Browse Items (133 total)

  • Tags: superstition

S78Sqn19361201v30026.pdf
Gives background on what inspired him to write a memoir. Theme of chronical is 'Luck'. Writes of joining RAF as soon as he was old enough and of initial tests and selection as a wireless operator/air gunner followed by 18 months deferred service.…

Diary kept by Keith Campbell 24 July 1944 to February 1945 describing being shot down, evading and capture and life as a prisoner of war. Some entries talk about operations. Ends with the forced march away from the Russians. Note on front - 'original…

MPotterPL1878961-150914-07.pdf
Starts with account of operation to Paris on 3 May 1944 when attacked by Me 109 and writes of crew actions. Continues with list of operations giving details of target, anti-aircraft fire, flight time, some bomb loads, events, results. From 3 August…

EEarlyJMilesRJ20010727.pdf
An email to Reg Miles from John about a Lincoln at Cosford. It has a reputation for being haunted.

MJenkinsFC59301-150515-01.pdf
A biography of FC Jenkins. It covers his birth and marriage but concentrates on his RAF years. He took part in 58 operations and survived the war to continue in RAF service.

PWareingR16050024.jpg
Small lamb charm on string.

ANewtonJL[Date]-01.mp3
Jack Newton joined the RAF in 1938. He trained as an air gunner and was posted to 12 Squadron at RAF Binbrook. Just before midnight on the 5th of August 1941 Jack and his crew set off for Cologne. They were attacked by a night fighter. One engine was…

SNewtonJL742570v10063.jpg
Heart shaped badge with initials MJ, a mirror, the number 13, a step ladder and a black cat. Captioned 'The badge on the pocket of my Sidcot flying suit - I did not wear it on the night'.

MGanneyK1324929-170301-010001.jpg
A speech given by Keith. He recalls his 30 operations and his time training at Scarborough, Brough and Canada. Initially a pilot he was reassigned as a bomb aimer. He was posted to East Kirkby. He details some of his operations.

PHuttonGR20010009.jpg
32 items from an album.
Item 1 is an invitation to George and Barbara's wedding.
Item 2 is a sprig of white heather.
Item 3, 4, 5, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 are congratulations telegrams.
Items 6, 7, 8, 10 - 15, 22, 23, 25-30 are gift tags.
Item 9,…

PMackayWJ1501.jpg
Jeff Mackay was born in 1922 in Ballarat, Australia and was working as a cadet engineer. He joined the Army but when the Japanese entered the war in 1941 decided to join the RAAF, and after boarding a ship he trained as a navigator in Canada and…

PCothliffKB15090038.jpg
Four airmen at the rear hatch of a Lancaster. Two are seated in the entrance to the hatch and the other two are standing. One man, a bomb aimer, is holding a mascot doll.

PRaettigDW16230001.jpg
Brown leather pouch with snap fastener. Contents: 1 - small white elephant on boot lace. 2 - small white figure with brown stripes. 3 - brown fur rabbit foot.

PWhiteRR1606.jpg
Wedding of Bruce Wilson and Margaret - he trained with Ralph White who is far left.

Photograph shows groom in uniform, two other airmen, bride with long white dress, veil and bouquet and holding horseshoe charm on a ribbon; two bridesmaids in…

SAkrillWE1436220v10009-0001.jpg
Writes about Stainless Stephen, a thunderstorm ('mother covered up the mirror and fender') and the garden and includes a number of drawings of people and coloured flowers.

PAkrillWE19010006.jpg
Girl in overalls and head scarf with finger to lips. In the background a cloud with a number of gremlin figures as well as building, tree windmill and gate. One gremlin has rope to girls left ankle while three others pull back on rope to left ankle.…

MAkrillWE1436220-190212-01.pdf
A collection of 13 cartoon drawings depicting gremlin characters by Sergeant William Akrill. Referred to in letter #18081.

1. Gremlin photoflash (Will Gremlin)
2. Gremlin crews for the convenience of Mark VIII (Georgie Gremlin)
3. Gremlin…

MCruickshankG629128-150428-240006.jpg
Key ring with keepsakes/pendants:
- a small humanoid figurine,
- an anchor with a cable wrapped around it,
- a blue enamelled 3-leafed clover,
- a small black wooden pig,
- a very small metal book with photographic pages of Lincoln…

MCruickshankG629128-150428-240005.jpg
Lucky Rabbit's Foot.

Additional information about this item was kindly provided by the donor.

MCruickshankG629128-150428-240002.jpg
Wooden elephant keepsake, The elephant is symbol of 44 Squadron RAF with which Gordon Cruickshank served. Additional information about this item was kindly provided by the donor.

MCruickshankG629128-150428-240001.jpg
Wallet containing keepsakes/lucky-charms, and service insignia, brevet and medal ribbons.

MCruickshankG629128-150428-01.pdf
52 playing cards listing 53 individual operations. The 52nd card (10 of diamonds) shows promotions from A.C. 1 to Pilot Officer. Operations 32, 35 and 38 are all listed on the four of hearts.
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