Winter 2005

City of Aviation Museum, Old Norwich Road, Horsham St Faith, Norwich, NR10 3JF Telephone: 01603 893080

Future items for the Newsletter should be sent to the Editors:

Janine Harrington & Ian Kirk 59 Finch, Cayton Bay Park, Mill Lane, Cayton Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire Y011 3NJ Telephone: 07789 935021 Email: [email protected]

2 Editors Page

Welcome to our new-look Newsletter.

When we accepted in May this year the challenge of creating and producing the Newsletter we had little idea of what that presented at the time. However, we have persevered, and look forward to receiving your comments in due course. We have deliberately kept the format in an A4 size for those like ourselves who find difficulty in reading small print.

Please take note of the new address to which to send all future items direct to us. We have already begun work on the Spring Newsletter and would welcome anything to be included. This is YOUR newsletter, acting as YOUR voice. We do look forward to hearing from you, and to receiving items for it soon. Please start sending to us now so that YOUR voice can be heard!

Given that it is the Newsletter of RAF 100 Group Association, we would like to actively involve you right from the start and ask your help in suggesting a name for Newsletters to come. All suggestions and contributions are welcome!

We believe in the work of the Museum and are committed to doing whatever we can to help the memory of those who are gone live on. We speak about our membership of the Association with pride. Within it I feel the spirit of my mother Nina lives on, together with her fiancé Vic Vinnell who went missing while on a mission in mosquito DK292 with pilot Jack Fisher in 1944. It has been a joy to share with those who knew them. And we continue to share memories and experiences. This Newsletter is just one way in which we can all work together and bring our pictures, stories, work and experiences to a place where everyone can read about them, to share and enjoy.

We need also to make mention of the Annual Subscription which is now due and should be sent to the Museum direct.

We take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas, and every happiness for the New Year ahead - 2006. May it prove to be a peaceful year for us all.

Janine & Ian

3 News from the City of Norwich Aviation Museum

With the busy summer season behind us, we are already preparing for 2006. Over the coming winter months, we intend to improve our facilities for less able visitors and further extend the internal display area.

We have been given two portakabin buildings by Norwich Airport operator Eastern Airways that, with a little adaptation, will provide some of the additional space we need. Also, we may gain some further additional buildings from two other sources in the near future.

New exhibits continue to arrive almost every day we are open. Our archive library has grown by donations from both members and visitors and many other small items have arrived. A much large exhibit we expect to arrive before the end of 2005, is an English Electric Canberra cockpit section the Museum has purchased from the Ministry of Defence. Derek Waters and Robert Walden traveled to RAF St Athan in deepest Wales to prepare this for transport in November. We intend to mount the Canberra cockpit on a trailer so it can be taken to events as a traveling exhibit to promote the Museum.

Restoration and maintenance of our aircraft exhibits has made stunning progress in 2005. The Gloster Meteor has been completely resprayed by a team from RAF Coltishall. Our Westland Whirlwind helicopter has received considerable attention and repainting of this aircraft should be completed in the Spring. The Lightning has continued to progress with further polishing and the application of its correct Royal Saudi Air Force markings. The cockpit of the Vulcan has been painted and work has now moved on to the rebuilding of the jet pipes that have become badly corroded.

Our fundraising and publicity stand has attended events at Duxford, Old Buckenham, Rougham and RAF Coltishall in 2005. Although only five venues have been attended, the stand has operated for ten days, five of which were at Duxford as we have attended three of the four major air displays at the Imperial War Museum. Sales at these events have made a major contribution to our fundraising and we have had the opportunity to encourage more visitors to the Museum. At many events we have enjoyed meeting RAF 100 Group Association members. In 2006, we intend to be at shows at Duxford, Rougham and Lowestoft and any events at RAF Coltishall we are fortunate enough to be invited to.

4 The Museum’s Annual General Meeting was held in late October. This meeting was very well attended, the Friendship Tea Room was packed and as more and more CNAM members arrived, tables had to be removed from the room to fit everyone in. The large attendance is an indication of the interest in the Museum at present and the keenest to face the challenges that the coming years will bring.

After the Annual General Meeting, the Museum’s board of trustees was reorganized. Steph Church has been appointed the new Secretary in succession to Dale Curson whose recent change of career keeps him out of Norfolk for long periods. Trevor Digby has also stood down from the Board.

The new Board of Directors are:

 Derek Waters, Chairman  Robert Walden, Curator  Matthew Taylor, Keeper of Exhibits  Kelvin Sloper, Treasurer  Glen Ambler, Web Site and IT  Len Bradfield  Kim Barwick

Until 1 st April 2006, the Museum is operating its reduced winter opening times. These are from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Wednesday and Saturday and from 12,00pm to 4.00pm on Sundays. Please bear this in mind should you want to contact the Museum by telephone on 01603 893080.

5 RAF 100 (Bomber Support) Group Memorial Museum Association Reunion 2005

It was wonderful to come together again and meet old friends and new at our 2005 Reunion in May. This year there were special events put in place to commemorate the 60 th Anniversary of the ending of World War Two.

Members were invited to Hall, Headquarters of RAF 100 Group

A vast amount of restoration work has been carried out on the Hall and grounds and the Vincent family made it possible for members to see around the house and grounds, providing a wonderful spread of light refreshments.

Following our visit within Bylaugh Hall, members joined to plant a tree in the grounds to commemorate the 60 th Anniversary of the ending of WWII.

On Saturday of the weekend of the Reunion, a coach went from the Museum heading for Foulsham where we visited the village church and the airfield, stopping to place a wreath beneath the sign there.

We then continued on to Oulton where villagers once more did us proud with a home-cooked spread for afternoon tea.

6 At Oulton, as at Foulsham, floral tributes were laid in memory of those who lost their lives operating from the two airfields, together with those we have subsequently lost during the peace they fought so hard for.

At each of these memorial sites Adam White played the bugle. Adam is the youngest member of the Association and is also part of the band of 231 (Norwich) ATC Squadron.

Saturday evening we came together at Lodge Hotel for the 60 th Anniversary of VE Day Dinner with a truly wonderful display of table decorations to mark the theme. Mr Mick Jennings, MBE, Community Relations Officer, RAF Coltishall was our after-dinner Speaker. Then on Sunday, we joined for the Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance at Horsham St Faith church.

7

100 Group Mosquito Found off Norfolk Coast

A De Havilland Mosquito, operated by 85 Squadron, RAF 100 Group flying from Swannington was recovered from the Wash, west of King’s Lynn by the Royal Air Force in late summer 2004.

The Mosquito FB.MkVI, NS998 crashed into the sea during an air to air gunnery training flight on 20 th March 1945. The crew of Flight Lt Gabriel Hitch Ellis, from Norwich and Sgt William Reidy (seen right) who came from Bournmouth had lain in the wreckage of their aircraft for nearly sixty years. Their remains were recovered and the Royal Air Force made private funereal arrangements with their families.

The Mosquito was found after strong tides shifted sand in the Wash in Spring 2004. The deputy harbour master of Kings Lynn port noticed a propeller standing clear of the mud at low tide starting the process of identification and recovery.

The Royal Air Force undertook recovery of the wreckage, which thankfully had been left undisturbed since articles appeared in the Norfolk press giving the aircraft’s location. The Mosquito’s engines propellers, landing gear and parts of the fuselage and wings were taken to RAF Marham, Norfolk from where its future will be decided. Prior to the removal of the crew and their aircraft from the silt, a Royal Navy bomb disposal tam had recovered the Mosquito’s cannons and made them safe.

The Royal Air Force’s Central Casualty Section had traced the families of the crew. As the salvage operation was being completed, the son and daughter of Flight Lt Ellis travelled to King’s Lynn to see the wreckage of their father’s aircraft. Aged just one and four when their father died, their emotions can only be imagined. Their mother remarried, giving them another person who became a father figure to them. No doubt as they grew older, they often must have thought about their natural

8 father. The discovery of Mosquito NS998 and its crew, distressing as it must be for them, will , if nothing else given them some comfort in providing answers to the many questions they must have had both spoken and unspoken for nearly sixty years.

* * * *

Wartime Crash Tribute

The following article and letter was sent to Martin Staunton by Philip Brazier, a teacher at Scarning Primary School (near East Derham, Norfolk).

Scarning school teacher Philip Brazier, right, presents a specially commissioned painting to the village. Also pictured are Doris Farrow and artist John Stevens

‘Villagers gathered on Saturday (28 th May) to commemorate a wartime plane crash with the presentation of a painting. The event, attended by about 150 people, was part of Scarning church flower festival and was in memory of the incident in January 1945 in which Flight Lt Michael Allen brought down their Mosquito in a field near the village. The two men survived but had to be rescued by Herbert Farrow, Jimmy Andrews and Walter Ward. Specially commissioned paintings by aviation artist John Stevens were presented to the Parish Hall and Doris Farrow, a relative of Herbert Farrow.

9 The Event came after pupils at Scarning Primary School learned about the crash from Teacher Philip Brazier who, along with local historian Denis Duffielt, had studied the accident. Mr Brazier said: ‘I thought it would help bring history home to the children if they could study something which had some relevance to their lives. It’s got people from all different generations talking and the whole village seems fascinated by this.’

( & Fahenham Times, June 2 nd 2005)

Mr Brazier makes the presentation in the village church

Philip Brazier writes:

‘The presentation of the print of the crash at Scarning went very well, as I hope the enclosed article shows.

I have recently been down to Cornwall to visit Pam Allen, the navigator’s widow. I gave her a print of the painting. She was really impressed with it and gave me a kneeler that Mike Allen had stitched just before his death. The kneeler features the RAF emblem and I will present it to Scarning Church soon.

I visited Doris Farrow at her retirement home last week and gave her a print too. She showed me a tankard that her husband Herbert received from Mike Allen and Harry White shortly after the rescue.

I have really enjoyed researching and meeting all the different people involved with this story. The children learnt a great deal from it too.’

10

Earlier this year, as a part of the BBC WW2 People’s War, Janine Harrington and Ian Kirk were asked by Scarborough library in North Yorkshire near where they now live to do a Book Signing and Exhibition. Janine’s fourth published book entitled: ‘Nina & Vic: A World War II Love Story’ came out in November 2004, and many readers have written to share their own personal feelings and experiences of the war, as well as those looking for ways to search for relatives who went missing at that time and were never heard of again.

Local newspapers took up the story, followed by The Daily Express, who first published Nina’s article in November 1945 as a tribute to Vic Vinnell, her fiancé, who went on a mission the previous year with pilot Jack Fisher, a Canadian, and never returned.

Janine and Ian have since given talks and exhibited World War II memorabilia in a number of ways including at the Concert Rooms in Scarborough where people came to learn more about Nina and Vic, the writing of the book, and the lives of those who served in World War II.

All talks and exhibitions provide an excellent opportunity to promote the work of RAF 100 Group and the Association, together with the Museum. And it is through such meetings that they know of at least one couple who, having read the book and met with them, have felt compelled to see for themselves the Museum, travelling to Norfolk on a kind of pilgrimage to visit all places mentioned in the book.

Another couple, Ian and Joyce Cottom of York, share their own experiences, asking help in seeking more information from members of RAF 100 Group Association about a cousin, Flt Sgt Geoffrey Bell:

11 Flt Sgt Geoffrey Bell 192 Squadron based at Feltwell, near

Ian Cottom’s cousin was Flt Sgt Geoffrey Bell of 192 Squadron based at Feltwell, near Thetford. He was the Pilot of Wellington X HE228 DT-C which took off on ‘Special Signals Duties’ over the Rhur at 1230am on Wednesday 26 th May 1943 from Feltwell.

The aircraft was attacked and shot down by a night fighter over Loosduinen, which is in the SW outskirts of The Hague, Holland at 0235.

The rest of the crew who baled out and taken prisoner were:

P/O G Barrett P/O T.W.S Wilson Sgt A.W Heywood Sgt J Thomson Sgt D.G Bergey RCAF

In baling out, they had thought that all crew had escaped unhurt from the aircraft. It wasn’t until later that they realized Flt Sgt Geoffrey Bell was missing, presumably left behind.

It is believed the crew were the first operational casualties sustained by the Squadron since its formation.

If anyone recalls Geoff Bell, then please contact us, Janine and Ian, and we will put you in touch with Ian and Joyce Cottom. Ian and his family would welcome any news or shared experiences about his cousin.

12 MESSAGES RECEIVED

We welcome to the Association’s membership Mr Ernest W Hughes (Taff) from Devils Bridge, Aberystwyth, Wales. Taff served 100 Group with 171 Squadron as a flight engineer at North Creake and would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers him. Taff’s skipper was F/Lt G (Jeff) Homer with whom he was posted to EANS at RAF Shawbury at the end of WW2. He also flew one operation each with F/Lt Dove and F/O Higgins. One person he remembers well from 171 Squadron is another flight engineer, F/O Sid Butler, who he describes as a ‘great guy’. Taff last saw Sid Butler in 1946 in Gibraltar where Sid had been posted as the Transport Officer.

Mr Hughes seeks information to confirm the names of the other members of Jeff Homer’s crew with whom he flew. Taff says: ‘ at the end of the war people just disappeared and contact was lost’. Can anyone help with this information? Please contact the Museum and we will pass on any details. Taff regrets that ‘old age’ will prevent him making the long journey from Wales to Norfolk for a reunion, but has friends who live in East Anglia who he is sure will pay the Museum a visit.

* * * *

Also recently joining the Association is Bryan D Gale who was a pilot with 157 Squadron, 100 Group, Swannington. Mr Gale’s navigator for four years was Flying Officer Geoff Edwards. They flew together in fighter, coastal and finally bomber command. Flying Officer Edwards was unfortunately killed whilst flying with another pilot when Bryan was on leave. Geoff Edwards is buried in the churchyard at Swannington.

After the war, Bryan attended university under a resettlement scheme which gave him the chance of returning to the RAF. Thinking that he would be sent to Korea or to fly Meteor or Vampire night fighters, he instead found himself bound for the Central Flying School at RAF Rissington. Due to his university experience, he instructed in one form or another for the next fourteen years finally escaping to 24 Bloodhound Wing at RAF Watton. His last tour in the RAF was in 99 Squadron flying Bristol Britannia’s at Lyneham before starting another career as a civilian.

* * * *

13 In contact with us in February 2005, was Mr Steve Bennell from Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. Sgt Edward Punnett, who served with 214 Squadron, 100 Group was lost with the rest of his crew on 22/23 March 1945 in Fortress Mk111 KJ112. The pilot of this aircraft was Flt Lt Donald Allies and the crew included Flying Officer Stafford Sinclair. Stafford Sinclair was of course Eileen’s husband and Martin Staunton’s brother in law. It was Eileen’s and Martin’s research into the loss of Stafford Sinclair which led to the book of remembrance in Blickling church, the memorial at Outon and subsequently to the founding of the 100 Group Association and to the reunions and exhibition at the City of Norwich Aviation Museum.

Martin Staunton and the Museum have been able to provide Mr Bennell with information that he needed to complete relating to the known facts of the loss of this Fortress. We have been able to send Mr Bennell a copy of the framed photograph of the crew members that was sent to each of the families of the missing airmen by the pilot’s mother the Dowager Lady Winford after the end of the war. Mr Bennett has purchased a copy of Les Matthew’s painting showing Fortress KJ112 and Liberator TS526 of 223 Squadron. These were the last two aircraft lost from Oulton before VE day.

Mr Bennell is constructing a model of Fortress KJ112 in memory of Sgt Edward Punnett and has written to us expressing his thanks for the information we were able to provide.

* * * *

From Chris Webb of Bridport, Dorset comes information that he had received from Robert and Gale Brewer who are residents of Dallas, Texas, USA. Chris had received names of twelve RAF pilots who died in flying accidents whilst under training at No 1 British Flying Training School, Terrell, Texas.

These pilots are buried in the Royal Air Force Cemetery at Terrell. The message from Robert and Gale Brewer is ‘ I hope that maybe you could track down some of the kin folk of the boys’. They have sent photographs of the cemetery. Over two thousand RAF cadets trained at Terrell flying various aircraft including B-24 Liberator aircraft.

Did any of our members train at Terrell? If so, please contact the Museum and we will send you a list of the twelve pilots who are buried at Terrell to see if they were known to you.

* * * *

14 Visiting the Museum late in 2004 were Mrs Lin Galley and her mother . Mrs Galley’s father was Mr Nicol (Nick) N Mowat . Between August 1943 and September 1945, Mr Mowat flew in a number of planes working on various trials of equipment which seems to be connected with both electronic and other methods of protection of RAF heavy bombers.

We are printing a summary of information from Mr Mowat’s flying log book. This shows flights in a number of 100 Group aircraft from North Creake and Oulton as well as trials from Feltwell in September 1943, just before the formation of the Group. A listing of pilots he flew with is shown. On 9 th and 10 th April 1944, he flew in 214 Fortress from Oulton, both times the pilot was Flight Lt M Peden. Peter Walker of the 214 Squadron Association has been helpful in putting Mrs Galley in contact with Murray Peden in Canada to see if he can remember these flights described in the log book as ‘ sky brightness, gunners search and exhaust vision’ .

Mr Mowat was known to aircrew as ‘Bill the Boffin’ and would appear to have been closely involved in trials of the type of equipment used by 100 Group. Can anyone remember him or his work? We have a full copy of individual flights at the Museum.

* * * *

News & Views

From Phil James we hear that on 10 th July this year, Vera and he were invited to the celebrations on Horse Guards hosted by the Queen. ‘ It was a beautiful day and we had a day out that will be unforgettable.’ Then on 22 nd July, they were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace: ‘ that was also a great day out and I met up with Prince Andrew, he was the host for the day. I even had a short chat with him, he seemed quite normal, just like you and I’.

We would love to include in this section the news and/or views of anyone in the next Spring issue of the Newsletter. Please send them to the Editors now.

15 Obituary for a very dear friend and Crew Mate Les Matthews

I met Les at advanced Air Gunnery School in mid 1944 and we flew together in Flt Lt Stan Woodward’s crew on 223 Squadron ten weeks later. Les was our rear gunner and I was the nose turret gunner, a position later to be dispensed with, hence my transfer to 214 Squadron where I flew as mid upper gunner in the same crew as Stafford Sinclair. Subsequently I transferred again, this time to 462 Squadron as rear gunner. Les remained as rear gunner with 223 Squadron in the crew skippered by Flt Lt Stan Woodward DFC DFM.

Unknowingly, Les in Worcester and I in North Devon, had led strangely similar lives. Air Training Corpse, Pilot, Navigator, Bomb Aimer training in the RAF, Flying School, Air Gunnery School and operations with 223 Squadron. On leaving the RAF, we appear to have continued our lives in similar fashion, university, teaching profession, love of drawing and painting, sailing, marriage and children. Les however pursued his artistic genius into the world of architectural engineering and draughtsmanship and became a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and a college lecturer.

Les was a gifted artist and had exhibitions of his paintings in various places and we are all aware of his works as a dedicated aviation artist, ’100 Group Sets out to Confound’ hangs not only in our 100 Group Association Museum, but at the Free French Club in Paris and in Drontea mid Vaasen in Holland, the Oulton airfield exhibition at Blickling Hall and at RAF Cosford. Les was also commissioned to paint ‘Operation Resolute’ by the Officers Commanding 24 Squadron, RAF Lyneham and in the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London. Of course, many of us have prints of Les’s work in our own homes!

The founding of our 100 Group Association was the catalyst for our personal reunion after over 50 years and for Les and for me the years just fell away. We could both have been cautioned for acting like a pair of 18 year olds! But I make no apologies!

Les died in hospital in Worcester on 24 th May 2004 but according to his wife Maureen was spared much suffering. His funeral, which Richard Forder and I attended took place at Worcester on 2 June 2004. Richard and I expressed the condolences of all the members and volunteers of the 100 Group Association and the City of Norwich Aviation Museum to Maureen, Les’s four daughters and all his family. Les was my closest friend and a lovely man. A true Gentleman, whom I am proud to have served with. He will be sadly missed.

Les, Requeiscat in Pace : Peter Witts

16 BOOKS

‘I was a Brylcreem Boy’ by Ron James This is Ron’s second book and is being prepared for the printer. It is hoped to be available early in the New Year.

‘Instruments of Darkness’ by Alfred Price This book comes highly recommended by Phil James who says you need the 2005 edition which might be obtained at the library.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2006

JANUARY 1st Annual Subscription due for RAF 100 Group Memorial Museum Association Membership.

(A reminder will be sent out by the Museum about this.)

MARCH 1st Deadline for writings, articles, inclusions in Spring Newsletter, to be sent direct to Editors: Janine Harrington & Ian Kirk, address on inside front page.

MAY 12 th /13 th /14 th RAF 100 Group Reunion

The Weekend will follow the now familiar format. Further information will be available about this in the New Year, but we are giving members plenty of notice about this to allow for the necessary booking of accommodation for those coming from a distance.

(Further information about this will be sent out in the Spring Newsletter)

17

Produced and printed by HARRINGTON-KIRK Enterprise

18