Getting some in: part 5

Since the last post, I had completed basic training at RAF Swinderby and been posted to RAF Cosford near Wolverhampton for my training in the trade of weapons mechanic.

You go from being the senior flight at Swinderby one day, to being the junior course at the new base the next day.

Dateline: 11th November 1990, AWM 218, RAF Cosford.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Just a few lines to let you know my progress. Yesterday, Wednesday, we had our first exam, an easy one. Pass mark is 60% and I came out top with 90%.

It has been very good here again, today we have done a lot of maths, especially fractions. Very tough at first, but I seemto be getting the hang of them now. Tomorrow we start the engineering phase of the course, so that's something to look forward to.

(time passes)

It is now Friday night and only four of the course are staying the weekend. Tonight we are staying in our room, watching videos and drinking beer!

Tomorrow, we are going into Telford on the train.

One of our room gets up so late he barely makes it to the front of the block for parade at 08:15. Her gets up after eight and is supposed to have a shower, shave and have breakfast in that time.

Don't know what to make of James' saying the nightlife here is good: here, 90% of people go home weekends, but this does mean we have the NAAFI to ourselves.

I think there is football on TV on Sunday, so that takes care of entertainment for that day.

During each working day we get about 1 hour of breaks for coffee and cigarettes, with another hour for lunch. We have it easy, really. Though I have the feeling it is going to get harder in the next four weeks, but I should be OK.

That's all for now,

Ian.

Letters get longer from now on, with more detail......