Black and white photograph of an RAF Halifax crew.
RAF crew from 518 Squadron based on Tiree in the `rest area` of a Halifax on ops over the Atlantic during World War II.
1997.189.7
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Tag Archives: raf
1997.189.9
Polish airmen from RAF 304 Squadron in 1942
Photograph of Polish airmen from RAF 304 Squadron in 1942.
Courtesy of Mr Mike Hughes
Polish airmen from RAF 304 Bomber Squadron are shown here taking a break from servicing their Wellington aircraft. After the Nazi-Soviet victory in Poland in 1939, a large part of the Polish Air Force was evacuated, eventually being withdrawn to the United Kingdom.
Polish pilots were among the most experienced in battle, most of them having fought in the 1939 September campaign in Poland and the 1940 Battle of France. In addition, pre-war Poland had set a very high standard of pilot training.
Created in 1940, 304 Squadron was based briefly on Tiree in the spring of 1942, flying Wellingtons on anti-submarine duties. The squadron was one of fifteen in the RAF manned by Polish airmen, the most famous being 303 Squadron which claimed the highest number of enemy kills during the Battle of Britain.
Black and white photograph of a Polish aircrew in 1942.
Polish aircrew from RAF 304 Squadron based on Tiree in 1942 take a break from servicing the Wellington aircraft in the background. (Photograph from Mike Hughes in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1)
1997.189.11
Black and white photograph of an RAF Concert Party in 1944.
RAF Concert Party in 1944. L-R: Fred MacKeown, Fred Parratt, Jessie MacQueen, Denis Guest, unknown, Bryn Lewis, Nan Hogarth, Frank Murphy, Dodo Leslie, Jack May, Jean Hind, Jim Worthington, Nettie MacFarlane, Harry Smith, Harry Barr, Paul Blomley. (Photograph from Mike Hughes in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1)
1997.189.13
Black and white photograph of an RAF airman at Gott Bay pier.
RAF airman at Gott Bay pier with the `Clydesdale` tied up alongside during World War II. (Photograph from Mike Hughes in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1)
1997.189.14
Black and white photograph of an RAF airman at Scarinish harbour.
RAF airman in front of Scarinish harbour with the hotel in the background, taken during World War II. (Photograph from Mike Hughes in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1)
1997.189.16
Black and white photograph of two RAF airmen with a sailing dinghy.
Two RAF airmen with a sailing dinghy taken during World War II. (Photograph from Mike Hughes in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1)
1997.148.37
1943 ENSA concert party
Photograph of an ENSA concert party in 1943.
Courtesy of Mr Angus MacLean
ENSA, the Entertainments National Service Association, was set up in 1939 to provide entertainment for the British armed forces during World War II. Operating as a part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute (NAAFI), it was affectionately known as ‘Every Night Something Awful’.
This photograph is of a travelling concert party which performed in front of the RAF base personnel in October 1943. Concerts consisted of a couple of hours of singing, comedy and sketches, some good and some not so good.
Their spirit and dedication was admired and appreciated, even on return visits of the same concert party when the show had been seen before.
Black and white photograph of a wartime revue.
Wartime revue at RAF Tiree on 15/10/1943. (Original in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1: 1997.178)
1997.148.1
Black and white photograph of a group at RAF Tiree.
Unknown group of three and one woman at RAF Tiree.
1997.148.20
Black and white photograph taken outside the Post Office sorting hut in 1943.
RAF group outside the Post office sorting hut, 1943. L-R: Sid Grimes, Corporal Atkins, unknown.
2002.99.1
Audio cassette recording of Donald MacDonald of Heanish and Australia interviewed by Maggie Campbell in Scarinish on 19/6/2002.
Donald MacDonald of Heanish and Australia talks to Maggie Campbell in June 2002 about leaving Tiree at the age of 16 to join the Merchant Navy, his early memories of Tiree looking for birds’ eggs, fishing and collecting whelks; Donald and his sisters Janet and Isabel talk about the RAF on Tiree, teachers at Scarinish School, the shops, changes in farming and the village of Heanish over the years.