Browse Items (56 total)

  • Tags: air gunner; 617 Squadron

PFOMetheringhamAF19040018.jpg
Damaged photograph of four aircrew wearing battledress with brevet standing in front to a brick wall. Dustbin visible lower left. Submitted with description 'Copy of a damaged, undated, original photograph showing four members of F/Sgt L J Burpee's…

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PHowkinsF1701.jpg
Six airmen standing at the tail of their Lancaster after the Tirpitz operation.
On the reverse the six have signed their name and handwritten is 'Nov 44 On return from the "Tirpitz" raid'.

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BCruickshankGCruickshankGv3.pdf
Born in 1918 he describes family life. He recalls his military career, having joined the Army on 2nd January 1936, prior to joining the RAF in 1938. He took part in 50 Squadron operations in various locations and frequently talks about his crew and…

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BCruickshankGCruickshankGv2.pdf
Recalls his various roles and operations during his RAF career. Mentions Leonard Cheshire led attack on Munich and his award of Distinguished Flying Medal. He tells of post war events and 50 Squadron reunions. Many mentions of crew and colleagues as…

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PMaidensT16010003.jpg
An airman in a rear turret of an aircraft fuselage supported on blocks of wood. From information kindly provided by the donor. 'Johnny Johnson in Lanc at Roses'. Photograph is captioned 'Johnny Johnson DFC Ex/Flt 617 Squadron RAF.

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BLazenbyHJLazenbyHJv1.pdf
Harold Jack Lazenby's autobiography.

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MParryWE1172401-220531-05.pdf
A detailed account of the night's events leading to the shooting down of a Lancaster over the Netherlands.

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AAtkinsG160929.mp3
Glenn Atkins was born in Newport Pagnell and was called up for National Service in 1951. He was involved in exercises to test the defences of Europe during the Cold War. When he was released from National Service he returned to his former company…

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PFlowersJ1501.jpg
Horace James Flowers was born and grew up in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire. He became an apprentice butcher before being released to volunteer for the Royal Air Force in 1944. He trained as an air gunner at RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Wigsley and RAF Syerston…

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Johnny Johnson f.jpg
George ‘Johnny’ Johnson was born in rural Lincolnshire. As a child he won a scholarship to Lord Wandsworth’s Agricultural College in Hampshire. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force, and was selected for…

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AMcVicarK151222.mp3
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…

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LPenswickJ[Ser#-DoB]v1.pdf
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for J Penswick, air gunner, covering the period from 25 October 1942 to 19 May 1945. Detailing his flying training, operation flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Morpeth, RAF North…

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LBibbyJW1181402v1.pdf
James Bibby’s Flying Log Book from 8th February 1941 until 25th June 1945. During this time trained as a wireless operator and air gunner.
Trained at No. 2 Signals School, No. 2 Air Gunners School, 17 Operational Training Unit, 28 Operational…

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SJoynerJH1812689v1.pdf
A log book used as a scrap book. The photographs and documents cover his aircrew training from November 1943. It has sergeant's mess subscription cards, photographs, correspondence and cuttings.
Many of the entries are post war and a number refer…

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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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MGanneyK1324929-170301-010001.jpg
A speech given by Keith, during which he recalls his 30 operations and his time training at Scarborough, Brough and Canada. Initially a pilot he was reassigned as a bomb aimer. He was posted to RAF East Kirkby and details some of his operations.

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SGillK1438901v40002-0002.jpg
Six airmen wearing flying clothes or battledress standing in line behind a Lancaster. Captioned at top 'Crew from left to right, Sid Grimes wireless operator, Ken Gill navigator, Charlie Randon bomb aimer, Jack Penswick gunner, Eddy Barnett engineer,…

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SGillK1438901v20032-0001.jpg
Six airmen standing behind a Lancaster. Captioned '1944, Left to right, all shorties well nearly all, Sid Grimes (Wireless Op), yours truly, Charlie Randon (Bomb dropper of), Jack Penswick (Gunner), Eddy Barnett (Engineer), Barney Gumbley…

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MCurtisA1579599-161130-02.pdf
A memoir of an operation involving Len Curtis and his crew members. During the operation his aircraft was shot down and Len was captured. However, he was liberated by American soldiers and returned to London six weeks later.

This item was sent to…

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SGillK1438901v40008.jpg
List crew and weapon (Tallboy) and target location. Notes 'shot down by enemy ground defences approx. 1000 today (This a/c was hit by H/7 in the T/A and seen to go down in flames and exploded as it hit the ground near Syke)'.

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BBarrJBarrJv10001.jpg
A history of Jamie Barr's crew.

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PRosserLV19010030.jpg
Left -newspaper cutting - Tait dropped the bombs. Includes full face b/w image and gives account of operations flown by Wing Commander James Bryan Tate DSO and 2 bars DFC. Noted that his squadron was formed by Gibson to burst German dams. Top right -…

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SGillK1438901v40010.pdf
Description of three (one aborted due to weather) operations against Tirpitz, photograph of crew on return from sinking Tirpitz, poor photocopy of target photograph of attach on Tirpitz. Account of operation on E & R boat pens at Ijmuiden along with…

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SBriarsRA1299161v1.pdf
Starts with tribute to crew and has colour photograph of a 617 Squadron Lancaster over Lincoln. Writes of his joining the RAF, selection as an air gunner and his basic training. Goes on with description of gunnery training, before going to OTU at RAF…

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BWilsonRCWilsonRCv1.pdf
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.

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