Diary commences on joining Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 3 October 1940 and training at Babbacombe, Newquay and passing out as an aircraft fitter. Posting to RAF Kenley 6 January 1942 and association with fighter pilots Bluey Truscott, Paddy…
States he is fit and well and his greatest concern is their health. Mentions the weather. Says he is becoming an epicure and looks forward to experimenting. Says he has written 5 letters and hopes they got through. Wishes them a happy Christmas.…
Writes that he was pleased to get a letter from Red Cross at Geneva informing him that his name had been forwarded to the prisoner of war information bureau in London and that they would inform his parents of his address. Mentions he has written…
Writes that he still has not heard from them and wonders if everything is alright with them. He suggest various ways they might get in touch: through the American consul Tunis, British consul Tangiers and Red Cross Geneva. Some compatriots have…
Writes of his experiences at Receiving Centre. Includes account of journey back to centre. Says it was good to see her. Continues with description of activities and fellow trainees. Includes humorous account of being sorted by religion.
Writes of his activities and that he was sorry to leave her. Describes bombing attack during his train journey back to Uxbridge and mentioning explosions and incendiaries. Writes of passengers alighting and watching bombing attack. Bombs had missed…
Writes that he misses her and worries about danger to her of bombing. Continues telling of journey to by special train and describes new camp. Covers activities, food and accommodation. Mentions blackout and washing in dark. Continues with detailed…
Recalls Harry's joining the RAF and describes his initial, then basic and advanced aircrew training. Follows move to operational training unit, and joining 102 Squadron flying Whitley. Mentions operations to Berlin, Stettin and Duisburg. Converted to…
Items 1 and 2 are black and white paintings of Blacpool street scenes.
Items 3 and 4 are airmen marching.
Item 5 is a pass from RAF Weeton, dated 17 October 1940.
Contains details of the nine operations Philip flew to Stettin, Hanau, Maresburg, Cologne, Bremen, Magdeburg, Wesserling-Klon, the railyard in Berlin and the Leuna oil refinery. Includes descriptions of targets, weather conditions, defences…
Richard 'Dick' Yates was a wireless operator/air gunner on 35 Squadron flying Halifax. He was shot down and became a prisoner of war. Dick did his basic training at Blackpool. While at Cranwell for wireless training he flew in DH 86 and Valentia.
Left page: top, an advertisement for a hotel.
Bottom left, view of a cathedral.
Bottom right, view of terraced fields.
Right page: top two rows reports family engagements; centre; a list of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves including R V…
Head and shoulders portrait of Peter Hattersley in uniform with Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon. On the reverse 'Peter Waddington Oct 1940' and 'D.H.C.M.'
From auntie Gladys and written by cousin Eileen. Relieved that he was safe and well. Writes of her and family activities and news as well. Mentions visit to Edinburgh while on leave and comments that grandfather is looking old.
Stars in June 1940 based on letters written to his mother. Tells of life in Rhodesia before being called up and travelling to England, Discusses war as well as work and social life and initial training in Rhodesia. Goes on to describe a little of…
Nine airmen wearing tunics sitting and standing in three rows. In the background brick built houses and a fence. On the reverse, signatures and note '13 Oct 1940, Blackpool'.