| Sat 25 May 1940:- Now we are on a squadron that is really doing some work. We are harassing the Hun advanced guard around Boulogne + so on, but the big fly in the ointment is the French Navy, which opens fire on us every time we go over the coast- they must panic like mad |
| Tue 28 May 1940:- The other day dropped a group of 4 bombs on a farm that Jerry was using as an H.Q. near Mennen. I saw a lorry, motor-cycle rider and 3 other ranks sail gaily into the air, so it would seem that we stirred things up considerably. In retaliation they promptly knocked a hole in our rudder so I proceeded to douse the Archie crews with my smoke pump. |
| Tue 4 Jun 1940:- Received a signal complementing the crews of two machines for reconnaissance into Holland. I was back seat on No2 machine. Each kite carries 3 men, pilot observer and wireless operator. |
| Sun 4 August 1940:- A few days off swimming, tennis, badminton and dancing. Had a direct hit on an oil plant in Hamburg last time I was there, boy did it burn. |
| Sat 28 Sep 1940:- I enclose 2 photos taken at Watton before I left. The Officer is P/O Wellings, my regular driver, the other sergeant is McFarlane, the navigator or observer. The bus behind us was our usual trusty steed that took us safely to Hamburg Rotterdam and others, alas she now lies somewhere in Denmark |
| Fri 8 Nov 1940:- No I didn’t know about the dangerous flying firkin the last time I came home, so I couldn't say anything could I? Strikes me you're more excited than I am about it, I'm just plain embarrassed. I am enclosing the letter is signed by Sir Cyril Newall, C of A.S. The photographs were taken at Watton; the blokes are left to r. Charlie Clarke (Geordie), Ken Blazier (missing), Doug Doughty. + yrs truly. Doughty is the funniest blighter you ever met, can make me screech with laughter for hours on end. |
| 1 Feb 1941:- On Saturday we paid a visit to Abbeville aerodrome and bombed it to ruin. This squadron is doing more than its share, roaming all over Germany recently |
| Sat 15 Mar 1941:- Wounded Wednesday night last; Left foot collected a few splinters from a night fighters cannon shell and like an idiot took my boot and sock off in the air and got one toe slightly frost bitten; People at Watton made us small heroes for getting the aircraft back to England in a wrecked condition. - Big raid on Bremen on Wednesday night. |
| Thu 3 April 1941:- Foot almost completely recovered; The rotten blighters at the Hospital wouldn't let me keep the pieces - want 'em themselves I expect. There were 3 bits and they all went in the same 'ole. Most amazing. P.S. Lucky I stopped that packet, my pilot crashed a couple of days later, all three killed. |
| Fri 4 April 1941:- Swimming in a lake on the estate of CO, Wing Commander the Earl of Bandon - did you see he's been awarded the DSO. |
| Wed 9 April 1941:- Glad of Tobacco; Staggered back from Bremen at half speed with odd bits falling off at irregular intervals in a most hair raising manner; The frost-bitten digit has now recovered its feeling + waggles quite freely when provoked or disturbed. |
| Then the Telegram Sun 27 April 1941:- Regret inform you your son 626196 Sergeant Eames DFM missing 26th April Letter follows - Records Telex Ruislip |
| And a follow up letter:- "In confirmation of my telegram of to-day's date I regret to inform you that your son No 626196 Sergeant Peter Kershaw Eames D.F.M. of No 21 Squadron, Royal Air Force, is missing, the aircraft of which he was wireless operator and air gunner having failed to return to its base on 26th April 1941 after an operational flight. This does not necessarily mean that he is killed or wounded. I will communicate with you again immediately I have any further news and would be obliged if you, on your part, would write to me should you hear anything of your son from unofficial sources. In conveying this information to you may I assure you of the sympathy of the Royal Air Force with you in your anxiety. I am, Dear Madam, Your obedient servant." |