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Interview with Harry James
Harry James grew up in Berkshire and after school began training as a plumber. He joined the RAF and carried out thirty three operations as a rear gunner with 166 squadron. After the war Harry returned to plumbing in Berkshire. He tells of his…
Interview with Ivon Warmington
Ivon Warmington was working for the Post Office in his native Cornwall before he volunteered for the RAF. After pilot training he flew a tour of operations with 166 Squadron from RAF Kirmington. His first operation was to Mailly le Camp where the…
Interview with Jill Saunders
Jill Saunders’s father Frank Simon was born in Salford in 1917. He served an apprenticeship as a fitter before joining A.V. Roe. He had joined the RAF volunteer reserve but as he was in a reserved occupation, he was only called up in 1944. He…
Interview with John Derek "Bill" Bailey. One
John Derek ‘Bill’ Bailey volunteered for the Air Force when he was 18 and trained as a bomb aimer in Canada. When he arrived he caught scarlet fever and spent five weeks in an isolation hospital. He flew operations as a bomb aimer with 103 and…
Interview with John Derek "Bill" Bailey. Two
John Derek Bailey completed a full tour of operations as a bomb aimer with 103 and 166 Squadrons from RAF Elsham Wolds and RAF Kirmington.
Interview with Leonard William Sparvell. One
Born in Bexley, Leonard Sparvell volunteered for the Air Force. He completed 30 operations in Lancasters as a flight engineer with pilot Bill Capper. After the war he married and worked in London Stock Exchange.
Interview with Leonard William Sparvell. Two
Leonard Sparvell lived in Bexley Heath until he joined the RAF in 1944. He remembers the stress of returning home particularly after long flights to/from Stettin. He also stresses that he was one of the lucky ones and many did not return. After the…
Interview with Norman William Smith
Norman Smith was a rear gunner on Lancasters operating from RAF Kirmington. His most vivid memory is of the cold of long journeys. On one occasion he blinked and felt ice in his eyes. On one occasion they missed their airfield and went to Elsham…
Interview with Roddy MacKenzie
Roddy MacKenzie’s father, Roland, joined the Canadian Royal Air Force in 1942. He trained as a pilot and worked as an instructor in Canada before being posted to RAF Kirmington, where he joined 166 Squadron and received the Distinguished Flying…
Interview with Rupert Noye
Rupert Noye completed two tours of operations as a rear gunner with 166 and 156 Squadrons.
Interview with Sidney and Una Ellis
Sidney and Una both experienced the effect of the war in Sheffield as a child. When Dunkirk survivors arrived at the nearby Reception Centre Sidney collected many souvenirs such as cap badges and his aunt also took two soldiers in to her home while…
Interview with William Anderson
Flight Officer William Anderson began his service in the Royal Air Force at the age of eighteen when he signed up in Edinburgh. In this interview he speaks about his training, reporting to Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, being paid at the London…
J R Davies’ Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book for aircrew other than pilot
Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book for aircrew other than pilot for J R Davies, bomb aimer, covering the period from 24 April 1943 to 3 August 1944, when he was missing on operations; his book is marked 'death presumed'. He was stationed at…
Jack Marsden's Medical Summary
A note summarising Jack's status.
Jo Lancaster’s pilots flying log book. One
Pilots flying log book for J O Lancaster covering the period from 6 July 1937 to 15 September 1943. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Sywell, RAF Anstey, RAF Desford, RAF Sealand, RAF…
John "Jack" Richard Davies
Draft comments on last operation of John Davies. Died on active service with 166 Squadron. List crew of his Lancaster (pilot and flight engineer survived) and recounts operation to V1 site at Trossy St Maximin in which and other crew John were…
John Derek Bailey’s Royal Canadian Air Force flying log book for aircrew other than pilot
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…
Letter from Peter Jenkinson to his mother
Writes that he is very busy. Comments about his brother and how he would like to "line shoot" with him. Continues with gossip on family matters and what he would like to do when he came home on leave.
Letter to Barry Wright from Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group
Congratulates him on award of Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Letter to Henry Simpson's father
Informs him that his son's personal effects had been forwarded to the RAF central depository.
Letter to Henry Simpson's father from Wing Commander D A Garner
Expresses sympathy over news of Sergeant Henry Simpson who was flight engineer of an aircraft that failed to return from an operation to Versailles.
Letter to L Simpson from Pilot Officer R Powdrill
Reply to addressee's letter having returned from operation to Stuttgart. Writes about returning from leave and photographs he asked for.
Letter to Mrs E Milling from Reginald Twamley
Letter to Mrs E Milling from a wing commander saying that her husband was part of an experienced crew and hoping that they may have escaped from the aircraft. He offers his personal sympathy.
Norman William Smith - extract from flying log book
Extract from Norman William Smith’s air gunner logbook covering operations between 12 August 1944 and 3 December 1944 flying on Lancaster with 166 Squadron C Flight. 16 daylight and 15 night operations are recorded. Targets were Rieme, Stuttgart,…
Notification that Edward Milling is reported missing
![E[Author]MillingEM430928-0003.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/116/1185/E[Author]MillingEM430928-0003.jpg "E[Author]MillingEM430928-0003.jpg")
Official notification that Sergeant Edward Milling is reported missing on the night of 27/28 September 1943.