1941
The three Polish women pilots, with Pauline, in 1943
Father: Marcin Wojtulanis, Mother: Maria [Gawarkiewicz] Ed. College of Tugeuers, Warsaw prev: Student of Engineering F.A.I. (Polish) Certificate 467 prev exp: 245 hrs in Womens Section of Polish Air Force on RWD-8, RWD-5, RWD-13, RWD-17, RWD-10
Fled to the UK via Romania and France Address in 1941: 30 Nottingham Place, London W1 Postings: 15FPP, 5TFPP, 6FPP, 1FPP Passed her Royal Aero Club Certificate at Hatfield on a Tiger Moth, 30 Jan 1941 Class III pilot
Off sick from 2 to 29 Jun 1942 with 'Quinckes Disease' [basically, acute throat discomfort and gagging], and from 3 to 14 Mar with influenza
5 accidents, 3 her fault: - 22 Nov 1941, her Spitfire AB175 tipped on its nose after she 'mishandled the brakes' - 26 Jan 1942, a bad landing in Spitfire W3607 in gusty conditions led to the starboard wing touching the ground and straining the undercarriage - 31 Oct 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire I AR229 after 'ignition defects' - 6 Mar 1944, a wheels-up landing in a Spitfire after an undercarriage fault - 10 Apr 1945, her Dominie I NR798 nosed over on landing after she misjudged the approach, landed too fast mid-runway, and had to brake sharply
"A keen worker and good officer. Appears rather temperamental" "I have now decided that she has reached the limit of her ability and it would be unsafe and unfair to categorise her on Class IV" m. Apr 1946 in London, General Stanisław Karpiński Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Air Force, serving with the RAF in WWII They moved to the USA in 1958. Stephanie studied mathematics and computer programming at Los Angeles City College: "We are happy to report that Mrs Stephanie Karpinski, wife of the World War II chief of the Polish Air Force, has found a position as a junior programmer with the Burbank branch of Librascope, a division of General Precision, Inc." - The Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan 1961
d. 11 Feb 2005 - Polish Retirement Home, Los Angeles
Full biography here: http://www.poles.org/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefania_Wojtulanis-Karpi%C5%84ska (with thanks to Ian Moignard) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1941
with thanks to Krzysztof Kubala
RWD-8 Trainer
1942 caricature by 
US Citizenship 17 Sep 1963
13 Sep 1963
Ed. Bradfield College, Leeds; Lausanne and Zurich Universities. B.Sc. a Company Director Sgt pilot instructor in RAF; discharge on medical grounds, Nov-40 prev. exp. 2,398 hrs [Resigned Aug-43, re-instated Apr-44] "Reliable pilot and good officer when on duty. General behaviour off duty suspect owing to several police visits on private matters" Hmmm... wonder why the police kept visiting ... perhaps because he was (still) a terrible car driver ... Nottingham Evening Post - Tuesday 16 March 1937: "CITY MOTORIST FINED £10 PENALTY BY WILTSHIRE BENCH CAUSED TROUBLE TO POLICE CONDUCT DESCRIBED AS VERY SLACK Salisbury magistrates yesterday imposed fines amounting to £10 upon Mr. Philip Penrose Bradley, company director, giving an address in The Park, Nottingham, who surrendered to bail charged with five offences under the Road Traffic Act. When the cases were first before the Bench defendant did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. It was then discovered that he was in a nursing home, and the case was adjourned, bail being extended. The charges were that he drove a motor car without having in force a policy of insurance; that he failed to produce a certificate of insurance; that he drove without a licence; that he failed to produce his licence, and that he, having been prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit, failed to produce his driving licence to the Clerk of the Court prior to the hearing of the summons. At the hearing yesterday the Chief Constable (Mr. F. Nixon) said he was now satisfied that the defendant held a driving licence and that he had in force a policy of insurance at the time that the offence was committed, and he therefore asked that those summonses be withdrawn. This was agreed to, and defendant pleaded guilty to the remaining, summonses. Mr. Nixon said when defendant was stopped by the police he promised to produce his policy of insurance and driving licence within five days to the Nottingham Guildhall. This he failed to do. The Nottingham police made several unsuccessful efforts to interview him, and it was only few days ago that the insurance policy was produced. In January summons was sent to defendant for a speeding offence, and with it was enclosed a printed slip instructing him to send his licence to the magistrates' clerk the day before the hearing. On the day of the hearing defendant telephoned to say that he could not attend court, and that he put his licence in an envelope ready to post, but he had forgotten to send it. On January llth he was fined in that court for exceeding the speed limit, and an endorsement of his licence was ordered. He was instructed to produce his licence endorsement, but as no satisfaction could be obtained, further proceedings were instituted." Tamworth Herald, Saturday 13 August 1938: "A collision happened at the Bodnets cross-roads, Bonehill, on Saturday afternoon, between a motor lorry driven by Herbert Young. Prospect Street, Old Kent Road, London, S.E.I, and a motor car, the driver of which was Philip Penrose Bradley, Malvern Road, West Bridgford." Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 31 August 1940: "PATROL CAR INCIDENT Pleading "Not guilty" to driving a motor-car without due care and attention on March 11, Philip Penrose Bradley, Burnaston, was discharged. He was fined 5s. for failing to produce his driving licence and a similar amount for failing to produce his certificate of insurance. Inspector S. Bradwell said that a private car and police patrol car had to brake violently when Mr. Bradley suddenly stopped his car on the Nottingham road without warning. Mr. H. M. Clifford admitted that the only danger was caused by the speed of the patrol car." -------------- His daughter tells me that "My father deserted my mother in 1946. They had been married for just a few years, and I never had the opportunity to get to know him. His visits were infrequent and, like my mother, he eventually re-married and had more children. During the 1960’s he served a prison sentence. He embezzled a large sum of money from 'Kennings'. He had worked for Kennings for a number of years and became a company director. It was during his term in prison that he became ill and had a stroke. He was given early release but was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer and he died in 1968 in Nottingham." "He came from a well known Nottingham family, they were lace manufacturers and also had leather works both in Nottingham and abroad. My mother was Philip's second wife. He married his first wife, Lilian, in the early 1930’s and they had one son, John, who sadly died from polio at the age of approx. 2 years. My mother was introduced to Philip by her older sister and they married early 1940’s. I do know that he had owned at least two planes of his own. The first one, I was told, was purchased with money his father had given to him to buy a factory in Holland….Philip obviously had other ideas! Unfortunately my father told numerous lies both to his family and especially to my mother. I attended his funeral in 1968 but had not seen him for several years. I believe his third and last marriage was a happy one." --- He owned: - a Leopard Moth, - a 1929 Desoutter I, G-AAPK (bought in Dec 1937), - a 1933 Comper Swift G-ACGL, registered to 'E Bradley' [presumably his father Ernest Frank Bradley], and - a 1934 Miles M.2 Hawk, G-ACOC. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1928
ATA
ATA
Address in 1941: 'Avion', 60 Edward Ave, Braunstone, Leicester m. Hilda Hayward 1932 (2 children before 1941) prev. Motor salesman, and then pilot for Taylorcraft Aeroplanes, Syston, Leics RAF Sergeant - Link trainer instructor, Jun-Dec 1940 prev. exp. 153 hrs Postings: 6FPP Instructor from Jan-43: "A willing and hard working instructor who fits his present job better than he would a ferry pilot ... his patience and placid temperament has undoubtedly been of great value in assisting backward pupils through the elementary stages of their training." d. Sep 1997 - Market Harborough, Leicestershire Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1929
1939
Travelled to Canada from Scotland, 21 Jun 1940 and was an instructor in the 'Little Norway' flying school prev. 161 (Special Duty) Sqn, RAF 1 accident, his fault: - 9 Mar 1942, in Lockheed Hudson N7332 at Mount Farm, Oxfordshire: "Whilst landing, aircraft swung off the runway, ground looped and broke the undercarriage. Pilot failed to correct swing, using engine in an attempt to do so, instead of rudder and brake control. The mechanic in the second pilot's seat applied brakes and released tail wheel lock without authority from the pilot." m. Dec 1943 Inger M [Mackenzie] d. 23 Jan 1994 "After the war, Piltingsrud flew in DNL and SAS before returning to Widerøe. After retiring, he took a shorter assignment for Norrønafly and flew the first trips with charter tourists to Majorca. His brother, Major Gunnar Piltingsrud died in 1944 when his plane was shot down. A third brother, Rasmus, was the head of the Milorg base Elg in Begnadalen . Piltingsrud was honored for his war effort with the Olav Medal of the Oaks, the War Medal, the British Distinguished Flying Cross, and the French Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with palm." - Wikipedia
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Ed. at Stanford, CA; Degree in Mechanical Engineering [His father, also Walter, was a businessman and movie-theatre owner, mayor of Rock Island from 1923 to 1927 who then served as Diirector of Public Works and Buildings in the Governor's office from 1940. He died in 1959.] Prev. an Airline Pilot for United. 2nd Lieut. in the US Army, then a Reserve Officer from 1937 Prev. Exp. 1,950hrs on "Monocoupe, Moth, Travel-Air (also BT-9, BT-14, O-47, BT-2, BC-1, O-46 while in US Army) Address in 1941: 1603 Mill St., Rock Island, IL (father's address) ---------- Postings: 3FPP, 4FPP "A competent pilot and excellent all-round officer [but] does not wish to renew his ATA contract" He wrote home in May 1941: "I finished all of the school at White Waltham, and was posted there for a while, but later, after trying to get posted up in Scotland (I made a few flights up there and liked it so much I thought it better than England). I was sent to a pool at an airdrome in Cheshire - I lived in Chester which is a very picturesque place - awfully cold - and about twenty miles form Liverpool - just far enough to escape most of the danger of the Merseyside raids but not far enough to escape the noise and bright lights. I was in Chester until April 21 when I was transferred up here to Scotland. The work I did while I was in Chester was very interesting and the best experience I could have gotten anywhere - I flew almost everything there was, from single-seater Spitfire and Hurricane to Blenheims, Hampdens and Wellingtons - also, some of the latest USA 'attack bombers' which I like best of all - they really are wonderful not only from the performance angle, but also in pilot comfort and cockpit layout - even the English pilots, who are naturally inclined to favor their own products, are impressed by them. The navigation over here is gradually becoming easier for me. I was very careful at first, but now it is much better since I've learned the country, and can get around pretty well without much map reference. The other day I hd a ship to deliver over to Ireland and on the way down I reached a speed of a little over [censored] - first time for me. There wasn't much of a sensation, but I did cover a lot of territory in a hurry - I thought of the times when I'd had Gabe's Moth up to 110 mph and thought that was pretty fast (and I guess it was, for the Moth). Just before I got transferred up here to Scotland I had a couple of days leave - just missed the Belfast blitz by a few hours and as I had to go to London on business, I decided I'd risk it and stay the night there (London). Well, as things happened, they had the heaviest raid of the war that night (Wed April 16). It was an experience I'll never forget, but don't want to go through again. I stayed at a west end hotel, which was in the midst of the whole thing, and was in a cab during part of it. In spite of everything I went to my room on the fifth floor and went to bed about 1:30 am - woke up with plaster and glass all over the bed and floor (I guess I'm a heavy sleeper after all). The next morning people were going to work as usual, the shops were open for business, even with the fronts blown down, and you had to walk by burning buildings and piles of wreckage out of which they were still rescuing people and removing bodies. It was horrible in some respects, but damn fine in another sense, and made me feel sort of proud I was helping out a bit. I like it up here in Prestwick (it's about twenty-five miles south of Glasgow, right on the coast). It's very quiet, no air raid alarms since I've been here. I'm living in a hotel right on the beach. On a clear morning you can look out of the window and see the island of Arran and sometimes clear across to Ireland. I had a day's leave and went to Glasgow, but there wasn't much to do, except see movies. I'm going over to Edinburgh next week. They say it's much nicer. There are six other Americans here, two from California, one from Arkansas, one from Denver, and one from Florida. We all live in the same place, and at times it is pretty much of a madhouse - we call it 'Little America'. Penn Wilson, the boy from Arkansas, was ferrying a Hurricane the day after the Clydeside raid (Glasgow) and had his engine catch on fire. Her didn't know what was the matter, and as he puts it , "I bailed out once down in Mississippi and didn't like it much", so he landed it burning in a pasture and walked away from it unscratched just before the petrol tanks blew up. Afterwards they inspected the remains and found it was full of bullet holes and German slugs - he'd been shot down and didn't know it. All he had to say was, "Guess I'm just a clay pigeon" - but I notice he's careful how high he flies, now. I'm not sure how long I'll be here. The work is slowing down a bit, and it is pretty dull when there are no jobs. I've been offered the chance of doing some of the trans-Atlantic ferrying and am thinking seriously of taking it, if things don't get busier. It's not as risky as this job, I don't think, at least during the summer months, and I could get home quite a lot. I'm feeling fine, and while the food situation is serious, I'm getting plenty, and eating (and liking) things I never would t home. Also, they have double daylight savings here, so that it is daylight until about midnight - very strange to go to bed with the sun shining brightly at 10 pm." ------------
Back home with his father Walter Snr. 30 Dec 1941 (3 weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor) - Rock Island Argus Later a Lt-Col in tthe USAAF, a test pilot on U-2s (he "flew missions overseas, including Russia"). He also tested century-series fighters and bailed out of an F-100 into a swamp in 1958.
He retired from the USAAF in 1964 after 25 years and 14,000 hrs in 160 aircraft, and then joined Air America, flying supplies to special forces in Vietnam and Laos. He was the inspiration for the book "Air America" by Christopher Robbins (later a movie). d. 6 Mar 1999 - Green Valley, AZ. Buried Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
'Silver' came from his mother Estelle's maiden name Educated at Baylor University, Waco 2nd Lieut., Army Air Corps 1932-35, stationed at Ft Crockett, Galveston, TX Awarded his 'wings' at Kelly Field, Texas in 1933 Author of "Wings across the World", a syndicated newspaper column Also a pilot, rancher, and with some 'banking experience' prev. exp: about 900hrs Address in 1941: 1305 Jefferson Ave, Waco, Texas Postings: 4FPP His initial ATA test described him as "a rather nervous type, but general flying fair." "An excellent officer. A keen and reliable pilot." He had a nasty forced landing on the 2 Mar 1942, in Airspeed Oxford L4597 following an engine failure. "He crash-landed on the ice of Loch Laidon but returned to the burning aircraft and saved the Log Books and his kit. The ice broke under him before he reached the shore and he was completely immersed. He then walked nine miles before he found a barn for shelter." [During 1978 the two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engines from L4597 were recovered by the Scotland West Aircraft Investigation Group using a raft. Subsequently the engines were restored by staff at Rolls Royce’s Hillington site. At least one of them was subsequently put on display at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.] He put in a request for a replacement cap, but before this could be actioned died in another accident: d. 2 Apr 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire BM358 crashed at Chapel of Garioch, 20 miles NW of Dyce, (or possibly at nearby Boghead, about 4 miles southwest of Inverurie) on a flight from Castle Bromwich to Kinloss. The very next day, a telegram arrived from home: "DEAR SILVER LOVE YOU DEARLY WISH HERE EASTER PICTURES RECEIVED NO BON CHOCOLATES SOON - MOTHER DAD"
Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, and commemorated at Baylor University: "William Silver Edgar lights up Fountain Mall every day and Robert Warren illuminates the courtyard by the Carroll Science Hall. These two men, along with 123 other Baylor men and women, made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. Now they stand as the honor guard at Baylor in the form of red granite light posts." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
from "Fighting Men of Texas" (1948)
Father: Col. Arthur Pole Welman of Wexford, Eire Ed. Stoke House School; Bedford College m. 1940 in Whitby, Margaret [Barringer] Next of Kin (wife) Mrs M Welman, Woodburn, Ocean Rd, Whitby, Yorks. Later changed to (mother) Mrs Geraldine Mary [Brereton], 27 Wilesden Park, Stran Millis, Belfast prev. Mgf Chemist from 1936; RAF P/O 19 Aug 1939 - 25 Dec 1940 (Upwood, Hunts); "Intelligence" prev. exp. 260 hrs on Blenheim, Battle, DH 82, Oxford, Heyford Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP, 4bFPP
"A good and very hard working pilot, but very sensitive" ... "Proved an excellent instructor until his health failed"
Contract Terminated by ATA - "Psychologically unfit for full ferry duties" Post-ATA, a pilot for TACA Airways, the national airline of El Salvador. m. 15 Sep 1944 in Florida, USA, Mary Allie [Black] (b. 1921 in Georgia, USA) (one daughter, Susan Talmadge b. 22 May 1946 in Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Mary Black was a stewardess for TACA Airways They sailed together, from Trinidad to Florida, in Sep 1945
Emigrated to Georgia, USA. Petition for Naturalization in 1950: He is described as a "Medical Representative"
m. 23 May 1953 in Vance, NC, Rebecca Virginia Holley [Sikes] (d. 2003) m. 21 Nov 1961 in Amherts, NY, Joyce [Millington] (d. 1981) m. Priscilla [Hammond]
d. 26 Dec 2004 - Erie Co., New York "After emigrating to the United States, he worked as a sales representative for several companies before moving to Amherst in 1967 to take a job as district sales manager for the Weatherhead Co., [responsible for sales of fluid power components, hydraulic pumps, motors and valves] A horseman in his younger years, he participated in fox hunts. His other interests included sailing, golf and skiing." - Buffalo News, 30 Dec 2004 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1944
prev. Polish Air Force; Polish Section in UK She escaped from Poland by flying an aircraft to Romania, where she was interned. She managed to escape and, with two fellow countrymen, drove to Bucharest and then Paris, which is where she met her future husband, Flt-Lt Mietak Daab. Following the collapse of France, they managed to find a boat to Plymouth,
d. 21 Jan 1998 - Warsaw Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1941
1942 caricature by
Father: William James Shirley , mother Annie [Turrall], both d. Jan 1945 prev. Motor Engineer Address in 1930: Shirley's Garage, Meriden, nr Coventry RAeC Certificate 9556 (Midland Aero Club, 22 Sep 1930, photo missing) Address in 1943: 500 Stratford Rd, Birmingham 11 Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP 5 accidents: - 5 Sep 1942, he allowed the tail of his Proctor DX241 to rise too high during take-off, and the propeller 'pecked the ground' - 15 Sep 1942, poor landing in Spitfire Vb ER139, followed by over-zealous use of the brakes resulted in the aircraft tipping onto its nose - 19 Mar 1943, forced landing flying Oxford HN117, after he struck balloon cables (which he should have known about) - 16-May-43, forced landing in Argus HM179 after the engine cowling came loose and damaged the propeller
d. 7 Aug 1943 in Wildcat IV [Martlet] FN249 which crashed at Pitbauchlie, Dunfermline. Buried Meriden (St Lawrence) Churchyard, Row 9 Grave 320
Coventry Standard, 14 Aug 1943: "MERIDEN FUNERAL OF FIRST OFFICER J. C. SHIRLEY. A.T.A. The funeral took place on Thursday of First Officer John Charles Shirley, Air Transport Auxiliary Service. He was 35 years of ape, and was the second son of Mr. VV. J. Shirley of Shirley's Garage, Meriden. He was educated at Meriden C.E. School, and on leaving he helped his father and brother in the garage business. He was a member of the choir at Meriden Church and of the Bible Class held by Mrs. Rankes at Meriden Hall. He was confirmed at Berkswell Church. He continued to assist his father and brothers in the firm of W. J. Shirley and Sons until his marriage in 1933 to Joan Mary, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Penrice, of The School House, Meriden (Mr. Penrice at that time was headmaster at Meriden School). He then went into business on his own account in Birmingham, first with a book shop and then with a greengrocery business at Stratford Road, Sparkhill. He was always keen on flying, and five years before the outbreak of the war [sic] he obtained his Pilot’s "A" licence. He joined the Civil Air Guard before the outbreak of war, and when this body was disbanded on the commencement of hostilities he volunteered for the Roval Air Force, but was not accepted. Nineteen months ago he volunteered as a Ferry Pilot for the Air Transport Auxiliary Service, and was accepted. During the time with this service he had two forced landings without mishap, and on another occasion his plane hit and snapped the cable of a balloon screened by cloud over a town in the north-east of Scotland. He leaves a widow and one child, a boy not yet a month old. He died on his wife's thirtieth birthday, and had only seen his baby for two days." |
ed. Lancing College, Trinity College Cambridge M.A. prev. an Air Traffic Controller, attached to HQ Fighter Command Bentley Priory, 1937-date Order of St John 'Slight limp left leg' prev. exp. 1450 hrs; owned a 1928 D.H. Moth G-EBZE from 1930 to 1932, and had flown in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His instructor at Brooklands was George Lowdell. His flying may have been curtailed after this incident on the 23 Mar 1932: "Animals at the Whipsnade Zoo rushed about an excited state and there was danger with elephants carrying children when an aeroplane flew low overhead, it was stated at Luton, where a summons against Edwin Freshfield, a Cambridge undergraduate, the pilot of the machine, was dismissed on payment of costs." Address in 1941: Glovers Farm, Reigate, Surrey Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP (part time) "Keen pilot, but owing to part-time duties this officer is not seen very much." [Services Discontinued] d. 18 Feb 1985 - Lewes, Sussex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1929
Father: Eli Smith, Mother: Emily Bertha [True] Ed. Kale Green Council School, Stockport Moved to USA in 1925; Naturalized American 23 May 1933 m. 24 Jul 1926 in Glynn, GA, Georgia [True] (5 children) prev. pilot prev. exp. 2075 hrs "Mutilated thumb of right hand" Address in 1941: Butler Ave, St Simon's Island, Glynn, Georgia
Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 2FPP, Instructor (Montreal)
Off sick from 4 to 25 Mar 1941 with nasopharyngitis 2 accidents, both his fault: - 12 Jun 1941, Hurricane Z3388, details missing but no fault found - 18 Jun 1941, in Hurricane DG613, an "error of judgement"
"As one of the 'old-timers' this pilot has had a steadying influence on the junior instructors and has at all times proved both hard working and conscientious. An able and efficient instructor possessing a most likeable personality"
d. 13 Aug 1954 - Lake Harbor, Palm Beach, FL Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Father: Wolfe Kohn (originally from Finland, a Banker); mother Fannie (American) from Tuscumbia, AL Ed. Vanderbilt University, New York University m. 1933 Edith [Koggan]; 2 children, David b. 1944 and Wolina prev. US Army 1930-34; Commercial Pilot - President of Jersey Air Service, Paterson NJ from 1936 Address in 1941: 10-04 Bellaire Ave, Fair Lawn NJ A warrant for his arrest was issued in 1938 when he failed to appear in court. He was charged with operating an amusement concession without a ($50) license. "Mr Kohn has been in the Criminal Court, Hackensack NJ, twice in recent years: once when accused of obtaining $150 and an aeroplane from two Baltimore men in an aeroplane sale deal and again when he faced the same charge in relation to an alleged fire insurance loss." Arrived in the UK 28 Feb 1941 Postings: 1FPP, 15FPP, 3FPP, 4bFPP, 14FPP, 4aFPP "A pilot of great ability with a high sense of duty, who is responsive to considerate treatment." Contract Terminated - Refused to carry out flying duties Later a Lt-Col in the USAAC Air Transport Command; post-WWII he was active in real estate and then founded an import-export business. d. 6 May 1966 (age 56) - Eaglewood, NJ "For a number of years, Mr Kohn had figured prominently in activities designed to aid the State of Israel get firmly established. He also helped lay the groundwork for the organization of its Air Force." He had "considerable financial holdings" in Israel, and in Cuba before Fidel Castro gained control; he once received a Bible from Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion for his work. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ed,. Lancing College O.T.C. 1919-23 m. Cherry, 1 child prev. a trooper in the Calcutta Light Horse, 1927-29; then a Technical Representative in Africa for the Stanton Iron Works of Nottingham. Address in 1941: The Graden Flat, The Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP, 6FPP, 9FPP "A very hard worker. His cheerful willingness to undertake any job is a great asset in this Pool. Rather over-zealous in command owing to lack of experience." In Nov-42, "Failure to immobilise his motor-car in Montpellier-walk led to Ernest Maurice Gill, a ferry pilot, of 6, The Park, Cheltenham, being fined £2." [Resigned 27 Dec 1942, after his third 'at-fault' accident, but he stayed on until 24 Mar 1943] Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1931
prev. exp. 1,050 hrs during 12 years civilian flying
d. 26 June 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - overshot while landing at Biggin Hill in Spitfire Vb P8538, tried to take off but hit top storey of airmen's barrack block. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Frederick's personnel file is missing, and I haven't discovered any compelling evidence of who he was. My working assumption is that he was the 'Frederick Herbt Rowe' who served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, then from 20 Sep 1917 as a Lieutenant in the RFC and then RAF, in WW1. He did not have a Royal Aero Club Certificate. At least 5 accidents: - 20 Sep 1941, an accident in Battle P2181, nr Silloth - 11 Oct 1941, forced landing in Gladiator K8015 nr Bewdley after engine failure - 16 Mar 1944, he survived a crash in Albacore X9266 at Evanton after engine failure
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Ed. High School, Ohio prev. 2nd Lieut in US Army, 1937-41 2nd Lieut in Air Corps Reserve A motor mechanic, and mail and passenger pilot. He was the pilot (and sole survivor of the crash) of this New Standard D-25 s/n NC9795 belonging to Erie Isles Airways which crashed into Lake Erie on 29 December 1937. Flying from Port Clinton, he ran into heavy fog trying to land at Put-In-Bay (which is only a 5-minute flight away):
He said he "spotted a blue patch in the haze and started downward, believing it to be solid ice." Instead, it was water into which the plane plunged, tossing out the passengers. The three passengers drowned, despite his attempts to hold onto the woman passenger, Nancy Howard; "he held onto her with one hand, but the cold water finally compelled him to loosen his grip and she sank." William hung onto the tail until he was rescued. He was later exonerated. m., 1 child Address in 1941: 3456 W 99 St, Cleveland, Ohio Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP "A good officer and sound pilot"; "Somewhat slow at first but completed by flying the Liberator quite satisfactorily." Later joined NASA as a Technician d. 26 Jan 1990 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1942
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009587 |
Manx Aviation and Military Museum
Eldest son of Rear-Admiral George McOran Campbell, C.M.G. Address in 1941: 'Jacques', Pipers Lane, Harpenden, Herts Educated at St Edwards, Oxford; BA (Eng), Cantab prev. 2nd Lieut, Royal Corps of Signals Aug 1926-Nov 1929, then an Aeronautical Engineer and pilot m. Jean Emily [Mitchell] in 1928 (d. 1976) (3 children before 1941) Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 4FPP, 4aFPP, 6FPP, 15FPP "A hardworking and methodical pilot, and a good officer." "(Jan-42) Has done very little flying as a pilot lately, as he is employed on the engineering side on Liberator training." "This officer's work on the collection of data for and the writing of handling notes is of a very high order. He is a very hard worker and has put in exceptionally long hours." In May 1955, Flight reported: "Another Bristol appointment announced last week was that of Mr. James McOran Campbell as senior technical representative in Pakistan ... In pre-war years Mr. Campbell was with de Havillands and Imperial Airways, and during the war flew as an A.T.A. pilot, later becoming a Hawker production flight development engineer and test pilot. He joined the Bristol engine division in 1951." d. 4 May 1990 - Plymouth: a "much loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather... A very special and Christian life, greatly missed by all of us." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1935
Educated at Paris Junior College then Texas Technology College. prev. An airline pilot for Braniff, and 18 months at Odena Flying School at Odessa, Dalton, Texas prev. exp. 800hrs Postings: 6FPP, 15FPP Oct-41: "A most capable pilot, who now seems to have settled down and is doing a good job of work." In 1971 the Abilene Reporter said, "Jack, the fifth son of the six 'Flying Fitzgeralds', was being honored by American Air lines in Los Angeles for his 25 years with American. Jack like [his brother] Glenn attended Texas Tech and learned to fly at an early age. He was a pilot for American Air lines [sic] by the time he was 20. During the war he served in the airlines military operation for the Air Transport Command in India. He also flew supplies from San Francisco during the Tokyo Airlift. Jack lives in Los Altos, Calif., with his wife Betty and four children. Betty is a former airline stewardess. Today he is based in New York, from where he flies 747s." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
AR
Father: George W Imes (dec'd), a farmer. Mother: Mrs Jennie [Porter] McCullough m. 1934 Mary Louise [Morgan] [divorced 1940]. 1 son, Albert Earl. b. 1936 prev. owned a crop dusting business, commercial pilot. prev. exp. 4,017 hrs Address in 1941: Belle Glade, Florida Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP, AFTS. Seconded to Stradishall (1943) and Marston Moor (1944, 1945) "A most steady, reliable and hard working officer and instructor. A popular pilot who does all work given him well and gets on well with both pupils and fellow instructors." "A pilot of exceptional ability." George remarried. In Apr 1954 their 9-day old son Allan Nelson Imes died in a local Belle Glade hospital. d. 30 Dec 1980, Palm Beach Florida. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
m. 1920 Agnes Ellen [Robinson] prev. an Insurance Broker Address in 1932: 155 Above Bar, Southampton d. Jun 1964, Norwich |
1932
Father: Charles Paul Lofgren (originally Swedish), a travelling salesman (Music Tuition); Mother Gertrude A [Payne or Moore], (English). The family (including their 5 children) moved to New Jersey in January 1917. Ed. Detroit, North Western High School He was shipwrecked when on a boar-hunting trip in 1932 and the 7 crew and passengers spent 3 days marooned on Santa Cruz Island, about 30 miles off the California coast. prev. Private in US Army Reserve 1931-35; Air Line Pilot for Transportes Aereos Centro Americanos (TACA) in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicuragua, San Salvador, Guatemala, USA, Canada and Honduras. prev. exp. 1650 hrs Address in 1941: 2716 S Willard Ave, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA; later 805 N 2nd St., Alhambra CA Exempt from US Draft 'due to previous military experience'. Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP, 16FPP Suspended for 2 days from 4 Jul 1941 for 'Refusal to obey orders' 2 accidents, 1 his fault: - 13 Jul 1941, his Swordfish lost its tail wheel; - 16 Dec 1941, his Anson hit an iron stake while taxying. Oct-41: "A good pilot who carries out all his work well. Would be a greater asset to the pool if he was more cheerful and cooperative" Dec-41: "As above, except that he is now a more cheerful and therefore pleasanter member of the pool." Flew to New York on a TWA flight 16 May 1943. After ATA, sailed back to the US on the "Queen Mary" on 29 Sep 1943. Address in 1948: Majorca Ave, Miami, FL, when he was a pilot for Skyways International. d. 22 Apr 1959 (age 46) - Orange Co, CA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1932
Married, no children prev. Barnstorming; Arnette's Air Show (Stunting shows) Address in 1941: Henderson, NC Next of Kin: c/o Arnette's Ice Cream Co., Richmond, Virginia Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP "A sound and experienced pilot and in every way satisfactory." Killed in action in the India-Burma Theatre 4 Feb 1945 buried Jefferson Barracks National Military Cemetery – St. Louis, Mo. "Learned to fly at the Meyer Airport near Hendersonville, N.C. A graduate of Hendersonville High School where he was an outstanding athlete, he is survived by his mother and four brothers. James Arnette Jr served in the US Navy, Sgt Roy A Arnette with the AAF in France, W C Arnette with the Seabees in the Aleutians, and Milton Prince Arnette, who lives in Hendersonville." His brother Roy owned Arnette's Ice Cream Co; he was killed when 3 armed men robbed the company in 1974, hit him on the head and shot him in the arm. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
prev. a Flight Instructor and commercial pilot
d. 28 Oct 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter T3045 stalled on approach, crashed at Norton crossroads between Shrewsbury and Wellington. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Bentley Lyonel John, 3rd Baron Tollemache, a British Army officer, peer, and writer on croquet and bridge, Mother: Wynford Rose [Kemball], The Lady Tollemache (d. 1926) Her elder sister was the Hon. Dorothy Cecily Tollemache (Verney, d. 1994) "Lord Tollemache succeeded his grandfather in 1904, and owns about 35,800 acres. His two seats are Peckforton Castle, Tarporley, and Helmingham Hill, Stowmarket. During the war he served as a Lieut-Commander with the R.N.V.R. and was wounded. He has been a captain in the Cheshire Regiment and in the R.G.A." The 1911 Census shows them living in Peckforton, Cheshire, with a cook, a lady's maid, 2 nurses, 3 housemaids, a kitchen maid, a scullery maid, a butler, a valet, a footman and a hall porter:
Miss Dorothy and Miss Frances were debutantes in 1927, "presented by Susan Duchess of Somerset".
"Miss Valerie Domville, the Hon. Frances Tollemache and Miss Rosabelle Perowne in the dresses they wore at the Calico Ball at Claridge's Hotel" The Bystander, 20 Dec 1933
Address in 1936: The Mill House, Duddington, nr Stamford, Lincs "Daughter Of Peer In Air Crash The Hon. Frances Tollemache, daughter of the Baron Tollemache, escaped unhurt when the 'plane in which she was flying irom London to the Cape was wrecked while attempting to land at Mbeya, Tanganyika. The pilot [Vernon Motion] was also uninjured. The Hon. Frances Tollemache gained an "A" pilot's licence after only three weeks' instruction, and in April last left Heston for a 30,000-mile air tour of Egypt, Palestine and South Africa. With her then was Mr. Vernon Motion as co-pilot. Miss Tollemache intended to visit her sister in Johannesburg and Mr. Motion intended to sell British machinery in Africa" - Daily Record - 30 Jun 1936
[The aircraft was a Percival P.10 Vega Gull, G-AEAS 'The Export Raider', first registered in January 1936. It was badly damaged in the crash at Mbeya on the 28 June and written off in December 1936. ]
Address in 1939: The Mill House, Barleythorpe Dairy Farm, Doddington, nr Oakham, Rutland [Resigned] m. 10 Feb 1949 at the Church of All Saints, Bombay, Charles Edward Lloyd-Worth, from Hastings, Sussex, "who has an appointment in India", (divorced 1965)
d. Nov 1992 - Cheltenham, Glos. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):  |
RAeC 1936
Now a hotel ...
The Three Graces
"Miss Tollemache in the cockpit of the machine" - Daily Mirror
m. Dorothy 'Laverne' [Stark], 2 sons prev. flying instructor prev. exp. 2,225 hrs Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL, USA [His brother-in-law Ken Fogelberg joined the ATA in May-41; Ken was married to Laverne's sister Jeslyn.] Postings: 1FPP "Has completely overcome his difficulties with regard to discipline and is now an excellent pilot and an excellent influence on the Pool as well." Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 28 Mar 1943 (age 28) when Baltimore FA427 crashed and burned on takeoff at Nassau. Buried in Puerto Rico's National Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Jan 1941 Chicago Tribune
Educated at Birmingham High School prev. a pilot, instructor and crop dusting with Dawn Crop Dusting Corp., Leland, Miss. Address in 1941 (grandparents): 5326 Court P, Birmingham, Alabama 'My family is Democratic' "This pilot has developed into a very fine influence in the Pool by reason of his keenness and good sense of discipline. He is also a first class pilot." d. 19 Apr 1943 when a Captain with RAF Transport Command, in Baltimore FA330 which was lost en-route Dorval, Quebec to Natal, Brazil (or possibly en-route from Natal to the Middle East). Also killed were F/O John Dickson Grant (RCAF) and Radio Operator Harold Alfred Picher. No known grave. Commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
['Irish' is crossed out on application'] |
m. 1934 Joan Ossory [Dunlop - she was an M.T. driver with the ATA from 20 Jul 1942 to 27 Jan 1943], 3 children prev. RAF Sep 1932 - Sep 1938 (Pilot Officer in 1934, promoted to Flt-Lt 8 Jun 1937); apprentice to Bentley Motors A test pilot in 1939. Address in 1941: 38 Richmond Hill Rd, Birmingham Suspended for 2 days in April 1941 for "aerobatics" "First Class pilot, very keen and hard-working. Occasionally has fallen down on small points of discipline." Resigned to join RAF d. 25 Feb 1942 when a Squadron Leader with 255 Sqn, RAFVR when crash landing Beaufighter II T3023 due to engine failure on final approach to RAF Coltishall. P/O Harold Vincent also died of injuries sustained in the same accident. buried Scottow Cemetery Mrs Clennell wrote to Pauline Gower in May 1943, asking for help as she was "in very straightened circumstances." Pauline passed it on to the RAF Benevloent Fund, who were already paying for her elder son's education (£25 per term). Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Vice President, International Federation of Forwarding Organisations in 1929 Arrived in the UK from France in Jun 1938, and immediately sold his D.H. Hornet Moth OE-DKS in London Director of Rosenberg Loewe & Co, shipping and forwarding agents, Aug-38 to May-40 He was interned on the Isle of Man under the 'Defence of the Realm Act' from 15 Jul 1940 to 12 Dec 1940. His release was facilitated by Leslie Runciman, Margie Fairweather's brother and MD of BOAC at the time. Address in 1941: 64 Queensborough Terrace, London W2 "A loyal and likeable officer. Efficient, hardworking and reliable." with Martyn Steynor in a 'taxi' Anson (ELC) m. Margit V Rupp in 1949 in London (d. 1978) d. 30 Dec 1990 - London SW1 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
Listen to an interview with Stephan here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009816 |
1938
BG
Ed. Morrison's Academy, Crieff m. 1937 Dorothy Henderson [Shaw], 1 daughter prev. exp. 102 hrs prev. a Garage Proprietor; Observer Corps Sep-39 to Jan-41 Address in 1941: Firwood, Newton Mearns, Scotland Postings: 4FPP, 6FPP, 4a FPP, AFTS (as instructor), 16FPP "A very capable officer and reliable pilot who shows great keenness at all times." d. 13 Apr 1974 - Glasgow Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1938
prev. a flight instructor, charter and barnstorming pilot prev exp. 786 hrs, mostly on Lockheed 10a Bill worked for the Stanley Company as a shipping clerk from 1935 to '36, then was a general electrical contractor ('house and motor wiring - small repairs') until he became a flight instructor at his local airport (Sunset Airport, Chambersburg PA)
He had a one-year contract with the ATA, which they wanted to extend - his CO wrote: "First Officers Fitzgerald, Elliott and Hoover. All three excellent pilots and are some of the best types of Americans that I have seen over here. I think everything possible should be done to get these pilots to renew their contracts." Bill replied that he had decided to return to the US "after February 16th [1942] as soon as the details of my transportation can be arranged", but sadly before this happened he died in an accident.
d. 8 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Anson W1793 crashed into the side of a hill in bad visibility 3 miles N of Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. The accident committee concluded that he flew into snow-covered ground "in conditions which would cause confusion between ground and cloud". He and Earl Renicker (q.v.) were buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery, Cheshire, near Hubert Dixon (q.v.)
He was "an exceptionally careful and steady pilot and his general behaviour was excellent." His parents Gernard and Louise wrote "He studied hard and to be a good pilot was his whole ambition. Sorry as we are that he had to give his life so soon in this his chosen occupation, we are proud that he was a member of your organisation."
with thanks to Barbara Grayson Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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via George Cogswell
Educated at Chambersburg High School - a classmate of Bill Elliott (M.343):
Bill Elliott and Raymond Hoover in the Science Club, front row, in 1934 https://micheleepps.wordpress.com His parents ran a turkey farm. prev. a Flight Instructor for Mahon Flying Service Address in 1941: (Mother) Route 2, Chambersburg, PA Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP "An excellent pilot who gets through all the work given him quietly and efficiently." After leaving the ATA, Raymond joined RAF Transport Command, "serving in the Caribbean." m. Judith in Maryland in Feb 1948 (Divorced 1958). 1,500 of his family's turkeys were killed when a poultry barn was hit by lightning in 1959. According to the above website, "Raymond Hoover apparently survived the war. His obituary tells us he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for a little over a year piloting planes between Canada and England." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
educated at Charterhouse an Iron Founder (Bayliss, Jones & Bayliis Ltd, Wolverhampton) Address in 1941: 'Woodthorne', Tettenhall, Staffs Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP, 12FPP, 14FPP "A good pilot of sound average ability", but he was: a) severely reprimanded and given 2 extra duties for 'Neglect of Duty' in Jun-43; "When detailed for night duty pilot and fire-watcher, he left the airfield on two occasions without permission" and b) reprimanded in Feb-44 for taxiing a Proctor so carelesslythat the port wing hit a gate post. He seems to have settled down later; his discipline was regarded as "satisfactory" by late 1944.
m. Aline Johncelyne Spiers (nee Pickin), also an aviator, in 1946 Flew Proctor II G-AKXZ in the 1949 Goodyear Race He took out a patent in 1956: "Improvements in or relating to vices" (not that sort of vices, silly). Later Director and Secretary of Brockmore-Bede Aircraft of the Brockmoor Foundry Co., Brierley Hill, W. Midlands. d. 14 Nov 1992 - Titley Kington, Herefordshire Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1939
prev. A Stockbroker RAF Sgt Pilot 1938 then P/O Jun 1940 Later a test pilot with de Havilland "In July 1955 Bruce Campbell, a long-time friend of mine, as well as owning a boat in the south of France, had a de Havilland two-seater Hornet Moth registered G-ADNE. From his boat, then in the south of France, he asked me to fly the Hornet down to Cannes for both of us to fly home in." Lettice Curtis Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Learnt to fly in 1938 with A.S.T. at Hamble d. 14 Sep 1981 - Los Angeles |
1938
Father: Daniel; mother Mary [Onahan, d. Jan 1941] Ed. US Naval Academy m. 1920 Vera [Dunn] (3 children) prev. US Navy from 1917 to present Address in 1941: 2023 North Danville St, Arlington, VA Postings: Training Pool "Likely to be only for a few months" Wikipedia says "In 1941, while the U.S. was still neutral, he was assigned as the Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Great Britain. While in Britain, he earned his flight pay by ferrying Supermarine Spitfires from the factory to Royal Air Force aerodromes. He liked to claim that he was the only U.S. Navy aviator who flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain [sic - looks like he was a bit late for that], but they were unarmed." Flew from Lisbon to New York in Pan Am Clipper NC-18603 on 9 Apr 1941. Later a Rear-Admiral; "During World War II, while Captain in command of the U.S.S. Guadalcanal in June 1944, he captured the German submarine U-505 off Cape Blanco, French West Africa. This was the first boarding and capture at sea of an enemy naval vessel since 1815. He also wrote 8 books on US Navy life in the 1940s to 1960s."
d. 16 Jan 1977 - Bethesda, MD Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
findagrave.com
Mother: Zula [Troutman] Ed. Purdue University Next of Kin: (Father) Rodney Deane Miller, 7314 Phillips Ave, Chicago, IL. He was an accountant. prev. Flight Instructor for Athens Airways, Inc, Ohio prev.exp. 800 hrs Postings: 1FPP Suspended for 3 days in Dec-41 for 'contravention of daily standing orders'; Suspended for 7 days and fined $25 in Feb-42 for breaches of flying discipline (dangerous flying). "Absolutely top class in every way; ability, keenness, influence and work unsurpassed" (Blimey) However, his camera was confiscated by the ATA in July 1941 after a letter home was intercepted, containing photographs of aircraft and expressing his dissatisfaction with the ATA. The ATA Security Officer suggested that he be searched at the port of departure for photographs and undeveloped film. Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 22 Jun 1943 (age 25): Marauder FK129 crashed 35 m W of Borinquen, Puerto Rico Commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
MAMM
Ed. Bromley County School prev. Managing Director/Sales Manager, A.E. Gould [Coach builders] , 220 Regent St. London NW1 prev. exp. 98 hrs on Avian, Tiger Moth, Puss Moth, Gipsy Moth, Moth Minor, B.A. Swallow Address in 1941: 243 Baker St, Regents Park, London N1 Postings: 2FPP, 1FPP, 8FPP "A good and capable pilot, good navigator and very keen on the job. General behaviour also good." d. Jun 1964 - Surrey(?) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1939
** On his registration forms, Kenneth gave his date of birth as 2 Feb 1920 - thus making him 21. However, he admitted that he was only 20 when he returned to the US in 1942. Obviously, he had lied about his age in order to join the ATA! prev. Gulf Airways, Fort Myers, Florida (newspaper delivery by plane) 2 yrs. He was a member of the Fort Myers high school boxing team! Address in 1941: Beach Rd, Fort Myers, Florida Arrived in the UK 22 Apr 1941 on the SS Mercier with fellow American ferry pilots James Emor O'Halloran, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), Gilman Benedict Warne, Marvin Harrison Dunlavy (M.408), Harold Lindsey Price. Off sick for all of May 1941 with acute appendicitis.
m. 29 Sep 41 to Ruth Alice Maud Morgan, from Abergevenny, in London (divorced 1946); Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) Later, 2 years in the US Army Air Force as a Flight Officer - he force-landed in a pea patch near Brownsville, Texas in Aug 1944. m. Martha Blackburn in 1947 In 1947, a pilot for C Adrianza, Venezuela; from 1949, a pilot for Delta Airlines. His father (also Emmett Kenneth) owned a grocery store, once had a pilot's licence, filed a patent for aircraft carburettors, became mayor of Medley, Florida in the mid-60s, and finally committed suicide by shooting himself in the head (having tried to shoot his second wife in the head just beforehand, but only grazing her temple). Kenneth became a police lieutenant in Medley. d. 11 Mar 1992 - Deland, Florida Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Thomas Edward Mitchell, a Hotel Keeper; mother,Ada Agnes [Clements], Ed. Clarks College, Ealing prev. Royal Navy; Air Branch RNVR 21 Feb 1939 - 6 Jun 1940 then Sub-Lt, RNVR (HMS Tormentor, Warsash, Hants) "Suspended from flying duty due to a failure to complete the fighter deck landing course" prev. exp. 122 hrs on Hart, Master, Skua, Roc, Gladiator m. Oct 1941 in Somerset, Tessibel Maria [Phillips] (b. 1922 d. 2015) Address in 1941: Worcester House, West Hill Rd, Bournemouth. In 1942: Glen House, Saltford, Somerset Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP On 26 September 1941, the contracts of 4 pilots were terminated and they were taken on by BOAC, "for special work": "I have instructed First Officers Worcester, MacCallum, Thornhill and Mitchell to report to you immediately... these are the officers I have selected from the applicants for duty in Africa and I feel pretty certain the first three will prove entirely suitable... Mitchell I am not so sure about..." but three of them (Worcester, MacCallum, and Mitchell) were given three months notice after a few weeks, and reverted to ATA.
"An average pilot whose general flying is satisfactory, but he should pay more attention to accuracy, His accidents do not appear to have affected his flying, although he did show signs of nervousness with the Blenheim" "Very keen to get on with the job" In August 1942 he delivered 42 aircraft; his C.O. Leonard Leaver said, "I must admit it is a heavy month's work" "He has been of great service to the ATA"
6 accidents, 4 his fault: - 29 May 1941, pilot error in a Spitfire caused the selector lever to stick - 29 Jan 1942, forced landing (due to running out of fuel, not his fault) in Hereford L6100, with undercarriage retracted . [A complaint was also lodged against him, for taking off from the wrong runway] - 12 Apr 1942, uncontrolled swing when landing Beaufort IN1105 too fast, caused an undercarriage leg to collapse - 5 Jul 1942, he had engine trouble with Beaufighter EL235 and overshot the forced landing, striking telephone wires and stalling (not his fault) - 20 Jul 1942, heavy landing in Hurricane IIc HV310 and broke an undercarriage leg
d. 6 Sep 1943 in Beaufighter VIF ND173 at St. Athan. He took off with the tail trim fully aft; the aircraft climbed steeply then stalled and crashed. Cremated at Pontypridd Crematorium He died intestate, so his wife Tessibel inherited his estate of £1,400, (which included the £2,000 insurance provided by the ATA). Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Educated at Warsaw University of Technology An Aircraft Designer - one of the three founders (with fellow students Stanisław Rogalski and Stanisław Wigura) of RWD, which was a Polish aircraft construction bureau active between 1925 and 1939. In 1933, Rogalski, Drzewiecki and Wędrychowski founded the company Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze (DWL, Experimental Aeronautical Works) in Warsaw, which became a manufacturer of further RWD aircraft. He fled the German-Soviet occupation of Poland in September 1939 and found work as a draughtsman at Westland Aircraft from Feb 1940, but was frustrated that they would not allow him to do "creative work." prev. exp: over 1500 hrs in about 60 land and seaplanes Address in 1941: 4 West Park, Yeovil, Somerset Postings: 2FPP, 6FPP, 9FPP, 14FPP Off sick from 24 Nov 1941 to 19 Jan 42 following a forced landing in a Beaufort after both engines failed. "A most reliable and experienced pilot. Discipline excellent." Post-WWII, after working for Bristol Aircraft for a while (and again getting frustrated by what he saw as a lack of opportunity) he emigrated to Canada in Dec 1947. d. 15 May 1990 - Ottawa Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Manx Aviation & Military Museum
Father: Rufus Howard Marine; Mother: Aletha Myrtle [Coffin] of Yarnell AZ Ed. Arizona Staff Teachers College, Flagstaff AZ prev. US Air Corps 1926-27. Flight Instructor for US Army Dec 1940 - Feb 1941; also a Sound Engineer for Theatres. Employer in 1940: Major Mosley, Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, CA m.1930 Bertie Mae [Gist] m. 18 Feb 1932 Naomi [Potter] Address in 1941: Phoenix, AZ Postings: 2FPP Off sick from 27 Jun(?) to 19 Aug 1941 with an eye injury after an accident. "One of his eyes was injured by shrapnel during a flight off the English Coast, when he was attacked by two Messerschmitts", according to the Arizona Republic. The circumstances of the accident were not recorded by the ATA. Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 21 Feb 1942 when his A-20 Boston crashed into the Potomac River, Washington DC. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Educated at North Staffordshire Technical College; Bronze Medal in Pottery Works Manager for Colclough China Ltd, Regent Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent m. (1 child before 1941) Address in 1941: 227 Stone Rd, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent prev. a member of the Civil Air Guard Missing index finger on right hand, and bad scar prev. exp. 153 hrs Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 12FPP "A willing, keen and reliable pilot, a good officer with a keen sense of discipline", but was given a severe reprimand in Dec-43 for taxying a Beaufighter without sufficient care and colliding with a Blenheim. Both pilots were held equally to blame. Filed a number of patents post-WWII, e.g. in 1948, "a chuck for holding articles of clay, glass, plastics or other materials, in manufacture or finishing operations", and 1952: "Apparatus for shaping clayware." [Colclough China Ltd became part of the Royal Doulton Group in the early 1970's; production ceased in 1996.] d. Nov 2003 - Stoke On Trent Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1934
ATA
m. Virginia Waller [Goodridge] Address in 1941: 809-N 27th St., Milwaukee, WI prev. a pilot for the Curtiss-Wright airport's Milwaukee Airways Inc He and three other American pilots (William Harry Englander, John Edward Sleeper, and Marvin Blaine Tuxhorn, qqv) threatened legal action to secure their full ATA salary of $150 per week for the period after they were told they had not been accepted as ferry pilots; they had, it seems, only been paid $24 plus a $50 subsistence allowance per week. In 1943, a 1st-Lieut based at Pensacola Naval Aviation base, FL d. 13 Jan 1969 (age 63) - Chicago IL |
findagrave.com
Royal Navy from 1914 to 1919 (Sub Lieut.) Victory Medal RAF 1919 to 1932 (Flight Lieut.) m. (One child before 1941) a Civil Pilot prev. exp. approx 3,000hrs "Lost right foot and ankle - artificial foot" [Possibly in the accident to Avro 504K J732, of 39 Sqn, Spittlegate which spun in during aerobatics on 2 Feb 1923; F/O Cyril Chambers (24) killed, F/O John Edmund Layard Drabble injured. The inquiry found that the accident was due to an error of judgement on the part of Flying Officer Drabble.] June 1932: "FLIGHT LIEUTENANT FINED. John Edmund Layard Drabble, Flight Lieutenant. 49 Squadron, Upper Heyford, Bicester, did not appear to answer a charge of using a motor car with no Road Fund licence at Waddesdon on Tuesday, April 26th. but sent a telephone message explaining that was on duty until noon. P.S. Snelling deposed that in High Street, Waddesdon, he noticed that defendant’s Road Fund licence expired on March 24th. Defendant said, " I forgot all about it." Director of Aircraft Equipment Ltd from Jan 1936, presumably based on his patent for 'increasing the field of vision in aircraft", filed the same year. Address in 1941: 1 Lanark Rd, Maida Vale, London Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP "A pilot of considerable experience ... a capable pilot who is working hard and well." but ... [Contract Terminated 10 Apr 1942 by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons] Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Marvin was one of a team of 6 pilots, in 3 aeroplanes, who made an attempt on the world endurance flight record (which stood at 22.5 hrs), in Sarasota, Florida in April 1940. However, he had to land after just over 6 hrs in the air, as they were getting low on fuel and efforts to refuel them in the air had failed. Address in 1941: 1913 3rd Ave, Bessemer, Alabama. Brief Glory says he had "black curly hair, rolling eyes, a broken nose and an accent you could cut with a knife. A disconcerting habit he had of rolling his head from side to side was due to an early boxing accident." When asked about his opinion of England, he said "Gee, that's a terrible country! I can't think why they don't cut all their balloon cables and let the god-damn country sink to the bottom of the sea." He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for his part in the rescue of the crew of a returning operational Halifax III of No. 420 Squadron, piloted by Flt Lt R. A. Kalle which, having been damaged during a sortie over Normandy, overshot the runway and caught fire at White Waltham on the 30th July 1944. The full list of those commended was: - pilots David Cotter (M.349), Reginald Davidson (M.918), Marvin Dunlavy (M.408), Albert Gardner, John Gulson, Francis Lees, Alan Murray, Donald Soutter; - Fire Officer D Baldwin, Senior Flight Engineer Kenneth Payne, and - Mr J.J. Thompson. d. 17 Oct 2003, California. The East Bay Times, Oct. 26, 2003: "When he returned from the war, M.H. opened Bessemer's first Airport, teaching and sharing his love of flying with many local residents. He was married for forty-five years to the love of his life, Carolyn Masingil and had two daughters, Marilyn and Anne. He went on to become a Captain with Capitol Airways. He later owned a boat rental and resort at Lakeport, California, continuing to fly and maintaining his flight instructors license into his seventies. He was fortunate enough to return to Bessemer and Clarksville, Tennessee to visit family and friends for his eighty-seventh birthday. Graveside service was held at Cedar Hills Cemetery in Bessemer on Monday, October 20th at 11 AM. M.H. is survived by his daughters, Marilyn Dunlavy (Todd) Plum of Martinez, California, Anne Dunlavy of Napa, California, brother, Louis "Eddie" Dunlavy of Bessemer, granddaughter Elizabeth (Lisa) Karen Dunlavy and great-grandson Phillip Harrison Wierson, both of Bogart, Georgia." His son Marvin Harrison Dunlavy III, (by his first wife Jane Bell Crosby), was killed in 1969 when the truck he was driving went off the road nr Yanceyville, N.C. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 8FPP
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
née Samuel Father: Barnett Samuel (a financial broker, d.1925), mother Annie Leah [Barnett] (d. 1933) Ed. St Paul's Girls School; Slade School of Art 2 sisters (Amelia b. 1891, Olga Esther b. 1893, later Mrs Roys), 1 brother (Ivor Dudley b. 1894) m. 5 Mar 1927 in Hampstead, Harold Clayton (later Sqn-Ldr with No 40 Group, Andover) Address in 1936: 128 Dorset House, Gloucester Place, London NW1 prev. 1939- Dec 1940 Section Cadet Officer, Mechanised Transport Corps prev. exp. 87 hrs on Tigers [sic], Hornet Moth, Puss Moth, Potez, Tanpin, Swallow in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, America, Czechoslovakia, UK Address in 1941: 36 Viceroy Court, Prince Albert Rd, London NW8 ------------------ Harold and Edna contested the will of Edna's father, Barnett Samuel, in 1941. Briefly, Barnett had left Edna a large legacy, but specified that she would forfeit it if she married someone "who is not of Jewish parentage and of the Jewish faith" "This is a case in which the testator has sought, in the words of the Master of the Rolls, to direct the lives of his children from the grave ... to control his daughter Edna's choice of a husband." Now, Harold Clayton was an English Wesleyan, "not in any possible sense of the words a person of Jewish parentage, nor has he been at any time in any possible sense of the words a person of the Jewish faith" ... which sounds like an open and shut case, but No! In a rather Dickensian twist, their appeal was (thankfully, IMHO) upheld as (I can only quote the judgement): "It is true that, on any possible construction of the clause Mr. Clayton was disqualified. But any possible construction is not the question: the actual construction must be certain: and as it is not the Appeal succeeds." So there you have it. Hope that's clear. [On her application form for ATA, Edna gave her religion as 'Protestant'] Postings: 5FPP Described herself as an 'Artist' when emigrating to Kenya in Nov 1957 (and was either widowed or divorced at the time) d. 13 Aug 1970 - Nairobi, Kenya
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1936
The Sketch, 1942
[Not in 'Forgotten Pilots or 'Brief Glory']
Margery was that rare phenomenon - a female commercial pilot before WWII. Flight followed her progress thus: 10 October 1935: "South Coast Flying Club. Miss Spiller, in fact, was the first person to get her 'A' Licence with the Club, having completed her test on Saturday half-an-hour before Mr Myers." 23 October 1937: "London Flying Club. Miss Spiller completed the 'B' tests and made a night flight from Croydon to Lympne." 9 December 1937: "South Coast Flying Club. A very successful dance was held on November 27, when over a hundred members and guests attended. Miss Spiller, a member of the Club and a 'B' Licence holder, turned up in the Puss Moth which was at one time the property of the Duke of Windsor, then Prince of Wales." 1 December, 1938: "Miss Margery Spiller has joined the instructional staff of the Sheffield Aero Club as chief instructor and manager at the club's new aerodrome at Firbeck, near Worksop." 16 February 1939: "Eastbourne. Miss Margery Spiller has taken over from Mr W.S. Coates as instructor in conjunction with Mr. T.G Stubley." If you can bear to read it (I warn you, it doesn't end happily - she died in May 1942), here is the correspondence which passed between Margery and the Air Transport Auxiliary:
3 Dec 1939. To: Air Transport Auxiliary, Womens Section, Air Ministry. Dear Sir, I hear you are opening up a womens section of Air Transport Auxiliary. May I apply for a job? I have a 'B' Licence and have flown over 2,000 hrs solo - 250 hrs on a D.H. Dragon. I have been Chief Instructor at the Eastbourne Flying Club. Last spring and summer up to when war broke out I was flying the D.H. Dragon for Air Dispatch - Croydon - an army co-operator. I wonder if you will kindly forward this letter to Mrs Pauline Gower - who I believe is representing women in this Section. I desperately need a job - as flying is my living. (Miss) Margery Spiller 5 December 1939. To: Miss Pauline Gower Sandown Court, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Dear Miss Gower, I attach a letter from Miss Margery Spiller in the hope that you can deal with it. I am afraid I know nothing about the Women's Air Transport Section which this lady mentions. Yours truly, C. Fraser 7 Dec 1939. Dear Miss Gower, Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting you - will you please accept my hearty congratulations in having been made head of the Womens Section of the A.T.A. I wish you all the luck in the world in your new venture. Yours Sincerely, Margery Spiller. 'B' Licence [subtle stuff, Margery] 9 Dec 1939. Dear Sirs, Thank you for your letter of the 8th inst. calling me up for a flying test, which I will be very grateful to attend at 9:30 a.m. on Dec 15th. It will mean a very long journey for me - but I will arrive in Bristol the day before. I wonder if you would be able to give me some idea as to what one has to do for the flying test. I have not flown since the 2nd week of August and I expect I shall feel somewhat strange and all last spring and summer I was flying a DH Dragon and as it will be impossible to hire and practice on a similar machine betwen now and my exam, I may not do my best and may get turned down. Will the examiners take into consideration that I have not flown a small aeroplane for over 12 months and I have not been up for over four months!!! Thanking you. Yours Truly Margery Spiller. 20 Dec 1939. Dear Miss Gower, I feel I must write and thank you for having been so perfectly sweet and kind to me last Friday. It is a great consolation to know that there is at least one woman pilot devoid of swank. If I was in your shoes I am afraid I would be just a little conceited! It was a terrible disappointment not getting through the test as I am desperately in need of a job, and flying is my job. I can't imagine why I fell to bits. I somehow got the idea in my head as I hadn't seen an aeroplane for five months that I would not be able to fly it. I can honestly say that I did not understand what the examiner was saying in the front seat - he told me to fly back to the aerodrome before I really realised what course to steer. As you note by my logbook, for the last 100 hours all my courses were northerly, so I can fly on a northerly compass course!!! Last night I played in a darts match at the local ARP Ambulance Depot. Well the darts went in every direction except on the board, and I am considered the local 'champ! Went to bits because I knew I was playing against crack players. I compare this with the flying test - got all fussed - and self-conscious when I know there is a better pilot in the front seat. It was kind of you to offer me another test last Friday - but very unfortunate I could not make it owing to the bad weather conditions. I do hope I shall have the luck to do another test soon and have another chance. I do need a job as I am very hard up Heaven knows what will happen if I don't get a job soon. Should you ever give me a job, you would find me perfectly sound and reliable. Can handle machines well in rough weather. I am tough and very fit I am not likely to break anything - at least I have been fortunate up to now. I am very careful as one must never get over-confident. Experience in hours makes you realize that aeroplanes if treated badly sometimes will turn round and bite! Wishing you a very Happy Xmas and lots of luck in the New Year. Please forgive this long letter. Yours Sincerely, Margery Spiller. p.s. It does hurt when aeroplanes will fly over my house. It is worse than getting over any love affair! 11 Mar 1940. Dear Miss Gower, Just a few lines to ask if you will kindly bear me in mind should you require any more pilots. It is not necessary to say how very keen I am to get a job as you know all about that, but I would like to say that should you ever give me a job, I am prepared to work very hard, do as I am told etc.! So as to be a real help to the ATA. If I don't do 50 hrs before the end of May I shall loose my 'B' Licence!!! Kindest Regards, Margery Spiller. p.s. I am still running around in a tin hat driving an ambulance, but often make epic armchair flights. Perhaps the four months rest has done me good as I am terribly fit. 28 April 1940. Dear Sirs, I hear you may employ C.A.G. members to ferry machines etc. I have a 'B' Licence - instructors endorsement, and have done over 2,000 hrs - 250 hours on twins - Dragon and Rapide - can fly anything and have never had an accident. I was chief instructor at the Eastbourne Flying Club - and last summer I was employed by Air Dispatch, Croydon flying twins on Army Co-operation. I have been out of work since the war started. The Womens Auxiliary did not give me a job. It seemed unfair - as I have done more hours than any of them - and have a clean record. I suppose it is because I have no influence. Last October I received a letter from the C.A.G. Ariel House London saying they may use me as a 'ferry pilot' or on general communications. I an desperately in need of a job, as I have been out of work sometime. Flying is my job. I would be so grateful if you can help me. Although I am a woman surely there is something in the flying world I can do. [Her letter was referred to Cmdr d'Erlanger on 3 May 1940] 8 May 1940, from Henrietta Stapleton-Bretherton. Dear Miss Spiller, Miss Gower has asked me to reply to your letter of the 28th ultimo, to the Civil Air Guard at Bristol, which has been forwarded to her. Miss Gower put your name forward again when more candidates were required to take a flying test but in view of the fact that you failed on your test it was decided that others should have the same chance as you did, before you were called up for a second test. Candidates are judged solely on their merits and no amount of influence would obtain you a job in the ATA if you were not up to the standard of flying proficiency required. Likewise if you are up to that standard you are given the same opportunities as everyone else. You were given your chance and unfortunately you did not at that time prove that you had the necessary flying proficiency. Miss Gower hopes that you will be given the opportunity of taking the test again at a later date should you still wish to do so. 14 May 1940. Dear Madam, Will you kindly thank Miss Gower for the kind consideration, and let her know that I will be very glad to do another flying test. After my remarks in my letter to the CAG I think it very sweet of her to still bear me in mind. When I heard that others had been called up, I could not help feeling very hurt and disappointed, as I was under the impression that I would be called up for a test in the second 'batch'. Yours Truly, Margery Spiller. 26 June, 1940. Dear Miss Spiller, If you are still anxious to join the Women's Section of the ATA, will you please let the writer know immediately stating how soon you can report for another flying test at Hatfield Aerodrome, Herts. Dear Miss Gower, I feel I must write and ask you if you will be kind enough to help me. Please don't think I want to be unpleasant but I am sure you will agree that I have been treated in the most unsporting and cruel manner. Why the A.T.A. will not employ me I can't think. It is all so mysterious. After having done a flying test with you (and a very fair test I think it was), I understood I was taken on - and then filled in the necessary forms, and then the following day the non committal phone call from you postponing everything. One thing is certain - and that is that I have a very bad enemy somewhere - who has given you the wrong impression of me, and has succeeded in keeping me out of work in aviation for over twelve months. It is a very poor excuse to say that I "suffer with nerves" which is a lie - and perfectly ridiculous. I don't drink, and I have not had a single accident during the 2,000 hours that I have flown and out of those 2,000 hours I did a season's joy-riding at Blackpool with Mrs Joy Davidson. The only fault they can find is that three times while flying with Air Dispatch I 'turned back' - on account of 'no see - no fly'. I should always turn back when I could not see the ground any more - and when my altimeter showed only 500ft! providing of course I had no wireless operator. I am so deadfully unhappy, and don't know what to do about it all. I do so want to join up with you. I know I am a bit rusty, but I feel that after a few landings and take-offs I should be perfectly O.K. You know that don't you? I am not a difficult person to work with and I have never had a row with anyone. Should I ever have the luck to be taken on in the A.T.A. I should be perfectly humble and start all over again - I would not talk - except to tell my troubles to you - if I had any. I know I should work well and try to please the A.T.A. in every way. Won't you let me have a crack at it? I would love to go to the C.F.S. and travelling in trains at night would not bother me in the least. Just before war broke out I had great trouble at home. I had to give up my instructors job at Sheffield, and return home. My dear mother died very suddenly - in fact she committed suicide. She had had several operations and I suppose could not face another. Afterwards while flying with Air Dispatch I was rather run down and 'spat' at one or two people over the maintenance of a particular machine - I suppose the shock of mother's death upset me - and also being left with very little money. I have never told any of my flying friends about mother's tragic death - but I feel that you are such a nice person that you may be sorry for me and understand. When I heard that I was supposed to 'suffer with nerves' I thought perhaps someone in the flying world had heard about mother, and tried to make out she was mad - and being jealous spread it around that I was nervy. It is not true - my health is perfectly sound and my medicals at the Air Ministry have always been good. Forgive me writing this awful long letter, but I have tried to explain things. Can anything be done about me? I enclose a letter I received from one of the Miles Bros of Philips & Powys - reading it appears that a man called 'Delanger' is up against me. I have never met him. How I wish I could call in at Hatfield and have a talk - but as I am an A.R.P. ambulance driver I am not allowed to leave the town - besides I have given up the car. It is so difficult to explain by letter. Could you spare the time to ring me up one morning - phone Preston 2431. I will be in any morning all this week. Yours Very sincerely, Margery Spiller. p.s. Capt. Harry Love at R.A.F. Aerodrome Sywell writes that he will be very glad to give me a reference, should you require one. He employed me at Eastbourne Club as an instructor. Dear Miss Spiller, I received your letter yesterday. I had intended to write to you concerning the possibility of you joining the Air Transport Auxiliary, but I did not know your new address. I would point out that you are labouring under a delusion in thinking that you have an enemy in Mr. d'Erlanger or anywhere in the Air Transport Auxiliary. Personal prejudice, even if it existed, which I am sure it does not, would never be allowed to interfere with the engagement of a pilot, and I must say that although I quite understand your feelings, I do not think you do yourself or your chances any good by writing such letters. I pointed this out to you some time ago, if you remember. However, I am now able to offer you a position as a pilot in No.5 Ferry Pool on a month's probation, providing the Air Ministry sanction the granting of a contract. Will you please send me three copies of a photograph of yourself. It should be head and shoulders, without a hat, and on receipt of these photographs, we will send them to our Administration Officer, and he will communicate with you here in the near future. 21 Nov 1940. From: Henrietta Stapleton-Bretherton, Adjutant. To: Mr Purnell, Establishment Officer, White Waltham. Miss P.M. Spiller passed her test here on 29.6.40. I shall be glad if you can get her pass through as soon as possible. Will you please communicate with her at 60, Wiltdean Court, Preston, Brighton, where she has gone to live, as 'Dene Place' is now shut up. 26 Nov 1940. Dear Miss Gower, I was so pleased to receive your letter and to hear that you will give me a job. I do hope I shall make a success of it. I promise you I will try to do my best in every way. I enclose the photographs you asked for. I wonder if the A.T.A. will kindly write to Capt. Jennings-Bramley A.R.P.O., Brighton, saying that you have called me up and ask for a transfer to the A.T.A. I would be very much obliged if you would. I propose leaving the A.R.P. say two weeks from next Wednesday. I would like a weeks rest before I start work with you. I imagine it will take about three weeks before my papers go through. Could you suggest somewhere for me to live in Hatfield, and would it be possible to bring my old wire terrier dog as I don't know what to do with the poor little chap. It would break his heart to leave me. I thought perhaps someone may know of a kindly landlady who would not object to looking after him when I am away. He is a very old dog and gives no trouble, and I just couldn't bear to leave him. Does one get paid during the four weeks on probation? Monthly or weekly? Would I be allowed to have a uniform providing I wear no stripes, only wings. It would save the bother of bringing lots of clothes, and would be inspiring. If allowed where do I get the uniform? Would it be cheaper to get flying kit at Hatfield - or shall I rush up to town and get a rigout, and what do you wish me to get? At the moment I have nothing as I gave it all away thinking I would never fly again. Should I be allowed to start off with a blue uniform I could send the measurements and could have any necessary alterations made down here by my tailor. My wardrobe is so low at the moment, as I have been wearing uniform in the A.R.P.. If I could start with your uniform it would save buying a lot of things. Should I be unfortunate and not be taken on after the months probation, I would be quite prepared to take the loss.#Please excuse all these questions but they do seem rather necessary as I cannot call to see you. Thanking you for your kind consideration. Margery 28 Nov 1940. Dear Miss Spiller, Miss Gower has asked me to reply to your letter and to acknowledge receipt of the photographs. Miss Gower will write to Capt. Jennings-Bramley, and will ask for you to be transferred to the Women's Section, Air Transport Auxiliary. When your contract has been signed, Mr. Purnell, Administration Officer of the Air Transport Auxiliary, at White Waltham, will tell you when to report for duty. This will probably not be for some weeks. Before joining us, most pilots come here and arrange about their own billet, but if you are unable to do this, I will book you a room at the Stone House Hotel for a few days, and this will enable you to look round yourself afterwards. The Stone House has no accommodation for dogs. You will be issued, on loan, with flying kit and your pay will start from the date upon which you join. No uniform of any kind is issued to pilots until they complete their probationary month. Yours Sincerely, (Adjutant) 8 Feb 1941. Dear Miss Gower, I do hope nothing has gone wrong with my contract to join the A.T.A. It is nearly three months since I last heard from you. I have moments of 'panic' when I think about it. It is rather awkward not knowing when I have to report to you for duty - as I can't make any definite arrangements about 'rooms'. I have written to various addresses at Hatfield, but there doesn't seem anywhere to live there. How I wish you operated from Gatwick Aerodrome as I live so near and it would save me from keeping two places going. I suppose it would be ridiculous of me to ask if I could be fitted in at Gatwick. I heard that you did send a machine round London for that purpose. Should I have to live a little way out of Hatfield could you arrange for me to have an extra supply of petrol coupons? I have a 12 h.p. car and I only have 6 galls per month. It would take all that to get from here to Hatfield. I wish I could run up and have a talk with you. It is so difficult to explain all this by letter. I do hope I shall make a success of the job. Believe me I do want to do my very best both in the air as a pilot and on the ground. When I start work I wonder as a special favour if you would personally give me a few 'circuits'. It would give me confidence. I have the greatest faith in you as after all you are one of the pioneers of flying & you are the right person in the right job. Please accept Best Wishes for a Happy New Year. Yours Sincerely, Margery. 10 Feb 1941, Dear Miss Spiller, In reply to your letter of the 8th inst., addressed to Miss Gower, we have not yet received your pass from the Air Ministry, and until this comes through you will not receive your contract. There is always unlimited delay in this connection, and you will have to wait patiently until it is received. I am afraid you have been misinformed about a taxi machine picking up pilots who live in or around London. There has never been any such means of conveyance. If you live within a radius of ten miles of Hatfield, it will be possible for you to have a little extra petrol to get to and from work. As I said in my letter of the 28th November last, it would be better if you stayed the first few days at the Stone House and looked round for living accommodation from there. You will be notified by Captain Kiek at White Waltham when to report here for duty. Yours Sincerely, (Adjutant) 19th February. Dear Miss Spiller, Will you please report here for duty on March 1st. During your probationary period you will be paid at the rate of £230 per anum, plus £7.10.0 subsistence allowance. Subject to your probationary period and final test proving satisfactory, you will then be rated as Second Officer and be entitled to a basic salary of £230 per annum plus £8 per month flying pay, plus £15 per month subsistence allowance. If you require any further information, I shall be pleased to let you have it. Yours Faithfully, (Adjutant) 29th February 1941. Chief Instructor To: O.C. No 5 F.P. Re: 2nd Officer Spiller and Clayton. The above have this day successfully passed a confirmation of appointment flight test. Both these officers are considered good pilots for the experience they have had and are likely to become useful ferry pilots.
29 May 1941: Instructor's Report: Flies well and carefully. Little lacking in confidence and although quite good shows experience of only about 300-400 hours rather than the 2,000 claimed. 29 May 1941: This one is self-explanatory:
1 Jun 1941. To: The Accountant, B.A.T. From: Henrietta Dear Sir, Thank you for your letter of 25th May. Miss Spiller is employed at this Ferry Pool, and the above address will find her. Her Commanding Officer has spoken to her about this matter, and Miss Spiller has said that she will look into it. White Waltham. Sunday. Dear Miss Gower, I hear we are retuning to Hatfield soon, as we have finished school. I wonder if you could do me a secial favour? and give me permission to stay here, and go over every morning in the Anson? I am so terribly happy and settled in my billets, and was so uncomfortable at Hatfield.... I am staying with some friends of my family and living a normal comfortable home life, which makes such a difference to my work. Am working very hard and do hope you will receive a not-too-bad report. In haste. Please accept my love. Margery. White Waltham. Monday. Dear Miss Gower, Thank you so very very much for giving your permission for me to stay on here until we move to Luton. It really is most kind of you and it helps no end. How relieved I am to know that 'we girls' are sticking together under your control, although it is rather fun landing out at various aerodromes. It is more interesting and broadens our 'flying views' and I think shows the men that we can fly as well if not much better than they can. Please may I learn to fly the Anson, so that when Margie [Fairweather] is off I could take it to Hatfield and back. It would be empty, and I know I could do the job, as I feel happy on twins (or used to). It would be a lovely way to start on a machine like that in case later on I may be needed on something big. Please do let me? I would feel more useful. I am getting on very well and doing everything very quietly. Am so terribly happy, and love my job. I hope to have dual on the Harvard tomorrow. Do hope I put up a good show and that you will be pleased and never regret having taken me on in the A.T.A. Am so grateful to you. Love, Margery. 6 Nov 1941. From: A.B. Macmillan, Chief Instructor. This is to certify that First Officer M. Spiller (Miss) has this day completed a course of training qualifying her to fly Class 2 aircraft. Confidential School Report This Officer is a good pilot and her progress during the course has not been unduly slow. She is inclined to underconfidence however and when nearing the end of the course she became over anxious about the result and was obviously trying too hard. She was granted 7 days leave, returned and passed out with assessment average. 8 Nov 1941. To: Chief Accountant. Please note that F/O Miss Spiller is entitled to receive "First Officer C" pay as from and including 7.11.41 4 Dec 1941. To: Miss P Gower, C.O. 5FPP, Hatfield. From: O.C. RAF Sealand, Flintshire, Wales RE: 1st Officer Spiller This pilot has twice recently landed at Sealand and telephoned us up asking for us to take on her machine. Each time she has given personal reasons for wanting to get back, and also complained that she is very frightened of the types of machines she has been flying, namely: Hurricanes and Masters. This morning when she telephoned us she claims to have been at Sealand for a week, and to be short of money and laundry. We have been flying between here and Prestwick on at least three days during the last six, and at any rate there has been good enough weather for her to fly her machine into Hawarden. She seemed extremely reluctant to do this, but I think it is wrong that we should be asked to take machines from other aerodromes than Hawarden. On both these occasions I felt more or less obliged to take over the machine, as this officer sounded very nervous and worried about her job, so I decided that it would be unwise to leave her there with it. ...Perhaps some steps can be taken to prevent this pilot continuing this practice. [Margery went off sick on the 21st December] 12 Jan 1942. From: Dr J.G. Thwaites, Brighton This is to certify that Miss M Spiller is suffering from debility after mumps and is not fit to return to duty. 26 Feb 1942. From Establishment Officer. To: Chief Instructor Re: Acting F/O P.M. Spiller According to our records the above officer has been absent from duty since 22.1.42 suffering from mumps. Her flying pay and subsistence allowance were accordingly stopped after a fortnights absence, but in view of the exceptionally long time she has been off duty I should be glad to know whether you wish any further action taken. 16 Mar 1942. From Dr. E.F.Bambury M.D, 10 Harley St London W.1 This is to certify that Miss M. Spiller is not yet fit to resume flying duties. She probably will be able to resume her duties within two months. 20 Mar 1942. From : Kitty Farrer (P.A. to Miss Gower) Dear Margery, Miss Gower has just received your Medical Certificate dated March 16th. In view of the fact that you have now been away on sick leave for the past three months and that this last certificate states that you "will probably be able to resume duties within two months", Miss Gower considers that it would be much more satisfactory if you were to see the Chief Medical Officer of A.T.A. She has therefore arranged for him to see you on Tuesday March 20th[sic], and has asked me to write to you to ask you to report to him at White Waltham on that date. I understand that he will probably be able to see you at any time during the day. 11 May 1942. From Mrs Nicholas, 30 Aberdeen Pl, St John's Wood London NW8. Dear Miss Gower, Just a short note to let you know that my cousin Margery Spiller died this morning from cancer, she unfortunately left it too long before consulting a Dr. as to what really was the trouble. I am glad to say she did not realise how seriously ill she was & it really is a happy release under the circumstances. I wonder if you could let me have the address of her billets at Hatfield also at White Waltham as I understand she has left belongings at both places, also I believe she had some flying kit at Hatfield but I do not know if it is her property or issue & the same with her uniform, I would be glad if you would let me know. The funeral as far as I know will be on Thursday next at Croydon Crematorium being the nearest place to Sevenoaks if any of her particular pals would come, to know [sic]. 12 May 1942. From: Pauline Gower. Dear Mrs Nicholson, Thank you very much for your letter of the 11th May. I am more sorry than I can say to hear the sad news about Marjorie [sic, I'm sorry to say] Spiller, and please accept my very deep sympathy. She will be a great loss to us, not only as a pilot, but as a very charming companion, and I know that I am speaking for all her colleagues, as well as for myself. Unfortunately, I shall not be able to go to the funeral myself, but I believe that some of her friends are coming. With again my deepest sympathy. Yours Sincerely, Commandant of Women Pilots. 12 May 1942, From Flt. Capt. Stocks, Establishment Officer, ATA. Dear Mr Spiller, It was with deep regret that I learnt from the Commanding Officer of the death of your neice - Miss P.M. Spiller, and I am directed to express the heartfelt sympathy of the Commanding Officer and fellow A.T.A. pilots in your sad bereavement. No doubt you are aware that your neice had been with this organisation for over twelve months, and it is felt that had she been spared, her adaptability and proficiency would have made her an excellent ferry pilot, and her loss is one that we can ill afford. 15 May 1942. From P.A. Spiller, to Establishment Officer, ATA. Dear Capt Stocks, I deeply appreciate the kind lines of sympathy in which you have expressed the sympathy of the Commanding Officer and fellow A.T.A. pilots, including yourself, to me in the sad death of my neice Miss P.M. Spiller who has been with you all for a long time now. Your reference to her adaptability, and proficiency, is also gratefully acknowledged, for I know her whole heart and soul was in the war job which she had undertaken. I will ask you to kindly convey my thanks, and the contents of this letter, to all who knew my neice and have so kindly thought of me in my bereavement. I am, Yours Sincerely, P.A. Spiller Flight recorded her passing, thus: 28 May 1942: "We regret to record the death, at Sevenoaks, after an illness, of Marjory [sic, and I wish somebody would spell her 'f'ing name right for goodness' sake] Spiller , who was Chief Instructor to the Eastbourne Flying Club before the outbreak of war, and afterwards joined the women's section of the A.T.A. She learnt to fly at Shoreham in 1935 as a member of the South Coast Flying Club and gained an instructor's endorsement to her 'B' licence in 1938." 15 May 1942. From Betty Nicholas. Dear Miss Gower, Thank you very much for your kind sympathy and the lovely flowers. I am sure Margery would have been very honoured to know that she was missed as she was so proud of being in A.T.A. & of being of some use to the country during these trying days. Margery's flying record in the ATA: Moth: 74hrs 50min; Magister: 18hrs 35min; Tutor: 4 hrs 35min; Hart: 1hr 10min; Harvard: 3hrs 30min; Battle: 1hr 05min; Hurricane: 1hr 30min; Master: 4hrs 25 min Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC
ATA1935
Father: Lord George Ernest May, a financial expert and civil servant (d. 1946); mother: Lily Julia [Strauss] OBE Ed. London School of Arts and Crafts Address in 1941: Eyot House, Weybridge, Surrey. Later 42 Orchard Court, Portman Sq, London Prev. a bookbinder; WVS; WRNS chief Petty Officer W/T Operator at Worthy Down, from Apr 1940 prev. exp 150 hrs Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP 4-engine (Class 5) pilot
At least 4 accidents, none her fault: - 26-Aug-42, a forced wheels-up landing in Botha I L6243 after engine failure on a go-round - 11-Dec-42, her Mosquito IV DZ405 flew into a flock of seagulls, sustaining minor damage - 28-Jan-43, another forced landing, this time in Argus HM188 after the cowling came loose and fouled the propeller - 16-Mar-43, a crash landing in Wellington II Z8051 after engine failure before single-engine speed had been reached. Two of her passengers (Fay Bragg and Evelyn Hudson) were injured, Evelyn seriously.
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air m. 1955 in Chelsea, George Leonard Brunton Henderson
d. 10 Apr 1995
1987 IWM Interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009815 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1934
ATA 
1942 caricature by
5' 9". Fair hair, blue eyes. née Dunn Father: Sir James Dunn, a Canadian banker. "Sir James and Lady Dunn own a ranch in Canada. It is a 12,000 acre estate near Bathurst, New Brunswick, near the spot where Sir James was born." "Miss Joan Dunn is the sister of Miss Kathleen 'Kit' Dunn. They are among London's most beautiful debutantes" The Scotsman, 17 Mar 1928
m. Jun 1928 Hubert John Duggan - "Mr Duggan is resigning a commission in the Life Guards to enter politics in the Conservative Party" They divorced in 1930, after Joan admitted adultery with John Jenkinson. There was one child, of which Hubert was granted custody.
m. 1930 in Easthampstead, Berks, John Anthony Jenkinson (suicide, 1935) 31 October 1935: "WORRY DRIVES MAN TO NEEDLESS SUICIDE Dramatic evidence was given Mrs. Joan Jenkinson, the youngest daughter of Sir James Dunn, the Canadian financier, at the inquest at Hammersmith to-day on her husband, Mr. John Anthony Jenkinson, who was found shot in his Chelsea home on Tuesday. A verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind" was returned. Mrs. Jenkinson told the coroner that her husband was 29 years of age, and a sugar merchant. His general health had not been very good of late, and he had been in a nursing home for little while. He had been depressed owing to financial troubles. She had been away, and when she returned home on Tuesday she found a letter on the table in her husband's handwriting addressed to her. She had lunch with him afterwards, but returned about 4:40pm to find him dead." "I do die with the most beautiful thoughts of you." This was a phrase in a letter left to his wife by John Anthony Jenkinson, aged 29, who shot himself at his flat in Tite-street, Chelsea. S.W. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was recorded" prev. a Cadet Officer with the Mechanised Transport Corps, May to Jul 1940 Address in 1940: 1, Wilton House, London SW1 Postings: 1FPP, 5TFPP, 9FPP, 15FPP Off sick from 7 Apr to 26 Jun, then 74 Jul to 29 Sep 1941 with 'sciatic neuritis' 3 accidents, none her fault: - 13 Oct 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire I L1021, following partial engine failure (she was commended) - 20 Feb 1944, the tailwheel of her Spitfire retracted after landing, due to a hydraulic fault - 5 Jul 1944, the engine of her Spitfire cut out during takeoff; she retracted the undercarriage and managed to miss the far hedge
Her C.O. at 9 FPP, Hugh Bergel, thought her "a most conscientious, industrious and reliable ferry pilot. Her unassuming but charming personality are both an asset and a good influence in the Pool." m. 1943, Hon. Charles Dutton, also of the ATA d. 1982 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: William Sidney Corbett-Lowe Ed. Howells School, Denbigh prev. a Teacher of Dancing 5ft 10in tall, hazel eyes Mary told Veronica Volkersz that that her husky voice was "due not to gin but to faulty vocal cords." m. 30 Mar 1940 David Ronald Hunter, son of the Reverend and Mrs Hunter, of Childwall Vicarage, Liverpool
Address in 1941: 30 Bidston Rd, Oxton, Cheshire Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP
4 accidents, 2 her fault: - 17 Dec 1941, she stalled her Hurricane when attempting a cross-wind landing and damaged a wing; - 3 Oct 1942, she failed to control the take-off swing of a Tomahawk I and "swung violently"; - 2 Sep 1942, made a normal landing in a Tomahawk II but an undercarrriage leg collapsed, due to a technical problem, and - 29 Jan 1943, her Spitfire IX was hit by a tractor while she was stationary. "A keen and hard-working pilot" and "An excellent pilot and a most useful member of the Ferry Pool". (Marion Wilberforce) [Contract Terminated by ATA - 3 months notice due to pregnancy - David b. Oct 1943] d. 2010 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1939
1942 caricature by
Father: Maj. George Victor d'A Innes (Royal Scots Fusiliers), mother Mary Beatrice [Benyon] Grew up in India from age 6, (educated: "privately") RAeC Cert 17,266 (16 Feb 1939); she learnt to fly at Brooklands prev. Civil Air Guard, 15 months as a driver for the London (Auxiliary) Ambulance Volunteer Service prev. exp. 70 hrs Address in 1939: Queensmead Lodge, King's Road, Windsor, Berks Postings: 15FPP, 2FPP, 3FPP
8 accidents, 3 her fault - 8 May 1941, in Tiger Moth T6116, she taxied off the runway which was in "bad condition" - 27 Jan 1942, her Hurricane AG137 nosed over after a poor landing - 25 Sep 1942, she had a fire in the port carburettor of her Wellington III BK257 after stopping engines - 12 Feb 1943, taxying "without due care" in Spitfire Vb AD386, her wing hit the side of a low loader trailer - 21 Jan 1944, the tail wheel of her Seafire IIc MB217 was damaged while taxying - 13 Mar 1944, the port tyre of her Anson N9920 burst while taxying - 12 Jul 1944, taxying in Argus II NB604, she ran into a pile of chocks - 27 Jul 1944, a forced landing in an Anson after failure of the port engine.
She was considered a 'careful, steady' pilot: "An extremely reliable and intelligent pilot whose influence in the [ferry] pool is good. Has progressed well." She was, however, reckoned to be 'too diffident in manner to really possess any great qualities of leadership. It is her sense of responsibility and interest in the job that makes her a useful Flight Captain".
m. Dec 1942 Flt. Lt. Gerard Volkersz of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service (divorced 1947)
ATA experience: 1,200 hrs on 60 types - including ...
... being the first woman to deliver a Meteor, (EE386) on 15 Sep 1945 Post-WWII, a Pilot Officer in the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR), but was not awarded her 'wings' - she later wrote "four [actually five] of the girls qualified, but by that time I was working hard with an Army Co-operation Unit, and had neither the leisure, nor, for that matter, the inclination to follow suit" Mardi Gething, Patricia Kendall and Vera Strodl were also appointed as Pilot Officers in the WRAFVR at the same time (June 1950)
"A summer cocktail party at Biggin Hill Air Station which, favoured by brilliant weather, was greatly appreciated by the 250 guests"
She and Freydis Leaf flew RAF-surplus Tempests to Pakistan, for Mayfair Air Services. She was not taken on when the contract transferred to another company, despite all the other (male) pilots being offered a job, then in 1951 (having gained her commercial pilot's licence, joined Monique Agazarian (also ex-ATA) at Island Air Services. wrote "The Sky and I" (W.H.Allen 1956); "Her experiences make interesting reading for all who have their heads in the skies"
In 1956, "Members of No. 3618 Fighter Control Unit returned to headquarters in The Goffs on Saturday from 15 days’ annual training at the Royal Air Force station, Sandwich. Adding to the interest this year has been the fact that one the pilots was Mrs Veronica Volkersz. A wartime member of the Air Transport Auxiliary, she has over 3,000 flying hours in her log book and has piloted 60 different types of aircraft." - Eastbourne Gazette - 29 Aug 1956
d. 13 Dec 2000 - Cambridge IWM interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009149 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Volkersz Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1942
"Sunday tea-dance" in December 1941
1942 caricature by 
The Tatler
Veronica with Sqn-Ldr D R Turley-George DFC -
Father Ernest, mother Frances Isabel (Butler), who was Irish. She was an heir to the Pitman (of shorthand fame) family fortune. Honor learnt to fly originally in 1927 (at the age of 14) at the Bristol and Wessex Aero Club but "because of my age, I always had to fly with someone & could never go to other aerodromes to land." Eventually, in 1936, she passed her RAeC Certificate and had done 120 hours before the start of WWII. She was in Australia in 1938, and then started as a driver in the 12th Oxford Motor Transport ATS on the 1st September 1939; however, when she heard that the ATA was on the lookout for people with flying experience, she wrote to them in March 1940: "I would very much like to know if there is the possibility of my joining your section of the service? I am an 'A' pilot & have only done about 120hrs flying in small club planes - Swallows, Cadets and Aroncas, but I am prepared to take any training in any line if I could help you. 4 years ago I joined the FANYs [which I gather stands for First Aid Nursing Yeomanry] in hopes of a flying section being started, but this never materialized.... I had been hoping on my return from Australia last year to have my own plane & work for my 'B' licence but instead I have had to content myself with reading text books." The ATS, by the sound of it, didn't want to release her, and in December 1940 she asked the ATA to "please write to my Group Commander so that she can have a letter to show the 'powers that be' that the work I am asking to transfer to will be more important than the work I am doing at this present". Eventually she was invited to do a flight test, which she passed, although the assessment was that she lacked experience and would need to be carefully supervised during her development. She enjoyed the experience, though: "Monday was a wonderful break to this humdrum war life for me, I thought everyone was so kind." However, as there were no vacancies at the time for less experienced pilots, she was placed on a waiting list. She wrote: "I am of course very disappointed to hear you now cannot take me, but I am still bouyed up hoping one day you may call me up. In the mean time, I have a very interesting job and am trying to persuade myself that I am lucky." She started her probationary month with the ATA in March 1941, and became Mrs Pomeroy Salmon in June.
Her subsequent flying career started well but she then suffered two accidents in two days; firstly, on the 5th March 1942, she taxied a Spitfire into an unmarked soft patch, then on the 6th the starboard undercarriage of a Hurricane collapsed. These events left her in what was called in those days a 'very highly strung condition', and she was given a month's rest, and then a refresher course. The instructor's report was ambivalent: "This pilot needed a refresher and has benefitted by being returned to school. Her chief fault is her attitude towards her job. If she can be persuaded that flying is, after all, a very ordinary occupation, with common sense the main ingredient and that an ordinary sensible woman makes a better ferry pilot than a temperamental prima donna, she will do better and inspire greater confidence."
Unfortunately her subsequent reports, whilst allowing that she did improve generally, continued to express doubts: "An unstable type. She admits she gets into a flap flying with an instructor, and claims she has no difficulty in navigating solo. Apparently tends to rely on Bradshawing [i.e. following railway lines] so I did not destroy her confidence in that, but showed her more polished methods."... "Very self-important at times" ... "This pilot occasionally flies well - but not so well as she thinks she does. Her progress will need very careful watching". She had another mishap, on the 26th August; she overran the perimeter of the runway in a Spitfire and nosed over in a heap of rubble, damaging the propeller. She was, however, deemed "Not responsible, as she had to swerve to avoid an Oxford landing"; lack of aerodrome control was blamed. But still the worrying comments from her instructors kept coming: "She is not very bright when any difficulty arises. She is definitely very over-confident, and also lost herself on one occasion"... "this pilot has taken a long time to reach an average standard. Has worked hard and been very attentive, but should be watched carefully"..."Her greatest trouble now is her forgetfullness. Her flying is satisfactory but she is apt to forget things" She was allowed to carry on flying, however; perhaps it was because everyone seems to have liked her, and valued her as a companion. Eventually, what now seems inevitable happened; on the 19 April 1943 she flew on in bad weather instead of turning back, and was killed when her Airspeed Oxford MN765 hit high ground near Devizes.
She was deemed to be 'at fault' for her fatal accident.
Memorial in St Peter's Church, Dyrham (with thanks to Andrew Heron) Western Daily Press, 24 Apr 1943: "The death of First Officer Honor Isabel Pomeroy Salmon (30), of the Air Transport Auxiliary, is announced. Daughter of and Mrs Ernest Pitman, of The Cottage, Dyrham, Glos., and the grand-daughter of the late Sir Isaac Pitman, of Pitman's shorthand, she attended school at Abbot's Hill and at Westonbirt School, near Tetbury. and at the age of 17 became a member of the Bristol Flying Club, taking her licence and becoming a keen pilot. She was a keen breeder and trainer of ponies, and frequently hunted with the Duke of Beaufort's pack and took part in point-to-point meetings. In June, 1941, she married Major H. Pomeroy Salmon, of the 3rd Hussars. She had been a member of the A.T.A. for two years." WILL OF MRS. HONOR SALMON First Officer Honor Isabel Pomeroy Salmon left £30.279 7s. 2d. gross, with net personalty £28,131 6s. 6d She left her shares in Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., and Dun Mallard, Ltd., to the children of her brothers Isaac, Christian and John, together with her leasehold property, the site of 1, Amen Corner, London (destroyed by enemy action) and the right to receive war damage compensation. Subject to the disposal of her effects she left the residue to her husband, to whom, together with her brother Christian E. Pitman, Doynton House, Doynton, probate has been granted. " Pauline Gower should have the last word, perhaps. "Honor will be very much missed not only as an excellent pilot but as a friend. She was a charming and gallant person." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1942 caricature by 
via Andrew Heron
4th April 1941: "Second Officers Pitman and Guinness attended for confirmation of appointment flight test on the 30th March, 1941 and both were successful. Miss Guinness is considered above average for the amount of experience she has had." Veronica Innes (who started on the same day, mentions her (and the conformation of appointment flight test) but simply says she "unfortunately, failed to make the grade and retired early from the scene."
[... but so far, no more details of the mysterious Miss Guinness have emerged]
[Grania Guinness, who joined the WAAF in May 1942, told me that she was never in the ATA]
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"Second finger right hand malformed" Ed. at Devonport College, Plymouth m. 1939 Adelaide B [Stephenson] prev. an 'Official' in Sun Life Assurance Society, and 1 year in 'a Banking Firm' RAF Sergeant Pilot from 17 Sep 1939 to 21 Jan 1941 Address in 1941: 37 Bemberley Avenue, then 114 Hurst Grove, Bedford Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP He was absent for 4 months in 1944 due to a motor accident, and suspended for 7 days without pay in Sep-45 for 'Low Flying'. "A keen pilot who I think is apt to underestimate his own ability", or "Had some difficulty at the commencement of training apparently due to the fact that he considered the Halifax an easy proposition." One of the very last batch of pilots to leave the ATA at the end of WWII. After leaving the ATA he lived at 53 Philpotts Avenue, Bedford, and became a civil pilot. d. 15 Mar 1949 at Gatow Aerodrome, during the Berlin Airlift (26 Jun 1948 – 30 Sep 1949). He was the pilot of Skyways Avro York G-AHFI, which lost control while approaching Gatow; the port wing dropped and the aircraft dived into the ground. Two other Skyways staff - co-pilot Henry Thomas Newman and Radio Operator Peter James Edwards - also died.
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Henry Thomas Newman in 1946, aged 22
Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 9FPP, 8FPP, 1FPP
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m. 29 Dec 1934, Elizabeth Marsden [Smith, d. 1988], 2 children US Naval Aviator #3592 (1930)
prev. exp. 3,000 hrs From 1940, attached to Scouting Squadron 2 (USS Lexington) Part Time Pilot Address from 1944: 195 Hanover St., Annapolis, MD (his father's house) Appointed as Senior Naval Member of the joint U.S. Defense Board in 1951. In 1973, he withheld $74.83 in taxes due to Anne Arundel County, Maryland due to what he called an "unfair tax differential." d. 12 May 1998 (age 94) - Annapolis, MD Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1980 - still fighting the county over tax
prev. a journalist for the 'London Evening News' from 1925; "no previous employment" His brother Hugh said: "Jack was nearly four years older than I was, so that we never overlapped at school, and were never quite as close to each other as I would have liked. All his working life had been spent on the London Evening News, which he joined as a cub reporter. By the time he left to join ATA he was, or had been, wireless correspondent, motor-racing correspondent, music critic, Rugby football correspondent, aviation correspondent and writer of the Diary. But for years his main job had been that of Dramatic Critic, and there must be some who can still recall the reviews he wrote over the initials J.G.B." prev exp. 160 hrs He originally applied in July 1940: "My brother Hugh tells me that the A.T.A. is still anxious to recruit ferry pilots. As I am despairing, after ten months, of getting into the RAF in any capacity - I've seen three [selection] boards who all lose interest when they find I'm over 30 and wear glasses - I would like to know if I am any good for your service - which sounds disrespectful, I'm afraid, but isn't meant to be." He added: "I'm nothing like as good a pilot, naturally, as Hugh, but I can find my way; it always was my one aeronautical talent." [ His brother Hugh had learnt to fly in 1928, and had already joined the ATA] However, when he turned up for a flight test in September 1940, the report was that "this applicant's standard of flying is so low that he cannot be accepted for ATA duties even on light types". By January 1941 the ATA had realised that it needed more pilots, even if they had to train them themselves. Accordingly, a second test was arranged for the 19th January; this time he was accepted, and duly started on the 3rd March. By the 7th November, when he was posted to No 6 FPP, he had satisfactorily passed training courses on Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 aircraft. Sadly, he was killed a week later.
d. 15 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Blenheim Z6080 stalled on landing approach to Oulton. He "made his final approach too slowly, particularly having regard to the fact that it was a fully equipped Blenheim IV, with inner and outer tanks full." [Hugh attributed the accident to a faulty air-speed indicator reading, "caused by water in the system, which in turn was caused by aircraft having to live their lives out in the open through all weathers."] His mother said of him "Jack's happiest months were spent in the ATA". Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
brother of Leonard Massie Cheer (M.78) m. Sep 1941 Address in 1941: 12 The Greenway, Anlaby Pk, Hull, Yorks, then 14 Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen prev. a motor engineer and garage proprietor; Pilot Officer in the Air Defence Cadet Corps Apr-40 to Dec-40 Also worked for Blackburn Aircraft Co. in Hull, Yorks. Postings: 2FPP, 4,FPP, 4aFPP Accident in Walrus 9 Jul 1942: when landing, a/c dropped wing, hit violently and caught fire. Pilot is held responsible. Jan-43: "A good officer whose flying is now quite satisfactory, but still receiving treatment after his recent accident." d. Jun 1973 - Holderness, Yorks. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
ATA
Ed. University of California next of kin: (Father) William Ernest Jenkins, [who was "Welsh-American") Hotel Lankershim, 7th Broadway, Los Angeles. Mother Ambie McMican m. Dec 1936 to actress Doris [Dudley], [IMDB: Doris Dudley was born on July 7, 1917 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for The Moon and Sixpence (1942), The Secret Fury (1950) and A Woman Rebels (1936). She died on August 14, 1985 in Greenville, Texas, USA.] 1 child Jack Dudley 'Butch' Jenkins [IMDB: He was an actor, known for National Velvet (1944), The Human Comedy (1943) and Boys' Ranch (1946). He was married to Gloria. He died on August 14, 2001 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.] prev. restaurant trade, US Navy aviation cadet Jan-40 to Feb-41 Address in 1941: 1132 So. Roxbury Drive, Los Angeles CA Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP Off sick with appendicitis from 17 Jun 1941 to 31 Jul 1941 Fined 14 days pay in May-41 for "shooting up Henley" "A very capable pilot and an excellent officer in every way" d. 16 Dec 1989 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
b: 29 Aug 1937 in Los Angeles
prev. a Flight Sub-Lieut., R.N., then a physician Address in 1946: Mylor Bridge, Falmouth, Cornwall
Commended for "valuable service in the air", 14 Jun 1945 |
1915
1946
Father: Carl Henry; Mother Buleh C Ed. Carnegie Institute of Technology prev. a "Core Maker" for Westinghouse Airbrake Co., Wilmerding, PA Address in 1940: 640 Summerlea St, Pittsburgh m. Jul 1941 in Maidenhead, Kathleen 'Kit' [Bennett, from Maidenhead, b.1920 d. 2010] (2 children) Delivered 236 aircraft for the ATA, then joined the US Navy on 3 Jul 1942 as a ferry pilot: "I've done my bit to help England, and now that we're in the war, I'll do my bit for my own country." USNMC WWII Service until 5 Dec 1945 d. 12 Sep 2019 - Greenwood, SC "Richard was a career Naval Aviator for 27 years, serving in Morocco, England, Japan, Iceland and various duty stations within the United States. He retired as a Commander in 1969 and settled in New Bern, North Carolina, where he and Kit resided for 40 years. His love of flying continued into retirement and he enjoyed participating in various "Fly-Ins" across the U.S., often attending in an aircraft he built himself. He maintained a lifelong interest in world affairs and current events. After retiring from the Navy he developed his own daily exercise routine and dedicated himself to a healthy lifestyle, living to be almost 104 years old. Upon the death of his beloved wife of 69 years in 2010, Richard moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina to be near his daughter, Anne, and her family. Richard is survived by his daughter Anne Landis (Jim); two grandchildren, Kate Doran (Jeff) of Savannah, Georgia; James Landis Jr. (Aimee Smith) of Mexico City, Mexico; and three great grandchildren, Thomas, Penelope, and Vivienne." |
1942
prev a test pilot; arrived in the UK in June 1940, and worked at the RAF Repair Depot at Burton Wood. prev exp. 500 hrs He was in demand as a 'very highly skilled engineer'- The Container Engineering Co. Ltd of Maidenhead even asked if he could be transferred to them, in March 1942. Although his initial flying reports were fine ("A good pilot, very careful and of good average ability"), in June 1943 he failed the conversion course for Class 5 (4-engine) aircraft (Stirling): "This pilot proved temperamental and erratic and his flying generally was disappointing... especially taxying which was much too fast and careless!" Charles Tutt, who was on the same course, said that, if he had been the instructor, he "would have failed him two hours earlier". He continued to do good work on single- and twin-engine aircraft, however, and eventually amassed 1,135 hrs in the ATA.
d. 8 Jun 1944 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter NV235 flew into hillside in poor visibility near Mull of Galloway, Scotland.
23-year-old Senior Flight Engineer Royston Edwin Staniford also died in the crash. After the funeral, his wife Lucienne returned to Scarborough but two days later was taken ill and subsequently had a miscarriage. She returned to France in late 1944. He is commemorated in Saint-Lager:
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father: Richard Vernon Cholmondeley, (vigneron, Hurtle Vale Vineyard Happy Valley near Adelaide, d. 1918); mother: Hilda Georgiana [Leyland], by 1941 living in South Africa brothers Richard Vernon (b. 1909, 2nd Lieut, Royal Scots Fusiliers, d. 27 May 1940 in Belgium) and Charles Christopher (b. 1917); sisters Hilda Georgina (b. 1901), Lettice (b. 1911) and Caroline Ethel (b. 1913) Travelled to Adelaide in Jul 1906, to the UK in Jan 1920, then to New Zealand in Oct 1922, to Canada from the UK in 1928, then back to the UK in Aug 1931 Her "large pointer dog" was stolen in Gepp's Cross, S. Australia in 1925 Address in 1932: Leighton Hall, Welshpool, Montgomeryshire (with sister Lettice) prev. Farmer; "Branch of the War Office" from 3 Sep 1939 Address in 1941: 18 Queens Gate Place Mews,. London SW7 (with brother Flt-Lt Charles Christopher Cholmondeley MBE and sister Hilda Georgina)
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Still living at 18 Queens Gate Mews, with Charles and Hilda, in 1956, but alone there in 1964 after Hilda moved to Dorset and Charles got married. d. 13 Jan 1986 - Hereford Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1932
1942 caricature by
prev. A Fishmonger - "C. Tutt & Sons" but a prominent pre-war racing pilot, owning: - a 1929 D.H. Gipsy Moth, G-AAJW; - a 1931 D.H. Gipsy Moth, G-ABPK; - a 1932 Comper Swift, G-ABWE; - a 1933 GAL ST.4 Monospar 2, G-ACEW. exp. 850 hrs, 'mostly on light types'. Cleared for Class 5 (4-engine) aircraft; "an excellent officer and a splendid example to his colleagues. A highly capable ferry pilot and one of the hardest workers in the pool. He has a modest and pleasant personality and his sense of discipline is of the highest order." d.1992, Surrey King's Cup in 1938 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Ed. Indian State High School, Terre Haute; W.C. Bryant Grammar School, University of New Mexico Next of kin: (Mother) Mrs F R Jones, 3405 Wabash-Terre Haute, IN prev. a trainee for Sears Roebuck & Co, Chicago IL. Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago IL Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Emmett Chaffin (M.568), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - See CNAC Captain Homer E. Anderson, Jr. Joined Consolidated Airways Inc. (Convair's own transport service, which used B-24s to carry personnel and cargo, and delivered aircraft, to the Pacific Theatre), and moved to San Diego then Santa Cruz, CA. m. Marilyn [Richardson] of Jacksonville, FL. Their son Homer Edward Anderson III was born in Santa Cruz, CA on 6 May 1944. d. Sep 1973, Seattle WA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Address in 1941: 71 Albany Rd, Cardiff Educated at Cardiff University RAF Flying Officer 1936-40 Postings include: 8FPP
m. Sheila E M Draper 1945, Betty M Davies 1957 d. May 2001 - Chester Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Educated at Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN US Air Corps from Feb-25 to Feb-28, then 'actively engaged as pilot and in aviation sales and service work. Engineer." Worked for Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co. in Philippines for 3 years Address in 1940: 5647 Fountain Ave, Hollywood, CA Postings: 3FPP Aug-41: Fined one week's salary ($50) for lighting a cigarette in a Spitfire "A good officer and an excellent pilot." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Mother: Lulie Bell Lemons, father dec'd prev. Crop Dusting for Finkles Bros. Dusting Co. in Leland, MS and Aero Crop Dusters in Avon Park, Florida Address in 1940: Box 704, Belle Glade, Palm Beach FL Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 16FPP, 4aFPP Suspended for 1 week in November 1941; Suspended for 7 days for Low Flying over Carlisle, in Sep 1942 2 accidents, neither his fault; - 1 Mar 1942, he ran into a snow bank when landing a Spitfire in slippery conditions, and - 16 Nov 1942, the starboard inner engine of his Fortress failed, but he landed successfully on the remaining three. "Has proved to be satisfactory as a pilot, but has a poor sense of discipline" "Since his arrival at this Pool (16FPP) he has carried out his duties well and is now showing a creditable sense of discipline." Sailed back to the USA on the "Queen Elizabeth" on 25 Jan 1943 with fellow ferry pilots Howard L Cooper (M.512), Robert F Sliker (b. 1904 in Morrisroe NJ), Andrew J Burke (b. 1902 in Bonham Texas), Nelson E Brown (b. 1921 in Guilford, PA), Raymond P Hoover (M.345) He was engaged to a Miss Isobel Swift in April 1943; "Miss Swift was associated with Pan-American Airways"... ... however ... m. 24 Jun 1944 Carol 'Tootsie' [Bryant] of Dearborn, MI, the grand-niece of Henry Ford
William was "a test pilot at Henry Ford's Willow Run bomber plant" They moved to Winter Haven, FL in 1958. d. 12 Jan 1979 (age 61) - Winter Haven, FL. "He was a former Winter Haven City Commissioner" His son David (b. 1947) earned his solo flying license at the age of 16 in his father's J-3 Cub and became an airline pilot for Pan American and then Alaska Airlines, retiring in 2007. Carol d. 2012, David in 2013 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1944
father Earl Drumm (dec'd), Mary Eta Parkman m. 1939 to Benita 'Bonnie' Vieve [McCarthy] [d. 2 Jun 2008] prev. exp. 5yrs as a flight instructor in Virgina Air Service, Gordonsville Address in 1941: 503 Carleton Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia Postings: 6FPP "A good pilot who has done all work allocated to him in a satisfactory manner", but: Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons Later a pilot in the US Army Air Transport Command, and then a Colonel in the USAAF. In 1944, he and his crew bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. One of the pilots sent to look for him was James Ansley (M.511), who had travelled to the UK with him in 1941. In 1946, Drumm "picked up a copy of the Southeastern Airport News and read that Ansley was running Page Field for Lee County. After an exchange of telegrams he flew over to Page Field in his PT-17 for a happy reunion with his old flying partner." After WWII, the family lived in Utah and North Carolina while Austin completed his education, then moved to Lexington, Virginia, where from 1963 he was Professor of history at Virginia Military Institute. d. 8 Jan, 1997 - Barboursville, Virginia buried Weedsport, Cayuga County, New York Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Ed. at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and University of Baltimore prev. Managed a Country Club Address in 1941: Elkridge Club, Baltimore - see www.elkridgeclub.org Postings: 6FPP "A good pilot ... an excellent officer and works hard" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Joseph, a Baptist Minister Ed. Fort Myers High School m. 1940 Mary Louise [Foxworthy d. 2008], 1 daughter (Margaret Louise [Loy] d. 2015) prev. Circulation Manager, News-Press Fort Myers 1925-41 Address in 1941: Apt 6-2010 Jackson St, Fort Myers, FL Postings: 2 FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 1FPP "A very good and careful pilot. Navigation very good; keen but inclined to be a little nervous of our weather. Conduct very good." He told the Fort Myers News Press: "Can't say how I came over from England except that I didn't swim or use a rowboat... After this job is over, maybe I can tell a few stories. That's one reason I came back to the States for a visit. I was hungry for a few good American jokes. The English are a good lot but not too long on humor." "Sure we have plenty to eat in England. The English people are long on morale. You can believe all you have read about the big raids on Germany. England has plenty of planes and with the help of the American Air Force there is no limit to the damage that can be inflicted on Germany from the air. The big show is terrific and no country can stand up under bombing of thousands of planes at one time. We ferry pilots don't do that kind of flying but we do handle plenty of ships that have been over the Channel." "Whit grinned and denied that he came across the Atlantic with Churchilll. He did admit to having seen Churchill on a couple of occasions. 'That guy gets around', said Ansley."
In 1944, he was one of the pilots sent to look for Austin Drumm (see above), who had bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. They had travelled to the UK together in 1941. d. 3 Nov 1971, Tampa: "Mr. Ansley had lived in Tampa for the past 17 years and was associated with the Coates Oil Equipment Co. Prior to World War Two he served as a ferry pilot with the ATA in England and served as a pilot with the US Navy during World War Two and the Korean War as a Lt. Commander." "After the war he returned to Fort Myers and for a time was manager of Page Field after the government turned it over to the county... About 3 years ago he retired as sales manager of the Coates Oil Equipment Co. of Tampa when he was seriously injured in an automobile accident. Since the accident he had been an invalid and entered Bay Pines last Saturday when stricken with pneumonia." buried Myrtle Hill Memorial Gardens, Tampa. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Col. Ruby D Garrett Snr, [a lawyer, Kansas City Councilman and WWI veteran, d. 1968], Mother Alma M Ed. University of Kansas City m. 24 Dec 1940 Carolyn [Stockwell] in Jackson, MO In 1939, "Although he has been swimming one mile a day in a local pool, Ruby D. Garrett Jr., son of a Kansas City councilman, has thirty-one pounds to lose yet before the air corps will accept him as a Randolph Field recruit. In two months, he has lost thirty-seven pounds, and now weighs 211 pounds." "'I'll soon be getting down to bone" he said. Address in 1940: Flying Cadet Detachment at Randolph Field, TX, then Parks Air College, St. Clair. IL Postings: 6FPP
21 Nov 1941, he overshot his landing on the only (short) runway available; the brakes were inefficient on wet ground, and he hit a barbed wire fence at the end of the runway. After ATA, sailed back to the USA on 19 Dec 1941 with fellow ATA pilots W Hanks, F P Skillen, P Lowman, J R Holloway, G C Shreve, S C Neville, G R Heintz, and Franklyn Rule Mershon. A pilot for TWA from 1942. In 1969, "At the not particularly advanced age of 53, Ruby Garrett tired of seeing the world from 30,000 feet or so — Paris, Rome, London, Hong Kong, Saigon, etc. And so he began hauling things (including boats) at zero altitude, over highways to meet people. Ruby is a solidly built, balding, blue-eyed extrovert who has put in 27 years as a pilot with TWA, most recently as a captain on international flights. He presently is on medical leave from TWA and plans to retire next March." d. 22 Dec 1990 - Clinton, van Buren, AK [... and don't let anybody tell you that Ruby D Garrett was a woman ferry pilot!] Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1933
ed. Lancing College, then Oriel College Oxford. prev. RAF and RAF Reserve, 1924-33. Later a commercial pilot for Birkett Air Services. King's Cup in 1934 "A very experienced pilot and a good officer" ... " a quiet and unassuming officer who ... is carrying out his duties as second-in-command at this Pool [No 8 FPP, Belfast] in an excellent manner" From March 1945, Officer Commanding No 10 FPP.
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
prev. a flight instructor for the 'Spartan School of Aeronautics', which still exists:
Postings: include 8FPP
d. 11 Mar 1993, Topanga, Los Angeles, California Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
The Spartan College Black Cat with the 13 signifies that “Knowledge and Skill Overcome Superstition and Luck”.
Postings: 6FPP, 8FPP, 3FPP
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Next of kin: (parents) Mrs & Mrs Frank B Makepeace, Cos Cob, CT Ed. Greenwich High School, CT prev. 3 yrs as Sgt in US National Guard 211 Coast Artillery Div.; Company Pilot for Sinclair Oil Co. in Caracas, Venezuela Address in 1941: 157 E 81 St, NYC Postings: 14FPP, 9FPP, 6FPP 2 accidents, 1 his fault: - 7 Sep 1941, his Spitfire hit a control box due to him taxying without sufficient care; - 30 Jan 1942, he skidded in Spitfire BL751 on landing, and nosed over. Kemble airfield had been signalled as unserviceable due to ice, but the signal did not arrive before he took off on the delivery flight. "A very competent pilot and a good officer." Joined RAF Ferry Command d. 17 Jan 1943 (age 27), one of 26 lost in C-87 (Liberator Express) 41-1708 which disappeared between Accra and Brazil. Commemorated on the Ottowa Memorial Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
prev. ground engineer RAF trainee pilot, Jun-40 to Feb-41 - "The reason for his withdrawal from training is due to the failure to pass his examinations." prev. exp. 166 hrs Address in 1941: Dixons Rd, Broughton, nr Stockbridge, Hants Postings: 1FPP
He bought himself this 1932 Aston-Martin Le Mans, [registered APG 410, previously owned by Richard Shuttleworth; it still exists] in September 1941, for £175.
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) piloting Fairchild HM178 which stalled and crashed on approach to White Waltham. His fellow ATA pilots Bridget Hill and Betty Sayer (qqv) were also killed; Pamela Duncan (qv) was thrown from the aircraft during the crash and suffered burns. He had turned back due to bad weather, but was held to blame for the accident. Yorkshire Evening Post, 17 Mar 1942: "AIRWOMEN KILLED Ferry Pilots' 'Plane Hit Bungalow. The Ministry of Aircraft Production announces that Flying Officer Graham Lever, Third Officer Bridget Hill, and Third Officer Bessie Sayers lost their lives in a flying accident on Sunday. The accident occurred in the course of their duties with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The 'plane crashed on to a bungalow. A fourth passenger in the machine, also a woman A.T.A. officer, was injured. Twenty-six people were injured when they rushed to the house to extricate the passengers in the 'plane. It is believed that the petrol tank in the machine exploded. Among the injured were children who were in the street. The petrol tank exploded some time after the crash, owing, it is believed, to contact with a fire in the kitchen. A man named Croft, living in an adjoining bungalow, was blown through a window into the street and badly hurt but a child in the front room of the bungalow was rescued almost uninjured. " buried at Broughton Church, Hants Aston Martin offered £50 for his car - "we are afraid that the recent petrol restrictions have severely hampered car sales." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1937
ATA
Educated at Eastbourne College m. Marie [Plumpton], 17 Feb 1939 in Cullompton, Devon. After the wedding they departed in a Leopard Moth from Exeter Airport and were back in Croydon by 3:30, "subsequently going on to the beautiful little cottage at Newdigate, Surrey, which the bridegroom's father has given them as a residence." prev. a draper (Grant Bros Ltd, Croydon) then a Link Trainer instructor in Carlisle, Dec-39 to 1941. Member of Redhill Flying Club from 1936. Prev. exp. 75 hrs. They reported that his flying was "consistently steady and reliable." He first applied to the ATA in Dec 1940, but his flying hours were below the standard required at the time. However, things changed within 3 months and he was accepted for training. Address in 1941: Gotwick Farm, Orlton Lane, Rusper, Sussex d. 28 Aug 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Douglas Havoc Z2299, which dived into the ground at Abington Pigotts near Bassingbourn, Cambs, whilst attempting to land following port engine failure. the accident report blamed a "loss of control on turn towards dead engine in course of circuit at low altitude and with insufficient air speed." His wife wrote to the ATA afterwards, asking whether they had discovered the whereabouts of his stop watch, silver cigarette case and gold lighter, and key case: "I am only fussing about such things as I would so like to have them for his son - who is only five weeks old - and so, will not remember him at all." "My great consolation is the fact that he loved every moment of his job, and although you must have many pilots with more experience, you can have few so keen - and for this reason the past eighteen months have been particularly happy." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1937
ATA
m. Stanislawa [Kacka], 2 children Moved to the USA in 1950 and was a "gig operator with the Interstate Dye and Finishing Co." d. 10 Aug 1970 - Passiac, NJ, USA |
Father: Joe Allen, mother Agnes [Johnson] Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Blecker Makepeace, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) and Emmett Chaffin Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain Raymond S. Allen
d. 5 Aug 1999, Bristow OK |
"Typical of the adventures experienced by some of the foreign pilots prior to their ultimate deployment with ATA were those of Jacques Hollande. This Paris timber exporter was unmolested by the Germans for three months after the Occupation, but then decided to escape from France. He went to Vichy and, after calling daily for weeks at the passport office and producing letter after letter from Government officials to the effect that he was unable to carry on his business without keeping in touch with his Morocco agents, he at last obtained an exit permit, and travelled from Port Vendres to Oran by the mail boat. From here he made his way to Rabat and claimed that he had business at the international port of Tangier. For days he pestered the authorities to obtain from them the necessary visa to pass him through the Spanish zone, and in the end prevailed upon an official to place his papers among those to be signed by the Control Officer on the latter's return from dinner one evening.The meal must have been a satisfactory one as the documents were signed withour comment and he got to Tangier. Here he met an official in the British Consulate, with a view to being allowed to join the Free French forces in England. In the end he obtained a passage to Gibraltar, and from there, under the protection of Britain, eventually arrived at Liverpool. Within a day or two he heard for the first time of the ATA and, remembering that he had a hundred or so flying hours behind him, came to White Waltham. Here he had a flight test, was accepted, and at the age of 42 commenced his new career as a ferry pilot. Four years later he ferried one of the fiirst Ansons from White Waltham to Paris, and has since been able to resume his life in his native country." Brief Glory |
Father: Sherman Edward Renicker (a shoemaker), Mother: Della Marie [Thornton], of 803 Dayton, Wichita, Kansas Ed. Hutchinson High School, Kansas prev. Pressman for McCormick-Armstrong , Wichita; Pilot for Vacin Flying Service, Enid, Oklahoma; 2nd Lieut., Air Corps Reserves 1940-41 prev. exp. 725 hrs "A very doubtful starter. Flies unintelligently but might be given the chance of some work in Class I before firmly deciding whether or no he is suitable for conversion to Class II" - Initial Flight Test Report, 1 April 1941 Postings: 2FPP, 14FPP In June 1941 he applied for permission to possess a .45 automatic "for self protection in case of emergency" He completed Class III and IV training in October 1941, but "in view of the fact that his claim to 700 hrs previous experience has not been verified and that he has not been thoroughly tried out in Class 2, his progression to more difficult types should be closely supervised"
4 accidents, 1½ his fault: - 30 Sep 1941, he 'mishandled' the brakes of his Proctor BV545 at Netheravon, and nosed over while taxying - 7 Dec 1941, the port leg of his Hampden AT145 collapsed, after a normal landing at High Ercall - 22 Dec 1941, taxying another Hampden, AT174, under ground crew guidance, the tail hit a barbed wire fence (jointly to blame) "The three accidents he has had recently rather indicate a certain carelessness on his part and I suggest that he is given a final warning to the effect that another accident directly attributable to his negligence will result in his dismissal" 14 FPP CO Bobby Wardle, 29 Dec 1941
d. 7 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hampden AT231 crashed on Lord Bradford's Estate, Weston under Lizard, Staffs after port engine fire. He and Bill Elliott were buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery,Cheshire, near Hubert Dixon.
Earl's mother wrote to his landlady, Mrs Lawrence: "It just seems like I can't get over it, I was looking forward to seeing him this spring. It was such a terrible shock. You all were so nice to give him such a nice funeral, and I'm so appreciative. Honey, I just write awhile and then cry awhile." Postscript Although Earl said that he was 'single' and specified his mother Della as his next of kin on his ATA Form, it later turned out that this was not quite the whole truth: he had in fact married Thelma Jane [Lavigne] on the 26 Aug 1929 in Spearfish, Lawrence, ND, and they had a daughter, Dorothy Ilene (b. 1926). Thelma wrote to the ATA in March 1942: "I am writing in regards for information concerning the death of my husband. Mr Earl Renicker who was killed Feb 7. We received word through his mother in Wichita, Kans of his death. We have tried many times to get in tuch with him through his mother with out success. Family trouble. We have a daughter Dorothy. She went to visit her grandmother & while their a Mr Ralph Holcombe who was in service with her father in England. He told her about her father & the work he was doing in England. That was the first information we had in regards to him." Thelma then volunteered the information that she and Earl had divorced 19 May 1941, 2 months after he joined the ATA, but still insisted that Dorothy (age 16) should be his next of kin. The ATA Insurance, plus the balance of his estate, amounted to £2,103 16s 11d. This was ready to be paid by September 1942, but was held up "awaiting decision of US Courts as to legal claimant". The only clue I have as to what happened is in a letter from Earl's mother Della, dated 12 Oct 1942: "Dear Sir: In answer to your recent letter I want to say that I received the disc and chain of Earl's and will see that his daughter gets it, and I want to thank you very much for sending it, also thank you for every thing. You people have certainly been good to us, Sincerely, Mrs S E Renicker"
Dorothy later married a Mr Paul E Rusher in Ohio, and died in 2007. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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with thanks to Barbara Grayson
prev. RAFVR Jan-39 to Feb-40 (Sgt Pilot, OTC) [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Temperamentally unsuited'] 'A highly nervous pilot whose sense of judgement does not seem to be very steady. He is keen, but in the four months at [Ratcliffe] Pool he has consistently taken longer to complete jobs than other pilots.' Changed surname to 'Jordon' (his mother's maiden name) in 1944 d. 1977 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
prev. a London Transport driver, later inspector RAF from Jun-40 to Mar-41 (Sgt, Link Trainer instructor) Address in 1941: 51 Wilson Rd, East Ham, London E6 [Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons] d. Dec 1957 - Lambeth ? Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
His father was the Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the US. Degree in Business Studies from Detroit Inst. of Technology in 1927. Employed by the Ford Motor Co, and had a brief career as a boxer; returned to the Philippines in 1931. Jul-37 to Jan-41, 1st Lieutenant in USAAF. He fractured his skull in a crash on 15 Feb 1939 near Bloomsdale, Missouri, and later had plastic surgery:
prev exp. 800 hrs married, (err, three or four, or five, times... see later...), 2 adopted children After training on Magister, Harvard and Hawk aircraft, he progressed to Hurricane and Oxfords, then passed Class 4 training (on Blenheims) 9 Oct 1941 - assessed "a good average, with no special faults". Back in the Philippines, the Assembly of the Municipal Council of Posserabio (?) resolved as follows: WHEREAS, the son of the Hon Quintin Paredes, has eventually blazed a brilliant career as an aviator and an officer of the RAF thus giving testimony to the world of the capability of Filipino manhood at all eventualities in the event of war; WHEREAS His Majesty the King of England has relieved him from duty as a pilot of a combat plane of the famous Royal Air Force and assigning him instructor for the Royal Aviators, in the manipulation of American made fighting planes and giving him rank of a CAPTAIN in the regular army thus crowning him with another glory which the Philippines should be proud of; it was RESOLVED that the Municipality to greet and congratulate the young aviator Isidro Juan Paredes Jr, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Great Aviator ISIDRO PAREDES, Jr, for his information. Carried unanimously. However, the first time he flew a Hampden, he stalled and crashed it:
d. 7 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hampden P5396 crashed on approach to Burtonwood Aerodrome after opening up for second circuit after mis-landing. Philippines President Quezon (who seems to have mixed Isidro up with somebody else) wrote to Isidro's father to inform him that his son, "a volunteer with the R.A.F., participated in a British mass air raid on German-held territory and apparently was wounded but was able to land on English soil before he died." Hmmm... Buried Sankey Cemetery, Warrington. He was the first Philippino casualty of WWII and his body was later repatriated to the Philippines, according to CWGC.
Although Isidro was only with the ATA for less than 8 months, it took them and the US Consulate until 1948 to sort out who should get his personal effects and the proceeds of his estate (which actually only amounted to a few hundred dollars - he 'left a lot of debts'). The reason was simple; there was "uncertainty over which of the four wives is the legal one". For the record, therefore, what happened was (as far as I can make out, and using contemporary newspapers and the photos found in his personal effects):
The marriage lasted 4 days ] Anyway,
'Best wishes and Good luck May God Bless you, Yours Josephine'
Anyway, Kate moved to London and gave up all claims on his estate; what was left of it eventually found its way to Josephine, who had moved to Manila. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
© 
Kate Worledge, in a strikingly similar pose to Josephine ...
Educated at San Bernadino High School, CA Address in 1941: 1382 Vine St, Highland, CA A Commercial pilot, flying since 1936, Tri City Airport, San Bernadino from the 'San Bernadino County Sun': "First Word Received from E.C. Grigsby, Highland Flier Earl C. Grigsby, Highland youth who at 22 years of age is already a veteran flier, is now a member of the royal air force, engaged in defending London from Nazi air raids. The youth is believed to be the only San Bernadino county flier in the R.A.F. He is the son of [ClintonTherman] Grigsby, widely known Highland resident, who is foreman of the Highland Fruit Growers' packing house. According to a censored letter written by Earl to his father, the Highland youth said he was now 'flying over London' and that he 'had one of the best flying jobs to be had'. As far as is known, Earl flew across the Atlantic Ocean as a ferry pilot, under contract with the Canadian government. Earl became interested in aviation when only 16 years old and made a rapid advancement in his chosen field. He received his first training at the Shandlin Hills and the Tri-city airport. He then went to Long Beach to further his training under government instruction. At Long Beach he was advanced 50 hours of flying requirements because of his flying record and experience. Earl received his 'wings' two months ago at Long Beach and left almost immediately for Montreal, Canada, expecting to be an instructor for the Canadian government in one of their air schools. There again he advanced rapidly and was given an overseas contract. Mr Grigsby recently received the first letter from his son since Earl left the United States. The letter required three weeks to reach Highland from the aerodrome near Maidenhead, Berkshire, where Earl is stationed. The youth could tell little of his experiences in England because of censorship. He said he is studying to be a trans-atlantic pilot. Although a native of Washington, Earl has lived in Highland the greater part of his life. His home is at 1381 Vine street. He attended Highland elementary school and was graduated from the San Bernadino High School." [ "Another Highland youth now in service in England is Grigsby's chum, Keith Alexander, also of 1382 Vine street, who is a first officer in the American Eagle Squadron, stationed near London." ] Transferred to Atfero, Feb 42. 3 Apr 1942: "He has greatly enjoyed his work overseas, but has little to say of his war experiences. Earl also visited his mother, Mrs. Margie Grisby of Harlem Springs. Young Grisgby left tonight to drive back to Montreal to resume his flying, and expects from now on to become a transatlantic pilot." From 1970, ran G&E Flying Service, which was renamed J Kreuger and E Grigsby (Redlands Air Academy) in 1975, located at 1745 Sessums Dr., Redlands CA. d. 4 Apr 2001 - Highland, San Bernardino, CA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
[Please note that this coupon is no longer valid :-} ]
father Rev. William Ashburner, [Rector of Dodington], mother Georgiana Alder [Rinder] m. 1926 Gladys Violet [Sheriff] prev a Planter in the West Indies The Imperial War Museum has a 1971 audio tape of him: "REEL 1 Aspects of training as officer cadet with Royal Flying Corps, 1917: early interest in flying; period in army, 1917; basic training at Hastings; technical training at Denham. Period on flying training at RAF Eastchurch, 3/1918: reaction to former Royal Naval Air Service; first flight in Avro 504 K, 20/4/1918; opinion of instructors during dual flying training on DH6 and Avro 504 K; story of nearly throwing instructor out during loop; first solo in Sopwith Pup, 13/6/1918; influenza attack; first solo on Sopwith Camel, 28/7/1918; course as flying instructor at RAF Manston. Period as flying instructor at RAF Eastchurch, 1918: story of nearly flying out in loop; two-seater Sopwith Camel; method of recovering from spin. Demobilisation, 1919. Period as sugar planter in British Guiana, 1920-1929. Passing air license during membership of Bristol and Wessex Flying Club, Filton and Whitchurch Airfields, Bristol area, 1929-1930. Period as rancher in British Guiana, 1930-1935. Period as member of B&WFC and Leicester Flying Club, 1935: aircraft flown; flights to various flying club airfields; Armistice celebrations, 11/11/1918-12/11/1918; development of commercial flying using flying boats in British Guiana; story of giving parents flights. Period prospecting for gold in British Guyana, 1935 -1938. Period flying with B&WFC, 1938-1939: failed attempt to rejoin RAF; question of communicating with control tower. Period as air traffic control officer at Croydon airport, London, 1938-1939: prior training course; question of competition between Imperial Airways and other airlines; types of passenger aircraft; use of Morse code to communicate with aircraft; use of map and pins to record aircraft position; method of landing aircraft by ear; flights of Air France aircraft in bad weather. Period at Heston airport, London, 1939: review of services and aircraft; army cooperation exercises. Period as air traffic control officer at airfields at Perth, Aberdeen and Whitchurch, 1939-1943: initial rejection due to reserved occupation prior to acceptance on unpaid part-time basis as Class 1 aircraft ferry pilot with Air Transport Auxiliary, 4/1941; opinion of various aircraft flown. REEL 2 Continues: opinion of various aircraft flown; conversion course as Class II aircraft pilot; opinion of Spitfire; story of arrest by military police due to lack of uniform; near accident due to fatigue whilst flying Spitfire and consequent end of control tower duties, 9/1943. Period as fulltime ferry pilot with ATA, 1943-1945. Postings: 2FPP 1977, "Flight"; "Lionel Ashburner from Sywell, Northampton was awarded the John Player Award for Achievement in General Aviation trophy and a £350 cheque for long service in Air Traffic Control. 'Ash' officially retired as an airways controller at Preston in 1963, but then became controller at Sywell, a post he held full-time into his seventies, becoming part-time only this year. He has long been known for an almost magic ability to talk 'temporarily uncertain' pilots into Sywell, aided only by his keen knowledge of Midlands geography." d. 9 Feb 1986 - Bristol See also http://www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/ |
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1971
1977 (both 'Flight')
Father: Lieut-Cdr Kenneth Faviell Sworder RN, DSO [Roedean alumna] I/C General Office, No 5(T) FPP |
ATA
a Sergeant Pilot in the RAFVR from Apr-39 to Jan-41; exp. 120 hrs. He was discharged - "unable to complete course following a night crash." prev. an insurance agent He proved himself a "quiet, steady and conscientious officer", but had a couple of accidents during his short ATA career; on 25 October 1941 he taxied a Swordfish "carelessly" into a parked Piper Cub, and the following January he suffered head injuries in a forced landing in a Mohawk after engine failure. His third accident, sadly, proved fatal.
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Oxford X7190 crashed into ground 300' above sea level nr Wigtown. He was deemed to be 'at fault' as he persisted too far in bad weather, "of which the forecast he received gave him warning." The wreckage was not discovered for 3 days, and the sketch map below shows its location:
He was buried in Newcastle-under-Lyme Cemetery. His parents took some flowers to his grave in September 1943 and were sorry to see a wooden cross had been put there by the ATA, despite his parents having erected a stone memorial the previous November. The wooden cross was later removed. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Bishop George Wyndham Hamilton Knight-Bruce DD; mother Louisa [Torr], from Carlett Park in Cheshire. Her father was Bishop of Bloemfontein between 1886 and 1891, Bishop of Mashonaland between 1891 and 1895, and Vicar at Bovey Tracey, Devon, between 1895 and 1896. He died on 18 Dec 1896 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Knight-Bruce
Next-of-kin: Col. J C L Knight-Bruce, of The Sea House, nr Brighton Enid had an elder sister, (Caroline) Ethelfloed Knight-Bruce, and two brothers She was awarded £7 by the Royal College of Music in 1911, and £8 in 1912, for violin.
2 Apr 1915: "A DANGEROUS DOG. At Newton Abbot, on Tuesday, Miss Enid Knight-Bruce, Highweek, was summoned for being the owner of a dangerous bulldog, which was not kept under proper control. Supt. Crooke said he would not ask for the animal to be destroyed, but simply for an order to be made to keep it under control. Several witnesses spoke to having been attacked by the dog. Defendant said she did not consider the dog very dangerous. It had very high spirits, and turned to people half in fun. Miss Knight-Bruce was ordered to pay the costs, £1 16s. 6d. " - Teignmouth Post and Gazette "Enid Knight-Bruce, of Western House, Newton Abbot, was fined £2 on Tuesday, for failing to comply with an order on March 26th to keep a dangerous bulldog under control. " - Teignmouth Post and Gazette - Friday 10 Sep 1915
She was engaged to "Mr. Piers Gilchrist Thompson, second son of Canon and Mrs. Thompson of Hayes Rectory, Kent, and Liberal ex-MP for Torquay" in 1925:
... but eventually she m. 23 Apr 1938 in Babbacombe Church, nr Torquay, Devon, Capt. Ralph T Edge: "The bride is an experienced pilot, and holds the position of hon. flying instructor to the Women's Reserve. She flew from Brackley to Oxford, and motored from there to Torquay. A keen student of industrial problems, she has also engaged in a good deal of philanthropic work. In pre-war days she opened a rest-home for men engaged in the dock strike in London, and another of her activites was assisting in the distressed areas of Wales and the Midlands under the auspices of the Industrial Christian Fellowship. She later went to America and gave a series of lectures on 'Industry', 'Mediaeval Economics', and 'England'" - Western Times - Friday 29 April 1938 She does not seem to have used her married surname after 1940. prev: HQ, Postal and Telegraph Censorship (Air Force Section) prev exp: 400hrs Address in 1941: 384 Kensington Close, London W8 "A careful pilot and is shaping well" on 29 May, but went on indefinite sick leave (collitis) from 6 Aug and did not return to duty exp in ATA: Moth: 38hrs 40min; Magister: 2hrs 35min. Resigned Moved to 2a Kensington Court Gardens, London W8, and lived with her sister Ethelfloed (who d. 1956) d. 25 Apr 1969 - Kensington, London [I'm not entirely sure when or where Enid was born; her ATA record has "19 Feb 1900, Eastham, Cheshire" but her Royal Aero Club Cert. has "19 Feb, 1903, Bloemfontine (sic) South Africa". My guess is 1889 in Bloemfontein, as her 1969 death certificate says she was 80 at the time, and anyway her father died in 1896.]
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1935
Looking forward to it!
née Verney Cave Father: Adrian Verney Verney-Cave, Lord Braye, Mother: Ethel Mary [Bouverie-Pusey], of Stanford Hall, Swinford, Rugby Ed. Convent, St Leonards on Sea
"The Hon Lucy Verney Cave as Miss Neville in Goldsmith's comedy 'She Stoops to Conquer' performed by Girl Guides in the Church Hall in Lutterworth. They gave a very entertaining performance of thes delightful old play"
[one of many many balls, dances, society weddings, etc, etc that she attended]
m. 1935 in Bosworth, Lucien Leslie Falkiner "of the 43rd Light Infantry... both families are well-known in the Midlands and they are slightly related"
Capt. Falkiner d. 30 May 1940 in France
prev: WAAF from 23 Nov 1940; Assistant Section Officer, based at Wittering, Northants prev exp: 14 hrs on Avro Cadet, Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth
Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP, 9FPP, 1FPP Off sick from 6 Oct 1942 to 30 Mar 1943 with 'nervous overstrain' 7 accidents, 2 her fault: - 29 Mar 1942, flying Master I N7552, she found it difficult to select 'Flaps Up' and accidentally released the hood - 14 Apr 1942, she couldn't get the flaps or undercarriage to lock down in a Hurricane - 7 Jul 1942, the propeller of her Master I N7482 was discovered to be bent after she parked it, cause unknown - 4 Jul 1943, she landed Master II EM329 with complete engine failure, due to the servicing cock under the port fuel tank being turned off - 14 Jul 1943, she failed to control the landing swing of Hudson III FH373 and damaged the port wing - 10 Nov 1943, the hood blew off her Spitfire VIII JG379 on take-off when she tried to close it, damaging the tailplane - 15 Jun 1945, forced landing in Mosquito XXX MV527 after a serious oil leak in the port engine
"A good, very steady and extremely careful pilot, who has an excellent influence on the junior pilots" d. Mar 1980 - Cirencester
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1935
RAeC 1938
1929
with her brother, the Hon. Thomas Adrian, at the 'Lincoln Stuff Ball' in 1930
Ancestry
m. 1935 Philis Margarete [Hills], one child prev. exp. 135hrs prev a Chief Link Trainer Instructor, and aircraft inspector for A.S.T. Address in 1941: 5 Gambia St, Swindon "Although he appears keen enough in his flying, he is unable to control his weakness in financial matters, and through worry of this, his flying is of poor quality" Demoted to 3rd Officer for 3 months in 1942 for landing in poor weather conditions and then leaving the aerodrome before close of flying, without waiting to see if the weather improved. Jan-43: "Hall came here with somewhat poor reports, but to date has done his job conscientiously and safely and has behaved himself as an officer." [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Financial Instability'] In 1949, he was fined £40 for bad airmanship: "Edgar Bernard Harold Hall, of Homefield House, Old Coulsdon, Surrey, was fined a total of £40 with three guineas costs at Croydon yesterday. Hall was found guilty of making a circuit of the Croydon Aerodrome while not clear of the manoeuvring area; endangering life and property by diving under another aircraft which was engaged landing on or about July 4; and failing to obtain such authorisation of movement as was necessary for the protection of aerodrome traffic on August 13. He pleaded guilty to piloting a plane on August 13 while not in possession of a licence. He was fined £10 on each of the four summonses. Captain T. J. Gunn, chief pilot of an airways company at Croydon, told the court that when he was preparing to land a Proctor at Croydon, a Tiger Moth flew straight at him for a few seconds and then dived under him. It landed in front of him and he turned away. Hall denied Captain Gunn's allegations, and said, " I am an experienced pilot and a qualified instructor of 40 years of age and have got beyond things like that." d 1982 - Lewes, E Sussex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1939
ATA
prev Acting Sergeant, RAF Sep-39 to Feb-41. Ex RAF - "failed to complete course in Rhodesia. 50 hrs solo"
d. 14 Sep 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Oxford X6958 crashed on farm at Sandon Rd, Weston-on-Trent nr Stafford, in bad visibility. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Ed. Northampton Town and County School m. prev. a Leather Traveller RAF from Apr-39 to 29 Nov 1940 (Sgt Pilot) Address in 1941: 44 Union St, Montrose, Scotland (Father's address 53 Holly Rd, Northampton) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Educated at St Andrews, Grahamstown, SA Arrived in the UK in 1928 prev. RAF (Pilot Offficer) 1935-37 Address in 1941: Newton House, Barn St, Marlborough, Wilts Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP, 9FPP, 14FPP, 15FPP He was described as 'a very capable and experienced pilot, and in every way satisfactory', but had a couple of problems during his ATA career, being placed on a weekly salary basis after writing cheques with insufficient funds to cover them in May-42, and suspended without pay for 3 days in Jan-43 for 'failing to surrender clothing coupons'.
He then 'committed misconduct' in Luton with Patricia, the wife of Flt Lt. (later Wing Cmdr) Kenneth Mackenzie DFC, while the latter was away as a wartime guest of the Germans. The divorce judge said that it was "a most lamentable feature of the case that a man who was an officer in the RAF should commit misconduct with the wife of a brother officer who was a prisoner in German hands." [Resigned] Later a de Havilland test pilot Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1933
Kenneth and Patricia [Pruett], 7 Jun 1941
ed. at Elborow and Rugby m. 1936 Myra Helen [Small], 3 children RAFO from 1928 to 1941; Studied Engineering at Imperial College London, then an Aeronautical Draughtsman for Fairey & Co. prev. exp. 188 hrs in 'Hart, Audax, DH87, DH Tiger Moth, Miles Hawk, Blackburn B2' Address in 1941: 12 St Mary's Walk, Hayes, Middx. Later moved to "Ashfield", Milmer Rd, Burnham, Bucks. Originally applied to ATA in Aug-1940 but withdrew owing to 'circumstances beyond my control', and re-applied in Mar-41. Postings: 1FPP "A keen, hardworking pilot who is progressing well, and developing into a first rate ferry pilot. Discipline Good." [Frankie Francis] He was offered a place as an instructor but turned it down as he wanted to continue ferrying, and felt he did not have the right temperament to be an instructor.
d. 23 Jan 1944 [Died in ATA Service] in Beaufort N1001 which crashed at Chobham, Surrey, after a fire in the port engine caused by a 'seizure of a wrist pin'. Buried Maidenhead (Section D No, 16W)
Third Officer [Flight Engineer] Stanley Edwin Cooke also died. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): Stanley Cooke:
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ATA
Address in 1941: 6340 Community Drive, Houston, TX prev. a private in the National Guard 165 Field Artillery, 1927-30, then charter work for the oil business - Air Activities Inc., based in Houston Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP After losing all his things on the SS Nerissa, the ATA bought him a new set, at a total cost of £89 7s 6d. It included a pipe and a watch (Second Hand):
"A good, keen and hardworking pilot who has carried out all his work most satisfactorily." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Next of kin: Father, John J Howitt, 407 Water St, Guelph. A former employee of a dairy firm, who used his savings to get to England. A 'non permanent gunner' in 1938 with 43rd B.T.Y., R.C.A. P/O with 242 Sqn RAF, Jun-39 to Dec-40 - the first all-Canadian squadron of the RAF. In September 1940, according to The Ottawa Journal, he "cracked up and was sent to hospital. Doctors told him he couldn't fly a fighter plane again. He heard he was being sent back to Canada. 'I didn't want that', Howitt said. 'Any kind of flying is better than none at all, so I volunteered for the ATA and was accepted.' " Address in 1941: Marbrock, Smedley St, W Matlock, Derby Postings: 14FPP Off sick from 14 Dec 41 to 28 Dec with 'nervous apprehension', perhaps brought on by the 2 forced landings he had (a Spitfire in August, and an Anson in October, both due to engine failure). [Contract Terminated 31 Dec 1941) d. November 2, 2002, Guelph Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Ed. Culver Military Academy, Michigan State College, Tulsa School of Aeronautics Address in 1941: Lake Fenton, Fenton MI 2nd Lieut in US Cavalry Reserve 1938 He was one of three ATA pilots who survived the sinking of the SS Nerissa He was off sick from 9 to 25 May 1941 with "foot injuries sustained in shipwreck" m. 1943 Norah M L [Palmer] in London Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain Austin Young
Sailed back to the US on the 'Ile de France', with Norah, on the 26 Apr 1945. Fellow American ATA pilot Victor Pieper and his English wife Hazel accompanied them. His father bought a car agency - the Twin-City Chevrolet Co - in West Palm Beach for him. He "became well-known in flying and sporting-car circles." Divorced from Norah in 1950
m. 1951 in Florida, Edith [Walters], a stewardess for Eastern Air Lines:
m. 1954 in Florida, Corrinne Edith [Huber] [3 children] In 1959 he joined up with Cuban Sergio Hernandez Reyes and Peter Lambton, the son of ex-ATA pilot Ruth Ballard, in a CIA plot to overthrow Castro. They went to Cuba, but were captured almost immediately and sentenced to jail.
Austin was released after 42 months, having repeatedly escaped from Cuban jails. Meanwhile, Corinne worked as a waitress and looked after the 3 children...
d. 12 Jul 1978, Florida Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1959
Austin Young and Peter Lambton, awaiting trial
prev. an engineer
d. 15 Jul 1979 - Torremolinos, Spain
buried Cementerio Inglés de Málaga |
1932 
"Hail to the blithe spirit"
Address in 1941: 2287 Cove Rd., Merchantville NJ Arkansas National Guard from 1932-35 a Commercial Pilot "Extremely hard working and capable" He was one of three survivors of the 14 American ferry pilots sunk in the 'SS Nerissa'.
d. 10 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Kittyhawk II AK575 left Speke at 16:15. Stuart "appeared not to be too familiar with the controls of the aircraft as he spent approximately 20 minutes in running up the engine and receiving advice from the delivery crew". When last seen he appeared to be "heading north with the aircraft properly under control", but he was never seen again. He was formally presumed dead 6 months later. Margie Fairweather wrote: "We have had a tragedy already in no. 4b FPP. A charming American called Wiley who was posted to us left Speke on Wednesday afternoon & has not been heard of since. It is strange (or perhaps just a matter of psychology) how it always seems to be the nice ones that go and the toughs who remain."
[His fiancee's name was Marion Wilson and she lived in Little Rock ...]
Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial:
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
"To Stuart, Happy Memories of June 1941. Mildred"
née Cokayne Father: Brien Ibrican Cokayne (d. 1932), Mother: Grace Margaret [Marsham] In 1937, she and Ruth Lambton took a 'light-hearted summer tour' to Budapest (via Brussels, Cologne, Munich, and Salzburg) in a Gipsy Moth; a trip which they reckoned cost them about £55 each in total.
They muddled along in a breathless, schoolgirlish sort of way. In Frankfurt, all their possessions were confiscated but then "we found ourselves in the officers' mess, where the entire squadron shook our hands with the utmost solemnity, clicked heels, Heiled Hitler and gave us lunch! Another round of handshakes, our belongings were duly returned to us, and we Heiled Hitler gratefully ourselves as we took off" Address in 1939: Blythe Rd, Worksop, Notts prev. Motor Sales m. 17 Oct 1939 in Chelsea, Capt. Robert William Alfred Moore, Royal Artillery. He was killed 29/30 May 1940 at Dunkirk. 1 daughter, Elizabeth, b. 27 Nov 1940
m. 1949 in London, Rev. David Henry Aitcheson Williams (Vicar of Tetbury, Gloucestershire. d. 1955) d. 19 Jan 1997 - West Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC
Ruth C (l) and Ruth L (r) ('Flight')
1942 caricature by 
prev. Royal Navy 1917-18 (Boy 1st Class) - 'usual war medals'; [He joined on 22 May 1918, served on HMSs Powerful, Cardiff, Victory I, and Royal Sovereign firstly as an 'engine cleaner', then 'Fireman, Railway', until the end of WWI) from 1924, a salesman for the United Yeast Co., and a member of the Carlisle Flying Club; RAF Aug-40 to Jan-41 (Link Trainer Instructor). prev exp 84 hrs on Gipsy Moth, Hornet Moth. m. 1922 in Carlisle, Lillian [Snowden], 2 children: Beryl b. 1922, Ernest b. 1927 Postings: 15FPP, 16FPP After his initial flight test he was described as "steady, but slow, particularly in navigation"
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire AD395 hit high ground in poor visibility at Breconside Farm, Durisdeer
Buried Carlisle Cemetery
The inscription reads: "In Loving Memory of Alexander Scott 1st Officer ATA
Beloved Husband of Lilian Scott
Died 15 March 1942 Aged 41 Years
Also Beryl Their Daughter
Died 18 September 1942 Aged 20 Years"
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
prev. an 'Assistant Manager' Address in 1928: Penn Hall, Penn, Staffs |
1928
6ft 4¼in tall; 'scar on left of throat' Ed. Cheltenham College prev. Clerk, Private Secretary to Produce Merchants prev. exp. 50hrs single engined in France Address in 1941: Greenways, Hillside, New Barnet, Herts Next of kin his brother, F. W. Hazeldine, later (1941) changed to his wife Mary G [Smith] Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP 'A steady pilot and an excellent officer. His keenness and sense of discipline are excellent... was quick to adapt to the Stirling." Contracted tuberculosis of the lungs ('Koch's disease') in Jul 1943 and appears not to have flown after that.
Address in 1948: 188 Chiltern Court, Baker St., London m. 1978 Cecilia Mary H [Jones] (d. 2000) d. Jul 1984 - Chichester, Sussex
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1937
ATA
Father Ralph was a market gardener and pig breeder Educated at Kings School, Chester m. with 2 children in 1941 Next of Kin: Dora Kemp (Mother), 41 Belmont Park, Lewisham London SE13 prev. a Garage Proprietor Address in 1941: 42A Longfield Ave, Upton, Chester Postings: 3FPP "A good officer, gaining experience" 22 Mar 1943: "Pilot reprimanded for indiscipline and unsatisfactory conduct in the presence of the Station Commander at RAF Station Cark" 26 Sep 1943: "Average pilot, discipline good, has shown no tendencies to repeat offence mentioned above." d. Sep 1954 - Bristol Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1936
prev. a chauffeur, then an aircraft fitter for Hawker at Brooklands Address in 1941: Ivy Cottage, St Mary's Rd, Oatlands Park, Weybridge Postings: 6FPP, 16FPP Off sick with gastro-enteritis from Dec-41 to Jan-42, then Apr-42 to May-42 "Has not made much progress lately, probably due to indifferent health." Contract Teminated 15 Jun 42 d. Mar 1976 - Newport, Gwent, Wales
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1937
Ed. Kennington School prev. RASC Motor Driver, 1920; Royal Irish Constabulary (1921); radio engineer (wireless dealer) prev. exp. 90 hrs m. 1923 in Elham, Kent, Winifred Irene [Pierson] "Damaged Wall.— Damage amounting to about £10 was done to a wall at Minster, the result of an accident on Friday morning. At 12.20 a Fordson tractor, driven by Felix Whitnall, of Sonds-road, Deal, was proceeding down Church-street, but when at the junction of Cunningham Road the steering gear failed to act properly, and the vehicle ran into the wall. The only damage was to the wall." - Thanet Advertiser - Thursday 09 April 1925 "A" Licence Gliding Certificate, 1931 "AN UNLIGHTED CAR - Motorist Fined £2 When Felix G. Whitnall was summoned at Folkestone Petty sessions on Friday last week for a breach of the lighting regulations, it was stated that he had already been fined six times for similar offences." - Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald - Saturday 12 January 1935 "THE MOON MADE HIM OVERLOOK IT " I did not realise the seriousness of It because of the moonlight that night." said Felix Whitnall of 5 Wells Road, Folkestone, at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday. when he was summoned for parking his car on its offside during the black-out. Chief Inspector W. Hollands said there were a number of previous convictions for motoring offences. Whitnall said the last of these was in 1935." - Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald - Saturday 02 March 1940 Address in 1941: 40 Ashley Ave, Kent Reprimanded and fined one day's pay in October 1941 after reporting a day late at Ratcliffe. 4 accidents, 3 his fault: - 29 Oct 1941, an 'error of judgement' taxying in Mentor L4435 without a man on the tail - 6 Nov 1941, 'bad airmanship' when he taxied his Avro Tutor G-ABIR into a car - 6 Feb 1942, 'persisted too far in bad weather' in Hurricane L1638 and crashed - 14 May 1943, a successful forced landing in Magister P9824 after engine failure.
"A good average pilot inclined to be over-confident" Off sick 11 Nov 1941 to 4 Dec 1941, after the Tutor crash. His ATA pilot contract was terminated in October 1942 after he had been absent following his Hurrricane accident the previous February, but he was re-instated 1 May 1943. When he returned he was put onto 'Maps and Signals' duty, then back on a pilot training course in early May 1943. This was not a success, however - "He would appear to lack any air sense whatsoever ... it would be much safer for himself and all concerned if he was taken off flying" - and his contract was again terminated on the 29 May 1943.
d. 10 Dec 1983 - Dover, Kent, leaving £103,453
"Mr Felix Whitnall, a motor engineer by trade originally started in business at 16 Cheriton High Street selling models, some of which can still be at the shop. He became fascinated by radios and turned his fascination and hobby into a full-time radio business in 1932. His slogan "Whitnall's for Wireless" became famous throughout the area. The present owner, Mr J. K. Moran joined Whitnall's in 1959, taking over the business when Mr Whitnall retired at the grand age of 80 in 1980 [sic]. Recentiy the showroom space has been trebled and Mr Moran can now proudly claim to have at least 50 different TVs on display. Whitnall's speciality is high quality TVs Hi-Fi's and compact disc players all with the highest quality after sales service - oh, and they do still sell radios!" - Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald - Friday 08 August 1986 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Address in 1918: Alwyne Cottage, Horsell, Woking, Surrey RAF Sergeant in WWI Addess in 1927: 45H Quebec St, London, Ontario, Canada |
1918
Ed. Eton, Cranwell prev. RAF F/O, General Duties Branch 1935-38; Ground Instructor at 8EFTS, Woodley prev exp. 350hrs Address in 1941: Old Tudor Place, Sonning, Berks then Cotswold View, Painswick, Glos. Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 9FPP Off sick from 28 Dec 1941 to 25 Jan 42 with bronchitis, and 29 Jan to 12 Feb 1943 with "unknown"; Fined one days flying pay in Jun 1943 for loss of ferry pilot's notes. 5 accidents, one his fault: - 5 Nov 1941, in a Beaufort; pilot to blame - 30 Nov 1942, his Mosquito swung on landing due to a broken brake pipe; - 11 Jun 1943, forced landing in another Mosquito due to engine failure; - 2 Sep 1943, in a Wellington, and - 5 Aug 1944, on taking off in an Argus, the cowling moved forwards and fouled the propeller. "A very smart, well-behaved and likeable officer; he is liked and respected by all his fellow officers." m. 1945 Nancy Elizabeth [Lloyd, d. Jul 1995]; 2 children d. 30 Nov 1995 - North Dorset
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1934
Had a twin sister, Martha High School in Washington DC prev. Service Dept, Piper Aircraft Corp. Address in 1940: 131E Main St., Lock Haven, PA Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP "A good pilot. Demeanour - lacking in enthusiasm." He was due to return to the US in May 1942 (with fellow American pilots Jack Groover Durham (M.332), Bruce Elmer Raymond, H Stirling, Gerald Gilbert Yerdon, W Walters and Ernest Carl Ewing (M.470), but his contract was renewed at the last moment. Reduced in rank to 2nd Officer for 1 month from 31 Jan 43 after showing 'very bad airmanship' when flying a Typhoon; he misjudged his approach, undershot the landing and struck a gun post. Captain in USAAF until 1947, then with the Curry School of Aeronautics m. Ethel Brown of the Army Nurses Corps, 22 Sep 1948 d. 11 Nov 1984 Burial: Culpeper National Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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"Recognised as one of the greatest of US World War aces with 12 victories, Major Lord holds the DFC and Bar, the Croix de Guerre, the Order of St. Anne, the Order of St. Stanislaus and the White Army Medal." Briefly, he: - left home at 16 and joined the state militia on the Mexican border, then - Joined the RFC, renouncing his US Citizenship to do so, and was credited with shooting down 12 German aircraft (although he later told people it was 22) and one balloon. In one engagement, he single-handedly attacked 20 German planes, shot down two and scattered the rest; - he then went north into Russia to lead a squadron fighting near Archangel in the Russian Civil War, at one stage "blasting the enemy with empty whisky bottles"; - he then "killed time" by fighting for the Government in the Mexican Revolution of 1921 and from then until 1932 he barnstormed in the US with a flying circus. - He then fought for the Chinese Government against the Japanese in Shanghai and Peiping; - 3 years later he was fighting for the Government in Honduras, - And in 1937, [of course], he fought in the Spanish Civil War against German and Italian air forces. He then operated a flying school for a few years, but found it "pretty dull" and tried to rejoin the RAF when WWII broke out, but they obviously felt that the ATA was a more sensible place for a 47-year-old pilot. d. 21 Jul 1967 (age 70): he was murdered in Apple Valley, CA. He was found in a desert cabin belonging to Norval Elma Austin, which "was a shambles, with broken bottles all over the floor, giving every indication of a struggle." The body was identified by his wife. She later said that Frederic was physically unable to do much work around the house, and had hired Norval to do yardwork and other heavy chores, but had fired him "several times". Norval was arrested 2 days later, and found guilty of second-degree murder in 1968. He died in 1982. |
1941
Postings: 8FPP, 1FPP
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prev. a Clerk in West Riding Surveyors Dept., Yorks RAF Sep-39 to OCt-40, LAC/Sgt. d. 26 Jun 1942 - died in a motor accident at East Ardsley, nr Wakefield when returning home to visit his mother on weekend leave. Albert Ronald Humphreys (27), a laboratory assistant, of The Avenue, Ledger Lane, Outwood, near Wakefield, was charged with Clarence's manslaughter, but a plea of dangerous driving was accepted. At 11 o'clock at night at Ramper's Bend on the Wakefield Road at East Ardsley, Humphreys took the corner at too great a speed. The car turned over and Brook, one of the passengers, was thrown out and killed. The Judge imposed a fine of £5O and disqualified Humphreys from holding a driving licence for three years. buried in Pontefract Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
prev exp 90hrs a Ground Engineer for Rotol Airscrews in Gloucester Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 9FPP "A pilot of outstanding ability on all types, with the added advantage of having an excellent technical background." O.C. No 2 FPP wrote in 1945: "I cannot speak too highly of this officer's ability as a Flight Captain and a pilot. He has been one of the mainstays of this pool since the beginning of 1942." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Ed. G.C.S. Dublin, National School Kildare St. prev. RAFVR 16 Jan 1939 to 18 Sep 1940, Sergeant Pilot under training prev. a 'Ladies Court Hairdresser' in Paris, then a technical assistant at Plessey in Ilford m. Jun-42 Madeline Clare [Grigsby] in Maidenhead [d. 2009, Wallasey] Address in 1941: Littlewick House, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead Postings: 6FPP, 16FPP, 14FPP, 1FPP Had 5 accidents in 1942, 4 of which were his fault; he managed to damage a Walrus [failed to control swing], a Hurricane [forgot to lower undercarriage], 2 Masters [hard landing collapsed undercarriage, and hit a post whilst taxying] and a Spitfire [undercarriage leg failed to lock down, that one was not his fault]. Contract Terminated in Apr-42 but re-instated; "This pilot has been given a second chance, a further course of training in the School ... He has not given entire satisfaction. As a pilot he appears now to be average but his reports indicate that he requires driving." "General flying poor, take-off and approaches below standard", but "A keen and willing pilot within his limited capabilities." Also damaged 2 more Spitfires in 1943, but neither was his fault. d. Jul 1995 - Wallasey, Merseyside Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1935
[Possibly emigrated to Canada aged 11 in 1912] RFC in WWI; an instructor at Manston, Kent He "taught Sir Alan Cobham to fly":
Sir Alan Cobham, famous British Airman, was taught to fly by a Winnipeg man, James Holley - The Winnipeg Tribune, 17 Jan 1927 They met again during Sir Alan arrived in Winnipeg en route to the Pacific Coast and had a chat about 'the good old days'. m. 1921 Anna [Sparling] in Winnipeg Owned a 1927 DH Moth, G-CAIL, which later became part of Western Canada Airways' fleet. He also acquired G-CANO, a 1928 Avro Avian III, from WCA. He was involved in an aeroplane and car tour from Saint Paul to Winnipeg tour in 1928: "The delegation, led by Captain J. H. Holley, air pilot for the Western Canada Airways corporation, made arrangements for the international goodwill tour, the Canadians pledging their support and co-operation and offering the hospitality of Winnipeg during the first of the Crookston group. Captain Holley, considered one of the best pilots in Canada, declared he would fly down to take part in the Crookston air derby and would be accompanied by at least one other ship from his company." https://www.reshapingthetornadobelt.com/background/grand-forks-aviation-history/stp-ywg-air-tour-1928 In 1930, he was Sales Manager of the Detroit Aircraft Co. He flew a Lockheed Vega to break the commercial speed record at Felts Field; Washngton; "he expects to exceed a speed of 185 miles per hour." Sailed back to Montreal on 5 October 1941 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Constant Wilson, William Englander, John Sleeper, Walter Lewis, Vernon Meyer, Marvin Tuxhorn, Herbert Termaine, Willie Crews and Leland Lloyd |
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HB
1945
Ed. Bryanston School, Blandford; Jesus College, Cambridge (BA Hons, Geography) Next of Kin: (mother) Phyllis M Nathan (later Poyser) Savernake, Thurlestone, S Devon, later Stratfield Mortimer, nr Reading, Berks prev. Sgt in RAFVR; Link Trainer instructor, RAF Uxbridge, Oct 1940 to 28 Jan 1941 "Unfortunately, his ability to lecture is not up to the required standard ... he has applied for his release from the RAF" prev. exp. 72 hrs in Puss Moth (G-AAYC, belonging to his father Major A A Nathan), Moth, Tiger Moth, Avian. Member of the Civil Air Guard, Cambridge University Aero Club; 'B' Certificate for gliding. Address in 1941: Green Firs, Wellhead Lane, Westbury, Wilts He actually passed his flight test on 20 Dec 1940 ("Good material. Requires training and practice flying to bring him up to the 100 hrs total"), but it took the ATA until 13 Apr 1941 to call him in. Postings: 2FPP, Training Pool, 6FPP His instructor, J Watson, rated him "Quick to learn, intelligent. A trifle lacking in confidence, but will doubtless improve with experience" 2 accidents, both deemed to be his fault: - 1 Jun 1941, a landing accident in Magister T9913;
d. 8 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service); after landing Tiger Moth BB691 at RAF Ouston, he turned into the path of a landing Spitfire. "It is with profound regret that I hear of the fatal flying accident of Mr Nathan, a most lovable young man who, along with the rest of his friends, has given his all, to benefit us." R A Gill, Manager, National Provincial Bank, Beaconsfield Buried St.Mary Churchyard, Stratfield Mortimer, Berkshire
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prev. A motor trader and motorcycle racer; he and his brother James founded Anderton Bros. Motor Cycles Ltd. in Bolton, Lancashire in 1935. Served for 6 months in the Civil Air Guard, as a Unit Leader. Address in 1941: 18 Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever, Bolton Postings: 3FPP, 14FPP In September 1944 his CO, Stan Ogden, wrote "Has been a member of this Pool since Dec 1942. He has proved a willing worker. He uses his head as a pilot and does not attempt to fly in weather beyond his capacity. His discipline has been a good example to more junior members of this Pool."
from http://triumphtiger100.blogspot.pt/ Wikipedia: "In 1949 he competed in his first Isle of Man TT event with brother James in the pits. He also competed in the Ulster Grand Prix 1949 to 1951." Owned G-AMZI, a 1953 Auster J-5F Aiglet Trainer. d. Dec 1983 - Bolton Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1938
1949
Studied Engineering and Accountancy in College, then in the US Marine Corps (Radio & Comms) 1931-35 Started flying at Washington Airport on Fleet in 1936, then 1939 on Taylor Cubs and Aeronca. Bought his own Aeronca Chief, took a commercial pilot's license and an instructor's course in Rockville. A corporal in the Washington DC Special Police, as a radio operator. prev exp 445hrs on Aeronca, Fleet, Wco, Stinson, Fairchild, Cub. Address in 1941: 4848 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD Trained on Magister, Hawk, DH Moth and Avro Tutor; completed his training on Harvard and Hurricane in Aug 1941 d. 7 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - in Hurricane IIb Z5663; became lost in snowstorm and nose-dived into ground in Wyre Forest, nr the Button Oak Inn, 5mi NW of Bewdley, Worcestershire.
Buried in All Saints Church, Wribbenhall on the 10th December. The pall bearers were Sergeant Pilots Jeffery (Canada), Munro (Canada), Brown (USA), Terry (USA), Isfield (Canada) and Wilson (USA). Chief Mourners were F/O Jack Terry, F/O Anthony Storey, and Miss Stamford. The many wreaths included one from Mrs Jane Spence, "the only American-born resident in Bewdley." His wife Mrytle wrote "Numbers of my husband's friends, both officers and fellow-pilots, have written to me. Will you please give them my sincere thanks? I'm glad he made so many friends, and I appreciate their sympathy." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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The Button Oak Inn, 2015
ATA
An aviation journalist (e.g. 'Flying Memories,' 1936) and a prolific and well-known artist, e.g. this from 1931:
and this, from 1936:
Address in 1941: Fivetrees, Wood Lane, Stanmore Middx Postings; 1FPP, 6FPP [Promoted to First Officer 29 Dec 1941, but demoted to 3rd Officer 21 June 1943 after being absent through injury following a forced landing in a Hurricane, from 27 Mar 1942 to 15 Nov 1942] Jan-43: "After a long rest from flying owing to his accident this pilot failed to reach the necessary standard on his Class 2 refresher. He has bnow been checked out on Class 1 and after 3 months experience in this class should be given another trial." By Dec-44 he had qualified for Class 2 and 3, and became "a good reliable and well behaved officer. His knowledge of the country and steady flying make him an excellent pilot." d. 1950. Flight, 13 Apr: "It is with deep regret that Flight records the deaths, in an air accident at Boston last Friday, of Stanley Orton Bradshaw, pilot, and editorial contributor to The Aeroplane, and of his two passengers, E. J. Riding and N. C. Stoneham. Aged 47, Mr. Bradshaw had been a pilot since 1926 and, following wartime A.T.A. experience, had over 70 types of aircraft in his logbook. In addition, he was a noted aviation writer and painter of flying scenes. He had a happy way of transmitting his intense enthusiasm for aviation, particularly private flying, to all he met. Mr. Riding, also a writer, was an authority on aero-modelling and light aircraft. The third victim, Mr. Stoneham, was a member of the Redhill Flying Club." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1927
ICCL
Father: William Campbell Shaw (1875-1942), Mother Maud Ann [Hackett] (1869-1907) m. 31 Mar 1934 in New Zealand, Amelia Myrtle Irene Robertson (b. 11 Feb 1906 in Oamaru, Otago, New Zealand, d. 26 Apr 2004)
In the 1939 Census, he is listed as an "Agricultural Engineer Service Work" and lives with wife Amelia and son Richard, in Spalding, Lincs. His entry adds "Civil Air Guard", and "Pilots Licence No 9166" but he didn't have a UK Royal Aero Club certificate; he must have learnt to fly in New Zealand.
In November 1939, "Richard le Norman Shaw, engineer, Gainsborough Cottage, Pinchbeck, in Pinchbeck Road. Spalding" was fined 15s. for a motoring offence.
Postings: 4FPP Class VI Pilot
One of Richard's first 'Aircraft Collection Chits', dated 12 Oct 1941 - a Hurricane from Prestwick
3 accidents, none his fault: - 16 Oct 1942, shortly after take-off the hood of his Spitfire Vb BM189, which was wrongly assembled, became partially detached and broke away - 29 Nov 1942, in Blenheim V BB135, the "excessively bad state of the surface of the airfield" caused the undercarriage to collapse after a normal landing - 8 Aug 1944, in Hellcat I JV171, he was baulked on landing and on opening up the engine again it picked up for a short time and then failed. The aircraft was subsequently landed with the wheels down, off the runway, over-ran the airfield boundary and crashed into a bank. He was injured in this last accident, and spent some time in the RAF Sick Quarters at Prestwick. Commander d'Erlanger sent him a 'get well soon' letter on the 14th:
His final, impressive tally of hours was:
- Single-engine: 432 hrs on 34 Types
- Twin-engine: 587.35hrs on 19 Types, and
- Multi-engine: 84 hrs on 56 Types
"Upon the termination of your services with Air Transport Auxiliary, I should like yo express appreciation of the manner in which you have carried out your duties since you first joined us in April 1941; I have no doubt that your recollection of these services for your Country will prove a source of great satisfaction to you."
Commodore G. D'Erlanger, Commanding Officer, ATA
In May 1947, Richard and Amelia moved to New Zealand with their 2 children Richard Norman (b. 9 May 1937, d. 5 Jan 1983) and Elizabeth A (b. Jan 1940). They lived at 44 Fortification Rd, Wellington, and then Hawke's Bay from c.1981
d. 30 Nov 1984 (aged 78)
Buried at Oamaru Lawn Cemetery, Oamaru, Waitaki District, Otago, New Zealand, Block 520, Plot 40, beside Amelia and Richard Jr
Download ATA Pilot Log Book & Correspondence * (.zip file): * with thanks to Jason and Nina Harris, and daughter Lydia (who saved Richard's logbook from being destroyed) |
SS Nerissa, bringing 14 American pilots, was sunk 30 Apr 1941
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The SS Nerissa was bringing 290 passengers and crew from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Britain; amongst them were 14 American pilots destined for the ATA. 11 of them were lost after the ship was torpedoed and sunk by U-boat U-552 about 100 miles NW of Donegal, Eire. There were 84 survivors.
The pilots lost were:
The three surviving pilots were Clyde Cecil Foreman (M.482), Joseph Stuart Wiley (M.427) and Austin Young (M.452), from Flint, Michigan. |
Father: Sydney H Parker, Mother: Annie C Address in 1938: Chasma Tangi, Ashley Rd, New Milton, Hants prev. Teaching, Ground Engineer Postings: 15FPP
d. 26 Sep 2000 - Wimborne St Giles, Dorset |
RAeC 1938
m. 1931 in Staines, Patricia Harriet Louise [Watson] prev. a ground engineer at Heston Airport
d. 1 May 1952 - Tripoli, Lebanon buried Anglo-American Cemetery, Beirut |
prev. a Mining Engineer, then a Motor Engineer Royal Navy from 1915-18 then Army Air Corps to 1919 Address in 1938: "Alclutha", St George's Rd, Sandwich, Kent d. 7 Mar 1982, Exeter |
1938Women Pilots at Hatfield in May 1941
ELC
Connie Leathart, Lois Butler, Margaret Cunnison, Pauline Gower, Jackie Sorour, Honor Pitman, Ann Douglas, Anna Leska, Stefania Wojtulanis, Winnie Crossley, Lettice Curtis, Pat Beverley (at the time she was a driver), Audrey Sale-Barker, Audrey Macmillan, Rosemary Rees, and Kitty Farrer
Address in 1941: Empshott Lodge, Liss, Hants Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP 4-engine (Class 5) pilot
5 accidents, 2 her fault: - 9 Jan 1941, when the rear cockpit cover of her Master fell off, damaging the tail; - 26 Jun 1942, forced landing in an Airacobra; - 13 Dec 1942, she failed to control the take-off swing of a Hudson; - 30 Apr 1943, her Spitfire's port wing touched the ground on a difficult crosswind landing, and - 11 Jul 1944, forced landing in an Anson.
A good natural pilot" "A capable pilot who is keen and quietly confident" "Has proved to be a good second in command and was acting C.O. for 2 months with credit" m. 1941 Cmdr Peter Hugh Bragg, RAF Boscombe Down d. 1984 See her biography here - Felicity Bragg – solentaviatrix (wordpress.com) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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RAeC
Daughter of Samuel Arthur Sayer (a chartered civil engineer) and of Elizabeth Emma [Mills], of Stoke D'Abernon, Surrey. Betty's niece tells me that "They came back to England in 1916 or 17 because Elizabeth was pregnant and wanted to give birth in England. She was afraid of U-boats and so came on the trans-Siberian railway but it took a long time as they got caught up in the Russian revolution and spent days parked in sidings. I think they spent several weeks on the train. I think they ended up in Sweden and had to get a boat across to Scotland." [Davd Cooke has discovered that Samuel Sayer headed the architectural department of a company named Republic Land Investment, which was responsible for designing the New Asia Hotel in Shanghai. This was opened in 1934 and is still a landmark building – see http://www.newasiahotelshanghai.com/ ] Betty and her elder sister Kathleen then sailed, with their mother Elizabeth, from England to Canada in 1919, and back from Japan in 1927. Elizabeth died in October 1932 in her early 40s (apparently "she died of cirrhosis of the liver, was most annoyed by it as she had never drunk alcohol") and in the following year Betty and Kathleen (by then 15 and 19) sailed to Shanghai. "From all accounts Betty was a bit of a tearaway (possibly taking after her mother). I remember seeing a letter from my grandfather to my mother after Betty had come back saying how much he missed her and commenting on her lively behaviour. As far as ships go I remember my mother (Kathleen) saying quite late in life that she thought that every ship she had sailed on had ended being sunk!" Betty was then back in England for a few years, and took her Royal Aero Club certificate in 1937.
Prev. Exp: 37 hrs solo Betty was an 'Assistant Passenger Agent', working for Messrs Butterfield and Swire in Shanghai in 1940, but she had gained her Royal Aero Club 'A' Licence 3 years before. So, when the call came for women pilots for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), she didn't hesitate; clutching this letter of introduction, she made her way back to England: She explained to the ATA that her licence had, in fact, expired in August 1940; she had got half way through the course for a 'B' licence but abandoned this to return to Shanghai to join her father. She had 37 hrs 51 min solo, out of a total of 90 hrs 55min - "chiefly Tiger Moths and Gypsy I" 'Well', said the ATA, 'as you've come all this way, you'd better have a flight test.' Which she did, and it was satisfactory. As quite often happened, nothing happened. When they finally did write, it was to say that there were no vacancies, and anyway, "nobody with less than 50 hrs solo can be accepted at the moment." Betty was understandably, a tiny bit annoyed. She wrote to them, again: "I told you at the time about my solo hours... there would seem to be little point in my carrying out a flight test ... I have travelled here from Shanghai for the express purpose of doing something to help the war effort... Could you please let me know when I may expect to hear from you, as naturally I do not wish to do nothing whilst awaiting a communication from you... I might join the WAAF, although naturally I would prefer to become a member of the ATA." They wrote back on the 28 March 1941: "You are on the first reserve", then on 5 April the long-awaited call came through: "Please report on May 1st".
Betty was keen, and started instruction; she was 'shaping well', but the next setback came on 9 May: "We have sufficient pilots to cope with our work at present, and we do not require your services. You had slightly less experience than any of the pilots we have taken on so far." ATA Senior Commander Pauline Gower was not best pleased, either; she wrote to her boss, "I have had to dispense with the services of Miss Sayer as a pilot ... You instructed me to bring our numbers up to 40, and this is what I have done." Poor Betty was shunted off to the non-flying staff, as a Secretary on 3 pounds 10 shillings a week. There she languished for a few weeks until, on the 3 July 1941, in another triumph of long-term planning, she was ... put on the flying strength once again. She had another test, on the 17th: "Miss Sayer is obviously inexperienced and requires more practice with forced landings and compass turns. Try her again after another 20 hours dual and solo" By the 9th Aug 1941 they reported: "Better: her turns near the ground have improved... enterprising and sensible in her flying." The final, bitter blow was only just round the corner, however; on the 15 Mar 1942, she (with Bridget Hills (q.v.)) was killed at 12.20pm on the 15 Mar 1942 when flying as a passenger in Fairchild Argus HM178, which stalled and crashed onto a bungalow when returning to land at White Waltham after bad weather.
Yorkshire Evening Post, 17 Mar 1942: "AIRWOMEN KILLED Ferry Pilots' 'Plane Hit Bungalow. The Ministry of Aircraft Production announces that Flying Officer Graham Lever, Third Officer Bridget Hill, and Third Officer Bessie Sayers lost their lives in a flying accident on Sunday. The accident occurred in the course of their duties with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The 'plane crashed on to a bungalow. A fourth passenger in the machine, also a woman A.T.A. officer, was injured. Twenty-six people were injured when they rushed to the house to extricate the passengers in the 'plane. It is believed that the petrol tank in the machine exploded. Among the injured were children who were in the street. The petrol tank exploded some time after the crash, owing, it is believed, to contact with a fire in the kitchen. A man named Croft, living in an adjoining bungalow, was blown through a window into the street and badly hurt but a child in the front room of the bungalow was rescued almost uninjured. " She was buried at Maidenhead Cemetery - Sec. D. Row K.K. Grave 19., and is named on the memorial at Stoke d'Abernon.
Pauline wrote that "she was a vey keen pilot, who had her heart in her work. She flew well and had the makings of a good ferry pilot." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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RAeC 1937
Illustrated News, 1942
Educated at Fettes College, Cranwell College RAF Pilot Officer Sep-31 to Apr-34, 111(F) Sqn RAF Hornchurch flying Siskins and Bulldogs m. 1943 Denise Germaine [Dartnall] in Maidenhead an Instructor in Air Navigation, for Air Schools Ltd. Address in 1941: 26 Weymouth Mews, Weymouth St., London N1 Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP, 4aFPP, 4FPP 5FPP, and AFTS as instructor "An excellent officer and reliable pilot", but developed "a rather worrying disposition and would probably overcome this if he mixed more with his collleagues." d. 3 Apr 1986 - Bournemouth, Hants "Elder son of the late Professor and Mrs A R Ferguson of Cairo and Edinburgh and father of Christopher." The Times [actually Christian A J Ferguson, b. 1947] Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a Flight Instructor and commercial pilot d. 3 Sep 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Master AZ324 crashed into the sea at Terally Point, 2 miles N of Dronmore, Scotland. And then A Small Surprise Emerged
young Stephen Raymond Lambert McFarland The American Red Cross in Mount Vernon, Ohio, reported that they had seen Stephen's mother Anna; "we had previously been informed by a member of our committee that we could rely on any statements she would make, she was that kind of a person".
Anna from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hhickman/p271.htm Anna told the Red Cross that she and Fred (Stephen's father) had been contacted by an English girl - Frona 'Daisy' Lambert, who told them she had met Stephen when she was a 'canteen hostess' in London. They became fond of each other "and - well - a baby was soon on the way." Stephen had not known she was pregnant: "About that time Stephen became acquainted with another girl and saw a great deal of her. Miss Lambert was proud and did not hunt Stephen up to tell of her condition". After the baby was born (on the 14th March 1942) she wrote to him, not knowing that he had been killed. "Miss Lambert is most anxious to keep the baby with her and find some way to solve her problems... Her mother is dead and her father has more or less disowned her since she became an unwed mother." Stephen's parents wanted Daisy to bring the baby (who, they said, bore a strong resemblance to Stephen) to live in Mount Vernon. They would, they said, "plan to have her known as their son's widow" and look after her and the baby, to the best of their limited resources. Anna wrote to Daisy: "We are surely glad about the baby but sorry you did not tell Steve as we are sure he would of made everything alright with you and been proud of his son." All was then arranged; the only serious qualms felt by the McFarlands were "in regard to Miss Lambert's name. Their wish is to introduce the girl as their late son's widow, which will be difficult if she does not bear his name." They wondered if it would be possible for Daisy to change her surname to McFarland? This was "owing to their fear that complications and unpleasantness might arise in a small farming community, having a somewhat rigid moral outlook." Indeed it was possible, and Daisy and Stephen Raymond changed their name to McFarland in May 1943. The ATA Benevolent Fund agreed an ex-gratia payment of $3,000 to Mr and Mrs McFarland, and $3,000 in trust for Stephen Jnr. on the condition that Fred and Anna could sponsor their move to the US. The ATA also arranged for Daisy and Stephen Jr to stay with Sqn Ldr Morgan in Twyford until arrangements could be made for their transfer to the US, and gave him £3 10s a week for her board and lodging. In April, Daisy wrote to the ATA: "You are kind to go to all this trouble for us, and I will not disappoint you. It will be a fresh start, in different surroundings, and I shall do my utmost to settle down, and help Mrs Morgan as much as possible." By June 1943, however, Daisy seems to have disappointed some people at least, according to a letter from Cmdr Stocks, the ATA Personnel Officer. Having moved to Amerden Priory (thanks in part to Audrey Sale-Barker), she spent "the majority of her time lazing about the gardens and in the evening playing cards until the early hours of the morning." One evening she reportedly won 6s at cards and the next morning bought cigarettes with this money, instead of buying new shoes for her baby - his only shoes being worn out. She also was reported to have consorted with other married men, to have wasted money on taxis, stayed out late, etc, etc. Daisy thought, apparently, that Mount Vernon was going to be "a place of bright lights, lots of music and tall buildings", and thought that everyone owned a car. Whether or not the reports were true or not is impossible to say - in Daisy's letters she comes across as a sweet, perfectly respectable, 22-year-old. She was making a living as a dressmaker and did 'very fine needlework'. They finally arrived in Mount Vernon in September 1943. "Just a few lines to let you know I arrived safely. After we parted at N.Y. I was feeling pretty low... I got to Columbus at around 11:30 the next morning and Mrs McFarland sent her son Frank to pick me up by car." "It's very nice here, everybody's so sweet and kind, I shan't find it difficult to settle down. Things are so different to England, but in the right way." "p.s. Dumbo's doing fine - and if possible - getting fatter." Anna's great-nephew tells me that "I recall visiting Anna on her farm in Ohio, and my parents kept in contact with their other son Frank McFarland, until the 1990’s when he died."
Anna McFarland, on the right Daisy - reverting to her original name, Frona - later moved out of Ohio, married Benjamin H Corbin in 1946 (he was a bricklayer; they divorced in 1971), had two daughters (Kim and Carla) and carried on with her 'fine needlework', for example winning 'Best of Show' in the 1980 Yarncrafters Guild Show.
"Lest the impression be given that Ms Corbin has spent her life with a needle in her hand, it should be noted that, amongst other things, she has travelled with a carnival for six-seven years, worked as a carpenter's helper for four years, done interior and exterior house painting for four years and managed a pet shop for several years." "I look at every day as something exciting ... One of the nicest things my children ever said to me was, 'Mother, don't ever grow up'." Frona died in 2002 aged 80. As for Stephen's parents, Fred died in 1959 and the indomitable Anna in 1972. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Frona in 1980: photo courtesy of Howard Hickman
m. Mary E, 1 son Address in 1940: Clinton, Mt Vernon, OH Sailed back to Montreal on 5 October 1941 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Constant Wilson, William Englander, James Holley, Walter Lewis, Vernon Meyer, Marvin Tuxhorn, Herbert Termaine, Willie Crews and Leland Lloyd He and three other American pilots (William Harry Englander, Vernon Arno Meyer, and Marvin Blaine Tuxhorn, qqv) threatened legal action to secure their full ATA salary of $150 per week for the period after they were told they had not been accepted as ferry pilots; they had, it seems, only been paid $24 plus a $50 subsistence allowance per week. Joined USAAF ATC based at Romulus, Michigan. In Apr 1943 he made a forced landing in a Mustang en route from Scott Field to Chicago, suffering cuts about the face and body. d. 29 Nov 1984 - Goodhue, Minnesota Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Postings: 6FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 8FPP, 1FPP
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Address in 1941: (mother) 607 15th Ave E, Cordele, GA Ed. Georgia Military College prev. A Banker; Flight Instructor; US Army Sep-28 to Aug-40, 2nd Lieut. 'Flying since 1928' Postings: 3FPP Either "a good and capable pilot", or "This pilot gossips and grumbles too much about things of which he knows nothing; a troublemaker." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a salesman (Gents Tailors), and a Ground Instructor for Marshall's Flying School, Cambridge m. , one child before 1941 RAFVR Sgt in General Duties Branch, Apr-39 to Aug-40, exp. 70 hrs solo Address in 1941: 34 Elfloda Rd, Cambridge Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 1FPP, 10FPP He had 4 'at fault' accidents: - 30 Jun 1941: overshot on landing in Fairey Battle P6668; - 24 Oct 1941: his Hurricane BE341 collided with a Blenheim in bad visibility [suspended for 3 days without pay for landing late and in bad weather]; - 22 Mar 1942: failed to control landing swing in Spitfire Vb BL775, swung off runway and nosed over, and - 11 Jun 1942: failed to control swing (again), but at least there were extenuating circumstances in that he was making a single-engine forced landing in Beaufort W6498 at the time. He was then injured as a passenger in yet another 'landing swing' accident on 22 Apr 1943; "Consolidated Catalina FP321 swung on landing after a training flight and sank. The accident on Cumbrae involved Captain Ernest Cook, Flight Captain Jose Carreras from Spain, and Flying Officer Gibbs, who all survived the accident, but sadly, the body of Flight Engineer Harold Frank Peter Waldron was never found. Flight Captain Jose Maria Carreras, who was a former Spanish Civil War pilot, was instructing on the seaplane when through no fault of his own, the aircraft crashed." http://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/13750810.70th_anniversary_of_Catalina_crash "Mr J.W Gibbs, for many years afterwards Air Safety Officer for BEA, was a co-pilot when the plane crashed. “Gibbie, as he was known by everyone, found himself swimming in the water with the wing floating close by with one of the crew sitting on it. When he put up his arms to grab the wing he found, for the first time that his right arm had been taken off at the shoulder as he was flung from the plane.” - https://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/13752788.truth-emerges-over-cumbrae-catalina-tragedy/
"A good officer whose flying was entirely satisfactory." Transferred to Admin (Air Accidents Investigation Officer) Apr-44 [at a salary of £525 a year.] Off sick from 29 Nov 1944 to 13 Apr 1945 - "Reporting to Canadian Hospital" When he returned to flying, "This pilot flew the Moth and Argus well and is perfectly safe on those types. These two aircraft are at the moment the limit of his ability due to his physical handicap." "Occupational Ability: Average. Very good but inclined to be erratic." "General Remarks: With growing experience his judgement is improving. At first he was inclined to be a little emotional and prejudiced in his judgement, and to be argumentative, but he is settling down." ATA contract terminated Jan-46. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
1946
Father: Walter Brown Crews, Mother: Annie Mae Ed. Kerser High School m. 1935 in Arkansas Bertha Christine [Johnson] (an 'FAA licensed Pilot') prev. a commercial pilot (Delta, Finkles Bros) flying instructor and crop dusting Address in 1941: 1201, W Ash St., Blytheville, Arkansas Contract Terminated - Medical Reasons. "This pilot was found to be sufferng from syphilis, which he contracted before he left the USA, and received treatment in this country. This condition was too far developed to permit flying activities." "He should never have been enrolled." later Capt in US Air Transport Command 1942-1946 d. 20 Mar 1974 (Age 62) - Los Angeles Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Lieut., 16th Gloucestershire Regiment, RFC and RAF in WWI Certificate of Commendation "On the 10th February, 1944, First Officer Collins was ferrying a Walrus when the engine failed completely over mountainous country. He landed it undamaged on a bend of the River Devron between high banks, and managed to moor it successfully." One accident, his fault: - 10th Oct 1942, Tomahawk AH806 was being flown to Catterick on a delivery flight so the aircraft could join No.1472 A.A.C.Flight. It landed at Dishforth at 13.15hrs with its undercarriage retracted and was slightly damaged. d. 5 Sep 1979 - Cannock, Staffs |
Postings include: 8FPP
m. 1946 in Maidenhead, Jessie H [Wilson]
d. 1996, Winchester, Hants Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Ed. Technical School. Oldham [Diploma in Textiles] Chartered Institute of Secretaries prev. RFC, RAF Nov 1917 to Apr 1919 2nd Lieut. m. 1930 Dora [Hewitt], 2 children Margaret b. 1933, John b. 1935 prev. a Yarn Salesman for Park Mill, Royton, Lancs prev. exp. 200 hrs Address in 1941: 442 Burnley Lane, Chadderton, nr Oldham Postings: 3FPP, 14FPP "A slow and rather erratic pilot but proved safe and of average ability" ... "A very good officer to whom nothing is a trouble." Off sick from 27 Jan 1944 to 1 Mar 1944 with 'flying fatigue'. Contract Terminated by ATA 3 Mar 1944 d. Jun 1951 - Manchester Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Father: Joseph Lois Naz (A member of the Institution of Civil Engineers) Educated at Bedford School, Stanislas College Paris. B.Sc. m. 1933 Eileen Winifred [Barrett], 2 children Next of Kin: Dr P L Naz, Kingston & District Hospital An Electrical Engineer; R.A.F. Reserve Officer Jun-28 to Nov-39 Address in 1941: 72 Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Herts Postings: 15FPP, 3FPP, 14FPP, 1FPP (Communications Flt) "A keen and competent pilot", "Above average as a pilot; apt to be a bad time-keeper." d. 26 Jul 1962 - St Albans, Herts Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Ed. Central School, Coventry m. Jan 1936 Lorna Grace [Hill], of Coventry House, Dunton Bassett, Rugby; 1 daughter Josephine b. Q3 1936 prev. a Builder and Contractor; Sergeant in RAF, 2 Nov 1939 - 4 Apr 1941 prev. exp 151 hrs on Leopard Moth, Swallow, Avro Tutor, Chilton, Taylorcraft & Cub Address in 1941: 240 ~Walsgrave Rd, Stoke, Coventry Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP "This officer gives occasional trouble on questions of general discipline and behaviour, both on and off duty.... he is very sure of himself ... very cocksure and self-opinionated" "Quite a capable pilot" 5 Accidents, only one deemed to be his fault: - 11 Dec 1941, his Hurricane IIb AP594 sank so deeply into unmarked piece of soft ground that it nosed over, 'in spite of men on tail', damaging the propeller - 13 Mar 1942, in another Hurricane, N2666 the gun compartment cowling came loose in flight - 3 Apr 1942, he taxied his Anson into some barbed wire due to 'bad cornering in difficult conditions, and with a stiff tailwheel pivot' 13 Jul 1942, the port undercarriage leg of his Beaufighter IV EL241 collapsed on landing, and
d. 17 Sep 1942 when he lost control in cloud (which was 10/10ths at 1,000ft) and his Spitfire Vb EP893 dived into the ground at Saighton, nr Chester, shortly after take-off from Hawarden
Buried St Michaels Cemetery, Stoke, Coventry
"To: Commanding Officer, ATA, I am writing to thank you most sincerely for your letter expressing your personal sympathy in my sad loss and for all the kindness you have shown & the help you have given me. Our small daughter is a great comfort to me & I trust she too will one day be proud to know that you held him in such high esteem as a pilot, & that he died serving his country. Yours Sincerely, Lorna G Morris"
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1937
ATA
prev. a tobacconist Address in 1935: 7 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE 22 |
1935
Ed. at Perse School, Cambridge father: Robert Evelyn George m. Jun 1943 Wendy M [Tadgell]; 3 children b. 1944, 1947, 1949 prev. a Master Tailor RAF Sgt. from Mar-39 to Jan-41 "Unable to fly satisfactorily at night" prev. exp. 182 hrs Address in 1941: 68 Panton St, Cambridge ["Telephone No 3943 during day, not Thursday afternoon or Sundays (shop)"] Postings: 1FPP, 12FPP, 4aFPP, 6FPP, 7FPP Seconded to RNAS Lee-on-Solent Aug-Sep 1944 "This officer was very slow at the beginning but is progressing slowly." "Flying of average standard. Slowness was due to sickness and domestic worries." "A likeable officer whose discipline is good. A capable pilot although somewhat underconfident."
Peter (3rd from right) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010
d. 10 Feb 2012 - Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire "Former WWII ATA Pilot. Died peacefully at home, on Friday, 10th February, 2012, aged 91 years. Beloved husband of the late Wendy and very much loved and admired by all his family. Funeral service at the West Chapel, Cambridge City Crematorium, CB3 0JJ on Friday, 9th March at 2.15pm. Family flowers only, but your kind donation in Peter's memory to Maidenhead Heritage Trust may be forwarded." Cambridge News 'The proportion of women fatalities was lower than the proportion of men. The late Peter George said simply that “the women were more reliable. They didn’t do the same damn fool things as the men did.” ' http://maidenheadheritage.org.uk Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1946
Father Ira Monto Cooper; mother Anna [Knapp] b. 1880 d. 1984 m. Jul 1938 Kathryn Louise [Tudor]; 3 children ["Mr and Mrs Cooper took a honeymoon trip by plane, piloted by the former, who owns and operates a private ship."] prev. an Airport Manager prev. exp. 1369 hrs Address in 1941: Tuscola, IL Postings: 1FPP, 12FPP, 4aFPP, 16FPP Suspended for 7 days with loss of pay in Sep-42 for low flying over Carlisle. "A most reliable and willing pilot"; "A good pilot and very keen" but Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons "Mr and Mrs Cooper celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open reception. They both farm." Briefly, their farm produced oil; however in 1965 the Decatur Herald said that only 2 of the 11 wells in Macon and Christian counties were still operating, and amongst them "Howard L Cooper's Long No. 2 was no longer profitable to operate. The pool in which it was located has been discovered less than 7 years." d. 24 May 1989, Evansville IL Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Father William B. Fulton, a farmer; mother Rosa B [Rigney] [d. 1969] prev. "Flying for Pleasure" prev. exp. 300hrs Postings: 16FPP "A good average pilot": "An enthusiastic pilot, steady in temperament."
d. 11 Oct 2017, Decatur IL His obituary in the Decatur Herald and Review reads: "
Dale R Fulton, 96, of Pierson Station, IL passed away at 8:20 a.m. at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL. At age 17 Dale's parents got him his first airplane which led to a long carreer of flying. He ferried planes from factories to fighter fields in England during the war. In 1942 he signed on with Transcontinental and Western Air, which became TWA.The company had a contract with the government to fly transport planes and they needed pilots. His mother received a draft notice, but he was already serving in the Air Transport Command. In 1946 Dale won the first place trophy at the Soho National Air Races in Cleveland, OH, his average speed was 352 mph. Dale went to work as an international pilot for TWA after World War II. While working he flew around the world on a monthly basis for many years. He also served as a test pilot and did engineering for TWA at their Kansas City hub. At the time of his retirement in 1981, Dale was #2 on the seniority list at TWA. Dale returned to the family farm full time in 1981 and continued to plant and harvest the crop yearly until retiring in late 2014.. He was on the board of directors at the State Bank of Hammond from 1981 until his passing. Dale was a very generous man who would do anything to help anyone. He loved animals and would feed any stray that came along." http://www.hilligossshraderfh.com/obituary/dale-fulton Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Decatur Herald, 1 September 1946
One of 6 former pilots of (Polish airline) PLL LOT who joined the ATA - see also Leonard Satel (Joined 1940, M.39*), Klemens Dlulagewski (Joined Jun 1940, M.11 *), Mieczyslaw Witkowski (1941, M.288 *), Feliks Pecho (M.1115), and Ludwik Tokarczyk (M.1006). [ * - personnel files missing, M. No estimated based on start date] RAF Service No. 793247
m. 1956 in Holborn, London, Lina Neumann
d. 14 Nov 1974 - Chichester, Sussex |
Father: Albert Frederick Daniel, mother Lizzie Mary [Bonner]
[His father was the owner of the Daniel Photographic Studio from 1907 until his death in 1935, when Lizzie took over.] Ed. High School, Jackson, then University of Mississippi prev. Mississippi National Guard until Jun-40 A Commercial Pilot Address in 1941: 224 E. Amite St, Jackson, MS
After the ATA, Al joined the US Navy as a trainee Naval Officer, taking part in bombing raids against Japanese islands in 1944, and eventually becoming a Colonel. m. Feb 1943 Dinah [Brown] of Lauderdale; 2 daughters [Sandra Lynn and Dianne Brown Daniel]. He returned to Jackson and took over his father's photographic studio; he was elected 2nd Vice President of the Professional Photographers of Mississippi in 1947. In 1964, Col. Daniel was described as "a manufacturer's agent", and lived at 4236 Oakridge, Jackson.
His daughter Dianne Brown Daniel married in 1973. He donated his collection of photographs of Jackson to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History: "After taking a break from photography to be film manager for Jackson television station WLBT (1953-1959), Secretary-Treasurer for Wilson-Geyer Co., Inc. (1960-1963), and a manufacturer's agent (1964-1966), Al Fred Daniel acquired Standard Photo ("the photographic store of Jackson since 1926," according to the Jackson city directory) and served as its president from 1967 to 1987. His wife, Madge Rosalyn "Dinah" Brown Daniel, also worked at Standard Photo from 1970 to 1987. Al Fred Daniel died December 13, 1996, and was survived by Dinah until November 14, 2004." You can see his photos at http://www.mdah.ms.gov/arrec/digital_archives/series/daniel Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a Company Director Lived in Kenya during the 1920s and early 30s d. 20 Apr 1957 - Hampshire |
prev. a draughtsman for Bristol Aeroplane Co RAFVR L/AC from Sep-39 to Oct-40 prev. exp. 52hrs Address in 1941: (father) Outwood, Almondsbury, Bristol Later: Rosemary, Imber Pk Rd, Esher, Surrey Postings: 16FPP, 5(T)FP, CTO Reprimanded in Mar-43 for a taxying accident in which his Dominie struck Pilot Officer Reinke and knocked him over, although both were held responsible. "This officer at all times carries out his duties and responsibilities in a very satisfactory manner." King's Commendation for valuable service in the air m. 1952 Kathleen M Kromhout Or Fraser in St Albans The ‘quiet and reserved’ executive aircraft sales manager of Hawker Siddeley. d. 27 Apr 2001 - Sootfield Green, nr Hitchin, Herts Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1939
ATA
Royal Flying Corps/RAF from Nov-17 to Jun-19; 'Boy and Aircraft Mechanic' m. 1925 Adelaide [Holmes], 2 children [Robert, b. 1929, d.2002, Pamela b. 1931, d. 1936] A jeweller and watchmaker (his own business: apparently, "The sign on Frederick Davy's shop in Great Yarmouth said "Watchmakers since 1700."), also an instrument maker for the Air Ministry. He was a witness in a rather sad case in May 1937, as reported by the Thetford & Watton Times: "FOUND HANGING. Yarmouth Man’s Suicide In His Home. A verdict of "Suicide while temporarily of unsound mind” was recorded by the Borough Coroner, at the Town Hall on Tuesday, at the inquest on Edward Gilbert Edwards (53), of 8 Caister Road, who was found hanging from a bannister in his home on Saturday. Frederick Robert Davy, watchmaker, of 37, Calster Road, said that at 1.40 a.m., in consequence of information he received, he went across to 8, Caister Road. 'When I got into the house', 'said witness, 'I saw the man hanging by the neck from a bannister rail; his feet were about ten or twelve feet from the ground floor. I could see that the man was dead and had been hanging for some time, and owing to this fact I telephoned the police.'" Address in 1941: 8, Caspard Pl, Barry, Glamorgan Postings: 16FPP, 15FPP, 14FPP, 4FPP, 1FPP "A careful pilot of average ability, has sound judgement but was inclined to be underconfident at first" ... "Since promotion to Flight Captain [in September 1944] has assumed the position of Accidents Investigation Officer." Off sick from 17 Dec 1942 to 1 Jan 1943 with a 'touch of pleusiry [sic]' d. Mar 1979 - Norwich Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1936
pre. a motor engineer; garage proprietor (Scott and Eayrs Limited, High Street and Melton Rd, Oakham) m. 1925 in Uppingham, Rutland, Mabel E [Taylor] Address in 1930: 2 Parkfield Rd, Oakham, Rutland with (we think) Tom W Shipside at Tollerton; presumably G-ABCS in the background. [G-ABCS was a 1930 DH 60G Gipsy Moth based at Stag Lane, Heston and then Yeadon, but was requisitioned in 1939 as X5039 and 'used as decoy'] [Thomas Wiliam Shipside was, like Arthur, a motor garage proprietor in the Midlands, so this is probably how they knew one another.
He was a founder member of Tollerton Aero Club, managing director of a string of BMC garages (the firm was founded by his ex-blacksmith father) and learnt to fly in 1927.]
This document confirms the end of Arthur's ATA service on 18th September 1941; he received 3 months pay (£71 5s) in lieu of notice. A note in his logbook says "approx 480 hrs in Hart, Audax, Gladiator, Swordfish, Anson, Oxford, Whitney Straight, Leopard Moth, Miles Magister, Tiger Moth etc." but this may include his pre-WWII hours. "The information in our family was that his ATA flying had been cut short by a medical problem, possibly related to blood pressure." d. 9 Jul 1965 - Rutland His grandson (who kindly sent me the photos and documents) describes him as a "rather distant and forbidding figure." |
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1930 RAeC
1941
1927
Father: William. Mother: Hannah ed. Elland Grammar School; Leeds University m. 1926 Hilda May [Berry], a teacher from Halifax [d. Dec 1942]. 1 daughter Mary C. b. 1931 Next of kin: Originally his wife, then Miss C. Iredale, c/o St.Winifred's School, Llanfairfechan, N. Wales prev. a woollen and drapery merchant; representative of J. C. Sudders, 16 Monument St, EC3 RAF Sergeant from Feb-40 to 3 Apr 1941 (Link Trainer Instructor, based in Cambridge) prev. exp. 217hrs on Tiger Moth, Stinson Reliant, BA Swallow, Taylor Cub, Monospar Address in 1941: c/o Granville House, Chestnut Ave, Hampton-on-Thames Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP Absent sick from 10 Mar 1942 to 25 Jun 1942 after he force-landed a Spitfire following engine failure. "His flying has been good, and his conduct excellent" "His flying progress since his sick leave has been slow." d. Mar 1975 - Westminster Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1939
ATA
Father Robert W 'Bobby' Lindsay [d. 1943]; Mother Nora Etta [Fiscus] (m. 1944 W R Parrish) Ed. Peacock Military Academy, San Antonio His parents moved from Wichita Falls in 1936 and owned the Lindsay Gardens citrus packing plant, and the Lindsay-Niles canning plant in Mission. prev. Crop Dusting prev. exp. 400 hrs "most of them flying his family's Howard cabin plane" Address in 1941: Lindsay Gardens, Mission Hidalgo, TX Postings: 3FPP, 8FPP, 4aFPP, 1FPP He travelled to the UK as co-pilot in a B-24; "My job is to keep the engines in line and I will only fly about four hours as solo pilot". 1 Accident, his fault: - 26 Sep 1941, he tried to take off in a Proctor with the brakes on, and tipped it onto its nose. He wrote to his parents in November 1941, "praising the English and their spirit, saying "They don't any more expect Hitler to take England than we do for him to take one of our cities." After ATA, Bob joined the US Ferry Command. Later a Lieutenant in the 10th Air Force in Burma, awarded the DFC and Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal. d. 12 Apr 1977 (age 55) - Reno, TX Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1940
prev exp 'over 500 hrs' on D.H.9a - he joined the RFC as a cadet in Nov 1917. However, his time in the RAF was short; he moved to 137 Squadron in June 1918, and graduated with good marks in October 1918, but he was moved to the unemployed list in May 1919. After a year out, he was given a short service commission in July 1920, but this did not go well: - He was reprimanded for 'failing to take proper precautions ...of secret despatches' in October 1920; - He went 'absent without leave' from the 5th to the 11th December 1920. (Actually, on the 20th he married Gertrude Maude Mickle at Lambeth Registry Office), and was again reprimanded; - Finally, he was court-martialled for 'disobeying a lawful command given by a senior officer' and was dismissed His Majesty's service in May 1921. He then married Dorothy Mary () and they lived in Sevenoaks, Kent. He worked in the leisure industry, then when WWII came along, in the Hurricane Repairs Section of Gloster Aircraft Co.
Joan and Mark 1942 He met Joan Durham Witherby (q.v.) when she joined the ATA in 1942, and they had a son together in November 1945, who remembers his mother telling him that "she was still flying missions with the ATA whilst pregnant". During his time in the ATA, he flew 35 different types of aircraft. He was initially assessed as an "above average pilot who, although somewhat out of flying practice proved himself a safe and steady pilot, possessing good judgement." In Feb 1943 he was appointed as Officer Commanding, No 5 FPP, then O.C. the Training Pool from Aug-43, and finally O.C. No 1 FPP from Nov-44. He performed his duties in "an eminently satisfactory manner" and also managed to do a fair number of ferry flights himself, including a few on Halifaxes.
Mark in 1945 In 1946 he was one of the 13 members of the ATA to receive the OBE for his services during WWII. Apparently, he referred to his OBE, as for Other Bugger’s Efforts. d. Sep 1981, Chichester Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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via Marcus J Hale
His father was Jesse L Park, mother Lula, and he had a brother and two married sisters: Sanford R, Mrs Alice Hendricks, and Mrs Lucile Faulk. I'm not sure how he came to be accepted for the ATA; his May 1941 flight test at Uplands Airport, Ottawa, said "This applicant carried out a very poor test and due to nervousness he is not considered suitable for ferry work. FLYING WAS DANGEROUS." This article appeared in the 'Houston Post' in 1941: "Ferrying planes around on the British Isles is a tough job because there is so much fog. Take it from Clyde L Park, a 29-year-old former Houstonian who is now in England doing just that for the British Government. Mr. Park started learning to fly at the Cunningham Airport in Houston last January. After 35 hours of instruction he obtained his private licence. Then he hitchhiked to Canada and received five months of training at a Canadian government school. Park ferried a bomber to England for the RAF and stayed in Englnad to fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary. He is stationed now at the White Waltham airdrome at Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. In a letter written Sept 14 to "all the gang" at Cunningham Airport, which bore a sticker, "opened by examiner 1541", Park said, "I will try to tell you what little I can about England and my flying here." Scissors had been used on the letter, to clip out parts of a sentence in which Park apparently had told how long it took to cross the Atlantic and at what port he landed. "We came to London by train", he wrote. "There were 12 US pilots and we sure blew our top the first two nights in London. Night life is quite gay in the old city, but part of it sure has been hit hard. They sent us on to White Waltham airdrome where they gave us two months training, ground school and flying. My first ship they put me in was a Harvard, which is the North American trainer with a constant speed prop, flaps and retractable gear. Boy, did I have my hands full? Ha!" "I had an English instructor and he had a lot of patience or I never would have made it. He soloed me in two hours and I got about 10 hours on the Harvard. I went from there to [Lysanders], Battles, Hurricanes, then Spits." "I have flown every single motor type of aircraft they have and I think the Spitfire is the sweetest one of them all. It is fast as hell but very easy to handle and doesn't have any bad tricks." "We ferry all over the British Isles and when we have had a few months' experience on single motors they send us back to school and give us twin motor conversion. I am about due for my twins now." "I like the job OK if the weather would stay good. But this stuff is hell, you can't tell 15 minutes ahead what it is like. We have lost two of the boys that came over with me. One flew into the hills in Scotland and the other flew into the Irish Sea. The damn soup closed in on them." "It is good experience as we get to fly so many different types of aircraft, and it shakes you sometimes when you get one that you know nothing about where all the knobs and gadgets are. All they give us is notes on the take off, revs and cruise and you have to figure the rest out." "Did you know Clyde Forman? He is here, doing OK. He was on the boat with Nance and one of three that got here." Park said his rating now is first officer, with two stripes in the shoulder."
d. 30 Jan 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hind K6838 crashed into high ground on Eaglesham Moor 10mi S of Glasgow in snowstorm. He had failed to get a weather forecast for the route before taking off. ---- ... And I found this photo in his file:
but I don't know who she is ... Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a Joiner and Cabinet Maker prev exp 100hrs Sergeant in the RAF from Aug-40, on Link Trainer based in Cambridge
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire Vb AD296 crashed in poor visibility at Lochembrech Hill nr. Castle Douglas
Buried at Stanwix Cemetery, Carlisle. ATA pilot Irene Arckless (q.v.) is buried in the adjacent plot.
The inscription reads "In Loving Memory of F/O RONALD A. PORTER, A.T.A. The Beloved son of HENRY and ANN PORTER, Who was accidentally killed March 15th, 1942 Aged 28 Years"
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Ed. The College, Weston Super Mare Next of kin: (mother) Mary Selina Godwin prev. Sergeant in RAF Class F Reserve Aug-36 to Sep-39 [Ser. No. 700650], then an accountant for Somerset County Council, Taunton prev. exp. 109 hrs on Hart, Tiger Moth, Swallow and Oxford. Address in 1941: 15 Wilton Gardens, Weston Super Mare, Somerset William originally applied in August 1940; "I have seen it stated in Flight that you are urgently in need of more pilots in A.T.A. and I have felt moved to write to you. On May 20th this year I was suspended from the RAF as being unlikely to to make a good service pilot because (a) I get air-sickness in violent manoevres (aerobatics etc), (b) ears give some trouble during rapid descents and I am ny nature rather cautious. ... If you want an interview, I should be able to come to London this week as I am on leave. However, if you think this is all rather bats - please say so, - gently, in the enclosed envelope." ATA did not think it entirely bats, but it took them until the following April to give him a flying test ("Flies and lands well. Is not flustered in an emergency, though he reacts rather slowly", and follow up his references ("I have much pleasure in testifying to the personal character of Mr W L Godwin, a member of the permanent accounting staff of this Council.") and offer him a position as a ferry pilot. Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP, 8FPP "A keen pilot of average ability, slow to adapt himself and should consequently be progressed gradually on to subsequent types." "A quiet and likeable officer." m. Mar 1942 WAAF Corporal Sylvia Mary [Earwicker] from the Dental Centre, School of Technical Training, RAF Henlow, Beds.
d. 30 Apr 1944 (Died in ATA Service), in Mosquito MT192, which crashed 2 miles S of Litchfield: "At about 8,000 ft, the A/C turned to port and then dived. At about 200 ft. the machine flattened out, hit the ground and was totally destroyed. Insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident but available evidence indicates that the pilot was not responsible." His C.O., Norman Whitehurst, said "I have always regarded him as one of my most reliable and progressive pilots. He was a man of splendid character, whose discipline was of the highest order, and had he survived would undoubtedly have reached a much higher rank in this organisation. His flying was exceptional, and in this respect he set a first class example to his colleagues." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1939
ATA
ed. St Paul's, London RAF Short Service Commission, terminated 1933 due to ill health Company Commander in the Home Guard May-40 to Jan-41 prev. Aircraft Inspector for Fairey Aviation, Hayes. "A sound and smart officer who is a great asset to the ATA" He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for his part in the rescue of the crew of a returning operational Halifax III of No. 420 Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant R. A. Kalle which, having been damaged during a sortie over Normandy, overshot the runway and caught fire at White Waltham on the 30th July 1944. The full list of those commended was: pilots David Cotter (M.349), Reginald Davidson (M.918), Marvin Dunlavy (M.408), Albert Gardner, John Gulson, Francis Lees, Alan Murray, Donald Soutter; Fire Officer D Baldwin, Senior Flight Engineer Kenneth Payne, and Mr J.J. Thompson. He was also awarded an MBE. The citation reads "An aircraft crashed on landing and burst into flames. Despite the fire and the bombs on board, which subsequently exploded, the crew, five of whom were seriously injured in the crash, were extricated ... First Officer Cotter gave invaluable help in getting the Rear-Gunner out of his turret, which had become jammed. The man was unconscious, lying partly in the turret and partly in the rear of the fuselage. While others worked on the turret from the outside, Cotter, finding the turret could not be swung back, entered the fuselage, after forcing the normal entrance. The starboard wing was blazing fiercely and the heat was so intense that the starboard elevator burst into flames. It was then found necessary to remove the gunner’s flying equipment before those outside could extricate him safely ... Cotter showed great courage without thought for his own safety."
d. 2003, Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1945
Educated at Harrow Pre-WWII amateur aviator who had owned: - a 1930 Comper CLA.7 Swift, G-AAZD; - a 1931 DH.60G Gipsy Moth, G-ABPT, and - a 1933 Comper CLA.7 Swift, G-ACML He also entered (the one and only) Comper Streak, G-ACNC, for the 1935 King's Cup Race, but withdrew before the start. m. 1939 Ilona de Walyel A Company Director (Minox Ltd) Address in 1941: Old Mill Cottage, Wargrave, Berks Postings: 1FPP "An average pilot, with not too good a sense of discipline" [* First Officer from 14 Aug-42 but demoted to 2nd Officer 2 weeks later for flying in bad weather, supposedly for a period of 3 months. However, his contract was terminated before this period ended. The accident which caused him to be demoted was on the 15th August 1942, when he 'abandoned a Spitfire after running out of fuel through flying in bad weather'. The final straw was when, on the 16th November, he forgot to lower the undercarriage of a Hurricane when landing.] In his defence, he did successfully force-land a Short Scion in September 1942 after engine failure; on the other hand, the Hurricane was the second aeroplane in which his cockpit drill had missed out this rather important item - he had also landed a Blenheim with its wheels up on the 30th August ... [Contract Terminated by ATA 'due to the number of at-fault accidents' (actually, the Hurricane was his 5th)] Address in 1967: The Garth, Wellingore, Lincoln and Kafue National Game Park, Zambia" d. Mar 1985 - Lincoln Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1931
m. Amy Clifford Florence prev. a bus driver for London Transport; Staff Sgt, Royal Artillery Sep-36 to Sep-38; RAF Link Trainer Instructor Feb-40 to May-40 Address in 1941: 5 Fairway Terrrace, Muswell Hill, London N.10 Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP "A difficult man to assess - proved himself equal to one emergency and yet has made silly mistakes when everything was going right." "A careful pilot of average ability. His progress has been marred by a long period of sickness." "Slow generally and judgement rather poor, but improved later and by working hard showed great progress ... somewhat underconfident." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1936
ATA
Father: William Albert Acton, 120 W 3rd St, Xenia, OH (later moved to Dayton, OH) Mother: Irene [Reece] Ed. Xenia High School prev. airplane sales, charter work for Dave Peterson Charter Service in Wichita, Kansas prev. exp. 360 hrs on Beechcraft F17D, Culver Cadet, Cessna C145-165, Stinson, Cessna T50 Address in 1941: Wichita, Kansas "Disregarding the fate of his friend, Bee Acton, of Wichita, Kan., has signed up for a year's service ferrying bomber and fighter planes from Canada to England [sic]. Acton, a commercial pilot, joined up shortly after his friend, Jim Wright, also of Wichita, was reported killed when a submarine sank the ship on which he was returning [sic] from England." At the end of his first contract the ATA described him as "a keen pilot competent to fly all types of single engne and light and medium7 twin aircraft. He proved a good type of officer and his behaviour was quite satisfactory." His second contract was for 18 months with a "cessation of hostilities" clause included. d. 8 Jul 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Anson NK773 which was in a mid-air collision with Oxford X7134 and crashed at Rodbourne, 5 miles NE of Hullavington. Pilot Flt Lt. Bernard N Phillips [RAF Serial No 45885] and passenger Sqn Ldr William A. Law [79047] in the Oxford were both killed. The accident report says "Whilst the Anson was flying just below the cloud base an Oxford aircraft, piloted by an RAF pilot, came out of the cloud and struck the tail plane of the Anson. Both aircraft crashed in a field and were destroyed, all three occupants being killed." "Neither pilot is held responsible for this accident."
Buried Maidenhead Cemetery (Section C, No 14KK). The wording on the memorial is from Tennyson's poem 'Crossing the bar': I hope to meet my pilot Face to face When I have crost the bar Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Address in 1916: 90 Overhill Rd, East Dulwich, SE London m. Jan 1951 in Hammersmith, Gwendoline F [Cutler]
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in 1916, as a 2nd Lieut, RFC
MAMM
prev. New Orleans Private Police. Service as Private Patrolman; National Guard - Army Sergeant Ground Instructor Aviator prev. exp. 380 hrs Postings: 3FPP, 15FPP Later flew 'The Hump' for CNAC - see CNAC Captain William Cooper
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Corporal in R.E. 1915, Lieutenant (Acting Captain) in RFC in WWI d. 17 Dec 1977, Bodelwyddan, Clwyd |
Postings: 8FPP, 3FPP
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ATA file missing, so just guesswork:
prev. Flight Instructor Address in 1940: Minneapolis MN He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, Russell Gates, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. ? Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 20 Nov 1942, when his Baltimore FA179 burst a tyre taking off at Geneina, Sudan. 2 of his crew were also injured |
m. 1938 Millicent [Parker] prev. a motor engineer Address in 1936: "Dundella", Bromley Rd, Congleton, Cheshire d. Sep 1983 - Congleton |
1936
Father: Sir Benjamin Dawson, 1st Baronet (d. 1966) Educated at Harrow
m. 1932 to Alice [Hudson], 1 child before 1941 A Wool Merchant, (Joseph Dawson Cashmere Works, Bradford) Address in 1941: Park House, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Yorks Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 782 Sqn RAF "a safe and reliable pilot who carries out his work in a conscientious manner and has proved a useful Class 5 (4-engine) pilot to this Unit." C.O. 7FPP, Oct-44 He wrote to the ATA on 10 Jan 1945: "I am very sorry I had to resign from ATA at my firm's request, and would like to take this opportunity of thanking you and all your officers for the help and consideration I received all over the country during the course of my duties as a ferry pilot. If a further emergency arises, and you require my services again, I shall be very pleased if you will let me know, in which case I would do everything possible to come back." The Yorkshire Post reported on him thus, in November 1955: "Flew too low over sports field, fined Prosecution witnesses at Bradford City Court yesterday claimed that a twin-engined aircraft flew over a Dudley Hill sports ground at 100 feet, frightening young children. To this, Lawrence Saville Dawson (47), company director, Park House, Pool-in-Wharfedale, the pilot of the plane, said: “I should have hit mill chimneys and all sorts of things at 150 feet.” Dawson, a war-time ferry pilot with 30 years flying experience, and director of Yeadon Aviation Ltd., was accused of flying over an “assembly of persons” at less than 1,000 feet. He was fined £5O and ordered to pay £5 costs. Dawson told the Court that he appreciated the folly of low flying. He had been asked to fly over the works field on their sports day and did so at about 1,000 feet." He owned Taylor Auster AOP5 G-ANID, which was written off after he crashed it at Stonor, Oxfordshire on 13 Feb 1958. Lawrence became 2nd Baronet on his father's death in 1966. d. 14 Aug 1974 buried St John Churchyard, Acaster Selby Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1927
ATA
Educated at Mexborough Secondary School m. 1923 Phyliss [Akester] Corporal in Home Guard 'B' Co, Hatfield, Sep-40 to Mar-41 A "Manufacturing Confectioner" Address in 1941: North Cliffe House, North Cliffe Rd, Conisbrough, Nr Doncaster Postings: 2FPP, 3, FPP, 14FPP "A steady and conscientious pilot who has worked well. He is a little inclined to be forgetful at times." "A very slow starter [on the Class 5 conversion course] due partially to complete lack of experience on 4+ aircraft and the fact that he was inclined to be somewhat nonchalant towards the whole course, showing little interest. After realising the high responsibility he was accepting he showed considerable improvement." d. 1958 - Don Valley, Yorks "A confectionery business was established in Conisbrough by Jos Drabble and brother-in-law John Maxfield during 1890. But after a while the two men parted company and established their own confectionery businesses. John’s firm was short-lived and a number of his staff joined Jos’s venture which by 1924 was a limited company. Jos’s son, Arthur, succeeded his father and he was also well-known in motorcycling circles. He was in the first four in the 1924 Isle of Man TT Races and was a keen flyer. On Sunday afternoons during the 1930s he was frequently seen performing ‘loop-the-loops’ and other spectacular tricks in his aeroplane over Conisbrough. In 1938 Drabble’s warehouse caught fire and residents said that this led to the road being covered in melted chocolate. Arthur Drabble died in 1958 and was succeeded in the business by daughter, Doreen. The company ceased trading after she retired in 1981."
Evidence of his motor-cycling career comes from the 'Sheffield Independent' in 1923: "MOTORISTS' OFFENCES In the West Riding Police Court on Saturday, William S. Flower, dentist, and Arthur Drabble, confectioner, Conisborough, were fined £7 each for riding motor-cycles in a manner dangerous to the public on the Great North Road. The police evidence was that defendants were travelling at 60 miles per hour." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1933
ATA
Father: Walter Kemp Bourne, mother Evelyn Frances Ed. Royal Naval College m. Barbara Frances prev. Lieut. in Royal Navy 1918-28; RAF F/O; Poultry Farmer, Commercial Flying. Ambulance Driver 1941 Address in 1941: Leighton Brow Lodge, Parkgate, Cheshire Postings: 16FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP 1 accident, not his fault: - 12 Mar 1943, forced landing in a Wellington after port engine oil pressure dropped. "An experienced pilot, consistent and hard-working" from May 1944, 2nd-in-command, No 14 FPP (Ringway) d. 1 Nov 1967, Hove
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Ed. Enid High School, OK prev. Oklahoma National Guard; Assistant Airport Manager - Woodring Field, Enid m. 8 May 1941 Juanita M [Liken, also from Enid] Address in 1941: 908 E Main, Enid, OK ATA pilots Earl Renicker (d. 7 Feb 1942) and John Erickson (d. 9 May 1942) also came from nearby in Oklahoma. Postings: 1FPP Suspended for 7 days in Sep 1941 for 'landing after official landing time' 2 accidents, both his fault: - 4 Nov 1941, a bad landing in a Hurricane led to the undercarriage collapsing and the aircraft tipped onto its nose, - 29 Jan 1942, another heavy landing, this time in a Spitfire, tore off the port undercarriage leg. Joined 8th AF USAAF as 1st Lieut, but d. 19 Oct 1942 when he hit barrage balloons over Liverpool flying a Hurricane on a weather check. Originally buried Brookwood Cemetery, Guildford, then (from 1948) Enid Cemetery, OK
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A descendant of Elder Robert Cushman of the Mayflower Expedition. Father: William Lawrence Newmeyer, originally from Argentina; Mother Sophie [Richardson], a playwright (Richard, sister Sophie and his brother Don acted in her plays, e.g. 'Half Loaves', a "sparkling comedy of modern life", and 'The Love Lease'). Ed. University of California Berkeley (Law) A member of the University Life Saving Corps and an instructor in swimming and life-saving. "He has on several occasions had opportunity to put his life-saving ability to practical test in rescuing persons from drowning." m. Sandra prev. a Secondary School English Teacher, Kern Co. High prev. exp. 280 hrs, private flying Address in 1941: 2110 N Kern St, Bakersfield, CA then 10250 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP 2 accidents, neither his fault: - 19 Nov 1941, the brakes failed and he taxied a Battle into a hedge; - 19 Jun 1942, another brake problem, in a Harvard, led to an uncontrolled swing on landing. "A pilot of exceptional ability and keenness, whose good discipline and conscientious work made him a great asset to this pool." Later flew 'The Hump' for CNAC - see CNAC Captain Richard C. Newmeyer
Richard's Visitor Visa for Brazil, 1945 Later a teacher (as was his wife Sandara) in San Pedro, CA d. 8 Jul 1995 - Bakersfield CA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1932
Promoted to First Officer, 15 Feb 1942; Demoted to 2nd Officer, 6 Mar 1942 [Dangerous Flying and taking off on an unauthorised flight] "Hardworking and capable but not always reliable - now and again indulges in low or dangerous flying" [Contract Terminated 23 Mar 1942 by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons] d. c.17 Nov 1942; his China National Air Corporation C-47 went missing flying between China and India. In October 1945, his mother wrote to the ATA: "Dear Sir, We have today received the log book of our son, James S Browne, who was in your service '41-2 as First Officer. He was first stationed at Maidenhead and later at Ratcliffe Hall, Leicester. Perhaps you did not know him personally, or may not have been at White Waltham at the time he was in service - but, in any case, I wanted to let you know that after he returned to the States April 1942, he was engaged by the Pan American & China National Aviation Corporation to transport supplies over the 'Hump' from India to China. He flew a DC-3 to Calcutta shortly after his return from England and shortly after his arrival there, was made Captain of a C-47. As you may know that is the most treacherous flying in the world, and the weather conditions are very bad. Jim has been missing since Nov 17, 1942. and no trace of him, the plane, or the crew. Almost three years have passed and, of course, we are offered no hope from the China { } - the anxiety has been terrible. He was 21 and our only child. It does not help to know that millions of others are also suffering. This is our own personal sorrow. I shall be so very glad if you will be good enough to let us know if you happened to know Jim, or did anyone else in your station - it would be a comfort to us to hear from any of his friends. It seems so unreal to us now, that year he spent in England, so long ago - but it was only in 1941. We had not entered the war at the time and Jim did not have to go, but was anxious to try out for that job. He was so very young. Hoping to hear from you again, which we shall very much appreciate. Sincerely, Harriet S Browne (Mrs Herbert S Browne) 653 Hill Road, Winnetka, Illinois" The wreckage was not discovered until 2011, 13,400 feet up a mountain in China's Yunnan province. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. A Stockbroker, then with the Ministry of Economic Warfare
d. 17 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Avro Commodore stalled on approach and crashed at White Waltham aerodrome on the 10th August; Henry had multiple fractures and chemical burns, and died in hospital a week later.
Buried Maidenhead Cemetery:
28 Oct 1941 "Please let me know what has happened to P.O. H. E. Taylor who was with you on a 'course' in June and July last ... It is so unusual for him not to answer letters and we have become extremely anxious. He has no living relations and we are his oldest friends. Valerie Clemson-Young"
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father: Aaron (dec'd), mother Leah (or Ada) ed. Lathrop Trades, Kansas City moved to New Orleans c. 1928 m. Katharine [san Salvador]; 1 daughter [Kathleen Mary] b. 1940 prev. a charter pilot for Crescent City Airways, New Orleans prev. exp. 1,800 hrs Address in 1941: 1140 Toledano St, New Orleans, Louisiana Postings: Training Pool Only
d. 29 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service), in Lysander T1675. He flew too far into bad weather and hit a hillside at New Luce, nr. Castle Kennedy, Scotland. He was also carrying a passenger (against regulations, as he was still a trainee), LAC Costine from the RAF. He was assessed as being to blame for the accident. Buried Glebe Cemetery, Stranraer:
"2nd Officer Marcus was of a cheerful and engaging disposition and had many friends during his comparatively short period of service with ATA." His daughter Kathleen was born 11 months before Jack's death. His wife Katharine "made no spontaneous appeal for financial assistance", so the ATA asked the Red Cross to see if she needed any. As it turned out, she did; Jack's death had left her living with her mother-in-law (who was in poor health) and unable to work because of the baby, on the $50 a month Social Security (Survivor's Insurance), of which she gave her mother-in-law $25. The ATA decided to award her the full £2,000 ($8,000) insurance money, with half of it being invested in long-term US War Bonds for the benefit of the baby. Katharine wrote to the ATA on 4 Jul 1942, "I am happy to inform you that I am in complete accord with your plan and most grateful for your generosity." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Father: Wilfred Fogelberg (Swedish, naturalised American); Mother Ida Olsen Had a sister, Ella M Johnson Ed. Lake View High School, Chicago (4 yr Diploma) m. 1941 Jeslyn Margaretha [Stark, d. 2013]; 3 children post 1941
prev. own laundry business, and aviation charter work. prev. exp 740 hrs Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL [His brother-in-law Elwood Walmsley was in the ATA from Feb-41 to Jan-42; he was married to Jeslyn's sister Laverne.] Postings: 1FPP Offf sick from 30 Sep to 14 Nov 1941 with 'post trauma debility', after he stalled and undershot a landing in a Hurricane. "A keen and hard-working pilot. Flying ability above average." He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. From 1956 he ran a store selling "childrens wear, toys, and juvenile furniture" in the Eden's Plaza Shopping Center, Wilmette, Chicago. d. Apr 1967 - Chicago buried Mount Olive Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Jeslyn in 1940
Father: Ward Wilson Pickard, a lawyer; Mother: Alice [Rossington] Ed. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. Engineering) Prev. Airline Engineer, pilot for TWA and "deep sea navigator" prev. exp. 400hrs Address in 11941: 131 Satterthwaite Ave, Nutley NJ Arrived in the UK 2 Jun 1941 Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP, 4bFPP Reprimanded in January 1942 for flying aircraft without permission One accident, his fault: - 10 Jan 1942, when he mishandled the brake lever on landing his Rapide and the aircraft tipped over onto its nose. He divided opinion among his instructors and COs; either: "A capable pilot but flies in bad weather far too much. Grumbles a lot and 'shoots a line' which makes him a troublesome pilot" (Peter Mursell), or "This pilot is dependable, conscientious and tireless. By applying his ingenuity and a comprehensive knowledge of meteorology to the problems of flying in difficult weather he carries out flights such that critics who lack his skill and vision may conclude that he is a so-called 'bad weather pilot'. I am unable to subscribe to the above remarks to the effect that he 'shoots a line'; indeed I have found the reverse to be the case." (Douglas Fairweather) Returned to the USA on the 18 Jun 1942 with fellow ATA ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Kenneth Fogelberg, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. Transferred to RAF Ferry Command
d. 20 Sep 1948 (age 31) when he and George Krebs were test-piloting a North American B-45 Tornado, which exploded in flight near Alpaugh, CA. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1948
Fther: Benjamin Lee Hoffman, Mother: Marie Elizabeth [Curns] Ed. Tilden Tech., Chicago IL m. Amelia (or Emelia) Veronica [Belloumini, d. 2001] prev. Instructor, barnstorming, ferrying, passenger hops, [and a laundry driver for the Nordic Laundry Company and others]. prev. exp. 420 hrs Address in 1941: 831 Sunnyside Ave, Chicago Flying under training: 4.05hrs Contract Terminated - "Unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot"; "Deemed to be erroneously or injudiciously enrolled in Montreal" Post-WWII, joined cargo carrier Airlift International based in Miami FL. d. 10 Oct 1970 (age 64) while co-pilot of a C-130 N9248R which crashed attempting to land in bad weather at McGuire AFB near Fort Dix NJ. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Educated at Caterham School m. 1940 Ruby Violet [Haines] RAeC Certificates in 1936 (in an autogiro) and 1938 prev. A/C erection foreman, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd Address in 1941: 289 Alleseley Old Rd, Coventry Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP "A keen and conscientious officer, inclined to be a little slow."
d. 21 Jun 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Wellington XIV HF136 crashed and burnt out at Hawarden. Port engine lost power immediately after takeoff, due to an electrical short-circuit which caused the port propeller to feather. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1936
ATA
Mother: Emma Address in 1941: 1452 Elizabeth, Denver Transferred to RAF Ferry Command Sailed from Scotland to USA on 16 Jun 1942 In January 1947, he was arrested for 'terrorizing wealthy women' and being a gem and fur robber to the tune of $75,000: Described as a "former ferry pilot turned limousine highwayman", he had kidnapped three women in Park Ave, New York on New Year's Eve, drove them around and then robbed them of their furs and jewelry. : "Down to less than 100 pounds and wrapped in a blanket, Justin William McCarthy, 26, Park Ave. gem and fur robber, sat in a detention cell on the 12th Floor of the Criminal Courts Building yesterday." By the following June, suffering from dysentry contracted in North Africa during WWII, he was too sick to appear in court. "I just want to get this thing all over with", he said. The judge ordered the prisoner transferred to Riker's Island where he could have special medical treatment. He was sentenced to '10 to 20 years' in 1948. d 10 Oct 1998 - Denver CO |
1938
m. 1939 Vera Nora [Healey] in Brentford, Middx prev. an instrument assembler for R&S, Shannon Corner, New Malden Address in 1941: 7 Talbot Rd, Isleworth, Middx "A good type of officer who works hard and well." Off duty from 5 May 1942, after the accident in which John Burge Erickson and Thomas Walton (see below) were killed. His contract was suspended on medical grounds on 29 November. As Stan or Stanley Pavey, a cinematographer involved in 38 films between 1944 and 1957, perhaps most famously as the Director of Photography on the 1954 version of 'The Belles of St. Trinian's'. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0661391/ d. May 1984 - Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Ed. at Chulmleigh School m. 1927 Ann Alford [Boundy] prev. a Coal Merchant (own business); RAF Sgt. Aug-40 to Jan-41 Address in 1941: Elmsleigh, Wembworthy, Chulmleigh, Devon Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP, 7FPP d. 5 Oct 1982 - Wembworthy, Devon Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1935
ATA
Father: Ford Gates, mother Essie [Martin] Ed. Grammar School, Lake Forest IL prev. private flying for 8 years. Trucking Business. Address in 1941: R.F.D. Route 2, La Grange, IL m. and she lived at 4 Park Avenue, Prestwick then 26 St Augustine Avenue, Croydon Postings: 4aFPP, 6FPP Off sick from 12 Dec 41 to 5 Mar 42 with appendicitis. "An officer who could never be relied upon to do much, owing to a great amount of sickness he had during the period of his attachment to this Pool." He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. US Military 1943-46 d. 3 Oct 1998 - Sarasota, Florida Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
father: also Peter Andreas Bertram [originally from Denmark, naturalised 1922], owner and operator of the Mattoon Butter Co., d. 1965 Ed. High School, Monmouth IL m. 1945 Ellen Rose [Huckleberry], 1 daughter (Linda Lee) prev. a ferry pilot and inspector at Piper Aircraft Corp. Lock Haven , PA Address in 1941: 846 4th St, Charleston, IL d. 24 Feb 1989 - Fort Myers, FL
"Peter A. Bertram Jr, moved here 17 years ago from Charleston, Ill, and he had owned and operated the Beach View Cottages on Sanibel Island. He served as Captain in the Air Transport Auxiliary of the RAF of England from 1940 to 1945 [sic]. Mr. Bertram was a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Power Squadron, and was a former member of the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel and Motel Assoc of Lee County, and the Charleston Rotary Club of Charleston, Illinois." News-Press, Fort Myers FL Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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buried Mattoon, IL
Father: Russell Ulyssus Gibson, a carpenter; mother Marion Bole Gibson [originally English?] Ed. High School in Bexley, OH prev. a Flight Instructor with Miller Flying School, Columbus OH Address in 1941: 2708 Allegheny Ave, Columbus OH Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP "This pilot's flying is neat and safe. He appears keen and willing to learn from experience." "Apt to be overconfident." He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Ken Fogelberg, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. After his second ATA contract, he sailed back from Scotland to New York on the 5 Aug 1943. CNAC November 1943 - 1947 flying 'The Hump' between India and China. See CNAC Captian A. Russell Gibson In 1948, he and his brother-in-law John F. ['Johnny'] Shoemaker established a transport business called 'Air Carriers Ltd'. in Hong Kong, using a C-46. d. 11 Apr 2001 - California His wife Jackie wrote to CNAC in 2009: "Thank you for your letter regarding my husband, "Gibby" Gibson and about CNAC. I found it interesting and will be happy to talk to you more about him. He joined the ATA in England before America was involved in WW II and joined CNAC after the start of the War. I have some data about CNAC which he left in 1947 after 199 trips over the hump. He flew with them as Capt. and left with 3,057 hrs. of flying C47, C-46 and DC-4s. We met in Rangoon in 1949 and married in 1950 so that was after his years with CNAC. He retired from JAL in 1980, where he was flying 747's and as you already know he died in 2001 here in California." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Address in 1941: 1109½ Bigley Ave., Charleston Imprisoned for 10 days in 1932 for "Violation of the National Prohibition Act" prev. exp. 700 hrs over 11 years Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP Clarence sailed back to Montreal on the 8th June 1942, with his fellow American ATA ferry pilots James 'Whit' Ansley (M.511), Kenneth Fogelberg, Russell Gates, Russell Gibson,John Morrison, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, Clay Steffee, Stewart Updike, and Keith Williams. d. Dec 1974 - Columbus Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Next of kin: (Mother) Margaret Ressegger Ed. George Washngton University, Washington DC prev. Private pilot. salesman; US Army 6 Sep to 25 Oct 1940 prev. exp. 59 hrs Address in 1941: 3461 14th St, NW, Washington DC Postings: 4FPP 2 accidents, both his fault: - 18 Feb 1942, forced landing in Hind K5440 due to coolant leak (he knew about this before take-off, so was held responsible) - 10 Apr 1942, he failed to control the swing when taxying downwind, in Hurricane AG194.
"A pilot of fully average ability, however with limited navigational experience" ... "a good officer & reliable pilot who seems to have been unfortunate with accidents" He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, Russell Gates, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, John Morrison, and Clarence Conner. US Navy/ATC then from 1944 joined TWA as a navigator and pilot, flying Lockheed Constellations and DC-4s e.g. co-pilot on DC-4 from Dharan, Saudi Arabia to New York, arriving 14 Mar 1946, and Captain of Lockheed Constellation NC86507 from Paris to New York on 9 May 1946 m. 14 Oct 1948, Amal[e] P [Naccache] in Heliopolis, Egypt (2 children, Anne-Marie b. 1949 and William b. 1954) They were repatriated to the USA as refugees in Nov 1956, during the Suez Crisis in Egypt
d. 4 Feb 1991, Los Angeles Amal d. 2005
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1936, when a student at GWU
1946 (pilot on TWA Skymaster La Guardia - Cairo flight) - Brooklyn Daily Eagle
prev. in 1931 a Publicity Manager, 1939 an Insurance Broker Address in 1939: 6 Langdale Ave, Oldham
d. 30 Jul 1942 (Died in ATA Service) Miles Master M7958 engine cut on take-off, stalled avoiding trees and overturned at White Waltham. Instructor Norman Hayman was also slightly injured. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1931
1939
m. 1936 Molly [Child]; 1 child Penelope b. 1940 Was in Canada from Aug 1923 to Dec 1924 prev. a Departmental Manager (Sales) for British Cellophane Co. prev. exp. 52 hrs on DH Moth, Blackburn Bluebird Home Guard from Jul 1940 to Apr 41, Volunteer Address in 1941: 22 Quantock Rd, Bridgewater, Somerset Postings: 7FPP, 2FPP Off sick (in hospital) from 11 Oct to 7 Dec 1943 "A good officer and an average pilot. Keen and hard-working. Progress should not be hurried in view of limited experience prior to ATA." d. Nov 1995 - Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1931
MAMM
married, one son Owned 1936 BAC Drone 23 G-AEJS prev. a Cabinet Maker;
He originally applied to the RAF but was rejected, due to "(a) eyesight not up to required standard, (b) feet, in respect of fallen arches". Also, because they noted that there was "no service Trade in the RAF in respect of cabinet-making." He was also rejected at first (in 1940) by the ATA as his flying test was not up to standard, and became a Fitter and Technical Records Assistant for Air Service Training Ltd in Coventry. By 1941, however, the ATA was less picky and he was finally accepted. He was assessed as "average, with no special faults but his limited experience demands constant supervision." d. 9 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane BM955 dived into ground nr Cockerham Rd, Lancaster in bad weather. see http://laituk.org/Hurricane%20BM955.htm buried Old Milverton Churchyard, Warwick 18th Aug 1945: "I have to inform you that my daughter Mrs Joan Constance Green passed away on the 12 May last year after a long illness, she is buried in the same grave as her husband Alfred, they leave a son age 7 years. Yours Faithfully W C Kimberley" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Father: Gordon Victor Hayman Educated at Cranleigh School prev. Lieut. in RNVR Feb-39 to Feb-41 Next of Kin: (mother) Winifred Agnes Hayman, Caryll House, Okehurst, Cranleigh m. 1943 Beatrice Glanley 'Betty' Grant also of the ATA, although they appear to have separated sometime before 1947. Postings: 6FPP, AFTS (as Instructor), 1FPP, 7FPP Demoted to First Officer in Mar 1943 for flying a Halifax without authority; he ferried it "without full uniform, money, travel vouchers, identity card or correct kit" and then had to stay overnight at an RAF station. "A most willing, conscientious and sound pilot who has flown a great numbers of hours for this Unit." Posted to Air Movements Flight in Mar 1944 - "it is felt that, due to his overkeeness, he would be more suited to the Air Movements Flight... as it would leave him more to his own initiative." "His manner is courteous and pleasant."
Post-WWII, Norman entered the 1947 Manx Air Races and Rally, flying G-AHIZ, a Beechcraft Traveller belongning to Sidney Rubin of Hindhead. He also took a round-trip by ship to Madeira in January 1949, giving his occupation as a 'Company Director' and his address the Royal Aero Club, Pall Mall. [In September 1949, his wife Betty and her mother sailed to South Africa, apparently intending to settle there, but they returned in July 1950.] d. 3 Jul 1951 - Cranleigh Probate £8,624 18s 2d for "Norman Lambert otherwise George Norman Hayman" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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RAeC 1945
Father: John Mitchell Ewing Ed. Hutcheson Boys School Next of kin: (Sister) Miss Nora Ewing prev. a Garage Proprietor (Torrance Garage, East Kilbride, Glasgow) prev. exp. 142 hrs on DH Moth Minor, Gipsy III, Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth, Leopard Moth, Moth Major Home Address in 1941: St. Helier, Norwood Drive, Whitecraigs, Giffnock, Renfreshire Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 4bFPP, 10FPP, 3FPP "A dependable pilot of average ability and a willing worker." d. 1973, Suva, Fiji Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1937
ATA
Father: Col. William Henry MacCallum DSM Ed. at Malvern High School, and Witwatersrand Technical College m. 1940 Lily Dora [Stones], 1 child A Foreman aero engine fitter for the Ford Motor Co., Manchester prev. exp. 130hrs Address in 1941: 4 Granville Rd, Wilmslow, Cheshire Mother's address: 94 Highland Rd, Kensington, Johannesburg, SA Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP, 8FPP, 3FPP "An average pilot whose only fault is over-confidence"; he was demoted to 2nd Officer from Mar-44 to Jun-44 to for flying in conditions below ATA limits, and flying after ATA landing time. He filed a patent for a machine to produce egg-cartons in 1956 - "James Arthur MacCallum, Johannesburg, Union of South Africa, assignor to Gummed Tapes (Proprietary) Limited, Johannesburg"
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His father, Maurice, who was a toolmaker, was a Swedish naturalised American. Ed. Springfield Trade School prev. a draftsman, commercial artist and aerial photographer for United American Bosch, Inc. "Flying privately since 1936. Been in aviation since 1929. Experienced in flying for photography and survey work." Learnt to fly at Alsop Flying Service, Springfield. Approx 780 hrs total. Address in 1941: 81 Savoy Ave, Springfield MA (parents) Postings: 6FPP, 8FPP He did well; "a capable pilot who has worked hard", but he was suspended and fined 2 days pay ($14) in Dec-41 as he "brought a Priority One machine into Ratcliffe when it was well out of his correct course and he had no excuse for doing so." His original contract expired on the 10 Jun 1942, and he sailed to the US the next day with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Manley Fairbrother, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg. However, the following month he applied for, and received, another contract, which ran from the 28 Aug 1942. d. 7 Dec 1942: on the 6 Dec at 6:30pm he fell from the staircase of the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast from the fourth floor to the ground floor.
"He carried out the boyish prank of sliding down the banisters and I regret that on this occasion he overbalanced and fell down the well of the staircase." [In case you're wondering, Edwin was considered to be a man of very temperate habits - a non-smoker and "practically a non-drinker".] He was taken to the 5th General US Hospital, Musgrave Park, Belfast, apparently suffering from concussion. By 6pm the following evening (7 Oct) a medical bulletin stated that he was expected to be absent from duty for "three or four weeks"; however, he died later that evening from intracerebral hemorrhage. His friend Marshall Miton officiated at the funeral on the 12th October. Edwin was initially buried in the American Section of the Belfast City Cemetery, but later re-interred in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial.
Which just left the issue of whether the £2,000 insurance would be paid. Apparently, Edwin had always made a practice of sliding down the banisters and had been repeatedly warned of this; one or two of his fellow pilots "ridiculed the whole question of the claim being submitted." Things dragged on until December, when the underwriters decided they would give him the benefit of the doubt and pay the compensation. There was a clause in the agreement which excluded death of the Insured "deliberately caused by exposing himself to exceptional danger", but they reckoned that there was not enough evidence for this. In a final sad footnote, a letter arrived from his friend Arthur (Lee) Bacon after Edwin's death. It reads: "Hello Eddie (old boy) Well bud I sure was glad to hear from you. As far as being slow on letters I guess we're both about the same. You asked me to tell you the news (well there isn't any) so there. I'll just tell you anything, all right? Your brother Harry was home on leave from the Navy for a couple of weeks and does he look good (well fed). He said he likes it alot. Oh yes Harry Herman and some of the boys staged a daylight air raid with flour bags (Sept 20th about 2pm). More fun, I guess that is the most excitement in days, weeks. Al and the rest of the fellows are going to take their test sometime this mo. You asked me to give you my views of Frances well ... I shouldn't even try, because you know all the luck I have with my girl-friends don't you. Don't you? I will say this tho, if Frances likes you (just for you) and not for the money you have etc etc --, she would make one beautiful wife. (oboy oboy). In fact I think I'll be your ice man, milkman or something so I can call on her when you're not around. As I told you before tho, nobody can make up your mind for you, if you like her and you want her, the only thing I would tell you to do is go get her. By the way I'm sure glad to hear that you're flying the big ones now. The only thing that makes me mad is that I'm not there so I can fly with you. Also can you give Ed B my congrats (I heard he was married). (poor boy). This letter has taken me an hour to write so I'll stop now. Boy do I wish you were home. The old town's quite dead without you so hurry back. Love and kisses, Arthur p.s. Emma and I aren't doing to bad, we still have our ups and downs just like anybody else you know up and down (oboy)" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Father: Harry Earl Ballard, mother Caroline S [Evans] Ed. Highland Grammar School, Holyoke; Augusta Military Academy, Long Island, NY prev. 1933-34 US Army 62nd Coast Artillery, Private First Class; Operator, Valley Air Sales, Springfield, Mass.; Paper Maker. Purchasing Agent prev. exp. 470 hrs Address in 1941: Leahey Ave, South Hadley Center, Mass. Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP Reprimanded in Aug-42 for 'flying at low altitude', and suspended for 1 week in Feb-43 for 'taking off in Spitfire with hood open' 2 accidents, one his fault: - 12 Apr 1942, his Spitfire nosed over after taxying into an unmarked soft patch, and - 9 Feb 1944, when his Anson developed an engine problem and he did a precautionary landing, but then took off again even though there was a 200rpm mag. drop. Again, the engine misbehaved, so he had to do another forced landing. "It is considered that the pilot made an error of judgement in deciding to take off in the circumstances." "A capable and hard working pilot who makes a good officer if he watches his tongue" "His flying is good and his keenness to take on any work at any time cannot be considered anything but first rate" "He talks too much and too loudly and appears to have a profoundly irritant effect on many of his colleagues. He is, however, good natured and quick-witted." He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Manley Fairbrother, and Harry Kindberg. m. 1942 Ethel (Ruth) Lambton, also of the ATA and Edwin then spent September 1943 to January 1943 in the USA. In September 1944 Edwin, Ruth and her son Peter Lambton, age 9, sailed to the USA. In January, Ruth and Edwin were hauled before a disciplinary court for 'drinking during an unauthorised period in spite of a warning by a senior officer' and 'insubordination'. The Court was inclined Not to overlook the offences. "After considering the evidence, and after hearing verbal evidence given by Commander Whitehurst and Captain Rome the Court reached the conclusion that the charges were fully substantiated, and after reviewing the record of both these officers, who as pilots have undoubtedly done a good job, the Court nevertheless came to the conclusion that their disciplinary record throughout, as disclosed by the History Cards, has left a great deal to be desired, despite repeated warnings, and that this incident is so bad as to warrant their instant dismissal". Ruth and Edwin were duly dismissed on the 23rd January 1945. They sailed to the USA on the 21 Feb (to Edwin's home town of Hadley, MA), had 2 more children and then moved to Nassau, Bahamas in 1950 where Eddie took a job as a pilot for Bahama Airlines.
Ann Wood-Kelly, Lettice Curtis, Ruth Ballard and Winnie Fair, in the Bahamas in 1957 (ELC) d. 1978 - Nassau Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATAM
m. 1936 in Worthing, Eileen F [Wylie], a hairdresser prev. a Motor Salesman; in 1939, an aircraft rigger and fitter Address in 1935: Lairnsmore, Leighton Ave, Worthing m. 1946 in Surrey, Rosemary Bonnett (also of the ATA) d. 1980 - Swindon, Wilts |
1935
father: Jesse Jaggar Ed. at Heckmondwike Grammar School m. 1935 Kathleen [Lesch] [d. 1972], 1 son b. 1936 m. 1973 Susan [Fudge] prev. Director and Sales Manager, Turf Motors (Morris House) Ltd, Bradford 6ft 2½ in. Address in 1941: 8 Fernhill Dr, Victoria Park, Sultaine, Shipley, Yorks. His garage was the sponsor, and himself the 'expert pilot' as the prize of a guess-the-height competition in 1939 in connection with the showing at the Bradford Odeon of 'Men With Wings', which is about the Lafayette Squadron of WWI: "The competition, for which there is no entrance fee, consists of estimating the height at which a certain aerial picture of Bradford, photographed from a 'plane over the Odeon, was taken. Each leaflet, which can be obtained this week from the Odeon and from Turf Motors, is made of two sections, one giving a reproduction of the photo, the original of which stands in the cinema foyer, and the other containing the entrance form. For your information, the height was not more than 5.000 feet and not less than 1,000 feet. " Postings: 4FPP, 6FPP, 7,FPP, 14FPP "A steady and intelligent pilot." "Handled the Halifax very well in difficult cross wind conditions." "Set a high standard of discipline and is a good example to all those around him." May 1954: "Two well-known local businessmen have had a most successful week-end. though a tiring one. in the National Morecambe Motor Car Rally, which is sponsored the Lancashire Automobile Club They are popular Rotary Club President. Mr. Edward Hirst and Mr. Ralph Jaguar. Mr. Jaggar. who is managing director of Turf Motors. Is also the main local distributor for M.G.. and he was the driver while Mr. Hirst acted as navigator They finished eighth (without handicap') in the whole of the Rally, in which 221 cars were competing, and they also won the prize for the Leeds Starting Contest (the most meritorious performance irrespective of group or class at the Leeds starting control." Shipley Times and Express d. Nov 1987 - Bradford Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1935
Parents: William Stanley Hosking, Sophy Seymour Richards Ed. at Kettering Grammar School m. 1933 Rhoda A [Barden]; 1 son b. 1938 prev. Branch Manager for Marks and Spencer Ltd prev. exp 53 hrs on Hornet Moth, Tiger Moth, Magister, Anson Address in 1941: 42 Round Hill Cose, West Garth Rd, Exeter Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 2FPP Sep-45: "This pilot has had consistently good reports since he joined this unit in 1942. Considering the small flying experience with which he joined the ATA, the fact that he finishes his service by being one of our most skilled All-Class pilots, is greatly to his credit. His unfailing cheerfulness and good discipline have always been most marked." O.C. No 2 FPP d. 18 Jun 1992 - Tavistock, Devon
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1939
ATA
Educated at Shipley Central School m. 1934 May [Jackson]; 1 child prev. Company Director, Valley Road Motors (Shipley) Ltd; RAF Jul-40 to Apr-41, AC/2 Cadet Address in 1941: 6 Hilton Ave, Frizinghall, Bradford Postings: 7FPP, 8FPP Off sick from 2 Dec 1942 to 23 Feb 1943, following a crash-landing in Wellington W5587 after complete failure of the port engine. Suspended for 1 day in Dec-43 for Loss of Ferry Pilot's Notes; Aug-44, reprimanded for low flying: "This pilot has not settled down at this pool, I have recommended C.O.O. to post him [back to 7FPP]. O.C. 8FPP "An excellent Officer who, by his good flying and behaviour, has been a real asset to the Pool." d. Mar 1981 - Staincliffe, N Yorks
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1935
ATA
prev. an airplane mechanic from 1935, and a Flight Instructor at Oklahoma Air College prev. exp. 3,500hrs Address in 1941: 220 S Lake St, Ponca City, OK m. to Dorothy Louise [Young], 1 child Postings: AFTS, as Instructor "A natural pilot" - ATA's Chief Instructor T.G.L. Gale said: "It was because I had the highest opinion of his character that I selected him for instructional duties ... his work has been excellent and highly successful and has deservedly earned him the praise of his superiors and the gratitude of his pupils."
d. 9 May 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Blenheim I K7086. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft's tail was broken in a collision with another Blenheim (L8439, piloted by First Officer Richard S Pavey (M.445)) which had also just taken off, and it dived into the ground and caught fire. Trainee Pilot Thomas Walton, a director of Burnley Aircraft Products Ltd, was also killed. F/O Pavey survived with a fractured shoulder, spinal injuries, shock and burns. Buried at Maidenhead Cemetery - Sec. D. Row K.K. Grave 21.
His brother Glenn had sent him this photo of himself, wife Ruby and their child outside their house in California in April 1942:
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ATA
prev. a Master Mariner Address in 1925: Lensbury, Teddington, Middx Postings: 8FPP
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1925
BG
Educated at Gresham School, Holt then New College Oxford. Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, in 1929 Father: William Thomas Bell prev. an engineer for Robey & Co., Lincoln and an Inspector in the Lincoln City Special Constabulary from Aug-39 Address in 1941: Hillside, South Park, Lincoln Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP, 5FPP "A capable pilot and a good officer. With the exception of the Fulmar accident [when an undercarriage leg collapsed on landing] all his Training Pool work has been satisfactory". Lincolnshire Echo, 16 Sep 1942: "Ferry Pilot To Pay Damages An accident near Saxilby Bridge on June 28 was referred to at Lincoln County Court when Frank William Bell, ferry pilot, South Park, Lincoln, defended an action for damages for negligence brought by Charles Freeetone Cansdale, fitter and erector, and his wife, Olive May, Bell St, Lincoln, who were given judgment for £98 3s 10d, and costs. It was stated that a collision occurred just after Cansdale, who was riding a motor-cycle with his wife on the pillion, emerged from Mill Lane on to Saxilby Rd. Cansdale said that when he reached the junction of the lane and the road he stopped, looked both ways, and not seeing any traffic, went on the main road intending to turn right and go over the bridge. He was almost on the crown of the road when he saw Bell's car come over the peak of the bridge. He (Cansdale) drove to his correct side of the road, and was straightening up when he saw Bell's car coming over the white line to his side of the road. In an effort to avoid the car he drove so that half the cycle was on the pavement. The car hit the rear of it. His wife was injured, and he was was off work two weeks. Denial Bell said he was travelling at about 30mph. After crossing the bridge he could see the motor cycle in Mill Lane. He expected it to stop when it reached the main road, but it did not. He braked hard, and went over to his offside to give the motor cycle a much space as possible. He did not agree that part of the motor cycle was on the pavement when the impact occurred. P.C. Gough said there was a brake mark 69ft long caused by the car, commencing 8ft 9ins from the offside and ending close to the curb on its offside. Judge Lanaman said that in swerving to the offside Bell made an error of judgement, but the degree of negligence was small." d. Sep 1963 - Lincoln Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1930
ATA
ed. Malvern College - OTC Private 1919-22 prev. with Turner, Adamant Engineering Co, Dallow Lane, Luton Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP, 6FPP, 7FPP In Apr-43 he was posted to AFTS as an instructor: "A hard working & keen officer who had the making of a good instructor, but unfortunately, he apparently felt the work too much of a mental strain and he made application to revert to ferrying." m. "Barbara Petronella Bowyer Or Reid" (also of the ATA) in Dec 1946
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1928
ATA
1946
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ATA
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father Leo James Fairbrother, a building contractor, mother Anna [Kennedy] ed. Martin School, Grand Rapids m. [1] 1931 Dortha Ann [Johnson], 1 child; [2] c.1947 Anna May [Gillis]; [3] 1981 Grace L [Laterza] prev. 1927-30 Corporal in Michigan National Guard, 1931-36 Fireman 2nd Class in US Naval Reserve. A 'pilot parachute jumper' prev. exp. 550hrs certified, 600hrs uncertified in (his own aircraft) J.5 Travelair NC89M, Avian Sport Address in 1941: R.R. 3, Grand Rapids, MI Postings: 2FPP "A good pilot, keen and conscientious" Off for a month after an accident in a Hurricane on 6 Dec 1941 - following partial engine failure, he overshot his selected field for a forced landing and hit a tree. He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg. He came 4th in the 1947 Thompson Trophy at the Cleveland Air Races [the race was won by Steve Beville, another former ATA pilot]. He thereby won $500 - he bought the P-51 for $5,500. Battle Creek Enquirer, Oct 1948: "FINED FOR 'BUZZING' Manley W. Fairbrother, of Minneapolis, a prominent racing pilot, paid a fine of $100 and costs in municipal court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to 'buzzing' near the home of his parents in Grand Rapids while returning from the Cleveland Air Races September 12." [He qualified in 9th position for the 1948 Thompson Trophy, flying at 351.593 mph in his 'stripped-down P-51', but after 12 laps his engine stalled and he had to pull out.] d. 28 Jan 1994 Buried Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park His obituary says: "He came to Florida in 1971 from Star Prairie, Wis. He was an airline pilot for 24 years with Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis, a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, and a member of the Retired Airline Pilots Association. Survivors include his wife Grace 'Jo'; two daughters, Nora Bercaw, Naples, Fla, and Patricia Hollowell, Spring Hill."
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ATA
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F/O in RAF 1928-32 prev. in Advertising with Chestor Studios, London
d. 28 Jun 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - in Miles Magister P2402 (William Hampton, the pilot, fractured his skull) which collided with Fairey Battle R7372 while both were landing. George Kemp (see above) and Philip de Walden Avery (see above) in the Battle were uninjured. buried Marylebone Borough Cemetery
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Father: George Firby, Mother Annie Ed. Bradford Moor, Ansons Secondary School m. 3 Jan 1944 Doris [Watmough] S.R.N. prev. a Haulage Contractor (Own business) prev. exp. 57 hrs on Gipsy Moth Address in 1941: 4 Dundas St., Bradford Postings: 7FPP, 6FPP Jan-42: Suspended without pay for 7 days and promotion deferred for 3 months for being "AWOL at Christmas 1941 & submitting a false report." "A hard working and safe pilot, but who is inclined to be irresponsible."
d. 5 Feb 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Avro Anson W4945 which disintegrated in the air, crashed between Newsham Hall and Walkers Farm, Winston, Darlington and was destroyed. "Investigations showed that the starboard aileron was struck in flight by a fast moving metal object such as the propeller of another aircraft. This caused dislocation of aileron hinges & subsequent disintegration of the starboard wing. In this connection two Spitfires were observed manoeuvering around the Anson just before the crash. One was reported to have descended and circled the wreckage after the crash." See also http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york43/fr172.html Buried at Undercliffe Cemetery, Bradford He had only been married 33 days and hadn't informed the ATA, which meant that the insurance money of £2,000 was paid to his nominated next-of-kin, his mother Annie. She agreed to pass on £675 to his widow Doris, who also inherited Geoffrey's estate of £201. A daughter Christine was born in March 1944 but died shortly afterwards.
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1938
ATA
Ed. St Cuthberts College, Worksop m. 1929 Constance T [Willson], 1933 Dorothy Mary [Thompson], 2 children prev. Managing Director of Howson Gloves Ltd, Lancashire Hill, Stockport Address in 1941: Tree Tops, 1 Valley Rd, Bramhall, Cheshire Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 14FPP "A well-behaved and conscientious officer, and a safe average pilot. Had very little experience prior to joining ATA" Passed Class V (Halifax) training Mar-43 Mar-45: "He has done very well throughout his ATA career, but the strain of nearly four years ferrying has proved too much for him, and he has been advised to resign." Contract Terminated 28 Mar 1945 d. 1964 - Bucklow, Cheshire
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1931
ATA
Father: Austin Herbert Hill Ed. High School, Oklahoma City m. [1] V ; [2] 1966 Lena M Jackson Hembling prev. Charter and Dusting Flying, Aerial Advertising, Instructing, Barnstorming. Address in 1941: Route 1, Comstock Park, Kent, MI Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP, He was 'Heartily Commended': "Whilst ferrying a Wellington VI from Lynehm to Shawbury on the 3rd April 1943, he experienced complete failure of both engines. He was at a height of approximately 1,400ft and was nearing the Malvern Hills. After losing considerable height he resuscitated the starboard engine but he was unable to get any response from the port engine which he put into coarse pitch and feathered the propeller. F/O Hill made for the nearest airfield which was Defford and succeeded in landing on the runway there with flaps and wheels down without further damage. The Wellington VI will hardly fly on one engine." The engine failures were due to incorrect setting of tank cocks within the wing. "An extremely hard-working and expert pilot, whose willingness and good discipline make him an excellent officer." Sailed from Scotland to New York on 26 Apr 1945 d. Nov 1985 - Cumberland, Harlan, KY "His wife, Lena, survives."
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Father: JamesThomas, mother Jennie [Finnerty] Ed. Notre Dame College, Indiana m. Lola Mae [Welch] (Divorced, 2 daughters Jacqueline Mae b. 1929 and Marguerite A b. 1932) prev. 1st Lieut. US Marine Aviation 1927-29, Flight Leader, RCAF Air Observer School at Prince Albert, Sask. prev. exp. 4500hrs Learnt to fly in 1932 at Los Angeles Municipal Airport, passing his test for a Federal private license in October 1932. However, two months later he was arrested when he flew his "fast monoplane" across the border from Baja Callifornia, after a tip-off. They found 130 gallons of illegal Mexican alcohol hidden in the fuselage... He got 30 days in jail, five years probation and he was told to "be kind to his paralyzed mother and bedfast father, and to live on the ranch at Fillmore, given to him by his father, and to remain at home with his wife and child[ren]." Address in 1941: 673 West St., Upland CA Contract Terminated 9 Aug 1941 - he "consistently absented himself from duty for long periods without leave and his conduct was unsatisfactory." "His obstinacy and impatience are regretted as he should quickly have made a most useful and competent ferry pilot." Joined the Fleet Air Arm on 6 Oct 1941 and was a pilot in 772 Squadron FAA [HMS Landrail (RN Air Station, Machrihanish, Argyllshire)] In Jan 1944, a "John E Hampson, Montalvo truck driver, was arrested on suspicion of violation of the selective service act." d. 25 Jan 1983 - Los Angeles
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ATA
Father: William Arthur James, mother Rebecca [Rainbow] prev. an engineer "William Leslie James (19), engineer. Newhay Farm, Yardley Hastings. was summoned for driving a motor car without an efficient silencer on the Wellingborough Road, on August 9. Defendant did not appear. but wrote denying an offence and offering to give a demonstration. P.C. Eales said defendant told him he took the silencer off the machine a month after he bought it. James was fined £1." - Northampton Chronicle and Echo - 25 Aug 1926 Address in 1937: 'Avalon', Stow Longa, Kimbolton, Hunts [He built the house himself] m. 1937 in Huntingdon, Irene Constance [Mash] [4 daughters: Irene b. 1938, Freda b. 1942, Denise b. 1945, Jennifer b. 1947] d. 23 May 1953 His grandson Sean [who also kindly supplied the photos] tells me that "He ran an aircraft maintenance and engineering company (his job pre-war was an Aircraft Engineer) in Kimbolton until his untimely demise in 1953 when an oil drum he was welding exploded, killing him instantly. He owned his own Tiger Moth, which was last noted to be at Sywell (I do not know what happened to it) and was famous locally for his “daredevil” flying antics, including flying the Tiger Moth through a Dutch Barn on his father's farm." |
RAeC 1937
In ATA uniform, with Irene
Brother of Rev. William Byrd Lee Milton, also an ATA pilot - 'The Flying Parsons'.(see below) Ed. Christ Church School, Saluda, VA, Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Theological Seminary [1934 B.S. Civil Enginering, 1938 B.D. Theology] m. 1938 Isobel Heyward [Wilson] from Birmingham, ALA prev. Priest - Rector of Brandon Episcopal Church, Burrowsville, VA prev. exp. 450 hrs Address in 1941: 756 Cumberland Ave, Atlanta, GA Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP, 16FPP, 1FPP (Seconded), 14FPP He and his brother resigned their church appointments in neigbouring parishes in the US to join the ATA. In May 1942, Marshall said "The only thing I object to is helping men to kill each other and from the pulpit I couldn't do it, but as an individual and as a member of society I felt that whether I believed in war or not I was just part of it. We thought we would be of more service perhaps in the ATA than by staying at home." 5 accidents: - 24 Dec 1941, Brewster Buffalo overshot landing due to flap and engine failure and ran into a heap of earth; - 8 Feb 1942, Defiant overshot landing and then swung to avoid another aircraft; pilot to blame as he should have made a second circuit; - 29 Mar 1942, Beaufort failed top control a swing after applying brakes. Not to blame as the brakes were found to be defective; - 29 Oct 1942, successfully force landed a Hampden after port engine failure. Pilot not responsible. - 21 Feb 1943, Proctor III tipped onto its nose when taxying in high wind; he was held to blame as he ignored the ground crew, who were standing by to help. "A methodical pilot of average ability, but inclined to be heavy-handed on single-engine aircraft." "A good officer and a capable and obliging pilot." Later a maths teacher d. 5 Nov 1993 - Newport, VA
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1942