In the run-up to the Sky Sheppey celebrations this summer, we are publishing a series of historical articles looking back at 100 years of aviation history and the part the Island played.

This letter was passed to the Aviation Centenary Committee some time ago.

The letter welcomes Polish pilots to Eastchurch as many Polish aviators were taught to fly there.

UPON ARRIVAL TO EASTCHURCH HOT MEAL WILL BE SERVED IN THE CANTEEN.

ENGLISH HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES REQUIRE THOROUGH MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND IT’S AN OBLIGATION FOR ALL THE ARRIVALS COMING FROM ABROAD. MEDICAL EXAMINATION WILL START IMMIEDIETLY AFTER THE DINNER. SOON AFTER ALL SWADDYS WILL RECIVE BEDDING AND THEIR ARMY UNIFORMS.EVERYONE MUST SIGN TO CONFIRM RECEIVED EQUIPMENT. ON OUR BEHALF ALL FORMALITIES SHOULD RUN QUICKLY BUT HELP FROM EACH PILOT IT’S A MUST. ALTERATION TO THE UNIFORMS CAN BE MADE LATER ON.

FOR THE COMFORT OF ALL ARRIVALS THERE IS A BATH AVAILABLE. AFTER TAKING A BATH EVERYONE MUST PUT THEIR UNIFORMS ON, AND ALL CIVIL CLOTHING SHALL BE MARKED AND STORED.

NEXT ALL PILOTS WILL BE LOCATED IN (THE?) BILLETS. ALL THE BEDS WILL BE MADE SO AFTER GETTING TO THE CHAMBER PILOTS THEN CAN REST TO THE END OF THE DAY. LIGHTS SHOULD BE TURNED OFF AT 22.15 (10.15 PM) AND EVERYONE MUST BE IN BED BY THEN.

WAKE UP CALL NEXT MORNING AT 6AM. EVERYONE SHOUD SHAVE, WASH AND DRESS IN THEIR UNIFORMS. BREAKFASTS WILL BE SERVED IN THE DINNING ROOM AT 7 AM. AFTER BREKFAST RETURN TO THEIR BILLETS AND CLEAN UP THE BEDROOM AS HIGH CLEAN STANDARDS ARE REQUIRED.

WORK STARTS AT 8 AM UNTILL 10 .15 AM WHERE 15 MIN BREAK WILL FOLLOW, DURING WHICH PILOTS ARE ALLOWED TO USE THE CANTEEN. WORK WILL CONTINUE FROM 10.30 AM TO 12.30 AND THEN LUNCH WILL BE SERVED AT 13.00 (1 PM). PILOTS MUST GO BACK TO WORK AT 13.45(1.45PM) AND NOT FINISH UNTIL 16.30(4.30 PM). TEA IS SERVED AT 16.30 (4.30 PM) AND SUPPER AT 19.00 (7.00PM) IN THE DINNING ROOM.

N.A.A.F.I- CANTEEN. “NAFII” IT'S A PLACE WHERE LIGHT MEALS, TOILETRIES STATIONERY, CIGARETTES, SNACK AND SWEETS ARE AVAILABLE. MEALS SERVED IN THE DINNING ROOM SHOULD BE FULLFEELING FOR ALL, HOWEVER, SHOULD PILOTS STILL FEEL UNSATISFAYED THEY BE ABLE TO GET MORE FOOD FROM CANTEEN. GOOD BEHAVIOUR IS A MUST AT ALL TIMES. POOL ROOM, LIBRARY AND DAY ROOM ARE AVAILABLE TO USE.

SPORTS.

EVERY WEDSDAY AFTEROON, WEEKENDS AND DAYS FREE OF WORK; OUR OTHER FACILITIES LIKE WARM SWIMMING POOL, FOOTBALL AND HOCKEY FIELD, GIMNASTIC ROOM WILL BE OPEN.

ENTERTAINMENT- THERE IS A HOPE THAT MOVIES WILL BE SHOWN AND MUSIC EVENTS WILL BE WILL BE ORGANIZED. WE EXPECT POLISH STAFF TO CREATE SPECIAL COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE WHICH WILLS ORGANIZE THEIR OWN CONCERTS.

MEALS.

IN THE BEGINING ENGLISH FOOD WILL BE SERVED BY R.A.F RECIPES.

MAYBE FROM TIME TO TIME THERE IS POSSIBILITY TO COOK POLISH MEALS.

MINISTRY

WE ALSO REMEMBERED ABOUT RELIGIOUS ASPECT.ROME CATHOLIC PRIEST WILL BE ALLOCATED TO PERFORM MASS AND OTHER TRADITIONAL SERVICES AT ( IN) THE BASE.

PRIVILEGES

ALL PRIVILAGES FOR POLISH STAFF SHOULD BE THE SAME AS FOR RAF STAFF, ALL DEPENDING FROM COMMAND OFFICER OF THE BASE. ALL THE DETAILS AND RULES WILL BE READY TO READ IN POLISH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ALSO IT MUST BE UNDERSTOOD THAT IN THE BEGINING POLISH STAFF WILL BE LESS PRIVILEGED BUT ONLY UNTILL THEY GET TO KNOW ENGLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS AN ANY SPECIAL ARMY REGULATION DURING THE WAR. WE DEMAND A HIGH LEVEL OF DICIPLINE TO BE HELD AND ALL RULES RESPECTED. ANY VIOLETIONS AGAINST THE REGULATIONS WILL MEAN RESTRICTION TO ALL PRIVILAGES.