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Post Info TOPIC: Squadron 625 missing bomb aimer
Lyz Shaw

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Squadron 625 missing bomb aimer
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Hello,
 
I am am wondering if anyone could possibly help me, I am currently exhausting the internet looking for some information on my Grandfather, he was a bomb aimer in the second World War and flew in planes such as Lancaster PB150 and Lancaster NG337. His name was David Bernard Colebrooke, he passed his I.T.W in October 1942. I think he may have been based around Lincoln, but not too sure. I have contacted Elvington Air Museum who have told me he could have possibly been in Squadron 625 and to contact the 625 Squadron association. I have a number that my Granddad had in his diary which is 017906 - I am not sure whether that would be his service number or not.
I would just like clarification if my Granddad was in this squadron as I am hugely interested in his life in WW2. Unfortunately he passed away when I was younger and there is no one in my family that knows of his war past and there is hundreds of documents on the internet but unfortunately I can't find any information.
 
If you could possibly give me any information or useful links I would hugely be appreciated.
 
Many thanks
 
Lyz Shaw


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AW


Air Commodore

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Hi Lyz,

          I have a copy of the 625sqdn Record Book among my collection. I'll have a look in there and get back to you.

Alan.

I have found him, but he did not complete any operations with the squadron, as he and his crew were posted in after hostilities had ended. The crew were posted in on 19th May 45, from 1656 Conversion Unit.

P/O  E.J. Evans, Pilot.

Sgt  P.W. Phillips, F/Eng.

F/Sgt  P.D. Colebrook, A/B.

Sgt  F.R. Sims, Nav.

Sgt  R.J. Harrison, W/Op.

Sgt  J.A. Calder, A/G.

Sgt  W.R. Haugh, A/G.

Before 1656 CU, they would have trained at an OTU (Operational Training Unit) so it will pay to do as Pete suggested, and get a copy of his service record to trace his movements from time of enlistment.

Regards...Alan.



-- Edited by AW on Monday 12th of May 2014 03:43:48 PM

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AlanW
PeteT


Wing Commander

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Sorry, but this is a bit of a stock answer, based on my experience.

The first thing you should do (if possible) is to obtain a copy of his service record which will provide you with information on his training and his postings. Details on how you do this, along with the rules and regulations, can be found at: www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records. It is worth noting that more details are made available if you apply as next of kin.

You will have to pay to obtain the record and my understanding is that it is taking months (rather than weeks) for them to be sent out by the record office, so be prepared for a bit of a wait.

Once you have this record, you can establish where he was posted and obtain the Operations Record Books for the squadron(s) he was involved with from the National Archives.; this should provide details of his sorties and crew.

In the meantime if you can provide any more dates, or additional snippets, it may help other forum members find information in their own archives.

I hope this is useful; good luck with your research.

Regards

Pete


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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]
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