Letter to Ron Birch from Gordon Gunter – The Meharry crew

Another picture of the Meharry crew.
L to R: Reuben Birch, Tom Robinson, Eric Meharry, Joseph Spiers, R. Dale, Lawrence Wilson and Gordon Gunter.
Martyn/ Ernest Birch ©

An unexpected surprise has just arrived in my email – a letter written by Gordon Gunter, Flight Engineer in Eric Meharry’s crew to his Rear Gunner, Ron Birch. Many thanks to Martyn for passing this wonderful memento on – and within it lies a tantalising detail, that as Martyn notes, even by an incredibly long shot, might just lead us to the relatives, perhaps, of  Lawrence Wilson, A/B with the crew.

Gordon’s letter was sent from him after the crew had left Mepal and split up. Dated 23rd January (1946 I assume) and was sent from the Sergeants Mess, RAF 352 Maintenance Unit, 12 miles from Allahbad, North East India. I’ll say no more as to the text of the letter, other than that it seems to certainly have been written in a past time and in that respect I politely warn any reader in advance of what might not be termed ‘politically correct’ terminology within the letter.

Airmail letter from Gordon Gunter to Ron Birch dated 23rd January (1946) part 1
© Martyn Birch

Airmail letter from Gordon Gunter to Ron Birch dated 23rd January (1946) part 2
© Martyn Birch

Enclosed picture from 352 MU, Allahbad, North East India. Gordon Gunter far right I think
© Martyn Birch

Folded cover of enclosed photograph
© Martyn Birch

Are there any relatives out there…..? – The Meharry crew

Another picture of the Meharry crew.
L to R: Reuben Birch, Tom Robinson, Eric Meharry, Joseph Spiers, R. Dale, Lawrence Wilson and Gordon Gunter.
Martyn/ Ernest Birch ©

Martyn has asked me to just ‘stoke the fire’ a bit regarding an updated request for any information regarding the Meharry crew. Since the original posts relating to the crew, Martyn has made contact with relatives of Eric Meharry.

Martyn knows that his Uncle, Ron Birch was in contact with Gordon Gunter after leaving the Squadron and is hope there might be an opportunity to reconnect with Gordon’s surviving relatives, or in fact any of the relatives of the boys that flew with Eric and Ron.

Fingers crossed………..

Eric Lloyd Kennedy Meharry, Pilot, the Meharry crew – a wonderful discovery

Another picture of the Meharry crew.
L to R: Reuben Birch, Tom Robinson, Eric Meharry, Joseph Spiers, R. Dale, Lawrence Wilson and Gordon Gunter.
Martyn/ Ernest Birch ©

As time has gone by, I have witnessed a number of amazing connections between relatives of aircrew that have not know of the other until they came across this blog. This has been , to be honest,  an unplanned but very satisfying by-product of my main activity.

This afternoon I was contacted by Natasha, who is researching her family history. Eric was her grandfather and I was really touched to hear that when she came across the blog and then the crew photo, originally contributed by Martyn (Reuben’s nephew), it was the first time she had actually ever seen what Eric looked like.

Hopefully, as others have already done, Martyn and Natasha can now start a conversation with a common link to the past.

Many thanks to all that have contributed so far – the sum of the whole is greater than the parts

Simon

A wonderful surprise…..

Rear Row Standing, left to right. Reuben William Birch, Eric Lloyd Kennedy Meharry, Lawrence Martin Wilson, R Dale.
Front row kneeling, left to right. T. Robinson, Gordon Gunter, Joseph Frederick Spiers.
Martyn/ Ernest Birch ©

I received an email from Martyn this week out of the blue with some wonderful information about his uncle, Reuben ‘Ron’  Birch, who was Rear Gunner with the Meharry crew during the latter stages of the war. Via Chris Newey, Martyn had earlier provided me with a better quality Squadron photo for the header image of the blog, but the arrival of this information was completely out of the blue. As well as Reub’s log book, Martyn has supplied 2 beautiful crew photos, various documents and training group photographs.

All the more touching, and perhaps the reason I am doing this, is that the donation of this material is on the wish of Reuben’s brother, Martyn’s father, who expressed his wish that the material be made available for the benefit of others and to keep the memory of Reuben, his crew and the other brave boys of Bomber Command alive.

I thank you both for this.

The Meharry crew were as follows;
Flight Sgt Eric Lloyd Kennedy Meharry (nz) – Pilot
Sgt T Robinson – Navigator
Flight Sgt Lawrence Martin Wilson (nz) – Air Bomber
Flight Sgt Joseph Frederick Spiers (nz) – Wireless Operator
Sgt Gordon Gunter – Flight Engineer
Sgt R Dale – Mid Upper Gunner
Sgt Reuben William Birch – Rear Gunner.

I have been up to my neck with work, so initially, the log book will follow and I will upload the rest of the documents for peoples viewing next week……