195 Squadron Lancaster JE-A

AW · Air Commodore

195 Squadron Lancaster JE-A

Date: Mar 10, 2013

Hello

I have just found my uncle`s squadron and Lancaster after years of searching with

just a picture of him under the nose art of the plane with his crew mates. He was Flying Officer

Fred Smoker RAAF attached to RAF squandron 195 , JE-A "Fanny bY searchlight" was his plane.

Would anyone have any information on Fred Smoker and Lancaster JE-A regards to missions?

Regards

Brian Christmass

John W · Group Captain

Hi Brian,

If you go to the National Australian Archives in Canberra his service file is there. Its has not yet been exaimed it will cost you $16.50 to have it digatised or $25.00 for a photocopy and will take about 6 weeks.

To access his file, go to search collection then begin search and in key words put in his service number 427032 and follow the prompts.

Regards,

John.

BrianC · Aircraftsman 1st Class

Thanks for taking an interest Alan and John.
I only came across this site Sunday afternoon 10/03 and it has some amazing articles.
Check out Bomber Command on facebook, that also has interesting pieces.
BrianC

Date: Nov 27, 2014

My late Father was a W/O in 195 squadron as a rear Gunner,JE/A. HeWas Joseph Henry Markham.

there Lanc was badly hit and couldn't get the wheels down,so my dad use the hanle to wine them down they landed on

one wheel ,the a Pilot name was Geoffrey Phillip ,my dad name my brother after him.

my dads history is on the page your on now,it took me well over Six years looking,did you get the Bomber Command Clasp.

last year? I have lots of infor mation on him and all the different Lettering on his Lanc.where there bombs where dropped.

im doing this in bed.its 03:50 .Friday Morning.Time to get some sleep.Your better of writing to Glouster RAF that's where I got all my Information from.my e-mail: Davidmarkham802@yahoo.co.uk

Anastasia · Aircraftsman 1st Class

thanks for checking. It looks like his service with 78 Sqn was later. Ive been told he did 9 Ops in eleven days during March 1945.

terrystrickl · Aircraftsman 1st Class

No. 195 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron that operated during the second world war at first in the ground attack role and later as heavy bomber unit with the Avro Lancaster. ... Dates, Letters. 1942-1944, JE. 1944-1945, A4 ...

Date: May 1, 2015

Just came across your post two years later ! My Dad (Tim Fanning) was pilot of JE-A for several of its 40 odd ops. I have photos of the whole crew , including Fred Smoker , taken alongside this aircraft right after their last op. The aircraft was nicknamed "Fanny by Searchlight" , derived from our family name which inevitably got "doctored" at school ( ! ) and the popular west end of London play that ran for a long time during the war called "Fanny by Gaslight". Also have his log book showing all ops flown in JE-A. Fred Smoker was one of several Australian wireless operators posted to 195 squadron. I know he and my Dad kept in touch for some years after the war. If you'd like any further info please be in touch to my email fanning_james@hotmail.com

Kind regards, James Fanning

Date: May 1, 2015

Somewhat late with this but only just stumbled on the thread ! Yes , you're spot on with your facts - the pilot in question is my father , Tim Fanning. I have his log book with details of these 26 bombing ops plus 8 other trips - operation maana , operation exodus and tours of the Ruhr. I have photos of him and his crew alongside JE-A "Fanny by Searchlight" after their last op - it includes Fred Smoker. After 195 , my Dad was posted out to India flying Dakotas for Transport Command till mid '46 after which he was de-mobbed - never flew an aircraft again. He died in 2002 in his 80th year.

Kind regards , James Fanning

fanning_ james@hotmail.com

Date: May 30, 2015

Joseph Henry Markham.W/O.195 Squadron

Date: Feb 15, 2021

RE:195 squadRon Lancaster JEA heavy bombing squadron 3 Group rear Gunner Joseph Henry Markham

WO my late dad died age 61 from high blood pressure and bronchial lungs 1970,

my dads Lancaster was badly hit on landing home his Pilot Geoffrey Philip couldn't get there rear wheel down my dad found the winding Handel and him and his mate got it down they landed safely

im his son David Markham.email:DavidFrederick733@gmail.com

my dad was born in Liverpool and spent over 30:years in the arm forces .

hope this will help anyone that new him or his name.