Browse Items (65 total)

  • Tags: RAF Padgate

S78Sqn19361201v30026.pdf
William's memoirs give background on his inspiration for writing it, and is themed "Luck". He writes of joining RAF, initial tests and selection as a wireless operator/air gunner, followed by 18 months deferred service. He describes training at RAF…

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BSmithJSmithJv1.pdf
Second version. Covers life before the war and volunteering for the RAF in August 1940 and continues with an account of training as a wireless operator. The article includes radio school crest and photograph of a Battle aircraft. He describes his…

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BSmithJSmithJv1-2.pdf
Wartime recollections of John (known to his friends as Jack) George Smith from Pinchbeck. He tells of life before the war, how he went on to volunteer for the RAF in August 1940 and describes his training as a wireless operator. The document includes…

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MWoolfAS157533-170629-05.jpg
Details non-commissioned service. appointments and promotions and postings with dates for all.

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BPageTJPageTJv2.pdf
This is an extract from the author's autobiography, covering his service in the RAF. It tells of his early life and volunteering to join the RAF in January 1940. It details his career from initial training and mustering as an aircraft mechanic…

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BPageTJPageTJv1.pdf
Writes of early life and mentions beginning of the war and volunteering for the air force in January 1940. Continues with account of initial training and mustering as an airframe mechanic and subsequent technical training. Describes first posting to…

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BJonesTJJonesPWv1.pdf
Memoir including photographs of the crew and aircraft. Thomas Jones was a flight engineer on Stirling and Lancaster and completed 64 operations on two tours. Describes early life, joining the RAF, selection and training., crewing up and first posting…

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MBakerR1549392-200303-160001.jpg
Made out for R Baker calling for him to go to RAF Padgate on 30 October 1941. Called for service in the Royal Air Force Reserve. Encloses travel warrant and on the reverse notes for joining.

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MBakerR1549392-200303-150001.jpg
For R Baker to attend the No 3 RAF Recruit Centre Padgate on 27 October 1941 for aviation candidates selection board. Gives advice to attendees. On the reverse subsistence allowances.

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BPerkinsFWJPerkinsFWJv1.pdf
Covers joining the RAF, training as an engineer and first posting to RAF Christchurch which undertook radar research. Writes of life and flying as observer in Fairey Battle on radar measurement flights. The unit then moved to RAF Defford. Goes on to…

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LOrtonR2217450v1.pdf
Flying log book for navigator’s, air bomber’s, air gunners, flight engineers for R Orton, air gunner, covering the period from 27 May 1944 to 7 October 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Stormey Down,…

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MTansleyEH149542-161027-01.pdf
About Lancaster (ED655) of 57 Squadron over target 22/23 September 1943. Report on engagement on two enemy night fighters by mid-upper and rear gunners. First enemy aircraft claimed as destroyed. Damage to Lancaster engine sub-frame. Continues with…

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SMcDermottC1119618v10010-0001.jpg
The letter commands Colin to attend a selection board at Padgate.

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PWatsonJB15010025.jpg
Five items on an album page.

Item 1 is a sketch of men and huts, captioned 'Padgate Jan.Mar 1943 The Hopeless Dawn'.
Item 2 is a coloured RAF roundel.
Item 3 is a b/w photograph of two airmen, captioned '1665 CU Sept 43'.
Item 4 is an RAF…

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PWatsonJB15010023.jpg
A hand-drawn graphic on an album page with K Watson's RAF Service detailed. It includes the dates and where he served.

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BHopgoodPMHopgoodPDv1.pdf
The detailed biography begins with government measures at the start of National Service. Philip Hopgood volunteered and enlisted at Padgate, Warrington. He was classified as medically Grade 1. Initial training was at RAF Regent's Park (Lord's Cricket…

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MShipmanJ1694683-181126-31.jpg
A certificate issued to John during his training at RAF Padgate.

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PCulkinJ17010340.jpg
Two photographs, first, group of five women and four SNCO's, reverse captioned 'Sgt's Mess RAF Padgate, Warrington, mum 3rd from left 1953'.
Second is of Jack in civilian clothes standing in front of house, reverse captioned 'Padgate, Warrington…

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BSharrockRSharockRv2.pdf
Bob Sharrock's story. He was born near Wigan, his father a coal miner. He worked locally until old enough to sign up. He trained at Lords cricket ground, Torquay then St Athan. Posted to Dishforth, he suffered a compressed spine during a Halifax…

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SCulkinJ19241214v10004-0001.jpg
Official document from RAF listing all Jacks postings throughout his service.

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AWilliamsRS180115.mp3
Roland Spencer Williams was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. Wanting to get involved in the war he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1942. After initial training in New Zealand, as an air gunner, he sailed on the SS Nieuw Amsterdam to San…

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APoynterAD180416.mp3
Having worked in her father’s garage, Audrey was called up, aged 17½, and joined the Royal Air Force. After RAF Padgate, she did some square-bashing at Gloucester before going to RAF Halton. She was taught to change plugs, replace faulty studs and…

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APeelE161018.mp3
Eric Peel worked in the Cotton Exchange in Liverpool before he volunteered for the RAF. He trained as an armourer and was, initially, posted to 56 Squadron at RAF Sutton Bridge where he worked on Hurricanes. He was then posted to 103 Squadron at…

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AHextellGJE160104.mp3
George Hextell joined the RAF as a flight engineer and flew operations with 51 Squadron on Halifaxes. After being shot down over Holland, he became a prisoner of war. He gives a detailed account of his capture, imprisonment and liberation. He also…

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AHaytonK171004.mp3
Ken Hayton’s father, George Stanley Hayton (Stan), worked for Lloyds Bank. In 1940 Stan left his post to join the Royal Air Force; Ken recalled going to Durham station to see his father off, travelling to start basic training at RAF Padgate. Ken…

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