What The RAF Flight Codes Can Reveal

The extensive collection of RAF aerial photographs held by the Royal Commission include vertical and low-level oblique views of Wales. The identification flight codes for the flights can reveal an incredible level of background detail.

One of the common identifiers starts with number 540, which is then normally followed by another unique flight reference number. The first portion identifies the film as originating from 540 squadron (motto “Sine Qua Non” – Indispensable), based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire. Formed in October 1942 at Leuchars, as a Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU), the squadron would be tasked with flights over Norway, France, Austria, Germany and Poland. A detachment was later based at Gibraltar, and flew over France, Italy and North Africa. Their first were Supermarine Spitfires, but the squadron was later re-equipped with de Havilland Mosquitoes. At the end of 1952, the squadron used the English Electric Canberra – arguably the best aerial photographic reconnaissance platform ever devised.

Several of the boxes of prints include a copy of the Photographic Reconnaissance Report (RAF Form 2047). When used in conjunction with the prints, they tell a fascinating story.

The paperwork for flight 540/538 reveals that on 25 June 1951 a type PR Mk. 34 Mosquito (number RG259) equipped with a port-facing F24 oblique camera, took off from RAF Benson. The pilot was Flight Officer Kepka, assisted by Flight Officer Dolezal (navigator/camera operator). They were tasked with a low-level oblique aerial photographic survey of two areas of the South Wales coast. The sortie run started at 12:35, and maintaining an altitude of 1,700ft, the first portion of the mission covered from Rumney, Cardiff to Beachley Head near Chepstow. The aircraft then headed west, and photographed the coastline from Mumbles Head, Swansea to Kenfig Burrows, near Porthcawl, finishing the survey at 13:35. The aircraft then returned to RAF Benson, landing at 14:10.

According to Form 2047, the processing of the 237 photographs commenced at 16:10 and was completed at 17:00. During inspection of the finished article, Corporal G.L. Sampson wrote a remark at the bottom of the form, “Thin cloud shadow on some. Two negs with shutter failure”.

The 15 x 14cm prints are a remarkable and detailed record of the coastal area, captured as a moment of time. In frame 0040 a portion of the Ebbw River can be seen the foreground, as well as the Alexandra Docks (NPRN 403430), and the distinctive Newport Transporter Bridge (NPRN 43157) in the top left of the photograph. Only three shots further on, frame 0043 captures a “White Funnel” paddle steamer (possibly the “Glen Usk”) making its way up the River Usk, as it passes the entrance to Alexandra Docks.

 The second leg of the flight – of Swansea Bay – also has some remarkable images. Frame 0153 is of the Clyne Valley, and in the centre of the frame Clyne Castle (NPRN 18354) and the layout of its formal garden (NPRN 265686) can be seen. A few moments later, frame 0163 shows a very different landscape, that of the distinctive Swansea Guildhall (NPRN 144) and the surrounding area.

Our aerial photographic collections include a huge variety of views, ranging from 1919 to the present day and many of these can be viewed on Coflein, our online database, or by visiting the Royal Commission’s library, which is open daily from Monday to Friday.
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National Monuments Record of Wales Archives and Library Bulletin - December 2015

Welcome to the latest monthly edition of the National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW) Archives and Library Bulletin which lists all newly catalogued material.
http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Donate+Records/Recent+Acquisitions/. The archival items, library books and journal articles are all available to view in our public reading room. The full archive catalogue is available on Coflein and contains digital copies of many of the items listed.

Our Library and reading room is open:
Monday – Friday 09.30 – 16.00, Wednesday 10.30 – 16.30.
An appointment is advisable.

December 2015

 

 

Archives

  Winter sunset over Blaenau, Cat.Ref. FHA01/017/02, C.553145, NPRN:305760



 

Cadw Guardianship Monument Drawings

Relating to:

• Basingwerk Abbey, 1926: Cat. Ref. CGM30/004
• Caernarfon/Caernarvon Castle, 1911-1975: Cat. Ref. CGM32/032-047; 33/001-071; 34/001-054; 36/002
• Caerphilly Castle, 1920-1974: Cat. Ref. CGM30/003; 31/049-088
• Ewenny Priory, c.1895: Cat. Ref. CGM30/001-002
• Harlech Castle, 1927-1949: Cat. Ref. CGM32/019-021
• ISCA Legionary Fortress, Caerleon, 1963-1974: Cat. Ref. CGM32/001-018
• Neath Abbey, 1953: Cat. Ref. CGM32/022
• Raglan Castle, 1907-1908: Cat. Ref. CGM37/001-002
• St David’s Bishops Palace, 1934-1972: Cat. Ref. CGM32/023-031
• Tintern Abbey, 1913-2001: Cat. Ref: CGM29/005-117; 30/005-035; 31/001-048
• White Castle: Cat. Ref. CGM36/001

Investigators’ Digital Photography

Covering dates: 2009-2015

Relating to:

• Dyffryn Adda Reverbatory Furnace, Anglesey
• Buckland Mill, Brecknockshire
• St. Iltyd’s Church, Llanhamlach, Brecknockshire
• Chapel of Holy Trinity/ Gwydir Chapel/ Capel Gwydir Uchaf, Llanrychwyn, Llanrwst, Caernarfonshire
• St. Benedict’s Church, Gyffin, Caernarfonshire
• St. Michael’s Church, Cilycwm, Carmarthenshire
• St. Doget’s Church, Llanddoget, Denbighshire
• St. Eilian’s Church/ St. Hilary’s Church, Llanelian-yn-rhos, Denbighshire
• St. Giles’ Church, Wrexham, Denbighshire
• St. Mary’s Church, Ruabon, Denbighshire
• St. Mary’s Church, Nercwys, Flintshire
• Llandaff Cathedral, Glamorgan
• St. Cattwg’s Church/ St. Cadoc’s Church, Llancarfan, Glamorgan
• St. Illtyd’s Church, Glamorgan
• St. Michael’s Church, Michaelston-super-ely, Glamorgan
• All Saints Church, LLangar, Merioneth
• Holy Trinity Chapel/ Rug Chapel, Dyffryn Edeirnion, Merioneth
• St. Mary’s Church, Taly-y-llyn, Merioneth
• St. Mary and St. Egryn’s Church, Llanegryn, Merioneth
• St. Bridget’s Church, Skenfrith, Monmouthshire
• St. Cybi’s Church, Llangybi, Monmouthshire
• Troy Farm, Monmouthshire
• St. James’ Church/ St. Martin’s Church, Manorbier, Pembrokeshire
• St. Padarn’s Church, Llanbadarn-y-garreg, Radnorshire

NMR Site Files

Photo surveys of:

• Aberystwyth Castle, c.1977: C.613974
• Dyffryn Mymbyr, 1951: C.613964
• Gelli, Llandygai, 1953: C.613966
• Gwenddar Mill, Henryd, 1950: C.613838
• Pont y Ceunant, Llangegai, 1951: C.613935
• Pont Pen y Benglog, 1951: C.613938
• St Curig's Church, 1949: C.613958
• St Tudno's Church, 1949: C.613848
• Tyddyn y Coed, 1951: C.613955

Bethania Christmas Card, Cat. Ref. FHA01/146/03, C.553178, NPRN: 305760

Books

Boorman, Derek. (2005). A century of remembrance : one hundred outstanding British war memorials, Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley.

Childe, V. Gordon. (1973). The dawn of European civilization, Paladin, St Albans.

Davies, John. (2015). A life in history. Y Lolfa, Talybont.

Evans, John Dorian. (2005). Betws New Drift Mine, John Dorian Evans, Betws.

Hewett, Cecil Alec. (1980). English historic carpentry, Phillimore, London.

Hoskins, W. G. (1967). Fieldwork in local history, Faber, London.

Mason, Shena (Ed.). (2009). Matthew Boulton : selling what all the world desires, Birmingham City Council ; Yale University Press, London.

Morris, Bernard. (2013). The pleasure of unravelling secrets : contributions to Swansea and Gower history, Gower Society, Swansea.

Musson, Chris & Driver, Toby. (2015). Above Brecknock : An historic county from the air, Gomer, LLandysul.

Nicholl, Lewis D. (1936). The Normans in Glamorgan, Gower and Kidweli, William Lewis, Cardiff.

Owen, Morfydd E. (1997). Bwrlwm llys Dinefwr : brenin, bardd a meddyg =The Din of Dinefwr : prince, poet and physician, Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society, Llandybie.

Roderick, Arthur & Davies, Euros. (1994). Llambed ddoe = Lampeter yesterday, Gomer, Llandysul.

Simmons, I. G. ; Tooley, M. J. (1981). The Environment in British prehistory, Duckworth, London

Journals

Ancient Monuments Society / Friends of Friendless Churches Newsletter no. 03:2015 (Autumn 2015)

Archaeologia Cambrensis vol. 164 (2015)

Archive: The Quarterly Journal for British Industrial and Transport History no. 88 (December 2015)

Army Historical Research Society Journal, almost complete run vols. 71-92 (1993-2014). Donated by Dr. C.S. Briggs.

Below! Quarterly Journal of the Shropshire Caving and Mining Club no. 2015:4 (Winter 2015)

British Archaeology no. 146 (January-February 2016)

Cambridge Antiquarian Society Proceedings vol. 104 (2015) [Donation]

Context (Institute of Historic Building Conservation members’ magazine) nos. 137-142 (November 2014- November 2015) [Donation]

Current Archaeology no. 310 (January 2016)

Landscapes vol. 16 no. 2 (November 2015)

Medieval Settlement Research vol. 30 (2015) [Donation]

Past: The Newsletter of the Prehistoric Society no. 81 (Autumn 2015)

Pembrokeshire Life (December 2015)

Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society vol. 81 (2015)

Sheetlines no. 104 (December 2015) and Index to vols. 68-104

Site Recorder no. 1592 (December 2015)

Stand To! The Journal of the Western Front Association, almost complete set vols. 29-91 (1990-2011). Donated by Dr. C.S. Briggs.

Welsh History Review vol. 27 no. 4 (December 2015)

Welsh Mines Society Newsletter no. 73 (Autumn 2015)

Welsh Railways Archive vol. 6 no. 2 (November 2015)

Welsh Railways Research Circle Newsletter no. 145 (Winter 2015)

Western Front Association Bulletin, almost complete set nos. 56-86 (2000-2010). Donated by Dr. C.S. Briggs.

Journals Current Awareness

Ancient Monuments Society / Friends of Friendless Churches Newsletter no. 03:2015, p. 5: ‘Historic Environment (Wales) Bill’; p. 6 ‘Further Tales from Friends’ Churches’ includes reports about nine Welsh churches; p. 12 ff., ‘Casework’ section by Matthew Saunders and Lucie Carayon includes 390, High Street, Bangor (threat of demolition); Keeperes [sic] Cottage, Rhoose, Barry (objection by the Society to proposed partial demolition in course of conversion); Siloam Chapel, Bontnewydd, Caernarfon (clarification sought on details of proposed residential conversion); All Saints Church, Llanelli (proposed ‘completely unacceptable treatment’ of the building in course of a conversion); Old St. Peter’s Church, Peterstone Wentlooge (the conversion of this Grade I listed building by architect Richard Dean ‘a model of its kind’, the Society hopes); St. John, Rhosllanerchrugog (the Society ‘reflected on the detailing’ of a conversion scheme); p. 22: Report on the AGM of the Friends of Friendless Churches which took place at Rhowscrowther, Pembs.p. 25 ff.: ‘Gleanings’ section reports on a great number of Welsh sites and on the Welsh Religious Buildings Trust.

Archaeologia Cambrensis vol. 164, p. 262: Review, by Gwyn Meirion Jones, of Discovering the Historic Houses of Snowdonia by Richard Suggett and Margaret Dunn

British Archaeology no. 146, p. 16: ‘In search of the Stonehenge Quarries’ [in Pembrokeshire] by Mike Parker Pearson et al.; p. 65: ‘Casefiles: 23. Tyntyle, Rhondda’ by Cyllene Griffiths [listed building caseworker for Wales at the CBA]

Current Archaeology no. 310, p. 7: News in Brief section: ‘Consulting on the past’, a news item on the merged Historic Scotland and RCAHMS holding a public consultation on its draft corporate plan; p. 10: Upfront News section: ‘Crannog clues at Monmouth?’[about radiocarbon dating of a Neolithic timber]; p. 20: ‘Bryn Celli Ddu: Exploring a hidden ritual landscape’ by Ffion Reynolds et al.

Past: The Newsletter of the Prehistoric Society no. 81, p. 1: ‘Neolithic houses from Llanfaethlu, Anglesey’ by Catherine Rees and Matt Jones

Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society vol. 81, p. 1: ‘A Hafted Halberd Excavated at Trecastell, Powys: from Undercurrent to Uptake – the Emergence and Contextualization of Halberds in Wales and North-west Europe’ by Stuart Needham & contributors

Site Recorder no. 1592, p. 8: ‘Harlech Castle’ by Stephen Jones [Cadw’s restoration and new build project in Harlech]

Welsh History Review vol. 27 no. 4, p. 672: ‘The Significance of St. Davids and Its Bishops During the Fifteenth Century’ by Ralph A. Griffiths [former Chairman of the Commissioners, RCAHMW]; p. 789: Review, by Prys Morgan, of Historic Houses of Snowdonia by Richard Suggett and Margaret Dunn.

 

Contact us
If you have any comments or enquiries, please feel free to contact us:
NMRW Library and Enquiries Service
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Crown Building, Plas Crug
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion SY23 1NJ

Telephone: +44 (0)1970 621200
Fax: +44 (0)1970 627701
E-mail: nmr.wales@rcahmw.gov.uk
Website: www.rcahmw.gov.uk
Blog: www.heritageofwalesnews.blogspot.co.uk



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Knit Your Own Aqueduct! Inspirational Archives

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct NPRN: 33410 (DI2008_0375)

My knitting obsession started as soon as I learnt to knit. One New Year’s Eve, seven or eight years ago, I finally cracked it, having just been shown how to cast on in a way I actually understood.

One very long scarf later, I was ready for new challenges. My projects became increasingly ambitious, the needles thinner, and the yarn, finer.

Stranded (also known as Fair Isle) knitting is one of my favourites. I’ve enjoyed making hats, cowls, mittens and other things using this technique. When I saw the old painting of Pontcysyllte aqueduct, I thought that the elegant lines and the repeating arches would make a fantastic pattern for a cowl (which, to the uninitiated, is a tube-shaped thing worn instead of a scarf; sometimes it is referred to as a snood).

I simplified the image and, using graph paper, turned it into a chart for knitting. If it appears somewhat stretched vertically, it is because the knit stitch is wider than it’s tall and an allowance must be made for that, otherwise the finished design would appear squashed.

Are you ready? It’s time to get technical.

INSTRUCTIONS

The pattern is designed to be knitted in 4-ply (or fingering weight) yarn, on thin needles, 3mm or even less. Only stocking stitch is used, and only two colours are used at a time, except at the top where the first two rows of bridge detail (in black) have to be embroidered (duplicate stitch) on the finished piece. The pattern repeat is 14 stitches, and it repeats 16 times in each round.

Some floats are quite long and will have to be caught as you knit.

You should understand about yarn dominance in stranded knitting before you begin. There is a good explanation here: http://paper-tiger.net/blog/13911317/colordominance.

The blue/white vertical stripes are there to help count stitches, nothing else. The pattern repeat is outlined in red on the right hand side of the chart.

The only abbreviations used are: sts – stitches; MC – main colour; CC – contrast colour.

NB. The pattern has not been test-knitted.

You will need:

• Blue yarn to represent the water (CC1)
• Green/brown yarn for the land (something variegated with a long repeat, like Noro Kureyon Sock shade S236, would be ideal) (CC2)
• Light blue yarn for the sky (CC3)
• Grey yarn for the aqueduct (make sure the colour stands out against the background) (MC)
• Black yarn for bridge detail. (CC4)

Or you could knit it in bright and entirely unnatural colours; the choice is yours!

Cast on 182 sts in CC1 using the long tail method. Join in the round.

Work 1x1 rib for at least 5 rows, or longer is you like.

Switch to CC2 and MC until first red line. Work chart in Stocking Stitch, making sure to catch the floats and paying attention to yarn dominance (MC should be the dominant colour throughout).

Switch to CC3 and MC. Work until the second red line.

Switch to CC4 and MC. Switch yarn dominance to CC4 for this section. Work to next red line.

Switch back to CC3 and MC. Resume MC yarn dominance and work 1x1 corrugated rib to last row.

Work the last row in CC4 only.

Cast off. Embroider (duplicate stitch) the missing black details of the bridge in the two rows before the second red line. Tidy up the loose ends.

Congratulations! You can now wear the World Heritage Site.

By Ania Skarzynska

 
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Inspirational Archives, 18 November, 2015

This year, as part of our Explore your Archive campaign we are running an Inspirational Archives event on 18 November 2015, 12pm to 7pm. There will be lectures on photography and demonstrations of LiDAR, GIS, reconstruction drawing and digital 3D modelling, to illustrate different ways of looking at the world. Three artists will be in residence for the day, running workshops to help inspire you to create something of your own using copies of material from our archives.

Mixed media picture created by The Mad Mountain
 Stitchers, inspired by the photograph of miners in Coity Pits.

 Miners in Coity Pits, from the John Cornwell Collection , NPRN: 433.

Even if you can’t join us, take a look at Coflein, our online site database and catalogue. Here you will find thousands of amazing images that will inspire you to bake a cake, write a poem or paint a picture. Make a digital copy of your creation and submit it to us by 17 January 2016. All submissions will be put in a gallery on People’s Collection Wales and a selection will be published by Planet magazine. We will also be showcasing your work later in 2016 at Ceredigion Museum.

Follow the link to find out more about the event and how to submit your creations inspired by the archives of the Royal Commission.

http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Our+Services/Outreach+/Inspirational+Archives/

We look forward to seeing how you have been inspired!

Cake made by Sue Fielding, inspired by the Royal Commission drawing of Bryndraenog.

 Bryndraenog, Beguildy, NPRN: 81056.

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My first week at the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

My name is Lucie Hobson and I’m the new Library and Enquiries Assistant at the Royal Commission. I am completely new to the Royal Commission so the purpose of this blog is to provide a flavour of my first week learning the ways of the Library and Enquiries Service!

My own background lies in the study of the history of Wales, having recently graduated from Aberystwyth University with a degree in History and Welsh History. Even so, I admit that I was unaware of the resources available at the RCAHMW; part of the role of the RCAHMW’s Public Enquiries service is to utilise these resources to bring the work of the Commission to a wider audience.

I was really nervous on my first day, which involved an induction to office health and safety procedures, meeting other staff members, and trying (and failing) not to get lost – fortunately there was always somebody friendly to point the way! I didn’t feel I had really ‘arrived’ until the afternoon, when I had my IT and e-mail accounts set up.

As part of my induction programme, I was introduced to the databases that I would be using to assist with public enquiries, and I learnt about resources such as Coflein and the People’s Collection Wales. On my second and third days I spent time with different staff members to gain an overview of aspects of the Commission’s work, such as aerial photography, mapping, record conservation, and site surveys, and how this information is all made available within the archive and library service.

Retrieving archive material from the stores of the National Monuments Record of Wales.

On my fourth and fifth days I had my first taste of working in the library and visited the numerous stores to collect material requested by members of the public – my unfamiliarity with archival cataloguing made this, at first, seem an insurmountable task! Fortunately, after a steep learning curve I was soon finding my way around, as this was to be one of my main tasks as Library and Enquiries Assistant. After my first week, I’m now looking forward to playing an active role in the work of the Library and Enquiries service; the diversity and range of the library and archive collections mean that I’ll never know what I’m likely to discover next.

By Lucie Hobson


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Inspirational Archives: Come and be inspired by the Royal Commission’s archives 18 November, 12pm–7pm

As part of this year’s Explore your Archives campaign, the Royal Commission will be hosting Inspirational Archives: a programme of events designed to stimulate the creative use of our archives.

On Wednesday, 18 November 2015, we are holding an Open Day, inviting visitors to come and discover the many unique collections in our archives – and to be inspired to create something of their own.

The day will include creative workshops, and demonstrations on 3D modelling, reconstruction drawing, animations, photography, digital resources (LiDAR, GIS) and much more. In addition there will be exciting talks by the Royal Commission’s aerial investigator, Dr Toby Driver, on Patterns from the Past: The Wonders of the Aerial Archive and by its photographer, Iain Wright, on Through the Photographer’s Lens.

A selection of work by the Mad Mountain Stitchers, a group of highly-creative textile artists inspired by the unique collections in the National Monuments Record of Wales, will also be on display, including their wonderful wall hanging, Big Pit. The artists will also be on hand to talk about their work, and the materials and techniques used in their creation.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the vast range of the Royal Commission’s collections of photographs, maps, plans, drawings, texts, and other material in the National Monuments Record of Wales.

Visitors will be welcome to participate in workshops, working with students from Aberystwyth University’s School of Art to think creatively about using the archives to produce poetry, short stories, works of art, textiles, models, sculpture, knitting, cakes or anything else you feel inspired to produce.

Submission of work – having been inspired to create a piece of work in whatever medium – visual or written – please send us a digital version (photograph, recording, text document etc) by e-mail (nmr.wales@rcahmw.gov.uk) together with the submission form before 17 January 2016. Submissions will form part of an online exhibition called the Inspirational Archives Collection on the People’s Collection Wales website where you will be able to view, comment and share. A selection will also be published by Planet and shown in an exhibition in the New Year – details to follow.

For further information, please contact the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Plas Crug, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 1NJ, telephone: 01970 621200, email: nmr.wales@rcahmw.gov.uk

All are welcome. All events are free. Join us for the day and be inspired!


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