Browse Items (1953 total)
Sort by:
Interview with Max Spence
Max Spence grew up in Australia and worked in a hardware store before he volunteered for the Air Force. He recounts his training in Canada and in England and life on an operational station. He flew 18 operations as a navigator with 460 Squadron.
Interview with Eric Taylor
Squadron Leader Eric Taylor joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 and served as a navigator. He served in North Africa and completed a tour of operations against targets in Italy before becoming an instructor in England. He describes the differences in…
Interview with Gerald Taylor
Gerald (Gerry) was part of the Air Training Corps and Officers’ Training Corps before the war. He volunteered for aircrew in 1942, was interviewed in Oxford and was put on deferred service. Gerry was accepted as an air observer. He was called up in…
Interview with John Taylor
John Taylor grew up in Nottingham and was evacuated before he went into sixth form. He left school and started working as an analytical chemist at Boots and although this was a reserved occupation he volunteered for aircrew. After his initial…
Interview with Herbert Tinning
Herbert Tinning trained as an aircraft fitter but later remustered and flew operations with 51 Squadron as a navigator. After the war, he build a career as a town planner and later as an architect.
Interview with Ernest Truman
Ernest Truman completed his initial training in Australia as a navigator before arriving in the UK. He was posted to 460 Squadron at RAF Binbrook. One of his ops was to destroy the oil refinery at Merseburg and he recalls the explosion was so bright…
Interview with Rusty Waughman. One
He discusses a mid-air collision during an operation with 101 Squadron. to Hasselt. He describes what it was like prior to a operation and the feelings experienced by the crew, from seeing the battle orders on the notice board, the pre-flight meal,…
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 Ralph Wild
Ralph Wild grew up in Yorkshire. He originally served as ground personnel with Fighter Command but he later remustered and became a navigator and flew operations with Bomber Command.
Interview with Laurie Woods
Flying Officer Laurie Woods DFC was born in Deloraine, Tasmania, in 1922. He grew up in Tasmania, and at the age of eighteen, despite being in a reserved occupation, he volunteered for Air Crew in the Royal Australian Air Force. Initially training in…
Herbert O'Hara's South African Air Force observers or air gunners log book
Log book for Sergeant Herbert O'Hara from 7 November 1942 to 9 September 1962. He was stationed with 12 Squadron at RAF Wickenby, where he flew Lancasters as navigator. The log book shows 14 night operations over France and Germany, with one to…
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…
An interesting war
Memoir of the life of Arthur Spencer. Includes details of childhood and growing up. Continues with his joining the Royal Air Force and his training in the United States as a pilot and then navigator. Followed by training in England and then posting…
Interview with Colin Wood
Colin Wood grew up in Sheffield and worked as a plumber until he volunteered for the RAF. He trained in Canada and flew operations as a navigator with 106 Squadron from RAF Metheringham. On arrival at the station his pilot and three others made their…
Sergeant Cyril William Yelland
Three quarters portrait of navigator Sergeant Cyril William Yelland in airman's uniform and side cap.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
John Firth's crew
Head and shoulders view of seven aircrew in two rows, three in front and four behind. All are dressed in battledress with aircrew brevet and shirt and tie. John Firth is top right. On the reverse '50 Squadron crew, John Firth top right'.
Jack Hayley's crew and typical bomb load
At the top seven aircrew in line with two slightly forward standing on snow in front of a Lancaster. Aircrew are all wearing battledress and side caps. There is a towing arm to the left. Three of the aircraft engines are visible, all with covers. The…
Jack Hayley and crew
At the top a half length portrait of three aircrew officers in tunic with aircrew brevet and peaked caps. Captioned 'Frank Bryer- Navigator, Jack Captain, Alec Taylor mid-upper gunner'. Below a group of air and ground crew stand in front of a…
Roy Briggs and his crew
Roy Briggs and his crew standing in front of a Lancaster. They are wearing Mae Wests.
Roy Briggs and aircrew
Seven airmen including Roy Briggs standing under the port nose of a Lancaster. On the reverse 'Taff Roy John Rob Len Benny Rog
Mid Upper WOP Nav Pilot PFE Rear Bomb Aimer Framed photo'.
Mid Upper WOP Nav Pilot PFE Rear Bomb Aimer Framed photo'.
Reg Jaques
Half length portrait of Reg Jaques wearing tunic with navigator brevet and peaked cap standing with his arms behind his back. In the background, trees and a post. On the reverse 'Charles Reginald Jaques, killed 16 December 1943.
Reg Jaques and family members
Four adults standing in line with a child in front. Reg Jaques in tunic and peaked cap is second from the left. On the left a woman in white shirt and dark skirt, 3rd from the left a woman in tunic and peaked cap. On the right a man with dark jacket…
Reg Jaques with family members
Three adults standing in line in a garden. Reg Jaques wearing tunic with brevet and peaked cap is standing on the left. Next to him on the right a woman wearing tunic and peaked cap. On the right a man wearing dark suit with a peaked cap. To the left…
Next of kin Lancaster JB670 'Q' - 16 December 1943
Details of names and next of kin with addresses of the crew of Lancaster JB670 including Charles Reginald Jaques.
Crew of Sugar 2 of 626 Squadron
Seven aircrew, three sitting in front and four standing behind. All are wearing tunic with aircrew beret. In the background curtains at either side. Captioned ‘Len (Navigator) Arthur (Wireless Operator) Mac (Flight Engineer) Don (Bomb…