George volunteered to be a pilot but settled for Air Observer. He talks about his selection and training in London and then in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he enjoyed the theatre and how, at Brighton, illness separated him from the rest of the course.…
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…
The story of John Martin's last operation, how he was shot down, escaped the aircraft and was captured. He was interrogated at Dulag Luft in Frankfurt then transferred to various Stalg Luft camps. His story covers in his life until he was repatriated…
Acknowledges receipt of letter and glad mother is feeling better. Proposes numbering his letters, this is number 1. Writes of news of crew and other gossip. Continues letter at later time and says he is in better spirits than the last time he wrote.…
Writing in pencil as had lost his pen. Acknowledges receipt of letter and arrival of a parcel for which he mentions contents. Catches up with news of family and friends. Mentions upcoming leave and plans. Continues with family gossip. Writes about…
Short note to say he is OK and thanks them for letter and parcels. Has temporary pen and hoping to get a better one. Mentions photographic enlargements. Continues letter when less busy. Catches up with family news and mentions upcoming leave when he…
Letter Number 3. Thanks them for letter and sending laundry. Mentions letter from friend who is in Naples. Says he is very busy and there is little news except that he is OK. Continues with gossip.
Letter Number 4. Short note to let them know that he and the boys are OK. Says he has just got up. Mentions he had not been to town for some days. Writes of his adopted rooster. Hopes they are keeping fit.
Letter number 6. Short note to let them know the he and the boys are OK. Mentions he got up until mid day and had been on duty previous night and morning. Writes that he had sent laundry and mentions receiving a letter passing on an address in…
Letter number 7. Writes he has been in bed all day resting after duties of the night. Says he and the boys are all OK. Had not been to town since last Wednesday. Thanks them for their letter but is concerned they would not get this one from him due…
Letter number 8. Short note thanking them for their letter and to let them know that he and the boys are OK. Apologises for short letter but has been on duty all night and needs his bed. Hopes to get away the following week. Continues with chat about…
Letter number 10. Thanks them for letter and photograph and comments on parents health. Reports seeing the air commodore and that his commission has now come through. Comments on his pet.
Letter number 11. Thanks them for their letter. Catches up on family news and financial matters. Mentions sending laundry parcel which also had some letters that he would rather they destroyed. Writes of having a shower and getting clean sheets.…
Letter number 13. Thanks them for their letter and catches up with news. Mentions writing to John but no reply. Writes of weather and signs of spring. Writes of leaving his wallet in his best tunic and then £3 being stolen. Other crew members had…
Letter number 14. Writing after getting up at lunchtime having been on duty previous night. Writes that the boys and he are all OK. Mentions that he hopes to get into town that evening but his finances were reduced by £3 on the night of the Berlin…
Letter number sixteen. First letter from him as Pilot Officer J D Hudson and has moved into officers mess. Writes of celebrating with the boys previous night. Mentions daily routine in officers mess and describes new billet. Says the food was much…
Letter number 17. Apologises for lack of letters but was on duty consecutive nights. Apart from being tired the boys are OK. Deals with letter which he has received and discusses income tax issue. Mentions trying to change his billet and move to…
Letter number 18. Reports he had been on duty previous night and that he and the boys were OK and would probably go into town that evening. Leave was still on as planned. Comments on weather and that his bank account had been opened.
Letter number 19. Thanks them for letter and discusses problems with his watch glass. Writes about condition of his laundry which had been returned. Thanks them for offering to send money but he could manage OK. It was not unusual for the Air…
Letter number 20. Lets them know that he and the boys are OK. Writes he is getting tired and will be glad when leave starts. Has to stop as going off to the local village.
Letter number 20. Had just woken up at 11 am after being on duty previous night which he wrote was a piece of cake. All the boys were OK. Says they will go the sergeants mess party that evening. Comments on weather, health and catches up with news.…
Letter number 22. Thanks them for letter and catches up with other mail and news. Mentions that he was on duty previous night and coped well. Comments that they were told the end was in sight. Discusses pay and allowances and that he was sending…
Letter number 23. Had just collected their registered parcel and thanks them for sending little items. Was on duty previous night which was a strange way to celebrate his birthday. He and the boys were OK. Reports arrival of small parcel from Aunt.…