Browse Items (40 total)

  • Tags: RAF Kirkham

BWallerTWallerTv1.pdf
Memoir covers early life, joining and training as a Royal Air Force Armourer and his subsequent wartime career. States that he served on 138 Squadron at Royal Air Force Stradishall and describes its Special Operation Executive operations. Goes on to…

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PBaileyJD1607.jpg
Derek was in the Air Training Corps before enlisting at 18. He was given deferred service, eventually reporting to the Air Crew Reception Centre at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He proceeded to Ludlow and an Initial Training Wing at Paignton. Derek was…

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PBunceFSG1609.jpg
Sid was working at a garage and a member of the local Air Training Corps when he volunteered for the Royal Air Force. At 18, he was kitted out at Padgate and trained as a flight mechanic on engines at Blackpool. Sid describes his 18-week training…

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AGilbertAC161013.mp3
Alexander Gilbert, DFC, joined the Royal Air Force in November 1940, and started service on the 7 April 1941. He had a long and varied career in the RAF, rising to the rank of Squadron Leader. On call up, he was trained as a Flight Engineer Air…

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AHardingV150520.mp3
Victor volunteered to join the RAF aged 18. His first posting was to RAF Cottesmore where he trained to be a flight mechanic, air frames and worked on Antons and Oxfords. On completing his training, he moved to Bomber Command where he maintained…

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LBaileyJD1583184v1.pdf
Flying log book for aircrew other than pilot for John Derek Bailey, bomb aimer, covering the period from 6 July 1943 to 5 September 1945, detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Regents Park, RAF…

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PParryHP1607.jpg
36 airman in three rows. All have forage caps on and most are wearing Greatcoats. In the centre of the front row on the ground is a blackboard with '24A EQUIP/ACCTS' on it. In the background to the left of the photograph is the end of a wooden…

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ABorthwickS180306.mp3
Sidney enlisted on 4th January 1944 at the Air Crew Reception Centre, Lord’s cricket ground. He was accepted, despite having a tumour on his left arm. Sidney was a rear gunner on Lancasters. After training at Blackpool, he served at RAF…

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BPayneRPayneRv1.pdf
A detailed account of Reg Payne's service in the RAF. He starts with a list of 18 RAF bases where he served in his 5 years of service. He was 16 when war was declared but volunteered for the RAF at 17. After tests he was selected for training as a…

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ACookJ150709.mp3
Jack Cook was born in Mexborough, left school aged 14 and went to work at a Gentlemen’s Outfitters. Aged 16 he worked on the footplate for LNER and at the age of 18 volunteered for aircrew and trained as a wireless operator/air gunner; he joined…

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ADayMH171128.mp3
As her father was in the Royal Navy, Margaret attended school in Gibraltar, Portsmouth, and (after her mother’s death) Malta, before returning to Gosport in the UK when she was eleven. In 1939, she was fifteen and working for a company making soft…

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AGoslingC180907.mp3
Cyril Gosling trained as an armourer at Kirby in Blackpool and was first posted to 49 Squadron where he worked on the guns and turrets. As part of his role he would go on flights in the bombers to check the accuracy of the guns by firing at drogues.…

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ATillerF180716.mp3
Fred was too young to get in the Royal Air Force, so he joined the Air Training Corps where they did aircraft recognition and visited various camps. He joined in 1943/44 and went to Lord’s cricket ground where he was evaluated to become an air…

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OCuthillMSFH2151005-181213-01.pdf
Records Margaret Logan's service as between 25 May 1944 and 10 October 1947.

She is described by her commanding officer as:
'A very good conscientious airwoman. Has carried out her duties in a very capable manner. Keen, willing and uses…

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OWebbLP1876986-190604-01.pdf
Issued to Peter Webb covering his service from November 1943 to March 1947.

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PStachiewiczM17010020.jpg
RAF Kirkham Officer's Mess.
Photo 1 is a wall decoration, fireplace, chair and a ceiling light.
Photo 2 is a wall decoration of two women walking together.
Photo 3 is a wall decoration of an officer and a bare breasted woman dancing. Underneath…

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PHarrisonEW1903.jpg
Eric William Harrison joined the RAF in 1943 and trained as a flight engineer at RAF Locking, RAF St Athan, and RAF Chedburgh. He flew Stirlings and recollects that they were a terrifying aircraft compared to Lancasters. Harrison formed a crew at the…

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BHopgoodPMHopgoodPDv1.pdf
The detailed biography begins with government measures at the start of National Service. Philip Hopgood volunteered and enlisted at Padgate, Warrington. He was classified as medically Grade 1. Initial training was at RAF Regent's Park (Lord's Cricket…

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OBarrettR1863228-170515-01.pdf
1863228 LAC Barrett, R. Service and Release Book from RAF Kirkham. Serving in RAFVR from 11 November 1942 until 31 January 1947, as a Flight Mechanic Engines. Contains very brief details of his service.

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OGarbettWA1817435-20151002-01.pdf
Service Book was completed at the No 101 Personnel Dispersal Centre R.A.F. Kirkham. Bill joined the R.A.F. on 20 September 1943 and was discharged on the 8 August 1947 as a Flight Sergeant Navigator. He undertook his flying training in Canada between…

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ESherlockPRWareingJ450224-0001.jpg
He writes that he has just been repatriated from Germany where he was in the same camp as her husband. He reports that her husband is well and he has put on some weight and the burns on his hands have now healed. He also reports that one of her…

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ESherlockPRWareingJ450312-0001.jpg
Writes in response to her letter. He thanks her for her letter and hopes she is continuing to receive news of her husband but not to worry if the post is erratic or stops as this may happen before Germany’s collapse. He also advises her that he is…

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LOrtonR2217450v1.pdf
Flying log book for navigator’s, air bomber’s, air gunners, flight engineers for R Orton, air gunner, covering the period from 27 May 1944 to 7 October 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Stormey…

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BPerkinsFWJPerkinsFWJv1.pdf
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…

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EBakerRBaker[Fam]430628-0001.jpg
Writes of receiving news news that Bob was missing. Mentions waiting period is hard but there was always a good chance of him being safe, Speculates on future and urges them not to lose heart. PS news of Joe being a prisoner of war but news took two…

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