Browse Items · IBCC Digital Archive

John and Ursula Valentine

Provides dates and family history from their engagement to after the war including John's time as prisoner of war and in hospital after his return. Lists letters and dates and provides locations of where they were written.

Tags: aircrew; bombing of Cologne (30/31 May 1942); observer; prisoner of war; RAF Jurby; RAF Scampton; RAF Upper Heyford; RAF Uxbridge

Jas Flannigan - Observer's and air gunners flying log book

Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book for Jas Flannigan, wireless operator/air gunner. Covers his training and operations 13 January 1940 to 31 October 1941. He was based at RAF Evanton, RAF Bassingbourn, RAF Jurby and RAF Middleton St George.…

James Douglas Crew's log book

Log book for James Douglas Crew covering the period 2 March 1943 to 24 September 949. Details his training and operations flown as wireless operator and navigator. He was stationed at RAF Binbrook (142 Squadron), RAF Swanton Morley (No4 RS), RAF…

Tags: 142 Squadron; 15 Squadron; 1651 HCU; 242 Squadron; 77 Squadron; 82 OTU; Advanced Flying Unit; aircrew; Anson; Berlin Campaign (23 August 1943 – 25 March 1944); bombing of Nuremberg (30 / 31 March 1944); C-47; Dominie; Heavy Conversion Unit; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 1; Lancaster Mk 3; Lincoln; mine laying; navigator; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Operational Training Unit; Oxford; pilot; Proctor; RAF Binbrook; RAF Bircotes; RAF Church Lawford; RAF Coltishall; RAF Dishforth; RAF Feltwell; RAF Gamston; RAF Jurby; RAF Lyneham; RAF Mildenhall; RAF Millom; RAF Netheravon; RAF North Luffenham; RAF Ossington; RAF South Cerney; RAF St Eval; RAF Swanton Morley; RAF Swinderby; RAF Syerston; RAF Upper Heyford; RAF Waterbeach; RAF Wratting Common; Stirling; tactical support for Normandy troops; training; V-1; V-weapon; Wellington; wireless operator; York

Jack, Sheila, Jo and Violet

Four photographs from an album.
#1 Jack with his breakfast and a mug of tea, captioned 'Jurby IOM. August 1942. Jack brings home the breakfast'.
#2 Sheila standing on a grass verge, captioned 'Ramsey IOM August 1942 Sheila'.
#3 Three girls dancing…

Tags: aircrew; military living conditions; RAF Jurby

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…

Harold Wilson's flying log book

Harold Wilson’s Flying Log Book from 28/11/42 to 2/4/54, detailing training, operations and instructional duties as an Air Bomber (and later Navigator). Also contains various memorabilia including a photograph, reunion invitation and newspaper…

Tags: 14 OTU; 1654 HCU; 1660 HCU; 9 Squadron; 97 Squadron; Advanced Flying Unit; aircrew; Anson; Berlin Campaign (23 August 1943 – 25 March 1944); Blenheim; bomb aimer; bombing of Luftwaffe night-fighter airfields (15 August 1944); bombing of the Creil/St Leu d’Esserent V-1 storage areas (4/5 July 1944); bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); C-47; Cook’s tour; Distinguished Service Medal; Halifax; Halifax Mk 2; Heavy Conversion Unit; Initial Training Wing; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 1; Lancaster Mk 3; memorial; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Operational Training Unit; Oxford; Pathfinders; RAF Bardney; RAF Bourn; RAF Coningsby; RAF Cottesmore; RAF Jurby; RAF Manby; RAF Market Harborough; RAF Middleton St George; RAF North Luffenham; RAF Oakington; RAF Saltby; RAF Scampton; RAF Swinderby; RAF Warboys; RAF Wigsley; training; Wellington

Harold C Rouse’s flying log book for observer’s and air gunner’s

Wireless Operator/Air Gunner’s log book for H C Rouse covering the period from 11 October, 1940 to 16 December, 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown, also includes Gunnery Course results, mine laying operations, bomb loads, a…

EW Cropper's Log Books

Two flying log books for navigators, air bombers, air gunners and flight engineers for E.W. Cropper. Between them they cover the period 17 May 1943 to 6 October 1950. There is much overlap between them and an original log book was destroyed by…

Tags: 103 Squadron; 1651 HCU; 1656 HCU; 1662 HCU; 57 Squadron; 7 Squadron; Air Observers School; aircrew; Anson; Bombing of Mailly-le-Camp (3/4 May 1944); bombing of the Le Havre E-boat pens (14/15 June 1944); bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); Cook’s tour; Flying Training School; forced landing; Halifax; Halifax Mk 2; Halifax Mk 5; Heavy Conversion Unit; Lancaster; Lancaster Finishing School; Lancaster Mk 3; Lincoln; mid-air collision; mine laying; Mosquito; navigator; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Operation Dodge (1945); Oxford; Proctor; RAF Blyton; RAF Elsham Wolds; RAF Hemswell; RAF High Wycombe; RAF Jurby; RAF Lindholme; RAF Mepal; RAF Oakington; RAF Scampton; RAF Shawbury; RAF Upwood; RAF Waddington; RAF Wratting Common; Stirling; tactical support for Normandy troops; Tiger Moth; training; V-1; V-weapon; Wellington

Envelope addressed to John Valentine

Addressed t 1251404 LAC Valentine JRM at RAF Jurby, Isle of Man. Postmarked Hendon.

Tags: RAF Jurby

David Charles Davies' observer's and air gunner's flying log book

Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for David Charles Davies from November 1940 to 24 March 1948 detailing his training, operational and post conflict duties. Training was with No.5 Air Observer's School at RAF Jurby and Operational Training…

Tags: 105 Squadron; 1660 HCU; 25 OTU; 57 Squadron; 61 Squadron; air gunner; Air Observers School; air sea rescue; aircrew; Anson; Berlin Campaign (23 August 1943 – 25 March 1944); Blenheim; bomb aimer; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); bombing of Toulouse (5/6 April 1944); Bombing of Trossy St Maximin (3 August 1944); Cook’s tour; Distinguished Flying Medal; Dominie; Halifax; Heavy Conversion Unit; incendiary device; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 1; Lancaster Mk 2; Lancaster Mk 3; Manchester; mine laying; navigator; Operational Training Unit; Oxford; Proctor; RAF Bircotes; RAF Bishops Court; RAF Burn; RAF Compton Bassett; RAF Coningsby; RAF Drem; RAF Feltwell; RAF Finningley; RAF Fulbeck; RAF Jurby; RAF Manby; RAF Skellingthorpe; RAF St Eval; RAF Swanton Morley; RAF Swinderby; RAF Syerston; RAF Woolfox Lodge; RAF Yatesbury; Stirling; submarine; training; Wellington; wireless operator; wireless operator / air gunner

David Charles Davies' observer's and air gunner's flying log book

Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for David Charles Davies from November 1940 to 24 March 1948 detailing his training, operational and post conflict duties. Training was with No.5 Air Observer's School at RAF Jurby and Operational Training…

Tags: 105 Squadron; 1660 HCU; 25 OTU; 57 Squadron; 61 Squadron; air gunner; Air Observers School; air sea rescue; aircrew; Anson; Berlin Campaign (23 August 1943 – 25 March 1944); Blenheim; bomb aimer; bombing; bombing of the Normandy coastal batteries (5/6 June 1944); bombing of Toulouse (5/6 April 1944); Bombing of Trossy St Maximin (3 August 1944); Cook’s tour; Distinguished Flying Medal; Dominie; Halifax; Heavy Conversion Unit; incendiary device; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 1; Lancaster Mk 2; Lancaster Mk 3; Lincoln; Manchester; mine laying; navigator; Normandy campaign (6 June – 21 August 1944); Operational Training Unit; Oxford; Proctor; RAF Bircotes; RAF Bishops Court; RAF Burn; RAF Compton Bassett; RAF Coningsby; RAF Feltwell; RAF Finningley; RAF Fulbeck; RAF Jurby; RAF Manby; RAF Skellingthorpe; RAF St Eval; RAF Swanton Morley; RAF Swinderby; RAF Syerston; RAF Woolfox Lodge; RAF Yatesbury; Stirling; submarine; tactical support for Normandy troops; training; Wellington; wireless operator; wireless operator / air gunner

Bob Butler's Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book

Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Pilot Officer Bob Butler covering 22 September 1940 to 23 September 1942 detailing training flights, air tests and operations.
Served at RAF Jurby, RAF Bassingbourn, RAF Newmarket, RAF Waterbeach, RAF…

An Airman's Tale

Geoff Payne's autobiography divided into five chapters.

Chapter 1. Under Training. Covers the period between being assessed in Birmingham Geoff before setting off to London in August 1942 for training at Lords. Initial training was at RAF…

Tags: 115 Squadron; 12 OTU; 1651 HCU; 1678 HCU; 514 Squadron; 75 Squadron; 90 Squadron; air gunner; Air Gunnery School; aircrew; Anson; anti-aircraft fire; bale out; bomb aimer; bombing; Cheshire, Geoffrey Leonard (1917-1992); Churchill, Winston (1874-1965); crewing up; escaping; evading; flight engineer; ground personnel; Harris, Arthur Travers (1892-1984); Harvard; Heavy Conversion Unit; Initial Training Wing; Ju 88; lack of moral fibre; Lancaster; Lancaster Mk 2; Lancaster Mk 3; Martinet; Me 109; Me 110; Me 410; Meteor; Mosquito; navigator; Navy, Army and Air Force Institute; Nissen hut; Operational Training Unit; Oxford; Pathfinders; pilot; prisoner of war; RAF Andreas; RAF Brackla; RAF Bridgnorth; RAF Bridlington; RAF Chipping Warden; RAF Coningsby; RAF Cosford; RAF Croughton; RAF Downham Market; RAF East Kirkby; RAF Feltwell; RAF Foulsham; RAF Halfpenny Green; RAF Hornchurch; RAF Jurby; RAF Little Rissington; RAF Mepal; RAF Newmarket; RAF South Cerney; RAF Stradishall; RAF Ternhill; RAF Waterbeach; RAF Witchford; RAF Wratting Common; searchlight; Spitfire; Stirling; target indicator; the long march; Tiger force; training; V-1; V-weapon; Wellington; wireless operator; Women’s Auxiliary Air Force

Alan Richardson’s Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book. One

Alan Richardson’s Flying Log Book as an air gunner from 11th April 1940 until 31st August 1943. Trained as an air gunner and wireless operator at No. 9 Bombing and Gunnery School and No. 9 Air Observers School. Posted to 11 Operational Training…

"To Be or Not to Be"

Ken, in flying kit, leaning on a concrete hut wall.
On the reverse 'Jurby I.O.M. May 1942 "To Be or Not to Be" '.

Tags: aircrew; RAF Jurby

"Tired Out"

Ken resting on his bunk. On the reverse 'Jurby I.O.M. May 1942 "Tired out" '.

Tags: aircrew; military living conditions; RAF Jurby

"Sun Bathing"

Ken sunbathing in swimming shorts and sunglasses.
On the reverse 'Jurby I.O.M. June 1942 "Sun Bathing" '.

Tags: aircrew; RAF Jurby; training

"Ready for a Route March"

Ken standing in overalls in front of a nissen hut.
On the reverse 'Jurby IOM May 1942 "Ready for a Route March" '.

Tags: aircrew; Nissen hut; RAF Jurby

"Reading Jo's Mail"

Ken in uniform and smoking his pipe, outside a wooden building.
On the reverse 'Jurby I.O.M. May 1942 "Reading Jo's Mail" '.

Tags: aircrew; love and romance; RAF Jurby; training

"On the Beach"

Ken, in trainee's uniform, standing on a beach with his towel rolled up under his arm.
On the reverse 'Jurby I.O.M. June 1942 "On the Beach" '.

Tags: aircrew; RAF Jurby; training

"Jack Brings Home the Breakfast"

An airman standing outside a nissen hut. He is holding a wrapped breakfast, mug of tea and smoking.
On the reverse 'Jurby IOM August 1942 "Jack Brings Home the Breakfast" '.

Tags: aircrew; military living conditions; Nissen hut; RAF Jurby; training