Browse Items (134 total)

  • Tags: superstition

SNewtonJL742570v10063.jpg
Heart shaped badge with initials MJ, a mirror, the number 13, a step ladder and a black cat. Captioned 'The badge on the pocket of my Sidcot flying suit - I did not wear it on the night'.

Tags: ;

ANewtonJL[Date]-01.mp3
Jack Newton joined the RAF in 1938. He trained as an air gunner and was posted to 12 Squadron at RAF Binbrook. Just before midnight on the 5th of August 1941 Jack and his crew set off for Cologne. They were attacked by a night fighter. One engine was…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

PWareingR16050024.jpg
Small lamb charm on string.

Tags:

MJenkinsFC59301-150515-01.pdf
A biography of FC Jenkins. It covers his birth and marriage but concentrates on his RAF years. He took part in 58 operations and survived the war to continue in RAF service.

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

EEarlyJMilesRJ20010727.pdf
An email to Reg Miles from John about a Lincoln at Cosford. It has a reputation for being haunted.

Tags: ; ; ; ;

MPotterPL1878961-150914-07.pdf
Starts with account of operation to Paris on 3 May 1944 when attacked by Me 109 and writes of crew actions. Continues with list of operations giving details of target, anti-aircraft fire, flight time, some bomb loads, events, results. From 3 August…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Diary kept by Keith Campbell 24 July 1944 to February 1945 describing being shot down, evading and capture and life as a prisoner of war. Some entries talk about operations. Ends with the forced march away from the Russians. Note on front - 'original…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

S78Sqn19361201v30026.pdf
Gives background on what inspired him to write a memoir. Theme of chronical is 'Luck'. Writes of joining RAF as soon as he was old enough and of initial tests and selection as a wireless operator/air gunner followed by 18 months deferred service.…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

BDavyHDavyHv1.pdf
Herbert's service life in an autobiography.
He describes training in London, Bridlington, Morpeth and Wymeswold. Later training as a crew was at Castle Donington, Lindholme and Hemswell. He describes in detail his crew, aircraft and operations.…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

EWakefieldHEWakefieldWE-[Mo]430904-0002.jpg
Writes that he is fit and well after having done six operations and describes some of them. Mentions their usual bomb load. Relates that a fighter had attacked a Halifax just behind them. Mentions eating eggs and bacon before and after operations.…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ;

AClarkM[Date]-01.mp3
Marion Clark grew up in Lincolnshire and served as driver at RAF Hemswell and RAF Ingham. She discusses her role as a driver and life on a bomber station.

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

AGuyanS[Date]-01.mp3
'Jock' Guyan comments on his operations. The recording includes audio clips from a documentary including excerpts of Arthur Harris, engine noises and interviews.

Samuel Guyan flew an operational tour with 90 Squadron and a second tour with 115…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

PLittlejohnsQ17010001.jpg
Popeye doll with red scarf, blue jumper and trousers taken on flights by a crew for luck. The word 'Foreign' is written on the back of its neck.
The mascot was recovered from the crash of Lancaster WS-O LM432. The aircraft was flying from Manston…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ;

MPerryWRP1317696-170719-09.jpg
Top - photograph of an airman in the cockpit of a Lancaster. On the fuselage below nose art of duck with peaked cap walking down road with sign to Berlin. Row of bomb symbols underneath.
Below - explanation that Admiral Shyte-Awk was the aircraft…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ;

PBlythTS17010001.jpg
A furry monkey with caption 'mascot carried by dad throughout the war'.

Tags: ;

POatesJ17030025.jpg
A collection of lucky charms.
#1 is a crucifix
#2 is a buddha
#3 is a metal disc dated 1897 and on the reverse 'Mother'.
#4 is a crucifix
#5 is a four leaf shamrock

Tags:

PTravellAE1701.jpg
Seven airmen wearing parachute harnesses and Mae West standing and kneeling in front of a Lancaster. Man on left front row holds a stuffed spotted cat. Submitted with caption 'Photo - Lancaster Crew'.

This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive…

Tags: ; ;

PCuthillCR18010001.jpg
Small cloth black dog mascot and text explanation. Belonged to donor's grandfather and had been in family for 74 years. Provides some other information in items donated.

Tags:

SCuthillCR574146v10009.jpg
First page annotated 'Unpublished writing by Charles Cuthill, publication rights please, Matt Nicol'. Continues with account of icing, flashes round the aircraft and static on the intercom. Difficult flying conditions and weather. Reference to…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

SCuthillCR574146v10006.jpg
Photograph of black cloth dog mascot and note on reverse '"Vicky" maker of Charlie the dog "MASCOT", WAAF (MT driver) 149 Sqd Methwold for Charles Cuthill, Lancaster I NF927 "D" for Dog.149 Sqd, Vicky made dog mascot for Charles Cuthill, because…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ;

SReidK473650v20005.jpg
Ode to a local village girl whose mother took in washing from aircrew. Refers to 100 Squadron. Two versions both annotated 'Kathryn Reid, (half pint)' and other notes.

Tags: ; ; ; ;

SReidK473650v20025.jpg
The first three verses, 'when I fell over the horseshoe' are about a lucky charm. The second three verses, 'F for Freddy are being grounded' concerns a crew who finished their tour without ever washing shirts or socks.

Tags: ; ;

ABuxtonAG220823.mp3
Alan was born in Parramatta, Sydney, in Australia. After going to the Middle East with the army, he returned to Australia, when Japan entered the war, and transferred to the RAF in November 1942.
Alan was posted to Bradfield Park for training and…

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

MAnkersonR[Ser#-DoB]-180129-01.pdf
A detailed description of an operation to Mannheim on 19 May 1942. He describes the preparation, the operation and their safe return to the UK.

Tags: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

PWigleyH19030006.jpg
A small brass coloured man with a big round moon-like head and tin helmet. He is holding a thumb up as if hitchhiking. A safety pin is attached to his helmet. A character which was painted on a 405 Squadron Wellington, supplemented by a note stating…

Tags: ; ;

Output Formats

atom, dc-rdf, dcmes-xml, json, omeka-xml, rss2