Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

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GuyMassey
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Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by GuyMassey »

I am trying to identify the surnames of the crew in the attached pictures. The aircraft is BF503 QS-H of 620 Squadron, taken in November 1943, possibly at Chedburgh. The Pilot is S/Ldr Philip Dale, my father is P/O Barry Massey. The full crew picture is annotated "George, Jonnie, Vic, Phil, Gus, Snowy, Barry - QSH Nov 1943"

The accompanying picture may be of interest.

Thanks in advance

Guy
"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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GuyMassey
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by GuyMassey »

The attached is from my father's logbook November 1943.
"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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K4KittyCrew
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by K4KittyCrew »

Great stuff Guy, many thanks for your posting. I'll / we the members will see what we can find.
Cheers,
John
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
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GuyMassey
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by GuyMassey »

Hi John,

Thank you for your reply. I have spoken to my father again about the photograph and he remembers the following information;

George – Bomb Aimer from Canada
Jonnie – Flight Engineer from the East End of London
Vic – Mid-Upper Gunner – From French Canada
S/Ldr Phil Dale – Pilot from Wimbledon (I can't make out his stripes so he may have been a Flt/Lt at the time)
Gus – Navigator from Wales
Snowy – Wireless Operator from London (Name probably "White")
P/O Barry Massey – Rear Gunner from London

It would be fantastic to have all the names in full. I have requested the ORB records from Kew, but that was weeks ago and I have heard nothing yet.
I believe my father is the last surviving member, I'd be delighted to be proved wrong!

Regards

Guy
"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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GuyMassey
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by GuyMassey »

Silly me! The log says P.Dale was still a F/Lt at the time!!! :oops:
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by Bruno »

Hello Guy,

In my files (November 1943) I've found this crew onboard Stirling 'H'

F/Lt Dale
Sgt Watkins
F/S Grant
Sgt Newton
Sgt Thomson
Sgt Bazlik
P/O Massey

I've also found:
F/Lt P.J. Dale 87406
Sgt A.E Watkins 1601336 Navigator
F/S L.G. Grant R140527 Air Bomber

You should write to one of our members 'smudgersmith218' who has the 620 Squadron's ORB for the Bomber Command era (before 620 Squadron was transferred to 38 Group).

Kind regards.

Bruno
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by Bruno »

I also read this crew written by AlanW:
S/Ldr P.J. Dale.
F/Sgt C.A. Watkins.
W/O L.G. Grant.
Sgt R. Newton.
P/O B. Massey.
P/O J.D. Thomson.
I didn't give you the good Watkins!
The crew I read in my files was the crew when they were in Bomber Command so there was one more crew who should be an Air Gunner. This Air Gunner could so be Sgt Bazlik and could be "Vic – Mid-Upper Gunner – From French Canada".

Kind regards.

Bruno
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GuyMassey
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by GuyMassey »

Hi Bruno, thank you so much for this. It is a shame that the initials of the crew are not included, but I will be seeing Dad later on and he may be able to help tie them up. I have bitten the bullet and have ordered the ORB for both 620 and 299 squadrons from the National Archives. If nothing else it should help me to understand some of dad's log entries.
I would love to find individuals and the descendants of those who flew with my father, I am sure they would have tales and other interesting information to share. Who knows, what might turn up! :D
"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by GuyMassey »

I now have the ORB for 620 Squadron. If anyone needs a look up please pm me!
"The purpose of life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well-preserved body, but rather to Slide in Sideways, completely used up, yelling and screaming, what a ride!" anon.
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Re: Information wanted on 620 Squadron aircraft and crew.

Post by K4KittyCrew »

GuyMassey wrote:I now have the ORB for 620 Squadron. If anyone needs a look up please pm me!
That's great Guy. Hope you find what you want from them.
John
K for Kitty Crew - Winthorpe, 1661 HCU's - stirlingaircraftsoc.raf38group.org/
630 Squadron - East Kirkby
" There is nothing glorious about war with the exception of those who served us so valiantly"
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