Posts 2024

3 December 2024, Ger Geertsma send folowing photos of Bouman Tom regarding Operation Manna, May 1 - 7 1945,

Goedemorgen,
Ik zag op de beeldbank van het Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie (NIMH) enkele Lancaster foto’s.

Mogelijk zijn ze voor u interessant, zie bijlagen. AKL004723.tjp en 2070-002_0001 lijken me dezelfde opname, op twee verschillende manieren gescand/gefotografeerd.

Op beeldbank WO2 vond ik nog een foto, het blijkt een fotomontage te zijn.
(Ik heb een getuigenverslag toegevoegt van Mid. Up. gunner Sgt. Murphy, 115 Sdn. PDF)

Met vriendelijke groet,
Ger Geertsma (onderzoek Duitse WO2 radar)
Alkmaar
Nederland

Good morning,
I found some Lancaster photos on the image bank of the Netherlands Institute for Military History (NIMH).

They may be interesting for you, see attachments. AKL004723.tjp and 2070-002_0001 look like the same shot to me, scanned/photographed
in two different ways.

I found another photo on the WW2 image collection, it turns out to be a photo montage.
(I added a witness report from Mid. Up. gunner Sgt. Murphy, 115 Sdn. PDF)

Yours sincerely,
Ger Geertsma (research German WW2 radar)
Alkmaar
The Netherlands

November 20th 2024 we received following update, Loss of 115 Sqn Lancaster PD293 (KO-O) - 26 Nov 1944

I can provide a little further information regarding the loss of the above aircraft, in particular details of Flight
Sergeant Frank Thompson (my Uncle).

A copy of his service record (see Roll of Honour page, PDF) and the only picture we have are both attached. On your website his service number is listed incorrectly, it should read 652570 and not 652750.
His service number is also listed incorrectly on the Runnymede Memorial registers.
I have contacted them to see if this can be corrected.

Frank was born in Dec 1914, the eldest son of Thomas William Thompson and Pamela Elizabeth Thompson of Kilnhurst, South Yorkshire.
He enlisted in August 1939. Prior to enlistment he attended Mexborough Secondary School and later studied mining at Rotherham Technical College. He left work at Tinsley Park Colliery a month before war broke out to join up.
He initially trained as a technician and served on ground staff as an instrument repairer.
In 1942 he trained in South Africa as aircrew and returned to the UK in February 1944.
In April he married Pearl Eileen Martell in Whittlesey.

Frank joined 115 Squadron at RAF Witchford in October.

He was now a qualified Air Bomber with the rank of Flight Sergeant. He completed at three bombing missions over Germany before he was lost on
the 26th Nov 1944.

On Sunday 26th Nov 1944, 115 Squadron Avro Lancaster Mk 1 PD293 (KO-O) took off from RAF Witchford at 12:10 hrs.
It was a special navigational H2S training sortie. The flight plan was Witchford to Bull Point (North Devon), then to Worms Head (Glamorgan) and then
to Lincoln before returning to base.

At 13:36 hrs a report was received from a Royal Observer Corps post that a Lancaster aircraft had dived into the sea some four or five miles south of
St Athan, Sout Wales.

Air Sea Rescue and Naval ships searched the area but no trace of the crew could be found.
Wreckage recovered in the vicinity of the crash was consistent with a Lancaster.
As no other Lancasters were reported overdue on this date it is believed the aircraft seen to crash was PD293. In addition, if the pilot was flying as instructed,
it would have been in this area at approximately 13:35 hrs.

Many thanks
Peter Thompson

10 - 11 November 2024,

The Memorial Wall at the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre - Everyone Remembered - Lest we Forget.

Tomorrow the 11th November 2024 the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre will be open for the paying
of respects at the Memorial Wall and the War Memorial from 10.00hrs until 13.00hrs. Everyone Remembered.

11 November 2024,

Remembering my Father Dr. Leonard J. Halley.

Flight 115 Squadron, RAF.

Marie Halley.

HALLEY, Leonard J. - MD, DFC. 89, Shad Bay, Halifax Co.
Passed away June 24, 2003 at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Halifax.
Born in Petty Harbour, Newfoundland, August 4, 1913,
he was the son of the late John and Mary (Fury) Halley.
Leonard interrupted his Medical studies to join the R.A.F. during the Second World War where he
achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant with the 115 Squadron in England.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943 for his role as a Pilot flying an RAF
Lancaster over Germany.
After the War, he completed his Medical studies at the University of Dublin, Ireland and practised
Medicine in Ireland, England and then returned to Canada in 1959 where he established a practice in
Halifax and later in Shad Bay until he retired.

Source, Newfoundland's Grand Banks.

24 October 2024. For the second time thanks to Maurice Kissane we can update the crew from
Lancaster HK 556  who was lost on 26 August 1944, with a new face, thanks Maurice,

Dear 115 Sqn Friends,

Please find attached an RAAF I.D. photo for this fallen RAAF Airman:

Webber Athol Grant – RG
F/S - Service No 432605

Lancaster Mk I - HK556 A4-F

This was sourced from his NAA RAAF File.

Kind regards,
Maurice Kissane Ex-RAAF

1 November 2024, Lorraine Brown sent the following message,

Eric Wilkin DFC +Bar 115 Squadron and 7 Squadron PFF.

Received a phone call from Eric's family that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

Eric joined dad's crew late 1944 as his Canadian skipper had done two tours and wonted to go back to Canada, so the crew was disbanded,
but Eric still wanted to fly.

He was MUG and my dad Vernon Smith DFM Rear Gunner.

Now reunited with Mary
God Bless

Vernon Smith was born in 1924 in Canterbury, Kent, the son of George and Flo, and the sixth of eleven boys.
He became a rear gunner on Flash McCollah’s crew in 7 Squadron.

The crew from L-R in the photograph are:

Eric Wilkin, MU/G , Harold ‘Lucky’ Hudson, Nav , Hughes, W/OP , ‘Flash’ McCollah, Skipper , Gordon Graham, Radar Nav , Vernon Smith, Rear Gunner , Sid Moors, Fl Eng

After the war, Vernon belonged to the Air Gunners Association, which had the fabulous motto: VIGILANTIA ET VIRTUTE.

The Association’s badge of a bullet with wings is a gem.

Source photo: RAF PATHFINDERS ARCHIVE

Aug. 19 2024, mystery kidbag,
Malcolm Gerhardt is looking for details.

Hello,
I hope you may be able to help me.

I have in my possession a 'kitbag' that I am assuming is a UK
RAF item. I obtained it after then death of my Father or Mother,
I cannot remember which.

My father was in the RAF during WW2 and that may be related
to how it ended up with me.
I have no use for it but do not wish to throw it away.
If possible I would like to offer it to GK Taylor's relations
but after a little search have no idea where to go.

A web search using the details on the base of the bag came
up with your website, so here I am. If you can help in any way
I would be grateful,

Thank you.
Malcolm Gerhardt.

Aug 21 2024, who has more info for Al Shkuratoff

Hello,

I have a 115th squadron Lancaster bomber brass figurine in my possession and am wondering if you can tell me anything about it.

Thanks,
Al Shkuratoff

August 19th 2024. Thanks to James Chapman we have one more face for the Roll of Honour,

I am attaching a photo of Sergeant Maurice Arthur Pollard the radio operator of the above aeroplane.

I think this photo was taken in 1942 and given by him to his parents.

His mother was my great great Aunt, he was an only child and his mother had lost her first husband
when the Lusitania was sunk, she had a sad life.

James Chapman

3/4 February 1943 Wellington Mk III - BK127 - KO-D

T/O East Wretham 1842 - target Hamburg.
Distress calls heard at 2311, 2320 and 2344.
Hull DF plotted a/c position as 5114N 0207E, approximately 40 miles off Dover.

August 3th 2024, who can help Sue Goddard?

We have been researching our great uncle David Tawelfryn Male who was killed in WW2.

We have acquired a lot of information about David over the past 24 years of research, but as yet have
been unable to find a photograph of him either in uniform or civies.

He had no children and sadly, we are the only family members who are interested in perpetuating his memory.

We would love to have a photo to put on our family tree.

His details are (Sgt. 2nd Pilot service # 1204858) 115 Squadron. Royal Air force Volunteer Reserve. David,
aged 27, was flying in

Wellington Mk III X3593 KO-C,

when another British plane collided with them over France on 29th April 1942, after leaving RAF Marham
at 21:18 that same night.

Sadly, David and the five others in his plane, plus the six in the plane that collided with them, died.

They are all buried at Bievres Communal Churchyard, Essonne - Coll. grave 1-11.
Rue Georges Noé, Bièvres, Palaiseau, Ile-de-France, France

2 August 2024, Who can help Kathy Hudspith?

Hello and I hope I can add a little something for your web page.

My Uncle "Tommy" was the P/O on LL694 K-ON and I have found a photo of him which I am happy for you to add to the relevant page on your website.

The other photos have turned up when I cleared out my Aunts house (Tommy was her brother).
I have also seen a photo on this page on your website Posts 2017 It is the first one referring to "Sweeney Todd".
I know the photo of the crew in front of "Emily" isn't particularly clear but I believe that Tommy is in the photo -
front row 6th from the left ( it is the ears that caught my attention)

First photo - Thomas Vipond
Second photo - Thomas Vipond in group training Newquay (I know nothing about what this is or was)
Third photo The back of photo 2
Fourt Photo - Thomas Vipond in group photo taken in 1942 in Saskatchewan, Canada (again know nothing about this)

If anyone has any information about the 2nd and 4th photo I would very much like to receive it.

Thank you for your time and attention.
Kind regards
Kathy Hudspith

Lancaster Mk II - LL 694 KO-N crashed on 24/25 March 1944 on a mission to Berlin, no survivors,

Also lost were
Lancaster Mk II DS 678 KO-J, 5 KIA 2 POW,
Lancaster Mk II LL 730 KO-G, 6 KIA, 1 POW
Lancaster Mk II DS 664 A4-K, "Werewolf", 4 KIA, 3 POW.

3 August 2024, 2 August 2024, thanks to Jim Graham we can post a new face for the Roll of Honour,

Hi there I am working to ensure all the heroes that were lost in WW2 are remembered and one in particular who
was my uncle James Graham.

He died on Flight LL936 over France on June 1st 1944. Lancaster Mk I - LL936 KO-V

When I came across your site and saw the entry Isaw that his grave picture was there but his photograph is not there.

Is it possible to put the attached picture of him as it would be respectful of his memory.

I thank you in advance for anything you can do.

All my best regards

31 July 2024, The New Exhibition Building.

We are thrilled to share that Grovemere Property are seeking permission to create a new purpose-built building to house the RAF Witchford Exhibition.

This new building will not only display our extensive collection of documents, pictures, and items from the airfield but also serve as a lasting memorial to the heroic efforts of those who served during the war.

The Exciting Features of Our New Building.
Designed to resemble the fuselage of a Lancaster bomber.
Modern exhibition spaces with interactive displays
Dedicated memorial area to honour the fallen.

Source, RAF Witchford Exhibition

July 21, 2024 - 80 years ago that the Lancaster bomber 'Popeye' crashed in the Oostpolder in Papendrecht.

All seven crew members who died were commemorated where the monument now stands.

Relatives from Australia, Canada and England were also present here. Mayor Margreet van Driel, the chaplain of St. Mary's Anglican Church, Colin Clarley (grandson of the killed pilot) and Margré van Wijngaarden of the Papendrecht Village Conservation Foundation gave speeches.

May van der Giessen closed the commemoration with the song Some Gave All.

The May 4 committee thanks you for your presence and interest.

We will always remember them.

left footage of the ceremony.

Link to 4 mei comité Papendrecht FB page.

7 July 2024, announcement for the remembrance service and exhibition for the "Popeye" crew.

8 June 2024,

Here's my grandfather, Donald Cameron's (pilot with 115 squadron), account of what they were
doing on D-Day and after.

"June 5th & 6th, 1944 (D Day): The Normandy Coastal Batteries:

This day 1012 aircraft took part in raids on the coastal batteries at Fontenay, Houlgate, La Pernelle,
Longues, Maisy, Merville, Mont Fleury, Pointe-du-Hoc, Ouisterham and St-Martin-de-Varreville.

946 aircraft carried out their bombing tasks. Three aircraft were lost, 2 Halifaxes on the Mont Fleury raid,
and 1 Lancaster on the Longues raid.

Only two of the targets – La Pernelle and Ouisterham were free of cloud; all other bombing was
based on Oboe marking.

At least 5000 tons of bombs were dropped, the greatest tonnage in one night so far in the war.

Our target was the coastal batteries at Ouisterham. Although we took off in darkness this trip turned out to be our first daylight bombing. We did not use any different tactics, which turned out to be a little bit scary. As we flew towards the target it began to get closer to daylight, I remember another plane from 115 Squadron came alongside me and we continued in a sort of loose formation towards the target.
Others about us were doing the same, so that when we reached the target and tried to fly over the markers, we would have all collided.
I was fortunate that I was able to drop my bombs on target, but there was no way that I could say my photograph would show this. As soon as the bombs were dropped, I climbed above the crowd to avoid collision with other planes.

I was due to go on leave on June 6th, but because of this trip, all leave had been cancelled. Mary and I had arranged to meet at Kings Cross Station in London,
but instead I was on my way back across the Channel and into bed at Witchford. Fortunately I found someone trustworthy to waken me if leave was on again.
As soon as he woke me, I was off to London. I was not too worried about Mary, as she knew where we had arranged to stay.
Instead, when Mary arrived at Kings Cross, she saw hundreds of service people but no Don. Somehow she saw this woman in air force officer uniform,
but with a different cap to the WAAF of the RAF. She spoke to her and asked whether she were Miriam my sister. Of course she said yes, and that she was there
to try to meet Mary. I had not been in touch with Miriam, but of course she knew of our arrangement to meet at Kings Cross.
They spent most of the day together. Miriam took her to her office with the RCAF, and introduced her to some of the people she worked with.

Mary and I had a very happy week together. We stayed with Mrs. Clark who had a house in the Elephant and Castle area. We had a lucky escape with this leave.
The night, after I put Mary on the train for Aberdeen, and while I made my way back to Witchford, the room we had slept in had been demolished by a German bomb. I think it was one of their Doodle Bugs, the ones you could hear approaching and hoped would pass you before its engine stopped. Our room was upstairs. Fortunately Mrs. Clark lived one level below street level, but level with the back garden. She was not hurt, but had to be taken to a decontamination centre to
get all the oil cleaned off. This was another of our narrow escapes during WW2.

Instead, when Mary arrived at Kings Cross, she saw hundreds of service people but no Don. Somehow she saw this woman in air force officer uniform, but with a different cap to the WAAF of the RAF. She spoke to her and asked whether she were Miriam my sister. Of course she said yes, and that she was there to try to meet Mary. I had not been in touch with Miriam, but of course she knew of our arrangement to meet at Kings Cross. They spent most of the day together.
Miriam took her to her office with the RCAF, and introduced her to some of the people she worked with.

Mary and I had a very happy week together. We stayed with Mrs. Clark who had a house in the Elephant and Castle area. We had a lucky escape with this leave.
The night, after I put Mary on the train for Aberdeen, and while I made my way back to Witchford, the room we had slept in had been demolished by a German bomb. I think it was one of their Doodle Bugs, the ones you could hear approaching and hoped would pass you before its engine stopped. Our room was upstairs. Fortunately Mrs. Clark lived one level below street level, but level with the back garden. She was not hurt, but had to be taken to a decontamination centre to
get all the oil cleaned off.

This was another of our narrow escapes during WW2."

Here a link to the ebook of his memoirs.

1 June 2024, Thanks to Beverley Harton we received a new photo for our Roll of Honour,

Hi I was looking at your site with interest and found reference to my uncles fatal crash in May 1940.

Thanks very much for everything you do in preserving our history

This is my uncle Allen Robinson service number 631370.

He was in 115 squadron and was killed in his

Wellington bomber MK Ic R3152 KO-J in May 20 1940. (no survivors)

Also do you know of any tours that I could take to visit his grave in Ste Marie cemetery in Le Havre?

Also Wellington Mk Ic P9298 KO-F (no survivors) failed to return.

25 May 2024, update from Graham Waterton

Also at Marham, 115 Squadron, summer 1942. My uncle on the right and a mystery Sqn Ldr
in the middle. I’ve asked this group (and others) about him before but no luck with identifying him. The F/Sgt on the left is also a mystery although appears in several of my uncles photographs.
Initially I thought he was part of the Stanford crew but clearly he is a pilot and not Stanford and
the ORB lists only Sgts in the crew anyway.
In most of them he always has plenty to smile about and often has the biggest grin.
Another character I wish I could identify.

pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-RAFs-Youngest

7 May 2024,

Today we received the news from Ian Killeen of the
passing of his father,

Ken Killeen 11/09/1922 to 07/05/2024,

he died peacefully this morning.

A proud veteran and navigator of 115 Squadron.

Thanks for your service Sir.

20 May 2024, Dear Sirs, I write to you of the passing of
Mr Kenneth Killeen. He was a Navigator on 115 Squadron at the end of WWII and passed away aged 102.

His funeral is on the 28th May 2024 at Newport Crematorium. IOW.

The RAF Association Branch at Fareham have sent a wreath.

Kind Regards
John Lawrence
Hon Welfare officer
RAFA Fareham Branch

3 May 2024, update from Graham Waterton,

Dear Filip,

You may remember i have been researching my uncles time in the RAF which included a tour of
34 operations with 115 Squadron in 1942.

This has resulted in a book which is due to be published later this summer.

I know there will be much in the book which will interest your followers.

I am aware that many groups do not like people using their pages to sell so I am seeking your
consent to tell your followers of the book and the facebook page that will be updated as we
approach publication.

Very happy for you to make the post if you would prefer.

Click here for more information.

Kindest regards
Graham

27 April 2024, Belgium 2024.

@80 year memorial for William Shorten father of Jean Berryman and Dave Shorten and his crew of the 115 Squadron who lost their lives 24/25th April 1944

Thank you to Friends of the Royal Air Force 115 Squadron for inviting the family to take part in this special weekend

Thank you for the time and hospitality you showed the family.

We will never forget it.

Photos via the Family Shorten.

19 April 2024, Who can help Brenda Kelly?

hello

I found your website on Google and I wonder if you can help me please.

I am looking for photos of the aircrew men of

Wellington MkIII bomber, X3593 KO-C.

Crashed on 29 April 1942 over France.

I do have one newspaper photo of RCAF Dennis Brien McGrath.

Please can you assist with this search?

Kind regards

Brenda Kelly
Ex WRAF

19 April 2024, thanks to Tracey van Oeffelen we have one more photo for our Roll of Honour, much appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I am been researching Uden War Cemetery and came across Alan Morton Johnson's photo which you
don't have on your website so thought I would share it with you.

Best regards
Tracey van Oeffelen

Lancaster DS647 KO-N crew was lost on 12 June 1943, no survivors.

21 February 2024, An update from Gerald Bell

Hi, I have now completed nearly 1000 of the 1239 Poppy Memorial Cards for those of 115 Sqn who Fell in WW2.

3 February 2023, Who can help our friend Chris Ward?

Sgt. Kelley was a crewmember of Wellington BJ670 KO-K.

I'm trying to help Andreas with his research into a 115 Squadron airman buried on Texel.

Do you have a copy of the 115 Squadron magazine from October 1992 which contains a photo of Sgt Skelley?

I know it's an impossible search, but worth a try. If not, do you know if one exists?

Andreas just wants a copy, as the copy he has is a many-times copied image and very poor quality. Thanks,

Kind regards,
Chris.

19 January 2024, Thanks to John Jones finding we have a new face for the 115 Sdn. Roll of Honour, this time its regarding the crew of

Lancaster DS827 KO-B

who were lost at 5 February 1944. 1Lt Weber of the AAF was a passenger (observer?) during a Night Bombing "BULLSEYE" Exercise.

5 January 2024, Aviation History Research Centre.

AHRC Network.

Dear friends and colleagues,
Greetings from Ken Delve.

click on the PDF for more info.

AHRC Newsletter: Starting in January 2024, the AHRC will publish a bi-monthly FREE newsletter that is distributed in pdf form to anyone who has signed up to receive the newsletter. Each issue includes short historical notes, photographs, news on AHRC activities, and other ‘items of interest.’
This may be a place where you can share interesting snippets, seek help, promote work your are doing, or give you an outlet for writing short historical pieces.

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