3 October 1940. Bill Millington. Australians in the Battle of Britain.

Australians in the Battle of Britain. 3 October 1940

At North Weald, Bill Millington was busy carrying out patrols. He had flown three on 1 October, the first, lead by North Weald Station CO Wing Commander Beamish, was of Rochford, the second was of Wickford and the third was again of Rochford. A number of Messerschmitt 109s flying at high altitude were sighted but there were no engagements.

The next day, Bill fronted up for three more patrols all of the Hornchurch–Biggin Hill line. None were dawn or early morning sorties—the earliest had him taking to the air at 9.50 a.m.—but each patrol was over an hour long, with less than an hour on the ground in between, making for tiring days where he had to be on the alert constantly.

Bill’s Hurricane, V6614, was obviously a sturdy machine as it flew all six of these patrols in two days.

There was no opportunity to relax after work was completed on the 2nd. It was best behaviour when Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Fighter Command visited the squadron and spoke with all of the pilots.

The weather was bad on 3 October and Bill did not carry out any operational sorties but again he could not fully relax as the squadron was yet again entertaining the top brass. The Under Secretary of State for Air, Captain Balfour, visited and took tea with the pilots in the Officers’ Mess.

Meanwhile, back in Adelaide, news of Bill’s achievements had spread far and wide and his sister Eileen received a letter from the president of the Streaky Bay Branch of the South Australian Country Women’s Association:

‘At the monthly meeting of the CWA today a suggestion was carried unanimously that our branch send you congratulations on the wonderful achievements of your famous brother Pilot Officer Millington.

We are proud and grateful for what the Air Force are doing and you must indeed be proud of your distinguished brother. May he be long spared to enjoy the laurels he has earned is the sincere wish of us all.’

 

 

Photo is of Bill Millington and his family at the beach. Seacliff 1930s. His parents William Senior and Elizabeth Millington, his older sister Eileen in back, Bill and his sister younger Audrey in front. Queenie and Marjorie not present.