Browse Items (928 total)

  • Contributor is exactly "Sue Smith"

BPayneRBallFv1.jpg
Details of the funeral of Sergeant Frederick Charles Ball (1921 - 1944, 1161312 Royal Air Force) in Leicester, attended by four of the crew, including (Sir) Michael Beetham. The tragedy brought Reg and Ena closer together and they agreed not to get…

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PGerardJA1801.jpg
Tony lived in South Pool before moving to Liverpool with his job in a bank. He also belonged the Air Training Corps. After about a year he decided to sign up for the Royal Air Force. His assessment and medical were at Liverpool. He was called up to…

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ACookJ150709.mp3
Jack Cook was born in Mexborough. He left school at 14 and went to work at a Gentlemen’s Outfitters. At 16 he worked on the footplate for LNER. At the age of 18 he volunteered for aircrew and trained as a wireless operator/air gunner; joined 100…

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Olive had two brothers and a sister. One of her brothers joined the army and the other was an air gunner on Lancasters. She left school at fourteen and went to work as a mender at Albion Mills. She then worked on Lancaster navigation panels in the…

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ACrozierH180216.mp3
Hilary’s uncle, William Frederick Burkitt (known as John), was born in North London. He joined up in October 1943 and after training as a flight engineer, was sent to RAF Bardney. During their first operation they were badly hit and the rear…

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ADavisRC170818.mp3
When the war broke out Ronald was a solicitor’s clerk, then got a job with in Portsmouth. Whilst there he volunteered for air crew and went to London to join the Air Force. After about six months he was called up for training. He went on a…

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ADickerV161015.mp3
Violet discusses her late husband Alan Dicker. Alan went to Leighton County High School and at 16 he joined the Air Transport Command. At 17 he volunteered for the Air Force and became a navigator after doing his basic training at Blackpool. He…

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PEdmundsAE1702.jpg
Eddie Edmunds was born in Walthamstow and was educated at a grammar school, then joined an oil company. He eventually moved to the Electric Supply Company and became an accountant. Eddie had always wanted to fly so he initially joined the reserve and…

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Letter from Mr T Liddle, father of mid upper gunner Sergeant T Liddle. Writes that he has no news of his son and that he is in communication with other parents of crew who have also had no news. Hopes for good news. Mentions that his son had three…

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EMeredithFWWilsonJH440403-0001.jpg
Letter from Corporal F W Meredith, Squadron Leader Wilson's batman, expressing sympathy and stating that he had been ask to forward a number of articles and he would do this under separate cover. Offers hope that her husband was taken prisoner.

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EStevensEWilsonJH440409-0001.jpg
Letter to Mrs Wilson from Ellen Stevens, mother of navigator Sergeant J Stevens. She writes that her son had mentioned her husband's skill and experience and the crew had the utmost confidence in him. Hoping they will hear good news and asking her to…

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EVariousWilsonJHVarious-010001.jpg
Letter from Wing Commander Lockhart informs her that her husband Squadron Leader C H Wilson was missing from air operation to Nuremberg on 30/31 March 1944. Crew had wide operational experience and hope that are safe but it will take a few weeks to…

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EVariousWilsonJHVarious-010002.jpg
Letter from Air Ministry stating that as they have no information of any kind regarding the crew it is impossible to suggest whether he has escaped or is in hiding. Goes on to state they have no information on whether he was path-finding or to say…

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AHabberfieldM180111.mp3
Margaret Habberfield was born in 1923. At sixteen she joined the Royal Air Force after giving her age as eighteen. She began her six-week general training at Harrogate and was billeted with around 20 other girls. Margaret was then posted to RAF…

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Writes his job as postman and that sometimes sees what other have written on post cards. States that Douglas always has a smile and does not worry about anything, Reports all are well and looking forward to freedom.

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Writes from Scarborough that he is sending laundry and books which are no longer needed. Continues with talk of examinations. mentions that he saw convoy being attacked in distance while on wing spotters duty.

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Writes from Stratford on Avon requesting folding coat hangars. Mentions they are on 48 hours excuse duty due to inoculations and aircraft, including Wellington bombers on a nearby airfield.

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PHodginM1701.jpg
Margaret’s family lived in Fiskerton and her first memory of war time, when she was seven and her brother four, was of her father digging a shelter in the garden. The children would walk or cycle to Reepham school.
Margaret was about eleven when…

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PHollisAN1801.jpg
Richard’s father, Arthur Hollis, went to Dulwich College as a day boy. He left at sixteen to join the Home Guard , then worked for a firm of accountants for a couple of years before joining the Royal Air Force. He was sent to Manchester University…

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PHolmanR1801.jpg
Robert Holman was born and brought up in Leeds. He joined the Air Training Corps, enjoying camps at RAF Pocklington. On leaving school at fourteen he went to work in the shoe industry. He then joined the Royal Air Force as an engineer on ground…

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AHolthamJ180522.mp3
At the age of 15 he ran away from home, lied about his age, and joined the British Army. In 1917 he joined the Royal Flying Corps and qualified as a pilot and volunteered to join the Royal Naval Air Service. When the Second World War broke out, he…

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AIsherwoodRC160401.mp3
Raymond Isherwood grew up in Watford and when at the grammar school he joined the Air Training Corps. His first job was at a government laboratory, which was a reserved occupation except for air crew. As he had always been interested in aircraft…

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PLambertRW1801.jpg
In 1943, when Richard was 17 and a half, he cycled into Guildford to sign up to volunteer for the Royal Air Force. He reported to Lords cricket ground to collect his uniform and gear and then went for training at RAF Hednesford for a six-month…

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YMadgettHR1330340v3.pdf
Beginning of the year daily entries describe weather, training and activities at Medicine Hat. Course finished mid February and takes leave to see female friend in United States before travelling to St Johns. Voyage in convoy back to United Kingdom…

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PLovattP1701.jpg
Peter enrolled in the Air Training Corp before joining the Royal Air Force. He went to Walney Island, the Air Gunnery School, and was given the option of becoming a Bevin Boy or an air gunner choosing the latter. Following training on Ansons he…

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