March 22nd 1940

Good Friday, three days break granted as Privilege Leave, started. We had had a weeks excellent flying weather on the whole. One rather bad night's flying when I was i/c. the weather was doubtful and the aerodrome really far too soft. The cross country started and we had about five soloists up when the "Chance" light went u/s , failing to give more than ½ power and started to pour with rain. All the cross country trips came back except P/O McKenzie and we managed to get them all down, he went round and we washed out after he had landed - before the flare path was completely dismantled the weather had cleared and it became a wizard moonlight night.

March 17th 1940

Brought Jana back from Salisbury after a fortnight's stay there, Jeremy came back to Bucklands too

March 13th 1940

Epic day for "A" flight P/O McArthur R.N.Z.A.F, carrying out local formation practice on P/O Henderson who was leading, brought his wing tip on the leader's tail plane, bent the elevators but fortunately not too badly and Henderson was able to lead them back to Benson all right. P/O Cameron also R.N.Z.A.F was carrying out a low level navigation trip and hit a tree - the whole of one leading edge being severely buckled he also managed to get home all right!

March 11th 1940

Weekend leave until midday Monday 11th March. I attended petty sessions in Salisbury on Monday morning having been summoned for parking - shot a big lie and got the case dismissed with costs! (4/-). Drove straight back to work afterwards. Met S.J.E Huxley in Salisbury.

Second "course" from the pool under C.G.I starts today we are a little behind on the previous bunch of pupils "Courses" seen an improvement as pupils arriving in twos and threes continually. The new course included wireless operators and we now split them into three and each flight trains pilots, observers and wireless operators.

No.52 Squadron were night flying that evening and prior to starting S/Ldr Simmonds had all their pupils up and lectured them on procedure etc. finishing up with the remark "make it go with a swing tonight"! It did, he was actually night flying himself and landed fair and square right on the "Chance" light! He was unhurt. The password into camp that night (previously arranged) was "Beacon" !!

March 8th 1940

After 5 days brilliant flying weather, we had one poor day, luckily coinciding with a station defence exercise. We represented the squadron alone in the dispersed area. A quiet day actually and little trouble from anyone we read and smoked in a "Nissen" hut warmed by a paraffin stove. Did a little flying in the afternoon. That night HO Ward and I got permission to "sabotage" 52 Squadron's aircraft! Sabotage consisted of breaking through their guard from outside the camp and attaching lorries to aircraft. We got three aircraft and a telephone wire and I also managed to pinch a rifle and bayonet belonging to one of the guards while under the aircraft into which he slumbered! Good nights fun! Went away on Saturday for week-end leave after spending dreadfully cold night in the hut by the dispersed aircraft.

March 4th 1940

Started work again, brilliant day after lunch.

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.