Browse Items (1151 total)

  • Tags: military service conditions

PPayneG1702.jpg
Geoff Payne has his first experience of the Royal Air Force with the Air Training Corps, at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire, where he had one of his first experiences of military humour. He joined in 1943 at the age of 17 and a half hoping to become a…

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APetersC150428.mp3
Cyril Peters joined the Royal Air Force at Cambridge in 1940 and trained as a pilot in Canada and the United States. On his return to Great Britain he served as an instructor before flying operations as a pilot with 77 Squadron. He became a teacher…

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APoynterAD180416.mp3
Having worked in her father’s garage, Audrey was called up, aged 17½, and joined the Royal Air Force. After RAF Padgate, she did some square-bashing at Gloucester before going to RAF Halton. She was taught to change plugs, replace faulty studs and…

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APriceSTG151001.mp3
Gwynne Price was living a rural lifestyle until he volunteered for the RAF. His dream was to train as an RAF pilot but since there was a surplus of pilots he chose to train instead as a flight engineer. On operations Gwyn observed the surreal feeling…

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ARobinsonH150527.mp3
Hilary Robinson grew up in Yorkshire and volunteered for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She trained as a driver and served at RAF Elsham Wolds and at 1 Group Headquarters at Bawtry Hall. She married and lived on a farm after the war.

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David Rose was born in Swanage, Dorset. His father had been in the Medical Corps during the First World War and suffered ill health afterwards. David believed his father had as much reason to be on the War Memorial as his two brothers who died during…

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Geoff Rushton worked as a bank clerk before he volunteered for the Air Force. He trained as a navigator in Canada and after crewing up flew 20 operations with 15 Squadron from RAF Mildenhall. He and his crew were then posted to 186 Squadron at RAF…

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YStavesME203137v1.pdf
Copy of a day by day diary kept by Malcolm Staves from 26th April 1943 to 6th January 1945. Covers training, lectures, gardening and cleaning tasks. Also covers his social life and home leave.

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AScottSO150904.mp3
Seymour Owen Scott (usually referred to as Owen) served as a Lancaster pilot during the war. He mentions always having a passion for flying since he was a little boy. Owen remembers training, in Canada and the United States, to become a flying boat…

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-01.jpg
He writes that his leave date has been changed.

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-02.jpg
Writes that he has passed his exams and has been promoted to Sergeant. He is also moving to a new station in Lincolnshire.

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Writes of life while training at Newquay and chides wife for not writing. Catches up with family news. Complains about training and mentions leave possibilities. Pleased to hear progress with shelter.

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-040001.jpg
Writes of his arrival and training at Babbacombe, Torquay. Writes of weather, accommodation, other nationalities and that he has been appointed orderly for his section.

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He writes that he has returned back to camp and starts work in the morning.

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Writes of glorious weather and catches up with family news, affairs and son's health. Mentions first exam and possibility of leave in 6 weeks time.

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-130002.jpg
States he has moved several times in the last week but he has finally been crewed up. Mentions his captain, Flying Officer Stammers and that his crew seem nice blokes. On the reverse address for Wynn and Son registered plumbers.

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-140001.jpg
Thanks her for letter and mentions he has done a lot of flying but no operations yet. Is expecting to go for commissioning interview soon. Expresses concern over son's cold.

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-150001.jpg
He writes complaining about the war and those running it and what should happen to them. Mentions upcoming visit home. Says that he did not hear Churchill's speech as he was on guard duty but comments on it after reading it in the papers. Writes of…

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-16.jpg
He writes that he is coming home on leave and that he has taken part in another bombing operation to Duisburg.

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-17.jpg
Part of letter mentioning that he is not enthusiastic about a change. Writes he is browned off after returning from leave. Asks after his boys.

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ASmithNW160625.mp3
Norman Smith was a rear gunner on Lancasters operating from RAF Kirmington. His most vivid memory is of the cold of long journeys. On one occasion he blinked and felt ice in his eyes. On one occasion they missed their airfield and went to Elsham…

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EWynnIAWynnK410329-0001.jpg
Thanks her for parcel and states he has received first pay. Asks after his son and goes on to describe training and food. Discusses financial affairs and mentions other nationalities that are training.

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EWynnIAWynnK410403-0002.jpg
Writes of being busy and receiving inoculations. Says he is going to Newquay next.

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EWynnIAWynnK410425-0001.jpg
Thanks for parcel and cake. Enquires whether possible to bring son to Newquay and discusses finances. Mentions examinations he is taking and daily routine. End of letter is missing.

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EWynnIAWynnK410430-0002.jpg
Thanks her for letter and mentions a car. Writes of exams and results. Mentions rain and going to Penzance. Complains about mail and raises possibility of her visiting.

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