Flight Sergeant wireless operator on 58 Squadron at RAF Linton-on-Ouze flying Whitley III. First operation to Ruhr to drop leaflets and crash landed in France on the way back. Other operations were convoy patrol and bombing in France, Netherlands,…
Clive Coombes grew up on Royal Air Force stations, eventually joining and serving for 37 years before retiring in 2014. During this time, he served across the globe, including in Australia and Germany, as a ground branch officer. Clive outlines his…
Writes and describes flying all day in Anson which was easier to navigate that the Fokker. Mentions 18 degrees of frost lying on the floor getting drift on the bomb sight. Continues to describe his route and other airborne activity.
A letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie from his RAF station in Scotland. He writes about the poor weather and its effect on the station and flying, an impending Burns' Night supper and his homework.
A letter from Harry to his wife Jessie. Harry details the bad weather, which has closed roads and stopped the post from arriving. He has spent all day clearing snow drifts on the camp.
A letter and envelope from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. He writes about the severe weather, including blizzards, and how it is interfering with training. Includes a description of the frozen river in Ayr. He also explains his problems with…
A letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry writes about RAF life in Prestwick. He mentions a trip into Prestwick including to the cinema, his first taste of haggis and how difficult it is to keep up with the mathematics. He turned down a…
A five-page handwritten letter and envelope from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry describes the harsh weather, a trip into Ayr to see an ice hockey match and to the cinema. He includes a chart with his lesson timetable.
A two-page letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. He has just been posted and describes his 13-hour rail trip from London to Prestwick. He has found that the accommodation and food are good. Harry is on a 16-week observer course followed…
A three-page letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry is impressed by the amount of food they are getting, but has not had much opportunity to see the local area yet. The training course will be hard work and he is due to fly for the…
Letter and envelope from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry has passed his Maths exam and is on the list to be sent to Prestwick (after an initial confusion).
A three-page letter and envelope from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. He describes the antics of his fellow airman on New Year’s Eve. He is about to be sent to Scotland, so wants to arrange to see Jessie before he goes.