Browse Items (146 total)
Sort by:
Interview with Raymond Meggett
Raymond Meggett grew up on a farm in Lincolnshire near Scampton, where RAF personnel stayed during the war. His parents told him about some of these men, and sometimes kept in touch with them. He recalls tales of the other farmers, civilian and RAF.…
Evacuation
Pages from Jack's diary for 6 June 1940 to 21 June 1940 describing the withdrawal through France and his subsequent evacuation from Jersey by ship. He describes the advancing Germany Army, crowds of refugees, packing and destroying equipment that had…
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…
Interview with Bernard Sterry and Cecilia Pearson
Bernard Sterry and Cecilia Pearson, both born in Hull, talk about their lives as evacuees during the war. Bernard, who was 10 years old when war broke out, was evacuated from Hull to North Lincolnshire until September 1944, when he came back home at…
Interview with Kenneth Angus
Kenneth Angus lived in Hull, and was 12 when war was declared. He discusses life on a farm after being evacuated, the bombing of Hull and his brother Harry Angus, who was killed flying as a wireless operator / air gunner with 44 Squadron from RAF…
Letter from Ian Wynn to his wife
Writes while sunbathing on the beach. Describes life in Newquay mentioning numbers of evacuated children and some aspects of his training. Engages in banter and relates some events. Talks about their car and speculates over his future moves.…
Interview with Margaret Givens
Margaret Givens grew up in Coventry and witnessed the bombing of the city. She and other children sat on the bricks of the destroyed cathedral to attend a service. Her house was bombed and while she and her brother was staying with her grandmother…
Interview with Sybil Green
Sybil was born in Bracebridge near Lincoln, she went to Bracebridge School then left at fourteen to work first at a Co-op store and then at and electric shop. Sybil talks about civilian life in wartime, her family working at Foster Quinns, fire…
To Jessie from Harry Redgrave
A letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie when he was undergoing RAF aircrew training in Scotland. He writes of his shortage of cash that affects his trips and present buying. The possible evacuation of schoolchildren in Southend is mentioned.…
Interview with Harold Beech. Two
Harold Beech could see the activity of several airfields and witnessed stricken aircraft flying back to stations near his home. He also witnessed a crash and describes how he hid in a Lancaster, with the help of the engineer who was billeted with his…
Interview with Anna Maria Serafini
Anna Maria Serafini recalls her teenage life in Bologna as the fiancée of Luigi Pasetti, a civilian pilot later enlisted as torpedo bomber pilot. Describes how she got married and mentions Italian First World War pilot, Ferruccio Ranza, who acted as…
Interview with Lucia Muratori
Lucia Muratori recalls her early life in Bologna in the family of a well-off foundry owner. Stresses that she had less traumatic war experiences compared to many other people at that time, the only disturbing episode being eye-witnessing the killing…
Jack Whymark’s Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book
Jack Whymark’s Flying Log Book as an Air Gunner from 1st October 1940 until 4th October 1945 when his aircraft crashed in to the Mediterranean Sea.
Initial training at No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School and 225 Squadron. Posted to 149 Squadron for…
Initial training at No. 8 Bombing and Gunnery School and 225 Squadron. Posted to 149 Squadron for…
Government evacuation scheme
A ministry of health pamphlet created for the parents of evacuated children. The pamphlet details the costs of the evacuation scheme and the government plan to set up an allowance to be paid each week by the parents of evacuated children. The…
Government evacuation scheme
A pamphlet created giving government advice and information for their evacuation scheme. The pamphlet details payments, conditions, assembly points and how to register for the scheme. The last page asks for volunteers to help with the scheme.
Letter to George Shephard Johns' grandfather
![EJohnsGSJohns[GFa]XX1012.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1916/44179/EJohnsGSJohns[GFa]XX1012.jpg "EJohnsGSJohns[GFa]XX1012.jpg")
A letter to George Shephard Johns' grandfather from George thanking him for his letter and post order. George says his mother was glad to see him.
Letter sent by George Shephard Johns
A letter from George Shephard Johns sent to his mother and father, Harold Johns and Florence Shephard. George thanks his parents for their letter he received and lets them know he will be starting school and needs some books. He also tells his…
Postcard from George Shephard Johns
![EJohnsGSJohnsHJ-F[Date]-010001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1916/44172/EJohnsGSJohnsHJ-F[Date]-010001.jpg "EJohnsGSJohnsHJ-F[Date]-010001.jpg")
A postcard from George Shephard Johns sent to his mother and father, Harold Johns and Florence Shephard. In the postcard George thanks his parents for the card he received from them.
Interview with Violet Bishop
Violet Bishop’s two brothers both volunteered for the RAF. One trained as a bomb aimer and the other as ground crew. Both survived the war. They wrote to each other throughout the war. She was very proud when her brother accompanied her to a dance…
Interview with Marisa Bianchi
Marisa Bianchi remembers her wartime years at Sesso, a rural hamlet in the Reggio Emilia province. Stresses the abundance of locally farmed food and emphasises how billeted German troops were friendly and supportive, even if she and her family had to…
Letter to George Shephard John's mother
Letter to George Shephard John's mother from Florence R Field. The letter informs Mrs Johns that George has arrived and reassures George's mother to not worry.
Interview with Sandro Boiocchi
Sandro Boiocchi remembers wartime memories at Travacò, in the Pavia area and mentions various episodes: food shortages; the black market; fascist and German roundups; Pippo flying at night; bombing of bridges; giving shelter to evacuees.He tells how…
A few impressions of WW2
Writes that everyone was issued with identity cards, ration books and gas masks. Comments on necessity to carry gas masks and possible fifth columns. Continues with description of black out, bomb shelters, call up, an aircraft crash and taking in…
Interview with Enrica Mariani
Enrica Mariani recollects her wartime experiences in Milan: her brother dying of bronchitis after spending too much time in the shelter and her father working in an armaments factory. The aggressive fascist militiamen and the long hours she spent in…