Browse Items (1240 total)

  • Tags: military living conditions

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Three-page handwritten letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry writes about life in the RAF at his station in Yorkshire including observers being posted to Scotland, training and his social life in Doncaster.

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A letter from Harry Redgrave to Jessie. Harry writes about how wonderful RAF Waddington is with good food, entertainment and a wonderful atmosphere. He has been told he will be a navigator bomb aimer straight away.

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A letter from Harry Redgrave to Jessie. Harry writes about returning to base, further training and life at the station.

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Ted grew up in Essex. Before the war he worked for the Marconi Wireless and Telegraph Company. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1940 and became an instrument mechanic. He was posted to RAF Elsham Wolds in 1942 and overseas the following year. After…

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Alma Leedham grew up in London and worked for Hawker aircraft on the Hurricane at the start of the war . She later trained as a driver in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. She served at RAF Scampton driving tractors taking bombs to the aircraft.…

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Fiona mainly lived in Southampton. On leaving school she had a job for two years but as soon as she was 17 and a half she volunteered for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and became a wireless operator. She was posted to the far north of Scotland…

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Vera was born in the Myrtha Tydfil area of Wales. Vera went to the grammar school at Chepstow before getting work in the cashier’s office at the Royal Navy Propellant Factory. After joining the Women's Auxilliary Air Force, Vera was posted to…

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Writes from Washington Irving Hotel, Stratford on Avon thanking them for parcel and letter and discussing clothing requirements. Discusses food in canteen and difficulties of washing enough socks. Mentions further inoculations and problems with…

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Writes from Washington Irving Hotel, Stratford on Avon noting that he had moved to hotel they have meals at. Mentions he is up on fire picket and talks of meals. Writes that he is leaving Saturday to I.T.W, most likely St Andrews in Scotland.…

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Writes from Grand Hotel Scarborough 10 I.T.W. about his maths and anti gas exams, and starting navigation lessons. He also writes about playing games on the beach at Scarborough against the other flights, going to a concert, meeting his old school…

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On the front a photograph of the Grand Hotel above the beach with Scarborough in the background. On the reverse he thanks parents for letter and chocolate and other items. Request they send pyjamas. Speaks of weather and upcoming examinations.…

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Writes about laundry he is sending home, the fine weather, duties as wing spotter/fire piquet [sic], Continues about food, walking, local amenities, an overnight storm and starting navigation training.

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Title 'The Sands, South Bay, Scarborough' In the foreground a beach and sea with boats and people bathing. Behind the beach the ground rises. On the left a large multistory hotel and to the right other buildings. On the reverse, addressed to his…

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Writes of Morse exam then navigation, big meal, a wedding attended and going to the beach. Talks of money and how he spends his days. Goes on to write about training, class photographs, his laundry and requests from other people for letters.

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Written from Swift Current, Saskatchewan and apologises for not writing earlier but has been very busy. Thanks them for birthday greetings and writes about money. Writes that he has bought camera and about first snow. Says they have started flying…

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Cannot understand why they have received so few letters from him and lists those he has sent. Continues that he has finished final examinations and describes navigation exam. States that they other exams and in particular theory of flight for which…

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Written from Swift Current. Writes that snow has prevented flying and they have little to do as examinations are over but some people have failed them. Mentions that the C.G.I relented on the resit of the engines examination. Discusses future course…

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Written from Swift Current and states he has passed examinations and gives scores. Writes that he is pleased to be going Medicine Hat on twins along with most of his room mates. States when he is moving and but before that they are redeploying…

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Writes from Medicine Hat thanking them for letters and asking them to continue writing; he is unable to reciprocate due to work load. Started flying Harvard and does not think it is worth waiting for next course on Oxford. Writes about flying,…

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Writes that he has now moved to Winslow, Cheshire and about his journey and activities after arrival. There is little to do and passes available for Manchester and surrounding towns. Mentions meeting and old friend and more on activities as well as…

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Writes from Swift Current that they still have not started flying. They have been issued with text books on flying and are doing lots of sports. Mentions the weather and the time his latest letter took to get from England. States that they will get…

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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…

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William was five years old when war was declared. He lived on a farm in north Lincolnshire not far from RAF Kirton in Lindsey, RAF Scampton, RAF Hibaldstow, RAF Blyton, RAF Sandtoft and RAF Sturgate. An anti-aircraft unit was also nearby. William…

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He wishes her a Happy Birthday and reminisces about when they met eleven years previously. Mentions that he went to the pictures and catches up with family news.
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