Jack Friedman returned to 0 21 with the details to return to the Union. We are sorry to lose them one and all. Vic Kilburn “A” Flight, Flight Sergeant, Ken Harris, King of the 'Sparks'- Jock Ross, doyen of the 'WEMS'– D'Axon, Doran, Braithwalte, Jackson, Giesen and Oosthuizen – what a crowd of workers – one and all veterans of the Abyssinian campaign they thoroughly deserve a rest. The armourers will miss Loynes, of the expanding smile and Hanson and “T” Stores will not be the same without young Myers to guide them.
We also salute our old M.T. stalwarts. We shall miss old “Kairo” Kriel, the Squadron 'Mercury'– he of the ever ready smile and driver of our far famed Post truck also old Echardt, the Fire wagon expert. We seem to be losing all the foundation members of the squadron.– but one and all they have helped us to build the name and fame of our unit and we shall not forget them. Lets hope they make the Union by Xmas!! Now that Jock Ross is gone old Barlow will have to find another soul mate to entertain us with his “Flanagan and Allen” numbers – them were the days.
The cold miserable winter seems to have set in in real earnest today was a cold, overcast, miserable soggy day. The cold does not keep the dust down and the combination is a concoction of what weather should not be!! We were laconically informed by postagram today that old Tom Earnshaw had been awarded the DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL. Damn good show Tom! Tom is still with us acting as our pro tem Signals Officer, grounded after a very fine career as Wireless Air Gunner both in East Africa and here in the Western Desert. We were also Informed that Major Britz had been awarded the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS. Britsie is no longer with us but way back In the Union we know that he is still part of his old squadron. Good luck both of you.
The show today was again nine Marylands over BARDIA – This operation had to be abandoned owing to real foul weather over the target area which could not be located. 10/10 ths cloud all the way so the boys came home again. This evening was particularly cold and miserable with a drizzle of rain. Jerry gave us the go-bye and we had an undisturbed night's rest for a change.