Steve Smith
Senior Member

Hi. I previously sent you a message on 26 th February regarding my late father Flt. Lieu. Ernest Brockhurst.
He was a rear gunner with 218 squadron.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi I was wondering if you had any information on my late father Ernest Dudley Brockhurst of 218 squadron. On the night of August 19th 1943 his Stirling aircraft H.A.C. had to abandon near Cranfield Airbase & he became a member of the Caterpillar Club because he used an Irving parachute.I know he was part of operation Glimmer & he mentioned Flt. Lieu Gilles. I was wondering if they were in the same crew of EF207 HA-F.He also wrote that he was posted missing presumed dead in 1944 but was found by the Americans & returned to UK. Any information would be appreciated.

Hi Steve,
I lost your email address when my computer crashed a couple of months ago. Could you drop me an email at jwilliams@eftel.com.au when you get a chance.
Cheers,

John.

Steve,

I presume you are the same Steve Smith who wrote the excellent '3 Group Bomber Command - An Operational Record'. If so, I am just working through it at the moment. I am particularly interested in 514 Sqdn as my great uncle Peter Gosnold served with them until he was killed over Homberg on 21.11.44. I would be interested in sharing any information you might have; I am compiling Peter's service history (I have the stats and am now looking to pad it out with any information about more general 514 matters at the time). 514 Sqdn seems to be largely overlooked / forgotten, even in quite specific histories. There do not even seem to be many photographs generally available.

I hope to hear from you.

Regards

Simon Hepworth

Steve, Have a look at these:
Air Ministry,
19th September, 1941.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities: —
Sergeants.
As Pilot Officers on probation.
21st Aug. 1941.
748364 John Beech AUSTIN (104448).

Air Ministry,
13th February, 1942. '
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: —
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acting Flying Officer John Beech AUSTIN (104448), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 138 Squadron.
The above awards are for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.

Air Ministry, 11th September, 1942.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
To be confmd. in appts.: —
Plt. Offs. (prob.) confmd. in appts. and to be Flg. Offs. (war subs.): —
21st Aug. 1942.
J. B. AUSTIN, D.F.C. (104448).

Air Ministry, 9th July, 1943.
ROYAL AIR FORCE. ,
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: —
Acting Flight Lieutenant John Beech AUSTIN, D.F.C. (104448), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 138 Squadron.
The above awards are for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.

Air Ministry, 10th Sept. 1943.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Flg. Offs. to be Flt. Lts. (war subs.): —
21st Aug. 1943.
J. B. AUSTIN, D.F.C. (104448).

Air Ministry, 9th October, 1945.
The KING has granted unrestricted permission for the wearing of the undermentioned decorations conferred upon the personnel indicated, in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war: —
CONFERRED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS.
Flying Cross.
Flight Lieutenants.
John Beech AUSTIN, D.F.C. (104448), R.A.F.V.R.


War Office,
6th January, 1939.
TERRITORIAL ARMY.
ROYAL ENGINEERS.
43rd (D.W.R.) A.A. Bn.—Jack Forster OVERTON (late Cadet, Worksop Coll. Contgt., Jun. Div., O.T.C.) to be 2nd Lt. 4th Jan. 1939.

War Office,
25th October, 1940.
TERRITORIAL ARMY.
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
The undermentioned offrs. are transf'd. from R.E. (T.A.), retaining their rank and seniority, 1st Aug. 1940:—
2nd Lts.:—
J. F. Overton (79313).

Air Ministry,
3rd February, 1942.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
To be Plt. Offs. (tempy.) on being empld. with the R.A.F. : —
29th Nov. 1941.
Jack Forster OVERTON, Lt., R.A. (47571).

Air Ministry, 11th December, 1942.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Plt. Offs. to be Flg. Offs. (war subs.). 1st Oct. 1942: —
J. F. OVERTON (Lt. R.A.) (47571).

Air Ministry, 3rd December, 1943.
ROYAL AIR FORCE. '
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Promotion.
Flg. Offs. to be Flt. Lts. (war subs.): —
29th Nov. 1943.
J. F. OVERTON (Lt. R.A. (47571)

Air Ministry, 29th December, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards:
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Flight Lieutenants.
Jack Forster OVERTON (47571), Royal Air Force, No. 613 Squadron.


Air Ministry 21st .Sept. 1943.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
To be Plt. Offs. on prob. (emergency): —
Sgts.
3rd Aug. 1943.
1318242 Michael William NESBITT (155023).

Air Ministry, 16th November, 1943.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Amendments.
In notifns. of 21st Sept. 1943:— p. 4181, col. i, concerning 1318242 M. W. NESBITT (155023), for 1318242 read 1319242.

Air Ministry, 2nd November, 1943.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy: —
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Pilot Officer Michael William NESBITT (155023), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 623 Squadron.
As pilot, this officer has completed many sorties against important enemy targets. Undaunted by the fiercest opposition, he has attacked his targets fearlessly and with great determination. His courageous and confident example is worthy of high praise.

Air Ministry, 4th February, 1944.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Confirmation and promotion.
Plt. Offs. (prob.) confmd. in appts. and to be Flg. Offs. (war subs.): —
3rd Feb. 1944.
M. W..NESBTTT, D.F.C. (155023).

Air Ministry, 14th September, 1945.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Promotion.
Flg. Off. to Flt. Lt. (war subs): —
3rd Aug. 1945
M. W. NESBITT, D.F.C. (155023).


Air Ministry, 22nd September, 1942.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
To be Plt. Offs. on prob. (emergency):—
Ldg. Acm.
1387456 Leslie Gordon FOWLER, (126036) 11th July 1942.

Air Ministry, 5th March, 1943.
ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Plt. Offs. (prob.) to be Flg. Offs. on prob. (war subs.): —
11th Jan. 1943
L. G. FOWLER (126036).

Air Ministry, 10th September, 1943.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve
the following awards: —
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Leslie Gordon FOWLER (126036) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 199 Squadron.
The above awards are for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.

Air Ministry, 28th July, 1944.
ROYAL AIR- FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE.
GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
Promotion.
Flg. Off. to Flt. Lt. (war subs.):—
11th July 1944.
L. G. FOWLER, D..F.C. (126036).


Air Ministry,
15th May, 1942.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallantry displayed in flying operations against the enemy: —
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Pilot Officer Philip John. LAMASON, (N.Z.403460), Royal New Zealand Air Force,
No. 218 Squadron.
One night in April, 1942, this officer was the captain of an aircraft which attacked Pilsen. During the return flight his aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter and sustained damage; the hydraulics were shot away and the turret rendered unserviceable, while a fire broke out in the middle of the fuselage. Displaying great presence of mind, Pilot Officer Lamason coolly directed his crew in the emergency and, while 2 of them dealt with the fire, he skilfully outmanoeuvred his attacker and finally shook him off. By his fine airmanship and great devotion to duty, Pilot Officer Lamason was undoubtedly responsible for the safe return of the aircraft and its crew. This officer has completed 21 sorties and he has at all times displayed courage and ability.

Air Ministry, 2nd June, 1943.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the following personnel who have been mentioned in despatches by Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief: —
Squadron Leaders.
Royal New Zealand Air Force.
P. J. LAMASON, D.F.C. (N.Z.403460) (Acting).

Air Ministry, 14th January, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the following personnel who have been mentioned in despatches by Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief:—
Squadron Leaders.
Royal New Zealand Air Force.
P. J. LAMASON, D.F.C. (N.Z.403460).

Air Ministry, 27th June, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: —
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE.
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acting Squadron Leaders.
Philip John LAMASON, D.F.C. (NZ.403460), 15 Sqn.
The above awards are in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.


Air Ministry, 29th December, 1942.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: —
Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Roy Bramwell SPEAR (N.Z. 405332), Royal New Zealand Air Force, No. 218 Squadron.
The above awards are for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations.

Air Ministry, 2nd June, 1943.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the following personnel who have been mentioned in despatches by Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief: —
Flight Lieutenants.
Royal New Zealand Air Force.
R. B. Spear, D.F.C. (N.Z. 405332) (Acting).

Air Ministry, 14th January, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the publication of the names of the following personnel who have been mentioned in despatches by Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief:—
Squadron Leaders.
Royal New Zealand Air Force.
R. B. SPEAR, D.F.C. (N.Z.405332) (Acting).
Regards, Terry

Certainly Steve,

Could you let me know the e mail address to send them too please?

Or contact me at awarculus@xtra.co.nz

I have not used this message set up before!
Is it 218 Sqn Assn?
Digger

Hi Steve
You mention that you have a list showing bomb strikes on own aircraft July 1944-May 1945. I consider these to be 'blue-on-blue' incidents and include them in a separate chapter in my forthcoming 'Blue-on-Blue in WW2' series. Any chance of a copy of the list? Acknowledgement will of course be given.
Perhaps even a copy of the relevant volume!

Cheers
Brian