Browse Items (2707 total)

  • Tags: air gunner

SCookeJRA1336866v10006.jpg
A brief biography of Charlie written by his niece, Anne. Charlie was an air gunner on Bob's crew.

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EBartleADwyer [Mrs]430916-0001.jpg
The letter from the wife of a crew member, Sergeant Bartle, asks if she has heard anything about the crew. She has been in touch with Pilot Officer Griffin's wife and Pilot Officer Walsh's wife. Air Gunner Grellier's mother also wrote to her.…

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PVarneyE1501.jpg
Eric Varney completed 28 operations as a mid upper gunner with 207 Squadron from RAF Spilsby. After the war Eric worked as a bus driver, coal miner, long distance lorry driver and coal merchant.

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PFraserDW1504.jpg
David Fraser enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1939 and trained as a mechanic. He re-mustered as soon as he was able and flew four operations as an air gunner with 115 Squadron, before his aircraft was shot down over Hamburg, in May 1941. He spent…

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AIronsH150723.mp3
Harry Irons left a tailoring apprenticeship to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator but became an air-gunner. He describes the uniform he wore and the unreliability of heated suits. He tells of the invention of scarecrows which…

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AHarrisonR151116.mp3
Richard Harrison was born in Cologne in 1924 to a German mother and English father. His desire to be aircrew was thwarted initially by a failed medical, something he later surmises could be on account of his mother’s nationality. A member of the Air…

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AGoughH150922.mp3
Harry Gough, born in Dewsbury, finished school in 1939 aged 14, joined the Air Training Corps in 1941 and volunteered for the Air Force in 1943. He recalls his training as an air gunner and flying over the North Pole. After flying operations he was…

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AHarrisonJ150809.mp3
John Harrison grew up in Yorkshire and worked in the Civil Service before joining the Royal Air Force aged 18. After training, he flew operations as a mid-upper gunner with 106 Squadron from RAF Metheringham before being shot down over Leipzig and…

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AMannionF150910.mp3
Frank Mannion was born in Manchester, and after completing his electrical engineering apprenticeship at Metropolitan Vickers he volunteered for the RAF. Initially, he was ready to train as a pilot but having been told there was a shortage of air…

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AMcNamara150722.mp3
Len McNamara was born in Bristol in 1924. While working as an apprentice plumber, he joined the Air Training Corps and volunteered for aircrew. He discusses his initial training at various stations, the gunnery course he passed with merit and…

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AMusgroveJ150812.mp3
Born in York in 1922, Joseph left school at 14 and started work in a chocolate factory, whilst attending two nights of further education per week. In 1936, a fighter aircraft had landed nearby which stimulated his life-long interest in flying. After…

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PWadeR1503.jpg
Ron was born in Stoke-on-Trent. He left school at 14 and tells of his experiences working in a pottery factory doing odd jobs, until he was called up. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 at the age of 22 and trained as an air gunner at RAF…

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AHambrookHJ180109.mp3
Harry Hambrook was born in Hackney and when he left school he became an office boy. He volunteered for the RAF and became an air gunner. He was posted to 3 Air Gunnery School in RAF Stranraer for gunnery training flying in Ansons. From there he…

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MHayhurstJM2073102-170725-11.pdf
A booklet with information about the progress of the war. This edition covers RAF Bomber Command activities.

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EKnappAWGrayDA[Date]-010001.jpg
His fellow crew member hopes that he becomes operational again.

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MLeeAJP1320246-180714-02.pdf
Arthur John Pugh Lee's memoir of the Battle of Berlin, of being shot down and becoming a prisoner of war. He discusses his role in the de-Nazification trial of Robert Stauch, the Burgomaster of Katzenelnbogen.

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MMaceHA1295485-190314-02.pdf
A notebook kept by Arthur during his time as a prisoner of war. It contains sketches, notes on plays, poems and addresses.

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SMaceHA1295485v30028.jpg
A brief resume of Arthur's work and service in the RAF.

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YMaceHA1295485v1 1.pdf
A diary kept during Arthur's RAF service.
There is a second diary for 1943 only and its contents are identical to the first diary.
A third diary covers 1944.

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EMcPhersonAWoodCE450301.jpg
Giving best wishes on the news that Sergeant Ronald ‘Ron’ Charles Wood, mid upper gunner, 1812665 and Flight Sergeant Ronald 'Tom' Gorton, engineer, 1877467 had both been confirmed as prisoners of war. Confirming that their son, Flight Officer Robert…

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POpenshawB1803-0010.jpg
Three non-commissioned officers wearing side caps standing behind and two officers wearing peaked caps sitting in front. All are wearing tunics with brevet. Ben Openshaw is rear left.

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MCahirFS419441-160608-060001.jpg
RAAF Form issued to Jim Cahir. It details his service record and medals awarded.

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MWarburtonW1067053-160217-01.pdf
Scrapbook prepared by Bernard Clark for his son containing contributions from the crew of William Warburton's Lancaster. First page has sketch of Lancaster with crew positions noted. Other page includes signatures and other material from: Alan…

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YClarkB1578273v1.pdf
Transcript of the Diary of Sgt. Bernard Clark RAFVR 30 November – 20 December 1943 with notes by M Warburton. Includes head and shoulders portrait of an airman wearing greatcoat and side cap. Includes crew list of his aircraft. Entries contain…

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YClarkB1578273v2.pdf
Transcript of diary entry for 20 December 1943. Includes crew list. Account of their first operation to Berlin on. He was wireless operator. Mentions anti-aircraft fire over coast, problems with Monica system, problems with oxygen, problems with rear…

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