Irvin British Empire Caterpillar List to April 1940

[paulmcmillan]

All

I have a copy of this file from RAF Museum in PDF format if any one wants a copy. Warning it has list of names under year but no further detail (you will have to await my magnum opus for that )

However if you want a copy
Then please private message me with your email address


Paul

[Vampiredave]

Does the list include Aircraftsman Albert Gourd, a trainee photographer with 501 (City of Bristol) Squadron at Filton, who baled out of a Hawker Hart over the Avon Gorge in June 1938 (reputedly without the knowledge of the pilot, Fg Off Peter Rayner) and landed in Park Row, Bristol? The incident (thought to be for a bet?) was featured in a number of local newspapers at the time. Gourd later remustered as an air gunner and killed in August 1943 while serving with No.428 (RCAF) Squadron.

[paulmcmillan]

No it does not include Gourd - The list does lack a few incidents that I have in my Database. There were a few of these - I think if you could convince Irvin or your superior officers that you 'fell out' accidently you were in. I also know a few people who "fell out" on purpose.. who are in the list..

For instance the list does not mention John Strain who bailed out between April 26, 1935 to May 5, 1935 of a 602 'City of Glasgow' Hawker Hart who mistakenly bailed out when his pilot (P/O George C Pinkerton) turned around and pointed down (he was trying to tell Strain that his foot was on control wire)

Thanks for the new name now - he goes on my baleout list with annotation

Paul

[paulmcmillan]

VampireDave

Gourd not gong into to my main list but into my 'Other Notable Incidents' list the incident happened Juen 2, 1938.. Full story here:

His full name was Albert Ernest Edwin Gourd #813163

Fri 03 Jun 1938
PARACHUTIST LANDS ON ROOF
BRISTOLIAN'S THRILLING DESCENT
17 Years' Old R.A.F. Gunner Has His Wish
THOUSANDS SEE DRIFT FROM 6,000 FEET ALBERT GOURD (17), of 141 , EASTON ROAD, BRISTOL,
A RESERVIST IN THE 501 (COUNTY OF GLOUCESTER) BOMBING SQUADRON, HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE A PARACHUTE DESCENT.
Last night he had his wish. He sailed from height of 6,000 feet over Bristol, and landed on the roof of a house in Woodland Road, Redland. The only injury he sustained was a skinned shin and a headache. Almost as soon as Gourd had landed a police officer arrived! He had seen Gourd leave the machine while on duty at Durdham Down, and had followed his descent, and they arrived in Woodland Road simultaneously. HAVE wanted to do a parachute jump since I was 12, said Gourd a reporter. I asked the Royal Air Force if I could do one and they refused. I have told people that one day I was going to jump, and since I have joined the R.A.F. Reserve these people have been keeping on me and chipping me. So after we had left Filton and had been up three or four minutes I took the parachute off the rack, attached it the harness which we have to wear, and jumped out—head first of course. We were then at 6.000 feet. I drifted quite a lot, and when about 100 feet from the ground I knew I would land on the roofs, he said. When I did land I rolled off and skinned my skin, he added, indicating his torn uniform stocking but I have an awful headache, and could do with a cigarette.

ENTANGLED ROUND CHIMNEY
Gourd landed on the roof of No. 86, Woodland Road. The cords of the parachute became entangled round the chimney stack. He rolled off the roof, breaking the guttering in the process, and remained hanging down the side of the wall. His descent was seen by thousands of people, and students who saw him drifting over the University ran out with ladders. Gourd was hanging in his precarious position for some time before he was released from the parachute. He was flying as air gunner in a Hawker Hart machine piloted by Flying Officer P. H. Rayner, and to the 'Press and Mirror the pilot said he had no idea of Gourd's intention
until he had left the machine. He returned to Filton aerodrome and reported.

STUDENTS TO THE RESCUE.
Mr Eric Regnauld. of Meridian Vale, Bristol, one of the students who rescued Gourd, said that it would have been impossible for Gourd to have released himself. He other students, rushed out with a ladder and got Gourd to the ground. Gourd, after giving a statement to the police and wrapping up his parachute, was taken back to Filton Aerodrome in one of the large number of cars which pulled up as he crashed on the roof.