every equipment assistant.
There are fifteen equipment assistants on No.5 B. & G. School including the N.C.O.’s Sgt. Stevenson, Cpl. Anderson and Cpl. MacMillan. All personnel work separately in their own sections yet work together as a unit to make equipment one of the smoothest running sections on the station. All this complicated procedure goes under the able direction of F/L Jamieson who has taken over the responsibility since the recent posting of F/Lt. Winter to Saskatoon. F L Jamieson is ably assisted by F/O Logan who is well known to everyone, and to one and all he is tops, in the lingo of the Air Force.
All equipment upon arrival is taken to the I. & R. – Issue and Receipt Section. There all the necessary unpacking, checking and voucher action is taken by Cpl. “Ed” MacMillan and LAC Chantler. The words “necessary voucher action” covers a lot of work, voucher numbers are allotted from the different voucher registers and to the uninitiated the language spoken here is like Greek. From the I. & R. the different types of equipment are taken to the different sections to be taken on charge, binned and issued when needed.
In clothing stores, considered by many THE section of equipment the many different articles “airmen for the use of”, are taken on charge by LAC Young or LAC Edwards. Soon after a new shipment of clothing has arrived a crowd can be seen both within the section, overflowing through the door and out on Bust Road as the personnel of the station replenish their depleted wardrobes; depleted through “fair wear and tear” of course. Clothing parade is the most popular parade on the station and if one wishes to remain a smart looking airman or airwoman it is one parade that should never be missed.
Airwomen made their debut in the equipment section on this station at the end of June and since then have won the confidence and praise of the men with whom they are working. Six girls arrived on the station at the time but now, owing to AW Baggaley winning her stripes as an Admin. Corporal and the marriage of Bea. Lehman to LAC Bill Chantler in September there are now four of the six augmented by the latest arrival AW1 Ruth Parr.
Ruth may be found in Publications, dozens of books and not a good story in the lot. Here are found all the important manuals, reference and hand books which are so necessary to the many different subjects which must be known to “keep them flying”. Here also is kept all the stationery, pencils, paper, ink and erasers. Ruth knows where they are to be found and issues them to the demanding party with a cheery smile.
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 27
Another section under the supervision of a W.D. is Barrack Stores. Here LAW Vi Houck takes care of the cleaning utensils, cleansers, cups, saucers and cutlery, the hundred and one things that make life worth living on a station.
Gasoline and oil for the aircraft and M.T. vehicles are issued by LAC Dewey Huart and LAC Ted Love. These two can usually be found somewhere on the station chasing an elusive gallon of gasoline or quart of oil. They are never seen without their inevitable note book or paper and are busily figuring volume and temperature.
The nucleus of the equipment section is the Orderly Room which is always a hive of industry. LAW Harris can always be found with her red head buried in some ponderous tome which contains ‘tally-cards’, on which is recorded all the stock held on charge on the station. Here too LAW ‘Butch’ Bailey takes care of the innumerable registers and books in which are kept the records of the movements of all the covering vouchers. If not in the orderly room ‘Butch’ is searching for some voucher which seems to have taken a wrong turn somewhere on its long journey.
It is in Technical Stores, better known as Tech. Stores, where we find all the aeroplane parts, from the largest component down to the smallest nut. These parts, known as major equipment are taken care of by Cpl. ‘Andy’ Anderson and LAW Toseland, known as ‘Tosie’ to everyone. These two make sure that each plane has a motor, the proper number of props and all the other parts necessary to keep a plane in a serviceable condition and in the air. Here also are “C” class stores which are “consumed in use” in the many building and repair projects that go on about the station. These are under the charge of LAC MacNab. The fine instruments found in the different aircraft are also kept here under the strict supervision of Sgt. Dick Stevenson and LAC Barney Shaw. Tools also come under these two men.
LAC John Brooks is another member of our happy family and is in GIS Stores, while LAC Bilokieli is in Maintenance Stores. These two recently changed sections as happens occasionally to give one a working knowledge of the different sections.
Also part of the equipment section although not equipment assistants are AW1 Margie Robb and AW1 Pam Griffin, our clerks and hard working typists. Margie handles the typewriter in the I. & R. Section and Pam in the Orderly Room. LAC Potvin who is also in the I. & R. Section is also an essential part of our set up.
There have been several recent postings from the station. Our congratulations go to Archie Morrison, now P/O Morrison, upon receiving his well deserved commission and his posting to parts unknown. Three of our boys also received overseas postings lately, these are LAC Tanney, LAC Goodwin and LAC Herriot, we miss the boys on our daily rounds and wish them the best of luck and God speed on their ventures. We lost our Flight Sergeant to Trenton during the month of November. It was a sudden move and everyone misses ‘Pudgy’ Munro from clothing stores. It will be a loss on clothing parade not to see his smiling face behind the counter when one is having difficulty with a
(Concluded on Page 39)
[Photograph of a group of men in uniform beneath an aircraft]
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28 THE DAFOE DIGEST
[Canadian Y.M.C.A. Logo]
Tom Macdonald
Supervisor
Office in Small Canteen
The “Y” representative has one function on this station – To be of service to you. His office is situated in the small canteen. For the information of those who do not already know
1. We have a reading room which is one of the nicest in the R.C.A.F.
2. We have a library of over 2000 fiction books. LAW (Winnie) Pope is in charge.
3. Magazines are distributed through the “Y” office.
4. Stamps may be purchased here. (Winnie again).
5. Cables and wires sent anywhere. (once more its Winnie).
6. Writing paper and envelopes are supplied free.
7. Pressing irons are available. (See Winnie).
8. Small games of all kinds.
9. Home entertainment in Saskatoon on 48s is arranged.
10. Ping pong balls are supplied.
11. Bus and train information is available.
12. All of the material for wrapping and sending parcels is available. (Winnie again).
The “Y” representative is secretary of the sports and entertainment committees, and would be happy to talk to you is you are interested in any particular phase of either of these.
The “Y” movies are shown every Friday night in the Rec. Hall. They are free of charge and everyone is welcome. This show is always billed for 8 o’clock but we are sometimes a little late in arriving , due to the fact that the movie is first shown in the hospital, and sometimes takes longer than is anticipated. This might be a good time to commend you lads and lassies for the good spirit you have shown in cheerfully accepting the delays so caused in the past.
We would also like to take this opportunity to wish you each and everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
DAFOE Y.W.C.A. HOSTESS HOUSE
The Hostess House operated by the Y.W.C.A. and under the supervision of Miss A. Black, can truly be described as a friendly place to meet. Situated at the entrance to the Station, its facilities are available at any time between 10:00 hours and 22:30 hours every day of the week.
Here you may meet your wife or visit with your friends; you may spend an enjoyable evening in pleasant surroundings, or a quiet afternoon writing letters home; you are invited to enjoy games, sing songs, or have a friendly chat over a good cup of tea or coffee served with some delicious cake or cookies.
Information may be obtained in regard to a good place to spend your next 48. Or if you wish to have your family near by, information may also be given regarding accommodation in Boom Town or one of the neighbouring towns.
The Hostess House was officially opened January 21st, 1942, by Miss Black, assisted by Mrs. N. Muir. It’s attractive furnishings were chosen by the Saskatoon Y.W.C.A. Committee, under the leadership of Miss Roxanna Smith as convenor.
The present hostesses, Miss A. Black and Mrs. A. MacKillop welcome you to the Hostess House as a “Home Away From Home”.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF LADIES AUXILIARY
Since January 1942
1. Sent 1112 packages of 25 cigarettes overseas.
2. Donated $91.70 to Red Cross.
3. Auxiliary members collected the sum of $60.20 from residents of Boom Town for the Red Cross during their last drive.
4. Donated novelties to Dafoe Carnival which netted $11.80. Proceeds going to Red Cross.
5. Made up and sent the following articles to the Red Cross Society: 16 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of mitts, 14 pairs of gloves, 7 sweaters and 10 complete layette sets. In addition a number of socks and sweaters which are now being knit are to be turned in by the end of December.
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 29
[Photograph of five men beneath a sign RCASC]
It now behoves us to answer the ever recurring question, “What are you, the Army doing at Dafoe?” The book says we are responsible for the receipt, custody, issue and accounting for food supplies – in short we are the boys that dish out the rations. We also have the social obligation of being “At Home” to the Ration Board at 10 o’clock every morning. This is a friendly little gathering of Officers who discuss everything from the weather to the latest news on the milk situation. The big problem under discussion at present is, “Why are the hens laying only one egg in the mornings”, we hope to have the answer soon. The work ration is an all embracing term which includes some sixty different commodities. We must ensure that all these commodities are correct as to weight, quality and condition. Included on this list are chicken, turkey, apples, oranges, grapefruit juice and what’s more important a very generous ration of tea, coffee and sugar. This indeed is a far cry from the “beans and bullets” serves our fathers in the last war. We belong to that portion of the army called the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps whose motto is “Nothing Without Toil”.
We, the RCASC would like to take this opportunity of wishing the rest of the station a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and we hope you like the turkey.
ENTERTAINMENT
The work of the entertainment committee has been carried out during the past year under the direction of three different chairmen, F/O Carr was the first and was succeeded by F/L Langdale who in turn was succeeded by our present congenial little President F/L Patterson. “Doc” takes a real interest in it, as he does in everything he sets his hand to, and under his guidance the entertainment committee is functioning smoothly and well.
During the past year the entertainment committee has arranged some 10 airmen’s dances and one station dance. These are very popular and the entertainment committee is due for a lot of credit for arranging them in the face of all the difficulties that naturally present themselves on an isolated station. Also directly under the supervision of this committee are the following –
Weekly informal dances in the W.D.’s recreation hall.
Weekly social hour in the Small Canteen.
Concert parties (these are brought to the station as often as possible).
Amateur hours.
Dramatics.
Graduation parties in the Small Canteen.
Y.M.C.A. movies in the hospital and Rec. Hall on Friday nights.
These are the regular features of the station entertainment but the committee is interested in any form of entertainment that is available for the station personnel.
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30 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Sport HEADLINES [drawing of a hockey player]
By F/O A.H. Edwards
Dafoe has advanced rapidly in the realm of sport during the last six months. Against all the worst those over-sized rats the gophers could do, the P.T. Department (with the help of the Duty Watch) have finally put into shape one baseball diamond, two softball diamonds, a running track and a soccer field. At the time of going to press our own dear Drill Hall is having its face lifted. There are many rumours going around that when it is finished a veritable sports palace will be opened to the personnel with great pomp and ceremony. A swimming tank filled with nice clear filtered Dafoe water will be the feature attraction. Showers and lockers for Airmen and W.D.’s are to be attached. Recreation and lounge room will be available in side lean-tos. In offices, there to welcome you, will be the Padres, the Educational Officer, the Auxiliary Officer and last but not least the P.T. and Drill Officer (Who said that?).
A sports room well stocked with all the necessary equipment for all types of games to be played on the main floor will be available. This calls for a plug – Can you resist those beautiful W.D.’s and the money boxes they held at monthly pay parades? – A baby gopher has it that a bowling alley will be there also. Gophers are funny animals! Could it be true? Only time will tell. Now to cover the main sports.
Soccer
Under the capable leadership of LAC Magson, Course 60 Air Bombers came out on top if the station soccer league. In the play-offs, Sgt. Andrews led his Sgt. Pilots to noble defeat by extending Course 60 to their utmost. During the season the Officers captained by the C.O. gave the Sgt. Pilots quite a few hard tussels. Padre Dunphy played exceptionally well as goalie for he didn’t need to use his hands.
Softball
The softball league got off to a poor start twice, for when the lads weren’t busy swatting mosquitoes they were trying to keep the rain drops off. During lapses in the attacking swarms, the officers team pitched by F/O Peglar managed to emerge victorious from many a hard fought game with the Sgts. The chagrin of the Sergeants knew no bounds, when after being beaten by the officers 18-7 at the last game of the season, they had to play hosts to the victorious team at their mess. A good time was had by all and may this rivalry continue next year. So say we all.
Baseball
Due to the difficulties of transportation, the baseball team could not play many outside games, but under the guidance of LAC Mitchell and F/O Carr, a good team was built up and several games were played on the station against visiting teams and on some of the towns in the surrounding district.
Cricket
The Sgt. Pilots under the capable Sgt. Pilot Wheeler played hosts to a visiting team from Copeland. A bumping pitch didn’t prevent the Sgts. From coming out on top. This game started quite late in the season but next year it is hoped, that since
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 31
equipment is now available, it will get away to an early start.
Volleyball
The volleyball court behind the Small Canteen came in for a great deal of use, especially by the Tarmacs. The court back of the W.D. Canteen was used extensively by the W.D.’s and Airmen but it is a question whether the volleyball was the chief attraction as far as the Airmen were concerned.
Station Sports Day
The day was sunny and so was the disposition of most of those on the station, for it was July 14th and they had an afternoon off. An extensive afternoon and evenings entertainment had been planned and thanks to the efficient and enthusiastic work of the Sports Day Committee led by F/L Padwick, it proved to be a tremendous success. Maybe because the W.D.’s being stationed here gave the lads a chance to show off their athletic prowess.
The monster parade organized by F/L Langdale, started off the day. Maintenance carried off the first prize of $15 cash with their clever imitation of a Fairey Battle, or was it a Kittyhawk?
The 23 track and field events under F/O Edwards and his P.T.I. staff, Sgt. Martin and Cpl. Taylor got away to a good start with the running of the sprint events. The Station was divided up into units namely: Observers and Gunners, Bombing, Gunnery and Drogue, G.I.S., Headquarters and Maintenance. The Observers and Gunners proved themselves worthy of aircrew by flying away with the Station Trophy with a total of 38 points.
The picnic lunch after the events was a novel idea and well received by the personnel, judging by the rapid disappearance of the huge piles of sandwiches and cakes prepared by F/S Mawattere and his staff.
The concert in the Recreation Hall received quite a hand, particularly the Hula Hula Dance by a group of station officers. It was whispered that an urgent invitation was extended to them by Earl Carroll to become members of his Follies.
All in all it was a great day. Dafoe can really do things and I don’t mean perhaps.
Badminton
Although the Sports Committee has provided adequate equipment for this popular sport, the tearing up of the drill hall floor has destroyed our Badminton courts. Two courts are being marked in the Rec. Hall, and it is hoped that under the leadership of WO2 Eaton and Sgt. Morgan, a somewhat curtailed tournament will be held in the near future. Worthwhile prizes are to be given and it is hoped that a good many will enter.
Boxing and Wrestling
Under the leadership of Sgt. Steinhauer the new P.T.I. it is hoped that quite a few matches will be staged for your entertainment in the near future. Adequate equipment is available and Sgt. Steinhauer is anxious to meet those who are interested in this form of athletics.
Hockey
With the first-rate ice surface which is now available a station hockey team and flight teams are in the process of organization. If you are interested contact F/O Edwards. More about this game in another addition. [sic]
Skating Rink
A skating rink for your pleasure has been prepared on the side of the hockey rink. A limited supply of men’s and women’s skates are available. Another baby gopher was overheard to say that skating parties with real music were being contemplated. Should this be a sufficient hint for you to have your skates sent to you from home. Perhaps the jolly old gentleman, Santa Claus, could help here?
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32 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Gunnery Flight
GUNNERY FLIGHT is sometimes called the ‘melting pot’ of No. 5 B. & G. School; what with the varied nationalities (New Zealanders, Englishmen, Canadian and Americans) and the odd accents, one might imagine himself in New York City. However, the absence of bright lights, and the scarcity of beautiful girls dispels the illusion from ones mind.
The close co-operation that exists among these “fighters for freedom” is an example to all the Allied Nations.
The pilots of Gunnery Flight have indeed been honoured in that they are entrusted with flying the almighty Bolingbroke. Now, this “hotship” is considered very good time in a pilot’s log book.
If one were to walk into the pilot’s room of Gunnery Flight he wold [sic] be amazed at the enthusiasm shown by the boys in their endeavour to get in flying hours. If it were not for the spirit of good friendship that is so apparent in this flight, there would be many an argument over who was to take up the next aircraft. However, all the boys are working together with only one thought in mind; “get the exercises done”.
To give credit where credit is due, we must not overlook the all important ground crew who are doing an excellent job in keeping things humming around the flight. Their avid interest in their work is surpassed only by their desire to do a better job.
Nor must we forget the eager students for whom the Gunnery Flight is really run. They are keen to finish the course and zealously execute their duties in the air and on the ground. We have great respect and admiration for our air gunners, for these are the men who are to shoot our enemies out of the sky.
Our boys are firm believers in the old adage “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. Between flips you will see them relaxing at ping pong tables, and on any washout day they may be found on the rink engaged in a fast game of hockey. It is a sight for sore eyes to behold the first attempts of the boys from ’down under’ in the gentle game of ice hockey. If it were not for the stout hockey stick which is used more as a support than as a weapon, there would be many a ground loop on the ice.
The interest the boys have in their ‘home’ is best illustrated by their work in redecorating the pilot’s room. Every man is pitching in with brush and paint to make his room the cleanest and brightest on the station.
Our N.C.O. in charge of the orderly room is one of those men you just can’t do without; he is an ever present source of information and doctor for all our troubles. And how would we log our correct flying time if it were not for two very obliging W.D. timekeepers.
Last but not least, we must mention our Flight Commander, Pilot Officer Dagnon and his assistant P/O Luma, who have taken over the job of running the flight, and we are doing well, thank you. The threat of “stern disciplinary action” brings out the best in all the men and consequently we have a smooth working organization.
All in all, Gunnery Flight is acquiring the reputation of being the best flight on the station due to the esprit de corps of all the men. Such devotion to duty is truly a criterion by which all working units of the station should abide, and by doing that we shall all be working for Victory.
o o o
SELF CONTROL
He determined to pass by his favorite tavern on his way home. As he approached it be became somewhat shaky, but after plucking up courage, he passed on. Then after going about fifty yards, he turned and said to himself: “Well done, Pat, me boy. Come back and I’ll treat ye.”
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 33
Bombing Flight
This flight should be known as the ‘International Squadron’ for who shall say that thirty-two pilots are not enough to be called a squadron, besides these thirty-two come from all corners of the globe – Americans, Canadians, Englishmen, Frenchmen and New Zealanders. Notice how diplomatic one must be in dealing with such temperamental aviators as these; even to the point of referring to them alphabetically so there will be no argument as to who ranks first…
Our ground crew, a most important part of our flight also claim various nationalities, in fact there are a few of them I am told who do a very good Red Indian dance when their “spirits” are right.
Talking of dancing we are fortunate in having in our midst a famous English tap dancer and crooner, one Dyre-Mathews by name, who was persuaded to give a charity performance for the privileged (?) people of Watson.
The female element is provided by two very popular time-keepers, LAW’s McIlveen and Pickford, who are chaperoned by Corporal McDonald, a rather onerous job as these Dafoe “wolves” are very persistent.
Just in case you don’t know it we would inform you that “Bombing Flight” is the hardest working flight on the station, bar none. Night flying quite often goes on till daybreak. Day or night there is hardly an hour that a ‘Mighty Anson’ is not tearing the skys [sic] apart with the roar of its powerful twin engines. Let it be known to all that the pilots of our flight are not “fair weather pilots”. While others stop flying “when the birds are on the ground” the Anson boys keep flying until the birds can’t keep their feet.
Congratulations to W/O “Pat” Heaven on his recent promotion, to P/O Tomlinson and P/O Witney on obtaining commissions. We miss W/O “Bill” Haggart, S/P ‘Duncan’ McMartin and S/P “Howard” Spiers who have recently been posted. W/O Haggart and S/P McMartin were both members of the world famous Caterpillar Club.
This would not be a complete flight description without mentioning Bob West our O.C. of Englishmen.
BOMB GONE, MASTER SWITCH OFF.
o o o
Drogue Flight
Drogue Flight means Lysander (Lizzies), Targets, Lizzie Pilots, all the boys of the flight who “keep ‘em flying” – plus LAW Patrick Maxwell.
Credit for the fact that we constantly fly the cleanest aircraft on the station, also for the excellent serviceability, goes to our ground crew.
The purpose of Drogue Flight is to supply Gunnery Flight with aerial targets. These targets are towed on a cable behind the aircraft. We don’t expect the student gunners to miss far enough to riddle our Lizzies, but when gunnery pilots come down with stories of students who wanted to know “Do we fire at that striped aircraft ahead of us?” – Well we wonder.
It seems lately that we have supplied another target. We believe that at the end of the month the hangar inspection committee go into a huddle and decide something like this – “Gunnery Flight has done a good job this month considering their Bolingbrokes and turret problems; Bombing Flight has completed an exceptional number of exercises with the number of aircraft they have. What about Drogue Flight? How many exercises have they done? The answer is “None”. We don’t do exercises. So another direct hit is scored with a beautifully carved dumbbell which adorns Drogue Flight office for another month.
All kidding aside, the members of Drogue Flight would like to take this opportunity to wish all the rest of the personnel on the station a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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34 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Wireless Section
We extend the Season’s Greetings to Wing Commander Lowe-Holmes, his staff of officers and to the personnel of every section on the station and hope that all the good results of the past will be even better in the future.
Although not taking an active part in the bombing and gunnery exercises we consider that we are just as important in the successes up to date, as any other branch, in as much as the team work between members of the crews of the aircraft would not be possible if it were not that the communications between them were in perfect order. As many have already found, when the intercom’ or radio “go on the blink”, the feelings of futility and blasphemy push their ugly heads to the fore, and it is natural that anyone in such a condition is not “in the groove”.
The members of this section, working in three shifts, remedy faults, overhaul and install equipment in aircraft which are newly arrived. It is no simple occupation, as a full knowledge of the principles governing the transmission of sounds over wires, or across the ozone, is essential, otherwise a hopeless tangle will result, with the ensuing loss of an aircraft until remedied.
In fact there is an officer of repute who considers that he can call “Garrick 4” from his aircraft when miles away from the drome without using the orthodox transmitter-receiver used by other pilots. (We will mention no names). We also have an aircraft which insists on getting its intercom’ wiring changed from the time it leaves the ground until it lands. (This is undoubtedly due to Gremlins).
We would welcome any wireless fan to drop in and see just what sort of a place we have.
Just a word to users of our transmitters in the aircraft, PLEASE – if you MUST remind yourself of your ancestry – turn your transmitter off.
Instrument Section
The Instrument Section was born many months ago at No. 5 B. & G. School, Dafoe. As pioneer of this Section at this airport, it is presumed that in any headaches pertaining to instrument work, go ask Corporal Schmerling. So when this bit of a Joe job came along, ye ole N.C.O. was sought and sunk with it, only it is not instrument work. It is as a reporter that I was roped in.
This is the best Instrument Section built in any school in the air training scheme. We can do any instrument job on any type of aircraft presented to us. We have maintained an assortment of fifty different types of instruments. From Link Trainer, bombsights, camera units down to the cheapest $3.50 variety of a-c instrument – and we haven’t been stumped yet.
Many of my old instrument gang have been posted, a few to the two coasts and some overseas. To the boys overseas, LAC Winberg and LAC Ramage, we hope that they will do as good a job there as they were trained to de here. Good luck boys.
As N.C.O. in charge, I would like to say Good Luck, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Instrument Section.
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 35
Trophy Winners to Date
[Head photographs of airmen in uniform]
LAC EARLE J.
LAC SINCLAIR D.J.
LAC EDEN
LAC VAN METRE
LAC DARIS C.A.
LAC SHORTTS F.C.
LAC ASHDOWN
LAC MOORE R.I.
LAC PEARSON T.W.
LAC GOLD G.
LAC TAYLOR D.A.A.
LAC KEHL LAC COUPE R.
LAC PARKINSON
LAC McDONALD
LAC STEVENS G.F.
LAC AMOS H.E.
LAC DESMARAIS B.
LAC LAIDLAW R.W.
LAC JOHNSON R.R.
LAC HOWLETT A.D.
LAC PAYTON A.D.
LAC JACKSON
LAC WATT W.D.
[Photographs of trophies]
AIR FIRING AND BOMBING TROPHY
Presented to the Air Observer or Air Bomber who makes the highest average score in his gunnery exercises and the lowest average error in his bombing exercises while at this school.
AIR FIRING TROPHY
This trophy is presented to the member of an Air Gunners Course who makes the highest average score in his gunnery exercises while at this school.
These trophies, donated by the Station Institute Committee were first presented on May 25th, 1942 to the courses graduating on that date at the suggestion of W C Lowe-Holmes. They have been competed for by every course graduating since that date, resulting in the students and pilots taking a far keener interest in their air exercises. This keenness has been mainly responsible for Dafoe attaining the highest results in air exercises for any B and G School in Canada.
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36 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Beneath the SOUTHERN CROSS
Aussies are once again at No. 5 – so now let this bunch tell you a little about their impressions and a little about themselves. It has not taken us long to find out why letters from Australians who had come to Canada before us have been written in such glowing terms. Everywhere we have been, invitation far more numerous than we could accept have been offered us, and hospitality far greater than we dared hope for was extended to us.
We have made many friends, so that now we have address lists a lot longer than those with which we left Australia, and, before our first home mail came we were receiving letters from our new friends here.
Coming from a land where most parts rarely have a winter temperature below 45 above, naturally we are going to feel the cold of your winter. Even now when we remark on the cold we merely get in reply a laughing “wait till it gets 60 below” – well we’re waiting, we have to. We’d like to take you to Australia and turn the heat on a little. But then just as you take us skating to warm us up (all but our ears and noses), we could take you surfing to cool you down. Surfing is to Australia what skating is to Canada.
Canada has shown us some wonderful scenery – the rugged grandeur of the Rockies, clothed in stately pines, snow-capped; hills on the West Coast where maples, gold and red in the fall, mingled with the pines; the sweeping prairies, and something which few of us had seen before, the calm beauty of a snow-covered landscape. These things we will never forget.
But how different is all this from Australian scenery. Down there are vast sunburnt plains, dotted with gaunt sentinel gum trees. And mountains which seldom if ever see snow; blue low-lying mountains, covered with gums where deep gorges conceal sparkling mountain streams. These flow into coastal rivers which pass through green and fertile land into the ocean. This same ocean sweeps in long curling breakers onto sandy yellow beaches – Yes, I think you’d like Australia.
Two important things to conclude – we like Canadian girls very much, but we don’t like Canadian beer. Well, what can you expect when Confucious say: “Australian beer is a potent brew; Made from hops of Kangaroo”.
o o o
AUSTRALIANESE
For many years a distinctive form of English has been in use in Australia. Our slang is unique, but it is so much a part of our everyday speech that we have compiled this short list of the words in common use amongst us.
bagman – hobo, who carries hit kit in a bundle.
bananalander – Queenslander.
bludger – scrounger.
by cripes – by golly.
bonza = super.
billabong – crescent shaped lake.
boong – Australian aboriginal.
cliner – girl.
chewing the rag – lengthy discussion.
cobber – close friend.
corn stalk – New South Welshman.
cow cocky – dairy farmer.
crow – homely female.
crow eater – West Australian.
Digger – Australian soldier.
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 37
drongo – R.A.A.F. rookie.
fossicker – queer old chap.
giggle house – deserted house used by hoboes.
gin – black woman.
gibber, goolie – stone.
goonskin – R.A.A.F. overalls.
fair cow – nuisance.
hooray, hooroo – goodbye.
having a lash – trying something new.
handed the raw prawn – led up the garden path.
hump the bluey – on the track.
jumbuck – sheep.
jackeroo – station (ranch) hand.
like a gin at a christening – awkward.
mulga – rumour.
on the blue – out of luck.
on the wallaby – see ‘humping the bluey’.
plurry – native swear word.
scrub – n. bush country. v. washout.
Sweet Fanny Adams – nothing, not much.
sheila, sort – see ‘cliner’
stone the crows, starve the lizards, stiffen the bats – wouldn’t it?
strike me handsome, strewth – blow me down.
stonkered, knocked up – exhausted.
trimmer – see ‘bonza’.
tucker – food.
o o o
An Aussie airman was sent to Canada. The cold was so great that soon he froze and died. The body was taken to the crematorium and placed in the incinerator. Two hours later the attendant opened the door and was horrified to see the Aussie still there and shouting at them: “Shut that dam door, this is the first time I’ve been warm since we arrived”.
UNFOLDING LIFE
A scorching sun hurls down its smouldering heat
Across the plain.
A hot, perspiring jackeroo exclaims,
To curb the mongrel at the leader’s feet,
“You black bitch; come behind!”
The gates of peace clang shut. We next behold
Recruiting drives.
Our jackaroo is on the Air Reserve;
A budding pilot, dreaming wings of gold;
He buys and [sic] Air Rec. book.
“Hey! Rise and shine!” ‘All out you drongo coots!”
“Tell off by flights!”
“No bludging droob!” “Get in the flaming queue;”
“C.B. for me; I’ll bet my ruddy boots.”
Why yes! It’s I.T.S.
The posting’s come; a fortnight’s Pre-Em leave;
And Smith is paid.
A sea-trip; Frisco – Rockies – Manning Pool –
A pep-talk – lunch – and then M.O.’s parade.
In short – an S.A.P.
A timid bulb peers through the Arctic gloom
Of Dafoe snow;
And Smith exclaims, as Time impels him on
To his ecstatic, cruel, “White Christmas” doom,
“You white bitch; come behind!”
Teacher: Willie, this is the fifth time I have had to punish you this week. What have you to say?
Willie: I’m glad it’s Friday.
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38 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Airmen’s Mess
[Photograph of people in uniform] Princess Alice Inspects the Mess
For years the master minds of the world have been chasing that will-o-the-wisp – perpetual motion, in all the corners of the earth but Dafoe. The writer believes we have it right in our own Airmen’s Mess.
Every hour of the day this unceasing movement goes on in the preparation of well balanced menus served on time to the multitude of ravenous mouths that file through its many portals. We can well be proud of our mess and the efficiency of its entire staff under the able direction of A/S..O. H.M. Smith and F/Sgt. Mallaterre. Not only do they fill the bill during regular hours but those unavoidable, though schedule-upsetting, early and late lunches are also taken in their stride. All this says nothing of course, about the generous manner with which they tackle the refreshment problems of our various teas, dances and social events on top of their busy daily routine.
Still, the odd funster insists on murmuring, “Never have so many stood in line so long for so little”. ‘Twas always thus.
We are happy to give space to the recent wedding of one of our staff, AW1 Skidmore (nee Skuce) which was solemnized in the Y.W.C.A. Hostess House in November. We heartily wish “Skid” an icefree road through life.
Recent postings have deprived us of two well known faces; AW1’s Tomlinson and Jones, who are now at McLeod and Vancouver respectively. Here’s for success in their new environment.
In conclusion may we express our sincere wish that “Dafoe Digest” will continue to great things.
[Photograph of people preparing food]
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 39
From the Education Office
When Socrates, the famous Greek philosopher was condemned to die for ‘poisoning’ the minds of Greek youths, a little group of his most intimate friends gathered around him as he prepared to drink the fatal hemlock. They asked him to leave them a final message of guidance and comfort. His message was, “I would have you look to yourselves”. This message we would pass on to all personnel who would seek to better their education by the correspondence method of study, for it is essentially an individual method and demands from the student much personal responsibility and self-direction. They set for themselves a worthy goal and are prepared through self-discipline to achieve that end.
Unfortunately we have become the victims of a traditional misconception as to the real meaning of education. We speak of it as something that can be “imparted”, something that can be “taught” by one to another; but in the last analysis all learning is individual. No one can “give” you an education, you become educated through your own efforts, mental and physical. The best of teaching only serves to facilitate the learning process. However, the correspondence method offers no short cuts to education and it is not a substitute, it is the real thing. Although making rather heavy demands upon the student, it pays off handsomely. It enlists in its service the highest and best of human qualities – determination, independence, resourcefulness and will power. It demands a high, but not disproportionate price, and it never defaults on its payments.
Now to get down to cases. Provided by the Canadian Legion War Services, there is available to all personnel a complete and varied list of subjects that might be had free of charge. Too numerous to catalogue here, they include: Introductory Courses which are on the level of the upper Elementary School, Grades VI, VII and VIII; Secondary Courses which are set out as Academic, Commercial and Technical. In addition, by our Canadian Universities there are offered to service personnel remarkably rich curricula which include all the regular university classes. Other institutions from which correspondence courses may be had are: The Certified Public Accounts Association of Ontario, The International Accounts’ and Executives Corporation of Canada, and the Nova Scotia Agriculture College.
For information, advice and assistance concerning correspondence courses, remuster classes, study groups, remustering to trades or to aircrew, library facilities and related affairs, come to the Education Office in the Small Canteen.
To all and sundry we sincerely wish the Compliments of the Season and Health and Success in the future.
o o o
BARRACK STORES
The Barrack Stores, a compliment of the equipment section, plays an important part in the daily life of any station. At this station, this department of supplies in under the direction and supervision of Barrack Officer James Lee, a Captain in the last war. It is true that this unit does not fight in the war technically but it contributes and plays an important part in supplying many essentials to those who do. From the barrack stores are issued sleeping comforts, cooking and dining utilities, furnishings for offices, equipment for lecture rooms, provisions for quarter and work rooms. The responsibility for the care of the station laundry falls into this section.
o o o
EQUIPMENT SECTION
(Continued from Page 27)
pair of shoes or tunic that does not seem to fit properly. In this connection we take this opportunity to welcome our new W/O.
These then are the members of the equipment section on No. 5 B. & G. School and one and all join in wishing the other personnel of the station and all others who have been kind enough to read this far, A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
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40 THE DAFOE DIGEST
M.T. Section
Greetings folks! from the good old M.T. Section – the backbone of No. 5 B. & G. No doubt there are some people who are even going to have the nerve to question that statement and might even suggest that if such is the case, then poor old No. 5 has a pretty weak back. But let us assure you, such is not the case. Where else can you find a crew on duty 24 hours a day, ready and willing (if not always able) to co-operate with any section on the station? And tell us if you can how any section can work any length of time without direct aid from M.T.? No folks, we feel pretty important around here and are sticking to our guns so don’t try and talk us out of it.
It’s really an education in itself to look into the daily routine of the section. Calls for M.T. vehicles can originate at many points of the station. A half hour over our dispatcher’s shoulder will substantiate this point. The chief difficulty that normally presents itself to a dispatcher, is to find the required vehicles on the establishment to perform the needed transport duties.
Besides our daily routine runs such as mail, freight, rations, garbage, etc., a sample of what can be expected of M.T. if the powers that be decide to send up one plane for one bombing exercise, might be interesting to note. An M.T. tractor pulls the plane out of the hangar, our gas tender has to see that it is full of gas. Before it takes off our crash tender and ambulance must be available for any emergency. Before it gets to its target the M.T. must have crews at the different ranges. Considering everything goes O.K. the bomber can now carry out his exercises but think what we can go through is something goes wrong and the plane crashes! From then on from the C.O. down through the O.C. Flying, the O.C. Training, technical officers, medical officers and maintenance crash crews expect the M.T. to pull trucks out of hats.
Also to be considered among our numerous complaints is the situation of the station and the beautiful cow paths leading to it from all directions. Located as we are, equidistant from the metropolis’ of Dafoe and Watson, the nearest rail centers to the station. M.T. vehicles seldom if ever, leave the unit’s gates for less than a thirty mile return trip. Does this add up to an enormous mileage? Our records answer this to the tune of an aggregate monthly mileage of approximately 25,000 miles. Brother, that’s a “heap of distance” and you can easily imagine the amount of maintenance work and records necessary to keep things running over these roads.
So much for our work. Our strength at present is just two-thirds of our establishment. However, that is quite an improvement in the past six weeks and we have hopes of being even better in the near future. We have had the honor, this past month, of welcoming four more of the fairer sex to our section, making a total of eight and boy, they really are pitching in and doing a fine job. Some of the boys have been here so long they are trying to sell shares on the place. For instance folks meet Cpl. Bob Burke. He was the first airman on this station and is now making arrangements for his third Christmas in Dafoe.
Congratulations are in order to “Bob” though, and also to Cpl. George Hannah. They both appeared the first of this month wearing the two bar chevrons.
I suppose we had better draw this to a close before we take up the whole magazine, but before we go let us congratulate the people who put forth the effort to make this magazine possible and may it go on record that the M.T. Section is behind any move to improve old No. 5 B. & G. The next time though, you feel like cussing M.T. just count ten and remember we have our worries too.
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THE DAFOE DIGEST 41
Maintenance
[Photograph of an aircraft as a float from a parade] Maintenance Entry “Ambrosia” – First Prize in Sports Day Parade
Aircraft maintenance is very important at any time, but during the winter months at a school like No. 5 B.& G. almost a twenty-four hour per day is imperative. The maintenance is organized on a flight system with the various flights doing their own daily inspections and minor running repairs within the facilities at their command, while ‘A’ Hangar under Flight Sergeant Luker’s direction takes care of major repairs, engine changes, etc., and ‘B’ Hangar accommodates two shifts – one day and one night – the day shift on minor repairs, of which there is a never ending stream, and the night shift concentrates mainly on periodic inspections, acceptance checks, etc.
F/L Laidlaw is the Maintenance O.C. with F/O Klassen, F/O Low and P/O Topham as engineering officers. Sergeant Majors Armstrong and Yellowlees are the WO2s and are the direct supervisors of the whole maintenance system. They have a vast amount of work and discipline to account for. No wonder a Sergeant Major is supposed to be everything from a mother to words unprintable.
Winter brings on a never ending battle to the maintenance ground crews. Engines won’t start, hydraulic systems fail and you can’t handle a wrench with mitts on, but the flying programs must go on. All in all the ground crews from maintenance and flights have the coldest jobs on the Station.
Most of the riggers and fitters spend many months at the Technical School in St. Thomas, Ont. and emerge with a ‘C’ group. Then after several months experience, if they show ability and willingness are rewarded with a higher grouping. Not all are born mechanics, however, but the smart make up for the lesser group and it is really astonishing how lads right from farms and with comparatively little training in a pre war sense are able to step in and keep Bolies, Battles etc. in tip top shape. The N.C.O.s have to be mechanics, dicips, physiologists, etc., as well as knowing air force administration, and the whole plan and smooth running success really depends on an efficient N.C.O.
A shortage of spare parts, tools, etc., is always a bug bear of maintenance, but there is usually an answer so that serviceability can be kept up.
Team work is as much a requisite on the ground as in the air and it combines the effort of all the fitters, riggers, instrument makers, electricians, workshops, etc., to keep up an operating serviceability standard.
o o o
Hubby: “What are we having for dessert tonight, dear?”
Wife: “Sponge cake, I sponged the egg from Mrs. Brown, the flour from Mrs. Smith and the milk from Mrs. Jones.”
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42 THE DAFOE DIGEST
Photographic Section
As this is our first attempt at so-called journalism, perhaps an introduction to the personnel of the section and a brief (I do mean brief) outline of our duties and activities would serve best as a beginning.
First, and always foremost, may we present F/L F.E. Rader, O.C. of the section, and for the benefit of those who have not yet made his acquaintance, he can best be described as a splendid officer, and in the vernacular of the R.C.A.F., “a right guy”. In order of rank, we next have Shorty (you ain’t kiddin’) Sgt. Bob Arnott, who, it is said, has a “cold front” toward photo scroungers. LAC Picard, G.E. – Ted to almost everyone comes next. He’s the chap one sees dashing thither and yon transporting a formidable looking instrument called a Camera Ground View. (It looks like a modified piano accordian on stilts, the camera we mean). A recent addition to our staff is Miss “Pat” Holden, one of the W.D. personnel, a graduate from the latest course at Rockcliff, and rather keen about the whole thing. Last, but certainly not least, we have LAW Boriskewich, M. (Marie, for short), formerly of the Officer’s Mess staff, where, we are told she is sadly missed.
Now arises the question of where the photo section fits into the program of our school. Upholding our section, of course, and contrary to common belief, a wide variety of work keeps us definitely on our toes. In keeping with all intent and purposes, Camera Gun exercises receive our first consideration, and it is our responsibility to supply, process and deliver the completed exercise films to G.I.S., where they are projected for the benefit of the trainees. To fill in any spare moments that we might have, we putter about with class pictures, station record and progress shots, equipment modifications, copy jobs, identification photos, social events, visiting celebrities, publicity photos and what have you, not to mention the odd aerial job thrown in. And so you have it.
As this is the season of the year when greetings and good wishes are in evidence, may we take the opportunity of extending to W/C Lowe-Holmes, Commanding Officer, Officers, N.C.O.s, Airmen and Airwomen of No. 5, our Heartiest Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes during the coming year.
O. R. Timekeeper
There are probably more interesting jobs than keeping time, records and checking log books, but we time clerks have our interesting moments too, especially at the end of the month when it comes time to check the Pilot’s log books. Strange how two people can take figures from the same log sheets and have entirely different totals, but it happens at Dafoe. Go to Sergeant Crook or Sergeant McKenzie, D.S. for particulars. Their books have a particular habit of being a few hours out, and of course the poor time clerk gets the blame. With much figuring and a few headaches, we get them all straightened out some way and believe me, we don’t have any dull moments, and certainly no lazy ones.
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Post Office M.P.O. 1206
[Photograph of Post Office personnel at work] “Any mail for me?”
On June 9, 1942, M.P.O. 1206, opened for business on this Station, under the direction and supervision of the Canadian Postal Corps, later to be assisted by the R.C.A.F. W.D. personnel of the station.
Equipped with all the facilities of a city post office, this department renders all the services offered by the Postal Services Department, including Savings Bank Division. It actually hums with business from the opening hour 8.30 hours until closing hour (1900 hours).
The personnel of the Station Post Office consists of Sgt. Craig, Cpl. Hance and Pte. McCormick of the Canadian Postal Corps and Edith Roswell, Margaret Jessiman, Vivian Dow, Carol Pinner, Doris Blaine and Connie McGregor of the Women’s Division.
RULES FOR BOOM TOWN RENTERS
1. Do not pay more rental than the law permits. If you do, severe penalties will be imposed on you as well as the landlord. In case of doubt verify your rental by consulting the Station Adjutant.
2. When you vacate tour accommodation hand your Maximum Rental Decision form to the incoming tenant or leave it with the Station Adjutant for subsequent delivery to the new tenant.
3. If you rent by the month the landlord can require you to give him a month’s notice when you vacate. To avoid any trouble have a definite agreement with your landlord that you may vacate on a day’s notice, a week’s notice or such other notice as will be mutually satisfactory.
4. Your landlord cannot require you to vacate on less than three months notice unless you have not paid your rent, are damaging the property or are otherwise misbehaving.
5. To be legal he landlord’s notice to vacate must meet four requirements:
(1) It must be in writing.
(2) It must be given at least three rental months notice.
(3) It must specify the reason for which it is given.
(4) The specified reason must be one of the reasons mentioned in the Rental Regulations. (See Section 16 (3) of Order no. 108). Your Station Adjutant has several copies.
6. Under no circumstances whatsoever can a landlord increase his rental without approval of a Rentals Committee. Such approval when given, is always evidenced by a Maximum Rental Decision form.
7. If you are renting a furnished accommodation the landlord cannot remove the furniture or any part of it while you remain in occupation. If you vacate and the furniture is then removed the landlord cannot rent the accommodation unfurnished without first applying to a Rentals Committee for the fixation of a new maximum rental.
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44 THE DAFOE DIGEST
The Security Guard
The Security Guard and the Service Police wish to extend their Christmas Greetings to the Commanding Officer and all personnel on the Station. We wish to send an extra hearty wish to all those well meaning Airmen we have had the pleasure to entertain during the past year. By the way, some of our guests failed to sign the recommendation and suggestion register.
We have been unfortunate in losing the services of Flying Officer Gilbert, whom we congratulate on his promotion to Flight Lieutenant. Others we should like to see still in our midst are F/S Millbank, Sgts. Williamson and Trotman and Cpl. McClurg.
We would be very interested of the Equipment Section would advise us as to the future tenant of Sgt. Williamson’s summer issue.
Newcomers to the Unit are Flying Officer Holland the D.A.P.M. and Sgt. Hicks., Provost Sergeant and Cpl. Fiddes. Congratulations to Sgt. Hicks. We hear a member of the M.T. Section is preparing him a medal for that sprint, followed up by a brilliant rugby tackle one night in Wynyard. We would advise the M.T. Section to accelerate faster.
We hear with great regret that LAW Wegram is shortly to leave us. The Service Police wish her luck in her future duties. We understand she is to cook in the hospital. May she turn out the patients in record time.
It is advised by the hotel manager, Sgt. Hicks that accommodation is strictly limited over the New Year, as we know from experience, the Xmas guests have so enjoyed themselves, they have extended their stay. So do [sic] now and book your reservations immediately.
We would like to advertise our resort: The Hotel is adequately equipped with hot and cold water, rooms furnished with HARD SIDE UP BOARD BEDS and the doors fitted with special locks and a novelty in the form of a window. This enables you to see your opposite number. NO boys, we do not receive the Women’s Division. Before the birds have thought of singing you are up gaining that glowing appetite. Well it is said that the Service always puts weight on a man, boy it sure does, for instance you start off before breakfast weighing 140lbs an by the time you are ready for your mornings sport, you will find yourself 200 lbs. Congratulations to the Messing Committee, it must be a new brand of calories. This sport consists of strapping on your haversack and walking down to the Sergeant Major and asking him how it is played. Well, he hands you a nicely polished piece of wood with a tube down the center and the game starts and ends in one hour dead, if you aren’t dead you should be.
The afternoon is spent in precisely the same way as the morning. With a bit of polishing and shining, we feel sure you will be an expert by the time your sojourn is up. If you walk around and wonder why everyone is staring at you once you have left us, remember you have a very straight back and have been de-smoked, de-coked and de-anything else.
We wish to congratulate Sgt. Green, Cpl’s Moore and Kalb on their promotions. We wish to extend our apologies to all flying personnel if we have caused any difficulties by the searchlights. We are not allowed to keep them on permanently so we just have a peep, and sometimes it is interesting. The Security Guard are looking forward to the hockey season and as we have a very hot team all lined up, we should like to have a few practice games before we enter the finals. Would any other Sections who are interested give Local 25 a ring any time of the day or night and we will fix up a game.
[Page break]
THE DAFOE DIGEST 45
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS, YEAR 1942
February 20 – Airmen’s dance held in Recreation Hall. Decided success under guidance of F/O J.A. Carr.
March 7 – W/C Lowe-Holmes arrived from No. 31 B. & G. School, R.A.F. Picton, Ont., assuming duties of Chief Instructor of this unit.
March 20 – Airmen’s dance held in Recreation Hall – largest attendance yet, ranging from 450 to 475. Another decided success.
March 23 – Second serious aircraft accident at this station. Sgt. Pilot, Haggart, pilot of one plane entered the ranks of the “Caterpillars” by parachuting to safety. LAC Harris, C.G. another student, was seriously injured in the crash and admitted to Station Hospital. He has since recovered.
March 25 – A three-act play, “Here Comes Charlie” was staged in the Recreation Hall under the direction of F/L W.H. Dunphy.
May 1 – Airmen’s dance held in the Recreation Hall – still another success to be chalked up to the credit of the Entertainment Committee.
May 21 – Mess dinner held in Officers’ Mess in honour of American Officers being transferred to the U.S. Armed Forces.
May 23 – Wedding of F/O C.W. Barnett, U.S.A., and Miss Mavis F. Freeman of Springwater, Sask., held in the Officers’ Mess.
May 26 – Anniversary of the opening of the Station – peculiar circumstance: American Officers departed for joint Canadian-American Board for their re-entry into U.S. Armed Forces.
May 29 – Another success yet – Airmen’s dance in Recreation Hall.
June 1 – Advent of Women’s Division - 65 Airwomen arrives as vanguard of W.D. personnel soon to replace Airmen in certain trades.
June 9 – M.P.O. 1206 opened banking facilities for the Station.
June 23 – Inspector General, A.C. Godfrey arrived for his annual inspection.
June 30 – Another Airmen’s dance and another success.
July 8 – The 85 Air Cadets from Saskatoon who had been stationed here since July 1st departed today after completing their summer training.
July 14 – Monster parade and sports day celebration. All the fun of the country fair plus.
July 23 – Third serious crash since station opened. Sgt. Pilot J.E. Parker, LAC M. Bowen and AC2 R.A. Ward were dangerously injured, and LAC R.C. Parker was slightly injured. Bowen and Ward are now well on the way to recovery.
August 1 – Group Captain R.A. Delhaye, D.F.C., handed over command of the station today to his successor Wing Commander P.W. Lowe-Holmes.
August 16 – Flight of 40 Airmen and 16 piece bugle band journeyed to Humboldt today to participate in a Decoration Day ceremony.
August 31 – Another Airmen’s dance in the Recreation Hall – nuff sed.
October 4 – First special week-end train for personnel on 48-hour passes operated this weekend to Saskatoon.
October 5 – Capt. Frank Armitage, Y.M.C.A. gave his impersonations of Shakespearian roles in the Recreation Hall.
October 11 – Harry S. Hay’s concert party from Saskatoon presented a variety entertainment in the Recreation Hall.
October 26 – W.D. precision squad returned from Winnipeg. This squad left on the 21st and paraded several times in Winnipeg in connection with the third Victory Loan Campaign.
October 29 – First Station dance held in Drill Hall – attendance approximately 1200 – successful event considering difficulties in arranging transportation for civilian personnel.
November 9 – The “Lifebuoy Follies Revue”, a travelling concert party organized by Lever Bros., Toronto, visited the Station and presented their show in the Recreation Hall this evening. It was an outstanding success – remember?
[Page break]
46 THE DAFOE DIGEST
BUST ROAD INCIDENT
or It Can Happen Here
By F/S Cunningham
“Hey you!”
“Huh… …who, me?”
“Yeah, you. Are you in the Air Force?”
“Am I in the … say, are you kidding Corp?”
“No. And take your hands out of your pockets.”
“Sure, but….”
“Where’s your hat?”
“Well you see, I was just going across to…”
“Where’s your hat?”
“I left it in the ….”
“What’s the idea wearing a sweater and no tunic?”
“I’m going across to…”
“And you’ve got no shirt on.”
“No. You see…”
“Take your hands out of your pockets! What are you doing with Flight Coghlan’s pant on?”
“These aren’t Flight Coghlan’s pants Corporal, I had my pants in the …”
[Drawing of two men]
“And what is that lump under your sweater? Hah! Bottles!”
“Yes, but I was going across to …”
“And why are you wearing slippers?”
“I just ca…”
“Don’t fidget. Stand still. And didn’t I tell you to keep your hands out of your pockets?”
“Well my hands are cold.”
“Then why don’t you wear your hat, gloves and coat? Hah! You’re a disgrace to the Service. And if I ever…etc…etc…”
P.S. – The poor guy was just trying to carry out orders. He’d gone to the Drill Hall for P.T. and the P.T.I. gave him a bunch of empty pop bottles to take over to the canteen. And through no fault of his own he had been given the wrong pants at the canteen dry cleaners.
MORAL: Leave this P.T. business strictly alone.
o o o
THE ADJUTANT
By A.R. Haskell
Who every morning, beats the lark,
Who works each day till after dark
Sans recognition or remark? –
THE ADJUTANT.
Who puts things right with G.H.Q.,
When “Whys?” and “Please explains” come through
Who knows a blooming thing or two? –
THE ADJUTANT.
Who’s always wanted on the ‘phone,
Who has no time to call his own,
Who’s uncrowned king without a throne? –
THE ADJUTANT.
To whom are applications sent
From “Yores sur most obedient;
“May I go ‘ome, I ‘ates this tent?” –
THE ADJUTANT
Who always tries to be polite,
Who’s always wrong and never right,
Who never pleases all ranks, quite? –
THE ADJUTANT.
o o o
GUNNERS
If I must be a gunner,
Then please Lord grant me grace,
That I may leave this station,
With a smile upon my face.
I may have wished to be a Pilot,
And you, along with me,
But if, we all were Pilots,
Where would the Air Force be?
It takes GUTS to be a gunner,
To sit out in the tail,
Where the Messerschmitts are coming,
And the slugs begin to wail.
The Pilot’s just a chauffeur,
It’s his job to fly the plane.
But it’s we, who do the fighting,
Though we may not get the fame.
But we’re here to win a war,
And until the job is done,
Let’s forget our personal feelings,
And get behind the gun.
If we must all be gunners,
Then let us make this bet,
We’ll be the best damn gunner
That have left this station yet!
[Page break]
[Cartoon of airmen on parade in front of an aircraft, with a dog, a puddle and a halo!] AUSSIE DOINGS
[Page break]
[Underlined] STATION COMMITTEES [/underlined]
STATION INSTITUTE COMMITTEE
President: Flight Lieutenant H.G. McBeth
Secretary: Pilot Officer J.A. Rolfe
Members: Flight Lieutenant E.W. Rogerson
Flying Officer A.H. Edwards
A S O M.Y. Darte
WO2 Armstrong, G.G.
R103609 LAC Johnston, R.B.
R89862 LAC Swick, G.E.
W302689 Cpl. Kimpton, M.E.
OFFICER’S MESS COMMITTEE
President: Squad. Leader W.T.F. Tourgis
Secretary: Flight Lieutenant J.M. Cruse
House Member: Flying Officer P.A. Logan
Messing Officer: ASO H.M. Smith
Bar Officer: Flight Lieutenant J.M. Cruse
SERGEANT’S MESS COMMITTEE
Honorary President: Flight Lieutenant R. Laidlaw
President: Flight Sergeant Driscoll, H.J.
Chairman: WO2 Tracy, F.P.D.
Secretary-Treasurer Flight Sergeant Barrett, E.P.,
AIRMEN’S MESS COMMITTEE
Chairman Pilot Officer J.A. Rolfe
Women’s Division: Corporal Walker, E.K.M.
Ground Instructional School: Corp. Dodd, E.R.F.
Training Wing: Corporal LeFebvre, L.H.
Headquarters Squadron: Corporal Anderson, J.S.
ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE
President: Flight Lieutenant A. Paterson
Secretary: Mr. T.G. MacDonald (Y.M.C.A. Rep.)
Members: Hon Flight Lieutenant W.H. Dunphy
Hon. Flight Lieutenant E.N. Morrison
Corporal Taylor, J.A.
SPORTS COMMITTEE
President: Flying Officer W.E. Brown
Vice President: Flying Officer A.H. Edwards
Secretary-Treasurer: Mr. T.G. MacDonald, (Y.M.C.A. Representative)
Members: Squadron Leader F.C. Stibbard
A S O M.Y. Darte
Flying Officer J.A. Carr
Hon Flight Lieutenant W.H. Dunphy
Hon Flight Lieutenant E.N. Morrison
WO2 R.B. Eaton
STATION LIBRARY COMMITTEE
President: Hon. Flight Lieutenant E.N. Morrison
Secretary: Flying Officer W.E. Brown
Members: Sergeant White, W.H.
LAC Hoare, H.
Tom MacDonald (Y.M.C.A.)
FIRE COMMITTEE
President: Flight Lieutenant E.W. Rogerson
Members: Flight Sergeant Wiebe, J.
AIRMEN’S WELFARE COMMITTEE
President: Hon. Flight Lieutenant E.N. Morrison
Members: Hon. Flight Lieutenant W.H. Dunphy
WO2 Tracy, F.P.D.
WO2 Eaton, R.B.
MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB
Honorary President: Wing Commander P.W. Lowe-Holmes
President: F/S Cooke
Secretary: WO2 Burnham, W.E.
Treasurer: Sergeant Talbot, J.L.
Lotho’d by Perfection Lithographers Limited, Saskatoon, Canada.
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
Dafoe Digest
Description
An account of the resource
The first issue of The Dafoe Digest, a magazine produced by No 5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Dafoe. Each section on the base has had a chance to write a short article about their activities.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-12
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
48 page magazine
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MGeachDG1394781-160401-06
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 Canadian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Canada
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan--Dafoe
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Robin Christian
David Bloomfield
Anne-Marie Watson
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.
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-12
air gunner
aircrew
animal
bomb aimer
bombing
entertainment
gremlin
Lysander
military living conditions
military service conditions
sport
station headquarters
training
wireless operator / air gunner
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1405/26420/LRobinsonFA33520v1.2.pdf
708f1dc7bd64207eea63cd6cffe934ff
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
Robinson, F A
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2019-06-17
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Robinson, FA
Description
An account of the resource
Three items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader F A Robinson (b.1920, 33520 Royal Air Force) and contains his log books and a poem. He flew over 130 daylight operations with 1 PRU and 543 Squadron.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by P A Robinson and catalogued by IBCC Digital Archive staff.
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
F A Robinson’s flying log book for pilots. One
Description
An account of the resource
Flying log book for F A Robinson covering the period from 8 September 1938 to 22 January 1951. Detailing his flying training and operations flown, includes flight certificates, congratulatory messages and notes of appreciation from senior officers, a poem about 'Gremlins', newspaper clippings, photograph of a radar installation. He was stationed at RAF Cranwell (RAF College), RAF Old Sarum (S of AC), Abbeville (2 Squadron), RAF Odiham/Hendon (ROC Flt), RAF Hatfield/ Hendon (116 Squadron & 24 Squadron), RAF Benson/St. Eval (1 PRU & 543 Squadron). Aircraft flown in were Tutor, Hart, Hind, Audax, Hector, Lysander, Magister, Master, Roc, Stinson, Proctor, Spitfire, Anson, Wellington, Expediter, Oxford, Gladiator, Blenheim, Harvard, Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth, Meteor, Vampire. He flew over 130 daylight operations with 1 PRU and 543 Squadron. Photographic operations were flown over Le Havre, Honfleur, Cherbourg, Boulogne, Abbeville, Zeebrugge, Cap Gris Nez, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ostend, Charleroi, Douai, Den Helder, Amsterdam, Lille, Bethune, St Omer, Leipzig, Ruhr, Flushing, Gronigen, Heppel, Cologne, Weert, Calais, Dunkirk, Nurnberg, Dortmund, Ems, Kiel, Emden, Cuxhaven, Franco-Spanish border, Brest, Bordeaux, St Nazaire, Ploumanac, Le Croisic, Ushant, St Lannion, Lorient, St Nazaire, Douarnez Bay, Pt Duraz, Morlaix, Toulouse, St Malo, Poissy, Lubeck, Travemunde, North German ports, Dortmund, Cologne, Stuttgart, Heilbronn, Frankfurt, Mezieres, Essen, Amsterdam, Swinemunde, Hamburg, Brussels, Liege, Gironde ports, La Pallice, Martha, Saarbrucken, Mealte, Aachen, Rouen, Alten fiord. The log book also lists his post war flights.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Mike French
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.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One booklet
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Log book and record book
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
LRobinsonFA33520v.1
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Belgium
France
Germany
Great Britain
Netherlands
Norway
Belgium--Antwerp
Belgium--Brussels
Belgium--Charleroi
Belgium--Ostend
Belgium--Zeebrugge
England--Cornwall (County)
England--Hampshire
England--Hertfordshire
England--Lincolnshire
England--Middlesex
England--Oxfordshire
England--Surrey
England--Wiltshire
France--Abbeville
France--Béthune
France--Brest
France--Calais
France--Cherbourg
France--Le Croisic
France--Douai
France--Douarnenez
France--Dunkerque
France--Le Havre
France--Honfleur
France--Lannion
France--Lille
France--Lorient
France--Charleville-Mézières
France--Morlaix
France--La Pallice
France--Poissy
France--Rouen
France--Toulouse
France--Ouessant Island
Germany--Aachen
Germany--Cologne
Germany--Cuxhaven
Germany--Dortmund-Ems Canal
Germany--Essen
Germany--Frankfurt am Main
Germany--Hamburg
Germany--Heilbronn
Germany--Leipzig
Germany--Lübeck
Germany--Stuttgart
Germany--Saarbrücken
Netherlands--Amsterdam
Netherlands--Den Helder
Netherlands--Groningen
Netherlands--Rotterdam
Netherlands--Vlissingen
Netherlands--Weert
Norway--Altafjord
Atlantic Ocean--English Channel
Atlantic Ocean--North Sea
Germany--Emden (Lower Saxony)
Germany--Nuremberg
Germany--Saarbrücken
France--Saint-Malo
France--Saint-Omer (Pas-de-Calais)
Belgium--Liège
France--Bordeaux (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
France--Boulogne-sur-Mer
Germany--Ruhr (Region)
France--Ouessant Island
France--Saint-Nazaire
France--Cap Gris Nez
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1940-05-13
1940-05-14
1940-07-10
1940-07-11
1940-07-12
1940-07-23
1940-07-24
1940-07-29
1940-07-30
1940-08-02
1940-08-03
1940-08-06
1940-08-07
1940-08-10
1940-08-11
1940-08-14
1940-08-15
1940-08-18
1940-08-19
1940-09-11
1940-09-13
1940-09-18
1941-08-10
1941-08-17
1941-08-18
1941-08-19
1941-08-21
1941-08-22
1941-08-26
1941-08-27
1941-08-31
1941-09-02
1941-09-04
1941-09-16
1941-09-21
1941-09-22
1941-09-23
1941-09-26
1941-09-28
1941-10-02
1941-10-06
1941-10-13
1941-10-20
1941-10-23
1941-11-01
1941-11-03
1941-11-06
1941-11-12
1941-11-14
1941-11-18
1941-11-20
1941-11-24
1941-11-25
1941-12-01
1941-12-05
1941-12-07
1941-12-11
1941-12-13
1941-12-15
1941-12-19
1942-01-02
1942-01-04
1942-01-06
1942-01-09
1942-01-11
1942-01-12
1942-01-15
1942-01-16
1942-01-24
1942-01-26
1942-01-28
1942-02-02
1942-02-03
1942-02-05
1942-02-07
1942-02-08
1942-02-10
1942-02-11
1942-02-18
1942-02-19
1942-02-27
1942-03-05
1942-03-09
1942-03-24
1942-03-26
1942-03-27
1942-03-29
1942-04-02
1942-04-06
1942-04-12
1942-04-14
1942-04-16
1942-04-25
1942-04-30
1942-05-03
1942-05-06
1942-05-16
1942-05-18
1942-05-24
1942-05-28
1942-06-06
1942-06-17
1942-06-21
1942-06-22
1942-07-08
1942-07-18
1942-07-30
1942-08-06
1942-08-17
1942-08-18
1942-08-19
1942-08-23
1942-08-28
1942-09-11
1942-09-18
1942-10-04
1942-11-09
1942-11-10
1943-01-18
1943-06-25
1943-09-03
1943-09-05
1943-09-09
1943-09-13
1943-09-14
1943-09-19
1943-09-24
1943-09-26
1943-09-29
1943-10-09
1943-10-16
543 Squadron
aircrew
Anson
Blenheim
bombing
Flying Training School
Gneisenau
gremlin
Harvard
Lysander
Magister
Meteor
Operational Training Unit
Oxford
Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
pilot
Proctor
RAF Benson
RAF Cranwell
RAF Hatfield
RAF Hendon
RAF Odiham
RAF St Eval
Scharnhorst
Spitfire
Tiger Moth
Tirpitz
training
Wellington
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/2231/40689/MBirdJH184015-180215-06.1.pdf
3edd5f25f2d4a136e965f544ca591519
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
Bird, JH
Description
An account of the resource
50 items. The collection concerns Flying Officer J H Bird (b. 1921, 184015 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, note books, newsletters and a <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2251">photograph album</a>. After training in south Africa, he flew operations as a pilot with 104 Squadron. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Lissie Wilkins and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018-02-15
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.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Bird, JH
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
Fledgling Vol 3 No 3
June 4th 1943
Description
An account of the resource
A magazine published by RAF Bulawayo with sports news, jokes and news.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-06-04
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe--Bulawayo
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
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Service material
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
17 printed sheets
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MBirdJH184015-180215-06
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-06-04
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending text-based transcription
entertainment
gremlin
sport
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36037/PBakerWB16020004.1.jpg
ecfead0792e09448f9d507d75ecd704f
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36037/PBakerWB16020005.1.jpg
ba3ea68a413a259952211e8fe8184f00
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
Baker, William Benjamin
Biff Baker
W B Baker
Description
An account of the resource
45 items. The collection concerns William Benjamin "Biff" Baker DFC (Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents art work and and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 115 and 626 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pamela Baker and catalogued by Nigel Huckins and Peter Adams.
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
2016-11-28
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
Baker, WB
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
Gremlin
Description
An account of the resource
Drawing of a standing grinning gremlin wearing shorts, with umbrella hooked on arm, leaning on a bomb and pointing down towards falling bombs with other hand. Signed 'Biff'. Notes on reverse crossed out.
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w drawing
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PBakerWB16020004, PBakerWB16020005
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
W B Baker
arts and crafts
gremlin
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36038/PBakerWB16020006.1.jpg
8fee1927db498cf25f355cfc5f6458a5
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
Baker, William Benjamin
Biff Baker
W B Baker
Description
An account of the resource
45 items. The collection concerns William Benjamin "Biff" Baker DFC (Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents art work and and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 115 and 626 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pamela Baker and catalogued by Nigel Huckins and Peter Adams.
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
2016-11-28
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
Baker, WB
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
Gremlin
Description
An account of the resource
Drawing of a standing gremlin wearing shorts and holding a bomb in his arms. Umbrella on right side. Signed 'Biff'.
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w drawing
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PBakerWB16020006
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
W B Baker
arts and crafts
gremlin
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36035/PBakerWB16020001.1.jpg
656e198a9f6f6cd6d064a34810c14e91
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36035/PBakerWB16020002.1.jpg
bf149cf48510f1e5143aabdce873b8ce
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
Baker, William Benjamin
Biff Baker
W B Baker
Description
An account of the resource
45 items. The collection concerns William Benjamin "Biff" Baker DFC (Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents art work and and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 115 and 626 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pamela Baker and catalogued by Nigel Huckins and Peter Adams.
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
2016-11-28
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
Baker, WB
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
Gremlin "Bang On"
Description
An account of the resource
Painting of a yellow gremlin holding umbrella riding on a bomb with caption 'Bang On'. On the reverse 'see pages "A" & "H" of aircam aviation series - No 12, show original on Lanc. I now have original drawn by me & presented to me on completion of tour. WB'.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
W B Baker
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
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One colour photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PBakerWB16020001, PBakerWB16020002
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
gremlin
Lancaster
nose art
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36036/PBakerWB16020003.2.jpg
d8265b98a733f016c303015f54496383
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
Baker, William Benjamin
Biff Baker
W B Baker
Description
An account of the resource
45 items. The collection concerns William Benjamin "Biff" Baker DFC (Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents art work and and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 115 and 626 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pamela Baker and catalogued by Nigel Huckins and Peter Adams.
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
2016-11-28
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
Baker, WB
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
Gremlin riding on bomb
Description
An account of the resource
Drawing - head on view of a grinning gremlin with umbrella hooked on arm riding on a bomb. '115' is drawn on the bomb. Signed 'Biff'.
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w drawing
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PBakerWB16020003
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
W B Baker
arts and crafts
gremlin
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18097/MAkrillWE1436220-190212-01.2.pdf
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18097/MAkrillWE1436220-190212-010002.2.jpg
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18097/MAkrillWE1436220-190212-010003.2.jpg
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18097/MAkrillWE1436220-190212-010007.2.jpg
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
GREMLINS
WHO’S WHO
BY
BILL AKRILL
(WHO SHOULD KNOW)
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
GREMLIN PHOTOFLASH
Will Gremlin
WILL GREMLIN lives in a Photo Flash
As some bombadiers [sic] have discovered.
So when you’re testing – don’t be rash
Or you’ll find that you need not have bothered
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
GREMLIN CREWS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF MK VIII
George Gremlin
If you’ve a date in London City
Or sigh for the sights of Northampton –
GEORGIE GREMLIN can work it pretty.
Take him and go bombing to Shalston
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
Oswald Gremlin
[underlined] GREMLIN INTERCOMM. MK IB [/underlined]
Don’t blame the Wop if you get
No joy on the Intercomm.
OSWALD GREMLIN’S on the set
And your plug is detached there.
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
GREMLIN METEOROLOGY MK III C
Thor Gremlin.
He’s chasing Depression all over the sky
Reducing the Met to distraction
He’s roaring around in a Thunder Clap
and rousing Cold Fronts into action
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
[underlined] GREMLIN-UNDERCART MKIC [3 symbols] [/underlined]
Charlie Gremlin
There ONCE was a Pilot called Brown
Who wrote off his kit and his crew.
Tho’ he came in to land with his chassis not down –
Don’t blame him. CHARLIE GREMLIN flew.
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
GREMLIN – COMPASS MK1 (LIQUIFIED)
[underlined] Algenon [/underlined] Gremlin
The Balloons of London Town ahead –
We should BE at the Bristol Channel.
Oh yes, we were steering Red on Red!
But ALGY was on the Instrument Panel
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
GREMLIN NAVIGATOR for DISTRACTION of
Douglas Gremlin
For more lost Dividers I searched around
But DOUGLAS GREMLIN was having such glee
That they nor Protractor were never found
And filled in once more a 664B
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
[underlined] GREMLIN INTERCOMM. MK II [symbol] [/underlined]
Adolf Gremlin
When intercom. Begins to howl –
Howls and shrieks get really grim,
Then ADOLF GREMLIN’S on the prowl.
Mistreated helmet entices him.
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
[underlined] GREMLIN COMPUTOR MK I
Cuthbert Gremlin
Phoney readings, shakey [sic] winds,
Drifts applied the wrong way round.
These are CUTHBERT GREMLIN’S sins.
And will occur where he is found.
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
[underlined] GREMLIN – NAVIGATION – MK V (MODIFIED) [/underlined]
Popeye Gremlin
Here lies the body ‘tis sad to relate
Of a young Navigator named Bill
Oh, his D.R. was right! He met his fate
‘Cos POPEYE GREMLIN had shifted a hill.
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
[underlined] GREMLIN – ASTRO-NAV MK I [/underlined]
Professor Gremlin
Should you get wrong L.H.A.,
Or not correct for Wander –
PROFESSOR GREMLIN’S passed that way;
He’ll your precious moments squander
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
[underlined] GREMLIN – TURRET MK I [/underlined]
Dick Gremlin
Down in the Turret where nobody goes
Sleeps the Rear Gunner forgotten of men
And save for DICK GREMLIN there’s nobody knows
The Hydraulics have gone for a Burton again
[page break]
[cartoon drawing]
[underlined] GREMLIN – ASTRO-NAV MK II [symbol] (MODIFIED) [/underlined]
Stella Gremlin
On a clear and starry night,
If you cannot find Altair
And in the South the Plough is bright
STELLA GREMLIN has been there
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
Gremlin Who's Who
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven double page document
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
MAkrillWE1436220-190212-01
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
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
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-01
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-01
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
A collection of 13 cartoon drawings depicting gremlin characters by Sergeant William Akrill. Referred to in letter #18081.
1. Gremlin photoflash (Will Gremlin)
2. Gremlin crews for the convenience of Mark VIII (Georgie Gremlin)
3. Gremlin intercomm. Mark I B (Oswald Gremlin)
4. Gremlin meteorology Mark III C (Thor Gremlin)
5. Gremlin undercart Mark I C *** (Charlie Gremlin)
6. Gremlin compass Mark I (liquified) (Algenon Gremlin)
7. Gremlin navigator for distraction of (Douglas Gremlin)
8. Gremlin intercomm. Mark II* (Adolf Gremlin)
9. Gremlin computor Mark I (Cuthbert Gremlin)
10. Gremlin navigation Mark V (modified) (Popeye Gremlin)
11. Gremlin astro-nav Mark I (Professor Gremlin)
12. Gremlin turret Mark I (Dick Gremlin)
13. Gremlin astro-nav Mark II* (modified) (Stella Gremlin)
arts and crafts
gremlin
superstition
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/666/18104/PAkrillWE19010006.2.jpg
da7d1df53f70c8e532caa516c016c69f
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
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
Gremlins in the fog
Description
An account of the resource
Girl in overalls and head scarf with finger to lips. In the background a cloud with a number of gremlin figures as well as building, tree windmill and gate. One gremlin has rope to girls left ankle while three others pull back on rope to left ankle. Title 'Gremlins in the fog'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-12-18
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One b/w drawing
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Artwork
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PAkrillWE19010006
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-12-18
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Language
A language of the resource
eng
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
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
William Akrill
arts and crafts
gremlin
home front
superstition
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/564/8832/PEmlynJonesA1601.1.jpg
5a87ab19fbe21121173bd90fd1d7fd8e
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/564/8832/AEmlynJonesA161012.1.mp3
bc8126645f0b2316e1d629a80b2452f6
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
Emlyn-Jones, Alun
A Emlyn-Jones
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archvie
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EmlynJones, A
Description
An account of the resource
An oral history interview with Alun Emlyn-Jones (Royal Air Force). He flew operations as a bomb aimer with 51 Squadron.
The collection was catalogued by IBCC Digital Archive staff.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-10-12
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.
Transcribed audio recording
A resource consisting primarily of recorded human voice.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
This interview is being conducted for the International Bomber Command Centre. The interviewer is Anne Roberts, the interviewee is Alun Emlyn-Jones. The interview is taking place at Mr Emlyn-Jones’s home in Cardiff, in Wales on the 12th of October 2016.
AR: Thank you Alun for agreeing to talk to me today.
AEJ: My pleasure.
AR: Also present at the interview is Julie Emlyn-Jones, Alun’s wife.
AEJ: That’s right.
AR: So Alun, could you tell me something about your early life?
AEJ: My early life? Well I was brought up in Cardiff, my parents - I was one of two children, my sister was six years older than me and I was the second one and I spent all my early life here really. Then at the age of ten I was sent away to school, I was banished to England for my education. I was very unhappy at school, it was a very difficult time for me, it was just emotional. I was a home boy, I wanted to stay at home I didn’t really want to go but I went to Summer Fields in Oxford to start with and that’s in my book under the title ‘Nightmare’ [laughing] and then I went on to Charterhouse, which was easier. And then, heaven knows what might have happened, I might have gone on to university and so on I suppose, but as a matter of fact I don’t think I was all that scholastically brilliant because I wasn’t working as much as I should have, but the war came to make my decision for me. So I was able then, my parents let me come home waiting for whatever should happen. When it came to, as you know if you volunteered, even if for a short while before you would have been called up you got the privilege of putting down preferences of where you would go, and I must say I wasn’t directed by anything more noble than the fact that I didn’t really want to slog through muddy trenches, so I decided on, you had to put one for each service. So I put my priority as aircrew in Bomber Command, my second one was the submarines and my one for the Army was in tanks, so the idea was that I was going to be carried wherever I was going [laughter] and in due course I was given my first choice and I went to Penarth, I’ve skipped a lot of my youth I’m afraid, went to Penarth to start training there. I’ve skipped a lot, you want to know more about my youth of course.
AR: No, whatever you want to tell us, it’s fine. So your training was in Penarth?
AEJ: We started our initial training, well we started, we met in Penarth before we were sent out to our stations, you know. We went to various places, all over the place. I spent a lot of time training in South Africa, went out on a troop ship, it took six weeks out and six weeks back, incredible, and did my training in a place called East London in South Africa and then came back in due course.
AR: And what did the training entail Alun?
AEJ: Well I suppose we did a lot of flying, Ansons and aircraft like that and then we graduated I think to Whitleys and it was on Whitleys that I was flying with my first crew at the conversion unit. At that point, at the conversion unit we moved to Halifax, the Halifax which we were going to fly during operations. And that’s what we did, so we flew in the Halifax on a regular basis from RAF Rufforth on the flat plain of York and then one day, my crew, well I had my appendix out, that was a very important thing for me. I had an appendix attack. I was able to get home, or it happened somewhere where I could be at home and I had my appendix attack and I had my appendix out in a local nursing home in Cardiff. I wrote to my skipper Stanley Bright ‘I do worry about one thing’ I said, ‘because this has caused me to leave you now and you may not be able to wait for me’. He said ‘don’t worry a bit, the weather’s clamped, we’re doing very little flying, you’re going to be back in a few weeks and that’ll be fine’ And that was the last I heard of him, from him. They were flying from Rufforth on one of their training trips, conversion trips while I had my appendix, they had taken off but they were In, I think, 10/10ths cloud and they were doing simply something like, a simple exercise, I think something like circuits and bumps, you know landing, taking off, landing, taking off, all that sort of thing and I think they got slightly off track in this dense cloud and didn’t realise, because we didn’t have the sophistication with radar that they have now and didn’t realise that the hill, called Garrowby Hill was between them and the ground and they flew into the hill. They killed a passing truck driver and the plane hit the road near Cot Nab Farm, top of Garrowby Hill and disintegrated in the fields and they were all killed. So suddenly I was left, an odd bod with no crew and ah, had to wait to see what would happen. But of course that caused quite a lot of delay in when I started flying and so on as you can see from my logbook, and eventually I was adopted by a crew whose bomb aimer had been taken, borrowed by another crew, and when he was borrowed he was killed. So they ended up as a crew without a bomb aimer and I was a bomb aimer without a crew and they asked me if I would like to join them which of course I was, I was delighted to because that period of just hanging about, just going wandering about the station, not belonging to anybody was a very difficult time, a very, very difficult time. What I couldn’t understand was the attitude of the, I don’t know who he was, one of the senior officers. I couldn’t understand his sort of antagonism to me. He just interviewed me and wanted to know what I was doing and things like that, and then he said ‘get out’. I couldn’t understand that but later, I think I saw that he had been unaware of me not being killed at the time and included me in the list of those who had died that day and I think that he was feeling guilty about that and took it out on me. There was no other reason, I had no personal contact with him that otherwise could have caused that but that made me feel even more isolated really and I just wandered round very lonely and hopeless for quite a while until my new crew adopted me.
AR: And then you flew a number of missions?
AEJ: Well first of all we had a lovely pilot, he was a great guy, Danny and he’d done 13 ops and crashed with a full bomb load. He broke his back and he’d nevertheless come back to flying again and he adopted us and I had great admiration for him, I think we all did. But I of course, as a bomb aimer it was only over the target that I was in charge really and the rest of the time I did odd jobs. I was assistant pilot, I was assistant navigator and all the bits and pieces that went with it, you know helping the wireless operator and anything they could find for an odd job man really. I used to sit next to Danny on take off and as he pulled the heavy aircraft off the ground he would come out in an absolute sweat and I knew he was in pain. After he’d done six or seven ops or whatever it was, one day we were actually out on the dispersal point waiting to take off and he called us together and he said ‘it’s no good I can’t fly, my back is playing up so badly I’ll kill us all’. And I just said to him, because I thought it would be true, ‘don’t worry Danny they’ll understand’. Well they didn’t. The Wing Commander came out in his Hillman and he treated Danny as though Danny was a traitor of some sort. It was dreadful. He said ‘King get into my car’ and then he turned to us and he said ‘I’m sorry your pilot is LMF - lacking in moral fibre’. I thought that was terribly cruel and we asked if we could have an interview with the Wing Commander, which he granted and I was the spokesman and I went in on behalf of the others, with them, and said ‘we want you to know sir that we have great admiration for Flying Officer King and I told him about his broken back, he ought to have known that from the records, and how he’d carried on despite that and how I could see how much pain it gave him when pulling the aircraft back and that in the end he decided that to save us all, he wouldn’t fly. He said ‘your comments are noted gentlemen’ and that was that. Danny was banished from the airfield and we never saw him again.
AR: How did that make you feel, you and your other crew members?
AEJ: Oh very badly about that, very badly. Then my third pilot came into it and took us over and we went on eventually and completed our tour. Well actually they did the full 30 ops and because I had missed one, the one they were on, actually the first one that I’d missed was the Nuremberg trip where we lost more aircraft than any other raid. Because I’d missed that I was officially granted my tour on 29 ops, that was that. That was how that ended and then I got on to Transport Command and so on and I was [emphasis] going to be posted to Japan and that really frightened me. I’d heard such awful stories about prisoners of war in Japan and I thought that was going to be dreadful and I said to then Wing Commander, I don’t know if it was the same one or not, ‘I wonder if I could have a training job of some sort for a while?’. He said ‘you ought to be honoured to be chosen for Japan’. I could have done without the honour. Anyway, the awful thing, but nevertheless, it saved my bacon, what was it, the atom bomb? Yes the atom bomb, because of that the war became over, the war with Japan finished and thankfully for me, I was saved the task of going out there. Then I went on to Transport Command and did various things and I flew quite a lot really but that was the end of my active [unclear]
AR: Where were you in the transport corps Alun?
AEJ: I can’t remember but I’ve got it in my logbook which is there. Yes I’ll have to look it up.
AR: After the war finished, what did you do then?
AEJ: Well, I had been, before the war, before I got called up, working with a little firm called Copy [unclear] Ltd at Treforest Trading Estate, near here, where we made carbon paper and typewriter ribbons. Before the war, as a young man I was pressing green buttons to make a machine go, red buttons to stop it, and things like that and when I came back they said ‘you’d better go in the sales department’, so I spent a lot of time writing sales letters. Which suited me because I like writing so that suited me very well. What was I going to say now, I’ve forgotten.
AR: Well you were talking to me about after the war. Tell me when you did all the work to create a memorial to your crew at Garrowby Hill.
AEJ: Yes, that’s the memorial there. We go up every year. Julie was able to take the service, bless her, as a, what is it for your church, you are a?
JEJ: That’s not part of it.
AEJ: I wanted to say it.
JEJ: I’m an elder.
AEJ: That’s it - I can’t remember things. She’s an elder at the church, so she is able to take the service, which she does wonderfully and we have, very often, and we’re hoping for the same number this time, about 40 people gathered on the hilltop for that occasion. So we do that every year on Armistice Sunday.
AR: And it was you who got the memorial put up?
AEJ: We did, we arranged that, or I did I suppose, well we both did, didn’t we? Yes we both did. We arranged it. We got very friendly with the people who did it, they did a lovely job as you will see. We’ve got the aircraft on the top and it’s a beautiful memorial. They come every time, the people who made it and I think he’s very proud of it and we’re very proud of what he did, it was a great job. That’s what we do every Armistice Sunday. We’ve done, how many? Huge number. A very big number anyway of these, for years and years and years.
AR: And you still keep in touch with - ?
AEJ: It was the seventieth we stopped at, no that was something else wasn’t it?
JEJ: Yes.
AR: And you’ve kept in touch until recently with your old colleagues from the war?
AEJ: I suppose I haven’t really. I’ve lost contact now.
AR: Alan can you tell me about going up to see the memorial and how you feel about Bomber Command being recognised now?
AEJ: Oh very thrilled, very thrilled, yes. Of course we had a lot of fighter boys here and they turned the tables really at that vital moment, but all the boys at St Athans were in fact killed. Every one that we knew, we knew well. My sister was a very attractive girl, and very vivacious, and she had a circle of friends wherever we went and she knew a lot of the pilots. We used to go and stay locally at Porthcawl at the Seabank Hotel and a lot of the pilots from Battle of Britain were there and they all died, sadly. But I think I’m wrong about not having any contact with my crew but my memory, it’s been shot to pieces. [pause] Nobby, Wilf, Geoff Taverner, yes. My bombing leader, Geoff Taverner, he lives in Newport so although we didn’t fly together, he was the bombing leader for my 51 Squadron and I see him quite regularly. He got the DFC actually. And I, incidentally, have just been awarded the medal Chevalier de la Legion D’honneur because quite a lot of my trips were in support of the French and a friend of mine over there, [unclear] Thomas, he said ‘you really ought to apply for the Chevalier Award because I’m sure, knowing your record that you would qualify’. And I did and I was. And Geoff as well, Geoff Taverner. We had a very moving occasion in Cardiff for that. It was rather lovely and the family were able to be there and it was fantastic really.
AR: Congratulations, that’s wonderful.
AEJ: It’s a nice title to have. It’s a wonderful medal, very, very handsome.
AR: That’s lovely to hear. So after the war Alun, life continued and you were working in Cardiff?
AEJ: That’s right and then I got to feel that, it was pure chance really. I wanted to help the people. Because there was a tendency to have a drink problem in my family, on my mother’s side, one of my uncles had a problem and my sister and I both inherited it. And I thought, when I heard about this job, an organisation was being formed in Cardiff, the Council on Alcoholism, if I could get in on that I would be able to help others as well as myself. I applied. My sister, however continued to drink although she was married and she had two children and a loyal husband and she didn’t mean to do these things but she couldn’t stop, you know. She was wonderfully talented, a very gifted and bright girl who drove cars at great speed. She was a tremendous character but she couldn’t quite come to terms with this and I was worried about her and it was because of her, as much as anything, that I thought if I join, if I get in on this job, I’ll learn enough to help her properly and she died the very day I was appointed. But I was appointed, and having put my shoulder to the wheel, as it were, I thought that’s what I’ll continue to do and it became my life’s work. I built up a hostel for people with the problem in Cardiff, Dyfrig House and then moved on and did Emlyn House in Newport. And then we moved on, out into the nearby valleys and did a third one, the Brynnal [?] and then my daughters, two of my four daughters, decided that this was for them so they came in, Rhoda and Lucy and played their very significant role and Lucy became the Director of the Gwent Alcohol Project and Rhoda was in charge of the Community Alcohol and Drugs Team and so we made it a family business [laughter] .
AR: That’s wonderful.
AEJ: I think over the years we were able to help quite a lot of people. The hostel in Cardiff for example, Dyfrig House, we had a Day Centre and a workshop, we had crafts that people could make and all sorts of things as well as having accommodation and support, so there was a lot happening.
AR: Wonderful. Is there anything else Alun you can remember about your - going back to the RAF, your time in Bomber Command, anything else you would like to tell us about what it was like to fly on the Halifaxes?
AEJ: Well I liked the Halifax. The Halifax of course was overshadowed a bit by the Lancaster, in the same way really as the Spitfire outshone the Hurricane. The Hurricane did a very fine job nevertheless and the same applied to the Halifax. It was eclipsed by the glamour of the Lancaster. But I liked it, on a practical basis it had much more room inside so you could move around more easily. Also, which I think is a very important point, it was easier to bail out of [laughter] . It was a good sturdy workhorse and I got very fond of it yes. It just didn’t get the glamour and people always think of Lancasters, they don’t think of Halifaxes. Of course before that, there was the Stirling, after the two-engined ones. I didn’t fly in those, I think I got one trip once but not an operational trip and of course before that we were on Whitleys. We were flying Whitleys. Yes I liked the Halifax very much indeed. I enjoyed flying actually. I mean compared with my friends who are in civilian airlines who drew thousands and thousands and thousands of hours, the whole war I think my total was seven hundred and fifty but seven hundred and fifty hours we packed a lot of stuff into it. I find it such a privilege really to work with crews like that. We became great friends, that’s the thing, it wasn’t just that we were working together, we became great friends. You know we went out together as well and met socially when we could. Oh it was tremendous comradeship. I deem myself very fortunate indeed to have had that opportunity and of course to have survived because the expectation of life was only six weeks, and so to have survived was extraordinary good fortune. We were losing boys all the time. You know, ‘so and so bought it’ that was the expression, ‘so and so bought it’ so you know one of the people we knew well hadn’t come back, they had crashed or been shot down. I mean on one daylight (sortie) I remember seeing lots of aircraft going down. Later, this particular man, lives in Cardiff so I see him quite often because I’ve got a group called 51 Squadron and Friends. The group meets quite regularly and I saw this aircraft just below me, being shot down and it turned out to be his so I was able to tell him I’d actually seen him shot down. He was then captured by the Germans but they treated him with respect. Another of my friends who was shot down in the First War was put into Pfaffenwald which was dreadful and he had a dreadful time there but then the Luftwaffe itself said ‘you shouldn’t have this man there, he should be in a proper prison, so he was transferred, that surely saved his life although he died young in the end, but that was a separate matter. But er, yes there was great comradeship. I’ve rambled on enough I think.
AR: Not at all, it’s been fascinating.
AEJ: Thank you so much.
AR: No thank you, thank you Alun very much for giving us the time.
AEJ: It’s was my pleasure. I just wonder how many things I’ve missed out.
AR: Alun we’re going to carry on now. Can you tell me a little bit about your nickname?
AEJ: Actually of course so many of my compatriots from Wales were called Taffy and I suppose I would have been but in fact Grem fitted in very well and I got called Grem all the way through my Air Force career. That’s because it’s short for Gremlin and Gremlin was the little creature who used to disturb our instruments in the aircraft, imaginary one I need hardly say [laughter] . It was short for that and it also rhymes with my name Emlyn, Alun Emlyn. So for those two reasons I got called Grem and enjoyed that nickname and I’m still called Grem by some people. Geoff Taverner my colleague and one time bombing leader from Newport, he still calls me Grem for example, so it’s very nice to have that.
AR: And animals played an important part for you.
AEJ: Yes, well when we were stationed at one place I picked up a goat, a little goat. He was a dear little thing and he used to live in my billet and used to greet me with licking my face at night and things like that but then he got bigger and bigger and bigger and I had to think of something to do with him so we asked a local farmer if he, no we didn’t, we found a spot at a water tower in the village and he would have shelter and he was on a long lead and we had him there for quite a while and then one time he got away from his lead and went all round the village eating the tops off people’s plants. That became rather unpopular so I gave him to the local farmer on the strict [emphasis] understanding he would be used for breeding and not be killed. So I hope that’s what happened, I hope he had a happy life. Then we had our dog, Jimmy, I picked Jimmy up somehow and Jimmy sort of lived constantly with us and was a great guy. I can’t remember what happened to Jimmy in the end.
AR: Did Jimmy wait for you when you came back from - ?
AEJ: Yes Jimmy used to be there. Wherever we’d been and wherever he’d been in the meantime , he was always waiting on the tarmac when we got back and he lived in my billet with me. So we had a bit of a menagerie really. I can’t remember what happened to Jimmy, pity we can’t ask [laughter]. So there we are and of course when we searched for the spot to put the memorial for the first crew at Garrowby Hill, a lot of research went into that. We had a local archivist, he worked very hard at it all. We met a girl, a woman then, as a girl she’d been stationed in that area where the crash took place and through personal contact we were able to be sure [emphasis] that where we put the memorial was exactly where the crash took place, so that was very helpful. But the trouble is Anne now, for me is that my memory is shot to pieces and I can’t remember clearly. I can’t , even though a few moments ago I had it clearly in my mind I can’t remember everything that I was told unless I wrote it down.
AR: Thank you Alun, what you’ve been able to tell us has been marvellous.
AEJ: Well you’ve been very kind and I’ve know it’s not been adequate.
AR: It’s been wonderful and it will be a great addition to the archive. Thank you very much.
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
Interview with Alun Emlyn-Jones
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Anne Roberts
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
2016-10-12
Type
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Sound
Identifier
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AEmlynJonesA161012, PEmlynJonesA1601
Rights
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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.
Language
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eng
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Air Force. Transport Command
Format
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00:34:11 audio recording
Description
An account of the resource
Alun Emlyn-Jones (known as Grem among his RAF colleagues) was raised in Cardiff and attended boarding schools in Oxfordshire. He worked manufacturing office supplies when he volunteered to serve in Bomber Command, hoping to avoid being called up to the infantry. Alun trained in Penarth and in East London, South Africa, and then worked as a bomb aimer.
Alun talks of flying on the Anson and Whitley, and of being assigned to a Halifax crew. He describes a training flight accident at Garrowby Hill, Yorkshire in which his crewmates were killed. Alun, who was hospitalised at the time, was not on board the aircraft. He recalls his loneliness at being without a crew, and the unexplained animosity towards him from a senior officer. He talks of joining another aircrew and of adaptability being a part of the role of the bomb aimer, before reflecting on his feelings about the unjust dismissal of the crew’s pilot for lack of moral fibre.
Alun recalls his transfer to RAF Transport Command in 1945 and talks of organising the erection of a memorial to his crew at Garrowby Hill. He mentions his pride at the memorial, and his attendance at annual commemorations there for many years. He goes on to reflect on his preference for the Halifax over other aircraft, his enjoyment of flying, and on the great friendship and comradeship among aircrews, describing a closeness which continued after the war. He also mentions his affection for the animals that he kept in his billet during the war.
Alun relates that he first returned to his pre-war job after the war, but later joined the Welsh Council on Alcoholism to help others and in support of his sister, whom he describes affectionately.
Temporal Coverage
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1944
1955
Contributor
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Leah Warriner-Wood
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Oxfordshire
Wales
Wales--Vale of Glamorgan
Wales--Porthcawl
Wales--Newport
South Africa
South Africa--East London
Germany
Germany--Nuremberg
Japan
England--Yorkshire
Wales--Penarth
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending revision of OH transcription
51 Squadron
aircrew
animal
Anson
bale out
bomb aimer
bombing
crash
Distinguished Flying Cross
gremlin
Halifax
Hurricane
lack of moral fibre
Lancaster
memorial
military ethos
military service conditions
pilot
radar
RAF Rufforth
RAF St Athan
Spitfire
Stirling
training
Whitley
York
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Akrill, William
Billy Akrill
W Akrill
Description
An account of the resource
132 items. The collection concerns Sergeant William Akrill (1922 - 1943, 1436220 Royal Air Force). He was a navigator with 115 Squadron. His Wellington was shot down by a night-fighter on an operation to Essen and crashed into the Ijsselmeer 12/13 March 1943. The collection contains his photographs, letters, and cartoons as well as an oral history interview with Michael and Ann Akrill about their uncle. There is also a subcollection of letters written as a teenage boy to his father in hospital. The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Michael and Ann Akrill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins. Additional information on William Akrill is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/200183/" title="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/akrill-we/ ">IBCC Losses Database</a>
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-12-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Akrill, M-A
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
1436220 Sgt. Akrill,
Sgts’ Mess,
R.A.F. Station,
Upper Heyford,
OXON.
Fri. 8.1.43
Dear Mum,
I see there’s a parcel for me in the Post Office so I’ll collect it in the morning & then get this off tomorrow enclosing £.S.D. Think it must have been there some time but I’ve missed the list in the Mess.
Just landed from a trip over Norfolk, Lincs and Yorks. Had fun over Newark but I was much too busy to have a look outside. Were detailed to take off again less then half an hour after we touched down on the drome again but it was scrubbed owing to – well never mind. I think one of these days we’ll really have to land at S. It’s tantalizing when you can look out & see home especially when you’re feeling as anxious for a spot of leave as I do. So I’m having a quiet little rest on my bed. There’s a simple terrible
[page break]
kit inspection in the morning at 0750 hrs. With all the kit I have (& that I havn’t [sic]) its going to be a binding affair. I [underlined] dislike [/underlined] kit inspections more than anything. And at [underlined] that [/underlined] hour too. Oh dear, oh dear. Just one of the little things sent to try us [deleted] as [/deleted] as Mary’s friend Mr. Whatsitt-with-the Umbrella would remark.
I got down to Lower H. last night to the Fellowship and later to the Bates’ to supper. Mrs. B. said something about writing to thank you for your letter or something. I got teased last night when I got an invitation from the Prestons (who are farmers who live next door & whose party I went to on Sat.) to go to [deleted] tea [/deleted] supper a week on Sunday. They have 3 daughters so there was much speculation as to which one it was! Finally they decided it must be Vera, short, fat and 30 is who came to ask me! By the time I leave here I shall know
[page break]
three quarters of the village! Possibly not be here very much longer – all depending on the weather. Lets hope that [deleted] on [/deleted] my next move will bring me somewhere [inserted] where [/inserted] I shan’t have to be getting to know strangers! May spend some time at Win. before moving on to S. & then if I [deleted] move [/deleted] get finally to Wad. It would be ideal wouldn’t it for the Spring & Summer. Expect after all I’ll go to N. Yorks!!!!! I hear from our instructors, who all come from those stations around, that they are grand places to be at. We get to know a lot about them & it will be disappointing not to get there after building up hopes.
We’re having some extremely interesting lectures these days. I can’t talk about them but they are interesting & I enjoy them.
You remember the Gremlins I started
[page break]
doing? I hadn’t time to carry on and any way they became too technical but I have done a lot in a little booklet which the boys are very pleased with and want me to send something up to the R.A.F. Journal, which I shall do if I’ve chance – which isn’t likely.
Well, folks must get mobile and get weaving on this kit business, will finish when I’ve got your parcel.
[underlined] SATURDAY [/underlined] Collected your parcel from the Post Office this morning. Many thanks for the apples, cake & soap. Your parcels always have such a lovely “homey” smell long before I open them. They’re grand to get. Sorry about the colds & weather. You can guess how cold it [deleted] [indecipherable word] [/deleted] is upstairs! Poor old Major. I wondered why the dinner was so tough yesterday. Wonder if Mary & Daddy went to Lincoln yesterday. I was over there about 2 o’clock. It was a nice day. There’s lots of snow in N. Yorks.
[page break]
I wrote to Auntie at the same time as I wrote to the Moakes so she should have got it. They seem to have all the hard luck. No I don’t expect you’ll feel like stirring far from Potter Hill at the moment. I don’t think you’ll find a better little corner of the world at the moment. Which reminds me I’m sure Miss Moakes would be interested to know that the R.A.F. has great faith in her ‘adexolin’ pills, as a means of improving night vision. We’re supposed to take 3 of them a day and 1 Vitamin “D” tablet a day but that’s usually missing. I’m hopefully taking the ‘adexolin’ & have a chuckle at Miss M. dosing Mary up but I think it would be a better idea to concentrate on better food & blow the pills.
No, David didn’t seem to [sic] pleased
[page break]
with the Navy in his last letter. He’s definitely not the type for service life though he’d never admit he wasn’t happy. I’m happy enough as long as I can keep getting a spot of home and at the moment my bottle’s getting empty as Daddy would say. Soon be due for 7 days but it won’t come ‘til I’ve finished here.
Anyway, I’ll be seeing you one of these fine days I hope.
Love to all
Bill.
[deleted] P.S. [/deleted]
[underlined] 4. pm [/underlined] P.S. Just dashing off to do another trip to Goole & Newark &c. Will be right over home!!
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Description
An account of the resource
Bill writes of flying close to home and an upcoming kit inspection early the next morning.
Last night he went to the church fellowship in the village and then to his friends for supper. Has also had an invitation from their neighbours, so is getting to know lots of people.
Speculates about where he might be posted - hopes it will be somewhere close to home.
Talks of his drawings of gremlins which he has made up into a little booklet. Has been suggested he should send it to the RAF Journal.
Resuming the letter the following day, Bill thanks his mother for her parcel and replies to news from home.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-01-08
1943-01-09
Contributor
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Tricia Marshall
Format
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Six page handwritten letter
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]430108
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
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Great Britain
England--Oxfordshire
Temporal Coverage
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1943-01
Rights
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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
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IBCC Digital Archive
Creator
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William Akrill
aircrew
arts and crafts
gremlin
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Upper Heyford
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1235/16322/MReynoldsWT[Ser -DoB]-150731-03.pdf
1bdcb59267c93477cc938d164a77310f
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
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Reynolds, William
W T Reynolds
Bill Reynolds
Description
An account of the resource
Seven items. The collection concerns William Reynolds who was stationed at Branston Mere Y Station, a wireless intercept and direction finding station. the collection consists of three photographs and four copies of 'Mere Gen', the stations unofficial newsletter.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Linda Smith and catalogued by Trevor Hardcastle.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-07-31
Rights
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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
Reynolds, WT
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[inserted] [deleted][two indecipherable words][/deleted] [/inserted]
[inserted] W. Reynolds [/inserted]
MERE GEN
1st
BIRTHDAY NUMBER
[symbol]
AUGUST 1943
[Page Break]
[Picture]
[Page Break]
[Underlined] EDITORIAL [/Underlined]
Twelve months ago a Magazine was born! Among a long-suffering public “Mere Gen” made its audacious appearance, and we who were associated with those early efforts are gratefully appreciative that, we are now in a position to comment on its maturity. While ever conscious of our literary shortcomings, we feel we have the interested goodwill of all our readers, and if the Mag. has in any small measure contributed to the general good feeling pervading our Station we are satisfied. The most pleasing feature, to our minds, has been the fact that “Mere Gen” now circulates throughout this country (having more than an average number of civilian readers – landladies excluded), and reaches our boys overseas, in Africa, India and elsewhere. Perhaps if I quote from a letter recently received from the Middle East from six ex-Waddington L.A.C’s it will suffice: “We cannot thank you in editorial terms for having been lucky enough to obtain two copies of “Mere Gen”, but we must say how pleased we were to obtain these pleasant reminders of the “Good old Waddo Days”, and we can assure you that until these two copies are beyond recognition through “wear and tear” they will be passed on to the others who are in any way connected with the Gen Joint. “
The Editor.
This is dedicated to those who “fell” In the glorious action of “The Butcher and Beast”, during the Wings for Victory Campaign.
[underlined] The Butcher And Beast (With apologies to Keats.) [/Underlined]
Souls of airman posted, Gone,
What Elysium have you known,
Where is served a merry feast,
Finer than the Butcher and Beast?
Have you tasted better beer
Than the host will serve you here?
What fruit could make you feel more smug,
What sweeter than a brimming jug
Of bitter? A generous drink
A double whisky don’t you think?
Or perhaps you’d order shandy
And, after tasting, find it brandy.
I have heard that on a night
Several airmen came home tight,
Nobody knew where they’d been,
(Continued overleaf)
[Page break]
In Branston they could not be seen,
Till a witness gave the story,
Said he saw them in their glory
Underneath the tables there,
Drinking whisky, ale and beer,
And pledging with a common call
He who hangs upon the wall.
Souls of airmen, posted, gone,
What Elysium have you known,
Where is served a merry feast,
Finer than the Butcher and Beast?
TWAMMY.
[Underlined] “I was interviewed!” [/Underlined]
Quite recently one of our literary contemporaries. the R.A.F. Journal (ahem), published an article by a well informed Group Captain, dealing with “interviews!” Unfortunately for R.A.F. mankind generally, this learned treatise merely dealt with the outlook of those who “looked down” and did the interviewing, and failed utterly to bring to light the reactions of those unfortunate enough to be interviewed. Hence this article -, because I have been interviewed!
Conscious of the slogan forewarned is forearmed etc., I heralded my intended trip to ‘Ministry’ with some misgiving, but took what I considered to be the proverbial preliminary precautions by listening intently to all and sundry who had any views on the subject – and strangely enough these people were innumerable and their suggestions manifold. I was warned to be on the lookout for trick questions, trick answers, guileless looking psychologists, fiery Air Marshalls, and advised to dispense with my civilian pullover, gird on my strongest pair of service boots (“They must squeak!” one old stager insisted), change my hair style (this from an insolent Waaf), and above all things be observant and adopt a sober, serious like mien!
In a state of complete bewilderment I stood at the portals of Ministry one sunny morning, armed with the usual buff form directing me to proceed to Room 504! I apologetically detached myself from the throng of senior officers (much beribboned and be”gonged”) surging towards the lift, and stopped humbly before a majestically clad civilian - obviously an Air Marshall in mufti but without portfolio! He questioned me sharply and an involuntary “Sir” escaped my lips before I realised that here was no other than an Air Ministry Constable - clad in “civvies” but just the same type that so persistently clamour for 1250’s at my own Station. After
[Page break]
some delay I was allotted a complex pink form indicating Air Ministry’s willingness to allow me to proceed to Room 504, and at my side stood an even more imposing but bureaucratic figure, ready to conduct me to the said room. We climbed the stairs in silence and half way up I realised with sickening horror that I had forgotten to count the number of flights of stairs, or the number of stairs, nor did I recollect the colour of the eyes of the first official I had met, while I had no idea how many doors I had passed on the way up! Not very important to you, dear reader perhaps - but these were specimens of the trick questions I had been advised would constitute part of my interview syllabus! I must have groaned audibly because my companion looked up with apparent fanatic interest. “Ah,” I thought, "here is this psychologist bloke masquerading as a minor official and all the while feverishly noting my every reaction! We stopped outside a dull room and a girl clad in a sylph like green overall with the most glorious – (But that’s another story) – well this girl purred my name interrogatively and on my stammering “Yes”, she pointed silently into the room.
At my entry a dozen or more weary N.C.O’s raised their heads momentarily and promptly relapsed into what was obviously a “brains trust” huddle. The topics they touched on were so varied and complex that I began to develop a severe feeling of inferiority, despite the fact that obviously none of the “huddlers” could answer the questions they were asking each other. I stood in splendid isolation - an isolation that might have been distressingly permanent, had not someone suddenly demanded with devastating irrelevance, “What is the chemical formula for water?” A deadly silence ensued and, hardly believing my good fortune, I muttered –“H2O”- and, well, I had become a “huddler.”
So it went on - and gradually our numbers diminished until the “green goddess” reappeared, and demanded that I should follow her. This was indeed “into battle”. A last straightening of that horribly creased tie - fastening of pocket buttons and a quick adjustment of the cap – and well – we were outside room 504 – And no sooner than I was outside than I was inside. As my hand went up in what must have been the worst salute of my career, I vaguely saw a frightening row of “high-ups” some three or four feet away, sitting behind a table, and obviously watching me with disturbing benign composure.
I found myself nervously perched on a chair facing the President of the Board, and awaiting the inevitable flak! To attempt to narrate the whole interview would defeat the object of this story, which has been written in the hope of recreating the “ethereal” atmosphere that pervades these interviews. But for the next 20 minutes life began
[Page break]
and ended with questions – Why this - why not that - did I go in for sport – what was 19 squared – who was Mr. Molotov – express 3d as a decimal of £1 – what were ailerons – what was the capital of Iceland – did I – and so on! All the while the examining body were excessively polite, and when finally I was told “That will be all,” I limped back into circulation, determined that at all events I would warn my fellow men of the iniquities of interviews! And of course I lived happily ever afterwards.
T.L
The following are the poetical outcomes of a friendly feud existing between a certain F/Sgt and an [underlined] uncertain [/underlined] Waaf, who is endowed with a Vitriolic pen!
[Underlined] F/Sgt. Alcorn. i/c Q section. [/Underlined]
Last night my lighter wouldn’t work,
So I inspected same,
To try and make a tiny spark
And so bring forth flame.
To my dismay I realised
You’d done an awful thing;
By losing all your self respect,
And stealing half my spring.
E’en though you are a flight-Sergeant
A rank of great renown,
All I can say is that I hope
Your lighter lets you down.
And may your conscience break your sleep
For weeks and weeks on end,
And now “mien herr” [two symbols]
Untrue, unworthy friend.
“TIT for TAT”
There is a WAAF who passes spare time
By thinking out a cheeky rhyme,
Whose efforts often can be seen
By those who read this Magazine.
F/Sgt. Alcorn is one of the men,
Who fell a victim to her pen,
Tweedie, Parsons, Norman & Co.,
Are others that this WAAF does know.
(Continued overleaf)
[Page break]
[Picture]
Hostel Heat-Wave- WAAF Sans Coupons
[Page break]
(“TIT for TAT” continued)
This cheeky WAAF, who’s small and dark
And always ready for a lark,
Will certainly have to watch her steps
If Murray Alcorn’s goat she gets.
But as she’s only young and small
Dad Alcorn may forgive her all
And hopes she never will regret
If she should change her name to Hett.
M.R.A., F/Sgt.
9:7:43
“The following is an unsolicited testimonial in rhyme to an unnamed Cpl., from one of our new girls!”
[Underlined] A GREAT GUY [/Underlined]
We have such a charming Leader
Who plays the game by all,
He’ll change your shift and day off
Even when on duty call.
He’s tall and dark and strong,
With eyes that ne’er miss a thing,
He laughs and jokes, Plays ping-pong,
But when he sings, oh! Bing!
The boys and girls all like him
Even should he fail to please,
Which is really very seldom
‘Cause both points of view he sees.
He takes an interest in our work
And also in our play,
When we suggest a Social night
He replies – “Just name the day!”
[Page break]
So carry on, Mr. Leader,
And we will rally round,
When the time comes to need us
In the hostel we’ll be found.
M.D. Morrison.
[Underlined] “THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON” [/Underlined]
“The following literary masterpiece is an attempt by one of our contemporaries to pacify Equipment H.Q. about a pair of U/S issue boots!”
Sir.
With ref to boots I sent to Cheadle the boot as not been burnt there was a piece of Leather rotted out of the toe as for it been cut I was going to repair it up myself if it had been possible been as the other boot was a decent boot but I found out it was complety [sic] rotten and past repair so I took the rubber heels off and put them on the boots I am wearing as they were worn off
[Underlined] People we should like to Meet! [/Underlined]
Annie Rigbye, aged 45, a church worker and Nurse who stole four pairs of sheets from an infectious diseases hospital, and gave them as wedding presents to two Clergymen, was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment at Portsmouth Quarter Sessions yesterday!
(Newspaper Report).
The British, according to one of them, have a marvellous capacity for self-criticism, as witness the case of an elderly ornament of the House of Lords, who yawned during his own speech!
Lady (30) seeks female company for walks and some fun :-
1058 Mercury.
(Advt., Leicester Mercury).
[Page Break]
[Underlined] THE FEMALE OF THE SPECIE [/Underlined]
The oldest inhabitant of Hut 2, No. 3 Wing, R.A.F. Ruddle-In-The-Wold, “a grand old man” of some 23 years, and by the grace of God the Cpl. i/c, studied his audience and then with calculating suddenness muttered contemptuously, “Waafs!” His listeners grinned appreciatively and waited for more. “I remember when we had no Waaf on the Station,” he went on – “those were the days! Simply amazing how the fellows fell for those girls – but not this fellow!” He paused and looked around to see how this remark was received, and, apparently satisfied, took up his lament once more. “Why I saw through them from the start – I could tell you endless tales of how really good, resolute airmen became mere Waaf puppets! It wasn’t as if I didn’t warn them – [Underlined] I [/underlined] knew that “Waafing” involved financial loss, loss of independence of thought, freedom of movement, endless headaches, heartaches, the cultivation of the patient art of long suffering listening, and the adoption of a “Yes dear,” “ No Dear,” complex! However, it was useless – only I remained immune from” [sic] – the Cpl. halted suddenly, as a shrill female voice demanded, “Well, are you never coming?” He turned guiltily to the speaker, an attractive but frighteningly feminine LACW, and murmured apologetically, “Yes, dear – I was just telling the boys about our engagement!”
T.L.
[Underlined] “The Night of the Storm” [/Underlined]
It was a bad night. The wind rattled the windows; shook angrily at the door; and howled around the corner with ever increasing ferocity. Inside the “Waggon” John and I were having our last pint when the door burst open and a soldier was literally blown into the bar. When he had refreshed himself with a huge swig of beer he joined us before the flickering embers of the fire, which were kept burning only by the fierce draught from under the door.
“Nasty night,” I said, by way of making conversation. “Sounds a bit spooky with the wind howling like this.”
“Yes,” He replied, “It’s bad. It was like this on the night that Conan Doyle died”.
John laughed. “That’s a funny thing to say. Whatever makes you remember that night of all nights?” he asked.
The soldier looked at us both intently for a moment, then said, “I’d good cause to remember it. We were having supper that night when my father mention that Conan Doyle had died and that he was expected to make a visitation in the spirit to some of his friends and colleagues, to prove the spiritualist doctrine of which he had been
[Page break]
a firm believer in life. The old man seemed to think it was quite possible but with my eighteen years of unbelief I ridiculed and scorned every argument he put forward. We argued to some length about it, but father stuck to his opinion, much to my annoyance, for was I not a full eighteen years old and knew all that was to be known?
Silly old codger, he was in his second childhood; how else could he believe such rubbish? I paused on my way to bed.
“If he [underlined] is [/Underlined] coming back or [underlined] can [/underlined] come back I hope he’ll visit me first.” I called over the balustrade.
“Perhaps he will,” said my father quietly.
I was soon asleep. Not all the ragings [sic] of the elements disturbed me, indeed I believe I sleep better on a bad night because of the sense of comfort which comes from being well housed. How long I slept I really couldn’t say – but it wasn’t the storm that awaked me, oh no! With a slowly awakening consciousness I heard another sound in the room. I lay still and listened. There it was again, just an indistinct whirring sound.
“Good God above- it’s Conan Doyle!! [sic]” How I sweated! Whirr! Oh, heavens, It’s coming towards me! I dived beneath the bedclothes, trembling with fear, clammy with terror. Go away! Go away! I believe! I believe! Oh, the horror of it. Alone in a darkened room with a ghost or a spirit or something that I had defied. Still I heard it. I yelled, nay, I screamed for my father.
“He’s here – Conan Doyle is here!”
“Go to sleep,” he called back. “You’ve had a night-mare.”
I lay for what seemed a thousand years - alone – alone in the dark with a ghost. No sound save for the rain beating the windows, and the howling of the wind. I reached out for the matches. The House was an old one and we had no electricity, but the gas bracket was within reach. I clutched the match box causing but a faint rattle. Whirr! Whirr! He was upon me.
“Help! Help! Father! Father!” and back beneath the bedclothes I went.
“Go to sleep, lad, you’ve had a nightmare –too much supper,” he called back.
Luckily my mother had been awakened by now and I heard her shuffling along the passage, and presently the gaslight in my room spluttered into a fitful pale blue light. Of course I couldn’t have her alone out there so I jumped out of bed imploring her all the while to be careful, for Conan Doyle was in the room.
“I’ll give him Conan Doyle,” said she. “” Disturbing our sleep like this!”
“Look out!” I yelled, and there he went right over our heads
[Page break]
[Underlined] (K) “iT” Inspection [/Underlined]
[Picture]
[Page Break]
[Picture]
“No, No! They Were Thick Flannelette Servicable [sic] Ones!!”
[Page Break]
[Picture]
[Page Break]
Gremlin Mk. VII
[Picture]
[Page Break]
[Underlined] GREMLINS [/Underlined]
You have all heard or read about Gremlins. Usually they refer to those little Imps who plague our aircrews and are known and referred to by higher authority as Gremlins MK. I to VI.
It is believed that the Gremlin MK.VII (Illustrated) was previously the Mk.IV who was grounded for failing to wear battle dress on essential occasions. Middle age spread set in and his feet grew enormously - he was medically regarded - untif [sic] for flying and now confines his activities to ground operators.
In the right hand he carries a string of atmospherics, commonly known as “x’s”, in the left hand a bunch of hamming stations which he injects into aerials just at the time one is endeavouring to receive a message.
He spends his evenings writing chits which he leaves on the desk of a certain N.C.O. who has a flair for pinning things up.
When annoyed, he destroys 295s or consigns applications which have been reposing comfortably in the Old Man’s “Pending” tray, to the W.P.B.
He is thought in some quarters to be a member of “Ted’s” Gestapo.
Prior to the arrival of WAAF he fed solely on “Pig Food” complaining the while of the landladies’ black market in “Bung”
Mk.VII has a habit of blowing hard in a direction away from or towards the station, alternating every eight hours in order that he is always in opposition.
He is a past master in “Duff-Gen” and “Guffing” and is known to have been particularly active of late on a metter [sic] generally referred to as “My tapes”
[Page Break]
[Two Pictures]
[Page Break]
[Underlined] Wings For Victory [/Underlined]
[Picture]
[Page Break]
[Underlined] WANTED! [/Underlined]
[Picture]
[Underlined] Famous Sayings Illustrated [/Underlined]
[four pictures]
[Page Break]
and down the bed. My mother paled a little for she had thought that I had been dreaming. But she’s a resolute and plucky woman and wasn’t to be beaten by any ghost. She seized a thick magazine, rolled it up and enjoining me to hold a light she swooped down behind the bed.
“Got him!” she cried and rushed to the window clasping one hand tightly. The cold wind and the rain blew in for a moment and she flung him from her into the night – a poor wee sparrow- a common house sparrow come in out of the rain. I laughed hysterically.
Conan Doyle – a little sparrow – of course it couldn’t have been him - or could it?
“Goodnight boys!”
H.S.
[Underlined] “COLLECTED JOKES” [/Underlined]
The A.T.S. girl was walking along the road on a not very enjoyable hitch-hike. The day was warm and the road dusty, so imagine her relief on coming to a clear pond completely surrounded by trees. She undressed and had a swim, and was about to get out when she noticed an army officer approaching. Like a flash she was back in the water. The officer approached without seeing her and yelled, “Camouflage Company- dismiss!”- and all the trees walked away.
During the blitz on London an Ack-Ack Battery was stationed, complete with field-kitchen, in a very posh district in the city. When the refuse bin was full the cook was at a loss how to discard it, so he went out into the road and asked a passing Chinaman if he could tell him of a refuse dump. “Yes,” said the Chinaman, “I’ll give you a hand with it.” Eventually they went up a flight of steps into a luxuriously furnished room. The curtains were of thick velvet, the walls adorned by exquisite oriental pictures and embroideries, and the floor was covered with a marvellous thick carpet of rare pattern and design. “Empty him here,” said the Chinaman, indicating the carpet. “Oh, I couldn’t do that,” said the soldier, “It’s sacrilege,” but as the guide insisted, the refuse was dumped in the centre of the room and the tins cleaned out with an expensive silk cushion. The soldier was puzzled by all this, and as they walked down the steps together he said, “Excuse me, but is this an old Chinese custom?”
“No,” replied the Chinaman. “This is the Japanese Embassy!!!”
Just after the Russian Revolution in 1917 the provisional Government headed by Kerevsky [sic] printed 40 Rouble notes to help their
[Page Break]
internal finances. The notes were badly printed and bore neither date nor serial number with the result that scores of imitations were soon in circulation. Counterfeit money became so common that even in the midst of revolution one of the forgers couldn’t resist a joke. On one side of the note was printed the notice “Imitation will be punished according to law.” The Joker printed on the reverse side of his notes the inscription “Ours are as good as yours.”
After a long absence the traveller returned to his native village, and the first person he met on arrival was the village idiot. “Well, George, and how are you these days?” he said, shaking hands.
“Oh, I be alright,” answered that worthy, “I’ve been married ten years and have eleven children - but we aren’t going to have any more!”
“Why not?” enquired the traveller.
“Oh, we’ve found out what’s been causing it!!!”
“And how did you come to leave your last job?”
“- My sentence expired!”
H.S
[Underlined] QUIZ [/Underlined]
The persistent devotion displayed by a certain bachelor Cpl. to the “local” is perhaps in itself a fitting tribute to the quality of the beer! or would the landlord have a daughter fair?
L.A.C. Brian Tighe pursuing a “back to the land” campaign, with a very attractive “ear ringed” land girl!
Is it not a fact that when an airman found Sgt. Jones’ identity discs in a “leafy glade”, she admitted losing them whilst out picking flowers? (What are you giving us, Ella? – Editor).
It is a matter of general regret among his associates that a certain editorial Corporal (hitherto immune from “Quiz” flak) has of late been subject to “fitz” although apparently still feeling “youngish.”
We wonder why “Pixie” Brentley spent the night at Grantham!
Cpl. Clark whilst inebriated with the Wings for Victory “spirit” defied this column to bring out the skeleton in her cupboard. We accept the challenge and now appeal for your co-operation in the matter!
(Continued overleaf)
[Page break]
To start with, is it not a fact that her engagement was broken because of lack of letters of endearment, and now is she seeking sun bathing consolation with a certain “Jock”?
That intrepid civilian on ‘ops’ again! An early morning impassioned appeal to a certain Waaf (Jean) brought the reply, “Now, George, you know I’ll have to ask my Dad fust [sic], before you can take me to the pictures!”
Is a certain “Jitterbugging” A.G. from Fiskerton likely to supplant our inimitable P.T. Leader? (Alias “Muscle” Howard!)
Cpl. Jarvis is proving to be an almost impeccable host to a certain distinguished and attractive visitor in our midst!
As one who has been a frequent but deserving victim of “Quiz”, we offer our very sincere good wishes to Wendy Lee on her marriage, and at the same time deplore the loss of such good “copy.”
L.A.C.W. Austin appears to have been meeting quite a spot of “Ack-Ack” lately!
Joan Carruthers has apparently not ended her affair with that youthful but persistent civilian admirer.
Comment of L.A.C. Jim Rylance on the WAAF dance. “”O.K., but too many Waaf and not enough women there!” (We don’t get it! –Ed.)
Although it is admittedly difficult to cultivate the acquaintance of a “free” man these days, Cpl. Ripley’s latest efforts are most commendable.
Cpl. Jean Grantham denies that those intimate unmentionables she has been engaged upon are the first step towards her trousseau.
We would like more details of Jack Gaffney’s adventures with the “lass from Streatham Hill,” whilst on leave in London.
With the advent of the latest batch of Waaf, we regret to report that Austerity Allman has been revealed as a positive Quisling!
Harry Cordock seen to be taking more than a passing interest in our visiting Waaf M/T Driver.
[Page break]
At Cpl. Scott’s “Swan-song party” Sgt. Hughes was guilty of a deplorable piece of “Waaf poaching!”
Congratulations to Johnnie Jones- now in her 17th week of that success “Eric or Little by Little!”
Who is the L.A.C.W. with the rabbit-like appellation, who things it “awfully good fun to be frightfully pooah [sic],” but would like to have “brains as well as looks!”
A certain “Guffite” with hypocritical views on ‘ops’ is annoying this column with her own quisling-like supposedly surreptitious activities. You have been warned!
Cpl. Robertson’s passionate affinity for the bathing pool throughout July is perhaps attributable to the presence there of a certain glamorous “June”!
At the Bank Holiday Dance “Water Baby Dale” took unto himself the nefarious Nocton Menace! An early award of the D.F.M. is expected for such gallantry!
[Underlined] CRICKET [/underlined]
Who said the Waafs couldn’t play cricket? Our Amazons’ eleven challenged and defeated the airmen at Nocton on 15th June by one run. The Waaf batted first and obtained the formidable total of eleven runs, the airmen putting on several bowlers in an attempt to secure some cheap wickets. Joan Davies and Doreen Cole stood up well to the bowling, and ran out top scorers. Then the airmen took the crease, and could make no headway against the smashing “overs” of Peggy Morris and Doreen Cole. Of course, the men were handicapped by having to double the Waaf score and walk all their runs. Bert “Hutch” looked set for a nice stand but was unfortunately “walked out” after scoring five and was the airmen’s top scorer. The score had reached 21 - only two from victory, when Freddie Bolt’s leg stump was up-ended by a ‘snorter’ of a first ball from Eva Akenhead, who was mobbed by the gallery of spectators at the Pavilion end for thus snatching victory from the jaws of impending defeat.
Vice is invariably the outcome of an overdose of virtue!
[Page break]
[Three pictures]
[Page break]
[Underlined] STATIONALITIES [sic] [/underlined]
[Underlined] ARRIVALS: [/Underlined]
We extend a cordial Branstonian welcome to the undermentioned airwomen who have arrived since our last issue:-
Cpls. Clark and Atkinson, L.A.C.W’s Brentley, Young, Standford, Ryan, Fitzpatrick, Billington, Newport, Newell, Wolff, Morrison, Rollo and Baker-Pearce.
[Underlined] DEPARTURES: [/Underlined]
F/Sgts Scrimshaw, Murray and Thomas have returned to their former station, and Cpl. Scott and A.C.W. Norma Kerr have also left us during the past month. We wish them all good luck and pleasant company.
[Underlined] WEDDINGS: [/underlined]
On 19th June, L.A.C.W. Joan M. Moore was married to Mr. Malcolm Mather at Attenborough Church. The wedding was attended by members of the W.A.A.F. from the Bride’s former station.
Our Medical Orderly, L.A.C.W. Audrey Alderson Is now Mrs. Beasley. She was married to Sgt. F.C. Beasley of the 10th Air Formation Signals at Lincoln on 24th June.
Congratulations and Good Wishes to them all.
[Underlined] SYMPATHY: [/Underlined]
We extend our sincere sympathy to L.A.C.W. Dot Wallace on the loss of her mother.
To L.A.C. Johnny Dale whose home was damaged during an enemy raid recently.
[underined] Ex-BRANSTONIANS: [/Underlined]
L.A.C. Harry Davies writes from North Africa of heat and flies which appear to be compensated for by playing table tennis with pretty French girls and bathing in the Mediterranean Sea.
P.O. Waights was seen in Branston recently looking very fit and sunburnt as a result of his stay at Skegness.
[Underlined] Waaf BIRTHDAY: [/Underlined]
The Garden Party held at the Hostel on 28th June, and the dance which followed it will be for ever a pleasant memory for those who were able to be there.
[Page Break]
[Underlined] CONGRATULATION: [/Underlined]
To Johnny Dale on his splendid win in the open Services 75 yds. race at the recent Lincolnshire Swimming Gala.
To “Blondie” Barnes on her elevation to the Cpl’s Mess!
To L.A.C. Bill Inches whose wife presented him with twins, boy and girl, on 25th July.
[Underlined] “Get Some Service In” [/Underlined]
1st Erk :- “Do you know I was a Wop on Boadicea’s chariot.”
2nd Erk :- “Huh - well, I joined up when Pontius was a Pilot!”
[Underlined] Déjeuner á la Carte [/Underlined]
(Naafi Carte)
Menu (A) Ballotine de jambon Valentinoise
(B) Assiette Froide et Salade
Authorised translation by Naafi H.Q. Management :
(a) Hot Spam
(b) Cold Spam
[Underlined] “Wings for Victory” Campaign. [/Underlined]
In connection with our “Wings for Victory” campaign, held during the month of July, the station personnel with some outside assistance raised the magnificent sum of £1, 575. 0. 6.
The fine achievement helped our parent unit to be placed first on the list in 26 Group Savings totals with a grand total of £18,348. 6. 3.
This effort reflects great credit on all ranks and in particular to our own little station. It is learnt on the most unreliable underground authority that our airmen and airwomen will feel the strain for some time to come, while the local post-office has intimated that never in all its history has the volume of business in connection with Savings Stamps been so great. Customers anxious to do business were almost overwhelming to the good lady in charge.
A dance was held at the Village Hall, Branston, on 21st July, 1943, which proved to be successful from a “Wings for Victory” angle - admission being by purchase of National Savings Stamps only. In other words, a free dance.
During the dance the result of two station raffles were announced from the stage. Our raffle was a pound note (previously subscribed for at a sing-song) which realized sixty three pounds, and was nobly won by L.A.C. Lott. Good show, Lott!
[Page break]
The second raffle consisted of an aid-to-beauty outfit, presented by an anonymous donor, which was won by L.A.C.W. Wolff - who does not require it, anyway.
A later raffle, similar but smaller to the above outfit was won by L.A.C.W. Burbury. Be careful with the Talcum powder, Burbury!
To each and to all of the airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of our station thanks and appreciation are due for their wonderful effort during that hectic period, when savings stamps ha the same effect on human beings as a red rag to a bull, but special thanks are due to L.A.C.W. Howson, whose patience and skill produced three cute little dolls for the raffle, realizing the sum of thirty five pounds.
To Sgt. Hands (now returned to Dunstable) whose energy and enthusiasm, together with her willing assistant L.A.C.W. Petch, decidedly turned the Victory tide in our favour, and lastly to our tall, handsome, debonair master of ceremonies, Cpl. Liddell, whose unfailing willingness to step into tight corners when required is still the marvel of the local population.
And now here’s to Victory and the realization of those accumulated Savings certificates.
H.S.N.
[Underlined] QUIZ (Stop Press) [/Underlined]
A certain person would do well to remember that mere lightning reveals even “digbyfied” [sic] Corporals. We sense the erratum here but then, we are not “teducated” [sic]!
[Page Break]
[Underlined] “As We See Each Other” [/Underlined]
With no little difficulty we have persuaded people to complete the following questionnaires which are self-explanatory. The name quoted in each case is, of course, the “majority” answer, and we accept no responsibility for the publishing these results.
“The Waafs” by the “Airmen”
[Questionnaire table results]
“The Airmen” by the “Waafs”
[Questionnaire table results]
The Editor.
[Page Break]
[Crossword]
Dublin Core
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Title
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Mere Gen 1st Birthday edition
Description
An account of the resource
A duplicated magazine, produced by the personnel of Branston Mere Y station. It includes 'in' jokes, stories, poems, cartoons and a
a crossword puzzle.
Date
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1943-08
Format
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A 29 page duplicated magazine
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Text. Poetry
Artwork
Identifier
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MReynoldsWT[Ser#-DoB]-150731-03
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
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Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Temporal Coverage
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1943-08
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
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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.
Contributor
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Bradley Froggatt
Steve Baldwin
arts and crafts
entertainment
gremlin
ground personnel
love and romance
military living conditions
military service conditions
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1254/36039/PBakerWB16020007.1.jpg
78ee76a1e148fb4267270c75e5b551b1
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Title
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Baker, William Benjamin
Biff Baker
W B Baker
Description
An account of the resource
45 items. The collection concerns William Benjamin "Biff" Baker DFC (Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents art work and and photographs. He flew operations as an air gunner with 115 and 626 Squadrons.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Pamela Baker and catalogued by Nigel Huckins and Peter Adams.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2016-11-28
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Baker, WB
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Title
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Note about gremlin drawings
Description
An account of the resource
Note states 'a few rough sketches made by me prior to original. Presented to me by the crew on completion of tour. Note original on aircraft, also written up in book, Avro Lancaster, Aircam Aviation series No: 12 Pages A & H illustrations'.
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
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eng
Type
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Text
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Handwritten note
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PBakerWB16020007
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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.
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IBCC Digital Archive
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W B Baker
gremlin
Lancaster
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1971/41528/PMcGaughranJE1702.2.jpg
f30bf50fedf4bfa52f3390e79ea955d7
Dublin Core
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Title
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McGaughran, James Emmett
J E McGaughran
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2017-10-17
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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.
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McGaughran, JE
Description
An account of the resource
24 items. The collection concerns James Emmett McGaughran (b. 1917, 427410, Royal New Zealand Air Force) and contains documents, photographs and postcards. He served as an air gunner.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Nichola Spencer and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
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Title
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Seven Airmen
Description
An account of the resource
A group of seven airmen standing in front of their Lancaster. The pilot (centre) is holding a toy creature.
This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No better quality copies are available.
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
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eng
Type
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Photograph
Format
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One b/w photograph
Identifier
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PMcGaughranJE1702
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Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
aircrew
gremlin
Lancaster
pilot
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1620/24873/PCothliffKB15090011.2.jpg
c2e37683ae9b3ee17471ea16ee8e1b20
Dublin Core
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Title
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Cothliff, Ken. Folder 1509
Description
An account of the resource
62 items. The collection contains photographs.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Ken Cothliff and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
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IBCC Digital Archive
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
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Cothliff, K
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Title
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Squadron Leader DFC in Cockpit
Description
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A squadron leader with a DFC ribbon. He is sitting in the cockpit. Underneath is a cartoon of an elf or gremlin.
Format
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One b/w photograph
Type
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Photograph
Identifier
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PCothliffKB15090011
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Canadian Air Force
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IBCC Digital Archive
aircrew
Distinguished Flying Cross
gremlin
Lancaster
nose art
pilot
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/2029/32561/PWellsRG17010010.2.jpg
199fe159925cbe2bfffb5c8ff82599db
Dublin Core
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Title
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Wells, Ray. Album
Description
An account of the resource
26 items. Photographs of Ray's service including pictures of post war Germany.
Date
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2017-04-03
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
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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.
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Wells, RG
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Title
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Tempest and Airmen at Gatwick
Description
An account of the resource
Photo 1 is three airmen in and around a cockpit, annotated 'Tempest & Gremlins'.
Photo 2 is Ray sitting on a stone wall in flying kit, annotated 'Wot a Line !!'.
Photo 3 is three airmen sitting on the front of a Tempest, annotated 'Gatwick'.
Photo 4 is Ray and colleague standing in front of their huts, annotated 'Going on Leave'.
Photo 5 is four airmen standing in the grounds, annotated 'Drunk again'.
Photo 6 is a man in flying kit with his mask on, annotated 'The Frog'.
Format
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Six b/w photographs on an album page
Language
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eng
Type
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Photograph
Identifier
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PWellsRG17070010
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
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Great Britain
England--Gatwick
England--Surrey
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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.
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IBCC Digital Archive
aircrew
gremlin
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1376/24330/MFordTA1585520-170411-15.1.pdf
8a624186f68dac2e4128dd6e39edf7e9
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Title
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Ford, Terry
Ford, T
Description
An account of the resource
135 items. The collection concerns Terry Ford. He flew operations as a pilot with 75 Squadron. It contains photographs, his log book, operational maps, letters home during training, and documents including emergency drills. There are two albums of photographs, one of navigation logs, and another of target photographs.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Julia Burke and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
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2017-03-13
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
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Ford, T
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Permission granted for commercial projects
Transcribed document
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Transcription
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[Deleted] Garden Show [/deleted]
Grass Dance [deleted] Pubs [/deleted]
[Drawing of an aircraft flying over a single gravestone]
The Flying Gopher
JANUARY 1943
[Page break]
[Drawing of an aircraft flying over a single gravestone]
The Flying Gopher
The Journal of The Royal Air Force, No,41, Service Flying Training School,
Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Published by the Kind Permission of Group Captain E.C. Emmett, M.C., D.F.C.
VOL.11. JANUARY, 1943 No. 2
Editorial
[Drawing of a thoughtful gopher with writing quill at a desk]
THE ad-less “Gopher” makes its bow. It is a thin creature, but you will find that appearances are deceptive. And that it contains almost the same amount of reading matter as its advertisement-padded predecessors. We hope you will find it no less interesting reading.
This is a memorable issue if only because every flight has rallied round and supplied us with the inside gen on its goings-on during the past month. This we think is a very good sign: we have been trying for some time to get a greater measure of contributions representative of you Maintenance and Flying Wing people, for it is you who really constitute the Unit; the rest of us are lesser, presumably necessary adjuncts.
We want your suggestions for improvement in your magazine. Tell us what you like and what you don’t like; if you know a chap who is a good cartoonist, or who has anything interesting to write about, persuade him to come out of his shell, and if he won’t come, let us know his name. We have our methods …
Deadline for copy will in future be the last day of the month. This means that everything topical will be at least two weeks old by the time it appears in print. We should, of course, prefer to serve it up warmer, but this is the best we can do with the production arrangements at our disposal. And by the way, when we fix that deadline, we shall be very glad to have as much copy as you can give us before that date, to save us any last-minute panic and excessive overtime.
1
[Page break]
[Drawing of a Padre with wings, playing a harp]
BOMBS GONE
We’re sorry Flight Lieutenant Clarke
Prefers to leave you in the dark
Regarding his activities,
His likes, dislikes, proclivities,
His views regarding prohibition,
His most insistent inhibition …
We begged for something for the “Gopher,”
But this is all he’s written so far –
No Comments
[Signature]
We can but guess what his excuse
Can be for hiding thus the truth.
2
[Page break]
SOLOSPROGGY
(With apologies to Lewis Carroll)
‘Twas flying, and the flaptious lac
Did tweek and puckle in his clogs.
The Gremlins lured, all ticipant,
And callous lurked instructor dogs.
Beware the Undercart my son,
The horn that blows, the lights that gleam.
Beware the Earlycheck, and shun
All aircraft on the starboard beam.
He took the gripple stick in hand,
He gave her boost, the waspie roared.
Fine was the pitch, the mixture rich.
He squeaked “I’m airborne! Praise the Lord!”
And so he reached the down-wind leg,
His throttle back, his wheels came down.
The cross-wind tension, pilot grim,
And crying “Gumptf,” came whiffling in.
“The circuit’s done, I haven’t spun”.
The gripple stick no longer slack,
He slipped it in, and with a grin
He came taxiffing back.
“And hast thou flown the Harvard bird?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Soloo! Solay!”
He chortled in his joy.
“MOONSHINE.”
THE PADRE PONDERS
The subject upon which to ponder is not difficult at this time of the year. For, by the time these words are read we shall have passed into another year with all its hopes.
The question which will come to the lips of many is “What has the new year in store for us?”
I think that one of the best mottoes to carry with us into and through the coming year is “Wise to resolve, and patient to perform.” Surely our past mistakes, our unwise choices, our impatience with places or people should convince us (if we are to transform obstacles into stepping stones) of the fruitfulness of both wisdom and patience.
What, then, of the future? Please God we shall experience times of happiness and joy, of peace and contentment, of encouragement and success. For. With these two weapons, wisdom and patience, in our hands, sorrow and loss, sickness and suffering, disappointment and disillusionment cannot destroy the inward peace.
When we look back on the failures of the past, let us remember that the present is ours, out of which a brighter future may be forged.
If any lesson has been learned from this little “pondering” let us practice it in our daily life; so that our own lives, the lives of others, and the welfare of our Station may be made sweeter by our presence. The will it be that which I wish you – “A Happy and Blessed New Year.”
Sincerely,
THE PADRE.
3
[Page break]
[Underlined] OUR GRIPPING NEW SERIAL. [/underlined]
PRAIRIE PASSION
[Drawing of a girl sitting in a rocking chair, reading a book]
OUR red-head heroine, Gardenia Godlieb, intent in the pages of her book, was lounging in a rocking-chair in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus K. Godlieb, Fifty-seventh and Tortoise, Pemmican, Sask., famed co-organisers of the Pemmican Parents’ Guild.
Slim, saucy, cherry-lipped Gardenia, her gorgeous green eyes sparkling with excitement, chewed her pointed blood-red fingernails feverishly as she read the gripping tale of life in the Active Air Force, a book lent her by her latest beau, D’Arcy Dwindleberry, a real live LAC. who ran the flying side of the nearby R.A.F. No. 48 S.F.T.S.
The telephone rang. With a snort of disgust at the interruption and a muttered “Blast!” Gardenia laid aside her book, obligingly laying it with the cover uppermost so that we could see the title. Ah! Small wonder that she was so absorbed in her reading, for the book was none other than a copy of C.A.P. 100.
“Hul-lo,” she said languidly, casting as admiring glance at her dainty pointed shoes. “Oh, hi-ya, Moytle … Yeah, fine … Yeah, they’re both out … Aw, jest reading … My romance? Oh, jest fine. I had to tell him last nite I wasn’t That Sort of Goyl … What, he kissed you? … An officer? … A Pilot Officer? Not a real Pilot Officer? … What, me jealous? … Say, lookit here, Moytle, if you think I’d ever be jealous of a skinny little squoit like you … Aw shucks! And say, lookit, I’ll tell you sump’n. How many rings does a Pilot Officer have? … What, only one? Well, lookit here, I’ll get to grips with an officer with two rings on his arm, so there! … Yes, I betcha … Why, you skinny alley-cat, you tailless gopher you …” But Myrtle had evidently rung off.
Returned to her rocking-chair, our heroine again took up the Pilot’s Primer. But she could not concentrate, and even the visions conjured up by that gripping story could not hold her attention long. You, gentle reader, our astute observer concealed behind the chiffonier, could see her gorgeous green eyes gallivanting around, gazing unseeing at the cuspidor, tastefully inscribed “A Present from the Prairie,” which sat conveniently on top of the piano.
At last, with a determined snort she jumped to her feet, flinging the Book into a corner. (Mark this well, Reader! This is sacrilege, the first sign of the decadence of our Gardenia. There will be other signs, for sure, but do not despair – goodness will triumph over sinful impetuous youth. And don’t forget, folks, next time you pop in at the groceteria, buy a packet of Gobbo Gingers-up the Glottis. Sixty-five cents a large packet.)
If we could have but entered into the mind of Gardenia at this moment, settling behind those gorgeous glittering green eyes, we should have witnessed the successive conception and rejection
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of a score of plans. Gardenia is a girl of her word, and find that Flight Lieutenant she will, or perish in the attempt.
Cat-like she paced the floor, and every time she passed the window it was a full-time job for us to restrain you gentle Reader from jumping up and spoiling the whole effect by falling on your knees and declaring your love for the gorgeous Gardenia. For the rays of the setting sun limned her glorious coiffure, which seemed to leap into flaming life at its touch. (Is your hair becoming to you? If not, you had better be coming to Brer Rabbit’s Drug Store for a bottle of Hippo – Hippo Helps the Hair Grow Gorgeous.)
At long last our heroine hit upon a plan which seemed to satisfy her; she stopped, and with a self-satisfied smirk which suffused her satin cheek she cried “A-ha!” and hurried from the room. This exclamation was fortunate, coming when it did, for our Gardenia’s smirk revealed to us watchers behind the chiffonier so perfect a set of pearly molars that we whistled loudly in unison (Dentyne chewing gum, Dentyne chewing gum. If you want to keep fit, chew a bit of it. Chew Dentyne chewing gum.) But all is well. Gardenia was too preoccupied with her own plans to hear us.
Upstairs, propriety forbade us to follow the lovely Miss Godlieb, but we had not long to wait. A moment later she came racing down again, and we turned aside to conceal our blushes as, in the speed of her descent, an unduly great proportion of her exquisitely formed lower limbs was revealed to our innocent gaze. She made for the telephone, and asked for – the Legion Hall!
“Is there a dance on? … Are many Air Force Officers there? …” She slammed back the receiver and was out of the house like a flash of glamourous greased lightning.
Quickly, Reader, let us follow her, and pray that we may save her from the consequences of her rash act, as she enters the Den of Iniquity.
(To be continued.)
PRAIRIE MADNESS
There’s a majesty in space
That rivals mountain’s weight …
There’s a frankness to a place
That has no bars nor gate –
The prairie stretches out and yields
Full length and breadth of soil
Bearing swaying wheat in fields
Through which the giant combines toil.
But man must seek for priceless gems
And so must leave the highway,
Following a trail between the stems
Of wheat – past the stack of hay,
On to open prairie wild,
Where tumble-weeds bloom and die,
And crocuses are beguiled
To nestle the turf where they lie.
Past the farm, down to the slough,
Where wilds ducks cry and trouble
The rush-fringed water, through
Each small pool and sodden stubble.
Nor does the charm pass with the day
As sunset reeks across the sky,
With warrior reds and stormy grey
To paint a majesty of fury –
A storm of dust, a thunder clap,
A sudden flash, a fork of flame –
Then part the clouds, and through the gap
Shines down the moon as if in shame.
H.G.V.
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STOP! POLICE!
This is the result of being caught yarning one night by the Ed. He asked for it, and here it is.
I remember those early days well – I’m going back nine or ten years now, mind you – but I still remember them well. I have good reason to do so. The first few days in uniform on the streets of London you never forget. The particular yarn I‘m going to spin you is of something which happened in my first few weeks of beat duty. I was on late turn (i.e. 2 to 10 p.m.). The time was about 7.30 p.m., and it was dark.
Having not been long out of Peel House, I was pretty full of everything, and my craze at that particular time was for remembering the list of stolen cars. Things were quiet, and I was doing no more than watch the flow of traffic, catching as many numbers as possible. After a few minutes of this, it happened. I repeated a number to myself and suddenly leaped about three feet into the air, and had my car list out before touching ground again. Yes, it was there – a Stolen Car!
I saw a glorious future ahead - my Great Chance – capture the car and the thief – commendations – promotion – and without delay I jumped into the roadway and stopped the nearest car. Standing on the running board, I yelled to the driver ”There’s a car ahead I want to catch – go like hell!”
The driver looked at me astonished – a gleam came into his eye.
“You mean it?” he said. “Flat out? No lights to stop me – no limits?”
I had time to nod, and then the fun started. The driver shot up the street like a bat out of Hades. His car was a V8 and it certainly could move.
After thirty seconds I realized that I was for it. I had one foot on the running board, and one hand on the door handle – the rest of me was swinging in the wind. The rush of air had me speechless. I couldn’t signal the driver to stop before he had to. I think he had dreamed of such a chance as this all his driving life, and he certainly saw to it that all his dreams came true. He passed everything there was to pass on the road, ignored traffic signals, drove on either side of the road or the pavement when there wasn’t room, kept his horn going steadily, and just kept flat out.
I had just about reached the limit of my endurance – my fingers were beginning to lose their grip on the door handle – when he leaned over to ask for further instructions. I think from the look on my face he saw I rather wanted to stop, and he started slowing down. When we were still doing a good 20-30 m.p.h. I couldn’t hold on any longer, and I went flat in the road, rolling over and over, and finishing up in a not too clean gutter.
I was sitting on the kerb when he came up to me – apologising for not having been able to catch the car for me – and all I could do was mumble some thanks and get rid of him. He left me there, and I was a sorry sight – greatcoat torn, bruised, skinned and filthy.
It took me ten minutes to find my helmet again. It cost me 2/6 for a taxi back to my beat, and when I got there I found I had missed a “ring in.” It took me another half hour to provide an excuse for that, and I spent the rest of the time till 10 p.m. getting myself clean.
That night after booking-in I retired to bed, a wiser and sadder man, realizing that in future when I saw a stolen car it would be much easier and couldn’t be less successful to carry out the official instructions, simply telephone to the proper quarter at Scotland Yard, and leave the rest to the squad cars.
EX-COPPER.
An airman in distant Ontario
Applied for a shift to the prairio.
But oh! When at last he got thario
And found all the prairie barrio
He had a most horrible scario,
And ran all the way back to Ontario.
The moral, we think, should be clario:
Ontario’s better than prairio.
[Drawings of two single flowers]
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[Photograph of a mountain valley] BOW VALLEY]
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TAIL-END CHARLIE
The warm clad flyer shifts uneasily in his narrow perch – these turrets are not built for comfort; their’s is a stern purpose and the lives of others rest on this man’s shoulders. The restless, searching eyes are never still and the trained hand is never far from the compact but deadly little gun.
He knows his responsibilities and bears them with the confidence of a man who has been in tight corners before and has won through by his skill and coolness.
The keen eyes pause and narrow in their questing sweep as a small dark speck resolves in the haze of distance and grows. The speck becomes a shape and the shape – an aircraft, but still the eyes maintain their vigil, scanning the seemingly innocent blue of space; long and costly experience has endowed an extra sense that now warns quietly but insistently that danger threatens from another quarter. Away to the right a second winged shape confirms this inner warning.
An impatient hand slides to the gun trigger with the ease borne of practice while the cold eyes choose the nearer of the two slim silhouettes as the first target. The plane is nearer now, and the pilot’s head is dimly visible in the streamlined cockpit, peering ahead, with deadly concentration gauging the distance. Nearer yet, and the longing finger tenses around the tiny steel projection speeding on its grim mission.
A convulsive jerk and the gun has fired – the explosion is drowned in the crescendo of the engine’s roar, an angry red glare illuminates the startled features of the young pilot in the approaching plane. He opens his throttle and breaks away, his previous intentions forgotten – he now has troubles of his own. The figure in the turret shivers …
“It’s a bit of a bind being Aerodrome Control Pilot in this weather!” mutters the pupil, thrusting a fresh signal cartridge into his Very pistol in the turret on the yellow van …
J.S.R.H.
PRAIRIE LAMENT
The friendly flag at Weyburn is waving in the breeze,
The hard-worked Duty Pilots are all down on their knees;
We love to see it waving, its message glad to tell, -
For do we want to fly, Sir? I’ll say we do – Like H - !
And when they haul it down, Sir, our tears we cannot hide;
We push the kites around, Sir, and it’s ten below outside;
We start the censored engines, and they make a censored roar,
But if we had our way, Sir, we wouldn’t fly no more.
We wave the chocks away, Sir, and we leave the drome behind.
The censored hood comes over (another censored bind!)
The gyro spins like fun, Sir, I’m feeling cold and sick,
And P/O Prune up forward keeps yanking on the stick.
At last we’re back to earth, Sir, another hour to book,
And all the P/O gives us is a should-be-censored look;
But now we’re past all caring, as anyone can see,
And the only thing worth living for is Ops in ’43.
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Key Men – No. 5
O.C. “SPARKS”
[Photograph of a man sitting talking on the telephone]
The C.O.? No, I’m sorry. The Adjutant? No, not today. Squadron Leader Johnson is decorating the Recreation Hall … Will I do? Yes, the Adjutant’s adjutant …
What’s this, Corporal? A signal to sign? Oh, it’s alright by me if it’s alright with you …
Oh, Taylor, ask Greer if he’s seen the shorts we had on last week … He can’t find them? I mean the celluloid ones – no, not cellophane, fathead!
You like my overshoes, Harrison? What’s that? Remind you of boats? Don’t mention that word to me!
What was that, Williams? You don’t know the meaning of the word. Why, when I was in Jericho …
&@lb @H GZ@lb @lb&& J… Oh, so sorry, I was speaking in cypher. Here’s an easy one for you, anyway:
LLOR NO EHT TOAB.
YOUR MONEY
Very often we hear people saying “What happens to the P.S.I. funds? I don’t see what good we get from them?”
Last month we told you a little of some of the things which have been done for you from the Service Institute Funds. We give below the chief expenditures made from the Funds during the first year of the Station. The figures are accurate to within a dollar or two either way.
Billiard Tables (4) and Equipment … $2,388.00
Dance Band Instruments … 1,241,00
Military Band Instruments … 1,316.00
Library books … 150.00
Pianos and Radios … 465.00
Gramophone Records … 317.00
P.A. Unit … 300.00
Stage Props and Scenery, etc. … 200.00
Skates … 1,000.00
Sports Gear … 2,500.00
Washing Machines and Electric Irons … 239.00
Extra Messing during year ended December, 1942 … 3,410.00
In addition to the above many lesser grants and expenditures appear in the P.S.I. accounts, which are open for inspection by anyone at any time at S.H.Q.
Figures cannot lie. We hope you ae satisfied now that your money is well spent.
If you have any constructive suggestions regarding the administration of the Institute funds, we look to you to hand them on to any member of the P.S.I. Committee.
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LOOKING BACK
Capt. Charles A. Greene
(Late Flight Lieut. R.F.C., R.A.F.)
“Maurice Farmans, B.E. 2 c’s, R.E 8’s, D.H. 4’s, D.H. 9’s, 10’s and 11’s, Avros, Snipes and Bristol Fighters – what the devil is this man talking about?” asks P.O. Prune.
Perhaps I had better explain. These were some of our training and fighter machines of the last war. If I had space to draw them, then Prune would indeed think he had a hectic night in the Mess the night before.
Pictures of the Wright Brothers’ early machines will convey the lines of most of them and such dazzling speeds as 40 to 100 miles an hour cover their propulsion through space. Three ply, doped linen and lots of wires endeavoured to keep body and soul together, and although surprising, did so in about 80 per cent of our fighting craft.
How were they to manipulate? Well, I can best describe them by a simile. Have you ever driven, say, a Morris Cowley?
To seat me in a modern kite reminds me of the Rolls Royce, and as explained by quite a number of instructors, providing one still retains a good memory, then flying is easier today.
To sit on one of the old buses – well, it was like the Cowley – one definitely had to drive it, and even at its best it called for 100 per cent effort of concentration and real physical exertion in order to get the best out of it.
Do not think for a moment that I am old fashioned to the extent of being prejudiced, as I realize only too fully that what was to us a long flight is now only a testing flip, but from my simile what I would convey to the modern pilot is that in the old buses one did not get any automatic assistance wither from the machine or its instruments, and that they were solely an engine that had the habit of developing all kinds of mannerisms unwanted in the air, combined with a fuselage usually of thin wooden slats, doped canvas and, as we called them, bits of string to hold everything together.
Open cockpits, of course, were the order of the day, and no flying helmet unless the weather was really atrocious.
Parachutes were then in their infancy and although we were equipped with them, one never really wanted to join “The Caterpillar Club,” as a good average for opening safely was about seven out of ten, and one always feared that he would be one of the three which proved the rule.
Training? – well, I think it would appeal to you guys. Usually, if you were lucky it took three months. One month was occupied in getting absolutely perfectly physically fit, both in body and mind – to realize that for the first time in your life you were alive. Don’t misunderstand or underestimate the time of training. It was called “intensive” in official circles and by many another name in other circles.
You were either made or broken and always faced with R.T.U. (Returned to Unit). It was a 5.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. day, during which you were equipped as an Infantryman, including rifle, and underwent square training and plenty of slow marching, whilst the C.S.M. fired general knowledge questions at you, such as: “Where are you facing?” and “What was the chief item of war news this morning?” Failure to register usually brought the retort: “Fancy, you are going to be an officer and a gentleman and yet your mind does not work above the drill you are at present performing>” You are supposed to be drilling automatically, leaving your mind clear for any emergency that may arise.
Interlaced with squad drill was a form of compass bearings on foot, which combined compass readings with a route march, inasmuch as, given a number of bearings, one tramped the countryside to the given intersection and reported. Failure to report on several occasions would bring the inevitable R.T.U.
Rigging, engines (theoretical and practical), cameras, bombs and general aeronautics all found their allotted place in the syllabus.
From there on to your Flying School, where from the first few flips on a Maurice Farman (a pusher type) one progressed to a dual control on Avros. What a sensation when, unknown to yourself, the plane was landed and your
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instructor told you that you had done it “all by your little self.” I believe it was from that proud moment that one developed a “wing” chest and strode forward with an exaggerated thrust of the left shoulder. Fifteen hours of dual, and then your first solo. The sensations of this, your first solo, need no description from me. You have all experienced them and Anno Domini has not changed.
From then onwards, fear of R.T.U. became more distant, especially as the call for more pilots at that period strained the R.A.F. to its utmost.
Fifteen hours of fairly good solo flights, comprising bombing, aerobatics, etc. and you were booked for “the other side” or perhaps more specialized training for “lighter than air” craft. Often when one had finished and had that urge for a first encounter, one had to be content and have another three to four weeks’ training to fit one for a “Blimp” or a semi-rigid ship which was used very often in the last show for convoy work.
However, looking back, this had its brighter side, as one was pretty sure of surviving if on the “lighter than air” side of flying, whereas flying a heavier than air machine during this period was always a risk, even in the Mother Country, owing to the lack of knowledge and exercise by our designers and also rushed and short training. Do not think I am belittling our designers as this would be an unforgivable crime, but only years of development and wars can bring to almost finality the type of craft which we use today.
Good machines and lengthy instruction can bring only one result, and that is air supremacy; so, when the training seems long and you are itching to take your place among our front line men, remember this and try to realize that when your training is complete, you are 100 per cent pilot and have every chance of coming out on top.
GROUND SCHOOL GOSSIP
I’d much rather write “X“ Flight Notes than set down the doings of those who pass their days in this academic pile. Why? Well, in the first place there is so little difference between one month and another and secondly, while the school still possesses many “good types” there is a tendency with every change in our staff, for the School’s personnel to become less colourful! However, full of remorse and Canadian hospitality (in the reverse order) I, faithful stooge that I am, bring you the highlights of the school’s new news as furnished by D.R.O’s., Pupils Standing Orders, etc.
Prior to the Christmas holiday, the C.G.I. gathered the staff together to wish them “All the Best.” A pupil peeking through the door of the lecture room during the proceedings was heard to remark “Oh Boy, if the Devil would only cast his net now”!
Returned from the festivities I decided that it might be of interest if I could find out how our GEN MEN passed their leisure during their five days break. Possibly I started a little too early in the day for, on interviewing the Chief Gun Man, I was greeted with a nasty scowl. “How did you enjoy Christmas?” I asked. “xx - // !! Oh my head – Get Out!” The Nav. instructors were next. “Bed at three in the morning and up again at twelve” was all I could get from this section. “That’s not news” I thought recalling that they had all been to Regina (Q. of the P.). Sgt. F.E. Carr was abrupt but civil. “I did nothing wrong,” was all he would say. WOPerational Sgt. Blacklock had little to say and the only statement he would make was “What with one thing and another, not to mention Command, I hardly noticed anything.” There was nothing being given away by Sgt. Jock. He said “They do the same in Moose Jaw as they do in most places.”
So now perhaps you see what I mean. These people are NOT NEWS and yet “The Gopher” cries for more.
ANSWERS TO PUPILS’ QUERIES
Q. I was playing cards with three sergeants and at one time there were five aces on the table at the same time. I did not say anything. But is this rare? – PUZZLED.
A. Yes and No. The ordinary civilian pack, except in race trains, etc., contains four aces only. But these things occur. You were quite right to make no comment.
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[Drawing of a Christmas Tree] CANADIAN CHRISTMAS
Canadian Christmas, 1942, now belongs to memory.
For a few days many of us escaped in some measure from the clutches of Service thought and routine, became warmly flesh and blood again, satiated the inner man, purged the spirit, and return invigorated to camp to work and grouse harder than before. How we behaved or misbehaved, what we did am what we should not have done, belongs not to these pages but to the pages of memory.
Those of us who stayed in Weyburn will not easily forget this Christmas. In the homes of our friends most of us spent at least a part of the Day, and we found there that cheerful friendship which has endeared you Canadians to us, only it now appeared in ever increased force. We became members of your families, and the Christmas we enjoyed with you proved a very good second best to those we remember in previous years on the other side of the Atlantic.
On the following Sunday our very good friends of the Hostess Club gave us a most enjoyable evening, and to them too, we are grateful.
Many of us left the camp, and in New York, Vancouver, Regina, Winnipeg, Chicago, Saskatoon, Calgary, Minneapolis, Toronto, Milestone, Lang, Ceylon, Minot, and many other places we found ourselves again. To all who helped in any measure, by a cheery greeting, a card, a gift, a smile, we say “Thank You!”
CHRISTMAS IN CAMP
Christmas or not, the war goes on, and many of us had to spend our Christmas in and around the camp. Our Christmas was none the less a festive season, however, and on later pages we reproduce some of the photographs taken by out photographer as he wandered around the camp.
The Christmas Spirit came really into evidence on December 22nd. True, for some time past we had been denied access to No. 2 Dining Hall, and coloured lights showing through its windows conspired with Christmas trees placed strategically around the camp to prove that the calendar wasn’t lying, and that it really was the eve of Christmas. But the Pantomime really brought this home to us, for to us from the Old Country the very word Pantomime has a Christmas ring.
If you saw the Panto, we think our photographs will remind you of it better than any write-up on these pages; if you missed it, the loss is yours, and nothing we can write will atone for it. But a word of thanks would not be out of place to Flight Lieutenant Whiteside, the producer, LAC. Wedd, writer of the lyrics, Len Churton, who attended to the musical side, and to all members of the cast and stage staff on a really splendid show.
Christmas Day brought the traditional Christmas Dinner, its production a triumph for the cookhouse staff, headed by F/Sgt. Towns, and its serving undertaken without major disaster by the Officers and Senior NC.Os. True, the Padre’s fingers looked milky, and we saw F/Lt. Whiteside with his hands literally full of pudding, but these were minor mishaps. We have it on reliable authority that Sister Johnson was issuing I.O.Us., there being a deplorable absence of mistletoe … A general issue of the latest of late passes brought a memorable day to a close.
On December 19th a special show had been organised in Weyburn for the local children, and a week later on Boxing Day a large number of children were entertained to a party in the camp, where fun and games were the order of the day.
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[Photograph of a man in uniform on a slide holding a child] Our younger visitors enjoy themselves on Boxing Day.
The handful of unfortunates who were compelled to spend their Christmas in Sick Quarters were not forgotten. On Christmas Eve, members of the concert party put on a show for their benefit, and Christmas Day itself was fully planned, from a visit by Father Christmas, suitably loaded, and a program of carols in the morning to a quiz and entertainment in the afternoon, and a film show in the evening.
We would rather have been at home, of course, but we think that our Christmas on the prairies could not easily be improved upon, and we offer our thanks to all those from C.O. and S/L. “A” to AC2 C and B who contributed in any way to our enjoyment.
[Photograph of men listening to music in the Sick Quarters] A Merry Christmas in the Sickery.
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OFFCIERS’ MESS (!)
Proposed New Club – Members to date: (in order of seniority): F/O Colchester, F/O Rutledge, F/Lt. Meyer, Lt. Brechin, P/O Jones (E.L.), F/Lt. Everett, P/O Hearn (Old Country member), P/O Butt.
Who are the Rats?
Which three girls were recently chosen “Miss Weyburn – 1943”?
Too good for words – F/O. Large
S-Kate-ing on thin ice – Fickle F/O. Frank.
Once upon a short time it was all BUTT – now we hear it is all but over.
We understand that F/O Wheeler retired early at the Mess Formal. Luckily F/O “Snake” St. John was standing by – and standing IN at the Pantomime a few evenings later.
We think F/O Hirsch gets wirsch and wirsch.
F/O Rutledge is seeing things from the ground – and singly for a few days.
Delightlful, d’lovely Delaney reappeared recently and was seen “flashing” at the Panto after a terrific reception.
After the last formal dance, F/O “Jonah” walked straight to his quarters. Surprising.
Heard at the “formal” – “No, the real one wears a moustache.”
S/Ldr. “Uppards” Greenwood was a recent winner at the Sergeants Draw.
They closed the Draw before P/O Coney could win the Bar Stools.
“Wingy” Johnson recently held a super-exclusive promotion party.
S/Ldr. Cox recently declared, quote: Everything matters now – including Victory.
Importers at the Formal Dance, P/O Gable-Pearce, F/O Dick Clancey and P/O (Brownjob) Bowering. P/O Jones contented himself with “Local Fare.”
The “formal” was a great success – many officers brought their ladies and pranced around to “Swinger” Churton and Company.
S/Ldr. Thomas was fortunately in town for the event. He departed for an unknown destination (by air, of course) at dawn the next morning.
Doc. Halson (Did you recognise him?) almost neglected F/Lt. Stealey’s and F/O Miller’s partners.
K.H. “Line-Shoot” Ledbrook left to entertain a new audience in New York.
Searchers for post-Formal entertainment rendezvoused at stately down-town McKinnon block. There seemed to be a shortage of taxis from Weyburn city that morning.
New Mess Motto: “Careless Talk Costs Wives.”
After a wet evening at the Sergeants’ Mess, P/O Riby is writing a new book – “Mein Dampf.”
P/O Carruthers’ recent stay in Station Hospital was brightened by a frequent charming visitor. Interviewed, F/Os. Wheeler and Reade and P/Os Webster and Parkin each said “What can I do about it?” Hart-less, we think.
Laidler-Whiteside scored a great success with his Station Panto. We understand he is working on a special Officers’ Panto, entitled “Doc and the Mess Talk.”
F/Lt. Morris wishes to thank all officers who recently presented him with a new best blue barathea.
1943 Saying – “Where there’s Hope, there’s Life.”
“Uncle Tom” Isaac is due back any day from a trip to “lil ol” New York. He just could not believe all those stories Dick Clancy, Doc Halson and Lionel Wheeler told him.
Heard at the Formal – “No, No, that one’s her husband.”
Decorating Dixon helped to make the Mess bright for the festivities.
He himself was well lit at the dance.
Which Medical Officer did NOT receive a greeting card from the local undertaker?
Which Officer – uninvited to Hawaiian party in McKinnon block – attempted to force-land on the doorstep during night flying? Sarong thing to do.
F/O Wheeler was found asleep in the Mess at midnight recently, (contrary to O.M. Regs. And C.O. No. 14). Dreaming of a White Christmas?
Incidentally C.O. No. 14 was to our surprise introduced the very day “Flash” Henley departed on Christmas leave for a date with the stork.
An Officer BELIEVED to be F/Lt. Collingwood was recently seen in the Mess.
(Continued at foot of page 15.)
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CORRESPNDENCE
To: O.C. Works and Bricks
From: L.A.C. F---.
Sir,
I beg to submit this report on a collision with one of your vehicles, together with my suggestions as to the way in which repetition of this accident may best be avoided, which latter are submitted in accordance with D.R.O. No. 310, dated 30th December, 1942.
2. At 4.49 p.m. B-U-L-O-V-A Bulova Watch Time on December 30th, whilst proceeding on my lawful way about the camo I was made the recipient of a large quantity of snow, blown into the air by a large moving object, yellow in color (colour), which was engaged in clearing the road running between the Drill Hall and Airmen’s Mess. This machine is, I gather, known as a Snow Blower, and in operation it attempts to remove hard caked snow from the camp roads by picking it up by means of a form of scoop and blowing it backward through a bent chimney.
3. But I do not wish, Sir, to question the efficacy of this device at the present time, so I will continue with my account of the collision. As I turned into the road on which the collision occurred, I walked into the cloud of snow blown back from the blower. I was, of course, totally unaware that it originated from a machine, and, believing myself caught in a blizzard, took appropriate action, lowering my head, placing my hands in the pockets of my greatcoat, and proceeding in small stumbling paces, cursing vehemently between clenched teeth.
4. As I proceeded in this manner, head well down, flaps down too (20 cents), my groundspeed evidently was greater than that of the blower, with the result that I came into collision with the rear of the said machine. Fortunately neither your machine nor myself sustained serious injury, and apart from the inconvenience of having a large quantity of snow deposited upon my person, I was to all intents and purposes able to continue on my way to my biller.
5. In order that further incidents of this sort, from which the airman concerned will not always of necessity escape unscathed, may be prevented, I beg to suggest that a signal hooter be affixed to the machine to indicate its presence to anyone traversing the same road as the machine. Failing this, I suggest that a suitably colored or coloured dye be injected into the snow before it is expelled from the machine, in order that personnel may be able readily to distinguish between a blizzard and the handiwork of the snow blower. (It is observed that even in Canada a maroon blizzard is something of a rarity).
6. I submit Sir, that until some precautionary measures are taken this aforesaid Snow Blower constitutes a serious hazard to the life and limb of many an innocent airman, and should be withdrawn from service.
I am, etc.,
R.W.F.,
We are pleased to record that S/Ldr. Cox has had no further Safe trouble.
Even P/O Ellis put up a new decoration for Christmas.
Does P/O Germain really like Station Orderly Officer Duties?
F/O Thomas’s car and a tractor recently made Weyburn city.
At the Formal, when someone asked F/Lt. Stealey for the loan of his partner for a dance, Stealey looked quite Stealey – if you know what we mean.
Showers – even when greatcoats are worn – are to be taken only in accordance with D.R.O. No. 303 dated 21/12/42.
Is P/O Whitfield Prim and Proper?
Heard after the Formal – Doc. Halson’s remark: “I feel like a million dollars – overdraft.”
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A SHORT HISTORY OF B FLIGHT
ON the occasion of our impending first anniversary as a flight, we are, without any apology, about to reminisce.
It is not generally remembered that “B” Flight was in existence even before the first course started flying, for the purpose of getting our five kites into the air, equipped with two parachutes, held together thanks to Mrs Hancocks’ foresight in providing the C.I. with equipment to overcome all eventualities, and also to “convert” our T.E. instructors. We boasted at that time three experiences S.E. pilots, F/O (now F/Lt.) Stealey, F/O Jones, and P/O Greenhalgh, all of whom had the glorious total of 30 hours on type, and three who were in need of conversion, having nil hours, to wit F/O Provenzano, ex Eagle Squadron, and our first graduate to the U.S. Army Air Corps, Sgt. De Roeck, now a P/O at Kingston, and Sgt. Easterman, now Flight Sergeant, and of course F/Sgt. Rowlands (now W.O.), who managed miracles of maintenance with approximately one screwdriver.
During the first three weeks of flying, which were probably the finest three weeks of flying weather we have yet experienced at Weyburn, some of us were duly converted, and others departed to commence instruction of the never-to-be-forgotten 36 Course. F/O (“When I was on ‘ops’”) Provenzano was still Flight Commander, F/O (now F/Lt. and the Boss) Bennett had joined us, and the remainder were F/O Steadley, P/O Greenhalgh, P/O Large (alias P/O Prune), and F/Sgt. “Tubby Sebastian” Earp (“I’m tired of flying”).
And with the beginning of No. 36 Course began also our efforts to find heat, and our curiously coincident movement from hangar to hangar to hangar. Thus every few days we were bundled into a new hangar, there to huddle together in the Flight Commander’s office, wearing greatcoats, flying clothing, and newly acquired winter hats, with flaps down, into, and across, and down wind.
In spite of it all, though, and in spite also of the fact that the chequered flag became more and more familiar, No. 36 Course began to go solo, and everyone started learning about our flying machine. “Chiefy” Rowlands began to acquire more tools, and in their spare time the ground crew – Molloy, Parker, Hardstaffe, Thompson and Allin, supervised by Corporals Tomes and Westwood, constructed chocks or just used blocks of wood. Bradford even went to sleep over his charts.
Then came the thaw - and Buttress. On the F. 17s appeared the magic words “From Buttress – to Buttress,” and Ansons took off with staggering loads of potential pilots. The most remarkable things were done at Weyburn and at Buttress to keep the aircraft serviceable, and words cannot describe the extraordinary way in which “Chiefy” Rowlands and “Robby” did their splendid jobs of work. The telephone worked overtime, the ground crew worked overtime, and the aircrew sometimes got stuck. But of Buttress more in the next issue. The whole episode deserves a magazine to itself.
EVERY DEBIT
Once more the festive season is past, together with its usual complement of full stomachs and hangovers, and regretfully the Accounts Wallahs realize that they must put their noses to the grindstone once more and keep their pencils well sharpened. It is with feelings of great trepidation that we look forward to the New Year, with Pay Accounts wondering how many more procedures are to be thrust upon them, and equipment living in dread of the Auditors’ forthcoming descent to disturb their somnolent calm.
At the time of writing, most of the staff have not returned from their Xmas leave and it occurs to us who are left to wonder what sort of a line our “Rush – this is for a soldier” A/G. has been shooting to his tootsie from Brooklyn, whether our resident of Berkley Square has really got himself married in Lethbridge, how many girls in Minneapolis now have broken hearts over those two gallant heroes of the skies Cpls. Luffman and Warren; whether Cpl. Longstaffe really did tell the folks in Chicago that his “A” only means Auxiliary, and whether Cp. Drewery has been “nipping around smartly” in spite of his “Blighty” feet. However all our questions and many more will be answered in a few days and so we sink back into our lethargy with the inevitable cry “Roll on the Boat.”
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SERGEANTS’ MESS NOTES
Many farewells this month. At last “Chiefy” Brockington is on the boat and he has taken with him Sgt. “Blondie” Evans. Brock had a great send off from the gang and no doubt he will remember the Mess-on-the-prairies for many years to come.
* * *
We shall miss Tom Riby. Tom has now received his commission and his departure from our Mess to the Officers’ coincided with our losing Ryck Ryckman on posting to Winnipeg and W.O. Doug Campbell who has been whisked across Canada to somewhere in New Brunswick. Thus most of the Sergeants’ Mess Concert Party left us in one day. It only eaves Hal Jones and Frank Hartnell, and rumour has it that Hal Jones in sweating on the boat and may be away shortly.
* * *
The Quiz programme on Saturday nights has “caught on” and the “Oscar” (now worth $6) has not yet been won.
* * *
Members who stayed in camp over Xmas were treated to a very unusual sight for someone shaved off half of Flight Sergeant Harrison’s moustache off. He was very proud of his half moustache until he woke up on Boxing Day morning and looked in the mirror.
Visitor to the Mess was W.O. Sowerby who paid us a call from Penhold; at the request of Lofty Rainey he did he celebrated settee act. A table of four sat up till the early hours binding about the past.
* * *
The Xmas Draw was a wow.
Over $200 in prizes were distributed during the evening and Mrs. Hancocks and Mrs. Ayres presided over the draw. Amongst the winners were the Group Captain, S/L. “A”, Wing Commander Hancocks, and the two gem prizes went to P/O. Coney who won a Bottle and a Cocktail Set.
A packet of ExLax was won by F/Lt. Ross.
* * *
And, in conclusion, we enquire whether “Tubby” Earp has built that road from Estevan to Froude? … If Flight Sergeant Holland ever reads D.R.O.’s …? If Bob Betts can do A.C.P. by remote control from Regina? … Who smacked the geranium at Ron Gee’s house? … Is Dick Richardson really posted to Servicing? … Was Sgt. Blacklock playing in an orchestra at Command …?
STORES GOSSIP
Amidst masses of inventories, vouchers, C.A.Ps., and all the other paraphernalia connected with our job, and faced with the pleasant prospect of five days absence from it all ahead of us, we are attempting to contribute our monthly effort to this month’s “Gopher.”
Our building has recently been caged in and put outside the camp gates. There have been several rumors floating around as to why this has been done, but we can assure you that it wasn’t done to keep you out – we can never hope to do that it seems! We are pleased to observe, however, that with the aid of Station Standing Orders, D.R.Os., our prominent notice board, and umpteen verbal instruction, people are generally getting to know our hours of business.
A year or so ago we were housed temporarily in No. 5 Hangar, trying to post vouchers with one gloved hand and tend a smoking stove with the other – and thinking of home. Today we are permanently settled within our cage, working in comparative comfort (if no one leaves the door open!) – and still thinking of home. Who knows, tomorrow may see our dreams coming true – and pigs might fly!
At the moment we are looking forward, like everyone else, to a well-earned rest, and – curse it! there goes that bell. “Yes, Sir, the Padre’s inventory is ready … No, Sir, there are no clothing parades today … Yes, Sir, the paper work’s almost up to date. … Er, can I have an early chit, Sir?”
Look out, Winnipeg, here I come!
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SPORTS
[Drawing of a man playing basketball]
BOXING
The major sporting event of the month was the first Station Boxing Tournament, held in the Drill Hall on December 15th. A very good evening’s entertainment was enjoyed by a large crowd. Several of the contestants seemed rather short of training, but the standard of boxing was generally high.
The results were as follows:
LAC. Thompson beat LAC. Jones (k.o.).
LAC. Walters beat Cpl. Tate on points.
LAC. Marshall beat AC. Howard on points.
Cpl. Farley beat LAC. Harris in the second round.
LAC. Willis beat AC. Annear on points.
Cpl. Roberts beat LAC. Adams on points.
LAC. Recile beat LAC. Taylor on points.
LAC. Stokes beat AC. Scott on points.
During the interval a mock “pro” bout was fought to a bitter and surprising end. It took the form of a challenge match between “Delayed Action” Hartnell and “Tornado” Robinson. The former, in spite of a flagrant disregard of the training rules regarding smoking (he entered the ring behind an outsize cigar) administered the k.o. with such paralyzing effect that it was not until the arrival of the stretcher that his opponent fell to the floor.
Another boxing tournament is planned for 17th February. There is plenty of time between now and that date for training. There must be many people on the camp who have sufficient knowledge of boxing at least to make a showing. We hope that they will come along, and thereby encourage others to take part. Pilot Officer Ryley, who organized the first tournament, has several assistants, all of whom are eager and willing to instruct and help you in any way they can. Take advantage of their knowledge, and turn up to the practices in the Drill Hall.
BASKETBALL
Most of us are very much beginners at this game, and in order to help us the Weyburn Collegiate team have offered to come up to the camp and show us how. We have already met them once in Weyburn, when the Station was beaten during extra time by 32 points to 26. This is a pretty good effort for our first game, but the result is not the important point. What mattered most was that those who played saw their mistakes, learned something about tactics, particularly the zone defence, which presents a very formidable barrier. The Collegiate team will be visiting the camp shortly to give us another game, and we hope that as many of you as possible will come along to take advantage of this opportunity of seeing the game.
[Drawings]
A drunk in Manitoba
Thought he sang like Tauba
His neighbors talked it oba,
And shot him dead – and soba.
The moral then, is woba
Tide him, drunk or soba,
Who sings like Richard Tauba
And lives in Manitoba.
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THAT CHRISTMAS DINNER
AT YOUR SERVICE
[Photograph of a group of people behind dining tables]
…BUT YOU SHOULD SEE IT AT CHRISTMAS!
[Photograph of rows of dining tables in a decorated canteen]
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[Drawing of a chequered flag] Around the Hangars
H
We wrote the most brilliant notes ever for the December issue, but like so many of our ace pupes on cross-countries, they got lost for no apparent reason. This month, however, we are rather at a loss, as there has been so little flying that the pupes have had little chance to do anything very Prune-like; no ground loops, no prangs, no nothing … Or can it be because we are so efficient?
First let us congratulate Flight Lieutenant Walker on his elevation to the Temple as Examining Officer. However, we also sympathise, as owing to the size of courses he will have to insinuate himself into the back seats of the despised buzz-boxes rather more often than he would wish.
We also extend a welcome to our new Skipper, F/O. Griffiths, who has already made his presence felt by subletting all the awkward jobs to each and every one of his stooges. We haven’t seen F/O. Miller out in the garden with his pick and spade.
Have any flights evolved new formulae for the “hours flown” charts? If so, please give us the gen, as the ever-increasing red sector is demoralising us, and the coffee flag is flying so regularly that our timekeeper hasn’t a chance to use his abundant supply of sharp pencils.
We cannot be accused of lack of keenness, as our skipper is always off to Lang before daylight to examine the weather from all angles – has the two hours I.F. per month anything to do with this? And what else but our enthusiasm can have caused the flare path party to ask for danger money?
G
Since we last wrote, some changes have taken place in the Flight, notably:
P/O. Stevenson’s carrying the whip around for Chief Ledbrook, who is visiting happier hunting grounds.
P/O. Nairn is growing a moustache to confuse his pupils.
P/O. Jones became of age!
And P/O. Gerdes has become a total abstainer since becoming a victim of a savage attack by hordes of pink elephants.
Sergeant Evans was suddenly snatched from us and posted far away, together with Taff Bevan and Snag Allen. Although he Backbone of the Flight has gone, we hide our tears as best we can and carry on. At least we have now two vacant chairs, and can sleep in comparative peace. We take this opportunity of welcoming Sgt. Patton and AC.s Meara and Bellamy, and would like them to know that if things ever become complicated poison can be obtained from Watts at a cost of two cents.
On behalf of the ground crew we wish to thank Mr. Stevenson and the other instructors for kindly remembering them at Christmas, and can assure them that from now on their engines will fire on all cylinders.
LAC. Staines was so good in the Pantomime that we have asked him to put on a floor show in the instructors’ room. Corporal Bryan, with the kind permission of the boys, is doing his part; he has promised to swallow broken glass, followed by two pints of liquid cement.
Doctor Watkinson, having enjoyed a White Christmas, is now ready to resume his advice to those contemplating marriage. All such advice is free, and satisfaction cannot be guaranteed.
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A
Christmas fills the mind of everyone, and those not in the process of being blackmailed are busy blackmailing.
Here are some gems we have picked up whilst passing through Pete’s hangar:
“In only five days I spent $1.50. Expensive places, these farms!”
“I’ll send you a mink coat, several diamond rings, and a box of Kleenex.” (The Kleenex has arrived.)
“Remember the wizard blonde and that brunette, like Lamarr, and that redhead – gosh, that redhead!” Heard three carriages away on the train: “I don’t worry, I’ll be home by April!”
Enough of that! Let’s switch on the microphone concealed in the pupils’ room …
One of our pupils seems very fortunate in his allocation of instructors: it seems he struck a prima donna. When asked what his first experience of a Harvard was like, he replied: “Well, I wouldn’t say they were quiet, but what shook me was their vocal ability. I looked up to ask my instructor where the music came from over the inter-comm. but I decided against it when all I could see in the rear vision mirror was a set of gleaming teeth and a quivering moustache.”
We seem to be blessed with a brilliant pair of financiers amongst the “A” Flight ground crew; rumour has it that Birch and Love can turn a five dollar bill into a hundred quarters. We envy them.
They say our Ledbury is flying high these days. Perhaps those pyjamas have gone to his head.
Our ex-boy, Blondie, seems to have the real Service spirit, always opens his eyes at Reveille, picks up a paper, lights a cigarette, and lies back to reap the benefits of his early morning work. He must enjoy listening to the Australian vernacular, or perhaps he’s only young and wants to learn to swear.
Heard a Certain Sergeant talking about a Kiwi from Aotearoa. Seems this Kiwi took an unholy delight in demonstrating advanced aerobatics to a certain pupil of his who had been partaking of the holiday spirit. But why the blazes turn around and ask with a cynical smile “Did you like that last one?” You have to be polite in war time, more’s the pity.
They tell me the Calgary air is very bracing these days, and is an ideal place for war-weary tourists to regain their lost vitality. But the tourists we saw there the other day, the vitality they discovered didn’t leave them with that Vitamin A look. But is might have been Vitamin E …
It seems a certain Squad Commander was once a Navy man. But we don’t think it’s quite the thing to whistle “Anchors Aweigh” when he calls at 6 a.m. These “wallabies” certainly have queer habits.
We, the “boys,” and the Boss himself would like to take this opportunity of wishing one and all the very best of New Years.
Back to the old grind now? Let’s do that, eh?
F
Amid a fanfare of gosports in harmony, “F” Flight, No. 64 Course, passes from grim reality to colourful memory. When jet-propelled stratocraft are landing at Weyburn airport, senile greasemonkeys will foregather to relate how, back in ’42, they helped to pull the chocks away for the Flight that set up the all-time flying record. U/t riggers of future autogyro limousines will listen in awe to an octogenarian propswinger telling of how they set the night flying record at 41 S.F.T.S. Nor will the tale of E. and F Flights’ joint night-flying figures lose anything in the telling.
Hark ye, pupes of 1943, the times set up by the last of the 1942 courses …. (Deleted by censor).
Such an achievement can only be celebrated in one manner. To the accompaniment of the whirling drone of props in fully fine, a virgin aircraft, unsullied by pupes, was wheeled forth from the immediate reserve. Threefold D.I.s were scrupulously and ceremoniously performed by airmen with not less than two G.C. stripes each. A brave and selfless pilot stood forth to perform the ceremony. Amid much wailing and lamentation he took the p lane forth to Lang and dashed it headlong into the ground. A fitting dedication. The pieces were gathered and used as gremlin charms. (N.B. Courses to follow please note that this ceremony can only be performed by a ginger-headed airman.)
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But though the letters of loved ones flowed into the officers’ mess some days before the Wings Parade, members of the Flight feel they have failed lamentably. Despite all their efforts, P/O. Hopeful still tries to land his kite as though it were fitted with skis. Sergeant Netherlands’ acquaintance with accommodating duty pilots has Improved faster than his flying. P/O. Sedge still insists upon practising aerobatics long after the chequered flag goes up.
Stoogepilots Twister and Deadly were of course beyond hope when they came here, and it would take more than a hurricane to drag W/O. Blessemall from his bed before noon.
We have done our best, but there was too much for one course to do. Training the C.I. to lower the undercart and not the flaps is a job for future courses. To them we hand over the controls, in the earnest hope that they in their turn will leave their instructors a little better than they find them.
And so, with a flourish of chequered flags, the last of the 1942 courses passes on.
X
Its me agane, Joe. They avnt found im yet (Willy Prangit I mene.) The F.C. (see larst munth for wot that menes) cuddent tell yew ware e wos (Willy) on akownt of no wun to releave Im (the F.C.) on the Arty. He opes to ave is tail reddy by nex munths gofer.
December was wot they call Instrukters Paradice they rushed into the krew room shouting Bagzerclamp and Werzertee evry day and after droring lots to se hoo ad to bind the pupes spent the mornin playing poker. Of corse we ad to clene the kites long after every wun ad gorn. It’s the same the ole world over as they say. Cor thares that sarjint agane he binds us rigid orl day. “Yor kite as bin down 2 minits … The egzaminin officer wonts is nashin in arfanour” … “Wossermrrer wiv 72” … “Pushumin pushumout pushumin. “26 mister Ross sez …”
Why didn’t I join the army?
Appy noo yer.
Joe.
C
It is now two months since “C” Flight last contributed to these columns, but in a general glow of benevolence engendered by the prospect of five days buckshee leave, we are prompted to ask a few questions:
Which u/t always takes an unopened packet of English Players with his to Link?
Which instructors will become of age next month? And will they then really be allowed to go up without a pupe as a safety pilot?
If a u/t drops his pencil on a Cross Country, Willie slow roll to recover it?
Who caught the clock on Christmas Eve?
Does No. – always fly with a side panel off?
Is there a future in O.O. or is it just for old times sake?
There are a lot more things we want to know, but the train is due in any time now, so here we go.
Happy New Year, fellows!
E
We must apologise for missing out on last month’s Flight Notes. We hope the “Gopher” sales didn’t drop too badly.
Once more another course of dashing aviators has come and gone. The best of luck and Happy Landings to all of No. 64 Course!
Calling Cpl. Cooper, “D” Flight! Please send over your chief gremlin catcher. Two of your pets are tying knots in our aileron control cables.
Welcome to Cpl. Cocks, who has joined us from Majors. They say he went away at Christmas and came back with a cute bride. Congratulations, Cpl. And Mrs. Cocks, and Best Wishes from the Flight.
Congratulations to P/O. Riby on obtaining his commission.
Before we leave our crew room and go off on our New Yea’s grant, we cast an eye on the Serviceability Board. We are most surprised to see that all our aircraft are serviceable! This would call for investigation at any other time, but we’ve got to run like mad for that train, although it’s bound to be late.
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B
After having disposed of No. 62 Course in the usual manner, we turned, not without a twinge of uneasiness (or was it remorse?) to the purveying of gen to No. 70 Course, who eventually took to the air after waiting nearly a week for the notorious Canadian winter to demonstrate to what lengths it would go in order to keep them on the ground. (“Oh, yes, in Canada there are 360 flying days each year.”)
Meanwhile Sgt. Dakeyne went into retirement, recovering from the mumps, going on sick leave, filling up clearance certificates, pushing out the boat, buying a uniform, and eventually emerged a Pilot Officer, complete with a lofty winter cap. He is now hovering uncertainly between Minneapolis, Weyburn, and Calgary, and is the recipient of our most sincere congratulations for having at last vacated the position of “Joe,” the occupation of which is now undisputed.
“The Boss’s” time is now taken up with trying to think of things to tell Cpl. Lambeth to invent, and with murmuring “What a beautiful chart; not a mark on it!” whereas P/O. Dixon is always as busy as anything, drawing, writing peremptory instructions, and contributing greatly to the growth of grey hair on Sgt. Tomes’ head by putting unserviceable any aeroplane he lays eyes on. Flight Sergeant Plummer gets so disturbed about it that he sometimes puts the other leg up on the table.
We have lost two of the ground crew, LAC. Mark and AC. Huck, due to sudden activity on board the Boat. While we are sorry to see them go, we cannot commiserate with them. We are more than envious.
Hitler has no advantages over Flying Wing Headquarters when it comes to New Orders. They are so prolific that P/O. Knowles takes them up and down the tow-line with him. He says they take his mind off things.
D
Great news! LAC. Birkhead has at last caught The Boat, after sweating on the top line for several months past. When the news was broken to him he sighed and said he didn’t want to go, and they had to escort him round the camp to make sure he got his clearance certificate signed.
We welcome to the Flight Cpl. Thompson. He takes the place of Cpl. Fearon, now thoroughly organised at Moose Jaw, to judge from recent reports.
Since one of our pupes, LAC. Marshall, won his boxing bout in the recent Boxing Tournament LAC. Steele has been fancying his chances as a professional. Thanks to the excellent advice of LAC. Morley, he can now beat up his own shadow.
F/O. Rutledge is getting rather worried over one of his pupes, tall, dark and handsome Romeo Marriott, who is now wandering around with a far-away look in those “come-hither” eyes of his. We wonder who it can be this time …?
The whole Flight Was amazed the other day at the sight of “Flash” Harris, told to deliver a message to F/O. Stephen. As the weather was cold, “Flash” quickened his step almost to running pace. Amid great applause from the lads he charged down the tarmac, past F/Lt. Martin, who was so surprised that he dropped his parachute, and at last reached the brave Sir Galahad of the skies. “Dual only, Sir!” he panted, and then turned around and thundered back into the hangar.
LAC. Horrocks claims the entire credit for this amazing occurrence. And we must agree that his cocoa is a most dangerous brew.
B.J.C.
You know, getting out this magazine is no picnic. If we print light stuff, people say we are silly.
If we don’t, they say we are too serious.
If we clip things from other magazines, we are too lazy to write ourselves.
If we don’t, we are too fond of our own stuff.
If we don’t print contributions, we don’t appreciate real genius.
If we do print them, the magazine is full of junk.
What would you do, chum?
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WOPPORTUNISM
I have discovered a secret weapon. No, not that sort of Secret Weapon the Ground School instructors tell you is a deadly secret, and no telling tales out of School, yet which every magazine you read makes a point of revealing I full detail. No, my Secret Weapon is the fully aerobatic gopher.
In this game of Commish. Last week my Flight Commander taxied into the kite I was trying to start up. He didn’t noticeably damage it. There I was. And there was he. I knew he couldn’t make it, but he wasn’t going to call out a joe to yank his tail wheel round with a pupe as an audience. I felt a sudden push, and he swung gaily into position. That, he thought, was that.
And it very nearly was. But, my dear Sir, not quite. For there comes a day when the editor of any station magazine goes into a flat spin. That day is known to the initiated as the day of going to press. Pat him on the back and hand him a manuscript right then, and he’ll grab the vilest piece of blackmail as “copy.”
Now, then … Is it Commish? Or do I … ?
So much for the preamble. Did it ever occur to you to apply the gen that drops from the lips of that clan of paragons, the Wireless Ops, to wider spheres of experience? For instance, that preamble text-ending business …? Can’t you just heat those ex-brats beginning “Now, when you’ve been in the Service as long as I have …” Preamble. Just plain preamble. Ultimately you find they’ve about as much service (and a fellow who can find nothing more to boast about than the length of time he has been in the R.A.F. is nearer the lunatic asylum than those fellows who put on skates and “crack the whip” there) – about a much service, I say, as the fellow I met at Grove Court. He had just learned to say “brassed” with the correct slant, and was complaining bitterly of life in the R.A.F. I asked him how long he had been in. “All day!” he replied.
The Walrus and the Carpenter were walking to and fro’;
They binded rigidly to see such quantities of snow.
“If seven erks with seven brooms should sweep for half a year,
Do you suppose,” the Walrus said,
“They’d then please Sergeant Cur?”
“How the heck would I know …
And anyway, who cares,” said Chips, who always was a cantankerous old codger.
THERE [underlined] IS [/underlined] A “FUTURE” IN IT
At the Christmas dinner the Commanding Officer congratulated the Unit on the way in which everyone on the Station had worked together to make the Unit a happy one.
Here at Weyburn we have probably as full a program of recreational, social and entertainment events as any R.A.F. Station, but in most cases all the work is done by a handful of enthusiasts, who give up much more of their time and energy than we should reasonably expect of them.
It is very easy to criticise destructively, but destructive criticism is generally valueless. The only person qualified to engage in constructive criticism is the fellow who is good at that very job himself, or who at least has ideas which would be much more valuable if they were presented before the show or whatever it is which is being put on. There is no place at this Unit for the back seat driver.
Shall we see to it that during this second year of No. 41 each of us finds a job to do in which he really can play his part in promoting the happiness of his fellows. The Bands, the Concert Party, the Dramatic Society, the Male Chorus, and – yes, you guessed it! – this magazine, will be especially glad of your assistance.
The Flying Gopher is published on the 15th of each month by and for the entertainment of the personnel of No. 41 S.F.T.S. (R.A.F.) at Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. Printed for the Publishers by the Weyburn Review.
24
[Page break]
state it reflects the sky-waves of H/F & M/F
[Underlined] SKIP distance [/underlined]
[Diagram]
No reception between attenuation of ground wave & return to earth of sky wave.
[Deleted Night [/deleted] wave for D/F is ground. Reflection no good. [Diagram]
347. P/O WATSON SELF 1 hr
1 AB 2 3 3m 4567 10 20 22
[Page break]
[Underlined] Frequency Grouping [/underlined]
M/F 1000 K/Cs to 3000 K/Cs
H/F 3000 K/Cs to 30,000 K/Cs
V/HF 30,000 K/Cs + over.
MF long ground wave for Direct communications + DF. [Diagram] Sky wave absorbed by heaviside
HF Shorter ground wave suitable for short distance D.F.
Long Distance on reflected sky wave heaviside layer. [Diagram]
VHF. Short, easily attenuated ground waves.
Sky wave. Due to high frequency penetrates heaviside layer does not return to earth.
[Underlined] Height of aircraft [/underlined]
Min height for D/F is 2000 ft.
[Underlined] Heaviside Layer [/underlined]
A layer of ionised air about 200 miles above earth’s surface.
In the daytime Heavyside layer is not very dense, with the result that it can absorb the sky waves of M/F & H/F At night time the layer descends & contracts & becomes denser. In this
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
The Flying Gopher January 1943
Description
An account of the resource
This edition covers an Editorial, poems, the padres notes, romantic fiction, a car chase in London, a list of expenditure of the station's social funds, recollections of flying in the Great War, Christmas stories, Officers Mess gossip, a story about the snow blower, Sergeants Mess stories, sports news, stories from the station Flight groups.
Additionally there are two handwritten pages of radio notes.
Creator
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41 SFTS Weyburn
Date
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1943-01
Format
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25 printed sheets and two pages of handwritten notes
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Identifier
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MFordTA1585520-170411-15
Coverage
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Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
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Canada
Saskatchewan--Weyburn
Saskatchewan
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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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.
Contributor
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Anne-Marie Watson
Temporal Coverage
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1943-01
aircrew
arts and crafts
entertainment
gremlin
Harvard
love and romance
sport
training