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Memories of RAF Elvington
Posted to motor transport section of 77 Squadron at RAF Elvington in November 1942. Writes of duties, location and social activities. Mentions commanders and feeling part of the squadron. Posted to RAF Sandtoft in 1944. Gives dates of service June…
Interview with June Pauline Brandon
June Brandon was born in India, returning to England when her father died. She joined the WAAF and went into the Photographic Section, loading cameras on Spitfires then carrying out development of the films. She served at several RAF stations,…
JF Neilson's memoir
Growing Up -The Hard Way WAR -1939
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
Jim Allen's 1944 Diary
A diary recording events during 1944. Includes detailed notes on operations, military life, the weather etc.
Letter to Mrs Cahir from Jim Cahir
Jim writes to his mother and brother of his period of leave in Bath and Reading describing the places he has visited, relatives he has met and stayed with. He mentions minor aspects of service life and service friends.
Interview with Joyce Bell
Joyce Bell grew up in Hertfordshire and joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in 1940. She served as a clerk in 1 Group Bomber Command where she met her husband and she travelled with him to Canada where he was posted.
Good Show Roger Squared
A story based on the service of Lancaster ME746 AS-R2 (Roger Squared). There is a slightly shorter version included.
Luggage Label from Jo
The luggage label has Jo's address on one side and a good luck message on the other.
Jack Crawford's trip book
![YCrawfordJ[Ser#-DoB]v1.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1918/45594/YCrawfordJ[Ser -DoB]v1.jpg "YCrawfordJ[Ser#-DoB]v1.pdf")
Covering the period 3 December 1941 to 1945 it details Jack's initial training, sailing from New Zealand to Canada and subsequent train journey, visiting a fox farm, canoeing, taking exams and getting the results and trips in the snow. Qualifying as…
Itinerary
![YCrawfordJ[Ser#-DoB]v3.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1918/45665/YCrawfordJ[Ser -DoB]v3.jpg "YCrawfordJ[Ser#-DoB]v3.jpg")
First entries of Jack's journal describing his time as ground staff, refuelling and starting aircraft, taking, and passing the aircrew entrance exams and waiting to sail.
This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No…
This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No…
Interview with Harvey Hayward Bawden
Harvey Bawden, from Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942 at the age of eighteen. After initial training school and assessment as an air gunner, he was shipped to England via the United States. After…
Women’s Auxiliary Air Force Officers' School Initial Course no 55, "A" Flight
A group of women arranged in three rows at Rutland Hall, Loughborough. Each woman is named underneath. A/S/O Imming is underlined and handwritten beside it is 'my mother'. Annotated on the front is 'My love to 55 CF Seabrook Fl/Off' and…
Interview with George Crooks
George Crooks was an apprentice electrician before volunteering for the Royal Air Force at the age of eighteen. After his training he served as an armourer with 50 Squadron at RAF Swinderby and later RAF Skellingthorpe. He later worked experimenting…
Interview with Frank Dell
Frank Dell’s father was a member of the Royal Flying Corps during the First World War and so it was perhaps inevitable that Frank would share the fascination with aviation and a desire to fly. As a teenager Frank witnessed the aerial battles of the…
Interview with Bill Macrae
Bill McRae’s earliest memories were of the end of the First World War. He worked for a major bank during the Depression and was fortunate to be amongst a group of Australians who were sent to work in London. He volunteered at Australia House and…
Interview with John Henry Thomas
John Thomas was born in Australia and joined the RAF in 1943. After doing his initial training in Australia he travelled to the UK via America. Further training, including an accident and night vision tests, led to 102 Squadron and a full tour of…
Interview with Gillie Street
Gillie Street was born in Aglionby, Carlisle, and spent her early childhood in Tyneside before moving back to Cumberland, aged eleven. Gillie recalls attending grammar school in Brampton and her first flying experience on a Barnstormer. Upon leaving…
John Martin's memoir
The story of John Martin's last operation, how he was shot down, escaped the aircraft and was captured. He was interrogated at Dulag Luft in Frankfurt then transferred to various Stalg Luft camps. His story covers in his life until he was repatriated…
Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula
Writes of his experiences at Receiving Centre. Includes account of journey back to centre. Says it was good to see her. Continues with description of activities and fellow trainees. Includes humorous account of being sorted by religion.
Postcard from John Valentine to his wife Ursula
Number 53 110. Writes that final party from Stalag Luft 3 arrived along with some mail and photographs. Welcomes his parents in law home and mentions seeing German medical officer who could not find cause of his trouble over sense of taste and smell.…
Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula
Number 65-122. He writes about Ursula purchasing a new house for them and discusses financial matters. Mentions new British medical officer and treatment he is receiving. Sends request for contents in Swiss contacts to arrange for Rolex watches to be…
Postcard from John Valentine to his wife Ursula
Number 146-3. List her letters that have arrived. Anxious for news of new house. Mentions weather and seeing British medical officer. Feels fit despite lack of exercise.
Letter from John Valentine to his wife Ursula
Number 159-16. Comments on lack of mail. Writes of receiving books from Sweden and practising violin in incinerator. Comments on health and excellent treatment by medical officer. Requests more photographs of house, daughter and her. Asks if she…
John Shipman's 1946 RAF Diary
John's day by day record of his work at RAF Maipur. It covers the RAF 'strike' and his return to the UK
Interview with D Jones
D Jones was born in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica. He volunteered for the RAF and went on the SS Cuba to the United States, crossing the Atlantic to Liverpool in June 1944. He went to a former Butlins holiday camp in Filey - there, as ground…