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Interview with John Foster Thorp
John Thorp was born and raised in Manchester where he attended North Manchester Grammar School. At seventeen he joined the Home Guard. When he was eighteen he volunteered for the RAF with dreams of becoming a pilot. While waiting at Heaton Park to…
If you can't take a joke...
A detailed account of Ken Thomas's life from his early years at school, through his ground crew technical training followed by his aircrew training, operational tour, short post war service and his civilian career, he revised the account in 2005.
RAF Leave Form
Issued to Ted Neale whilst at Heaton Park.
Interview with Andrew Barron. One
Andrew was born in Chichester in 1923. The family moved to Wolverhampton when he was about two years old and then to Dulwich just before the war. When he was 13 or 14 his mother enrolled him at the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, where he spent…
Interview with David Fellowes. Two
David Fellowes tells of how he used to build model airplanes and fly them in the fields when he was a boy. The son of an engineer, he first joined the Air Training Corps and then volunteered for the Royal Air Force at the age of 17. Describes his…
Book 2, Commencing my Flying Training and my Adventures up till the time of Leaving England
Second of David Geach's diaries, describing his training for aircrew at Kingstown, Heaton Park, Hastings and Harrogate until his embarkation to Canada on the Queen Mary. Covers the period from 20 June 1942 to 7 October 1942.
Empire Air Training Scheme Canada
Two b/w photographs from an album. They are annotated 'Heaton Park before we saw the boat'.
Photo 1 is of two boys walking along a path.
Photo 2 is one boy standing beside a washing line.
Photo 1 is of two boys walking along a path.
Photo 2 is one boy standing beside a washing line.
Bomber Command Operations from East Anglia 42-45
A brief description of bombing activity during the war. Starting with the ineffectual early operations to 1000+ bomber operations. He lists some of the operations then details some of the hazards for returning aircraft. After the war Stan took a new…
Log Book Extracts
Two pages from a logbook. Ralph is mentioned as a second pilot or passenger.
Jimmy
A poem about a colleague who was missing in action.
Henry Wagner's life story. Part one
Hand written by Henry, Part 1 covers his early life and time at university. It goes on to cover in some detail his time in the RAF, his time training in South Africa conversion to the Halifax and operations on 51 Squadron. It also covers his time as…
A retrospective - Bomber Command No 625 Squadron
Opens with some details of 625 Squadron and introduction with reasons for writing. Writes of beginning of the war when still at school and experiences before joining up. Mentions activities with Air Training Corps and being awarded an RAF bursary to…
Eric Hookings's life story book 1
From birth in 1920 until operational pilot in 1944. Covers early life in Battersea and Morden in London, family life, school and first jobs after leaving school at 14 years old. Describes family experiences at beginning of the war volunteering for…
Just Another Story
Recalls joining the RAF as a flight mechanic in 1939 and then employed as a barrage balloon operator. Describes his subsequent selection for aircrew and training in London, St Andrews, Manchester and in advanced navigation at Dumfries. Next covers…
Letter from Mervyn Adder to his family
Letter and explanatory note. Thanks them for letters. States that he is browned off as they had decided he should be a navigator rather than a pilot and describes his feelings about this news and what he did about it. Comments on life in his location…
RAF Heaton Park Manchester
A guide containing information about the camp and how it operates, pay, discipline, local information, recreation, churches and aircrew categories.
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He thanks her for her letters. He is back in Manchester and he is not amused. Jean has joined a choral society and he makes flippant comments about her singing.
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He has suddenly been transferred overnight and boarded a troopship. He has been working an hour a day as a mess orderly. He says the food is good.
My life in the RAF - chapter 1,2 and 3
Autographical account of life at the beginning of the war including service in ARP in Swindon. Reasons for volunteering for the RAF. Registered for military service in February 1941. Waiting for call-up. Induction at St John's Wood London and…
F/O CAH Darby No 154676 - Letters home
A list of all the letters sent home by Jack from 6 February 1943 to 13 November 1945.
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,…
Record of service
Listing Flight Lieutenant George Albert James Frazer-Hollins's date of birth, previous service, appointments and promotions, postings, honours and awards.