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Interview with Alexander Lamb. Two
Alexander Lamb left school in Edinburgh and became a messenger for the War Department. He then took a clerical post with the Department before reaching the age to volunteer for the RAF. He trained as an air gunner and was posted to RAF Mildenhall…
Interview with Ian Denver
Ian’s father was a sports editor and Gallipoli veteran. Ian was a member of the Air Training Corps and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. His initial training was at Bradfield Park. After a few months of aircrew guard duty in…
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, a special duties squadron, initially, and…
Ops are on. Maximum effort
A memoir by Joe Harrison of his first operation in 1943. He describes the initial briefing, the events during the bombing run, the damage to their aircraft and his subsequent illness. Includes descriptions of the post-op analysis and good crew…
Empty your pockets
From Dispersal Point. Men leave behind their identities to become aircrew. Submitted with caption; 'RAF Poem'.
Letter from John Brittain to his mother
![EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450118-0001.jpg](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/776/9928/EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450118-0001.jpg "EBrittainJTBrittain[Mo]450118-0001.jpg")
Writes of flying in bad weather and very low temperatures. Says he has not had time to visit relative in Peterborough. Writes of absolute confidence in skipper and crew. Mentions no dates for squadron and no sign of leave until they get to new…
Interview with David Butler
David Butler, DFC, was born in Cherry Hinton in April 1920 and joined the Royal Air Force on the 11 January 1940, serving in France, at Reims, as the Germans advanced. After walking some distance, he was evacuated back to England on a Polish boat and…
Interview with Pauline Alexander
During the war, Pauline's siblings Bernard, Guy, Robert and Peter served in the air force and army, her mother volunteered for the Red Cross, and her father volunteered as an air raid warden. Inspired by her brothers, Pauline joined the Women’s…
Interview with Charles Philip Blackham
Philip Blackham became an apprentice engineer at diesel engine company, Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day, where he became a sales manager post war. He served in the Home Guard where he became a driver. In the summer of 1940, he enrolled for engineering with…
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 John Bell
John Bell completed a tour as a bomb aimer with 619 Squadron. The crew decided they would like to continue flying and, so, volunteered to join 617 Squadron. They were interviewed by Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire and accepted on to the squadron.…
Memories of WWII
Booklet produced as part of 'Their Past Your Future's series produced for the Heritage Lottery. This is based on Ken's memories of his training for and operations with Bomber Command and his post war service in the Royal Air Force, as described to a…
Interview with Graham Allen
Graham Allen joined the Royal Air Force aged 19. He trained as a mechanic and worked on inspection and recovery of Spitfire aircraft. He later volunteered to be a flight engineer, and flew a tour of operations with 106 Squadron. His first operation…
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…
Interview with James Flowers
Horace James Flowers was born and grew up in Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire. He became an apprentice butcher before being released to volunteer for the Royal Air Force in 1944. He trained as an air gunner at RAF Bridgnorth, RAF Wigsley and RAF Syerston…
Stuart Boynton Interview
Stuart left grammar school and joined the Air Training Corps in 1939. About six months' later, he volunteered for air crew and was accepted. He and his girlfriend were married in February 1943. Stuart was posted to South Africa working on Ansons and,…
Interview with Jim Penny. One
Jim Penny joined the Air Force in July 1940, aged 18. He recalls his training prior to becoming a Bomber Command Pathfinder pilot for 97 Squadron at RAF Bourn. He explains the crewing up process and details those who were in his crew. He gives…
Interview with Iain Urquhart Robertson
Iain was a National Service air gunner in the 1950s and served with 214 Squadron at RAF Upwood in Huntingdonshire, after being called up at the age of 18. Upon completion of training, he flew on Wellingtons and fighter affiliation with Spitfires. He…
Interview with Jack Wakefield
Jack Wakefield grew up in New Zealand and volunteered for the Air Force and the Army. He trained as an air gunner on Defiants before being posted to 75 Squadron at RAF Feltwell where he completed a tour on Wellingtons, flying operations to locations…
Interview with Harold Kirby. One
Harold Kirby joined the Royal Air Force, encouraged by two friends, but ended up training as a flight mechanic at RAF Halton on medical grounds. Harold became an airframe fitter, volunteered as a flight engineer, passed the physical but was then…
Interview with Anthony Tompson
Anthony Tompson worked as an engineer for the Post Office before he volunteered for the Air Force. While training as a pilot in Canada it was discovered he had a difficulty with perception and he trained instead as a navigator. On return to the Great…
Account of operations
Mention action on getting caught in searchlights, effects of altitude on aircrew, avoiding bombs from above, encounters with B-17 while on operations and getting a bottle of Bourbon from the American crew later. Mentions encounter with probable…
Air crew
States aircrew were different and explains why he though this. Mentions training, attitude to discipline and that they were reliant on each other. Numbered '9-2'.
On take off
Account of crew actions during take off and one particular time when aircraft ahead slewed when tire burst half way down the runway. Luckily they were able to get airborne and avoid the other aircraft.
Interview with Arthur Spencer
Arthur Spencer joined the Royal Air Force after leaving school. He began pilot training in Florida but then re-mustered as a navigator and trained in Pensacola. He completed two tours of operations as a navigator with 97 Squadron at RAF Woodhall Spa…