I am appauled that Alex Henshaw has never received ‘Official’ recognition of his unique contributions to aviation, as well as his contributions to the free worlds eventual success sixty one years ago.

As said before he was made an MBE a little while ago.

I agree totally with what has been said. However, one assumes that we will have to make a significant donation to a political party first, to have any chance of succeeding. 😡 Any suggestions?

Send your cheque to me made out to Central Amazon Spiritual Healers or if you choose C.A.S.H for short.

When I contacted the Woodward family back in 2001 about the placque to Woodward, his widow was a bit icy about the idea and questioned why, after all this time, did people feel the need to erect a memorial to him and his fellow Squadron member.

On the other hand his daughter was delighted that we would go to the trouble. As she said “it gives her family a reference point, some where if they feel the need to, they can come and reflect on the loss of their loved one”.

After the ceremony in September 2002 Woodward’s widow told her daughter that now that she had seen where Roberts remains were situated, she would like to have her ashes scattered over the spot. Sadly we were able to oblige a little over a year later.

What I’m trying to say is that a marker in a field somewhere doesn’t necessarily matter to the family, a reference point to their love one and knowing where they lie is just as good. If you could go back and ask the serviceman who were lost, I bet many would say that if they were to be killed they would like to rest with their brothers in arms. Bringing the remains home such as the Americans do is not the only answer.

Back in 2002 I recall Bert Dowty who was a front Gunner on one of the 44 Sqn Lancaster’s shot down during the Augsburg raid in April 1942 stating that when his time came, he would like his ashes scattered with his comrades in the various cemeteries of Normandy. I believe his family carried out his wishes in 2004.

Obviously not a 109, but another from my small collection:- JU88A-5 HM509, taken on a winters day in 1942 by a US Airman. The aircraft dropped into RAF hands at Chivenor on 26 November 1941.

In the back ground just visible under the port wing is a 109 and I believe an Anson.

Found in Afghanistan by an Italian patrol.

Found sometime before the Italians by American special forces, I’ve known about them for a couple of years.

A further piece of trivia, Arnold Ridley was/is also famous for writing the West End production “The Ghost Train” and I believe he won the MM for his actions during the Great War.

I feel sorry for the investors, actually no I don’t, they were taken in by the hype as much as anyone else but should have known better.

The Germans bombed and then strafed lorries around the harbour here in Jersey and in Guernsey prior to the occupation in July 1940, killing many civilians in the process. The reason give at the time was that they (the Germans) thought the lorries and personnel were military.

I’ve also come across accounts where it was proven that low flying RAF aircraft trying to shoot down low flying Luftwaffe aircraft had in fact, accidentally strafed persons and buildings on the ground.

There are also many examples of POW’s being strafed by friendly aircraft which had mistaken them as enemy troop columns.