Australia's Few. 18 July 1940.

Newcastle on Tyne, birthplace of Bill Millington, was feeling the effects of enemy raiders. During a major air raid on Newcastle and Jarrow in the late afternoon of 2 July, 13 people were killed, 123 were injured and a factory was hit. On 18 July, high explosive bombs hit a secondary school, leaving considerable damage in their wake as well as many casualties and three deaths. Members of Bill’s family rushed to their nearest shelter when air raid sirens blared out their warnings, making themselves as comfortable as possible. ‘When we get into the air-raid shelter we feel quite safe’, wrote one of Bill’s relations to the Adelaide connection. ‘We have seats, the floor is boarded (Dad did that), rugs on the floor, candle light and oil stove in case it is very cold.’ As soon as 79 Squadron, based at nearby Acklington were operational, Bill would be part of his family’s and home town’s defence.