Brian Chapman - Ontario, Canada
asks for information on PO Harold Miell

First, thanks for having a website in honor of 550 squadron. This makes it possible for me to ask about my Dad's best friend, who was killed in Lancaster NG363 in January 1945. My Dad was never able to find anything on what happened to him. One thing that he did hear was that Harold was seen on one of the many forced marches at the end of the war, and later died.

I am hoping that somebody still remembers PO Harold Miell, and can help with any information about him and his crew, his aircraft or any other relevant information.

14/01/04

Thomas Funk
asks for information on Sgt Ray Hager

I’m trying to locate any information or anyone who knew Air Gunner Sgt Ray Hager, a Canadian who served with 550 Squadron from 1944 to mid-1945.

4/01/04

Peter Osborne
asks for information on F/Sgt Donald Faddon, on behalf of Mrs Faddon

Have you any information on F/Sgt Donald Francis Fadden? I believe he was shot down but survived on the night of 1/2 January 1944 because two of his colleagues were lost, F/Sgt Bryson & Sergeant Roxby, and they are shown on your site as being lost on that date. Any information will be gratefully received.

5/12/03

Dave Brown
is researching a Lancaster that crashed at Vignory

I have been researching this Lancaster and its crew for almost two years. I visit Vignory where the graves of the crew are and have made contact with villagers, now in their 70's,who saw the bomber crash and attended the funeral. One lady remembers  gathering flowers to make the wreathes. They
also produced photographs of the crash site and also of the funeral and internment. Various parts of the plane have been preserved including the map from the aircraft.
As the graves are in the communal cemetery there is no record of the crew as in a War Graves
cemeteries have been able to take a lot of information to the village and it caused keen interest. Does anyone remember the crew or do any photographs exist of the crew? Is anyone aware of any relatives of the men?
Next year is the 60th Anniversary of the loss of this aircraft and I would like to pass on further information if possible to the village and provide information for relatives should they wish.
Can you help me to do this or put me in contact with some one who could
please?

The plane crashed on 13th July 1944 and the crew were:

176652 John E H Davies Pilot
1724295 Alfred D Baker Flight Engineer
53642 Norman A Davies Wireless op.
1530698 Daniel A Donohue Air gunner
1424160 Douglas B Mackenzie Navigator
1801298 Cyril M Pike Air Bomber
1593905 George Taylor Air Gunner

9/11/03

Adele Espina - Toronto, Canada
sends some photos and information, and asks if anybody remembers F/Sgt Joe Aucoin (RCAF)

I am the daughter of F/Sgt Joe Aucoin (RCAF) who served with 550 Squadron. I see from your history page that you describe the raid on Nuremberg during which F/Sgt Jamieson's Lancaster was attacked by a night fighter, wounding F/Sgt Hamilton and killing F/Sgt Klementoski. My father was on that crew. I am attaching 2 photos of this crew.

Written on back of photo "THE CREW - to be called for soon, I hope"
Back Row - left to right 1. Walt Klementoski R/G Preston, Ontario 2. Jim Hamilton Mu/G Guelph, Ontario 3. Bill Jamieson Pilot Vancouver, British Columbia 4. Earl Butcher Nav. Birtle, Manitoba Front Row 1. Joe Aucoin W/Op Cheticamp, Nova Scotia 2. ?	Back Row - left to right 1. Bill Jamieson 2. ? 3. ? 4. Walt Klementoski Front Row 1. Joe Aucoin 2. ? 3. Jim Hamilton

My father left the RCAF in Sept 1945 and then rejoined in approximately 1949. He stayed until 1974, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 50. He died in 1977.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who remembers my father.

P.S. Joe's granddaughter, who was only six months old when he died, joined the Royal Canadian Navy, attended Royal Military College, and was recently promoted to full Lieutenant at the completion of her tour of duty aboard HMCS Regina during Operation Apollo in the Persian Gulf. Joe would have been so proud.

13/11/03

Dave Carter
sends a photograph

My father, Alan Carter served with 550 Squadron towards the end of the war.  I thought you may be interested in the following picture and information to add to your excellent website.

30/10/03

Richard Allenby
corrects a mistake

(For a short time, this website contained a description of Richard Allenby's attempt to locate the crash site of Lancaster NF963 on the Yorkshire Moors. He has now discovered that mistakes made when translating grid references between two maps meant that he was looking in the wrong place.)

Please delete any reference to this aircraft crashing on Stockdale Moor. I got the 1180 crash card for this aircraft last week and whoever has plotted the old Cassini wartime grid ref straight onto the modern OS map with out converting it first wants shooting!!! the 1180 has the grid ref on it and it clearly says SHEET 21.
I converted the ref and went there today. Unsurprisingly found the Lancaster. It crashed near
Ellingstring, nr Masham Yorkshire. there's not a lot left now, but enough.

The pilot survived, by the name of Hayter. Does anyone know what happened to him after this crash? did he continue flying?
 

25/10/03

Gary Barratt
sends information on his uncle, Wilfred Barratt

While searching for information and sites on 550 Squadron of Bomber Command I came upon your site. My uncle was Sgt Wilfred Barratt 2209552. He was an air gunner with 550 squadron.
He was lost during the Nuremberg raids on March 31st 1944.
The commonwealth war graves commission (and the roll of honour on the site) has him down as Wilfrid Barrett, but it was actually Wilfred Barratt. (see http://www.cwgc.org/cwgcinternet/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2079716 for more information)

I have also enclosed his photo. Maybe some of your members would have remembered him.
Would anyone there know which aircraft he was lost on? serial numbers markings etc BQ-??
Thanks for your assistance.

22/9/03

David H Lippman - davidlippman@wildbillguarnere.com
sends huge amounts of praise for this website, and asks if I can include links to his sites.

These sites, (although not specifically about 550 Squadron) are fascinating, and well worth a visit:

http://www.usswashington.com/
http://davidhlippman.wildbillguarnere.com/

29/8/03

Michael Pennington
asks for information on Sergeant Cyril Martin (CM) Pyke

Can you please help with this enquiry regarding Sergeant Cyril Martin Pyke (deceased) my wife's late uncle who died 3 years before she was born?
The CWG Register lists him amongst 6 others on his flight buried in a communal grave at Vignory Communal Cemetery in France. He is also listed in 550 Squadron Roll of Honour. Given the circumstances of the time I don't suppose that there would be a great deal of other information available but the family records so far only consist of word-of-mouth. 

Nevertheless, is there any information available on the details of the flight he was on, destination of his mission and whether the aircraft he was in was shot down/crashed before or after the destination was reached?  Any little would help.

Thanks in anticipation.

29/8/03

RAAF Flying Officer Michael Gane
sends some sad news

"Henry Findlay, a former member of 550 Squadron and a friend of mine, passed away earlier this year. I am not sure about his post-war contact with 550 squadron or the Association, but as I am drafting a short note to the RAAF news in Australia I thought that someone at your end may like to know of his passing.

He is survived by his wife Valerie and son Paul, both of whom remain living in Australia.

The information I have is that he piloted Lancasters with 550 Squadron during February March and April of 1945. I would appreciate any further information on Harry's experiences."

12/8/03

Ole Seburg
asks for information on an aircraft crash in Reersø, Denmark

On a small peninsula, Reersø, on western Zealand (Denmark) there are two tombs for British Airmen, who lost their lives defending the freedom of Europe in the Second World War.
I have been visiting the site every now and then for more than 30 years and I plan to write a short account of the events that lead to the crash in 1944 in which the two airmen were killed  - I believe they were part of the same bomber crew.
Modern Danish kids are loosing their sense of history, which is a shame - I do think that a short account of this tragedy would catch their imagination (Reersø is a very popular holiday area these days).
The text on one of the tombs reads: 998897 Flight Sergeant G. W. Battersby Flight Engineer. 

Any further information will be very useful for the account. 

8/8/03

Gillian Kohn
asks for information on a Canadian Flying Officer

My mother is trying to find out about a Canadian Flying officer who was stationed at North Killingholme in 1944 - 5.  Do you have any information on him please?

Thank you for your time

29/7/03

Edwin Coltrin - California, USA
asks about Killingholme during The First World War

"Recently in trying to put a display case of my Fathers service during WW I,  I came across several pictures of him with Naval aviator goggles on and several pictures of the NC class seaplanes in water. Written in a corner was a notation: 'Killing------'. I finally found that the US had established a Naval Base for aircraft to search submarines and their bases at 'Killingholme'.

Had I realized that he had been stationed there in "The Great War". I would have visited during my time in "44 and '45.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

24/7/03

Doug Glover
answers a request for information about R/T call signs for 550 and the NK tower

"They are 'Lambeck' and 'Tussor', as in the protocol when returning to base, at the 11 mile range, you would hear:

"Lambeck from Tussor Yokel, how do you read me, over?"
Tower reply: "Tussor Yokel from Lambeck, 2600 feet."  (the altitude to hold at until further instructions)

24/6/03

Tom Pearson 
http://www.wild-dream.com/, tom.pearson@wild-dream.com
asks for any information relating to the 'D-Day invasion maps'

"I am researching a programme on the second world war D-Day invasion maps.  I understand that these maps were made with the help of RAF reconnaissance pilots, but do not know which squadrons were responsible for this recon work. I would like to contact surviving members of these squadrons, or anybody with further information regarding these."

20/5/03

Gus Hallgren
Has asked whether books listed on the 'publications' page are available for sale on the site.

Unfortunately we do not directly sell these books, but if there is sufficient interest it may be possible to set up such a service. 

17/5/03

Greg Palmer
Has sent a photograph:

"Attached is a photograph of Pilot Officer Dawson's Crew, taken in front of a 550 Lanc. My father, JM Palmer, was the WOP/AG."

click to expand

17/5/03

Flt. Sergeant Bryan Bell
Sent an extract from 'Intercom' Spring 2003, regarding his father, Wing Commander Bryan Bell. It may be of special interest to Canadian members.

"Wing Commander Bryan Bell was commissioned into the RAF in 1935 and won his pilot's wings in 1936. He flew many types of aircraft from Hawker Harts to Lancasters, held some senior posts, commanded 100 and 550 Squadron, but was posted missing during a raid on Duisberg. He had been taken Prisoner of War and his career and excellent chance of further promotion were ended. In 1946 he took class A Release and returned to 'civvy street'.

He gave excellent service as the first President of Northumbria Branch of the Aircrew Association, but died in 1985. He was so highly respected by Canadian members of 550 Squadron that a collection was made by them, and sent to his widow with a request that some suitable memorial be made.

Our Committee decided that in encouragement to youth and sport a trophy should be presented each year to the most successful Sports Cadet of the Northumberland and & Durham wing of the ATC. The 'Wing Commander Bryan Bell Trophy' has become greatly coveted and has been won by some most outstanding athletes over the year since its inception in 1992...

... At our September 2002 meeting the trophy was awarded to Cadet Corporal David M Bujara. the award was presented by the Branch President, Bertie Brown."

10/5/03

Alan Chambers - 
requesting any information on 550 squadron;

"I've been researching Bomber Command for nearly thirty years and have built up quite a database. I have a lot of info on 550 sq and I would also like to ask if your members would like to add further to my knowledge."

22/03/03

R.D.Gilbert - 
requesting further information on Sergeant L Overend (KIA 15/16 March 1944)

05/04/03

Steven Hall - 
has sent a photograph 

click to enlarge

"I thought you might like this photograph kindly supplied by my great aunt Tilly, the sister of Ernest Hall . L-R; Pilot Officer Shervington, Tilly (my great aunt), my great grandfather, Sgt Ernest Hall (his son), his wife Doris (and the other three I don't know.) T.M.J. Shervington was the pilot of ME556,and Ernie was the radio op on their last flight together."

30/03/03

David Annis - 
requesting further information on Sergeant Leslie Elliot, or aircraft NG132 on which he was serving when it was shot down over the Humber estuary (15/16 March 1944)

22/03/03

Wendy Mitchel-Gill - 
would like to know if anybody remembers her father, Ivan McCoy Daly (nicknamed Paddy) who is now living in Canada, but will be visiting England in April/May 2003. She is also interested in finding out if anybody remembers her mother (Vivienne Johnson) who played the accordion in the RAF dance band.

4/03/03

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