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Flight Engineer Don Gray DFM
An autobiography of Don's RAF service. It includes reminiscences of specific trips, an extract on his DFM and a footnote by his son about his sense of humour.
Eric Coling memoir
Time in the RAF including selection as an observer, enrolment at Lord's Cricket Ground, navigational dead reckoning and meteorology training in Eastbourne and Paignton. Time spent on navigational sorties in Grahamstown, South Africa in Ansons and…
Interview with Peter Zolty
Peter was born in Erdington, Birmingham. He joined the RAF and was trained at the Empire Air Training School in Canada. He re-mustered as a navigator and was with 49 Squadron for a short time. Peter then joined 106 Squadron and did a tour of 34…
Interview with Monty Felton
Monty grew up in Croydon and became an articled accountant in London before joining the RAF. Training at the Initial Training Wing in Torquay was followed by RAF Bishops Court in Northern Ireland and RAF Kinloss, which had a flight simulation room.…
JF Neilson's memoir
Growing Up -The Hard Way WAR -1939
James joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at…
James joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at…
Alan McInnes memoir
An autobiography of Alan's time as a prisoner of war. He talks about his training with his, mainly, Australian crew. He describes the night they were shot down over Germany. He describes their capture, mistreatment and interrogations at various…
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He thanks he for his birthday card. He describes his return trip to camp. The next day he had exams which he thinks he passed. They have had no luck getting a new wireless operator. They had a home guard training attack on the base. They had a couple…
Interview with Alan George Buxton
Alan was born in Parramatta, Sydney, in Australia. After going to the Middle East with the army, he returned to Australia, when Japan entered the war, and transferred to the RAF in November 1942. Alan was posted to Bradfield Park for training and…
The Surprising Details of a Few Years of World War 2 1939-1945
A memoir written by a Royal Australian Air Force wireless operator. Firstly, he describes major events in the war but he continues with his own experience, training in Canada then commencing further training in the UK. Only three pages are…
A J Allam - Memoir
Chapter 8 - Overture and Beginners. The author gives an account of his time on OTU at RAF Lossiemouth, including ground instruction, crewing up and a description of the station, as well as training on Wellington. He writes about witnessing a fatal…
Hastie DFC: The Life and Times of a Wartime Pilot
A biography of Roy Hastie.
Hastie DFC: The Life and Times of a Wartime Pilot
An incomplete biography of Roy Hastie. Only pages 1 to 46, 104 to 106, 128 to 133 and 34 additional unnumbered pages are included.
William Roy Peter Perry DFC - Memoir
The memoir starts with early life and education in Tunbridge Wells before moving to Cornwall. He describes how he volunteered for aircrew in Plymouth shortly after his 18th birthday, his early induction and training in the RAF. He travelled to Canada…
Dare to Discover: World War II experiences of V T Hilton
The book describes V T Hilton's life in Australia, his training and service with 192 Squadron.
Reg Wilson - Bomber Command and Notes of Some of My Experiences During 1941-1945
Reg summarises Bomber Command's role in the war then details his personal experiences from training days. He covers, in detail, the navigational techniques he used, and describes the operation he was on when he was shot down.
Cecil O'Brien Biography
A biography of Cecil written by his niece. It is based on letters he wrote to his brother, Colleen's father. She explains his training and the various locations where he served. He was lost 27 January 1944 over Berlin.
Douglas Wilmott Waters CPM
Douglas' autobiography which includes a section on his career after the war.
Douglas Wilmott Waters - An autobiography
Douglas joined the RAF as a wireless operator. His aircraft was shot down on an operation and he baled out but was captured, spending the rest of the war as a prisoner of war.
Bill Freeman's Service Career
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…
Interview with Gordon Mercier
Cyril Mercier was born in Jersey in 1925. He joined the Home Guard in 1940 and the RAF in 1943. After initial training, and training on gunnery at RAF Bridgnorth he joined 14 Operational training Unit at RAF Abingdon, where he crewed up. He trained…
Service record John Henry (Jack) Thomas
The record covers enlistment and early training in the Royal Australian Air Force, and continues with a description of John's journey to England via the United States and training in England. It lists his crew formed during training. He joined 102…
General Memories
Herbert's service life in an autobiography. It includes training in London, RAF Bridlington, RAF Morpeth and RAF Wymeswold. Later training as a crew was at RAF Castle Donington, RAF Lindholme and RAF Hemswell and provides detailed descriptions of his…
War Memoir - George Bilton
George talks of early life at school and work in Hull. He volunteered as ARP messenger and describes duties and air raid damage in Hull. He then volunteered as aircrew and, initially, selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked to…
Memoirs of Flt/Sgt William Brookes, 78 Squadron, RAF Breighton
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…
Flashbacks 0 to 4
In a series of "flashbacks" the author starts with commentary on family in Poland and names recorded on visits to Poland. Continues with account of early life, school and life in Poland before the war. He mentions his first operation on 300 Squadron…