What's New

Updates are posted here regularly. To respond to any item which interests you, please e-mail the webmaster at kb64uk@aol.com

To petition the Prime Minister to Award a campaign medal to all members of Bomber Command in World War 2 go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ForgottenRAF/.

5th June 2008

Some photos have been added to the The Augsburg Raid page (go the Gallery, then Gallery 1). These are the Penman Memorial Trophy and the brevet and medal ribbons of the late Wing Commander David Penman DSO OBE DFC who flew on the famous raid with 97 Squadron. The photos have been sent in by Flt Lt White from 1804 Sqn ATC, to whom we extend our thanks

5th May 2008

Today I have added a photo of Flight Lieutenant "Ben" Kirkwood Hackett DFC (see Gallery 8). He was the Gunnery Leader during 1942-43 when the Squadron was at Woodhall Spa. Also, I have added the names of the 97 Squadron aircrew who are shown in two photos (see Gallery 9) when the Squadron was operating in Signals Command at Watton in the 1960s. I have also added a photo of "Dambuster" David Maltby's 97 Squadron crew, which was taken at Coningsby in 1941.

I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of Charles Foster's book entitled "Breaking the Dams - the story of Dambuster David Maltby and his crew". This book is superb and is required reading for anybody with an interest in the Dambusters and in Bomber Command during the war. It is meticulously researched and brilliantly written.

I have been continuing with my research of 97 Squadron during the post-war period and I would appeal again for anybody who has information and/or photos relating to this time to get in touch with me. I have had a good deal of success in tracing men who served in post-war 97 Squadron but more information and recollections would be very welcome indeed. 97 Squadron's post war activity was divided into three distinct periods, which are:-

1945-1955 Bomber Command at Hemswell, flying Lincolns

1959-1963 Bomber Command at Hemswell, operating the Thor IRBM missile

1963-1967 Signals Command at Watton, flying Canberras, Varsities and a Hastings aircraft

If you or your relative served in any of the above times, please get in touch. In particular, to date I have only managed to trace one person who served with 97 Squadron during the time it was operating the Thor missile. Anyone out there who was with the Squadron at that time, or knows someone who was, your help would be very much appreciated.

Do keep enquiries coming in, they will be responded to as soon as possible.

16th April 2008

I am sad to report the death of Squadron Leader Eric Fell AFC & Bar who passed away on 22nd March 2008. Eric served with 97 Squadron at Watton during 1966. May he rest in peace.

25th March 2008

Today, two more photos have been added to the site. They are of two men who both lost their lives whilst serving as aircrew with 97 Squadron. The first is Pilot Officer Aubrey Burnell, a wireless operator, who was killed in July 1944, having completed 54 operations during his four years RAF service. The second is Warrant Officer William Allsion, a flight engineer, who died in September 1947 when his Lincoln bomber crashed in Norfolk after being struck by lightning. Both photos can be found in Gallery 8 - click on Gallery, then Gallery 8, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Also today I have added the names of two officers to the 97 Squadron Roll of Honour. Flight Lieutenants Robert "Jacko" Jackson and Russ Jenkins lost their lives when their 97 Squadron Canberra aircraft crashed at RAF Watton on 3rd May 1966 (see entry and photo on 12th March below). Their sad loss during a period of peace only goes to illustrate that flying is essentially a dangerous business. The Roll of Honour, which lists the names of all those who died while serving with 97 Squadron, can be found by clicking on "Losses" on the left.

24th March 2008

A photo of the medals of the late Flight Lieutenant Robert Manvell DFC DFM have been added to the site. They can be seen in Gallery 6 - Click on Gallery, then Gallery 6, and then scroll down. Rober Manvell flew 30 opertions as a Flight Engineer with 97 Squadron between June 1942 and January 1943 and was awarded the DFM. Later in the year he was commissioned and returned to operational flying with 156 Squadron. He was awarded the DFC after completing a further 21 operations. Sadly, he was killed in action in June 1944.

An Appeal for Assistance - Post war 97 Squadron

Currently I am researching the activities of 97 Squadron in the period following the Second World War upto the Squadron's final disbandment in January 1967. Broadly, the Squadron's activities in the post-war era can be divided up into the following sections:-

1945-46 Bomber Command at Coningsby flying Lancasters

1946-55 Bomber Command at Hemswell flying Lincolns

1959-63 Bomber Command at Hemswell operating the Thor Nuclear Missile

1963-67 Signals Command at Watton flying Canberras and Varsities

If you served with 97 Squadron during any of the above periods, or if you know anyone who did, or if any of your relatives served during these periods, please get in touch with the webmaster on kb64uk@aol.com. In fact, if you have any information or photographs in connection with the post-war 97 Squadron, please get in touch.

12th March 2008

I have added photographs of two men who served with 97 Squadron during the Second World War. Alan George Gee drove a fire tender at Coningsby. His photo and details about him can be found in the "groundcrew" section. Canadian John Carswell flew on operations with 97 Squadron during 1942. His photo can be found by clicking on "Gallery", then "Gallery 8" and then scroll down. You will also find details about his unusual service career.

Sadly, both of these gentlemen passed away recently; may they rest in peace.

I am seeking information about the late Flight Lieutenant Bob "Jacko" Jackson who was killed when his Canberra aircraft crashed at Watton on 3rd May 1966. If anyone knew Flt Lt Jackson and can provide any background information about him, please get in touch. He is shown in the photo below.

5th February 2008

Following some computer problems I am pleased to report that I am now able to resume updating the website. During the interim period I have continued to receive e-mail enquiries, which I welcome, and do please keep them coming!

I have received some interesting photographs and information which I will add to the site soon. I will also be removing the Aircrews page from the site pending a complete renewal and revamp of it. I have been aware for some time that it is incomplete but kept it on the site. However, it seems that the incomplete list is causing some confusion.

A (very) belated Happy New Year!

16 December

64 years ago today.........

Today is the 64th anniversary of what became known in Bomber Command as Black Thursday when aircraft returning from a raid on Berlin encountered thick fog over their bases in East Anglia. 97 Squadron lost eight Lancasters on that one night, and 36 aircrew were killed. The following are the words of a folk song, The Fields of Cambridgeshire, written by John Rees, and which I feel it is appropriate to read on this day -

I tell a tale of the year of '43

When young men flew to keep our island free

With engines at full roar

And the scream of speeding tyre

They left from the fields of Cambridgeshire

From Bourn Airfield at the dark end of a day

In mid-December a squadron made its way...

Standing down below

The ground crews said a prayer

For fog and cloud began to fill the air

High in the sky men had one thing on their mind

The road to Berlin was what they had to find

"Strike the enemy

At his heart where he is strong

And perhaps this dreadful war to us will belong!"

Beware the Lowlands long occupied by force

Though close friends fall, stay unflinching on your course

How lonely is the sky

When you're caught in cold searchlight

And you know that shards of steel could blow your body to the night

When all was done and the perils were all past

Return to England - the white cliffs here at last

"We're home, my boys!

We're home! We're feeling grand!

All we have to do now is just get down and land!"

But Bourn Airfield was nowhere to be seen

A midnight fog - the worst there's ever been-

The planes flew round and round

Searched for signals from a mast

With fuel at zero they had to get down pretty fast

Who knows the fear? Who can guess the cold despair

Of men entombed in a tin-box in the air?

God knows how

Yes, some did make it down

But others met Their maker on the ground

So when at night you hear an aeroplane

Think of those boys who will not return again

Think of someone's son

Who died in fog and fire

And left his blood in the fields of Cambridgeshire

Mmmmmm and left his blood in the fields of Cambridgeshire

24 November

66 years ago today..........

The photo above shows a view of St Andrew's Church at Chesterton near Cambridge. In the foreground, towards the bottom left, is the Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone marking the grave of Flying Officer Henry Hill, who lost his life 66 years ago on 24th November 1941. Aged 23, he was the son of Henry Thomas Hill and Maud Hill, of South Norwood, Surrey, and the husband of Edna Hill, of Cambridge.

During the morning of 24th November 1941, Hill and his crew, and some other 97 Squadron Avro Manchester aircraft took off from Coningsby and were up practising formation flying when suddenly, out of the cloud base, dropped a Hurricane fighter which collided with Hill’s aircraft.  Both aircraft crashed into the ground at Walpole St Andrew near Kings Lynn, and burst into flames, killing the entire crew of the Manchester and the pilot of the Hurricane.  A few days later Pilot Officers Rodley and Keir went to Cambridge to attend Flying Officer Hill’s funeral.

The other members of Flying Officer Hill's crew were Sergeants Arthur Smith (aged 21), John Newton, Fred Holt (aged 21), Francis Martin (19), Jesse Few and Ernest Hutton (23). The Hurricane pilot was Sergeant George Johnstone. They are all remembered with honour on the 66th anniversary of their sad deaths.

Go to Memorial for more pictures

18 November - Charles Foster please get in touch with the webmaster

A quick appeal for Charles Foster of Ireland to get in touch with the webmaster. Due to a computer fault, all old e-mails have been lost, including yours and I would like to re-contact you regarding the draft chapter you sent from your forthcoming book about the Dambuster David Maltby. If anyone else reading this has sent me an e-mail and is still awaiting a response please re-send as I have probably lost yours as well.

11 November - Remembrance Sunday

Today is Remembrance Sunday, a time time for us all to remember, and pay tribute to, those who gave their lives in various conflicts for the benefit of the rest of us. I took the photo shown above in September this year during the weekend of the 97 Squadron Association reunion. It is a corner of Coningsby Cemetery in Lincolnshire where there are the graves of 41 servicemen, 8 of whom were killed whilst serving with 97 Squadron. May they rest in peace.

Recently I have received the photographs of three 97 Squadron aircrew who were killed in January 1943 whilst taking part in an operation to attack Berlin. They were Sergeant John Brittain, aged 22, Sergeant George Axup and Flight Sergeant Harry Beebe, aged 30. I am grateful to Kevin Mears for sending me the pictures of these brave men and for giving me the opportunity to pay tribute to them and to all other men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

Go to Gallery, then Gallery 3, and scroll down to see the photographs.

If I should die

Think only this of me

There is some corner of a foreign field

That is forever England

9 November

Today I have added a photograph relating to the making of the famous film, "The Dambusters", in 1954. 97 Squadron aircraft and crews took part in the making of the film, and the photo shows three of the 97 men involved, and was taken at East Kirkby during the launch of a book, "Fliming the Dambusters" by Brian Goulding (who is also in the photo). Go to Gallery, and then scroll to Gallery 9 to see this photograph.

On the subject of photographs, if you are seeking someone to repair/enhance your old wartime or service photographs, you would do well to contact David Bloor of "Imagination Ink". David can be reached on 01205 311713 or davidbloor@btinternet.com. You can also be featured as aircrew in your very own WWII aviation print.

29 October

Since the last update there has been plenty of activity going on, notably the latest reunion of the 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Association, which was held at The Admiral Rodney Hotel in Horncastle, Lincolnshire over the last weekend in September. The event was a great success, with members and guests travelling from far and wide, including the daughter of the late Flying Officer James Cowen, who travelled from San Francisco.

On 5th October a commemoration service was held at Brunssum in the Netherlands on the 65th anniversary of the loss of Lancaster R5701, which crashed there with all the crew being killed. The daughter of the crew's mid upper gunner, Sgt Desmond, travelled from Australia for the event, which is held every year. Our thanks go to the local people and to Group Captain David Paton and his staff.

If anyone can help with providing information about the late Walter Kirkwood-Hackett DFC, it would be very gratefully received by his daughter. In particulalr, she is keen to trace his brother Spencer, or members of Spencer Kirkwood-Hackett's family. If you have any infomration please contact the webmaster on the e-mail address shown at the top of this past and we will gladly pass it on.

If anybody is still awaiting a reply to an enquiry sent in, please re-contact the webmaster. Unfortunately, there has been a computer glitch that resulted in the loss of all previous e-mails.

9 September

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Fred White DFC on 26th July 2007. Fred was a wireless operator with 97 Squadron during the 1943-44 period and he completed a double Pathfinders tour of 45 operations. After a stint as an instructor, Fred volunteered to return to operational flying at the end of 1944, and he went on to complete a further 23 operations with 635 Squadron.

Fred was a very brave man and a true gentleman - may he rest in peace.

26 July

Photographs added to the site today of the churchyard at Eiken in Norway showing the graves of Flying Officer William Sinclair, Flying Officer George Kendall and Flight Sergeant Thomas Cremins. These three aircrew were killed on 21st December 1944 when their Lancaster crashed whilst returning from an attack on Politz. Go to "Memorial", then "Memorial 2" and scroll down. Also added in Gallery 7 is a photograph taken at RAF Watton in 1966 when the 97 Squadron standard was presented to the Commanding Officer, Sqn Ldr Carroll. A photo of Pilot Officer Sidney Edwards has been added in Gallery 8.

16 July

Today some photographs have been added to the site of Cliff Chatten DSO DFC and Cyril Baumber DFM. Go to "Gallery" and then "Gallery 8". Some text has been added to the photographs to explain the exploits of these two distinguished aircrew. Please do keep your enquiries and information coming in. As mentioned previously, I am rather busy at present with other matters that mean I have little time to update the site, but I am stil able to deal with enquiries.

6 June

Just to let you know that I am still about, I have added the December 1944 details from the Operations Record Book (see Flight Ops, then Flight Ops 6). I have been answering a number of enquiries, and please do keep them coming. I am currently busy researching the post-war activities of 97 Squadron, hence a reduction in the amount of time I can devote to updating this site. However, I will keep it "ticking over". If anyone has any information about 97 Squadron up to its disbandment in January 1967, please do get in touch.

1 May

A new section has been added to the website, which covers books about 97 Squadron. This will be added to as time allows. For those of you who have an interest in autobiographies of Bomber Command aircrew, you are strongly recommended to obtain a copy of "The Best Twelve Years" by Peter Gould. It is available from Trafford Publishing on http://trafford.com/05-0421 (priced at £10.98 plus postage). Peter was one of the many unsung heroes of Bomber Command, and he completed 45 operations as a Flight Engineer with 61 and 97 Squadrons. His story is fascinating, beginning when he enlisted as a Halton apprentice in 1940, and including the immediate post-war era.

8 April

Details of the Operations Record Book have now been added to include the period up to the end of June 1944. Go to Flight Ops, and then choose from the index.

6 April

Details from the Operations Record Book have been added and now cover the period up to the end of November 1943. These can be found under the "Flight Ops" section. Crew photos added are those of Flt Lt Bill Eaton DFC & Bar, and Pilot Off Don Montgomery DFC. Go to the "Gallery" section and then "Gallery 4".

4 April

Some photographs of Avro Lincoln bombers have been added in Gallery 5. These were sent in by Bill Fripp DFC, who served with 97 Squadron, as a navigator, both during the Second World War and also in the post-war period, between February 1948 and March 1949. Detailed research of the activities of 97 Squadron after the Second World War is now underway. If you can help with any information or photographs, we will be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the webmaster on kb64uk@aol.com

2 April

General updating has been completed. I have been dealing with a number of enquiries emanating from this site. Please keep them coming in.

February 23rd

Work has now been completed on the list of those who lost their lives whilst serving with 97 Squadron during the Second World War. This Roll of Honour (conatining 751 names) can be found by clicking on Losses (see left). It is sobering reading.

February 9th

The webmaster is now back and normal service has resumed.

February 2nd

Please note that the webmaster will be away for the next week. All e-mails will be responded to upon his return.

February 1st

We have received an e-mail from Henk van Kolck of the Netherlands. It has been copied below. If anyone can help him with information about F/Sgt Ronald Bell please contact the webmaster. Henk's website is very interesting and contains information about all the aircrew buried on Terschelling. You can visit the site at www.longway-terschelling.nl

January 26th

The "Losses" page has been updated. Now it lists the names of those men who lost their lives whilst serving with 97 Squadron during the Second World War. Some further formatting is required but all the names are there.

January 21st

General updating of the site has been ongoing during the past few weeks. This has included the Memorial, Reunions and Thorpe Camp sections. Under Flight Ops you will see the initial Operations Record Books covering the operations and events that 97 Squadron participated in. See Flight Ops 1 (for 1941) and Flight Ops 2 (for 1942). It is planned to include the entire period of the Second World War in the future. In the meantime, if you have any information or material relating to 97 Squadron, please do get in touch.

January 3rd

It is with great sadness that we report the passing, on Christmas Eve, of former 97 Squadron Warrant Officer Albert Channon DFM (shown above). Albert, who was aged 85, flew as a mid upper gunner with the Squadron, completing his first tour of 30 operations between October 1942 and March 1943. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for "courage and devotion to duty". Albert returned for a second tour of operations with 97 Squadron late in 1944 and remained with the Squadron until the end of the war.

We send our sincere condolences to Albert's family. May he rest in peace.

December 31st

We would like to take this opportunity to wish a Happy New Year to all of the users of this website. Also, a quick appeal - we have been contacted by the nephew of the late Squadron Leader David Maltby DSO DFC (of Dambusters fame), who is writing a biography of his late uncle. David Maltby served with 97 Squadron during 1941-42 and briefly in 1943. If anyone has any information or photos of David Maltby relating to his time with 97 Squadron, please contact us om the above e-mail address.