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207 Squadron Royal Air Force Historyfrom the Association web archive
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December 2009
- Frank R Haslam Wireless Operator 4/44-6/44: Solly crew: Evader
died on 6th December 2009. He was six days short of his 86th birthday.
He and his wife Catherine Renée Haslam were regular attenders
of 207's reunions and events as can be seen on the Reunion pages. His
funeral was at West Suffolk Crematorium on 16th December. This was
followed by a Service of Thanksgiving for his life at the parish
church of St Mary the Virgin, Burwell, Cambridgeshire, beside which
his ashes will be buried. The Association was represented by his son,
Frank W Haslam (Newsletter & Website Editor) and Kevin Grant, both
Association Committee members. The large congregation reflected his
many church, village, business and golfing friends (he had notched up
four 'holes in one') and included the daughters of the late Arthur
Barton, Flight Engineer in the Solly crew. Friend member Danny
Vanstraelen, the grandson of the Belgian couple who hid Frank
for 13 weeks after he was shot down was unable to attend the funeral
but visited Catherine a few days earlier.
Frank was a member of 101 Squadron Association (101 Sqn being his final posting before he left the RAF in 1949) and of the Royal Air Forces Escaping Society.
He has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
The Solly crew (Lancaster EM-M LL973) were one of five 207 Squadron crews lost on the Wesseling raid on 21/22 June 1944. Frank and Arthur Barton (Flight Engineer) evaded: CJ Mike Solly (Pilot), John Shaw (Navigator) and EJ Jacky Jewell (Mid Upper) were killed: Peter Loakes (Rear Gunner) and Eddie Chapman (Bomb Aimer) were PoWs.
see the Solly crew's story via Memorials > 207 crew members > Solly crew
- Tom Milner makes contact about his step-grandfather, P/O Cyril Bell, killed on the Mailly-le-Camp raid of 4/5 May 1944, pilot of Lancaster ND575 EM-M.
- Brian Lissette from New Zealand makes contact about his uncle W/O Leslie Harry Lissette, killed on the Mailly-le-Camp raid of 4/5 May 1944, pilot of Lancaster ND556 EM-F.
- RAF Cottesmore, one of 207 Squadron's pre-War bases, is to close. The Angell Collection photos which can be seen via the Memories link, show some of the station facilities being constructed.
- Alan Watson writes: I was given a photograph of a Lancaster aircraft
as a young boy some 60 years ago and was very interested in its
history. I have copied the photograph to the Imperial War Museum. They
came back to me advising that the aircraft was a Lancaster belonging
to 207 Squadron. The IWM made out the identification of the aircraft EM-D,
serial number TW869.
Editor: This was a postwar 207 Squadron Lancaster B.1(FE) indicating that it was one of those modified in production for use in the Far East for TIGER FORCE operations against Japan. It went to 148 Sqn and would appear to have also been on 35 Sqn.
November 2009
- John Sharp provides details of the service at Holmpton on
Saturday 7th November, for the dedication of a memorial to
F/O Basil Wescombe's crew, Manchester L7523
EM-M, tasked on a raid from Bottesford on Hamburg, which
crashed at Cliff Farm, Holmpton, all killed.
The service begins in St. Nicholas Church, Holmpton at 10am and continues outside at the memorial. Afterwards at the George & Dragon, those attending can meet up for refreshments and chance to meet properly. John is taking a photobook that he has made for everyone to pass around which has many photos/documents related to the crews' time together with 207 Squadron.
Among wreaths being laid are ones from the relatives of the crew. It is also expected that there will be wreaths from 207(R) squadron, 207 Squadron RAF Association, RAF Holmpton, and RAFA. Kevin & Nikki Mapley are planning to attend on behalf of the Association.
- Sgt Arthur Hayes Allison RAFVR was Flight Engineer
in the DL Davies crew and was posted from 207 Squadron on
18/5/44. He is one of two Allisons on the Wistow, Cambridgeshire War
Memorial. John Larder reports that the locals are trying to find out
more about him: "I have found out from his number (1672238) that he
joined the RAF at Padgate in 1941 and his award of a DFM gives him as
having done 26.5 ops including 7 to Berlin, 2 to Leipzig and one to
Munich before being killed in an air test of a 57 Squadron aircraft
[30/7/44 57 Sqn LM284, by when he was a Flight Sergeant]. There is no
information on CWGC as to his parents but I have found out he was the
son of James & Elizabeth A. Allison (formerly Swinney) and born in
the Houghton area of Co. Durham in the last quarter of 1922."
Arthur Allison is on our RAF Post 207 Casualties Roll of Honour.
see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > RAF Post 207 Cas
- On 5th November 2009 John Kenneth Banfield was at Buckingham Palace for his investiture with the MBE awarded to him for voluntary service to the RAF Ex-Prisoners of War Association. For many years John has been their Secretary. Congratulations John. He was a WOp/AG, Bomb Aimer 9/41-1/43 in the McCarthy and Chaster crews. It was with the latter that his Lancaster EM-U W4134 was lost on 3/1/43 on Essen and he was taken PoW.
- Jill Saunders writes from Australia about her late father W/O
Gordon Francis Rogers RAAF who served on 207 Squadron
between 23/1/44 and 2/8/44 as a Bomb Aimer, doing 32 sorties. His
first ops were in Kitty [EM-K] ME631 with a pilot called
Pattinson. Dad was in hospital with a knee injury - luckily - as the
next mission the plane never returned - fate. He then flew with pilots
Burgess, Grant in planes EM-A ME666 & EM-M ND575. He ended up
being [about] the only Aussie left on the Squadron. On his 32nd and
last op the plane was shot up badly, killing some crew and they shot
down 2 Germans (my brother has the log books and was telling me) and
then landed with no wheels skidding across the fields with a 1000
pound bomb on board that couldn't be released before landing.
After going through that he ended up with Multiple Sclerosis and was in a nursing home for 13 years as a quadraplegic. He died age 64 in 1986. Does anyone remember him, she asks? His best mate who flew Lancasters at 19 years of age, had to bale out of a burning plane, landed in occupied France where two French girls helped him to the Underground, hiding with the Resistance in forests during D-Day.
Gordon received a certificate from the French government for his involvement in D-Day. Jill has a picture which she found in the book Australians At War - In the Air - 39-45: on page 103 he is with a group of men loading up a bomb under a Lancaster.
He has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
October 2009
- Marcus Hamlyn has noticed from a Google search that his
father is mentioned on this web site: “13 Nov 1970 Fg Off
Geoff Hamlyn from a Sea Vixen while detached to the Royal
Navy (Dennis: Geoff always maintained that he was taller than his wife
when he married her!)!”
"Indeed my father was taller than my mother when they married , as proven in the wedding photo I have of them. He did in fact eject twice, stunting his height by a few more inches! The second time was in 1972, earning him a Martin Baker tie. My father passed away peacefully in May 2006 after a long period of cancer, although no ill health until his final weeks, thankfully. He was buried in Middleton Church along with his RAF flat cap and Martin Baker tie!"
Editor: Northolt postings records show Hamlyn, Geoff Fg Off 1 May 1972 from Bassett OCU, RAF Wyton: Flt Lt Dec 1974 to 8 Sqn RAF Lossiemouth.
Geoff has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
- Gordon Nash writes: On a visit to my wife's sister who lives a
couple of miles from Horendonk
where there are six graves of a crew [Bowes-Cavanagh:
Manchester L7312 EM-L: Jack Cheeseman PoW] from 207 Squadron I
took the opportunity to pay my respects to them. I found the graves to
be in quite poor condition with very faded wreaths and crosses, and
the site generally looking a bit forlorn and neglected.
I lodged a complaint with the CWGC and they have remedied the situation. I have also sent 10 euro to their offices in Belgium requesting them to dispatch six crosses to my wife's sister to put on the graves to show they are not forgotten. This has been done.
Should anyone need a photo of the crew graves I'll only be to pleased to arrange it. Whilst putting the crosses on the graves my wife's sister was approached by an elderly man who knew details of the crash and took her to the crash site. It is gratifying that after all these years some at least do not forget the debt owed.
September 2009
- Photos of the 2009 Reunion are now on-line - see via Reunions
- Please note that with effect from the 2009 AGM Wg Cdr Ken
Marwood AFM RAF(Retd) has retired from the Presidency of
the Association after long and valued service in that role and for
many years before that as Secretary.
The new President is Wg Cdr Alan Watkins BA FRSA RAF(Retd), who was Vice-President.
The other members of the Committee are:
Secretary: Kevin Grant
Treasurer: Mrs Nikki Mapley
Membership Secretary: Kevin Mapley
Newsletter/Website Editor and Reunion Secretary: Frank Haslam
Members without Portfolio: Wg Cdr Alan Mawby OBE RAF (Rtd) and John Laing
- Jacqui Noble is the daughter of Flt Lt Albert Coldicott DFM,
Air Gunner in the Hawkes crew who all died over Hilversum on
the Duisburg raid of 13th May 1943 (Lancaster ED418 EM-G).
She has provided a photo of her father and of him receiving his DFM
from King George VI, together with details about her father. His DFM
was Gazetted
on 27th April 1940 for his gallantry in an attack on cruisers in
Christiansand Bay, Norway,
see the Hawkes crew's story via Memorials > 207 crew members > Hawkes
- From Jim Nicolson: his father Iain Nicolson DFC DFM, Navigator
2/43-9/43 died suddenly at home on 14th September aged 86. His
funeral in Glasgow is on 22nd September at Greenbank Parish Church,
Clarkston at noon. Jim says his father had been in good form the last
5-6 weeks but it looked like he had had a massive heart attack after
living for many years with angina. The editor has provided a Memorial
Card and items if required for the Order of Service. Committee member
John Laing will be attending on behalf of the Association and other
members in Scotland have been contacted.
[added later] His obituary appeared in The Times on November 19th 2009 and in The Scotsman on 11th December 2009. He survived 96 operational sorties between 1943 and 1945 in two tours, first on 207 Squadron and then in the Pathfinder Force in Mosquitoes on 105 Squadron.
Iain was a regular attender of 207's reunions and was good fun to be around. A wartime photo of him in a 207 Lancaster was often used by authors. He was a Founder Member of the Scottish Saltire Branch of the Aircrew Association - see their web page on Iain.
He has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
August 2009
- Trevor Palmer emails: "Whilst looking up 207's
connection with Bottesford for a friend I came across your listing for
the Marham era. Not being in the exalted ranks of those listed I
thought you might just be interested in my time at Marham. I was
National Service (2736640 I believe)." For Trevor's Marham
recollections including (who was?) the Scottish pro on the 207
Football team see Memories > Valiants > Palmer
- David Wilson (928695 CPL DAVID WILSON) writes: I have
recently discovered your website and note that you are looking for
information about past groundcrew members. On the groundcrew list my
name appears with the date 9/61 next to it?. At that time I was with
101 Squadron (Vulcans) at Waddington.
I was posted back to 207 Sqn at Marham after my Fitters course at Yatesbury in Oct 1956 (previously I was with 35 Sqn (Canberras). I was sent on a Valiant course to Gaydon and then served with 207 until August(?) 1957. I was fortunate enough to be sent to Ghana (Gold Coast) for the independence flypast with two of our Valiants.We flew out in the "all new" Comet Mk 2.
- John Carr writes that his late father Peter Hartley Carr
served with 207 Squadron as a Rear Gunner from around 1.3.1945 to
22.10.1945. I have his RAF log book. He sadly passed away 11 years
ago, however his spirit lives on and he is still painfully missed by
myself and all his family. As a tribute to my father and to
commemorate his passing, I had his squadron insignia tattooed on my
arm, as a permanent testament to his memory and his lasting and
unselfish contribution during WWII.
Peter has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
- Susan Peters is in contact. She is the niece of the late Albert
Seibel (Bomb Aimer 3/44-4/44) in the Jones crew. He was aken PoW
when Lancaster ME631 EM-K was lost on Schweinfurth on the night
of 26/27 April 1944.
- Shane Walker in Australia has sent an image of a mounted pair
of engine valves from Lancaster EM-Z LM326. He says "I have no
idea how thses valves came to be rescued and mounted on a board". The
label states 'valve of Lancaster Bomber engine of EM-Z LM326. The
Taylor crew were all taken PoW when that aircraft failed to return
from the Hannover raid of 18th Ocober 1943.
- Stephen Mann from Lucknow, Ontario, Canada writes: While I was
walking through our local cemetery I noticed an inscription for Sgt.
James Ivan Magoffin, Killed in Action June 1944. It was on his
paerents' headstone. I wanted to know more of this individual and in
my research I noticed that back in 2005 that your 207 Squadron
Association was urgently looking for the Corless family. F/O
Alvin Corless was James Magoffin's pilot. That family originally came
from Clinton Ontario which is only about 30Km from where I live. If
you are still needing to contact someone from that family I would be
very happy to support you in any way.
see the Corless Crew Memorial dedication at Meeuwen 8 May 2005 via Memorials < to 207 crew members > Corless
- John E Sharp writes that the 7th November 2009 has been proposed for
the dedication ceremony of the Memorial/Plaque to the Wescombe
crew who all died when their 207 Squadron Manchester L7523
EM-M crashed near Holmpton on 14th January 1942. The ceremony
will be at St. Nicholas Church, Holmpton, nr Withernsea, East
Yorkshire.
[added later] see the page on this dedication via Memorials < to 207 crew members > Wescombe
July 2009
- John Bassett: In the Spilsby Bombing Section Photo April 1945, [the
photo can be seen via Memories > Lancasters > Spilsby group
photos] 3 of 4, in the back row, no.2, is my father Edward
John Bassett nickname "Jo", service no 531528. Initially he
was Armourer ground crew. He was in Larry French's crew. His service
in the RAF was from 27/4/36 to 23/7/46 and he served on 228, 209, 233
and 207 Squadrons as well as various training units(on one of which in
South Africa he flew with Bobby Locke the South Africa Open Golf
winner. My father died on the 18th January 2009 aged 90.
I am in touch with Larry French and Don Crichton, the Navigator who lives in Canada. They are the last of the crew. Ken Cook died in 2006. On the others I have no information. I have a photo of the crew standing next to the Lancaster after returning from a raid.
- Our President Alan Watkins has nominated Wg Cdr Colin Bell
and Roper Langford to represent the Association at the
No.233 Course Graduation at Linton-on-Ouse on 24 July 2009
and has informed OC 207R Sqn Ldr Rich Saunders.
Alan Watkins adds: Colin was a contemporary of mine on No 207 Squadron during the Valiant era and will be accompanied by his wife Gill.
Roper was a pilot on Devons from Oct 1982 to June 1984 as a Flight Lieutenant. He told Alan "I look forward very much to returning to Linton where I was unit test pilot from 1971 to 1974. Unfortunately I was then posted to Brize to fly Britannias but only got as far as having the simulator programme in my hand when the Squadrons were given the news that they were to be shortly disbanded! By that time my replacement at Linton was firmly in post and served as UTP for a whole six years! Lucky blighter!"
June 2009
- George Sharp (3526779 S.A.C. F.G. Speedy Sharp) writes: I was an S.A.C. Air Radar Mechanic on 207 prior to posting to RAF Yatesbury for Fitter training on 28.12.1960. Following completion of the course I was posted back to Marham working in A.R.S.N.B.S .as a Junior Technician I was demobbed on 13.09.1963.
- Kevin Mapley has provided this obituary for Don Bell (Navigator
10/44-7/45)
Don Mellor Bell was born in London in 1921. The family moved to Aberdeen shortly after and it was here Don attended the Robert Gordon College with his brother Graeme. When he was 16 their father died and the family returned to the South taking up residence at Southville Road, Thames Ditton. From this time Don became a member of St Nicholas Church where he remained a faithful and respected member of the congregation until his death.
At the outbreak of war Don, not waiting for his call up, volunteered for the RAF. Having qualified as a Navigator he completed his tour with skipper F/O Doug Rose RCAF at Spilsby. As the war drew to its conclusion Don joined 550 Sqn undertaking troop repatriation flights from Italy. It was during one of these trips his crew were involved in an accident, Don being one of the few to walk away alive.
After the war he attended night school to study photography and soon found employment with Felix Fonteyn, brother of the famous prima ballerina, Margot. He might have gone into partnership but in 1956 he married Barbara (Babs) and looked for a steadier and more profitable career. Shortly after he joined BAC in Weybridge, Surrey making components for the aircraft industry including Concorde.
Photography continued to be a passion with Don, his last picture taken only days before he died. A lover of nature, his latter expeditions were made in a wheelchair, from which he said, he could observe the flowers better. Don and Babs most happy and treasured times were the reunions with his wartime friends when attending 207 related events.
Kevin was most grateful to Nat Bury (Flight Eng 3/43-9/43) who accompanied him to Don's funeral.
Don has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
- Nigel Cattermull writes: I am informing you of the death of my
father Hector Cattermull (Bill) who was a Lancaster Rear
Gunner during the war serving with 207 Squadron. He passed away on
Friday 26th June 2009 aged 89.
Don has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
May 2009
- John van Puyenbroek (WOp/AG 6/41-9/42 & Wing Signal Ldr
7/47-9/49) died in Edinburgh on 4th May 2009. His funeral was at
the Morton Hall Crematorium, Edinburgh on 9th May 2009. Members John
and Mary Laing attended on behalf of the Association.
Kevin Mapley writes: Born in the founding year of the RAF John's one aim was to reach his 90th year, this he achieved last June. A card was sent on behalf of the Association. He regularly attended 207's Reunions at Derby until around 2002/3 when he was taken ill over our weekend.
Here is John's obituary, provided by Kevin Mapley:
As the RAF took its first tentative steps John van Puyenbroek popped into the world on the 27 June 1918. Both shared their 90th Anniversaries last year, an event of which John was immensely proud.
He joined the RAF in 1940, training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and flew in both the Manchester and Lancaster as a Rear Gunner. John remained in the Air Force after the war, attending RAF Cranwell for training. He was promoted to Squadron Leader in 1947 and served in East Africa during the Suez crisis and Mau Mau uprising.
It was as the Signals Officer on duty in 1952 during the then Princess Elizabeth’s visit that John had the responsibility of taking the coded message to the Princess that her father, King George VI, had died. He was later posted to Singapore where he met his wife Margaret who was a nurse. John finally retired from the RAF and returned to the UK in 1963 where he and Margaret became engaged.
He retrained as an electronics engineer and took employment with Ferranti travelling extensively in the UK before returning to Edinburgh in 1965 prior to the birth of Alison. In 1967, John and his family spent four years in Maryland, USA where he became involved in local politics. The van Puyenbroeks returned to Scotland in 1971, settling in Craiglockhart where John would live for the rest of his life.
Retirement enabled him to devote time to his hobby of stamp collecting. He became a fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society, exhibiting around the world and winning many awards and medals.
Wartime service had taken its toll and as a result John developed tinnitus. He became the founder chairman of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Tinnitus Group, a post he held for several years and was also the Scottish representative of the British Tinnitus Association. John campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness, and of gaining greater government resources for tackling this unpleasant condition.
Along with daughter Alison, this gentleman flyer was a regular at reunions. Illness at a Derby weekend in 2003 curtailed any further journeys south, although 207 was never far from John’s thoughts.
(Article adapted from the Edinburgh News.)
John has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP - Alan Brooks writes: As a child I grew up referring to an 'Uncle' Dick Bonner who lived in Windmill Terrace, Brighton. He was a Navigator with 207 Squadron, a very clever man who used to spend time with me teaching me things like weather, cloud formations etc. When he passed away in the late seventies, I kept some of his items as there were no blood line relatives. I have kept his tiny Psalm book of which I believe he carried on active service. It is inscribed RW Bonner (3rd) RAFVR Born 24.5.1920 Died..... Navigator (etc) 207 Squadron "Semper Paratum" Num 6-24-26. I would love to know a little about his service, I know he was involved in raids over the [ball-]bearing factories and Hamburg. He used to go into quite a daze whilst recounting stories.
- 18/5/09 Peter Backlog writes: My father, P/O CP Backlog was a Navigator on 207 Sqn, kia on 23 Aug 1943, along with five of his crew (P/O George Osmer crew: Lancaster ED550 EM-K). They are buried at Nieuw Dordrecht near Emmen in the Netherlands. My mother sadly passed away a couple of years ago. I have visited this graveyard many times, both when I worked in the Netherlands and since then. It contains 24 RAF graves. There is a local committee - Comite Gedenksten - that has installed a memorial stone, arranges that the graves are tended by local schoolchildren, and organises a parade etc on the Dutch Armistice Day wich is about 3 or 4 May. As the years roll on they arrange 'larger' memorial event every 5 years, the next is in May 2010. I usually send a floral tribute for my father and the crew, and one for the three members of the Dutch family who were killed when the plane crashed. In the past relatives etc have attended and there has been a guard of honour from the RNAF. Some UK Air Cadets attend, and there have been fly-pasts by RAF and Dutch aircraft. Other squadrons and organisations I can recall attending include MI9, SD Sqn, etc.. A Dutch and a UK padre conduct the ceremony. My mother was a WAAF, and I am a member of the Special Boats Service Association.
April 2009
- The Times reports that a Thanksgiving Service for
the life of Air
Chief Marshal Sir Neil Wheeler GCB
CBE DSO DFC* AFC FRAeS RAF(Retd) was held
on Tuesday April 7 2009 at St Clement Danes, Strand. He was a Pilot on
207 Squadron 7/37-4/40. He wrote the Foreword to the Squadron History
ALWAYS PREPARED. An obituary will appear in a future
Newsletter.
His name has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
- GED Foster makes contact about his father George WE Foster who
was a F/Sgt Navigator on the Squadron on Valiants. It seems he Flt Lt
AF Burcher were already on the Squadron when a new crew was formed by
the arrival in May 1958 of Tony Alder, Colin Bell, and SW Daniel. At
present it is not known when he was posted away from the Squadron. On
2 June 1961 he was awarded the Air Force Medal, Gazetted
on 10th June 1961. In February 1962 he was promoted to Master
Navigator. On 4 April 1962 he was posted to the Officer Cadet Training
Unit at Jurby. George was stationed at Finningley 1964-69, as
a Nav (NBS) on Vulcans.
Flt Lt George Foster was the Observer in an A&AEE English Electric Canberra TT18, WJ632 at Boscombe Down when on 1st May 1970 the Pilot Maj JR Weaver USAF lost control of the aircraft at 4,000ft during an asymmetric assessment exercise. The pilot used the incorrect recovery technique and the aircraft spun into Lyme Bay 3½ miles SE of Bridport, Dorset. Flt Lt Foster and Major Weaver were killed. The Navigator Flt/Lt John F Nicol RAF survived. George Foster is buried in City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
He is among those named on the National Armed Forces Memorial at the National Arboretum and his name has been added to our Roll of Honour for those who died whilst serving after being posted from the Squadron - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > RAF post 207 casualties
- Maurice JG Field was on 148 Squadron at Marham. He was Best Man at
the wedding of Richard Noble who was AEOp in the Welles
crew who were all killed when Valiant WZ363 crashed at
Market Rasen on 6th May 1964.
His still vivid memories of that time can be seen via Memorials > 207 Sqn crew members > Welles - Raoul Walsh in New South Wales is joining as a Friend Member
Membership. His father Desmond Walsh, Air Gunner 1/44-7/45
[Raoul thinks it was more likely 11/44-7/45] was the Rear Gunner in
Frank Chambers' crew. Their usual aircraft was 'Y'. Desmond died in
Wyongah, New South Wales on 19th September 2008, as the result of a
fall.
In 2008 John Davies, Navigator in the Chambers crew, wrote: "Des and I went AWOL to go to London for the VE-Day festivities. No one missed us at the Squadron Parade held to mark the occasion. I was with Des when we were kindly invited to join Joan and her parents at their table in a London pub. The magic between Des and Joan was immediately apparent and I left to join the crowds on Trafalgar Square. Des must have impressed the parents and the marriage (I was very pleased to learn later) became a foregone conclusion.
In 1995 we spent a memorable few days at Petwood, Linconshire with Des and Joan on the 50th anniversary of our 207 Squadron crew. The hotel had been the home and H.Q. of the Dambusters in 42/45. Des had changed little except for the moustache and grey hair. He had the same quiet manner and still enjoyed a pint. Joan was still smiling but was, even then in some pain from the arthritis. We had 6 0f 7 in attendance at the reunion: Des (Rear Gunner); Dave Jock Sutherland, Mid-Upper; Bill Jewiss, Wireless Operator; myself, Navigator; Andy Tait, Flight Engineer; Frank Chambers, Pilot. Mick Merfin, our Bom Aimer had died a year two before in South Africa. "
Raoul wrote to John Davies after he obtained a full copy of Des's service record. "It is crowded with abbreviations and scribblings. I know he served with a Squadron at Waddington earlier in 1944 before he remustered to 207 Squadron after his pneumonia. He always said it was an all-Australian crew piloted by a Max Smith, however, I am not sure what the Squadron number was ..."
[No. 463 Squadron RAAF formed at Waddington on 25th November 1943 with the Lancaster I and III before moving to RAF Skellingthorpe on 3 July 1945.
No. 467 Sqn RAAF at Waddington between 13 November 1943 and 15 June 1945 with the Lancaster Mks I and III. The Squadron then moved to RAF Metheringham.]
- Jim Wright , son of Sgt Arthur Wright, Bomb Aimer in
the Badge crew writes: An update on Lancaster ED412 EM-Q Badge
crew, crashed near Le Bouveret, Switzerland 12/13 July
1943. A recent visit by a member of F/Sgt Brett RAAF family from
Australia took place with M.Pascal Blanchard acting as host for the, a
series of pix taken of St Martins and the Crash Site at Bouvert. All
the headstones are now in a clean condition and look smart as befits
our men. I shall be meeting with David and Heather Brett when they
visit London in the near future.
- Kevin Mapley reports that a very wet gathering continued the
Annual Act of Remembrance at the Spilsby Memorial on Friday
evening, 10 April. A wreath was laid at 8pm for the ten armourers who
lost their lives on the 1944 Easter Monday bomb dump explosion.
After the minute's silence John Pearl said the exhortation.
Very moving in the impending darkness.
- Katherine Eastwood has provided a photo and information on Sgt
Stanley Cowham, Mid-Upper Gunner in the Rees crew (Lancaster
W4945 EM-W) which failed to return from a Gardening (mining)
sortie on 28th April 1943. For many years Sgt Cowham and the Rear
Gunner, Sgt Alexander Cochrane, were thought to have No Known
Grave, although there were Unknown Airman graves near five graves of
the crew buried in Lemvig Cemetery in Denmark. The page on this crew
tells the story of how James Cochrane's belief that one of those grave
was his brother Alex's.
see via Memorials > 207 Sqn crew members > Rees
- Alfred de Vries in Hilversum has added images of small items of
debris recovered from the explosion of the Hawkes' crew Lancaster
ED 418 EM-G above Hilversum on 13th May 1943.
For more on this see Memorials > 207 Sqn crew members > Hawkes
March 2009
- Sandy Gall, Chaplain's Assistant at RAF Scampton informed the editor
that Flt Lt Colin Forrester RAF (Rtd) (Navigator 1/80-3/84)
had died on 22nd February 2009 aged 78.
The editor provided a Memorial Card which Sandy gave to Colin's widow Barbara when she visited Scampton on 6th March.
Colin joined the RAF as an apprentice in 1946 at the age of 16 and retired as a Spec Aircrew Nav at the age of 62. He can be see on photo 81 on the Comms Album in the Devons pages. The Association lost touch with him after he was posted to Gutersloh.
His name has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
- Kevin Mapley has provided these photos of Des Walsh Air Gunner
1/44-7/45 in Frank Chambers' crew, who died in Australia on 19th
September 2008 as a reslt of a fall. His funeral was on 24th September
2008.
- Our President Alan Watkins and Mrs Margaret Watkins
attended the graduation of No 231 Basic Fast Jet Training Course
at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on Friday 6 March 2009. Alan writes: Sqn Ldr
Rich Saunders, Officer Commanding No 207 (R) Squadron, all
members of his staff, the Station Commander and many course members
made us very welcome. Our presence was outshone by Harry Priestley
(Flight Engineer 12/43-6/44), who was in very good form, and who
was accompanied by his daughter and son-in-law!
The day included a tour of the Squadron, an opportunity to sit in a Tucano cockpit, coffee in the crew room, a flying display, including a diamond nine formation, then coffee in the Officers Mess, the Wings Ceremony and the excellent Graduation Lunch. It was all very nostalgic for me and it was good to see that the young men of today are just as personable and enthusiastic as in my day.
During his address at the Wings Ceremony, Sqn Ldr Saunders gave an admirable brief history of No 207 Squadron, making special reference to the representatives of the Squadron Association There is no doubt that the presence of a WWII veteran was greatly appreciated by all - students, staff and guests - and the Reviewing Officer, Air Vice-Marshal Steve Hillier, AOC No 2 Group, made a special mention of Harry Priestley in his address at the Graduation Lunch.
Altogether this was a most enjoyable occasion that undoubtedly helped to foster further the links between No 207 (R) Squadron and the Squadron Association.
February 2009
- Dereck French DFC* Pilot 11/40-4/41 died in Australia on 18
June 2008. He went on to 97 Squadron in order to provide them with
experience Manchester and second tour experience. The family told Bob
Kirby that it seems that at some time in 1940 Dereck 'acquired' the
formal 50 Squadron badge (off the Mess wall?) ... and had kept it ever
since! The family thought this should be returned to the UK for safe
keeping. The editor provided contact information for the Aircrew
Association Archive and the 50/61 Squadron Association for Bob Kirby
to pass on to the family.
In 1937 Dereck was an Air Cadet RAAF at Point Cook. The following year he was a Pilot Officer on 50 Squadron flying Hawker Hinds. Now a Flying Officer he completed a Blind Approach Course at Mildenhall and Boscombe Down 1939, ferried Blenheims to Egypt and converted to Hampdens.
In 1940 he was awarded the DFC during the Norway campaign, said to be the first such award and Australian in WW2. He was wounded in the Battle of France and during the Battle of Britain took part in attacks on barges and airfields in Belgium and France. On 106 Squadron he did searchlight research flying Hampdens. In November 1940, now a Flt Lt, he joined 207 Squadron flying Manchesters as a Flight Commander.
In 1941 he was assessed as an ‘Exceptional’ bomber pilot. He joined 97 Squadron still flying Manchesters as a Flight Commander and did more Blind Approach training. As Squadron Leader he joined 455 Squadron RAAF as Flight Commander flying Hampdens.
In 1942 whilst on 455 Squadron he was awarded a Bar to his DFC. As W/Cdr OC for RAF troops aboard the Highland Princess he travelled in convoy to South Africa. Two ships were lost. In the same role on the New Amsterdam he sailed on to the Middle East. As Squadron Leader he joined 108 Squadron flying Wellingtons on bombing ops in Western Desert. He then ferried Wellingtons to India where he joined 215 Squadron, dropping parachutists (Gurkas and Mahrattas) on the North West Frontier. Promoted to Wing Commander, he was second in charge of ‘Ferry Wing India’.
In 1943 he pioneered a new air-ferry route from Egypt to India via Eritrea. He then rejoined 215 Squadron as their CO. They flew Wellingtons on bombing ops in Burma. He transferred from the RAF to the RAAF.
In 1944 he returned to Australia to see his sick father who died just before he arrived home. He turned down a drop in two ranks and resigned having completed a total of 75 operational sorties over Europe, Middle East and Burma and serving on seven Squadrons - 50, 207, 97, 106, 215, 108, and 455. His RAF number was 36129 and his RRAF number was 257540.
In 2002 Honorary Member Bob Kirby, author of Avro Manchester - The Legend behind the Lancaster, had a number of exchanges with Dereck French when he was in Australia. One thing Dereck copied for him was four pages from a book called Radar Days by E.G.Bowen. Much of page 58 is devoted to the service career of S/L "Hettie" Hyde ,the first CO of 207 Squadron when it reformed in 1940. It mentions his service as a test pilot at Martlesham Heath and also his captivity and escape attempts.
Dereck also mentioned that both he and Frankie Eustace were classified (no-one else mentioned) as so-called 'Star Pilots'. I'd never heard of this. [Dereck explained that] Star Pilots were those bomber pilots most experienced in night and bad weather flying. When Bomber Command was grounded Star Pilot crews were sent off over Germany on nuisance raids. Dereck suggested that this was the forerunner of the
Pathfinder Force.
Dereck's name has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
January 2009
- It is with sadness that we report the death of EK Peter
Phelps, Flight Engineer 6/44-7/44
in Cheltenham on Tuesday 13 January 2009, aged 84. Our condolences go
to his widow Sylvia, son Martin and daughter Susan. His well-attended
funeral was on Tuesday 27th January 2009 at noon, at Christchurch
Cheltenham and then at 1pm at Cheltenham
Crematorium GL52 5JT for those who wished to attend. It was
family flowers only - if anyone wishes to make a charitable donation
in memory of Peter it should be made out to The Alzheimers
Association and can be sent to the undertaker Mason and Stokes,
Tudor Lodge, 54 Hewlett Road, Cheltenham, GL52 6AH.
Friend members Frank Haslam and Colin Moulden attended on behalf of the Association. The Order of Service included the Memorial Card provided by the Association.
Peter was shot down with the Stamp crew (Lancaster LM129 EM-Y) on the St Leu raid of 8/7/44 and was eventually captured by the Gestapo in Paris. He was transported to Buchenwald from where he and other RAF prisoners were removed by the Luftwaffe to a PoW camp. It took very long time before he could speak publicly about his experiences, the first being in order to raise funds for Christchurch. He was for many years the Reunion Secretary for the Association.
His name has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
Just a few days ago the family of F/O AEJ Gilby who was the Bomb Aimer in the Stamp crew and who evaded, was in touch from Australia.
- Kevin Mapley has heard from Les's daughter Brenda that Les
Gaterell, Electrician ?/41-5/45, passed away peacefully
after a short illness on 23 November aged 96. He had been in a
residential nursing home near his home in Tottenham, Toronto for a
number of months.
Les emigrated to Canada in 1955 where he continued to work in the aircraft industry. He came to a number of reunions at Derby. On his last visit, with Brenda, he made an emotional visit to the memorial at Spilsby which Brenda said meant a great deal to him.
His name has been added to our Post RAF and Association RIP Roll of Honour - see via Memorials > Rolls of Honour > Post RAF & Association RIP
- Via the Friends of 138 Squadron we now have an image of Valiant WZ363, landing on delivery to 138 at Wittering in 1955. On 6 May 1964 this aircraft, borrowed by the Welles crew of 207 Squadron, crashed at Market Rasen - see via Memories > Valiants
- We now have a photo of the first 207 pilot to be lost in WW2, F/O
Hugh Vernon Matthews, Manchester L7313 EM-C, shot
down by an intruder after taking off for an op on Hamburg on the night
of 12/13 March 1941, from Waddington, having been delayed by
replacement of a burst tail wheel.
F/O HV Matthews, Sgt HC Redgrave, Sgt RD Welch and Sgt HW Hemingway were killed instantly. Sgts Cox and J Marsden were thrown clear and were taken to Lincoln hospital with severe injuries, and there Sgt Marsden died.
The story is told in detail in both the Squadron History and in Bob Kirby's book on the Manchester. The photo comes via F/O Matthews nephew, Tony Matthews, who is joining the Association as a Friend member.
