166 Squadron RAF Kirmington help available to researchers

PaulG · Aircraftsman 1st Class

RE: 166 Squadron RAF Kirmington help available to researchers

barnsley · Air Commodore

Sgt Tom Gibson RAF (Laverack crew)

The crew flew 7 operations before the final one. The crew joined 166 on 10.02.45.

Paul email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk if you want more detail.

Your relative was the mid upper gunner.

Cheers

B

Date: Feb 9, 2018

Hi Florence,

Could you confirm that the Thomas Luscombe you are researching is the one I have information on.

Rank: Seargeant

Service No: 742043

Date of Death: 11/05/1941

Son of Frederick William and Ann Luscombe, of Coventry

If you could reply on whether this is the person you are researching, it would be much appreciated.

PaulG · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Could you please confirm your e-mail by e-mailing me paulgibson879@hotmail.co.uk as the e-mail you posted on here does not appear to work.

Regards Paul Gibson

barnsley · Air Commodore

Sgt Tom Gibson RAF (Laverack crew)

ok Paul we have since been in touch and my email is working o.k. B

Date: Feb 25, 2018

hi David,

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. smile

Date: Mar 5, 2018

Hello.

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

barnsley · Air Commodore

WINGS OF WAR BY JIM WRIGHT

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.

Cosmo1 · Aircraftsman 1st Class

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

Date: Mar 24, 2018

Hi,

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.

barnsley · Air Commodore

Sgt Flight Engineer Tommy Lafferty 1550660

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

B

barnsley · Air Commodore

Sgt Roger Rockwell Ward A.G RAF

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

B

Date: Apr 2, 2018

barnsley wrote:
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

barnsley · Air Commodore

F/Sgt Bates 166 Squadron

Dear Margaret, if you email me direct on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk I will send you some more information about your brither.

Kind regards

B

RAF 166 · Corporal

Margaret

There is information and photographs of this crew on the 166 Squadron website.

The link to the page on HF596 is http://raf166squadron.com/CrewHF596.htm

We have communicated before, if I can be of any further help, please message me at e-mail address shown on the website.

David Swallow

Administrator RAF 166 Squadron website

-- Edited by RAF 166 on Thursday 5th of April 2018 03:15:03 PM

Date: Apr 25, 2018

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

barnsley · Air Commodore

P/O James Jones 166 Squadron

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.

Date: May 2, 2018

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?

barnsley · Air Commodore

SGT F. J. RICKETTS

Hi Andrew, could you please email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk about your father. I can give you some more information. B

-- Edited by barnsley on Sunday 6th of May 2018 04:28:51 PM

Date: Jun 10, 2018

Hi, do you have any information on my father who was a navigator on the 166 squadron, Paul Dennis Chamberlain, or Dennis Paul Chamberlain? Thank you!!

Date: Jun 10, 2018

oh yes my email is Mcaluori@comcast.net regarding my father Paul Dennis Chamberlain

barnsley · Air Commodore

Paul Dennis Chamberlain

Hi, I have sent you a PM.

Cheers, B

Davie · Aircraftsman 1st Class

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.

Thank you.

barnsley · Air Commodore

Pilot Officer Rabett DFC

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

billmeegan · Leading Aircraftsman

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

MikeH · Air Vice Marshall

Hi William,

16-17 Apr 1943

166 Sqn Wellington X HE862 AS-L Op: Mannheim

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.

F/O S J Lupton +

F/O R A Lord

Sgt J P Merton RCAF inj

Sgt W F Whitfield +

F/O E G Hadingham

(source: RAF Bomber Command Losses 1943, W.R Chorley).

More details can be found at the link below.

http://aircrewremembered.com/lupton-selwyn.html

Regards,

Mike H

-- Edited by MikeH on Wednesday 8th of August 2018 02:31:48 PM

Date: Sep 4, 2018

Peter Chittim wrote:
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

Kind Regards

PeteT · Wing Commander

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

alieneyes · Group Captain

Lancaster ND635, Pete.

PeteT · Wing Commander

Thanks for speedy response

Regards

Pete

Date: Sep 9, 2018

PeteT wrote:
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

Cheers

Andy

Date: Sep 9, 2018

PeteT wrote:
Thanks for speedy response

Regards

Pete

There is a picture of ND635 'Frandsens Frolics" in Lancaster at war Vol 2 by Garbett and Goulding.

I have access to a little crew information and photo's, aircraft information etc. My granddad was bomb aimer.

Been researching ND635 since 2011

Cheers

Andy

Andrew Thorpe · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Right. I've managed to get my account working.

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

Cheers

Andy

barnsley · Air Commodore

Chittim Crew

email me again Andy. I have some more info. mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk I was contacted by a German gentleman who witnessed the crash as a young boy

PeteT · Wing Commander

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

Andrew Thorpe · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Thanks for sharing Pete.

I'd Like to visit that :)

Date: Oct 11, 2018

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)

barnsley · Air Commodore

F/O Shaw

Hello Jennifer please email me on mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk

I know all about your Uncle and his crew (this is my thread on 166 Squadron).

Regards, B

Date: Oct 20, 2018

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

barnsley · Air Commodore

Flying Officer Alfred Ernest Bransgrove

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

Date: Oct 22, 2018

Possible shot down by Uffz Kurt Röder JG 3 Hermann

Date: Oct 26, 2018

Thank you

Date: Nov 12, 2018

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.

Marnold · Aircraftsman 1st Class

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

barnsley · Air Commodore

Sgt P.Hall missing 10/04/43

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

Date: Nov 29, 2018

If you are a member of John Standen Shaw's family please thank you to contact me via MP on FB @Beaupresurlalys.

Date: Nov 29, 2018

Jennifer Bell wrote:
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.

barnsley · Air Commodore

Flying Officer Peter Shaw

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!

Cosmo1 · Aircraftsman 1st Class

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

barnsley · Air Commodore

Flt Sgt Tommy Lafferty

If you require further information then please email me as per previous post. Best Wishes, B.

mjc41uk@yahoo.co.uk