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Dan Nash memoir
Born in 1916, Dan spent his early childhood in Kent with his grandmother before moving back to his parents in Fulham. He left school aged 16 to undertake a job with the Hudson's Bay Fur Company, where he met Joyce, his future wife. At the outbreak of…
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 in 1942, aged 18. 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 were…
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…
The Diary of a Flight Engineer in the Second World War (Don Gray)
Don's autobiography begins with him leaving school and starting a correspondence course in aeronautical engineering. Although he wanted to be a pilot, the RAF persuaded him that a flight engineer doubled as a second pilot.
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.
The memoir of Eric William Scott
The memoir contains details of Eric’s wartime career between 1939-1946. It covers his initial training, elementary flying training and his journey to the US for further training. During this time, he sustained an injury which curtailed his pilot…
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.
My life in the RAF - chapter 1,2 and 3 (F Dunn)
Autographical account of life at the beginning of the war including service in ARP in Swindon and his reasons for volunteering for the RAF. He registered for military service in February 1941. Awaiting call-up, he had induction at St John's Wood…
Transcript of My life in the RAF
Transcript of F Dunn's memoir describing life before and after joining the RAF. It includes induction and starting off in the RAF in England and then his sea voyage to South Africa, where he underwent initial training in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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…
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve notice paper
To Norman Powell. Notice given at the time of him offering to join RAFVR. Lays down general conditions.
Frank Dennis' memoir
In 1943 Frank completed an engineering apprenticeship and volunteered to join the Royal Air Force as a flight engineer. He completed basic training in London, where he witnessed the fatal crash of a C-47 and then went to Initial Training Wing at RAF…
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,…
Frank Jolliffe under age enlistment form
Form signed by his father allowing Frank to join the RAF.