Hi, my father, RAAF 434502 WOFF George Gnezdiloff RAAF, has asked me to find out names of the RAF personnel he last crewed with in 1660 HBCU at RAF Swinderby on Lancashire A/c at cessation of hostilities. He believes the pilot was SQNLDR T Forshaw, the Navigator possibly FLTLT Paddy Lyons or Lynch, and the Upper Gunner FLGOFF Terry Thomas. Can you assist, regards Mike
Hi Astrid, my father advises he completed htraining at 1660 Hbcu on 10 Feb 45 and was supposed to go to 97SQN at Colingsby but the end of the hostilities put paid to that posting. Apparently he was sent to manage the Metropole Hotel at Brighton to oversee the return of Australians back here - an onerous job if there ever was one!!!! He isng to photocopy pages from his Log Book to send on to me. he has confirmed the pilot on his final crew at Swinderby was SQNLDR Terence Forsham who had been trained at Cranwell and prior to being a pilot on Lancasters he had been a fighter pilot. Hope this helps. I understand all crew members survived up to that point. Mike Gnez
Further to my enquiry, the pilots/co-pilots who crewed Lancasters at 1660 HBCU Swinderby with my father were variously P/O Cupit, S/Ldr Scorer, F/Lt Morrison, F/Lt Andrews and S/Ldr Forshaw. Does anyone have any information on these persons who may be able to assist in my enquiry? Mike Gnez
Taking the least common name here "Cupit" a "Ray J. Cupit, DFC" is listed a pilot with 207 Sqn serving a tour between July and December 1944. Quite possible following a rest period that he was posted as an instructor to an HCU. Died 2001.
This may seem strange, but I am Ray J. Cupit's grandson. He was a Lancaster Bomber pilot with 207 squadron. I was just searching his name on Google. I don't know if this will be seen, but I just wanted Mike Gnez, or anyone related to him to know, I just found your reference to my Grandpa and your Father. I will check his logbook in a few days when I regain possession of it to find your Dad.
Hi, my father is still very keen to track down the information. Anything you may add would certainly be appreciated. Assuming your Grandfather is still about and he has a history with my father, then my father can be contacted by tel: +61749452827, regards Mike
Hi Mike. I'm in Canada as Ray emigrated here just after the war. I will definitely check his logbooks in the next week or so. Just waiting for them to be returned by next weekend. Please tell your father that I will do my best to confirm the records as best I can as soon as possible. I hope he is doing well. I have been doing research on his old squadron and came across an old article from the Derby Telegraph (his hometown): http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Album-reveals-war-bravery-tragedies-company-s-young-workers/story-11626314-detail/story.html (just an FYI, my grandpa's picture is on the slideshow but misidentified in the captions - not sure if this will help in your Father's identification)
I'll keep monitoring this board for any new info. Thanks again for your quick response!
I can also be reached at: lancaster@spaceman.ca if you would prefer to correspond that way.
-- Edited by flightlevel350 on Monday 7th of July 2014 11:46:21 AM
I tried your email address but not sure you received my comments, hence a copy attached below:
From: "Mike Gnezdiloff" <mike.gnezdiloff@optusnet.com.au> To: <lancaster@spaceman.ca> Subject: Family WW2 History: Gnezdiloff & Cupit Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2014 7:40 AM
Hi,
Thank you for your response and the email address given. I appreciate you following up on the issues I raised. My father broached the subject only about a week ago of trying once again to help him to track down the names of his old aircrew - so your response is most timely.
He is doing very well actually given he is now 93yo - plays golf with a couple of young fellas (65, and 75yo) whom he regularly beats. If you google his name George Gnezdiloff you will get some detail of his exploits here in Australia while in the army before being transferred to the RAAF. Moreover, he did his wireless operator training in Canada and has some very good historic photographs of same (railways and countrside mainly).
I will call him later tonight to advise him of the state of play.
Incidently, I was in the RAAF myself and worked in Washington DC where I shared an office with Col Young and Major Sergeant of the RCAF while on the F/A-18 Aircraft Acquisition Program. I had occasion to visit Canada both on business and holiday. I think I was fortunate in some sense though not to have needed to go to Cold Lake Alberta, going instead to Quebec, Ottawa and Montreal.
Have a nice day - bit cool here at present at 7 Deg C.
Yes I received your email! Thank you so much for responding. I'll reply to your message through email from lancaster@spaceman.ca from now on. But just wanted the community to also know that there was a positive connection through this site.
