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Book 2, Commencing my Flying Training and my Adventures up till the time of Leaving England
Second of David Geach's diaries, describing his training for aircrew at Kingstown, Heaton Park, Hastings and Harrogate until his embarkation to Canada on the Queen Mary. Covers the period from 20 June 1942 to 7 October 1942.
No 25 OTU 24.07.1942 Wellingtons T2701 and DV476
A report by Bill's son about the accident when his father died. He describes the details and the airmen involved.
Interview with John Louis Goldby
John Goldby was born in Kent but the family moved to London the year after. He was inspired to join the RAF when a schoolfriend joined and became a Spitfire pilot. John believes that it was a mid-air collision with a night fighter that led to his…
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,…
Derek Clare
A head and shoulders portrait of Derek in uniform showing his observer's brevet and ribbons, including for the Distinguished Flying Cross. On the reverse is a stamp from the photography studio of Edward C Partridge and annotated '5874/2' and 'Derek…
Eric Arthur's diary
Diary starts in early 1944 and describes in some detail his journey to England and his travels around Britain when on leave. Eric was called up into the Australian Army in November 1941 and transferred to the RAAF in June 1943. Went to No 2 AOS at Mt…
Life lost on operations
Article on loss of Flying Officer Francis Dunsford Norton lost his life on 18 August 1943. Buried at Griegswald [sic] Weick.
The memories of LAC Fred Perkins
Covers joining the RAF, training as an engineer and first posting to RAF Christchurch which undertook radar research. Writes of life and flying as observer in Fairey Battle on radar measurement flights. The unit then moved to RAF Defford. Goes on to…
John and Ursula Valentine
Provides dates and family history from their engagement to after the war including John's time as prisoner of war and in hospital after his return. Lists letters and dates and provides locations of where they were written.
Neville Petts and crew
Seven aircrew wearing tunics, three in front and four behind. Neville Petts is identified as back row second from right wearing observer brevet. John Hudson is front row left wearing air gunner brevet.
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Interview with Eric Coling
Eric Coling’s father died when Eric was a child which left his mother to cope on her own economically. Eric and his sister were sent to live in an orphanage but their mother was able to visit monthly. When Eric left the orphanage he began working…
Half a Life, Half Remembered
From his youth to the award of his DFC by the King.
Interview with George Royall
George volunteered to be a pilot but settled for Air Observer. He talks about his selection and training in London and then in Stratford-upon-Avon, where enjoyed the theatre and how, at Brighton, illness separated him from the rest of the course. So,…
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…
Interview with Douglas Frank Newham
Douglas Newham enjoyed his career as a navigator. Over his career he saw the development of technology in his chosen field. He and his crew spent some of their time as part of North West African Strategic Air Force. Following time as an instructor at…
Conditions of entry and service in the aircraft crew selection (air observers)
For entry to Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, notes for information of candidates. Covers introduction, conditions of entry and service, training, financial provision and general note. Concludes with appendix on medical examination.
Letter from Ministry of Defence to G Marshall
To Kenneth's brother in law regarding aircraft crash. Provides details of his grave and surviving crew members; Sergeant S A Langton, pilot; Sergeant T G Welsh, observer; Sergeant J Haworth, wireless operator and air gunner and Sergeant J Johnson,…
Three letters to Mrs Redgrave from the Royal Air Force
Letter 1 is a covering letter for Harry Redgrave's Certificate of Service and Discharge, dated 29 July 1941.
Letter 2 corrects Harry Redgrave's service to include his attendance at an Air Observer's course on a new Certificate of Discharge and…
Letter 2 corrects Harry Redgrave's service to include his attendance at an Air Observer's course on a new Certificate of Discharge and…
Volunteer Reserve Pass - Southend District
Pass issued to Leading Aircraftsman Harry Redgrave in 1939. In pencil is annotated 'Thurs 3 Fri 10 Sun 3'.
Ted Neale's Service Record
The form contains his service record and his personal details.
Andrew Bain's Airman's Service and Pay book
Giving Andrew's service record, including his will.
Andrew Bain's observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Covers the period from 26 June 1942 until August 1943. In June 1946 stamped by the RAF Central Depository ‘Death Presumed’. He qualified as an air gunner on the 31 October 1942 and as an observer on the 9 October 1942. He identifies his flying…
Edward King's RAF Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book
Edward J King’s Navigator’s Flying Log Book covering the period 30 January 1942 to 18 May 1946. Detailing his flying training and operations flown as Navigator. He was stationed at RAF Prestwick (3 RS), RAF Wrexham and RAF Honiley (96 Squadron),…
Roy Horsburgh’s Royal Canadian Air Force Observer’s Flying Log Book
R Horsburgh’s Observer’s Flying Log Book detailing operations and training flown as Observer covering the period 25 October 1942 to 23 August 1943. He was stationed at RCAF Virden (19 EFTS), RCAF Brandon (12 SFTS), RAF Abingdon (10 OTU), RAF…
Ron Riding's Royal Canadian Air Force observers and air gunners flying log book
Observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book for R H Riding, navigator, covering the period from 5 January 1942 to 25 April 1948. Detailing his flying training, operations flown, instructor duties and post war flying with 1332 Heavy Conversion…