/ en /ralph-hope Ralph Hope Mark Pyper Issue number (2024): 21 Notes category Ralph Hope Second World War Battle of Britain Archives Royal Air Force War heroes

From a glittering Eton career, Ralph Hope (1914–1940) joined ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, Oxford in 1932. In June 1938, he joined 605 Squadron as a volunteer member of the Auxiliary Air Force based in Castle Bromwich. The Battle of Britain officially lasted from 10 July to 31 October 1940, but Ralph had been on active service since May of that year. He was ‘brought down’ on 14 October, having stayed in his plane until he was over open ground, so as not to endanger the lives of fellow citizens. He thus very definitely gave his life so that others might live.

 

Ralph Hope’s sheepskin flying mittens
²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Archives, Oxford, NCA JCR/R/HopeR

 

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

21NCN8 (2024) Pyper on Ralph Hope.pdf1.09 MB ]]> Mon, 29 Jul 2024 19:45:23 +0000 Christopher 3152 at /node/1646 Jane Austen First Editions: Aves and the Sparrow Christopher Skelton-Foord Issue number (2018): 09 Notes category Library Antiquarian Jane Austen John Hanbury Angus Sparrow Nigel Aves Watson Winchester ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ 20thC history Second World War

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library holds first editions of four of Jane Austen’s novels. This very good fortune the library owes to two ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ men, born thirteen years apart: one still very renowned today, especially in Oxford circles; the other did not live long enough ever to be so. Both also have in common remarkable soldierships in the Second World War.

 

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library, Oxford, BT3.2.1

 

²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Library and Archives, Oxford

9NCN9 (2018) Skelton-Foord on Jane Austen.pdf648.69 KB ]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2018 14:50:36 +0000 Christopher 1646 at