Browse Items (597 total)
- Spatial Coverage is exactly "England--Suffolk"
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Interview with Frederick Harold Shepherd
Frederick joined the Royal Air Forcein 1941. After going to RAF Cardington, he was given deferred entry and studied for a year at university. He was invited to London for initial training, followed by the Initial Training Wing at RAF Newquay. He did…
Interview with Barry Smith
Barry passed the RAF’s apprentice entrance examination in February 1945, aged 15, and went to RAF Halton to become an electrician. He discusses the training which resulted in the First Ordinary National Certificate. In 1948, Barry was posted to…
Interview with Jack Smith
Jack volunteered for the Royal Air Force in September 1940. He went to RAF Padgate and then on to RAF Blackpool, where he trained as a wireless operator. Jack proceeded to a radio school at RAF Compton Bassett and then RAF Bramcote. He was posted to…
Interview with Bert Turner
Bert Turner was a member of the Air Training Corps before the war. He volunteered for the Air Force and was called up 2 August 1942. After training he became a flight engineer with 196 Squadron. He flew some bombing and mine laying operations before…
Letter from Dec Dexter to Phyllis Dexter
Catches up with family and friends and mentions that he is night flying at present.
Keith Dexters home near Stradishall, Suffolk
Title 'Keith Dexter's home near Stradishall Suffolk, found for his mother to avoid Blitz on their home in London 41/42'. Top left thatched house with hedge in front captioned ' Stevenson Farm, Con's home 1940-47'. Top right side view of thatched…
Sitting room in Keith Dexters house at Stevensons farm
Top - sitting room with door on left and large cabinet behind sofa. Captioned 'Entry port into sitting room Stevensons farm'. Middle - view of part of room with wall clock on right, doorway and cabinet on left. In the foreground a sofa with side cap…
Rooms at Keith Dexter's house Stevensons farm
Top - view of dining room with dining table in the centre, welsh dresser to the left and window to the right. Captioned 'The dining room at Stevensons Farm'. Bottom view of wooden beamed room with dressing table in centre and part of bed on right.…
Short history of RAF Honington
From 1955 with Canberra, 1957 with Valiant then Victor to 1969 with Buccaneer wing and the 1980s with Tornado.
Interview with Bill Moore. One
William Moore was born in Dunoon, Scotland in August 1924 and joined the Royal Air Force after spending some time in the Air Cadet Defence Corps and in the Air Training Corps. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force at the age of 17 and completed his…
Letter from John Brittain to his mother
![EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]441109.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/776/9965/EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]441109.jpg "EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]441109.jpg")
Written while under training at RAF Chedburgh. Thanks her for food she sent. Not flying yet but relates that he is very pleased with results crew obtained in examinations which shows they should be a good crew. Writes about their 'Geordie' engineer…
John Brittain's flying log book
Flying log book for J T Brittain, air gunner, covering the period from 20 may 1944 to 14 July 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Morpeth, RAF Silverstone, RAF Turweston, RAF Chedburgh, RAF North…
Interview with Michael and Ann Akrill
Michael and Ann Akrill talk about their uncle, William Akrill, who grew up in Lincolnshire, and studied art in London and under the tutelage of Robert Kiddey. He considered becoming a contentious objector, but volunteered for the RAF and, after…
Interview with Peter Cyril Beckett
Peter Beckett grew up in Mildenhall village. He attended the local Air Training Corps which enabled him to visit the airfield and take the opportunity to have air test flights with operational aircrews and help the ground staff with their work. He…
Interview with Frank Lawrence Boutcher
Frank Boutcher worked as a junior clerk for Southend Borough Council before the war. He wanted to join the Royal Navy but they only required able seamen on a long commission, so he joined the RAF instead, to train as an engine fitter. After…
Hugh Parry's flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners and flight engineers
Flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners, flight engineers for Hugh Parry, air gunner, covering the period from 27 May 1944 to 16 October 1945. Details his flying training, operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF…
Interview with Bert Hammond. One
Bert Hammond was born and brought up in Norwich and was working as a grocer’s assistant, as well as being an air cadet, at the start of the war. He recalls bombing attacks on Norwich and a lone aircraft machine gunning female workers leaving the…
Ronald Mathers pilots flying log book. Two
Pilots flying log book for Ronald Mathers covering the period from 1 October 1944 to 24 February 1948. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties and duties with 35 squadron. He was stationed at RAF Swinderby, RAF Finningley, RAF Hullavington,…
Interview with Tony Gerard
Tony lived in South Pool before moving to Liverpool with his job in a bank. He also belonged the Air Training Corps. After about a year he decided to sign up for the Royal Air Force. His assessment and medical were at RAF Liverpool. He was called up…
Ellis Edwards’ South African Air Force observers or air gunners log book
South African Air Force observers or air gunners log book for Ellis Edwards, bomb aimer, covering the period from 9 February 1942 to 29 March 1943 when he was missing in action on an operation to Berlin. Detailing his flying training and operations…
Interview with Cecil Harry Chandler
Cecil ‘Chick’ Chandler trained as a flight engineer and was posted to 622 Squadron at RAF Mildenhall. On his first flight the undercarriage failed. He was horrified to find that it was different to the model he had been trained on and he had to…
Interview with Joy Colbeck
Joy Colbeck was born in Maidstone, Kent and served within the Women’s Royal Naval Service during the war. Her brother, John, joined the RAF on the 28 April 1943, qualified at as an air gunner in April 1944, before being transferred to an…
Interview with Bruce Cunningham
Bruce initially joined the territorials but changed to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. After performing very well in navigation exercises at Rosewood, he was quickly progressed to Bell Block, New Plymouth on Tiger Moths. He became a pilot at Wigram…
Interview with John Eric Hatherly Dean
John Dean’s childhood memory of watching a Spitfire and a German aircraft having a dogfight in the sky above him spurred him to want to become a Spitfire pilot. He didn’t achieve his aim of becoming a Spitfire pilot and instead became a…