Page 8 - Eugene Patrick Collins

History of Dad's Service Career.

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2 November 1943 – 12 february1947
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2 November 1943 enlisted and went to No.2 RC (Reception Centre. Cardington)
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8 November 1943 No. 3ACRC (Air Crew Reception Centre)
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27 November 1943 No. 14 ITW (14 Initial Training Wing. Bridlington)

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19 February 1944 No. l EAGS (1 Elementary Air Gunner School. Bridgnorth)

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1 EAGS was disbanded 21 April 1944 and was absorbed by 82 I.T.W; Dad moved
to 82 1TW

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29 April 1944 No.7 A.G.S (Air Gunnery School. Stormy Down Bridgend)

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15 July 1944 Dad was admitted to St Athan Hospital.
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3 August 1944 Dad was discharged from St Athan Hospital.

August 1944 posted to 10 O.T.U. (10 Operational Training Unit. Abingdon)

This where he would have crewed up with Flight Lieutenant Woodruff and the rest of his
crew.

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24 November 1944

71 Base, 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit Lindholme, Near Doncaster was where Dad trained on the 4 engine
Avro Lancaster.

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4 March 1945. Posted to 576 Squadron Fiskerton along with his crew:

Flight Lieutenant W. Woodruff. Pilot and Skipper

Flying Officer E. S. Oliver - Flight Engineer
Sergeant J. Slater - Air Bombardier

Sergeant J Stevenson - Navigator
Flying Officer C. White - Wireless Operator

Sergeant R. Hartnett - Mid Upper Gunner
Sergeant E.P. Collins - Rear Gunner

This is the crew Dad flew with for nearly all his missions, with one exception after the war on
Operation Dodge; Flying Officer E. S Oliver. Flight Engineer was replaced by Flight Sergeant
Botham.