Afternoon All,

I can’t believe it’s been 5 years since I originally posted this asking for info.

And here I am asking the same again of you all.

My Mother-in-Law was having a tidy up the other day when she came across a photo and some letters.

http://www.pobrien.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/RAF.jpg

The ‘chap’ in question is in the front row, second from the left. He was my Mother-in-Law’s Mom’s cousin and his name was Guy Brokensha….I’ve just done a quick google search and have come across the following…..

“Lieutenant Guy Brokensha, Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm), a Durban High School old boy, who saw service on board the Royal Navy aircraft-carriers Ark Royal and Formidable during the war, taking part in air operations during the Norwegian Campaign (1940), and was lost overboard later in the war while serving aboard the Formidable” courtesy of http://peek-01.livejournal.com/73838.html

I was just going to ask you kind folk about the aircraft in the picture and if anyone can shed any light…..but there appears a wealth of info in the letters I am reading through…it makes absolute compelling reading!!

The letters have various dates…..one begins (extracts from Guy’s letter July 18th, 1940 – H.M.S. Ark Royal, received Sept. 20, 1940)

In it he mentions how hard it has been to receive post let alone send any. He mentions a Cdr. Casson being his new C.O. Several mentions of ‘blitz’ “including the ‘bopping’ of the Scarnhorst at Trondheim”. He writes about a particular flight just after midnight on the morning of June 13th and how on earth he ever made it back. To be honest there is so much to mention that I think it would be better to scan the docs and upload them instead.

However, the last page of this particular letter is a cutting from a copy of a letter from Lt. Comdr. Stanford who was in the ‘Hermes’ when Guy joined the Navy – April 1938, and it goes…..

“Dear Brokensha, My heartiest congratulations on your D.S.C, and from what I hear I know you more than deserve it. It is grand to sit in the head office and see you chaps all doing your stuff so well; anyhow that is an excellent compensation for not being able to join in much. Yours sincerely A.E. Stanford”

If anyone knows how I can found out what he got the D.S.C for it would be really appreciated.

Right, I’m off to scan the letters….

Regards,

Patrick.

Evening All,

I’m after a massive favour again please.

I know it’s a daft question to ask if anyone is going to Duxford at the weekend……………..so here is my favour to ask!!!

Duxford have been good enough to offer Project 65 a stand at the show – It’ll be on the grass – just to the east of the American Air Museum!

Unfortunately I have a prior engagement so I wont be able to attend………………….however, I would really appreciate it if all those in attendance would mind dropping by to show your support.

Danny Greeno is the chairman and my name is Pat O’Brien………….tell him I sent you…….as I know he will really appreciate it too!!!

If anyone can e-mail over any decent pics then that would be appreciated also.

Kind Regards,

Pat.

*** Site Updates – Project65.net ***

Afternoon All,

Momentum continues to build well with many new runners signing up in April & May. However, we are still seeking a major sponsor of the running event in June 2009.

We have arranged to be on show at the upcoming Bedford River Festival on July 12th & 13th where we will be supported by the Bedfordshire Fire Service.

I guess the big news for you guys and gals on here is that the Royal Air Force Memorial Flight are supporting Project65.net

A Flypast will be performed on both days – 12th & 13th July 2008 – Come and meet the Project65 team who will be having guest appearances of 1944 Veteran Sgt “Tich” Rayner, Coup de Main, and today’s Veteran, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 7 Para.

We now have very high quality PROJECT65 dogtags available for just £4. All of the money raised from the sale of these goes to helping the men and women of the armed forces who need care and support after being wounded. These will shortly be available to purchase through the website.

If you can’t wait that long, you can either find us at the Mémorial Pégasus Museum in Ranville from 5th to 7th June and at the Bedford River Festival in July.

Alternatively, send a cheque made payable to Project65 to the registered address at the bottom of the main page and we will gladly send a PROJECT65 dogtag to you. Wear it with PRIDE. I would just like to say a BIG thank you to all those companies and individuals who have supported us so far.

PROJECT65 – SUPPORTING VETERANS
For further information, please contact [email]team@project65.net[/email]

Regards,

Pat.

Evening All,

I’m after more help please! I know this maybe the wrong forum to ask this question……. but anyway!

I’m trying to get hold of a copy of Aeroplane Monthly from MAY 1994. It had a 50th Anniversary Supplement written by the pilot of glider number 1 – S/Sgt Jim Wallwork.

I was sent a copy by Mr. Wallwork all the way from Canada, but it is only a photocopy.

If anyone can help then it would be most appreciated.

Regards,

Pat.

Hi Pete,

Many thanks for your reply and for your Father’s service to his country – you must be really proud!!!

Regards,

Pat.

Afternoon All,

I’m after some help and assistance once again please!!! My research into the airfield has produced some amazing results. The biggest of these results is the fact that I am now in contact with several RAAF veterans, all Australian, who served with the RAF during the war and served for various periods at Church Broughton between 1942 and 1944.

Several of them have mentioned various ‘goings on’ at the T2 hangar that remains on site today. One veteran describes seeing a modified Wellington Bomber with a jet engine slung underneath. Another veteran recalls “The activity on the other side of the aerodrome (out of bounds) where there was a jet engined Wellington and a jet Mustang doing tests, nice warm exhaust fumes.” This was dated 7th November 1944.

From what I can gather from my research, the Rolls Royce testing was carried out between April 1944 to an unknown date in 1946.

I had the following reply from Rolls Royce – “The aircraft the Aussies are referring to is the Wellington flying test bed. The bomber was modified by removing the rear turret and mounting a jet engine in its place. There was never a jet-powered Mustang so your correspondent is mistaken. However, it’s possible that he may have seen the Lockheed P-80 prototype which was lent to RR to test the Nene because there was no suitable British aircraft available. The P-80 arrived at Hucknall in June 45 and, with the Nene installed, flew to CB in July for testing.”

If anyone can help me in finding out more then it would be most appreciated, e.g. organisations or people to get in contact with, documents, photos etc… As it would be a great addition to my research and something to feed back to my veteran’s friends just in case they never found out what was going on at the airfield!!!

Kind Regards,

Pat.

Afternoon All,

Just a quick question? I’m currently off work for a few weeks and want to investigate further! I live in Sutton Coldfield, and armed with my car and my sat nav I fancy venturing out in order to research some more.

If any one has any suggestions of where to go and visit in order to find out more about RAF Church Broughton or indeed my other posts on 75 OTU then I’m all ears!!!

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Pat.