READERS' POSTS......scroll down
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READERS POSTS ...................
Posted 3 Apr 2012 S.A. SOMERSCALES
Stanley Alan Somerscales (136222) flew with 10 Squadron from 1942? and received a DFC. He was killed on operations as a Sqn Ldr with 76 Squadron on 22 April 1944: the excellent book, "Halifax Down", records this operation and what happened to the crew of Halifax MZ 578. However any further information on Stan's service with 10 Squadron would be appreciated.
Email : John Horton This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Posted 22 Mar 2012 AIR ENGINEERS ex – Topcliffe
Did you gain your Air Eng brevet at RAF Topcliffe? This summer, sometime between June and August 2012, it is proposed to hold a reunion of Air Engineers who trained at the former RAF Topcliffe; now Alanbrooke Barracks. The date is yet to be defined. Anyone interested in attending such a Reunion please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone David Morton on 07767 - 450989.
Posted 27 Feb 2012 Donald Lawrence SMITH, Sergeant 1395416
My half-brother, Donald Smith, flew with 10 Squadron as an Air Gunner during WW2. He was killed in action on 31 March 1944. The only record I can find is that Halifax LV881 ZA-V went down during the Nuremberg raid. I do know he is buried in The Hanover War Cemetery. Could anyone help point me in the right direction, internet, books etc to find out more about my brother and 10 Sqn during 1943/44 ?
Thank you, Denis Smith email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Posted 26 Feb 2012 HENRY FREDERICK JENKINS, DFC
The photo below, probably taken at RAF Melbourne in 1944, shows a Halifax crew, including my late father-in-law, Fg Off Henry Frederick Jenkins, DFC. (143767) (third from left)
Henry was a navigator and went on, after WW2, to become an Air Traffic Controller when posted to Berlin for these duties in support of the Airlift operations. He remained in Air Traffic for the rest of his career. He passed away in 1997.
I understand that one of his fellow crew members was Grant Batty the father of the 1970's NZ Rugby, All Black, Winger.
Henry was awarded his DFC for flying his Halifax back to Tangmere, after the pilot was killed during a raid over Germany In 1944.
I would be very interested in any other info about his experiences or other relevant memories to be able to pass them on to his great grandchildren.
ALISTAIR WILSON email : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Posted 22 Feb 2012 Wg Cdr Henry George (Hal/Harry) CATTELL, 43355, 10 Sqn, No 4 Gp, Bomber Command
A Plt Off at Dishforth in 1939, and after the Abingdon OTU in 1940, H.G. (nicknamed Hal or Harry) Cattell was stationed at Leeming in 1940/41. Flying Whitleys on 10 Sqn prior to a crash landing at Leeming when a Flight Lieutenant, he went on to Flying Training and accident investigation work.
If you have any further information please contact son, Brian Cattell, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Posted 18 Nov 2011 Sgt Reginald Stanley PETTICAN
The following post was received from a website reader:
Please contact :
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any information to assist.
Posted 29 Sep 2011 RAF Leeming WW 2 Veterans
Any past members of 10 Sqn who were based at RAF Leeming during WW2 ( 8 July 1940 – 19 August 1942) are invited to contact :
Flt Lt Alfie Hall, Adjutant 609 (WR) Sqn or the Historical Training Facility at RAF Leeming. – Tel: 01677 - 457125
The Museum is sadly lacking much information about the Squadron’s time there and they aspire to accredit all members of the Squadron who were lost in action from Leeming.
Our Historian has since contacted the Leeming Museum and sent many reminiscences that our members have previously published in our Newsletters. The photograph below being just one: - Churchill visted RAF Leeming on 15 May 1942, three months before the move to RAF Melbourne. - Web Warden
Winston Churchill is escorted by (L to R) :
Sqn Ldr Seymour-Price 10 Sqn, Wg Cdr 'Willie' Tait OC 10 Sqn, Gp Cpt Strang-Graham CO RAF Leeming), Air Cdre Carr, 4 Group.
Churchill was accompanied on the visit by the Australian Foreign Minister H de Vere Evatt, who can be seen in the background wearing a felt hat.
Note : At that time 'Willie' Tait was 21 years of age, reputedly the youngest Wing Commander in the RAF and he was a replacement for Wing Commander Bennett who had been shot down on the April 'Tirpitz' raids. Tait finally sank the 'Tirpitz' in 1945.
Bennett evaded to Sweden and returned to resume command of the Squadron. He finally formed and commanded the Pathfinder Force, and at the end of the War had reached the rank of Air Vice- Marshall, CB, CBE, DSO.
