Browse Items (30 total)
- Collection: Bratley, Harold W
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Photomontage
Montage showing various members of Bratley family with caption 'Happy Christmas 2000'. Includes photograph of Harold in uniform at the bottom.
Letter to Mrs Bratley
Informs her of news that Vichy government had made a statement that a twin engine landed in France the last Saturday and the crew who had set fire to their aircraft had been interned.
Man between two woman
A man wearing jacket and check jumper sitting on a bench between two women. Houses and buildings in the background.
Telegram to Mrs Bratley
Informs her that her husband was now safe.
Grainthorpe bride for Mablethorpe
Newspaper cutting with b/w photograph of wedding party for marriage of Harold Bratley to Miss Sally Borman.
Man climbing into rear cockpit
A man wearing white flying suit and helmet climbing into the rear cockpit of an aircraft. A man with glasses already sitting in front cockpit.
Harold Bratley
Head and shoulders portrait of an RAF officer wearing tunic with wireless operator brevet, medal ribbons including DFC, pathfinder badge, and peaked cap.
Path Finder badge award
Certifies that H W Bratley qualified for Path Finder force badge. Signed by Donald Bennett AOC Pathfinders.
Harold Bratley school report
School report from Louth Wesleyan Methodist Chapel School for April 1918. List all subjects and marks. Notes he was top of his class.
Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross for acting Flight Lieutenant Harold William Bratley
On second tour of operations had completed 45 sorties, 24 as Pathfinder. Describes his qualities and recounts his escape from interment after forced landing during his first tour and making his way back home.
Newspaper cutting - D.F.C for old Ludensian
Announces that his parents from Louth had received news that their son Flight Lieutenant Harold William Bratley had been awarded the DFC. Gives details of former employment. Mentions that on his first tour he and crew came down in occupied enemy…
H W Bratley - personnel documents
List promotions to flight lieutenant and award of DFC. Award of Path Finder badge at 7 Squadron. Some pay details and postings.
Sergeant Blaydon
An airman wearing flying suit, helmet, harness and life preserver sitting in the entrance to cockpit inside an aircraft. On the reverse 'Sgt Blaydon ("BB"), 2cd W/Op)'.
Sergeant Goldingay
An airman wearing flying suit, parachute harness and flying helmet inside the fuselage of an aircraft. On the reverse 'Sgt Goldingay ("Goldy")(Observer).'
Description of operation
Relates experience of pilot trying to get control of their Wellington which had iced up. Writes of trying to get front gunner out of his turret and putting his torch inside his clothing as he would need it to signal for assistance. Once pilot got…
Reunion Dinner
German language menu for reunion dinner Luftwaffe, 7 Squadron held July 25th 1984. Held at Flufhafenrestaurant Bonn-Hangelar.
Harold Bratley service record
Gives personal details and list of postings. Notes at one stage missing believed intered.
Six aircrew
Six airmen wearing uniform (one with flying jacket) standing by the rear fuselage of a Wellington. On the reverse '1. P/O Moody (rear gunner), 2 ? (W/Op) 3. [.....] (observer), 4 Sgt [....], 5. Sgt Hudson, 6 "Stu"'.
German language leaflet
Front page has map with aircraft flying from USA to England, England to Germany and Germany to Russia.
Harrold Bratley - biography
Relates early life and employment before the war. Was RAF reserve and was called up at beginning of the war. Mentions training including operational training unit before joining 9 Squadron. Includes letter describing in some detail his first…
Notes for the general information and guidance of the next-of-kin or other relatives of airmen reported missing, deceased, prisoners-of-war or interned
For airmen missing or deceased covers dealing with private effects, family allowance, pay and pensions.
Letter to Mrs H W Bratley from RAF records office
Confirms that her husband was missing believed interned in occupied France. Mentioned that his aircraft was believed to have force landed owing to engine failure.
Letter to Mrs Bratley from RAF records office
Confirms that her husband had arrived safely in Gibraltar. Two copies of same letter.
Letter from MOD medal office
Covers awards enclosed and states that they represent the full outstanding medal entitlement. If he had not received a medal he had expected, it was because the qualifying criteria were not met.
Poem written on post card by Harold
Six verse poem about six man crew flying operations. Annotated 'written by Harold during flight to Cologne'.