Browse Items (1151 total)

  • Tags: military service conditions

PFeltonM2201.jpg
Monty grew up in Croydon and became an articled accountant in London before joining the RAF. Training at the Initial Training Wing in Torquay was followed by RAF Bishops Court in Northern Ireland and RAF Kinloss, which had a flight simulation room.…

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EChisholmePDonaldsonDW450612.jpg
Writes of the impending disestablishment of 100 Group and telling a little of the history. Goes on to say that he has opened a subscription list for a leaving presentation or the A.O.C. Suggest £1.00 for wing commanders and above and 10 shillings…

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BFieldPLFieldPLv1.pdf
Starts with account of life at school (Rendcomb College) from 1931 to 1937. Continues with decade 1938-1948 starting with time at Cheltenham Art School in 1938 and 1939. Continues with account of wartime activity including enlistment, training at RAF…

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EHoganPJHoganDH450120-0001.jpg
Writes that he has settled down at new station and that they are now with an Australian squadron who are more easy going that the English. Comments on good conditions on new station. Mentions stating his accountancy course and that they are deep in…

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EHoganPJHoganKG450126-0001.jpg
Thanks him for airgram and apologises for not replying sooner. Says that he had been mucked about after doing a lot of flying and then being posted to an Australian squadron. Catches up with news and gossip asking how he was getting on. Continues by…

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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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MPotterPL1878961-150914-27.jpg
Account of Peter Potter's experiences following signing up to join the RAF.

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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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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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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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MGilbertAC186764-161013-07.jpg
A story about false signals from Monica radar.

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MGilbertAC186764-161013-08.jpg
A description of an operation over Berlin when the crew had to travel with all their personal kit because they were transferring to a new airfield.

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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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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, Gloucestershire. Whist 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…

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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]-01.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about his basic airman’s training and social life in the Royal Air Force whilst stationed in Blackpool.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-02.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about basic airman’s training and his life in the Royal Air Force whilst stationed in Blackpool. He concludes with some speculation about taking his gunnery course as all other courses are full.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-03.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about his life undergoing basic airman’s training whilst stationed in Blackpool. He makes comments on cross country running and problems with various sergeant trainers.

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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]-060001.jpg
Peter Lamprey writes that he is now officially in the Royal Air Force. He passed his aircrew medical. He is stationed in Blackpool North Shore and will not be getting any leave soon.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[date]-07.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes that he has reached the end of his Royal Air Force training course in Blackpool and has passed his final test. He is awaiting posting and will inform friends as soon as he knows where he will be going.

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