Christmas celebrations, December
1943
After the usuall church service, everyone returned to enjoy breakfast between 08.00 and 09.00, each airman was given porridge, cereals, sausage, bacon and wonder of wonders, an egg!
Dinner began at 11.45 in the airmens mess and 400 were served in 25 minutes, after which they spent the next 30 minutes singing (probably as an aid to digestion). An hour or so later the next sitting came in and another 400 meals were laid in 25 minutes, as usuall by the Officers and SNCO's.
In all 720 Turkeys (or chickens- opinions differ!), 520 christmas puddings and 2300 mince pies plus all thier associated trimmings were eaten that day.
Entertainment was provided by the Station Band and later a buffet tea was provided in the airmens mess, with Christmas cake, mince pies and other delicacies as would rationing allow.
During the evening a carnival dance was staged in the NAAFI and non dancers could attend a social evening at the YMCA where they could listen to the special radio broadcasts by the BBC.