Historian Guilty of Dambuster Logbook Theft
There was also the incident almost 20 years ago at RAF Digby, when OC PMS stole Ops Room log books (with entries by Bader etc) and swapped them (if I recall correctly) for Nazi memorabilia. Luckily they were spotted at an antiques and collectables show and returned. The Flt Lt (Sxx Hxxxxx) was court martialed and found guilty. He had cancer so his sentence was suspended but he was dismissed form the Service. Fast-forward 15 years and he emerges as a bit of a wheel in SNP politics and publishes bonkers diatribes on the Nazis under a pseudonym. Fancy that, eh?
I have to admit that I know the subject of this thread, same school though many years apart, but he was active in the Old Boys association. I was astounded by the first case, and now by this. It is all very sad, and I find it very difficult to equate the guy I have known for may years with these two very serious offences. You never know what is going on behind the screen.
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Only 2?
Oh, well, that will have to suffice I guess.
Barsteward.
Oh, well, that will have to suffice I guess.
Barsteward.
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Hang on, lets get this into perspective...
On one hand he gets 12 months for taking naughty kiddy pictures and on the other hand gets 2 years for effectively nicking a book.
Some how I think someone has the sentencing and their priorities bit mixed up.
In respect to the logbook theft, taking all of the consequences of his actions into account and likely parole I think they should have started the tariff at the 5 year point with a bit knocked off if he says where the logbook is.
In respect to the kiddie pictures which IMHO far out weighs the logbook event, locking up and throwing the key away would seem to be in order...
I do however hope the logbook turns up in the near future and is returned to the family.
On one hand he gets 12 months for taking naughty kiddy pictures and on the other hand gets 2 years for effectively nicking a book.
Some how I think someone has the sentencing and their priorities bit mixed up.
In respect to the logbook theft, taking all of the consequences of his actions into account and likely parole I think they should have started the tariff at the 5 year point with a bit knocked off if he says where the logbook is.
In respect to the kiddie pictures which IMHO far out weighs the logbook event, locking up and throwing the key away would seem to be in order...
I do however hope the logbook turns up in the near future and is returned to the family.
The daughter of a Dambusters crew member has offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to the return of his stolen log book.
The artefact was loaned to military historian Alexander Bateman by the family of Sgt John Fraser for the purposes of research.
He was jailed for two years in February for theft after failing to return it.
Sgt Fraser's daughter Shere Lowe believes someone other than Bateman knows of its whereabouts.
Ms Lowe, who is visiting Lincolnshire from Canada to mark the 74th anniversary of the raids, said: "Some people say it's just a document , a piece of paper, but that's not what it is to me - it's priceless."
"Because I lost him at a very young age - I value every little piece - so to get it back would be like getting a piece of my father back."
She said she did not think it right to treat the log book as a commodity but had been advised that "money talks".
"I believe someone out there knows something, and hopefully they will come forward and tell us where it is," she added.
The artefact was loaned to military historian Alexander Bateman by the family of Sgt John Fraser for the purposes of research.
He was jailed for two years in February for theft after failing to return it.
Sgt Fraser's daughter Shere Lowe believes someone other than Bateman knows of its whereabouts.
Ms Lowe, who is visiting Lincolnshire from Canada to mark the 74th anniversary of the raids, said: "Some people say it's just a document , a piece of paper, but that's not what it is to me - it's priceless."
"Because I lost him at a very young age - I value every little piece - so to get it back would be like getting a piece of my father back."
She said she did not think it right to treat the log book as a commodity but had been advised that "money talks".
"I believe someone out there knows something, and hopefully they will come forward and tell us where it is," she added.
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A very good friend of mine, who flew unarmed photoreconnaissance Spitfires covering Brest, all down occupied French Coast to the Spanish Border. Several years ago, RAF Benson were putting on a Display & asked my friend if he would loan them some of his PRU artefacts for the display. Luckily, he felt that his Logbook was too precious to let them borrow. Needless to say he never got his artefacts back. In his 90's he was still bitter about the loss. so I took up his case with RAF Benson, who I have to point out were nothing to do with the display several years before. The C.O. invited myself & my friend down to Benson so that they could give my friend a VIP day. It was far too long a journey from Cleethorpes to Benson by car, so I asked on PPRuNe if anyone could fly us down there, well ! I was inundated with offers. Thank you Gents. Also, thank you RAF Benson for putting on a great show.
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http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk...w-11235003.amp
<<Shamed historian ordered to pay widow of RAF hero £12,500 for stealing treasured Dambusters logbook>>
<<Shamed historian ordered to pay widow of RAF hero £12,500 for stealing treasured Dambusters logbook>>
