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Interview with Arthur Spencer
Arthur Spencer joined the Royal Air Force after leaving school. He began pilot training in Florida but then re-mustered as a navigator and trained in Pensacola. He completed two tours of operations as a navigator with 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa…
Interview with Kenneth Cook
Wing Commander Kenneth Cook was born in Randwick in Gloucestershire. At Marlings grammar school, he joined the Air Training Corps. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Air Force and went to America under the Arnold Scheme for pilot training.…
Interview with James Wright
James Wright was born in Nottinghamshire and worked as a civil servant before he joined the Air Force. After training in Canada he flew on operations as a navigator with 61, 97 and 630 Squadrons. He recalls the occasion when Eastbourne Railway…
Letter to Arthur Pritchard's Father
A letter to Arthur's father explaining that his son is missing in action.
Training as a flight engineer on Lancasters
Stanley Archer’s account of his training as one of the first flight engineers for Lancaster operations in 1942. First he attended an air gunnery course then transferred to 97 squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa. He comments on daylight raid on Augsburg.…
Stephen Dawson's memoir notebook
The notebook contains written accounts of 32 operations to targets in Germany, Italy and France between June and November 1943 and a list of his crew. Accounts include bomb loads and descriptions of operations including pathfinder missions while on…
Interview with Harold Kirby
Harold Kirby grew up in London and worked in an accounts department before joining the Royal Air Force. He served as a fitter with 460 Squadron at RAF Binbrook before remustering as a flight engineer. He flew two tours of operations with 467, 97 and…
Bits and Pieces from a Long Career
Covers the period from joining as a Halton Apprentice in September 1932 for training as an Aircraft Fitter. Through the completion of his training and posting to 16 squadron, before being transferred to Egypt in 1937 and on to Iraq with No 4 Flying…
Letter from the Prime Minister to A.O.C.-in-C. Bomber Command on Augsburg operation
Congratulatory letter concerning daylight operation by Bomber Command Lancasters on U-boat factory at Augsburg. 'Undeterred by heavy losses at the outset 44 and 97 Squadrons pierced in broad daylight into the heart of Germany and struck a vital point…
This stone was unlaid at Wilhelmshaven by 97 Sqdn
Cartoons of Hitler and Goering standing by stone with message. Goering is holding a candle in a candle holder. The light reveals a message ‘ This stone was unlaid at Wilhelmshaven by 97 Sqdn W/O Cullinane, F/Sgt Quinn, P/O Ballantyne, Sgt Archer,…
97 Squadron operation honours, Turin 28/29 November 1942
Drawing of Lancaster dropping seven bombs. Each bomb has a crew member's name – Sgt Lennox, F/Sgt Quinn, Sgt Ketley, Sgt Archer, Sgt Jordan, Sgt Martin, Sgt Page. Captioned ‘Turin – 28/29 Nov 42 97 Squadron’.
97 Squadron operation honours, Milan, 14/15 February 1943
The aircraft is dropping bombs, there is a depiction of an explosion over a river with docks. In the distance searchlights are focused on a target. There is some anti-aircraft fire. The names of the crew are written on the card – 'Sgt Lennox, Sgt…
Flight Sergeant Stanley Archer
Stanley Archer standing with hands in pockets in front of the nose of a Lancaster. He is in uniform with side cap. On reverse ‘F/S SW Archer 97 sqdn’
Stanley Archer
Full length portrait of Flight Sergeant Stanley Archer. He is wearing uniform and is standing at the edge of a wood. On reverse ‘F/S SW Archer 97 sqdn’
Flight Sergeant Stanley Archer and three other airmen
Four airmen, various ranks, standing in uniform in front of Lancaster tail turret armed with two .50 machine guns. On reverse ‘My Flt/Commander (next to me) and a couple of the boys. F/Sgt ‘Stan’ Archer Air Engineer 3rd from left 97 sqdn’.
Lancaster 97 Squadron and Hampden aircraft and crews
Left page title 'Lancaster 97 Squadron, PFF, Bourne'.
Top left - full length image of Pilot Officer Stephen Dawson wearing tunic and peaked cap standing in front of a Lancaster with open bomb doors. Captioned 'Pilot Officer'. Top right - a…
Top left - full length image of Pilot Officer Stephen Dawson wearing tunic and peaked cap standing in front of a Lancaster with open bomb doors. Captioned 'Pilot Officer'. Top right - a…
Augsburg bombing
A letter from No 10 Downing Street to air officer commanding-in-chief, Bomber Command, complimenting the RAF on their success in bombing Augsburg.
Bomb aimers briefing 31 July 1944 - Joigny-La-Roche
Shows three bomb loads for nine, four and five aircraft respectively. Details weights, Window, timings and bombing height. On the reverse notes that 97 Squadron leading and details aiming points. Join over Waddington and formation of vics at…
Tengah Open Day
Photograph 1 is a front view of a Beaufighter.
Photograph 2 is the nose of a Spitfire.
Photograph 3 is a Vampire flying by.
Photograph 4 is front view of a Lincoln.
They are captioned 'Open Day, Tengah, Singapore 1948. Beaufighter, Spitfire,…
Photograph 2 is the nose of a Spitfire.
Photograph 3 is a Vampire flying by.
Photograph 4 is front view of a Lincoln.
They are captioned 'Open Day, Tengah, Singapore 1948. Beaufighter, Spitfire,…
Beaufighter, Spitfire and Lincoln
Photograph 1 is an air-to-air view of a flying Beaufighter, captioned 'Beaufighter formation, Negombo, Ceylon, 1948.'
Photograph 2 is an air-to-air view of a Spitfire taken from a Lincoln, captioned 'Spitfire breakaway, Shallufa Egypt…
Photograph 2 is an air-to-air view of a Spitfire taken from a Lincoln, captioned 'Spitfire breakaway, Shallufa Egypt…
Lincoln and Sigs Inst Course
Photograph 1 is a side view of a Lincoln, captioned ''Dirty Dog' (Lincoln RF505 'D') 97 Sqdn Karachi, Pakistan, 1948.'
Photograph 2 is ten airmen arranged in two rows, the front row of six is seated with four men standing behind. It is captioned…
Photograph 2 is ten airmen arranged in two rows, the front row of six is seated with four men standing behind. It is captioned…
Ted Haywood & Tom Carter
Two photographs, the first is of two airmen, one squatting and one standing behind. It is captioned 'Ted & Tom Bomb aimer & w/op 21 OTU'.
The second is a larger version of the same image and on the reverse is
'F/Sgt Tom Carter W/Op
F/Sgt Ted…
The second is a larger version of the same image and on the reverse is
'F/Sgt Tom Carter W/Op
F/Sgt Ted…