35 Squadron, the PFF years

Colin Hewlett · Leading Aircraftsman

RE: 35 Squadron, the PFF years

pinuche0706 · Flight Sergeant

I am looking for information about the following crew (ORBs, photos, etc.) whom probably all served at 35 Squadron 1944/1945. He served at 514 Squadron at least two sorties (Simmons three) in July 1945.
I am sure the Rear Gunner W.H. Hawken was at 35 Squadron before July 1945, so I expect some were together at 35 Sqn..

NZ4214515 F/S Horace Winifred Moffatt (Pilot)
                   Sgt F.W. Harrison (F/Engineer)
                   F/S L.F. Matsell (Navigator)
NZ42832     F/O Norris Simmons (Bomb Aimer)
NZ4213875 F/S John Marriott (Wop)
NZ437262   F/S Charles Raymond Boss (MidUpper gunner)
NZ437294   F/O William Henry Hawken (Rear gunner)

PeteT · Wing Commander

I can only find one "Hawken" who served with No 35 Squadron, but he was an observer who served with the squadron in 1942. None of the other names tie in with service during the latter part of the war. Are you able to advise on the source that you are using which suggests they were with No. 35 Squadron?

Regards

Pete

Date: Dec 23, 2016

Hawken's third son told me today that his father was posted to "Bombing and Gunnery School, Mt Joli, Canada and 35 Squadron in UK". He will contact a brother to collect information. At the moment I have no other detail nor date except the two operations listed in 514 Squadron ORBs 1st & 5th July 1945.

For the others members, I only assume because the crew often continued together from a Squadron to another.

confuse

pinuche0706 · Flight Sergeant

Sorry for the inconvenience, eventually Hawken's son has corrected few minutes ago.
"Just correcting typo in previous message.
William was served with 75 Squadron, not 35.
Apologies."

PeteT · Wing Commander

No worries; Based on that information, I would recommend that you contact the author of the following site: 75nzsquadron.wordpress.com/

Regards

Pete

Date: Mar 12, 2017

Hello Colin My name is Susan Kerridge and I am the daughter of F/O Nick Matich who flew with your Dad in 35 Squadron, Graveley. He spoke highly of your late father and even charged me with the task of locating him when I was on my first O/E back in 1966-68. Sadly I did not manage to do this but did in fact meet up with Frank Dolling and met his family. Frank and his wife Sue later visited Dad in NZ and I hosted them to dinner at my home. I recall my mother telling me of a visit from Algie Hewlett some years ago whilst they were living in Auckland. Sadly my dear Dad suffered a massive stroke when he was 69 and died 6 years later aged 75..he did not speak about the war so much but on one occasion when pressed to do so, he told me of his experiences whilst evading capture in Europe..an amazing story and one that has been encapsulated in the book 'Night After Night'; not sure if the author was Martin Middlebrook but i know that he visited my Mum after Dad died. I hope that this is of some help to you; all the best Sue Kerridge nee Matich

Date: Mar 13, 2017

hello Colin

ive posted previously in reply to your post (a few days ago) and wondered if you'd seen it. My name is Sue Kerridge, daughter of the late Nick Matich who flew with your father Algie Hewlett in 35 Squadron. Without unearthing old info I can't be sure of the years involved in Dad's tenure with the squadron but I do know that he was shot down over Germany i think on 27 September but am unsure of the year (1943 perhaps?)

On the few occasions he spoke about his wartime experiences, he spoke highly of your father and did meet up with him again after the war when Alfie visited him and Mum at their home in Auckland NZ. Dad suffered a stroke at age 69 and was not himself when Algie visited them; sadly he died aged 75 in 1992 And he and Mum are buried in our local Returned Services cemetery in Dargaville, Northland NZ.

Martin Middlebrooke visited Mum after Dad passed away; he was in the process of writing 'Night After Night' in which Dad's evasion experience were documented; an amazing story.

i did visit Frank Dolling (navigator) when I was in the UK for the first time back in the late 60s and met his wife Sue and their 3 daughters; Frank and Sue subsequently visited us when they came out to NZ some years ago. If you would like to contact me my email address is: suekerridge7@gmail.com

During my time in England I wasn't able to see your Dad unfortunately but I'm so glad he and Dad did get together again eventually. Dad also mentioned amongst others, Dixie Dean who I assume was his C/O at some point. i only wish I'd written down his words at the time; I still miss him so.

I hope you get to read this message in due course; all the very best

Sue Kerridge (nee Matich) 14 March 2017

paulh · Squadron Leader

extracts from 35 squadron orb for NJ Matich, apologies for the loss of alingment.

date target serial /sqd code rank name/ task
27/03/1943 Berlin W7779 TL R Sgt NJ Matich Main force
29/03/1943 Berlin W7779 TL R Sgt NJ Matich Main force
04/04/1943 Kiel W7881 TL P Sgt NJ Matich main force
08/04/1943 Duisberg W7881 TL P Sgt NJ Matich backer up
10/04/1943 Frankfurt W7881 TL P Sgt NJ Matich backer up
14/04/1943 Stuggart HR736 TL M Sgt NJ Matich backer up
16/04/1943 Mannheim HR736 TL M F/L NJ Matich Illuminator
20/04/1943 Stettin W7874 TL R Sgt NJ Matich Backer up
12/05/1943 Duisburg HR676 TL N Sgt NJ Matich Main force
13/05/1943 Pilsen HR685 TL X Sgt NJ Matich Blind Illuminator
23/05/1943 Dortmund HR676 TL N Sgt NJ Matich Backer up
25/05/1943 Dusseldorf HR676 TL N Sgt NJ Matich Groundmarker
29/05/1943 Wuppertal HR803 TL P Sgt NJ Matich Fire Raiser
11/06/1943 Munster HR803 TL F Sgt N Matich Blind illuminator
13/07/1943 Aachen HR803 TL P F/Sgt N Matich Backer up
15/07/1943 Montlebiard HR803 TL P F/Sgt N Matich Marker Illuminator
24/07/1943 Hamburg HR803 TL P F/Sgt NJ Matich Marker
27/07/1943 Hamburg HR907 TL P F/Sgt N Matich Blind Marker
29/07/1943 Hamburg HR907 TL P F/Sgt N Matich Re-Centre
02/08/1943 Hamburg HR907 TL P F/Sgt N Matich Blind marker
16/08/1943 Turin HR907 TL P F/Sgt N Matich Blind Marker
17/08/1943 Peenemunde HR907 TL P F/Sgt NJ Matich Backer up
23/08/1943 Berlin HR907 TL P F/Sgt NJ Matich Re Centre
27/08/1943 Nurnburg HR907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Re Centre
31/08/1943 Berlin HR907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Blind Marker
03/09/1943 Special target NW France HR907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Backer Up
05/09/1943 Mannheim HR907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Blind Marker
15/09/1943 Montlucon HR907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Visual Marker
16/09/1943 Modane HR907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Visual Marker
22/09/1943 Hannover HR907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Visual Marker
23/09/1943 Mannheim HE907 TL P P/O NJ Matich Blind Marker
27/09/1943 Hanover HR987 TL P P/O NJ Matich Visual Marker failed to return

PeteT · Wing Commander

Susan

As part of my project to record the History of No. 35 Squadron, I am working with Colin to build up a picture of this crew and the loss of the aircraft. If you would like a copy of the findings to date please contact me via the following link 35squadron.wordpress.com/contact/

I have also e-mailed Colin to let him know that you have posted on here

Regards

Pete

Colin Hewlett · Leading Aircraftsman

Sue

I was delighted to see your posting which Pete T drew my attention to. Yes, our fathers flew together for 45 missions in 102 Squadron from RAF Pocklington January. To March 1943 and then in 35 Squadron from Graveley from March 1943 until September 1943 when they were shot down over Hanover. Your father made his heroic escape and returned to England; my father was on the run for 2 weeks but was captured near the Dutch border and spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft III. I've sent Pete T the few documents that I have about Dad's wartime experiences- I'll email you with anything I have that mention your father. I will try to track down Martin Middlebrook's book - I've got his Peenemunde and Hamburg raids books.

Colin Hewlett

Sue Kerridge · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Colin

have accessed the link you sent and read your post. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Dad is very prevalent in my thoughts these days; possibly because I'm only 5 years younger than he was when he died in 1992 And time seems to be speeding along at an alarming rate. Its true what they say about time disappearing faster as one ages!

I would very much like to see any materiel you may turn up featuring the squadron, fellow fliers and Graveley; I never once heard Dad mention the base you write about (before Graveley that is). It's all rather a jumble in my mind as most of what he did talk about was when we were so much younger and obviously only concerned about ourselves and not a war that we were not the slightest bit interested in! Typical children of the post war years; living for the moment and the next adventure. I do so wish id taken the time to persuade Dad to tell me more than he did, but his experiences did nothing to make his post war existence a comfortable one and he rarely spoke about it. I assume your Dad was the same.

Look forward to hearing more on the subject when you find the time

kind regards

Sue K

Date: Sep 21, 2017

Dear Sue & Colin,

Like you Sue, I stumbled on this site and thought I just had to add my bit to the history you share with Colin. Albert Tuck was my uncle. He was wounded and trapped in his position when HR907 went down over Germany. He was Australian and the adored brother of my mother. His youngest sister is 94 and the only surviving sibling. He had 7 nieces and 2 nephews none of whom knew him. I am the oldest niece, born 1948. One of the contacts, apart from his father, if anything happened to him, was a young woman in Kent who presumably was close enough to him to be considered a future wife.

Sue, I never questioned either my mother or my father (in the Aus army) about war history or even family history and now I'm interested in following things up people are no longer around to ask the little things. We can find records but not the little ''family stories" which we now wish to know. It's such a shame and a loss on our part isn't it?

Sincerely,

Alison Woods.

PeteT · Wing Commander

Alison

If you would like a summary of your uncle's operational service with No. 35 Squadron, please get in touch via the CONTACT page on 35squadron.wordpress.com/

Regards

Pete

Colin Hewlett · Leading Aircraftsman

Alison

You will be interested in a letter which I have which Albert Tuck's mother wrote to my father, Cyril 'Algy' Hewlett who was the Navigator in your uncle's plane HR907. The letter was written after the war but because it's quite personal I don't want to post it on the forum but will copy to you if you would let me have your email address.

Six members of the crew of HR907 flew together for 30 plus operations in the pathfinder force from RAF Graveley; the pilot, Nick Matich, a New Zealander (who evaded and found his way back to England), Ralph Tully a Canadian, air bomber, Frank Dolling, wireless operator and my father were POWs for the remainder of the war; your uncle and Bert Forsythe, the rear gunner died when the aircraft was shot down. The final crew member, R A Mather, the flight engineer flew on the final 18 operations with this crew

Albert Tuck and my father were both based at 102 Squadron Pocklington before volunteering for the Pathfinder force and posted to 35 Squadron Graveley.

Colin

Date: Oct 16, 2017

Dear Colin,

Thank you I am definitely interested in seeing Grandma's letter to your father. My email address is fthor@iinet.net.au

The letter will also give me a greater understanding of Grandma as I only knew her from letters we exchanged. My family left Sydney for the opposite side of the continent when I was 5 after living with her and Grandpa for some time.

Kind regards,

Alison.

Date: Oct 16, 2017

Pete,

Thank you, I'll do that.

Alison.

LHarrison · Aircraftsman 1st Class

My Grandfather was in the no. 35 squadron PFF based at Graveley 1944/1945. Allan J Vial wrote a very interesting book called Through the eyes of a trained observer. It has lots of photos of the squadron and copies of letters.

Observer Jack Marshall

Observer Allan Vial

NavB Ted Meredith

Engineer 1 Pompey Hatton

Engineer 2 Don Pope

Wireless Operator Bert Harrison

Mid Upper Gunner Johnny Booth

Rear Gunner Lloyd Nickel

If anyone would like any photos then do contact me
Lucydjh@aol.com

-- Edited by LHarrison on Sunday 12th of November 2017 06:57:39 AM

-- Edited by LHarrison on Sunday 12th of November 2017 08:15:21 AM

Date: Nov 25, 2018

Hi Juliet

My grandfather was also in 35 squadron and was also shot down on the 23rd August 1943 on the Berlin raid (we have the certificate). He was the top gunner that day having swapped from his usual position as rear gunner, sadly this gentleman died and grandad and the co-pilot were the only ones to survive. My grandad, WO Peter Boyce, passed away very suddenly nearly 20 years ago and although he told us stories of his life in stalag luft Sagan and Belaria he did not really go into much detail about the pathfinders. I am not sure how big the squadron would have been but they may have known each other.

I am trying to put the pieces of the puzzle of his war years together and any resources, books you (or anyone reading this) can recommend would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Kind regards

Mandy Marlor

Date: Nov 25, 2018

Hi Juliet

Further to this email, I looked at the link from PeteT and found out that not only did they know each other they were on the same plane! Grandad was a Sgt at the time. He managed to parachute out and hid in a ditch but was discovered when a German walked on him.

He actually went back into the RAF 5 years after the war and served until he was 55 ending up a WO Air Traffic controller with his last posting at RAF Lyneham.

Kind regards

Mandy Marlor

John W · Group Captain

Hi Mandy,

I have a connection to a crew lost on that raid on Berlin on 23/24 August 1943. If you would like to contact me on harleyDOT158ATbigpondDOTcom repl the DOT & AT with the usual.

Regards,

John.

Date: Nov 26, 2018

Hi

Wow! That is amazing!

My father Allan Ball had massive head injuries but also baled out and was in Stalag luft 3.

Did you know that German POW records were released in October by the National Archives? They have a wealth of information.

I have done a lot of research regarding their plane and would be happy to share it with you.

You can contact me by jcstockfordATgmailDOTcom.

On 23rd August this year, my son and I laid a wreath at the 35 squadron memorial at Graveley remembering the take off 75 years ago of their plane.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Juliet

Date: Mar 6, 2019

I'd be interested to see if there was any mention in that of my great uncle William Richard Pallister who was the rear gunner on HR908

Where can I see these please ?

Richard Oliver

PeteT · Wing Commander

Richard

See 35squadron.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/halifax-hr908-09081943/

If you would like more information about his service with No 35 Squadron, please get in touch via the e-mail link or Contact Us Page on that website

Regards

Pete