940035 Reginald Tarry B:16 Mar 1918 Potterspury, Northamptonshire, England

[Beagletorque]

Has anyone any information about 940035 or 3013287 Reginald Tarry?

He may have been a rear gunner on heavy bombers at some point.
He parachuted out at some time just after his crew crossed the channel and had a Caterpillar broach (I've contacted the CC).
If I have the right number then he was early doors at Cardington in 1939 and his card has a big "F" in a circle on it.
He was listed as a Tin Smith on the 1939 register.
If he was a reserved occupation then his RAF number would have been 3013287 May 1943 onwards ATC Cadets at Padgate, most likely on to gunnery school?

Thanks in advance...

Andrew

[paulmcmillan]

TOWCESTER WEDDING The wedding took place at Towcester Parish Church on Saturday Corporal Reginald Tarry, R.A.F. youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. H- Tarry, of Potterspury, and Miss Vfera Constance Asplin, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C Asplin. of- Greens Norton-road Towcester. The bride was given away by her father, who is sergeant in the Home Guard. Miss Myra Asplin (sister of the bride) and Miss Barbara Brooker (niece of the bride) were bridesmaids. Mr. G. Tarry brother of the bridegroom, was best man. The ceremony wasconducted the vicar the Rev. G. H. Roper..

Published: Friday 08 May 1942
Newspaper: Northampton Mercury
County: Northamptonshire, England

I would suggest 940035 based on the above and date

935000 to 964999 Sep-39 Cardington

Birth 16 Mar 1918 Potterspury, Northamptonshire, England
Death Jan 1979 Northampton, Northamptonshire, England

[Beagletorque]

Paul,
that's a great find, thank you.
I hope the Caterpillar Club can find him if the story is true!

Andrew

[Beagletorque]

If he joined up in 1939 and was a corporal in 1942 does that add up for air crew?

[paulmcmillan]

No it does not add up - he would have been Sgt for aircrew by 1942

HOWEVER = It does not preclude him re-mustering to aircrew position later after 1942 - of all aircrew trades gunner had the least 'training involved' - or he could have been a passenger in the aircraft

So out of interest what is back story....

[Beagletorque]

There is no back story per se. My uncle remembers him (it's his uncle) at the age of 6/7 having a Caterpillar badge and being told he got it for using a parachute during ww2.

So I was wondering if I could find out if it was true and how did it happen?
Did ground crew go on sorties when they should not have?

[paulmcmillan]

"Did ground crew go on sorties when they should not have?"

Yes - In fact a number of ground crew and at least 1 WAAF went on sorties when they should not have done

As a family member the CC should be able to check the files and confirm the details = if you do can you please post here?

Ground crew often went on test flights or air experience flights - and these could end in disaster so requiring a jump - my gut feeling on this is that this story rings true = If I was going to fake a claim to a parachute jump - i could easily make the claim but a caterpillar badge is physical evidence and would require such as an application letter to the CC - which should be in their archives

Basically if I was going to make up a war story it would not be this one

[Beagletorque]

I have had a holding response from CC until they can check the physical register for me.
I will post up once I have more information.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

[JDCAVE]

"Did ground crew go on sorties when they should not have?"

Yes….and at least 1 WAAF went on sorties when they should not have done…l

Do tell us more!

Jim

[Resmoroh]

Hello All,
She was:-
2040538 Sgt Olive Mary Morse, WAAF (Met Branch).
b. Q4 1918 Reg Braintree 4a 1148
d. 14 Sep 1943 Reg Buckrose(Bridlington) 9d 1947. Halifax LW246 158 Sqn Lissett. Port wing detached in flight returning to Lissett after a fighter affil exercise, and 'local flying'.
bur. All Saints Churchyard, Witham, Essex.
HTH
Peter Davies (from Lyffe's book).
RESearch into Met Offfice Roll Of Honour