It's a long shot but...
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Rob Rooker dedicates life to reuniting members of 152 squadron who fought in WWII | Mail Online
152 Hyderabad Squadron
Rob Rooker dedicates life to reuniting members of 152 squadron who fought in WWII | Mail Online
It all started almost two decades ago, when Rob Rooker began a small weekend project to look into Royal Air Force squadrons which flew out of a base in Dorset during the Second World War.
The father-of-two soon realised he was onto something interesting when looking further into 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron - and decided to attempt to reunite as many former members as possible.
He marks his most memorable achievement as reuniting eight ex-members in 2006 at Duxford in Cambridgeshire. Four had flown together in Burma and had not seen each other for 60 years.
Mr Rooker decided to start researching RAF Warmwell - which had been a fighter station in Dorset during the Battle of Britain in 1940 - at his local library after reading a newspaper article about it.
He found that 16 squadrons flew from Warmwell from 1940 to 1945, and eventually chose to write to ex-members of 152 through The Battle of Britain Historical Society, before waiting to hear back.
He received a call from one man, who said he had served with 152 and would send him a letter with some photographs. Then, Mr Rooker received a call which, in his words, would ‘change my life’.
This caller told him: ‘I am ex-sergeant Ray Johnson, of 152 Squadron. Can I ask what you're doing with my squadron?’ After Mr Rooker explained his project, Mr Johnson said he would help him.
The former sergeant also revealed he had been in contact with other members who wanted to help out - and soon after, Mr Rooker began to receive more letters offering help and providing stories.
He said: ‘The main reason I do this for is Ray. It gave him something to live for (after his wife died). He’s like a granddad to me. I phone him every week to check he’s okay.’
The father-of-two soon realised he was onto something interesting when looking further into 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron - and decided to attempt to reunite as many former members as possible.
He marks his most memorable achievement as reuniting eight ex-members in 2006 at Duxford in Cambridgeshire. Four had flown together in Burma and had not seen each other for 60 years.
Mr Rooker decided to start researching RAF Warmwell - which had been a fighter station in Dorset during the Battle of Britain in 1940 - at his local library after reading a newspaper article about it.
He found that 16 squadrons flew from Warmwell from 1940 to 1945, and eventually chose to write to ex-members of 152 through The Battle of Britain Historical Society, before waiting to hear back.
He received a call from one man, who said he had served with 152 and would send him a letter with some photographs. Then, Mr Rooker received a call which, in his words, would ‘change my life’.
This caller told him: ‘I am ex-sergeant Ray Johnson, of 152 Squadron. Can I ask what you're doing with my squadron?’ After Mr Rooker explained his project, Mr Johnson said he would help him.
The former sergeant also revealed he had been in contact with other members who wanted to help out - and soon after, Mr Rooker began to receive more letters offering help and providing stories.
He said: ‘The main reason I do this for is Ray. It gave him something to live for (after his wife died). He’s like a granddad to me. I phone him every week to check he’s okay.’
Join Date: Jun 2008
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What are the departure / arrival points?
What are the timings?
How many passengers - Ray or +others?
Not sure if I can help but would certainly need more detail than is here so far.
What are the timings?
How many passengers - Ray or +others?
Not sure if I can help but would certainly need more detail than is here so far.
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Ray needs to be picked-up from Grantham to get to Hull for the event to start at 18:00hrs. The presentation finishes at 21:30 and then he needs to go back the other way.
At the Hull end, an airfield has offered landing / standing. Rob Rooker is still trying to secure something at the Grantham end - and he welcomes suggestions, if anyone has them.
The times make it difficult for me, sorry to say. anyone else?
At the Hull end, an airfield has offered landing / standing. Rob Rooker is still trying to secure something at the Grantham end - and he welcomes suggestions, if anyone has them.
The times make it difficult for me, sorry to say. anyone else?
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My cousin, Flt Lt Carr Withall, was a Spitfire pilot with 152 & was shot down over the channel in Aug 1940. I wonder if there is anyone at these reunions who may have know him?
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Hi Nigel, Ray was at RAF Warmwell when your Cousin was there, I'm sure he would remember him, he remembers so much from that time, but ask him what he did last week he can't remember. Your Cousin is named on the site.
Cheers
Rob...
Cheers
Rob...
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Quick Update
Hi All, right quick update I've managed to get Ray to stay over night, so were again looking for a single engine helicopter, I've sorted out landing at a local hotel who have a landing pad in Grantham, and we a landing site in Hull. Looking to get Ray to Hull for around 4 O'clock and leave Monday morning sometime back to Grantham, now can anybody help out ?
Cheers
Rob
Cheers
Rob
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Thanks for all the help so far gents. I saw the item on Facebook and originally posted it on Military Aircrew but was advised to try Rotorheads - and what a great result. I've no connection with the Sgt or the outfit, just an RAF chap 1959-73
