Aldis signalling lamp from WWII
`Aldis` signalling lamp in metal and canvas carrying box. Owned by Ian Atkin`s (Balephuil) father during WWII when he was stationed at RAF Tiree. Used to signal the SS Laristan which foundered on rocks behind Ben Hough during WWII. Includes bulb, morse-code switch, colour filters and aperture adjusters.
Menu for Christmas dinner at RAF Station, Ben Hough in 1943
Colour photocopy of front and back of a menu for Christmas dinner at the RAF Station at Ben Hough in 1943, autographed by 33 personnel. Found in the papers of Chrissie Blackcroft and given to Flora Druimfraoich by Susan Lamont, Cornaig.
Menu for Victory Christmas dinner at RAF Hong Kong in 1945
Colour photocopy of front and back of a menu for Victory Christmas dinner at the RAF Station for 5751 M&F Construction Flight in Hong Kong in 1945, autographed by 31 personnel including two Chinese. Found in the papers of Chrissie Blackcroft and given to Flora Druimfraoich by Susan Lamont, Cornaig.
Papers about mid-air collision of RAF planes over Tiree in 1944
Photocopied collection of various letters, documents, articles and telegrams, regarding Flying Officer Kenneth William Organ, who was one of 16 RAF flight crew who died when two Halifax aircraft of 518 Squadron (Met Obs) collided over Tiree in August 1944. Collection includes: (1) photograph of aircraft (same as photo R153), (2) telegram from 518 Sqn to Dora Organ (wife) informing of death, (3) telegram to wife re funeral arrangements, (4) letter to wife re death, (5) notice of sympathy to wife from Buckingham Palace, (6) commemorative scroll `FO K W Organ RAF`, (7) memorial page for KW Organ from Common Wealth Graves Commission website, (8) `An Investigation of the Air Tests which terminated in a mid-air collision between Halifax M/518 (LL186) and Halifax S/518 (LL296) RAF Tiree – 16 August 1944` by PG Rackliffe, (9) article about 518 Squadron compiled by Geoff Pringle in 2003, (10) extract titled `Of Sea and Sky` from unknamed book about Halifax aircraft and the Meterological Observers. (given to Dr Holliday by the deceased`s son – Ken Organ)
(4) letter to Mrs Organ. Image added to website August 2024
Extracts from RAF Tiree operations diary 1944-45
Photocopied extracts from the Operations Record Book of RAF 518 Squadron Meteorological Observers from 29th November 1944 to 25th May 1945. Includes `Date`, Aircraft Type & Number`, `Crew`, `Duty`, `Time Up`, Time Down`, `Details of Sortie or Flight` and `Summary of Events`. Greater detail is provided for February 10th 1945 when the aircraft got into difficulties after being struck by lightning around midnight. The crew are named as Willis, Mackie, Isabel, Gates, Uckton, Miles, Clark and Clark.
Click here for extract 2013.26.1
Booklet `A Guide to RAF Tiree` 1999
Booklet of annotated maps of the buildings and infrastructure of RAF operations on Tiree during WWII.
Booklet `The Wind that Shook the Barley` 1999
Booklet about Tiree`s role during WWII, the RAF personnel stationed here, new infrastructure, the effect on the lives of local people, the Home Guard, men off to fight, air accidents and shipwrecks. Researched by Dr John Holliday for a summer exhibition at An Iodhlann.
`Winged bullet` brevet of RAF aerial gunners during WWII
Brass badge depicting a bullet with wings that was worn on the upper arm of the right sleeve by RAF Aerial Gunner Stan `Lofty` Weatherill who served on Tiree during WWII. The `winged bullet` brevet was replaced in December 1939 by the Air Gunners brevet of 12 feathers and letters AG surounded by a laurel wreath. Donated in a black plastic case with information by Lofty`s wife Barbara Weatherill.
33 photographs and programmes of RAF Tiree theatre company performances during WWII
33 black & white photographs, and eight programmes, of performances by `The Tireans` and `The Reef Players`, the RAF personnel theatre groups who staged shows at RAF Tiree during WWII. Includes photocopy of one programme signed by all the performers (the original returned to the donor). Superb stage sets and costumes. The wardrobe supervisor, Stanly Bowman, was the donor`s father. (six photos, S100-S105, accessioned separately for display files).
Photograph of a performance by the Tiree RAF theatre group
Black & white photograph of a performance by the Tiree RAF theatre groups `The Reef Players` and `The Tireans` during WWII, probably 1945.
