Browse Items (158 total)

  • Tags: RAF Finningley

BBriggsDWBriggDWv1.pdf
Don recalls his wartime service from 1939 to 1945, having joined as an apprentice at RAF Halton in September 1939. He was first posted to RAF Wittering as fitter engineer working on Wellington, Hampden and Manchester aircraft, followed by a tour at…

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ABaggJG160902.mp3
John Bagg worked as a clerk before joining the Royal Air Force, at the age of 20. He was trained as an Instrument Mechanic before re-mustering and completing a specialist camera course. He went on to serve on several training stations. After the war…

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SMarshallS1594781v10079.jpg
Photograph 1 is of two Wessex helicopters in a hangar, captioned 'Helicopter hangar at Finningley'.
Photograph 2 is of Syd Marshall leaning on a Jet Ranger helicopter captioned '"Express" helicopter at Springfields'.

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PCooperJ1602.jpg
John was a founding member and corporal at his local Air Training Corps. He would cycle to local airfields to get a flight in different aircraft. He volunteered for the RAF in 1942 and was, finally, called up to Lord’s Cricket Ground in November…

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PDenverI1704.jpg
Ian’s father was a sports editor and Gallipoli veteran. Ian was a member of the Air Training Corps and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. His initial training was at Bradfield Park. After a few months of aircrew guard duty in…

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PEppelJW1702.jpg
John Eppel grew up in Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force. After training, he completed 30 operations as a navigator with 550 Squadron. He describes initial training in Australia and the journey by sea via the United States, then…

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AMacdonaldK170222.mp3
Ken had been in the Air Training Corps and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. He went to No. 2 Initial Training School at Bradfield Park and then to Marborough where he chose to be a wireless operator/air gunner. They flew on Wackett…

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Rutherford, Les.jpg
During this interview Les describes his experience as a despatch rider in France in 1940, before escaping from Dunkirk and returning to the United Kingdom, eventually joining the Royal Air Force. He also describes his training in South Africa and his…

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ATaylorWH150710.mp3
William Taylor joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 as ground crew. He remustered as an air gunner and flew operations with 103 Squadron from RAF Elsham Wolds, flying Lancasters. His aircraft was attacked and shot down by a night fighter in July 1944.…

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AWakefieldJ161029.mp3
Jack Wakefield grew up in New Zealand and volunteered for the Air Force and the Army. He trained as an air gunner on Defiants before being posted to 75 Squadron at RAF Feltwell where he completed a tour on Wellingtons, flying operations to locations…

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LFreethR1319543v10001.pdf
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…

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LDawsonSR142531v1.pdf
Pilots flying log book for Stephen Dawson, covering the period from 11 June 1939 to 30 March 1942. Detailing his flying training, operations and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Southampton, RAF Hastings, RAF Hatfield, RAF Little…

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MHattersleyCR40699-160506-030001.pdf
A service diary written by Peter Hattersley covering the period from November 1930 to 24 September 1948. Initially he served in the Royal Engineers but in February 1936 he joined the RAF. It covers his training and operations including a newspaper…

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LHattersleyCR40699v1.pdf
Pilot's log book for Wing Commander Peter Hattersley, covering the period 10 April 1937 to 24 September 1948. It details his flying training, operations flown and other flying duties. He was stationed at Hanworth Park, RAF Reading, RAF Netheravon,…

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ABarkerWG160912.mp3
Winifred Barker grew up in Yorkshire and worked in an office before volunteering for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. She served as a clerk at RAF Oakley, an operational training unit.
She describes life as a WAAF where you needed to have your own…

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ABlandC150817.mp3
Charles Bland joined the Royal Air Force in February 1942 and went to RAF Halton as an Aircraft Apprentice. He tells of his training at Halton, and describes the different trades and his exams to become an Leading Aircraftsman 1st Class, where he was…

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ABoyntonS150624.mp3
Stuart left grammar school and joined the Air Training Corps in 1939. About six months later, he volunteered for aircrew and was accepted. He and his girlfriend were married in February 1943. Stuart was posted to South Africa working on Ansons and,…

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AClarkeE150817.mp3
Eric was born in Doncaster and had a difficult childhood. He was attracted by nearby RAF Finningley and decided he wanted to join the RAF, when war was imminent. He was registered as an aircraftman second class and trained to be a wireless operator.…

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PHildrethJ1502.jpg
Jeff Hildreth was born in Holmewood, Derbyshire and studied Electrical Engineering at Worksop Technical College before joining the Air Training Corps, eventually joining the Royal Air Force as a wireless operator. He did his training at RAF…

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PEvansDC1602.jpg
Derek was born on June 20th 1924 in Edlington near Doncaster, volunteering as aircrew at the age of 17. After leaving school at the age of 14, Derek delivered books in and around Doncaster before going down to the Royal Air Force Recruitment Centre…

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AFittP150519.mp3
Peter was born in Norwich. His father was a head gardener and wanted him to follow that occupation and so refused to let him join the RAF. With the advent of war, the situation changed and Peter volunteered at a recruiting station and, after…

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AFroudJ160516.mp3
As part of the Pathfinder Force, Jimmy explains that they did a lot of training using radar, wire runs and bombing ranges, as well as radio range with the wireless operator. Jimmy also describes the fighter affiliation they carried out. They…

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ABellGW161221.mp3
Gerald Bell worked on a poultry farm before being called up in the RAF, where he served as ground personnel. He remembers his training at RAF Finningley and RAF Balderton. Gerald tells of his posting to North Africa in 1942, where, initially, he was…

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LMathersRW55201v2.pdf
Pilots flying log book for Ronald Mathers covering the period from 1 October 1944 to 24 February 1948. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties and duties with 35 squadron. He was stationed at RAF Swinderby, RAF Finningley, RAF Hullavington,…

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PDaviesHM1701.jpg
Howell grew up on the Glamorgan coast. After the university air squadron, he joined the RAF in April 1962, training on Provosts at RAF South Cerney. He then went to RAF Swinderby and flew the Vampire T11. He subsequently trained on Vulcans at 230…

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