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My Life and Time by Ken Turnham
The majority of this document is an account of Ken's life written by Ken. After his death a family friend offers a summary of Ken's life.
JF Neilson's memoir
Growing Up -The Hard Way WAR -1939
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He thanks he for his birthday card. He describes his return trip to camp. The next day he had exams which he thinks he passed. They have had no luck getting a new wireless operator. They had a home guard training attack on the base. They had a couple…
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He talks about V-1 'doodle bugs' and Jean's fire watching. He has been doing a lot of flying. They have been raising money for the Army and had a really good concert and a dance.
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He asks about her knitting and fire watching. The weather is less cold and he has been out drinking beer. He has visited Scarborough to watch films.
Transcript of My life in the RAF
Transcript of F Dunn's memoir describing life before and after joining the RAF. Includes induction and starting off in the RAF in England and then sea voyage to South Africa and then initial training in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
My life in the RAF - chapter 1,2 and 3
Autographical account of life at the beginning of the war including service in ARP in Swindon. Reasons for volunteering for the RAF. Registered for military service in February 1941. Waiting for call-up. Induction at St John's Wood London and…
Interview with Jan Albone
Jan was born on a farm in North Lincolnshire. She went to school in Brigg. She loved the farm, particularly the horses.
Their farm was close to RAF Kirton in Lindsey which was used as a rest home for men from the Battle of Britain. They worked on…
Their farm was close to RAF Kirton in Lindsey which was used as a rest home for men from the Battle of Britain. They worked on…
Interview with Ermanno Marraccini
L’intervistato è Ermanno Marraccini, nato a Pistoia il 26 luglio 1903, all’epoca capofabbricato. L’intervista è effettuata da Claudio Rosati presso la sua abitazione a Pistoia, il 16 ottobre 1984. Durante il primo bombardamento, Ermanno…
Letter to Kathleen Burnside from women's voluntary service for civil defence
Notes that she was leaving Beeston, but would be able to help when settled in new location.
Letter to Kathleen Burnside from women's voluntary service for civil defence
Thanks her for her duties to meals on wheels service.
Me - William Roy Peter Perry DFC
Memoir starts by describing early life and education in Tunbridge Wells before moving to Cornwall. Writes about beginning of the war. Volunteered for aircrew in Plymouth (which had been bombed the day before) shortly after his 18th birthday.…
Roy Gallop's Pass Certificate, Air Raid Precaution
A certificate awarded to Roy for achieving a pass in Air Raid Precaution.
Beatrice Achesan
A half length portrait of Beatrice sitting at a desk in uniform. On the reverse on a sticky note is 'Beatrice Achesan nee Holden Civil Defence'.
Interview with Gordon Mercier
Cyril Mercier was born in Jersey in 1925. He joined the Home Guard in 1940 and the RAF in 1943. After initial training, and training on gunnery at Bridgnorth he joined 14 Operational training Unit at Abingdon, where he crewed up. He trained on…
City fire guard certificate and Defence Medal
City fire guard certificate made out for JJ Bartram on 1 December 1943. Letter and enclosed defence medal.
Government information leaflet - if the invader comes
Advice on what to do if the Germans invade and how to do it. Advice includes: stay put, do not believe or spread rumours, keep watch and report anything suspicious to the police, do not give anything or any information to invading Germans, be ready…
War Memoir - George Bilton
Talks of early life at school and work in Hull. Volunteered as ARP messenger and described duties and air raid damage in Hull. Volunteered as aircrew and initially selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked to change to air engineer.…
Bill Dammes
Bill Dames in uniform. On the reverse 'Dad Bill Dammes During War 1939-45 Home Guard Normanton'
Home Guard Edgcott
Ten men arranged in two rows. On the reverse 'Home Guard Edgcott U. Hall 1940's Tug of War Team'.
Edgcott Home Guard c 1940
A formal group of 34 men arranged in four rows. In the second image each man is named in a printed caption.
Tom Payne
An autobiography of Tom Payne, mainly pre-war in Hemel Hempstead. At the start of the war he became a fire watcher. His cousin, Vivian Gunning, died in June 1940 whilst flying in a Blenheim. He recalls bombing and low flying German bombers. He joined…
Air Raid Precaution badge
Silver badge with crown and 'ARP' letters.
Civil defence badge
Badge with crown and 'CD'.
Release from National Fire Service Letter
A letter written by the Fire Service to Charles Goy releasing him from part-time duties. Included is a certificate of Service and a memo about retaining his uniform.