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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/769/9373/YDexterKI127249v2.1.pdf
2d53dfb3dee22d09f210ebd4ef599380
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dexter, Keith Inger
Dexter, Dec
K I Dexter
Description
An account of the resource
33 items. The collection concerns Flying Officer Keith Dexter (1911 - 1943, 127249, 1387607 Royal Air Force ), a policeman before the war, he flew as a pilot with 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds. He was shot down and killed with all his crew on 16/17 June 1943 on operations against Cologne. Collection contains a dozen letters from 'Dec' Dexter to Phyllis Dexter,There is an extract from the 103 Squadron Operational Record Book on the loss of his aircraft and crew, maps of where his aircraft crashed, official Royal Air Force personnel records, Netherlands official documents, document about his aircraft as well as a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln and a crew. There are photographs of his grave as well as a group of people, including Keith Dexter being interviewed as a pilot trainee by the BBC at RAF Hatfield. There are two detailed daily diaries covering his time in the Royal Air Force from from 3 April 1941 to June 1943 which relate activities while training and on operations. There are some memorabilia, a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln, a painting, and an <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/770">album</a>. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Lieutenant Colonel Monty Dexter-Banks and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br />Additional information on Keith Inger Dexter is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/106139/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-08-30
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Dexter, KI
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[book front cover]
[page break]
[book lining]
[page break]
P/O K.I.DEXTER.
DIARY CONTINUED FROM
8TH DECEMBER 1942
TO
[page break]
[underlined] Nov 1942. [/underlined]
M. 9 11/. N/F.
T. 10 11/. N/F.
W. 11 11/. No N/F. Changing from Akeman St. to L. [inserted] K. [/inserted] Risington. 3 days off.
Th. 12 11/. 11.55 home. Can delighted. Repaired stove. Quiet evening. Heard Tiny’s brother killed.
F. 13 11/. Got up [indecipherable] with Hampstead modelling. Eldin Clark came to supper. To mess for drink with Tiny.
S. 14 11/. no transport. Started to walk to Stn. Picked up by m/bike, a road foreman, drink in “Cock” at Thurlow. On to Haverhill in another road foreman’s car. [inserted] K [/inserted]
Sun 15 11/. 10.10. Didn’t fly – clamp.
M. 16 11/. N/F improving – better on runways.
T. 17 11/. N/F .45 Solo O.K.
W. 18 11/. N/F quite confident now.
Th. 19 11/. N/F with [indecipherable] – good – he was pleased.
F. 20 11/. N/F.
S. 21 11/. N/F icing on wings – blew off in air!
Sun 22 11/. Got 24 hrs off. Caught posting’s bus to Cheltenham. 11.8 (1.15 late) to Bristol.
[page break]
change to G.W.R for Exeter – lunch in Restaurant Car! met Syd – nice to see him. Went to Scadding’s place – good collection of [indecipherable] L.M.S models. Layout worked well. Talked over Syd’s excellent design with traversers. Brain wave of working together! Went to Hotel in Seaton for a drink.
M. 23 11/. Had a look over the works saw Will & had a coffee with Gladys. Nice little cottage. After lunch to Exeter. Just missed the 2.45 train. Had tea with two girl friends of Syd’s (one after a job) – caught 5.25. Rang up from Cheltenham to find I’m on day flying to-morrow. Excellent caught last bus.
T. 24 11/. } Clamp.
W. 25 11/. “
Th. 26 11/. Had touch of belly ache – to bed with castor oil.
F. 27 11/. Up & all right again now – still clamp.
S. 28 11/. Hodgkinson & Gabbie to 14 O.T.U. (Cottismore) lucky devils. Clamp.
[page break]
[underlined] Nov 1942 [/underlined]
Sun. 29 11/. Full day flying – excellent. Soon got the hang of day landings.
M. 30 11/. Clamp morning. Told in afternoon that I’m on N/F again tonight. Flew badly – no solo soon get out of it after only one week. Ldgs [sic] good at the end though.
[underlined] December 1942 [/underlined]
T. 1 12/. No N/F. mist – spot of luck.
W. 2 12/. Rumour of posting. Saw F/L Parry. Came on early. Gave Barkworth an excellent circuit – ldg [sic] shuffle! Got in 3.45 solo. Landed at Windrush by mistake – taxied round & took off again – no one the wiser! Parry recommended my return to day flying. Bed 3.30am tired.
Th. 3 12/. Up early 10am. Posted to 24 O.T.U. at Honeybourne. Whitley’s – Halifax to follow. log [inserted] K [/inserted] book up to date. Leave.
F. 4 12/. 11.55 home. Felt rather heavy & tired.
S. 5 12/. Feel rotten saw M.O. at [indecipherable] – bed – chill.
Sun. 6 12/. Still bad & in bed. Tiny came up to see me.
[page break]
[underlined] Dec. 1942 [/underlined]
M. 7 12/. Still in bed. Glad I’m at home. Saw Ass. M.O. Sent another message can’t go till Thurs. Temp. 100.
T. 8 12/. Still in bed stiff feel rather rotten
W. 9 12/. Still in bed. Came down to fire in the evening. Con wizard nurse. Temp down.
Th. 10 12/. M.O came down. Got up quiet day in cottage – spot of modelling.
F. 11 12/. Walked over to see Sheila, feel a bit weak. Am to return tomorrow.
S. 12 12/. To L. Rissington. Felt tired, had to wait at Kingham for transport.
Sun. 13 12/. Saw M.O. he says I returned too soon. Let me go to Wellers. Off flying 24 hrs. flew to Weston. Throat a little painful. Wellers glad to see me.
M. 14 12/. Throat more painful. Kept me awake last night. Took things easily.
T. 15 12/. Throat really painful. Another bad night. Took early train. Saw M.O. sent straight to bed. Feel rotten but good treatment. Batwoman very helpful.
[page break]
[underlined] Dec. 1942 [/underlined]
W. 16 12/. Still in bed – throat bad. Con phoned, hope she’s not worried.
Th. 17 12/. Throat better. Doing some inhaling. Temp. Normal. Wrote to Wellers, Con & Syd.
F. 18 12/. Throat heaps better today. Doc says I can get up tomorrow.
S. 19 12/. Got up after lunch. Made huge fire in Lady’s Room & sat over it with a book. Feel a bit feeble.
Sun. 20 12/. Up after breakfast. Spent the day in the warmth of the mess & huge fires. Feel much better, throat no longer painful.
M. 21 12/. Allow out today. Went over to 8 M.U and climbed over a Mk III Wellington. Went down for some [indecipherable] treatment with the Doc.
T. 22 12/. J.M.O won’t give me any Sick [inserted] K [/inserted] leave – rotten tyke. Fiddle a 48 with two days added on! Doc O’Brian disappointed.
[page break]
[underlined] Dec. 1942 [/underlined]
W. 23 12/. Saw Cyril for lunch at the R.AC Club. Grand to see him again. 2.15 to Cons – got lift with S/LDR from Stead in buggy with handcuffed prisoner! Con delighted to see me & I her. Felt better already. Saw Phyl [sic] for few minutes hope she’ll be able to get down.
Th. 24 12/. Nice day walked over to Sheila’s with Con & [indecipherable]. Feel better. Did some modelling this morning. Tiny came into supper – nice girl – Phyl came in later and good evening was had by all.
F. 25 12/. [underlined] CHRISTMAS DAY [/underlined]
Got up late. Spot of modelling in the morning. Went over to Sheila’s to feed the cats with Phyl. Grand lunch of jugged hare given to us by the [indecipherable]. Quiet afternoon and evening over the fire with Con & Phyl – sort of thing I dreamed of this time last year – So restful & does you much more good than rushing about. Con very poorly.
[page break]
[underlined] Dec. 1942 [/underlined]
S. 26 12/. Very reluctant to leave on the 9.20 this morning. Arrived at Cyril’s in time for an excellent lunch. Had a grand talk & got some good advice re insuring Cons furniture. They walked down with me to Swiss Cottage & I caught my train to Oxford. After an hour’s waiting the bus arrived & took us to camp and bed. Tired though my throat seems to be quite recovered.
Sun. 27 12/. Saw the S.M.O this morning and was pronounced fit for flying. Good show. Here there’s to be a posting for 200 pilots next weekend! C.O staged a “quiz” between 5 & 6 Groups in the Intelligence Library – good fun. Few beers – bath – bed.
M. 28 12/. Clamp. Another quiz – this time on BAT flying. Free for all basketball in gym – somewhat amused.
[page break]
[underlined] Dec. 1942 [/underlined]
T. 29 12/. Clamp lifted but damned cold. Flying on but did not T.O this morning. Did not fly today. Saw “Son of Fury” at the Stn. flicks.
W. 30 12/. Flew all day – bit rusty at first but all right later on. Bright day but colder than yesterday,
Th. 31 12/. Defence Day. New Years Dance – not bad fun. Good drinking.
F. 1 1/43. [underlined] 1943. JANUARY. [/underlined]
Havers recommended that I should take a Sgt’s place on a posting to 30 O.T.U as they had kindly left me off both lists this week. Hung around waiting for it to come up. it did – good show shall now join Frazer – Hollins. [inserted] K [/inserted] off on 48.
S. 2 1/43. Haircut at Davis’ then to Phyl’s. Pip & Lew there. Later to F.D. for a pint or two with Watson. [indecipherable] A/L – slept in their flat.
Sun 3 1/43. Rang Con from F.D. told her the news. Phyl’s for an excellent chicken
[page break]
[underlined] JAN. 1943 [/underlined]
lunch – after to the Classic to see “Dangerous Moonlight.” Couldn’t get to the Box office for the 1st. House before it was full up but Pip talked to the manager who let us book seats for the 2nd. I had to run for the 8.5 still arrived back & soundly slept.
M. 4 1/43. Dreary round of getting clearance chits signed up. Havers very decent – seemed sorry to see me, the last of the Akeman St. Boys, go. Had a letter from Bob & L/C Pike last night.
T. 5 1/43. Stn. bus late so we missed our connection to Cheltenham from [indecipherable]. Adj. wouldn’t authorise transport direct [indecipherable] to [indecipherable] clearance. Eventually caught the 12.48 meant a rush. Just managed to transfer the luggage on [indecipherable] barrows from the G.W to L.M.S. Stns at Cheltenham. Same at B’ham [Birmingham] where I had to get Guard to
[page break]
[underlined] JAN 1943. [/underlined]
hold the train. Long tiring journey with 4 changes. Arrived O.K. Dispersed aerodrome billet about 1/2m. from mess. Living in concrete & brick huts. Wizard supper including an egg. Mess party. To bed early.
W. 6 1/43. Reported to usual round afternoon off. Met F. Hollins & saw Charles Holmes, whom I did not recognise at breakfast! Appears to be a good spot. Whimpeys Mk. III & X with Lancasters to follow – good. Had a bath. F. Hollins who already had 7 days now off for 7 or 14 more. Bad flying district with Industrial [indecipherable].
Th. 7 1/43. Ground School. Found Navigator W.Op & Rear gunner.
F8 1/43. Ground School. Intelligence makes you gasp. Still searching for Bomb aimer. 1/2 day off.
S 9 1/43. Ground School. Get B. Aimer not too satisfactory, looks dirty & unreliable type. Will try to change him. Parcel [indecipherable] to U.S.A.
Sun 10 1/43. Parade in morning – damned funny. Ground School. Wrote Con & Tiny. Letter from Phyl yesterday enclosing 10/- for flicks. She’s a brick
[page break]
[underlined] JAN 1943 [/underlined]
M 11 1/43. Ground School. Query on Caps. [inserted] LK [/inserted] Tried to get another B’ Aimer – no luck so decided to give O’Brian a try out anyway. Feel sorry for the lad, think he feels no one wants him so he will probably be a trier – whether successful or not? Much warmer.
T. 12 1/43. Ground School. E.N.S.A Concert – didn’t go. Had a chat to O’Brian I think my impression correct. Good material to work on. Letter from & rang Geoff.
W. 13 1/43. Ground School. Interesting lecture on Russia by bloke who was Adj. to the fighter boys there 1941. Letter from Syd.
Th. 14 1/43 ground School. Lecture on flak. F/O WOP/AG. had the nerve to describe us as “Stooge bus drivers” – wow! All up in arms & shot him down.
F. 15 1/43. Ground School, and half day off. Went for a short walk with Con. Letter from Tiny. Evidently ours have crossed so rang up tonight – she was out. Left message with her mother.
[page break]
[underlined] JAN 1943 [/underlined]
Went to the Camp Concert “Riff Raff No.2” it was damned good. I believe the producer was one in real life.
S. 16 1/43. Ground School. Collected a hefty cough so rather expect I’ve caught a cold there are tons about. Early to bed tonight. Found a new B’Aimer who arrived on Tuesday with two more. He’s about 30 & steady type much more suitable than O’Brian. Told the latter I was changing him & he did’nt [sic] seem to mind much so got C.G.I’s permission to get the new bloke who would otherwise have hitched onto 11 course. Names of crews taken today by the W/O.
Sun 17 1/43. Decided to go on C.O’s parade felt rotten. Stuck out lectures went to bed at 6pm.
M. 18 1/43. Went up to see M.O. told him I did’nt want to go sick got dosed up with pills. Spent day in Mess. Hot whiskey made me sweat 100%.
[page break]
[underlined] JAN 1943 [/underlined]
T. 19 1/43. Saw M.O again. Felt a little better. Another day in the Mess, and another sweat with hot whiskey.
W. 20 1/43. Saw M.O., feel a little better still. Went into lectures this afternoon, the smoke made me cough rather a lot. Coughed all night.
Th. 21 1/43. Feel awful this morning. Went into lectures but coughed myself inside out. Went to Sick Bay this afternoon & to bed. Nice to be in a day room etc. Slept mostly all day. Temp 103!
F. 22 1/43. Feel better today. had a good night’s sleep. Temp down to 99. Bed & rested all day. Letter from McKeckine.
S. 23 1/43. Feel better today though rather weak. Temp N. if same to get up tonight. [inserted] WK. [/inserted] Got up for an hour or so. Hot bath then bed.
Sun. 24 1/43. Feel better this morning. Up after lunch. Feel a bit groggy but Doc says O.K for discharge tomorrow Wrote Syd.
[page break]
[underlined] JAN 1943 [/underlined]
M. 25 1/43. Tottered out at lunch time [inserted] K [/inserted] drew more flying clothing – under wear this time.
T 26 1/43 Went to see G.W.T.W very striking. On 7 days to Cons tomorrow.
W 27 1/43 To Cons. Sheila came in for the evening. Rang Geoff.
Th. 28 1/43. Pottered around the garden. To Stead for pint or so with Geoff. Afterwards back to Cherry Tree & to Sheila’s for bread & cheese.
F. 29 1/43. Modelling this morning. Geoff in for [indecipherable] & the evening. Phyl came down on last train.
S. 30 1/43 tried to get into Bury got left off the bus. So went to Newmarket lift in by O.D. Chaplain – nice bloke. Missed last bus had to take taxi. Anyway got Con some seeds.
Sun 31 1/43. Sheila came in to share the chicken for lunch. Phyl went back this evening. Put S.B together got corners wrong.
[page break]
[underlined] FEB 1943. [/underlined]
M 1 2/43. Did’nt go back as suggested so modelled most of the day. Took S.B to bits & did it up again – much better. Nice to have an extra day with Con.
T. 2 2/43. Got lift in with S/L [indecipherable] got to Town at 2pm. to Stafford at 7pm. rang [sic] into Thomas, Jock & Heslop so we all went for a few pints.
W. 3 2/43. Over to Seighford. Cheery Mess fair billets.
Th. 4 2/43. Over to Hixon for new type flying [inserted] K. [/inserted] kit – the Taylor suit. After snow.
F. 5 2/43. Got to town at 10.30am. to watch people then to NC. saw [indecipherable] & all the gang. After to FD for booze up with three musqueteers [sic] – saw Mary.
S. 6 2/43. Got some pork pie etc & down to Cons lovely to be back again. quiet evening.
Sun 7 2/43 Went over to Sheila’s for lunch & tea. Geoff & the Corporal came in Got into trouble with Sheila for not playing cards. Left Pepys behind.
[page break]
[underlined] FEB 1943 [/underlined]
M 8 2/43 Cut up the up-rooted plum tree with help of Hempstead. Went over for Pepys.
T 9 2/43. Modelled in the morning. Quiet day all round.
W. 10 2/43. Took Con into Bury. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Went to flicks.
Th. 11 2/43. Modelled in morning. Quiet day.
Fr. 12 2/43. Modelled mostly all day. Got inside roof of S.B done O.K.
S 13 2/43. Caught a lift to Newmarket via [inserted] K [/inserted] 4.12 train. Better than 10/- for taxi. Party in evening.
Sun 14 2/43. Went up to see Phyl but found her out. Another party in evening.
M. 15 2/43. Went down to F.D Williamson did not keep date at [indecipherable]. Caught 4. O/C to Stafford. A few beers in the Bar & on to Seighford by bus.
T. 16 2/43. Compass swinging.
W. 17 2/43. Over to Hixon – fuselage section. Got an Irvin [indecipherable]!
[page break]
[underlined] FEB 1943 [/underlined]
Th. 18 2/43. Over to Hixon – handed in all my flying clothing except Irvin glad to get rid of it.
F. 19 2/43. Link this afternoon. After to Stafford for a spot of beer with Tom & [indecipherable] – others on duty. Good evening.
S. 20 2/43. Quiet day – afternoon off. Fixed up for dingy drill Monday. Bed early.
Sun 21 2/43 quiet day – wrote to Con.
M. 22 2/43. Spent a day at Hixon and dingy drill & bale out procedure. Quite a good show by the lads.
T. 23 2/43 climbed over A/C. Went to Lighton’s place in evening – good time.
W. 24 2/43. Dingy drill – beat Lighton’s crew by 2 Secs (17 – 15 Secs) on Emergency Bale out. Very pleased with my lads.
Th. 25 2/43. Climbed over A/C in morning. Went for walk in afternoon & got talking to local signalman and spent an hour in his box. Four Track main line requires thought – I found.
[page break]
[underlined] FEB 1943 [/underlined]
F. 26 2/43. Link. Wrote to Dan and took over O.O. from Lighton.
S. 27 2/43. O.O. Parcel to Con. Orderly Officer. Went to Seighford for a drink good beer – but sour-faced landlord.
Sun. 28 2/43. Link otherwise nothing all day wrote to Barbara Cole.
[underlined] MARCH 1943 [/underlined]
M. 1 3/43. They’ve started us on circuits [inserted] P.K [inserted] at last. Not my turn yet. Link. Parcel from Con – socks & toffees the darling. Seighford for a beer – landlord Ok.
T 2 3/43. Flew this afternoon – as usual on a new type I did’nt do well first time – so damned slow to learn. Wizard kite to fly though a bit heavy on the stick. Went into Stafford for a Concert by the B’mouth [Bournemouth] Philharmonic Orchestra – very good. They played Tchaikovsky’s 6th. (my favourite.)
W. 3 3/43. To Hixon for dingy drill. My crew are damned good – 26 Secs on the Emergency bale out with full harness. (Lighton 27). To Woodeaves [sic] by cycle for a few pints.
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH 1943 [/underlined]
Th. 4 3/43. No kites available. Took afternoon off. To Stafford for a spot of shopping with Lighton. Went in by bike – enjoyed the exercise.
F. 5 3/43. Link. No kites. Went to [inserted] PAR K [/inserted] Woodseaves for a cheery evening.
S. 6 3/43. Link. No kites. Over to Gnosall to the “Dukes Head” – good pint. [inserted] L.K. [/inserted]
Sun 7 3/43. Did link in morning. Flew in afternoon but viz. bad so only had 20 mins. Wrote to Phyl. Parcel to Con yesterday.
M. 8 3/43. Did’nt fly today. quiet [inserted] LK [/inserted] evening in Mess.
T. 9 3/43. To Hixon for a spot of “groping” in grope box. Crew did well. Letter from Syd – he’s got engaged!
W 10 3/43. Orderly Officer. No flying – Link. Got a cold. Parcel from Con.
Th 11 3/43. Went SOLO after 1 1/2 hrs dual this morning. Coped quite well Landings O.K. wizard A/C to fly, tho’
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH 1943. [/underlined]
a bit heavy of course. 2 1/2 hrs Solo circuits in the afternoon. Hard work. Made me sweat with this damned cold.
F. 12 3/43. Advanced dual. Front bulkhead door blew open on T/O – that B/F Kyall (Screw) flew on with it open until it seemed like an icebox – me with a cold & he would’nt let me shut it!
S 13 3/43. No flying. Parcel to Con.
Sun 14 3/43. No flying. Quiet day. Cold better.
M 15 3/43. No flying. Went into Stafford [inserted] LK. [/inserted] for shopping & hair cut in afternoon. Letter from Con. Beer party.
T. 16 3/43. Flew this afternoon. Hydraulics shaky Semi-flapless landing. Upset my left ear a bit – guess its due to this damned cold. Stood in for Lighton as O.O. got to take 8.30am. parade tomorrow.
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH 1943 [/underlined]
W. 17 3/43. They’ve started an 8.30am parade – B/S. had an argument or rather discussion with F/LTs Helmore & Metcalfe. Went to Woodseaves in battle dress. The above officers with Roberts & Lester came in too & did’nt like us not being in tunics. Metcalfe got a bit snotty about it. In my opinion purely taking the rise because we stood up to them. Some people – small minds! Orderly Officer.
Th. 18 3/43. Link X Country. G/C making [inserted] WK> [/inserted] us clear up the camp – extra ordinary idea.
F. 19 3/43. Finished circuits – solo – in bad vis. Could’nt see the drome at 600’. Hard to make good landings. Sent parcel to Con & spent afternoon is S.B. on the block – very good form.
S. 20 3/43. Bad vis. To Hixon. Afternoon in S.B. quiet compared with yesterday
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH 1943 [/underlined]
To Woodseaves in the evening. Travelled so fast there did’nt enjoy 1st pint!
Sun 21 3/43. Still clamped. Wrote to Bob, Charlie, S/L Havers and Syd. Quiet evening. Doc says ear not yet right – hope its not going to be troublesome. Listened to Churchill’s speech – good as usual.
M. 22 3/43. To Hixon for a spot of [inserted] LK [/inserted] dingy drill. Quiet day. Ear fit.
T. 23 3/43 Bad vis no flying. Cycled out to RG just to have a look at the country. To Woodseaves for a drink. Letter from Con.
W. 24 3/43. Dual X.C. vis very poor so navigation not so good as to map reading. Good out to sea.
Th. 25 3/43. To Hixon for A.M.L & to give B’Aimer some practice at map reading.
F. 26 3/43. Not flying today. went [inserted] WK [/inserted]
Into Stafford for swimming & beer after.
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH 1943. [/underlined]
S. 27 3/43. First solo X.C. To Isle of Man & across the Welsh Mts. Lovely day & lots of low Cloud over the Mts. Crew did much better & we did quite well. To Lighton’s afterwards – tired.
Sun 28 3/43. 2nd. Solo XC. To Peterboro [Peterborough] Cottismore & out to sea this time weather fair. Oakham looked good also Burley Hall. Crew O.K. Dropped sea marker went down to 250’ to give gunners practice. Quite a good effort.
M. 29 3/43. Not flying today. photos of our Day trip through – fair, though did not pass, for 1st attempt.
T. 30 3/43. No flying. Parcel to Con. Cycle round finished up over fields. Early night.
W. 31 3/43. Set off on 3rd. Solo XC. After bombing at Cannock S/C Peterboro viz so bad that we got lost. Pp. March marshalling yards eventually
[page break]
[underlined] MARCH 1943 [/underlined]
got to Peterboro’. Tried to climb thro’ cloud but still in it at 9000’ & beginning to freeze up so let down over the Wash and S/C base. Raid abandoned – viz nil on return. Cloud base about 500’.
[underlined] APRIL 1943 [/underlined]
Th 1 4/43. Did not fly today. photos for 27th. March through not too bad. Two passes Sim bombing. Can’t arrange leave at Stead. Phoned Con.
F 2 4/43. Not required today for flying [inserted] F.K. [/inserted] duties.
S. 3 4/43. No one started work before lunch! Must have been a good party. Heard rumours of re-organisation & that we’re going to A flight at Hixon. No flying today.
M. 5 4/43 live bombing & Sim at Stert Flats Passed quite near Bath & flew all over
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL 1943 [/underlined]
the mendips. Sim bombed lighthouse on Flatholm & generally enjoyed the trip. Bombing good. Hellish drift on return.
T. 6 4/43. Rumours true we’re for Hixon tomorrow for our M/F. Did some bombing at Cannock to finish off our day work in foul weather.
W. 7 4/43. To Hixon by lorry & bus. Got a billet with McGuin & we’re all N/F together. Scheme is for each flight to be doing one exercise at a time for a fortnight. E.g. A. N/F Conversion, B Day XC & so on. At the end of each fortnight you go on with the next. We use both ‘dromes for N/F conversion.
Th. 8 4/43. To flights at 7pm. N.F.T. Dual later but cloud 500’ so stooged round and we came in. Bed at 3.30am.
F. 9 4/43. N.F.T but no N/F. Bed 4.am.
S. 10 4/43. N.F.T then 2 1/2 hrs C&L at Singhford started in daylight! Whimpy a bit difficult to control & keep lined up
[page break]
on the flarepath. Afterwards two hours dual at Singhford when [indecipherable] bagged Kite & so spoilt some solo for me. Got in 20 mins but on landing the starb’d [starboard] tyre burst (probably due to the bagging earlier) & we careered onto the grass before we could do much about it. No one hurt no fire.
Sun 11 4/43. N.F.T. dual check then 2hrs solo. Difficult at first in levelling off correctly. Get it now O.K.
M. 12 4/43. N/F. Solo tonight at Singhford. Coped alright.
T. 13 4/43. Waited after kite had gone U/S but did not T/O.
W. 14 4/43. Got off on dual X/C tonight. Could’nt see much but got round O.K. F. Hollins also on. Letter from Con – bless hera nickel.
T. 15 4/43. Off 2nd. Period but got to the kite & it was scrubbed for weather.
F. 16 4/43. Did our dual IR & bombing. Good results on the latter. [indecipherable] said we were
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL 1943. [/underlined]
quite a good crew. Got tomorrow night off.
S. 17 4/43. Night off. Went to the “Cock” at Stowe for a pint or so with Gillam & Metcalfe. Good evening.
Sun. 18 4/43. Up for bacon & egg breakfast then back to bed till lunch. 6hr screened X.C. Worry re balloons at Hull otherwise good trip. [indecipherable] says we’re a good crew.
M. 19 4/43. Down for IR but [indecipherable] mucked about with the kites so much that we only got in H.L.B. Good results.
T. 20 4/43. Long Solo XC with IR stage at end. Could’nt find Goole – in fact all the targets were difficult to see. Recalled whilst at Newark. Rather disappointed that Nav & B’Aimer got a little het up when we were lost.
W. 21 4/43. Sent on IR in appalling vis. Decided to return & got recall message whilst returning. H.L.B.
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL 1943 [/underlined]
Navigator etc. better on this trip. Has unfortunately a good opinion of himself & needs keeping in his place.
Th. 22 4/43. No nickel or bullseye as we hoped. Two H.L.B’s. mistake re bombing we’re not getting our own bomb plotted. Worrying for the B’Aimer.
F. 23 4/43. Stand down – bad weather Went to the Cock & H for a spot. McGuin left to go to a Whimpy Sqdr.
S. 24 4/43. Scheduled for a Nickel on Paris – scrubbed due to weather. To the Cock for a spot.
Sun. 25 4/43. Weather still U/S. blowing like nothing on earth – met say wind 75m/h at 10,000’! No nickel.
M. 26 4/43. Still blowing but met gave good. N.F.T 3pm. Briefing 5.30pm. Took off in ‘D’ Don at 9.35pm. Vis. Difficult still I think we crossed the French coast at the right place but could see
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL 1943 [/underlined]
very little of [indecipherable]. Did square search thought we identified the [indecipherable] so dropped the load. The photo flash did’nt work. S/C Home. About two miles from the French coast someone ahead loosed off a photo-flash which brought up heavy flak at us! Put the nose down & weaved. Crossed our coast at Brighton and had to alter course to miss London. Evidently a bull’s eye in progress & the searchlight display was wizard. Landed O.K trifle [indecipherable], but called up our “Half back” instead of “Lodger” & in the bother with Control over Q.F.E forgot my nose and downward lights. Slept like a log. Did’nt feel half as nervous as I thought – especially re flak.
T. 27 4/43. Spent all afternoon getting cleared from the flight. Shot of beer in Mess.
W. 28 4/43. Got cleared. To Cons tomorrow. [inserted] K [/inserted]
[page break]
[underlined] APRIL 1943 [/underlined]
Posted to Lindholme on the 5th. May for conversion to Lancasters.
Th. 29 4/43. To Cons arrived at 3pm. Lovely day & the garden looks wizard. Turned colder & clouded over in the evening. Paul got measles.
F. 30 4/43. Rained after lunch all day. Messed about the house & wrote to Syd.
[underlined] MAY [/underlined]
S. 1 5/43. Cleared for a spell in the morning. Cut the hedge. Rained in the afternoon. Walked to [indecipherable]. Paul came home by ambulance.
Sun 2 5/43. Cleared today so set to & made an inside Lav out of an old lavo[sic] seat, which we pinched yesterday from a ruined cottage & a lot of wooden boxes. Quite a fair effort. Con delighted. Spot of hedge cutting in the evening while Con did some gardening. Felt tired Slept like a log. Paul came home from Newmarket yesterday – sounds better.
[page break]
[underlined] MAY 1943 [/underlined]
M 3 5/43. Lovely day with fair weather cirrus. Hampstead came up & we staked up the porch & some of the rose arches. Finished off the hedge. Quiet evening with Con feel heaps refreshed for my few days in the country, Cons cooking & some good grub including eggs.
T. 4 5/43. Got a lift into Newmarket on an heavy lorry with wind [inserted] K [/inserted] screen! Bit draughty. Saw Cyril for a spot of tea at his club and Phyl for half an hour before that.
W. 5 5/43. Got a room to myself in the ex-married quarters at Lindholme Pre-war camp. Frazer – Hollins here do a spot of flying on the Halifax as well as the Lancaster.
Th. 6 5/43. P.T. Course appears to be a false alarm. Hung around all day. Went to [indecipherable] quarters in the afternoon.
F. 7 5/43. Decided to try for tomorrow
[page break]
[underlined] MAY 1943 [/underlined]
off and to get to Branston’s or Auntie Edith. Worked O.K. could’nt get Aunt E on phone so stayed with Branstons who were really glad to see me. Lashings of eggs & we went to the Volunteer for a drink, Bob, [indecipherable], Mr B & me. I slept on the couch in the front room.
S. 8 5/43. Went into Nottingham with Charles who was going to Market. Rang up & was invited to lunch with Aunt E. Saw Buddy Hawthorne & “Bill” who’s got much older & matronly.(5 kids) Auntie Edith same as ever and really delighted to see me. Had a long chat before lunch. Enid could say nothing but “oh my” 3.pm to Lowdham & 6.48 to Doncaster via Newark where I saw Sanderson. Had to run like stink to catch the 10p.m. bus just made it.
Sun 9 5/43. Mooched about getting ready for Blyton tomorrow. Did’nt have to get cleared after all. Troops had to draw
[page break]
[underlined] MAY 1943 [/underlined]
electric flying kit etc. We were supposed to but decided my Irvin was quite enough.
M 10 5/43. Went by lorry & bus to Blyton, which is cold miles East near Gainsborough. Dispersal not unlike Singhford, billets good (Lighton & I share a small room) but the Mess is dull in comparison.
T. 11 5/43. Talks by various people and some lectures. Letter from Con.
W. 12 5/43. Flying this morning – dual, with screens & another pupil who halved the flying with me. Coped successfully though the Halifax II is rather heavier, higher of the ground and floats a longer than the Whimpey. Had the afternoon off. Went for a pint into the village with Lighton.
Th. 13 5/43. Ground school – lectures. Spot of beer in the Mess – quite a cheery do. Letter from Con.
F. 14 5/43. Went over to Wickenby [sic] (No. 12 Sqdn.)
[page break]
[underlined] MAY 1943 [/underlined]
in the Halifax II and after a spot more dual went solo with my Flt/Engineer. Coped all right and made one really good three pointer. Had quite enough after 3 1/2 hours. Flt/Eng. Seems capable but rather a surly type. Afternoon off.
S. 15 5/43. Ground school all day, also duty offices. Some of the Sgts in 7 course tried to do a spot of fooling about so of course they were sat on. Clay pidgeon shooting in afternoon also kite hoisting (by Very pistol) for use in a dingy. Letter from Mrs Branston – also from Con, bless her, yesterday. Wrote to Geoff.
Sun. 16 5/43. Local map reading. Flew to Oakham, Nottingham (found Auntie Edith’s House) & to Caythorpe (for the Branston’s). good shout. P.F.F demonstration in the evening. Good pub call on the way. Wrote to Con & Auntie E.
M. 17 5/43. Ground school & link. Wrote to Uncle Billy.
[page break]
[underlined] MAY 1943. [/underlined]
T. 18 5/43. More map reading. Flew to Stradishall and had a look at the college from 1500’. Wizard day and did wish I could have landed in the garden! Did not see anyone about.
W. 19 5/43. Ground school. Cheque etc to Con.
Th. 20 5/43. More map reading to Henley on Thames this time to find B’Aimers girl’s place of work. Good practice & his map reading has improved. Lovely weather. Borrowed a bike and went to East Ferry for an odd pint or so. Good evening.
F. 21 5/43. Ground school. Letter from Uncle B.
S. 22 5/43. Still ground school.
Sun. 23 5/43. Still ground school. Borrowed a bike & rode into East Ferry for a pint or so. Got 3 eggs from an old cottager on the way back. most welcome. Wrote to Con.
[page break]
[underlined] MAY 1943 [/underlined]
M. 24 5/43. Still doing ground school. Rang up McGuin at Rimmington. Hope to meet him at Scunthorpe someday when he’s not operating. Some beer in the Mess, after an E.N.S.A. show which was’nt bad.
T. 25 5/43. Letter from Con. Spot of gro0und Sch.
W. 26 5/43. They’re still not ready for us in the Lancaster Flight but we’re finished with lectures after today. wondered if we could get tomorrow off but we’re to do dingy. Got roped in for a spot of beer in the CO.’s party. Most uncouth bloke in front of his wife – left party as soon as I could.
Th. 27 5/43. Dingy drill this morning. Went to Gainsboro’ [Gainsborough] with Lighton re cycles. His luck in spite of a copper who does some up in his spare time. He was too expensive.
F. 28 5/43. Soloed in the Lanc after 1.30 hrs. wizard kite to land & fly – very satisfied. Beer locally.
[page break]
[underlined] MAY 1943 [/underlined]
S. 29 5/. Dinghy out in one of the Kites. Did not fly today. to East Ferry for some beer. Bought Pyjamas & Shirts.
Sun. 30 5/. Pouring rain today. cleared before lunch so did a spot of solo check. Lost cap in Mess Party damnation. Jock sick with VD.
M. 31 5/. Cross country to Reading – Bury – Alston (Yorks) – lovely down South but ran into icing and cold front up North.
[underlined] JUNE 1943. [/underlined]
T. 1 6/. Spot of gunnery today. Drogue U/S out at sea. Landed in a rainstorm. Jock out of crew. We’re for 101 Sqdn.
W. 2 6/. No flying today or tonight. Hitched to Nottingham via Newark only took 1.30 hrs. looked up Aunt E went down to see Rene with her. Stayed overnight came back by bus to Retford.
Th. 3 6/. Bus to Retford then hitch to Blyton
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE 1943 [/underlined]
Still not flying so got tomorrow off. [inserted] K. [/inserted]
F. 4 6/. To London. Phoned Mac had [indecipherable] done & looked up Phyl. Back via Gainsboro’. Letter from Geoff.
S. 5 6/ Still not flying can’t afford to dash about anymore otherwise should be tempted to go to see Con. Pity they could’nt have given us three days off. Parcel from Con & letter from Mrs Weller. Wrote to Con, Jacko, Sam & Mr. Wells. Went down to local for a pint with the lads.
Sun. 6 6/. Got a new W/OP & did dinghy to get him into the scheme. Seems all right. Winston back from America via Tunisia – good show – we don’t want anything to happen to him. N/F landings rough at first.
M. 7 6/. Up midday. Invitation to Syd’s wedding on the 24th. Don’t expect Con & I can go. Blooming RAF [indecipherable] deducted I.T again. wrote to Stroud. N/F landings spoilt by the screen who nattered.
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE 1943 [/underlined]
T. 8 6/. Down for XC but it was scrubbed did C+L’s instead. O.K. solo without a nattering screen.
W. 9 6/. Six low X.C. all round England & here via Bury. Icing in high cloud at 20,000’ so climbed to 22,000’ & got over it. Low cloud on return but found aerodrome O.K. Came in too fast did small bounce – 3 point half way down the runway and – brakes would stop us. [sic] Charged off end of runway through a hedge and came to rest in a field! On examination no damage to A/C – extraordinary.
Th. 10 6/. Got cleared and packed off to Squadron to make room for the next lot. Going to 103 not 101 so they are moving South. Arrived by bus after a stop in Brigg for a pint. Much nicer Mess than anywhere dispersed before. Been going longer &
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE 1943 [/underlined]
better organised. Good billet – room with two other blokes.
F. 11 6/. Usual round. Might get a bike Posted to ‘C’ flight. Sqdn operated to Dusseldorf. Scholes led it.
S. 12 6/. Messed about in morning. X.C. in [deleted] Sqd [/deleted] Flight Commanders ‘R’ Robert. Wizard kite. All around England at 21,000’. Thought we saw a blitz on Swansea or Pembroke Docks. Good landing but W/OP did not wind in the trailing aerial. Bacon & eggs. (Sqdn – Bochum)
Sun. 13 6/. Flight Commander complained that we left the I.F.F & Oxygen on – damn thought we’d gone over the kite on landing Supposed to be a flight affiliation [inserted] WK [/inserted] but scrubbed. Wrote to Con. Stand down.
M. 14 6/. Ops tonight. Flight affiliation arranged but scrubbed. OBERHAUSEN in the Ruhr. Got off O.K. to a good take off. Climbed over ‘drome to 21,500’.
[page break]
[underlined] JUNE 1943 [/underlined]
and away. Got South of track avoiding flak etc. at Antwerp and we were 10 mins. late at the target. Saw P.F.F markers O.K but thought they were nearer than they were. Terrific barrage over target. Coned in searchlights all the way through. Bombed the biggest fire. Did not see any fighters but got hit several times by flak. Glad to get back – landing good.
T. 15 6/. Stand down. Over 50 holes in A/C! Photo good – 80%. Rang McGuin and saw Dunton.
[page break]
[book lining]
[page break]
[book back cover]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Keith Dexter diary. Two
Description
An account of the resource
Day by day diary covering events from November 1942 to June 1943. Describes flying at Little Rissington and illness over Christmas 1942 which delayed posting. Eventually posted in January 1943 to 30 Operational Training Unit. Describes events at Stafford, RAF Hixon and RAF Seighford. Posted to RAF Lindholme for conversion to Lancaster, describes training and flying Halifax as well. Posted to 103 Squadron in June 1943 and describes operation to Oberhausen on 14 June 1943 and stand down on 15 June 1943 (last entry).
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Keith Dexter
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
43 page handwritten diary
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Diary
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
YDexterKI127249v2
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Gloucestershire
England--Stow-on-the-Wold
England--Staffordshire
England--Stafford
England--Doncaster
England--Lincolnshire
England--Yorkshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942
1943
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
Anne-Marie Watson
103 Squadron
30 OTU
aircrew
entertainment
Halifax
Heavy Conversion Unit
Lancaster
military living conditions
military service conditions
Operational Training Unit
pilot
RAF Hixon
RAF Lindholme
RAF Little Rissington
RAF Seighford
training
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Lancaster 97 Squadron and Hampden aircraft and crews
Description
An account of the resource
Left page title 'Lancaster 97 Squadron, PFF, Bourne'. Top left - full length image of Pilot Officer Stephen Dawson wearing tunic and peaked cap standing in front of a Lancaster with open bomb doors. Captioned 'Pilot Officer'. Top right - a Lancaster with four figures sitting on top of fuselage and one figure standing pointing the the 'B' aircraft designation. Squadron markings 'OF'. In the background, another Lancaster. Captioned 'B for Beer'. Middle left - four aircrew and two ground crew standing by the front of a Lancaster with open bomb doors. Captioned 'Part crew, part ground crew'. Middle right - head on view of a Lancaster standing on a dispersal. Captioned 'Four mighty "Merlins", three PO turrets'. Bottom left - four aircrew and two ground crew standing by the bomb door of a Lancaster. Captioned 'Archie Barrowman, Shaw, Rosie Roberts, Reg Pike'. Bottom right - a Lancaster on a dispersal. Right page title 'Pilots u/t and friends , Bourton-on-the-Water, Summer 1940'. Top - five airmen standing behind two women sitting on a fence. Captioned 'Sgts Hunter, Brooks, Glaser, Dawson, Bell, Barclay'. On the reverse 'Eddie Hunter, Jack Brooks, Derek Glaser, Self, John Bell, Jack Barclay, Edith?'. Middle left - full length view of aircrew man standing on grass besides a bomb with the tail of a Hampden in the background. On the reverse 'Sgt Dennis Good'. Bottom - Pilot sitting in the cockpit of a Hampden wearing flying helmet. Caption for both 'Sgt Denny Good, Captain and friend'. On the reverse 'Sgr Dennis Good'. Middle right - an aircrew man wearing battledress and side cap standing holding an upright bomb. 'Captioned 'Sgt Willie Williamson Denny's W/Op'. On the reverse 'Sgt Williamson (Good's W/Op)'.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Ten b/w photographs mounted on two album pages
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Photograph
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
PDawsonSR16010402, PDawsonSR16010403, PDawsonSR16010404, PDawsonSR16010405, PDawsonSR16010406, PDawsonSR16010407, PDawsonSR16010408, PDawsonSR16010409, PDawsonSR16010410, PDawsonSR16010411, PDawsonSR16010412, PDawsonSR16010413, PDawsonSR16010414, PDawsonSR16010415, PDawsonSR16010416
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Gloucestershire
England--Stow-on-the-Wold
England--Lincolnshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1940
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
50 Squadron
97 Squadron
aircrew
dispersal
ground crew
ground personnel
Hampden
Lancaster
military service conditions
Pathfinders
RAF Bourn
training
wireless operator
-
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dexter, Keith Inger
Dexter, Dec
K I Dexter
Description
An account of the resource
33 items. The collection concerns Flying Officer Keith Dexter (1911 - 1943, 127249, 1387607 Royal Air Force ), a policeman before the war, he flew as a pilot with 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds. He was shot down and killed with all his crew on 16/17 June 1943 on operations against Cologne. Collection contains a dozen letters from 'Dec' Dexter to Phyllis Dexter,There is an extract from the 103 Squadron Operational Record Book on the loss of his aircraft and crew, maps of where his aircraft crashed, official Royal Air Force personnel records, Netherlands official documents, document about his aircraft as well as a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln and a crew. There are photographs of his grave as well as a group of people, including Keith Dexter being interviewed as a pilot trainee by the BBC at RAF Hatfield. There are two detailed daily diaries covering his time in the Royal Air Force from from 3 April 1941 to June 1943 which relate activities while training and on operations. There are some memorabilia, a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln, a painting, and an <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/770">album</a>. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Lieutenant Colonel Monty Dexter-Banks and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br />Additional information on Keith Inger Dexter is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/106139/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-08-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Dexter, KI
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Officers Mess
R.A.F. Station
Little Rissington.
Glos.
30th October 1942.
My dear Phyl.
Heaps & heaps of thanks for the parcel and the lovely washing – but you must let me pay for the laundry next time I see you – now promise.
I went to Wattisham not far from Con for BAT so managed to get over there last Friday in time for tea. It was good to see Con again and we did so wish you’d been there too. On the Saturday Tiny Daw came in for lunch & caught me in the middle of inspecting my models which she’d never seen before. She’s a nice girl and jovial – I do hope she blows in to see Con for a cup of tea now and again to relieve the monotony.
[page break]
Con looked pretty fit and well and of course she was delighted to see me – bless her heart. I’m night flying for the present which gives me a spot more time to travel so think I’ll try to get down this week end as a surprise. I expect you heard that Mrs Isaac has gone to Cardiff and is going to take in P.G.’s there. Con says she was a bit off hand when she got back and so she’s not sorry to see her go. I think she’d rather be alone, although I’d rather she had someone with her during the winter.
Must rush now so heaps of thanks for the parcel it is grand of you.
Heaps of love.
[underlined] Dec. [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Dec Dexter to Phyllis Dexter
Description
An account of the resource
Catches up with family and friends and mentions that he is night flying at present.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Keith Dexter
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-10-30
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EDexterKIDexterPC421030
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Gloucestershire
England--Stow-on-the-Wold
England--Suffolk
England--Stowmarket
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-10
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
David Bloomfield
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
military service conditions
RAF Little Rissington
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/769/9361/EDexterKIDexterPC421213-0001.2.jpg
5b31321d3525b0c92a07207d5232db2b
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/769/9361/EDexterKIDexterPC421213-0002.2.jpg
97e4d2596db62b4acdac1e720f032bc9
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dexter, Keith Inger
Dexter, Dec
K I Dexter
Description
An account of the resource
33 items. The collection concerns Flying Officer Keith Dexter (1911 - 1943, 127249, 1387607 Royal Air Force ), a policeman before the war, he flew as a pilot with 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds. He was shot down and killed with all his crew on 16/17 June 1943 on operations against Cologne. Collection contains a dozen letters from 'Dec' Dexter to Phyllis Dexter,There is an extract from the 103 Squadron Operational Record Book on the loss of his aircraft and crew, maps of where his aircraft crashed, official Royal Air Force personnel records, Netherlands official documents, document about his aircraft as well as a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln and a crew. There are photographs of his grave as well as a group of people, including Keith Dexter being interviewed as a pilot trainee by the BBC at RAF Hatfield. There are two detailed daily diaries covering his time in the Royal Air Force from from 3 April 1941 to June 1943 which relate activities while training and on operations. There are some memorabilia, a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln, a painting, and an <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/770">album</a>. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Lieutenant Colonel Monty Dexter-Banks and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br />Additional information on Keith Inger Dexter is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/106139/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-08-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Dexter, KI
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Royal Air Force crest]
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
LITTLE RISSINGTON,
GLOS.
13th. Dec. ’42.
My dear [underlined] Phyl [/underlined]
Thanks awfully for a wizard long letter – for you – which was waiting for me when I got back last night. I’m awfully sorry to hear about Pip – do hope she’s now recovering rapidly and will so [sic] be well. Do give her my best wishes & things next time you see her.
Of course I must go down with a chill as soon as I get home on leave prior to going to O.T.U. which of course has now been cancelled – still I expect I’ll soon get posted again. I saw the Doc this morning who said I’d had a very bad cold which has inflamed my throat! So I’m off flying for 48 hours and may try to see the Wellers but don’t know – I’m to take things easily so can’t go too far.
[page break]
He’s given me some Metatone as a tonic & gargles and all sort of odds & ends. So should be well soon!
I want to buy Con two hot water bottles for Christmas poor dear she’s using the old coffee jug and it is liable to spill so she can’t have it in all night. Are there any decent ones to be had? I’m miles from a shop so do you think you could manage to get a brace or better still perhaps Nora could as she’s got more time & can go round places like Harrods. I don’t want cheap muck which will leak though I suppose real rubber isn’t to be had? Anyway I know you’ll do wonders. let me know as soon as you can whether there’s any to be had or not.
It would be nice to get Con up to London one week end as you say but ‘fraid I’ll have to leave it till next month as I’m rather on the broke side. I want to come up & see you & the Macs soon so I’ll do my best.
My love to Nora. All the best – heaps of love.
Dec.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Dec Dexter to Phyllis Dexter
Description
An account of the resource
Catches up with family and mentions that a chill had caused his operational training unit course to be cancelled but he had seen the doctor. Concludes with discussion on how to get Christmas presents.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Keith Dexter
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-12-13
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EDexterKIDexterPC421213
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Gloucestershire
England--Stow-on-the-Wold
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-12-13
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
David Bloomfield
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
military service conditions
RAF Little Rissington
training
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https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/769/9362/EDexterKIDexterPC430104.1.pdf
97f032e5c0fbf385d2652068bb2e8315
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Dexter, Keith Inger
Dexter, Dec
K I Dexter
Description
An account of the resource
33 items. The collection concerns Flying Officer Keith Dexter (1911 - 1943, 127249, 1387607 Royal Air Force ), a policeman before the war, he flew as a pilot with 103 Squadron at RAF Elsham Wolds. He was shot down and killed with all his crew on 16/17 June 1943 on operations against Cologne. Collection contains a dozen letters from 'Dec' Dexter to Phyllis Dexter,There is an extract from the 103 Squadron Operational Record Book on the loss of his aircraft and crew, maps of where his aircraft crashed, official Royal Air Force personnel records, Netherlands official documents, document about his aircraft as well as a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln and a crew. There are photographs of his grave as well as a group of people, including Keith Dexter being interviewed as a pilot trainee by the BBC at RAF Hatfield. There are two detailed daily diaries covering his time in the Royal Air Force from from 3 April 1941 to June 1943 which relate activities while training and on operations. There are some memorabilia, a photograph of a Lancaster over Lincoln, a painting, and an <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/770">album</a>. <br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Lieutenant Colonel Monty Dexter-Banks and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br />Additional information on Keith Inger Dexter is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/106139/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-08-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Dexter, KI
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Miss Phyllis Dexter
61 Bramwin Court.
ST. John’s Wood,
London.
[underlined] N.W.8 [/underlined]
[Page break]
[RAF Crest]
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
[Deleted] LITTLE RISSINGTON,
GLOS. [/deleted]
HIXON.
STAFFS.
4th. January ’43.
My dear Phyl.
I’m afraid this will have to be a bit short and sweet as I’m in the throes of packing – a job I never was much good at. Anyway here’s a ration coupon in case your stocks are getting low. I did so enjoy dropping in again it was grand. I did enjoy some home cooked grub again and damn well cooked too. I feel awful guilty about eating your rations because I know that Con does’nt [sic] get much for one person and there were four of us. Do hope it did’nt [sic] make you very short. I’m so glad Pip is so much
[Page break]
better and I do hope she picks up steadily and gets quite strong again I’m sure she will.
I’ll drop you a line after I get into my new station and tell you all the “gen”. By the way I caught my train quite comfortably I was there at 7.45 and had time for a pint & a pie.
All the best – lots of love.
Dec.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Dec Dexter to Phyllis Dexter
Description
An account of the resource
Short letter as he is packing to move. He includes a ration coupon as he feels guilty about consuming families rations on visit home. Will write again when he gets to new station.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Keith Dexter
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1943-01-04
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter and envelope
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EDexterKIDexterPC430104
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--London
England--Gloucestershire
England--Stow-on-the-Wold
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1943-01-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Anne-Marie Watson
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Little Rissington
-
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
England--Stow-on-the-Wold
Title
A name given to the resource
Stow-on-the-Wold [place]
Description
An account of the resource
This page is an entry point for a place. Please use the links below to see all relevant documents available in the Archive.