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Interview with Robert Miller
Robert joined the Air Training Corps and enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force at the age of 18 as a trainee chemist. He went to an Initial Training School at Bradfield Park in Australia. Although he planned on becoming a pilot, an opportunity…
Interview with Rupert Noye
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…
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…
Interview with Gerald Taylor
Gerald (Gerry) was part of the Air Training Corps and Officers’ Training Corps before the war. He volunteered for aircrew in 1942, was interviewed in Oxford and was put on deferred service. Gerry was accepted as an air observer. He was called up in…
Interview with Rusty Waughman. Two
Russell (Rusty) Waughman was born in Shotley Bridge, County Durham. Due to serious poor health as a child, his education was interrupted. He describes his training with the Empire Training School in Canada. He was posted to 101 Squadron which was a…
Interview with Ken Hicks
Ken sat the RAF aircraft apprentice exam because of his father. He passed and went, aged 16, to RAF Halton. The three-year course was condensed into two because of the war. He describes his training and the aircraft on which he worked. After he…
Peter Hattersley's Service Diary
A service diary written by Peter Hattersley covering the period from November 1930 to 24 September 1948.Initially he served in the Royal Engineers but in February 1936 he joined the RAF. It covers his training and operations including a newspaper…
Peter Hattersley's pilot's flying log book
Pilot's log book for Wing Commander Peter Hattersley, covering the period 10 April 1937 to 24 September 1948. It details his flying training, operations flown and other flying duties. He was stationed at Hanworth Park, RAF Reading, RAF Netheravon,…
Charles Godfey's observer's and air gunner's flying log book
Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Pilot Officer Godfrey from 3 of February 1941 to 25 of September 1945 detailing training schedule, instructional duties and operations flown. Aircraft flown were Dominie, Proctor, Wellington, Hampden,…
Interview with Tom Coles
Tom Coles was born in Watford and signed up for the Royal Air Force at the age of 18. He went to Canada for training, a period saddened by the loss of his sister who was in the Women’s Auxilliary Air Force. Tom flew Manchesters, then went to 158…
Interview with Benny Goodman. Two
Benny Goodman grew up in London and hoped to become a pilot. He volunteered for the Air Force and was, originally, posted to RAF Abingdon as a ground gunner before beginning his flying training. After qualifying as a pilot in Canada, he became an…
Interview with Ernie Patterson. One
Ernie Patterson DFM was born in Middleton St George in Darlington and left school at the age of 14, to become an apprentice Joiner. He joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 19 in 1941 but, whilst he was waiting to be called up, he was helping to…
Interview with Phillip Winter
Philip Winter worked in the civil service before he volunteered for the Air Force. He trained as a pilot and flew three operations with 102 Squadron before he was wounded in the ankle. After recuperation he flew towing targets for air gunnery…
Interview with Len McNamara
Len McNamara was born in Bristol in 1924. While working as an apprentice plumber, he joined the Air Training Corps and volunteered for aircrew. He discusses his initial training at various stations, the gunnery course he passed with merit and…
Interview with Henry Pollock
Harry Pollock grew up in London and worked as an apprentice floor layer and as a fireman on the London Midland Scottish Railway before joiing the RAF in 1943. After training, he completed 36 operations as an air gunner with 78 Squadron from RAF…
Interview with George Royall
George volunteered to be a pilot but settled for Air Observer. He talks about his selection and training in London and then in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he enjoyed the theatre and how, at Brighton, illness separated him from the rest of the course.…
Interview with Ron Wade
Ron was born in Stoke-on-Trent. He left school at 14 and tells of his experiences working in a pottery factory doing odd jobs, until he was called up. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 at the age of 22 and trained as an air gunner at RAF…
Interview with Jim Wildes
Jim was born in July 1923 in Burton on Trent and was the eldest of six children. His father served in the First World War. When Jim left school aged 14, he joined the Boys Brigade which had a Royal Air Force section and he had the chance to fly in…
James Wrigley's flying log book
Flying log book for Warrant Officer James Wrigley, wireless operator, covering the period from 17 November 1942 to 30 June 1954. Detailing training, operations and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Yatesbury, RAF Pembrey, RAF Whitchurch…
Sergeants Mess Abingdon and Tripoli
Photograph 1 is a group of airmen drinking beer, captioned 'Sgt's Mess, Abingdon, 1945.'
Photograph 2 is the roofs of Tripoli, captioned 'Tripoli-Libya Old Town . 1955'
Photograph 2 is the roofs of Tripoli, captioned 'Tripoli-Libya Old Town . 1955'
Interview with William Hubert Allen
William Allen’s father had served with the Fleet Air Arm during the First World War. William also wanted to fly and so volunteered for the RAF at the earliest opportunity, training as a wireless operator. The crew arrived on the squadron and the…
Interview with Ernest Holmes
Ernest Holmes joined the RAF and served as a pilot, flying operations first with 76 Squadron and then on Pathfinders. Gives a vivid and detailed account of when he was shot down over Holland: how he was given shelter by a farmer’s family and moved…
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…
Interview with William Neilson
William Neilson grew up in Edinburgh. After training as a pilot in Canada and the United States he served as a staff pilot at Number 1 Air Armament School RAF Manby. He discusses low level bombing practice. He was demobbed in 1946 and became a civil…
Interview with Douglas Frank Newham
Doug joined the Royal Air Force and trained in the UK as a navigator observer, initially flying on Bothas and then Blenheims. His navigation training took place in Jurby on the Isle of Man. An Operational Training Unit at RAF Kinloss on Whitleys…
Interview with Jack Edward Simmonds
Jack Simmonds was the son of an RAF serviceman. As a result, his childhood was spent moving around a great deal, including spending a few years in Egypt. He joined the RAF and began training as a pilot and then he joined 51 Squadron as a Whitley…