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Peter Potter biography - part
Describes childhood in great detail and work after the war started. Continues with account of training after being called up.
Interview with Sheena Staves
During the war Sheena lived in Cottingham, a village close to Hull. She lived with her mother and father (who was a fire watcher). He fought in the Far East during the first world war. She had two elder brothers, one in the Navy and one in the Royal…
Interview with Betty Welton
Betty Welton was born in 1924. She left school at the age of 14 and, at the age of 17 and a half, joined the Women’s Land Army. She saw this as an opportunity to escape her home circumstances. On receiving her papers, she travelled from her home…
Cadet 1935-1945 Peter D Stevenson
Peter Stevenson's account of his service in the Officer Training Corps at Grantham and later in the Air Training Corps. Tells of his life in Grantham and the effect of the war on the town. Also his involvement post war in museums and projects to…
Interview with Ferdi Righi
Ferdinando Righi recalls his early life in Monfalcone, brought up by his mother while his father served as a submariner. Describes daily life in wartime: how he used to sleep fully clothed, waiting for the air raid siren. His mother would put some…
Handle with Care
A book of Prison Camp cartoons with some explanations.
Greetings of the season
Greetings card addressed to Irene Green page with a silhouette of man on a camel. Greetings of the season H M Forces Middle East from Robert to the family. Annotated 'Good Health, Good Luck, To You All'.
Interview with William James Stoneman
William James Stoneman was posted to RAF Elsham Wolds before Aircrew Reception Centre at RAF Cardington. He chose to become a rear gunner as he did not have to wait. Air gunnery training followed at RAF Bishopscourt in Northern Ireland on Ansons and…
Norman Parrinder biography
Information about Norman Parrinder written by his daughter Suzannah Aston. Mentions meeting her mother and marrying as well as some recollections about operations including force landing in neutral territory. Continues with comments on his feelings…
Interview with Fausta Maggioni
Fausta Maggioni recalls memories of her wartime life in Milan. She describes a sizeable shelter reinforced with wooden props, a little bag with the few valuables she had always to bring along, as well as the many duties of her father as warden, who…
Interview with James Wright
Jim was a civil servant before joining the Royal Air Force in May 1941. He carried out two tours on 61, 630 and 97 Squadrons. Although he wanted to be a pilot, there was a shortage of navigators. He was called up to Regents Park and then posted to…
Interview with Cyril Gosling
Cyril Gosling trained as an armourer at Kirby in Blackpool and was first posted to 49 Squadron where he worked on the guns and turrets. As part of his role he would go on flights in the bombers to check the guns accuracy by firing at drogues. On…
"Fred" by Sylvia White (his cousin)
Fred's life story from early days sneaking downstairs to drink the dregs at his parent's public house, playing rugby and studying hard, becoming an accountant, learning to be an accurate rifle shooter then joining the RAF as a an air gunner. He…
Ted Neale's Signals Exercise Book
An exercise book that Ted Neale used to record his notes during Signals classes, No 19 AN Air Force Training School.
Training notes cover signals procedures and codes. Also instructions on operational flight procedures, reconnaissance flights and…
Training notes cover signals procedures and codes. Also instructions on operational flight procedures, reconnaissance flights and…
Training course
A formal photograph of 46 trainee airmen, a corporal and a sergeant. All are seated or standing, in four rows, in front of a building and are wearing tunics. The trainee aircrew have a white stripe on their forage caps and are wearing white belts.…
Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Writes acknowledging how good a husband he is and how much he loves her. She continues with speculation about her future and where she might go. Continues with news of daily activities including looking after her dog. Mentioned that she has enclosed…
Letter-card from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Comments that his suggestion to go back to London before travelling to Scotland to join him is not a good idea. Talks of travel arrangements and other arrangements she has made including those for her dog.
Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Writes about packing up her things and having to leave her dog. Mentions financial issue and catches up with family matters. Continues with news of travel arrangements.
To a bomber pilot
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Poem dedicated to bomber pilot
No.1 Officers School, 84 Course
34 airmen and a dog arranged in four rows. Captioned ''A Squadron Aug. - Sept. 1946'. The individuals are named; Pilot Officer Malcolm Staves is fourth from the right on the third row.
My private war with Hitler's Gremlins
Frank Walshaw's memoir. He discusses his training and several crashes he was involved in.