Browse Items (279 total)
- Collection: Gill, Kenneth
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War changes everything
Biography of Arthur Alexander Gill and memories of his cousin Kenneth Gill. Writes of working in the same firm as Kenneth Gill before the war. Too young to join forces, he was employed in Blackburn aircraft stores. Was called up in December 1944.…
Letter to Flying Officer K Gill and Flight Sergeant Overend from Beryl Derbyshire
Offers congratulations on award to both of DFC and DFM. Offers tea if they are ever in he location.
Letter from Bernard Gumbley to his brother Larry
Transcription of letter from Ken Gill's pilot. Writes of snow clearing activities. Catches up with news of brothers and family's activities. Mentions recent snowy weather and a difficult flight when they had difficulty finding somewhere to land.…
Letter of Sympathy
Letter of sympathy from the King to Mrs K Gill
Letter to Vera Gill from St James's Palace
Invitation to investiture at Buckingham Palace to receive her late husband's, (Flying Officer Kenneth Gill RAFVR), Distinguished Flying Cross. Included photocopy of letter.
Twenty-first birthday card to Vera
Key and cottage sketch and poem on the front.
Poem on the reverse.
Poem on the reverse.
Note on loss of Kenneth Gill's aircraft
Quote from 'The Dambusters' by Paul Brickhiil '2 days later they went to Arbergn [sic] bridge near Bremen. Flak got a direct hit on Gumbley's (Gill's pilot) aircraft on the runup and he went straight down in flames'.
Biography of Kenneth Gill by son Derek
Gives service history of Kenneth Gill including training in Canada as navigator, training in England, operations on 9 Squadron with list of his crew. Details targets attacked. Commissioned and awarded Distinguished Flying Cross. After tour on…
Family photographs
Top - portrait folder with photograph on right of Ken Gill wearing uniform tunic with half brevet and medal ribbons and Vera Gill either side of baby boy (Derek). Captioned on left 'Derek, 3 months, 1944 (July), Ken, Grt Grandma, Grandma and Derek'…
Letter to Vera Gill from French Air Attaché
Is forwarding the insignia for the Croix de Guerre awarded to her husband.
Navigator's certificate
Certificate second class for Flying Officer K Gill.
Letter to Kenneth Gill's father from air ministry
Informs him that , in view of circumstance in which his son was reported missing and believed killed, in the absence of any evidence of survival, his death was now presumed to have occurred on 21 March 1945.
Letter to Vera Gill from the Air Ministry casualty branch
Informs her that the RAF missing research and enquiry service in Germany had recently reported details of the fate of his aircraft and crew. The area of the aircraft crash was identified no trace of any graves were found and it had to be assumed that…
617 Squadron Crest
Copy of 617 Squadron crest with The King's and Chester Herald's signatures.
Letter to Vera Gill from Ministry of Pensions
Informs her of the value of he pension and child allowance as a widow of Flying Officer Kenneth Gill
Kenneth Gill’s observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for K Gill, navigator, covering the period from 17 May 1942 to 21 March 1945 when he was missing on operations. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at…
Part of letter from RAF central depository
Torn off top of letter, reference Flying Officer K Gill
Letter to Vera Gill from RAF central depository
Mentions that they have forwarded Flying Officer K Gill's flying log book.
Letter from Princess Elizabeth
Noted that kind friends had sent gifts of food at the time of her wedding. Asks recipient to accept distributed gift parcel.
Letter to Kenneth Gill from J Derbyshire
Writes that he had being trying to get hold of him by telephone and congratulates his on decoration.
Letter to Ken Gill from J Derbyshire
Letter from colleague who was an instructor at Syerson. Glad to hear that Ken was settling down at Woodhall Spa and catches up with news and gossip of friends and family.
Letter to Vera Gill from OC 617 Squadron
Provides confirmation that her husband was missing as a result of air operations on 21 March 1945. Explains circumstances of loss of aircraft and states it was unlikely that any crew survived. Comments that her husband had completed 45 operations.…
Kenneth Gill 1941 Architect's and builder's diary
Occasional daily inputs. Mentions going to Lords (initial aircrew) in July, Leuchars for training in late July then back to London. Mentions some flying experiences in November.
Letter from Kenneth Gill to his girlfriend
Describe his life and activities while in London as u/t pilot. Comments on photograph she sent, an upcoming event and visit to a fortune teller. Catches up with news of friends and says photographs are on their way. Continues on with loving…
Kenneth Gill 1942 Diary
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…