P/O. James Henry Catlin DFC.. Royal Air Force 166 Squadron
- Distinguished Flying Cross. Pilot Officer James Henry Catlin (168836), Royal Air
Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 166 Squadron.
- Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying).
1627924 Sergeant Barry Colin Wright , Royal Air
Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 166 Squadron.
- Distinguished Flying Medal.
2206989 Sergeant William Birch , Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, No. 166 Squadron.
- Distinguished Flying Medal. 1226285 Sergeant Thomas Paul Hall, Royal Air
Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 166 Squadron.
This officer and these airmen were pilot, flight
engineer, rear gunner and wireless operator (air)
respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack
Leipzig one night in February, 1944. When
nearing the target area the aircraft was intercepted
by 2 fighters. One of them attacked from
close range and the bomber was raked along the
whole length of the fuselage by the enemy's
bullets. Four of the crew were wounded, including
Sgts. Hall and Wright, the latter being
very severely injured. The aircraft sustained extensive
damage, making it impossible for the pilot
to take evasive action. Then, to add to the trials
of the harassed crew, the bomber became fully
illuminated in consequence of a short circuit
occurring in the electrical system.
The second fighter then flew in to the attack however, although forced to operate his turret manually, Sergeant Birch
met the attacker with a devastating burst of fire and the enemy aircraft burst into flames and dived to the ground out of control. Only two of his guns were now operating but Sgt. Birch used them most effectively and drove off the other attacker. P.O. Catlin then set course for home. Meanwhile, Sgt. Hall set to work to
repair some of the damaged equipment and later
succeeded in making the intercommunication
system serviceable. Badly wounded as he was,
Sergeant Wright retained consciousness and could
not be dissuaded from attempting to fulfil his
duties. He was deprived of the use of the instrument
panel which had been shot away, while one of
the petrol tanks was empty. Nevertheless, he
continued to keep the engines running at their
maximum power. In his efforts, Sgt. Wright
had to be supported by a comrade and 3 times
fainted through loss of blood but he never
wavered.
In the face of heavy odds, P.O. Catlin reached an airfield where he effected a masterly landing. His skill, courage and determination were beyond praise. Sgts. Wright, Hall and Birch proved themselves to be valiant members of aircraft crew and did everything within their power to assist their pilot in his endeavours to bring the crippled bomber home.
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Pte. John Edward Catlin . British Army South Staffordshire Regiment from Leicester Dad, John Catlin joined the South Staffs on 3rd of August 1943 and was transferred to Queens Royal Regiment on 27th of August 1944 after the South Staffs were effectively wiped out during the Battle for Caen.
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STO1 Clifford Catlow . Royal Navy from Blackburn, Lancashire
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Richard Geddes Caton . British Army from Longtown My grandad, Richard Caton was at Dunkirk and was shot three times then drifted on wood till he was pulled out of the sea. I would love to know anyone who was there and might have met him. He said he was in the woods for three days keeping the Germans back, but that is all I know.
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Pte. Frederick Charles Cator . British Army 7th Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment from Snettisham, Norfolk My uncle Fred Cator was taken captive and was a POW 18209 in Stalag XXB. Uncle Fred came back to the UK but I did not know anything about him until recently.
His brother, Corporal Herbert Robert Cator, was killed on 12th June 1940 after the last of the BEF had departed. As I understand it he died on the beach. Uncle Herbert is buried in the cemetery in Le Harve.
I would love any info regarding either of my uncles.
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Pte. Fredrick Charles Cator . British Army Royal Norfolk Regiment I trying to find out about my father's POW experiences. He was Frederick Cator and he served in the Royal Norfolks and was captured at St.Valery-en-Caux and imprisoned at Stalag XXb. I know that he tried to escape on more than one occasion but was always recaptured. He took part in what is known as The Death March on which he was so hungry that on coming across a field of tomatoes he ate so many that he made himself sick and never ate a tomato again for the rest of his life. Like so many he hardly ever spoke of his experiences but kept everything bottled up.
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Col. Alexander Cattanach . British Army 5th Battalion The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders from Kingussie, Invernessshire I have recently been reading through letters written by my grandfather, Colonel Alexander Cattanach to his wife. The letters are fascinating and mainly cover two periods of service.
Firstly, August to September 1941 when his Battalion was highly honoured to be chosen to guard the Royal Family at Balmoral Castle. His letters include vivid memories of a very happy time (apart from his tummy troubles - I believe he had a stomach ulcer) when he was in sole command of the defences at Balmoral. They were made incredibly welcome by the King, Queen and Princesses and he seemed to be almost part of the family.
Secondly, letters to his wife written in the Spring of 1945, describing the horrendous conditions in the P.O.W camps and concentration camps. His Battalion went in immediately after the defeat of the Nazis. There are also some letters from grateful Germans whom he rescued from a terrible fate.
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SC Cattell . British Army SC Cattell served with the British Army. I have his dogtags and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.
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E Catterall . British Army E Catterall served with the British Army. I have his dogtags and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.
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JA Catterall . British Army Loyal North Lancashire Regiment JA Catterall served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment British Army. I have his dogtags and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.
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Robert J. Catterall . British Army Grenadier Guards from Wigan, Lancashire (d.4th Sep 1944) He died of wounds and was aged 19 at death. He is said to be interred at Longueval Cemetery in France. His uncle (my grandad William Henry Catterall) served throughout the First War. .
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Robert J. Catterall . British Army Grenadier Guards from Wigan, Lancashire (d.4th Sept 1944) He died of wounds and is said to have been buried at Longueval Cemetery in France. He was just 19.
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Cattle . British Army Cattle served with the British Army. I have his dogtags and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.
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Able Seaman Edward Albert Catton . Royal Navy HMS Forfar from Eastbourne, Sussex (d.2nd Dec 1940)
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R Caudwell . British Army Royal Armoured Corps R Caudwell served with the Royal Armoured Corps British Army. I have his dogtags and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.
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Pte. George Anzac Caughlin . Royal Australian Army Service Corps (AASC)
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Frank Joseph Cauley . Royal Air Force 106 Squadron from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada My father, Frank J. Cauley, served with 106 Squadron RAF as a navigator in Lancaster bombers. He was born in 1921 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and is still alive today and living with his wife Barbara.
Dad said his crew was just an "average" crew.
I am trying to find out a few things about the aircraft he was involved with:
What were the squadron markings & tail numbers of some of the Lancasters that my father flew in?
The "pathfinder force" Mosquitoes that dropped markers for 106 Lancs... what squadron were those Mosquitoes from? (again, seeking squadron markings & tail numbers)
Any help is appreciated!
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J Caulfield . British Army Loyal North Lancashire Regiment J Caulfield served with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment British Army. I have his dogtags and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.
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Cpl. Iris Caunt . British Army Auxiliary Territorial Service from Skegby Iris Caunt was born in the coal mining village of Skegby, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on the 2 Aug 1921 to parents Gershom Caunt and Lucy nee Antill and she was the youngest of their five sons and five daughters.
During World War 2 she joined the Auxilary Territorial Service becoming a corporal. From the British Newspaper Archives it was learned that she performed, with the permission of her commanding officer, as a soprano at a number of provincial locations while serving with the ATS.
Her marriage to David Bourne, a musician, in 1947 seemed to be the end of her career. However, it was merely a change of name as she continued to sing and was still singing in the 1960s. Research into her life in the ATS and her singing career is being continued by me the undersigned.
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MJ Causer . British Army 4th Queens Own Hussars MJ Causer served with the 4th Queens Own Hussars British Army. I have his dogtags and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.
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Sgt. Victor Horace Causeway . Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 23 Squadron (d.20th November 1943) Sergeant Victor Causeway was a Navigator with 23 Squadron, he is buried in the San Marino Town Cemetery in San Marino.
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2nd Lt. S. Caux . Home Guard C Coy. Workington Btn.
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F/Lt. Cave . Royal Canadian Air Force 419 Squadron from Canada F/Lt Cave was based at Middleton St George near Darlington.
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F/Lt. H M M Cave . Royal Canadian Air Force 419 (Moose) Squadron F/Lt H M M Cave of 419 RCAF Moose Squadron was a Pilot based at Middleton St George in 1945 (now Teeside airport).
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F/L H. H. M. Cave . Royal Canadian Air Force 419 (Moose) Squadron F/Lt. H.H.M Cave J9173 was a pilot with 419 Squadron based at Middleton St George near Darlington, now Teesside Airport.
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John Cave . Royal New Zealand Air Force I saw the story about John Sparrow and the book written in a Stalag. Perhaps I've got some information about this John Sparrow who served in the Royal Air Force in WW2.
The grandfather and the mother of my brother-in-law were resistance fighters during WW2. The grandfather was arrested by the Gestapo for that and he died in a camp in Germany. I've got a testimony about some actions like hiding the Royal Air Force aviators and helping them to leave France. At the end of the testimony it says, "I know that the aviators were hosted some days by Madam Duboisin in her parent's house who lived in Vireux-Wallerand."
The first pilot was Sergeant John Cave NZ 42321 RAF Stn Mildenhall in Suffolk I suppose and the second one was Sergeant John Sparrow 1396137 RAF Station Mildenhall in Suffolk.
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John James Cave . British Army Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers My Uncle John Cave served in the REME in WW2.
I believe he got as far as Arnhem.
He helped a Jewish family there and they gave him a statue of a miner in bronze.
He refused to take anything from them, but his help was invaluable to them and the family insisted. The statue was placed on our piano, and recently my nephew discovered the Jewish name was spelled in reverse to fox the Nazis.
He wouldn't talk about any other experiences in WW2.
I'd like to go to Arnhem one day.
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Sqd.Ldr. Victor Frank Cave . Royal Air Force 206 Squadron from Bournemouth, Hants My father, Victor Frank Cave, [service # 47778] was a Fg.Off. in 206 Squadron based at Silloth, Cumberland. On the night of 26/06/42, whilst taking part in one of Churchill's 1000 bomber raids, his Hudson was shot down.
He was held in Stalag Luft 3 as a POW until the end. His time as a POW was seldom talked about but he did describe the hell that was experienced on the Death March to Northern Germany. Though he did say the German guards had just as hard a going as the rest of the POWs.
Victor served in the RAF until he retired on the 30/07/53, he attained the rank of Sqd. Ldr. After the war & after some substantial time to recover he served in Coastal Command before being posted to RAF Nicosia 11/03/49. Then on the 23/02/51 he was moved to RAF Shallufa. Sqd. Ldr. Cave's last command in the RAF was as Officer in Command HQ, Home Command from 14/01/52 until 19/01/53
After service in the RAF the Cave family moved to Canada & in 1964 moved to N.Z. where Victor served in the NZ Hydrographic Dept. until his early death in 1969.
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Squadron Leader W W Cave DFC. RAF 59 Squadron
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Squadron Leader W W Cave DFC. RAF VR 59 Squadron
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