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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: JohnGMilburn on Monday 26 November 12 19:32 GMT (UK)

Title: Crew Photographs
Post by: JohnGMilburn on Monday 26 November 12 19:32 GMT (UK)

I am interested in the crew of 158 Squadron, Halifax JN884NP-F, which crashed in July of 1943, the crewmen which I'm interested in are: Sgt Kenneth R Larkin 1575497; Sgt Percy F Watson (NZRAF) 415569; Sgt Edward R Bray 1339912; Sgt Roy D Raven 1271610; & Sgt Ronald J Wyatt-Matthews 1166714.

Any information or photographs would be useful, thanks

John

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: ennael on Monday 26 November 12 22:12 GMT (UK)

Hi,
There is another interested person on the following page:

http://www.rsa.org.nz/lost-trails

Leanne

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: Egilsay15 on Saturday 07 November 15 09:28 GMT (UK)

I am a relative of Sergeant Kenneth Larkin. I have a photograph if it is of interest to you?

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: JohnGMilburn on Saturday 07 November 15 10:44 GMT (UK)

Hi

Thanks for your reply, yes I would be interested in a copy of the Photograph.

Of the crew of Kenneth's aircraft the only member we are unable to trace is Ronald J Wyatt-Matthews.

Thanks for your help


John

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: Egilsay15 on Saturday 07 November 15 11:29 GMT (UK)

I see you live in Shetland. I live in Kirkwall.
I hope I have attached a photograph of my Uncle Ken. He had two sisters Barbara (my mother - now dead), and Patricia. My mother married a Polish Sergeant in the Free Polish Air Force. He was also shot down over Germany flying a Halifax. He survived POW Camp and went on to become a Master Pilot in the RAF.
He changed his Polish surname from Wolski to the (more) English name of Soames.
Regards,
Christopher Soames

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: JohnGMilburn on Saturday 07 November 15 11:35 GMT (UK)

Hi Christopher

Thanks for the Photo.

I was born and lived in the Shetlands, but I now live in County Durham, I still try to get home at least once a year.

John

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 11 November 15 22:37 GMT (UK)

Hi Christopher and welcome to Rootschat....if you put your photo on the Photo Restorating and Dating Board it can be repaired and smartened up...you would need to alter the file name when you repost there.
Carol

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: Egilsay15 on Thursday 12 November 15 08:21 GMT (UK)

I understand from some research that one of the crew of Halifax (JN884Np-F) bailed out and survived. I do not know which one. All other crew members are buried at Middenmeer Cemetry (Holland).
Chris

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: Egilsay15 on Wednesday 02 December 15 15:44 GMT (UK)

Further research on 158 Squadron shows that Sergeant John Ernest Loudoun (RAFVR) bailed out and became a POW. His Trade is listed as "Air Gunner".
It is most likely that this Halifax took off from RAF Lissett (Yorkshire).

Title: Re: Crew Photographs
Post by: Syerston106 on Tuesday 13 February 18 21:00 GMT (UK)

John / Chris

You are correct that this Halifax JN884 did fly out of RAF Lissett on its last Op to Essen.

I am investigating a photo that could be Sgt J Loudoun so I was just wondering if anything else had come to light since you made these posts a couple of years ago?

Thanks

Clive Smith