Alastair White Diaries 1

Extracts from the diaries of Alastair White

Alastair did his Basic Training at RAF Bridgenorth, passing out on Tuesday 21 February 1956. After a weeks leave he arrived at RAF Wellesbourne on Wednesday 29th February. There were about 12 airmen in his class. The first Saturday morning was spent cleaning the classrooms, followed by a 4½ hour Bull Night on the Monday.

On Tuesday March 6th Alastair's trade training began with film developing and a trade science lecture on reflected and transmitted light by Flight Lieutenant Chapman. Over the next few weeks instruction on 16mm film development, contact printing, enlarging, CPUs and Multiprinters followed, together with more classroom and office cleaning.

Alastair was posted to Nuneham Courtney, Oxfordshire, where he arrived on Wednesday May 16 May 1956. The next entry in his diary, dated August 26 states: 'Big flap-up, just heard we're going to Cyprus.' Then the next day: 'Chase around all day cleaning etc., then find the whole thing's cancelled.'

There are no more diary entries until 1957, by which time Alastair was at JARIC (UK), RAF Brampton.

Tuesday 2 April
I leave JARIC(UK) Raf Brampton, Hunts, on the first stage of my Middle East Tour. Train from Huntingdon to Kings Cross…arrive Innsworth. Lousy meal, put in dingy, gloomy, long billets, no plugs or mirrors in bogs.
Wednesday 3 April
We started the tedious process of getting kitted-out with tropical clobber. We also got X-rayed and jabbed. I got jabbed for TABT and smallpox.
Thursday 4 April
We got our kit marked and collected KD from tailor's, and handed in our "deep-sea-not-wanted-on-voyage" type of kit.
Friday 5 April
We left Innsworth, about 400 of us, in trucks and were deposited on Gloucester Station. We left by special train at 2, and after quite a pleasant journey arrived at Liverpool docks at 7.30. We went aboard our ship, "Empire Clyde", and had a meal. We later got our bedding and were shown to our bunks. 4 in a bunk, hot and cold water, electric light, very clean, a bit cramped though. In a Glasgow ship and manned by natives of that part of the world. We got our first dose of boat drill.
Saturday 6 April
The weather was fine all day, blue sky, ditto sea, no clouds. We passed the Scilly Isles and soon after the SS "United States" crossed our bows about ¾ mile away. Looks quite a fair ship.
Sunday 7 April
Weather not so good today, overcast but calm. We were given fatigues - mine in deck-sweeping. They run an open-air cinema on the "prom" deck. I saw "The Constant Husband" - quite funny.
Monday 8 April
Deck-sweeping and stair-scrubbing in the morning. We passed land for the first time - the coast of Portugal it was. We had an "FFI" in the afternoon.
Tuesday 9 April
Fatigues again in the morning. We passed Cape Trafalgar Lighthouse and at noon arrived at Gibraltar. We stopped about half a mile out and let off about 100 blokes. Immediately we were besieged by dozens of wee boats manned by Spaniards with loads of "souvenirs" and other junk. Quite amusing watching the transactions. I bought a pair of castanets. It was semi-raining but I took a few snaps. We have seen a good few porpoises - first I've seen.
Wednesday 10 April
Deck-sweeping again in the morning. We move on, more or less following the North African coast. We passed Cape Kiness Lighthouse (Algeria). We got into Algiers about 6 and stayed about 4 hours taking on oil and water.

Next Page The story is taken up in a letter which Alastair sent home

Back to JARIC page

Nuneham Park - picture by Roly Bailey


		Extracts from the diaries of Alastair White

		Alastair did his Basic Training at RAF Bridgenorth, passing out on Tuesday 21 February 1956. After a weeks leave he arrived at RAF Wellesbourne on Wednesday 29th February. There were about 12 airmen in his class. The first Saturday morning was spent cleaning the classrooms, followed by a 4½ hour Bull Night on the Monday. On Tuesday March 6th Alastair's trade training began with film developing and a trade science lecture on reflected and transmitted light by Flight Lieutenant Chapman. Over the next few weeks instruction on 16mm film development, contact printing, enlarging, CPUs and Multiprinters followed, together with more classroom and office cleaning. Alastair was posted to Nuneham Courtney, Oxfordshire, where he arrived on Wednesday May 16 May 1956. The next entry in his diary, dated August 26 states: 'Big flap-up, just heard we're going to Cyprus.' Then the next day: 'Chase around all day cleaning etc., then find the whole thing's cancelled.' There are no more diary entries until 1957, by which time Alastair was at JARIC (UK), RAF Brampton. Tuesday 2 April I leave JARIC(UK) Raf Brampton, Hunts, on the first stage of my Middle East Tour. Train from Huntingdon to Kings Cross…arrive Innsworth. Lousy meal, put in dingy, gloomy, long billets, no plugs or mirrors in bogs. Wednesday 3 April We started the tedious process of getting kitted-out with tropical clobber. We also got X-rayed and jabbed. I got jabbed for TABT and smallpox. Thursday 4 April We got our kit marked and collected KD from tailor's, and handed in our "deep-sea-not-wanted-on-voyage" type of kit. Friday 5 April We left Innsworth, about 400 of us, in trucks and were deposited on Gloucester Station. We left by special train at 2, and after quite a pleasant journey arrived at Liverpool docks at 7.30. We went aboard our ship, "Empire Clyde", and had a meal. We later got our bedding and were shown to our bunks. 4 in a bunk, hot and cold water, electric light, very clean, a bit cramped though. In a Glasgow ship and manned by natives of that part of the world. We got our first dose of boat drill. Saturday 6 April The weather was fine all day, blue sky, ditto sea, no clouds. We passed the Scilly Isles and soon after the SS "United States" crossed our bows about ¾ mile away. Looks quite a fair ship. Sunday 7 April Weather not so good today, overcast but calm. We were given fatigues - mine in deck-sweeping. They run an open-air cinema on the "prom" deck. I saw "The Constant Husband" - quite funny. Monday 8 April Deck-sweeping and stair-scrubbing in the morning. We passed land for the first time - the coast of Portugal it was. We had an "FFI" in the afternoon. Tuesday 9 April Fatigues again in the morning. We passed Cape Trafalgar Lighthouse and at noon arrived at Gibraltar. We stopped about half a mile out and let off about 100 blokes. Immediately we were besieged by dozens of wee boats manned by Spaniards with loads of "souvenirs" and other junk. Quite amusing watching the transactions. I bought a pair of castanets. It was semi-raining but I took a few snaps. We have seen a good few porpoises - first I've seen. Wednesday 10 April Deck-sweeping again in the morning. We move on, more or less following the North African coast. We passed Cape Kiness Lighthouse (Algeria). We got into Algiers about 6 and stayed about 4 hours taking on oil and water. Next Page The story is taken up in a letter which Alastair sent home Back to JARIC page


Nuneham Park - picture by Roly Bailey