Could Forum members help me to identify the pilots of 257 Squadron who appear in a film made by Pathe News after the squadrons combat with Italian aircraft on the 11 November 1940. Those involved appear towards the end including R S-Tuck who did not fly that day.
I have included a link to the film:
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=26073
I have checked MofBofB and found some possible candidates.
I have also tried to match individuals from the film with other pictures, but as my knowledge of those is limited I am having some difficulity, to say the least, in matching them up.
I was hoping that all nine 257 pilots involved on the 11/1140 might be in the film: Blatchford, North, Davey, Mortimer, Pniak, Andrews, Kay, Lucas and Barnes. However, I suspect that it contains pilots other than those mentioned ie Tuck etc.
I have found this link on the IWM website that has a still taken from the film mentioned above:
http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/dbt…&BG=0&FG=0&QS=
Although not very clear it might compliment the link relating to the film clip.
I appreciate any help offered by Forum members.
Kind regards, Malcolm.
By: MJW - 31st March 2025 at 10:02
I have made a montage from film the clips that I could email to any Forum member willing to help me with identities. PM me with your details and I will forward it.
Kind regards, Malcolm.
By: Foray - 3rd April 2013 at 20:43
Papa
Sorry about that Gerry, got hold of the wrong end of the stick for some reason. I was actually thinking about this photo entitled Pilots of 257 Squadron which is on sale on the net from various sources and got confused which is easily done at my age. Maybe the others in photo may be in the film although there are no names attached.
From research into that squadron dating back a number of years ago now, I’m sorry to add that second from right in the photo is Geoff Ball if my memory serves me correctly.
By: Papa - 3rd April 2013 at 14:19
Sorry about that Gerry, got hold of the wrong end of the stick for some reason. I was actually thinking about this photo entitled Pilots of 257 Squadron which is on sale on the net from various sources and got confused which is easily done at my age. Maybe the others in photo may be in the film although there are no names attached.
By: gedburke3 - 3rd April 2013 at 10:45
Hi Papa,
The footage was taken in November 1940 just after the Battle of Britain.
Gerald Jones had not qualified as a pilot at that time and consequently can’t be the pilot in the film.
Gerry
By: Papa - 3rd April 2013 at 09:45
Just to add. The photo of Gerald in his flying helmet was given to me by his close relatives. In his obituaries the name of PO. Arthur Fitzgerald is mentioned as being his close friend. Arthur is/was my first cousin and I have another web site on Arthur and his crew at www.lancastered627.shaunmcguire.co.uk
By: Papa - 3rd April 2013 at 09:41
Hi All
I joined this forum because I have some information about this thread even though its a couple of years old now.
The pilot 2nd from the right is I believe to be Gerald Cuthbert Benjamin Jones from Newport, Monmouthshire. Gerald was killed when his Typhoon made a forced landing 5th Jan. 1945. I was told by someone that knew the family at the time that the landing was successful but on the roll out, the Typhoon tipped forward into the ground and broke Gerald’s neck.
Further information of newspaper photo’s and obituaries can be found at this page on one of my web sites by scrolling down the page to Gerald’s name.
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February 24, 2010 at 10:48 am