Interview with Kenneth Trent
Ken grew up in London and joined the Royal Air Force on his eighteenth birthday as a pilot. After exams and interview at RAF Uxbridge, he went to Number 9 Receiving Wing in Torquay and an Initial Training Wing in Stratford-upon-Avon. He then trained in Canada at an Elementary Flying Training School in Swift Current. This was followed by Innisfail and North Battleford where Ken flew Oxfords. After becoming a pilot, he went to a bombing and gunnery school at Mont-Joli and flew Battles before returning to the United Kingdom.
Ken went to RAF Shawbury, flying Oxfords. He was posted to RAF Lindholme on Wellingtons where he crewed up. He was posted for a very short time on Halifaxes, followed by a Conversion Unit onto Lancasters. He then went to RAF Elsham Wolds and 576 Squadron. From flight sergeant, he quickly became pilot officer.
Ken shares some good advice he received from a fellow pilot and describes some of his operations. Ken was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses. His first operation was to the Bielefeld viaduct and the last was to Berchtesgaden.
Ken flew three different Lancasters for 617 Squadron and they were the only heavy bomber crew to carry out over 100 operations. During his time at RAF Woodhall Spa, he fostered a good relationship with a local farmer.
When the war ended, he went to RAF Waddington and flew back army personnel from Italy.
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2016-01-12
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02:13:11 audio recording
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ATrentKL160112
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Letter from Hedley Madgett to his parents
Written from Swift Current. Writes that snow has prevented flying and they have little to do as examinations are over but some people have failed them. Mentions that the C.G.I relented on the resit of the engines examination. Discusses future course possibilities on either twins or singles and considers that his reports suggest he would be suitable for fighters and would go to Moose Jaw on Harvard. Mentions problems with serviceability of Oxfords if he goes to Medicine Hat on twins. Talks of potential move of 32 EFTS to Bowden Alberta and problems with his feet. Concludes with entertainment news. Postscript covers his report from the C.F.I, which suggest fighters but he would prefer heavies.
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1941-11-18
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Three page handwritten letter and envelope
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EMadgettLR-AGMadgettHR411118
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Letter from Hedley Madgett to his parents
Written from Swift Current and states he has passed examinations and gives scores. Writes that he is pleased to be going Medicine Hat on twins along with most of his room mates. States when he is moving and but before that they are redeploying aircraft to Bowden Alberta. Provides new address at Medicine Hat. Goes on with account of winter weather and clothing required. Gives account of farewell dinner and flying next day. Concludes with catching up with news and mentions photographs
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1941-11-21
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Three page handwritten letter and envelope
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EMadgettLR-AGMadgettHR411121
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Letter from Hedley Madgett to his parents
Written from Medicine Hat and relates previous adventures while attempting a cross country flight in formation to Bowden, Alberta via Medicine Hat. Explains that he ran out of fuel and force landed near Medicine Hat and that many others suffered the same misfortune. Writes about local area and farmer who looked after him. Goes on to describe activities on the start of his course at Medicine Hat and that he will be to busy to write. Concludes with talk of possibilities of Christmas leave.
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1941-12-02
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Four page handwritten letter and envelope
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EMadgettLR-AG-PMadgettHR411202
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William Holmes memoir - training in Canada
Describes crossing the Atlantic to Canada and journey to Bowden, Alberta and then on to Estevan, Saskatchewan. Day by day account of activities, flying and life in Canada, Concludes with journey back across Canada
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1942
1943
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Thirty one page handwritten document
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Innisfail [place]
This page is an entry point for a place. Please use the links below to see all relevant documents available in the Archive.
Walter Morris - 1939/45 War Record
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 account continues through his service in the Royal Air Force, which started with his cohort being sent to RCAF Bowden in Alberta, Canada (via RCAF Moncton) aboard the “SS Queen Mary” for training. Following the completion of his training, the account continues with an overview of his service in the Royal Air Force in which he was a Flight Engineer on 34 combat operations, after which Walter transferred to an instructor’s position (which he retained rather than return to combat following the death of his brother in an aircraft crash). Following the end of the war he got married in October before being posted to Bombay and later Calcutta as a member of the Royal Air Force’s post office. He was demobilised in June 1946 and returned to England where he returned to his pre-war position at Stewarts and Lloyds.)
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2010-12
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Eight page printed document
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BMorrisWMorrisWv1
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A woman and airman standing on steps
Left - A woman wearing dark coat standing on steps to a building doorway with 'Girls' above door.
Right - an airman wearing greatcoat and side cap standing in the same doorway. Page captioned 'Innisfail'.
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Two b/w photographs mounted on a album page
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PMonksMA17010015
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A couple outside a house
A woman wearing skit and jacket and an airman wearing tunic standing by the door of a two story house. Captioned 'Innisfail, Alta'.
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One b/w photograph mounted on an album page
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PMonksMA17010016
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Trees in the snow
A group of pine trees with fence surround. Captioned 'Innisfail Alta'.
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One b/w photograph mounted on an album page
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PMonksMA17010020
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Innisfail
Top - view down a street with buildings on the left and trees on the right.
Bottom - street view with buildings on the far side. Sign reads 'Jenkins' groceteria'
Cars and people in the foreground.
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Two b/w photographs mounted on an album page
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PMonksMA17010022
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