Browse Items · IBCC Digital Archive

John Joyner's scrap book

A log book used as a scrap book. The photographs and documents cover his aircrew training from November 1943. It has sergeant's mess subscription cards, photographs, correspondence and cuttings.
Many of the entries are post war and a number refer…

Interview with Martin Edwards

Martin Edwards recounts the war-time stories of his father, Frederick Edwards. Frederick was born in Kent in 1923, and lived on the family farm. He joined the RAF in 1943 as was posted to Canada for training as a navigator. On his return to England,…

Tags: 101 Squadron; aircrew; bombing; bombing of Dresden (13 - 15 February 1945); C-47; Lancaster; navigator; Operation Manna (29 Apr – 8 May 1945); RAF Elsham Wolds; training

Interview with John Norrington

John Norrington was a lorry driver when he volunteered for the Royal Air Force. After initial training, he went to RAF Sandtoft on Lancasters and Halifaxes; he crewed up with Flying Officer James, then was at RAF Hemswell for the Lancaster Finishing…

Interview with Robert Whymark

Robert Whymark’s father John ‘Jack’ Whymark took part in three tours of operations. Initially Jack was trained as a mechanic and was posted to 17 Squadron at RAF Debden and RAF Martlesham Heath. He then volunteered for aircrew and trained as a…

Keith Thompson's diary for 1944

Keith Thompson was a navigator on operations with 101 Squadron, at RAF Ludford Magna flying Lancasters at the start of 1944. He completed his first tour on 31st May, was at 28 OTU from 17th June to 23 July, then 30 OTU as a staff navigator at RAF…

Tags: 101 Squadron; 1659 HCU; 28 OTU; 30 OTU; aircrew; entertainment; Halifax; Heavy Conversion Unit; Lancaster; military living conditions; military service conditions; navigator; Operational Training Unit; RAF Hixon; RAF Ludford Magna; RAF Topcliffe; RAF Wymeswold; training; Wellington

Keith Thompson's diary from July 1943 to January 1944

Keith Thompson was a sergeant navigator under training at the start of this period at 28 OTU at RAF Castle Donington, then on to a holding unit for a month. After that on to 1662 CU at RAF Blyton flying the Lancaster, until 7 November when he was…

Tags: 101 Squadron; 28 OTU; aircrew; entertainment; Gee; Lancaster; military living conditions; military service conditions; navigator; Operational Training Unit; RAF Blyton; RAF Castle Donington; RAF Ludford Magna; training