Editorial Valentine's Day card 1860-1880 digital image copyright Museum of London The dark days of January are now past and with Valentines's Day fast approaching, the shops are filled with red hearts, flowers, cards and chocolates. It's the season of love or as The Illustrated London News on 11 February 1871 put it, the "silly…
The Fighting Fifty Fourth – 54 Squadron- Battle of Britain – August 1940
Some of the most intense fighting in the history of air warfare occurred over the skies of Kent in August 1940 when the Battle of Britain was at its height. 54 Squadron, having been posted to No. 11 Group, was one of the squadrons that bore the brunt of the German aerial assault. At this…
The “Dunkirk Warriors” of 54 Squadron – Battle of Britain – July 1940
54 Squadron's A Flight.(pre-27th May 27th 1940 as F/Lt. Pearson was reported missing on that day)L to R: F/ Lt Max Pearson, Sgt Jack Davis, P/O George Couzens, F/Lt James Leathart, F/O George Gribble, P/O Johnny Allen and P/O Alan Deere.http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/DavisJ.htm This year sees the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the decisive campaign by Fighter…
WW2 Prisoner of War Records from the Archives of the Red Cross
Family history can stir strong emotions, and the life of my Uncle Gordon is close to my heart. Gordon was a pilot in the RAF during World War II in 54 Squadron. He was shot down over France in July 1941, and died as a prisoner of war, aged 23, in Hamburg in April 1942.…