jsaund

Jimbo27

Thank you for the information. Will contact Kew and see how it goes from there.

The advice you have provided (in fact, all of you who have helped me the last couple of days) has been invaluable.

Have ordered the book that my dad is mentioned in too!

Hopefully will find out what my dad got up to - poor soul can't remember now.

All the best,
JS

Jimbo27

Jsaund,

A note of caution, are you referring to the book mentioned by papajuliet?

I think this is re the original subject of this thread, Flt Lt Basil Michael VASSILLIADES, rather than your father.

Thanks,

Jim

jsaund

Yes Jimbo27, I have realised my mistake too late! I got a little over-enthusiastic - I think the title of Typhoon and Tempest story should have been a blatant giveaway to me, doh! My dad flew Lancaster Bombers! Oh well, that'll teach me!

JS

Duncan D'Sorderlee

JS,

Never mind. I suspect that it is a good read!

Duncs

papajuliet

Jsaund - It's an excellent read [!] - perhaps I should have been clearer in my post. - apologies if I was misleading.
A quick google search shows that there are books on 83 sqd.
PJ

Diamond T

Dear Experts. As the title says I am trying to research several RAF pilots, namely the following.

Flight Sergent. Raymond Algernon Reeves Smith. S/N 1335530. 166 Squadron. Kirmington. Shot down 15.02.1944. Would like a photo of him & his crew if possible, I know quite a lot about Raymond, but any info would be gratefully recieved.

Flt Lt Gerald Norman Edgar Yeates. DFC & Bar. Flew Mosquito's in Coastal Command. killed in 1947 in a flying accident co pilot was a South African Fighter Ace Major Kenneth Weeks Driver DFC. Accident was near Wooton Under Edge. Any info on Gerald Yeates would be very helpful. (Mother in Laws Cousin).

Charles Soden. (we know absolutley nothing about this chap, except that he had been engaged to my late Aunt).

Kevin P Nash. This airman left the RAF after the war and entered the Priesthood, becoming a Dominican Monk, who taught at Blackfriars School, Laxton, Corby, Northants. sometime after 1960 (when I left) he went to a Cambridge University, where he met a lady, he subsequently left the priesthood and later married the lady in question, they went onto produce two daughters, I am researching this chap on behalf of the old boys from school. Kevin Nash was a Spitfire Pilot. His Ordination name was Fr Hugh.Sadly Fr Hugh has passed away.

We now change sex, as I am also helping research the RAF life of Ms Marianne Catterall, who was better known as LIZ, she was a Senior WRAF Officer in the Repatriation of POW's at RAF WING. She was also a friend of Kevin Nash, and after the war was matron at two schools, both of which I attended, 1st one Penryn School, Winterfold House. Chaddesley Corbett, Nr Kidderminster. Worcs, she then moved to Blackfriars School (address above). If any one knows anything about any of these persons, I would be very grateful for any info, how ever small. Sadly Ms Marianne Catterall has passed away

If any information is available please can you email me on vj3346@talktalk.net when I can thank the sender personnally.

Diamond T

Thrakesh

Hi everyone - I came across this thread while trying to research the DFC citation for a good friend's grandfather - his info is:

John Pierrepont MEADOWS, D.F.C. (82672),
Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Thanks to your suggestions, I have searched the London Times Gazette and retrieved all of the late Mr. Meadows' important notices, but I have been unable to find out the citation details for his DFC award. My friend wants to properly preserve his grandfather's memory, so I am hoping someone on this forum can help me with this research.

Please let me know if you require more information.

Thanks in advance,

November4

Try contacting HughAHalliday on the RAF Commands forum as he seems ot hold most citations or can give advice on where to look.

Thrakesh

Awesome - thank you for the tip - I'll contact him.

Cheers.

bob whymark

Dear Jimbo27

I found you via a search into the London Gazette archives. I have heard that that area can be 'tricky' ! Your info seems a good place to start.
The DFM is my main request - No #, Sgt Ronald Critchley Air Gunner on 103 Sq. MIA 24Jul41 attacking Brest. BELIEVED to have been awarded DFM while in France in 40 with AASF. Did shoot a Heinkel down from a Battle! Told sister waiting to have it pinned on at RAF Elsham Wolds, taken off to do Brest op. They were shot down on approach to tgt day B4 his 21st bday. I can't trace him in DFM awards [incomplete list] but a Sgt CRITCH pilot WAS awarded one 103 in France AASF.
DSO & DFC for my father 53481 Flt Lt John Percy WHYMARK. DFC on 101 Sq Gaz 13 10 44 [4693]. DSO 103 Sq 26 10 45 Missing 4 Oct 45
Be grateful for info on where these are please. robert.whymark@btinternet.com Cheers Bob

bobward

Could someone help me with a long shot?
During the last war Maurice Bennett a friend of my father, joined the RAF as a pilot. When we went to Winthorpe museum a few years ago, dad is sure tha he saw Maurice on oneof the unit photo's there. I tried the museum but they were unable to help further.

I've tried Gooogle - there was a Maurice Bennett on there, but he was on 102 Sqn flying Halifaxes. Dad's pretty sure Maurice flew Lancasters. He's also sure Maurice becae a Wing Commander and, at one stage, visited the US with his crew. Both Maurice and dad come from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.

I've read earlier posts, and am trying the London Gazette website. Judging by the slow response, most of PPRuNe's members are on there right now!

Can any of you help?

Thanks in advance

ben_andrews

Hi all Merry Christmas!

My grandpa's name is Maurice Bennett. He did fly Halifaxes in 102 squadron and not Lancasters but he also grew up in Norfolk. May I ask your fathers name?

ARXW

Reg. Vassilis Vassiliades or Basil as he is officially listed. He was a relatively well recorded fighter pilot with the RAF from Athens. I recall reading an entire article on him in a Greek magazine only last year. He was from an island shipping family and his father a captain I believe. He went to school to become a merchant navy captain too. At the outbreak of war he went to England and was known to be a ladies man...

He is well mentioned in Clostermann's epic book but I don't have it with me but from memory Clostermann is saddened at the pointless death and the unlucky direct hit on "poor Vass". He is also critical. Vass was a fighter pilot of considerable stature and one of Greece's highest scoring aces (10 kills i believe). Aggressive (as his former CO called him) he most certainly was as he was very brave. Unfrotunately that is NOT always a good thing and his aggressiveness cost his life and the life of his wingman a few weeks before the end of the war when going up against the maelstrom of flak in search for targets in an ever shrinking "Free 3rd Reich"...The ambience of Clostermann's book in the last few months of Tempest ops is superlative and very poignant. The AAA losses were terrible in what were certainly elite fighter units (the two Tempest wings) flying a superlative fighter...yet the chances were dwindling the longer one pitted himseld day in and day out against the terrible German flak...

exgroundcrew

My Uncle RAF No 189118 George Clark Mitchell of 103 Sqn (misspelt as Clarke on memorial) is recorded as a Pilot Officer, although on other sites (e.g Lostbombers.co.uk) he is recorded as a Flight Sergeant and was killed when Lancaster NE136 was shot down on 14 July 1944.
Question is, did the RAF sometimes posthumorously promote those killed in action and if so for what reason?

Old-Duffer

exgroundcrew,

The answer is YES. The commissioning process would have reached a stage where the decision to commission had been made and it was just an unhappy situation that the commission hadn't been promulgated before death took place.

O-D

sceolaun

G'Day all,
I am hoping someone on this forum can help me with the text of the citation for the DFM awarded to my great uncle 1075155 Alexander Armstrong Munro. The award was gazetted 11/6/1943 when he was in 61 Sqn. He later transferred to 619 Sqn and was killed on his second tour when his Lancaster (LL785, PG-W) exploded over Holland on 11/4/1944. He is buried in Eindhoven and my family would dearly love any more information on him.
Thanks in advance,
John

Doaders

Hi,

When I was a kid I always heard stories about Uncle Joe and Gavin. Gavin Cadden was a commando and was caught and almost excecuted but was saved by the German commanding officer; to his own demise as he was excecuted by the Gestapo for having done this. It's a pretty amazing story.

Joseph Cadden was a pilot in the RAF and was shot down or captured and spent his time in a Japanese POW. I did meet him a few times before he passed on and was one of the nicest gentlemen you could ever have met, but was pretty quite and didn't talk or mention much about his experience. I would like to try and track down some more information about him. I am just starting on this so if anyone can give me any pointers it would be great.

There are another two brothers, James and John. James was in Burma. I would like to start with Joe.

d purdy

My father has given my my granddads D.F.M MEDAL and old paper cuttings from his hometown gazette. My granddad was Sgt T Purdy when awarded the medal and later became W.O. long shot but anyone know were i can get more info on him, i also have a certificate which states he was mentioned in dispatches.

asprom93

Hello all,

Months ago I´ve purchased a silver cigarette case and I learned that it´s owner was a pilot for the RAF during the WWII. I would like to know more about him and maybe write a small piece. His name was J.R. SWANSON, and his service number was 1335553. Does the RAF team of PPRuNe has any idea ? I have his name but I am not sure how can I proceed.


Thanks in advance.

asprom93