The
information on this page has been obtained from many sources. The idea
is to gather any and all information on each individual member of 214
Squadron and record it here. Eventually, as enough information is received
for each individual, a separate section will be set up for them with photos,
memories and their personal story. If you served with the squadron, or
know someone who was with the squadron, please contact
me (remove the xxx to send an email) and help build this memorial
/ tribute to the squadron.
NOTE
: To see the information for each individual, find their name in the
HONOUR ROLL in the left column and if the name is underlined click on
it. If the name is not underlined, then no further details are available
yet.
FS Wally P Scarth
FS Wally
P Scarth, (1591970). Qualified as Flight Engineer 02/03/1944, 1659HPU. Qualified
as Flight Engineer 29/11/1944, 214 Squadron.
FS Scarth
served with 578 Squadron through 1944 as Flight Engineer on Halifax III bombers.
Here he made numerous bombing runs over Germany before transfering late in
the year to 214 Squadron who were then based at Oulton. Operations once again
saw him make numerous runs over Germany but this time he was engaged primarily
in window operations crewing on B17 G Bombers. His two main pilots here seem
to have been F/O Rogers and F/O Nelson. F/Sgt Scarth passed away in 2003.
Crew Halifax III MZ559 L.K.F of 578 squadron. (see note below)
The crew are left to right: Bob Burn ~ Canadian Navigator; Sam Brown ~ Rear Gunner; S/Ldr Bob Davies ~ Pilot: Wally Scarth ~ Flight Engineer; Charlie Hayward ~ mid Upper Gunner; Vernon Corbett ~ Canadian Bomb Armer and Dick Tither (we think) Wireless Operator.
NOTE: Mel Morris, friend of S/Ldr Bob Davies states that the above photo is incorrect. This photo was taken at the HCU at Riccall before they were posted to 578 Sqdn.Burn. LK-F was another Halifax they flew from Burn that was bombed from above by a Lancaster forcing them to land at Old Buckenham on the way back from a raid.
PAGE FROM F/SGT SCARTH's LOG WHILE WITH 214 SQUADRON
INSIDE FRONT COVER OF LOG BOOK
F/Sgt Scarth's log book is intact and in possession of the family. A few entries of the log while Wally was with 578 Squadron are on file with the site, however if anyone requires further lookups of entries from 578, I am certain the family would be happy to oblige.
SOURCE
/ RESEARCH: kindly provided by Stephen Foster
(Friend of the family)
Flt/Lt Vern L Scantleton DFC
Flt/Lt
Vern L Scantleton DFC, Pilot, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality
: Australian
Flt/Lt Vern.L. Scantleton DFC now lives in Toowoomba Queensland, Australia.
He completed two tours of operation with 214 squadron bomber command flying
Stirling and Flying Fortress aircraft based at Chedbrough and Oulton
Vern has written 5 war experience stories that give a great insight into life in World War 2. These are shown in the links below :
Vern
can be contacted via his son John at xxxscantleton@exemail.com.au (remove
xxx to send an email)
The site administrators have a list of Flt/Lt Scantleton's operations from
22 April 1944 to 13 February 1945. If you would like further details please
contact the site administrators.
?? V L Scantleton, Acting O/C A Flight as per Plt/Off Foskett log 30 March
1944
Source
: John Scantleton (son of Flt/Lt V L Scantleton)
Date record last updated : 4 August 2009
Sgt
D B Scoble
Sgt
D B Scoble, RNZAF, Shot down in raid on Berlin 01/03/1943 and taken prisoner.
Crew were:
F/S J.M. Lyall prisoner RCAF
Sgt N.G. Etherden prisoner RAF
F/O B.F.R Hotson killed RNZAF
Sgt D.B Scoble prisoner RNZAF
Sgt R.H Thom prisoner RNZAF
Sgt J.G Jack prisoner RAF
Sgt J.G Powell prisoner RAF
Wg/Cdr Peter Doig 'Scotty' Scott MiD
From
Left to Right Alan Brown, Aubrey Cattle, Ken ?, Bill Crofts, Len ?,Peter
Doig Scott
Scott,
Cattle and Crofts loading rear gun
Wg/Cdr
Peter Doig 'Scotty' Scott MiD, 104442, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force,
Nationality : United Kingdom
Son of John and Elizabeth Scott. Husband of Annie (Aitken)
Peter was enlisted as Aircraftsman Second Class on 30 June 1939. As the
first step in his assessment and training process Peter was sent to RAF
Prestwick in September 1939. His ambition was to be a pilot but he was refused
pilot training on the grounds that he was too old at 29. So he then started
training to be a wireless operator and an air gunner at RAF Evanton from
January 1940.
Peter then proceeded to RAF Bassingbourn, No 11 OTU, to continue training
on aerial photography and wireless operations. He qualified here as a wireless
operator.
He then went to RAF Jurby in April 1940. He qualified as an Air Gunner after
this training.
In May 1940 Peter joined 214 Squadron at RAF Stradishall. He began operational
flights from 5 August 1940.
After Stradishall Peter then moved to RAF Moreton-in-the-Marsh, 21 OTU in
July 1941. In August he was commissioned as an officer in the RAF.
His next move was to Central Gunnery School at Castle Kennedy in Galloway,
Scotland to attend a Gunnery Leader's course.
Next, he went to RAF Edgehill, which was a satellite airfield to RAF Moreton-in-the-Marsh.
His last flying operation with 214 Squadron was in June 1942 at Edgehill.
He spent the next year ar Edgehill on non-flying instructional duties.
In October 1943 Peter joined the operational 150 Squadron as part of the
British North Africa Force.
Peter was released from service in August 1946, and returned to Glasgow
to return to his job at the Kraft Cheese Company. After a short period he
left them and in April 1947 he rejoined the RAF, holding various roles.
Peter was later promoted to Wing Commander and was involved in developing
NATO.
He accepted the offer of an RAF 'Golden Handshake' in June 1958 and retired
to Devon with his wife and 2 daughters.
Wing Commander Peter Doig Scott died on 13 March 1984 in Teignmouth Devon
aged 73.
His daughter, Sheila Scott Byrne, has written an excellent book entitled
"RAF World War Two service of Peter Doig Scott".
Peter was awarded the following medals :
1939-45 Star;
The Italy Star;
Air Crew Europe Star;
The Defence medal;
The War medal;
Air Efficiency Award Medal
Source : Sheila
Scott Byrne (daughter of Wg/Cdr Peter Doig Scott)
Date record last updated : 20 September 2011
Sgt Allan Randall Scott
Sgt Allan Randall
Scott, 573717, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United
Kingdom, KIA 7 June 1942, Aged 19
ITW Scarborough 1941; Initial training
Montgomery Alabama USA 1941(Harvards) Graduated Napier Field 1942.
AFU Rissington: OTU Cottesmore and 1657 Con Unit Stradishall.
Plt/Off Geoff Shattock Pilot and crew served with 214 from 28 February 1943
to 29 July 1943. They were based at Chedburgh, Suffolk flying Stirlings.
Following tour instructed on Wellingtons 1944. and Dakotas at Castle Donnington
until end of war.
Geoffrey died on 19 December 2002 aged 81, the same day as one of his crew
mates, Sgt Frederick Trinder.
See Stories and Tall Tales ("N" for nuts section) for a story written
by Flt/Lt Wallace about one of the crews Ops over Germany when their Stirling
was shot up by another Stirling injuring the pilot Geoff Shattock.
Source
: Sarah Bond (daughter of Geoff Shattock) and Dave Wallace (son of Flt/Lt
A Wallace)
Date record last updated : 30 April 2011
Plt/Off Kenneth John Simpson
Plt/Off
Kenneth John Simpson, 413675, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality
: Australian, KIA 1 September 1943, Aged 22
Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial panel 130
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial panel 191
Born 11 May 1921
Born in Manly, New South Wales
Son of John and Violet Ann Ellen Simpson, of Manly, New South Wales. Australia.
Enlisted in Sydney.
Frank Edge writes:
"Pilot Officer KJ Simpson stayed in the plane and died when the plane
crashed. A good account of what happened was published in Canadian papers
The Sunday Star Metro and The Toronto Star on 7 11 1999. His body was never
recovered and he has no known grave and the family of George Daulby say this
fact haunted him for the rest of his life. There is a good chance his body
was pulled from the wreckage of the plane and buried but the crash site was
in the Soviet sector after the war and not accessible."
Source : John
Cripps and CWGC and Geoff Swallow (Australian Researcher) and Ian Hunt and
Chorley and National Archives of Australia and Frank
Edge (researcher)
Date record last updated : 7 August 2010
Sgt Raymond George Victor 'Ray' Simpson
Sgt Raymond George
Victor 'Ray' Simpson, 1805752, Mid Upper Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : British, KIA 24 May 1944, Aged 20
Son of John Ewen and Edith Mary Simpson, of King's Lynn, Norfolk. Sp. Memorial
`D'.
Raymond was born in 1923.
Two bodies were recovered from the sea and buried in Yerseke. One was Allan
Hockley and the other was 20 year old Raymond George Victor Simpson of King's
Lynn, Norfolk. Of note it was actually Raymond buried in grave 172 and Allan
in grave 171. It is said that the remainder of the crew parachuted into
a flooded area of Holland being picked up by Gestapo shortly after swimming
to dry land.
Source : Ryan
Dudley (nephew of Allan Hockley) and CWGC and Roz Glenn (daughter-in-law
of FS Thomas Glenn) and John Simpson (nephew of Ramond Simpson)
Fg/Off
Alan Raymond Collier Skone. 68186, Age 22, Son of Sidney
Walter & Edith Skone of Ewell, Surrey.
SERVICE CHRONOLOGY
He reported to No 2 Reception Centre, Cardington on 25 July 1940. first service number 1182859.
After a month of basic training at Cardington he was posted to No 1 Reception Wing in Torquay
Accepted as suitable for Pilot Training and on 14 September he joined No 5 ITW (Initial Training Wing) in Hastings. (during the time he was there No 5 ITW was re-located to Torquay)
By the end of 1940 he was an LAC (Leading Aircraftman) with a Grade A proficiency and very good character references. He had been found suitable for training as a pilot being classed as a U/T (Under Training) Pilot on 18 November.
On 11 December he was posted to No 51 Group Pool based at Yeadon, now the Leeds/Bradford Airport, where he was introduced to the DH82a, the Tiger Moth, to begin his basic pilot flying training.
On 3 March 1941, he was posted to Cranwell, Lincolnshire - the Headquarters of No 21 Group, Training Command known as the Royal Air Force College Flying Training School - where his pilot training continued on Airspeed Oxford twin-engine aircraft.
On 28 May 1941 Alan qualified as a fully trained pilot, was promoted to Sergeant and then "discharged from the RAF ! He was then re-engaged as a Probationary Pilot Officer in the RAF VR (Volunteer Reserve) with the new service number 68186
Instructor for Elementary Flying for "Learner" pilots. He was posted to the No 2 Central Flying School, also based at Cranwell, carrying out his duties with pupils in the Oxford aircraft.
Joined No 2 SFTS (Service Flying Training School) at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. Here he continued with his duties as a flying instructor but this time with Blenheims.
Admitted to the SSQ (Station Sick Quarters) and transferred to the RAF Hospital at Oxford.
On 7 January 1942, posted to No 11 OTU (Operational Training Unit) which was based at Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire.
On June 1942 Alan joined Operational Squadron No 214.
On 27 august 1942 three hundred and six aircraft were sent by Bomber Command to attack mainly the aircraft factories at the German city of Kassel situated some forty miles to the north east of the `Dams' which had been attacked in May 1942 by the `Dambusters'. The Command lost thirty-one aircraft, 10.1% of the force sent. One squadron, No 142, lost five of its fifteen Wellingtons taking part in the raid. It is believed that the German Night-Fighter Controllers were `spot on' in assessing just where the target was, hence the heavy casualties.
There was very little cloud cover over Kassel and it was well illuminated by the Pathfinders. Widespread damage was caused, particularly in the south west of the city, with over seventy large fires being started and severe damage being done to all three of the Henschel aircraft factories.
214 Squadron sent twelve aircraft on this raid, including Stirling Mark 1 R9155 Q - BU which took off from Stradishall at 2029 hours. On this occasion Pilot Officer Dunckley took the place of the regular navigator Sergeant S.Newcombe. Pilot Officer R.H.Dunckley was a New Zealander and Sergeant R.R. Gray was a Canadian. The others were British.
FLYING OFFICER A.R.SKONE PILOT
SERGEANT J. KING FLIGHT ENGINEER
PILOT OFFICER R.H. DUNCKLEY NAVIGATOR
SERGEANT A.C. LYLE AIR GUNNER/BOMB AIMER
FLIGHT SERGEANT R.A.COLEHAN WIRELESS OPERATOR
SERGEANT R.R.GRAY AIR GUNNER
SERGEANT W.J.BUSHELL AIR GUNNER
Nothing was heard of them again. It has been established that they were one of the twenty-five bombers shot down by Luftwaffe fighters out of a total loss of thirty-one. They had bombed their target and were on the way back when, shot down by a night fighter, crashed at Issum ten miles to the north west of Moers with no survivors. They were all buried temporarily, in the local cemetery.
RESEARCH & SOURCE: Arthur Skone, Pembrokshire
SEE
'A
PEACEFULL VIEW' by Arthur
Skone for further information on P/O Alan Skone, as well as details of several
crews and overview of various squadron operations.
Sgt Humphrey John Drummond Smiles DFM
Sgt
Humphrey John Drummond Smiles DFM, 103535, Pilot
Sergeant Smiles was on 19 Course at No 10 FTS Tern Hill with Jack Wetherly
and Harold Paterson. Like them, he flew a tour with 214 Squadron from late
1940 until mid 1941, showing himself to be an especially determined captain
After
29 operations, he was awarded the DFM and his citation (London Gazette
6 June 1941) speaks of two incidents when he dived his Wellington to 1400
and 1000 feet to attack heavily defended targets.
He had three crashes in 1941. The first was on 29 January 1941 when his
Wellington crashed on take-off from Stradishall with a full bomb load
and Padre Harrison, the Squadron Chaplain, won the George Medal after
rescuing the wounded.
Smiles was posted to 21 OTU Moreton-in-Marsh, surviving two more crashes.
London Gazette Issue 35273 published on 12 September 1941 = Sgt
London Gazette Issue 35709 published on 18 September 1942 =PO to Flg Off
London Gazette Issue 38194 published on 30 January 1948 = Flg Off to Flt
Lt
Source
: Christopher Jary (author) and London Gazette and Nightjar Newsletter
Date record last updated : 30 April 2011
Sgt Herbert R B 'Smithy' Smith
Sgt
Herbert R B 'Smithy' Smith, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom
Plt/Off
John Gordon Smith. J6960. Canadian RCAF. Pilot of Stirling BF337
BU-B. See Sgt Meredith for more details
London Gazette Citation
Pilot Officer
John Gordon SMITH (Can/J.6960),. Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 214 Squadron.
One night in June, 1942, Pilot Officer Smith, was captain of an aircraft detailed
to attack a target in the Ruhr. . Whilst flying over enemy territory, his
aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter whilst at a height of 17,000 feet.
The fighter made repeated attacks in quick succession but was driven off by
fierce and accurate fire. The fighter is believed to have been destroyed.
Another enemy aircraft then took up the attack and opened fire from close
range. Pilot Officer Smith's aircraft sustained severe damage. The front gunner
and flight engineer were badly injured and the port outer engine caught fire.'
The 'flames from the engine assumed dangerous proportions but, after the propeller
fell off, the fire subsided considerably. Despite the damage sustained, Pilot
Officer Smith displayed excellent airmanship and flew the aircraft back to
this country where he made a successful forced landing. This officer's skill,
coolness and gallantry in the face of trying circumstances were of a high
order. He has participated in several sorties and has always shown great determination
to press home his attacks against the enemy.
Sgt John 'Smitty' Smith
Sgt
John 'Smitty' Smith, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force, Nationality :
British
Served with 214 from 28 February 1943 to 29 July 1943. The crew were based
at Chedburgh, Suffolk flying Stirlings.
See Stories and Tall Tales ("N" for nuts section) for a story written
by Flt/Lt Wallace about one of the crews Ops over Germany when their Stirling
was shot up by another Stirling injuring the pilot Geoff Shattock.
Source : Dave Wallace,
son of Flt/Lt A Wallace and Sarah Bond (daughter of Plt/Off Shattock)
Date record last updated : 30 April 2011
Sgt D Smith
Sgt
D Smith, 1308089 Wireless/Operator Gunner (No other details) On
the 10th of April 1942 at 22.50 , Wellington Mark 1c Bomber No. HB856, piloted
by P/O John Murray left Stradishall Royal Air Force base destined for the
German city of Essen in the heavily defended industrial Ruhr Valley. Sgt D
Smith was on board as Wireless operator, Gunner. Intelligence had predicted
clear weather over the whole bombing run and as with the 3 previous night
sorties that week, the planes of his 214 Squadron should return in the early
hours of the next morning. The weather forecast had not been correct however
and once over Germany the formations broke up in the heavy cloud and encountered
concentrated and accurate anti-aircraft fire.
Hb856 did not return, and was later reported by German authorities that all crew had perished. All are buried in the Reichswald Forest Memorial Site in Germany.
Researched
by Alan Butterworth of South Africa, nephew of Cpt H.M. Butterworth.
See
Cpt Harold Butterworth page for further info .
Plt/Off Denis Hedley Smith
Plt/Off
Denis Hedley Smith , Pilot, 134995, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
, Nationality : United Kingdom. KIA 03 February 1943.
Sqn/Ldr A H Smythe known as Pug or Sniffer became was a superb flight commander
on his first tour with 214, and was later W/Cdr on his second tour with 214
Squadron when on Stirlings at Stradishall
and Chedburgh. He had his own horse and used to ride it around the dispersal
areas. His family was part of the Lyons confectionary business. He was an
ex Imperial Airways pilot, lived on a houseboat somewhere in Portugal and
he died in Spain a few years back.
Left to right
Sqn/Ldr Smythe - pilot, Sidney Meadowcroft, Keith Falconer, Tim Yates - W/Op,
Peter Scott - R/G, F/O O'Connor
Photo Source: Peter D Scott
Photo believed to be taken in Dec or early Jan 1941, likely BU-P Stirling
N2800 in background
Sidney and Keith were killed in action, Tim died in March of 2002 at age 83
and O'Connor was killed while on leave in London after stepping off a bus
(source - Ted Turner)
As an example of his determination he was on a raid 21 December 1940 to Venice
in R3208 with among others Peter Scott as front gunner and P/O paterson as
2nd W/Op and they ran out of oxygen crossing the Alps so rather than return
to base they turned back across the Alps and bombed Germany instead. (from
the log of Peter Scott).
Source : Sheila
Scott Byrne (daughter of Wg/Cdr Peter Doig Scott)
Date record last updated : 10 July 2011
FS Tom S Sparks
Believed to show Dutch Resistance worker who tried to help Sgt Sparks avoid
capture. Her name is not known.
FS
Tom S Sparks, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom,
Date taken POW 22 June 1944, POW number 414
FS Sparks was one of several crew from Fortress BU.B to bail out and be taken
prisoner of war. (captured 8 July 1944).
After bailing out FS Sparks was given shelter by a Dutch resistance group.
Unfortunately is had unknowingly been infultrated by the Germans. Put in a
van to be transported to a safe house, FS Sparks found on reaching its destination
that instead of evading capture, he was surrounded by a dozen German soldiers,
all pointing their rifles at him.
On repatriation in 1945 he continued his RAF career and was promoted to FS.
He was later reported as saying that pilot John Cassan and co-pilot Syd Bryant
were wrestling with the controls of the aircraft attempting to make a forced
landing at the time he bailed out, giving rise to the theory that there may
have been badly wounded on board.
In June 1945, survivor FS Tom Sparks sent a letter to John's mother which
confirms that John stayed at the controls of the aircraft because, quote "One
of the boys up front was badly injured" (likely Navigator FS George Orr).
This
diary records FS Harry Whatton's time as a Prisoner of War from June 1944
until his liberation in May 1945. It also includes his time during the 'TheLong
March' of January to February 1945. Harry clearly had a fixation for liberation
and dwells much on the shortage of food. Perhaps an honest reflection of the
monotony of PoW camp life.
Tom and Harry were together throughtout their time in Holland and in Stalag
Luft 7 and later at Stalag 3A.
Source
: John Cripps (nephew of Sgt Sydney Bryant) and Barbara Speakman (daughter
of Sgt Tom Sparks) and Keith Stone (nephew of Harry Whatton) and "Footprints
in the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 27 October 2009
WO H A 'Steve' Spregg
WO
H A 'Steve' Spregg, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom
John Stelling Special Operator, Special Duties, flew with 214 Squadron from
1 May 1944 until 6 December 1944. Initially he did his training on a Dominie
starting on the 28 January 1944 with a number of pilots whose names are noted
in his flight log. He then moved on to Proctors completing his training 11
March 1944 being transferred to Flying Fortresses (B17’s) commencing
his tour 19 March 1944. John then flew with 214 Squadron from that date from
Oulton completing his tour of 35 sorties on 6 December 1944.
It is believed John subsequently moved on to air traffic control towards the
end of the WW II . John married Anne Pickering (WRAF) commencing work for
Vauxhall (now a subsidiary of General Motors) in Luton, Bedfordshire living
in the area initially in Luton then moving to Barton-Le-Clay in 1952/53. John
and Anne had five children, Susan, Michael and Judi (twins), Anabel and Jeremy
respectively.
The family moved to Chester in 1962 when John took up a new post at Vauxhall
in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. Unfortunately John died of cancer in March 1964.
No
information is known about the above photo of FS Stelling's
( SEE PHOTO ALBUM FOR ENLARGEMENT)
Adrian
& Judi Houlbrook are entrusted with FS Stelling's Flight Log book.
Source
: Adrian Houlbrook & Judi (SteIling) Houlbrook (daughter of John Stelling)
Date record last updated : 26 May 2009
Fg/Off George Stewart
Fg/Off
George Stewart,
421849, Pilot, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA
7 March 1945, Aged 22
Distinguished Flying Cross - No.214 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette
dated 22 August 1941 (and listed in AFRO 272/43 dated 19 February 1943).
Born in Vancouver 1917; educated there (navigating officer with Canadian
Pacific Steamships). Appointed Pilot Officer on Probation, 23 October
1939. With No.214 Squadron, 20 December 1940 to 22 June 1941 when
posted to RAF Mildenhall. No citation other than "for gallantry
and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations." AFRO
272/43 dated 19 February 1943 (reporting the Bar to his DFC) described him
as a Canadian in the RAF. Air Ministry Bulletin 4812 refers. Public
Record Office Air 2/8899 has recommendation drafted when he had flown 28
sorties (162 operational hours).
On the night of the 12th March 1941(12/04/1941), this officer carried out an attack on the railway station at Hamburg in the face of intense anti-aircraft and searchlight activity. After diving down from 8,000 feet to bomb his target, he attacked searchlight concentrations, many of which were put out of action. On the return journey he attacked six enemy mine-sweepers and two 6,000 ton merchant ships whose decks he machine-gunned. This officer has displayed complete qualities of leadership and disregard for his personal safety. He has proved himself to be an inspiration to all.
STURDY, S/L Walter Ronald Nisbett (42906) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - awarded as per London Gazette dated 12 January 1943; No.214 Squadron.
Since
the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has completed a number
of daring sorties against the enemy. In July 1942, when attacking a
target in the Ruhr, his aircraft was severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire.
With great presence of mind and by his great skill and coolness, Squadron
Leader Sturdy extinguished the fire which had started, enabling him to fly
his aircraft to base. In similar circumstances in September 1942, he
flew his aircraft back from Bremen, flying several hundred miles on three
engines. He has displayed great efficiency and courage in difficulties
on several occasions. Throughout, Squadron Leader Sturdy has evinced
great powers of leadership and exceptional devotion to duty.
He married Jean Furley who I believe was one of the head WAFs at Stradishall
where they met. After the war they initially moved to Toronto where he trained
to become a chiropractor. They then moved to Vancouver where he set up his
practice with their 3 kids.He passed away approx. 1995 and Jean passed away
in the spring of 2007.
Walter had friends also connected to 214 Squadron, Reg Lewis and H. Bidmead.
He also stayed in touch with a man called Earl Ward who also ended up in British
Columbia.
Source : London
Gazette and Sandy Garnham, (granddaughter) and Squadron ORB and Ian Hunt
I signed up for my Service in Glasgow 13 March 1939. I had to travel from
Edinburgh, my home town, to Glasgow then to London to start my career as
a regular R.A.F. person. I wanted to go in as a mechanic but they suggested
I could be a wireless operator, they would teach me. At that point I did
not have to blow up the mercury (Medical Test) so I agreed and they made
me a recruit for a Wireless Operator. I signed on for six years regular
and six years reserve and did my training in Cardington, Bedforshire, then
on to Wireless School for my radio training. When war broke out, I went
to Porthcawl South Wales for my gunnery training.
After completing operational training, Hargest, Evans and I were posted
to a squadron based in Newmarket - the horse racing track. However the day
before we arrived the squadron had lost six of the eight planes they had
(shot down). All six crews had perished. Now the morale of those who did
come back was very low. All they talked about was the ones they knew that
were now gone. Hargest, Evans and myself saw how affected they were because
they talked about playing soccer with this person, or how they went to the
local with that person. It was a sad sight.
Since now there were no aircraft, we, Hargest, Evans and myself were then
posted on to 214 Sqdn at Stradishall and operations. Here we decided we
would not get close to anybody except our own crew, and that was what we
did. Just stuck together. We went everywhere together.
The book "Portrait of a Bomber Pilot by Christopher Jary" covers
the 214 squadron from pages 32 to 52 and has photos of our crew, the photograph
on page 39 was our original crew. All told, we flew 30 missions together
on Wellington "G" George. (This is likely Wellington Serial 1621
as noted from Venner log book entry)
Later on in my service I was flying with trainee pilots and doing menial
operational stuff. If the pilots got lost while flying I would get on the
radio and get a navigational fix so that we could chart our way back to
base. That was the kind of assignments I had after my 50th bombing raid.
I finally got sick of the trainee stuff and I applied to take the pilots
training course. I actually flew solo in Scone in Perth, Scotland. That
was at the end of the seven years with the RAF.
Between operations we usually went to Cambridge to have a couple of 'Beers'
and go dancing, we could do this because Evans had a car, so Hargest and
I shared the cost and we always enjoyed ourselves. Now that used to be when
the moon was bright, since we only flew every third night on Operations
during this time. When there was no moon, we went on operations every second
night so that cut down on our entertainment.
Those nights we would walk to the local in Stradishall to have a few beers
and a 'singsong'. It was a small house with the front room being the bar
and we did have music there. Another thing we used to do was have a cup
of tea and a 'Wad', at this farm house - just a small place very close to
our dispersal area where our aircraft "G" 'George' was. This beautiful
old lady and her son would make a pot of tea and we would bring some cakes,
so at break time we would enjoy our 'break' just like "home with Mam!"
I wasn't involved with any sports, but I did play the trumpet in the station
jazz band. I was more into dancing, Glen Miller and Harry James.
Outside of our own crew, the feeling of the crews was that you didn't want
to get close to any other crew because at any time a message could come
through that one of our aircraft failed to return. If you didn't get close
to anyone else then you didn't have to worry it might be someone you were
associated with. There is only one I spent any time with, that was Bill
Crofts. The reason I remember him was he had a gramophone and a lot of Glen
Miller's records which he used to play in his room and we were invited to
listen to them, this we did when we had time.
Ted Hargest passed away many years ago.
Evans has gotten lost and we cannot find him.
The only one I know who is still around besides myself, is " W/C Beck"
the original First Pilot. I visited Hargest's home, Blue Boar Inn, Brecon,
Wales and Evan's home, Mertha Tidville, Wales and I write to Hargest's daughter
in Australia. (NOTE: George may not have known but W/C John Beck predeceased
him some six months earlier in January)
On 12 September, forty Wellingtons were sent to attack dock and railway
targets in Germany and Brussels. Again flying as second pilot with Beck,
Jack went to bomb the marshaling yards at Osnabruck. They successfully found
their target - perhaps by homing in on its transmitter. Staying well above
the German barrage balloons at 3,500 feet, they were unable to avoid its
accurate anti-aircraft defenses. 'G-George' was hit in three places. Fortunately
no one was wounded and no serious damage done. . . . They landed safely
back at Stradishall after a memorable five and a half hour second trip.
Part of 'G-George's' fabric, holed by the ack-ack, was preserved as a memento
of their brush with the German anti-aircraft battery which occurred in the
early hours of Friday the 13th.!
A piece of the fabric saved from BU-G that was holed by ack ack on Friday
the 13th, September. George was the artist who embellished it with the Nazi
Cross.
Flight
jacket on and ready to go! George patiently waiting reads a book while wondering
where in the blazes the rest of the crew has got to. 2001 (Book is "Portrait
of a Bomber Pilot" by Author Christopher Jary)
George died at 3am on 10 June 2003.
Source : Christopher
Jary (author of "Portrait of a bomber pilot")
FS Smith was taken POW when Stirling BK653 BU-A, crashed in the village
of Bonneuil les Eaux, Northern France on 16 April 1943. No further details
are known.
Source : Julien
Saguez, French Researcher and Chorley
Date record last updated : 30 July 2011
FS
Stan Scott
FS Stan Scott,
Bomb Aimer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom
Source : Mrs Shirley
Whitlock neice of one of the crew, Ian Hunt and CWGC.
Sgt
Douglas Edward Shrimpton
Sgt
Douglas Edward Shrimpton,
1183690, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 June 1942, Aged 21
He was a Tailgunner originally from Labradour (at that time, not a part
of Canada) and was shot down over the North Sea (probably by an Me110 night
fighter) during operations on the 24th of June 1943. None of the crew survived
but his body was recovered on the coast of Holland. His remains are interred
in the South East corner of the Bergen General Cemetery. He had married
a local girl Kathleen Gillan, whom he met during gunnery school at 10 BGAS
at Heathhall, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Source
: Steve
Abbott grandson of Solomon Seward, Ian Hunt and CWGC
Sgt
Peter David Straton
Sgt
Peter David Straton, 1396511, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Nationality
: United Kingdom. KIA 24 June 1943
Son of Joseph and Liza Shorttle; husband of Joan Shorttle, of Middlesbrough,
Yorkshire.
London
Gazette 14 September 1943 DFM awarded while with 199 Squadron.
London Gazette 26 October 1943 Appointed Flight Sergeant from 4 September
1943.
London Gazette 24 March 1944 Promotion to Flying Officer.
After the crash of HB805 on 24 February 1945 the body of the pilot, FO Shorttle,
was found and was buried on 7 May 1945 at No1 cemetery Ittenbach Germany,
before being re-interred at Rheinberg war cemetery.
Source
: CWGC and Beryl Hutchinson (daughter of Plt/Off R W Towell)
Date record last updated : 23 August 2009
Sgt
Harry Edward Sambrook
Sgt
Harry Edwards Sambrook, 935979. W. Op.[Air]. Royal Air Force. Nationality
: United Kingdom. KIA 30 September 1940 aged 28.
While
with 1699 CU in September 1944 Marc is recorded as doing numerous
training ops. Murray Peden was involved with some of these training
operations.
He joined 214 Sqn on 1 September 1944 and was flying on ops from 28
September 1944 to 14 April 1945. Initially in the Squadron's O.R.B.
(Operations Record Book - the official Squadron 'log' of ops and other
events) he is listed as 'F/O (Flying Officer) M C J Stainier' (5 Ops
between 28 September 1944 and 7 October 1944), but thereafter he is
listed as 'Flying Officer M C J Mark' (33 more ops between 9 October
1944 and 13 April 1945).
He used the alias name of Marc C J Mark in case of capture. Prior
to joining 214 Squadron his airfield in Belgium had been overrun by
the Germans early in the war and he had been captured and made POW.
He escaped from the Miranda de Robo concentration camp in Spain and
made his way to the UK and joined the RAF, who felt that the name
change should be made while on flying operations so as not to be easily
identified in the event he fell into German hands again.
F/O Stainier 'bent' a Fortress in a landing accident on 12 September
1944, while in training with 1699 Flight, 214 Sqn's Fortress conversion
unit. He records that there was a problem with the aircraft's flaps
(Fortress SR380) on a night training exercise, and the a/c then swung
on landing at RAF Woodbridge (one of the emergency landing airfields,
in Suffolk) and tipped onto its nose. One air gunner was slightly
injured. The other ops were a combination of RCM jamming ones accompanying
Bomber Command raids and "Window patrols", dropping radar-confusing
"window" (nowadays "chaff") strips of reflective-coated paper.
After the war he worked for Sabena Airlines.
He died in 1959.
Source
: Lt/Col Jean-Marie Stainier (son of Marc Stainier) and Ian Hunt and
Angus Cameron
Date record last updated : 12 December 2010
Sgt
Ronald Victor Street
Sgt Ronald Victor Street, 1575811, Air Gunner,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA
24 May 1943, Aged 19
Son of Albert and Mary Ann Street, of Low Hill, Wolverhampton.
The small island of Schiermonnikoog is the most northerly of the Frisian
Islands, lying about 11 kilometres north of the Dutch mainland. The
Vredenhof (Peace Garden) is a small private cemetery in the sand dunes
about 1.5 kilometres east of the village.
Please note that it is not possible to take vehicles to the island.
The cemetery was created in 1906 for the burial of bodies washed up
by the sea, and maintained by local subscriptions. The land (subsequently
acquired by the Netherlands Government) was the gift of the then owner,
Count von Bernstorff; and the cemetery was the personal project and,
until his death in 1955, the main interest of a well known resident
of Schiermonnikoog. He laid out the cemetery, planted trees and shrubs
and built a cross and a small chapel, all largely at his own expense.
During the 1939-1945 war the cemetery was extended at the rear and
new trees and shrubs were planted. It is in this part of the cemetery
that the majority of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth graves are
situated, although a few are in the original portion. There are now
nearly 70, 1939-1945 war casualties commemorated in this site; just
over a quarter of these are unidentified.
Source
: CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2003.
Source
: CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2004
Date record last updated : 21 February 2008
Sqn/Ldr Martin Tyringham Stephens DFC
Sqn/Ldr Martin Tyringham Stephens DFC,
75730, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality
: United Kingdom, KIA 13 February 1942, Aged 40
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial panel 267
Son of Percy and Jennie Sinclair; husband of Eileen Terasa Sinclair,
of Hastings, Sussex.
Fg/Off Sinclair previously served with 9 Squadron. His DFM appeared
in the London Gazette on 17 August 1943. His widow later remarried
and helped with the provision of a monument at Oulton.
Source : Chorley
and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003 and Catherine Stewart
(relative of WO James McFarlane)
Is also listed on returning operational aircrew on 31 August 1944
Named on a photograph of 214 Squadron members at Brackla, January
1945 - see Album 4
Brackla near Nairn in Invernesshire. It was the hutted camp of ACAC,
Air Crew Allocation Centre, a clearing house for tour expired aircrew.
In spite of heavy losses, far more had survived than could be used
for further flying duties and it was quite a problem finding suitable
niches for all.
Source
: Gerhard Heilig and David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright) and
George Mackie
Date record last updated : 28 July 2008
Plt/Off
J R 'Ricky' Sherbourne
Plt/Off
J R 'Ricky' Sherbourne, Bomb Aimer, Royal Canadian Air Force,
Nationality : Canadian
Is also listed on returning operational aircrew on 31 August 1944.
Both times he is listed as Warrant Officer
Source
: David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright) and George Mackie and
Catherine Sommer (daughter of Roland Williams)
Date record last updated : 14 February 2010
Gp/Capt
John Arthur Guinness Slessor CVO DL
Gp/Capt
John Arthur Guinness Slessor CVO DL, Flight Commander
Son of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Cotesworth Slessor,
GCB (3 June 1897-12 Jul 1979) and the former Hermione Grace Guinness
(d 1970), husband of Mrs Hazel Garstin
Died on 11th March 2008 in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. A Service
of Thanksgiving was held in the chapel of Cheltenham College on Friday
11th April .
As a Sqn Ldr, John was a Flt Cdr during his time on No 214 (FMS) Sqn
in 1958-59.
Source
: AVM Eric Macey OBE and Michael Rhodes on groups.google.com/group/Peerage-News
Date record last updated : 5 May 2008
FS
Smith
FS
Smith, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom, Date taken POW 25 August 1944, POW number 720
WO Stanley was one of the injured members of the crew on 21 June 1944
when SR381 BU-F crash landed at Woodbridge emergency aerodrome, crashing
into a Lacaster that was fully loaded with bombs after being shot
up twice in Germany . The other was Special Wireless Operator Hembrow.
WO Stanley had received several German cannon splinters into his skull.
He was first taken to Ipswich hospital and then on to the big RAF
hospital at Ely where they operated to remove the splinters. After
he regained his strength he was transferred from Ely to the hospital
at Littleport and then given leave. He was not able to fly with his
crew again unitil 28 July 1944. During his leave he got married.
WO Stanley was awarded his DFM immediately after this incident.
WO Stanley died on 16 December 2003. His grave is down near the riverside,
right hand side, below some steps.
Source
: Michael Phillips (son of Jack Phillips) and Nightjar Newsletter
Spring 2003 and Return of operational Aircrew at 16:00hrs on 31 August
1944 and Fred Beare and Murray Peden
Date record last updated : 30 December 2011
Flt/Lt
Allan Michael Skelton
Flt/Lt
Allan Michael Skelton, 060148S, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: British
Born 20 April 1948
Born in Upton, Pontefract, Yorkshire
Son of Malcolm and Jessie Skelton
He flew on Victor K1 / K1A aircraft.
Source
: A M Skelton
Date record last updated : 17 November 2008
FS
Al Schaeffer DFC
FS Al Schaeffer DFC, Rear Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force,
Nationality : Canadian
To see other interesting interviews and information, please click
on the following link : http://www.themrp.org
Source
: Roger Mills (son of John Tudor Mills) and interview by Allan Cameron
Date record last updated : 20 May 2010
Gp/Capt
Boyd Drayton 'Shrub' Sellick
Gp/Capt
Boyd Drayton 'Shrub' Sellick, Pilot
Served with 214 Squadron pre World War 2.(about 1935) until the start
of WW2, flying Wellingtons
He was Commanding Officer at Oakington 1942
He was Commanding Officer at Hemswell, dates unknownBoyd was at 576
sqn at Fiskerton Lincolnshire June 1944 to February 1945 as Wing Commander.
He eventually rose to the rank of Group Captain.
It is believed that he lived in the Huntington/ Peterbourgh area and
died in 1999, but this has not been confirmed.
Source
: David Briggs & Peter Walker (214 Squadron Association Secretary)
SAC Roy Alan George 'Rags' Sales,
4163484, Ground Crew, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom
Born 16 September 1946
Born in Dartford, Kent
Son of Alfred Redvers Sales and Lillian May Sales (nee Cherry)
Roy enlisted in January 1955 and did basic training at RAF Padgate
and trade training on armaments at RAF Kirkham.
His first posting was to RAF Marham on the Technical Wing then to
RAF Gaydon for a course on the Valiant aircraft. He was then transferred
to 214 Squadron serving in Malta (twice), Cyprus and Hada. Roy also
did a brief spell at Istress, France.
Whilst in Malta in Autumn 1956 the Suez Crisis erupted and it seemed
that there were no armourers in the "bomb dump" who had
experience of live bombing up so he was made up to Acting NCO and
transferred to Technical Wing where he worked for 72 hous without
a break on bombing patterns and fusing what are now known as "dumb"
bombs but also introduced radio fuses from nuclear weapons thus turning
the bombs into Airburst weapons.
Later he worked on Purple Club and Blue Danube atom bombs plus the
Yellow Sun hydrogen bombs.
Source
: Roy Sales
Date record last updated : 30 December 2008
Sgt
Ralph Reginald Shipley
Sgt
Ralph Reginald Shipley, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom
Pilot Officer Smith was OK after his aircraft was badly shot about
by night fighters and crash landed at Coltishall and written off.
Two other crew members (names unknown) were wounded during the fighter
engagements.
Source
: Nightjar Newsletter Autumn 2004
Date record last updated : 26 May 2009
Sgt
John Leslie Smith
Sgt
John Leslie Smith, 748177, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 May 1941, Aged 23
Flew on 29 July 1943 as 2nd pilot with Jack Dixon's crew.
Source
: John Jewsbury (son of R F Jewsbury)
Date record last updated : 7 July 2009
Sqn/Ldr
Ronald Seeley OBE MBE BEM
Sqn/Ldr
Ronald Seeley OBE MBE BEM, 573755, Radar, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: British
Born 26 February 1922
Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire
He was noted as receiving an MBE in London Gazette Issue 44999 published
on the 30 December 1969.
Ronald died on 4 May 1997 aged 75
Source
: Anne Cheung (daughter) and London Gazette
Date record last updated : 8 August 2009
Wg/Cdr
A G Skingsley
Wg/Cdr A G Skingsley,
Royal Air Force
Commanding Officer of 214 Squadron at RAF Marham 22 May 1974 when
he presented a plaque to the Air Gunners Association, which is now
displayed at the Yorkshire Air Museum in the Air Gunnery Hut. This
plaque is shown below :
Flt/Lt
Francis William Savage DFC, 129071, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom
Pilot Officer (prob) to be Flying Officer on probation (war subs)
on 20 November 1942 reported in London Gazette Issue 35864 published
on the 12 January 1943.
Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant (war subs) 20 May 1944 reported
in London Gazette Issue 36554 published on the 6 June 1944
Note of DFC in London Gazette Issue 37030 published on the 10 April
1945.
Note of retaining rank after the war as Flt/Lt from 22 August 1946
in London Gazette Issue 37708 published on the 30 August 1946
Source
: London Gazette issues
Date record last updated : 5 August 2009
Sydney
Shaw
Sydney
Shaw, Mid Upper Gunner
Sydney Shaw was mid-upper gunner on Fortresses employed in the radio
countermeasures role. He originally wanted to go for pilot when joining
up, but the temptation to get at the enemy and get involved as soon
as possible, led him to change his mind and go for air gunner, which
of course was a much quicker training program than pilot! I think
in later life he regretted this, and the missed opportunity for a
career as a peace time commercial arline pilot!
The
above photograph shows him in an 'action' pose, at the waist gunners
position. Apparently some offical squadron photographs were taken
whilst he was on leave, and subsequently, his mates arranged for these
to be taken upon his return!
Unfortunately, we don't know the serial number of his 'kite', nor
any details of his crew mates, but will endeavour to find out.
He died at home in Portsmouth about 20 years ago.
The above photograph shows bomber and crew, with Sydney sat on his
turret!
Source
: Rob Shaw (grandson of Sydney Shaw)
Date record last updated : 9 August 2009
Sgt
Thomas Henry Sansum
Sgt
Thomas Henry Sansum, 902416, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 5 November 1940,
Aged 25
Named on the following Memorial : Canadian Books of Remembrance
Named on the following Memorial : Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 60
Son of George Edward and Margaret Chambers Stack; nephew of Mrs. Mamie
Turner, of Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Source
: Chorley and CWGC
Date record last updated : 10 October 2009
Sgt
Francis Donald Stannard
Sgt
Francis Donald Stannard, 903139, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 14 May 1943, Aged 24
From Jan Bardoul:
"In the early hours of 14 May 1943 a burning plane crashed into
a house in my hometown of Heerlen, The Netherlands, setting the house
on fire. At a few miles' distance a wounded airman was found and taken
to hospital. He was reported to be severely wounded., he suffered
from a fractured pelvis. The hospitalized airman appeared to be Leslie
Sutcliffe, born in Eccles on 27 July 1921. Address: 99 Grasmare Crescent"
Source
: Chorley and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver
Clutton-Brock and Jan Bardoul of Heerlen, the Netherlands
Sgt
Eric George Walter Shotter, 930243, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA
1 April 1942, Aged 21
Son of William and Ellen Stephens, of Three Cocks, Brecknockshire.
Sgt/Pilot Vincent L Stephens, 1119436. Arrived at Stradishall on 26
February 1942.
With undoubtedly a lot of good natured practical jokes and wisecracks
on 01 April 1942 April Fools day, Wellington IC Z8842 lifted off the
runway at Stradishall on what was to be Sgt Stephens third and last
operational flight.
Sgt Stephens' body was recovered from the North Sea.
Jane has the letters Vincent wrote while in the Air Force and the
correspondence concerning his death and burial in Holland.
Source
: Jane Brookes (niece of Sgt. Vincent Stephens) and Chorley and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 December 2009
Plt/Off
Harry Arthur Shortt
Plt/Off
Harry Arthur Shortt, 100558, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 16 April 1942, Aged 25
Son of Henry and Annie Elizabeth Shortt, of Little Baddow, Essex;
husband of Sylvia Ada Shortt.
Source
: Adrian van Zantvoort and Chorley and CWGC and Richard Schoutissen
(researcher from the Netherlands)
Date record last updated : 28 December 2011
SAC
Robert Alan 'Specs' or 'Askey' Stocker
Bob Stocker with his wife Shirley
SAC
Robert Alan 'Specs' or 'Askey' Stocker, R4272335, Electrical Mechanic
(Air), Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom
Born in 1944
Born in Hawick, Scotland
Son of Arthur and Violet Stocker
Robert wrote:
"Although the true meaning of Ultor in Umbris is Avenging in
the Shadows, one of the first things I was told by "the boys"
when I arrived, was that really it meant "Always in the Dark."
I joined 214 Squadron during the bad winter of ‘62/63. As an
Elec Mech(Air) my first job was to flush battery acid from the bomb-bay
with bi-carb solution from a 5 gallon carboy because a battery had
boiled over. I sloshed a good amount around, put the bottle on the
ground and started mopping. When I tried to lift it again for another
go, it was frozen solidly to the ground! (Marham could get REALLY
cold!)
I was in 214 Squadron when a Vulcan was flight-refuelled from either
Waddington or Scampton (I can’t remember which) to what should
have been Perth in Australia . However, Perth was fog-bound so the
aircraft had to be diverted to Fremantle. I believe that was 1964
but age is getting the better of me!
I was flown to Gan, one of the Maldive Islands . Other refuelling
points were El Adam (Lybia) and Khormaksa ( Aden ). At the time, the
troubles between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots was at its worst and
families were using the R.A.F. transport aircraft to fly families
home to Blighty, so we had to be flown out 10 days before the exercise
and back again 9 days after it. We only had to see the Valiants in
the day before, pre and after flight the next day, the day of the
exercise, then pre-flight them to return the next day. The rest of
the 3 weeks was more or less a holiday-in-the-sun!
With an average temperature over each 24 hour period of 86F, I vowed
never to complain about cold weather again because you can wrap up!
From miles away, at night, you could see the ident beacon flashing
- - .-. (M R)
I flew with our Wing Commander on a refuelling leap-frog exercise
over the North Sea which was fine until he started swapping his distance
and close-up glasses every few seconds with a thumping great drogue
swishing about just feet from the windscreen! (Another memory loss
! I can’t remember his name, but it might have been Jones.)
Metal crystallisation of the main spar caused the Valiants to be grounded,
and for several weeks Chipmonks and Ansons were flown in for the pilots
to keep up their flying hours. I went for a joy-ride with Flight Lieutenant
Peach in a Chipmonk and we did some aerobatics. Great fun! He let
me take the stick for about 5 minutes, too. (I couldn’t reach
the pedals, though!)
I was also involved as ground crew when the Greek and Turkish Cypriots
went to war against each other and 214 Squadron "tanked"
one Lightening squadron home to Blighty and another one out to replace
them. (Akrotiri in Cyprus)
My
best mate in 214 was a guy called Ron Meldrum, but I've had no joy
in trying to locate him. We often went to the band-room (the other
side of the perimeter track, out of ear-shot,) and play about on his
4-track tape recorder. (Of course, we were MUCH younger then!)
My great sadness is losing contact with Ron. We spent many a happy
hour in a King’s Lynn pub called The Golden Ball, affectionately
known as (if you will excuse the R.A.F. vernacular) The Rusty Knacker.
Memories, memories, memories!"
Source
: Robert Stocker
Date record last updated : 7 August 2010
FS Patrick Sinnett
FS Patrick Sinnett, 1569177, Air Bomber, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 November 1945, Aged
21
Son of Margaret Sinnett, of Govan, Glasgow; nephew of Thomas Sinnett,
of Govan.
Source
: CWGC and Jock Whitehouse
Date record last updated : 5 September 2010
WO Frederick James William Steele
WO
Frederick James William Steele, 561898, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom, KIA 19 April 1945, Aged 33, Date taken POW 7 December
1940, POW number 448
WO Steele is recorded as baling out in error from his aircraft (a
Wellington) when it hit a barrage balloon on 7 December 1940 while
flying between R.A.F Stradishall and 70 Sqdn based in the Middle East.
He was taken POW.
During the Long Marches of 1945 he was one of 60 prisoners killed
in "friendly fire" by RAF Typhoons at Gresse in Germany
on 19 April 1945, being mistaken for a column of withdrawing Germans.
Andy Buckley is in possession of WO Steele's Caterpillar badge. The
Caterpillar Club is an informal association of people who have successfully
used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft. After authentication
by the parachute maker, applicants receive a membership certificate
and a distinctive lapel pin.
Source
: CWGC and Andy Buckley and "Footprints on the sands of time"
by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Air Force POW website
Date record last updated : 28 December 2010
Sgt Wilfred Sweeney
Sgt
Wilfred Sweeney,
R/79844, Rear Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, KIA 23 November 1943,
Aged 20
2nd son of Richard Skeels and Eliza (Brown) of New Hey near Rochdale.
Husband of Beatrice Skeels, of Bacup, Lancashire
Private First Class William Skeels' parents lived at 9 Sheaf Street
New Hey, near Rochdale. His maternal grandfather was Robert Brown
of New Hey.
Private Skeels was educated at New Hey British Day School and was
then employed as a Cotton Spinner at Garfield Spinning Co Ltd, Milne
Row, New Hey. This was built in 1884, closed in 1963 and demolished
in 1968.
He married Beatrice Harrison (daughter of William Harrison of Bacup)
who lived at 11a Todmorden Road, Bacup on 15 August 1914 at Mount
Zion, Edgeside New Church, Rawtenstall, Haslingden. Their marital
home was at 12 Mill Street, Haugh, New Hey, near Rochdale. They had
2 daughters, Beatrice, born 14 December 1914 and Florrie, born 4 December
1916. Florrie is listed with the surname Harrison.
Private Skeels joined the Royal Naval Air Service on 17 August 1917
as an Aircraftsman Second Class. Service number F35924.
His description when he joined up is as follows:
Height 5 feet 3 and a half inches
Chest 34 and a half inches
Hair brown
Eyes blue
Complexion fresh
Marjorie Knight (grandaughter) writes "It states that current
service commenced 17 August 1917, but I believe that he had joined
up before 4 December 1916 as that is the date that his second child
was born and it was a great sadness to my aunt that her father never
held or saw her".
Private Skeels served at HMS President 11 from 17 August 1917 to 6
September 1917. This was an accounting base for the RNAS, based at
Chatham, London and Shrewsbury from 1916 to 1947.
He then served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 6 September
1917.
From 1 February 1918 to 31 March 1918 he served at HMS Daedalus, Lee
on Solent, where he was promoted to Aircraftsman First Class on 17
February 1918.
The RNAS became part of the Royal Air Force when it started on 1 April
1918.
He was part of No 9 Squadron from 1 April 1918 to 27 April 1918, when
he was then at No. 4 ABD. He joined 214 Squadron on 6 June 1918. Service
number 235924.
Privtet Skeels died at No 32 Stationary Hospital France on 3 December
1918, from influenza, which he contracted while in service.
He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal on 23 February 1922
and the Victory Medal on 3 May 1922.
Source
: Marjorie Knight (grandaughter) and CWGC and War Record for William
Skeels and UK, DeRuvigny's Roll of Honour 1914-1924
