I am trying to track down some information for a friend of mine whose father passed a few years back. He did serve overseas, and never talked about the war with anyone. When the CWH in Hamilton was restoring the Lancaster back in the late 80's she tried to get her dad involved with it as she had thought he worked on them during the war. I have obtained records from the National Archives with regards to his enlistment and postings. All she knew of his service was that he was there, and had something to do with the lancaster. Now we know he enlisted in June 43 in Hamilton, Ontario, trained at St Thomas Technical School as an AEM, arrived overseas October 21, 1944 and was posted to 405 Squadron. He returned home in August 1945. (I am waiting for the ORB's from 405 to come in to see if his name may show up anywhere, although I know it usually only shows pilots and crew on a daily or mission basis.) Anyone know what I may need to contact archives for with regards to maintenance records if there is such a thing?
I am hoping (long shot I know) to possibly track down a Squadron photo that he may be in. I have heard many squadrons worked on a nickname basis, - I have no idea what his was. If anyone may have any 405 squadron photos from late 44 to early 45, I'd love to hear from you and possibly see some. This lady will recognize her father. I have been looking in many books trying to find some but have come up empty handed so far.
I am meeting with a POW from 419 Squadron in the next week or so and hoping to answer the question posted some time ago about 'pitopoly'. He was a POW for over 2 years so he may know! If he is willing, I hope to post some images of forward them to Matt for the site.
I am posting this reply with no aviation knowledge. I have been researching my uncle' who flew with 460 Squadron. I have been looking on various sites, I must say this is my favourite ,even though I have only just come upon it, but I did notice that on the Lancaster-Archive Forum there is quite a bit of chatter going on about 405 Squadron.
If you just go into the forum and put in 405 you might find something that is of interest to you.
Good luck. I started my research only knowing my uncles name, and have now visited his grave in France and have been in contact with a number of relatives of his crew and he died with his whole crew on their 1st op so I didn't expect to find anything.
Let me know if you have any luck.
Liz
P.S. The relative who has come up with the most amazing info is in Canada. I will contact him for you if you think he might have any research info that could be of use to you.
Hey Matt, Thanks for the reply. This man served as an AEM (Air Engine Mechanic). He was posted to 405 and worked on the Lancaster, engines only I assume. Just trying to find some info about this man for his daughter. I have this records from the archives, but it really doesn't tell that much - enlistment, training, poster to where and when. That's about it. I'd love to get in touch with a fellow ground crew member who knew him and may have some stories and photos to share. Thanks for the help, Dave
Thanks Liz, I will hop on to the other forum after I post this.
This also started out only with his anme and DOB. We tracked down his service number from the National Archives. The 405 ORB's just arived at my library so I have to spend some time with looking through them. I know they won't have much if any info on him, most of what I have seen on the ORB's primarily relates to aircrew and the results of each mission. I will try anyway though. I have seen many squadrons ORB's and they are ALL very different. I just finished up with 412 ORB's and they seemed to be the best organized and well kept records I have seen so far - in a logical order, page after page, and anything you wanted was there!
I know this is all a longshot, but I am trying to gather something for this lady. Some photos with him in it would be great. Like I said, he nver talked about it, and all she recalls was one picture he had on his drersser of him in his uniform. Where is it now? She'd like to know too!
Thanks for any help you can give. May be when I look at the records, I cross my fingers and toes and hope there may be a whole page on him!!
Thanks, Dave P.S. I agree, this is a great site used by people wanting answers and people who have the answers. I sent some 424 ORB''s down to a guy in California after he helped me out. I just happened to have 424's at the time.
