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Interview with Thomas Edward Noton
Thomas Edward Noton was born in Greenwich on the 4th of April 1923. Upon leaving school he began a toolmaking apprenticeship, however, before finishing the course, Noton decided to join the Royal Air Force at the age of eighteen. He explains why he…
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.…
Letter to Harold Wakefield from Leicester recruiting centre
Request that Harold Wakefield report to the Leicester recruiting centre on 9 January 1942. Gives instructions on what to bring and advises that he might not be required for immediate service.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve notice paper
Notice for offering to join the RAFVR dated 11-12-1941. Lays out general conditions of contract of enlistment.
Interview with Len Harper
Len Harper registered for the air force in April 1939, influenced by the positive experience of his brother who had joined in January. Upon completing training at the Wireless Training School, RAF Yatesbury, he was posted to RAF Wittering, where he…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Joseph’s College, Naini Tal. Mentions joining the air force as a career, a school inspector will be visiting, and Brother Colagne.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general conversation about attending St. Joseph’s College, Naini Tal. Starts with a conversation about the high rainfall for the year, then discusses having been in trouble with the police, regarding an…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father with general discussion tennis matches in London, visiting relatives and trips to the Tate Gallery and the Science Museum. He has written to the Civil Service Commissioner’s providing a character reference and…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about London life, family news in general and sporting activities. Has sent in his application for the Royal Air Force and Mr Moore his tutor is hopeful he will pass the exams. His brother and he have been…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about about visiting auntie Maisy in Kensington over Christmas, reports of some of his friends getting into Sandhurst, but failing to get into Cranwell.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about situation in London, war breaking out and his intention to volunteer for the Royal Air Force. He provides details about working on the farm picking plums, getting fit and tanned.
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about losing his father’s dog, Prince; applying to the Royal Air Force; and leaving the farm to move back to London as war looks inevitable. He comments that the city is calm and will send some photos of…
Letter from David Boldy to his father
Letter from David Boldy to his father about being on the waiting list for the Royal Air Force volunteer reserve and daily life of relatives and friends. Describes black out precautions in London pointing out how he got used to see in the dark. Thinks…
Interview with Taff Owen
Aneurin ‘Taff’ Owen was born neat Dolgellau, near Penmaenpool in Wales, and joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 18 in 1942. Taff was a farmer’s son and as such was put into a reserved occupation, so some of the areas of the Royal Air Force…
Interview with Percival Trotman
Applying for RAF Bomber Command in May 1940, Percival Trotman was called up in September 1940, training as a pilot at RAF Towyn in Aberystwyth. Being present at Coventry when the town was bombed, he recalls deciding that the Germans deserved to have…
Interview with James Albert Dellow
James ‘Jim’ Albert Dellow had to register the start of the war he as he was 18 years old. On being asked which service he would prefer, he opted for the Royal Air Force as a pilot. Whilst waiting for his call up, he worked in an insurance office…
Royal Air Force volunteer reserve postponement of calling up for service
Made out to Raettig D W stating that he will have to report in time when notified. In the meantime he remains on the reserve with no pay. he is required to keep current employment and notify any change of address.
Ernest Cutts' memoir
Two typewritten pages detailing the life of Ernest Cutts. He was the youngest of seven children, born in NW Victoria, Australia. He enlisted as aircrew on his 18th birthday and was posted to No 1 Recruit Training School in Victoria. Next he went to…
National Service letter for Dennis Raettig to attend medical
Letter directing Dennis Raettig to attend medical examination in Hull on 23 January 1941
National service (armed forces) acts medical questions
Addressed to Dennis Raettig with questions about whether he has been discharged or rejected as medically unfit from services, had previous medical, had tuberculosis, had mental issues or in receipt of compensation.
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…
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,…
Interview with Bill Bailey
Bill Bailey was born in Stafford. After finishing school he went to work for the Post Office Telephones service as a telegram boy. He decided to join the Royal Air Force and began training as a rear gunner at RAF Dalcross. He joined 31 Squadron of…
Interview with Don Crossley
Don Crossley was born in South Emsall in 1924. He tells of his time before the war working at Upton Colliery before joining the Royal Air Force. He volunteered and trained initially as a wireless operator / air gunner. He tells of his experience at…
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…