Dan Ellin
@danellin.bsky.social
Historian, Gremlinologist, musician, and father. IBCC Digital Archivist. All views my own. He/him.
Pinned
Dan Ellin
@danellin.bsky.social
· Nov 10
A ‘Lack of Moral Fibre’ in Royal Air Force Bomber Command and Popular Culture
| British Journal for Military History
journals.gold.ac.uk
My article Lack of Moral Fibre in RAF Bomber Command and Popular Culture @britjnlmilhist.bsky.social is here: journals.gold.ac.uk/index.php/bj...
Look who is here on the light blue side!
Wizard!
Wizard!
Hi there! We’re the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives UK.
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
We support archives of all types and sizes across England.
Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
(1/2)
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Look who is here on the light blue side!
Wizard!
Wizard!
You can see films of all four panels of the Lincolnshire Mosaic of Freedom coming together here: www.youtube.com/@AllanLevy-x8t
November 12, 2025 at 10:09 AM
You can see films of all four panels of the Lincolnshire Mosaic of Freedom coming together here: www.youtube.com/@AllanLevy-x8t
Yesterday I though of Arthur Brett. He was a flight engineer with 57 Squadron and was killed 11 November 1944. His wife didn't learn what had happened to him until the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service located his remains in Jan 1949.
![Mrs. A. C. Brett, of 40, Manland avenue, Harpenden, has been officially informed that her husband, Sergt. (Flight Engineer) Arthur Charles Brett, aged 33, of the R.A.F who was reported missing while returning from a raid over Germany in November, 1944, is now presumed to have been killed.
Son of Mr. A. Brett, of 44, Manland avenue, and the late Mrs. Brett, Sergt. Brett was in the employ of Messers,
[photograph]
Chirney’s Garage. Ltd, at Harpenden, and later with Messrs, Hayward and Tylers, of Luton. He was a member of the Special Constabulary before he joined the R.A.F. about three years ago, and was a member of the Caterpillar Club.
IBCC Digital Archive item 26452](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4erpxugucrawinvqvaj7o3sq/bafkreihlzktvarnjzkxhdhk6dcrbhv5zqvcuk34zb5nvpofw6pfzp6tbvy@jpeg)
![2, Seville Street,
Knightsbridge,
London,
S.W.1.
8 – JAN 1949
Dear Mrs. Brett,
It is not without hesitation that I refer to this Department’s letter dated 15th January 1947 concerning the loss in action of your husband Sergeant A.C. Brett, but I feel sure you will wish to know that as a result of further investigations undertaken by the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service in Germany, his place of burial has now been located.
These investigations show that he was buried by the Germans as unknown in the village cemetery at Heidenau, which is seven miles south of Beckdorf where the crash occurred.
In accordance with the policy agreed upon by His Majesty’s and Commonwealth Governments that our fallen should be transferred to specially selected military cemeteries, he has now been re-interred in Grave 1, Row A, Plot 19, at Soltau (Becklingen) British Military Cemetery. His identity was positively established by the service number (1867875) found on his clothing, and the Flight Engineer’s badge worn on his tunic.
Soltau Cemetery is situated 40 miles north of Hannover, and the graves there will be maintained for all time by the Imperial War Graves Commission.
I am sorry that, owing to the formidable task of our search teams it has not been possible to let you have this information earlier, but I do hope this somewhat belated news will afford you a measure of comfort in your sad loss.
Yours sincerely
[signature] S Rowley [/signature]
Mrs. K. Brett,
40 Manland Avenue,
Harpenden,
Hertfordshire.
IBCC Digital Archive item 26450](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4erpxugucrawinvqvaj7o3sq/bafkreig2ol3azppygsrdtpracxac7cvxkqzqdqrey5vps6l2gjm2uv4qzq@jpeg)
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Yesterday I though of Arthur Brett. He was a flight engineer with 57 Squadron and was killed 11 November 1944. His wife didn't learn what had happened to him until the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service located his remains in Jan 1949.
The IBCC Losses Database is down at the mo. The IBCC Digital Archive is still up and running.
November 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The IBCC Losses Database is down at the mo. The IBCC Digital Archive is still up and running.
The IBCC Digital Archive is down at the mo. The IBCC Digital Archive is still up and running.
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 PM
The IBCC Digital Archive is down at the mo. The IBCC Digital Archive is still up and running.
One of the Lincolnshire Mosaic of Freedom panels for the Our Freedom Then and Now project. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNpI...
November 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM
One of the Lincolnshire Mosaic of Freedom panels for the Our Freedom Then and Now project. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNpI...
A Memory Owed, will premiere worldwide Saturday, 15th November at 8pm GMT on YouTube. Starring James Bolam and Rumi Sutton, A Memory Owed is a powerful short film about loss, healing and remembrance. It is wizard! #History #WW2 @nmtdambusters.bsky.social
A Memory Owed || Short Film (2025)
YouTube video by A Memory Owed (2025)
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
A Memory Owed, will premiere worldwide Saturday, 15th November at 8pm GMT on YouTube. Starring James Bolam and Rumi Sutton, A Memory Owed is a powerful short film about loss, healing and remembrance. It is wizard! #History #WW2 @nmtdambusters.bsky.social
The launch event was a success. You can see and hear the art work outside the Lincoln Arts Centre for the rest of the month.
November 10, 2025 at 11:09 AM
The launch event was a success. You can see and hear the art work outside the Lincoln Arts Centre for the rest of the month.
The launch event of the Lincolnshire Mosaic of Freedom is today. #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #History #WW2 #Peace @uolhumanities.bsky.social @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social lincolnartscentre.co.uk/event/freedo...
Freedom: Then & Now Public Artwork - Lincoln Arts Centre
17:00 – 18:00 public artwork illuminated (60 minutes) – Outdoors 18:00 – 18:30 – the special...
lincolnartscentre.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The launch event of the Lincolnshire Mosaic of Freedom is today. #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget #History #WW2 #Peace @uolhumanities.bsky.social @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social lincolnartscentre.co.uk/event/freedo...
Will Just Jane fly again? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Will Just Jane fly again? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I used to be a werewolf but I'm alright nooooooow...
November 8, 2025 at 2:40 PM
I used to be a werewolf but I'm alright nooooooow...
And I'm wearing a wizard @nmtdambusters.bsky.social T-shirt!
Never mind the logbooks 📚
The fantastic @danellin.bsky.social talking at the Aviation Cultures conference this morning talking about logbooks in the IBCC digital archive and approaching difficult heritage. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
The fantastic @danellin.bsky.social talking at the Aviation Cultures conference this morning talking about logbooks in the IBCC digital archive and approaching difficult heritage. Absolutely fascinating stuff!
November 8, 2025 at 10:08 AM
And I'm wearing a wizard @nmtdambusters.bsky.social T-shirt!
How did the IBCC Digital Archive’s ethos of remembrance, recognition, and reconciliation as an approach to difficult heritage, lead to the way Bomber Command logbooks are described in the archive? Sign up, and I'll tell you... @avculturesconf.bsky.social @nmtdambusters.bsky.social #History #WW2
November 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
How did the IBCC Digital Archive’s ethos of remembrance, recognition, and reconciliation as an approach to difficult heritage, lead to the way Bomber Command logbooks are described in the archive? Sign up, and I'll tell you... @avculturesconf.bsky.social @nmtdambusters.bsky.social #History #WW2
And it's reading week!
Student volunteers working in the archive today!
November 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM
And it's reading week!
I'm speaking at this it's online and free. The @avculturesconf.bsky.social folks put on wizard conferences! Everything you want to know about log books but are afraid to ask...
@nmtdambusters.bsky.social
@nmtdambusters.bsky.social
Logbooks & AvDocs – Aviation Cultures
aviationcultures.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:49 AM
I'm speaking at this it's online and free. The @avculturesconf.bsky.social folks put on wizard conferences! Everything you want to know about log books but are afraid to ask...
@nmtdambusters.bsky.social
@nmtdambusters.bsky.social
Some of the Horace Coombes collection in the @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social has just been shown on the Antiques Road Show on Beeb 1. www.bbc.co.uk/.../antiques.... From about 20 minutes in.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Some of the Horace Coombes collection in the @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social has just been shown on the Antiques Road Show on Beeb 1. www.bbc.co.uk/.../antiques.... From about 20 minutes in.
Lest we forget the speed limit @remembrancewatch.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Lest we forget the speed limit @remembrancewatch.bsky.social
Ow, I've just rubbed chilli in my eye - and yes I had washed my hands.
a close up of a man 's face in a black and white photo
Alt: Sting.
media.tenor.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Ow, I've just rubbed chilli in my eye - and yes I had washed my hands.
Reposted by Dan Ellin
Reminded of this anniversary by Dan. The Aarhus raid was filmed from a camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Hanafin DFC. I think the target is glimpsed at about 12 seconds. A running figure in the street is seen at around 15 seconds.
Full film: IWM OPF 199 / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Full film: IWM OPF 199 / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
October 31, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Reminded of this anniversary by Dan. The Aarhus raid was filmed from a camera plane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Hanafin DFC. I think the target is glimpsed at about 12 seconds. A running figure in the street is seen at around 15 seconds.
Full film: IWM OPF 199 / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Full film: IWM OPF 199 / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Not too far away from the site of new Lancaster sculpture of VN-N on the A46...
PStephensonS25010042 VN-N is flying over the village of Sutton on Trent, Nottinghamshire, the river in the background is the Trent. Also posted on FB @danellin.bsky.social for a while there thought I’d lost my touch finding these
October 30, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Not too far away from the site of new Lancaster sculpture of VN-N on the A46...
A productive day. I recorded an interview with Jacqui Whitehead from the Cross of Nails Flightpath to Freedom and Reconciliation, and discussed ways the Yorkshire Air Museum and the @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social can work together. They have a wizard preloved book shop there too. Curry for tea.
October 29, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A productive day. I recorded an interview with Jacqui Whitehead from the Cross of Nails Flightpath to Freedom and Reconciliation, and discussed ways the Yorkshire Air Museum and the @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social can work together. They have a wizard preloved book shop there too. Curry for tea.
Been on a bit of a road trip today.
October 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Been on a bit of a road trip today.
Charles unveiled the UK's first LGBT armed forces memorial. About time. www.reuters.com/world/uk/kin...
King Charles unveils UK's first LGBT armed forces memorial
King Charles unveiled a memorial dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender military personnel on Monday, marking his first official engagement in support of the LGBT community.
www.reuters.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Charles unveiled the UK's first LGBT armed forces memorial. About time. www.reuters.com/world/uk/kin...
Letter from from Kenneth Gill to his family #OTD 27 Oct 1943. His new aircraft has the same nose art as their previous one, and a friend is missing after an operation to Leipzig. Gill flew 45 ops as a navigator with 9 and 617 Squadrons. He was killed 21 March 1945. #History #WW2
![155097. P/O GILL. K.
R.A.F. STATION.
BARDNEY.
OCT. 25TH/43.
[RAF Crest]
Dear Mum & Dad & Nipper,
Thanks for your letter, it came yesterday morning, and thanks to David too for his, he's doing well isn't he.
We didn't have too bad a trip the other night, the weather was awful but we got back alright, and that's the main thing.
The new kite is quite good and behaved very well indeed, the old sign isn't up yet but it will be before long.
Hello again, it's the 27th, now. I hadn't time to finish before.
I've just come back from the
IBCC Digital Archive item 35698](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4erpxugucrawinvqvaj7o3sq/bafkreieb2illcrhurcgfeylg647fu4w7c53q4jhki6wasadosg6clnzlxa@jpeg)
![2/ kite and Binder II is up there for all to see. We havn't changed the design any, except to enlarge the disc on her collar and put 39 in it for the trips the old Binder did. We're going to her [sic] her photographed when we've finished.
I've just had an airgraph this morning from Ron, he's quite well but he says he's "Brassed off to the teeth" with the war, but so is everybody else I suppose.
Leslie wrote the other day too so I'll have to have a session tonight and get straightened up a bit.
I've to reply to Margaret too, and pass on some bad news that just reached me this morning.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4erpxugucrawinvqvaj7o3sq/bafkreif44t5yxtjni3xidu53bxzexmp3v5qplwvo2ljrmtjqeh4m4pr5la@jpeg)
![3/ George is missing from the raid on Liepzig [sic], his 20th. trip I think, that cuts our number down again it certainly makes one think.
The weather here has been awful lately, were having our fourth day of thick fog now, goodness knows when we'll get our last three trips in at this rate.
Glad to hear Arthur & Aunt Muriel are a lot better now, hope they keep on improving.
Well I'll have to close for now, it's time to start work ? again.
Cheerio & Chins up.
Your Loving Son.
Ken. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx & David
Lets here [sic] from you again sometime David.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4erpxugucrawinvqvaj7o3sq/bafkreihkpiz3gdinyvcax32t4nbusqagjigtadldwwt7susfool5fwulqu@jpeg)
October 27, 2025 at 8:50 AM