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Letter from Air Commodore A.C.H. Sharpe to Leonard Cheshire
From Headquarters 54 Base Coningsby. Letter covering Group Captain Christie's letter concerning Squadron Leader Campbell and Flight Lieutenant Fleming.
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Flying Officer A Hickman
An air gunner who has completed two tours. Requests advice on how to get back on operations.
From Andrew to Mr Williamson
![EBainAWilliamson[Mr]430720-0001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/1245/16466/EBainAWilliamson[Mr]430720-0001.jpg "EBainAWilliamson[Mr]430720-0001.jpg")
Letter in which Andrew describes how he feels about life in the squadron and how Isabel has now left the WAAF and is looking after uncle and his son.
From Andrew to Isabel's Aunts Mary and Margaret
Letter in which Andrew describes life on the squadron, including the comradeship of his crew and appreciation of Isabel. Includes envelope.
Interview with Len McNamara
Len McNamara was born in Bristol in 1924. An apprentice plumber, he joined the Air Training Corps and volunteered for aircrew. Discusses his initial training at various stations, the gunnery course he passed with merit and honours, an escape and…
More than one liberty
![MBartlettA[Ser#-DoB]-150520-02.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/94/892/MBartlettA[Ser -DoB]-150520-02.jpg "MBartlettA[Ser#-DoB]-150520-02.jpg")
Relates an incident at an officers’ mess ball which contrasts the attitude of peacetime station commander to those found on operational stations. Describes events surrounding a station ball at a training base in the midlands. Includes general…
Letter to his wife from Herbert Gray.
![EGrayHMGray[Wi]440628.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/107/1042/EGrayHMGray[Wi]440628.jpg "EGrayHMGray[Wi]440628.pdf")
Starts with suggestion that a recent news film of daylight operation to Le Havre, which he was on, gives a good idea of what bombing is like. However as most of his operations were at night he goes on to describe these. Describes emotions and…
A poem to Billy
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 Ronald Marlow
Ronald Marlow went to Middleton Council School, then worked at Forgrove Engineering. He joined the Air Training Corps, volunteered for the Royal Air Force training in London at St Johns Wood. He became an air gunner ad flew Wellingtons, followed by a…
Ode to an air gunner
Describes the role played by the air gunner and his attitude toward danger. In the afterlife, the air gunner goes straight through the Heavens's gate as his wartime suffering is considered equivalent to expiation.
Interview with Charlie Darby
Charlie Darby joined the Royal Air Force in September 1943 and recounts in great detail, his training as an air gunner/wireless operator on Wellingtons and Ansons at RAF Bridlington, RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Castle Kennedy, RAF Acaster Malbis and RAF…
Letter from Group Captain D D Christie to Air Commodore Sharpe
Letter to Headquarters 54 base Coningsby. Infomation concerning Squadron Leader Campbell not able to return to operations and Flight Lieutenant Fleming already offered for Mosquito training
Interview with Harry Foster
Harold Gordon Foster (known as Harry) tells of his childhood, passing the eleven plus exam and his enjoyment of learning, and the need for him to earn money for his family rather than going to grammar school. He first worked for CL Equipments,…
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Flying Officer F N Lawrence
Asks if Cheshire has vacancy for wireless operator on his squadron. Served under him at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and recent returned after evading on the continent.
Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Flying Officer R A Stult
States he would be pleased to have Stult there but he cannot affect postings. Suggest Stult put in an application for him and crew. He would need to come with his crew as it would be impossible to find him one there.
Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Sergeant Thomas McLean
Assures the sergeant that he will try his best to fulfil his request and that he would write if he has any success..
Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Squadron Leader Noel Vincent
To Royal Australian Air Force liaison officer at Bomber Command. Writing that Flight Lieutenant D J Shannon desires to continue with operations and does not want to return to Australia. Mentions Shannon's wife is in Royal Air Force serving in same…
Letter from Leonard Cheshire to Air Commodore A C H Sharpe
To 54 Base Coningsby forwarding the names of two pilots who were anxious to return to operational duties on Mosquito. Squadron Leader C F Campbell DSO, DFC and Flight Lieutenant R T Fleming DFC. Includes operational history.
Interview with Thomas Charles Arthur Long
Thomas Charles Arthur Long was born in Quorn, England. He was in the Home Guard and worked at Brush as a draughtsman, also gaining a Higher National Certificate from Loughborough College. He decided to join the RAF being that the only way to get out…
Letter to Leonard Cheshire from Flight Lieutenant H Goodwin
A Rhodesian flight engineer, he requests information on how to get posted to Cheshire's squadron. Previous tour on 78 Squadron and currently on 425 Squadron, which is becoming all French Canadian. Happy to drop rank but wished to remain with…
To Jessie from Harry Redgrave
A letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry writes in detail about the funeral of two airmen in which he was a pall bearer. He also discusses plans for getting to Southend.
Interview with Charles Philip Blackham
Philip Blackham became an apprentice engineer at Diesel engine company Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day, of which became a sales manager post war. He served in the Home Guard becoming a driver, then he enrolled in summer 1940 with initial training at…
Interview with John Norrington
John Norrington was a lorry driver when he volunteered for the Royal Air Force. After initial training, he went to RAF Sandtoft on Lancasters and Halifaxes; he crewed up with Flying Officer James, then was at RAF Hemswell for the Lancaster Finishing…
Interview with Bert Turner
Bert Turner was a member of the Air Training Corps before the war. He volunteered for the Air Force and was called up 2 August 1942. After training he became a flight engineer with 196 Squadron. He flew some bombing and mine laying operations before…