Browse Items (138 total)

  • Tags: military ethos

MGarlandVA3030098-211110-02.pdf
Crew of F Freddie were reunited in Canada 40 years after the war and recorded tape in 1984. Conversation directed by the pilot. Role of flight engineer and wireless operator described. Crew listed: Flying Officer Doug Williams - pilot, Sgt Victor…

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EDaviesTSSmithJ430509.pdf
Letter from T S Davies to his friend Jack Smith describing flying training and forthcoming posting to Halifax bombers.

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PRichardsWE1906.jpg
A large group of airmen waving off a Lancaster. Submitted with caption 'Cheering a Raid Take off'.

Additional information about this item was kindly provided by the donor.

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EKnoxVDKnox[Fam]421225-0001.jpg
Stamped 'RAF Censor 937' Douglas wishes his parents a happy Christmas and describes his day including what he has eaten, parade, and attending a service in the church tent. Douglas describes the tradition of officers serving the airmen and mess…

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SKnoxVD63842v10022.pdf
A communication to the men and women of Bomber Command from Air Chief Marshall A T Harris in which he summarises the impact of Bomber Command. References the disruption of enemy communications, industrial output and submarine training; striking…

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SThomsonGB1572977v50005-0001.jpg
George recalls his training over 18 months, including crewing up. He goes on to recall his first operation and mentions others involved, and describes being shot down on on 12 September 1944. George then describes evading and his time as a prisoner…

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BBrabinHWBrabinHWv1.pdf
Harry joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 June 1942 as a wireless operator/air gunner, receiving his initial training in Australia before going to Canada for trade training. He sailed on the SS Johan Van Barneve to San Francisco and recalls a…

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SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v370002.mp3
John Bell completed a tour as a bomb aimer with 619 Squadron. The crew decided they would like to continue flying and, so, volunteered to join 617 Squadron. They were interviewed by Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire and accepted on to the squadron.…

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AMahaddieH900726.mp3
Conversation recorded for the Nanton Lancaster Society.
Hamish Mahaddie, the recruiter for the Pathfinder Force recalls the life of Ian Willoughby Bazalgette VC, who plagued him weekly for the opportunity to join the Pathfinders. He had been posted…

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AMahaddieH900728.mp3
Hamish Mahaddie was selected during a tour of operations to become the recruiter for the Pathfinders working closely with Don Bennett. He discusses the changing technology of aircraft during the war years. He personally flew the Whitleys, Stirlings,…

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SCosgroveAE968259v10010-18.pdf
A detailed account of Teddy's service in the RAFVR.

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EKethroRKethro[Mo-Fa]411203-0001.jpg
He has just flown solo and he has been subjected to blacking with boot polish then thrown in the shower. He said he didn't mind.
He has been receiving mail from the UK.

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EHopeADClarkeC440503-0001.jpg
The letter to Clara from Arthur is written from a prisoner of war camp. He writes emotionally about his regrets.

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BShattockGFShattockGFv1.jpg
Inspired by a dream of being asked to drive a modern HGV, Geoff compared it with piloting a Stirling.

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ADaviesPO221105-AV.mp3
Peter was born in Coventry. Although in the army, Peter was stationed on RAF airfields and joined the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in October 1938, aged 16, transferring to the Royal Artillery. He then joined the Army Air Corps (AAC) and was part of…

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SCheshireGL72021v20015-0001.mp3
After opening remarks and thanks states that he would offer a personal reflection on the war. Tells story about rapid promotion in the air force in wartime. Tells of the lessons he learned in wartime. Reflects in his first operational posting and…

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SCheshireGL72021v20014-0001.mp3
Thanks all for opportunity to speak. Sates that he would look back and reflect on memories of the war. Briefly mentions promotion in wartime and tells story. Looks back at his service history and relates some events including his first squadron and…

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MRosserLV745193-190517-11.pdf
Includes notes on the air force act, Kings regulations and air council instructions, the official secrets act, disclosure of information, communications to the press, complaints and grievances, testimonials, communication with officials, officers…

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MRosserLV745193-190517-05.pdf
Covers general responsibilities, name rank and number, behaviour under interrogation, what the enemy will try to find out, how information is obtained by enemy (sources and methods), do's and don'ts, and rights of a prisoner.

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MWestonF126909-161113-060001.jpg
Fred's life story from early days sneaking downstairs to drink the dregs at his parent's public house, playing rugby and studying hard, becoming an accountant, learning to be an accurate rifle shooter then joining the RAF as a an air gunner. He…

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BDavyHDavyHv1.pdf
Herbert's service life in an autobiography. It includes training in London, RAF Bridlington, RAF Morpeth and RAF Wymeswold. Later training as a crew was at RAF Castle Donington, RAF Lindholme and RAF Hemswell and provides detailed descriptions of his…

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ABiltonGHA960623-0001.pdf
George talks of early life at school and work in Hull. He volunteered as ARP messenger and describes his duties and air raid damage in Hull. He then volunteered as aircrew and, initially was selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked…

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PProbynEA17010017.jpg
Two photographs of Ernest, the first as a cadet, the second captioned 'Self as Sgt A/G at No 17 OTU RAF Silverstone'.
The letter is a morale booster to encourage his airmen.

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BMorrisWMorrisWv1.pdf
A memoir covering Walter Morris’ early life before moving into his service in the Air Training Corps from 1941 and his entry into the Royal Air Force in February 1942 (as the first Air Training Corps Cadet from Kettering to be called up). The…

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BHookingsEWHookingsEWv2.pdf
Eric describes operations as Lancaster pilot, along with a detailed description of his last sortie, to attack Dortmund-Ems canal on 6 November 1944. His aircraft was attacked by FW 190, was driven off and set on fire by another fighter attack. He…

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