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Interview with Bill Lucas. One
W E (Bill) Lucas joined the Royal Air Force in 1940, where he trained as a fighter pilot flying Miles Magisters and Miles Masters, before being posted to RAF Lossiemouth and moving into Bomber Command, flying the Vickers Wellington 1C.
Flew 14…
Flew 14…
Letter to Kathleen Wynn from Bessie George
![E[Author]B-GWynnK[Date]-0001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1018/11484/E[Author]B-GWynnK[Date]-0001.jpg "E[Author]B-GWynnK[Date]-0001.jpg")
Letter of condolence over news that husband is missing.
We were only just beginning to enjoy our teenage years
A poem sent to Betty Turner's friend Billy to celebrate their 80th. Betty describes the wartime hardships she endured, hint at the bereavement after the loss of the men she loved, stresses the sense of duty toward her country, friendship and…
This is why I joined the RAF
A poem written in December 1942 after her first love was shot down over France. After his death Betty resolved to join the Royal Air Force and became a wireless operator. According to a note, she later found out that some of what she wrote down went…
Interview with Sandy Saunders
Sandy Saunders recalls Liverpool being bombed in 1941 and while on a rescue squad he sustained splinter injuries from a blast requiring hospital treatment. After taking a science degree he served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as a…
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. She prepared maps for briefings and debriefings.…
Poppies
A woman explains to his son the symbolism of the poppies. In the final line she weeps because 'the world is forgetting again'.
Letter to Kathleen Wynn from Dorothy Pratt
Letter of sympathy over bad news of Ian.
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.
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 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 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 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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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 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…
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 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…
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,