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Training as a flight engineer on Lancasters
Stanley Archer’s account of his training as one of the first flight engineers for Lancaster operations in 1942. First he attended an air gunnery course then transferred to 97 squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa. He comments on a daylight operation on…
Lancaster in the snow at Waddington
Lancaster, rear/side view, surrounded by snow. In foreground an airman with his back to the camera. Captioned ‘Lancaster III “JO-E” (ED806) of 463 Squadron in the snow at Waddington during the winter of 1943/44’.
ED806 was on the strength…
ED806 was on the strength…
Parade marchpast at RAF Waddington
In the foreground left a reviewing base with one officer standing saluting with one further standing to the rear. Left of the reviewing base are three offices standing in line. In the distance, behind the reviewing officers is a band. Marching on the…
RAF Waddington signals section
Five Women’s Auxiliary Air Force personnel, three standing and two crouched, are in front of a brick building. One is without tunic, another wears non-standard headscarf. A dog is partially visible. On the reverse:
'RAF
Waddington
May 1945…
'RAF
Waddington
May 1945…
Cyril Abbotts' service and release book
Service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (16 November 1942 to 11 December 1946), then released as class A warrant officer. Statement of aptitudes and qualities 'A very sound and reliable Warrant Officer who has given all his energies to the…
Des Hawkins' service history and list of operations
Account of the 1941-1946 service history of Flight Lieutenant Des Hawkins with 44, 625 and 630 Squadrons.
Colin Cole's navigator's, air bomber's, air gunner's and flight engineer's flying log book
Navigator’s, air bomber’s, air gunner’s and flight engineer’s flying log book for Warrant Officer Colin Cole from 5 August 1943 to 23 September 1946. Detailing training schedule and operations flown. Served at RAF Yatesbury, RAF Mona, RAF…
Lincoln cathedral flypast
Air-to-air view of a Lincoln VN-C flying past the Lincoln Cathedral, looking north. Captioned: '33 [underlined]ONE OF THE 50 SQDN'S LINCOLNS FLYING PAST. LINCOLN CATHEDRAL
LINCOLN BOMBER - LINCOLN CATHEDRAL[/underlined]
50.SQ. WADDINGTON 1948 F/E…
LINCOLN BOMBER - LINCOLN CATHEDRAL[/underlined]
50.SQ. WADDINGTON 1948 F/E…
Harry Parkins' flight engineer log book
The log book covers the training and operational career Sergeant Harry Parkins from 20 December 1943 to March 1954. He flew in Stirling, Lancaster, Anson, C-47, Lancastrian, Valetta, Lincoln. Harry Parkins flew 47 operations - 30 night operations and…
Christmas Card
Royal Air Force Waddington Christmas card with Royal Air Force badge on the front. Signed from Derrick
Letters to Derrick Allen from the Caterpillar Club
First letter is a reply to Derrick Allen acknowledging his request to join the Caterpillar Club, welcoming him to the club and asking for further confirmatory information. It also states his club pin will be sent as soon as it is available. The…
Interview with Basil Ambrose
Basil Ambrose was born in Reading. He left school at 14 and became an apprentice turner. He joined the Royal Air Force in May 1942 and trained as a turner before transferring to aircrew as a flight engineer. He trained at RAF St Athan and completed…
The Pilgrimage of an English airman who in 1944 came down in the Spa region
Recounts that Derrick Allen contacted a M Rudi Simon who lived in Tongess, Belgium through the Association of Veterans. M Simon was researching aircraft brought down in the local area. Derrick Allen had stated that he would like to visit the where…
Derrick Allen in doorway of Lancaster
Derrick Allen crouching in the rear door of a Lancaster.Ladder hooked on at the bottom of the door. On the reverse 'F/Sgt D J Allen, 1945, 467 Squadron, Waddington. Second photograph same as the first.
Derrick Allen and Bob Harvey in a doorway
Full length image of two aircrew standing with arms round each other and crossed legs. Derrick Allen is on the right with visible brevet. Both are wearing battledress. In the background a door. On the reverse 'Left, Bob Harvey, Right, Derrick Allen,…
467 Squadron Order of Battle for 24 April 1945
Lists aircraft details and crews for 467 Squadron's A and B flights on 24 April 1945. Derrick Allen is mid-upper gunner on the third crew down in A Flight. Also includes reserve and window crews and other operational details.
Congratulations on award of Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
From Officer Commanding 467 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force and base commander 53 Base Waddington congratulating Derrick Allen on immediate award of Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
Derrick Allen citation for Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Account of night 2 November 1944. Sergeant Allen's Lancaster was attacked by night fighter after successful attack on Dusseldorf. Allen opened fire twice and damaged fighter but the Lancaster was badly damaged. Whilst Lancaster was in uncontrolled…
The Homing Bomber
Poem written on RAF Waddington notepaper called The Homing Bomber. It describes a damaged bomber and its wounded crew making its way back to the UK.
interview with Derrick Allen's family
Derrick Allen was the mid-upper gunner on a Lancaster that crashed near Spa in Belgium. He had been making his way to bale out when the pilot asked him to help the rear gunner who was trapped in his turret. He managed to do this but the plane broke…
Derrick Allen's flying log book for navigators, air bombers, air gunners, flight engineers
Navigator’s, air bomber’s, air gunner’s and flight engineer’s flying log book for Flight Sergeant Derrick Allen air gunner, covering the period from 11 February 1944 to 25 April 1945. Detailing training and operations flown. He was stationed…
Interview with Elizabeth Eady
Before the war, Liz worked in aeronautical inspection at a factory which made parachutes. She had an interview in Northolt and enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in October 1942. She went to Uxbridge and chose to be a telephonist. After a…
Interview with Harry Parkins. Two
Harry shares several memories of his time as a flight engineer in the Royal Air Force. He describes their initial accommodation in luxury London flats, and dinghy training at the local swimming pool. He recounts how, in June 1944, their aircraft was…
Newspaper articles featuring 103 Squadron
Article 1 has a photograph of the nose of Lancaster Mike Squared, S for Sugar at Waddington, the dispersal hut at Digby and Barry Halpenny in the cockpit of a Spitfire with his book 'Action Stations'. The cutting mentions Douglas Bader flying from…
Interview with Herbert Adams
Herbert Adams grew up in New South Wales, Australia and joined the Air Training Corps as soon as it was established. He later joined the Royal Australian Air Force and, after training, he completed a tour of operations as a navigator with 467…