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... just ... Chapters in a Life .. and some History
A detailed autobiography by Ivan Ure.
The Years up to the Outbreak of the Second World War and How it Affected Me
A part autobiography of Ivan's pre-war life.
Letter from Jimmy Doughty to his sister Winnie
General gossip and catching up with news of friends. (Eric training in Canada). Tells story of boss eyed work mate.
Crew list
Jon Dent's crew list includes F/O K A Smith pilot, F/O Ron Winters navigator, F/O Dave Long (NZ) bomb aimer, W/O Joe Pugh wireless operator, Sgt Dell mid-upper gunner, Sgt Taffy Jones rear gunner, self flight engineer.
Harold Gorton
Head and shoulders portrait of Harold Gorton. On the reverse
'Portrait by
J. Dewhurst,
23 May 1942
Farnworth
Phone 193'.
'Portrait by
J. Dewhurst,
23 May 1942
Farnworth
Phone 193'.
Seeding the Storm
Account of John Mitchell's career in the Royal Air Force from Oct 1934 until November 1957. Writes of his early ambitions to fly, and joining the RAF as a wireless operator. Describes his training and early postings to Worthy Down on Vickers…
Captain's account of operation to Leipzig in February 1944
Tells of engagement by enemy Me-110s in area of Stendal when the flight engineer, mid upper gunner, navigator and wireless operator were wounded. The aircraft suffered damaged and suffered further attacks but one enemy fighter was probably destroyed.…
Letter from J Catlin to Barry Wright's parents
Letter from the pilot of Barry's aircraft relating events during operation to Leipzig on 19 February 1944. Describes attacks by Me 110, Barry wright being wounded and refusing to leave his post. Urges them not to worry about his wounds. Mentions that…
Service record John Henry (Jack) Thomas
Covers enlistment and early training in the Royal Australian Air Force. Continues with description of journey to England via the United States and training in England. Lists his crew formed during training. Joined 102 Squadron with Halifax Mk 3 on 12…
Near miss
Describes a very near collision at night between an Halifax and a German Fw 190. Lists crew of Halifax. Notes it was their 31st operation of 34 total.
186 Squadron battle order for 16 February 1945
List ten crews and aircraft. Sergeant W E Foster is rostered as mid upper gunner in the ninth listed crew. Includes a spare aircraft and details other personnel to various duties.
Bob Burns (1525609)
Account of last operation to Schweinfurt on 25 April 1944. Describes attack by night fighter. Aircraft spinning down and Bob eventually blown out of aircraft by explosion and parachuted to safety. Initially evaded but captured while injured. Recalls…
1311249 Flt Sgt Williamson, Air Gunner Lancaster
A biography written by his son.
Letter to Mrs Meredith from F/Lt Jack Lane
A letter to Mrs Meredith about her husband (Eddie) who baled out of his damaged aircraft. Flight Lieutenant Lane expresses hope that Eddie will have landed safely and, if he has been taken prisoner, will soon be released and return home.
The Diary of an Airman
Jack's record of events after his aircraft was shot down over France.
Overseas life
Covering the period 7 April 1941 to 19 November 1941 when Jack was serving in the Middle East and North Africa. He describes his last night with his wife Eileen, preparations for the transfer, time spent in camp, sightseeing, films watched, receiving…
Letter from airwoman Iga
Describes her difficulties in learning english and desire to improve. She writes from a prisoner of war camp saying she is an airwoman and asks if John is a pilot and requests that John send some English books.
Letter from Iga to John
A letter to John passed between the men and women's prisoner of war camps. Iga thanks John for the letter he sent and goes on to talk about her life, enjoying dance and sports and attending pilots school. She mentions seeing John in the camps and…
Interview with Ian Henderson
Ian Henderson was born in Lockerbie and studied law at the University of Edinburgh for two years before joining the Royal Air Force. He travelled to Canada onboard the RMS Mauretania to train as a pilot, after two months near Edmonton on Oxford and…
Interview with Oscar Goodall
Oscar was born in Australia. His father was a machine gunner - he was wounded seven times and died from his wounds two months before Oscar was born. His example influenced him to join the Royal Air Force. As an Air Cadet Corps member, he went to the…
Interview with Bill Ballantyne
Bill Ballantyne was in his first year at Cambridge University and a member of the Air Squadron when war was declared out in 1939. Upon joining the air force, he was posted to South Africa, where he trained as a pilot on Tiger Moths. He joined 267…
Interview with James Calman
Jim was born in New Zealand but grew up in Australia. He enlisted in Woolloomooloo under the Empire Air Training Scheme. He was sent to the Initial Training School in Somers and then went to the Elementary Flying Training School on Tiger Moths at the…
Interview with Ian Denver
Ian Denver grew up in Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force as soon as he was old enough. After training he completed 60 operations with 625 Squadron and 156 Squadron. He met and married his wife, Pat who was an intelligence officer at…
Interview with Lawrence Penn
Lawrence Penn grew up in Australia and worked as a bank clerk before he volunteered for the Air Force. He flew 40 operations as a pilot with 226 Squadron. After the war he had his own air taxi company and also flew for Qantas.
Interview with Donald Solin
Donald Solin grew up in Perth, Western Australia and worked in a store before joining the Air Force. He served in Europe and North Africa. and flew 40 operations as a pilot with 624 Squadron, a special duties squadron dropping supplies and agents…