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Telegram for John Mitchell
Congratulations on permanent commission. Essential medical and acceptance by 23rd Feb from Bryant
Interview with Cyril Abbotts
Cyril Abbotts volunteered for the Royal Air Force while he was an engineering apprentice with W T Avery at Smethwick. After his reception at Lord’s Cricket Ground and initial training,he trained as a pilot at RAF Bowden and Moose Jaw in Canada. On…
Interview with Basil Ambrose
Basil Ambrose was born in Reading. He left school at fourteen and became an apprentice turner. He joined the Royal Air Force in May 1942 and trained as a turner before transferring to aircrew as a flight engineer. He trained at RAF St Athan, and…
Interview with Rusty Waughman. Two
Russell (Rusty) Waughman was born in Shotley Bridge, County Durham. Due to serious poor health as a child his education was interrupted. He describes his training with the Empire Training School in Canada. He was posted to 101 Squadron which was a…
Interview with Thomas Peter Payne. Two
Tom joined the Air Training Corps as a deferred service airman even though he was under-age. In April 1942 he received his call up papers to report to the Air Crew Reception Centre at St John’s Wood before being posted to Ludlow. He then went to…
Interview with William Holmes
William Holmes remembers his time as a pilot in the RAF. Gives a vivid and graphic account of the dramatic crash-landing which left him badly injured and brought him to join the Guinea Pig Club. Remembers various episodes of his operational life:…
Interview with Henry Townsley
Henry Townsley was born near Workington and left school at fourteen years of age and started work as an apprentice vehicle fitter. After a spell as a junior engineer in the Merchant Navy he volunteered, in April 1940, for the RAF, rather than the…
Interview with Colin Deverell
Colin Deverell was born in Croydon. Upon leaving school, he worked for Oliver Typewriter Company, where he gained engineering skills to become an amateur rigger for Imperial Airways, before finding employment with Rollaston Aircraft Services in 1939.…
Bertie Henington's Commission Telegram
A telegram advising Bertie of his commission as pilot officer.
World War II & Flying Memoirs
Writes of travelling to Scotland before start of the war and then joining the RAF Volunteer Reserve. Continues with account of training in England before going to Lakeland Florida for primary flying training, Cochran field for basic and advanced…
Letter from Dave Davies to Betty Hughes
Dave announces that he has passed the final exam and is preparing for the graduation party. He believes leave will soon be granted and hopes to see Betty soon.
Letter from David Donaldson to Flight Lieutenant J E Nixon
Congratulations on promotion to flight lieutenant.
Interview with Ted Stocker. Three
Ted joined the air force in January 1938 as an apprentice at RAF Halton. This was accelerated because of the war, and he was posted to RAF Boscombe Down.
Although he wanted to be a pilot, Ted’s skills were needed as a flight engineer. He was…
Although he wanted to be a pilot, Ted’s skills were needed as a flight engineer. He was…
Letter to Mervyn Adder's father from the Air Ministry
Informs him that his son who has been missing since night 15/16 March 1944 had been appointed to a commission in the RAF in the rank of pilot officer.
Don Briggs, a brief description of wartime service
Describes wartime service from 1939 to 1945. Joined as Halton apprentice in September 1939. Posted as fitter engine to RAF Wittering working on Wellington Hampden and Manchester aircraft. Followed by tour at RAF Upper Heyford working on Wellington…
Tribute to a Pathfinder captain
Tribute to Squadron Leader William G Neal Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, Croix de Guerre, 1912-2001. Describes how Don Briggs met and was crewed with Bill Neal’s crew who having completed one tour had been selected for a…
Interview with Richard Murray Allen
Richard Murray Allen was born in Queensland, Australia. He joined the Air Training Corps and later volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force on his eighteenth birthday. He trained as a wireless operator in Australia, before being posted to…
Letter to Group Captain C.V.D. Willis from Air Vice Marshal E B Addison
Letter concerns information for temporary officers being selected for permanent commissions. Information on individual requests for commission cannot be given until the composition of the post war air force has been determined. A number of really…
Operations order 24 July 1944
List crews and aircraft for operations on night 24/25 July 1945. Includes duty personnel. On the reverse part of a medical form, not filled in and scribbled over in blue.
44 Squadron Personnel Occurrence Reports - Airmen RAF
Contains lists of promotions, movements and movement corrections for airmen on 44 Squadron.
Personnel Occurrence Report (Officers)
Lists 44 Squadron officer personnel for leave, appointments and promotions, change of address of next of kin
Personnel occurrence report (Airmen)
List movement in and movements out as well as discharges of airmen of 44 Squadron. Includes aircrew reported missing.
Personnel occurrence report (airmen)
Lists airmen under headings promotions, results of courses, [movements?]
The Boy from Augusta by Frank J Allnutt
This is part of John Allnutt's life story, from when he was a teenager on the family farm in Australia just before the war, joining the Royal Australian Air Force, his aircrew training in Australia. It continues with his journey across the Pacific,…
Tom Sayer's commissioning scroll
Commissioning scroll for Thomas Sayer dated 25 May 1944 as Flying Officer, signed 'George R.I.'.