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History of RAF Hemswell
Outlines the history of RAF Hemswell starting from its origin as RAF Harpswell in 1918 until peacetime operations in the the 50s. The station was equipped with Ansons, then Blenheims. Part of No 3 Group, 61 and 144 Squadrons. Changed to No 5 Group,…
Reminiscence and memories of Mrs E J Bascombe
RON: Flight Engineer Ron Jones (Betty's first husband) 61 Squadron, killed in action 25 April 1944. Details of his early life and service career, how they met and their brief marriage. Initially, he was declared missing but on January 1945 he was…
Repairs to Manchester
Three ground crew at work on Manchester L7477, QR-N. Repairs are being made to the starboard side where there is battle damage and two men are working on panels under the wing. The bomb bay doors have been removed. A ladder is propped against the…
Two Lancasters and their ground crews
Two Lancasters with engines running are being waved off by a group of ground crew. The nearer Lancaster is ED860 QR-N and the farther one is ED588 VN-G. Both have nose art depicting many operations.
Ground personnel in front of Nissen hut
A group of ground personnel, some kneeling, most standing, some dressed in fatigues but most in full uniform. Two are standing on a tractor. Behind is a Nissen hut. On the reverse '61 Sqdn Crew Don is in there Somewhere. 1944'
Interview with John and Vera Casey
Before the war, John Casey worked for Vickers Armstrong. He joined the Royal Air Force and completed his training as a warrant officer at RAF Padgate. He learned how to fly Stirling aircraft at RAF Wigsley, Wellington aircraft at RAF Bruntingthorpe…
Leonard Green’s navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Navigator's air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book for Flight Sergeant Leonard Green, wireless operator, covering the period from 15 December 1942 to 20 January 1946. He was stationed at RAF Manby, RAF Wigtown, RAF Bitteswell, RAF…
John Casey's flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners and flight engineers
Navigators, air bombers, air gunners and flight engineers flying log book for Sergeant John Casey from 26 February 1944 to 8 October 1945. Detailing training schedule and operations flown. Served at 7 Air Gunnery School followed by training at 29…
Six aircrew by the tail of a Lancaster
Six aircrew wearing battledress, four wearing side caps and two wearing flying boots standing in a line by the rear turret of a Lancaster. In the background another Lancaster. On the reverse '10.3.45 Skell, J E Morgan (signature), Bain, Gee, Casey,…
Interview with William Geoghegan
Bill joined the Royal Australian Air Force from the army, going to Bradfield Park as an Initial Training School. He did a short course on Tiger Moths at Temora but because of his good performance in navigation exams, he was sent for navigation…
Interview with Jeff Gray
Jeff Gray was a farm labourer and member of the Home Guard prior to joining the RAF. He completed his training in Texas at No. 1 British Flying Training School and continued his training in the UK on multi-engined aircraft. Gray was posted to 691…
Interview with Dick Heath
Dick Heath was an apprentice boat builder and joined the Royal Air Force in 1943. He began training as an air gunner but was posted to RAF Fiskerton working in the bomb dump. He was on his way to Canada by ship when the war in Europe ended. After he…
61 Squadron
Photograph of 61 Squadron aircrew in four rows in front of a Lancaster. Aircrew are all in uniform and there is a hangar behind the Lancaster. Document contains some of the names of people in the photograph. Sergeant Reg Freeth is number 42 which is…
Interview with Reg Freeth
Reg Freeth grew up in Wales and worked for the Civil Service in the Labour Exchange before volunteering for the Royal Air Force. In South Afica, he trained as an observer and flew operations, and served as a bomb aimer with 61 Squadron from RAF…
Reg Freeth's South African Air Force observers or air gunners log book
South African Air Force observers or air gunners log book for Warrant Officer Reg Freeth, bomb aimer, covering the period from 7 February 1942 to 8 October 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations and Instructor duties. He was stationed at…
Interview with Arthur Atkinson
Arthur Atkinson was born in Lancaster, and worked in the local Co-Op until he joined the Royal Air Force. He trained as a wireless operator and served at RAF Ringway before being posted to RAF Coningsby and, later, RAF Skellingthorpe with 61…
Interview with Don Watson
Donald Watson joined the Royal Air Force in 1941, having previously worked in the print industry. After training he served as an armourer with 61 Squadron at RAF Skellingthorpe.
He wishes that the ground crew, without whom the aircrew could not…
He wishes that the ground crew, without whom the aircrew could not…
Bremen
Target photograph of Bremen. Explosions in the middle of the frame obscure the road and railway bridges over the river Weser. The photograph covers a largely built-up area: gas works, Bremen Hauptbahnhof and Bremen Neustadt stations are visible, the…
Bremen
Target photograph of Bremen. Edge of city towards rural area. Explosions at top right, bomb craters below on fields. River on left and gas works top left. Flaring on left and right of the photograph. Captioned ' 4804 SKELL. 22.3.45//7". 17000' 070°…
Harry Thomas Ansell's flying log book for flight engineers
The log book covers the training and operational duties of Flight Engineer Sergeant Harry Thomas Ansell, from 14 April 1944 to 24 May 1945. He trained at RAF Torquay, RAF St Athan, RAF Stockport and was stationed at RAF Wigsley, RAF Syerston, RAF…
Leonard Dorricott's observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Royal Canadian Air Force observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Sergeant Leonard Dorricott from 27 November 1942 to 21 January 1946. Detailing training schedule, instructional duties and operations flown. Trained in Miami, Florida and served…
Interview with Margaret Hourigan
Margaret Hourigan grew up in and around Nottingham. Despite holding Labour principles she volunteered for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force as soon as war was declared and was called up in January 1940. Margaret served as a plotter in the Women's…
Five nurses during Operation Dodge
Three nurses kneeling and two standing. They are wearing Mae Wests. Behind is a Lancaster. On the reverse 'Ferrying nurses from Pomigliano Airfield, Naples.'
Gilze-Rijen
Target photograph of Gilze-Rijen. Partially obscured by smoke and dust, bomb explosions visible. The end of the runway, a taxi way, two Lancasters flying below and roads also visible. Captioned '3°F', '5B', '2132 SKELL.15.8.44.//.8" 17000 [arrow]…
Bremen
Target photograph of Bremen. No details clearly visible, a small number of light streaks and many pin points of light visible. Captioned '3° F', '6B', '3123 SKELL.6/7.10.44//NT.8" 16250' [arrow] 202° 2033. BREMEN RD.A.27X4.27secs.F/O BOON.A.61.'. On…