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Letter to Wally Layne's wife from 97 Squadron adjutant
Writes that they were glad to hear that her husband was safe and a prisoner of war. Notes that other crew members were also prisoners. Congratulates her on behalf of husband who received his commission 13 September 1943.
Interview with Percy Cannings
Percy Cannings was born in Stedham, near Midhurst, West Sussex and joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 18, reporting for duty in 1943. Percy served with 100 and 97 Squadrons as a mid-upper gunner on Lancasters. He tells of his two brothers who…
Stephen Dawson's memoir notebook
The notebook (consisting of 53 pages) contains written accounts of 32 operations to targets in Germany, Italy and France, between June and November 1943 as well as a list of his crew. Accounts include bomb loads and descriptions of operations…
Interview with Eric Brown
Eric left school at 14 and worked, initially, in a bakery and then moved to accountancy. Aged 17 he volunteered for aircrew and trained as a flight engineer. He became a Pathfinder and carried out operations to Hamburg, Karlsruhe, and Dortmund,…
Interview with Bob Lasham
Bob Lasham began an electrical engineering apprenticeship with British Thomson-Houston before volunteering for the RAF in 1941, aged 20. He trained at RAF Babbacombe and RAF Wilmslow before completing his pilot training in Clewiston, Florida. On…
An interesting war
Memoir of the life of Arthur Spencer. It includes details of childhood and growing up, tells of him joining the Royal Air Force and his training in the United States as a pilot and then navigator. This was followed by training in England and a…
Stanley Lester Dodwell - Aviator
Including photographs, notes, cartoons and newspaper cutting details of Stan's early life and gaining his pilot's licence aged 18. He married and was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and transferred to Canada to train as a flying instructor at…
Interview with Harry Fearns
Harry Fearns was born and lived in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. He left school at 16 and joined the Prudential Insurance Company as a door-to-door premiums collector. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1944 as a flight engineer. Following initial…
The Exploits of Warrant Officer Arthur Pritchard
A biography of Arthur Pritchard written by his daughter, covering his training, operations and the night he was shot down. Despite speaking no French he was assisted to a hideout in Paris where he remained until Paris was liberated in August 1944.
Interview with Jim Copus. Two
Jim Copus was born in Watlington and volunteered for the Royal Air Force when he was 18. After training, he flew operations as a mid-upper gunner with 97 Squadron from RAF Bourn. On one operation he realised that it was very quiet so, being unable to…
Interview with Ronald George Doble
Ron Doble grew up in London and joined the Air Training Corps and the fire watchers, when war was declared. He volunteered for the Air Force when he was 18 and trained as an air gunner. He talks about the conditions in his turret and the mishaps he…
Interview with Jim Penny. Two
After volunteering for the RAF, Jim Penny began his training which also took him to USA. He was present when the announcement of the attack on Pearl Harbour was made and all RAF trainees could openly wear their uniforms as the two countries were…
Interview with Henry Townsley
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…
Interview with Ernest Groeger
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…
Interview with Johnny Johnson. Two
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…
Interview with Mick Kettleborough
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…
Interview with Ernest James White
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…
Biography of Kenneth James West
Kenneth James West grew up in Birmingham. He enlisted in the RAF and trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. After postings across the UK, he joined 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. His Lancaster W4135 was shot down over Holland…
Bomber command operations
A summary of operations undertaken on the night of 20/21 March 1945, including details on the participation by 50 Squadron.
Letter to John Madge's wife listing the other members of the crew that were lost
The crew members were Capt 12543 Fl/Lt J S Runnacles, Flt Eng 144617 F/O Cowan, Nav 1392529 WO JM Crawford, Special BA 1349742 FS J McF Farrell, BA 162871 F/O HC Annett, W.Op 11876056 WO H J Moore, Rear Gunner 1853239 Sgt LA Oldfield.
Bill Doran's Record of Service
A summary of Bill's service record.
Letters and certificates from the Air Ministry presuming John Madge's death
Four items of correspondence, the letters to John's wife and his father and two certificates of death issued as no further information had been discovered about the circumstances of John's death.
Correspondence concerning the death of John Madge
Telegram sent informing his wife that he had failed to return, condolence letters from the squadron CO and Air Ministry and follow up letters to John's wife, and father.
Air Ministry 11 April 1944
Permission to wear a Russian Medal for Valour granted to Chan and two other officers.
97 and 83 Squadron aircrew in front of Lancaster
Large group of airmen posed in front of Lancaster. Colin Wood is immediately in front of the man who is 4th left in the back row.
7th from the right on the bottom row is Flight Lieutenant Edward Raymond Brown DFC. He flew 31 operations (25 with 83…
7th from the right on the bottom row is Flight Lieutenant Edward Raymond Brown DFC. He flew 31 operations (25 with 83…