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Raid Report Book - 9 Squadron
A record of operations conducted by 9 Squadron aircraft between 15 February and 26 March 1944.
Sparks in the air - Jack Smith's wartime story
Wartime recollections of John (known to his friends as Jack) George Smith from Pinchbeck. He tells of life before the war, how he went on to volunteer for the RAF in August 1940 and describes his training as a wireless operator. The document includes…
Sparks in the air - Jack Smith's wartime story
Second version. Covers life before the war and volunteering for the RAF in August 1940 and continues with an account of training as a wireless operator. The article includes radio school crest and photograph of a Battle aircraft. He describes his…
Transcript of interview with Allan Edgar
The memoirs were recorded in 1980 at a reunion at Sudbrooke. He starts by describing crewing up at Silverstone. His opinion of the Stirling was that it was awful on the ground and in the air. His first operation was a second 'dickie' (an observer) to…
Interview with Charles Mears
Charles left school with no formal qualifications and was undertaking further education when the Second World War commenced. Being too young to enlist, he joined the Air Defence Cadet Corps, eventually joining when he was aged 18. He was detached to…
Interview with Bill Lucas. One
W E (Bill) Lucas joined the Royal Air Force in 1940, where he trained as a fighter pilot flying Miles Magisters and Miles Masters, before being posted to RAF Lossiemouth and moving into Bomber Command where he flew the Vickers Wellington 1C. He flew…
Interview with John Foster Thorp
John Thorp was born and raised in Manchester where he attended North Manchester Grammar School. Aged 17 he joined the Home Guard and when he was 18 he volunteered for the RAF with thoughts of becoming a pilot. While waiting at RAF Heaton Park to…
Interview with Peter Bellingham
Peter Bellingham worked as a post office engineer before volunteering for the Royal Air Force. He trained in Rhodesia and South Africa and completed a tour of operations as a bomb aimer, dropping supplies with 138 Squadron from RAF Tempsford. He…
Interview with Kenneth Trent
Ken grew up in London and joined the Royal Air Force, as a pilot, on his 18th birthday. After exams and interview at RAF Uxbridge, he went to Number 9 Receiving Wing in RAF Torquay and an Initial Training Wing in Stratford-upon-Avon. He then trained…
Interview with Eric Horsham
Eric Horsham was born in East London in 1923 and, after lkeaving school aged 14 he was a messenger at the Royal Ordnance Factory before working for the railways. In 1937 he joined the Air Training Corps and learned about aircraft maintenance. On his…
Interview with Jack Smith
Jack volunteered for the Royal Air Force in September 1940. He went to RAF Padgate and then on to RAF Blackpool, where he trained as a wireless operator. Jack proceeded to a radio school at RAF Compton Bassett and then RAF Bramcote. He was posted to…
Interview with Bert Hammond. One
Bert Hammond was born and brought up in Norwich and was working as a grocer’s assistant, as well as being an air cadet, at the start of the war. He recalls bombing attacks on Norwich and a lone aircraft machine gunning female workers leaving the…
Interview with Ernest James White
James White worked as a wages clerk for the Co-op before volunteering for the Air Force. He had intended to join the navy but, when he saw some recruits being shouted at, he turned around and crossed the corridor to join the RAF. He had always had an…
Flying Officer Douglas Petty Memoirs
Brief memoirs recorded by Doug Petty during his RAF service. They cover the period from June 1943 to April 1947.
Eric Horsham - Memories
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…
Eric Horsham Flight Engineer
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…
War Memoir - George Bilton
George talks of early life at school and work in Hull. He volunteered as ARP messenger and describes duties and air raid damage in Hull. He then volunteered as aircrew and, initially, selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked to…
Interview with Ken Thomas
Originally in the Merchant Navy, Ken moved to the Royal Air Force. He became a flight mechanic but, after night school, decided to apply for aircrew. Ken went to the Air Crew Receiving Centre at St John’s Wood. He proceeded to No 4 Initial Training…
Interview with Rex Statham
Rex Statham was born in Luton. His father died in a motorbike accident when he was very young. Although Rex had been very keen to join the Navy, he volunteered for the RAF as a flight mechanic. When he realised that many trained mechanics were being…
Operations board
An operations board with details for Operation Varsity. Lists stations involved, timings and numbers of aborted and missing aircraft. Reverse, printed 'A.M. Crown Copyright Reserved' and stamped '33 Group photographic section G326 30 March 1945'.
Woodbridge
A Hamilcar glider under tow by a Halifax above a grass field with woodland beyond. Reverse, printed 'A.M. Crown Copyright Reserved', 'G417' and 'Woodbridge'.
Halifax and Hamilcar combinations
A staggered line of Hamilcar gliders flanked on either side by rows of Halifax aircraft. Titled, 'Halifax/Hamilcar combinations marshalled at Woodbridge'. On reverse is printed, 'Crown Copyright Reserved' and annotated 'CH14882'.
Walking to the aircraft
Aircrew walking between a row of Hamilcar gliders on the left and Halifax aircraft on the right with tow lines trailing between. Many of the aircrew are wearing Mae West life jackets. Reverse is printed, 'A.M. Crown Copyright Reserved' and annotated,…
Loading a 6 pounder gun onto a Horsa
With its side hinged nose open a gun is guided up a ramp into the fuselage of a Horsa glider by a group of seven airmen. Reverse printed 'A.M.Crown Copyright Reserved' and annotated 'R136C beg 5' and 'Loading up of Horsa Mk 2 at Woodbridge, 6 Pdr…
Peter Bellingham’s observer's and air gunner's flying log book
The log book covers the training and operational career of bomb aimer Peter Bellingham from 10 March 1943 to 21 February 1946. After training in South Africa he flew Halifaxes and Stirlings with 138 Squadron, taking part in 30 night operations over…