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Interview with Dennis Brett
Dennis was born in 1924 and joined the Royal Air Force in November 1942. He trained as a flight mechanic, airframe, at RAF Locking and was responsible for the whole of the aircraft, apart from the engines and the guns. Dennis explained the emergency…
Interview with Bernard Charles Mabey
Bernard Mabey was born in London and experienced the Blitz at first hand. He was a member of the Air Training Corps in 1941, before volunteering for the RAF. He trained as an air frame mechanic at RAF Locking. His first posting was RAF Marston Moor…
Interview with Edward Harry Matthews
Ted developed an interest in flying after experiencing Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus, and volunteered for aircrew. He went to the Air Crew Reception Centre at St John’s Wood, followed by RAF Newquay on the Initial Training Wing. Ted proceeded to…
Interview with Ben John May
Ben was born in 1925 in Kent and his first job was in the gas works. A member of the Air Transport Command, he was called up in 1944 and, after initial training at RAF Locking, he joined No.4 flight engineers’ course at RAF St Athan for one year.…
Interview with Jean Culkin
Jean Culkin grew up in Sunderland and worked as a tea girl and then a typist in a reserved occupation. She discusses her life and her wedding to her husband, John George Mackel Culkin who was an apprentice at RAF Halton before becoming a fitter…
Interview with Richard William Lambert
In 1943, when Richard was 17 and a half, he cycled into Guildford to sign up to volunteer for the Royal Air Force. He reported to Lords cricket ground to collect his uniform and gear and then went for training at RAF Hednesford for a six-month…
Robert Holman personal service record
List of locations and jobs from 1941 ATC summer camp, and from joining Royal Air Force in May 1943 until demobilisation in March 1946. Includes transfer to Navy in June 1945, where he worked on Barracuda, Firefly and Oxford aircraft.
Interview with Eric William Harrison
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…
John Shipman's Engineering Notebook
A notebook used by John for his engineering lectures.
John Shipman's Engineering Notes
A notebook kept by John with his engineering lectures.
John Shipman's 1943 Diary
Intermittent record of John's time at RAF West Kirby then Blackpool for training. He covers the sail from Liverpool to Durban, then India, first Bombay then train to Karachi. Once established at RAF Mauripur he records his daily work and…
27 Trainee Airmen
A group of 27 airmen arranged in three rows in front of a brick building. On the reverse the trainees have signed their names. The photographer's name and address is stamped on. A yellow post-it note has 'RAF Locking Weston Super Mare'.
20 Trainee Airmen
A group of 20 trainee airmen arranged in three rows in front of a brick building. On the reverse some of the trainees have signed their names. There is a yellow post-it note with 'RAF Locking Weston-super-Mare'.
Philip Hopgood's Second World War Biography
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…
Philip Hopgood's RAF Record
Issued to Philip Hopgood during his RAF service from 24 February 1942-1 May 1947. It includes details of his training and where he served.
28 airmen
28 airmen arranged in three rows in front of a wooden hut, captioned 'Ken Redwood, Dave Murphy and others at A.C.N.C.O.S. Locking - August 1945'.
William Jones Mess Card, RAF Locking
Five items from an album.
Item 1 is a Mess card from RAF Locking.
Item 2 is an address card for William Jones, part of his mess card.
Item 3 is the reverse of the address card.
Item 4 is the monthly charges at the Mess.
Item 5 is the cover of…
Item 1 is a Mess card from RAF Locking.
Item 2 is an address card for William Jones, part of his mess card.
Item 3 is the reverse of the address card.
Item 4 is the monthly charges at the Mess.
Item 5 is the cover of…
William Jones Pass Card and Aircrew and Erks
William's pass card and a photograph of ten airmen.
RAF Form 295A issued to William containing details of his temporary leave.
The photograph is captioned 'Aircrew and Erks' and has ten men in two groups in front of a hangar.
RAF Form 295A issued to William containing details of his temporary leave.
The photograph is captioned 'Aircrew and Erks' and has ten men in two groups in front of a hangar.
Fitters Training
Top, eight ground arranged round tables, captioned 'Looking fat at school'.
Bottom, four men about to hit a tool with a hammer, captioned 'Fitters?'
Bottom, four men about to hit a tool with a hammer, captioned 'Fitters?'
Interview with Bertram Arthur Yeandle
After leaving school, Bertram Yeandle joined the RAF apprentice scheme and trained as an engine fitter at RAF Halton. After completing his apprenticeship at RAF Cosford, he was posted to 148 Squadron, RAF Harwell, where he serviced Wellingtons. In…
Flight Engineer, 420 Squadron RCF, Bomber Command, RAF WWII
Ben May's life and service as a flight engineer on 420 Squadron flying Halifax from January 1945. Relate life before volunteering for aircrew and being called up for the RAF in February 1944. Provides short description of training and joining 420…
Victor Stapley
Head and shoulders. portrait of a flying officer wearing battledress with flight engineer half brevet and distinguished flying cross ribbon. Signed 'Norman Colebourne 1945'. Accompanying card captioned 'Victor Stapely DFC, painting on card, RAF…
Maurice Snowball's Engineering Notes
Notes kept by Maurice during his training.
Zosia Kowalska Interview
After a challenging time being sent from country to country, Zosia Kowalska finally came to England and became a WAAF. After training, she was posted to RAF Locking where she met her future husband whilst she was working as a cook. The wedding was…
Flight Sergeant Ronald Arthur 'Tom' Gorton
A summary of Tom's early life, marriage and service career. Includes a description of his aircraft being shot down over Wetten, with photographs of his caterpillar badge and postcard to his wife confirming he was a prisoner of war and his…