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Post by oggie2620 on Jan 11, 2011 7:42:25 GMT 12
Varnished it! Great how to get round an order!!!
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Post by kiwijohn on Jan 18, 2011 15:39:23 GMT 12
I have a substantial amount of material relating to NZ40986 Wing Commander Raymond John Newton who flew as a flight commander (Squadron Leader) in 75 Squadron January-July 1942 (28 ops) and later returned to command the sqaudron in Dec 1944. He was lost on ops 1.1.45 on an attack on Vohwinkel. Newton "took over" Popeye's aircrew when he arrived on the squadron in January 1942 and also had the inimitable "Crank" or "Ring the Bell" Crankshaw as his tail gunner. I'm very keen to gather any further info re Newton especially anyone who flew/served with him. Also any info relating to a Royal Artillery officer Peter Wykes who flew as Newton's front gunner on ten ops with 75 Squadron... another research project.
Also keen to gather information regarding NZ391355 Flt Lt Leonard Rodney (Rod) Hewitt. Hewitt flew 26ops with 75 in 1940-41 and then went on to 37 squadron where he was quite badly hurt in a fiery crash landing in North Africa. Especially interested in an op he undertook to Berlin (he went there four times with 75, as well as Turin). The Berlin op was 12.3.41 and he belly landed at Feltwell after his Wellington was shot up and the hydraulics were wrecked, his log book stating: "Hydraulics damaged and forced to land at base with undercarriage half down and no flaps". This was after he was coned by serachlights over Berlin and his Wellington pumped full of flak. I believe he was recommended for a DFC for bringing his Wellington back on this trip but it was not awarded. I'd be keen for any info on this incident. His second pilot, "Snowy" Reid, wrote about it and it is recorded in the RNZAF official history. Hewitt's navigator also wrote about this incident to his family and says in a letter to his mother: "Remember our rather spectacular Berlin trip I sent you the newspaper cuttings of-well I heard yesterday that Rod has been awarded the DFC-I'm jolly glad." At least his crew appreciated what he had done but the DFC didn't eventuate. He also appreciated the Wellington because he turned down a chance to fly on Stirlings saying he'd raher stick with Wellingtons because of the punishment they could take, referring to the Berlin op, rather than go with the experimental Stirlings.
Any help re either of these very much appreciated and I'm happy to share infor about my research.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 18, 2011 16:36:12 GMT 12
John, are you in contact with Ken Crankshaw? I have nbeen told by several locals here in Cambridge that he lived here in the town for several decades postwar but then moved to Australia in the 1990's or so, and is reputed to be still alive. I'd like to contact him if he's still around. Have you got his address?
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Post by kiwijohn on Jan 18, 2011 22:25:09 GMT 12
Hello Dave, I am aware Ken Crankshaw died 2009. I had decided to see if I could hunt him out as part of my research. Dawn Evans had written an article about him for the Summer 2009 RSA Review. During an internet search around mid 2009 I came across a tribute to Ken by his son Ben as Ken had just passed away (1 April 2009). This is posted on www.lancasterdiary.net. Ken lived as a neighbour of Dawn Evans on the Coromandel and later Ken and his wife Val moved to Tallong in New South Wales. You may be able to establish contact with the family via the Tallong connection. He certainly was a real character! There are also responses to Ken's son Ben's posts on Lancasterdiary which make for interesting reading and possible contacts. Hope this is helpful. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 18, 2011 22:37:47 GMT 12
Thanks John, another one missed. At least his story has been told a few times and he won't be forgotten. The people here who knew hi in Cambridge thought he was a great chap, and his wife too.
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Post by kiwijohn on Jan 19, 2011 21:13:15 GMT 12
In re-reading the lancasterdiary post it was Ken Crankshaw's grandson who posted the tribute, not his son.
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Post by oggie2620 on Jan 24, 2011 11:26:12 GMT 12
The excellent film Appointment In London features a scene where the aircrew do the footprints on the ceiling thing. Love it. It's a very well done scene. Really captures the atmosphere. Andy thank you for mentioning the film. I bought it on ebay for a quid and agree with you its a very good film. I am buying another copy to send to Glen T for his delectation.... |
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Post by oggie2620 on Feb 3, 2011 0:46:15 GMT 12
If you are interested in first day covers this one commemorates the formation of 75 New Zealand Flight with Wellingtons at Marham www.newzealandcovers.com/product-20602.htmI managed to bag a copy which arrived today... |
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Post by oggie2620 on Feb 3, 2011 0:55:40 GMT 12
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Post by oggie2620 on Feb 18, 2011 21:12:57 GMT 12
For any of you who dont have one (I do) and want one there is a copy of Norman Franks "Forever Strong" going on ebay at the moment. So far its going for about £40 but will no doubt go higher... David the guy whos selling it is a good provider and hes in NZ so it will be cheaper postage for you guys...
Dee
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 19, 2011 10:14:42 GMT 12
That book is not worth that amount, it's full of errors and is commonly found for a lot cheaper.
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Post by oggie2620 on Feb 20, 2011 11:43:29 GMT 12
You are right there are many errors in it but I bought it early on and wont get rid of it because until the one that David Duxbury comes out its the only sqn history I have. Just finished reading Ron Mayhills book though which I loved. Popeyes book is on its way to me so I will have most of the 75 Sqn ones. Any others you can recommend please let me know. I have the Harry Yates book and Topped Gun...
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Post by oggie2620 on Mar 4, 2011 11:49:23 GMT 12
My friend Barrie from Holland has contacted me to say that he has finally been given the go ahead to have a plaque placed to commemorate a 75 (NZ) Sqn crew. He needs to raise about Euro 1000 and hopes to have the unveiling on 22 July 2010 (and I am invited...along with both the Sqn Assns )
Avro Lancaster B.I bomber (code name AA-Q, fuselage No. Hotel Kilo 569). of 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, took off from RAF Mepal, Cambridgeshire, England, on its way to bomb the Fischer Tropsch oil refinery/aviation fuel producer in Homberg, Germany with a full load of bombs on the 21st of July 1944. It was attacked by a German night-fighter over Heibloem, Limburg, The Netherlands on its way to the target. It crashed into a river bank near Kessel after the pilot avoided a village called Reuver. The crew were as follows:
The crew of HK 569:
Pilot: No: 422057 Flt/Sgt Neil Douglas Davidson (21) RNZAF of Porangahau, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Flight Engineer: No: 994220 Sgt. Robert Gerald Sloman (24) RAFVR of Snodland, Kent, England
Navigator: No: 1323147 Sgt. Arthur Ernest John Goddard (22) RAFVR of North End, Portsmouth, England
Wireless Operator: Air Gunner: No: 1501099 Sgt Douglas Corris (25) RAFVR of n/k England
Mid-Upper Gunner: No :1896528 Sgt. Raymond Stanley Lang (32) RAFVR of Streatham, London, England
Air Bomber: No: 1459875 Sgt T.G. Little (25) RAF(?) of n/k
Tail Gunner: No: 928092 Flt/Sgt Henry John Hiscox (35) RAFVR of Newport, Wales
Sgt Little and FS Hiscox survived the crash however FS Hiscox died on the river bank and is buried in the village of Beesel where his grave has been tended since then by a lady called Tiny Claessen (of whom there is another thread). Sgt Little became a POW and survived the war.
I will put more on when I know more information. Bless Barry (hes ex Army Air Corp) for keeping on at Kessel Council though till they gave him the necessary permissions...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 4, 2011 16:46:20 GMT 12
"hopes to have the unveiling on 22 July 2010"
2011?
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Post by oggie2620 on Mar 8, 2011 0:22:29 GMT 12
Oops you are right... It should 2011.. Thanks Dave. Kessel Council are donating 500 euros towards the plaque and some Dutch gentlemen that Barrie met on Saturday have donated another 100. The UK Friends of 75 (NZ) Sqn Assn are going to donate something too so looks as if 22 July 2011 will be a goer! Barrie is going to invite the very nice NZ Ambassador to Holland to the unveiling. Mr Troup was great at the Soarremorre one...
Dee
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Post by oggie2620 on Mar 12, 2011 21:00:09 GMT 12
We have had 4 losses this week and as yet I dont have any obits to post but as soon as I do (or anyone find them first please do post):
Des Brown Pilot (RNZAF) was a Lancaster Pilot on 75 Sqn
Lew Parsons (RAF) was a Stirling Flight Engineer on 75 Sqn (Lew is featured in Forever Strong the Sqn history). I missed meeting Lew by one reunion and was hoping he would come to the next one so a loss for me! Lews wife died about a year ago and I think losing Phyll knocked him for six!
Ian Millett (RAF) who was British but died in the USA after moving there via Canada. He was a Wellington Pilot on 75 Sqn.
Derek Morris (RAF). Derek was a Trenchard Brat and joined as an Armourer in 1937 going from 74 Sqn to 75 Sqn during the war. Dereks career changed after the war when he became a Fighter Controller (always a bit of friendly rivalry between them and my fathers trade of Air Traffic). He eventually retired in 1977! Derek is also featured in Forever Strong.
RIP all of these gentleman. Fly high among the stars
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Post by oggie2620 on May 15, 2011 4:21:18 GMT 12
As of today there is a USAAF Community Centre at RAF Feltwell named after 75's only Victoria Cross holder - James Allen Ward. This is due to the hard work of a gentleman called Joe Kozier who is the headmaster of the American school on Feltwell. Thank you Joe for honouring this very special young man. A very nice young man from New Zealand House called Wg Cmdr Ian McPherson was in attendance along with a Group Captain from the RAAF, the local RAF Liaison Officer and almost all the top brass from RAF Feltwell. They did a lovely dedication service and there was coffee and cake afterwards. We were looked after very well so thank to them and especially to Joe Kozier who pushed and pushed till it happened.
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Post by oggie2620 on May 19, 2011 1:35:49 GMT 12
Varnished it! Great how to get round an order!!! Was at Feltwell at the weekend and spoke to someone and they reckon they have now be painted over... Sacrilege!  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2011 10:40:52 GMT 12
When I was talking with Jack Wakefield, who was on No. 75 (NZ) Squadron he mentioned that he saw Popeye Lucas put the footprints across up the wall and across the ceiling of the Sgt's Mess. He said that Lucas later did the same thing to the Officer's Mess at Feltwell too. So with those two occasions and the O's Mess at Whenuapai he did it at least three times. I wonder if any other Mess halls or buildings also got his treatment.
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Post by oggie2620 on May 20, 2011 19:42:05 GMT 12
As of today there is a USAAF Community Centre at RAF Feltwell named after 75's only Victoria Cross holder - James Allen Ward. This is due to the hard work of a gentleman called Joe Kozier who is the headmaster of the American school on Feltwell. Thank you Joe for honouring this very special young man. A very nice young man from New Zealand House called Wg Cmdr Ian McPherson was in attendance along with a Group Captain from the RAAF, the local RAF Liaison Officer and almost all the top brass from RAF Feltwell. They did a lovely dedication service and there was coffee and cake afterwards. We were looked after very well so thank to them and especially to Joe Kozier who pushed and pushed till it happened. Thought you might like this link to this www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123256371 |
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