Browse Items (261 total)

  • Tags: RAF Syerston

PGrimesS1502.jpg
Sydney Grimes grew up near Southend and joined the RAF as a wireless operator in 1940. He flew a total of 41 operations - 24 operations with 106 Squadron and 17 operations with 617 Squadron. He then served on 9 Squadron at RAF Bardney for 2 months…

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SWilliamsonF1311249v10003-0001.jpg
A brief explanation about the newspaper cuttings.

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PSymondsKWP2103.jpg
Ken Symonds was in the Air Training Corps when the unit was visited by a flight engineer. This meeting further inspired him, along with his cousin to join the RAF in a ground trade with the expectation of moving on to become a flight engineer. …

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AFrostEH171110.mp3
Edward ‘Ted’ Frost volunteered for the RAF and began training to be a pilot. Initially he was posted to RAF Hendon where he flew agents in Lysanders to the occupied territories. He was then posted to 61 Squadron at Syerston. He was offered the…

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PEdmundsAE1702.jpg
Eddie Edmunds was born in Walthamstow and was educated at a grammar school, then joined an oil company. He eventually moved to the Electric Supply Company and became an accountant. Eddie had always wanted to fly so he initially joined the reserve and…

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MHolmanR3020209-180106-09.jpg
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.

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BAndersonRJAndersonRJv1.pdf
Robert Anderson describes his training in Tasmania and Canada, and his tour of operations to targets in France and Germany with 106 Squadron.

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Written from the Sergeant's mess describing a dance at the station he had attended, family news and receiving a letter from Rose breaking off their relationship. Annotated 'Reg's last letter, received the same day as the news'.

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BWilsonRCWilsonRCv1.pdf
Reg summarises Bomber Command's role in the war then details his personal experiences from training days. He covers in detail the navigational techniques he used. He describes the operation he was on when he was shot down.

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BCharltonRCharltonRv1.pdf
A twelve-page type written memoir by Ray Charlton, entitled 'Ramblings of my Memories'. It begins with his acceptance for aircrew in August 1942, continues with his call up in July 1943, and then a training period until joining a crew as Flight…

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EPayneMHWeeksD440719-0001.jpg
Letter from a friend that provides some information on operation on which Malcolm Payne went missing. Operation was to Culmont Chaldarey [sic] on 12/13 July and according to BBC, 13 aircraft lost. Goes on to cover statistics of survival of crews…

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MCleggPV[DoB]-150819-04.pdf
Listing by page of visitors' book of personnel who had signed and were subsequently killed with details.

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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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BStevensonPDStevensonPDv1.pdf
Peter Stevenson's account of his service in the Officer Training Corps at Grantham and later in the Air Training Corps. Tells of his life in Grantham and the effect of the war on the town. Also his involvement post war in museums and projects to…

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MHattersleyCR40699-160506-030001.pdf
A service diary written by Peter Hattersley covering the period from November 1930 to 24 September 1948.Initially he served in the Royal Engineers but in February 1936 he joined the RAF. It covers his training and operations including a newspaper…

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PCookKHH1601.jpg
Wing Commander Kenneth Cook was born in Randwick in Gloucestershire. At Marlings grammar school, he joined the Air Training Corps. On the outbreak of war he joined the Royal Air Force and went to America under the Arnold Scheme for pilot training.…

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PGardinerEF1701.jpg
Fred Gardiner grew up in Oxfordshire and worked in a furniture factory before volunteering for the Royal Air Force. He flew five operations as a wireless operator / air gunner from RAF Syerston before his aircraft was shot down. He gives a detailed…

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EOCRAFScampMadgettLR431208.jpg
From station commander at RAF Syerston stating that a receipt for his son's bicycle had now been received.

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EOCRAFScampMadgettLR430827.jpg
From station commander at RAF Syerston stating his son's bicycle has now been found and asking what they wish to happen to it.

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EOCRAFScampMadgettLR4309XX.jpg
From station commander at RAF Syerston stating that Hedley's bicycle has not been sent as it was still awaiting release by effects authorities.

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PKirbyH1511.jpg
Harold Kirby joined up the Royal Air Force encouraged by two friends, but ended up training as a flight mechanic at RAF Halton on medical grounds. Harold became them airframe fitter, volunteered as a flight engineer, passed the physical but was then…

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AGreenKS150713.mp3
Kenneth Green was born on the 17th January 1922 at Pleasley, near Mansfield and worked with the Carlton Auxillary Fire Service before joining the Royal Air Force at the age of 20.
He trained as an engineer after he was unable to fly due to eye…

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AWorralJR150603.mp3
Raymond (Ray) Worral joined the RAF in 1943. Ray completed his initial training in Bridlington and then St Athen for the Flight Engineers training course and learnt the technicalities of the Lancaster. After being crewed up at Winthorpe, Ray attended…

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PWilliamsAE1510.jpg
Arthur Emlyn Williams was working as a pump operator at the mines, before he volunteered for the RAF. His mother hid his first recruitment letter. He trained at Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Number 2 Air-Gunnery school at Inverness, on Ansons. He…

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PWilliamsAE1510.jpg
Arthur Emlyn Williams talks about his life before volunteering and what lead him up to volunteering. His parents were upset about his decision to join the RAF. In September 1943, he was accepted for training as an air-gunner. He started his first…

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