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Interview with John Derek "Bill" Bailey. One
Derek was in the Air Training Corps before enlisting at 18. He was given deferred service, eventually reporting to the Air Crew Reception Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He proceeded to Ludlow and an Initial Training Wing at Paignton. Derek was…
Interview with Graham Allen
Graham Allen joined the Royal Air Force aged 19. He trained as a mechanic and worked on inspection and recovery of Spitfire aircraft. He later volunteered to be a flight engineer, and flew a tour of operations with 106 Squadron. His first operation…
A large group of airmen and one Woman's Auxiliary Air Force member in front of a Halifax
A large group of airman standing and sitting in rows in front of the port wing of a Halifax. There is a single Women's Auxiliary Air Force member sitting in the middle of the front row. There is one officer with peaked cap sitting behind and slightly…
Group of air and ground crew in front of a Halifax
Seven aircrew stand in back row wearing Mae Wests and parachute harnesses. Five wear side caps and two peaked caps. Twelve airmen are sitting or squatting in front wearing battledress or cold weather clothing. In the background the front of a Halifax…
Group of air and ground crew standing on a Halifax
Large group of air and ground crew standing on the port wing and forward fuselage of a Halifax. One aircrew is standing with foot on a chock by the port undercarriage. There is one man looking out from a cockpit window. The aircraft has nose art of a…
Air and ground crew in front of a Halifax
Six aircrew standing in back row wearing battledress or tunic. Seven airmen squatting in front wearing battledress. In the background the front of a Halifax with nose art of a lady reclining in a heart. Underneath are bomb symbols. Dennis W Raettig…
Seven aircrew and five ground crew in front of a Halifax
Air and ground crew posing in two lines in front of a Halifax. Aircrew wearing parachute harness stand in the rear and aircrew squatting down in front.Dennis W Raettig is front row second from left. Aircraft has heart with reclining lady nose art and…
Seven aircrew in front of a Halifax
Seven aircrew wearing parachute harness and mae west standing in front of a Halifax. Four are wearing side caps and two peaked caps. Aircraft has nose art of heart with reclining lady. Below nose art two swastikas and two rows of bomb symbols. In the…
Dennis Raettig's wartime memoir
Wartime memoir covering Dennis Raettig's training at Blackpool and the posting to 104 Squadron at Royal Air Force Driffield in August 1941. Worked on Wellington aircraft and mentions that Driffield also hosted the blind approach landing flight…
Geoffrey North’s observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Royal Air Force observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Pilot Officer Geoffrey North, air gunner, covering the period from 17 June 1942 to 29 September 1945. Detailing training, operations, repatriation and post war flying. He was stationed…
Ernest Cutts’ air gunner's flying log book
Air gunner's log book for Ernest Cutts, rear gunner, covering the period 23 November 1943 to 21 September 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF West Sale, RAF Litchfield, RAF Marston Moor, RAF…
Donald Cochrane's operations
A handwritten list of Don Cochrane's first tour. It comprises a short paragraph for each of the 29 operations he undertook. Included are four maps with bombs indicating his targets.
Ernest Cutts
Ern Cutts at the tail of a Halifax 'U again'. He is wearing full flying gear - boots, overalls, helmet and lifejacket. On the turret is a swastika, indicating an enemy aircraft has been shot down.
Gunners loading ammunition
One airman seated in the rear gunner's position with a second airman loading belts of ammunition. Both are wearing full operational uniform - leather jackets, helmet and lifejackets. On the reverse is a modern type written caption 'Rear turret of…
Halifax 'U again' aircrew and ground crew
A group of seven aircrew standing and four ground crew, crouched in front of a Halifax 'U-again'. Nose art indicates 36 operations. There is a cartoon rabbit holding a bomb and being attacked by a fighter. On the reverse is a modern detailed…
Halifax in flight
An air-to-air photograph of a Halifax in flight above scattered clouds.
Coming back in Bombers
Newspaper cutting referring to Bomber Command bringing back Army men from Italy in Halifax and Lancaster bombers.
Interview with Harry Irons. One
Harry Irons left a tailoring apprenticeship to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator but actually became an air-gunner. He describes the uniform he wore and the unreliability of heated suits. Discusses the invention of…
Leonard Dorricott's observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Royal Canadian Air Force observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Sergeant Leonard Dorricott from 27 November 1942 to 21 January 1946. Detailing training schedule, instructional duties and operations flown. Trained in Miami, Florida and served…
John Chatterton's pilot's flying log book
Pilot’s flying log book for Flight Lieutenant John Chatterton 30 March 1942 to 15 April 1954 detailing training schedule, instructional duties and operations flown. Served at RAF Dunholme Lodge, RAF Syerston, RAF East Kirkby and RAF Swinderby.…
Stephen Dawson's pilot's flying log book. Three
Pilot's flying log book for Flight Lieutenant Stephen Dawson, covering the period from 3 September 1944 to 5 March 1946. Detailing his instructor and test flying. He was stationed at RAF Boscombe Down and RAF Ossington. Aircraft flown in were,…
Stephen Dawson's pilot's flying log book. Two
Pilots flying log book for Stephen Dawson, covering the period from 6 April 1942 to 30 August 1944. Detailing his instructor duties, flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Swanton Morley, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Swinderby, RAF…
Interview with William Barfoot
Bill Barfoot was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. On joining the Air Force, he trained as a wireless operator but remustered as aircrew. He trained as a navigator in South Africa. He flew operations with 296 Squadron supplying the French and Norwegian…
Interview with Jack Hayley
Jack Hayley was born in Caterham and worked for an insurance company before he joined the Royal Air Force and trained to be a pilot. He trained to fly in Canada and after going through an Operational Training Unit in England, he was posted to 625…
Interview with Douglas Joss
Douglas was born in Aberdeen, the eldest of 5 children. He signed up for the Royal Air Force in October 1938 and trained as a Flight Rigger, becoming a Leading Aircraftsman after training.
During his time as a Leading Aircraftsman, he tells of…
During his time as a Leading Aircraftsman, he tells of…