David Ulke
@davidulke.bsky.social
Retired military nurse. Now into archaeology/metal detecting supporting Op Nightingale, Time Team, Wings To The Sky. Enjoys single malts/good coffee. My research on veterans and archaeology is here: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7551-4052
www.justgiving.com/page/phil-ha... Please help Phil get to his target of £1500 to help vets into supported accomodation-a worthy cause!
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
www.justgiving.com/page/phil-ha... Please help Phil get to his target of £1500 to help vets into supported accomodation-a worthy cause!
RAF Museum object conditioning day: today’s standout find was a 1942 RAF uniform by Davies & Son, once worn by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, personal ADC to four monarchs: George V, Edward VIII, George VI & Elizabeth II. A royal career spanning army Lt to Marshal of the RAF: history in every stitch.
November 6, 2025 at 9:04 PM
RAF Museum object conditioning day: today’s standout find was a 1942 RAF uniform by Davies & Son, once worn by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, personal ADC to four monarchs: George V, Edward VIII, George VI & Elizabeth II. A royal career spanning army Lt to Marshal of the RAF: history in every stitch.
RAF Museum object conditioning day: a red-letter moment! While nearing the end of our clothing rack checks, we uncovered a 1920s era uniform of none other than Air Chief Marshal Lord Hugh Trenchard, Father of the RAF, and its first Chief of the Air Staff. A true privilege to handle such history.
November 6, 2025 at 8:57 PM
RAF Museum object conditioning day: a red-letter moment! While nearing the end of our clothing rack checks, we uncovered a 1920s era uniform of none other than Air Chief Marshal Lord Hugh Trenchard, Father of the RAF, and its first Chief of the Air Staff. A true privilege to handle such history.
Volunteering: object conditioning day at the RAF Museum collection at Stafford: chills seeing this uniform. William George Barker VC, Canada’s most decorated WWI airman. VC, DSO & Bar, MC & 2 Bars, Italian & French valour medals. Fearless Sopwith Camel ace whose courage redefined air combat.
November 6, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Volunteering: object conditioning day at the RAF Museum collection at Stafford: chills seeing this uniform. William George Barker VC, Canada’s most decorated WWI airman. VC, DSO & Bar, MC & 2 Bars, Italian & French valour medals. Fearless Sopwith Camel ace whose courage redefined air combat.
November 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
@rakshadigs.bsky.social some snaps of the scale model diorama commemorating Lester Lowry. (I couldn’t get down to site when you were filming so the model didn’t make the cut).
November 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
@rakshadigs.bsky.social some snaps of the scale model diorama commemorating Lester Lowry. (I couldn’t get down to site when you were filming so the model didn’t make the cut).
Remembering my 2016 visit to Jersey to assist with the amazing Le Câtillon II, the largest hoard of Iron Age gold and silver coins, jewellery and ingots ever found in Western Europe. I got 4 days of hands on, supervised work with Reg, one of the finders, and this great team of specialists.
November 2, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Remembering my 2016 visit to Jersey to assist with the amazing Le Câtillon II, the largest hoard of Iron Age gold and silver coins, jewellery and ingots ever found in Western Europe. I got 4 days of hands on, supervised work with Reg, one of the finders, and this great team of specialists.
Time Team Sutton Hoo gig 2024, Episode 2.
April 27, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Time Team Sutton Hoo gig 2024, Episode 2.
So, Maiden’s first album came out 45 years ago this week, and I bought it from Malcolm Smith who was running Lotus Records in Mill Street, Stafford at the time! (Small world, Malc!)
April 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
So, Maiden’s first album came out 45 years ago this week, and I bought it from Malcolm Smith who was running Lotus Records in Mill Street, Stafford at the time! (Small world, Malc!)
Playmobil archaeologists! Exercise Druid Sacrifice, RAF Valley, 2025
April 15, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Playmobil archaeologists! Exercise Druid Sacrifice, RAF Valley, 2025
RAF Museum Reserve Collection condition survey day:
We are back in the main hangars pro temp checking the vast array of items and artifacts on the shelves. Today was mainly about compasses large and small from various aircraft, and personalities.
One in particular stood out for me,
We are back in the main hangars pro temp checking the vast array of items and artifacts on the shelves. Today was mainly about compasses large and small from various aircraft, and personalities.
One in particular stood out for me,
April 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
RAF Museum Reserve Collection condition survey day:
We are back in the main hangars pro temp checking the vast array of items and artifacts on the shelves. Today was mainly about compasses large and small from various aircraft, and personalities.
One in particular stood out for me,
We are back in the main hangars pro temp checking the vast array of items and artifacts on the shelves. Today was mainly about compasses large and small from various aircraft, and personalities.
One in particular stood out for me,
RAF Museum Artefact Conditioning Day:
This is one of a pair of 1939 pattern Aircrew Boots. Fleece-lined with heavy leather soles, this pair had the surname 'ASTBURY' hand-written inside.
Records indicate there were 5 RAF crew with that surname, so regrettably, the search for the owner ends there
This is one of a pair of 1939 pattern Aircrew Boots. Fleece-lined with heavy leather soles, this pair had the surname 'ASTBURY' hand-written inside.
Records indicate there were 5 RAF crew with that surname, so regrettably, the search for the owner ends there
February 18, 2025 at 7:10 PM
RAF Museum Artefact Conditioning Day:
This is one of a pair of 1939 pattern Aircrew Boots. Fleece-lined with heavy leather soles, this pair had the surname 'ASTBURY' hand-written inside.
Records indicate there were 5 RAF crew with that surname, so regrettably, the search for the owner ends there
This is one of a pair of 1939 pattern Aircrew Boots. Fleece-lined with heavy leather soles, this pair had the surname 'ASTBURY' hand-written inside.
Records indicate there were 5 RAF crew with that surname, so regrettably, the search for the owner ends there
RAF Museum artefact conditioning day:
My #PMRAFNS colleagues will have a hoot with this next item!
This, seriously, is a 1930 pattern, thigh-length, white cotton 'anti-mosquito' boot, size 4 narrow foot that was issued to PMRAFNS nurses. Designated as a 'BOOT,PROTECTIVE-SPECIAL PURPOSE'
My #PMRAFNS colleagues will have a hoot with this next item!
This, seriously, is a 1930 pattern, thigh-length, white cotton 'anti-mosquito' boot, size 4 narrow foot that was issued to PMRAFNS nurses. Designated as a 'BOOT,PROTECTIVE-SPECIAL PURPOSE'
February 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
RAF Museum artefact conditioning day:
My #PMRAFNS colleagues will have a hoot with this next item!
This, seriously, is a 1930 pattern, thigh-length, white cotton 'anti-mosquito' boot, size 4 narrow foot that was issued to PMRAFNS nurses. Designated as a 'BOOT,PROTECTIVE-SPECIAL PURPOSE'
My #PMRAFNS colleagues will have a hoot with this next item!
This, seriously, is a 1930 pattern, thigh-length, white cotton 'anti-mosquito' boot, size 4 narrow foot that was issued to PMRAFNS nurses. Designated as a 'BOOT,PROTECTIVE-SPECIAL PURPOSE'
#StandingStoneSunday
Thus shot of mine of The Old Man of Gugh, Isles of Scilly. This menhir stands 9ft tall, situated below Kittern hill.
I never get tired of visiting these wonderful Isles when chance permits.
Thus shot of mine of The Old Man of Gugh, Isles of Scilly. This menhir stands 9ft tall, situated below Kittern hill.
I never get tired of visiting these wonderful Isles when chance permits.
February 9, 2025 at 8:03 PM
#StandingStoneSunday
Thus shot of mine of The Old Man of Gugh, Isles of Scilly. This menhir stands 9ft tall, situated below Kittern hill.
I never get tired of visiting these wonderful Isles when chance permits.
Thus shot of mine of The Old Man of Gugh, Isles of Scilly. This menhir stands 9ft tall, situated below Kittern hill.
I never get tired of visiting these wonderful Isles when chance permits.
Having a sort out:
1988....37 years ago..... TEMPUS FUGIT, FUGIT TEMPUS....
1988....37 years ago..... TEMPUS FUGIT, FUGIT TEMPUS....
February 5, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Having a sort out:
1988....37 years ago..... TEMPUS FUGIT, FUGIT TEMPUS....
1988....37 years ago..... TEMPUS FUGIT, FUGIT TEMPUS....
OP GRANBY 1991. It’s that time again!
Bloody hell, 34, count them, 34 years ago!
Bloody hell, 34, count them, 34 years ago!
January 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
OP GRANBY 1991. It’s that time again!
Bloody hell, 34, count them, 34 years ago!
Bloody hell, 34, count them, 34 years ago!
Rat Island skull study. You’ll see it on tonight’s episode of #DiggingforBritain
#drawingdiggingforbritain
#drawingdiggingforbritain
January 16, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Rat Island skull study. You’ll see it on tonight’s episode of #DiggingforBritain
#drawingdiggingforbritain
#drawingdiggingforbritain
Digging for Britain series 12 ep 5. The IA hoard recovery I was involved in with colleagues from Op Nightingale. We found two more artefacts from the original hoard. I recovered the terret ring with red glass inlay and Graham recovered the stunning, fully articulated horse bridal bit.
January 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Digging for Britain series 12 ep 5. The IA hoard recovery I was involved in with colleagues from Op Nightingale. We found two more artefacts from the original hoard. I recovered the terret ring with red glass inlay and Graham recovered the stunning, fully articulated horse bridal bit.
Quick test paint (1hr) on this wee fella. Gawd but my eyes struggle these days! Not three bad an outcome though.
Four more to paint tomorrow
Four more to paint tomorrow
December 31, 2024 at 3:47 PM
Quick test paint (1hr) on this wee fella. Gawd but my eyes struggle these days! Not three bad an outcome though.
Four more to paint tomorrow
Four more to paint tomorrow
It’s a hobby that helps keep me sane! This is one half of the spare room😆
December 30, 2024 at 8:52 AM
It’s a hobby that helps keep me sane! This is one half of the spare room😆
Blasts from the past. Excavating at Hougoumont Farm. I was fortunate in recovering these beauties.
December 28, 2024 at 10:47 PM
Blasts from the past. Excavating at Hougoumont Farm. I was fortunate in recovering these beauties.