Browse Items (72 total)

  • Spatial Coverage is exactly "England--Northampton"

MSmithKJB1881097-160215-08.jpg
Notice for Kenneth Smith. Would be called forward when instructed. In the meantime he would remain on reserve with no pay or allowances. Important that he should not leave civil employment.

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BFreemanWFreemanWv1.pdf
A detailed account of Bill's time in the RAF, starting with drill at Lords, training at RAF Bridlington and RAF Bridgnorth then RAF Stormy Down. He passed the course and, on return from leave, reported to RAF Hixon for crewing up. He describes…

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Ken Odell was a schoolboy living in Highgate at the beginning of the war and was evacuated with the school. When he was of age, he volunteered for the RAF and was sent to RAF Sywell for Pilot, Navigator, Bomb Aimer evaluation. Accepted as a pilot, he…

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AMarriottMW170824.mp3
Having been interested in aircraft through the Air Training Corps, Maurice joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 and went to RAF Cardington. In July 1943 he went to the Air Crew Reception Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground, followed by 17 Initial Training…

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PDelfosseJEC1701.jpg
Jack was born in London and went to Highgate School where he learnt navigation, Morse code and marching. On leaving he became a medical student but left half-way through the course. He then joined the Royal Air Force and, initially, trained on…

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SClydeSmithD39856v10011.pdf
Starts with joining on short service commission and covers, in great detail, his pilot training activities, including a crash landing during a cross country. After receiving his wings award, he moves to trials work, target towing and aircraft…

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YProbynEA1896412v1.pdf
A diary kept by Ernest throughout 1944.

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BYeomanHTYeomanHTv1-01.pdf
Written in 1994, the document begins with a dedication, a poem and then a series of stories which together form the memoirs of Harold Yeoman, an officer who served in Bomber Command during the war, initially as a pilot on Wellingtons and then as an…

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SBondS-LancasterJv10001-0020.pdf
Starts with detailed description of events concerning his growing interest in aviation as a child and young man. He describes his first flight with Cobham's flying circus. He explains his application as apprentice to Armstrong Whitworth and describes…

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SBarrJ159928v10009.jpg
RAF Form 441 for a circular route around England and Wales.

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ESmithKJBSmithE440110-0002.jpg
Writes about going to the cinema. Says he got the handkerchiefs and cigarettes quite safely. Mentions sending clothes and difficulty making a parcel of them. Writes he was now wearing his uniform.

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ESmithKJBSmithE440117-0002.jpg
Thanks he for sending papers. Says not to send further letters as he will shortly be posted. Says he had sent his shoes home and asked if the other things had arrived yet. Describes some activities and weather in London. Asks if she could send him a…

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ESmithKJBSmithE440214-0002.jpg
Mentions taking exams and ask about sending money home. Speculates on when he will leave Newquay and discusses his next probable postings and travel. Describes a walk on a local beach.

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ESmithKJBSmithE440218-0003.jpg
Getting in touch as he had not had any mail from home for over a week. Mentions having inoculations and dental issues. Says the flight will have group photograph wearing tunic and white belts.

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ESmithKJBSmithE440301-0003.jpg
Short note to let her know he would be home shortly.

ESmithKJBSmithE441018-0002.jpg
Writes of gong to theatre in Gainsborough and that the station had a poor excuse for a cinema, but mentions films seen. Comments on lack of news and talks of poor weather and base being a quagmire. Thanks her for sending papers and concludes with…

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ESmithKJBSmithE450129-0002.jpg
Thanks her for laundry parcel but could not find a letter in it. Comments on snowy weather in Lincolnshire. Notes lack of fuel and hot water on camp. Comments on his activities.

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ESmithKJBSmithE450223-0001.jpg
Writes thanking her for letter and comments on sending cash home. Says that he would not have much chance of a commission as the war was drawing to a close. Continues with domestic matters. Mentions leave quota system and his progress with a model.…

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ESmithKJBSmithE-J440104-0002.jpg
Writes of his journey to RAF Regents Park and gives some description of other recruits and activities. Mentions sending clothes home and that he has a cold and a nose bleed. Concludes with advice on correct form of address.

ESmithKJBSmithK441125-0002.jpg
Writes banter and mentions losing his brother's pen knife. Asks him how school was going and mentions contact with friends. Enquires what he would like for Christmas.

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ESmithKJBSmithKG441223-0003.jpg
Wishes him a happy Christmas and best of luck for new year. Hopes he would find enclosed useful. Includes drawings of holly, mistletoe, and a cottage in the snow.

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ESmithKJBSmithMEB440112-0002.jpg
Says how nice it was to get her letter. Describes his room and view from garden roof of the flat. Mentions going to YMCA and other entertainment activities. Catches up with gossip and friends.

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ESmithKJBSmithMEB441013-0002.jpg
Catches up with recent family mail. Describes location as nothing but marsh, woods and fens. Writes about gramophone and hopes to get some Beethoven. Mentions plan to go to Gainsborough that afternoon and get a torch so he could see his way.

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ESmithKJBSmithE[Date]-01.pdf
Thanks her for the parcel of food and mentions letters being held up by censor. Catches up with family news and activities and mentions rationing of razor blades. Explains how to use post address correctly.

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ESmithKJBSmithE[Date]-02.pdf
Thanks her for letter and razor blades. Comments on poor laundry on camp and that he was now using Chinese laundry in Weston and goes on to describe what he has to do. Enquires whether she could obtain enough cash and coupons to get him a good air…

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