Browse Items (190 total)

  • Spatial Coverage is exactly "England--Somerset"

PHarrisonEW1903.jpg
Eric William Harrison joined the RAF in 1943 and trained as a flight engineer at RAF Locking, RAF St Athan, and RAF Chedburgh. He flew Stirlings and recollects that they were a terrifying aircraft compared to Lancasters. Harrison formed a crew at the…

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PHarrisJ1901.jpg
Jack Harris resumes describing his post-war career in the Royal Air Force. In October 1955, he became the commanding officer of 542 Squadron, a special duties squadron responsible for sampling radioactive fallout produced by American and Soviet atom…

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ACulkinJ170913.mp3
Jean Culkin grew up in Sunderland and worked as a tea girl and then a typist in a reserved occupation. She discusses her life and her wedding to her husband, John George Mackel Culkin who was an apprentice at RAF Halton before becoming a fitter…

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PGreenJ1901.jpg
John Green was born on the 22 September 1921 in Penge, South East London. He registered for the Royal Air Force to prevent being called up by the Army and was drafted in 1942. He was posted to the Isle of Man, where he volunteered as a drogue…

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ABrandonJP180302.mp3
June Brandon was born in India, returning to England when her father died. She joined the WAAF and went into the Photographic Section, loading cameras on Spitfires then carrying out development of the films. She served at several RAF stations,…

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PLindleyK1801.jpg
Kenneth Lindley was born in Hillsborough, Sheffield in 1926. Before joining the RAF, Kenneth was an engineer’s apprentice, and often helped the Air Raid Warden by acting as a messenger. He recalls joining the Air Training Corps as a teenager. When he…

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AFerdinandoP151005.mp3
Pauline Fernando, widow of Harold William Fernando, reminisces about her late husband. His father was posted in Germany after the First world War, where he met his wife. During the war he was stationed at RAF Binbrook, RAF Bath and other stations,…

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PLambertRW1801.jpg
In 1943, when Richard was 17 and a half, he cycled into Guildford to sign up to volunteer for the Royal Air Force. He reported to Lord's Cricket Ground to collect his uniform and gear and then went for training at RAF Hednesford for a six-month…

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AGerardJA181122.mp3
Tony lived in South Pool before moving to Liverpool with his job in a bank. He also belonged the Air Training Corps. After about a year he decided to sign up for the Royal Air Force. His assessment and medical were at RAF Liverpool. He was called up…

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BUreILUreILv1.pdf
A detailed autobiography by Ivan Ure.

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LCotterJDP168678v1.pdf
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book for J D Cotter, covering the period from 11 January 1942 to 22 April 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RCAF Caron, RCAF North Battleford, RAF Swanton Morley,…

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SWeirG19660703v030002.pdf
Pilots flying log book for J S Ross covering the period from 21 January 1943 to 12 March 1946. Detailing his instructor duties, operations flown, flying training and post war duties with 246 Squadron and 511 Squadron. He was stationed at RAF…

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MHayleyCA146347-160303-010004.jpg
On the left two newspaper cuttings with announcement and details of wedding at Weston Turville. Bottom left a photograph of a single story cottage with dormer windows, a garden in front and trees behind. Captioned 'Our first home in Yewtree Cottage,…

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LAllenJH179996v1.pdf
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book for J H Allen, covering the period from 2 December 1942 to 14 January 1947. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, instructor duties and post war squadron duties. He was stationed at, RCAF…

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PFirthJB1607.jpg
Head and shoulders portrait of John Firth in tunic and side cap. On the reverse 'AC1 Locking, 1943'.

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LKennedyJL19210211v1.pdf
Pilots flying log book for John L Kennedy, covering the period from 2 February 1942 to 30 November 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Induna, RAF Kumalo, RAF Perth, RAF South Cerney,…

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LWaughJW420725v1.pdf
John Waugh’s Pilot’s Flying Log Book from 9th March 1942 until 15th April 1945. Initial pilot training in Australia at 12 Elementary Flying Training School, 8 Elementary Flying Training School, then Canada at 8 Service Flying Training School. Posted…

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PThomasAF20010004.jpg
The first two are the same and are captioned 'possibly on occasion of their Golden Wedding 1921'.
The third photo is wife of Charles Thomas.
All are family members of Arthur Thomas.

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SWatsonC188489v1-1.pdf
A memoir written by Cliff Watson (divided into 20 chapters.) It covers his life events, from birth to his career in the RAF and beyond. It provides details of his family life in Yorkshire, before relocating to London. Having joined the RAF, he…

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SHowardHF1158144v10008.jpg
On the first page, George VI and other uniformed dignitaries are visiting the workshop of the No.1 School of Technical Training watching men in overalls work on machinery. Captioned 'The King gets some "gen" on mags.'
On the second page Henry, on…

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PThomasAF20010038.jpg
Photo 1 is Sergeant Len Jones, Home Guard at Banwell in 1943.
Photos 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are ships forming up for a 1941 convoy from Boston. The photographer is Arthur's friend Cecil Reid.

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420504-0001.jpg
Writes about exams and passing. Mentions leave possibility and church parade. Speculates over embarkation and writes of being re-equipped. Starts writing about a friend's experience of a bombing attack on Bath but then breaks off. Resumes to write of…

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SBakerDA19210428v20014-0001.jpg
Writes that he received her latest letter. Mentions he had had some leave and managed to get to see relatives in Somerset. Provides a full description of journey and his activities while there and catches up with family news. Concludes by saying he…

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SBakerDA19210428v20030-0001.jpg
Writes on leave in Somerset. Finished course at Brough and had one and a half weeks leave before next course starts. Describes journey and activities. Mentions bombing of Bristol previous night and mentions plans for the day. Hope to hear from her…

SBakerDA19210428v20037-0001.jpg
Writes that he is now at new station (Upper Heyford) and recounts recent activities. Says he now a pilot officer and describes recent leave in London and Somerset as well as catching up with family news. Goes on to describe leave in Scotland and…

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