From the everyday to the extraordinary, RAF Stories celebrates all experiences of the RAF. This collection highlights the wide scope of the project, with stories of friendship, courage, tragedy and triumph.
RAF STORIES
Top Ten RAF Stories
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The Ops Room
Katherine Du Plat-Taylor -
Don't steer, just think.
Jackie Moggridge -
Turns out his father had rescued my father 50 years ago.
Graham Withers -
I'd just bombed them. Didn't think they'd be too pleased to see me.
Robert Iveson -
The most daring prank of World War II.
Phillip Dawson -
We had no machinery. But the kids with a cd player gave me an idea.
Flt. Lt. Gareth Davies -
He steals things, he hides things. That's the guy for me.
Charlie Hammerton -
Do they know who I am? I'm just a kid from Woolwich
Trevor Edwards -
The safety of the casualty comes last.
Ayla Holdom -
You can stay the night, but you'll have to sleep with the tiger.
Michael Bailey
Part of the Family
The Royal Air Force is more than just a military organisation, it is a community of servicemen and servicewomen spread across the globe, supporting and relying on each other both professionally and personally. This collection of stories explores what it means to be part of this special kind of family.
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My RAF friends will be there forever
Trevor Edwards -
Everyone has a role to play.
Charles Hammerton -
The RAF gave me a new cultural identity.
Peter Ramrayka -
My sexuality has no impact on my role in the RAF.
Kate Brophy -
I came out as transgender while serving.
Ayla Holdom -
I see myself as the Jose Mourinho of Tug of War
Flt. Lt. Gareth Davies -
He wasn't a prince. He was part of the team.
Ayla Holdom -
I was afraid that someone would have to lay down their life to protect me.
Eleanor Rance -
You live in fear of the black car.
Christine Ankerson -
Mother was horrified, but Father overruled her.
Shobha Earl -
In my mind I could hear my Nan telling me what I should do.
Lauren Smith -
I decided I needed to be a dad.
Ian Sweet -
I’m British. It was natural for me to protect the country I was in.
Dheeraj Bhasin -
When we lose someone we journey through it as a family.
Alice McDermott -
On the outside I was super cool. On the inside I was praying every night.
Alice McDermott
Everyday Heroes
In one way or another, servicemen & servicewomen often find themselves in situations that require courage, whether this be to undertake a dangerous mission, to overcome a challenge or to deal with fear, personal struggles or loss. This collection of stories explores the many ways in which courage is shown in the day to day life of RAF personnel.
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We were under attack, but no-one stopped playing cards.
Chris Annetts -
Exposed to the greatest danger, he refused to back down.
Mark Johnson -
I can still see his face as if it was yesterday.
Carl Austin-Behan -
There were death threats. But I'm still here.
Flt. Lt. Gareth Davies -
I won't let my autism be a disadvantage.
Daniel Pearce -
He held fire while the German crew bailed out.
Mark Johnson -
Get up and put your trousers on.
Katherine Du Plat-Taylor -
I admitted I was gay. They could have sent me to prison.
Carl Austin-Behan -
Mum's parachute didn't open. She never jumped again.
Candida Adkins -
I saw a sport that was failing.
Flt. Lt. Gareth Davies -
I was just relieved I could open my eyes.
Stuart Robinson