Diary of Edward Lloyd Fleming, January- September 1945 - Part 2

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
AWM2019.22.128
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

intelligence Hed dimee + fitted up my leg, and then which is at the maction of glas. Wores, tosnosed & o. Came bach fioh Evelade accoucouty wrott a bit. In the afternaon we I will to the new sestion and wroth yp s on the P.R. cps to mother and asI was wasing over the dide In tlt afterson I went for a rar out th2e a plying conted bloke gave me a lift I had te and in the weving sleaned & puessed my nonory and back in to the It. welfaed was I lasta sherg shere went t trather spent to impms stitting Did a bit of stedy ten teteed in e days sal hek were a bit evening in the hut nisgell tonight lostey had to do a test 1224/ ae Ctlys Ia on parad I put in my flgel & flew in claid a lot canndry I dt to assembly but th cas sicher 1824 we aleyed inbed wnat quit latt and then want e ant to go to a actu to the biling ison after brak b begamyld 15 for us but I woulde to lave a slaver ite abslt 100 they concelled all Yr so I applied for the day off Saw &/ Bolt ths went have aoy of £oso bledged After dier we weae on Raladl then I wangled the day off I waden thre ass ealiec wold im us and ther said thre the wood + by rsad to Couble, a put disppear we split up, Aff, Hel went to star and I wiht for a waek bee dor to batstoed Bibs then little village 22 mills away. So te 4 county store heme a glorous asternoon with lots of sunchine high jures clsud and the countifad losked tautiful the tresar showing sign of lusding ane shall tee they went to chuch with Jack & Manay an met Aff who came too as wasked back to the forc cagane and the dr. the had a sing song o us staed to shas supper too then spot off to bed 1245 heds showld o chave before trakfeette WOIWIII
2.246 we sept in te luh time and thenI int on sick paisd Hed a semes tack wid the de ho semed to trat y probl of but tislly and get up and had a ser sheal then went to gare what I consider ls advice I reported to de sli lmch. We saw te hading foll and oot last augh and the san back th but get de lats up therare first tiip passed but they ewere doubtful about t miasclel ups todays at lad on ifpied day second then we went to brufing and were put on a bullenye- Bax boughers Bedferd Tumsbt off but get the os. Ofthe dinie we waited for dreay Costlound Cantebury Wonden Cosele soa veros they hild i dpit hst tsking weatter but at 125 weel P base e bambed ared t at Iun it was imbled hhad to sent the earning in the Rch and a Ccufigale inccipted us, but dent but About s0 is lenactes ws dourted her seeved out of it We came badd to hander & had all were tyngto get in together & b just dewn hime saichlight ton uis but weared out of son a trie shambles I ssiste a bito did a spot of t wight then continued on with 1 ye wege woll te got off to bed beel say tate ofter t his in the air tne inthegal e4 We were up quitt carty and went on parsde then & had suppo hit the hay 12:2:45 we reported fs sightl offit but it was peusted so we fust muchld absut, watched the haves take we slept in until about 400 then Ilad a stewer & went to limech and same back to the Rut to wait for off and then had diner we were creefed to do leating and had tther od off a bet early seme in with briffing tol hed it as usual and about 1750 they soluble suetisn tronbl but tol off again + did a boobing tep llyig so we went to the pistures to see. Meet the Reple but it was a wing stew te lembss the then ease down & sai the results then took of the seand trip tey seckon failed & we te we in ttie puescartion set off to bee but were thim to stick another the soh made a bad blue waled by manou driks tate on 4245 by giving us a gree and he ten gave a green to a Ehap A seo Ruckily we sea hon & stoppes we Igrt up early and besked in at the ous exumbly had supper & Rut te Ray and werl given a fun Jobs. I had lunch and in the
te led a dearr and share and repaled to A afteron went to the trifarg here put on a noss county to refer Wilden Lundayke thish oe ws slight we were not dearr to fly & Ichecled ip on Ralited P.H bec a verygred le and eerything Oe F1A yesterdays boonling Ha s went off well. I'm afeaid a haven't been petting gt a fair blt of timke in the but then went to the flight agtion we ssent dewse to fly so I eent t a fa deal here eas they avent tries to puci afternato in the but our A Ct. cblustmas paicels ther at all in fact Hoe had to ack time againfor esmteday + they contained dreed frial td ett we have lone fret checalall pl pudding fruit cale tolu 2:26 we slpt in tel late again sen thet a share purder shaving sq wrg papse wlhes pencil, took past slaving reto & eigartle sape sa we said godby to Goldaorys eves who tobec after to I worked and wsent ina passed out talley Ihad dimner found out what we such with Jack and All and it was quite were doing in the evening we atteded 445 trifing the mand about trest of the afteron ws has goed bane hemdwroll a bit ter got off to be te & feet nettered untl 100 when we went to the 26 fie sented twe lick off 22007 NA ws cancelled so I was upearly and we got all ready to ply but they were we stroged off to Vstens + bamded they only pletted indecided abut the matter &itutually seubled it we booked in at fu assenbly and te Ihad benl & wten all get back so we have to bail por the photes depened the Compy right out & n about as they had us down for / atiseo ae get off absut out of t tedy we had aupper I had a jain to 14r went well last past basssed & Jel and comin bal in had juut ordee ilked whil 1706 peter into Bst witer about the consersion th is in beg with tne pated &0m endian Could i no to new wil net oficer Jach has eterpplied for his drimsation so called on Darky and ther a Igot in umnursie we accilted as en applicant set to lay about 1300 reply authorized o masage b a aos Bertly atter wids we lighted ty dramne & dought we saw the 245 this morning I stayed in bed untl about and figtte lasd followed him in delad not been
out with te capting I went to de very abrary to beas speking to us lasias, tthe message was ritteded for a retal of Butteven mus& bued (mus o & to eas his beraly 5ro much we were cann played op27 62 Backe in te but I wrot tranc ended for prmpt active taken. by de time in got baik we were ready for te + in t evening Pstage end her got off to bed in t hut & wist to sit the wate in de abbetans was off 1245 but Twas ast le have a shewer CG inspected the buts He wer upearly again and I get my shiit, yoeas to a fling give bxchanged at the clothing store then his can weat at to sten a wold tonight I tal th bays to an interviw with te 01 and he Rlye wished in all the bust were parted to Storgalt A.C5 I got of early and managed to wangle a day we had dime then saw the 70 who gave us 140 lighter offit tus is very well and had tch went to the flight in the afternaon and they toldne 77.8 the we were paid completed the clarances we have finished we made up our Esg soaks At we pustel off and cought the 1042 tiain to before tea and in the evening we went tt town leading Arrisid Te carly abauty so and sowent t al senty sawel at te Palace seates the good t te pictures to see lost Augll secand veewing sauditl stew with beautiful dausing be was exually as goodes & juit steff we caught a at 224r to butte My 2262 I finisted to be backs and we had onr sit Males wal playing up a whole let but I manager to pt ame sigh we cived butt ano se in peeter. Jast Ofter dime we saw t500 and w to t Cas no shew for conmesioning why bad er siggage, als led wishments te only know if Pepper its can get the tat locks the agiin t bow & there was an officer in t ampert getting his jack too I got steak in to cleargans all w was gong regst ano t not i fad cded him to lit up which he did ungranduly and late tre with te begs and they has tw Dida when a netilol lit of a cigestl said thad d man whole st of wosting and the muched about with tt levent you got eny Oleddy ncandesd promptly three fire whill mited t but out, hend I boled a te suddee ofor Arriall Bedessed C0746 septing der to flue putled the bhiking fl
die here two ies arein tho army the other two guts an 2eye I went a de logel Htotel and John Tar got spaed away, one being meriies, te other engaged & working up a whole lot and then we phoned ths todetern will ye after dimner s wrot up my deary and had a took at the tumn of Bilford. we tool a ten a little hame and read put a little that took us to meattime again. Aftertia we wested ap then and aried c.120 Met Mildork, Margantla sayce (manied) we had a sittl wast met the went into the front room + natters & tistenca to the radie. Hhe whole lamily came in &hist soe it the lead after dier we phoned the bad a assut it was real lanny life oge t ab is de dee Aqultture In speeter for thss parts, and out of it. Lot off to de rest about 2208 by ack us for a drive along the Loridge valley torrengtth son to Reassed where be had to auut s046 we were sitled at sbout onre and had bealfen wa fems I catribick a diffirent way & duppe then went & did de warting up let changed & is it Bidefred & we walked allt here slad text we went to church with ths s Mis Cack Not & par sent to evening natthing + sharing arcand tiabarly good senon or service we came back to pictures we bet to bay bus dimer which was collocal. she church was at Obbatile 2245 Our day started about midday when we got of we wasledupand the went to the Asbolitam sfp ror isan county Beautiful seenry II wrote ta little & kepted the bott wid sonte stuing and de saithre was grand wid high clisps and I dch at lorrington is o of the few with a sir to there parts o sust neas it is a moniment to a bomddlia a rely beach we drpbed us on to a high tor and sfull see al we sefoit day, the Entiance to battle faught tere the juidge at sideord has each Law & way out wlat to kindy Island we spect a diffirent sue secording to the wealk of the same back three a big property and then had th parihes which sppled to meny be have her is this property is sal by Sir Hh stalel who is he reputed to be soo geaus old and is descuting witl by sut o Morto hodde acros te roas ws uda hem aerss You have be stapp to get thire te doore a begt siled in th evening & played to pran a Herex o chilken in te painly two bays hill, John
lphs it was padite takked for a which other but the Rag. Sawan Iin calls. tht in, had out, in sidifoed the Cedderbluse in leading 22:45 we got called quite carly again and after belfar we cleased JoGris and Maygauts biles and the get ready to go occt seel d bus to blaaelly abau y wills fila dex Aussteps at t t o t u and the said you was dover by a wonding e blstere pach into the vidlage which was asaed for 50 gears by Auster Hamlyn &t has now been a cmpary award offace the had td in a little case the went t to the water on the way we paised some old tai yoring and alls a docr vay served by Oater Kang at Aderaunagan Hught by this staniyn the houses are all very cant and quitt augath eslored and are built shish sd the pads ateed with it reght deaeto the water. os the watte front were a number little fishing losts te the were repaiig then the gy as a substantial offair buill with soled ste other is a manulight at the end of it the sid hie stotel is ught on te water and the till must some allost to its walls. We get on to the Hobby Drive and wacked for ths knles to te men soad see some beautiful panoramcs or the way around and sew a blt of kndy Island to distance he waitedo while for the bus th started to walk and pta oft in a coal truet to ken here lod the refecbed up and then same into the fieat room pyrepllas to pian abl 6245 wewere up carly again and after trakfect, woile up the went to then in the ear to to therket we stracted the te slewoeg partwat nis lo ten bianched off t hare a tth at to tings by mmnid Victrio Lardens we made our way back thes te twn doing a lot of windew stipping I went to to station kund my libe had arded ten we had a us at the chuck in which his de ledy of lishard Bensill Had di wad his toes mis Wickell at the s andther we had a leck in the cath marke bt bnees was ouer so we came some I planea te piam and mate a bit and ofter ti we Quide tpp to dear at littleham wcked 3 mds there id J Corl and had an ilier goed time boyaid send ra nice newd and fair plan John say ifa gil smbes in tee parto its a sign mordsc se let s a satbit ying on the past office
sme mere caybouse extet my tole ill. I had a cnte ra wrether uand its mitth with a slans woh at last nights prong th thhe seely made a in d John Affeys I walked hime geot off to be mess of the Dimipl we misses the thris gas 22:45 wores tart out. toe kitler & rade the at lan we slept in a bil today and then get up to and write for a time tn we had th t the dreklast nothing ils to do so we toble a wall to evening we set in te pent rom & I read a bit Nrton Lodge, Neme of Sir thugh Statel, & had a lask at the gardias the They are all laid out and M Cl in his sirsd Dramn said If us can misst retlactivly arranged Ofter dune we stayen ptacies in one place, us son fit anoe in at the Buse & white I had a very Ladniggly &d another can't utrefuring to the Cline titryendtr sat out on the buch & rea a whice £246 After tea Mrs Mis Cork John S Joyee & I ment to a we went to our old pt in the morning and ichetts te male foll took ddelightful walk acn did 5 more pills than justerday Beautiful for the fields to the coast just neve sunsit and the waking Llad dinner & John Eenter to write but I went to Ridhed, then & srtam on ptiter was imforgulable tooking acros to rich to tike Between Northem & Appeldore I subed vally said the ary purkr bbud the sea filling as at an oed twer called Chantees filly buill the Rollow A wis evening with a bong in supper about 150 ys epd by a filla casled theale to we camleng tiched a miletin over alsing witl his ships cime in but it wosn't high this place tere atended to sed mch mugh to be weated a that maney pilllr to 2245 upatrers and ofter breakfeet get a bet tdy Buth attle fishig aillage and fous siatee& tother side of the livee Pisched on to weatward the and went out of the fild for hiee of th ed nar sis nans sonding redged in suly laxes Wrotehen, to spepd manne nec workin day in ae saund his place oobe pul lagl a sert of to aming se pred i pils knacked off at 1240 relids rent built way a de six & to Lt hads beaut lund t afternaon you nb at let part I paid the same beaulyll went to a cattle sall but shad & go to tean gat
ge cunty s by sstates ther Abbitilam back neygents friend Drothy inorters and later s sime Spirt to lvening reading & nothing before arrived to be evening I shawed them ourplying exuipment and then in nattered until quit late to fie 10:2:45 122:46 we get up at the aruat time and after the pretion we put in mnother morning in our manuce fof and lave about half a monings work tgo neres, went out to our field and finished off our lame in for dinnor and then in te afternaon & dung spreading I rode into town to get som buake get shill into cleaning my like out ot be pent salls its and then came back along th Abbotalam part as it was such a glensus afternasn. I took road. Saw the hospital grammor Eetocl and one &th all the pidal mechanism to bits & get it all back sedges of Morton & walled acrow country three som quill or In the evening w set about te fire are nice green field all full of ship & cauls, to the oly whd sam in for stomer I sent the early plaged a game caltol who knows I redd quitt a et littered to the wuiles the pinchs or theos in pall of the efternoon firing my like and ton go dreed and John and I walked yf to take it buste dien ex nerly rased eaith derries witl possibly Eduas while waiting we withh a stoot lik a free Lewtheme gilvin on to of them playing on a beak of leaves Ede met the sus & drove 4:345 its home and its had tea then withed along th upat to usual time and at 1045 I went to abs in pidford the bussar of Exgshill wirti sched her feo and picked ome daffedtels and then went ao to have a bak at an old Church. A tasll in it read i, bes te preached and he was very nad. which puts the date at 1004 & I should I went to the station and collected my plying cletting & made my way out tere to likner we say icubtion pa below in & 840 had suattle sumly day I intended oing to the wsde or semitting to tet esact the INTA siffs but my lite was eps a I stapped back= building is now t ruins Hornendea INE thed 4 be it Absat 103 John and Pevent for sus to Weetwass to where one of his ne 1644 will to te Ruttren hoad and then sack for tex was working and then ws came back and sal
Let back in an heur 10 miles and had tea arend the pires talked Bill came e42 after ae sent a tyicat evening in the lag day having belnto a N.C mating and led h hame to visitias book in the Leadwerty cucs was we get rgit off to bed te jirst audiation to do so Hsite nayant called uas usual and we were tea I got ys and we had treakfael and then we given to new pt to cut us sea oal boughs did the washing up and plcked our kit and the family sent to town to mecket so ruly waited for th ths. It arrises about no and Mdiarit, Bell, John, John & I were at lunch the seed smilt bedutefu as we sawed it we shid goodlys to do Corks and dear into ton thro In Laltenson John wasked aplt let ane luggag oyganizes and I teught som fis in th and al 1224 te hain ltt shad too copper & we baiked of all our dirty clothes to stand to bute but it was as after tat 3 he we had waited thm w kept the aster sent a Algram to nureton at Limplesmbe to and John had a batt i te wasktous in a for this further posting instruction we tul but when this bost came in the said to saw the spire at Salishury and it lasked beautiful use the beth upitares ao shadmins in beiny and then whn we aclived at watelos we fet he I had tea and i spent to evening as s mll station bus to kings bisss Had a let of amind te fire & ayce played te siden be troble with bit storage and eintealy put left stayed ye till ito 6 bele teid Naw slaw my tite behord a picle of tin: John went t 14242 sud to Andres at west wicklam I went to lp early and off to our sot of sewing to dix Sictors league get isson 57 went to Ascander a very by log and I aplt it up thes we came d to dlive some rigarittes to this Kattan the to Crrel which was charactriatially Rige cen backs had a deligiful supper o cadas In the ofterann I rast do like up the sth to Atleneum listamatt in Exqule lo Louet tally as far as Bradwordy son the Rertham water slipply and the knd chuck nearle b dusle up no thr we waced sack to
Sie heage togeter, I had a beautful bast and the fit to ray 1245 sere 123 fell any dose during the night odere was a buy boat about spot yf 0710 had a week and went to sralfest and also rang Jhn leffy but Moutsn had no prech instructions I put my sncall lugage in at Kng biss then raid woud to Sodal sbled collected my mail tit John & we got on the noutbound tratn which left 1020. My fite was ok Saw Pituanrough Eachedral & changed tains at Rifford Ditage of tiamsport at Lanborough so we had a hnuild bok at the town the same out to comp thre of tothers was here soIm in a bit of a flat ghin we had egp for aa prida of diplit for eating i saw Muay raloes in de nides ither can back her thas to swep about some pieces & ten wrot a set 1 after a wish get all t bed the Desiis batt, the tre I hro, the Etags thae 14 I get up et o78 and wasted then went t great reate march to brakfect we paiaded and tn tell the adjutant about ove rloes there waral a much ntos te cild do the so we fust wated seut wull de afteaon the didnt knew till 1020 we set in a lar + wad most of the time then the news anised that we were to return to Morter Et isil warrants its and caw t past office ther we went to ax. to the evening I wille a lst of mail and went to have a look at a lus mill nearly, the venes were made of Deatherboard o ishould say to whole offace would be about raeft high 1245 we got up in good time I washed in cold wal at lso a tendd picked us up from four site thl us in to Sanisboro. We get the roytn and it tisk us to letford while the London train left at 110l the suny down was very bad, slew and unconffortable I sat on some cus in te unider, and we eventually accived about 1045 instead of 1515. our tiam to this unit (vore) should lawe gone at 1600 rowed had it we had so tex and then get atore to Bddington but with all aye suggage be chargge 5/9 se then tried to lind t whither we nad a retun her from the 270 & at 2120 they golaee to sey yes. So I went to the Victorie heague gou the night quatty tere

intelligence. Had dinner & filled up my log, and then
wrote a bit. In the afternoon we I went to the nav.
section and wrote up some Gen on the D.R. compass
In the late afternoon I went for a run out the 22
runway and back on to the Gt. Wolford road.
I had a shower & shave & went to tea then spent the
evening in the hut.
17.2.45.
Jack & Eddy & I went on parade & I put in my
laundry. I went to assembly but the CGI kicked
me out to go to a lecture in the briefing room After
break he organized P.T. for us but I wouldn't
have any of it & so bludged. After dinner we went
on parade then I wangled the day off & I walked
thru the wood & by road to Evanlode, a pretty
little village 2½ miles away. Saw the 4 county stone
Hand drawn diagram – see original
which is at the junction of Glos. Worcs, Warwick &
Oxon. Came back from Evenslode across country
to Moreton and as I was walking over the drome
a flying control bloke gave me a lift. I had tea
and in the evening cleaned & pressed my
uniforms & clothing. Did a bit of study then
turned in. The boys (Hal & Len) were a bit
niggilly tonight 'cos they had to do a test
flight & flew in cloud a lot.
18.2.45.
We stayed in bed until quite late and then went
to have a shower etc. About 1400 they cancelled all
N/F so I applied for the day off. Saw F/L Bolt & he went
thru our earlier X/C with him us and then said to
disappear. We split up, Alf & Hal went to Stowe and I
went for a walk via Dorn to Batsford Park & then
home. A glorious afternoon with lots of sunshine &
high cirrus cloud and the countryside looked
beautiful. The trees are showing signs of budding now.
I had tea then went to church with Jack & Murray and
met Alf who came too. All walked back to the Y.M.C.A.
and in there, they had a sing-song so we stayed to
it & had supper too. Then I got off to bed.
19.2.45.
I had a shower & shave before breakfast & then
 

 


went on sick parade. Had a serious talk with the doc
who seemed to treat my problem a bit lightly and
gave what I consider duff advice. I reported to the flight
and then came back to the hut & got the lads up. There were
numerous check-ups today & we had an unofficial day
off but got thru O.K. After dinner we waited for briefing
& they held it despite crook looking weather but at 1715

it was scrubbed. I had tea & spent the evening in the
hut. About 2030 15 Lancasters were diverted in here &
all were trying to get in together & be first down hence
a terrific shambles. I wrote a bit & did a spot of
work then got off to bed.

20.2.45
We were up quite early and went on parade. Then
we reported for fighter affil. but it was scrubbed so
we just mucked about, watched the Lancs take
off and then had dinner. We were briefed to do bombing
and had tea then took off a bit early. Larne in with
suction trouble but took off again & did a bombing trip
then came down & saw the results then took off &
the second trip they reckon failed & we told
them top stick another. The A.C.P. made a bad blue
by giving us a green and he then gave a green to a
chap at 300'. Luckily we saw him & stopped. We
had supper & hit the hay
21.2.45. We slept in till lunch time and then I
got up and had a shower & shave then went to
lunch. We saw the bombing folk and got last nights
first trip passed but they were doubtful about the
second. Then we went to briefing and were put
on a bullseye - Base-Loughboro'. Bedford - Green's Park
- Eastbourne - Canterbury - Windsor - Wells - 5400N0200E
- Wells. P.H. base. We bombed a red T.I. at Green
Park and a Beaufighter intercepted us but I cork_
screwed out of it. We came back to London & had
searchlights on us but weaved out of them
all right then continued on with the X/C. We got
back very late after 6 hrs in the air. Were interrogated
& had supper & hit the hay.
22.2.45.
We slept in until about 1130 then I had a shower
& went to lunch and came back to the hut to wait for
briefing. We had it as usual and about 1730 they scrubbed
flying so we went to the pictures to see "Meet the
People" but it was a corny show - the "homeless flea"
was an xtra good cartoon. Got off to bed but were
wakened by numerous drunks later on.
23.2.45.
I got up early and looked in at the crew assembly
and were given a few jobs. I had lunch and in the
 

 


afternoon went to the briefing. Were put on a cross-country
to Saffron Walden - Gunthorpe - Thirsk - 5920N0230E - Wells
- Radstock - P.H. - base. A very good trip and everything
went off well. I'm afraid we haven't been getting quite
a fair deal here 'cos they haven't tried to push us
thru at all - in fact I've had to ask time & again for
all we have done.
24.2.45.
We slept in till late again then I had a shave &
shower. We said goodbye to Goldsworthy's crew who
passed out today. I had dinner & found out what we
were doing in the evening. We attended 1445 briefing &
then messed about the rest of the afternoon. We had
tea & just nattered until 2030 when we went to the
control tower. Took off 2200 & N.F.A. was cancelled so
we stooged off to Odstone & bombed. They only plotted
5 when we got back so we had to wait for the
photos. I opened the Wimpy right out & got about 200
out of Reg today. We had supper & I had a yarn to
Bas-Walker about the commission. He is in big with
the new WAAF met. officer. jack had also applied for his
commission & was accepted as an applicant. Hit the
hay about 0300.
25.2.45.
This morning I stayed in bed until about 1100 and
then had a shower and shave and reported to "A"
flight. We were not down to fly & I checked up on
our F/A & yesterday's bombing. Had lunch & spent
a fair bit of time in the hut then went to the
flight again. We weren't down to fly so I spent the
afternoon in the hut. Our A.C.F. Christmas parcels
came today & they contained dried fruit, tinned
fruit, chocolate, plum pudding, fruit cake, talcum
powder, shaving soap, writing paper & envelopes,
pencil, tooth paste, chewing gum & cigarette paper &
tobacco. After tea I washed & and went in to
church with Jack and Alf and it was quite
good. Came home & wrote a bit then got off to bed.
26.2.45.
I was up early and we got all ready to fly but they were
undecided about the weather & eventually scrubbed it.
We booked in at Crew Assembly and then I had lunch.
They had us down for F/A at 1300 & we got off about
1440: went well east past Barford St John and coming
back  we had just broken cloud when W/O Epstein in the
Hurricane reported 5-10 min endurance. Could see no
dromes about so called on Darley and then as I got no
reply, authorized an 'O' message for a QDM. Shortly afterwards
we sighted the drome & thought we saw the
fighter land & followed him in. He had not been
 

 


speaking to us however, & the message was intended for
"Y" to say he'd be ready 5-10 minutes. We were commended
for prompt action taken. By the time we got
back we were ready for tea & in the evening I stayed
in the hut & wrote a bit. The water in the ablutions was off
but I was able to have a shower. C.G.I. inspected the huts &
Len's car went O.K. to Stow-on-Wold tonight.
27.2.45.
I got up early and managed to wangle a day
fighter affil. trip. Did very well and had lunch.
I went to the flight in the afternoon and they told me
we have finished. We made up our log books
before tea and in the evening we went to town
to the pictures to see "Lost Angel". Second viewing
was equally as good as the first.
28.2.45.
I finished the log books and we had our bit
inspected. Just after dinner we saw the S.N.O. and went
to the C.G.I. - no show for commissioning, why God

only knows, if Pepper etc can get them. Hal looks like
getting his & Jack too. I got stuck in to clearances all
afternoon with the boys and then had tea. Did a
whole lot of washing and then mucked about with the
fire which smoked the hut out, Len & I poked a
sapling down the flue & pulled the blinking flue
out with the sapling. I went to the NAAGI library to hear
a recital of Beethoven music & LAC Creed (Mus. Doc.)
played Op 27 No 2. Backe in the hut I wrote & ironed
and then got off to bed.
1.3.45.
We were up early again and I got my shirt, u/wear
tie & flying gloves exchanged at the clothing store. Then
I took the boys to an interview with the C.G.I. and he
wished us all the best. We're posted to Sturgate A.C.S.
We had dinner then saw the M.O. who gave us T.A.B. &
T.T. & then we were paid & completed the clearances.
At 1600 we pushed off and caught the 1642 train to
Reading. Arrived there early, about 17.30 and so went
to see Sandy Powell at the Palace Theatre. Xtra good
vaudeville show with beautiful dancing - no low
stuff. We caught the train at 2245 to Exeter. My
needles were playing up a whole lot but I managed
to get some sleep. We arrived Exeter 0400 & shifted
our luggage & also had some refreshments. Went
again at 0540 & there was an officer in the compartment
who was lying right across the seat so Jack asked 
him to sit up which he did ungraciously and later
when a matelot lit up a cigarette, said "Good God man,
haven't you got any bloody manners" & promptly threw
the window open. Arrived Bideford c. 0745.
 

 


2.3.45.
I went to the Royal Hotel with John & we got cleaned
up a whole lot and then we phoned thru to the farm &
had a look at the town of Bideford. We took a taxi
and arrived c. 1130. Met Mrs Cork, Margaret (16) &
Joyce (married). We had a little walk & met Mr
Cork & Mr Read. After dinner we phoned Mr Read who
is the war Agriculture Inspector for these parts, and
he took us for a drive along the Lorridge valley to
Lorrington & onto Beaford where he had to visit
some farmer. He came back a different way & dropped
us in Bideford & we walked out here. Had tea &
spent the evening nattering & showing around
pictures. We hit the hay 2300 hrs.
3.3.45.
Our day started about midday when we got up
& I wrote a little & helped Mr Cook with some sewing.
The church at Lorrington is one of the few with a spire in
these parts & just near it is a monument to a Cromwellian
battle fought there. The bridge at Bideford has each
span a different size according to the wealth of the
parishes which supplied the money. The house here is
reputed to be 200 years old and is low ceiling with big
beams across. You have to stoop to get thru the doors.
There are 8 children in the family - two boys, Bill & John
live here & two others are in the army. The other two girls are
away, one being married, the other engaged & working
with N.A.A.F.I. After dinner I wrote up my diary and
a letter home and read just a little & that took us
to meal-time again. After tea we washed up then
went into the front room & nattered & listened
to the radio. The whole family came in & just sat
about & it was real family life & gee, I got a buck
out of it. Got off to the nest about 2200.
4.3.45.
We were called at about 0830 and had breakfast
then went & did the washing up. Got changed &
we went to church with Mr & Mrs Cork. Not a particularly
good sermon or service. We came back to
dinner which was collosal. The church was at Abbotsham
We washed up and then went to the Abbotsham
cliffs more or less across country. Beautiful scenery
and the coastline was grand with high cliffs and
a rocky beach. We climbed up on to a high tor and
could see all over Bideford Bay, the entrance to the
R. Taw & way out west to Lundy Island. We
came back thru a big property and then had tea.
This property is owned by Sir Hugh Stucly who is the
owner of Moreton Lodge across the road, [[was?]] used as
a boys school. In the evening I played the piano a
 

 


little & it was pathetic. Talked for a while & then hit the
hay. Saw a film called "First in, Last out", in
Bideford & "The Cheddar Cheese" in Reading.
5.3.45.
We got called quite early again and after breakfast
we cleaned Joyce's and Margaret's bikes and then
got ready to go out. Took the bus to Clovelly about
9 miles from here. Bus stops at the top of the cliff
and you make your way down by a winding
cobblestone path into the village which was owned
for 50 years by Christine Hamlyn & it has now become
a company owned affair We had lunch in a little
café then went down to the water. On the way we
passed some old tars yarning and also a doorway
carved by Anton Lang at Oberammergau &
bought by Mrs Hamlyn. The houses are all very
quaint and quite brightly coloured and are built
flush with the path & [[?]] with it right down to
the water. On the water front were a number ^of little
fishing boats & the tars were repairing them. The
jetty is a substantial affair built with solid stone
& there is a marine light at the end of it. The Red
lion Hotel is right on the water and the tide
must come almost to its walls. We got on to the
Hobby Drive and walked for three miles to the
main road, saw some beautiful panoramas on the
way around and saw a bit of Lundy Island in
the distance. We waited a while for the bus then
started to walk and got a lift in a coal
truck to home here. Had tea & washed up and then
came into the front room. Joyce played the piano
a bit.
6.3.45.
We were up early again and after breakfast, washed
up then went to town in the car to the Market. We
strolled thru the flower & veg. part with Mrs Cork then
branched off to have a look at the Kingsby Memorial
& Victoria Gardens. We made our way back thru the
town doing a lot of window shopping. I went to the
station & found my bike had arrived & then we had a
look at the church in which lies the Lady of Richard
Grenville. Had dinner with Mrs Cork & Mrs Wickett at the
[[?]] inn, and then we had a look in the cattle market
but business was over so we came home. I played
the piano and wrote a bit and after tea we decided
to go to the dance at Littleham. Walked 3 miles there
with John Cork and had an xtra good time. Wizard
band & a nice crowd and fair floor. John says if a
girl smokes in these parts it's a sign her morals aren"t
so hot. I saw a rabbit lying on the post office
 

 


counter & a wrapper round its middle with a stamp
on it! John [[?]] & I walked home & got off to bed.
7.3.45.
We slept in a bit today and then got up to
breakfast. Nothing else to do so we took a walk to
Moreton Lodge, home of Sir Hugh Stukely, & had a
look at the gardens there. They are all laid out and
most attractively arranged. After dinner we stayed
at the house a while - I had a very bad niggly all
today - and then sat out on bench & read a while.
After tea Mr & Mrs Cork, John[[?]] Joyce & I went to the
Wicketts. We male folk took a delightful walk across
the fields to the coast just near sunset and the
picture was unforgettable looking across the rich
valley with the sky pink & blue & the sea filling up
the hollow. A nice evening with a bang on supper &
we came home. Knocked a milk tin over leaving
their place. Leave extended to 16th March
8.3.45.
Up at 0815 and after breakfast got a bit tidied up
and went out to the field far side of the Rd, near
Abbotsham, to spread manure. Nice working day & in
the morning we spread 41 piles. Knocked off at 1245 &
had a beaut lunch. In the afternoon John & Mr Cork
went to a cattle sale but I had to go to town to get
some more coupons & collect my bike etc. I had a
look at last night's prang & the bloke surely made a
mess of the Wimpy. Just missed the town's gas
works & burnt out. Five killed. I rode the bike home
and wrote for a time then we had tea. In the
evening we sat in the front room & I read a bit.
Mr. Cork, in his broad Devon said" If us can
git across in one place, us can git across in
another can't us?" - referring to the Rhine.
9.3.45.
We went to our old job in the morning and
did 5 more piles than yesterday. Beautiful for
working. Had dinner & John wanted to write
but I went to Bideford, then to Northam on
the bike. Between Northam & Appeldore I looked
at an old tower called Chanter's Folly built
about 150 yrs ago by a fella called Chanter to
watch his ships come in but it wasn't high
enough so he wasted all that money. Appeldore is
a pretty little fishing village and faces Imstowe on
the other side of the river. Pushed on to Westward Ho!
via narrow, winding. Ridged in county lanes
and found this place to be quit large & a sort of
seaside resort, built way up the side of the cliff.
In the last part I passed thru some beautifully
 

 


green country & big estates thru Abbotsham back
home. Spent the evening reading & nattering before
the fire.
10.3.45.
We put in another morning on our manure
job and have about half a morning's work to go.
Came in for dinner and then in the afternoon I
got stuck into cleaning my bike out on the front
path as it was such a glorious afternoon. I took
all the pedal mechanism to bits & got it all back
quite O.K. In the evening we sat by the fire and
played a game called "Who Knows." I read quite a
bit & listened to the wireless. The fences or hedges in
Devon are merely raised earth barriers with possibly
hawthorne growing on top of them.
11.3.45.
Up at the usual time and at 1045 I went to church
in Bideford. The bursar of Edgehill Girls' school, Rev.
Pike, was the preacher and he was very good.
I went to the station and collected my flying
clothing & made my way out here to dinner. We
had another sunny day & I intended going to the
cliffs but my bike was u/s so I stopped back &
tried to fix it. About 1630 John and I went for a
walk to the Rittleham Road and then back for tea.
Margaret's friend, Dorothy, was here and later Edna
arrived. In the evening I showed them our flying
equipment and then we nattered until quite late.
12.3.45.
We got up at the usual time and after the preliminaries,
went out to our field and finished off our
dung spreading. I rode into town to get some brake
blocks etc. and then came back along the Abbotsham
road. Saw the hospital and grammar school and one of the
lodges of Moreton. I walked across country there some
nice green fields all full of sheep & lambs, to the
Clovelly road & came in for dinner. I spent the early
part of the afternoon fixing my bike and then got
dressed and John and I walked up to take the bus to
Edna's. While waiting we watched a stoat - like a ferret
playing on a bank of leaves. Edna met the bus & drove
us home and we had tea then walked along the R.
Yeo and picked some daffodils and then went up to
have a look at an old church. A tablet in it read:-
Hand drawn diagram – see original
which puts the date at 1644 & I should
say the inscription Jesus, below, in &
middle" or something to that effect. The
building is now in ruins. [[Norman?]] drove
us to Westward Ho! where one of his men
was working and then we came back and sat
 

 

 
around the fire & talked. Bill came c 2130 after
having been to a H.[[?]]. meeting and led us home.
We got right off to bed.
13.3.45.
Margaret called us as usual and we were
given a new job - to cut up some oak boughs.
The family went to town to market so only
Margaret, Bill, John, John & I were at lunch.
The wood smelt beautiful as we sawed it
thro: In the afternoon John washed up & I lit
the copper & we boiled up all our dirty clothes
When we had washed them, we kept the water
and John had a bath in the washhouse in a
tub but when Mrs Cork came in, she said to
use the bath upstairs so I had mine in luxury.
I had tea and we spent the evening as usual
around the fire & Joyce played the piano. We
stayed up till 2240 to hear Lord Haw Haw.
14.3.45.
Up early and off to our job of sawing. We did
a very big log and I split it up. Then we came
to lunch which was characteristically huge.
In the afternoon I rode the bike up the Yea
Valley as far as Bradworthy. Saw the Northam
water supply and the ruined church near [[?]].
Got back in an hour - 13 miles - and had tea &
we spent a typical evening in the lounge. I signed
the visitors book in the Bradworthy church & was
the first Australian to do so.
15.3.45.
I got up and we had breakfast and then we
did the washing up and packed our kit and
waited for the taxi. It arrived about 1100 and
we said goodbye to the Corks and drove into town.
Got our luggage organised and I bought some
[[fruit?]] in town and at 1224 the train left. I had
to stand to Exeter but it was O.K. after that. I
sent a telegram to Moreton at Templecombe to
ask for their further posting instructions. We
saw the spire at Salisbury and it looked beautiful
and then when we arrived at Waterloo we got the
inter-station bus to Kings Cross. Had a lot of
trouble with kit storage and eventually just left
my bike behind a piece of tin! John went to stay
with the Andrews at West Wickham. I went to
Victoria League & got room 57. Went to Alexander
Rd. to deliver some cigarettes to Mrs Ratham then
came back & had a delightful supper of cod at
the Athaneum Restaurant in Edgware Rd. I met
an Aussie W/O nav. there & we walked back to the
 

 


Vic. League together. I had a beautiful bath and the
hit the hay.
16.3.45
Two V 2's fell very close during the night & there
was a buzz bomb alert. I got up 0715, had a
wash and went to breakfast and also rang John
[[?]] but Moreton had no fresh instructions. I put
my small luggage in at Kings Cross then raced round
to Kodak House & collected my mail. Met John & we
got on the northbound train which left 1030. My
bike was O.K.!!! Saw Peterborough Cathedral &
changed trains at Retford. Shortage of transport at
Gainsborough so we had a hurried look at the town
then came out to camp. None of the others was here
so I'm in a bit of a flat spin. We had eggs for tea &
paid a 5/- deposit for eating irons. Saw Murray
Chalmers in the mess & then came back here. I had to
swap about some fuses & then wrote a bit & after
a wash got off to bed.
The Drover's [[?]], the Horse & Groom, the Stag's Head.
17.3.45.
I got up at 0715 and washed then went the great
route march to breakfast. We paraded and then
told the adjutant about ourselves. There wasn't any
much more he could do then so we just waited
about until the afternoon. He didn't know till 1630 so
we sat in a car & read most of the time. Then the
news arrived that we were to return to Moreton!!
Got rail warrants etc and saw the post office
then we went to tea. In the evening I wrote a
lot of mail and went to have a look at a
huge mill nearby. The vanes were made of
weatherboard & I should say the whole affair
would be about 200ft high.
18.3.45.
We got up in good time & washed in cold water
& at 1000 a tender picked us up from [[four?]] 
& took us in to Gainsboro. We got the 1057 train
and it took us to Retford where the London
train left at 1138. The journey down was very
bad, slow and uncomfortable. I sat on some
cases in the corridor, and we eventually arrived
about 1645 instead of 1515! Our train to this
unit (21 OTU) should have gone at 1600 so we'd
had it & we had some tea and then got a taxi to
Paddington but with all our luggage he charged
5/9.. We then tried to find out whether we had
to return here from the R.T.O. & at 2130 they got word
to say yes. So I went to the Victoria League & spent
the night quietly there.
 
 

 











 



 

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