212470 Sgt William John Barriskill Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 104 Sqdn from:Portadown, Co Armagh (d.7th-8th Aug 1943) My uncle, Jack Barriskill was reported missing on the night of 7-8 Aug 1943. My mother and her brother were very close and she has kept a record of much of her contacts with Jack while he was in the RAF. I now have these records and they are very moving. His Wellington was piloted by a chap called Darryl Smith, whose family lived at Wellington Square, London.
The records my mother kept are a personal tribute to Jack and his colleagues and are quite extensive. I have copies and originals of diaries and letters dealing with the day to day routines and a copy of the telegram he sent before his last posting.
Obviously, my grand parents were anxious for their son`s safety, so he and my mum had devised a coded message to say when he was going back overseas. This telegram was sent on 19th April 1943 and simply said "Going to London goodbye"
In one of his letters to my mum he says; "Mother and you seem to worry too much about me. Please don`t. Remember, I am only one of the many, point that out to mother. You know there are thousands in the same position in life as I am in and I am only too glad to be able to say "I am one of them So don`t get downhearted. Keep your chin up!"
Written by Jack on 23rd June 1943. 45 days later he was dead.
I have the telegram sent to my grandparents and the letter from Buckingham Palace and also the list of items returned to home. These consisted of:
- 1 pair Pyjamas
- 1 Scarf
- 1 Pullover
- 5 Handkerchiefs
- 1 Razor
- 1 Pipe
- 1 Collar Holder
- 1 Pr. Socks
- 1 Pr Underpants
- 1 Vest
- 1 Tobacco Pouch
- 2 New Testaments
- 1 Book "Strength for Service"
Mum has written "This is the list that came from the Middle East. Nothing else came. We were told by one of the boys "When a crew went missing their belongings were shared out to whoever was in need."
It is a truly remarkable record. If any of your readers are interested in making contact I will try to share my information.
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