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Personnel of 63 Operational Training Unit, Honiley

If a member of your family was at Honiley, please can you contact us if you have any photographs, anecdotes, a log book or paperwork? We aim to build an archive of 63 OTU that will become a resource for families and researchers alike, by copying original material, particularly log books and photographs. Thank you.

We haven't found any course photographs or lists of the pupils on the courses.  The tables of airmen have been compiled from occasional mentions in the unit's Operations Record Book, ORBs of various squadrons and personnel records.  We have had to guess where the pupils were posted after leaving Honiley, so mistakes are inevitable.  If you can add something to what we know about these airmen, or provide a correction or addition, please send us an email.

With thanks to D. Griffith for his assistance with the research.


Abbreviations
F/Lt Flight Lieutenant
F/O
Flying Officer
F/Sgt Flight Sergeant
G/C
Group Captain
P/O Pilot Officer
S/Ldr Squadron Leader
Sgt Sergeant
S/O
Section Officer (Womens Royal Air Force)
W/O Warrant Officer

Screened aircrew (instructors) at 63 OTU Possible 63 OTU instructors
Mediterranean arrivals, possibly ex 63 OTU instructors
219 Sqn arrivals, possibly ex 63 OTU instructors




Ground staff at 63 OTU


Ground crew at 63 OTU






1 course
Before 1 course
Mediterranean arrivals, possibly ex 1 course

2 course
Mediterranean arrivals, possibly ex 2 course


3 course
2 Group arrivals, possibly ex 3 course


4 course
2 Group arrivals, possibly ex 4 course


Hurricane course
6 Squadron arrivals, possibly ex Hurricane course



Courses at 63 Operational Training Unit
Course and dates
Comment
1 course - 7 September 1943 to 27 November 1943 (scheduled to end 16 November 1943 but extended due to bad weather)
Night fighter course; 2 Squadron (Air Firing) of 63 OTU operated from Chedworth in 60/63 OTU Combined Gunnery School from 16 October 1943 and the remnants of no. 2 Squadron joined no. 1 at Honiley from 25 October 1943; 139 officers attended the farewell dining-in night.
2 course - 21 September 1943 to 11 January 1944 (scheduled to end 28 December 1943 but extended due to bad weather) Night fighter course; 2 Squadron at Chedworth, as above; on 1 December 1943 the 1939-43 aircrew star was announced and 46 officers and other ranks at Honiley were eligible for it; 2 course was to provide 9 crews for overseas.
3 course - 19 October 1943
Night fighter course; 2 Squadron at Chedworth, as above until February 1944; on 6 February 63 OTU was instructed to cease training crews as night fighters and to switch to light bomber training for 2 Group as soon as syllabuses and instructors arrive;
4 course - circa 30 November 1943
Night fighter course; 2 Squadron at Chedworth, as above until February 1944; on 6 February 63 OTU was instructed to cease training crews as night fighters and to switch to light bomber training for 2 Group as soon as syllabuses and instructors arrive;
5 course
Night fighter course; on 11 January 1944 there were 2 complete crews and 14 navigator/ radar operators awaiting posting (presumably having already arrived) who would normally have been absorbed into 5 course but instead they went to Cranfield and Ouston (51 OTU and 62 OTU respectively) and 1 Squadron of 63 OTU closed on 14 January. 5 course wasn't mentioned on 6 February, so it may not have run. The personnel from 1 Squadron were absorbed into the Wellington flight and the servicing wing.
Single engine night conversion course - 9 February 1944
For Hurricane pilots; 9 February 1944: 5 officers and 15 Sergeants on the course;
Mk X Conversion Flight - 12 February 1944 to 18 February 1944
Came from Fairwood Common for a week and went to 68 (65 sic.) and 25 Squadrons. Probably a Wellington classroom flight, with Airborne Interception Mk X (i.e. radar). Known as The Circus, the Flight with its Wellingtons with AI Mk X was at RAF Woodvale, training 219 Squadron navigators on 29 February.

Colour coding for airmen in the tables
Survived the war
Killed after leaving this unit (63 OTU)
Killed while serving at this unit (63 OTU)
Prisoner of war
Not yet clear

Screened aircrew (instructors) confirmed at 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
S/Ldr
J R A
Bailey
Pilot; 14/09/1943 flew from Honiley to West Malling to see F/Lt Molony of 85 Sqn (ref. 85 Sqn ORB); S/Ldr J R Bailey was flying with F/O H W T Williams on intruder operations with 600 Sqn in Italy by 05/12/1943 (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
P R
Brook
RCAF J15469; pilot; 29/09/1941 arrived UK; 20/10/1941 60 OTU; 23/12/1941 to 04/12/1942 410 Sqn; 16/01/1943 to 08/10/1943 255 Sqn in Mediterranean; 07/11/1943 returned to UK; 23/11/1943 63 OTU; 18/01/1944 62 OTU; 14/02/1944 51 OTU; 20/06/1944 418 Sqn where he flew with F/O A D McLaren RCAF; 02/11/1944 repatriated to Canada. F/Lt Phillip Roy Brook RCAF. DFC Gazetted 21/11/1944 for his action in 255 Sqn (ref. RCAF Association).
F/O

Bullock
07 and 09/11/1943, 02/12/1943, 04/01/1944 and 23/02/1944 flew in Beaufighter IIs with pilot F/Lt Howitt, including "test a/c" (ref. F/Lt G Howitt log book) - assumed to be screened nav/rad; possibly nav/rad P/O C H Bullock ex 255 Sqn (tour expired in July 1943, ref. 255 Sqn ORB) (see also Griffith, Hickmore, Hill, Wall and Wright);
F/O

Butz
16/03/1944 flew an "A/c test" flight in a Beaufort with pilot F/Lt Howitt (ref. F/Lt G Howitt log book) - assumed to be screened because the pupil twin engine crews had probably left by then;
F/O
A R
Carter
RCAF J15673; pilot; 16/08/1941 arrived UK; 21/08/1941 60 OTU; 21/10/1941 153 Sqn; 18/12/1942 RAF Portreath; 12/02/1943 153 Sqn; 28/10/1943 to 12/03/1944 63 OTU; 20/05 to 18/07/1944 leave in Canada; 28/07/1944 409 Sqn; 09/08/1944 killed flying Mosquito HK406 of 409 Sqn when an engine fell out on a test flight and the aircraft spun into the ground (F/O Arthur Reginald Carter DFC RCAF). DFC Gazetted 28/09/1943 for his action in 153 Sqn. Ref RCAF Association.
P/O
N
Crookes
Nav/ rad (British); 18/01/1944 arrived at 488 Sqn from 63 OTU with his pilot F/Lt Jameson (F/Lt G E Jameson DFC RNZAF sic, ref. 488 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Dixon
24/01/1944 flew Beaufighter II "A/c test" flight with pilot F/Lt Howitt (ref. F/Lt G Howitt log book) - assumed to be screened nav/rad;
S/Ldr
P B
Elwell
Pilot; 23/01/1944 arrived at 264 Sqn with his navigator P/O Ferguson to command A flight (both possibly ex 63 OTU: similar date to confirmed arrivals at 488 Sqn) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB); possibly Percival Benjamin Elwell who died in 1977 in Neath (but he was 43 in 1944); 
P/O
F
Ferguson Nav/ rad; 23/01/1944 arrived at 264 Sqn with his pilot S/Ldr Elwell (both possibly ex 63 OTU: similar date to confirmed arrivals at 488 Sqn) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Griffith
02/12/1943 flew 35 min test in Beaufighter IIs with pilot F/Lt Howitt, 13/12/1943 flew to Calverly and return in Beaufighter II with pilot F/Lt Howitt, 05 and 31/01/1944 flew 2 Beaufighter II "A/c test" flights with pilot F/Lt Howitt, 12 and 20/02/1944 local flights in Beaufighter II with pilot F/Lt Howitt (ref. F/Lt G Howitt log book) - assumed to be screened nav/rad; possibly navigator P/O R A Griffith ex 255 Sqn Honiley, who flew out from Honiley to North Africa in November 1942 (see also Bullock, Hickmore, Hill, Wall and Wright);
F/O
W P
Hasseldine
115751; pilot; 29/10/1943 posted from Honiley to 96 Sqn with nav/ rad F/Lt Wolton (ref. 96 Sqn ORB); 13/02/1944 arrived at 264 Sqn in Malta by DC3 with F/Lt H E Walker 67089 (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O
F
Hague
Pilot; 25/01/1944 arrived at 264 Sqn with pilot P/O Skinner (possibly ex 63 OTU: similar date to confirmed arrivals at 488 Sqn) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Hickmore
11/02/1944 flew a cross country flight in a Beaufort with pilot F/Lt Howitt (ref. F/Lt G Howitt log book) - unclear whether he was screened, nav/rad or pupil pilot; possibly navigator P/O E S Hickmore ex 255 Sqn Honiley, who flew out from Honiley to North Africa in November 1942 (see also Bullock, Griffith, Hill, Wall and Wright);
F/Lt

Hill
04/12/1943 flew to West Malling and return in Beaufighter IIs with pilot F/Lt Howitt, 24 and 29/02/1944 flew 3 Beaufighter II "A/c test" flights with pilot F/Lt Howitt (ref. F/Lt G Howitt log book) - assumed to be screened nav/rad; possibly navigator P/O C R Hill ex 255 Sqn Honiley, who flew out from Honiley to North Africa in November 1942 (see also Bullock, Griffith, Hickmore, Wall and Wright);
F/Lt
G L
Howitt
DFC and bar; pilot; 09/10/1940 615 Sqn; 18/11/1940 85 Sqn; 09/04/1941 destroyed a Heinkel He111 at night; 11/06/1941 damaged a Junkers Ju88; 14/07/1941 shot down a Heinkel He111; August 1941 51 OTU Cranfield as an instructor; April 1942 85 Sqn; 12/04/1942 destroyed a Dornier Do217; 16/05/1942 shot down a Focke-Wulf Fw190; 23/08/1942 claimed a Messerschmitt Me410; 07/09/1942 claimed another Fw190 destroyed; 27/09/1943 posted from 85 Sqn to 63 OTU (S/Ldr G L Howett DFC, having completed 2 tours, ref. 85 Sqn ORB); April 1944 456 Sqn as 'A' Flight Commander; 10/06/1944 claimed a Heinkel He177 probably destroyed; 08/08/1944 destroyed a V-1 and another probably destroyed on 12/08/1944; December 1944 took command of 125 Sqn until his release from the RAF. DFC Gazetted 30/09/1941 and bar 26/10/1943. Geoffrey Leonard Howitt. Ref. Kenneth Wyn 'Men of the Battle of Britain' and the Battle of Britain Archive.
F/Lt
G E
Jameson
Assumed to be a screened pilot; 14/01/1944 posted to 488 Sqn (no initials); 18/01/1944 arrived at 488 Sqn from 63 OTU with his navigator P/O Crookes (F/Lt G E Jameson DFC RNZAF sic, ref. 488 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
P C G
Neil-Dunns Nav/ rad (British); 25/01/1944 arrived at 488 Sqn from 63 OTU with his pilot S/Ldr Smith (ref. 488 Sqn ORB);
S/Ldr
G
Panitz
DFC; RAAF A404891; pilot; 05/10/1941 arrived UK; 18/10/1941 54 OTU; 24/02/1942 456 Sqn; 14/12/1943 posted to 9 Group pending posting as flying instructor (ref. 456 Sqn ORB); 20/12/1943 63 OTU; 29/12/1943 on a Flying Instructor Course and due to succeed S/Ldr Wright as officer commanding 1 Squadron of 63 OTU; 09/02/1944 returned from 3 FIS; 15/02/1944 60 OTU; 19/04/1944 advanced flying school Cranwell; 15/06/1944 2 GSU; 04/07/1944 464 Sqn (22/06/1944 arrived at 454 Sqn, ref. 464 Sqn ORB); 22/08/1944 killed flying Mosquito NT229 of 464 Sqn when it struck the side of a hill near Nièvre, France, on a low level attack on railway communications near Dijon. Navigator F/O Williams was also killed. W/Cdr Gordon Panitz was the son of Frederick Samuel and Janet Panitz, of Southport, Queensland, Australia and is buried at Bona Communal Cemetery, Nièvre, France. Movements from personnel file except where noted.
W/O
J L
Paune
1377248; nav/ rad; 01/01/1944 posted from 25 Sqn to 63 OTU for instructor duties with conversion flight no. 2 E.E.F. (ref. 25 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
E M
Ramsey
29/11/1943 flew Beaufort W6525 from 63 OTU Honiley to Hunsdon, where he was attached to 515 Sqn to instruct its pilots in twin engine flying (ref. 515 Sqn ORB); 31/12/1943 returned to Honiley with Beaufort A548 (sic), having converted 515 Squadron's pilots from Defiants to twins (ref. 515 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
P
Searle
Pilot; 15/02/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn with nav/ rad P/O Simpkins (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
P/O
J
Simpkins
Navigator/ radar; 15/02/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn with pilot F/Lt Searle (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
P/O
D
Skinner
Pilot; 25/01/1944 arrived at 264 Sqn with pilot F/O Hague (possibly ex 63 OTU: similar date to confirmed arrivals at 488 Sqn) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
S/Ldr
E S
Smith
AFC; pilot (British); 25/01/1944 arrived at 488 Sqn from 63 OTU with his navigator F/Lt Neil-Dunns (ref. 488 Sqn ORB);
P/O

Syfrig
09/01/1944 posted from 264 Sqn to 63 OTU (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Wall
15/02/1944 flew a local flight in a Beaufighter II with pilot F/Lt Howitt (ref. F/Lt G Howitt log book) - assumed to be screened nav/rad; possibly navigator F/Sgt R D Wall ex 255 Sqn Honiley, who flew out from Honiley to North Africa in November 1942 (see also Bullock, Griffith, Hickmore, Hill and Wright); see F/O Wall in list of arrivals from 219 Sqn;
P/O
R
Wolton
Joined RAF July 1932; WO/AG at 58 Sqn; September 1935 142 Sqn at Mersa Matruh, then 48 Sqn in Egypt; September 1938 returned to UK and began pilot training at 9 E&RFTS, Ansty; 10 FTS; October 1939 152 Sqn; 25/07/1940 shot down a Dornier Do17; 15/08/1940 shot down into the sea off Chesil Beach but swam to a buoy and was picked up; 26/09/1940 destroyed a Junkers Ju88; 11/10/1940 baled out when his Spitfire lost a wing; 16/12/40 CFS Upavon for an instructor's course; 16 FTS Newton, instructing Polish pupils; 08/04/1942 51 OTU Cranfield as night fighter instructor; 20/01/1943 153 Sqn; 13/03/1943 96 Sqn at Honiley 18/05 to 06/08/1943 attached to 417 Night Fighter Squadron, USAAF to convert its crews to Beaufighters); then 63 OTU; 27/10/1943 96 Sqn at Drem; 17/12/1944 239 Sqn on radio countermeasures until the end of the war. Details from the Battle of Britain Archive.
S/Ldr
J D
Wright
DFC; pilot; 255 Sqn Honiley until November 1942, when he out from Honiley to North Africa (F/Lt J D Wright); officer commanding 1 Squadron of 63 OTU; 29/12/1943 posted from 63 OTU to 68 Sqn; F/Lt (A/S/Ldr) J D Wright posted from 63 OTU to 68 Sqn 29/12/1943 (ref. 68 Sqn ORB);

Tour-expired aircrew posted to 9 Group or un-specified OTUs - some probably to 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
F/O
A T
Bruce
Pilot; 19/12/1943 posted to Lulsgate Bottom (presumably instructors' course) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
S/Ldr

Burke
25/08/1943 to be going to an OTU as an instructor (ref. 264 Sqn ORB); see table below;
F/O
W J
Campbell
Pilot; 19/12/1943 posted to Lulsgate Bottom (presumably instructors' course) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB); see table below;
F/O
P E
Corbett
Pilot; 24/08/1943 posted from 157 Sqn to HQ 9 Group (ref. 157 Sqn ORB);
F/O
G F
Deakin
Pilot who had flown with F/Sgt A R Hurley; 04/08/1943 posted from 157 Sqn to HQ 9 Group (ref. 157 Sqn ORB); 20/01/1944 killed flying Magister R1955 of 60 OTU, which spun into the ground 5 miles east of Stoke Orchard, Gloucs (F/O Geoffrey Francis Deakin 116756).
P/O
A R
Eagling
Nav/ rad who had flown with F/Lt Knowles; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn and December 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB); possibly Alan Reginald Eagling, born 1/1/1916, died 1981;
P/O

Evans
Nav/ rad who had flown with F/O R Wood; 19/11/1943 posted from 29 Sqn to 9 Group (ref. 29 Sqn ORB);
P/O

Fraser
28/12/1943 posted from 456 Sqn to HQ 9 Group on finishing his 1st tour (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
A J
Green
Pilot; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/O
W A
Handley
Nav/ rad; 19/12/1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
W
Harrison
Nav/ rad who had flown with S/Ldr A W Mack; 11/10/1943 posted from 605 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting as an instructor (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
E J
Harvey
Pilot who had flown with Sgt Wait; 11/10/1943 posted from 605 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting as an instructor (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
S/Ldr
R W
Hiem
07/10/1943 posted from 456 Sqn to HQ 9 Group (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
P/O
J R
Hunt
Nav/ rad who had flown with P/O Norman; 04/01/1944 posted from 410 Sqn to 9 Group Supply for flying duties at end of tour (ref. 410 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J
Irvine
Nav/ rad who had flown with F/Sgt W Irving; 11/10/1943 posted from 605 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting as an instructor (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
C E
Knowles
DFC; pilot who had flown with P/O Eagling; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
G
Labram
Pilot; 29/12/1943 posted from 418 Sqn to 9 Group HQ (ref. 418 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
H
Ladbrook
DFC; nav/ rad; 22/12/1943 posted from 410 Sqn to HQ 9 Group (ref. 410 Sqn ORB);
S/Ldr
A G
Lawrence
DFC; pilot; 11/09/1943 posted from 410 Sqn to 9 Group HQ for flying instructor duties on completion of his operational tour - he had been OC B flight (ref. 410 Sqn ORB);
P/O
A T
Linn
Pilot who had flown with F/O May; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn and November 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Mason
27/08/1943 posted to Hullavington for an instructors' course prior to going to an OTU (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O
D
May
Nav/ rad who had flown with P/O Linn; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
S V
Meakings
Nav/ rad who had flown with F/Sgt Smith; November 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/O
A M
Michie
Pilot who had flown with F/Sgt Tredwen; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn and November 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/O
K F
Mills
Nav/ rad who had flown with S/Ldr W F Gibb DFC; 11/10/1943 posted from 605 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting as an instructor (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/O
D L
Moore
Nav/ rad; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn and November 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/O
R M
Muir
28/09/1943 posted from 264 Sqn to 9 Group at end of 1st tour (ref. 264 Sqn ORB); 19/05/1944 missing flying Mosquito LR370 of 613 Sqn, which ditched 20 miles west of Guernsey on return from Sortosville-en-Beaumont (F/Lt Robert Michael Muir DFC).
F/O
D O
Norcott
Pilot; 29/12/1943 posted to 9 Group from 418 Sqn for instructor duties (ref. 418 Sqn ORB);
P/O
D M
Norman
Pilot who had flown with P/O Hunt; 04/01/1944 posted from 410 Sqn to 9 Group Supply for flying duties at end of tour (ref. 410 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Pelham
08/11/1943 posted from 264 Sqn at end of tour (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
P/O
W E
Pettifer
144214; nav/ rad; 09/11/1943 posted from 125 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting to OTU for instructor duties (ref. 125 Sqn ORB);
W/O

Pepper
08/11/1943 posted from 264 Sqn at end of tour (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J F
Potter
DFC; December 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
Sgt

Powell
11/11/1943 posted from 264 Sqn - presumably at end of tour (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Robinson
08/11/1943 posted from 264 Sqn at end of tour (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Shuttleworth
DFC; nav/ rad; August 1943 posted from 605 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting to an OTU for instructor duties (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
A L
Smith
Nav/ rad; 29/12/1943 posted to 9 Group HQ from 418 Sqn (ref. 418 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R H
Smith
Pilot who had flown with Sgt Meakings; November 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J W
Tredwen
Nav/ rad who had flown with F/O Michie; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn and November 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
G B
Wait
Nav/ rad who had flown with F/Sgt Harvey; 11/10/1943 posted from 605 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting as an instructor (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Welch
DFC; pilot; August 1943 posted from 605 Sqn to HQ 9 Group pending posting to an OTU for instructor duties (ref. 605 Sqn ORB);
F/O
D W O
Wood
Pilot; October 1943 completed tour at 605 Sqn and November 1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 605 Sqn ORB); 04/09/1944 missing in Mosquito PZ163 of 515 (Special Duties) Sqn, which crashed into the sea near Emden whilst on patrol (F/O Dudley William Oliver Wood).
F/O
H
Wood
Nav/ rad; 19/12/1943 posted to HQ 9 Group (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O
R
Wood
Pilot who had flown with P/O Evans; 19/11/1943 posted from 29 Sqn to 9 Group (ref. 29 Sqn ORB);
P/O
C N
Woodcock
Pilot who had flown with F/Sgt R A Stephenson; 04/08/1943 posted from 157 Sqn to HQ 9 Group (ref. 157 Sqn ORB); 01/09/1944 killed flying Mosquito MM672 of 157 Sqn, which collided with Mosquito MM676 during AI practice and crashed at Hayden, 5 miles north of RAF Swannington, Norfolk (F/O Chris Noel Woodcock).

Higher rank and decorated arrivals at 108 Squadron in Malta and 600 Squadron in Italy in December 1943 to March 1944 - some possibly ex 63 OTU instructors
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
W/C
A J
Banham
Pilot; 20/12/1943 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with P/O Le Conte, to take over command of the squadron (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
G B S
Coleman
DFC; pilot; 18/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
R J
Gillies
DFC; nav/ rad; 05/12/1943 first noted flying with W/C C F Green in Italy (Green had been with 600 Sqn for a year) (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
S/Ldr
A W
Horne
DFC AFC; pilot; 05/12/1943 first noted, flying in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
R A
Kewley
Pilot; 06/12/1943 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with W/O White (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
P/O
K F
Le Conte Nav/ rad; 20/12/1943 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with W/C Banham (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
W/C
L H
Styles
DFC; pilot; 03/03/1944 arrived to take command of 600 Sqn in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
W/O
E
White
DFM; nav/ rad; 06/12/1943 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with F/Lt Kewley and 08/12/1943 to Mk VIII conversion school near Algiers to get experience (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);

Arrivals at 219 Squadron at Woodvale and Honiley in March 1944 - some probably ex 63 OTU instructors
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
S/Ldr

Burke
AFC; pilot, with nav/ rad F/O Whaley (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); see table above;
F/Lt

Campbell
Pilot; with nav/ rad F/O Wells deputy commander A flight - a former member of 219 Sqn (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); see table above; possibly pilot F/O E A Campbell at 255 Sqn in June 1943 (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Custers
Pilot, with nav/ rad F/Sgt MacNamara - Custers was Belgian (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/Lt

Davey
Pilot, with nav/ rad W/O Whitby (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); probably F/O H Davey who flew with F/Sgt A Whitby in 255 Sqn, in the Mediterranean to at least July 1943 (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Gloster
DFC; pilot, with nav/ rad F/O Wall (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); probably F/O M J Gloster who flew with F/Sgt R B Wall in 255 Sqn, in the Mediterranean to at least July 1943 (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Godfrey
Nav/ rad to F/Lt Parker (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/O

Hall
DFC; nav/ rad to F/Lt Stevenson (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
W/O

Jones
Pilot, with nav/ rad F/Sgt Kilduff (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/Sgt

Kilduff
Nav/ rad to W/O Jones (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/O

Lunan
Nav/ rad to F/Lt Williamson (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/Sgt

MacNamara
Nav/ rad to F/Lt Custers (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
S/Ldr

Merrifield
DFM and bar; pilot, with nav/ rad F/O Oxby; to command B flight (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/O

Oxby
Nav/ rad to S/Ldr Merrifield (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/Lt

Parker
DSM (ex Fleet Air Arm); pilot, with nav/ rad F/Sgt Godfrey (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/Lt

Stevenson
DFC; pilot, with nav/ rad F/O Hall (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/O

Wall
Nav/ rad to F/Lt Gloster (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); probably F/Sgt R B Wall who flew with F/O M J Gloster in 255 Sqn, in the Mediterranean to at least July 1943 (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); see F/O Wall in list of screened instructors;
F/O

Wells
Nav/ rad to F/Lt Campbell (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
F/O

Whaley
Nav/ rad to S/Ldr Burke (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 
W/O

Whitby
Nav/ rad to F/Lt Davey (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); probably F/Sgt A Whitby who flew with F/O H Davey in 255 Sqn, in the Mediterranean to at least July 1943 (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Williamson
DFC; Pilot, with nav/ rad F/O Lunan (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 

Ground staff at 63 OTU (very incomplete list)
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
F/Lt

Aldridge
Navigation officer for 63 OTU; 04/12/1943 posted away.
G/C
C H
Appleton
CBE DSO DFC; 31/12/1943 took over as station commander of RAF Honiley;
Mr

Dent
Former WW1 pilot on special meteorological duty at Honiley to provide smoke screens for Birmingham and Coventry until these were abolished on 07/01/1944.
P/O
C H
Francis
C18479; Tech (Radar); 18/12/1943 attached to 63 OTU Supply for Signals (Radar) (Air) duties from 125 Sqn (ref. 125 Sqn ORB);
S/Ldr

Haskell
10/10/1943 arrived to take over the W/Cdr vacancy in Maintenance Wing; 19/11/1943 promoted to W/Cdr;
S/Ldr

Hoy
Officer in command of the Wellington flying radar classrooms by 03/11/1943;
F/Lt

Middleton
16/11/1943 arrived as Training Wing Adjutant;
G/C
A G
Miller
Officer Commanding 63 OTU and RAF Honiley from 01/09/1943; December 1943 posted to 9 Group;
W/Cdr
C M
Miller
DFC; 13/11/1943 temporarily took over command when G/C Miller was on leave (no initials); 20/02/1944 posted to 85 Sqn to command (no initials). 22/02/1944 W/Cdr C M Miller DFC took command of 85 Sqn, having first served with 9 Sqn Bomber Command, 148 Sqn in Malta, PA to Air Officer Commanding, Mediterranean Command, returned to UK in 1941, 24 Sqn, commanded 29 Sqn (night fighters) in 1943 (awarded 2nd bar to DFC), officer in charge of training night fighter crews at 63 OTU (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Philo
03/11/1943 arrived from 2 Nav/ Rad Conversion Unit in connection with the Wellington flying radar classrooms;
W/Cdr
K C
Roberts
AFC; 20/02/1944 posted from 141 Sqn to 63 OTU; was officer commanding 141 Sqn (ref. 141 Sqn ORB);
W/Cdr
V C
Wheeler
MC, DFC, 20/08/1943 posted from 157 Sqn to RAF Honiley (ref. 157 Sqn ORB);
F/O
R
Wyatt
Physical fitness officer (and former England Cricket captain) (Bob Wyatt, captain 1930-35, ref. wikipedia); 04/12/1943 arranging rugby match with 34 AA Brigade;

Ground crew at 63 OTU (very incomplete list) - names from signatures on a Christmas menu except where shown
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
Cpl

Citroen
23/01/1944 produced the station show "Taking Off" (ref. 63 OTU ORB);

H
Eaton


W
Glover

F/Lt
J A
Hadson
John Hadson

J
Halinger


D A
Harvey


E G
Jones

P/O
S B
Kennedy


C T ?
Lawson


R
Pillow
Possibly Ronald G. Pillow who died at the age of 38 in 1958 in Uxbridge

A W
Samuel


J H
Scott


D H
Seward


A
Swain


R E
Williams


Before 1 course
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
F/O
F T
L'Amie
Pilot; 25/08/1943 posted from RAF Honiley to 96 Sqn (ref. 96 Sqn ORB); 21-22/11/1944 killed flying Mosquito PZ344 of 515 Sqn, when it was hit by flak on a bomber support operation over Germany (ref. Aircrew Remembered). F/Lt Frederick Theulis L'Amie DFC was the son of Frederick William and Mary L'Amie, of Blackhall, Edinburgh.
F/Sgt
S H ?
Pamment
Nav/ rad; 25/08/1943 posted from RAF Honiley to 96 Sqn (F/Sgt S H Pamment sic, ref. 96 Sqn ORB); note there was a pilot F/Lt Pamment at 141 Sqn in November 1943 who left for 527 Sqn in January 1944 after being there for a year (ref. 141 Sqn ORB) and on 02/12/1944 F/Lt Kenneth Jack Pamment died serving with 29 Sqn;
F/O
J C F
Ritchie
118366; nav/ rad; 25/08/1943 posted from RAF Honiley to 25 Sqn (ref. 25 Sqn ORB); a F/O J Ritchie nav/ rad was flying with 600 Sqn in Italy in November 1943 (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);

1 course
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
F/O
D W
Arnold
19/12/1943 posted to 456 Sqn with F/O Berckley (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB); 
F/Sgt
W
Atkinson
19/12/1943 posted to 456 Sqn with F/O Radford (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J B
Berckley?
19/12/1943 posted to 456 Sqn with F/O Arnold (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
P W
Bolton
Nav/ rad; 13/12/1943 joined 264 Sqn with F/O Monro (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Brown
06/01/1944 posted to 456 Sqn with F/Sgt Whitfield (possibly ex 63 OTU), but had to be returned to the OTU (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
P/O
E M
Carne
118098; pilot; 08/12/1943 posted from 63 OTU to 25 Sqn with P/O Hamilton (ref. 25 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
F
Fairclough
Nav/ rad; 21/12/1943 arrived at 604 Sqn with F/Sgt Walters (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 604 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
B
Friendship
Pilot; 22/12/1943 arrived at 604 Sqn with F/Sgt Powell (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 604 Sqn ORB);
P/O
W M
Hamilton
147937; nav/ rad; 08/12/1943 posted from 63 OTU to 25 Sqn with P/O Carne (ref. 25 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
P N
Lee
Pilot; 08/12/1943 arrived on posting to 264 Sqn (possibly ex 63 OTU) and on 09/12/1943 crewed with P/O Thomas (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J
Monro
Pilot; 13/12/1943 joined 264 Sqn with Sgt Bolton (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Partridge
RAAF; nav/ rad; 07/12/1943 posted to 456 Sqn with P/O Turner, having not flown a Mosquito yet (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
Sub Lt
M H J
Petrie
RNVR; 07/12/1943 arrived on posting to 264 Sqn and crewed up with Sub Lt F A Noyes RNVR as nav/ rad (Petrie possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R J
Powell
Nav/ rad; 22/12/1943 arrived at 604 Sqn with F/Lt Friendship (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 604 Sqn ORB);
F/O
H C
Radford
19/12/1943 posted to 456 Sqn with F/Sgt Atkinson (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB); 15/01/1944 unhurt after running off the runway when making a single engine landing at Fairwood Common in a Mosquito of 456 Sqn and running into a deep valley; 
P/O
R
Thomas
Nav/ rad; 09/12/1943 joined 264 Sqn to fly with Sgt Lee (Thomas possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
P/O

Turner
RAAF; pilot; 07/12/1943 posted to 456 Sqn with F/O Partridge, having not flown a Mosquito yet (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
A
Walters
Pilot; 21/12/1943 arrived at 604 Sqn with Sgt Fairclough (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 604 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Whitfield
06/01/1944 posted to 456 Sqn with F/Sgt Brown (possibly ex 63 OTU), but had to be returned to the OTU (ref. 456 Sqn ORB);
P/O
W
Wigley
Nav/ rad; 21/12/1943 arrived at 604 Sqn with F/Lt Wynn (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 604 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Wynn
Pilot; 21/12/1943 arrived at 604 Sqn with P/O Wigley (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 604 Sqn ORB);

Crews arriving in Mediterranean - possibly ex 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
Sgt
G F
Adams
Nav/ radio; 29/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt Jones (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 27/02/1944 posted from 255 Sqn to 108 Sqn after F/Sgt Jones was seriously injured (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
W/O

Ames
Pilot; 27/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with Sgt F K Thomas (ref. 219 Sqn ORB);
F/O
D
Atherton
Nav/ rad; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with F/Sgt Southey (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
F/O
G N
Austin
Pilot; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Redwood (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
B
Balchin
Nav/ rad; 02/12/1943 first noted, flying with F/O Branch in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
P/O
A P
Beckett
Nav/ radio; 03/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/O Coggins (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 16/12/1943 killed in Beaufighter V8877 of 255 Sqn, which crashed taking off from Grottaglie, Italy. F/O Alfred Francis Beckett 145778 B.A., Hons. is buried at Bari War Cemetery. He was the son of Alfred and Frances Lucy Beckett and husband of Nellie Beckett, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.
F/Sgt
C W
Borthwick
Pilot; 01/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy with P/O Morris (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 19/12/1943 unhurt when Beaufighter ND174 of 255 Sqn swung on landing at Grottaglie and was destroyed by fire;
F/O
N A
Branch
Pilot; 02/12/1943 first noted, flying with Sgt Balchin in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
P/O
A G
Brown
Nav/ rad; 03/12/1943 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with F/O Ding and 08/12/1943 to Mk VIII conversion school near Algiers to get experience (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J L
Burleton
Pilot; 28/01/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with F/Sgt Whitehead, Sgt Graham and Sgt Maddox (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
W/O
H E
Burr
Nav/ rad; 10/12/1943 first noted flying in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/O
R
Chandler
Nav/ rad; 03/12/1943 first noted, flying with F/O Davidson in Italy and by 16/02/1944 flying with F/O Rhodes (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 18/02/1944 killed in Beaufighter V8833 of 600 Sqn on a patrol from Marcianise, Italy. F/O Reginald Chandler 126688 is buried at the Anzio Beach Head War Cemetery. He was the son of William and Minnie Anne Chandler, of Eastleigh, Hampshire and husband of Vera Eileen Chandler, of Eastleigh. See also Rhodes (crews arriving in Mediterranean after 2 course).
F/O
W R
Coggins
Pilot; 03/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with P/O Beckett, but his promotion to F/O was noted on 01/12/1943 so he may have been in the squadron before (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 16/12/1943 killed flying Beaufighter V8877 of 255 Sqn, which crashed taking off from Grottaglie, Italy. F/O William Roger Coggins 142067 is buried at Bari War Cemetery. He was the son of John Austin Coggins and Florence Charlotte Coggins, of Nacton, Suffolk.
Sgt
S
Cole
1162359; nav/ radio; 11/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with F/Sgt MacEwen (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
P/O
A C
Cooper
147285; nav/ radio; 01/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta with F/O Smith (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
P/O
G L
Coster
Nav/ rad; 25/01/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with Sgt J G Jones (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 08/03/1944 killed in Beaufighter KW157 of 108 Sqn, which swung on take off from Luqa and hit Wellington JA378 and a fuel bowser. This was the crew's first operational scramble. F/O George Leslie Coster 145040 is buried at Malta Cappucini Naval Cemetery.
P/O
W T
Cox
145779; nav/ radio; 04/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with F/O Harrington (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
F/O
A M
Davidson
Pilot; 03/12/1943 first noted, flying with F/O Chandler in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/O
O S
Dawes
Pilot; 18/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with P/O Ratcliffe (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 14/01/1944 arrived at 153 Sqn (F/O O S Dawes, ref. 153 Sqn ORB);
F/O
D R
Ding
Pilot; 03/12/1943 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with P/O Brown and 08/12/1943 to Mk VIII conversion school near Algiers to get experience (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J A
Ellery
Nav/ rad; 06/12/1943 first noted, flying in Italy and 08/01/1944 ops with Sgt Morling (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 20-21/02/1944 killed in Beaufighter V8823 of 600 Sqn on a patrol from Marcianise, Italy. F/Sgt John Andrew Ellery 1586909 is buried at Bolsena War Cemetery. He was the son of Joseph William and Winifred Ellery, of Upton St. Leonards, Gloucestershire.
F/Sgt
R P
Farrin
Pilot; 01/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy with Sgt Waters (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
H W
Graham
Nav/ rad; 28/01/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Burleton, F/Sgt Whitehead, and Sgt Maddox (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
F L
Grimwood
Pilot; 09/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Sardinia, arriving from UK with Sgt Woodman (ref. 23 Sqn ORB); 22/07/1944 killed flying Mosquito PZ174 of 23 Sqn, which crashed in Oudendijkse Polder, Woubrugge, Netherlands on ops. Details of loss. F/Lt Francis Leonard Grimwood 130333 is buried at Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery. See also P/O Woodman.
F/O
E J
Harrington
137288; pilot; 04/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with P/O Cox, having served in 256 Sqn before (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
P/O
D
Herring
145764; nav/ radio; 11/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with F/O Wills (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 27/01/1944 killed in a Mosquito of 256 Sqn which rolled and dived into the sea on a practice ground controlled interception exercise. F/O Duncan Herring is buried at Cappucini Naval Cemetery, Malta. He was the son of David Duncan Herring and Annie Boag Herring, of Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey.
F/O
J C
Horlock
Pilot; 18/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with Sgt Rapley (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 14/01/1944 arrived at 153 Sqn (F/O J C Horlock, ref. 153 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
A H
Hounslow
1323061; pilot; 11/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with Sgt Lund (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J
Hutton
Pilot; 03/12/1943 first noted, flying with F/Sgt Carlaw in Italy (Carlaw became tour expired on 17/02/1944) (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
E O
Jones
Pilot; 29/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt Adams (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 06/02/1944 baled out of Beaufighter BT294 (sic) which iced up and had instrument failure on a ferry flight from Blida via Montecorvino and he broke his back coming down about 20 miles south west of Foggia (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J G
Jones
Pilot; 25/01/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with P/O Coster (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 08/03/1944 killed in Beaufighter KW157 of 108 Sqn, which swung on take off from Luqa and hit Wellington JA378 and a fuel bowser. This was the crew's first operational scramble. F/Sgt John Gilbert Jones 1231189 is buried at Malta Cappucini Naval Cemetery. He was the son of Percy Jones and Mary Elizabeth Jones, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
F/Sgt
R D
Kelly
Pilot; 01/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy with Sgt Wilson (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 07/01/1944 killed flying Beaufighter MM864 of 255 Sqn, which crashed taking off from Grottaglie, Italy. F/Sgt Robert Dickson Kelly 658269 is buried at Bari War Cemetery. He was son of John and Isabella Kelly and husband of Anna Kelly, of Stromness, Orkney.
F/Sgt
D
Kerr
Pilot; 10/12/1943 first noted flying in Italy and then crewed up with W/O Wheeler (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
P/O
J
Kingsbury
Pilot; 09/08/1943 attached to 128 HQ for overseas posting from 418 Sqn (F/Sgt Finsbury and Sgt Yerby sic, ref. 418 Sqn ORB); 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with P/O Yerby (ref. 23 Sqn ORB); 11/04/1944 killed in Mosquito LR252 of 23 Sqn which took off from Alghero for operations in the Perpignon area and crashed near Vias, 22 km east of Beziers, France. F/O Jim Henry Kingsbury 158548 is buried at Vias Communal Cemetery. He was the son of Mr and Mrs R H Kingsbury, of Borrowash, Derbyshire.
Sgt
P
Lund
1604089; nav/ radio; 11/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with F/Sgt Hounslow (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J
MacEwen
1552609; pilot; 11/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with Sgt Cole (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
D
Maddox
Nav/ rad; 28/01/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Burleton, F/Sgt Whitehead and Sgt Graham (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
P
Montgomery
Pilot; 05/12/1943 first noted, flying in Italy and later crewed up with Sgt J B Robertson, then Sgt A Lothian (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
D A
Morling
Pilot; 08/01/1944 first noted, flying with Sgt Ellery in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 20-21/02/1944 killed flying Beaufighter V8823 of 600 Sqn on a patrol from Marcianise, Italy. The Beaufighter was last heard of 20 miles north of Rome, chasing an enemy aircraft. F/Sgt Denis Arnold Morling 1334218 is buried at Bolsena War Cemetery. He was the son of Mr and Mrs S K Morling, of Colchester, Essex.
P/O
W A C
Morris
Nav/ radio; 01/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy with F/Sgt Borthwick (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 19/12/1943 unhurt when Beaufighter ND174 of 255 Sqn swung on landing at Grottaglie and was destroyed by fire;
F/Sgt

O'Malley
Pilot; 27/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with Sgt D G Thomas (ref. 219 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
D L
Porter
Pilot; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with P/O Rogers (ref. 23 Sqn ORB); 06/02/1944 POW when Mosquito HJ674 failed to return from an intruder operation to the Po Valley, flying from Alghero, Sardinia. F/Lt David Leslie Porter 64901 (ref. 23 Sqn blog post).
Sgt
R H
Rapley
Nav/ rad; 18/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with F/O Horlock (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); January 1944 injured in a crash (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 14/01/1944 arrived at 153 Sqn (Sgt R H Rapley, ref. 153 Sqn ORB);
P/O
P D
Ratcliffe
Nav/ rad; 18/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with F/O Dawes (ref. 219 Sqn ORB); 14/01/1944 arrived at 153 Sqn (P/O P D Ratcliffe, ref. 153 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J
Redwood
Nav/ rad; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with F/O Austin (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
P/O
W
Rogers
Nav/ rad; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with F/Lt Porter (ref. 23 Sqn ORB); 06/02/1944 killed when Mosquito HJ674 failed to return from an intruder operation to the Po Valley, flying from Alghero, Sardinia. P/O William Herbert Rogers 147668 (ref. 23 Sqn blog post).
F/O
J M T
Sanctuary
138369; nav/ rad; 12/12/1943 missing in a Mosquito of 219 Sqn, flying from La Sebala in Tunisia, which crashed into the sea on a training exercise. The crew had only just joined the squadron (ref. 219 Sqn ORB). F/O John Mansell Tabor Sanctuary was the son of William Tabor Sanctuary and Margaret Irene Mansell Sanctuary. See also Sgt Webb.
P/O
D
Saunders
147284; nav/ radio; 11/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with F/O Veitch (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 07/04/1944 killed in Mosquito MM444 of 256 Sqn, which took off from La Senia and crashed in bad weather at Sebkra d´Oron, Algeria. F/O Douglas Saunders 147284 was the son of Charles Ernest and Elizabeth Saunders, of Kirk Ella, Yorkshire. He is buried at Le Petit Lac Cemetery, Algeria.
F/O
G
Smith
49034; pilot; 01/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta with P/O Cooper (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R
Southey
Pilot; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with F/O Atherton (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
K
Stretch
Nav/ rad; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Swift (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
S
Swift
Nav/ rad; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with F/Lt Turner (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
D G
Thomas
Nav/ rad; 27/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with F/Sgt O'Malley (ref. 219 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
F K
Thomas
Nav/ rad; 27/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with W/O Ames (ref. 219 Sqn ORB);
Sgt

Treble Nav/ rad; 27/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with F/Sgt Webster (ref. 219 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
M
Turner
Pilot; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Swift (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
F/O
R
Ulfendler
Nav/ rad; 13/12/1943 first noted flying in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J F
Veitch
136470; pilot; 11/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with P/O Saunders and 18/02 to 06/03/1944 on a flying control course in Cairo (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 07/04/1944 killed flying Mosquito MM444 of 256 Sqn, which took off from La Senia and crashed in bad weather at Sebkra d´Oron, Algeria. F/O John Francis Veitch was the son of Alfred John and May Bertha Veitch, of Woodhatch, Reigate, Surrey. He is buried at Le Petit Lac Cemetery, Algeria.
Sgt
T W
Waters
Nav/ radio; 01/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy with F/Sgt Farrin (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 07/01/1944 killed in Beaufighter MM864 of 255 Sqn, which crashed taking off from Grottaglie, Italy. Sgt Thomas William Waters 1424091 is buried at Bari War Cemetery. He was son of Thomas and Martha Ann Waters and husband of Barbara Mary Waters, of Rhosddu, Wrexham, Denbighshire.
Sgt
R R
Webb
1451846; pilot; 12/12/1943 missing in a Mosquito of 219 Sqn, flying from La Sebala in Tunisia, which crashed into the sea on a training exercise. The crew had only just joined the squadron (ref. 219 Sqn ORB). Sgt Robert Roy Webb was the son of Walter George and Nellie Catherine May Webb, of North Ferriby, Yorkshire. See also F/O Santuary.
F/Sgt

Webster
Pilot; 27/12/1943 joined 219 Sqn at La Sebala in Tunisia from 1 BPD with Sgt Treble (ref. 219 Sqn ORB);
W/O
C H
Wheeler
Nav/ rad; 04/01/1944 first noted flying with W/O Kerr in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
D E
Whitehead
Pilot; 28/01/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Burleton, Sgt Graham and Sgt Maddox (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
P/O
G D
Wightman
Pilot; 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Stretch (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
F/O
D E
Wills
135711; pilot; 18/01/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with P/O Herring (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 27/01/1944 missing when a Mosquito of 256 Sqn rolled and dived into the sea on a practice ground controlled interception exercise. F/O David Ernest Wills was the son of Mr A R and Daisy M A Wills and husband of Molly Betty Wills, of Fulstow, Lincolnshire.
Sgt
K L
Wilson
Nav/ radio; 01/12/1943 joined 255 Sqn in Italy with F/Sgt Kelly (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
F B
Woodman
Nav/ rad; 09/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Sardinia, arriving from UK with F/Lt Grimwood (Sgt P B Woodman sic, ref. 23 Sqn ORB); 22/07/1944 killed in Mosquito PZ174 of 23 Sqn, which crashed in Oudendijkse Polder, Woubrugge, Netherlands on ops. Details of loss. P/O Frederick Bernard Woodman 175570 was the son of William Gwynne Woodman and Mary Ann Agnes Woodman, of Sydenham, London. He is buried at Woubrugge General Cemetery. See also F/Lt Grimwood.
P/O
G W
Yerby
Nav/ rad; 09/08/1943 attached to 128 HQ for overseas posting from 418 Sqn (F/Sgt Finsbury and Sgt Yerby sic, ref. 418 Sqn ORB); 01-06/12/1943 joined 23 Sqn in Malta with P/O Kingsbury (ref. 23 Sqn ORB); 11/04/1944 killed in Mosquito LR252 of 23 Sqn which took off from Alghero for operations in the Perpignon area and crashed near Vias, 22 km east of Beziers, France. F/O George William Yerby 158091 is buried at Vias Communal Cemetery. He was the son of Henry John William Yerby and Rose Norah Yerby.

2 course
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
Sgt
R J E
Adey
Pilot; 19/01/1944 posted from an OTU to 264 Sqn with Sgt Pinnell (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB); 27/04/1944 killed flying Mosquito NS819 of 613 Sqn on an intruder op to Enschede. Details of the crash on the Cambridge Military History site. F/Sgt Royston John Edward Adey 574504 was the son of Ronald John Edward Adey, and of Edith Rose Mary Adey, of Winshill, Burton-on-Trent. He is buried at Enschede Eastern General Cemetery, Netherlands.
Sgt

Bailey
Nav/ rad; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 68 Sqn with pilot F/Sgt Lauchlan (ref. 68 Sqn ORB);
W/O
E C
Barnard 06/03/1936 601 Sqn for ground duties, then trained as an A/G; 11/05/1940 600 Sqn; 08/09/1940 unhurt baling out of Blenheim L1111 of 600 Sqn, lost out of fuel on a night patrol; 01/07/1941 125 Sqn; 28/01/1942 posted for training as a navigator in Canada; returned to UK; 62 OTU to 14/09/1943 qualifying as navigator/ radar; 63 OTU; 18/01/1944 25 Sqn; 27/04/1945 85 Sqn until release from RAF in 1946 (P/O Eric Charles Barnard). Details from the Battle of Britain Archive. W/O E C Barnard 801384 navigator/ radar posted from 63 OTU to 25 Sqn on 18/01/1944 with his pilot P/O Nobbs (ref. 25 Sqn ORB).
Sgt
A G
Beastall 1453606; navigator/ radar; 14/11/1943 killed when Beaufighter R2461 of 63 OTU crashed at Astwood Bank in a snowstorm. Sgt Arnold Geoffrey Beastall was the son of Charles and Louie Eveline Beastall, of Belper and is buried at Belper cemetery. Assumed to have been on 2 course.
Sgt
R
Chappell
Navigator/ radar; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J
Daber
Pilot; 19/01/1944 posted from an OTU to 264 Sqn with Sgt Heathcote (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
T F
Fry
Navigator/ radar; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
M W
Gee
Pilot; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
F/O
D G
Greville
143449; pilot; 01/01/1944 killed when Beaufighter R2304 of 63 OTU crashed at Shepherd's Patch, Slimbridge, Gloucs after catching fire in the air. The Beaufighter was flying from RAF Chedworth. Aircrew remembered page. F/O Donald Glyndwyr Greville was the son of William and Lily Greville, of Drefach and is buried at Drefach (Capel Seion) Congregational Chapelyard. Assumed to have been on 2 course.
Sgt
J A
Heathcote
Navigator/ radar; 19/01/1944 posted from an OTU to 264 Sqn with F/O Daber (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
G J
Hopkins
942342; pilot; 14/11/1943 killed when Beaufighter R2461 of 63 OTU crashed at Astwood Bank in a snowstorm. Sgt George John Hopkins is buried in Durham (St Cuthbert) churchyard. Assumed to have been on 2 course.
F/Sgt

Lauchlan Pilot; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 68 Sqn with nav/ rad Sgt Bailey (ref. 68 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
E
Middleton
Navigator/ radar; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
H A
Nitschke
RAAF A417222; posted to 456 Sqn with F/Sgt Semmens (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB); 08/03/1945 killed in a Mosquito at sea (P/O Hedley Alfred Nitschke ref. Australian National Archives).
P/O
E G
Nobbs
53737; pilot; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 25 Sqn with nav/ rad W/O Barnard (ref. 25 Sqn ORB); 
Sgt
G G
Oakley ?
Navigator/ radar; 01/01/1944 unhurt when he baled out of Beaufighter R2304 of 63 OTU before it crashed at Shepherd's Patch, Slimbridge, Gloucs after catching fire in the air. The Beaufighter was flying from RAF Chedworth. Aircrew remembered page.
Sgt
K J
Pinnell
Navigator/ radar; 19/01/1944 posted from an OTU to 264 Sqn with Sgt Adey (both possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 264 Sqn ORB); 27/04/1944 killed in Mosquito NS819 of 613 Sqn on an intruder op to Enschede. Details of the crash on the Cambridge Military History site. F/Sgt Royston Kenneth John Pinnell 1576000 was the son of Son of Daniel John and Mary Pinnell, of Coventry. He is buried at Enschede Eastern General Cemetery, Netherlands.
F/Sgt
J E
Semmens
RAAF A412849; 09/02/1944 posted to 456 Sqn with F/Sgt Nischke (possibly ex 63 OTU) (ref. 456 Sqn ORB); John Ernest Semmens (ref. Australian National Archives);
T/Sgt
R
Whitmer
USAAF; pilot; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
L J
York
Pilot; 18/01/1944 posted from 63 OTU to 85 Sqn (ref. 85 Sqn ORB);

Crews arriving in Mediterranean - possibly ex 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
Sgt
H
Anderton
Nav/ rad; 28/02/1944 first noted, flying in Italy with F/Sgt Lane (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
O H
Archer
Pilot; 15/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy with F/O Barrington (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
H G
Baits
Pilot; 29/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
T A
Barnett
Pilot; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with Sgt Brown (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
F/O
C A J
Barrington
Nav/ rad; 15/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy with F/Lt Archer (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/O
W J
Bartram
Nav/ rad; 14/03/1944 arrived at 153 Sqn in Italy with Sgt Haycock (ref. 153 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
W
Bone
Pilot; 01/02/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt Rae (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
P/O
J R
Brewer
Nav/ rad; 03/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy with F/Sgt Judd and flying operations on 17/03/1944 (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
W/O
R L
Brooks
RCAF R121932; pilot; 13/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy from UK with Sgt Charles (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
S A
Brown
Nav/ radio; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with F/Sgt Barnett (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
F/O
P D
Brunt
131077; pilot; 26/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta with P/O Harris (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 19/01/1945 killed flying Mosquito MM582 of 256 Sqn, which lost height on take off and crashed into the sea 1 mile west of Nice. See also Harris. F/Lt Peter Douglas Willebrord Brunt 131077 was the son of Irene E Bouman and grandson of Edwin J Brunt, of Harrow, Middlesex. He is buried at Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles.
F/Sgt
T W
Burnett
1373797; pilot; 28/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with P/O Ray (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R E
Chamberlain
Pilot; 29/03/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with Sgt Goodyear from a personnel depot (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 10/03/1945 Mosquito MM527 of 256 Sqn lost its nose when the cannon were fired on a Ranger operation to the NE of Venice and fragments of it damaged the starboard engine, forcing the pilot to ditch off the Po Estuary. Chamberlain was rescued by a Walrus of 293 Sqn but Sgt Goodyear was killed.
P/O
K E
Chambers
Nav/ rad; 29/03/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with F/Sgt Ward from a personnel depot (no initials, ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 18/05/1944 killed in Mosquito MM442 of 108 Sqn, which crashed into the sea during a searchlight co-operation exercise off Catania, Sicily. F/O Kenneth Eric Chambers 147104 was the son of Ernest and Ethel Chambers, of Lewisham, London. He is buried at Catania War Cemetery. See also F/Sgt Ward.
Sgt
R
Charles
Nav/ rad; 13/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy from UK with Sgt Brooks (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J T
Chenery
Nav/ rad; 07/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy and crewed with F/Sgt Hill (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/O
A H
Ching
Nav/ radio; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with F/O Nicolson (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 02/08/1944 injured when Mosquito MM179 of 571 Sqn bounced on landing at Warboys and the undercarriage collapsed - he died from his injuries on 08/08/1944. The pilot, F/Lt T V Laffey was also fatally injured. F/Lt Alan Harold Ching RNZAF NZ427187 was the son of Harold Louis and Jessie Wilson Ching, of Stoke, Nelson, New Zealand. He is buried at Cambridge City Cemetery.
F/Sgt
W
Christie
Pilot; 26/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta with F/Sgt Griffiths (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
W/O
R O
Clee
Pilot; 02/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK and his navigator F/O Grant arrived the following day (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 27/07/1944 missing flying Mosquito HK436 of 256 Sqn a night interception off the coast of Corsica. The body of his navigator, F/O H W Hoskins 145781 was washed ashore. W/O Reginald Owen Clee BSc was the son of Lewis John and Elsie Margaret Clee, of Pontlliw, Glamorgan. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
F/Sgt
W S H
Cole
Pilot; 29/02/1944 first noted, flying in Italy and crewed with Sgt Odd (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R F
Cottrell
RNZAF NZ416214; nav/ radio; 12/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with F/Sgt DeRenzy (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 03/07/1944 killed in Mosquito HK339 JT-D of 256 Sqn was damaged by flak on an intruder sortie over France and crashed. See also DeRenzy. W/O Rex Frederick Cottrell RNZAF NZ416214 was the son of Albert George and Ella Mary Cottrell, of Rotorua, Auckland, New Zealand. He is buried at Lyon (La Doua) French National Cemetery.
Sgt
E
Critchley Nav/ rad; 13/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy from UK with F/Sgt Zollo (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 24/05/1944 missing in Beaufighter MM873 of 600 Sqn, on a patrol near Circeo Point. See also Zollo. Sgt Edward Critchley ACIS 1546085 was the son of Edward and Betsy Critchley and husband of Mary N Critchley, of Bolton, Lancashire.
He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
F/Sgt
T D
DeRenzy
RNZAF NZ415751; pilot; 12/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK with F/Sgt Cottrell (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 03/07/1944 suffered a broken arm and serious burns when Mosquito HK339 JT-D of 256 Sqn was damaged by flak on an intruder sortie over France and crashed. He was treated by locals before being taken to hospital in Lyon by the Germans. He was repatriated to Britain on 27/05/1945. Details on francecrashes39-45. See also Cottrell.
Sgt
J B
Dunford
Nav/ rad; 08/03/1944 first noted, flying with F/Sgt Smith in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
R F
Faris
1339961; nav/ radio; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt I Jones (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
D
Fisher
658362; pilot; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with W/O Walsh (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
W R
Ford-Hutchinson
Nav/ rad; 22/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
N
Goodyear
Nav/ rad; 29/03/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with F/Sgt Chamberlain from a personnel depot (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 10/03/1945 Mosquito MM527 of 256 Sqn lost its nose when the cannon were fired on a Ranger operation to the NE of Venice and fragments of it damaged the starboard engine, forcing the pilot to ditch. F/Sgt Norman Goodyear 1325399 was killed. He was the son of Stanley and Rosella Goodyear, of Brighouse, Yorkshire and is buried at Padua War Cemetery. See also Chamberlain.
F/O
G G
Grant
Nav/ radio to W/O Clee; 03/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK
F/Sgt
W P
Griffiths
Nav/ radio; 26/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta with F/Sgt Christie (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
T C
Griffiths
658550; pilot; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt Kimberley (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J I
Hall
29/03/1944 amongst aircrew of 5 crews who arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta from a personnel depot (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
P/O
A E
Harris
147934; nav/ radio; 26/03/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta with F/O Brunt (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 19/01/1945 killed in Mosquito MM582 of 256 Sqn, which lost height on take off and crashed into the sea 1 mile west of Nice. See also Brunt. F/O Alec Edward Harris is buried at Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles.
W/O
R H
Harrison
Nav/ radio; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with F/O Tinkler (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
W F
Haycock Pilot; 14/03/1944 arrived at 153 Sqn in Italy with F/O Bartram (ref. 153 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J A
Hebdige
29/03/1944 amongst aircrew of 5 crews who arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta from a personnel depot (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 22/01/1945 missing in Mosquito MM584 of 256 Sqn on an interception near Ancona; W/O Jack Albert Hebdige 1324884 is commemorated on the Malta Memorial. See also F/Sgt R Roberts.
F/Sgt
R
Hill
Pilot; 07/03/1944 first noted, flying with Sgt Chenery in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
P/O
G A
Hinton
147100; nav/ radio; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt E Smith (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J H
Hunt
126638; pilot; 13/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta by DC3 and his navigator Sgt Peacock arrived 3 days later (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
W/O
C V
James
RCAF R120881; pilot; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt McGibbon (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
N L
Jefferson
Pilot; 22/02/1944 F/Sgt N L Jepherson (sic) first noted, flying in Italy with F/Sgt Spencer (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 24/08/1944 killed when Beaufighter J of 600 Sqn crashed east of Lake Trasimeno (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); F/O Norman Leo Jefferson 175358 was the son of Edward George and Winifred Maude Jefferson and is buried at Assisi War Cemetery. See also F/Sgt Spencer.
F/Sgt
I
Jones
940779; pilot; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt Faris (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
M S
Jones
1334241; pilot; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with P/O Ray (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 13/11/1944 killed when Beaufighter ND312 of 255 Sqn crashed on landing at Foggia Main on return from a practice interception (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); W/O Maxwell Stanley Jones 1334241 was the son of Edward Stanley Jones and Mary Ann Frances Jones, of St. Albans, Hertfordshire. He is buried at Bari War Cemetery. See also P/O Ray.
F/Sgt
G W
Judd
RAAF A420991 sic; pilot; 03/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy with P/O Brewer and flying operations on 17/03/1944 (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); possibly Gerald William Judd (ref. Australian National Archives);
Sgt
E R
Kimberley
996183; nav/ radio; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt Griffiths (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
S
Kownacki
Polish 60239; nav/ rad; 26/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
C R
Lane
Pilot; 28/02/1944 first noted, flying in Italy with Sgt Anderton (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
A
Lothian
Nav/ rad; 03/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy and crewed up with W/O Montgomery (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
R B
Lundell
986385; nav/ radio; 28/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt Rushworth (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/O
A
Macdonald
RCAF J21386; pilot; 02/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy with Sgt Towell and flying operations on 17/03/1944 (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
T B
Marshall
Pilot; March 1944 joined 39 Sqn in Sardinia, from 1 BPD aircrew pool (ref. 39 Sqn ORB);
P/O
J R
Martin
Pilot; 13/03/1944 joined 23 Sqn in Sardinia, arriving from UK with W/O Rann (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J G
Marsden
Pilot; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with F/Sgt Nicholls (Sgt J D Marsden sic, ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 24/11/1944 killed flying Mosquito MM585of 256 Sqn, which failed to return from a night intruder mission to the Sarajevo area. P/O James Gordon Marsden 186665 was the son of James and Ethel Mary Marsden and husband of Florence Mary Marsden, of North Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne. He is buried in Belgrade War Cemetery. See also F/Sgt B Nicholls.
Sgt
J I
McGibbon
1566817; nav/ radio; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with W/O James (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
B
Nicholls
Pilot; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with Sgt Marsden (ref. 256 Sqn ORB); 24/11/1944 killed in Mosquito MM585of 256 Sqn, which failed to return from a night intruder mission to the Sarajevo area. P/O Bernard Nicholls DFC 186183 was the son of Harry and Edith Nicholls and husband of Irene Eunice Nicholls, of Burbage, Derbyshire. He is buried in Belgrade War Cemetery. See also F/Sgt Marsden.
F/O
J M
Nicolson
Pilot; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with F/O Ching (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
A C
Odd
Nav/ rad; 20/02/1944 first noted, flying in Italy and then crewed with F/Lt Thompson, later F/Sgt Cole (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J
Paverson
Nav/ rad; 17/03/1944 first noted, flying in Italy with F/O Macdonald (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
B
Peacock
1459975; nav/ radio to F/O Hunt; 16/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
E R
Radesk
Nav/ radio; 03/02/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/O Skidmore (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J R
Rae
Nav/ radio; 01/02/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt Bone (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
W/O
K
Rann
Nav/ rad; 13/03/1944 joined 23 Sqn in Sardinia, arriving from UK with P/O Martin (ref. 23 Sqn ORB);
P/O
B
Ray
147281; nav/ radio; 28/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt Burnett (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
P/O
B
Ray
147942; nav/ radio; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt M S Jones (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 13/11/1944 killed when Beaufighter ND312 of 255 Sqn crashed on landing at Foggia Main on return from a practice interception (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); F/O Bernard Ray was the son of John Ernest and Minnie Ray and husband of Doris Florence Ray, of St. Cross, Winchester. He was 36 years old and had been a solicitor. He is buried at Bari War Cemetery. See also W/O M S Jones.
F/O
P I
Rhodes
Pilot; 16/02/1944 first noted, flying with F/O Chandler in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 18/02/1944 missing flying Beaufighter V8833 of 600 Sqn on a patrol from Marcianise, Italy. F/O Philip Ivan Rhodes 127252 was the son of George William Harold and Florence Annie Rhodes and husband of Kathleen Grace Rhodes, of Haslemere, Surrey.
See also Chandler (crews arriving in Mediterranean after 1 course).
Sgt
J L
Richards
Nav/ rad; 13/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy from UK with Sgt Ward (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R
Roberts
29/03/1944 amongst aircrew of 5 crews who arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta from a personnel depot (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 22/01/1945 missing in Mosquito MM584 of 256 Sqn on an interception near Ancona; W/O Roland Roberts 1395620 was the son of Mr and Mrs W Roberts of Norwich and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial. See also W/O J A Hebdige.
Sgt
J B
Robertson
Nav/ rad; 14/02/1944 first noted, flying with F/O Montgomery in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 29/02/1944 baled out of Beaufighter V8407 of 600 Sqn when it was in a steep dive chasing a Junkers Ju88 in the Rome area. Presumably taken POW.
F/Sgt
H R
Rushworth
1177308; pilot; 28/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt Lundell (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/O
A A
Settle
Pilot; March 1944 joined 39 Sqn in Sardinia with F/O Webb, from 1 BPD aircrew pool (ref. 39 Sqn ORB);
F/O
E C
Skidmore
Pilot; 03/02/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with Sgt Radesk (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 22/02/1944 unhurt when Beaufighter ND258 crashed crashed at Foggia while practicing circuits and bumps (ref. 255 Sqn ORB); 17/03/1944 attached to 286 Wing pending disposal (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
D B
Smith
Pilot; 08/03/1944 first noted, flying with Sgt Dunford in Italy (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
E
Smith
1338083; pilot; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with P/O Hinton (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
E
Spencer
Nav/ rad; 17/02/1944 first noted, flying in Italy and then crewed with F/Sgt Jepherson (sic) (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 24/08/1944 killed when Beaufighter J of 600 Sqn crashed east of Lake Trasimeno (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); P/O Edward Spencer 175415 was the son of Tom and Charlotte Spencer (nee Kelk) and husband of Annie Spencer, all of Worksop, Nottinghamshire. He is buried at Assisi War Cemetery. See also F/Sgt Jefferson.
F/Lt
D A
Thompson
Pilot; 14/02/1944 first noted, flying in Italy and then crewed with Sgt Odd (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/O
H R
Tinkler
Pilot; 28/02/1944 arrived at 256 Sqn in Malta from UK via 1 BPD with W/O Harrison (ref. 256 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J
Towell
Nav/ rad; 02/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy with F/O Macdonald and flying operations on 18/03/1944 (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R D
Turner
29/03/1944 amongst aircrew of 5 crews who arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta from a personnel depot (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J P
Underwood
29/03/1944 amongst aircrew of 5 crews who arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta from a personnel depot (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
W/O
J
Walsh
979224; nav/ radio; 01/03/1944 arrived at 255 Sqn in Italy from 1 BPD with F/Sgt Fisher (ref. 255 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
C M
Ward
Pilot; 13/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy from UK with Sgt Richards (ref. 600 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
D R
Ward
Pilot; 29/03/1944 arrived at 108 Sqn in Malta with P/O Chambers from a personnel depot (no initials, ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 18/05/1944 killed flying Mosquito MM442 of 108 Sqn, which crashed into the sea during a searchlight co-operation exercise off Catania, Sicily. F/Sgt Derrick Rhonda Ward 1338531 was the son of George Edward Irons Ward and Rose Ward, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. He is buried at Catania War Cemetery. See also P/O Chambers.
F/O
A V
Webb
Navigator; March 1944 joined 39 Sqn in Sardinia with F/O Webb, from 1 BPD aircrew pool (ref. 39 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
M A
Zollo
Pilot; 13/03/1944 arrived at 600 Sqn in Italy from UK with Sgt Critchley (ref. 600 Sqn ORB); 24/05/1944 missing in Beaufighter MM873 of 600 Sqn, on a patrol near Circeo Point. See also Critchley. F/Sgt Michael Angelo Zollo 1321643 is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.

3 course

Crews arriving at 2 Group squadrons in April and May 1944 - possibly ex 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
F/O
J P
Awcock
05/05/1944 in a crew posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn and flying with Sgt A Lloyd later in the month (ref. 226 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
J
Baker
13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 02/05/1944 killed in a Mosquito of 21 Sqn, returning from a bombing sortie (see also Spensley). F/Sgt John Baker 1581241 was the son of John Richard and Florrie Baker, of Bushbury, Wolverhampton.
F/O
N
Berry
06/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/Sgt Marin (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
Sgt

Berwick
...280; 05/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with Sgt Ewers (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Burns
Nav/ B; 28/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with W/O Lummis (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Burt
Nav/ B; 28/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/Sgt Dodds (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Carr
13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Dodds
Pilot; 28/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/Sgt Burt (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O
C
Doyle
13/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/O MacFarlane and F/O Horne (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O
E
Epatadt
10/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/Lt Knowlton and F/O Hastings (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
Sgt

Ewers
...947; 05/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with Sgt Berwick (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O
N A
Francis
Nav/ B; 08/05/1944 in F/Lt Orpen's crew posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn (ref. 226 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J
Garret 13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (F/O J Garratt, pilot sic, ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 21-22/06/1944 killed in Mosquito MT129 of 464 Sqn, which took off from Thorney Island to bomb targets in France in support of the army. F/O John Alfred Garret 153314 was the son of Alfred Henry James Garrett and Martha Susannah Garrett, of Dagenham, Essex. See also F/Lt Martin.
F/O
K R
Hall
13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 11/05/1944 killed in Mosquito LR274 of 21 Sqn, on an intruder operation (see also Walsh). F/O Kenneth Reginald Hall 153358 is buried at St. Desir War Cemetery, France. He was the son of Reginald Frank and Sarah Helen Hall, of Ropley, Hampshire.
F/O
L
Hastings
10/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/Lt Knowlton and F/O Epatadt (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Haward
Navigator; 24/05/1944 arrived at 464 Sqn with F/Lt Rollo (ref. 464 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Horne
13/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/O MacFarlane and F/O Doyle (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt

Knowlton
10/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/O Hastings and F/O Epatadt (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O
G
Layt
Pilot; 13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
A
Lloyd
Nav/ B; 05/05/1944 presumed to be in a crew posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn with F/O Awcock and flying with him later in the month (ref. 226 Sqn ORB);
W/O

Lummis
Pilot; 28/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/Sgt Burns (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O

MacFarlane
13/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/O Doyle and F/O Horne (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
R
Marin
06/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/O Berry (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
J L
Martin
Pilot; 24/05/1944 arrived at 464 Sqn with Sgt Morgan (no initials, ref. 464 Sqn ORB); 21-22/06/1944 killed flying Mosquito MT129 of 464 Sqn, which took off from Thorney Island to bomb targets in France in support of the army. F/Lt John Langham Martin BSc 45053 was the son of Tom and Amy Martin, of Bromley Cross, Lancashire. He is buried at Creil Communal Cemetery. See also Sgt Morgan.
F/O
A N L
McQueen
Pilot; 05/05/1944 in a crew posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn and flying with W/O J H Watson later in the month (ref. 226 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Meeskill ...618; nav/ B; 02/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with Sgt Nicholson (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
H L
Morgan
Navigator; 24/05/1944 arrived at 464 Sqn with F/Lt Martin (no initials, ref. 464 Sqn ORB); 21-22/06/1944 killed in Mosquito MT129 of 464 Sqn, which took off from Thorney Island to bomb targets in France in support of the army. F/Sgt Haydon Llewelyn Morgan 992108 was the son of James and Mary A Morgan, of Porthcawl, Glamorgan. He is buried at Creil Communal Cemetery. See also F/Lt Martin.
Sgt

Nicholson
...090; pilot; 02/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/Sgt Meeskill (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
R G
Orpen
Pilot; 08/05/1944 in a crew posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn (ref. 226 Sqn ORB);
F/O
O W
Porter
Navigator; 13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 31/07/1944 killed in Mosquito NS935 of 21 Sqn, on a night intruder operation. F/O Owen Wells Porter 146316 was the son of Charles W and Constance Porter and husband of Joan M Porter, of Rimbey, Alberta, Canada (Canadian serving in the RAFVR). He is buried at Morgny-La-Pommeraye Churchyard, France. See also F/O Garret.
F/Lt

Rollo
Pilot; 24/05/1944 arrived at 464 Sqn with F/O Haward (ref. 464 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
T
Spensley 13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 02/05/1944 killed in a Mosquito of 21 Sqn, returning from a bombing sortie (see also Baker). F/Sgt Thomas Spensley 1516977 was the son of Albert and Emily Jordan Spensley of Blyth.
Sgt

Sutherland
02/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with F/O Tuczek and 22/06/1944 wounded on operations (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O
E
Swain
Navigator; 13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB);
F/O

Tuczek
02/05/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn with Sgt Sutherland (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Lt
L N
Walsh
Pilot; 13/04/1944 amongst 9 new aircrew who arrived at 21 Sqn at Hunsdon (ref. 108 Sqn ORB); 11/05/1944 killed flying Mosquito LR274 of 21 Sqn, on an intruder operation (see also Hall). F/Lt Leonard Noel Walsh 101075 is buried at St. Desir War Cemetery, France. He was the son of Louis V. Walsh and of Olive Florence Walsh (nee Hagerson), of Dublin, Irish Republic.
W/O
J H
Watson
Nav/ B; 05/05/1944 presumed to be in a crew posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn with F/O McQueen and flying with him later in the month (ref. 226 Sqn ORB);

4 course - aircrew confirmed at 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
F/Sgt
G M
Miller
RAAF A422227; pilot; 17/04/1943 arrived UK; 02/08/1943 12 PAFU; 30/11/1943 63 OTU; 14/01/1944 unhurt when Beaufighter T3430 of 63 OTU stalled into the ground from low altitude at Honiley; 01/02/1944 RAF Chedworth (2 Sqn 63 OTU); 21/03/1944 RAF Honiley; 25/04/1944 13 OTU Bicester; 28/06/1944 2 GSU Swanton Morley; 13/07/1944 464 Sqn (noted on 19/07/1944 1 new NCO crew arrived, the pilot an Australian sic, ref. 464 Sqn ORB); (15/08/1944 RAF Colerne); 08/08/1944 killed flying Mosquito MN423 of 464 Sqn, which was shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Menil-Hubert-sur-Orne, France. His navigator F/Sgt A Lister 1511919 was also killed. F/Sgt Graeme Morrison Miller was the Son of Arthur Sydney and Isabel McNeil Miller, of Croydon, New South Wales, Australia. He and F/Sgt Lister are buried at Menil-Hubert-sur-Orne cemetery. Movements from personnel file.
Sgt
S
Withingham ? Pilot; 02/01/1944 unhurt when Beaufighter T3088 of 63 OTU had its starboard tyre burst on take off from Honiley and the undercarriage was  retracted to stop; assumed to be on 4 course;

Crews arriving at 2 Group squadrons in June and July 1944 - possibly ex 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
Sgt

De Verteuil
25/06/1944 amongst a group of 6 airmen posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt

Finch
07/06/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
W/O

Leeke
25/06/1944 amongst a group of 6 airmen posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J A
Louden
05/06/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn with P/O Pattyson RCAF (F/O Leonard William Pattyson RCAF was not ex 63 OTU) and P/O B C Wright (ref. 226 Sqn ORB); 01/09/1944 evaded capture when Mitchell -Q FW238 (sic, incorrect serial?) of 226 Sqn crashed at Bezinghem, Pas de Calais, on ops to attack troop concentrations. Pilot F/O Eagleson and A/G F/Sgt Catto were killed, while F/O R J Irvine also evaded.
F/O
E R
Mills
07/06/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (no initials, ref. 98 Sqn ORB); 23/07/1944 killed in Mitchell FV985, which was destroyed by the explosion of its own bombs as it attacked the railway at Glos-Montford, France; F/O Eric Robert Mills 131825 was the son of John and Clara Mills, of Bingley, Yorkshireis and is buried at Glos-Montford.  See also F/Sgt Taylor, Sgt Thomas and F/Lt Weeks.
F/Lt

Rees
07/06/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
Sgt

Roby
25/06/1944 amongst a group of 6 airmen posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (ref. 98 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
R
Tams
25/06/1944 amongst a group of 6 airmen posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (no initials, ref. 98 Sqn ORB); 12/09/1944 missing in Mitchell FW167 of 98 Sqn, which was shot down by Marine Flak Abteilung 810 near Vlissingen (also killed were F/O A N Mercer, F/O Kenneth Marlow and W/O Leslie Keith Staines); F/Sgt Rex Tams 1579030, F/O Mercer and F/O Marlow are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial and W/O Staines is buried in Cadzand Cemetery.
Sgt
W
Taylor
25/06/1944 amongst a group of 6 airmen posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (...957, no initials, ref. 98 Sqn ORB); 23/07/1944 killed in Mitchell FV985, which was destroyed by the explosion of its own bombs as it attacked the railway at Glos-Montford, France; F/Sgt William Taylor 1074957 was the son of William and Margaret Taylor, of Leyland, Lancashire and is buried at Glos-Montford.  See also F/O Mills, Sgt Thomas and F/Lt Weeks.
Sgt
C E W
Thomas
25/06/1944 amongst a group of 6 airmen posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (no initials, ref. 98 Sqn ORB); 23/07/1944 killed in Mitchell FV985, which was destroyed by the explosion of its own bombs as it attacked the railway at Glos-Montford, France; Sgt Charles Eldred Wilfred W. Thomas is buried at Glos-Montford.  See also F/Sgt Taylor, F/O Mills and F/Lt Weeks.
F/Lt
W D
Weeks
23/06/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 98 Sqn (no initials, ref. 98 Sqn ORB); 23/07/1944 killed in Mitchell FV985, which was destroyed by the explosion of its own bombs as it attacked the railway at Glos-Montford, France; F/Lt William Derek St Clair Weeks was the son of William Clifford St. Clair Weeks and Julia Eleanor Weeks, of Leicester and is buried at Glos-Montford.  See also F/O Mills, F/Sgt Taylor and F/O Mills 131825.
P/O
B C
Wright
05/06/1944 posted from 13 OTU to 226 Sqn with P/O Pattyson RCAF (F/O Leonard William Pattyson RCAF was not ex 63 OTU) and F/O Louden (ref. 226 Sqn ORB);

Hurricane night conversion course - aircrew confirmed at 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
F/Sgt
R W
Ackerman 1317654; 21/02/1944 killed when Hurricanes Z4705 and Z4939, both of 63 OTU, collided and crashed near Wellesbourne. F/Sgt Robert William Ackerman was the son of Francis and Albertina Mary Ackerman, of Barry and is buried at Barry (Merthyr Dfan) burial ground.
Sgt
J W
Bell
1495200; 07/03/1944 killed when Hurricane W9209 of 63 OTU crashed near Kenilworth. Sgt Joseph William Bell was the son of Joseph William and Lilian Mary Bell of Llantwit Major, Glamorgan and is buried at Darlington North Cemetery.
Sgt
J
Chambers
24/02/1944 unhurt when Master W8834 of 63 OTU hit a hut while taking off from Honiley.
F/Sgt
G M
Crouch
RAAF A414655; 29/02/1944 killed when Hurricane L2021 of 63 OTU dived into the ground at Barton-on-the-Heath. F/Sgt Gordon Maxwell Crouch was the son of Gairn Roy and Selina Mary Crouch, of Gympie, Queensland, Australia and is buried at Oxford (Botley) Cemetery.
W/O
P C
Herod
RCAF R103031; 25/02/1944 killed when Hurricane V6680 of 63 OTU flew into a hill at Cubbington.Warrant Officer Richard Campbell Herod is buried at Dundee Eastern Necropolis.
P/O
W P
Rimer
24/02/1944 unhurt when Master W8834 of 63 OTU hit a hut while taking off from Honiley. Not clear whether he was a pupil or instructor.
F/O
P C
Ryde
141093; 21/02/1944 killed when Hurricanes Z4705 and Z4939, both of 63 OTU, collided and crashed near Wellesbourne. F/O Peter Cecil Ryde was the son of Harold Stewart Ryde and Doris Ryde and the husband of Dorothy Lilian Ryde, of Maidenhead.  He is buried at Balsall Cemetery, near Honiley, Warks.

Pilots arriving at 6 Sqn in Italy from May 1944 - possibly ex 63 OTU
Rank
Inits
Surname
Comment
Sgt
A
Bassett
1804502; 14/07/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
F/O
F M
Clarke
RNZAF NZ422370; 29/06/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting (ref. 6 Sqn ORB); 14/09/1944 missing in Hurricane LD233 of 6 Sqn, which was one of 3 Hurricanes which attacked a stores dump at Murter, Yugoslavia, but failed to rendezvous afterwards. F/O Fred Marsden Clarke RNZAF NZ422370 was the son of Edward Alexander and Eileen Myrtle Clarke, of Mangapiko, Auckland, New Zealand. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial.
P/O
E G
Glaysher
162324; 18/06/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting from Middle East (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
F/O
J W
Grundy
127213; 18/06/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting from Middle East (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
H B
Holman
1586470; arrived 18/05/1944, Hurricane pilot, not trained in RP (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J W
Jenkins
1652311; 30/05/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting from Middle East (ref. 6 Sqn ORB); 19/07/1944 injured when his Hurricane was hit by flak, attacking a barge and schooners at Korcula, but landed safely at Viz (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
I S V H
Lewis
1803286; arrived 18/05/1944, Hurricane pilot, not trained in RP (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
F/Sgt
H R
Lyle
1002237; 16/05/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting from Middle East (ref. 6 Sqn ORB); 08/11/1944 killed when Hurricane KZ556 of 6 Sqn stalled and dived into the sea off Biferno while demonstrating a low level RP attack to new members of the unit. P/O Hedley Robert Lyle 185144 was the son of Major Norman Yates Lyle and Marian Robertson Lyle, of Bearsden, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. He is buried at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery.
Sgt
A W
Male
1577259; 18/07/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
R
McCafferty
1622218; 30/05/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting from Middle East (ref. 6 Sqn ORB); 07/07/1944 missing after his Hurricane was hit by flak when attacking Siebel ferries in the Planiski Channel. Sgt Ronald McCafferty was the son of William and Alice McCafferty, of Hatton Heath, Chester.
Sgt
B A
Newman
1586100; arrived 18/05/1944, Hurricane pilot, not trained in RP (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
J C
Skinner
647466; arrived 18/05/1944, Hurricane pilot, not trained in RP (ref. 6 Sqn ORB);
Sgt
G
Taylor
1581567; 18/07/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting (ref. 6 Sqn ORB); 24/07/1944 missing from an attack on schooners near Baskanovo, Krk. Sgt Guy Taylor is buried at Belgrade War Cemetery. He was the son of Robert and Maud E. Taylor, of Malvern, Worcestershire.
P/O
W
Tye
RNZAF NZ411957; 16/05/1944 RP trained Hurricane pilot who arrived on posting from Middle East (ref. 6 Sqn ORB); F/Sgt William Tye promoted P/O 14/07/1943 (ref. New Zealand Gazette); 23/05/1944 missing after successfully attacking an armed schooner in the Podgorski Channel, reporting his engine running roughly and being told to return to Vis. He was the son of the Revd. William Tye, B.A. and of Jane Tye (nee Smith), of Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand.
Sgt
A J B
White
1602490; arrived 18/05/1944, Hurricane pilot, not trained in RP (ref. 6 Sqn ORB); 19/06/1944 unhurt when Hurricane LZ402 suffered an accident while taxying;

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