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Wartime log of Flight Lieutenant Rowland Michael Veal, 1943-1945

Archives, 1943-1945, In Storage, X008-9259

Prisoner of war log kept by Flight Lieutenant Rowland Veal. The log contains an account of The Long March, details of foods and calorie content. Also includes photographs and pencil sketches of aircraft.

Page of diary with manuscript list of contents., Consult the curator

Percy the Penguin Mascot

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1943-1945, Cosford, Hangar Three, 80/C/1656

During the Second World War many Bomber Command aircrew carried lucky charms like Percy the Penguin in the hope that they would protect them from the many hazards they faced while flying.

Grey and white soft toy with large bird-like beak and orange glass eyes, © RAF Museum

Sand from Stalag Luft III Parade Ground, The Great Escape

Aircraft & Exhibits, MAY 2007, London, Hangar One, X004-1399

On the night of 24 March 1944, 76 Allied prisoners, the majority of them RAF aircrew, escaped from the German prisoner of war camp, Stalag Luft III.

Glass petri dish containing sand, © RAF Museum

Medal Bar of 4 of Flight Lieutenant Bertram Arthur "Jimmy" James

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Three, X006-1328

Pilot Jimmy James, shot down and captured in the Netherlands in 1940, was a persistent prison escaper, including during the Great Escape of 24 March 1944. He was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his numerous escape attempts. The medals are, from left to right, Military Cross, 1939-1945 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, 1939-1945 War Medal with Mention in Despatches oakleaf.

4 medals mounted alongside each other with multi coloured medal ribbons, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Recorded interview with Squadron Leader Ken Painter, 10 September 2012

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6727

Ken Painter flew Beaufighters with 47 Squadron in the Mediterranean before being shot down and taken prisoner. He comments on various aspects of Beaufighter operations and life as a prisoner.

Image pending

The Long March by Pamela Taylor, bronze and marble

Fine Art, London, Hangar Five, X003-2106

This memorial to commemorate the Long March was commissioned by the RAF Ex-Prisoners of War Association and unveiled in May 2003. Sculptor Pamela Taylor (1929-2014) based the figure of the airman on a wartime sketch by Ley Kenyon, artist and prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III who survived the march ('Marching Prisoners of War in Greatcoats', FA01916, RAF Museum collection).

Image pending