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FUTURE UPDATES
The chance of more surviving members coming forward with personal accounts is now slight. The website in its current state carries a reasonable balance of technical and personal material from both World Wars, for aircrew and groundcrew, (whether officer or airman, survivor or casualty), from the main operational theatres, and of the main aircraft types. Having rightfully given priority to personal material so far, especially for living ex-members, from now on more attention will be given to other more formal records:
211 Squadron Operations Record Book
Although partly destroyed, partly recompiled, partly incomplete, sometimes illegible and occasionally in error, the 211 Squadron Operations Record Book—the War Diary—is a first-hand but detached narrative of the Squadron and its personnel that offers a more complete view of their war. A faithful transcript of the text offers author and reader a searchable resource (through the Site search page) of very considerable long term use.
My own set now covers all the available material: the period June 1937 to July 1941, and that from August 1943 to March 1946. A full description can be found on the Squadron records page. A summary, together with references to other relevant official records, is on the Sources page.
The years available so far are: 1937, 1938, 1939. The remainder will be added as time permits.
RAF Narrative - Operations in Greece
Having long considered adding a transcript of this lengthy narrative, the need to do so has been overtaken by historical publishing developments in the UK. MLRS Books is making steady progress on re-printing in facsimile a vast range of World War II material, including many RAF documents of which the archived Air Historical Branch narratives are a part.
LATEST UPDATE: AUSTRALIA DAY 2010
You may need to click your browser’s Refresh or Reload button when first re-visiting after a site update. Regular updates are made twice each year: on 26 January (Australia Day) and on 31 July (in time for the annual archive copy in PANDORA around 6 August). Additional updates may be made from time to time as needed. All are noted on this page.
Revision 1 February 2010
Revised to mark the passing at age 89 of Bill Baird, Wireless Operator/Air Gunner in the 211 Squadron Blenheim crew Marshall, Clark and Baird in the Desert, Greece, Palestine and the Sudan; later of the Far East campaigns in the Dutch East Indies, thereafter in Ceylon with 11 Squadron and 22 Squadron.
New pages
1939 The transcript of the year’s entries in the Operations Record Book, now complete for the period 1937 to 1939 inclusive.
George Kearns The narrative of a surviving Sgt WOp/AG of Greece and Palestine in 1941. Wonderful surprise to hear from George, who has been a resident of Northern Canada this past 40 years. He got in touch through his Canadian nephew Laurie Potter, whose own Dad served in the West Nova Scotia Regiment in Italy. At age 91 George still writes a sparkling letter. Like others of the Squadron, he lost a lot of personal gear getting out of Greece but still sent a couple of cracking photographs, from his later days with 11 Squadron.
Revised pages
World War I Added brief details to Squadron CO roll for Sir Ranald Reid KCB DSO MC & Bar 1893-1991, from Flight and London Gazette on-line archives.
Honour roll Added entry for Cpl JA Sigston 521106, an early RAF recruit, who died on active service in the UK. Added links to brief bios for W Gibson (FEPoW, died in captivity 22 January 1944, Yokohama) and Harry Taylor (Sgt Observer KIA Valona 7 December 1940).
Personnel rolls Added brief details to Squadron CO roll for W/Cdr Patrick Edward Meagher DSO DFC; revised details for S/Ldr AT Irvine. From from Flight and London Gazette on-line archives.
The Far East Thanks to ex-NCO Pilot Ricky Watts, added Christmas 1944 Sergeants Mess menu. Some overdue repairs to Burma overview text.
Luing Updated for the passing of Don Lomas, ex 159 Squadron RAF & ex-FEPoW, in October 2008.
Haakenson Updated Rangoon PoW group photograph details.
Taylor Thanks to Eric and his brother Allan in Virginia, added several more of Tom’s photos from training and from India.
Walters Thanks to ex-NCO Pilot Ricky Watts, added a further 79 OTU photograph including 211 Squadron pilots, with Ricky’s own account of his time with the Squadron—Monty was one of his particular chums.
Sites & Links 211 Squadron sites: Revised link to Mike Grierson’s site for his father Geoff’s photograph albums. Added links and description of Far East POW Memories of Java, by Philip Ganderton, ex-211 Squadron aircraftman and FEPoW survivor of the 1942 campaign.
Minor revisions
Home, Site summary, Abbs, Clark, Grierson, Glossary, Enquiries, Do it yourself, Sources, Site Search
PAST UPDATES
31 July 2009
New pages
1938 Squadron Operations Record Book transcript of the year’s entries. See also 211 Squadron Operations Record Books, below and the Squadron records page.
A Goodinson Thanks to the generosity of Mary Foster, who went to such trouble in sending copies of her late father’s war-time diary, photographs and other material, it has been possible to write a page for Arthur Goodinson, Corporal Flight Mechanic (Engine) of the Burma period groundcrew, including a transcript of his diary from 1943 to 1945.
JJ Kavanagh DFM Recompiled into a single page, from existing material (Bill Baird and JG Sharratt pages), and from the Squadron Operations Record Book, the Air Ministry Bulletin and from Flight.
Revised pages
World War I Added brief bios of Great War COs Loraine, Travers and Lett, plus Lett’s DFC citation.
Squadron markings Updated and re-ordered Squadron codes text and summary, references added.
Bristol Beaufighter No new aircrew losses, but substantially expanded for aircraft identities and accounts of losses, drawn from Cpl Goodinson’s diary, from Dennis Spencer’s published Log Book entries, and from the Squadron Operations Record Book AIR 27/1303 and Sortie Reports AIR 27/1305 to AIR 27/1310.
Far East Added 1940s Admiralty chart extract for Oosthaven, Tung Song details, brief bio and photo for the late Ray Dai Williams, ex-FEPoW.
India and Burma Added a photograph related to the late S/Ldr J “Doc” Watson’s search activities, thanks to Elizabeth Kaegi and the Einboden family in Canada.
Sumatra & Java Added Google Maps links to airfield sites.
Conrad Added a better description of Wadi Gazouza. Alan’s print of the 1941 vertical aerial photo enlarged and re-oriented North, matched to Google Maps.
Abbs Added brief biography for Fr PT Rorke SJ, ex RAF Padre and FEPoW.
Clark, Hoyes, Wingrove Egypt pre-war convoy vehicle photos amplified.
Fryatt Added Sources section, began photo refresh, added more commentary on eg 215 Squadron Harrows.
Gordon-Finlayson Added group shot of GF from Greece.
Gilmore Much amplified account of Ivan (Bill) Gilmore’s Middle East and India service from January to December 1943, thanks to some further information from Colin Burningham.
Joerin 1580 Calibration Flight photograph enlarged with revised commentary, thanks to scans from Sharon McGill.
RAAF personnnel Existing material for JWB Judge extended with an account of his unpublished ms covering mainly his ME Air Staff service from mid 1940 onwards, after his period as 211 Squadron CO—now maintained on-line by his son Anthony.
Haakenson Added a close shave on 10 April 1944. Added another photograph of Navigator F/O Ray Watson, thanks to Lorraine Haakenson, with aircrew photographs and text accordingly amplified and re-ordered. Other minor amends.
Kemp, Taylor, Walters Photos various of 211 men skylarking or otherwise off-duty, from Monty’s treasure-trove of photographs and memorabilia.
Marsh-Collis Thanks to Monty Walters, added names for a number of personnel in the last group formal shot of the Squadron at Don Muang in 1946.
Ramsay Added off-duty shots from Les’ collection, thanks once more to son Ray.
Maps Added Admiralty chart extracts: Banka Strait and Telukbetung Road.
Glossary Added Airmen’s Urdu, a selection of local terms in common use by RAF men in India etc.
Minor revisions
Site summary, Honour Roll, Personnel rolls, Squadron records, 1937, Blenheim armament, de Havilland Mosquito, Baird, Embros, Kendrick, Oddie, Sharratt, Burma Quintet, Mearns, Oblein, Enquiries, Do it yourself, Sources, Sites & Links, Site updates, Site search.
18 August revise
400682 James Murray Thomson, Sgt WOp/AG RAAF. KAO 72 OTU 28 Nov 1941: name corrected throughout.
400671 Stuart Colin “Scotty” Thomson enlisted RAAF Oct 1940. Sgt WOp/AG to Sgt AC Longmore RAAF, pilot and Sgt A Nourse RAAF—added brief account to RAAF 72 OTU commentary.
21 September revise
Link repairs to Do it yourself and Enquiries.
31 March: Book Review
Dennis Spencer DFC. Looking Backwards Over Burma: Wartime Recollections of A RAF Beaufighter Navigator. Woodfield Publishing March 2009 ISBN 1-84683-073-7 paperback, 200 pages, 6 photos, Appendix, Bibliography £9.95+p&p.
Woodfield, who publish a range of war-time memoirs, have produced a really first-class effort with Dennis Spencer's Looking Backwards Over Burma.
This is an attractive work from end to end, with cover smart and instantly recognisable, text well laid out, six good photos beautifully reproduced, a neat and detailed Appendix of the author's operations, brief Bibliography, and virtually free of the typos so common in some other publishers offerings. The book is very reasonably priced indeed, perhaps thanks to the small number of photographs and absence of index.
Resuming operations from January 1944 as a Beaufighter strike unit in India, 211 Squadron RAF aircrew flew deep into Burma attacking Japanese communications and targets of opportunity.
In the first nine months of 1944, the Squadron lost 50 aircrew on operations and no member of the Squadron had completed a tour, then accounted as 300 operational flying hours. As the balance of power in the air swung in the Allies favour, the length of an RAF tour in the theatre was shortly afterwards reduced to 200 hours.
Dennis Spencer joined 211 Squadron at Bhatpara in April 1944 as a Sgt Nav/W and was soon joined by his pilot F/O Geoff Vardigans. They had ferried a Beaufighter from the UK to India, before being posted to the Squadron.
During their completed 200-hour tour from April to December 1944, Vardigans and Spencer flew 51 sorties together, 49 of them successfully completed. Both men were promoted (Dennis to F/Sgt and then W/O, Geoff to F/Lt), and both were subsequently awarded the DFC.
In this well-written account, sourced from his logbook and squadron records brought to life with vivid recall, Dennis gives an engaging and comprehensive narrative of their RAF service together—from their final training in the UK, through the long, long ferry flight to India, with insights into RAF and Squadron life in Bengal, and gripping accounts of many operational sorties and close shaves that came their way.
Looking Backwards Over Burma adds much to the story of 211 Squadron and is a book that deserves to do well.
Reviewer: Don Clark www.211squadron.org
Book details and orders: http://www.woodfieldpublishing.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p295.html. The book is also listed on Amazon sites, marked "currently out of stock"—but orders will likely fail.
28 March revisions
Personnel updated RCAF/Canadian rolls and commentary.
India and Burma loss of Lawrence and Bell on air test 17 December 1944 amplified.
23 March revisions
Dennis Spencer amended to record publication of his fine book Looking Backwards Over Burma by Woodfield. Home and Sources pages amended accordingly.
JE Fryatt corrected for Cpl Lewis’ contribution to May 1942 groundcrew group photograph.
MJC Haakenson added comments on photographs of P/O John Watson, Observer, vs 211 Squadron MO S/Ldr John Watson.
11 March 2009 revision
Personnel rolls revised to mark the passing of Russ Gourd at age 86, groundcrew in the Beaufighter days of the Squadron; and of 211 Squadron Medical Officer at Chiringa in 1944 and 1945, John Watson MB BChir MRCS LRCP, aged 94.
Granted a commission as Flying Officer RAFVR (Medical Branch) from March 1940, ”Doc” Watson rose to war-substantive Flight Lieutenant in March 1941 and to Squadron Leader (temporary) in January 1944. With 211 Squadron he was particularly active in the grim task of recovering lost aircrew, where that was feasible. He was twice mentioned in despatches, in June 1944 and again in January 1946. Post-war and made FRCS, John Watson turned to plastic surgery with a particular interest in aircrew burn injuries.
Australia Day 26 January 2009
New pages
Squadron records An introductory page on the nature of the RAF Operations Record Book in pre-war and war-time service.
1937 Transcript: 211 Squadron Operations Record Book, 24 June 1937 to 31 December 1937. To be followed, in future updates, by pages for later years.
GM Kendrick RAAF thanks to the interest and assistance of the Kendrick, Summerville and Dodds families, a rather remarkable tale of survival against the odds, which turned out to have special bearing upon the loss the same night of Mackay, Oddie and Payne. Work on these events also helped clarify the action and losses of 7 February 1942 in Sumatra, usually mis-reported as to purpose and as 6 February. A page for George’s RAF mate and brother-in -arms, Alf Kendrick, will be added at a future date.
Revised pages
Gallantry awards Added Len Page’s DFM thanks to ACdr Graham Pitchfork. Added S/Ldr Irvine’s MID, awarded since posted missing after the Easter Sunday raid. I have chosen to follow the various London Gazette entries in choosing between differing records of his forenames.
Personnel rolls, CO roll entry for S/Ldr JWB Judge expanded, among other amends
RAAF personnel Expanded entry for the Squadron’s first CO of World War 2, S/Ldr JWB Judge, minor correction to Tung Song table, corrections to RAAF Losses table.
Blenheim I Amended “The Saint” photo caption, thanks to the family of the late Jack Wainhouse, plus some other, minor, amends.
Blenheim IV Recast the 1942 summary of aircraft identities and losses, in the light of original source material about February 1942 operations including loss of Mackay, Oddie and Payne and their 1967 recovery.
The Middle East Added some new headings while giving generally better focus to the Easter Sunday 1941 operation.
Sumatra and Java Amplified remarks on 13 February 1942 report of P/O RF “Ginge” Brown RAAF
W Baird, CFR Clark Some updating of personal material, May 1941 & Feb 1942 details clarified thanks to Bill’s transcripts from his Log Book.
RN Dagnall Revised and amplified with considerably fuller details of his civilian and service life, thanks to the kindness of the Jobson family in retrieving Robert’s RAF Record of Service.
GL Hoyes Amplified accounts of Geoff’s operational flying, of Harry Leedell, of hangar-type, and of the Helwan Gardens groups.
JF Luing Took advantage of the Mearns page revamp to carry some of Jack’s photos back to his own page.
BB Mearns Much amplified the account of his RAF service, by referring to FH Burton’s splendid little book Mission to Burma—The Story of 177 Squadron.
GA Mockridge Clarified 34 vs 60 Squadron personnel and other small revisions.
NH Oddie Thanks to further official records received via Col Tigwell, ex-RAAF, together with further detail from the records of George Kendrick RAAF about the Squadron’s 13 February 1942 sweep for the Japanese invasion fleet, a fuller account of the loss of Neville, his pilot Graham Mackay and gunner Joe Payne.
HF Squire Added brief account of the loss of HMS Gloucester and other small revisions.
Maps Added Egypt & Suez map, minor text amplifications and amends.
Minor revisions
Home, World War I, Honour Roll, Bristol Beaufighter, Across the Styx, The Far East, India & Burma, Cuttiford, Dudman, Farrington, Hansford, Joerin, Keeping, Glossary, Enquiries, Do it yourself, Sources.
11 November 2008 revise
Site Search page updated 90 years after the end of World War I.
15 October 2008 revise
Update to mark the passing of FTH White, Canadian Pilot.
30 September 2008 revise
Update to note the passing of Pam Kemp.
17 September 2008 revise
Update to note the passing of Peter Spooner.
31 July 2008
New pages
Thanks to the kind interest and generosity of the families of two Squadron members, there are two new personal pages:
Revised pages
Personnel Rolls Final Farewells (to mark the passing of Jim Fryatt); group photos and identities, CO notes.
Bristol Beaufighter, India & Burma RM Coles loss and other details
Bob Campbell (Bill Winsor’s loss identified)
Bill Edwards GSM (Palestine clasp) and bio details
Jim Fryatt passed away 19 July 2008
Fred Joerin to include the connection with George Mockridge and Anthony Devenish
Jock Marshall DFM (further information on Jock’s service from the London Gazette and correspondence with son Ian).
Audax & Hind Kabul Hinds recovered: news and photographs thanks to Pat Chriswick.
Minor revisions
Honour Roll, RAAF Personnel, Gallantry Awards, Squadron movements, de Havilland Mosquito, Dudman, Farrington, Grierson, Kemp, Sainsbury, Sharratt, Walters, Glossary, Enquiries, Sources, Sites & Links.
13 April 2008
New pages
Thanks to the kind interest and generosity of two Squadron crew-mates, for this seventh anniversary of the 211 Squadron website (and the 67th anniversary of Easter Sunday 1941), I have been able to add these new personal narrative pages:
These men are two most recent surviving members to report in, Mont from Queensland (thanks to the VetAffairs Noticeboard last year), and his old mate Kempie from Surrey.
Consequential amendments
Bristol Beaufighter, de Havilland Mosquito, Burma Quintet, TD Taylor, DE Winton, Site Summary.
Minor housekeeping
Squadron movements, Sources.
Source notes added to Airman’s Album, LW Abbs, W Baird.
Revision 18 April
With additional information to hand from Squadron records and the diary of the late Cpl Arthur Goodinson, substantially revised the account of 211 Squadron Beaufighter aircraft losses. Took the opportunity to make some small revisions to pages for Dagnall, Gilmore, Kemp, Mearns, Mitchell, Walters, Wood.
Australia Day 26 January 2008
26 February 2008 revise
Revised this page to show future updates direction and Enquiries page to match. Revised Do it yourself Units remarks.
New pages
ARG Bax An account of 211 Squadron CO Gordon “Porpoise” Bax’s RAF service and his falling captive in action 4 September 1940, thanks to granddaughter Sally Searle and her family in Cornwall.
Revised 14 February with late additions and minor amendments.
AL Farrington Another Australian’s story, thanks to a lot of work on the part of son John in Adelaide.
Revised 14 February with late additions and minor amendments.
MJC Haakenson Lorraine and her mother in Alberta have kindly shared much, to make this account of Mal’s part in the 211 Squadron Burma story possible.
Revised pages
Personnel rolls re-ordered for separate Sources list, CO roll revisions, added Fitzpatrick RCAF service data thanks to HA Halliday, re-ordered ex-72 OTU roll commentary, and additions to Dominion aircrew rolls arising from the narrative for AL Farrington.
RAAF personnel JWB Judge entry expanded, plus revisions arising from the narrative for AL Farrington.
Squadron movements text re-ordered for separate Sources list.
Middle East expanded 72 OTU comments with material moved from Personnel Rolls.
Far East re-ordered for separate Sources list.
Blenheim armament refreshed photos, re-ordered text and separate Sources list.
Bristol Beaufighter further repairs to the account of Squadron losses.
L Abbs A Diamond Wedding anniversary! Congratulations, Len and Betty. Also added a photograph from the Greece period.
RD Campbell Small revision to Squadron group identities and minor re-arrangement of layout.
CFR Clark Small clarification re Hooper brothers
EF Cole added more trades details, re ground gunner party under Tom Fisher.
WH Edwards RAAF text tidied up, and Farrington connection.
TWS Fisher added more trades details, re ground gunner party & Ted Cole.
G Grierson Collier’s crash text tidied up.
C Hansford More photographs, thanks to Cecil.
J Robertson Clarified text and order a little.
M Sainsbury Added a new photograph thanks to Roger and clarified another caption.
Glossary Added piece on currency, pay and prices
Do it yourself Reworked, re-ordered, and revised the personal records hints.
Sources Reworked and amplified.
Housekeeping/minor revisions
Home, Tatoi today, Maps, Enquiries, Sites & Links.
27 October 2007 revisions
Added George Blake to Final Farewells (Personnel rolls) and Far East PoW survivors (Far East).
Sources Revised and re-ordered.
Sites & links New links added and some revisions.
8 October 2007 Revisions
Re-ordering of text, summary and source notes affecting Site summary; World War I; Honour Roll; RAAF personnel, CFR Clark; Enquiries; Sources.
EF Cole Brief revision of family details.
Sites & links New links added.
31 August 2007
New page
Maps A selection from Middle East maps of World War II origin.
Revisions
Bristol Beaufighter This page seems to have been trampled more than once in the PC adventures of the past six months. Added some missing loss details.
31 July 2007
New pages
Glossary The Usage and abbreviations and Measurement units sections from the Site Summary page, extended with sections for RAF Terms (from the 1943 edition of The King’s Regulations and Air Council Instructions); and for RAF Slang from the 1943 edition of The ABC of the RAF.
Major revisions
World War I Much more complete roll of casualties and of aircraft collated from various sources.
Personnel Rolls Added M Haakenson and JG Sharratt to Final Farewells and extended the list back to 2001.
Bristol Beaufighter Extended the listing of aircraft losses, primarily from the Operations Record Book, where the exact identity of a number of aircraft recorded only by individual letter remains unclear. In time it will be possible to firmly identify aircraft and aircrew losses from the Squadron OpReps - the sortie reports held in TNA AIR 27/1304 to AIR 27/1313. The mass of detail, of sometimes indifferent image quality, will take some considerable time to examine.
Middle East Added Short C Class material thanks to Brian Cassidy.
Sumatra and Java Added material on PI, P2 and Kalidjati airfields.
WH Edwards Added more complete details of Bill’s later RAF career and post-war life, thanks to grandson Ross.
CN Hansford With thanks to Cecil, whose fruitful rummages in his memorabilia have made further photographs available to show here.
JG Sharratt Some additional material and revised to recognise the passing of John Gerard Sharratt, who died on Tuesday 27 March 2007 aged 90.
TD Taylor Added photographs and amplified account of the Webster brothers, both lost on WWII service, thanks to Tom Taylor’s boy, Eric.
Other revisions
Minor housekeeping, amplifications, consequential amends and so on
Home, Site summary, Honour Roll, Gallantry awards, Personnel rolls, RAAF personnel, Squadron markings, Blenheim armament, de Havilland Mosquito, The Far East, India & Burma, LW Abbs, W Baird, A Carter, CFR Clark, KCVD Dundas DFC, JR Gordon-Finlayson, G Manderson DFC, BB Mearns, Enquiries, Do it yourself, Sources, Sites & links, Site search
Australia Day 26 January 2007
New pages
RN Dagnall Acting CO in Burma late in 1944, lost on operations in January 1945. I am indebted to the McCubbin and Jobson families for access to much treasured memorabilia in making this page.
WP Griffin Squadron MO in Greece and senior officer on 14 April 1941. Derived from Squadron and Gazette records.
JG Sharratt “JG the AG”, with 211 from the Desert to Wadi Gazouza. Although John is too frail to write these days, the great kindness of his wife Pat (his partner this past 64 years and a wonderful correspondent), has made it a pleasure to compile this page from a rich collection of treasures. Sadly, JG passed away soon after this page made it on-line.
Site search moved the Google search from Enquiries to its own separate page
Major revisions
World War I added material on W/C Norrie, his WWI album, and 211 (Newbury) Squadron ATC.
Honour Roll added entries for Paddy Kavanagh DFM and the RAAF trio lost at Wadi Gazouza late in 1941, Sgts Skinner, Dunstone and Thomson.
Gallantry awards Ribbon illustrations added.
RAAF personnel added Sgts Skinner, Dunstone and Thomson.
W Baird amplified Bill’s later RAF career and clarified 72 OTU photos.
ART Barnes an account of Barnes’ well-known nickname, “Buckshot”, with thanks to Patricia Molloy for access to March of the Gladiators, the memoirs of her father S/Ldr JF Fraser DFC.
RD Campbell My thanks to Paul Campbell, Bob’s son, who sought out some terrific training shots.
G Checketts Expanded the story of Check’s 211 days from his Log Book and published writings.
KCVD Dundas DFC Revised to recognise the passing of a friend in a far-off land: Ken’s sister Daphne RL Hodgins 1923-2006, adventurous spirit and lively correspondent this past 10 years.
Enquiries Simplified and reordered, with the Google site-search moved to its own page.
Do it yourself Simplified and reordered
Other revisions
A range of small amplifications, clarifications, and consequential amendments arising out of new material or closer checking of existing material:
Home
Airman’s Album
A Conrad
EL Cooper
TWS Fisher
G Grierson
HF Squire
WB Stack
R Wingrove
Burma Quintet/Woodhouse
A Carter
P Spooner
Site Summary
All pages have new footers with simpler layout and page links.
31 July 2006: third update for 2006
New pages
None this month.
Major revisions
Personnel rolls the major addition this month comes in the form of a roll of the Squadron’s groundcrew departing Wadi Gazouza in December 1941 for Helwan, to work up to operational readiness and deployment in the Far East.
RD Campbell added photos from Bob Campbell’s collection, thanks to son-in-law Peter Wright.
Blenheim I added photos of Blenheims in the desert and Greece, thanks to Ian Carter.
Other revisions
World War I, RAAF Personnel, Across the Styx, Blenheim IV, G Davies, BB Mearns: various additions, amplifications or refreshing of photographs.
Site updates, Sources, Sites and links: minor updates.
Home, Site summary, Honour Roll, Gallantry Awards, Audax & Hind, Tatoi today, Enquiries, Do it yourself: minor text revisions.
15 March 2006
For the 60th anniversary of the final disbanding of No 211 Squadron RAF at Don Muang in Thailand on 15 March 1946, new pages were particularly chosen to mark the occasion: a summary of the very beginnings of the Squadron, two accounts of operations in Greece, and two of Beaufighter and Mosquito operations in the Far East—bringing the story full circle.
Ave atque Vale, CCXI!
New pages
211 Squadron in World War I
Based on the official record in the UK National Archives, I have been able to add life to the account with contemporary photos from the album of the late W/C J Norrie, who presented his collection to No 211 (Newbury) Squadron Air Training Corps, the last modern echo of a valiant Squadron, in the 1960s. Thanks to the kind efforts of Civilian Instructor Alex Pye, who made the collection available for use here.
Return Trip Across The Styx
By good fortune, another gem retrieved from the mists of the past just in time to add lustre to the record of their time in Greece: Tommy Wisdom’s Parade Middle East Weekly 1941 article, profusely illustrated with photographs fresh and familiar. This is surely the original story that my father so long remembered.
RD Campbell
Thanks to Errol Martyn, Colin Hanson, and son-in-law Peter Wright, an account of Bobby Campbell’s time with 211 Squadron in the Middle East, and his escape from captivity in Italy in 1943.
DA Spencer DFC
Two sparkling yarns from Dennis Spencer, who (with his pilot, the late Geoff Vardigans DFC) completed a tour of 211 Squadron Beaufighter operations in December 1944. Presented with simple generosity by Dennis, from his draft memoirs, Looking Backwards Over Burma.
TD Taylor
With thanks to son Eric and his mother, the story of a young Scot who signed up early in the war and stuck at it through long pilot training to reach 211 Squadron in India in February 1945. In the later period of Beaufighter operations and the conversion to the less-fortunate Mosquito, Tom Taylor and his Nav/W Vic Broome saw the Squadron through to the end. Sourced from Tom’s Log Book, RAF record, and photographs, kindly made available by the Taylor family.
Major revisions
Wingrove
Added details of his RAF service and loss on 8 April 1945, added some names to the ‘A’ Flight group photograph.
Beaufighter
Added loss of Lockyer, McCormick, & Bishop June 1944, and additional details of the loss of Fitzpatrick and Lock in February 1945, thanks to Hugh Halliday and Dennis Spencer. Record of aircraft available much amplified thanks to the Log Books of TD Taylor and DA Spencer.
de Havilland Mosquito
Record of aircraft available much amplified thanks to the Log Books of TD Taylor and DA Spencer.
Other revisions
Home Simplified copyright statement.
Honour Roll and Clark Added the last resting place of Bennett, Tunstall and France, thanks to Ian Carter and Aleks Ognjevic.
Blenheim I Minor amplification re armament
India and Burma VCP remarks thank to Dennis Spencer
Hansford Added photo of Cecil as a young airman.
Gordon-Finlayson Added photo of The Bish bearing gifts, newly returned in triumph from Corfu.
Checketts Small amplification of Blenheim Delivery Flight details.
Tatoi today Minor corrections and reordering.
Summary Added new pages as required.
Sources Minor updates.
Australia Day 26 January 2006
New pages
ART Barnes
Compiled from scant surviving records and Wisdom’s remarks, a page for “Buckshot”, the Australian MT officer of the Middle East and Greece.
J Carruthers
Thanks to son Phil in Brazil, the service of a 211 Squadron navigator from January 1944 to April 1945, tour expired.
HF Squire
“Doc” Squire, RAFMO to the Squadron from the Desert to Greece. His sons John and David kindly lent freely from their late father’s wonderful negative collection, making a fine addition to the site as illustrations to my narrative of his service compiled from official records and his own Middle East Scrapbook.
DE Winton
From Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Doug contacted me with photos and Log Book details of his service with the Squadron late in the Burma period. As one of the last group of aircrew to join the Squadron, Doug’s photos have added very greatly to the known collection of 211 Squadron Mosquitoes.
R Wingrove
Aircraftman Wingrove joined the RAF around 1937 to be posted to 211 Squadron in the Middle East as a Wireless Operator in November 1938. His rich photograph album, covering the period from 1938 to August 1940, came to my hands almost by accident.
Major revisions
Gallantry awards
Thanks largely to assistance from another researcher in the field, added a considerable number of citations and other details.
Personnel rolls
Added Rolls of Canadian & RCAF personnel, of New Zealand and RNZAF personnel (thanks to assistance from Errol Martyn in New Zealand) and added detail to the roll of COs.
RAAF Personnel
Added S/Ldr JWB Judge, CO in the Desert and early War days. Further refinement of the RAAF personnel at Wadi Gazouza. With this update, the count of RAAF and other Australian personnel of 211 Squadron stands at 81.
Bristol Beaufighter
Greatly refined the losses account which may now be close to complete [sic!].
de Havilland Mosquito
Greatly refined the losses account which may now be close to complete. Illustrated with Doug Winton’s wonderful photos.
Burma Quintet (Dickinson)
Thanks to a long held aside letter from Bill, added some further details of his service one of only 6 crews of the original 24 surviving to complete their tours.
CFR Clark
The addition of the pages for Squire and Wingrove resulted in revisions to some comments and photos. As these new pages have firmly restored the balance of the site in recording the Middle East work of the Squadron, this seemed a good moment to recast the account of my father’s service on a single page. It’s big.
LE Ramsay
Thanks to son Ray in Gravesend, added some more illustration and discussion of Les’ service, with more to come.
FC Joerin
Thanks once more to Brian Cull, who unearthed some further images and career details, now incorporated in my account.
JR Gordon-Finlayson
Thanks to Sandeha Lynch, added wonderful images from his father’s collection showing the 216 Squadron Valentia flight to Nairobi in January 1939.
Tatoi today
Added discussion of the geography of Menidi-Tatoi, and of Paramythia and the Northern border of Greece in 1941 from official maps of the day. Refreshed several of the photographs.
Other revisions
Mostly clarification of existing material, addition of small additional details, or consequential amendments from other work Home, Summary, Honour Roll, Far East, India & Burma, LW Abbs, G Checketts, EL Cooper, WH Edwards DFC, JE Fryatt, JB Keeping, G Grierson, GY Manderson DFC, BB Mearns, M Sainsbury, Enquiries, Do it yourself, Sources.
31 July 2005
Additions and corrections to 20 October 2005
George Checketts
George passed away peacefully on 17 October 2005 aged 86. Noted his passing on his personal page and in the Final Farewells of the Personnel rolls page. With thanks and best wishes to son-in-law Chris Millard and the Checketts family.
The Sphere corrected photo caption, 211 Squadron aircrew.
de Havilland Mosquito corrected account of RF791 and RF588, regarding the loss of F/O Dunnett.
CFR Clark fixed an unnoticed technical hitch with several photos.
Additions and corrections to 20 September 2005
Blenheim IV speeds clarification. Nov 43 Loss of Russ in Blenheim V AZ887 added to Blenhem V notes.
de Havilland Mosquito additions to aircraft identitities and losses, and a fine Mosquito photo thanks to Doug Winton.
India & Burma March 1944 Loss of Woodall and Waddell added, with Woodall photo thanks to Bill Calver in Canada.
Minor corrections
Squadron markings, Airman’s Album, CFR Clark, G Grierson.
Having grown at about 4MB per year since its launch in 2001, webspace was starting to become tight again after recent additions. With this update, the site has moved to a local internet service provider with a sound history and good facilities. Operating from here in the ACT since 1995, Cyberone offers a personal webspace allowance so generous that it imposes no practical limit on future growth of the site in my hands.
The new service means that it is possible to illustrate the story of the Squadron with very many more photographs, as can be seen from this month’s updates where pages old and new are more lavishly illustrated than was practical before. With the kind permission of the RAAF Association (WA) Aviation Heritage Museum and the Australian War Memorial, among the additions are a number of 211 Squadron images from their collections.
I have also given the site a much more permanent address: www.211squadron.org. For the technically minded, this domain name is parked and used as a pointer to the actual ISP providd personal space at http://users.cyberone.com.au/clardo/.
New pages
Gallantry awards
Spurred on by Peter Spooner’s roll of Squadron decorations from the Burma period, I have been able to compile this roll of World War II awards for gallantry made to Squadron members. The sources The Squadron Operations Record Book, The London Gazette, the Australian War Memorial and published DFM and DFC sources.
WR Cuttiford
Adrian Fryatt got in touch with Geoff Cuttiford, who kindly went through the family treasures to make his father’s Log Book and a collection of great photographs available to me. With these and the aid of his RAAF service record I have been able to add this page for another RAAF member of the Squadron.
FC Joerin
Some little while back, Brian Cull contacted me about 211 Squadron and its efforts in the first Far East campaign. Brian, as co-author of the Bloody Shambles books that record those events, had long ago acquired the Log Book of Fred Joerin, the Swiss member of the Squadron. In a most generous gesture, he has passed that Log Book on to me. It is a unique record, in which Joerin kept the formal record of his service while adding photographs and cuttings as the events unfolded. This page is the result.
WB Stack
Regular readers will recall that Alan Stack first spotted his father Bill in the group photograph with Hugh Clutterbuck in Greece. Since then, I found that Bill was also shown in one of my father’s photographs, while Alan has kindly put together copies of his Dad’s Log Book and photographs. Here at last is the assembled result. Bill amassed 74 operations in the Middle East.
Major revisions
Blenheim I
Expanded narrative of the Squadron’s Blenheim conversion, revisions and additions to aircraft identities, added new photographs thanks to the RAAFA Aviation Heritage Museum and the Bristol Aeroplane Co’s Blenheim handbook, expanded the 211 Squadron/72 OTU discussion.
Blenheim IV
Revisions to aircraft identities, amplified Far East aircraft remarks. Added Blenheim V text.
Beaufighter
Added photographs (thanks to the kind permission of the Australian War Memorial), added introductory text, specifications, and 1943 aircraft identities.
Mosquito
Added photograph, introductory text, specifications and extended 1945 aircraft identities.
RAAF personnel
Added photo of S/L PN Stacey DFC with 211 Squadron armourers, with the kind permission of the Australian War Memorial. Added ‘C’ Flight photo at Helwan 1938 thanks to the RAAF Association Aviation Heritage Museum. Added Barnes, Barrett, Cuttiford, Hartnell, GM Kendrick, MacLennan, White to the RAAF thanks to Les Payne and Geoff Cuttiford; and expanded the 211 Squadron/72 OTU discussion. With this update, the roll of Australian airmen of 211 Squadron now stands at no less than 76, compared with the 34 known just three years ago.
Airman’s Album
Completed the unknown airman’s album. A magnificent collection, thanks to Guy Black’s remarkable find and kindness in sharing it.
Geoff Grierson
Re-ordered the presentation slightly, while adding the greater bulk of Geoff’s fine photographs, thanks to son Mike’s skilful scanning. Consequential amends to Airman’s album, Cooper, Dudman, Fryatt, Sainsbury.
Other revisions
Home added reference to HF Squire’s Middle East Scrapbook, re-ordering text as a result. Redrafted the Acknowledgements and Copyright sections.
Personnel Rolls added Squadron group photos from 1938. Amplified text.
Audax and Hind corrected omissions and transcription errors in Hind identities.
Blenheim armament re-ordered the narrative with minor clarifications.
The Far East Added KPM van der Hagen commentary to Bill Maitland’s Oosthaven photograph thanks to Dick Schouten in Holland.
The Far East, India and Burma, and Peter Spooner added a number of the fine photographs from Peter’s collection.
Bill Baird added notes on Paddy Kavanagh’s DFM and death
Gordon-Finlayson DSO DFC minor revisions to text.
Tatoi today added modern Paramythia photographs thanks to Kyprianos Biris of Athens, amending a caption of CFR Clark’s collection in the process.
Enquiries and Site updates these pages are more like back-matter than front-matter, therefore moved to the rear of the site to aid the flow of the narrative.
Sources added some very useful additional references, including Middle East Scrapbook, the war memoirs of S/Ldr HF Squire, Squadron MO in the Desert and Greece..
Sites and links moved Java Index FE PoW links from the Far East page.
30 April 2005
Squadron summary Abbreviations section—added note on the BCAUR site’s Service abbreviations and terms pages.
Personnel rolls Added chronological roll of Squadron COs from Air Force Lists, Operations Record Book and individual Log Books. Now includes the Final Farewells roll.
Audax & Hind small revision to design notes and Royal Afghan Air Force Hind notes.
Blenheim I conversion dates finally resolved, by reference to Operations Record Book.
Blenheim armament added Mark IV turret shot thanks to Les Payne.
The Sphere... at last replaced poor photocopied images with clean scans, having unearthed some vintage copies of The Sphere and with thanks to Appley Hoare.
RAAF personnel added details for Ted Tyzack & Lindsay “Charger” Cameron with thanks to Les Payne, together with personal notes and photographs for him.
Gordon-Finlayson small revisions to posting date and aircrew background, added DFC (Greece).
Oddie refreshed bookplate photograph.
Wood added further detailed notes to vehicle photographs.
Sources Added additional official sources and numerous other references.
Sites & Links Rechecked and refreshed where necessary.
2 April postscript
Revised IAW Gilmore’s page after rethinking letter and posting issues and ORB entries.
31 March 2005
Not such a large update this time, however, thanks to the generosity of the families concerned, there are two new pages this month.
New pages
1175158 LAC EF “Ted” Cole
The RAF service of an Essex farm lad, which I’ve been able to write up from his Form 543A service record and other little treasures thanks to his niece Alison Barton and her mother. Alison had been researching Ted’s war service and death in captivity after falling PoW in Java, leading her to the 211 Squadron connection.
1072498 F/Sgt IAW “Bill” Gilmore
Kate Masheder was going through old family photos when she noticed that her Uncle Bill Gilmore, lost over Burma in 1944, had served in 211 Squadron. With the aid of his service record, his letters and photographs, I’ve been able to recount something of his part in the 211 Squadron story.
Major revisions
Edwards
Amplified background notes and added another photograph from the Edwards family collection. Reorganised the whole text into chronological order, for clarity.
Other revisions
Home added note on qualifications.
Squadron summary minor revision for new personal pages
Audax & Hind minor text revisions to notes on the Audax in 211 Squadron service.
Personnel rolls Jan 38 added ground crew; Jan 39 added Burnett.
RAAF personnel Corrected Kendrick, Manton and O’Brien. Added photo of Manton and O’Brien, thanks to the Woodward family.
Gordon-Finlayson added last raid date.
Sources brought up to date.
28 February 2005
This has been a major update. Apart from bringing much of the existing backlog of material to its proper place in the Squadron story, the new Squadron Honour Roll and the start of a set of Squadron Personnel Rolls over time brought with them an opportunity to reorganise a little. The Squadron Summary page, having grown rather unwieldy in scope, returns to its intended use as a site map by giving up some of its more detailed content to several new pages. The update also includes some remarkable new material.
New pages
Personnel rolls
The start of a set of nominal rolls of Squadron personnel over time, using the Air Force List as a starting point for the period 1937 to 1939. Further rolls will be added, eg for Australian and RAAF personnel, Canadian & RCAF personnel, and for New Zealand and RNZAF personnel.
Squadron movements
Extracted from the Squadron summary page to stand on its own
Bristol Beaufighter
Extracted from the Squadron summary page to stand on its own, with added Beaufighter aircraft allocations.
de Havilland Mosquito
Extracted from the Squadron summary page to stand on its own.
An airman’s album
Thanks to a remarkable find by Guy Black of Aero Vintage and his kindness in sharing it, this new page provides a wonderful view of the Squadron’s pre-war days at home and in the Middle East, adding a great deal to the photographic record.
Major revisions
Honour Roll
Reorganised text, added Personnel losses summary from the Squadron Summary page, and some minor revisions to roll entries.
Audax and Hind
Amplified discussion of Hinds in 211 Squadron service and passed to the Royal Afghan Air Force, added photos of Hawker Hinds L7175 and L7181 in the UK 1938 thanks to Guy Black.
Blenheim I
Added two terrific Blenheim I photographs at Wadi Gazouza, thanks to Les Payne in Queensland.
Far East
Much enlarged discussion of the 1942 sea party voyage aboard HMT Yoma and Operation Stepsister, and of the Java evacuation, with added photographs, in part thanks to Jack Woodward (late of 27 Squadron) and his son Charlie.
RAAF Personnel
Corrected, re-illustrated and revised discussion of the first four Australians to grace the Squadron (Boehm, Cameron, Edwards and Farrington).
Abbs added Len’s photograph of Revett, Pettit and Fryatt aboard Yoma thanks to Adrian and Jim Fryatt, and two shots of 72 OTU mates thanks to Len himself.
Cooper
Added Len Cooper’s own narrative of the 1942 voyage aboard Yoma to the Far East and events in Sumatra and Java.
Fryatt
Added more details of RAF service and refreshed several photographs of armourers at work thanks to Adrian and Jim Fryatt.
Gordon-Finlayson DSO DFC
Greatly expanded service narrative from Air Force Lists, GF’s 1938 to 1940 Log Book entries and from news cuttings. Added fresh pen and wash sketches from an unexpected and remarkable source.
Wood
Added several photographs of ELW in East Africa, held aside while seeking more information, now incorporated with other revisions to photograph commentary, with thanks to Elizabeth Kaegi and the Wood family.
Other revisions
Squadron summary revised to take into account recent page additions, and simplified as a site summary by giving the Movements, Beaufighter and Mosquito sections their own pages.
Edwards added cleaner, larger photos of Bill (Grantham Trio 1938 and Helwan 1938) thanks to Mike Grierson, with slightly revised commentary.
Embros Gladiator N5916 caption expanded.
Grierson corrected birthplace.
Do it yourself added Canadian and New Zealand references.
Sites & Links corrected 30 Squadron Association reference.
Australia Day 26 January 2005
This update brings some long-awaited major additions, and a number of significant revisions. There is still much material to deal with, including a remarkable find of 211 Squadron Hind photographs from Guy Black of Aero Vintage.
New pages
211 Squadron Honour Roll
The Squadron’s war dead of World War 2 commemorated, from a comparison of records supplied by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with those of the Australian War Memorial, with L&P Stubbs Unsung Heroes of the RAF The Far East Prisoners of War, the Squadron Operations Record Book, and the existing rolls already on site.
S/L JR Gordon-Finlayson DSO DFC
At long last, a page for the redoubtable GF, 211 Squadron CO in the Western Desert and Greece. Sourced from published records, his Log Book, and with some additional background from Chris Gordon-Finlayson in South Africa.
Revised pages
Home and Squadron summary revised to make a clearer introduction.
Squadron summary, Blenheim I and Far East clarified the disposition of Blenheim units at the start of the Far East campaign. Added a 211 Squadron Losses summary table.
Blenheim I, Blenheim IV Blenheim I K7096 photograph added thanks to Jim Wyse. Revised details of 72 OTU & Far East aircraft.
Far East added nominal roll of all known PoW fatalities.
India and Burma revisions to nominal roll personal details arising from Honour Roll compilation.
G Davies thanks to Nigel Williams and Gerald’s Service records, with Gordon-Finlayon’s Log Book and the Squadron ORB, it has now been possible to very much enlarge this page.
G Grierson the end of an era – aged 90, Lorna Grierson passed way on 15 December 2004.
C Hansford revised post-war remarks thanks to recent reminiscences from Cecil.
JS Robertson slightly expanded text and better quality photographs for Stuart.
Sites and Links added a number of related RAF Squadron links.
21 December 2004 revise
Minor revisions to Home, Enquiries and Do it yourself.
17 December 2004 revise
EL Cooper added fuller description of 112 Squadron Gladiator K7977.
J Robertson added fuller identification of 177 Squadron Beaufighter Y-Yoke NV127.
Sites and Links added, eg, 45 Squadron and 112 Squadron links.
26 November 2004
New page
KCVD Dundas DFC page for Ken “Nem” Dundas, with thanks to Rankin and Daphne (née Dundas) Hodgins and their wonderful little Life of Kenelm CVD Dundas.
Revisions
CFR Clark, LW Abbs, JE Fryatt minor amplifications arising from research on KCVD Dundas DFC.
Home; Enquiries updated PANDORA links. Google search bar now on Enquiries page only.
Sources updated.
Sites & Links new links added.
18 November 2004 revise
Sites & Links links checked and refreshed where necessary.
17 November 2004 revise
EL Wood added two photographs and minor amends to the 9c OTU Crosby-on-Eden photo caption.
11 November 2004 revise
EL Cooper corrected history of Hawker Hind K6734.
1 November 2004 revise
Thanks to son Ian, added John Chamberlain to Final farewells. Corporal John “Neville” Chamberlain died earlier in October, in York District Hospital. He served with 211 Squadron from 1939 to 1941 in North Africa and Greece.
28 October 2004 revise
Added Google search facility to Home and Enquiries pages
Minors amendments to Jack Luing’s page
5 August 2004
New page
EL Wood
With thanks to the family of Fred Wood in England and Elizabeth Kaegi in Canada, I’ve been able to construct this narrative from his Log Book and photographs, with help from the 211 Squadron Operations Record Book.
31 July 2004
Thanks to the kindness of contributors old and new, a very large amount of material has come to hand, rich with new parts of existing stories and with altogether fresh material.
This has been a very testing update, and I hope readers will not be too diappointed that I need further time to complete material on AL Farrington, KCVD Dundas DFC, 211 Squadron nominal rolls and 211 Squadron aircraft markings.
Rather than delay the site update, I proceeded with the 31 July release and will continue to add additional material over coming weeks.
New pages and major revisions
Alan Carter
Thanks to son Dave, the late Alan Carter’s days with the Squadron in Burma
John Luing
Narrative and photographs of Jack, thanks to his brother Peter Luing
Barney Mearns
Letter about PoW conditions and death of Jack Luing, thanks to Peter and Tessa Luing
Squadron summary
Re-ordered. Expanded Squadron summary. Beaufighter and Mosquito serials
Squadron markings
Separated from above, re-ordered, additional photographs. Incomplete
India & Burma
Operations and 211 Squadron personnel photos thanks to Peter Spooner
RAAF personnel
Added 5 RAAF personnel and photographs.
Other revisions
Other amplifications, amendments consequent on larger revisions, or photograph additions, improvements or caption amplifications
Home Refreshed and reordered
Hawker Audax & Hind Serials revised. Afghan and preserved 211 aircraft
Blenheim I Serials revised and expanded
Blenheim IV Mark IV engine discussion from above. Serials revised and expanded, Z7643 photos added
Blenheim armament Mark I twin Brownings noted
The Far East Added Oosthaven photos thanks to Bill Maitland and David Vincent
CFR Clark Revised summary, added discussion of JKRV aircraft at Paramythia thanks to Aleksandar Ognjevic
Bill Baird Thanks again to Bob Barclay, additional identification of 72 OTU crews
RJ Dudman JKRV photo notes
WH Edwards and Geoff Grierson annotations and identification of Squadron personnel, Grantham 1938
JB Keeping RAAF personnel photo identification thanks to David Vincent and Gar Gaston
Mike Sainsbury Expanded Valentia and Hangar photo captions
Burma Quintet, Des Marsh-Collis Some corrections and Beaufighter M Mother identified
Peter Spooner Added Mosquito V-Victor photograph
Sources Added numerous entries.
2002–2003
The site continued to grow, the update programme varying in frequency depending on the volume of material at hand. A general sense of the growth of the site can be gathered from the PANDORA archive copies, which began in May 2002 and continue annually from August 2002.
December 2001
After a demanding period of monthly updates, by December 2001 the site had grown to some 30 pages (in about half its then allotted space of 10MB), with additional information on the Blenheim IV, the Far East, and individual pages for LW Abbs, G Checketts, J D W H Clutterbuck, EL Cooper, A Conrad, G Davies, RJ Dudman, WH Edwards DFC, T Fisher, JE Fryatt, C Hansford, JS Robertson, and Burma contributors W Dickinson, G Manderson DFC, D Marsh Collis, S Spicer, S Woodhouse and AB Wythe DFM.
SITE LAUNCH
Easter Sunday 15 April 2001
The 60th anniversary of the Squadron’s disastrous Easter Sunday raid in Greece. In this early form, the site’s content was little more than a web-based version of the original 211 Squadron RAF—An Observer’s Notes and Recollections.
www.211squadron.org © D Clark & others 1998–2010
Site created 15 Apr 2001, last updated 1 Feb 2010. Page created 15 Apr 2001, last updated 1 Feb 2010
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