M.--- *	Pilot	Antoni Paszkowski
	b. 25 Jul 1904, Wilno, Poland	8 Jan to 25 May 1941

 prev. RAF Flt-Lt

m. Zofia

 Postings:

Address in 1951: 14 Burford Rd, Nottingham

He and Zofia sailed to New York in May 1951. Naturalized in the US, 24 Jul 1959

 d. May 1976

* File not seen

W.29	First Officer	Stefania Cecylia 'Barbara' Wojtulanis
	b. 22 Nov 1912, Warsaw Poland	1 Jan 1941 to 4 May 1945

RAeC 1941

with thanks to Krzysztof Kubala

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

 RWD-8 Trainer

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

   1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

 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

  US Citizenship 17 Sep 1963

   13 Sep 1963

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):

M.204	First Officer	Philip Penrose Bradley
	b. 25 Jul 1905, Nottingham	1 Jan 1941 to Oct-45

1928

ATA

ATA

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):

M.214	Flight Captain	Arthur Edward Henry Coltman
	b. 25 May 1906, Leicester	1 Jan 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

1929

1939

Ed. Narborough School; Leicester Technical College

m. 1932 Hilda [Hayward] (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

Address in 1941: 'Avion', 60 Edward Ave, Braunstone, Leicester (later 3 Derwent Ave, Streatley, Luton, Beds)

Postings: 6FPP

Instructor from Jan 1943

 with Suzanne Palmer Chapman (ATAM)

3 accidents, 2 his fault:

- 4 Apr 1941, he landed his Hurricane on grass instead of runway as instructed

- 24 Feb 1942, swung to port and wingtip struck the ground, after partial engine failure

- 8 Mar 1942, port undercarriage leg of his Hampden broke adrift on landing

"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):

M.---	RAF F/O	Arvid Piltingsrud
	b. 8 Dec 1912, Sør-Aurdal, Oppland, Norway	1941 - 42

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

M.200	Captain	Kenneth Carlyle Gill
	b. 28 Aug 1915, Southgate, London	1 Jan 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

[Possibly related, a Captain Kenneth Carlyle Gill, M.C. RAF, was accidentally killed while flying on 22 Oct 1918. He was 26 years of age, and was married in April 1917 to Miss Louie Gwendolen Cullen. daughter of Mr. W. H. Cullen, of Leatherhead. ]

Mother: [Brown]

Ed. Royal Masonic School, Bushey, Herts

m. Jul 1937 in Holderness, Yorks, Dorothy [Turner]

prev. apprentice for De Havilland; Flt-Lt RAF 14 Sep 1934- 20 Nov 1940 (SSC, 1AACU based in Egypt)

Retired from RAF due to ill-health

prev. exp 747 hrs on Henley, Battle, Magister, Gordon, Wallace, Hart, Wellington, Harrow, Anson, Heyford, Valencia

Address in 1941: 25 Oxford Rd, St Annes, Lancs

Adress in 1945: The Moorings, Cawood, nr Selby, Yorks

 Postings: 4FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 7FPP (as Second-in-Command)

 Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

 3 accidents, one his fault:

- 21 Feb 1941, unknown at-fault incident in Magister N3851

- 4 Jun 1941, the tail strut of his Wellington R1773 failed due to a structural fault

- 20 Jul 1941, his Beaufighter T3331 struck an unmarked obstacle whilst taxying

"Thorough, loyal, conscientious worker. A first class pilot, and an officer who commands the respect of those junior"

 d. 29 Oct 2005 - Market Harborough, Rutland

Buried Kibworth Villages New Cemetery, Kibworth Beauchamp, Harborough District, Leicestershire

In loving memory of DOROTHY GILL died 29th july 1999 aged 83 and KENNETH CARLYLE GILL died 29th october 2005 aged 90 together at rest

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.233	First Officer	Walter Allen Rosenfield, Jr.
	b. 30 Oct 1915, Rock Island, IL	2 Jan 1941 to 28 Nov 1941

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):

M.272	First Officer	William Silver Edgar
	b. 7 Oct 1906, Waco TX	2 Jan 1941 to 2 Apr 1942

ATA

from "Fighting Men of Texas" (1948)

'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):

M.203	First Officer	Gerald Pole Welman
	b. 25 Aug 1911, Colchester Essex	3 Jan 1941 to 18 Jan 1942

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):

W.28	First Officer	Anna Zofia Maria Leska
	b. 4 Nov 1910, Warsaw, Poland	6 Jan 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

 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,

 1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

d. 21 Jan 1998 - Warsaw

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.275 *	First Officer	John Charles Shirley
	b. 10 Oct 1907, Berkswell, Solihull	7 Jan 1941 to 7 Aug 1943

Father: William James Shirley , mother Annie [Turrall], both d.  Jan 1945

 m. 1935 Joan Mary [Penrice], one son Ivor Roderick b. 1943 d. 1987

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."

M.236	First Officer	Edwin Hanson Freshfield
	b. 16 May 1909, Buckland, Surrey	8 Jan 1941 to 18 May 1942

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):

M.222 *	Pilot	Marian Konrad Imiela
	b. 8 Dec 1907, Strzemieszyce, Poland	8 Jan 1941 to 26 Feb 1942

 m. Janine

prev. Deputy Commander, Polish 152nd Fighter Escadrille in 1939; fought in France with 'DAT Chateauroux' Squadron; RAF Flt-Lt

 Postings:

Address in 1949: Rosemary Cottage, Lessingham, Lincs

He and Janine travelled to Buenos Aires, Argentina on 28 May 1949 and took up residency there

   Petition for US Naturalization, 1968 (Granted 20 Jan 1976)

d. 28 Mar 1981 - San Francisco, CA

* File not seen

M.--- *	First Officer	Andrzej Miszewski DFC
	b. 1912	9 Jan to 17 May 1941

Ed. Warsaw University of Technology, Mechanical Engineer.

"In the defensive war of 1939 he served in the air force. After the defeat, he gets through Romania, gets to France, and then to Great Britain, where (like his brother Jan, also a Sarmatian) he serves in the RAF, among others."

Awarded the Virtuti Militari Cross and the Cross of Valor four times. 

 Postings:

m. 1942 in Gainsborough, Lincs, Ewa Z [Runge]

"In 1948 he returned to Poland, where he was persecuted. From 1962 he lived in exile in South Africa."

d. c. 2006

* File not seen

M.--- *	Pilot	Stanisław Antoni Reyman
	b. 13 Apr 1912, Wola Blisza, Poland	9 Jan to 8 May 1941

 Postings:

301 Sqn, RAF Hemsworth, 1942 (Stanislaw 2nd from right)

Co-pilot of Wellington Z1379 which was shot down over the North Sea off the Belgian coast during a raid on Dortmund on 14/15 Apr 1942.

Of the 6 crew, 4 were killed; Stanislaw, who was injured, and one other were taken prisoner.

Stanislaw was repatriated 2 Feb 1945.

 m. 1946 in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Vera [Smith]

Naturalized in the UK, 1950

Address in 1950: 98 Belgrave Rd, London SW1

 d. 24 May 1983 - London

* File not seen

M.294	Flight Captain	Harry Smith
	b. 5 Aug 1902, Stockport	10 Jan 1941 to 9 Jan 1942, 15 Sep 1942 to 15 Nov 1942, 10 Sep 1943 to 29 Apr 1945

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"

   Registration Card, dated 24 Aug 1942

"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):

M.297	First Officer	Nathan Stolzer Kohn
	b. 31 Oct 1910, St Louis MO	11 Jan 1941 to 29 Jun 1942

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):

M.--- *	Pilot	Meindert (or Meyndert) Symen Kamphuys (or Kamphuis)
	b. 7 May 1900, Zandijk, Holland	13 Jan to 27 Mar 1941

Father: Simon Gerardus Kamphuys (d. 1935 in Amsterdam), a Director of the British Cocoa Mills (Hull) (BCM) Ltd, a company producing cocoa butter, as well as other firms in Amsterdam.

Mother: Margaretha Elisabeth [Barmentloo]

Meyndert was also a Director (and later Managing Director) of British Cocoa Mills Ltd,  in Tower St., Hull.

His younger brother Henri (or Henry) Simon Kamphuys (b. 1918)

  1936

was a pharmacologist for the firm.

Address in 1934: Koog Aan de Zaan, Holland

m. 1935 Maria [Mary] Clasina Eva [Brassem]

"Mr Kamphuys came to England from Holland in 1935 to establish the British Cocoa Mills. Although his home was in Holland, he was a frequent visitor to Hull."

RAeC Certificate 13925 dated 7 Jun 1936, taken at Hull Aero Club

He and Maria were fined £2 and £1 respectively for "entering the Hull exclusion area without a permit" in April 1940; they pleaded ignorance of the recently-introduced regulations.

 Postings:

Subsequently joined the exiled Dutch Air Force in the UK, ending up as CO of the Dutch Communication Flight.

 Visa for Brazil, 1946

[Meinhert and Mary knew pioneer (and ex-ATA) pilot Jim Mollison well, and whilst Meinhert was away in South America in 1946, Jim and Mary began an affair. Meinhert and Mary agreed to part; he made her an allowance of £500 per year and she (and, later, Jim) moved into a house called 'Lowlands', in Hurley, Berks.]

Address in 1947: 82 Portland Pl, London W.1

 d. 15 Jul 1947 - Logrono, nr Bilbao, Spain. He and his brother Henri were killed in an aircraft accident.

"Hull Businessmen die in Plane Crash

Mr Meyndert S. Kamphuys, managing director of British Cocoa Mills, Ltd, Hull, and his brother, Mr Henry S Kamphuys, were both killed when a plane in which they were flying to Africa on business crashed in the Lumbreras Mountains in Northern Spain. Also killed was the pilot, [ex-ATA Ralph Harold Henderson], well known in London flying circles. The plane had been privately chartered." - Hull Daily News

 The aircraft, according to "Mollison - The Flying Scotsman" by David Luff, 1993, was an Airspeed Consul belonging to BCM.

The BCM factory burned down on the 29 Nov 1948, killing 12 people.

After his death, Mary inherited Meinhert's wealth. She married Jim Mollison (as his third wife) on 26 Sep 1949, at Maidenhead.

  from "Mollison - The Flying Scotsman" by David Luff

* File exists but not seen

M.210	First Officer	Ernest Maurice Gill
	b. 4 Aug 1905, Caterham, Surrey	15 Jan 1941 to 24 Mar 1943

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 Garden 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):

M.322	First Officer	Willard Noel Estes
	b. 15 Jan 1911, Monett, Missouri	15 Jan to 26 Jun 1941

ATA

c.1932

Father, Willard Albert Estes, of 11077 De Foe St, Pacoima, CA

Ed. Will Mayfield College, Marble Hill, Missouri 

prev. Flying Instructor, US Army 1930-34 (Fort Francis, Laramie, Wyoming in 1930, a football player for the Army)

prev. exp. 1,050 hrs during 12 years civilian flying

  Draft card, 16 Oct 1940

Adress in 1941: 154 West 170th St, Hazel Crest, Illinois

Postings: 1FPP

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.

"He has done a fine job for us and his loss will be greatly felt"

Buried St Mary Cray Cemetery, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London, England

Postscript:

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.258 *	First Officer	Frederick Herbert Rowe
		15 Jan 1941 to 31 Jul 1945

 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
- 8 Jul 1942, he taxied his Spitfire Vb AA971 over the grass at Prestwick, ran over an unmarked soft patch and nosed over
- 7 Feb 1943, his Hurricane I V6637 was hit by a landing Oxford whilst waiting for take-off, causing damage to both aircraft

- 16 Mar 1944, he survived a crash in Albacore X9266 at Evanton after engine failure

M.323	First Officer	William Joseph Somogy
	b. 12 Jan 1909, Warren, Ohio	16 Jan 1941 to 15 Apr 1945

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):

M.350	First Officer	John Leonard Yingst
	b. 21 May 1915, Lebanon, PA	16 Jan 1941 to 15 Apr 1945

Father: Lewis Eli Yingst, mother Laura G  [Illig], of Sheridan, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania

Ed. High School, Military Academy

 prev. "Salesman. Horseman,. Pilot"; RCAF in Canada from 27 Sep 1940 to 7 Jan 1941 - Sgt Pilot Instructor

prev. exp. 580 hrs in Waco, Travelair, Stearman, Stinson, Fleet, Yale, Harvard, Ford, Boeing, Lockheed, Anson

 Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

 4 accidents, 1 his fault:

- 12 Apr 1941, he lost his way in Magister T9682 ('completely blamed')

- 6 Feb 1942, he stalled his Douglas DB7 Havoc (Turbinlite) W8254 at 30 ft, due to a faulty ASI

- 12 Dec 1942, his Mustang I AG346 collided with a stationary aircraft, due to 'unsatisfactory airfield control at Prestwick'

- 13 Feb 1943, he swung off the runway in Fulmar II N1942 and collided with a Spitfire, due to defective brakes.

 Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Ann Watson Wood, Mary (Zerbel) Hooper, Grace Stevenson, Lionel Kay and Dorothy (Furey) Bragg.

   Draft Card, dated 7 Aug 1943

 "A capable all round pilot whose capacity for work is above the average. Discipline satisfactory" ... "This pilot has now delivered over 1,000 aircraft of all types"

 m. Mary Etta [Filbert]:

  1941

 d. 19 Nov 1991 - Myerstown PA

"He was a retired farmer and antique dealer. He was a veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force, having served during World War II. In January 1941 he joined the ATA Division 41 Group of the British Royal Air Force as a Wing Commander [sic]. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons Leonard P. Yingst and Eric L. Yingst" - The Daily News

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.211	Flight Captain	William James Turle
	b. 31 Jan 1904, Boscombe, Dorset	18 Jan 1941 (16 Oct 1940 as Air Gunner) to 30 Sep 1945

1937

ATA

Manx Aviation and Military Museum

 Father: Jeffrey Turle, a butcher; Mother: Maud Elizabeth Mary [Masterman]

Eldest of 7 brothers and 2 sisters

Ed. Boscombe Council School

m. 1931 in Bournemouth, Gladys Eileen [Lockyer]

RAeC Certicate 15295 dated 1 Sep 1937, taken at Bournemouth Flying Club, Christchurch

prev. Steward for British Railways and Royal Mail Steamships; Garage Proprietor; RAF (Sgt, Link Trainer Instructor) 2 Nov 1939 - 18 Mar 1940

prev. exp. 201 hrs

Address in 1940: 6 Ropley Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth

Postings: 15FPP, 2FPP, 9FPP, Marston Moor, Ringway (seconded)

 Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

Off sick from 7 to 21 Jun 1941 with dermatitis, and from 3 to 12 Dec 1941 with bronchitis

2 accidents, both his fault:

- 10 Jan 1943, his Hurricane IIC KW975 hit a concrete mixer whilst taxying

- 26 May 1945, whilst he was clearing the engine of his Spitfire IX PT732, the tail came up and the propeller tips were damaged.

"A well disciplined officer who is willing and keen. His good record makes him a valuable member of this pool"

"Has been of immense value to ATA"

 1987 interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009587

 d. 12 Dec 1993 - Poole, Dorset

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.--- *	2nd Officer	Harvey Leonard Wren
	b. 4 Nov 1898, Bexley Heath, Kent	18 Jan to 20 Feb 1941

Father: Harvey Leonard Wren (a bank clerk, d. 1931), Mother: Lilian Eva Cecilia [Fuller] (d. 1953) of Springfield Lodge, Bexley Heath, Kent

Flt-Lieut., RAF (103 Sqn, 104 Sqn, 109 Sqn, Apr 1918 - Jan 1919, PoW)

RAeC Certificate 11646 dated 7 Jan 1934, taken at Kent Flying Club

Address in 1934: Old Coastguards Cottage / Tea Rooms, Seasalter, nr. Whitstable, Kent

"AIRMAN’S NARROW ESCAPE

  G-AEEU, owned by Robert C Ramsay

"Mr. Leonard Harvey Wren, of Seasalter, Whitstable, had a remarkable escape yesterday when a Gipsy Moth he was piloting crashed on the beach at Seasalter. He apparently got into an air pocket, which caused the plane to cartwheel and strike an electric pole. It then fell on the beach in front of his house. Wren escaped unhurt." - Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald - 3 Feb 1934

[Robert Christian Ramsay

was one of the founders of Kent Flying Club, and was the father of ATA pilot Diana Ramsay - see https://www.ata-ferry-pilots.org/index.php/category-blog-1941/682-ramsay-diana-patricia

G-AEEU crashed again in September 1934; pilot Norman Ian Ramsay [owner's son, aged 19] and passenger John Wilfred James (aged 33) were killed" ]

prev. Garage Proprietor

m. 1925 in Faversham, Kent, Annie May [Smith] (poss d. 1941)

 Resident in Canada, 1925-27

 Postings:

d. 4 May 1950  - Kent

"A garage proprietor at Seasalter for the past 25 years, be had recently retired from business. A pilot in 104 Bombing Squadron during World War 1, Mr. Wren was shot down over the Vosges Mountains and was taken a prisoner of war. In the early part of World War II he served with the ATA., being discharged eventually owing to ill-health." - Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald - 13 May 1950

* File not seen

M.213	Flight Captain	Thomas James McOran Campbell
	b. 15 Aug 1906, Plympton	21 Jan 1941 to Jun-42 (as pilot), then Technical Dept until Sep-44

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):

M.298	First Officer	Jack Fitzgerald
	b. 10 Jul 1915, Bagwell TX	23 Jan 1941 to Jan-42

AR

ATAM

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):

M.438	Flight Captain	George Earl 'Red' Imes
	b. 24 Nov 1903, Anadarko, OK	23 Jan 1941 to 30 Sep 1945 [1,711 days]

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):

M.324 *	First Officer	Wilfred James Paull
	b. 20 Apr 1896, Crewkerne, Somerset	23 Jan 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

m. 1920 Agnes Ellen [Robinson]

prev. an Insurance Broker

Address in 1932: 155 Above Bar, Southampton

d. Jun 1964, Norwich

1932

ATAM

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):

M.334	First Officer	Kenneth Russell Arnette
	b. 31 Aug 1912, Rutherfordton VA	25 Jan 1941 to Jan-42

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):

M.---- *	First Officer	Adam Taylor Smith
	b. 12 Feb 1910, Darvel, Ayrshire	25 Jan to 21 Feb 1941

 Father: Tom Smith

RAeC Certificate 11319 dated 13 Aug 1933, taken at Scottish Flying Club in DH Moth

Address in 1936: 22 Campbell St, Darvel, Ayrshire

prev. a Picture House Manager; Air Traffic Control Officer at Liverpool Airport

m. 31 Dec 1939 in Oxton, Audrey Margaret [Green]

 Postings:

 Pilot Officer, RAFVR from 21 Feb 1941

Post-WWII, he became Director of Operations in the Civil Aviation Department in Pakistan. However, in 1950 he was convicted of fraud, and jailed:

"ADAM TAYLOR SMITH SENTENCED

Former Civil Aviation Official Gets 2½ Years for Cheating and Forgery

KARACHI, Sept. 13 (APP).—Mr. Adam Taylor Smith, former Director of Operations, Civil Aviation Department, Government of Pakistan was today found guilty of committing fraud against the Government of Pakistan, of abetment of forgery, and of breach of the Indian Aircraft Rules and sentenced to a total of two and a half year's simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 4,600.

Delivering a 49-page judgment to-clay, Syed Mohammed Baqar, Special Judge, found Mr. Adam Smith guilty under Section 420 and 465 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced him respectively to two years' simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 4,000, in default of which further simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 500, two months. Both sentences will run concurrently.

Also found guilty of breach of Rules 5 and 7 (2) of the Indian Aircraft Rules, 1937, as adapted by Pakistan, Mr. Adam Smith was further sentenced to a penalty of Rs. 100, in default of which to undergo simple imprisonment for 15 days. After the sentence had been passed, Mr. Adam Smith told the Special Judge that he would appeal against his conviction, adding "I will fight it myself."

He requested two days' parole in order to file his appeal as he "had no legal adviser" and "was not versed with legal details." The Judge, however, said he could not grant him the parole and gave him time till the rising of the court to file his appeal with the High Court.

The Special Judge also complemented the Inspector, Mr. Abdul Qadir, and the Sub-Inspector, Mr. Abdul Karim, of the C.I.D. for their vigilance in detecting and proving the crime.

CRIME OF NECESSITY

Before passing the sentence, the Special Judge said "I cannot close the judgment without expressing my regret that the accused, who occupied a high post and a position of trust in the Pakistan Government, should have committed such degrading crimes, as the offences of cheating and forgery are considered to be, and should have tried to deprive the Pakistan Government of a valuable Dakota.

"He tried to impress upon me that he was, and still is, a great well wisher of Pakistan. But it seems that his interests in the welfare of Pakistan cease when his own personal interest is involved.

"It was, no doubt, a crime of necessity which made him desperate. He was confident that on account of his influence, which he seemed to possess over Mr. Ispahani, Chairman of the Orients, he would be able to purchase one or two Dakotas from the Orients In spite of the opposition of Capt. Stack [*] and Miller. He did succeed in getting one Dakota, but at the same time Capt. Stack and Mr. Miller also succeeded in getting a condition imposed in the sale agreement that they will have the first option to purchase the Dakota in case the accused wanted to sell it.

"Before this condition was imposed the accused had already entered into an agreement of sale with Messers. Board and Daver and Israni and had accepted, if not the full price, at least Rs. 63,000- from them. He thus found himself on the horns of a dilemma. If he were to cancel the sale, he would lose the big profit of Rs. 60,000 which he expected to make by that sale, and if he accepted it, he would not be able to give the delivery of the Dakota and to get its clearance outside Pakistan because of the Orients and Pakistan Government. He must be presumed to have known that under the notification of September 6, 1943, mentioned above, there was complete prohibition for export of aircraft outside Pakistan.

"The temptation was thus too great not to follow an honourable course of returning the money to Messers Board and Daver and expressing his helplessness in the matter. He succumbed to that temptation in conspiracy with Messers Board and Daver and committed the present shameful crimes.

"He most probably took the chance and might have thought that he would escape the clutches of law, but due to the vigilance of the C.I.D. and other Government officials he could not succeed. They not only detected them, but successfully proved them, which goes to their credit.

"In view of my findings recorded above, I hold that the accused is guilty under Section 420 and 465 of the Indian Penal Code and has also committed breaches of Rules 5 and 7 (2) of the Indian Aircraft Rules, 1937, as adapted by Pakistan Government."

The learned Judge then passed sentence on the accused.

Mr. Adam Taylor Smith was sent to jail this evening, when he failed to file an appeal against his conviction by the Special Judge. Till 1 p.m. this afternoon, Mr. Adam Smith had no consel and, it is, learned when one did later make a bail application before the Deputy Registrar, it was not accepted on the grounds that details were lacking.

Mr. Adam Smith, it is understood, will make another application tomorrow. " - Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Wednesday 14 September 1949

 * [ Captain Thomas Neville Stack was killed when run over by a lorry in Karachi on  22^nd February 1949]

  - Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Tuesday 14 February 1950

   Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore) - Friday 05 May 1950

"The Appellate Bench of the Sind Chief Court, while confirming the charge of defrauding the Government of Pakistan, on March 20, had acquitted Mr. Smith from the other two charges—forgery and violation of the Indian Aircraft rules. The Appellate Bench had also reduced the earlier term of sentence from two and a half years' simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 4,000 to four months' simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council rejected the petition of Mr. Smith, without calling on Counsel for the Crown. Mr. Smith has been lodged in the District Jail of Karachi. It will be recalled that Mr. Smith was tried and sentenced for defrauding the Pakistan Government of a Dakota, by permanently exporting it out of Pakistan."

Adam, Audrey and Adam Jr. (aged 1¾) sailed back to the UK from Pakistan, arriving 29 August 1950

* File not seen

M.330	First Officer	Harry Wolff
	b. 31 Jan 1907, Malden MA	27 Jan 1941 to Oct-41

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):

M.--- *	First Officer	Reginald Franklin Conroy Vance
	b. 13 May 1903, London to American parents	24 Jan  to Mar 1941

Father: Reginald Henley Conroy Vance (d, 1922), mother: Clarissa Meachum [Brown, d.1922], of Fredericksburg, VA.

Grew up in USA from age 3

Ed. St Paul's School, Concord NH; Harvard 

 US Air Corps 2nd Lieut 1929; Assistant Military Attache in London from October 1940

m. 27 Nov 1929 in Chatanooga, TN, Susan Wharton [Hansell]

 Postings:

 Returned to USA in March 1941

Lt-Col, USAAF from 1942

   1952

 d. 27 Oct 1981 - Gloucester Co, Virginia, USA

  Abingdon Episcopal Church Cemetery, White Marsh, Gloucester County, Virginia

"Retired Air Force Col. Reginald Franklin Conroy Vance, 78, a former chairman of the Gloucester County Republican Party, died Tuesday in Walter Reed Memorial Hospital.
Born in England, he graduated from St. Paul's School in Concord, Mass., and was a member of the graduating class of 1926 at Harvard University.
He was a bomber pilot in World War II and earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
He was on the military staff of the United Nations in 1950 and served in Europe and the Far East before, during and after World War II.
He was a member of Abingdon Episcopal Church, which he had served as junior and senior warden. He was a member of the Gloucester Rotary Club, the Sons of the American Revolution, an aviation society known as the International Order of Characters and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.
He had served as president of the Tidewater Daffodil Society.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Susan Hansell Vance; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Whitson of McLean and Lady Susan Oldman of Kenya, Africa; a sister Mrs. J. R. Keast of St. Peter's Port, Guernsey, England; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41174215/reginald-franklin_conroy-vance

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.335	First Officer	Carl Stanley "Candy" Wiss
	b. 19 Jul 1919, Chicago, IL	28 Jan 1941 to 7 Apr 1942

 Father: Carl Teodor Wiss, (b. 1891 in Germany), Mother: Sophie (b. in Poland), of 470 14th St, San Francisco, CA

Ed. High School; Wright's College

prev. exp. 400 hrs

prev. pilot, instructor; Flying Cadet, Army Air Corps, (Randolph Field, TX 12 Feb to 16 Jun 1940)

  Draft card, dated 16  Oct 1940

 Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 8FPP

2 accidents, neither his fault: 

- 4 Sep 1941, the port undercarriage leg of his Wellington X9921 retracted during landing, due to a technical fault

- 1 Dec 1941, an "unsuccessful" forced landing on Millom airfield in Hawker Hector K9729, (of all things)   © Dave Welch Collection

"A keen and enthusiastic pilot"

Later flew for CNAC (China National Airline Corporation) 1944-48 - see https://cnac.org/wiss01.htm

Address in 1948: 2263 37th Ave, San Francisco

He received severe face and head injuries in the crash of a CNAC C-46 in Mukden, China on 20 Jan 1948, and flew back to the USA from there on 4 Feb 1948.

"January 1, 2001
From Jim Dalby
"Carl Wiss -- I didn't know what happened to Carl after I left. About 1993 he called me and said that he had been a street person in San Francisco for many years. He was in terrible straits and wanted my help in getting him into the VA hospital in the Napa Valley. I got his veteran status worked out and he entered the VA hospital and died there. That is all I know. Or think I know.
Jim."

 d. 26 Dec 1994, San Francisco

Buried San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, Santa Nella, Merced County, CA

He "died leaving no known relatives or will ... There is reported to be a considerable Estate."

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

W.---	2nd Officer	Hon. Frances Patricia Tollemache
	b. 24 Nov 1908, Tarporley Cheshire	31 Jan to 7 Mar 1941

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:

  Now a hotel ...

 Miss Dorothy and Miss Frances were debutantes in 1927, "presented by Susan Duchess of Somerset".

  The Three Graces

"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

  "Miss Tollemache in the cockpit of the machine" - Daily Mirror

[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.

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):

M.332	First Officer	Jack Groover Durham
	b. 2 Nov 1919, Fort Payne AL	1 Feb 1941 to May-42

Ed. 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."

"He has stated that he desires to return to the States for a period of leave.... we should like to see this pilot back".

However, he (and Bruce E Raymond, who left at the same time) decided to sign up with RAF Ferry Command.

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):

['Irish' is crossed out on application']

M.209	First Officer	Geoffrey James Ian Clennell
	b. 29 Oct 1912, Letchworth	4 Feb 1941 to 17 Jul 1941

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):

M.331	First Officer	Frank Carmany Wallower Jr
	b.  21 Nov 1907, Webb City, Missouri	5 Feb 1941 to 4 Feb 1942

Father: Frank Carmany Wallower Sr (A Mining Engineer, later President of Tri-State Casualty Insurance Co), Mother: Marie [Russert] (Frank Sr's first wife, d. 1920 from acute meningitis), of Mission Hills Estate, Joplin, MO (now part of the Missouri Southern State University campus)

see https://libguides.mssu.edu/wallowercollection

Ed. Lawrenceville Prep School, NJ, Cornell University; School of Mines

prev. Superintendent, SW Missouri Road Co.; Instructor on Government pilot training scheme

prev. exp. 1250 hrs

m. Apr 1932 in Joplin, Kathryn 'Kay' [Pearson] - "The bride is well known in social circles in Miami, [Oklahoma] where she resided for a number of years before moving to Joplin last summer"

"Frank and Kay adopted a daughter named Jane, who died in childhood following a sudden illness. They then divorced and later remarried."

 Address in 1941: Keystone Hotel, Joplin, Missouri

  Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

"I have six months release from local draft board (Joplin, USA) with permission to renew each six months by writing"

 Postings: 2FPP, 4FPP, 4aFPP

1 accident, not his fault:

- 16 Sep 1941, an engine of his Blenheim L6816 failed on take-off at White Waltham.

Off sick from 16 Sep to 21 Nov 1941, following this accident.

 "This officer is entirely satisfactory in the performance of his duties"

Travelled back to the USA on 15 Feb 1942 with fellow ATA pilot Marvin Dunlavy

Captain, 555th Army Air Forces Base Unit Ferrying Division, Air Transport Command, from 15 Sep 1942 to 30 Jan 1946

 "He now has flown in air operations in virtually all parts of the world"

d. 26 Sep 1966 (aged 58) - Centreville, St. Clair County, Illinois, USA

"Frank was killed in an automobile accident"

Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri, United States of America

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.253	Captain	Edward George Parsons
	b. 23 Nov 1905, Ealing	8 Feb 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

 Father: George James Parsons, a Manager, Book Retail; Mother: Hester

Ed. LCC School, Balham, LCC School Battersea

 prev. Sgt Pilot, RAF 4 Feb 1922 - Aug 1932 (19 (Fighter) Sqn, then instructor); Manager of Lands End and Scilly Island Airport

m. 1933 in Bristol, Gertrude Lucy [Earp] (2 children, Ann M b. 1934, Gillian b. 1937)

prev. exp. 1,500 hrs ('B' Licence Holder) on Percival Gull, Comper Swift, D.H. 9a, 84, 86, 89, 90, Moth, Tiger Moth, Puss Moth, and Leopard Moth, Waco C.6, Vickers Vimy (!), BA Double Eagle, Avro 504K, Sopwith Snipe and Grebe, Bristol F2B, including Egypt, Palestine and Iraq.

Address in 1941: Bay Tree Cottage, Blakesley, nr Towcester, Northants

 Postings: 3FPP, 4aFPP

Class 5 (4-engine) qualified pilot

 One accident, not his fault:

- 26 Jan 1942, forced landing in Hudson B9040, due to a cowling coming loose in flight

 Address changed to 130 Liverpool Rd, Chester, then later The Old Hall, Flookersbrook, Chester

"I could not wish for a more loyal and harworking second-in-command" (Stan Ogden)

"He has very considerable experience on all types of aircraft, and is always willing to give less experienced pilots advice"

 King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air

 Sailed to Curacao, Venezuela in November 1945

d. 2 Feb 1981 - Camberwell, London 

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.333	First Officer	George Henry Wood
	b. 19 Mar 1913, Battle Creek, Michigan	8 Feb to 17 Sep 1941

Father: George Wood, Mother: Annie Elizabeth [Aston] (both born in England)

Ed. High School, Junior College 

 m. Daphne Mae [Franklin] (divorced 1944)

prev. an usher in a theatre; worker in boiler factory;  Instructor; Commercial Pilot for Arthur Carnahan Flying Service for 4 months at Bloomington Airport, IL

  Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

Address in 1941: 2646 South Euclid Ave, Berwyn, Illinois

 Postings: 1FPP

5 accidents, all his fault:

- 9 May 1941, he got lost in poor visiblity, in Hurricane Z3463

- 26 May 1941, flying too low in Tiger Moth T6112, he hit high tension cables

- 21 Jun 1941, in attempting to control the swing in Hart K5028, his foot slipped off the brake pedal

- 5 Aug 1941, he taxied his Spitfire W3697 down wind 'without due care'

- 14 Sep 1941, he retracted the undercarriage of his Blenheim L8489 too soon, and landed with the starboard wheel retracted.

Fined twice:

- 11 Jun 1941, for low flying; fined half his salary for two weeks

- 23 Aug 1941, $50 for the Spitfire accident at Squire's Gate

"A very keen pilot who got away to a bad start. I think he is now on the way to becoming a valuable pilot" (Frankie Franics, 17 May)

[Contract Terminated]

   Fairbanks Daily News Miner

 d. 10 Apr 1951 as co-pilot of C-54D Skymaster 42-72518 of the 10th (Rescue) Squadron, USAF, based at Elmendork AFB, Alaska which crashed at Ladd AFB, Alaska. 7 other crew members also died. The plane was "making practice glider snatches at low altitude" at the time of the accident.

Buried  New Albany National Cemetery, New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.250	First Officer	Stephan Karpeles-Schenker
	b. 18 Jan 1901, Vienna Austria	15 Feb 1941 to Nov-45

1938

BG

 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

M.251	Flight Captain	James Smith Halliday MBE
	b. 22 Jun 1908, Rothesay, Bute, Scotland	15 Feb 1941 to 12 Jan 1945 [1,427 days]

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):

M.328 *	First Officer	Bruce Elmer Raymond
	b. 27 Mar 1902, Green Bay, Wisconsin	c.15 Feb 1941 to 27 Apr 1942

1948

1948

 m. 1923 in Hammond, IL, Lillian [Gluth]

"The European War was brought closer to home to one Hammond family today as the husband of Mrs. Lillian Raymond, 6604 Jefferson Avenue, neared the English war zone in a high speed gun boat [sic]. Mrs Raymond's huisband is Pilot Bruce E Raymond, for 16 years a Shore Line bus operator and licensed pilot. He joined the British Overseas Air corps [sic] and left a week ago from Halifax, Nova Scotia" - The Hammond Times, 11 Feb 1941

[The newspapers seem to have had a problem with BOAC's name:

If he was really working for the 'British Overseas Air corpse', it's a wonder he could contact anybody there...]

 Postings: 1FPP

 2 accidents, 1 his fault:

- 1 Nov 1941, forced landing having taken off with insufficient fuel in Spitfire P8758

- 27 Feb 1942, the tail wheel strut of his Anson AX232 collapsed whilst taxying

His 12-month contract was extended, but at that point he requested a period of leave and told the ATA that he was "very doubtful" about returning.

   Draft Card, 4 Jun 1942

From late 1942, attached to RAF Ferry Command (known as RAF No 45 (Atlantic Ferry) Group from March 1943).

He is recorded as sailing from the UK to the New York in the SS Queen Elizabeth 'in transit to Canada' in November 1943, as one of 19 Ferry Pilots including fellow ex-ATA pilots Gilbert Tobin, Edmund Jarrett, Clark Trumbull and Lee Roy Rawlings.

 In 1948, he won the Tinnerman Trophy Air Race in his P-51 'The Gallopin Ghost', was second in the Thompson Trophy (which earned him $8,000 - at 46, he was the oldest pilot in the race) and fourth in the Sohio Race ($700).

He then became a pilot for the Abrams Aerial Survey Corporation, undertaking a mapping project in South Carolina.

 d. 19 May 1984 - Hammond Lake, Indiana 

"Bruce flew as a civilian pilot with the Royal Air Force Transport Command in Canada. He began flying planes in 1928, working as an instructor, commercial pilot and barnstormer before World War II. During the war, he delivered 39 bombers across the Atlantic Ocean with the RAF Transport Command." - Lansing Times, 22 May 1984

* ATA File not available

M.343	First Officer	William Johnston 'Bill' Elliott
	b. 18 Apr 1917, Chambersburg Pennsylvania	17 Feb 1941 to Feb-42

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.)

"Senior officers were present, with American members of the ATA. RAF men bore the two coffins, which were covered with flags, the Stars and Stripes of America. Air Transport Auxiliary pilots followed the coffin. An RAF Chaplain officiated, and the vicar of Timperley, the Rev. Dr Lindare, assisted." - Manchester Evening News, via George Cogswell
via George Cogswell

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):

M.345	First Officer	Raymond O Hoover Jr
	b. 17 Feb 1917, Chambersburg, PA	17 Feb 1941 to 3 Mar 1942 [379 days]

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):

M.257	First Officer	Peter Wellburn Bayliss
	b. 17 Jul 1915, Wolverhampton	18 Feb 1941 to Aug-45

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):

M.260	First Officer	Bruce Campbell
	b. 9 Feb 1910, Harrow	18 Feb 1941 to May-43

ATA

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):

M.338 *	2nd Officer	Raymond Lu Yu Chang
	b. 11 Feb 1918, Peiping, China	18 Feb 1941 to 6 Oct 1941

Learnt to fly in 1938 with A.S.T. at Hamble

d. 14 Sep 1981 - Los Angeles

M.346 *	First Officer	John McBride Victor Sillars
	b. 7 Nov 1897, Brodick, Bute, Scotland	18 Feb 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

c.1918 (Ancestry)

c.1920 (Ancestry)

Father: John Sillars (a farmer, d. 1932), mother: Ellen Elizabeth [Denny], of West Mayish, Brodick, Arran, Scotland

 prev. RFC from 23 Jul 1917; RAF Lieut. 1 Apr 1918 - 16 Sep 1919 (107 Sqn, 18 Sqn, RAF Army of the Rhine); machinist

"He flew to France on 13th June, and shot down his first two enemy machines on 7th July after an exciting encounter at an altitude of 15,000 ft."

prev. exp. on DH6, BE2c, RE8

Address in 1939: 4 Iona Crescent, Slough

m. 1939 in Uxbridge, [Jones]

 Postings: 4FPP

One accident, not his fault:

- 29 Jul 1943, a forced landing in Defiant I T3957 at Speke, after a blocked filter caused a rise in oil temperature and a drop in pressure

Address in 1975: 1 Western Ave, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth

d. 12 Jan 1975 - Bournemouth

* File not seen

M.342	First Officer	Joseph Ernest 'Joe' or 'Skinny' Wolfe Jr.
	b. 5 Oct 1918, Rome, Georgia	18 Feb to 29 Dec 1941

Chattanooga Daily Times, 29 Jun 1950 - "He is shown in British uniform"

Ancestry

Father: Joe Ernest Wolfe Snr, a druggist, Mother: Doris [Kennedy]

 Ed. High School

prev. 3 yrs Commercial Pilot at Lovell Field in Chattanooga; Exhibition Flying

here he is (r) in 1939, "one of the youngest stunt pilots in America"

  1939 Chattanooga Air Show

... and in 1940, stunt flying an Aeronca 65C for the 'Tom Cat Overall Company';

"Another Wolfe speciality is to stall a motor in mid-air, climb from the cockpit, and crank the propeller in flight" - Macon News

  Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

Address in 1941: 118 Sequioa Drive, Chattanooga, TN

 Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP

5 accidents, 3 his fault:

- 7 Aug 1941, an incident involving Tomahawk AK104; not blamed because he had "insufficient information on the type"

- 25 Sep 1941, he damaged the starboard airscrew and undercarriage leg in Blenheim Z7625 while landing at Meir Aerodrome (Stoke-on-Trent), due to the leg 'jamming'

- 1 Oct 1941, he stalled Blenheim Z7788 after a bad take-off and retracting the undercarriage too soon, also at Meir Aerodrome

- 14 Dec 1941, a forced landing near Kendal in Boston Z2299, breaking off the front wheel, after persisting too far in bad weather

- 23 Dec 1941, in Spitfire R6992, he took off from a narrow track rather than the runway, ran into a trench and damaged the undercarriage, then had to do a wheels-up landing at Colerne.

[Contract Terminated - "Unlikely to become an efficent ferry pilot" 

 USAF from 2 Aug 1942, 25th Ferrying Squadron

m. 29 Apr 1943 in Montana, Gertrude E [Dickerson] (divorced 1946)

m. Sylvia [van Voast], from Houston, TX

Later Major, USAF

 d. 19 Nov 1951 as pilot, one of three crew members who died in the crash of a B-47 Stratojet shortly after take-off from Edwards AFB, CA

The Chattanooga Times, 25 Nov 1951 said he was "Chief of Experimental test operations at Edwards AFB" (but this is not quite correct - he was an Assistant Chief of the Test Operations Branch)

They also reported that he "served in the British RAF for 14 months as a first lieutenant [sic]"... but this is definitely not correct...

And that "he was "one of the few test pilots to fly faster than the speed of sound in the Bell X-1" ...

... but this does not appear to be correct, either; see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_X-1_flights (his name does not appear). (He was stationed with Chuck Yeager at one time, though)

Buried Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.266		Daniel Vincent Gallery Jr
	b. 10 Jul 1901, Chicago IL	19 Feb 1941 to 9 Apr 1941

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."

 findagrave.com

d. 16 Jan 1977 - Bethesda, MD

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.--- *	2nd Officer	Patrick John Henry Mertz
	b. 16 Mar 1917, Hastings, Sussex	19 Feb to 5 Mar 1941

 Mother: [Reeve]

RAFVR

Fought in the Spanish Civil War, 1936: "Charles Kennett, middle-aged, black-haired ex-war pilot, and Patrick Mertz, blond, 23-year old ex-RAF Reserve flier, are the survivors of the four British pilots I watched leave Victoria [station] five weeks ago. Mertz has a scar gashing his left cheek. 'We are lucky to get back alive' they said, 'it has been plain murder... we were flying 1916 Martinsyde fighters against German and Italian regular air force trained men in 1936 Heinkels and Fiats. We hadn't a chance.'" - Newmarket Journal - Saturday 10 October 1936

 m. 1938 in Southampton, Hazel M [Semadeni]

 Postings:

m. Jul 1948 in Gloucestershire, Barbara B [Blakeway]

Resident in USA from 30 May 1954 (naturalized 1959)

m. 30 Oct 1955 in Las Vegas, NV, Blanche Janie [Wilson] (b. 1922 in Kentucky) (one son John, b. 6 Oct 1956)

d. 12 Apr 1976 - Pismo Beach, CA

* File not seen

M.255	First Officer	Francis Gilson 'Binkie' Pattrick, LMSSA
	b. 17 Jan 1916, Shouldham Thorpe, King's Lynn, Norfolk	19 Feb 1941 to 31 Jul 1942  5 -13 April 1944

Father: Capt. Arthur Devereux Pattrick, (d. 12 Aug 1915 in Gallipoli), Mother: Alice Isobel Mary Gilson [Hoff]

Ed. Uppingham; Magdalene College, Cambridge

Member of University of London Air Squadron 1937-8

 prev. Doctor at St Mary's Hospital, London W2

prev. exp. 145 hrs on Avro Tutor, Hawker Hart, Audax, Miles Hawk

Address in 1941: Westbriggs Wood, Wormegay, King's Lynn

 Postings: 1FPP, 15FPP

4 accidents, 1 his fault:

- 25 Apr 1941, a forced landing in Miles Master T8895, after engine failure

- 27 Sep 1941, the tailwheel of his Hampden B2080 collapsed after landing; he had ignored the tailwheel indicator light

- 5 Jul 1942, his Airacobra EX227 ran off the runway, after brake failure

- 6 Apr 1944, a forced landing in Oxford V3436 following port engine failure.

 "An exceptionally keen pilot" ... "Only part-time but does most useful work when available"

[Resigned]

Resident Medical Officer at Redhill County Hospital, Edgware in June 1943

Flt-Lt, RAF Medical Branch from 9 Sep 1943

m. 1950 in Newcastle, Hope Annandale [Smith] (suicide, 1974)

m. 1976 in Downham, Ethel M [Wales]

 d. 30 Mar 2000 - Downham, Norfolk

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.344	First Officer	Burton Craig Miller
	b. 8 Jul 1917, Louisville, KY	20 Feb 1941 to 19 Feb 1942

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):

M.256	First Officer	Herbert Stanley Mather
	b. 15 Dec 1915, Manchester	20 Feb 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

Father: Frank Mather, Mother: Alice

Ed. Huntingdon; University College, Notts

 prev. Heating and Sanitary Engineer; Sgt Pilot, RAFVR Dec 1938 - Apr 1940, based at Little Rissington

prev. exp. 54 hrs on Miles Magister, Harvard

Address in 1941: 110 Cator Lane (later 27 Gwenbrook Ave), Chilwell, Nottingham

 Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP, RNAS Lee

m. 1941 in Nottingham, Olive [Tyler]

 Off sick from 13 Sep to 1 Oct 1943 with 'injury to forearm', and 15 to 31 Jan 1944 with lumbar fibrositis

5 accidents, only 1 his fault:

- 29 Oct 1941, he crashed Lysander T1466 on landing at Scampton. He knew the ASI was faulty, so should not have flown the aircraft on a windy day

- 16 Aug 1942, forced landing in Mosquito IV DK288 after the tailwheel failed to lock down

- 31 Aug 1942, the escape hatch of his Wellington III X3812 blew off in flight, due to insecure fastening

- 11 Dec 1942, he crash-landed Oxford II R6034 in a field near Leicester, after complete failure of port engine in bad weather

- 20 Jun 1943, due to a hydraulic leak, he over-ran the runway at Tollerton in Boston III W8266 attempting a forced landing due to a faulty fuel warning light, damaging the nose wheel and main undercarriage

"A good type of officer & a good pilot" "Must appreciate the importance of his appearance when entering RAF Messes"

 Royal Aero Club Certificate 21729, dated 4 Sep 1946, taken at Tollerton Flying Club

 Address in 1970: 37 Westfield Rd, Brockworth, Gloucester

 Olive d. 1988

d. 1991 - Gloucester

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.--- *	First Officer	Harold Lindsey Price
	b. 21 Oct 1905, Alexandria City, Virginia	20 Feb to 7 Nov 1941

 Father: Overton Westfeldt Price (d. 1914), Mother: Alice Virginia [Lindsey]

Ed. Alexandria; Augusta Military Academy, Staunton; Naval Aviation Training School, Pensacola, FL

prev. US Marine Corps pilot (7 years, including Haiti); crop duster from 1934

  Draft Card, dated 21 Jan 1941

 Postings:

 Staff Sergeant, US Marine Corps

d. 19 Jan 1943 in an air crash near Homestead, Florida

Commemorated at Presbyterian Cemetery, Alexandria, Alexandria City, Virginia, USA

* File not seen

M.362	First Officer	Albert Ernest Smyser Jr
	b. 30 Mar 1914, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	22 Feb 1941 to 21 Aug 1942

Father: Albert Ernest Smyser Snr, a Mechanical Engineer for the Aluminum Co. of America; Mother: Leila Hall [Palmer]

Ed. Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA (B.S.)

 prev. Flight Instructor, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

prev., exp. 1,330 hrs

  Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

Address in 1941: 129 Maple St, New Wilmington, PA

 Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP, AFTS (as instructor)

 Off sick from 9 to 30 Jan 1942 with "gastralgia" (i.e. stomach pain)

1 accident, his fault (definitely) :

- 12 Sep 1941, he forgot to lower the undercarriage of his Harvard N7138

"A good, keen, and hardworking pilot with a good sense of discipline"

 m. 26 Dec 1942 in New York, Ruth Warner [Lof]

Lt-Cmdr (Aircraft Commander), USN at National Air Station Norfolk, VA from 22 Oct 1942 to 17 Nov 1943, then NAS Patuxent River, Maryland until 29 May 1945, then back to NAS Norfolk until 10 Nov 1945.

Post-WWII, worked for North American Aviation and Glenn L Martin.

Address in 1950: 179 California Ave, Oak Ridge, Anderson, TN

Moved to New York and was appointed Director of Public Relations and Advertising, Loral Electronics Group in Dec 1959: "Mr Smyser has more than 20 years of experience in public relations and advertising in the electronics and aviation fields. Before joining Loral, he was affiliated with Williams and London Advertising, an industrial advertising agency." - The Standard-Star

d. 14 Apr 2008 - Florida

Buried Florida National Cemetery

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.400	First Officer	James Donald Whitelaw
	b. 7 Apr 1911, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania	22 Feb to 26 Nov 1941

Father: Peter Whitelaw (born in England, a machinist), Mother: Esther Kathleen [Walker] (d. 1944)

Ed. High School, Hollidaysburg

prev. Steel Worker (Jones & Laughlin Steel Co), crane operator, Flight Instructor; operated a flying school; pilot for Pennsylvania-Central Airlines

prev. exp. 1485 hrs

m. Mary Margaret [Donnelly] (divorced Jul 1941, 2 children)

  Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940

 Address in 1941: 7724 Baxter St, Pittsburg, PA

"Two Pittsburgh fliers, former millworkers who saved their money and learned to fly as a hobby, are now piloting British bombers over the English Channel [sic] to give Hitler a taste of his own medicine - but they are still saving money. They are buying National Defense Savings Bonds. Richard C James, 25, and James Donald Whitelaw, 29, of Wilkinsburg, joined the RAF last spring." - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 Postings: 14FPP

 "An average pilot who is too much inclined to please himself while on ferrying duties, without due care and consideration for others", according to Bobby Wardle, his CO at 14FPP.

 [Contract Terminated] - "his brother (John D Whitelaw, who was also his business partner) died, and he was released to attend to affairs. No adverse security reports."

 m. 1941 Anne Christina [Shaw]  (divorced 1950)

US Army from 2 Sep 1942 to 17 Jun 1948

Lt-Col, US Army (ATC Ferry Division), then pilot for the American Export-Import Company (Hill AFB)

m. 18 Mar 1950 in Florida, Dorothy [Hellstrom]

"Ogden has been selected as the western base of operations for Leeward Aeronautical, Inc, a chartered airline operation serving all parts of the American continent". James D Whitelaw, former Ogden resident and ex Air Force pilot, has been named operations manager." - The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Los Angeles, CA

d. 4 Jul 1979 - Los Angeles

Buried Hollidaysburg Presbyterian Cemetery

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.--- *	Pilot	Edward McDonnell
	b. 18 Feb 1919 - Hanley, Staffordshire	23 Feb to 6 May 1941

 Address in 1939: 22 Quarry Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs

RAeC Certificate 16862 dated 7 Jan 1939, taken at North Staffordshire Aero Club

 Postings:

 poss. m. 1957 Mavis E [Higgins]

poss. d. 4 Mar 2012

* File not seen

M.287	First Officer	Bernard Vincent Robins
	b. 28 Feb 1921, Norwood, Middx	24 Feb 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

MAMM

ATA

1941

Ed. Marylebone Grammar School

 prev. General Clerk; RAF Sgt Pilot under training, 15 Aug 1939 to 27 Aug 1940

prev. exp. 79 hrs

Address in 1941: Holly Lodge, Prestwood, Great Missenden, Bucks (later 67 London Rd, Wembley, Middx)

Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP, 1FPP

 Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

Gained his Royal Aero Club Certificate No 20292 on 12 Feb 1941, under the ATA's 'Wings' Scheme, taken at Little Rissington and ATA Hatfield

Off sick from 31 Oct to 23 Nov 1941 with tonsillitis

Fined one day's pay in Jul 1942 for Absence without leave

m. Apr 1942 in Weston-super-Mare, Joyce Rosina [Clark] (d. 2005 in Jersey)

5 accidents, 2 his fault: 

- 29 May 1941, he landed too fast in Lysander X9643

- 2 Jun 1941, he taxied his Spitfire X3454 into an unmarked patch of soft ground

- 30 Jan 1942, avoiding another aircraft, he landed his Lysander T1697 too near the part of the aerodrome under construction

- 19 Jun 1943, taxying Albermarle I P1478 at Llandow, the starboard propeller hit a partially-concealed concrete block

- 30 Mar 1944, forced landing at White Waltham in Argus EV767 after a loss of power on take-off

 "A pilot who has done steady work, in spite of lack of enthusiasm" ...  "An extremely careful pilot who works quietly and unobtrusively."

 Address in 1950: Four Winds, Petit Point Marquet, Jersey

 d. 1976 - Jersey

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.290	First Officer	Leslie Arthur Reginald Kemp
	b. 8 Mar 1908, Bromley Kent	24 Feb 1941 to 30 Sep 1945 [1,679 days]

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):

M.568	Acting First Officer	Emmett 'Kenneth' Chaffin
	b. 24 Nov 1921 **, Forth Worth TX	24 Feb 1941 to Feb-42

** 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):

M.285	First Officer	Stanley Eric Mitchell
	b. 26 Aug 1918, Hastings	24 Feb 1941 to 25 Sep 1941, 30 Jan 1942 to 6 Sep 943

ATA

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):

M.263	First Officer	Jerzy Drzewiecki MBE
	b. 7 Aug 1902, Warsaw Poland	25 Feb 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

http://rwd-dwl.net/

Manx Aviation & Military Museum

 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."

  Getting his MBE from the Parlaimentary Secretary to the MAP, 21 Feb 1945

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):

M.402	First Officer	John Howard 'Jack' Marine
	b. 26 Nov 1904, Yuma, AZ	25 Feb 1941 to 19 Aug 1941

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):

M.274	First Officer	Arthur Godfrey Ellis
	b. 23 Feb 1913, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent	26 Feb 1941 to Nov-44

1934

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):

M.---	1st Officer	Vernon Arno Meyer
	b. 27 May 1905, Chicago IL	26 Feb 1941 to 6 Aug 1941

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

M.261 *	First Officer	Reginald Harry Harmer
	b. 16 Oct 1897, Bristol, Gloucestershire	26 Feb 1941 to 30 Sep 1945

Father: Harry Harmer, Mother: Mary Elizabeth [Sheppard]

prev. Lieut., RFC, RAF from 16 Jan 1918 to 7 Aug 1919 (wounded 19 Apr 1918, resigned 1919 due to ill-health) then RAFVR from 10 Jun 1940

m. 1933 in Amersham, Doreen Gwenffrurdd Mary [Armstrong or Melhuish]

Sentenced to 3 months in prison, and banned for driving for 5 years, in October 1934; "There were four summonses against him: driving a car in a dangerous manner; driving without due care and attention; driving whilst disqualified, and having no third party insurance certificate. He pleaded guilty to all the summonses except the one for dangerous driving. "

prev. "Cost Accountant and Organizer, also Printing & Advertising Agent"

Address in 1940: Edgehill, Dalkeith Rd, Harpenden, Herts

 Postings include: 2FPP, 9FPP, 4FPP

5 accidents, none his fault:

- 2 Jul 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire Vb P8759 following complete engine failure (broken con rod) immediately after take-off at Charmey Down

- 14 Jul 1942, another forced landing, this time in Beaufighter VI V8356 at High Ercall, after a faulty gauge indicated low oil pressure

- 1 Mar 1943, the starboard undercarriage leg of his Spitfire Vc EE862 failed to lower but the port leg refused to retract, so he made a forced landing at Hullavington, whereupon the port leg collapsed

- 29 Apr 1943, forced landing at Cardiff in Anson N4875 after port engine failure

- 10 May 1945, whilst he was taxying Halifax LW363 at Prestwick, Engineer James Mitchell walked into the propeller of No. 4 engine and was fatally injured.

d. 16 Mar 1976

Buried Canterbury City Cemetery, Kent

* File not seen

M.327	Flight Captain	Eugene Courtney Manning Prentice
	b. 23 Aug 1918, Stowmarket, Suffolk	26 Feb 1941 to 31 Jul 1944

1937

ATAM

Father: Sqn Ldr Courtney Napier Prentice, (RFC, RAF in WWI; Founder of Sun Petroleum & Prentice Aircraft and Cars Ltd, and the West Suffolk Aero Club), Mother: Ethel Mary 'Joy' [Gosling]

Ed. Beaumont College, Windsor, Berks

prev. Oil Representative; Flying Club Director and Chief Instructor, West Suffolk Aero Club; Sgt Pilot, RAFVR No 22 ERFTS Sep 1938 - May 1940; Aircraft Inspector

prev. exp. 700 hrs on light civil types

RAeC Certificate 14830 dated 15 Apr 1937, taken at Ipswich Aero Club

Address in 1937: The Seagulls, Undercliffe Drive, Felixstowe

 m. 1939 in  Bury St. Edmunds, Constance M [Quant] (2 children Denise b. 1940, Jennifer b. 1947)

poss. owned a Piper Cub: G-AEIK, a 1934 Piper J-2 Cub, regstered to C N Prentice, scrapped during WWII

Address in 1941: 20 Alwood Ave, Prestwick, Ayrshire

 Postings: 1FPP, IFTS (as instructor)

Off sick from 15 Jun to 13 Jul 1943 with "burns of foot", and from 26 Feb to 15 Apr 1944 (unspecified). Posted to Medical Pool 5 Mar 1944.

Suspended 20 Jul 1941 for 1 week without pay for "non-compliance with aircraft delivery instructions", and 1 day (28 Nov 1942) for Loss of Handling Notes

 1 accident, his fault:

- 6 Mar 1941, he misjudged a landing and his Magister struck an obstruction marker post

"A keen and efficient pilot" ... "A conscientious, painstaking instructor who has spared no effort in the interests of his unit"

 d. 26 Apr 2009 - Woodbridge, Suffolk

"He was quite starved of love as a child and in later life by his parents. He was not particularly academic despite, or perhaps because of being sent away to a selection of boarding schools from the age of seven including Beaumont College near Windsor. After school, he learned to fly and soon became an instructor with light aircraft. He worked for the Air Transport Corps with the RAF [sic] during the war, flying bombers etc. from different stations around the UK, taking them from one location to another but not actually fighting. He passed his certificate to join the Royal Aero Club on 15th. April, 1937 at Ipswich Aero Club flying a D.H. 60 Gipsy III 105hp plane. His address at the time was The Seagulls, Undercliffe Drive, Felixstowe and he gave his profession as an Oil Representative.

He became a Director of Prentice Aircraft and Cars from its outset and though he worked there until retirement he never really enjoyed the business side of things. He would have much preferred to be round at the back working on the car and lorry engines himself. He always had a passion for boats and sailing. Generally messing about with them was very important in his life. The family actually lived on board for three years when his daughter Jem was very small. At the age of seventy six he still had a little sailing/cabin cruiser.

Also, having not done any flying for many years he started to have lessons in a Micro-light. After a while he decided that they were not really right for him at his age. Consequently, during 1993 he took up gliding at a club near Norwich. His wife was very long-suffering with her husband's hobbies even though she didn't really share his enthusiasm for them." - https://www.prenticenet.com/

Postscript:

"Denise Wendy Prentice married Kenneth Stringer in 1961. They divorced in 1977 when she changed her name back to 'Prentice' and in 1994 she lived in Felixstowe but, sadly, was blind. This was the result of an attempt to kill herself with a gun after her marriage had broken down" - https://www.prenticenet.com/

 Denise married Alexander Tillier in 1997 in Felixstowe

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.292	First Officer	John Edmund Layard Drabble
	b. 14 Mar 1901, Twickenham	27 Feb 1941 to Apr-42

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):

M.408	First Officer	Marvin Harrison 'Alabam' Dunlavy Jr
	b. 14 Oct 1916, New Orleans	27 Feb 1941 to 10 Apr 1945

ATA

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.439), Reginald Davidson (M.918), Marvin Dunlavy (M.408), Alan Murray (M.1053);

- Fire Officer D Baldwin, 

- Senior Flight Engineer Kenneth Payne, Engineer Second Officer Albert Gardner, Engineer Third Officer John Gulson, Engineer Second Officer Francis Lees, Engineer Third Officer Donald Soutter,  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):

Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 8FPP

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

W.30	2nd Officer	Edna Violet 'Sammy' Clayton
	b. 26 Jul 1900, Hampstead, London	1 Mar 1941 to Feb 1942

RAeC 1936

The Sketch, 1942

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):

W.31	First Officer	Phyllis Margery Spiller
	b. 23 Nov 1905, Streatham London	1 Mar-41 to Dec-41

RAeC

ATA1935

[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.

  At Last.

 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):

W.32	Flight Captain	The Hon. Elisabeth Frances May
	b. 29 Jun 1907, Rickmansworth, Herts	1 Mar 1941 to 30 Aug 1945

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

 1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

 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):

W.33	First Officer	Mrs Joan Molesworth Jenkinson
	b. 7 Aug 1908, Sevenoaks, Kent	1 Mar 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

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):

W.34	First Officer	Mary Josephine Hunter nee Corbett-Lowe
	b. 17 Dec 1913, Bromborough, Cheshire	1 Mar-41 to 6 May 43

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

 1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

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):

W.35	Flight Captain	Veronica May Innes
	b. 20 Apr 1917, Cambridge	1 Mar 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

1942

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

 "Sunday tea-dance" in December 1941

 1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

 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".

  The Tatler

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 ...

  Aberdeen Press and Journal - 17 Jan 1946

... 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)

  Veronica with Sqn-Ldr D R Turley-George DFC - The Tatler, 12 Jul 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):

W.36	First Officer	Honor Isabel Pitman Mrs Pomeroy Salmon
	b. 30 Oct 1912, London	1 Mar-41 to Apr-43

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.

 1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

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."

 via Andrew Heron

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):

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]

M.314	First Officer	Percy Cecil Golding
	b. 3 Dec 1911, Plymouth	1 Mar 1941 to 31 Dec 1945 [1,766 days]

ATA

"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.

 http://www.cbfsim.co.uk

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.

 Henry Thomas Newman in 1946, aged 22

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

 Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 9FPP, 8FPP, 1FPP

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.----	Part-Time Pilot	Lieut-Commander John Hook Griffin USN
	b. 3 May 1904, Charleston, SC	2 Mar 1941 to 6 May 1941

m. 29 Dec 1934, Elizabeth Marsden [Smith, d. 1988], 2 children

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."

  1980 - still fighting the county over tax

d. 12 May 1998 (age 94) - Annapolis, MD 

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.264	First Officer	John Graham 'Jack' Bergel
	b. 1 Mar 1902, London	2 Mar 1941 to Nov-41

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):

M.293	First Officer	Vernon Cheer
	b. 1 Mar 1913 or 1914, Aberdeen	4 Mar 1941 to Feb-44

1936

ATA

 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):

M.376	First Officer	Jack Edison Jenkins
	b. 9 Jul 1914, Venice CA	4 Mar 1941 to 5 Mar 1942

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  b: 29 Aug 1937 in Los Angeles

[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):

M.359 *	First Officer	Eric Perrin Hicks
	b. 28 Jun 1891, Sheffield	4 Mar 1941 to 17 May 1945

1915

ATAM

prev. a Flight Sub-Lieut., R.N., then a physician

Commended for "valuable service in the air", 14 Jun 1945

  1946

Address in 1946: Mylor Bridge, Falmouth, Cornwall

M.291	First Officer	Herbert Henry Newmark
	b. 7 Aug 1904, London	4 Mar 1941 to 31 Jul 1944

1938

Ancestry

 Father: Louis Newmark, a manufacturer (d. 1924), Mother: Elizabeth [Abrahams] (d. 1939)

Ed. Peterborough Lodge (now Downsend) ; Lausanne, Switzerland

RAeC Certificate 16103 dated 3 Aug 1938, taken at Airwork School of Flying

He was "a magnificent bridge player"; A member of the winning Bridge Championship Gold Cup team in 1932-33

prev. Watch Manufacturer; Ministry of Aircraft Production Mar 1940 - Feb 1941

  Herbert's business card

prev. exp. 227 hrs in "Gipsy Major" types, and a Fiat biplane

Address in 1941: Flat 11, 37 Grosvenor Square, London W.1

 Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP

 Off sick from 24 Dec 1942 to 9 Jan 1943 with bronchitis; 12 Mar to 6 Apr 1943 with influenza, and 16 to 29 Mar 1944 with bronchitis and asthma

9 accidents, 6 his fault:

- 20 Apr 1941, a taxying accident in Tiger Moth W7954

- 25 Jan 1942, an error of judgement landing Hurricane BN579 in a strong wind

- 27 Mar 1942, his Hurricane IIb Z3401 collided with a Hudson whist taxying

- 15 Apr 1942, a target drogue dropped from another aircraft onto his Spitfire Vb AR3422 whilst he was taxying

- 8 Sep 1942, when training on the Hudson, he "misused the throttles whilst landing" Hudson III AE537. (later amended to 'no responsibility', as the Hudson did not have full dual controls)

- 15 Nov 1942, he failed to control the landing swing in Spitfire BR415

- 15 Jan 1943, when landing Hurricane IIc KX402, he overshot in order to avoid an Oxford taxying towards him, but hit a parked Fairchild instead (not blamed for this one)

- 7 Mar 1943, he overshot a landing in Spitfire V R7030, ground-looped and the undercarriage collapsed

- 5 Jul 1943, he failed to control the take-off swing in Mosquito IX LR513, and the undercarriage collapsed

"A good officer with a pleasant personality. His accident record might suggest a lack of ability as a pilot. I do not think that this is so and I believe that he has had more than his fair share of misfortune and that his ability is adequate" - N Whitehurst, his CO at 1FPP

m. Jul 1946 in Marylebone, Margaret Ellen 'Faith' [Bennett], also of the ATA:

Under Herbert's chairmanship, Louis Newmark Ltd's activities included electronic precision equipment and components, importing and selling Swiss watches, engineering, industrial needles and "miscellaneous activities".

   Faith (l) and Herbert (r) visiting Gleneagles Hotel in 1952

d. 25 Dec 1989 - Horsham, W Sussex

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.352	First Officer	Harry Partington
	b. 17 Jun 1920, Chester	3 Mar 1941 to 23 Apr 1944

Father: Henry Partington, Mother: Mary Ann [Geraghty], (d. 1985) of Caldecott, Farndon, nr. Chester

Ed. Miss Davis College, Chester; Royal Naval College, Greenwich

RAeC Certificate 15585 dated 4 Dec 1937, taken at The Northern Aviation School and Club

prev. clerk; Aircraft Inspector for Vickers Armstrong, Chester; Midshipman (Air), Fleet Air Arm 1 May 1939-23 May 1940

 prev. exp. 130 hrs on Hillson Praga, Tiger Moth, Harvard, Fairey Battle

 Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP, 16FPP, 7FPP

Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

 Off sick from 17 Jul to 28 Aug with cystitis, and from 14 to 29 Mar 1943 with influenza

3 accidents, 1 his fault:

- 10 Feb 1942, a forced landing in Hector K9721 after engine failure

- 24 Oct 1942, he undershot the landing in high winds in Master II DM215 and damaged the port wheel

- 31 Mar 1943, forced landing in Anson N9741 after rapid and unexpected weather deterioration.

"Apt to be a bad time-keeper, but very much improved as a pilot and an officer"

"He has shown tendencies of over-confidence, and unless he is held back he may be inclined to "go over the top"

Suspended for 1 week with loss of pay, and transferred to 7FPP after being absent without leave from 3FPP on 22-23 Jan 1944

 [Contract Terminated]

 d. 1999 - Nottingham

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.337	First Officer	Iain Hunter Stewart
	b. 21 Apr 1920, Isles of Scilly	4 Mar 1941 to 31 Oct 1945

Father: John Hunter Stewart MBE, a civil servant; Mother: Jean Blair [Stevenson] of 89 The Glade, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey

 Ed. Selhurst Grammar School, Croydon

prev. RAF: Acting P/O from 24 Jun 1939, P/O from 10 Apr to 7 Sep 1940 (he relinquished his commission due to ill-health)

prev. exp. 150hrs

 Postings: 2FPP, 4aFPP, 10FPP, 4FPP

 Off sick from 23 Jul to 27 Dec 1943 with 'bad eyes'

8 accidents, 3 his fault:

- 17 Jun 1941, a forced landing in Defiant T5054 after an oil leak obscured the windscreen

- 17 Jul 1941, the hydraulic and emergency system failed on his Spitfire K9850

- 15 Aug 1941, another forced landing , this time in Battle L5301, due to engine failure

- 23 Aug 1941, the tail wheel structure of his Defiant N1560 failed

- 7 Dec 1941, he turned across a strong wind after landing in Tiger Moth T6980 and it blew over onto a wingtip

- 4 Jun 1942, a propeller blade of his Hurricane IIc HL670was damaged by a stone whilst taxying

- 7 Feb 1943, one wheel of his Anson I EG326 ran off a narrow track into mud whilst taxying (OC Ground Control also blamed)

- 20 Mar 1945, he landed in a strong wind in Corsair IV KD184, the starboard wing touched ground and was damaged (bent, probably)

"An intelligent and capable pilot who shows good judgement and whose flying is smooth and steady. Is most conscientious and has worked hard throughout"

 His elder brother, 2nd-Lieut. Robert Young Stevenson Stewart BA, b. 1916, d. 28 May 1942 on war service with the Royal Corps of Signals in India, and is commemorated at Imphal War Cemetery

d. 1966 - Cambridge

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

M.355 *	First Officer	Richard Carl James
	b. 6 Oct 1915, Pittsburgh, PA	6 Mar 1941 to 5 Mar 1942

1941

1942

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." 

See https://www.legacy.com

M.356	First Officer	Claudius Philippe Echallier
	b. 24 May 1911, Saint-Lager, France	6 Mar 1941 to Jun-44

ATA

ATAM

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:

 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

W.39	First Officer	Victoria Millicent Cholmondeley
	b. 5 Mar 1902, Longford, Tasmania	10 Mar 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

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

First woman in South Australia to get a pilot's licence:

 1929

via Jerome Wells

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)

 1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

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):

M.348	Captain	Charles Henry Tutt
	b. 18 Oct 1901, Catford, London	11 Mar 1941 to Feb-45

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):

M.284	Flight Captain	(Hans) John Erwin 'Dick' or 'Dickie' Martens
	b. 5 May 1909, Weybridge, Surrey	11 Mar 1941 to  31 Dec 1945

1939

ATA

Father: Erwin Gustav Martens (originally Dutch, nationalised British in 1904, d. 1937); Managing Director of the Anglo-Continental Guano Works Ltd, London

Mother: Amalia Ottile Luise Henriette 'Molly' [Joachimi], (originally from Germany),

of The Old Rectory, Rotherby, Leicestershire

[Their house in Hampstead, London, was burgled in 1916 by a William Farrer, a ship's fireman, who stole a quantity of silver goods to the value of £l40:

"He was arrested solely as a result of finger impressions on some articles of silver.

Mr. Martens said that when he went downstairs on the morning of June 13th, he found the dining-room in great disorder, the window open, and a considerable amount of silver missing. No trace of the thief could be found. Det.-Sergt. Pike stated that he found footmarks on the flower border and window-sill, and a teapot wrapped in a serviette ready for removal. A closer examination of the three articles revealed several finger impressions; he at once conveyed them to Scotland Yard and submitted them to Mr. Superintendent Col of the finger print department.

As a result of his report the prisoner was arrested on Sunday night. He declared that he knew nothing about it, but on the way to the police station he said, "I suppose this is a nark done this for me. I have been on the drink or you wouldn't have found me. It is just my luck." In his pocket the officer found a jemmy." - Marylebone Mercury]

 Ed. Stowe,; Zuoz, Engadine, Switzerland; Paris

prev. Company Director (Sales) for Anglo Continental Guano Works Ltd, London and Fogan Perrard & Prentice Ltd, Ipswich; "Works carried out all over Europe"

RAeC Certificate No 16824 dated 3 Mar 1939, taken at Ipswich Aero Club

Address in 1941: 17 Wellesley House, Sloane Sq., London SW1

m. Jul 1941 in Surrey, Diana Evelyn Mary [Willoughby]:

The 'Bystander'

1939

 Postings:  2FPP, 15FPP, 7FPP, 1FPP, 6FPP

 Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

Reprimanded on 1 Feb 1943 for 'Late Arrival for Duty'

12 accidents, (which I think is a record, btw), 4 his fault:

- 20 Oct 1941, he over-corrected the landing swing of Tomahawk AK107 on landing at Odiham, and damaged the port wing

- 19 Dec 1941, his Hampden L4076 swung violently on take-off at Kirkbride and the undercarriage leg collapsed, due to a technical defect

- 23 Nov 1942, he made a heavy landing in Spitfire Vc ES197 at Ratcliffe, and the undercarriage collapsed

- 17 Jan 1943, he collided with a tractor at the end of the runway after landing at Brize Norton in Spitfire Vc JK123, having previously checked that it was clear

- 18 May 1943, the undercarriage of his Hampden I AD857 collapsed during landing at Sherburn. He failed to allow enough time for the wheels to lock down after an engine failure

- 16 Jul 1943, a forced landing at Scampton in Mitchell II FV925 after partial engine failure

- 16 Oct 1943, "failure of junk head in No 8 cylinder" in Lancaster II DS844, leading to a forced landing at Linton-on-Ouse

- 20 Oct 1943, Commended for "exceptional airmanship and courage" after a forced landing, after both engines failed, in Hampden I P2113. "He twice re-entered the burning aircraft, and extinguished the fire"

"On 20th October 1943 the aircraft was scheduled for delivery to 12 MU at Kirkbride for long term storage as the T.B.I's had all been withdrawn from service by this time. Flight Captain John Erwin Martens ATA, of 16 FPP, was given the job of ferrying the aircraft from Tatenhill to Kirkbride and when ten miles north of Morecambe Bay at 3,000 feet the port engine failed, the aircraft lost height at a rate of 200 feet per minute and with the air speed down to 120 mph the starboard engine failed leaving the pilot no option but to make a forced landing in a field at Tod Brow, 1 mile West of Newton, Cumbria at 13.40 hrs. The aircraft was badly damaged and part of the wrecked aircraft caught fire. Flight Captain Martens sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was not repaired from this serious damage and Cat.E2/FA was recorded on the paperwork." - https://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york41/p2113.html

- 5 Dec 1943, (another day, another undercarriage), he landed too fast in poor visibility at Tollerton in Warwick I BV448, and, as he turned off the runway, the undercarriage collapsed 

- 13 Mar 1944, a forced landing in a Stirling III after an engine failure

- 2 Dec 1944, the port wing and tail of his Argus I FK348 lifted in a strong and gusty wind after landing at Bottesford, damaging the propeller and wingtip

- 10 Aug 1945, a forced landing at Church Broughton after an oil leak obscured the windscreen of his Barracuda II MX550

"An exceptionally keen and hard working pilot. His cheerfulness and willingness is a great asset to the pool"

"He still shows errors in judgement of men and is often tactless"

 d. 14 Oct 1984 - Chessington, Surrey

Diana d. 1999

Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):