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Flight Sergeant David Craven DFM (755391)
A biographical summary of David Craven's RAF service as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and later as a Wireless Instructor. He completed two tours of operations, took part in the opening of the Ruhr Campaign in March 1943 and was awarded the…
Air Gunner's Database
An application for David Craven's details to be included on the database of the Air Gunners' Association, signed by his son. The form includes details of David Craven's squadrons, stations, training and operations.
Town pays respects to wartime air hero
A newspaper article paying tribute to David Craven's wartime service with 50 and 15 squadrons. The article was published on the day of his funeral, which was attended by members of the Air Gunners' Association.
15 Squadron Stirling Crew
Five photographs of airmen in uniform mounted on an album page. The page has the title '15 Sqd Stirling crew 1943. Bourn/Mildenhall/Waterbeach'. Each photograph has a caption identifying the men and their roles.
The photograph top left shows…
The photograph top left shows…
Stirling Mark I BF436 LS E
Stirling BF436 LS E on the ground.
Caption reads: 'Stirling I BF436 Bourn LS E Feb 1943 15 Squadron'.
Caption reads: 'Stirling I BF436 Bourn LS E Feb 1943 15 Squadron'.
15 Squadron
Squadron photograph of airmen in five rows in front of a Stirling. All are in uniform. The image is annotated with crosses in front of three men sitting cross legged on the front row and one man standing on the second row from the back.
Caption…
Caption…
Stirling Mark I BF439 LS D
A Stirling with the letters D LS painted on the fuselage parked with nine ground crew standing around the aircraft. There is a scaffold tower positioned beneath one of the port engines and part of the engine cowling has been removed.
Caption…
Caption…
Aircraft loss card
An aircraft loss card, it states the loss of the Bristol Blenheim L9403 bomber, that was part of 15 Squadron. The Pilot Officer 42249 James Masters, Sergeant 584120 Eugene Tucker, and 551983 Clifford Thompson are declared dead.
Eugene Tucker's career record
A record of the RAF career of E. Tucker; it details his career from when he signed up in 1939, to his final position in 1940. It also states that Tucker was killed in action. Written in a letter to Mrs. P. Tucker, who had previously asked to see…
Lancasters on the move
View of Lancaster at holding point with runway caravan behind, Squadron code LS is 15 Squadron. In the foreground the port wing of another Lancaster. Submitted with caption 'Lancasters on the Move'.
Additional information about this item was…
Additional information about this item was…
Letter from Commonwealth War Graves Commission to George Thomson
Answers George's letter to them requesting information about the grave of a New Zealand airmen. Gives location of Flying Officer Norman Overend 422090 RNZAF in Durnbach war cemetery, Germany. Gives information for travelling to cemetery.
A Canadian experience
Recounts a family visit to Canada. Comments on host, visit to 442 Squadron and Canadian casualties and fellow prisoners of war. Goes on to recount other activities during visit. Finally mentions attending reunion of the Mildenhall Register.
Brief history of George Thomson's RAF career
Brief details covering, volunteering, reporting to aircrew reception centre, training, operations, shot down, prisoner of war
Incident over Mannheim
Short account of shooting down of 15 Squadron Lancaster NF958 (LS-M) by Ofw Ludwig Schmitt in Messerschmitt 110G-2. Two crew killed and the other prisoner of war. List crew including George Thomson (navigator). Includes painting of the incident.
Record for Lancaster 'LS-M' NF958
For NF958, Details operations flown with pilot and date. Failed to return from operation on 12 September 1944. Also records for NF987, NG168, and NG338 (not complete).
Record of Flight Sergeant Robert Kendal and Pilot Officer William Kendall
For Robert Kendall Records promotions, posting to 15 Squadron and sorties flown with F/S Overend, notes shot down and prisoner of war. Similar for William Kendall DFC with different crew on 15 Squadron. Completed tour of 31 operations.
My Bomber Command experience - George Thomson
George recalls his training over 18 months, including crewing up. He goes on to recall his first operation and mentions others involved, and describes being shot down on on 12 September 1944. George then describes evading and his time as a prisoner…
Facts are chiels ye canna ding
Notes that Bomber Command suffered heavier losses that Fighter Command in Battle of Britain. In addition one third of Bomber Command losses occurred in 1944 when 15 Squadron lost 42 aircraft, two hundred and forty-six aircrew died and eighteen became…
Lancaster print
Colour print of side view of Lancaster B Mk 1, NF958, 'LS-0M'. 15 Squadron RAF Mildenhall. Includes squadron badge and battle honours as well as squadron history.
Letter from Wing Commander Watkins to George Thomson's father
Explains that two parcels referred to in previous letter had been returned to Mr Thomson.
Letter from Wing Commander Watkins to George Thomson's father
Mentions that George failed to return from an operational flight. Explains he was navigator and the aircraft was probably forced down. It could be two to three months before any further information could be obtained through the Red Cross. Asked to be…
Envelope addressed to Wing Commander Watkins
Addressed to 15 Squadron Mildenhall - marked return to sender on Air Ministry instructions.
George Thomson personnel record
Gives personal details, enlistment, some career details and postings.
Letter from George Thomson's father to Wing Commander W D G Watkins
To officer commanding 16 [sic] Squadron notifying him that he had received a postcard from his son sent from Dulag Luft. In addition, that he had been contacted by the Red Cross with instructions and address for posting for letters and parcels as…
Letter to George Thomson's father from RAF Mildenhall
Learned that his son was prisoner of war and explaining that the station had a POW fund for sending comforts to prisoners from squadrons at Mildenhall. Ask for George's prisoner number and camp address.