Browse Items (85 total)

  • Tags: Defiant

PPexmanKR1803 copy.jpg
Seven uniformed airmen standing in front of a Defiant, six are bare headed and one is wearing a half cap. The central figure is standing on an aircraft chock. Kenneth Richard Pexman is standing on the far right and is wearing flying…

MBoxDC1578987-180611-54.pdf
A book kept by Doug of Gunnery and Bombing training notes. It also contains black and white and colourised photographs of ground personnel and aircraft.

LCannonHO1802390v1.pdf
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for H O Cannon (1802390) air gunner, covering the period from 29 December 1943 to 3 November 1944 and from 16 October 1952 to 8 October 1953. He was stationed at RAF Moffatt, RAF Qastina, RAF…

LWigleyH945058v1.pdf
The Log Book runs from 20 August 1940 until 10 March 1944. The first flight is recorded at No 7 EFTS, RAF Desford flying in the Tiger Moth, he remained there until 28 September when he moved to No 12 SFTS flying in the Anson. In January 1941 Harold…

LYeomanHT104405v1.pdf
Pilot’s flying log book for Harold Yeoman covering the period from 18 November 1940 to 7 November 1942. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Sywell (6 EFTS), RCAF Moose Jaw (32 SFTS), RAF Bassingbourn (11…

AHughesWR150713.mp3
Bob Hughes joined the RAF as war became likely, to avoid repeating his father's First World War experience in the trenches, transferring to the RAF Volunteer Reserve when war was declared. He trained on Ansons and then flew in twin-engine Blenheims…

PGardinerEF1701.jpg
Fred Gardiner grew up in Oxfordshire and worked in a furniture factory before volunteering for the Royal Air Force. He flew five operations as a wireless operator/air gunner, from RAF Syerston, before his aircraft was shot down. He gives a detailed…

ARossiterHC150913.mp3
Harry Rossiter grew up in East London but his family moved to Essex, which gave Harry a “ringside view” of the Battle of Britain. He volunteered as a bicycle messenger and tried to join the Royal Navy as a telegraphist. He was encouraged to join…

PWakefieldJ1601.jpg
Jack Wakefield grew up in New Zealand and volunteered for the Air Force and the Army. He trained as an air gunner on Defiants before being posted to 75 Squadron at RAF Feltwell where he completed a tour on Wellingtons, flying operations to locations…

PStangryciukBlackJ1701.jpg
Jan Black Stangryciuk was born in Poland although his family emigrated to Argentina in 1934. He volunteered to join the Royal Air Force in 1939, recalls his journey to England and explains reasons for his decision. He describes, in detail, a crash…

PSmithJJ2001.jpg
John Smith grew up near Corby, surrounded by aerodromes, so was used to the sight of aircraft. He observed Lancaster aircraft practising for the Dambusters raid over Eye Brook Reservoir. He also witnessed glider practice and was impressed by the…

PMusgroveJ1501.jpg
Born in York in 1922, Joseph left school at 14 and started work in a chocolate factory, whilst attending two nights of further education per week. In 1936, a fighter aircraft had landed nearby which stimulated his life-long interest in flying. After…

PEllisMW1701.jpg
Mary Wilkins Ellis was born in Oxfordshire and became interested in aviation at a very early age. She experienced her first flight with Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus. Mary learned to fly while still at school and obtained her licence in 1938. When…

PDunbarR1801.jpg
Reg Dunbar enlisted for the RAF in Liverpool and it was suggested that he join as a wireless operator. He went to RAF Cardington initially and then to RAF Yatesbury for training. He also trained as an air gunner, and after training was posted to 37…

PLunnR1601.jpg
Reg Lunn was living in Fulham and working as an apprentice printer when he volunteered for the RAF. He had wanted to be aircrew but, as he was colour blind, failed the medical. He joined as an engine fitter and was posted to 48 Squadron at RAF Wick.…

SHarriganD[Ser#-DoB]v090002.mp3
Leading Aircraftsman Richard Moore joined up aged 18 and completed his basic training in Lincolnshire. He served as ground crew at RAF Locking, RAF Squires Gate and RAF Wickenby, working on several types of aircraft. He was able to take the controls…

ADawsonR171107.mp3
Ron Dawson joined the Air Training Corps at the age of 16. He trained on Ansons and Boulton Paul Defiants and remembers flying in the Whitley. He flew over 40 operations with 429 Squadron as air gunner. He crewed up at Leicester airport. Ron tells…

PNoyeR1501.jpg
Rupert Noye completed two tours of operations as a rear gunner with 166 and 156 Squadrons.
Rupert initially tried to become a wireless operator but on being unsuccessful with the requirements of that trade, re-mustered as an air gunner. Rupert…

PBaconSG1601.jpg
Stephen joined the Royal Air Force in Kingston upon Hull. He wanted to be a pilot but became a mid-air gunner instead. He started at RAF Dalcross where he trained on Boulton Paul Defiant aircraft and went to 12 Squadron at RAF Wickenby on Lancasters.…

AEllamsSD170825.mp3
Steve Ellams is the son of a wireless operator, who flew in a number of different aircraft. During the war he flew overseas, initially, in Sunderlands before being posted back to the UK. He started operational flying in Bomber Command with 199…

PCooperS1501.jpg
Sidney Cooper was born in Blackpool and joined the Royal Air Force in 1941. He first served as an engine fitter in Fighter Command before re-mustering as aircrew. He flew operations as a flight engineer with 427 Squadron from RAF Leeming. He later…

SBondS-WakefieldHv10002.pdf
Jack Wakefield’s Royal New Zealand Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book from 16th May 1940 until 27th July 1944.
Initial training at No. 1 Air Observers School, RNZAF, followed by 5 Operational Training Unit. Posted to 75…

LWhalleyJ1113651v1.pdf
Jack Whalley’s Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book from 9th July 1941 until 10th October 1952. Initial training at No. 9 Air Observers School as an air observer, navigator, air gunner and bomb aimer. Further training as…
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