Browse Items (1240 total)

  • Tags: military living conditions

EHoganPJHoganM441110-0001.jpg
Writes of his panned activity to initiate their new English flight engineer into their Australian crew. Discusses best ways to send mail. Mentions other mail received and current weather. Writes of conditions on his station and that they were keen…

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SHoganPJ436464v20009.pdf
Recounts his attendance at an annual RAAF Air Crew Europe Dinner in September 1979 where the quest speaker was Donald Bennett. He then recounts his activities and training from July 1944 at Lichfield where he was crewed up and subsequently Church…

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BPotterPLPotterPLv40003.jpg
Mention action on getting caught in searchlights, effects of altitude on aircrew, avoiding bombs from above, encounters with B-17 while on operations and getting a bottle of Bourbon from the American crew later. Mentions encounter with probable…

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PRosserLV19010026.jpg
Bill for renewing two broken panes of obscure glass to door panel in N.C.O. Hut No 4 Site, RAF Edgehill (RAF Shenington). Made out to Warrant Officers Smith and Rosser. Annotated payment received 20 April 1944.

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PCharltonR1603.jpg
Ray wanted to join Bomber Command but after going to RAF Paignton, he was re-mustered and went to RAF Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey where he decided to train as a flight engineer. He was posted to Bridlington and this was followed by a six-month…

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AColensoF170522.mp3
Frank Colenso grew up in Cornwall and worked for a local newspaper at the outbreak of the war. He recalls the return of injured survivors from Dunkirk into Falmouth Bay. He joined the local defence volunteers following the bombing of Falmouth and…

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ABaileyLMM151006.mp3
Lillian Margaret Bailey volunteered for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and after a brief time in RAF Balloon Command was trained as a driver. She served at RAF Elsham Wolds driving aircrews out to their aircraft.

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PWalkerWE1601.jpg
Wilberforce Emmanuel Walker, known as Danny, was born in Jamaica and he joined the Royal Air Force in June 1944.
After becoming a Junior Clerk at the Post Office in Jamaica, Danny arrived in England in 1944 was based in Filey in Yorkshire, where he…

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ABradleyG180724.mp3
Grace Bradley lived on Boothferry Road in Hull and remembers the bombing of Hull during the war. She was a shorthand typist and worked for a local timber importer. She joined the WAAF and as a typist she typed the reports given by the returning…

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PTillbrookEHA1603.jpg
Ernest Hector Angelo Pedrazzini was the son of an Italian father and an English mother. After the war he changed his name to Tillbrook. Ernie’s father escaped from a prison camp during the First World War and finding his way to Russia and…

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BThickettPSaundersEJv10006.jpg
Sam at work and play in the snow.
Photo 1 is Sam at the navigator's station on an Anson.
Photo 2 and 4 snowy landscapes from an Anson.
Photo 3 is an air to air of the starboard side of an Anson.
Photo 5 is an ice hockey team resting.
Photo 6 is…

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BThickettPSaundersEJv10012.jpg
Some details about operations carried out by Sam after he transferred to 40 squadron.
Photo 1 is a vertical aerial photograph partly obscured by tracer fire.
Photo 2 is the 40 squadron crest.
Photo 3 is Sam in shorts and tee shirt in front of a…

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PGildersleveG1601.jpg
Gladys Gildersleve was working for a laboratory when she decided to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She began her training at RAF Bridgenorth and at RAF Morecambe. Her first posting was to barrage balloons at Swansea Docks. She eventually…

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PCookKHH1601.jpg
Wing Commander Kenneth Cook was born in Randwick in Gloucestershire. At Marlings grammar school, he joined the Air Training Corps. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Air Force and went to America under the Arnold Scheme for pilot training.…

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BHopgoodPMHopgoodPDv1.pdf
The detailed biography begins with government measures at the start of National Service. Philip Hopgood volunteered and enlisted at Padgate, Warrington. He was classified as medically Grade 1. Initial training was at RAF Regent's Park (Lord's Cricket…

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BBaxterPDBaxterPDv1.pdf
The detailed and wide ranging story of Peter Baxter's service in the RAF from an Airframe Apprentice to Flight Engineer Leader.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-04.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about life in the Royal Air Force whilst undergoing basic training in Blackpool.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-05.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes of his life towards the end of his basic training for the Royal Air Force basic in Blackpool. He mentions Morse code training and that he has been accepted for aircrew.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-14.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about life in the at Royal Air Force Hixon including Women's Auxiliary Air Force personnel and the terrible camp conditions.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-15.pdf
The letter contains gossip and complaints over letter writing shortcomings of his correspondents. Mentions work in signals section at Royal Air Force Inverness and that he is hoping to come south for leave.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-170001.jpg
Peter Lamprey writes that he is beginning to like Royal Air Force Inverness and then several comments catching up with friends. He concludes by requesting any old books and magazines be sent for his fellow servicemen to read.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-18.pdf
Peter lamprey writes from RAF Inverness unhappy about his life including backwoods training. He goes on with banter to acquaintances and asks his friends to write back.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-260001.jpg
Peter Lamprey writes that he is at a new station, Royal Air Force Lindholme. He comments that the station is modern and comfortable but that the food bad and it is a long way to the nearest town.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-31.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about an operation to Leipzig and that lack of funds reduced enjoyment of a recent night in town but this situation would be rectified next time.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-32.pdf
Peter Lamprey commences his letter reporting that there had been a lull in operations and several visits to town as a result. Authorities had instituted physical education but crews were resisting. Letter is concluded later after a bombing operation…

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