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Interview with John Whitworth
John Leslie Whitworth was born in Sutton Coldfield. He signed up for the Royal Air Force in 1940, finally being called up for service in 1941, before starting his training at the Initial Training Wing in Torquay, followed by more training at RAF…
Interview with John Louis Goldby
John Goldby was born in Kent but the family moved to London the year after. He was inspired to join the RAF when a schoolfriend joined and became a Spitfire pilot. John believes that it was a mid-air collision with a night fighter that led to his…
Interview with John Henry Thomas
John 'Jack' Thomas was born in Australia and joined the RAF in 1943. After completing his initial training in Australia he travelled to the UK via America. Further training, including an accident and night vision tests, led to 102 Squadron and a full…
Interview with John "Jack" Brown
Jack Brown was born, and spent his early life, in Australia, leaving school at 14 and doing odd jobs before joining the civil service and then the RAF. He talks about his initial training before travelling to England and joining 69 Squadron. Jack…
Interview with James Froud. Two
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…
Interview with Jack Delfosse
Jack was born in London and went to Highgate School where he learnt navigation, Morse code and marching. On leaving he became a medical student but left half-way through the course. He then joined the Royal Air Force and, initially, trained on…
Interview with Harold Yeoman
Harold Yeoman volunteered for the RAF hoping to become an air gunner and was surprised to find he would be trained as a pilot. He describes a crash landing in a Wellington, returning from an operation to Cherbourg, and being sent to Essen twice…
Interview with Fred Hooker. Two
Fred Hooker was a mid-upper gunner on 102 Squadron at RAF Pocklington, where he flew three operations before being shot down. Born in Hartley Wintney in 1924, Fred’s first experience of the RAF was visiting RAF Odiham as a member of the Air Training…
Interview with Fred Hooker. One
Fred Hooker talks about life before being called up for service, including his brother being captured in Hong Kong and becoming a prisoner of the Japanese. Fred joined the Boy Scouts, aged 11, and then the Air Training Corp when it was formed in…
Interview with Frank Tolley
Frank Tolley was born in 1921 in Tipton and left school at 14, to work as a grocery errand boy. He joined the Royal Air Force at 19 as a ground gunner, and was in at the inception of the Royal Air Force Regiment. After 18 months he volunteered to…
Interview with Eric Taylor
Squadron Leader Eric Taylor joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 and served as a navigator. He served in North Africa and completed a tour of operations against targets in Italy, before becoming an instructor in England. He describes the differences in…
Interview with Dr Derry Derrington
Dr Arnold Pearce Derrington grew up in Cornwall and joined the University Air Squadron at Exeter. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 and completed training at RAF Ansty, South Africa, RAF West Freugh and RAF Moreton in the Marsh, where he trained…
Interview with Donald McDonald
Because of his dislike of the army, Don enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He went to Somers Initial Flying Training School and became a pilot. At Elementary Flying Training School at Western Junction, Don flew Tiger Moths although he…
Interview with Derry Derrington
Dr Arnold Pearce Derrington grew up in Cornwall and joined the University Air Squadron at Exeter. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 and completed training at RAF Ansty, South Africa, RAF West Freugh and RAF Moreton in the Marsh, where he trained…
Interview with Charlie Darby
Charlie Darby joined the Royal Air Force in September 1943 and describes, in great detail, his training as an air gunner/wireless operator on Wellingtons and Ansons at RAF Bridlington, RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Castle Kennedy, RAF Acaster Malbis and RAF…
In his own words
Jared describes his posting to North Africa and operations to Tunis, Bizerta, Decimomannu, Palermo, Naples, Catania, Messina, Cagliari and Pantelleria. Following Squadron disbanding Jared was sent to No 1 Air Gunners School then to 289 Squadron and…
Homer Lawson's Biography
The story of Homer Lawson from birth in August 1921 to death in September 1975. He trained as a Navigator both in Wales and Scotland before converting to Halifaxes in Yorkshire. He completed 38 operations before returning to Scotland for more…
Harold Yeoman’s pilot’s flying log book
Pilot’s flying log book for Harold Yeoman covering the period from 18 November 1940 to 7 November 1942. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Sywell (6 EFTS), RCAF Moose Jaw (32 SFTS), RAF Bassingbourn (11 OTU),…
G M (Max) Langworthy - Royal Australian Air Force Flying Log Book
Royal Australian Air Force Log Book for Max Langworthy, pilot. Covers period 8 January 1943 to 15 February 1958. Includes his training, operations and post-war flying. He was based at RAF Babdown Farm, RAF Bibury, RAF Morton in Marsh, RAF Rufforth,…
Frank Tolley's Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book for aircrew other than pilot
Frank Tolley's log book covers the period 29 December 1943 to 27 August 1945 and details his training schedule and operations flown. He served at RAF Fingal, RAF Malton, RAF Moreton-in-Marsh, RAF Sandtoft and RAF Kelstern. Aircraft flown in were…
Eric Scott's observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for Eric Scott, bomb aimer, covering the period from 1 September 1942 to 4 January 1946. Detailing his flying training and operations flown as Air Bomber. He was stationed at RCAF Picton (31 Bombing &…
Edward Stewart's pilot's flying log book. One
Pilots flying log book for E C Stewart, covering the period from 2 July 1940 to 25 November 1944. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties and operation flown. He was stationed at RAF Sywell, RAF Cranwell, RAF Ansty, RAF Walsgrave, RAF…
E D Leaviss’s flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners, flight engineers
Flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners, flight engineers for E D Leaviss, air gunner, covering the period from 9 July 1944 to 8 June 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Brough, RAF…
Douglas' notebook
Douglas records aircraft incidents including accidents, causes and fatalities with particular reference to the emergency landing ground at RAF Carnaby.Additional information on Sgt Jesse Cotton is available on the IBCC Losses Database.
Douglas Ross Arrowsmith’s pilots flying log book
Pilots flying log book for Douglas Ross Arrowsmith, covering the period from 15 January 1943 to 3 September 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at 1 Elementary Flying Training School RAF RAAF…