January 13, 1945 - Packages From Home

From the Operations Record Book:  

24 crews plus 2 reserves, and 2 crews to help out R.A.F Kirmington, were in readiness for operations, but the intention was cancelled at approx. 14:00 hours. Some training has been done during the course of the morning amount to 11 1/2 hours. The weather and visibility deteriorated resulting in Night Flying training being cancelled.  The Squadron was visited by Group R.C.A.F Liaison Officer (F/Lt Griffiths).

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“Packages from home are always a welcome sight” Hicks wrote in June 1998, recalling a memorable package he received at 550 Squadron: “We, and the loved ones at home, continued to look for ways we could send certain items and retain the “flavour.” We did experiment with apples that were wax-covered but it did not work.  Today in my package, a special treat, a can blueberries.  This is special for me as I really enjoy blueberries.  I place them on the shelf over my bed for use at a later date, or for me, a special occasion.  Cigarettes were also in abundance and many people from home in Canada would send me cartons of them.  At the time, I did not smoke.  With so many cartons arriving I would give them away.  I supposed, being inundated with cigarettes, I thought that I should use them myself and did.”


In his letters home to Margaret, Harris describes receiving many packages from her, containing treats such as tinned salmon, honey, tomato juice, cookies and toffee.  Given the rationing in Britain and the reasonable availability of food on base, Harris would pass many of the treats along to his parents who were living in Newark, England at the time, about 80 km SE of North Killingholme.  Harris was particularly pleased about a package he received at 550 Squadron in early February, containing cookies, chocolate bars and a much-awaited pair of pyjamas.