Squadron Identification

[rafcommands]

Just love a challenge people.

Info was flying in RAF in 1936 with 58 Sqn so either Sgt pilot or Officer.

I then checked the casualties of No.431 for June 1943 first looking for a service number less than 38XXX to see if he was an officer who entered the service about that time.

Couple of possibles but one had the service number of 37202 and initials WEM. Close to poster who is ARM99.

Worth a punt so I dug out the Air Force Lists to look at where W E Mulford had been posted in 1936. Bingo he was sent to 58 Sqn.

Quick check on the other possibles but they did not serve with No.58 so W E Mulford it was.

"Elementary my dear Watson"

Regards
Ross

[ARM99]

Thanks for all the information posted so far.
I should apologise for not including either father's name or number in my first post but there are some clever people out there!

Can anyone tell me what aircraft were flown by 50 and 58 squadrons? I have a phorograph that I will scan and include later that shows a crew of four standing in front of an aircraft. Of course the only person I know is father.

The information provided on his flight with 50 is useful to me as I was born three weeks later with my birth registered in Gainsborough. At the time we were living in North Scarle.

Thanks to all .... hope to get more too!

[David Layne]

"Elementary my dear Watson"

Regards
Ross

I bow to your superior knowledge.

[madpants]

"Elementary my dear Watson"

Regards
Ross

I bow to your superior knowledge.

LOL    .......................I knew you were psychic! 

[David Layne]

Thanks for all the information posted so far.
I should apologise for not including either father's name or number in my first post but there are some clever people out there!

Can anyone tell me what aircraft were flown by 50 and 58 squadrons? I have a phorograph that I will scan and include later that shows a crew of four standing in front of an aircraft. Of course the only person I know is father.

The information provided on his flight with 50 is useful to me as I was born three weeks later with my birth registered in Gainsborough. At the time we were living in North Scarle.

Thanks to all .... hope to get more too!


At the time your father and mine flew together they were flying Hampdens.


You might wish to follow these two threads relating to 50 Squadron


http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,346867.0.html





http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,306538.0.html




I would be most interested to see any photographs you have.

[rafcommands]

My pleasure

As to equipment

No.58 Bomber Squadron 4 March 1936 to 11 July 1937
Virginia X until Jan 38
Anson I from Feb 1937

No.50 Sqn 1940-42
Hampden until Apr 1942
Manchester Apr 1942 to Jun 42
Lancaster from May 1942

No.431 Sqn 1942-43
(Formed 13 Nov 1942)
Wellington X from Dec 1942 to Jul 43.

Regards
Ross

[ARM99]

Here is a picture with my father and crew in front of an aircraft. Would appreciate identification of all - I presume the aircraft is a Hampden. I have asked my brother if he has any pictures to send me and when he does I will post them.

Once more thanks for all the help

[cravens]

My father F/S Craven flew once with S/L Mulford on 25/26 August 1941 attacking an aiming point in Mannheim. The crew consisted of S/L Mulford(Pilot),P/O Watts(Nav)F/S Craven(W/op) SGT Moore(Gunner). Flying in Hampden AD928. from Swinderby(50 Sqd).Sadly S/L Mulford was lost,I assume then on his Second Tour of Operations with 431 Sqd in WellingtonX HE392 SE-L taking off from Burn at 2325 to attack Dusseldorf,crashing in the Sea off the Dutch Coast.

[ARM99]

I would like to correct your last post. My father's (S/Ldr Mulford) plane was shot down over Holland and did not crash in the sea. The remains of the plane were recovered in the early 90's and all four crew members not already found were buried together in the CWGC site at Bergen-op-Zoom. The rear gunner was the only crew member initially found. All five crew are now together in the same location.