Ian, have you considered photographing them instead – maybe using digital macro? You might have to muck about a bit to get it just right but could be worth a try and should give you larger prints in good quality.

I think they are 25th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain stamps issued 13 Sept 1965 probably SG671-SG676 or SG671p-SG676p which were issued together setenant in blocks of six.

Hope that helps
archieraf

Hello Jason,

I found one on the CWGC website
CLIFTON, ALFRED JOHN
Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Trade:
Pilot
Service No:
1582530
Date of Death:
23/03/1945
Age:
21
Regiment/Service:
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

101 Sqdn.
Grave Reference:
14. D. 4.
Cemetery:
SAGE WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Alfred and Pattie Clifton, of Birmingham.

Sad that he didn’t quite make it through the war. He died age 21 in 1945 and had been a pilot in the RAF since 1941, he must have started very young. If you go to the 101 Squadron Operation Record Books at the National Archives you should be able to trace his movements backwards from the date of his loss.

He was onboard Lancaster LL755 SR-U on an op to Bremen. Crashed near Stottinghausen. Source. W R Chorley Bomber Command Losses 1945.

Hope that helps. Good luck with the others.
Linzee aka archieraf
http://www.archieraf.co.uk

Andy,

Nice pictures – That is very helpful thank you. Do you think there is anywhere where I could find out details of missions – I am specifically interested in flights over Glasgow. I suppose trying to find out this kind of detail might be a bridge too far.

Many thanks
OG

I have a publication ISBN 1-902419-05-7 by The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland which is A4 size and extends to 64 pages. Title is Scotland from the Air 1939-1949 Volume I. Catalogue of the Luftwaffe Photographs in the National Monuments Record of Scotland. Snappy an memorable title it is not!

There are several photographs of Glasgow in that. I think I just bought my copy in a regular book shop somewhere, so it can’t be that hard to come by.

Regards
archieraf aka Linzee

Hi Zidante,

There is a very interesting casualty file on the National Archives of Australia website for F H Paterson. You should find it if you follow this link http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/ItemsListing.aspx then click on the icon under ‘digitised item’ to view the pages. I haven’t read it all, just the first several pages but it would appear that there was some confusion about this loss.

Although you are not specifically enquiring about F H Paterson, there will be information in the record held under his name which is relevant to the loss and will help you build a clearer picture.

Regards
archieraf aka Linzee

Interesting. The service number 89617 belonged to a John Watson ALLAN there is some info about his service in the RAF here http://www.ww2awards.com/person/43194 but no mention of a baling out at any point…..and obviously the spelling of Allan is different to that which is engraved on the caterpillar badge. Coincidence?

Linzee aka archieraf

Creaking Door, from what I have read and seen in records for 35 Squadron in the late 1941 and early 1942 period the crew of the Halifax was 1st and 2nd Pilots, Navigator, 1st and 2nd Wireless Op/Air Gunners, Flight Engineer, Rear Gunner.

The 2nd Pilot (2nd Dickie) generally tended to be a newly qualified Pilot who was paired up with a more experienced Pilot for a few operations before being given his own crew. In effect, I suppose it was almost a final stage of training before taking command of an aircraft.

My grandfather was lost at the end of March 1942. Six crews failed to return from the op he was lost on, all were flying with 2nd Pilots. Almost immediately after this operation they stopped flying with two Pilots.

Regards
archieraf aka Linzee

I was very fortunate to have met both Stan and his Wireless Operator, Connie. They were amazing men and both sadly no longer with us.

The story of their Halifax being shot down in 1941 and the journey Stan took his crew on 40 years after to finally return them back to base can be read here
http://www.archieraf.co.uk/archie/l9512tlustory1941.html

archieraf
aka Linzee