Browse Items (60 total)

  • Tags: RAF Wratting Common

PWilkinE1701.jpg
Erik Wilkin worked on the railways before he joined the RAF. Initially he wanted to be a pilot but it would be a significant wait for training. He trained as an air gunner and was posted to 115 Squadron. On one occasion his aircraft made an emergency…

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PHarrisonEW1903.jpg
Eric William Harrison joined the RAF in 1943 and trained as a flight engineer at RAF Locking, RAF St Athan, and RAF Chedburgh, where he flew Stirlings and recollects that they were a terrifying aircraft compared to Lancasters. Harrison formed a crew…

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PPayneG1702.jpg
Geoff Payne has his first experience of the Royal Air Force with the Air Training Corps, at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire, where he had one of his first experiences of military humour. He joined in 1943 at the age of 17 and a half hoping to become a…

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AArmstrongGR170720.mp3
George Rex Armstrong served in the RAF as a flight engineer. He was born in Belfast and grew up in Donaghadee. Decided to join the RAF because he wanted to follow his brother Ted, who flew forty operations with 617 Squadron. Mentions being in the…

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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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APriceSTG151001.mp3
Gwyn Price was living a rural lifestyle until he volunteered for the RAF. His dream was to train as an RAF pilot but since there was a surplus of pilots he chose to train instead as a flight engineer. On operations Gwyn observed the surreal feeling…

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PBunceFSG1609.jpg
Sidney Bunce grew up in Buckinghamshire and worked in a butchers and a dairy. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force aged 18 and trained as a flight mechanic engineer. He served with 115 Squadron at RAF Witchford and at RAF Wratting Common with 195…

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AHolmesWC151105.mp3
William Holmes remembers his time as a pilot in the RAF. Gives a vivid and graphic account of the dramatic crash-landing which left him badly injured and brought him to join the Guinea Pig Club. Remembers various episodes of his operational life:…

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LKerevanJ1450867v1.pdf
Navigator’s, air bomber’s and air gunner’s flying log book for J Kerevan, wireless operator, covering the period from 16 April 1943 to 12 October 1945. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at 2…

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LAllenJH179996v1.pdf
Royal Canadian Air Force pilots flying log book for J H Allen, covering the period from 2 December 1942 to 14 January 1947. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, instructor duties and post war squadron duties. He was stationed at, RCAF…

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LBrittainJT2227748v1.pdf
Flying log book for J T Brittain, air gunner, covering the period from 20 may 1944 to 14 July 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Morpeth, RAF Silverstone, RAF Turweston, RAF Chedburgh, RAF North…

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PMadgeJG1803.jpg
Formal pose, head and shoulders, sergeants stripes and air gunners brevet. On the reverse the date '1943'.

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LMadgeJG1398434v1.pdf
J G Madge’s Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book detailing operations and training flown covering the period 18 November 1942 to 10 November 1944. He was stationed at RAF Morpeth (4 AGS), RAF Little Horwood (26 OTU), RAF Marham (1483…

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LKilleenKAL184115v1.1.pdf
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book one, for K A L Killeen, navigator, covering the period from 3 April 1943 to 2 August 1946. Detailing his flying training, operations flown and duties with communications flights. He was stationed at…

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EBrittainJT[Recipient]450501-0001.jpg
Starts with apologies and arrangements for upcoming events. Mentions no operations since Bremen but is now doing supply drops in the Netherlands. States he has done 13 2/3 operations but missed his crews last three due to illness. Talks of taking a…

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EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450423-0001.jpg
Starts with domestic matters. Writes about recent operation to Heligoland which was unopposed. The attack involved 1000 Lancasters dropping 5000 tons of bombs on submarine pens and enemy troops. Mentions that he was on operation to Bremen the…

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EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450518-0001.jpg
Writes that he has been flying 8 hours a day repatriation allied prisoners-of-war from Juvincourt near Reims in France. States that the civilian population is short of essentials and that anything can be had for a bar of soap, although as the…

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EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450527-0001.jpg
Starts with apology for not writing but has been constantly flying to France to repatriate allied prisoners of war. Mentions typhoid injection to prevent crews catching it from ex-prisoners. Writes that he believes they will stay in UK but rumours of…

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EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450601.jpg
Writes that prisoner of war repatriation task is now over and that they now going to do a sort of Cook's Tour of Germany including the Ruhr. He goes on to discuss upcoming dates for birthday, anniversary and leave. States he may not be able to use…

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EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450514.jpg
Writes about return journey back to camp. Says they are going to France the next day to fly up to 24 prisoners of war back home. Mentioned that last time they did this they were stuck for two days in bad weather. Speculates that squadron will stay in…

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E[Author]TurnerCF451125.jpg
The letter advises Charles that he has been awarded a Distinguished Flying Medal.

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CBrittainJT-170725-010001.jpg
Map (Newcastle to Prague) showing route from Cambridge to between Rotterdam and the Hague, marked with arrows 'supply dropping areas'. Route continues to Wesel, Onsnabruck, Bremen, Hamburg, Hannover, Bielefeld, Hamm, Dortmund, Essen and return to…

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LThompsonPR1624398v1.pdf
Peter Thompson’s Log Book as Wireless Operator from 17 September 1943 until 11 July 1946. His training started at No. 2 Radio School and No. 3 Air Gunnery School. Posted to No. 4 AFU, 11 OTU, 1653 CU, 3 LFS, and 195 Squadron for operations. After…

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LGuyanS1551813v1.pdf
S Guyans’ Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book covering the period 24 January 1943 to 17 Mar 1945. Detailing his flying training and operations flown as air gunner. He was stationed at RAF Penrhos (9 [O] AFU), RAF Marham (1483 Gunnery Flight), RAF…

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AGuyanS[Date]-01.mp3
'Jock' Guyan comments on his operations. the recording includes audio clips from a documentary including excerpts of Arthur Harris, engine noises and interviews.
Samuel Guyan flew an operational tour with 90 Squadron and a second tour with 115…

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