The following is from the Kenneth G. Wynn book, Men of the Battle of Britain:

“137301, Sgt Pilot, British, 501 Squadron.
Born October 22 1917, Henn was a civilian flying club instructor before the war. His flying experience enabled him to join the RAF in October 1939 as an airman u/t Pilot (906097).
After completing his training, he joined 501 Squadron at Kenley in August 1940. Henn claimed a He111 destroyed on August 30. He was shot down and wounded on September 2, after which he lost his operational flying category because of burns.
Henn was posted to Alberta, Canada as a flying instructor. Commissioned in September 1942, he returned to England in 1943 and went to RAF Transport Command, still as a flying instructor.
Awarded the A.F.C (1.1.45), Henn was released from the RAF in 1947,as a Flight Lieutenant. He joined BEA as a Captain, retired in 1968 and then joined the CAA as Flight Operations Inspector. Henn died on December 19 1978.

P.O 16.9.42 F.O 16.3.43 F.L 16.9.44″

No images unfortunately. This is without doubt one of the most used books in my collection, not cheap, but worth every penny.

Hope this fills in the gaps.
Best wishes,
Dean

Money isn’t my main aim, but unfortunately hobbies can’t put food on my plate or eventually start paying a mortgage. Historic Aviation is my main passion, I live and breathe it (much to the consternation of my better half) but reality dictates that I have to stay with the money. Luckily, i’ve got a job that I really do enjoy, with a company that looks after me, enabling me to do the hobbies I love.

Others may think differently, but its just the way I see things at the moment.

Dean

Jon, I’ve sent you a PM containing a little more background. (Ignore the message title- technical failure on my behalf!)

Achieve much in terms of what?

My point isn’t that I’ve got an issue with branding being put on these aircraft, but feel that it’s important to differentiate between ownership and sponsorship. Ownership is a long term commitment. Sponsorship isn’t.

Ok, i’m going to come out of my cave for this one…

I have to say that I agree with the idea of making learning history fun. Although the word fun does perhaps have some negative connotations for those of a more rigid viewpoint.

The comparison of comics and model kits to computer games is an entirely valid one in my humble opinion. Children have not fundamentally changed since the days when building Airfix models was the norm for school aged children. The medium for getting that hook into their minds, however, has. Technology has moved on, as have teaching methods- it is a simple case of adapt or die.

At 29, i’m aware that i’m of a different generation to most here, but that doesn’t mean that the spark that kicked off my journey into aviation was any different to those that took light in your minds. We’ve all got the same fires raging in our heads for this hobby of ours, and I firmly believe that the same kindling exists in the minds of modern kids. All we can do is try. If we don’t do that, we may as well look upon ourselves as the last of the mohicans.

Bit metaphor heavy perhaps, but you get the idea.

Thank you for all those that replied in this chain. Quite an eye-opener for someone finding the site for the first time!
Wing Commander AH Rook’s father – Spencer Henry Rook – owned West Hall Hall I believe to answer you question.
I now am chasing Golley’s book thanks for the pointers.
I have just completed reading Eric Carter’s new book – Force Benedict – which is also fascinating in its detail. It was not till I met the Author who is 94 and as sharp as a button still, that I knew that the Russian expedition even had a secret project name. It is available on Amazon of course.
Mike Rook

Mike,

Apologies for the delayed response.

Information on Wing Commander AH Rook and Wing Commander M Rook seems a little thin on the ground. Have you seen the entries for them in Kenneth G. Wynn’s “Men of the Battle of Britain”? If not, I can send you a scan. I’ve had a quick flick through the Golley book, a few images of AHR, and one that may include your father- i’m not sure.

Thanks for confirming the West Hallam link, great to think the village was once home to a Battle of Britain pilot.

All the best,

Dean

Mike,

My Grandma has told me in the past that your family owned West Hallam Hall. Is this so? I’ve always liked the idea of our village having a link to pilots such as your father and his cousin that fought in the Battle of Britain and beyond.

I may have a spare copy of “Hurricanes Over Murmansk”, I’ll have a dig around.

Dean