Thank you for the kind comment. I am hoping for some more information over the next few days.

It never fails to astonish me how contacts are made and new information comes to light. For every blind alley one follows, somehow, someone, quite often from this forum, offers you another avenue to follow.

What I’m trying to say is thank you to everyone for your continued interest and support.

Regards,

kev35

I’m getting Brief Glory and the Ferry Pilot’s Notes from the Maidenhead Heritage Centre.

thanks for everyone’s help, as always, much appreciated.

Regards,

kev35

First of all, I’m really sorry for the delay in posting these photographs and this update, unfortunately, I haven’t felt too well since my return from Manchester.

The wreath laying went as planned at 12:30. It looked as though the grass in the Churchyard had recently been cut so there was little to do. The first image shows Michael Kinghorn (T5) laying the wreath. The second shows the three members of the commercial forum who accompanied me. Left to right are Michael, Andrew Simpson (A330 crazy) and Tom (LBARules.) The final image is of the wreath in situ.

I’d like to thank all three of them for accompanying me and showing an interest in the work of Flight Captain Short. A special thank you to Michael for assisting me when I visited the Airport Archives in the afternoon. Michael will be playing a significant part in the proposed developments, more of which later.

I have to thank Ant Harrington for producing a drawing of the ATA badge for placement behind the wreath. I will also be forever indebted to Paul F for visiting Arthur Bird’s grave at exactly the same time. Although not a forum member, Paul Isherwood of the Airport Archives was of considerable assistance and a pleasure to meet. I will be visiting the archive in the next two weeks for further research so I am grateful for his guidance and enthusiasm.

So, what did I Find? Curiously, very little, yet an awful lot. I was stunned to find the variety of aircraft types flown in one pilot’s logbook during the course of a single month…

Corsair
Spitfire
Hurricane
Fulmar
Barracuda
Magister
Martinet
Blenheim
Mustang
Anson
Oxford
Mosquito

And all of these with the aid of just a single sheet of pilot’s notes.

On the 24th of January, Bernard Short had been delivered to Kinloss via Preston by another 14 Ferry Pool pilot, Leo Carter. Allocated JP182 for the flight to Kemble, it has now come to light that the extreme weather conditions forced Flight Captain Short to land at Kirkbride? near Carlisle. Conflicting memories suggest that the was to continue his flight direct to Kemble, although it is also said that he was to land at Manchester to pick up another crew. I have not yet established which is the case. Perhaps Moggy would do me the service of providing further route maps including both of these possibilities? (A pint of something suitable will be waiting.)

As to the ‘proposed developments.’ I have become intrigued by the life of Flight Captain Short and very moved by his death alongside his Flight Engineer, Arthur Bird. I now know that Flight Captain Short lodged at the Airport Hotel at Ringway. This establishment flourishes today and the garden looks onto the threshold of Runway 06 Left/24 Right. Having received the permission of Robinson’s Brewery and that of the current tenant, it is proposed that a bench be situated in the garden in memory of Bernard Short and Arthur Bird. I have secured the necessary permissions and the services of the airport Padre, Reverend Vincer. Mr. Short is delighted that his Father and Arthur Bird are to be remembered in this way. It is proposed that the dedication of this bench will take place on a Tuesday or Wednesday in the first two weeks of October.

In the meantime, new contacts are being made and further research is being carried out. With the assistance of Paul F it is hoped that we may be able to trace relatives of Arthur Bird. As always, if anyone out there has any information or can help in any way I would be most grateful.

Regards,

kev35