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 |
1941
The three Polish women pilots, with Pauline, in 1943
Father: Marcin Wojtulanis, Mother: Maria [Gawarkiewicz] Ed. College of Tugeuers, Warsaw prev: Student of Engineering F.A.I. (Polish) Certificate 467 prev exp: 245 hrs in Womens Section of Polish Air Force on RWD-8, RWD-5, RWD-13, RWD-17, RWD-10
Fled to the UK via Romania and France Address in 1941: 30 Nottingham Place, London W1 Postings: 15FPP, 5TFPP, 6FPP, 1FPP Passed her Royal Aero Club Certificate at Hatfield on a Tiger Moth, 30 Jan 1941 Class III pilot
Off sick from 2 to 29 Jun 1942 with 'Quinckes Disease' [basically, acute throat discomfort and gagging], and from 3 to 14 Mar with influenza
5 accidents, 3 her fault: - 22 Nov 1941, her Spitfire AB175 tipped on its nose after she 'mishandled the brakes' - 26 Jan 1942, a bad landing in Spitfire W3607 in gusty conditions led to the starboard wing touching the ground and straining the undercarriage - 31 Oct 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire I AR229 after 'ignition defects' - 6 Mar 1944, a wheels-up landing in a Spitfire after an undercarriage fault - 10 Apr 1945, her Dominie I NR798 nosed over on landing after she misjudged the approach, landed too fast mid-runway, and had to brake sharply
"A keen worker and good officer. Appears rather temperamental" "I have now decided that she has reached the limit of her ability and it would be unsafe and unfair to categorise her on Class IV" m. Apr 1946 in London, General Stanisław Karpiński Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Air Force, serving with the RAF in WWII They moved to the USA in 1958. Stephanie studied mathematics and computer programming at Los Angeles City College: "We are happy to report that Mrs Stephanie Karpinski, wife of the World War II chief of the Polish Air Force, has found a position as a junior programmer with the Burbank branch of Librascope, a division of General Precision, Inc." - The Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan 1961
d. 11 Feb 2005 - Polish Retirement Home, Los Angeles
Full biography here: http://www.poles.org/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefania_Wojtulanis-Karpi%C5%84ska (with thanks to Ian Moignard) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1941
with thanks to Krzysztof Kubala
RWD-8 Trainer
1942 caricature by 
US Citizenship 17 Sep 1963
13 Sep 1963
Ed. Bradfield College, Leeds; Lausanne and Zurich Universities. B.Sc. a Company Director Sgt pilot instructor in RAF; discharge on medical grounds, Nov-40 prev. exp. 2,398 hrs [Resigned Aug-43, re-instated Apr-44] "Reliable pilot and good officer when on duty. General behaviour off duty suspect owing to several police visits on private matters" Hmmm... wonder why the police kept visiting ... perhaps because he was (still) a terrible car driver ... Nottingham Evening Post - Tuesday 16 March 1937: "CITY MOTORIST FINED £10 PENALTY BY WILTSHIRE BENCH CAUSED TROUBLE TO POLICE CONDUCT DESCRIBED AS VERY SLACK Salisbury magistrates yesterday imposed fines amounting to £10 upon Mr. Philip Penrose Bradley, company director, giving an address in The Park, Nottingham, who surrendered to bail charged with five offences under the Road Traffic Act. When the cases were first before the Bench defendant did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. It was then discovered that he was in a nursing home, and the case was adjourned, bail being extended. The charges were that he drove a motor car without having in force a policy of insurance; that he failed to produce a certificate of insurance; that he drove without a licence; that he failed to produce his licence, and that he, having been prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit, failed to produce his driving licence to the Clerk of the Court prior to the hearing of the summons. At the hearing yesterday the Chief Constable (Mr. F. Nixon) said he was now satisfied that the defendant held a driving licence and that he had in force a policy of insurance at the time that the offence was committed, and he therefore asked that those summonses be withdrawn. This was agreed to, and defendant pleaded guilty to the remaining, summonses. Mr. Nixon said when defendant was stopped by the police he promised to produce his policy of insurance and driving licence within five days to the Nottingham Guildhall. This he failed to do. The Nottingham police made several unsuccessful efforts to interview him, and it was only few days ago that the insurance policy was produced. In January summons was sent to defendant for a speeding offence, and with it was enclosed a printed slip instructing him to send his licence to the magistrates' clerk the day before the hearing. On the day of the hearing defendant telephoned to say that he could not attend court, and that he put his licence in an envelope ready to post, but he had forgotten to send it. On January llth he was fined in that court for exceeding the speed limit, and an endorsement of his licence was ordered. He was instructed to produce his licence endorsement, but as no satisfaction could be obtained, further proceedings were instituted." Tamworth Herald, Saturday 13 August 1938: "A collision happened at the Bodnets cross-roads, Bonehill, on Saturday afternoon, between a motor lorry driven by Herbert Young. Prospect Street, Old Kent Road, London, S.E.I, and a motor car, the driver of which was Philip Penrose Bradley, Malvern Road, West Bridgford." Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 31 August 1940: "PATROL CAR INCIDENT Pleading "Not guilty" to driving a motor-car without due care and attention on March 11, Philip Penrose Bradley, Burnaston, was discharged. He was fined 5s. for failing to produce his driving licence and a similar amount for failing to produce his certificate of insurance. Inspector S. Bradwell said that a private car and police patrol car had to brake violently when Mr. Bradley suddenly stopped his car on the Nottingham road without warning. Mr. H. M. Clifford admitted that the only danger was caused by the speed of the patrol car." -------------- His daughter tells me that "My father deserted my mother in 1946. They had been married for just a few years, and I never had the opportunity to get to know him. His visits were infrequent and, like my mother, he eventually re-married and had more children. During the 1960’s he served a prison sentence. He embezzled a large sum of money from 'Kennings'. He had worked for Kennings for a number of years and became a company director. It was during his term in prison that he became ill and had a stroke. He was given early release but was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer and he died in 1968 in Nottingham." "He came from a well known Nottingham family, they were lace manufacturers and also had leather works both in Nottingham and abroad. My mother was Philip's second wife. He married his first wife, Lilian, in the early 1930’s and they had one son, John, who sadly died from polio at the age of approx. 2 years. My mother was introduced to Philip by her older sister and they married early 1940’s. I do know that he had owned at least two planes of his own. The first one, I was told, was purchased with money his father had given to him to buy a factory in Holland….Philip obviously had other ideas! Unfortunately my father told numerous lies both to his family and especially to my mother. I attended his funeral in 1968 but had not seen him for several years. I believe his third and last marriage was a happy one." --- He owned: - a Leopard Moth, - a 1929 Desoutter I, G-AAPK (bought in Dec 1937), - a 1933 Comper Swift G-ACGL, registered to 'E Bradley' [presumably his father Ernest Frank Bradley], and - a 1934 Miles M.2 Hawk, G-ACOC. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1928
ATA
ATA
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
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): |
1929
1939
with
Travelled to Canada from Scotland, 21 Jun 1940 and was an instructor in the 'Little Norway' flying school prev. 161 (Special Duty) Sqn, RAF 1 accident, his fault: - 9 Mar 1942, in Lockheed Hudson N7332 at Mount Farm, Oxfordshire: "Whilst landing, aircraft swung off the runway, ground looped and broke the undercarriage. Pilot failed to correct swing, using engine in an attempt to do so, instead of rudder and brake control. The mechanic in the second pilot's seat applied brakes and released tail wheel lock without authority from the pilot." m. Dec 1943 Inger M [Mackenzie] d. 23 Jan 1994 "After the war, Piltingsrud flew in DNL and SAS before returning to Widerøe. After retiring, he took a shorter assignment for Norrønafly and flew the first trips with charter tourists to Majorca. His brother, Major Gunnar Piltingsrud died in 1944 when his plane was shot down. A third brother, Rasmus, was the head of the Milorg base Elg in Begnadalen . Piltingsrud was honored for his war effort with the Olav Medal of the Oaks, the War Medal, the British Distinguished Flying Cross, and the French Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with palm." - Wikipedia
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[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
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Ed. at Stanford, CA; Degree in Mechanical Engineering [His father, also Walter, was a businessman and movie-theatre owner, mayor of Rock Island from 1923 to 1927 who then served as Diirector of Public Works and Buildings in the Governor's office from 1940. He died in 1959.] Prev. an Airline Pilot for United. 2nd Lieut. in the US Army, then a Reserve Officer from 1937 Prev. Exp. 1,950hrs on "Monocoupe, Moth, Travel-Air (also BT-9, BT-14, O-47, BT-2, BC-1, O-46 while in US Army) Address in 1941: 1603 Mill St., Rock Island, IL (father's address) ---------- Postings: 3FPP, 4FPP "A competent pilot and excellent all-round officer [but] does not wish to renew his ATA contract" He wrote home in May 1941: "I finished all of the school at White Waltham, and was posted there for a while, but later, after trying to get posted up in Scotland (I made a few flights up there and liked it so much I thought it better than England). I was sent to a pool at an airdrome in Cheshire - I lived in Chester which is a very picturesque place - awfully cold - and about twenty miles form Liverpool - just far enough to escape most of the danger of the Merseyside raids but not far enough to escape the noise and bright lights. I was in Chester until April 21 when I was transferred up here to Scotland. The work I did while I was in Chester was very interesting and the best experience I could have gotten anywhere - I flew almost everything there was, from single-seater Spitfire and Hurricane to Blenheims, Hampdens and Wellingtons - also, some of the latest USA 'attack bombers' which I like best of all - they really are wonderful not only from the performance angle, but also in pilot comfort and cockpit layout - even the English pilots, who are naturally inclined to favor their own products, are impressed by them. The navigation over here is gradually becoming easier for me. I was very careful at first, but now it is much better since I've learned the country, and can get around pretty well without much map reference. The other day I hd a ship to deliver over to Ireland and on the way down I reached a speed of a little over [censored] - first time for me. There wasn't much of a sensation, but I did cover a lot of territory in a hurry - I thought of the times when I'd had Gabe's Moth up to 110 mph and thought that was pretty fast (and I guess it was, for the Moth). Just before I got transferred up here to Scotland I had a couple of days leave - just missed the Belfast blitz by a few hours and as I had to go to London on business, I decided I'd risk it and stay the night there (London). Well, as things happened, they had the heaviest raid of the war that night (Wed April 16). It was an experience I'll never forget, but don't want to go through again. I stayed at a west end hotel, which was in the midst of the whole thing, and was in a cab during part of it. In spite of everything I went to my room on the fifth floor and went to bed about 1:30 am - woke up with plaster and glass all over the bed and floor (I guess I'm a heavy sleeper after all). The next morning people were going to work as usual, the shops were open for business, even with the fronts blown down, and you had to walk by burning buildings and piles of wreckage out of which they were still rescuing people and removing bodies. It was horrible in some respects, but damn fine in another sense, and made me feel sort of proud I was helping out a bit. I like it up here in Prestwick (it's about twenty-five miles south of Glasgow, right on the coast). It's very quiet, no air raid alarms since I've been here. I'm living in a hotel right on the beach. On a clear morning you can look out of the window and see the island of Arran and sometimes clear across to Ireland. I had a day's leave and went to Glasgow, but there wasn't much to do, except see movies. I'm going over to Edinburgh next week. They say it's much nicer. There are six other Americans here, two from California, one from Arkansas, one from Denver, and one from Florida. We all live in the same place, and at times it is pretty much of a madhouse - we call it 'Little America'. Penn Wilson, the boy from Arkansas, was ferrying a Hurricane the day after the Clydeside raid (Glasgow) and had his engine catch on fire. Her didn't know what was the matter, and as he puts it , "I bailed out once down in Mississippi and didn't like it much", so he landed it burning in a pasture and walked away from it unscratched just before the petrol tanks blew up. Afterwards they inspected the remains and found it was full of bullet holes and German slugs - he'd been shot down and didn't know it. All he had to say was, "Guess I'm just a clay pigeon" - but I notice he's careful how high he flies, now. I'm not sure how long I'll be here. The work is slowing down a bit, and it is pretty dull when there are no jobs. I've been offered the chance of doing some of the trans-Atlantic ferrying and am thinking seriously of taking it, if things don't get busier. It's not as risky as this job, I don't think, at least during the summer months, and I could get home quite a lot. I'm feeling fine, and while the food situation is serious, I'm getting plenty, and eating (and liking) things I never would t home. Also, they have double daylight savings here, so that it is daylight until about midnight - very strange to go to bed with the sun shining brightly at 10 pm." ------------
Back home with his father Walter Snr. 30 Dec 1941 (3 weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor) - Rock Island Argus Later a Lt-Col in tthe USAAF, a test pilot on U-2s (he "flew missions overseas, including Russia"). He also tested century-series fighters and bailed out of an F-100 into a swamp in 1958.
He retired from the USAAF in 1964 after 25 years and 14,000 hrs in 160 aircraft, and then joined Air America, flying supplies to special forces in Vietnam and Laos. He was the inspiration for the book "Air America" by Christopher Robbins (later a movie). d. 6 Mar 1999 - Green Valley, AZ. Buried Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
'Silver' came from his mother Estelle's maiden name Educated at Baylor University, Waco 2nd Lieut., Army Air Corps 1932-35, stationed at Ft Crockett, Galveston, TX Awarded his 'wings' at Kelly Field, Texas in 1933 Author of "Wings across the World", a syndicated newspaper column Also a pilot, rancher, and with some 'banking experience' prev. exp: about 900hrs Address in 1941: 1305 Jefferson Ave, Waco, Texas Postings: 4FPP His initial ATA test described him as "a rather nervous type, but general flying fair." "An excellent officer. A keen and reliable pilot." He had a nasty forced landing on the 2 Mar 1942, in Airspeed Oxford L4597 following an engine failure. "He crash-landed on the ice of Loch Laidon but returned to the burning aircraft and saved the Log Books and his kit. The ice broke under him before he reached the shore and he was completely immersed. He then walked nine miles before he found a barn for shelter." [During 1978 the two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engines from L4597 were recovered by the Scotland West Aircraft Investigation Group using a raft. Subsequently the engines were restored by staff at Rolls Royce’s Hillington site. At least one of them was subsequently put on display at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.] He put in a request for a replacement cap, but before this could be actioned died in another accident: d. 2 Apr 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire BM358 crashed at Chapel of Garioch, 20 miles NW of Dyce, (or possibly at nearby Boghead, about 4 miles southwest of Inverurie) on a flight from Castle Bromwich to Kinloss. The very next day, a telegram arrived from home: "DEAR SILVER LOVE YOU DEARLY WISH HERE EASTER PICTURES RECEIVED NO BON CHOCOLATES SOON - MOTHER DAD"
Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, and commemorated at Baylor University: "William Silver Edgar lights up Fountain Mall every day and Robert Warren illuminates the courtyard by the Carroll Science Hall. These two men, along with 123 other Baylor men and women, made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. Now they stand as the honor guard at Baylor in the form of red granite light posts." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
from "Fighting Men of Texas" (1948)
Father: Col. Arthur Pole Welman of Wexford, Eire Ed. Stoke House School; Bedford College m. 1940 in Whitby, Margaret [Barringer] Next of Kin (wife) Mrs M Welman, Woodburn, Ocean Rd, Whitby, Yorks. Later changed to (mother) Mrs Geraldine Mary [Brereton], 27 Wilesden Park, Stran Millis, Belfast prev. Mgf Chemist from 1936; RAF P/O 19 Aug 1939 - 25 Dec 1940 (Upwood, Hunts); "Intelligence" prev. exp. 260 hrs on Blenheim, Battle, DH 82, Oxford, Heyford Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP, 4bFPP
"A good and very hard working pilot, but very sensitive" ... "Proved an excellent instructor until his health failed"
Contract Terminated by ATA - "Psychologically unfit for full ferry duties" Post-ATA, a pilot for TACA Airways, the national airline of El Salvador. m. 15 Sep 1944 in Florida, USA, Mary Allie [Black] (b. 1921 in Georgia, USA) (one daughter, Susan Talmadge b. 22 May 1946 in Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Mary Black was a stewardess for TACA Airways They sailed together, from Trinidad to Florida, in Sep 1945
Emigrated to Georgia, USA. Petition for Naturalization in 1950: He is described as a "Medical Representative"
m. 23 May 1953 in Vance, NC, Rebecca Virginia Holley [Sikes] (d. 2003) m. 21 Nov 1961 in Amherts, NY, Joyce [Millington] (d. 1981) m. Priscilla [Hammond]
d. 26 Dec 2004 - Erie Co., New York "After emigrating to the United States, he worked as a sales representative for several companies before moving to Amherst in 1967 to take a job as district sales manager for the Weatherhead Co., [responsible for sales of fluid power components, hydraulic pumps, motors and valves] A horseman in his younger years, he participated in fox hunts. His other interests included sailing, golf and skiing." - Buffalo News, 30 Dec 2004 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1944
prev. Polish Air Force; Polish Section in UK She escaped from Poland by flying an aircraft to Romania, where she was interned. She managed to escape and, with two fellow countrymen, drove to Bucharest and then Paris, which is where she met her future husband, Flt-Lt Mietak Daab. Following the collapse of France, they managed to find a boat to Plymouth,
d. 21 Jan 1998 - Warsaw Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1941
1942 caricature by
Father: William James Shirley , mother Annie [Turrall], both d. Jan 1945 prev. Motor Engineer Address in 1930: Shirley's Garage, Meriden, nr Coventry RAeC Certificate 9556 (Midland Aero Club, 22 Sep 1930, photo missing) Address in 1943: 500 Stratford Rd, Birmingham 11 Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP 5 accidents: - 5 Sep 1942, he allowed the tail of his Proctor DX241 to rise too high during take-off, and the propeller 'pecked the ground' - 15 Sep 1942, poor landing in Spitfire Vb ER139, followed by over-zealous use of the brakes resulted in the aircraft tipping onto its nose - 19 Mar 1943, forced landing flying Oxford HN117, after he struck balloon cables (which he should have known about) - 16-May-43, forced landing in Argus HM179 after the engine cowling came loose and damaged the propeller
d. 7 Aug 1943 in Wildcat IV [Martlet] FN249 which crashed at Pitbauchlie, Dunfermline. Buried Meriden (St Lawrence) Churchyard, Row 9 Grave 320
Coventry Standard, 14 Aug 1943: "MERIDEN FUNERAL OF FIRST OFFICER J. C. SHIRLEY. A.T.A. The funeral took place on Thursday of First Officer John Charles Shirley, Air Transport Auxiliary Service. He was 35 years of ape, and was the second son of Mr. VV. J. Shirley of Shirley's Garage, Meriden. He was educated at Meriden C.E. School, and on leaving he helped his father and brother in the garage business. He was a member of the choir at Meriden Church and of the Bible Class held by Mrs. Rankes at Meriden Hall. He was confirmed at Berkswell Church. He continued to assist his father and brothers in the firm of W. J. Shirley and Sons until his marriage in 1933 to Joan Mary, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Penrice, of The School House, Meriden (Mr. Penrice at that time was headmaster at Meriden School). He then went into business on his own account in Birmingham, first with a book shop and then with a greengrocery business at Stratford Road, Sparkhill. He was always keen on flying, and five years before the outbreak of the war [sic] he obtained his Pilot’s "A" licence. He joined the Civil Air Guard before the outbreak of war, and when this body was disbanded on the commencement of hostilities he volunteered for the Roval Air Force, but was not accepted. Nineteen months ago he volunteered as a Ferry Pilot for the Air Transport Auxiliary Service, and was accepted. During the time with this service he had two forced landings without mishap, and on another occasion his plane hit and snapped the cable of a balloon screened by cloud over a town in the north-east of Scotland. He leaves a widow and one child, a boy not yet a month old. He died on his wife's thirtieth birthday, and had only seen his baby for two days." |
ed. Lancing College, Trinity College Cambridge M.A. prev. an Air Traffic Controller, attached to HQ Fighter Command Bentley Priory, 1937-date Order of St John 'Slight limp left leg' prev. exp. 1450 hrs; owned a 1928 D.H. Moth G-EBZE from 1930 to 1932, and had flown in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His instructor at Brooklands was George Lowdell. His flying may have been curtailed after this incident on the 23 Mar 1932: "Animals at the Whipsnade Zoo rushed about an excited state and there was danger with elephants carrying children when an aeroplane flew low overhead, it was stated at Luton, where a summons against Edwin Freshfield, a Cambridge undergraduate, the pilot of the machine, was dismissed on payment of costs." Address in 1941: Glovers Farm, Reigate, Surrey Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP (part time) "Keen pilot, but owing to part-time duties this officer is not seen very much." [Services Discontinued] d. 18 Feb 1985 - Lewes, Sussex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1929
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
d. 28 Mar 1981 - San Francisco, CA * File not seen |
Petition for US Naturalization, 1968 (Granted 20 Jan 1976)
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 |
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 |
Father: Eli Smith, Mother: Emily Bertha [True] Ed. Kale Green Council School, Stockport Moved to USA in 1925; Naturalized American 23 May 1933 m. 24 Jul 1926 in Glynn, GA, Georgia [True] (5 children) prev. pilot prev. exp. 2075 hrs "Mutilated thumb of right hand" Address in 1941: Butler Ave, St Simon's Island, Glynn, Georgia
Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 2FPP, Instructor (Montreal)
Off sick from 4 to 25 Mar 1941 with nasopharyngitis 2 accidents, both his fault: - 12 Jun 1941, Hurricane Z3388, details missing but no fault found - 18 Jun 1941, in Hurricane DG613, an "error of judgement"
"As one of the 'old-timers' this pilot has had a steadying influence on the junior instructors and has at all times proved both hard working and conscientious. An able and efficient instructor possessing a most likeable personality"
d. 13 Aug 1954 - Lake Harbor, Palm Beach, FL Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Father: Wolfe Kohn (originally from Finland, a Banker); mother Fannie (American) from Tuscumbia, AL Ed. Vanderbilt University, New York University m. 1933 Edith [Koggan]; 2 children, David b. 1944 and Wolina prev. US Army 1930-34; Commercial Pilot - President of Jersey Air Service, Paterson NJ from 1936 Address in 1941: 10-04 Bellaire Ave, Fair Lawn NJ A warrant for his arrest was issued in 1938 when he failed to appear in court. He was charged with operating an amusement concession without a ($50) license. "Mr Kohn has been in the Criminal Court, Hackensack NJ, twice in recent years: once when accused of obtaining $150 and an aeroplane from two Baltimore men in an aeroplane sale deal and again when he faced the same charge in relation to an alleged fire insurance loss." Arrived in the UK 28 Feb 1941 Postings: 1FPP, 15FPP, 3FPP, 4bFPP, 14FPP, 4aFPP "A pilot of great ability with a high sense of duty, who is responsive to considerate treatment." Contract Terminated - Refused to carry out flying duties Later a Lt-Col in the USAAC Air Transport Command; post-WWII he was active in real estate and then founded an import-export business. d. 6 May 1966 (age 56) - Eaglewood, NJ "For a number of years, Mr Kohn had figured prominently in activities designed to aid the State of Israel get firmly established. He also helped lay the groundwork for the organization of its Air Force." He had "considerable financial holdings" in Israel, and in Cuba before Fidel Castro gained control; he once received a Bible from Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion for his work. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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)
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.
[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.
* File exists but not seen |
1936
1936
Visa for Brazil, 1946
from "Mollison - The Flying Scotsman" by David Luff
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): |
1931
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
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:
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ATA
c.1932
Draft card, 16 Oct 1940
Frederick's personnel file is missing, and I haven't discovered any compelling evidence of who he was. My working assumption is that he was the 'Frederick Herbt Rowe' who served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, then from 20 Sep 1917 as a Lieutenant in the RFC and then RAF, in WW1. He did not have a Royal Aero Club Certificate. At least 5 accidents: - 20 Sep 1941, an accident in Battle P2181, nr Silloth - 11 Oct 1941, forced landing in Gladiator K8015 nr Bewdley after engine failure - 16 Mar 1944, he survived a crash in Albacore X9266 at Evanton after engine failure
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Ed. High School, Ohio prev. 2nd Lieut in US Army, 1937-41 2nd Lieut in Air Corps Reserve A motor mechanic, and mail and passenger pilot. He was the pilot (and sole survivor of the crash) of this New Standard D-25 s/n NC9795 belonging to Erie Isles Airways which crashed into Lake Erie on 29 December 1937. Flying from Port Clinton, he ran into heavy fog trying to land at Put-In-Bay (which is only a 5-minute flight away):
He said he "spotted a blue patch in the haze and started downward, believing it to be solid ice." Instead, it was water into which the plane plunged, tossing out the passengers. The three passengers drowned, despite his attempts to hold onto the woman passenger, Nancy Howard; "he held onto her with one hand, but the cold water finally compelled him to loosen his grip and she sank." William hung onto the tail until he was rescued. He was later exonerated. m., 1 child Address in 1941: 3456 W 99 St, Cleveland, Ohio Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP "A good officer and sound pilot"; "Somewhat slow at first but completed by flying the Liberator quite satisfactorily." Later joined NASA as a Technician d. 26 Jan 1990 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1942
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. "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]:
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): |
ATA
Draft Card, dated 7 Aug 1943
1941
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): |
1937
ATA
Manx Aviation and Military Museum
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
"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 |
1934
G-AEEU, owned by Robert C Ramsay
Eldest son of Rear-Admiral George McOran Campbell, C.M.G. Address in 1941: 'Jacques', Pipers Lane, Harpenden, Herts Educated at St Edwards, Oxford; BA (Eng), Cantab prev. 2nd Lieut, Royal Corps of Signals Aug 1926-Nov 1929, then an Aeronautical Engineer and pilot m. Jean Emily [Mitchell] in 1928 (d. 1976) (3 children before 1941) Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 4FPP, 4aFPP, 6FPP, 15FPP "A hardworking and methodical pilot, and a good officer." "(Jan-42) Has done very little flying as a pilot lately, as he is employed on the engineering side on Liberator training." "This officer's work on the collection of data for and the writing of handling notes is of a very high order. He is a very hard worker and has put in exceptionally long hours." In May 1955, Flight reported: "Another Bristol appointment announced last week was that of Mr. James McOran Campbell as senior technical representative in Pakistan ... In pre-war years Mr. Campbell was with de Havillands and Imperial Airways, and during the war flew as an A.T.A. pilot, later becoming a Hawker production flight development engineer and test pilot. He joined the Bristol engine division in 1951." d. 4 May 1990 - Plymouth: a "much loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather... A very special and Christian life, greatly missed by all of us." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1935
Educated at Paris Junior College then Texas Technology College. prev. An airline pilot for Braniff, and 18 months at Odena Flying School at Odessa, Dalton, Texas prev. exp. 800hrs Postings: 6FPP, 15FPP Oct-41: "A most capable pilot, who now seems to have settled down and is doing a good job of work." In 1971 the Abilene Reporter said, "Jack, the fifth son of the six 'Flying Fitzgeralds', was being honored by American Air lines in Los Angeles for his 25 years with American. Jack like [his brother] Glenn attended Texas Tech and learned to fly at an early age. He was a pilot for American Air lines [sic] by the time he was 20. During the war he served in the airlines military operation for the Air Transport Command in India. He also flew supplies from San Francisco during the Tokyo Airlift. Jack lives in Los Altos, Calif., with his wife Betty and four children. Betty is a former airline stewardess. Today he is based in New York, from where he flies 747s." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
AR
ATAM
Father: George W Imes (dec'd), a farmer. Mother: Mrs Jennie [Porter] McCullough m. 1934 Mary Louise [Morgan] [divorced 1940]. 1 son, Albert Earl. b. 1936 prev. owned a crop dusting business, commercial pilot. prev. exp. 4,017 hrs Address in 1941: Belle Glade, Florida Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP, AFTS. Seconded to Stradishall (1943) and Marston Moor (1944, 1945) "A most steady, reliable and hard working officer and instructor. A popular pilot who does all work given him well and gets on well with both pupils and fellow instructors." "A pilot of exceptional ability." George remarried. In Apr 1954 their 9-day old son Allan Nelson Imes died in a local Belle Glade hospital. d. 30 Dec 1980, Palm Beach Florida. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
m. 1920 Agnes Ellen [Robinson] prev. an Insurance Broker Address in 1932: 155 Above Bar, Southampton d. Jun 1964, Norwich |
1932
Father: Charles Paul Lofgren (originally Swedish), a travelling salesman (Music Tuition); Mother Gertrude A [Payne or Moore], (English). The family (including their 5 children) moved to New Jersey in January 1917. Ed. Detroit, North Western High School He was shipwrecked when on a boar-hunting trip in 1932 and the 7 crew and passengers spent 3 days marooned on Santa Cruz Island, about 30 miles off the California coast. prev. Private in US Army Reserve 1931-35; Air Line Pilot for Transportes Aereos Centro Americanos (TACA) in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicuragua, San Salvador, Guatemala, USA, Canada and Honduras. prev. exp. 1650 hrs Address in 1941: 2716 S Willard Ave, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA; later 805 N 2nd St., Alhambra CA Exempt from US Draft 'due to previous military experience'. Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP, 16FPP Suspended for 2 days from 4 Jul 1941 for 'Refusal to obey orders' 2 accidents, 1 his fault: - 13 Jul 1941, his Swordfish lost its tail wheel; - 16 Dec 1941, his Anson hit an iron stake while taxying. Oct-41: "A good pilot who carries out all his work well. Would be a greater asset to the pool if he was more cheerful and cooperative" Dec-41: "As above, except that he is now a more cheerful and therefore pleasanter member of the pool." Flew to New York on a TWA flight 16 May 1943. After ATA, sailed back to the US on the "Queen Mary" on 29 Sep 1943. Address in 1948: Majorca Ave, Miami, FL, when he was a pilot for Skyways International. d. 22 Apr 1959 (age 46) - Orange Co, CA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1932
ATAM
Married, no children prev. Barnstorming; Arnette's Air Show (Stunting shows) Address in 1941: Henderson, NC Next of Kin: c/o Arnette's Ice Cream Co., Richmond, Virginia Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP "A sound and experienced pilot and in every way satisfactory." Killed in action in the India-Burma Theatre 4 Feb 1945 buried Jefferson Barracks National Military Cemetery – St. Louis, Mo. "Learned to fly at the Meyer Airport near Hendersonville, N.C. A graduate of Hendersonville High School where he was an outstanding athlete, he is survived by his mother and four brothers. James Arnette Jr served in the US Navy, Sgt Roy A Arnette with the AAF in France, W C Arnette with the Seabees in the Aleutians, and Milton Prince Arnette, who lives in Hendersonville." His brother Roy owned Arnette's Ice Cream Co; he was killed when 3 armed men robbed the company in 1974, hit him on the head and shot him in the arm. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
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 22nd February 1949]
"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 |
1933
- 
prev. a Flight Instructor and commercial pilot
d. 28 Oct 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter T3045 stalled on approach, crashed at Norton crossroads between Shrewsbury and Wellington. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: 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
d. 27 Oct 1981 - Gloucester Co, Virginia, USA
"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. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1943
1952
Abingdon Episcopal Church Cemetery, White Marsh, Gloucester County, Virginia
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)
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)
"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
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): |
1938 - 
Draft card, dated 16 Oct 1940
© Dave Welch Collection
Father: Bentley Lyonel John, 3rd Baron Tollemache, a British Army officer, peer, and writer on croquet and bridge, Mother: Wynford Rose [Kemball], The Lady Tollemache (d. 1926) Her elder sister was the Hon. Dorothy Cecily Tollemache (Verney, d. 1994) "Lord Tollemache succeeded his grandfather in 1904, and owns about 35,800 acres. His two seats are Peckforton Castle, Tarporley, and Helmingham Hill, Stowmarket. During the war he served as a Lieut-Commander with the R.N.V.R. and was wounded. He has been a captain in the Cheshire Regiment and in the R.G.A." The 1911 Census shows them living in Peckforton, Cheshire, with a cook, a lady's maid, 2 nurses, 3 housemaids, a kitchen maid, a scullery maid, a butler, a valet, a footman and a hall porter:
Miss Dorothy and Miss Frances were debutantes in 1927, "presented by Susan Duchess of Somerset".
"Miss Valerie Domville, the Hon. Frances Tollemache and Miss Rosabelle Perowne in the dresses they wore at the Calico Ball at Claridge's Hotel" The Bystander, 20 Dec 1933
Address in 1936: The Mill House, Duddington, nr Stamford, Lincs "Daughter Of Peer In Air Crash The Hon. Frances Tollemache, daughter of the Baron Tollemache, escaped unhurt when the 'plane in which she was flying irom London to the Cape was wrecked while attempting to land at Mbeya, Tanganyika. The pilot [Vernon Motion] was also uninjured. The Hon. Frances Tollemache gained an "A" pilot's licence after only three weeks' instruction, and in April last left Heston for a 30,000-mile air tour of Egypt, Palestine and South Africa. With her then was Mr. Vernon Motion as co-pilot. Miss Tollemache intended to visit her sister in Johannesburg and Mr. Motion intended to sell British machinery in Africa" - Daily Record - 30 Jun 1936
[The aircraft was a Percival P.10 Vega Gull, G-AEAS 'The Export Raider', first registered in January 1936. It was badly damaged in the crash at Mbeya on the 28 June and written off in December 1936. ]
Address in 1939: The Mill House, Barleythorpe Dairy Farm, Doddington, nr Oakham, Rutland [Resigned] m. 10 Feb 1949 at the Church of All Saints, Bombay, Charles Edward Lloyd-Worth, from Hastings, Sussex, "who has an appointment in India", (divorced 1965)
d. Nov 1992 - Cheltenham, Glos. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):  |
RAeC 1936
Now a hotel ...
The Three Graces
"Miss Tollemache in the cockpit of the machine" - Daily Mirror
m. Dorothy 'Laverne' [Stark], 2 sons prev. flying instructor prev. exp. 2,225 hrs Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL, USA [His brother-in-law Ken Fogelberg joined the ATA in May-41; Ken was married to Laverne's sister Jeslyn.] Postings: 1FPP "Has completely overcome his difficulties with regard to discipline and is now an excellent pilot and an excellent influence on the Pool as well." Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 28 Mar 1943 (age 28) when Baltimore FA427 crashed and burned on takeoff at Nassau. Buried in Puerto Rico's National Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Jan 1941 Chicago Tribune
Educated at Birmingham High School prev. a pilot, instructor and crop dusting with Dawn Crop Dusting Corp., Leland, Miss. Address in 1941 (grandparents): 5326 Court P, Birmingham, Alabama 'My family is Democratic' "This pilot has developed into a very fine influence in the Pool by reason of his keenness and good sense of discipline. He is also a first class pilot." d. 19 Apr 1943 when a Captain with RAF Transport Command, in Baltimore FA330 which was lost en-route Dorval, Quebec to Natal, Brazil (or possibly en-route from Natal to the Middle East). Also killed were F/O John Dickson Grant (RCAF) and Radio Operator Harold Alfred Picher. No known grave. Commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
['Irish' is crossed out on application'] |
m. 1934 Joan Ossory [Dunlop - she was an M.T. driver with the ATA from 20 Jul 1942 to 27 Jan 1943], 3 children prev. RAF Sep 1932 - Sep 1938 (Pilot Officer in 1934, promoted to Flt-Lt 8 Jun 1937); apprentice to Bentley Motors A test pilot in 1939. Address in 1941: 38 Richmond Hill Rd, Birmingham Suspended for 2 days in April 1941 for "aerobatics" "First Class pilot, very keen and hard-working. Occasionally has fallen down on small points of discipline." Resigned to join RAF d. 25 Feb 1942 when a Squadron Leader with 255 Sqn, RAFVR when crash landing Beaufighter II T3023 due to engine failure on final approach to RAF Coltishall. P/O Harold Vincent also died of injuries sustained in the same accident. buried Scottow Cemetery Mrs Clennell wrote to Pauline Gower in May 1943, asking for help as she was "in very straightened circumstances." Pauline passed it on to the RAF Benevloent Fund, who were already paying for her elder son's education (£25 per term). Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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
"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): |
Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
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): |
ATAM
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
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]
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): |
ATA
Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Vice President, International Federation of Forwarding Organisations in 1929 Arrived in the UK from France in Jun 1938, and immediately sold his D.H. Hornet Moth OE-DKS in London Director of Rosenberg Loewe & Co, shipping and forwarding agents, Aug-38 to May-40 He was interned on the Isle of Man under the 'Defence of the Realm Act' from 15 Jul 1940 to 12 Dec 1940. His release was facilitated by Leslie Runciman, Margie Fairweather's brother and MD of BOAC at the time. Address in 1941: 64 Queensborough Terrace, London W2 "A loyal and likeable officer. Efficient, hardworking and reliable." with Martyn Steynor in a 'taxi' Anson (ELC) m. Margit V Rupp in 1949 in London (d. 1978) d. 30 Dec 1990 - London SW1 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
Listen to an interview with Stephan here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009816 |
1938
BG
Ed. Morrison's Academy, Crieff m. 1937 Dorothy Henderson [Shaw], 1 daughter prev. exp. 102 hrs prev. a Garage Proprietor; Observer Corps Sep-39 to Jan-41 Address in 1941: Firwood, Newton Mearns, Scotland Postings: 4FPP, 6FPP, 4a FPP, AFTS (as instructor), 16FPP "A very capable officer and reliable pilot who shows great keenness at all times." d. 13 Apr 1974 - Glasgow Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1938
prev. a flight instructor, charter and barnstorming pilot prev exp. 786 hrs, mostly on Lockheed 10a Bill worked for the Stanley Company as a shipping clerk from 1935 to '36, then was a general electrical contractor ('house and motor wiring - small repairs') until he became a flight instructor at his local airport (Sunset Airport, Chambersburg PA)
He had a one-year contract with the ATA, which they wanted to extend - his CO wrote: "First Officers Fitzgerald, Elliott and Hoover. All three excellent pilots and are some of the best types of Americans that I have seen over here. I think everything possible should be done to get these pilots to renew their contracts." Bill replied that he had decided to return to the US "after February 16th [1942] as soon as the details of my transportation can be arranged", but sadly before this happened he died in an accident.
d. 8 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Anson W1793 crashed into the side of a hill in bad visibility 3 miles N of Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. The accident committee concluded that he flew into snow-covered ground "in conditions which would cause confusion between ground and cloud". He and Earl Renicker (q.v.) were buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery, Cheshire, near Hubert Dixon (q.v.)
He was "an exceptionally careful and steady pilot and his general behaviour was excellent." His parents Gernard and Louise wrote "He studied hard and to be a good pilot was his whole ambition. Sorry as we are that he had to give his life so soon in this his chosen occupation, we are proud that he was a member of your organisation."
with thanks to Barbara Grayson Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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via George Cogswell
Educated at Chambersburg High School - a classmate of Bill Elliott (M.343):
Bill Elliott and Raymond Hoover in the Science Club, front row, in 1934 https://micheleepps.wordpress.com His parents ran a turkey farm. prev. a Flight Instructor for Mahon Flying Service Address in 1941: (Mother) Route 2, Chambersburg, PA Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP "An excellent pilot who gets through all the work given him quietly and efficiently." After leaving the ATA, Raymond joined RAF Transport Command, "serving in the Caribbean." m. Judith in Maryland in Feb 1948 (Divorced 1958). 1,500 of his family's turkeys were killed when a poultry barn was hit by lightning in 1959. According to the above website, "Raymond Hoover apparently survived the war. His obituary tells us he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for a little over a year piloting planes between Canada and England." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATAM
educated at Charterhouse an Iron Founder (Bayliss, Jones & Bayliis Ltd, Wolverhampton) Address in 1941: 'Woodthorne', Tettenhall, Staffs Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP, 12FPP, 14FPP "A good pilot of sound average ability", but he was: a) severely reprimanded and given 2 extra duties for 'Neglect of Duty' in Jun-43; "When detailed for night duty pilot and fire-watcher, he left the airfield on two occasions without permission" and b) reprimanded in Feb-44 for taxiing a Proctor so carelesslythat the port wing hit a gate post. He seems to have settled down later; his discipline was regarded as "satisfactory" by late 1944.
m. Aline Johncelyne Spiers (nee Pickin), also an aviator, in 1946 Flew Proctor II G-AKXZ in the 1949 Goodyear Race He took out a patent in 1956: "Improvements in or relating to vices" (not that sort of vices, silly). Later Director and Secretary of Brockmore-Bede Aircraft of the Brockmoor Foundry Co., Brierley Hill, W. Midlands. d. 14 Nov 1992 - Titley Kington, Herefordshire Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1939
prev. A Stockbroker RAF Sgt Pilot 1938 then P/O Jun 1940 Later a test pilot with de Havilland "In July 1955 Bruce Campbell, a long-time friend of mine, as well as owning a boat in the south of France, had a de Havilland two-seater Hornet Moth registered G-ADNE. From his boat, then in the south of France, he asked me to fly the Hornet down to Cannes for both of us to fly home in." Lettice Curtis Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Learnt to fly in 1938 with A.S.T. at Hamble d. 14 Sep 1981 - Los Angeles |
1938
Father: 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 |
c.1918 (Ancestry)
c.1920 (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"
... 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
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): |
Chattanooga Daily Times, 29 Jun 1950
Ancestry
1939 Chattanooga Air Show
Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
Father: Daniel; mother Mary [Onahan, d. Jan 1941] Ed. US Naval Academy m. 1920 Vera [Dunn] (3 children) prev. US Navy from 1917 to present Address in 1941: 2023 North Danville St, Arlington, VA Postings: Training Pool "Likely to be only for a few months" Wikipedia says "In 1941, while the U.S. was still neutral, he was assigned as the Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Great Britain. While in Britain, he earned his flight pay by ferrying Supermarine Spitfires from the factory to Royal Air Force aerodromes. He liked to claim that he was the only U.S. Navy aviator who flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain [sic - looks like he was a bit late for that], but they were unarmed." Flew from Lisbon to New York in Pan Am Clipper NC-18603 on 9 Apr 1941. Later a Rear-Admiral; "During World War II, while Captain in command of the U.S.S. Guadalcanal in June 1944, he captured the German submarine U-505 off Cape Blanco, French West Africa. This was the first boarding and capture at sea of an enemy naval vessel since 1815. He also wrote 8 books on US Navy life in the 1940s to 1960s."
d. 16 Jan 1977 - Bethesda, MD Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
findagrave.com
Mother: [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 |
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): |
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): |
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): |
1946
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
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 |
Draft Card, dated 21 Jan 1941
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
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): |
1959
Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
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)
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
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): |
1941 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
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 |
1939
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): |
MAMM
ATA
1941
Ed. Bromley County School prev. Managing Director/Sales Manager, A.E. Gould [Coach builders] , 220 Regent St. London NW1 prev. exp. 98 hrs on Avian, Tiger Moth, Puss Moth, Gipsy Moth, Moth Minor, B.A. Swallow Address in 1941: 243 Baker St, Regents Park, London N1 Postings: 2FPP, 1FPP, 8FPP "A good and capable pilot, good navigator and very keen on the job. General behaviour also good." d. Jun 1964 - Surrey(?) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1939
** On his registration forms, Kenneth gave his date of birth as 2 Feb 1920 - thus making him 21. However, he admitted that he was only 20 when he returned to the US in 1942. Obviously, he had lied about his age in order to join the ATA! prev. Gulf Airways, Fort Myers, Florida (newspaper delivery by plane) 2 yrs. He was a member of the Fort Myers high school boxing team! Address in 1941: Beach Rd, Fort Myers, Florida Arrived in the UK 22 Apr 1941 on the SS Mercier with fellow American ferry pilots James Emor O'Halloran, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), Gilman Benedict Warne, Marvin Harrison Dunlavy (M.408), Harold Lindsey Price. Off sick for all of May 1941 with acute appendicitis.
m. 29 Sep 41 to Ruth Alice Maud Morgan, from Abergevenny, in London (divorced 1946); Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) Later, 2 years in the US Army Air Force as a Flight Officer - he force-landed in a pea patch near Brownsville, Texas in Aug 1944. m. Martha Blackburn in 1947 In 1947, a pilot for C Adrianza, Venezuela; from 1949, a pilot for Delta Airlines. His father (also Emmett Kenneth) owned a grocery store, once had a pilot's licence, filed a patent for aircraft carburettors, became mayor of Medley, Florida in the mid-60s, and finally committed suicide by shooting himself in the head (having tried to shoot his second wife in the head just beforehand, but only grazing her temple). Kenneth became a police lieutenant in Medley. d. 11 Mar 1992 - Deland, Florida Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Thomas Edward Mitchell, a Hotel Keeper; mother,Ada Agnes [Clements], Ed. Clarks College, Ealing prev. Royal Navy; Air Branch RNVR 21 Feb 1939 - 6 Jun 1940 then Sub-Lt, RNVR (HMS Tormentor, Warsash, Hants) "Suspended from flying duty due to a failure to complete the fighter deck landing course" prev. exp. 122 hrs on Hart, Master, Skua, Roc, Gladiator m. Oct 1941 in Somerset, Tessibel Maria [Phillips] (b. 1922 d. 2015) Address in 1941: Worcester House, West Hill Rd, Bournemouth. In 1942: Glen House, Saltford, Somerset Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP On 26 September 1941, the contracts of 4 pilots were terminated and they were taken on by BOAC, "for special work": "I have instructed First Officers Worcester, MacCallum, Thornhill and Mitchell to report to you immediately... these are the officers I have selected from the applicants for duty in Africa and I feel pretty certain the first three will prove entirely suitable... Mitchell I am not so sure about..." but three of them (Worcester, MacCallum, and Mitchell) were given three months notice after a few weeks, and reverted to ATA.
"An average pilot whose general flying is satisfactory, but he should pay more attention to accuracy, His accidents do not appear to have affected his flying, although he did show signs of nervousness with the Blenheim" "Very keen to get on with the job" In August 1942 he delivered 42 aircraft; his C.O. Leonard Leaver said, "I must admit it is a heavy month's work" "He has been of great service to the ATA"
6 accidents, 4 his fault: - 29 May 1941, pilot error in a Spitfire caused the selector lever to stick - 29 Jan 1942, forced landing (due to running out of fuel, not his fault) in Hereford L6100, with undercarriage retracted . [A complaint was also lodged against him, for taking off from the wrong runway] - 12 Apr 1942, uncontrolled swing when landing Beaufort IN1105 too fast, caused an undercarriage leg to collapse - 5 Jul 1942, he had engine trouble with Beaufighter EL235 and overshot the forced landing, striking telephone wires and stalling (not his fault) - 20 Jul 1942, heavy landing in Hurricane IIc HV310 and broke an undercarriage leg
d. 6 Sep 1943 in Beaufighter VIF ND173 at St. Athan. He took off with the tail trim fully aft; the aircraft climbed steeply then stalled and crashed. Cremated at Pontypridd Crematorium He died intestate, so his wife Tessibel inherited his estate of £1,400, (which included the £2,000 insurance provided by the ATA). Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Educated at Warsaw University of Technology An Aircraft Designer - one of the three founders (with fellow students Stanisław Rogalski and Stanisław Wigura) of RWD, which was a Polish aircraft construction bureau active between 1925 and 1939. In 1933, Rogalski, Drzewiecki and Wędrychowski founded the company Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze (DWL, Experimental Aeronautical Works) in Warsaw, which became a manufacturer of further RWD aircraft. He fled the German-Soviet occupation of Poland in September 1939 and found work as a draughtsman at Westland Aircraft from Feb 1940, but was frustrated that they would not allow him to do "creative work." prev. exp: over 1500 hrs in about 60 land and seaplanes Address in 1941: 4 West Park, Yeovil, Somerset Postings: 2FPP, 6FPP, 9FPP, 14FPP Off sick from 24 Nov 1941 to 19 Jan 42 following a forced landing in a Beaufort after both engines failed. "A most reliable and experienced pilot. Discipline excellent."
Post-WWII, after working for Bristol Aircraft for a while (and again getting frustrated by what he saw as a lack of opportunity) he emigrated to Canada in Dec 1947. d. 15 May 1990 - Ottawa Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Manx Aviation & Military Museum
Getting his MBE from the Parlaimentary Secretary to the MAP, 21 Feb 1945
Father: Rufus Howard Marine; Mother: Aletha Myrtle [Coffin] of Yarnell AZ Ed. Arizona Staff Teachers College, Flagstaff AZ prev. US Air Corps 1926-27. Flight Instructor for US Army Dec 1940 - Feb 1941; also a Sound Engineer for Theatres. Employer in 1940: Major Mosley, Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, CA m.1930 Bertie Mae [Gist] m. 18 Feb 1932 Naomi [Potter] Address in 1941: Phoenix, AZ Postings: 2FPP Off sick from 27 Jun(?) to 19 Aug 1941 with an eye injury after an accident. "One of his eyes was injured by shrapnel during a flight off the English Coast, when he was attacked by two Messerschmitts", according to the Arizona Republic. The circumstances of the accident were not recorded by the ATA. Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 21 Feb 1942 when his A-20 Boston crashed into the Potomac River, Washington DC. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Educated at North Staffordshire Technical College; Bronze Medal in Pottery Works Manager for Colclough China Ltd, Regent Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent m. (1 child before 1941) Address in 1941: 227 Stone Rd, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent prev. a member of the Civil Air Guard Missing index finger on right hand, and bad scar prev. exp. 153 hrs Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 12FPP "A willing, keen and reliable pilot, a good officer with a keen sense of discipline", but was given a severe reprimand in Dec-43 for taxying a Beaufighter without sufficient care and colliding with a Blenheim. Both pilots were held equally to blame. Filed a number of patents post-WWII, e.g. in 1948, "a chuck for holding articles of clay, glass, plastics or other materials, in manufacture or finishing operations", and 1952: "Apparatus for shaping clayware." [Colclough China Ltd became part of the Royal Doulton Group in the early 1970's; production ceased in 1996.] d. Nov 2003 - Stoke On Trent Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1934
ATA
m. Virginia Waller [Goodridge] Address in 1941: 809-N 27th St., Milwaukee, WI prev. a pilot for the Curtiss-Wright airport's Milwaukee Airways Inc He and three other American pilots (William Harry Englander, John Edward Sleeper, and Marvin Blaine Tuxhorn, qqv) threatened legal action to secure their full ATA salary of $150 per week for the period after they were told they had not been accepted as ferry pilots; they had, it seems, only been paid $24 plus a $50 subsistence allowance per week. In 1943, a 1st-Lieut based at Pensacola Naval Aviation base, FL d. 13 Jan 1969 (age 63) - Chicago IL |
findagrave.com
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 |
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): |
1937
ATAM
Royal Navy from 1914 to 1919 (Sub Lieut.) Victory Medal RAF 1919 to 1932 (Flight Lieut.) m. (One child before 1941) a Civil Pilot prev. exp. approx 3,000hrs "Lost right foot and ankle - artificial foot" [Possibly in the accident to Avro 504K J732, of 39 Sqn, Spittlegate which spun in during aerobatics on 2 Feb 1923; F/O Cyril Chambers (24) killed, F/O John Edmund Layard Drabble injured. The inquiry found that the accident was due to an error of judgement on the part of Flying Officer Drabble.] June 1932: "FLIGHT LIEUTENANT FINED. John Edmund Layard Drabble, Flight Lieutenant. 49 Squadron, Upper Heyford, Bicester, did not appear to answer a charge of using a motor car with no Road Fund licence at Waddesdon on Tuesday, April 26th. but sent a telephone message explaining that was on duty until noon. P.S. Snelling deposed that in High Street, Waddesdon, he noticed that defendant’s Road Fund licence expired on March 24th. Defendant said, " I forgot all about it." Director of Aircraft Equipment Ltd from Jan 1936, presumably based on his patent for 'increasing the field of vision in aircraft", filed the same year. Address in 1941: 1 Lanark Rd, Maida Vale, London Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP "A pilot of considerable experience ... a capable pilot who is working hard and well." but ... [Contract Terminated 10 Apr 1942 by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons] Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Marvin was one of a team of 6 pilots, in 3 aeroplanes, who made an attempt on the world endurance flight record (which stood at 22.5 hrs), in Sarasota, Florida in April 1940. However, he had to land after just over 6 hrs in the air, as they were getting low on fuel and efforts to refuel them in the air had failed. Address in 1941: 1913 3rd Ave, Bessemer, Alabama. Brief Glory says he had "black curly hair, rolling eyes, a broken nose and an accent you could cut with a knife. A disconcerting habit he had of rolling his head from side to side was due to an early boxing accident." When asked about his opinion of England, he said "Gee, that's a terrible country! I can't think why they don't cut all their balloon cables and let the god-damn country sink to the bottom of the sea." He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for his part in the rescue of the crew of a returning operational Halifax III of No. 420 Squadron, piloted by Flt Lt R. A. Kalle which, having been damaged during a sortie over Normandy, overshot the runway and caught fire at White Waltham on the 30th July 1944. The full list of those commended was: - pilots David Cotter (M.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): |
ATA
Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 8FPP
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
? ATAM
née Samuel Father: Barnett Samuel (a financial broker, d.1925), mother Annie Leah [Barnett] (d. 1933) Ed. St Paul's Girls School; Slade School of Art 2 sisters (Amelia b. 1891, Olga Esther b. 1893, later Mrs Roys), 1 brother (Ivor Dudley b. 1894) m. 5 Mar 1927 in Hampstead, Harold Clayton (later Sqn-Ldr with No 40 Group, Andover) Address in 1936: 128 Dorset House, Gloucester Place, London NW1 prev. 1939- Dec 1940 Section Cadet Officer, Mechanised Transport Corps prev. exp. 87 hrs on Tigers [sic], Hornet Moth, Puss Moth, Potez, Tanpin, Swallow in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, America, Czechoslovakia, UK Address in 1941: 36 Viceroy Court, Prince Albert Rd, London NW8 ------------------ Harold and Edna contested the will of Edna's father, Barnett Samuel, in 1941. Briefly, Barnett had left Edna a large legacy, but specified that she would forfeit it if she married someone "who is not of Jewish parentage and of the Jewish faith" "This is a case in which the testator has sought, in the words of the Master of the Rolls, to direct the lives of his children from the grave ... to control his daughter Edna's choice of a husband." Now, Harold Clayton was an English Wesleyan, "not in any possible sense of the words a person of Jewish parentage, nor has he been at any time in any possible sense of the words a person of the Jewish faith" ... which sounds like an open and shut case, but No! In a rather Dickensian twist, their appeal was (thankfully, IMHO) upheld as (I can only quote the judgement): "It is true that, on any possible construction of the clause Mr. Clayton was disqualified. But any possible construction is not the question: the actual construction must be certain: and as it is not the Appeal succeeds." So there you have it. Hope that's clear. [On her application form for ATA, Edna gave her religion as 'Protestant'] Postings: 5FPP Described herself as an 'Artist' when emigrating to Kenya in Nov 1957 (and was either widowed or divorced at the time) d. 13 Aug 1970 - Nairobi, Kenya
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1936
The Sketch, 1942
[Not in 'Forgotten Pilots or 'Brief Glory']
Margery was that rare phenomenon - a female commercial pilot before WWII. Flight followed her progress thus: 10 October 1935: "South Coast Flying Club. Miss Spiller, in fact, was the first person to get her 'A' Licence with the Club, having completed her test on Saturday half-an-hour before Mr Myers." 23 October 1937: "London Flying Club. Miss Spiller completed the 'B' tests and made a night flight from Croydon to Lympne." 9 December 1937: "South Coast Flying Club. A very successful dance was held on November 27, when over a hundred members and guests attended. Miss Spiller, a member of the Club and a 'B' Licence holder, turned up in the Puss Moth which was at one time the property of the Duke of Windsor, then Prince of Wales." 1 December, 1938: "Miss Margery Spiller has joined the instructional staff of the Sheffield Aero Club as chief instructor and manager at the club's new aerodrome at Firbeck, near Worksop." 16 February 1939: "Eastbourne. Miss Margery Spiller has taken over from Mr W.S. Coates as instructor in conjunction with Mr. T.G Stubley." If you can bear to read it (I warn you, it doesn't end happily - she died in May 1942), here is the correspondence which passed between Margery and the Air Transport Auxiliary:
3 Dec 1939. To: Air Transport Auxiliary, Womens Section, Air Ministry. Dear Sir, I hear you are opening up a womens section of Air Transport Auxiliary. May I apply for a job? I have a 'B' Licence and have flown over 2,000 hrs solo - 250 hrs on a D.H. Dragon. I have been Chief Instructor at the Eastbourne Flying Club. Last spring and summer up to when war broke out I was flying the D.H. Dragon for Air Dispatch - Croydon - an army co-operator. I wonder if you will kindly forward this letter to Mrs Pauline Gower - who I believe is representing women in this Section. I desperately need a job - as flying is my living. (Miss) Margery Spiller 5 December 1939. To: Miss Pauline Gower Sandown Court, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Dear Miss Gower, I attach a letter from Miss Margery Spiller in the hope that you can deal with it. I am afraid I know nothing about the Women's Air Transport Section which this lady mentions. Yours truly, C. Fraser 7 Dec 1939. Dear Miss Gower, Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting you - will you please accept my hearty congratulations in having been made head of the Womens Section of the A.T.A. I wish you all the luck in the world in your new venture. Yours Sincerely, Margery Spiller. 'B' Licence [subtle stuff, Margery] 9 Dec 1939. Dear Sirs, Thank you for your letter of the 8th inst. calling me up for a flying test, which I will be very grateful to attend at 9:30 a.m. on Dec 15th. It will mean a very long journey for me - but I will arrive in Bristol the day before. I wonder if you would be able to give me some idea as to what one has to do for the flying test. I have not flown since the 2nd week of August and I expect I shall feel somewhat strange and all last spring and summer I was flying a DH Dragon and as it will be impossible to hire and practice on a similar machine betwen now and my exam, I may not do my best and may get turned down. Will the examiners take into consideration that I have not flown a small aeroplane for over 12 months and I have not been up for over four months!!! Thanking you. Yours Truly Margery Spiller. 20 Dec 1939. Dear Miss Gower, I feel I must write and thank you for having been so perfectly sweet and kind to me last Friday. It is a great consolation to know that there is at least one woman pilot devoid of swank. If I was in your shoes I am afraid I would be just a little conceited! It was a terrible disappointment not getting through the test as I am desperately in need of a job, and flying is my job. I can't imagine why I fell to bits. I somehow got the idea in my head as I hadn't seen an aeroplane for five months that I would not be able to fly it. I can honestly say that I did not understand what the examiner was saying in the front seat - he told me to fly back to the aerodrome before I really realised what course to steer. As you note by my logbook, for the last 100 hours all my courses were northerly, so I can fly on a northerly compass course!!! Last night I played in a darts match at the local ARP Ambulance Depot. Well the darts went in every direction except on the board, and I am considered the local 'champ! Went to bits because I knew I was playing against crack players. I compare this with the flying test - got all fussed - and self-conscious when I know there is a better pilot in the front seat. It was kind of you to offer me another test last Friday - but very unfortunate I could not make it owing to the bad weather conditions. I do hope I shall have the luck to do another test soon and have another chance. I do need a job as I am very hard up Heaven knows what will happen if I don't get a job soon. Should you ever give me a job, you would find me perfectly sound and reliable. Can handle machines well in rough weather. I am tough and very fit I am not likely to break anything - at least I have been fortunate up to now. I am very careful as one must never get over-confident. Experience in hours makes you realize that aeroplanes if treated badly sometimes will turn round and bite! Wishing you a very Happy Xmas and lots of luck in the New Year. Please forgive this long letter. Yours Sincerely, Margery Spiller. p.s. It does hurt when aeroplanes will fly over my house. It is worse than getting over any love affair! 11 Mar 1940. Dear Miss Gower, Just a few lines to ask if you will kindly bear me in mind should you require any more pilots. It is not necessary to say how very keen I am to get a job as you know all about that, but I would like to say that should you ever give me a job, I am prepared to work very hard, do as I am told etc.! So as to be a real help to the ATA. If I don't do 50 hrs before the end of May I shall loose my 'B' Licence!!! Kindest Regards, Margery Spiller. p.s. I am still running around in a tin hat driving an ambulance, but often make epic armchair flights. Perhaps the four months rest has done me good as I am terribly fit. 28 April 1940. Dear Sirs, I hear you may employ C.A.G. members to ferry machines etc. I have a 'B' Licence - instructors endorsement, and have done over 2,000 hrs - 250 hours on twins - Dragon and Rapide - can fly anything and have never had an accident. I was chief instructor at the Eastbourne Flying Club - and last summer I was employed by Air Dispatch, Croydon flying twins on Army Co-operation. I have been out of work since the war started. The Womens Auxiliary did not give me a job. It seemed unfair - as I have done more hours than any of them - and have a clean record. I suppose it is because I have no influence. Last October I received a letter from the C.A.G. Ariel House London saying they may use me as a 'ferry pilot' or on general communications. I an desperately in need of a job, as I have been out of work sometime. Flying is my job. I would be so grateful if you can help me. Although I am a woman surely there is something in the flying world I can do. [Her letter was referred to Cmdr d'Erlanger on 3 May 1940] 8 May 1940, from Henrietta Stapleton-Bretherton. Dear Miss Spiller, Miss Gower has asked me to reply to your letter of the 28th ultimo, to the Civil Air Guard at Bristol, which has been forwarded to her. Miss Gower put your name forward again when more candidates were required to take a flying test but in view of the fact that you failed on your test it was decided that others should have the same chance as you did, before you were called up for a second test. Candidates are judged solely on their merits and no amount of influence would obtain you a job in the ATA if you were not up to the standard of flying proficiency required. Likewise if you are up to that standard you are given the same opportunities as everyone else. You were given your chance and unfortunately you did not at that time prove that you had the necessary flying proficiency. Miss Gower hopes that you will be given the opportunity of taking the test again at a later date should you still wish to do so. 14 May 1940. Dear Madam, Will you kindly thank Miss Gower for the kind consideration, and let her know that I will be very glad to do another flying test. After my remarks in my letter to the CAG I think it very sweet of her to still bear me in mind. When I heard that others had been called up, I could not help feeling very hurt and disappointed, as I was under the impression that I would be called up for a test in the second 'batch'. Yours Truly, Margery Spiller. 26 June, 1940. Dear Miss Spiller, If you are still anxious to join the Women's Section of the ATA, will you please let the writer know immediately stating how soon you can report for another flying test at Hatfield Aerodrome, Herts. Dear Miss Gower, I feel I must write and ask you if you will be kind enough to help me. Please don't think I want to be unpleasant but I am sure you will agree that I have been treated in the most unsporting and cruel manner. Why the A.T.A. will not employ me I can't think. It is all so mysterious. After having done a flying test with you (and a very fair test I think it was), I understood I was taken on - and then filled in the necessary forms, and then the following day the non committal phone call from you postponing everything. One thing is certain - and that is that I have a very bad enemy somewhere - who has given you the wrong impression of me, and has succeeded in keeping me out of work in aviation for over twelve months. It is a very poor excuse to say that I "suffer with nerves" which is a lie - and perfectly ridiculous. I don't drink, and I have not had a single accident during the 2,000 hours that I have flown and out of those 2,000 hours I did a season's joy-riding at Blackpool with Mrs Joy Davidson. The only fault they can find is that three times while flying with Air Dispatch I 'turned back' - on account of 'no see - no fly'. I should always turn back when I could not see the ground any more - and when my altimeter showed only 500ft! providing of course I had no wireless operator. I am so deadfully unhappy, and don't know what to do about it all. I do so want to join up with you. I know I am a bit rusty, but I feel that after a few landings and take-offs I should be perfectly O.K. You know that don't you? I am not a difficult person to work with and I have never had a row with anyone. Should I ever have the luck to be taken on in the A.T.A. I should be perfectly humble and start all over again - I would not talk - except to tell my troubles to you - if I had any. I know I should work well and try to please the A.T.A. in every way. Won't you let me have a crack at it? I would love to go to the C.F.S. and travelling in trains at night would not bother me in the least. Just before war broke out I had great trouble at home. I had to give up my instructors job at Sheffield, and return home. My dear mother died very suddenly - in fact she committed suicide. She had had several operations and I suppose could not face another. Afterwards while flying with Air Dispatch I was rather run down and 'spat' at one or two people over the maintenance of a particular machine - I suppose the shock of mother's death upset me - and also being left with very little money. I have never told any of my flying friends about mother's tragic death - but I feel that you are such a nice person that you may be sorry for me and understand. When I heard that I was supposed to 'suffer with nerves' I thought perhaps someone in the flying world had heard about mother, and tried to make out she was mad - and being jealous spread it around that I was nervy. It is not true - my health is perfectly sound and my medicals at the Air Ministry have always been good. Forgive me writing this awful long letter, but I have tried to explain things. Can anything be done about me? I enclose a letter I received from one of the Miles Bros of Philips & Powys - reading it appears that a man called 'Delanger' is up against me. I have never met him. How I wish I could call in at Hatfield and have a talk - but as I am an A.R.P. ambulance driver I am not allowed to leave the town - besides I have given up the car. It is so difficult to explain by letter. Could you spare the time to ring me up one morning - phone Preston 2431. I will be in any morning all this week. Yours Very sincerely, Margery Spiller. p.s. Capt. Harry Love at R.A.F. Aerodrome Sywell writes that he will be very glad to give me a reference, should you require one. He employed me at Eastbourne Club as an instructor. Dear Miss Spiller, I received your letter yesterday. I had intended to write to you concerning the possibility of you joining the Air Transport Auxiliary, but I did not know your new address. I would point out that you are labouring under a delusion in thinking that you have an enemy in Mr. d'Erlanger or anywhere in the Air Transport Auxiliary. Personal prejudice, even if it existed, which I am sure it does not, would never be allowed to interfere with the engagement of a pilot, and I must say that although I quite understand your feelings, I do not think you do yourself or your chances any good by writing such letters. I pointed this out to you some time ago, if you remember. However, I am now able to offer you a position as a pilot in No.5 Ferry Pool on a month's probation, providing the Air Ministry sanction the granting of a contract. Will you please send me three copies of a photograph of yourself. It should be head and shoulders, without a hat, and on receipt of these photographs, we will send them to our Administration Officer, and he will communicate with you here in the near future. 21 Nov 1940. From: Henrietta Stapleton-Bretherton, Adjutant. To: Mr Purnell, Establishment Officer, White Waltham. Miss P.M. Spiller passed her test here on 29.6.40. I shall be glad if you can get her pass through as soon as possible. Will you please communicate with her at 60, Wiltdean Court, Preston, Brighton, where she has gone to live, as 'Dene Place' is now shut up. 26 Nov 1940. Dear Miss Gower, I was so pleased to receive your letter and to hear that you will give me a job. I do hope I shall make a success of it. I promise you I will try to do my best in every way. I enclose the photographs you asked for. I wonder if the A.T.A. will kindly write to Capt. Jennings-Bramley A.R.P.O., Brighton, saying that you have called me up and ask for a transfer to the A.T.A. I would be very much obliged if you would. I propose leaving the A.R.P. say two weeks from next Wednesday. I would like a weeks rest before I start work with you. I imagine it will take about three weeks before my papers go through. Could you suggest somewhere for me to live in Hatfield, and would it be possible to bring my old wire terrier dog as I don't know what to do with the poor little chap. It would break his heart to leave me. I thought perhaps someone may know of a kindly landlady who would not object to looking after him when I am away. He is a very old dog and gives no trouble, and I just couldn't bear to leave him. Does one get paid during the four weeks on probation? Monthly or weekly? Would I be allowed to have a uniform providing I wear no stripes, only wings. It would save the bother of bringing lots of clothes, and would be inspiring. If allowed where do I get the uniform? Would it be cheaper to get flying kit at Hatfield - or shall I rush up to town and get a rigout, and what do you wish me to get? At the moment I have nothing as I gave it all away thinking I would never fly again. Should I be allowed to start off with a blue uniform I could send the measurements and could have any necessary alterations made down here by my tailor. My wardrobe is so low at the moment, as I have been wearing uniform in the A.R.P.. If I could start with your uniform it would save buying a lot of things. Should I be unfortunate and not be taken on after the months probation, I would be quite prepared to take the loss.#Please excuse all these questions but they do seem rather necessary as I cannot call to see you. Thanking you for your kind consideration. Margery 28 Nov 1940. Dear Miss Spiller, Miss Gower has asked me to reply to your letter and to acknowledge receipt of the photographs. Miss Gower will write to Capt. Jennings-Bramley, and will ask for you to be transferred to the Women's Section, Air Transport Auxiliary. When your contract has been signed, Mr. Purnell, Administration Officer of the Air Transport Auxiliary, at White Waltham, will tell you when to report for duty. This will probably not be for some weeks. Before joining us, most pilots come here and arrange about their own billet, but if you are unable to do this, I will book you a room at the Stone House Hotel for a few days, and this will enable you to look round yourself afterwards. The Stone House has no accommodation for dogs. You will be issued, on loan, with flying kit and your pay will start from the date upon which you join. No uniform of any kind is issued to pilots until they complete their probationary month. Yours Sincerely, (Adjutant) 8 Feb 1941. Dear Miss Gower, I do hope nothing has gone wrong with my contract to join the A.T.A. It is nearly three months since I last heard from you. I have moments of 'panic' when I think about it. It is rather awkward not knowing when I have to report to you for duty - as I can't make any definite arrangements about 'rooms'. I have written to various addresses at Hatfield, but there doesn't seem anywhere to live there. How I wish you operated from Gatwick Aerodrome as I live so near and it would save me from keeping two places going. I suppose it would be ridiculous of me to ask if I could be fitted in at Gatwick. I heard that you did send a machine round London for that purpose. Should I have to live a little way out of Hatfield could you arrange for me to have an extra supply of petrol coupons? I have a 12 h.p. car and I only have 6 galls per month. It would take all that to get from here to Hatfield. I wish I could run up and have a talk with you. It is so difficult to explain all this by letter. I do hope I shall make a success of the job. Believe me I do want to do my very best both in the air as a pilot and on the ground. When I start work I wonder as a special favour if you would personally give me a few 'circuits'. It would give me confidence. I have the greatest faith in you as after all you are one of the pioneers of flying & you are the right person in the right job. Please accept Best Wishes for a Happy New Year. Yours Sincerely, Margery. 10 Feb 1941, Dear Miss Spiller, In reply to your letter of the 8th inst., addressed to Miss Gower, we have not yet received your pass from the Air Ministry, and until this comes through you will not receive your contract. There is always unlimited delay in this connection, and you will have to wait patiently until it is received. I am afraid you have been misinformed about a taxi machine picking up pilots who live in or around London. There has never been any such means of conveyance. If you live within a radius of ten miles of Hatfield, it will be possible for you to have a little extra petrol to get to and from work. As I said in my letter of the 28th November last, it would be better if you stayed the first few days at the Stone House and looked round for living accommodation from there. You will be notified by Captain Kiek at White Waltham when to report here for duty. Yours Sincerely, (Adjutant) 19th February. Dear Miss Spiller, Will you please report here for duty on March 1st. During your probationary period you will be paid at the rate of £230 per anum, plus £7.10.0 subsistence allowance. Subject to your probationary period and final test proving satisfactory, you will then be rated as Second Officer and be entitled to a basic salary of £230 per annum plus £8 per month flying pay, plus £15 per month subsistence allowance. If you require any further information, I shall be pleased to let you have it. Yours Faithfully, (Adjutant) 29th February 1941. Chief Instructor To: O.C. No 5 F.P. Re: 2nd Officer Spiller and Clayton. The above have this day successfully passed a confirmation of appointment flight test. Both these officers are considered good pilots for the experience they have had and are likely to become useful ferry pilots.
29 May 1941: Instructor's Report: Flies well and carefully. Little lacking in confidence and although quite good shows experience of only about 300-400 hours rather than the 2,000 claimed. 29 May 1941: This one is self-explanatory:
1 Jun 1941. To: The Accountant, B.A.T. From: Henrietta Dear Sir, Thank you for your letter of 25th May. Miss Spiller is employed at this Ferry Pool, and the above address will find her. Her Commanding Officer has spoken to her about this matter, and Miss Spiller has said that she will look into it. White Waltham. Sunday. Dear Miss Gower, I hear we are retuning to Hatfield soon, as we have finished school. I wonder if you could do me a secial favour? and give me permission to stay here, and go over every morning in the Anson? I am so terribly happy and settled in my billets, and was so uncomfortable at Hatfield.... I am staying with some friends of my family and living a normal comfortable home life, which makes such a difference to my work. Am working very hard and do hope you will receive a not-too-bad report. In haste. Please accept my love. Margery. White Waltham. Monday. Dear Miss Gower, Thank you so very very much for giving your permission for me to stay on here until we move to Luton. It really is most kind of you and it helps no end. How relieved I am to know that 'we girls' are sticking together under your control, although it is rather fun landing out at various aerodromes. It is more interesting and broadens our 'flying views' and I think shows the men that we can fly as well if not much better than they can. Please may I learn to fly the Anson, so that when Margie [Fairweather] is off I could take it to Hatfield and back. It would be empty, and I know I could do the job, as I feel happy on twins (or used to). It would be a lovely way to start on a machine like that in case later on I may be needed on something big. Please do let me? I would feel more useful. I am getting on very well and doing everything very quietly. Am so terribly happy, and love my job. I hope to have dual on the Harvard tomorrow. Do hope I put up a good show and that you will be pleased and never regret having taken me on in the A.T.A. Am so grateful to you. Love, Margery. 6 Nov 1941. From: A.B. Macmillan, Chief Instructor. This is to certify that First Officer M. Spiller (Miss) has this day completed a course of training qualifying her to fly Class 2 aircraft. Confidential School Report This Officer is a good pilot and her progress during the course has not been unduly slow. She is inclined to underconfidence however and when nearing the end of the course she became over anxious about the result and was obviously trying too hard. She was granted 7 days leave, returned and passed out with assessment average. 8 Nov 1941. To: Chief Accountant. Please note that F/O Miss Spiller is entitled to receive "First Officer C" pay as from and including 7.11.41 4 Dec 1941. To: Miss P Gower, C.O. 5FPP, Hatfield. From: O.C. RAF Sealand, Flintshire, Wales RE: 1st Officer Spiller This pilot has twice recently landed at Sealand and telephoned us up asking for us to take on her machine. Each time she has given personal reasons for wanting to get back, and also complained that she is very frightened of the types of machines she has been flying, namely: Hurricanes and Masters. This morning when she telephoned us she claims to have been at Sealand for a week, and to be short of money and laundry. We have been flying between here and Prestwick on at least three days during the last six, and at any rate there has been good enough weather for her to fly her machine into Hawarden. She seemed extremely reluctant to do this, but I think it is wrong that we should be asked to take machines from other aerodromes than Hawarden. On both these occasions I felt more or less obliged to take over the machine, as this officer sounded very nervous and worried about her job, so I decided that it would be unwise to leave her there with it. ...Perhaps some steps can be taken to prevent this pilot continuing this practice. [Margery went off sick on the 21st December] 12 Jan 1942. From: Dr J.G. Thwaites, Brighton This is to certify that Miss M Spiller is suffering from debility after mumps and is not fit to return to duty. 26 Feb 1942. From Establishment Officer. To: Chief Instructor Re: Acting F/O P.M. Spiller According to our records the above officer has been absent from duty since 22.1.42 suffering from mumps. Her flying pay and subsistence allowance were accordingly stopped after a fortnights absence, but in view of the exceptionally long time she has been off duty I should be glad to know whether you wish any further action taken. 16 Mar 1942. From Dr. E.F.Bambury M.D, 10 Harley St London W.1 This is to certify that Miss M. Spiller is not yet fit to resume flying duties. She probably will be able to resume her duties within two months. 20 Mar 1942. From : Kitty Farrer (P.A. to Miss Gower) Dear Margery, Miss Gower has just received your Medical Certificate dated March 16th. In view of the fact that you have now been away on sick leave for the past three months and that this last certificate states that you "will probably be able to resume duties within two months", Miss Gower considers that it would be much more satisfactory if you were to see the Chief Medical Officer of A.T.A. She has therefore arranged for him to see you on Tuesday March 20th[sic], and has asked me to write to you to ask you to report to him at White Waltham on that date. I understand that he will probably be able to see you at any time during the day. 11 May 1942. From Mrs Nicholas, 30 Aberdeen Pl, St John's Wood London NW8. Dear Miss Gower, Just a short note to let you know that my cousin Margery Spiller died this morning from cancer, she unfortunately left it too long before consulting a Dr. as to what really was the trouble. I am glad to say she did not realise how seriously ill she was & it really is a happy release under the circumstances. I wonder if you could let me have the address of her billets at Hatfield also at White Waltham as I understand she has left belongings at both places, also I believe she had some flying kit at Hatfield but I do not know if it is her property or issue & the same with her uniform, I would be glad if you would let me know. The funeral as far as I know will be on Thursday next at Croydon Crematorium being the nearest place to Sevenoaks if any of her particular pals would come, to know [sic]. 12 May 1942. From: Pauline Gower. Dear Mrs Nicholson, Thank you very much for your letter of the 11th May. I am more sorry than I can say to hear the sad news about Marjorie [sic, I'm sorry to say] Spiller, and please accept my very deep sympathy. She will be a great loss to us, not only as a pilot, but as a very charming companion, and I know that I am speaking for all her colleagues, as well as for myself. Unfortunately, I shall not be able to go to the funeral myself, but I believe that some of her friends are coming. With again my deepest sympathy. Yours Sincerely, Commandant of Women Pilots. 12 May 1942, From Flt. Capt. Stocks, Establishment Officer, ATA. Dear Mr Spiller, It was with deep regret that I learnt from the Commanding Officer of the death of your neice - Miss P.M. Spiller, and I am directed to express the heartfelt sympathy of the Commanding Officer and fellow A.T.A. pilots in your sad bereavement. No doubt you are aware that your neice had been with this organisation for over twelve months, and it is felt that had she been spared, her adaptability and proficiency would have made her an excellent ferry pilot, and her loss is one that we can ill afford. 15 May 1942. From P.A. Spiller, to Establishment Officer, ATA. Dear Capt Stocks, I deeply appreciate the kind lines of sympathy in which you have expressed the sympathy of the Commanding Officer and fellow A.T.A. pilots, including yourself, to me in the sad death of my neice Miss P.M. Spiller who has been with you all for a long time now. Your reference to her adaptability, and proficiency, is also gratefully acknowledged, for I know her whole heart and soul was in the war job which she had undertaken. I will ask you to kindly convey my thanks, and the contents of this letter, to all who knew my neice and have so kindly thought of me in my bereavement. I am, Yours Sincerely, P.A. Spiller Flight recorded her passing, thus: 28 May 1942: "We regret to record the death, at Sevenoaks, after an illness, of Marjory [sic, and I wish somebody would spell her 'f'ing name right for goodness' sake] Spiller , who was Chief Instructor to the Eastbourne Flying Club before the outbreak of war, and afterwards joined the women's section of the A.T.A. She learnt to fly at Shoreham in 1935 as a member of the South Coast Flying Club and gained an instructor's endorsement to her 'B' licence in 1938." 15 May 1942. From Betty Nicholas. Dear Miss Gower, Thank you very much for your kind sympathy and the lovely flowers. I am sure Margery would have been very honoured to know that she was missed as she was so proud of being in A.T.A. & of being of some use to the country during these trying days. Margery's flying record in the ATA: Moth: 74hrs 50min; Magister: 18hrs 35min; Tutor: 4 hrs 35min; Hart: 1hr 10min; Harvard: 3hrs 30min; Battle: 1hr 05min; Hurricane: 1hr 30min; Master: 4hrs 25 min Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC
ATA1935
Father: Lord George Ernest May, a financial expert and civil servant (d. 1946); mother: Lily Julia [Strauss] OBE Ed. London School of Arts and Crafts Address in 1941: Eyot House, Weybridge, Surrey. Later 42 Orchard Court, Portman Sq, London Prev. a bookbinder; WVS; WRNS chief Petty Officer W/T Operator at Worthy Down, from Apr 1940 prev. exp 150 hrs Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP 4-engine (Class 5) pilot
At least 4 accidents, none her fault: - 26-Aug-42, a forced wheels-up landing in Botha I L6243 after engine failure on a go-round - 11-Dec-42, her Mosquito IV DZ405 flew into a flock of seagulls, sustaining minor damage - 28-Jan-43, another forced landing, this time in Argus HM188 after the cowling came loose and fouled the propeller - 16-Mar-43, a crash landing in Wellington II Z8051 after engine failure before single-engine speed had been reached. Two of her passengers (Fay Bragg and Evelyn Hudson) were injured, Evelyn seriously.
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air m. 1955 in Chelsea, George Leonard Brunton Henderson
d. 10 Apr 1995
1987 IWM Interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009815 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1934
ATA 
1942 caricature by
5' 9". Fair hair, blue eyes. née Dunn Father: Sir James Dunn, a Canadian banker. "Sir James and Lady Dunn own a ranch in Canada. It is a 12,000 acre estate near Bathurst, New Brunswick, near the spot where Sir James was born." "Miss Joan Dunn is the sister of Miss Kathleen 'Kit' Dunn. They are among London's most beautiful debutantes" The Scotsman, 17 Mar 1928
m. Jun 1928 Hubert John Duggan - "Mr Duggan is resigning a commission in the Life Guards to enter politics in the Conservative Party" They divorced in 1930, after Joan admitted adultery with John Jenkinson. There was one child, of which Hubert was granted custody.
m. 1930 in Easthampstead, Berks, John Anthony Jenkinson (suicide, 1935) 31 October 1935: "WORRY DRIVES MAN TO NEEDLESS SUICIDE Dramatic evidence was given Mrs. Joan Jenkinson, the youngest daughter of Sir James Dunn, the Canadian financier, at the inquest at Hammersmith to-day on her husband, Mr. John Anthony Jenkinson, who was found shot in his Chelsea home on Tuesday. A verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind" was returned. Mrs. Jenkinson told the coroner that her husband was 29 years of age, and a sugar merchant. His general health had not been very good of late, and he had been in a nursing home for little while. He had been depressed owing to financial troubles. She had been away, and when she returned home on Tuesday she found a letter on the table in her husband's handwriting addressed to her. She had lunch with him afterwards, but returned about 4:40pm to find him dead." "I do die with the most beautiful thoughts of you." This was a phrase in a letter left to his wife by John Anthony Jenkinson, aged 29, who shot himself at his flat in Tite-street, Chelsea. S.W. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was recorded" prev. a Cadet Officer with the Mechanised Transport Corps, May to Jul 1940 Address in 1940: 1, Wilton House, London SW1 Postings: 1FPP, 5TFPP, 9FPP, 15FPP Off sick from 7 Apr to 26 Jun, then 74 Jul to 29 Sep 1941 with 'sciatic neuritis' 3 accidents, none her fault: - 13 Oct 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire I L1021, following partial engine failure (she was commended) - 20 Feb 1944, the tailwheel of her Spitfire retracted after landing, due to a hydraulic fault - 5 Jul 1944, the engine of her Spitfire cut out during takeoff; she retracted the undercarriage and managed to miss the far hedge
Her C.O. at 9 FPP, Hugh Bergel, thought her "a most conscientious, industrious and reliable ferry pilot. Her unassuming but charming personality are both an asset and a good influence in the Pool." m. 1943, Hon. Charles Dutton, also of the ATA d. 1982 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: William Sidney Corbett-Lowe Ed. Howells School, Denbigh prev. a Teacher of Dancing 5ft 10in tall, hazel eyes Mary told Veronica Volkersz that that her husky voice was "due not to gin but to faulty vocal cords." m. 30 Mar 1940 David Ronald Hunter, son of the Reverend and Mrs Hunter, of Childwall Vicarage, Liverpool
Address in 1941: 30 Bidston Rd, Oxton, Cheshire Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP
4 accidents, 2 her fault: - 17 Dec 1941, she stalled her Hurricane when attempting a cross-wind landing and damaged a wing; - 3 Oct 1942, she failed to control the take-off swing of a Tomahawk I and "swung violently"; - 2 Sep 1942, made a normal landing in a Tomahawk II but an undercarrriage leg collapsed, due to a technical problem, and - 29 Jan 1943, her Spitfire IX was hit by a tractor while she was stationary. "A keen and hard-working pilot" and "An excellent pilot and a most useful member of the Ferry Pool". (Marion Wilberforce) [Contract Terminated by ATA - 3 months notice due to pregnancy - David b. Oct 1943] d. 2010 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1939
1942 caricature by
Father: Maj. George Victor d'A Innes (Royal Scots Fusiliers), mother Mary Beatrice [Benyon] Grew up in India from age 6, (educated: "privately") RAeC Cert 17,266 (16 Feb 1939); she learnt to fly at Brooklands prev. Civil Air Guard, 15 months as a driver for the London (Auxiliary) Ambulance Volunteer Service prev. exp. 70 hrs Address in 1939: Queensmead Lodge, King's Road, Windsor, Berks Postings: 15FPP, 2FPP, 3FPP
8 accidents, 3 her fault - 8 May 1941, in Tiger Moth T6116, she taxied off the runway which was in "bad condition" - 27 Jan 1942, her Hurricane AG137 nosed over after a poor landing - 25 Sep 1942, she had a fire in the port carburettor of her Wellington III BK257 after stopping engines - 12 Feb 1943, taxying "without due care" in Spitfire Vb AD386, her wing hit the side of a low loader trailer - 21 Jan 1944, the tail wheel of her Seafire IIc MB217 was damaged while taxying - 13 Mar 1944, the port tyre of her Anson N9920 burst while taxying - 12 Jul 1944, taxying in Argus II NB604, she ran into a pile of chocks - 27 Jul 1944, a forced landing in an Anson after failure of the port engine.
She was considered a 'careful, steady' pilot: "An extremely reliable and intelligent pilot whose influence in the [ferry] pool is good. Has progressed well." She was, however, reckoned to be 'too diffident in manner to really possess any great qualities of leadership. It is her sense of responsibility and interest in the job that makes her a useful Flight Captain".
m. Dec 1942 Flt. Lt. Gerard Volkersz of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service (divorced 1947)
ATA experience: 1,200 hrs on 60 types - including ...
... being the first woman to deliver a Meteor, (EE386) on 15 Sep 1945 Post-WWII, a Pilot Officer in the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR), but was not awarded her 'wings' - she later wrote "four [actually five] of the girls qualified, but by that time I was working hard with an Army Co-operation Unit, and had neither the leisure, nor, for that matter, the inclination to follow suit" Mardi Gething, Patricia Kendall and Vera Strodl were also appointed as Pilot Officers in the WRAFVR at the same time (June 1950)
"A summer cocktail party at Biggin Hill Air Station which, favoured by brilliant weather, was greatly appreciated by the 250 guests"
She and Freydis Leaf flew RAF-surplus Tempests to Pakistan, for Mayfair Air Services. She was not taken on when the contract transferred to another company, despite all the other (male) pilots being offered a job, then in 1951 (having gained her commercial pilot's licence, joined Monique Agazarian (also ex-ATA) at Island Air Services. wrote "The Sky and I" (W.H.Allen 1956); "Her experiences make interesting reading for all who have their heads in the skies"
In 1956, "Members of No. 3618 Fighter Control Unit returned to headquarters in The Goffs on Saturday from 15 days’ annual training at the Royal Air Force station, Sandwich. Adding to the interest this year has been the fact that one the pilots was Mrs Veronica Volkersz. A wartime member of the Air Transport Auxiliary, she has over 3,000 flying hours in her log book and has piloted 60 different types of aircraft." - Eastbourne Gazette - 29 Aug 1956
d. 13 Dec 2000 - Cambridge IWM interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009149 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Volkersz Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1942
"Sunday tea-dance" in December 1941
1942 caricature by 
The Tatler
Veronica with Sqn-Ldr D R Turley-George DFC -
Father Ernest, mother Frances Isabel (Butler), who was Irish. She was an heir to the Pitman (of shorthand fame) family fortune. Honor learnt to fly originally in 1927 (at the age of 14) at the Bristol and Wessex Aero Club but "because of my age, I always had to fly with someone & could never go to other aerodromes to land." Eventually, in 1936, she passed her RAeC Certificate and had done 120 hours before the start of WWII. She was in Australia in 1938, and then started as a driver in the 12th Oxford Motor Transport ATS on the 1st September 1939; however, when she heard that the ATA was on the lookout for people with flying experience, she wrote to them in March 1940: "I would very much like to know if there is the possibility of my joining your section of the service? I am an 'A' pilot & have only done about 120hrs flying in small club planes - Swallows, Cadets and Aroncas, but I am prepared to take any training in any line if I could help you. 4 years ago I joined the FANYs [which I gather stands for First Aid Nursing Yeomanry] in hopes of a flying section being started, but this never materialized.... I had been hoping on my return from Australia last year to have my own plane & work for my 'B' licence but instead I have had to content myself with reading text books." The ATS, by the sound of it, didn't want to release her, and in December 1940 she asked the ATA to "please write to my Group Commander so that she can have a letter to show the 'powers that be' that the work I am asking to transfer to will be more important than the work I am doing at this present". Eventually she was invited to do a flight test, which she passed, although the assessment was that she lacked experience and would need to be carefully supervised during her development. She enjoyed the experience, though: "Monday was a wonderful break to this humdrum war life for me, I thought everyone was so kind." However, as there were no vacancies at the time for less experienced pilots, she was placed on a waiting list. She wrote: "I am of course very disappointed to hear you now cannot take me, but I am still bouyed up hoping one day you may call me up. In the mean time, I have a very interesting job and am trying to persuade myself that I am lucky." She started her probationary month with the ATA in March 1941, and became Mrs Pomeroy Salmon in June.
Her subsequent flying career started well but she then suffered two accidents in two days; firstly, on the 5th March 1942, she taxied a Spitfire into an unmarked soft patch, then on the 6th the starboard undercarriage of a Hurricane collapsed. These events left her in what was called in those days a 'very highly strung condition', and she was given a month's rest, and then a refresher course. The instructor's report was ambivalent: "This pilot needed a refresher and has benefitted by being returned to school. Her chief fault is her attitude towards her job. If she can be persuaded that flying is, after all, a very ordinary occupation, with common sense the main ingredient and that an ordinary sensible woman makes a better ferry pilot than a temperamental prima donna, she will do better and inspire greater confidence."
Unfortunately her subsequent reports, whilst allowing that she did improve generally, continued to express doubts: "An unstable type. She admits she gets into a flap flying with an instructor, and claims she has no difficulty in navigating solo. Apparently tends to rely on Bradshawing [i.e. following railway lines] so I did not destroy her confidence in that, but showed her more polished methods."... "Very self-important at times" ... "This pilot occasionally flies well - but not so well as she thinks she does. Her progress will need very careful watching". She had another mishap, on the 26th August; she overran the perimeter of the runway in a Spitfire and nosed over in a heap of rubble, damaging the propeller. She was, however, deemed "Not responsible, as she had to swerve to avoid an Oxford landing"; lack of aerodrome control was blamed. But still the worrying comments from her instructors kept coming: "She is not very bright when any difficulty arises. She is definitely very over-confident, and also lost herself on one occasion"... "this pilot has taken a long time to reach an average standard. Has worked hard and been very attentive, but should be watched carefully"..."Her greatest trouble now is her forgetfullness. Her flying is satisfactory but she is apt to forget things" She was allowed to carry on flying, however; perhaps it was because everyone seems to have liked her, and valued her as a companion. Eventually, what now seems inevitable happened; on the 19 April 1943 she flew on in bad weather instead of turning back, and was killed when her Airspeed Oxford MN765 hit high ground near Devizes.
She was deemed to be 'at fault' for her fatal accident.
Memorial in St Peter's Church, Dyrham (with thanks to Andrew Heron) Western Daily Press, 24 Apr 1943: "The death of First Officer Honor Isabel Pomeroy Salmon (30), of the Air Transport Auxiliary, is announced. Daughter of and Mrs Ernest Pitman, of The Cottage, Dyrham, Glos., and the grand-daughter of the late Sir Isaac Pitman, of Pitman's shorthand, she attended school at Abbot's Hill and at Westonbirt School, near Tetbury. and at the age of 17 became a member of the Bristol Flying Club, taking her licence and becoming a keen pilot. She was a keen breeder and trainer of ponies, and frequently hunted with the Duke of Beaufort's pack and took part in point-to-point meetings. In June, 1941, she married Major H. Pomeroy Salmon, of the 3rd Hussars. She had been a member of the A.T.A. for two years." WILL OF MRS. HONOR SALMON First Officer Honor Isabel Pomeroy Salmon left £30.279 7s. 2d. gross, with net personalty £28,131 6s. 6d She left her shares in Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., and Dun Mallard, Ltd., to the children of her brothers Isaac, Christian and John, together with her leasehold property, the site of 1, Amen Corner, London (destroyed by enemy action) and the right to receive war damage compensation. Subject to the disposal of her effects she left the residue to her husband, to whom, together with her brother Christian E. Pitman, Doynton House, Doynton, probate has been granted. " Pauline Gower should have the last word, perhaps. "Honor will be very much missed not only as an excellent pilot but as a friend. She was a charming and gallant person." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1942 caricature by 
via Andrew Heron
4th April 1941: "Second Officers Pitman and Guinness attended for confirmation of appointment flight test on the 30th March, 1941 and both were successful. Miss Guinness is considered above average for the amount of experience she has had." Veronica Innes (who started on the same day, mentions her (and the conformation of appointment flight test) but simply says she "unfortunately, failed to make the grade and retired early from the scene."
[... but so far, no more details of the mysterious Miss Guinness have emerged]
[Grania Guinness, who joined the WAAF in May 1942, told me that she was never in the ATA]
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"Second finger right hand malformed" Ed. at Devonport College, Plymouth m. 1939 Adelaide B [Stephenson] prev. an 'Official' in Sun Life Assurance Society, and 1 year in 'a Banking Firm' RAF Sergeant Pilot from 17 Sep 1939 to 21 Jan 1941 Address in 1941: 37 Bemberley Avenue, then 114 Hurst Grove, Bedford Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP He was absent for 4 months in 1944 due to a motor accident, and suspended for 7 days without pay in Sep-45 for 'Low Flying'. "A keen pilot who I think is apt to underestimate his own ability", or "Had some difficulty at the commencement of training apparently due to the fact that he considered the Halifax an easy proposition." One of the very last batch of pilots to leave the ATA at the end of WWII. After leaving the ATA he lived at 53 Philpotts Avenue, Bedford, and became a civil pilot. d. 15 Mar 1949 at Gatow Aerodrome, during the Berlin Airlift (26 Jun 1948 – 30 Sep 1949). He was the pilot of Skyways Avro York G-AHFI, which lost control while approaching Gatow; the port wing dropped and the aircraft dived into the ground. Two other Skyways staff - co-pilot Henry Thomas Newman and Radio Operator Peter James Edwards - also died.
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Henry Thomas Newman in 1946, aged 22
Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 9FPP, 8FPP, 1FPP
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
m. 29 Dec 1934, Elizabeth Marsden [Smith, d. 1988], 2 children US Naval Aviator #3592 (1930)
prev. exp. 3,000 hrs From 1940, attached to Scouting Squadron 2 (USS Lexington) Part Time Pilot Address from 1944: 195 Hanover St., Annapolis, MD (his father's house) Appointed as Senior Naval Member of the joint U.S. Defense Board in 1951. In 1973, he withheld $74.83 in taxes due to Anne Arundel County, Maryland due to what he called an "unfair tax differential." d. 12 May 1998 (age 94) - Annapolis, MD Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1980 - still fighting the county over tax
prev. a journalist for the 'London Evening News' from 1925; "no previous employment" His brother Hugh said: "Jack was nearly four years older than I was, so that we never overlapped at school, and were never quite as close to each other as I would have liked. All his working life had been spent on the London Evening News, which he joined as a cub reporter. By the time he left to join ATA he was, or had been, wireless correspondent, motor-racing correspondent, music critic, Rugby football correspondent, aviation correspondent and writer of the Diary. But for years his main job had been that of Dramatic Critic, and there must be some who can still recall the reviews he wrote over the initials J.G.B." prev exp. 160 hrs He originally applied in July 1940: "My brother Hugh tells me that the A.T.A. is still anxious to recruit ferry pilots. As I am despairing, after ten months, of getting into the RAF in any capacity - I've seen three [selection] boards who all lose interest when they find I'm over 30 and wear glasses - I would like to know if I am any good for your service - which sounds disrespectful, I'm afraid, but isn't meant to be." He added: "I'm nothing like as good a pilot, naturally, as Hugh, but I can find my way; it always was my one aeronautical talent." [ His brother Hugh had learnt to fly in 1928, and had already joined the ATA] However, when he turned up for a flight test in September 1940, the report was that "this applicant's standard of flying is so low that he cannot be accepted for ATA duties even on light types". By January 1941 the ATA had realised that it needed more pilots, even if they had to train them themselves. Accordingly, a second test was arranged for the 19th January; this time he was accepted, and duly started on the 3rd March. By the 7th November, when he was posted to No 6 FPP, he had satisfactorily passed training courses on Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 aircraft. Sadly, he was killed a week later.
d. 15 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Blenheim Z6080 stalled on landing approach to Oulton. He "made his final approach too slowly, particularly having regard to the fact that it was a fully equipped Blenheim IV, with inner and outer tanks full." [Hugh attributed the accident to a faulty air-speed indicator reading, "caused by water in the system, which in turn was caused by aircraft having to live their lives out in the open through all weathers."] His mother said of him "Jack's happiest months were spent in the ATA". Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
brother of Leonard Massie Cheer (M.78) m. Sep 1941 Address in 1941: 12 The Greenway, Anlaby Pk, Hull, Yorks, then 14 Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen prev. a motor engineer and garage proprietor; Pilot Officer in the Air Defence Cadet Corps Apr-40 to Dec-40 Also worked for Blackburn Aircraft Co. in Hull, Yorks. Postings: 2FPP, 4,FPP, 4aFPP Accident in Walrus 9 Jul 1942: when landing, a/c dropped wing, hit violently and caught fire. Pilot is held responsible. Jan-43: "A good officer whose flying is now quite satisfactory, but still receiving treatment after his recent accident." d. Jun 1973 - Holderness, Yorks. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
ATA
Ed. University of California next of kin: (Father) William Ernest Jenkins, [who was "Welsh-American") Hotel Lankershim, 7th Broadway, Los Angeles. Mother Ambie McMican m. Dec 1936 to actress Doris [Dudley], [IMDB: Doris Dudley was born on July 7, 1917 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for The Moon and Sixpence (1942), The Secret Fury (1950) and A Woman Rebels (1936). She died on August 14, 1985 in Greenville, Texas, USA.] 1 child Jack Dudley 'Butch' Jenkins [IMDB: He was an actor, known for National Velvet (1944), The Human Comedy (1943) and Boys' Ranch (1946). He was married to Gloria. He died on August 14, 2001 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.] prev. restaurant trade, US Navy aviation cadet Jan-40 to Feb-41 Address in 1941: 1132 So. Roxbury Drive, Los Angeles CA Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP Off sick with appendicitis from 17 Jun 1941 to 31 Jul 1941 Fined 14 days pay in May-41 for "shooting up Henley" "A very capable pilot and an excellent officer in every way" d. 16 Dec 1989 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATAM
b: 29 Aug 1937 in Los Angeles
prev. a Flight Sub-Lieut., R.N., then a physician
Commended for "valuable service in the air", 14 Jun 1945 Address in 1946: Mylor Bridge, Falmouth, Cornwall |
1915
ATAM
1946
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
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". d. 25 Dec 1989 - Horsham, W Sussex
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1938
Ancestry
Herbert's business card
Faith (l) and Herbert (r) visiting Gleneagles Hotel in 1952
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): |
1937
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
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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." |
1941
1942
prev a test pilot; arrived in the UK in June 1940, and worked at the RAF Repair Depot at Burton Wood. prev exp. 500 hrs He was in demand as a 'very highly skilled engineer'- The Container Engineering Co. Ltd of Maidenhead even asked if he could be transferred to them, in March 1942. Although his initial flying reports were fine ("A good pilot, very careful and of good average ability"), in June 1943 he failed the conversion course for Class 5 (4-engine) aircraft (Stirling): "This pilot proved temperamental and erratic and his flying generally was disappointing... especially taxying which was much too fast and careless!" Charles Tutt, who was on the same course, said that, if he had been the instructor, he "would have failed him two hours earlier". He continued to do good work on single- and twin-engine aircraft, however, and eventually amassed 1,135 hrs in the ATA.
d. 8 Jun 1944 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter NV235 flew into hillside in poor visibility near Mull of Galloway, Scotland.
23-year-old Senior Flight Engineer Royston Edwin Staniford also died in the crash. After the funeral, his wife Lucienne returned to Scarborough but two days later was taken ill and subsequently had a miscarriage. She returned to France in late 1944. He is commemorated in Saint-Lager:
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ATAM
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:
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)
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Still living at 18 Queens Gate Mews, with Charles and Hilda, in 1956, but alone there in 1964 after Hilda moved to Dorset and Charles got married. d. 13 Jan 1986 - Hereford Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1932
1929
1942 caricature by
prev. A Fishmonger - "C. Tutt & Sons" but a prominent pre-war racing pilot, owning: - a 1929 D.H. Gipsy Moth, G-AAJW; - a 1931 D.H. Gipsy Moth, G-ABPK; - a 1932 Comper Swift, G-ABWE; - a 1933 GAL ST.4 Monospar 2, G-ACEW. exp. 850 hrs, 'mostly on light types'. Cleared for Class 5 (4-engine) aircraft; "an excellent officer and a splendid example to his colleagues. A highly capable ferry pilot and one of the hardest workers in the pool. He has a modest and pleasant personality and his sense of discipline is of the highest order." d.1992, Surrey King's Cup in 1938 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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]:
[Although the 'Tatler and Bystander' has her maiden name as 'Shanks'] 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): |
1939
ATA
The 'Bystander'
Father: Thomas Henry Read, a District Inspector, Bus Company; Mother: Agnes Sybil [Sandalls] Ed. Maidenhead College prev. RAF F/O, Ser No 39682, Hawkinge, 9 Mar 1937 to 4 Dec 1940; F/O from 8 Nov 1939; "Invalided out of RAF" m. ? 1940 in Kent, Cissie [Bryant] prev. exp. 350 hrs on Tiger Moth, Hart, Magister, Tutor, Hind, Battle, Audax in England and France Address in 1941: The Spinney, Cookham Dean, Maidenhead Postings: 1FPP "A keen and satisfactory pilot" [Contract Terminated] ----------------------------- As Airfield Controller / (Assistant Adjutant / Maps and Signals 3 May 1943 to 30 Sep 1945) Postings: 14FPP, 4FPP Off sick from 28 Sep to 22 Dec 1943 with "Anxiety State" "A good airfield controller who shows initiative and common sense at all times" [divorced] m. 1952 in Maidenhead, Rosetta Vittoria [Paloaro] They lived at 'The Retreat', Cookham Dean; his parents still lived at 'The Spinney' d. 13 Jan 2013 - Ashford, Kent Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Ed. Indian State High School, Terre Haute; W.C. Bryant Grammar School, University of New Mexico Next of kin: (Mother) Mrs F R Jones, 3405 Wabash-Terre Haute, IN prev. a trainee for Sears Roebuck & Co, Chicago IL. Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago IL Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Emmett Chaffin (M.568), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - See CNAC Captain Homer E. Anderson, Jr. Joined Consolidated Airways Inc. (Convair's own transport service, which used B-24s to carry personnel and cargo, and delivered aircraft, to the Pacific Theatre), and moved to San Diego then Santa Cruz, CA. m. Marilyn [Richardson] of Jacksonville, FL. Their son Homer Edward Anderson III was born in Santa Cruz, CA on 6 May 1944. d. Sep 1973, Seattle WA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Address in 1941: 71 Albany Rd, Cardiff Educated at Cardiff University RAF Flying Officer 1936-40 Postings include: 8FPP
m. Sheila E M Draper 1945, Betty M Davies 1957 d. May 2001 - Chester Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Educated at Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN US Air Corps from Feb-25 to Feb-28, then 'actively engaged as pilot and in aviation sales and service work. Engineer." Worked for Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co. in Philippines for 3 years Address in 1940: 5647 Fountain Ave, Hollywood, CA Postings: 3FPP Aug-41: Fined one week's salary ($50) for lighting a cigarette in a Spitfire "A good officer and an excellent pilot." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Mother: Lulie Bell Lemons, father dec'd prev. Crop Dusting for Finkles Bros. Dusting Co. in Leland, MS and Aero Crop Dusters in Avon Park, Florida Address in 1940: Box 704, Belle Glade, Palm Beach FL Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP, 16FPP, 4aFPP Suspended for 1 week in November 1941; Suspended for 7 days for Low Flying over Carlisle, in Sep 1942 2 accidents, neither his fault; - 1 Mar 1942, he ran into a snow bank when landing a Spitfire in slippery conditions, and - 16 Nov 1942, the starboard inner engine of his Fortress failed, but he landed successfully on the remaining three. "Has proved to be satisfactory as a pilot, but has a poor sense of discipline" "Since his arrival at this Pool (16FPP) he has carried out his duties well and is now showing a creditable sense of discipline." Sailed back to the USA on the "Queen Elizabeth" on 25 Jan 1943 with fellow ferry pilots Howard L Cooper (M.512), Robert F Sliker (b. 1904 in Morrisroe NJ), Andrew J Burke (b. 1902 in Bonham Texas), Nelson E Brown (b. 1921 in Guilford, PA), Raymond P Hoover (M.345) He was engaged to a Miss Isobel Swift in April 1943; "Miss Swift was associated with Pan-American Airways"... ... however ... m. 24 Jun 1944 Carol 'Tootsie' [Bryant] of Dearborn, MI, the grand-niece of Henry Ford
William was "a test pilot at Henry Ford's Willow Run bomber plant" They moved to Winter Haven, FL in 1958. d. 12 Jan 1979 (age 61) - Winter Haven, FL. "He was a former Winter Haven City Commissioner" His son David (b. 1947) earned his solo flying license at the age of 16 in his father's J-3 Cub and became an airline pilot for Pan American and then Alaska Airlines, retiring in 2007. Carol d. 2012, David in 2013 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1944
father Earl Drumm (dec'd), Mary Eta Parkman m. 1939 to Benita 'Bonnie' Vieve [McCarthy] [d. 2 Jun 2008] prev. exp. 5yrs as a flight instructor in Virgina Air Service, Gordonsville Address in 1941: 503 Carleton Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia Postings: 6FPP "A good pilot who has done all work allocated to him in a satisfactory manner", but: Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons Later a pilot in the US Army Air Transport Command, and then a Colonel in the USAAF. In 1944, he and his crew bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. One of the pilots sent to look for him was James Ansley (M.511), who had travelled to the UK with him in 1941. In 1946, Drumm "picked up a copy of the Southeastern Airport News and read that Ansley was running Page Field for Lee County. After an exchange of telegrams he flew over to Page Field in his PT-17 for a happy reunion with his old flying partner." After WWII, the family lived in Utah and North Carolina while Austin completed his education, then moved to Lexington, Virginia, where from 1963 he was Professor of history at Virginia Military Institute. d. 8 Jan, 1997 - Barboursville, Virginia buried Weedsport, Cayuga County, New York Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Ed. at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and University of Baltimore prev. Managed a Country Club Address in 1941: Elkridge Club, Baltimore - see www.elkridgeclub.org Postings: 6FPP "A good pilot ... an excellent officer and works hard" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Joseph, a Baptist Minister Ed. Fort Myers High School m. 1940 Mary Louise [Foxworthy d. 2008], 1 daughter (Margaret Louise [Loy] d. 2015) prev. Circulation Manager, News-Press Fort Myers 1925-41 Address in 1941: Apt 6-2010 Jackson St, Fort Myers, FL Postings: 2 FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 1FPP "A very good and careful pilot. Navigation very good; keen but inclined to be a little nervous of our weather. Conduct very good." He told the Fort Myers News Press: "Can't say how I came over from England except that I didn't swim or use a rowboat... After this job is over, maybe I can tell a few stories. That's one reason I came back to the States for a visit. I was hungry for a few good American jokes. The English are a good lot but not too long on humor." "Sure we have plenty to eat in England. The English people are long on morale. You can believe all you have read about the big raids on Germany. England has plenty of planes and with the help of the American Air Force there is no limit to the damage that can be inflicted on Germany from the air. The big show is terrific and no country can stand up under bombing of thousands of planes at one time. We ferry pilots don't do that kind of flying but we do handle plenty of ships that have been over the Channel." "Whit grinned and denied that he came across the Atlantic with Churchilll. He did admit to having seen Churchill on a couple of occasions. 'That guy gets around', said Ansley."
In 1944, he was one of the pilots sent to look for Austin Drumm (see above), who had bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. They had travelled to the UK together in 1941. d. 3 Nov 1971, Tampa: "Mr. Ansley had lived in Tampa for the past 17 years and was associated with the Coates Oil Equipment Co. Prior to World War Two he served as a ferry pilot with the ATA in England and served as a pilot with the US Navy during World War Two and the Korean War as a Lt. Commander." "After the war he returned to Fort Myers and for a time was manager of Page Field after the government turned it over to the county... About 3 years ago he retired as sales manager of the Coates Oil Equipment Co. of Tampa when he was seriously injured in an automobile accident. Since the accident he had been an invalid and entered Bay Pines last Saturday when stricken with pneumonia." buried Myrtle Hill Memorial Gardens, Tampa. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Col. Ruby D Garrett Snr, [a lawyer, Kansas City Councilman and WWI veteran, d. 1968], Mother Alma M Ed. University of Kansas City m. 24 Dec 1940 Carolyn [Stockwell] in Jackson, MO In 1939, "Although he has been swimming one mile a day in a local pool, Ruby D. Garrett Jr., son of a Kansas City councilman, has thirty-one pounds to lose yet before the air corps will accept him as a Randolph Field recruit. In two months, he has lost thirty-seven pounds, and now weighs 211 pounds." "'I'll soon be getting down to bone" he said. Address in 1940: Flying Cadet Detachment at Randolph Field, TX, then Parks Air College, St. Clair. IL Postings: 6FPP
21 Nov 1941, he overshot his landing on the only (short) runway available; the brakes were inefficient on wet ground, and he hit a barbed wire fence at the end of the runway. After ATA, sailed back to the USA on 19 Dec 1941 with fellow ATA pilots W Hanks, F P Skillen, P Lowman, J R Holloway, G C Shreve, S C Neville, G R Heintz, and Franklyn Rule Mershon. A pilot for TWA from 1942. In 1969, "At the not particularly advanced age of 53, Ruby Garrett tired of seeing the world from 30,000 feet or so — Paris, Rome, London, Hong Kong, Saigon, etc. And so he began hauling things (including boats) at zero altitude, over highways to meet people. Ruby is a solidly built, balding, blue-eyed extrovert who has put in 27 years as a pilot with TWA, most recently as a captain on international flights. He presently is on medical leave from TWA and plans to retire next March." d. 22 Dec 1990 - Clinton, van Buren, AK [... and don't let anybody tell you that Ruby D Garrett was a woman ferry pilot!] Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1933
ed. Lancing College, then Oriel College Oxford. prev. RAF and RAF Reserve, 1924-33. Later a commercial pilot for Birkett Air Services. King's Cup in 1934 "A very experienced pilot and a good officer" ... " a quiet and unassuming officer who ... is carrying out his duties as second-in-command at this Pool [No 8 FPP, Belfast] in an excellent manner" From March 1945, Officer Commanding No 10 FPP.
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prev. a flight instructor for the 'Spartan School of Aeronautics', which still exists:
Postings: include 8FPP
d. 11 Mar 1993, Topanga, Los Angeles, California Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
The Spartan College Black Cat with the 13 signifies that “Knowledge and Skill Overcome Superstition and Luck”.
With huge thanks to Betsy, Jim's grand-daughter, who sent me many valuable photos and biographical details.
Father: James Emor O'Halloran, a lumber and hardware store owner (G. W. O'Halloran Lumber Co, founded by his father George Washington O'Halloran) and a Member of the Wood Lake Board; "the board met in regular session and allowed a few bills and discussed some very important questions" - The Stockman, 04 Apr 1919
Mother: Elizabeth Catherine [Gardner] (d. age 99 in 1988)
One brother George, and one sister Mary Belle: "George flew B-17s in the 92nd Bomb Group, 327th squadron, of the US Army Air Force and was decorated. He led the largest bombing mission over Berlin, leading 1100 or 1200 bombers. On one mission, George was shot down over Germany, losing all 4 engines, had two of his crew jump because of pieces of the aircraft coming off, and crash-landed successfully, saving all the crew, south of Liege."
"Even Mary Belle (Boyd) learned to fly, getting her flying license privately. She was written up in the Witchita, KS, paper at one point in later life as "the flying grandma". She used to fly herself and my Uncle Rex Boyd from KS to NE to see University of Nebraska football games!"
m. 4 Jul 1935 in Long Pine, Nebraska, Doris Amelia [Lyman] prev. 5 years flying (Private and Commercial); 1940-41, instructor, Spartan School of Aeronautics, Tulsa, Oklahoma ...
...which still exists:
Arrived in Liverpool on the 'SS Mercier' 22 Apr 1941, with fellow ATA pilots John Cleveland Davis Jr (M.416), Gilman Benedict Warne (M.428), Emmett Kenneth Chaffin (M.568), Marvin Harrison Dunlavy Jr (M.408), and Harold Lindsey Price Postings: 6FPP, 8FPP, 3FPP
Off sick from 19 Aug 1941 to 8 Feb 1942 with 'smashed foot' This is First Officer James O'Halloran, his wife Doris and their three-year-old son, [James Emor O'Halloran] 3rd, of Wood Lake, Neb. The picture was taken while O'Halloran was on 40-day furlough from his duties as a ferry pilot. Last August he was one of a number of pilots injured in a plane crash and spent five months in an RAF hospital. He has ferried some 80 different types of planes from airdromes thruout England, Scotland, Wales and north Ireland"
He wrote to Doris (letter dated 5 Sep 1941): "This may a bit confused as only an hour ago I came out from under the anaesthetic they gave while they operated. Day before yesterday [sic] I and a 2nd officer were riding to an airdrome with our captain, in a multi-engined bomber while still 3 miles over the sea, before arriving, the right engine failed completely. We proceeded on one engine to the point where we could enter the traffic. I was in front with the Captain and 2nd Officer Greaves and a Fleet Air Arm officer were in the rear, as we tried to enter the circuit around the airdrome were cut out by another ship. We pulled away and when we attempted to turn back into the drome, we were unable to turn sufficiently to make it. I knew we were going to crash and also knew that due to the cluttered up landscape and none of us being strapped in, we would none of us live through it. I sat perfectly still for the last 30 seconds knowing that you were going to be a widow. As the crash came I braced myself and was thrown from the pilot's compartment into the nose compartment where the bomb-aimer rides. I looked back into the cockpit and saw that the Captain was OK. Then we hit again, more violently as we had only grazed the top of a dyke before. I ws thrown against the glass nose and the bottom of the compartment I was in. I slid on my face and belly with the plane sliding on my leg. When it stopped I pulled my leg free and removed my shoe as I knew it was crushed. My back hurt terribly and I was bleeding badly from scores of wounds. My eyes were so full of soil I could not see but I managed to crawl out through what had been a solid glass and metal nose. I could hear gas pouring out but heard no flames so I lay on my back right where I came out. I finally heard the Captain saying "Oh, I am sorry". He was certain we were all dead. I called to him and he said he was all right and later told me the others were alive. I was the one most severely injured but it was like getting 95c change from a dollar you have just spent just to know that I might live to see you and Skipper again. I was resigned to being killed and the thought of being afraid didn't occur to me, but it was wonderful to be alive. We were taken to a dressing station then to an emergency hospital where we were put into metal frames (two of us - one had a broken arm). Then after two days there, they put us on a boat and shipped us to England to the RAF Station Hospital. I am in Ward No. 2. There are about 10 officers in here with broken backs, legs, etc. The doctor who operated on me last night was a very good orthopedic surgeon in Canada before the war. I guess I am about the luckiest man alive. I was positive that I couldn't hit the ground at over 100 miles an hour sitting where I was and not be killed, but I did."
The aircraft was a Blenheim IV, V5374, piloted by Oliver 'Paddy' Armstrong, Officer Commanding 8FPP, the Belfast Ferry Pool. He was held responsible for the crash, due to his "incorrect handling" of the aircraft after the engine failure. It crashed 3 miles NE of Jurby, Isle of Man:
The other ATA passenger was John Milne Greaves, who was in hospital until 22 Apr 1942, resumed ferrying but then died in an aircraft crash 3 months later.
The "Fleet Air Arm officer" was Lionel Peter Twiss OBE, DSC & Bar (23 July 1921 – 31 August 2011), later a test pilot who held the World Air Speed Record in 1956.
2 other accidents, 1 his fault: - 25 Jul 1941, he landed his Spitfire down-wind, due to "that's the way the Landing T was indicating" - 6 Sep 1942, whilst taxying, the wing tip of his Battle struck a Spitfire's rudder
"A good officer and a capable and obliging pilot" Contract Terminated "with the purpose of joining the US Naval Reserve" Later a Lt-Col, US Navy aviator.
"He completed his 500th trans-Pacific flight in March 1948. He then continued to make the regular NATS flight from Honolulu to the United States and back until October 1948. Not wishing to neglect the mighty Atlantic, Major O'Halloran's squadron moved to Germany, where he made 127 flights in the famous Berlin Air Lift from Rhein-Main to Templehof.
Returning to the States in July 1949, he resigned from the US Navy in order to join the US Air Force. With the advent of the Korean conflict, he requested active duty and was assigned to the 77th Strategic reconnaisance squadron on 11 Mar 1951. His entire career has been one of an aeronautical nature. After graduating from Wood Lake High School in 1932, he took up aviation as a career when he was appointed an instructor at the Spartan School of Aeronautics of Tulsa, Oklahoma." - Rapid City Journal, 1 Jul 1951
"Jim and Doris eventually divorced, he married again (to Beverly) and moved to Owl Creek, Hiawassee, Georgia" d. 12 Aug 1989 - Towns, Georgia
"Jim's son, James Emor O'Halloran III, was an US Airforce pilot and then a commercial pilot." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Golden Wedding in 1962 - Ainsworth Star-Journal
1947 - Lincoln Journal Star
Spartan Instructor - 1941
US Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
"Nebraska ferry pilot and wife
1943
1948 
Honolulu USNAF Air News, 1948
Father: John Adin Scribbins, an architect, Mother: Lula Irene [Nelson] of 510 McKinley Ave, Kewanee, IL Ed. Kewanee High School; Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at Purdue University, Sep 1937 - June 1939
prev. Asst Records Engineer for Allison Engineering, Indianapolis, Indiana prev. exp. 325 hrs in Cub, Aeronca, Taylorcraft, Waco F2, F7, Cabin (private owner)
Address in 1941: 1217 N New Jersey St, Indianapolis, IN Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP, 3FPP, 1FPP
Off sick from 18 Jan to 26 Feb 1942 with "Twisted Ankle", which he did alighting from a taxi Anson
Suspended 2 May 1941 for a week, without pay, due to "breach of flying regulations"
2 accidents, both his fault: - 14 Jun 1941, he landed tail-first in a Hurricane and the tailwheel broke off - 29 Aug 1941, his Master I collided with an Oxford and crashed into a fence while trying to take off; Suspended 30 Aug 1941 for 4 days and fined $10 for "flying aircraft contrary to instructions, subsequent accident"
Reprimanded 13 Mar 1942 for using a camera at White Waltham (to take pictures of the King and Queen when they visited the airfield on 13 Feb 1942). "The lightness of the award is due to the fact of F/O Scribbins' excellent record while in ATA, and the fact that he has only 9 days more to complete before the end of his contract"
"A keen pilot and a good officer" The ATA offered to extend his contract, but he transferred to RAF Ferry Command
d. 30 Dec 1942 in Boston IIIa BZ238, which went missing between Georgetown, British Guiana, and Belem, Brazil. The navigator and radio officer were also lost.
Commemorated in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, USA
A Board of Officers was convened at White Waltham on the 13 Nov 1944, to decide what do do with "3 badly damaged books of Technical Notes belonging to the late F/O J R Scribbins". They sent them for incineration.
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
at West Lafayette, Purdue University 1938
Draft Card, dated 1940
Next of kin: (parents) Mrs & Mrs Frank B Makepeace, Cos Cob, CT Ed. Greenwich High School, CT prev. 3 yrs as Sgt in US National Guard 211 Coast Artillery Div.; Company Pilot for Sinclair Oil Co. in Caracas, Venezuela Address in 1941: 157 E 81 St, NYC Postings: 14FPP, 9FPP, 6FPP 2 accidents, 1 his fault: - 7 Sep 1941, his Spitfire hit a control box due to him taxying without sufficient care; - 30 Jan 1942, he skidded in Spitfire BL751 on landing, and nosed over. Kemble airfield had been signalled as unserviceable due to ice, but the signal did not arrive before he took off on the delivery flight. "A very competent pilot and a good officer." Joined RAF Ferry Command d. 17 Jan 1943 (age 27), one of 26 lost in C-87 (Liberator Express) 41-1708 which disappeared between Accra and Brazil. Commemorated on the Ottowa Memorial Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Father: Jollie George Crawford, a Credit Manager for Peoples Outfitting Co; Mother: Marie A [Ramstain] Ed. Southwestern High School, Detroit; Detroit College of Law m. 8 Aug 1936 in Detroit, Genevieve 'Grace' R [Magalikski] (d. 2002) prev. Sewing Machine Dept of Sears Roebuck, Detroit prev. exp. 525 hrs
Address in 1941: 10200 Lakepointe Ave, Detroit, Michigan Postings: 6FPP 1 accident, his fault: - 12 Jun 1941, a heavy landing in a Hurricane after an error of judgement
Contract Terminated - "Inefficiency" Lieut in US Navy, 19 Jul 1943 to 22 Jun 1947 Still flying in 1948 - he and his passenger escaped unhurt after he crashed a twin-engined plane at the Municipal Airport, Jackson MI, after "both motors quit as he was circling the field"
d. 29 Sep 1986 - Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan
Buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Eastwood, Kalamazoo County, Michigan
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Draft card, dated 16 Oct 1940
prev. ground engineer RAF trainee pilot, Jun-40 to Feb-41 - "The reason for his withdrawal from training is due to the failure to pass his examinations." prev. exp. 166 hrs Address in 1941: Dixons Rd, Broughton, nr Stockbridge, Hants Postings: 1FPP
He bought himself this 1932 Aston-Martin Le Mans, [registered APG 410, previously owned by Richard Shuttleworth; it still exists] in September 1941, for £175.
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) piloting Fairchild HM178 which stalled and crashed on approach to White Waltham. His fellow ATA pilots Bridget Hill and Betty Sayer (qqv) were also killed; Pamela Duncan (qv) was thrown from the aircraft during the crash and suffered burns. He had turned back due to bad weather, but was held to blame for the accident. Yorkshire Evening Post, 17 Mar 1942: "AIRWOMEN KILLED Ferry Pilots' 'Plane Hit Bungalow. The Ministry of Aircraft Production announces that Flying Officer Graham Lever, Third Officer Bridget Hill, and Third Officer Bessie Sayers lost their lives in a flying accident on Sunday. The accident occurred in the course of their duties with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The 'plane crashed on to a bungalow. A fourth passenger in the machine, also a woman A.T.A. officer, was injured. Twenty-six people were injured when they rushed to the house to extricate the passengers in the 'plane. It is believed that the petrol tank in the machine exploded. Among the injured were children who were in the street. The petrol tank exploded some time after the crash, owing, it is believed, to contact with a fire in the kitchen. A man named Croft, living in an adjoining bungalow, was blown through a window into the street and badly hurt but a child in the front room of the bungalow was rescued almost uninjured. " buried at Broughton Church, Hants Aston Martin offered £50 for his car - "we are afraid that the recent petrol restrictions have severely hampered car sales." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1937
ATA
Educated at Eastbourne College m. Marie [Plumpton], 17 Feb 1939 in Cullompton, Devon. After the wedding they departed in a Leopard Moth from Exeter Airport and were back in Croydon by 3:30, "subsequently going on to the beautiful little cottage at Newdigate, Surrey, which the bridegroom's father has given them as a residence." prev. a draper (Grant Bros Ltd, Croydon) then a Link Trainer instructor in Carlisle, Dec-39 to 1941. Member of Redhill Flying Club from 1936. Prev. exp. 75 hrs. They reported that his flying was "consistently steady and reliable." He first applied to the ATA in Dec 1940, but his flying hours were below the standard required at the time. However, things changed within 3 months and he was accepted for training. Address in 1941: Gotwick Farm, Orlton Lane, Rusper, Sussex d. 28 Aug 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Douglas Havoc Z2299, which dived into the ground at Abington Pigotts near Bassingbourn, Cambs, whilst attempting to land following port engine failure. the accident report blamed a "loss of control on turn towards dead engine in course of circuit at low altitude and with insufficient air speed." His wife wrote to the ATA afterwards, asking whether they had discovered the whereabouts of his stop watch, silver cigarette case and gold lighter, and key case: "I am only fussing about such things as I would so like to have them for his son - who is only five weeks old - and so, will not remember him at all." "My great consolation is the fact that he loved every moment of his job, and although you must have many pilots with more experience, you can have few so keen - and for this reason the past eighteen months have been particularly happy." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1937
ATA
m. Stanislawa [Kacka], 2 children Moved to the USA in 1950 and was a "gig operator with the Interstate Dye and Finishing Co." d. 10 Aug 1970 - Passiac, NJ, USA |
Father: Joe Allen, mother Agnes [Johnson] "He resigned as an instructor and pilot at Beaumont, MO with a record of 1,800 commercial flying hours" - The World, 28 Apr 1941 Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Blecker Makepeace, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) and Emmett Chaffin Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain Raymond S. Allen
d. 5 Aug 1999, Bristow OK |
"Typical of the adventures experienced by some of the foreign pilots prior to their ultimate deployment with ATA were those of Jacques Hollande. This Paris timber exporter was unmolested by the Germans for three months after the Occupation, but then decided to escape from France. He went to Vichy and, after calling daily for weeks at the passport office and producing letter after letter from Government officials to the effect that he was unable to carry on his business without keeping in touch with his Morocco agents, he at last obtained an exit permit, and travelled from Port Vendres to Oran by the mail boat. From here he made his way to Rabat and claimed that he had business at the international port of Tangier. For days he pestered the authorities to obtain from them the necessary visa to pass him through the Spanish zone, and in the end prevailed upon an official to place his papers among those to be signed by the Control Officer on the latter's return from dinner one evening.The meal must have been a satisfactory one as the documents were signed withour comment and he got to Tangier. Here he met an official in the British Consulate, with a view to being allowed to join the Free French forces in England. In the end he obtained a passage to Gibraltar, and from there, under the protection of Britain, eventually arrived at Liverpool. Within a day or two he heard for the first time of the ATA and, remembering that he had a hundred or so flying hours behind him, came to White Waltham. Here he had a flight test, was accepted, and at the age of 42 commenced his new career as a ferry pilot. Four years later he ferried one of the fiirst Ansons from White Waltham to Paris, and has since been able to resume his life in his native country." Brief Glory |
Father: Edward Bluett Winch, a "Managing Director Brewery Co" (d. 1920), Mother: Ruth Isabel [Legh]
"By 1876 the establishment was owned by Biggleswade brewers Wells and Company. In 1898 the brewery was purchased by Kent business man George Winch for his son Edward Bluett Winch and the name of the company changed to Wells and Winch Limited." - https://bedsarchives.bedford.gov.uk/
Ed. Charterhouse; Trinity College, Cambridge
RAF 7 Sep 1921 - Sep 1925. F/O from 5 Jun 1923 Whilst in the RAF, he had a car accident; at 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning in October 1922, his Morgan cycle-car hit a lamp standard. "It appears that Mr. Winch was driving towards Biggleswade ’’hugging” the near side of the road, when his near wing fouled the lamp post and swung the machine round. The standard was smashed Into four pieces as the result of the impact, the head being hurled ten yards away. The motor car was also considerably damaged, the axle and wind screen receiving the worst injury. Mr. Winch, fortunately, was not seriously hurt though the cuts, on his forehead and face, caused by the splintered glass, necessitated immediate attention by Dr. R. D. Brldger." - Biggleswade Chronicle - Friday 3 November 1922 Next, he was fined £2 for "causing an obstruction to traffic by leaving his motor-car in Osborne Road. Southsea. The defendant did not appear in Court." - Portsmouth Evening News - Friday 12 October 1923 Appointed as a Member of the Royal Aero Club, July 1923 Soon after, he was fined £3 "for using an unlicensed motor car at Grantham on the 7th November, and not illuminating the rear index plate. In defendant's absence, Mr. T Norton pleaded guilty on his behalf." - Stamford Mercury - Friday 8 February 1924
m. 22 Dec 1924 in Medway, Kent, Rosemary Mary [Stockley]
Christopher, Rosemary and 1-year old son Michael emigrated to Australia 9 Jul 1927. He is recorded in 1928 as being a school teacher in Echuca, Waranga.. A daughter was born there, and they returned in Apr 1930.
He acquired G-AADU, a 1929 Airco DH.9, from Surrey Flying Services.
Things went seriously downhill from then on, however: - 1933 "FORMER AIRMAN LEAVES WIFE STRANDED. PAWNED WEDDING RING TO MAINTAIN CHILDREN. An unusual story of desertion was told by Mrs. Winch, of Perry Street, Wendover, who was granted a Maintenance Order of £2 a week and 7s. in respect of each of her three children against her husband, Christopher Edward Bluett Winch, whose address was given as the De Havilland School of Flying, Hatfield, Herts. Mrs. Winch told the Magistrates that early in June her husband left her stranded with the three children aged seven, five and one year, respectively. She had not been able to pay the rent of their furnished house for 14 weeks, and now, having had a week's notice, she had nowhere to go. She had been forced to get into little debt for food and necessities, and had pawned her wedding ring. Questioned about her husband's financial position, she said he had his own 'plane and was doing reserve training. while for some time he had been doing joy riding and taxi work. During training he received 30s. per day including expenses. Winch, who did not attend Court, wrote a letter to the Magistrates in which he said he was not earning anything and that he had been allowing his wife £2 a week. Mrs. Winch : No, he has been allowing me nothing at all. In September he got his retaining fee from the R.A.F. of £30 and he sent me nothing then. He has never even written to me. When I last saw him I found from his cash-book he had been cashing about £5 or £6 per week for himself apart from what he was earning. The Bench made the Order as stated." - Bucks Advertiser & Aylesbury News - Friday 20 October 1933
"UNLICENSED AIRMAN. For plying for hire as an airman without being duly licensed, Christopher Edward Mewett Winch, who gave his address as the Key Club, Camber, was fined £1 and 5s. costs. " - Sussex Agricultural Express Nov 1933
- 1934 "AIRMAN FINED Unlicensed Car at Rye. Christopher Edward M. Winch, a civil air pilot, was lined 10s. at Rye Borough Bench on Monday for driving a motor car in Rye on January 8th without having an Excise licence in force." - Sussex Agricultural Express
"SENT TO PRISON Christopher Edward Bluett Winch (32), salesman. 31, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, was brought up in custody and charged with arrears of maintenance of wife amounting to £15 5s., and there was a second claim for £12., under an order made at Aylesbury on October 14th, 1933. Mr. F. Leeson (Collecting Officer) stated that the total amount due was something like £130. Winch said had been out of work and unable to pay. He was quite willing to pay. Mrs. Winch said she had been receiving help from the Public Assistance Committee, and she had let part of her house. Inspector R. Read told the Bench they had had very great difficulty in finding Winch. He had been on the run, as he might put it, for about 12 months. Winch: I will do all can to pay it back if I get a position. Mr. Leeson said the last payment was 30s. in January. The Chairman told Winch he did not seem to make any offer to ease the position in any way. Winch : I have got an aeroplane I could sell. Defendant was sent to prison for 26 days in each case, the sentences to run concurrently. " - Bucks Herald - Friday 12 October 1934
"AIRMAN FINED £75 - FLEW IN ' UNAIRWORTHY ' MACHINE Christopher Edward Bluett Winch, of Biggleswade ßedfordshire, was fined at Wingham Petty Sessions, Dover, a total of £75 with 9s. 9d. costs, on three summonses for flying an aeroplane without a certificate of air worthiness: for flying without a licence, and for flying without a log book. Inspector A. R Woods, of the Aeronautical Department, said that September 22 last year he went to the Camber (Sussex) aerodrome and inspected Winch's aeroplane, which he condemned as being " unairworthy ". It was required that a Journey log book and certificate of airworthiness must always carried on an aeroplane, but these were not on Winch's machine as they had been in his (the Inspector's) office since September 25 last year." - Daily Herald - Friday 19 October 1934 "Winch, who did not appear, wrote to the court pleading guilty to the three summonses. He asked for a postponement of the case or for it to be dealt with in his absence, since he was serving a sentence of twenty six days imprisonment at Oxford for debt. The magistrates fined Winch £50 on the first summons, or three months imprisonment, £15 on the second summons, or one month, and £10 on the third, or one month, the imprisonment to run concurrently. Winch was allowed one month in which to pay" - Huddersfield Daily Examiner - Thursday 18 October 1934
Things carried on in this rather depressing way until 1937: "WIFE'S ALLEGATIONS OF NEGLECT EX-FLYING OFFICER AS RESPONDENT WAREHAM POLICE-COURT DECISION Stated by Mr. Harry Kirk, representing the wife, to have been educated Charterhouse and Cambridge, and formerly a flying officer, Christopher Edward Bluett Winch, whose address was given as Eastbourne, did not answer a summons at Wareham Petty Sessions by his wife, Rosemary, alleging wilful neglect to maintain her and two of her three children. She asked for a maintenance order. Mr. Kirk submitted that on the facts stated in a letter which defendant had written there could be no objection to the Bench dealing with the case in his absence. Mrs. Rosemary Winch, at present living in Mill-lane, Wareham, stated that she was married to defendant on December 22nd, 1924, and she had lived with him at various addresses until about eight weeks ago. Three times in six years she had had trouble with her husband, and there had been an order previously for maintenance. She said she was afraid she did not know what her husband was doing. He had a small private allowance from his mother, and he had been assisted liberally by his relatives in the past. He left her eight weeks ago. He had given her no money whatever since the beginning of June to support her and the children, and she had lived through the generosity of friends and her mother-in-law. She said she had been told respondent was living with some person in Eastbourne. Mr. Kirk said defendant was a man of education and a member of a family in good circumstances. He had left complainant and her children destitute on several occasions, and the only alternative to public and private charity was to apply for a maintenance order. The Bench made a maximum maintenance order whereby defendant was required to pay £2 weekly to his wife and 10s weekly in respect to each of the two younger children, and allowed £1 Is towards the advocate's fee. " - Western Gazette - Friday 30 July 1937 G-AADU was sold to Aerial Sites Ltd in April 1937.
In September 1938, he owed £89 10s in maintenance to Rosemary; "he is evidently keeping another woman, and my children should be having the money", she said. By December, he was up before Wokingham Borough Bench for being £1 in arrears with the maintenance. He said he was unable to pay this week, but "hopes to do so next week".
Address in 1941: 15 Highfield Rd, Tolworth, Surrey He gave his next of kin as his "wife: Christine" "slight scar on right cheek" Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP, BOAC (seconded)
3 accidents, 1 his fault: - 28 Oct 1941, he stalled his Benheim T2335 after failing to overcome a down current on approach - 31 Dec 1941, a lorry collided with his Spitfire AB256 whilst taxying - 5 Jan 1942, a forced wheels-up landing in Bisley AZ992 after the selector lever stuck
"Good pilot and should do well" ... "This officer has been keeping very late nights and drinking to excess when off duty. I have cautioned him severely about this" - MWS Boucher, 9 Apr 1942
Contract Terminated - "Disciplinary Reasons"
d. 1972 - Epping, Essex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
c.1919 (Ancestry)
The Queen's Head Public House: Sandy Lane, Northill, Beds, one of many owned by Wells & Co.
at Trinity College (Ancestry)
Father: Sherman Edward Renicker (a shoemaker), Mother: Della Marie [Thornton], of 803 Dayton, Wichita, Kansas Ed. Hutchinson High School, Kansas prev. Pressman for McCormick-Armstrong , Wichita; Pilot for Vacin Flying Service, Enid, Oklahoma; 2nd Lieut., Air Corps Reserves 1940-41 prev. exp. 725 hrs "A very doubtful starter. Flies unintelligently but might be given the chance of some work in Class I before firmly deciding whether or no he is suitable for conversion to Class II" - Initial Flight Test Report, 1 April 1941 Postings: 2FPP, 14FPP In June 1941 he applied for permission to possess a .45 automatic "for self protection in case of emergency" He completed Class III and IV training in October 1941, but "in view of the fact that his claim to 700 hrs previous experience has not been verified and that he has not been thoroughly tried out in Class 2, his progression to more difficult types should be closely supervised"
4 accidents, 1½ his fault: - 30 Sep 1941, he 'mishandled' the brakes of his Proctor BV545 at Netheravon, and nosed over while taxying - 7 Dec 1941, the port leg of his Hampden AT145 collapsed, after a normal landing at High Ercall - 22 Dec 1941, taxying another Hampden, AT174, under ground crew guidance, the tail hit a barbed wire fence (jointly to blame) "The three accidents he has had recently rather indicate a certain carelessness on his part and I suggest that he is given a final warning to the effect that another accident directly attributable to his negligence will result in his dismissal" 14 FPP CO Bobby Wardle, 29 Dec 1941
d. 7 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hampden AT231 crashed on Lord Bradford's Estate, Weston under Lizard, Staffs after port engine fire. He and Bill Elliott were buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery,Cheshire, near Hubert Dixon.
Earl's mother wrote to his landlady, Mrs Lawrence: "It just seems like I can't get over it, I was looking forward to seeing him this spring. It was such a terrible shock. You all were so nice to give him such a nice funeral, and I'm so appreciative. Honey, I just write awhile and then cry awhile." Postscript Although Earl said that he was 'single' and specified his mother Della as his next of kin on his ATA Form, it later turned out that this was not quite the whole truth: he had in fact married Thelma Jane [Lavigne] on the 26 Aug 1929 in Spearfish, Lawrence, ND, and they had a daughter, Dorothy Ilene (b. 1926). Thelma wrote to the ATA in March 1942: "I am writing in regards for information concerning the death of my husband. Mr Earl Renicker who was killed Feb 7. We received word through his mother in Wichita, Kans of his death. We have tried many times to get in tuch with him through his mother with out success. Family trouble. We have a daughter Dorothy. She went to visit her grandmother & while their a Mr Ralph Holcombe who was in service with her father in England. He told her about her father & the work he was doing in England. That was the first information we had in regards to him." Thelma then volunteered the information that she and Earl had divorced 19 May 1941, 2 months after he joined the ATA, but still insisted that Dorothy (age 16) should be his next of kin. The ATA Insurance, plus the balance of his estate, amounted to £2,103 16s 11d. This was ready to be paid by September 1942, but was held up "awaiting decision of US Courts as to legal claimant". The only clue I have as to what happened is in a letter from Earl's mother Della, dated 12 Oct 1942: "Dear Sir: In answer to your recent letter I want to say that I received the disc and chain of Earl's and will see that his daughter gets it, and I want to thank you very much for sending it, also thank you for every thing. You people have certainly been good to us, Sincerely, Mrs S E Renicker"
Dorothy later married a Mr Paul E Rusher in Ohio, and died in 2007. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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ATA
with thanks to Barbara Grayson
Father: Everett Cooper Lloyd, Mother: Nellie Fredericka prev. Petrolagar Laboratories, Chicago, Illinois; test pilot for North American Aviation; 'stunt pilot' ? m. 1934 in Texas, Katherine [Thiel]
Address in 1940: 647½ Main Ave, San Antonio, TX
"Scar - 3in diameter - right arm" Arrived in the UK on 28 April 1941, as did Raymond Sylvester Allen Postings: ---
Transferred to RAF Ferry Command He was co-pilot of a B-25 that became uncontrollable over Platte County, Kansas, on the night of 18 Jul 1942. The crew of 3 parachuted to safety, Leland fracturing his heel. m. 16 Apr 1943 in Clay, Missouri, Alice Genevieve [Heil]
d. 6 Aug 1943 in the crash of Hudson VI EW898 at Martintown, Ontario, Canada during a training flight. All 3 on board were killed; they were attempting a forced landing after fire broke out. Commemorated at Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas * - File not yet seen |
Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
Father: Frederick Charles Rowley, a Builder and Contractor, (d. 1925), Mother: Amy Elizabeth [Reeve] (d. 1935) Youngest of 3 brothers; 4 sisters Ed. Tottenham Grammar School
He had a nasty moment in 1927: "WOMAN IN BLACK Motor-Cyclist's Night Shock. Pedestrian Seriously Injured. Percy William Rowley, carpenter, 7, Willoughby Road, Hornsey, London, was motor-cycling from Birmingham to London, and when near the Tilsworth turn he met a motor car with brilliant headlights. After passing the car he was plunged into darkness, but could just distinguish a black object moving about the road: this proved to be an elderly woman, named Caroline Rimington, late of 9, Salisbury street, Chester, who, it afterwards transpired, was walking from Chester to - London. dressed in black and wearing a shawl. As soon as Mr. Rowley saw her he swerved to get clear but, apparently, his handlebar caught in the shawl, and he was thrown off his machine into the road, dragging the woman with him. Another motor car came up and took both the motor-cyclist and the woman to Dr. Fraser, at Dunstable, and after being attended to, the woman was conveyed to the Bute Hospital. Luton, suffering from a fracture of the left forearm, a lacerated wound on the left leg and a bad wound over the left eye. She is 54 years of age, and, at present, has no fixed address. The motor-cyclist received slight injury to his head and left hand. The handlebars, foot rest and wheels of his machine were damaged"
RAeC Certificate 14465 dated 10 Oct 1936, taken at London Aeroplane Club Address in 1936: 38 Manor Hall Ave, Hendon NW4
m. Helen M [Walser] prev. Builder and Contractor (Rowley Bros. Tower Works, Tottenham, London) prev. exp. 85 hrs Address in 1941: Thorley Hall, Bishop's Stortford, Herts
Thorley Hall is "not only one of the oldest buildings in Hertfordshire but one of the most architecturally intriguing" Postings: 6FPP, EFTS (as Instructor) Class 5 (4-engine) pilot
7 accidents, 4 his fault: - 29 Apr 1941, he taxied his DH 60G Moth G-AAHG into a stick which was marking unserviceable ground - 4 Oct 1941, his Spitfire AD364 nosed over, after he taxied into a soft patch under the directions of ground crew - 2 Nov 1941, he overshot the landing in Spitfire AD413, ran into soft ground and nosed over (again) - 11 Apr 1942, an undercarriage leg of his Spitfire Vc BL696 was torn off after he landed in unmarked soft ground - 16 Jun 1942, he failed to control the take-off swing of Wellington Z1422 and the wing hit an obstruction - 7 Nov 1942, he undershot the landing in Spitfire ER947 in poor visibility and struck a heap of rubble Off sick from 16 Nov 1942 to 20 Jan 1943 with "post accident debility" - 19 Dec 1943, the tail wheel of his Swordfish NE943 ran into an unmarked rut
"A pleasant type of officer, who works hard and well. A keen and reliable pilot" "Keen, hardworking, cheerful & willing at all times to help with any work whatsoever ... he is a great asset to the Station"
Address in 1971: 10 Frinton Court, Frinton-on-Sea d. 1 Jul 1971 - Frinton-on-Sea, Essex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
1936
prev. RAFVR Jan-39 to Feb-40 (Sgt Pilot, OTC) [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Temperamentally unsuited'] 'A highly nervous pilot whose sense of judgement does not seem to be very steady. He is keen, but in the four months at [Ratcliffe] Pool he has consistently taken longer to complete jobs than other pilots.' Changed surname to 'Jordon' (his mother's maiden name) in 1944 d. 1977 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
ATAM
prev. a London Transport driver, later inspector RAF from Jun-40 to Mar-41 (Sgt, Link Trainer instructor) Address in 1941: 51 Wilson Rd, East Ham, London E6 [Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons] d. Dec 1957 - Lambeth ? Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
His father was the Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to the US. Degree in Business Studies from Detroit Inst. of Technology in 1927. Employed by the Ford Motor Co, and had a brief career as a boxer; returned to the Philippines in 1931. Jul-37 to Jan-41, 1st Lieutenant in USAAF. He fractured his skull in a crash on 15 Feb 1939 near Bloomsdale, Missouri, and later had plastic surgery:
prev exp. 800 hrs married, (err, three or four, or five, times... see later...), 2 adopted children After training on Magister, Harvard and Hawk aircraft, he progressed to Hurricane and Oxfords, then passed Class 4 training (on Blenheims) 9 Oct 1941 - assessed "a good average, with no special faults". Back in the Philippines, the Assembly of the Municipal Council of Posserabio (?) resolved as follows: WHEREAS, the son of the Hon Quintin Paredes, has eventually blazed a brilliant career as an aviator and an officer of the RAF thus giving testimony to the world of the capability of Filipino manhood at all eventualities in the event of war; WHEREAS His Majesty the King of England has relieved him from duty as a pilot of a combat plane of the famous Royal Air Force and assigning him instructor for the Royal Aviators, in the manipulation of American made fighting planes and giving him rank of a CAPTAIN in the regular army thus crowning him with another glory which the Philippines should be proud of; it was RESOLVED that the Municipality to greet and congratulate the young aviator Isidro Juan Paredes Jr, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Great Aviator ISIDRO PAREDES, Jr, for his information. Carried unanimously. However, the first time he flew a Hampden, he stalled and crashed it:
d. 7 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hampden P5396 crashed on approach to Burtonwood Aerodrome after opening up for second circuit after mis-landing. Philippines President Quezon (who seems to have mixed Isidro up with somebody else) wrote to Isidro's father to inform him that his son, "a volunteer with the R.A.F., participated in a British mass air raid on German-held territory and apparently was wounded but was able to land on English soil before he died." Hmmm... Buried Sankey Cemetery, Warrington. He was the first Philippino casualty of WWII and his body was later repatriated to the Philippines, according to CWGC.
Although Isidro was only with the ATA for less than 8 months, it took them and the US Consulate until 1948 to sort out who should get his personal effects and the proceeds of his estate (which actually only amounted to a few hundred dollars - he 'left a lot of debts'). The reason was simple; there was "uncertainty over which of the four wives is the legal one". For the record, therefore, what happened was (as far as I can make out, and using contemporary newspapers and the photos found in his personal effects):
The marriage lasted 4 days ] Anyway,
'Best wishes and Good luck May God Bless you, Yours Josephine'
Anyway, Kate moved to London and gave up all claims on his estate; what was left of it eventually found its way to Josephine, who had moved to Manila. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
© 
Kate Worledge, in a strikingly similar pose to Josephine ...
Father: Thomas Augustine Edney Hayter JP, a farmer; Mother: Emma Harriet Ed. Sherburn School RFC, RAF Jul 1917- Aug 1919 (Temp 2nd Lieut., 16 Sqn, Uxbridge)
Emigrated to Canada, 1922 - Lands Dept, Canada Parks and Recreation (CPR):
"Do you intend to remain permanently in Canada: Yes!"
However, he was back in the UK by 1930, and back in the RAF; m. 1930 in Reading, Hylda Muriel [Bradford] "Flying Officer Frederick Edney-Hayter of the 7th Squadron RAF, Worthy Down, Winchester, Hants, and his bride flew by air taxi from Reading Aerodrome after their wedding at Sonning Church. The bridegroom is a well-known pilot with a distinguished air record." Four photographs (by Bassano, taken in 1931) are in the National Archives. By early 1935, however, he was in a spot of bother: "A LENIENT VlEW.—Frederick Chas. Edney-Hayter, a well-spoken man of 40, giving the address of a hotel at Southampton, pleaded guilty at Eastleigh Petty Sessions on Monday to a charge of obtaining £2 10s, by false pretences from Alfred Edward Knight, at Netley, on December 4. The prosecutor cashed a cheque for accused for the amount which was returned from the bank marked "No account." Accused had been in no previous trouble. He had an excellent War record. Accused asked for an outstanding offence at Southampton to be taken into consideration. This was for incurring a debt of liability, by false pretences, from Alexander Cornish-Trestmil, of Southampton.—Supt. Pragnell said accused had now obtained a job. He was sincerely sorry and had promised to pull himself together. —ln view of this statement the Bench decided to take a lenient view, and bound the prisoner over for two years. He was placed under probation for that period. " I hope you will repay those you have defrauded," said the Chairman of the Bench (Col. E. F. Hall).—Accused: I will, sir. " - Hampshire Telegraph - 18 Jan 1935
He resigned from the RAF 14 Mar 1935. His new job turned out to be as a commercial air pilot based at Chilworth Aerodrome, but this did not always go very well, either; on the 24 Feb 1936 he crashed G-ACKD, a DH84 Dragon owned by the Ethiopian Government and operated within Ethiopia on behalf of the Red Cross. He and his passenger were injured and the aircraft was destroyed. And then this: "SMUGGLING BY AIR. 106 boxes of Cigars, 12 bottles of rare brandy. Capt. Frederick Charles Edney Hayter, air pilot, of Highbury. Whitchurch, Hants, was one of three defendants at Folkestone Police Court. on Thursday, charged with smuggling cigars and brandy. There were 10 offences alleged against Hayter and some of these were in respect of breaches of the Air Navigation Consolidation Order. In a statement. Hayter admitted bringing cigars in a machine from Belgium and hiding them from a Customs officer. but declared that he had had no financial gain from the venture. He was fined £100 with £25 costs, or three months' imprisonment. His solicitor said he did not possess a farthing. " - Hampshire Advertiser - 19 December 1936
The following year, 1937: "An air pilot, Frederick Charles Hayter, described as of Highbury Whitchurch, Hants, was referred to by the police as " a slippery customer " at Reading to-day, when be was fined £7 10s. for using a motor-car without an insurance policy, and £5 for aiding and abetting another man in using the car without Road Fund licence. Supt. Osborne said that Hayter was involved in a traffic accident in Reading in October, and the owner of the car, a man named Chandler, was fined in December for permitting the car to be used uninsured and unlicensed. Hayter did not appear when summoned on that occasion, probably because he was in custody in connection with smuggling offences in Folkestone. He was sent to prison, but afterwards paid his fine through writing his life story in a certain paper, and released. "In my opinion, he Is a slippery customer." He understood that Hayter had lost his job as an air pilot as a result of the smuggling offences. In imposing the fine, to be paid forthwith, the Chairman, Mr. A. G. West, said that the alternative would be a month on each summons, the sentences to run consecutively. " - Gloucester Citizen - 1 Feb 1937 Address in 1939: HM Prison, Winchester.
Postings:
He enlisted as AC2 in the RAFVR on 4 Jul 1941. d. 2 Dec 1985 - The Old Manor Hospital, Salisbury, Wilts * File not seen |
Educated at San Bernadino High School, CA Address in 1941: 1382 Vine St, Highland, CA A Commercial pilot, flying since 1936, Tri City Airport, San Bernadino from the 'San Bernadino County Sun': "First Word Received from E.C. Grigsby, Highland Flier Earl C. Grigsby, Highland youth who at 22 years of age is already a veteran flier, is now a member of the royal air force, engaged in defending London from Nazi air raids. The youth is believed to be the only San Bernadino county flier in the R.A.F. He is the son of [ClintonTherman] Grigsby, widely known Highland resident, who is foreman of the Highland Fruit Growers' packing house. According to a censored letter written by Earl to his father, the Highland youth said he was now 'flying over London' and that he 'had one of the best flying jobs to be had'. As far as is known, Earl flew across the Atlantic Ocean as a ferry pilot, under contract with the Canadian government. Earl became interested in aviation when only 16 years old and made a rapid advancement in his chosen field. He received his first training at the Shandlin Hills and the Tri-city airport. He then went to Long Beach to further his training under government instruction. At Long Beach he was advanced 50 hours of flying requirements because of his flying record and experience. Earl received his 'wings' two months ago at Long Beach and left almost immediately for Montreal, Canada, expecting to be an instructor for the Canadian government in one of their air schools. There again he advanced rapidly and was given an overseas contract. Mr Grigsby recently received the first letter from his son since Earl left the United States. The letter required three weeks to reach Highland from the aerodrome near Maidenhead, Berkshire, where Earl is stationed. The youth could tell little of his experiences in England because of censorship. He said he is studying to be a trans-atlantic pilot. Although a native of Washington, Earl has lived in Highland the greater part of his life. His home is at 1381 Vine street. He attended Highland elementary school and was graduated from the San Bernadino High School." [ "Another Highland youth now in service in England is Grigsby's chum, Keith Alexander, also of 1382 Vine street, who is a first officer in the American Eagle Squadron, stationed near London." ] Transferred to Atfero, Feb 42. 3 Apr 1942: "He has greatly enjoyed his work overseas, but has little to say of his war experiences. Earl also visited his mother, Mrs. Margie Grisby of Harlem Springs. Young Grisgby left tonight to drive back to Montreal to resume his flying, and expects from now on to become a transatlantic pilot." From 1970, ran G&E Flying Service, which was renamed J Kreuger and E Grigsby (Redlands Air Academy) in 1975, located at 1745 Sessums Dr., Redlands CA. d. 4 Apr 2001 - Highland, San Bernardino, CA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
[Please note that this coupon is no longer valid :-} ]
father Rev. William Ashburner, [Rector of Dodington], mother Georgiana Alder [Rinder] m. 1926 Gladys Violet [Sheriff] prev a Planter in the West Indies The Imperial War Museum has a 1971 audio tape of him: "REEL 1 Aspects of training as officer cadet with Royal Flying Corps, 1917: early interest in flying; period in army, 1917; basic training at Hastings; technical training at Denham. Period on flying training at RAF Eastchurch, 3/1918: reaction to former Royal Naval Air Service; first flight in Avro 504 K, 20/4/1918; opinion of instructors during dual flying training on DH6 and Avro 504 K; story of nearly throwing instructor out during loop; first solo in Sopwith Pup, 13/6/1918; influenza attack; first solo on Sopwith Camel, 28/7/1918; course as flying instructor at RAF Manston. Period as flying instructor at RAF Eastchurch, 1918: story of nearly flying out in loop; two-seater Sopwith Camel; method of recovering from spin. Demobilisation, 1919. Period as sugar planter in British Guiana, 1920-1929. Passing air license during membership of Bristol and Wessex Flying Club, Filton and Whitchurch Airfields, Bristol area, 1929-1930. Period as rancher in British Guiana, 1930-1935. Period as member of B&WFC and Leicester Flying Club, 1935: aircraft flown; flights to various flying club airfields; Armistice celebrations, 11/11/1918-12/11/1918; development of commercial flying using flying boats in British Guiana; story of giving parents flights. Period prospecting for gold in British Guyana, 1935 -1938. Period flying with B&WFC, 1938-1939: failed attempt to rejoin RAF; question of communicating with control tower. Period as air traffic control officer at Croydon airport, London, 1938-1939: prior training course; question of competition between Imperial Airways and other airlines; types of passenger aircraft; use of Morse code to communicate with aircraft; use of map and pins to record aircraft position; method of landing aircraft by ear; flights of Air France aircraft in bad weather. Period at Heston airport, London, 1939: review of services and aircraft; army cooperation exercises. Period as air traffic control officer at airfields at Perth, Aberdeen and Whitchurch, 1939-1943: initial rejection due to reserved occupation prior to acceptance on unpaid part-time basis as Class 1 aircraft ferry pilot with Air Transport Auxiliary, 4/1941; opinion of various aircraft flown. REEL 2 Continues: opinion of various aircraft flown; conversion course as Class II aircraft pilot; opinion of Spitfire; story of arrest by military police due to lack of uniform; near accident due to fatigue whilst flying Spitfire and consequent end of control tower duties, 9/1943. Period as fulltime ferry pilot with ATA, 1943-1945. Postings: 2FPP 1977, "Flight"; "Lionel Ashburner from Sywell, Northampton was awarded the John Player Award for Achievement in General Aviation trophy and a £350 cheque for long service in Air Traffic Control. 'Ash' officially retired as an airways controller at Preston in 1963, but then became controller at Sywell, a post he held full-time into his seventies, becoming part-time only this year. He has long been known for an almost magic ability to talk 'temporarily uncertain' pilots into Sywell, aided only by his keen knowledge of Midlands geography." d. 9 Feb 1986 - Bristol See also http://www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/ |
ATA
1971
1977 (both 'Flight')
Father: Lieut-Cdr Kenneth Faviell Sworder RN, DSO [Roedean alumna] I/C General Office, No 5(T) FPP |
ATA
Father: William Allison Rawlings, a Manager of a Goodyear Branch Station; Mother: Laura [King] Ed. Sunset High School, Dallas; N Texas Agricultural College, Arlington, TX. Aeronautical Engineering prev. Cadet, US Army Air Corps, Jan to Oct 1939; Instructor 'in charge of propeller dept", Love Field, Dallas prev. exp. 314 hrs Address in 1941: 2542 W 12th St, Dallas, TX "Scar on right side"
Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP Class 5 (4-engine) pilot
3 accidents, 2 his fault: - 18 Nov 1941, he struck a post during the landing run of his Battle K9928 - 15 Feb 1942, a forced landing near Gatehouse-of-Fleet in Master W8862 after persisting too far in bad weather - 10 Mar 1943, the tailwheel strut collapsed after a normal landing in Walrus I W3100
"A reliable and hardworking pilot who has proved his worth on Class 5 work" Transferred to RAF Ferry Command "His Ferry Command card shows that he signed on with Ferry Command on July 19, 1943. He captained at least 18 aircraft from North America to Europe but also to India and the Middle East on two occasions. " Sailed to the US on SS Queen Elizabeth, 17 Nov 1943 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Edmund Jarrett and Gilbert Tobin
On 10 Feb 1945, he was the pilot of Liberator KK295 which ditched on Portsalon beach in County Donegal, Eire:
"To this day one can find metal structural parts sticking out of the sand on Portsalon beach at low tides"
m. 20 Dec 1947 in Dallas, June Edna Ann [Cameau] (b. 1920 in Montreal, Canada), 3 children (2 of whom sadly did not survive their first day) They settled in Tulia, Swisher, TX and "Lee was employed by the High Plains Hail Prevention Association as a pilot in their Cloud seeding operations. Indeed, he almost met with a mishap on the early operations when the landing gear of the Curtiss P-40 he was flying got stuck up and he had to abandon the seeding effort to concentrate on lowering his gear manually. This was reported widely in Texas newspapers in June 1951." - https://ww2irishaviation.com/kk295.htm
d. 15 Dec 1980 - Plainview, TX, while working on a crop-spraying aircraft which became engulfed in flames at Hale County Airport.
Commemorated at Plainview Memorial Park, Plainview, Hale County, Texas Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
from 
a Sergeant Pilot in the RAFVR from Apr-39 to Jan-41; exp. 120 hrs. He was discharged - "unable to complete course following a night crash." prev. an insurance agent He proved himself a "quiet, steady and conscientious officer", but had a couple of accidents during his short ATA career; on 25 October 1941 he taxied a Swordfish "carelessly" into a parked Piper Cub, and the following January he suffered head injuries in a forced landing in a Mohawk after engine failure. His third accident, sadly, proved fatal.
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Oxford X7190 crashed into ground 300' above sea level nr Wigtown. He was deemed to be 'at fault' as he persisted too far in bad weather, "of which the forecast he received gave him warning." The wreckage was not discovered for 3 days, and the sketch map below shows its location:
He was buried in Newcastle-under-Lyme Cemetery. His parents took some flowers to his grave in September 1943 and were sorry to see a wooden cross had been put there by the ATA, despite his parents having erected a stone memorial the previous November. The wooden cross was later removed. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Bishop George Wyndham Hamilton Knight-Bruce DD; mother Louisa [Torr], from Carlett Park in Cheshire. Her father was Bishop of Bloemfontein between 1886 and 1891, Bishop of Mashonaland between 1891 and 1895, and Vicar at Bovey Tracey, Devon, between 1895 and 1896. He died on 18 Dec 1896 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Knight-Bruce
Next-of-kin: Col. J C L Knight-Bruce, of The Sea House, nr Brighton Enid had an elder sister, (Caroline) Ethelfloed Knight-Bruce, and two brothers She was awarded £7 by the Royal College of Music in 1911, and £8 in 1912, for violin.
2 Apr 1915: "A DANGEROUS DOG. At Newton Abbot, on Tuesday, Miss Enid Knight-Bruce, Highweek, was summoned for being the owner of a dangerous bulldog, which was not kept under proper control. Supt. Crooke said he would not ask for the animal to be destroyed, but simply for an order to be made to keep it under control. Several witnesses spoke to having been attacked by the dog. Defendant said she did not consider the dog very dangerous. It had very high spirits, and turned to people half in fun. Miss Knight-Bruce was ordered to pay the costs, £1 16s. 6d. " - Teignmouth Post and Gazette "Enid Knight-Bruce, of Western House, Newton Abbot, was fined £2 on Tuesday, for failing to comply with an order on March 26th to keep a dangerous bulldog under control. " - Teignmouth Post and Gazette - Friday 10 Sep 1915
She was engaged to "Mr. Piers Gilchrist Thompson, second son of Canon and Mrs. Thompson of Hayes Rectory, Kent, and Liberal ex-MP for Torquay" in 1925:
... but eventually she m. 23 Apr 1938 in Babbacombe Church, nr Torquay, Devon, Capt. Ralph T Edge: "The bride is an experienced pilot, and holds the position of hon. flying instructor to the Women's Reserve. She flew from Brackley to Oxford, and motored from there to Torquay. A keen student of industrial problems, she has also engaged in a good deal of philanthropic work. In pre-war days she opened a rest-home for men engaged in the dock strike in London, and another of her activites was assisting in the distressed areas of Wales and the Midlands under the auspices of the Industrial Christian Fellowship. She later went to America and gave a series of lectures on 'Industry', 'Mediaeval Economics', and 'England'" - Western Times - Friday 29 April 1938 She does not seem to have used her married surname after 1940. prev: HQ, Postal and Telegraph Censorship (Air Force Section) prev exp: 400hrs Address in 1941: 384 Kensington Close, London W8 "A careful pilot and is shaping well" on 29 May, but went on indefinite sick leave (collitis) from 6 Aug and did not return to duty exp in ATA: Moth: 38hrs 40min; Magister: 2hrs 35min. Resigned Moved to 2a Kensington Court Gardens, London W8, and lived with her sister Ethelfloed (who d. 1956) d. 25 Apr 1969 - Kensington, London [I'm not entirely sure when or where Enid was born; her ATA record has "19 Feb 1900, Eastham, Cheshire" but her Royal Aero Club Cert. has "19 Feb, 1903, Bloemfontine (sic) South Africa". My guess is 1889 in Bloemfontein, as her 1969 death certificate says she was 80 at the time, and anyway her father died in 1896.]
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1935
Looking forward to it!
née Verney Cave Father: Adrian Verney Verney-Cave, Lord Braye, Mother: Ethel Mary [Bouverie-Pusey], of Stanford Hall, Swinford, Rugby Ed. Convent, St Leonards on Sea
"The Hon Lucy Verney Cave as Miss Neville in Goldsmith's comedy 'She Stoops to Conquer' performed by Girl Guides in the Church Hall in Lutterworth. They gave a very entertaining performance of thes delightful old play"
[one of many many balls, dances, society weddings, etc, etc that she attended]
m. 1935 in Bosworth, Lucien Leslie Falkiner "of the 43rd Light Infantry... both families are well-known in the Midlands and they are slightly related"
Capt. Falkiner d. 30 May 1940 in France
prev: WAAF from 23 Nov 1940; Assistant Section Officer, based at Wittering, Northants prev exp: 14 hrs on Avro Cadet, Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth
Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP, 9FPP, 1FPP Off sick from 6 Oct 1942 to 30 Mar 1943 with 'nervous overstrain' 7 accidents, 2 her fault: - 29 Mar 1942, flying Master I N7552, she found it difficult to select 'Flaps Up' and accidentally released the hood - 14 Apr 1942, she couldn't get the flaps or undercarriage to lock down in a Hurricane - 7 Jul 1942, the propeller of her Master I N7482 was discovered to be bent after she parked it, cause unknown - 4 Jul 1943, she landed Master II EM329 with complete engine failure, due to the servicing cock under the port fuel tank being turned off - 14 Jul 1943, she failed to control the landing swing of Hudson III FH373 and damaged the port wing - 10 Nov 1943, the hood blew off her Spitfire VIII JG379 on take-off when she tried to close it, damaging the tailplane - 15 Jun 1945, forced landing in Mosquito XXX MV527 after a serious oil leak in the port engine
"A good, very steady and extremely careful pilot, who has an excellent influence on the junior pilots" d. Mar 1980 - Cirencester
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1935
RAeC 1938
1929
with her brother, the Hon. Thomas Adrian, at the 'Lincoln Stuff Ball' in 1930
Ancestry
m. 1935 Philis Margarete [Hills], one child prev. exp. 135hrs prev a Chief Link Trainer Instructor, and aircraft inspector for A.S.T. Address in 1941: 5 Gambia St, Swindon "Although he appears keen enough in his flying, he is unable to control his weakness in financial matters, and through worry of this, his flying is of poor quality" Demoted to 3rd Officer for 3 months in 1942 for landing in poor weather conditions and then leaving the aerodrome before close of flying, without waiting to see if the weather improved. Jan-43: "Hall came here with somewhat poor reports, but to date has done his job conscientiously and safely and has behaved himself as an officer." [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Financial Instability'] In 1949, he was fined £40 for bad airmanship: "Edgar Bernard Harold Hall, of Homefield House, Old Coulsdon, Surrey, was fined a total of £40 with three guineas costs at Croydon yesterday. Hall was found guilty of making a circuit of the Croydon Aerodrome while not clear of the manoeuvring area; endangering life and property by diving under another aircraft which was engaged landing on or about July 4; and failing to obtain such authorisation of movement as was necessary for the protection of aerodrome traffic on August 13. He pleaded guilty to piloting a plane on August 13 while not in possession of a licence. He was fined £10 on each of the four summonses. Captain T. J. Gunn, chief pilot of an airways company at Croydon, told the court that when he was preparing to land a Proctor at Croydon, a Tiger Moth flew straight at him for a few seconds and then dived under him. It landed in front of him and he turned away. Hall denied Captain Gunn's allegations, and said, " I am an experienced pilot and a qualified instructor of 40 years of age and have got beyond things like that." d 1982 - Lewes, E Sussex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1939
ATA
prev Acting Sergeant, RAF Sep-39 to Feb-41. Ex RAF - "failed to complete course in Rhodesia. 50 hrs solo"
d. 14 Sep 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Oxford X6958 crashed on farm at Sandon Rd, Weston-on-Trent nr Stafford, in bad visibility. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Resident in the UK from 1919. Father: Colonel James Wilfred Helliwell, RE (m. 1916 in Harrogate to Annie Beatrice Pratt), Ed. Market Rasen, Lincs; B(Sc) Chemistry and Physics Address in 1933: 57 Chelsham Rd, London SW4 His father died in 1934. "Col. James Wilfred Helliwell (52) of 97 Lowther Road, Bournemouth, a native of Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd, Yorks, who worked in a cotton mill as a lad and was later employed in the railway locomotive sheds of the L. and Y. Railway Co., and who rose from a ranker to Colonel during the South African War, afterwards holding high executive posts in the railway service of South Africa and of India" left £10,050 in his will. Wilfred disputed his father's will, which (superceding a previous will) left everything to Wilfred's stepmother Annie; he said that he was training to be a surgeon, but "as a result of being left without means, he had been unable to complete his medical studies." The judge was sympathetic, but ruled that the will was valid. Wilfred accepted a one-off payment of £1,000, (with a promise not to enter his stepmother's house again) but lost it in a business in which he had invested.
prev. RAF Short Service Commission from Apr 1936 (Acting P/O, Resigned); Laboratory Assistant, Woolwich Royal Arsenal Apr 1937 - Feb 1938; Analytical Chemist, Guy's Hospital, London
"FORGED SAVINGS BANK BOOKS Wilfred James Walker Helliwell (27), male nurse, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey yesterday to obtaining money by means of forged Savings Bank books. He was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. The police alleged that Helliwell had obtained money from post offices at Brighton, Bournemouth, King’s Lynn, Wisbech, Coventry, Spalding and London. " - Birmingham Daily Post - 8 February 1939 Addresss in 1939: HM Prison Newport, IoW
m. 1940 in Lewisham, London, Gladys H A Cooper Address in 1941: 138a Marine Parade, Brighton Postings: 6FPP
m. 1951 in Brighton, Margaret J [Falconer] Address in 1978: Barcroft St 174 Cleethorpes, Described as a 'retired wages clerk' d. 10 Mar 1978 - Cleethorpes, Lincs. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: John Thomas Legge, Mother: Alice, of Croydon East Surrey Regiment, then RFC, RAF from 12 Dec 1917; 4 Sqn. Transferred to unemployed list 1 May 1919, back in the RAF as F/O from 11 Mar 1924 m. 11 Sep 1918 in Sanderstead, Surrey, Vera Elsie Madeleine [Stokes]
Address in 1939: 'River House', Strood, Kent - described as a 'civil servant' His son, Sgt. John Stephen Legge, RAF d. 3/4 Mar 1941 aged 22 when his Stirling crashed into the Channel after a night raid. Commemorated at Runnymede. Postings:
d. 4 Nov 1972 - Lincoln Commemorated at Lincoln Crematorium * File not seen |
Father: Hubert Harry Ward Tebbutt (d.1957), Mother: Helen 'Nellie' [Syndall] An electrical engineer prev. a radio salesman; Sgt Pilot, RAF Address in 1939: 292 Victoria Park Rd, Leicester Postings:
Royal Navy (Lieut) from 1 Jun 1942 m. 15 Aug 1946 in Dartmouth, Althea Rosemary [White-Cooper] and they lived at 166 Hornsey Lane, London N6 "Members of a large crowd spilled into the church aisle and stood on the pew seats to get a better view of the bride at Dartmouth's biggest post-war wedding yesterday when the marriage was solemnised at St Saviour's Church. During the war the bridegroom was the senior pilot of the Royal Naval School of Airborne Radar attached to the Royal Naval Air Arm and was in command of a squadron of the Fleet Air Arm. The bride was an aircraft direction WREN in the Royal Naval Air Arm." - Herald Express They (Richard, Althea, Anne Tracey age 1 and Christopher Rainald 5 months), moved to Kenya in 1952; they returned in 1956 for 3 months leave In 1975 Richard (retired) and Althea (working as a receptionist) lived in Aubrey Rd, Wanaka, New Zealand. Naturalised in New Zealand, 4 Apr 1977. By 1981 they were both retired. d. 21 Mar 1992 - Wanaka, NZ |
Ed. Northampton Town and County School m. prev. a Leather Traveller RAF from Apr-39 to 29 Nov 1940 (Sgt Pilot) Address in 1941: 44 Union St, Montrose, Scotland (Father's address 53 Holly Rd, Northampton)
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATAM
Father: Samuel Warder Jordan, a farmer (d. 1933); Mother: Mary Sophia Address in 1911: Moat House, Gotherington, Cheltenham prev. RE 1914 - 1916, RFC/RAF 23 Jan 1918 - 1920, 1923 - 1936 (transferred to Class C on reaching age limit. Machines flown: 'All single engine types') 2 years dispatch riding in France In 1923, "Pilot of more than average ability, slightly spoilt by too much confidence." By 1924, "has become much steadier than he was on the last course" Address in 1939: Belmore House, Bath Rd, Cheltenham Postings:
A 'civil air pilot' in 1952 d. 12 Nov 1978 - Cirencester, Glos * File not seen |
Educated at St Andrews, Grahamstown, SA Arrived in the UK in 1928 prev. RAF (Pilot Offficer) 1935-37 Address in 1941: Newton House, Barn St, Marlborough, Wilts Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP, 9FPP, 14FPP, 15FPP He was described as 'a very capable and experienced pilot, and in every way satisfactory', but had a couple of problems during his ATA career, being placed on a weekly salary basis after writing cheques with insufficient funds to cover them in May-42, and suspended without pay for 3 days in Jan-43 for 'failing to surrender clothing coupons'.
He then 'committed misconduct' in Luton with Patricia, the wife of Flt Lt. (later Wing Cmdr) Kenneth Mackenzie DFC, while the latter was away as a wartime guest of the Germans. The divorce judge said that it was "a most lamentable feature of the case that a man who was an officer in the RAF should commit misconduct with the wife of a brother officer who was a prisoner in German hands." [Resigned] Later a de Havilland test pilot Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1933
ATAM
Kenneth and Patricia [Pruett], 7 Jun 1941
ed. at Elborow and Rugby m. 1936 Myra Helen [Small], 3 children RAFO from 1928 to 1941; Studied Engineering at Imperial College London, then an Aeronautical Draughtsman for Fairey & Co. prev. exp. 188 hrs in 'Hart, Audax, DH87, DH Tiger Moth, Miles Hawk, Blackburn B2' Address in 1941: 12 St Mary's Walk, Hayes, Middx. Later moved to "Ashfield", Milmer Rd, Burnham, Bucks. Originally applied to ATA in Aug-1940 but withdrew owing to 'circumstances beyond my control', and re-applied in Mar-41. Postings: 1FPP "A keen, hardworking pilot who is progressing well, and developing into a first rate ferry pilot. Discipline Good." [Frankie Francis] He was offered a place as an instructor but turned it down as he wanted to continue ferrying, and felt he did not have the right temperament to be an instructor.
d. 23 Jan 1944 [Died in ATA Service] in Beaufort N1001 which crashed at Chobham, Surrey, after a fire in the port engine caused by a 'seizure of a wrist pin'. Buried Maidenhead (Section D No, 16W)
Third Officer [Flight Engineer] Stanley Edwin Cooke also died. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): Stanley Cooke:
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ATA
Address in 1941: 6340 Community Drive, Houston, TX prev. a private in the National Guard 165 Field Artillery, 1927-30, then charter work for the oil business - Air Activities Inc., based in Houston Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP After losing all his things on the SS Nerissa, the ATA bought him a new set, at a total cost of £89 7s 6d. It included a pipe and a watch (Second Hand):
"A good, keen and hardworking pilot who has carried out all his work most satisfactorily." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Next of kin: Father, John J Howitt, 407 Water St, Guelph. A former employee of a dairy firm, who used his savings to get to England. A 'non permanent gunner' in 1938 with 43rd B.T.Y., R.C.A. P/O with 242 Sqn RAF, Jun-39 to Dec-40 - the first all-Canadian squadron of the RAF. In September 1940, according to The Ottawa Journal, he "cracked up and was sent to hospital. Doctors told him he couldn't fly a fighter plane again. He heard he was being sent back to Canada. 'I didn't want that', Howitt said. 'Any kind of flying is better than none at all, so I volunteered for the ATA and was accepted.' " Address in 1941: Marbrock, Smedley St, W Matlock, Derby Postings: 14FPP Off sick from 14 Dec 41 to 28 Dec with 'nervous apprehension', perhaps brought on by the 2 forced landings he had (a Spitfire in August, and an Anson in October, both due to engine failure). [Contract Terminated 31 Dec 1941) d. November 2, 2002, Guelph Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
Ed. Culver Military Academy, Michigan State College, Tulsa School of Aeronautics Address in 1941: Lake Fenton, Fenton MI 2nd Lieut in US Cavalry Reserve 1938 He was one of three ATA pilots who survived the sinking of the SS Nerissa He was off sick from 9 to 25 May 1941 with "foot injuries sustained in shipwreck" m. 1943 Norah M L [Palmer] in London Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain Austin Young
Sailed back to the US on the 'Ile de France', with Norah, on the 26 Apr 1945. Fellow American ATA pilot Victor Pieper and his English wife Hazel accompanied them. His father bought a car agency - the Twin-City Chevrolet Co - in West Palm Beach for him. He "became well-known in flying and sporting-car circles." Divorced from Norah in 1950
m. 1951 in Florida, Edith [Walters], a stewardess for Eastern Air Lines:
m. 1954 in Florida, Corrinne Edith [Huber] [3 children] In 1959 he joined up with Cuban Sergio Hernandez Reyes and Peter Lambton, the son of ex-ATA pilot Ruth Ballard, in a CIA plot to overthrow Castro. They went to Cuba, but were captured almost immediately and sentenced to jail.
Austin was released after 42 months, having repeatedly escaped from Cuban jails. Meanwhile, Corinne worked as a waitress and looked after the 3 children...
d. 12 Jul 1978, Florida Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1959
ATAM
Austin Young and Peter Lambton, awaiting trial
Father: Alexander Staples Irwin, a Railway Registrar (b. in Co. Tyrone, Dungannon, d. 1912); Mother: Lilliaan Edith [Howse, d. 1945] 5 brothers, 2 sisters
m. 1 Jun 1924 in Barnet, Kathleen Nancy [Swindell] (d. 1978) prev. RFC, RAF 12 Sep 1917 - 1919; Bank Manager (Director of the National Provincial Bank) Address in 1939: 19 Bramber Rd, Friern Barnet, N.12 Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP
7 accidents, 5 his fault: - 29 Oct 1941, a wheels-up landing in Spitfire P8202 after the undercarriage failed to lower - 5 Dec 1941, he overshot the landing in Spitfire BL255 in poor visibility after persisting too far in bad weather - 5 Dec 1942, he taxied too fast in high winds, in Spitfire Vc ES288, and the aircraft nosed over - 6 Aug 1944, he failed to control the take-off swing in Stirling IV EF435 and the port undercarriage collapsed - 2 Sep 1944, he landed Halifax VII NP772 in a crosswind and heavy rain, drifted off the runway and failed to stop before hitting a Lancaster with his wingtip - 18 Mar 1945, his Spitfire IX NH197 struck a tree stump whilst taxying, due to defective brakes - 7 Apr 1945, he overshot the landing in Tempest II MW757, and overturned after running into some barbed wire.
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air
d. 13 Jan 1987 - Woking, Surrey * File not seen |
In 1936, a Farmer Royal Aero Club Certificate 14555 dated 15 Oct 1936, taken at Northamptonshire Aero Club on DH.60 Address in 1936: Manor Farm, Keyston, Hunts Postings: 6FPP 3 accidents, 2 his fault: - 7 Oct 1941, he forgot to lower the flaps of Spitfire AD987 and overshot at Kirkbride - 17 Aug 1944, during the take-off run in Ventura V JT888, his foot slipped off the rudder pedal and became jammed. The aircraft swung off the runway, ground-looped and was damaged - 18 Apr 1945, a forced landing in Halifax III LW587 after a propeller feathered in flight, caused by a defective bearing m. 1955 in Kensington, London, Ursula [Lambert] "Farmer wins King's Cup Forty-seven-year-old turkey farmer Alec Spiller won the King's Cup air race at Coventry yesterday in his Proctor plane — the first time he had ever qualified for the race. Mr. Spiller, ex-ferry pilot from Great Staughton, Huntingdonshire. said: “Racing is just a hobby, I only just scraped in the final 21.” He uses his plane to deliver turkeys." - Sunday Express, 12 July 1959
The aircraft was Percival Proctor III G-AHFK, which he bought from S Smith and Sons in May 1958, and sold in 1963. He also finished 3rd in the 1964 King's Cup, and won the 1976 and 1980 races in Cessna 180 G-ASIT. m. 1961 in St Neots, Huntingdonshire, Shirley A [Robinson]
d. 13 Jun 1982 - Cambridge
In 2022, his collection of trophies was auctioned:
"The John Spiller Trophy Collection. A collection of aviation prize trophies, including a miniature trophy by Wakely & Wheeler, London 1912, engraved 'Air League Cup 1962', 7.5cm wide, miniature trophy by James Dixon & Som, Sheffield 1951, engraved 'The Air League Challenge Cup Winner 1964', 11cm high, a miniature trophy by James Wakely & Frank Clarke Wheeler, London 1902, engraved 'Replica of Harmel Trophy', 4.5cm high, a two handle trophy cup by Adie Brothers, Birmingham 1926, engraved 'Bristol Air Race', 15cm high, trophy by William Devonport, Birmingham 1925, engraved 'The Siddeley Challenge Trophy 1952), damaged, 12cm plus seven further silver plated trophies, various forms and sizes, weighable silver 447g Alec John Spiller (1911-1982) was from Huntingdonshire, he was a talented and very successful member of the Royal Aero Club Air Racing Association. He had a long flying career and won numerous air races including the Kings Cup several times." |
1936
prev. an engineer
d. 15 Jul 1979 - Torremolinos, Spain
buried Cementerio Inglés de Málaga |
1932 
ATAM
"Hail to the blithe spirit"
Address in 1941: 2287 Cove Rd., Merchantville NJ Arkansas National Guard from 1932-35 a Commercial Pilot "Extremely hard working and capable" He was one of three survivors of the 14 American ferry pilots sunk in the 'SS Nerissa'.
d. 10 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Kittyhawk II AK575 left Speke at 16:15. Stuart "appeared not to be too familiar with the controls of the aircraft as he spent approximately 20 minutes in running up the engine and receiving advice from the delivery crew". When last seen he appeared to be "heading north with the aircraft properly under control", but he was never seen again. He was formally presumed dead 6 months later. Margie Fairweather wrote: "We have had a tragedy already in no. 4b FPP. A charming American called Wiley who was posted to us left Speke on Wednesday afternoon & has not been heard of since. It is strange (or perhaps just a matter of psychology) how it always seems to be the nice ones that go and the toughs who remain."
[His fiancee's name was Marion Wilson and she lived in Little Rock ...]
Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial:
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
"To Stuart, Happy Memories of June 1941. Mildred"
6 ft 4in tall Father: Joseph, 1st Baron Manton (Lord Manton, an industrialist, d. 1922); mother: Frances Claire [Nickols], Lady Manton, of Offchurch Dury, Leamington [see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Watson,_1st_Baron_Manton] He was the younger brother of George Miles Watson, 2nd Baron Manton, b. 1899 - d. 1968 1918-19, Cadet at Sandhurst
prev. a 'breeder of bloodstock' in Kenya His engagement to a Mrs Beryl Purves (nee Clutterbuck), of Kenya, was announced in April 1927. However, this article appeared in August: "A serial story with the facts set down, but with all the explanations provocatively left out, has been running since Friday of last week in newspaper columns. It is a disappointing story in one way, for the last chapter leaves the reader with an unsatisfied middle-chapter curiosity. The first instalment appeared on Friday 22 April. Here it is:— “The Hon. R. F. Watson and Mrs. Purves. “The engagement is announced between the Hon. Robert Fraser Watson, second son of the late Lord Manton and Claire Lady Manton, of Offchurch, Bury, Leamington Spa, and Beryl, only daughter of Mr, C. B. Clutterbuck, late of Njoro, Kenya Colony, and of Mrs Kirkpatrick, of Sey, Kenya Colony.” Tuesday's instalment (23 August) brought a complication, for it announced that “the marriage arranged between the Hon. R. F. Watson and Mrs. B. Purves will now not take place.” The serial concluded yesterday, only three days later, with the announcement :— “Mr. M. Markham and Mrs. Purves. “The engagement is announced from Kenya Colony between Mansfield Markham, second son of the late Sir Arthur Markham, Bt., and Beryl, only daughter of the late Mr, C. B. Cluttterbuck and Mrs. Kirkpatrick, of kenya Colony.”. [Here is a photo of (famous aviatrix) Beryl Markham (nee Clutterbuck):
She was the first person to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic from Britain to North America. She wrote about her adventures in her memoir, West with the Night."] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Markham
Anyway, he then m. 26 Apr 1928 in Kenya, Angela Blanche Gladwin [Denniss]
"Married in Nairobi Cathedral, Kenya Colony ... the Hon. Robert and Mrs Watson are now on their way home to England" - The Sketch - Wednesday 18 July 1928 "Her husband has some horses in training and she shares his enthusiasm for racing and other sporting occupations", according to The Tatler in 1930 They had one daughter, Shirley Angela Josephine Watson, b. 7 Mar 1932
RAeC certificate No 12651 (23 Mar 1935) on Avro Club Cadet at Heston 1st-Lieut in Home Guard, 1 Jul 1940 - 10 Apr 1941 Address in 1941: New Barn, Winkfield, Berks; later, 'Pumtrees', Sunningdale, Berks
prev. exp. 100 hrs Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP, AFTS, HQ White Waltham Originally joined as Asst. Chief OC School at White Waltham, but later changed to 'Editing Office and Ferry Pilot' Flight Captain from 14 Feb 1942 Off sick from 15 Jul to 15 Oct 1942 with bronchitis, 12-19 Feb 1943 with influenza Reprimanded 9 Jul 1944 for 'Loss of Hudson handling notes' 2 accidents, 1 his fault: - 29 Oct 1941, a precautionary landing in Magister T9704 after engine failure - 29 Nov 1942, the propeller of his Spitfire IX EN140 'pecked' the ground during take-off, and was damaged "A keen pilot of average ability who possesses good judgement" ... "had very little difficulty in reaching an average standard, which is good in view of his limited flying" "Was somewhat heavy handed but his flying in favourable weather was up to standard. Should not however be expected to ferry aircraft of this type (Halifax) in inclement weather, until considerable experience has been gained in good weather." Angela d. 18 Nov 1959, in Surrey. m. 1961 in London, Enid A M [Cameron] d. 29 May 1975 - Windsor, Berks Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1935
née Cokayne Father: Brien Ibrican Cokayne (d. 1932), Mother: Grace Margaret [Marsham] In 1937, she and Ruth Lambton took a 'light-hearted summer tour' to Budapest (via Brussels, Cologne, Munich, and Salzburg) in a Gipsy Moth; a trip which they reckoned cost them about £55 each in total.
They muddled along in a breathless, schoolgirlish sort of way. In Frankfurt, all their possessions were confiscated but then "we found ourselves in the officers' mess, where the entire squadron shook our hands with the utmost solemnity, clicked heels, Heiled Hitler and gave us lunch! Another round of handshakes, our belongings were duly returned to us, and we Heiled Hitler gratefully ourselves as we took off" Address in 1939: Blythe Rd, Worksop, Notts prev. Motor Sales m. 17 Oct 1939 in Chelsea, Capt. Robert William Alfred Moore, Royal Artillery. He was killed 29/30 May 1940 at Dunkirk. 1 daughter, Elizabeth, b. 27 Nov 1940
m. 1949 in London, Rev. David Henry Aitcheson Williams (Vicar of Tetbury, Gloucestershire. d. 1955) d. 19 Jan 1997 - West Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC
Ruth C (l) and Ruth L (r) ('Flight')
1942 caricature by 
prev. Royal Navy 1917-18 (Boy 1st Class) - 'usual war medals'; [He joined on 22 May 1918, served on HMSs Powerful, Cardiff, Victory I, and Royal Sovereign firstly as an 'engine cleaner', then 'Fireman, Railway', until the end of WWI) from 1924, a salesman for the United Yeast Co., and a member of the Carlisle Flying Club; RAF Aug-40 to Jan-41 (Link Trainer Instructor). prev exp 84 hrs on Gipsy Moth, Hornet Moth. m. 1922 in Carlisle, Lillian [Snowden], 2 children: Beryl b. 1922, Ernest b. 1927 Postings: 15FPP, 16FPP After his initial flight test he was described as "steady, but slow, particularly in navigation"
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire AD395 hit high ground in poor visibility at Breconside Farm, Durisdeer
Buried Carlisle Cemetery
The inscription reads: "In Loving Memory of Alexander Scott 1st Officer ATA
Beloved Husband of Lilian Scott
Died 15 March 1942 Aged 41 Years
Also Beryl Their Daughter
Died 18 September 1942 Aged 20 Years"
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
prev. an 'Assistant Manager' Address in 1928: Penn Hall, Penn, Staffs |
1928
A 'Developer and Builder' m. 1927 in Barnet, Ada Maud [Hulbert] RAeC certificate 15789, 8 Apr 1938, on Tiger Moth at London Aeroplane Club Address in 1939: Truro, Cornwall Postings: --
Promoted to Sergeant, RAFVR in Feb 1944 In the fifties he acquired a Czech-built Orlicon L-40 Meta Sokol, having "found it lying in a corner of a hangar in the north of England and decided to buy it" and in 1957, he made a forced landing on "the tenth fairway of Monktonhall golf course, Musselburgh", having run out of fuel on a flight from Elstree to Turnhouse. d. 10 Aug 1979 - Wicklow, Eire |
1938
Ed. Sedgeley Board School m. 1934 in Kingswinford, Staffs, Ruth I Horner prev. Aircraft Charge Hand Address in 1941: 'Regina', Dudley Rd, Sedgley, Staffs Postings: 9FPP, 6FPP, 12FPP, 3FPP
Off sick from 22 Mar to 4 Apr 1943 with hypertension 4 accidents, 1 his fault: - 3 May 1942, he failed to stop his Whitley K7221 swinging into wind and hitting a pile of earth - 26 Jun 1942, the undercarriage of his Spitfire retracted whilst taxying, due to a technical fault - 13 Sep 1942, Forced landing in a field in Fairchild Argus EV772, after engine failure - 24 Oct 1943, Another forced landing after engine failure, at Burscough airfield in Grumman Tarpon I (Avenger) FN883 Awarded an OBE in the 1946 Honours List Lived at: Harbour Rd, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire d. 6 Jan 2002 - Pembrokeshire Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1941
Father: Frederick William Royffe, mother: Lilian Ed. Southend College Address in 1941: (with parents) Broomybank, Mardley Hill, Welwyn, Herts prev. Buyer, Murphy Radio, Welwyn; RAF Sgt. Pilot Sep 1939 - Oct 1940 prev. exp 105 hrs on Tiger Moth, Miles Master m. Apr 1941 in St Albans, Herts, Joan Violet [Fisher] Postings: 2FPP, 6FPP, 3FPP Suspended without pay for 14 days in July 1941 for 'low flying' [Contract Terminated] By 1943 he was a 'test and ferry pilot', and witness to a tragic accident: "KILLED BY PROPELLER Exmouth Girl's Mistake QUESTIONS TO FERRY PILOT How an inspectress employed by the Aeronautical Inspection Directorate walked into the revolving propeller of an aeroplane and sustained fatal injuries was described at an inquest in the West Country on Monday on Joyce Florence Bowmer, aged 23. Garfield Henry Headon, an electrical instrument inspector, described how on Friday he was standing by an aircraft, the engine of which was running at half throttle and making a good deal of noise. Mr. Coates was in the front cockpit and Mr. Royffe in the rear cockpit. Kenneth Royffe, test and ferry pilot, said at the time he was in the rear cockpit checking the oil gauge when his engine practically stopped, and he saw a piece of propeller flying through the air. He closed the throttle and shut off the engine, and as he got out of the cockpit he saw deceased prostrate on the ground. The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental death." "I have no doubt in due course there will be some other form of inquiry held," added the Coroner, "and, therefore, I do not feel it incumbent on me to make any comments as to what may or ought to be done. That I can quite well leave in the hands of other people, but I sincerely hope there will be no recurrence of such an affair as this."- Western Morning News - Wednesday 7 April 1943
d. 2001, Southend on Sea, Essex Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
6ft 4¼in tall; 'scar on left of throat' Ed. Cheltenham College prev. Clerk, Private Secretary to Produce Merchants prev. exp. 50hrs single engined in France Address in 1941: Greenways, Hillside, New Barnet, Herts Next of kin his brother, F. W. Hazeldine, later (1941) changed to his wife Mary G [Smith] Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP 'A steady pilot and an excellent officer. His keenness and sense of discipline are excellent... was quick to adapt to the Stirling." Contracted tuberculosis of the lungs ('Koch's disease') in Jul 1943 and appears not to have flown after that.
Address in 1948: 188 Chiltern Court, Baker St., London m. 1978 Cecilia Mary H [Jones] (d. 2000) d. Jul 1984 - Chichester, Sussex
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1937
ATA
Father Ralph was a market gardener and pig breeder Educated at Kings School, Chester m. with 2 children in 1941 Next of Kin: Dora Kemp (Mother), 41 Belmont Park, Lewisham London SE13 prev. a Garage Proprietor Address in 1941: 42A Longfield Ave, Upton, Chester Postings: 3FPP "A good officer, gaining experience" 22 Mar 1943: "Pilot reprimanded for indiscipline and unsatisfactory conduct in the presence of the Station Commander at RAF Station Cark" 26 Sep 1943: "Average pilot, discipline good, has shown no tendencies to repeat offence mentioned above." d. Sep 1954 - Bristol Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1936
* (M.327 on file but Eugene Prentice was 327) RAeC certicate 12979, 12 Jul 1935 on Tiger Moth at Hatfield m. 23 Mar 1940 in Romland, Essex, Doris Jean [Snape] , one child before 1941 prev. Manager, Wood Turner; RAF Oct 1939 - Mar 1940, Link Trainer Instructor Address in 1941: 45 Brightside Ave, Staines, Middx 'Top joint of left thumb missing'
Postings: 6FPP, 4FPP
3 accidents, 1 his fault: - 28 Jun 1941, a heavy landing in Hurricane '316 - 17 May 1943, a forced landing in Mosquito HK170 due to failing pressure on RH Engine. - 19 Jul 1943, Mitchell II ER172 landed with low pressure in port engine caused by metal particles in oil filter. "Keen, hardworking & of considerable technical knowledge. His flying is good." May 1945 Report: "Occupational Ability: Above Average. Punctuality and Attendance: Excellent. General Conduct: Excellent both on and off duty" Class 6 (Catalina) pilot Resident in US from 1959, Naturalization 1967 d. 12 Oct 1992 - La Verne, Los Angeles, CA, USA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1935
prev. a chauffeur, then an aircraft fitter for Hawker at Brooklands Address in 1941: Ivy Cottage, St Mary's Rd, Oatlands Park, Weybridge Postings: 6FPP, 16FPP Off sick with gastro-enteritis from Dec-41 to Jan-42, then Apr-42 to May-42 "Has not made much progress lately, probably due to indifferent health." Contract Teminated 15 Jun 42 d. Mar 1976 - Newport, Gwent, Wales
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1937
Ed. Kennington School prev. RASC Motor Driver, 1920; Royal Irish Constabulary (1921); radio engineer (wireless dealer) prev. exp. 90 hrs m. 1923 in Elham, Kent, Winifred Irene [Pierson] "Damaged Wall.— Damage amounting to about £10 was done to a wall at Minster, the result of an accident on Friday morning. At 12.20 a Fordson tractor, driven by Felix Whitnall, of Sonds-road, Deal, was proceeding down Church-street, but when at the junction of Cunningham Road the steering gear failed to act properly, and the vehicle ran into the wall. The only damage was to the wall." - Thanet Advertiser - Thursday 09 April 1925 "A" Licence Gliding Certificate, 1931 "AN UNLIGHTED CAR - Motorist Fined £2 When Felix G. Whitnall was summoned at Folkestone Petty sessions on Friday last week for a breach of the lighting regulations, it was stated that he had already been fined six times for similar offences." - Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald - Saturday 12 January 1935 "THE MOON MADE HIM OVERLOOK IT " I did not realise the seriousness of It because of the moonlight that night." said Felix Whitnall of 5 Wells Road, Folkestone, at the Folkestone Police Court on Tuesday. when he was summoned for parking his car on its offside during the black-out. Chief Inspector W. Hollands said there were a number of previous convictions for motoring offences. Whitnall said the last of these was in 1935." - Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald - Saturday 02 March 1940 Address in 1941: 40 Ashley Ave, Kent Reprimanded and fined one day's pay in October 1941 after reporting a day late at Ratcliffe. 4 accidents, 3 his fault: - 29 Oct 1941, an 'error of judgement' taxying in Mentor L4435 without a man on the tail - 6 Nov 1941, 'bad airmanship' when he taxied his Avro Tutor G-ABIR into a car - 6 Feb 1942, 'persisted too far in bad weather' in Hurricane L1638 and crashed - 14 May 1943, a successful forced landing in Magister P9824 after engine failure.
"A good average pilot inclined to be over-confident" Off sick 11 Nov 1941 to 4 Dec 1941, after the Tutor crash. His ATA pilot contract was terminated in October 1942 after he had been absent following his Hurrricane accident the previous February, but he was re-instated 1 May 1943. When he returned he was put onto 'Maps and Signals' duty, then back on a pilot training course in early May 1943. This was not a success, however - "He would appear to lack any air sense whatsoever ... it would be much safer for himself and all concerned if he was taken off flying" - and his contract was again terminated on the 29 May 1943.
d. 10 Dec 1983 - Dover, Kent, leaving £103,453
"Mr Felix Whitnall, a motor engineer by trade originally started in business at 16 Cheriton High Street selling models, some of which can still be at the shop. He became fascinated by radios and turned his fascination and hobby into a full-time radio business in 1932. His slogan "Whitnall's for Wireless" became famous throughout the area. The present owner, Mr J. K. Moran joined Whitnall's in 1959, taking over the business when Mr Whitnall retired at the grand age of 80 in 1980 [sic]. Recentiy the showroom space has been trebled and Mr Moran can now proudly claim to have at least 50 different TVs on display. Whitnall's speciality is high quality TVs Hi-Fi's and compact disc players all with the highest quality after sales service - oh, and they do still sell radios!" - Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald - Friday 08 August 1986 Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Address in 1918: Alwyne Cottage, Horsell, Woking, Surrey RAF Sergeant in WWI Addess in 1927: 45H Quebec St, London, Ontario, Canada |
1918
Ed. Eton, Cranwell prev. RAF F/O, General Duties Branch 1935-38; Ground Instructor at 8EFTS, Woodley prev exp. 350hrs Address in 1941: Old Tudor Place, Sonning, Berks then Cotswold View, Painswick, Glos. Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 9FPP Off sick from 28 Dec 1941 to 25 Jan 42 with bronchitis, and 29 Jan to 12 Feb 1943 with "unknown"; Fined one days flying pay in Jun 1943 for loss of ferry pilot's notes. 5 accidents, one his fault: - 5 Nov 1941, in a Beaufort; pilot to blame - 30 Nov 1942, his Mosquito swung on landing due to a broken brake pipe; - 11 Jun 1943, forced landing in another Mosquito due to engine failure; - 2 Sep 1943, in a Wellington, and - 5 Aug 1944, on taking off in an Argus, the cowling moved forwards and fouled the propeller. "A very smart, well-behaved and likeable officer; he is liked and respected by all his fellow officers." m. 1945 Nancy Elizabeth [Lloyd, d. Jul 1995]; 2 children d. 30 Nov 1995 - North Dorset
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1934
Had a twin sister, Martha High School in Washington DC prev. Service Dept, Piper Aircraft Corp. Address in 1940: 131E Main St., Lock Haven, PA Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP "A good pilot. Demeanour - lacking in enthusiasm." He was due to return to the US in May 1942 (with fellow American pilots Jack Groover Durham (M.332), Bruce Elmer Raymond, H Stirling, Gerald Gilbert Yerdon, W Walters and Ernest Carl Ewing (M.470), but his contract was renewed at the last moment. Reduced in rank to 2nd Officer for 1 month from 31 Jan 43 after showing 'very bad airmanship' when flying a Typhoon; he misjudged his approach, undershot the landing and struck a gun post. Captain in USAAF until 1947, then with the Curry School of Aeronautics m. Ethel Brown of the Army Nurses Corps, 22 Sep 1948 d. 11 Nov 1984 Burial: Culpeper National Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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"Recognised as one of the greatest of US World War aces with 12 victories, Major Lord holds the DFC and Bar, the Croix de Guerre, the Order of St. Anne, the Order of St. Stanislaus and the White Army Medal." Briefly, he: - left home at 16 and joined the state militia on the Mexican border, then - Joined the RFC, renouncing his US Citizenship to do so, and was credited with shooting down 12 German aircraft (although he later told people it was 22) and one balloon. In one engagement, he single-handedly attacked 20 German planes, shot down two and scattered the rest; - he then went north into Russia to lead a squadron fighting near Archangel in the Russian Civil War, at one stage "blasting the enemy with empty whisky bottles"; - he then "killed time" by fighting for the Government in the Mexican Revolution of 1921 and from then until 1932 he barnstormed in the US with a flying circus. - He then fought for the Chinese Government against the Japanese in Shanghai and Peiping; - 3 years later he was fighting for the Government in Honduras, - And in 1937, [of course], he fought in the Spanish Civil War against German and Italian air forces. He then operated a flying school for a few years, but found it "pretty dull" and tried to rejoin the RAF when WWII broke out, but they obviously felt that the ATA was a more sensible place for a 47-year-old pilot. d. 21 Jul 1967 (age 70): he was murdered in Apple Valley, CA. He was found in a desert cabin belonging to Norval Elma Austin, which "was a shambles, with broken bottles all over the floor, giving every indication of a struggle." The body was identified by his wife. She later said that Frederic was physically unable to do much work around the house, and had hired Norval to do yardwork and other heavy chores, but had fired him "several times". Norval was arrested 2 days later, and found guilty of second-degree murder in 1968. He died in 1982. |
1941
Postings: 8FPP, 1FPP
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prev. a Clerk in West Riding Surveyors Dept., Yorks RAF Sep-39 to OCt-40, LAC/Sgt. d. 26 Jun 1942 - died in a motor accident at East Ardsley, nr Wakefield when returning home to visit his mother on weekend leave. Albert Ronald Humphreys (27), a laboratory assistant, of The Avenue, Ledger Lane, Outwood, near Wakefield, was charged with Clarence's manslaughter, but a plea of dangerous driving was accepted. At 11 o'clock at night at Ramper's Bend on the Wakefield Road at East Ardsley, Humphreys took the corner at too great a speed. The car turned over and Brook, one of the passengers, was thrown out and killed. The Judge imposed a fine of £5O and disqualified Humphreys from holding a driving licence for three years. buried in Pontefract Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
prev exp 90hrs a Ground Engineer for Rotol Airscrews in Gloucester Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 9FPP "A pilot of outstanding ability on all types, with the added advantage of having an excellent technical background." O.C. No 2 FPP wrote in 1945: "I cannot speak too highly of this officer's ability as a Flight Captain and a pilot. He has been one of the mainstays of this pool since the beginning of 1942." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Ed. G.C.S. Dublin, National School Kildare St. prev. RAFVR 16 Jan 1939 to 18 Sep 1940, Sergeant Pilot under training prev. a 'Ladies Court Hairdresser' in Paris, then a technical assistant at Plessey in Ilford m. Jun-42 Madeline Clare [Grigsby] in Maidenhead [d. 2009, Wallasey] Address in 1941: Littlewick House, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead Postings: 6FPP, 16FPP, 14FPP, 1FPP Had 5 accidents in 1942, 4 of which were his fault; he managed to damage a Walrus [failed to control swing], a Hurricane [forgot to lower undercarriage], 2 Masters [hard landing collapsed undercarriage, and hit a post whilst taxying] and a Spitfire [undercarriage leg failed to lock down, that one was not his fault]. Contract Terminated in Apr-42 but re-instated; "This pilot has been given a second chance, a further course of training in the School ... He has not given entire satisfaction. As a pilot he appears now to be average but his reports indicate that he requires driving." "General flying poor, take-off and approaches below standard", but "A keen and willing pilot within his limited capabilities." Also damaged 2 more Spitfires in 1943, but neither was his fault. d. Jul 1995 - Wallasey, Merseyside Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1935
[Possibly emigrated to Canada aged 11 in 1912] RFC in WWI; an instructor at Manston, Kent He "taught Sir Alan Cobham to fly":
Sir Alan Cobham, famous British Airman, was taught to fly by a Winnipeg man, James Holley - The Winnipeg Tribune, 17 Jan 1927 They met again during Sir Alan arrived in Winnipeg en route to the Pacific Coast and had a chat about 'the good old days'. m. 1921 Anna [Sparling] in Winnipeg Owned a 1927 DH Moth, G-CAIL, which later became part of Western Canada Airways' fleet. He also acquired G-CANO, a 1928 Avro Avian III, from WCA. He was involved in an aeroplane and car tour from Saint Paul to Winnipeg tour in 1928: "The delegation, led by Captain J. H. Holley, air pilot for the Western Canada Airways corporation, made arrangements for the international goodwill tour, the Canadians pledging their support and co-operation and offering the hospitality of Winnipeg during the first of the Crookston group. Captain Holley, considered one of the best pilots in Canada, declared he would fly down to take part in the Crookston air derby and would be accompanied by at least one other ship from his company." https://www.reshapingthetornadobelt.com/background/grand-forks-aviation-history/stp-ywg-air-tour-1928 In 1930, he was Sales Manager of the Detroit Aircraft Co. He flew a Lockheed Vega to break the commercial speed record at Felts Field; Washngton; "he expects to exceed a speed of 185 miles per hour." Sailed back to Montreal on 5 October 1941 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Constant Wilson, William Englander, John Sleeper, Walter Lewis, Vernon Meyer, Marvin Tuxhorn, Herbert Termaine, Willie Crews and Leland Lloyd |
Certificate of Commendation, 1943: "On the 28th December 1943, immediately after take-off, First Officer M. Harlé's port engine partially failed. He retracted the undercarriage and managed to gain a safe height, circuited the airfield, lowered the undercariage, feathered the propeller and executed a single engine landing without damage."
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HB
1945
Ed. Bryanston School, Blandford; Jesus College, Cambridge (BA Hons, Geography) Next of Kin: (mother) Phyllis M Nathan (later Poyser) Savernake, Thurlestone, S Devon, later Stratfield Mortimer, nr Reading, Berks prev. Sgt in RAFVR; Link Trainer instructor, RAF Uxbridge, Oct 1940 to 28 Jan 1941 "Unfortunately, his ability to lecture is not up to the required standard ... he has applied for his release from the RAF" prev. exp. 72 hrs in Puss Moth (G-AAYC, belonging to his father Major A A Nathan), Moth, Tiger Moth, Avian. Member of the Civil Air Guard, Cambridge University Aero Club; 'B' Certificate for gliding. Address in 1941: Green Firs, Wellhead Lane, Westbury, Wilts He actually passed his flight test on 20 Dec 1940 ("Good material. Requires training and practice flying to bring him up to the 100 hrs total"), but it took the ATA until 13 Apr 1941 to call him in. Postings: 2FPP, Training Pool, 6FPP His instructor, J Watson, rated him "Quick to learn, intelligent. A trifle lacking in confidence, but will doubtless improve with experience" 2 accidents, both deemed to be his fault: - 1 Jun 1941, a landing accident in Magister T9913;
d. 8 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service); after landing Tiger Moth BB691 at RAF Ouston, he turned into the path of a landing Spitfire. "It is with profound regret that I hear of the fatal flying accident of Mr Nathan, a most lovable young man who, along with the rest of his friends, has given his all, to benefit us." R A Gill, Manager, National Provincial Bank, Beaconsfield Buried St.Mary Churchyard, Stratfield Mortimer, Berkshire
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father: Gilman B Warne, a Realtor; Mother: Ethel Ingersol [Benedict] Ed. Cedar Grove Public School, Bloomfield High School m. 1931 Agnes Kathryn [Erbe] (1 child before 1941) (divorced 1946) pre. own business (Sterling Beverage Co); Curtis Propeller Co.
Address in 1941: 41 Summit Ave, Cedar Grove, Essex, NJ (later 1156 North West 40th St., Miami, FL) 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), Emmett Chaffin, Marvin Harrison Dunlavy (M.408), Harold Lindsey Price. Postings: 1FPP, 16FPP, AFTS (Instructor)
4 accidents, 3 his fault: - 4 Jan 1942, a wheels-up landing in Harvard P5812 due to 'bad cockpit drill' - 9 Jul 1942, the tail and fuselage of Oxford I BG126 were damaged during a heavy landing; as instructor, he should have taken over earlier from the pupil - 8 Feb 1944, forced landing in Boston IIIa BZ374, due to incorrect positioning of the fuel cock - 13 Aug 1944, a forced landing in Hudson I N7238: Certificate of Commendation, 1944, and Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 1945: "On the 13th August 1944, Flt-Capt G B Warne was instructing on a Hudson aircraft. Whilst in the air the port engine caught fire and dense smoke filled the cockpit. The pilot managed to make a wheels-up landing down-wind in a field, and succeeded in extricating himself and his pupil from the burning wreckage, with only minor injury to both."
[The pupil was Jane Plant; after the forced landing and having exited the burning aircraft through the cockpit side window, Ben re-entered the cockpit to lift the unconscious Jane to safety. Ben was taken to hospital with burns, Jane escaped with "nothing worse than shock"] "A competent and inspiring instructor" ..."A most likeable officer who works hard" ... "By sheer example he has maintained a high standard in his flight" m. 1947 in Westminster, Rose Ellen [Deacon] (d. 1995)
"When he retired to Columbia County, PA, he built a small airport and museum where he stored and exhibited WWII and ATA memorabilia. His ashes are interred at this airport."
d. 10 Oct 1990 He and Rose are commemorated at ATA Memorial Airfield, Pine Summit, Columbia County, PA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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Draft Card, dated 16 Oct 1940
Ben's MBE - via 
prev. A motor trader and motorcycle racer; he and his brother James founded Anderton Bros. Motor Cycles Ltd. in Bolton, Lancashire in 1935. Served for 6 months in the Civil Air Guard, as a Unit Leader. Address in 1941: 18 Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever, Bolton Postings: 3FPP, 14FPP In September 1944 his CO, Stan Ogden, wrote "Has been a member of this Pool since Dec 1942. He has proved a willing worker. He uses his head as a pilot and does not attempt to fly in weather beyond his capacity. His discipline has been a good example to more junior members of this Pool."
from http://triumphtiger100.blogspot.pt/ Wikipedia: "In 1949 he competed in his first Isle of Man TT event with brother James in the pits. He also competed in the Ulster Grand Prix 1949 to 1951." Owned G-AMZI, a 1953 Auster J-5F Aiglet Trainer. d. Dec 1983 - Bolton Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1938
1949
Studied Engineering and Accountancy in College, then in the US Marine Corps (Radio & Comms) 1931-35 Started flying at Washington Airport on Fleet in 1936, then 1939 on Taylor Cubs and Aeronca. Bought his own Aeronca Chief, took a commercial pilot's license and an instructor's course in Rockville. A corporal in the Washington DC Special Police, as a radio operator. prev exp 445hrs on Aeronca, Fleet, Wco, Stinson, Fairchild, Cub. Address in 1941: 4848 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD Trained on Magister, Hawk, DH Moth and Avro Tutor; completed his training on Harvard and Hurricane in Aug 1941 d. 7 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - in Hurricane IIb Z5663; became lost in snowstorm and nose-dived into ground in Wyre Forest, nr the Button Oak Inn, 5mi NW of Bewdley, Worcestershire.
Buried in All Saints Church, Wribbenhall on the 10th December. The pall bearers were Sergeant Pilots Jeffery (Canada), Munro (Canada), Brown (USA), Terry (USA), Isfield (Canada) and Wilson (USA). Chief Mourners were F/O Jack Terry, F/O Anthony Storey, and Miss Stamford. The many wreaths included one from Mrs Jane Spence, "the only American-born resident in Bewdley." His wife Mrytle wrote "Numbers of my husband's friends, both officers and fellow-pilots, have written to me. Will you please give them my sincere thanks? I'm glad he made so many friends, and I appreciate their sympathy." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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The Button Oak Inn, 2015
ATA
An aviation journalist (e.g. 'Flying Memories,' 1936) and a prolific and well-known artist, e.g. this from 1931:
and this, from 1936:
Address in 1941: Fivetrees, Wood Lane, Stanmore Middx Postings; 1FPP, 6FPP [Promoted to First Officer 29 Dec 1941, but demoted to 3rd Officer 21 June 1943 after being absent through injury following a forced landing in a Hurricane, from 27 Mar 1942 to 15 Nov 1942] Jan-43: "After a long rest from flying owing to his accident this pilot failed to reach the necessary standard on his Class 2 refresher. He has bnow been checked out on Class 1 and after 3 months experience in this class should be given another trial." By Dec-44 he had qualified for Class 2 and 3, and became "a good reliable and well behaved officer. His knowledge of the country and steady flying make him an excellent pilot." d. 1950. Flight, 13 Apr: "It is with deep regret that Flight records the deaths, in an air accident at Boston last Friday, of Stanley Orton Bradshaw, pilot, and editorial contributor to The Aeroplane, and of his two passengers, E. J. Riding and N. C. Stoneham. Aged 47, Mr. Bradshaw had been a pilot since 1926 and, following wartime A.T.A. experience, had over 70 types of aircraft in his logbook. In addition, he was a noted aviation writer and painter of flying scenes. He had a happy way of transmitting his intense enthusiasm for aviation, particularly private flying, to all he met. Mr. Riding, also a writer, was an authority on aero-modelling and light aircraft. The third victim, Mr. Stoneham, was a member of the Redhill Flying Club." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1927
ICCL
Father: William Campbell Shaw (1875-1942), Mother Maud Ann [Hackett] (1869-1907) m. 31 Mar 1934 in New Zealand, Amelia Myrtle Irene Robertson (b. 11 Feb 1906 in Oamaru, Otago, New Zealand, d. 26 Apr 2004)
In the 1939 Census, he is listed as an "Agricultural Engineer Service Work" and lives with wife Amelia and son Richard, in Spalding, Lincs. His entry adds "Civil Air Guard", and "Pilots Licence No 9166" but he didn't have a UK Royal Aero Club certificate; he must have learnt to fly in New Zealand.
In November 1939, "Richard le Norman Shaw, engineer, Gainsborough Cottage, Pinchbeck, in Pinchbeck Road. Spalding" was fined 15s. for a motoring offence.
Postings: 4FPP Class VI Pilot
One of Richard's first 'Aircraft Collection Chits', dated 12 Oct 1941 - a Hurricane from Prestwick
3 accidents, none his fault: - 16 Oct 1942, shortly after take-off the hood of his Spitfire Vb BM189, which was wrongly assembled, became partially detached and broke away - 29 Nov 1942, in Blenheim V BB135, the "excessively bad state of the surface of the airfield" caused the undercarriage to collapse after a normal landing - 8 Aug 1944, in Hellcat I JV171, he was baulked on landing and on opening up the engine again it picked up for a short time and then failed. The aircraft was subsequently landed with the wheels down, off the runway, over-ran the airfield boundary and crashed into a bank. He was injured in this last accident, and spent some time in the RAF Sick Quarters at Prestwick. Commander d'Erlanger sent him a 'get well soon' letter on the 14th:
His final, impressive tally of hours was:
- Single-engine: 432 hrs on 34 Types
- Twin-engine: 587.35hrs on 19 Types, and
- Multi-engine: 84 hrs on 56 Types
"Upon the termination of your services with Air Transport Auxiliary, I should like yo express appreciation of the manner in which you have carried out your duties since you first joined us in April 1941; I have no doubt that your recollection of these services for your Country will prove a source of great satisfaction to you."
Commodore G. D'Erlanger, Commanding Officer, ATA
In May 1947, Richard and Amelia moved to New Zealand with their 2 children Richard Norman (b. 9 May 1937, d. 5 Jan 1983) and Elizabeth A (b. Jan 1940). They lived at 44 Fortification Rd, Wellington, and then Hawke's Bay from c.1981
d. 30 Nov 1984 (aged 78)
Buried at Oamaru Lawn Cemetery, Oamaru, Waitaki District, Otago, New Zealand, Block 520, Plot 40, beside Amelia and Richard Jr
Download ATA Pilot Log Book & Correspondence * (.zip file): * with thanks to Jason and Nina Harris, and daughter Lydia (who saved Richard's logbook from being destroyed) |
SS Nerissa, bringing 14 American pilots, was sunk 30 Apr 1941
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The SS Nerissa was bringing 290 passengers and crew from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Britain; amongst them were 14 American pilots destined for the ATA. 11 of them were lost after the ship was torpedoed and sunk by U-boat U-552 about 100 miles NW of Donegal, Eire. There were 84 survivors.
The pilots lost were:
The three surviving pilots were Clyde Cecil Foreman (M.482), Joseph Stuart Wiley (M.427) and Austin Young (M.452), from Flint, Michigan. |
Father: Sydney H Parker, Mother: Annie C Address in 1938: Chasma Tangi, Ashley Rd, New Milton, Hants prev. Teaching, Ground Engineer Postings: 15FPP
d. 26 Sep 2000 - Wimborne St Giles, Dorset |
RAeC 1938
ATAM
m. 1931 in Staines, Patricia Harriet Louise [Watson] prev. a ground engineer at Heston Airport
d. 1 May 1952 - Tripoli, Lebanon buried Anglo-American Cemetery, Beirut |
prev. a Mining Engineer, then a Motor Engineer Royal Navy from 1915-18 then Army Air Corps to 1919 Address in 1938: "Alclutha", St George's Rd, Sandwich, Kent d. 7 Mar 1982, Exeter |
1938Women Pilots at Hatfield in May 1941
ELC
Connie Leathart, Lois Butler, Margaret Cunnison, Pauline Gower, Jackie Sorour, Honor Pitman, Ann Douglas, Anna Leska, Stefania Wojtulanis, Winnie Crossley, Lettice Curtis, Pat Beverley (at the time she was a driver), Audrey Sale-Barker, Audrey Macmillan, Rosemary Rees, and Kitty Farrer
Address in 1941: Empshott Lodge, Liss, Hants Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP 4-engine (Class 5) pilot
5 accidents, 2 her fault: - 9 Jan 1941, when the rear cockpit cover of her Master fell off, damaging the tail; - 26 Jun 1942, forced landing in an Airacobra; - 13 Dec 1942, she failed to control the take-off swing of a Hudson; - 30 Apr 1943, her Spitfire's port wing touched the ground on a difficult crosswind landing, and - 11 Jul 1944, forced landing in an Anson.
A good natural pilot" "A capable pilot who is keen and quietly confident" "Has proved to be a good second in command and was acting C.O. for 2 months with credit" m. 1941 Cmdr Peter Hugh Bragg, RAF Boscombe Down d. 1984 See her biography here - Felicity Bragg – solentaviatrix (wordpress.com) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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RAeC
Daughter of Samuel Arthur Sayer (a chartered civil engineer) and of Elizabeth Emma [Mills], of Stoke D'Abernon, Surrey. Betty's niece tells me that "They came back to England in 1916 or 17 because Elizabeth was pregnant and wanted to give birth in England. She was afraid of U-boats and so came on the trans-Siberian railway but it took a long time as they got caught up in the Russian revolution and spent days parked in sidings. I think they spent several weeks on the train. I think they ended up in Sweden and had to get a boat across to Scotland." [Davd Cooke has discovered that Samuel Sayer headed the architectural department of a company named Republic Land Investment, which was responsible for designing the New Asia Hotel in Shanghai. This was opened in 1934 and is still a landmark building – see http://www.newasiahotelshanghai.com/ ] Betty and her elder sister Kathleen then sailed, with their mother Elizabeth, from England to Canada in 1919, and back from Japan in 1927. Elizabeth died in October 1932 in her early 40s (apparently "she died of cirrhosis of the liver, was most annoyed by it as she had never drunk alcohol") and in the following year Betty and Kathleen (by then 15 and 19) sailed to Shanghai. "From all accounts Betty was a bit of a tearaway (possibly taking after her mother). I remember seeing a letter from my grandfather to my mother after Betty had come back saying how much he missed her and commenting on her lively behaviour. As far as ships go I remember my mother (Kathleen) saying quite late in life that she thought that every ship she had sailed on had ended being sunk!" Betty was then back in England for a few years, and took her Royal Aero Club certificate in 1937.
Prev. Exp: 37 hrs solo Betty was an 'Assistant Passenger Agent', working for Messrs Butterfield and Swire in Shanghai in 1940, but she had gained her Royal Aero Club 'A' Licence 3 years before. So, when the call came for women pilots for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), she didn't hesitate; clutching this letter of introduction, she made her way back to England: She explained to the ATA that her licence had, in fact, expired in August 1940; she had got half way through the course for a 'B' licence but abandoned this to return to Shanghai to join her father. She had 37 hrs 51 min solo, out of a total of 90 hrs 55min - "chiefly Tiger Moths and Gypsy I" 'Well', said the ATA, 'as you've come all this way, you'd better have a flight test.' Which she did, and it was satisfactory. As quite often happened, nothing happened. When they finally did write, it was to say that there were no vacancies, and anyway, "nobody with less than 50 hrs solo can be accepted at the moment." Betty was understandably, a tiny bit annoyed. She wrote to them, again: "I told you at the time about my solo hours... there would seem to be little point in my carrying out a flight test ... I have travelled here from Shanghai for the express purpose of doing something to help the war effort... Could you please let me know when I may expect to hear from you, as naturally I do not wish to do nothing whilst awaiting a communication from you... I might join the WAAF, although naturally I would prefer to become a member of the ATA." They wrote back on the 28 March 1941: "You are on the first reserve", then on 5 April the long-awaited call came through: "Please report on May 1st".
Betty was keen, and started instruction; she was 'shaping well', but the next setback came on 9 May: "We have sufficient pilots to cope with our work at present, and we do not require your services. You had slightly less experience than any of the pilots we have taken on so far." ATA Senior Commander Pauline Gower was not best pleased, either; she wrote to her boss, "I have had to dispense with the services of Miss Sayer as a pilot ... You instructed me to bring our numbers up to 40, and this is what I have done." Poor Betty was shunted off to the non-flying staff, as a Secretary on 3 pounds 10 shillings a week. There she languished for a few weeks until, on the 3 July 1941, in another triumph of long-term planning, she was ... put on the flying strength once again. She had another test, on the 17th: "Miss Sayer is obviously inexperienced and requires more practice with forced landings and compass turns. Try her again after another 20 hours dual and solo" By the 9th Aug 1941 they reported: "Better: her turns near the ground have improved... enterprising and sensible in her flying." The final, bitter blow was only just round the corner, however; on the 15 Mar 1942, she (with Bridget Hills (q.v.)) was killed at 12.20pm on the 15 Mar 1942 when flying as a passenger in Fairchild Argus HM178, which stalled and crashed onto a bungalow when returning to land at White Waltham after bad weather.
Yorkshire Evening Post, 17 Mar 1942: "AIRWOMEN KILLED Ferry Pilots' 'Plane Hit Bungalow. The Ministry of Aircraft Production announces that Flying Officer Graham Lever, Third Officer Bridget Hill, and Third Officer Bessie Sayers lost their lives in a flying accident on Sunday. The accident occurred in the course of their duties with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The 'plane crashed on to a bungalow. A fourth passenger in the machine, also a woman A.T.A. officer, was injured. Twenty-six people were injured when they rushed to the house to extricate the passengers in the 'plane. It is believed that the petrol tank in the machine exploded. Among the injured were children who were in the street. The petrol tank exploded some time after the crash, owing, it is believed, to contact with a fire in the kitchen. A man named Croft, living in an adjoining bungalow, was blown through a window into the street and badly hurt but a child in the front room of the bungalow was rescued almost uninjured. " She was buried at Maidenhead Cemetery - Sec. D. Row K.K. Grave 19., and is named on the memorial at Stoke d'Abernon.
Pauline wrote that "she was a vey keen pilot, who had her heart in her work. She flew well and had the makings of a good ferry pilot." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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RAeC 1937
Illustrated News, 1942
Educated at Fettes College, Cranwell College RAF Pilot Officer Sep-31 to Apr-34, 111(F) Sqn RAF Hornchurch flying Siskins and Bulldogs m. 1943 Denise Germaine [Dartnall] in Maidenhead an Instructor in Air Navigation, for Air Schools Ltd. Address in 1941: 26 Weymouth Mews, Weymouth St., London N1 Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP, 4aFPP, 4FPP 5FPP, and AFTS as instructor "An excellent officer and reliable pilot", but developed "a rather worrying disposition and would probably overcome this if he mixed more with his collleagues." d. 3 Apr 1986 - Bournemouth, Hants "Elder son of the late Professor and Mrs A R Ferguson of Cairo and Edinburgh and father of Christopher." The Times [actually Christian A J Ferguson, b. 1947] Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a Flight Instructor and commercial pilot d. 3 Sep 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Master AZ324 crashed into the sea at Terally Point, 2 miles N of Dronmore, Scotland. And then A Small Surprise Emerged
young Stephen Raymond Lambert McFarland The American Red Cross in Mount Vernon, Ohio, reported that they had seen Stephen's mother Anna; "we had previously been informed by a member of our committee that we could rely on any statements she would make, she was that kind of a person".
Anna from http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hhickman/p271.htm Anna told the Red Cross that she and Fred (Stephen's father) had been contacted by an English girl - Frona 'Daisy' Lambert, who told them she had met Stephen when she was a 'canteen hostess' in London. They became fond of each other "and - well - a baby was soon on the way." Stephen had not known she was pregnant: "About that time Stephen became acquainted with another girl and saw a great deal of her. Miss Lambert was proud and did not hunt Stephen up to tell of her condition". After the baby was born (on the 14th March 1942) she wrote to him, not knowing that he had been killed. "Miss Lambert is most anxious to keep the baby with her and find some way to solve her problems... Her mother is dead and her father has more or less disowned her since she became an unwed mother." Stephen's parents wanted Daisy to bring the baby (who, they said, bore a strong resemblance to Stephen) to live in Mount Vernon. They would, they said, "plan to have her known as their son's widow" and look after her and the baby, to the best of their limited resources. Anna wrote to Daisy: "We are surely glad about the baby but sorry you did not tell Steve as we are sure he would of made everything alright with you and been proud of his son." All was then arranged; the only serious qualms felt by the McFarlands were "in regard to Miss Lambert's name. Their wish is to introduce the girl as their late son's widow, which will be difficult if she does not bear his name." They wondered if it would be possible for Daisy to change her surname to McFarland? This was "owing to their fear that complications and unpleasantness might arise in a small farming community, having a somewhat rigid moral outlook." Indeed it was possible, and Daisy and Stephen Raymond changed their name to McFarland in May 1943. The ATA Benevolent Fund agreed an ex-gratia payment of $3,000 to Mr and Mrs McFarland, and $3,000 in trust for Stephen Jnr. on the condition that Fred and Anna could sponsor their move to the US. The ATA also arranged for Daisy and Stephen Jr to stay with Sqn Ldr Morgan in Twyford until arrangements could be made for their transfer to the US, and gave him £3 10s a week for her board and lodging. In April, Daisy wrote to the ATA: "You are kind to go to all this trouble for us, and I will not disappoint you. It will be a fresh start, in different surroundings, and I shall do my utmost to settle down, and help Mrs Morgan as much as possible." By June 1943, however, Daisy seems to have disappointed some people at least, according to a letter from Cmdr Stocks, the ATA Personnel Officer. Having moved to Amerden Priory (thanks in part to Audrey Sale-Barker), she spent "the majority of her time lazing about the gardens and in the evening playing cards until the early hours of the morning." One evening she reportedly won 6s at cards and the next morning bought cigarettes with this money, instead of buying new shoes for her baby - his only shoes being worn out. She also was reported to have consorted with other married men, to have wasted money on taxis, stayed out late, etc, etc. Daisy thought, apparently, that Mount Vernon was going to be "a place of bright lights, lots of music and tall buildings", and thought that everyone owned a car. Whether or not the reports were true or not is impossible to say - in Daisy's letters she comes across as a sweet, perfectly respectable, 22-year-old. She was making a living as a dressmaker and did 'very fine needlework'. They finally arrived in Mount Vernon in September 1943. "Just a few lines to let you know I arrived safely. After we parted at N.Y. I was feeling pretty low... I got to Columbus at around 11:30 the next morning and Mrs McFarland sent her son Frank to pick me up by car." "It's very nice here, everybody's so sweet and kind, I shan't find it difficult to settle down. Things are so different to England, but in the right way." "p.s. Dumbo's doing fine - and if possible - getting fatter." Anna's great-nephew tells me that "I recall visiting Anna on her farm in Ohio, and my parents kept in contact with their other son Frank McFarland, until the 1990’s when he died."
Anna McFarland, on the right Daisy - reverting to her original name, Frona - later moved out of Ohio, married Benjamin H Corbin in 1946 (he was a bricklayer; they divorced in 1971), had two daughters (Kim and Carla) and carried on with her 'fine needlework', for example winning 'Best of Show' in the 1980 Yarncrafters Guild Show.
"Lest the impression be given that Ms Corbin has spent her life with a needle in her hand, it should be noted that, amongst other things, she has travelled with a carnival for six-seven years, worked as a carpenter's helper for four years, done interior and exterior house painting for four years and managed a pet shop for several years." "I look at every day as something exciting ... One of the nicest things my children ever said to me was, 'Mother, don't ever grow up'." Frona died in 2002 aged 80. As for Stephen's parents, Fred died in 1959 and the indomitable Anna in 1972. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Frona in 1980: photo courtesy of Howard Hickman
m. Mary E, 1 son Address in 1940: Clinton, Mt Vernon, OH Sailed back to Montreal on 5 October 1941 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Constant Wilson, William Englander, James Holley, Walter Lewis, Vernon Meyer, Marvin Tuxhorn, Herbert Termaine, Willie Crews and Leland Lloyd He and three other American pilots (William Harry Englander, Vernon Arno Meyer, and Marvin Blaine Tuxhorn, qqv) threatened legal action to secure their full ATA salary of $150 per week for the period after they were told they had not been accepted as ferry pilots; they had, it seems, only been paid $24 plus a $50 subsistence allowance per week. Joined USAAF ATC based at Romulus, Michigan. In Apr 1943 he made a forced landing in a Mustang en route from Scott Field to Chicago, suffering cuts about the face and body. d. 29 Nov 1984 - Goodhue, Minnesota Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Postings: 6FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 8FPP, 1FPP
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Address in 1941: (mother) 607 15th Ave E, Cordele, GA Ed. Georgia Military College prev. A Banker; Flight Instructor; US Army Sep-28 to Aug-40, 2nd Lieut. 'Flying since 1928' Postings: 3FPP Either "a good and capable pilot", or "This pilot gossips and grumbles too much about things of which he knows nothing; a troublemaker." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a salesman (Gents Tailors), and a Ground Instructor for Marshall's Flying School, Cambridge m. , one child before 1941 RAFVR Sgt in General Duties Branch, Apr-39 to Aug-40, exp. 70 hrs solo Address in 1941: 34 Elfloda Rd, Cambridge Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 1FPP, 10FPP He had 4 'at fault' accidents: - 30 Jun 1941: overshot on landing in Fairey Battle P6668; - 24 Oct 1941: his Hurricane BE341 collided with a Blenheim in bad visibility [suspended for 3 days without pay for landing late and in bad weather]; - 22 Mar 1942: failed to control landing swing in Spitfire Vb BL775, swung off runway and nosed over, and - 11 Jun 1942: failed to control swing (again), but at least there were extenuating circumstances in that he was making a single-engine forced landing in Beaufort W6498 at the time. He was then injured as a passenger in yet another 'landing swing' accident on 22 Apr 1943; "Consolidated Catalina FP321 swung on landing after a training flight and sank. The accident on Cumbrae involved Captain Ernest Cook, Flight Captain Jose Carreras from Spain, and Flying Officer Gibbs, who all survived the accident, but sadly, the body of Flight Engineer Harold Frank Peter Waldron was never found. Flight Captain Jose Maria Carreras, who was a former Spanish Civil War pilot, was instructing on the seaplane when through no fault of his own, the aircraft crashed." http://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/13750810.70th_anniversary_of_Catalina_crash "Mr J.W Gibbs, for many years afterwards Air Safety Officer for BEA, was a co-pilot when the plane crashed. “Gibbie, as he was known by everyone, found himself swimming in the water with the wing floating close by with one of the crew sitting on it. When he put up his arms to grab the wing he found, for the first time that his right arm had been taken off at the shoulder as he was flung from the plane.” - https://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/13752788.truth-emerges-over-cumbrae-catalina-tragedy/
"A good officer whose flying was entirely satisfactory." Transferred to Admin (Air Accidents Investigation Officer) Apr-44 [at a salary of £525 a year.] Off sick from 29 Nov 1944 to 13 Apr 1945 - "Reporting to Canadian Hospital" When he returned to flying, "This pilot flew the Moth and Argus well and is perfectly safe on those types. These two aircraft are at the moment the limit of his ability due to his physical handicap." "Occupational Ability: Average. Very good but inclined to be erratic." "General Remarks: With growing experience his judgement is improving. At first he was inclined to be a little emotional and prejudiced in his judgement, and to be argumentative, but he is settling down." ATA contract terminated Jan-46. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
1946
Father: Walter Brown Crews, Mother: Annie Mae Ed. Kerser High School m. 1935 in Arkansas Bertha Christine [Johnson] (an 'FAA licensed Pilot') prev. a commercial pilot (Delta, Finkles Bros) flying instructor and crop dusting Address in 1941: 1201, W Ash St., Blytheville, Arkansas Contract Terminated - Medical Reasons. "This pilot was found to be sufferng from syphilis, which he contracted before he left the USA, and received treatment in this country. This condition was too far developed to permit flying activities." "He should never have been enrolled." later Capt in US Air Transport Command 1942-1946 d. 20 Mar 1974 (Age 62) - Los Angeles Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Lieut., 16th Gloucestershire Regiment, RFC and RAF in WWI Certificate of Commendation "On the 10th February, 1944, First Officer Collins was ferrying a Walrus when the engine failed completely over mountainous country. He landed it undamaged on a bend of the River Devron between high banks, and managed to moor it successfully." One accident, his fault: - 10th Oct 1942, Tomahawk AH806 was being flown to Catterick on a delivery flight so the aircraft could join No.1472 A.A.C.Flight. It landed at Dishforth at 13.15hrs with its undercarriage retracted and was slightly damaged. d. 5 Sep 1979 - Cannock, Staffs |
ATAM
Postings include: 1FPP, 8FPP, 16FPP
3 accidents, 2 his fault: - 24 Apr 1942, he forgot to lower his undercarriage in Hurricane BP517 after being baulked on his original approach - 26 Sep 1942, he taxied Hurricane IIb JS303 into a petrol tanker, breaking the propeller - 26 Nov 1942, he failed to control the take-off swing in Wellington X HE388 and hit an obstruction, due to being directed to the wrong runway.
m. 1946 in Maidenhead, Jessie H [Wilson]
d. 1996, Winchester, Hants * File not seen |
ATAM
Ed. Technical School. Oldham [Diploma in Textiles] Chartered Institute of Secretaries prev. RFC, RAF Nov 1917 to Apr 1919 2nd Lieut. m. 1930 Dora [Hewitt], 2 children Margaret b. 1933, John b. 1935 prev. a Yarn Salesman for Park Mill, Royton, Lancs prev. exp. 200 hrs Address in 1941: 442 Burnley Lane, Chadderton, nr Oldham Postings: 3FPP, 14FPP "A slow and rather erratic pilot but proved safe and of average ability" ... "A very good officer to whom nothing is a trouble." Off sick from 27 Jan 1944 to 1 Mar 1944 with 'flying fatigue'. Contract Terminated by ATA 3 Mar 1944 d. Jun 1951 - Manchester Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Father: Joseph Lois Naz (A member of the Institution of Civil Engineers) Educated at Bedford School, Stanislas College Paris. B.Sc. m. 1933 Eileen Winifred [Barrett], 2 children Next of Kin: Dr P L Naz, Kingston & District Hospital An Electrical Engineer; R.A.F. Reserve Officer Jun-28 to Nov-39 Address in 1941: 72 Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Herts Postings: 15FPP, 3FPP, 14FPP, 1FPP (Communications Flt) "A keen and competent pilot", "Above average as a pilot; apt to be a bad time-keeper." d. 26 Jul 1962 - St Albans, Herts Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Ed. Central School, Coventry m. Jan 1936 Lorna Grace [Hill], of Coventry House, Dunton Bassett, Rugby; 1 daughter Josephine b. Q3 1936 prev. a Builder and Contractor; Sergeant in RAF, 2 Nov 1939 - 4 Apr 1941 prev. exp 151 hrs on Leopard Moth, Swallow, Avro Tutor, Chilton, Taylorcraft & Cub Address in 1941: 240 ~Walsgrave Rd, Stoke, Coventry Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP "This officer gives occasional trouble on questions of general discipline and behaviour, both on and off duty.... he is very sure of himself ... very cocksure and self-opinionated" "Quite a capable pilot" 5 Accidents, only one deemed to be his fault: - 11 Dec 1941, his Hurricane IIb AP594 sank so deeply into unmarked piece of soft ground that it nosed over, 'in spite of men on tail', damaging the propeller - 13 Mar 1942, in another Hurricane, N2666 the gun compartment cowling came loose in flight - 3 Apr 1942, he taxied his Anson into some barbed wire due to 'bad cornering in difficult conditions, and with a stiff tailwheel pivot' 13 Jul 1942, the port undercarriage leg of his Beaufighter IV EL241 collapsed on landing, and
d. 17 Sep 1942 when he lost control in cloud (which was 10/10ths at 1,000ft) and his Spitfire Vb EP893 dived into the ground at Saighton, nr Chester, shortly after take-off from Hawarden
Buried St Michaels Cemetery, Stoke, Coventry
"To: Commanding Officer, ATA, I am writing to thank you most sincerely for your letter expressing your personal sympathy in my sad loss and for all the kindness you have shown & the help you have given me. Our small daughter is a great comfort to me & I trust she too will one day be proud to know that you held him in such high esteem as a pilot, & that he died serving his country. Yours Sincerely, Lorna G Morris"
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1937
ATA
prev. a tobacconist Address in 1935: 7 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE 22 |
1935
ATAM
Ed. at Perse School, Cambridge father: Robert Evelyn George m. Jun 1943 Wendy M [Tadgell]; 3 children b. 1944, 1947, 1949 prev. a Master Tailor RAF Sgt. from Mar-39 to Jan-41 "Unable to fly satisfactorily at night" prev. exp. 182 hrs Address in 1941: 68 Panton St, Cambridge ["Telephone No 3943 during day, not Thursday afternoon or Sundays (shop)"] Postings: 1FPP, 12FPP, 4aFPP, 6FPP, 7FPP Seconded to RNAS Lee-on-Solent Aug-Sep 1944 "This officer was very slow at the beginning but is progressing slowly." "Flying of average standard. Slowness was due to sickness and domestic worries." "A likeable officer whose discipline is good. A capable pilot although somewhat underconfident."
Peter (3rd from right) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010
d. 10 Feb 2012 - Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire "Former WWII ATA Pilot. Died peacefully at home, on Friday, 10th February, 2012, aged 91 years. Beloved husband of the late Wendy and very much loved and admired by all his family. Funeral service at the West Chapel, Cambridge City Crematorium, CB3 0JJ on Friday, 9th March at 2.15pm. Family flowers only, but your kind donation in Peter's memory to Maidenhead Heritage Trust may be forwarded." Cambridge News 'The proportion of women fatalities was lower than the proportion of men. The late Peter George said simply that “the women were more reliable. They didn’t do the same damn fool things as the men did.” ' http://maidenheadheritage.org.uk Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1946
Father Ira Monto Cooper; mother Anna [Knapp] b. 1880 d. 1984 m. Jul 1938 Kathryn Louise [Tudor]; 3 children ["Mr and Mrs Cooper took a honeymoon trip by plane, piloted by the former, who owns and operates a private ship."] prev. an Airport Manager prev. exp. 1369 hrs Address in 1941: Tuscola, IL Postings: 1FPP, 12FPP, 4aFPP, 16FPP Suspended for 7 days with loss of pay in Sep-42 for low flying over Carlisle. "A most reliable and willing pilot"; "A good pilot and very keen" but Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons "Mr and Mrs Cooper celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open reception. They both farm." Briefly, their farm produced oil; however in 1965 the Decatur Herald said that only 2 of the 11 wells in Macon and Christian counties were still operating, and amongst them "Howard L Cooper's Long No. 2 was no longer profitable to operate. The pool in which it was located has been discovered less than 7 years." d. 24 May 1989, Evansville IL Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Father William B. Fulton, a farmer; mother Rosa B [Rigney] [d. 1969] prev. "Flying for Pleasure" prev. exp. 300hrs Postings: 16FPP "A good average pilot": "An enthusiastic pilot, steady in temperament."
d. 11 Oct 2017, Decatur IL His obituary in the Decatur Herald and Review reads: "
Dale R Fulton, 96, of Pierson Station, IL passed away at 8:20 a.m. at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL. At age 17 Dale's parents got him his first airplane which led to a long carreer of flying. He ferried planes from factories to fighter fields in England during the war. In 1942 he signed on with Transcontinental and Western Air, which became TWA.The company had a contract with the government to fly transport planes and they needed pilots. His mother received a draft notice, but he was already serving in the Air Transport Command. In 1946 Dale won the first place trophy at the Soho National Air Races in Cleveland, OH, his average speed was 352 mph. Dale went to work as an international pilot for TWA after World War II. While working he flew around the world on a monthly basis for many years. He also served as a test pilot and did engineering for TWA at their Kansas City hub. At the time of his retirement in 1981, Dale was #2 on the seniority list at TWA. Dale returned to the family farm full time in 1981 and continued to plant and harvest the crop yearly until retiring in late 2014.. He was on the board of directors at the State Bank of Hammond from 1981 until his passing. Dale was a very generous man who would do anything to help anyone. He loved animals and would feed any stray that came along." http://www.hilligossshraderfh.com/obituary/dale-fulton Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Decatur Herald, 1 September 1946
One of 6 former pilots of (Polish airline) PLL LOT who joined the ATA - see also Leonard Satel (Joined 1940, M.39*), Klemens Dlulagewski (Joined Jun 1940, M.11 *), Mieczyslaw Witkowski (1941, M.288 *), Feliks Pecho (M.1115), and Ludwik Tokarczyk (M.1006). [ * - personnel files missing, M. No estimated based on start date] RAF Service No. 793247
m. 1956 in Holborn, London, Lina Neumann
d. 14 Nov 1974 - Chichester, Sussex |
ATAM
Father: Albert Frederick Daniel, mother Lizzie Mary [Bonner]
[His father was the owner of the Daniel Photographic Studio from 1907 until his death in 1935, when Lizzie took over.] Ed. High School, Jackson, then University of Mississippi prev. Mississippi National Guard until Jun-40 A Commercial Pilot Address in 1941: 224 E. Amite St, Jackson, MS
After the ATA, Al joined the US Navy as a trainee Naval Officer, taking part in bombing raids against Japanese islands in 1944, and eventually becoming a Colonel. m. Feb 1943 Dinah [Brown] of Lauderdale; 2 daughters [Sandra Lynn and Dianne Brown Daniel]. He returned to Jackson and took over his father's photographic studio; he was elected 2nd Vice President of the Professional Photographers of Mississippi in 1947. In 1964, Col. Daniel was described as "a manufacturer's agent", and lived at 4236 Oakridge, Jackson.
His daughter Dianne Brown Daniel married in 1973. He donated his collection of photographs of Jackson to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History: "After taking a break from photography to be film manager for Jackson television station WLBT (1953-1959), Secretary-Treasurer for Wilson-Geyer Co., Inc. (1960-1963), and a manufacturer's agent (1964-1966), Al Fred Daniel acquired Standard Photo ("the photographic store of Jackson since 1926," according to the Jackson city directory) and served as its president from 1967 to 1987. His wife, Madge Rosalyn "Dinah" Brown Daniel, also worked at Standard Photo from 1970 to 1987. Al Fred Daniel died December 13, 1996, and was survived by Dinah until November 14, 2004." You can see his photos at http://www.mdah.ms.gov/arrec/digital_archives/series/daniel Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a Company Director Lived in Kenya during the 1920s and early 30s d. 20 Apr 1957 - Hampshire |
prev. a draughtsman for Bristol Aeroplane Co RAFVR L/AC from Sep-39 to Oct-40 prev. exp. 52hrs Address in 1941: (father) Outwood, Almondsbury, Bristol Later: Rosemary, Imber Pk Rd, Esher, Surrey Postings: 16FPP, 5(T)FP, CTO Reprimanded in Mar-43 for a taxying accident in which his Dominie struck Pilot Officer Reinke and knocked him over, although both were held responsible. "This officer at all times carries out his duties and responsibilities in a very satisfactory manner." King's Commendation for valuable service in the air m. 1952 Kathleen M Kromhout Or Fraser in St Albans The ‘quiet and reserved’ executive aircraft sales manager of Hawker Siddeley. d. 27 Apr 2001 - Sootfield Green, nr Hitchin, Herts Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1939
ATA
Royal Flying Corps/RAF from Nov-17 to Jun-19; 'Boy and Aircraft Mechanic' m. 1925 Adelaide [Holmes], 2 children [Robert, b. 1929, d.2002, Pamela b. 1931, d. 1936] A jeweller and watchmaker (his own business: apparently, "The sign on Frederick Davy's shop in Great Yarmouth said "Watchmakers since 1700."), also an instrument maker for the Air Ministry. He was a witness in a rather sad case in May 1937, as reported by the Thetford & Watton Times: "FOUND HANGING. Yarmouth Man’s Suicide In His Home. A verdict of "Suicide while temporarily of unsound mind” was recorded by the Borough Coroner, at the Town Hall on Tuesday, at the inquest on Edward Gilbert Edwards (53), of 8 Caister Road, who was found hanging from a bannister in his home on Saturday. Frederick Robert Davy, watchmaker, of 37, Calster Road, said that at 1.40 a.m., in consequence of information he received, he went across to 8, Caister Road. 'When I got into the house', 'said witness, 'I saw the man hanging by the neck from a bannister rail; his feet were about ten or twelve feet from the ground floor. I could see that the man was dead and had been hanging for some time, and owing to this fact I telephoned the police.'" Address in 1941: 8, Caspard Pl, Barry, Glamorgan Postings: 16FPP, 15FPP, 14FPP, 4FPP, 1FPP "A careful pilot of average ability, has sound judgement but was inclined to be underconfident at first" ... "Since promotion to Flight Captain [in September 1944] has assumed the position of Accidents Investigation Officer." Off sick from 17 Dec 1942 to 1 Jan 1943 with a 'touch of pleusiry [sic]' King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air d. Mar 1979 - Norwich Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
ATAM
pre. a motor engineer; garage proprietor (Scott and Eayrs Limited, High Street and Melton Rd, Oakham) m. 1925 in Uppingham, Rutland, Mabel E [Taylor] RAeC Certificate 9050, taken at Nottingham Aero Club in 1930. His instructors were Keith Kendle Brown, then Reginald Lee Bateman up to September 1929, and then Ronald Thomas Shepherd. Address in 1930: 2 Parkfield Rd, Oakham, Rutland (r) at Tollerton; G-ACST in the background. [G-ACST was a 1934 DH.60G III Moth Major based at Tollerton, which was sold in 1937 to Singapore, became VR-SBA in the Malayan VAF and was destroyed in 1941]
This document confirms the end of Frank's ATA service on 18th September 1941; he received 3 months pay (£71 5s) in lieu of notice. A note in his logbook says "approx 480 hrs in Hart, Audax, Gladiator, Swordfish, Anson, Oxford, Whitney Straight, Leopard Moth, Miles Magister, Tiger Moth etc." but this probably includes his pre-ATA hours. "The information in our family was that his ATA flying had been cut short by a medical problem, possibly related to blood pressure." "After the war he came back to flying. He owned an Auster G-AHAH, and a Miles Whitney Straight G-AEUZ between 28 Feb 1948 and 15 Aug 1949"
d. 9 Jul 1965 - Rutland His grandson kindly sent me the photos and information. |
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1930
1941
Father: William. Mother: Hannah ed. Elland Grammar School; Leeds University m. 1926 Hilda May [Berry], a teacher from Halifax [d. Dec 1942]. 1 daughter Mary C. b. 1931 Next of kin: Originally his wife, then Miss C. Iredale, c/o St.Winifred's School, Llanfairfechan, N. Wales prev. a woollen and drapery merchant; representative of J. C. Sudders, 16 Monument St, EC3 RAF Sergeant from Feb-40 to 3 Apr 1941 (Link Trainer Instructor, based in Cambridge) prev. exp. 217hrs on Tiger Moth, Stinson Reliant, BA Swallow, Taylor Cub, Monospar Address in 1941: c/o Granville House, Chestnut Ave, Hampton-on-Thames Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP Absent sick from 10 Mar 1942 to 25 Jun 1942 after he force-landed a Spitfire following engine failure. "His flying has been good, and his conduct excellent" "His flying progress since his sick leave has been slow." d. Mar 1975 - Westminster Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1939
ATA
Father Robert W 'Bobby' Lindsay [d. 1943]; Mother Nora Etta [Fiscus] (m. 1944 W R Parrish) Ed. Peacock Military Academy, San Antonio His parents moved from Wichita Falls in 1936 and owned the Lindsay Gardens citrus packing plant, and the Lindsay-Niles canning plant in Mission. prev. Crop Dusting prev. exp. 400 hrs "most of them flying his family's Howard cabin plane" Address in 1941: Lindsay Gardens, Mission Hidalgo, TX Postings: 3FPP, 8FPP, 4aFPP, 1FPP He travelled to the UK as co-pilot in a B-24; "My job is to keep the engines in line and I will only fly about four hours as solo pilot". 1 Accident, his fault: - 26 Sep 1941, he tried to take off in a Proctor with the brakes on, and tipped it onto its nose. He wrote to his parents in November 1941, "praising the English and their spirit, saying "They don't any more expect Hitler to take England than we do for him to take one of our cities." After ATA, Bob joined the US Ferry Command. Later a Lieutenant in the 10th Air Force in Burma, awarded the DFC and Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal. d. 12 Apr 1977 (age 55) - Reno, TX Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1940
prev exp 'over 500 hrs' on D.H.9a - he joined the RFC as a cadet in Nov 1917. However, his time in the RAF was short; he moved to 137 Squadron in June 1918, and graduated with good marks in October 1918, but he was moved to the unemployed list in May 1919. After a year out, he was given a short service commission in July 1920, but this did not go well: - He was reprimanded for 'failing to take proper precautions ...of secret despatches' in October 1920; - He went 'absent without leave' from the 5th to the 11th December 1920. (Actually, on the 20th he married Gertrude Maude Mickle at Lambeth Registry Office), and was again reprimanded; - Finally, he was court-martialled for 'disobeying a lawful command given by a senior officer' and was dismissed His Majesty's service in May 1921. He then married Dorothy Mary () and they lived in Sevenoaks, Kent. He worked in the leisure industry, then when WWII came along, in the Hurricane Repairs Section of Gloster Aircraft Co.
Joan and Mark 1942 He met Joan Durham Witherby (q.v.) when she joined the ATA in 1942, and they had a son together in November 1945, who remembers his mother telling him that "she was still flying missions with the ATA whilst pregnant". During his time in the ATA, he flew 35 different types of aircraft. He was initially assessed as an "above average pilot who, although somewhat out of flying practice proved himself a safe and steady pilot, possessing good judgement." In Feb 1943 he was appointed as Officer Commanding, No 5 FPP, then O.C. the Training Pool from Aug-43, and finally O.C. No 1 FPP from Nov-44. He performed his duties in "an eminently satisfactory manner" and also managed to do a fair number of ferry flights himself, including a few on Halifaxes.
Mark in 1945 In 1946 he was one of the 13 members of the ATA to receive the OBE for his services during WWII. Apparently, he referred to his OBE, as for Other Bugger’s Efforts. d. Sep 1981, Chichester Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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via Marcus J Hale
His father was Jesse L Park, mother Lula, and he had a brother and two married sisters: Sanford R, Mrs Alice Hendricks, and Mrs Lucile Faulk. I'm not sure how he came to be accepted for the ATA; his May 1941 flight test at Uplands Airport, Ottawa, said "This applicant carried out a very poor test and due to nervousness he is not considered suitable for ferry work. FLYING WAS DANGEROUS." This article appeared in the 'Houston Post' in 1941: "Ferrying planes around on the British Isles is a tough job because there is so much fog. Take it from Clyde L Park, a 29-year-old former Houstonian who is now in England doing just that for the British Government. Mr. Park started learning to fly at the Cunningham Airport in Houston last January. After 35 hours of instruction he obtained his private licence. Then he hitchhiked to Canada and received five months of training at a Canadian government school. Park ferried a bomber to England for the RAF and stayed in Englnad to fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary. He is stationed now at the White Waltham airdrome at Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. In a letter written Sept 14 to "all the gang" at Cunningham Airport, which bore a sticker, "opened by examiner 1541", Park said, "I will try to tell you what little I can about England and my flying here." Scissors had been used on the letter, to clip out parts of a sentence in which Park apparently had told how long it took to cross the Atlantic and at what port he landed. "We came to London by train", he wrote. "There were 12 US pilots and we sure blew our top the first two nights in London. Night life is quite gay in the old city, but part of it sure has been hit hard. They sent us on to White Waltham airdrome where they gave us two months training, ground school and flying. My first ship they put me in was a Harvard, which is the North American trainer with a constant speed prop, flaps and retractable gear. Boy, did I have my hands full? Ha!" "I had an English instructor and he had a lot of patience or I never would have made it. He soloed me in two hours and I got about 10 hours on the Harvard. I went from there to [Lysanders], Battles, Hurricanes, then Spits." "I have flown every single motor type of aircraft they have and I think the Spitfire is the sweetest one of them all. It is fast as hell but very easy to handle and doesn't have any bad tricks." "We ferry all over the British Isles and when we have had a few months' experience on single motors they send us back to school and give us twin motor conversion. I am about due for my twins now." "I like the job OK if the weather would stay good. But this stuff is hell, you can't tell 15 minutes ahead what it is like. We have lost two of the boys that came over with me. One flew into the hills in Scotland and the other flew into the Irish Sea. The damn soup closed in on them." "It is good experience as we get to fly so many different types of aircraft, and it shakes you sometimes when you get one that you know nothing about where all the knobs and gadgets are. All they give us is notes on the take off, revs and cruise and you have to figure the rest out." "Did you know Clyde Forman? He is here, doing OK. He was on the boat with Nance and one of three that got here." Park said his rating now is first officer, with two stripes in the shoulder."
d. 30 Jan 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hind K6838 crashed into high ground on Eaglesham Moor 10mi S of Glasgow in snowstorm. He had failed to get a weather forecast for the route before taking off. ---- ... And I found this photo in his file:
but I don't know who she is ... Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. a Joiner and Cabinet Maker prev exp 100hrs Sergeant in the RAF from Aug-40, on Link Trainer based in Cambridge
d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire Vb AD296 crashed in poor visibility at Lochembrech Hill nr. Castle Douglas
Buried at Stanwix Cemetery, Carlisle. ATA pilot Irene Arckless (q.v.) is buried in the adjacent plot.
The inscription reads "In Loving Memory of F/O RONALD A. PORTER, A.T.A. The Beloved son of HENRY and ANN PORTER, Who was accidentally killed March 15th, 1942 Aged 28 Years"
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Ed. The College, Weston Super Mare Next of kin: (mother) Mary Selina Godwin prev. Sergeant in RAF Class F Reserve Aug-36 to Sep-39 [Ser. No. 700650], then an accountant for Somerset County Council, Taunton prev. exp. 109 hrs on Hart, Tiger Moth, Swallow and Oxford. Address in 1941: 15 Wilton Gardens, Weston Super Mare, Somerset William originally applied in August 1940; "I have seen it stated in Flight that you are urgently in need of more pilots in A.T.A. and I have felt moved to write to you. On May 20th this year I was suspended from the RAF as being unlikely to to make a good service pilot because (a) I get air-sickness in violent manoevres (aerobatics etc), (b) ears give some trouble during rapid descents and I am ny nature rather cautious. ... If you want an interview, I should be able to come to London this week as I am on leave. However, if you think this is all rather bats - please say so, - gently, in the enclosed envelope." ATA did not think it entirely bats, but it took them until the following April to give him a flying test ("Flies and lands well. Is not flustered in an emergency, though he reacts rather slowly", and follow up his references ("I have much pleasure in testifying to the personal character of Mr W L Godwin, a member of the permanent accounting staff of this Council.") and offer him a position as a ferry pilot. Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP, 8FPP "A keen pilot of average ability, slow to adapt himself and should consequently be progressed gradually on to subsequent types." "A quiet and likeable officer." m. Mar 1942 WAAF Corporal Sylvia Mary [Earwicker] from the Dental Centre, School of Technical Training, RAF Henlow, Beds.
d. 30 Apr 1944 (Died in ATA Service), in Mosquito MT192, which crashed 2 miles S of Litchfield: "At about 8,000 ft, the A/C turned to port and then dived. At about 200 ft. the machine flattened out, hit the ground and was totally destroyed. Insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident but available evidence indicates that the pilot was not responsible." His C.O., Norman Whitehurst, said "I have always regarded him as one of my most reliable and progressive pilots. He was a man of splendid character, whose discipline was of the highest order, and had he survived would undoubtedly have reached a much higher rank in this organisation. His flying was exceptional, and in this respect he set a first class example to his colleagues." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1939
ATA
Ed. St Paul's, London RAF Short Service Commission, terminated 1933 due to ill health Company Commander in the Home Guard May-40 to Jan-41 prev. Aircraft Inspector for Fairey Aviation, Hayes. "A sound and smart officer who is a great asset to the ATA" He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for his part in the rescue of the crew of a returning operational Halifax III of No. 420 Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant R. A. Kalle which, having been damaged during a sortie over Normandy, overshot the runway and caught fire at White Waltham on the 30th July 1944. The full list of those commended was: - pilots David Cotter (M.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. He was also awarded an MBE. The citation reads "An aircraft crashed on landing and burst into flames. Despite the fire and the bombs on board, which subsequently exploded, the crew, five of whom were seriously injured in the crash, were extricated ... First Officer Cotter gave invaluable help in getting the Rear-Gunner out of his turret, which had become jammed. The man was unconscious, lying partly in the turret and partly in the rear of the fuselage. While others worked on the turret from the outside, Cotter, finding the turret could not be swung back, entered the fuselage, after forcing the normal entrance. The starboard wing was blazing fiercely and the heat was so intense that the starboard elevator burst into flames. It was then found necessary to remove the gunner’s flying equipment before those outside could extricate him safely ... Cotter showed great courage without thought for his own safety."
d. 2003, Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1945
Educated at Harrow Pre-WWII amateur aviator who had owned: - a 1930 Comper CLA.7 Swift, G-AAZD; - a 1931 DH.60G Gipsy Moth, G-ABPT, and - a 1933 Comper CLA.7 Swift, G-ACML He also entered (the one and only) Comper Streak, G-ACNC, for the 1935 King's Cup Race, but withdrew before the start. m. 1939 Ilona de Walyel A Company Director (Minox Ltd) Address in 1941: Old Mill Cottage, Wargrave, Berks Postings: 1FPP "An average pilot, with not too good a sense of discipline" [* First Officer from 14 Aug-42 but demoted to 2nd Officer 2 weeks later for flying in bad weather, supposedly for a period of 3 months. However, his contract was terminated before this period ended. The accident which caused him to be demoted was on the 15th August 1942, when he 'abandoned a Spitfire after running out of fuel through flying in bad weather'. The final straw was when, on the 16th November, he forgot to lower the undercarriage of a Hurricane when landing.] In his defence, he did successfully force-land a Short Scion in September 1942 after engine failure; on the other hand, the Hurricane was the second aeroplane in which his cockpit drill had missed out this rather important item - he had also landed a Blenheim with its wheels up on the 30th August ... [Contract Terminated by ATA 'due to the number of at-fault accidents' (actually, the Hurricane was his 5th)] Address in 1967: The Garth, Wellingore, Lincoln and Kafue National Game Park, Zambia" d. Mar 1985 - Lincoln Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1931
m. Amy Clifford Florence prev. a bus driver for London Transport; Staff Sgt, Royal Artillery Sep-36 to Sep-38; RAF Link Trainer Instructor Feb-40 to May-40 Address in 1941: 5 Fairway Terrrace, Muswell Hill, London N.10 Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP "A difficult man to assess - proved himself equal to one emergency and yet has made silly mistakes when everything was going right." "A careful pilot of average ability. His progress has been marred by a long period of sickness." "Slow generally and judgement rather poor, but improved later and by working hard showed great progress ... somewhat underconfident." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1936
ATA
Father: William Albert Acton, 120 W 3rd St, Xenia, OH (later moved to Dayton, OH) Mother: Irene [Reece] Ed. Xenia High School prev. airplane sales, charter work for Dave Peterson Charter Service in Wichita, Kansas prev. exp. 360 hrs on Beechcraft F17D, Culver Cadet, Cessna C145-165, Stinson, Cessna T50 Address in 1941: Wichita, Kansas "Disregarding the fate of his friend, Bee Acton, of Wichita, Kan., has signed up for a year's service ferrying bomber and fighter planes from Canada to England [sic]. Acton, a commercial pilot, joined up shortly after his friend, Jim Wright, also of Wichita, was reported killed when a submarine sank the ship on which he was returning [sic] from England." At the end of his first contract the ATA described him as "a keen pilot competent to fly all types of single engne and light and medium7 twin aircraft. He proved a good type of officer and his behaviour was quite satisfactory." His second contract was for 18 months with a "cessation of hostilities" clause included. d. 8 Jul 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Anson NK773 which was in a mid-air collision with Oxford X7134 and crashed at Rodbourne, 5 miles NE of Hullavington. Pilot Flt Lt. Bernard N Phillips [RAF Serial No 45885] and passenger Sqn Ldr William A. Law [79047] in the Oxford were both killed. The accident report says "Whilst the Anson was flying just below the cloud base an Oxford aircraft, piloted by an RAF pilot, came out of the cloud and struck the tail plane of the Anson. Both aircraft crashed in a field and were destroyed, all three occupants being killed." "Neither pilot is held responsible for this accident."
Buried Maidenhead Cemetery (Section C, No 14KK). The wording on the memorial is from Tennyson's poem 'Crossing the bar': I hope to meet my pilot Face to face When I have crost the bar Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATAM
Address in 1916: 90 Overhill Rd, East Dulwich, SE London m. Jan 1951 in Hammersmith, Gwendoline F [Cutler]
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in 1916, as a 2nd Lieut, RFC
MAMM
prev. New Orleans Private Police. Service as Private Patrolman; National Guard - Army Sergeant Ground Instructor Aviator prev. exp. 380 hrs Postings: 3FPP, 15FPP Later flew 'The Hump' for CNAC - see CNAC Captain William Cooper
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Corporal in R.E. 1915, Lieutenant (Acting Captain) in RFC in WWI d. 17 Dec 1977, Bodelwyddan, Clwyd |
Postings: 8FPP, 3FPP
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ATA file missing, so just guesswork:
prev. Flight Instructor Address in 1940: Minneapolis MN He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, Russell Gates, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. ? Joined RAF Ferry Command but d. 20 Nov 1942, when his Baltimore FA179 burst a tyre taking off at Geneina, Sudan. 2 of his crew were also injured |
Moved to Congleton when his father became a partner in Wadesons, later Burns Garages:
RAeC Certificate 13805 dated 27 Mar 1936, taken at North Staffs Aero Club on Miles Hawk prev. a motor engineer Address in 1936: "Dundella", Bromley Rd, Congleton, Cheshire
prev. exp. 56 hrs, including this: "CONGLETON PILOT'S ESCAPE. Disaster overtook Mr. Harold Burns, of Congleton, when making a flight from the Heir Aerodrome on Sunday in a Flying Flea which he had constructed himself, with the assistance of his father. He had previously flown the machine in the Congleton district, and had made several successful flights at Heir on Sunday before the crash. It is stated that the accident occurred because the pilot lost height. The machine struck the ground with great force and was wrecked, and eye-witnesses were amazed to see Burns extricate himself from the wreckage apparently not seriously injured. He appeared to be only slightly upset by his narrow escape. and remarked that it was "part of the flying game". The pilot's father was at the aerodrome at the time and superintended the removal of the wreckage. Burns received medical attention at the North Staffs Aero Clubhouse on the aerodrome." - Crewe Chronicle - 11 Apr 1936
m. 1938 Millicent [Parker] Postings: 5TFPP, 14FPP, 3FPP
Class 5 (4-engine) pilot
5 accidents, 1 his fault: - 3 Nov 1941, Commended for a forced landing near Evesham in Master I W8734 after engine failure - 20 Dec 1942, he failed to correct the landing swing in Spitfire Vc ES318, ran off the runway and nosed over - 23 Mar 1943, the port undercarriage of his Wellington XI HE372 collapsed after landing at Middleton St. George, due to a defect, - 27 Mar 1943, whilst stationary on the perimeter track at Ringway, the tail of his Argus I EV795 was struck by a taxying Fulmar - 20 Apr 1945, after a normal landing at Ringway in Firefly II Z1870, the undercarriage collapsed due to a technical fault.
"A good all-round ferry pilot with a capacity for hard work. He is thorough in his duties and can be relied upon at all times. He has ferried over 600 aircraft to date" "An accurate pilot who flies well, but is inclined to be somewhat careless in drill, and his reactions in an emergency are somewhat slow. Totals: Single-engine types: 423 hrs, Twins: 636.30 hrs, Multi-engine: 283.25 hrs.
d. 30 Jul 1983 - Congleton
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1936
ATAM
Father: Sir Benjamin Dawson, 1st Baronet (d. 1966) Educated at Harrow
m. 1932 to Alice [Hudson], 1 child before 1941 A Wool Merchant, (Joseph Dawson Cashmere Works, Bradford) Address in 1941: Park House, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Yorks Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 782 Sqn RAF "a safe and reliable pilot who carries out his work in a conscientious manner and has proved a useful Class 5 (4-engine) pilot to this Unit." C.O. 7FPP, Oct-44 He wrote to the ATA on 10 Jan 1945: "I am very sorry I had to resign from ATA at my firm's request, and would like to take this opportunity of thanking you and all your officers for the help and consideration I received all over the country during the course of my duties as a ferry pilot. If a further emergency arises, and you require my services again, I shall be very pleased if you will let me know, in which case I would do everything possible to come back." The Yorkshire Post reported on him thus, in November 1955: "Flew too low over sports field, fined Prosecution witnesses at Bradford City Court yesterday claimed that a twin-engined aircraft flew over a Dudley Hill sports ground at 100 feet, frightening young children. To this, Lawrence Saville Dawson (47), company director, Park House, Pool-in-Wharfedale, the pilot of the plane, said: “I should have hit mill chimneys and all sorts of things at 150 feet.” Dawson, a war-time ferry pilot with 30 years flying experience, and director of Yeadon Aviation Ltd., was accused of flying over an “assembly of persons” at less than 1,000 feet. He was fined £5O and ordered to pay £5 costs. Dawson told the Court that he appreciated the folly of low flying. He had been asked to fly over the works field on their sports day and did so at about 1,000 feet." He owned Taylor Auster AOP5 G-ANID, which was written off after he crashed it at Stonor, Oxfordshire on 13 Feb 1958. Lawrence became 2nd Baronet on his father's death in 1966. d. 14 Aug 1974 buried St John Churchyard, Acaster Selby Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1927
ATA
Educated at Mexborough Secondary School m. 1923 Phyliss [Akester] Corporal in Home Guard 'B' Co, Hatfield, Sep-40 to Mar-41 A "Manufacturing Confectioner" Address in 1941: North Cliffe House, North Cliffe Rd, Conisbrough, Nr Doncaster Postings: 2FPP, 3, FPP, 14FPP "A steady and conscientious pilot who has worked well. He is a little inclined to be forgetful at times." "A very slow starter [on the Class 5 conversion course] due partially to complete lack of experience on 4+ aircraft and the fact that he was inclined to be somewhat nonchalant towards the whole course, showing little interest. After realising the high responsibility he was accepting he showed considerable improvement." d. 1958 - Don Valley, Yorks "A confectionery business was established in Conisbrough by Jos Drabble and brother-in-law John Maxfield during 1890. But after a while the two men parted company and established their own confectionery businesses. John’s firm was short-lived and a number of his staff joined Jos’s venture which by 1924 was a limited company. Jos’s son, Arthur, succeeded his father and he was also well-known in motorcycling circles. He was in the first four in the 1924 Isle of Man TT Races and was a keen flyer. On Sunday afternoons during the 1930s he was frequently seen performing ‘loop-the-loops’ and other spectacular tricks in his aeroplane over Conisbrough. In 1938 Drabble’s warehouse caught fire and residents said that this led to the road being covered in melted chocolate. Arthur Drabble died in 1958 and was succeeded in the business by daughter, Doreen. The company ceased trading after she retired in 1981."
Evidence of his motor-cycling career comes from the 'Sheffield Independent' in 1923: "MOTORISTS' OFFENCES In the West Riding Police Court on Saturday, William S. Flower, dentist, and Arthur Drabble, confectioner, Conisborough, were fined £7 each for riding motor-cycles in a manner dangerous to the public on the Great North Road. The police evidence was that defendants were travelling at 60 miles per hour." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1933
ATA
Father: Walter Kemp Bourne, mother Evelyn Frances Ed. Royal Naval College m. Barbara Frances prev. Lieut. in Royal Navy 1918-28; RAF F/O; Poultry Farmer, Commercial Flying. Ambulance Driver 1941 Address in 1941: Leighton Brow Lodge, Parkgate, Cheshire Postings: 16FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP 1 accident, not his fault: - 12 Mar 1943, forced landing in a Wellington after port engine oil pressure dropped. "An experienced pilot, consistent and hard-working" from May 1944, 2nd-in-command, No 14 FPP (Ringway) d. 1 Nov 1967, Hove
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Ed. Enid High School, OK prev. Oklahoma National Guard; Assistant Airport Manager - Woodring Field, Enid m. 8 May 1941 Juanita M [Liken, also from Enid] Address in 1941: 908 E Main, Enid, OK ATA pilots Earl Renicker (d. 7 Feb 1942) and John Erickson (d. 9 May 1942) also came from nearby in Oklahoma. Postings: 1FPP Suspended for 7 days in Sep 1941 for 'landing after official landing time' 2 accidents, both his fault: - 4 Nov 1941, a bad landing in a Hurricane led to the undercarriage collapsing and the aircraft tipped onto its nose, - 29 Jan 1942, another heavy landing, this time in a Spitfire, tore off the port undercarriage leg. Joined 8th AF USAAF as 1st Lieut, but d. 19 Oct 1942 when he hit barrage balloons over Liverpool flying a Hurricane on a weather check. Originally buried Brookwood Cemetery, Guildford, then (from 1948) Enid Cemetery, OK
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Promoted to First Officer, 15 Feb 1942; Demoted to 2nd Officer, 6 Mar 1942 [Dangerous Flying and taking off on an unauthorised flight] "Hardworking and capable but not always reliable - now and again indulges in low or dangerous flying" [Contract Terminated 23 Mar 1942 by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons] d. c.17 Nov 1942; his China National Air Corporation C-47 went missing flying between China and India. In October 1945, his mother wrote to the ATA: "Dear Sir, We have today received the log book of our son, James S Browne, who was in your service '41-2 as First Officer. He was first stationed at Maidenhead and later at Ratcliffe Hall, Leicester. Perhaps you did not know him personally, or may not have been at White Waltham at the time he was in service - but, in any case, I wanted to let you know that after he returned to the States April 1942, he was engaged by the Pan American & China National Aviation Corporation to transport supplies over the 'Hump' from India to China. He flew a DC-3 to Calcutta shortly after his return from England and shortly after his arrival there, was made Captain of a C-47. As you may know that is the most treacherous flying in the world, and the weather conditions are very bad. Jim has been missing since Nov 17, 1942. and no trace of him, the plane, or the crew. Almost three years have passed and, of course, we are offered no hope from the China { } - the anxiety has been terrible. He was 21 and our only child. It does not help to know that millions of others are also suffering. This is our own personal sorrow. I shall be so very glad if you will be good enough to let us know if you happened to know Jim, or did anyone else in your station - it would be a comfort to us to hear from any of his friends. It seems so unreal to us now, that year he spent in England, so long ago - but it was only in 1941. We had not entered the war at the time and Jim did not have to go, but was anxious to try out for that job. He was so very young. Hoping to hear from you again, which we shall very much appreciate. Sincerely, Harriet S Browne (Mrs Herbert S Browne) 653 Hill Road, Winnetka, Illinois" The wreckage was not discovered until 2011, 13,400 feet up a mountain in China's Yunnan province. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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prev. A Stockbroker, then with the Ministry of Economic Warfare
d. 17 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Avro Commodore stalled on approach and crashed at White Waltham aerodrome on the 10th August; Henry had multiple fractures and chemical burns, and died in hospital a week later.
Buried Maidenhead Cemetery:
28 Oct 1941 "Please let me know what has happened to P.O. H. E. Taylor who was with you on a 'course' in June and July last ... It is so unusual for him not to answer letters and we have become extremely anxious. He has no living relations and we are his oldest friends. Valerie Clemson-Young"
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father: Aaron (dec'd), mother Leah (or Ada) ed. Lathrop Trades, Kansas City moved to New Orleans c. 1928 m. Katharine [san Salvador]; 1 daughter [Kathleen Mary] b. 1940 prev. a charter pilot for Crescent City Airways, New Orleans prev. exp. 1,800 hrs Address in 1941: 1140 Toledano St, New Orleans, Louisiana Postings: Training Pool Only
d. 29 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service), in Lysander T1675. He flew too far into bad weather and hit a hillside at New Luce, nr. Castle Kennedy, Scotland. He was also carrying a passenger (against regulations, as he was still a trainee), LAC Costine from the RAF. He was assessed as being to blame for the accident. Buried Glebe Cemetery, Stranraer:
"2nd Officer Marcus was of a cheerful and engaging disposition and had many friends during his comparatively short period of service with ATA." His daughter Kathleen was born 11 months before Jack's death. His wife Katharine "made no spontaneous appeal for financial assistance", so the ATA asked the Red Cross to see if she needed any. As it turned out, she did; Jack's death had left her living with her mother-in-law (who was in poor health) and unable to work because of the baby, on the $50 a month Social Security (Survivor's Insurance), of which she gave her mother-in-law $25. The ATA decided to award her the full £2,000 ($8,000) insurance money, with half of it being invested in long-term US War Bonds for the benefit of the baby. Katharine wrote to the ATA on 4 Jul 1942, "I am happy to inform you that I am in complete accord with your plan and most grateful for your generosity." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Father: Wilfred Fogelberg (Swedish, naturalised American); Mother Ida Olsen Had a sister, Ella M Johnson Ed. Lake View High School, Chicago (4 yr Diploma) m. 1941 Jeslyn Margaretha [Stark, d. 2013]; 3 children post 1941
prev. own laundry business, and aviation charter work. prev. exp 740 hrs Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL [His brother-in-law Elwood Walmsley was in the ATA from Feb-41 to Jan-42; he was married to Jeslyn's sister Laverne.] Postings: 1FPP Offf sick from 30 Sep to 14 Nov 1941 with 'post trauma debility', after he stalled and undershot a landing in a Hurricane. "A keen and hard-working pilot. Flying ability above average." He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. From 1956 he ran a store selling "childrens wear, toys, and juvenile furniture" in the Eden's Plaza Shopping Center, Wilmette, Chicago. d. Apr 1967 - Chicago buried Mount Olive Cemetery Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Jeslyn in 1940
Father: Ward Wilson Pickard, a lawyer; Mother: Alice [Rossington] Ed. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. Engineering) Prev. Airline Engineer, pilot for TWA and "deep sea navigator" prev. exp. 400hrs Address in 11941: 131 Satterthwaite Ave, Nutley NJ Arrived in the UK 2 Jun 1941 Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP, 4bFPP Reprimanded in January 1942 for flying aircraft without permission One accident, his fault: - 10 Jan 1942, when he mishandled the brake lever on landing his Rapide and the aircraft tipped over onto its nose. He divided opinion among his instructors and COs; either: "A capable pilot but flies in bad weather far too much. Grumbles a lot and 'shoots a line' which makes him a troublesome pilot" (Peter Mursell), or "This pilot is dependable, conscientious and tireless. By applying his ingenuity and a comprehensive knowledge of meteorology to the problems of flying in difficult weather he carries out flights such that critics who lack his skill and vision may conclude that he is a so-called 'bad weather pilot'. I am unable to subscribe to the above remarks to the effect that he 'shoots a line'; indeed I have found the reverse to be the case." (Douglas Fairweather) Returned to the USA on the 18 Jun 1942 with fellow ATA ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Kenneth Fogelberg, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. Transferred to RAF Ferry Command
d. 20 Sep 1948 (age 31) when he and George Krebs were test-piloting a North American B-45 Tornado, which exploded in flight near Alpaugh, CA. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1948
Fther: Benjamin Lee Hoffman, Mother: Marie Elizabeth [Curns] Ed. Tilden Tech., Chicago IL m. Amelia (or Emelia) Veronica [Belloumini, d. 2001] prev. Instructor, barnstorming, ferrying, passenger hops, [and a laundry driver for the Nordic Laundry Company and others]. prev. exp. 420 hrs Address in 1941: 831 Sunnyside Ave, Chicago Flying under training: 4.05hrs Contract Terminated - "Unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot"; "Deemed to be erroneously or injudiciously enrolled in Montreal" Post-WWII, joined cargo carrier Airlift International based in Miami FL. d. 10 Oct 1970 (age 64) while co-pilot of a C-130 N9248R which crashed attempting to land in bad weather at McGuire AFB near Fort Dix NJ. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
prev. 'Civilian Military Training Camp from Aug-Sep 1925. Rank Private' (that appears to be it) also, testing refrigerators and ferrying 'new small aeroplanes' Contract Terminated by ATA - Failure to reach required standard (3 pilot-at-fault accidents), coupled with disobedience of ATA Standing Orders by repeatedly flying above heavy cloud.
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Educated at Caterham School m. 1940 Ruby Violet [Haines] RAeC Certificates in 1936 (in an autogiro) and 1938 prev. A/C erection foreman, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd Address in 1941: 289 Alleseley Old Rd, Coventry Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP "A keen and conscientious officer, inclined to be a little slow."
d. 21 Jun 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Wellington XIV HF136 crashed and burnt out at Hawarden. Port engine lost power immediately after takeoff, due to an electrical short-circuit which caused the port propeller to feather. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1936
ATA
Mother: Emma Address in 1941: 1452 Elizabeth, Denver Transferred to RAF Ferry Command Sailed from Scotland to USA on 16 Jun 1942 In January 1947, he was arrested for 'terrorizing wealthy women' and being a gem and fur robber to the tune of $75,000: Described as a "former ferry pilot turned limousine highwayman", he had kidnapped three women in Park Ave, New York on New Year's Eve, drove them around and then robbed them of their furs and jewelry. : "Down to less than 100 pounds and wrapped in a blanket, Justin William McCarthy, 26, Park Ave. gem and fur robber, sat in a detention cell on the 12th Floor of the Criminal Courts Building yesterday." By the following June, suffering from dysentry contracted in North Africa during WWII, he was too sick to appear in court. "I just want to get this thing all over with", he said. The judge ordered the prisoner transferred to Riker's Island where he could have special medical treatment. He was sentenced to '10 to 20 years' in 1948. d 10 Oct 1998 - Denver CO |
1938
m. 1939 Vera Nora [Healey] in Brentford, Middx prev. an instrument assembler for R&S, Shannon Corner, New Malden Address in 1941: 7 Talbot Rd, Isleworth, Middx "A good type of officer who works hard and well." Off duty from 5 May 1942, after the accident in which John Burge Erickson and Thomas Walton (see below) were killed. His contract was suspended on medical grounds on 29 November. As Stan or Stanley Pavey, a cinematographer involved in 38 films between 1944 and 1957, perhaps most famously as the Director of Photography on the 1954 version of 'The Belles of St. Trinian's'. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0661391/ d. May 1984 - Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Ed. at Chulmleigh School m. 1927 Ann Alford [Boundy] prev. a Coal Merchant (own business); RAF Sgt. Aug-40 to Jan-41 Address in 1941: Elmsleigh, Wembworthy, Chulmleigh, Devon Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP, 7FPP d. 5 Oct 1982 - Wembworthy, Devon Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1935
ATA
A descendant of Elder Robert Cushman of the Mayflower Expedition. Father: William Lawrence Newmeyer, originally from Argentina; Mother Sophie [Richardson], a playwright (Richard, sister Sophie and his brother Don acted in her plays, e.g. 'Half Loaves', a "sparkling comedy of modern life", and 'The Love Lease'). Ed. University of California Berkeley (Law) A member of the University Life Saving Corps and an instructor in swimming and life-saving. "He has on several occasions had opportunity to put his life-saving ability to practical test in rescuing persons from drowning." m. Sandra prev. a Secondary School English Teacher, Kern Co. High prev. exp. 280 hrs, private flying Address in 1941: 2110 N Kern St, Bakersfield, CA then 10250 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP 2 accidents, neither his fault: - 19 Nov 1941, the brakes failed and he taxied a Battle into a hedge; - 19 Jun 1942, another brake problem, in a Harvard, led to an uncontrolled swing on landing. "A pilot of exceptional ability and keenness, whose good discipline and conscientious work made him a great asset to this pool." Later flew 'The Hump' for CNAC - see CNAC Captain Richard C. Newmeyer
Richard's Visitor Visa for Brazil, 1945 Later a teacher (as was his wife Sandara) in San Pedro, CA d. 8 Jul 1995 - Bakersfield CA Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1932
Father: Ford Gates, mother Essie [Martin] Ed. Grammar School, Lake Forest IL prev. private flying for 8 years. Trucking Business. Address in 1941: R.F.D. Route 2, La Grange, IL m. and she lived at 4 Park Avenue, Prestwick then 26 St Augustine Avenue, Croydon Postings: 4aFPP, 6FPP Off sick from 12 Dec 41 to 5 Mar 42 with appendicitis. "An officer who could never be relied upon to do much, owing to a great amount of sickness he had during the period of his attachment to this Pool." He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. US Military 1943-46 d. 3 Oct 1998 - Sarasota, Florida Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
father: also Peter Andreas Bertram [originally from Denmark, naturalised 1922], owner and operator of the Mattoon Butter Co., d. 1965 Ed. High School, Monmouth IL m. 1945 Ellen Rose [Huckleberry], 1 daughter (Linda Lee) prev. a ferry pilot and inspector at Piper Aircraft Corp. Lock Haven , PA Address in 1941: 846 4th St, Charleston, IL d. 24 Feb 1989 - Fort Myers, FL
"Peter A. Bertram Jr, moved here 17 years ago from Charleston, Ill, and he had owned and operated the Beach View Cottages on Sanibel Island. He served as Captain in the Air Transport Auxiliary of the RAF of England from 1940 to 1945 [sic]. Mr. Bertram was a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Power Squadron, and was a former member of the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel and Motel Assoc of Lee County, and the Charleston Rotary Club of Charleston, Illinois." News-Press, Fort Myers FL Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATAM
buried Mattoon, IL
Father: Russell Ulyssus Gibson, a carpenter; mother Marion Bole Gibson [originally English?] Ed. High School in Bexley, OH prev. a Flight Instructor with Miller Flying School, Columbus OH Address in 1941: 2708 Allegheny Ave, Columbus OH Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP "This pilot's flying is neat and safe. He appears keen and willing to learn from experience." "Apt to be overconfident." He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Ken Fogelberg, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner. After his second ATA contract, he sailed back from Scotland to New York on the 5 Aug 1943. CNAC November 1943 - 1947 flying 'The Hump' between India and China. See CNAC Captian A. Russell Gibson In 1948, he and his brother-in-law John F. ['Johnny'] Shoemaker established a transport business called 'Air Carriers Ltd'. in Hong Kong, using a C-46. d. 11 Apr 2001 - California His wife Jackie wrote to CNAC in 2009: "Thank you for your letter regarding my husband, "Gibby" Gibson and about CNAC. I found it interesting and will be happy to talk to you more about him. He joined the ATA in England before America was involved in WW II and joined CNAC after the start of the War. I have some data about CNAC which he left in 1947 after 199 trips over the hump. He flew with them as Capt. and left with 3,057 hrs. of flying C47, C-46 and DC-4s. We met in Rangoon in 1949 and married in 1950 so that was after his years with CNAC. He retired from JAL in 1980, where he was flying 747's and as you already know he died in 2001 here in California." Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Address in 1941: 1109½ Bigley Ave., Charleston Imprisoned for 10 days in 1932 for "Violation of the National Prohibition Act" prev. exp. 700 hrs over 11 years Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP Clarence sailed back to Montreal on the 8th June 1942, with his fellow American ATA ferry pilots James 'Whit' Ansley (M.511), Kenneth Fogelberg, Russell Gates, Russell Gibson,John Morrison, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, Clay Steffee, Stewart Updike, and Keith Williams. d. Dec 1974 - Columbus Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Next of kin: (Mother) Margaret Ressegger Ed. George Washngton University, Washington DC prev. Private pilot. salesman; US Army 6 Sep to 25 Oct 1940 prev. exp. 59 hrs Address in 1941: 3461 14th St, NW, Washington DC Postings: 4FPP 2 accidents, both his fault: - 18 Feb 1942, forced landing in Hind K5440 due to coolant leak (he knew about this before take-off, so was held responsible) - 10 Apr 1942, he failed to control the swing when taxying downwind, in Hurricane AG194.
"A pilot of fully average ability, however with limited navigational experience" ... "a good officer & reliable pilot who seems to have been unfortunate with accidents" He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, Russell Gates, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, John Morrison, and Clarence Conner. US Navy/ATC then from 1944 joined TWA as a navigator and pilot, flying Lockheed Constellations and DC-4s e.g. co-pilot on DC-4 from Dharan, Saudi Arabia to New York, arriving 14 Mar 1946, and Captain of Lockheed Constellation NC86507 from Paris to New York on 9 May 1946 m. 14 Oct 1948, Amal[e] P [Naccache] in Heliopolis, Egypt (2 children, Anne-Marie b. 1949 and William b. 1954) They were repatriated to the USA as refugees in Nov 1956, during the Suez Crisis in Egypt
d. 4 Feb 1991, Los Angeles Amal d. 2005
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1936, when a student at GWU
1946 (pilot on TWA Skymaster La Guardia - Cairo flight) - Brooklyn Daily Eagle
prev. in 1931 a Publicity Manager, 1939 an Insurance Broker Address in 1939: 6 Langdale Ave, Oldham Postings: Off sick from 19 Aug 1941 to 22 Apr 1942 after an aircraft crash ( see James o'Halloran)
d. 30 Jul 1942 (Died in ATA Service) Miles Master M7958 engine cut on take-off, stalled avoiding trees and overturned at White Waltham. Instructor Norman Hayman was also slightly injured. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1931
1939
m. 1936 Molly [Child]; 1 child Penelope b. 1940 Was in Canada from Aug 1923 to Dec 1924 prev. a Departmental Manager (Sales) for British Cellophane Co. prev. exp. 52 hrs on DH Moth, Blackburn Bluebird Home Guard from Jul 1940 to Apr 41, Volunteer Address in 1941: 22 Quantock Rd, Bridgewater, Somerset Postings: 7FPP, 2FPP Off sick (in hospital) from 11 Oct to 7 Dec 1943 "A good officer and an average pilot. Keen and hard-working. Progress should not be hurried in view of limited experience prior to ATA." d. Nov 1995 - Surrey Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1931
MAMM
married, one son Owned 1936 BAC Drone 23 G-AEJS prev. a Cabinet Maker;
He originally applied to the RAF but was rejected, due to "(a) eyesight not up to required standard, (b) feet, in respect of fallen arches". Also, because they noted that there was "no service Trade in the RAF in respect of cabinet-making." He was also rejected at first (in 1940) by the ATA as his flying test was not up to standard, and became a Fitter and Technical Records Assistant for Air Service Training Ltd in Coventry. By 1941, however, the ATA was less picky and he was finally accepted. He was assessed as "average, with no special faults but his limited experience demands constant supervision." d. 9 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane BM955 dived into ground nr Cockerham Rd, Lancaster in bad weather. see http://laituk.org/Hurricane%20BM955.htm buried Old Milverton Churchyard, Warwick 18th Aug 1945: "I have to inform you that my daughter Mrs Joan Constance Green passed away on the 12 May last year after a long illness, she is buried in the same grave as her husband Alfred, they leave a son age 7 years. Yours Faithfully W C Kimberley" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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Father: James Pennycook, Mother: Agnes Punton [Dudgeon] m. 29 Dec 1920 in Lasswade, Elizabeth Dryden [Milne] Address in 1921: 3 Short Lane, Fife, Scotland prev. RASC Private in WWI; RAF (F/O from 15 Jun 1920, No 6 Flying Training School, 100 Sqn, Baldonnel Aerodrome, Dublin, from 2 Nov 1920, CFS from 15 Nov 1921, 1 FTS from 15 feb 1922). 4 Jul 1922, dismissed after a Court Martial
Address in 1939: 1 West Park Place, Edinburgh Postings include: 5TFPP, 6FPP
5 accidents, all his fault: - 1 Sep 1941, a forced landing in Swordfish V4639 at Locherbie, after persisting too far in deteriorating weather conditions - 2 Nov 1941, another forced landing after persisting too far in bad weather, this time at Perton in Master I N7626 - 16 Feb 1942, he broke the tail wheel of Piper Cub BV894 when landing (badly) - 27 Feb 1942, he forgot to lower the flaps when landing Hurricane Z3387 at Kemble, overshot and ran into a wall, sustaining injuries including concussion, cuts and bruises - 13 Sep 1942, his Hurricane II JS273 over-ran the end of the runway when landing, and collided with a concrete block
[Contract Terminated]
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Father: Gordon Victor Hayman Educated at Cranleigh School prev. Lieut. in RNVR Feb-39 to Feb-41 Next of Kin: (mother) Winifred Agnes Hayman, Caryll House, Okehurst, Cranleigh m. 1943 Beatrice Glanley 'Betty' Grant also of the ATA, although they appear to have separated sometime before 1947. Postings: 6FPP, AFTS (as Instructor), 1FPP, 7FPP Demoted to First Officer in Mar 1943 for flying a Halifax without authority; he ferried it "without full uniform, money, travel vouchers, identity card or correct kit" and then had to stay overnight at an RAF station. "A most willing, conscientious and sound pilot who has flown a great numbers of hours for this Unit." Posted to Air Movements Flight in Mar 1944 - "it is felt that, due to his overkeeness, he would be more suited to the Air Movements Flight... as it would leave him more to his own initiative." "His manner is courteous and pleasant."
Post-WWII, Norman entered the 1947 Manx Air Races and Rally, flying G-AHIZ, a Beechcraft Traveller belongning to Sidney Rubin of Hindhead. He also took a round-trip by ship to Madeira in January 1949, giving his occupation as a 'Company Director' and his address the Royal Aero Club, Pall Mall. [In September 1949, his wife Betty and her mother sailed to South Africa, apparently intending to settle there, but they returned in July 1950.] d. 3 Jul 1951 - Cranleigh Probate £8,624 18s 2d for "Norman Lambert otherwise George Norman Hayman" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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RAeC 1945
Father: John Mitchell Ewing Ed. Hutcheson Boys School Next of kin: (Sister) Miss Nora Ewing prev. a Garage Proprietor (Torrance Garage, East Kilbride, Glasgow) prev. exp. 142 hrs on DH Moth Minor, Gipsy III, Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth, Leopard Moth, Moth Major Home Address in 1941: St. Helier, Norwood Drive, Whitecraigs, Giffnock, Renfreshire Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 4bFPP, 10FPP, 3FPP "A dependable pilot of average ability and a willing worker."
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air d. 1973, Suva, Fiji Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1937
ATA
Father: Col. William Henry MacCallum DSM Ed. at Malvern High School, and Witwatersrand Technical College m. 1940 Lily Dora [Stones], 1 child A Foreman aero engine fitter for the Ford Motor Co., Manchester prev. exp. 130hrs Address in 1941: 4 Granville Rd, Wilmslow, Cheshire Mother's address: 94 Highland Rd, Kensington, Johannesburg, SA Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP, 8FPP, 3FPP "An average pilot whose only fault is over-confidence"; he was demoted to 2nd Officer from Mar-44 to Jun-44 to for flying in conditions below ATA limits, and flying after ATA landing time. He filed a patent for a machine to produce egg-cartons in 1956 - "James Arthur MacCallum, Johannesburg, Union of South Africa, assignor to Gummed Tapes (Proprietary) Limited, Johannesburg"
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His father, Maurice, who was a toolmaker, was a Swedish naturalised American. Ed. Springfield Trade School prev. a draftsman, commercial artist and aerial photographer for United American Bosch, Inc. "Flying privately since 1936. Been in aviation since 1929. Experienced in flying for photography and survey work." Learnt to fly at Alsop Flying Service, Springfield. Approx 780 hrs total. Address in 1941: 81 Savoy Ave, Springfield MA (parents) Postings: 6FPP, 8FPP He did well; "a capable pilot who has worked hard", but he was suspended and fined 2 days pay ($14) in Dec-41 as he "brought a Priority One machine into Ratcliffe when it was well out of his correct course and he had no excuse for doing so." His original contract expired on the 10 Jun 1942, and he sailed to the US the next day with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Manley Fairbrother, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg. However, the following month he applied for, and received, another contract, which ran from the 28 Aug 1942. d. 7 Dec 1942: on the 6 Dec at 6:30pm he fell from the staircase of the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast from the fourth floor to the ground floor.
"He carried out the boyish prank of sliding down the banisters and I regret that on this occasion he overbalanced and fell down the well of the staircase." [In case you're wondering, Edwin was considered to be a man of very temperate habits - a non-smoker and "practically a non-drinker".] He was taken to the 5th General US Hospital, Musgrave Park, Belfast, apparently suffering from concussion. By 6pm the following evening (7 Oct) a medical bulletin stated that he was expected to be absent from duty for "three or four weeks"; however, he died later that evening from intracerebral hemorrhage. His friend Marshall Miton officiated at the funeral on the 12th October. Edwin was initially buried in the American Section of the Belfast City Cemetery, but later re-interred in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial.
Which just left the issue of whether the £2,000 insurance would be paid. Apparently, Edwin had always made a practice of sliding down the banisters and had been repeatedly warned of this; one or two of his fellow pilots "ridiculed the whole question of the claim being submitted." Things dragged on until December, when the underwriters decided they would give him the benefit of the doubt and pay the compensation. There was a clause in the agreement which excluded death of the Insured "deliberately caused by exposing himself to exceptional danger", but they reckoned that there was not enough evidence for this. In a final sad footnote, a letter arrived from his friend Arthur (Lee) Bacon after Edwin's death. It reads: "Hello Eddie (old boy) Well bud I sure was glad to hear from you. As far as being slow on letters I guess we're both about the same. You asked me to tell you the news (well there isn't any) so there. I'll just tell you anything, all right? Your brother Harry was home on leave from the Navy for a couple of weeks and does he look good (well fed). He said he likes it alot. Oh yes Harry Herman and some of the boys staged a daylight air raid with flour bags (Sept 20th about 2pm). More fun, I guess that is the most excitement in days, weeks. Al and the rest of the fellows are going to take their test sometime this mo. You asked me to give you my views of Frances well ... I shouldn't even try, because you know all the luck I have with my girl-friends don't you. Don't you? I will say this tho, if Frances likes you (just for you) and not for the money you have etc etc --, she would make one beautiful wife. (oboy oboy). In fact I think I'll be your ice man, milkman or something so I can call on her when you're not around. As I told you before tho, nobody can make up your mind for you, if you like her and you want her, the only thing I would tell you to do is go get her. By the way I'm sure glad to hear that you're flying the big ones now. The only thing that makes me mad is that I'm not there so I can fly with you. Also can you give Ed B my congrats (I heard he was married). (poor boy). This letter has taken me an hour to write so I'll stop now. Boy do I wish you were home. The old town's quite dead without you so hurry back. Love and kisses, Arthur p.s. Emma and I aren't doing to bad, we still have our ups and downs just like anybody else you know up and down (oboy)" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATA
Father: Harry Earl Ballard, mother Caroline S [Evans] Ed. Highland Grammar School, Holyoke; Augusta Military Academy, Long Island, NY prev. 1933-34 US Army 62nd Coast Artillery, Private First Class; Operator, Valley Air Sales, Springfield, Mass.; Paper Maker. Purchasing Agent prev. exp. 470 hrs Address in 1941: Leahey Ave, South Hadley Center, Mass. Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP Reprimanded in Aug-42 for 'flying at low altitude', and suspended for 1 week in Feb-43 for 'taking off in Spitfire with hood open' 2 accidents, one his fault: - 12 Apr 1942, his Spitfire nosed over after taxying into an unmarked soft patch, and - 9 Feb 1944, when his Anson developed an engine problem and he did a precautionary landing, but then took off again even though there was a 200rpm mag. drop. Again, the engine misbehaved, so he had to do another forced landing. "It is considered that the pilot made an error of judgement in deciding to take off in the circumstances." "A capable and hard working pilot who makes a good officer if he watches his tongue" "His flying is good and his keenness to take on any work at any time cannot be considered anything but first rate" "He talks too much and too loudly and appears to have a profoundly irritant effect on many of his colleagues. He is, however, good natured and quick-witted." He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Manley Fairbrother, and Harry Kindberg. m. 1942 Ethel (Ruth) Lambton, also of the ATA and Edwin then spent September 1943 to January 1943 in the USA. In September 1944 Edwin, Ruth and her son Peter Lambton, age 9, sailed to the USA. In January, Ruth and Edwin were hauled before a disciplinary court for 'drinking during an unauthorised period in spite of a warning by a senior officer' and 'insubordination'. The Court was inclined Not to overlook the offences. "After considering the evidence, and after hearing verbal evidence given by Commander Whitehurst and Captain Rome the Court reached the conclusion that the charges were fully substantiated, and after reviewing the record of both these officers, who as pilots have undoubtedly done a good job, the Court nevertheless came to the conclusion that their disciplinary record throughout, as disclosed by the History Cards, has left a great deal to be desired, despite repeated warnings, and that this incident is so bad as to warrant their instant dismissal". Ruth and Edwin were duly dismissed on the 23rd January 1945. They sailed to the USA on the 21 Feb (to Edwin's home town of Hadley, MA), had 2 more children and then moved to Nassau, Bahamas in 1950 where Eddie took a job as a pilot for Bahama Airlines.
Ann Wood-Kelly, Lettice Curtis, Ruth Ballard and Winnie Fair, in the Bahamas in 1957 (ELC) d. 31 Mar 1978 - Nassau Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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ATAM
ATAM
m. 1936 in Worthing, Eileen F [Wylie], a hairdresser prev. a Motor Salesman; in 1939, an aircraft rigger and fitter Address in 1935: Lairnsmore, Leighton Ave, Worthing m. 1946 in Surrey, Rosemary Bonnett (also of the ATA) d. 1980 - Swindon, Wilts |
1935
father: Jesse Jaggar Ed. at Heckmondwike Grammar School m. 1935 Kathleen [Lesch] [d. 1972], 1 son b. 1936 m. 1973 Susan [Fudge] prev. Director and Sales Manager, Turf Motors (Morris House) Ltd, Bradford 6ft 2½ in. Address in 1941: 8 Fernhill Dr, Victoria Park, Sultaine, Shipley, Yorks. His garage was the sponsor, and himself the 'expert pilot' as the prize of a guess-the-height competition in 1939 in connection with the showing at the Bradford Odeon of 'Men With Wings', which is about the Lafayette Squadron of WWI: "The competition, for which there is no entrance fee, consists of estimating the height at which a certain aerial picture of Bradford, photographed from a 'plane over the Odeon, was taken. Each leaflet, which can be obtained this week from the Odeon and from Turf Motors, is made of two sections, one giving a reproduction of the photo, the original of which stands in the cinema foyer, and the other containing the entrance form. For your information, the height was not more than 5.000 feet and not less than 1,000 feet. " Postings: 4FPP, 6FPP, 7,FPP, 14FPP "A steady and intelligent pilot." "Handled the Halifax very well in difficult cross wind conditions." "Set a high standard of discipline and is a good example to all those around him."
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air May 1954: "Two well-known local businessmen have had a most successful week-end. though a tiring one. in the National Morecambe Motor Car Rally, which is sponsored the Lancashire Automobile Club They are popular Rotary Club President. Mr. Edward Hirst and Mr. Ralph Jaggar. Mr. Jaggar. who is managing director of Turf Motors, Is also the main local distributor for M.G. and he was the driver while Mr. Hirst acted as navigator They finished eighth (without handicap) in the whole of the Rally, in which 221 cars were competing, and they also won the prize for the Leeds Starting Contest (the most meritorious performance irrespective of group or class at the Leeds starting control." Shipley Times and Express d. Nov 1987 - Bradford Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1935
Parents: William Stanley Hosking, Sophy Seymour Richards Ed. at Kettering Grammar School m. 1933 Rhoda A [Barden]; 1 son b. 1938 prev. Branch Manager for Marks and Spencer Ltd prev. exp 53 hrs on Hornet Moth, Tiger Moth, Magister, Anson Address in 1941: 42 Round Hill Cose, West Garth Rd, Exeter Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 2FPP Sep-45: "This pilot has had consistently good reports since he joined this unit in 1942. Considering the small flying experience with which he joined the ATA, the fact that he finishes his service by being one of our most skilled All-Class pilots, is greatly to his credit. His unfailing cheerfulness and good discipline have always been most marked." O.C. No 2 FPP d. 18 Jun 1992 - Tavistock, Devon
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1939
ATA
Educated at Shipley Central School m. 1934 May [Jackson]; 1 child prev. Company Director, Valley Road Motors (Shipley) Ltd; RAF Jul-40 to Apr-41, AC/2 Cadet Address in 1941: 6 Hilton Ave, Frizinghall, Bradford Postings: 7FPP, 8FPP Off sick from 2 Dec 1942 to 23 Feb 1943, following a crash-landing in Wellington W5587 after complete failure of the port engine. Suspended for 1 day in Dec-43 for Loss of Ferry Pilot's Notes; Aug-44, reprimanded for low flying: "This pilot has not settled down at this pool, I have recommended C.O.O. to post him [back to 7FPP]. O.C. 8FPP "An excellent Officer who, by his good flying and behaviour, has been a real asset to the Pool." d. Mar 1981 - Staincliffe, N Yorks
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1935
ATA
prev. an airplane mechanic from 1935, and a Flight Instructor at Oklahoma Air College prev. exp. 3,500hrs Address in 1941: 220 S Lake St, Ponca City, OK m. to Dorothy Louise [Young], 1 child Postings: AFTS, as Instructor "A natural pilot" - ATA's Chief Instructor T.G.L. Gale said: "It was because I had the highest opinion of his character that I selected him for instructional duties ... his work has been excellent and highly successful and has deservedly earned him the praise of his superiors and the gratitude of his pupils."
d. 9 May 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Blenheim I K7086. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft's tail was broken in a collision with another Blenheim (L8439, piloted by First Officer Richard S Pavey (M.445)) which had also just taken off, and it dived into the ground and caught fire. Trainee Pilot Thomas Walton, a director of Burnley Aircraft Products Ltd, was also killed. F/O Pavey survived with a fractured shoulder, spinal injuries, shock and burns. Buried at Maidenhead Cemetery - Sec. D. Row K.K. Grave 21.
His brother Glenn had sent him this photo of himself, wife Ruby and their child outside their house in California in April 1942:
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ATA
prev. a Master Mariner Address in 1925: Lensbury, Teddington, Middx Postings: 8FPP
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1925
BG
Educated at Gresham School, Holt then New College Oxford. Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, in 1929 Father: William Thomas Bell prev. an engineer for Robey & Co., Lincoln and an Inspector in the Lincoln City Special Constabulary from Aug-39 Address in 1941: Hillside, South Park, Lincoln Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP, 5FPP "A capable pilot and a good officer. With the exception of the Fulmar accident [when an undercarriage leg collapsed on landing] all his Training Pool work has been satisfactory". Lincolnshire Echo, 16 Sep 1942: "Ferry Pilot To Pay Damages An accident near Saxilby Bridge on June 28 was referred to at Lincoln County Court when Frank William Bell, ferry pilot, South Park, Lincoln, defended an action for damages for negligence brought by Charles Freeetone Cansdale, fitter and erector, and his wife, Olive May, Bell St, Lincoln, who were given judgment for £98 3s 10d, and costs. It was stated that a collision occurred just after Cansdale, who was riding a motor-cycle with his wife on the pillion, emerged from Mill Lane on to Saxilby Rd. Cansdale said that when he reached the junction of the lane and the road he stopped, looked both ways, and not seeing any traffic, went on the main road intending to turn right and go over the bridge. He was almost on the crown of the road when he saw Bell's car come over the peak of the bridge. He (Cansdale) drove to his correct side of the road, and was straightening up when he saw Bell's car coming over the white line to his side of the road. In an effort to avoid the car he drove so that half the cycle was on the pavement. The car hit the rear of it. His wife was injured, and he was was off work two weeks. Denial Bell said he was travelling at about 30mph. After crossing the bridge he could see the motor cycle in Mill Lane. He expected it to stop when it reached the main road, but it did not. He braked hard, and went over to his offside to give the motor cycle a much space as possible. He did not agree that part of the motor cycle was on the pavement when the impact occurred. P.C. Gough said there was a brake mark 69ft long caused by the car, commencing 8ft 9ins from the offside and ending close to the curb on its offside. Judge Lanaman said that in swerving to the offside Bell made an error of judgement, but the degree of negligence was small." d. Sep 1963 - Lincoln Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):
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1930
ATA
ATAM
ed. Malvern College - OTC Private 1919-22 prev. with Turner, Adamant Engineering Co, Dallow Lane, Luton Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP, 6FPP, 7FPP In Apr-43 he was posted to AFTS as an instructor: "A hard working & keen officer who had the making of a good instructor, but unfortunately, he apparently felt the work too much of a mental strain and he made application to revert to ferrying." m. "Barbara Petronella Bowyer Or Reid" (also of the ATA) in Dec 1946
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1928
ATA
1946
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ATA
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father Leo James Fairbrother, a building contractor, mother Anna [Kennedy] ed. Martin School, Grand Rapids m. [1] 1931 Dortha Ann [Johnson], 1 child; [2] c.1947 Anna May [Gillis]; [3] 1981 Grace L [Laterza] prev. 1927-30 Corporal in Michigan National Guard, 1931-36 Fireman 2nd Class in US Naval Reserve. A 'pilot parachute jumper' prev. exp. 550hrs certified, 600hrs uncertified in (his own aircraft) J.5 Travelair NC89M, Avian Sport Address in 1941: R.R. 3, Grand Rapids, MI Postings: 2FPP "A good pilot, keen and conscientious" Off for a month after an accident in a Hurricane on 6 Dec 1941 - following partial engine failure, he overshot his selected field for a forced landing and hit a tree. He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg. He came 4th in the 1947 Thompson Trophy at the Cleveland Air Races [the race was won by Steve Beville, another former ATA pilot]. He thereby won $500 - he bought the P-51 for $5,500. Battle Creek Enquirer, Oct 1948: "FINED FOR 'BUZZING' Manley W. Fairbrother, of Minneapolis, a prominent racing pilot, paid a fine of $100 and costs in municipal court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to 'buzzing' near the home of his parents in Grand Rapids while returning from the Cleveland Air Races September 12." [He qualified in 9th position for the 1948 Thompson Trophy, flying at 351.593 mph in his 'stripped-down P-51', but after 12 laps his engine stalled and he had to pull out.] d. 28 Jan 1994 Buried Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park His obituary says: "He came to Florida in 1971 from Star Prairie, Wis. He was an airline pilot for 24 years with Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis, a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, and a member of the Retired Airline Pilots Association. Survivors include his wife Grace 'Jo'; two daughters, Nora Bercaw, Naples, Fla, and Patricia Hollowell, Spring Hill."
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ATA
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F/O in RAF 1928-32 prev. in Advertising with Chestor Studios, London
d. 28 Jun 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - in Miles Magister P2402 (William Hampton, the pilot, fractured his skull) which collided with Fairey Battle R7372 while both were landing. George Kemp (see above) and Philip de Walden Avery (see above) in the Battle were uninjured. buried Marylebone Borough Cemetery
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Father: George Firby, Mother Annie Ed. Bradford Moor, Ansons Secondary School m. 3 Jan 1944 Doris [Watmough] S.R.N. prev. a Haulage Contractor (Own business) prev. exp. 57 hrs on Gipsy Moth Address in 1941: 4 Dundas St., Bradford Postings: 7FPP, 6FPP Jan-42: Suspended without pay for 7 days and promotion deferred for 3 months for being "AWOL at Christmas 1941 & submitting a false report." "A hard working and safe pilot, but who is inclined to be irresponsible."
d. 5 Feb 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Avro Anson W4945 which disintegrated in the air, crashed between Newsham Hall and Walkers Farm, Winston, Darlington and was destroyed. "Investigations showed that the starboard aileron was struck in flight by a fast moving metal object such as the propeller of another aircraft. This caused dislocation of aileron hinges & subsequent disintegration of the starboard wing. In this connection two Spitfires were observed manoeuvering around the Anson just before the crash. One was reported to have descended and circled the wreckage after the crash." See also http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york43/fr172.html Buried at Undercliffe Cemetery, Bradford He had only been married 33 days and hadn't informed the ATA, which meant that the insurance money of £2,000 was paid to his nominated next-of-kin, his mother Annie. She agreed to pass on £675 to his widow Doris, who also inherited Geoffrey's estate of £201. A daughter Christine was born in March 1944 but died shortly afterwards.
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1938
ATA
Ed. St Cuthberts College, Worksop m. 1929 Constance T [Willson], 1933 Dorothy Mary [Thompson], 2 children prev. Managing Director of Howson Gloves Ltd, Lancashire Hill, Stockport Address in 1941: Tree Tops, 1 Valley Rd, Bramhall, Cheshire Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 14FPP "A well-behaved and conscientious officer, and a safe average pilot. Had very little experience prior to joining ATA" Passed Class V (Halifax) training Mar-43 Mar-45: "He has done very well throughout his ATA career, but the strain of nearly four years ferrying has proved too much for him, and he has been advised to resign." Contract Terminated 28 Mar 1945 d. 1964 - Bucklow, Cheshire
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1931
ATA
Father: Austin Herbert Hill Ed. High School, Oklahoma City m. [1] V ; [2] 1966 Lena M Jackson Hembling prev. Charter and Dusting Flying, Aerial Advertising, Instructing, Barnstorming. Address in 1941: Route 1, Comstock Park, Kent, MI Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP, Certificate of Commendation, 1943: "Whilst ferrying a Wellington VI from Lynehm to Shawbury on the 3rd April 1943, he experienced complete failure of both engines. He was at a height of approximately 1,400ft and was nearing the Malvern Hills. After losing considerable height he resuscitated the starboard engine but he was unable to get any response from the port engine which he put into coarse pitch and feathered the propeller. F/O Hill made for the nearest airfield which was Defford and succeeded in landing on the runway there with flaps and wheels down without further damage. The Wellington VI will hardly fly on one engine." The engine failures were due to incorrect setting of tank cocks within the wing. "An extremely hard-working and expert pilot, whose willingness and good discipline make him an excellent officer." Sailed from Scotland to New York on 26 Apr 1945 d. Nov 1985 - Cumberland, Harlan, KY "His wife, Lena, survives."
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Father: JamesThomas, mother Jennie [Finnerty] Ed. Notre Dame College, Indiana m. Lola Mae [Welch] (Divorced, 2 daughters Jacqueline Mae b. 1929 and Marguerite A b. 1932) prev. 1st Lieut. US Marine Aviation 1927-29, Flight Leader, RCAF Air Observer School at Prince Albert, Sask. prev. exp. 4500hrs Learnt to fly in 1932 at Los Angeles Municipal Airport, passing his test for a Federal private license in October 1932. However, two months later he was arrested when he flew his "fast monoplane" across the border from Baja Callifornia, after a tip-off. They found 130 gallons of illegal Mexican alcohol hidden in the fuselage... He got 30 days in jail, five years probation and he was told to "be kind to his paralyzed mother and bedfast father, and to live on the ranch at Fillmore, given to him by his father, and to remain at home with his wife and child[ren]." Address in 1941: 673 West St., Upland CA Contract Terminated 9 Aug 1941 - he "consistently absented himself from duty for long periods without leave and his conduct was unsatisfactory." "His obstinacy and impatience are regretted as he should quickly have made a most useful and competent ferry pilot." Joined the Fleet Air Arm on 6 Oct 1941 and was a pilot in 772 Squadron FAA [HMS Landrail (RN Air Station, Machrihanish, Argyllshire)] In Jan 1944, a "John E Hampson, Montalvo truck driver, was arrested on suspicion of violation of the selective service act." d. 25 Jan 1983 - Los Angeles
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ATA
Father: William Arthur James, mother Rebecca [Rainbow] prev. an engineer "William Leslie James (19), engineer. Newhay Farm, Yardley Hastings. was summoned for driving a motor car without an efficient silencer on the Wellingborough Road, on August 9. Defendant did not appear. but wrote denying an offence and offering to give a demonstration. P.C. Eales said defendant told him he took the silencer off the machine a month after he bought it. James was fined £1." - Northampton Chronicle and Echo - 25 Aug 1926 Address in 1937: 'Avalon', Stow Longa, Kimbolton, Hunts [He built the house himself] m. 1937 in Huntingdon, Irene Constance [Mash] [4 daughters: Irene b. 1938, Freda b. 1942, Denise b. 1945, Jennifer b. 1947] d. 23 May 1953 His grandson Sean [who also kindly supplied the photos] tells me that "He ran an aircraft maintenance and engineering company (his job pre-war was an Aircraft Engineer) in Kimbolton until his untimely demise in 1953 when an oil drum he was welding exploded, killing him instantly. He owned his own Tiger Moth, which was last noted to be at Sywell (I do not know what happened to it) and was famous locally for his “daredevil” flying antics, including flying the Tiger Moth through a Dutch Barn on his father's farm." |
RAeC 1937
In ATA uniform, with Irene
Brother of Rev. William Byrd Lee Milton, also an ATA pilot - 'The Flying Parsons'.(see below) Ed. Christ Church School, Saluda, VA, Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Theological Seminary [1934 B.S. Civil Enginering, 1938 B.D. Theology] m. 1938 Isobel Heyward [Wilson] from Birmingham, ALA prev. Priest - Rector of Brandon Episcopal Church, Burrowsville, VA prev. exp. 450 hrs Address in 1941: 756 Cumberland Ave, Atlanta, GA Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP, 16FPP, 1FPP (Seconded), 14FPP He and his brother resigned their church appointments in neigbouring parishes in the US to join the ATA. In May 1942, Marshall said "The only thing I object to is helping men to kill each other and from the pulpit I couldn't do it, but as an individual and as a member of society I felt that whether I believed in war or not I was just part of it. We thought we would be of more service perhaps in the ATA than by staying at home." 5 accidents: - 24 Dec 1941, Brewster Buffalo overshot landing due to flap and engine failure and ran into a heap of earth; - 8 Feb 1942, Defiant overshot landing and then swung to avoid another aircraft; pilot to blame as he should have made a second circuit; - 29 Mar 1942, Beaufort failed top control a swing after applying brakes. Not to blame as the brakes were found to be defective; - 29 Oct 1942, successfully force landed a Hampden after port engine failure. Pilot not responsible. - 21 Feb 1943, Proctor III tipped onto its nose when taxying in high wind; he was held to blame as he ignored the ground crew, who were standing by to help. "A methodical pilot of average ability, but inclined to be heavy-handed on single-engine aircraft." "A good officer and a capable and obliging pilot." Later a maths teacher d. 5 Nov 1993 - Newport, VA
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1942
Ed. High School and Technical School, ACTS Canute Field, IL (Hugh School Diploma) prev. US Air Corps, 99th Observation Sqn 1927-33; "pilot, instructor, radio operator, airplane and engine mechanic, parachute rigger" (sounds like a useful chap) prev. exp. 2,050 hrs m. 1930 Evelyn Beatrice [Fortune] Address in 1941: 804 Mulberry St, Macon GA Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP Suspended 8 Jul 1941 for 14 days for low flying; Reprimanded 29 Jan 1942 for "incorrect statement at official report" 3 accidents, 2 his fault: - 4 Jan 1942, he landed his Wellington on the wrong runway, swung off and collided with a parked Hampden; - 13 Jan 1942, he was unable to control the landing of another Wellington and the port wing hit the ground (not his fault, apparently), and - 21 Feb 1942, he overshot a landing in a Spitfire after the flaps failed to lower and hit a parked aircraft (his fault, apparently). "A very keen pilot" [Resigned] Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain George Arthur Robertson
m. 1947 in New York, Viola M [Makara]
Here are some of his Immigration cards for Brazil: - in 1949:
- in 1951: and in 1957:
d. 27 May 1995 in Florida See CNAC Captain George Arthur Robertson Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1951
Father Frank, a retired shoe manufacturer [who originally trained for the priesthood], mother Florence [Fabian] Ed. at Willston Academy, MA (Business School Diploma) m. 1935 Mary Elizabeth [Finch], 2 sons pre. commercial flying, stunt flying with 'Lucky Harris and his Airshow' Address in 1941: 432 Rugby Rd, Brooklyn, NY Postings: 16FPP, 4aFPP "His flying is quite satisfactory but his general conduct could still be improved." [Resigned] In 1965, he was running Hoffman Custom Flight Service in Billings, Montana, and he and three others were apppointed 'Local Senior Pilots' by the FAA in 1969:
Frank on the left. d. Jan 1988, Billings His obituary in the Billings Gazette reads: "Frank was among the first Army Air Corps flight instructors. He also served in the Royal Air Force in Great Britain. He was a test pilot for Glen L. Martin Inc. and Edo Aircraft before managing the Jacksonville Municipal Airport for seven years. In 1954 and 1955, he was part owner of Alamo Airways in Las Vegas, Nevada. He moved to Billings and worked for Lynch Flying Service, then opened Hoffmann Customer Flight Service. In 1960 he brought the first helicopters to Billings. He retired from aviation in 1972 when he closed Sky Harbor Enterprises Inc."
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1930
Father: Charles Harvard Pelham, mother Ellen (both d. 1942) Ed. Uckfield Grammar School m. 1927 Violet Louise [Steele], 1 child prev. RNAS Dec-17 to 1918; RAF 1st April 1918 (2nd Lieut.); then C.H. Pelham and Son, Builders and Coal Merchants, High St. Uckfield Address in 1941: White Rails, High St, Uckfield, Sussex Postings: Seconded to Brockworth He was absent from 16 Jan to 13 Mar 1942 after a flying acident in a Magister (he persisted too far in bad weather, and flew into the ground), and his contract was terminated on the 30th June. d. 1957 - Uckfield
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ATA
Father: Robert Baugh, [d. 1946 in Rome], Mother Fanny Dingley [ d. 1935] Ed. Kings Norton Secondary School, Birmingham m. 1930 Hilda [Thomas]; 2 children [Samuel b. 1934, Miranda b. 1943] RAF 1920-24, Flying Officer prev. a Representative for Osmond and Sons, Ltd, Grimsby (a Cattle Medicine Manufacturer) Address in 1941: Dorrington, Shrewsbury Postings: 12FPP, 5FPP, 7FPP He was a passenger in the crash of Anson N4929 at Scorton airfield on 18th November 1941. "The tail wheel appears to have jammed on landing and caused a swing to develop on the ground, the swing was uncontrolled and the starboard undercarriage leg appears to have collapsed resulting in the aircraft skiding to a halt with the starboard wing and aileron being listed as damaged." http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york41/n4929.html Off sick 6 Feb to 9 Mar 1942 with dental caries; Off sick 12 Sep to 30 Nov 1942 with concussion. "His progress through the School was very slow, due partly to a long period of sickness, and a tendency to lack confidence. He is of a somewhat nervous disposition ... as a pilot, he is about average." "He is a modest man with a likeable personailty and the makings of a good officer." [Contract Terminated by ATA 15 Mar 1944] Post-WWII, he worked in Kenya (see below) and travelled back to the UK from Mombasa, alone, arriving on the 28 Nov 1958. Hilda had travelled back to the UK, alone, in Aug 1956. On 9 Dec 1959, he wrote to Diana Barnato Walker this sad little letter: "Dear Mrs Barnato-Walker, You may possibly remember me in the old A.T.A. days - but it is a long time ago. I was at St Pauls on Remembrance Sunday this year and saw you there, but did not have a chance to speak to you as I had to leave directly the service was over. The purpose of this letter is to ask you if you can help me to get a job in Africa where I believe you have large interests. I have been in Kenya for the last few years doing irrigation and development work and planting. Before the war I was cotton-growing in the Sudan and Egypt. In Kenya I was in a government department working in the Northern Frontier Province, but in 1958 the scheme I was engaged on was abandoned owing to the financial recession, and I became redundant. I stayed on in Kenya for some time with friends hoping to get another job but there was nothing doing; during this time I had the misfortune to have a riding accident in which I fractured my skull and broke my hip-bone, and as I could not afford to pay the hospital fees out there I had to return to this country for treatment. I am quite better now but have no qualifications for a job in this country, although I have tried very hard to get work I have had no luck. My money ran out some time ago and I have been (and am) living on a very small allowance from the National Assistance Board, which just pays for my cheap lodgings. I am most desperate to get work, and if you can put me on to anything I shall be more than grateful. Yours Sincerely, Robert E Baugh p.s. I am perfectly willing to do anything and go anywhere." Diana passed the letter on to Mr Moore, who was the ATA contact point, and added: "4 Jan 1960 Dear Mr Moore, Here is the letter that I spoke to you on the telephone about. If you can do anything right away for him perhaps you will let me know? I have no contacts now in South Africa, but suggest that when you have contacted Baugh re his present position, that I send his letter on to Mr and Mrs Alan Butler - she was Lois Butler of the ATA - & see if they have any ideas, or offers of employment. For they have a considerable estate in Nairobi. Unfortunately they are away until mid February." ... And that is all I know, so far ... (sorry)
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prev. Fleet Air Arm Feb-39 to Sep-40; A Cotton salesman for C Tattersall & Co, Manchester d. Mar 1943, Hatfield?
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ATA
father William James, a Railway Express Agency Agent; mother: Blanche [Ambler] Ed. at Arts and Science College, Toledo and University, Ohio (Bachelor of Philosophy) prev. a student m. 18 Jun 1941 Jeanne Yvonne [Rutan] (who also attended the University of Toledo) prev. exp. 560 hrs over 5 years in Toledo Address in 1941: 207 McKinley Blvd, Terre Haute, Indiana Postings: 3FPP Ferry hours: 313 hrs on 28 different types "A very keen pilot and an extremely good officer to whom nothing is a trouble" (except perhaps once in Feb-42 when he forgot to lower the undercarriage of an Airspeed Oxford before landing.)
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Postings:
Arthur Westcott-Pitt: Waterford's Aviation Pioneer Introduction Arthur Pitt was born in Wallington, Surrey, England on 20 October 1899 to John March Pitt and Emily Hannah Davis [Bell]. His mother was the eldest daughter of Henry Bell, who had established a pharmaceutical company in Waterford city in 1862. The firm, Henry Bell Ltd, which also specialised in veterinary medical preparations, had premises at 62 the Quay, beside the Granville Hotel. A large mock ball was suspended on a mounting over the entrance to these premises, which became a landmark for many years.
He was issued with Certificate No. 8636 by the Royal Aero Club on 10 June 1929 and a PPL (Private Pilots' Licence) was issued by the Air Ministry seven days later.
On August 19, 1932 the Bluebird IV (EI-AAO) was wrecked in a crash on the Back Strand at Tramore. Carrying two priests as passengers the aircraft had just taken off when 'the engine seemed to stop', just over the 'site of the stand of the old racecourse', according to a contemporary newspaper report. The Bluebird ended up on its nose 'in the mud near Halley's field' and was damaged beyond repair, but the pilot and passengers were not injured. Following these crashes there was only one aircraft left available for flights, the Avro 504K (EI-ANN), and Irish Airlines went out of business in 1933.
Arthur Westcott-Pitt with his Auster Autocrat light aircraft, which he acquired in 1947. Pitt's aviation activities seem to have been curtailed over the next twelve years, which was probably due to his involvement in the management and restructuring of the pharmaceutical company, Henry Bell Ltd. The managing director of the company, Samuel Bell, a son of Henry, retired in 1935, which resulted in Pitt with his brother, Ernest, becoming joint managing directors of the company. A factory 'for the manufacture of chemical preparations' was also established at Exchange Street Waterford about the same time. During this period Arthur married Miss Emma Elizabeth Westcott on 31 July 1936 and he changed his name to Westcott-Pitt by deed-poll following his marriage.
They lived in a substantial residence in Dunmore East, which had been constructed early in the twentieth centaury. Between 1939 and 1945 all private flying was banned by the Irish government for the duration of the Emergency. However, according to a local newspaper report in 1946, Westcott-Pitt was 'engaged in ferrying 'planes from Canada to Britain in the early part of the late war'.
In 1946 Westcott-Pitt resumed his flying activities, initially by developing the airfield at Coxtown for commercial aviation. Following an inspection by engineers from the Department of Industry and Commerce, a licence for the airstrip under the Air Navigation Regulations was granted in the following year. Named the South of Ireland Airport, the airfield was licensed 'as a regular place of landing or departure of aircraft carrying passengers or goods for hire or reward and instruc tional flying ' . At that time the new airport was the only one licensed for the use of civil aircraft, south of the airports at Collinstown (later named Dublin International
Plate 4: Westcott-Pitt in the cockpit of the Auster Autocrat. Plate 5: The hangar at the airfield at Coxtown, Dunmore East. Westcott-Pitt was also secretary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Dunmore East for twenty-three years and used the Autocrat on a number of occa sions to carry out an aerial search for ships in distress or missing persons at sea. For about twenty years the airport was a popular landing destination for British touring aviators and was also visited by some famous airmen during this period. On Sunday 28 September 1952 the first post-war air rally in Ireland was held at the airport with aircraft from Ireland and the United Kingdom participating. These included Miles Geminis, Messengers, Austeres and Piper Clubs, the most modern light aircraft of that period. The famous test pilot Neville Duke used the airport during the delivery of a de Havilland Tiger Moth (EI-AJP) to Air Kruises (Ireland) Ltd. on 10 April 1967. Westcott-Pitt charged to the Department of Defence for the use of the airport during these exercises. However, these charges were considered excessive by the department, which refused to pay and Westcott-Pitt instituted legal proceedings for the sum of £164. Following negotiations between both parties an offer of £90 with an additional £15. 15s. expenses were accepted by Westcott-Pitt.
Westcott-Pitt was a man before his time. His concept of an airport for the South East of Ireland, an aerial search and rescue service for the region and a flying club have all come to fruition in the past thirty years.
With many thanks to Fedor van de Pol, who sent me the article * personnel file missing |
1929
Waterford Standard - Saturday 26 September 1936
Father: Francis Clarke Ed. at Berkhampsted School prev. RAF 1935 -1941 (F/O from 1940) m. 1 Jan 1940 Sibyl Faith [Ingram-Johnson, divorced; d. 1993]; 2 children John b.1940, Pamela b. 1943 6 ft 4in tall Address in 1941: Old Manor House, Squires Bridge Rd, Shepperton, Middx Postings: 1FPP "A pilot of fully average ability." [Resigned] The 'Liabilities (War-time Adjustment) Act', allowed people who reckoned they were in serious financial difficulties owing to war circumstances to apply for help: "ORDERS OF DISCHARGE. No 6. CLARKE, Rodney Eyre, now of Ship & Bell Hotel, Horndean, Hants, previously residing at "St. Vincent," Woodland Grove, Weybridge, Surrey, and formerly residing and carrying on business at the Ship & Castle Hotel, St. Mawes, Cornwall. Now Hotel Manager, previously Air-Transport Pilot, formerly HOTEL PROPRIETOR. Date of Order of Discharge—Jan. 21, 1944" "M.S.A.E., F.R.S.A., A.M.I.M.I., F.Inst.D. Chairman, Continental Cars, Ltd, since 1943; General Manager, Connaught Engineering (Automobile and General Engineers), since 1949. b: November 10, 1915. London. Educ: Berkhamsted; A.E.T.C., Chelsea. Served apprenticeship in Electronics research, 1933-35; Royal Air Force commission (night-bomber Captain), 1935-40; Air Transport Auxiliary (Ferry Pilot), 1941; engaged in Motor Industry as from 1943. Club: R.A.C. Add: Connaught Engineering, Portsmouth Rd., Send, Surrey, and St. Vincent, Woodland Grove, Weybridge, Surrey. " Who's Who in the Motor Industry 1959 d. Jun 1979 - Surrey
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ATA
Father: Rev. Henry Twells Mogridge M.A. (d. 1922), Mother Frances Address in 1917: Scalford Vicarage, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire WWI; France from 11 Mar 1916; 2nd-Lieut. in 74th Co. MGC; Lieut. in 5th Irish Rifles, RFC. Here are his medals and RFC 'Wings':
Address in 1920: 21 Wear Bay Crescent, Folkestone Address in 1941: 58 Andover Rd, Newbury, Berks He wrote to the ATA in March 1941: "11 March 1941 The Ministry of AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION, Room 101, LONDON. Gentlemen, With reference to the Marquess of Londonderry's broadcast appeal for ferry pilots under 50, I should like to be considered if the response has not provided the number required. I shall be 48 in June, and had 300 hours solo in the last War, but have not flown since 1919, though I feel confident I should quickly respond to instruction. I am single and without any family responsibilities, and would be prepared to go anywhere after release from my present duty of Bank Manager. Air Commodore A. J. Capel (Holborn 3434 ext. 250) will remember me in the days of the old 94 Squadron." and presumably it was the Air Commodore who wrote back to him on the 9th May: "Headquarters, No 20(T) Group, Royal Air Force, Buntingdale Hall, Market Drayton, Shropshire. Dear Mogridge, Many thanks for your letter of the 4th May. I have already heard from Air Transport Auxiliary asking for your credentials, and I have given you a good recommendation, and I have heard this morning that they have received it. I was very glad to hear that you have already had your test, and have passed it. I think in the old days you used to be able to land most times without damage to the aircraft or yourself, and so I hope you will manage to keep that up now with modern aircraft. Don't forget that it is absolutely necessary now-a-days to know thoroughly what is known as 'cockpit drill'; that is to say, whereas in the old days there was practically nothing to learn about a new machine except the position of the petrol taps, now-a-days, with flaps, slots, retractable undercarriage, etc., it is necessary to know intimately all the gadgets in the cockpit before it is safe to take off..." Brief Glory says "Flt-Capt E C Mogridge, had an outstanding career in ATA, which he joined at the age of 48. He served overseas as a fighter pilot in the first war and then returned to his civil occupation with one of the big five banks. Twenty-three years later, while manager of a country branch in Berkshire, he heard Lord Londonderry's appeal for pilots, and although he had not been in the cockpit of an aircraft between the two world wars, promptly volunteered for service and was accepted." Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP "He brought to his career in the ATA all the meticulous efficiency which had made him the ideal bank manager and, working steadily through from light aircraft to four-engined bombers, became in turn almost the ideal ferry pilot." 7 accidents, 2 his fault : - 25 Jan 1942, he made a normal landing in his Hurricane but it blew over in a gusty wind whilst taxying; - 14 Jul 1942, when he failed to lock the tail wheel of a Mustang before landing and swung violently, damaging the undercarriage and wingtip; - 29 Nov 1942, the port wing of his Anson hit a telegraph pole 'six feet from the edge of the perimter track' - 24 Feb 1943, he made a normal landing in a Wellington, but the aircraft tipped over onto its nose due to the brakes binding; - 28 Mar 1943, he landed back at Hawarden after the undercarriage of his Wellington failed to retract, due a broken hydraulic pipe. - 17 May 1943, the port hatch and sliding canopy of his Brewster Bermuda were found to be damaged on delivery, due to insecure fastening - 3 Aug 1944, he damaged the propeller tips when they hit the ground during his take-off run on a very rough surface in a Spitfire IX By the end of 1945, he was "back in his office in Newbury and had already in exasperation told a temporary clerk that she was the 'sort of absent-minded person who would land with her undercarriage up.'" d. 23 Apr 1974 - Exeter, Devon With many thanks to Mark Mogridge for sending me some of his great-uncle's documents and the medals photo. |
MAMM
Father: John W. Coe, mother Retta [Hagler] both dec'd Ed. High School, Porterville, CA prev. Gas and Electric Welding; Mechanic. 1940-41 US Army Civilian Flyng Instructor in Albany, GA prev. exp. 1800 hrs Address in 1941: Main St., Richland Center, WI Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP Suspended for one day and fined £5 in Dec-41 for "failing to report to police on being posted to 3FPP", and then suspended for 2 days in Apr-42 for "low flying". One accident: 15 May 1942, his Spitfire broke an undercarriage leg during a forced landing following a drop in oil and brake pressure. Not his fault. "A steady and reliable pilot and a good officer." m. 1943 Mildred Kathleen [Christie] from NY [2 children] Post-ATA, he joined RAF Ferry Command and was stationed in Nassau and Montreal, until 1946. Later a test pilot for Canadair, operator of a number of flight schools, and owner of ABC Rentals in Glen Falls, NY. d. 15 Oct 1990 - Glen Falls, NY (Age 78)
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Brother of Rev. Marshall McCormick Milton, also an ATA pilot - 'The Flying Parsons'. (see above) m. to Frances Gordon Thornton, from Fredericksburg, 1 daughter. prev. Priest (Rector of St John's Episcopal Church and Merchant's Hope Church, Prince George County, VA); Civil Engineer. Chemist. 2nd Lieut., US Army 307th Cavalry Reserve Jun-29 to Jun-34. Said he had owned a Taylorcraft, Piper Cruiser, and "Stinsons" Address in 1941: Fredericksburg, VA Postings: 8FPP "Extremely keen and steady type. This pilot tries very hard but lacks natural aptitude and is inclined to be heavy-handed." "He would make a good officer if he talked less and paid more attention to his appearance." Head of ATA Gerard d'Erlanger replied to him in October 1941; "In reply to your memorandum of October 9th, I sincerely appreciate your offer to act as honorary chaplain to the ATA, but regret that I cannot see my way to acquiesce thereto. [which I think means "No"]. Thank you nevertheless for the suggestion." While on leave in Virginia Beach in July 1942, William sent a nice postcard to Flt Captain Stock, the Establishment Officer for the ATA:
1 incident and 1 accident: - 4 Nov 1942, Hampden force landed after engine problem. - 14 Nov 1942, Martlett IV swung after take-off and starboard undercarriage collapsed. Pilot to blame. d. 23 Feb 1943 (Died in ATA Service), ferrying Beaufort DX118 from 44 MU Edzell to 5 OTU Long Kesh, N. Ireland which suffered starboard engine failure "on a type on which single-engined flight is critical" and crashed on Brownhart Law, near Makendon, Northumberland.
In 2014, Jim Corbett found "a lot of wood and plexiglass from the nose section" on Brownhart Law:
See https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/pennines/bristol-beaufort-dx118-brownhart-law/ His CO, Bert Yardley, wrote: "Milton was a strange personality, and had a strange mentality towards his job. My pilots usually go straight to destination. The Royal Observer Corps have plotted Milton for me and I find he rarely takes a straight line, but wanders all over the place. He left Edzell about 2 hours before the other four pilots and it is my carefully considered opinion that he employed his usual method - getting above the cloud (against which he has been warned) and in this case got lost. Instead of going back to where he knew it was clear, he thought he was further East than he actually was and thought to break cloud over or near the coast, with disastrous results. From experience I know this to be a most treacherous strip of country and cannot be trifled with." A silver chalice was presented in 1948 to St John's Episcopal Church, Hopewell, in his memory.
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1942
Map Coords 55.383333, -2.333333
Next of kin: C.R. Mucadum, 50 Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, Bombay, India Ed. Technical High School, Bombay m. Dec 1939 Mary Ann [Johnstone, d. 1966] 1 son b. 1949 prev. a Viewer (Engineering) for J. Stone & Co, Arklow Rd, Deptford, London Address in 1941: 15 Avon Rd, Brockley, London SE4 Postings: 6FPP Initially considered a "keen and willing pilot who is doing well", he was held responsible for an accident in a Wellington in November 1942 when he failed to check the take-off swing and the port undercrriage leg struck an obstacle. After making an immediate landing, the leg collapsed. He was immediately sent on a refresher course: "This pilot was in need of a check as his flying was most erratic. He is a very slow thinker and inclined to imagine that anything will do." However, "he completed by showing marked improvement and it is thought that he now realises the importance of detail and thinking for himself." d. Nov 1998 - Richmond Upon Thames
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1938
ATAM
ather: Willmer Bishop (dec'd) Mother: Catherine [Martin] ed. West Green Bay High School (grad. 1929) prev. a driver on an automobile boat; a shipping clerk on a boat dock, Manager of Brown County Airport, and a commercial pilot. Address in 1941: 231 Allard Ave, Green Bay, Wisonsin ([Mother's address] "slight scar on nose" Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 2FPP Suspended for 4 days in Mar-43 following a wheels-up forced landing in Botha L6508, after he forgot to check that the fuel cocks were correctly set Suspended for 4 days in Jun-43 for "a breach of discipline and non-compliance with Standing Order" "A capable and intelligent pilot of above average ability" ... "During the last two months [Aug-Sep 1943] his discipline has improved tremendously, and he has proved to be a most competent pilot who works hard." Joined the USAAF in December 1943 (as a private, having first been "listed as a delinquent" when he failed to turn up as agreed in October). "After serving as an instructor on B-25s, A-20s, P-38s, C-47s, AT-6s and several other types of trainers, he was sent in February 1945 to the Asia-Pacific theater as a pilot in the Air Transport Command. He served here eight months, and completed 75 flights over the Himalaya "Hump". He holds the Air Medal, Pacific Theater Ribbon with one battle star, European and American Theater ribbons, and pre-Pearl Harbor, Allied Service and Victory ribbons." Post-WWII, worked for the Green Bay Auto Distributors as a salesman, and was Democratic candidate for the Green Bay 'Register of Deeds' in November 1948. m. 1957 Anna [Sadsuske], 1 daughter. Moved to California in 1960 and operated an auto parts business in Oakland. d. 4 Mar 1965 - Contra Costa, CA
buried Hillside Cemetery, http://schema.org/PostalAddress" itemprop="address">Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin
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Rear-Admiral Boucher from Jan-41 "Admiral Boucher had been one of the pioneers of the Fleet Air Arm having obtained his RAF wings in 1925. When he joined ATA he started like any other pilot in EFTS and worked his way up through the ATA School." Lettice Curtis After a particularly bad landing whilst on the training course, he was 'carpeted' by his instructor Jimmy Weir. He apologised and then said "And may I say that in 20 years in the Navy, I have never had such an excellent and comprehensive ticking off." O.C. ATA Northern Area, 1943 Returned to the Navy as a Commodore and was put on convoy duty; in December 1943 he commanded Convoy JW55B taking supplies to the USSR, which was the target of the German battleship Scharnhorst. Scharnhorst was intercepted and sunk by Royal Navy forces in the Battle of the North Cape. d. Jun 1963 - Maidenhead |
ATAM
Address in 1941: 19 Hartington Rd, East Feltham, Middx Next of kin: (brother) Vishnu Badhe, Kelibag, Mahal, Nagpur, India M.Sc., then an aircraft assembler fitter for Heston Aircraft Co, Hounslow. From whom he received this slightly awkward endorsement: "I would say that Mr R M Badhe has been in our employ for about three years, and we have always found him to be a first-class reliable man from every point of view, and although it is always difficult to get under the skin of certain classes of Indians, I had no hesitation whatever in recommending him for a commission in the RAFVR, and in your case also I feel that he will give you excellent service... He has always conducted himself here in a very correct and respectful manner." However, his instructor's report in October 1942 was less complimentary: "A keen pilot whose assessment can only be judged by his ability to use his intelligence, which is below average. It was necessary to reprimand him for gross carelessness and lack of airmanship and he has been told that if on any future occasion his airmanship is proved to be lacking, his contract will most probably be terminated." Actually, he did have a few accidents ... - Jul-42, he had a burst tyre on landing a Spitfire (not to blame). - Sep-42, he landed an Oxford in the wrong direction and collided with another Oxford, severely damaging both (pilot to blame); - Nov-42, he taxied of the perimiter track (to avoid some cyclists, he said) and nosed over in the soft ground (pilot to blame);
d. 20 Jan 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Henley L3408 crashed in trees on Ulpha Farm nr Meathop, Westmorland, while attempting forced landing due to engine failure (suspected to be due to water in the petrol system). Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 26 Jan 1942:
"He was billeted with us ... he made many friends amongst my gentlemen, he was a gentleman in every possible way and we shall greatly miss him"
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Ed. Pace Insitute, NYC (Law and Accountancy) prev. Sgt. in AAF 1917-20; Commercial Pilot and Instructor prev. exp. 8500 hrs (including Beechcraft and "Savoia-Marchetti Boat" m. Ruth Carpenter [Fitchett] (3 daughters Audrey, Carol, and Dolores) Address in 1941: Urbana, VA Postings: 4aFPP, 8FPP 3 accidents, 1 his fault: - 17 Dec 1941, forced landing in a Mohawk after engine failure; - 8 Apr 1942, landing with undercarriage not fully extended in a Hereford, due to partial engine failure; - 15 Jun 1942, he over-ran the runway in an Oxford; "pilot should have made another circuit." "A good officer who can be relied upon to give his best" Joined USAAF 9 Sep 1942. Major in 310th AAF Base Unit, Pope Field He rescued 26 wounded men during fighting at Iwo Jima in 1945 while an operations officer piloting a C-47 transport plane. Rejoined the Electrolux Corp,, retiring in 1955. d. 29 Aug 1959 (age 63) - Washington
Buried Arlington National Cemetery, VA
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prev. a Prison Officer in Cardiff m. Tetdora Anna Oltmans in 1933 When Douglas Bader crashed his Bulldog at Woodley Aerodrome, Reading, in 1931, "a man called Cruttenden got to the Bulldog first, undid the straps, somehow dragged Douglas out of the cockpit, and transferred him to an ambulance ... Cruttenden stuck a large hand tightly over his leg... Douglas was convinced that Cruttenden saved his life by that action alone." The Bader Wing Postings: 2FPP, 6FPP 'A competent and careful all round pilot, who has completed 4 years excellent work with No 2 Ferry Pool. As an officer, he has been deservedly popular with all ranks.' Prison Commission, 1961 d. 1978, Brighton
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1931
Father Italian; [Anthony Combi served in the Italian Army 1890-1898], Mother British Ed. Cathedral High School, Bombay m. 1939 Catherine A [Groom] prev. Technical Adviser, the Combi Electric Co. Ltd, Slough, Bucks Address in 1941: 4 Hurstfield Drive, Taplow, Bucks Postings: 1FPP, A.M.F. "A very willing and hard working pilot. During this winter [1944-5] he has shown good ability and sound judgement. Discipline very good." Earlier, though, he did have a number of accidents for which he was held responsible: - 18 Sep 1942, he taxied a Spitfire into a starting trolley; - 23 Nov 1942, undershot a landing in a Blenheim; - 8 Jan 1943, piloting an Oxford, he accidentally knocked the main switches to 'on', and a ground crew member was injured when an engine fired when being turned over by hand, and - 15 Feb 1943, he failed to control the swing during takeoff in a Wellington and the aircraft skidded sideways. d. 1980, Harrow
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1932
ATA
1948
British by naturalisation of father (Arend Jartams was Dutch) Ed. Lindisfarne College, Essex m. 1928 Winifred [Culshaw] prev. private in RAMC, 1915; RFC Cadet, 1917, 2nd Lt. in RAF, 1919; an aircraft fitter for A.S.T., Hamble prev. exp. on Bristol Fighter, R.E.8, SE5, Martinsyde, Dolphin (!) Address in 1941: c/o Etheridge, Bank St, Bishops Waltham, Hants Postings: 15FPP, 7FPP, 6FPP, 4aFPP, 4FPP "An excellent officer and capable pilot who gets on with the job in a quiet and efficient manner." d. 1963 - Tiverton, Devon
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ATA
prev. a stockbroker Address in 1939: Doran Court, Redhill, Surrey m. Oct 1940 in Surrey, Beatrice Joan [Allen] Postings: 1FPP 3 accidents: - 2 Nov 1941, the propeller of his Spitfire AA969 was damaged, due to pilot "taxying across a strong wind without a man on the tailplane" - 11 Nov 1941, damaged his Hurricane RE467 when he retracted the undercarriage before being properly clear of the ground
d. 24 Apr 1943 (Died in ATA Service) Mustang AG471 blew up and crashed 1m SW of Bottisham, Cambs, on a ferry flight from 12MU Kirkbride to Bottisham
Buried Christ Church, Shamley Green, Surrey |
1939
[Moved to USA in 1915; naturalized American 1936] Ed. Public School, Stanton, IA prev. a commercial pilot, City Ice and Fuel, St Louis prev. exp 425 hrs Address in 1941: 5741 Enright Ave, St Louis Next of kin: (sister) Mrs Gertie Keating, 4007 Delor St. St Louis, MO Postings: 4a FPP Off sick from 31 Jan to 10 Jun 1942 after he suffered a head wound in an accident: - 30 Jan 1942, he took off from the wrong runway, without permission, and his Magister struck a signal mast. Before his accident, a "reliable and conscientious pilot. Very quiet." Contract Terminated - Medical Grounds d. 14 Aug 1968 - Seattle, WA
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1941
Father: Riley Lee Holcombe, a wholesale seed merchant Ed. John Muir Technical High School, Pasadena CA, East Central State Teachers College Next of Kin: Mother: Grace [Stewart], 830 E 14th St, Ada, OK m. Inez Smith (Divorced, 1 child) prev. Pilot for Newton B. Badgett Flying School, Shreveport Louisiana. Flying Instructor to US Air Corps in Stamford TX, May-41 to Jun-41 Of sick from 20 Aug to 14 Nov 1941 with 'septic mouth' Post-ATA, a test pilot for Douglas, Boeing, Bechtel-Cone and Consolidated, and the inventor of a series of pilot training methods and aids that included "the famous buzz bonnet" used by the US Navy. In 1948 his 6-year old daughter Judy was paralyzed after being run over by a truck and subsequently died. In 1953 his father suffered a stroke which affected his right side; Ralph designed and built a 'walker', made from airframe tube. The invention was taken up by Walk-A-Gain Walkers Inc, of Ada, and "found a market all over the world." The following year, describing himself as a "human engineer", he invented a machine which taught people to dance; it was described as looking like "a cross between a helicopter and a maypole."
Ralph, with a real dancing instructor and the robot helper being fastened to her feet. In 1962 he said he had "well over 12,500 hrs of ferrying, testing, executive flying, instruction work, bush flying, airline work and USAAF." d. 1986 - Oklahoma City
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ATA
Father: Nelson G. Kraschel, former Governor of Iowa, mother Agnes Ed. Iowa State College, University of Colorado Learnt to fly in 1936 at Des Moines, IA prev. Instructor, Livingstone Airways, Waterloo, IA then USAAF Flight Instructor at Cimarron Field, Oklahoma City Dick joined the ATA when his parents were away on vacation. "I thought it would be easier if they didn't know my plans", he said. It turned out, however, that he needed his parents' permission anyway, so his mother (when she found out about it) flew to Montreal and gave the necessary consent. During his ATA Service, he ferried more than 60 types of planes, "losing 48lb in the process." "The work, the climate and the food sort of piled up on me and got me down", he said. Post-ATA, he joined the Bell Aircraft Co. as a test pilot on 14 Sep 1942, but was killed 29 May 1943 when his parachute failed to open after he bailed out of a test flight near Niagara Falls.
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1941
findagrave.com
Original surname Stevens; Deems by adoption Father Dr. Oren Manfred Deems [An Ear Nose and Throat specialist, living at 20 Maple St., Springfield, Mass.] Mother Winifred [Purdy], deceased Ed. at Westminster School, Simsbury, Conn. and University of Pennsylvania, PA m. 1939 Mary Lou or Marjory L [Ameluxen, b. 1919, later Marsh], 1 son Oren Louis b. 1939 prev. a Flying Instructor for Barnes Air Services, Westfield, Mass. Address in 1941: 122 Pleasantview Ave., Longmeadow, Mass. Postings: 1FPP, 3FPPP, 16FPP Suspended for 14 days in Mar-42 for Neglect of Duty prejudicial to the interests of ATA - "flying F/O Anderson ... which was 130 off course" [Not sure what happened, or if this was Opal or Homer Anderson]. Off sick from 16 May to 5 Jun 1942 with acute tonsillitis; Either "A fair pilot but a bad officer" (Stan Ogden, OC 3FPP) or "has worked hard and given every satisfaction whilst on my strength" (OC 16FPP) Sailed from Cardiff to New York on the 28 Jul 1942 with fellow ATA pilot Ralph Jacobson. Married Edith [Richardson] in 1975 but they are listed as defaulters on a mortgage in Burlington, Vermont in 1977, and they then divorced. d. 18 Nov 2008, Manatee, FL
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ATA
Father also James Robert Pierce (a Deputy Sheriff. d. 1942), mother Mary [Anderson] Ed. Ashdown High, Hendrix College, Conway AK prev. Inspector for Government in Engineering (Buildings and Levees) . Commercial Pilot 2nd Lt. in USAAC May 1940-May 41, stationed at Kelly Field, San Antonio TX prev. exp. 405 hrs Postings: EFTS (Instructor's Course) Contract Terminated 28 May 1942 - Unknown Reason d. May 1975 - Arkansas
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née Margaret Ellen Riddick Father: Harry Riddick, mother Mabel Ed. Selhurst High School, Croydon, Surrey Her elder brother, Private Stanley Charles Riddick, d. 15 Nov 1916, aged 19, in France during WWI . She married Hollywood film writer Charles Alfred Selwyn Bennett in 1930, and calling herself 'Faith Bennett', was an actress pre-WWII - firstly on the London stage:
"Faith Bennett, who will play lead in 'Recipe for Murder', a new play by Arnold Ridley, which opens at the Duke of York's Theatre on December 21" (1932)
... and then in many films, including 'Eyes of Fate', 'Hawleys of High Street' and 'The Pride of the Force' (1933), and 'Seeing Is Believing', and 'Master and Man' (both 1934)), although I've seen references to other films e.g. 'Love In The Air' and 'Atlantic Crossing' ...
"In taste, quality and packing the equal of much dearer cigarettes but not quite so large; big enough, however, to last the full 10 minutes" (1937)
... and also played the Fairy Godmother in 'Cinderella', the Drury Lane pantomime, in !934
At the same time, she took up flying and passed for her 'A' Licence at Sywell Aerodrome in 1934 (which apparently included wearing 'weird and wonderful costumes' at the Novelty Dance held there in February:
[Charles also took lessons, but doesn't seem to have gained his certificate] In May 1941 she decided to 'do her bit': "Faith Bennett, actress and writer, is flying to England to ferry 'planes for the Royal Air Force [sic]. Mrs Bennett was born in London 30 years ago [sic]. Flying is her hobby. She holds both American and British licenses. ''One of my brothers died in the last war, another is in the Royal Navy, my sister is a censor at Bermuda - they are all doing their bit, and I want to do mine,' she said." prev. exp. 296 hrs Address in 1941: Falcon House, Sonning, Berks Postings: 1FPP, 5TFPP, 15FPP Off sick from 9 Dec 1941 to 6 Jan 1942 after her Hurricane crash, and 27 Oct 1943 to 13 Jan 1944 with 'concussion'
Rather unfortunate: 11 accidents, 3 her fault: - 8 Dec 1941, she persisted too far in bad weather, stalled her Hurricane BD859 near the ground and broke the undercarriage [see https://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york41/bd859.html] - 16 Feb 1943, the port leg of her Tomahawk AH802 broke off during landing - 24 Feb 1943, in another Tomahawk AH845, the port undercarriage leg collapsed - 16 Sep 1943, forced landing in a Hurricane after the landing gear locked up - 10 Aug 1943, in Master I T8366, which veered off the runway and collided with a car, due to ineffective brakes - 1 Oct 1943, her Hudson swung off the runway on landing, because the tail wheel lock had disengaged - 20 Oct 1943, a taxying accident in an Anson, due to an error of judgement on her part - 23 Jan 1944, her Mosquito suffered a 'strained' port undercarriage leg on landing - faulty indicator light - 25 Apr 1944, forced landing in Seafire MB356, after the landing gear locked up - 30 May 1944, the port undercarriage leg of her Barracuda II BV921 collapsed on landing - 29 Jun 1945, she failed to control the swing when landing Mosquito XXV KB617
"Extremely keen and hardworking. Seems to have regained confidence" "Her navigation is somewhat unorthodox. Technical knowlege poor" Class IV pilot m. 1946 Herbert Henry Newmark, also an ex-ATA pilot:
d. 14 Mar 1969 - London. Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_Bennett Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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RAeC 1934
1944
Father: Prasana Deb Rikut Ed. at Bangasi College, Calcutta prev. a student, working for Folland Aircraft Ltd, Hamble. Address in 1941: 75 Victoria Rd, Woolston, Hants Postings: 2FPP, 7FPP, 3FPP Contract Terminated 31 Oct 1945, and he sailed to Bombay on 1 Dec.
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1936
BG
MAMM
prev. a Clerk Address in 1934: 4 Persehouse St, Walsall |
1934
d. 12 Sep 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane XII JS346 collided with hillside in poor visibility at Ewes Les Farm nr Mosspaul Inn, between Hawick and Langholm, Dumfrieshire.
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Father Frederick Charles Goodwin Ed. Portsmouth Grammar School m. 1937 Rebecca 'Betty' [Brilleslyper] prev. a Company Director, then The Admiralty, Deptford [Royal Naval Motor Transport] prev. exp. 49 hrs Address in 1941: 295 Lewisham High St, London SE13 Postings: 16FPP, 7FPP, 1FPP To begin with, "Works well up to his ability, inclined to nervousness and over cautiousness." but improved later and successfully completed Class V (4-engine) training in 1944.
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1937
ATA
[Contract Terminated by ATA] |
RAF from 1931; 33 Sqn Bicester from 1932, 503 Sqn Waddington from 1934 then the Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, Biggin Hill from 1936. May 1932: "GRANTHAM AIRMAN FINED Vincent George Govett. of No. 3 Flying School, R.A.F., Grantham, was fined 5s at Lincoln Police Court to-day for not having a red rear light on his motor-cycle and 5s for failing to illuminate his identification plate in Lincoln High-street on May 7." Flt-Lt in RAF Reserve; BOAC, Bristol
d. 8 Sep 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter X7640 crashed 3 miles SW of Capel Curig, Snowdonia
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Educated at Jordan Hill College School, Glasgow
m. 1940 Gertrude 'Trudy' [Eklid], 1 daughter RAFVR Mar-Nov 1937 prev. Ground Engineer for Bristol Aeroplane Co Address in 1941: 7 Market Hill, Calne, Wilts d. 31 Jan 2014, Gainesville GA "Mr. Baxter-Jones also became the senior concierge at Maxim's de Paris in Palm Springs, Calif. He was loved by all the hotel guests for his English appearance, accent and manners. When World War II ended Mr. Baxter-Jones worked for the De Havilland Aircraft Company. This career took him from England to the United States in 1957. He lived in Rockford, Ill., Plymouth, Mich., San Antonio, Texas, and Palm Springs, Calif., until moving to Georgia in 1992. He loved the friendly people and beauty of the state of Georgia especially the birds, the wildlife and the climate. He met the love of his life, Trudy at a flying club in England at the beginning of World War II. She had learned to fly and had made a solo flight before they married. He felt that it was too dangerous for a woman to fly during the war so she never flew again. Mr. Baxter-Jones wished to be cremated and his ashes returned to his birthplace, in Wells, Somerset, England. A memorial service will be performed at a later date in his beloved Wells Cathedral. See http://www.legacy.com/obituaries
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1936
ICCL
1947
Trudy's 1939 RAeC Cert photo
Ed. at East Ham Technical School prev. an Electrical Engineer for Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd., North Woolwich prev. exp 63 hrs on Gypsy Moth Address in 1941: 60 Holland Rd, East Ham London E6 Postings: 6FPP, 5FPP, 3FPP Suspended for 1 day with loss of pay in Jul-42 for Loss of Ferry Pilots' Handling Notes. "A conscientious and hard-working pilot whose progress has been somewhat slow due to his limited experience prior to joining ATA." ... "He would do well to pay more attention to his personal appearance."
Harry, 2nd left (Brief Glory) d. Mar 1978 - Dartford, Kent
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1935
ATA
Ed. Hibbard High School, Chicago Address in 1941: 2100 Lincoln Park W, Chicago IL Next of kin: (Mother) Betty Gingiss prev. "Pilot. Salesman. Treasurer. [of what?]" prev. exp. 1500hrs Postings: 1FPP Off sick from 22 Mar to 25 Apr with appendicitis. "A pilot of fully average ability. Has carried out his duties satisfactorily." 'Gen' Genovese says Al was "addicted to horseplay", because "you can't fly constantly under the most difficult conditions without having some kind of relief... so, a lot of us took our relief in the air - in horseplay." One such incident was when Al, Genovese and Steve Beville [q.v.], on a delivery flight in December 1941, discovered that their 3 Hurricanes had loaded guns, so they used them to do some duck-shooting; taking aim at the royal ducks in the grounds of Windsor Castle. "Actually you don't hit many ducks ... the accuracy required when drawing a bead on a slow-moving mallard through the gun-sights on a Hurricane doing 250 mph is enough to make it a truly competitive proposition." Unfortunately, Al flew straight into a flock of ducks, which cracked his windscreen, broke his propeller, and, when he jettisoned the hood it crashed into the vertical tail fin. He made a good forced landing. "The story he told the Accident Committe was far more interesting", says Genovese; "He was flying extremely low due to bad weather, and, in accordance with international law, he flew on the right side of the tracks. Becuse he couldn't see clearly, he ran smack into a flight of ducks." "The fault was entirely on the part of the ducks," Gingiss concluded in relating his story. "They were flying on the wrong side of the tracks." He got away with it. The official report simply says "Landed on rough part of runway & nosed over. Pilot forced to make glide approach in difficult wind conditions as he had flown into flight of bird." The following month, Al and Gen were delivering a couple of Beaufighters to Scotland. Again, Al made the "happy discovery" that his guns were loaded. "He fired a couple of bursts under my tail by way of telling me what he had found. I promptly investigated and found mine in the same condition." They looked around for something to shoot up, and discovered some mines just off-shore. They exploded 9 mines between them in 20 minutes, then completed their deliveries. The Air Ministry "raised particular hell about that little incident - in a dignified way, of course. All ATA pilots (especially "American pilots") were "warned and advised against such conduct, on pain of permanent suspension." "I have a sneaking suspicion they're talking about us", Al said. d. Jan 21, 2006, "devoted husband of Carmel (nee Becker), loving father of Nancy, Steven and Anthony Gingiss, dear brother of the late Bill, Ben, Birdie Rosenthal and Mitzi Bessman, cherished grandfather of Frances, Gabrielle and Abby Gingiss, fond uncle of many nieces and nephews, dear brother-in-law of Veronica Gingiss." Obituary here
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prev. a Director Address in 1938: 3 Langton Ridge, Tunbridge Wells |
1938
Ed. Hebrew Technical Institute, NY (Auto Engineering) m. 1936 Elsie [Neufield] (divorced October 1942) Address in 1941: 1575 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn Next of kin: Mother: 571 Union Ave, Bronx, NYC prev. Commercial Pilot prev. exp 1200 hrs Postings: 3FPP, 1FPP Off sick from 23 Mar to 13 Apr 1943 after a tonsillectomy He was - fined in Jan 1942 for 'making a false statement to O.C. of Pool', - suspended for 3 days in Nov-42 for landing after time, and - severely reprimanded in Mar-43 for non-observance of airfield regulations. 4 accidents, 1 his fault: - 5 Jan 1942, he failed to control a Tomahawk landing and ground-looped, - 10 Jan 1942, when his Beaufighter slipped on a wet runway and collided with a Hampden; - 18 Feb 1942, his Blenheim lost an airscrew spinner and he force landed, and - 13 Jan 1943, a fault in the hydraulic system of a Mosquito meant that the undercarriage collapsed on landing. "Above average as a pilot" "This pilot was exceedingly keen up to April [1942], since then he has been most uncooperative" m. 30 Jul 1943 Joan [Lunt] from Oswestry, in Chester, UK They sailed back to the USA in August 1943 on the 'Queen Elizabeth'. They then changed their name to Lashmore (her maiden name), moved to Florida and had 2 children. Joan became a naturalised US Citizen. He was a pilot for Riddle Air Lines and Mercury Motors. "He has flown the Delayed Early Warning system route in the Arctic and taken long hops to South America." Joan d. 1988 Isy d. 20 May 2000 - Florida
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prev. an Operator of Motor Boats, and then a Flight Instructor for Dallas Aviation School, TX Address in 1941: PO Box 9695 Los Feliz Station, Los Angeles Postings: 6FPP, 4bFPP, 1FPP, 3FPP 11 May 1942, Suspended for two days for "taking off down wind in (adverse weather) 27 Sep 1943, Reprimanded for disobedience of airfield regulations at Litchfield
6 accidents, 2 his fault: - 7 Dec 1941, landed a Hurricane wheels-up after engine failure; - 11 Apr 1942, Commended for his prompt action when he force landed a Blenheim after he noticed signs of lubrication failure; - 30 Jun 1943, he made a single engine landing in a Blenheim IV after port engine failure; - 12 Dec 1943, when taking off in a Martlet the arrester hook dropped onto the runway; he abandoned the take-off but the aircraft swung and a wingtip was damaged. He had failed to check the arrester hook was locked. - 11 May 1944, he had to land his Thunderbolt wheels-up when the failure of a weld on the port undercarriage strut meant it got stuck in the 'up' position. - 30 Aug 1944, his Vengeance caught fire as it was landing, due to a filler cap coming adrift near the exhaust
"A steady and capable pilot, and a good officer" "Always willing" m. 20 Feb 1943 in Calcutta, Constance Evelyn [Gibbon, b. 1904 in India] During the period July 1942 to April 1943, he flew 'The Hump' for CNAC (China National Aviation Corp.). see CNAC Captain James Lane Sailed back to the USA 18 Apr 1945, with Constance, and fellow ATA pilot Donald Richardson (M.575), his English wife and their son. m. 1953 Gladys Irene [Rupert] d. 12 Mar 1961 (age 46) - Los Angeles
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ATAM
Father: Hans Keith Jacobson, mother Inez [Gilson] (both American, dec'd) Ed. University of Nebraska, George Washington University, Congressional School of Aeronautics. Next of kin: (brother) James L Jacobson, 3925 Pa. Ave SE, Washington DC prev. Economics Researcher, US Dept of Agriculture; Flight Instructor prev, exp. 475 hrs m. Jean [Clancy], 2 children Address in 1940: 4831 Langdrum Lane, Chevy Chase, MD Postings: 1FPP Suspended for 7 days in Apr-42 for dangerous flying in doubtful weather conditions. One accident, his fault: - 24 Jun 1942, he taxied his Master II into a ditch. His training report was encouraging - "A capable and keen pilot", but subsequently his Pool CO (Frankie Francis) said he "has so far failed to show sufficient competence and ability as a ferry pilot to be considered as an asset to ATA. In spite of OC Training Pool's comments I have considerable doubts as to his keenness." Perhaps he didn't like winter in the UK; later Frankie said he had "shown greater ability and keenness during the summer months." Sailed back to the US from Cardiff on the 28 July 1942 with William Deems. d. 23 Nov 1970 (age 54) - Camden, NJ
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Ed. Mount St. Mary's College, Sheffield m. Dec 1939 Phyllis Gladys [Creed, d. 1991], 1 son [Brian b. 1941] prev. RAF Flying Officer, 1929-34; Aircraft Inspector, Standard Motor Co, Coventry Address in 1941: 72, Dunchurch Rd, Rugby, Warwickshire Postings: 16FPP, 6FPP Michael had a rather eventful career with the ATA, being involved in six accidents; - 15 Apr 1942, the brakes of his Defiant failed and he ran off the runway; - 19 Mar 1943, the rear wheel strut of his Hurricane failed on landing; - 2 Dec 1943, his Hampden hit a concrete post while taxying (This was not his fault, as he had been given incorrect signals by the ground crew); - On the 1 Mar 1944, he had a very nasty accident indeed. He "encountered bad weather whilst flying through the Tyne gap, turned up a side valley into the hills, and then trying to get back out of this valley, encountered icing conditions which caused the aircraft to crash." He was held responsible for the crash, having persisted too far in bad weather. "Murtagh was forced through the roof and over a distance of 120 feet. He received head injuries and a broken leg, and when he regained consciousness he found that it was almost dark. He realised that he would have to spend the night on the mountain top, and would have to find some cover to protect himself from the bitter winds which swept the scene. He crawled to the fuselage of the aircraft, part of which had been separated from the wings and engines and which was in an inverted position, went through a small hole in the side, and seated himself on some engine covers. The cold was intense, and he resorted to his parachute which ... saved his life by affording him some measure of protection against the snow and wind. During the night, he was forced to eat snow to keep his mouth free of congealing blood which made breathing difficult." - Birmingham Mail He spent about 40 hours on the freezing hillside before being found. The rescue party discovered that he had a broken leg, a deep laceration of the forehead, generalised bruising, a fracture of the lower jaw, and extensive bruising of both legs below the knee. He was taken to hospital, amazingly still alive, and then made slow and steady progress until returning to flying duties (Class I only) on 26 Feb 1945 - almost a year later. Pretty soon, however, on the 25 April 1945, he had to make a forced landing in a Magister when the engine cut out, and then, finally, - on 7 Aug 1945, he once again encountered bad weather flying an Anson and turned on a reciprocal course, but this brought him over a valley surrounded by hills in cloud. Luckily this time he managed to force-land without damage in a small field. The ATA then seems to have decided he had taken quite enough punishment, and terminated his contract [admittedly at the sme time as lots of other pilots] on 30 Nov 1945. d. Jun 1948 - Conway, Caernarvonshire, Wales His wife applied for a pension. A report from the ATA Medical Officer A Buchanan Barbour said that, before his 1944 accident, "This pilot had been under the care of the Medical Service for hypertension and alcoholism. He was a man of considerable flying experience, and was regarded as a good pilot." "His terminal lung condition was, in my opinion, related to this flying accident."
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1928
ATA
d. 23 Nov 41 (Died in ATA Service) - Liberator AL562 caught fire and crashed into the sea south of Burrow Head, Wigtownshire, en route Prestwick to Hawarden. 'Gen' Genovese (q.v.) wrote later that "the ship was one of the first Liberators in England, but ... through some grim blunder on someone's part the anti-aircraft crew had not been advised of its being a new addition to the British Air Force. Elmer Ulich (sic) was shot down and killed by British anti-aircraft fire." The official accident report says "Insufficient evidence to establish cause but thought to be through bad weather causing aircraft to catch fire in the air." The letter to his father says "At the time of writing I can add no further information as the investigation is proceeding and may possibly not yield anything conclusive. You will understand, of course, that in aircraft accidents it is sometimes impossible to ascertain the cause and in such cases it is better not to speculate on them." ... Sounds to me like 'Gen' might be right ... Pilot F/O Francis Bush also killed. Buried Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial:
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Ed. Wallasey School m. 1930 Alnesa M [Brookes], 2 children prev. a Master Tailor (Own Account) - 42 Argyll St, Birkenhead prev. exp. 73hrs on Avians, Gypsy and Puss Moth Address in 1941: "Mamore", Thornton Rd, Birkenhead, Cheshire Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP Off sick from 20 Mar to 6 May 1943 (urethritis); 3 Jul to 28 Jul and 9 Oct to 29 Oct 1943 (abdominal trouble); Reprimanded in Oct-42; "Absented himself from Fire Guard Duty. Also Night Duty Pilot." Suspended with loss of pay for 2 days in Feb-43 for "habitual lateness for duty." "An officer of just average ability. Has had a spell of sickness during his course which delayed his progress. His flying although safe is rough and not accurate." d Mar 1971 - Birkenhead
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1931
ATA
Father: William Richard Winn Ed. Whitgift School, Croydon; St George's School, Harpenden m. Jul 1925 in Dorking, Surrey, Freda Mary [Phizacklea, b. 3 Mar 1903 in Staffordshire], 4 children (Anne b. 18 May 1926, Phillppa Jane b. 22 Apr 1930, Stephen Richard b. 7 Feb 1933, Nicholas b. 3 Aug 1935)
In 1931, he was in financial trouble, accused of obtaining money by false pretences. He pleaded guilty and, according to the Diss Express, 13 November 1931: "on oath said that he was a married man with two children, one five years old and the other eighteen months. He was educated at Harpenden and joined the Royal Air Force as a cadet, subsequently obtaining a commission. He resigned this in 1927, and was placed on the reserve. At the time he resigned he was suffering from neurasthenia and this was in consequence of an experience he had in March 1927. At that time he was with others in charge of aeroplane over the North Sea. The plane came down and he with the others hung on to the side for seven hours till they were rescued. [This incident is described here] He had been in receipt of approximately £100 a year reserve pay, but this had ceased, and from time to time he had been assisted by friends. He was in a had way in September and improperly drew cheques. Now he was anxious to make a clean breast of the whole matter. " He was bound over for a year.
Address in 1941: Carleton Hall, Penrith, Cumbria or Knapp Cottage, Corscombe, Dorchester, Dorset prev. F/O, RAF and RAFVR, Nov 1925 to Oct 1930; a farmer, and mathematics teacher at a Prep School prev. exp. 400 hrs on Avro 504, DH9a, Bristol Fighter, Vickers Virginia (!) He originally applied to the RAF in May 1940, and they decided to give him a flight test. However, following this the ATA informed him that his flying was judged to be "below the standard required for entry into the ATA" and "In these circumstances, we are unable to offer you an appointment as pilot." However, by the 11 Jan 1941 the ATA wrote to him, "as a result of the lowering of the entrance standard it has now become possible to reconsider previously unsuccessful applicants.", and offered him another flight test. He seems to have ignored this letter, but then wrote to the ATA on 11 Mar 1941: "Gentlemen, Will you please send information about condictions of service, rates of pay etc in the Air Transport Auxiliary? I am 40½ & retired from the RAF in 1931. I have about 400-500 hours flying - half of this on twin engined aircraft - but I have not flown for 10 years" His second flight test on the 9 Apr 1941 went reasonably well: ("Take-off, fair; General Flying, good; Approach, poor; Landing, fair"), although he was rated "Doubtful for Class 2". Postings: 3FPP "Well-disciplined, keen and likely to prove a useful and capable ferry pilot" d. 28 Jan 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Master T8614 which he was ferrying from Prestwick (having been held there for 2 nights by bad weather) to Catterick. The weather was snowy, cold and cloudy; the aircraft crashed at about 1,500ft near Stainmore, 6 m E of Brough, Westmorland, possibly due to icing. The aircraft and his body were not discovered until 4 Apr 1942.
Photos of the crash site are here
Buried Maidenhead Cemetery
It turned out that Richard and his wife Freda, shortly before his death, had been declared bankrupt. He left no money whatsoever, and in fact there was an outstanding deficit of £2,349 18s 5d - plus, there were outstanding school fees to pay. In March 1942, (so, after Richard went missing but before he was found), Freda became very ill and had to go into hospital for a serious operation; during that time Gerard d'Erlanger (ATA Commanding Officer) and his wife, cared for her two girls in their own home. Normally, the ATA would have paid out £2,000 compensation to Freda under their insurance policy. Unfortunately, this would simply have been swallowed up by the public trustee for the benefit of the creditors. The ATA Benevolent Fund met, considered her case and agreed to award her £94 4s "to clear the educational arrears of your two boys" and £30 to cover "maintenance for the next six weeks and travelling expenses", together with an offer to interview her and discuss the matter further.
On the 25 August 1942, the ATA's Deputy Chief Establishment Officer, Mr Staple, wrote to Mrs d'Erlanger at Lane Farm: "Dear Mrs d'Erlanger, I wonder if you could help me at all over the case of Mrs Winn? You know her well personally I believe, and have shown infinite kindness in taking in her children, and in various other ways, and if you could give me some assistance in her case at the present moment, I should be very grateful. You know approximately what her circumstances were, how both she and her husband were bankrupt? Captain Stocks, the Flying Establishment Officer, with some assistance from this department, has been taking endless trouble with her affairs, and has been successful beyond all anticipation. He employed my suggestions to ask local [Maidenhead] solicitors, Messrs Smallman and Son, to get in touch with Mrs Winn, and the result of it all - without worrying you with any unnecessary detail - is that we managed to get the Trustees in Bankrupcy to withdraw their claims, so that Mrs Winn now stands to get the bulk of her husband's Insurance money. All this had been going ahead well, until this morning, when Mr Smallman sends me a letter from Mrs Winn, a copy of which I enclose, and you will see it is to the effect that she proposes to leave Mr Smallman and take certain advice. I cannot stress too much how ill-advised Mrs Winn is to take this action at this time. Her affairs have been admirably dealt with by Mr Smallman, and what is more, she has behind Mr Smallman Captain Stocks, Mr Bathurst and myself looking after them. If she goes and employs, at this stage, some strange country solicitor from the wilds of Cornwall to take over her affairs, she will probably upset the whole apple-cart. You, I think, have some influence with her. Do you think you could write to her, saying that this has been pointed out to you by me, and urging her to let things go on in Mr Smallman's hands as they have been in the past, and to allow him to complete matters. I think that a letter of that kind coming from you might be effective." Mr Staple also wrote to Freda, advising her to let Mr Smallman continue with the case, and continued tirelessly working on her behalf. Largely thanks to him, in December 1942, Freda received £568 10s via the Workmen's Compensation Act. By the following July, she had received the remainder of the £2,000 ATA insurance money.
On 27 May 1946, at St Mary's Church, Bodmin, Freda (age 43) married David Lincoln Bateson USN (age 24), from Boston, Massachusetts. They, together with Stephen, Nicholas and Phillippa Jane, sailed to New York in January 1947. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Father Joseph Privensal (b. Canada, d. 1954) Ed. Hartford High, Georgetown University Address in 1941: 110 Montowese St, Hartford, Conn prev. "Retail and Wholesale Oil Business on own account" (he worked as a salesman in a gas station). RCAF Sgt Pilot 31 Dec 1940 - 18 Jul 1941 prev. exp. 601 hrs m. 29 Jul 1926 in Stamford Conn, Elizabeth (Bessie) [West], 2 children Postings: 4aFPP, 8FPP, 1FPP 4 accidents, 2 his fault: - 2 Oct 1941, his Magister ran into a Wellington when he overshot on landing, - 8 Jan 1942 overshot landing in a Hurricane - 20 Feb 1942, he was sitting in a Spitfire which was damaged by another one landing, - 10 May 1942, a forced landing in a Spitfire due to engine failure. "A good and reliable pilot" m. 16 Apr 1943 Esther Solveig Carlton (b. 1922 in Rangoon, Burma) in Calcutta, India d. 19 Nov 1943 - Kunming, Yunnan, China, flying for CNAC (China National Aviation Corp.) "He crash landed a China National Aircorp No. 59 ( Douglas C-53) due to bad weather near the air field. His remains were shipped to his widow in Calcutta where they were cremated." Memorial in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Hartford Co. Conn. Also commemorated at Aviation Martyrs Cemetery in Nanjing, China. See CNAC Captian Albert Joseph Privensal
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Ed. New York University (B.S. in Commerce) married prev. a commercial pilot, and aircraft production engineer. USA Air Corps Flying Cadet from Sep-38 to Apr-39, Address in 1941: 4144 Pacific Highway, San Diego CA Address of mother (Anna): 68 Aberdeen St., Brooklyn, NY Postings: 16FPP, 6FPP, 1FPP He was suspended without pay 3 times in his year with the ATA: - 15 Feb 42, for 3 days, for 'conduct and neglect prejudicious to the interest of A.T.A.'; - 26 Apr 42, for 2 days for Low Flying, and - 7 Jul 42, for 7 days for Shooting up Ratcliffe. And also had one accident, when he force-landed his Airacobra after a complete engine failure. Not his fault. His C.O. reckoned him a "willing and able pilot, somewhat self-opinionated in character", but a later report describes him as "a very capable pilot but unreliable both as an officer and in the air." He says he was offered a new contract but declined it, because "I was eternally maddened by that rule against instrument flying. They should have been teaching it to their pilots instead of forbidding them to do it; had they done so many lives might have been saved." After ATA and then CNAC, he joined Republic as a test pilot. In March 1944, he was the pilot of a Thunderbolt which suffered engine failure: "Miss Marjorie McCutcheon was treated for bruises when a plane crashed into her home. The plane glided downward on a line toward the McCutcheon home, shearing 3 powerline poles before crashing into the kitchen. Capt Genovese was bruised and one knee was injured." Wrote 'We Flew Without Guns', 1945 (having apparently promoted himself to 'Flight Captain'):
d. 10 Apr 2010
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prev. RAF 1929-34, No. 12 Bomber Squadron, R.A.F., Andover, Hants. declared bankrupt in 1934, then went into advertising m. Joan Grumbar in 1935 [Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary reasons] d. 1956, London
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Mary was born in Madrid, the daughter of Sir Maurice William Ernest de Bunsen, Bart, GCMG, GCVO, CB, the British Ambassador there.
"Miss Mary de Bunsen, the youngest daughter of Sir Maurice and Lady de Bunsen, is making her debut this year" - The Bystander, 1928 She had been dragged round dances and hunt balls by her parents in the hope of finding her a suitable husband - these were, of course, in short supply after the carnage of WWI. "I was far too innocent to realise... that with a lame leg [after a childhood attack of polio] and horn-rimmed glasses I stood no chance whatever". She ws an aeronautical journalist, especially writing about women pilots - see http://www.afleetingpeace.org/index.php/pioneering-women?filter_tag[0]=24 When WWII broke out, she joined the London Auxiliary Fire Service as a driver, and then, on the 1 May 1941, the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service. "In May 1940 Air transport Auxiliary tested my flying and turned me down, for I was very rusty and the standard for women was still high. But it was a bitter moment, for those of us who were accepted that day had the dewy, sparkling look of souls reborn" Wrote "Gliding with the Germans" in 1940 Address in 1941: Redwode, Chiddingford, Surrey Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP, 16FPP, 7FPP "Wears spectacles. Slight Limp" Class 4+ Pilot 9 accidents, - 2 Jan 1942, an error of judgement in Hurricane L1975, but she was not held responsible as she had "never passed through T.P." - 2 May 1942, a wheels-up landing in Spitfire P7623 after the selector lever jammed - 2 Sep 1942, her Spitfire EP825 nosed over after she taxied into an unmarked soft patch - 9 Sep 1942, a poor landing in Spitfire Vb (Tropical) ER266 damaged one undercarriage leg - 26 Nov 1942, the undercarriage of her Spitfire Vc ES111 collapsed on landing, due to a fault - 16 Feb 1943, yet another Spitfire (MB274) undercarriage collapse; this time she was held to blame as she had failed to control the swing in a crosswind landing - 5 Oct 1944, a forced landing in Avenger II JZ427 after the engine cut intermittently - 21 Dec 1944, the starboard engine of her Hudson I P5419 caught fire when starting - 20 Apr 1945, a forced landing in Anson I PH693 after suffering low oil pressure and high engine temperature
"This pilot has been a great asset to the Pool, (7FPP), both as regards to her flying and also in respect of social activities. She voluntarily undertoook the duties of Mess Secretary, and has been tireless in her efforts to make a success of everything she has undertaken"
She wrote the excellent "Mount up with Wings" in 1960, about her life, her time in the ATA, and her life-saving heart surgery. d. 1982 - Weymouth, Dorset.
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1932
Father: Col. L G Bird DSO, OBE, of The Old Farm, Beech, nr Alton, Hants Ed. Manor House, Limpsfield WAAF ASO from 16 May 1940 to 31 Jul 1941 Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP, 4FPP, 6FPP Class 4+ pilot 6 accidents, 3 her fault: - 15 May 1942, her Spitfire BR236 ran into an umarked soft patch when landing, and nosed over - 26 Jun 1942, she stalled Albacore L2174 attempting a forced landing, after the windscreen became obscured with oil - 18 Nov 1943, after taking off in Anson R9757, she bent down to retrieve a Form 700, inadvertently pushed forward the control column, and wrecked the undercarriage in the subsequent crash. - 15 Mar 1944, a spectacular-sounding crash in Hudson III T9426; on take-off, due to insufficient speed the port wing dropped and hit the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled. However, she was held 'not to blame'. - 17 Jul 1944, she was unable to correct the take-off swing of her Spitfire IX PL162, ran off the runway, ground-looped to avoid some workmen, and nosed over - 16 Apr 1945, a jeep ran into her Mosquito VI HR136 while she was taxying, and damaged the starboard undercarriage
"An extremely sensible, keen and good pilot on whom one can rely ... must guard against giving a wrong impression by her difficult manner" - Margot Gore, her C.O. Awarded her RAF 'Wings' in Sep 1952, the first of 5 women (all ex-ATA pilots) to do so when serving with the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR). The others were Benedetta Willis, Jackie Moggridge, Freydis Leaf and Joan Hughes
In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Jean was one of only 7 women flying commercially: - "Jean Bird flies a Miles Aerovan on aerial survey" - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field." [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Monique Rendall, Suzanne Ashton, Zita Irwin, Diana Barnato-Walker and Freydis Leaf]
d. 29 Apr 1957 in the crash of Miles Aerovan 4 G-ASIF belonging to Meridian Air Maps. "... evidence was given that the aircraft had been fitted with an incorrect spare part" https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/28632
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Prev. Exp: 53 hrs solo Irene was one of those ordinary working-class girls who, by sheer enthusiasm and determination, and with the help of the subsidised Civil Air Guard Scheme, learnt to fly in the years before WWII. She managed to amass over 50 hours solo between 1937 and 1939. Amy Mollison (Amy Johnson as was, and she were only the daughter of a fish merchant in Hull) once snootily dismissed someone as "the typical CAG Lyons-waitress type". You've probably met someone like Irene; bubbly, a bit cheeky, innocent, irreverent - 'high spirited', if you like that sort of thing, a complete pain if you don't - and probably exactly the sort of person who would get right up Captain The Hon. Margie 'Mrs Cold Front' Fairweather's nose. Which she indeed did - and of that, more later. Anyway, in her first letter, dated 11 Mar 1941, having heard Lord Londonderry's appeal on the wireless the night before, she applied: "I wish to put forward the following for your approval, and I will be most grateful to hear from you if you think that my services could be of use in connection with the ATA... I was studying for my 2nd class navigators certificate and intending to take a 'B' licence but the war stopped all that I'm afraid. I am 25 years of age, height about 5ft 4. I would very much like to get into the ATA, particularly as my fiancé is a prisoner of war in Germany (Flt Lt lockyer) and as he is no longer able to fly his beloved spitfires, if I can carry on his good work I would love to do so. I am swotting up all the information I can get hold of with regard to v.p. airscrews, superchargers and boost pressure, as we did not have any of those on our poor old gypsy moths, hornet moths etc!" She closed by "Hoping I can do my bit for our dear old country." They invited her for a flight test, and on the 31st March she wrote: "Dear Mr Wood He sent a telegram back which (even before the days of auto-correctign smartphones) managed to read "Tiger Mothers for initial test". She was well into her stride now. Here she is, writing to ATA Adjutant Kitty Farrer on the 9 Apr 1941: Believe me Mrs Farrer, this job of work I am going to do, & I shall do my utmost to do it well, means an awful lot to me, I told you my fiancé F/Lt Lockyer is a prisoner of War, & to me now, every 'plane we can deliver to the Great Lads of the RAF, means one day nearer to the time he will be home, & everyone carefree & happy again. You don't know Tommy, but he is a grand fellow, & a damn good pilot, he has over 3,000 to his credit! My record is a mere detail beside that isn't it? Forgive me for taking up so much of your time with this letter please, I started it with the intention of being very business like! but I'm afraid it's got to be a personal letter in the end - hasn't it? Hoping to be with you all very soon. Irene" She wrote back to Mr Wood to say thank you, and that "I passed the flight test successfully - in fact, I did very well indeed, so I was told by the Adjutant afterwards - she said "Your test was excellent". So you may guess I felt quite proud of myself! Nothing happened ... 20th April 1941, to Kitty: "Dear Mrs Farrer, Nothing continued to happen ... 5th June to Kitty: "Dear Mrs Farrer, Nothing still continued to happen; eventually Irene took herself off to another job, so she must have been amazed to finally get the call to report on 1 August 1941. She completed training (although she bumped into another aircraft when landing on the 11th August, due to 'bad airmanship'), went on to ferry work, and progressed through the ranks; she was promoted to Third Officer on 5 Feb 1942, then Second Officer on 1 Jul 1942.
On the 24 Feb 1942, ATA Senior Commander Pauline Gower invited Irene into her office to discuss a rather delicate matter. Irene was typically ... forthright: "Interview with 3rd Officer Irene Arckless Reference the accusation made, and presumed to concern myself i.e. that at a certain aerodrome (unnamed) an unnamed duty pilot is reported to have said to me - when I requested the delivery chit to be signed - "I will, if you give me a kiss first". I wish to emphatically deny these words, as never, on any occasion, has such a familiar attitude been adopted by any duty pilot wherever I have been. Irene demanded a full and detailed enquiry, and went on, "I would like to add that recently at a number of aerodromes visited, & by a number of people, I have been mistaken for another female member of the ATA, whether there proves to be any connection with the charge made & the above - will do doubt, after investigation, come to light. Pauline (no doubt muttering under her breath 'For goodness' sake, calm down, woman'), replied: ... and that appears to have been the end of that. The very next month (March 1942), however, a more serious matter came up, and she was grounded. Without boring you with all the tedious details of 'She said to me, so I said to her', etc, what happened was this: On the 15th March, Irene ferried an aircraft from Catterick to Prestwick, via Carlisle. As she landed, who should be watching but Margie Fairweather, and she was not pleased by what she saw; "I noted the circuit and approach of the machine which ultimately turned out to be piloted by 3rd Officer Arckless. The final turn into the slight wind which was blowing, was done in a series of jerks, in the nature of flat turns, and the machine was then under-shooting by several hundred yards. The engine was now used to recover, and height was again gained. Thereafter the machine made a perfectly good landing on the grass. I was shocked to discover the pilot was 3rd Officer Arckless who is known to have some experience." Margie confronted Irene, criticised her turns, the height at which she circuited the aerodrome, minutely cross-examined her on her knowledge of the valley, and queried Irene's explanation of a fuel leak for the large quantity of petrol taken on at Carlisle; (she asked for a 'Snag Report' and said "If it's found to be alright, it will be too bad for you", or words to that effect"); she also told Irene she clearly didn't know how to work an altimeter. Margie summed up her opinion of Irene in no uncertain terms: "Her whole bearing during our conversation convinced me, that her extreme confidence in herself as a pilot has no justification." Irene, in turn, wrote, "Personally I feel that there is some personal prejudice existing in the whole of Captain Fairweather's attitude" and ended her report by stating, "my one ambition is to be an asset to A.T.A. and not a menace!" As it happens, Irene came up with convincing arguments against all Margie's criticisms; nevertheless, she was sent back to School for a Check Flight, with the Chief Instructor, no less. I wonder if she could resist a slight smirk when the report came back: 19 Mar 1942 To be fair to Margie, she was just doing her job, and she was absolutely right to be concerned; the 15th of March 1942 was one of the worst days of ATA's existence, with 6 people dead in 4 separate crashes. Plus, Margie was a very experienced pilot and instructor; if she had concerns about the way Irene was flying, she was aprobably right. But in any case Margie and Irene's personalities and backgrounds were so different, they were perhaps bound to clash. Pauline thought it best to transfer Irene anyway, with this note in her file: "Miss Arckless suffers from over confidence and I am not at all satisfied with her ability as a Class I pilot. I should be grateful therefore if you would keep a careful check on her flying and general airmanship." Irene's next mishap turned out entirely to her credit; on the 20 Aug 1942 she took off in a Mk I Hurricane, and the port undercarriage leg failed to retract. She wrote "I flew around for about 30 minutes trying to get port leg up, or starboard down, by the emergency methods... nothing happened, in any of these directions, the port leg remained down and starboard up. After this I circuited the aerodrome, wiggled my wings, and made very amazing other actions. By amazing actions I mean: I trimmed aircraft to fly hands off as well as was possible under the circumstances, took both hands off and feet off everything and tried brute force to move the selector lever... during this period the aircraft certainly appeared to perform some remarkable antics! I then did a further circuit and went in to land. Port wheel fortunately retracted and I made a normal crash landing." She went back to School, but this time on a conversion course. Her final report was, again, positive: "from A G Head, Temp. O.C. Training Pool She had another accident, on 21 Dec 42; her Airspeed Oxford developed low oil pressure in its starboard engine and she had to force land. The incident was investigated and she was found 'not to blame'. Sadly however, her next accident - less than 3 weeks later, in the same type of aircraft - was fatal. On the afternoon of Sunday 3 Jan 1943, her Oxford V3888 crashed onto a house on the outskirts of Cambridge when an engine cut during take-off. She was taken to Addenbrooks but pronounced dead.
I don't think Pauline Gower ever warmed to her, actually; rather than the usual fairly positive summary, she managed to damn Irene with faint praise: "her conduct and general character was satisfactory and she performed her duties conscienciously" Buried Stanwix Cemetery, Carlisle. ATA pilot Ronald Porter (q.v.) is buried in the adjacent plot.
The Inscription reads: "UNTIL THE DAY BREAK Treasured Memories of IRENE ARCKLESS Second Officer ATA Ferry Pilot who was accidentally killed at Cambridge while on Service 3 Jan 1943 Aged 27 Years Beloved Daughter of William and Fanny Arckless Also William Arckless Dearly Loved Husband of Fanny Who Died 18 Dec 1965, Aged 74 Years Also Fanny, Beloved Wife of William Who Died 11 April 1987, Aged 92 Years"
The ATA Benevolent Fund went to visit her parents, to offer assistance, but reported back: "Mr Arckless is an ordinary working man, being an organ-builder by trade and I understand that in recent years he has not been fully employed, hence the reason that I deemed it advisable to interview the deceased's parents on the question of the Fund. Both Mr. and Mrs. Arckless have requested me to thank the Organisation and the Committee for the consideration shown to them, but they feel that, although their daughter contributed considerably to the home, they cannot under the circumstances avail themselves of any monetary allowance which the Committee may have sen fit to grant them as they feel there must be many more deserving cases, namely young widows left with small children." Cairns Post, 15 Jan 1943; "Irene Arckless, daughter of a Carlisle organ-builder, was known as "the flying school-girl." She realised her school-girl ambition to emulate Amy Johnson. She made her first solo flight when she was 21. She was killed on the day after her 28th birthday [sic]. She had just returned to her station from four days leave. She was engaged to Flight-Lieutenant Thomas Lockyer, a prisoner of war in Germany. Lockyer's father said last night "Tom and Irene had known each other since childhood. She took flying lessons as soon as she left school. When Tom joined the RAF, she was determined to get her 'wings as soon as he.” She joined the RAF ferry service in October, 1941 [sic], after she heard that Lockyer was a prisoner. 'One of us must keep flying, she said'.”
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RAeC 1937
MUWW
née Morin, father Alexandre Ovide Morin Educated at the Institut Normal Catholique Adeline Desir, Paris m. Oct 1931 in Woking, Surrey, William Marcus Colby, b. 1903, a Stockbroker (partner in Walter, Walker & Co. from 1933) :
They got their RAeC Certificates at the same time [and look, they had their photos taken in the same place!] Address in 1941: The Tile House, East Horsley, Surrey However, in 1941 she gave her next of kin as her sister, Mrs D. West, 666 Kensington Gardens, London W8. [William was in the RAF from December 1939 to August 1945] Postings: 5FPP She had one accident: 20 Nov 1941, at White Waltham, in Hart L7213 - "Unsuccessful forced landing after engine failure due to (1) incorrect cockpit drill prior to take-off and (2) failure to make quick survey of cockpit which would have revealed that main petrol cock was off." She was then off sick until the 2 Dec, returned briefly but then off sick again from the 9 Dec to the 17th. Contract Terminated 31 Dec 1941 d. 1995, Surrey [William d. 1991]
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RAeC 1936
Father: John Petach; mother Helen [Plovajka], both originally from Slovakia Ed. Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH prev. Commercial Flying for Riddle Aeronautical Institute, Arcadia; Flight Cadet in USAAC Aug 1940 - Mar 1941 Address in 1941: 1808 Tacoma Ave, McKeesport, PA Postings: 1FPP Off sick from 16 Nov 1941 to 18 Mar 1942 after an aircraft crash: - 15 Nov 1941, he made a forced landing in an Oxford after engine failure; severely injured ("numerous gashes on his forehead and arms"). Responsibility not established. Also, - 1 Aug 1942, he mishandled the controls and the tail rose too quickly when taking off in a Walrus (pilot blamed) "A safe pilot, desperately keen and over-anxious to get on. Is very over-confident, which can be said to be his only fault, and requires rather severe handling to be held in restraint." He met Helen Richey, also from McKeesport, during his training, Later he said of her, "that girl has enough flying ability for three people. She can handle any plane they give her and was flying Spitfires when I left. She asked me to tell her family that she is all right." 1942-44 Joined Pan American C.N.A.C. and flew supplies from India to China, over the Himalayas - see CNAC Captain Julius Petach
"They don't bother to go to church, these hard-bitten pilots who are flying the Hump, China's life line over the Roof of the World.. 'They don't have to', says cocky, cynical little Captain Julius Petach, all man, every inch of his brief five-foot-two who has followed the adventure trail from his home in comfortable, middle-class Tahoma Street in Port Vue to the sky lanes over Burma and India and China." He said, "There's been more prayin' in the last year and a half on the route over the Hump than in any other country. In fact, there's plenty of time when all you've got left is a prayer." Pittsburg Post-Gazette [In the interview, he claimed to have previously delivered planes 'across the Atlantic', so it's possible that he briefly joined RAF Ferry Command between leaving ATA and joining CNAC in November 1942.] m. 1947 in Winchester, VA, Later a Customer Engineer for IBM d. 8 Oct 2000 (age 84) - Louisville, KY Buried Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, KY
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1933
1944
(l), with Peter Gouterie and Ray Allen (ex-ATA)
Antoinette Elise [Hach, d.2010] (2 children)
Father: Arthur Raymond Victor Rodway; mother Kate Ed. Holt Secondary School, Liverpool In 1933, he was fined 40 shillings for "having driven a motor-cycle in Chester Road, Dunham Hill, without due care and attention"; a year later he was remanded at Southport on a charge of "stealing a sports car worth £225 from the centre of the town." When he was arrested, the police found thirty-seven auto ignition and door keys. Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 21 November 1934: "Decent Lad Who Stole A Car "You ought to have been sent to gaol, but you are only a lad, and the bench don't want to start you on a criminal career. If you do it again, however, you will go to gaol without the slightest hesitation." Alderman J E. Willett, chairman, at Southport, to-day, said this when Norman K Rodway, aged 18. of Vandyke-street, Liverpool. was fined £25 after pleading guilty to stealing a motorcar valued £225, the property of Bamber's, Birkdale. Mr. J. G. Barr, prosecuting. said the motor-car was taken from Lord-street on Saturday night and garaged in Liverpool by the accused. He was arrested on returning to the garage, and when brought to Southport was found in possession of thirty-seven ignition and motor doorkeys. In reply to Mr. W. H. Rallis (for accused), Detective-Constable Mighall said Rodway had given the police every assistance, and seemed to be a decent lad. In May he was fined at Liverpool City Sessions in each of two cases of stealing cars. and a third case was taken into consideration. Mr. Bells told the bench that Rodway was the son of a highly respectable Liverpool business man, and was originally apprenticed with a Liverpool drapers. He got in with several adventurous youths, and four, including Rodway, decided to go to London, to get a ship to Australia. "ABSOLUTELY MAD" The difficulty was getting there, and they took a car, but it broke down. They reached London by getting lifts on lorries, and wandered about for a week trying to get a ship. The whole thing was absolutely mad, and realising they must get back to Liverpool, they took another car from Hampstead, and drove to Liverpool. Rodway was in the habit of hanging about Speke Aerodrome, and took a third car out of a park there, but only drove about for ten minutes, and left it. Regarding the car taken from Southport, he intended to drive it back to Southport, when he was arrested. Rodway now came before the court full of remorse. A congregational Minister said Rodway was a boy of excellent character, and his father was a deacon"
m. 1935 Kathleen Philomena [Duffy], 1 child, Kenneth Raymond b. Nov 1935 (d. 2016 in France) prev. a "Viewer" [also described as an Aircraft Fitter and Salesman] for Napier, Liverpool prev. exp. 57 hrs on Tiger Moth, Avro Avian, Hillson Praga Address in 1941: 73a Muirhead Ave, Liverpool Norman originally applied to the ATA in March 1941, however they replied that they were not allowed to consider applications from pilots of military age (he was 25) unless they had been turned down by the RAF for some reason. Norman replied that he had "failed to pass full medical standard" for the RAF, but pointed out that he had no difficulty in passing his medical for his 'A' Licence, and had "never experienced any ill-effects while piloting aircraft". His flight test went well, and the ATA took up references; the Rev. Machin, of Hartington Rd Congregational Church, said Norman was "strictly honest, diligent, most willing, highly intelligent - a young man of many gifts and of great promise; and will endeavour to give the utmost satisfaction to his employers." Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP "An average pilot, a good worker and a well-conducted officer, likely to make a good all-round ferry pilot if not progressed too rapidly". Reprimanded once: 28 Nov 1941, suspended for 3 days without pay; "failed to report an accident" 3 Accidents, all his fault: - 14 Oct 1941, a 'bad landing by inexperienced pilot' in Swordfish W5848; starboard undercarriage collapsed and the lower main plane was damaged. - 2 Jul 1942, his Spitfire Vb EP521collided with another aircraft after landing, due to the windscreen being obscured with oil
d. 11 Dec 1942 in Spitfire Vc ES260. He took off from Kinloss after the last landing time, on a flight to Litchfield via Dyce estimated to take 17 minutes, but crashed in the dark 40 minutes later, at about 17:35, adjacent to the airfield at Dyce. The aircraft landed down wind into the airfield lights, stalled and crashed before reaching the runway. "It was unfortunate that his sense of duty to his job tended to make him a little over-confident in his flying"
Buried Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool - Sec. 1A. Gen. Grave 217 His widow Kathleen was in financial difficulties while the ATA insurance was being processed, and also needed an operation which required a 3-week hospital stay and a month's convalescence. The ATA lent her various amounts of money to tide her over, and it wasn't until 14 May 1943 that the balance, some £1,830, was paid to her. She said "as the interest from [the insurance money] together with the fifteen shillings a week pension I receive would not be sufficient to cover Kenneth's education, I shall certainly have to take a position of some kind." She moved to 37 Stamfordham Drive, Liverpool, and married Richard Earl Slee in 1954. Kenneth then moved in with them in 1957, but Richard died in Jan 1958, and Kathleen then married Joseph Azzopardi, from Malta, in 1966. She died in Malta 24 Jul 1988. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1939
Father Nicholas George Ffrench Ed. Surbiton Grammar School. Cert. AIB (Banking) m. 1930 Esther [Jones], 1 son John b. 1935 prev. a Bank Cashier, then Home Guard private Jul-40 to Aug-41 Address in 1941: "Chelsey", Weston Green Rd, Thames Ditton Postings: 5FPP, 16FPP, RNAS Arbroath (Jun-Jul 1943), 1FPP, 9FPP, 2FPP, 7FPP, 3FPP He had a spectacular accident on 31 May 1943; his Hudson III "swung first to port and violently to starboard during take-off and just after leaving ground, port wing dropped. The aircraft cartwheeled and was destroyed." He was held to blame but, luckily, uninjured. "A well-behaved, smart and conscientious officer and a safe, average pilot. Had very little experience prior to joining ATA and is rather retiring and a trifle under-confident." "A keen and hard-working pilot. He has made good progress throughout" d. Apr 2003 - Surrey
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1938
ATAM
The son of George and Anna Androus Maouat; his birth certificate showed his name as Maouat, and he later changed his name to 'Moawood'. He was described as "leading pilot of the Hudson Valley and motorboat racer" in 1932, when he was hit by the propeller of a plane when he spun it, fracturing his arm. He accidentally shot a railroad electrician in 1936, when he and Harold Merte were fooling about with a rifle, shooting from the window of an office at the airport. Roger Gardner, the airport manager, tried to get them to stop but, when he tried to grab the rifle from Thomas, it went off and hit 22-year old Arthur Knapp in the thigh. Luckily, he was not seriously injured. Address in 1941: 269 Mansion St, Poughkeepsie, NY In 1941, he had been "flying near Poughkeepsie and vicinity for the past 20 years." Postings: 1FPP "A keen officer who has carried out all his duties satisfactorily." Sailed back to the US in August 1942 with his fellow ferry pilots Julius Petach and Lawrence King. d. 1971
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c. 1935
Father: Gilbert, mother: Grace Mildred Ed. Reigate Grammar School; Goldsmith College, University of London m. Aug 1931 Esme Maud [Knight, "a well known teacher and vocalist"], 2 children Mary and John b. 1932 and 1937 prev. a schoolmaster in Surrey. RAFO F/O, 1929-1939 prev. exp 80 hrs on DH Moth and 9J, Avro Cadet & 626. One of the founder members of the Surrey Gliding Club at Redhill. Address in 1941: 'Tanglehedge', Limes Estate, Felbridge, East Grinstead, W. Sussex Following Lord Londonderry's radio appeal for pilots in March 1941, he applied to the ATA and was given a 15-minute flight test on 7 June; "Good, except for approach and landing". Postings: 12FPP, 1FPP Having started as a Pilot Cadet in August 1941, his flying contract was terminated on the 24 Feb 1942 because "an attempt to convert him to Class 2 has revealed that he is unlikely to become a service type pilot", and he was moved into ATA's Accidents Committe, as Joint Secretary (with Gerald Merton), and promoted to Third Officer. In July 1942 he was 'called up' to the RAF and duly reported for attestation, but the RAF then granted him secondment, back to the ATA, initially until 1 Feb 1943. Further extension might be possible, they said, but only if he was to be employed as a ferry pilot. He was duly reinstated as a ferry pilot in February 1943, (they described him as "not a very brilliant pilot", but all agreed that he was doing invaluable work for the Accidents Committee) and began negotiations with the RAF to keep him. Eventually, in August 1943, the RAF agreed to extend his secondment whilst he was employed on the Accidents Committee. He was off sick from 19 Oct to 11 Nov 1943 with "Anxiety State and Depression", and was taken off flying duties again and promoted to First Officer. His C.O. by this time was the aforementioned Gerald Merton, who reported in Feb 1944 that "He is very keen on his investigational work and does it well. I have had difficulty with him in the past because of his unwillingness to accept and carry out orders from me, and his inclination to be evasive... Recently however, his attitude has been more helpful. A normal increase in salary seems justified." Towards the end of 1944 however, accidents by then being less frequent with the run-down of ATA, he agreed to return to flying duties, and performed as a "most useful taxi pilot" for 1FPP.
d. 8 Feb 1945, in Fairchild Argus HM188, which hit a survey pylon in bad weather and poor visibility, and crashed in Nor Wood, near Leatherhead, Surrey during a ferry flight from White Waltham to Gatwick (Southern Aircraft Co.). He was held to blame for the accident, having persisted too far into bad weather.
Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, Barnet, London
"He took a keen interest in local affairs. He was Hon. Secretary to the Parochial Parish Council." - Crawley and District Observer
"He is not dead, he doth but sleep" .. this knowledge will help me to carry on to fit his children to take their place in the better world we hope to build. .. I am proud that I was privileged to be his wife. Yours Sincerely, Esme Gould" Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA 1941
ATA 1944
Adopted son of Leonard L Garlow, Grand Rapids, Michigan Attended Tucson University in 1934-5 and was a member of the Sigma Chi social fraternity. Next of kin given as: "Mrs Spencer Kennelly, 677 S Bronson, Los Angeles" prev. Arizona and Michigan Flying Schools, then from 1930 a commercial pilot. prev. exp. 1419 hrs. Posted to 8FPP on 13 December, but got lost on one of his first ferry flights (22 December) and force-landed in Eire. See www.ww2irishaviation.com Joseph 'Gen' Genovese (q.v.) described him as a "tall, handsome, curly-headed fellow with a trim black mustache, who, before coming to England, had made several pictures in Hollywood", although this (as is not unusual with Mr Genovese) may be a slight exaggeration; Lee only seems to have appeared as an extra in the 1938 musical, “Start Cheering”. 'Gen' also says that Lee had "brought the playboy spirit with him from the States, where he had been a rich man's son, a sportsman flier .. but Lee had changed after flying for the ATA for a few months. He was more serious and seemed to take a sincere pride in the work he was doing. He told me once that flying for England was the first real job he had ever had and the first honest responsibility he had ever felt." His instructors rated him as a "man of excellent character ... a good pilot but overconfident." d. 26 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hudson III AE489 flew into ground nr Blacklaw Farm, 4 mi N of Stewarton, Ayrshire, 15mi NE of Prestwick, in thick fog. 2nd Officer David Marks (q.v.) also killed. It appears that Lee had taken the Hudson without proper authorisation, having altered his own paperwork (which was for a Wellington). Buried Monkton and Prestwick Cemetery, Prestwick, but later moved to the Cambridge American Cemetery. After his death, his friend Mrs Kennelly claimed to have Power of Attorney for Lee's affairs, and asked for all his belongings "including his wings if possible" to be sent to her, but to "keep such clothes of useful [sic] to others in England." However, it then emerged that Lee had only been informally adopted by Leonard Garlow and his wife Martha Snyder. Leonard had pre-deceased Lee, but Martha, along with Mrs Kennelly and his natural mother, Elizabeth Squires (formerly Baker) all made a claim to Lee's estate. His estate (including the £2,000 insurance money) was sent to the American Consulate and it took until 1946 for them to decide that all three women should be joint beneficiaries. With thanks to Dennis Burke for his research
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prev. Sergeant, RAF Address in 1918: 16 Wood St, Longwood, Huddersfield |
1918
Father: Norman Duncan 2 sisters, Betty and Angela Address in 1942: Wardes, Otham, nr Maidstone, Kent Postings include: 5FPP, 12FPP 2 accidents, neither her fault: - 15 Mar 1942, during the crash of Fairchild HM178 in which Graham Lever, Bridget Hill and Betty Sayer (qqv) were killed, Pamela was thrown from the aircraft and suffered burns - 20 Dec 1942, a forced landing in Lysander L4755 following engine failure
m. 1942 in Maidstone, Kent, Captain Spencer Alexander Gollan ("the second son of the late Mr Spencer H Gollan, the famous all-round New Zealand sportsman", d. 1986) later worked for Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) in North West Europe, 1945 IWM interview in 1987 - see https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009817
d. 6 Jan 2000 - Chichester |
RAeC 1935
1942
Prev. Exp: 78 hrs solo
Bridget's father was Major-General Walter Pitts Hendy Hill and they lived in Amesbury, Wilts. She earned her RAeC Certificate in Feb 1939 in Wiltshire. That September, within a fortnight of war being declared, she wrote to Marion Wilberforce; "I am writing to know if you have any sort of flying job to offer me. I had almost completed my instructor's course, during which I did some blind flying - this was interrupted by the outbreak of war. I do hope you can find some use for me, as I adore flying and have spent everything on my training as an instructor." And, to back her up, her instructor wrote "I hereby certify that Miss Bridget Hill has carried out 108 hours flying, of which 78 have been solo. During her training as a pilot she has shown very good progress, and as a cross-country pilot I would place her as above average.
She was actually a bit too early: "I regret to inform you that we are not considering employing lady pilots in the ATA at the moment. In any case the minimum solo flying experience requred is 250 hours. We are filing your letter, however, and if in the future the position should change we would get in touch with you." They didn't, of course, get in touch with her, so in May 1940 she wrote again, and was offered a test. This, as she admitted later, was a disaster: "I am more than aware what a mess I made of my test, but I think the strongest nerves could hardly help being affected by waiting from 10 to 5 with so much at stake!" However, by December of 1940, she was brave enough to write to Pauline Gower, again; "There has been so much in the newspapers of the expansion of the ATA, that I have decided to risk bothering you again by writing to know if there is any hope for me." This time they wrote back to say No (again) - and you still need at least 150 hours. Most people would probably have given up by now, but Bridget was made of sterner stuff. She took a job driving a mobile canteen but, here she is again, on the 10 Mar 1941: "I am answering the appeal made on the wireless this evening by Lord Londonderry to members of the Civil Air Guard and holders of 'A' licences .... I am hoping that there is some chance of my being able to be of service." At last, they relented, and offered her another test on the 2 April 1941. She was grateful, excited, and a bit apprehensive; "One is bound to be a bit rusty not having flown for so long..." Her test was with Margaret Cunnison, and this time it went OK - "quite good, but would need some further training". Even then, there was another couple of months' wait until, finally, she got the call: "Please report 15 July for 15 Aug." She was delighted. Kitty Farrer, the ATA Adjutant, filled in a little essential background knowledge: "She tells me she is a Baha'i, but would be satisfied with any form of christian burial!" After 4 months at Hatfield, she was posted to Hamble, then Training Pool. Her flying instruction went well. "She is shaping very well indeed. An intelligent, hard-working pilot. Expected to do well." She completed 23hrs on Tiger Moth, 4hrs 45min on Magister. She was seconded to No 15 Ferry Pool (Hamble) on the 19th Jan 1942, and made 75 ferry flights, totaling 129.35 hrs, in the following few weeks. She flew Tiger Moths, Puss Moths and a Wicko.
Sadly, however, she was killed at 12.20pm on the 15 Mar 1942 when flying as a passenger in Fairchild Argus HM178, which stalled and crashed onto a bungalow when returning to land at White Waltham after bad weather.
Yorkshire Evening Post, 17 Mar 1942: "AIRWOMEN KILLED Ferry Pilots' 'Plane Hit Bungalow. The Ministry of Aircraft Production announces that Flying Officer Graham Lever, Third Officer Bridget Hill, and Third Officer Bessie Sayers lost their lives in a flying accident on Sunday. The accident occurred in the course of their duties with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The 'plane crashed on to a bungalow. A fourth passenger in the machine, also a woman A.T.A. officer, was injured. Twenty-six people were injured when they rushed to the house to extricate the passengers in the 'plane. It is believed that the petrol tank in the machine exploded. The injured woman passenger was Third Officer P. D. Duncan." THROWN CLEAR At the inquest, which was adjourned until April 14. the Coroner stated that Miss Duncan, who was in hospital, had had "an extraordinary escape." It is understood that she was thrown clear of the house as the 'plane crashed, and escaped with cuts and bruises. Among the injured were children who were in the street. The petrol tank exploded some time after the crash, owing, it is believed, to contact with a fire in the kitchen. A man named Croft, living in an adjoining bungalow, was blown through a window into the street and badly hurt but a child in the front room of the bungalow was rescued almost uninjured. " She is buried in Britford Cemetery. [Her older brother, Brigadier Stanley James Ledger 'Speedy' Hill, DSO**, MC, was a World War II Commander who joined the British Airborne Forces at an early stage, fought in North Africa and went on to play a vital role in the D-Day landings and the crossing of the Rhine: see Stanley James L Hill | ParaData]
Her father Walter wrote to Pauline on 20 Mar 1942: "My Dear Miss Gower, I must write and tell you once again how happy in, and proud of, her Corps Bridget was. It was all one great adventure for her, and her purpose in life was to make it a success"
Her mother Phyliss added: "Dear Miss Gower, I feel I want to write to you about our darling Bridget. She used to talk to me about you with the deepest admiration ... The man who stood next to me at her graveside would have been her husband and it is so sad to think that they were deprived of that great happiness. I wouldn't have had my darling in any other service... it was a wonderful life and she was so supremely happy."
Walter died just over four months after Bridget's death, on 26 July 1942. Phyliss d. 1982. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record Part 1 (.zip file): Download ATA Pilot Personal Record Part 2 (.zip file):
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According to birth and marriage records, 'Zita' was actually born Elsie Kathleen Heysham in Westminster, England on 30 Aug 1907 but, for some reason, she changed her name and gave her place of birth as 'Lucerne, Switzerland'. Father: Frederick Fernandez Nancy Heysham, mother: Ada Beatrice
prev: Bridge Hostess [whatever that is] at Grockford's Club m. 1937 in London, Wilfred Adams Irvin (d. 1961)
prev exp: 30hrs 50min (55 hrs with dual) on Gypsy and Tiger Moths, and Moth Minor Address in 1941: 45c Sloan Sq, London SW1 Postings: 5TFPP, 12FPP, 9FPP Off sick from 6 Jul to 2 Aug 1942 after her flying accident in a Hurricane, and 6 Feb to 10 Mar 1943 with influenza
7 accidents, 4 her fault: - 31-Jan-42, in Tiger Moth BB800 which turned onto its back when taking off from a snow-covered surface. 'Poor airmanship' blamed. - 05-Jul-42, a forced landing in Hurricane I L1945 after she 'used the fuel tanks incorrectly' - 06-Dec-42, she overshot the landing in Spitfire IIa P7628, hit a fence and the aircraft tipped onto its nose - 30-Sep-43, while taxying, the port wing of her Wellington III DF571 struck the propeller of a parked Thunderbolt. Not her fault. - 03-Jan-45, forced landing in Typhoon Ib EK169 after an engine problem - 13-Apr-45, the tail wheel of her Mosquito RF763 retracted after a normal landing, due to incorrect adjustment of the lock - 16-Apr-45, she failed to control the take-off swing of her Mosquito VI TA385, and the starboard undercarriage collapsed
Zita carried on flying after WWII; she was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Womens' RAF Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR) in 1949, and became the personal pilot of Vivian van Damm, the owner of the Windmill Theatre. She flew a Proctor in the 1950, 1951 and 1952 International Challenge Trophy Air Races from Hurn Airport, near Bournemouth, to Herne Bay: "The Windmill owner-producer-manager Vivian Van Damm will be able to see for himself how his plane Windmill Girl,"' a Proctor V piloted by Mrs. Zita Irwin, is faring at the half-way mark in the International Challenge Trophy Air Race on Saturday, September 16, as the course will take the aircraft within a few yards of his seaside home at Angmering. Zita Irwin, the Windmill's own pilot, will be accompanied during the race by a television newsreel cameraman who will record a pilot's eye-view of the race."
Zita piloting G-AIET 'Windmill Girl', [which later became EI-AMV, damaged beyond repair 1963]
In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Zita was one of only 7 women flying commercially: - "Zita Irwin pilots the Windmill Theatre's Rapide" - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field." [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Monique Rendall, Jean Bird, Suzanne Ashton, Diana Barnato-Walker and Freydis Leaf] see https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/newsreel--car-engined-plane-wins-air-race/zhx4nrd
Richard Hoblyn tells me that "I knew her through my father & grandfather years ago. She worked for Hoblyn & King after the war and was probably the first ever female stockbroker (although not a Member); I still have her dealing books. Raymond Baxter met her when she piloted one of the air races. My father was an executor of her estate and when she died circa 1975 I helped clear her flat in Sloane Street. I was gifted a German war medal for this which Zita took from the burnt out Reistag in 1945. A remarkable woman. Her connections were extraordinary and she was highly regarded at Hoblyn & King especially by my grandfather."
d. 19 May 1979, London Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC Mar 1939
HB
Prev. a Technical Engineer Address in 1939: 16 Holly Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham One accident: - 20 Sep 1941, in a Magister; "Pilot got lost and then took off after forced landing, contrary to existing regulations. Wheels of aircraft struck the top of the small hedge and the machine hit the ground." Contract Terminated 23 Sep 1941 d. 4 Jan 1985 - Santa Barbara, CA |
1939
prev. A Civil Servant
d. 29 Jan 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane V7001 crashed into hillside during snowstorm at Pen-y-Cae nr Ruabon
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
ATA
m. 1945 in Kensington, London, Rosamond Z [Goddard]
Peter (far right) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010
d. 23 Jun 2016
Interviewed here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009727 |
ATAM
ATAM
Father: Maximilliano Duhalde, Mother: Rosa [Sotomayor], of Santiago, Chile Ed. Liceo 3, Santiago, Chile Chile's first female pilot (and later, Chile's first female air traffic controller) Postings: 15FPP [Contract Terminated, 5 Apr 1942, but re-instated 9 Jul] 3 accidents: - 31 Jan 1942, a forced landing in a Magister after she got lost on a cross-country flight; the field chosen was unsuitable and the aircraft struck the boundary hedge - 3 Jan 1943, the starboard tyre of her Albacore deflated during landing run 25 Jun 1944, the fuselage underside panel of her Typhoon blew off on take-off. Reprimanded 24 Apr 1945 for "contravention of Standing Order C.6" "I should like to place on record how much she has deserved her success after such great difficulties which she has had to overcome. Her English is much improved..." "An excellent pilot and a hard worker but she does not use common sense when ferrying. Discipline Fair." (Margot Gore, her CO)
Margot's Immigration card for Brazil, dated 8 Aug 1946; she was resident in Morocco, and the French asked her to demonstrate their aircraft in Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. "She returned to Chile in 1947 where she lived the rest of her life, marrying three times and working as a commercial pilot, instructor and finally as an air traffic controller, retiring at the age of 81" - BBC In 2009, she received a Veterans' Badge from the British Ambassador to Santiago, Howard Drake, for her work in the ATA. d. 5 Feb 2018 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margot_Duhalde Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
Brief Glory
née Day Father: George Albert 'Bert' Day, a civil engineer; mother Eva, of Bridge Cottage, Chertsey She sailed to the UK with her parents, sister Pamela, brother Anthony and a servant in 1924, aged 10 She sailed alone to visit Malta from Jul to Sep 1932
She bought G-AAIU, a 1929 DH 60G Gipsy Moth which she called 'Vagabond'.
m. 1938 in Loleham-on-Thames, Middlesex Charles Henry Willis, who had been her instructor at the Insurance Flying Club. He had competed in the 1937 King's Cup, coming 11th out of 27. She sold 'Vagabond' to the Cotswold Aircraft Co after her marriage, and it was scrapped in Feb 1939. They then ordered G-AFRJ, a 1939 DH.94 Moth Minor, but did not register it and it was sold to the RAAF as A21-9 and crashed in Aug 1944. They had two children before WWII. Prev: Architect's Assistant prev. exp. Civil Air Guard Postings: 15FPP Charles joined the RAF, was awarded the AFC in 1940, and became a Squadron Leader. [Contract Terminated by ATA, because she was pregnant]
"They spent most of their anniversary in the air - Squadron Leader Willis giving flights to cadets and Benedetta doing forced landings in an exercise at Chobham, Surrey. The cadets soon found out about the anniversary, and they are seen above crowding around and cheering"
Awarded her RAF 'Wings' in August 1953, one of 5 women (all ex-ATA pilots) to do so when serving with the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. The others were Jean Bird, Jackie Moggridge, Freydis Leaf and Joan Hughes "Her husband is also a pilot. They have four children, two girls and two boys." "Her present relaxation is sailing" d. Dec 2008 - Bembridge, IoW interviewed here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80008287 |
RAeC 1937
ATAM
Father: John Osborne Williams, President of the Labrador Development Company, Mother: Ethel Kate [Cobb] of Ogmore-by-Sea, Glamorgan
In 1916 at age 6, Katie and her 3-year old brother Arthur Eric sailed with their parents to St Johns, Newfoundland, the first of many transatlantic trips that she and her father made between the wars, due to their father's involvement with the Labrador Development Company (LDC). [John Osborne Williams set up the Labrador Development Company in 1934 with a capital of $1 Million to provide pit props for Welsh coal mines; the directors included John and his son Arthur. It started badly when police had to be sent to deal with a strike of 350 lumbermen in July 1934, who complained about poor accommodation and little food; by 1936, however, 100,000 tons were being exported each year to the UK, as well as fur (fox, mink, lynx, ermine and musquash). In 1938, the timber leases of the LDC covered over 6,000 sq miles, ("roughly the size of Wales"), and were estimated to contain at least 4 million tons of wood. They had 70 miles of coastline with 6 shipping ports, the biggest being Port Hope Simpson. The operations were brought to a standstill in 1941 due to the "interference" of the Newfoundland Commission, who insisted upon the company being invested in St. John's. Mr. Williams demanded a public inquiry, which resulted in the property being handed back to his control. The Government director resigned and the LDC was granted a new agreement which awarded them a 10-year royalty-free, tax-free export contract at "25 cents per cord, which equals about 6d per ton" In 1945 they supplied 70,000 cords of pitprops.] . "In a shooting competition after the dog-team race Miss Doreen Williams beat all the ' crack shots." Western Mail - 24 Mar 1936
Her brother Arthur d. Feb 1940 trying to save his baby daughter in a fire at his home at Hope Simpson: "Mr. Williams saved his wife by handing her through a window to the maid. She had slight superficial injuries, was practically unconscious, and was suffering from severe shock. He then returned to the bedroom, and was trapped and burnt to death in an effort to rescue the little girl, who also perished."
Address in 1938: 36 Southcourt Rd, Cardiff prev. Secretary (for J O Williams & Co) Postings: 15FPP Off sick from 13 Oct to 10 Nov 1942 with "bronchial catarrh"
5 accidents: - 17 Aug 1942, when trying to land near the edge of Wroughton airfield in Albacore BF731, "to avoid haymakers in the middle of the aerodrome (!)", she approached too slowly and stalled - 30 Dec 1942, the undercarriage of her Fairchild Argus I FK344 collapsed on landing, as a result of a failed oleo strut - 30 Sep 1944, a forced landing in Argus II HB604 after partial engine failure - 16 Nov 1944, she landed Spitfire XIV RM841 in bad visibility and found herself heading towards some aircraft; she braked, but skidded into a ditch - 14 May 1945, her Spitfire XIX PS929 nosed over after she braked to avoid an obstruction marker flag
m. Aug 1944 in Bridgend, Glamorganshire, P/O Geoffrey Rimmington Illsley RAF, BEM(M) stationed at Boscombe Down Geoffrey and Katie lived at "The Cottage", Ogmore-by-Sea, Glamorgan, and were co-directors of Pencoed Trading Co. Ltd. d. 20 May 1996 - Haywards Heath, Sussex
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1935
ATA 
ATA
With her friend Bunty James at Port Hope Simpson, Newfoundland in 1935 - Wikimedia
Grew up in India, and travelled back from there to the UK in 1928, age 17 Address in 1938: Northfield, Staverton, Stroud, Glos. Prev: Secretary and Saleswoman, Motor Cycle Trade (Leslie Paynter, of Cheltenham); WAAF Driver (501 Sqn, Gloucester) from 3 Sep 1939; Corporal from Sep 1940, Assistant Section Officer from 1st Sep 1941 but resigned to join ATA "An accomplished and daring motor-cyclist" prev. exp. 10 hrs (Civil Air Guard) She was "the first Air Guard member to go solo at the Cotswold Aero Club... She only waited a few minutes to receive the congratulations which always follow a first solo. She mounted her motor-cycle, and in a short time was back at business in a Cheltenham motor-cycle showroom. Miss Sharpe was one of the first applicants for Air Guard membership, and she commenced flying on September 29. Living at Staverton, she had made almost daily visits to the airport, and has flown on every occasion when weather permitted. Prior to her first tuition flight, she had only been in an aeroplane twice before for joy trips. Miss Sharpe is very well-known in Cheltenham, for she has ridden frequently at grass track meetings, scrambles and trials."
Address in 1941: (sister H M Sharpe), 21 Roland Gardens, London SW7 Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP 2 accidents, neither her fault: - 21 Sep 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire IX BS336 after intermittent loss of power - 7 Nov 1942, the tail wheel assembly of her Wellington III BJ714 broke following a normal landing at Sherburn.
"ferried about 1,030 aircraft before being posted to the Air Movements Flight, White Waltham ... her passengers included Russian VIPs, loads of horseshoes, sulphuric acid, and eggs," MBE in the 1946 New Year's Honours List Joined the staff of Control Commission in Germany, then test and development flying "near London" "After D-Day she carried supplies to the Continent. Recently she has had flying job as saleswoman and demonstrator, taking her all over Europe." - Dundee Evening Telegraph In January 1948, she was among the earliest recruits for the newly-formed WAAFVR. Others included ex-ATA pilots Margaret Frost, Freydis Leaf, Ruth Russell and Margot Gore. She competed in the King's Cup air race in 1949, flying a Miles Mercury (unplaced) and was due to fly a Spitfire Vb in 1950, "entered by her employer, W S Shackleton", hoping to beat Lettice Curtis' womens' speed record. ex-ATA women pilots Joan Jenkinson (by then Lady Sherborne) and Monique (Agazarian) Rendall also competed in 1950.
Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1938
1938 (Gloucestershire Echo)
ATAM
nee Tily Father: Thomas William Tily, a Garden Contractor, d. 1969; Mother Amelia [Fielding] (m. 1902) of 103 Stanlake Rd, Shepherds Bush One brother (Thomas William II, b. 1902) and a sister Amelia May (b. 1904, d. 1967 in Cape Town, SA)
m. Oct 1935 Henry Albert Lang, a motor engineer
She joined the government-subsidized Civil Air Guard flying scheme, and got her RAeC Certificate in March 1939. She gave her occupation then as 'fancy goods manufacturer'. Intriguingly, she referred to herself then as 'Miss Dora Tily'. Prior to WWII, she had 12 hours solo on Gypsy Moth, B.A. Swallow and Miles Magister (later supplemented by, as she wrote, '26 hours duel with the RAF') - she was a Corporal in the WAAF, stationed at Hornchurch in Essex as a 'plotter'.
She wrote originally to the ATA in March 1941, following an appeal put out on the wireless by Lord Londonderry: "Dear Sir, I possess a pilot's 'A' licence and would very much like to qualify as a ferry pilot. I have 25 hours in my log book and have since done some passenger flying in RAF machines (Magisters). I am studying for a navigator's licence. I would be pleased of the opportunity to fly at my own expense to complete the required number of solo hours necessary to qualify for the advanced training provided under your scheme. I will be very eager to hear if any arrangements can be made. ACW Dora Lang." She got the standard reply at the time which was a) you need more hours, and b) we have no training facilities so, No. She didn't give up, though; she wrote back straight away to say "I am informed by the Air Ministry that I may be able to do the training in Southern Ireland. Can you tell me how many hours I need?" Well, they said, 50, although people may come here for a flight test with 30. While she was mulling this over, (things changed quite rapidly for the ATA as 1941 wore on), on the 29 July they said, actually, "there are a few vacancies, come to Hatfield for a flight test." She took her test on the 9th August, it was satisfactory, and she reported for duty on the 6th September as a Second Officer. Postings: 6FPP, 4bFPP, 15FPP
She flew 17 hrs on Moths, 2 on Harts, 8 on Magisters, and a Swordfish, and was posted to training pool in March 1942. Her instructors' reports were consistently positive: "This pupil came to ATA at practically 'ab initio' stage, but very satisfactory progress made in school has been furthered during stay with T.P. and she should make an excellent ferry pilot. Keen and quietly confident.... very active and attentive". In May 1942 she went on the conversion course for Hurricanes, and was then posted to Prestwick in July. She was recommended for Class 4 conversion at an early date: "an intelligent and conscientious pilot whose flying is neat and tidy. " She was promoted to First Officer in March 1943. She had an 'incident' in June 1943, for which she was held responsible; when taking off in Spitfire BL991, she attempted to retract the undercarriage too soon after take-off and the throttle slipped back, allowing the aircraft to sink until the propeller tips hit the ground. Otherwise things progressed well, until the 2nd of March, 1944, when she had two accidents in rapid succession. She had just been off sick for 2 days, but said she felt better. With her Flight Engineer Janice Harrington (q.v.), she ferried a Hudson VI FK458 to RAF Cosford, but then ground looped on the icy runway, causing slight damage to the port wing, which she did not report. She and Janice had examined the undercarriage but couldn't see any damage; she then had lunch at RAF Cosford, and "both she and her flight engineer appeared very calm and cheerful, and neither showed any sign whatever of tiredness or strain."
Janice Harrington Marion Wilberforce wrote that "F/O Lang was a most straightforward officer, and I feel convinced that she would have reported the possibility of damage to the wing had she suspected that such might have occurred. If such damage had been revealed her Pool C.O. would have been contacted before she was allowed to leave the Pool." They were allowed to leave, however, and she and Janice were then killed in Mosquito VI HP932, which crashed on approach to Lasham.
The official report says "Whilst approaching to land the aircraft appeared to undershoot slightly, the throttles were opened gently and then fully, whereupon the aircraft climbed sharply 100 feet, stalled, crashed and was destroyed. Insufficient evidence to determine the cause, but it is clear that upon the application of full power the pilot failed to get the stick forward quickly enough to prevent the nose of the aircraft rising. Insufficient evidence to determine responsibility." Buried Maidenhead Cemetery - Sec. D. Row W. Grave 18
Janice was buried alongside her - Sec. D. Row W. Grave 19. On the 10th, her husband wrote: "during her service with the ATA my wife always received the greatest kindness, and she was very proud to be serving in your organisation." On the 3rd May, her mother added this: "I know my daughter was very happy in her work & with her many kind friends in the ATA & wish to thank them for all their sympathy in our great loss."
It looks like Henry remarried almost immediately - in October 1944 - to Margaret C Cowper, and died in 1950. The location of her log books (which may have been given to Henry, or Dora's parents, at the cessation of hostilities) is unknown. Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1939
ATA
Lieutenant in 5th Durham Light Infantry, 1914 RFC, 1916 Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross “Major Lawrence Arthur Pattinson, M.C. (R.Fus.). This officer is not only a capable and most efficient squadron commander, but also an exceptionally fine leader of bombing formations. On the 7th of .September he led a combined formation of twenty-two machines; they were attacked by same thirty aircraft, who made the most determined effort to prevent our formation reaching their objective. By skilful leadership and manoeuvring Major Pattinson repulsed the attack and dispersed the enemy formation. Leading well over the target excellent results were obtained. (M.C. gazetted 3rd June, 1916)” m. 1923 Mabel Copeland [Capper] 1926-30 Wing Commander Air Staff Training, RAF India
Air Marshal L A Pattinson, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Flying Training Command, talking to workers at Rugby, Warwickshire, on the completion of an RAF training station www.rafweb.org says "Retiring in 1942 he was employed temporarily by the ATA until recalled to service and appointed Head of the RAF Training Mission to China, after which he reverted to the Retired List." His ATA career did not last long: on the 14th January 1942, after he landed Airspeed Oxford Z7126 at Atcham, he selected 'undercarriage up' instead of 'flaps up' and the port undercarriage leg collapsed. Veronica Volkerz tells the story in her book: "The Chairman of the Accidents Committee was an air vice-marshal, lent to the ATA from the RAF. Some time after my carpeting [after her accident in a Hurricane], he was ferrying an Oxford and called in at Shawbury to refuel. I was not unamused to hear that he went into the watch office to be greeted by the duty pilot with the exclamation "Oh, look sir! You've left your flaps down." "So I have", he replied, and went out and got into the aircraft, which sank to the ground with a resounding thud. He had retracted the undercarriage by mistake. Next time the Accidents Committee sat, he was 'on leave.' " d. 28 Mar 1955, Wendover Bucks |
Ancestry.co.uk
ATAM
Father: Douglas Henry Corselis, a Barrister-at-law:
[Douglas died 1 Nov 1930 when his DH.60G Moth G-AAEI crashed and caught fire after he hit the perimeter fence on landing in fog at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware.] Mother: Helen Mary [ Bendall], of Gaunt Mill, Standlake, Oxford Ed. Winchester prev. RAFVR pilot AC/2, LAC 11 Jul 1940 - 14 Feb 1941, based at Carlisle and Cranfield; Assistant ARP Organiser, Wandsworth prev. exp. 35 hrs in Magister, Oxford "The reason for my discharge from the RAF was my application to be drafted to a fighter squadron in order that I might avoid the possibility of being ordered to take part in indiscriminate bombing, which I would feel bound to disobey." [I suppose we should point out that the RAF only allowed its most promising pilots to go for fighter training.] The Town Clerk for Wandsworth Borough Council (one of his 'referees') said "He is a young man of considerable mental attainment and keen interest. His education at Winchester and work here should fit him for any appointment of responsibility and I have no hesitation in saying he will be thoroughly trustworthy" Having checked with the Air Ministry to ensure that he was not required by the RAF or for other duties, the ATA invited him for a flight test. The resulting assessment was, "Take-off: Good; General Flying: Poor; Approach and Landing: Fair. Nervous type. 15 hrs for Class 1, Doubtful for Class 2" Address in 1941: 2 Montague Gardens, London W1 By 27 September, Timothy had completed his Class 1 Technical Course, training in Ground Navigation and Morse Code, and about 25 hrs flying in Magister, Moth and Tutor. He was rated as a pilot of average ability, "but he has made good progress." He was then cleared to fly Class 1 (light single-engine) aircraft.
d. 10 Oct 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - on his 3rd ferry flight, from Luton to Carlisle, Magister L8286 crashed at Warmanbie House, nr Annan, Dumfries. He died instantly, from a fractured skull, and inter-cranial haemorrage. There was "Insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident." Retired Colonel Charles Spencer, the resident of Warmanbie House, said, "I was at the east side of Warmanbie House, when an RAF plane flew over the house from about north-east at a low altitude. I then saw it make a sudden violent swerve towards the north-west and dive out of sight.... In my opinion the engine did not stop prior to the crash." However, other witnesses reported that the plane had circled "a number of times" and the engine did stop before the crash. Fellow pilot Percy Olieff also ferried a Magister from Luton to Carlisle that day, and had spoken to Timothy en route, at Sealand. "He told me he had stopped at Worcester to refuel, and I expressed surprise at this as the endurance of the Magister is about 3 hours. S/O Corsellis seemed to be jittery and on enquiry admitted that he had had a night out. I asked him why he had not been to see the Doctor, and he replied that he did feel all right." His body was cremated in Oxford on 15 October 1941, and his ashes were scattered from an ATA Anson over heath land between Oxford and Kemble. ------------ "November 7th 1941 Dear Captain Kiek, It was good of you to let me come to White Waltham - it comforted me to know that Timothy must have been happy in that atmosphere of efficiency & inspiration & aliveness. I shall not forget how wonderfully patient & sympathetic you were - it was a hateful job for you to have to do but you did it perfectly and I do thank you. I think it had to be, with Timothy - I felt sure the moment he started flying - just as I felt sure with his father. I am thankful he was spared any agony. Yours Sincerely, Helen Corsellis" ------------ The £2,000 insurance claim was paid to his mother Helen on 13 Apr 1942. Oxford DNB: "As with so many servicemen poets of the period, Timothy Corsellis first had his work published by the admirable Keidrich Rhys, himself serving as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. It belongs to the group of air force poets who include Henry Treece, John Pudney, and Vernon Watkins, while remaining distinctive and troubling. An edition of his collected poems has never been published. Corsellis's originality lies in his ability to reveal youthful disappointment with what was offered him. Barely grown up, and lacking his friend Weir's strong sense of cause, he wrote poetry that is a severe indictment of the grim world into which the war cast him.
Wikpedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Corsellis
In 2012, 100 of his poems were published by Helen Goethals in 'The Unassuming Sky: The Life and Poetry of Timothy Corsellis'. " - https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Corsellis-30, with thanks to Jim Turpy
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ATA
1928
prev. an insurance company clerk d. May 1998, Huntingdon |
prev. an electrician for the Borough of Stepney from 1932 prev. exp 25 hrs solo L/AC in RAF 22 May - 4 Oct 1940. His 'reference' from them to the ATA says "After being reported extremely backward this ex-pupil was tested on 29th Aug 1940 after 5 hours dual on Oxfords, when it was found that he was definitely below average and completely lacking in air sense. His reactions were extremely slow, flying rough, cockpit drill hazy and judgement bad. He was therefore withdrawn from flying training. It is considered that this ex-pupil is entirely unsuited for the work of a Ferry Pilot". Even his ATA flying test reported him as "keen, but painfully slow at times" and "very lacking in common sense". Nevertheless, he was taken on as a Cadet. ... And died a few weeks later, in a flying accident.
d. 20 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Miles Hawk Major DP848 (ex G-AENS) on training cross-country flight ran out of fuel and hit hill nr Priddy Wells Somerset in bad visibility.
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ATA
Father: James Grant Forbes II (d. 1955) Mother: Margaret [Winthrop] (both American) Margaret was a descendant of John Winthrop, one of the leading figures in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s, His mother inherited €100,000 from her aunt Ida Means Mason, who died in 1928 in Boston, Mass., and then €75,000 "and personal effects" from another aunt, Ida's sister Miss Ellen F Mason, who died in 1929 in Newport, RI. The remainder of Ellen's €5,000,000 went into a charitable trust, the money to be distributed within 21 years of the death of the last of Margaret's children. His father James Grant Forbes was named Trustee of a fund of €300,000 (€150,000 each from Ida and Ellen) for his children's education "and comfortable support". Ed. Eton, Trinity College Cambridge 5ft 11in, brown hair Address in 1937: Little Plumyard, Seven Hills Rd, Cobham, Surrey prev. in 1939 a Student of Music (changed his mind) Economics in Kensington He traveled to the USA in June 1939 on the 'Queen Mary' and was listed as an American "by virtue of his father's citizenship." Address in 1941: (Mother's address) 43 Swan Court, Manor St, Chelsea, London m. Oct 1941 Phoebe V Thomas in Marylebone, Middlesex Off sick from 21 Feb to 21 Mar 1943 1 accident, not his fault: - 4 Aug 1944, during the take-off run in a Hudson at White Waltham, the port tyre burst. He "completed the take-off, noticed that the tyre was apparently loose and wobbling, and therefore decided to execute a belly landing." Address in 1947: Friary Lodge, Old Windsor, Berks His mother Margaret died in 1970 aged 91, at her home in St Briac, France, leaving 11 children (including his sister Rosemary, the mother of John Forbes Kerry (68th US Secretary of State and Democratic Nominee for President, 2004) and Mme Alain Lalonde), 30 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. John F Kerry visited the Forbes' family estate at Les Essarts, near St-Briac-sur-Mer, on several occasions: "In his youth, Kerry joined the family gatherings while his father, a U.S. diplomat, was posted in Europe. Young Kerry also attended a Swiss boarding school and brought a touch of America to this corner of northwestern France. "He introduced us to games like capture the flag. We still play something called kick the can," said [John's cousin] Brice Lalonde, who at 58 is two years Kerry's junior. Walking along a beach where Kerry and his cousins once played, Lalonde talked about their summers of swimming, cycling and tennis. "We would take boats and go to islands and have a picnic. We'd go shrimping and have them cooked up in the kitchen," he said. It was in Saint Briac, or nearby, that Kerry's parents met, when his father, Richard Kerry, was traveling in Europe before World War II. During the war, the Nazis occupied Les Essarts and then destroyed it when they left. A family reunion was held last summer [2003] to mark the 50th anniversary of the home's reconstruction, but Kerry didn't attend. Kerry told The New Yorker magazine that seeing the aftermath of the war in Europe kindled his interest in politics. "My very first memory — I was 3 years old — is holding my mother's hand and she was crying ... as we walked through the broken glass and rubble of her childhood house in France, which the Germans had used as a headquarters and then bombed and burned as they left," Kerry was quoted as saying." - Fox News, 29 Mar 2004 Ian Forbes lived at the rebuilt Les Essarts in 2004. d. 2015
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1937
ATA
[Antoni Gosiewski lost nearly everything that mattered to him - his country, his wife, his two sons, his career and a large part of his reputation, in two brutal years of war. Eventually, he only had one thing left to give]
Father: Feliks Gosiewski (dec'd), mother Biernacka Julyanna. One brother (Juljusz) and one sister Eugenia still in Poland with their mother. Diploma of Engineering prev. Engine Designer. Polish Air Force from 1923 Lt-Col (equiv. Wing Commander) Lived in France from Sep 1939 - 26 June 1940; then Pilot Officer in RAF prev. exp. 1,050 hrs on PZL.11, Anson [[ The PZL.11, having briefly been considered the most advanced fighter aircraft of its kind in the world during the early 30s, was outclassed by such fighters as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 at the onset of the war.] Awarded the Polish Virtutu Military (Polish Cross), ZKZ, SKZ, and MZW medals.
Address in 1941: c/o Mrs M Allam, Academy House, Rothesay, Bute [Officer Concentration Station Rothesay (Polish language: Stacja Zborna Oficerów Rothesay) was a military centre of Polish Armed Forces in the West. Created on August 14, 1940 (Order Nr. L.dz. 1977/I.tjn.40), as Officer Camp Nr. 23, it was located in Rothesay, Bute, Scotland. Officers of the Polish Army, who were sent to the camp, were billeted in several local hotels, such as „Craigmor”, „Craignetham Private Hotel”, „Madras”, „Glenearu”, „Ardyn”, „Struan”, „Bute Arms”, „Esplanade”, „Grand Marine”, „Royal” and „Victoria”. With the permission of Commander-in-chief of Polish Army and British authorities, families of officers were allowed to join them. The relatives of the officers were treated as foreign subjects, and since the Isle of Bute was located in a protected zone, special permission was required to enter the town of Rothesay. On August 28, 1940, all officers began compulsory English courses, and on September 10, the camp was renamed into Officer Camp Nr. 2 Rothesay. - Wikipedia]
His application to ATA, dated 9 Sep 1941, concludes: "I want to work for the war effort. I desire to be useful as a pilot, because I have the knowledge, the flying experience (over 1,000 hrs) and the certainty of my hand." However, one of his 'referees' rather threw a spanner into the works:
... . but a further letter from Major Wladyslaw Zaberowski, Bureau of Staff, Polish General Headquarters, gave a totally different impression:
So the ATA gave him a 15-minute flight test in a Tiger Moth, which was satisfactory; "An experienced pilot, heavy on controls but suitable for Class 2 at once." --------------------------------------------------------- On his application form, he gave his next of kin as: "(wife) Umerska Jadwiga [Lis], with the Polish Committee in Lisbon", and said they had "2 children"
Sadly, by the time he started with the ATA three weeks later, his wife Jadwiga (b. 30 May 1908) and their two sons Krzystof (age 6) and Michal, age 10, had died when the ship in which they were travelling was torpedoed.
"Avoceta left Liverpool on 19 August 1941 and safely reached Gibraltar on 4 September. From there, she made her usual round trip to Lisbon and back. In Lisbon she embarked dozens of refugees from German-occupied Europe: UK subjects who had escaped the fall of France and had been denied leave to remain by the authorities in neutral Spain and Portugal. Most were women and children, some of them of French or Spanish origin, several following their husbands to the UK. Avoceta was one of 25 merchant ships that formed Convoy HG 73, which left Gibraltar on 17 September bound for Liverpool. On the night of 25–26 September U-203 fired a spread of four torpedoes from their port side. One hit Avoceta close to her engine room. Admiral Creighton was on Avoceta's bridge, and later recalled that when hit "she staggered like a stumbling horse". Avoceta sank by the stern, and her bows quickly rose to such an angle that her lifeboats could not be lowered. 123 people from Avoceta were lost. The dead included 43 crew, nine Navy staff, four DEMS gunners and 67 civilian passengers, including 32 women and 20 children, four of which were under one year old." SS Avoceta - Wikipedia
Postings: Training Pool "An ex Polish Air Force Officer. A most likeable personality, very keen and anxious to produce results ... will require help with his English" 2 accidents - 12 Dec 1941, his Tiger Moth T7610 was caught by a gust of wind after landing and tipped onto its nose, breaking the propeller
d. 19 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) in Master W8479 which flew into Arrant Haw hill, 2.5 m N of Sedbergh, Yorks. The ferry originally started 17 Dec from Reading (Phillips & Powis factory) to 46 MU Lossiemouth, although he stayed at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire on the 17th and 18th Dec due to bad weather. The wreck was discovered by a shepherd on the 24 Dec, completely smashed and burnt. The weather had been misty all week. There were no witnesses. "Insufficient evidence to establish cause but it appears that he persisted too far into bad weather" It was his 3rd ferry flight, having previously flown 37hrs 10min in training on Magister, Battle, Harvard, Hurricane and Oxford. The body was temporarily moved to the Games Pavilion at Sedbergh School. Buried Maidenhead Cemetery, Section D No 18KK With thanks to John Webster "If anything Gosiewski displayed an over anxiety to produce results ... as a result of his keenness he was on one occasion grounded because of his desire to take off in too bad weather conditions." His cousin asked for his effects to be sent to him or Dr Vedrevczak, because "they are very valuable to me as concerning the family name, and also to his friends. Because even after his death we want the name of this valuable man and officer to be without any shadows." He left a will, in Polish, naming two executors; one an officer serving in the RAF (Flt-Lt (Dr.) Marvan Vedrzevczak), and the Polish Legation in London. The will could not be proved during the war, so his £2,000 insurance (and £9 19 5d balance of salary) was invested in 1949/51 war bonds and passed on to his executors in 1947. See also the photos of the crash site at https://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk PostScript: In November 2021 I wrote to the Clerk of the Parish Council in Sedbergh (now in Cumbria): "I am researching the ferry pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in WW2, and recently discovered the personnel file of a Polish pilot, Antoni Gosiewski, who crashed near Sedbergh just before Christmas 1941. His story is a tragic one and he has no known memorial, just his grave in Maidenhead. Several ATA casualties do have memorial plaques near where they died, though, and I wondered if it would be possible for you to consider erecting one near his crash site."
Funded by the Parish Council and the Royal British Legion, the plaque was finally unveiled in September 2023:
 click to enlargevia Janey Hassam
"Following several months of work, support and assistance gathering relevant information - I am delighted to confirm that the panel is now
in place in memory of Antoni and his family. It has been very well received, with many not aware of Antoni's full story - including the tragic loss of his wife and children earlier in the same year. I am advised that there is still a small bare patch on Arant Haw where the plane crashed- and I am told that someone leaves a remembrance cross there each year. Others have told me they often walk to the site, and reflect, when visiting the area."
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ATA
ATA
SS Avoceta
Prev. Exp: 30 hrs solo Joan was educated 'privately' in South Africa, and moved from there to Northumberland in 1926, aged 13, with her family - father Walter (a farmer), mother Eda, 2 elder sisters Brenda and Eda, and brother John. She then went to the College of Domestic Science, Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh, and from there she became Catering Manager for Airwork at Heston, working for Susan Slade (q.v.); she earned her RAeC Certificate in 1937, in Gloucester. She originally applied to the ATA in December 1940 (Susan had started with the ATA the month before), citing as her next of kin her sister Brenda Anderson, of Dyce, Aberdeenshire. By then she had 60 hours flying experience, of which half were solo, on "Moth I, II, Avro Cadet, Cirrus Moth, Leopard Moth, and Whitney Straight". Things then moved quite quickly (Susan must have put in a good word), and the following February (1941) she went for a test; Margaret Cunnison reported that she was "worth training and has the makings of a good pilot. Needs about 5 to 8 hours dual". As was often the case, she was then told to stand by, as there was no vacancy.
And then a vacancy came up in July; they wrote to her and said "Can you report September 1st"; she wrote back and said "Sorry, no - Airwork need me until October. I am very disappointed indeed." "Never mind", they said, "we can wait", and she duly started on the 15th October 1941. She was billeted in North Mimms (you may know it, lovely place) at 2 guineas a week. She trained on the Miles Magister: "Her general flying is fair and shows average ability, but as her navigation was not yet up to OC standard, I have recommended further training. She misjudged a forced landing, but appears to understand the necessary procedure... average ability, keen, sensible; enthusaism apt to outweigh caution in selecting weather". She was appointed Cadet on the 15th Feb 1942, then Third Officer 6 days later. She was off sick for a few weeks in March, with a chest infection then tonsillitis.
Sadly, she was then killed on the 20 Jun 1942, in Master I N7806 which spun into the ground when approaching to land at White Waltham. The official report said it was due to "a spin caused by stalling on a turn during a landing approach, for which it has been impossible to find a reason." She was buried in Maidenhead Cemetery (Sec. D. Row K.K. Grave 24.); her pall bearers were Pauline Gower, and her fellow Third Officers Winnie Pierce, Louise Schuurmann, Katie Williams, Mary Wilkins, Irene Arckless, and Benedetta Willis.
Pauline wrote that "her general character and behaviour were excellent in every respect", and her sister Brenda added that "we know that she was very happy in her work at White Waltham and that, if it had to happen, she would most certainly have wished to die as she did, flying."
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ATA
Father: Charles William Wilkins, a farmer, Mother: Ellen [Clarke] of Langley Farm, Leafield (The Manor, Brize Norton, Oxon from 1928) 3rd of 4 children Ed. Shipton-under-Wychwood School, Burford Secondary and High Schools prev: Shop Manageress
Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP, 6FPP, 1FPP Class 4+ pilot Off sick from 1 to 15 Apr 1943 with influenza
8 accidents: - 30 Aug 1942, during a landing in Hurricane IIc MV657, a camera panel opened and the starboard wing dropped - 3 Sep 1942, a forced landing in Argus EV787 after engine failure - 5 Dec 1942, she taxied Spitfire IV (Tropical) BR656 in a strong wind "without a man on the tail", nosed over and damaged the propeller - 20 Dec 1942, her Spitfire Vc (Tropical) EE752 was struck while stationary (but partly blocking the perimeter track), by another Spitfire Vc (Tropical) being taxied by Dorothy Bragg - 28 May 1943, a wheels-up landing in Spitfire XI EN652 after the selector lever stuck - 30 May 1943, taxying in Spitfire VII R7211, she hit Argus EV785 piloted by Mardi Gething, damaging the Argus' propeller and the Spitfire's wingtip. "The pilot's [Wilkins] judgement was probably impaired by the effects of an accident two days earlier. She should have been medically examined before flying again and O.C. 15FPP is therefore held responsible" - 6 (or 19) July 1943, Commended for a forced landing in Argus I EV803 after engine failure caused by fuel starvation - 8 Feb 1944, a tailwheel-up landing in Spitfire VIII MD342 due to a hydraulic fault
"A hard working pilot who possesses good judgement and shows good commonsense"
Flying Record in ATA: - Single-engine 713.15 hrs - Twin-engine 213.20 hrs 76 aircraft types flown, including 403 Spitfires and 47 Wellingtons.
She later said: "Being an ATA pilot was fantastic ... up in the air on your own. And you can do whatever you like" Post-WWII, she was seconded to the RAF, where she became the second woman (after Veronica Volkersz) to pilot a Gloster Meteor. Later, Manager of Sandown Airport, IoW, and the Isle of Wight Aero Club; ex-ATA pilot Vera Strodl was the Chief Flying Instructor. And a rally driver; in 1953 she won the Isle of Wight rally with Caroline Humphreys as co-driver.
m. 1961 Donald Ellis OBE, who worked for British Hovercraft Co. (d. 2009) They moved to Saudi Arabia 1970-74
Mary (4th from left) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010 She wrote, with Melody Foreman, "A Spitfire Girl: One of the World's Greatest Female ATA Ferry Pilots Tells Her Story." (2016)
d. 24 July 2018
ATA Association Chairman Graham Rose delivered a tribute at her memorial service on 4 September 2018: "Diminutive in stature at 5 foot 2 inches tall, quietly spoken, polite, kind, gentle, modest, inspiring, determined, graceful and fiercely independent to the end." In November 2016, she and fellow ATA pilot Joy Lofthouse were honoured in front of members of the Royal Family at the annual Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall. They proudly marched to a standing ovation and applause ringing in their ears. Dan Snow tweeted: “Mary Ellis, one of Britain's greatest aviators, died yesterday at the age of 101. Last week I took my kids to meet her. My boy clasped a model plane. She asked what it was. 'Spitfire' he whispered. She leaned down and shared a few private thoughts about the aircraft. Gp Capt Tim Jones, station commander at Brize Norton, said: "A lot of men didn't want to see women flying at all and here were these ladies who were behind the scenes, helping keep the war effort going. When you meet people like Mary Ellis you can see in her eyes she has an inner steel that you can imagine came in very handy back then." A moment that says much about Mary was that, as she left Number 10 Downing Street in May this year after an RAF100 Reception hosted by the Prime Minister, she was given a Guard of Honour by RAF Cadets."
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RAeC 1938
ATA
2010
d. 9 Dec 1941 - natural causes (peritonitis)
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ATA
d. 1987, Weymouth
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1939
prev. a Joiner and cabinet maker c.1938, with Tiger Moth 'AEWG at Newcastle/Woolsington "He was passionate about flying and like many young enthusiastic would-be flyers who didn't come from well heeled backgrounds he worked extra hard to raise the funds to learn to fly, cycling some considerable distance to get to the airfield. He ended up in ATA as he was unfit for military service due to a pre-war accident at work which left him with a badly damaged foot and leg. I do know he was an accomplished maker of furniture and remember as a child the superb aircraft models crafted from scrap, collected I believe from the Ratcliffe hangars .He was described to me by someone who knew him at Ratcliffe as a quiet unassuming person who got on with the job and was noted for doing a lot of flying."
d. 6 Oct 1944 when his Lancaster I MC918 collided in flight with Blenheim VZ946 (flown by RAF F/O Tucker, with his instructor Flt-Sgt Field) near RAF Spitalgate, Lincs. ATA 3rd Oficer (Flt-Eng) Dennis John Richard Howell in the Lancaster, and Flt-Sgt Field in the Benheim, were also killed in the accident. F/O Tucker escaped by parachute. William was buried in Hollywood Avenue Cemetery, Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne (Section A Grave 80) Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
Father: Sir Hon. John Ward (whose father was the 1st Earl of Dudley) mother Jean [Reid] Ed. Eton prev. an Aeronautical Engineer. He formed Chilton Aircraft Ltd in early 1937 with fellow former de Havilland Technical School student and Old Etonian, the Hon. Andrew Dalrymple. They built a small factory at Alexander's home, Chilton Lodge, near Hungerford, Berkshire and designed and built the DW.1 series of racing monoplanes - only 4 of which were built before WWII intervened. [The first DW.1 (G-AESZ) was stored during WWII, and then in 1953 its owner (Dr W L James, prev. medic of 617 Sqn) made some last-minute adjustments to the carburettor before flying over his daughter's school, and this happened:
It was restored 1984-2002, and now flies with the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden, Beds. Here it is in 2016, with two post-WWII replicas built from original plans.
prev. exp: 110hrs on Tiger, Hornet, Hawk, Whitney Straight, Chilton, Tipsy, Drone, Kitten, Moth Minor. Postings: 2FPP, 5FPP, 4FPP, 10FPP, 6FPP, 1FPP 4 accidents, none his fault: - 28 Nov 1942, his Spitfire suffered a complete engine failure as a result of both fuel pump drives shearing, and he made a crash landing in mountainous countryside near Loch Muick, Aberdeenshire; - 26 Jan 1944, forced landing in a Whirlwind after starboard engine failure; - 21 Feb 1944, the port engine of his Beaufighter caught fire when taxying (he was Commended for his actions in trying to extinguish the fire) and - 5 May 1944, forced landing in a Beaufighter, after starboard engine failure. Class 5 (4-engine aircraft) pilot. "A keen hard-working officer of above average ability. He has also shown willingness in assisting with administrative duties. General conduct and discipline excellent."
King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Address in 1950: Poughley Woodlands, St. Mary, Newbury, Berks d. 1987- Swindon, Wilts Buried St Mary Churchyard, Chilton Foliat, Wilts
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1934
ATA
(he was injured).
Photo © Tom Cole]
Father: Douglas Horatio Dale Hunter, mother Alice Elsie "She was named Trevor as her mother was sure that the baby would be a boy" (Oh ... OK...) Began flying lessons at the Whanganui Aero Club when she was 16, and gained her pilot's 'A' licence the following year. In December 1933, she was a passenger when E F 'Teddie' Harvie made a record flight from one end of New Zealand to the other in a day.
Postings: 6FPP 6 accidents, only 1 her fault: - 26 Nov 1942, the starboard wing of her Hurricane II KW721 hit a marker beacon when she misjudged the landing approach - 13 Jan 1943, a forced landing in Defiant TT1 DR978 following a burst brake pipe - 21 Jan 1943, her Spitfire IIa P7889 veered off the perimeter track and nosed over, due to loss of brake pressure - 9 Apr 1943, the hood of her Lysander II N1213 blew off after take-off, due to a technical defect - 16 Jun 1943, another forced landing, this time in Argus EV806, due to petrol starvation caused by a blocked filler cap vent - 12 Oct 1944, a third forced landing, after the undercarriage of Mosquito XIII HK380 failed to lock 'up'
m. 1950 James Colway, a journalist, and also a pilot Later, a teacher of ballet, tap and ballroom dancing - "I fly if I have enough money left over, but my dance teaching definitely comes first"
"On 3 December 1983 a re-enactment of the 1933 flight was staged by Harvie’s nephew, Don Haggitt. Harvie and Trevor Colway (née Hunter) were in Invercargill to greet him. Both had enjoyed careers in aviation: Hunter was one of five New Zealand women to serve in the Air Transport Auxiliary in Britain during the Second World War, while Harvie was chief air accident investigator from 1968 to 1977." - https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-flight-from-kaitaia-to-bluff
d. 8 May 2002 - Whanganui https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Hunter Interview here: https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35828591
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NZ Evening Post 1945
ATAM
Teddy Harvie and family (Alexander Turnbull Library, WA-06347-F)
m. 1919 Patricia Jessie [Hamilton]; 5 children (inc. Patricia b. 1919, Mary b. 1923, Lenora b. 1924) RAF May 1923 - 29 Nov 1927 Portsmouth Evening News, 6 May 1925: "FLYING OFFICER’S AFFAIRS. Expensive Outfit. WINCHESTER BANKRUPTCY STORY. How a young Canadian, and Flying Oflicer, aged 27, found himself in difficulties, and eventually had recourse to money lenders, was told to the Winchester Bankruptcy Court yesterday, when Willard Edwin Cowan appeared for his public examination in bankruptcy. His liabilities were stated to be £420, and his assets nil, and he alleged that his difficuties were caused by illness in his family and injuries to himself by a flying accident in Irak, having caused his expenditure to exceed his pay. Flying Officer Cowan stated that he was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and joined the Canadian Army in December. 1910, came to England, and in June 1917 obtained a commission, and was transferred to the Royal Naval Air Force. He served in the war until December, 1919, when he received a gratuity of £150 and returned to Canada. For a time he was out of employment, but subsequently obtained clerical work. In September 1922 he returned to England, was for a time without employment, living on money he had saved whilst in Canada and proceeds from the sale of furniture. In July 1923 he joined the Royal Air Force in which he holds a commission as Flying Officer, receiving pay at the present time amounting to £450 a year. When in Irak his total pay was £55 a month, and had he continued to receive this he could have met his liabilities. Married in 1917, his wife had five children. He had been living beyond his means, mainly due to the illness of his wife and family, and in order to meet pressing claims has been borrowing from moneylenders and others. He had known he was insolvent since July 1924. Replying to the Assistant Official Receiver, debtor said that in one instance when he negotiated a loan for £30 with a moneylender he actually received £27 in cash, paying £3 commission for the introduction. Examining debtor on his bills, the Assistant Receiver commented the items that "four shirts. £2 12s.; hat, £3 13s. 6d.; flannel trousers, 2 guineas” seemed rather extravagant, and debtor agreed, but said that he ordered a complete outfit from the firm, who had only one price. and he was not in a position to pay cash. 'This bill was increased subsequently to £200 and he had paid £56 15s. off it. Debtor intimated his willingness to set aside £5 a month from his pay, and the examination was closed, subject to the signing of the notes." m. 1982 Ellen E [Harris] d. 4 Aug 1990, Luton |
ATAM
Ed. Leicester Technical College His mother's maiden name was Minnie Gertrude Willis; she was, apparently, the 7th daughter of the co-founder of the firm Freeman Hardy and Willis. On his marriage certificate, he is named 'Laurent Willis Brandt'
"'ATROCIOUS ASSAULT' ON BOY OF 13 LEICESTER MANAGER FINED BENCH SAYS THERE WAS NO EXCUSE What was termed by the Chairman as 'an atrocious assault' by a 23-year old Leicester man on a 13-year old boy was described at Leicester City Police Court to-day. Laurent Frederick Brandt, a manager, of Friar-lane, Leicester, was fined £5, with the alternative of 26 days' imprisonment, for an assault on Eric Weston, a schoolboy, of All Saints Road, Leicester. John Haylock, of Southgate, said he saw the boy pass a stationary car in Friar-Lane. "Just as the boy passed Brandt Jumped out from behind the car and kicked him," said Haylock." For ten minutes the boy did not seem to be able to stand up, and he had to be taken to the Royal Infirmary." There seemed to the witness to be no reason whatever for the assault. "As I passed the car I said 'Are you letting a drop of wind out?' and then - the man jumped straight out and kicked me" declared the boy. Brandt pleaded guilty, and said that the boy tampered with a sidelight on the car. Brandt 'raised his foot' to the boy because he was holding tools in both hands. Miss Denise Branson, of Friar-Lane Leicester, said that she saw the boy tampering with a sidelight on Brandt's car. "This was a most vicious and unprovoked assault" said the Chairman. "You may not take the law into your own hands even if the boy had meddled with your car. The only doubt the magistrates have is whether they should send you to prison without the option of a fine." - Leicester Evening Mail - Tuesday 1 March 1932
"RECEIVING CHARGE DISMISSED Laurent Fredk. Ronald Brandt, 24, electrician, pleaded not guilty to receiving a silver cigarette-case and a sovereign-case, knowing them to be stolen, from James Arthur Blackburn at Great Clacton. Mr. Bowman, prosecuting, said Blackburn had pleaded guilty to the theft. The property was taken from the house of Mr. David Jacobs while he was on holiday. Brandt said Blackburn gave him the articles a few days after he met him. He sold the case to buy something for a friend in hospital. Brandt was found not guilty and discharged, and Blackburn was sent to Borstal institution for three years." -Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 26 May 1933
"'PLANE CRASH IN FIELD Civil Air Guard Injured Mr. Laurent Frederick Ronald Brandt. aged 30, a member of the Civil Air Guard. crashed at Harmondsworth on Sunday afternoon when flying an Avro Club Cadet two-seater. Mr. Brandt. who lives at Eastcote. was detained in Hounslow Hospital suffering from broken ribs and jaw, with several teeth knocked out. The plane was almost completely wrecked. A passenger in the plane, Mr. Mervyn Basden of Slough, was taken to Windsor Hospital with facial injuries. The crash was in Mr. Philp's field opposite the Technicolor building." - Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Friday 28 April 1939
m. 1935 Elsie Esme Florence [Fox], (separated) prev. a radio engineer; Assistant Tester, (Control Room) Generating Station, LPTB prev. exp. 150 hrs Applied to join the RAF in Sep 1938 but was unable to join due to "unforeseen domestic circumstances", and again in May 1940 but was unable to obtain his release from his employers.
Postings: 8FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 1FPP Two accidents, neither his fault: - 8 May 1943, his Magister P2436 lost power after take-off, and he force-landed in a field without damage. He was a 2nd Officer, under training at Barton-le-Clay, at the time - 3 Sept 1943, another engine failure, another forced landing, this time in a Hart (still under Training) (? - listed as J Brandt) Appointed as an 'Approved Instructor' on 17 Apr 1943, but taken off instructional duties on 7 Sep 1943.
d. 25 Nov 1943 (Died in ATA Service) Beaufighter X LZ536 dived into ground out of cloud at Cronton Mapley Lancs, nr Burtonwood 8m E of Liverpool The accident report says, "When accepting this aircraft at a handling Pool, the pilot failed to reveal that he had not flown the type before, did not obtain and read the Handling Notes on the type, failed to obtain a meteorological forecast, and continued too far in bad weather. The aircraft spun out of cumulo-nimbus cloud, crashed, caught fire and was destroyed."
Laurent had changed his next-of-kin from Esme, his wife, to his mother Minnie, but Minnie declined the offer of the £2,500 compensation from the ATA and it went instead to Esme. His final estate, however, was only £288 (and funerals cost about 30 guineas in 1943, so it wasn't that)
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1938
Address in 1915: Folly Farm, Sulhampstead, nr Reading RAeC certificate taken on a Wright Biplane at Beatty School, Hendon Lieut., RFC in WWI; Military Cross 1917: "Whilst on reconnaissance he attacked and drove down a hostile machine. Later, although his machine was badly damaged, he succeeded in regaining our lines." Chairman of the Air League Executive in 1930 d. 4 May 1983, Oxford |
Ed. Eton, Magdalen College, Oxford (B.A.) 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in WWI. prev. a Barrister at Law; Squadron Leader in the RAF. m 1933 Joan Isobel [Krishaber] Postings: before Apr 43, ATA Chief Establishment Officer; from Apr 1943 Director of Services and Personnel "In early 1944 [6 Apr] the ATA were called in to collect a Hudson from Holmsley South in the New Forest, which had been flown in from the Middle East and had been landed, one must suppose, at the first airfield in England that came into view. The task fell to Ben Bathurst, one of the senior members of the headquarters staff, who had only recently completed his Hudson conversion course. Nobody at Holmesley South had ever seen a Hudson but eventually, the crew satisfied themselves as to the serviceability of the aircraft and made their departure. The runway at Holmesley South was a long one but even so, the Hudson even with full engine power refused to become airborne and the take-off ended in an adjacent field minus wheels and engines.Ben and his flight engineer were indeed lucky to escape." "During the next few months three Hudsons were lost in similar circumstances, in each case the crew being killed. It was at this stage that Coastal Command put in hand an investigation which showed that all four Hudsons had recently returned from the Middle East where they had been parked out in the tropical sun. The sun and heat, it was decided, had split the rubber of the wing leading-edge de-icing boots causing a breakdown of the air over the wings. After this the rubber was replaced by metal sheeting." ELC He also had another accident on 2 Jan 1945, when his Stinson Reliant FB669 landed at White Waltham minus an escape hatch, which must have blown off in flight, "probably due to insecure fastening." "The Hon. and Mrs Benjamin Bathurst" Tatler, 1946 d. 17 Sep 1979 see his entry in https://en.wikipedia.org |
1928
ATAM
Father: Capt. Joel Woolf 'Babe' Barnato (a financier, chairman of Bentley Motors and a racing driver), mother: Dorothy Maitland [Falk, divorced 1935] Ed. Queen's College, London prev. VAD nurse and with the Red Cross prev. exp. 10 hrs Address in 1941: Ridgemead, Englefield Green, Surrrey Postings: 15FPP Severely Reprimanded in May 1943 for "appearing at Windsor Races wearing trousers and side cap", and Reprimanded in Jun 1943, and demoted to 3rd Officer for 'divertion of operational aircraft" m. 6 May 1944 in Englefield Green, Wing-Cmdr Derrick 'Derek' Ronald Walker DFC (d. 14 Nov 1945 in a flying accident) Post-WWII, having gained her commercial licence she became a pilot for the Women's Junior Air Corps, giving air cadets air experience and training flights at weekends.
In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Diana was one of only 7 women flying commercially: - "Diana Barnato-Walker flies regularly for the Women's Junior Air Corps" - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field." [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Monique Rendall, Jean Bird, Suzanne Ashton, Zita Irwin and Freydis Leaf]
She was awarded the Jean Lennox Bird Trophy in 1963: Receiving the Jean Lennox Bird Trophy from Lord Brabazon, 1963 [RAeC]
On 26 Aug 1963 she became the first British woman to exceed the speed of sound, and the fastest woman in the world when she attained Mach 1.65 (1262 mph) in an E.E. Lightning T.4. Wrote "Spreading My Wings" (1994) d. 28 Apr 2008 "In later years Diana Barnato Walker took up sheep farming and was master of the Old Surrey and Burstow foxhounds for thirteen seasons, while continuing to fly for the Women's Junior Air Corps (renamed in 1964 the Girls' Venture Corps). She also became commodore of the Air Transport Auxiliary Association. She died of pneumonia on 28 April 2008 in a hospital near her sheep farm in Surrey, and was survived by her son, Barney."
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ATA
Father: Raymond Edward Strodl, mother: Maren Sophie Christine [Holst], both Danish Moved to Denmark in 1930, but returned to the UK in April 1934 prev: cashier; Flight Mechanic for Taylorcraft, Rearsby Address in 1937: 46 Kenilworth Rd. St Leonards on Sea, Sussex Postings: 15FPP, 4FPP
3 accidents, none her fault: - 1 Dec 1942, a forced landing in Seafire IIc MB259 after a hydraulic failure - 6 Dec 1942, another hydraulic failure, this time in Spitfire IX EN286, meant that the undercarriage would not retract. After using the emergency system, she made a forced landing - 25 Aug 1944, a forced landing in Firefly I Z2037 after engine failure; the aircraft over-ran the runway and was damaged. Post-WWII, Pilot Officer in the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR), then an instructor for the Womens Junior Air Corps. In Jul 1949, the Western Daily Press reported that " ... Other sufferers from the heavy rain on Saturday were the five WRAFVR. pilots, from No. 8 Reserve Flying School at Woodley, Reading, who were scheduled to fly formation over the exhibition 2.30 p.m. During the morning a squall hit their airfield, damaged some of the aircraft and delayed their take-off. Ten minutes after their arrival Filton, however, the five Tiger Moths were airborne again, flying over Southmead towards .the Downs cloudburst, and at 2.30 exactly led by Miss Vera Strodl, they flew over the exhibition site. The other four pilots were Mrs Fay Bragg, Mrs Marigold Rowland, Miss Sheila Van Damm, and Mrs Ann Kendall. All of them were, at one time A.T.A. pilots. "
m. 1963 Standford J Dowling
According to the Wichita Beacon and others, "She joined the Air Transport Auxiliary in WWII" ... "it was mostly girls who were doing the flying", she [apparently] said ... Her biography, 'Pursuit of a Dream: The Story of Pilot Vera (Strodl) Dowling' was published in 2012:
d. 11 Jan 2015
"Vera Dowling died quietly at Youville Home in St. Albert on January 11, 2015, at 96 years of age."
"In Edmonton, she focused on Christian mission work in the prairies and the north, often flying to her post. Vera continued to fly in her 70's, testing planes at the Camrose airport. In 2000, Vera was named to the Aviation Hall of Fame. Four years later, she parachute jumped on her 85th birthday. Vera was a strong spirit and she looked forward to joining her Lord. Journey well!"
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame: https://cahf.ca/vera-elsie-strodl-dowling/ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Strodl_Dowling Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 1937
ATA
Vera with Mustang, 1943 - Wikipedia
1972
Edmonton Municipal Cemetery, Alberta, Canada
1990
-- Not in 'Forgotten Pilots' or 'Brief Glory' -- Daughter of Charles Fuller-Hall. prev exp: 30hrs 5' 7", slight build, fair hair, blue eyes Got her RAeC certificate in 1939, became a stenographer (which I think is a sort of shorthand typist, but I could be wrong) for the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of Canada, and then was in the A.T.S. from September 1938 to February 1939. She is mostly interesting for the number of accidents she had :-) Here is the story of the ups - 3 May 1942: Completed Class 1 Training. - 23 Aug 1942: Completed Class 2 Training. - 6 Dec 1942: - 12 Dec 1942: - 18 Dec 1942: - 21 Dec 1942: Back to School. "A good average pilot whose flying is quite satisfactory. Her recent accidents have apparently little or no connection with her flying skill, but seem to be purely a question of carelessness. " [That's all right, then]. - 1 Feb 1943: - 15 Mar 1943: - 20 Apr 1943: Completed Class 3 Training. "A hard working pilot of average ability whose flying is quite sound but she must pay very particular attention to her airmanship." - 30 Apr 1943: - 7 May 1943: - 13 Aug 1943: - 30 Sep 1943: Class 4 Training Completed. "Somewhat forgetful with cockpit drill which gives the impression of overconfidence. She should be given ample Class 4 ferrying before being considered for 4+. Average Ability." In Dec 1943, she married Mr Peter Pennington-Legh and resigned from the ATA. Total Hours ferrying: 459 hrs 15min. She later moved to Australia, and died there in 1984.
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and downs 
of her ATA career :-
prev. aircraft fitter for Blackburn Repairs, Yorks. Address in 1941: 61 Armoury Rd, Selby Yorks
d. 30 Aug 1945 (Died in ATA Service) - Firebrand IV EK635 stalled after takeoff from RAF Brough. The Accidents Committee reported that the aircraft was seen to take off tail-down, and the undercarriage was retracted (thus increasing the nose-up trim); it then climbed to about 300 ft, stalled and dived to the ground. buried Selby Cemetery
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1939
ATA
ATAM 
Father: Thomas Senior Lee, Mother: Florence Elizabeth Ed. Bluecoat School, Walsall, Staffs prev. RFC from 1917; RAF from 1919; A Commercial Traveller for B. Dean & Co, Walsall prev. exp. 35 hrs on Miles Hawk, Avro Avian, Gipsy/Tiger Moth, Puss Moth, B.A. Swallow m. 1926 Mildred M [Nune] Address in 1941: 13 Westbourne St, Walsall, Staffs
Postings: 12FPP, 6FPP, 7FPP, 8FPP 2 accidents, both his fault: - 28 Mar 1942, his Avro Tutor collided with a stationary Magister - 12 Nov 1942, he failed to correct the landing swing in a Spitfire and nosed over.
Off sick from 6 to 19 Oct 1942 with 'carbuncle'; from 24 Dec 1942 to 25 Jan 1943 after the Spitfire accident; 15 Feb to 1 Mar 1943 with 'airsickness' "A careful and conscientious pilot. A Well disciplined officer"
Posted to Medical Pool 23 Aug 1944 [Contract Terminated 18 Sep 1944]
d. 1956 - Wolverhampton Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
1936
nee: Arkell Father: Herbert Arkell, Mother: Marie Louise Royal Aero Club Certificate No. 16399, 16 Oct 1938 (Airwork School of Flying, Heston) (photo missing) Address in 1938: "Courtfield", Courthouse Rd S, Maidenhead prev. Bookkeeper, Secretary; A R P
m. 1940 in Maidenhead Saleh Helmy (b. 1905 in Cairo, Egypt)
Saleh designed the Helmy Aerogypt at Heston Aerodrome in 1938. It was a low-wing cantilever monoplane initially powered by three 22 hp (16 kW) Douglas Sprite engines, with an upward hinged roof that acted as a landing flap. Registered G-AFFG, it first flew in 1939.
It was based at White Waltham Airfield from 1943, but written off in 1946 and spent its remaining days as a hen coop:
d. 5 Mar 1993 - West Wittering, Sussex |
1939
Royal Aero Club Certificate No. 18315, 24 Sep 1938 (Airwork School of Flying, Heston)
... and this is presumably Dorothy and Saleh with the Aerogypt I (she was registered as the owner)
in 1960 ('Flight')
Father: John William Nayler, Mother: Emily Josephine Hypatia [Wallace] Ed. Catford Secondary School, Clarke's College prev: Civil Servant, Shorthand Typist, Air Ministry prev. exp: 28 hrs on DH Moth, Klemm, Address in 1941: 24 Chancery Lane (Flat 2), London WC2 Joan originally applied in June 1940 Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP 2 accidents, one her fault: - 26 May 1943, a landing accident in Martinet JN460, which overturned due to "inefficient marking of boundaries and absence of airfield control" - 25 Nov 1943, she approached too fast, and overshot the landing in an Anson
"This pilot made slow progress towards an average standard due to her small stature. Flies quite well ... a cushion will always be part of her equipment" "smart, pleasant and well-disciplined ... very keen and hardworking"
Here she is with Margot Gore in October 1947; "Miss Joan Nayler is an air charter pilot at White Waltham". They were the first two members of the WAAFVR - later joined by other ex-ATA women pilots including Roy Mary Sharpe, Ruth Russell, Margaret Frost, Audrey Macmillan and Freydis Leaf.
m. 1950 in Hemel Hempstead, Herts, Douglas Arthur Russell (d. 1973) Later a Director of Harleyford Publications Ltd. d. 3 Sep 1983 - Golder's Green, London
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RAeC 1937
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette
Father: Sqn-Ldr Philip Forsythe Heppell, with the British Air Staff in Washington DC; mother Dorothy Elizabeth [Fryer] Her father was a WWI RFC pilot and one of the founders of Newcastle Aero Club, "where he taught his children to fly as soon as they left school." [Her brother, Philip Whaley Ellis Heppell, also became a Squadron Leader in WWII; the three of them were known as the 'Flying Heppells']
Ed. St Helens, Abingdon, and Berne prev: 1939-41 Driver, ATS Address in 1941: Keston. Matthew Bank, Newcastle-on-Tyne
m. 1942? Roy? Croft
[A very frustrating clip from the Newcastle Journal and North Mail, 21 Jun 1943!]
m. 17 Aug 1943 in Newcastle, Stephen 'Geoffrey or Jeffrey' Fairburn
Later a Pilot Officer in the Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR)
She was still flying in 1974 - she said then that "Light aircraft haven't changed that much since I started. At the time it wasn't the done thing for a woman to do, but I suppose it was inevitable I would fly." d. 1 Nov 2001 - Newcastle-on-Tyne Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
RAeC 23 May 1939
ATS
Newcastle Journal
Father: Walter Neil Cardiner Grant, an East India Merchant, mother [Tindall] Stepmother: (from 1923) Beatrice Blanche [Glanley] "of 12 Hyde Park Place, W.2 and The Thatches, Angmering-on-Sea, Sussex (late of Calcutta)." Postings include: 1FPP
2 accidents, 1 her fault: - 16 Nov 1942, she landed Hurricane II HW861 in poor visiblity, the aircraft swung off the runway and tipped onto its nose - 13 Jan 1943, the flaps and brakes failed to work in Spitfire IIc MB258 when landing, and the aircraft overshot.
m 28 Jun 1943 Norman Lambert Hayman also of the ATA, [a reception was held afterwards at Claridge's] but they appear to have separated sometime before 1947.
"Between 90 and 100 Cheshire Women's Junior Air Corps Cadets were taken up for 20 minute flights in the £1,600 Argus bought by the Corps last year. Mrs Betty Hayman, of Lonton, 34-year old ex-ferry pilot, who flew Spitfires during the war, wore a navy costume, wedgees, and silk stockings to fly the Argus" - Manchester Evening News, May 1948
In September 1949, she and her stepmother Beatrice sailed to South Africa, apparently intending to settle there, but they returned in July 1950. m. Mar 1964 John Edward .A. d'Aguilar Lived at Dungate Manor, Reigate Heath d. 25 Jan 1990 - Reigate, Surrey
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RAeC
FANY 1940
Father: Robert Christian 'Bob' Ramsay (b. 1861 in Cheltenham, Glos - d. 25 Jun 1957 in Bekesbourne, Kent), mother: Olive Zillah [Voss] (1886 - 24 Dec 1957 - Lincolnshire) Her father Robert was an amateur cricketer who played for Harrow, Cambridge University and Somerset. "In 1882, he also played for the Gentlemen of England under W.G. Grace". He and his brothers owned enormous sheep stations in Australia - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Ramsay_(cricketer) Younger sister of Joan, also of the ATA: (see Ramsay, Olive Joan). They had 2 more sisters (Susan Mabel Christian 'Betty' [Homer] b. 1908, and Norah Honor [Johnston] b. 1911) and 3 brothers (Alexander b. 1910, Norman b. 1915 and David b. 1924) Robert having grown up in Australia, the Ramsays moved to Kent in 1920. They lived at 'Howletts', Bekesbourne, nr. Canterbury, Kent (the Ramsay family home, now a 90 acre wild animal park): Robert, Olive Zilla and Olive Joan, David and Diana (age 7) sailed to Australia in Nov 1925, returning Jun 1926 The Flying Ramsays "Diana learnt to fly at Kent Flying Club - her father was one of the founders" - Daily Herald [In fact, Robert and Alexander, together with John H Barringer (the Chief Flying Instructor, who had taught Robert to fly in 1932), formed 'Air Sales and Service Ltd' in 1935 "to acquire property and assets of the Kent Flying Club and carry on business of carriers of passengers and goods by air" - Flight] Robert personally owned, at various times: - G-AAKO, G-AAEU and G-AAGT, all 1929 DH Moths; - a 1932 Cierva Autogiro C.19 IV G-ABUH (which was sold to Australia in 1934); - a 1933 Miles M2 Hawk, G-ACHZ (which crashed at Bekesbourne in 1939, killing the student pilot, Cecil Dobson); - G-ADCY, a 1935 Miles M.2H Hawk Major, and - G-AHDI, a 1935 Miles M.3a Falcon Major, In 1933, 'Flight' reported that Mr Ramsay "still continues to fly both a 'Moth' and an 'autogiro', although 71 years of age". Alexander also owned a 1930 DH Moth, G-AAWX, and G-AAVD, a 1930 Southern Martlett (which competed in the King's Cup Air Race in 1930, but retired near Newcastle)
Robert, Susan, Norman and Alexander all held RAeC certificates, all taken at Kent Flying Club. Sadly, Norman died in an air crash in his father's plane; G-AAEU was "written off (destroyed) when it stalled and crashed during an aerial treasure hunt at Adisham Downs, near Charing, Kent 2 Sep 1934; pilot Norman Ian Ramsay [owner's son, aged 19] and passenger John Wilfred James (aged 33) were killed." Joan also made her first solo aged 16, but neither she nor Diana appear to have gained a pre-WWII RAeC Certificate.
Postings: 5FPP, 1FPP 7 accidents, mostly her fault: - 2 Sep 1942, one wheel of her Master Ic T8447 ran off the perimeter track while taxying at Prestwick, and the aircraft tipped onto its nose - 17 Oct 1942, the hood of her Master I N7631 blew off in flight after an airman released it on the ground when talking to her (but she should have re-checked it) - 15 Dec 1942, she landed late at an unfamiliar airfield in Bedfordshire in Spitfire IIb P8521, the undercarriage hit an obstruction and collapsed - 17 Jan 1943, a wheels-up landing in Mustang I AG603, although no fault was subsequently found - 15 Nov 1943, she made a heavy landing at Heston in Spitfire IX MJ462, damaging the tail unit - 2 Jun 1945, a forced landing in Mosquito VI NP120 at Benson, after a port engine fault - 5 Jul 1945, Whilst attempting a forced landing at White Waltham in Tempest V MW827, "the aircraft overshot and crashed in a wood a mile beyond the boundary of the airfield. The primary cause of the forced landing was an engine defect which fixed the pressure at +5 lbs boost with no throttle control. The cause of the gross overshoot was an error of judgement on the part of the pilot in handling the situation, for which she was held responsible; she was held not responsible for the engine failure" Her nephew kindly tells me that she was "said by at least one American ATA pilot during a radio interview some years ago – the transcript of which I have somewhere – to have been one of the ATA's most amazing pilots until the throttle of her Tempest jammed one day and forced her to land in a grass paddock at horrendous speed."
Royal Aero Certificate 22869 17 Jun 1947 at Wiltshire School of Flying, on an Auster She sailed to Australia in Nov 1951, describing herself as a 'Secretary'
d. 7 Jun 1952 - Lismore, Richmond, NSW "Despite her claims that she came away from the crash with only a few scratches, she was never the same ebullient person she had been before. She died alone of a drug overdose on a remote road near Lismore in northern New South Wales in 1952. The coroner declared that the overdose was accidental and, even though they suspect otherwise, her close relatives are happy to accept that."
"Miss Diana Patricia Ramsay, aged 34, of Canterbury, Kent, crack war-time ferry pilot, was found dead beside a new car on a lonely country road yesterday. A large sum of money was found with her body, but police do not suspect foul play" "Attractive and wealthy, Miss Ramsay left England last December to visit friends and relatives in Australia. Her father, R C Ramsay, and her uncles owned vast sheep stations there. " - Daily Herald, 9 Jun 1952 ["Ramsay Brothers & Hodgson acquired numerous Queensland sheep stations and, after the premature death of Edward Hodgson in 1896, became one of the largest sheep-farming enterprises in the world." - Wikipedia]
"A farmer, who had seen her new car parked for two days near Lismore, New South Wales, found her lying dead beside it. At the inquest, opened and adjourned on Moday, it was said the a post-mortem had failed to find the cause of death. A relative said Miss Ramsay had been highly nervous since a wartime crash." "Her sister, Mrs E C Boucher [i.e. Joan], of Bexon Manor, Bredgar, Sittingbourne, told the Kentish Express: "The news of Diana's death came as a great shock to the family. Her letters home had said how happy she was." - Kentish Express - 13 Jun 1952 "Diana Ramsay, 34-year old British wartime ferry pilot, who was found dead by her car on the road near Lismore New South Wales in June, took an overdose of a sedative drug unaware of its lethal effect', the Coroner found at the inquest yesterday. It was not suicide, the coroner decided." - Daily News (London) - 7 Jul 1952
"Four Years a Ferry Pilot in the A.T.A. Brave Gentle Di. At last you are at rest. You proved your courage and you passed your test But paid the price with shattered nerves That brought you here."
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