Browse Items (1405 total)

  • Tags: bomb aimer

ALastRR151125.mp3
Ronald Last grew up in Dorset and worked as an apprentice for the local Gas and Water company before volunteering for the Air Force. He attended the reception centre at Lord's Cricket Ground and describes the medical tests and inoculations recruits…

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PFalgateD1610.jpg
Lancaster in background, seven aircrew in flying clothing standing behind a large bomb on a trolley. On the reverse 'Crew of Lancaster P (Peter) DV229 463 Squadron RAAF Waddington Lincs 1943. Lancaster P (Peter) DV229 lost over Orleans night 10th…

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AHackerHA170819.mp3
Harry Hacker first came into contact with aeroplanes at the age of sixteen whilst working as an apprentice for Rootes Motor Group who were making Wellington aircraft. He was a member of the Home Guard and after applying to join the RAF went for…

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PGoldbyJL1701.jpg
John Goldby was born in Kent but the family moved to London the year after. He was inspired to join the RAF when a schoolfriend joined and became a Spitfire pilot. John believes that it was a mid-air collision with a night fighter that led to his…

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PGallagherGCK1701.jpg
Charles Gallagher was born in a small village outside Nottingham where his father was rector of the local church. At the age of six the family moved to South Brent on Dartmoor where Charles enjoyed country sports and helped with the local hunt. At…

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PFisherT1701.jpg
Thomas Fisher trained initially as a fitter in the RAF. When the Air Ministry announced that flight engineers were needed from the ranks of the ground mechanics he volunteered for training. The CO was surprised that he volunteered and asked him if it…

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EFerrierGJWilsonJH440517-0001.jpg
Letter from the father of Jim Ferrier, the Canadian bomb aimer in the crew to Mrs Wilson, the wife of the captain. He thanks her for contacting him as he was not informed of addresses of next of kin of other crew. He holds out hope of news and says…

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ADellowJA170617.mp3
James ‘Jim’ Albert Dellow had to register the start of the war he as he was 18 years old. On being asked which service he would prefer, he opted for the Royal Air Force as a pilot. Whilst waiting for his call up, he worked in an insurance office…

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PDaviesRS1801.jpg
In spring 1940, Ronald Davies joined the RAF to train as a pilot. Following initial training, he was posted to America but was dismissed after crashing a Cessna. Following Pearl Harbour, he trained as a navigator in Port Albert, Canada, but upon…

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PDavenportE1801.jpg
Ernest Davenport was born in Tattenhall, Cheshire in 1923. He joined the Local Defence Volunteers in 1940 and after witnessing the bombing of Merseyside he decided to join the RAF as a pilot. He was accepted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve…

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E[Author]WilsonJH440408-0001.jpg
Letter to Mrs J. H. Wilson from 7 Squadron enclosing a list of next of kin for her husband’s crew and requesting confirmation of her address.

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LEdwardsED1236492v1.pdf
South African Air Force observers or air gunners log book for Ellis Edwards, bomb aimer, covering the period from 9 February 1942 to 29 March 1943 when he was missing in action on an operation to Berlin. Detailing his flying training and operations…

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PFalgateD16030057.jpg
Formal course photograph No 63 Air Bomber course, in four rows, in front of hangar doors. Captioned 'No 63 Air Bomber course, RCAF Picton, Ontario, Canada. Self back row extreme right. Photo 1942'. Signatures on reverse include: R. Moore, J.C.…

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PFalgateD16030089.jpg
Don Falgate's pre-Advanced Flying Unit formal course photograph, 32 Officers and senior non-commissioned officers, arranged in four rows. Signatures on the reverse. Captioned 'Students of pre AFU (Advanced Flying Unit) RAF Perth Scotland, about…

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PFalgateD16030092.jpg
Don Falgate's ATU course from RAF Penrhos. Ten officers in two rows, all with half wing brevet. Signatures on reverse. Captioned 'ATU (Advanced Flying Unit) course at RAF Penrhos, North Wales . 1 month course of training on Wellington aircraft.…

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PWarnerJ1606.jpg
Seven aircrew standing in line front of a Halifax. Title '1943/44, End of Tour of 37 ops, official RAF Photograph'. Captioned ' Norman - navigator, John - pilot, Vic - bomb aimer, Arthur - rear gunner, Jack - flight engineer, George - mid upper…

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PPayneR1505.jpg
Seven airmen in a line wearing flying gear and Mae Wests. One man has no life jacket. A caption supplied with the photograph reads 'his [Reg Payne's] crew when the pilot was Sir Michael Beetham - this was the crew in the plane that crashed near East…

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LMathersRW55201v1.pdf
Pilots flying log book for Ronald Mathers covering the period from 8 May 1942 to 30 September 1944. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Sywell, RAF De Winton, RAF Swift Current, RAF…

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PPayneMH1801.jpg
Seven aircrew wearing Mae West standing in line at rear of a Lancaster.

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BPayneRPayneRv1.pdf
A detailed account of Reg Payne's service in the RAF. He starts with a list of 18 RAF bases where he served in his 5 years of service. He was 16 when war was declared but volunteered for the RAF at 17. After tests he was selected for training as a…

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PWhittleGG1606.jpg
A photograph of the crew and an account of the night (27/28 September 1943) they were nearly shot down over Hanover. Crew names and positions are detailed as are the events of the night. One engine was on fire and this was extinguished by diving and…

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PFalgateD16030096.jpg
Formal head and shoulders portrait of Don Falgate in uniform, bomb aimers brevet, arms folded leaning forward onto table.

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BWhittleGGWhittleGGv3.pdf
An incomplete memoir written by Geoffrey Whittle starting at age 16. At age 18 he volunteered for aircrew duties and trained at RAF West Freugh. He converted to Wellingtons then Lancasters and moved to RAF Ludford Magna in June 1943. Over Hanover…

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PFalgateD16030104.jpg
In foreground, large bomb on its trolley, standing behind seven aircrew in flying clothing, Lancaster in background.

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PFalgateD16030107.jpg
Close up of Lancaster bomb sight taken through flat optical panel, individual visible holding bomb release switch.

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