Browse Items (329 total)
Sort by:
Don Falgate as a new Pilot Officer
Don Falgate, standing in the snow, full length, in uniform, with observer half wing brevet. Captioned 'Newly commissioned Pilot Officer Observer at RCAF Monckton [sic], New Brunswick. Winter 1942.'
Don Falgate as newly qualified observer
Don Falgate with the other seven other course members,in uniform, standing in the snow, barracks in the background. Captioned 'Having recently completed aircrew training in Canada (self second from left) and passed out as sergeant observers. Photo in…
Interview with Edward Cayhill
Edward Cayhill was the eldest of eight children and with his father’s encouragement was hoping to go to university. His father died in 1938 which meant that the university dream was cancelled and Edward went to work as a Civil Servant in the…
Interview with Ernest Davenport
Ernest Davenport was born in Tattenhall, Cheshire in 1923. He joined the Local Defence Volunteers in 1940 and after witnessing the bombing of Merseyside he decided to join the RAF as a pilot. He was accepted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve…
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…
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.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Observer Section) Notice Paper
Notice paper for five years reserve service for James Douglas Hudson dated 29 June 1939. Gives conditions and contains certified copy of attestation with personal; details. Concludes with signatures, oath and certificate of a justice of the peace or…
Douglas Hudson
Half length portrait of Douglas Hudson wearing tunic with pilot officer rank, observers brevet and medal ribbon including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is wearing peaked cap and holding a pipe.
William McCall Girdwood
Half length portrait of an air observer wearing tunic and peaked cap. On the reverse 'Flying Officer Bill McCall Girdwood age 23 = 6 . 43 killed 22.6.43'.
35 airmen
35 airmen arranged in four rows. David Joseph is on the rear row, fourth from the left. On the reverse '17. Pre-AFU Course, Perth April-May 1943' and 'Subject back 4th from left'.
Interview with Alfie Martin
Alfie Martin was born near Belfast in 1920. He applied for the Air Force but his mother was worried about the dangers and so he withdrew his application. He joined the army and when the RAF advertised for soldiers to transfer the RAF he volunteered.…
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…
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.
Additional information about this item was…
Additional information about this item was…
Interview with Harold James Richards
Harold Richards from Lincoln was working in the health industry before he volunteered for the RAF. After trying to be a pilot he trained as an observer. He was posted to 297 Squadron at Stoney Cross where he and his crew dropped supplies to the…
Citation for Distinguished Flying Medal for three members of 226 Squadron
Sergeant J K Henson, Flight Sergeant A H D Batty and Sergeant L S Coleman all of 226 Squadron were awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for the action around a daylight attack on Merville airfield.
Interview with Archie Weir
Archie was born in Ayreshire. He was about 17 when he joined, then went to South Africa to train as a bomb aimer. In February 1943 Archie worked on Halifax Mk 2 before being transferred to Lancaster finishing school at RAF Syerston. In November…
28 airmen
A group of 28 trainee airmen arranged in three rows in front of an Anson. Caption reads 'AL. 53 - 13 May 43'.
Five airman and a Wellington
Four airmen at the tail of a Wellington. A fifth airman is sitting at the entrance of the rear turret. The Wellington is coded 'ZO-H', HF464. The photograph is signed by J W Beale, W F Temlett and F Elliott. On the reverse 'Azzaro, 196 Squadron…
Seven airmen including Joseph Wilson
A group of seven airmen arranged in two rows, the front row seated, the back standing. Sergeant Joseph Wilson is front row, far left.
To Jessie from Harry Redgrave
A two-page letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. He has just been posted and describes his 13-hour rail trip from London to Prestwick. He has found that the accommodation and food are good. Harry is on a 16-week observer course followed…
To Jessie from Harry Redgrave
Letter from Harry to his wife Jessie. He describes one of his training flights, what would happen if he failed his exams and meeting people from the Southend area. Jessie has sent him a scarf and he is sending her a jumper with a tam o shanter hat…
To Jessie from Harry Redgrave
A letter from Harry Redgrave in RAF Upwood to his wife Jessie. He writes about how good life is now that he is a Sergeant with extra pay and better food. He has been training in a Bristol Blenheim.
To Jessie from Harry Redgrave
A letter and envelope from Harry Redgrave to Jessie. Harry writes about life at RAF Upwood including his intensive training and a trip to RAF Wyton to swing the compass at the Air Officer Commanding’s plane. He also is trying to get his motorcycle…
Letter to Jessie from Harry Redgrave
Three-page handwritten letter from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry writes about life in the RAF at his station in Yorkshire including observers being posted to Scotland, training and his social life in Doncaster.
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…