Diary of Edward Lloyd Fleming, January- September 1945 - Part 5

copper & did our washing. We received word that our

ULR entries weren't wanted and we are to be

cleared. Just handed in our flying clothing

and then knocked off.

31.5.45. (Thurs) A busy day getting clearances

and at dinner time I did my ironing. Same thing

this afternoon and after tea John & I went to see the

"Fargo Kid" and "Bambi". Had supper and

then packed & wrote a little.

1.6.45. (Fri) We were up at usual time & handed in our

blankets, got paid and at 1430, got off the unit, We

caught the train from Habrough to Sheffield and had

to wait till 2040 for the special forces boat train to

Stranraer. So we had tea & settled in a railway chaps

room. Got away well on time and went to Leeds

then across to Carlisle, Dumfries, Stranraer where

we arrived about 0420.  Got a bit of sleep but not

terribly much.  We got over embarkation difficulties

we'd been given the wrong rail warrants, and

our boat left at 0700. We had quite a rough

passage & a lot of the blokes wouldn't take it but

we came thru O.K. The civilian ship, "Princess

Margaret" followed us over.  Saw the but RAF (C)

station at Stranraer & Ailsa Craig. Our boat pulled

in at Larne in Antrim and we caught a train
to Belfast. Had dinner & a rather hurried look around

the city then enquired at the O'seas Club about an

itenary. They suggested they'd fix us up on Monday.

meantime to go to Portrush & see the 'Giants"

Causeway. Accordingly we took a tram up there

arriving 1620 & booked a room at the West Bay

View Hotel. Very nice quarters and we had tea then.

I walked about a mile along the beach - it was

beautiful with sane dunes to landward & the water

& some islands to sea-ward. Had clean up & John &

I went to a dance at the Palladium. Last word in 

luxury with a beautifully sprung floor and

used only for dancing. Met a super girl from

Co. Derry called Betty Mitchell.  She's about 21 I think

& darned good company. We had a few dances &

then I took her home. She lives near the pub & is working

in some gov. job. We went for a walk out on the

Ramore & then I said goodnight & arranged for her

to take us out to the Causeway. In bed about 0100.

3.6.45  (Sunday) We had breakfast & wrote a bit

then went to the Presbyterian Church. There was a

huge crowd of people in the streets - all making

for church & it was indeed moving to see

religion being taken so seriously. After dinner I

went back to Betty's & we had our photos taken then

 

set out for the Causeway. We travelled on the oldest rly in

the br.. Isle to get there and passed Dunluce Castle &

Bushmills where Whiskey is made. At the Causeway we

saw all the sights of the cooled basalt & Johny very

sportingly left Betty & me to our own devices. We

had to hurry back to the train but it had gone so

Betty & I took the opportunity of lying in the sun

a bit longer. Back in town I had tea & met Betty

again at 200 & we walked along the promenade

to the sand dunes. It rained a bit but we didn't

worry & had a wizard evening out there. We just

rambled back, said goodnight & goodbye & I

turned in.

4.6.45 (Mon) We rose early & bathed & caught the

0900 train from Portrush. Yesterday was absolutely

perfect but it was raining a little today. Saw the

APM in Belfast about getting to Brie and then went

to o'seas club for our address. Had lunch whilst

waiting and then got one in Eniskillen. We caught

the train down after I'd hired some civvy clothes

at Parsons & Parsons. Saw an old horse drawn

tram in action at Fintona junction & all along

there was a lot of peat digging. Most beautiful

country side too. Annie the maid, was at the

train to meet us with a taxi & we proceeded out to
Mrs. Demochi's home. She is away on vacation but

her mother, Mrs Wonall is in charge. Met a Mrs

Irving & nattered after hearing Churchill speak &

went home with her. We met her husband too & he

was very interesting to talk to. One of Betty's "Irish"

saying was ' a queer long way' There was a very

engaging & interesting bloke in the cafe where we

had dinner who told us "Bally" means "town of"

Most glorious sunset tonight & its awfully peaceful

Mrs Worrall has a son a parson & two married

daughters & she's 86 but like a 2 yr old.

5.6.45. (Tues) After breakfast we wrote during most

of the morning as it was very wet. We had lunch &

then walked across to Mrs. Irwins and borrowed their

boat. Rowed their cook across the river Erne & then

paddled ourselves up down stream to Devenish. There were

a lot of bulls & goats on the island and we walked

over to the old abbey ruins & saw what is supposed to

be an old watch tower, built in AD 500 & in perfect condition 

It was a hard row back & we got very wet in two

heavy showers. We took the boat back and came home to

tea and after supper, Mr Herd took us for a drive thru

Irvinestown to Dromore & back thru Trillick & Ballinamallard.  
Saw lots of peat digging and came back

to bed.

 

6.6.45. (Weds) We had the usual egg for breakfast then

after writing for a while we went to town on foot & Mrs

Worrall followed later by car. Enniskillen is quite a

large place with a prosperous shopping centre & huge

police barracks.  It is built on an island formed by

the R. Erne. John looked up his relatives & the search of

them took us down to the old potato market and then

to the butter & flax mkts. Mrs. Worrall got the boy to take us

for a drive past Portora School  to Rossory church

where there was an old vault. Saw Maguire castle near

the town & sign post pointing along the river to Devenish

with 'by water' in brackets. Spent a quiet afternoon

pressing my pants and then in the evening we

walked over to dinner at the Irwins. Most beautiful 

drawing room and a wizard meal. Nattered over

many topics and at they told us of the Yank who was

visiting Dublin and he saw the burnt out parliament 
building. Two years destroyed. He said "why

back in the States we'd have that rebuilt in a night - your

mighty slow over here. "They drove on a bit & then the

Yank saw the bank & asked what that was. The cabby

turned and said "Stuch, I dunno, it wasn't there yesterday.

Mr. Irwin had a price on his head at one time & was

able to tell us lots of stories about the rebellion & about

the fire they had in their house. A relation of the Irwins
is Margaret I. who is a historical novelist. I handled an

old stone axe dug up in the peat bogs.

7.6.45. (Thurs) We were up very early & got all dressed

up in our civilian togs and got a taxi to town. We caught

the 0715 train from Enniskillen to Dublin & at Newtown

Butler, the British customs came on board & at Clones the

Irish ones. Instead a lot of houses in ruins - the result

of feuds? We stopped a while at Dundalk then followed 

the coast down to Dublin. Saw a pathetic airfield with

about 4 Hurricanes on it and there are lots of goats &

asses in Eire.  Pretty scenery all the way down with

several very pretty islands off the coast and we

passed Clontarf. Liam stopped at Armien St & we

walked up it to Nelsons monument in O'Connell St.

I bought all the Irish stamps at the G.P.O. and then

we crossed the river & had a look at Trinity college, the

University of Dublin just opposite was the bank, a huge

sound building & up same St. we saw the C of E [[cathedral]]

and the castle (Got a film (620) there).  The average Irishman

seems to be very short and their soldiers are a very poor

looking crowd.  Walked along Grafton St. & then St. Stevens

Green then down Kildare St. where we saw Leinster

House (the Dail) and the museum & the huge, new

municipal bldgs. Lots of new building & cream cakes

in abundance, also chocolate & ice cream, watches & stockings.

 

I got David a stamp catalogue and we went to the theatre

Royal to see 'Thousands Others' while we waited for the

train.  Slow trip back with customs at the same places

and walk out here from the station. It was a real experience to

go back to a civvy city even for a short time, the only

'foreigners' in uniform being Yanks.

8.6.45 (Fri) I had breakfast & rang to find out about the

train times. The one at 1220 was best for me altho a bit

awkward for Mrs. Worrall, however they got a taxi & gave me

a light lunch and I bade farewell about midday.  The

trip up was slow & uninteresting & in Belfast I drew £6

out of the bank and also went to the Oseas League to

thank them & enquire about telegrams. There was one there

which they had not forwarded  "Commissioned stop

Return their unit immediately. I rang John & then took

the 1325 train to Portrush.  Rang Mrs. Knox and also had a 

yarn with Betty & then raced around to see her. She was

absolutely divine & after a scrap of tea we walked along to

the White Rocks.  Spent some time on the golf links then

came back & I showed her my photos. An absolutely

wizard ending to the night with a little necking on the

lounge sofa! Then I struggled up stairs & turned in.

9.6.45  (Sat) I got up early & had breakfast & put calls thru

to Aldergrove & Sidenham. They said to get into Belfast so at

0900 I left without having said goodbye to Betty. From
Belfast I put a call thru to Sidenham  again but they said to

go to 11E.U. to try to get a plane. It worked & at 1245 we

left for Long Kesh airdrome. There were 17 passengers, mostly

civvy or high officers & a F/C flew us across in this

Dasota of transport [[?]].  We passed to the S of the

I.O.M. & over to Lamard eventually landed at Hendon.

After quite a good trip, we got the Derby results over the

Irish Sea.  We got transport at each end & from Hendon

I got the u/ground from Colindale to London & caught

the 13.50 to Grimsby from Kings X.

10.6.45. (Sun) Reported to orderly room and

got organised a bit.  I had to fill in a few forms

& after lunch got my raid warrant & left C.

15.30  Saw Den & he said Len had wired from

Caernarvon for a recall, also an address had

come for Alfie Rait. Got a lift to Habrough

and caught the train to Gy & at 1800 the train

left for London. We arrived at 2230 & I got a

bed at the Victoria League. Lots of AIF, X Pow's

about town. Had a meal at the church army

canteen & turned in.

11.6.45 (Mon)  Work began in earnest after

I'd picked up my outstanding mail at

base P.O.  First I got my clothing coupons &

then went to the store & [[d?]] a trunk, 3 shirts

 

6 collars, a tie, a raincoat, 4 ps sox, 4 sets u/

wear, 2 pc shoes, 2 towels, badges & braid.  It

all cost 104 coupons & £21.11.4. That meant a

balance of £28.8.8 to collect. With that I

went to the Boomerang Club & got measured for

a uniform costing ¢17.18.0  Met Chips

Carpenter & Bill Lucas & Dave Cohen & nattered for

a while with them. Had lunch at Lyons

at Tottenham Court road & then got measured 
for a Gt. coat. Bought some books at

Foyles in Charring X Rd & continued on to

Piccadilly where, after trying several tailors

I placed an order for caps F5 & S.D. with

Burberry's costing £1.13.9 & £2.00 [[?]] !!

got a taxi to take my chest to the Kings X station

& then booked a bed for the night & went to

the London Pavillion to see "The way to the

Stars"  Xtra show about RAF & USAAF. Lots

of AIF boys all thru town & also Sth Africans &

N.Z. Had supper at a Edgeware Rd cafe & then

hit the hay.

12.6.45  (Tues)  Got up for breakfast & then wrote a couple

of letters & then tried to book in again but they wouldn't

play so I started walking along Oxford St. Ended

up by catching a train to Gloucester Rd. where the
A.C.F. club is & they fixed me up. Went back to Piccadilly

after lunching at Lyons and just wandered around

I rang John this morning & he's staying with the Littles.

Put a call thru to Killingholme to ask for an extra

day's leave then I went to see the 'Picture of Dorian

Gray'. Superbly dramatic & terrifying. I had tea at

Lyons Corner House then felt terribly lonely & just

wandered around Piccadilly.  A woman approached 

me & said "come with me & I'll give you a nice time"

-my first experience of the type!! Got so fed up I

went to the Whitehall to see Phyllis Dixey in "When

Parents Sleep" Rather corny but it filled in the evening.

Also saw a V1 & V2 exhibition this arvo. Took a stroll

down to St. James Gdns past Westminster Abbey &

the Houses of Parliament. Saw the Cenotaph and 10

Downing Street. & Buckingham Palace  looked wonderful

at the end of the long green Mall, three Admiralty

Arch. Walked to Charring X & got the train to Gloucester

Rd where I turned in pretty soon.

13.6.45 (Wed) Up early & I went to the base R.O. &

picked up what mail had come in and there was a letter from

Margaret containing two wonderful snaps. Heck, she's a 

beautiful kid & I'm longing to get home to her. Picked up my

caps & went to Kings X. Had a long wait until 1340

but the train made good time & I changed at Pitford. I

 

rang the camp for transport then came out with a most

disagreeable W.A.A.F. Alf & Hal were both back here &

we swapped [[?]]. I couldn't get my sea-chest open

as I'd lost the keys! (already). Got blankets from the

guardroom & got my stuff out of the b site picket

post.

14.6.45. (Thurs) I missed out on breakfast &

went to orderly room to be given a clearance form in

order to clear as an N.C.O.  Got quite a lot of signatures

and then packed up all the clothes I have to hand in

first thing in the afternoon I gave it in & then got a few

more names on the paper. Sewed on some braid & fixed

up my battle dress. I had to pay £1.4.4 & 9 coupons

for it. I had tea & wrote quite a few letters in the

evening. Alf & Ken went to Gy. Hal went back on leave

I saw Johnson & he gave me one of his trunk keys

this morning. Had a shower & I have turned in after

tidying up my stuff.

15.6.45  (Friday) I finished off my clearances & got

paid and then had lunch before leaving for Habrough

where I caught the 2.57 to Sheffield. Had a yarn with a

bloke who wanted to give me a pocket knife but had none

with him.  Had tea in Sheffield and caught the 2020 to

Stramaer. Had a good seat all the way but didnt feel

much like sleep. Had some grub at Carlisle & we arrived at
0530.  Had a wee bit of trouble with embarkation but got on

board OK eventually and they served breakfast at 0700

& I'm afraid I just ate it & didn't pay!  Got into Larne after

passing about 20 U boats & I got a train to Belfast. At 1130

the Portrush one left & when it arrived I rang Mrs

Wilson to see if she'd have me & OK. Called on Mrs.[[Kearne]]

but Betty was bathing so I got organised & called back &

we went for a stroll along the sand & ended up on

the golf links. After tea we went for a walk then saw

"Northern Pursuit"  but it stank a bit we got some

warmer clothing  & walked out on the links again

beneath a most wizard moon. Betty is a sweet kid

without a doubt. Bought her in about 0100 & got off to

bed. The trip over cost only 30/-!!!  I discovered on

unpacking that I'd left out my clean shirt &

collars!!

17.6.45. (Sun) I went for a walk then to church at the

C of E.  Betty was there too & the service was quite good. In 

the afternoon we went to Portstewart by the bus & 

walked quite a long way & also sat in the sand dunes

a bit.  It was a windy day but a very pretty place

& we had tea at a cafe & got 2 eggs each. Took the bus

back then changed and spent the evening walking

along the strand to the white rocks. Mrs. Wilson very

knowingly gave me the front door key!

18.6.45. (Mon)  After breakfast I went to the P/O & rang

to try to contact Sue Wainwright & also rang Betty.

Then I went for a long walk to Bushmills along the beach

to the White Rocks & then by road via Dunluce Castle.  It

is a twelfth century building built on a rock off-

shore and access is gained by a bridge (once a draw

bridge).  The caretaker told me about the interior and

exterior finish to the walls & pointed out some of the

crude plastering and sandstone ornamentation.

Also he pointed out the underground escape passage

and told me the story of the Banshee "tower" The

daughter was locked in it during a party which a suitor

her parents did not like, was attending. His friends

however, let her out for a spell & left the door unlocked

so her lover could get in & he organized a rope

down to the beach where his boat was waiting. When

the girl was brought back he stayed in the cell & as

soon as the door was locked, they made their escape.

Off the Therries the boat was wrecked, his body recovered

but hers was never found. And now her spirit on

Banshee appears at top windows, when anyone is

about to die, in the form of a cat and it is said that

however much you dirty the tower in the day, by

the next morning it will be all cleared up. The

bloke also found out where steps had been and where
rafters were set in.  I stood for a long time watching

the seagulls flying & zooming around and feeing

their young. Arrived in Bushmills & went to a pub

owned by a Mrs Nicholls who looked after me really

handsomely with eggs & chips & told me lots of stories

of her service guests. She has relations in Melb by the

name of Maconochie. Walked back, seeing the wishing

arch & came along the beach. After tea I met Betty &

we saw 'There's Something about a Soldier' Then went

out on the sand dunes where we had a very good 

time.

19.6.45  (Tues)  Up bright & early and I rang Betty &

she persuaded me to stay another day. I called around at

her office and then sat on the beach for a while. I

collected her in the early afternoon and we sat on the 

strand. Rather spoilt things by telling her my age

& she was shaken so much that it altered her whole

attitude profoundly & even apologised for the way

she'd been acting!! We had a lot of annoyance

from a whole pack of youngsters and but the sun

was most enjoyable & hot. We had tea & [[?]]

took her to the picture to see "An American Romance"

which was exceptionally good & in technicolor. We

went out on the dunes for a very subdued necking

session & came home shortly afterwards.

 

 

20.6.45. (Wed) I was up for breakfast and once again said

goodbye to Mrs. Wilson & after ringing Betty, caught the 1125

to Belfast. Had a wizard meal at the L.M.S. restaurant &

then caught the 1600 boat train. Boarded the boat

without any trouble & after a sharp thunderstorm, we

set sail & had a very smooth passage. Arrived in

Stranraer @ 2100 & I saw 50 U boats in the harbour.

The train was crowded out by West Frough personnel

so I waited for one at 2320, in the meantime having

a look at Stranraer & buying some chips to keep me

going. Spent the night very comfortably and we

reached Wigan about 0600. I took a train to Warring.

[[?]] from there and had a bit of trouble organising

a bath but cleaned up eventually in the Sandy St

Y.M.C.A. wrote home to fill in a bit of time then went to the

wainwrights & they were overjoyed to see me & then I

went round to Lancashire Steel & saw Sue, Marge,

Eileen, Emmie & Clifford. A wizard crowd & all awfully

happy. We yarned a bit and I then collected my

belongings & had lunch at the wainwrights. Walked

to the office with Sue then said goodbye to her parents &

called on Mrs. Appleton before catching the train at

1530. Crossed to London Rd. at Manchester in a

wizard taxi & from there we came via Sheffield

& Retford to Habrough. I got a lift out to camp from
an L.A.C. and then booked in at the mess & got myself

a bed. John is back apparently & there's spit & polish on

everything for the benefit of the A.O.C. who comes

tomorrow.

22.6.45. (Friday)  We went on parade but they checked

us in then told us to scoot from 1000 to 1800 on

account of the A.O.C. so John & I went to Ly. Had a

walk then took a bus to Cleethorpes. Sat on the

beach & read the paper for what was left of the

morning & in the afternoon after a fish luncheon,

we sat in the sun just watching the folk. We

were greatly amused at the horse-carts taking

kiddies for rides over the sands and the merry-

go rounds & swings, the paddling & the crowded

beach & the filth on the beach.  It was really an

English beach scene. We had tea in Ly. then

caught a bus to Killingholme. I did a bit of

unpacking & writing & then got into bed, read

for a while & turned in.

23.6.45  (Sat)  We reported to the adj. and finished

off clearances & in the afternoon I did my washing, dried

it & ironed it at night.

24.6.45 (Sun) Nothing doing. Tass & Alf arrived

back & I spent the afternoon sunbathing. After tea I

went for a delightful walk straight across to the

 

Himber at Nth Killingholme Haven. A delightful still

evening & just now a hug golden moon is rising

25.6.45 (Mon). Had breakfast and then bought

some paper at Nth Kill. for a parcel. I packed up &

also got my parcel ready then took it to Sth Kill. to

post.  It cost 6/-. We had dinner & packed our kit on

the back of a truck & left 550 Squdn at 1500. We

travelled on the top of the kit with caravans ahead &

behind carrying the other lads and reached our

holding unit at Gamston M. Retford after a very

roundabout & roaming trip at 1730. The leading

truck made two boobs in the turn-off which held

us up but provided a laugh. We were received &

signed in then were brought to the huts. It's a very

widely dispersed unit but in glorious surroundings.

Had dinner & walked about a mile & a half to see if the

boys were settled in O.K.  but they were at their meal.

I walked back & wrote a bit then washed & crawled

in to bed.  Bruce Edwards & Macglowan are here.

Also Delaney & Famil.

26.6.45 (Tues)  We went to the assembly hall at 0930

& got the G.G. & I put in for an immediate posting. The

rest of the morning was spent in clearing from

the mess etc. The other alternatives were two weeks here

or a month.  In the afternoon I hitch-hiked in to
Sheffield to see the test  match at Bramall- Lane.  It was

very good & I was with  R.A.F. corporal.  Saw Aussie

defeated by 41 runs.  I had tea in town then caught a

bus to Retford & after a bit of a wait, caught another to

[Elbesly?] & walked to the hut.

27.6.45. (Wed). We had to go to the store this morning &

be re-issued with webbing & gas equipt. Then I stayed

in the mess for a while & re-packed. In the afternoon

I got fixed up at pay accts. and that completed

the clearances from reception fit. They told me I was

in dispatch & we are given 5 days leave from today.

I hitch hiked to Lincoln via Newark but boobed as

It was early closing day!  Had some grub there &

sent two cables. Got a lift back to Newark with a

Mr. Noble who made famous steak & kidney pies!

Got another lift to Gamston & walked back. I listened

to the wireless quite a bit & heard Anthony Eden.

28.6.45. (Thurs)  We finished clearing from pay &

handed in our luggage & then had to wait around

a while for our leave warrants. They came eventually

& we got transport to Retford. Had lunch there with

Kev Cecil & Bill Bothe then caught the train to London,

travelling with U.R.L. Johnson.  Put a call there to Dawne

and OK'd everything then had a bit of grub &

came on out here.  The bomb repairs are going on at

 

speed and the house roofs look really mottley.

29.6.45. (Friday) Up for breakfast & took Betty to town

with me. Dr.drove us to Orpington & we all went in

together.  Collected mail to start we'd and then went

about my P.O. bank acct. withdrew £103.18.1

We went to the [[Lrulu?][ quartet recital in the Nat. Gallery

then spent the afternoon doing odd things & I took

Betty to the A/C exhibition on John Lewis site. In

the evening after tea at Scotts (17/-) we went to

'The way to the Stars'.  Came home & hit the hay.

30.6.45. (Sat) I left earlier & spent the day in town by myself.  
Went to Boomerang club & put in my money

(£ 129.18.10) then went out to Chelsea for shoe repair.

Saw quite a lot of the old pensioners in their velvet coats &

rows of medals. Did some shopping at Peter Jones &

got presents for the fold at home.  Had to take my

shoes to Edgware Rd. branch so got smartly

across there. Then I had dinner & went out to Ealing

Broadway by train.  Changed to a bus for Southall &

saw Ken's people & bade them farewell. They said

Ken had been very happy with us & had got the

wireless etc. OK came back to town to Dawne

where Betty & I nattered a bit & I wrote Margaret

then hit the hay.

1.7.45  (Sun)  Up with the lark & I met Sir Anthony 
Keith who is a charming personality. Saw him feed the

monkeys & then I went to church with Betty we were

ushered to the very front row about a foot from the

preacher but got on well with the kneeling etc!!

After dinner I rang John Coffey & he agreed to

come down & sing.  Betty played a white then went

to a service so I fiddled about then met John

& introduced him. He & Betty performed brilliantly.  
We took a walk across the fields to Biggin

Hill drome  (formed from Battle of Britain) & then

came back & had more super music. Betty wanted

a walk so we set off with John. Accompanied him

as far as Hayes then returned only to find the place

all locked!! I got in the kitchen window eventually

& let Betty in & we had supper. Even tho' stones on

the window hadn't roused them. Dr & Mrs. Wilten

woke to the creaking & so we were "found out"

Betty told me of all her romances & on the outward

journey we sang lustilly the whole way & it was

good.

2.7.45 (Mon) Had a bath & shave & breakfast & we

all came in to London together. I said goodbye &

thank you & before leaving for Oxford picked

up my O'coat from stores. Sent a telegram to

tell Nth Bill. to hold onto my uniform which