RE: Airmans ghost in squadron picture.

Merlin.

They are definitely Naval uniforms amongst the group. The RAF was formed in April 1918 as an amalgamation of The RFC and RNAS and by early 1919 one would assume they would have all worn the RAF uniform. If Drem was a training depot station surely it would have been run under the auspices of the RAF at that time? Another point is would they be training pilots and observers at that time as well. After 1918 there was a massive reduction in the size of the air force thereby resulting in a surplus of trained aircrew with more than sufficient numbers wishing to stay ‘in’following the cessation of hostilities.

Another idea might be for you to find which newspaper covered the area at the time and check to see if they have an archive, there could be a small report on the incident. If you ever find where Freddy Jackson was from try the local press for that area too.

With such an interesting story have you thought of checking the ‘Ghost Stations’ series of books? Perhaps something about this incident has been published in this series. I have vilumes one and three but there is nothing in those. I must admit it is very intriguing…..

Regards,

kev35

RE: No it isn’t.

Ja,

Sorry, but I don’t think that is why people join the armed forces. There are numerous diverse reasons for joining up but I think what your photograph represents does not particularly apply in peacetime. If you are right, why did you only serve two years in a Navy ‘which was not all it was cracked up to be….’ – your words.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Airmans ghost in squadron picture.

I’ve also just checked ‘Squadrons of the Royal Air Force’ by James Halley and of all the squadrons ever stationed at Drem (and there have been thirty-five of them) none were ever stationed at Drem in the period in question.

So, the plot thickens.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Both Flypast and AFM gone down now?

Hi Ja,

it is indeed a nuisance and a disappointment but if you consider this to be a crisis then I’m worried for you mate!

I have no doubt it will be back up and running Monday morning. I suppose we just have to be patient.

Regards,

kev35

RE: Airmans ghost in squadron picture.

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-11-02 AT 01:36 PM (GMT)]Hi, Scott.

First of all, if you check the CWGC website for Jackson’s in 1919 you come up with three possibles but unfortunately none named Freddie. One is buried in France, one in Birmingham and the other in Abergavenny. Assuming that one of those three is your man and he was just known as ‘Freddie’ that blows the funeral theory out of the water as they could not have travelled to either of those funerals and got back to Scotland.

Now, the text runs something like ‘in the photo above he is the only one smiling and not wearing a hat.’ That means the photograph you have found cannot be right as the inset circular photo shows a man wearing a hat. One or two of those in the photo also appear to be smiling.

I’ve just put the edit in because when I first looked at the inset photo I swear I could only see one guy wearing a hat, no-one else. Now I can. So now I can see what you are talking about.

I’m not saying this isn’t true, it’s eminently possible that the story has got a bit muddled over the last eighty years but I think it needs a little more evidence than is available so far. What do you think?

Regards,

kev35

RE: Airliner World – old news?

Oh no he doesn’t!!!!

Well, it’s nearly pantomime season….

Regards,

kev35

RE: For those of you condemning the assasination

Garry,

“What has Iraq to do with terrorism?”

That’s the question I was asking in my own clumsy way.

“How many terrorist cells will be found in London… careful which bus you get on tomorrow Kev… }>”

I dare say there are more than a few people involved or linked with al-Qaeda living, plotting and fundraising here in the UK. And with an increasing Muslim population with a youth element who, although born in the UK feel no allegiance to it, it is only a matter of time before we suffer strikes from home based terrorists. Perhaps the only solution is so called surgical strikes or targeted operations but whoever mounts these operations has to do it with minimal risk to possibly innocent parties.

Regards,

kev35

RE: For those of you condemning the assasination

Multirole,

thanks for that reasoned response. It makes such a change from the usual vitriol which comes from certain members of the American community.

“Of course, if you have suggestions how we can make the world a safer place I’d be happy to hear it. That after all, is what this war is all about.”

Just one really. With American military technology, superior weapons, tactics and intelligence would it not be possible to target terrorist cells individually, much as in the Yemen? Would it not be preferable to target the terrorists directly rather than to balanket bomb Afghanistan or to invade Iraq?

Regards,

kev35