Bill still does not know what is happening to him. Weather has been terrible for flying but he had to go up with the Commanding Officer and it went badly (page missing from letter, so no end to story).
Letter written over several days. Initially expecting to have his flying test the next day and be able to return for leave soon after, but this is changed following snow. He and six others are unable to take their tests in time and remain at the…
Describes how flying training, although fun, is becoming harder. He seems to be struggling with navigation and landings. He remains happy but accepts he may not have the aptitude to pass this phase of pilot training. Will have to do a test with chief…
Bill describes the set up at the Elementary Flying Training School, Theale where there were two flying courses and some Turkish students. He describes his first flight as a passenger which he found 'great'. Goes on to describe flying the next…
Top left - German officer walking in front of horse drawn cortege with parade behind. Snow covered ground and in the background trees, Captioned 'B48 Funeral of Sgt J C Shaw, Stalag Luft 1, Jan 42'.
Top right - grave with flowers on top and trees…
Top left - parade of airmen wearing greatcoats standing in line in the snow. Captioned 'B47 Funeral of Sgt J C Shaw, Stalag Luft 1, Jan 42'.
Top right - propeller blades with iron cross and swastika on grave. Captioned 'Funeral of Sgt J C Shaw,…
A newspaper cutting, annotated with the date Oct 8th 1950 reporting that S.S. Orbita had been scrapped.
A 'Wings' chocolate bar wrapper.
Two small photographs, one showing a large North American style steam locomotive, the other showing a number…
Page, annotated 'Initial Training Wing Oct - '41 - Jan '42'.
Colour postcard, captioned 'Torquay Riviera', annotated 'Our Church for Sunday parades', 'Messing and billets in long white building'.
Postcard captioned 'The Harbour and Vane Hill',…
Christmas greetings to employees of George Harker and Company Limited. Relates Christmas day activities of an army unit in the Middle East as well as wishing employees well.
Writes that he hopes communication with the family is working and encourages sister on her future employment opportunities post war. In a separate section talks of life in Canada. Although appears to be written at Moncton the letter was posted in…
New your buildings. The first is a view from a tall building looking towards the Hudson River. There are several tall buildings and smoking chimneys. The second is a ground level view looking up the RCA Building, 30 Rockefeller Center. The third is…
Falls views. The first is of Horseshoe Falls, captioned 'Horseshoe Falls'. The second is of the Horseshoe Falls and is not captioned. The third is a view of the falls framed by a doorway, captioned 'Niagara Falls'. The fourth is a view of the…
Niagara Falls views. The first is a clear view of Niagara Falls. Captioned 'January 1942'. The second is a view of the Falls framed by a tree, captioned 'Niagara Falls September 1941'. The third is a view of the Falls through buildings with long…
Scenes of American transport. The first is a truck at the side of a snowy road. A corporal is about to enter the passenger side. On its front above the cab is 'Knaust Bros Inc Mushrooms'. Captioned ' Airmans Special Alec Wood somewhere between Albany…
Picton scenes. The first is a view from a low hill of Picton, captioned 'Picton Jan 1941'. The second is a snow covered barn set in fields. In the foreground is a wooden fence and to the sides are bare trees. The ground is snow covered. Captioned…
Nine actors and four musicians. The actors are seated on stage and are wearing wide brimmed, conical hats. The musicians are playing guitars, a violin and a lute.
A group of airmen at the internment of Sergeant J C Shaw. Two, on the left are saluting. Other airmen are holding wreaths for the grave. Light snow on the ground and trees bare of leaves in the background.
A German officer and two airmen in greatcoats saluting at the internment of Sergeant J C Shaw. Other airmen are holding wreaths to be laid on the grave. In the background the graveyard is lightly covered in snow, with the trees bare of leaves.