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Interview with Reg Woolgar
Reg Woolgar was born in Hove. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force in December 1939 and trained as a wireless operator/air gunner. He flew Hampdens with 49 Squadron. His aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire on a mine laying operation to Oslo…
Interview with Geoffrey Whittle
Squadron Leader Geoffrey Whittle was born in London. After leaving school at fourteen he became an apprentice printer in the family business. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force on the outbreak of the Second World War and trained as a navigator.…
Interview with Thomas Jordan
Thomas Jordan grew up in Hornsea. He hoped to be a pilot in the RAF but he did not pass the eyesight test. He trained as an armourer dealing with retrieving bombs from crashed aircraft, bomb disposal and transportation of bombs. On one such transport…
Book 5, Return to UK
Fifth and final diary kept by David Geach chronicling his time training and on operations. He writes about his return from Canada on the Queen Elizabeth then his training in England which began with arriving at the Posting Centre in Pannal Ash,…
Interview with Louis Makens
Louis Makens worked as a farm worker before the war but volunteered for aircrew. He discusses his training on Wellingtons and operations flying Stirlings with 196 Squadron including a crash landing, and glider towing. His Halifax was shot down 18/19…
Interview with Maurice Stoneman
Maurice Stoneman was posted to 57 Squadron at RAF East Kirkby as the flight engineer on Lancasters in 1943. He recalls that on returning from operations they used to fly around the Boston Stump and around Lincoln Cathedral before finally landing. In…
Dr Maurice Brook Interview
Maurice grew up Rothwell in Yorkshire, joining the Air Training Corp, and going into the Royal Air Force after spending time with Cambridge University Air Squadron at the age of 18. He completed his pilot training in Canada before going to the…
Interview with Janet Hughes, One
Janet Hughes’ father, Reginald Charles Wilson, volunteered for the RAF in August 1941. In January 1942, he was posted to America under the Arnold training scheme and was later remustered to train as a navigator in Canada. After forming a crew at…
Interview with Percival Trotman
Applying for RAF Bomber Command in May 1940, Percival Trotman was called up in September 1940, training as a pilot at RAF Towyn in Aberystwyth. Being present at Coventry when the town was bombed, he recalls deciding that the Germans deserved to have…
Mine Release photo oh H2S
An image taken on H2S as a mine is released. The caption reads '73/1. MDH 13/14.12.44//10000' 338° 10/10 H.1847. Kattagat. The Kullen. 065° 10/15 mls Shepherd K.15'
On the reverse 'Mine release photo on H2S taken by me 14/12/44
"Arrows" are on…
On the reverse 'Mine release photo on H2S taken by me 14/12/44
"Arrows" are on…
Dennis Moore's Operational Record
A list of the 33 operations undertaken by Dennis from 17 September 1944 to 15 April 1945. Each operation has a small description of the task.
Dennis Moore Autobiography
Dennis Moore's autobiography, compiled and edited by his son, Terry Moore.
Des Hawkins' service history and list of operations
Account of the 1941-1946 service history of Flight Lieutenant Des Hawkins with 44, 625 and 630 Squadrons.
Donald Cochrane's operations
A handwritten list of Don Cochrane's first tour. It comprises a short paragraph for each of the 29 operations he undertook. Included are four maps with bombs indicating his targets.
Interview with Tony Adams
Tony Adams grew up in Australia and was studying accountancy when he was conscripted into the army at the age of 18. He later transferred to the Air Force. He trained as a wireless operator and was sent overseas to the UK in June 1943. After…
Flying Officer Douglas Petty Memoirs
Brief memoirs recorded by Doug Petty during his RAF service. They cover the period from June 1943 to April 1947.
Eric Hookings's life story book 1
From birth in 1920 until operational pilot in 1944. Covers early life in Battersea and Morden in London, family life, school and first jobs after leaving school at 14 years old. Describes family experiences at beginning of the war volunteering for…
Operations order 12 June 1941
Lists 17 crews of four with aircraft for bombing and four crews for gardening which are crossed through in red. All bombing crews have a time slot appended with the length in brackets.
Operations order 16 August 1944
Lists crews and aircraft for operations on night 16/17 August 1944. Fourth member of each crew is underlined. Three crews are flying with second pilot. Includes duty personnel and lists persons to attend briefing. Shows briefing times for those…
Cherbourg, 'Gardening' Edward King's 1st operation of his tour
Three items, Edward's description of the mining operation off Cherbourg, they were the only aircraft operating from their base that night. Edward's navigation plot and a map of the Cherbourg area.
Gordon Mills sortie record sheet no 1
First five operations on 149 Squadron Stirling, then one operation on 218 Squadron before he Joined 75 Squadron on 16 January 1945. List 15 operations as air gunner on Stirling and Lancaster.
Gordon Cruickshank life on squadrons 1940-1944
Mentions time as a balloon operator at Felixstowe and then training as an air gunner. First tour on 50 Squadron RAF Swinderby on Manchesters, but had to wait for aircraft to arrive as squadron still flying Hampden when he arrived later transferred to…
G Cruickshank Memoir
Describes life with family from 1918. Joined Army – 4th Queen's Own Hussars on 2nd January 1936. Joined RAF 1938 and trained as balloon operator then applied as air gunner, arriving at RAF Swinderby in December 1941. Took part in 50 Squadron…
War Memoir - George Bilton
Talks of early life at school and work in Hull. Volunteered as ARP messenger and described duties and air raid damage in Hull. Volunteered as aircrew and initially selected for wireless operator/air gunner but later asked to change to air engineer.…