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Interview with Mary Ward. One
Mary Ward grew up in Bloxham. She joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in 1940 and was posted to RAF Driffield, on general duties in the officers’ mess. She describes a German daylight attack on RAF Driffield on the 15 August 1940 and the…
Visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Photograph 1 is of the King standing to the left and the Queen leaving her car. Photograph 2 is of the King and Queen leaving the Officers' Mess. Photograph 3 is of the King and Queen talking to airmen. Photograph 4 is of the King shaking the hand of…
North Coates chapel and Officers' Mess
Photograph 1 is of the Roll of Honour at North Coates chapel.
Photograph 2 is of the bar of an empty Officers' Mess.
Captioned 'RAF North Coates Chapel (Researched)
Photograph 3 is of two barmen and two barwomen behind the bar at the Officers'…
Photograph 2 is of the bar of an empty Officers' Mess.
Captioned 'RAF North Coates Chapel (Researched)
Photograph 3 is of two barmen and two barwomen behind the bar at the Officers'…
Airfield views
Photograph 1 is of camouflaged brick buildings.
Photograph 2 is of airmen eating at rows of tables in a mess hall.
Photograph 3 is a head and shoulders portrait of an aircrew member on an aircraft.
Photograph 4 is of a man sitting reading in an…
Photograph 2 is of airmen eating at rows of tables in a mess hall.
Photograph 3 is a head and shoulders portrait of an aircrew member on an aircraft.
Photograph 4 is of a man sitting reading in an…
Letter from Peter Lamprey to W Gunton
Peter Lamprey writes that has moved RAF stations again and has only flown once on an air-test since arriving. He notes that the station has a good mess and food but that it’s a long way to the nearest town.
Beach scenes, Royal Air Force scenes and DH.82B Queen Bee aircraft
Top left, a man in shirt and shorts sitting on the left on a beach alongside to the right a woman in dress.
Top centre, an man in shirt sleeves sitting on a beach.
Top right, five pilots standing in a row in front of a lorry. All are wearing…
Top centre, an man in shirt sleeves sitting on a beach.
Top right, five pilots standing in a row in front of a lorry. All are wearing…
Interview with John Ormerod
John Ormerod left school at 14 and worked in the textile industry before he volunteered for RAF. At first he trained as flight mechanic but later remustered to be a flight engineer. He talks about synchronising props and the German speaking eighth…
Interview with F N Larard
After being called up, Larry was assessed as pilot, navigator, bomb aimer but changed to rear gunner to avoid the delay in pilot training. He was trained at RAF Dalcross on Wellingtons before moving to RAF Lindholme to convert to the Halifax and then…
Interview with Frederick Limer
Freddie Frederick volunteered for the Royal Air Force and did a course in Blackpool. He was posted to No. 12 Initial Training Wing at St Andrew, although was unsuccessful in his flying test. Freddie was then trained at RCAF Moncton in Canada and…
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of an flying incident with one of his pupils and recounts an evening in the mess with his colleagues.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of life at RAF Silverstone and of his colleagues.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of activities on base, rationing and bomber scores.
Letter from Harold Gorton to his wife
He writes of his arrival in Lincoln for his posting to RAF Scampton for a three week course.
Sergeants Mess Abingdon and Tripoli
Photograph 1 is a group of airmen drinking beer, captioned 'Sgt's Mess, Abingdon, 1945.'
Photograph 2 is the roofs of Tripoli, captioned 'Tripoli-Libya Old Town . 1955'
Photograph 2 is the roofs of Tripoli, captioned 'Tripoli-Libya Old Town . 1955'
Interview with Alice Wrigley
Alice Wrigley was married to James Wrigley, a wireless operator on Lancasters. She talks about her early life after losing her mother, her marriage to Jim and how war work enabled her to become independent by sorting out somewhere to live whilst he…
RAF North Luffenham - Christmas 1944 Sergeants Mess Menu
On the front over RAF Crest. Sergeants Mess Xmas 1944 and best wishes from the commanding officer. On the back cover six signatures. Inside the menu.
Christmas menu RAF Chivenor, 1945
Christmas dinner menu 1945 from RAF Chivenor. 24 signatures on reverse.
Frank Hobbs sergeants mess subscription card
Inside table for amounts paid. One entry for nine shillings on 24 February 1944. On the reverse RAF East Kirkby stamp.
Frank Hobbs sergeants mess card RAF Skellingthorpe
Inside table with weekly cells. On the reverse Sergeants Mess RAF Skellingthorpe stamp and 'Sgt Hobbes, 262'.
RAF Brawdy Officers Mess
Top, interior of RAF Brawdy Officers Mess Bar, 'The Olde Isobar', captioned ' Officers Mess', '1944-45', '517 Squadron', 'RAF Brawdy'.
Second, third and fourth photographs are all of two RAF officers, in uniform standing outside wooden structure…
Second, third and fourth photographs are all of two RAF officers, in uniform standing outside wooden structure…
Mary Brown at RAF Shawbury
Top left, a head and shoulders portrait of Mary Brown, wearing dress with a necklace. Captioned 'Cpl Mary Brown in Shrewsbury Town', 'RAF Shawbury Mar 1945'.
Top right, photograph of 24 aircrew in uniform, in three rows, in formal pose. Captioned…
Top right, photograph of 24 aircrew in uniform, in three rows, in formal pose. Captioned…
Christmas Dinner Menu
The menu for the Officers Mess 1945 Christmas dinner at RAF Seletar
Letter from Malcolm Payne to Doris Weeks
Thrilled to receive two letters from her. Continues with banter, love talk and of acquaintances. Gives her mess phone number and explains why he was unable to phone her. Writes that he has included her as 'other person to be notified' on next of kin…
Letter from Malcolm Payne to Doris Weeks
Writes this will be short letter as they are flying and he is not now grounded. Mentions flying cancelled last night and continues with general banter. Mentions going to church and that she can ring him in the mess at specific times. Glad that…
Interview with Laurence Harbutt
Laurie Harbutt was born in Edmonton, London. Before he volunteered he worked as a wireless telegraphist which was a Reserved Occupation. He wanted to join the Navy but because of his occupation his only option was RAF aircrew. He was posted to 77…