Browse Items (48 total)

  • Temporal Coverage is exactly "1942-02"

AClarkeE150817.mp3
Eric was born in Doncaster and had a difficult childhood. He was attracted by nearby RAF Finningley and decided he wanted to join the RAF when war was imminent. He was registered as an aircraftman second class and trained to be a wireless operator.…

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BReattigDWRaettigDWv10001.jpg
Wartime memoir covering Dennis Raettig's training at Blackpool and the posting to 104 Squadron at Royal Air Force Driffield in August 1941. Worked on Wellington aircraft and mentions that Driffield also hosted the blind approach landing flight…

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PHarperL1901.jpg
Len Harper registered for the air force in April 1939, influenced by the positive experience of his brother who had joined in January. Upon completing training at the Wireless Training School, RAF Yatesbury, he was posted to RAF Wittering, where he…

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EBoldyDABoldyAD420224-0001.jpg
Letter from sergeant David Boldy to his father about seeing action in day and night operations. Mentions the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst battleship. He had some leave and went out to the Trocadero with Steve and Ajan.

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YGeachDG1394781v2.pdf
First of David Geach's diaries, covering training in London, Brighton and St. Andrews from 9 February 1942 to 16 June 1942.

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ADellowJA170617.mp3
James ‘Jim’ Albert Dellow had to register the start of the war he as he was 18 years old. On being asked which service he would prefer, he opted for the Royal Air Force as a pilot. Whilst waiting for his call up, he worked in an insurance office…

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LPurnell[Ser#-DoB]v10001.jpg
Two pages of a log book completed by R Purnell

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SHudsonJD755052v20005.pdf
Transcripts of nearly 50 telegrams between Douglas Hudson and his parents between August 1941 and November 1942.

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ABolesKM180212.mp3
Keith Boles left school at the age of fourteen and took an apprenticeship in engineering. He was called up to the Air Force at the end of 1941 and was in Singapore when the Japanese invaded. He arrived in UK via Australia and Canada and after a…

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SGillK1438901v10013.pdf
Starts with account of movements in RAF for 1941. Continues lwith entries for daily activities. Embarks Greenock, Leaves Milford Haven on 8 January for voyage across Atlantic and describes voyage to Canada. Arrives Moncton 20 January describes daily…

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MThompsonKG1238603-150907-010001.jpg
A handwritten account by Keith Thompson of his time training in Canada from the time he left England in February 1942 until he returned to Scotland as a navigator in January 1943.

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EPickfordLPickfordA420210-0001.jpg
He has received his first parcel. One sentence has been censored.

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EPickfordLPickfordA420203-0001.jpg
He asks for a £1 to go into his Post Office savings account. He asks for books to be sent.

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EPickfordLPickfordA420217-0001.jpg
He reminds her to save a £1 a month in his savings account. He has photos from Winnie.

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EPickfordLPickfordA420224-0001.jpg
He thanks he for the photos. He has received ten letters from her, in a week. He is going to send her money for a holiday.

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EPickfordLPickfordA420231-0001.jpg
He has received eight letters. No Red Cross parcels and no cigarettes. They have had dances.

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BThickettPSaundersEJv10010.jpg
A description of Sam's further training in the UK then operations at Malta.
Photo 1 is an informal group photograph with airmen, two WAAFs and three dummies.
Photo 2 is an air-to-air view of a Wellington.

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BThickettPSaundersEJv10011.jpg
Two pages detailing some of Sam's time in Egypt.
Photo 1 is HMS Sagitta from the air.
Photo 2, 3 and 4 are Sam working on a lamp.
Photo 5 is Sam playing tennis.
Photo 6 is Sam and colleague in khaki and shorts.
Photo 7 is a letter in…

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ELampreyPGuntonW4202XX.pdf
Peter Lamprey catches up with friend and mentions that he hopes to be posted south soon.

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BYatesRPYatesRPv1.pdf
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.

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S102SqnRAF19170809v10004-0001.jpg
Author (probably Roy J de Niese) gives some information on recruitment and training of Ceylonese volunteers for the RAF. Includes his recruitment and initial training in Ceylon, travel to Great Britain, enlistment, elementary flying training and…

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BNealeETHNealeETHv05.pdf
Memoirs of Ted Neale (written in a non-contemporary diary), recounting his experiences of an air raid on Woolwich, travelling to South Africa for aircrew training and taking part in bombing operations from Italy. Some anecdotes are repeated. This…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420205-0001.jpg
Describes journey back to Theale and snowy weather. Still unclear about his future. Says he enjoyed his brief visit home.

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420207-0001.jpg
Writes he is not going with grading course but staying at Theale for Elementary Flying Training School. Mentions he had a test with Chief Flying Instructor which didn't go too badly. Writes he will now have to get down to work and there will be no…

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EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420215-0001.jpg
Disappointed to tell his mother that he has failed the flying test. Bill described the final test with the Chief Flying Instructor, which went badly, despite having completed a successful test beforehand with his own instructor. Has now been…

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