I’ve just picked-up from E-Bay a white silk scarf, once worn by PO George Whitby, said to be from his days flying Stirlings with 161 Squadron.
He survived the war and went on to do some good work with the ATC.
I intend to fly the scarf once in a while. Just seems the right thing to do to me.
Anybody add any information on the guy or the squadron?
Thanks in advance.
Moggy
By: kev35 - 23rd February 2004 at 14:06
“On 15 February 1942, No 161 reformed at Newmarket from a nucleus supplied by No 138 Squadron and the King’s Flight. It joined with 138 in dropping supples and agents over occupied Europe and took over the landing and pick-up operations for which it used Lysanders, Havocs and Hudsons. Halifaxes were received in November 1942 and in September 1944, it began using Stirlings. Supply-dropping continued until the end of the war and on 2 June 1945 the Squadron disbanded.”
Taken from ‘The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force’ by James J Halley.
Seems your man was with 161 from sometime after September 1944. A London Gazette search brought the following:
1st October 1943 edition.
Pilot Officers on probation 1st March 1942.
Victor George Whitby 156030.
Hope this helps Moggy.
Regards,
kev35
By: archieraf - 23rd February 2004 at 13:44
Moggy, 161 Sqdn were SOE…….if only your scarf could talk!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Sign In
February 23, 2004 at 9:37 am