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Interview with Jan Black
Jan Stangrycuik (Black) was born and raised in Poland. His family emigrated for a better life in Argentina when he was a teenager, but when the British Embassy called for volunteers to join the war effort, Jan answered the call and sailed with seven…
Interview with Jan Black. One
Jan Black flew operations as an air gunner with 300 Squadron. He was badly burned when his aircraft crashed on a training flight and he became a member of the Guinea Pig Club. He underwent ten operations at East Grinstead Hospital. He describes his…
Interview with Jan Black. Two
Jan Black Stangryciuk was born in Poland but his family emigrated to Argentina in 1934. He volunteered to travel to England to join the Royal Air Force in 1939. He recounts his journey, why he made this decision and how he joined the RAF. He was…
Interview with John Cox
John Cox grew up in Lincolnshire and worked in banking before he joined the Royal Air Force. After training as a pilot in the United States, he served as an instructor for almost three years. He flew 20 operations as a pilot with 626 Squadron,from…
Interview with John Martin
John Martin was born in June 1922 and lived in London. He always wanted the opportunity to fly and so at the age of 19 volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as an armourer. He was not accepted as he was in a reserved occupation. Eventually he…
Interview with Les Rutherford. One
During this interview Les describes his experience as a despatch rider in France in 1940 before escaping from Dunkirk and returning to the United Kingdom, eventually joining the Royal Air Force. He also describes his training in South Africa and his…
Interview with Mieczyslaw Maryszczak
Mieczyslaw Maryszczak was born in Bokyivka, Ukraine and served in the Polish Army and then the Polish Air Force. An early memory of the war is throwing bread to starving Russian prisoners being marched from Lviv to Podlesice. At seventeen he was in…
Interview with Norman Gregory
Having volunteered for aircrew in 1941 in York, Norman came into active service in 1942. He flew Tiger Moths at RAF Ansty and was recommended for multi-engine aircraft. After RAF Heaton Park, he went to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He spent six months…
Interview with Raymond Moore
Raymond Moore flew 31 operations as a flight engineer with 408 Squadron. He describes initial training at Skegness and then further training at Cosford, Halton and St Athan. He describes the crewing-up procedure at Eastmoor and describes the…
Interview with Richard William Lambert
In 1943, when Richard was 17 and a half, he cycled into Guildford to sign up to volunteer for the Royal Air Force. He reported to Lords cricket ground to collect his uniform and gear and then went for training at RAF Hednesford for a six-month…
Interview with Ron Baker
Ron Baker, originally from Willesden was in the ATC before joining the RAF and trained as a flight mechanic. He was posted to 463 Squadron at Waddington. On one occasion he had to help to remove the body of a gunner who had died during the flight. He…
Interview with Ron Hemsworth
Ron joined the Royal Air Force in January 1941. Initially a wireless operator/air gunner, he failed morse code at Blackpool. He was posted to RAF Swinderby and worked in the stores and flying control. Air gunnery school followed at RAF Bridlington…
Interview with Thomas Jordan
Thomas Jordan was born and raised up in Hornsea, East Yorkshire, learning to fly privately at Hedon aerodrome, near Hull and joined the RAF wanting to be a pilot. However, after failing the eyesight requirements, he trained as an armourer, dealing…
Interview with Vivian David Williams
Vivian joined the Royal Air Force in July 1938 as a flight mechanic and served for seven and a half years. After square drills at RAF Uxbridge and a course at RAF Manston, he did a basic engineering course at RAF Henlow. After six months at RAF St…
JF Neilson's memoir
Growing Up -The Hard Way WAR -1939
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
John Cox’s pilots flying log book. Two
Pilots flying log book for John Cox, covering the period from 14 June 1944 to 16 March 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Newton, RAF Peplow, RAF Sandtoft, RAF Hemswell, RAF Wickenby, POW Triesdorf, RAF…
John Louis Goldby Biography
A biography covering John's training and service in the RAF.
John Martin's memoir
The story of John Martin's last operation, how he was shot down, escaped the aircraft and was captured. He was interrogated at Dulag Luft in Frankfurt then transferred to various Stalg Luft camps. His story covers in his life until he was repatriated…
John Russell's F543A Record of service
John was ground crew, initially a Flight Mechanic Engines from 12 February 1943, having gained experience he received further training to Fitter II E from 19 October 1943. He was promoted to LAC 1 November 1944 and then corporal 1 November 1945. He…
Lancasters and a Lincoln
Five photographs from an album.
#1 is a side view of a flying Lancaster PA474 PM-M2 at low level.
#2 is a side view of a Lancaster PA474 KM-B on the ground.
#3 is a side view of a Lancaster, PA474, SR-D, flying low over a dam.
#4 is a port side…
#1 is a side view of a flying Lancaster PA474 PM-M2 at low level.
#2 is a side view of a Lancaster PA474 KM-B on the ground.
#3 is a side view of a Lancaster, PA474, SR-D, flying low over a dam.
#4 is a port side…
Legend - An Interior View of a Lincoln Bomber
An email to Reg Miles from John about a Lincoln at Cosford. It has a reputation for being haunted.
Letter from Donald Baker to his mother
Writes that he arrived in Glasgow a week ago and returning to Wolverhampton to report to RAF Cosford for medical following Tuesday. Catches up with family news and writes of activities visiting relatives in Scotland. Mentions that he was inoculated…
Letter to Allan Smith from Commanding Officer
The letter sets out the three options that Allan has now that he has returned from prisoner of war camp. Each option is detailed
Letter to John Valentine from his wife Ursula
Notes he has been readmitted hospital and awaits details. Will be glad if they can do something but hopes it will not interfere with Christmas plans. Believes demobilization might be postponed. Catches up with news of family/friends and mentions…
Letter to John Valentine from his wife Ursula
Writes she has had no letter from him and hopes it is not due to complications in his condition. She would like to ring him but the cost of 9 shillings a time would effect her saving plans. Mentions house is now quiet as visitors have left and…