Air Force Lookups - if you need help

[DeeBoneham]

Moderators, can I suggest you make this thread a sticky?

Scrimnet Can I second that! 

By the way I now have Volume 1 & 3 of For Your Tomorrow by Errol Martyn so would be happy to do lookups for New Zealanders on any crew.

Dee

[BettyofKent]

Hello kyt

Thank you for your very kind look-up offer.
I wonder if you have anything on Bertram Max FRANKAL, Sergeant RAF Volunteer Reserve, killed 8th April 1945.
I've found him on the Lost Bombers website, but I don't know how accurate that is, perhaps your book could confirm what I've got, maybe even give additional information.

Betty

[kyt]

Hi Betty

yes the basic details of the loss are correct on that site.

Both R R N Forrest's and the Squadron Operations Book have been digitised on the National Archives of Australia.

It would appear that after the war, an investigation was carried out and Forrest's remains  were located and reburied. Sadly Frankal's were not found, hence why he is on the Runnymede Memorial.

Could you please PM me your email address. I will send you some details from the files, after I have checked through them We should be able to establish when Frankel joined the squadron and which missions he went on. It will just take me a day or two to go through the info.

K

[BettyofKent]

Hi kyt

It's good to know Forrest's remains were found & given a proper burial.
Bertie was one of the reasons I started my family history. I knew he was a cousin of my mother's, but that was all, so wanted to know where he fitted into the family. I would love to have anything you can find about him.
Many thanks for your help, I'll pm you now with my email address.

Betty

[tilly25]

Hi Kyt

I wonder if you have any information on Flight/Sgt John Gerry number 1438258 I know he was a navigator and was shot down but not sure where, any information would be gratefully received.

I am also looking for a Harry Shawcross (changed named by deed poll from Behn) fluent french speaker, think he joined the RAF

Judy

[kyt]

Hi Judy

there was a Sgt J Gerry who a member of a crew in 77 Squadron. His aircraft crashed on the night of the 12/13 May 1943 on its way back from a mission to Duisburg. The crash location was a field belonging to High Belthorpe farm at Bishop Wilton.

Two of the crew of the Halifax (Serial Number JB865) were killed - Flying Officer Thomas Archibald DFC RAAF (pilot) and Sgt Gerard Scully (Bomb Aimer). Using Archibald's casualty file in the Australian Archives I can confirm that this Gerry is the same one you are looking for).

The entire crew were:

F/O T Archibald DFC RAAF killed
Sgt C Hewitson
Sgt J Gerry
Sgt G Scully Killed
Sgt G Marlow
Sgt F K Smith
Sgt J Currie

The rest of the crew only received minor injuries.

It was not possible to establish the cause of the crash.

I haven't found anything on the other name yet and will let you know if I do.

K

[tilly25]

Hi Kyt

Thanks very much for that information on Flight/Sgt Gerry

Judy

[selwynfroggitt]

Hello kyt,
I would appreciate any background information on the action of 57 Sqdn. on 3 June 1942.
Flight Sergt. Vincent Patrick Cummock of the Royal New Zealand Air Force died when his aircraft failed to return.
He was assigned to Bomber Command and I have been informed elsewhere that Bomber Command lost two aircraft that night.. one from 57 and one from 61.
A photograph of him appears on the Aucklandmuseum website

[kyt]

Hi selwyn

might I suggest a visit to rafcommands.com and contacting Errol Martyn? He is THE authority on the RNZAF and should be able to give you some brief background.

K