Browse Items (102 total)

  • Tags: operational training unit

PDobleRG1513.jpg
Two photographs, the first is of two airmen, one squatting and one standing behind. It is captioned 'Ted & Tom Bomb aimer & w/op 21 OTU'.
The second is a larger version of the same image and on the reverse is
'F/Sgt Tom Carter W/Op
F/Sgt Ted…

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PDobleRG1511.jpg
Three airmen standing at the front of a Wellington with no front turret. On the reverse
'S/Ldr Corbishley Pilot
F/Lt Ray Nav
Sgt R Dobble R/Gunner.
Moreton in Marsh 21 OTU'.

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PDobleRG1503.jpg
Six airmen standing outside a wooden hut. Five are wearing flying helmets, googles and flying uniforms. On the reverse 'Moreton in Marsh 21 OTU Gunners'.

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BBrookerWHBrookerWHv1.Pdf
WH Brooker volunteered in June or July 1940. He was called up on 27 February 1941 and trained in Pearce, Western Australia. On transfer to UK there were delays in further training.
Initially he served on Wellingtons at Snaith. He describes…

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ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM400724.jpg
A letter from Harry Redgrave to Jessie while at RAF Dumfries. He has just taken his examinations and provided he passes will be posted to the No. 17 Operational Training Unit at RAF Upwood. Trying to arrange for them to meet in London.

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PBrownJ1703.jpg
Wellington bomber on the ground, with wheels chocked, and bomb bay doors open. Letters O and KJ appear on the fuselage. Visible in the background is a control tower with a truck in front.

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ERedgraveHCRedgraveJM[Date]-030001.jpg
Two-page (undated) letter and envelope from Harry Redgrave to his wife Jessie. Harry has been attached to 106 Squadron for crew training and will be flying in Hampdens. He writes that conditions are better than at Upwood.

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BStoreyDPStoreyDPv1.pdf
A memoir of David Storey's service from 27 May 1943 to April 1944. He describes his 32 completed operations as a navigator on Halifaxes and including details of incidents and aircraft losses.

This item was provided, in digital form, by a…

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PSmithJA1505.jpg
13 pilots, standing in front of a Hereford, Ernest Smith second from left. Captioned 'No 16 OTU Upper Heyford Oxon'. Pilots are named on mounting, some with asterisk: 'Sgt Hubbard; Sg Smith; Sgt Hughes; Sgt Day*; Sgt Ivatt*; Sgt Stubbs*; P/O Goode*;…

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LSmithEW174520v1.pdf
Pilot’s flying log book for Flight Sergeant Ernest Smith from 11 February 1939 to 31 March 1943, detailing his pilot training and 20 operations with 144 Squadron on the following targets in Belgium, France and Germany: Aachen, Antwerp, Brest,…

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PMakensL1701.jpg
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…

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B[Author]HumphreyEv10001.jpg
A summary of Liz Humphrey's service history from January 1942 to 1946. Her service activity included serving in 970 Balloon Squadron, 30 Operational Training Unit at RAF Hixon, 12 Squadron at Wickenby, 1657 Conversion Unit at RAF Stradishall and 1654…

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ALastRR151125.mp3
Ronald Last grew up in Dorset and worked as an apprentice for the local Gas and Water company before volunteering for the Air Force. He attended the reception centre at Lord's Cricket Ground and describes the medical tests and inoculations recruits…

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PGreenwoodBE1502.jpg
Betty Greenwood was born in 1926 in Belton, Lancashire; she attended Princess Mary high school was and privately educated in Paris but returned due to the threat of war. At sixteen she was offered various jobs but decided to join the Royal Observer…

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ACattyMA180822.mp3
Martin Catty grew up in London and was evacuated to Westward Ho! with his school at the beginning of the war. He completed a short training course at Cambridge University in 1942 and joined Air Force. After training he flew 40 operations as a…

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BPayneRPayneRv2.pdf
An account by Reg Payne of his wartime experiences. Too young to sign up at the start of the war he spent two years in the Home Guard. Training started at age 18 and lasted for two years. He served at RAF Skellingthorpe and his brother served at RAF…

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BPayneRPayneRv1.pdf
A detailed account of Reg Payne's service in the RAF. He starts with a list of 18 RAF bases where he served in his 5 years of service. He was 16 when war was declared but volunteered for the RAF at 17. After tests he was selected for training as a…

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BWhittleGGWhittleGGv3.pdf
An incomplete memoir written by Geoffrey Whittle starting at age 16. At age 18 he volunteered for aircrew duties and trained at RAF West Freugh. He converted to Wellingtons then Lancasters and moved to RAF Ludford Magna in June 1943. Over Hannover…

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BWhittleGGWhittleGGv1.pdf
A brief memoir of Geoffrey Whittle's wartime service. His training starts in March 1942 in Scotland. One year later he converted to Wellingtons, then Lancasters at RAF Lindholme. He was then posted to RAF Ludford Magna. On his 15th operation over…

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LWhittleGG1397166v1.pdf
Observers and air gunners flying log book for Geoffrey Whittle, navigator, covering the period from 4 November 1942 to 26 July 1953. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF West Freugh, RAF…

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MMcDonaldEA1076160-150914-01.pdf
The first part is an eye witness account by Alan McDonald of an aircraft crash and its aftermath.
The second part describes the 'Skilling Follies', an aircrew who completed 25 operations from RAF Skellingthorpe.
The third part describes an…

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AMcDonaldEA150918.mp3
Allan McDonald was born in Hull and watched Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus as a child. He worked as an apprentice electrician before joining the Air Force. He served as ground personnel in Northern Ireland until he passed the exams to become aircrew…

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OBaileyJD1583184-161207-010001.jpg
Form 543, Bill Bailey's Service Record

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BBaileyJDBaileyJDv1.pdf
Bill Bailey's wartime memoirs, from enlistment, training in UK and Canada and detail of each of 31 operation in Bomber Command. After completion of his tour he was transferred to Lossiemouth to train Free French aircrew. After successful progress he…

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LBaileyJD1583184v1.pdf
Flying log book for aircrew other than pilot for John Derek Bailey, bomb aimer, covering the period from 6 July 1943 to 5 September 1945, detailing his flying training, operations flown and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Regents Park, RAF…

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