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Letter to Mrs Bratley from RAF records office
Confirms that her husband had arrived safely in Gibraltar. Two copies of same letter.
Emergency travel certificate
Issued to Harold William Bratley by H M Consul General Barcelona to certify he was a British subject for journey to United Kingdom via Portugal.
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 - observer's and air gunner's flying log book
H W Batley’s Flying Log Book covering the period from 06 August 1940 to 20 February 1945 detailing his flying training and operations flown as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. The log book includes a long account of how he evaded after being shot down…
Frank Dennis' memoir
In 1943 Frank completed an engineering apprenticeship and volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as a flight engineer. He completed basic training in London, where he witnessed the fatal crash of a C-47 and then went to Initial Training Wing at RAF…
Identification photos
Half portraits of Jack in civilian clothes. On the right Jack is holding a sign reading P/O Whymark. On the reverse, 'Photos carried in case shot down. Resistance would make ID cards. European clothing supplied by MK Theatres'.
Interview with Dougie Marsh
![SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v610006.mp3](/omeka/application/views/scripts/images/fallback-audio.png "SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v610006.mp3")
Interview in three parts.
Part 1.
Doug Marsh was the son of a Royal Navy officer and moved around quite a bit as a child between Kent and Lincolnshire. When his father retired from the Navy his parents bought a fish and chip shop in Grimsby but…
Part 1.
Doug Marsh was the son of a Royal Navy officer and moved around quite a bit as a child between Kent and Lincolnshire. When his father retired from the Navy his parents bought a fish and chip shop in Grimsby but…
Evading compass
A small compass with a star rotor which accompanied Derek during his service career. Additional information about this item has been provided by the donor.
Holten in Oorlogstjd (1984) - Holten in Wartime
A detailed account of the night's events leading to the shooting down of a Lancaster over the Netherlands.
Escape Map of Germany
A small scale map of Germany issued to airmen to assist in evasion and escape.
Escape Map of France, Netherlands and Belgium
A small scale map issued to airmen to help in evasion and escape.
Interview with John Albert Taplin
John volunteered to join the RAF in 1940 wanting to become aircrew as a wireless operator as he had an interest in early radios. While awaiting his aircrew application to be processed he did his initial training at Blackpool and then onto RAF…
Spanish, Frebch, Dutch, and German phrase book
Noted not to be produced in public; a list of phrases in German, Spanish, French and Dutch.
Letter from Les Pickford to his mother
He has escaped from the camp and is now with the British Army.
Les Pickford's 1943 Diary
Les' record of his time as a prisoner of war. Lots of sport and camp plays and musicals. He escaped in September when Italy made peace with the Allies. He describes his journey to British lines then back home.
German Truck Notice
A photograph of a notice removed from the back of a German truck.
It is captioned 'This is a photo of a notice on the back of a German army truck. The notice was brought back to Woodhall Spa by an Officer who was shot down & "walked home".'
It is captioned 'This is a photo of a notice on the back of a German army truck. The notice was brought back to Woodhall Spa by an Officer who was shot down & "walked home".'
List of phrases
A booklet with vocabulary translated into German, Spanish, French and Dutch.
The booklet was to assist downed airmen evading or escaping.
The booklet was to assist downed airmen evading or escaping.
Crash and Crew of Lancaster ND533
A list of the crew that perished during the crash.
Flying Officer Philip Derek Hemmens
Head and shoulders of Phil Hemmens with his name annotated on the front.
On the reverse 'Survived crash -died in Buchenwald. 152583. Bomb aimer. Willie. F/O Phil Hemmens'.
On the reverse 'Survived crash -died in Buchenwald. 152583. Bomb aimer. Willie. F/O Phil Hemmens'.
Pierre Madry raises his Hat to the Crew of a British Bomber
An account of the crash of Lancaster ND533 written by Pierre Madry. It is followed by an address given by Air Commodore Eustace at a ceremony for the crew of the Lancaster.
Finally there is an address by Abbe Plante, parish priest of Lyons-la-Foret,…
Finally there is an address by Abbe Plante, parish priest of Lyons-la-Foret,…
The Diary of an Airman
Jack's record of events after his aircraft was shot down over France.
Letter to Jack Pittwood from RAF Escaping Society
The letter explains the Society's activities, accounts, objects, committee members, awards, donations, financial statement, correspondence and creation of sub-branches.
Letter to Jack Pittwood's Father from Air Ministry
The letter advises that Jack has arrived in a neutral country.
Telegram to Jack Pittwood's Father from Air Ministry
The telegram advises that Jack has arrived in the United Kingdom.