Browse Items (380 total)
- Temporal Coverage starts with "1939"
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Flight Lieutenant Freddie Spencer DFC
A biography of Freddie Spencer. Details his training and operations with 106 Squadron and 630 Squadron.
Jessie Redgrave's 1939 diary
A diary kept by Jessie Redgrave during 1939 with detailed daily entries on her life.
Jim Taylor's RAF Memoirs 1932-1939
An autobiography of Jim Taylor's time in the RAF before the war. He spent time training with Oliver Bell, who is recorded in the memoir.
Interview with Bill Macrae
Bill McRae’s earliest memories were of the end of the First World War. He worked for a major bank during the Depression and was fortunate to be amongst a group of Australians who were sent to work in London. He volunteered at Australia House and…
Transcript of letter from Ian Hay to his grandmother
Transcript of original letter. Written while at Uxbridge after he was attested and issued uniform and expected to be posted on soon. Describes the camp, pay and speculates of future leave.
Colours certificate for David Boldy
Certificate affirming that DA Boldy received full colours from University of London King’s College, academic year 1938/39.
Frank Hobbs driving licence
London County Council driving licence for Frank Hobbs address Tooting. Valid 1 December 1937 to 30 November 1938 with extension sticker to 9 December 1940. One conviction stamp for minor offence 20 November 1939
Interview with John Taylor
John Taylor grew up in Nottingham and was evacuated before he went into sixth form. He left school and started working as an analytical chemist at Boots and although this was a reserved occupation he volunteered for aircrew. After his initial…
Interview with Priscilla Henwood
Priscilla was encouraged by a friend’s father to join the 600 Squadron in anticipation of the war. She was called up and was based at Finsbury Barracks, involved in recruitment. Priscilla also worked on the telephone exchange at Clerkenwell.
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Interview with Ray Hooley
Ray Hooley was at school in 1939 when war broke out and was evacuated to Mansfield. When the boys were returned to their school in Nottingham their shelter was in the basement and they were horrified to find when they went down for the practice that…
Stuart Boynton Interview
During 1939 Stuart left grammar school and joined the Air Training Corps. After about half a year he volunteered for air crew and was accepted. He and his girlfriend were married in February 1943. Stuart was posted to South Africa working on Ansons…
Interview with Ian Hawkins
Ian Hawkins was training to be a teacher when he decided to volunteer for the RAF, joining in 1941. He commenced training under the Arnold Scheme in Canada and the United States and passed the course as a pilot. He returned to England as a sergeant…
Interview with William Neilson
William Neilson grew up in Edinburgh. After training as a pilot in Canada and the United States he served as a staff pilot at Number 1 Air Armament School RAF Manby. He discusses low level bombing practice. He was demobbed in 1946 and became a civil…
Inwentaryzacja budownictwa wiejskiego pod Hajnowka, Marysia Lipiec - Sierpien 1939
Photo 1 is a young woman looking out of a window.
Photo 2 is a young woman in a coat with a man in a coat seated. The image is taken from inside a building with the two people framed by the doorway.
Photo 3 is a man and a young woman sitting…
Photo 2 is a young woman in a coat with a man in a coat seated. The image is taken from inside a building with the two people framed by the doorway.
Photo 3 is a man and a young woman sitting…
Interview with Peter Swallow
Peter Swallow was born in Sheffield in 1929, one of three children. He recalls hearing Mr Chamberlain’s declaration of war broadcast as a schoolchild. His father, a plumber, volunteered as a member of the Local Defence Volunteers, eventually…
Interview with Henry Harris
Please note: The veracity of this interview has been called into question. We advise that corroborative research is undertaken to establish the accuracy of some of the details mentioned and events witnessed.
Interview with Coby Van Riel
Coby Van Riel was aged about six when the Germans invaded Holland. She lived in a fishing port area of The Hague, where her father had numerous jobs to make ends meet in the difficult days before the war and her mother ran a chemist shop. She…
Record of service for Squadron Leader Robert Antony Maurice Palmer VC DFC* AE (115772) RAFVR
Gives personal details, service as an airman, commissioned service with promotions, postings including 75, 149 and 109 Squadrons, honours and awards including Victoria Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross and bar, mentioned in despatches, and air…
Government evacuation scheme
A letter sent to George Shephard Johns' parents concerning the government evacuation scheme. The Municipal offices ask George's parents for a contribution for an allowance.
Norman Powell CV
Gives qualifications as aeronautical engineer. Education and employment history including service in the RAF from 1943 to 1947. Management experience and family background.
Interview with Bob Hughes
Bob Hughes joined the RAF as war became likely to avoid repeating his father's First World War experience in the trenches and transferred to the RAF Volunteer Reserve when war was declared. He trained on Ansons and then flew in twin-engine Blenheims…
Interview with Jack (John) Perry
Jack (John) Perry was orphaned at the age of six. He lived with family, a Children’s Home and various foster homes. Named Jack by his parents he was forced to be known as John when in children's homes, a name he continued to use during his RAF…
Royal Air Force route card
Orders to Sgt Rosser to proceed to aircraft L8200 (Magister) and fly from Oxford to Cambridge and return. Gives met report, dangers on route and further instructions.
Cover of book - Bomber Boys
Cover with photograph of six aircrew standing and sitting in front of a bomber. Inside on front page, a brief handwritten account of John Doxsey's service on 149 Squadron September 1939 - September 1940. Mentions his crew positions and two pilots…
Peter Field - a memoir
Starts with account of life at school (Rendcomb College) from 1931 to 1937. Continues with decade 1938-1948 starting with time at Cheltenham Art School in 1938 and 1939. Continues with account of wartime activity including enlistment, training at RAF…