( C to C )

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=80 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="0c200500dvldtc.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="BauerBodni BT" ><B>113 SQUADRON</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>     |    </B></FONT><B> </B><A HREF="home_of_113_squadron.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WELCOME"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >back to</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><A HREF="113_squadron_personnel.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SQUADRON PERSONNEL"><U><B>SQUADRON PERSONNEL</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=216 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="0c3d8c00dvldtc.gif"> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="09e4b640.gif" border=0 width="75" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> ~ HONOUR ROLL ~</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#corp_bob_cable" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Corp Bob Cable</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#_____w__campbell" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>William R (Bill) Campbell</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt____campbell" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt ? Campbell</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#fsgt_edgar_edwin_mackenzie_campbell" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/Sgt Edgar Campbell</U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="88115150.gif" border=0 width="21" height="21" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#flt_geoffrey_desmond_cannon" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/Lt Geoffrey Cannon</U></A> DFC</div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#fo____caro" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/O ?? Caro</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#lac____carpenter" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>LAC ?? Carpenter</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#___vic_cashmore" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>P/O Vic Cashmore</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sldr_f_d_cator" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>S/Ldr F D Cator</U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="88115150.gif" border=0 width="21" height="21" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_leslie_cator" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Leslie Cater (sp?)</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_charnley" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt ?? Charnley</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_george_checketts" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt George Checketts</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt___chapman" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/Sgt J  Chapman</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_scott_chard" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Scott Chard</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#flt_a_j_cheshire_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/Lt A J Cheshire</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sldr____chichester" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>S/Ldr ?? Chichester</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#____stan_chilton_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/Lt Stan N Chilton</U></A> DFC</div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_bill_clearihue_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Bill Clearihue</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#po_john_s_cleaver" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>P/O John S Cleaver</U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="88115150.gif" border=0 width="21" height="21" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#fsgt_harry_clement" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/Sgt Harry Clement</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#po_reg_clinton_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>P/O Reg Clinton</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#po____collier" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>P/O ?? Collier</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#fo_corbett" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/O ?? Corbett</U></A> (45Sqd)</div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#lac___corner" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>LAC ?? Corner</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sldr_r_n_h_courtney_dfc" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>S/Ldr R.N.H Courtney</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_hugh_courtney" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Hugh Courtney</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#ach____craig" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>ACH ?? Craig</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_joseph_crawford" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Joseph Crawford</U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="88115150.gif" border=0 width="21" height="21" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#fo_richard_t_wyndham_ketton_cremer_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/O R Ketton-Cremer</U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="88115150.gif" border=0 width="21" height="21" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#fs_harry_crossley" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>F/S Harry Crossley</U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="88115150.gif" border=0 width="21" height="21" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#___crossley_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Crossley</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_thomas_alfred_reginald_crowe_" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Thomas Crowe</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm#sgt_jack_curtis" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>Sgt Jack Curtis</U></A></div> <div> 72</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="personnel_of_113_squadron_raf.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( A to A )"><U>(    A to A    )</U></A>   |   <A HREF="personnel_of_113_squadron_raf18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( B to B )"><U>(    B to B    )</U></A>   |   (   C to C    )   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( D to G )"><U>(    D to G    )</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( H to K )"><U>(   H to K   )</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( L to O )"><U>(    L to O    )</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( P to S )"><U>(    P to S    )</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( T to W )"><U>(    T to W    )</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="( X to Z )"><U>(    X to Z    )</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U>PERSONAL  PROFILES</U></div> <div> <U>C to C</U></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="88308090.gif" border=0 width="520" height="9" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> To navigate the Personnel section, all veterans are grouped alphabeticaly by the first letter of their last name. Click on the links listed above to take you to the correct alphabetical group.  Using the scroll bar on the left, scroll down through the list of names contained within this left border then click on the one you wish to see. Alternatively, you can use the scroll bar on the right and scroll down through all the personnel listed on this page. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="88208090.gif" border=0 width="520" height="9" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="corp_bob_cable"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Corp Bob Cable</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Corp Bob Cable</B>, RNZAF Ground Crew. Also served on 99 Squadron. </div> <div> Corp Cable was one of those in the advance party who left the Middle East for Burma. </div> <bR> <div> When we, the rear party of No 113arrived at Rangoon docks early in February on the S.S.Varsova (not what we called it!) the air raid siren was wailing. It was not a very large ship but had quite a few troops) on board besides ourselves. With rifle and small kit only, we were trucked to the Rangoon Zoo for a CO's parade. We were made most welcome by the Zoo's Superintendent, an Englishman and his family. Felt sorry for them as they were trying to get the beasts away. They had taken the large ones up North and released them into the jungle but still had a lot of small ones. Had air raids the next day and heard that the docks had been hit and ships sunk, including one with a load of Scotch Whiskey. However, we lost all our personal things in our kit bags which had not been unloaded.</div> <bR> <div> We left for Toungoo by truck but were held up briefly on the road North by an enormous snake that was crossing the road which had heavy jungle on both sides. The snake was about 20ft long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter and took quite a long while to cross the road. We met up with the AVG at Toungoo,a weary bunch of hard airmen, but did not meet up with our aircrew or our aircraft. Besides the AVG there were a few Hurricanes here and some beat up Buffalos. After a short stay we were on the move again, this time to Magwe and then after a couple of days on to Lashio.</div> <bR> <div> Five or six of us were flown from Lashio to Akyab in a Hudson, whose crew were trying to sink a smll sailing vessel in the Bay by diving on it and trying to catch it in the slipstream. Mad thing to do and I did not care for it at all. Akyab was fairly buzzing but our air crew and aircraft were not there. I remember sleeping out in the open and, then we were off to Chittagong in an IAF transport aircraft which had been in use in the North West Frontier. There was a big hole in the floor with a dozen of us laying around peering down..not too comfortable. Pleased to get to Chittagong, which we left en route to Fyzabad by train. We eventually caught up with our aircrew and aircraft weeks later in Asansol.</div> <bR> <div> Source & Copyright Tony Day 'Air War Over The Arakan'  per Bob Cable</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8591c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="fo____caro"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/O ?? Caro</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>F/O ?? Caro</B>, </div> <div> Listed in S/Ldr Keily log as having flown with him Aug 1940</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="lac____carpenter"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>LAC ?? Carpenter</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>LAC Carpenter</B>, </div> <div> Listed in S/Ldr Keily log as having flown with him Nov 1939</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="87af4540.jpg" border=0 width="244" height="340" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <U> <A NAME="___vic_cashmore"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>P/O</U><U> Vic Cashmore</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>P/O Vic Cashmore</B>,  Pilot Blenheims.</div> <div>  </div> <div> In the Western Desert, August 1941, [my unit] 113 Squadron RAF was composed of a bomber flight and a fighter flight. The fighter aircraft (these were all Mk 4 Blenheims) had five fixed machine guns firing forward. Some of them had a 20 mm cannon also. This armament made the aircraft quite a formidable long range strafer and on one occasion several of us flew to Agedabia near the Gulf of Sirte where we split up and proceeded to strafe transport targets along the road to the South.</div> <bR> <div> We caused quite a bit of damage and not only to the transport. On one pass I came in too low in my attack and we hit a telephone pole. The starboard engine was knocked about somewhat but it did keep working, after a fashion, until we were practically home. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Charlie</FONT> was somewhat put out because a piece of timber from the post came back and smashed the perspex on his turret.</div> <bR> <div> Something I learned on this trip was that if you become a strafing target whatever you do, do not run. A moving human target is irresistible to a pilot. A few days later another strafe of the same area found the enemy up the pole mending the damage we had caused. They proved to be another irresistible target.</div> <bR> <div> Life in the desert was healthy but it did lack the pleasures of normal life. Lack of water (and it usually tasted rather awful) was the main problem. There was a unit allowance of about one gallon per man per day. That may not sound too bad but the cook took most of it. I recall the daily ablution to be - first clean your teeth but retain all water. Shave in that water. Using a damp cloth, soap yourself all over and then, with the residue, use the wet cloth to remove the soap. All this could be done quite well with a pint of water although, until tried by necessity, one would not think so. I can remember doing all of the above (after a fashion) with one pannikin only.</div> <bR> <div> It was quite normal to send aircraft back to the Delta in order to have major inspections and repairs done at a maintenance unit. An unserviceable aircraft would be flown there and an 'as new' one bought back. It would not be hard to arrange a weekend delay in a city while there. Crews did get leave very occasionally and this was one way of transporting them in relative comfort. Then, on the return, there was always some room in the bomb bay for the odd case of gin and as many fresh eggs, fruit and vegetables as could be stowed.</div> <bR> <div> The crew taking the aircraft back would hitch-hike to Cairo or Alex. I can recall booking into the Hotel Cecil in the afternoon, having a long soak in a bath and putting on some clean clothes. Then to a barber for a shave, haircut, shampoo and manicure (the Egyptians are good at such things). Feeling peckish, a stroll to "Au Petit Coin de France" for the biggest steak available - washed down with Stella beer. Reinforced by the odd liqueur, an evening in a night-club/cabaret would follow. Getting back to the Cecil in the early hours and breasting up to the bar for a nightcap, who was our companion on one occasion but Noel Coward.</div> <bR> <div> In October 1942 I became ill. Sinusitis was mainly the trouble and the CO (good old Syd Ault) decided to send me on a rest tour. I had completed 63 sorties for 236 hours and so, with regret, I was posted off. I could have applied for any number of postings but I chose to go to Nakuru in Kenya where there was quite a large unit - 70 OTU RAF - which gave inexperienced pilots training on operational aircraft. Crews were then formed and these then completed a fairly rigorous course of formation flying, bombing, air gunnery and wireless use.</div> <bR> <div> Usual crew on ops during desert time was Sgt Ken woods Obo, Sgt Wally Kilgour WOp/Ag. Sgt Ewan Brooking replaced Sgt Kilgour after he had come down with yellow fever. This crew was also one of those detached to Greece.</div> <bR> <div> SOURCE:<B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories.asp?war=W2&id=88" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stori"><U>http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/stories/stories.asp?war=W2&id=88</U></A></FONT></div> <div> See above link for full story.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8591c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sldr_f_d_cator"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>S/Ldr F D Cator</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>S/Ldr F D Cator</B>, Squadron leader Apr 1938 to March 1939, Alexandria Egypt / Heliopolis. Promoted W/Cdr</div> <bR> <div> Recorded in S/Ldr Keily log June 1939 ??</div> <div> Also see photo section for shot of Hind K6796 believed to be S/Ldr Cator's aircraft. Sgt Bill Whittlesey sitting in cockpit.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8591c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_leslie_cator"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Leslie Cator</U>  <IMG SRC="8741d1d0.gif" border=0 width="29" height="29" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt Leslie Cator</B>, Sergeant / Pilot 741384 113 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve died 09/30/1940. Son of John William and Hilda Annie <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Cater</FONT>, of Harston, Cambridgeshire. Commemorated on the ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, Egypt. Column 239. Sgt Cater's parents lived at</div> <div> "Walreddon", London Road, Harston Cambs. They had another (elder) son John , who was a Flight Officer in 1942 somewhere "out "East"</div> <bR> <div> On Monday, September 30, 1940 Blenheim Mk IV T2171, piloted by Sgt L Cator with Obs Sgt K Meadowcroft and R/G Sgt B Shelton aboard failed to return from a raid on Maraua. Following successful bombing of the target the aircraft was returning to base when it was jumped by Italian CR. 42's and shot down into the Mediterranean.  Sgt L. Cator, Sgt. K Meadowcroft, Sgt B. Shelton (aged 18) were killed in action and are Commemorated on the Alamein Memorial.</div> <bR> <div> Source: Alison Merricks and G Warner and CWGC</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8591c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="_____w__campbell"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>W/O </U><U>William (Bill) R Campbell</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>W/O Bill R. Campbell</B>, R64390 Observer. Bill currently lives in Whitby Ontario Canada with his wife Lois. They have one son and one daughter.</div> <bR> <div> On the 20/05/1943 Blenheim BA478 MkV had an engine cut out and crashed in an attempted forced landing 5 miles from Feni. Destroyed by fire. F/Sgt Ferguson , W/O Campbell , F/Sgt Rayner escaped, Obs slightly burned</div> <bR> <div> According to J Chapman, P/O Lorne Tapp's  original crew on Ops, one of the original 18 crews who left the Middle East for Burma, were Sgt Bill Campbell, Canadian and Sgt Titch Taylor, English. </div> <div> SOURCE: F/Lt Tony Day research notes & correspondence with J Chapman.</div> <bR> <div> SOURCE: Iris Rongna Liang, friend of  Bill Campbell has been in contact, more information to follow.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt____campbell"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt  ? Campbell</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt ? Campbell</B>,  Pilot</div> <bR> <div> TEZPUR  08/07/1942. Two aircraft, F / Sgt Chapman and crew, and Sgt Campbell and crew, carried out a raid in bad weather on PALETWA. Bombs dropped were 7 x 250 1bs G.P. (1 hung up) from 3000 and 6000 ft. Results were unobserved owing to visibilty and aircraft returned to DUM DUM.</div> <div> Extract from Orbs. per F/Lt Tony Day</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="fsgt_edgar_edwin_mackenzie_campbell"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/Sgt Edgar Edwin Mackenzie Campbell</U> <IMG SRC="8741d1d0.gif" border=0 width="29" height="29" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> </div> <bR> <div> <B>F/Sgt Edgar Edwin Mackenzie Campbell</B>, 406139, RAAF. KIA 19/04/1942 in Burma. Commemorated on panel 120 AWM.</div> <bR> <div> On 19/04/1942 Z9820 MkIV piloted by F/O Max Hickey crashed in / near the Irrawaddy river near Alanmyo on return from China. F/O Max Hickey - pilot and F/Sgt Edgar E Campbell and F/O Ron  Llewellyn Rogers posted as missing. Later all presumed KIA.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt John Reid</B> was on this detachment to China and was in formation with F/O Hickey when he crashed: "<I>We were sent to Loiwing from the (16/04/1942) 16th of April 1942 untill the 20th (20/04/1942). On the 16th we flew out from Asansol to Lechim (sp?), Kelewa, Bhamo to Loiwing. On the same day we flew down to Lashio which was in the Northern Chin States south of Loiwing, the weather was bad however and we returned to Loiwing. Lashio was an RAF base and we got all our bombs here. On the 17th we flew back to Lashio and stayed overnight. On the following morning of the 18th we did an operation from Lashio to Magwe, Here we straffed and bombed the town and aerodrome while the AVG (American Volunteer Group) provided top cover, then returning to Lashio then back to Loiwing. On the 19th we flew out to Lashio then on to Allenmyo where we straffed and bombed with only two of us returning afterward to Lashio then back to Loiwing. The flight consisted of </I><I><B>P/O Max Hickey</B></I><I>, </I><I><B>F/O Eric Pearse</B></I><I> and myself., P/O Hickey was lost on this operation enroute to Allenmyo. There were the three of us in formation flying very low down the dry bed of a river aways then we swung left up out of the river bed over the bank and as we came up there were palm trees, pagodas, and such we had to lift up over. Banking into the turn I was highest up on the outside, F/O Pearse leading was in the middle, and P/O Max Hickey was lowest on the inside. Although watching the leader, I happened to catch Hickey's plane for an instant out of the corner of my eye and thought his left wing tip was bloody close to those palm trees and Padgoda's, then I saw it dip and it was gone from my field of vision. At the time there were Japanese troops on the road and we were taking ground fire from the area and whether he got hit by ground fire, or hit the top of a padgoda or tree I can't say. When we got back my Wop/Ag </I><I><B>Sgt Lenny White</B></I><I> said "yes I saw him go in, there was a huge cloud of dust, no sign of flame or explosion, just a pile of dust" </I></div> <bR> <div> Note: There is a date discrepancy, Graham Warner records this crash as being 21/04/1942 but this is incorrect</div> <bR> <div> SOURCE: SGT JOHN REID</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="8c9657a0.gif" border=0 width="357" height="378" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="87824460.gif" border=0 width="36" height="70" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <U> <A NAME="flt_geoffrey_desmond_cannon"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/Lt Geoffrey Desmond Cannon DFC</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>F/Lt Geoffrey Desmond Cannon DFC,</B>  400026 RAAF, Obs.</div> <bR> <div> Enrolled with the RAAF  29/04/1940 and did his initial training in Australia at Parks and Cootamundra. Qualified as an Air Observer Navigator and Bomb Aimer in February 1941. </div> <bR> <div> He was posted to 113 Squadron in June 1941 and his first operation was on the 15th of June 1941. On the 12th of September 1941 in Blenheim V3919 with F/O Lydall they shot down a S.79 over Mersa in a night fighter patrol which was celebrated as quite an achievement in the circumstances. </div> <bR> <div> The Pilots listed in his Log Book include: </div> <div> Sgt McPherson,.... Sgt Roberts,.... Sgt LLoyd.... P/O Pengelly,.... F/L Green,.... F/O Hardcastle, ....W/C Stidolph, ....F/L Young and of course Vic Cashmore. </div> <bR> <div> In October 1941 he was posted to STRAT Recco Unit RAAF and from here went on to 13 Squadron in Africa then Sicily and Italy and finally to the UK. He had also spent time in Kenya as well and ended up returning to Kenya after the War. He eventually settled back in Australia and died at the Gold Coast in 1999. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="7cd77000.gif" border=0 width="375" height="512" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A great poster also found in the collection of other veterans of this</div> <div> period. Signed Chat, Hopefully we will someday identify the artist.</div> <bR> <div> SEE PHOTO SECTION,  for other photos from F/Lt Cannon collection</div> <div> SOURCE: Roger Cannon, son of F/Lt Geoff Cannon</div> <bR> <div> (It is unknown how or when F/Lt Cannon won the DFC) </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8591c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_charnley"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Charnley</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt Charnly,</B> Obo</div> <bR> <div> Identified by Chapman as being one of the original 18 crews that came out from the Middle East to Burma. Crew on Ops reported to be Sgt F Thornton, Sgt Dicketts</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8591c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="99639890.jpg" border=0 width="313" height="393" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_george_checketts"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt George Checketts</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt George Checketts</B> W/Op A/G, served on 82, 211 & 113 Squadrons. Nickname 'Taff'. Author of several articles for flypast magazine Apr and May 2000, titled Taffs air war. Crew was Frank Baker - Pilot, Bob Hay - Observer. (Picture page 5 F/O P Woodward book)</div> <bR> <div> 82 Squadron - UK 1940</div> <div> 211 Squadron-29/01/1941 to </div> <div> 55 Squadron - 19/05/1941 to 30/05/1941</div> <div> 113 Squadron - 09/06/1941 to 23/11/1941</div> <div> 72 OTU - 12/02/1942 to 27/12/1942</div> <bR> <div>  Sgt Checketts started out with 82 Squadron in England and it was here that he crewed up with what were to be his crew mates for the next four years, Sgt Frank Baker - Pilot, and Sgt Bob Hay - Observer. He was only at 82 Sqd a short while when the Squadron was asked for volunteers to fly a new Blenheim to the Middle East. As George says, of course no one ever voluntered, so what they would do was put all the pilots names in a hat then have someone draw a name. Needless to say, George's pilot Sgt Bob Hay was the lucky / unlucky winner this particular time. Off they went taking a new ferry route which saw them across France detouring around neutral Spain, then across the Mediterranean finally arriving at Malta after 8.5 hours in the air on the 03/12/1940. From here they made the short hop from Malta to Egypt arriving on the 05/12/1940. Like many others who made the trip safely, they were not put on a boat for home as they had believed, but rather were kidnapped and sent to a Middle East manning pool (transit camp) for posting. Here our three unlucky chaps grew increasingly discontent as they whiled away time doing rather mundane  tasks. Finally in exasparation they volunteered for Greece. Had they known the disaster awaiting to befall Greece it is quite likely they would have found their mundane chores suddenly quite enjoyable.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="9aeb6210.jpg" border=0 width="438" height="289" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Sgt George Checketts Wop/Ag, Sgt Frank Baker Pilot, Sgt Bob Hay Obs</div> <div> in front of their Blenheim "Judy" Being bored with the transit camp they were stuck in they volunteered for Greece and joined the 211 Squadron there on the 29/01/1941</div> <div>  </div> <div> <IMG SRC="9b0d0060.jpg" border=0 width="208" height="262" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="2">On the 29/01/1941 Sgt Checketts arrived in Greece and joined up with 211 Squadron. At first they only had to contend with the Italians but soon the Germans came into the picture and following a series of devestating air raids they all but wiped out the RAF in Greece. George contends they were then picked, among others, to fly to Egypt by Sunderland to bring back more aircraft. (Strangely enough, even some ground crew were told this and only realized they were being evacuated ahead of the others, after they had gotten away). In any case George & crew flew to Crete in the Sunderland where they spent the night, then headed off to Alexandria Egypt. On arrival they were told Greece had fallen and they would not be returning. As such they were spared the disaster of the mass evacuation from Greece which was to follow.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="99ad54d0.jpg" border=0 width="469" height="333" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Sgt (W/O) George Checketts relaxing, likely Ismailia Egypt 1941</div> <bR> <div> Later Sgt Checketts and crew caught up with the 211 at Ramleh Palestine where the squadron was re-grouping.  Here they all had to be re-kitted except George and crew who, having got out early, still had their full kit. This however was soon to work against them, George figures because they were still kitted out and had not suffered the trauma of being chased out of Greece, that they were singled out and posted back to the Western Desert. As fate would have it they were sent off to the old 113 base at Ma'aten Bagush.</div> <bR> <div> George arrived at Ma'aten Bagush on the 19/05/1941 and joined 55 Squadron who had apparently taken over the base from 113 squadron after it had been sent off to Greece. George and crew get no more than settled in and scarcely two weeks later, about the 30/05/194,  their new Squadron is stood down and shipped off for a rest. Ungratefull lot that they were, George and his crew were not invited and left behind. This is pretty funny because this is the second time they get put back to work while their newly assigned squadron goes off and enjoys some R&R.</div> <bR> <div> In the meantime 113 Squadron having been re-kitted and re-formed after the Greece disaster are told they are to returning to their former base at Ma'aten Bagush. Essentially George and his crew went with the real-estate and were inherited by 113 Squadron along with all of 55's (Beaufighter ?) aircraft and equipment. A pretty good deal since 113 had lost their aircraft and everything else in Greece.</div> <bR> <div> George and crew remained with the 113 throughout the squadrons second tour of the desert and was in on the famous Giarabub debacle. George's last flying with the squadron was on 23/11/1941 which was timed with the beginning of the squadrons  withdrawal from the desert in preparation for Burma.</div> <bR> <div> <I>George has been helping with the site for quite some time and has greatly assisted in sorting out some of the early history and wherabouts of the squadron. It was through an entry in George's log that a signature of Sqd/Ldr Clifton Harper was found, a moment of great joy for me personally.</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><IMG SRC="99899240.jpg" border=0 width="409" height="292" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> George far right, and family and friends.</div> <div> (The details of this photo have been missplaced)</div> <bR> <div> October 17, 2005</div> <div> It is with saddest of hearts I regret to inform everyone that Sgt George Checketts passed away October 17, 2005. A wonderfull man with a sense of humour and a keen witt, his valuable help in capturing the history of the 113 Squadron could not possibly be over stated. He will be dearly missed.</div> <bR> <div> <I>PROFILE INCOMPLETE: Extensive Photo album and stories to follow.</I></div> <div> <I>Taped interview is on file</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="a0cbf000.jpg" border=0 width="191" height="256" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><U> <A NAME="sgt___chapman"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></FONT><A HREF="f_o_john_chapman.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="F/O John Chapman"><U><U>F/</U></U></A><U>O</U><A HREF="f_o_john_chapman.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="F/O John Chapman"><U><U> John  Chapman</U></U></A></div> <div> (CLICK ON NAME FOR PERSONAL PAGE)</div> <bR> <div> <B>F/O John  Chapman</B>, RCAF, Canadian born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on July 11, 1919. Died June of 1995. Parents Anne (Scotland) and William Chapman (Canada).</div> <bR> <div> Sgt Chapman crewed up in Canada and ferried a Blenheim to Egypt in early 1941 where he joined the Squadron at Ma'aten Bagush in the Western Desert. He remained with the squadron, throughout the Burma campaign until the squadron was stood down Aug 15, 1943 and converted from a bomber squadron to a fighter squadron flying Hurricane's. Some pilots remained & retrained as fighter pilots, as did Sgt Chapman, but it is believed he left the squadron at this time. He was repatriated home to Canada in 1944 and remained with the RCAF until 1945.</div> <bR> <div> <I>SEE SGT CHAPMAN PERSONAL PAGE FOR FULL DETAILS, STORIES AND PHOTOS</I> - CLICK ON NAME ABOVE</div> <bR> <div> MISC NOTES:</div> <div> Sgt Chapman pranged a Blenheim 02/05/1942, further details not known. </div> <bR> <div> On one occasion as related to Tony Day in correspondence, Sgt Chapman and S/Ldr Peter Ford were detailed to attack a power station and both took War Correspondents. One of these was Roderick McDonald "Dawn Like Thunder". </div> <bR> <div> <I>Sgt Chapman; "As to the war correspondent, a lot of what he wrote was utter crap, there was no Flipper and I never used the expression in my life. There also was no burning Blenheim at the end of the runway. Again it's horse shi_. The total conversation with Flipper is a figment of his imagination. I Think it was DS who told me I was to take this guy along with me. He also said Peter Ford had a correspondent with him. As I mentioned earlier, Ford and I were detailed to go for the power house and so we had the two correspondents with us. I also did not see 'three burning Jap bombers'. Boy, this guy really has an imagination. I just checked my log book, it was our crews 18th raid, not 29th.We also did not see any 'Jap raiding squadron'. He says "We did not see them nor they us" Case closed. If I had known as he apparently did, that a Bofos had clipped my wing, I would have crapped. I think I explained our night fighters was just S/Ldr Ford flying around the target with his Port engine on fire. His last paragraph is completely devoid of fact. </I>(Chappy closed this letter by saying he was planning to attend the 1987 reunion).</div> <bR> <div> Sgt Chapman contributed greatly to the book, "Air War over The Arakan" by author Tony Day. </div> <bR> <div> Sept 1941 referenced in Sgt Lister Walker log. Known by many as "Chappy".</div> <div> Referred to himself as being short at 5'7"</div> <bR> <div> One of the original 18 crews that came out from the Middle East to Burma. Crew on Ops reported to be  Sgt JBJ McKenzie, (nickname Mac) Kiwi. and Ken Shrubsole, English.</div> <bR> <div> TEZPUR  08/07/1942. Two aircraft, F / Sgt Chapman and crew, and Sgt Campbell and crew, carried out a raid in bad weather on PALETWA. Bombs dropped were 7 x 250 1bs G.P. (1 hung up) from 3000 and 6000 ft. Results were unobserved owing to visibilty and aircraft returned to DUM DUM.</div> <div> Extract from Orbs. per F/Lt Tony Day</div> <bR> <div> In a letter to Tony Day dated 2 June 1987 Chappy states quote "I saw Lockwood when I went over on Apr 17 at the 113 Squadron Reunion" He goes on "the only person I knew from the old days was Lockwood" In the same letter he mentions S.African Percy Bodley and  that Lorne Tapp flew Mossies as part of a second tour on PRU" Some one, maybe Peter Duggan Smith told me that Peter Ford was killed in Italy on Baltimore operations.  In this last letter he said he was off to NZ to visit his ex Obo  "Mac" MacKenzie and wanted Bob Cable's address. Note: Angus Stonehouse letterhead was used & maybe clue to locating family. Last Address was 195 Chalmers Street, Elora, Ont.   NOB 1S0  (FAMILY HAS BEEN FOUND 2007)</div> <bR> <div> SOURCE: F/Lt Tony Day, Sgt Ewan Brooking, Sgt Lister Walker, John Chapman III (Grandson), John Chapman II (Son)</div> <bR> <div> SEE ALSO: True Tall Tales Section, The 113 Squadron Story</div> <bR> <div> In one of Chappy's last letters to Tony, who was concerned for his health, he reported:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC9900" FACE="Arial" > "You ought to know, only the good die young, my health is fine"</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_scott_chard"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Scott Chard</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt Scott Chard</B>,  Obo,  </div> <div> Crew on Ops was S/Ldr Peter Ford, and Sgt C. Gerloff. It is reported that Peter was later killed in Italy after he left the Squadron.</div> <bR> <div> It is known Sgt Chard was in the detachment to Crete Sept 1941 and is noted in Sgt Ewan Brookings memoirs. There were two flights detached to Malta, one on 23/09/1941 and another a day later on 24/09/1941. S/Ldr Ford -pilot, Sgt Scott Chard-Obs, and Sgt Hodgkinson Wop/Ag were one of the crews which left for Malta on the 24th with Sgt Ewan Brooking as passenger and spare crew. The crew did not return to Egypt untill much later due to injuries S/Ldr Ford sustained during an attack.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sgt Chapman states this was one of the original 18 crews that left the middle East for Burma. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="flt_a_j_cheshire_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/Lt A J Cheshire</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>F/Lt A J Cheshire</B>, Obo A/G Burma Jan 1942 to June 1943</div> <div> Service from November 1940 - January 1946, recording his service as an Air Gunner with the RAF, including: his training, November 1940 - July 1941, notably at No 2 Signals School, RAF Yatesbury, Wiltshire, December 1940; No 9 B & G S, RAF Penrhos, Wales, February - March 1941, and at 17 OTU, Training Wing, RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire, April - July 1941; active service flying Blenheims and Bisleys with No 114 Squadron, RAF West Raynham, Norfolk, July - August 1941, and North Africa, September - December 1941;</div> <bR> <div> No 113 Squadron, Burma and India, January 1942 - June 1943, bombing and straffing the Japanese; and training and serving as an Air Gunner Instructor with No 1 AGS, India, July - August 1943; No 1 AAS, May 1944; 98 Gunnery Leaders School, CGS, May - June 1945; Gunnery Leader Wing, CGS, RAF Catfoss, Yorkshire, July - October 1945; and Gunnery Leader Wing, CGS, RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire, November 1945 - January 1946. </div> <bR> <div> It is known Sgt Cheshire was on detachment to Loiwing China. Details as follows: On April 10, 16, 21 1942 flights were detached and sent to Loewing China. On the 21st a flight of six Blenheims led by W/Cdr Grey were sent, these listed in order of pilot, Obs, Wop/Ag were (Wcdr Grey, Sgt Barry, Sgt Tollett) & (F/O Hammond, P/O Evans, Sgt Lord) & (P/O Griffiths, Sgt Davies, Sgt Dicketts) & (F/Sgt Hinds, F/Sgt Aitken, Sgt Bailes) & (F/Sgt Symondson, Sgt Birley, Sgt Woodcock) & (Sgt Webster, Sgt Whyte, <B>Sgt Cheshire</B>) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >SOURCE: Sgt Alan Bailes</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Royal Museum UK has F/Lt A J Cheshire's Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (45pp) Also included are 17 photographs of him in uniform, aircrew and Blenheims.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sldr____chichester"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>S/Ldr ?? Chichester</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>S/Ldr ?? Chichester,</B> </div> <bR> <div> Recorded in S/Ldr Keily's log as having flown with him in 1939 when the Squadron was at Heliopolis</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8591c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>         <IMG SRC="499f9470.jpg" border=0 width="249" height="327" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="87824460.gif" border=0 width="36" height="70" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><U> <A NAME="____stan_chilton_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></FONT><A HREF="id161.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="F/Lt STANLEY CHILTON DFC"><U><U>F/Lt</U></U></A><A HREF="id161.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="F/Lt STANLEY CHILTON DFC"><U><U> Stanley N. Chilton DFC</U></U></A>  </div> <div> (CLICK ON NAME FOR PERSONAL PAGE)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>F/Lt Stanley N. Chilton DFC, Flight Commander</B>. </div> <bR> <div> PERSONAL DETAILS;</div> <div> Trained in Canada at 13 EFTS in St Eugene Quebec moving on to RCAF Station St Hubert near Montreal Canada where Wings were awarded in April 1942.  I Joined 113 in October 1943 at St. Thomas Mount near Madras, where the squadron was re-equipping with Hurricanes. I had previously served in 19 Squadron flying Spitfire Vb in Cornwall and then did a spell ferrying from Gibralter to Algiers. Joined as a Flying Officer and concluded my tour in March 1944 as the senior flight commander. I flew on over 200 bombing/strafing missions leading the squadron or my Flight on about 100 of these, and my tour covered virtually the whole time 113 was equipped with Hurricanes.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="87efa010.jpg" border=0 width="506" height="257" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> F/Lt Chilton DFC at Rangoon AHQ</div> <bR> <div> HISTORICAL</div> <div> <I>(Note the following is a greatly edited version of the real story, see F/Lt Chilton's Personal Page or the 113 Squadron Story for the full text.)</I></div> <bR> <div> In the autum of 1943 the Squadron got rid of it’s Blenheim aircraft and commenced conversion onto Hurricane II C’s at St Thomas Mount near Madras for an intended fighter role. Some of the Blenheim pilots remained and others (like myself) with previous single-engine experience were drafted in from North Africa. After about 2 months training in fighter tactics the squadron was judged fit for operations and just before Christmas 1943 flew up to an airstrip in North East Assam called Dimapur.</div> <bR> <div> The squadron was deployed on strafing attacks mainly along the River Chindwin, using the 4 x 20mm cannons. On 20 March, however, the Japanese began a major offensive up the Manipur Road. The road runs through a large plain, about 25 miles long and 10 miles wide, about 3000ft up in the Naga Hills known as the Imphal Valley. This contained 6 airstrips and 113 moved to one of them called Tulyhul on 22 March. Since ground attack was obviously going to be the role, the aircraft were now fitted with the 250lb bombs, one under each wing and for the next year or so the squadron carried out bombing and strafing attacks every day, weather permitting.</div> <bR> <div> This was very close support and the squadron was briefed by an Army Liaison Officer, Major Teddy Kensington and frequently helped by smoke bombs put down by the army. Targets initially were in the jungle-covered hills south of Imphal and aircraft used either dive-bombing techniques or, where possible, low-level strikes with 11 sec. delay bombs, which were more accurate.</div> <bR> <div> Late March, 113 was moved out to Silchar and then Patharkandi in Assam, flying in daily to Tulyhul for rearming and refuelling.  In April the Japanese cut the road north of Imphal down which all the allies supplies came and from then until the end of June the valley was in a state of seige. All supplies (including our bombs, ammunition and fuel) were flown in by Dakotas and Wellingtons. In late May 113 moved back into the valley to a strip called Palel which was to be it’s base for the next 7 months and was uncomfortably close to the front line. Some of the targets were literally within sight from high points near the squadrons dispersal and within shelling distance of the Japanese guns.</div> <bR> <div> In late June came the turning point in the Burma campaign, when, after fierce fighting at Kohima to which 113 gave support, the 14th army regained control of the Manipur road and the seige of Imphal ended. 113’s losses were, of course, mainly due to ground fire, but some other pilots managed to survive. Although the seige had ended the war of course went on and in July, Japanese troops infiltrated the Palel dispersal at night destroying 7 aircraft (3 Spitfires, 2 Hurricanes and 2 Harvards) using delay charges.</div> <bR> <div>  By December 1944 the targets were getting out of range so the squadron moved to a new airstrip called Yagagyo. The airstrips from now on did not have proper runways, but were lengths of fairly flat ground, bulldozed level and covered with pierced steel planking. The pilots and ground crews had also given up the straw ‘bashas’ of Palel, for tents and swapped ‘charpoys’ for campbeds! The next major operation for 113 was to support the crossing of the river Irrawaddy by the 14th Army by boat. There was intensive air support by numerous squadrons, including Thunderbolts and B25’s, with Spitfires providing air cover. The army was advancing fast now over the central Burma plain and the squadron moved to new strips (Onbauk and Ondaw) in the next 2 months. The next major target was Mandalay and 113’s ‘Hurri’ bombers (aided by Thunderbolts) attacked them at ground level with delay bombs and managed to breach the walls. Shortly after this the squadron moved back to Wangjing airstrip in the valley to re-equip with Thunderbolts, which with their superior range and performance were able to continue operations in southern Burma. </div> <bR> <div> <B>NOTES:</B> Asked about LAC Hitchens notes wherein the loss of P/O Smith is mentioned, F/Lt Chilton believes this is likely F/O Bennie Smyth, who was shot down in March 1945. QUOTE:  "I remember this quite well because he was sharing a tent with me at the time. Also sharing it was P/O Reed (a Canadian) who, unbelievably disappeared the next day! As you can imagine I had a bit of a twitch on my next flight! I went on a Government organised pilgrimage to the Far East in 1985 & identified both their graves in Rangoon."</div> <bR> <div> Click on name for full story  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id161.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="F/Lt STANLEY CHILTON DFC"><U><U>F/Lt Stanley N. Chilton DFC</U></U></A></FONT> or see the '113 Squadron Story' in the History Section.</div> <bR> <div> Reference: back cover credits, as having helped with F/O Pat Woodward book.</div> <div> Referenced: Profile LAC Harry Hitchens, 113 Squadron Timeline, Squadron History, photo section, numerous veteran profiles. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_bill_clearihue_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Bill Clearihue</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt Bill Clearihue</B>, Canadian Obo</div> <bR> <div> Identified by Chapman as being one of the original 18 crews that came out from the Middle East to Burma. Crew on Ops reported to be F/O Jim Purvis Canadian, Sgt Bill Clearihue, Canadian, Obo. and P/O Reg Clinton A/G English.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="fsgt_harry_clement"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/Sgt Harry Clement</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>F/Sgt Harry Clement</B>,  113 Sqdn 43/44, March 1944 Manipur.  Nickname 'CURLY'</div> <bR> <div> Returning to Tulihal from a raid on Layshi 23 March 1944,  ( 23/03/1944 ) three Hurricane's piloted by F/Sgt Clement, F/O Herbert and F/O Illman landed due to low fuel at Tamu which unbeknown to them, had been recently occupied by the Japs. F/Sgt Clement escaped, F/O Herbert and F/O Illman were presumed shot by the Japs. ("A very sad day for the 113" states the Squadron record book.)  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >SEE TRUE TALL TALES section for the full incredible story of F/Sgt Clements ordeal.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> F/Sgt Harry Clement explains: Whilst returning from an attack on Layshi in bad weather, and running short of fuel, the section leader became unsure of his position, although the timing indicated they must be close to base. Having spotted an airstrip (Tamu as it turned out, only 30 miles from Tulihal) they decided to land. Unfortunately Tamu had just been reocuppied by the Japs of the 33rd. Division in the early stages of their push North to Palel. This however, they had no way of knowing and there being no sign of enemy, the Hurricane's landed. In complete innocence the two officers went off to find some petrol, leaving F/Sgt Clement to guard the three Hurricane's. After a while he heard gunfire and noticed some men in strange helmets watching him from some nearby bushes. Guessing at once the real situation, and that the officers may have been shot, F/Sgt Clement moved quickly into the surrounding jungle where he laid low for two days without being discovered. Following which, he treked back through the jungle taking another fortnight before he finally reached the British lines.</div> <bR> <div> I did not fly on the Burma front again, but was posted to the Middle East, the reason being that I was considered to be an escaped prisoner of war, the Japanese presumably having my flying helmet, marked with my number, rank and name. Some two years later, when on demob leave in England, I developed malaria. Perhaps a belated sting in the tail, or the "jungle's revenge."</div> <bR> <div> SEE TRUE TALL TALES section for the full incredible story of F/Sgt Clements ordeal.</div> <bR> <div> SOURCE: F/O Pat Woodward book - F/Sgt Clement</div> <bR> <div> NOTE: Norm Franks book "The Air Battle of Imphal" there is at least one photo of "Joe" Ward and F/S Curly Clement. (per Tony Day)</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="po_john_s_cleaver"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>P/O John S Cleaver</U>  <IMG SRC="8741d1d0.gif" border=0 width="29" height="29" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>P/O John Sisman Cleaver,</B> 78454 Obs. Age 24, Son of Robert Sisman Cleaver and Ethel Mary Elizabeth of Cambridge.  </div> <bR> <div> KIA 18/09/1940 T2048, Mk IV Blenheim, FTR from raid on Tmimi, shot down by CR.42's, S/Ldr J. Keily DFC, AFC,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>baled out and captured, P/O John Cleaver, Sgt. J. Jobson W/Op A/G KIA. Buried in Knightsbridge war cemetery Acroma, Libya. <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >SOURCE: Graham Warner</FONT></div> <div> NOTE: Keily was reported killed in this raid. This is incorrect he survived and was captured. Spelling in 1945 Farewell Book is Keiley</div> <bR> <div> On 18 September  ( 18/09/1940 ) 26 CR.42s led by Maggiore Revetria of 13o Gruppo intercepted nine Blenheims at 3,000 feet over Tmini. The British bombers had released some bombs over the airfield and were turning to make a second pass. Tenente Guglielmo Chiarini, Sergente Maggiore Basso and Sergente Porta each claimed a Blenheim. After following the bombers Chiarini was wounded in a shoulder and forced to abort while Basso claimed his second bomber. A fifth bomber was claimed as a shared. 113 Squadron reported that one of their Blenheim Mk.IVs was shot down in flames, and claimed to have destroyed one of their attackers and possibly a second. No CR.42s were however lost but several were hit. </div> <bR> <div> TOTAL: 2 and 1 shared destroyed claimed in combat with Blenheim Mk.IVs from 113 Squadron. Italian fighters claimed five but 113 Squadron only lost one aircraft.</div> <div> NOTE: The above is presented as found and  has conflicts in several areas with the official records. </div> <div> Sources: http://www.google.co.uk/</div> <bR> <div> Shortly before he was killed, and according to S/L Keily's DFC citation, P/O Cleaver had a close call only a few weeks earlier when on  (28/07/1940) he was detailed to carry out a special reconnaissance over Libya. The reconnaissance had to be carried out at a low altitude owing to clouds and they  were  attacked by five enemy aircraft and destroyed one of them . During the engagement the air observer was hit by a bullet however they continued with the reconnaissance, returning with information of great value. </div> <div> <B>S/Ldr Keily log book for this date reads :</B></div> <div>  "28 july  blenheim L8443,  pilot self    P/O Cleaver,  Sgt Thompson  Recco escorted by 1 blen. fighter.  2H45 "  P/O Cleaver recorded again in Keily log May 1940.</div> <bR> <div>  P/O Michael Shekleton remembers John well and sixty five years later still feels the loss of his friend: <I>John Cleaver was my best friend, from well before the War. We rowed together. It was extraordinary (and of course just the luck of the draw) that we trained together in the VR, pre-war, met again at Sywell and Evanton, and landed up togeher at 113. We shared a tent in the desert. John usually flew as the CO's nav. When S/Ldr Keily was shot down only one parachute appeared. This we later learnt was S/Ldr Keily, so John and the gunner Jobby went into the sea with the Blenheim.</I> (A Sgt.Jobson  ('Jobby') was Keily's usual gunner)</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="po_reg_clinton_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>P/O Reg Clinton</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>P/O Reg Clinton</B>, English A/G</div> <bR> <div> Identified by Chapman as being one of the original 18 crews that came out from the Middle East to Burma. Crew on Ops reported to be F/O Jim Purvis Canadian, Sgt Bill Clearihue, Canadian, Obo. and P/O Reg Clinton A/G English.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="po____collier"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>P/O ?? Collier</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>P/O Collier</B>, </div> <bR> <div> Listed in S/Ldr Keily log as having flown with him July 1939</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="fo_corbett"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/O Corbett</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>F/O Corbett</B> (45 Squadron ?)</div> <bR> <div> Known to have been on the 10/11/1942 shipping strike on Akyab.  Crew on this op was Lt Gus Alder and Sgt Brooks RAAF.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> SOURCE: W/O Jack Barnes</div> <div> Note an F/O Corbett RAAF, posted in briefly from 45 Sqd 27/10/1942 to 22/11/1942 per Orbs extract F/Lt Tony Day</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="lac___corner"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>LAC?? Corner</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>LAC ?? Corner</B>, </div> <div> Corp Harrison / Jim Newton advise L AC ?? Corner likely to be 'Nunky' Corner, flight rigger from Scotland, first name unknown.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Listed in S/Ldr Keily log as having flown with him Apr 1940 and Aug 1940</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sldr_r_n_h_courtney_dfc"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>S/Ldr R.N.H Courtney DFC AFC </U>  <IMG SRC="87824460.gif" border=0 width="36" height="70" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>S/Ldr R.N.H Courtney</B>, Pilot, DFC, India & Burma, New C/O of 113 Squadron Jan 1944, Manipur.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >(First name Pat?????)</FONT></div> <div> SOURCE: Pat Woodward book </div> <bR> <div> On the 29th of May 1940 ( 29/05/1940 ) F/O R.N.H. Courtney was shot down and wounded over Dunkirk. He returned to No 151 Squadron on the 18th of July 1940. In 1944 Courtney was commanding a squadron in Burma and was awarded the D.F.C. on the 8th of September 1944, being credited with three enemy aircraft destroyed. Awarded the Bar to the D.F.C. on the 29th of January 1946 and the A.F.C. on the 1st of January 1954. In 1954 Courtney lead the Battle of Britain Fly-past.</div> <bR> <div> Signed Farewell dinner menu for the Squadron Feni, August 16, 1943</div> <bR> <div> SOURCE: http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/meltingpot/lightsey/28/Pilots/Co-pilots.html#CourtneyRNH</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="88bc51e0.jpg" border=0 width="197" height="286" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_hugh_courtney"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Hugh Courtney</U></div> <bR> <div> Sgt Hugh Courtney, W/Op A/G. England, Hugh's crew on ops was W/O Ron Lockwood pilot, and Sgt McKee Navigator. Jack Barnes who was a life long friend of Hugh's both during and after the war. Jack attended Hugh's wedding and funeral. Hugh died about  1992.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="88d58700.jpg" border=0 width="88" height="112" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Known to have been on the 10/11/1942 shipping strike on Akyab.  Crew on this op was W/O Ron Lockwood and Sgt Gilchrist  flying Blenheim BA592.</div> <bR> <div> Signed Farewell dinner menu for the Squadron Feni, August 16, 1943</div> <bR> <div> Photo Source: Jack Barnes / Peter Barnes, cropped from group shot.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="ach____craig"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>ACH ?? Craig</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>ACH ?? Craig</B>, </div> <div> Listed in S/Ldr Keily log as having flown with him May 1939, again Feb & Mar 1940, also May 1940</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_joseph_crawford"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Joseph Crawford</U>  <IMG SRC="8741d1d0.gif" border=0 width="29" height="29" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt Joseph Crawford</B>,  648647 Age 19, Son of Joseph Crawford and Mary R Crawford of Hensingham Whitehaven Cumberland. 113 Sqdn, Posted North Africa and Mediterranean 05/09/1940. Missing FTR 09/12/1940. </div> <div> SOURCE: Flypast Magazine</div> <bR> <div> Joseph Crawford served as a Sergeant with the Royal Air Force. Joseph served with 113 Squadron flying Blenheim bombers and was lost in action in Greece on 9 December 1940. Commemorated at the Alamein Memorial, column 240.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC9900" FACE="Arial" >SOURCE:http://www.geocities.com/crawford_file/Joseph-Crawford-RAF.html</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="fo_richard_t_wyndham_ketton_cremer_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/O Richard T Wyndham Ketton-Cremer</U>  <IMG SRC="8741d1d0.gif" border=0 width="29" height="29" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>F/O Richard Thomas Wyndham Ketton-Cremer</B>.  75788 RAFVR Pilot, Blenheims. Born 11th August 1909. Killed during battle of Crete on May 31st 1941 while serving on 30 Squadron. Commemorated: Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Column 241. </div> <bR> <div> There is a plaque in his honour Inside the Church of ST MARGARET on the FELBRIGG ESTATE consisting of a marble tablet with coat of arms to right of the nave by the pulpit:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="9db369d0.jpg" border=0 width="310" height="413" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> SOURCE: http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Felbrigg.html</div> <bR> <div> It is unknown for certain if F/O Ketton-Cremer was a member of the 113 Squadron, however his name has turned up several times in Squadron documents including the diary of P/O Shekleton.</div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC9900" FACE="Arial" >SOURCE: Various</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="570b3100.jpg" border=0 width="179" height="272" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <U> <A NAME="fs_harry_crossley"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>F/S Harry Crossley</U>  <IMG SRC="8741d1d0.gif" border=0 width="29" height="29" ALT="poppy " ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>CROSSLEY  Harry</B>, 565869, Flight Sergeant, Royal Air Force, 113 Squadron died 28th September 1941 ( 28/09/1941 ), aged 26 years. Son of Mrs.A.Crossley, of Deeping St.Nicholas, Lincolnshire.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Source:</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >Malta family history site website.lineone.net</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Blenheim T1821 Mk IV FTR to Luqa from raid on E boat base Pantellaria 28/09/1941. F/Sgt Harry Crossley 649728, F/Sgt. John Swan 755884, F/Sgt Albert Edward Smith 656869 KIA.  Note: Sgt George Checketts (who was there) is fairly certain that  Sgt Crossley & crew experienced engine failure on takeoff and crashed into the Mediterranean, however many others (who were there) state the crew were lost during attack.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="57263cc0.jpg" border=0 width="355" height="460" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> It is known there were two flights detached to Malta, one on 23/09/1941 and another a day later on 24/09/1941. The first flight was comprised of Sgt Crossley and crew in T1821, Sgt Baker and crew in Z5866 and Sgt Davies and crew in T2429. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="___crossley_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>?? Crossley</U> </div> <bR> <div> <B>??? Crossley</B>,</div> <bR> <div> Known to have been on the 10/11/1942 shipping strike on Akyab. His aircraft was fitted with the camera that took pictures of this operation. Crew on this op was pilot W/Cdr Walter & Sgt Gerloff.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_thomas_alfred_reginald_crowe_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Thomas Alfred Reginald Crowe</U> </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt Thomas Alfred Reginald Crowe</B>, Sergeant (Pilot) 527339,  Died 08/03/1942, Age 24 Son of Arthur and Martha A. Crowe, of Wallasey.</div> <div> Sec. 20.C. Grave 532  WALLASEY (RAKE LANE) CEMETERY.</div> <bR> <div> The CWGC lists Sgt Crowe as being with the 113 Squadron at the time of his death but this is now confirmed to be an error through information received from Howell Davies. It is unknown whether Sgt Crowe was ever with the squadron. </div> <bR> <div> Howell Davies of the  N. Gwent Aviation Research Group kindly forwarded the following information Regarding Sgt Crowe on 30/06/07: </div> <bR> <div> <I>"At the time of his death he was a pupil at No. 53 O.T.U. based at Llandow, Glamorgan S. Wales. That Sunday morning (08/03/1942), he took off from Llandow in a Mk 1 Spitfire, serial number L1014 to carry out a training exercise. At 1035 hrs he crashed into the Holy Mountain approximately 2-miles NNE of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. I heard the sound of the impact 3 miles away at Gilwern, as I left my house to go to morning service at the local parish church. I visited the crash site on the following Tuesday. There had not been a fire but I saw nothing that resembled a Spitfire. Years later a local witness told me that the aircraft had broken cloud in a high speed dive and attempted to pull-out but was too low to carry out the manoeuvre.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Post-war I tried to find out more about Sgt. Crowe. The War Graves Commission gave me details of his burial location and also advised that 113 Squadron was referred to on his gravestone. I realised that 113 were overseas at the time of his death and assumed that he must have previously served on the squadron. Finally, I tried to locate next of kin via the local Wallasey newspaper but received no response.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I have often thought of Sgt. Crowe down the years. My own belief is that he joined the RAF pre-war, trained as ground crew and while on 113 squadron re-mustered to aircrew.  He probably trained in Canada and having gained his wings was completing his final operational training back in the UK when he so tragically met his death. </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC9900" FACE="Arial" >(It also may have been that he trained as a Blenheim pilot, served his overseas tour and was retraining as a fighter Pilot.)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>If someone who knew Sgt Crowe reads this update and can add to it, please contact this site so we may pass the information on to Mr Davies.</I></div> <bR> <div> SOURCE: Howell Davies of the  N. Gwent Aviation Research Group</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="sgt_jack_curtis"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Sgt Jack Curtis</U> </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sgt Jack Curtis</B>, RAAF Sergeant (Navigator) </div> <div> Born where, when  ??? , Parents??? Died??? Summary of service details.</div> <bR> <div> NOTE: Sgt Curtis profile under construction. His wife has been contacted and hopeully more details will follow soon.</div> <bR> <div> Prior to enlisting in the service Jack was a school teacher and after enlisting was selected for a Navigator course with the RAAF. Upon completion of this course, he along with Keith Hansen and others from Australia boarded the Queen Elizabeth 1 on April 25 1940 and departed for the Middle East. Landing in the Suez three weeks later they then boarded a flying boat for Kenya with a stop for refueling on the Nile and eventually landed at Lake Victoria. From here they were sent off to an operational training base. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>113 SQUADRON</U></B></div> <div> After completion of their courses, Jack and Keith still being together, were crewed up with a 21 year old South African Pilot named Errol Wright from Durban. The crew was then posted to the 113 Squadron and sent off to Egypt.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>(Details of his experiences with 113 Squadron will be added here)</I></div> <bR> <div> One near tragic incident occured when Jack, not with his usual crew, was making a survey of the desert in the Giarabub area. For reasons unknown their aircraft crashed on landing however all crew members survived. In another near miss for Jack, his normal crew of pilot Errol Wright and Keith Hansen were dispatched to an RSU to pick up another aircraft when they had a moter failure on take off. The aircraft crashed but all survived without injuries except Sgt Keith Hansen who required time in hospital but fully recovered.</div> <bR> <div> In late November 1941the 113 Squadron was pulled off the desert and began re-equiping to be sent off to the Burma theater in the Far East where the Japanese were overrunning the country with the intent to choke off supplies to China. Jack and his crew however remained in Egypt and were posted to 14 Squadron which was one of the too few Sqadrons left in Egypt to check the advance of the Germans and Italians under the command of General Rommel.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>114 SQUADRON</U></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>(Details of his experiences on 14 Squadron will be added here)</I></div> <bR> <div> It was while with 14 Squadron that Jack miraculously survived a third aircraft crash and one which cost the life of a crewmember. When the Germans made their final push into Egypt the squadron was moved back and personnel were told to get into their planes. Being short of aircraft some were required to fly as passengers in other aircraft. Sgt Hanson's aircraft and the rest landed safely but there was no sign of the aircraft that Jack was in. They later found out that Jack's plane had been shot down by a lone ME 109 that managed to get behind Allied lines by in coming from the sea. It had also managed to shoot down a Lysander and Wellington. The navigator of  Jack's aircraft, Sgt Swan was killed. </div> <bR> <div> Following some shuffling of  14 Squadron, Jack was then sent off  to ???? a transport squadron flying Hudsons which eventually ended up in India.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>??? SQUADRON</U></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>(Nothing known of this Squadron or his activities, details will be added here)</I></div> <bR> <div>  In ??? Jack was repatriated back to Australia and joined ???? a Flying Boat Squadron.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>??? SQUADRON</U></B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>(Nothing known of this Squadron or his activities, details will be added here)</I></div> <bR> <div> Following the war, Jack went back to University and upon receiving  his degree went back to teaching. Jack received a Fulbright Scholarship to study in America (Charlotte NC.) during the 1950's for one year. He taught in Hobart for some years, and then made Head Master at Latrobe High School in North West Tasmania. Jack and his wife Elizabeth had two children, a daughter and a son. Their daughter is a nurse and remains in the area, their son resides in Adelaide. Jack retired from teaching and died from Cancer in Latrobe on ???? </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Sgt Keith Hansen and Jack kept in touch following the war.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="8581c1d0.gif" border=0 width="28" height="29" ALT="RAF Roundel" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm" TITLE="( C to C )"><U><IMG SRC="41732320.gif" border=0 width="50" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm" TITLE="( C to C )"><U> </U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="personnel_raf_113_squadron_m.htm" TITLE="( C to C )"><U>BACK TO TOP</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>