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Interview with Jim Penny. One
Jim Penny joined the Air Force in July 1940 when he was eighteen. He recounts the training which he undertook before he became a Bomber Command Pathfinder pilot for 97 Squadron at RAF Bourn. He explains the crewing up process and details those who…
Interview with Les Munro
John Leslie Munro was born in the area of Gisborne, New Zealand. He only completed two years of secondary education because of the economic slump and in 1936 began work on a sheep ranch and then a mixed farm. On the outbreak of the Second World War,…
Interview with Jim Copus. One
James Copus grew up in Oxfordshire. He volunteered for aircrew and after training, became a mid-upper gunner and flew operations with 97 Squadron. He remembers a crash while taxiing to take-off, baling out of his empty Lancaster and how he kept…
Interview with Harold Kirby
Harold Kirby joined up the Royal Air Force encouraged by two friends, but ended up training as a flight mechanic at RAF Halton on medical grounds. Harold became them airframe fitter, volunteered as a flight engineer, passed the physical but was then…
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…
The Kriegie March 2007
The news-sheet of the RAF ex-POW Association. This edition covers the award of an OBE to the Association's President, the Prisoners of War memorial at Hendon, Trooping the Colour, the annual parade of the Air Cadets, a visit to RAF Cranwell, Lunches,…
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…
Provisional Authority to wear a 1939/45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star and Clasp
An advice note authorising Thomas Thomson to wear medals.
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,…