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211 Squadron personnel rolls
This page shows rolls for Squadron COs, for aircrew at various dates from 1937 to 1939, for groundcrew at December 1941, and for New Zealand, Canadian, Rhodesian and South African personnel.
While the extent of this partial record of personnel has advanced since its first appearance, the rolls are still very much a set of snapshots at very particular points in the Squadronâs service. The rolls do not attempt to represent a complete list of Squadron personnel. Additional material will be added as time, sound source material and opportunity allow.
Further rolls are also to be found on the these pages:
- Honour roll of the Squadronâs war dead from 1939 to 1945
- Gallantry awards roll of 211 Squadron personnel decorated in World War II
- RAAF personnel rolls for 211 Squadron and 72 OTU in 1941, of Far East 1942 aircrew survivors and of aircrew lost 1942 to 1945
- 1937, 1938, 1939 Squadron records include retrospective nominal rolls of officers plus NCO aircrew at yearâs end (at outbreak of war, 1939)
- CFR Clark Aircrew in Greece: rolls of aircrew and losses in Greece and Syria, 1940 to 1941
- The Far East Far East Tung Song evacuees, PoW losses and survivors, 1942 to 1945
India and Burma aircrew losses and gallantry awards, 1943 to 1945
To search for a name on this page, try your browserâs Edit/Find on this page function. To find all occurrences of a name across the whole site, try the Site search page.
Final farewells A roll of those 211 Squadron survivors known to have passed away since 2001. This seemed a more fitting place than the Site updates page. I shall need your help to keep the roll up to date.
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Name
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Date
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Remarks
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William âBillâ Baird
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30 January 2010
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Wireless Operator/Air Gunner 1940â1942
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Eric Bevington Smith
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2001
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Observer 1940â1941
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George WP Blake
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2 February 2002
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1942 FEPoW
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Patrick Burnett DSO DFC
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27 March 2004
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Pilot 1939â1940. Daily Telegraph obituary. Air of Authority bio
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Alan Carter
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15 November 2003
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Navigator/W 1944â1945
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John âNevilleâ Chamberlain
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October 2004
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Corporal 1939â1940
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George Checketts
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17 October 2005
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Wireless Operator/Air Gunner 1941
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Gordon âChigâ Chignall
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11 July 2004
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Wireless Operator/Air Gunner 1940â1942
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Cyril âNobbyâ Clark
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30 September 2003
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Observer 1940â1941
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Len Cooper
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7 July 2003
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Fitter II (Engine) 1939â1942. FEPoW 1942.
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Ken Daft
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16 December 2001
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1938â1940
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Ron âMickâ Dudman
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27 January 2004
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Fitter II (Engine) 1939â1942 ME & FE. Tung Song evacuee.
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Jim Fryatt
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19 July 2008
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Armourer 1940â1942 ME & FE. Tung Song evacuee.
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E âGarryâ Garrad-Cole
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5 January 2003
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Pilot 1940. PoW 1941. Home run 1943. The Times obituary
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W Russell Gourd
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12 February 2009
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Groundcrew 1944â1945, Beaufighters
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MJC Haakenson
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26 February 2006
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Pilot 1944. FEPoW Rangoon Gaol 1944, 1945.
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Bob Hay
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September 2003
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Observer 1941
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Geoffrey L Hoyes
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12 July 2003
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Wireless Electrical Mechanic 1938â1940
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Bob Livesey
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21 March 2003
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Fitter II (Engine) 1940â1941
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George Manderson
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December 2001
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Navigator/W 1944
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Lloyd George Moffatt
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March 2005
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RCAF Pilot 1944
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RGA Moore
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2002
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Groundcrew Sumatra, Java. FEPoW 1942
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GA âJimmyâ Riddle
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12 January 2004
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Observer 1940â1942
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GR âSandyâ Sanderson
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2001
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ACH/GD 1941â1942
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John Gerard âJGâ Sharratt
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27 March 2007
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Wireless Operator/Air Gunner 1939â1941
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Peter Spooner
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9 September 2008
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Navigator/W Nov 1944 Dec 1945
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WB âBillâ Stack
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December 2003
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Observer 1940â1941
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TD âTomâ Taylor
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early 2004
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Pilot 1944
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FTH White
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2 October 2008
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RCAF F/Sgt Pilot 1944
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J Watson MB BCh MRCS LRCP
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14 January 2009
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Squadron Medical Officer 1944â1945. S/Ldr RAFVR Jan 1944, MiD June 1944, MiD Jan 1946. In later civil life, FRCS. Daily Telegraph obituary
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Ray âDaiâ Williams
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July 2001
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Cpl, ACH/GD 1941. FEPoW 1942
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Steve Woodhouse
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August 2001
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Fitter II (Airframe) 1943â1945
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âIt is something to have wept as we have wept: It is something to have done as we have done.â The Great Minimum GK Chesterton 1874-1936
211 Squadron Commanding Officers 1937â1945 A roll of 211 Squadron COs in chronological order, compiled from Air Force Lists, the Operations Record Book and individual Log Books, with additional material from the London Gazette, and Flight. Six of these 24 men did not survive the war, four of them dying in the course of duty with the Squadron.
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Name
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Theatre
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211 Squadron command
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Remarks
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P/O DG Boehm
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UK
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24 June 1937 to 4 July 1937
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Air Cadet RAAF Pt Cook January 1936 Selected for RAF SSC exchange Senior officer in command, June 1937 KIA 84 Squadron 1 April 1941
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S/Ldr RJA Ford 16151
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UK
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5 July 1937 to 28 March 1938
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Born 1 July 1904 W/Cdr 1940 Grp Cpt 1941 Air Cdre July 1942 Retired Grp Cpt CBE 1 July 1954
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S/Ldr SH Ware 08175
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Middle East
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29 March 1938 to 26 February 1939
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Born 12 November 1898 RFC 1918 S/Ldr April 1936 W/Cdr January 1939 RAF Helwan Grp Cpt June 1941 Retired A/Cdr 15 March 1948 Air of Authority bio
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S/Ldr JWB Judge
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Middle East
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27 February 1939 to 23 July 1940
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Born 27 Aug 1910 RAAF enlistment May 1928 Air Cadet 1 FTS Pt Cook July 1931 Selected for RAF SSC exchange July 1932 F/O March 1933, 6 Squadron Ismailia F/Lt April 1936 4 FTS Abu Sueir Permanent RAF commission August 1936 S/Ldr December 1938 4 FTS 202 Group July 1940 W/Cdr March 1941 MID September 1941 Grp Cpt 1944 (ws W/Cdr) Grp Cpt 1949 Retired Grp Cpt RAF 15 November 1952 Bio and war-time account
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S/Ldr ARG Bax
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Middle East
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23 Julyt 1940 to 9 September 1940
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Born 23 March 1913 PoW 4 Sep 1940 Retired W/C 10 September 1955 Deceased 1999
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S/Ldr JR GordonâFinlayson DSO DFC
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Middle East, Greece
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9 September 1940 to mid-March 1941
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Born 19 August 1914 Retired AVM 1 August 1967 Deceased 3 March 1990
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F/Lt GD Jones DFC
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Greece
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January 1941, March 1941
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Born 30 Dec 1916 W/C CO of 97 Squadron October 1942 to July 1943 and awarded DSO Retired Grp Cpt 8 Dec 1958
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S/Ldr Nedwill AFC
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Greece
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mid-March to 26 March 1941
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Born Christchurch NZ 2 June 1913 RAF SSC April 1934 4 FTS Habbaniya Aug 1940 KAO 26 March 1941
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S/Ldr AT Irvine 36090
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Greece
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March 1941 to 13 April 1941, OC
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Born 1914. RAF c1936 211 Squadron Aug 1937 (P/O) to June 1938 (F/O). To SHQ Amman June 1938 F/Lt September 1939 F/Lt 14 Squadron cJune 1940 Sudan 113 Squadron Western Desert 1940 KIA 13 April 1941 MID 24 September 1941 AIM/LHCMA bio
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F/Lt WP Griffin
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Greece
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14 April 1941
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F/Lt KCVD Dundas DFC
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Greece, Palestine
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14 April 1941 to 11 May 1941
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KIA 10 February 1942
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F/Lt Austin
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Palestine
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12 May 1941 to 16 May 1941
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S/Ldr ASB Blomfield DFC
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Palestine, Sudan
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17 May 1941 to 18 July 1941
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Later of 199 Squadron KAO 7 October 1943
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W/C DR McDonald
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Sudan
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21 July 1941 to November 1941
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W/C RN Bateson DFC
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Far East
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January 1942 to 13 March 1942
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Born 10 June 1912 June 1937 113 Squadron 1941 Air Staff HQ RAF Middle East 1941 113 Squadron CO DFC January 1941 Air Staff HQ Egypt December 1941 11 Squadron CO May 1942 July 1942 RAFO To 613 Squadron 1943 CO 613 Squadron January 1944 DSO April 1944 OC 140 Wing July 1944 DSO Bar June 1945 Permanent Commission, S/Ldr March 1946 July 1955 NATO Group Washington April 1958 to March 1960 ADC to HM Queen Elizabeth II SASO Fighter Cmd 1963 AVM RN Bateson CB DSO & Bar DFC retired 1 Aug 1967 Deceased 6 March 1986, Devon Air of Authority bio
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F/O Grieg
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India
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14 August to 2 October 1943
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âsubordinate commanderâ
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A/g S/Ldr JES Hill
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India
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3 October to 5 October 1943
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Later CO of 177 Sqdn as W/Cdr, shot down 5 October 1944 PoW Rangoon Gaol - survived
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W/Cdr PE Meagher DSO DFC
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India
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6 October 1943 to 18 August 1944
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S/Ldr (temp) London Gazette 2 January 1940. OC 602 Squadron, UK 1941. W/Cdr (temp) 1941. To RAFO June 1944. W/Cdr (war substantive) 10 December 1944 (London Gazette 9 February 1945). RAF Reserve of Officers 5 year extension of service as S/Ldr from 6 June 1955 (London Gazette 1 July 1955). Grp Cpt 1947? Manx Air Derby race May 1947: pilot, Miles Monarch G-ASJU, unplaced. Daily Express International Air Race 16 September 1950: pilot, Proctor I G-AGWV.
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S/Ldr JSR MullerâRowland DSO DFC & Bar
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India
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19 August 1944 to 22 October 1944
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Born 27 Nov 1921 Previously of 60 Squadron Later RAE test pilot, killed 15 February 1950 in DH108 accident
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S/Ldr HE Martineau DFC
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India
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22 October 1944 to 13 December 1944
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P/O 1940 F Lt 1942 A/g S/Ldr DFC May
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F/O EL Wood
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India
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13 December 1944 to 15 December 1944
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S/Ldr RN Dagnall
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India
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15 December 1944 to 10 January 1945
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KIA 13 January 1945
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W/C RCO Lovelock DFC
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India
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10 January 1945 to 21 August 1945
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Born 7 April 1912. RAF SSC May 1936 204 Squadron 1937: Saro London flight to Australia 2nd pilot. S/Ldr CO 461 Squadron RAAF May 1942 CO 119 Squadron Jan 1943 W/C appointed to RAuxAF April 1951, 622 Squadron Flight Commander. Commission relinquished F/Lt R Aux AF 1 October 1953. Queenâs Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air awarded December 1952 following 2-engine out forced-landing of an Air Work HP Hermes IV carrying 54 troops and 6 crew to Malta on 23 July 1952, destroyed by fire but without loss of life.
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W/C DL Harvey
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India Thailand
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21 August 1945 to 15 March 1946 Squadron disbanded
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Born 22 September 1920 Retired W/C 3 August 1966
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No. 72 Operational Training Unit Commanding Officers 1941 Grp Cpt LR Stokes CO No. 72 Operational Training Unit (at 30 November 1941) W/Cdr DR McDonald (OC Training Wing, 72 OTU NovemberâDecember 1941)
Personnel rolls 1937 to 1939 These early nominal rolls, from mid 1937 to early 1939, are taken directly from the Squadron tables of the Air Force List at the dates shown. The January 1939 Air Force List was the last issue to include such details, which were excluded from wartime publication.
The entries show the date of the Air Force List, the RAF Station where the Squadron was then based, and a list of officer aircrew by rank, name and date of posting to the Squadron. In official publications like the Air Force List and the London Gazette, it was not then the custom to list airmen by name on posting or promotion, although decorations to officers and airmen alike were notified in the Gazette.
July 1937 Station: RAF Mildenhall, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Group: No 3 (Bomber) Group
Personnel Squadron Leader RJA Ford
October 1937 Station: Grantham, Lincolnshire. Group: No. 5 Bomber Group
Personnel Squadron Leader RJA Ford (5 July 1937)
Pilot Officers GD Jones (1July 1937) GO Mills (28 June 1937) JT Bouwens (28 June 1937) GG Storey (1July 1937) AT Irvine (7 August 1937) Squadrron CO March 1941 KIA 13 April DG Boehm (24 June 1937) DA Cameron (24 June 1937) JH Williams (7 August 1937) CS Kearey (30 June 1937) JCG MacNab (30 June 1937) GR Magill (30 June 1937) Acting Pilot Officer DF Rixson (4 September 1937)
4 Airman Pilots
January 1938 Station: Grantham, Lincolnshire (det Aldergrove, Northern Ireland). Group: No. 5 Bomber Group
211 Squadron âBâ Flight detachment Aldergrove January 1938 (Guy Black collection) From the unknown Airmanâs Album and fully discussed there. Front row of officer pilots: P/O GR Magill, P/O GO Mills, P/O DG Boehm, F/Lt EM Withy, P/O DA Cameron, Acting P/O RA Couchman, P/O AL Farrington. Rear row (airmen): Flight Sergeant Thorne on the far left, Corporal Barnes is sixth from the left.
Personnel Squadron Leader RJA Ford (5 July 1937)
Flight Lieutenants EM Withy (28 October 1937)
Pilot Officers GD Jones (1 July 1937) GO Mills (28 June 1937) JT Bouwens (28 June 1937) GG Storey (1 July 1937) AT Irvine (7 August 1937) DG Boehm (4 June 1937) DA Cameron (24 June 1937) CS Kearey (30 June 1937) JCG MacNab (30 June 1937) GR Magill (30 June 1937) JH WIIliams (7 August 1937) AL Farrington (27 November 1937) DF Rixson (4 September 1937) Acting Pilot Officer RA Couchman (23 October 1937)
4 Airman Pilots
Flight Sergeant Thorne Corporal Barnes Aircraftmen Collison, Cox, Goodeve, Jenkins, Long, Malyon, Marshall, Martin, Waghorn, Wood.
April 1938 Station: Grantham, Lincolnshire. Group: No. 5 Bomber Group
211 Squadron Grantham March 1938 (Crown copyright via Grierson collection) Original caption painted on the image, from Geoff Griersonâs collection. Of the Squadron's 16 officer pilots, 15 are present, in all 84 men. Fifth from the left is P/O Couchman, sixth from the left is P/O Allan Farrington. Eighth from the left in the front row in dress cap is P/O Bill Edwards. Between them, P/O DG Boehm wearing a forage cap. The officer in the centre, the first with his left leg crossed, is S/Ldr JA Ford. Third from the left, back row: LAC Grierson. In the middle row, centre, the shortest airman is AC1 Hoyes.
Mike Grierson sent me fine high resolution copies of this shot. Allan Farrington kept two mounted prints which passed first to Alison Legge (Allan Farringtonâs widow) and then to their son John, who with great generosity gave one to me: it hangs in the study where this story is being researched.
Personnel Squadron Leader RJA Ford (5 July 1937)
Flight Lieutenants E M Withy 28 Oct 37 D P Barclay 13 Jan 38 KIA 45 Squadron S/L 28 Apr 1941
Flying Officers Antony Thorburn Irvine 36090 (7 Aug 1937) (Returned as Squadron Leader in 1941 to be KIA 13 April 1941 Easter Sunday raid)
Pilot Officers Graham Danson Jones 37265 (1 July 1937) (later F/Lt, in Greece "Potato" acted as S/Ldr for several periods) Garth Oliver Mills 37520 (28 June 1937) KIA 39 Squadron 5 May 1941 George Gerard Storey 37615 (1 July 1937) KIA 49 Squadron 17 Jun 1943 Charles Sydney Kearey 39234 (30 June 1937) James Crawford Gibb MacNab 39235 (30 June 1937) Graham Reese Magill 39236 (30 June 1937) NZ, on RAF SSC John Howel Williams 39358 (7 August 1937) Denis Fenn Rixson 39393 (4 September 1937) Donovan Gerhard Boehm 39453 (24 June 1937) KAO 84 Squadron 1 April 1941 Richard Alan Couchman 39501 (23 October 1937) William Henry Edwards 40045 (8 January 1938) to 107 Squadron, DFC and PoW 12 May 1940 Alan Leonard Farrington 40046 (27 November 1937) to 582 Squadron, S/Ldr, KIA 29 August 1944.
4 Airman Pilots
November 1938 Station: Helwan, Egypt, Middle East
211 Squadron Helwan October 1938 (Crown copyright via Grierson collection) In shot, 12 of the officers and 147 airmen of 211 Squadron. As a mobile unit bound for Middle East service, their strength in personnel had been somewhat increased to three Flights plus HQ Flight. Regathered at Helwan after the Palestine detachments, the Squadron was to be made up to its authorised establishment of 13 officers and 180 airmen. Here all are in No 1 dress, medals wornâhinting that this might be after presentation of the Squadron badge, on 19 October, by the HE the British High Commissioner, Sir Miles Lampson.
In the centre of the first seated row, decorated S/Ldr SH Ware. For some reason he does not appear in the nominal rolls of the Squadron in the Air Force Lists of the period, however, the annual Squadron rolls in the Operations Record Book show that he was appointed to command from 29 March 1938, taking up his post in 4 April. Others in the first seated row are pilots Bill Edwards (11 from the left), Couchman (11 from the right) and Allan Farrington (12 from the right). Among the airmen, Geoff Hoyes is the shortest man, centre, rear, and Geoff Grierson is standing on the right, in the last row but one.
From the counts in these four photos and the July 1938 Operations Record Book discussion of the Palestine detachment, the form of the Squadron at this date in the Middle East is now clear: âAâ, âBâ and âCâ Flights, each of around 30 personnel, plus an HQ Flight of 70-odd. All except âAâ Flight are now recorded here.
211 Squadron HQ Flight Helwan October 1938 (Crown copyright via Hoyes collection) The Squadron CO and his HQ Flight, five officers and 69 airmen in all. AC1 Hoyes, WOp/Mech, centre rear. Of the officers, the CO and three others are decorated, these latter as non-pilots.
211 Squadron âBâ Flight Helwan October 1938 (Crown copyright via Grierson collection) Fifth from the left in the front row is the F/Lt in command (either DP Barclay or RH Spencer), and sixth from the left is P/O Couchman. Three officers and 22 airmen, including two Sergeant pilots (second from the left and third from the right in the front row). LAC Geoff Grierson is third from the left, back row. The airman last on the right in the middle row is a familiar face from the Airmanâs Album.
211 Squadron âCâ Flight, Helwan, October 1938 (Crown copyright via RAAFA Aviation Heritage Museum Image P003650) Three officers and 24 airmen. Flying Officer DG Boehm 4th from the left, seated next to a very experienced Aircraftman, his tunic much medalled. 5th from the left is the Flying Officer in command of the Flight, either F/O GD âPotatoâ Jones, or F/O AT Irvine (later KIA with the Squadron in Greece, on Easter Sunday 13 April 1941).
Personnel Squadron leader SH Ware
Flight Lieutenants DP Barclay (13 January 1938) RH Spencer (5 April 1938)
Flying Officers GD Jones (1 July 1937) GO Mills (28 June 1937) GG Storey (1 July 1937) DG Boehm (4 June 1937)
Pilot Officers AL Farrington (27 November .1937) RH Couchman (23 October 1937) WH Edwards (8 January 1938) Acting Pilot Officer CPR Collier (10 September 1938)
December 1938 Station: Helwan, Egypt, Middle East
Personnel Flight Lieutenants DP Barclay (13 January 1938) RH Spencer (5 April 1938)
Flying Officers GD Jones (1 July 1937) GO Mills (28 June 1937) GG Storey (1 July 1937) DG Boehm (4 June 1937) P Burnett (Jan 1939)
Pilot Officers AL Farrington (27 November .1937) RH Couchman (23 October 1937) WH Edwards (8 January 1938) Acting Pilot Officer CPR Collier (10 September 1938)
Warrant Officers A Justice (30 September 1938) WH York (30 September 1938) F Butler (30 September 1938) JBK Chapman (26 April 1938)
January 1939 Station: Helwan, Egypt, Middle East
Personnel Commanding Officer: W/Cdr SH Ware
Flight Lieutenants DP Barclay (13 January 1938) RH Spencer (5 April 1938)
Flying Officers GD Jones (1 July 1937) GO Mills (28 June 1937) GG Storey (1 July 1937) DG Boehm (4 June 1937) P Burnett (Jan 1939)
Pilot Officers AL Farrington (27 November .1937) RH Couchman (23 October 1937) WH Edwards (8 January 1938) Acting Pilot Officer CPR Collier (10 September 1938)
Warrant Officers A Justice (30 September 1938) WH York (30 September 1938) F Butler (30 September 1938) JBK Chapman (26 April 1938)
Wartime rolls
72 OTU Movement Order No 2/1941 19 December 1941 The double-column layout of the original and its trade groups showed personnel more-or-less by rank and seniority. Some details in the archive copy (notably some trade group/mustering titles and service numbers) were either obscured in the margin or illegible, shown here by the underscore, _. Otherwise, the roll which follows is a verbatim copy, original errors and all. Any comments of mine are shown in the usual way, [thus].
Officer in Charge: F/Lt KCVD Dundas DFC Adjutant and Baggage Officer: F/Lt FW Chadwick (to return to 72 OTU) Ration and Messing Officer: F/O NAW How (to return to 72 OTU)
Airmen of the party _61545 W/O Fogg DM - W/O Armament _64143 F/Sgt Rance AE - Fitter I _06198 F/Sgt Cumming JR - Metal Rigger _08886 F/Sgt Goodall CA - DMT
__H/GD [Aircrafthands/General Duties] __0074 Sgt Roberts SV __9616 Sgt Howcroft FB __5750 Cpl Harnett L __3559 LAC Betts WE __7386 LAC Baker EG __0704 LAC Morgan J __8869 LAC Pettit WJ __6386 LAC Whittaker R __2637 LAC Magowan J __5001 LAC Scott RS __9172 LAC Sanderson G __0196 LAC Onions H __0202 AC1 Dumas R _03848 AC1 Bickley GA __4107 AC1 Ben-David J __4750 AC1 Rot J __5831 AC1 Melamed A __3052 AC1 Alster R __4746 AC1 Sabbah M __4205 AC1 Yakar, T
528219 Sgt Rowley, J 546375 Cpl Kerswill W 623168 Cpl Williams R 630718 LAC Davey, W 623308 LAC McKendrick G 630239 LAC Paxton A 624123 LAC Wade G 637297 LAC Preece SG 541533 LAC McConnell WM 940710 LAC Fulwood A 546266 LAC Handley TA 940203 LAC Crabb C 940696 AC1 Birch CF 999992 AC1 Murray L 774584 AC1 Ehrmann L 775825 AC1 Kremin I 774575 AC1 Kisin, A 774586 AC1 Abraham H 775309 AC1 Malka J
__H/GG [Aircrafthands/Ground Gunners] ___452 LAC Clark L ___389 LAC Fisher TWS ___9164 AC1 Collins S 1175158 AC1 Cole EF ___9863 AC1 Gosling V __09572 AC1 Richards DA ___0209 AC1 Clater RFR 994691 LAC Williams E 988714 LAC Dunne RN 1109808 AC1 Bell E 1309534 AC1 Jenkinson GW 1326199 AC1 Middleton N 1309567 AC1 Mendy HJ 1283499 AC1 Storey SJ
___/SP ___150 Cpl Constable PR 1005926 LAC Hunt A
629621 Cpl Chalmers JS
___/DMT [Driver, Mechanical Transport] ___291 AC2 Weiss N
ACH/PP [Parachute Packer] 544403 Cpl Fowliss D
ACH/Telephone Operators 533175 Cpl Heywood S 940195 LAC Wellar AL
622234 LAC Nicholson DG 940706 LAC Davis TG
Armourers 534461 Sgt Callison H 525718 Cpl Woosey SR 701873 LAC Broadbent H 628781 Cpl Slaughter FK 701778 LAC Barber KC 624652 AC1 Kellett _J 626543 AC1 Kinsella T 621609 AC1 Sanderson R
534599 Cpl Hale G 542599 Cpl Hodgson 628120 LAC Henderson TW 701730 LAC Crawford J 631210 AC1 Fryatt JE 625002 AC1 Holden A 545706 AC1 Revett HJ
Armourers Bomb 950409 LAC Simmons J 1020646 AC1 Mahoney 917767 AC1 Dalby JE 964885 AC1 David I
1111777 AC1 Collie 1063301 AC1 Moffatt 1054114 aC1 Devine J
Fitter Armourers Bomb
623795 AC1 Wilson S
Clerk Accounts 590868 Cpl Robertson C
Clerks General Duties 634172 Cpl Owen HJ 1152228 AC2 Smith J
775024 AC1 Strahilevitz J
Cooks & Butchers 631860 Cpl Langford L 633465 Cpl Mawdesley J 621841 LAC Pulley HJ 955817 LAC Dudley J 774150 LAC Munk HW 775505 AC1 Lichenstein R
631481 Cpl Gent WC 633896 Cpl Muckle T 940652 LAC Stanford FW 946913 LAC Holleran J 775598 LAC Ickovics E 775518 AC1 Schimansky J
Carpenters 1095028 AC2 Clift P
Drivers Mechanical Transport 526653 Cpl Hutton K 527248 Cpl Young T 541777 LAC Hood J 541109 LAC Roden F 647676 LAC Tout REG 650750 LAC Valentine P 701890 LAC Green R 940629 LAC Smart A 646961 LAC Morgan R 940191 LAC Cole PW 774869 AC2 Hirchfeldt A
5337693 Cpl Bishop J 702080 LAC Clark A 539095 LAC Millar PR 648877 LAC Budrey J 637894 LAC Thompson A 645332 LAC Jamieson J 642537 LAC Ward J 940573 LAC Stephens JS 940694 AC1 Taylor R 940201 AC1 Stearn A
Electrician I 541488 Cpl Stephens HG 541041 Cpl Walton R
638733 LAC Blake G
Electrician II 639604 LAC Anderson W 623880 LAC Shackleton A 632161 LAC Davidson JE 907011 LAC Westgarth LA 960946 AC1 Smith B 1181899 AC1 Stubbs P 916051 AC1 Skewes EM 1189203 AC2 Simmons CH 1367343 AC2 Muir TH
968707 LAC Simpson C 640632 LAC Townsend 938222 LAC Stanyer E 1293927 AC1 Allen DW 989327 AC1 Stuart R 1169108 AC1 Southall HC 635194 AC1 White WS 1100099 AC2 Sim LR
Equipment Assistants 527609 Cpl Trotter JA 946718 LAC Barber DW 949543 AC1 Plattern KA
612508 LAC Minshull 907342 AC1 Stadding 1068851 AC2 Marriott GH
Fabric Workers 633088 LAC Shaw CE
Fitters II 567170 Sgt Bewley EWC 567975 Cpl Brown H 569266 LAC Gilbert TJH
566285 Sgt Prior JG 568367 Cpl Cains CA
Fitter IIA 546674 Cpl Fox J 537229 Cpl Sudbury JW 525386 LAC Marsh WA 572767 LAC Crutchley BR 546840 LAC Dunbar G [See also âDunbarâ under Flight Mechanic Airframe, below] 622386 AC1 Lee W 1171745 AC1 Sinclair R 1014949 AC1 Hunter 518462 LAC Head E 1055869 AC2 Jefferies JP
522467 Cpl Hillman WG 542063 LAC Fearon JH 642454 LAC Brett C 979816 LAC Robson CW 1106425 AC1 Robson JR 1059747 AC1 Humphries WG 1059726 AC1 Robertson JS 523351 LAC Turner C 639082 AC2 Chase J 917817 AC2 Brown M
Fitter IIE 521550 Sgt Evetts LR 520961 Cpl Cox CW 530031 LAC Croston T 638527 LAC Leach CR 541445 AC1 Murray D 522412 AC2 Morris RV
526244 Cpl Burns K 528978 LAC Kelling 572463 LAC Owens JL 649399 LAC Wildish CW 1013042 AC1 Gamble J 927430 AC2 Baker SJ
Fitters Aero Engine 522456 Cpl Peakman RG 564645 Cpl Hind JF
525736 Cpl Hamshaw F
Metal Riggers 565794 Sgt Venning RE 539948 Cpl Rowlands BL 539918 Cpl Taylor JH
563780 Sgt Gore JA 539946 Cpl Sainsbury RMJ 539814 Cpl Montgomery JW
Flight Mechanic Airframe 624016 LAC Byford GA 611073 LAC Jones FW 543945 LAC Leonard L 540781 LAC Blacher RC 619147 LAC Walker E 611617 AC1 Beaver G 1066972 AC2 Gibbs FG 1196742 AC2 Williams AE 1272208 AC2 Baines EJ
522519 LAC Bridgen K 646070 LAC Fraser JS 622380 LAC McMorland WW 546670 LAC Dunbar G [Here the Adjutant Office clerks made a slip. Dunbar was already correctly listed, in the Fitter IIA group. Here his name has been inadvertently repeated against the service number of 546670 LAC Derrick David Ray, whose name does not otherwise appear. Both men went with 211 Squadron to the Far East. The roll call as they boarded the train may well have been briefly interrupted as the error was sorted out. Both men were to fall captive in Java in March 1942. Dave Ray did not survive. He lies in Ambon War Cemetery. ] 940755 AC1 Stephens 1152386 AC1 Morris L 1067598 AC2 Clee JH 964788 AC2 AC2 Waterhouse J 931023 AC2 Skedge MH
Flight Mechanic Engine 530498 Cpl Sutton AB 633997 LAC Bates RH 624563 LAC Dudman RG 624097 LAC Horan M 529829 LAC Quarmby L 649416 LAC Gurney AW 649395 LAC Pierce FJ 523578 LAC Moyers LJ 626461 LAC Flynn JJ 649417 LAC Evans G 649538 LAC Billington HG 645752 AC1 Mason G 918780 AC1 Collery WJ 985534 AC1 Evans MJ 814176 AC2 Burton G 1057549 AC2 McCormack T
649388 LAC Cox RL 541905 LAC Cooke CT 936431 LAC Emmonds FG 649419 LAC Langford TW 654746 LAC Williams T 649400 LAC Hill GW 644059 LAC Runnacles GI 515273 LAC Knight T 649539 LAC Liversey R 643462 LAC Clark J 943231 LAC Charlton MB 1151966 AC1 Cooke ND 977705 AC1 Morris CI 633923 AC2 Owens J 1023188 AC2 Burns E
Instrument Repairers I 624374 LAC Gibbons DA 623414 Cpl Lewis TA 640513 AC1 McDonald JL
632633 Cpl Cochrane R 1269719 AC1 Grove G
Instrument Repairers II 924830 AC1 Clark DT
Mechanical Transport Mechanics 1105367 LAC Taylor F 1171890 AC2 Myers J 1015634 LAC Ward W 1015634 [sic: 1019069] AC2 Jones O
Nursing Orderlies 635477 Cpl Barrett DG 1156482 AC2 Price BA 970298 LAC Bayley G
977016 AC1 Davis WL 1236651 AC2 Fairless T
Metal Worker 560888 Cpl Cook
Motor Cyclists 912627 LAC McKellar GA 908080 LAC Holman RF
Photographers ______ Sgt Mc Dermott 615342 LAC Abbs LW 552256 LAC Baldwin RJ 1261326 LAC Richards RB
552272 Cpl Gibson W 902187 LAC Orson AR 1260784 LAC Smith AJ
Wireless Operators 639927 Cpl Ninnis ER 640785 Cpl Graham WF 1262179 AC1 Jones WI 944334 AC1 Simpson GA 977552 AC1 Morris JA 1073444 AC2 Leece DH 1118455 AC2 Arthur N
640149 Cpl Beavis VF 641845 Cpl Marsh EA 774094 LAC Gavigan EP 925199 AC1 Worrell FG 1195232 AC2 Sims E 1202564 AC2 Morley AI 1198371 AC2 Parker RC
Wireless Operator Mechanics 637389 LAC Eaglebott RA 639131 AC1 Topliss AW
637291 AC1 Baker RBE
Wireless Electrical Mechanics 574174 AC1 Smith G
In summary, there were 292 airmen of the Squadron in the above party, under command of the experienced F/Lt Dundas with two 72 OTU officers assisting for the duration of the journey North. The airmen covered the gamut of ground trades from Fabric Worker upwards, of every rank, comprising a single Warrant Officer, three Flight Sergeants, 10 Sergeants, 47 Corporals, 120 Leading Aircraftmen, 79 Aircraftmen 1st Class and 32 Aircraftmen 2nd Class.
The odds are that the majority of these men remained with the Squadron to depart Helwan on 16 January 1942 and embark HMT Yoma of the Stepsister convoys bound for the Far East. Some few will have been with the air party leaving Helwan on the four days 25 to 28 January 1942. A sadly high proportion of them will also be found in the Far East PoW roll and in the Honour Roll.
Dominion aircrew rolls From the outset in June 1937, pilots from around the Commonwealth were strong presence among the Squadron aircrew. The Australians have been listed separately for obvious reasons.
Canadian and RCAF personnel 1939â1945 All but one of the personnel of Canadian origin known to have been associated with 211 Squadron over the course of the war were pilots. The two pilots from the Middle East period, Dundas and Marshall, had enlisted in the RAF pre-war. While Dundas had prior service in the RCAF as an airman, Marshall although of Canadian birth had arrived in the United Kingdom as a child and joined the RAF in 1932. While Marshall survived, Dundas was lost in the first Far East campaign.
In the Burma period, 10 RCAF pilots were members when the Squadron resumed operations in January 1944, representing about half the Squadronâs Pilot strength. At some point they were joined by F/Lt Ted Einboden RAF, a Technical Branch officer.
The Canadians, with two RAAF pilots and one South African Air Force pilot, made up the strong Dominion character of the Squadron (which it pretty well retained throughout). There are published accounts that report the entire pilot strength of 211 Squadron as Canadian: in this they are mistaken.
Over the course of the Burma campaign from January 1944 to May 1945, 19 RCAF pilots served in 211 Squadron, of whom ten were lost in action or in accidents (recorded in Beaufighter losses, the India and Burma page and on the Honour Roll).
Of the 22 men of Canadian origin who served in 211 Squadron from 1939 to 1945 there were thus just 11 survivors.
|
Name and No
|
Service
|
Rank
|
211 Squadron from
|
Remarks
|
|
Adamson, William George R118406/J85700
|
RCAF
|
P/O
|
January 1944
|
Missing 24 March 1944
|
|
Barlow, Cyril Oscare J26409
|
RCAF
|
F/O
|
November 1944
|
KIA 11 December 1944
|
|
Copeland JM J86611
|
RCAF
|
P/O
|
November 1944
|
|
|
Cruickshank Donald Ian J12883
|
RCAF
|
F/O
|
March 1944
|
Missing 14 March 1944
|
|
Cuddy AK J16295
|
RCAF
|
F/O
|
Aug 1943/Jan 1944
|
Missing 27 August 1944, PoW Rangoon Gaol liberated 30 April 1945
|
|
Depew, Neil Francis J86437
|
RCAF
|
P/O
|
January 1944
|
Missing 11 March 1944
|
|
Dundas, Kenneth Crispin Vivian Douglas 41000 DFC
|
RAF
|
S/Ldr
|
June 1939
|
KIA 10 February 1942
|
|
Einboden, Theodore Martin 50337
|
RAF
|
F/Lt
|
1944
|
Technical Branch RCAF from April 1945
|
|
Edgar, John Robert J8141
|
RCAF
|
F/Lt
|
December 1943
|
KAO 27 December 1943 Chilliwack War Memorial biography
|
|
Fitzpatrick, John Edward R168763
|
RCAF
|
WO2
|
February 1945
|
Missing 8 February 1945
|
|
Haakenson MJC J12845
|
RCAF
|
F/Lt
|
March 1944
|
Missing 13 June 1944, PoW Rangoon Gaol freed 30 April 1945.
|
|
Hall, Warren Douglas R109174 J86784
|
RCAF
|
P/O
|
January 1944
|
Shot PoW 7 May 1944
|
|
Holtan FE J24377
|
RCAF
|
F/O
|
December 1944
|
|
|
Jackson, William, J14842
|
RCAF
|
F/O
|
May 1944
|
KIA 11 June 1944
|
|
O'Mara RJ R127623 DFC
|
RCAF
|
F/Sgt
|
January 1944
|
Reported by Manderson to be an American.
|
|
Marshall, John Roy 515903 DFM
|
RAF
|
F/Sgt
|
July 1940
|
|
|
Moffat LG J16307
|
RCAF
|
F/O
|
November 1943
|
ORB records as Moffatt Possible DFC, unconfirmed
|
|
Strumbos WP J22871
|
RCAF
|
F/Lt
|
April 1945
|
|
|
Thomson DL R122381/J86788
|
RCAF
|
P/O
|
January 1944
|
Wounded 16 February 1944
|
|
Vaughan, Ross George, J88656
|
RCAF
|
P/O
|
January 1944
|
KIA 1 August 1944
|
|
Waddell, George Alfred J16291
|
RCAF
|
F/O
|
January 1944
|
Missing 27 March 1944
|
|
White, Frederick Thomas Herbert R168713
|
RCAF
|
F/Sgt
|
1944
|
RCAF 1941
|
AK Keith Cuddy Originally of Saskatchewan, Cuddy was a pilot and the first Canadian to join 211 Squadron upon its re-forming in India, his arrival from the Middle East noted in the Squadron record for 26 August 1943. With the casual irony of war, just on one year later he was posted missing, with his Navigator W/O Tomlinson, from an operation on 27 August 1944. Both men survived captivity in Rangoon Gaol. Mal Haakenson, another Rangoon survivor, kept in touch with Keith Cuddy post-war. Keith, then of Manitoba, passed away in January 1998.
TM Einboden F/Lt Ted Einboden 50337 had joined the RAF proper as a direct civilian entrant some time after March 1938. He had advanced to Sergeant (RAF service number 616537, Technical Branch) by the time that he was commissioned in January 1943. Posted to India and to 211 Squadron as Engineering Officer, he was made Flight Lieutenant by December 1944 if not before. That Christmas, he managed to cadge a lift with Thompson and Butcher on their night op of 25/26 December 1944 to Prome and Taunggup: all returned safely, no movement being seen with cloud in the target area. As the Squadron prepared for conversion to the Mosquito in May 1945, he was also a member of the Advance Air Party that set out for Trichinopoly only to find the Squadronâs new base had already been redesignated, leaving them to carry on by road to Yelahanka on 4 May.
His appointment to the RCAF, gazetted in October 1945, was dated with effect from April 1945. Returning to Canada after the war, he later took up farming in Ontario, married, and raised six children. Ted Einboden passed away in about 1995.
JE Fitzpatrick Born in Saskatchewan on 12 February 1922 and enlisted in the RCAF at Calgary on 12 June 1942. From 7 ITS Saskatoon 27 September 1942 to 27 December 1942, then to 6 EFTS Prince Albert to 20 February 1943 and 7 SFTS Macleod to 25 June 1943. On qualifying as a pilot Fitzpatrick was made Sergeant on 11 June 1943 and thence to 1 GRS Summerside 26 June 1943 to 11 September 1943. Embarked for the UK at Halifax 14 September 1943.
To 20 (P) AFU 19 October 1943. Attached 1521 Beam Approach Training Flight at Wymeswold 21 December 1943 to 4 January 1944 (then affilliated to 20 (P) AFU). Posted to 5 PDC 25 April 1944 for embarkation to the Middle East 4 May 1944, where he remained until 25 September 1944. Posted to 224 Group ACSEA on 13 January 1945 and on to 211 Squadron 14 January 1945. Lost in action Beaufighter LZ399 âVâ on 8 February 1945 with his navigator F/Sgt Lock.
FE Holtan Frank Erland Holtan remained with the RCAF for many years after the war and passed away in 2000.
Moffat LG Lloyd George âMoffâ Moffat reached India destined for 211 Squadron in that uncertain period of muddle and delay in 1943 which saw aircrew languish in Poona at the Air Transport Pool, where he first met EL Fred Wood. The difficulties were such that aircrew at one point heard stories that they might end up posted back to Malta. By late 1943 he had reached the Squadron at Ranchi, and was among those to celebrate Christmas 1943, signing the menu that day in the customary way. Moffat continued flying post -war as a commercial pilot for 33 years. He flew mostly with Canadian Airlines, finishing his career with them as a Boeing 747 pilot on the CanadaâNew ZealandâAustralia route, and for three summers based in Auckland on the AucklandâSydney route. He retired to British Columbia and passed away in March 2005 after a short illness.
FTH White Born 24 February 1923. From Calgary in Alberta, White joined the RCAF in 1941 at age 18. Demobbed in Vancouver after the war, he went on to serve in the RCAF Reserve in Victoria, British Columbia, from 1956 to 1961. Frederick White passed away on 2 October 2008.
New Zealand and RNZAF personnel 1939â1945 Magill, later highly decorated, was the first to join the Squadron at Grantham in June 1937, remaining until perhaps April 1938. Four New Zealanders served with the Squadron in the Middle East and/or Greece (Buchanan DFC, Campbell, Fabian and the unfortunate Nedwill AFC, so briefly in command of the Squadron at Paramythia). Fabian had trained as a pilot in World War I.
In the first Far East action in early 1942, three more stepped forward (Bryant, Cummins and Foreman). Bryant the LAC had been born in New Zealand, later returning to the UK with his English mother and sister after the death of his father.
Not unlike the Australians and Canadians, several were direct entrants to the RAF, while three served in or later transferred to the RNZAF, and one transferred to the RAAF. Four of the seven survived the war.
|
Name and no
|
Service
|
Rank, mustering
|
211 Squadron from
|
Remarks
|
|
Bryant, Ernest William 1185504
|
RAFVR
|
LAC groundcrew: Driver, MT.
|
January 1942-1945
|
Born in New Zealand in 1915, son of Harry and Annie Maria Bryant.UK 1920s. RAFVR August 1940. Middle East November 1941. Taken PoW March 1942 Java. Held Java, Sumatra (Railway). Died Sumatra (Railway) 29 June 1945, aged 30 years
|
|
Buchanan, Lindsay Basil âBuckâ 40885 DFC
|
RAF
|
F/Lt Pilot
|
May 1940 to April 1941
|
Born Palmerston North 4 November 1917. Joined RAF April 1938 on SSC. 113 Squadron 1939. Decorated London Gazette 8 April 1941. KAO 13 Apr 41
|
|
Campbell, Robert Douglas âBobbyâ 41373
|
RAF
|
F/Lt Pilot
|
July 1939 to January 1941
|
Born Hamilton 7 July 1918. RAF October 1938 on SSC, Uxbridge. To 4 FTS Abu Sueir then to 211 Squadron July 1939. Shot down and PoW Valona raid 6 January 1941. Escaped 1943, transferred to RNZAF December 1943 serving until 1969. Died Hastings 31 August 1994.
|
|
Cummins, Peter Lindly Dick âArchâ 580469 & 51283 MBE
|
RAF
|
Sgt Observer
|
December 1941 to February 1942
|
Born Dunedin 13 January 1917. RAF 17 January 1938 to 1 January 1944. Served with 230 Squadron RAF Middle & Far East early 1939 to June 1941. Instructor, 70 OTU Kenya 1941. 211 Squadron RAF from December 1941, evacuated from Java February 1942. To RNZAF 1 January 1944 to 14 January 1972, MBE 1969. Died Palmerston North, 7 February 1993 .
|
|
Fabian, Alexander James Muir "Curly" RAF 60164 RAAF 257621
|
RAF
|
F/O IC Stores
|
19 January 1941 to 26 April 1941
|
Born Wellington 23 October 1898. Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificate, NZ, 2 December 1918. Joined RAF November 1940. Transferred to RAAF July 1941, discharged S/Ldr 22 May 1945. Deceased late 1967.
|
|
Foreman, William Charles Wadsworth 403770
|
RNZAF
|
P/O Observer
|
December 1941 to March 1942
|
Born Portsmouth, England 1 January 1912. Enlisted RNZAF at Levin as AP u/t 29 September 1940. After tour with 107 Squadron, to 211 Squadron 14 January 1942. Evacuated from Java aboard Tung Song 2 March 1942. Returned to NZ May 1942 serving with 1 Squadron RNZAF, to RNZAF Reserve 1945. Died late1970 possibly at Puahue, near Hamilton.
|
|
Magill, Graham Reese 39236
|
RAF
|
Pilot Officer
|
1937-1938
|
Born Te Aroha, Cambridge, 23 January 1915; electrical engineer; joined RAF 31 August 1936. 47 Squadron 30 April 38, F/O 28 February 1939, transferred to RAF 31 August 1940. Later commanded 180 Squadron 1943; Operations Staff, No. 2 Group, 1943â45. AVM 1 Jan 1964, retd AVM GR Magill CB CBE OBE DFC and bar, GD 29 Jan 1970. Deceased 1 December 1998
|
|
Nedwill, Richard John Courtney 34169 AFC
|
RAF
|
S/Ldr Pilot
|
March 1941
|
Born Christchurch 2 June 1913. Joined RAF March 1934 on SSC. 4FTS Abu Sueir & Habbaniya 1938-1940. Awarded the AFC for his long efforts in flying training at 4FTS, 1941. Recorded post-war as serving in 112 Squadron 1941, possibly in error. Posted as CO to 211 Squadron c22 March 1941. KAO Paramythia 26 March 1941 in 112 Squadron Gladiator II N5910.
|
South Africa & South African Air Force Kearey, Charles Sydney 39234 Pilot Officer (30 June 1937âApril 1938) MacNab, James Crawford Gibb 39235 Pilot Officer (30 June 1937âApril 1938) Donaldson 778767 Sgt WJ, pilot, Burma January 1944, F/Sgt February 1944. KAO 24 February 1944
Southern Rhodesia All three were 211 Squadron pilots of the Greece campaign: P/O JC Jack âPipâ Cox (Nov 1940-1941) P/O Jeffry Campbell Ross âJohnâ Hooper SR 89777 DFC (from 23 Jan 1941). Later of 11 Squadron c Jun 1941, then the Strategic Reconnaissance Unit ME, wounded in action 6 December 1941 in Maryland II AH370, Sgt Observer Len Page taking over control and later assisting Hooper to land - earning a bar to Pageâs DFM and Hooper an immediate DFC.F/Lt Feb 1943, completed a tour on Mosquitoes over Europe. F/Lt Air Force List October 1945, âJohnâ Hooper died in Tiger Moth accident post-war. P/O John Gower Martin âJackâ Hooper SR 89778 DFC (from 23 Jan 1941) later Squadron Leader (see Lucas Out of the Blue 1984), in Zimbabwe Jack Hooper survived until c2004.
Sources This partial record of 211 Squadron personnel from 1937 onwards is drawn mainly from the official sources noted below, with some reference to individual narratives and Log Books. In the case of the New Zealanders, I am indebted to the Errol Martyn for pre-publication access to For Your Tomorrow, Volume III, recording the biographies of NZ airmen lost in service since 1915. For the service history of the Canadian Fitzpatrick I am grateful to Hugh A Halliday, RCAF researcher.
72 Operational Training Unit Operations Record Book TNA AIR 29/686 211 Squadron Operations Record Book TNA AIR 27/1302, TNA AIR 27/1303
Air Force List, Air Ministry (HMSO various dates) issues for July 1937, October 1937, January 1938, April 1938, November 1938, December 1938, January 1939 London Gazette issues 1930â1966 HMSO Flight issues 1930â1966
Allison and Hayward They Shall Grow Not Old (CATP Museum, Canada) Lucas Out of the Blue (Hutchinson 1985) Martyn For Your Tomorrow Volumes I, III (Volplane) Pitchfork Men Behind The Medals Flypast Jan 1996 Thomson New Zealanders With the RAF Vol I, II, III
www.211squadron.org © D Clark & others 1998â2010 Site created 15 Apr 2001, last updated 1 Feb 2010. Page created 23 Feb 2005, last updated 1 Feb 2010 Home | Site Summary | Next | Previous | Enquiries | Site Search
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