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Interview with Mary Ward. Two
Mary Ward joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1940. She served, briefly, at RAF Driffield but mostly at RAF Linton on Ouse. She trained as a cook before being moved to duties as a map officer, where she prepared maps for briefings and…
Interview with John Firth
John was called up aged 18 and went to Padgate. He comleted a flight mechanics course at RAF Locking, followed by a Maintenance Unit at RAF Colerne. He was posted to a flight engineers’ course at RAF St Athan. John joined up with his crew at RAF…
Interview with William Edwin Barnett
William Edwin Barnett talks about his experience of living on the edge of RAF Westcott, near Aylesbury. He remembers starting work on a farm at the age of 14 and describes his everyday life and duties. He tells of being conscripted into the Home…
Interview with Rachel and John Gill
Peter Hazeldene lived in Wales and joined the RAF when he saw a poster encouraging people to see the world from a different perspective. He trained as a wireless operator and, during training, suspected a couple of incidents of sabotage on the base.…
Interview with Stan Instone
Thomas (Stan) Instone was working at a factory making Bristol Hercules engines but volunteered to be aircrew as soon as he was of age. Initially his application was unsuccessful but he persevered and trained as ground crew. He later re-mustered as a…
Interview with Evelyn Paine
Two of Evelyn Paine’s three brothers joined the RAF. She discusses the service of her brothers Philip Jenkinson and Peter Raeburn Jenkinson. Philip Jenkinson trained as an air gunner. He was was shot down on his 10th operation and, after evading…
Interview with Kenneth William Trueman
Kenneth William Trueman volunteered for the RAF and was called up in 1941. After training in South Africa, he served as a navigator with 640 Squadron and speaks of his preference for the Gee navigation aid rather than H2S. His operations included…
Interview with Elizabeth Anne Tyler
Elizabeth Anne Tyler talks about her family’s farmland, its history and when it was purchased by the Air Force for the construction of RAF North Luffenham. She mentions various episodes of wartime life around Edith Weston, as reported by family…
Interview with Henry Leslie Shackleton
Henry Shackleton listened to Chamberlain’s speech on the radio and hoped to be a Spitfire pilot. He began his training and was selected as a flying instructor and was posted to Canada. On his return to the UK he was posted to his operational…
Flying Officer Theodore Arthur Lumb and Pilot Officer Raymond Fletcher Lumb
A biography of the two Lumb brothers.
Interview with Dennis Kirk. One
Dennis Kirk was born in 1920, in the village of Barkestone in Nottinghamshire, to farming parents. He says that he did not want to be a farmer but when he left school he had to work on the farm. When the war started he wanted to join up but, because…
From Hackney lad to air bomber
Written by his nephew, a narrative of Reg's early life, his participation in student exchanges in Germany, joining the Royal Air force, training, life on the station and the crash in which he died, together with air gunners Sergeant Leslie Johnson…
Cecil O'Brien Biography
A biography of Cecil written by his niece. It is based on letters he wrote to his brother, Colleen's father. She explains his training and the various locations where he served. He was lost 27 January 1944 over Berlin.
Letter to Vernon McNamara from HQ Rhodesian air training group
Informs him of location of his brother's grave.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission work order
Commonwealth War Graves Commission work order, for graves including that of A H D Batty.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Memory of Philip Nevil Floyd
Gives details of death, parents, war grave and cemetery locations
Remembered with honour
Left page:
Top, a memorial to Squadron leader Andrew Muir, DFC.
Bottom, the memorial at Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Right page:
Top left, stone cross war memorial with white headstones beyond.
Right, rows of white headstones.
Bottom, a view of the…
Top, a memorial to Squadron leader Andrew Muir, DFC.
Bottom, the memorial at Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Right page:
Top left, stone cross war memorial with white headstones beyond.
Right, rows of white headstones.
Bottom, a view of the…
Letter from Air Ministry to Aubrey Read's mother
Letter is to inform his mother that Aubrey is being moved from his temporary grave to his final resting place.
Letter from the air historical branch (RAF) to Mr R E Kendall
Reply to request for information about Flight Sergeant Harry Albert Beverton. Provides information on his last operation when he was killed and place of burial. Also provides information on burial of P/O Overend.
Letter to Mrs Wilkinson from Donald Flett
Transcription of a letter. Writes of events on night 3/4 September 1943. Mentioned 'Charlie had done four ops before they copped it on the fifth. First op was Peenemunde, gives description of target. Mentions targets of other operations and that…
Letter to Mrs Lovegrove from D K McConchie (Chaplain)
Writes to offer sympathy and give information about Peter's funeral.
Letter to Peter's mother from Captain D K McConchie
Letter from Captain D K McConchie (Chaplain), who conducted Peter's funeral. He replied to her letter, and provided more information concerning Peter's death and the Senior British Officer's enquiry. Offers sympathy.
Bob Burns computer compendium
Draft of memoir with contents page - giving service history. Followed by pages with reference to photographs for name and rank, deferred service, ground training dates and places, training in Canada, back home for service flying, 5 Group, 51 base,…
Collection of documents including investigation of the crash and casualties of Flying Officer W D Kelly's crew. Details of 5 Group operations 1/2 February 1945.
First page is investigation of loss of Lancaster PB 840 2/3 February 1945. List crew of whom all but Sergeant R F Dyson were killed. Gives location of graves. Includes account of bodies and identification from German authorities. Second page gives…