Aircrew Identification help required

[Mick K]

I'm unsure if I am posting in the correct forum, but Alan W suggested I repost this here after posting it in the Challenges section

Can anyone identify the crew in this photo? We believe it was taken circa March 1942. I do know that the tall chap at the rear is A.B. Greig DFC,DSO and I believe that the Pilot on the right was F/Lt Bill Livingston

The aircraft is obviously Stirling W7475 and I do not know where it was taken

Any help or guidance on who the other aircrew may be would be greatly appreciated

Mick K

[smudgersmith218]

Mick,

I think the pilot is Kiwi P/O D V Bullock RNZAF. I know that Bullock flew W7475 on a number of occasions and that Grieg flew with Bullock during the early part of his operational tour.

I maybe wrong however !!

Steve

PS : GREAT photo not seen that one before !!

[K4KittyCrew]

Gents, could not find any other photos of the aircraft but have these details, pertaining to the aircraft.
John

[Mick K]

The photograph has written on the back "Bill" in AB Greig's handwriting. By manner of deduction and looking at Greig's logbook, we are certain that the pilot was W. "Bill" Livingston

Can anyone shed any light on the fate of Bill Livingston? Also, i would love some detail about the Sqn 218 raids on Essen, Lubeck and Poissy in March and April 1942.

Thanks

[AlanW]

Hi Mick,
Does Greig's logbook state, that W. Livingston, was the pilot, whilst with 218sqdn, or is it earlier, whilst they were with a previous squadron, or in training at a Conversion Unit. Obviously, between the logbook and Steve's knowledge, this could be made clear. Assuming that "Bill" is short for William, there is a F/O Wiliam .M. Livingston, pilot, 1651 CU, who was killed on the Thousand Bomber raid to Bremen on the night of 25/26th June 42, but, this is only a possibility.
Alan.

[smudgersmith218]

Mick,

Livingston was a Flight Lieutenant at the time when he operated with Grieg, not sure the pilot on the end is a F/Lt. He has however a good resemblance to Bullock who he operated with for a number of operations. Livingston completed his operational tour at the end of May 1942, he was posted to No.1651 CU as an instructor, sadly he failed to return from an operation to Bremen on June 25th 1942.

I would very interested in learning more about Greif and his time with No.218 Squadron.

Regards

Steve

[Mick K]

Steve

Thanks for your great replies. A.B.(Sandy) Greig was my wife's grandfather. This photo is from their family collection.

Inscribed on the back in Sandy's handwriting is "from left to right Purcell, Hall, Taylor, Myself, Hodge, Boyd and Bill"

Does this make sense to you? I really appreciate your knowledge on this (and that of anyone else with knowledge on that time).

In regard to Sandy's time with 218 Squadron,I quote directly from AB Greig's son who has transcribed the following from his logbook

Details of “Ops” in W7475

1. 09/03/1942 Essen Pilot F/Lt Livingston
2. 13/03/1942 Cologne Pilot F/Lt Livingston
3. 25/03/1942 Essen Pilot F/Lt Livingston
4. 26/03/1942 Essen Pilot F/Lt Livingston
5. 28/03/1942 Lubeck Pilot F/Lt Livingston
6. 02/04/1942 Poissy Pilot F/Lt Livingston

From 05/04/1942 to 29/04/1942 there were 7 Missions in different planes with 25/04/1942 being F/Lt Livingston’s last logged mission in Sandy’s log book. Not sure what happened thereafter.

7. 02/05/1942 Kiel Pilot P/O Bullock
8. 08/05/1942 Warnemunde Pilot P/O Bullock
9. 19/05/1942 Mannheim Pilot P/O Bullock
10. 29/05/1942 Gnome–Rhone Works Pilot P/O Bullock
11. 30/05/1942 Cologne Pilot P/O Bullock
12. 06/06/1942 Emden Pilot P/O Bullock
13. 08/06/1942 Terschelling Pilot P/O Bullock
14. 22/06/1942 Emden Pilot P/O Bullock
15. 29/06/1942 Bremen Pilot P/O Bullock

Hereafter they moved into Lancasters.

Mick

[smudgersmith218]

Hi Mick,

I can help with copies from the ORB and station records. Please contact me off board or email squadron218ATyahooDOTcoDOTuk

Kind regards

Steve

[theoldnick]

Third from the left is my father Herbert (Spud) Taylor DFC. He left the RAF in 1975. I'd be interested to know if any of the other crew are still alive.

[theoldnick]

For info. My dad S/L Taylor passed away 31/10/17 aged 97. I have little in the way of his record flying in 218. I am aware he was Gunnery Leader on 1657 HCU.