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Interview with John Ormerod
John Ormerod left school at 14 and worked in the textile industry before he volunteered for RAF. Initially, he trained as flight mechanic but later re-mustered to be a flight engineer. He talks about synchronising props and the German speaking eighth…
Interview with Gordon Mellor. One
Gordon Mellor grew up in London and was interested in aviation. He volunteered for the Air Force and trained as a navigator in Canada. On his return to the UK he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron. Returning from an operation they were attacked…
Interview with Gordon Mellor. Two
Gordon Mellor grew up in London and, being interested in aviation, he volunteered for the Air Force and trained as a navigator in Canada. On his return to the UK he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds and his first operation…
Interview with Gordon Mellor. Three
Gordon Mellor grew up in London and was hoping to become a quantity surveyor, when he was called up. He volunteered for the Air Force and trained as a navigator in Canada. On his return to the UK he and his crew were posted to 103 Squadron at Elsham…
Interview with William James Stoneman
William James Stoneman ('Bill') was posted to RAF Elsham Wolds before Aircrew Reception Centre at RAF Cardington. He chose to become a rear gunner as he did not have to wait. Air gunnery training followed at RAF Bishops Court in Northern Ireland on…
Interview with Alfred Huberman
Alfred Huberman volunteered for the RAF when he was 18 and trained as an air gunner. He describes the training and emphasises how physically hard it was. He flew 31 operations in Lancasters, from RAF Elsham Wolds. These included operations over the…
Interview with Kenneth Trent
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…
Extract from operational record book of 103 Squadron
Describes an operation for 103 Squadron on night 16/17 June 1943. 22 aircraft to attack Cologne. Details bomb loads for 18 and 4 aircraft. Describes route a details crew of Lancaster ED944 with Pilot Officer K I Dexter as captain. Notes that Dexter…
Lancaster ED945 crash report
Official document detailing crash of Lancaster ED945 near Boxtel in the Netherlands on 17 June 1943. Details crew including F/O Dexter. On the reverse, details of crew's parents and stating grave number.
John Derek Bailey’s Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book for aircrew other than pilot
Flying log book for aircrew other than pilot for John Derek Bailey, bomb aimer, covering the period from 6 July 1943 to 5 September 1945, detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Regents Park, RAF…
Was it all a Dream
Bill Bailey's wartime memoirs detailing enlistment, training in UK and Canada and details of each of 31 operations in Bomber Command. After completion of his tour he was transferred to RAF Lossiemouth to train Free French aircrew, after which he was…
Interview with Maurice Barrick
Maurice Barrick had always wanted to serve in the Royal Air Force. Upon completion of training, he was posted to Bomber Command 467 Squadron at RAF Waddington. He did four operational flights and two trips flying British prisoners of war from…
Interview with David Berrie
David Berrie joined the RAF and served as a wireless operator. He flew six operations with 576 Squadron from RAF Elsham Wolds and shares his experience of living on the station with Polish crews. David remembers crashing twice in 24 hours and, on one…
Interview with Jack Cook
Jack Cook was born in Mexborough, left school aged 14 and went to work at a Gentlemen’s Outfitters. Aged 16 he worked on the footplate for LNER and at the age of 18 volunteered for aircrew and trained as a wireless operator/air gunner; he joined 100…
Interview with Edward Davies
Edward Davies (Sonny) joined the RAF aged 17 as a rear gunner. Having crewed up he joined 103 Squadron and flew on 50 operations. Sonny describes being in the rear turret and how close the crew were, so much that they sang to him on his birthday…
Interview with Martin Edwards
Martin Edwards recounts the war-time stories of his father, Frederick Edwards. Frederick was born in Kent in 1923, and lived on the family farm. He joined the RAF in 1943 and was posted to Canada for training as a navigator. On his return to England,…
Interview with Harry Harris
Harry ‘Sam’ Harris grew up in Scotland and volunteered for the Air Force. He trained as a navigator in South Africa. On the penultimate day of his training he flew over a multitude of lifeboats bearing the survivors of a torpedoed ship. The next day…
Interview with William Hough
Bill Hough came from a farming background, went to a local grammar school in Northwich and was a member of the Air Training Corps. He joined the RAF in 1943 and describes his initial training at RAF Bridgnorth. This was followed by continuation…
Interview with Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson reminisces about John Blair, his great-uncle. He discusses family life in rural Jamaica as a mixed-ethnicity person, highly respected by everyone. He was a qualified teacher, a lawyer, and a farmer. He reminisces about other Caribbeans…
Interview with Anderson MacCormick
Anderson MacCormick grew up in Glasgow and joined the ATC while waiting to join the service. He trained as a flight engineer and recalls the risks aircrew faced, as well as some beautiful sights he saw in the air. On a flight, as part of Operation…
Interview with Ken Marshall
Ken Marshall, grew up in Barton on Humber and enrolled with the ATC before joining the University Air Squadron at Durham University. On one occasion he saw an aircraft on fire at RAF Elsham Wolds and, although the crew was rescued, it was a reminder…
Interview with Norman Neilson
Norman Neilson was an apprentice engineer at St Rollox Locomotive Works when he volunteered. He had originally wanted to join the Navy but joined the RAF because the only way he could be released from his position was to volunteer for aircrew. His…
Interview with Peter Parker
Peter Parker grew up in Gainsborough. He had hoped to be a pilot but was unsuccessful. However, as he had taught himself Morse code in his shed at home, he trained as a wireless operator and became an instructor. He was posted to RAF Yatesbury and…
Interview with Eric Peel
Eric Peel worked in the Cotton Exchange in Liverpool before he volunteered for the RAF. He trained as an armourer and was, initially, posted to 56 Squadron at RAF Sutton Bridge where he worked on Hurricanes. He was then posted to 103 Squadron at…
Interview with Raymond Race
Raymond Race was born into a family working in the textile industry and joined the RAF in 1943, serving on the metropolitan communications squadron. He tells of his family’s military service: his father joined the Royal Field Artillery; his eldest…