Browse Items (108 total)

  • Tags: Morse-keyed wireless telegraphy

ATurnerB150602.mp3
Betty Turner served in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force with Bomber Command at 92 Group Headquarters, RAF Winslow, and later at RAF Great Massingham, reaching the rank of leading aircraftswoman. She recalls living in chilly stables, being quite…

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EBoldyDABoldyAD[Date]-020001.jpg
Letter from Sergeant David Boldy to his father, regarding his initial training and visiting his mother at home.

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EBoldyDABoldyAD400617-0001.jpg
Letter from David Boldy to his father about his daily activities after leaving Scotland for Hastings, and visiting his mother and Steve whilst passing through London. He comments the current military situation.

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EBoldyDABoldyAD410515.pdf
Letter from Leading Aircraftsman David Boldy to his father about becoming a qualified air gunner, his celebrations on qualifying and now he and the five others are awaiting posting, so he is spending some time with his friends and his girlfriend…

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EBoldyDABoldyLM400619.pdf
Letter from David Boldy to his mother and brother. States his opinion on the latest Churchill’s speech; writes about his evening out with his friends and going to see a Bing Crosby film. He also writes doing Morse code and maths and about having no…

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PWoolgarRLA1609.jpg
Personnel march between two rows of wooden huts. All men are wearing side caps, carry gas masks and training materials. Captioned 'Wireless Training School, Yatesbury. July, 1940'

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YBubbGJ1477939v.pdf
Information on all Royal Air Commands, Commonwealth and Allied air forces, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Lists and images or aircraft. List of principal engines, technical terms and aircraft instruments. Ranks of services and badges of the Royal…

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PTempleL1501.jpg
Leslie Temple spent four years in the Air Training Corps before joining the Royal Air Force as a radio operator. He completed a tour of 30 operations with 101 Squadron at RAF Ludford Magna, as a German speaking special operator. He describes how…

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AWilsonJM160121.mp3
Joan Wilson was born in Nettleham near Lincoln. She joined the Women’s Auxilliary Air Force and served as a wireless operator at RAF Morton Hall. The day after the Normandy landings, she had to send an urgent signal to all aircraft to stop…

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AAllenRM160809.mp3
Richard Murray Allen was born in Queensland, Australia. He joined the Air Training Corps and later volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force on his 18th birthday. He trained as a wireless operator in Australia, before being posted to England,…

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ADownesS160806.mp3
Steve had been part of the Air Training Corps and enlisted for the Royal Australian Air Force. From Bradfield Park in Sydney, he went to RAAF Parkes on Wacketts, for basic wireless operator training and RAAF Sale for gunnery training. He sailed to…

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AMcPhersonWhiteR150901.mp3
Roy White was born in Perth, Scotland but grew up in London. He joined the Air Training Corps, went on as a volunteer reserve and then served as an air gunner in the RAF. He tells of his brother serving in Coastal Command and surviving an aircraft…

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PReidS1701.jpg
Having his interest piqued by aircraft, including Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus, Simson was attracted to flying boats. He was sent to Coastal Command at Abbotsinch and RAF Wick but without wireless operator mechanic training, he was unable to pursue…

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AWoodhouseRM151001.mp3
Robert Woodhouse was living in Pembroke Dock when the bombing of the town began, and after losing their home due to the bombing, the family relocated to Cardiff. In Cardiff, Robert joined the Air Training Corps, to follow in the footsteps of his…

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-05.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes of his life towards the end of his basic training for the Royal Air Force basic in Blackpool. He mentions Morse code training and that he has been accepted for aircrew.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-08.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about his life in the Royal Air Force including intensive physical training and Morse code training.

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ELampreyPGuntonW[Date]-20.pdf
Peter Lamprey writes about basic and wireless operator/air gunner training in the form of a poem.

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ABarfootWE151208.mp3
Bill Barfoot was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. On joining the Air Force, he trained as a wireless operator but re-mustered as aircrew. He trained as a navigator in South Africa, and flew operations with 296 Squadron, supplying the French and Norwegian…

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PIronsH1501.jpg
Harry Irons left a tailoring apprenticeship to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator but became an air-gunner. He describes the uniform he wore and the unreliability of heated suits. He tells of the invention of scarecrows which…

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APederielliM171212.mp3
Marco Pederielli describes his father’s career as a Regia Aeronautica officer, providing details of his service in North Africa. He describes his personal situation after the fall of the Fascist regime, when he, reluctantly, joined the Aeronautica…

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ABurdinJR170206.mp3
James Burdin went at Hutton Grammar School and worked in radio sales and repair. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force but had to wait and joined the Local Defence Volunteers instead. He did some rifle practice, general infantry training and…

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AClarkeE150817.mp3
Eric was born in Doncaster and had a difficult childhood. He was attracted by nearby RAF Finningley and decided he wanted to join the RAF, when war was imminent. He was registered as an aircraftman second class and trained to be a wireless operator.…

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Stan Clegg and Joyce.jpg
Stanley Clegg was born in 1923 in Shaw, a small town near Oldham and, at the age of 14, started working at the Fern Cotton Spinning Company as an apprentice in the office. He signed up for the Royal Air Force in December 1941 at the age of 18 and was…

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PCrossleyD1501.jpg
Don Crossley was born in South Emsall in 1924. He tells of his time before the war working at Upton Colliery before joining the Royal Air Force. He volunteered and trained, initially, as a wireless operator/air gunner. He tells of his experience at…

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AYoungM150515.mp3
Margaret Young grew up in Scotland and worked in a ladies' shoe department. She volunteered for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force at the age of 18 and served as a wireless operator. She talks about the medical and reception centre and training,…

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