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Interview with Susan Chapman
Susan Chapman talks about her father, Charles Reginald (Reg) Jaques. Reg Jaques grew up in County Durham and, to improve his prospects for employment, he studied by the light of the streetlight. He secured a job with a local authority in Shropshire.…
Interview with Ray Charlton
Ray wanted to join Bomber Command but, after going to RAF Paignton, he was re-mustered and went to RAF Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey where he decided to train as a flight engineer. He was posted to RAF Bridlington and this was followed by a…
Interview with Frank Colenso
Frank Colenso grew up in Cornwall and, at the outbreak of the war, was working for a local newspaper. He recalls the return of injured survivors from Dunkirk into Falmouth Bay. He joined the local defence volunteers following the bombing of Falmouth…
Interview with Geoffrey Conacher
Geoffrey Conacher grew up in Australia and, after a few months in the army, joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. After training he flew 14 operations as a pilot with 622 Squadron. His aircraft was shot down and he baled out over liberated…
Interview with Ian Denver
Ian’s father was a sports editor and Gallipoli veteran. Ian was a member of the Air Training Corps and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. His initial training was at Bradfield Park. After a few months of aircrew guard duty in…
Interview with John Eppel
John Eppel grew up in Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force. After training, he completed 30 operations as a navigator with 550 Squadron. He describes initial training in Australia and the journey by sea via the United States, then…
Interview with Keith Ganney
Keith was called up in February 1942 and, after basic training, learned to fly in the Tiger Moth and was then sent to Davidson in Canada for further training in Cornells and Cranes. He failed a flying test and was re-mustered as a bomb aimer and sent…
Interview with Harry James
Harry James grew up in Berkshire and, after school, began training as a plumber. He joined the RAF and completed 33 operations as a rear gunner with 166 squadron. He discusses his crew, of their different nationalities, of how the majority of their…
Interview with Johnny Johnson. Two
George ‘Johnny’ Johnson was born in rural Lincolnshire. As a child he won a scholarship to Lord Wandsworth’s Agricultural College in Hampshire. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force, and was selected for…
Interview with Robert Miller
Robert joined the Air Training Corps and enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force at the age of 18 as a trainee chemist. He went to an Initial Training School at Bradfield Park in Australia. Although he planned on becoming a pilot, an opportunity…
Interview with Lawrence Penn
Laurie was a bank clerk in Australia before enlisting in September 1941 at Bradfield Park. He proceeded to Narromine for elementary flying training and eventually to Canada where he was posted to the Service Flying Training School at Dauphin. He…
Interview with Joan Raettig
Joan Raettig (nee McGuire) was born in Hull and was evacuated to Scarborough when she was 14, the day before war broke out. She experienced the bombing of Hull and spent nearly two years sleeping in an air raid shelter, due to the frequency of the…
Interview with Simson Reid
Having his interest piqued by aircraft, including Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus, Simson was attracted to flying boats. He was sent to Coastal Command at Abbotsinch and RAF Wick but without wireless operator mechanic training, he was unable to pursue…
Interview with Joe Shuttleworth
Joe Shuttleworth was born and raised in Brisbane but spent a lot of time with family in the Melbourne area. He volunteered for aircrew and began training as a gunner. After initial training he sailed to the United States and on to the UK. While at…
Interview with Jean Smith
When war broke out, Jean was working in the Ministry of Aircraft Production. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1942 and did two months’ training at Innsworth camp. Jean was posted to 27 Operational Training Unit at RAF Lichfield, as…
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…
Interview with Wanda Szuwalska
Wanda Szuwalska was 16 years old when Germany invaded Poland. The family was deported to Siberia by the Russian army. They travelled for several weeks to the Arkhangelsk region, where Wanda then worked as a logger. When war intensified between Russia…
Interview with Jack Wakefield
Jack Wakefield grew up in New Zealand and volunteered for the Air Force and the Army. He trained as an air gunner on Defiants before being posted to 75 Squadron at RAF Feltwell where he completed a tour on Wellingtons, flying operations to locations…
Interview with Rusty Waughman. Two
Russell (Rusty) Waughman was born in Shotley Bridge, County Durham. Due to serious poor health as a child, his education was interrupted. He describes his training with the Empire Training School in Canada. He was posted to 101 Squadron which was a…
Interview with Ralph Wild
Ralph was conscripted into the army but wanted to join the air force. He eventually became an instrument repairer and trained at RAF Cranwell. When war started, he volunteered for aircrew but was not transferred for some time. Briefly in 242…
Interview with Harold Yeoman
Harold Yeoman volunteered for the RAF hoping to become an air gunner and was surprised to find he would be trained as a pilot. He describes a crash landing in a Wellington, returning from an operation to Cherbourg, and being sent to Essen twice…
Raymond Norman Percy and Joyce Ellen Foster's wedding
13 family members at Raymond Norman Percy Foster's wedding. The bride, Joyce Ellen Foster (née Wakeling) is seated with Raymond Norman Percy Foster standing in uniform beside her. There are two bridesmaids standing and two flower girls seated. Two…
Jack Hayley's wedding, honeymoon and first house
On the left two newspaper cuttings with announcement and details of wedding at Weston Turville. Bottom left a photograph of a single story cottage with dormer windows, a garden in front and trees behind. Captioned 'Our first home in Yewtree Cottage,…
Roy Briggs and bride
Roy Briggs, his bride, best man, two bridesmaids, three flower girls and a page boy. They are standing outside the church where they have just been married.
Roy Briggs and bride
Photograph 1 is three quarters portrait of Sergeant Roy Briggs.
Photograph 2 is head and shoulders portrait of Roy Briggs.
Photograph 3 is Roy Briggs, his bride and a page boy.
Photograph 2 is head and shoulders portrait of Roy Briggs.
Photograph 3 is Roy Briggs, his bride and a page boy.