Dan Ellin
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danellin.bsky.social
Dan Ellin
@danellin.bsky.social
3K followers 1K following 1.5K posts
Historian, Gremlinologist, musician, and father. IBCC Digital Archivist. All views my own. He/him.
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danellin.bsky.social
Dan Ellin @danellin.bsky.social · Nov 10
My article Lack of Moral Fibre in RAF Bomber Command and Popular Culture @britjnlmilhist.bsky.social is here: journals.gold.ac.uk/index.php/bj...
A ‘Lack of Moral Fibre’ in Royal Air Force Bomber Command and Popular Culture | British Journal for Military History
journals.gold.ac.uk
danellin.bsky.social
I've just been visited by Trevor Kerry who dropped this off for archive and the top of my TBR pile. Someone to have on a show in the next series @nmtdambusters.bsky.social ?
THe cover of The Lost Dambuster Lancaster: The Story of 617 Squadron’s Attack on Hitler’s V2 Rocket Site by Trevor Kerry and Gaëtan Sagot. Image of a Lancaster and a crewman if flying gear inside a Lancaster.
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
danellin.bsky.social
You’ve been kidnapped. The characters from the last TV show you watched are trying to rescue you. Who’s coming to save you?

I'll be alright too...
November 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
danellin.bsky.social
A free civic carol service, in association with SSAFA, in Lincoln Cathedral in support of the armed forces community. @lincolncathedral.bsky.social
On the evening of 2 December, the Worshipful Mayor of Lincoln will be holding a civic carol service, in association with SSAFA, in Lincoln Cathedral in support of the armed forces community. 19:00- 20:00. Free ticketed event - QR Code or https://www.charity-hub.co.uk/ssafa-lincolnshire/index.cfm?event=event&eventId=102485
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
danellin.bsky.social
What does freedom mean to you?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffG...
Rough cut+logos+subtitles
YouTube video by Film Portfolio
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
flyingarchivist.bsky.social
Did you tell him there'd be more when the boat comes in?
November 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
danellin.bsky.social
I'll always remember what James Bolam said to me in the marquee rest area after we shot this scene. 'Are there any more crisps?' he said.
danellin.bsky.social Dan Ellin @danellin.bsky.social · 7d
My 'starring' role alongside James Bolam has been watched 28,000 times in three days! As @jamesjhistory.bsky.social said, the film's theme is 'what happened to the people...'
November 20, 2025 at 9:24 AM
danellin.bsky.social
I had my tea an hour or two ago, but I'm a bit peckish now...
Emergency Flying Ration Mk II IBCC Digital Archive item 57176 A metal ration tin (reference number 27P/7) with instructions printed on one side. IBCC Digital Archive item 57176
November 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
archiveswm.bsky.social
📣Exciting Opportunity✨ to join the Library & Archives senior management team at University of Warwick. To lead @mrcwarwick.bsky.social, including the University Archives and Special Collections.
Closing date: 7 Dec
#Archives #ArchivesWM @uknatarcsector.bsky.social
MRC Manager and Head of Archives and Special Collections
An exciting opportunity has come up to join the Library & Archives senior management team. You will lead on all aspects of strategic development and operational management and expertise relating to th...
www.archiveswestmidlands.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
danellin.bsky.social
My 'starring' role alongside James Bolam has been watched 28,000 times in three days! As @jamesjhistory.bsky.social said, the film's theme is 'what happened to the people...'
Selfie of Dan in front of a monitor paused on a scene from the film. An ex Likely Lad in the foreground, Dan standing with others in the background. Behind that the reception at the IBCC Digital Archive
November 19, 2025 at 3:17 PM
danellin.bsky.social
Starring James Bolam, 'A Memory Owed' tells two stories: a replacement W/OP joining an experienced bomber crew, and an emotional journey of remembrance. Some photos in the end credits are from the @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social, I’m credited as a historical advisor, and appear briefly as an extra.
A Memory Owed || Short Film (2025)
YouTube video by A Memory Owed (2025)
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 PM
danellin.bsky.social
Call that snow? This was snow. #snow #WW2 #History
Eight ground personnel standing alongside Lancaster NG485 holding shovels. RAF Waddington 1943/1944 IBCC Digital Archive item 42772 Three Lancasters parked, rear two in echelon behind and left. In the foreground two ground personnel in leather jerkins in front of the tail of the first aircraft and piled high snow. RAF Waddington 1943/1944 IBCC Digital Archive item 3625 RAF Skellingthorpe in snow. Three single story huts surround a stand with a large number of bicycles. The ground is covered by deep snow. In the background centre are three figures. 1943/1944 IBCC Digital Archive item 9911
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
danellin.bsky.social
Give them a follow folks!
November 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
curatorian.bsky.social
I tend to think that for every remarkable photo of battle damage survived, like this one, there's ten or a hundred aircraft that blew up over the target or caught fire and crashed or ditched and the crew lost at sea etc etc etc.
November 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
danellin.bsky.social
Damage to a 102 Squadron Halifax that landed at RAF Woodbridge returning from an operation to Julich in support of the American Army #OTD 16 Nov 1944. After landing at RAF Woodbridge in fog using FIDO Jim Finney, the mid upper gunner (left), was hospitalised and did not fly again. #WW2 #History
Starboard fuselage and rear inboard section of Halifax wing showing damage sustained during an operation over Germany. On the reverse 'Original photo Julich 16 Nov 1944 Landed Woodbridge Pocklington'. IBCC Digital Archive item 17780 Seven airmen in front of their Halifax. On a second image the same image is annotated - 'Mid-Upper Gunner Jim Finney Hull Flight Engineer Eric Horsham Wolwich SE London Navigator Owen Shirley Carshalton Surrey Pilot F/Lt Edgar Francis Seke St Michael Bomadier B/A John Norris Finchley London Wop/AG Alan Shepherd Ringwod Hants. Rear Guns Ronald Alderton Hampstead London'. On the reverse ' Pocklington 1944 Halifax III (Eshersham Instructor 346/347 F French) Loraine (1946) Sqdn - Elvington. March 1944-1947'. IBCC Digital Archive item 17769
November 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
danellin.bsky.social
This video by @lordhardthrasher.bsky.social is rather well done, and I think I can hear some of my work being referenced. #History #WW2 @nmtdambusters.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvk0...
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
danellin.bsky.social
While I'm thinking about memory, commemoration, and remembrance this from last week is worth watching. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb34... skip the first 5 minutes.
The Remembrance Assembly 2025 (English, no subtitles)
YouTube video by National Literacy Trust
www.youtube.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
danellin.bsky.social
It's been viewed over 1,000 times in the first hour. The @ibccdigitalarchive.bsky.social gets a shout out for supplying some images, I have a credit as a historical advisor, and you can even spot me as an extra on screen for a second.
November 15, 2025 at 9:07 PM
danellin.bsky.social
This wizard film is just about to screen on YouTube... www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYtZ...
A Memory Owed || Short Film (2025)
YouTube video by A Memory Owed (2025)
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Dan Ellin
smoorebofb1940.bsky.social
Finally made it here @danellin.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 9:35 AM
danellin.bsky.social
I was in 633 Squadron when I was seven years old. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Arrest after man suspected of posing as navy admiral at Llandudno Remembrance event
Police said a naval uniform and a selection of medals were seized from the man's home.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM
danellin.bsky.social
A busy day. A productive IBCC / University of Lincoln partnership committee meeting with @flyingarchivist.bsky.social, Alex trained new student volunteers, and we took in a wizard collection of POW material containing interviews recorded with Dixie Deans... #History #WW2 @nmtdambusters.bsky.social
A box file containing papers and 7 cassettes labelled J A G Deans and Dixie on the March.
November 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
danellin.bsky.social
Look who is here on the light blue side!
Wizard!
uknatarcsector.bsky.social UK Archive Sector Leadership @uknatarcsector.bsky.social · 17d
Hi there! We’re the Archive Sector Leadership team at The National Archives UK.

We support archives of all types and sizes across England.

Lend us a follow and we’ll keep you updated with opportunities for free training, networking, grants, written guidance and more!
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Two people in a repository opening a drawer and examining a large colourful illustration.
November 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
danellin.bsky.social
You can see films of all four panels of the Lincolnshire Mosaic of Freedom coming together here: www.youtube.com/@AllanLevy-x8t
November 12, 2025 at 10:09 AM
danellin.bsky.social
Yesterday I though of Arthur Brett. He was a flight engineer with 57 Squadron and was killed 11 November 1944. His wife didn't learn what had happened to him until the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service located his remains in Jan 1949.
Mrs. A. C. Brett, of 40, Manland avenue, Harpenden, has been officially informed that her husband, Sergt. (Flight Engineer) Arthur Charles Brett, aged 33, of the R.A.F who was reported missing while returning from a raid over Germany in November, 1944, is now presumed to have been killed. Son of Mr. A. Brett, of 44, Manland avenue, and the late Mrs. Brett, Sergt. Brett was in the employ of Messers, [photograph] Chirney’s Garage. Ltd, at Harpenden, and later with Messrs, Hayward and Tylers, of Luton. He was a member of the Special Constabulary before he joined the R.A.F. about three years ago, and was a member of the Caterpillar Club. IBCC Digital Archive item 26452 2, Seville Street, Knightsbridge, London, S.W.1. 8 – JAN 1949 Dear Mrs. Brett, It is not without hesitation that I refer to this Department’s letter dated 15th January 1947 concerning the loss in action of your husband Sergeant A.C. Brett, but I feel sure you will wish to know that as a result of further investigations undertaken by the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Service in Germany, his place of burial has now been located. These investigations show that he was buried by the Germans as unknown in the village cemetery at Heidenau, which is seven miles south of Beckdorf where the crash occurred. In accordance with the policy agreed upon by His Majesty’s and Commonwealth Governments that our fallen should be transferred to specially selected military cemeteries, he has now been re-interred in Grave 1, Row A, Plot 19, at Soltau (Becklingen) British Military Cemetery. His identity was positively established by the service number (1867875) found on his clothing, and the Flight Engineer’s badge worn on his tunic. Soltau Cemetery is situated 40 miles north of Hannover, and the graves there will be maintained for all time by the Imperial War Graves Commission. I am sorry that, owing to the formidable task of our search teams it has not been possible to let you have this information earlier, but I do hope this somewhat belated news will afford you a measure of comfort in your sad loss. Yours sincerely [signature] S Rowley [/signature] Mrs. K. Brett, 40 Manland Avenue, Harpenden, Hertfordshire. IBCC Digital Archive item 26450 White cross with 1867875 Sgt A C Brett RAF 11.11.44. IBCC Digital Archive item 26453
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 AM
danellin.bsky.social
The IBCC Losses Database is down at the mo. The IBCC Digital Archive is still up and running.
Temporarily Unavailable The IBCC Losses Database, which has taken 12 years to research and compile, has recently been subject to scraping attacks from unknown sources. Whilst we find a solution to protect the records of the 68,000 men and women honoured in the database, we have had to take the hard decision to take down the pages. Please bear with us whilst we try to resolve the issue.
November 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM