601 RAuxAF - The Millionaires Squadron

[Vox Populi]

BBC News - 601 Squadron: Millionaire flying aces of World War II (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11951642)

Very interesting. Rich, aristocratic and brave.

[cazatou]

601 Sqn numbered amongst its Pilots Carl Raymond Davis who held United States Citizenship. He participated in the first attack on Germany in 1939 and was the 10th highest scoring RAF Fighter Pilot during the Battle of Britain.

[Trim Stab]

No. 601 Squadron RAF - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._601_Squadron_RAF)

Maybe the FSTA squadron number should be 601 since, according to some views on this board, all commercial pilots are "rich kids"!

[Leadfoot Lesley]

My late father was a member of this squadron.
Does anyone know if there's a specific page, or central registry where I can get more information?
I've searched his name (Frederic Arthur Wimbush) and referenced the squadron, but nothing comes up.
I have the original squadron wall plaques, and miniatures of all of his medals.

Many thanks to anyone who can provide me with, or steer me towards any information.

Lesley Wimbush

[Melchett01]

For a bit of general history / background, the Air Historical Branch might be a good first port of call Air Historical Branch - Home (http://www.raf.mod.uk/ahb/)

Quite a good summary of researching military ancestors can be found here BBC - Family History - Researching Military Records (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/get_started/archives_01.shtml) and "Tracing Your Air Force Ancestors" might be a good read Online bookshop (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/bookshop/details.aspx?titleId=439)

[Regie Mental]

For the unit history try Twenty-One Squadrons by Leslie Hunt (ISBN 0 947554 26 2) which details the history of each AuxAF squadron.

Squadron members included Sqn Ldr Roger Bushell, the legendary 'Big X' of the Great Escape played by Richard Attenborough in the movie and among those executed by the Gestapo.

[Tocsin]

Many RAuxAF Squadrons have reformed over the last decade or so, but not 601 I'm afraid.

However a quick bit of searching shows that 600 Sqn Association have an entry on their page for 601 - at 601 Squadron Association (http://600squadronassociation.com/601_Squadron.html)

Not a lot, but the contact info on the site may get you some leads - good luck!

[XH175]

Hi Lesley,

Your best start point is to apply to the MoD at RAF Cranwell for a copy of his service records. This will give dates and postings as well as results of trade tests and promotions.

There are a few traces that can be followed while you wait for his records to arrive.

1. Most wartime entry to the RAF was via the RAFVR as airman. From the entry those suitable/chosen were put forward for commission. If not selected for quick commission then if aircrew they would be promoted to Sgt on gaining flying award.

In his case a free download file at The National Archives, Kew, London can be downloaded to see if he was Other Rank RAF and to get his OR service number.

AIR 78/173 comes up with the index card , confirms his full name and gives service number as 657300

From other research I can say that this number falls into a block that started issue Jan 1939 (so this is the earliest date he could have entered service) and was for men who were transferring with previous Army service. So you may also need to check Army records for previous service.

The next peg in the sand can be found doing a Google search for" Wimbush 657300"

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35592/pages/2554/page.pdf

This is the London Gazette entry where he was commissioned to Pilot Officer in 1942. It shows both his OR service number and his new Personal Number as an officer.

Using his surname and officer number you can trace his promotions in the On Line London Gazette site to 7th March 1944 when he was promoted to F/Lt and beyond post war when he transferred from General Branch to Technical Branch.

Once you have the units and some tighter dates from his service records you can probably find quite a bit on him in the Operations Record Books (ORBs) for the unit again at the TNA. These are downloadable but for a nominal charge in monthly segments so it's better to have a target date range.

Regards
Ross

[Fantome]

Hi Ross . . .. . beaut bit of sleuthing there for Lesley. When I went over to Kew a few years ago to spend two weeks researching some First World War and RFC leads (for Ian Mackersey's book then in preparation, 'No Empty Chairs') I wanted to look up one John Austen Pimlott. He was 601 SQN. I ran out of time to do that.

John Pimlott's sister was the late Zelie McLeod , who was a long time journalist on the Sydney Daily Telegraph, with unusually close ties with Frank Packer and Brian Penton of that paper. Her brother John, his wife 'Spy', son Timothy and a daughter came to live in Australia in 1958, having lived about ten years in South Africa. John had interests in Angora goats and mohair production. Zelie was a close friend of my parents. Both she and John were vital, engaging and wonderful raconteurs. John, on his arrival from Africa, stayed with my family for three weeks. He took me for my first flight in a light aircraft, allowing me to fly for a few minutes , when an incipient bug latched on, one that has never let go. By the way, I have a nice colour slide of John in a Canberra Aero Club Tiger with club member John Ronk.

flew assessment flights on a few aircraft and wrote them up for 'The Aeroplane'. One of these was the Miles Aerovan.

He had a good story about flying the Brewster Buffalo, a shipment of which intended for Belgium, came to England instead. He had to wJohn served in the RAF right through the war. He was a SQN LDR. He flew 83 different types as contained in Owen Thetford's book 'Aircraft of the RAF'. This unusually large number of types came about largely because for quite a while John was attached to a repair unit at Boscombe Down where many different aircraft were in need of test flying and delivery to squadrons. John said that after the war he rite the pilots' notes. There was a placard in Flemish he had trouble translating. It read in effect that 'this aircraft must not be flown without sidecutters in the pouch for the same'.
If the gear would not extend you needed to cut the cables that held the main gear up.

John died about thirty years ago, when living in Melbourne. If I could gain access to his service record that would be a fascinating exercise. I am hoping that his son Tim still has his dad's log books. He is not the easiest fellow to get hold of.

Elsewhere Ross you wrote about D4 link trainer restoration. A good friend in Melbourne has one he wants to restore. Perhaps I could put him in touch with you?

[Busta]

There is a book, "The Flying Sword" by Tom Moulson. Published 1964 by Macdonald & Co. This seems to be the history of 601 Sqn.

[Craig Tredinnick]

Hello, John Austim Pimlott was my grandfather, my mother Jenny died in 1974, my grandfather died in 1969.

i have a copy of his service record, which i eventually got sent to me from MOD, i also have copies of his service medals.

Zali died in the mid 80's.

i would be intertested in any info you have on my grandfather and Zali.

Craig

[Prangster]

Just wriggled back out of the hattick, I know here's a copy in there somewhere, her indoors won't let me plumb in anymore Ikea bookcases.
From memeory the book makes play on the units somewhat rarified Latin motto which to the initiated could be read as 'Not one hell of a lot but just a bit better than 600' Who of course detested the jibe

[Tedderboy]

I see from the FTRS recruitment site that a number of posts for 601 (County of London) Sqn have been advertised - I take it that means 601 has recently been (or is in the process of being) reformed? Can't find any mention on the web of 601 beyond its disbandment in the 50s.

[Roland Pulfrew]

I take it that means 601 has recently been (or is in the process of being) reformed? SofS announced the re-formation at the Air Power Conference today.

Jobs for the boys...senior officer posts to 'directly support CAS'. Actually the majority are coming from industry.

[Marty33]

Why I love PPRUNE. Very informative article, I'd never heard of that Squadron.

[bspatz]

Interestingly 601 is one of the very few squadrons that does not have a motto although it is badged. I wonder if that will change when it is reformed.

[MAINJAFAD]

It doesn't have a Motto because the one it put in with the badge design was rejected. The reason for the rejection was that the motto was a cheap shot at 600 Sqn. The CO of 601 then decided that if the squadron couldn't have the motto they requested they wouldn't have one at all.

[bspatz]

I believe that the CO of 601 asked for the motto to be "Plus Sescenti" which can be translated as 601 but literally means more or better than 600 which the Heralds thought would be demeaning to 600 squadron (their arch rivals)

[teeteringhead]

But the Heralds must have missed the "pi" on 22 Sqn's badge .......

[Danny42C]

What will it do when it is reformed ? They can't afford first-line machinery for weekenders. Drone drivers, perhaps ?

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

XH175,

That was great, I'll use that to get my Dad's wartime records.

Marty33,

Me too !

NEO

[Audax]

At the outbreak of WW2, the Sqn CO became concerned about a possible lack of petrol for the no doubt large and powerful cars the aircrew possessed. So, a member was sent out to obtain some of the precious liquid. When he returned empty handed he was asked why, his reply was simple------'I bought the garage'