Browse Items (35 total)

  • Tags: RAF Woodhall Spa
  • Type is exactly "Sound"

SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v370002.mp3
John Bell completed a tour as a bomb aimer with 619 Squadron. The crew decided they would like to continue flying and, so, volunteered to join 617 Squadron. They were interviewed by Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire and accepted on to the squadron.…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v340002.mp3
John Langston flew operations as a navigator with 630, 189 and 617 Squadrons.

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v300002.mp3
Charles Avey volunteered for the RAF with his friend, who was fanatical about the RAF. Charles trained as a gunner and his friend was posted to the Air Ministry. On one training flight the crew were suddenly concerned at the sight ahead which looked…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v290002.mp3
Basil Fish volunteered for the RAF in 1941 from Manchester University, where he was a student and a member of the University Air Squadron. He was posted to 617 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa. On one flight his aircraft crashed on return and, although…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v280003.mp3
Ernie Groeger volunteered for the RAF in 1940 while working at a textile firm. He undertook training to be an armourer and was posted to 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa. Over time he developed ill health and he was discharged from the RAF on health…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v240002.mp3
Colin Cole took part in the attack that sunk the Tirpitz. He describes how the aircraft was adapted for the operation and flew via RAF Lossiemouth. Colin disposed of the Upkeep 'bouncing bombs' as part of his service with the RAF. They were…

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ABuxtonAG220823.mp3
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…

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POtteyRA2001.jpg
Ralph Ottey recounts an occasion when he came to the rescue of a local lady who found herself in difficulty while swimming in the local river.

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POtteyRA2001.jpg
Ralph Ottey joined the RAF from Jamaica. After the war he returned to Jamaica. However, he had met the woman he was to later marry while based in the UK and returned to settle here. He settled in Boston and had a long career with a local firm. On his…

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POtteyRA2001.jpg
Ralph Ottey was born in Jamaica in 1924. Raised by his grandparents, he describes his education and the family hopes that he would become a teacher. He left school at 16 and a half but was too young to attend teaching college so worked for his uncle…

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AWhiteEJ161027.mp3
James White worked as a wages clerk for the Co-op before volunteering for the Air Force. He had intended to join the navy but, when he saw some recruits being shouted at, he turned around and crossed the corridor to join the RAF. He had always had an…

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AValentineM150724.mp3
Murray Valentine was a wireless operator with 61 Squadron and 617 Squadron. He describes his duties, as well as his job on board the Lancasters on bombing operations. He recalls going to an operational training unit and flying Wellingtons for three…

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ATownsleyH180314.mp3
Henry Townsley was born near Workington, left school aged 14 and started work as an apprentice vehicle fitter. After a spell as a junior engineer in the Merchant Navy, in April 1940 he volunteered for the RAF, rather than the Navy as he suffered from…

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ATilleyF150710.mp3
Frank Tilley was a flight engineer with 617 Squadron. He took part in the operation to sink the Tirpitz. He explains his flights and pre-operation briefings at RAF Woodhall Spa, RAF Milltown and RAF Lossiemouth. On their return from sinking the…

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PReptonB1801.jpg
Betty (nee Jackson) worked in a library in Macclesfield before the war. When the war began, she went to Manchester to volunteer for the Air Force and trained as a telephonist. She did a course at Sheffield General Post Office before being posted to…

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POatleyK1701.jpg
Initially too young to enlist at the beginning of the war, Ken Oatley served in the Home Guard until he was able to enlist in October 1940 and, after initial training, he undertook pilot training. After basic flying training he went onto Canada…

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PLeedhamHJL1801.jpg
Bob Leedham was a flight engineer who carried out 21 operations on Stirlings. At the beginning of the war Bob was an apprentice motor mechanic and, along with other apprentices, was left to operate the garage when all the engineers were called up. In…

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AKnottS151001.mp3
Sidney Knott was from Leigh-on-Sea and recalls the day, with invasion apparently imminent, that signs were put up on the local shops advising people that they had to be ready to move within an hour and to take only one suitcase with them. Sidney’s…

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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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ABurleyE-BennettL180618.mp3
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…

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AKettleboroughML180905.mp3
Michael Kettleborough lived in Woodhall Spa during the war, where his mother billeted RAF crew members in her home. One of them, Jack Gibson, asked for an early Christmas as there were some big operations coming up. Shortly before Christmas 1941…

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ABeechingJB180118.mp3
John Beeching was born in London and joined the RAF in 1941, although his initial training was in Canada. After several escapades John joined 169 Squadron as a night fighter pilot and worked in electronic counter-measures, as well as training crews…

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PClarkeC1501.jpg
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…

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PClarkeC1501.jpg
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…

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ATrentKL160112.mp3
Ken grew up in London and joined the Royal Air Force, as a pilot, on his 18th birthday. After exams and interview at RAF Uxbridge, he went to Number 9 Receiving Wing in RAF Torquay and an Initial Training Wing in Stratford-upon-Avon. He then trained…

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