Help with RAF WW2 Info Please.

[Horsley2016]

Dear all,

I found out my maternal Grandfather flew during the War. A Sergeant 1625595, he went by the name Brendan Patrick Creane. An Irishman, he married in June 1944 and his residence on the marriage very was ‘Silstock Salop???’

I do know he was based in the Lincolnshire area at Nocton Hall. Attached are the only official pieces of information I have. Can anyone help with anything?! I’d love to know what he flew and if anyone could decipher the record I have?

Unofficially I believe he may have been a navigator and flew Middle East routes?

If anyone can also point me in the direction where I may find more information I’d be most grateful.

With thanks

Mx

[martin hooper]

I think it's Tilstock. My Dad was there.

Martin

[Michael J]

I think the aircraft in the middle photo is a Halifax.

298 Sqdn operated the HP Halifax on S.O.E. duties as well as towing gliders for D-day and Arnhem. They went to Woodbridge to tow gliders for the Rhine crossing. (from Wikipedia).

[Andy J2022]

First mention  in his log book of 298 Sqdn appears to be July 1944 although it could be earlier. That means he probably wasn't involved in the Normandy landings and towing gliders, but was on flights for the SOE. That said 298 also supported later glider operations, possibly including Operation Market Garden.
From July 1945 the Sqdn was moved to Raipur in India.
From the wedding photograph he's a sergeant, but it's impossible to make out the specialisation badge on his chest other than to rule out him as a pilot. The trades which used the wing badge included navigator, observer, radio operator, air gunner, and load master among several other less likely specialisations (see here: https://www.rafweb.org/Ranks-Uniform/Badges3A.htm.

I agree with Michael J that the plane looks like a Halifax, but I have no idea which version. A crew of 6 looks generous for aircrew, but the group may include some ground crew.

Where is the photo of the log book page from? I assume you don't have the complete log book itself.

[Andy J2022]

I assume you've already seen the Wikpedia entry for 298 Sqdn.

[Andy J2022]

Looking at a couple entries towards the top of the first photo (the log book page) he was with No 11 ITW (Initial Training Wing) in ?Apr 1943 which was then based at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Scarborough. Later (Aug 1943) he was at 21 ITW which was then based in Torquay.  21 ITW trained Flight Enginneers. As he was a Sergeant in 1944 he may well not have been student at 21 ITW, but part of the staff.

[Andy J2022]

Another entry which looks like it's dated 18/4/44 is for 1665 HCU. That's a Heavy Conversion Unit. It trained airmen on several aircraft including Halifaxes. It was based at RAF Tilstock for some of the period. He moved from there to 298 Sqdn.

[Andy J2022]

A crew of 6 looks generous for aircrew, but the group may include some ground crew.

It appears an aircrew of 6 was not unusual. Here's a list of another 298 Sqdn Halifax which was lost in 1944:
31.8.44 Halifax V LL343 T-L 298 Sqdn RAF
F/O William Wallace Brown RCAF - Pilot - died
Sgt William Bradley RAFVR - Flight Engineer - died
F/O Robert Denver MacDuff RNZAF - Navigator - died
F/Sgt Frederick Pearson RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - died
F/O Francis Sayles DFM - Air Bomber - died
F/Sgt John Bonsall Smith RAFVR - Wireless Op / Gunner - died

[Horsley2016]

Thank you all so very much. Honestly, this information means so much to me. It will help me go on to research specifics and as much as I can. I had no idea of squadron 298 but with the information of it most likely being a Halifax in the photo, and some deciphering of the log book I can start to research - I’ll look at Wikipedia next.

I got the info from the RAF but was told this was only what they could provide - other stuff was classified. He was, I believe a bit of a ‘cad.’ He was involved in a brawl in a hotel bar in Nocton and he was apparently studying engineering in Dublin before going AWOL. His parents had no idea he’d left university and he only turned up in England with the RAF!

I’ve attached the only other bits of info I was given. I wish I knew where to get ‘more’ If more can even be found?

Thank you so much for all of your information- it’s really appreciated. On a side note, what does SOE stand for?

M