Wilfred (Pip) Hill's Diary 1940/1941 - Extract 1 Joining the RAF and Basic Training at Padgate

Wilfred Hill was known to his family and friends as Pip (from the children’s cartoon ‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’). He was born in Blackpool, Lancashire in 1922 but moved south with his parents and elder brother, Harry, at the age of 10. A few days after his 18th birthday he volunteered for the RAF. His diary begins the day he enlisted and covers the training period in England, the long and hazardous sea voyage to the Middle East and his first few weeks in Iraq.

These diary extracts were transcribed and submitted by Anne Hill, Wilfred’s widow, and Margaret Hill, his daughter. Editing has been kept to a minimum. Notes enclosed in square brackets are their added comments or queries.

Wednesday 4 Sept 1940
Today I went to the Recruiting Office, filled in enlistment papers, was medically examined and graded. I was ‘Grade 1’. I was told I would have to report to be attested on Sept 12.

Friday 6 Sept
Received a letter telling me to report to the recruiting centre to be attested and to bring things for two or three days’ stay.

Thursday 12 Sept
At 9am I reported to the recruiting centre but nothing happened until about 11.30am. About fourteen of us volunteers went down to Uxbridge arriving about 1pm. First we had to sign on and we were issued with knife, fork, spoon, mug and towel. Then we were marched off to dinner after which we stripped and the doctor looked us over (twenty in as many seconds). ‘FFI’ [free from infection] It took until 2pm on Sept 13 to finish all that had to be done which was:
1. Trade Test (30 secs). Passed. Easy, but I almost failed.
2. Papers (5 mins). Insurance, next of kin etc
3. Attesting (3 mins). Taking the oath and short lecture on talking shop out of camp.
On Friday I was paid 4/- (2 days pay) and arrived home about 3.30pm. I had been put on deferred service. I was tired and hungry. I had done nothing but wait and the food was badly cooked. This was a pity as it was good quality stuff, that is, before it was cooked. I have enjoyed being with and meeting chaps of my own age and am looking forward to being called up. I am now eighteen and twenty one days.

Wednesday 23 Oct
At last! Aunty Ethel wrote from Padiham telling me my calling up papers had arrived. They had gone to Padiham because I had taken mother there away from the air raids after I had attested. Dad had written to ‘Records’ informing them of my new address but I had come back to Whitton Ave [Alperton, former county of Middlesex]. I had to report to Padgate, Warrington, Lancs.

Thursday 31 Oct
Left Accrington 8.20am arrived at Padgate 10.30. Was issued with knife, fork, spoon and mug and taken to hut. In the afternoon we had to polish floor of Sergeants’ Mess. Food good.

Friday 1 Nov
Had to clean out a hut in the morning. In the afternoon we were moved to No 2 Wing. The food is not as good but we have a wireless in the hut.

Saturday 2 Nov
Today we got our kit and uniform. At 11am we got paid 10 bob after which we were injected and vaccinated. We rested in the afternoon. In the evening we went to the NAAFI. Our right arms ached something awful.

Sunday 3 Nov
Rested all day, went to pics in evening.

Monday 4 Nov
Nothing all day, went to NAAFI in evening. New chaps came in about 4pm.

Tuesday 5 Nov
Collected identity cards in morning. Sent off parcels of civvies in afternoon. Had to move from hut 3 to hut 6. Corporal told us we were posted to Wing 4 Padgate. Blast.

Wednesday 6 Nov
Left Wing 2 today after dinner and were posted in E Flight. Sgt. Stubbes, NCO in charge. All huts have to be kept scrupulously clean.

Thursday 7 Nov
Lecture by Squadron Leader. Flight Lieutenant Ford on discipline, ranks in RAF, disease etc. Lecture after tea.

Friday 8 Nov
Had to clean hut this morning. Gas drill in morning. Lecture in afternoon by Flt Lt on organisation of RAF. After tea had haircut and shower.
Days’ Programme
6.00 Rise
6.30 Breakfast
8.00 First drill
8.30 Inspection
9.25 Break
9.55 Drill
12.00 Dinner
1.00 Drill
4.15 Tea
9.30 Roll Call
10.15 Lights Out

Saturday 9 Nov
Drill in morning. Nothing in afternoon, pictures at night.

Sunday 10 Nov
Loped for cookhouse from 9.00am till 5.45pm.

Monday 11 Nov
Felt very sick this morning, arm hurting and touch of ‘flu. Went to ENSA concert in evening.

Tuesday 12 Nov
Still not much better. Peter Kane took us for gym in morning. Went to bed early.

Wednesday 13 Nov
Room Orderly as Eric, who was due as RO, went sick. Went to collect pay after dinner but none forthcoming as E Flight ledger had not come through. Played basketball rest of afternoon.

Monday 18 Nov
We were paid 30/-. Very handy.

Tuesday 19 Nov
Started rifle drill, not so easy.

Wednesday 20 Nov
Boxing trial in afternoon in the gym with Cpl Mack, bust my nose.

Thursday 21 Nov
Bayonet practice 2 to 3 o’clock. Dress parade in afternoon 3 to 4 o’clock. Had to have a haircut. Ted cut it.

Friday 22 Nov
Went to pics with Ted and Bill, saw Bing in ‘The Star Maker’. Not bad.

Saturday 23 Nov
In the cookhouse all afternoon so I could be sure I will be able to use my 23.00hr pass tomorrow.

Sunday 24 Nov
Meningitis broke out in camp. Church parade at 8.20am, finished about 10.00am. Caught 11.24 train at Padgate, arrived at Manchester at 12 o’clock, caught 12.30 bus to Burnley, arrived at Padiham 1.45pm. Had to catch 6.20pm bus back, arrived at 9.30pm in camp.

Monday 25 Nov
Have been confined to camp because of CSM [cerebro-spinal meningitis] in F Flight. No cinema or ENSAs, windows to be kept open, no congregating in NAAFIs, round stoves or in the dining hall where we sit three at a table instead of five. There are only three cases and they are not sure about one of these.

Tuesday 26 Nov
Nothing special today.

Wednesday 27 Nov
Pay day, collected 35/-. We are drilling much better today. We have nearly finished now as far as new things go. Had a letter from Harry.

Thursday 28 Nov
Went to the dentist, have to have two fillings when I am posted. Lost my watch on way back from dental centre and E Flight. Had to report loss at Guardroom.

Friday 29 Nov
Meningitis restriction lifted. Got our passes back. Wing Commander and Group Captain Insull came round for the three monthly inspection of the whole camp. Went into Warrington. Went to the YMCA, played billiards, got back at 9.00pm.

Saturday 30 Nov
Drill in the morning. In the afternoon we, who had our passes (23.00hr) for Sunday, had fatigues today. I have got coal fatigues. The coal fatigue has lasted from 13.00hrs until 14.00hrs (not bad).

Sunday 1 Dec
Got out of camp at 9.10am and caught the 9.30 train from Padgate to Manchester where I arrived at 10.10am (no church parade). Caught the 10.20 bus and arrived at Burnley at 11.45, at 21 Victoria Rd, Padiham at 12.00. Called at Edith and Anna, Uncle Mark and Uncle Harry. Caught the 6.20pm bus back, arrived at Padgate at 9.30pm. A very good day.

Monday 2 Dec
Shot on the .22 range near the cinema after the break (which by the way has been moved to 10.00 o’clock from 9.30). I managed to get 60 out of 75.

Wednesday 4 Dec
Today and yesterday we did nothing but practice the passing out.

Thursday 5 Dec
Dress rehearsal for passing out by Warrant Officer Nicholls. Passed Out in the afternoon in front of Group Captain Insull and all the nobs.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.