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Those known to have served at RAF Bardney during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Bailey Arthur. Sgt (d.8th Oct 1943)
- Black I. C.B.. P/O. (d.16th Dec 1943)
- Blow DFC.. Harold. Flt.Lt.
- Cameron Roderick Ewen. F/O.
- Culley Clem. Flt.Sgt.
- Currigan Stanley William Guy. F/Sgt. (d.1st Jan 1945)
- Dawes Kenneth Edward. Warrant Officer
- Fereday Sidney Lascelles. Flt.Sgt. (d.22nd Mar 1944)
- Fox C. W.. F/Lt. (d.30th Jul 1943)
- Gill T. H.. P/O. (d.5th Sep 1943)
- Hannaford Henry John. Sgt. (d.29th Jul 1942)
- Hasson George.
- Herkes Jack Marshall. F/O
- Hills Ken. P/O.
- Jackson Peter.
- Jenkins Harry Goodwin. Sgt. (d.17th Jan 1943)
- Johnson DFM.. Thomas William. W/O (d.2nd Jan 1945)
- Jolliffe Henry T. Sgt.
- Jolliffe Henry T.. Sgt.
- Jones DFM.. Norman. Flt Lt
- Jones Richard E. Flt.Sgt. (d.3rd Dec 1943)
- Jordan John Fredrick. F/Sgt. (d.14th Feb 1945)
- Llowarch Harold. LAC.
- Lodge DFM.. Richard. W/O
- Machin Alan. Flt.Sgt.
- Mackenzie D. Sgt. (d.2nd Aug 1943)
- Mitchell . Sqn. Ldr.
- Moore Clayton C.. P/O.
- Moseley Reg. Flt.Sgt.
- Parker DFM.. Gerry.
- Pickering Alfred Luther. W/O
- Porter Alec. Sgt. (d.22nd May 1944)
- Robinson DFC.. Henry Francis. Sgt.
- Robinson Norman John. PO. (d.24th Nov 1943)
- Rossie Anthony Alexander. F/O. (d.30th Jul 1943)
- Shaw F. E.. Sgt.
- Shelton Henry John. Sgt.
- Siddle DFC & Bar.. William E. Flt.Lt.
- Siddle DFC.. William Elliott. F/Lt.
- Ward G.. P/O. (d.2nd Jan 1944)
- Warwick K. E.. P/O. (d.2nd Dec 1943)
- Wells R. F.. F/Lt. (d.2nd Jan 1942)
- Whitfield DFM. Fred. WO
- Wilson DFM.. Alan.
- Woods George Edward. Flt.Sgt.
- Wyand Guy Herbert. F/O. (d.7th Jun 1944)
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please
Add a Name to this List
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Want to know more about RAF Bardney? There are:45 items tagged RAF Bardney available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. |
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Flt Lt Norman Jones DFM. flight eng. 9 Sqd. My father was born on the 12th of December 1921, the only on of farming
parents. The farm was just outside the Roman village Ventra Silrum, better known as Caerwent.
Dads father was a lay preacher and a follower of John Wesley, he did not
approve of dad joining the R.A.F:- He never inherited the farm.
Dad first tried to join the R.A.F after a little girl playing by the Severn
tunnel junction was killed by a German plane flying overhead. Nothing else
was around at this time. Dad was eventually recalled in February 1941 and
was told that he would need to be prepared to fly. He trained as a fitter
engineer at R.A.F Cosford and worked on Hampdens, Manchesters and
Lancasters. He was then posted to Swinderby in 1942 and left in charge of a
major overhaul team working on Lancasters, attending Rolls Royce in Derby to
qualify as a test engineer. In May 1943 due to a shortage of flight
engineers, he joined a Lancaster crew to take part in operational rids
flying over Germany. Dad’s role as a flight engineer included controlling
engine pressures, temperatures and fuel consumption, assisting the pilot and
taking over the controls as and when required. He also had to plot a
navigational course using the stars, send emergency radio signal and man the
gun turrets. Before he earned his Pathfinder badge he was required to carry
out the visual bomb aiming.
The crew he flew with consisted of 7 young men:-
Pilot squadron leader-Mitchell (who later became group captain,) a Canadian
Flight engineer- Norman Jones (dad), Navigator, Bomb aimer, Wireless operator, Mid upper Gunner, Rear gunner-Known as “tail end Charlie,” a very lonely position.
In June 1943, the crew were posted to No. 9 Squadron Bardney Lincoln. The
Lancaster was U-Uncle. By then Dad had completed his first operational
tour, which consisted of 30 operations flying over enemy territory mainly at
night, 7 to 8 hours through search light and enemy flak. From the minute
they flew over France they were under attack and often returned to base with
a damaged plane.
Dad was then invited to join the Pathfinders along with his Lancaster crew,
and joined 83 Pathfinder squadron. The Pathfinders were the Lancaster crews
who flew in first, dropping flares to mark targets for the bombers. They
circled around and above the target until the last bomber left. Sometimes
the Pathfinders had to re-mark the targets before finally flying over and
dropping their load. They were the crews that went in first and were the
last to leave.
The crew were very close, in fact Mitch, Dad’s pilot, refused to fly
without him. They practiced “the
corkscrew” to evade enemy fighters. They would complete this move by
closing the throttle so that the plane would drop, and then increase the
throttle on the climb. This would cause the plane to corkscrew. No mean
feat when you consider the size of the Lancaster, 69 feet and 6 inches in
length, with a wingspan of 102 feet and 4 large Merlin engines, plus fuel.
On one occasion whilst flying, there was a group captain who was on board as
an observer. The rear gunner called out “corkscrew right,” so
immediately dad and his pilot carried out this procedure, dad then glanced
over his shoulder to see his “special passenger” dangling in the air due
to the force of the corkscrew, and then of course when they came out of it
he landed rather forcefully! On return to base he gave the crew an
excellent report and stated “they will be the crew that survive.”
On the worst night 17 planes took off and only 7 came back, a total loss of
70 men from No. 9 squadron.
The D.M.F was awarded to dad in 1944 for courage and coolness of a high
order.
Prior to D-day he was involved in clearing the beaches ready for the
landings. On June the 6th 1944, he took off at 01.45am to bomb La Paenelle;
this was the start of the invasion. The following night he flew to Caen and
on the 8th to Auranches. When he had completed his 2nd operational tour,
dad had to accept being posted as a flying instructor to R.A.F Wigsley on
Stirlings. You were considered lucky to complete 5 ops in all, dad
completed 60.
His next posting was to R.A.F Hendon as a second pilot, where he flew VIPs
in Dakotas to visit the concentration camps. He also completed a trip to
Lagos in West Africa.
Dad was commissioned in October 1944, and this relatively easy posting was
not to last for long. The next posting was training on rescue gliders and a
trip to Burma to carry out this work. He served in Mingladon and Akyab,
making many friends along the way. Whilst serving in the Far East he became
very ill with Dinghue fever and jaundice. Dad still worried bout his
friends in Burma to this day because of the political state of the country.
My father remained in contact with Mitch until approximately 2 years ago,
when he received a goodbye letter. Naturally this was very upsetting.
Trying to gather information about dad R.A.F experiences has been an uphill
struggle, because for many men of my father’s age it is not an easy
subject.
I feel that I must mention here, because so much has been written about
bomber command, that on all bombing missions it was instilled in the crews
that they must aim for targets, e.g. Hamburg, where the U-boats were held
in pen, factories, communications and marshalling yards. Never once did the
crew think they were bombing civilians.
During this operational tour they flew to Berlin, Hamburg, Nuremburg,
Hanover, Munich, Essen, Manheim, Munchen, Gladbach, Remscheid, Frankfurt,
Leipzig, Kassel and Milan.
Over 55,000 bomber crew lost their lives, sometimes whilt training in this
country. I know my father still has nightmares about his wartime service,
and you can only begin to imagine what it must have been like night after
night, returning to base, going to bed to catch up on sleep and awaken to
see empty beds next to you.
My mother also served in the R.A.F and this is where my parents met. They
married in Yorkshire in January 1944 then travelled to Chepstow on
honeymoon, only to find a telegram waiting calling dad back to service.
They went on to have 3 children, myself and a younger sister and brother.
Ad continued in the R.A.F until 1946 and remained in the reserve until 1960. He also ran the A.T.C until we moved to West Wales. He now has 6
grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, who
are all extremely proud of him!
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Sqn. Ldr. "Mitch" Mitchell pilot 9 Sqd. Sqd Ldr Mitchell, a Canadian was pilot of my Father's crew (Norman Jones), they flew with 9 squadron from Bardney and with 83 Pathfinder Squadron. They remained in touch for many years.
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Warrant Officer Kenneth Edward Dawes 9 Squadron My father Kenneth Dawes,served with 9 Sq. his aircraft crashed on take-off at 07:50 1st Jan 45.
On 1st Jan, Bomber Command Diary read, "January 1st Dortmund-Ems Canal again breached by aircraft of No.5 Group. Following night Mitteland canal also breached" Actually the Dortmund-Elms canal had been drained three times but, such was its importance, that the Germans repaired it at once, and a fourth attack was ordered for the 1st January.
At Bardney, No.9 Squadron were notified of the operation, after a night of great celebrations, and when no operations had been expected. Ten crews were briefed, but two crashed on take off, Lancaster PD368 WS-A, which had completed only six operational trips was one of four Lancasters lost on this operation. They took of at 07:50 from Bardney to attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal. PD368 crashed immediately. Sgt.Dawes was slightly injured.
The crew were:
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F/O J.W.Buckley, RAAF
- Sgt K.E.Dawes
- F/O Nolan
- F/S I.L.Moore, RAAF
- Sgt R.G.Round
- Sgt R.A.C.Copperwaite
- F/O W.C.Shutler
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Sgt. Henry Francis Robinson DFC. 61 Sqd. My father Henry Robinson was a Rear Gunner in WW2, he was awarded the DFC as a WO. His first opp was to Brest with 61 Sqd. His pilot was PO Gunter, they did 25 trips together. He also flew with Sgt Northgate & F/Sgt Ferguson.
He did a second tour with 619 Sqd with PO Knilands and then finished at Bardney where he flew with F/O Morrison, F/O Mathers and F/O Duncan
If there is anybody who has any recollections or information about him or reollections of this time I would be grateful.
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Sgt. Henry T Jolliffe Bomb Aimer 9 Squadron Henry was stationed at RAF Bardney,with 9 Squadron,he was on an operation to bomb Brunswick in a Lancaster Mk III ,ED 721 ,WS-S and was shot down. Only two survived,himself and the Flight Engineer(Sgt W Lyons).They were taken prisoner and saw out the rest of the war at Stalag IVb.
Henry, married after the war and lived in East Preston,West Sussex.
The report of his aircraft and crew's demise is copied from Lost Bombers of WW2 website as follows:
No.9 Sqdn Oct43. ED721 took part in the following Key Operations with No.9 Sqdn. WS-S, Berlin 18/19Oct43; Berlin 22/23Nov43; Berlin 23/24Nov43; Berlin 26/27Nov43; Berlin 2/3Dec43; Berlin 16/17Dec43; Berlin 23/24Dec43; Berlin 29/30Dec43. Completed ten trips to Berlin. Airborne 1642 14Jan44 from Bardney. Crashed at Bartolfelde, where those who were killed were buried 17Jan44, some 7 km W of Bad Sachsa. They have been subsequently re-interred in Hannover War Cemetery.
Four of the crew had only recently resumed operations following their traumatic ditching in late December 43. See ED700. P/O E.J.Argent KIA - Sgt W.Lyons PoW
- F/O F.E.Forshew KIA
- Sgt H.T.Jolliffe PoW
- Sgt G.Fradley KIA
- F/S A.K.Trevena RCAF KIA
- F/S D.A.Powley RCAF KIA
Sgt H.T.Jolliffe was interned in Camp 4B, PoW No.270050 with Sgt W.Lyons, PoW No.270060.
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LAC. Harold "'H'" Llowarch I believe my father was based at Bardney and other stations during the War and was a member of the Ground Crew which serviced the engines on either Wellington or Lancaster bombers. His is not a remarkable story, just someone getting on with the job in hand.
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Sgt Arthur Bailey 9 Sqdn (d.8th Oct 1943) I don't really know much, but I was told that Arthur Bailey was a wireless operator airgunner and was shot down over France. I was told this when I was 10 year's old, I am now 54 years old, and have found out, through the internet that he was actually shot down,in Germany near Kiechlinsbergen and is buried in Durnbach War Cemetery, outside Munich. I am going to visit his grave soon. His own mother did not know this information,so no one has ever visited.
Editors Note:
The crew were:
- Lt E.G.Roberts, USAAF
- Sgt P.Shaw
- F/O F.G.Arliss
- P/O W.Chadwick
- Sgt A.Bailey
- Sgt T.H.Tibbles
- Sgt R.J.Darby
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W/O Thomas William Johnson DFM. 9 Squadron (d.2nd Jan 1945) I would be interested to learn about air gunner Thomas Johnson, the award of his DFM in August 1943 and his death in January 1945. I have photographed his CWGC headstone at Allerton Cemetery in Liverpool and am writing up stories of the men who lie there.
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Flt.Sgt. Sidney Lascelles Fereday 9 Squadron (d.22nd Mar 1944) My uncle, Sidney Lascelles Fereday, flew on Lancasters with 9 Squadron as a Flt Sgt. He died on March 22nd 1944 killed over Morscheid Germany after op to Frankfurt from RAF Bardney. His pilot was Angus J Jubb. On 18/3/44 he was flying with P/O Young and plane made crash landing over Kent.
After his death family received a letter from a WAAF saying that she was having Sid's baby. His mother, Nellie, refused to believe it and burned the letter. Recently we have found out that Sid's name appears on the Bilston War Memorial, Wolverhampton although he had no known connection to Bilston. I am visiting Sid's grave in Rheinberg in Nov 2010 with his now 80 yr old brother Terence. Would love to know if anyone remembers Sidney or has any information about him.
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Sgt. Henry John Hannaford 9 Sqd. (d.29th Jul 1942) My great uncle Henry Hannaford was killed on 29th July 1942 on the return from a raid. This was over the North Sea as is recorded in the squadron records I was wondering if anyone knew him or his crew and if there are any photos of his crew.
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Flt.Lt. Harold Blow DFC. No. 9 Squadron My father, Harold Blow was a Lancaster pilot during the war and flew 30 missions, including 13 raids on Berlin whilst based at R.A.F Bardney. He continued to fly after the war with 616 squadron R.Aux.Air Force based at R.A.F. Finningley. Unfortunately he was killed in a flying accident in May 1954.I would like my father's name to be remembered.
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Sgt. Harry Goodwin Jenkins No. 9 Sqn (d.17th Jan 1943) My Grandfather, William Jenkins was serving with the 10th btn rifle Brigade when he heard of the death of his brother. He was told of Harry's death by his Mother by letter, a letter which also informed him of the death of his best childhood freind who was then serving with the 2nd Hampshires, also in North Africa.
Harry's plane was lost on a raid on Berlin, it was neve found and he has no known grave. If anyne has any memories orf Harry it would be a joy to share them with William who is now 91.
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Sgt. Henry T. Jolliffe 9 Squadron Sgt H T Jolliffe, Bomb Aimer was serving at RAF Bardney,with 9 Squadron in January 1944 and was shot down in Lancaster ED721( WS-S) whilst on an operation to Brunswick on 14th /15th January 1944. He and the Flight Engineer Sgt W Lyons were the only survivors and they were taken as Prisoners of War to Stalag IVB and incarcerated until the end of the war.
Henry had been due to go on Leave the next day and the crew had sought replacements after their bomb aimer had been injured whilst they were ditching Lancaster, ED700 in the North Sea off Gt Yarmouth, persuading Henry to stand in for him!
Henry is still alive but in poor health and I value his friendship and his amazing survival story.
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Sgt. Alec Porter 9 Squadron (d.22nd May 1944) My uncle Alec Porter was, I think, bomb aimer on Lancaster DV395 code letters WSV on a bombing mission over Duisberg on the night of 21/22 May 1944 & was missing presumed killed. He was 20 years old. He trained in Canada originally as a pilot but failed a medical. I'm not sure if he was a bomb aimer or navigator.
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F/O Jack Marshall Herkes 9 Squadron My father, Jack Herkes, flew as a navigator with 9 Squadron. I still have his flying log book from his RAF service.
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W/O Alfred Luther Pickering 9 Squadron My Dad, Alfred Pickering, joined up in 1941 and did some of his basic training in, of all places, the Royal Albert Hall in London. After basic training whilst waiting to do is courses for aircrew, the RAF sent him and his mates to work in a cider factory in Somerset. He said he had never seen so many wasps in is life. He passed his courses and eventualy joined an aircrew with 9 Squadron. He flew on 31 ops the extra op came about because of a sad accident. After bombing Berlin in April 1944 on returning they had to land at a differant airfield. Flying back the next day, on returning the pilot P/O K L Porter asked Dad to go back with him to collect a bomb sight, which had been left at the other airfield. But Dad had two days leave so asked another wop to go instead and gave him ten shillings. So they took off with some air cadets on board and sadly flew into the ground on the way back. Several people were killed including P/O Porter, dad's best frend. When my brother was born in september that year dad and mam named him Kenneth Luther Pickering after his friend. One good thing was the wireless operator didn't die in the crash Because dad then had no crew. He was transfered to 57 squadron at East Kirkby and the crew he was there with had done one op less than him so rather than let them fly there last op with another operator, he did it with them. He carried on with the RAF until 1946 as an instructor. Sadly dad is no longer here but lived a full life and died when he was 81. If anyone remembers him, please get in touch.
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Flt.Sgt. George Edward Woods No. 9 Squadron  My dad, George Woods, who was born in 1920 was a Tool Maker at the beginning of the war. He met my mother and, because she wouldn't (initially) marry him he signed up for the RAF and ended up being sent over to the USA, on one of the Queens, to begin training to fly. He soon gained his wings as a F/Sergeant and then went on to convert to multi engined planes. On arrival back in the UK he converted to flying Lancasters MKI and was also promoted to F.Lt. He joined No. 9 Squadron at Bardney. His Log Book (which my Brother has) shows numerous training flights, including Corkscrew dives.
His first operational sortie was in Lancaster MKI WS-C on June 26th 1944 as the Engineer. This was normal practice for new pilots to the squadron, as they took over the Engineer's seat of an experienced crew, before they flew on an operational sortie with their own crew. During the flight, presumably after the aircraft had sustained damage, the pilot ordered my father to bail out. His Log book shows him as Missing (in red ink).
My Dad didn't remember anything about bailing out as he passed out and came to on the ground. (I believe this was very common for aircrew to black out when bailing out from high altitudes.) When he revived, a local German Farmworker was threatening to run him through with a pitch fork but, luckily the Luftwaffe Police turned up and took him into custody. This probably saved his life. Eventually he was taken to Stalag Luft III, Sagan where he joined the other POWs. Soon after arriving he met another inmate who vouched for my father. The POWs were very aware that the Germans would attempt to infiltrate their ranks, especially as this was only a few months after the Great Escape and you needed to be vouched for by another brother Officer.
My dad soon put his skills for engineering into projects in the camp, like using tin cans to fabricate air ducts, etc. Although he never mentioned to me about the march from Sagan to NW Germany, he did tell me they persuaded the guards to protect them from the SS and other fanatics. I also understand a Fire Engine or two may have been liberated to be used in high jinks towards the end of the war.
He was brought back to England and nine months later my brother was born. The next aeroplane he flew was a Tigermoth at Hornchurch, where he became an instructor with the RAF VR. I understand he nearly looped the loop when he took off; well, there is a slight difference between the Tigermoth and a Lancaster.
My dad never proved it but he thought WS-C returned from that raid in June 1944. Long after he died, in 1970, I borrowed a book from a friend that detailed every Lancaster that had flown during the war. (His brother had been killed whilst flying on Lancs.) I was able to identify the airframe that was WS-C in the period about June 26, 1944 and discovered it was scrapped in 1947. So the aircraft did get back! I sometimes think maybe it was best that things turned out as they did as, let's face it, Bomber Command was the most dangerous place to be, mind you, his old crew did survive the war, flying in No. 9 Squadron.
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George Hasson 9 Squadron Sgt G Hasson flew with 9 Squadron his Lancaster Serial ME579 based Bardney crashed near Belvoir Castle Leicestershire on return flight June 6th 1944, he was the only survivor.
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F/Sgt. Stanley William Guy Currigan 9 Squadron (d.1st Jan 1945) My mother often spoke about her brave brother Stan, she knew he was a wireles operator/rear gunner of a Lancaster, who sadly was killed in action.
Later we found out more details; Flight Sergeant Stan Currigan was the wireless operator/air gunner of Lancaster aircraft NG223 from No 9 Squadron which took off from Bardney at 0745 hours on the 1 January 1945 to attack the Dortmund Ems Canal. Crew members were:
- 182747 F/O P W Reaks - Pilot - Killed
- 1569472 Sgt T Scott - F/Eng - Killed
- 1581274 F/Sgt F Alton - Navigator - POW
- 658883 W/O Bates - Air Bomber - Killed
- 1593005 F/Sgt S V Peace - Air Gunner - POW
- 1675387 F/Sgt W G Bamworth - Air Gunner - POW
It was later reported by the International Red Cross Committee that the aircraft was shot down by flak at 1120 hours on the 1 January 1945 near Schmiedshausen killing four of the seven crew members including my uncle. The other three crew members were taken Prisoners of War.
My uncle, F/O Reakes and Sgt Scott were buried by the Germans at the scene of the crash and Sgt Bates in the cemetery at Graven. After the war my uncle, F/Sgt Currigan and his comrades were reverently re-interred at the Reichswald Forest British Military Cemetery in the district of Kleve,Germany. I would love to hear from anyone who has any stories about Stan or any association, thanks.
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F/O. Roderick Ewen Cameron 189 Squadron Flying Officer Roderick Cameron flew out of Bardney in Lincolnshire from 1945.
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Flt.Lt. William E Siddle DFC & Bar. 83 (Pathfinder) Squadron Flt Sgt Bill Siddle joined 9 Squadron at Bardney from the Operational Training Unit at Upper Heywood on 21st July 1943. The other members of his crew arriving with him were: Navigator: WO Dick Lodge, Bomb Aimer: F/O Ken Hill. Wireless Operator Sgt Clem Culley, Flight Engineer: Sgt Reg Moseley
Mid-Upper Gunner: Sgt Dick Jones, Tail Gunner: F/O Clayton Moore (RCAF).
On 6th September 1943 at the end of their eighth sortie their damaged Lancaster made a crash landing short of Bardney airfield, in which the plane was destroyed but all crew members survived. Ken Hill and Reg Moseley sustained injuries which ended their flying careers. They were replaced by: Bomb Aimer: W/O Norman (Mike) Machin DFC, and Flight Engineer: W/O Alan (Jock) Wilson.
Mid-upper gunner Dick Jones was killed in action when flying with another crew on 3rd December 1943. His replacement was W/O Gerry Parker DFC, an American.
The crew completed a tour of duty (30 active trips) and then on 24th January 1944 Bill Siddle transferred to No 83 Pathfinder Squadron at Wyton. His initial crew there included many who transferred with him and comprised: Navigator: W/O Dick Lodge, Bomb Aimer: W/O Norman (Mike) Machin DFC, Wireless Operator F/O Alan MacDonald DFC, Flight Engineer: W/O Alan (Jock) Wilson, Mid-Upper Gunner: W/O Gerry Parker DFC and Tail Gunner: F/O Clayton Moore (RCAF)
Gerry Parker transferred to the US 8th Army Air Corps in June 1944 and his replacement was W/O J J (Paddy) Blanche, who only undertook a single flight with the crew before transferring to the new 617 (Dambusters) Squadron and being replaced by P/O E D Hine. After only three sorties he transferred out of 83 Squadron and the new Mid-Upper Gunner was W/O W (Bill) G Trotter.
Bill completed his second tour of 30 sorties with 83 Squadron and was demobbed at the end of hostilities, returning to Penrith to run the Crown Hotel which had been in the family for three generations before him. He later moved to Grimsby where he died in 1970.
A detailed account of the greater part of Bill's wartime service is given in the book Lancaster Valour written by tail-end gunner Clayton Moore and published in 1995.
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Peter Jackson RAF Regiment My name is Peter Jackson. I am a 1924 model. I served in the RAF Regiment from 1942 until 1944 when I transferred to an infantry battalion (Scots Guards). I volunteered to transfer because of the C.O.
For some months I was stationed at Bardney with an A.A. flight. The guns we had were twin Brownings which we never had occasion to fire.
We were used many times to assist the armourers in the 'bombing up' of the aircraft. This meant that after breakfast we would to to the bomb dump and, under supervision of the armourers, unpack incendiaries from the factory crates and pack them in the containers to be put on the aircraft.
After an early lunch we went to the dispersal points where the loaded bomb trolleys would be waiting. Two of us would be allotted to each aircraft, each of us with a hand operated winch. The noses of the winches would lock into any of the several shaped outlets in the floor of the fuselage, above the bomb bay. The cable within the winch would be pulled down by an armourer and attached to either an incendiary container or an HE (high explosive) which would then be raised up into the bomb bay. Most of us 'regiment types' found this a welcome change from the boring hours on a gun post. Little or no thought was given to the aircrew, and the danger they would face in delivering this cargo, or to those on the receiving end.
I clearly remember how us 'regiment types' used to think what an untidy lot the aircrew were - their tunics unbuttoned, hands in pockets, sometimes wearing scarves and smoking. Whereas we had to be 'properly' dressed at all times.
It was not until many years later that I came to realise just what it would have meant to have the courage to be one of them.
I saw action as an infantryman in Europe. Believe me, I would serve as such any time rather than be aircrew. Theirs was an outstanding form of courage. Aircrew have my greatest respect.
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Sgt. D Mackenzie 9 Squadron (d.2nd Aug 1943) Sgt D Mackenzie was pilot of Lancaster ED493 WS-A of 9 Squadron which was lost on Operations to Hamburg on 2nd August 1943.
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F/Lt. William Elliott Siddle DFC. 9 Sqdn William E. Siddle, known as “Bill” came from Penrith, Cumberland, where he worked in the family hotel. He joined the RAF in 1941 or 1942 aged 22 and was trained to fly by the United States Army at their Flying School at Moody Field, Georgia, receiving his pilot’s Flying Certificate on 9th October 1942.
He was a Flight Sergeant when he attended operational flying training at Upper Heyford and he formed his crew there in June 1943:
- Navigator – Flight Sergeant Dick Lodge from Barking
- Wireless Operator – Flight Sergeant Clem Culley from Leicestershire
- Flight Engineer – Flight Sergeant Reg Moseley from Bristol
- Bomb Aimer – Pilot Officer Ken Mills
- Tail Gunner – Clayton Moore (RCAF)
- Mid Upper Gunner – Flight Sergeant Dick Jones from Wallasey
From 21st July 1943 the crew’s first operational posting was with 9 Squadron of 5 Group Bomber Command at Bardney, Lincolnshire. On their 8th mission on 6th September 1943 to Munich the plane was badly hit by flak. Bill was given priority landing as they were losing fuel and they nearly made it back to Bardney but Bill had to put the plane down in a field in Minting when all engines failed. Everyone survived, although Bill lost teeth from being flung through the windscreen; Moseley, Mills and Jones suffered back injuries; Lodge broke his arm getting off the downed plane. Moore was found still in his rear turret under a hedge and he suffered concussion. There is a picture of the crashed ED-975 in Clayton Moore’s book, 'Lancaster Valour'.
Moseley and Mills retired from flying duties as a result of their injuries. Their replacements were:
Flight engineer Alan (Jock) Wilson
Bomb aimer Flight Sergeant Alan (Mick) Machin
Dick Jones (who had returned to the crew after recovering from the Minting crash) flew on 2nd December as spare mid-upper gunner with another aircraft (WS/C) which did not return. Gerry Parker, an American from the USAAC, was then added to the crew as mid-upper gunner.
After a first tour of duty (30 missions) the crew applied to join a pathfinder squadron and on the 26th January 1944 they were assigned to 83 pathfinder squadron at Wyton, Cambridgeshire. After a particularly difficult mission to Essen in adverse weather on 26th March 1944, Bill was awarded the DFC. The Squadron relocated to RAF Conningsby and, after a mission on 23rd July to St Vitry le Francoise, Bill was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and a bar was added to his DFC as: “By skilful and evasive tactics, Flight Lieutenant Siddle manoeuvred his aircraft and continued to make a steady run, although his aircraft was plainly visible in the light of flares around the target”.
Bill Siddle remained on active service until the cessation of hostilities having then completed more than 60 operational sorties. His last day of service was 1st April 1946. He died in Grimsby in 1970 aged 48.
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W/O Richard Lodge DFM. 83 Squadrom Richard Lodge DFM came from Barking and was a navigator in bomber command from 21st July 1943. His first posting was to 9 squadron at Bardney, but he transferred in April 1944 to 83 Squadron Pathfinders at Conningsby. He eventually completed 60 missions and was demobbed at the end of hostilities. He subsequently worked at Heathrow and died on 23 Nov 1977.
An Account of most of his service is in Lancaster Valour by Clayton Moore
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Flt.Sgt. Clem Culley 83 Squadron Clem Culley came from Loughborough and was wireless operator in bomber command from 21st July 1943. His first posting was to 9 squadron at Bardney, but he transferred in April 1944 to 83 Squadron Pathfinders at Conningsby. He retired from operational flying in September 1944.
An Account of most of his service is in Lancaster Valour by Clayton Moore
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Flt.Sgt. Reg Moseley 9 Squadron Reg Moseley came from Barking and was a flight engineer in bomber command from 21st July 1943. He was posted to 9 squadron at Bardney. He was injured in a crash landing on 7th Sep 1943 and taken off operational duties. He subsequently served as an engine fitter at various air bases and was in Burma on V-J Day. Subsequently he worked as an engine design engineer for Bristol Aero Engines.
An Account of most of his service is in Lancaster Valour by Clayton Moore
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P/O. Ken Hills 9 Squadron Ken Hills from London was a bomb aimer in Lancaster bombers from 21st July 1943 and served in 9 Squadron. He was injured in a crash landing on 7th Sep 1943 and taken off operational duties.
An Account of most of his service is in Lancaster Valour by Clayton Moore
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P/O. Clayton C. Moore 83 Squadron Clayton Moore came from Prince Albert in Saskatchewan in Canada. He was a rear gunner in Lancaster bombers from 21st July 1943. His first posting was to 9 squadron at Bardney, and on 7th September 1943 he was injured in a crash landing. He transferred in April 1944 to 83 Squadron Pathfinders at Conningsby. He eventually completed 45 missions but, due to belated after effects of injuries sustained in the crash landing in 1943 he resigned his commission in November 1944.
He went back to Canada but later returned to England and married Edith Jones, the widow of mid-upper gunner Dick Jones of the same aircrew, and settled in West Hartlepool.
Clayton Moore is author of Lancaster Valour, an account of his wartime service.
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Flt.Sgt. Richard E Jones 9 Squadron (d.3rd Dec 1943) Richard (Dick) Jones came from Wallasey where he had been a joiner and cabinet maker. He was mid-upper gunner in Lancaster bombers from 21st July 1943. His was posted to 9 squadron at Bardney. He was involved in a crash landing on 7th September 1943 and while on sick leave he married Edith on 13th November. He returned to duty but was killed in action on 2nd Dec 1943. Lancaster - Serial Number DV334 WS-C of 9 Squadron was lost on Operations to Berlin on 2nd December 1943. Shot down by German fighter on 3rd Dec 1943 while on the approach to Gamston Airfield, Notts. The crash site is identified as Markham Clayton.
His widow Edith subsequently married tail gunner Clayton Moore from the same aircrew.
An account of most of Dick's service is in Lancaster Valour by Clayton Moore
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Alan "Jock" Wilson DFM. 83 Squadron Flight engineer Alan (Jock) Wilson from Glasgow flew in Lancaster bombers with 9 squadron. In February 1944 he transferred to 83 Pathfinder Squadron and continued until January 1945. He was awarded the DFM. After the war he moved to Nottingham where he died on 13th Dec 1981.
Part of his service is recorded by Clayton Moore in his book Lancaster Valour
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Flt.Sgt. Alan "Mick" Machin 83 Squadron Bomb aimer, Flight Sergeant Alan (Mick) Machin came from Spennymoor in Co. Durham. He completed 48 sorties in Lancasters, first with 9 Squadron and then with 83 Pathfinder Squadron and then transferred out of operational flying in October 1944. He left the RAF in 1949.
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Gerry Parker DFM. 83 Squadron American citizen Gerry Parker was a student at Oxford University at the outbreak of war and he subsequently joined the RAF as a mid-upper gunner. He served in 9 Squadron until February 1944 when he transferred to 83 Pathfinder Squadron. He was awarded the DFM. He transferred to the US 8th Army Air Corps in June 1944.
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F/Lt. C. W. Fox 9 Squadron (d.30th Jul 1943) C.W. Fox was pilot of Lancaster JA692 WS-D of 9 Squadron which was lost on Operations to Hamburg on 30th July 1943. Airborne at 2223hrs on 29th of July 1943 from Bardney, the plane was hit by flak and crashed in the target area. All members of the crew lie in Hamburg War Cemetery, Ohlsdorf.
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P/O. T. H. Gill 9 Squadron (d.5th Sep 1943) Pilot Officer T.H. Gill was in command of Lancaster ED666 WS-G of 9 Squadron which was lost on Operations to Mannheim on 5th of September 1943, crashed at Ludwigshafen.
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P/O. K. E. Warwick 9 Squadron (d.2nd Dec 1943) Pilot Officer K.E.Warwick was piloting Lancaster DV334 WS-C of 9 Squadron on Operations to Berlin on 2nd of December 1943. The plane was shot down by a German fighter on 3rd of December 1943 while on the approach to Gamston Airfield, in Nottinghamshire. The crash site is identified as Markham Clayton. Five crew members were killed but two survived. Those who were killed were taken for burial to various parts of the UK.
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F/Lt. R. F. Wells 9 Squadron (d.2nd Jan 1942) Flight Lieutenant R F Wells was pilot of Lancaster DV332 WS-D of 9 Squadron which was lost on Operations to Berlin on 2nd December 1943, killing all the crew. The plane crashed to the NE of Brunsendorf. All are buried in the 1939-1945 War Cemetery in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin.
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P/O. I. C.B. Black 9 Squadron (d.16th Dec 1943) Pilot Officer ICB Black was pilot of Lancaster EE138 (or possibly EE188?) WS-B of 9 Squadron which was lost on Operations to Berlin on 16th December 1943. They crashed at Salzbergen 7 km NW of Rheine. All are buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.
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P/O. G. Ward 9 Squadron (d.2nd Jan 1944) Pilot Officer G Ward was piloting Lancaster JA711 WS-B of 9 Squadron when it was lost on Operations to Berlin on 16th of December 1943. Outbound, they crashed at Weyhausen, and all are buried in Hannover War Cemetery.
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F/Sgt. John Fredrick Jordan 9 Squadron (d.14th Feb 1945) My grandad was F/S John Jordan with 9 Squadron based at Bardney. He flew in a Lancaster which, during 25th July 1944, was in a collision which resulted in the plane losing its port tail and fin. I have a photo of the plane flying in this condition with the two US fighters in the background. Does anybody have any memories of this?
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Sgt. F. E. Shaw RAF Bardney Does anyone remember my late great uncle Sgt F E Shaw who served at RAF Bardney in 1944?
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WO Fred Whitfield DFM Bomber Command 9 Sqd. Fred Whitfield served with 9th Squadron Bomber Command RAF Bardney 1943 to 1945 as a rear gunner on Lancaster Bomber Q Queenie.
He was awarded the DFM for shooting down 3 enemy night fighters on one mission.
Crew Members were:
- Phil Jackson (Bomb Aimer)
- Ron Adams (Skipper)
- JM Lynam (Navigator)
- Jack Faucheux (Wireless Operator
- Frank Stebbings (Mid Upper Gunner)
- Lary Brown (Flight Engineer)
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PO. Norman John Robinson 9 Squadron (d.24th Nov 1943) Pilot Officer Norman Robinson was the son of John Joseph and Margaret Robinson. of Carbury.
He was 26 when he died and is buried in the Derrinturn (Holy Trinity) Catholic Churchyard, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
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F/O. Anthony Alexander Rossie 9 Squadron (d.30th Jul 1943) Anthony Alexander Rossie was born in June 1922 in Hambledon, Surreyand died 30th if July 1943 in Hamburg, Germany.
Anthony was a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves and flew with 9 Squadron during WWII. He was stationed at RAF Bardney in Lincolnshire and was a Navigator in a Lancaster Bomber. He might have been sent to Canada for his training.
On the night of 29th of July 1943, he took off at 22.23hrs in Aircraft No JA692, WS-D as part of the operation Gomorrah over Hamburg. It is reported that his aircraft first flew through a series of intense electric storms before being hit by enemy flak and crashing over the target area.
Anthony was rewarded with the War Medal, The Star and the Aircrew Europe Star.
He is buried in Hamburg War Cemetery, Ohlsdorf.
St John Anthony Williamson
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Sgt. Henry John Shelton No. 9 Squadron We have found our father's service record and release book from the RAF. Unfortunately, we didn't ask him enough questions when he was alive.
Henry Shelton enlisted in 1936 at Uxbridge and joined the No. 47 Squadron in Khartoum. He trained as an electrician.
He returned to England in 1942 and was stationed with No. 460 Squadron at RAF Wymeswold on 10 Aug. 1943. On 9 Sept. 1943, he joined No. 622 Squadron and then moved to No. 9 Squadron on 19 Sept. 1943. On 10 Dec. 1943, he joined the 9009 Servicing Echelon 53 Base. On 9 Sept. 1944, he moved to RAF Bardney. On 2 Aug. 1945, he is listed as 100 P.D.C. Class A, RAF Bardney. He was released to the reserves on 2 Nov. 1945.
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F/O. Guy Herbert Wyand No. 619 Squadron (d.7th Jun 1944) From January to March 1944, Guy Wyand served as a rear gunner with No. 9 Squadron at RAF Bardney. He then volunteered with No. 619 Squadron on D-Day and was shot down and killed.
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Recomended Reading.Available at discounted prices.
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Lancaster ValourClayton Moore
A very readable account of service in bomber command by Clayton Moore, RCAF, a tail-end gunner serving in Lancasters through 1943 and 1944. His first tour of duty was in 9 Squadron but he and his crew then transferred to 83 Pathfinder Squadron for a second tour until the effects of an injury sustained in a crash landing forced Clayton to stand down.
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