Sunday
In England, Verne writes in his diary after returning from his pass to London . . . .
02-11-45
Overstayed pass by six hours because of train service. Wasn’t caught. Train took 4 1/2 hours for trip. Spent 2 1/2 hours walking out to base. Sure am tired. About eight letters from home. Stiff and sore. Am glad to be back.
Snow or sleet showers were widespread in in the British Isles on February 11, and it is likely that Verne experienced one or the other as he walked back to Station 153.1
The Framlingham Flyer, plying between Wickham Market and Framlingham, provided the troops a rail connection from Station 153 to the London-Yarmouth line of the L&NE Railway. To make the connection, the troops waited at Hacheston Halt near Station 153. Hacheston Halt consisted of a cinder platform. There was no station or information booth. The Flyer consisted of an aged locomotive and two antiquated passenger cars with occasional box cars (goods wagons as the English knew them) added as necessary. The fare was four pence, but the locomotive occasionally broke down. In that event, troops returning from London on passes had to walk back to Station 153.2
Notes & Commentary
1 “Monthly Weather Report of the Meteorological Office, February 1945.” Meteorological Office, Air Ministry. (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/archive/monthly-weather-report-1940s : accessed 11 February 2015).
2 “The Framlingham Flyer,” 390th Bombardment Group (H) History, January 1945, Headquarters 390th Bombardment Group (H), 24 February 1945, microfilm B0426, Maxwell AFB, AL: Air Force Historical Research Agency, 1973, frames 960-961.
Wayne's Journal 