Earl H. M. Phillips RAF Glider Pilot Collection

The Earl H. M. Phillips RAF Glider Pilot Collection contains textual materials, 18 photographic prints, and 1 DVD related to the 1944-1946 World War II military service of Royal Air Force (RAF) glider pilot Earl H.M. Phillips. The collection has been arranged as three series: World War II-era materials, Post-war and commemorative materials, and personal materials.

The bulk of the collection is Series I: World War II-era materials, 1944-1947 and is comprised of military records, including a 1944 RAF welcome letter from Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of State for Air, Phillips' 1945 RAF Volunteer Reserve discharge certificate, and pay book; 5 RAF notebooks of handwritten notes on such topics as air speed, flaps, climbing, pilot navigation, and visibility; and Phillips' flight training log book, 1946.

There are also 18 black-and-white photographic prints, most dated 1946. Sizes range from 2x3" to 5x7" and the images are a mix of vintage and modern reprints. Some images include brief contextual information on the reverse, providing names, dates, or locations. Identified locations are all in Britain and include Elsham Wolds, Croughton, and RAF Woodbridge. One image is a collage of two photographs and includes a portrait of Phillips and a group portrait of the Glider Pilot Regiment. Images depict aircraft, in flight, on the ground, and in accident scenes. Some images include military personnel, most of whom are unidentified. Identified people include Earl Phillips, Tom Highley, and Robert Peacock. There is also an undated DVD labeled "Earl Phillips RAF." The contents have not been yet been reviewed, pending preservation of the digital media.

Series II: Post-war and commemorative materials, 1947-1992 includes a booklet for the Glider Pilot Regimental Association; printed ephemera for the Airborne Museum "Hartenstein" in Oosterbeek, Holland, including 2 brochures, 2 photographic postcards, and a commemorative "Battle of Arnheim - Osterbeek Crossroads" envelope and stamp; a 1991 Daily Mail newspaper clipping about the de Haviland Tiger Moth aircraft; and an original watercolor of a Tiger Moth.

Finally, Series III: Personal materials, 1937-1942, undated, contains Phillips' 1937-1942 grammar school transcripts, a photocopy of a photograph of Earl's mother, Alice Phillips, and an undated birthday card to Phillips featuring a Tiger Moth.

Digitized Materials: Textual and photographic materials from Series I (World War II-era materials) have been digitized from this collection.

Please note that materials on TMOF: Digital Collections are presented as historical objects and are unaltered and uncensored. See our Disclaimers and Policies page for more information.