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Before I was in the RAF by Reg Payne
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…
Wallet and personal items
Wallet with good luck black cat card and photograph of a young girl inside. In front a driving licence and a sergeants mess subscription book from RAF East Kirkby.
Frank Hobbs’ observer’s and air gunner’s flying log book
Observers and air gunners flying log book for Frank Hobbs, wireless operator, covering the period from 15 March 1941 to 16 March 1943 when he was killed in action. Detailing his flying training and operations flown. He was stationed at RAF Pembrey,…
Ghosts of the past
Describes George lost on a drive but finding a disused airfield. He meets ghosts from the war and becomes emotional, then recovers and drives off.
Rascal’s flying log book for aircrew mascot
![LRascal-Mascot[Ser#-DoB]v1.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/files/square_thumbnails/781/9437/LRascal-Mascot[Ser -DoB]v1.jpg "LRascal-Mascot[Ser#-DoB]v1.pdf")
Aircrew Mascots flying log book for Flight Sergeant Rascal, covering the period from 15 August 1944 to 29 March 1945. Detailing his flying career during training and operations. He was stationed at RAF Kinloss, RAF Forres, RAF Yatesbury, RAF…
Interview with a survivor of the Voghera bombings (informant C)
The informant recollects his wartime experiences in Voghera. Claims he has always had the gift of sensing impending events, the first episode being when he told his mother that aircraft are approaching before the siren had sounded, and therefore…
Rupert the bear mascot
A black corduroy teddy bear with a red bow tie and red paws. Rupert was made for his daughter from material left over from making a coat; but it became Ernie Twells' lucky charm. The bear accompanied him on 65 operations with 617 and 619 Squadrons,…
Interview with Speranza Piras
Speranza Piras reminisces about the 17 May 1943 Alghero bombing and her subsequent life as an evacuee. Provides details on daily life in wartime: German occupation, anti aircraft fire, hardships, the black market, and different anecdotes about…
Three airmen and mascot
A sergeant kneeling holding a toy leopard mascot. Behind him are two airmen and further behind an aircraft. They are wearing Mae Wests and parachutes. Leonard Dorricott is standing on the left.
Additional information about this item has been…
Additional information about this item has been…
Flight Lieutenant Strachan's crew
Seven airmen in two rows. The front row is kneeling and four men at the back are standing. They are dressed in lifejackets and parachutes. Leonard Dorricott is first on the left. One man is kneeling and holding a spotted toy leopard. The pilot, Billy…
Flight Lieutenant Strachan's crew
Seven airmen standing in front of a Lancaster. They are wearing lifejackets and parachutes. One man is holding a toy leopard. Leonard Dorricott is second left. On the reverse of the one photograph 'April 1945 Taffy Morgan Bomb Aimer LWD Nav Bill…
Interview with Charles Frederick Green
Charles Frederick Green was born in Peckham, London, in 1921. On leaving school he began an apprenticeship with a printing company, acting part-time as a police courier, before becoming an Air Raid Precaution warden. He then volunteered for the…
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 Rusty Waughman. One
He discusses a mid-air collision during an operation with 101 Squadron. to Hasselt. He describes what it was like prior to a operation and the feelings experienced by the crew, from seeing the battle orders on the notice board, the pre-flight meal,…
Interview with Frank Mottershead
Frank Mottershead grew up in Australia and volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force. He flew operations as a wireless operator with 463 Squadron at RAF Waddington. The whole crew had a tradition of always flying with a gold kangaroo pendant in…
Interview with David Leicester
David Leicester grew up in Australia and worked as an office boy before he volunteered for the Royal Australian Air Force. He completed 68 operations as a pilot with 35, 158 and 640 Squadrons and as a Master Bomber with Pathfinders. He describes how…
Interview with Stanley Ernest Jeffrey
Stan Jeffrey was a flight mechanic at RAF Pocklington. He discusses the camaraderie between the ground and air crews. He would stick chewing gum to the undercarriage as a good luck charm. Shortly after the end of the war, the ground crew were taken…
Interview with Colin Fraser
Colin Fraser grew up in Australia and joined the Royal Australian Air Force. He flew operations as a navigator with 460 Squadron.
Interview with David Rayner Fox
David Rayner Fox grew up in New Zealand and joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1942. After training, he flew operations as an air gunner with 75 Squadron from RAF Mepal. During one operation his pilot, Dave Moriarty was terribly injured when a…
Interview with Ray Charlton
Flight Sergeant Ray Charlton completed a tour of operations as a flight engineer with Squadron 57, from RAF East Kirkby. He describes life on the station and events on operations. In later years he married Jean Mott, the widow of Bob Mott, a member…
Interview with Harry Parkins. Two
Harry Parkins discusses his training, his operations and life on an operational station. He discusses what it was like to be shot at, lucky charms and superstition, plus flying a Lancaster close to Lincoln Cathedral after the war.
David Sanders four leaf clover
Stylised four leaf clover in red pen on graph paper. Title 'Sgt Sanders 189 Sqdn, 5 May 1945
Frank Tolley's crew in front of a Lancaster
Seven aircrew standing under the nose of a Lancaster 'Y2'. All are wearing Mae Wests. Frank Tolley is wearing his chequered bowler hat.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
Additional information about this item has been kindly provided by the donor.
The last flight of Lancaster DV396(B)
Derrick Allen's account of being shot down 2/3 November 1944. After a successful attack on Dusseldorf, the Lancaster was severely damaged by a night fighter. Goes on to describe battle with FW 190 and and order to abandon aircraft. Before bailing…