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Interview with John Benjamin Beeching
John Beeching was born in London and joined the RAF in 1941. His initial training was in Canada. After several escapades John joined 169 Squadron as a night fighter pilot and worked in electronic countermeasures as well as training crews in air…
Interview with Mick Kettleborough
Michael Kettleborough lived in Woodhall Spa during the war. His mother billeted RAF crew members in her home. One of them Jack Gibson asked for an early Christmas as there were some big operations coming up. Shortly before Christmas 1941 the…
Interview with Eunice Burley and Leonard Bennett
William [Billy] Lord volunteered for the RAF and having worked for Cable and Wireless before the war he served as a wireless operator with 619 Squadron based at RAF Woodhall Spa. He had one sister with whom he was very close and who was the mother…
Interview with Ken Hayton
Ken Hayton’s father, George Stanley Hayton (Stan), worked worked for Lloyds Bank. In 1940 Stan left his post to join the Royal Air Force; Ken recalled going to Durham station to see his father off, travelling to start basic training at RAF Padgate.…
Interview with Sidney Knott
Sidney Knott was from Leigh on Sea and recalls the day, with invasion apparently imminent, that signs were put up on the local shops advising people that they had to be ready to move within an hour and taking only one suitcase with them. Sidney’s…
Interview with Bob Leedham
Bob Leedham was a flight engineer who carried out twenty-one operations on Stirlings. At the outbreak of war Bob was an apprentice motor mechanic, and along with other apprentices, was left to operate the garage when all the engineers were called up.…
Service History of Benny Goodman
Begins with his decision to cease his studies and join the Royal Air Force. Covers recruitment activities and life during initial training including employment as ground gunner while waiting for flying training. Describes basic training on Tiger Moth…
Interview with Ken Oatley
Initially too young to enlist at the outbreak of war, Ken Oatley served in the Home Guard until he was able to enlist in October 1940, when after initial training he undertook pilot training. After basic flying training he went onto Canada training…
Interview with Betty Repton
Betty (nee Jackson) worked in a library in Macclesfield before the war. When the war broke out, she went to Manchester to volunteer for the Air Force and trained as a telephonist. She did a course at Sheffield General Post Office before being…
Interview with Frank Tilley
Frank Tilley was a flight engineer with 617 Squadron. He took part in the operation to sink the Tirpitz. He explains his flights and briefings before the operation at Woodhall Spa, Milltown and Lossiemouth. On their return from sinking the Tirpirtz,…
Interview with Henry Townsley
Henry Townsley was born near Workington and left school at fourteen years of age and started work as an apprentice vehicle fitter. After a spell as a junior engineer in the Merchant Navy he volunteered, in April 1940, for the RAF, rather than the…
Interview with Murray Valentine
Murray Valentine was a wireless operator with 61 Squadron and 617 Squadron. He describes his duties as well as his job on board the Lancasters on bombing operations. He recalls going to an operational training unit and flying Wellingtons for three…
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 he saw some recruits being shouted at so he turned around and crossed the corridor to join the RAF. He had always had an…
Note from Air Officer Command 5 Group
To officer commanding Conningsby Base RAF Woodhall Spa passing on congratulations on success of Saumur tunnel operation.
Postgram from 5 Group Headquarters to Officer Commanding 617 Squadron
Message is a copy of Headquarters Bomber Command signal congratulating crews that their attacks on Le Havre and Boulogne succeeded in virtually destroying German naval assets in those harbours.
Envelope for Mimoyecques negatives
Brown envelope with Secret marking and instructions on one side with 'S.I.O Woodhall Spa' crossed out and 'Mimoyecques 6/7/42' on the other side.
Visit to RAF Woodhall Spa by commander United States 8th Airforce
Three United States officers and one Royal Air Force officer standing behind the tail of a B-17. From left to right Brigadier General Curtis LeMay, Air Vice Marshall the Honourable Ralph Cochrane, Lieutenant General Spatz, Colonel Kimmel. On the…
Visit to RAF Woodhall Spa by commander United States 8th Air Force
Air Vice Marshall Cochrane greeting Lieutenant General Spaatz as he gets out of B-17, followed by Lieutenant General Jimmy Doolittle and Brigadier General MacDonald. On the reverse '5.4.44, MSC99, 1 Cam 1, 51:46'. Additional information about this…
Visit to RAF Woodhall Spa by commander United States 8th Air Force
Group of six officers standing by the tail of a B-17. US 8th Air force Commander Lieutenant General Carl Spaatz being greeted. From left to right Leonard Cheshire, Air Commodore J Jordan, Air Vice Marshall Cochrane, Lieutenant General Doolittle,…
B-17 Little Audrey
Shows nose of a B-17 and the inboard port engine. Nose art of a show girl with 'Little Audrey above her'. B-17 in which US officials travelled to RAF Woodhall Spa. 31 March 1944'. On the reverse '5.4.44, MSC99, 2 Cam 2, 51:48'. Addition information…
Visit to RAF Woodhall Spa by commander United States 8th Air Force
Group of six officers standing on an airfield. Visit of US 8th Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Carl Spaatz. From left to right Group Captain Philpott (Station Commander RAF Woodhall Spa), Air Vice Marshall Cochrane, Lieutenant General…
Visit to RAF Woodhall Spa by commander United States 8th Air Force
Group of nine United States and Royal Air Force officers standing on an airfield. In the background left a hangar and centre a Lancaster. From left to right Squadron Leader David Shannon, [Air Commodore Jordan], Lieutenant General Doolittle,…
Visit to RAF Woodhall Spa by commander United States 8th Air Force
Four officers standing in a group, In the background left two cars and centre a hangar. From left to right Lieutenant General Spatz, Air Vice Marshall Cochrane, Air Commodore Jordan, unidentifiable. On the reverse '5.4.44, MSC99, 8 cam 1, 51:51'.
Waitresses and Woman's Auxiliary Air Force personnel
Four women sitting on a lawn. The middle two are in air force uniform and the end two in waitress dress. In the background a two story Tudor period building with many windows. On the reverse 'Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, officers' mess 617 squadron,…
Group Captain Johnny Fauquier, Lancaster and Grand Slam bomb
A Group Captain, wearing battledress with pilot's brevet and medal ribbons, and a peaked cap stands with his right hand on a large bomb in the bomb bay of a Lancaster. On the reverse '[....]. Johnny Fauqier'. Reported as Gp Cpt J E Fauquier, OC 617…