W Beet RAF WW2- Navigator posted to 100 squadron

[queenswood 1]

I am trying to find out any information about W Beet who was a friend of my late uncle during WW2. They both trained as navigators and were together at RAF Grimsby/Waltham in 1944- by this time they were both Flight sergeants and each flew as a navigator with a 7 man crew on the Lancaster bombers. He possibly recruited at Cardington in April 1941 and I believed that he survived the war, later bring transferred to 1656 Heavy Conversion unit as a gunnery instructor. Any information, no matter how tiny, would be appreciated.

Caroline

[msimp]

Hello Caroline,
Sgt.William Beet,service number 1455973,was posted in to 100 Squadron 19/4/44 from No.11 Base as the navigator  in the crew of P/O. J.Orr,R.N.Z.A.F.He flew a tour of 31 sorties,one of which was abortive, between 3-4/5/44 and 18-19/8/44.He was promoted to T/F/Sgt.29/5/44 and at the end of his tour was posted to1656 C.U. 11/9/44.All the above information is taken from 100 Sqn.O.R.B. for 1944.
Regards,Mark Simpson.

[queenswood 1]

Thank you Mark- that is brilliant. Is there any way that I can track William Beet back through his RAF records- I believe he was a close friend of my uncle who also trained as a navigator and flew with 100 Squadron but was sadly killed in action on 18th July 1944. I can see they were together at Sandtoft  (11 Unit)before arriving in Waltham but I would love to be able to trace William Beet back a bit further- or forwards after 1944 to find out a bit more about him.

Caroline

[EmmaBeet]

Hi there,

William Beet was my grandad! He survived the war and opened a cycle shop in Sheffield. Later in life they ran a cyclist's cafe.

I was just looking at old photos with my daughter (in preparation for VE Day) and came across this thread. It's possible your uncle is on the photos.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Emma Beet

[WelwynGC1]

Good morning all,
I lost an uncle who was a tail gunner on Lancasters with 100 squadron at Waltham.

Lost without trace on a raid to Berlin in September 1943.

There is a great little museum at Waltham windmill which is more than worth a visit when restrictions are relaxed. Parts of the airfield remain too.

Museum is housed in what used to be the wartime WAAF accommodation.

Worth noting re VE day that Bomber Command were completely ignored by Churchill in his speech, obviously not thinking them worthy of a mention.  Sad but true.

So long to get them a proper memorial (2012).

The International Bomber Command centre in Lincoln (Canwick Hill) is also worth a visit.

Good luck with research, this site is marvelous.

Steve.

[queenswood 1]

Hi Emma- this is really exciting! I have sent you a PM x

Caroline

[Crumblie]

100 Squadron is still in existence today and is based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, it may be worth contacting it and seeing if they can point you towards records of interest.

[queenswood 1]

Thank you. I have been doing extensive research on this subject for over 10 years now and actually visited the site of RAF Waltham last November- saw the old airfield, buildings and memorial before visiting Bomber Command in Lincoln xxxx The 100 Squadron Group on facebook is also invaluable! Thank you for your interest- i continue to explore all avenues xxx

Caroline

[queenswood 1]

Hi Emma- I have emailed you direct xx

Caroline