Browse Items (1419 total)

  • Tags: military service conditions

ERosserARosserLV441107.pdf
Asks how his course was going and writes that he though Lewis was a dammed fool for sticking his neck out and that he was happy in his comfortable job. Mentions the station might close down and speculates on the future and hope for posting to…

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MThomsonGB1572977-240131-380001.jpg
Welcome to the RAF and notes selected for aircrew training. Explains how training will progress and other advice and information.

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BGambleATGambleATv1.pdf
Part 1. Covers the period from Alan Gamble's years as a schoolboy in Worthing in the late 1930's, up to joining the RAF in 1943, where he trained, before moving to RAF Fairford in 1944. He flew 29 bombing and mine laying sorties over Germany and…

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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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PCampbellKWP1601.jpg
Keith Campbell grew up in New South Wales and joined the Royal Australian Air Force when he was old enough. He flew 35 operations as a bomb aimer with 466 Squadron from RAF Leconfield and RAF Driffield when, on their 31st operation another aircraft…

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PFraserC1501.jpg
Colin joined the British Army in December 1941 and, eventually, moved to his preferred Royal Air Force in March 1943. He went to Number 2 Initial Training School at RAAF Bradfield Park in Sydney as a navigator, graduating in February 1944. His first…

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AMcBeanLW161022.mp3
Lachie joined the Royal Australian Air Force at 18. He went to the Initial Training School at Bradfield Park and the drill instructor made a lasting impression on him. He was selected as a pilot and Lachie proceeded to the Elementary Flying Training…

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AMcDonaldD151013.mp3
Because of his dislike of the army, Don enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He went to Somers Initial Flying Training School and became a pilot. At Elementary Flying Training School at Western Junction, Don flew Tiger Moths although he…

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AMottersheadF160430.mp3
Frank was called up for the Royal Australian Air Force and unsuccessfully trained as a pilot at Narromine. He was sent to the enrolment depot at Bradfield Park and underwent some training as a wireless operator. Frank went to Number 2 Wireless School…

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PSmithJ1601.jpg
When the war began, Jean was working in the Ministry of Aircraft Production. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 and did two months’ training at Innsworth camp. Jean was posted to 27 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lichfield, as…

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ASouthwellDE160424.mp3
Don Southwell grew up in Australia and worked for RKO Radio Pictures and as an Air Raid Precautions Warden, before volunteering for the Royal Air Force. After training in Australia and Canada, he flew nine operations as a navigator with 463 Squadron…

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PSpenceMA1502.jpg
Max Spence grew up in Australia and worked in a hardware store before volunteering for the Air Force. He recalls his training in Canada and England, and life on an operational station. He flew 18 operations as a navigator with 460 Squadron.

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PTinningH1601.jpg
Herbert joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and was posted, initially, to a communication flight as a fitter. He managed to transfer to aircrew and describes the enlistment process. He went to Somers, then Cootamundra for navigator training…

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ABarrJ150731.mp3
Jim joined the Royal Air Force after an engineering apprenticeship. He learnt navigation in South Africa at Oudtshoorn, followed by gunnery training at Port Alfred. After Dumfries, he went to an Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF North Luffenham…

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PLoosemoreLJ1501.jpg
Les Loosemore describes his upbringing and employment history in Swansea before joining the war in 1945. He describes the Blitz in Swansea before training to be a mid-upper gunner for 61 Squadron. He describes his rather intensive training, including…

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AAn00086-150722.mp3
This interviewee was working at Chatham dockyard before being accepted by the RAF as a mechanic. He then re-mustered as a flight engineer which fulfilled his hopes to be aircrew. While waiting for a place on the training course at St Athan he did…

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AHughesWH151021.mp3
Harry Hughes volunteered for the Royal Air Force in 1940 and trained in America, where he was washed out as a pilot and then retrained as a navigator in Canada, flying Ansons and Wellingtons. In 1942, he converted to Halifaxes and flew operations…

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AKnottS151001.mp3
Sidney Knott was from Leigh-on-Sea and recalls the day, with invasion apparently imminent, that signs were put up on the local shops advising people that they had to be ready to move within an hour and to take only one suitcase with them. Sidney’s…

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ALastRR151125.mp3
Ronald Last grew up in Dorset and worked as an apprentice for the local gas and water company before volunteering for the Air Force. He attended the reception centre at Lord's Cricket Ground and describes the medical tests and inoculations recruits…

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E[Author]ReddingW450728.jpg
Instructs him to remain on leave and await further instructions.

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ECoombsLFEUprichardDK840424-0001.jpg
An envelope, two notes and a photograph inside a Whitley cockpit.
#1 The envelope has Paddy Uprichard's address.
#2 The first note is to Paddy's son and mentions that the writer, LFE Coombs, is looking forward to hearing his father's memories.
#3…

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MThomsonGB1572977-240131-35.pdf
For year 1943-1944. Filled out for required period. Statement of tax. Requirement letter.

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EGreenAWGreenWH-[Mo][Date]-010001.jpg
Alan writes from Torquay during his training. He had just arrived in pitch black then the next day turned up at the receiving unit. There are lectures and physical training. He will then move to an Initial Training Wing in about a week. Then he…

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AThomsonGB171005.mp3
George Thomson had always wanted to fly. When he volunteered for the RAF he hoped to be a pilot but re-mustered as a navigator. He was posted to 15 Squadron based at RAF Mildenhall. On their first operation they were attacked by fighters three times.…

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PRichardsonH2501.jpg
Harry Richardson DFC grew up in Derby and Wembley and tried to enlist two weeks before the war began. He was determined to be taken on as a pilot and undertook pilot training on Tiger Moths before converting to Wellingtons. He was posted to RAF…

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