Browse Items (74 total)

  • Tags: RAF Torquay

PBeasleyDG1727.jpg
At the start of the war, Doug Beasley left school at 16 to start work. Initially a member of the Air Training Corps, he was sent for aircrew selection when he became 18. There was a 12-month wait to enlist as a pilot, so he opted to become a flight…

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PKilleenKAL1701.jpg
Ken Kileen was called up and reported to ACRC in London at the beginning of 1942. He commenced flying as a navigator at 12 Air School, Queenstown in South Africa flying in Oxfords and Ansons. On his return to UK in 1943 he joined 83 OTU at Peplow…

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AMarshallKW160208.mp3
Ken Marshall, grew up in Barton on Humber and enrolled with the ATC before joining the University Air Squadron at Durham University. On one occasion he saw an aircraft on fire at RAF Elsham Wolds and although the crew was rescued it was a reminder of…

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EWynnIAWynnK[Date]-040001.jpg
Writes of his arrival and training at Babbacombe, Torquay. Writes of weather, accommodation, other nationalities and that he has been appointed orderly for his section.

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EWynnIAWynnK410329-0001.jpg
Thanks her for parcel and states he has received first pay. Asks after his son and goes on to describe training and food. Discusses financial affairs and mentions other nationalities that are training.

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EWynnIAWynnK410403-0002.jpg
Writes of being busy and receiving inoculations. Says he is going to Newquay next.

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ATrotmanPJ180604.mp3
Applying for RAF Bomber Command in May 1940, Percival Trotman was called up in September 1940, training as a pilot at RAF Towyn in Aberystwyth. Being present at Coventry when the town was bombed, he recalls deciding that the Germans deserved to have…

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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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LPayneAJ1315369v1.pdf
South African Air Force observers or air gunners log book for Alan John Payne, navigator, covering the period from 7 November 1942 to 8 August 1946. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, instructor duties and post war squadron duties. He…

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PHarrisJ1901.jpg
Jack Harris was born in Gillingham, Kent. At sixteen, he undertook employment as a clerk in the intelligence department of the Air Ministry. He describes the brief evacuation of his department to Harrow in 1939 and receiving permission to leave his…

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PThompsonKG15010007.jpg
Page, annotated 'Initial Training Wing Oct - '41 - Jan '42'.
Colour postcard, captioned 'Torquay Riviera', annotated 'Our Church for Sunday parades', 'Messing and billets in long white building'.
Postcard captioned 'The Harbour and Vane Hill',…

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BHorshamESHorshamESv10001.jpg
Brief recollection of Eric Horsham from his early years in Plumstead, training at Lords, Torquay, St Athans, Marston Moor then 102 Squadron at Pocklngton. On one operation they were badly damaged but made a successful forced landing at RAF…

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BHorshamESHorshamESv2.pdf
Recollection of Eric Horsham from his early years in Plumstead, training at Lords, Torquay, St Athans, Marston Moor then 102 Squadron at Pocklngton. On one operation they were badly damaged but made a successful forced landing at Woodbridge, assisted…

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LPackhamG1214349v1.jpg
A list, taken from Geoff's logbook, of RAF stations where he served or was trained.

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MPettyD189456-160831-01.jpg
Brief memoirs recorded by Doug Petty during his RAF service. They cover the period from June 1943 to April 1947.

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PPettyD1603.jpg
Photo 1 is two trainee airmen standing beside a low wall, behind are palm trees. It is captioned 'Torquay 1943'.
Photo 2 is a head and shoulders portrait of an airman in a khaki top, captioned 'Leeming 1944'.
Photos 3 and 4 are two different groups…

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PPettyD1604.jpg
Photo 1 is a trainee Doug Petty sitting on a low stone wall, captioned 'No 21 Initial Training Wing Torquay 1943'.
Photo 2 is a head and shoulders portrait of Doug Petty with a pipe in his mouth, captioned 'Newly commissioned Pilot Officer 1944'.

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PPettyD1605.jpg
Two trainee airmen standing in front of a low stone wall. Behind is a palm tree.

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PPettyD1607.jpg
Group of trainees arranged in five rows. Each individual is named in the caption underneath

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BSharrockRSharockRv1.pdf
Bob's memoirs in the RAF. His training started at Lords cricket ground then Torquay. Technical training was at St Athan. At this time he met Dorothy. In March 1944 he was posted to Dishforth where his aircraft crashed damaging his spine.

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BSharrockRSharockRv2.pdf
Bob Sharrock's story. He was born near Wigan, his father a coal miner. He worked locally until old enough to sign up. He trained at Lords cricket ground, Torquay then St Athan. Posted to Dishforth, he suffered a compressed spine during a Halifax…

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BHopgoodPMHopgoodPDv1.pdf
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…

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LStarkeyR1430566v1.pdf
Flying log book for R Starkey covering the period from 26 January 1942 to 30 March 1944. Detailing his flying training and operations flown, includes certificates, instructional notes, newspaper clipping and a personal account of being shot down. He…

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LHughesCL133498v1.pdf
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for Clarence Hughes, Navigator, covering the period from 8 January 1942 to 18 July 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at 32 Air Navigation…

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EGreenAWGreenWH-[Mo][Date]-010001.jpg
Alan writes from Torquay during his training. He had just arrived in pitch black then the next day turned up at the receiving unit. There are lectures and physical training. He will then move to an Initial Training Wing in about a week. Then he…

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