Hubert McVeigh

[daprid]

Looking for information on Hubert McVeigh who was attached to a RAF spitfire squadron during WWII. Have a picture of him from my father who was stationed in England with the U.S. 8th Air Force - 109th Observation Squadron during the war.

Thanks,

David Petrie
Arden Hills, Minnesota, USA

[kyt]

Can you post a picture? Is he in RAF uniform? He doesn't appear in the rosters of the three Eagle Squadrons, though there were plenty of Americans who served in other squadrons, often having joined the RCAF.

A time period, locations etc may help

K

[daprid]

Thank you for the response.

Hubert was English, as was my grandfather, James Petrie (b. 1879 in Liverpool).  I know of no McVeigh cousins to the Petries. It would be nice to know the relationship but our father died several years ago and his first cousin in England doesn't remember. Please let me know if you can find anything more about Hubert and his family.”

The RAF Spitfire crew in the attached picture includes my father, Chester Petrie’s, "Cousin Hubert McVeigh R.A.F." Hubert is the shortest, right in front of the propeller blade, in the small picture and his is the larger individual portrait.

The following contains what information I have on my father's American Army Airforce unit's stations and assignments.

Stations:   Esler Field, La, 1 Sep 1941; Charleston, SC, Dec 1941; Esler Field, La, Jan-Aug 1942; Membury, England, Sep 1942; Middle Wallop, England, Dec 1943;

Some other 8th Air Force ‘clippings’ for 109th Observation Squadron - Minnesota Air National Guard: With war threatening in Europe and the Far East, the Minnesota National Guard was mobilized again in February 1941. The 109th Observation Squadron ended up in Europe where it initially flew Mark V "Spitfires" with the Royal Air Force and, later, reconnaissance missions with P-51 ‘Mustangs.’ The 109th Observation Group seemed to shift its base about England frequently. MONDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1942: Units arriving in England from the US: HQ 2d Bombardment Wing at Old Catton; HQ 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Alconbury with B-24s (first mission is 9 Oct 42); HQ 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Thurleigh; 12th, 107th, 109th and 153d Observation Squadrons, 67th Observation Group, at Membury with no aircraft (first mission is in Aug, Dec 43 and Jan 44 respectively); and 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group, at Membury with B-17s (first mission is Nov 42). MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1942: 8th Air Force: After the transfer of the combat unit to the Twelfth Air Force (see below), the combat units assigned to the Eighth are: HQ 3d Photographic Group and 5th, 12th, 13th and 14th Photographic Squadrons and 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron with F-4s, F-5s and B-17Fs; HQ 4th Fighter Group and 334th, 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons at Steeple Morden with Spitfire Vs; HQ 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 66th, 67th and 68th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Cheddington with B-24s; HQ 67th Observation Group and 12th, 107th, 109th and 153d Observation Squadrons at Membury with no aircraft; HQ 91st Bombardment Group and 322d, 323d, 324th and 401st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Kimbolton with B-17Fs; HQ 92d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 325th, 326th, 327th and 407th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Bovingdon with B-17Fs; HQ 93d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Alconbury with B-24Ds; HQ 303d Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 358th, 359th, 360th and 427th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Molesworth with B-17Fs; HQ 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 364th, 365th, 366th and 422d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Grafton Underwood with B-17Fs; and HQ 306th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and 367th, 368th, 369th and 423d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) at Thurleigh with B-17Fs. SATURDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1942: EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO, Eighth Air Force): The 109th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, moves from Membury to Atcham, England with A-20s (first mission is Dec 43). SATURDAY, 15 MAY 1943: The 109th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, with Spitfire VB's, transfers from Atcham, England to Membury, England. 67th Reconnaissance Group Constituted as 67th Observation Group on 21 Aug 1941.

Hope this helps - thanks.

Dave Petrie

[kyt]

Hi Dave

The first picture had me a bit confused at first because I had never seen a Spitfire with such a air filter (the big square hole under the engine) before. It just didn't correspond with any tropical filters....intil I had the doh moment

The aircraft in the picture is not a Spitfire. It is (I am about 99% certain) a Hawker Henley. The Henley was developed as a fighter/bomber before the war but was found to be obselescent by the time the war started. It was generally used as a target towing aircraft, for air gunnery practice.

The known RAF units that used it are listed in the wiki article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Henley

Now to your possible cousin. He is not a pilot. The two chaps with the scarves are definately pilots, as denoted by the wings on the breast. the two chaps in the leather jackets are probably pilots or other aircrew. The chap on the wing and the second man on the left are in overalls, so are probably ground-crew for the aircraft.

From the second picture, I see that Hubert is a Corporal. By late 1941/early 1942, aircrew were usually at least of Sergeant rank or above. However, as the Henley was used as a target towing aircraft, he may have been a winch operator (letting out the target after take off, and pulling it in, etc).

I'm afraid the almost only way of tracking him down will be going through the records of each of the squadrons who used the aircraft, and even then he may not get a mention. And these records are kept at the National Archives in Kew.

Sorry I couldn't have been of more help at this stage

K

[kyt]

Having taken a better look at the aircraft I am sure it is a Henley. I have marked the towing arm in both pictures



The drogue/target operator would have sat in the open cockpit behind the pilot

K

[daprid]

K,

Thanks much for your time and efforts. You have certainly added to the family history of my father's refinding his English cousins while stationed in England during WWII. His father, James, had left in 1912 and had lost touch with the rest of the family.

Dave Petrie
Arden Hills, Minnesota, USA

[z stringer]

Hi David
Hubert was my grandfather he died while I was still quite young here in New Zealand
As my mum recalls he was aircraft engineer as his eyesight was not good enough to be a pilot
Looking at my family tree my great great grandfather was James Petrie
I am interested to chat more

Zeke Stringer