Browse Items (347 total)

  • Tags: crewing up

ABedfordRG[Date]-01.mp3
Ron Bedford volunteered for the Royal Air Force and was told he had the aptitude to be a pilot but re-mustered as an air gunner, to avoid waiting for call up. He reads the "Message of Welcome" letter he received in July 1942 from the Secretary of…

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ESmithKJBSmithE441205.pdf
Letter included with parcel of washing and explains why. Had tried to do some of his own washing but unsuccessful as camp water was too cold. Continues with chat about kit. Mentions he had a good crew, all Canadians with two commissioned officers.…

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BDennisFDennisFv1.pdf
In 1943 Frank completed an engineering apprenticeship and volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as a flight engineer. He completed basic training in London, where he witnessed the fatal crash of a C-47 and then went to Initial Training Wing at RAF…

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BBrabinHWBrabinHWv1.pdf
Harry joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 June 1942 as a wireless operator/air gunner, receiving his initial training in Australia before going to Canada for trade training. He sailed on the SS Johan Van Barneve to San Francisco and recalls a…

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BCarterDACarterRv1.pdf
Ronald volunteered to join the Royal Air Force in November 1942, aged 17. After basic training, Ronald was selected for gunnery and wireless operator training, becoming a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. He was posted to RAF Waddington to form an…

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MSmithRW425992-230825-02.pdf
Bob's memoirs from his early training until he became operational.

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SSmithRW425992v10003-0002 copy.pdf
Covers his operational tour and bombing operations.

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SSmithRW425992v10002-0002 copy.pdf
Covers his training.

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PArnettRJ2301.jpg
Rex was born in 1924 and grew up in Toronto, Canada. In 1942,aged 18, he joined the RCAF as aircrew. He initially started training as the second member of a Mosquito crew but was later changed to wireless operator/air gunner. Having completed his…

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ELovegrovePABengerTV-P411016.pdf
Catches up with news and his activities including completing training at Cranage and Cottesmore. Mentions sport and entertainment available. States he had only completed six operational trips due to difficulties crewing up. Includes original…

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BUreILUreILv2.pdf
A part autobiography of Ivan's pre-war life.

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BUreILUreILv1.pdf
A detailed autobiography by Ivan Ure.

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BSturrockHSturrockHv1.pdf
The recollections of Henry Sturrock, of his time as a Flight Engineer flying in the Halifax with No 640 Squadron at RAF Leconfield. He flew on 35 operations, his first on 12 September 1944 and his last on 2 March 1945. He also recounts his experience…

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BSaundersCFSaundersCFv1.pdf
An account by Charles Saunders of his service in the RAF during the war. He served as a mid upper gunner flying in the Halifax with No 102 Squadron at RAF Pocklington and carried out 18 operations. VE day ended his flying career and he was retrained…

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BGoodmanLBurnettWv1.pdf
A biography of Bill written by his flying colleague from Bomber Command. It covers his war and post-war activities.

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SCosgroveAE968259v10010-18.pdf
A detailed account of Teddy's service in the RAFVR.

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EEllisELEllisH-[Fa]440624.pdf
Apologises for not writing as he had been moving. Writes that he had now got all his crew and they were getting to know each other. Not flying at the moment as they had ground school first. Says he had not received parcel and had to borrow warrant…

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BLazenbyHJLazenbyHJv1.pdf
Harold Jack Lazenby's autobiography.

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MShattockGF1317240-180311-02.pdf
An account of the loss of Stirling BK767 compiled by Peter Rhebergen. It includes interviews with one of the two survivors, correspondence with the widow of the other and discussions with other surviving Stirling aircrew. There are accounts of the…

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BGrayDAGrayDAv2.pdf
An autobiography of Don's RAF service. It includes reminiscences of specific trips, an extract on his DFM and a footnote by his son about his sense of humour.

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BBarffAColingEFv1.pdf
Time in the RAF including selection as an observer, enrolment at Lord's Cricket Ground, navigational dead reckoning and meteorology training in Eastbourne and Paignton. Time spent on navigational sorties in Grahamstown, South Africa in Ansons and…

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PZoltySP2201.jpg
Peter was born in Erdington, Birmingham. He joined the RAF and was trained at the Empire Air Training School in Canada. He re-mustered as a navigator and was with 49 Squadron for a short time. Peter then joined 106 Squadron and did a tour of 34…

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PFeltonM2201.jpg
Monty grew up in Croydon and became an articled accountant in London before joining the RAF. Training at the Initial Training Wing in Torquay was followed by RAF Bishops Court in Northern Ireland and RAF Kinloss, which had a flight simulation room.…

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BNeilsonJFNeilsonJFv1.pdf
Growing Up -The Hard Way WAR -1939
James 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…

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BMcInnesAMcInnesAv1.pdf
An autobiography of Alan's time as a prisoner of war. He talks about his training with his, mainly, Australian crew. He describes the night they were shot down over Germany. He describes their capture, mistreatment and interrogations at various…

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