The Diaries of Russell James Sparrow 1908 to 1991
The RAF years I applied to join the R.A.F. on Aug. 8 1940, had my medical in Ipswich on 25 October and went to Uxbridge for two days for another medical and efficiency tests which I duly passed. I could not be sworn in because somebody had forgotten to clear me from a reserved occupation. I went back to Uxbridge on 11 Nov. and stayed for one night just to be sworn in and become 1271516 A/C Sparrow u/t WOp/A.G. (Under training Wireless Operator/Air Gunner). Air crew were not being used up to the extent that was anticipated at that time (see cuttings in my scrap book) and subsequently it was 9 June 1941 before I received the call to proceed to Blackpool on 21 June 1941. After a cross-country rail journey I arrived at Blackpool about 6p.m. together with numerous other bodies from all over the place and we were given a meal and a place to sleep. The first few days were spent in kitting, inoculations etc including wrapping your civvy clothes into a brown paper parcel and sending them home. I soon palled up with Alf McKelly from Dumfries and Ron Impey from Luton. We were billeted in a private hotel on the north shore and were soon into the routine of sparkling brass and a mirror like finish to boots pounding the prom up to Fleetwood, P.T. etc on the beach. It took about two weeks to knock us into shape but I must say I reaped the benefit of training in the B.B. The P.T. instructors th
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