Anne’s Blog – `Radar Families'

RADAR: Tracing My Father’s Story with Anne Diamond

https://youtu.be/g9c04KkeJAY?si=_e7xFSYSaOko0V-C In this special episode of Extraordinary Lives with Anne Diamond, visit the groundbreaking development of RADAR—Radio Detection and Ranging—and examine the crucial role it played in Britain’s defensive operations during World War II. Radar technology transformed the “Battle of Britain,” allowing the Royal Air Force (RAF) to detect and track enemy aircraft early and…… Continue reading RADAR: Tracing My Father’s Story with Anne Diamond

Nik asks Where did the glider come from, how was it launched and where did it land?

Hello Anne, Thanks for your reply, unfortunately I have no photos from that period. Only a couple of incomplete albums from my father’s RAF days. I am certain he knew that something was being developed to try and locate enemy aircraft with radio waves, most local people knew something was going on when the…… Continue reading Nik asks Where did the glider come from, how was it launched and where did it land?

Martin tells us what TRE really stood for!

I recall my Dad telling me that TRE was known as Tea, Rest and Eat.

Sue Thomas remembers her Dad, Harry Gaunt

Hello Anne, it was really fascinating to read your recent Daily Mail article. My brother & I are also ‘radar kids’, and have very happy memories of being brought up in Malvern. Our father, Harry Gaunt, must be one of the last of that generation: at the age of 103 he still lives locally in…… Continue reading Sue Thomas remembers her Dad, Harry Gaunt

Charles Rigg remembers: –

Hi Anne, Many thanks for your reply. We moved here in Sept 1969, with a thunderous noise the next day to see a C130 Hercules some 200 – 300 yards away and 200 feet up about to touch down, so for an aircraft/history/military history ‘nut’ I wasn’t complaining! So since I have always had an…… Continue reading Charles Rigg remembers: –

Jayne remembers her father Roy Hodges

Dear Anne, My father, Roy Hodges was also a scientist at TRE (later RRE) and came to Malvern in May 1942 along with the thousand other scientists from Worth Matravers. Sadly he died in 2009. I volunteer at the RAF Defford Museum, part of the National Trust property Croome Court. My father’s flying jacket is…… Continue reading Jayne remembers her father Roy Hodges

Nick remembers his father Stanley Ratcliffe

My father Stanley Ratcliffe was one of the “boffins” in WWII. He worked at Worth Matravers, and relocated to Malvern in 1942. He continued to work for TRE/RRE/RSRE until his retirement. He died in July 2018 and the Royal Institute of Navigation (of which he was fellow, despite never having flown a plane, nor captained…… Continue reading Nick remembers his father Stanley Ratcliffe

Terry suggests some more resources

Dear Anne. For your information. I hope it helps with the continuing story. There was a mention in the Mail on Sunday regarding RADAR Families. The first said the story would make a fabulous film. There is already a very good tv adapted film of the initial research into radio waves and RADAR. That being…… Continue reading Terry suggests some more resources

Does anyone know of the Rugby / Lutterworth link

Diana writes: – Hi. My father was a brilliant engineering scientist, who was assigned to research during the second world war. I’d always understood that he worked on the development of radar from Rugby. He was located in the same building as Frank Whittle, who was developing the jet engine from the same base.…… Continue reading Does anyone know of the Rugby / Lutterworth link

Does anyone know of Robert Holman?

Alan, Robert Holman’s nephew asks: “Hi, Anne. I saw the feature on Midlands Today about the TRE where I believe my uncle worked during WWII. I have only scant information relayed by my father now deceased but would love to learn more. My uncle’s name was Robert Holman and he had formerly worked at the…… Continue reading Does anyone know of Robert Holman?