Browse Items (260 total)

  • Tags: RAF Syerston

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Laurie Davis trained as a wireless operator and first went to RAF Silverstone where crews were formed. Because of his bright red hair, he was then known as ‘Red’. The crew worked on Wellingtons for a few weeks and then Stirlings at RAF Syerston.…

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Horace James Flowers was born and grew up in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire. He became an apprentice butcher before being released to volunteer for the Royal Air Force in 1944. He trained as an air gunner at RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Wigsley and RAF Syerston…

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William Cooke joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 18, becoming a rear gunner on Lancasters. He followed his brother and sister into the RAF.
Tells of his spell of guard duty on board a troop ship, and losing one of the people he was showing…

ATaylorJ150916.mp3
John Taylor grew up in Nottingham and was evacuated before he went into sixth form. He left school and started working as an analytical chemist at Boots and although this was a reserved occupation he volunteered for aircrew. After his initial…

AAllenG150917.mp3
Graham Allen joined the Royal Air Force aged 19. He trained as a mechanic and worked on inspection and recovery of Spitfire aircraft. He later volunteered to be a flight engineer, and flew a tour of operations with 106 Squadron. His first operation…

YStavesME203137v1.pdf
Copy of a day by day diary kept by Malcolm Staves from 26th April 1943 to 6th January 1945. Covers training, lectures, gardening and cleaning tasks. Also covers his social life and home leave.

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Thrilled to receive two letters from her. Continues with banter, love talk and of acquaintances. Gives her mess phone number and explains why he was unable to phone her. Writes that he has included her as 'other person to be notified' on next of kin…

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Starts with some love talk and explains that flying did not happen and missed opportunity to see her. Hoping to go to Lincoln to see her that evening.

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Feeling better after phoning her. Talks about wind and catches up with news about long days. Mentions six letters from home. Ends with endearments

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Writes that station commander gave them half a day off and they went into Newark and talks about their activities there, Continues with love talk and mention of marriage.

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Starts with endearments and love talk and talk of pay parade. Mentions reconnaissance to Newark and has received her letter. Writes about how he now charges other to use his stuff as he is saving up. Talks of daily activities and that he has written…

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Writes he is tired but that they will be more comfortable in new camp. Explains he could not phone and that he had written to his mother.

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A letter accompanying a Caterpillar Club badge awarded to Jack.
This item was sent to the IBCC Digital Archive already in digital form. No better quality copies are available.

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Writes that Hedley's bicycle has still not arrived at Sidcup station.

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Letter to Director of Personnel Services. Reference letter to Madgetts on February 18 1944. Notes that they received a letter from Wing Commander 61 Squadron at Syerston that their son was missing after air operation on 17/18 August 1943. They also…

SGillK1438901v30046.pdf
Writes about trying to book somewhere in Scarborough for his next leave and outlines his plans for it. Mentions some places in France that his father used to talk about which were now in the news again. Catches up with family news.

SGillK1438901v30041.pdf
Writes of possibility of returning to his old squadron. Catches up with news of friends and family. Comments on recent snow and the work it caused them. Mentions coupons he sent to his father. Writes about calculating his total mileage by land and…

SGillK1438901v30031.pdf
Catches up with news of family and friends. Mentions recent Christmas and speculates a little on war progress. Writes a little about astronomy to his father and stellar movement. Mentions he would be home later in the month. Comments on weather and…

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Writes about poor weather and that he thought summer was over. Comments on plans for upcoming leave with wife Vera and son Derek. Sets maths puzzle with diagram for his father that he has been trying to solve.

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Writes of journey back to camp. Mentions it was good that they were back in France and that they had not been called upon for action. Writes of radio being on constantly for communiques and hopes that this was the beginning of the end of the war.…

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Writes of recent visit from his brother. Mentions a little of recent flying. Catches up with news of correspondence. Hopes to get a posting to Scampton as he is tired of Syerston. Moans about pilots air force and mentions no more duties detailed.

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Writes that he is back in England after five days in Ireland. Thanks them for book and catches up with family news. Mentions war news and talk of invasion but presumes it would not be before he stared his second tour. Talks of American hospitality on…

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Writes about recent Christmas and says a little about life and training work on his camp. Listens to aircraft taking off and comments that unlike operations crews usually come back. Asks for news of friend. Comments that recent news was good and…
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