In light of recent discussion on this board I thought some of you may find this of interest. Last night I was at a friend’s house. I have known her, Sarah Thomas, and her brother James, for several years now. We were chatting away and I was telling her about the documentary I’m currently making about the wartime RNZAF.
She said her grandfather was in the Air Force during the war. She then began to elaborate and mentioned along the lines of “do you know that guy with no legs? He crashed and was a prisoner.” I instantly realised who she meant, and said “Douglas Bader. “Yes.” she says, “That’s him. Did you hear he had to have new legs dropped to him?”
“Yes” I said.
“Well,” she says, “It was my grandfather who dropped them.”
I was stunned, since it’s such a relevant part of the issue in the recent discussion we’ve had. I asked a few questions and it turns out that his name was Hal Thomas, he was a New Zealander, and sadly he’s now dead. But she thinks that she can borrow some books and documentation that belonged to him from her grandmother – I’m hoping she has kept his logbook. Fingers crossed.
I’ll keep you updated if I discover anything more.
By: Dave Homewood - 14th April 2004 at 11:55
Well, if he had some spares in his locker, there was no need to go to Liverpool for a fitting, was there. Case closed on that one.
I am still awaiting anything from Sarah. Not sure when i will get to look at what her grandmother might have but will keep you informed of developments.
However, today whilst looking through microfilm of old New Zealand Herald newspapers in the library researching something else, i found a small article that might be of little interest to you chaps. From the issue dated 25th of August 1941
By: JDK - 13th April 2004 at 16:19
Are you waiting for the other leg to drop? Or am I mixing my ‘metfors’ again? 😀
By: Moggy C - 13th April 2004 at 15:27
Originally posted by nitramMkII
MoggyTo add to the conspiracy theories, you do know that 188 Sqn did not exist (not between 1939-45 anyway).
Spookier and spookier!
Moggy
(Could have been my typo in the ‘rush’ to get off to work this morning, or could be an error in the Bomber Command records.)
I suspect it just proves finally that there is more to this story than first meets the leg. er… eye.
By: nitramMkII - 13th April 2004 at 15:16
Moggy
To add to the conspiracy theories, you do know that 188 Sqn did not exist (not between 1939-45 anyway).
I think the squadron you are looking for is 18 Sqn that dropped a yellow box containing a spare leg retrieved from Bader’s locker at Tangmere over St Omer a/f on 19.08.41
The crew of Blenheim R3843 F were Sgts Nickelson, Meadows & Pearson
Source With Courage & Faith (Air Britain)
There is a photo of the box on page 17 for the really sceptical amongst us
By: JDK - 13th April 2004 at 09:21
Or even given to St Peter personally by the crew, given their loss rate.
By: Moggy C - 13th April 2004 at 08:35
According to Bomber Command records a Blenheim of 188 Sq dropped the leg just to the South of St. Omer on 18 August 1941.
However it is well known that Bomber Command accuracy in those days wasn’t what it became, so that might mean St. Helens.
Moggy
By: Snapper - 13th April 2004 at 08:12
Was the leg dropped into Bootle?
By: Stieglitz - 13th April 2004 at 07:49
Re: Douglas Bader Leg Drop Co-incidence
Originally posted by Dave Homewood
I’ll keep you updated if I discover anything more.
Please do so. And if at all possible, could you find out where the leg drop took place? That should be helpfull in light of some recent pointless discussions that might have taken place on this forum. 😉
J.V.
By: Dave Homewood - 13th April 2004 at 07:48
Not really missed anything Moggy, it was pointless actually.
😉
By: Moggy C - 13th April 2004 at 07:41
Re: Douglas Bader Leg Drop Co-incidence
Originally posted by Dave Homewood
In light of recent discussion on this board
What discussions?
I must have missed that thread. Was it any good?
😉
Moggy
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April 13, 2004 at 7:30 am