大象传媒

PART 5
RAF PILOT TRAINING IN WW2
THE FINAL CHAPTER
I WONDER WHERE MY OLD MATES ARE NOW?

WHAT AN AIRFORCE. This evening we were told that flying training was to be stopped and we were all returning to England. If we wished we could sign on for three years and complete pilot training, or be demobbed in due course. Out of perhaps 300 cadets, 20 signed on. I often thought I should have completed my training, but I later learned that it was 1948 before those who signed on received their wings. Most of their time had been spent on menial tasks as Aircraft hands, General Duties, on RAF stations around the U.K.

21.7.45 Tue.
Formally taken off flying training today and returning home in the near future. It鈥檚 going to be grand to see the family and Winn again and now that the disappointment is wearing off I am getting really excited at going home.

22.8.45
Went into Gwelo today with Fred and bought several things for Mum and Winn. Practically broke, and not much hope for me on 7/- day. Saw the "Thin Man Comes Home" in the evening. Really enjoyed it. Sat next to the padre and according to him there is a rumour that our boat goes in a fortnight鈥檚 time.

7.9.45 Fri.
7.00 am Left Gwelo for Capetown by train..

9.7.45 Sun
Reached Capetown 7.00 pm after a three day railway journey on the Blue Train. Scenery fantastic. Arrived Westlake camp 8.30 pm.

Lived mainly on bread and jam
Thank goodness the town more than makes up for everything.
We鈥檝e never received such hospitality. Bought a length of silk for Winn and a watch for John. Spent evening at Mayor鈥檚 Garden eating and dancing.

10.9.45 Walked across Cape to sea.

11.9.45 Tue.
Swimming in sea at Muzemburg. Glorious. Dancing again in the evening.,

12.9.45 Wed.
Social at Mayor鈥檚 Garden. Picked up by SP鈥檚 for not wearing cap.

WE SAILED THREE WEEKS LATER FROM CAPETOWN ON THE S.S. REINA DEL PACIFICO.
I had a hammock this time. The sea was absolutely calm, the food reasonable and of course we were in good spirits as we were on our way home and peace had come at last.
We called at St. Helena and Freetown but were not allowed off the boat. After three weeks we docked at Liverpool and were sent home on four weeks leave.
ALAS, NOT WEARING RAF WINGS.

RECORD OF POSTINGS

1.12.43. Posted to No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School, Brough, Yorkshire.

10.3.44 Posted to Aircrew Despatch Centre, Heaton Park, Manchester.
Remustered as U/T Pilot (2).

25.3.44. Posted to No 12 Initial Training Wing, St. Andrews, Scotland.

5.4.44. Posted to R.A.F. Bomber Station, Leconfield, Yorks.
Assigned to Signals Section

9.7.44. Posted to Aircrew Despatch Centre, Heaton Park, Manchester.
4 weeks embarkation leave but no embarkation.

10.8.44. Posted to 101 Lancaster Squadron, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire.
Assigned to bomb loading operations.

22.11.44. Posted to Aircrew Despatch Centre, Heaton Park, Manchester.
4 weeks embarkation leave.

7.2.45 Draft No. 9903 embarked on S.S. Samaria at Liverpool

3.3.45 Arrived Port Said and travelled by rail and lorry to N0 22 PDC,
Heliopolis, Cairo.

13.3.45 Flew by Dakota to Khartoum via Wadi Halfa.
14.3.45 Flew to Kisumu via Juba.
15.3.45 Flew to Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia, via Intava. Posted to Hillside Camp to await allocation to flying training.
20.4.45 Posted as trainee fighter pilot to No 26 Elementary Flying Training School, Guinea Fowl.
29.6.45 Posted to No 22 SFTS Thornhill, Nr Gwelo.
7.9.45 Flying Training stopped. End of war. Atomic bomb dropped,
Posted to Westlake Reception Centre, Capetown.
5.10.45 Sailed on "Reina Del Pacifico" to Liverpool.
28.10.45 Posted to 27 ACHV, Bircham Newton, Norfolk.
30.11.45 Posted to RAF Station at Dunholme Lodge, Nr Lincoln
28.3.46 Posted to No 264 Maintenance Unit, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon.

4.2.47 Demobbed at 101 RDC Kirkham, Lancs.

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