Browse Items (239 total)

  • Tags: recruitment

ATaylorJ150916.mp3
John Taylor grew up in Nottingham and was evacuated before he went into sixth form. He left school and started working as an analytical chemist at Boots and although this was a reserved occupation he volunteered for aircrew. After his initial…

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YAdderM170573v2.pdf
Day by day description of events and activities for 1941 and 1942. Records films seen, war news including RAF operations, football matches played, weather, going to cadets, air raids, dates with Mary, social events, meeting friends, fire watching…

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MLeadbetterJ163970-160421-090001.jpg
A brief guide for airmen of all trades and grades to the interior economy of life in the RAF.

This item is available only at the International Bomber Command Centre / University of Lincoln.

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EDorricottLWVarious41-42.pdf
Note book containing 84 pages of letters covering the period 1 September 1941 to 4 July 1942. It covers his training in the UK, Canada and the USA. He describes, in detail, his social life and eating arrangements but very little about the actual…

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ASmithRW190325.mp3
Bob Smith was born in Brisbane, Australia. He recalls moving to the family farm in 1932 and being a member of the Air Cadets during his school years. Upon leaving school, Smith undertook training as a bank clerk. Following the events of Pearl…

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BLazenbyHJLazenbyHJv1.pdf
Harold Jack Lazenby's autobiography.

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ACockbillDFA171008.mp3
Born in Newport, Denis volunteered for the Royal Air Force as he was tired of bombing, wishing to get his own back, he joined the Air Corps at 17. Wishing to train as a wireless operator because of his interest in radio technology, he officially…

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BTurnhamKTurnhamKv1.pdf
The majority of this document is an account of Ken's life written by Ken. After his death a family friend offers a summary of Ken's life.

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MTurnhamK1850743-151002-01.pdf
Booklet produced as part of 'Their Past Your Future's series produced for the Heritage Lottery. This is based on Ken's memories of his training for and operations with Bomber Command and his post war service in the Royal Air Force, as described to a…

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PNorringtonAW2201.jpg
John Norrington was a lorry driver when he volunteered for the Royal Air Force. After initial training, he went to RAF Sandtoft on Lancasters and Halifaxes; he crewed up with Flying Officer James, then was at RAF Hemswell for the Lancaster Finishing…

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ABlackhamCP161023.mp3
Philip Blackham became an apprentice engineer at Diesel engine company Mirrlees, Bickerton & Day, of which he became a sales manager post war. He served in the Home Guard becoming a driver, then he enrolled in summer 1940 with initial training at…

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MHayhurstJM2073102-170725-270001.jpg
Two forms, the first partially completed by Jose.
The second completed by Jose.

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BEleyNJEleyNJv1.pdf
An autobiography by Jim about his time in the RAF. He was 17 when the war started and he applied and was accepted for the RAF, on deferred service. Training started at Ludlow, Newquay then grading at Sywell. He was selected for further training and…

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PBallantyneWM1901.jpg
Bill Ballantyne was in his first year at Cambridge University and a member of the Air Squadron when war was declared out in 1939. Upon joining the air force, he was posted to South Africa, where he trained as a pilot on Tiger Moths. He joined 267…

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AGoodallOR190510.mp3
Oscar was born in Australia. His father was a machine gunner - he was wounded seven times and died from his wounds two months before Oscar was born. His example influenced him to join the Royal Air Force. As an Air Cadet Corps member, he went to the…

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EDoughtyJCDoughtyW430404.pdf
Writes that he had recently attended aircrew selection board and medical and was now back in the RAF. Comments on his exam results and some of the tests that he had to take. Writes that he was finishing his civilian job and speculates on future…

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AMooreR160727.mp3
Raymond Moore flew 31 operations as a flight engineer with 408 Squadron. He describes initial training at Skegness and then further training at Cosford, Halton and St Athan. He describes the crewing-up procedure at Eastmoor and describes the…

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BWagnerHWWagnerHWv1-01.pdf
Hand written by Henry, Part 1 covers his early life and time at university. It goes on to cover in some detail his time in the RAF, his time training in South Africa conversion to the Halifax and operations on 51 Squadron. It also covers his time as…

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YMadgettHR1330340v1.pdf
A few general entries for January 1940. Entries for October/November 1941 include two attempts to volunteer for pilot, successful at the second attempt in November. Entries on general events and other concerning activities involved in joining Royal…

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PCarbyHV2101.jpg
Hazel Carby discusses her father Carl's early life in Jamaica, his experiences training in Canada and serving as aircrew in the RAF, and how he and his family were treated in London in the post war period.

She also discusses her research into her…

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POtteyRA2001.jpg
Ralph Ottey was born in Jamaica in 1924. Brought up by his grandparents, he describes his education and family hopes that he would become a teacher. He left school at 16 and a half but was too young to attend teaching college so worked for his uncle…

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BBrabinHWBrabinHWv1.pdf
Harry joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 25 June 1942 as a wireless operator/air gunner and received his initial training in Australia before going to Canada for his trade training.

He sailed on the SS Johan Van Barneve to San Francisco and…

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BKirbyHKirbyHv10001.jpg
Starting with conscription in 1942 as a flight mechanic at RAF Skegness. Working up to a flight engineer but failing as he started working at RAF Halton training as a flight mechanic, then attending a fitter course. Volunteered for the flight…

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MWellsRG1686349-170403-11.jpg
A letter welcoming a new airman into the RAF.

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MMonksMA152996-170323-10.jpg
General welcome as member of the RAF and selection for aircrew. Explains that the start of training might be delayed for some time and gives reasons.

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