Browse Items (61 total)

Seven men, four standing behind and three squatting in front. All wear battledress with half brevet and side caps except centre front who has pilot's brevet and peaked cap. They are standing in snow with a building in the background.
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Aircraft flown Battle, Anson, Wellington, Halifax. Navigator. Medical examination at RAF Waddington. address in Australia, next of kin. List of postings to units.

Personal details. Rank Flying Officer, 466 Squadron flying. List courses.

Includes personal details and list postings from 1943 to 1945. Promotions up to Flight Sergeant. Commissioned in June 1945.

Letter covering enclosed certificates for service and discharge covering the period he was an airman and covering the period he was an officer on the active list of the Royal Australian Air Force.

Thanks him for letter and the gift of a parcel of food. He states that contents were distributed to those still with them that were working at the time that the particular parachute that saved his life was manufactured. Says his address was given to…

Writes that that Pat Hogan was with the Lady Ryder's overseas forces committee. He was with friends and reported that they were looking well and that he would write a line to parents and wives as it was nice to know independently that they are OK.

Sends birthday wished to her and Eileen and says he could not afford much of presents. Describes a little of his his current situation and provides some gossip,

Catches up with recent mail and mentions that many colleagues have not had much mail. Catches up on her activities at home and mentions shows he had seen. Says he had a small celebration recently.

Says that things are going along fine but doing a bit more work and finds it interesting. Mentions seeing 'Blythe Spirit' and comments on surface mail. Poor photocopy cannot with start too faint to read.

Mentions arrival of her mail and that he should have written earlier. Writes that he has been busy night flying long hours and preparation takes a long time as well. In addition he finds it difficult to sleep during the day. Catches up with news from…

Thanks her for the pen she sent but noted that the ink had leaked while in transit due to altitude. Catches up with news from home mentioning drought and bush fires. Mentions that rest of crew had gone into town and commented on his ground course.…

Writes of his panned activity to initiate their new English flight engineer into their Australian crew. Discusses best ways to send mail. Mentions other mail received and current weather. Writes of conditions on his station and that they were keen…

Discusses gossip and politics. Much of the letter is damaged and unreadable

Reports arrival of very welcome cakes. Asks after friends and family and writes of future plans to visit Dorset with engineer. Mentions listening to radio for home news and and other domestic financial matters. says he owes other friends/family…

Discusses recent mail arrival and frequency. Not doing much flying due to poor weather. Writes about going to York and seeing real snow for the first time in his life. Snow might relieve drabness of English towns and make it more like they imagined…

Reports arrival of mail, catches up with news of home and asks after relatives. Reports arrival of parcels from home, that he would be on the move soon and was hoping for improved conditions which would alleviate need for food parcels. Discusses his…

Comments that there seems to have been little Australian air mail over for anyone the last month. Apologises for not writing and describes recent leave in London and day in Leeds. Reports arrival of parcels from home. Talks of future leave, one week…

Reports arrival of recent mail. Writes that he has received letters from the parents of each of the boys who seem to have taken it well apart from on father who was upset when he wrote. Catches up with other news of acquaintances. Says life is…

Thanks her for letters but says there had been little to write about his end and he was cheesed of with hanging about. Reports doing his first operation for seven weeks, it was an easy one but was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Talks a little of his new…

Comments on arrival of mail and that some for others had gone astray. Describes leave spent in Ireland in Dublin. which he compares favourably with dirty, old depressing England. Enjoyed food over there that was not available in England and describes…

Comments on reliability of mail lately. Mentions leave and activities in Edinburgh with other members of crew. Writes of family issue with Kevin. A large part of this letter is damaged and unreadable.

Reports arrival of her previous letters and says he is now stationed in Hertfordshire a few miles from Royston. States that the Americans had left the place in a mess. Writes about Australian cricket side's scores and performance. Gives address of…

Writes about contents not to bother with in food parcels. Writes of not flying for 14 days and other activities. A large part of this letter was damaged and is unreadable.

Catches up with recent mail. Says not to worry about life insurance and catches up with her news and other gossip of doings. Concludes with cricket commentary.