expected of us by that stage, to do a formation fly-past on the day the Senior Course (the one ahead of us) passed out.
Life was not all course work. Most weekends it was possible to take a trip into Stratford-upon-Avon or Leamington Spa for shopping or a stroll. We were also given several 48 hour passes which gave us chances to get home for a night. My usual route home from Wellesbourne was by bus to Leamington, train to Wolverhampton, and then train to either Shrewsbury, followed by a taxi to my grandmother's at Welshampton where my parents usually spent their weekends, or direct to Birkenhead, Woodside station, and by bus to Upton where my 'proper' home was. If I went to Upton, and I had time I would occasionally make a trip to Liverpool, to Moss Brothers the military tailors, to top up my kit, for we had a clothing allowance supposed to be sufficient to cover the cost of all uniform items which we bought (along with other clothing) ourselves.
One of my fellow students, 'Ginger' Watson, by name, wanted to visit his old school, Worcester College, which wasn't that far away from Wellesbourne.14 He asked me to go along with him one Saturday afternoon. This I did. We were entertained by his old school masters and shown round. Afterwards we went to a nearby Greek restaurant and treated ourselves to a meal of curried lobster and a glass of wine. Travel was by train and bus. The day out was memorable for me, if only for the meal.
About once a fortnight there was a Dining In Night in the Mess which we were expected to attend. This was a formal gathering for cocktails, dinner, the Loyal Toast, and afterwards there could be riotous games. One had to have an extremely good reason (not excuse) for non-attendance, and one had to stay until the Senior Officer present (in most Messes this was the Commanding Officer) himself left. This could be very late. At Wellesbourne the students' Mess was less demanding; once dinner was over we were usually permitted to disperse. I attended Guest Nights later in the course. These were the same as Dining In Nights but with Officers' Ladies and local dignitaries present, both Messes combining for the occasion. They followed the same format and went on longer but had the advantage of us being able to meet and entertain a wider range of people. They were good for public relations.
I shall remember one event for ever. It was an escape and evasion exercise in which we, as aircrew, had to imagine that we had come down in enemy territory and had to evade capture. This time we were on the opposite side to that in the exercise held during the time I was at Desford. It only lasted 24 hours but let us into some dramatic situations; ones which we hoped would never have to be experienced in reality.15
We were granted a week's leave at Christmas, from the 20th until the 28th of December. Christmas, being a time of relaxation and celebration, gave us the excuse for holding a course party at a hostelry in Stratford-upon-Avon before going on leave.16 Compared with the party at Desford this was a restrained affair and the more enjoyable for it. I well remember, however, following the example of the senior ground school instructor and eating the petals off several large chrysanthemum blooms, and both of us being threatened with eviction by the innkeeper!
Flying resumed on December 29th with a flight that included 30 minutes simulated and 20 minutes actual IF to settle me back into hard work and stark reality.
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14 Ginger failed the course well before the end. It was said that he was one of Squadron Leader Irish's victims because he was a National Service Officer.
15 This exercise is covered, in some detail, in Appendix 1.
16 Probably at the White Horse.
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