These photographs were kindly supplied by Mr. Fred Witchell 

          and were taken or acquired by him during his days at RAF 101 

          Squadron at Ludford Magna during WW2. These are authentic 

           photographic prints which we have scanned and  reproduced 

           here with Fred's kind permission.

              If you can identify any of the airmen in these photographs, please contact us. 

                               Click on any picture to see them full size

        Fred during his RAF days                                           Fred in front of a firing squad!

                                                                                          Thankfully a bit of wartime fun.

                    A rare photograph of Lancaster DV 267, 'K' for King and it's crew. 

                                 The photo is date stamped on the back,1944.  

                                                          Aircrew 

W/O  Jack Laurens (Pilot). Sgt Don Bolt (MUG). Flt Sgt Les Burton (Nav). Sgt Ted Royston (Rear Gun).       Sgt Davies (Spec Op). Sgt Wag Kibble (Flt Eng).  Sgt Chris Aitkin (Bomb-Aimer). Sgt Cass Waight (W/Op)

This photograph is likely one of the last to be taken of this aircraft and crew, for it was lost on the night of  19th/20th Feb 1944. W/O Laurens and three of his crew died that night, five crewmen survived.

     A happier photograph this time, 'H' for Harry - DV302 with Fred's ground crew friends.

     This famous aircraft survived the war, completing a total of 121 missions. Sadly, it was    

     scrapped after the war in January 1947.  

           This photo shows no serial number but it looks likely to be 'D' for Dog  DV388

                                  Fred is third from the right on the rear row.

 Saffron Small kindly provided some additional information about this photograph. 

 Her Grandfather, Sgt Small is 2nd from the left.

 Front row left to right: F/Sgt Newman - Navigator

                                   Sgt Small          - Rear Gunner

                                   Sgt Gorman      - Flight Engineer

                                   P/O Roland      - Wireless Operator

                                   F/Lt Rodgers    - Captain

                                   Sgt Mason        - Bomb Aimer

                                   Sgt Calvert        - Mid/Upper Gunner

 Also part of the crew was Sgt Bonneau - Special Operator although he is not shown in the   

 photograph. Saffron believes the aircraft to actually be SR D NF983.

 Many thanks Saffron for the information.           

    Fred can't tell us much about this photograph, but it is a Lancaster from 101 Squadron.

    The letters SR clearly visible on the fuselage. It appears to have a cartoon of 'Pluto'  

    painted below cockpit but no other visible markings. We will try to find out more details.

      Nothing known about this photograph but the 'P' can clearly be seen on the Lancaster.

      All it's props are turning and the aircrew can clearly be seen within the canopy.

      The ground crew are staring at the cockpit - is it about to leave on a mission!

      It's possible the aircraft could be Lancaster 'P' DV 389.   

                                   Fred at his work at RAF Ludford Magna                                 

         Four of Fred's wartime RAF workmates photographed beneath an unknown Lanc.

This appears to be a 4000lb bomb being prepared to be taken out and loaded onto an aircraft

                           Two similar photographs taken by Fred of his workmates. 

                                  Isn't that a 4000lb bomb that they are sitting on!

                           Four photographs taken during some happier moments

     This is a 4000lb bomb being dropped along with incendiaries on the 1000 bomber raid.

                The photograph was taken high above Duisburg on 10th October 1944. 

     Some more of Fred's personal collection showing reconnaissance photographs taken by

               the RAF after bombing missions in Germany. The targets are not identified.