Some of the aircrew, and other guests, at a mess party thrown by 'B' Flight of No. 467 Squadron RAAF at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, England, October 1944. The diarist of the Operations Record Book for No. 467 Squadron recorded much of the social and non-flying activity during October 1944. No 'war' was recorded on 2 October when the squadron took on No. 463 Squadron RAAF at cricket, bowling them out for 66 runs and surpassing the 463 total after six wickets. However, the squadron Flight Engineers went down to No. 463 in soccer by five goals to nil. The big night of the month was undoubtedly that of 18 October, when 'ops' were 'scrubbed' and the officers prepared for a party, most likely the one shown in the photograph. It was a send-off for the popular Squadron Commander, Wing Commander Bill Brill, DSO, DFC, and it was described as having 'gone with a swing'. The new commander, Wing Commander Keith Douglas, may have given the airmen something of a surprise. The 24th of October was again a day of 'peace', but all personnel were ordered to the gym for PT—this 'rather shook some of the airmen'. [No. 467 Squadron RAAF, Operations Record Book, October 1944; AWM UK1807]
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