No.218 Squadron R.A.F Marham 1940-1941

[smudgersmith218]

Gents,

My first post to the site.!!

Currently just finishing off my book I am writing on the exploits of No.218 (Gold Coast) Squadron 1936-1945. The squadron had within its ranks some of the finest NZ crews outside of No.75(NZ) Squadron.
With the Manuscript complete I am now in the process of trying to track down photographs especially for the period the squadron was equipped with the Bristol Blenheim and Vickers Wellington. As the squadron historian I have had access to all the squadrons archives, sadly however in 10 years of research I have found just one photograph of a Blenheim ( a/c of Kiwi S/Ldr Ian Richmond DFC ) and a handful of Wellington photographs. I have visited the IWM at Lambeth, London and the RAF Museum at Hendon.

In a hope that there is someone in New Zealand who can help I have posted this message.

Thanks for your time.

Steve Smith
No.218 (Gold Coast) squadron Association Historian 1918-1945

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum Steve. What was the squadron codes for No. 218 Squadron? That might help people identify photos as being related to your squadron.

Good luck!

[Andy Wright]

Hi Steve, I have sent you a private message.

[smudgersmith218]

Dec 29, 2011 8:50:47 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Welcome to the forum Steve. What was the squadron codes for No. 218 Squadron? That might help people identify photos as being related to your squadron.

Good luck!

Hi Dave,

HA from 1939-1945, XH C-Flight (Lancasters No.31 Base 1944-1945)

Thanks for any help.

Regards

Steve

[pauld]

Hi Steve, well i dont have any photographs but the lady from the back house from us, her father was NZ405366 Thomas Layton Bowker who was a 2nd pilot flying Stirling I R9184/U captained by P/O R.A.STUDD AFC RAF, brought down into the sea off the coast of France, killing the 8 crew, on friday/Sat 23/24 October 1942
His Log Book makes poignant reading.....especially the "Missing" noted on his 1st Op......
Now the lady, a Helen Bowker was his only child and she has some photographs which i have yet to see, so hopefully we can find some photos that you could use

Will find out soon

Cheers
Paul D

[smudgersmith218]

Paul,

Thanks for the reply, i will get back to you as I have some details on this loss. Can I email you the details to pass on. ?

Kind regards

Steve Smith
No.218(Gold Coast) Association Historian 1936-1945

[pauld]

Hi Steve, yes an e-mail is fine, [e-mail]
Cheers
Paul

[pauld]

Hi Steve, I have talked to the lady from the back house about her father and if she had any photographs of his that you could use, but alas! they had a flood some time ago and all the photographs were ruined, so sorry cannot help there....

anyhow i am looking forward to what you have on this SQN

Cheers
Paul D

[oggie2620]

Hi Smudger
Have you contacted the Assn?
218 (Gold Coast) Squadron Association M Griffiths, Honeysuckle Cottage, Langham Road, Badwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 3DS: tel [phone]: squadron218 AT tiscali.co.uk
host.raf38group.org/218squadron/
If you want I can ring the guy because he is literally 30 minutes down the road from here and find out!
Dee

[pauld]

Hi Gents, I would also like to talk to Smudger in regards to 218 Sqn, as i have recently picked up a scrapbook belonging to S/L Ian Richmond DFC mid, who was shot down and incarcerated at Stalag Luft III and actually helped dig the escape tunnel! i have a couple of photos in his album that you would really really be interested in.....pix of P/O allan Instey and his full crew 50 ops together! with 218SQn and a dec 1940 photo of Sgts, Rose, Robinson, Black and Heyward.Also the ground crew of Wellington R1210 feb 1941,and a photo of Ian and his crew!
So SMudger if you check ya e-mails drop me a line please
Cheers
Paul D

[oggie2620]

Just a thought I think Ron Brown was ex 218 Sqn but I have a feeling it wasnt at Marham...If you PM I will give you his email addy and you can check direct with him that my brain is not making it up and whether he has any pics