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P/O Rupert Harwood
A document with photographs of Rupert Harwood, his wife and two daughters, Janet & Shirley. It refers to him being killed in action over Ussy sur Marne on 19 July 1944 whilst flying with 619 Squadron on Lancaster PB245. On the reverse "7 and 20 This…
Interview with Jack Delfosse
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…
Interview with Arthur Pocklington
Arthur Pocklington grew up in Hull and had hoped to join the RAF as aircrew but failed the medical. He trained as a mechanic servicing the radar equipment on the aircraft. He served at RAF Scampton, RAF Dunholme Lodge and RAF Strubby before being…
Interview with Vernon Thomas Morgan
Vernon Morgan, from Cardiff, joined the civil service working at the Royal Ordnance Factory, and volunteered for the RAF in 1941. After pilot training in South Africa he returned to several different roles: CO of a satellite aerodrome, pilot for…
Interview with Kenneth George McVicar
Kenneth George McVicar was born in Llanelli, South Wales and joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 18, where he qualified as a Gunner. He flew in Ansons, as mid upper gunner turret, but also on Stirlings and Lancasters. He tells of how he went on…
William McCall Girdwood
Half length portrait of an air observer wearing tunic and peaked cap. On the reverse 'Flying Officer Bill McCall Girdwood age 23 = 6 . 43 killed 22.6.43'.
Interview with Ken Fawcett
Ken Fawcett worked for the Post Office and served in the Home Guard for two and a half years, having signed up at 16. He joined the Royal Air Force at Lords Cricket Ground in September 1943. He initially requested pilot training but, realising the…
Interview with Eunice Burley and Leonard Bennett
William [Billy] Lord volunteered for the RAF and, having worked for Cable and Wireless before the war, he served as a wireless operator with 619 Squadron based at RAF Woodhall Spa. He had one sister with whom he was very close and who was the mother…
Aviation Memory
A detailed account of Reg Payne's service in the RAF. He starts with a list of 18 RAF bases where he served in his 5 years of service. He was 16 when war was declared but volunteered for the RAF at 17. After tests he was selected for training as a…
Charles Henry Clarke's crew and Lancaster
Charles Henry Clarke (standing second from left) with his crew in flying gear in front of a Lancaster.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Interview with Charles Henry Clarke. Two
Charles Clarke joined the RAF aged 17 and began training as a pilot but he became ill with mumps and later trained as a bomb aimer. His aircraft was shot down on an operation to Schweinfurt and he became a prisoner of war. He took part in the Long…
Interview with Charles Henry Clarke. One
Charles volunteered for the RAF when he was 17 and trained as a bomb-aimer at RAF North Luffenham. After qualifying, he was posted to 619 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa. He was shot down on his 18th operation and he became a prisoner of war. He talks…
Interview with Eric Hookings
Eric Hookings joined the RAF and served as ground crew at RAF Newton before training as a pilot in America. He was posted to RAF Bruntingthorpe, flying Wellingtons, Stirlings and Lancasters with 619 Squadron. During an operation an Me 110 shot down…
Interview with Sidney Lawrence Davis
Laurie Davis trained as a wireless operator and, initially, went to RAF Silverstone where crews were formed. Because of his bright red hair, he was then known as ‘Red’. The crew worked on Wellingtons for a few weeks and then Stirlings at RAF…
Ernie Twells' Operations
A list of 48 operations undertaken by Ernie Twells. It details date, target and flight time.
Ernie Twells' Obituary and letter from the King
Ernie Twells' obituary detailing his life before, during and after the war.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
A letter from the King awarding Ernie Twells his Distinguished Flying Cross.
Doris and Ernie Twells with the leader of Derbyshire County Council
Doris and Ernie Twells with two men and a woman. Ernie Twells and the man are holding an ornamental plate. Captioned 'Doris and Ernie with leader of Derbyshire County Council'.
The nose and main spar of Lancaster EE134. Six men are working on it.…
The nose and main spar of Lancaster EE134. Six men are working on it.…
Album title page
Captioned 'Flight Lieutenant Ernie Twells D.F.C. 619 Squadron 24 missions 617 Squadron 41 missions'.
Rupert the bear mascot
A black corduroy teddy bear with a red bow tie and red paws. Rupert was made for his daughter from material left over from making a coat; but it became Ernie Twells' lucky charm. The bear accompanied him on 65 operations with 617 and 619 Squadrons,…
Lancaster in flight
Air-to-air view of Lancaster, PG-H' flying almost solid cloud cover. The image is taken looking back to the front/port side.
Bomb aimers briefing 24 July 1944 - Stuttgart
Shows a single bomb load for operation. Details distributor and preselection settings and other information. Includes times route. bombing height and H+ times for squadron aircraft on wave four and wave 5. On the reverse mentions Newhaven, Parramatta…
Next of kin list for Lancaster PB.246, J, (619 Squadron)
Lists next of kin for crew of Lancaster lost on night 26/27 July 1944.
Operations order 28 July 1944
Lists crews and aircraft letters for operations. At the bottom lists 'Command Bullseye'.
Ernie Twells’ navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Royal Air Force Flying Log Book for Ernie Twells, flight engineer, covering the period from 15 June 1943 to 19 August 1945. Detailing training, operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF Swinderby, RAF Woodhall Spa, RAF Bramcote,…
Bomb aimers notes
Notes include marking, briefing times, H2s set up, weights, bombing heights and target marking plan. Continues with bad weather plan, use of H2S, fighter escort details and aiming instructions.