76th Sqadron

[ozkee]

Hi - am new to this so am sorry if it sounds silly
My Dad - George Howie (also known as Jock) was with the 76th in Holme on Spalding more and was a flight engineer - his pilot was Ian Weir and they were actually shot down  on the 28th June 1944 - just want to know how do you find out if the others that lived are still around - reason being is that we will be coming back to UK in Sept (now live in Australia) so there you go - would love to hear from anyone......Lesley

[old rowley]

Hi Lesley welcome to Rootschat.

You may wish to look at the War Time Memories site as they have stories and information on 76 Squadron.

http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/airfields/holmespalding.html

OR

[charlotteCH]

Lesley, welcome to rootschat

I had an older bro,a pilot in 460th Squadron,  who died over Germany, March 31 1944.

The 460th had an Assosciation that was only closed down a year or two ago.
Maybe 76th have such an Assosc. and a website.  Why not google for that squadron and see if gives you any leads.  You are probably looking for the now adult children of the squadron's members.

charlotte

[ozkee]

Hi Old Rowley ,
Thankyou for telling me about that - have looked at many  

I am just hoping I can actually find someone who is still kicking LOL that was with Dad in the war - it will be a big thing for him to go back to Spalding but there will be Mum myself and my 19 yr old who prob has made this possible as he and dad are very close and Ben has always said they will do the trip.....Plus they have  Halifax at the York museum so very exciting ...so good that the youngones want to know more....thanks again  

[ozkee]

Hi Charlotte- yes have actually found one and got in touch with the Secretary so he is going to send a few things to us ...very exciting - I guess dad is quite withdrawn about the war but he has told my son more than he ever did me and only got his medals when he turned 80 as Ben kept asking him about them .....i have to get a tape recorder as he will let a few things drop whilst talking and it is something that I think is so very important...thanks for replying 

[charlotteCH]

Your Ben sounds a fine lad... and how kind and thoughtful.  It will make your Dad's day.  I don't reckon you can overestimate how much he'll appreciate all this

charlotte

[DeeBoneham]

Charlotte

My friend made a montage of medals (with ribbons or without), pictures and a write up about his father and grandfathers (from what he researched) and presented them with the finished articles.  Might be worth doing even if for your son as your dad will be chuffed that its of interest.

Just a little thing the veterans get a bit miffed if people put a th on the sqn number "I am not a blooming Yank" was the reproof I got when I started out...

By the way the current contact for 460 Sqn is P Gibby, 10 Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9ST Tel: 01892-522231 (this is from the RAF Register which is usually up to date).  Don't know if you have it or not.  At least you could keep in touch with some of the families if you dont already.

Ozkee
The 76 Sqn Assn contact is H W Kirtland DFC, 125 Fairfield Avenue, Kirk Ella, Hull, HU10 7UW Tel 01482-657874 (again from RAFRA)

Good luck to you both
Dee

[charlotteCH]

dee, Thanks for the tip about the "th"

I wrote it as it's said.

Tha k you also for the current contact for the 460 squadron.

When I said the Assosc had closed down it was perhaps the local Aus branch.

Incidentally there is a memorial to the Squadron at the Brisbane airport.

charlotte

[DeeBoneham]

Hi Charlotte
You're very welcome.  Am always pleased to try and help people with a bit of light at the end of the tunnel....
I am pleased to hear about the memorial at Brizzie airport.  When I flew into Auckland Airport they have a road named after 75 Sqns VC winner Jimmy Ward.  Next time I go am going to get a pic of it tag that shows it....
Dee