Browse Items (368 total)

  • Temporal Coverage starts with "1939"

E[Author]P[Recipient]W390705-0001.jpg
A brief message to Wendy from Peter. The message is a coloured drawing of a red flower. On the reverse is a sketch of a women's jacket and skirt with measurements and an address in London.

MHattersleyCR40699-160506-030001.pdf
A service diary written by Peter Hattersley covering the period from November 1930 to 24 September 1948.Initially he served in the Royal Engineers but in February 1936 he joined the RAF. It covers his training and operations including a newspaper…

MAnsellHT1893553-160730-04.pdf
A record of Henry Ansell's time at Plaistow Secondary School, West Ham from 15th September 1936 to 25th July 1940. Includes marks for each subject, attendance, height and weight.

E[Author]MRaettigDW3907110001.jpg
Humorous post card of waiter and couple having diner. On the reverse message to Dennis Raettig hoping he is behaving himself.

E[Author]MRaettigDW39008040001.jpg
Postcard from Bridlington depicting two black children. On the reverse news from a friend called Madge.

EBensonCRaettigDW390802-0001.jpg
Letter concerning Dennis Raettig's form E.D.60 for enlistment in Royal Air Force Reserve and requesting he complete Form 1764 as soon as possible.

MRaettigDW1136657-160623-21.pdf
Provides notes for information of candidates including age limits, nationality, education, flying experience, classes ineligible, selection and medical, period of engagement, rank, liabilities, foreign powers, discharge, training, financial, travel,…

MRaettigDW1136657-160623-22.pdf
Information for candidates including age limits, nationality, education, classes ineligible, residence in UK, serving in other branches, selection and medical, period of engagement, rank, liabilities, service with foreign power, discharge, training,…

ORaettigDW1136657-160623-01.pdf
Filled out form for Dennis Raettig with personal details, nationality, parents details, any convictions, education and employment. Followed by details of nearest elementary and reserve flying school and type of course required. Completed with two…

ERaetiggMERaetiggDW[Date]-03.jpg
Title 'M.V. Trocas, at sea, 14 June 1939' Chides his son as poor letter writer and comments how useful a typing book is and that crew mates had also got typewriters. He goes on to discuss difficulties of female visiting the ship due to authorities…

AAngusK160608.mp3
Kenneth Angus lived in Hull, and was 12 when war was declared. He discusses life on a farm after being evacuated, the bombing of Hull and his brother Harry Angus, who was killed flying as a wireless operator / air gunner with 44 Squadron from RAF…

PBoyntonS1512.jpg
During 1939 Stuart left grammar school and joined the Air Training Corps. After about half a year he volunteered for air crew and was accepted. He and his girlfriend were married in February 1943. Stuart was posted to South Africa working on Ansons…

LClydeSmithD39856v2.pdf
Pilot's flying log book for Denis Clyde-Smith covering the period from 10 May 1937 to 31 May 1942. Detailing his flying training, Operations and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Sywell, RAF Sealand, RAF Henlow, RAF Calshot, RAF Watchet, RAF…

PStangryciukBlackJ1701.jpg
Jan Black Stangryciuk was born in Poland but his family emigrated to Argentina in 1934. He volunteered to travel to England to join the Royal Air Force in 1939. He recounts his journey, why he made this decision and how he joined the RAF. He was…

AGoughH150922.mp3
Harry Gough was born in Dewsbury, he finished school in 1939 aged fourteen, joined the Air Training Corps in 1941 and volunteered for the Air Force in 1943. He recounts his training as an air gunner and flying over the North Pole. After flying…

PHawkinsIFV1501.jpg
Ian Hawkins was training to be a teacher when he decided to volunteer for the RAF, joining in 1941. He commenced training under the Arnold Scheme in Canada and the United States and passed the course as a pilot. He returned to England as a sergeant…

AHughesWR150713.mp3
Bob Hughes joined the RAF as war became likely to avoid repeating his father's First World War experience in the trenches and transferred to the RAF Volunteer Reserve when war was declared. He trained on Ansons and then flew in twin-engine Blenheims…

PMusgroveJ1501.jpg
Born in York in 1922, Joseph left school at 14 and started work in a chocolate factory and attended two nights of further education per week. In 1936, a fighter aircraft had landed nearby which stimulated his interest in flying which he retained all…

PTroglioP1812.jpg
Five men are around a donkey drawn cart, one seated on it holding the reins, while another has placed a hat on the donkey's head. Captioned: 'Torino. Ponte Gran Madre. 31-03-39. Valentino Periani Battaglia Venezia Troglio'

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AHooleyRE180913.mp3
Ray Hooley was at school in 1939 when war broke out and was evacuated to Mansfield. When the boys were returned to their school in Nottingham their shelter was in the basement and they were horrified to find when they went down for the practice that…

PSwallowP1801.jpg
Peter Swallow was born in Sheffield in 1929, one of three children. He recalls hearing Mr Chamberlain’s declaration of war broadcast as a schoolchild. His father, a plumber, volunteered as a member of the Local Defence Volunteers, eventually…

SDexterKI127249v10023.jpg
Captioned 'Flying Officer Keith Dexter RAFVR 103 Squadron, flew Lancaster ED945 PM-R. Lost 17/6/43 Hal Holland'. Note 'Medals Dexter qualified for Defence M, served DCI Met Police 1939-42 until joined RAF April 1942'. Pilot's brevet above with medal…

PWardEM16010044.jpg
Formal photograph of 175740 Flying Officer Ron Ward, in uniform, with meteorological observer's half wing. Captioned 'Ron Ward', 'RAF Service August 1944 - 1946', 'Photo 1946, MORLEY'.
Page has hand written log of his flights at Empire Air…
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