A very interesting collection was brought into the IBCC in January relating to Thomas Frederick Whittaker. It contained lots of photographs, letters, documents, and miscellaneous objects.
Whittaker enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service at the start of WW1, serving at Gallipoli in 1915 as a dispatch rider. He later trained as an “Aerial Gunner/Observer” and flew in Handley Page Type O bombers with 214 Squadron from Saint-Inglevert, Calais.
On April 1st 1918 the Royal Air Force was formed, and 214 Squadron became one of the first Squadrons to come under the command of the RAF. Whittaker’s service record shows that he was issued with his RAF flying clothing on May 17th, 1918.
His record also contains the following entry: “Sgt Observer TF Whittaker has carried out 60 Bombing raids over enemy territory. Very plucky and reliable.”
After the war he returned to his native Leicestershire and opened a bakery.
