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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