February 26th 1940

Went to Folkestone and Bournemouth on Thursday and to town on Friday 1st March. Returned to Bucklands Hotel alone on Sunday 3rd March, to find the Philipsons had left rather under a cloud. The last three days of leave were absolutely glorious summer days. Prior to going on leave brought a wrecked Ford 8 from Jenkins in Wallingford for £9.10, changed the engine which was a good one with mine and took off two new tyres, then sold the remainder with my old engine to a scrap dealer for £4-10, cash!! Henderson looked after the flight while I was away.

February 25th 1940

Wing Commander W.L. Payne took over the squdron. W/C King actually left a few days later. I took six day's leave from the 25th, and went to Salisbury. Took Alexander to enlist as driver in the R.A.S.C. on Monday.

February 20th 1940

A practice game of rugger in the afternoon just about killed everyone! Aerodrome is still U/S for flying, being waterlogged. W/C. King is posted for Signals duties with a new group, his successor will be W/C. Payne from No.6 Group Headquarters.

February 16th 1940

Brought a smashed up Ford 8 with a good engine to replace mine, also 4 new tyres. Bad party in the evening with Pam Furlong at Aston Tyrrol.

February 14th 1940

More night flying I was in charge and Henderson A.C.P. A "B" flight pupil touched down the other side of the Henley - Oxford main road, about 160 yards away from the first flare! He hit the bank and completely buckled the undercarriage, the port wheel being left behind when he opened up and got off again to save himself from landing on the "Chance" light. We kept him up until all the others were down and then cleared the flare path for his landing. He did it very well and was unhurt. The group captain, Squadron Commander a blood-wagon and two fire tenders were in a attendance and quite a flap going on. Next day we learnt that his starboard wheel had drooped off in flight earlier on and had landed in a garden near Wallingford.

All flying personnel had returned from leave and flying started again. The aerodrome was again fairly hard after further frost. Night flying - did a cross country to Worcester and home.

February 3rd 1940

At last late in the afternoon the thaw started and by Sunday morning a good deal had disappeared. Aerodrome was very wet and full of pools of water. Mrs Lawrence talks of turning Bucklands Hotel into flats furnished and self-contained.

Still cold, snow thick on the ground and fog owing to the thaw so at last they decide to let us have some leave. Flying crews were allowed seven days and the men two days, one officer had to remain in each flight. Funny story of S/Ldr Simmonds came to light today. Bomber command despatch driver had been stopped by a man in mufti out of a large black car and was asked by him to come and have a drink. The dispatch driver drove on again - was passed by the large black car which stopped at the next ale-house and waved him in. He managed to evade the drinking and taking the number of the car reported it to Bloggs who was S.D.O. On arrival at Benson Bloogs warned everyone and reported it, next morning they discover from the car number that it was S/Ldr Bill Simmonds!