Lapel or cap badge of RAF 518 Squadron found on a sports field in South Island, New Zealand, in 2019 (32 x 20 mm). Made in Birmingham by HW Miller – medal, badge and button manufacturers since the 1930s. 518 Squadron – Meteorological Observers was stationed on Tiree during WWII. Only a handful of New Zealand men served at RAF Tiree, and it is presumed that the badge belonged to one of them and was dropped on his returned to New Zealand. The badge depicts a hand holding a key with the inscription ‘Tha an Iuchair againn-ne / We hold the key’.
Black & white photograph of RAF personnel milling around the score board during competitions on Tiree in 1943. Team names include Cadets, SHQ, 518 Squadron, 281 Squadron, 8518 SE, 8281 SE, Works Flight, Kilkenneth, Sgts Mess, Messing, Signals, M&E.
Black & white photograph of officers and crew of RAF 518 Squadron on Tiree in 1943. Eric Crow is pictured front row, second from right. He “was a great one for organising social events, dances, etc.” (see 2019.37 for event photos).
Bound composition: ‘Eric Crow’s War’ – a summary of the wartime diaries of Eric Crow who was stationed at RAF Tiree during WWII. Includes photographs and family tree. Compiled by Eric’s son in 2018. Sections about Tiree on pages 17 & 18.
Printed images of the memorial to Czech men who volunteered and died serving with British forces in WWII. Built by the British community living in Prague. Includes Leonard Revilliod who died in a mid-air collision of two Halifax aircraft over Island House in 1944, while he was serving with 518 Squadron, RAF Tiree.
Typed memoirs of RAF serviceman Joe W Sylvester ‘Memories of RAF service in the Hebrides from September 1943 to April 1945’, who served with 518 Squadron on Tiree. The memoirs were produced for the Yorkshire Air Museum.
Photograph and RAF service record for Leading Aircraftman George Thomas Herbert Jones (1921-2015). George Jones was an RAF 518 Squadron Wireless Operator on Tiree during May 1944 – December 1945.
Composition ‘Memories of 518 Squadron, Tiree’ by John Robertson 2018, based on personal accounts of crew members of RAF 518 Squadron Meteorological Observers during WWII. Originally compiled for the Highalnd Aviation Museum in Inverness.
Composition ‘When Tiree held the Key to D Day’ by John Robertson 2018, about the critical role of RAF 518 Squadron Meteorological Observers, which was based at Tiree during WWII. Originally compiled for the Highalnd Aviation Museum in Inverness.
Emailed information about the HF/DF Station at Kenovay. Built in the utmost secrecy during WWII, it was used to track aircraft and German U-boats, and was key to D-Day operations. After the war all traces of it were carefully removed.
“It was certainly in use on D-Day! Its exact location I cannot be sure of but its intended location was MKJM 06593073 using the Georef system which places it at latitude 56 30 43.8N longitude 006 53 24.6W and its role was vital in securing the return of Coastal Command weather recce aircraft. D-Day was to have been 4 June but Gp Capt Stagg advised General Eisenhower that the weather was a no-no but he had reports from a weather ship that indicated that rising pressure and temperature were likely to push the worst weather North. An elite crew from 518 Sqn on Tiree were tasked to probe into the weather patterns and establish whether or not this was true. They signalled back to the disbelief of the boffins at Dunstable who said “Rubbish!” but the Polish Met observer put them straight and after nine and a half hours the aircraft returned safely thanks to the brilliant crew and also the radio fixes from Tiree. The flight data was absolutely crucial to the D-Day plan. Well done 518 Sqn!!! It was a true team effort by a marvellous crew of eight, Stagg was right, Eisenhower trusted him and D-Day went ahead.”
