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No. 144 Squadron Royal Air Force
No 144 Squadron RFC was formed on the 20th March 1918 at Port Said, Egypt, under the Palestine Brigade, Royal Air Force. It played an important role in the capture of the Turkish Fourth Army. The Squadron returned to Britain after the Ottoman surrender, and was disbanded in February 1919.
No 144 was re-formed as a bomber unit on the 11th January 1937, and was flying Handley Page Hampdens at the outbreak of WWII on armed reconnaissance over the North Sea. In February 1940 it dropped propaganda leaflets over Hamburg and other towns, flown security patrols and attacked a mine laying seaplane base at Hornum. No 144 operated with Bomber Command until 1942 with night-bombing attacks and mine laying expeditions, some daylight bombing of German warships and some night-intruder operations.
In April 1942, No 144 was transferred to Coastal Command, a detachment moving to north Russia to protect Arctic convoys. The squadron then moved to Scotland at the end of 1942 for anti-submarine patrols and shipping strikes. It converted to Beaufighters in early 1943, flying them from North Africa for attacks on shipping in the Mediterranean. In 1944, No 144 covered the west flank of the Normandy landings and help destroy German naval forces in western France. It joined a strike wing in Lincolnshire for attacks on enemy convoys off the Dutch coast, and in September 1944 a detachment went to Scotland for similar missions off Norway. In early 1945 it became an anti-flak unit, and disbanded in May 1945.
Airfields No. 144 Squadron flew from:
- RAF Hemswell, Lincolnshire, from 8th February 1937 (Hampden I - Bomber Command)
- RAF North Luffenham, Rutland, from 17th July 1941
- RAF Leuchars, Fife, from 21st April 1942 (to Coastal Command. Hampden I)
- 17 July-3 August 1942: Detachment to Wick
- 2-4 September 1942: Sumburgh
- 4-6 September 1942: Afrikanda (Russia)
- 6 September-22 October 1942: Vaenga I
- 29 October 1942: RAF Leuchars, Fife (Beaufighters)
- 8 April-15 June 1943: Tain
- 15 June-9 July 1943: Detachment remains at Tain
- from 25 June 1943: Blida, Algeria
- from 29 June 1943: Protville II (Tunisia)
- 9 July-9 August 1943: Detachment at Tain moves to Benson
- 9 August: Detachment returns to Tain
- RAF Tain, Caithness from 15 August 1943
- RAF Wick, Caithness, from 20 October 1943
- RAF Davidstow Moore, Cornwall, from 10 May 1944
- RAF Strubby, Lincolnshire, from 30 June 1944
- RAF Banff, Aberdeenshire, from 3 September 1944
- RAF Dallachy, Caithness, from 22 October 1944
- disbanded 25 May 1945
2nd September 1939 144 Squadron Mobilises
3rd September 1939 144 Squadron Prepares for Raid on German Navy
4th September 1939 On Standby
4th September 1939 144 Squadron on Standby
5th September 1939 144 Squadron Remains on Standby
6th September 1939 144 Squadron Deploys to Speke Aerodrome
7th September 1939 144 Squadron Waits for Orders
8th September 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Returned from Speke Aerodrome
9th September 1939 144 Squadron Air Firing Practice Commences
10th September 1939 144 Squadron Practice Bombing at Misson Range
11th September 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Deploy to Speke Aerodrome
12th September 1939 144 Squadron Practices Defence Tactics
13th September 1939 144 Squadron Practices Low-Level Attacks and Bombing
14th Sep 1939 Training
14th September 1939 144 Squadron Practices Defensive Tactics with Fighter Squadrons
15th September 1939 144 Squadron Defensive Tactics Practice Continues
16th Sep 1939 Training
16th September 1939 144 Squadron Defensive Tactic Practice with 46 Squadron
17th September 1939 144 Squadron Air to Air Firing Practice at Squires Gate Ranges
18th September 1939 144 Squadron Photographic Trials Commence
19th September 1939 144 Squadron Tests Gainsborough Anti-aircraft Defences
20th September 1939 144 Squadron Bombing Trials - Misson Range
21st September 1939 144 Squadron - Squadron Leader J.C. Cunningham Promoted to Wing Commander
22nd September 1939 144 Squadron Formation Practice Commences
23rd September 1939 144 Squadron Formation Practice Continues
24th September 1939 144 Squadron - Vehicle Accident Claims the Life of One Airman and Seriously Injures Another
25th Sep 1939 Training
25th September 1939 144 Squadron Joins No 46 Fighter Squadron for Defence Tactics Practice
26th September 1939 First Op uneventful
26 September 1939 144 Squadron - Search Commences for Enemy Naval Vessels
27th September 1939 144 Squadron - No Flying Today
28th September 1939 144 Squadron Tests Grimbsy Anti-aircraft Battery
29th September 1939 Flight destroyed at sea
30th September 1939 144 Squadron - Replacement Aircraft Arrive from Finningley
1st October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft sent to Finningley
2nd October 1939 144 Squadron Formation Practice
3rd October 1939 144 Squadron - New Aircrew Arrive
4th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft movements between Hemswell and Finningley
5th October 1939 144 Squadron - Wing Commander R.B Jordan Assumes Command
6th October 1939 144 Squadron - No Record Today
7th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Sent to Doncaster
8th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft at Doncaster
9th October 1939 144 Squadron - New Aircrew Arrive
10th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Sent to Doncaster
11th October 1939 144 Squadron - More Aircrew Arrive
12th October 1939 144 Squadron - No Record Today
13th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Scatter to Doncaster
14th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft on Standby
15th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Remain on Standby
16th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Despatched to Boscombe Down and Doncaster
17th October 1939 144 Squadron - New Arrivals to Squadron
18th October 1939 144 Squadron - Two Anson Aircraft Transferred to Cranfield
19th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Sent to Doncaster
19th November 1939 144 Squadron - Hampden Crash Lands
20th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Return from Doncaster
21st October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Bombed up and on Standby
22nd October 1939 144 Squadron - Fog Prevents Flight Operations
23rd October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft and Crew on Standby
24th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Sent to Doncaster
25th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Returned From Doncaster
26th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Sent to Doncaster
27th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Movements Between Hemswell and Doncaster
28th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Bombed up for Standby Duties
29th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Bombed up and on Standby
30th October 1939 Landing accident
30th October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Crashes on Landing
31 October 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Scatter to Desford
1st November 1939 144 Squadron Scatter Drills Continue
2nd November 1939 144 Squadron - Bad Weather Impedes Scatter Drills
3rd November 1939 144 Squadron Bombs up for Standby Duties
4th November 1939 144 Squadron Remains on Standby
5th November 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Crashes on Landing
6th November 1939 144 Squadron - Squadron Leader Luxmoore Posted in
7th November 1939 144 Squadron Continues Scatter Drills
8th November 1939 144 Squadron Scatters Aircraft to Doncaster
9th November 1939 144 Squadron Bombs up for Standby Duties
10th November 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft on Standby
11th November 1939 144 Squadron Aircraft Scattered to Doncaster
12th November 1939 144 Squadron - A Quiet Day
13th November 1939 144 Squadron - Aircraft Scatter
14th November 1939 144 Squadron Continues Scatter Drills
15th November 1939 144 Squadron - Orders Received to Bomb up
16th November 1939 144 Squadron on Standby
17th November 1939 144 Squadron - Formation Flying
18th November 1939 144 Squadron - New Arrival
19th November 1939 Landing accident
20th November 1939 144 Squadron - Scatter Drills
21st November 1939 144 Squadron - Bad Weather Impedes Scatter Drills
22nd November 1939 144 Squadron - New Aircraft Collected
23rd November 1939 144 Squadron - No Diary Entry Recorded
24th November 1939 144 Squadron on Standby
25th November 1939 144 Squadron - Bad Weather Stops Flying
26th November 1939 144 Squadron - 'A' Flight on Standby
27th November 1939 144 Squadron Prepares for Exercises
28th November 1939 144 Squadron - Exercises Over Irish Sea
29th November 1939 144 Squadron - Aircrew Postings
30th November 1939 144 Squadron - Formation Exercises
20th March 1940 Flying accident
17th April 1940 Crashed into a cottage
12th May 1940 First bomber raid on Germany
13th May 1940 Bombing raids to the Low Countries
15th May 1940 German troops attacked
21st May 1940 Baled out over Germany
26th May 1940 Shot down over Germany
13th June 1940 Hit barrage balloon
24th June 1940 Minelaying
4th July 1940 Shot down
11th July 1940 Raid
10th August 1940 Crashed in the IJsselmeer
3rd September 1940 Shot down by night fighter
6th September 1940 Two Hampdens lost
19th December 1940 Night fighters
11th February 1941 German fighter attacks over Helmswell airfield
1st Apr 1941 Hampden Lost
10th April 1941 Collision over Belgium
17th April 1941 Shot down over Helmswell
11th May 1941 Aircraft Lost
12th May 1941 144 Squadron Hampden lost
12th May 1941 Shot down in Noord Holland
15th May 1941 Aircraft Lost
16th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
17th Jun 1941 Aircraft Lost
3rd July 1941 Aircraft Lost
6th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
9th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
17th July 1941 Moved and re-equipped
24th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
30th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost
6th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
25th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost
1st Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
7th September 1941 Aircraft Lost
11th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
20th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
29th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost
12th Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost
24th Oct 1941 Aircraft Lost
5th Nov 1941 Aircraft Lost
9th Nov 1941 Aircraft Lost
7th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
9th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
28th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost
14th Jan 1942 Aircraft Lost
31st January 1942 Crashed off Jersey
7th February 1942 Bombers lost on minelaying sortie
12th Feb 1942 Attack on the Scharnhorst
24th February 1942 Two Hampdens shot down by German Ace
27th February 1942 Lost and crashed at Doncaster
26th March 1942 Sghot down while minelaying
1st Apr 1942 Aircraft Lost
6th April 1942 Set fire to their aircraft near Aylesbury
11th April 1942 Two aircraft lost on raid to Essen
12th April 1942 Killed on air test
15th Apr 1942 Two 144 Squadron Hampdens lost
21st April 1942 Move to Coastal Command
17th July 1942 Torpedo bombers operational
3rd August 1942 Relocated
13th August 1942 Operation Orator launched
2nd September 1942 Prepared for move to Russia
4th September 1942 Eight Hampdens lost on flight to Russia
6th September 1942 Move to Russia completed
14th September 1942 False alarm
27th September 1942 PRU Spitfire shot down
1st October 1942 Aircraft gifted to the Russians
22nd October 1942 Return from Russia
28th October 1942 Reassembled at Leuchars
January 1943 Re-equipped with Bristol Beaufighters
8th April 1943 Move to Tain
15th June 1943 Move to N Africa
30th June 1943 Move into Tunisia
9th July 1943 Detachment relocated
26th July 1943 Beaufighter shot down
9th August 1943 Detachment returns to Tain
15th August 1943 Return to Scotland
20th October 1943 Move north
10th May 1944 On the Move
6th June 1944 Channel sweeps
30th June 1944 Move
3rd September 1944 New Strike Wing formed
6th September 1944 Shipping Strike Abandoned
12th September 1944 Shipping patrol abandoned in bad weather
14th September 1944 German convoy attacked
17th September 1944 Battle of Britain Parade
19th September 1944 Beaufighter lost on shipping attack
21st September 1944 Shipping attacked
9th October 1944 Shipping ambushed
15th October 1944 Flak ship sunk
23rd October 1944 New Strike Wing
7th December 1944 Wing attack on shipping beaten off
January 1945 New Armament
9th February 1945 Black Friday
26th April 1945 Shot down in Norway
3rd May 1945 Rescued after four days in a dinghy
25th May 1945 Squadron disbanded
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
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Logbooks
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Those known to have served with No. 144 Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War 1939-1945. - Adams Donald Charles.
- Allan Arthur Raymond. F/O. (d.26th April 1944)
- Altmann DSO, DFC. Otto Reginald. Wing Cmdr.
- Alvey Raymond Henry. Sgt. (d.22nd Nov 1942)
- Alvey Raymond Henry. Sgt. (d.22nd Nov 1942)
- Box DFM Alfred Joseph. Flt.Sgt. (d.2nd September 1941)
- Brown John Herbert. Sgt. (d.17th October 1940)
- Brown John Herbert. Sgt. (d.17th Oct 1940)
- Eyton-Morgan John Roger. F/O (d.26th April 1945)
- Jolly DFM. Ronald. Sgt. (d.13th June 1940)
- Knox James Thomson. Flt.Sgt.
- Leamy Edward Dennis. Sgt. (d.11th July 1940)
- Parkin Donald. Sgt. (d.24th July 1941)
- Porteous Thomas. Sgt. (d.6th Jul 1941)
- Robertshaw Jack.
- Shaw Lawrence. F/Lt.
- Shields DFM Harold. Sgt./Pilot
- Stevens MC. Peter. Sqd.Ldr.
- Taft Stanley Eric. Sgt. (d.7th Sep 1941)
- Walker William George. Fl Lt (d.12th June 1943)
- Wiggall James Ernest.
- Windsor James. Sgt. (d.17th Apr 1940)
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
Records of No. 144 Squadron Royal Air Force from other sources.
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Want to know more about No. 144 Squadron Royal Air Force? There are:2197 items tagged No. 144 Squadron Royal Air Force 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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Sgt. James Windsor No. 144 Squadron (d.17th Apr 1940) James Windsor was the eldest of four children and had been recently married when he died with his crew on the night of 17th April 1940. His Hampden bomber, No.L4163, failed to gain height on take-off and crashed into a farm cottage on the airfield perimeter. He was the nephew of Walter Windsor, the Labour MP for Kingston-upon-Hull. He is buried in St. Chad's churchyard, Harpswell within a few yards of the main runway at RAF Hemswell.
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James Ernest Wiggall 144 Squadron James Wiggall was born in Birmingham, England on the 25th November 1920. During WW2 he served in Bomber Command as a Wireless Operator Air Gunner on Hampden bombers of 144 Squadron.
On the morning of 24th of July 1941, as part of Operation Sunrise, a Hampden bomber formation from 144 Squadron took off from North Luffenham Air Force Base in Rutland, England. Its mission to bomb and destroy the German cruisers Gneisenau & Prinz Eugen based in the port of Brest, France.
144 Squadron, despite the anti-aircraft fire, crossed the French coast and flew over its objective. After dropping its bombs on the port of Brest, the formation returned towards England. Hampden AE225, was severely damaged by the formidable German flak. The right engine being put out of action.
Despite the pilot's efforts to join his squadron, Hampden AE225 became separated from its unit. The crew were:
Canadian pilot Robert Benjamin Barr, navigator Gordon Anderson, wireless operator James Wiggall and two air-gunners Albert Bertram Cooper and Donald Parkin.
To the north-west of Brest, the bomber was intercepted by a German Messerschmitt 109 fighter based on the Guipavas aerodrome. The first attack destroyed communications and mortally wounded the navigator Anderson and the two gunners, the sergeants Cooper and Parkin. At the second attack, wireless operator James Wiggall was injured. Shrapnel perforated the left wing and ignited the fuel tank. The uncontrollable plane, unbalanced, flared up and lost altitude. The radio operator James Wiggall, despite his injuries managed to climb onto the wing and jump into the void pulling the ripcord to release his parachute. Pilot Robert Barr also managed make his escape from the stricken craft, both men landing safely but injured, the plane finally crashing at a place called Sanou Ploudalmezeau.
James was rescued by a French family, and word was passed via the French Resistance to his family to inform them of his predicament but importantly that he was alive. James was quickly arrested by the Germans where he was relieved to be reunited with his pilot Bob Barr. After treatment in a hospital in Brest he was interred in a P.O.W Camp in Germany, which I have discovered from records was Stalag 357.
James and Robert were liberated in 1945.
An interesting addition to this story is that a search campaign was conducted in the late 1990s which uncovered the remains of the Hampden AE225, shot on 24 July 1941 in Sanou.
On July 14, 1998, in Sanou en Ploudalmazeau, Mr. Alphonse Arzel, senator mayor of Ploudalmazeau, solemnly inaugurated in the presence of the former aviator James Wiggall, and an emotional crowd, a memorial dedicated to the valiant Allied crews fallen on the commune of Ploudalmazeau.
James was the son of my grandmother's sister, Fanny Wiggall (nee Edwards). James died on in September 2007 at Tamworth Staffs, at the age of 87.
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F/Lt. Lawrence Shaw 612 (County of Aberdeen) Squadron Lawrence Shaw served in 612 Squadron from 15th Feb 1942 to 9th Aug. 1942 in Reykjavik, 11th Aug. 1942 to 15th Sept. 1942 in Thorney Island, 16th Sept 1942 to 7th Dec. 1942 in Wick & again 4th Feb 1943 to 17th Apr. 1943 in Wick. 18th Apr. 1943 to 27th May 1943 in Davidstow Moor, 11th June 1943 and finally 1st Jul 1943 in Chivenor.
In among the above dates, flights are also recorded with 144 Squadron 8th Dec. 1942 to 21st Jan. 1943 from Leuchars.
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Fl Lt William George "Johnny" Walker 144 Squadron (d.12th June 1943) William Walker served in the Royal Air Force in WW2 flying with 144 Squadron. He died 12th of June 1943 aged 31 years. He is buried in a joint grave with Pilot Officer Hawes, (Navigator), in St.Andrews Churchyard, Tangiers.
I assume both bodies were unrecognisable, and it so followed as custom to bury them together. The Squadron at the time were tasked to attack enemy shipping in the Mediterranean from their base in Algeria.
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Donald Charles Adams 144 Squadron My father Donald Adams served with 144 Squadron. I am trying to collate stories of my father who would be turning 100 years old this year. Unfortunately, he died 33 years ago and most of his stories will be lost with him.
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Flt.Sgt. James Thomson Knox 144 Squadron Flight Sergeant (Navigator/Wireless Op.) James Knox was theson of Walter S. and Jean W. Knox of Airdrie,
He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Feda Churchyard in Norway
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F/O John Roger Eyton-Morgan 144 Squadron (d.26th April 1945) Flying Officer (Pilot) John Eyton-Morgan was the son of Thomas and Nellie White Eyton-Morgan, of Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire.
He was aged 21 when he died and is buried in the Feda Churchyard in Norway.
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Sgt. Ronald Jolly DFM. 144 Squadron (d.13th June 1940) Sergeant Ronald Jolly DFM ,was awireless operator/ air gunner, 144 Sqdn., Royal Air Force who died aged 23 on 13th of June 1940.
He was the son of William Herbert Jolly and Emily Jolly, husband of
Doris Mary Jolly, Remembered with honour.
At his funeral, Emily Jolly, nee Biltcliffe, said that her son was not in the coffin because it was so light for the pallbearers to carry. She was right. Ron's greatest fear was colliding with barrage balloon cables, that is what occurred on return from a night mission. The aircraft caught fire and crashed, and the only way to recognise the bodies was by dental records.
Ron left behind a new wife, Doris May, nee Cocks, expecting their first child.
Records about Ron are scarce:
A newspaper marriage notice: The marriage took place at All Saints' Parish Church, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Ronald, younger son of Mr & Mrs W H Jolly of The Old Quarry, Houndhill Lane, Purston, Yorkshire, to Doris May, only daughter of Mr & Mrs F Cocks of 28 Arthur Road, Gainsborough.
It reported "Police Families United". The bridegroom, who is a well known Purston young man, is at present on active service with the RAF as a leading aircraftman wireless operator and gunner. Both the bride's father and the bridegroom's father were retired police sergeants, and on the outbreak of war resumed their service. Mrs Violet Jolly (sister-in-law of the bridegroom) was the matron of honour and the best man was Mr J I Jolly (brother of the bridegroom). Mr Jolly had been in the RAF for 4 1/2 years.
"Purston Man Arrested After Parachuting", reported a Yorkshire newspaper: "Corporal Ronald Jolly, in the RAF for nearly 5 years, a wireless operator and air gunner, met with an unusual adventure on the Franco-Belgian frontier in recent days. He was of a crew of 3 in a bomber which after completing its task, was caught by enemy fire. The crew parachuted out and as the pilot descended in a wood he was promptly held up by a French soldier with a revolver. Cpl Jolly fell through a greenhouse, but suffered only minor injuries. They were taken to the headquarters of the French army unit, but were immediately released when their plight was understood. Cpl Jolly, who was educated at The Academy, Wakefield, was a server for a number of years at the Purston Parish Church, and was formerly employed in the fruit department of the Pontefract Industrial Co-operative Society. He has won a number of Army trophies for swimming. His father was for over 7 years in charge of the Purston section of the West Riding Constabulary, and his mother is a voluntary worker at the First-Aid post in Featherstone.
"So Few", the 'immortal record of the Royal Air Force' by Donald Masters wrote in a chapter titled "Happy Landings" In a bomber flying in circles having lost rudder control, and to all intents and purposes was unmanageable, among heroics by others, Cpl Ronald Jolly, the wireless operator turned his gun from time to time on the searchlights and had the satisfaction of shooting one out. He worked calmly at the wireless, to obtain fixes to enable the navigator to give his pilot his course. The erratic aircraft was under 1000 feet and the order was given to bale out. "Cpl Jolly was getting a fix from Le Bourget and did not receive the order as he was not on the intercommunication system. When he got through to the captain again he heard his voice saying "have you jumped?" Quickly destroying the aircraft papers and leaving the transmitter key switched on, Cpl Jolly baled out at low altitude, and while floating down to safety, he saw the bomber fall out of control and burst into flames. Cpl Jolly landed on a steep slope, which happened to be the roof of as house, down which he slid. The lines of the parachute were entangled somewhere above and as he tried to make his way forward he felt something give and break with every step he took. Floundering along in the dark he could not understand where he was or what was happening and at length came to the conclusion that he was walking on ice. Not until he fell a few feet did he realise that he had walked the whole length of a greenhouse!" He walked into the village where he was thought to be, and shouted at as a "Boche" and the villages bolted for their lives. Three of the crew eventually met as prisoners, later identified and released "to be lavishly entertained with wine, when it was food they needed. They will not soon forget the French General kissing them on both cheeks as he bade them adieu before they drove off in a British staff car" and the next day were returned to base.
When His Majesty the King was decorating the 3 men for their coolness and courage at their base somewhere in England, he listened keenly to the descriptions of what had happened, and Cpl Jolly's account of how he stumbled along the roof of a greenhouse in the dark, thinking it was ice breaking under his feet, was so funny that the King could not help laughing. "Too bad to laugh at them after what they have been through," he said, and continued chuckling as he moved on.
On 13th of June 1940 he and his crew were flying Handley Page Hampden Mk1, P4345, at 0235 the aircraft hit a barrage balloon cable over the Marriages Flour Mill, Felixstowe. The cable cut off one wing and the aircraft crashed into the mill killing all 4 crew. They are buried together at St Chad's churchyard, Harpswell, Lincolnshire.
One person on the ground, Mr D Grayling, was also killed.
The internet "Traces of World War 2 - RAF No. 144 Squadron" relates to the flying of Handley Page Hampden bombers from Hemswell, Lincolnshire, attacking German positions on the coast. 0n 12/13 June 1940 "Cpl Jolly, promoted to Sergeant and awarded the DFM was destined to be killed on operations". Wikipedia details the Handley Page HP.52 Hampden and its inadequacies.
Ron's grave is at Harpswell (St Chad) Churchyard, Lincolnshire, commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth Was Graves Commission. His name is recorded in the Remembrance Book at Lincoln Cathedral.
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F/O. Arthur Raymond Allan 144 Squadron (d.26th April 1944) Arthur Allan died when his Bristol Beaufighter crashed on a building killing himself and others on the 26th of April 1944.
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Sgt. John Herbert Brown 144 Squadron (d.17th Oct 1940) Sergeant (Pilot) John Brown was the Son of Albert and Lily N. Brown, of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
He was 24 when he died and is buried in the Norre Havrvig Churchyard in Denmark.
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Recomended Reading.Available at discounted prices.
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Escape, Evasion and RevengeMarc Stevens
This book tells a truly remarkable story. To his family in post-war Canada Peter Stevens was a war hero, a member of RAF bomber command, and a prisoner of war who had been familiar with most of the key figures in the Great Escape. He had been born in Germany to Christian parents and sent to England in the 1930's to avoid the Nazis, although this was a closely guarded secret- to everbody else he was British born.
Only after his father;s death did Marc Stevens begin to learn the truth. His father had indeed been born in Germany, as Georg Franz Hein, to Jewish parents. His mother had managed to send all three of her children to safety in Britain before the war, eventually committing suicide in Germany. Georg had spent several years in British schools and one year at the LSE before getting a job, but after that his life went downhill, he was arrested and sentenced to nine months in prison for a series of thefts.
Stevens went through a most remarkable transformation. On 1 September 1
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