Browse Items (89 total)

  • Tags: RAF Westcott

BHollisANHollisANv1.pdf
Arthur's memoirs from his early life throughout his RAF career. He also tells of his post-war career and activities.

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

ACouperAJ151208.mp3
Allan Joseph Couper grew up in Australia and joined the Air Training Corps as a teenager. He was employed by the State Electricity Company until he volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force. He was accepted for aircrew training as a pilot and…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

LOpenshawB19211117v1.pdf
Record of training navigation star and sun sights from ground and air between April 1943 and February 1944. Locations April to July 1943 at 24 bombing gunnery and navigation school at Moffat Southern Rhodesia on Anson aircraft. December 1943 at No 23…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

MHollisAN124522-171107-020001.jpg
Provides particulars of previous instructor courses, present category, experience flying hours, particulars of test, assessment, category recommended and remarks by testing officer. Notes that had good knowledge of principles of flight and…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ;

MHollisAN124522-171107-030001.jpg
Including duration and purpose of course, flying time on Oxford, ground training results, assessment of ability etc. Remarks by Chief Instructor include: 'A good average pilot who should prove his worth at 11 OTU. A sound reliable officer.'

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ;

AChaplinSR170407.mp3
Susan Chaplin was born in North Marston and was a local teacher. She recounts the story her mother told her as a young girl, about Wellington HE740 which crashed near the village. With her local history group she researched and wrote a book “The…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ;

AParryHP161011.mp3
Hugh Parry was born in Oswestry and joined the Air Force in April 1943 and volunteered to be an air gunner. Knowing that there was a height restriction of six feet on air gunners, he hid his height by wearing baggy trousers. After training, he was…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

PBarnettWE1701.jpg
William Edwin Barnett talks about his experience of living on the edge of RAF Westcott, near Aylesbury. He remembers starting work on a farm at the age of 14 and describes his everyday life and duties. He tells of being conscripted into the Home…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

AColbeckJC170524.mp3
Joy Colbeck was born in Maidstone, Kent and served within the Women’s Royal Naval Service during the war. Her brother, John, joined the RAF on the 28 April 1943, qualified as an air gunner in April 1944, before being transferred to an Operational…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

AGossRG170614.mp3
Raymond Goss lived on the family farm at Westcott before, during and after the construction and occupation of RAF Westcott as 11 Operational Training Unit. One evening a Lancaster collided with a Wellington on the field and both exploded. The Goss…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

AHollisRE180111.mp3
Richard’s father, Arthur Hollis, went to Dulwich College as a day boy. He left aged 16 to join the Home Guard, then worked for a firm of accountants for a couple of years before joining the Royal Air Force. He was sent to Manchester University for…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Matthew Adams’ family farmed the land which once covered and surrounded the site taken over by RAF Westcott. He describes the reaction of landowners, the details of the takeover and the building of the site for use by the RAF.

In accordance with…

Tags:

PSchneiderT1702.jpg
Tim Schneider lived at Westcott before, during and after the construction and occupation of RAF Westcott as 11 Operational Training Unit. He describes his life in the village, living in the vicinity of the airfield. After the war Westcott became the…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

SThomsonGB1572977v30003.jpg
Made out for Sergeant G B Thomson, for leave in London.

Tags: ;

SThomsonGB1572977v30007.jpg
Made out for Sergeant Thomson for leave in London.

Tags: ;

SBondS-MasonDv10001.pdf
Explains that he flew Blenheims and the special duties Lysanders before going to 57 Squadron flying operations on Wellingtons. Wounded, and eye damaged in June 1941, no longer fit as pilot, he retrained as a navigator and after training tours…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

SNewtonJL742570v10051-0001.jpg
References the other five members of his crew and gives information on the prisoner of war locations of Roy Langlois, Sgt Copely both at Stalag Luft 3 and the other three at Camp de Chambaran, Istres France.

Tags: ; ; ; ;

YProbynEA1896412v2.pdf
A diary kept by Ernest up to October 1945

Tags: ; ; ;

EThomsonGBThomson[Fam]440229-0001.jpg
Says he has not been doing much and has no news. Flying was on hold as a crew member had been given leave to go and see his house and another gunner was injured. They were all fit again and back to flying. Goes on to describe some of his activities.…

Tags: ;

EThomsonGBThomson[Fam]440303-0001.jpg
Writes that he had been night flying for the last three days and was due up again. Mentioned receiving all their letters.

Tags: ;

EThomsonGBThomson[Fam]440305.pdf
Writes that he had been night flying five nights running and now had time to write. Answers their previous three letters. Mentioned that he had been over Glasgow the previous Friday night. Says they have nearly finished their course and should get…

Tags: ; ;

SThomsonGB1572977v60016.jpg
Brief details covering, volunteering, reporting to aircrew reception centre, training, operations, shot down, prisoner of war

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

BCruickshankGCruickshankGv2.pdf
Recalls his various roles and operations during his RAF career. Mentions Leonard Cheshire led attack on Munich and his award of Distinguished Flying Medal. He tells of post war events and 50 Squadron reunions. Many mentions of crew and colleagues as…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

BCruickshankGCruickshankGv3.pdf
Born in 1918 he describes family life. He recalls his military career, having joined the Army on 2nd January 1936, prior to joining the RAF in 1938. He took part in 50 Squadron operations in various locations and frequently talks about his crew and…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

MThomsonGB1572977-240131-73.jpg
Posting notice with instructions for George Thomson to report to RAF Methwold. Leave granted before reporting.

Tags: ; ; ;