Bryan Clark’s book – “619 – The History of a Forgotten Squadron” lists ED979 as 619 Squadron’s 7th loss after its start of ops; and details the loss as:

“Shot down by night-fighter [Maj Günter Raduach I./NJG], crashing near Aalst [Noord Brabant]”

…. with ….. “Sgt Walker RCAF being reburied after the War in the Canadian War Cemetery at Groesbeek.”

Andy, is he involved with the 619 Squadron Association, open to families of former sqaudron members?

I have quite a bit to do with their various activities, search ME846 and John Whiteley on here.

I will email you some items later but I have to dash as I have to attend the funeral of a former Newark Air Museum volunteer who recently passed away!

John, you should talk to j r nicely and I’m sure something could be arranged – if stocks at Staunton are depleted I’m sure something can be arranged via NAM! 😉

j r – no commission due on this one!! 😀

….. To a man we couldn’t understand why the IWM didn’t turn it into a full-on hotel. Imagine the history! You could have themed guestrooms, an authentic mess bar and eat in the dining room…..

It’s being done successfully elsewhere – like the former Officers Mess at RAF Hemswell – I’ve been to some excellent conferences there as well.

Look out for some 31 Squadron paintings as you wander around!! 😉

This thread may shed some light on the topic http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=117818

Rather than try to search for the original thread the following posts that I made about Highball in 2010 may also be of interest:

“The Highball topic reminds me of an early work encounter with a storeman back in 1977 / 78. He was always prone to exaggerate anything he told you, so when he told me of ‘Highball’ Mosquitoes being shipped to the Far East on HMS Fencer and HMS Striker – I immediately questioned the validity of his story!

I was suitably put in my place the following day when he showed me his pictures from on-board, with all the aircraft stored on deck. An interesting aside was that one of the vessels was sunk and that should have been the one he was on, but he had ‘suffered’ a very lucky mix-up with his posting!”

…. and then

“Perhaps his previous exaggerations were still in evidence; as both carriers seemed to have survived!!

There are references to the Highball Mosquitoes on the HMS Fencer link below

http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/ESCORT/FENCER.htm

http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/ESCORT/STRIKER.htm

So what happened to the aircraft and munitions?”

As posted previously:

“In September 2008 I pre-organised a ‘behind the ropes’ group visit for relatives of a 619 Squadron Lancaster (ME846) that crashed in 1944 – they were treated like royalty and were extremely moved by the wonderful reception they received from everyone at ‘The Flight!’

It made the Lancaster flypast at Newark on the Saturday even more poignant!”