Diary of Edward Lloyd Fleming, January- September 1945 - Part 3

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

Page 1 / 10

t si spe was enalert at our wgil apslort ofter & had breakfost went to Paddingttn & collected my like from the peage then we rought thoas thin to Mouton Urilved 1800 and had lunch at the batewold bape. Carme to th unit and reported to the C0 at 1400 H was in a kellive madd & d we wa, a damed musance & gave nore trukl tran to rest of t00r2 put together & accure us of wening about te Country side and not ading adiquaty addresses w eplained but he said is would have returned to Morton and then fletty rpused to all any more bery annoyed we sail t Aust bay se acked his addice tble us to apply th the adjitant to so th co actuall / Nebhtiam walling co- At 105 after asuing up we sae him she thought we had done the Bronghing ingong to stugate, but he said his see abbut sus having have. So is have its wait new till tomorrole. Had tee & casled at the Cauny o then to blying contel to see about am plan eally orth belleld blankets, I stayed in & weatt a set I went to be sacd & hall quitt a long gain with Dick Roveday ten came backs get off t bid 103:45 sgot up in goastime and cleaned up but mised Chakfast At 1030 we went to suthec but he said his wanted us at ase so had gon out ature hecme & ticked us ill a bit but the gavens leve sowe had batfo lunch and at wo I sau HC.61 & found oupacting was to 7 group, wintope aconunt on hones after a bit moke mesing about I got a left to tobe and a Pon tiamn was sering te why for our hegage on to be other parfe & ar tain pillest in Hlowever we wken end care sownb desed said grodle to Thete undrews I contacted this Budge & she said Ot & we met at the City to se, tis Prbigten agred imusual shlu came out to bente ffact yamed Mis Hennilt Mary cne also at t pecuures Hada batt thit the Ray 21345 I slept all about 0200 ten had bugh fast & hs Budge went out leaving me to clean time wind nat late nisseal lumldup & picked some vislets I placed te piens quite a bet & then this Budge came in &wle had linish Tus Harri was teiited & in the afternoon it was my lot to look after her we had tea He budge & me, and I tool such a walk & picked
sene sichts the Oset with tho His Budge rad o finally got off to bea 22:21/412 I got up pairly late and had my bratfest ten nt will oxped spent quill alot of time Siith Blackwills and then went to lunch at the cIt was early elosing in tn the afternoon down by the Chewsell at Sodel stibes a perect oftennsen, bad agpe trail & werything on the grad a war green I feet a settersen I is not axperienced aflea age to get doing something that tee dud tles Budge did a get of ruswing places the ten we set in the laing in the eenng 2242 I got up pitty earlyand said goodbye to te Buidges & sale the bike to be slation & laught t 0710 to Lenden Met Jacl at laddington and witook a lac to Kingsk and caught the 10½0 to Nwark Arrived aftera good trip wid Johns Eddg& hen was it the stativn and had had a good t in his ear we went into toyen hed ld ten gol a truck to do statin looks most proman & just nar tan we are just aeros a filld from th mess we had a stewn and wrote a set shgot to bed Wite or preace at on5 and we were weleened by saial bods and they also got all our particulars Ofter duan a had a esull more situres and then anseled off for tee we get chisne meats her bet the camp is most pronding in the evening a beautiful day I went for a rds on the bite to a little village exiled Aledington thes boddington scame beel just read a bit then hit ths tray 25:246 we had exg for bualfact and then went to parade and had our first letures Tot a flight engiees glled Kea Massn deatt to us wa good bloke & Rails from London Is a set pilst with soo hes slad aunsl and then went on hacade we did more lectuves but thy were manly ropying down notes After the John and hele came to te with the intention of going to church but ty went in at 100okes! to we went to a facces cncet for 8 e were a diice of a lot of gul waiting to goo a ciple same up & cold us to tall t in but u would t be in it we weat anued it then had supper + brought a whole let here in te bays seaut welk & & got off 5 bed putt soen
2345. the bst few days have been very much reutore reedinay teday we went to be the Aubsin Eetost at Sendull i tpaenes was very mie the tre erad gruat & it countyside vy pretty atue are proceeding at but sett of te gu way eleve my head Feday my mail areivid at ct o got a Ruge stack & radititi this ciny sent a cable to Margest and wllicted our suppos we get tis from de N.VS caaten, 5 spam welo to sales each night. Ten seems to be settling dowen Ot tat h is thribly English and recined but a giod net. Tueff suggs has got his commusia 2241 just an sednary day but in the afteraon John Ieilled into Nwarle and went to the machedia surk a very good awide & hught singing the it wes taber we had a guid toch lont to tewn, saw hold castle in which King John died other exlucted some gruet at th N.D.S & came out & camp 2:246 He Hore Jocley He Kings Ors, Roge Deagen quim tad, Rone Rai John I get up deaned & went a Rwaet aut Eldy whi plet in some Coundey ober Joh starge 1 hitel hete to Hliglan St on RA tinch t teturofte atid as fores t greind at Holts i shls allwed wn & Csleday ra the us walled wve tret bridge, much t same as Princes in Mill & along t ris Son e monoral& ended up y atigatest b teon ogard pleavey beg beyg with a bug sives blck in the center we baoled forth mui othersited for sime place to eet cald up af daus ble We went to the Chinbhaw in tastemson it wee very good wen to t conbany wa amati stad as at de dut again and ten in went t acbert slar 4 beer to measiah & it was wondery the tnesled & sterl befor te outince had settled dusn + at intered thy amomas he had give hem a naybe he had a rn with te condustor the sying was a de Ibraugh agayed it 12345 ip und time and in paiad yesterday t le bought a wueks for for 24 and we eash put in 35/9 Had a momal sost of day &in the evening & stapped in the Acct wrote a bit & did quite a bt of groning will tl n eee which he got fot£
E44 tuley After wlder of inactivity during which isucer la dusted it aret shombles they could fand i work for us io we toat he day off Dit a bet of werk to stert with t we headd bets went out in te was to little hete auguller we wted the beslington beor t fid truck t he tel us to seved bughtr we welled a bet furth ten an a trued carried is t Teafer we passed beanell are wllge In seased it had wank aranged to pich t chaps up thes ou if we wer tere ofter they left heer i wade trem detin & dcided to go to Coston we wilhit about a mil out of tewn before a fame gave us a sheel left, we got straight out, into a bahall recent with a sit fustle to a town called Hekington there ar cbacked the the tewn when a by aie tudien picked us up and we did a steady to7 & t Belding hasd the country thio which we passed is very valuable, silling at £200 an acce & is to bull uter of the county nouled a let of damage w nascary Our last left to Beator w llong to main road in a big black alses te didee was quite interesing acopped us by the tuld Hd fum which de Pilprin tates ot i abbertialwere lates e y in it ol wa the a went in dem the litther hasten madngd for ule as a Bukel desteaant the building weeetedi 1450 for us as a set of court house& it is still as itwas ten we in fire place is a photgigthon upper & the tandiny o t Mayslewer & a huge pant doen gives acces to the supbeard whill the litter its were lght mut underfat cawing on th deer and t drowses usid ar scantifully irpentered Si pseph banks lived in laston &his pertiait is kung in an room adjoint an it rames & at the suagus of the ow sinc 1546 106 ala wwary load & de rest ona secondte die from Hillington told us his just witf oo ma continet) we walled drad Asit in writtle drigglin rein and then went into the decatiful Old Much Really megant wid ar tak goyes denated will inside lime wes getting on so we left te duuch with to high ald sod mi rsts idertaied de be watted a bet out & tae and a chgpry pront Aft gave in a lft to deaford in his ford &8 ae willed the Dprd asee again and a kineste hs passed + I save him br but John Railedhin be itpper so in cought it we saw Cramsed buty at very sos quates is to bus went in ade state
the enstieced to kinish sed writched rain but are teel a has up the hil to te geganter but beautifu egracful tactedial we thilsell the door withbut weten a isidted down a violent sloke called steep street (could fust magine Dickon wasing duse its coobles & naviou rleps) into te city we had a site at t A44 slt then rought a bust its trns on the Newark road walled a mil or to before an ltt tru took un ight hame the dribes this mate gav us some ships but we were very sold on the back & get tuibly ct walled in to beck ear to romay & ten hsmethad a shown sersued my pants ten pt of t see white Bull Black Rast Sheeps wodsack Ale Clease, wese Houes: Dack rag (at) Quite an oidinary day reported to 6 flight Jast sgned oigus & collected sutes & tackers In the wu o met toro tal auties Clerbis Dy ans as t th Cate Batlerson a while but it woent much chy as to kid were about y left it & got into te by set + Aet sched done reautifu left musie& epit in infinitely superior el lat terbl afte with flal (& my least) at Auut 2220 seard ap Beacon thll just about kusted un of complety Off as ut as te gugagein ten we attered onto by am be wench Bur we, did as hee wors most of the day then Bnock off thad the was in to chuch and got ther sl Len Wfe Pncied late stll bith suvicwes cut We welled this tawn to te wse had sypte ten wilked ay bismly hom John got maith onr to sim plesu place It was a baulhl day & we set autied at limestim & Suiate letter so ham He wall out was 4 & we saw a wysidgeil in a have just near the camp & were waving to her whe to ols man wacked out te rate same beautiful parden with comsupes tulep it 944 (Man this morning wt did some w then Backed off to liet In the afterson w did paaty of worh sld is very niggly there days speaking to aff he said that te pusidus us at wougs & takes t strong distitly the kynnn singing on sunday nights ts main gratie is against John & me to I il tey to talk thim as uonas pess but lattly he has became very hestill & distinctly rude & even told aff thatt wanted to get out of the crew A very sousposited we kicked the fosthall a wtill tonight then wared
14 rarree en MN tawn with John to get supfer. It was a glane evening after a tinibly dedfegi te morning we just donsled in rout thad suffer her in to Kest. (A4Qu) sent a shert tims on ad hoe work ther ie flew in exhones for the gunners. I eat aboe tho kite sked at Gor ite & filt o bit craol Did simce ss in de afternson in be form & a run with sd + pce. Hal is stil wpabl we same as justitly o bit of work then we did some plying Bad 215 engine flying stalting & Iaill two andnigs beng on went o the taw cundy in t afttera has an+ wrett in the weing e at on thurday I went sote and last wight ptI sent to town + sew Esigls a ssties which was ta good & had buslieat wuse in it soday we flae and did beoding I did a wice thill sigsldg Bed in a 1/e-Instructe what is my instructions his /e pented tho instructions, you can t chat you tle with it Iusticcte I Hasewhat sweat to do wit it but what do you went s tis sg or alan Ctal the sam. to ge lase show in the lmona & the wes two rgacd bet done & a ist sett imedice 15445 (un) lp os20 to get to brigfing tentt o900 i lack off t go to bembrigg, Lands Ad Seares. Rea. Hed ls son return we had to beat teiry tare over the lagge at soft Dentle Corks place in devan vercterly We tin stayed autome to de some ane se firng Dupped a flam fleat ofte a bet p reatement wi it the beg find away I shot yt a naval camp at yus fell ten came back loa to bee we lad bea and I sent the evening in the but a slawer the east live a counliy of Omand& avan acked beautful today asthe were ao distend to te Dustel shamel wssed quit she & I saw the said C4 5 (Man) erly brgling sace again and this tive we were Creffelt g b fedey pet licauile Lineue, Nogest u 6 alta laque Hottegham oace Iwas a beautiful day and we saw temandy perfectly Saw Dayene & lsen & the moasion wast France looks koribly knoled about but the izubility was perfect so a misad nothing saw the Chanel To &
and then Jhns I went tewn to the B 1 Cilleas a saw te Jeby wylt logare tp swe temded on return th cndemanage & wr inteaduced to be Manage 14 (Thus) went teadance lacl night at the Town Hall an give alialls Rncepads, a bibet and a tarch will kene Jhn and it was very classy, but I was a t place in see was te rowherwe wer enfirmed wall flause I went to te messdance shewe about t different types of lst and son be tonight but bue more sal out whole wvering Ms Gget which burns blus when gas is present a gness derill be hell to pay from the mess puss maml lock renders at tamps mable to be tuned of Ewent a the senterts this afternaon & be filled two we sse new slaft which was being sink and ten watled to to6 shaft of the benderkil non all casites. Also sent in my bonk beak for interest seth oterwo spothety slean & contain A beautiful day and a super nght to follow ing s macking r reing lowering teag Im aleaid & in becoming t slswet crture on Taddearth at world ebcludlly on man ats in a wiltl tag 20 44E (Friday) sdon diat to direction give for what t be one said te eag At be pit head wre were inspected we did sen sighter aftel I Iwes terll ut e for regarted & matcher and ten descended 100 gs up sawll was douglt go ladges gave a newent Oally shalle chaft saw the 9 mangeus oflige serer + I perfersed mighty worly be had a showen set sut for Notlingham by train of the putting in beled at Il charts & te mine yotem. Moved laundry a parcel went to the sdes Bet and has along a short way there a tiy entience into the pon the rgll our address we came out to a tis Saueting sshs spotterl ctan and de aniat peectly who lwes at so Hollinghamk, thithall be natted for preomed by de ald chas whos bee thes 33 year a shile and looked it the garden den pohn I wlent call were all whitewasked & cita removed suthr two mimutes. Haved along I saw the for a slort walk to te thee lend aher it staited to ant plosin pder t clethe gineators w rain so in writed awhile then came hame (at bed b pay thee sweeal doors dsigned to fovr the we had bffeel in bed exp and thada slower draught alsng the timels we oft the lail way
mosed along by aneushes tolt on coled a set of u denly had a cauple of dances, I expoyed it greatly wes being then to be truss t no was low Vanis didnt dand, is seen on & filla from las to starp putt a bet sit becaue eadetig tereonlisne I ty have an agreement Bay ten we caseto be cosl faces erawled th te legu, Dene is livating how ten tit dehay setts& te rof at this stage was sft high ar ew the mine has soe employees b had to erawl along hanked t stake for to hay 22445 Dun pads we senth hels being sered for the ditr Ie went te charch in the atters o tygo in of lots of swan bayoabout some mning at the Oft ap the are et du n all felles warking ner kneeling & sawvelling the cal on to the belt and we saw the machine u return pert th afterneon sading for starting the wsl we mived way saed tao or wiiting and lats an John Ient frea steoll to the cetry aftertea a desired timuel & saw the moter for the truck same up after les below, we went past the dmics came in and lake stll two M gal Ruline and Mars we played a let of gramplane weighing louse & up to the geading sectee &te I manager then showld us the showes ver seard and natlrss tell about s0 00 wten we got a bot blacking etc+ also toseees an oue sick for to tae poccled eg) & tool t tan worring clothes, the shewen in the centr rellan to twen wailed lame & get off to Old catteson the other side y/L treatwent wuld be 23445 M had iter was a lex & woun th whole thing pent a guit morning and did a period & spotted claneds fungated Also san de restai at ot easy afteron sood things eattly out Dack for dineer& I went fre walk in the att tell ose when we did our mgal serces Dlon afternoon to Rinderby In t evening Denice quite me, in the waiting penod Swroll quite a ut of lettls Harley te brothes lage, came if e pland tarts and nathred rat 2220 all went up to a Pai handed very late and so we slept in all the sand at the beal hall voy good turn and atte
and then we weeld about to ple teck off in duff morning and ten sad to pwet Juby Halt see t weather & 1A was sebled deturned to basd met to bnly ag o commnsing o the C 1 pit nt my aneducation the I did a little at hee had i standing by till ose mantime & cam af we weat to brading got put on a budtiee bee Lr yo chd ren & se I tep spun it Cibuhemptod Lucelu out itl. & prsed to bed finally & td suppe or te say over themes ostuary lendes a CEr Bl) Reading to 2445 peat) moke quit day in te wening fass + Iwaskes be serled at th aid of &t beut give in te sighting her ttewn for the sapper t00 had some seauty & was O/ ted suppers bit the bay 25.445 Wed) Aue Dby fet clyps ten sime hance Sept in this morning and in the efternoon I les 24445 (sim) tofell in some form for thi communiin besnes Ad hoe all day and sriing made us too there was no flying as the were undacting mn te for whuch t I wrote a bit. there was no fying doe to the deft weather s tought111 exlant changeove I sent to Edecca andt se was ittagoed allhe do flo besk about sot ta Men Ad hee in the morning then at Ms I mangaed to 26445 Buds) g Cos paied then s He all day willed to tern fet a day off lang Mcergot tram tires & also gobe tal his dead bet o stiff in my cas & ced but to salln sheps nex closed is I came seck The alfte we got the tase to tawn /0/7 the bee briffing Aft was serubled in te evening train to handon (ix.) I found out where the weelis were 27445 Fuday staying and had a nathe to Belly then taok to 44 By pacall today ter we did sem Dingly Drus to Bndan Bridge + couget the to have til ofot John, Halt I had on intwer will d co teday, he said be would recoomend our commo changed to the 191 fitm thee 5 Momly had ta I ranget a bus to Donne +after a bit of a wal Sail Id dene a good pb with the cre went to towen sun emild" and mot the witls tosndete with tal & kin and ten had tex Coy & storl) as reunion & we nother away went for a short Tetes Hlle rch back to be in o for breyng
with with Pitty the Istaed my ppotes + Swonteby aher after a let of eaiting it were inte we talked tel want 20 tey arrived east sues sewed by A Commadal Dussell for commino acked y we hadnt got thm at 5or Or, where came three the Penama after an awfully intresting trif. Hhad a bath + got off to bea we had leaved it all cates sily inimportant questious + I don't know how he tack to us beae back ater I ead you ame considerable time and in the evening they seubbed ut to get back en S Bus walked quite a bit o ts way then a busly cast I get up when Citty wake me and we had pbed us ap srakfast togetter then I said goodbye to be Witles and Petty wasked to te bus with meI 424E Tudy eaught the train to town and dought a couple Just paltred about in the morning and afternoon and then we went to beeeting for our lest ty of boaks in London then get the 1020 train a Y/c Prisis Hdwick Woles Roltan Dumpes nor from Kings & with lessr aff Scame straight out to camp I went to leak but it was Siree sterling Base Cale a good trep but ay tim es b flew at neght on tfo then bambing and over and wre had to sere our boading astall as i whe very nearly hit a have to say there alt was up Had to fly th sm c on the cl s we went to basngham dropped semepon a at 4000 lst up to 22500 and sed 200 ya gras othelast from soa Did a suba Colding of ptral the anding, for supper & then F.542 (set) oter had seppeed hit the hay will, wive finished soe can imit & the case 2546 (wed) Slpt in tll late and then did some link and has prt about sinishes to the hins in Dennan got that the programone went dawn to ply but it Hlland & atl a renny surcendeed atorre was subbed The Eature Terman Anmes Att today I sept tll mudday & on the afteraons started to get same clearances Italy sunendered unconditionall today. E5K. Aun 3645 (Thes) today John Hol had to eathh the oewr stutle Eut a stermous day getting etterances and at

19:3:45
There was an alert at 0815 & I got up shortly
after & had breakfast went to Paddington & collected
my bike from the garage then we caught the 0945
train to Moreton. Arrived 1300 and had lunch at
the Cotswold cafe. Carme to the unit and reported
to the C.G.I. at 1400 He was in a helliva mood &
said we were, a damned nuisance "& gave" more
trouble than the rest of the O.T.U. put together & accused
us of roaming about the Country side and not
leaving adequate addresses. We explained but he
said is would have returned to Moreton and then
flatly refused to talk any more. Very annoyed, we
saw the Aust. pay bloke & asked his advice. He told 
us to apply thru the adjutant to see the co. - actually
W/o Debenham is acting C.O. - At 1615 after sprucing
up we saw him & he thought we had done the
wrong thing in gong to Stillgate but he said he'd see
about us having leave. So is have its wait
now till tomorrow. Had tea & called at the laundry
& then to flying control to see about am plone call of
15th. Collected blankets & I stayed in & wrote a
bit & went to the YMCA & had quite a long yarn
with Dick Loveday then came backs get off to
bed.
20:3:45
I got up in good time and cleaned up but
missed breakfast. At 1030 we went to see the C.I.
but he said he'd wanted us at 1000 so had gone out.
At 1130 he came & ticked us off a bit but he gave us
leave so we had breakfast lunch and at 1400 I saw
the C.G.I. & found our posting was to 7 group, Winthorpe
a con. unit on Lancs! After a bit more messing
about I got a left to town and a P.O.W. train was
barring the way for our luggage on to the other
platform & our train pulled in. However we
got it on and came down to Oxford. Said goodbye to
Sheila Andrews. I contacted Mrs Bridge & she said
O.K.  & we met at the Ritz to see, Mrs Parkington-"
a good & unusual show. Came out to [[?mmor]] Hall
& fast yarned. Mrs Bennett & Mary were also at the
pictures. Had a bath & hit the hay
21.3.45
I slept all about 0800 then had breakfast & Mrs
Bridge went out leaving me to clean some windows
and later Mrs Seal turned up & picked some violets.
I played the piano quite a bit & then Mrs Bridge came in
& we had lunch. Susan Harrison was there too & in the
afternoon it was my lot to look after her. We had tea,
Mr Bridge & me, and I took Susan a walk & picked

 

some violets then I sat with Mr & Mrs Bridge &

read & finally got off to bed.
22.3.45
I got up fairly late and had my breakfast then
went into Oxford. Spent quite a lot of time in
Smiths & Blackwells and then went to lunch at
the Y.M.C.A. It was early closing in town so I spent
the afternoon down by the Charwell at Lodstoic.
It was a perfect afternoon, blue & the odd vapor
trail & everything on the ground a warm green.
I felt a restlessness I've not experienced before- an
urge to get doing something Had tea and Mrs
Bridge did a lot of mowing & I played the
piano then we sat in the living room in the evening
23.3.45.
I got up pretty early and said goodbye to the Bridges
& rode the bike to be station & caught the 0710 to
London. Met Jack at Paddington and we took a taxi
to Kings X and caught the 1030 to Newark. Arrived
after a good trip with John & Eddy & Len was at the
station and had had a good in his car. We
went into town & had lunch then got a truck to the
station. Looks most promising & just near town. We
are just across a field from the mess. We had a shower
and wrote a bit got to bed. 

24.3.45.
On parade at 0815 and we were welcomed by
various Cods. and they also got all our particulars.
After dinner we had a couple more lectures and
then knocked off for tea. We get chronic meals here
but the camp is most promising. In the evening of
a beautiful day I went for a ride on the bike to
a little village called Beckington

thru Coddington
& came back. Just read a bit then hit the hay
25:3.45
We had eggs for breakfast and then went to
parade and had our first lectures. Got a flight -
engineer called Ken Mason dealt to us - seems a
good bloke & hails from London. Is a sgt - pilot
with 300 hrs. Had lunch and then went on parade.
We did more lectures but they were mainly
copying down notes. After tea John and Len came to
town with the intention of going to church but
they went in at 1800 hrs. so we went to a folles
concert for 3' !! There were a deuce] of a lot of girls
waiting to go & a couple came up & asked us to
take them in but we wouldn't be in it. We went &
enjoyed it then had supper & brought a whole lot
home for the boys. Beaut walk & I got off to bed
pretty soon

 

29.3.45. The last few days have been very much
routine & ordinary. Today we went to see the Airborne
Lifeboat at Swinderly & the trip across was very nice
The trees are all green & the countryside very pretty.
Our lectures are proceeding OK. but lots of the gen is
way & above my head. Today my mail arrived at
last & I got a huge stack. I rode to town this evening
& sent a cable to Margaret and collected our supper.
We get this from the W.V.S canteen, 15 spam rolls &
15 cakes each night. Ken seems to be settling down
O.K.  but he is terribly English and reserved but a
good scout. Geoff Briggs has got his commission.
30.3.45.
Just an ordinary day but in the afternoon John &
I walked into Newark and went to the Methodist
church. A very good service & bright singing.
After it was over we had a quick look about the
town, saw the old castle in which King John
died & then collected some grub at the W.V.S. & came
out to camp.
31.3.45
The Horse & Jockey, The Kings Arms, George & Dragon,
Queens Head Horse & Gears
John & I got up & cleaned & went to a Newark with
Eddy where I put in some laundry then John & I
started to hitch-hike to Nottingham. Got an R.A.F. truck to 

the Lunister turn off & then a truck as far as the cricket

ground at Notts. A bloke allowed us in & it looked super

& even & then we walked over Trent Bridge, much the 
same as Princess in Melb. & along the river. Saw the
war memorial & ended up by getting a trolly-bus to
town. Wizard place, very big & busy with a huge
[[?ris]] block in the centre.  We looked for the Musicale
& then looked for some place to eat & ended up at O'seas
Club. We went to Ghee Ghan Chow in the afternoon & it
was very good even tho the company was amateurs.
Had tea at O'ses club again and then we went to the
Albert Hall to hear the Musicale & it was wonderful. The
tenor had to start before the audience had settled
down & at interval they announced he had gone home,  
so maybe he had a row with the conductor. The
singing was A1 tho & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
1.3.45.
Up usual time and on parade. Yesterday
the boys bought a wireless ₤12.3.4 and we
each put in 35/9. Had a normal sort of day
& in the evening I stopped in the hut &
wrote a bit & did quite a bit of ironing with
Hals new iron which he got for £1.

 

6.4.45. Friday.
After several days of inactivity during which course 13
had developed into a real shambles, they could find no
work for us so we took the day off. Did a bit of work to
start with then we dressed a bit & went out on the road
to hitch hike anywhere. We walked thru Coddington before the
first truck come & he took us to Brand Broughton. We
walked a bit further then an R.A.F. truck carried is to
Sleaford. We passed Cranwell RAF college. In Sleaford
we had lunch arranged to pick the chaps up there
again if we were there. After they left, however, we walked
thru the town & decided to go to Boston. We walked about
a mile out of town before a farmer gave us a short
lift, we got straight out, into a Vauxhall & went
quite a bit further to a town called Hickington &
there we walked thru the town when a big AMWD
Hudson picked us up and we did a steady 60 - 70
to the Spalding Road. The country thro which we
passed is very valuable, selling at £300 an acre &
is the bulb center of the country. Noticed a lot of
drainage was necessary. Our last lift to Boston
was along the main road in a big black Alvis
& the drive was quite interesting ^about rubber & dropped us by the
Guild Hall from which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail abhortively
& were later locked up in it. We saw the cells 
& went in them. The kitchen has been modernized for
use as a British Restaurant. The building was erected in
1450 for use as a sort of court house & it is still as
it was then. Over one fire place is a photograph on
copper of the Landing of the Mayflower & a huge
panel door gives access to the cupboard in which
the tithes etc were kept. Most wonderful carving on
the door and the drawers inside are beautifully
[[impentered]]. Sir Joseph Banks lived in Boston & his
portrait is hung in one room & adjacent are the
names of all the mayors of the town since 1546 -
306 names on one board & the rest on a second. (The
driver from Heckington told us he'd just lost ₤10,000
on an AM contract!!) We walked around Boston in 
wretched drizzling rain and then went into the
beautiful old church. Really magnificent with a 272'
tower & gorgeous decorative work inside Time was
getting on as we left the church with its high
coloured roof, sawed misere seats & dovetailed door.
We walked a bit out & town and a chappy from the
M of F. gave us a lift to Sleaford in his Ford V8. We
walked thro Sleaford once again and a Lincoln
bus passed & I waved him or but John hailed him &
he stopped so we caught it. We saw Cramwell College 
at very close quarters as the bus went in to the station &

 

then eastward to Lincoln. Still wretched rain but we
took a bus up the hill to the gigantic but beautiful
& graceful Cathedral. We tired all the doors without
success so walked down a violent slope called
"Steep Street" (could just imagine Dickens walking
down its cobbles & narrow shops). into the city. We
had a Bite at the AAAFI club then caught a bus to
its terminus on the Newark road. Walked a mile or
so before an R.A.F truck took us right home. The
driver & his mate gave us some chips but we were
very cold on the back & get terribly wet. Walked in
the back over the runway & then home & had a shower
& ironed my pants then got off to bed.
"White Bull" "Black Bull" "Sheep & woolsack" Ale &
Cleaver," " Wagon & Horses:" "Black Nag"
7.4.45. (Sat).
Quite an ordinary day reported to "B" flight Jast
signed orders  & collected chutes & lockers.In the evening
I met Len & Kel outside Clarke's Dry Cleaners & we went
to the Elite Ballroom a while but it wasn't much chop
as the kids were about 14! Left it & got into the big
Lich & Act school dance, Beautiful soft music & effects &
an infinitely superise crowd. Got terribly tired &
left with Hal (& my heart!!) at about 2030. The walk
up Beacon Hill jus about knocked us up completely
Alf was out on the grog again & Len was cottoned on to by
some low wench.

8.4.45 (Sun)

We did "ad hoc" works most of the day then knocked
off & had tea. Went in to church and got there late. Len,
Alf & Ken arrived later still but the service was crook
We walked thru town to the W.V.S. &  had supper &
then walked very [[bisml/]] home. John got invited out
to some person's place. It was a beautiful day & we
set outside at lunchtime & I wrote letter 100 home
The walk out was A1 & we saw a wizard girl in
a house just near the camp & were waving to her
when the old man walked out the gate! Saw a
beautiful garden with some super tulips in it
9.4.45. (Mon)
This morning we did some N.V.P.T. then knocked off for
lunch. In the afternoon we did plenty of work. Hal is
very niggly there days - Speaking to Alf, he said that
Hal considers us as wouzers & takes a strong dislike to
the hymn singing on Sunday nights. His main
grouse is against John & me to I'll try to talk to him
as soon as poss. but lately he has became very
hostile & distinctly rude & even told Alf that he
wanted to get out of the crew! A very serious position
We kicked the football a while tonight then I walked to

 

(Illustration see original)

town with John to get supper. It was a glorious

evening- after a terribly thick fog in the morning.

We just ambled in & out & had supper here in the 

hut

10.4.45 (Tues)

Spent a short time on ad hoc work then we

flew in observers for the gunners. I sat above

 the kite  & looked at "GEE" etc & felt a bit crook

Did some P.T. in the afternoon in the form of a 

run with Cs & Lack. Hal is still ropable

11.4.44 (wed)

Same as yesterday- a bit of work then we did

some flying. Trad 2 & 3 engine flying, stalking

& I did two landings - bang on. Went to the town

laundry in the afternoon. Had tea & wrote in the 

evening.

14.4.45 (Sat)

On Thursday I went solo and last night John & I 

went to town & saw "Escape to Happiness" which was

quite good & had brilliant music in it. Today we flew 

and did some bombing. I did a nice thoto engine ldg.

Heard on our i/c -:Instructor "What are my instructions

for this A/C?" (WAAF) Control "No instructions, you can

do what you like with it" Instructor "I know what

I want to do with it, but what do you want me to do?"

Control "The same"  This evening we all went 

to an ace show in the cinema & there were two wizard

dancers & a 1st rate comedian.

14.4.45 (Sun)

Up 0530 to get to briefing then at 0905 we took off to 

go to Cambridge., Land's End - Skerries Base. Bad hip

& on return we had to bomb. Hairy time over the target

at 3000 ft. Saw the Cork's place in Devon very  ill only.

We then stayed airborne to do some air/sea firing.

Dropped a flame float after a bit of excitement 

with it & the boys fired away. I shot up a naval

camp at 3100 feet then came back low to base. We

had tea and I spent the evening in the hut. Had a 

shower. The coast line & country of Cornwall & Devon

looked beautiful today as they were so distinct. Even

the Bristol channel looked quite a blue & I saw the

Saily Is.

16.4.45 (Mon)

Early briefing once again and this time we were 

briefed to go to Tesley Hill - Picauville - Lisieve - Nageut -

Marguine - Cap de la Hague - Nottingham base. It was

a beautiful day and we saw Normandy perfectly. 

Saw Bayeux & Caen & the invasion west. France

looks horribly knocked about but the visibility was

perfect so I missed nothing. Saw the channel. Is &

 

the Isle of Wight. Wizard trip & we bombed on return.

19.4.45 (Thurs)

Went to a dance last night at the Town Hall

with Len & John and it was very classy, but I was a 

confirmed wallflower. I went to the mess dance

tonight but once more sat out whole evening

guess there'll be hell to pay from the mess girls!!

I went to the dentist's this afternoon and he filled two

cavities. Also sent in my bank book for interest. 

A beautiful day and a super night to follow &

I'm afraid I'm becoming the creature on 

God's earth.

20.4.45(Friday)

We did some fighter affil. & I was terribly sick when

W/O Powell was doing it. F/O Rodgers gave a new cork 

screw & I performed nightly cornily. We had a shower &

set out for Nottingham by train after putting in

laundry & a parcel. Went to the o'seas club and had

tea & got our address. We came out to a Mrs Sweeting

who lives at 88 Nottingham Rd Nuthall. We nattered for 

a while and looked at the garden then John & I went

for a short walk to the "Three Ponds" where it started to

rain so we waited awhile then came home.

21.4.45 (Sat)

We had breakfast in bed - eggs - and I had a shower

and then John & I went down to the B.A. Colleisq (?)/. We saw

the under - manager & were introduced to the manager

and given overalls, kneepads, a helmet and a torch.

First place we saw was the torch room where we were

shown about 6 different types of light and saw the 

gas light which burns blue when gas is present. A

magnetic lock renders all locks unable to be turned off.

We saw a new shaft which was being sunk and then

walked to No 6 shaft of the Cinderhill mine. Were

shown the motor room, spotlessly clean & contain-

ing huge machinry for raising & Lowering the cage &

radium dials the directions given for whats to be

done with the cage. At the pit head we were inspected

for cigarettes & matches and then descended 100 yds - 

a very shallow shaft. Saw the u/managers office

also looked at the charts of the mine system. Moved

along a short way thru a tiny entrance into the pony

stables. Spotlessly clean and the animals perfectly

groomed by the old chap who'd been there 38 years

Walls were all whitewashed & excreta removed

within two minutes. Moved along & saw the 

anti-explosion powder & the electric generators. We

had to pass thru several doors designed to force the

draught along the tunnels. We left the railway

 

moved along by an endless belt on which a bit of coal 

was being taken to the trucks. The roof was low & we

had to stoop quite a bit & it became rather tiring,

Then we came to the coal-face & crawled thru the 

belts & the roof at this stage was 3ft high. We

had to crawl along & thanked the bloke for the knee

pads! We saw the holes being pared for the deton-

ators & they go in 5 ft. Lots of (?) lay about. Some

fellas working were kneeling & shovelling the

coal on to the belt and we saw the machine used

for starting the cut.  We moved back then down

a disused tunnel & aw the otor for the trucks.

Came up after 1 1/2 hours below & we went past the 

weighing house & up to the grading section. The

u/manager then showed us the shower room -

soot blacking etc & also lockers on our side for 

removing clothes, the shower in the centre & clean

clothes on other side. U/U/R treatment would be

had & there was a Red X room. The whole thing

spotlessly cleaned & fumigated. Also saw the restaur-

ant. Back for dinner & I went for a walk in the late

afternoon to Kimberley. In the evening Denise

Harley & herbrother Roger came & we played

darts & natteres & at 2230 all went up to the

dance at the local hall. Very good time and altho

I only had a couple of dances I enjoyed it greatly.

Denise didn't dance, is keen on a fella from

Murrembeena & they have an "agreement". Brought 

Roger, Denise & Mrs Sweeting home then hit the hay

at 0010. The mine has 1300 employees.

(hand drawn map of mine, see original)

22.4.45 (Sun)

Went to church in the

morning, at the C of E up the 

road and had dinner on our 

return. Spent the afternoon reading 

or writing and on John & I went

for a stroll to the cemetery. After tea

Denise came in and later still two A.T.S. girls.

Paulie and Mavis. We played a lot of gramophone 

records and nattered till about 2000 when we got a

bus to town (after some poached eggs) & took the train

to town. Walked home & got off to bed.

23.4.45 (Mon)

Spent a quiet morning and did a period of

solo F/A in the early afternoon, Took things easy

till 0030 when we did our weight circuits. Got on

quite easily & in the waiting period I wrote quite a

lot of letters

24.4.45 (Tues)

Landed very late and so we slept in all the

 

morning and then I had to go out with Jack & Hal to see the

Ft Wing Adj re commissioning saw the C/I/ fly past

got my age & education & then I did a little "ad hoc"

We went to Briefing & got put on a birdseye base (?)

Wolverhampton - Lincoln- vosh etc - Lt Hammond- 

Thames Estuary - London A (Tru Park) - Reading Base

we bombed at the end of it but guns in the sighting head

was u/s. Had supper & Hit the hay.

25.4.45 (Wed) Anzac Day

Slept in this morning and in the afternoon I had

to fill in some forms for this commission business.

There was no flying as they were conducting engine

coolant changeover, I went to see "Rebecca" and the 

show was extra good altho the film broke about 10 times.

26.4.45 ( Thurs)

Big C.O.s parade then Ad Hoc all day. Walked to town

but the blinkin shops were closed so I came back

for briefing. N/F war scrubbed in the evening.

27.4.45  (Friday)

Pay parade today then we did some Dinghy Drills

& N.V.P John, Hal & I had an interview with the C.O

today & he said he would recommend our comms.

Said I'd done a good job with the crew. Went to town

with Hal & Ken and then had tea (egg & steak) at

Status. Helluva rush back to be in time for briefing

and then we waited about to fly. Took off in dull 

weather & F/A was scrubbed. Returned to base & hut.

had us standing by till 0200 - meantime it came up

10/10 cloud, rain & snow!!! Hope springs eternal -! Got to bed finally & had supper on the way over

28.4.45 (Sat)

Another quiet day & in the evening Lass & I walked 

to town for the supper. We had some beautiful

Fish & chips then came home.

29.4.45 (Sun)

Ad Hoc all day and briefing made us too 

late for church so I wrote a bit. There was no

flying due to the daft weather. Snow tonight!!!!

30.4.45 (Mon) 

Ad Hoc in the morning then at 1415 I managed to

get a day off. Rang LNER & got train times & also got a 

taxi. Threw the odd bit of stuff in my case & told

Ken, Alf & Len we got the taxi to town (6/-) & the 

train to London (15/-) I found out where the Willis were

staying and had a natter to Betty then took the U/G

to London Bridge & caught the 1754 (ER) to Trove Park &

changed to the 1911 from there to Bromley. Had tea

& caught a bus to Duoul & after a bit of a walk 

found "Homefield" and met the Willis'. Wonderful 

reunion & we nattered away. Went for a short

walk with Betty then I showed my photos &

we talked till about 2330. They arrived last Tues. &

came thru the Panama after an awfully 

interesting trip. I had a bath & got off to bed

where I read for some considerable time. 

1.5.45 (Tues)

I got up when Betty woke me and we had 

breakfast together. Then I said goodbye to the 

Willis' and Betty walked to the bus with me. I

caught the train to town and bought a couple

of books in London then got the 1030 train

north from Kings X with Lass & Alf. I came

straight out to camp & went to link but it was

 U/S. We flew at night on F/A then bombing and over

Owthorpe very  nearly hit a home .  No joy there on R/T

so we went to Bassingham & dropped some from

9500 & the last from 5000. Did a helluva landing

& then had supper & hit the hay.

2.5.45 (Wed)

Slept in till late and then did some link and

got that the N/F programme. Went down to fly but it 

was scrubbed. The entire German Armies in Nth

Italy surrendered unconditionally today!

3.5.45 (Thurs)

Today John, Hal & I had to catch the 0845 shuttle to

Swaianby where, after a lot of waiting, we were inter-

viewed by Air-Commandant Bussell for commissions.

He asked why we hadn't got them at SFTS or OTW, where 

we had trained etc all rather silly unimportant

questions & I don't know how he took to us. Came back

and in the evening they scrubbed N/F. To get back we

walked quite a bit of the way then a brewery cart

picked us up.

4.5.45 (Friday)

Just pottered about in the morning and afternoon

and then went to briefing for our last trip

on K/C. Preois - Hardwick - Wales- Bolton-Dumfries-

Firce - Stirling - Base. Quite a good trip but very tiring. 

and we had to scrub our bombing detail as the

C/S was up. Had to fly thru some Cu on the climb

&ci at 2100. Got up to 22,500 and used 1200 gal

of petrol. Nice landing, eggs for super & then

5.5.45 (Sat) 

Well, we've finished our can. unit & the war

has just about finished too- the lines in Denmark, 

Holland & Nth W Germany surrendered at 0800

today. I slept till midday & in the afternoon I

started to get some clearances.

6.5.45 (Sun)

Quite a strenuous day getting clearances and at

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