Top - head and shoulders portrait of a woman wearing dress and necklace. Captioned 'Mervyn's finaceé [sic], Mary Bootyman, later Pearce. She married but often wore Mervyn's ring.
Bottom - newspaper cutting announcing engagement between Mary and…
Day by day description of events and activities for 1941 and 1942. Records films seen, war news including RAF operations, football matches played, weather, going to cadets, air raids, dates with Mary, social events, meeting friends, fire watching…
Day by day description of activities for 1940. Mentions sport, air battles and air raids, war news, weather, social life, RAF and navy operations. going to cadets, films seen, Morse and navigation lessons, battle of France, playing football and…
The author was shot down over Linz, Austria whilst bombing a Panzer works. The other six in his crew perished. He was taken to Dulag Luft at Frankfurt then Stalag Luft VII. In January his camp was evacuated and he joined the Long March to the west,…
The marriage certificate of John Staves (Malcolm Staves' father) and Sarah Jane Ely (Malcolm Staves' mother), May 13th 1919. The birth certificate of Sarah Jane Ely on 7th December 1893. An envelope addressed to M E Staves at Cottingham.
Malcolm Staves' life in the RAF, starts with his school reports through his enlistment in 1942. He trained at Bridgnorth then was assigned to 207 Squadron at Spilsby. His colleagues included George Cearns who joined 166 Squadron and Hank Williams who…
Copy of a day by day diary kept by Malcolm Staves from 26th April 1943 to 6th January 1945. Covers training, lectures, gardening and cleaning tasks. Also covers his social life and home leave.
Top - photograph of grave with white cross with name 'P.O M Adder RAF, 15.3.44'. Surrounded by similar crosses with trees in the background.
Bottom - telegram to Mervyn Adder's father informing him that his son was missing as a result of air…
Writes in answer to her letter that the remainder of James Lee's crew were all killed. Mentions Wing Commander Gomm, captain and commander of the squadron. Rejoices that one member was spared and it would not be long before she was reunited with her…
Reports that source of information that his son had lost his life along with Flying Officer J R Berrington and Sergeant C Clark was a German report to international Red Cross in Geneva. Report included information that Flying Officer T H Fynn was a…
Informs him that his son Sergeant Mervyn Adder was missing as a result of air operations on night 15/16 March 1944. The Lancaster in which he was flying as navigator failed to return from operation to Stuttgart.
Confirms information in telegram in which he was notified that his son had lost his life as a result of air operations on 15 March 1944. Information was from official German sources.
Informs him that no further information about the reported death of his son had been received and in view of report from red cross as well as lapse in time, it was now presumed that his son had lost his life on 15 March 1944.
Senders address is care of Worms and Company (shipping agents). Asks whether Dennis Raettig has been receiving mail from his father and relates family news. Comments that most women and children have been evacuated. Tells story of two women…
Writes about stories of damage to Hull in bombing related by him and other acquaintances. Enquires about other people and relates some family news. Mentions that things are not comfy at her location due to bombing but she wished to stay with her…