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Ken Hemmings Autobiography
A detailed autobiography of Ken's RAF service.
Interview with Harry Richardson
Harry describes his early life and operations on Wellingtons with 149 Squadron and then on Liberators in the Far East with 59 Squadron.
Letter from Frank Barnsdale to John Barnsdale
Back at Turner field after months of flying and would not have missed the experience. Hew had hoped for single engine school but was now Twin engine training. Would not know if fighters or bombers until return to UK. Comments on departure from Gunter…
Letter from Frank Barnsdale to John Barnsdale
Now at Gunther Field, Montgomery Alabama after travel from Lakeland Florida and was looking forward to flying next day on a faster more sophisticated aircraft. Was happy with training up to the present and had time off before moving and had a good…
Letter from Frank Barnsdale to John Barnsdale
Catches up with recent mail and parcels, then catches up with gossip. Says he had recently been in hospital with German measles, but did not miss any flying were he now has 14 hours and 3 solo. Writes a little about training and recent war news.…
Letter from Frank Barnsdale to John Barnsdale
Sends best wished for John's birthday. Looking forward to going down to the south of the United States and is fed up of doing nothing. Describes Moncton and his activities there including films seen. Mentions it was getting warmer and that he had…
Letter from Frank Barnsdale to his father
Comments on hot sweaty weather in Georgia, but were getting khaki uniform. Says the food was very good and comments on beer. Reports on his activities in describes Albany town. Writes of daily routine and comments on local life in the south. Asks…
Account of journey across Canada to RCAF Swift Current and Moose Jaw.
Account of train journey across Canada to RCAF Swift Current. Relates day to day activities at camp. Went to Moose Jaw on day off. Continues with description of activities at RCAF Swift Current seem to spent most time in working in kitchen. Moved on…
Expeditionary force messages
Notice that standard text is authorized for expeditionary force message. Explains destinations and costs. Gives numeric codes and meanings for many categories of message.
Memoir of Emilia Garland (nee Ocardi). WAAF 429 Squadron.
Recounts life in Glasgow (Clydebank) at the beginning of the war. Incudes tales of bliztz bombing, blackout, sirens and evacuation. Talks of continuing business though blitz. Eventually tired of hard work in family business, despite parental…
Interview with Samuel Adolphus Jordon
Samuel Jordon grew up in British Guiana and volunteered for the Air Force when he was 18. He discusses his journey to the UK, his training and work as a clerk.
While training at RAF Melksham the war ended. He was then posted to the Number 1 School…
While training at RAF Melksham the war ended. He was then posted to the Number 1 School…
Interview with R W Harvey
R Harvey trained as a gunner before being posted to RAF Lossiemouth to join an already established crew. While based at Leconfield he married and his wife moved close by. He was sure that the weather conditions were such that there would not be…
One day in May 1942 on a bomber station
Harold Batchfelder provides a detailed account of the preparation for a raid on Mannheim, events during the operation and his forced landing at RAF Horsham St Faith due to damage sustained during night fighter attack on the return journey. His crew…
Robert Walter Beales' diary
Nine pages from a diary covering nine days in January 1940. Beales describes in detail how he spent his last day of leave, his work in repairing various aircraft and his life at RAF Scampton.
Crew member inside aircraft
Crew member in the bomb aimer's position inside aircraft. Separate descriptive caption - 'Eric inside Lanc, May1945'.
Letter from George Milson
![EMilsonGWMilson[Fam]421101.pdf](https://ibccdigitalarchive.omeka.net/files/square_thumbnails/2924/55490/EMilsonGWMilson[Fam]421101.jpg "EMilsonGWMilson[Fam]421101.pdf")
George writes that he has been a prisoner for 6 months. He describes meals and his daily routine.
William Richard members paybook and duplicate pay book
Gives personal details and records cash payments, fines, forfeitures and other debits from October 1942 to June 1944. Includes medical information and next of kin.
Letter from Australian department of air to William Richards
Notes he had been awarded: 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1039-45.
Letter to William Richards from Australian department of air
Informs him that he was eligible for 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star and the Defence Medal. Provides information on likely timescale of issue of decorations.
Royal Australian Air Force pamphlet on financial information
Covers rates of pay, allowances, allotments and pay procedures for service outside Australia
Christmas Day
30 airmen and a dog arranged in four rows on sand with tents behind. Douglas, wearing shorts, is standing far right with his arms crossed. On reverse, 'Christmas 1942 pre - lunch Egypt'.
Command routine orders
A communication to the men and women of Bomber Command from Air Chief Marshall A T Harris in which he summarises the impact of Bomber Command. References the disruption of enemy communications, industrial output and submarine training; striking…
Airmen in flying gear
13 airmen in Sidcot suits, 11 also wearing parachute harnesses, in a Nissen hut. Most are seated in chairs along the side of the building. One man is lighting another's cigarette.
Airmen in a Nissen Hut
17 airmen wearing Sidcot suits and parachute harnesses in a Nissen hut.
Interview with Colin Bell
Colin Bell spent eighteen months as a newly qualified pilot instructing trainees in America. He completed 50 operations as a pilot on Mosquitos on the Light Night Striking Force.
Colin talks of his entry interview into the RAF, his time at an…
Colin talks of his entry interview into the RAF, his time at an…