Browse Items (132 total)

  • Tags: military ethos

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 duties and air raid damage in Hull. He then volunteered as aircrew and, initially, selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked to…

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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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BYeomanHTYeomanHTv1-01.pdf
Written in 1994, the document begins with a dedication, a poem and then a series of stories which together form the memoirs of Harold Yeoman, an officer who served in Bomber Command during the war, initially as a pilot on Wellingtons and then as an…

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SYeomanHT104405v10025.jpg
Three verses poem about fear, despair and resolution.

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MPotterPL1878961-150914-30.jpg
From Dispersal Point. Men leave behind their identities to become aircrew. Submitted with caption; 'RAF Poem'.

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MPotterPL1878961-150914-22.jpg
Provides an account of crew actions during take off, and includes one occasion when a tire burst on the aircraft ahead, halfway down the runway, causing it to slew. Luckily, they were able to get airborne and avoid the other aircraft.

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MPotterPL1878961-150914-06.pdf
Flying log book excerpts from P L Potter’s log book, covering the period from 3 May 1944 to 17 December 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Hixon and RAF Wickenby. Aircraft flown in were Wellington and…

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