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Interview with Ted Stocker. Three
Ted joined the air force in January 1938 as an apprentice at RAF Halton. This was accelerated because of the war, and he was posted to RAF Boscombe Down.
Although he wanted to be a pilot, Ted’s skills were needed as a flight engineer. He was…
Although he wanted to be a pilot, Ted’s skills were needed as a flight engineer. He was…
Interview with Ted Stocker. Two
Edward Ernest Stocker (Ted) began his service with the RAF as a flight engineer on Halifaxes. He came to the attention of his Commanding Officer on his second operation when, before departure, he warned that they were carrying insufficient fuel to…
Interview with Thomas Fisher
Thomas Fisher trained initially as a fitter in the RAF. When the Air Ministry announced that flight engineers were needed from the ranks of the ground mechanics he volunteered for training. The CO was surprised that he volunteered and asked him if it…
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 Thomas Marchant
Tom Marchant had always wanted to fly and at eighteen joined the RAF as a Wireless Operator Air Gunner but was remustered as Flight Engineer after his initial postings to Warrington and Squires Gate Airfield, Blackpool. He describes his very first…
Interview with Thomas Waller
Thomas Waller volunteered for the Royal Air Force and hoped to be a driver. However, he undertook training as an armourer and was based initially at the Special Operations Executive 138 Squadron. He was posted to RAF Stradishall, RAF Wyton and RAF…
Interview with Vera Clachers
Vera Clachers volunteered for the WAAF for the experience and the adventure. She was selected for training as an electrician and was trained at RAF Melksham. She was posted to RAF North Coates. At first she was given the poorest jobs but then began…
Interview with Victor Harding
An oral history interview with Leading Aircraftsman Victor Harding.
Interview with Victor Stapley
Victor Stapley was born in Ilford in Essex, where he was fond of playing cricket. He left school at fifteen and worked at a tobacco company. He then became a shipping manager, a job which involved shipping spaces whilst not having any telephones in…
Interview with Vivian David Williams
Vivian joined the Royal Air Force in July 1938 as a flight mechanic and served for seven and a half years. After square drills at RAF Uxbridge and a course at RAF Manston, he did a basic engineering course at RAF Henlow. After six months at RAF St…
Interview with William Arthur Coulton
William Coulton was born in Derbyshire and worked as an errand boy for the Co-Op until he joined the Royal Air Force in 1943, aged 18. He trained as a flight mechanic and was posted to 115 Squadron at RAF Witchford where he worked on Lancasters. He…
Interview with William Bryan
William Bryan reminisces being hit by a German fighter and anti-aircraft fire while mine laying the Kiel Bay. The rest of the tour was a reasonably quiet time, consisting mainly of operations in the run-up of the Normandy campaign. Describes bombing…
Interview with William Bullock
William Bullock was born in Marshfield in Gloucestershire in September 1916 and joined the Royal Air Force as an apprentice in 1932. He was posted to Egypt for training - after serving in the Middle East he joined Bomber Command as an engineer. After…
Interview with William Joseph Longhurst
William Longhurst served as an engine mechanic through the Second World War. He was a member of the Hackney Wick Air Defence Cadet Corps before volunteering to enlist in the RAF after his seventeenth birthday. Following basic training at Skegness,…
Interview with William Taylor
William Taylor joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 as ground crew. He remustered as an air gunner and flew operations with 103 Squadron from RAF Elsham Wolds, flying Lancasters. His Aircraft was attacked and shot down by a night fighter in July 1944.…
Italy
Album page, five photographs, first is of Jack with another SNCO, urban street scene in background, captioned 'Rome 1945'. Reverse captioned 'Rome May 1945, Darling, as I was when peace was declared in Europe, yours as always Jack xxx'.
Second is…
Second is…
Italy
Two photographs, first is of Jack seated with another individual, wooden building in background, reverse captioned 'Brindisi, Italy March 1945'.
Second is of Jack and nine other individuals, captioned 'March 1945, promoted Sergeant, Brindisi'.
Second is of Jack and nine other individuals, captioned 'March 1945, promoted Sergeant, Brindisi'.
Italy
Five photographs, two are of Jack and Johnny Green afloat in a raft made from aircraft drop tanks, reverse, captioned, 'Johnny Green & self Brindisi - Italy 1944'.
Third is of Jack and another individual on a beach, the reverse captioned 'Brindisi,…
Third is of Jack and another individual on a beach, the reverse captioned 'Brindisi,…
J for Jonny are in disgrace
Two verse poem about the antics of crew of J for Jonny.
Jack and his mother
Four photographs, first head of young woman, reverse captioned Mrs Culkin and an undecipherable address.
Second is of a sailor, upper torso, studio background,
Third is of woman wheeling a pram with a park background.
Fourth is formal portrait…
Second is of a sailor, upper torso, studio background,
Third is of woman wheeling a pram with a park background.
Fourth is formal portrait…
Jack at Brindisi
Jack with ten airmen in overalls, Halifax tail turret as background, reverse captioned '1944 Brindisi, Self & ground crew'.
Jack Culkin at RAF Halton
Formal course photograph of Jacks entry, 17 apprentices in three rows, rifles with fixed bayonets, brick built building in background. The reverse captioned 'Centre front row, R.A.F. Halton 38th entry, Early 1940'.
Jack presented with Bar to L.S.G.C.
Jack with a Group Captain doing the presentation, office background. The reverse captioned 'Award of Bar to L.S.G.C. medal'. Station photographic section date stamp is 31 Oct 1974.
Jack wearing topee
Head and shoulders portrait of Jack, captioned 'Tel Aviv Palestine - July 1942 based at Aqir'. Reverse captioned 'To the best little darling in the world Jack xxx'.
Jack's life and service up to 1942
A memoir by Jack of his life before and service in the R.A.F. up to 1942. Has his comments on postings and events up to 1942.