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Interview with Owen Cox
Owen Cox went to a grammar school in York and joined the Home Guard when the war started. At 18 he joined the Royal Air Force, although his parents were not keen. His initial trade was ground wireless operator (Morse), waiting to attend a gunnery…
Letter to prisoner of war John Valentine from his wife Ursula
She writes whilst she is on fire watching duty. She says that their daughter Frances went to tea on her own and that she has finished her diptheria immunisation. She writes that she and some friends went to tea and that she has been practising…
Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Asks if he would like a chamois leather waistcoat. Writes her brother is doing last exam and they will then be able to get down to discussion on cars verse motorbikes. Continues with problems with new head fire guard upsetting the status quo. Notes…
Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Replies to his previous letter and hope the weather will be good so he can finish his high level bombing training. Encloses latest photograph of daughter Frances and writes of laundry and books. Continues with mention of fire watch schedule and…
Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Writes she is sad he has left but looking forward to his next leave. Mentions gardeners and other activities as well as catching up with news and gossip. Writes of Ba's prospective Woman's Auxiliary Air Force photographers job and other family news.…
Interview with Pat Harrison
Pat Harrison was born in Lincoln and was the only girl of four children. Her father joined the Royal Air Force after serving as an air raid warden.
Pat remembers the arrival of evacuees in Lincoln and also recalls occasions when bombing resulted in…
Pat remembers the arrival of evacuees in Lincoln and also recalls occasions when bombing resulted in…
Letter from Ursula Valentine to her husband John Valentine
Writes how pleased she was to hear his voice on telephone and that it would be worth the cost of call. Mentions a parcel from him and talks of baby matters. Catches up with family issues. Tells of meeting of local fire watchers and resulting shift…
Air Raid Precautions whistle
Whistle inscribed 'A.R.P. J HUDSON AND CO BARR ST HOCKLEY BIRMINGHAM'.
Letter from Bill Akrill to his mother
![EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]410921-0001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/666/17998/EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]410921-0001.jpg "EAkrillWEAkrill[Mo]410921-0001.jpg")
Bill is at the Receiving Centre in London. He writes that he has had a good Sunday with going to a Baptist Chapel and being invited for tea by the pastor and meeting up with another cadet - 'I can say my first Sunday in the RAF has been splendid'. …
Order of the day to members of the civil defence (general) services
Notes demobilisation of civil defence services. Relates history of civil defence forces and notes that participants should be proud of service and take many memories, Thanks to all.
Letter to all members of civil defence messenger service
![EJacksonD[General]450529.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/867/17951/EJacksonD[General]450529.jpg "EJacksonD[General]450529.jpg")
Written as civil defence duties finished. Thanks for loyal support. Notes final parade on 10 June 1945.
Arthur Pearce - the aeroplane diary 1943
Contains personal information, address and telephone numbers of acquaintances. Entries for registered for RAF 9 Jan 43, fireguard duty days, swimming, medical appointment, passed selection board for Air Gunner 26 MaR 43,Holiday dates, call up papers…
Arthur Pearce - the aeroplane diary 1942
Contains addresses in London and one in Stalag XXB Germany. Entries for bithdays, maths, fire watching, dancing classes, holidays, fractured arm 15 September and hospital appointments September and October, fire guard.
Arthur Pearce Business man's notebook and Diary 1942
Contains address in Falmouth Rd London SE1, some personal details. Includes entries for a prisoner of war address, birthdays, maths, fire watching, met Grace (May), dancing, classes, holidays, address for Mary O'brian London.
A Hollis Home Guard
Full length portrait of a corporal wearing battledress and a tin helmet. He has a gas mask holder on his chest and a rifle slung on his shoulder. In the background a two storey house with windows and part of door. On the reverse 'A H Home Guard'.
A Hollis Home Guard
Full length portrait of a man wearing battledress with corporal stripes, also with side cap and sword. In the background a house with windows and part of door. On the reverse 'A Hollis, Home Guard'.
Ted Neale's early war memoirs
Ted Neale describes the start of the war and the end of his schooling. After a couple of jobs, which he left quickly, he moved to the Woolwich Arsenal as an apprentice tool maker.
On Saturday 7th September 1940 an air raid destroyed the factory,…
On Saturday 7th September 1940 an air raid destroyed the factory,…
What a place to be, whilst there was a war on.
Ted Neale's account of when he was 18 at the Woolwich Arsenal. He tells of a bombing raid at the factory, which started just as they were leaving at 5pm.
Interview with William Albert Warwick
William was five years old when war was declared. He lived on a farm in north Lincolnshire not far from RAF Kirton in Lindsey, RAF Scampton, RAF Hibaldstow, RAF Blyton, RAF Sandtoft and RAF Sturgate. An anti-aircraft unit was also nearby. William…
Interview with Ernie Tillbrook
Ernest Hector Angelo Pedrazzini was the son of an Italian father and an English mother. After the war he changed his name to Tillbrook. Ernie’s father escaped from a prison camp during the First World War and finding his way to Russia and…
Interview with Maureen and Sidney Stevens
Sidney was inspired to join The Air Force when he was working as an Air Raid Precaution Warden and one night his own home was bombed. The house next door was also destroyed and the lady who had offered him a cup of tea only hours earlier died. He…
Interview with Jack Robson
Jack Robson was in the Home Guard until he was called up by the army. He trained as a radar mechanic and worked at various batteries. He was then posted overseas and served in India and Singapore. His return home was on the record breaking run on the…