Browse Items (877 total)

  • Tags: crash

PDelfosseJEC1701.jpg
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…

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ANotonTE190423.mp3
Thomas Edward Noton was born in Greenwich on the 4 April 1923, and upon leaving school he began a tool-making apprenticeship. Before finishing the course, aged 18, Thomas decided to join the Royal Air Force. He explains why he chose the RAF over the…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v270002.mp3
James Douglas Hudson followed a friend to join the RAF, trained as a navigator and was posted to 101 Squadron at RAF West Raynham. On his final operational flight with the squadron he ran out of fuel and crashed. He was taken prisoner by the Vichy…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v090002.mp3
Leading Aircraftsman Richard Moore joined up aged 18 and completed his basic training in Lincolnshire. He served as ground crew at RAF Locking, RAF Squires Gate and RAF Wickenby, working on several types of aircraft. He was able to take the controls…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v290002.mp3
Basil Fish volunteered for the RAF in 1941 from Manchester University, where he was a student and a member of the University Air Squadron. He was posted to 617 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa. On one flight his aircraft crashed on return and, although…

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AKirkDJB150610.mp3
Dennis Kirk was born in 1920, in the village of Barkestone in Nottinghamshire, to farming parents. He says that he did not want to be a farmer but when he left school he had to work on the farm. When the war started he wanted to join up but, because…

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BMuirCMuirRWLv1 copy.pdf
Written by his nephew, a narrative of Reg's early life, his participation in student exchanges in Germany, joining the Royal Air force, training, life on the station and the crash in which he died, together with air gunners Sergeant Leslie Johnson…

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SGillK1438901v10038.jpg
Quote from 'The Dambusters' by Paul Brickhiil '2 days later they went to Arbergn [sic] bridge near Bremen. Flak got a direct hit on Gumbley's (Gill's pilot) aircraft on the runup and he went straight down in flames'.

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BCameronDCameronDv1.pdf
Writes of travelling to Scotland before start of the war and then joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Continues with account of training in England before going to Lakeland Florida for primary flying training, Cochran field for basic and advanced…

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SClydeSmithD39856v10011.pdf
Starts with joining on short service commission and covers, in great detail, his pilot training activities, including a crash landing during a cross country. After receiving his wings award, he moves to trials work, target towing and aircraft…

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SThomsonGB1572977v60004.jpg
Reply to request for information about Flight Sergeant Harry Albert Beverton. Provides information on his last operation when he was killed and place of burial. Also provides information on burial of P/O Overend.

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SGillK1438901v20027.pdf
Gives service history of Kenneth Gill including training in Canada as navigator, training in England, operations on 9 Squadron with list of his crew. Details targets attacked. Commissioned and awarded Distinguished Flying Cross. After tour on…

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EHegartyDJ[Recipient][Date]-010001.jpg
Addressed dear sweetheart. Catches up with news of friends in England. Mentions another trips still to do before leave. Mentions that they were shot up a and the navigator and wireless operator were wounded and they crash landed on return. Concludes…

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MCowlishawF3050596-190305-02.pdf
First page is investigation of loss of Lancaster PB 840 2/3 February 1945. List crew of whom all but Sergeant R F Dyson were killed. Gives location of graves. Includes account of bodies and identification from German authorities. Second page gives…

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BReattigDWRaettigDWv10001.jpg
Wartime memoir covering Dennis Raettig's training at Blackpool and the posting to 104 Squadron at Royal Air Force Driffield in August 1941. Worked on Wellington aircraft and mentions that Driffield also hosted the blind approach landing flight…

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ESouthwellDGHastings[Mrs]421101-0001.jpg
A hand written letter sent to Mrs Hastings from a Sergeant named D.G Southwell. Sergeant Southwell is sending his condolences to Mrs Hastings for the loss of her brother nicknamed "Bob" by members of the Squadron.

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SJonesHB1866363v10044.jpg
A poem about the loss of Halifax, WL-U.
A second sheet states 'Written by Dale Plante niece to Allan Kurtzhals'.

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ACarterRH150629.mp3
Rob Carter was born in the village of Scampton and reminisces about his life on the land before the war. He recalls the foundation of RAF Dunholme Lodge, which his house overlooked. During the war, he served in the Auxiliary Fire Service. He was…

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Harry Parkins.jpg
Before the war, Harry Parkins had a variety of positions; he worked in furniture restoration in Hackney, sold bomb-damaged goods in Bethnal Green; worked for an engineering firm in Islington until it was bombed; and, finally, as an invoice and…

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AWallerT151027.mp3
Thomas Waller volunteered for the Royal Air Force and hoped to be a driver. However, he undertook training as an armourer and was based, initially, at the Special Operations Executive 138 Squadron. He was posted to RAF Stradishall, RAF Wyton and RAF…

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ALaphamR160714.mp3
Rosemary Lapham is the daughter of Roy Chadwick CBE, the designer of the Manchester and Lancaster aircraft. She tells her father’s story. Her father was born in 1893 and, when he left school at the age of 14, he became a draughtsman at Westinghouse…

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AKirkDJB151130.mp3
Dennis Kirk was born in Barkston 1920, and lived on a farm near Plungar. He recalls when the war started, the War Executive Committee told farmers what to produce; he also talks about the Land Army. Being in a reserved occupation, he joined the Home…

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AMcDonaldEA150918.mp3
Allan McDonald was born in Hull and watched Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus as a child. He worked as an apprentice electrician before joining the Air Force. He served as ground personnel in Northern Ireland until he passed the exams to become aircrew…

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AKoudysM160518.mp3
Maarten has a keen interest in the Second World War which he wants to pass onto children. He visits crash sites interviewing elderly people and researching aviation history. Maarten tells of a Halifax which was shot down on 12/13 June 1943 and…

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PHarrisonRW2103.jpg
Reg Harrison grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada and enjoyed watching aircraft when they flew over. He had his first flight as a youngster after borrowing five dollars from a shopkeeper. He volunteered for aircrew as soon as he was of age and…

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