Browse Items (1000 total)

  • Tags: ground crew

MHalesARSA348737-200228-010001.jpg
A movement order detailing the transfer of 214 Squadron from Feltwell to Stradishall.
Personnel involved are listed in four Appendices.

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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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EHoadNEGarnerKM701207-0003.jpg
Nine ground crew and six aircrew under the nose of Lancaster 'N'. The ground crew are working on bombs on bomb trolleys. The aircrew are dressed in flying kit. On the reverse stamped 'Daily Sketch Copyright', 'Graphic Photo Union' and handwritten…

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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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ACattyMA180822.mp3
Martin Catty grew up in London and was evacuated, with his school, to Westward Ho! at the beginning of the war. He completed a short training course at Cambridge University in 1942 and joined the Royal Air Force. After training, he flew 40…

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PStockerEE1601.jpg
Ted joined the air force in January 1938 as an apprentice at RAF Halton, which was accelerated because of the war, and he was posted to RAF Boscombe Down. Although he wanted to be a pilot, Ted’s skills were needed as a flight engineer. He was posted…

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PBarnesR1701.jpg
Robert Barnes was working in a Reserved Occupation and knew the only way he could join the RAF was to volunteer for aircrew. Before he volunteered he was also a member of the ARP and Home Guard. Robert trained as a flight engineer and was posted to…

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ABeasleyDG180326.mp3
At the start of the war, Doug Beasley left school at 16 to start work. Initially a member of the Air Training Corps, he was sent for aircrew selection when he became 18. There was a 12-month wait to enlist as a pilot, so he opted to become a flight…

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PBakerWB16040008.jpg
Top - painting of a Lancaster being bombed up. Captioned 'Winter of 43 somewhere in England. by David Shepherd'.
Bottom - photograph - view from above of a Lancaster with Spitfire and Hurricane on either wing over sea. Captioned 'Memorial in Flight,…

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MEvansD2-1593692-211115-09.jpg
This item is available only at the International Bomber Command Centre / University of Lincoln.

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AGoldstrawBJ160827.mp3
Basil Goldstraw was classed as medically unfit for aircrew and, following training as a fitter, he was posted to 75 Squadron at RAF Mepal. He discusses aspects of his work as a fitter, being bombed, and life on and off the station. He was posted to…

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ABoutcherFL180318.mp3
Frank Boutcher worked as a junior clerk for Southend Borough Council before the war. He wanted to join the Royal Navy but they only required able seamen on a long commission, so he joined the RAF instead, to train as an engine fitter. After…

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ALonghurstWJ180407.mp3
William Longhurst served as an engine mechanic throughout the Second World War. He was a member of the Hackney Wick Air Defence Cadet Corps before volunteering to enlist in the RAF after his 17th birthday. Following basic training at RAF Skegness,…

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BMooreDMooreDv1.pdf
Dennis Moore's autobiography, compiled and edited by his son, Terry Moore.

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MTerryD938465-170619-06.pdf
A note explaining the return of a Temporary Meal Permit Pass.

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BGrayDAGrayDAv10001.jpg
Don's autobiography begins with him leaving school and starting a correspondence course in aeronautical engineering. Although he wanted to be a pilot, the RAF persuaded him that a flight engineer doubled as a second pilot.

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BBriggsDWBriggDWv1.pdf
Describes wartime service from 1939 to 1945. Joined as Halton apprentice in September 1939. Posted as fitter engine to RAF Wittering working on Wellington Hampden and Manchester aircraft. Followed by tour at RAF Upper Heyford working on Wellington…

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BFraserDKFraserDKv1.pdf
Memoir describing his life and service career in the RAF. He also gives a list of 29 operations he participated in with notes on specific operations, and recounts a brief history of the Lancaster.

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MHopperPC209938-191015-02.pdf
A summary of operations undertaken on the night of 20/21 March 1945. Details the part taken by 50 Squadron including pre take off routine, operations record, battle order, targets and casualties, including Lancaster ME441 W.

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MHowardHF1158144-210727-01.jpg
An image of three men standing around the wheel of an aircraft accompanying the poem Three Cheers for the Man on the Ground. Annotated with 'from Lancaster'.

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MGanneyK1324929-170301-07.jpg
A poem about ground crew.

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BOlenynEOlenynEv1.pdf
An autobiography of Eugeniusz Olenyn's life.
The first part of the memoir talks of the many trials Genek went through both in attempting to rejoin his Polish Air Force unit and, once the Germans overran the country, escape to England.
Ganek…

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PBarkerFK1902.jpg
Cartoon showing front of a four engine bomber with port outer engine started and blowing two men off a gantry to front. Pilot looks out of cockpit window. On the reverse 'Taxying'.

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PBarkerFK1906.jpg
Four engine bomber with undercarriage collapsed with figures of men caught in various predicaments caused by the event. On the reverse '35b Undercarriage lever'.

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BPerkinsFWJPerkinsFWJv1.pdf
Covers joining the RAF, training as an engineer and first posting to RAF Christchurch which undertook radar research. Writes of life and flying as observer in Fairey Battle on radar measurement flights. The unit then moved to RAF Defford. Goes on to…

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