Later on the Skipper & Bill Dowling (first pilot) came into the hospital to see how we were doing, & to tell us they were leaving that night for Mt. Batten where they would be flown back to Pembroke Dock, Harry Miller went with them.
The M.O. came in during the morning & said I could leave hospital. I went into Predannack Station, saw the Adjutant he told me to go to stores & get what I wanted. In the store I said, shoes, socks, cap, badge, collar, tie & towel, & the same for Ken Simpson signed for the lot no forms to fill in, the easiest lot of things I've ever obtained from the store. An Officer then drove me to Headquarters, where I kept him waiting a long time, and then he drove me to the Sgts. Mess. After lunch went back to headquarters & saw Sqdron/L - Smith, he went to a lot of trouble, made arrangements for me to catch a train at Helston, to Plymouth & a transport to take me round the bay to Mt. Batten, to meet the rest of the crew, & we would fly back to Pembroke Dock in one of our own planes. This Administration Officer Sqdrn/L - Smith was a decent old bird & he went to a lot of trouble for us. Also got me a transport & I went to Praa Sands, saw the old 'kite' it had gone to pieces during the night, I also was able to thank the Billingsleys for their kindness. Back to the camp for tea & then I was driven to the railway station at Helston for the train to Plymouth; a cold journey as we had two fresh air friends who wouldn't have the window shut. The transport wasn't at Plymouth, so I rang up Batten it arrived a few minutes after I rang. Arrived at Mt Batten a few minutes after Mid night, I into bed; the rest of the crew were there; & one of them had kindly made my bed for me.
Sat nearly all day in the Sgts Mess, & then in the afternoon, one of our boats came over from P.D. & picked us up flying us back about 4:30PM We had tea & all turned in early.
After lunch the C.O. sent for us & both he & the Flight Commander F/L Egerton congratulated us on the scrap we had with 'Jerry'. A message came from the Air Minister Sir Archibald Sinclair reading - 'Please convey my congratulations to the crew of the Sunderland of 461 Squadron R.A.A.F. for their outstandingly gallant & successful action with a formation of JU88's over the Bay of Biscay yesterday' Archibald Sinclair. In forwarding the message Air Marshal Sir John Slessor, Chief of Coastal Command added - "Congratulations were never better earned" Slessor. Later in the day Doc Wilson said Harry Miller & I were to have an X Ray next morning.
Harry & I went to Woodbine Hospital Pembroke & were X Rayed, Harry had a small piece of glass in his head & it's to be left to work out. Mine showed no cracks etc, probably no brains either as the Doctor said I'd have to go into hospital under observation. In pouring rain I went to Ted Miles funeral, it was a very sad & beautiful ceremony, rained the whole time & everyone got soaked. Felt very sorry for Mrs Miles & Ted's Mother we had lost a member of our crew, a cobber, & a good friend, but our loss wasn't to be compared to theirs. Later on got the ambulance & was admitted to Woodbine, feel O.K. except for a slight headache.
The tucker here is rotten, & the beds are extra hard. All the nurses O.K., & look after us well, the ward is kept spotless & the dressings are done every day, everything they can possibly do is done for us.
Can't understand why in all hospitals, this stunt of waking up patients at such 'ungodly' hours to wash them, between 4:30AM & 5AM is too early, then we doze till breakfast which isn't till 7AM, so why start so early. There's only eleven beds in this ward... cont.
