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Interview with Thomas James Page
Thomas Page grew up in a farming family before joining the Royal Air Force in 1940, training as a flight mechanic. He was initially posted to 257 Squadron (Hurricanes) but soon went to Gloucester to train as a fitter from where he was posted to 71…
Interview with Peter Potter
Peter Potter was born in Fobbing where his grandfather had three farms in Shell Haven. He ran away from home at age 15 and got a job, before volunteering for aircrew, having falsified his date of birth. He talks about his time in London, visiting…
Interview with George Royall
George volunteered to be a pilot but settled for Air Observer. He talks about his selection and training in London and then in Stratford-upon-Avon, where enjoyed the theatre and how, at Brighton, illness separated him from the rest of the course. So,…
Interview with Alan Seagger
Before the war, Alan was an electrical apprentice. He joined the RAF and was posted to RAF Binbrook before being posted overseas. He was at RAF Shallufa for a time and was placed with No. 37 Squadron, who moved to Egypt. There were troops of…
Interview with Barry Smith
Barry passed the RAF’s apprentice entrance examination in February 1945, aged 15, and went to RAF Halton to become an electrician. He discusses the three training which resulted in the First Ordinary National Certificate.
In 1948, Barry was…
In 1948, Barry was…
Interview with Maurice Snowball
Maurice Snowball was born and educated in Sunderland. After school, he served an engineering apprenticeship with a local family firm and was a member of the Home Guard. Maurice was a keen amateur footballer and had hopes of turning professional, but…
Interview with Donald Wallace
Born in Edinburgh, Donald was 14 when war began. As a messenger during the bombing he remembers wanting to get back at Hitler so joined the Royal Navy at 17. He trained at Harwich then joined HMS Hotspur on Atlantic convoy duties. He recalls his…
Interview with James Wright
Jim was a civil servant before joining the Royal Air Force in May 1941. He carried out two tours on 61, 630 and 97 Squadrons. Although he wanted to be a pilot, there was a shortage of navigators. He was called up to Regents Park and then posted to…
Robert Anderson's memoir
Robert Anderson describes his training in Tasmania and Canada, and his tour of operations to targets in France and Germany with 106 Squadron.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Includes news of activity at RAF Cark, including details of night flying and also social activities. He also writes of the invasion in Sicily.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes about night flying, the weather, and his activities on base at RAF Cark.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of the arrangements for his 48 hour leave and the weather.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of the weather and colleagues’ postings and domestic arrangements.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his duties at RAF Cark and domestic and social arrangements.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of life at RAF Cark, his social activities, arrangements for his leave and his colleagues.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his flying duties, the weather and his colleagues.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes about his flying duties and his electric fire.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his duties and colleagues and discusses his law exam.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He mentions the air officer commanding’s visit the following day.
On a training flight with Spitfires
Air-to-air view of a Spitfire taken from a Lancaster cockpit, captioned 'On a training flight with Spitfires'.
Head and shoulders photograph of Kenneth Pope wearing flying helmet, Mae West and parachute harness in a Lancaster cockpit captioned 'Ken…
Head and shoulders photograph of Kenneth Pope wearing flying helmet, Mae West and parachute harness in a Lancaster cockpit captioned 'Ken…
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of the weather and his course.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his posting to RAF Silverstone.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of life at RAF Silverstone and of his colleagues.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of the weather and life at RAF Silverstone.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of activities at RAF Silverstone and encloses a bank statement from the National Provincial Bank Limited showing he is £149.9.7 in credit.