Welcome to the ‘Individuals’ question/ information section of the blog.
Particularly if you are a new visitor to the blog and have either information to share about a relative or colleague with was with the Squadron, or a question to ask about an individual member of aircrew (or even a complete crew) or ground crew, then please post at the bottom of this page.
Ideally, I would prefer you to contact me directly on info@75nzsquadron.com – email allows an easier way for me to monitor and respond to contacts – but also more importantly, it avoids a reply from me being junked by your email client!
75(nz)squadron 
Any information regarding my father FLT SGT MERVYN PRICE. He was with 75 SQ flying out of Mepal 1944-45.I have his logs etc but I have nothing after .I know he was in Burma but I dont know when or what squadron…I believe it was part of Tiger Force Any info regarding this would be much appreciated
LikeLike
Hang in there Steve – Mervyn’s post and logbook page have been viewed nearly 50 times, so there is interest and hopefully someone out there who might know a little more…….
LikeLike
Thanks…I am still chasing it up…managed to buy his ORB from archives and have sent email to MOD regarding personal l info etc…but nothing as yet.. Steve
LikeLike
Does anyone know anything about the night my dad was over Europe (Germany) and I think in a Lancaster, and the Pilot got shot in the eye….Dad had to pull him out of chair and help fly the plane back to base. It is a story that has been told but I have no names except my father’s. He was the Wireless Operator and his name was Trevor James Nation. He was the most handsome man in the whole 75th Squadron….lol!!
LikeLike
I have a similar sounding story & a related newspaper article about my Great Uncle Flying-Officer-Pilot Norman McRitchie, he was a member of the Seventy-five New Zealand Squadron, flying Lancasters & Stirlings.
At about 0900, 20000 feet above Duisburg, in Happy Valley (the Ruhr), he was hit by an anti-aircraft shell leaving him temporarily blinded. His bomb-aimer directed them out of the danger area, where he handed over controls, since the bomb-aimer had flown with him on previous operations on Stirlings and had often sat in the second dickey seat handling the controls when things were quiet. About an hour and a half later he told the bomb-aimer he was going to take over the controls again and try and land the Lancaster, blind or not. The bomb-aimer guided him on the runway, the flight-engineer lowered the undercart and the bomb-aimer recited the heights as they glided down, judging that the height was about right to land the bomb-aimer said “Put her down skipper” He eased back the wheel, the Lancaster hit, bounded, hit, bounded, then she was rumbling along the runway as he killed speed with the footbrakes.
The sad part of my Uncle’s story that isn’t in the newspaper article; was that while he was grounded his crew went out with another pilot and never returned, right up until his death in 2004 he still maintained & visited the widows of his crew members.
LikeLike
last part of the article on Norman McRitchie re his crew-is not correct
in the late 70’s to early 80’s Norman made contact with some of his crew both in Canada and England while on overseas travel
I think the crew that died was maybe from his first operation -they went out with a different pilot
Raewyn
LikeLike
Flight Sergeant Dave Moriarty was wounded in the eye during a daylight raid on Cagny. He flew his aircraft home, though blinded in one eye, with his crew giving him directions and reading out the instruments for him. He called the airfield to have an ambulance greet them because in somewhat understated fashion said there was a wounded man aboard. He then made a perfect landing. Moriarty was awarded the CGM for his actions and other members of his crew were also decorated. Could this be your Dad’s crew? I have other information about this incident but it is not at hand right now.
LikeLike
Hi Val
Apart from the information I have already sent you, which includes the names of all the aircrew Trevor flew with during his 2 periods with the squadron, unfortunately I have nothing new to offer – though this information about the Pilot being shot in the eye is very interesting – If you recall, in the info I sent you I remarked on the strange disappearance of the crew back to a CU after the Op to the Gironde Estuary 18th September – all went except for the Pilot (Batger) and the Flight Engineer (Sgt. R. Dalkins) who both went to No.33 Base. Records indicate that Sgt. Dalkins was severely injured on the 5th of Sept – this might be wrong and might in fact relate to this last Op if it included an attack on the a/c – there is no mention in the Operational Record Book that Sgt. Dalkins was injured on the Op of the 5th (Mannheim).
Is there anything in Trevor’s logbook that might shed some light on this ?
Simon
LikeLike
No not really but I read the 75th Squadron book some time ago as it was lent to me and I think I saw something in there about a pilot having his eye shot. I will try and get a copy of it and see if I can make the times fit? Thanks.
LikeLike
Do you have an approximate date for the incident ?
LikeLike
A quick Google of the name produced a report from the Supplement to the London Gazette dated 18/8/44 that Trevor James Nation NZ404179, 75 Sqn, had been awarded the DFC. No other details unfortunately but could it be related to this incident?
Click to access page.pdf
LikeLike
I am looking any info regarding my father. His name was c Lancs on’
They had already completed two op’s by the time they arrived at 75 (NZ) Squadron, ….. Unfortunately, as with my previous post regarding Cliff Page, my lack of a complete set of ORB’s ….. Logbook notes – ‘1,085 Lancs on’ … During the Second World War, he was a Radar Operator (Navigator) with 488 (NZ) Squadron, RAF.
LikeLike
Hello
My dad, Ronald Albert Flynn, service number 1811716, joined 75 New Zealand Squadron in 1942 aged 18.
I have his log book showing details of his 29 operations and I have attached a couple of pages from it, along with a photo of him and some of his buddies. He was flight engineer.
And recently I applied for and received the Bomber Command Clasp. I have had his medals cleaned and re-ribboned and they look wonderful.
My dad is 90 in January and we are planning a small celebration for him. He talks very fondly of his time in the squadron and the crew and often wonders if any might still be alive. Are you able to give me any information?
He remembers only the name of his Skipper – Murray Smith, although Dad thinks Murray was quite a bit older than him!
Any information would be wonderful.
Thanking you in anticipation
Sue Worland
LikeLike
F/S William James Victor Boyd, known as Vic to his family, was my mother’s oldest brother. I never met my Uncle Vic, and as most of his 5 siblings were younger than him, there have been very few stories about him passed on. He went down over Denmark with F/O Wilson Orchard Hadley on 11-12 Sept 1944.
While it has been interesting to surf your website and just look at anything and everything, it is time consuming, so my question is, is it possible to look for activity and missions of one person, and see if he served with other crews etc?
While there seems to be contrasting/conflicting information on that last mission, I’m working my way through what may be small mistakes or just a myriad of alternate spellings.
Vic was the youngest of the Hadley crew, but no less experienced. He was just 20 years old, and according to my mother, had never had a sick day in his life, not even a headache.
While it is sad that for 50+ years, the family never knew what had happened to him or where he was, only listed as MIA, the remaining three siblings were finally given that vital information just a few years ago. What I find comforting in its irony is that Vic who came from rural South Is New Zealand, came to rest in rural South Zealand.
LikeLike
Hello Shirley
Thank you for contacting me regarding Vic. Unfortunately, the content on this website is generated in the main part by contributions of relatives and interested parties. Search facilities are based on specific tagging within posts and so to this end, if there is no information relating to an individual, nothing can be returned in a search.
I don’t know if you have seen this post;
It came after contact from another relative of the crew and contains a crew list and Op history for the boys
I hope this is of interest and use to you
Simon
LikeLike
Thank you for your reply, Simon, and that link. I think I did see it (briefly, sometime), but to look at it again, confirms the 16 missions attributed to him (and rest of the crew).
I understand now, how your site works, so I’ll take my time about it, and work my way through it.
LikeLike
I came across a story on http://aircrewremembered.com/nairne-colin.html where No.75 Squadron (N.Z) Serial: HK558 AA-D under the command of P/O. Colin George Nairne NZ42117 R.N.Z.A.F was lost on 30/07/1944 on operations in the area of Caen on the Normandy coast.
Flight Engineer F/Sgt. Charles Mathieson Guy 1820355 was my father’s cousin on No. 514 Squadron LL733 JI-S which was also lost in the same area on the morning of 30/07/1944.
According to documents from the RAF, RCAF, and RAAF F/Sgt. Guy was buried at sea after his body was recovered by a RN vessel. He was the only crew member recovered from the scene.
LL733 JI-S took off from RAF Station Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, at 06:13 hours on 30 July 1944, for bombing operations on Caen ‘B’ under the command of Flight Lieutenant Walter Evan Chitty RAAF 410039.
According to the article noted above, HK558 AA-D took off at 06.10 hrs from Mepal, Cambridgeshire to support the American ground attack in the Villers Bocage-Caumont area of Amaye-sur-Seulles in the Normandy area of France.
Have you any information about the fate of HK558 or any of the crew? There is no mention in any of the official documents I have seen of a collision, and I have not yet been able to determine which RN vessel recovered Charles’s body.
While the account by Les South of H.M.S. Hannaray and the article in general are inaccurate without a doubt, particularly the 20:00 hr reference, I would be interested to know what No. 75 Squadron records exist with regards the the loss of HK558 AA-D and the crew.
30/07/44 No. 514 Squadron LL733 JI-S
Flt Lt Chitty, W E, (Pilot) RAAF 410039
Sgt Guy, C M (Flight Engineer) RAF 1820355
WO Ding, L A (Navigator) RAF 1380408
FO Bonnell, W S (Air Bomber) RCAF J24522
Sgt Richardson, J E (Wireless Operator/Air) RAF 1485703
Sgt Jenner, E W (Mid Upper Gunner) RAF 1811733
Sgt Wells, G C (Rear Gunner) RAF 1334325
30/07/44 No. 75 Squadron NZ HK558 AA-D
Pilot: P/O. Colin George Nairne NZ42117 R.N.Z.A.F.
Fl/Eng: Sgt. Raymond Charles Smith 1235250 R.A.F.V.R.
Nav: P/O. Lyndon Clifford Perry NZ428925 R.N.Z.A.F.
Air/Bmr: W/O. Dennis Alfred Kidby 1391158 R.N.Z.A.F.
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Alfred Richard Stannard 1338510 R.A.F.V.R.
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Stanley Alfred George Woodford 922095 R.A.F.V.R.
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Philip Falkiner NZ25140 R.N.Z.A.F.
LikeLike
The page was updated some time ago and I stand by the accuracy provided within it.
http://aircrewremembered.com/nairne-colin.html
The ‘eye witness’ to this incident contacted me today and expressed his sadness that his information had been described as ‘inaccurate’ and I assured him that I would reply to this post.
I have offered further evidence of this report with a RNZAF communique dated 28th July 1948 – which we hold.
However, I always welcome new evidence and that is why we continue to update information on our website as and when it comes in.
LikeLike
Dear Sir,
I am the Les South of HMS Hannaray whose account of the collision
I gave to aircrews remembered is what I saw on the day . In my letter
to them I did not mention any time and two planes were involved as to which aircraft your relation was in I cannot say ,but the body picked up,and confirmed by the NZ Air Force belongs to a W/O Kidby.
I may be touching 89 but I still have all my marbles,and I don’t go in for
tall stories about an incident like that.
If you would like a copy of the RNZAF report I will gladly oblige,
And if I can recover the letter I sent to AR I will send that as well.
LikeLike
Just Found this post from Leslie South. My father, Fred (Frederick Cutter) was posted to HMS Hannaray from just prior to ships commissioning until Naval discharge in April ’46. Looking at entries in the Royal Naval Patrol Service Association web-site.
LikeLike
Mr. Guy
Will you ever reply to me comments
Les South
LikeLike
To Robert Guy,
I must be a cousin of yours since Charles Mathieson Guy was my father’s brother.
Unfortunately I have lost all my own records and family correspondence but I studied them all carefully in 2005, just before the internet came to the wonderful condition it is in now.
Charlie Guy, the Engineer on LL733 JI-S, had lost his twin brother Bert on the 8th of June when his Lancaster went down near Paris (it seems that either the rear of the plane had been shot up by a fighter or, more likely, the 3 chaps couldn’t get the hatch open to get out with their parachutes).
As Chitty’s previous crew had been badly damaged in a crash-landing prang in March 44, Charles was wondering whether it might be bad luck to fly with him again.
As I recall, his mother was told Charles was missing in action. No-one was sure what had happened but it was believed the plane had collided with another while coming down through clouds.
I know my granny, his mother, hoped and prayed that he had been somehow rescued and she scanned all Pathe newsreels that showed Prisoners of War in the hopes of spotting Charles.
I believe it was quite a while later, a couple of months, that his body was pulled out of the sea, badly decomposed, identified by his tag and then buried back in the sea.
I really wish I could lay my hands on the records I had, but this is how I recall it.
I read all the letters Charles and Bert wrote home to their mother, and all the letters my Dad wrote to the twins and his parents. They really were heroes.
My Dad made sure I would never take part in or support any war.
Colin Guy
LikeLike
Dear Mr. South
Please accept my most sincere apologies for casting doubt on your account of the loss of HK558 AA-D as presented on the aircrewremembered site.
My entry was written in too great a haste and without regard for your feelings. It was not my intention to cause you insult or disparage your intellect and I humbly retract any assertion that you were incapable of observing the tragic event of July 30th 1944.
Sincerely
Robert W. Guy
LikeLike
Dear Mr. South
In your letter you mention that a second aircraft was seen to crash into the sea:
“The first plane came down, well the wings and fuselage as far back as the mid upper turret did and the rest of the fuselage and Tailplane followed. It seemed strange at the time because it seemed about 30 seconds passed and it looked like the whole of the second plane came down in one piece. On crashing to the water it burst into flame and it set fire to the fuel from the first crash.”
The web article asserts only one aircraft came down:
“Lancaster HK558 was observed from minesweeper H.M.S. Hannaray to collide in mid-air with a Lancaster (1) from another squadron, whilst flying northwards in heavy low cloud about 08.00 hrs. The minesweeper searched for survivors but found only one body (2) which was buried at sea.
(1) No further details can be found regarding this Lancaster, but it is thought that it did return to its base. Eye witness, Mr. Leslie South, wrote to us reporting that only one aircraft came down.
(2) Confirmed as that of W/O Dennis Alfred Kidby. (Source RNZAF communiqué dated 28th July 1948 – copy held)”
The hour of the accident has been resolved, from 20:00 to 08:00 and W/O Kidby identified as the airman recovered by your shipmates, but as a witness to the incident would you clarify that a second Lancaster came down at the crash site.
Sincerely,
Robert Guy
LikeLike
To Robert Guy,
I must be a cousin of yours since Charles Mathieson Guy was my father’s brother.
Unfortunately I have lost all my own records and family correspondence but I studied them all carefully in 2005, just before the internet came to the wonderful condition it is in now.
Charlie Guy, the Engineer on LL733 JI-S, had lost his twin brother Bert on the 8th of June when his Lancaster went down near Paris (it seems that either the rear of the plane had been shot up by a fighter or, more likely, the 3 chaps couldn’t get the hatch open to get out with their parachutes).
As Chitty’s previous crew had been badly damaged in a crash-landing prang in March 44, Charles was wondering whether it might be bad luck to fly with him again.
As I recall, his mother was told Charles was missing in action. No-one was sure what had happened but it was believed the plane had collided with another while coming down through clouds.
I know my granny, his mother, hoped and prayed that he had been somehow rescued and she scanned all Pathe newsreels that showed Prisoners of War in the hopes of spotting Charles.
I believe it was quite a while later, a couple of months, that his body was pulled out of the sea, badly decomposed, identified by his tag and then buried back in the sea.
I really wish I could lay my hands on the records I had, but this is how I recall it.
I read all the letters Charles and Bert wrote home to their mother, and all the letters my Dad wrote to the twins and his parents. They really were heroes.
My Dad made sure I would never take part in or support any war.
Colin Guy
LikeLike
Colin,
from W.E. Chitty case in National Archives of Australia, I hold a document saying:
‘Extract from letter dated 15th October, 1944, from Mrs. M. Guy, 89 Elderslie Street, Glasgow C.3., Scotland.’
“I had a letter yesterday from Air Ministry stating that my son had lost his life on 30th July.
“British Naval authorities have reported that his body was recovered from the sea off the coast of Normandy by one of His Majesty’s ships and was buried at sea.”.
I take advantage of this post to contradict all the sources which assert that Charlie Guy was already in the crew of W.E. Chitty during the crash of the LL645 JI-R on March 30th, 1944 operation Nuremberg. The documents found in the file of Chitty confirm the ORBs and Robert Calder Guy’s logbook: on March 30th, Charlie was not in the crew the F/ENG being then L.A. Ive, but his twin brother Robert Calder Guy was there as Rear Gunner.
Roger Guernon
LikeLike
Hello I was wondering if anyone knew anything about Sgnt Frank Watts rear gunner,my ex father in law, he is my son and daughters grandfather, He sadly has now passed away but had a great retirement in rural Wiltshire in England. He told me once he bailed out into the sea, but when he landed it only came up to his waist, a bit of a relief as he could not swim, he also said they took out some of his guns and replaced it with a camera for training purposes, he completed his tours and went training aircrew, but went back to the fray. any information I could relay back to my children would be appreciated. many thanks John Francis
LikeLike
Has anyone come across flight engineer peter Carrie. joined 1940 til VE Day. Was honoured this week by bomber command.
LikeLike
Hi Kerry
Records have him as F/E with Bernard Lukins – at Mepal, February to July 1945. Useful that you have named him as Peter as I only had a first initial of P.
What was the nature of the Bomber Command ‘Honour’?
LikeLike
This week he was given the Bomber Command clasp. He is still alive (aged 99) and well and is living as a Chelsea Pensioner in London as he previously served in the army until discharged for medical reasons, as he was seriously wounded by shrapnel at Dunkirk. Thanks for the info. Great work.
LikeLike
Hello there,
I was wondering if you have anymore information on Navigator Sgt Albert Edgar West? He was my Great Grandfather’s younger brother. I don’t know much about his time at war other than the information I have seen on here about the Mulheim raid. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Becky.
LikeLike
Sgt Albert Edgar West was my mothers brother and my Godfather. He was in a German hospital for about six months as he had shrapnel in his leg when he parachuted out of the aircraft. He spent the rest of the war in a German prisoner of war camp. He spent three months in Bournemouth, England recuperating and then returned home to Woodville N.Z
LikeLike
Great to hear from you Helen – I have sent you an email directly!
LikeLike
Hi just wondering if you have any information about my uncle, Maurice Edward Parker, a navigator/bomber (DFC) with 75th squadron, birth date 24/12/21. Many thanks for your help, Anne Betts
LikeLike
I a trying to find and info on my uncle Kennethh raffill wood from new Zealand, I know he lied about his age to enlist during ww2 and when on leave he visited relatives in Halifax.
LikeLike
Hi Phil,my name is Kenneth Barrie Wood Ken Woods son.I have been to Lightcliffe a few times and stayed with Marjory and Douglas West.Dad died in 1990 aged 80.
LikeLike
Hi Phil,I can help you with your enquiry.
LikeLike
Thought you might like to know that I’ve been following your blog with interest as my Uncle, John Edward Overfield-Collins, was Flight Engineer with 75 NZ squadron in the later war years, flying with pilot “Lucky” Megson in one of the Lancasters. He did at least 3 Tours over enemy territory as “Lucky” was an extremely good pilot and my father, John’s brother, remembered fondly the times he spent with his brother. Sadly John Overfield-Collins died at the age of 21 on 6th November 1945, just after the end of the war in very unclear circumstances and is now buried in Beckenham (St George’s) Churchyard in Kent. He was one of a few English crew men put with a crew of New Zealanders but my father reported that they all got on so well with each other and hence made a formidable crew.
If anybody has any further information regarding my Uncle John or Lucky Megson and his crew, I’d be very pleased to hear about it.
LikeLike
Hi Mike,I am in a similar position as yourself in the pursuit of information re ‘lucky Megson’ he was my uncle who unfortunatley I never meet, but have his flight log book and would love to know why he was called ‘lucky’ and any other information photo’s etc, he had a son ‘John’ IF I could would love to make contact with him also.
regards Glenn Megson
LikeLike
I have recently come into possession of the flying log books (From training in Canada to his demise on 22/04/44) of my Uncle.
His name was W.A.F. Squibb
Position on Bomber: Air Bomber
Last plane flown: Lanc III
Death occurred: On his 15th mission 22/04/44: Target Laon
What I have found interesting is on his conversion from Stirling III to Lancaster III is that all of it was during the day, his first night flying experience on Lancaster’s was a night-time raid on Leipzig.
Just found your website, its a great pity that all his immediate family have died or are in care homes with Dementia, they would be loved to see the website.
If you have any further information, I would be very grateful, and as I go through the books, may I contact you on any questions or queries I may have?
As a coincidence , we live 11 miles from Mepal (his last posting)
LikeLike
Correction It was not Mepal, but Oakington, which is only 3 miles from where we live
LikeLike
Hello, I wonder if someone may be able to help please. I am trying to help my sister-in-law and her daughter to locate details about her father in law. His name was John Griffiths Kirk and he was a Warrent Officer RAF, rear air Gunner, Service number 1528525. They would love to find what, if any, awards he would have received as they are trying to get a record done for his son. I really would appreciate any help you may be able to give us. Many Thanks. Tracey Gamble
LikeLike
Hi Tracy
Thanks for making contact – I have sent you an email with John’s Op History with the Millar crew
LikeLike
Does anyone have any knowlege of P/O Hugh MacLaren Aitchison RCAF J/4782 (75 squdn RAF) killed in action 15 September 1941. He was on board a Wellington when it went down. I would really appreciate any info. Thanks, Margaret
LikeLike
Does anyone have any information about my late Father, Eric John Gadd from Bristol, who was ground crew in 75NZ Squadron based at Mepal and Warboys in 1943/46?
LikeLike
My Nana’s brother Alexander Freeman “Sandy” Strachan was a Lanc rear gunner in 75 sqn in WW2. Do you have any information on him?. Thanks!
LikeLike
My uncle was a rear gunner on Wellingtons based at Feltwell and Mepal-he gave me his parachute bag which still has faintly inscribed on it F/Sgt G.N.Amner which have given to the RNZAF museum at Wigram.He only talked at length of his experiences as he got into old age -I think he did about 1 1/2 tours and described two crashes he survived(t/o & landing).
Does anyone have any info or photos about him-I know he is in that shot of the squadron walking past the Wellington with their gear on but can’t remember which one is him?He remained in touch with 75 Squadron till he died several years ago aged 93.
Thanks.
LikeLike
Does anyone know if Henry Hiscox flew with this crew. The pic of 6 men posted are these names 100% correct as we think one of them may be him. Thankuou. Xx
LikeLike
Any information on the following would be welcome
Capt Brumwell who I knew as a pilot with BKS/Northeast in the late 60s/early 70s.
Max Ruane who I knew firstly as a traffic officer with New Zealand National Airways (NAC) in the mid 50s.
I subsequently found that Max was (I think) nav for Brum (as he was universally known) in 75 Sqdn.
Max died a few years ago but my understanding is that Brum is still alive and living in the Newcastle on Tyne area.
LikeLike
I wonder if anyone has any memories or records of my wife’s father Harold Goadby, who served as Groundcrew on 75 on both the Stirlings and Lancasters, ending his national service with 617 Sqdn at Woodhall Spa. I know it’s a shot in the dark, but having served for 30 years in the RAF myself, I have faith that something might emerge.
LikeLike
I wish you the very best of luck with your search. I tried the same last year with my late father, Eric John Gadd, who was also ground crew at Meeple and Warboys with 75(NZ) squadron, without success. He possibly knew your father in law?
Phil Gadd
LikeLike
Thanks for that Phil, you never know what will turn up.
LikeLike
I am writing you on behalf of a Dutch historicist, (Kees Stoutjesdijk) who is busy with the research for descendants of the aircraft victims Geoffrey Walter Strong, James Brett Cooksey who were shot down in 1943 (World War 2) over the Netherlands (North Beverland)
LikeLike
I would like to add one more victim to the above ones.
Norman Bradford Bluck.
Any relatives or friends please contact us.
LikeLike
Geoffrey Walter Strong was my father’s cousin. I have the details of most of his family including Derrick Hampton, a nephew who is still alive and well in New Zealand although, as he was born in 1940, he has no recollection of Geoff and sadly although I’m 5 years older, neither do I.
Any other help gladly offered.
Bryan Strong
LikeLike
Dear Bryan, This is fantastic. I have forwarded your information to my friend Kees Stoutjesdijk in the Netherlands Please contact him ( in English) k.stoutjesdijk@ww2research.nl Ria
>
LikeLike
HI, My father,( Frederick Colin Bywater ) flew with 75 (nz) Sqn as a tail gunner in Lancaster’s, He said he was based at Mepal in 1944,
If anyone should remember him and can pass on any information regarding who he flew with crew photos and his service life I would be very interested to here.
LikeLike
My late uncle, T.P.Morgan (Phil) was a Lancaster rear gunner 75 NZ Squadron.He spoke little about his service but whilst he was still in reasonable health, made the journey to look at the airfield which had become an industrial estate. He went into Ely Cathedral to buy a postcard showing an aerial view of the Cathedral, explaining to the sales lady that the air crews at Mepal used it as a landmark. She told him to go into the pub where they had some artifacts on display. He said the last time I was in there, I won a teddy bear in a raffle so I gave it to one of the kids who used to wave us off. The sales lady said,”I’ve still got it”.
What a coincidence.
LikeLike
I’m glad I found this site and will be bookmarking it. My Greatuncle was Raymond Firth, a wireless operator in 75 (NZ) sqn during the war and was shot down… We have his logbook at home on mums farm along with other mementos like his war service medals and his old greatcoat. He was in R S Barkers crew, https://75nzsquadron.wordpress.com/rs-barker-crew-10-6-44-%E2%80%A0/
LikeLike
LES SOUTH my grandfather Gordon Henshaw was on HMS Hannaray. I would be very pleased to hear everything you can tell me about the ship as records of it are impossible to find.
LikeLike
Hi, I’m trying to find any information or images with Pilot Ronald Thomas Clarkson, RNZAF NZ4213732.
I an an Australian soldier and would love to surprise my partners family (Ronald’s grandchildren) with a picture and relevant medals framed.
any information would be greatly apreciated.
LikeLike
You can obtain information from Ronald’s service records, including medallic information and any existing photographs by emailing a request to nzdf.pam@nzdf.mil.nz. This is the email address of the NZDF personnel record archives and medals office. When asking about medals, it is always worth requesting confirmation of whether Ronald is entitled to the Bomber Command Clasp. many remain unclaimed and virtually any 75 Sqn member will probably be entitled.
LikeLike
Anyone have any pictures of the Groves crew or Groves? KIA April 16/17 1943 in a stirling bomber? My moms cousin was the navigator Tom Graham Shergold and I would love a pic of the crew if anyone has one? the squadron photos posted are sort of dec 43 so they were no longer avail for photo..
LikeLike
Hello Howard – lovely to hear from you! Yes with my Father – his crew left in November 1943 – but who knows maybe you’ll be lucky….
LikeLike
Hello All,
My father John Fernie was initially with the Jarmon crew as a wireless operator on Wellingtons and his involvement and even his injuries are listed with more detail that I ever knew growing up, the photos of him are amazing… Thank you for this wonderful resource.
After the Jarmon crew he went on to a Lancaster crew for approximately 2 additional years and I can’t find any info or photos from that period before he was sent to Canada after a total of 60+ missions. Any help or info would be truly appreciated.
Thanking you in advance.
After the war he made his life and career in the US.
He died in October 2001 still a British citizen.
http://www.johnfernie.com
LikeLike
I am keen to hear from anyone that knows of a British man, Robert Desmond Taylor who served with the 75NZ Squadron from around April/May 1945 to June or July that year. He enlisted and trained as an RAF pilot (in Canada) but on returning to UK he joine 75NZ and it appears he may have served as a Flight Engineer with either the pilot George William Parry or pilot George Tawa Iles. Confusingly there are appear to be two R Taylors serving as Flight Engineers at the same time! He would have been know as Bob Taylor and was 6foot 2 inches with dark brown/black hair. I would love to hear from any one that knew of him. His service number was 1809456
LikeLike
Trying to trace history of Hugh McDevitt, tail gunner on Lancaster Bombers ,County of birth Scotland. Killed in action.
LikeLike