20 Lancasters

Many thanks for your efforts Twotter. The search continues!

I did not recognise the names of the two fellows you mentioned from 1661.

No luck I’m afraid David; to quote him directly, “All checked but sadly no luck!”

I hope that your search has more success elsewhere.

Did your father know a Stan Bray or Jim Sands [Canadian]? They are both featured on the Virtual Museum CD ROM; detailing their wartime ops from RAF Winthorpe with 1661 HCU.

Many thanks, I look forward to his reply.

My father was a Wireless Operator on Lancs.

David,

I’ve emailed the list to the curator at Newark – still waiting for his reply, what crew position was your father?

I have reposted the log book entry hopefully this one is more readable.

Attached here is a listing from his log book of the units he served in. Although he was with 1661 at Winthorpe from Jan 1st 1943 to March 26th 1943 his logbook records no flying at this time.

David,

The Log Book is difficult to read but the dates mean that it appears that Newark Air Museum is not likely to be the best option for you. From my notes:

1661 HCU was formed in October 1942 – as part of 5 Group; CO Sqn Ldr John Nettleton VC; 1661 HCU took over 9, 44 and 49 Squadron bomber conversion flights; their task was to convert 5 Group’s OTU crews onto flying Manchesters & Lancasters ready for Ops.

29th December 1942 – A & B flights at Waddington and C flight at Scampton all noted “as being ready for transfer to RAF Winthorpe”

Here is a copy of his logbook entry for 1661 H.C.U. It appears he was there during October and November 1942.

David,

When did your father go through 1661 HCU?

Newark Air Museum may be able to help as they are located on what was RAF Winthorpe, the main home to 1661 HCU. I also believe that they have hosted a 97 Squadron reunion in recent years.

If you have a course number or dates that might help.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

Here is ED862 “Spurius” taken on May 13th 1943 prior to a trip to Pilzen. This aircraft was lost on one of the Hamburg raids 29/30 July 1943.

ED862P F/O R.A.Fletcher, Sgt J.Nelson, F/Sgt M.I.Robertson, Sgt J.F.Beesley, F/Sgt W.N.Layne, Sgts E.White, H.R.Page. Up 2139 Down 0503. Bomb load 2 x 250TI Red, 2 x 250TI, 1 x 4000lb, 4 x 500lb. Primary target Pilsen bombed. 13,000’. Good visibility except for smoke haze. Target visually seen. Red TI markers in sights when bombs released. One big explosion observed close to marker.

Have added ED866 to the list so after amendments it is now 19 aircraft in total. Of which I have one, hopefully someone can come up with more.

Something not quite right here, the Lanc’s pictured are 15 squadron aircraft, and David are you sure it was 1661 and not 1660? Even the best books sometimes have errors.

I stand to be corrected, but as I see it R5896 flew its last op with 97 Squadron to St. Nazaire before being transferred to 1660 Conversion Unit. It was then assigned to 15 Squadron where the picture was taken.

My father flew in Lanc’s with 50 Squadron Conversion Flight, 1661 H.C.U., and 97 Squadron.

Something not quite right here, the Lanc’s pictured are 15 squadron aircraft, and David are you sure it was 1661 and not 1660? Even the best books sometimes have errors.

Found one R5896, thanks to Air Ministry and Lancaster at War 2.

2/3 April 1943 St Nazaire – Bomb load 11 x 1000lb

R5896Y F/O R.A.Fletcher, Sgt J.Nelson, F/Sgt M.I.Robertson, P/O N.J.Davidson, F/Sgt W.N.Layne, Sgt E.White, F/Sgt D.W.Bale. Up 2010 Down 0129. Primary target St Nazaire attacked from 15,000’. Clear, visibility good. Smoke screen over target, red TI markers in sights when we bombed. Observed two large fires as we left target. Much light flak over target.

This was this aircrafts last operation with 97 Squadron before being transferred to 1660CU.

Same with me as the the two posts above.

Forum access

I’ve signed up as a basic member and can confirm that everytime I try to access the forums, I am told that I have to sign up for a full membership (£7.50 per year).

Andy

Registering with ServicePals.com is quick, easy and completely free.

Been there, done that, etc.

However, every time I click on “Forums”, it diverts me to an “Upgrade Your Membership” screen which wants £7.50 off me.

If there is a way around this, I cannot find it.

But it seems that you have to join as a paying member of the site in order to be able to view the forums?

‘Registering with ServicePals.com is quick, easy and completely free.
ServicePals.com membership is available to all those people who are affiliated with the British Armed Forces. Whether serving, ex-service, friend, family or just have an interest in the armed forces – we welcome you.’
http://www.servicepals.com/index.cfm/pcms/site.register.register-step1/info/insufficientmem/

But it seems that you have to join as a paying member of the site in order to be able to view the forums?

Service Pals

If you use the search facilitythere is a forum with over 500 entries on Lancasters!Not all WW2 but certainly quite a few!The forum is called”lancasters galore!

R4942 should probably be R5842? My mistake should be W4249.

Thanks for the suggestions, checked the site and couldn’t find any, am now going to hit the books.