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Grainthorpe bride for Mablethorpe
Newspaper cutting with b/w photograph of wedding party for marriage of Harold Bratley to Miss Sally Borman.
Man climbing into rear cockpit
A man wearing white flying suit and helmet climbing into the rear cockpit of an aircraft. A man with glasses already sitting in front cockpit.
Harold Bratley
Head and shoulders portrait of an RAF officer wearing tunic with wireless operator brevet, medal ribbons including DFC, pathfinder badge, and peaked cap.
Emergency travel certificate
Issued to Harold William Bratley by H M Consul General Barcelona to certify he was a British subject for journey to United Kingdom via Portugal.
Path Finder badge award
Certifies that H W Bratley qualified for Path Finder force badge. Signed by Donald Bennett AOC Pathfinders.
Harold Bratley school report
School report from Louth Wesleyan Methodist Chapel School for April 1918. List all subjects and marks. Notes he was top of his class.
Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross for acting Flight Lieutenant Harold William Bratley
On second tour of operations had completed 45 sorties, 24 as Pathfinder. Describes his qualities and recounts his escape from interment after forced landing during his first tour and making his way back home.
Newspaper cutting - D.F.C for old Ludensian
Announces that his parents from Louth had received news that their son Flight Lieutenant Harold William Bratley had been awarded the DFC. Gives details of former employment. Mentions that on his first tour he and crew came down in occupied enemy…
H W Bratley - personnel documents
List promotions to flight lieutenant and award of DFC. Award of Path Finder badge at 7 Squadron. Some pay details and postings.
Sergeant Blaydon
An airman wearing flying suit, helmet, harness and life preserver sitting in the entrance to cockpit inside an aircraft. On the reverse 'Sgt Blaydon ("BB"), 2cd W/Op)'.
Sergeant Goldingay
An airman wearing flying suit, parachute harness and flying helmet inside the fuselage of an aircraft. On the reverse 'Sgt Goldingay ("Goldy")(Observer).'
Description of operation
Relates experience of pilot trying to get control of their Wellington which had iced up. Writes of trying to get front gunner out of his turret and putting his torch inside his clothing as he would need it to signal for assistance. Once pilot got…
Reunion Dinner
German language menu for reunion dinner Luftwaffe, 7 Squadron held July 25th 1984. Held at Flufhafenrestaurant Bonn-Hangelar.
Harold Bratley service record
Gives personal details and list of postings. Notes at one stage missing believed intered.
Notes for the general information and guidance of the next-of-kin or other relatives of airmen reported missing, deceased, prisoners-of-war or interned
For airmen missing or deceased covers dealing with private effects, family allowance, pay and pensions.
Six aircrew
Six airmen wearing uniform (one with flying jacket) standing by the rear fuselage of a Wellington. On the reverse '1. P/O Moody (rear gunner), 2 ? (W/Op) 3. [.....] (observer), 4 Sgt [....], 5. Sgt Hudson, 6 "Stu"'.
Wir fahren nach Engelland! Oder: Der Drang nach Osten
The leaflet observes that Hitler has attacked Russia on 22nd June 1941 despite a non-aggression pact. It outlines the consequences of this action in terms of civilian and military deaths. This move belies various claims from Hitler about the war in…
Letter from Harold Bratley to Nora and all
Describes in detail his first operation. Mentions plenty of anti-aircraft fire, making three runs over target and having his oxygen disconnected while winding in trailing aerial. Goes on to mention that he had been briefed for second operation and…
Harrold Bratley - biography
Relates early life and employment before the war. Was RAF reserve and was called up at beginning of the war. Mentions training including operational training unit before joining 9 Squadron. Includes letter describing in some detail his first…
H W Bratley - observer's and air gunner's flying log book
H W Batley’s Flying Log Book covering the period from 06 August 1940 to 20 February 1945 detailing his flying training and operations flown as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. The log book includes a long account of how he evaded after being shot down…
Sergeant Thomas McMahon
A half portrait of Thomas McMahon wearing uniform and his air gunner's brevet. On reverse 'Thomas McMahon' and 'Do you know this Boy'.
Three services
Thomas McMahon wearing uniform, sitting on the right, with a man wearing army uniform and a third standing man in naval uniform. On the reverse is stamped 'The State 581 London Road Glasgow, .S.E. 1 May 1945' and annotated 'Thomas McMahon on the…
With four smokers
Four airmen, all holding cigarettes, sat in front of a man with pilot's brevet standing left and Thomas standing right. Thomas has his hand on the shoulder of the man, also with pilot's brevet, sat in front of him. Thomas and the other three men have…
Five airmen
Two crouch on the ground with three men standing with their arms around each other. Thomas is crouching front left. The group are outside a two storey building with open metal framed windows. On the reverse: 'Parachute No. R105549 Harness No. 555'…
The State Studios
Head and shoulder portrait of Thomas McMahon, on the right, with another man, held inside a cover. Both are in uniform and Thomas has his air gunners brevet. On the reverse is printed 'The State Studios 581 London Road Glasgow and 18 Aug 1945', also…