Browse Items (41 total)
Sort by:
WO Donald Keith Fraser
Memoir describing his life and service career in the RAF. He also gives a list of 29 operations he participated in with notes on specific operations, and recounts a brief history of the Lancaster.
War Service Career
A letter to Bethany School from an old boy, Henry, describing his time as a pupil, participation in the scout movement and service in the Royal Air Force including training, diagnosis of colour blindness and becoming a flight mechanic. He describes…
The Diary of a Flight Engineer in the Second World War (Don Gray)
Don's autobiography begins with him leaving school and starting a correspondence course in aeronautical engineering. Although he wanted to be a pilot, the RAF persuaded him that a flight engineer doubled as a second pilot.
Stanley Shaw’s observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for S R Shaw, covering the period from 21 July 1942 to 1 March 1947. Detailing flying with the Air Training Corps and following training as an airframe fitter his service flying, and his flying with the…
Raymond Barretts RAF form 2520A
1863228 LAC Barrett, R. Service and Release Book from RAF Kirkham. Serving in RAFVR from 11 November 1942 until 31 January 1947, as a Flight Mechanic Engines. Contains very brief details of his service.
My overseas service by Raymond Barrett
Raymond spent his time in the R.A.F. overseas, this lengthy memoir covers the period July 1943 until August 1946. He served in the Middle and Far East and Italy. He was an Engine Mechanic/Fitter and this is his story. The memoir has maps of his…
My life in the Royal Air Force Bomber Command (35 pages) - Thomas Page.
This is an extract from the author's autobiography, covering his service in the RAF. It tells of his early life and volunteering to join the RAF in January 1940. It details his career from initial training and mustering as an aircraft mechanic…
My life in the Royal Air Force Bomber Command
Writes of early life and mentions beginning of the war and volunteering for the air force in January 1940. Continues with account of initial training and mustering as an airframe mechanic and subsequent technical training. Describes first posting to…
Memories and Reminiscences of Bob Sharrock
Bob Sharrock's story. He was born near Wigan, his father a coal miner. He worked locally until old enough to sign up. He trained at Lords cricket ground, Torquay then St Athan. Posted to Dishforth, he suffered a compressed spine during a Halifax…
Loose on the wind
Written in 1994, the document begins with a dedication, a poem and then a series of stories which together form the memoirs of Harold Yeoman, an officer who served in Bomber Command during the war, initially as a pilot on Wellingtons and then as an…
Letter to Harold Wakefield from RAF records office
States that he would not be possible for him to be a fully qualified wireless operator/air gunner for a long rime and invites him to consider an alternative as a flight engineer. Outlines flight engineer training.
Lancasters at sunset
Four Lancasters silhouetted by the setting sun. One nose is side on and two are front viewed. The fourth is behind and viewed from the side.
On the reverse is 'British Official Photograph. "T for Tommy makes a sortie". There is information about the…
On the reverse is 'British Official Photograph. "T for Tommy makes a sortie". There is information about the…
Just Another Story
Recalls joining the RAF as a flight mechanic in 1939 and then employed as a barrage balloon operator. Describes his subsequent selection for aircrew and training in London, St Andrews, Manchester and in advanced navigation at Dumfries. Next covers…
John Russell's F543A Record of service
John was ground crew, initially a Flight Mechanic Engines from 12 February 1943, having gained experience he received further training to Fitter II E from 19 October 1943. He was promoted to LAC 1 November 1944 and then corporal 1 November 1945. He…
John Russell
Head and shoulders portrait of John Russell in aircraftman's uniform.
Jack's Royal Air Force career
Details of his three tours of duty and decorations received.
Interview with William Arthur Coulton
William Coulton was born in Derbyshire and worked as an errand boy for the Co-Op until he joined the Royal Air Force in 1943, aged 18. He trained as a flight mechanic and was posted to 115 Squadron at RAF Witchford where he worked on Lancasters. He…
Interview with Victor Harding
Victor volunteered to join the RAF aged 18. His first posting was to RAF Cottesmore where he trained to be a flight mechanic, air frames and worked on Antons and Oxfords. On completing his training, he moved to Bomber Command where he maintained…
Interview with Thomas James Page
Thomas Page grew up in a farming family before joining the Royal Air Force in 1940, training as a flight mechanic. He was, initially, posted to 257 Squadron (Hurricanes) but soon went to Gloucester to train as a fitter, subsequently being posted to…
Interview with Thomas Fisher
Thomas Fisher initially trained as a fitter in the RAF. When the Air Ministry announced that flight engineers were needed from the ranks of the ground mechanics he volunteered for training. The CO was surprised that he volunteered and asked him if it…
Interview with Stanley Ernest Jeffrey. One
Stan Jeffrey was a flight mechanic at RAF Pocklington. He discusses the camaraderie between the ground and air crews. He would stick chewing gum to the undercarriage as a good luck charm. Shortly after the end of the war, the ground crew were taken…
Interview with Sidney Bunce
Sid was working at a garage and a member of the local Air Training Corps when he volunteered for the Royal Air Force. At 18, he was kitted out at Padgate and trained as a flight mechanic on engines at Blackpool. Sid describes his 18-week training…
Interview with Ron Baker
Ron Baker, originally from Willesden, was in the ATC before joining the RAF and training as a flight mechanic. He was posted to 463 Squadron at RAF Waddington. On one occasion he had to help remove the body of a gunner who had died during the flight.…
Interview with Richard Leslie Skepper
Richard Skepper was born in Sevenoaks and volunteered of the RAF. He served as a flight mechanic on 7 Squadron at RAF Oakington.
Richard Spepper was born in Kent. His ambition was to be a tank driver but his mother escorted him to the RAF…
Richard Spepper was born in Kent. His ambition was to be a tank driver but his mother escorted him to the RAF…
Interview with Rex Statham
Rex Statham was born in Luton. His father died in a motorbike accident when he was very young. Although Rex had been very keen to join the Navy, he volunteered for the RAF as a flight mechanic. When he realised that many trained mechanics were being…