Carlyle, Hubert George (Warrant Officer, b.1913 - d.1944)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 416651 Warrant Officer Hubert George Carlyle, navigator with No. 463 Squadron, Bomber Command, RAAF. Collection consists of an original handwritten diary in 3 hole black ring binder. The diary contains a summary of Carlyle's enlistment, training, and flying in Australia during 1941-42; with more detailed daily entries commencing in April 1943 when he was sent overseas. The entries between April and July cover the voyage by ship to San Francisco, then by rail to Camp Myles Standish near Taunton in Canada; sightseeing in New York and Boston; then another sea voyage to Brighton in England. In August, Carlyle was sent to RAF station West Freugh near Stranraer in the south-west of Scotland where he underwent several flying exercises. In September he was sent to No. 27 Operational Training Unit [27 OTU] at Lichfield where he describes further training, crew, and his first operational trip dropping leaflets over France. After a break in the diary, he recommences with his appointment to No. 463 Squadron [463 Sqn] at Waddington in May 1944, and continues to describe operations (sorties) over France and Germany. Overall the diary is well written, with good descriptions and thoughtful commentary. The diary ends part way through his description of his 9th sortie on the 15-16 June. Carlyle was killed in a flying battle over France on 25 June 1944. He is buried at St Pierre Cemetery near Amiens.