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Interview with Aubrey Coles. One
The interviewer mentions a friend who was on 158 Squadron and Aubrey mentions that brother was a wireless operator, special operations, out in India. He talks about early ops to Lens and then to Stuttgart. He continues with anecdotes of other notable…
Interview with Bluey Mottershead
Bluey was born on a farm in Shropshire. His best friend, from his youth, joined the Royal Air Force as aircrew and was killed at RAF Honington when a German aircraft bombed the station. A desire for revenge made him enlist for flying duties in…
Interview with Colin Hynd
Colin Hynd joined the RAF in November 1943. Upon completing initial training, he was posted to RAF St Athan, where he trained as a flight engineer. He struggled to bond with his first crew, so instead worked as an instructor, before joining a…
Interview with David Leicester
David was called up in August 1941 and went to the Initial Training School at Victor Harbor. Elementary Flying Training School followed, and he was posted to Parafield, flying Tiger Moths. He then went to the Service Flying Training School at Point…
Interview with Derek Jones
Bomb aimer Frank Jones wrote notes decades ago regarding his service in Bomber Command with 158 Squadron. His son, Derek reads his father’s story, which includes his early life, enlisting into the RAF and training in navigation at No. 43 Air…
Interview with Douglas Arthur Smith
Douglas Smith grew up in Bressingham, Norfolk. He joined the Royal Air Force in October 1940, at the age of 19, and trained as a wireless operator. He joined a crew on Wellingtons at No 10 Operational Training Unit, RAF Abingdon, before converting to…
Interview with Douglas Robinson
Douglas was in the Local Defence Volunteers before joining the Royal Air Force as a pilot. After RAF Babbacombe, he did initial training at RAF Scarborough and then in Rhodesia. Initial flight training in Harare on Tiger Moths was followed by service…
Interview with Harry Irons. One
Harry Irons left a tailoring apprenticeship to join the Royal Air Force and trained as a wireless operator but became an air-gunner. He describes the uniform he wore and the unreliability of heated suits. He tells of the invention of scarecrows which…
Interview with Harry Irons. Two
Harry was under age when he joined the RAF in 1940, after witnessing bombing in London. He went to Blackpool in August 1941 and became a rear gunner. Gunnery school for six weeks at RAF Manby followed, and Harry joined 9 Squadron at RAF Waddington.…
Interview with Jack Alexander Cook
Being in a reserved occupation at the outbreak of war, Jack eventually volunteered for the Royal Air Force, although, it would take the majority of the war before he joined. Having eventually been called up for Bomber Command in 1944, Jack trained as…
Interview with John David Pennington Cotter
John was born in Hendon, London and his family fell on hard times in his early years. John and his brother, Paul, joined the RAF in 1941 as a pilot and wireless operator, respectively. After initial training at RAF Brize Norton, John was trained in…
Interview with Len McNamara
Len McNamara was born in Bristol in 1924. While working as an apprentice plumber, he joined the Air Training Corps and volunteered for aircrew. He discusses his initial training at various stations, the gunnery course he passed with merit and…
Interview with Rex Statham
Rex Statham was born in Luton. His father died in a motorbike accident when he was very young. Although Rex had been very keen to join the Navy, he volunteered for the RAF as a flight mechanic. When he realised that many trained mechanics were being…
Interview with Tom Coles
Tom Coles was born in Watford and signed up for the Royal Air Force at the age of 18. He went to Canada for training, a period saddened by the loss of his sister who was in the Women’s Auxilliary Air Force. Tom flew Manchesters, then went to 158…
Interview with William Frederick Chubb
Bill Chubb had several challenges in his early life, including the death of his father when Bill was 12. After various jobs, he joined the RAF as a flight engineer. He became part of a Canadian crew, despite some objection! Bill tells many tales of…
Interviews with Aubrey Coles
Transcription of interviews. Interviewer mentions a friend who was on 158 Squadron. Coles mentions that brother was a wireless operator, special operations, out in India. Talks about early ops to Lens and then to Stuttgart. Goes on with anecdotes of…
J D Cotter’s Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book for J D Cotter, covering the period from 11 January 1942 to 22 April 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RCAF Caron, RCAF North Battleford, RAF Swanton Morley,…
Jack Bromfield’s Royal Air Force Wireless Operator/Air Gunner's Flying Log Book
Jack Bromfield’s Flying Log Book as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner from 23rd September 1943 until 5th January 1945 when he was reported as missing. Training started at No. 2 Radio School and No. 8 Gunnery School. Further training followed at No. 7…
Letter to Ron Wood's father
Confirming, with sympathy, that Sergeant Ronald ‘Ron’ Charles Wood has been reported missing and advising that his personal belongings were being collected for onward transmission.
List of operations
Page is titled 'Operational details of raids carried out over Germany, Holland and France, details of our flight log book of bombing raids.' It is in the form of a table recording Date, Target, Country, Duration and Comments. The summary at the end…
List of Ray Wells' RAF Stations
A list kept by Ray of stations that he served or visited.
Lost over Hanover
Concerns crew captained by Flying Officer A Robertson RCAF including Flight Sergeant Jack Bromfield as wireless operation. Lists crew. Gives account of their 12th operation to Hanover where their Halifax was attacked and shot down by a Ju 88 flown by…
Mess Subscription Card
Don Sparkes' mess card for RAF Lissett.
Old enemies new friends
A short document with four photographs and text. First photograph - an airman wearing flying suit standing behind the rear turret of a Halifax captioned ': Sgt Jack Bromfield with a 158 Squadron Halifax at Lissett (Jack Bromfield)'. Second photograph…
Ray Wells, Crew and Girlfriend
Photo 1 is Ray Wells, trainee airman.
Photo 2 is Seven airmen and five ground crew under the nose of their Halifax, captioned 'Halifax G -George and Crew. RAF Lisset. 158 Squadron. 1944. 37 Operations - Europe.'
Photo 3 is a side head and shoulders…
Photo 2 is Seven airmen and five ground crew under the nose of their Halifax, captioned 'Halifax G -George and Crew. RAF Lisset. 158 Squadron. 1944. 37 Operations - Europe.'
Photo 3 is a side head and shoulders…