Browse Items (122 total)
Sort by:
Interview with Bruce Minnitt
Bruce Minnitt served in the Second World War flying Wellingtons on maritime reconnaissance in the Mediterranean and B-24s in India. When war started Bruce joined the Home Guard, and in 1941 when reaching 18 years of age, he enlisted in the Royal Air…
Service History of Benny Goodman
Begins with his decision to cease his studies and join the Royal Air Force. Covers recruitment activities and life during initial training including employment as ground gunner while waiting for flying training. Describes basic training on Tiger Moth…
Interview with Robert William Maggs
Robert Maggs lived in London until his family were bombed out and moved to the seaside. He joined the local Air Training Corps and later volunteered for the RAF and trained as a gunner. During training his plane crashed and he was left trapped. He…
Interview with Geoffrey Lenthall
Geoffrey Lenthall was born in Nottinghamshire but spent most of his youth in Scunthorpe. He happily volunteered for aircrew but found himself working as ground personnel. He eventually trained as a wireless operator and was posted to 9 Squadron. He…
Interview with James Lamb
Jim joined up as an aircraft technician as soon as war broke out, thinking it would not last long. He joined 75 Squadron at RAF Feltwell on Wellingtons, then went to RAF Mildenhall, returning to RAF Feltwell. He went to RAF Oakington and RAF…
Interview with Harry Hooper
Harry Hooper enjoyed watching the planes at Heston Airfield as a child. He volunteered for the RAF in 1939 and began training to be a pilot. He flew with 115 Squadron and undertook operations over Northern France and Germany using Gee, including…
Letter from Hedley Madgett to his parents
![EMadgettLR[Fam]MadgettHR411015-0003.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1009/11088/EMadgettLR[Fam]MadgettHR411015-0003.jpg "EMadgettLR[Fam]MadgettHR411015-0003.jpg")
Announces he has completed first solo flight and has received letters from home. Tells of several days lead up to first solo and describes flight itself. Mentions he went to town with his mechanics to celebrate and goes on to describe flying activity…
Interview with Gilbert Gray
Gilbert Gray grew up in Dunfermline, joining the Air Training Corps before enlisting in the Royal Air Force as a flight engineer in 1940, aged 18 years. He trained at RAF St Athan in Wales, graduated as a sergeant and was posted onto Lancasters. He…
Interview with Ron Flynn
Ron Flynn was living in London before he volunteered for the RAF. He trained as a flight engineer and joined a British / New Zealand crew. He was posted to RAF Mepal. There was at least one occasion when a fire in the engines was extinguished by the…
Interview with Jean Culkin
Jean Culkin grew up in Sunderland and worked as a tea girl and then a typist in a reserved occupation. She discusses her life and her wedding to her husband, John George Mackel Culkin. He was an apprentice at RAF Halton before becoming a fitter…
Interview with Martin Arthur Catty
Martin Catty grew up in London and was evacuated to Westward Ho! with his school at the beginning of the war. He completed a short training course at Cambridge University in 1942 and joined Air Force. After training he flew 40 operations as a…
Letter from Malcolm Payne to Doris Weeks
Starts by encouraging her not to worry. Complains about the weather. Mentions he went to camp cinema and that their errant colleague had returned at last but having missed an operation was likely for court martial.
Letter from Malcolm Payne to Doris Weeks
Writes about a colleague who has not returned to camp and crew removed from operation as result. Could lead to court martial. Reports arrival of 600 cigarettes and that they still do not have their own aircraft. Finished with love talk.
Interview with John Shipman
John Shipman was born in Stathern, Leicester and as a teenager would cycle to Melton Mowbray to attend ATC meetings. He joined the RAF and started training as a flight mechanic. He joined a troop ship to start his posting and the journey took a very…
Interview with an anonymous interviewee (An01137)
Anon, from Scarborough was keen to join the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot. Disappointed that he didn’t meet the height requirement he joined the RAF and began training as an electrician. His aim was to travel abroad with the service but to his…
Interview with Bill Harvey
Bill Harvey was working in the mines before volunteering for the RAF. He knew that as a miner he was in a Reserved Occupation and he would only be able to leave the mine if he was to volunteer for aircrew. He was accepted and began his training.…
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his flying, the weather, attendance at a court martial at RAF Swinderby and arrangement for meeting up at Newark station.
Interview with Audrey Hazel Baker
Audrey Baker had been married to Gordon, her Bomber Command pilot husband for two years when he was killed in action. Gordon had been serving with 50 Squadron. She immediately joined the WAAF as a driver and was posted to Balloon Command. She drove…
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his promotion to flight lieutenant and his duties on parade.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his duties and arranging leave.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of night flying and domestic arrangements.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his night flying duties and a taxiing accident.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of flying duties, his colleagues, domestic details, the weather and issues with his electric fire.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of issues with his commanding officer, the Italian surrender and his leave arrangements.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of the weather and colleagues’ postings and domestic arrangements.