Dambuster's Log Book

I am fortunate to have been given one logbook and have a further two entrusted to my care. They are what they are, a logbook. They are also a unique record and fascinating history of one man’s service if you are able to decipher them. They are also a vital cross reference to Squadron records. And they are commodity with a value.

Somewhere out there is the logbook of Albert Laforce, a Belgian Sergeant pilot from 609 (West Riding) Squadron who later became very top brass. Many years back he told me he had loaned it to somebody and couldn’t recall who. It was never returned. He was rather unhappy about this indeed.

No – he should
not – he might pollute the water!

JägerMarty wrote:

He should be waterboarded to get the truth out of him, thieving piece of dog shlt

Come on, dear boy. While Bateman is a slimebag, and we are all thoroughly disgusted by his actions and his character, he should NOT be waterboarded.

Hear hear.
I recently attended the funeral of an ex navigator from 617, a post Dams man, who had been my neighbour some years ago. I was pleased to hear from his son that his log book is treasured and is aware that scum like Bateman are about.

He should be waterboarded to get the truth out of him, thieving piece of dog shlt

Shamed historian ordered to pay widow of RAF hero £12,500 for stealing treasured Dambusters logbook

Alexander Bateman was jailed for two years for the theft but has refused to disclose the whereabouts of the iconic logbook which belonged to the late Sergeant John Fraser.

…..

Bateman, who wore an Adidas sweatshirt and blue jeans as he gave evidence in support of a lower figure, maintained that he had last seen the book in early 2003.

Asked if he knew where the record was, he replied: “I don’t, no.”

Judge Dodd said he would do all he can “to see that the family receive some appropriate measure, some modest measure of financial compensation” in addition to the value of the book.

Adjourning the case to a date to be fixed, the Judge added: “Mr Bateman has the opportunity to do the honourable thing. I’m sure he knows what I mean by that.

“I’m sure you all know what I mean by that.”

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/shamed-historian-ordered-pay-widow-11235003.amp

Sad sad man.. Well I guess the guy falls into the same wierdo world of the ward… how low can you go, utterly disgraceful !!!

Well done Andy for bringing this up.

I see a reward is now being offered. Let’s hope that it is returned to the family soon……

I wouldn’t mind betting it was stolen to order, as with some paintings.

Not everyone has scruples

Hi All,
I think ‘Bateman’ knows exactly where the ‘Log Book’ is located and is under the impression that he can do the time then still profit from the sale of it to a
so called fellow enthusiast when he is released. Hopefully this enthusiast will report this sale to the authorities if this is not done the person who purchases
this ‘Log Book’ will be just as guilty as ‘Bateman’ if this is the case sadly…:(

Anyway anybody in their right mind if they locate the book would just give it back and wouldn’t want the reward or would donate to a deserved cause IMHO.

Geoff.

The daughter of a Dambusters crew member has offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to the return of his stolen log book.

The artefact was loaned to military historian Alexander Bateman by the family of Sgt John Fraser for the purposes of research.
He was jailed for two years in February for theft after failing to return it.

Sgt Fraser’s daughter Shere Lowe believes someone other than Bateman knows of its whereabouts.

Ms Lowe, who is visiting Lincolnshire from Canada to mark the 74th anniversary of the raids, said: “Some people say it’s just a document , a piece of paper, but that’s not what it is to me – it’s priceless.”

“Because I lost him at a very young age – I value every little piece – so to get it back would be like getting a piece of my father back.”

She said she did not think it right to treat the log book as a commodity but had been advised that “money talks”.

“I believe someone out there knows something, and hopefully they will come forward and tell us where it is,” she added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-39898631

It was on the main ITV news http://www.itv.com/news/2017-02-10/man-jailed-for-stealing-log-book-from-dambusters-widow/

😡 Still haven’t found the logbook though 🙁

Back to the slammer for the loathsome Bateman. Two years in prison for the logbook theft.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4212128/Alexander-Bateman-jailed-stealing-Dambusters-log-book.html

In my travels meeting and interviewing kiwi veterans I have met several pilots who had their logbooks stolen, usually during a house move it has mysteriously vanished from their house pack. They all thought it was a random occurrence but when you hear over and over about logbooks vanishing while moving house from one country to another, you have to wonder if there was some organised ring going on. Bloody annoys me. The only thing I take from people’s logbooks are photos.

Same thing happened to the log books of one of Australia’s greatest wartime pilots Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes. A s-called ‘historian’ took advantage of his failing health on the excuse of ‘research’ to abscond with those log books which are national treasures let along the great deal they mean to the family. Robyn, one of his daughters, was devastated and has been trying to find them to no avail. Doubtless the *^*$#@^& who took them is sitting along in his home gloating over their illegal possession.

Maybe they will give him his old cell back.

http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/14568686.Former_Harrow_school_employee_jailed_for_possession_of_indecent_images_of_children/

What a charming individual.

Well naughty word me!

Quite out of the blue a couple of years ago, Dad suddenly told me that he’d seen “the” Lancasters practising low flying – this would be over the Essex/Suffolk/Cambs border – prior to the Dams raid.

I assumed he’d conflated it with something else… but what’s that entry for April 13th say?

Adrian

Jail the scumbag until it is returned.

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Just how low can you get?

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