14 OTU personnel

[David Layne]

This picture taken on 21-2-41 at snowy Cottesmore is of 14 OTU personnel in course No. 24 from 14-2-41 to 20-6-41.

Back row left to right:- Pullen, Layne, Jackson, Matthews, Smith, Wrigley, Mossop, Voysey, Thomson, Welford.

Third row left to right:- Dundas, Britt, Barley, Lord, Nicholl, Bradley, Mitchell, Norris, Matthews.

Second row left to right:- Ringwood, Bartlett, Tate, Grahame, Brister, King, Peace, Bousfield, Busley, Murray.

Front row left to right:- Scott, Watt, Walters, White, Meddon, Morris.

One can only wonder what became of these young men.

My father (Layne) completed a tour with 50 Squadron and a tour with 97 Squadron and survived the war.

Welford went to 50 Squadron and survived the war, I have no information on any of the others.

[alamoon]

Hello David ,

Where they all pilots ?

Alain

[David Layne]

No.   In my father's case he was a wireless operator/air gunner.

[alamoon]

Hi ,

I will see if i can find out something about these man , do you know their first names ?
Can i assume that they all were w/op-air gunners ?

Alain

[David Layne]

Unfortunatly I have no first names.

I'm not sure of the composition of an O.T.U. unit as to whether they would all be W/Op Gunners or not.  Somehow I doubt it.

[grandarog]

Hello David ,
                  According to, RAF Cottesmore History ,14 OTU was set up to train Bomber Crews so it would seem the whole gamut from Pilot, Nav,Eng, Wops,Gunners.would train and fly togetheras it was quite a long course (4 Mths)
                                                        Of course I may be wrong ,so please check further,
                                                                                     Regards Roger.   

[David Layne]

18 Months since last posting so thought I might "refresh" this thread.

[Papa1]

Two surnames in the list I have on my own site but whether its the same persons I cannot say without at least their christian names but there's always a chance that it is them.

http://www.lancastered627.shaunmcguire.co.uk/Sgt.%20Sidney%20Mitchell.html

http://www.lancastered627.shaunmcguire.co.uk/Sgt%20James%20Norris.html

[DeeBoneham]

David

That is a really interesting photograph.  Cant do much about the common names but the London Gazette & Flight Global are a fund of info for the unusual ones.....  I have found a PO Bousfield who was still alive in 1944 (107550) who got his substansive in December 1941 which would be about right.  I wonder if this is him? However on the CWGC site there are 7 Bousfields who are buried all over the place who could be him.....  Hey ho

Have you thought of sending a copy to the RAF news?

Dee