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Only top-level descriptions England World War 2, 1939-1945
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Pilot's Flying Log Book of F/L Richard William Gordon West
Item · 1916-11-27 - 1939-05-12
Richard William Gordon West joined the British Army in 1914 as a private with the South Staffordshire Regiment. He was later promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps (later known as the Royal Air Force). He reached the rank of Flight Lieutenant and served in the RAF until he was involved in a plane crash in 1923. During the start of World War II, F/L West rejoined the RAF as a reserve in an administrative role with the General Duties Branch. He was then transferred to RAF Station Catterick #12 Fighter Group as the Adjutant, which is a military appointment given to an officer who assists the commanding officer with unit administration, mostly managing human resources. From May 1938 to June 1939, F/L West returned to the General Duties Branch. In September 1939, he was listed as Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR). According to information from S/L West’s nephew, his last known appointment was as the Commandant of the Tri-Service Russian language school, although this hasn’t been proven. SAM.1998.69.1
RCAF Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Logbook of Sgt. Norman Francis Cook
Item · 1942-11-14 - 1944-12-12
Norman Francis Cook enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1942 and underwent Air Gunner training at No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School in MacDonald, Manitoba. After completing his training, he was transferred to No. 26 Operational Training Unit RAF. Later, he moved on to 1657 C.U. (Heavy Conversion Unit) at Shepards Grove, UK for circuit and landing exercises. Following this, he attended the Lancaster Finishing School at RAF Feltwell, Thetford, Norfolk and underwent intensive training due to the urgent need for Lancaster bombers in frontline duty. Finally, on July 27, 1944, Cook was assigned to No. 514 Squadron RAF (514 Sqn) as a Mid-Upper Air Gunner on the Avro Lancasters, participating in numerous operations. SAM.2023.0144.002