Browse Items (349 total)
Sort by:
Interview with James Flowers
Horace James Flowers was born and grew up in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire. He became an apprentice butcher before being released to volunteer for the Royal Air Force in 1944. He trained as an air gunner at RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Wigsley and RAF Syerston…
The day I reviewed the German army
The memoir details the events after Sergeant George Reid Williamson baled out of his Lancaster over Chateau-Thierry. After hiding in a wood for a few days, he met a local farmer who took him back to the farmhouse for food and a large overcoat. While…
George Reid Williamson in front of a Wellington
George Reid Williamson standing in front of a Wellington. Trees are in the background. On the reverse 'George with his good friend the Lancaster' [sic].
List of Gordon Catling's operations with 50 squadron
Notes that he was posted to 50 Squadron on 2nd November 1944. Then lists 29 operations flown by Lancaster crew including Gordon Catling from Royal Air Force Skellingthorpe between November 1944 and April 1945. First operation flown as co-pilot on…
Invitations for Mr and Mrs George Bubb
Two invitations for Mr and Mrs G Bubb. The first to the presentation of colours to 44 and 50 Squadron's by HRH Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, on 15 July 1967. The second to a luncheon following the presentation of colours on the same date. On the…
Seven aircrew in front of a Lancaster
Seven aircrew standing in front of the rear turret of Lancaster VN-R. Five men have Mae Wests, one unfastened. The pilot in the middle wears a peaked cap.
L V Sharpe is second from the right.
Additional information about this item has been…
L V Sharpe is second from the right.
Additional information about this item has been…
50 Squadron personnel in front of a Lancaster
Approximately 170 members of 50 Squadron in five tiered rows in front of a Lancaster. Front row consists of officers with peaked caps and a dog. Second row mixed officers with peaked caps toward the centre and airmen with side caps towards the ends.…
Arthur Smith
Head a shoulders portrait of Arthur Smith wearing battledress with flight engineer brevet and medal ribbons. On the reverse 'Art Smith (+2014) HJF's F/E 50 Sqn'.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Two Lancasters and their ground crews
Two Lancasters with engines running are being waved off by a group of ground crew. The nearer Lancaster is ED860 QR-N and the farther one is ED588 VN-G. Both have nose art depicting many operations.
Lincoln cathedral flypast
Air-to-air view of a Lincoln VN-C flying past the Lincoln Cathedral, looking north. Captioned: '33 [underlined]ONE OF THE 50 SQDN'S LINCOLNS FLYING PAST. LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
LINCOLN BOMBER - LINCOLN CATHEDRAL[/underlined]
50.SQ. WADDINGTON 1948 F/E…
LINCOLN BOMBER - LINCOLN CATHEDRAL[/underlined]
50.SQ. WADDINGTON 1948 F/E…
Harry Parkins' flight engineer log book
The log book covers the training and operational career Sergeant Harry Parkins from 20 December 1943 to March 1954. He flew in Stirling, Lancaster, Anson, C-47, Lancastrian, Valetta, Lincoln. Harry Parkins flew 47 operations - 30 night operations and…
Les Rutherford's prisoner of war diary
Prisoner of war diary of Les Rutherford, captured the 20 December 1943 and then detained at Stalag Luft 3 (Belaria). It consists mostly of sketches and cartoons but also information on camp life, photographs and German newspaper cuttings. The diary…
Interview with Philip Batty
Philip Batty grew up in Walsall. He discusses the death of his older brother Dennis, a wireless operator with 226 Squadron, early in the Second World War. Philip volunteered for aircrew. After training, he was posted to 50 Squadron at RAF Sturgate as…
Leonard Green’s navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Navigator's air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book for Flight Sergeant Leonard Green, wireless operator, covering the period from 15 December 1942 to 20 January 1946. He was stationed at RAF Manby, RAF Wigtown, RAF Bitteswell, RAF…
Interview with Gordon Catling
Gordon Catling grew up in Ipswich and lied about his age to join the Fire Service as a despatch rider. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1943 and flew operations as a rear gunner with 50 Squadron from RAF Skellingthorpe. He was posted to India after…
Interview with George Crooks
George Crooks was an apprentice electrician before volunteering for the Royal Air Force at the age of 18. After his training, he served as an armourer with 50 Squadron at RAF Swinderby and later RAF Skellingthorpe. He later worked experimenting with…
Interview with Stuart Michael Heaton
Michael Heaton grew up in Worcester and was a member of the Air Training Corps. He worked in a bank before joining the Royal Air Force and training as a navigator in Canada. He completed 22 operations as a navigator with 50 Squadron from RAF…
Interview with Les Rutherford. One
During this interview Les describes his experience as a despatch rider in France in 1940, before escaping from Dunkirk and returning to the United Kingdom, eventually joining the Royal Air Force. He also describes his training in South Africa and his…
Interview with Joe Shuttleworth
Joe Shuttleworth was born and raised in Brisbane but spent a lot of time with family in the Melbourne area. He volunteered for aircrew and began training as a gunner. After initial training he sailed to the United States and on to the UK. While at…
Interview with John Taylor
John Taylor grew up in Nottingham and was evacuated before he went into sixth form. He left school and started working as an analytical chemist at Boots the Chemist and, although, this was a reserved occupation he volunteered for aircrew. After his…
Interview with John Tait
John Tait was American by birth and was prompted to join the Royal Air Force, to avoid having to report to the police station once a month, because he was considered an ‘alien’. He was a wireless operator and gunner, flying in Ansons,…
Interview with Les Rutherford. Three
Les Rutherford joined the army and was in the 51st Highland Division which formed the rear-guard defence, allowing for the evacuation of Dunkirk. He escaped out to sea on a barn door and was picked up and taken to England by a French trawler. He…
John Firth's crew
Head and shoulders view of seven aircrew in two rows, three in front and four behind. All are dressed in battledress with aircrew brevet and shirt and tie. John Firth is top right. On the reverse '50 Squadron crew, John Firth top right'.
Interview with Syd Grimes
Sydney Grimes grew up near Southend and joined the RAF as a wireless operator in 1940. He flew a total of 41 operations - 24 with 106 Squadron and 17 with 617 Squadron. He then served on 9 Squadron at RAF Bardney for 2 months and, subsequently, with…
Sydney Grimes' observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Royal Air Force observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Sydney Grimes, wireless operator, covering the period from 2 July 1942 to 22 August 1945. Detailing training, operations flown, instructional duties and post war flying. He was stationed…