RAF Sutton on Hull & 17 Balloon Centre
 

Ric,
Thanks for posting. My grandfather was on balloons for the duration. Our family home is Leven just north of Hull. According to my Grandmother she never saw him from the start to the finish - some 4 or more years. I know he went to France from his pay book I saw briefly at his funeral over 45 years ago. I therefore doubt if he was posted locally to Sutton otherwise he would have made it home.


You have prompted me to do a bit more research. I did look for the family name in the linked document. Like all these things he did not talk to me much as a young lad about his experiences during the war.


His brothers private papers are lodged in the archive at Hull University. At the time I was trotting up there from Cambridgeshire to tend to other family business they were not accessible due to refurbishment of the library.


I am pleased there are people around who record and publish this type of history before it disappears for good.

Fond Memories
 

Of when Sutton was home to 152 (City of Hull) Sqn ATC, where my father was a Commissioned officer. Loved the place, although I was only a child, but fond memories of a lemonade in the mess after the parade had finished, while the grown ups had a beer.

My older brother was a member of 152 when they occupied what was left of RAF Sutton on Hull. By the time I joined they'd relocated to East Park Barracks.

I am pleased there are people around who record and publish this type of history before it disappears for good. - Dragartist

Hear! Hear! A fascinating insight into a relatively little known aspect of the Second World War on the home front, not least for the glimpse it also affords of wider aspects of life in the Hull area over the years concerned. Interesting to note too the references to at least two DSMs - and the reference to German POWs working at the station - including Helmut the Handyman!

So, a big BZ for Len Bacon.:ok:

Jack

In fact...........
 

In the picture at the end, where the Sqn. are awaiting the Lord Mayor's party, I think my Old man is stood at the front of the parade, with a whacking great sword in his hand. As an ex-drill instructor from Cardington he LOVED all the pomp of such an event, and somewhere at home I've got more pictures of that parade, must dig them out.