Description
Object description
British aircraftman served as wireless operator/air gunner with 59 Sqdn, RAF in GB and France, 1939-1940; trained as pilot with RAF in GB and Canada, 1941-1943; officer served as pilot with 238 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF in GB, 1944-1945; served with Transport Command, RAF during Berlin Airlift in Germany, 1948-1949 and during Operation Grapple on Christmas Island, 1958
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1921-1938: family; education; social activities. Aspects of enlistment and training with RAF in GB, 1938-1939: reasons for enlistment in RAF, 1938; early interest in aviation; anticipation of coming war; weapons training; training as wireless operator. Aspects of period as wireless operator/air gunner with 59 Sqdn, RAF in GB and France, 1939-1940: evacuation from France with 59 Sqdn; flying Bristol Blenheim; threat of German invasion, 1940; rations; supplementing rations.
REEL 2 Continues: further details of family life. Aspects of flying training with RAF in GB and Canada, 1941-1943: characteristics of Hawker Hector; winter conditions, 1940; promotion after flying training; flying pay; first flight; tendency for De Havilland Tiger Moth to ground loop; cockpit instruments in De Havilland Tiger Moth.
REEL 3 Continues: prior recollections of being attacked by German fighters in Bristol Blenheim over France, 1940; question of life expectancy of fighter pilots; relations with civilians in Canada; further details of rationing in GB; sending food parcels from Canada to GB; return to GB.
REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of period as pilot with 238 Sqdn, Transport Command, RAF in GB and India, 1944-1945: characteristics of Douglas DC 3 Dakota; interior of Douglas DC 3 Dakota; flying Douglas DC Dakota; taking anti-malaria drugs; air trooping duties; lightening strikes on aircraft; further details of rationing; reaction to missing D-Day; further details of rationing; flying Short Sunderland.
REEL 5 Continues: flying clothing worn; prior recollection of clothing worn during training in Canada; flying in cold weather; attitude towards Germans. Aspects of period as pilot with Transport Command, RAF during Berlin Airlift in Germany, 1948-1949: participation in airlift; how US aircraft carried more supplies; use of air corridor; interference of flights by Russian aircraft; flights to Vienna; operational flying during airlift; degree of contact with Germans; success of airlift.
REEL 6 Continues: flying routine during airlift. Aspects of period as pilot with Transport Command, RAF during Operation Grapple on Christmas Island, 1958: flying duties during operation; distances flown from Christmas Island; anti-radiation clothing and precautions; duties flying senior officers; award of Air Force Cross; return to general transport duties after operation. Retirement from RAF, 1961.