Browse Items (35 total)
- Spatial Coverage is exactly "England--Eastbourne (East Sussex)"
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Pilot - face to face
Introduces Michael G Hanson an RAF reservist and tells of time sailing before stating training. Covers elementary and advanced training before joining 233 Squadron at RAF Leuchars on Hudson. Relates life on the station, in local area and on maritime…
Tags: 625 Squadron; aircrew; bombing of Dresden (13 - 15 February 1945); crewing up; Distinguished Flying Cross; Gneisenau; ground personnel; H2S; Halifax; Hudson; Lancaster; love and romance; Mosquito; navigator; Oboe; Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945); Oxford; Pathfinders; pilot; RAF Ansty; RAF Blyton; RAF Cranwell; RAF Finningley; RAF Hemswell; RAF Kelstern; RAF Leuchars; RAF Sandtoft; RAF Scampton; RAF Silloth; RAF St Eval; RAF Watchfield; RAF Worksop; Scharnhorst; Tiger Moth; training; Wellington; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force
No 1 Elementary Air Navigation School course photograph
Fifty one airmen and four staff sitting and standing in six rows in front of Eastbourne College. All students are wearing tunic and side caps. On the reverse 'No 1 Elementary Air Navigation School, Eastbourne, 2 Flight, D Squadron, 7.3.42 - 14.5.42'.
Tags: Air Observers School; aircrew; navigator; training
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He has been collecting POWs from Juvaincourt. He has been flying low over south England and describes changes to spots they have visited. He is expecting to get nine days leave.
Letter from Bill Akrill to Ros
Writes about how happy he was to receive lots of letters following the birth of her baby Michael. Looking forward to leave at the end of month so he can see him and (when he his a longer leave, even take him out in his pram). Writes about life on his…
Letter from Bill Akrill to Mary
Thanks her for parcel including half a cheese-cake. Describes in detail afternoon ground school activity practice plotting an attack on Saarbrucken in Stirlings. They are using the instructors actual logs to do the plots. Notes there will be a stiff…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes that he doesn't have much time to write letters. He has managed to take a couple of long walks on the downs and around Beachy Head and through local villages. Mentions allowance that should be sent home for mother. Exams next week and…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill was excited to receive good news from home about Mary's baby.
Explains that now he is reached Eastbourne will have to work hard - 6 days and 4 nights a week for the next 6-7 weeks. He might get leave after the exams, but that will be…
Explains that now he is reached Eastbourne will have to work hard - 6 days and 4 nights a week for the next 6-7 weeks. He might get leave after the exams, but that will be…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill wishes he had more letters from home recently. The work is much harder than on the pilot's course and he is struggling to get the hang of the using a sextant. Describes daily training hours through the week, but have games on Tuesday…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Describes difficulty of travel by train due to restrictions. Has very little free time. Catches up with home news of family and friends. Hopes to be home on Friday.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes of journey from home to Eastbourne. Mentions mid course exams coming up that week and end of course exams in 3 or 4 weeks time. Says it was good to be home, but such a rush around he wished for a longer stay.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Tells of meeting land girl on train while returning from leave. Writes of games afternoon, played golf. Writes of changes to plans for next leave because has the 'fateful medical' the next day. Notes very good weather.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill gives details of his expected travel arrangements for his seven-day leave at the end of the week. As he will be part-way through his final exams and has the medical on Saturday, he will leave soon after.
Mentions air raid warning but no…
Mentions air raid warning but no…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes about exams and passing. Mentions leave possibility and church parade. Speculates over embarkation and writes of being re-equipped. Starts writing about a friend's experience of a bombing attack on Bath but then breaks off. Resumes to write of…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes that he is still alive despite Lord Haw Haw's broadcast of German bombing attacks on Eastbourne. Mentions damage to nearby buildings. Describes attack by Me 109s including machine gunning and dropping bombs - and how they had to hide from the…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Writes about measures after bombing attack - half the course to go on leave and other, including his flight, to man gun post. Describes how he and friend Derry rushed to get the first post. They are on a very exposed gun post with a Vickers machine…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Bill writes about possible leave - keeps changing. Now on 2-3 hr shifts on the gun post, but also have to get there quickly if there is an air raid warning. Says no air raids recently but saw Me 109 at high level and resulting anti aircraft fire.…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Announces he will be coming home next Friday and states arrival time. Also due further leave. Catches up with family and home news. Hopes they had good Easter, wished he was there. Notes that Eastbourne was crowded over the weekend, weather was good…
Tags: faith; military service conditions; training
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
Mentions late arrival time at home and plans to fill in day until train. Mentions navigation, meteorology plotting and medical exams over next couple of days.
Letter from Bill Akrill to Harry
From Bill Akrill who is undergoing training at No.1 Elementary Air Observer School, Eastbourne, congratulating him on the birth of his son and saying how good the food is.
Leonard Dorricott's wartime letters to his parents
Note book containing 84 pages of letters covering the period 1 September 1941 to 4 July 1942. It covers his training in the UK, Canada and the USA. He describes, in detail, his social life and eating arrangements but very little about the actual…
Jose Hayhurst's Leave Pass
RAF Form 295B issued to Jose to allow her to travel to Eastbourne.