166 Squadron RAF Kirmington help available to researchers

barnsley · Air Commodore

RE: 166 Squadron RAF Kirmington help available to researchers

mike drewett · Aircraftsman 1st Class

cheers, I've sent you some pictures.

Date: Sep 11, 2013

Hi - I am seeking any information I can about the flying record of Patrick Nelson Hickman who flew with 166 squadron as follows -

Came across your site during some research. Wonder if anyone knows anything about a Kirmington-based 166 Sqn Lancaster which was hit over Heligoland, possibly in 1944, but limped back towards home. I believe it might have crashed around Nottingham but that the crew managed to parachute out just in time. Pilot may have been Flt-Lt Patrick Nelson Hickman.

I am attempting to apply for the new Bomber Command medal on his behalf.

em : lifestartsat58kph@yahoo.com

barnsley · Air Commodore

P.N.Hickman and crew joined 166 on 11.4.45. Hickman flew as 2nd pilot on the Heligoland raid 18.4.45. The crew then flew 6 food supply drops to Holland until the war ended. No 166 Lancasters came down near Nottingham with crew bailing out.

Oggie2620 · Warrant Officer

Hi Barnsley
I am in contact with FS Ronnie Soo's great nephew and am also involved with 75 Sqn on which Ronnie also served. I wonder do you have the ORB's for the time that Ronnie was on 166 Sqn and if so would you be willing to email me some copies to give to Martin. I don't suppose while you were doing research about the squadron that you found out anything about his brother who was also in the RAF - Warrant Officer Norman Soo. There was also a brother who played football for England, Frank Soo...
Regards
Dee

barnsley · Air Commodore

Hi Dee, please email me direct on mjc41uk AT yahoo dot co dot uk and I will see what I have. B

Date: Sep 23, 2013

Hi I did not see your message until today.

I have been seeking information about my Aunt who was a WAAF NCO for I believe most of the war with 166 based at Kirmington. I was wondering if you had information as to her duties and the various posts she must have held. I think she was at near the end an Intelligence officer who would de-brief crew after missions. She may have been a WO towards the end of her service. Her name was Doris Browne and was known as Paddy.

Date: Sep 23, 2013

Hello, thanks for your email. Sadly information about WAAF personnel is very limited. They were attached to the Station rather than the Squadron but Kirmington was only actually operational with one Squadron, 166! I have some limited records and will check and see if her name appears. Could you email me directly on mjc41uk AT yahoo dot co dot uk? Thanks, B

Date: Sep 23, 2013

I have been tasked to try and trace relatives of the following crew members who lost their lives of 166 Squadron while on approach to Kirmington Airfield in 1945,

Lancaster LM 289 AS-Y crashed on approach 5th April 1945 returning from raid Lutzkendorf Germany.

Crew Members

F/O RA AYTON Pilot RNZAF, SGT KH BUTCHER Flt Engineer RAF, Flt/Sgt RJM BELL Bomb Aimer RNZAF, SGT AGS LAIDLAW Navigator RAF, SGT DJ BARLOW mid Upper Gunner RAF, SGT J BENSON Rear Gunner RAF and

SGT A NICHOLSON Wireless Op RAF

Lancaster PA 236 AS-B2 Crashed on approach 30th July 1945 from a Ferry Flight from RAF Stadishall.

Crew Members

F/O GL WILLIS Pilot RAF, SGT JJ PATTISON Flt Engineer RAF, Flt/Sgt JA ALLEN Navigator RAF, F/O L ROACHE Bomb Aimer RAF, SGT HG RUSSELL - Wireless Op RAF, SGT CFM SAUNDERS Air Gunner RAF

We would like to trace relatives for a Memorial Service and Memorial Plaque to be installed at old RAF Kirmington airfield now known as Humberside Airport. So that our Association can invite any surviving relatives to attend. It would be useful to contact them and also the age of the crew members that were killed. We are working with the C.E.O of Eastern Airways MR RICHARD LAKE to bring about this Memorial Service.

Any information would be grateful

Contact mikegalvin@hotmail.co.uk, 01724307917, 11 CAMBRIDGE AVENUE, BOTTESFORD, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE, DN16 3LT

stansgrandson · Leading Aircraftsman

HELLO MY GRANDFATHER WAS WITH THE 166 HE DID THE BERCHTESGADEN RAID AND THE HELIGOLAND RAID WOULD THERE BE ANY PHOTOS OF THESE RAIDS THANK YOU

barnsley · Air Commodore

Hi, sorry I do not have any photos of these raids Im afraid. Have you tried the imperial War Museum;s archive? B

Date: Oct 11, 2013

can you help with any informtion on a flt sargent william webster forrester,navigater,service no 1672314 died march 1st 1945,lancaster mk1 as-e me-447.buried at dunbach war cemertry.a father i never knew .

fritzelblitz · Leading Aircraftsman

Very sorry about the father you never knew. If you have not yet visited his grave, I should like to offer to send to you, by Remembrance Day at the latest, a photo of his grave, and a poem, THE DAY MY FAMILY CAME by Michael Edwards.

barnsley · Air Commodore

Hello Sandra,

RE: FLIGHT SERGEANT WILLIAM FORRESTER WEBSTER

Your father was the Navigator in the crew of F/Lt George Phelps. They arrived on 166 Squadron on 22.1.45 and flew 3 operations before being shot down on their 4th op to Mannheim 0n 1.3.45. Their Lancaster crashed NNW of Heidelburg.

Please email me directly on mjc41uk AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk and I can send you more info.

Thank you for your post. B

KPG1234 · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello,

I hope you can help. I believe that my uncle David William Roderick Thomas (1924-2002) was a tail gunner in 166 squadron in WW2, but beyond that we have no details of his wartime activities. He was born in Llandeilo in South Wales and went on to have a long career in the police force. I have 2 photos of him - one (where he is on the left) is clearly as a very young man. The other later photo shows him as a sergeant.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Peter Griffiths

barnsley · Air Commodore

Hello,

SGT D W R THOMAS

Dave Thomas Sgt 1836874 was the Rear Gunner in the crew of Flying Officer Bill Brennan RCAF. The crew were posted in to 166 on 16 July 1944. They completed a full Tour of operations and your uncle was posted out in December 1944. 1st op Kiel 23.7.44 and last Essen 25.10.44. Brennan was a High Court judge in Canada after the war. I met him in the 1990s! Email me direct mjc41uk AT yahoo.co.uk for more info.

-- Edited by barnsley on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 03:49:24 PM

Date: Nov 12, 2013

Here it is remembrance day. My Uncle was the rear gunner on 166 sqn Lancaster NG290. Our records have him lost Jan 8 1945. This is the first we have ever heard of a collision. Wow do you have the names of the other crewman. Please e-mail me offline at b.coulter@staffcomm.com

Date: Nov 16, 2013

Dear Sir,

I have just come across your reference to R.N. Dawson, my father, who survived the war and had 4 boys (I am the 4th). He is buried in Bidart, South west of France where he lived a very happy retired life after serving in the RAF. He did not share much about the War as it was something he chose to lock away in his memory. Would you have any pictures of him and his 166 squadron crew, possibly with his Lancaster? much appreciated.

Best regards. Marc

barnsley wrote:
Hello ,
SGT R.A. SINTON REAR GUNNER RAF
'Doc' Sissons and crew arrived at Kirmington on 10.08.44. Sisson was a Canadian.
The rest of the crew were;
Sgt R.N.Dawson Engineer
Sgt A.A.J.Cusson A/B
P/O P.J.Parnham Nav
F/Sgt B.G.Bewley WOP
Sgt N.Smith MUG
All the crews were British apart from Sisson and Cusson who were Canadian.
Sgt R.A.Sinton R/G
Regarding his regular Lancaster, certainly for the crews last 4 ops was PD310. Code AS.R Roger (I assume). The aircraft was damaged by Flak with the Sissons crew in it on 6.11.44 Gelsen kirchen and 29.11.44 Dortmund.It subsequently is reported to have been transfered to 100 Sqn then 22 MU until it was struck off charge in june 1947.
I am not aware if it carried any nose art Im afraid.
You can email me mjc41uk at yahoo dot co dot uk

-- Edited by barnsley on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 07:35:23 AM

-- Edited by barnsley on Wednesday 28th of August 2013 07:36:19 AM

DaveAlletson · Aircraftsman 1st Class

My late father David Alletson (same first name as me) served with 166 as a flight Sargent engineer in 1943/44

He was shot down over Germany on 30/31 Jan 1944 and was a POW until Mar 1945

I would like any detail and pictures of the crew

Many thanks for any help

Date: Jan 8, 2014

Hello,

i am researching former police officers who served in the RAF Bomber Command in Lincolnshire during WW11 I am interested in Flying Officer Henry Burgoyne GM. Henry was a Police Constable in D Divison of the Metropolitan Police. He was awarded the GM via the London Gazette on 14 Feb 1941. He went missing on 2nd January 1945 returning from a raid on Nurnberg? (Nurembourg?) Apparently all the crew died having been hit by AA north of Poitiers. Any information would be appreciated. It is hoped that in the next year I can identify all the former police officers amongst the 25,000 + names of RAF bomber command which will eventually be placed on the Lincoln Bomber command Memorial which as you will be aware is going through planning with a view to being constructed near Lincoln.

fritzelblitz · Leading Aircraftsman

Lancaster PB635 - 02 Jan 1945 - Nürnberg

francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php">francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php
www.lostaircraft.com/database.php">www.lostaircraft.com/database.php

barnsley · Air Commodore

RE Burgoyne Pilot 166 Squadron

email me direct on mjc41uk AT yahoo Dot co Dot uk. A relative of Burgoyne appeared on the Falmouth Antiques roadshow a few years ago.

Date: Jan 9, 2014

Can you please confirm your 'e' mail address? My address is manueljg58@hotmail.com

barney · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello, looking to get some more info on my uncle, W/O Albert Barnes, Air Gnr, all but the W/C. Scragg MBE AFC was lost, Lancaster was DV404 I have some details & memoirs of Air Vice-Marshall Sir Colin Scragg

Regards

Anthony

Date: Jan 15, 2014

Hi, I have sent you an email. Your relative was originally part of the S/Ldr Pape crew before flying with W/Cdr Scragg the Squadron C.O

cheers, B

Lancman · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hi... My father was Peter Parnham (Sisson's navigator). He died some years ago, but he wrote of his Tour with Sisson's crew. I use his memories when I show people around the Aviation Heritage Centre's Lancaster. Norman Smith (r/gunner) is still alive and sometimes in touch. I do have a picture of the complete crew and Lancaster PD310.

Date: Jan 30, 2014

Hi there, email me on mjc41uk AT yahoo.co.uk and we can have a chat. I can send you some ops sheets. Barnsley

Date: Feb 4, 2014

Hello, I would really like some help in finding out any information about my late Father when he was stationed at RAF Kirmington in the latter stages of WW11 his name is James Spencer from Bolton Lancs. I have a photograph of the Squadron taken in 1945. I believe he held the rank of Sargeant and may have been a navigator, but do not have any info to confirm this. Any information would very much appreciated.

AW · Air Commodore

1816673 Sgt J. Spencer. He was a Flight Engineer, with F/O A.H. Tomlinson crew, posted in 29/4/45. Flew one "exodus" trip, on 26/5/45, with 24 pow's brought back.

Date: Feb 5, 2014

Hi, if you email me on mjc41uk AT yahoo dot co dot uk I can send you some info on 166 and your Dad's crew. I also have the Squadron photo and I would be interested to put a face to his name!

MMatt · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hello fellow 166 researchers.

I am new to your forum and hopefully will add to and gain some information from the forum.

My great uncle, Charles Alfred Mattress, joined the war under the banner of the Empire Air Training Scheme and was sent to England in 1943 to join 166 Squadron.

He was shot down on the raid to Gelsenkirchen, with the loss of all crew, on 26 June 1943 on what we think was his first mission. His twin brother (my Grandfather) later pencilled another mission in his logbook to Wuppertal. Your knowledge would be great if you are able to confirm this and any other relevant information.

The crew on this mission were:

W/O CA Mattress 402531 RAAF Pilot

Sgt JP Priestly 1517817 RAFVR Bomb Aimer

Sgt A Mortimer 1499905 RAFVR Navigator

Sgt NR Parry 1383146 RAFVR Wop/Ag

Sgt T Ball 1620011 RAFVR Air Gunner

Their aircraft was a Wellington Mk X, HE 346, AS-M and crashed on the Northern Dutch coast near the town of Holwerd.

The remains of the aircraft were formally identified in the 1990's after works on the dyke wall unearthed the crash site, and a plaque is now in place in memory of the crew. The remains of one of the crew was buried in Groesbeek War cemetery at the time of the crash, but with no indication of who he may have been. After the formal identification, however, the headstone was replaced to say that he was a member of the crew of the aircraft in question. in 1994, my wife and I were able to make the overseas journey to visit both the grave and crash site. A very moving experience.

Hope this information was of use to someone on the forum and I look forward to keeping in touch.

Cheers

AW · Air Commodore

Matt,

They joined 166sqdn, on 5th June, and F/Sgt Mattress, flew as 2nd Pilot for experience, with W/Cmdr Barclay, on a Gardening Operation (Sea mining) on 22nd June. Can also confirm that they went to Wuppertal, on 24th June, also in HE346, they encountered enemy aircraft twice, on return journey, but took successful evasive action, with no combat taking place. Tried to attach images, but failed, have messaged you about sending scans.

Alan.

-- Edited by AW on Monday 10th of February 2014 10:23:12 AM

Date: Feb 10, 2014

MATTRESS CREW 166 SQUADRON

Hi Matt, hope you get this message as Alan has already posted a reply before I saw your request for information. I have been researching 166 Squadron for 25 years and no the answer to the headstone mystery.

Email me direct on mjc41uk AT yahoo dot co Dot Uk

Best Wishes, B

Dale1981 · Aircraftsman 1st Class

My grandfather was a navigator serving with 166 sqn. Sgt Fred Ricketts. We have all his ww2 flying logs at home which are a fascinating record of sortees over germany. They list crew names, sortee type, target, aim of sortee, ordnace carried, ordnance dropped, enemy encountered, damage to aircraft etc. a brilliant read and amazing evidence of what these chaps had to go through. I have the book written about 166 sqn which has some photos of my grandfather, although he is not named in them.

Date: Feb 14, 2014

FRED RICKETTS NAVIGATOR 166 SQUADRON

Hi there, thanks for your post on the 166 thread,

there were 2 Navigators on 166 Squadron with the name Ricketts, both with the initial F! I guess that your Grandfathjer was Flying Officer F. M.G Ricketts who was the Navigator in the crew of Alf Wylde (the other Ricketts was made a POW and you didn't mention that in your post). Posted to 166 on 16.10.44. Alf was on his second tour of operations and his crew with your Grandfather completed an extended tour of ops with 166.

I would love to hear from you and I can send you some info about your Grandfather's time on 166 Squadron. Email me on mjc41uk AT yahoo dot co dot uk

Dale1981 · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Indeed there were two F Ricketts. My Grandfather was airman aircrew at the start of the war (sgt) but took a commission towards then i think. He wasn't made a pow as far as i'm aware. I would be more than happy to provide any details that you would find interesting and photocopies of any pages of his flying logs if there are any particular sorties of interest. His uniform and medals, i believe, were donated somewhere and are a featured museum article... I will find out where!

Date: Feb 27, 2014

Hello

do you have any info on Thomas William Hill - Air Navigator with effect from 11.9.1942 Unit #10AOS -68983- presumed dead on 8.6.44.

Found his flight log book in the loft (Leeds, West Yorkshire) and would like to return to any living relatives.

thanks

Mollyjester · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hi

I am looking for any available information about my grandfather and his crew. Unfortunately he did not speak at all about his missions (ops) I only have a few patchy stories he had told my grandmother over the years. I do know he was involved in the bombing over Germany and I am not aware of him ever being shot down; however, the plane may have been damaged more than a few times.

I do know he was the rear/tail gunner on the Lorna (A2 on the wings) - his name is Frank Thomas Webb - nickname was Spider.

He flew with a mix of Australian and Canadian crew and from my own research I believe the navigator was Sir Walter McEllister (Mac) Leonard.

Thanks

Molly

Date: Mar 2, 2014

THOMAS HILL NAVIGATOR 166 SQUADRON KILLED IN ACTION VERSAILLES JUNE 1944

Please email me directly on mjc41uk AT yahoo dot co dot uk. I was in touch with with Tommy Hill's widow many years ago.

I have a lot of information about the crew. They were on the last operation of their Tour. All were killed.

barnsley · Air Commodore

THOMAS HILL NAVIGATOR 166 SQUADRON

Hope you see this message. Please email me direct on mjc41ukATyahoo.co.uk. I was in touch with Tom Hill's widow a few years ago. Best wishes, Barnsley

DrGould · Leading Aircraftsman

Request info on the following aircraft: NG183 AS-D, PA179 AS-A, RA501 AS-N. I am investigating the loss of aircraft on 20/21 February 1945 and trying to track all those lost. I think I know that respectively the aforementioned first two aircraft crashed at Hansa Bergwerk and Huckard and the last landed at Manston. Any detail of the times and causes of the crashed aircraft would be most helpful. My father was due to fly in NF975 but had been injured and his crew were lost without trace. Thank you.

-- Edited by DrGould on Monday 10th of March 2014 04:08:28 PM

Lemonm · Leading Aircraftsman

I've volunteered to find out any history on a friends cousin's father whom I'm told earned the DFC in 166 Sqn- Douglas James Dickie. Not sure if he started from NZ or came here after the war and pretty sure was active WWII. Any info/ images sources suggested would be welcome please.

Cheers

barnsley · Air Commodore

Flying Officer Doug Dickie R.N.Z.A.F, NZ424438.

1st op 27.6.44 Chateau Bernapre and last op 28.9.44 Calais. Completed full tour of operations (31 missions) with 166 Squadron and awarded D.F.C in October 1944.

Date: Mar 16, 2014

Hello There,

My Father, Walter George Williams, was a London Metropolitan Police Officer from 1937 - 1967. He was with RAF Kirmington, Bomber Command, Lancaster, from 1942 - 1945. He completed 31 Operations in January, 1945. The Memorial that is to be erected in the near future in Lincoln is that for Fallen Police Officers or for all Police Officer that served in the RAF, WW2. He was attached to Traffic, "Z" Division, Thornton Heath, London.

His Flight Crew at RAF Kirmington were:-

Flg. Off. George Knott,

Sgt. Williams (Flt. Engineer), my Father

Flt. Sgt. Bailey, (Bombamier)

Flt. Sgt. Archer, (Navigator)

Plt. Off. Leigh (Wireless Op.)

Sgt. Greig (Mid Upper Gunner)

Sgt. Anderson, (Rear Gunner)

After completing 30 years of service, he retired at the age of 51 and passed away in Chichester, Sussex in 1997 at the age of 81.

Susan Atkinson (nee) Williams

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

barnsley · Air Commodore

SGT WILLIAMS FLIGHT ENGINEER

Hello Susan, thanks for your post on my thread. You might like to get in touch. I have been contacted by the Grandaughter of the Tail Gunner in the crew. mjc41ukATyahoo.co.uk

susan atkinson · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hi Barnsley,

Look forward to hearing from the Granddaughter of Tail Gunner Anderson. Have sent you and e-mail.

Susan Atkinson

Wednesday 19th March, 2014
10.28 am est.

Date: Mar 23, 2014

Hello:

I am the son of a John Green. He was the pilot of a Lancaster in 166 squadron (I think). My father gave me a picture of his plane and the crew. I read an earlier post that mentioned the planes name "Lorna" which matches the plane I have a picture of. I also have a picture of him and his navigator, Sidney M Macpherson (again, I think) And I believe his bomb aimer was Dick Graham. I was wondering about who the rest of his crew was, when his tour was and how many missions he flew. He did not talk about his time overseas much (or at all really) but somehow I heard he was involved in the raid on Dresden, which affected him very much. Was the 166th involved in the Dresden raid? On the plane there are 48 bombs which I assume indicates it had flown 48 missions. How many crews and flights did this plane go through? Did it survive the war? Any information you could give me would be much appreciated.

Thank You

Chris Green Toronto, Canada

Date: Mar 25, 2014

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT J. L. GREEN RCAF J.8151

Hello, your Dad was posted to 166 Squadron on 01.02.45 with his crew. McPherson was the Nav, Graham was the Flight Engineer. I have a really bad picture of the crew with 'Lorna'. I would be pleased to hear from you and I will send you the info I have on the crew. They did 21 ops before the wars end. Email me direct on mjc41ukATyahoo.co.uk

Cheers,

B

Sparky · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Hi Alan

With reference to the crew of Wellington HE 346. Together with a Dutch colleague we have recently added the account of its crash and the eventual recognition of the dike grave site to http://www.626-squadron.co.uk/willem14b.htm (You'll need to scroll to the end of quite a long page) There are also some photos there showing items of wreckage recovered from the crash site in the 1970s which we are hoping some Wellington expert may help us identify.

Do you happen to know whether there are any photos of the crew?

Date: Apr 11, 2014

RE: 166 Squadron RAF my uncle sergeant crooks was killed in a raid on Bochum any info please