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Interview with Jack Hayley
Jack Hayley was born in Caterham and worked for an insurance company before he joined the Royal Air Force and trained to be a pilot. He trained in Canada and, after going through an Operational Training Unit in England, he was posted to 625 Squadron…
Interview with Frank Leatherdale
Frank was an aircraft spotter for the Local Defence Volunteers and volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as a pilot. He went to Calgary in Canada on the Empire Air Training Scheme, where he few Tiger Moths at the Elementary Training School. He…
Jack Hayley’s Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book
Pilots flying log book for Jack Hayley, covering the period from 9 June 1942 to 30 June 1950. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and post war flying. He was stationed at, RAF Newquay, RAF Clyffe Pypard, RAF Heaton Park, RCAF Moncton,…
People I remember at Defford
An article written by Neil Ramsey referring to a cartoon drawn by 'Budd'. He details the social life and personalities on the base including Ronnie Smith who flew a Lancaster under a Severn railway bridge. Reference is made of an Oboe reunion in…
Telecommunications Flying Unit, Defford
Neil Ramsey's account of his time at the Telecommunications Flying Unit, Defford, Worcester. The unit was divided into a defensive and an offensive section and because of his experience he was posted to the bomber section.
Various aircraft were…
Various aircraft were…
Dennis Moore flying log book. Two
Flying log book for D Moore, navigator, covering the period from 28 June 1951 to 4 June 1959. Detailing his instructor duties and navigator duties with Flying Training Command, telecommunications flying Unit and Radar Reconnaissance Flying Unit. He…
The memories of LAC Fred Perkins
Covers joining the RAF, training as an engineer and first posting to RAF Christchurch which undertook radar research. Writes of life and flying as observer in Fairey Battle on radar measurement flights. The unit then moved to RAF Defford. Goes on to…
The Radio War Waged by the RAF Against Germany 1940-1945
A thesis written by Peter in 2002, for his Phd.
The Offensive Phase
A continuation of Peter's thesis on electronic warfare during the war.
Letter from Arthur Bailey to Doris
He enjoyed Christmas but there has been a lot of snow.
D S Flight Defford
A group of 21 uniformed men all wearing side caps. They are arranged in three rows, of nine, eight and four in front of an Anson. A Lincoln is behind with hangars in the background. The group is arranged around a sign reading 'D.$. Flight. Defford'.…
Letter to Alan Holman from the Air Ministry
Attached to the letter is Alan's record of service.
Medals awarded to Alan Holman
A slip enclosed with medals awarded to Alan - Aircrew Europe Star and Defence medal.
Alan Holman's Log Book extract
A list of locations and dates where Alan served in the RAF.
Alan Holman's Service and Release Book
FAF Form 2520C issued to Alan with brief details of his service history.
'A' Flight dance
Seven airmen and five women arranged in two rows. On the reverse ' "A" Flight dance on 1st Feb 1946.' and also -
'L to R 'Si' Turner, Gibson, Stephenson 'Diane' Jobling
GC MacDonald 'CBE' John Harvey'.
'L to R 'Si' Turner, Gibson, Stephenson 'Diane' Jobling
GC MacDonald 'CBE' John Harvey'.
Airmen outside 'A' Flight dispersal hut
A group of airmen outside their hut.
On the reverse ' 'A' Flight dispersal hut. RAF Defford Worcs.
L to R 'Joc' Conway, 'Silk' Turner, 'Wilbur' Wright, Taffy Davies, John Harvey, Ken Letford, 'Robbie' Robertson, F.Sgt Smith, Alan Rowe digging…
On the reverse ' 'A' Flight dispersal hut. RAF Defford Worcs.
L to R 'Joc' Conway, 'Silk' Turner, 'Wilbur' Wright, Taffy Davies, John Harvey, Ken Letford, 'Robbie' Robertson, F.Sgt Smith, Alan Rowe digging…
Airmen at a bar
Six airmen standing at a bar. On the reverse 'Bar before one of 'A' Flight dances at Defford. Five airmen & F/Lt Hopkins 2nd from left'.
Airmen at Konigstein Castle, Horsh car, town view, oxen cart, Defford airmen
Seven photographs from an album.
#1 is four airmen at the ruined Konigstein castle.
#2 is a view from the castle over the town.
#3 is a Horsh car with an airman standing on the door step.
#4 is an oxen cart with the driver asleep.
#5 and 7 are…
#1 is four airmen at the ruined Konigstein castle.
#2 is a view from the castle over the town.
#3 is a Horsh car with an airman standing on the door step.
#4 is an oxen cart with the driver asleep.
#5 and 7 are…
A' Flight RAF Defford April 1946
Eight aircrew officers by A Flight hut. Most are outside, one is leaning out of the window.
On the reverse -
'L to R
F/Lt "Joe" Collyer
F/O Wally Gibson
S/L John Beale
F/L 'Silk' Turner
W/O Jonny Harvey
S/L Ken Letford
F/L 'Wilbur'…
On the reverse -
'L to R
F/Lt "Joe" Collyer
F/O Wally Gibson
S/L John Beale
F/L 'Silk' Turner
W/O Jonny Harvey
S/L Ken Letford
F/L 'Wilbur'…
Telecommunication Flying Unit Crest
An RAF crest for the Telecommunication Flying Unit.
Physical Training officer at Defford
A newspaper cutting with a photograph of a rugby match. Captioned 'EL Horsfall (RAF) getting rid of the ball when tackled in the match with the Navy at Twickenham'.
Air Ministry Orders
Temporary orders and notices. It includes a New Year's message to all ranks, awards to airmen, award of explosive course, flight engineer leader's school, flying instructor courses, sport, Auster, Halifax and Lancaster notes and other equipment.