Aviation Historian
For Valour : Flight Sergeant Rawdon Hume Middleton (Aus. 402745) VC Royal Australian Air Force
29 November 2024
Flight Sergeant Middleton was a member of 149 Squadron, 3 Group, Bomber Command, based at RAF Lakenheath.
For Valour : Acting Flight Lieutenant William Reid (122438) VC Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
3 November 2024
On the night of November 3rd, 1943, Flight Lieutenant Reid was pilot and captain of a Lancaster aircraft detailed to attack Dusseldorf.
For Valour : Captain (Acting Major) William George Barker VC DSO** MC** Royal Air Force
27 October 2024
On 27 Oct 1918, Flt Lt Barker was piloting Sopwith Snipe E8102 as part of 201 Squadron based at La Targette airfield when he engaged the enemy.
Harrier GR3 XZ997: The Journey of a Falklands Veteran
18 October 2024
Among the many aircraft that have graced the skies, the Hawker Siddeley Harrier “Jump Jet” stands out as a marvel of aviation engineering. One Harrier
For Valour : Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor
8 October 2024
Lieutenant Andrew Beauchamp-Proctor received the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery, achieving 54 victories during the First World War.
The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 6
27 September 2024
In this final chapter of his blog series about Operation Market Garden Norman Brice looks at history's judgement of the campaign.
The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 5
26 September 2024
The attack to seize the Arnhem bridges having failed, the task falling to the troops remaining at the landing areas was solely to defend themselves.
For Valour: Flight Lieutenant David Samuel Anthony Lord
19 September 2024
Flt Lt Lord was assigned to 271 Squadron, 46 Group, based at RAF Down Ampney. On 19 Sept 1944 he was about to participate in Operation Market.
The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 3
17 September 2024
In this latest chapter we look at the role of the RAF delivering much needed men and equipment into the field of operations.
For Valour: Sergeant John Hannah
15 September 2024
For Valour: Sergeant Hannah was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner attached to 83 Squadron, Bomber Command, based at RAF Scampton
The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 2
10 September 2024
We continue the story of the Royal Air Force's role in Operation Market Garden, the attempted capture of the bridge over the Lower Rhine at Arnhem.
The Royal Air Force and Operation Market Garden: Chapter 1
3 September 2024
This is the story of the Royal Air Force's role in Operation Market Garden, the attempted capture of the bridge over the Lower Rhine at Arnhem.
D-Day Memories: Lieutenant David Hamlyn Thomas and the 591 Antrim Airborne Squadron Royal Engineers
20 August 2024
This blog tells the D-Day story of Lieutenant DH Thomas of 591 Antrim Airborne Squadron Royal Engineers, as told by his son - Museum volunteer Guy.
For Valour: Acting Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis Aaron
12 August 2024
On the night of 12th August, 1943, Flight Sergeant Aaron was captain and pilot of a Stirling aircraft detailed to attack Turin.
For Valour: Acting Flight Lieutenant Roderick Alastair Brook Learoyd
12 August 2024
Bomber Command had switched to night raids but was still setting precision targets, accuracy for which required flying at near-suicidally low altitude
For Valour: Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Ferdinand Maurice Felix West VC, MC Royal Air Force
9 August 2024
After 3 years of static trench warfare, on 21 March 1918 the Great War became mobile again.
For Valour: Flying Officer Lloyd Allan Trigg
9 August 2024
On 11 August 1943, Trigg was captain and pilot of Consolidated Liberator serial BZ 832 coded 'D', taking off at 0729 hours.
For Valour: Acting Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby Bazalgette
2 August 2024
On 4 August 1944, Squadron Leader Bazalgette of 635 Squadron, Bomber Command, was appointed as one of the leading target markers.
For Valour: Captain Edward Corringham (‘Mick’) Mannock VC
25 July 2024
Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock was awarded more medals for courage than any other WW1 British fighter pilot.
For Valour: Sergeant James Allen Ward (NZ/401793) VC Royal New Zealand Air Force
7 July 2024
On Sunday 22 June 1941, the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.