1
25
28
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/855/EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420216-0001.2.jpg
669d550551a6b063c9fb49a1466d5198
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/855/EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420216-0002.2.jpg
a8f6cbfb429c89bebbdffb2dfc505a60
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Woolgar, Reg
Reg Woolgar
R L A Woolgar
Jimmy Woolgar
Subject
The topic of the resource
World War (1939-1945)
Bombing, Aerial
Description
An account of the resource
<a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/browse?collection=87">17 items</a>. The collection consists of an oral history <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/2148">interview</a> with air gunner Reginald Woolgar DFC (139398 Royal Air Force), correspondence to his father about him being missing in action and subsequently rescued from the sea, his <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/2205">log book</a>, <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/854">service and release book</a> and nine photographs.<br /><br /> He flew operations as an air gunner with 49 and 192 Squadrons.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Reg Woolgar and catalogued by Trevor Hardcastle. <br /><br />This collection also contains items concerning John William Wilkinson. Additional information on John William Wilkinson is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/125319/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Woolgar, R
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-06-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Requires
A related resource that is required by the described resource to support its function, delivery, or coherence.
Please scroll down to see all X items in this collection.
Reg ‘Jimmy’ Woolgar was born and schooled in Hove. He began working life as a valuations assistant and was training to be a surveyor, which was interrupted when, in December 1939, he joined the RAF. Although he had aspirations to become a pilot, he trained as a wireless operator/air gunner instead. His wireless operator training was carried out at the wireless training school, RAF Yatesbury. https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/849/PWoolgarRLA1609.2.jpg His air gunnery training on Fairy Battle aircraft was conducted at RAF West Freugh. On 15 November 1940 he was promoted to sergeant and posted to No 10 OTU at RAF Upper Heyford. https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/845/PWoolgarRLA1601.2.jpg Initially flying Anson aircraft and then Hampdens with C Flight, he had his first ‘Lucky Jim’ moment, on 6 February 1941, when his Hampden aircraft was forced to crash land in a field near Cottesmore, in Lincolnshire. The aircraft was written off, but he and the pilot survived with minor injuries. At the end of operational training, instead of going directly onto operasations, he spent the next 5 months as a screen operator instructor. Eventually, on 1 September 1941, he was posted to 49 Squadron, Hampdens, at RAF Scampton https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/852 where his very first operational trip (described as a baptism of fire) was to Berlin. With headwinds going out and coming back, and nil visibility, it was likely the crew would have to bail out. Fortunately, the skipper found a break in the clouds and the aircraft landed wheels down in a field near Louth. The aircraft had to be recovered back to base, transported by road, on a low loader. On another occasion, on a mine laying operation to Oslo Fjord, his aircraft was peppered with anti-aircraft fire, it returned to base with 36 bullet holes in the fuselage and mainplane. A bullet had also passed through the upright of his gun sight while he was looking through it, whilst another tore through his flying suit. The nickname ‘Lucky Jim’ was beginning to stick.
In February 1942, on an operation to Manheim, the port engine, hit by flak, cut dead. Despite jettisoning all superfluous weight, which unfortunately included all the navigation equipment, the aircraft rapidly lost height, and the pilot ditched the aircraft in the English Channel. Whilst the crew had struggled to keep the aircraft airborne, (on a single engine), it had steered on a massive curve and unbeknown to them was headed down the English Channel, before it ditched. The crew scrambled out onto the wing and managed to inflate the dingy, then had to cut the cord attaching the dingy to the aircraft using a pair of nail scissors, moments before it sunk. In the water for hours, the crew thought they were drifting near the Yorkshire coast, but were rescued by a motor anti-submarine boat, much to their surprise, near the Isle of Wight.
Operational flying was intense, Reg would feel wound up before take-off and there was much apprehension on the way out to the target. Often, they flew through intense flak that was sometimes so close they could smell it. There was always a sense of sense of relief once they came away from the target. In between operations, each day was treated as it came along with many off-duty hours spent socialising in the local hostelries https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/853
After his first operational tour (he completed two) he was commissioned and became gunnery leader with 192 Squadron in 100 Group.
After the war ended, he signed on for an extra two years and was posted to Palestine as an air movements staff officer. Luck was again on his side when, one day, he was on his way to an Air Priorities Board Meeting at the King David Hotel when the hotel was bombed, resulting in many army and civilian casualties.
After a short tour in Kenya, as Senior Movements Staff Officer, he returned to Palestine flying with 38 Squadron until August 1947. In his flying career he amassed over 1000 flying hours. For services to his country Reg was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/858
He was released from the RAF in September 1947. Initially employed as an assistant valuations officer, he studied to become a Chartered Surveyor and secured a job as a senior valuer with the City of London. He later became the planning valuer of the city. After 14 years he was made a partner at the firm St Quintin Son and Stanley. Reg retired in 1971.
08 December 1939: Joined RAF as a wireless operator/air gunner
28 August 1940: 145, 3 Wing, RAF Yatesbury - Wireless Operator training
29 October 1940 - 15 November 1940: RAF West Freugh, No 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, flying Battle aircraft
November 1940: Promoted to Sergeant
15 November 1940 - 20 August 1941: RAF Upper Heyford, No 10 Operational Training Unit flying Anson and Hampden aircraft
02 September 1941 - 24 March 1942: RAF Scampton, 49 Squadron, flying Hampden aircraft
28 April 1942 - 24 June 1942: 1485 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight flying Whitley and Wellington aircraft
02 July 1942 – 3 July 1942: RAF Manby, Air Gunnery Instructor Course
4 July – 10 July 1942: RAF Scampton, Air Gunnery Instructor flying Manchester and Oxford aircraft
25 July 1942 – 10 August 1942: RAF Wigsley, Air Gunnery Instructor flying Lancaster aircraft
3 October – 27 October 1942: RAF Sutton Bridge flying Wellington and Hampden aircraft
28 October 1942: RAF Sutton Bridge, Gunnery Leader Course
End of 1942: Awarded RAF Commission
09 Nov 1942 – 18 March 1943: RAF Fulbeck flying Manchester aircraft
14 May 1943 – 11 June 1944: RAF Sutton Bridge flying Wellington aircraft
20 June 1944 – 27 July 1945 RAF Foulsham, 192 Squadron flying Halifax and Wellington aircraft
29 April 1946 – 30 August 1946: Palestine, Air Movements Staff Officer
01 September 1946 – 21 January 1947: Kenya, Senior Movements Staff Officer
30 January1947 – 10 June 1947: Ein Shemer, Palestine, 38 Squadron flying Lancaster aircraft
13 July 1947 139398 Flt Lt RLA Woolgar released from Service.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Royal Air Force
Scampton
[underlined] Lincoln [/underlined]
[underlined] 16.2.42 [/underlined]
Dear Mr Woolgar,
I hope you received my second telegram informing you of your son’s rescue yesterday afternoon. he is now at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar Portsmouth and will be returning to the squadron within a day or two. I intend to grant him leave when he returns but it is necessary for him to return here first in order to comply with certain formalities.
I must apologise for giving you
[page break]
a serious shock but I am sure you will appreciate that [deleted] will [/deleted] we always try to notify next of kin as soon as possible when our crews are reported as missing – that is to say when we have confirmed that they have not landed anywhere in this country.
Yours sincerely
R Stubbs
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Mr Woolgar
Description
An account of the resource
R Stubbs writes from RAF Scampton to Mr Woolgar informing him that his son has been rescued and is at the Royal Naval Hospital in Portsmouth. He advises that he will be granted leave after he has returned to the squadron.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
R Stubbs
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-02-16
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Cathie Hewitt
Steve Baldwin
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text. Correspondence
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420216
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Royal Navy
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Portsmouth
England--Lincolnshire
England--Hampshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-02-16
1942-02-15
1942-02-14
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
air sea rescue
crash
ditching
missing in action
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/856/EOC49SqWoolgar[Fa]420215.jpg
77a371a298454e3be2c69e3eefeaf1f2
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Woolgar, Reg
Reg Woolgar
R L A Woolgar
Jimmy Woolgar
Subject
The topic of the resource
World War (1939-1945)
Bombing, Aerial
Description
An account of the resource
<a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/browse?collection=87">17 items</a>. The collection consists of an oral history <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/2148">interview</a> with air gunner Reginald Woolgar DFC (139398 Royal Air Force), correspondence to his father about him being missing in action and subsequently rescued from the sea, his <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/2205">log book</a>, <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/854">service and release book</a> and nine photographs.<br /><br /> He flew operations as an air gunner with 49 and 192 Squadrons.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Reg Woolgar and catalogued by Trevor Hardcastle. <br /><br />This collection also contains items concerning John William Wilkinson. Additional information on John William Wilkinson is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/125319/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Woolgar, R
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-06-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Requires
A related resource that is required by the described resource to support its function, delivery, or coherence.
Please scroll down to see all X items in this collection.
Reg ‘Jimmy’ Woolgar was born and schooled in Hove. He began working life as a valuations assistant and was training to be a surveyor, which was interrupted when, in December 1939, he joined the RAF. Although he had aspirations to become a pilot, he trained as a wireless operator/air gunner instead. His wireless operator training was carried out at the wireless training school, RAF Yatesbury. https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/849/PWoolgarRLA1609.2.jpg His air gunnery training on Fairy Battle aircraft was conducted at RAF West Freugh. On 15 November 1940 he was promoted to sergeant and posted to No 10 OTU at RAF Upper Heyford. https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/845/PWoolgarRLA1601.2.jpg Initially flying Anson aircraft and then Hampdens with C Flight, he had his first ‘Lucky Jim’ moment, on 6 February 1941, when his Hampden aircraft was forced to crash land in a field near Cottesmore, in Lincolnshire. The aircraft was written off, but he and the pilot survived with minor injuries. At the end of operational training, instead of going directly onto operasations, he spent the next 5 months as a screen operator instructor. Eventually, on 1 September 1941, he was posted to 49 Squadron, Hampdens, at RAF Scampton https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/852 where his very first operational trip (described as a baptism of fire) was to Berlin. With headwinds going out and coming back, and nil visibility, it was likely the crew would have to bail out. Fortunately, the skipper found a break in the clouds and the aircraft landed wheels down in a field near Louth. The aircraft had to be recovered back to base, transported by road, on a low loader. On another occasion, on a mine laying operation to Oslo Fjord, his aircraft was peppered with anti-aircraft fire, it returned to base with 36 bullet holes in the fuselage and mainplane. A bullet had also passed through the upright of his gun sight while he was looking through it, whilst another tore through his flying suit. The nickname ‘Lucky Jim’ was beginning to stick.
In February 1942, on an operation to Manheim, the port engine, hit by flak, cut dead. Despite jettisoning all superfluous weight, which unfortunately included all the navigation equipment, the aircraft rapidly lost height, and the pilot ditched the aircraft in the English Channel. Whilst the crew had struggled to keep the aircraft airborne, (on a single engine), it had steered on a massive curve and unbeknown to them was headed down the English Channel, before it ditched. The crew scrambled out onto the wing and managed to inflate the dingy, then had to cut the cord attaching the dingy to the aircraft using a pair of nail scissors, moments before it sunk. In the water for hours, the crew thought they were drifting near the Yorkshire coast, but were rescued by a motor anti-submarine boat, much to their surprise, near the Isle of Wight.
Operational flying was intense, Reg would feel wound up before take-off and there was much apprehension on the way out to the target. Often, they flew through intense flak that was sometimes so close they could smell it. There was always a sense of sense of relief once they came away from the target. In between operations, each day was treated as it came along with many off-duty hours spent socialising in the local hostelries https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/853
After his first operational tour (he completed two) he was commissioned and became gunnery leader with 192 Squadron in 100 Group.
After the war ended, he signed on for an extra two years and was posted to Palestine as an air movements staff officer. Luck was again on his side when, one day, he was on his way to an Air Priorities Board Meeting at the King David Hotel when the hotel was bombed, resulting in many army and civilian casualties.
After a short tour in Kenya, as Senior Movements Staff Officer, he returned to Palestine flying with 38 Squadron until August 1947. In his flying career he amassed over 1000 flying hours. For services to his country Reg was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/858
He was released from the RAF in September 1947. Initially employed as an assistant valuations officer, he studied to become a Chartered Surveyor and secured a job as a senior valuer with the City of London. He later became the planning valuer of the city. After 14 years he was made a partner at the firm St Quintin Son and Stanley. Reg retired in 1971.
08 December 1939: Joined RAF as a wireless operator/air gunner
28 August 1940: 145, 3 Wing, RAF Yatesbury - Wireless Operator training
29 October 1940 - 15 November 1940: RAF West Freugh, No 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, flying Battle aircraft
November 1940: Promoted to Sergeant
15 November 1940 - 20 August 1941: RAF Upper Heyford, No 10 Operational Training Unit flying Anson and Hampden aircraft
02 September 1941 - 24 March 1942: RAF Scampton, 49 Squadron, flying Hampden aircraft
28 April 1942 - 24 June 1942: 1485 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight flying Whitley and Wellington aircraft
02 July 1942 – 3 July 1942: RAF Manby, Air Gunnery Instructor Course
4 July – 10 July 1942: RAF Scampton, Air Gunnery Instructor flying Manchester and Oxford aircraft
25 July 1942 – 10 August 1942: RAF Wigsley, Air Gunnery Instructor flying Lancaster aircraft
3 October – 27 October 1942: RAF Sutton Bridge flying Wellington and Hampden aircraft
28 October 1942: RAF Sutton Bridge, Gunnery Leader Course
End of 1942: Awarded RAF Commission
09 Nov 1942 – 18 March 1943: RAF Fulbeck flying Manchester aircraft
14 May 1943 – 11 June 1944: RAF Sutton Bridge flying Wellington aircraft
20 June 1944 – 27 July 1945 RAF Foulsham, 192 Squadron flying Halifax and Wellington aircraft
29 April 1946 – 30 August 1946: Palestine, Air Movements Staff Officer
01 September 1946 – 21 January 1947: Kenya, Senior Movements Staff Officer
30 January1947 – 10 June 1947: Ein Shemer, Palestine, 38 Squadron flying Lancaster aircraft
13 July 1947 139398 Flt Lt RLA Woolgar released from Service.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[telegram letterhead]
[PRIORITY stamp] 176
[postmark]
Prefix 8
1=49 m
From LS [indecipherable number]
108 11.18 SCAMPTON LI OHMS PTY 44
PRIORITY MR L A WOOLGAR 69 FOUTHILL ROAD HOVE-SUSSEZ =
+ REGRET TO INFORM YOU YOUR SON SGT R L A WOOLGAR NO 908870 MISSING FROM OPERATIONS ON NIGHT OF 14/15 TH FEBRUARY 1942 LETTER FOLLOWS ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO YOU IMMEDIATELY = 49 SQUADRON + + [deleted] CT [/deleted]
[deleted] 69 908870 14/15 1942 49 FOUTHILL WOOLGAR [/deleted]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Telegram to Mr Woolgar
Description
An account of the resource
Telegram to Sergeant Reg Woolgar’s father informing that he was reported as missing.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Great Britain. Royal Air Force
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-02-15
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One telegram
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text. Correspondence
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EOC49SqWoolgar[Fa]420215
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-02-15
1942-02-14
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Steve Baldwin
49 Squadron
missing in action
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/859/EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420215-0001.2.jpg
4e9cbb501c96b534707ac54fe12165c4
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/859/EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420215-0002.2.jpg
b435a02cd65d9e90e9394563bed65cae
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/859/EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420215-0003.2.jpg
6c99175d6abb9e9a3342726634aa777e
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/859/EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420215-0004.2.jpg
7aa3154385443d253ae0667cddcee40a
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Woolgar, Reg
Reg Woolgar
R L A Woolgar
Jimmy Woolgar
Subject
The topic of the resource
World War (1939-1945)
Bombing, Aerial
Description
An account of the resource
<a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/items/browse?collection=87">17 items</a>. The collection consists of an oral history <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/2148">interview</a> with air gunner Reginald Woolgar DFC (139398 Royal Air Force), correspondence to his father about him being missing in action and subsequently rescued from the sea, his <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/2205">log book</a>, <a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/854">service and release book</a> and nine photographs.<br /><br /> He flew operations as an air gunner with 49 and 192 Squadrons.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Reg Woolgar and catalogued by Trevor Hardcastle. <br /><br />This collection also contains items concerning John William Wilkinson. Additional information on John William Wilkinson is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/125319/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Woolgar, R
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-06-04
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Requires
A related resource that is required by the described resource to support its function, delivery, or coherence.
Please scroll down to see all X items in this collection.
Reg ‘Jimmy’ Woolgar was born and schooled in Hove. He began working life as a valuations assistant and was training to be a surveyor, which was interrupted when, in December 1939, he joined the RAF. Although he had aspirations to become a pilot, he trained as a wireless operator/air gunner instead. His wireless operator training was carried out at the wireless training school, RAF Yatesbury. https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/849/PWoolgarRLA1609.2.jpg His air gunnery training on Fairy Battle aircraft was conducted at RAF West Freugh. On 15 November 1940 he was promoted to sergeant and posted to No 10 OTU at RAF Upper Heyford. https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/87/845/PWoolgarRLA1601.2.jpg Initially flying Anson aircraft and then Hampdens with C Flight, he had his first ‘Lucky Jim’ moment, on 6 February 1941, when his Hampden aircraft was forced to crash land in a field near Cottesmore, in Lincolnshire. The aircraft was written off, but he and the pilot survived with minor injuries. At the end of operational training, instead of going directly onto operasations, he spent the next 5 months as a screen operator instructor. Eventually, on 1 September 1941, he was posted to 49 Squadron, Hampdens, at RAF Scampton https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/852 where his very first operational trip (described as a baptism of fire) was to Berlin. With headwinds going out and coming back, and nil visibility, it was likely the crew would have to bail out. Fortunately, the skipper found a break in the clouds and the aircraft landed wheels down in a field near Louth. The aircraft had to be recovered back to base, transported by road, on a low loader. On another occasion, on a mine laying operation to Oslo Fjord, his aircraft was peppered with anti-aircraft fire, it returned to base with 36 bullet holes in the fuselage and mainplane. A bullet had also passed through the upright of his gun sight while he was looking through it, whilst another tore through his flying suit. The nickname ‘Lucky Jim’ was beginning to stick.
In February 1942, on an operation to Manheim, the port engine, hit by flak, cut dead. Despite jettisoning all superfluous weight, which unfortunately included all the navigation equipment, the aircraft rapidly lost height, and the pilot ditched the aircraft in the English Channel. Whilst the crew had struggled to keep the aircraft airborne, (on a single engine), it had steered on a massive curve and unbeknown to them was headed down the English Channel, before it ditched. The crew scrambled out onto the wing and managed to inflate the dingy, then had to cut the cord attaching the dingy to the aircraft using a pair of nail scissors, moments before it sunk. In the water for hours, the crew thought they were drifting near the Yorkshire coast, but were rescued by a motor anti-submarine boat, much to their surprise, near the Isle of Wight.
Operational flying was intense, Reg would feel wound up before take-off and there was much apprehension on the way out to the target. Often, they flew through intense flak that was sometimes so close they could smell it. There was always a sense of sense of relief once they came away from the target. In between operations, each day was treated as it came along with many off-duty hours spent socialising in the local hostelries https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/853
After his first operational tour (he completed two) he was commissioned and became gunnery leader with 192 Squadron in 100 Group.
After the war ended, he signed on for an extra two years and was posted to Palestine as an air movements staff officer. Luck was again on his side when, one day, he was on his way to an Air Priorities Board Meeting at the King David Hotel when the hotel was bombed, resulting in many army and civilian casualties.
After a short tour in Kenya, as Senior Movements Staff Officer, he returned to Palestine flying with 38 Squadron until August 1947. In his flying career he amassed over 1000 flying hours. For services to his country Reg was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/858
He was released from the RAF in September 1947. Initially employed as an assistant valuations officer, he studied to become a Chartered Surveyor and secured a job as a senior valuer with the City of London. He later became the planning valuer of the city. After 14 years he was made a partner at the firm St Quintin Son and Stanley. Reg retired in 1971.
08 December 1939: Joined RAF as a wireless operator/air gunner
28 August 1940: 145, 3 Wing, RAF Yatesbury - Wireless Operator training
29 October 1940 - 15 November 1940: RAF West Freugh, No 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, flying Battle aircraft
November 1940: Promoted to Sergeant
15 November 1940 - 20 August 1941: RAF Upper Heyford, No 10 Operational Training Unit flying Anson and Hampden aircraft
02 September 1941 - 24 March 1942: RAF Scampton, 49 Squadron, flying Hampden aircraft
28 April 1942 - 24 June 1942: 1485 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight flying Whitley and Wellington aircraft
02 July 1942 – 3 July 1942: RAF Manby, Air Gunnery Instructor Course
4 July – 10 July 1942: RAF Scampton, Air Gunnery Instructor flying Manchester and Oxford aircraft
25 July 1942 – 10 August 1942: RAF Wigsley, Air Gunnery Instructor flying Lancaster aircraft
3 October – 27 October 1942: RAF Sutton Bridge flying Wellington and Hampden aircraft
28 October 1942: RAF Sutton Bridge, Gunnery Leader Course
End of 1942: Awarded RAF Commission
09 Nov 1942 – 18 March 1943: RAF Fulbeck flying Manchester aircraft
14 May 1943 – 11 June 1944: RAF Sutton Bridge flying Wellington aircraft
20 June 1944 – 27 July 1945 RAF Foulsham, 192 Squadron flying Halifax and Wellington aircraft
29 April 1946 – 30 August 1946: Palestine, Air Movements Staff Officer
01 September 1946 – 21 January 1947: Kenya, Senior Movements Staff Officer
30 January1947 – 10 June 1947: Ein Shemer, Palestine, 38 Squadron flying Lancaster aircraft
13 July 1947 139398 Flt Lt RLA Woolgar released from Service.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[indecipherable crest]
Royal Air Force
Scampton
[underlined] Lincoln [/underlined]
[underlined]15.2.42[/underlined]
Dear Mr Woolgar,
As your son’s commanding officer I am writing to give you such details as are available & the circumstances in which he has been reported as missing. I am sure you will appreciate that such details are given in confidence.
The aircraft in which Sergeant Woolgar was flying took off yesterday evening to carry out a raid on an objective at Mannheim. Nothing
[page break]
was heard of the aircraft, which by the way was flown by a very experienced and capable pilot, until about six hours later when an incomplete message which was probably “Engine(s) damaged may have to bale out” was received. By this time the aircraft would have been well on its way home but over enemy occupied territory. The aircraft failed to return in the early hours of this morning and nothing further has yet been heard of it.
under the circumstances
[page break]
I am of the opinion that we have every reason for hoping that the crew of the aircraft managed to land safely in enemy territory by parachute, in which case they will, of course be prisoners of war. As you are probably aware a considerable period usually elapses before we have news of prisoners but I can assure you that you will be notified immediately any news is received.
May I say how much
[page break]
I regret that this misfortune should befall your son who has served under my command in an exemplary manner for nearly six months. During this time he has taken part in twenty two operational flights.
If I can be of help to you in any way, please do not hesitate to write to me.
Yours sincerely
[underlined] R Stubbs [/underlined]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Mr Woolgar
Description
An account of the resource
R Stubbs writes from RAF Scampton to Reg Woolgar's father detailing the circumstances of his being reported as missing.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
R Stubbs
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-02-15
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text. Correspondence
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EStubbsRAWoolgarLA420215
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
England--Lincolnshire
Great Britain
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-02-15
1942-02-14
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
David Bloomfield
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
missing in action
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9221/EGortonHGortonLCM440517.2.pdf
b206fcb8599a63b6d75846d93c796a3c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
TEL. SILVERSTONE 252
OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION,
[deleted] SILVERSTONE, [/deleted] [inserted] Scampton, [/inserted]
[deleted] NR. TOWCESTER. [deleted] [inserted] Lincs. [/inserted]
[deleted] NORTHANTS [/deleted]
[Royal Air Force crest]
17/5/44
Dearest,
I haven’t got any envelopes or labels at present, but I am writing this evening in the hope that I can borrow an envelope.
I hope your journey passed off O.K., and that Grace met you at the Junction. Mine wasn’t very good. It took about ten minutes of wandering round the station after you’d gone before I found a porter & got the luggage stowed away.
The journey to Lincoln was O.K. except that I had to change at Retford. I reached Lincoln at 4.0 & couldn’t get transport for my luggage until 6.0. By then there was a mob of at least a hundred, all with three or four pieces of luggage, so that I had to organise the whole thing (there
[page break]
2
would have been a mad rush & a complete shambles otherwise), and so did not reach Scampton until 8.0 p.m – on the second journey of the transport.
Derek & an observer & I are sharing what used to be the sitting room of [inserted] one of [/inserted] the married quarters. It’s a bit crowded for three, but I expect we shall cope O.K. The Mess is very comfortable, but like this room, is also crowded.
The course here seems to last for three weeks at the outside & is a piece of cake – no P.T., scarcely any drill, lectures or games from 8.45 – 4.30 and one day off a week.
From here we seem to be certain to go to Swinderby, Winthorpe, or Wigsley, so that Lincoln would be a very convenient headquarters for you
[page break]
3.
That Ford of Freddie’s was sold when he got home, but he apparently hadn’t the sense to let me know. Perhaps you’ll look out for one at home & I’ll do the same here.
I expect you’ve felt as despondent today as I have at losing you Cheer up, pet, & enjoy yourself at home.
That’s all for now, except thanks for everything.
All my love,
Harold.
P.S. The gen I’ve given you is derived from a member of 79 course. I’ll get the pukka gen tomorrow when they give us the usual introductory talks.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of his arrival in Lincoln for his posting to RAF Scampton for a three week course.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-17
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text. Correspondence
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440517
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
England--Lincoln
England--Retford
Great Britain
England--Nottinghamshire
England--Lincolnshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05-17
aircrew
mess
RAF Scampton
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9224/EGortonHGortonLCM440519.2.pdf
42611b844e2a36a48f960f6059092afc
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
TEL. SILVERSTONE 252
F/O H Gorton
OFFICERS MESS.
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION,
[deleted] SILVERSTONE, [/deleted]
[deleted] NR. TOWCESTER [/deleted] [inserted] Scampton, [/inserted]
[deleted] NORTHANTS. [/deleted] [inserted] Lincoln. [/inserted]
[Royal Air Force crest]
19/5/44
Dearest,
We finished early this afternoon – it’s only 3.45 now, and it’s my day off tomorrow, so I am feeling at a loose end. Last night Ralph Reader’s Gang Show was on, & I went to see it. It was the same as we saw at Ossington, but it made me a bit melancholy, as it reminded me too much of the times when we could see shows together.
This course is supposed to last a month, but most people go after three weeks, although some go in two weeks & others have been here more than four – so make what you can out of that.
[deleted] Wh [/deleted] We get a day off
[page break]
2
tomorrow & a 48 after a fortnight (1 [inserted] st [/inserted] – 3rd of June, I think).
Did I tell you that Freddie’s car had been sold by the time he got home? At least four blokes have bought cars while they’ve been on leave. They tell me that one can get petrol for a 48 here, so I am regretting very much that we haven’t got one.
I’ve just thought of what would be the ideal scheme! You buy a car in Abergavenny, & then I come down on a 48 & drive you back up here. What do you think of that?
I’m a bit doubtful about Lincoln for living in, as it is so crowded – it reminds me of Bath. I’ve been wondering whether Newark mightn’t be better, or even Doncaster, but
[page break]
3
it's very difficult to say.
Anyway, I wish I was seeing you again. I hope you are finding everything O.K. at Newhouse.
All my love,
Harold.
P.S. Since tea time I have just finished off Mrs. Linnell’s story, so am inflicting it on you at the same time as this letter.
[deleted] [indecipherable letter] [/deleted] Now that I’ve got one job done, I hope to be able to do some law, as I have a lot of spare time here. I expect I shall settle down to it after dinner.
This house we’re billeted in would be marvellous for us.
[page break]
4
It has got a sitting room, living room, kitchen – scullery & pantry on the ground floor, & 3 bedrooms and a bath-room [sic] up stairs [sic]. There are radiators in the passages and bedrooms (fireplaces downstairs) heated towel rail in the bath-room [sic], Aga cooker and Robin Hood boiler (like your Ideal) in the kitchen. You would need a maid, of course, but it really would suit us down to the ground.
I learned from one of the chaps who has bought a car that the price of insurance goes up 50% to aircrew officers, so I think it would be a good thing to have the insurance in your name. don’t you?
All my love,
Harold.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of his social activities, describing his billet and domestic details.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-19
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Four handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440519
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
aircrew
entertainment
military living conditions
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9227/EGortonHGortonLCM440521.1.pdf
6e12e231fcf108daf02b5152e87dfce1
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
TEL. SILVERSTONE 252
OFFICERS MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION,
[deleted] SILVERSTONE. [/deleted]
[deleted] NR. TOWCESTER, [/deleted] [inserted] Scampton, [/inserted]
[deleted] NORTHANTS. [/deleted] [inserted] Lincoln. [/inserted]
[Royal Air Force crest]
Sunday 21/5/44.
Dearest,
Doesn’t it seem a long time since I saw you off at London Road? It seems difficult to believe that it’s only four days ago.
Have you any idea of when you are thinking of coming to this district (assuming that you are still of the same mind)? There’s no doubt about it that Lincoln really is dreadfully crowded.
Blunsdon came up here with his wife & after four failures found a bed at what he described as a very poor place & had to pay 25/9 for their two bed & breakfasts.
Next morning he started the door to door stunt and was lucky enough to find a woman who would take them in. He has now gone off to the Con unit after
[page break]
2
only a fortnight here, and his wife is going to stay in Lincoln.
I went to Lincoln yesterday for coffee & lunch & a matinee. While there I looked in the Lincolnshire Echo, & saw an advertisement of an Austin 7 1934 model, for £35. What do you think of it? I am going round with Freddie this evening to have a look at it, & I’ll add a postscript to this letter to let you know the result. If it is in good condition, it ought to be what we are looking for. It is at a village called Cammeringham, which lies about 3 miles to the N.W. of here.
The weather has been horribly cold [deleted] I [/deleted] since we’ve been here, & I’ve got a cold in the head, as I hadn’t the sense to put anything extra on, and none of the rooms are heated. You are much luckier than I in that respect, as you can have your
[page break]
3
rooms as hot as you like.
I haven’t seen the M.O. yet about my complaint, which indeed has practically disappeared, but shall do so tomorrow.
I’ll leave this letter now till after dinner, as I am just going to write to Bob and thank him for the scent & send him your love (?)!
9.0 p.m.
I have just come back from dinner and am feeling quite excited about the car. Freddie & I found the place quite easily; it’s the home of the village wheelwright & carpenter & general handyman. He bought the car three weeks ago because he’s in the home guard & has to take three others with him to the meetings.
[page break]
4
Unfortunately he’s now been told he’s got to take an extra man, so he’s got a Ford ten so that he can put five in it.
The Austin [deleted] l [/deleted] was laid up for 3 years before he bought it, and he had to put a complete new back axle in it. It isn’t licensed, so he couldn’t take me on the road, but it ran up & down the paddock O.K.
The tyres are worn, [deleted] and [indecipherable letter] [/deleted] but serviceable; the spare wheel definitely needs replacing. He said one can get motor cycle tyres to fit the Austin without a permit.
The coachwork seems in surprisingly good condition considering it[deleted]’[/deleted]s age. The fabric roof has been repaired and may need covering with American cloth – that remains to be seen when it is wet. The upholstery is quite sound – nearly as good as
[page break]
5
your Austin, but the floor carpets have gone for a burton, & have been replaced by sacks. The windscreen is O.K. The paint on the bodywork is in good condition except for one or two scratches & the wheels, which need scraping and re-painting.
The steering is O.K., & so are the brakes. The engine seemed to me, & Freddie agreed, to run very smoothly, & it started without any trouble.
Altogether, I think myself it’s just the car we’ve been looking for. It’s not smart & needs touching up here & there, but the essentials – engine & bodywork, seem very sound, & I think it’s the sort of car that would last the rest of the war.
He reduced his price to
[page break]
6
£30 when I discussed the matter & Freddie agrees with me that it’s well worth the money by present day standards.
I told him I couldn’t decide to buy it until I’d got in touch with you, as you might have one in mind, so he agreed to wait until I told him whether you [inserted]’d[/inserted] [deleted] wante [/deleted] bought one or not.
Would you mind writing back as soon as you can & letting me know whether you think we ought to buy it? If you don’t think we ought to get it, I can easily tell him that you’re buying one, & he can sell it to someone else.
I hope you don’t think I’m throwing the responsibility on to you, darling. I’m quite willing to take that if you don’t know of anything better, & don’t object to my buying it. It’s just that
[page break]
7
I didn’t want to take such a big step without consulting you as far as possible.
I hope you are well, darling. I’d very much like to see you again.
All my love,
Harold.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of his social activities, purchasing a car and the weather.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-21
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440521
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9229/EGortonHGortonLCM440522.1.pdf
eca19d53dfd06b44628f82f3b02cd2c3
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
TEL. SILVERSTONE 252
OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION,
[deleted] SILVERSTONE, [/deleted] [inserted] Scampton, [/inserted]
[deleted] NR. TOWCESTER, [/deleted] [inserted] Lincoln [/inserted]
[deleted] NORTHANTS. [/deleted]
[Royal Air Force crest]
Mon. 22/5/44
Dearest,
I’m not going to finish this letter tonight, as I expect there will be something I want to add tomorrow. I want to thank you for your letter, which arrived this morning.
I am glad Grace met you. You were lucky to get your luggage so soon, weren’t you? Even the parcel too! My luggage was O.K., except that I had to have porters everywhere but at Lincoln where two or three of us grabbed a truck and put our stuff on it.
I’m very pleased to hear that the furniture is O.K. I’m afraid I don’t quite understand your suggestion about the cushions – you mean take out the present padding and put feathers in?
Incidentally, on the subject
[page break]
2
of feathers, what are the chances of getting some of those feather beds from the attic?
I agree with you that we need a house to put all our stuff in, - but where do we find one? Can’t you store some of it in Nikko’s room, or is that being used?
Congratulations to Tibs! (Is that the correct line to take?). I expect the colours of her kittens agree with Mendel’s law of sex – linked characteristics, but I’m afraid I’ve forgotten the law.
The German shooting business seems to me to be a very poor show. I suspect that some camp commandant got so enraged that he lost his head & ordered the shooting.
It’s a very risky thing to do, because it would be very easy for us to retaliate in kind,
[page break]
3
if we wanted.
I shouldn’t bother about sending “St. George & the Dragon” on unless you think it is worth it. I’m not particular about it.
I hope my letter about the car hasn’t caused you any trouble. I shall wait until I hear from you before I do anything further.
I went to see the M.O. this morning. He says it is a pile that I’ve got, & that I can have an injection for it, but that it isn’t worth bothering about unless it gives me trouble. I don’t notice that I’ve got it now, so I shall leave it. His only advice was to have a purgative handy, so that I shouldn’t
[page break]
[missing page]
Tuesday 5.0 p.m.
We are lucky tonight, in that Donald Wolfit is bringing a Shakespeare company along to do “Much Ado about Nothing.” It’s not my favourite by any means, but it ought to be a pleasant change from the usual Ensa show.
With regard to this Austin I mentioned, I want to tell you that the “Motor” this week advertises a 1934 Austin 7 for 45 gns, so that this one of mine is well below market price.
I think there are a few more things I want to mention, but I can’t think of them at present. I’ll leave this letter unsealed until it’s time for the post in case I think of something.
Mother’s letter says that Dad is being promoted to the exalted
[page break]
6
rank of messenger – a rise of 6/- a week, I think!
All my love, darling,
Harold.
P.S. I see, too, by Mother’s letter, that you have added yet another Labour Exchange to your list – keep it up!
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of social activity on the station and domestic details.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-22
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440522
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Lincoln
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
aircrew
entertainment
ground personnel
medical officer
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9231/EGortonHGortonLCM440524.1.pdf
ab9b58ab9244460423833dfdc56b62ec
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
TEL. SILVERSTONE 252
OFFICERS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION,
SILVERSTONE,
NR. TOWCESTER,
NORTHANTS.
F/Lt H Gorton,
Officers’ Mess,
R.A.F. Scampton,
Lincoln.
[Royal Air Force crest]
24/5/44
Dearest,
Such a lot seems to have happened today, that I feel I must write to you, although I’m in my dressing gown, ready for bed, having just had a bath.
It was our drill morning today & I had to act as one of the flight commanders at the very pukka parade they have (like the ones on the runways on Defence days at Ossington, only more pukka). Funnily enough, Frank, my mid-upper, was N.C.O. i/c the flight, & went round with me while I inspected the flight, among whom was Freddie, my rear gunner.
After the parade (which included a second inspection by the G.C.), we retired to our rooms to avoid a Gas practice, & Derek
[page break]
2
& I stayed there instead of going to P.T.
On arrival at the Mess for lunch, I found your second letter, plus a letter from the Bank. They’ve received £1-5-1d, promotion pay Apr. 24-30, at 3/7d a day. They couldn’t give me the gazette number so instead, they enclosed the actual slip they had received from Cox & Kings, the R.A.F. bankers. I thought it was jolly decent of them, don’t you.
After lunch I went to be inoculated, & then went to see the Adj. about my putting up my second ring. He was a bit doubtful at first, as I hadn’t seen the Gazette, but after making a couple of phone calls, including one to Swinderby, he finally discovered that it was O.K. When I got back to my billet I borrowed
[page break]
3
Derek’s needle & cotton & sewed another bit of braid on my battledress. My great-coat & second tunic I am leaving to the station tailor.
I also discovered from the Adjutant that I am fairly certain to go from here a fortnight today – June 7th, & I shall go to Wigsley, the least accessible of the three.
That means I shall get a 48 next week – June 2nd & 3rd, getting away at lunch time in the 1st. What shall we do about it? I should think that Birmingham or London would be the best places to stay in – I assume you don’t want me to go to Newhouse,
[page break]
4
apart from the fact that it would take me so long to travel there, and I don’t think you want to come as far as Lincoln or Nottingham (even if I could get accommodation, which is very unlikely).
You ought to get this letter on Saturday, so that I ought to be able to get a reply by Monday or Tuesday, letting me know where you’d like to stay.
If you can’t get away from Newhouse, I’ll go there if you like, or if you can’t manage me there, I could stay in Aber & see you in the day time. I’ll go home to Farnworth [underlined] if you insist [/underlined], but only if, because I so much want to see you again.
[page break]
5
I was going to reply to the letter I got this morning, but the time is late & I am cold. Remember, darling, you are only to write when it is convenient. I write to you partly because I’ve lots of time, but mainly because I enjoy it, - it’s the next best thing to speaking to you, but I don’t want you to reply to every letter
All my love, darling,
Harold.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of his promotion to flight lieutenant and his duties on parade.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-24
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Five handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440524
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Nottinghamshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
aircrew
military discipline
military living conditions
military service conditions
promotion
RAF Scampton
RAF Wigsley
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9233/EGortonHGortonLCM440526.1.pdf
2723bdf4464f6ab2c17cc385e193ccd5
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Brackley 191
[deleted] Royal Air Force,
Turweston,
Brackley,
Northants. [/deleted]
F/L. H. Gorton
Officers’ Mess,
R.A.F. Scampton,
Lincoln.
26/5/44
Dearest,
I cycled out to Cammeringham this afternoon, & said I wanted the Austin. The man was out, but I told his wife instead. Will you ask Grace to give me a covering note for the insurance, so that I can get it taxed. I want it to be valid from 1st June, if there’s time to arrange it, as there’s jut a chance that I may be able to get petrol for the 48 - I’ve heard two contradictory statements on the subject, & so have decided to put in an application and find out, provided that I can get the car ready for the road in time.
Not that it matters a great deal. If I did use the car to go & see you I shouldn’t have any spare [inserted] petrol [/inserted] for taking you out, so that I may just as well save the coupons for
[page break]
2
when I’m on leave, or when you’re up here.
For Grace’s information, [inserted] It’s a dark blue saloon. [/inserted] the car is an Austin 7, year 1934, & it[deleted]’[/deleted]s registration number is VY 3975. I hope that is all the gen she wants. If not, you’ll have to let me know what else is needed. I suggest that we insure if for you & me to drive, 3rd party risk only, & that we take it out for a year, as being more economical.
How’s the smoking going on? – or rather the not-smoking. I hope you realise that this self-denial business doesn’t really apply to you, & that I want you to smoke whenever you fancy a cigarette – don’t think that you’re compelled to do without just because I’ve stopped. I should imagine that smoking is the only amusement you can find at Newhouse, so just do what you fancy.
[page break]
3.
I’ve found abstinence from smoking to be more difficult here than I expected. It’s not that I’ve any craving for a cigarette, but merely that I see other people smoking, & they seem to enjoy it so much that I feel I want to share their pleasure.
Another more insidious temptation is the fact that I seem to have gone back to the old prejudices of my youth, without believing in them. Part of my adult development was to break away from the narrow prejudices of my parents, e.g. re alcohol, & adopt the philosophy that it was better to use these things in moderation than to avoid them completely or to let oneself become a slave to them. I still believe that & yet here I am, acting like a bigot.
Of course, as soon
[page break]
4
as I go over this ground I realise that the reasons which made me stop smoking & drinking are still valid & I’ve really no intention or desire to start smoking or drinking.
Pardon the above. I hope it hasn’t bored you too much, but I should be rather interested to know if your reactions are similar.
Now for your two letters. Your work on the bed-chairs sounds very effective to me, & it must have taken you a long time. What I’m pleased with, even more than the feather cushion, is the fastening of one cushion to the back of the chair, as it is most unpleasant if it works down.
We get lots of good food here – in fact I think I’m eating too much, - but there’s no cake to compare with yours. I wish I had some now. Another thing
[page break]
5
you’ve done has been to spoil for me everyone else’s bread and butter pudding. I can never touch it nowadays, as it is never a tenth as good as yours.
I imagine that you’d better come up here when you are ready, but I don’t know where I can suggest. I think I told you that it is pretty certain that I shall go to Wigsley on the 7th. If you had a 1/4" map of the district you would realise what a God-forsaken district it is, just like Ossington, except that it isn’t near a Great North Road that would proved quick transport. If you lived in one of the hamlets round about you really would be marooned, I should imagine, especially since most if the flying I [deleted] should [/deleted] shall do
[page break]
6
at the Con unit will be at night. After 3 weeks at Wigsley I shall go to Syerston, to the L.F.S., or Lancaster Finishing School, for a week & then go to a squadron. If you can make anything of that, it’s more than I can. Still, we shall be able to talk it over next week-end, I hope.
If you get a promising reply to your Chronicle advert, I should investigate it. It may prove better than the car I’ve found, & in that case we can always sell mine & use yours.
I forgot to mention that my cold cured itself after a day or two, & I am quite O.K. now.
You say you’ll not come to Lincoln for about a week. Since you wrote this letter on Wednesday, that means you think you’ll be
[page break]
7
ready to come up next Wednesday – the 31st. In that case we could spend the 48 in Lincoln. When I wrote on Wednesday I didn’t realise that you would be ready so soon.
If you want to come up on Thursday you had better phone me on [deleted] Sund [/deleted] Monday night – but I don’t know the phone number of this place, so you’d better send me a wire. Then I can try to find some hotel accommodation, which, as you can imagine, will be no easy task. Of course, if you’ve said you are coming to Lincoln or anywhere else in reply to my last letter I’ll act accordingly, & you don’t need to bother sending a wire unless, after receiving this letter, you want to do something different from what you’ve already said.
Isn’t all this confusing. What with the length of time involved
[page break]
8
in replying to letters & the innumerable things that we constantly have to decide, life becomes very complicated, doesn’t it?
Still, there’s one thing I want you always to keep in the front of your mind, darling. That is that I love you very much & long to be with you always. Life is lousy without you, & the sooner we can be together the better.
All my love, darling,
Harold.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes about arrangements for his 48 hour pass, buying a car, domestic details and possible postings to RAF Wigsley, and the Lancaster Finishing School at RAF Syerston.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-26
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440526
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Nottinghamshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
1944-06
aircrew
Lancaster Finishing School
military living conditions
RAF Ossington
RAF Scampton
RAF Syerston
RAF Wigsley
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9235/EGortonHGortonLCM440528-0001.2.jpg
ef178d23c6584af1067506f202cf879d
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9235/EGortonHGortonLCM440528-0002.2.jpg
bec3ba3c45bfe5b18dd3870dffccb300
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Brackley 191
Royal Air Force,
Turweston,
Brackley,
Northants.
Scampton
Sunday 28/5/44.
Dearest,
This week-end is marvellously hot. I just wish you could get in the car & we could go down to some beach & bathe. It would be wizard, wouldn’t it?
I am doing a little more scrounging than usual today, as I am Orderly Officer. Strictly speaking I shouldn’t do it now I am a F/L., but I thought they might find something more unpleasant for me to do if I tried to get out of it. As a result, I spent the morning reading the papers in the Mess, & this afternoon I’ve been lying on my bed, reading, as I thought it was too hot for sun bathing.
I went into Lincoln yesterday morning to do some shopping & the place was chaotic. It’s more crowded than any town I’ve ever seen, I think, though I expect it was worse yesterday because of Whitsun.
[page break]
2.
The Wing co has heard of a furnished house to let in Lincoln at 3 gns., & he is off to try & get it this afternoon. I told him to let me know if he doesn’t want it, but he thinks there are already 3 R.A.F. in for it before him, so that he hasn’t a chance.
Yesterday afternoon I went out to Cammeringham again, & stayed for tea. He says he’ll give me a couple of gallons when I take it away, & I’ve also arranged to get 4 new tyres – motor cycle tyres, which are the same size. They are about 30/- each.
He himself has two children 22 months & 3 months old. It was rather funny to see the reactions of a man & his wife who were visiting there at the same time. They were thrilled by these two babies & kept making cracks at one another re their own childless state. I rather imagine there’s a family conflict there, - one of them wanting children & the other
[page break]
3
other [sic] refusing to agree; or it may be that they’d tried & hadn’t been successful.
We’ve not heard definitely yet whether we are getting a 48 this week-end, but I still think it’s a ten to one chance on it.
I wish I was with you this afternoon, sitting in the fields, enjoying the sunshine. It’s very cheesing to be away from you so much, isn’t it.
All my love,
Harold.
Monday lunch time
Have just learned that we shall get no 48 after all. They now say that we get one after 3 weeks & not after 2, as we were told when we first arrived.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of the weather and his orderly officer duties.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-28
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440528-0001,
EGortonHGortonLCM440528-0002
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
aircrew
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9238/EGortonHGortonLCM440529.1.pdf
d7e200b4cbe846d008fc88555cc37bde
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[inserted] Best time for phoning is about 7.0 p.m. [/inserted]
TELE: [underlined] SCAMPTON 226 [/underlined]
[deleted] Brackley 191 [/deleted]
Royal Air Force,
Turweston,
Brackley,
Northants.
Scampton
29/5/44
Dearest,
It was good to be able to speak to one another again, wasn’t it, even if the time was so limited.
I mentioned in the letter I posted this morning that we aren’t getting a 48, but I thought it would be unfair to make you wait until Wednesday for the news, so gladly used the excuse for phoning. I say “gladly,” because I’ve often wanted to speak to you during the last fortnight, but haven’t done so because I thought it was unpatriotic. (to use the telephone, I mean)
You seem to have got the idea that my car is an old wreck. It is far from being so. With a bit of polish the outside will look almost like new & I think the engine is in fairly good condition.
[page break]
2
I think, according to present prices, that I am getting quite a good bargain. The tyres are worn smooth but no more than that. I am getting new ones mainly because these are available and [inserted] also [/inserted] as an extra safety precaution. I reckon the cost will be £36 for car & tyres, £4 for insurance & £6 for tax to the end of the year – say £45.
At the end of April, our account was, I believe, £143. Since then I have drawn out approximately £20 using my cheque books. To that must be added £51 for war savings, so that, not counting any other cheques taken out of your book, our account is down to about £30 when I’ve paid for this car.
On the other hand, there should be paid in during May £8..0..0 for the April living out money, and at the end of April, £28 [deleted] £30 [/deleted] or £30
[page break]
3
(I’m not sure how much they’ll deduct for income tax) for my new pay. On the first of June, then, our account should be as follows:
At 30th April: £143
[underlined] Less [/underlined]:
£20 (personal exp.)
[underlined] £51 [/underlined] (Nat. savings)
£71
[underlined] Plus [/underlined]:
£8..0..0 (living out allowance for April)
[underlined] £30 [/underlined] Pay for May.
£38
Net reduction of £33 during May, leaving a total of £110. Out of this has to come £45 for my car, leaving you £65 to play with. (Of course, I haven’t allowed for any cheques out of your book except that for Savings Certificates). I shall be interested to see if the June statement from the bank agrees with my reckoning.
As for the insurance, I merely thought that you could get it cheaper than I could, since I am so blatantly aircrew. As
[page break]
4
long as we get it, I don’t think it matters much how we do it.
I was amused this morning to get two 2d stamps from the Post Office, in repayment of that 4d I wasted when trying to ring Brackley Station from Silverstone.
You are a cheerful soul, aren’t you, hoping that the M.O. would ground me! You ought to know that M.O.s don’t do that sort of thing to me.
My laundry has gone off this time; I only hope it comes back safely. The snag, of course, is that next week we expect to be leaving on Wednesday, [inserted] (June 7th) [/inserted] so I don’t know if it will be wise to send any then. Anyway, I shan’t send any to you, darling, despite your generous offer, unless I really am pushed. I think you’ve done quite enough washing
[page break]
5
for the time being.
If you really think it would be worth while for you to live at Vicarage Cottage again, by all means write & ask Mrs. Hudson (Glebe Farm, Burton Joyce, Notts). I think it would be very lonely for you, but I’d give anything to get you settled. Ossington wouldn’t be inconvenient for me, either, now that I’ve got a car, but it’s your own decision entirely, because it’s you who will have to live there. If you think it’s worth trying, have a go at it. You can always give up the tenancy if you find it unsatisfactory.
I trust you don’t find that my new rank has gone to my head! Is that why you
[page break]
6
address me as “Dear Flight Lieutenant”? Or is it, as I prefer to believe, that I am still dear to you even though I have got a higher rank? Incidentally, I still find it difficult to realise that I have the same standing now as all the other F/L.s on the station. I’ve still got a bit of that F/O feeling in me!
I’ve been trying to consider this living out question, & I don’t think it’s very easy. Wigsley is an isolated spot, but I’ll certainly inquire when I get there (a) whether I’m allowed to live out, (b) if there are any places to live in.
I expect to be there for four weeks (with a very vague possibility of leave at the end of it) and then shall go to Syerston for two weeks. By the middle
[page break]
7
of August I ought to be on a squadron, & stay there for four or five months. My feeling, at the moment, is that your best plan would be to find a permanent residence in this district – near Lincoln or Newark. Otherwise, you will have to make three moves in two months.
Mrs Hudson’s cottage would be as good as anything, I think. It’s more remote, but that isn’t so important with a car, & it’s certainly more comfortable than digs.
Anyway, I feel that if I discuss this any further my head will be in a whirl. Don’t forget that you must write only when it’s convenient, now that I’ve finished sending you letters demanding urgent answers!
All my love, darling,
Harold.
P.T.O.
[page break]
P.S. I’ve carefully saved last week’s chocolate ration to give you when we met. Now I shall regretfully have to eat it!
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of their bank balance, his new car, domestic details and the timing of his future postings.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-29
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440529
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Buckinghamshire
England--Lincolnshire
England--Nottinghamshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
aircrew
ground personnel
medical officer
military living conditions
RAF Scampton
RAF Syerston
RAF Turweston
RAF Wigsley
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9241/EGortonHGortonLCM440530.2.pdf
c8985cf5f6482b1823a4413c06bac499
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Royal Air Force crest]
F/Lt. H Gorton,
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
SCAMPTON,
LINCS.
‘PHONE: SCAMPTON 226
30/5/44
Dearest,
I’m writing to you now because I am in a letter writing mood, although there is nothing particular that I want to say.
The only thing of interest to me that happened today was that when we paraded, I was asked to act as squadron commander, & take the whole parade. As you no doubt expect, I carried the business off with considerable verve & aplomb!
How is the short
[page break]
2
story going? I’ve been reminded of it today because I’ve been acting as literary critic. Derek gave me his play to read, & I’m afraid he found my criticisms rather devastating. He’s got a good idea for a comedy, but I told him that after the opening scene it needed pepping up a good deal. I’ve also been asked to criticise the literary style of one of the pilots here. He is busy writing his autobiography at the advanced age of 20! I’m afraid both these two are wanting me to write something,
[page break]
3
so that they can criticise me.
Derek is spending a night in camp for a change. He has been getting [deleted] back [/deleted] here at 2.0 a.m. every night, & spending about £2 a night. I’ve tried to point out to him the folly of his ways, but it seems to make no impression. When we start flying again, however, I shall insist that he lead a sober life.
By the way, if I have to leave here on the 7th, I hope the car is ready by then, so that I can drive away in it. If not, it will
[page break]
4
mean coming out from Wigsley for it.
Wednesday 6.0 p.m.
Nothing has happened today except that I’ve had letters from you, Mother, & Wyver. Mother has no special news. Wyver has just finished at the satellite, & now has to do his cross countries. He also says that he asked for permission to live out, and didn’t get it. We were lucky, weren’t we?
I’m afraid it wasn’t very good to read your letter with its talk of this 48. It gave me too great a sensation of loss. I shouldn’t have given
[page break]
5
you the idea that I was getting one but for the fact that they told us when we arrived that we should get a 48 after a fortnight. On Monday, when I saw the Adj., he said we couldn’t have one till we’d been here 3 weeks.
By that time, of course, we shall have gone to Wigsley. I wish we were going tomorrow, as I am getting tired of this purposeless existence
I’m sorry about the fountain pen. This nib has done very well, but it’s wearing
[page break]
6
rather badly now. I don’t think it will last much longer.
I should like to see your betting story sometime, or are you going to make a composite model out of both our efforts? I thought that we could get Jimmy to type it up for us, as he’s going back to Bradford this week-end. It’s the least he can do since I’ve lent him my typewriter.
The weather, at least, should have been O.K. for your Gymkhana. I wish I could have gone with you & then I shouldn’t have cared much
[page break]
7
whether they shot any horses or not.
One of the officers on this course tells me he is turning over a new leaf. I told him it was jolly well time, as while he has been here he has been spending all his spare time with a nurse in Lincoln, although he has a wife & three children at home. I’ve been absolutely disgusted with his behaviour, & he said he saw the red light only when this nurse suggested he should live out of camp permanently with her!
[page break]
8
As far as I am concerned, they can keep all the women in Lincoln or any where else. All I want is to get back to you, darling, & stay there. I don’t want ever to have to say goodbye to you again.
All my love, darling,
Harold.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of his duties and his colleagues activities.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-05-30
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Eight handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440530
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Lincoln
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-05
aircrew
entertainment
love and romance
military living conditions
RAF Scampton
RAF Wigsley
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9242/EGortonHGortonLCM440601.1.pdf
37e0e1951e678e7dab562c8153460028
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Royal Air Force crest]
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
SCAMPTON,
LINCS.
‘PHONE: SCAMPTON 226.
1/6/44
Dearest,
I was very glad to get another letter from you today, event though it makes me feel you are putting yourself out too much.
I was very interested to see your story of the betting, but at the same time disappointed. Your letters are so much better than mine, that I thought the story would be, too, but as you say, you must have been feeling off form when you wrote it. I think, on the whole, that my version is better.
I have been talking
[page break]
2
it over with Derek (who fancies himself on these matters!), & we have evolved another ending, on which I should like your opinion: the bloke who places the bets has a fit of caution & doesn’t place the bet on the last day when they should have won. That’s a very rough resumé but I’d like to know what you think of it.
The funniest thing happened today. I was talking to one of the air gunners, named Beevor, when I discovered he came from Retford. I asked him if he knew the Ossington agent, & it turned out that our Mr. Beevor is his father! I suggested that he should ask his father
[page break]
3
to find us a house, preferably furnished, so he said he’d ask his father. Apparently the Vicarage is now occupied by the C.O. of the O.T.U. You never know, we may get something useful even out of old Beevor!
As for the insurance, I realised afterwards that probably Grace couldn’t issue the cover note herself.
Wigsley is about three miles to the east of the Trent, about a couple of miles farther north than Ossington. Perhaps the sketch map will make it clear.
[page break]
4
[drawing of a directional map]
I don’t know where you’ve got the idea that you can’t ring up this aerodrome. People are telephoning all through the day.
The two rings are a very useful boost to one’s ego. I think there is definitely a tendency for everyone to treat me with more respect – I don’t mean the other officers on the course, but Mess servants & camp N.C.O.s, & even the P.O. who is i/c the Link!
I’ve just finished
[page break]
5
another question paper on law, so am feeling pleased with myself. I don’t suppose I shall have any time at Con unit, so I may as well do some now.
I think I’ll re-write the story, send it to Jimmy to be typed, & then let you have it for final revision.
All my love, darling. I wish I were with you now.
Harold.
P.S. I met one of the pilots from 79 course this morning. He’s at Wigsley & says it’s very isolated and dispersed, 2 miles from the officers’ quarters to the aerodrome. There’s one bus
[page break]
6
a night to Lincoln, and the nearest village of any size is 4 miles away – Saxelby [sic]. He says we don’t get days off, but we may get some leave at the end of the course. Cheering, isn’t it, but these things rarely prove to be as bad as they’re painted.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of the area around Lincoln and of finding a house.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06-01
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440601
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Nottinghamshire
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
aircrew
Operational Training Unit
RAF Ossington
RAF Scampton
RAF Wigsley
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9244/EGortonHGortonLCM440604.2.pdf
904e326096ac6ecdb959ed6bf2cbdc75
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Royal Air Force crest]
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
SCAMPTON,
LINCS.
‘PHONE: SCAMPTON 226.
4/6/44.
Dearest,
Your welcome letter arrived today (Sunday) strangely enough. As you can imagine, I was a bit peeved with the Norwich Union for not letting us have a cover note, although grateful to you for all the trouble you’ve taken.
As you suggested, I’ve decided to scrub the Norwich Union, mainly because I want the car on the road for Wednesday, [inserted] & [/inserted] I can’t manage it if I’ve got to write to Cardiff.
After dinner tonight I cycled out to Cammeringham to ask Swaby about the
[page break]
2
insurance. He said
(a) that he knew a man in Lincoln who would fix me up with a cover note for tomorrow afternoon
(b) that even if a certificate of roadworthiness were needed, there would be no trouble about it since when he bought the car he took it to a garage to have it overhauled (engine, dynamo, gear box, & back axle) & the man there would have no hesitation in signing a certificate.
Anyway, after they’d forced me to stay & have supper, I came away with the log book in my pocket. Swaby is to ring me up at lunch time
[page break]
3
tomorrow, & confirm that he has fixed things up with the insurance people. Then I shall cut lectures and go into Lincoln & tax the car. If possible, I shall catch the 4.8 [inserted] bus [/inserted] from Lincoln out to Cammeringham & drive the car back to camp tomorrow night.
This week-end has certainly been a car week-end. Three officers on the course went home on Friday night to bring their cars back.
F/O W – brought his 1937 Morris 8 back from Manchester without incident
[page break]
4
except that he tried to take a short cut & found himself faced with the alternatives of swimming the Trent or going back 10 miles.
F/o F – brought a Singer Le Mans sports car from London. He was O.K. except that he ran out of petrol at one stage & had to push the car 3 miles before he could buy some petrol.
P/o B – had just learned to drive & on the strength of that had bought a 1931 Rover 10 for £17..10..0. He was coming from London too, but got lost & spent the night at an aerodrome near Cambridge,
[page break]
5
since he too had run out of petrol. He arrived here at tea time today, & has to report to the C.O. tomorrow. He is so fed up with his car after one journey that he wants to sell it!
Actually, I think my car will bear comparison with any of those three.
Before I leave the subject of the Swabys I should say that Mrs. Swaby said we could spend a week-end at her home (they’ve got a spare room with a 3/4 size bed) any time we want – that’s if you don’t mind the presence
[page break]
6
of two young children in the house.
We go to Wigsley on Wednesday, for 36 days solid without a day off. The first 14 days we do lectures from 8.15 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., & then we start flying. At the end of the course, we get seven days leave.
While I was in Lincoln yesterday I saw a R.A.F. officer who looked familiar. He came across the street to speak to me & it turned out to be none other than Botting, now S/Ldr! He is stationed just outside Lincoln, but he has done very well, because he can only have been
[page break]
7
on Ops for a month at the outside. He asked me to go & have lunch with him tomorrow or Tuesday but I doubt if I’ll be able to manage it.
He asked most kindly after you, as did also Mr. Bruce, whose letter I got yesterday.
I’m enclosing the latest Bank statement, which agrees pretty well with what I said, I think.
It’s getting late now (11.40 p.m.) so I’ll stop.
All my love, darling,
Harold.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of his car purchase and his colleagues and of his course at RAF Wigsley.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06-04
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Seven handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440604
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Lincoln
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06
aircrew
military living conditions
RAF Scampton
RAF Wigsley
training
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/660/9245/EGortonHGortonLCM440607-01.1.pdf
82e84385cd15658aafc4753d523d4511
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gorton, Harold
Description
An account of the resource
136 items. The collection concerns Squadron Leader Harold Gorton (1914 - 1944, 120984, Royal Air Force) and contains eight photographs and 126 letters to his wife and family. Harold Gorton studied at Oxford, and throughout his time in the RAF he continued studying law. He completed a tour of operations as a pilot in 1941 and was then posted as an instructor to RAF Cark. He returned to operations with 49 Squadron stationed at RAF Fulbeck in 1944. He was killed 11/12 November 1944 during an operation to Harburg.<br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Mair Gorton and Ian Gorton, and catalogued by Barry Hunter. <br /><br />Additional information on Harold Gorton is available via the <a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/108964/">IBCC Losses Database</a>.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-30
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. Some items have not been published in order to protect the privacy of third parties, to comply with intellectual property regulations, or have been assessed as medium or low priority according to the IBCC Digital Archive collection policy and will therefore be published at a later stage. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collection-policy.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gorton, H
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Scampton.
Wed. 12.00 hrs
7/6/44.
Dearest,
I was going to write to you last night, but was unable to do so.
I collected the car on Monday night. It certainly runs very well & seems to have nothing wrong with it – except, perhaps, the fact that 40 m.p.h. is its top speed.
Swaby hadn’t much petrol on Monday, so he just gave me enough to take me to Scampton & back, & then I collected some more (2 galls) last night. I took a car-load with me, because an Australian on the course wanted to buy Swaby’s Ford, so I took him & a friend out too.
[page break]
2.
The rest of my time yesterday I was either busy packing or talking to blokes who were continually dropping into our room yesterday. As one of the blokes said, “This course has gone car mad.”
I’ve got only half a gallon coupon for the journey as it is less than 18 miles to Wigsley.
The invasion doesn’t seem to have caused much excitement here (The “Times” went mad, however, its headlines were in print 1 1/2 “ big!) My chief feeling, apart from relief now it’s started, is regret that I wasn’t on that raid on Monday night.
[page break]
3
There seemed to be lots of things I wanted to say, but I’m writing this in the Mess & find it hard to concentrate.
Anyway darling, you can be sure that I shall use as little of my petrol as possible, so that I shall be able to take you out in it. I really begrudge every teaspoonful I use until the time when you are sitting next to me.
All my love, darling,
Harold.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Description
An account of the resource
He writes of his car and the start of the allied invasion.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-06-07
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three handwritten sheets
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EGortonHGortonLCM440607-01
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Harold Gorton
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Nottinghamshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-06-06
1944-06-05
aircrew
military living conditions
Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944)
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1169/18223/EBeorsRTurnerAJ390909-0001.2.jpg
3489835658f7a5301ce28dec8b28a135
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1169/18223/EBeorsRTurnerAJ390909-0002.2.jpg
227a2fd825aad0a6f27ef05e42ae50b0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Turner, John
Albion John Turner
A J Turner
Description
An account of the resource
<a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/228620/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>116 items. Concerns Flight Sergeant Albion John Turner (1911 - 1939, 561939 Royal Air Force) who joined the RAF as an apprentice in 1927. After service as a fitter he re-mustered as a pilot in 1935 and after training served on 216 Squadron flying Vickers Victoria and Valentia before moving to 9 Squadron on Handley Page Heyfords in 1936. He converted to Wellingtons February 1939 and was killed when his aircraft was shot down on 4 September 1939 during operations against shipping at Brunsbüttel. Collection consists of an oral history interview with Penny Turner his daughter (b. 1938), correspondence, official documents, his logbook and photographs. <br /><br />Additional information on Albion John Turner <span>is available via the </span><a href="https://internationalbcc.co.uk/losses/228620/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IBCC Losses Database</a><br /><br />The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Penny Turner and catalogued by Nigel Huckins
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-29
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Turner, J
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Sergeants Mess, Royal Air Force, Scampton, Lincoln.
September 9th 1939.
Dear Mrs Turner,
Very many thanks for your letter, I must thank you for honouring me by letting me know about John. Firsly[sic] I have to express my deep horror and regret at the thought of John being a casualty of any kind.
As you know, John and I were great friends from Egypt days and other friends of his here at Scampton have asked me to convey to you their sincere wishes for Johns[sic] safety. We who serve [underlined] know [/underlined] that John, Jock and Bill Borley[?] we [were] doing their plain duty to the utmost of their ability and courage when they went into action, they were very gallant people, their action will service as a splendid example to the members of their squadron and the R.A.F. as a whole.
I sincerely join with you in the prayer that
[page break]
John at worst is a prisoner so that he will be with you again some day. Keep a strong heart for I know you are proud of John what ever the cost.
Marjorie joins with me in the foregoing [?] and we [inserted] would [/inserted] feel grateful to hear any further news of John. Many thanks for your kind wishes.
Yours very Sincerely.
Robert Beors
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Mrs Turner from Robert Beors
Description
An account of the resource
From a friend of John Turner expressing horror on news of John Turners was a casualty. Passes condolence from himself and from other acquaintances at RAF Scampton. Writes other eulogy comments about John Turner and Bill Borley. Hopes they might be prisoners.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Robert Beors
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1939-09-09
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EBeorsRTurnerAJ390909
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1939-09-04
1939-09-09
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Sue Smith
David Bloomfield
missing in action
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/760/19775/SCulkinJ19241214v10004-0001.1.jpg
8a7239eb670091ab67bcd3738bc473fd
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/760/19775/SCulkinJ19241214v10004-0002.1.jpg
e775553b7542fdce1ecb7b8e4052c0c0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Culkin, Jean
J Culkin
Description
An account of the resource
10 items. An oral history interview with Jean Culkin, née Dodds (b.1924), photographs and documents. The collection also contains an album of photographs and newspaper cuttings. Jean Culkin grew up in Sunderland and worked in a reserved occupation. Her husband, John George Mackel Culkin, served as ground crew.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Jean Culkin and catalogued by IBCC Digital Archive staff.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-09-13
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Culkin, J
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Ministry of Defence crest]
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
RAF Personnel Management Centre
Innsworth Gloucester GL3 1EZ
Telephone Churchdown 712612 (STD 0452) ext
Your reference
Our Reference
DPM(Airmen)/B0574910/P Man 3e
Date
18 Sep 80
[underlined] TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN [/underlined]
[underlined] CERTIFIED TRUE STATEMENT OF SERVICE POSTINGS
EX WARRANT OFFICER J G M CULKIN (B0574910) [/underlined]
[header] [underlined] Service Postings – Effective Dates [/underlined] [/header]
Enlisted Aircraft Apprentice at RAF Halton: - 6 Sep 38
1(A) Wing Cosford – 14 Sep 38
3 Wing Halton – No Date Recorded
4 Group Flt – 29 Jun 40
35 Squadron – 3 Dec 40
76 Squadron – 11 Jul 41
Middle East (205 Group) – 13 Jul 42
462 Squadron – 12 Aug 42
148 Squadron – 31 Aug 43
NAAF 148 Squadron – 25 Jan 44
Gianaclis – 15 Jan 46
Home Establishment – 24 Feb 46
5 School of Technical Training – 8 Mar 46
RAF Debden – 2 Jan 50
Div Tech College Debden – 1 Mar 51
1 Recruiting Unit RAF Padgate – 25 Mar 52
Cardington (Attachment) – 15 Jun 53
1 Recruiting Unit RAF Padgate – No Date Recorded
2 Recruiting Unit – 15 Jun 53
1 Recruiting Unit RAF Padgate – No Date Recorded
5 Personnel Dispersal Centre – 15 Jul 53
MEAF – 19 Jul 53
El Hamra – 20 Jul 53
Aden Communication Squadron – 23 Jul 53
United Kingdom – 18 Nov 53
1 Personnel Holding Unit N/E – 4 Dec 53
Odiham – 19 Jan 54
Avon Eng School Littleover (Attachment) – 28 Jun 54
Odiham – 10 Jul 54
Leuchars (Attachment) – No Date Recorded
Odiham – 13 Nov 54
Nicosia (Attachment) – 1 Oct 57
Odiham – 12 Jan 58
RAF Germany – 8 Apr 59
Detmold Sundern – 9 Apr 59
Gutersloh – 28 Mar 61
[page break]
Leconfield – 31 May 61
202 Squadron – 29 Aug 64
225 Squadron (FEAF) – 7 Sep 64
Scampton – 12 Sep 65
Kai Tak – 24 Jun 69
Leeming – 20 Dec 71
Gutersloh – 2 Aug 74
Waddington – 30 May 77
Discharged from Waddington – 14 May 78
[signature]
D M MANSFIELD
for Director Personnel
Management (Airmen)
(Royal Air Force)
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Jack's postings
Description
An account of the resource
Official document from RAF listing all Jacks postings throughout his service.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
M.O.D. P.M.C.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1980-09-18
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One typewritten sheet
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text. Correspondence
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SCulkinJ19241214v10004-0001, SCulkinJ19241214v10004-0002
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
148 Squadron
35 Squadron
462 Squadron
76 Squadron
RAF Debden
RAF Halton
RAF Leconfield
RAF Leeming
RAF Padgate
RAF Scampton
RAF Waddington
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1281/22205/SValentineJRM1251404v20008-0001.1.jpg
0cb2c859a7a025bb41525b2c0a6186e0
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1281/22205/SValentineJRM1251404v20008-0002.1.jpg
df5f54853a89fc2bf7d3bc1e63126f08
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Valentine, John
John Ross Mckenzie Valentine
J R M Valentine
Description
An account of the resource
674 Items. Collection concerns navigator Warrant Officer J R McKenzie Valentine (1251404 Royal Air Force). The collection contains over 600 letters between JRM Valentine and his wife Ursula. It also contains his log book, family/official documents, a book of violin music studies and other correspondence. Sub-collections contain family photographs, prisoner of war photographs and a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings of events from 1942 to 1945.
He joined 49 Squadron in April 1942 and flew 10 operations on Hampdens. The squadron converted to Manchester in May when he completed two further operations. His aircraft was shot down on the Thousand Bomber raid of 30/31 May 1942. Five crew, including him bailed out successfully and became prisoners of war. The pilot and one air gunner were killed when the aircraft rolled over and crashed.
The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Frances Zagni and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018-09-06
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Valentine, JRM
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
Royal Air Force Station,
Scampton
Lincoln.
3-6-42.
Dear Mrs. Valentine,
I am extremely sorry to have to inform you that your husband Sergeant John Valentine, failed to return from a night raid on Germany on Saturday, May 30th 1942. He took off at 10.53 that night as navigator of the aircraft and from that time nothing more was heard of them. However, if we hear anything from or about him, please rest assured that I will let you know immediately. There is always some chance in these cased, of the crew being taken prisoner of war, and while this should never
[page break]
be forgotten I do not wish in this case, to raise any false hopes.
Your husband took part in the biggest raid of all time, the attack on Cologne, which was, as we all now know, such a resounding success. He had completed 10 operational sorties totalling 65 hours flying and he was a skilled and conscientious navigator. It is due to the skill and determination of such as he that we are able to deliver to Germany such a rattling blow.
If there is any thing that I can do for you in the way of advice or further information, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Yours sincerely,
[signature]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Ursula Valentine from RAF Scampton
Description
An account of the resource
Informs her that her husband failed to return from an operation over Germany on 30 May 1942. The correspondent would inform her if they had any further news.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1942-06-03
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SValentineJRM1251404v20008-0001, SValentineJRM1251404v20008-0002
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1942-05-30
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Jan Waller
aircrew
bombing of Cologne (30/31 May 1942)
missing in action
navigator
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1764/30652/SJenkinsonPR1826262v10012-0001.2.jpg
e6df93323b7cb1c060719cb8cd1b2339
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Jenkinson, Peter and Leslie. Peter Jenkinson
Description
An account of the resource
Fifty-three items concerning Peter Jenkinson who served as a flight engineer on 166 and 153 Squadron Lancaster and was killed with his crew on 28 January 1945. Collection contains official and family correspondence, photographs, biographies, newspaper articles, official documents, roll of honour and records of operations.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-08-24
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Jenkinson, LP-PR
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
POST OFFICE TELEGRAM
OFFICE STAMP 29 JA 45 CONSTANTINE
OHMS
Priority CC
Mrs I R Jenkinson Falmouth
Regret to inform you that your son 1826262 Sgt P R Jenkinson is reported missing from operations on night of 28.1.45 letter follows immediately any other information received will be communicated to
[page break]
you immediately appending receipt of written communication from Air Ministry no information should be given press
Aeronautics
Scampton
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Telegram to Mrs I R Jenkinson
Description
An account of the resource
Informs he that her son Sgt P R Jenkinson was reported missing from operations on night 28 January 1945. Will inform her if any other information received.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-01-29
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten telegram form mounted on an album page
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SJenkinsonPR1826262v10012-0001
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Civilian
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Falmouth
England--Lincolnshire
England--Cornwall (County)
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945-01-29
1945-01-29
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
David Bloomfield
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
missing in action
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1764/30670/SJenkinsonPR1826262v10077-0001.2.jpg
957f9307fec528b1ff24daac4ff4321f
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1764/30670/SJenkinsonPR1826262v10077-0002.2.jpg
6f41bae7cbc5842d13f3b55e1863dde0
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Jenkinson, Peter and Leslie. Peter Jenkinson
Description
An account of the resource
Fifty-three items concerning Peter Jenkinson who served as a flight engineer on 166 and 153 Squadron Lancaster and was killed with his crew on 28 January 1945. Collection contains official and family correspondence, photographs, biographies, newspaper articles, official documents, roll of honour and records of operations.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2016-08-24
Publisher
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IBCC Digital Archive
Rights
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This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
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Jenkinson, LP-PR
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
R.A.F. STATION,
SCAMPTON,
LINCOLN
20.1.45.
Dear Sanchia,
I was so glad to hear that you enjoyed the panto. I am now waiting to hear all about your party. The drawing is of an aeroplane which I used to fly at Picton in Canada. Mr Jenkinson was very pleased with the letter which he received from you. I don’t expect there has been a chance to sail the boat yet. it is snowing here and very cold.
Lots of love
From Daddy
XXXX
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Sanchia from father
Description
An account of the resource
Glad she enjoyed panto and explains aeroplane picture he sent. Mentions that Mr Jenkinson was pleased with the letter he received from her. Concludes by saying no chance to sail boat yet.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1945-01-20
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Two page handwritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SJenkinsonPR1826262v10077
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1945-01-20
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
David Bloomfield
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
childhood in wartime
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1857/33258/SAdderM175073v10077.1.pdf
2bf8365f0fe41f28ef28282f1bfc6f23
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1857/33258/SAdderM175073v10076.1.jpg
cf63b1c8ae5c647445bd19eb28da50c7
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Adder, Mervyn
M Adder
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-29
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Adder, M
Description
An account of the resource
88 items. The collection concerns Pilot Officer Mervyn Adder (1922 - 1944, 175073 Royal Air Force) and contains his diaries, correspondence and photographs. He flew operations as a navigator with 44 Squadron and was killed 15 March 1944. <br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Mary Sprakes and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /><span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-GB" lang="EN-GB" class="TextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0">Additional information on<span> Mervyn Adder</span></span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span> </span>is available via the</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW207633627 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> </span><a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/100101/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[Royal Air Force crest]
SERGEANTS’ MESS,
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION,
DUNHOLME LODGE,
LINCOLN.
Sunday
Dear Alex,
I am playing ‘Housey-Housey’ in the Mess at the moment so that this letter might be a little disjointed as I am writing in between the check ups, however I thought I had better drop you a line and let you know when I am having my leave.
Thanks for your letter and was pleased to hear that you have had a good time over Christmas. I certainly enjoyed mine, but it was more strenuous than hectic.
We landed from a trip early on the Friday morning and after breakfast something said ‘Why not go
[page break]
to see Mary there wont be any ‘ops’ over Christmas?’ – so I went. First of all I rang Mary (Have just won Housey), it was ten o’clock by then so decided upon two hours sleep after I had washed and shaved, unfortunately I slept too much and it [deleted] by [/deleted] [inserted] was [/inserted] 1530 when I awoke, but set off straight away, I cycled the 40 mls and reached Belton by 1930 and was very thankful for the large meal Mary had waiting for me, and the short rest before we went along to the dance in the village.
We danced until midnight but I was rather limp by then and only wanted to go to bed that night. Christmas day we spent playing darts, went for a short walk before tea and after our Christmas dinner had [deleted] had [/deleted]
[page break]
[deleted] the [/deleted] time to digest, and walked the few miles to the pictures after tea. It was about two o’clock in the morning that we went to bed and I had to get up again at twenty to five to cycle back, which I did in the dark and as I hadn’t lights had to climb up the sign posts and strike matches to see that I kept to the right road. I reached Camp soon after nine o’clock and hadn’t been missed, a threat of ‘ops’ on Christmas day hadn’t been carried out as by then the chaps were in no fit state to fly.
We had our Christmas dinner
[page break]
on Boxing Day and had lots of good things to eat, I kept awake so I shouldn’t miss anything but it was a struggle and turned in early.
Well this place isn’t so bad, it was a bit deadly at first as we had parades in the morning and afternoon but this has been abolished and have also been given a day off a fortnight. We had our day off on Saturday, the rest of the ‘bods’ stayed in bed in the morning but I had to get up to go along to Scampton (base 3 mls away) for treatment. I have been grounded for a week as one of my front teeth has been septic (abscess on same) and [inserted] have [/inserted] had toothache, but it seems to be better now and think [deleted] he [/deleted] [inserted] the dentist [/inserted] will be able to fill it now and won’t have to have it out.
On Saturday afternoon
[page break]
[deleted] We [/deleted]
we went into Lincoln and saw Lincoln City lose to Doncaster Rovers 5-4, it was a good match but made me wish that I could play again.
The flying is going along quite well here and until last week we were kept quite busy, with the result that I have now done six (five on the Big City) and am hoping to put one or two more in before I come on leave.
About leave, my leave starts on 27th Jan, we shall not therefore have long together but should at least manage a couple of days
[page break]
[deleted] together [/deleted] and am certainly looking forward to seeing you all again
Well I guess that’s about all the ‘gen’ I have for you this time so will say cheerio for the present.
All the Best,
Mervyn.
[page break]
January 1944
This letter to Dad was amusingly written whilst Mervyn was playing (and winning) Housey-Housey in the mess.
He describes taking some unofficial leave over Christmas, which was ok as he correctly predicted they would not fly on Christmas Day. He cycled to Belton on Christmas Eve to be with Mary. He set off at 15.30 and arrived at 19.30. He ate a meal and then they went dancing in the village. They went walking and then to the pictures on Christmas Day. Although he didn’t go to bed until 2 am he got up at 4.40 am to cycle back in the dark. He had no lights on his bike and climbed signposts and struck matches to find his location. They ate Christmas dinner on Boxing Day at the camp. He had to visit the dentist at Scampton as he was having more dental trouble. He describes seeing Lincoln City play Doncaster Rovers and expresses his frustration at not playing himself. He is looking forward to some leave and hoping to see Dad. Did they make it? I wish I’d had these letters sooner.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Mervyn Adder to his brother Alex
Description
An account of the resource
Letter and explanatory note. Writes while playing housey-housey (bingo) in the mess. Describes some events over Christmas including cycling 40 miles to meet Mary, going for walk and going to see a film. Describes life at his station, mentioning parades were abolished and they got a day off a fortnight. Mentions he was grounded due to dental problems. Mentions going to football match in Lincoln and that flying was going well. Concludes with comments on upcoming leave.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
M Adder
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-01
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Six page handwritten letter and printed explanatory note
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Text. Personal research
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SAdderM175073v10077, SAdderM175073v10076
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Belton
England--Lincoln
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-01
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending text-based transcription. Under review
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
bombing
entertainment
military living conditions
military service conditions
RAF Dunholme Lodge
RAF Scampton
sport
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1857/33275/SAdderM175073v10109.1.jpg
2a9c26e73783f6142dbff3cc1f4a1f41
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Adder, Mervyn
M Adder
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-05-29
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Adder, M
Description
An account of the resource
88 items. The collection concerns Pilot Officer Mervyn Adder (1922 - 1944, 175073 Royal Air Force) and contains his diaries, correspondence and photographs. He flew operations as a navigator with 44 Squadron and was killed 15 March 1944. <br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Mary Sprakes and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.<br /><br /><span data-contrast="none" xml:lang="EN-GB" lang="EN-GB" class="TextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0">Additional information on<span> Mervyn Adder</span></span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW207633627 BCX0"><span> </span>is available via the</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW207633627 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":276}"> </span><a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/100101/">IBCC Losses Database.</a>
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[crest]
ROYAL AIR FORCE,
SCAMPTON,
LINCOLN.
21st March, 1944.
Ref: 52B/CA. 1384/44.
Dear Mr Adder,
As the officer detailed to supervise the collection of your son’s belongings, may I be permitted to offer you my deepest sympathy during this time of anxiety.
In order to ensure the safeguarding of your son’s effects, they have been carefully checked and packed, and are being despatched to:-
The Central Depository,
R.A.F. Colnbrook,
Slough, Bucks.
where they will be held for some little time prior to their release by Air Ministry on the completion of the necessary formalities. All communications with regard to the effects should now be addressed to The Central Depository.
Your son’s National Saving Stamps have been forwarded to Air Ministry.
If there are any other matters on which I can help you, do please let me know.
Your faithfully,
[signature]
Air Commodore Commanding,
[underlined] R.A.F. Base Scampton. [/underlined]
Mr. A. Adder,
153 Albert Ave.,
[underlined] HULL [/underlined].
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Mervyn Adder's father from effects officer
Description
An account of the resource
From officer detailed to supervise the collection of his son's personal belongings advising actions taken to safeguard effects. Effects dispatch to central depository RAF Colnbrook.
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One page typewritten letter
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SAdderM175073v10109
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Buckinghamshire
England--Slough
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-03-21
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-03-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending text-based transcription. Under review
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Tricia Marshall
missing in action
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1895/35706/SGillK1438901v30042-0001.2.jpg
50a435a381263238c04f2bf1b0dee938
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1895/35706/SGillK1438901v30042-0002.2.jpg
d3fb0626125d78abcfcedf231a9be405
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1895/35706/SGillK1438901v30042-0003.2.jpg
33cf9ae2a56afe4fcd53eafe37eba9c1
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gill, Kenneth
K Gill
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gill, K
Description
An account of the resource
One hundred and sixty-four items plus another one hundred and fifteen in two sub-ciollections. The collection concerns Flying Officer Kenneth Gill DFC (1922 - 1945, 1438901, 155097 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents, photographs and family and other correspondence. <br />He flew operations as a navigator with 9 Squadron before starting a second tour with 617 Squadron. He was killed 21 March 1945 having completed 45 operations.<br /><br />The collection also contains two albums. <br /><a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2114">Kenneth Gill. Album One</a><br /><a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2117">Kenneth Gill. Album Two</a><br /><br />Additional information on Kenneth Gill is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/108654/">IBCC Losses Database.</a><br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Derek Gill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[R.A.F. crest]
F/o. GILL K.
OFFICERS MESS.
R.A.F. SYERSTON.
NR. NEWARK.
NOTTS.
Mar. 16th./44.
Dear mum, dad & all,
Hope your’e all keeping well now and looking after yourselves.
Did Les enjoy his trip down here?, it was good to have him on my own ground, though I'm sorry we couldn't get a trip in for him.
Hope he arrived home safe enough. It's funny one of the chaps recognising him as my brother, it just shows we must bear some resemblance to each other doesn't it. I don't know the chap very well and he didn't know Les was coming down here.
I was up near home this afternoon though I couldn't see the ground for the cloud; we were up
[page break]
2/
on a weather flight, rather an honour really as the crew were chosen by our Group H.Q.; we had some good fun though chopping bits off clouds with our wings and playing hide and seek with ourselves in and out of the large cloud tops. It shook them a bit when I told them to descend and our 'drome was right below us, they thought we'd have a job finding it again as the visibility was bad.
I had an airgraph today from Ron written on the 29th. Feb, he's going on alright; wishing his time away to get back home again though, I don't blame him it's been a long time.
I'm going to write him a letter tonight so that may cheer him up a bit.
I've had no word yet from 'Derby'
[page break]
3/
but I'm hoping he can wangle me a posting to Scampton pretty soon, I'm tired of Syerston, its like pushing against a brick wall, they still think it's a pilot's air force but they'll wake up some day with a big bump.
So far I've not been detailed for any more duties but my turn will be round again before long.
I don't seem to have any more news so I'll close for now.
Take care of yourselves and keep smiling, be a good lad David.
Goodnight & God Bless
Your Loving Son.
Ken [kisses]
David [kisses]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Kenneth Gill to his parents
Description
An account of the resource
Writes of recent visit from his brother. Mentions a little of recent flying. Catches up with news of correspondence. Hopes to get a posting to Scampton as he is tired of Syerston. Moans about pilots air force and mentions no more duties detailed.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
K Gill
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-03-16
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-03-16
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Nottinghamshire
England--Lincolnshire
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Civilian
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Three page handwritten letter
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SGillK1438901v30042
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Sue Smith
military service conditions
RAF Scampton
RAF Syerston
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/1895/35804/SGillK1438901v30036.2.jpg
2ef8c9c18a73bce61cd42fd0786f4bae
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Gill, Kenneth
K Gill
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-07-09
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Gill, K
Description
An account of the resource
One hundred and sixty-four items plus another one hundred and fifteen in two sub-ciollections. The collection concerns Flying Officer Kenneth Gill DFC (1922 - 1945, 1438901, 155097 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, documents, photographs and family and other correspondence. <br />He flew operations as a navigator with 9 Squadron before starting a second tour with 617 Squadron. He was killed 21 March 1945 having completed 45 operations.<br /><br />The collection also contains two albums. <br /><a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2114">Kenneth Gill. Album One</a><br /><a href="https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/show/2117">Kenneth Gill. Album Two</a><br /><br />Additional information on Kenneth Gill is available via the <a href="https://losses.internationalbcc.co.uk/loss/108654/">IBCC Losses Database.</a><br /><br />The collection has been donated to the IBCC Digital Archive by Derek Gill and catalogued by Nigel Huckins.
Transcribed document
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading.
Transcription
Text transcribed from audio recording or document
[RAF badge]
R.A.F. BASE.
SCAMPTON.
LINCOLN.
15 Feb '44
Dear Ken
You are a most elusive young man to find on the 'phone – I've had three attempts since Saturday, without any success. At any rate hearty congratulations on your decoration. No one knows better than I do how well deserved it is. I'll be calling around for my pint as soon as possible!
Kind regards
Yours Sincerely [signature]
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter to Kenneth Gill from J Derbyshire
Description
An account of the resource
Writes that he had being trying to get hold of him by telephone and congratulates his on decoration.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
J Derbyshire
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-02-15
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-02-15
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
One page handwritten letter
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
SGillK1438901v30036
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Sue Smith
Distinguished Flying Cross
RAF Scampton
-
https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/original/2200/40083/EDarbyCAHWellandJ440906.2.pdf
26223fb31403bf507b83c27e5c9fed67
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Darby. Charles Arthur Hill
Darby, CAH
Jack Darby
Johnny Darby
Description
An account of the resource
203 items. The collection concerns Charles Arthur Hill Darby (1915 - 1996, 154676 Royal Air Force) and contains his log book, photographs, documents and correspondence. He flew operations as a bomb aimer with 186 Squadron.
The collection has been loaned to the IBCC Digital Archive for digitisation by Richard John Darby and catalogued by Barry Hunter.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2018-02-02
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
Darby, CAH
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
Description
An account of the resource
He has transferred to Scampton. He describes his journey back to base. He doesn't much like Lincoln - too many RAF and not enough beer, food or cinemas. Food and accommodation at the base are very good. He asks about V-1s.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Jack Darby
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1944-09-06
Conforms To
An established standard to which the described resource conforms.
Pending text-based transcription
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
EDarbyCAHWellandJ440906
Temporal Coverage
Temporal characteristics of the resource.
1944-09-06
Spatial Coverage
Spatial characteristics of the resource.
Great Britain
England--Lincolnshire
England--Oxfordshire
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force. Bomber Command
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Text. Correspondence
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Envelope and four page letter
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
IBCC Digital Archive
aircrew
RAF Scampton
RAF Upper Heyford
training
V-1
V-weapon