Diary of Wing Commander Edward Lloyd Fleming, January 1944- January 1945 - Part 7

APRIL 1944
Tuesday 18
I had a shave & packed & had breakfast
then at 0950 said goodbye & set off. Jose
came with us into town and we went to
say farewell to Mr Bridge. Jose came to the tram
& I bade her adieu. We had a quiet trip
down & made our way to Victoria League
We had some lunch then wandered about
down Kingsway, Strand, Fleet St & Holburn
& then to St Pauls. We came back via
Trafalgar Sq., Charing X station & to Picadily
Reg & I had a snack & then I went down
Picadilly station to Holburn & then to Liverpool
St. where I caught a train to Ilford. I
met Aunty Trace & had a yarn to her
then Margaret (Eldest daughter) came
in & I met her. We had dinner & some
tinned fruit etc & it was super. I came
back to Marble Arch then walked home
with a Flight. Nav. We bought some guides
to London & already they have proved useful 
APRIL, 1944
THIRTEEN
Wednesday 19
6

I woke about 0130 & there was a blitz on
which rather scared me but all clear
went after a while & I slept quite
well. I got up early & shaved then
went to Victoria & left my stuff. I
made for City Rd EC1 but walked the
whole length of it & didn't arrive. I
saw the Angel Islington & King's Cross
St Pancras. I caught the U/ground back
& got the 1100 train home. I had some
dinner then collected a lot of mail from
Cranwell's, Shirl & home. It was super
Then we paraded & are now billetted on
the 5th floor of the Grand Hotel. We
collected our kit & I did my washing &
then had tea. After tea * unpacked &
wrote to Mrs Bridge & home. We went to
RAAF & had supper then I wrote a bit
more & got off to bed. They shot down a
Jerry kite at St Nicholas church. It was
an M.E. Job. The new baby has apparty
arived to the [[Pal?]] family.

APRIL, 1944
FOURTEEN
Thursday 20
We paraded as usual in Artillery Lt & were
informed we are to go to Whitby Bay this
evening. In the morning we packed and
drew out flying gear then had lunch
We had a short pep talk then an F.F.I.
in the Grand then said goodbye to all
the boys who are staying, & left. Some
are going to EFTS & AFW. & others to the Mid-East!
We caught the train up to London
& on arrival were met by two buses &
driven via. Buckingham Palace & St
James Park to Kings Cross. We dumped
our luggage & returned to Picaddily
where we had a bit to drink & went to a
news-theaterette. Then we had a huge
supper & made our way back to Kings X.
Most of the lads were quite merry & it
was a slow job entraining. We were
fairly crowded but comfortable. We
yarned for a bit then turned off the
light & got some shut-eye.
APRIL, 1944
Friday 21
We woke up about 0630 & I had a wash etc.
I slept very badly. We passed thro Durban
& it looked rather nice. We arrived in
Newcastle at c.0730 & caught an electric
train to Whilby Bay. We marched from the
station to Ventnor Gardens, the street in
which we are billeted at No. 54. It is an
old private home & there are 16 of us in it. The
sanitation is crook otherwise it is heaven!!
We collected our blankets after breakfast &
then went & drew rifles. In the afternoon we
collected [[Denhams?]] & also went to Dental
inspection. I passed O.K. After tea Ken & I
went to the willow Cafe & I wrote to Pat & to
Ferdy. The townsfolk are allowed to use the
beach here! We came back & I had a
good wash & a shave & then got off to bed.

APRIL, 1944
Saturday 22
Ken woke up early & so we had breakfast &
then tidied up & went on parade. We
had a bit of a march & were inspected by
an A-vice-M. Then we came back & had a
break' & went to a lectuir by the C.O. After
that we had our F.F.I. & went to lunch.
Came back & collected my third bag & had
a wash then went into Newcastle with Ken.
It is very dirty & not terribly interesting.
I came back after having tea at the YMCA
& we talked to the lady next door for a while
then went to the E.N.S.A. concert. On the way
we took a look at the Luna Park. We
had an extra good performance & tho' it
was a but un-professional, it was
worth 6'! I came back with Chips & Ken &
had a thorough wash & then got off to
bed.
APRIL, 1944
Sunday 23
I got up fairly early but first tidied up & read
till 1030 when Chips & I went to the Methodist.
church. It was an extra good sermon & the
place was well filled. We were given a testament
each bound in blue. we came back & had
lunch then Chips & I had a stroll along the
waterfront. There was a large crowd out there
& it was a beautiful day. I read a bit in the
Sergeants Mess (Willow Cafe) then went to the
lighthouse with Ken. We went by the beach
& back by the road & we listened to a band
concert for a while. I had tea & came back to
54 Ventnor Gdns & had a bath. The boys have
fixed the heater up now. Chips & I went to the
Congregational church in the evening & it too
was extremely good. The people are very
friendly. We had a look thro' the amusement
centres & then had a bit to eat at a mess & we
came home. I did a spot of P.T. in the room
then crawled into bed. I wrote to Shirl today.
There is a huge number of girls in Whitby Bay!!

APRIL, 1944

FIFTEEN

Monday 24

I woke at 0600 & got up & had a 

shower & then went to breakfast & 

came back & got ready to go on parade

We did a bit of drill then went to the gym

for a lecture & then came back for kit

inspection after which we went to 

lunch. In the afternoon we had P.T. &
I had a super game of basket-ball & did
a fair bit of skipping. I had a shower
then came back & had tea. In the
evening Ken & I went to look for a
dancing studio & saw a bombed out
church. I came back & got off to bed
I got a letter from Ian today & he is
still at Flinders. M.G.S. won the cricket.
APRIL, 1944
Tuesday 25
we got up for breakfast & had P.T. first
period & went on to the beach. to do it. It
was cold for a start but once we warmed
up it was xtra. we played rafferty rules
& did a number of exercises. We came
back & changed to 5A's & were inspected
by the C in C area, A/M. Sir Arthur Barrett
Then we had lunch & in the afternoon
did a spot of rifle drill. We then went
to a lecture by an F/O WAG. It was
about Britsol Air Defence. We then
went to the Embassy Hall where the
A/M. gave us a pep talk in which there
was a bit of gun. Then I came to tea &
after that I did all my washing. Then
I had a brisk walk looking for the
dancing place. I washed & hit the hay
There was unparalleled panic for the
A/M today & he saw a very artificial
24 ACMW!!!

APRIL, 1944
Wednesday 26
After breakfast we had a P.Z parade
& the lecture was on unarmed
combat. It was very interesting even
if a bit  bloodthirsty. We changed
& had morning tea then listened to a
Yank sergeant A.G. give a talk & he
was very good. We had lunch &
the whole afternoon was taken up
with rifle work surpervised by the
RAF. Regiment. I had tea then we
went to the dancing in [[?]]
house (Mr Belcher to enquire about
it but he was out. Ken & I walked
to Prudhoe but there was no mail.
we couldn't get a shower so we
came back & I did a bit of writing &
scrawled a letter to Ian. I had a
wash & then got off to bed. A Beau-fighter
beat up the beach today & we
also got our soap coupons.
APRIL, 1944
Thursday 27
We had a long fieldcroft lecture first
two periods & after the break we did a
couple of P.T. I played deck tennis & also
did some physical jerks. Then we had
lunch & we walked to Prudhoe for mail.
In the afternoon we put in two hours
at rifle work & then went to a lecture on
C-O's orderly room in the Meth. Hall.
We came back to tea & then I saw Mr
Belcher with Ken & we fixed up for
Monday night. I went straight to
the pictures & saw., Anthony Adverse"
& Shorts. It was quite good I had a
bath & then got off to bed.

APRIL, 1944
SIXTEEN
Friday 28
We went to breakfast then were issued
with our P.T. shoes. The boys were a bit
more ragged than usual & a report got to
the C.O. & the inevitable show-down came &
he gave us drill for 2900 hrs. We did some
rifle work at the golf links then had dinner.
We did some [[?]] then had a gas lecture
& our Wing Com. (F/L Martins) gave us
a pep talk & used a bit of tact which had
extra good effect up by getting quite a bit
our own way. We had the 1900 parade
cancelled. I had tea then went to Prudhoe
then back home where I wrote home &
wrote a bit xtra. Ken & I went out for
supper & Ron also got a cake today from
Aussie. I came back & read for a short
time then got off to bed.
APRIL, 1944
Saturday 29
We did P.T. on the beach for 1½ hrs & then
changed & went to a lecture by Preno on
law. After that we had a bit of drill &
the boys entertained the locals by doing
a lot of fancy stuff. We had lunch & I
went up & collected my films then we
went to Newcastle by Bus & it was a
rather delightful trip. We mooned about
& I bought a couple of things then we came
home to tea. I had a super meal & came
back then went for a walk & then stayed
in all night. Reg & Chips went to the
pictures. I had a bath & then got off to
bed early.

APRIL, 1944
Sunday 30
I had breakfast in bed & then got up &
shaved etc & went to church at the Meth.
The local preacher was very good & I enjoyed
the whole service. After dinner I cleaned the
fire-place out & then went for a ride to
Blyth by bus. I looked about then walked
halfway home via Newsham Sth, [[?]]
stn & the Seaton Sluice. I passed on old
Hall built as a hollow W & nearby a
building like a miniature St Pauls & up
to the latter was a beautiful long drive
Stirling Castle is in this region but I

didn't see it. I came back & missed out
on tea & then went to the Meth church with
Chips. It was xtra good again. We walked
thro' town & then to the Marine Cafe where
we had some supper. After that we
came home & I had a shower & got off
to bed. The Sandy beach extends the whole
way along the coast here but part is
prohibited. Blyth is nothing much.
MAY, 1944
Monday 1
I got up for breakfast & then changed & we
had a big parade then went to the Meth
hall for a lecture on battle drill. We did
some drill in the street & then had P.T. but
I went to the clothing store instead but
there was a bitch of a WAAF sergeant there
& so I couldnt change my Battle dress. I
had dinner & got letters from Pat & from
home. In the afternoon we spent three
periods at the golf links on pistol
range estimation & battle drill we had
last period off then we went to tea.
I rushed thro' it in order to be ready
for dancing class. Ken Butler, Ron
Exelby, Mick Davis & I all went to it
& it was xtra good. Mr Belcher has many
awards & has coached many famous ballet
& opera folk. I went to Prudhoe & to the
Education office then came home &
washed & got off to bed & read a bit
there.

MAY, 1944
SEVENTEEN
Tuesday 2
After breakfast we had a lecture then
two drill periods & then another lecture
I had more trouble over my battle
dress & P.O flanagan & F/L [[?]] gave
up hope. In the afternoon I played
basket Ball & badminton & then had
a hot shower & saw the RAAF liaison
officer or the station about my Battle
dress & the problem may yet be
solved! I had tea & a haircut & then
doubled up on tea then I came to the
Willow & collected my chocolate
ration & had a drink then went back
to 54 Ventnor Gdns where I wrote home
had a wash, got to bed & read a while
then turned in.
MAY, 1944
Wednesday 3
I went to a period of grenade throwing. It
was good fun but terribly cold. We then
went to the golf links to do tactical work but
it ended up in a smutty story circle.
We did a bit of camouflage & concealment
then came back for lunch. They served tea
out there too. Then we had a lecture & two
drill periods. We were told of the new
schedule & the P/O was heckled over it. It
is a bit grim but we can take it. We
had drill then went to tea & we changed
& went to our dancing lesson. There were
two girls there & we did natural spin
& a bit of fox-trot, then we came home.
It was xtra good tonight. I had a
wash & then got to bed after some
supper at the Marine.

MAY, 1944
Thursday 4
We went on a run for the 0645 P.T. then I
had breakfast. We carried on with a
lesson down by the sea then went out
to the golf links where we spent the rest
of the morning. We had a tactical course
& I joined in voluntarily & it was great. I
had dinner & in the afternoon we were
paid then had a lecture on the Mae
West & dinghy. Then we had a lecture in
St John's hall & knocked off. I paid
in some cash to the Bank & then had
tea. I reported for air raid duty & am
in the stretcher party. I then went to
the pictures with Chips & Ron & saw
Ring's Row once more. It was even
better than the first time. I came back
& had a good wash - we got some more
coal today. I put in my laundry earlier
too. I read & wrote a little & then got off
to sleep. We don't have to get up till an
hour later in future & early P.T. has
been scrubbed.
MAY, 1944
Friday 5
2&3
We had normal periods in the morning
& after dinner section leaders were called
out & we had a lecture on the operations
for the night. We are Huns & defending this
town. I had tea & then went & let Mr
Belcher know we would be unable to
come for our lesson. I then went to Prudhoe
where we were briefed & we made our way
to Redhouse Farm. Half the boys were very
drunk. The exercise went off quietly for us
as no enemy men came thro". I made a
hell of a mess of section leading & have got
very little leadership in me I fear. I must
try to overcome this weakness. I got two
letters from home, one from Doreen, one from
Mrs Morris & the other from Margaret. She
seems to be still very keen & I'm all for it
only I've let her down by not writing. I
don't know who I like better now, Margaret
or Trudy. I patrolled to Monkseaton up
to midnight then changed to a different
beat.

MAY, 1944
Saturday 6
I did my next patrol to the trig point on
the golf links & then came back. Bennison
took a prisoner Final patrol was to
Monkseaton Stn. & then we hit the trail
for home at about 0415 hrs. Some of
the boys went to breakfast but we
had it & turned in. We were woken
about 1000 for the church parade
business & after N.A.A.F.I. we had a lecture
on the [[?]]. After dinner I went to town
(Newcastle) & saw the Black Gate, the keep
of the old church & the cathedral of St
Nicholas. Then I went & did a bit of
shopping. I spent about the most
enjoyable day yet in town. I came
back too late for tea & at 1930 Chips &
I went to the ENSA concert. Mighty
time "in the Empress. It was very
good indeed & had quite a professional
touch. We went to Marine for supper &
then came back. I had a shower &
read a while then hit the hay. I wrote
to Margaret today.
MAY, 1944
Sunday 7
I got up but missed breakfast. Chips &
I went to the church parade at [[?]],
[[still do?]] & did the march for the Salute
the Soldier drive. I had dinner here
then Ken & I went into Newcastle where
we wandered thru the parklands &
watched them sailing model yachts.
Then we cam home to tea & I went to
church at night there was a huge
congregation & the choir also large did
Stainer's Crucifixio [[Hayd?]] [[?]]. It
was another good time. After it. we
were invited out to a Mr & Mrs Watson's
place for supper. Mr Watson plays the
piano & organ & asked us to come round
any time we felt like it. I went with
Don Haith who turns out to have

gone to Wesley too! Chips went to the
Congregational & was also asked
out! There is a nice little girl in the

choir there too (at the Meth.).