“Thanks,” replied Andy, “I’m accommodated here but have to go to Air Ministry in St. James Place. I could do with some advice on getting to the railway station and also times of meals in the mess.”
“No problems,” was the reply and Corporal Jefferson answered Corporal Hill’s questions.
“Do you know if any other people billeted at Stanmore Park travel in to Air Ministry?” asked Andy.
“Not as far as I’m aware but there could be,” was the answer. “There are three other corporals due in today to attend a defect analysis course. They’ll be in this room with you. See you later,” and Corporal Jefferson was gone. Andy decided that a brisk walk would be a good idea after the long drive and headed out to find the railway station and the times of the trains. He also needed to find a telephone box and telephone Alice.
Out of the base, Andy walked briskly up Uxbridge Road and Church Road to Stanmore Railway Station, the terminus for a London underground line from Waterloo Railway Station. He noted the time it took to walk to the station and took down train times. While at the station, Andy found a telephone box and had a call put through to the Waltons’ home. Anne answered the telephone. Apparently, she was expecting Lance to call her. After a short greeting, Anne called out for Alice and then left the telephone. Alice picked up the ‘phone and greeted Andy. He told her he had booked a six-minute call which pleased her very much. “Andy,” she asked, “are you on duty next weekend?”
“Not as far as I know,” he replied. “Why?”
“Well,” Alice said, “there’s a special ball on in Hexham next Saturday and Dad’s firm is one of the sponsors. It’s to raise money for Oxfam. I will be going with Mum and Dad but I’d like you to go with me. I’m sorry that I didn’t mention it before but when we’re together things slip my mind.” Andy had to stop and think. After a pause, he said that he would check up during the week and if possible, he would drive straight up from London on the Friday so that they had more time together. They left it at that and talked of other things until the six minutes were up. He walked back to Stanmore Park thoughtfully.
Monday morning (24th) and Corporal Hill, dressed in civilian clothes as his orders stated, departed for Air Ministry. As he left Stanmore Park, he found out that he was not the only one catching the ‘tube’ to Westminster and going into Air Ministry. There was a mix of airmen and WRAFs of different ranks. Some were in uniform and some in civilian clothes depending on where they worked in Air Ministry. He struck up a conversation with a corporal airman and asked him about procedure at Air Ministry. The corporal was happy to explain but apart from saying that he was in communications he didn’t talk about his work. Conversation on the train centred on soccer and on cars. Both felt that they were on safe ground with those subjects.
At Air Ministry, Corporal Hill presented his movement orders at the Reception desk and was directed to a seat. A telephone call to the section concerned and, “Someone will be down to see you shortly.” Corporal Hill nodded as having understood. Five minutes later a woman with a page boy haircut and wearing a smart suit came out of the lift and approached him.
“Corporal Hill?” she asked. Andy stood up and said,
“Yes.”
She gave him a wintry smile and said, “Come with me. I’m Mr Griffiths’ secretary. He will discuss with you what has been arranged.”
Andy responded with a thank you. Arriving on the second floor, Andy noticed that it was signed as Supply Section. A corridor went almost the length of the building with doors off to each side with signs on the doors. They entered through a door marked SAM Supplies and into a general office with about eight desks in it. At the window side an area was sectioned off into an office with the name “H. Griffiths” on it. The secretary’s desk was to one side of the office door, facing into the room, like a guard post.
‘Frozen Smile’ led the way to the office and knocked and entered. Corporal Hill followed her in. Griffiths didn’t look up but continued writing on a sheet headed ‘Memorandum’. Finally, he put his pen down, looked up at Corporal Hill and then to his secretary to speak. “This is Corporal Hill from No. 28 JSTU, Mr Griffiths. He is here to liaise with us on the supply of spare parts for the Red Hawk system,” she said. Corporal Hill took his orders out of his tunic pocket and handed them to Mr Griffiths to
