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207 Squadron Royal Air Force Historyfrom the Association web archive
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December 2007
- We welcome two co-opted members to the Committee of the Association,
to be confirmed at the 2008 AGM:
Wg Cdr Alan Watkins BA(Hons) FRSA RAF(Retd); AEO 1/59-1/62. The Committee have elected Alan as Vice-President. Until recently he was a Trustee of the Aircrew Association Archive Trust.
Kevin Grant, Air Gunner 5/53-3/54: Kevin has taken on the role of PRO. He has journalism experience and has had a book of poetry published recently. Fellow Air Gunner John Laing describes it as "a delightful little volume of verse and prose gloriously illustrated by Kevin's nephew, Jake Grant a cartoonist, who deserves to become better known for his witty drawings which compliment some of the poems. There are witty two liners, limericks, sage and perceptive four liners and many other poems which reflect Kevin’s broad experience of sunshine and shadow in a life which is far from minor."; click Deeps and Shallows for more information.
- Welcome to new Friend members:
Peter Berry, whose father Lt Kenneth Frank Berry was a pilot with the Squadron in 1918
Mrs Pam Hall, whose late father Warrant Officer Bill Jewiss was a Wireless Operator 1944-45: that's two Friends in the family - the other is Pam's mum Edna
Mrs Nikki Mapley, our Treasurer who took over on the retirement of David Green at the AGM, is well known to those who attend our Reunions and is another strengthening the family connection - her husband is Kevin Mapley, our Secretary.
- Sqn Leader Hugh Richford DFC RAF(Retd) died on 23rd November aged 84. He was a pilot on the Squadron, 5/56-1/61, and took part in the Suez campaign. His DFC was awarded when on 514 Sqn in WW2. The funeral was at All Saints Church, Staplehurst, Kent at mid-day on Thursday 6th December. Family flowers only. Donations, for the Michael Palin Centre for Stammering Children, may be sent to Doves Funerals, Maxted House, High St, Staplehurst, Kent, TN12 OAH. Our condolences go to his children Christopher, Susan and Jennifer. A Memorial Card has been provided. Our Secretary Kevin Mapley represented the Association.
- Members who pay their subscriptions annually rather than by Standing Order are reminded that the new membership year began on 1 Nov 2007. Mrs Nikki Mapley is now our Treasurer on the retirement of David Green - see your Newsletter for the Mapley's address.
November 2007
- Welcome to new members:
Doug Wilson, in Ayrshire: Air Signaller 1/60-8/62, in the Rondell crew
Mrs Joan Salmon, in Suffolk: her first husband was W/Op Sgt AJO 'Jonny' Archer kia 30/1/44 EM-V ED758 on Berlin
- Member Paul Knight was one of those laying a
wreath at 207's memorials or graves on Remembrance Sunday, in his case
at Brigstock (DV361 EM-V): Belgian member Leon
Reumers, father in law of member Danny Vanstraelen
(grandson of Frank Haslam snr's Helper) laid flowers at the Solly
crew graves at Heverlee and Leopoldsburg War Cemeteries;
Paul Gill and Nicola Taylor, British residents of Le Bouveret,
on the shore of Lake Geneva, went to town with poppies on the memorial
to the Badge crew there - see via Memorials > to 207 Sqn crew
members
There were a lot of positive and appreciative comments from locals on a 207 wreath being laid on Spilsby's War Memorial this year (as far as could be recalled, for the first time) and on Fred Pearce's involvement - see Spilsby area news link above
- John Griffiths MBE MiD, Air
Gunner 10/44-3/47, in Wg Cdr Black's crew, died aged 82 on 16th
November 2007. After a spell in the police John returned to the RAF
and was on flying boats with 209 Sqn in Korea. He stayed in the
service until the 1970s, being Mentioned in Despatches in 1955,
receiving a Commendation for Meritorious Service in 1962, and in 1976
was awarded an MBE for service to the RAF and for youth work.
Our condolences go to his daughter Christine and son in law Chris. The funeral was at noon on Monday 26th November at Shrewsbury Crematorium, London Road, Shrewsbury. Donations, which will be shared by the Hospice which took such good care of him and the RAF Benevolent Fund, may be sent to the funeral directors, Aubrey Kirkham, Frankwell Island, Shrewsbury SY3 8JN. Member Gordon Pearce very kindly represented the Association at the funeral and an Association Memorial Card was provided.
- 14 Nov 2007: The funeral of Bob Storey DFM, WOp/AG
12/40-7/42, who died in hospital on 7 November 2007 aged 86 after a
short illness, took place today at St Mary's Church, Heworth, Felling,
Gateshead, at 1.45pm. Our condolences have been passed to Bob's widow
Millie, daughter Shirley and son James. Bob was a regular attender of
our Reunions and we will miss him.
The Association provided a Memorial Card. Please contact the editor if you would like to write to the family.
- Members who pay their subscriptions annually rather than by Standing Order are reminded that the new membership year began on 1 Nov 2007. Mrs Nikki Mapley (Kevin is her husband) is now our Treasurer on the retirement of David Green - see Newsletter for her address.
October 2007
- 12 October 2007 - Her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales today attended the dedication of the new National Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire. It is in the form of a stone circle which bears the names of 16,000 service personnel who have died since World War II. The Roll of Honour on the memorial website can be searched by name and service. Those with postwar service may particularly appreciate the facility to search for those they knew who died on duty.
- Bob Storey DFM, WOp/AG 12/40-7/42 died in hospital after a short illness on 7 November 2007. His son James says the funeral will be on Wednesday 14 November at St Mary's Church, Heworth, Felling, Gateshead, Wednesday 14 November at 1.45pm.
- The Links page Museums/research has a
valuable addition - the Airwar over Denmark website. This
has a number of pages related to to 207 Sqn losses and incidents:
17 Aug 42 Lancaster I R5616 EM-J Southwell crew
10 Sep 42 Lancaster R5628 EM-Q Einarson crew
28 Apr 43 Lancaster W4595 EM-Z Rees crew
30 Sep 43 Ju 88C-6 serial number 750354 shot down by David Balme's crew
10 Apr 44 Lancaster ME688 EM-E Edmonds crew
22 May 44 Lancaster ND522 EM-J Walshe crew
15 Oct 44 Lancaster LM208 EM-M Montgomery crew
- The 207R website news page shows a couple of photos of the 207 Standard outside York Minster for the 2007 Battle of Britain weekend - see links on left
- Making contact
AJ Paddy Crowther, Pilot 2/69-1/72, now in Northern Ireland. Paddy has joined the Association.
Mrs Susan Belfitt, widow of the late Friend Member Michael Belfitt, son of the late Frank Belfitt DFM, has joined.
September 2007
- Our September 8 2007 Reunion in Derby saw 80
members and guests attending the Dinner. At the AGM Dave
Green retired as Treasurer and we are pleased that Mrs
Nikki Mapley has taken on that role. As a mark of our
gratitude to Dave (and Betty, who has been a great support to him)
Thos Murray made presentations on behalf of the Association to them at
the Dinner.
We are very grateful to the Midland Hotel which donated a Hotel Weekend prize, which raised £720 in a raffle. A good selection of prizes was separately raffled at the Dinner, raising £372.07(!). A mini-auction of items donated by the families of the late John Mace and Maurice Jackman added £142. Our Secretary Kevin Mapley was congratulated for his efforts in raising the grand total of £1,234.07.
ur next Annual Reunion will be on Saturday, September 6th 2008, again at the Midland Hotel Derby, followed on the Sunday (for those who wish to participate) with a group visit to the National Cold War Exhibition at the RAF Museum, Cosford.
Some photos of this year's Reunion can be seen via the Reunions link
- As reported in the local York media, on the afternoon of Wednesday 5th September 2007 a Tucano aircraft, from 1 FTS at RAF Linton on Ouse, after encountering power problems, made an emergency landing at the Gliding Club on the site of former RAF Rufforth, a few miles from base. It was being flown by a student on 225 Course supervised by a 207R Squadron instructor. They were unharmed and the aircraft was later moved into a hangar at Rufforth. A member of 207 Squadron Association resident in Rufforth, who was quickly on the scene, gave an interesting account to members attending the squadron reunion at Derby on 8th September.
- Was there a sticker on the front page of your newsletter? If so, please take the action requested.
- Friend Member David Collins died on July 24th, writes his widow Marion, to whom we have expressed our condolences. David for many years was involved with Newark Air Museum.His particular connection with 207 was the extensive research he did on the Whyte crew, commemorated at St Brisson.
- via Kevin Mapley: Bill Verralls DFC Pilot 10/44-5/45 died in the early hours of 1 September. Our condolences went to the family. The funeral took place at 1.15pm on Thursday 13th September at St. Faith’s Crematorium, 75 Manor Road, Horsham St. Faith, Norwich NR10 3LF. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations were invited to the ex-servicemen’s charity for the blind St. Dunstans, c/o Broadland Funeral Services, 102, Norwich Road, Wroxham, Norwich NR12 8RY. Being partially sighted in his later years Bill received considerable assistance and encouragement from St. Dunstans.
- 207 Squadron Devon VP962 is these days operating from Biggin Hill as the Mayfair Dove, one of the 'Air Partners' of British Sky Tours, specialising in military history and taking small groups, often a family or party of friends, on private tours around the British Isles and Continent. Adrian Hill, who when a British diplomat in Saigon remembers VP962 being the Air Attaché's (Grp Capt Mickey Swiney) aircraft, would like to know which VIP passengers were carried in the aircraft on 207. If you can help please contact the editor.
- Making contact:
Dr John Jock Cook DFC Navigator/Bomb Aimer 6/44-9/44 has joined. He was in Wg Cdr Grey's crew.
Gordon Watmough Air Gunner 8/51-12/52 has joined
August 2007
- A booking form for our September 8 2007 Reunion in Derby was
issued in the Summer 2007 Newsletter - don't forget to book - and even
if you can't come, do support the Free Hotel Weekend for Two
fundraiser for the Association on page 29.
28 Aug: Just a few rooms left so don't delay that booking!
- Was there a sticker on the front page of your newsletter? If so, please take the action requested.
- Members from the Washington (B29) era of the Squadron are probably familiar with Chris Howlett's excellent 'Washington Times' newsletter. This can now be seen via Memories > Washingtons.
- Tom Scrivener, Navigator 4/44-6/44 in Roy Millichap's crew, died on 7th April 2007 aged 85 and the funeral was on 23 April, writes his widow Wendy, to whom we have sent our condolences and a memorial card.
- William P Green, Air Gunner 10/44-6/45 in Wg Cdr Black's crew died earlier this year. The funeral was at Beckenham Crematorium on 5th April. Our condolences to his family.
- Thanks to Diana Morgan of the Escape Lines Society, we have added evader John K Chapple, Wireless Operator in the MacNaughton crew shot down on Revigny 19/7/44 to our Roll of those who have died since serving on the Squadron. Diana worked in the same organisation as John, who died in April 1984 - see Memorials > Roll of Honour
- Friend Member Ken Williams, who was Wallace
McIntosh DFC* DFM's boss, has provided the Eulogy he gave at Wallace's
funeral.
Alfred Hall, Navigator 3/44-10/44, who was Navigator in the Grey crew, has also added his memories of Wallace, as has Dr John Jock Cook, who joined the crew later as their Bomb Aimer- see Wallace's page
- Making contact:
Sqn Ldr Peter Langdon DFM RAF(Retd) Pilot 8/42-2/43 & 4/72-6/74 has joined: a rare two-tour member, especially with a gap of 30 years!
Flt Lt John Cartwright RAF(Retd) Pilot 12/60-4/63 has joined. He lives in the Philippines.
John Gregory - son of the late F/S Jack Gregory, Flight Engineer in Ken Marten's crew, joins as a Friend
Richard Gregory - son of the late F/S Jack Gregory, Flight Engineer in Ken Marten's crew, joins as a Friend
Mrs Carol Peachey, niece of Sgt Donald A Turner, who was kia when aboard Lancaster EM-H LM366 (Flt Lt John G Taylor) as a 2nd Navigator, on Berlin 29/1/44. Carol has provided more information about her uncle for the LM366 page and has joined as a Friend.
Mrs Alison Scholes, step-daughter of Bob Massey-Shaw BA, Air Bomber 6/44-12/44 in the Henderson crew, POW when they were shot down 6/12/44 in EM-C on Giessen. Alison has joined as a Friend.
July 2007
- Laurie Barnes Wireless Operator 11/43-1/44 died on
17th July aged 82, two days short of his Diamond Wedding Anniversary.
Our condolences to his widow Dorothy, daughter Lesley and son Kenneth
and the family. The funeral was at 4pm on Tuesday 24th July, at the South
Essex (Corbett's Tey) Crematorium in Ockenden Road,
Upminster RM14 2UY Family Flowers only. The Editor attended on behalf
of the Association.
Laurie was in Dick Burnet's crew when they were shot down on Berlin in Lancaster EM-K EE173 on 30th Jan 1944. All except the rear gunner Arthur Pullman survived to become POWs. Ken Brown, the Navigator, is now the only crew member still with us.
- Making contact:
David Vaughan-Thomas, Surrey: son of the late Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, who as a BBC war correspondent went with BBC engineer Reg Pidsley to Berlin in Lancaster F for Freddie on 3 September 1943 with Ken Letford's crew to make the now famous recording of a bombing raid. Wynford was of course a well known radio and tv broadcaster and a successful author. He was one of the first honorary members of the Association.
June 2007
- Making contact:
John Box, son of the late Cyril Box, Pilot 1/1918-8/1919: has joined
Fred Butcher GSM, Pilot 9/72-5/76, in Surrey: has joined
Mike Holmewood son of Flt Lt NFJ Holmewood, Navigator in the McSweeney crew, POW when EM-S LL976 was lost on Brunswick on 23 May 1944. Norman died in 1967. Mike joins us as a Friend
Hugh Richford DFC, Pilot 5/56-1/61, in Kent: has joined
Mrs Christina Smith, niece of Sgt Henry Bone, Mid-Upper Gunner in the Whyte crew, kia 15 February 1943 - see Memorials > Crews > Whyte
Gary West, OC 207 Sqn 3/73-3/75, in Leicestershire: Gary is Hon Sec of 55 Sqn Association: has joined
- On 4th June 2007 we learned of the death in hospital in Aberdeen
that morning of Wallace McIntosh DFC* DFM, aged 87.
Wallace's extraordinary life, which included two tours on 207 Squadron
(in the crews of F/O Fred Richardson and Wg Cdr John Grey) and the
accolade of top scoring gunner on Bomber Command, was set out in the
book Gunning for the Enemy by Mel Rolfe.
Our condolences go to his daughters Anne, Mary and Frances, son James, son in law Joe and his grandson Alistair, his sister Frances and other members of the family. Those present at the Dinner at Linton on Friday had all signed a menu card for Wallace.
Wallace's memorial service took place at Dyce Parish Church, Victoria Street, Dyce at 11am on Friday 8 June. It was Wallace's wish that his coffin not be present at his Memorial Service. There was a private cremation service in the afternoon. It was family flowers only. Donations can be sent to Dyce Parish Church (152 Victoria Street, Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 7DN) or to the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The Association was represented at Wallace's Memorial Service by two members of the Committee and some members. The Officer Commanding RAF Lossiemouth represented the Royal Air Force and there was a flypast after the memorial service by a 12 Sqn Tornado GR4 from that station. The Aircrew Association and RAFA were well represented.
There has been extensive media coverage on Wallace, some better than others. The editor has noted that people not normally interested in WW2 or the RAF have said they have seen and been impressed by the story and by the dangers faced by bomber aircrew, which would have pleased Wallace:
Aberdeen Press & Journal obituary 5 June 2007
The Times article 6 June 2007
The Scotsman obituary 6 June 2007
BBC Scotland 6 June 2007, including radio broadcast
Daily Record obituary 6 June 2007
The Courier obituary 6 June 2007
Evening Express 6 June 2007
Florida Sun-Sentinel report 6 June 2007
Associated Press story 6 June 2007 (repeated widely elsewhere)
The Sun article 7 June 2007
New York Times obituaries in the news 7 June 2007
BBC Scotland report of service 8 June 2007
Aberdeen Press & Journal 8 June 2007
Aberdeen Press & Journal 9 June 2007
Daily Telegraph 9 June 2007
The Times 13 June 2007
Aberdeen Press & Journal 15 June 2007 - Budding Pilot
The Independent 15 June 2007
Google™ search on Wallace McIntosh
It is intended to create a section of our website dedicated to Wallace, in tribute to him and his fellow Air Gunners.
- The 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Squadron as No.7 Sqn RNAS in 1916 was celebrated splendidly with a Dinner at Linton on June 1st. The editor is grateful for the letters and messages received from those unable to attend - see photo report
- Wg Cdr George
Blakeman's tandem parachute jump on
behalf of the Alzheimer's
Research Trust (see May news) was delayed by
atrocious weather until Tuesday May 29th. He writes: I made it! After
a 24-hour postponement from Bank Holiday Monday because of the bad
weather, I was lucky enough to have the plane and instructor all to
myself. It is, of course, still possible to donate via http://www.justgiving.com/skydiveat85.
George has now (13 June) raised £5760 and is aiming for £6,500.
For anyone interested in (or in search of proof of) George's skydive, please click the photo for a short video.
May 2007
- We have learned of the death in 2004 in a road traffic accident of Sqn
Ldr WC Bill Cox (Pilot
8/61-1/64). He was posted in to 207 at Marham on 28 Aug
1961 to take command of B Flight: on 31 May 1963 he took over command
of A Flight from Sqn Ldr Ken Hunter: on 20 Jan 1964 he was posted to
ACAS Ops department in the Air Ministry.
There is a photo of a Sqn Ldr Cox (it is no.67) in the Comms Era Album (Memories > Devons). Ken Hunter says that Bill's distinguishing visual feature was his massive eyebrows, so possibly he was also on 207 at Northolt. If you have any information on Sqn Ldr WC Cox please contact the editor.
- Wg Cdr George Blakeman OBE RAF(Retd) is hitting the silk
again!: The Alzheimer's
Research Trust thought we'd like to hear about the
marvellous charitable fundraising efforts of one of the Squadron's
own. On May 28th, George (85) will be returning to Langar to make a
parachute jump to raise money for Alzheimer's research in memory of
his beloved wife Margot who died of this devastating condition.
His new target is to raise £4,500. George tells me he will be attached
to an instructor and they will descend from 12,000ft, free-falling for
7,000ft and will be accompanied by a cameraman.
George, who was a Navigator 6/43-8/43 on 207, has no recollection of the last parachute jump he made, as the only survivor of Lancaster EM-D ED498 (Pearcey crew), which exploded after being hit by flak over Normandy on August 16th 1943 when returning from Milan. He was a POW in Stalag Luft III, so this jump will be a real leap of faith for him. The Alzheimer's Research Trust are tremendously proud of George's bravery and his bid to raise funds for them.
George's fundraising page on the Just Giving website can be found at http://www.justgiving.com/skydiveat85 on which he says "I was taken off to POW camp where I eventually received a letter from my girlfriend informing me we were engaged! Our happy marriage lasted 57 years but for the last 7 of those years my lovely wife was stricken by Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is a terrible and devastating disease to those who have it and to their families but not nearly enough money is available for research."
George has to be at Langar for 10am on the 28th May but the time of the drop will depend on local conditions. It would be nice if some local members could turn out to support him. To check closer to the date ring British Parachute Schools at Langar on 01949 860 878.
- via Raymond Glynne-Owen, four more names have been added to our page of those 207s who are on local war memorials - Memorials > Those on local war memorials
- John ('Jack') Lines (Navigator 1945-46 in the Inglis crew) died on 11th May, aged 98. He had not long moved to a home in Ely. His daughter Vivienne says the funeral will be at Cambridge Crematorium at 1.45pm on Wednesday 30th May, in the East Chapel; no flowers. If any members can get to Cambridge on the 30th to represent the Association, please contact the editor. A memorial card will be provided to the family.
- via our secretary Kevin Mapley, news of a concert to celebrate the life of the late Beck Parsons (Electrician 3/41-3/43), organised by his son Perry, to be held at Brooklands on 13th May - see poster
- Jeanne Harvey, daughter of Sgt Ron Dampier,
Mid Upper Gunner in the Healey crew (ED554 EM-Q) lost on 9 April 1943
from Langar, for the first time visited the memorial
to her father's crew and two other Allied crews, near the crash sites.
The website pages on this memorial will shortly update with the
commemoration event and much new material.
Jeanne was accompanied by her daughter and husband, and the editor and his wife represented the Association, together with wartime Air Gunners Tom Rogers and Hugh Wynter who were kindly brought over by their Dutch hosts from the Air Gunners Association event at Dronten. We are especially grateful to Mr Just Kroon, who set up the memorial and to all the Dutch friends we made who were so welcoming and hospitable, in particular Mrs Tiny Kroon and Mr Erik Bijtelaar.
- The 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Squadron as No.7 Sqn RNAS in 1916 is being celebrated with a Dinner at Linton on June 1st. The editor is grateful for the letters and messages received from those unable to attend. Linton are hoping to send out details no later than about a week beforehand.
- We have heard from Jean-Jacques Meyer of the death of his father,
Honorary Member Jean Meyer at the age of 85, who
assisted 22 downed airmen. Among these was the late Jack Fisher who
was Wireless Operator in the Stamp crew (LM129 EM-Y, lost on St Leu 8
July 1944) of which Peter Phelps was the Flight Engineer. We will be
sending a memorial card to the family.
Ian Adams, Jack's grandson writes from Canada: "[here is] a photo of Jacques taken in July, 1944, as he is standing beside the wreckage of my grandfather's airplane (I don't know if Peter Phelps was aware of the photo or not)." 
Jacques Meyer beside the remains of LM129
EM-Y (via Ian Adams)
- (originally on site in Feb 07) The Editor invites you to
add your name to the Bomber Command Campaign Medal
e-petition on the 10 Downing Street website. It is vital that as many
names as possible are added - please get your like-minded friends to
take part. You must be a British citizen or resident to sign the
petition. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BomberCommand/
April 2007
- Great News! The 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Squadron as No.7 Sqn RNAS in 1916 will be celebrated with a Dinner at Linton on June 1st. This event had to be held over from last year. If you are a UK member or a member on email you should have heard from us - if not please contact the editor.
- John Banfield writes on 27 April with deep regret to report the death in Canada on 25 April 2007 of his skipper J Barry Chaster (Pilot 8/42-1/43). They were shot down on 3/1/43 in Lancaster EM-U W4134 on Essen from Langar. "During the time Wg Cdr Russ Jeffs was living in Vancouver, Barry kept in touch with him and together they attended ACA functions. Barry evaded after we were shot down and we are still in touch with one of his remaining helpers in Holland." Our condolences go to his daughter Jolayne and son Randy. Thanks also to Dave Sutherland for reporting Barry's death.
- We have learned of the death in Canada on 23rd December 2006 of Jeanne Baker (MT 43-45), widow of Bill Baker DFC (Pilot 5/43-11/43). Thus passes another link with the early days of the Association. Our condolences to their daughters Patricia and Barbara. If you have recollections of Jeanne please contact the editor.
- The 63rd anniversary of the Bomb Dump explosion at RAF Spilsby was on Tuesday April 10th. Following a tradition associated with the late Ken Smith and being continued by his family, this was remembered by a short service at the Spilsby Airfield Memorial, led by Rev Harry Orchard, people gathering at about 7.45pm for the service at 8pm.
- Colin Savage (Airframe Mech 9/55-4/57) has provided some photos of his time with the Squadron in Malta during the Suez campaign. These will be added when the editor's new broadband connection is in place.
- We have heard from his daughter Christine of the death of Association Member Sidney Smith (Armourer 10/42-10/45) on 28 September 2006. She writes "His badge was worn with pride on many occasions". Our belated condolences to her and the family, to whom a Memorial Card will be provided.
- (originally on site in Feb 07) The Editor invites you to add your name to the Bomber Command Campaign Medal e-petition on the 10 Downing Street website. It is vital that as many names as possible are added - please get your like-minded friends to take part. You must be a British citizen or resident to sign the petition. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BomberCommand/
March 2007
- Michael Belfitt, Friend Member and son of the late Frank Belfitt DFM, Observer 2/41-3/42, died suddenly on 20th March aged 51. The funeral was on 24 March at the Roselawn Crematorium, Belfast where a year ago the funeral of his father took place and since when his mother has died. Our condolences to all who knew him, his brother Peter, Mrs Susan Belfitt & his stepsons, his aunt Margo Corlett, and his friend Lisa who informed us. Our memorial card was provided.
- Dr Anthony Valentine, Friend member, Manitoba, died on 24 Aug 2006 age 78. He was the son of the Admin Officer at Bottesford, 1942. Our condolences and a Memorial Card go to his widow Mary and the family.
- 30 Tucanos for sale - York Free Press 14 March 2007: Thirty Tucano aircraft are being sold online through the Disposal Services Agency (DSA) - under the authority of the Ministry of Defence. Many of the Tucanos for sale are not flight-worthy, having been cannibalised for spare parts by the RAF at Linton on Ouse. Full story.
- Mike Nolan Nav 9/60-9/63 writes: "I found this photo the other day, taken circa 1961 (I think). It shows Captain John Jones left, Nav Norman Pulley right, CoP John Adams( I think) top, NavRad Mike Nolan centre, and AEO Ian Rutherford. We were all wearing our colourful new 207 Sqn baseball caps, saving wear and tear on our expensive SD hats and injecting a bit of squadron spirit into those grey days!". Has anyone still got one of these caps?
- George Mills' daughter Deborah has provided a photo of him and of his name on the family grave in Warrington Cemetery; he was killed in the crash of Valiant WZ363 at Market Rasen, 6th May 1964. Does anyone have photos of the rest of the crew? - see Memories > Valiants > WZ363
- Which local/popular pubs did 207s frequent when off duty in war and peace? Are they still there? Anecdotes and photos of establishments then and now (and jollifications) would be welcomed by the editor.
- For your diaries, the next reunion, at Derby, is Saturday 8th September 2007. Booking form is in the newsletter.
- (originally on site in Feb 07) The Editor invites you to add your name to the Bomber Command Campaign Medal e-petition on the 10 Downing Street website. It is vital that as many names as possible are added - please get your like-minded friends to take part. You must be a British citizen or resident to sign the petition. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BomberCommand/
February 2007
- Reg Burton, Wireless Operator in Geoff Taylor's crew 9/43-10/43, has died aged 94 or 95 in a nursing home. He was taken POW when they were shot down on Hanover on 18/10/43 in Lancaster EM-Z LM326. The funeral took place at Longthorpe village church on Monday 26th February at 1315, followed by cremation at Peterborough Crematorium, Mowbray Road at 1400, and refreshments at Fitzwilliam Arms, Marholm. We are grateful to Mike Brown, AVM RAF(Rtd), HWO RAFA Peterborough & District Branch for news of Reg's death. Friend Member Bill Green, who lives in the Peterborough area, attended on behalf of our Association.
- F/Sgt Athol Richard Grainger RAAF's son Stewie has made contact from Australia. F/Sgt Grainger was the Wireless Operator in John Whyte's crew, Lancaster L7547 EM-M lost on the Milan Raid, 14/15 February 1943. The aircraft crashed at Saint Brisson, Nièvre, France and John Whyte's son and grandson were among those attending the recent dedication of a memorial to the crew at St Brisson. Stewie says he was only four months old when his Dad was killed. He is very proud of him. If his Dad's logbook is correct he did 25 ops - 1/9/42 to 15/2/43. His Dad interrupted his Uni degree to join the RAAF and Stewie thinks his Mum 'Peggy' never got over losing him.
- Jeanne Harvey, daughter of Sgt Ronald Dampier, Mid Upper Gunner kia 9/10 April 1943 with the Healey crew in Lancaster ED554 EM-Q from RAF Langar, on a Duisburg raid, is hoping to visit The Netherlands in early May to thank those responsible for the memorial erected near Jisp to her father's crew and to two other crews which crashed not far fron the memorial. This will be a private visit which may be associated with the Air Gunner Association's annual visit to Dronten. If you would like to know more please contact the editor.
January 2007
- ACM Sir Lewis 'Bob' Hodges KCB CBE DSO* DFC* DL, Station Commander at Marham at the time of the presentation of 207's original Standard by HM the Queen in July 1956, and OC Malta Bomber Wing during the Suez operation died peacefully at home on 4th January 2007 after a long illness. He took part in the service of dedication of 207 Squadron's Memorial Book in Leicester Cathedral in 1989. An evader during WW2 he was President of the RAF Escaping Society. The funeral took place in Plaxtol, Kent, on Thursday January 11th and was attended by the Membership Secretary on behalf of the Association, especially those 207s who evaded. A Memorial Service at St. Clement Danes, London, will be held in the Spring. Obituaries.