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Letter to his mother from Rosemary Stapp, a girl friend of Hedley's in the United States
Writes she is grieved shocked over Hedley going missing. Writes that initial contact through high school correspondence developed into something much more. Writes of Hedley's visit to her family and present of silver wings. Encourages them to not…
A miraculous escape from certain death in world war 2
An account of operation as Pathfinder against German naval and submarine base at Kiel when his aircraft was shot down by 'Schrage Musik' equipped night-fighter which cause the aircraft to break in two. Describes crew actions during bomb run and…
A bomber pilot’s journey through WWII
Biography of Squadron Leader David James Baikie Wilson, DSO, DFC and Bar (1917 - 1947). He flew operations as a pilot with 214, 196 and 617 Squadrons before becoming Head of Aerodynamic Development and Testing, and Test-Pilot at A V Roe & Co Ltd.…
Interview with John Whitworth
John Leslie Whitworth was born in Sutton Coldfield. Signed up for the Royal Air Force in 1940, finally being called up for service in 1941, before starting his training at the Initial Training Wing in Torquay, followed by more training at RAF Sywell…
To Isabel Bain from Commanding Officer no. 75 Squadron
From Andrew's squadron commander expressing his sympathy at her loss. Andrew was popular for his 'cheerfulness, willingness and quiet confidence' and was a skilful air-bomber. He was on his 11th operation from the base.
Interview with Tom Coles
Tom Coles was born in Watford and signed up for the Royal Air Force at the age of 18. He went to Canada for training, a period saddened by the loss of his sister who was in the Womens Auxilliary Air Force. Tom flew Manchesters, then went to 158…
Interview with Jim Penny. One
Jim Penny joined the Air Force in July 1940 when he was eighteen. He recounts the training which he undertook before he became a Bomber Command Pathfinder pilot for 97 Squadron at RAF Bourn. He explains the crewing up process and details those who…
Letter from Mrs Payne, mother of Flight Sergeant Malcolm Payne, to Doris Weeks
Appreciates all that Doris is doing. Writes that the are being shabbily treated by Air Ministry and that others had been informed of their relatives fate they had not. They had received notification of presumed dead and that Malcolm was laid to rest…
Letter from Mrs Payne, mother of Flight Sergeant Malcolm Payne, to Doris Weeks
Catches up on activities and expresses gloom over President Roosevelt's death. Talks of Malcolm's bike and censorship of his letters. Writes about Malcolm when he was young. Catches up with family news,
Letter from Mrs Payne, mother of Flight Sergeant Malcolm Payne, to Doris Weeks
Writes complaining of lack of information about grave and that the War Graves Commission were the only ones to write and they supplied little information. Malcolm was laid to rest at Court L'Eveque, Haut-Marne. Writes about possible inscription on…
450628 Letter from Mrs Payne, mother of Flight Sergeant Malcolm Payne, to Doris Weeks
Relates arriving home to find that a package had been delivered by A Edwards RAAF. Says that Edwards had seen her husband and been invited to come for weekend. Thanks Doris for items in package which caused tears, Discusses some photographs and…
Letter from Mrs M. L. Payne, mother of Flight Sergeant Malcolm Payne, to Doris Weeks
Writes of common grief even after five months. Talks of photograph of Malcolm and his delight at first seeing snow. Catches up with other family news. Says she is writing letters and knitting for civilian relief in England. Mentions meting a lady who…
Letter from Mrs Payne, mother of Flight Sergeant Malcolm Payne, to Doris Weeks
Thanks for letter and photographs. Says how much they are missing Malcolm's letters. Writes about Malcolm being recommended for commission and about contact with Canadians. Talks about family activities and concludes with hope for miracle that…
Letter from John Valentine to father of his pilot
Letter to P Floyd, father of his pilot Philip expressing his admiration for his skill as a pilot and sorrow in having to inform him of Philip's probable death. Gives an account of being shot down.
Jeff Downing's Notebook
A book of messages for Jeff from his mother. Written after his death in the form of a diary. She describes her daily life and friends that visit her.
Interview with Peter Watson
Peter Watson was born in South Wales and joined the Royal Air Force in 1943. He wanted to be a pilot but there was a surplus of pilots so he became an air gunner. He crewed-up and flew with 101 Squadron initially, a special duties squadron, and he…
Interview with Desmond Hawkins
Desmond Hawkins volunteered for the Royal Air Force and became a navigator. After training on Wellingtons and Manchesters, he flew Lancasters for 44 Squadron and completed a tour of operations. He was commissioned as flight lieutenant and after the…
Letter from Irene Tansley to Mrs Groves
![ETansleyITGroves[Date]-010001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1543/28339/ETansleyITGroves[Date]-010001.jpg "ETansleyITGroves[Date]-010001.jpg")
Acknowledging that they both now know that their husbands had been killed in action. Says they should be proud of them and mentions she is fortunate because she has three children. Offers sympathy.
Loose on the wind
Starts with 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 Intelligence Officer. He relates his…
To Isabel Bain from British Red Cross Society
Letter from British Red Cross Society informing Isabel of the location of Andrew's grave at Doberitz, near Berlin.
Letter from British Red Cross to Mrs K Wynn
Writes of further reports that three unidentified airmen flying in the same aircraft of her husband had been buried in the military cemetery at Venlo and gives grave numbers. They were buried near the other two members of the crew previously…
Letter to Mrs Hobbs from G Letient
Thanks Mrs Hobbs for her letter and tries to answer her questions. Crash was sudden, no time for crew to suffer. Sgt Hobbs was still at his post. He obtained copy of pilots tag 'Rodbourne, 16.9.006, Blood, RAF'. No papers belonging to Hobbs. Location…
Letter to Mrs Hobbs from G Letient
Writes that he has personal papers, that he has hidden from the Germans, which belonged to 'english aviators' who were killed in a crash of a Lancaster ND 583 near his house on 15 March 1944. Some papers had addresses and he writes to enquire…
Letter to Mrs K Wynn from Florence Russell
Florence is upset that her son Gordon and Mrs Wynn’s husband are now presumed dead. Goes on to write about financial help from RAF Benevolent Fund. Catches up with family news and of other acquaintances including one who died in Japanese prisoner…
Letter from Mrs F. Payne to Doris Weeks
Very happy to receive three letters from Doris and one from her mother. Offers opinion on photographs, speculates over Malcolm's fate and relates dreams about him.