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Conversation with Norman Didwell - Hetherington crash
Norman describes refuelling operations and the layout of aircraft. He mentions the state of aircraft and casualties after return from operation. He also describes an accident of crash aircraft near an airfield, the rescue of crew and the presence of…
Conversation with Norman Didwell various losses
Talks about losses of aircraft on operations in France in December 1940.
Interview with Aubrey Coles. Two
Aubrey speaks briefly about his brother Victor who served on 139 Squadron flying special operation B-24 in India.
Interview with Aubrey Coles. One
The interviewer mentions a friend who was on 158 Squadron and Aubrey mentions that brother was a wireless operator, special operations, out in India. He talks about early operations to Lens and then to Stuttgart as a second dickie. He watched…
Interview with Andrew Barron
Andrew discusses operational techniques using Mandrel and Window.
Memoirs of an Air Gunner
Ron Bedford volunteered for the Royal Air Force and was told he had the aptitude to be a pilot but re-mustered as an air gunner, to avoid waiting for call up. He reads the "Message of Welcome" letter he received in July 1942 from the Secretary of…
Michael Peel interview. Two
Michael Peel was posted to 44 Squadron based at RAF Dunholme Lodge. On one operation, at midnight, his crew wished him a happy 21st birthday. On another occasion, they found they still had a bomb in the bomb bay and, as the Flying Control did not…
Interview with Dr James Hendrie Burt. Two
During his time as medical officer at RAF Waddington, James Burt was responsible for inspecting sanitation and food hygiene, as well as general medicine. On one occasion he also had to travel to RAF Tangmere to investigate the death of a member of…
Interview with Dr James Hendrie Burt. One
James Burt conducted his medical training St Andrew’s University in Scotland. Although he and his friends had tried to join a Service during the war, their training was a Reserved Occupation and, not only were they refused but they were strictly…
Michael Peel interview. One
Michael Peel was with the university squadron before volunteering for the RAF. He wanted to be a navigator but was encouraged to train as a pilot. He went to Canada to train in Harvards and Tiger Moths. In conversation with his son he discusses his…
Interview with Henry Morris
Henry Morris, (b. 1922 Royal Air Force) served as a wireless operator in the Marine Branch, Air Sea Rescue. He was, initially, sent to New York before being posted to 211 OTU RAF Oakes Field, Nassau as part of Costal Command. On returning to the…
Interview with Kenneth Stoker
Kenneth Stoker, (b. 1926), served in the RAF Marine Branch from March 1944. He was demobbed 1948. Ken was posted to Ceylon, India, and Burma, where he joined the Air Sea Rescue. His duties were to be availed in the event that any aircrew needed to…
Interview with Frank Standen
Frank Standen recounts his service in the RAF from 1941. At the age of 18 he decided to leave his job as a railway clerk and join the RAF for aircrew training. After being accepted, he was informed that he had a lazy eye muscle and decided to…
Interview with Peter Olney
Peter Olney recounts his service in the RAF from October 1942 to November 1946. Due to his previous maritime experience, Peter was accepted as an AC2 for motorboat crew and in December 1942 was posted to RAF Carswell for marine craft training. After…
Interview with Alec Moore
Alec Moore recounts his service in the RAF from 1941. He attended Basic Training in Padgate and was posted to White Waltham for training as a Ground Observer. Upon completing his training, Alec was recommended for an NCO course, which he passed…
Interview with Charles Meacock
Charles responded to a newspaper article for motorboat crew and joined the Royal Air Force in July 1941. He was, eventually, called up to RAF Cardington and kitted out at Penarth, with an Initial Training Wing at Weston-super-Mare. From Great…
Interview with Terry Lloyd
Terry Lloyd’s older brother was a wireless operator in Bomber Command and became a prisoner of war. Terry was also determined to join the RAF as aircrew. However, he was rejected due to his eyesight and served on Air Sea Rescue launches. Terry was…
Interview with Cyril Jones
Cyril Jones recounts his varied career in the RAF from March 1941, when he joined the Marine Corps unit. He completed initial training at RAF Wilmslow and was posted overseas in January 1942. His career saw him working, mainly, in the Far East. After…
Interview with Ronald Huntley
Ron Huntley recounts his service in the RAF from May 1941, when he joined as a Flight Mechanic. His path to joining the RAF was unconventional; being given the option between continuing to work nights in his government job or volunteering for the war…
Interview with Eric Haynes
Eric Haynes recalls his service in the RAF as a coxswain in Air Sea Rescue. He enlisted on 4 September 1939 as a photographer; however, when he was mustered in January 1940, he was told there were no photography spaces. He entered service as RAF…
Interview with George Griffiths
George Griffiths recounts his service in the RAF from 1942, when he volunteered as a Wireless Operator. In June 1942, he was called up and completed his Wireless Operator training before being posted to Norfolk in February 1943. During this time, he…
Interview with Ken Done
Kenneth Done recalls his service in the RAF as a Wireless Operator in Air Sea Rescue. During school, he joined the Cadet Corps, where he reached the rank of Company Sergeant Major. He applied for the RAF, hoping to be a Fighter Pilot but after being…
Interview with Frank Boutcher
Frank Boutcher recounts his time in the RAF from the spring of 1941. After joining up when he was 19, Boutcher trained to be a flight mechanic, with his service taking him to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Holland. During his first posting in…
Interview with Bill Bilton
William (Bill) Bilton recounts his 6 years of service in the RAF Marine Section, from 1940-1946. During his time in Air Sea Rescue, he served in the UK and Europe, assisting RAF operations from the waters. At his first posting in Dover, William was…