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Interview with Fred Crawley DFC
Fred Crawley joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 when he was 18 years old. While at an operational training unit he survived a crash which killed five members of his crew. He was treated in hospital at RAF Rauceby for burns. After training he…
Interview with Harry Irons. One
Harry Irons left a tailoring apprenticeship to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator but actually became an air-gunner. He describes the uniform he wore and the unreliability of heated suits. Discusses the invention of…
Interview with Harry Irons. Two
Harry Irons lied about his age and joined the RAF aged 16. He flew two tours of operations as a rear gunner and mid-under gunner.
Interview with Jack Alexander Cook
Beginning the war in a reserved occupation, Jack eventually volunteered for the Royal Air Force, however, it would take the majority of the war before he joined. Eventually being called up for Bomber Command in 1944, Jack trained as a wireless…
Interview with John David Pennington Cotter
John was born in London, Hendon. His family fell on hard times in his early years. John and his brother, Paul, joined the RAF in 1941 as a pilot and wireless operator respectively. After initial training at RAF Brize Norton, John was trained in…
Interview with Rex Statham
Rex Statham was born in Luton. His father died in a motorbike accident when he was very young. Although Rex had been very keen to join the Navy he volunteered for the RAF as a flight mechanic. When he realised that many trained mechanics were being…
Interview with Tom Coles
Tom Coles was born in Watford and signed up for the Royal Air Force at the age of 18. He went to Canada for training, a period saddened by the loss of his sister who was in the Womens Auxilliary Air Force. Tom flew Manchesters, then went to 158…
Interview with William Frederick Chubb
Bill Chubb had several challenges in his early life and his father died when Bill was 12. After several jobs he joined the RAF as a flight engineer. He became part of a Canadian crew, despite some objection! Bill tells many tales of his RAF time,…
J D Cotter’s Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book for J D Cotter, covering the period from 11 January 1942 to 22 April 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RCAF Caron, RCAF North Battleford, RAF Swanton Morley,…
John Hitchcock's Officers' Record of Service
John's service record as an officer.
Letter to Dennis Raettig from former colleague from 158 Squadron
Letter date 21 July from 'Don'. Reply to letters sent two years after Don left the squadron. Notes that he is in touch with some other squadron members and recounts what happened to him after he left the squadron. He went originally to 1669 Heavy…
Losses on Munich raid 6/7 September 1943
Lists squadron, aircraft type and serial number, reason for loss if known, number killed and number survived. Consists of 19 crews from 13 squadrons with 6 Lancaster and 13 Halifax.
Operations order from 4 Group
Detailed operation order from group to 102, 77, 10, 158, 466, 640, 76, 78, 51 and 578 Squadrons with numbers of aircraft required. Target "Whitebait". Gives detailed instructions, routes, bomb loads, wave orders, fuel loads, window carriage, route…
Ray Wells and Crew
12 airmen under the nose of a Halifax. In a second identical image 'Ray Wells F/E 158 Sqd' has been annotated.
The nose has 56+ operations marked on. A cartoon character is dropping bombs and DFC and DFM ribbons have been painted on.
The nose has 56+ operations marked on. A cartoon character is dropping bombs and DFC and DFM ribbons have been painted on.
Ray Wells, Crew and Girlfriend
Photo 1 is Ray Wells, trainee airman.
Photo 2 is Seven airmen and five ground crew under the nose of their Halifax, captioned 'Halifax G -George and Crew. RAF Lisset. 158 Squadron. 1944. 37 Operations - Europe.'
Photo 3 is a side head and shoulders…
Photo 2 is Seven airmen and five ground crew under the nose of their Halifax, captioned 'Halifax G -George and Crew. RAF Lisset. 158 Squadron. 1944. 37 Operations - Europe.'
Photo 3 is a side head and shoulders…
Ray Wells' Career Summary
A brief list of Ray's RAF career on an RAF form.
Ray Wells' Crew
Seven airmen at the rear of a Halifax. Each man and his position are annotated on the photograph and underneath. Each man has signed his name on the photo.
At the top is 'The Boys before our first trip Oisemont - France Halifax B-Baker 158…
At the top is 'The Boys before our first trip Oisemont - France Halifax B-Baker 158…
Ray Wells' Pilot’s, Air Bomber’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book
R G Wells Flight Engineer’s Flying Log Book covering the period 16 April 1944 to 30 September 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown as flight engineer. He was stationed at RAF Riccall (1658 HCU), RAF Lisset (158 Squadron) and RAF…
Record of service
Covers all postings in service including training in England and the United States and operations on 158 Squadron flying Halifax after which he was a pilot instructor.
Ronald Bailey's flying log book
Flying log book for Ronald Bailey, flight engineer, covering the period from 5 May 1944 to 26 October 1946. Detailing his flying training operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF Wombelton, RAF Tholthorpe, RAF Lissett, RAF…
S A Windmill’s Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book. One
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book for S A Windmill, covering the period from 4 January 1942 to 29 May 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Cambridge, USAF Lakeland, USAF…
Seven aircrew and a Halifax
Seven airmen wearing battledress and side caps standing in line in front of the rear turret of a Halifax. Annotated 'Frank and crew' and signatures.
The crew have been identified as:
182868 - MEADEN, ALFRED WILLIAM (pilot)
1650129 - EVANS,…
The crew have been identified as:
182868 - MEADEN, ALFRED WILLIAM (pilot)
1650129 - EVANS,…
Seven Airmen
Seven airmen in flying kit, standing at the rear of their Halifax. 158 Squadron, Lissett, Johnny Johnson crew. A second copy is annotated '158 Sqdn RAF Lissett 4 Group 1944' and each man is identified with their crew position. Another copy has each…
Seven Seated Airmen
Seven airmen seated in a tent. Bob "Cat's Eye" Benton and J Blackshaw have signed the reverse. Information supplied with the collection states 158 Squadron, Lissett, Johnny Johnson crew.