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Interview with Edward Cayhill
Edward Cayhill was the eldest of eight children and with his father’s encouragement was hoping to go to university. His father died in 1938 which meant that the university dream was cancelled and Edward went to work as a Civil Servant in the…
Interview with Bob Smith
Bob Smith was born in Brisbane, Australia. He recalls moving to the family farm in 1932 and being a member of the Air Cadets during his school years. Upon leaving school, Smith undertook training as a bank clerk. Following the events of Pearl…
Lettercard from Les Pickford to his mother
He has been practising for the concert. He had a letter from Lady Ampthill asking about his pilot and observer.
Leslie Pickford's diary
The diary starts with a letter stating that Les is missing and believed killed. In reality he had become a prisoner of war. It is subtitled 'Diary June 3rd 1941 to Nov 6th 1943 Life as a POW'
Interview with Laurie Woods
Flying Officer Laurie Woods DFC was born in Deloraine, Tasmania, in 1922. He grew up in Tasmania, and at the age of eighteen, despite being in a reserved occupation, he volunteered for Air Crew in the Royal Australian Air Force. Initially training in…
Oliver Gomersal history
Life history of Oliver Gomersal. Includes training in South Africa as observer/navigator, training on Wellington and operations with Coastal Command, journey to East Africa with antisubmarine and search operations in the Indian Ocean. On return to…
Philip Anstey's personal record of operations
Contains details of the nine operations Philip flew to Stettin, Hanau, Maresburg, Cologne, Bremen, Magdeburg, Wesserling-Klon, the railyard in Berlin and the Leuna oil refinery. Includes descriptions of targets, weather conditions, defences…
Letter from Reginald Weeden to his mother
Explains about 'O' and 'N' brevets, both were for navigator but the second was a new badge and had not arrived in Canada yet. He writes that he could be home in a month as some of them were getting posted back to England, and he could be one. Says he…
Three airmen
Half length portrait of three airmen wearing battledress with half brevet and side caps. Ben Openshaw is on the left with observer brevet.
Interview with Jim Wright. Two
John Wright was born in 1932. He was evacuated from West Ham during the War along with his Mother and two Brothers. Johns’ Father joined the Royal Air Force as an Observer Bomb Aimer with 207 Squadron. His aircraft was shot down over Switzerland on…
Shipping Report Form
A completed shipping report form by Pilot Prune and Observer Neale.
Letter to Les Pickford from The Goldfish Club
The letter advises that Les has been elected into the Goldfish Club.
The Story of Frank Vivian Gunning
A biography of Vivian, born in Beaminster in 1920. He trained at Aldergrove and served at Bassingbourne, Wattisham, West Raynham, Watton then Wyton. Losses were high. He was shot down near Le Bourget, his two crew members dying with him. Additional…
Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Writes that she has just come in and commenting on clear sky and large moon and wonders whether he is flying. Hopes he will return safely. Continues with news of her domestic and gardening activities and finances. Reports on visit to baby clinic and…
Card accompanying a gift
A card accompanying a gift of 'Fags and Sweets' presented by Pilots and Observers from the 1914-18 war.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
![EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo][Date]-060001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/666/17995/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo][Date]-060001.jpg "EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo][Date]-060001.jpg")
Last letter before leaving West Freugh. Writes about potential choice next courses as navigator or bomb aimer. Chooses navigator course at Upper Heyford. Considered navigator as harder job. Catches up with news and writes in pencil at the end that he…
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
![EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420215-0001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/666/18010/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420215-0001.jpg "EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]420215-0001.jpg")
Disappointed to tell his mother that he has failed the flying test. Bill described the final test with the Chief Flying Instructor, which went badly, despite having completed a successful test beforehand with his own instructor. Has now been…
Note from Bill Akrill
![EAkrillWE[Recipient][Date]-01.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/666/18167/EAkrillWE[Recipient][Date]-01.jpg "EAkrillWE[Recipient][Date]-01.jpg")
No addressee. Writes of possible posting notice of 132 observers but he is the only one of his crowd going. He is concerned that none of his friends will be on same posting.
Jim Auton in tropical uniform
Head and shoulder portrait of Sergeant Jim Auton in tropical uniform with observer brevet.
William Barfoot’s wedding
William Barfoot in dress uniform with observer brevet standing arm-in-arm with his wife in wedding dress in front of a brick wall.
The description of this item is partially based on information provided by the donor. This item was sent to the…
The description of this item is partially based on information provided by the donor. This item was sent to the…
William Barfoot’s wedding
Wedding group photograph of eight people standing in front of a wall. William Barfoot, is in dress uniform with observer brevet, is standing in the middle hand in hand with his new wife who is wearing her wedding dress. A bridesmaid, a man in a suit,…
William Barfoot and his wife at Whitley Bay
Flight Lieutenant William Barfoot, in dress uniform with side cap and observer brevet, is standing with his arm round his wife in civilian clothes in front of a hedge.
The description of this item is partially based on information provided by the…
The description of this item is partially based on information provided by the…
William Barfoot seated at RAF Brize Norton
William Barfoot in battledress with observer brevet sits on a wooden collapsible chair in front of a concrete hut. He has a whistle attached to his collar and some papers spread across his knees.
The description of this item is partially based on…
The description of this item is partially based on…
Group portrait at Eastbourne Navigation School
William Barfoot is featured among a group portrait of 55 trainees at Eastbourne Navigation School, Eastbourne College, some standing, some sitting; five men in the centre of the seated row wear observer brevets and two of these are officers, one a…
Three observers at RAF Brize Norton
Group of three observers in front of a concrete hut. Two are standing behind Flying Officer William Barfoot, who is sitting in a collapsible chair with an improvised desk.
The description of this item is partially based on information provided by…
The description of this item is partially based on information provided by…