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Kenneth Gill - service history
Joined 18 June 1941. Trained as navigator in Canada. After operational and conversions training in England during which he flew two operations. He was posted to 9 Squadron at RAF Bardney where he flew 25 operations which are listed. After a tour as a…
Kenneth Gill crew
Six airmen wearing flying clothes or battledress standing in line behind a Lancaster. Captioned at top 'Crew from left to right, Sid Grimes wireless operator, Ken Gill navigator, Charlie Randon bomb aimer, Jack Penswick gunner, Eddy Barnett engineer,…
Kenneth Gill’s observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for K Gill, navigator, covering the period from 17 May 1942 to 21 March 1945 when he was missing on operations. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at…
Map showing position of Tirpitz
Top - sketch map of Tromsø Fjord with ship and bomb hits marked with x's and track line.
Bottom - annotated diagram sketch of upside down ship.
Bottom - annotated diagram sketch of upside down ship.
Map showing route to Tromsø
Sketch map showing Norway and Sweden with route marked up the North Sea and into Tromsø and return along similar route.
Munich and of the Tirpitz
A vertical target photograph of Munich being bombed. Much of the detail is obscured by anti-aircraft fire. Captioned '66 WS. 24/25.4.44 // NT8” 18500 [arrow] 026 0145 Munich.RD. A 6RS. 6JCL 29 SECS F/O KNIGHTS A 617.'
A target photograph of the…
A target photograph of the…
Newspaper cutting and airmen
Left -newspaper cutting - Tait dropped the bombs. Includes full face b/w image and gives account of operations flown by Wing Commander James Bryan Tate DSO and 2 bars DFC. Noted that his squadron was formed by Gibson to burst German dams. Top right -…
No 617 Squadron and the operation to breach the dams
Album page with three clippings, one from from The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post dated Tuesday May 18 1943 showing a number of Lancasters over a city, captioned '617 Lancs'. One summarising the news from around November 1944, including the sinking…
Note concerning unidentified photograph of crew after returning from bombing Tirpitz
States that photograph shows. Mentions first abortive attack on 29 October 1944, second cancelled for weather and the final successful attack on 11 November 1944.
Operations against Tirpitz, Ijmuiden and Bielefeld: Vielesible Viaduct
Description of three (one aborted due to weather) operations against Tirpitz, photograph of crew on return from sinking Tirpitz, poor photocopy of target photograph of attach on Tirpitz. Account of operation on E & R boat pens at Ijmuiden along with…
Poster for Tirpitz celebration dance
Photograph of silhouette of a Lancaster at dusk/dawn with text '617, Tirpitz, celebration dance on Sunday Nov 19th 1944'. Opening times.
Recommendation for Immediate Award
A document recommending that Arthur Horry receives the Distinguished Flying Medal.
Record of Flying Officer Kenneth Gill D.F.C (155097) RAFVR joined 1941
Mentions training in Canada and qualified at navigator. List training on Wellington and one operational flight while at operational training unit at RAF North Luffenham December 1942 - March 1943. Continues to list training on Halifax and Lancaster…
Rupert the bear mascot
A black corduroy teddy bear with a red bow tie and red paws. Rupert was made for his daughter from material left over from making a coat; but it became Ernie Twells' lucky charm. The bear accompanied him on 65 operations with 617 and 619 Squadrons,…
Service History of Benny Goodman
Begins with his decision to cease his studies and join the Royal Air Force. Covers recruitment activities and life during initial training including employment as ground gunner while waiting for flying training. Describes basic training on Tiger Moth…
Sinking of the Tirpitz
Account of Bomber Command sinking of the Tirpitz with 12,000 lb bombs. Discusses the use of aircraft to sink warships and the effect of explosions of ships magazines in British battleships. Includes b/w photograph of sunken ship and diagram relating…
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…
Tea on Tirpitz
Concerns up-turned hull of Tirpitz sunk in Tromso Fjord was a tourist attraction.
Tirpitz
Top - six aircrew standing in line behind a Lancaster, Captioned 'Crew from left to right, Sid Grimes wireless operator, Ken Gill navigator, Charlie Randon bomb aimer, Jack Penswick gunner, Eddy Barnett engineer, Barney Gumbley pilot'.
Bottom target…
Bottom target…
Tirpitz
A vertical aerial photograph of the bombing of the Tirpitz. Much of the image is obscured by smoke and explosions. Tirpitz can be seen right of centre. Anti-aircraft fire can be seen to the top of the photograph. Three bomb explosions in the water…
Tirpitz
Target photograph showing shoreline, with smoke obscuring the island of Hakøya within Tromsø fjord. Battleship Tirpitz can be seen just right of centre through smoke. Three water-spouts from earlier explosions above and to the right. Anti-aircraft…
Tirpitz capsized
The Tirpitz is capsized, floating in a Norwegian fjord. On the reverse
'Battleship Tirpitz
Tirpitz 15 June 1945'.
'Battleship Tirpitz
Tirpitz 15 June 1945'.
Visitors from famous Dambusters' squadron
A newspaper cutting announcing that Ernie Twells and the 617 squadron association will attend a presentation at Matlock. It describes the attempts made to sink the Tirpitz. Handwritten at the top is 'Long Eaton Advertiser 10/11/77'.
War changes everything
Biography of Arthur Alexander Gill and memories of his cousin Kenneth Gill. Writes of working in the same firm as Kenneth Gill before the war. Too young to join forces, he was employed in Blackburn aircraft stores. Was called up in December 1944.…