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211152 F/Sgt. Ronald Willbie Royal Air Force  166 Sqd. from:London I volunteered for Aircrew just before my eighteenth birthday in 1942. I was placed on reserve and called up almost a year later. After initial training wing in St. Andrews, Scotland, on passing out I was posted to Grading School at Perth. After this to the holding unit at Heaton Park, Manchester. I was graded for pilot instruction and began a prolonged wait for posting. All the cadets thought it was worse than being in the trenches, no heating, paddling around in 6 inches of water surrounding the billets, bullied by NCOs, sleeping with all one's clothes on top of the bed covered by the greatcoat to keep them dry. The authorities were no doubt worried as they decided to send large groups of cadets on temporary postings. One was to Scarborough for a second initial training course and this was followed by postings to various Bomber stations as dogsbodies. In my case this was to 166 Squadron at Kirmington in Lincolnshire working in the bomb dump. At the end of this time we went on leave but on returning found an almost empty camp at Heaton Park, due to an epidemic of Scarlet Fever. Postings were delayed until this cleared and finally in February 1944 we embarked on the Queen Mary for the States.
Great jubilation, but just before arrival two cases of the dreaded fever and the US Immigration authorities refused entry but allowed transshipment to Canada. More delay but in jollier surroundings of the bull pens in Toronto's fairground. Finally I was posted to 3BFTS in Miami,Oklahoma. At the end of the pilot's course, not without its trials and tribulations, I passed out as a Sergeant pilot in November. We spent a happy two weeks in an American transit camp in New York, mostly spent with families in New England and we embarked on the Ile de France for England. There was only a small group of RAF personnel,99, amongst a large contingent of American Army personnel, who were not seen for about three days as about 99 per cent were sea sick in their bunks down in the bowels of the ship. We were told that the pumps were running all the way to Europe and on arrival constant announcements were made over the Tannoy not to congregate on the port side. On arrival at the reception centre at Harrogate all pilots, several hundred, were all made redundant unless they possessed certain qualifications, had flown twins, done an advanced course and most stupid of all, were 5ft6in or under or over 6ft. Alternative trades were offered, Fleet Air Arm, Glider pilot, Flight Engineer, with one or two stipulations. The form I handed in to the adjudicating officer had a selection for Single Engine Ground Attack (70% casualties at that time) and on being asked if I was over 6ft, obviously not, was threatened with court martial unless I completed the form was correctly. The quickest way to action seemed to be Flight Engineer - 6 week course - so that was my choice. Again long delays and finally to St Athans, near Cardiff for the course in February. After a few delays I passed out in June, war over but the Japanese to be dealt with. Sent to 1654 Heavy Conversion Unit, Wigsley, Lincolnshire and joined a second tour crew for conversion on Lancasters. at the end of the course we were posted to Tiger Force and sent on embarkation leave. The war ended finally whilst we were on leave and I received a notice to report to 242 Squadron, Stoney Cross in the New Forest. Arrived to find that the Squadron was equipped with Stirlings, consequently more crew training to learn a lot of new information. Thus ended one individual's war effort. I continued in the RAF, was made redundant again in 1948, became a Meteorological Air Observer, but finally finished flying as a pilot over the last few years of service |
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