Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[kyt]

Hi Jacquie

there is only one Thomas Hannah (note spelling, no Hanna without the H) on the CWGC and he was a Canadian:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=1799315

There are other "Hanna" in the air force on the CWGC  but none with the first or middle names of Thomas

Hampden AE390 of 420 Squadron on Gardening (dropping sea mines) mission

Took off from Waddington to lay mines off Lorient (Artichokes Region). Presumed shot down by Flak in the target area. Two are buried in Lorient (Kerentrech) Communal Cemetery, but Sgt Hannah and F/Sgt Bull are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Sgt T J Hannah RCAF Killed
Sgt W J Chapman Killed
F/Sgt P E Bull DFM Killed
F/Sgt J AThompson RCAF Killed

From this it seems that this Hannah was the pilot

K

[kyt]

Sorry Jacquie

Just reread what you wrote and wrongly assumed that you meant air gunner.

Is this your mum's friend?

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2062547

or?

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2769113

K

[millymcb]

Hi kyt

I wonder if you have any reference to this chap?  (he's not one of mine - but a rellie of a friend I am helping out)

He born abt 1927 and was apparently in the RAF during the war (possibly also pre-war but I don't know) and I think he stayed in after the Second World War. 

Signaller II Albert Edward BAZEN

He survived the war died in a plane crash on a training flight n 5 April 1950 Wellington T10 NC615 2ANS West of Horam, E Sussex alongside three others..
Pilot II Gordon James MURDOCH
Signaller II Albert Edward BAZEN
F/Lt Harry SELMAN
F/Lt William Alfred RYDE

The aircraft was descending in a very steep dive and at about 1000' it broke up. The reason for the initial dive apparently could not be established at the time.

I have a ref to him from a book called "Last Take Off" and also a Times report from 8th April 1950 - but we have no information on his wartime career - so if you had anything we'd be very interested to know more about him.

Thanks


Milly

[kalasira]

,he hi kyt
thank you very much for replying you must be very dedicated,and think that is great,the paper clipping say,s gunner Thomos Hanna,R,A,husband of Mrs e Hanna lived in Belfast the address was10 charlotte street Belfast,also a brother in law,yes he was a very good friend of the family that is all i have.
thanks Jacquie,has also sent some inform to David Layne it is names of the picture, s that i am going to send.

[kyt]

Hi Milly

Doubt if he was pre-war as he would only have been 15 when the war started. In fact his service number 1898534 indicates that he joined up in January 1943, in the Euston area.

However, whatever his duties during the war, his rank of Signaller II (a highly complicated restructuring of ranks occurred in 1946 but was changed back in 1950) implies that was still under training, as was the pilot. The other two senior crew must have been the instructor. He may have been groundcrew before that. But unfortunately, I haven't found his name in anything yet

K

[sarahcat]

Hello again Kyt,

Just to say my father was really pleased to have some info on his Dad's service history-it was so kind of you to take the time to look into it.

Oh, and yes please, any info re. the medal citation or other snippets that you come across, as and when,would be gratefully received!

I am happy to join the campaign to have this thread sticky-fied!!

Many thanks,

Sarah

[millymcb]

Thanks for that info Kyt... Of course he was only 15 when he war started

Interesting info on his service number....thanks


Milly
 

[kyt]

Hi Sarah

Thanks to John Larder on rafcommands here is the citation for Nisbet's DFM

This NCO has caried out a total of 37 operational flightts agianst the enemy during the course of which ha has completed 223 hours flying as Nav/BA or A/G. Amonst other successful operations which he has undertaken as Nav. are low-level attacks on the Dortmund-Ems Canal, The Scharnhorst at Kiel and 2 raids on Berlin. Throughout these operations, Sgt. Nisbet has displayed outstanding keenness, determination and devotion to duty. Strongly recommended for the award of the DFM.

Cited from  Tavernder's DFM Register.

K

[sarahcat]

Hi Kyt,

Wow again! Thanks so much for that and please thank John Larder for me, as I would not know how to contact him (but if you are able to give me any contact details for him, then I will thank him myself!)

Many thanks for all your time and effort,

Sarah