Diary of Flying Officer Clifford Timothy O'Riordan, 1942-1943 - Part 5

September

of songs very well. I heard later that he was

a £30 a week man on the stage & radio before 

being called up. After the show I went

to get my bike & found that someone had 

pinched it.

Monday 28.   Saw a letter from a prison 

camp by P/O Lark. They got shot up over

the Zuyder Zee. He was the only one to

get out of the aircraft. He had a shrapnel 

splinter through his right eye, a cannon shell

through his right shoulder. a bullet through 

his left breast and another through his

right thigh. He bailed out with only one

clip of his harness holding, (the other was

shot away) and kept himself afloat in 

the water for two hours before being

picked up. Some people are tough.

Tuesday 29. Got two photos from Niki. Went

to York on the liberty bus & pranged

Betty’s Bar.

Wednesday 30. Part of a blitz on the sergeants 

huts. the C.O. found Col Shade still in bed

& gave him a severe reprimand.

George Viner and I thought out a 

modification for the Lancaster.Going

to put it before the Wing Commander.

October

Thursday 1^st  Had a lecture by a night fighter

pilot from Valley. Of great interest to me, as I

am officially “night fighter information officer.”

Been gathering lots of gen from the intelligence 

room & am supposed to lecture soon.

Cycled to the fourteen tits or seven sisters pub

in evening.                                               

Friday 2^nd  Am buying a motor bike from

Surgeon. Its about 15 years old but goes

all right. Did a shaky solo on it around

the perimeter track.

Saturday 3^rd  Pretty damn cold and am wearing 

my silk & wool flying underwear. Spent

morning climbing over a Lancaster. Super

jobs.

Sunday 4.  Got my flight of gunners on

gun cleaning in morning. Football match

in afternoon.

Monday 12. Hell of a lot of new arrivals

here from OTUs. the mess is overcrowded.

Just a bit different a month ago. No doubt

it will thin quite a bit when we get operating

again.

Tuesday.13  There is little doing these days &

quite a bit of time spent in the mess.

The wireless is on all the time & I dont

October

know where they get the dubs who arrange
the programs for the BBC. The most boring
weak and unimaginative items are pushed
down the ears of the nation. To-day, a
woman described how she tried & finally
succeeded in reading a gas meter!
We have got a new insignia for our
new kite. Since there are so many b's in
our crew — "Barttingham, Brodie, Bobbie & Bill"
we took a bumble bee something like this:-
Hand drawn sketch - see original document
I got the idea
and Isaacson's
Wop drew it.
Looks better than this!
The thing in the
tail is supposed to be
a turret, & that hanging
down, a trailing areal.
Wednesday 14.  Les Sant is getting out a station
magazine. The first number ought to
be good anyhow. Here is an article
on "map reading courses" by the M.O.
Spud Murphy⁺ & self walked to the Ferry
& struck Vincent, a brother of Sam Vincent
who was at the bar in Sydney. He was
posted here but is now going to Snaith.
Played penny poker for a couple of
hours & won threepence.
October
Thursday 15.  Nothing on, so went with Ron
Friend to the pictures at Selby. At 4.P.M.
we went to a pub to get something to eat.
The waitress asked us if we would like
afternoon tea or fish & chips. Having had
no lunch we planked for fish & chips & the
lass said "You cant have them till 6. P.M."
We had the tea. Gosh there are some
dumb women in this country.
Friday 16.  An official grog prang for the
officers at the Owl Club, some 15 miles 
away. Aircrew bus ran. Hell of a nice
place with an American bar. Sq/L. Camplin
& Murphy tried to make a liqueur from
each bottle on the bar. They finished
up stinking.
Saturday 17.  Our crew got day off. Went to
Leeds with Bill Matchett & Bruce Rust.⁺ Out
to the dogs in the afternoon & won a quid.
Danced at Pouenolis at night. Stayed at
the Griffin.
MonSunday 18.  Bill had to meet his girl & Bruce
was due back early so I teamed up with
Dick - & Harry. Met two girls & had some
drinks with them. I went off to eat at the
Queens & Dick told me later that the girls
nearly assaulted them. 

October
Monday 19.  New G.C. on the station. Very
keen on spit & polish. Murphy, Horner
Woods & three others were killed in a Manchester
taking off. Wonder who'll look after Murph's
dingo. My bike ran out of gas &
I dont get any more till I go on leave.
A bit piss poor I say.
Tuesday 20.  I think I should put out
my shingle. I have two court martials
coming up & the Padre sends all the
blokes in trouble to me for advice. Get
some beaut problems. Fortunately most
are connected with women — Divorce etc
in which I am a little versed & can
take care of them.
Allan Ritchie has arrived on the station
having finished his hour at Snaith. Got
the D F M. He will be a G. instructor.

Keith Danflas dropped in from 108 & gave
us all the gen on the boys. Nothing
heard from Crocketts crew at all.
Wednesday 21.  Still no sign of our crew starting
conversion. Its a lovely bludge. Went
to Alec Wailes batchelor party in Sergeants
Mess. He is marrying a lass from Wales.
The Galloping Greek tried to make a
October
poem out of it, but either had too much or
too little beer. I had to make the
speech.
Thursday 22.  Hanging round flights in afternoon
when Britt announced that we had leave as
they were not ready for us on conversion.
Caught the 5 oclock liberty bus for York
and pranged Bettys with Ivan and a couple of
WAAFS. Caught the 1.AM train for London.
Going to Scotland on Sunday.
Friday 23.  Arrived in at 6.30 and booked in at
Savoy. Super room. had sleep till 12. Went
down to Codgers and struck Tom Allen with
some chaps. Lucky devil is posted home.
Tells me Wonk is in town somewhere.
Went to Chez Moi & a few other joints &
had dinner at Scotts. Later to Bristol Grill.
Saturday 24.  Met Wonk at Strand Palace, went
to Codgers and saw Tom and Lockie McDonald,
who was very sorry to hear about Jim Crocket.
Two pretty girl journalists, Australians (ones
name was Elaine and worked for Melbourne
Herald). We did the rounds and later Wonk
& I took the two girls to the 400 Club.
A very bright and cheery evening. 

October
Sunday 25.  A party was thrown in the afternoon
in Wonk’s pilots’ room. WAAFs and a little Scotch
lass who made a great play for me.
Couldn’t understand her half the time from
her speech, but there was no mistaking
her meaning. Dined at Trocadero.
Monday 26.  The mob met at the
Codgers & went later to the Press Club
with Lockie and Gilmore of the Sunday Sun.
Saw the show at Monseigneur. Meant
to go to Scotland yesterday, but this town
is like an Irish bog to get out of.
Wednesday Tuesday 27.  Went to see Coastal
Command. Dam good show, but the RAF
boys are certainly not actors. Wonk
& I had dinner at the Savoy.
Wednesday 28.  Said so-long to the boys &
caught the train for York. Stayed night
at Station Hotel.
Thursday 29.  Out to Breighton & collected
books & papers for court martial & caught
transport for Holme. Got a Squadron
Leader’s room for the night.
Friday 30.  First case the court didn’t
announce findings. Only bright spot
was “He went to my pocket. I said what
October
are you doing? He said, I’m going to the
lavatory & can’t see in the dark. I said
Well the lavatory is not in my pocket”.
In the second case I got an acquittal
on the stealing charge & the court reserved
its finding on the alternative charge.
The prosecutor Lord Morris (Fl/Lt) was a
bit of a twirp and the court as slow as
a Wimp.
Monday 2.  Blue Graham was doing
an air test to-day and had to overshoot
on account of a cross wind. He called
up on the TR9 “Is the wind sock right
or is it those bloody gremlins again?”.
The aerodrome controller, an en parson
was in an awful flap asking “What
are gremlins?” and hes been in
the RAF a year!
Tuesday 3.  Ensa show to-night rather
good. Party in the mess later & the
Contortionist went for me in a big
way! Pretty kid but the boys pulled
my leg unmercifully later. Camplin
said he could drink a pint in five
seconds. The new Group Captain
bet him 20/- he couldnt. They got 

November
out stop watches & Camp did it
with a second to spare.
Wednesday 4.  Signal from Group
that I am to do a course at
Central Gunnery School. Big time eh.
Thursday 5.  Sammy has been given
a DFC & the Winco Kaufman a bar
to his. Big party at the
Owl Club to celebrate. Dickie Osborn POW
pulled a chair from under the
Winco & he took a dim view.
Friday 6.  Rode to Holme on the
great bike and ran out of gas
on the way back. Had to
practically go on my knees to a
garage man to get ½ gallon.
Saturday 7.  Duff weather.
Tuesday 10.  Peter Isacson given DFM.
Party for him at the new. Inn.
Paddy Boyle & I rode our bikes
home without lights & pranged
about a dozen times.
Wednesday 11.  Went to York & met
an Army Captain. All over place
in his car. Met two girls in
blackout & took them to Bettys
November
Bar. They were about 15 or 16 when we
saw them in the light, so bought
them a beer & scrammed.
Thursday 12  Pea soup fog. Visibility 10 ft.
Saturday 14  Birds still walking. Got
a letter from Niki.
Monday 16.  Had my bags packed and
ready to proceed to C.G.S. when the
Tannoy announced all personnel confined
to camp. A case of small pox
has broken out. Everyone lined
up for another vaccination & afterwards
a party was started by the Winco.
Tuesday 17.  Sammy, Gordon Given^† &
our adjutant John Kearns^† (ground observer)
made Flight Lieuts. Occasion for party
which is all there is to do with
the restriction to camp & no flying.
Wednesday 18.  Flap on. Conversion
must be finished by Saturday. Got
a letter from Syd.
Thursday 19.  Another gong through,
this time Gordon Grant. Had more
free drinks this week than ever before
Friday. 20  Hurray! Ban lifted on station
Case diagnosed by big shot from 

November
London as not being small pox.
Ivan Keddie and self went to Ferry.
Saturday 21.  Orderley day. cold as
hell.
Sunday 22.  Did three hours of
circuits and burials with Ray Brittingham.
Lands em ok. First time with proper skipper.
Monday 23.   Air firing at sea.
Like these turrets though they are
a bit cramped. Bobby Rogers and
Ian both pumped off 1000 rounds.
Tuesday 24. 4 hour cross country.
Nice day and lovely trip. Britt
flies the plane very nicely.
Wednesday 25.  Ops to Stuttgart.
Brittingham’s crew not on as we
have not completed full conversion
hours. A low level effort all
the way. One crew missing
- Dave Gaets. Hell of a nice
chap.
Thursday 26.  Briefed for Turin. Got
as far as the aircraft when the
Tannoy told us to come back.
The galloping Greek (Jack Panos) won
a bet on it although the Met looked
November
pretty fair.
Friday 27. Night flying test in morning.
Standown in afternoon. Asked Winco Kaufman
whether the new Group Captain would enforce
the £4 wine limit. He said ‘Did you
spend that much in civil life O’Riordan?
I said ‘Yes sir’. ‘Then if you can
afford it why worry. We are fighting
a war & this is no kindergarten.
Sunday 28.  Briefed Turin. After 4 hours
flying the port outer engine started to
overheat & the starboard generator to pack
up. Britt called for votes as to whether
we should keep on or go back. We came
back with full bomb load. Diverted
to home for landing. Had a 1000 pd
and 2,500’s on plus incendiaries. 7000 in all.
Ray ‘greased her in’ in bad vis but
the swing & the next thing I
knew was the tail belting the ground
like a sledge hammer. I released
my safety belt & hung on with
my turret swing. The tail wheel
came right through the fuselage
just back of my turret. She
came to rest on the runway 

December
with an awful lurch. They had
to get the cranes out to shift her,
with planes wanting to come in.
Sunday 29.  Standown thank
God. I’m leaving for C.G.S
to-morrow. Ray Britt, Bobby Rogers
and Bill Matchett look very tired. They
have been shot up three times &
have crash landed twice. I don’t
count small ones like last night.
Monday 30.  Set out for Sutton Bridge.
Stayed night in York at White Hart hotel.
Tuesday 1.  Three changes of train &
arrived at Sutton Bridge at 8.P.M.. Booked
in & had dinner. Billeted on No 1
site in the township. No fires & 
freezing cold.
Wednesday 2. Lectures start at 8.30 and
finish at 5.45. Flying exercises to
be carried out in all possible weather.
Bags of gongs in the mess among
the fighter wing. They do co-operation
with us in Spits & Mustangs. Most
of them have four or five Jerries to
their credit & come here to learn
to shoot! Wing Commander Mulan
December
DSO and Bar DFC and Bar Croix de Guerre & three palms is
C.O. Fighter Wing, W/C Sutton of Bomber Wing.
Thursday 3.  Split up into Squads. Chap in
my squad, Sgt Evans, has just walked out
of  France. Has 50 ops up. I feel like
a tyro.
Friday 4.  Classes. All good gen and interesting
but the room’s painfully cold.
Saturday 5.  Cine gun, range estimation
exercise. We were in an ancient Wimp
against a Spitfire. Good fun.
Sunday 6.  Same exercise but this time in
a Hampden & its like a refrigerator.
Ted Key & Dave Picard two Canadians in
my billet nice chaps.
Monday 7.  The laundry position is serious.
I missed the last one & the mess &
Trixie my batwoman tells me that the
laundress she took my stuff to has
mumps. Cine gun exercise. Bad
tail shimmy on landing.
Tuesday 8.  Simple evasive exercise. Ted
Key and I went to pub with Rubbilly and,
a young Canuck pilot with five confirmed
& four probable Jerries to his credit.
He has also walked out of France. 

December
Wednesday 9.  Air firing against drogue
& then exercise with Spit. Saw
a Hudson prang and burn. The crew
got out OK. Met a New Zealander
in 49 course who escaped from
Germany after 15 months. Got
out through a sewer. Some buy.
He is going home after the course.
We went to the local dance together.
They call it ‘the sweat box’ & its
well named.
Thu.10.  Cine exercise in Hampden.
Coming in to land the cord on the
flap fabric brake & covered the
ailerons. Lucky to make a good
landing.
Friday 11. Theres an excellent spotlight
trainer here & other synthetic devices.
My marks on the cine gun have
been good.
Saturday 12. Drogue firing exercise.
Went into Wisbeach with Leo &
Dave. They call me ‘the Abo’ &
I call them the Eskimos. We
have a lot of fun kidding.
Sunday 13. Had a long yarn with
December
Crank another N.Z. chap & a real dag. Tells
me that they had a set of cow bells rigged
in their kite ‘Actung Anzac’, which
they jangled on take off, landing or when
in a right jam.
Tuesday 15.  Weather has been u/s for
past two days & just class work. This
must be like Siberia.
Thursday 17. Evasive action with Spit.
A Yank from a fortress squadron, when
practicing intercom procedure on
control said ‘Hell if I said "Tally Ho
Tally Ho!’ Two Jerries port quarter down".
my buddies would pitch me overboard.
Went to a party at Long Sutton with
Mitchell who used to know the Foys.
Friday 18.  Football match. NBG.
Sat 19.  While doing an exercise over the
Wash with two Spits a JU88 suddenly
appeared our of the clouds. He must
have been just as surprised as
we were. He swung into cover
with the Spits after him & they
didn’t see him again. Went
with W/C Mulan to Mr Garfords
home at Wisbeach. Lovely place, 

December
and charming people. They used to
live in Victoria & still have a
property there. Stayed the night
& Mulan picked me up in time
for lectures in the morning.
Sunday 20.  We are to get a 48
pass to-morrow.
Mon 21.  To town by 6 P.M. Went
to 400 Club with Lockie and two lasses.
Tuesday 22.  To Codgers. Did a pub
crawl with Eve & Lani's driver. Dropped
me back at Park Lane, so I thought
but my key wouldn’t fit. Found I
was in Grovenor House after getting
the manager, bell boy & everyone
along.
Wednesday 23.  Went to see Yankee
Doodle Dandy. Met Jack Ross &
went to Bristol Grill. Struck
Chas Dow with some free French Broacast
dame. Caught train 4.A.M. Home
at 8.A.M.
Thursday 24.  Flying all day, and a
grand Xmas dinner with party after.
Must be getting tough.
December
Friday 25.  Xmas day. Served the airmen’s
luncheon & then went to Garfords with
Mulan. Peg Garford lent me her bike
to ride home on. Woke up in ditch
with bike and gloves gone. Walked the
seven miles to camp.
Saturday 26.  Crook & tired, but so is
everyone else. Got a sleep in afternoon.
Sunday 27.  Foul weather in morning
but cleared. Single fighter evasive action
exercise.
Monday 28.  The police have no clue of
Peg Garfords bike so I purchased one
& had it delivered. Cost £8.2.6.
Tuesday 29.  Full scale tactical exercise.
One chap in control of 3 Wimpeys in
formation being attacked by two
Spitfires. Real fun stuff.
Robillard has jaundice & has gone to
hospital. The conditions on
1 site are terrible. The floors are damp.
Fires only 3 times a week and the
snow has been thick on the ground
for days. The food is also poor in
quality and quantity. Haven’t had
any mail for a long time - feel forgotten. 

January 1943
Thursday 31.  Two exercises. First simple
evasive exercise and full scale tactical.
New Years Eve party in mess. Went
to confession first. W/C Sutton made
a bit of an ass of himself. P/O Burdett
told him he’d bash him down. Fortunately
both drunk.
Friday 1.  Interesting chat by M.O. who
has done tour of ops in east.
Later a talk by W/C Cheshire DFC DSO.
Simple aircraft evasive. The roll off
the top attack when done by a
gun man like F/O Scott is the
hardest one to beat. The rest
are a piece of cake. The thing
is you dont see them in time
at night.
Saturday 2.  Sighting exam. OK but made
mistakes in my maths in working out
a reduced harmonisation board.
Sunday 3.  Three full exercises. Party
at night at the Bridge Hotel.
Monday 4. Snow. Shaky take off.
Two Spit evasive. One Wimp just
cleared the high tension wires.
January
Tuesday 5.  Snow too deep so got ½ day off.
Went to flicks at Long Sutton with
Greene & Duff Gen.
Wednesday 6  Snow & Sleet. Sighting exam.
I gave the course a ½ hour lecture on "The
most effective method of bombing." Seemed
to go down OK. Letters from Syd
and Niki.
Thursday 7.  John Kearns our Squadron Adj.
rang through & asked if I could come
& defend on a Ct Martial on the 14^th.
Its one day before course finishes but
permission was granted. Weather
u/s for flying. Miller & I are rivals
at Shove ha’ penny. He is a Typhoon
pilot & has bad scars from burns
on head.
Friday 8. Weather still u/s. Cy King
has a duodenal ulcer & must eat
nothing but eggs & milk. Lucky dog.
Saturday 9.  Weather still u/s. Lecture
test cram. Burke the V.G. boy got
to the platform, said a couple of
words & nearly passed out. Caught
him just as he was falling &
he stumbled out of room. Poor devil