No. 5 B.F.T.S Clewiston FL USA
Thread Starter
No. 5 B.F.T.S Clewiston FL USA
Is there anyone around who gained their RAF Wings at the No. 5 B.F.T.S., on course no. 11 - Nov 1942 - May 1943 who I could correspond with?
Many Thanks
Ian BB
PS May I now widen my search to anyone on the base at Clewiston - Nov 1942 - May 1943, whether RAF, US Army Air Corps or civilian Instructor, this would include, I believe, members of courses 8 9 10 & 12 13 14 for part of that time.
Here's hoping - Thanks Gents.
Many Thanks
Ian BB
PS May I now widen my search to anyone on the base at Clewiston - Nov 1942 - May 1943, whether RAF, US Army Air Corps or civilian Instructor, this would include, I believe, members of courses 8 9 10 & 12 13 14 for part of that time.
Here's hoping - Thanks Gents.
Last edited by Ian Burgess-Barber; 15th Jul 2009 at 09:03. Reason: To add PS
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Not quite
My Father (now with wings of his own), was there in 1944, (course 21 I think), so outside your time frame; but I have visited the museum dedicated to 5 BFTS in Clewston and may have some info of interest.
If so PM me, if not good hunting.
If so PM me, if not good hunting.
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Not certain of the nature of your project but I'd suggest contacting the editor of the Clewiston News. It's quite possible that some may have settled there post-war and it is still a relatively small town.
The paper reportedly have archives of newspapers going back to 1928.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clewiston_News
Clewiston News
820 W Sugarland Hwy., Suite 5
Clewiston, FL33440
Editor: [email protected]
Good luck!
The paper reportedly have archives of newspapers going back to 1928.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clewiston_News
Clewiston News
820 W Sugarland Hwy., Suite 5
Clewiston, FL33440
Editor: [email protected]
Good luck!
Thread Starter
To AQAfive & Evileyes
Thank you both for responding,
Aqafive I will PM you. According to a book I am reading - "RAF Wings Over Florida" by Will Largent, ISBN 1-55753-203-6, course 22 Wings Day was 31st March 1945 so if your father was on course 21 his Wings Day would have been 6-7 weeks earlier. The course was 28 weeks so you can work back to his start date. I have emailed the Chairman of No. 5 B.F.T.S. Association who I think may be key to my enquiries - but no response yet - possibly on hols. at this time of year.
See - RAFRA - Royal Air Forces Register of Associations (formerly BCAUR)
Evileyes, thanks, I will write to the editor of the Clewiston News. My project is to try and find anyone who might remember my father, the late F/O Geoffrey Burgess who gained his wings at Clewiston 25th May 1943 and lost his life flying Mosquito TE 872 14th Jan. 1948 at RAF Pershore. I was just 4 months old at the time, so sadly I have no memory of my dad.
I now have some photos, with christian names on them, that he took while at Riddle Field Clewiston and it would be great if someone who was on that course could put surnames to the faces. I realise this is a long shot now, as I am looking for someone who would be at least 85 years young - but it's worth a go
Again sincere thanks for your assistance
Ian BB
Aqafive I will PM you. According to a book I am reading - "RAF Wings Over Florida" by Will Largent, ISBN 1-55753-203-6, course 22 Wings Day was 31st March 1945 so if your father was on course 21 his Wings Day would have been 6-7 weeks earlier. The course was 28 weeks so you can work back to his start date. I have emailed the Chairman of No. 5 B.F.T.S. Association who I think may be key to my enquiries - but no response yet - possibly on hols. at this time of year.
See - RAFRA - Royal Air Forces Register of Associations (formerly BCAUR)
Evileyes, thanks, I will write to the editor of the Clewiston News. My project is to try and find anyone who might remember my father, the late F/O Geoffrey Burgess who gained his wings at Clewiston 25th May 1943 and lost his life flying Mosquito TE 872 14th Jan. 1948 at RAF Pershore. I was just 4 months old at the time, so sadly I have no memory of my dad.
I now have some photos, with christian names on them, that he took while at Riddle Field Clewiston and it would be great if someone who was on that course could put surnames to the faces. I realise this is a long shot now, as I am looking for someone who would be at least 85 years young - but it's worth a go
Again sincere thanks for your assistance
Ian BB
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5 BFTS
Hi Ian,
I happened upon your posting whilst arranging a visit to the 5BFTS reunion in Bedford next weekend.
I knew that my uncle P/O Francis William Baker (my mother's brother) had been killed in WW2 and was buried somewhere in France. That was about it until I came across some papers at my parent's house and found that he had trained in Florida.
With my husband and my brother, I began to research his RAF career and very quickly, thanks to the wonders of the internet, found the Clewiston Museum site (have you seen this?) and discovered that posted there were photographs of all the Course members. After some trawling we found him on Course 11.
Number 5 British Flight Training School - Course 11
Frank is 2nd from the left (front row) and your father is 5th from the left - so they must have known each other!
We would love to see your photographs (maybe Frank's in one of them). If you could possibly email them to me, I could take them to the reunion and maybe someone there might recognise them.
Frank went on to train as a Lancaster pilot and served with 460 Squadron (RAAF) based at Binbrook. Tragically he was killed on his first op (along with all his crew) during the disastrous raid on Mailly-le Camp, on the night of 3rd/4th May 1944. He and all his crew are buried in a beautiful churchyard at Dommartin-Letree. We have just returned from visiting their graves.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, Liz
I happened upon your posting whilst arranging a visit to the 5BFTS reunion in Bedford next weekend.
I knew that my uncle P/O Francis William Baker (my mother's brother) had been killed in WW2 and was buried somewhere in France. That was about it until I came across some papers at my parent's house and found that he had trained in Florida.
With my husband and my brother, I began to research his RAF career and very quickly, thanks to the wonders of the internet, found the Clewiston Museum site (have you seen this?) and discovered that posted there were photographs of all the Course members. After some trawling we found him on Course 11.
Number 5 British Flight Training School - Course 11
Frank is 2nd from the left (front row) and your father is 5th from the left - so they must have known each other!
We would love to see your photographs (maybe Frank's in one of them). If you could possibly email them to me, I could take them to the reunion and maybe someone there might recognise them.
Frank went on to train as a Lancaster pilot and served with 460 Squadron (RAAF) based at Binbrook. Tragically he was killed on his first op (along with all his crew) during the disastrous raid on Mailly-le Camp, on the night of 3rd/4th May 1944. He and all his crew are buried in a beautiful churchyard at Dommartin-Letree. We have just returned from visiting their graves.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, Liz
Thread Starter
Course 11
Hi Liz
Thanks for your post and your PM which I only opened today.
I am sorry to say that I cannot help you with my father's photos as they are not of course 11! Let me explain. As you know from the course 11 photo on the University of Florida site my dad can clearly be seen on the front row. That picture is the only link to course 11 that exists, because, within a day or two of that arrival picture my dad was in sick bay (we don't know with what) but he must have been quite ill, as we know that he was sent off-base later to recuperate. As a result he never rejoined course 11 but he (and I believe two other cadets) were put onto course 12 and he gained his wings with them on 25/05/1943. I have now had the privilege of speaking to Mr Eddie Habberley who was also on course 12 and he was able to tell me a little about my dad which wonderful for me. This came about as a result of the great help that I have received from the 5BFTS archive run by Gordon Newsham.
I am sorry to hear of Mr Baker's death on his first op. - such a tragic waste - but at least now as a result of your research you know where he lies.
Sorry that I have nothing more on course 11 for you.
Best Wishes
Ian Burgess-Barber
Thanks for your post and your PM which I only opened today.
I am sorry to say that I cannot help you with my father's photos as they are not of course 11! Let me explain. As you know from the course 11 photo on the University of Florida site my dad can clearly be seen on the front row. That picture is the only link to course 11 that exists, because, within a day or two of that arrival picture my dad was in sick bay (we don't know with what) but he must have been quite ill, as we know that he was sent off-base later to recuperate. As a result he never rejoined course 11 but he (and I believe two other cadets) were put onto course 12 and he gained his wings with them on 25/05/1943. I have now had the privilege of speaking to Mr Eddie Habberley who was also on course 12 and he was able to tell me a little about my dad which wonderful for me. This came about as a result of the great help that I have received from the 5BFTS archive run by Gordon Newsham.
I am sorry to hear of Mr Baker's death on his first op. - such a tragic waste - but at least now as a result of your research you know where he lies.
Sorry that I have nothing more on course 11 for you.
Best Wishes
Ian Burgess-Barber
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I have just found this thread while reseaching a chap (Michael John O'Donohoe) who was at 5 BFTS from August 1942 until April 1943.
After leaving he moved through various units however seems to have become an instructor rather that moving to ops.
I was wondering if you might have come across him during your research, or if you have any further information about his course.
All the best,
Johnnie
After leaving he moved through various units however seems to have become an instructor rather that moving to ops.
I was wondering if you might have come across him during your research, or if you have any further information about his course.
All the best,
Johnnie
Thread Starter
M J O'Donohoe
Hi Johnnie
If you go to www.clewistonmuseum.org and click on No 5 BFTS Photo Archives that will take you to the University of Florida Digital Collection of pictures. Scroll down until you find the Course 10 photo, click on the zoom tag and you will see your man 3rd from the left on the 3rd row.
Then contact the No 5 BFTS Association Archivist, Gordon Newsham who may be able to put you in touch with members of Course 10 who are still around, and who might remember Mr O'Donohoe.
I have no other knowledge of him or of Course 10.
Best of Luck with your search
Ian BB
If you go to www.clewistonmuseum.org and click on No 5 BFTS Photo Archives that will take you to the University of Florida Digital Collection of pictures. Scroll down until you find the Course 10 photo, click on the zoom tag and you will see your man 3rd from the left on the 3rd row.
Then contact the No 5 BFTS Association Archivist, Gordon Newsham who may be able to put you in touch with members of Course 10 who are still around, and who might remember Mr O'Donohoe.
I have no other knowledge of him or of Course 10.
Best of Luck with your search
Ian BB
Last edited by Ian Burgess-Barber; 5th Oct 2009 at 12:05. Reason: email addresses did not come through
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Many thanks for the reply. It is always great to have web sites like the one you mentioned brought up. I'll have to hunt through the names of others I have been researching to see if any of them flew from 5 BFTS and have photos on the web site.
Johnnie
Johnnie
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Hi Ian,
My father was on course 12 at 5BFTS. He is still with us and still has an interest in aviation. If you are still following this thread, what would you like me to ask him ?
All the best
Martin (Swift)
My father was on course 12 at 5BFTS. He is still with us and still has an interest in aviation. If you are still following this thread, what would you like me to ask him ?
All the best
Martin (Swift)
Thread Starter
What made me look at this thread for the first time in weeks?
Hello Martin
I would be most grateful if you would ask your dad if he has any recall at all of the father I never knew. It may help his memory (if he was on the appropriate flight) that my dad was a corporal at the time - which was unusual.
Thanks for your response
Best wishes
Ian BB
I would be most grateful if you would ask your dad if he has any recall at all of the father I never knew. It may help his memory (if he was on the appropriate flight) that my dad was a corporal at the time - which was unusual.
Thanks for your response
Best wishes
Ian BB
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Course 12
Hi Ian,
I see you are still following this thread. Thought you might be interested to know that The Clewiston News always put a mention on their front page as each 5 BFTS Course passed out. The link below should take you to Course 12. If it dosen't work let me know and I will try again.
Clewiston news
Regards Lizh.
I see you are still following this thread. Thought you might be interested to know that The Clewiston News always put a mention on their front page as each 5 BFTS Course passed out. The link below should take you to Course 12. If it dosen't work let me know and I will try again.
Clewiston news
Regards Lizh.
Thread Starter
Re Course 12
Hi Liz
The Link was fine
Thank you so much, I was not aware that the old newspaper was online.
I am now waiting to see if Mr Swift (see previous) might have known my dad - it is amazing how people turn up out of the ether on this great PPRuNe thingy!
Good Hunting with your researches
Ian BB
The Link was fine
Thank you so much, I was not aware that the old newspaper was online.
I am now waiting to see if Mr Swift (see previous) might have known my dad - it is amazing how people turn up out of the ether on this great PPRuNe thingy!
Good Hunting with your researches
Ian BB
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Liz
My Dad served on 460 squadron at the same time as Frank. I am helping him write stories of his time there, which you can view in the link below. He may know of Frank, so I suggest you leave a comment of one of his articles and he will get back to you.
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Liz I got the email
Liz I got the email and I have passed it on to my father. I'm sure you will hear something soon. I'm new to the forum and so did not know how to post links. Here is the link to all my father's articles on 460 Squadron so far. Peter
460 Squadron - Collection - a collection by Henry Baskerville
460 Squadron - Collection - a collection by Henry Baskerville
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460
Hi Peter,
Thanks so much for your Dad's articles.
I haven't yet had time to read everything, but as I said, even though Frank had such a short time at Binbrook it shows what life would have been like for him, had things not gone so tragically wrong on the night he died, which was just what I wanted to know.
I was however very interested in your Dad's account of his "second dickie". Apparently Frank went on his 1st Op without having done one.
Would your Dad be able to throw any light on why this might have been?
Regards Liz
Thanks so much for your Dad's articles.
I haven't yet had time to read everything, but as I said, even though Frank had such a short time at Binbrook it shows what life would have been like for him, had things not gone so tragically wrong on the night he died, which was just what I wanted to know.
I was however very interested in your Dad's account of his "second dickie". Apparently Frank went on his 1st Op without having done one.
Would your Dad be able to throw any light on why this might have been?
Regards Liz
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5 BFTS
Ian, my father George Applegarth was at No. 5 B.F.T.S, based at Clewiston but was a bit after your dads time. I do however have photo's of the aircraft and buildings that my dad took if they would be of any interest. I also visited Clewiston after my father passed away, I did it in style by flying a Harvard (actually a SNJ-6) from Kissimmee and parked it on the old flight line. I would also be interested in finding out more about my dads time in the states.
Regards Chris
Regards Chris