On the RAF base, the JSTU personnel were busy with making the unit ready to start internal trials. Simulated attacks by aircraft would not start until the spring. All personnel were looking forward to the free weekend before the rosters started on the Monday. Personnel were looking forward to weekend passes. More personnel were being posted in to build up the unit to full strength for the trials programme. A Flight Lieutenant Administration had been posted in and relieved Flight Lieutenant Gaskin of that work. He now was able to focus fully on his primary responsibilities, briefing Corporal Hill on what was required and going through the equipment to be used.
One team in the analysis section would monitor voice recordings of the aircraft crew while plotting its track across the radar screen. Another team would analyse the print-outs of the devices monitoring the SAM system. The two sets of analyses would then be compared. Before this, a series of system trials would be carried out to ensure that the Red Hawk system was fully functional. There would be simulated firings and re-loadings to ensure that it all worked to specifications. These would take several weeks. By the time the trials with aircraft took place, the system should be functioning smoothly. The JSTU personnel, except for its commanding officer, were unaware of the trials date with an aircraft that Air Vice-Marshal Denby had put out as bait.
***
It was 14.00 hours on the Friday (14th) and the JSTU was shutting down for the weekend. The unit was still being brought to readiness for trials but the CO, Squadron Leader Dawson, had ordered an early stand-down. Personnel were heading for the domestic site to get changed into civvies and pack their weekend bags to head out of the base to a variety of destinations across the country. By 14.30 hours, three corporals were climbing into a car for the drive up to Corbridge in Northumberland. Andy was pleased that they were getting away early because it meant that they would get to the Waltons’ earlier and he would be able to pick up the car and get to Alnwick at a reasonable hour that evening.
At the same time that they were leaving RAF West Sanby, Milburn’s Garage in Hexham was finishing a service on John Walton’s Rover. He had already received his new car and it was sitting in the garage at his home. The Rover was to get a wash and polish before Mr Walton picked it up. Three young women at different places of employment were trying to keep their minds on their work. Each was looking forward to meeting their beau again. Judith Walton was busy making up the bed in the guest bedroom. She wondered about the romances of her two daughters. Lance and Anne were steady types and their attraction for each other was built on mutual interests. They had known each other for a while now and their romance would most likely proceed at a steady pace, as it had done so far, and she was comfortable with it. Alice and Andy were a different proposition. It had all happened very quickly. Judith was concerned for her daughter. Knowing Andy’s parents made things easier but Andy’s work in the RAF didn’t seem to be simple like Lance’s. The newspaper reports pointed to something else. She sighed, put the clean towel and flannel on the end of the bed, cast an eye over the room and headed downstairs.
Lance pulled the car up outside Margaret’s home and Dan got out with his weekend case. It was 6.30 p.m. “Be ready to leave at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday, Dan,” Lance said. Dan smiled, waved and nodded his head. Hearing the car, Margaret had already come to the front door. Lance pulled away with a wave and headed up the street to the Waltons’ home. Soon they were pulling up outside the house. The front door opened and the twins came out and stood waiting for Lance and Andy. There were smiles and greetings as the young men got out of the car. In the house, Lance and Andy greeted John and Judith Walton.
“Why don’t you boys freshen up and then we can all sit down to dinner,” said Judith. “John will telephone your parents, Andy, and let them know you have arrived here. Lance, Anne will show you your room and you can drop your case there.”
Lance replied, “Thanks, Mrs Walton,” and followed Anne as she headed for the staircase. Five minutes later they were all seated in the dining room and Judith Walton was serving out steak and kidney pie. Tureens of vegetables stood on the table. The aroma of the meal lifted the spirits of the two airmen. John Walton said grace and there was a hubbub of conversation as they started the meal. It was as though the telephone conversations and letters had conveyed too little detail of their individual lives. John tried to talk to Andy about the car but was talked across by his wife and Alice. He gave up in the end and concentrated on eating.
After the meal, Andy and Alice prepared to leave. John Walton took Andy out to
