Browse Items (123 total)

  • Tags: RAF Methwold

PParkeRG2303.jpg
Ray Parke trained as a flight engineer. During one training flight, the pilot wanted to get back to base as soon as possible because he had a date but they were flying a Stirling. The pilot made an error on landing and the wheel stayed in the ditch…

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AParkeRG161019.mp3
Ray Parke worked on the railway before joining the RAF in 1943. He recalls flying 40 operations as a flight engineer with 218 Squadron by the time he was 20. He speaks about operations on Essen and the Ruhr, and discusses the Dresden operation,…

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AThomasPG180302.mp3
Peter was born in Nelson, Lancashire and had two brothers. He was 16 when he left school in 1940 and got a job until joining the Royal Air Force in 1943. He went to London Air Crew Reception Centre before going to Initial Training Wing at RAF…

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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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ABatemanJT160802.mp3
James volunteered for aircrew in June 1942, aged 17, purely for the adventure as he was looking for something exciting. He trained in Canada as a navigator and, after a wonderful leave in New York, returned to England for advanced flying training.…

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PMortensenJC1803.jpg
Born on 27 December 1924 in Aigburth Liverpool, James was 15 when the war began in Europe. He intended to join as a pilot/navigator/bomb aimer in 1943 but, due to the shorter waiting list and training time, he trained to become a wireless operator at…

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AMcPhersonGM160221.mp3
Gerald joined his brothers in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1943, following the Air Training Corps. He went from Melbourne to the Initial Training School in Somers. At the Air Gunnery School in Ballarat, Gerald chose to be an air gunner and was…

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ALimerFW151210.mp3
Freddie Limer volunteered for the Royal Air Force and completed a course in RAF Blackpool. He was posted to No. 12 Initial Training Wing at RAF St Andrew, although was unsuccessful in his flying test. Freddie was then trained at RCAF Moncton in…

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AShepherdFH150525.mp3
Frederick joined the Royal Air Force in 1941. After going to RAF Cardington, he was given deferred entry and studied for a year at university. He was invited to London for initial training, followed by the Initial Training Wing at RAF Newquay. He did…

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PSaunstonFR1701.jpg
Frank Saunston joined the ATC in 1941 and the RAF in 1942. He worked as a transport driver at RAF Peplow and then as a forklift driver at RAF Methwold on the bomb dump. He describes his role and his duties and gives details regarding the bombs used.…

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ASeckerFE170815.mp3
Frances Elizabeth Secker ('Elizabeth') is a lifelong resident of Feltwell. She was still at school when RAF Feltwell opened in 1937, and remembers the Harrow being the first aircraft to arrive, followed by Wellingtons. Elizabeth has clear memories of…

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AMearsCE170921.mp3
Charles left school with no formal qualifications and was undertaking further education when the Second World War commenced. Being too young to enlist, he joined the Air Defence Cadet Corps, eventually joining when he was aged 18. He was detached to…

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PKentAW1701.jpg
Anthony Kent was born in Wood Green, London, and his family settled in Eltham. Tony started an apprenticeship with Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, at the start of the war and worked as an apprentice draughtsman for 18 months before volunteering for the RAF.…

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AGilbertAC161013.mp3
Alexander Gilbert, DFC, joined the Royal Air Force in November 1940, and started service on the 7 April 1941. He had a long and varied career in the RAF, rising to the rank of squadron leader. On call up, he was trained as a flight engineer, air…

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PThomasAF20040023.jpg
Photo 1 is a vertical aerial photograph of Homberg. Bombs can be seen exploding in the town at the early stages of the attack.
Photo 2 is a vertical aerial photograph of Hohembudberg, Duisberg. It shows a night attack with incendiary bombs burning…

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SWarnerC1801861v10021.jpg
Describes location, construction and layout. Opened in September 1943 with 207 Squadron Lancaster and later 44 Squadron. Last operation was in April 1945 to Berchtesgaden. Covers post-war squadron moves, locations and disbandment, including arrival…

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LMillsGA1445361v1.pdf
G A Mills’ RAF Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, from 18th October 1943 to 24th May 1952, detailing training, operations and instructional duties as an air gunner, and post-war duties including Operation Sunray. Based at RAF Penrhos (No.9…

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SThomsonGB1572977v40041-0001.jpg
Gives personal details, enlistment, some career details and postings.

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LJolliffeFSW197221v1.pdf
Flying log book for F S W Jolliffe, bombe aimer/navigator, covering the period from 11 December 1942 to 29 September 1952. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, instructor duties, Post war flying duties with 35 and 98 squadrons and RAE…

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OBaillieWH1344650-240806-010001.jpg
Service record for William Baillie from 17 March 1941 to 3 September 1946.

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PThomasAF20010052.jpg
Head and shoulders image of Arthur Thomas in uniform. Captioned 'Flying Officer Arthur Froude Thomas DFM. 149 Squadron RAF Methwold 1947.

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LThomasAF1851072v1.pdf
Flying Officer A.F. Thomas’ RAF Navigator’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book, from 4th November 1943 to 26th March 1947, detailing his training, operations, instructional and post-war duties as a flight engineer. Also contains several…

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PThomasAF20050008.jpg
Photo 1 and 2 are the Flight Engineers seated at a long table set for dinner.
Photo 3 is the Flight Engineers, including Arthur Thomas, standing by a table, drinking. It is captioned with the individuals named.

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PThomasAF20050005.jpg
Photo 1 is is five airmen standing outside the Flight Engineer's Office.
Photo 2 is the same five airmen standing outside the Flight Engineer's Office. A caption identifies each individual.
Photo 3 is a half-length portrait of Petty Officer Jan…

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PThomasAF20050004.jpg
Eight airmen arranged in front of their Lancaster. Each individual, including Arthur Thomas is identified in the caption.

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