Good evening Barnsley. I was wondering if you could give me any information on my relative Sgt Tom Gibson who was lost over Hanover 25.3.1945. I have the aircraft crew and incident from the 166 Sqn history book but was wondering if you could give me any info on when he joined the Sqn and how many missions he may have flown. I managed to get in contact with one of his crew who lived in New Zealand but that was over 20 years ago and I'm sure he will no longer be with us. Any information on Tom would be appreciated.
I dont know if you know who I am, I think we are related, I am Jean and Ray daveys granddughter. I have been researching trevor and wondered if you have found any photos. I know it was a while since you posted on here but thought I would give it a shot. thankyou.
This is really a long shot, as I think that the last post to this site was in 2012....but here goes.
I am trying desperately to get hold of a copy of Jim Wright's book "On the Wings of War" - the history of 166 Squadron. It is out of print, and I am struggling to find a copy. The number I have for Jim Wright/the 166 Association (0151 547 3391) is unobtainable. Can anyone help, please?
Mike Goldstein (whose father was jack Goldstein, KIA on 16 March 1945 in Lancaster RF154 AS-B
Hello, not quite sure why you think the last post on this thread was 2012, it was 7 days ago! Anyway, I have a copy of the book and if I can help you with anything please email me mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk. The 166 Squadron no longer exists, S/Ldr Jim Wright passed away a few years ago. Best Wishes, B.
Hope I am doing this correctl? I am looking for any details/picture of crew etc off Lancaster 166 sqdn JB 145 which was lost on 3/12/43 on raid to Hannover. The flight engineer was my late Fathers best pal and cousin Sgt Flight Engineer Tommy Lafferty 1550660. Before volunteering Sgt Lafferty was surveyor with National Coal Board. Sgt Laffertys Sister Helen Lafferty asked me to research him and I managed to get list of crew details. i understand one of the crew survived and he may have been tail gunner. He was captured and after war came to Patna in Ayrshire to visit Sgt Tommy Laffertys Motter, Father, and Sister Helen. His name was Donald Earnest Edmonds Pitcher, I understand his family owned a butchers busines? I never managed to obtain anything on the survivor, I checking POW records etc with no result. The family were devistated at the loss including my Late Father who never stopped talking of him. Sgt Laffertys Mother turned white headed after the event. Any information would be most welcom. Many thanks for now. JBD
I would be extremely grateful if you could point me in the right direction for finding out more information about a member of 166 Squadron called Roger Rockwell Ward. He was killed on Sept 24 1944 on a mission in Flight 722 to Neuss. I am trying to find out more about Sgt Ward himself, as in his time at the Squadron, and how 722 was lost. None of the records I have searched have any information. Thank you very much and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sgt Lafferty was the FE in the cox crew. He flew the following operations before being lost on a Berlin raid;
08.10.43 Hanover
18.10.43 Hanover
20.10.43 Leipzig
03.11.43 Dusseldorf
18.11.43 Berlin
22.11.43 Berlin
02.12.43 Berlin-MISSING
The survivor from the crew, Pitcher, was the WOP and he came from Wiltshire. If you require further information, please email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk
Sgt Ward was the Mid Upper Gunner in 166 Squadron Lancaster LM722 coded AS.D piloted by F/O James Glyn Davies RAF. There were no survivors from the crew and no crewmen were ever recovered for burial, indicating the aircraft may well have been lost over the sea. The crew had completed some operations before Sgt Ward joined them, in early August 1944. I do not know at this stage if he came from another crew or straight from training. They are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sgt Ward took part in several operations including attacks on Stettin, Frankfurt and Falaise.
If you require more detailed information please email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk
Anyone out there with queries about 166 squadron,particularly family members with connections to this squadron,I would be happy to help.
25 years of research into the squadron means I should be able to answer most questions about aircrew who served with them.Best Wishes,B
Than you for your kind offer. My brother Flt.S. Albert Peter Bates, 1066641 squadron 166 , pilot of HF596 , was shot down August 16 1943 while laying mines around the Frisian Islands . Could you please get information for me on previous missions he flew ? Kindest regards , Margaret
Im hoping you could help me gain some information on the service record of an RAF veteran who passed away last Fri (19 Apr) the funeral service is tomorrow, and I have been asked and agreed to attend.
From the (sketchy) details I have, Flying Officer James Jones:
Joined the RAF in 1943
Undertook flying training at Falcon Field, Arizona Apr-Nov 1944
Returned to the UK and served in the RAF with 166 Sqn (at RAF Kirmington) as a Lancaster pilot
Continued to serve for a few years after WWII
I have a soft-copy of a photo of Fg Off Jones and I note the signature of another celebrated veteran Flt Lt William Reid VC Im not sure if they flew together, but am confident as fellow glaswegians they would have known each other.
any info offered would be gratefully received by archie.mccallum996@mod.uk
Hi, sorry I have only just seen your post. Could you email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk and I will see what info I have in my records. I run this thread on 166 Squadro. Best wishes , B.
Hi - my father was the other Flight Serg F J Ricketts who flew in 166 squadron in JB151 - shot down over Germany (Welver) and managed to open his parachute after the plane exploded - he was in Stalag Luft 1 util the end of the war. I wonder if the two of them ever met?
Hi. My great uncle died whilst serving with 166sq. He was in Lancaster ED993. I am searching for photos of the crew and if possible the plane itself. Id also like to know of any previous missions he was involved in.
His details are Sgt Reginald P Rabett, died 9th October 1943.
Hello Davie, as you will know your Great Uncle was killed in a crash returning early from a raid with engine trouble. Email me direct on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk for info. He originally served on 12 Squadron before joining 166 in September 1943.
-- Edited by barnsley on Monday 30th of July 2018 05:33:44 PM
I am new to this site. Researching Sgt John Paul Merton who was with the 166 sqd in Jan-Apr 1943..his Wellington went down in the English Channel Any info would be greatly appreciated. Before the fatal flight, Apr 17, 1943, he had married Margaret Evans two months earlier...Thanks
T/o 2119 Kirmington. Developed engine trouble and ditched off Cayeux-sur-Mer, a small French coastal town in the southern side of the Somme estuary. It is believed that Sgt Merton RCAF survived the initial impact, but died shortly afterwards from his injuries. Along with the pilot and Sgt Whitfield, he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O Lupton had achieved a 1st class Honours degree in English at Leeds University. The two survivors were eventually rescued, exhausted, but otherwise unharmed.
Hi there, my brother Richard Hugh Chittim was the pilot of ND635 lost Jan 1 1945. He and the crew are buried in the war cemetery near Munich. The tail gunner Carl Lillis was the only survivor. Last words he heard my brother say was "My God the main spars on fire". This is what he explained to my mother after returning home to Windsor Ont. I was in the room at the time and what a bad experience he had trying to explain to her how he managed to survive.
Hi Peter
My names Andrew
I'm the grandson of W/O Pearson (bomb aimer) on ND635
I went top see the crew in Durnbach last week,
If you get this message can you please make contact
Are you able to supply any information about the serial number of the Lancaster which got into difficulties whilst on a cross country over Wales on 9th December 1944, resulting in the death of Sgt TC Jones (who baled out and died from injuries he sustained)
Any help would be much appreciated
Regards
Pete
__________________
Researching:
- CA Butler and the loss of Lancaster ME334
- Aircrew Training WWII (Basic / Trade / Operational)
- No. 35 Squadron [From Thetford to Scampton]
[Always looking for COPIES of original documents / photographs etc relating to these subjects]
Are you able to supply any information about the serial number of the Lancaster which got into difficulties whilst on a cross country over Wales on 9th December 1944, resulting in the death of Sgt TC Jones (who baled out and died from injuries he sustained)
Any help would be much appreciated
Regards
Pete
Aircraft Lost control at 24500 ft while on OTU flight. 4 based out, 3 survived, the flight engineer was lost. 3 Crew members were able to bring the aircraft down at Fairwood common airfield.
Sorry for the anonymous posts, I tried to join the forum but the link to my confirm my account won't work
I apologise for repeat information posted in my last coupe of anonymous quotes. There are a few mistakes previously due to computer keyboard issues...Turns out it doesn't like coffee, makes the keys stick or not work :(
ND635 lost control at 24500 on a training flight whilst flying on instruments 9/12/44. 4 of the crew baled out, 3 safe, flight engineer killed. The remaining crew brought the plane down at Fairfield common airfield.
The crew started ops with a new W/OP and Flight engineer in Jan 1945. Sadly the crew were lost on their first operation (Nuremburg). Only one survivor, tail gunner Sgt J C Lillis. All the crew are buried at Durnbach war cemetery Germany. I have visited the crew a few times now.
I'm fortunate to have found a photo of ND635 "Frandsens Frolic" and also her crew (Prior to the 2 crew changes listed above). There are many people to thank for my search over the last few years including Barnsley :) and also my Gran who is now in her mid nineties
I'm currently exploring a few exciting avenues for more information and will post more if successful.
If anyone has any further information It would be great to hear from you, in return if anyone would like to know more about my findings please get in touch
Thanks for all the responses; I am working with one of the volunteers on a project being run by IBCC which is aimed at recording and archiving all Group, Station, Squadron, Aircraft and Crew memorials in UK and Europe and the memorial to this aircraft at St. Michaels Church, Myddfai is on my "patch" here in Wales.
Any summary information and/or background to the memorial would be most welcome.
Regards
Pete
-- Edited by PeteT on Sunday 9th of September 2018 04:53:18 PM
__________________
Researching:
- CA Butler and the loss of Lancaster ME334
- Aircrew Training WWII (Basic / Trade / Operational)
- No. 35 Squadron [From Thetford to Scampton]
[Always looking for COPIES of original documents / photographs etc relating to these subjects]
I've recently received info from France about my uncle, Peter Shaw Pilot/Officer, whose plane was shot down at Mareil-le-Guyon north of Paris. He and his 6 crew were lost. They were bombing the railway yards at Acheres.
He took off from Kirmington on 10/6/1944 and was in 166 squadron.
His father, my grandfather, was a Squadron Commander in the RFC and I'm wondering if he was in the same squadron (John Standen Shaw) - I know that 166 was the first formed. Grandpa may have stayed in the army as he rejoined at the outbreak of WW11 (wearing his original uniform!) and became a colonel.
I would be very grateful for any information you could give me - or point me in the direction where I could discover more.
my uncle Alfred Ernest bransgrove died over Germany 30th July 1943. Other than a war grave number in Hamburg I know very little about him. If you have any other information I would be very grateful
Your relative was the Wireless Operator in the crew of a 166 Squadron Wellington shot down on a raid to Hamburg on the 30/07/43. The pilot was Flying Officer Birbeck. There were no survivors. If you would like further information please email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk
Hi, I managed to do some research into 166 Squadron a couple of years ago, the reason being is that my mother's cousin was Flying Officer Harold Jupp and his Lancaster was shot down on the night of the 25th February 1944, he was injured in bailing out and was taken to Strasburg Hospital where I believe he died.
He flew a Lancaster 1 No: ME639, A of 166 Squadron.
Hi looking for some help with Philip Raymond Hall 1312003 died 11 April 1943 trying to find any crew photos we believe he was flying a wellington mk3 bomber BK464 with Reginald loinel castellari, Tudor Lewis edwards, harry Elliott, Eric James pea****
-- Edited by Marnold on Wednesday 14th of November 2018 01:32:07 AM
-- Edited by Marnold on Wednesday 14th of November 2018 01:33:17 AM
Sgt Hall was the pilot of a Wellington that was shot down over Le Havre on return from an operation to Frankfurt am Main. All the crew were killed. 4 are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial for missing airmen and Sgt Pea**** is buried in the Ste. Marie cemetery Le Havre. Please email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk for further information.
Best Wishes, B.
-- Edited by barnsley on Saturday 17th of November 2018 10:21:01 AM
I've recently received info from France about my uncle, Peter Shaw Pilot/Officer, whose plane was shot down at Mareil-le-Guyon north of Paris. He and his 6 crew were lost. They were bombing the railway yards at Acheres.
He took off from Kirmington on 10/6/1944 and was in 166 squadron.
His father, my grandfather, was a Squadron Commander in the RFC and I'm wondering if he was in the same squadron (John Standen Shaw) - I know that 166 was the first formed. Grandpa may have stayed in the army as he rejoined at the outbreak of WW11 (wearing his original uniform!) and became a colonel.
I would be very grateful for any information you could give me - or point me in the direction where I could discover more.
I have photos I could send?
Regards Jennifer (Bell)
Madame
If you are a member of J. S. Shaw please thank you to contact me at scomini@nordnet.fr. I work on the story of the WW1 aerodrome of La Gorgue (France) and I have an airmen whose name is John Standen Shaw of No.16 Squadron RFC.
Jennifer, if you are out there please get in touch with me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk I certainly have more information to give you about your relative and his time on 166 Squadron and two other posters are interested in his father's RFC service.
PLEASE PEOPLE, IF YOU DO POST ON THIS THREAD THEN DO RETURN TO IT TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY REPLIES (THESE MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY BELOW YOUR ORIGINAL POST, DO SCROLL DOWN). IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING WHEN PEOPLE POST AND DO NOT RESPOND TO THE REPLIES!
Many thank for your reply giving details of flt engineer Flt Sgt Tommy Lafferty lost on 2/12/43. Would the list of missions you provided be his complete flying career with 166sqdn. Any further info on Sgt t Lafferty and the W/O surviver D pitcher would be most welcome. J b don