32 squadron pilots 1936

Hi,
I am pretty certain that none of these are Peter Brothers.
I have taken your advice and contacted 32 squadrons association.
Kind regards
Gerry

Thanks Gerry, that’s better.
Front row 3rd from left remains the most likely candidate if the dates fit.
Front row 5th from right is a more remote possibility, but I would certainly rule out all of the others.
Hope you have some luck with the squadron association.

Ooops

Ok here we go again………….[ATTACH=CONFIG]234074[/ATTACH]

Hi Gerry,

Oops. Agreed, none of those. I meant ‘the other left’ of the C.O. (from the viewers perspective) and right of the man with four medals.

Regards
Geoff

Hi Geoff,

As requested.
I am certain that this pilot is not Peter Brothers.

I will take your advice and try to contact 32 squadron association.
The photograph is about 24 inches x 10 inches so too big to scan.
Regards
Gerry[ATTACH=CONFIG]234070[/ATTACH]

Gerry,

Notwithstanding the date issue, if Pete Brothers is there, the most likely contender is the pilot fourth left of the C.O.(?) with multiple medals and second right of the Sgt with four medals. Posting an enlargement of that pilot as per your #17 might help.
Also, have you tried the 32 Squadron Association? They might have a ‘named’ original copy.

Regards
Geoff

Hi Gerry

Thanks for the pic – will add that to the story

In conversation we found out we both drank in the Blacksmiths Arms in Cudham Lane at a similar age – just 40 odd years separating when we were there

Would have been nice to share an ale with him there

cheers
Chris

I dug out the Air Force List for July 1936 to see the squadron roll as of end June.

S/L
George T Richardson

F/L
A W B McDonald (he was promoted to S/L 1/12/36
Richard Kellett (he was seconded to the Imperial Japanese Navy 25 Sept 1936)

F/O
Robert A E Traill
L D Dadswell

P/O
E F E Barnard
Neil R R Bromley (posted to No.801 Sqn 22 Sept 36)
F W Flood (posted to No.8 Sqn 24 Oct 1936)
D V W Francis (posted to RAF Station Gosport 2 Sept 36)

Acting P/O
A C Heath

+ 5 Airman pilots

As to the new boys on the previous roll
D J McGlinn (posted in from No.3 FTS 5 Aug 36)
P E G G Connolly (posted in from No.2 FTS 31 Aug 36)
H C Maudslay (posted in from No.2 FTS 31 Aug 36)
M N Crossley (posted in from No.11 FTS 24 Aug 36)

If you can put names to faces and tick off who is present and who is missing then you should be able to narrow the photo date to a few days or so.

Regards
Ross

Hi Chris,
Here is a close up of Byron Duckenfield to add to your collection.
To correct my earlier post he is third from left in the front row.
Cheers
Gerry[ATTACH=CONFIG]234045[/ATTACH]

Hi Chris
That is an incredible coincidence.
I thought that he was the pilot in the front row second from left.
Gery

Hi Gerry

Remember talking with Byron Duckenfield about his time before the BoB with 501 Sqn and he said he was briefly with 74 Sqn on Spitfires and before that was at Biggin Hill with 32 Sqn (B-flight) and flying Gauntlets and even the Bulldog – nice chap

Wiki has him joining up 8 August 1936

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Duckenfield

cheers
Chris

A C Heath commissioned 4.3.36
M N Crossley 03.02.36

Would agree that the date on the photograph pre-dates Ocotber

Hi Ross,
That’s fantastic!
That will narrow down my research by a large amount.
Many thanks
Gerry

The closest Air Force List I have is Jan 1937 (so correct for Dec 36)

S/L
George T Richardson
A W B McDonald

F/O
Robert A E Traill
L D Dadswell

P/O
E F E Barnard
D J McGlinn
P E G G Connolly
H C Maudslay

Acting P/O
A C Heath
M N Crossley
P M Brothers
G Harris
W a’B Russell

+

5 airman pilots

Brothers/Harris and Russell all have a posted in date of 11 Oct 36.

10 wearing gloves in your photo so possibly taken just before 11 Oct despite the marked date.

Regards
Ross

Dear all,

I recently purchased the attached photograph of 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill for your interest[ATTACH=CONFIG]234022[/ATTACH].
It is dated November 1936.
I had hoped that Peter Brothers was going to be in the picture but I cannot see him.

I am trying to identify the others hence my initial request.

regards

Gerry

Hi Dave
Many thanks for those names.
I really appreciate your help.
Kind regards
Gerry

From experience of 607 Squadron, I doubt that all the pilot names will be in the ORB as the prewar ones are not usually day by day

It may be possible to pick up some of them from the London Gazette and Flight Archives

P M Brothers, G Harris, H B Russell all joined the Squadron on 11/10/36

H C Maudsley & P E G G Conolly joined on 31/08/36

Cheers Gents
I will try the National Archives
Many thanks
Gerry

Only record for 1932

http://www.oldrafrecords.com/db_browserecord.php?skip=0&rn=5&origin=list

Also see about getting Appendices from NA site sometimes have hidden gems

All pre war records usually come in 1 file from NA website so only 3:30 max