Tuesday 16 October 2012

Australians in the Battle of Britain. 17 October 1940. Bill Millingtnon


Australians in the Battle of Britain. 17 October 1940

It is likely Bill Millington had been given a spot of leave in mid October 1940 as he had not flown since 15 October. There do not seem to be any existing letters or diary for this period to verify this assumption but, if Bill was on leave, it is likely he either visited his family who lived near London or took advantage of the hospitality offered by the hospitality scheme run by Lady Frances Ryder and Miss Macdonald of the Isles.

Bill was an extremely sociable young man. He was amiable, gregarious and had lots of friends. As a child he wrote to pen friends all around the world and his early diary entries are littered with references to his new service pals. He also made many acquaintances through the hospitality scheme.

Here is an example of some of the exciting times offered to him by Lady Frances and Miss Macdonald, written in July 1939, just before he arrived at No. 8 E & R FTS, Reading:

‘Lady Frances Ryder has been looking after Glen [Grindlay] and I pretty well. Glen is a Canadian over for the RAF and we’re great pals. We’ve been out to teas, dinners and garden parties together in the past few weeks. Last Saturday we visited the Royal Stables at Buckingham Palace (Special RAF Permit) and saw all the Kings’ horses, all his coaches and most of his men...

Last Tuesday I played golf at Richmond Park. This was only 1/6 per round and the best course I have ever had the pleasure of playing on. We saw some deer in the park, which is heavily wooded in places.

On Thursday we were taken on a tour of the Royal Docks and sailed per launch from Tower Pier. We passed the Tower of London, Traitors Gait and sailed under London Bridge. The docks with large liners from many parts of the world were very interesting.

We were introduced and had had tea with Lord Athlone yesterday at Lady Frances Ryder’s. Lord Athlone is brother to Queen Mary, and was formerly Governor General of South Africa, and is very interested in the Dominions, and particularly with RAF men from overseas.’
 
Bill Millington at Ruckley Grange, Shopshire in January 1940. He enjoyed the hospitality of Captain Codrington Gwynne Reid Walker a number of times, including at Christmas 1940.
 
Ruckley Manor
 

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