 |
 |
 |
Posts 2025 |
26 November 2025,
9 October 2025,
Dear Sir/Madam,
It is with sadness that we need to inform you that our father Flight Lieutenant Philip Edward Hodgson
passed away peacefully on 23rd September 2025 a few days short of his 90th birthday. I believe he had
links with the 115 Squadron Association as this was his last posting in 1969. There will be a service celebrating his life at 12:30pm at his church, St. Judes, Cranford Drive, Peterborough. He loved his life in the RAF and it may be of interest to summarise his air force career here, there may even
be some who have served with him and remember him. In the early 50’s, while at Rossall school he joined the CCF, got a flying scholarship and obtained his private
pilot’s licence, flying Miles Magister, Tiger Moth and Chipmunk aircraft. On leaving school in 1953 he went for selection at RAF Hornchurch and was offered an NCO Flying Office
position, followed by 6 weeks basic training at RAF Kirton in Lindsey. He joined No.2 Air Signallers School at RAF Swanton Morley for basic flying training in the Avro Anson
and Percival Prentice and became a sergeant on passing the training. He then went to RAF Thorney Island Air Signallers & Navigation School for advanced training, flying in Miles Marathon and Vickers Varsity aircraft, and
then on to RAF Dishforth Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) for training in the Vickers Valetta C Mk 1. In 1955 he was posted to RAF Fayed, Egypt as part of 114 Squadron flying Valettas, and in March ’56 due to the 6 day war they were evacuated to RAF
Nicosia, Cyprus where he was assigned to search and rescue on Valettas (There were no flights as no-one needed rescuing!) Following this he was posted to 84 Squadron in RAF Khormaksar, Aden, Yemen, again on Valettas. On his return to England in 1957, he went back to RAF Dishforth to train on Beverly’s, his Squadron Leader suggested he applied for commission.
He went back to RAF Hornchurch where he chose to be an Air Electronics Officer rather than a pilot. In September’60 he went to RAF Jurby on the Isle of Man for officer training, and received his commission on 12 June 1961. In 1961 he was posted to RAF Kinloss, Coastal Command for training on the Shackleton T Mk 1, then to RAF Bally Kelly, Northern Ireland with
203 Squadron, as pilot officer on Shackleton Mk 3’s. During his time here he married Ann, and had two children Susan & David. In early 1965 he was posted to RAF Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya as operations officer where they flow Beverlys for Army support. Back in the UK in September1967, he was posted to RAF Finningley for Victor training, then in December 1967 to RAF Wittering with 100 Squadron
on Victors B Mk 1, and then in April 1968 to RAF Wyton with 543 Squadron with special reconnaissance Victors Mk 2. His final posting was in April 1969 to RAF Cottesmore 115 Squadron on the Argosy E Mk 2. In 1973 he chose to leave the RAF in order to provide a more stable life for his young family, he had his third child Andrew in 1977 and joined
British Rail until his retirement in 1995. Please feel free to use this information as you deem appropriate, we would appreciate being notified should you publish anything about father. With kind regards,
Dave Hodgson
Dear Sir/Madam,
It is with sadness that we need to inform you that our father Flight Lieutenant Philip Edward Hodgson passed away peacefully on 23rd September 2025 a few days short of his 90th birthday. I believe he had
links with the 115 Squadron Association as this was his last posting in 1969. There will be a service celebrating his life at 12:30pm at his church, St. Judes, Cranford Drive, Peterborough. He loved his life in the RAF and it may be of interest to summarise his air force career here, there may even
be some who have served with him and remember him. In the early 50’s, while at Rossall school he joined the CCF, got a flying scholarship and obtained his private
pilot’s licence, flying Miles Magister, Tiger Moth and Chipmunk aircraft. On leaving school in 1953 he went for selection at RAF Hornchurch and was offered an NCO Flying Office
position, followed by 6 weeks basic training at RAF Kirton in Lindsey. He joined No.2 Air Signallers School at RAF Swanton Morley for basic flying training in the Avro Anson
and Percival Prentice and became a sergeant on passing the training. He then went to RAF Thorney Island Air Signallers & Navigation School for advanced training, flying in Miles Marathon and Vickers Varsity aircraft, and
then on to RAF Dishforth Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) for training in the Vickers Valetta C Mk 1. In 1955 he was posted to RAF Fayed, Egypt as part of 114 Squadron flying Valettas, and in March ’56 due to the 6 day war they were evacuated to RAF
Nicosia, Cyprus where he was assigned to search and rescue on Valettas (There were no flights as no-one needed rescuing!) Following this he was posted to 84 Squadron in RAF Khormaksar, Aden, Yemen, again on Valettas. On his return to England in 1957, he went back to RAF Dishforth to train on Beverly’s, his Squadron Leader suggested he applied for commission.
He went back to RAF Hornchurch where he chose to be an Air Electronics Officer rather than a pilot. In September’60 he went to RAF Jurby on the Isle of Man for officer training, and received his commission on 12 June 1961. In 1961 he was posted to RAF Kinloss, Coastal Command for training on the Shackleton T Mk 1, then to RAF Bally Kelly, Northern Ireland with
203 Squadron, as pilot officer on Shackleton Mk 3’s. During his time here he married Ann, and had two children Susan & David. In early 1965 he was posted to RAF Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya as operations officer where they flow Beverlys for Army support. Back in the UK in September1967, he was posted to RAF Finningley for Victor training, then in December 1967 to RAF Wittering with 100 Squadron
on Victors B Mk 1, and then in April 1968 to RAF Wyton with 543 Squadron with special reconnaissance Victors Mk 2. His final posting was in April 1969 to RAF Cottesmore 115 Squadron on the Argosy E Mk 2. In 1973 he chose to leave the RAF in order to provide a more stable life for his young family, he had his third child Andrew in 1977 and joined
British Rail until his retirement in 1995. Please feel free to use this information as you deem appropriate, we would appreciate being notified should you publish anything about father. With kind regards,
Dave Hodgson
26 September 2025,
Thanks to Niko Van Kerkhoven we have 3 new photos,
Nico's FB project is to give the graves of Schoonselhof, CWGC Cemetery, Belgium a face.
All input is Welcome.
AC I. Packer lost his live on 20/21 May 1940,
Wellington P9298 KO-H There were no survivors.
AC II. Duggan and P/O Snowdon were lost on 22/23 May, 1944 Lancaster- ND745 A4-D 3 were taken POW. 
All input is Welcome.
AC I. Packer lost his live on 20/21 May 1940,
Wellington P9298 KO-H There were no survivors.
AC II. Duggan and P/O Snowdon were lost on 22/23 May, 1944 Lancaster- ND745 A4-D 3 were taken POW.
3 September 2025, Moira Allen send a photo from Sergeant Thomas Gilmour Rait, thanks.
Dear Friends of 115 Squadron,
I am researching the story of my grampaw’s brother Sergeant Thomas Gilmour Rait, who served as a pilot with 115 Squadron RAF and was sadly killed aged 19 in action on 13 February 1943 during a mission to Lorient, France.
He was flying Wellington Mk III BK166 (KO C), which failed to return from the operation.
I understand that he and three other crew members were killed, with one surviving crew member taken as a prisoner of war.
I am particularly interested in learning more about the mission itself and any available records or recollections that might shed light on what happened to BK166 that night. Specifically, I am hoping to find:
Any mission reports, Operational Record Book (ORB) entries, or flight logs referencing this aircraft and crew
Any known details from the surviving crew member or post-war POW debriefs
Photographs or documents relating to the aircraft or crew ( I only have 1 picture of him)
Additional background on 115 Squadron’s role in the Lorient raid on that date If there is any information, however small, that you might be able to share — or any direction you could provide toward further sources — I would be extremely grateful. I am visiting his grave in France next week and sadly all the generations before who may have had more knowledge are no longer with us . I do seem to remember my gran saying the plane hit a church steeple but I’m not sure where this information would have come from. Thank you very much for your important work in preserving the memory and history of 115 Squadron. I look forward to hearing from you. Moira Allan.
Dear Friends of 115 Squadron,
I am researching the story of my grampaw’s brother Sergeant Thomas Gilmour Rait, who served as a pilot with 115 Squadron RAF and was sadly killed aged 19 in action on 13 February 1943 during a mission to Lorient, France.
He was flying Wellington Mk III BK166 (KO C), which failed to return from the operation.
I understand that he and three other crew members were killed, with one surviving crew member taken as a prisoner of war.
I am particularly interested in learning more about the mission itself and any available records or recollections that might shed light on what happened to BK166 that night. Specifically, I am hoping to find:
Any mission reports, Operational Record Book (ORB) entries, or flight logs referencing this aircraft and crewAny known details from the surviving crew member or post-war POW debriefs
Photographs or documents relating to the aircraft or crew ( I only have 1 picture of him)
Additional background on 115 Squadron’s role in the Lorient raid on that date If there is any information, however small, that you might be able to share — or any direction you could provide toward further sources — I would be extremely grateful. I am visiting his grave in France next week and sadly all the generations before who may have had more knowledge are no longer with us . I do seem to remember my gran saying the plane hit a church steeple but I’m not sure where this information would have come from. Thank you very much for your important work in preserving the memory and history of 115 Squadron. I look forward to hearing from you. Moira Allan.
3 September 2025,
thanks to Amanda Smith we can put a new face on the Roll of Honour,
Dear sirs,
I have attached to this e mail a photograph of my uncle Jack Wesley 152067, who was piloting a Lancaster which was lost on June 7th 1944. Lancaster Mk III - LM533 KO-T You may like to include his picture in the report of the incident which is on your web site. I would be very interested in any information you have regarding my uncle. Best Regards
Amanda Smith nee Wesley
3 August 2025,
Some photos of my grand father 115 squadron Witchford, he was a rear gunner on a Lancaster, William ‘Billy’ Hill.
If anyone knows of any records, photos or any information it would be greatly appreciated!
Jack Young.
More photos.
More photos.
19 July 2025, we received following sad news,
Hi,
My friends Grandad, Leon Hogg, recently passed away July 5th 2025.
Leon was a Navigator with 115 Squadron completing 45 missions in 1944/45 Aboard Lancaster W for Wille (KO-W), serial NG 122.
Leon is on the back row, 5th from the left of the attached picture. (1944)
I have also attached images of Leon’s log book & a scan of the 115 Sqn Battle Song he had saved.
The full NG 122 crew was:
Wireless Operator: Monty Bernstein (Aus)
Tail Gunner: Don Duncan
Bomb aimer: Tom Taylor
Pilot: Ted Adams
Navigator: Leon Hogg
Flight Eng: Paddy Grath
Mid Upper Gunner: Harry Ruston After the war Leon emigrated to Ontario Canada with his WAAF wife where they lived just outside Tornoto
very happily. His wife predeceased Leon by a number of years. I built a very large 1/32 scale model of the actual Lancaster that Leon flew in as a sort of tribute to him & all
aircrew which he loved, especially when it took 1st place & Peoples Choice at the largest mode show in Canada – picture attached. Jenna (Leons Grand daughter) has kindly given me permission to send you these files & I will send me more pictures
as she goes through everything which I will gladly send through. Regards,
Martin Smith
Leon is on the back row, 5th from the left of the attached picture. (1944)
I have also attached images of Leon’s log book & a scan of the 115 Sqn Battle Song he had saved.
The full NG 122 crew was:
Wireless Operator: Monty Bernstein (Aus)Tail Gunner: Don Duncan
Bomb aimer: Tom Taylor
Pilot: Ted Adams
Navigator: Leon Hogg
Flight Eng: Paddy Grath
Mid Upper Gunner: Harry Ruston After the war Leon emigrated to Ontario Canada with his WAAF wife where they lived just outside Tornoto
very happily. His wife predeceased Leon by a number of years. I built a very large 1/32 scale model of the actual Lancaster that Leon flew in as a sort of tribute to him & all
aircrew which he loved, especially when it took 1st place & Peoples Choice at the largest mode show in Canada – picture attached. Jenna (Leons Grand daughter) has kindly given me permission to send you these files & I will send me more pictures
as she goes through everything which I will gladly send through. Regards,
Martin Smith
24 June 2025,
Diana and I visited the Antwerp Schoonselhof Military Cemetery in Belgium to pay our respects to the 348 Canadians laid to rest here.
Brave young soldiers who ventured across the Atlantic to defend the freedom of Europe.
Diana et moi avons visité le cimetière militaire de Antwerp Schoonselhof, en Belgique, pour rendre hommage aux 348 Canadiens qui y reposent.
Des jeunes soldats courageux qui ont traversé l’Atlantique pour défendre la liberté en Europe.
Via Nico Van Kerckhoven, Faces of Schoonselhof CWGC Cemetery.
19 June 2025,
Marham Aviation Heritage Centre·
The Memorial Garden at the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre has had a seasonal makeover with overhanging branches removed to provide
more light and the old and dying Leylandii removed. Thank you to Petroglyph Decorative Engraving for your continued support in sponsoring our bird feeding programme and providing us with the new plants. The engraving company produces all of the memorial plaques for our memorial wall and also the glassware and plaques which we sell in the Centre shop. Take a look at their website, there are some amazing and very well made items for sale Petroglyph.co.uk Thank you again Petroglyph, we value your support and dedication in helping us to keep history alive.
more light and the old and dying Leylandii removed. Thank you to Petroglyph Decorative Engraving for your continued support in sponsoring our bird feeding programme and providing us with the new plants. The engraving company produces all of the memorial plaques for our memorial wall and also the glassware and plaques which we sell in the Centre shop. Take a look at their website, there are some amazing and very well made items for sale Petroglyph.co.uk Thank you again Petroglyph, we value your support and dedication in helping us to keep history alive.
18 May 2025. Weekend posts from Tony Hibberd,
Adjacent to the entrance of the village cemetery, a memorial stone remembers the crew of 115 Sqn Lancaster DS663 KO-C,
killed when their aircraft crashed near here on 26/06/43. The aircraft had departed East Wretham at 2250 on 25/06/43 for Ops Gardening. It was intercepted at 3200M above Grez-Neuville by a Nightfighter captained by Oblt Erich Gollasch (11/NJG5) and shot down at
0211 on 26/06/43 for his 6th Abschuss. It is believed the aircraft crashed into the Sea with the loss of all seven crew. RAF loss info source; Chorley’s BCL Vol 4 – Nachtjagd claim info source; Boiten’s NCA 1943 Part 2. Images taken by and reproduced with the kind permission of Andy Smith.
killed when their aircraft crashed near here on 26/06/43. The aircraft had departed East Wretham at 2250 on 25/06/43 for Ops Gardening. It was intercepted at 3200M above Grez-Neuville by a Nightfighter captained by Oblt Erich Gollasch (11/NJG5) and shot down at
0211 on 26/06/43 for his 6th Abschuss. It is believed the aircraft crashed into the Sea with the loss of all seven crew. RAF loss info source; Chorley’s BCL Vol 4 – Nachtjagd claim info source; Boiten’s NCA 1943 Part 2. Images taken by and reproduced with the kind permission of Andy Smith.
8 May 2025,
The Walled Garden Shop at Plumstead Norwich, Commemorating VE Day.
Today 8th May is the 80th anniversary of VE Day and we have a special display about what life was like in Great and Little Plumstead during WW2. Visitors to the cafe will find posters detailing the memories and experiences of children in the village, from air raids to rationing, and asking American Airmen for gum! - With thanks to Rosemary Turner and the littleplumsteadmemories.wordpress.com site.
We’ve researched the sad losses in the villages, including in the bombing at Plumstead Green, and details on a the V2 rocket attack. We’ve also found out more about the stories and circumstances of those commemorated on the war memorials and commonwealth war graves in both our churches, and the plane crashes that happened here.Please visit, read and remember
#VEDay #VEday80 #WalledGarden #LittlePlumstead #GreatPlumstead
115 Squadron lost on 6/7 September 1942 Wellington BJ724 KO-P at Blofiel nearby The walled Garden Shop, one survivor.
14 April 2025. Another photo ! 115 Squadron, my Dad, Ken Denly DFC, looks very young in this ! Louise Smith
10 April 2025.
Norman Wells send a photo of Flight Lieutenant F. Norman Plum DFC* who survived the war.
The crew photo is via Tony Trott, but who is who?
The First entree in the ORB was,
1385324 Sgt. Pilot PLUM F. Posted from No.12 O.T.U. w.e.f. 6/11/42.
His first operation was on 18 Nov. as 2nd Pilot with S/L. P. L. Chilton, target Turin.
7 Dec. as Captain on Wellington Q.BJ. 756. Gardening Operations.
2 May, 143136 P/O. F. N. PLUM. GD. awarded the DFC.
Last entree, 16 July, 143236 P/O. F. N. Plum GD. Posted to No. 1678 Conversion Flight.
His last mission with 115 Sqn.
target : WUPPERTAL, Lancaster MkII, B.DS.653.
P/O. F. .N. PLUM DFC. Captain
P/O. R. NEWTON Navigator
Sgt. MACKAY F. Air Bomber
Sgt. EAGLESTONE F. W/T. Oprtr.
Sgt. BENTLEY G. Rear Gunner
Sgt. BEAN H. Mid Upper
Sgt. TROTT. C. Flt. Engineer Thanks Norman and Tony.
Norman Wells send a photo of Flight Lieutenant F. Norman Plum DFC* who survived the war.
The crew photo is via Tony Trott, but who is who?
The First entree in the ORB was,
1385324 Sgt. Pilot PLUM F. Posted from No.12 O.T.U. w.e.f. 6/11/42.
His first operation was on 18 Nov. as 2nd Pilot with S/L. P. L. Chilton, target Turin.
7 Dec. as Captain on Wellington Q.BJ. 756. Gardening Operations.
2 May, 143136 P/O. F. N. PLUM. GD. awarded the DFC.
Last entree, 16 July, 143236 P/O. F. N. Plum GD. Posted to No. 1678 Conversion Flight.
His last mission with 115 Sqn.
target : WUPPERTAL, Lancaster MkII, B.DS.653.P/O. F. .N. PLUM DFC. Captain
P/O. R. NEWTON Navigator
Sgt. MACKAY F. Air Bomber
Sgt. EAGLESTONE F. W/T. Oprtr.
Sgt. BENTLEY G. Rear Gunner
Sgt. BEAN H. Mid Upper
Sgt. TROTT. C. Flt. Engineer Thanks Norman and Tony.
28 March 2025,
My Dad served as a Flight Engineer on Lancasters with 115 Squadron based largely at RAF Witchford, Cambs during 1943/44 flying missions
over Germany and then (after D Day) France. During 1944/45, he was transferred to the Far Eastern theatre of war flying Liberators in an Air Sea Rescue role with 292 Squadron based at
Jessore and Chittagong. I am keen to make contact with the family and friends of my Dad’s former RAF crew and intend to visit the RAF Museums at Witchford and
Lincoln and other UK memorials/sites in spring/summer 2025. Please don’t hesitate to contact me initially by facebook if you are willing to share information and reminiscences. Many thanks. Richard Bracy.
over Germany and then (after D Day) France. During 1944/45, he was transferred to the Far Eastern theatre of war flying Liberators in an Air Sea Rescue role with 292 Squadron based at
Jessore and Chittagong. I am keen to make contact with the family and friends of my Dad’s former RAF crew and intend to visit the RAF Museums at Witchford and
Lincoln and other UK memorials/sites in spring/summer 2025. Please don’t hesitate to contact me initially by facebook if you are willing to share information and reminiscences. Many thanks. Richard Bracy.
30-3-2025. A post from Louise Smith with a great photo attached, many thanks,
Hi, I have found this photo of my father at his 115 Squadron reunion in Ely Cathedral 2006.
Ken Denly DFC. Could you post it please.
Louise Smith.
7 Feb. 2025,
An update from Trevor Harking,
Information from my book, coming out soon - Coventry's Bomber Boys.
Waterstones Books
The book as also info on six 115 crew.
7 April 1940.
The enemy concentrated on beam attacks and N.2949., and P.2624. were shot down in flames into the sea. Three other aircraft, P.9226., P.9236. and P.9227. were damaged
by canon fire and M.G. bullets, the tanks being pierced in each cases. Wellington N2949 - KO-H Wellington P2524 - KO-F