Browse Items (165 total)

  • Tags: RAF Stradishall

BJonesTJJonesPWv1.pdf
Memoir including photographs of the crew and aircraft. Thomas Jones was a flight engineer on Stirling and Lancaster and completed 64 operations on two tours. Describes early life, joining the RAF, selection and training., crewing up and first posting…

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EWadesonTEWadesonJ430609-0002.jpg
Writes that he had been away for a week on a gunner course and managed to scrape through as grade 1 and that he was now a real gunner. Writes about his New Zealand crew of skipper, bomb aimer and wireless operator as well as British navigator and…

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PCooperS1501.jpg
Sidney Cooper was born in Blackpool and speaks about his early life there. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1941. He first served as an engine fitter in Fighter Command before remustering as aircrew. He flew operations as a flight engineer with 427…

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MShawSR3002545-160211-15.jpg
A list of 29 aircraft recovered during 1944-45 by No 9 Party, 54 Maintenance Unit.

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BMillingtonRWestonFv1.pdf
A biography of Fred. In addition it includes histories of aircraft and squadrons he served in, Details are included of airfields he served at. Additionally there are biographies of various servicemen associated with Fred's squadrons and service.
At…

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AFosterIWE180221.mp3
Ivor Foster of Plymouth volunteered for the RAF as soon as he was of age. He was initially accepted for training to become a Pilot, navigator or bomb aimer but decided the length of time for the training was too long and chose to train as a gunner.…

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EGiddingsRH[Recipient]4704210001.jpg
A reference written by Malcolm Staves' Signals Leader, 207 Squadron praising his work and character.

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ERiceEKHitchcock[Fam]410426.jpg
The letter advises them that John has completed the first stage of his journey.

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BCleggPVWilsonDv1.pdf
Biography of Squadron Leader David James Baikie Wilson, DSO, DFC and Bar (1917 - 1947). He flew operations as a pilot with 214, 196 and 617 Squadrons before becoming Head of Aerodynamic Development and Testing, and Test-Pilot at A V Roe & Co Ltd.…

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PKentAW1701.jpg
Anthony Kent was born in Wood Green, London, and his family settled in Eltham. Tony started an apprenticeship with Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, at the start of the war and worked as an apprentice draughtsman for eighteen months before volunteering for…

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PTurnerHA1801.jpg
Bert Turner was a member of the Air Training Corps before the war. He volunteered for the Air Force and was called up 2 August 1942. After training he became a flight engineer with 196 Squadron. He flew some bombing and mine laying operations before…

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BThomasWKThomasWKv1.pdf
A detailed account of Ken Thomas's life from his early years at school, through his ground crew technical training followed by his aircrew training, operational tour, short post war service and his civilian career, he revised the account in 2005.

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AMulhallJE160823.mp3
James was born in Gorton, attended Catholic schools, and became an apprentice plumber. In November 1942 he joined the Royal Air Force. He then trained as a mechanic at RAF St Athan before being posted to RAF Henlow to assemble Hurricanes. He then…

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PAlexanderPM1901.jpg
During the war, Pauline's siblings Bernard, Guy, Robert and Peter served in the air force and army, her mother volunteered for the Red Cross, and her father volunteered as an air raid warden. Inspired by her brothers, Alexander joined Women’s…

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PNeechPRR1601.jpg
Peter was born in London and his home suffered bomb damage during the war. He served in the Air Training Corps until joining the Royal Air Force in 1943. After reporting to the Aircrew Reception Centre at St John’s Wood, he spent a few weeks at RAF…

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AHallettB161122.mp3
Bill Hallett was born in Over Wallop in 1922. He joined the RAF in 1942 despite having an exemption due to the work he was doing at Tidworth Barracks. He flew operations in Stirlings and B-17s as a flight engineer with 214 Squadron. Rather than…

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450717.pdf
The RAF has changed their plans and they are not being sent overseas or mixed with transport command. Redundancy looks likely.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450716.pdf
His squadron is about to disband and his flight will become part of Transport Command. He may be retrained for non-flying duties in Yorkshire. He discusses complications regarding the wedding due to the leave situation.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450710.pdf
He and his crew have been practice bombing at night. He discusses wedding details. Only 16 days to wait.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450706.pdf
He discusses their wedding plans then domestic news. They flew to Denmark to test German radar.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450629.pdf
He writes that he has been flying to test German radar. He talks about their wedding plans, folk dropping out of the wedding and presents.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450626.pdf
He thanks Jean for her letter and cake. He has booked their honeymoon hotel in Bideford since Lynton was not available. He has just enough petrol saved up and rationed. Jack is coming back so they can resume flying.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450623.pdf
He replies to Jean's latest letter with domestic comments. He says he has no news.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450620.pdf
His next leave is sorted, when they intend to get married. He is trying to book accommodation at Lynton and hotels enroute.

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EDarbyCAHWellandJ450619.pdf
He is not flying because his pilot is ill. He writes about getting tyres for his car and playing in cricket match.

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