In May 2024, Mike Westwood handed over a copy of Irvin Hanson’s recently-published book entitled, ‘Third Time Lucky’, to Wg Cdr Jim Rycroft, OC10. This was in gratitude for the Squadron allowing Irvin access to its memorabilia, whilst writing of his father’s time on 10 Squadron’s Whitleys in WW2, prior to becoming a PoW for the rest of the war in 1941.
On behalf of its author Irvin Hanson, Mike Westwood donates a copy of 'Third Time Lucky' to Wg Cdr Jim Rycroft, OC10.
On 17th May the Annual 10 Sqn Association Dinner was held at a hotel near Swindon. Organised by Sandy Butler, the evening was a pleasant success although the numbers of members attending was sadly much lower than in previous years.
It was a great pleasure to welcome Wg Cdr Jim Rycroft, the Officer Commanding the Squadron at Brize Norton and those who had the privilege of flying in one of his Squadron’s Voyagers earlier that day were able to thank him personally for this rare and much-appreciated treat that their membership allowed.
See below 4 x pdf files which show photos of the flight and a report and photos of the dinner, during which two presentations were made.
Tartan 59 Photos by Zoe Westwood
Tartan 59 Photos by Matthew Greaves
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From RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia
Those of you who have been interested reading about our recent relationships with 10 Sqn RAAF ‘Down Under’ near Adelaide, Australia, may choose to read about the dynamic former Officer Commanding 10 Sqn RAAF. We knew that she, Marija (Maz) Jovanovich had left the Squadron in December last year, just as it was re-equipping with the Poseidon ‘intelligence’ aircraft which changes the Squadron’s role from its former maritime one flying the Orion.
What we didn’t know until now was that she has not only been promoted to group captain rank (she's the first female to reach that rank in the RAAF) but she has also been busy doing a few other things as well ! ......... producing baby Angus being just one.
Thanks to Ian Macmillan who follows her fortunes on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
See Maz’ https://twitter.com/maz_jovanovich?s=43 recent post here:
Since December, I have handed over command of mighty 10 Squadron (including retiring the ⯑⯑ P3), and @Sydj04 and I have moved interstate, prepped a house for sale, done a kitchen reno, HAD A BABY, [Angus] and started new jobs. Today our Adelaide Hills house settled. Tonight we celebrate. pic.twitter.com/Oe93jOD9lL
We think that 'Congratulations from us in the UK' are in order on at least two counts.
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To learn more about 10 Sqn's RAAF Edinburgh base in South Australia, follow this link:
Establishment of RAAF Base Edinburgh | Air Force
15 February 2024
Irvin Hanson joined the Association a couple of years ago, in an attempt to learn more about his father Ronald Hanson's activities during WW2.
After training, Ron flew as a wireless operator and air gunner on 10 Squadron’s Whitley bombers, early in WW2, just as those two trades had been officially designated as warranting ‘sergeant aircrew’ rank. Before joining 10 Sqn he had been forced to bale out from an aircraft over the UK and for a second time again, whilst on 10 Sqn. Following his Whitley being shot down over the North Sea, Ronald then spent the rest of the war as a PoW, mainly in Poland, before undertaking the Long March, in the winter months just before the European war's end.
Irvin has compiled his father’s WW2 history so that the Hanson family will have a lasting record of his father's war and this has been written and self-published by Irvin to now become available from YorkBookshop.com
A few questions about 'clandestine ops' are as yet still unanswered and maybe provide the possibility of a future sequel.
Priced at £12.99 and entitled ‘Third Time Lucky’, the book is not available from high street sources but may be easily bought by on-line purchase from YorkBookshop.com to whom an additional P&P charge would be payable. To obtain more details and your copy, visit this link for all the details:
Third Time Lucky (yorkbookshop.com)
