Diary of Edward Lloyd Fleming, January- September 1945 - Part 1

AUS430651

F/S FLEMING

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LONDON.

4/6 

23.1.45
There was a lot of mist and the snow fell until about
1600. We first got along in usual way in the morning
and then went to lunch. We got as far as the next
briefing for N/F when they said it was scrubbed so
in the afternoon we knocked about keeping out of
trouble. Len got his car up to the hut and after early
tea we all got dressed and drove to town where
Len & Jack brought Shiela Andrews from the WAAF
xxxx & we had dinner at the Manor House Inn.
Very nice place & quite modern in an old
fashioned way. Jack arranged telegrams for
us all & there was bags of fun. We went to
see "Doughboys in Ireland and North-West Ranges
at the local cinema and then tried the White Hart
for supper unsuccessfully. Took Shiela home &
picked up F/O Hitchman but the car mis-behaved
so we had to push it a lot of the way home.
24.1.45. The weather was very bad and after a
bit of deliberation they decided we could have the
day off so I organized passes. John, Alf and I set off
out the back way to go towards Stratford. We
walked about 1½ miles before an open Ford truck
came along. Very cold trip in the wagon as far as
Tedington where we had to walk a bit more
then got a big semi-trailer to Stratford. We went to
 

the Post Office to get some cash & I met a girl from
Sth Africa. We had dinner at the Julian Shakespeare
café then took a bus out to Warwick. The bus broke
down on the outskirts and so we walked in as far
as the West or Hanging Gate. I took a photo of it &
we went into the Leycester Hospital for pensioned
soldiers, erected in 1571. The kitchen contains such
things as the wardrobe of Q. Elizabeth from Kenilworth
Castle, a very old Saxon chair and mace, a cannon-
ball from the battle of Edgehill. The place is open to
all pensioners, twelve of whom are allowed at a
time, from the 5 local towns. In the quadrangle
the walls are decorated with many crests and
carvings of religious or historic significance. In
one corner is an original stairway erected 1383.
The banqueting hall has no chimney but the smoke
was allowed out by three great windows. The wood
is Spanish mahogany and in this hall, James I dined
in 1617. The chapel stands over the gate and main
features are the flying butresses and a beautiful hand
wrought chandelier and hand carved trellice.
We walked down the street then caught the bus back
to Stratford where we had tea and went to the
Shakespeare Memorial Theatre to see, By Candle Light"
which was rather funny but nowhere near
good enough. The theatre is small but accoustics seemed
perfect and they have a bar & eating room for use
between acts. Spent the night at the United Services
hostel in Alister Rd. in an ill-covered bed & too
short.
25.1.45.  We had a scratch breakfast then at 1000
were kicked out so started off on the road. We
stopped one car & his xxx water tank burst (an English
F/L) so we walked on for some distance alongside
the old horse tramway to Shipston-on-Stour till a
truck came along. It was mighty cold on the back
but we got to Ledington O.K. Another long walk till
a NAAFI. truck brought us all the way to Moreton.
We had dinner in town & walked out to find we had
more leave. I put some photos in my album then Jack
& I went for a walk to Bateford Park. We went in the
back entrance across the fields and it was beautiful
with a thick blanket of snow all over the fields &
the trees making fine lacework with the snow on
their twigs. We walked past the house, home of Lord &
Lady Dulverton, to the little church which came into
view around a corner. It was almost out of this
world like the sun on the trees & snow. We had a
look at the church which contained the names of
many Dulvertons, Mitfords (Redesdales) & Mills. At
 

the back of the church was the family pew. We came
back to the town & had tea at the Cotswold café &
got a lift from the M.O. to the camp. I had tea &
spent the evening in the hut writing.
26.1.45.
We slept in till then got up & I had a bit
of cake and took the bike out & went for a ride
to the Rollright Stones via a couple of little towns. I
saw the curate & got some baskets. These stones are
reputed to be 4000 yrs old. Came back thru Long
Compton with a pretty church and way up to Ladenham
then into camp the back way. They paid us after
dinner and gave us 72 hrs so we raced away again.
Len & I tried to hitch-hike to Rushore but eventually
took the train. We saw Bernard then went to the
Moss house then round to Edna's to see Daisy. I've
got convinced we've both cooled off a lot & she showed
much more interest in Len. Said goodnight & Norrie
drove us to town & we walked to the Angel Hotel
where we nattered till about 2030. Mrs Baldwin gave
us a beaut room and after a wash I raced off to bed.
27.1.45.
Eggs for breakfast after a slashing bath & just
as I started to eat Daisy rang to say she had
ordered a taxi but I cancelled it, because at 1000 we caught
the bus to Worcester then changed into the Birmingham
bus and arrived about 1200. Picked up Irene at her
office & went to the Kamongah Café for a snack then
left them & took a look at Corporation St. Eventually
I got to Snowhill Stn & caught a train to Shrewsbury.
via Wellington. I had a look for the best pub but all
were full so after numerous traversings of Castle St
and High St, I gave it away & came to the Y.M.C.A. The
town is built in an old fashioned style, Elizabethan, &
the streets very narrow, winding & hilly with a
big red stone castle on one hill. After booking in at
the YM. I went for a long walk into the suburbs &
then came to the Salvation Army for tea & made my
way back to the YM. to write this up. Met an
English F/O pathfinder engineer called Harry who
asked me to go to a dance with him. I got ready & at
2015 he called back & with his friend Kay, we went to
the Mattings, an old army camp & danced in a big
gym. I had a slashing time with two of Kay's friends
Ida and Doreen & met a W.Aust girl there. I left about
2330 & walked back home. Had a yarn with an N.Z.
B/A & Harry & then turned in.
[*57*]
28.1.45.
Quite a comfortable night & I had a spot of grub after
 

washing. Went for quite a long walk by the river & thru
residential districts & ended up at the St John's Meth
church. Xtra good sermon & I was able just to stay till
the end. Hurried to the station & caught the 1200 train
to Birmingham. Had to change at Wolverhampton
& I got dinner at the B'ham Services Club. I actually
ordered a cup of tea! At 1500 I got the train to
Worcester and then after waiting an hour the
Moreton - one came in. Got home quite late &
had a good wash & got off to bed.
29.1.45.
I slept in for a long while then got up and
wrote quite a lot of letters. I had dinner in town
and with Jack who arrived about 1100. We tried to
get chocolate at the YM unsuccessfully. In the
afternoon we went on parade then came back to
the hut to get the coal but the C.G.I. came in &
the hut was disgraceful as there was quite a stink
about it & we had to clean it & get the coal. Had
tea then spent the night in the hut writing a
couple of letters. We left Aussie just a year ago
today!
30.1.45.
A very heavy snow storm over night so that
this morning there was about 15 inches on the
ground but the rain had come. We went on
parade & there was a lot of messing about but
they sent us to pictures then I went to see the C.G.I. &
told him about Hal who has had to go to hospital
at Oxford. We were all put to shovelling snow off the
22 runway but there was a deuce of a lot of snow-
fighting & one bloke slung one at the C.G.I. & the
P/S was hit several times. Had dinner & stuck at
the same job all the afternoon. After tea I came
to the hut & wrote a whole lot of letters.
31.1.45.
S/L Baron had a full inspection and then we went
to a lecture in intelligence, followed by an accident
prevention one in the briefing room. They called us
from it to clear more of the runways - there was
apparently a row with the C.I. & C.O. We had
lunch and then spent the afternoon messing
about, ending up in "A" flt. listening to F/L Bolt.
talk on tactics. I saw Cooper & got a new broom
after tea put it together then washed my sox
& did a spot of darning. They brought some
sandwiches back from the YM & I had a few then
shaved & showered & went to bed.
1.2.45.
The boys all struggled on to parade and I got
 

fired up at intelligence then we went & did an hour's
P.T. after break. In the afternoon they cancelled
briefing so we went to a tactics lecture by F/L Bolt.
but it was corny. They briefed at 1730 but flying
was scrubbed so I stayed in the hut & read a bit &
also cooked my apricots which were beautiful &
I also toasted some bread.
2.2.45.
By way of variation we did some A/rec. with
Goldsworthy's crew then after break we met
Jack's brother Phil. I did a period of link & had
dinner. In the afternoon we were briefed & I
got an exchange voucher for my u/clothes. I had
an early tea & had a shave & shower & collected
my clean laundry. We flew at 2030 & I got on
quite well. Had aircrew supper then hit the 

hay.
3.2.45.
As we finished late we didn't get up till a
good deal later & I took in my laundry & also
got some new u/wear. Just messed about till
dinner time & after dinner I rode to town & sent
a parcel home. We were briefed & after a lot of
wrangling I got an extra kite & we went
up at 1800. Did O.K. but weather became very
duff so we gave it away. Had N/F supper then I 

got off to bed.
4.2.45.
Eddy Walsh went to church & we bods slept in rather
late. We wouldn't do F/A so I organized some leave for the
afternoon. They gave me the wrong train times at the
guardroom so we missed the 1210 & I decided to hitch.
Jack, Alf & Len came & we walked about three miles
down the Stow road when the Cheltenham bus came
along & we took it as far as Andoversford. Luckily there
was a transport there so we held on the sides to
Oxford stopping near Whitney for some food.

Hand drawn diagram – see original
"ROAD TO OXFORD"

4.2.45
The driver dropped us
at Wolvercote & we took the
bus to Radcliffe Infirmary where
we saw Hal & met some super nurses. We
 

left at about 1730 & had tea at the Meth. canteen & put a
call thru to the R.T.O. In the evening we went to a
service in the Meth. church & it was excellent. The
minister, called Richardson, was in Aussie in 1938 &
knew the Oldmeadows & Miles. We then went to the
pictures to see, "Across the Pacific"- nauseatingly
American and stupid. Had supper at the YM then
went to the station where we had a bit of trouble
getting the right train but just caught it & got
home about 2359.
5.2.45
I missed breakfast but got up soon after it
and got the lads up & we had a lecture in the
photographic section on ditching. After dinner we
got the coal and then went to P.T. where we had
a good game of badminton. Had a shower & after tea
steamed out the hut. Did a lot of writing then got
off to bed.

Hand drawn diagram – see original

CARRYING COALS

6.2.45. We missed parade and got a job or two
from crew assembly. I did a bit of link and then
helped clean out crew assembly. After dinner we
went to P.T. as flying was cancelled. Did same
AML with Eddy too and then had tea. Spent the
evening in the hut then we all went to the
pictures to see "Passage to Marseilles".
7.2.45.
Today there was unparalleled panic in
preparation for a visit by the A.OA. tomorrow. In
the morning I did link and then went to F/Control
and had a ride into town but my films weren't
ready. Had three good periods at badminton then
dinner. Spent the afternoon gardening and polishing
the floor of A/ship for the big bull inspection.
Spent the evening cleaning my bike & putting a new
cotter pin in it. Had a shower & hit the hay.
8.2.45
After a big purge the other day, parade was well attended
and then we got various jobs & did some P.T.
Went to dinner & got briefed and at 2100 we took off on
our dual X/C to Frome - St Mary's - St Davids etc. We
got to Land's End O.K. but Alf mucked up his I/C &
the screen w/op passed out when trying to contact
him. Jack left his nav. to go to his assistance &
 

in the end we arrived at ETA P. Hardwick but not
a sign of anything & GEE & all radio u/s. We then
saw the Manston [[vault]] and after roaming
about there not knowing definitely whether we
were over land or sea, or where England
lay, with a shortage of juice & its big cloud,
one of our many "darky" calls was
answered by Warmwell who put on their
lights and allowed us to land. We had just
taken searchlight distress action when a darky
call was answered by Warmwell. We lost the
trailing aerial on landing & the drome was grass
but F/L Bolt landed it heavily & we went to
control then they drove us to the officers' mess for
supper & we were given blankets at the guard room
& got a bed. A Mosquito with same trouble arrived
about 0300 with an Aussie nav.
9.2.45
We got up about 0930 & I looked for a wash room
then we handed in our blankets and went to the
sgts mess where we cleaned up and had a meal.
F/L Bolt called for us in his transport & we went
to control and after a good bit of waiting about, took
off about 1330 & flew at 1500 ft home. Only just
landed to find we were on bombing so we had
dinner then got the main points of briefing and
at 1730 took off for dual bombing. Had an xtra good
trip but the wind was not accurate so we got a
huge error. Eddie was a bit disappointed. Had
supper and then came to bed.
10.2.45.
We got up late and I went to the flight and
got on F/A. We had more interviews with the
S.N.O. over our trip of the 8th. when we were plotted
near Cherbourg. Jack was absolved from all the
blame. Had an xtra good F/A period then came
back to find we were on an A/C. Fixed up all maps
etc and had a bit to eat then took off about 2000
after some trouble with oxygen. Had a good trip
on the N.E. route but the heating in the kite was
very poor & the temp about -45. Went to interrogation
and had supper & hit the hay. Had a 2nd
nav. on board too.
11.2.45
Were able to have a good lie in and rose about 1130.
After dinner we waited for briefing which was postponed
until 1800 and later on scrubbed. It was rather
wet so we decided not to go to church and instead just
nattered in the hut & listened to the hymn-singing. Got
off to bed rather late.
 

12.2.45.
We went on parade then got jobs from crew
assembly. We did some dinghy drill and then had
dinner and in the afternoon waited for briefing but
X/C's were cancelled so I got the day off. Jack and Hal
and I went to Evesham in a G.P.O. van & I called at
Broadway to collect my films. We saw the old abbey
at Evesham & the 1130 Norman gateway. The bell
tower for the church is a bit apart and a beautiful
structure. We walked a way out of town then got a
bus to Broadway then walked about 4 miles until
a car driven by an S/L picked us up. We had
a drink in town and then went to see "A Guy
Named Joe" and all I can say is - it was American.
Walked back and got off to bed
13.2.45.
Our leave continued today & we got up rather late
then had a shower & shave and went to the flight &

met. After dinner we went to briefing and were
put on bombing. We got away after a bit of delay
and found our wind but finger trouble brought
us back & when the trouble was located we took off
again. We bombed with the old wind & the bombs fell
together but over 300 yds from the target. Came back & did
a fighter affil & landed then went up again to
bomb. We had an error of 68 yd at 20000 ft! -
almost a record. We were very late to bed, not
turning in till about 0600!
14.2.45.
We stayed in bed until about 1300 - I had a
shower & shave and had dinner. We reported for
briefing and then got all our stuff ready. At about
1930 we took off on the northeastern route - to
St. Dunmow - Thirsk - 5000 N 0200 E - Stiffkey - Base.
We had a good trip but Jack had a bit of trouble
with his navigation. But we got back O.K. Had a
bit of trouble taxying then came to supper & had
our supper & got off to bed.
15.2.45.
Had a shower when I got up and then went
to dinner and we waited about for briefing.
We were put on to bombing but during the afternoon
we heard it was scrubbed so we just wrote a few
letters. I had tea & helped Len with his car then rode
into the pictures to see "Lassie Come Home" which
was very good. Shiela was there too & a friend of Lens.
I rode back & hit the hay.
16.2.45.
Paraded then were put down for F/L Bolt's
tactics lecture but we had done it so bludged in