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Post by lifeboatadam on Feb 2, 2014 22:46:08 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 2, 2014 23:09:14 GMT 12
I know Sub Lt Murray Richardson who's in that photo, he lives in Wellington.
I was also friends with Squadron Leader Ron Watts, now deceased. He was from here in Cambridge. And I was also friends with the late Reg Mitchell who's also in this shot.
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Post by lifeboatadam on Feb 3, 2014 20:27:20 GMT 12
Dave, That is amazing. My grandfather only flew with Ron Watts out of that group (Ron was also his Flight Commander). Please pass on my regards to Murray Richardson when you next speak to him, and tell him the story of 488 Squadron is being kept alive.
Adam
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 3, 2014 21:48:17 GMT 12
In 2012 I managed to get the last three known living No. 488 (NZ) Squadron members together at the one table for the Mosquito Launch - the now late Reg Mitchell, Murray Richardson, and Des Hyland (who was in the squadron later than this photo, when Ron Watts was the CO). Till I got them together all three thought they were the very last squadron aircrew member left. So it was a real thrill for all three to meet up with two others.
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Post by ceejay on Mar 7, 2014 12:18:47 GMT 12
You have me confused regarding the last surviving members of 488(NZ) Squadron !
Do you mean New Zealanders who were Aircrew with 488 during WWII or any Aircrew of 488 during WWII ?
I ask because my father served with 488 during 1944 and until the Squadron's disbandment at the end of the war.
Dad was a Nav/AI and his pilot was Andy Shaw.
They first flew together with 85 Squadron before doing Instructional Tours and then joining 488.
I am pleased to say that Dad is in good health and celebrated his 91st birthday on 4 March 2014.
(I have previously been in touch with Graham Clayton in efforts to assist his writings on 488.)
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Post by Andy Wright on Mar 7, 2014 12:27:21 GMT 12
Slight thread drift - how is Graham going with the current 488 writings (night-fighter era, IIRC)?
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Post by ceejay on Mar 7, 2014 12:38:49 GMT 12
Haven't heard anything from him for a while.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2014 13:19:57 GMT 12
Hi Ceejay, welcome. At the time all three of those men I mention thought they were the last living aircrew member of the squadron, full stop. They had all lost touch of all the others and assumed all the others were dead. I found all three and brought them together but I could not find any others.
So it is good to hear there's another navigator/radar op out there, I assume your Dad is British? There are probably more lurking out there too, who've not kept in touch with squadron mates.
Please make sure to record his experiences and memories and preserve it for the future. And I'm sure No. 488 Wing at RNZAF Base Ohakea would be interested to know your father is still around.
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Post by lifeboatadam on Mar 7, 2014 20:10:10 GMT 12
Hi Ceejay. It is great to hear that there is a 488 member alive and well in the UK. What is his name? If he flew with Andy Shaw he may have known my grandfather as he was still with 488 until September 1944.
I have also been in touch with Graham about his book, but haven't heard from him for a while. I have some info I need to send him in the next couple of weeks so I'll find out how his book is coming along. I know he is on the hunt for a publisher. I hope he gets lucky, as the story of 488(NZ) squadron needs to be told!
Please wish your father a belated happy birthday from me - I would love to hear some of his stories if that is ever possible. I am blogging about my grandfather's tour (see the link in the first post of this thread), but there is a huge gap in my knowledge about how the guys spent their time when they weren't flying or on standby.
Adam
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Post by lifeboatadam on Mar 7, 2014 22:01:08 GMT 12
Ceejay - Looking through the Squadron's ORB, I am guessing your father is Len Wyman? Looking at flying patterns, I believe he was in "A" Flight, the same as my grandfather so they will certainly have known each other! My grandfather's name was Andrew "John" Broodbank - known as Broody on the Squadron. It is wonderful to find a living link to his time with 488.
Adam
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2014 22:23:34 GMT 12
Of course, Les Hunt (the squadron Spy) has already told the squadron's story in his book "Dusk Until Dawn", but I am really looking forward to Graham's new book too. I have had the pleasure to meet a number of the squadron's members, Ron Watts, John Gard'ner, Reg Mitchell, Murray Richardson, and Des Hyland. All great chaps.
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Post by ceejay on Mar 8, 2014 12:17:56 GMT 12
Adam, you are correct. My Dad is Leonard James Wyman (known as "Len"). I shall ask him if he remembers your Grandad. I'm not absolutely sure of when Dad and Andy Shaw joined 488 but I know it was before D-Day (6 June 1944) so, if your Grandad was with 488 until September 1944, they must have met. Dad always says that one of his most vivid memories is of flying over the English Channel in the early hours of D-Day and looking down at the Invasion Fleet and the Landing Craft making their way to the beaches of Normandy.
Dave, as I said before, I have been in correspondence with Graham Clayton and have passed on Dad's main memories of that time. We have been able to confirm certain of the facts which Graham had already and to give him a couple of Dad's personal recollections of incidents and persons. Also, I sent Graham some scanned images including Mum and Dad's Wedding Photo as he indicated that such photos of Squadron members would be put into his book. (By the way, Mum and Dad celebrate their 69th Anniversary on 17 March 2014.) Another scanned image which I sent to Graham was of the back of Dad's copy of a photograph (the one of 2 Aircrew standing in front of their Mossie at night). On Dad's copy, he had the signatures of various Squadron members shortly before the Squadron was disbanded. Graham said that it would "definitely" be in the book. Apart from my Dad, Graham knows of no other living British (RAF) member of 488NZ (Nightfighter) Squadron Aircrew. I believe that he did find a Groundcrew chap living on mainland Europe (I can't remember which country).
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2014 13:04:09 GMT 12
Hmm, That makes four left still known to be alive. Pretty sad really.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 9, 2014 16:59:56 GMT 12
This just in from Graham himself (who has forgotten his forum password and can't get on here to post himself at the moment):
"I am still alive and kicking and have a UK publisher looking at the full copy of my manuscript. They have promised an answer within the next couple of weeks.
Am just back from overseas and thought I should let you and your Forum members know I am still actively working on a publishers list as the 488 story is now complete and ready to go.
As you are probably aware publishing houses are notoriously slow in responding to enquiries by potential Authors.
Will try and get back onto the Forum site a little later and update those enquiring on where-a-bouts."
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Post by Andy Wright on Mar 10, 2014 9:34:28 GMT 12
Excellent. Really looking forward to hearing more.
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Post by graham488 on Mar 11, 2014 14:48:39 GMT 12
Good to catch up with those connected with 488 Squadron. I Have a UK publisher very interested and several that have not committed as yet which is a hopeful sign ! Good to see that Lifeboatadam and ceejay are both looking over my shoulder. Both have been very worthwhile contributors to my 488 Story and their contributions will be featured in the book. The autographed photograph that ceejay mentions is a very special memento and with his permission I will post it on this Forum. Lifeboatadam has been a very active and ongoing contributor to my project which just reinforces the interest that family members have of the wartime activities of their fathers or grandfathers. Now I have found my way back onto the Forum I will endeavor to remain active !
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Post by Andy Wright on Mar 11, 2014 14:52:08 GMT 12
Well done, chaps, and thank you Graham for the work you are doing. Last Stand is magic in terms of content, layout and production so anything further you publish will be brilliant, I am sure.
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Post by lifeboatadam on Mar 11, 2014 20:44:48 GMT 12
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Post by ceejay on Mar 12, 2014 0:06:47 GMT 12
Graham,
Very glad to hear that there are publishers interested in your book. With a bit of luck, it will be available for my Dad to read before very long. He is in amazing health for a man in his 90s and walks a mile or two every day just for the hell of it but, as he keeps reminding us (his family),
"I'm in very late middle-age. I've outlived all my sisters, my brothers-in-law and most of my contemporaries. I could go anytime but I'm not worried about that ; I've had a good life !".
I stress that he is in no way downbeat (e.g. his comments about "late middle-age") ; just a "realist".
Regarding the image of the signatures on the back of the photo, I have no objection at all to you posting it on this forum (with, of course, a mention of how you came by it and who has the original).
all the very best,
Chris
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Post by ceejay on Mar 12, 2014 0:37:16 GMT 12
Just been chatting with Dad on the phone, the name "Broody" rings a slight bell but he isn't sure.
He remembers some of the names from the photo of Feb 44 although he and Andy Shaw didn't join 488 until Apr 44.
The mention of the name of S/Ldr Bunting got the response, "He and his Nav (a guy named Fisher, if I recall correctly) disappeared over the Thames Estuary whilst chasing mine-laying Luftwaffe planes. Just disappeared !".
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