• Abernethy, John Tait

     M --- Cadet  John Tait Abernethy 
     flag scotland  b. 30 Nov 1915, Glasgow  2 Aug 1942 to Nov-42 

     

         

     [Contract Terminated by ATA - held responsible for accident to Hind 25 Oct 1942: stalled whilst landing]

     


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  • Abney, William Edward Charles Wootton

     M.1014

    2nd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF] 

    William Edward Charles Wootton 'Bill' Abney 
     flag england b. 7 Jan 1921, Upminster  19 May 1944 to Apr-45 

     ata william abney HB HB

     

     

    ata william abney tv 1979

    http://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=20

       

     son of Henry Charles Wotton Abney (1881-1953)

    Address in 1944: West Lodge, Upminster, Essex

    prev. RAF, and An Actor:

    [Wikipedia: He "played Reverend Copley on Coronation Street in 1977, and Jim Lorimer in 1980. His other television credits include The Adventures of William Tell, Crossroads, Special Branch, Play for Today, All Creatures Great and Small, Robin's Nest and The Return of Sherlock Holmes.

    Abney was educated at Cranleigh School and the Central School of Speech and Drama.

    As a film actor, Abney appeared in Horrors of the Black Museum (1959), Never Take Sweets from a Stranger (1960), Two-Way Stretch, (1960), Cone of Silence(1960), The City of the Dead (1960), Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973), The Legacy (1979), North Sea Hijack (1980) and Curse of the Pink Panther (1983).

    As a writer, Abney wrote the story for "Poor Butterfly" (1969), an episode of Journey to the Unknown (TV series).]

    Ferry Pool: 9

    d. 26 Jun 1997 - Lambeth

    from The Times, Tuesday, 8 July 1997: "Deaths: Abney, William, suddenly and peacefully on June 26th. Much loved friend of Barry and dear brother of Annabel and uncle of Robin Dewhurst and family. Service at Mortlake Crematorium, July 15th."

     

     


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  • Abrams, Daphne Elizabeth (W.100)

     W.100  2nd Officer Daphne Elizabeth Abrams
     flag england

    b. 11 Mar 1916, Plymouth

    23 Sep 1942 to 13 Feb 1944 

     

    daphne abrams 1935 RAeC 1935

     ATA Dorothy Hanson-Lester via Taniya Morris    

     

     father: William Charles Surry Abrams, mother Elizabeth Louise [Budden]

     prev: Secretary with Imperial Airways; ambulance driver

    prev. exp. 8hrs 35min on Gypsy Moth

    Address in 1942: 95a Coombe Lane, Bristol


     Postings: 5TFPP, 15FPP

    "This pilot came to ATA with very little experience. She worked hard in Class I flying and reached a good standard. She should make a useful ferry pilot and a good officer"

     One accident:

    - 8 May 1943, her Spitfire Vb AD555 landed with flaps up, overshot and was seriously damaged after she felt unwell during the circuit

     

    m. 1943 Flt-Sgt Philip Lindley Hanson-Lester, RAF, prev. a theatrical producer (2 children Phillip b.1944, Taniya b. 1946, marriage dissolved)

      RAeC 1939

     

    Off sick from 8 Sep 1943 - Contract Terminated Feb 1944


    m. 1956 in Cheshire, Philip Rodney Wallis Robinson

    daphne hanson lester 2016 11 Mar 2016

    "Like many of her generation she sees nothing special in what she did"

     

    d. 18 Aug 2017 - Morgannwg House Care Home, Brecon, Wales

     

    Her granddaughter Taniya Morris told me "You may have noticed my name & the unusual spelling of ‘Taniya’.  My mother & I were named after Taniya Whittall who is also on your list of ATA pilots.  I was also a military pilot - serving 17 years in the Army, flying Gazelle & Lynx helicopters in the Army Air Corps & commanding 652 Sqn AAC. So it runs in the family!"

     


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  • Acton, Wilbur Washington

     M.561  First Officer Wilbur Washington 'Bee' Acton 

    flag usa

     b. 23 Dec 1915, Xenia, Ohio

    16 May 1941 to 15 May 1942

    and

    12 Aug 1943 to 8 Jul 1944

     

     

    ata bee acton 1941

    Montana Standard et al, 1941

      ATAM    

     

    Father: William Albert Acton, 120 W 3rd St, Xenia, OH (later moved to Dayton, OH)

    Mother: Irene [Reece]

    Ed. Xenia High School

    prev. airplane sales, charter work for Dave Peterson Charter Service in Wichita, Kansas

    prev. exp. 360 hrs on Beechcraft F17D, Culver Cadet, Cessna C145-165, Stinson, Cessna T50

    Address in 1941: Wichita, Kansas

    "Disregarding the fate of his friend, Bee Acton, of Wichita, Kan., has signed up for a year's service ferrying bomber and fighter planes from Canada to England [sic]. Acton, a commercial pilot, joined up shortly after his friend, Jim Wright, also of Wichita, was reported killed when a submarine sank the ship on which he was returning [sic] from England." 

    At the end of his first contract the ATA described him as "a keen pilot competent to fly all types of single engne and light and medium7 twin aircraft. He proved a good type of officer and his behaviour was quite satisfactory."

    His second contract was for 18 months with a "cessation of hostilities" clause included.


     janes anson

    d. 8 Jul 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Anson NK773 which was in a mid-air collision with Oxford X7134 and crashed at Rodbourne, 5 miles NE of Hullavington.

    Pilot Flt Lt. Bernard N Phillips [RAF Serial No 45885] and passenger Sqn Ldr William A. Law [79047] in the Oxford were both killed.

    The accident report says "Whilst the Anson was flying just below the cloud base an Oxford aircraft, piloted by an RAF pilot, came out of the cloud and struck the tail plane of the Anson. Both aircraft crashed in a field and were destroyed, all three occupants being killed."

    "Neither pilot is held responsible for this accident."

    headstone bee acton

    Buried Maidenhead Cemetery (Section C, No 14KK).

    The wording on the memorial is from Tennyson's poem 'Crossing the bar':

    I hope to meet my pilot

    Face to face

    When I have crost the bar


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  • Adams, Albert Ernest

     M--- Cadet  Albert Ernest Adams 
     flag england   b. 23 Aug 1916, Dudley 5 Jul 1943 to Sep-43 

     

    ata albert adams

    ATA

         

     

    prev. a draughtsman, then Fleet Air Arm, 1942-3

     hawker hart

    d. 6 Sep 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Hart K6526, heavy landing at Thame on a training flight, 2 Sep 1943. The aircraft somersaulted onto its back and caught fire; Albert suffered extensive burns and was taken to RAF Halton hospital. He did not wish his wife informed 'as she is expecting a baby some time this week'.

     


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  • Adams, Charles Arthur

     M.351  First Officer  Charles Arthur Adams
    flag england   b. 8 Jan 1906, East Ham, London  25 Mar 1941 to 11 Nov 1941

     ata charles adams 1926 1936

         

     

    prev. a London Transport driver, later inspector

    RAF from Jun-40 to Mar-41 (Sgt, Link Trainer instructor)

    Address in 1941: 51 Wilson Rd, East Ham, London E6


    [Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons]


    d. Dec 1957  - Lambeth ?


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  • Adams, John Cecil

     M.795   John Cecil Adams 
         

     

         

     

    Postings: 8FPP

     

     


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  • Adams, John Henry

     M --- Cadet   John Henry Adams
       b. 20 Jan 1921, London  29 Apr 1942 to Jun-42

     

         

     

    prev. a General Clerk, then RAF from 1941-2

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - Unsuitable]

     

     


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  • Adney, Kenneth John

     

     M.940

    3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF] 

    Kenneth John Adney 
     flag england  b. 7 Dec 1922, Cinderford, Glos.  11 Jun 1943 to 15 Apr 1945

       ATA

       1947    

     

    Ed. East Dean Grammar (School Cert.)

    prev. radio engineer with GEC; RAF from Dec 1941

     


    Postings: 16FPP

    Off sick from 25 Feb to 17 Mar 1944 after a flying accident (report missing)

    One other accident:

     - 23 Oct 1944, the propeller of his Spitfire IX PV312 was damaged when the tail rose on landing downwind at Ratcliffe at 17:40pm. He felt unwell, probably because he'd had nothing to eat all day.

    m. Oct 1945 in Barrow upon Soar, Leics, Patricia Clayton [Barratt]


     Took his 'A' Certificate in July 1947, at Auster Flying Club

    Address in 1947: 516 Loughborough Rd, Birdsall, Leics.

    Emigrated to Australia 1948-57 but then returned to live in Surrey

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Agaronoff, Alexander

     M.1120

     3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Alexander Sansonevitch Agaronoff 
      flag russia -> flag UK b. 27 Oct 1913, Samara, Russia   4 Jul 1944 to 15 Apr 1945

     

         

     

    Ed. Denstone College, Uttoxeter, Staffs

    Arrived from India in 1926 to attend school; 1931-32 in Egypt; naturalised British, 1935

    Next of kin (Mother): Mrs R Martin, of Denvale, Old Wokingham Rd, Crowthorne, Bucks

    prev: Estate Agent; RAF 1942-44

    Also known as "Alexander Sterling"

    Address in 1944: 21 Pembridge Sq, London W2


     Postings: 5FPP, 3FPP

    One accident, his fault:

    - 21 Mar 1945, he ran off the track whilst taxying Martinet RG994 in windy conditions; when he tried to get back on the runway one wheel fell into a concealed drain, and the aircraft nosed over.

    "He showed signs of overconfidence, but otherwise his work was carried out satisfactorily"

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


    Applied to be discharged from bankrupcy in April 1945: "lately carrying on business as Sterling & Co, 177, Regent St, and Piccadilly House, Piccadilly Circus". His hearing was on 17 April.

     

    d. Aug 1994 - Chelsea, London


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  • Agazarian, Marie Monique Jacqueline (W.143)

     W.143  3rd Officer Marie 'Monique' or 'Aggie' Jacqueline Agazarian 
     flag england   b. 17 Jul 1920, Carshalton, Surrey 18 Oct 1943 to 30 Sep 1945 

     ATA Monique Agazarian  ATA

         

     Father: Le Von Berge Agazarian, originally from Armenia who fled to the UK in 1911, owner of an electrical company; mother: Jacqueline Marie-Louise de Chevalier, from France

    Ed. Sacred Heart Convent, Roehampton (School Certificate, 5 credits), RADA and Paris

    prev. from Apr-41, VAD attached to East Grinstead Hospital then RAF Uxbridge

    Address in 1943: (mother) 7 Park Mansions, Knightsbridge, London


    [ab initio pilot]

    Two of her three brothers died in WWII; one in the RAF, the other in SOE

    Completed "500 hours in Spitfires, Mustangs, Typhoons, Barracudas and Hellcats" as a Class III pilot.


    After WWII, she gained her commercial licence and in July 1947 became a pilot for Island Air Charters / Island Air Services (IAS) which flew Proctors and Rapides between Lands End and the Scilly Isles, pleasure trips to Le Touquet and scheduled services to Deauville from Croydon.

    Ex-ATA pilot Cecile Power also joined IAS, in November 1947.

    Monique became Managing Director of IAS, then Chairman and Chief Pilot.

     

    Island Air Services' first Dragon Rapide, (callsign 'Uncle Fox', although allegedly when Monique was pilot it was 'Auntie Fox''), in 1950. (c) Air-Britain

     

      Daily Mirror

    m. 20 Jul 1949 in Brompton, London, Capt Raymond Charles Rendall (also of IAS, divorced 1973), three daughters Annette Francine, Mary and Lou-Lou

     She competed in the King's Cup air race in 1950 and 1952.

     

    In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Monique was one of only 7 women flying commercially: -  "Monique Rendall is chief pilot and managing director of Island Air Services"  - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field."

    [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Jean Bird, Suzanne Ashton, Zita Irwin, Diana Barnato-Walker and Freydis Leaf]

     

    IAS ceased trading in 1959. After it closed, she was a pioneer in promoting flight simulation with Air Training Services Ltd, and published a manual on advanced instrument-flying procedures.

    Having reverted to her maiden name, she lived at 84 Park Mansions, Knightsbridge, and d. 3 Mar 1993 from cancer, leaving £140,949.

     

    "The sad loss of this splendidly professional airwoman, brilliant tutor, hugely energetic, ebullient, and lovable friend will be felt deeply by all who knew her." - The Independent


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Akerman, Jean Mary (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet   Jean Mary Akerman
     flag england  b. 17 Dec 1922, Camberley 8 May 1944 to 3 Jun 1944 

      with David Crichton, 1946

         

    Father: Maj-General William Philip Jopp Akerman CB, DSO, MC, Director of Staff Duties Artillery, Army Headquarters India (Retired 1942, d. 1971); mother: Olga Phyllis [Steevens, d. 27 Dec 1922, i.e. when Jean was 10 days old]

    Step-mother: Annie [Alexander] from 1925. Two step-sisters, Rosemary and Susan.

    Ed. Bedgebury Park, Goudhurst, Kent

    prev. WAAF (WMTS India)

    Address in 1944: "Rotherwood", Churt, Farnham, Surrey


    [ab initio pilot]

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


    m. 25 Apr 1946 in Churt, Flt-Lt Dr David Stewart Crichton MBE, MB, ChB; one daughter Susan (Penny) [Buckley] 1948-2016

     

    d. 13 Jun 2018 - Salisbury


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Aldren, Thomas

     M.948  First Officer Thomas Aldren 
     flag england b. 5 Aug 1920, Lancaster  19 May 1944 to 13 Aug 1945 

       ATA

         

     

    Parents: Richard Aldren, Isabella [Roberts] of 13 Mill St., Lancaster

    prev. Local Government (Clerk, Public Health); RAFVR from 9 Jul 1940

    Admitted as a "Freeman" to the roll of the City of Lancaster in 1938


     m. Jul 1944 in Lancaster, Joan [Boulton]

    "TWO WELL-KNOWN members of the Lancaster Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society were married at St. , John's Church. Lancaster, on Monday. They are F.O. Thomas Aldren, formerly employed at the Lancaster Health Office, and now a Ferry Pilot in the Air Transport Auxiliary, only son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Aldren, of Mill Street. Lancaster, and Miss Joan Boulton (who is on the staff of the Canadian Treasury), younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Boulton, of South Road. Lan- caster."

    Address in 1945: 21 South Rd, Lancaster


     d. 1 Mar 1953 at Royal Infirmary, Lancaster

    "EX-R.A.F. OFFICER Death at 32

    A Flight-Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force during the war, Mr. Thomas Aldren aged 32, of 21 South Rd, Lancaster, died in Lancaster Infirmary on Sunday. He had been in the infirmary for the past three weeks undergoing treatment for heart trouble.

    A native of Lancaster, he was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School. When he left school he became a clerk In the Corporation Health Department. In 1940 he joined the Royal Air Force. He gained his wings in 1941 and was commissioned as a flying Instructor. In the the latter end of 1943 [sic] he was transferred to the Air Transport Auxiliary, and ferried many planes across the country. He returned to the R.A.F. and at the end of the war was demobbed as a Flight Lieutenant. He was married at St John's Church Lancaster, in 1945 [sic].

    Following his war service he went to Nottingham where he quailfied as a Sanitary Inspector and became a meat and food inspector.

    He returned to Lancaster in October 1951 but since had not been able to carry on his work owing to ill-health. An ex-member of Lancaster Golf Club, he was a former winner of the George Thompson Trophy, and a very keen player. He was also a former member of LADOS and a member of the Vale of Lune Rugby Club.

    His wife survives."Lancaster Guardian

     


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  • Aldrich, Wilfred Hector

     M.1142 *

    3rd Officer 

    [Seconded from RAF]

     Wilfred Hector Aldrich
    flag england  b. 1 Sep 1919  5 Sep 1944 to 30 Apr 1945 

     

         

     

    d. Sep 2000 - North Somerset

  • Alexander, Susan Mary Aurea (W.163)

     W.163  3rd Officer  Susan Mary Aurea Alexander
     flag england  b. 19 or 20 Apr 1920, Horncastle Lincs 8 May 1944 to 30 Sep 1945 

         1944

     

     

       

    ata_waafs_1944.jpg

    The Final 7 Women Pilots - Betty Keith-Jopp (W.167), Sue Alexander (W.163), Joan Arthur (W.166), Ruth Russell (W.165), Annette Mahon (W.164), Aimee de Neve (W.168), Katharine Stanley Smith (W.162)

       

     

    Father: Capt William James Alexander (a Company Director, Motor Trade, d. 1947), mother: Mary Jeanette [Rawnsley] (d. Jul 1941) of Raithby Hall, Spilsby:

      Raithby Hall, the home of the Rawnsley family

    Ed. Benenden, Kent (School Certificate)

    prev: WAAF

    Address in 1944: c/o L S Dodds Ltd, Spilsby, Lincs


    [Ab initio pilot]

    Postings: 4FPP

     

    One accident:

    - 31 Jan 1945, in Swordfish II LS215; she failed to keep the aircraft straight on take-off, and it swung, hit a snow ridge and turned over

     

    Gained her Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate (No 20753) as part of the ATA's 'Wings' scheme on 22 Nov 1945


    d. 9 Jul 2000 - Taunton, Somerset

     

     


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  • Alexander, William Hamlet

     M.--- 2nd Officer  William Hamlet 'Bill' Alexander 

    flag usa

     b. 13 Oct 1894, Paterson New Jersey  12 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata bill alexander 1940 2 1940      

     

    Ed. Harvard Medical School

    WWI, 1917-18

    "First Great War flyer and pilot on the first New York to Bermuda flight in 1930"

    d. 6 Oct 1979 - Iron Mountain, MI 

     

  • Alington, Cyril Geoffrey Marmaduke

     M.---  First Officer Cyril Geoffrey Marmaduke Alington 

    flag england

     b. 19 Aug 1914, Richmond, London  4 Oct 1939 to Nov-41 

     1933

    ata cyril alington

    ATA

       

     

    The youngest of four brothers.

    In 1933, a public schoolboy in Hythe, Kent; by 1936 a student at the de Havilland Technical School.

    ATA Contract Terminated 4 Aug 1940; he then continued as a part-time pilot until 10 Nov 1941.

    later, a test pilot for Fairey.

    d. Aug 1987, Poole

    Schlesinger Race in 1936 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Allen, Cyril Percy

     M71 *  Pilot

    Cyril Percy Allen

    aka Aron

     flag england b. 28 Jun 1901, London  12 Aug 1940 to 2 Apr 1941

       1930

         

     

    Father: Benjamin (Benno) Aron, a hat and cap manufacturer, d. 1 Jul 1941. Mother: Kathleen Hannah [Jacobs]

    B.Sc. 

    Changed surname to Allen c. 1939

    m. 1925 in Amersham, Bucks, Amy L [Townsend]

    RAeC Certificate 9487 dated 4 Oct 1930, taken at London Aeroplane Club

    Address in 1930: 55 City Rd, London EC2

    prev. RAF from 1933 (Resigned 14 Mar 1939); Engineer;  Probationary Temporary 2nd Lieut, RN


     Postings:

     


     2nd Lieut, Royal Army Ordnance Corps from 9 May 1942

    Surname reverted to Aron c. 1959

    m. 1959 in Kensington, London, Jane [Webster]

    Address in 1964: 23 Palace Gardens, Kensington

     

     d. 31 Mar 1980 1980 - London

    Buried Willesden United Synagogue CemeteryWillesdenLondon Borough of BrentLondon


    * Personnel File not seen 

  • Allen, Helen Naomi (W.70)

     W.70  First Officer Helen 'Naomi' Allen 
     flag england   b. 25 Jun 1913, Folkestone 24 Feb 1942 to 31 Oct 1945 

    naomi heron maxwell 1934  RAeC 1934

    naomi heron maxwell 19342 Also 1934

    Allen Naomi 1 

    1935, with Cobham's Flying Circus

     Allen Naomi 2  ATA

     

    née Heron-Maxwell

    mother: Lady Heron-Maxwell, of 5 Staverton Rd, Oxford

    prev: Secretarial / Lecturing on Gliding and Parachuting 

     

    Parachuting with Cobham's Flying Circus in 1935; she made over 100 descents.

    1935 parachuting naomi pulloff bw touchedwide 

    See http://www.afleetingpeace.org for the story of Cobham's Air Circus

     

    The first woman Silver Badge (Soaring) holder in the UK, and one of the founder members (with Lady Bailey, Joan Price, and Amy Johnson) of the Oxford Gliding Club

     

    m. 2 Mar 1938, Francis Cecil Howard Allen (d. 28 Jan 1939 aged 34 in Austria, after an operation for a duodenal ulcer.)

    [According to my mother-in-law, who knew the family, "Apparently it was quite a straightforward operation, he woke up, said 'Hello Darling' and then promptly had a heart attack and died", but Naomi wrote that it was 6 days after the operation.]

     

    "Scar on left side of neck"

    Address in 1942: 2 Dalmevey Ave, London SW16


     Postings: 6FPP, 15FPP, 1FPP, 4FPP

     1942 ata naomi jean bird 1 bw5900 with Jean Bird in a taxi Anson, 1942 [all photos with thanks to Nick Thomas]

     

    Reprimanded in August 1944 for "Loss of Ferry Pilot's Notes", and in May 1945 for "taxying with insufficient care"

     

    6 accidents, 4 her fault:

    - 15 Oct 1942, "careless taxying" crosswind in Hawker Audax K5599; the aircraft tipped onto its nose

    - 9 Jan 1943, she overshot a landing in Spitfire JG953

    - 22 Mar 1943, she landed without lowering the undercarriage of her Mustang 1a FD443

    - 17 Nov 1943, a forced landing in a Seafire III, after the port cannon fairing blew off in the air

    - 18 Dec 1943, she overshot a landing in Spitfire IX BS401, after encountering very bad weather and turning back

    - 15 May 1945, she failed to control her Warwick BV343 while taxying, and one wheel fell into "an excavation at the side of the track"

     

    "A really keen pilot of average ability who wants hard work. Her temperament is unusual and her attitude towards criticism is inclined to be resentful"

    "Her technical knowledge is below average" [she admitted this was true]


    Moved to Los Angeles in 1948

    m. 1957 Howard D Thomas (a Real Estate agent) (divorced); one son, b. 1958, Nick - who has written a wonderful biography about her, using her diaries, called "Naomi the Aviatrix"

     d. 1983 - Leisure World, Laguna Hills, CA


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Allen, Joan Mary (W.91)

     W.91  First Officer

     Mrs Joan Mary Allen 

     flag UK b. 4 Dec 1914, Shillong India   15 Jul 1942 to 30 Sep 1945

     ata joan allen ATA

         

     née Stapledon

    Father: Gerald Stapledon ("of Calcutta, fourth son of William Stapledon of Lakenham, Northam, N. Devon", d. 1944), mother Eleanor Maud [Halliday], ("eldest daughter of Lt-Col S C Halliday, late R.A.") of Upton, Hartley Wintney, Hants

    Ed. Rosemead, Littlehampton

    prev exp: 34 hrs 30min on DH Moth, Hornet Moth, Magister, Whitney Straight in Malaya ('A' Licence No 76 gained in the Straits Settlements)

    Sailed from Calcutta to London aged 4, with her mother and younger sister Maud Winifred in 1919, to Singapore in September 1935 and back from Bombay to Plymouth in Apr 1936.

    m. Flt-Lt John Anthony Allen (d. 16 May 1941 in Singapore, in a training accident). Their son Christopher John was born 13 Jun 1941, but died aged 10 months in Cape Town, en route from Singapore.


     

    Two accidents, both her fault:

    - 2 Apr 1943, taxying her Auster III MZ186 without sufficient care, the propeller struck a marker flag

    - 22 May 1944, the tail wheel of her Beaufighter broke off after a heavy landing


     m. Lt-Cmdr Keith Marshall (a daughter, Geraldine Mary b. 1958, d. 1979)

    d. 7 May 1994 - Yelverton, Devon


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  • Allen, Myrtle Rita (W.106)

     W.106  2nd Officer  Myrtle Rita 'Mikki' Allen 
     flag usa  b. 26 Nov 1916, Paterson NJ  12 Aug-42 to 11 Feb-44 

     ata myrtle allen 1945 1945

         

     

     

    Father: William A Allen, mother Jeanette

    Ed; Hawthorne High School, American School in Tokyo, Columbia University, NYC

    prev. Mechanical Dept, Curtiss Propeller

     One of the original members of the 99 Club of women aviators.

    She and her mother had visited the UK, in 1930

     prev. exp. 325 hrs

     Address in 1942: 70 Warren Ave, Hawthorne, NJ


    Postings: 15FPP

    One accident:

    - 12 Sep 1942; she overshot her landing in a Hart, applied the brakes too harshly and the aircraft turned over.

    Off sick from 22 Sep to 5 Oct 1942 with bronchial catarrh, and 18 Nov 1942 to 7 Feb 1943 with 'post-operation debility'


    m. 23 Aug 1945 in St Louis MO, Major Joseph Watkins Carter, US Army Signal Corps. They met in London and had been engaged since Christmas Day 1942.

    They divorced sometime before 1953.

    After ATA, Myrtle served with the WASPs.

     ata myrtle allen WASP https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org

    but went to stay with her husband in Italy from 5 Nov 1946 to 14 May 1947, and then spent two years in Japan, 1951-53

     m. 1953 in Paterson., NJ, Carl Henry Willer

    Later a secretary with the US Treasury Dept; moved to Florida in 1965 from Washington DC.

    d. 10 Jun 1966 - Tampa, FL (Age 49)

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Allen, Raymond Sylvester

     M.---- First Officer  Raymond Sylvester Allen 
     flag usa   b. 15 Jan 1921, Bristow Oklahoma 22 Mar 1941 to 21 Mar 1942

     

         

     

    Father: Joe Allen, mother Agnes [Johnson]

    "He resigned as an instructor and pilot at Beaumont, MO with a record of 1,800 commercial flying hours" - The World, 28 Apr 1941

    Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Blecker Makepeace, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531) and Emmett Chaffin


    Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - see CNAC Captain Raymond S. Allen

     

    d. 5 Aug 1999, Bristow OK

  • Alsop, Howard Charles

     M.163 First Officer   Howard Charles Alsop

    flag england

    flag usa

    b. 21 Mar 1909, Manchester  19 Oct 1940 to Feb-41 

           

     

    (Naturalised 1916)

    Address in 1940: 41 Clifford St, Hartford, CT

    prev. pilot; 3 yrs in 118 Observation Sqn, Connecticut NG, 4 yrs AAA Aerial Survey

    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Charles Smith, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Robert Gragg, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    [Resigned]

    Later joined Eastern Airlines

    d. 1979


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ambler, John Sharp

     M.846

    First Officer

    (Seconded from RAF) 

    John Sharp Ambler 
      flag england  b. 24 Jun 1905, Heaton, Bradford  28 Jan 1943 to  15 Apr 1945

       1939 - Yorkshire Aero Club

       ATAM    

     

    Father; Sam Ambler, mother: Emily Beatrice [Sharp], of Hoyle Court, Baildon, Yorks

    One sister, Ruth Beatrice (m. 1923 Emerson Lyman Fisher-Smith, m. 1935 Geoff Morris). His elder brother Lieut. Edward Sharp 'Ted' Ambler (b. 1898) 2nd Bn Scots Guards, d. 8 May 1918 in France

    Ed. Shrewsbury School

     

    A bit of a tearaway in his youth:

     "SMASH - THEN FINES. Said to have been racing, John Sharp Ambler, spinner, Hoyle Court, Baildon, and Laurence B. King, of Helsley. near Chester, were each fined £5 and costs at Otley yesterday for driving motor cycles to the danger of the public.

    It was stated that when near the Junction Hotel, the machine which King was riding met with an obstacle, and it shot from under him. King turned several somersaults and fell on the road. Ambler ran into the kerb about six yards beyond. "Leeds Mercury - Saturday 22 March 1924

     

     "BAILDON MOTOR CYCLIST'S SPEED John Sharp Ambler, worsted spinner, Hoyle Court, Baildon, was summoned for driving to the danger of the public at Baildon on November 12. It was stated by Police Constable Cooper that he was standing in a garage along Otley Road about 2.05 p.rn. when the defendant dashed past on a motor cycle combination at an exceptionally fast and dangerous speed. The constable ran out on the footpath, about seven yards from where hod been standing, and the machine then was 110 yards away.He saw the defendant later, and after some hesitation, Ambler replied that he did not pass until 2.15 p.m., and was driving very carefully.

    Mr. W. T. Scholes for the defendant, submitted that the police hod made mistake in their man. The defendant went to Baildon Station to catch the 1.57 p.m. train to Bradford, but missed it. He returned home, got into his motor clothes, and rode to business. It was 12 minutes past 2 when he passed the public clock at Shipley. Defendant said he had not to be at business until 2.30, and he did not travel at more than 17 miles per hour. He mentioned that he broke the machine on the journey, and it took four days to mend it. After hearing other evidence, the magistrates found the defendant guilty. It was stated that he had been lined £5 for a similar offence at Otley in March last year. He was now fined £5 and his licence suspended for two months." - Shipley Times and Express - Friday 12 December 1924

     

    "CROSS-ROADS CRASH. John Sharp Ambler, worsted spinner. Royal [sic] Court. Baildon was fined £10, with £4 6s. 6d. costs, at Scarborough to-day, for driving dangerously.

    Mr G B Parker, prosecuting, said Ambler drove down Holbeck Road at 50 miles hour and at the cross-roads caught a mailvan driven by Herbert King, who was thrown out and injured. Ambler denied that was driving at such a speed, and said he had slowed up to 15 mph at the cross-roads." - Yorkshire Evening Post - Friday 5 May 1933

     

    prev. a 'worsted spinner'; RAF from May 1941

    prev. exp. 190 hrs on DH Moth, Oxford, Wellington


     Postings: 9FPP

    Two accidents, both his fault:

    - 13 Jul 1943, his Henley L3399 struck a camouflaged hut when taxying - Reprimanded for "taxying without proper care"

    - 16 Mar 1944, he stalled his Barracuda on approach, the port wing dropped and the port undercarriage leg collapsed

     

     "An excellent officer and a sound type of pilot who generally has made such good progress as to warrant every confidence in him making a first rate ferry pilot"

    "He is not happy in fast aircraft in bad weather and is not ashamed to admit it"


     m. 1958 in Kensington, London, Mrs Gwenda Amy Allbrook [nee Oakden] (d. 2000)

     

    Address in 1973: 4 Angel Court, Compton, Surrey; 

    d. 15 Jun 1974 - Compton, Surrey

     

     


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  • Anderson, Homer Edward

     M.496  First Officer Homer Edward Anderson 
    flag usa  b. 30 Jan 1918, Terre Haute, IN

    13 Mar 1941 to 16 Mar 1942

     [368 days]


     

         

     

    Ed. Indian State High School, Terre Haute; W.C. Bryant Grammar School, University of New Mexico

    Next of kin: (Mother) Mrs F R Jones, 3405 Wabash-Terre Haute, IN

    prev. a trainee for Sears Roebuck & Co, Chicago IL.

    Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago IL


    Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Emmett Chaffin (M.568), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531)


    Later flew 'The Hump' with CNAC - See CNAC Captain Homer E. Anderson, Jr.

    Joined Consolidated Airways Inc. (Convair's own transport service, which used B-24s to carry personnel and cargo, and delivered aircraft, to the Pacific Theatre), and moved to San Diego then Santa Cruz, CA.

    m. Marilyn [Richardson] of Jacksonville, FL. Their son Homer Edward Anderson III was born in Santa Cruz, CA on 6 May 1944.

    d. Sep 1973, Seattle WA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Anderton, Sylvanus

    M.378   First Officer  Sylvanus 'Syl' Anderton

    flag england

    b. 21 Jul 1907, Bolton 25 Apr 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata sylvanus anderton 1938 1938

         

     

    prev. A motor trader and motorcycle racer; he and his brother James founded Anderton Bros. Motor Cycles Ltd. in Bolton, Lancashire in 1935.

    Served for 6 months in the Civil Air Guard, as a Unit Leader.

    Address in 1941: 18 Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever, Bolton


    Postings: 3FPP, 14FPP

    In September 1944 his CO, Stan Ogden, wrote "Has been a member of this Pool since Dec 1942. He has proved a willing worker. He uses his head as a pilot and does not attempt to fly in weather beyond his capacity. His discipline has been a good example to more junior members of this Pool."


    Syl Anderton 1949 1949

    from http://triumphtiger100.blogspot.pt/

    Wikipedia: "In 1949 he competed in his first Isle of Man TT event with brother James in the pits. He also competed in the Ulster Grand Prix 1949 to 1951."

    Owned G-AMZI, a 1953 Auster J-5F Aiglet Trainer.

    d. Dec 1983  - Bolton


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Anding, Elbert Beard

     M.316 First Officer  Elbert Beard 'Tex' Anding 

    flag usa

     b. 11 Apr 1905, Rosebud, TX  26 Sep 1940 to Aug-41 

     ata elbert anding ATA      

     

    Address in 1940: 2 Anding Ave, Merrick, Long Island New York

    Joined the engineering staff of the Berliner-Joyce Aircraft Corp, Baltimore, in 1929

    Operated the E.B. Anding Flying Service in Haiti; had also done crop dusting

    prev. exp. 4,980 hrs

    "A sound and intelligent pilot."

    Seconded ("Loaned") to Atlantic Ferry Organisation (Atfero), 20 Mar 1941

    ata elbert anding danny dugan atfero

    left, with Al Torrey (?Eaglerock) of Atfero


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 14 Aug 1941 - one of four ATA pilots, travelling as passengers, amongst the 22 killed in the crash of Liberator AM260 when taking off from Ayr.

    The others were Philip Lee (M.228), Buster Trimble and Martin Wetzel.

    The cause of the crash was that "the pilot in command [Cpt Richard Charles Stafford of BOAC] started the take off procedure from runway 06 which was not suitable for the takeoff as it was too short for such aircraft."

    In October, his wife Jessie wrote bitterly to the ATA:

    "Dear Sir,

    I have in my possession a check for $1,005 as full settlement of my late husband's salary. I feel there has been a mistake in the amount, which I sincerely hope was not intended by the ATA.

    Although it is to no avail to blame anyone for the accident I cannot help feeling that to a certain extent it was nothing more than 'manslaughter'. Capt. Stafford on two occasions at St Hubert airport in Montreal almost let his ships get away from him. Both occasions Capt. Anding was in the ships and I have heard my husband and other pilots discuss the fact that Capt. Stafford was not capable of flying the ships assigned to him. Of course "mere Americans" to even dare assume that an Englishman couldn't out-fly them would be something short of "treason".

    and his brother-in-law added: "... in conversation with [Elbert] I learned there were only two things he was afraid of, Fire and Capt. Stafford - he met both."

    Jessie had suffered financial hardship as a result of her husband's death (he had no insurance), but refused to cash the cheque for some months in protest at what she regarded as the shabby treatment handed out to her and the other families.

    Eventually, on 16 July 1942, an ex-gratia payment of $4,000 was agreed for Jessie, with a further $4,000 in War Bonds in the name of their 9 year-old daughter Mary Anne.

    Jessie wrote back to say she was "... greatly pleased. Might I add that any sarcasm I have shown in past correspondence has not been towards any one individual but to all those who from lack of foresight failed to realize the value and ability of other mankind."

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Andrews, William Arthur

     M.202  First Officer William Arthur Andrews 

    flag UK

     b. 2 Feb 1906, Gibraltar   28 Dec 1940 to Apr-43

           

     

    Educated at King's College School, Wimbledon

    prev. RAF 1925-29: Short Service Commission as Probationary P/O & to CFS Upavon, 26 Sep 1925; Confirmed as  P/O, 26 Mar 1926. 19 Sqn, 30 Sep 26; F/O, 12 Apr 27; 23 Sqn, 12 Mar 28; 41 Sqn, 18 Aug 28.

    On the 3 Apr 1929, he was fined £15 for being drunk at the wheel of a motor vehicle & £5 for driving in a dangerous manner at West Side, Wimbledon Common. When told that he would be arrested, he replied "I have been on the loose. I have had 15, or maybe 17, whiskies with a friend".

    Possibly as a consequence, he resigned his Short Service Commission on the 31 May 1929.]

    [details thanks to Steve Brew]

    Then to National Flying Services Ltd, Hanworth Pk, in Oct 29.

    Pilot for Air Commerce Ltd, Sudan, 1937

    Address in 1940: The Croft, Sandown, I.O.W.


    Postings: 3FPP, 4aFPP, 8FPP

    "A capable pilot on heavy aircraft, does not like flying single engined aircraft... nice personality but apt to be forgetful."

    Resigned from the ATA in Apr-43


    d. Mar 1977 - Isle of Wight


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Angus, Alexander Norman

     M.942 * 2nd Officer  Alexander Norman Angus 
    flag england   b. 11 Jan 1911, Welling, Kent 12 Jul 1943 to 31 Aug 1945 

     ata alexander angus 1939 1939 

         

     

    father: Arthur James Angus, mother Lilian Clara [McNally]

    prev. a cycle mechanic

    Address in 1939: 'Hillcrest', 15 Orchard Terrace, Upper Wickham Lane. Welling, Kent

  • Annibal, Donald Lee

     M.165  Flight Captain  Donald Lee Annibal

    flag usa

    b. 7 Nov 1915, Stroh, IN  12 Oct 1940 to Jul-42 

           

     

    A Commercial pilot - in June 1940 he made a 'perfect' forced landing on the riverbank of the Los Angeles River.

    Address in 1940: c/o his father Lee H Annibal, 2482 Tyler Ave, Detroit, MI


    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Charles Smith, Francis Bender, Robert Gragg, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    Postings: 2FPP, 14FPP

    m. Apr 1942 in Bristol, Glos, Patricia M [Harris], 1 child

    "An excellent pilot. Discipline above reproach."


    B 25 Mitchell

    d. 23 Feb 1943 when a member of RAF Ferry Command, in Mitchell FR148 lost out of Gander

    Commemorated at Runnymede


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ansley, James Whitaker

     M.511 First Officer  James Whitaker 'Whit' Ansley 
    flag usa  b.4 Jul 1908, Marshallville, GA 

    17 Mar 1941 to 22 May 1943

     [796 days]


     

    ata whit ansley 1942

    News-Press Fort Myers, 20 Jun 1942

         

     

    Father: Joseph, a Baptist Minister

    Ed. Fort Myers High School

    m. 1940 Mary Louise [Foxworthy d. 2008], 1 daughter (Margaret Louise [Loy] d. 2015)

    prev. Circulation Manager, News-Press Fort Myers 1925-41

    Address in 1941: Apt 6-2010 Jackson St, Fort Myers, FL


    Postings: 2 FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 1FPP

    "A very good and careful pilot. Navigation very good; keen but inclined to be a little nervous of our weather. Conduct very good."

    He told the Fort Myers News Press: "Can't say how I came over from England except that I didn't swim or use a rowboat... After this job is over, maybe I can tell a few stories. That's one reason I came back to the States for a visit. I was hungry for a few good American jokes. The English are a good lot but not too long on humor."

    "Sure we have plenty to eat in England. The English people are long on morale. You can believe all you have read about the big raids on Germany. England has plenty of planes and with the help of the American Air Force there is no limit to the damage that can be inflicted on Germany from the air. The big show is terrific and no country can stand up under bombing of thousands of planes at one time. We ferry pilots don't do that kind of flying but we do handle plenty of ships that have been over the Channel."

    "Whit grinned and denied that he came across the Atlantic with Churchilll. He did admit to having seen Churchill on a couple of occasions. 'That guy gets around', said Ansley."


     

    In 1944, he was one of the pilots sent to look for Austin Drumm (see above), who had bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. They had travelled to the UK together in 1941.

    d. 3 Nov 1971, Tampa: "Mr. Ansley had lived in Tampa for the past 17 years and was associated with the Coates Oil Equipment Co. Prior to World War Two he served as a ferry pilot with the ATA in England and served as a pilot with the US Navy during World War Two and the Korean War as a Lt. Commander."

    "After the war he returned to Fort Myers and for a time was manager of Page Field after the government turned it over to the county... About 3 years ago he retired as sales manager of the Coates Oil Equipment Co. of Tampa when he was seriously injured in an automobile accident. Since the accident he had been an invalid and entered Bay Pines last Saturday when stricken with pneumonia."

    buried Myrtle Hill Memorial Gardens, Tampa.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Arckless, Irene (W.47)

     W.47 2nd Officer   Irene Arckless
     flag england  b. 28 Dec 1915, Uppingham 1 Aug-41 to Jan-43 

     irene arkless 1937 RAeC 1937

     ata irene arckless MUWW    

     

    Prev. Exp: 53 hrs solo

    Irene was one of those ordinary working-class girls who, by sheer enthusiasm and determination, and with the help of the subsidised Civil Air Guard Scheme, learnt to fly in the years before WWII. She managed to amass over 50 hours solo between 1937 and 1939. Amy Mollison (Amy Johnson as was, and she were only the daughter of a fish merchant in Hull) once snootily dismissed someone as "the typical CAG Lyons-waitress type".

    You've probably met someone like Irene; bubbly, a bit cheeky, innocent, irreverent - 'high spirited', if you like that sort of thing, a complete pain if you don't - and probably exactly the sort of person who would get right up Captain The Hon. Margie 'Mrs Cold Front' Fairweather's nose. Which she indeed did - and of that, more later.

    Anyway, in her first letter, dated 11 Mar 1941, having heard Lord Londonderry's appeal on the wireless the night before, she applied: "I wish to put forward the following for your approval, and I will be most grateful to hear from you if you think that my services could be of use in connection with the ATA... I was studying for my 2nd class navigators certificate and intending to take a 'B' licence but the war stopped all that I'm afraid.

    I am 25 years of age, height about 5ft 4. I would very much like to get into the ATA, particularly as my fiancé is a prisoner of war in Germany (Flt Lt lockyer) and as he is no longer able to fly his beloved spitfires, if I can carry on his good work I would love to do so. I am swotting up all the information I can get hold of with regard to v.p. airscrews, superchargers and boost pressure, as we did not have any of those on our poor old gypsy moths, hornet moths etc!"

    She closed by "Hoping I can do my bit for our dear old country."

     They invited her for a flight test, and on the 31st March she wrote:

    "Dear Mr Wood
    First of all I better give you an explanation of this letter! A few days ago I wrote to W/Cdr G. Tuttle asking if he could tell me anything about the prospects of the A.T.A. I had already submitted my application to them, and have since had a letter asking me to go to Hatfield for a flight test. I have arranged to attend at Hatfield on Tuesday, April 8th at 10-00.
    I have had a letter from Geoffrey today, and he gave me your name and address, and told me to write to you, so I trust you will forgive the liberty I am taking.
    What I want to know at the moment, and before I go to Hatfield next Monday - I am travelling down to London on the 7th instant, is - I might as well come straight to the point! - do you know what kind of machines they are using at Hatfield for the flight tests? I would be most grateful if you could drop me a note and let me know what to expect to handle - 'cause I want to be as well prepared as possible. I have handled Gipsy II, Hornet Moths, Fox Moth, and several of the ultra light types, such as Pragas, Taylor Cubs etc. I am hoping I don't have to do the test on a completely strange machine - if they have Tiger Moths there I shall be quite happy, as they are very similar to Gipsys as you know. If it will be in order for you to inform me what I will be most likely take the test on, I shall be most grateful to you."

    He sent a telegram back which (even before the days of auto-correctign smartphones) managed to read "Tiger Mothers for initial test".

    She was well into her stride now. Here she is, writing to ATA Adjutant Kitty Farrer on the 9 Apr 1941:
    "Dear Madam,
    First of all I would like to say how pleased I am that I was successful in passing my flight test yesterday, and that I am looking forward very much to coming down to take up duty. I already feel I shall be very happy with you all, as everyone was very nice to me yesterday. I do sincerely hope it will not be long before you send for me - you know I am honestly very anxious to get down to what I term 'a real job of work'.
    There was one thing I forgot to ask you yesterday, a rather important one as well! The question of salary!!
    I know the rates as published in 'Flight' but whether these apply to male and female, or only the former, I do not know, will you be kind enough to tell me exactly what the scale is?
    From what you said yesterday, I gather I shall be at Hatfied 'under training' for about a month, & during this time I take it flying pay will not be applicable. I should like to know just how I shall be fixed as regards salary, so that I can make necessary arrangements here before I leave, i.e. (so that if necessary I will have sufficient cash to last me until I draw my first pay).
    I am asking you this because I have recently transferred my Bank balance to War Bonds, & naturally do not want to have to 'cash in' on these if not necessary. I think you will quite understand my asking - I hope so anyway.Further, if there are any special subjects I can 'swot' meantime, will you send me a list? I am swotting up Met: Navigation, etc, and also my morse - I don't know whether the ATA ever have need to use the latter, but it may be useful at some time or other.

    Believe me Mrs Farrer, this job of work I am going to do, & I shall do my utmost to do it well, means an awful lot to me, I told you my fiancé F/Lt Lockyer is a prisoner of War, & to me now, every 'plane we can deliver to the Great Lads of the RAF, means one day nearer to the time he will be home, & everyone carefree & happy again. You don't know Tommy, but he is a grand fellow, & a damn good pilot, he has over 3,000 to his credit! My record is a mere detail beside that isn't it?
    To me, however, his 3,000 hours means an awful lot, & whenever I fly, I always try my best to do it well, I've his good reputation to uphold you see. You'll probably think that a very sentimental reason, on the other hand, maybe you'll understand what I mean.
    By the way, I think I could get off with a fortnight's notice, so if perchance if I could start with you in May, will you let me know. Here's hoping I can start then.

    Forgive me for taking up so much of your time with this letter please, I started it with the intention of being very business like! but I'm afraid it's got to be a personal letter in the end - hasn't it?

    Hoping to be with you all very soon.

    Irene"

    She wrote back to Mr Wood to say thank you, and that "I passed the flight test successfully - in fact, I did very well indeed, so I was told by the Adjutant afterwards - she said "Your test was excellent". So you may guess I felt quite proud of myself!
    Actually I surprised myself I must admit, because after being 'off' flying since the outbreak of war, I thought maybe I'd have forgotten a few things - however I hadn't, thank goodness! because this job means rather a lot to me as I told you."

    Nothing happened...

    20th April 1941, to Kitty:

    "Dear Mrs Farrer,
    Many thanks for your letter of the 14th instant. You know you make me feel very much at 'home' the way you write, and I know that I will be very happy with you all when I come to join you.
    I think I told you I am at an E.F.T.S. at the moment, and British Air Transport, who are running the School, have a scheme for training boys to become engine experts! (we hope!) so after office hours, I am an apprentice! I am trying to put together all the numerous parts which go to make up an aircraft engine!!
    I suppose I will be reaching the 'watchmaker' stage before too long - you know - one piece over! Where the heck does this go?!! I have learned quite a lot about 'twin' types, and already, in theory! I think I could fly 'em!! That remains to be seen, but I hope one day soon I shall be flying twin, or even more than twin types.
    Optimistic aren't I! Strange to say though, right from childhood I've always felt more at home 'upstairs' than on the ground.
    Here's hoping you will soon require some more pilots Mrs Farrer, I'm an awful pest aren't I? but I'm just longing to get started you know."

    Nothing continued to happen...

    5th June to Kitty:

    "Dear Mrs Farrer,
    Yes, it's that Arckless pest again! I am going to ask you something point blank, and leave it to you to decide what happens!
    As so far there seems no possibility of me coming down to join you in the immediate future on the flying staff, I wonder if in the meantime there is any chance of a Ground appointment, either as a typist or clerical staff.
    If there is any opportunity of work of this nature in the meantime, I would be perfectly willing to come down, and then later, when a vacancy exists for a pilot, I could be transferred to that vacancy.
    I feel sure that I could make myself quite useful if there are any openings in this direction, but of course, as you will understand, I naturally want to start on flying duties as soon as possible.
    I am sure you will think I am an awful nuisance, but as you have been so kind, I hope you will forgive me troubling you again. To be perfectly honest Mrs Farrer, this is between you and I entirely -  I am sitting in the office here doing practically nothing all day and I don't like it!
    You see, as Mr Brown, our Accountant, knows I am leaving to come to A.T.A. sometime, he has taken on someone else who is taking over my job, and the point is, that I am left without anything to do, except to watch that my job is done correctly by someone else!
    Well, there you are, thats the position, and if you are able to help me, I shall be most grateful to you.
    Thanking you in anticipation of your reply, Very Sincerely, Irene"

    Nothing still continued to happen; eventually Irene took herself off to another job, so she must have been amazed to finally get the call to report on 1 August 1941.

    She completed training (although she bumped into another aircraft when landing on the 11th August, due to 'bad airmanship'), went on to ferry work, and progressed through the ranks; she was promoted to Third Officer on 5 Feb 1942, then Second Officer on 1 Jul 1942.

    ata irene arckless

    On the 24 Feb 1942, ATA Senior Commander Pauline Gower invited Irene into her office to discuss a rather delicate matter. Irene was typically... forthright:

    "Interview with 3rd Officer Irene Arckless
    To Pauline Gower Dear Madam,
    Further to interview of this morning, I would like to place the following statement on record as I feel it would be more satisfactory from my own personal view point. The matter being to me of a very serious nature, and effecting my good character, as such it has always been to date.

    Reference the accusation made, and presumed to concern myself i.e. that at a certain aerodrome (unnamed) an unnamed duty pilot is reported to have said to me - when I requested the delivery chit to be signed - "I will, if you give me a kiss first".

    I wish to emphatically deny these words, as never, on any occasion, has such a familiar attitude been adopted by any duty pilot wherever I have been.
    Further, I would like to place on record that far from adopting a familiar attitude myself - I get my chits signed as soon as possible, and depart from the duty pilot's office.
    Having served six months in H.M. Forces prior to joining A.T.A. I consider, that as an Officer and I trust, a lady, I know how to conduct myself both in and out of uniform.... "

    Irene demanded a full and detailed enquiry, and went on,

    "I would like to add that recently at a number of aerodromes visited, & by a number of people, I have been mistaken for another female member of the ATA, whether there proves to be any connection with the charge made & the above - will do doubt, after investigation, come to light.
    I an Madam, Your Obedient Servant, Irene

    Pauline (no doubt muttering under her breath 'For goodness' sake, calm down, woman'), replied:
    "With reference to your letter to me of today's date, I would point out to you that you have not been charged with any offence. Certain matters have been brought to my attention and I took the course of discussing these with you in order to clear them up.
    Under the circumstances I shall make a further investigation but in the meantime I am fully prepared to take your word concerning the particular instance mentioned in our conversation this morning."

    ... and that appears to have been the end of that.

    The very next month (March 1942), however, a more serious matter came up, and she was grounded. Without boring you with all the tedious details of 'She said to me, so I said to her', etc, what happened was this:

    On the 15th March, Irene ferried an aircraft from Catterick to Prestwick, via Carlisle. As she landed, who should be watching but Margie Fairweather, and she was not pleased by what she saw; "I noted the circuit and approach of the machine which ultimately turned out to be piloted by 3rd Officer Arckless. The final turn into the slight wind which was blowing, was done in a series of jerks, in the nature of flat turns, and the machine was then under-shooting by several hundred yards. The engine was now used to recover, and height was again gained. Thereafter the machine made a perfectly good landing on the grass. I was shocked to discover the pilot was 3rd Officer Arckless who is known to have some experience."

    Margie confronted Irene, criticised her turns, the height at which she circuited the aerodrome, minutely cross-examined her on her knowledge of the valley, and queried Irene's explanation of a fuel leak for the large quantity of petrol taken on at Carlisle; (she asked for a 'Snag Report' and said "If it's found to be alright, it will be too bad for you", or words to that effect"); she also told Irene she clearly didn't know how to work an altimeter. Margie summed up her opinion of Irene in no uncertain terms: "Her whole bearing during our conversation convinced me, that her extreme confidence in herself as a pilot has no justification."

    Irene, in turn, wrote, "Personally I feel that there is some personal prejudice existing in the whole of Captain Fairweather's attitude" and ended her report by stating, "my one ambition is to be an asset to A.T.A. and not a menace!"

    As it happens, Irene came up with convincing arguments against all Margie's criticisms; nevertheless, she was sent back to School for a Check Flight, with the Chief Instructor, no less. I wonder if she could resist a slight smirk when the report came back:

    19 Mar 1942
    T/O I. Arckless
    We have duly received your report dated 15 March regarding the above Officer, and thank you for writing.
    Miss Arckless has had a flight check with the Chief Flying Instructor who has given us such a good report that we have no alternative but to return her to full flying duties.
    Her explanations on your various points seem fairly satisfactory, but we shall, of course, keep this Officer under observation.

    To be fair to Margie, she was just doing her job, and she was absolutely right to be concerned; the 15th of March 1942 was one of the worst days of ATA's existence, with 6 people dead in 4 separate crashes. Plus, Margie was a very experienced pilot and instructor; if she had concerns about the way Irene was flying, she was aprobably right. But in any case Margie and Irene's personalities and backgrounds were so different, they were perhaps bound to clash.

    Pauline thought it best to transfer Irene anyway, with this note in her file:

    "Miss Arckless suffers from over confidence and I am not at all satisfied with her ability as a Class I pilot. I should be grateful therefore if you would keep a careful check on her flying and general airmanship."

    Irene's next mishap turned out entirely to her credit; on the 20 Aug 1942 she took off in a Mk I Hurricane, and the port undercarriage leg failed to retract. She wrote "I flew around for about 30 minutes trying to get port leg up, or starboard down, by the emergency methods... nothing happened, in any of these directions, the port leg remained down and starboard up.

    After this I circuited the aerodrome, wiggled my wings, and made very amazing other actions. By amazing actions I mean: I trimmed aircraft to fly hands off as well as was possible under the circumstances, took both hands off and feet off everything and tried brute force to move the selector lever... during this period the aircraft certainly appeared to perform some remarkable antics!

    I then did a further circuit and went in to land. Port wheel fortunately retracted and I made a normal crash landing."

    She went back to School, but this time on a conversion course. Her final report was, again, positive:

    "from A G Head, Temp. O.C. Training Pool
    "a keen and safe pilot who has shown considerable initiative and resourcefulness. A likeable personality who is inclined to be rather high spirited but whose work is of a high standard. An extremely good navigator who will make a most useful ferry pilot.She had to cope with a difficult problem in a Hurricane with undercarriage selector trouble recently, and belly landed it with less damage than the Engineer Officer of the Station had ever seen before with similar circumstances. She was exonerated by the Accidents Committee, thus proving her School reports to carry considerable weight.All her work in Training Pool has been very satisfactory."

    She had another accident, on 21 Dec 42; her Airspeed Oxford developed low oil pressure in its starboard engine and she had to force land. The incident was investigated and she was found 'not to blame'.


    Sadly however, her next accident - less than 3 weeks later, in the same type of aircraft - was fatal. On the afternoon of Sunday 3 Jan 1943, her Oxford V3888 crashed onto a house on the outskirts of Cambridge when an engine cut during take-off. She was taken to Addenbrooks but pronounced dead.

    airspeed oxford

    I don't think Pauline Gower ever warmed to her, actually; rather than the usual fairly positive summary, she managed to damn Irene with faint praise: "her conduct and general character was satisfactory and she performed her duties conscienciously"

    Buried Stanwix Cemetery, Carlisle. ATA pilot Ronald Porter (q.v.) is buried in the adjacent plot.

    ata irene arckless grave     ata_irene_arkless_ronald_porter_graves

    The Inscription reads:

    "UNTIL THE DAY BREAK

    Treasured Memories of 

    IRENE ARCKLESS

    Second Officer ATA Ferry Pilot who was accidentally killed

    at Cambridge while on Service 3 Jan 1943 Aged 27 Years

    Beloved Daughter of William and Fanny Arckless

    Also William Arckless Dearly Loved Husband of Fanny

    Who Died 18 Dec 1965, Aged 74 Years

    Also Fanny, Beloved Wife of William

    Who Died 11 April 1987, Aged 92 Years"

     

     The ATA Benevolent Fund went to visit her parents, to offer assistance, but reported back:

    "Mr Arckless is an ordinary working man, being an organ-builder by trade and I understand that in recent years he has not been fully employed, hence the reason that I deemed it advisable to interview the deceased's parents on the question of the Fund.

    Both Mr. and Mrs. Arckless have requested me to thank the Organisation and the Committee for the consideration shown to them, but they feel that, although their daughter contributed considerably to the home, they cannot under the circumstances avail themselves of any monetary allowance which the Committee may have sen fit to grant them as they feel there must be many more deserving cases, namely young widows left with small children."

    Cairns Post, 15 Jan 1943; "Irene Arckless, daughter of a Carlisle organ-builder, was known as "the flying school-girl." She realised her school-girl ambition to emulate Amy Johnson. She made her first solo flight when she was 21. She was killed on the day after her 28th birthday [sic]. She had just returned to her station from four days leave. She was engaged to Flight-Lieutenant Thomas Lockyer, a prisoner of war in Germany.

    Lockyer's father said last night "Tom and Irene had known each other since childhood. She took flying lessons as soon as she left school. When Tom joined the RAF, she was determined to get her 'wings as soon as he.”

    She joined the RAF ferry service in October, 1941 [sic], after she heard that Lockyer was a prisoner. 'One of us must keep flying, she said'.”

      


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip files):

    download grey

    download grey

  • Armstrong, Henry Michael Andrew

     M.748 First Officer   Henry Michael Andrew Armstrong
       b.19 Feb 1906, Lacock, Wilts 10 Jun 1942 to 30 Nov 1945 

      1939

     ATA Henry Armstrong ATA

     ata henry armstrong MAMM MAMM    

     

    Father: Henry William Armstrong, (d. 1934), Mother: Agatha Henrietta Sibilla [Henslow]

    Ed. "privately in France"

     

    prev. Motor Engineer; Electrical Engineer

    RAeC Certificate 17637 dated 11 Apr 1939, taken at Exeter Aero Club

    prev. exp. 30 hrs on Hornet and Tiger Moth

     

    Address in 1939: Down St Mary, Bow, Devon

    Address in 1941: 10a Whitchurch Rd, Bristol (later Manor Farm, Corston, Bristol)


    Ab initio pilot

    Postings: 4FPP, 6FPP, 2FPP

     Off sick from 15 Feb to 3 Mar 1943 with influenza

     

    Reprimanded 3 Oct 1944 for loss of Ferry Pilots Notes

     

    2 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 28 Dec 1943, the starboard undercarriage leg of his Spitfire collapsed, after a normal landing

    - 9 Feb 1945, he was taxying "with insufficient care" in Tempest V NV780 and hit a vehicle, because he had not noticed that it had stopped

    Severely Reprimanded for this taxying accident

     

    m. 1943 in Wokingham, Berks, Olive Betty(e) May or Whittington also of the ATA (daughter Mary Anne b. 1944, son John William Andrew b. 1949)


     He and Bettye ran the Edgcumbe Hotel in Newquay, also from 1959 the Coniston Hotel in Newquay

     

    d. 26 Aug 1984 - Newquay, Cornwall


    Postscript:

    Bettye m. 6 Sep 1986 in Truro, Thomas Nelson Gray

      

    "Oh - Get On! is Bettye Gray's book, [2008] recalling 100 years of Cornwall's holiday scene and how one family (her own) helped to shape it"


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

  • Armstrong, Oliver Eric

     M.101  Commander Oliver Eric 'Paddy' Armstrong 

    flag eire

    b. 19 Mar 1903, Dublin  27 May 1940 to 30 Nov 1945 

        Irish Free Press    ATAM    

     

    Father: Samuel Reid Armstrong (d. 1936), Mother: Charlotte Matilda [Sheircliffe]

    Ed. Diocesan School, Dublin

    prev. RAF Sgt Pilot 1919-31, but "it was not until the last four years of his service that he became a pilot."

    "Isle of Man Airways pilot before the war and later Officer Commanding the Belfast Ferry Pool; one of the best-known characters in the ATA - and in many a corner of his native Ireland." - BG

    "It was the glamour of the first Atlantic flight by Alcock and Brown in 1919 which overcome his father's objections to Paddy joining the Royal Air Force as a pilot. This portion of his career lasted to 1931, taking him to Egypt, Iraq, India, 6:lrmo and South Africa. In 1931 he obtained his commercial flying licence arid joined lona National Airways in his native Ireland.

    Captain Armstrong's next venture was on air service of his own which performed the essential function for the Irish —of flying evening newspapers with the racing results from Dublin to Then came a spell with West Coast Air Services until he joined Aer Lingus in 1936, piloting that company's very first flight, five passengers from Dublin to Bristol in a de Havilland Dragon." - Birmingham Weekly Post

     

    m. 1938 in Kensington, London, Vera Alice [Long]

    Address in 1940: 31 Upper Bagot St., Dublin


     Postings: 3FPP, 1FPP, 6FPP, 8FPP (As CO), 4FPP, 3FPP

    Suspended without pay for a month on 3 Aug 1941, for 'neglect of flying duty"

     

    4 accidents, 2 his fault:

    31 Jan 1940, an incident involving Hempden AD746

    -  1 Jan 1941, Commended for incident involving Manchester L7292

    - 21 Mar 1941, an incident in Wellington W2749 caused by the the aerodrome being in an unserviceable state

    - 8 Mar 1941, the emergency parachute exit of his Stirling N6011 was accidentally opened by the Air Gunner after landing

    - 19 Aug 1941, forced landing near Jurby, IoM, after the starboard engine failed in his Blenheim V5374. See the account by James O'Halloran (who, along with John Milne Greaves and Peter Twiss, was injured)

    - 22 Jan 1944, whilst taxying 'without due care', the starboard propeller of his Wellington X HE755 struck a petrol bowser.

     

     "I am very pleased with the way in which Cmdr Armstrong has always run this remote and difficult Pool (8FPP, Belfast).  - MWS Boucher


       1957

    " When he cut the cake at the Aer Lingus 21st birthday party at Elmdon last week it was said of Captain Oliver Eric Armstrong that few men have done more for aviation in Britain. He hos done it quietly and unostentatiously, but the facts prove the contention - 15,000 hours, or nearly two years of his life, spent in the air piloting more than 100 different types of aircraft, while his log book during and following the Second World War shows daily flights to destinaions all over Europe, with a journey to South Africa by way of variety.

    "Paddy" Armstrong is now mainly chairborne, as commercial manager of Don Everall (Aviation) Ltd., but as the hum of aircraft penetrates his office at Elmdon Airport what memories it wings of life in the clouds.

    After the war he was with various air services at Bristol before corning to Don Everall (Aviation) Ltd. in Birmingham for whom together with charter flights and services to the Isle of Wight, Jersey, Palma and Perpignan, Captain Armstrong has done as many as 40 short pleasure flips in a day. Now, from his desk, he remains in touch with the flights he once piloted and with such unexpected cargoes as pigs from Glasgow to Paris, and corpses from Birmingham to Ireland. Still aviation is Captain Armstrong's life for, asked about his other interests, he will reply, " If you fly, all your time is involved." " -  Birmingham Weekly Post

     

    d. 26 Dec 1959 - Birmingham

    "OBITUARY Capt. Oliver Eric Armstrong

    Capt. Oliver Eric ("Paddy") Armstrong, one of the best-known aviators in the Midlands, died on Boxing Day in a Birmingham hospital. He was 58. 

    As soon as he was out of uniform he joined lona National Airways in Ireland as a pilot, and then started an airline of his own. BAN: newspapers from Dublin to Galway. After a period with West Coast Air Services he joined Aer Lingua in 1939.

    When the Second World War broke out, Captain Armstrong, being too old for the RA.F.. joined the Air Transport Auxiliary. " Paddy* and his men at Belfast ferried aircraft in all kinds of weather. He flew nearly 100 different types.

    After the war he returned to civil aviation, flying for Morton Air Services and Cambrian Airways. He came to Birmingham to fly for Don Everall (Aviation), Ltd., and piloted charter flights and scheduled services to such places as the Isle of Wight, Jersey, Palma and Perpignan. He also took many Midlanders for "joy flights" round Elmdon Airport. Later he was appointed commercial manager of Don Everall at Elmdon, and left the airline early in 1968.

    He leaves a daughter. Patricia. aged 11. The funeral will be at Yardley Cemetery on Thursday." Birmingham Daily Post, 28 Dec 1959

      


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

     

  • Arnette, Kenneth Russell

     M.334 First Officer   Kenneth Russell Arnette
     flag usa   b. 31 Aug 1912, Rutherfordton VA  25 Jan 1941 to Jan-42

     ata kenneth arnetteATA

         

     

    Married, no children

    prev. Barnstorming; Arnette's Air Show (Stunting shows)

    Address in 1941: Henderson, NC

    Next of Kin: c/o Arnette's Ice Cream Co., Richmond, Virginia


    Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP

    "A sound and experienced pilot and in every way satisfactory."


    Killed in action in the India-Burma Theatre 4 Feb 1945

    buried Jefferson Barracks National Military Cemetery – St. Louis, Mo.

    "Learned to fly at the Meyer Airport near Hendersonville, N.C. A graduate of Hendersonville High School where he was an outstanding athlete, he is survived by his mother and four brothers. James Arnette Jr served in the US Navy, Sgt Roy A Arnette with the AAF in France, W C Arnette with the Seabees in the Aleutians, and Milton Prince Arnette, who lives in Hendersonville."

    His brother Roy owned Arnette's Ice Cream Co; he was killed when 3 armed men robbed the company in 1974, hit him on the head and shot him in the arm.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Arthur, Joan Henrietta (W.166)

     W.166  3rd Officer Joan Henrietta Arthur 
     flag england b. 5 Aug 1919, Ealing  8 May-44 to Sep-45 

     joan arthur 1945  RAeC 1945

     

       

    The Final 7 Women Pilots - Betty Keith-Jopp (W.167), Sue Alexander (W.163), JoanArthur (W.166), Ruth Russell (W.165), Annette Mahon (W.164), Aimee de Neve (W.168), Katharine Stanley Smith (W.162)

     

    Father: George Arthur, a Civil Servant; mother Margaret, a nurse

    prev. an insurance clerk

    Address in 1945: 51 Hillfield Rd, W Hampstead, London NW6


     [Ab initio pilot]

    Gained her Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate (No 20488) as part of the ATA's 'Wings' scheme on 3 Aug 1945


    m. 1948 in Hampstead, Eric G Barton

     d. 5 Mar 1993 - Hatch End, Middx

  • Artindale, William Anthony

     M.245  First Officer William Anthony Artindale 

    flag england

      b. 21 May 1904, Sheffield  26 Aug 1940 to Aug-45

     ata william artindale 1935      

     

    prev. a horticulturalist

    [Contract Terminated, but re-engaged 3 Feb 1941]

    d. 1991, Bournemouth


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    IWM interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009669

     

  • Ashburner, Lionel Hector Tracey

     M.340 *  2nd Officer Lionel Hector Tracey 'Ash' Ashburner 
     flag england  b. 17 Jun 1899, Seaford, Sussex  27 Mar 1941 to 30 Jun 1945 

     ata lionel ashburner ATA ATA

     ata lionel ashburner 1971 Flight 1971  ata lionel ashburner 1977 Flight 1977 (both 'Flight')  

     

    father Rev. William Ashburner, [Rector of Dodington], mother Georgiana Alder [Rinder]

    m. 1926 Gladys Violet [Sheriff]

    prev a Planter in the West Indies

    The Imperial War Museum has a 1971 audio tape of him: "REEL 1 Aspects of training as officer cadet with Royal Flying Corps, 1917: early interest in flying; period in army, 1917; basic training at Hastings; technical training at Denham. Period on flying training at RAF Eastchurch, 3/1918: reaction to former Royal Naval Air Service; first flight in Avro 504 K, 20/4/1918; opinion of instructors during dual flying training on DH6 and Avro 504 K; story of nearly throwing instructor out during loop; first solo in Sopwith Pup, 13/6/1918; influenza attack; first solo on Sopwith Camel, 28/7/1918; course as flying instructor at RAF Manston. Period as flying instructor at RAF Eastchurch, 1918: story of nearly flying out in loop; two-seater Sopwith Camel; method of recovering from spin. Demobilisation, 1919.

    Period as sugar planter in British Guiana, 1920-1929. Passing air license during membership of Bristol and Wessex Flying Club, Filton and Whitchurch Airfields, Bristol area, 1929-1930. Period as rancher in British Guiana, 1930-1935. Period as member of B&WFC and Leicester Flying Club, 1935: aircraft flown; flights to various flying club airfields; Armistice celebrations, 11/11/1918-12/11/1918; development of commercial flying using flying boats in British Guiana; story of giving parents flights. Period prospecting for gold in British Guyana, 1935 -1938. Period flying with B&WFC, 1938-1939: failed attempt to rejoin RAF; question of communicating with control tower. Period as air traffic control officer at Croydon airport, London, 1938-1939: prior training course; question of competition between Imperial Airways and other airlines; types of passenger aircraft; use of Morse code to communicate with aircraft; use of map and pins to record aircraft position; method of landing aircraft by ear; flights of Air France aircraft in bad weather.

    Period at Heston airport, London, 1939: review of services and aircraft; army cooperation exercises. Period as air traffic control officer at airfields at Perth, Aberdeen and Whitchurch, 1939-1943: initial rejection due to reserved occupation prior to acceptance on unpaid part-time basis as Class 1 aircraft ferry pilot with Air Transport Auxiliary, 4/1941; opinion of various aircraft flown. REEL 2 Continues: opinion of various aircraft flown; conversion course as Class II aircraft pilot; opinion of Spitfire; story of arrest by military police due to lack of uniform; near accident due to fatigue whilst flying Spitfire and consequent end of control tower duties, 9/1943. Period as fulltime ferry pilot with ATA, 1943-1945.

    https://www.iwm.org.uk/

    Postings: 2FPP

    1977, "Flight"; "Lionel Ashburner from Sywell, Northampton was awarded the John Player Award for Achievement in General Aviation trophy and a £350 cheque for long service in Air Traffic Control. 'Ash' officially retired as an airways controller at Preston in 1963, but then became controller at Sywell, a post he held full-time into his seventies, becoming part-time only this year. He has long been known for an almost magic ability to talk 'temporarily uncertain' pilots into Sywell, aided only by his keen knowledge of Midlands geography."

    d. 9 Feb 1986 - Bristol

    See also http://www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/

  • Austin, James Stanley

     M.---  2nd Officer  James Stanley Austin

    flag england

     b. 7 Apr 1890, Glastonbury 30 Apr 1941 to 21 May 1941 

     ata james austin 1938 1938

         

     prev. a Mining Engineer, then a Motor Engineer

    Royal Navy from 1915-18  then Army Air Corps to 1919

    Address in 1938: "Alclutha", St George's Rd, Sandwich, Kent

    d. 7 Mar 1982, Exeter

  • Avery, Philip de Walden

     M.453  2nd Officer*  Philip de Walden Avery

    flag england

     b. 5 May 1909, London  16 May 1941 to 19 Nov 1942

     ata philip de walden avery 1931 1931

         

     Educated at Harrow

    Pre-WWII amateur aviator who had owned:

    - a 1930 Comper CLA.7 Swift, G-AAZD; 

    - a 1931 DH.60G Gipsy Moth, G-ABPT, and

    - a 1933 Comper CLA.7 Swift, G-ACML

    He also entered (the one and only) Comper Streak, G-ACNC, for the 1935 King's Cup Race, but withdrew before the start.

    m. 1939 Ilona de Walyel

    A Company Director (Minox Ltd)

    Address in 1941: Old Mill Cottage, Wargrave, Berks


    Postings: 1FPP

    "An average pilot, with not too good a sense of discipline"

    [* First Officer from 14 Aug-42 but demoted to 2nd Officer 2 weeks later for flying in bad weather, supposedly for a period of 3 months. However, his contract was terminated before this period ended.

    The accident which caused him to be demoted was on the 15th August 1942, when he 'abandoned a Spitfire after running out of fuel through flying in bad weather'. The final straw was when, on the 16th November, he forgot to lower the undercarriage of a Hurricane when landing.]

    In his defence, he did successfully force-land a Short Scion in September 1942 after engine failure; on the other hand, the Hurricane was the second aeroplane in which his cockpit drill had missed out this rather important item - he had also landed a Blenheim with its wheels up on the 30th August...

    [Contract Terminated by ATA 'due to the number of at-fault accidents' (actually, the Hurricane was his 5th)]


    Address in 1967: The Garth, Wellingore, Lincoln and Kafue National Game Park, Zambia"

    d. Mar 1985 - Lincoln


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Ayres, Ronald Wilfred

     M.667 * First Officer  Ronald Wilfred Ayres 
    flag england    b. 27 Jan 1919, Huntingdon 23 Sep 1941 to 31 Oct 1945 

    ata ronald ayres MAMM

    Manx Aviation & Military Museum

         

     

    prev. an insurance company clerk

    d. May 1998, Huntingdon

  • Bach, Denis George

     M.---- 2nd Officer Denis George Bach 
    flag england b. 22 Dec 1911, Birmingham   19 Aug 1941 to 23 Sep 1941

    ata denis bach 1939 1939

         

     

    Prev. a Technical Engineer

    Address in 1939: 16 Holly Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham


    One accident:

    - 20 Sep 1941, in a Magister; "Pilot got lost and then took off after forced landing, contrary to existing regulations. Wheels of aircraft struck the top of the small hedge and the machine hit the ground."

    Contract Terminated 23 Sep 1941


     d. 4 Jan 1985 - Santa Barbara, CA

  • Back, Charles Lionel Griffiths

     M.341  First Officer Charles Lionel Griffiths Back 
    za-1928flag  b. 23 Dec 1913, S Africa 6 April 1941 to 10 Apr 1943 

     ata charles back 1933 1933

       ATAM    

     

    Educated at St Andrews, Grahamstown, SA

    Arrived in the UK in 1928

    prev. RAF (Pilot Offficer) 1935-37

    Address in 1941: Newton House, Barn St, Marlborough, Wilts


    Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP, 9FPP, 14FPP, 15FPP

    He was described as 'a very capable and experienced pilot, and in every way satisfactory', but had a couple of problems during his ATA career, being placed on a weekly salary basis after writing cheques with insufficient funds to cover them in May-42, and suspended without pay for 3 days in Jan-43 for 'failing to surrender clothing coupons'.

    kenneth mackenzie and patricia 7 jun 1941 Kenneth and Patricia [Pruett], 7 Jun 1941

    He then 'committed misconduct' in Luton with Patricia, the wife of Flt Lt. (later Wing Cmdr) Kenneth Mackenzie DFC, while the latter was away as a wartime guest of the Germans. The divorce judge said that it was "a most lamentable feature of the case that a man who was an officer in the RAF should commit misconduct with the wife of a brother officer who was a prisoner in German hands."

    [Resigned]


    Later a de Havilland test pilot


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Badhe, Ramchandra Murlidhar

     M.560  2nd Officer Ramchandra Murlidhar Badhe 
     flag british india  b. 7 Aug 1905, Saugar C.P., British India 24 Jun 1941 to Jan-43 

     

    ramchandra badhe 1938

    1938

         

     

     Address in 1941: 19 Hartington Rd, East Feltham, Middx

    Next of kin: (brother) Vishnu Badhe, Kelibag, Mahal, Nagpur, India

    M.Sc., then an aircraft assembler fitter for Heston Aircraft Co, Hounslow. From whom he received this slightly awkward endorsement:

    "I would say that Mr R M Badhe has been in our employ for about three years, and we have always found him to be a first-class reliable man from every point of view, and although it is always difficult to get under the skin of certain classes of Indians, I had no hesitation whatever in recommending him for a commission in the RAFVR, and in your case also I feel that he will give you excellent service... He has always conducted himself here in a very correct and respectful manner."


    However, his instructor's report in October 1942 was less complimentary:

    "A keen pilot whose assessment can only be judged by his ability to use his intelligence, which is below average. It was necessary to reprimand him for gross carelessness and lack of airmanship and he has been told that if on any future occasion his airmanship is proved to be lacking, his contract will most probably be terminated."

    Actually, he did have a few accidents...

    - Jul-42, he had a burst tyre on landing a Spitfire (not to blame).

    - Sep-42, he landed an Oxford in the wrong direction and collided with another Oxford, severely damaging both (pilot to blame);

    - Nov-42, he taxied of the perimiter track (to avoid some cyclists, he said) and nosed over in the soft ground (pilot to blame);


    Hawker Henley TT III target tug in flight c1938 

    d. 20 Jan 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Henley L3408 crashed in trees on Ulpha Farm nr Meathop, Westmorland, while attempting forced landing due to engine failure (suspected to be due to water in the petrol system).

    Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 26 Jan 1942:

    ata badhe cremation

    "He was billeted with us... he made many friends amongst my gentlemen, he was a gentleman in every possible way and we shall greatly miss him"

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bailey, Mary (W.---)

     

     

     W.---  2nd Officer

    Hon. Lady Mary Bailey CBE 

    née Westenra

    flag england

    1 December 1890, London  15 Feb 1940 to 29 Mar 1940 


      mini - lady bailey(2)      

     

     

     photo: 1927, aged 37

    Born in London but brought up mainly in County Monaghan, Ireland.

    Her family's home was Rossmore Castle, which was a grand affair built in the 1820s, with turrets, a vast drawing room and servants' quarters, not to mention about 20 cottages on the estate:

    rossmore castle www.monaghan.ie/museum

    Here she is, with her brother Willie, and parents (Mittie and Derry) on a set of steps by the house, in 1913:

    mary bailey rossmore steps Throttle Full Open

    I visited County Monaghan in 2014 and asked in the local museum if they knew where the house was. 'Oh yes' they said, 'but it was demolished forty years ago'. It seems that it became severely infested with dry rot in the 1940s, was abandoned and, indeed, demolished in 1975.

    Anyway, here's all that's left of it now:

    rossmore steps    rossmore walls

    Mary married South African mining magnate and white suprematist politician Sir Abe Bailey in September 1911 (so, she was 21, he was nearly 47; his first wife had died in 1902 and he already had two children). They then had five more children - 2 boys and 3 girls.

    She learnt to fly at the London Aeroplane Club in 1926. She was the first woman to fly across the Irish Sea 'by the long route' from Chester to Dublin, the following August.

    The following March (1928) she began a solo tour to Cape Town, via Malta and then Cairo. Here, her plane was locked away by order of the Governor-General of the Sudan to prevent her from continuing alone, so she contacted Dick Bentley (who had flown to the Cape a few weeks before) to escort her in his own aeroplane over the "dangerous area of the southern Sudan". She then crashed in Tanganyika, writing off her aeroplane (she said it was her fault), but Abe made arrangements for a replacement Moth to be delivered from Pretoria and she continued, despite having 'flu. Abe was there to meet her when she arrived at the end of April. 

    The return journey was made via the western 'French' route - the Belgian Congo, Angola and the French Congo. She finally arrived back at Croydon on 16 January, 1929, 10 months after she left. It was "undoubtedly one of the finest performances ever put up by a woman pilot." 

    Lady Bailey was "so modest, so vague and so charming", and was "surprised that anyone should make a fuss about her journey". 

    A Director of National Flying Services in 1929, (with Frederick Guest, Colonel the Master of Sempill, Alan Cobham, etc); she was also awarded the Brittania Trophy by the Royal Aero Club, and then made a Dame of the British Empire in 1930 for "services to aviation".

    Mary Bailey in 1930 At the Chateau d'Ardennes in 1930

    She was a guest at Amelia Earhart's reception at the RAeC in May 1932 - photo here.

    In early 1933 she gave everyone a scare by disappearing for several days on another solo flight to Cape Town; thankfully, she had only got lost, run low on fuel and landed safely in the Sahara. [Bert Hinkler, who disappeared at about the same time, was killed in the Alps]. She then flew back to England and almost immediately went down with a bout of typhoid, but recovered in time to compete in the King's Cup later in the year.

    Mary Bailey3

    After that, she concentrated on looking after their horses, giving and attending loads more balls and receptions, and marrying off their many children.

    When Abe died in 1940, she settled near Cape Town (still keeping a house in Rutland) and died there 29th August 1960 aged 69.

    King's Cup in 1927, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933

    Lady Mary's aeroplanes were:

    a 1926 DH.60 Moth (G-EBPU),

    a 1927 DH.60X Moth (G-EBSF, the one she crashed in Tanganyika),

    the replacement DH.60X Moth (G-EBTG, which Abe bought in Nairobi);

    a 1928 DH.60G Gipsy Moth (G-AABN);

    a 1929 DH.60G Gipsy Moth (G-AAEE) and

    a 1930 DH.80A Puss Moth, G-AAYA. 

     

  • Baines, Rita Pauline (W.146)

     W.146  3rd Officer Rita Pauline Baines 
     flag england  b. 13 Nov 1921, Stoke-on-Trent 28 Dec-43 to 30 Sep-45 

     rita baines 1945 

    RAeC 1945

         

     

    Ed. Felixstowe College

    prev: Rootes Securities Ltd, (a 'shadow' aircraft factory at Blythe Bridge, near Stoke-on-Trent); MAP from Nov 1942


    Ab initio pilot cadet

    Postings: 15FPP

    Later 'Star Girl No. 2', air hostess for British South American Airlines: (see also Mary Guthrie , who was 'Star Girl No. 1)

    ata rita baines mary guthrie 1946

     

    m. 1946 Captain David Colby, an ex-Pathfinder Squadron Leader

     ata rita baines marriage 1946The Tatler

    "SEQUEL TO AIR ROMANCE

    There was a sequel to an air romance at Trentham Parish Church on Saturday when a former transocean passenger air-liner hostess was married to a pilot in the employ of the British and South American Airways. The bride was Miss Rita P. Baines, the 25-years-old daughter of Mr. C J. Baines, head of Messrs C. J. Baines and Co. Ltd . colour manufacturers, of Stoke, and of Mrs, Baines. The Woodlands. Trentham. and the bridegroom. Mr. David Colby, the 26-years-old son of Mrs Colby. Oulton Broads. Norfolk, a former R.A F. squadron-leader and the holder oi the D.F.C.

    The couple met last January when Miss Baines travelled as air-hostess and made a call at the Gambia (British West Africa) station of the airways company. of which Mr. Colby was station manager." Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 30 November 1946

    [David d. 30 January 1948 (age 27) in the crash of British and South American Airlines' Avro Tudor IV G-AHNP 'Star Tiger', lost on a flight between the Azores and Bermuda. 6 crew and 25 passengers died.]

    m. 1949 Christopher Johnson, MD of Johnson Bros Ceramics

    "The marriage took place at the Priory Church of St. Bartholomew the Great. West Smithfield. London, on Monday, of Mr. Christopher Johnson. younger son of Mr and Mrs Frank Johnson. Kniveden Hall. Leek, and Mrs Rita Colby, daughter of and Mrs. C. J Baines. Woodlands. Trentham. and widow of Squadron-Leader David Colby. D.F.C. After the reception at the Dorchester Hotel. Mr and Mrs. Johnson left for their honeymoon, which is being spent in Italy." Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 20 August 1949

    d. 2007 - Newcastle Staffs

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Baker, John Robert

     M.--- 2nd Officer   John Robert Baker
     flag england   b. 26 Jun 1915, London  26 Sep 1941 to Nov-41

     

    ata john baker 1938

    1938

     ata john baker ATA    

     

    prev. an electrician for the Borough of Stepney from 1932

    prev. exp 25 hrs solo

    L/AC in RAF 22 May - 4 Oct 1940. His 'reference' from them to the ATA says "After being reported extremely backward this ex-pupil was tested on 29th Aug 1940 after 5 hours dual on Oxfords, when it was found that he was definitely below average and completely lacking in air sense. His reactions were extremely slow, flying rough, cockpit drill hazy and judgement bad. He was therefore withdrawn from flying training. It is considered that this ex-pupil is entirely unsuited for the work of a Ferry Pilot".

    Even his ATA flying test reported him as "keen, but painfully slow at times" and "very lacking in common sense".

    Nevertheless, he was taken on as a Cadet.

     ... And died a few weeks later, in a flying accident.


    Miles M.2H Hawk Major G ACYO W.Waltham 03.06.53

    d. 20 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Miles Hawk Major DP848 (ex G-AENS) on training cross-country flight ran out of fuel and hit hill nr Priddy Wells Somerset in bad visibility.

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Ballard, Edwin Dana

     M.579 First Officer  Edwin Dana 'Eddie' Ballard 

    flag usa

    b. 7 Sep 1913, Holyoke, Mass.  5 Jun 1941 to 23 Jan 1945 

      ATAM

      ATAM    

     

    Father: Harry Earl Ballard, mother Caroline S [Evans]

    Ed. Highland Grammar School, Holyoke; Augusta Military Academy, Long Island, NY

    prev. 1933-34 US Army 62nd Coast Artillery, Private First Class;

    Operator, Valley Air Sales, Springfield, Mass.; Paper Maker. Purchasing Agent

    prev. exp. 470 hrs

    Address in 1941: Leahey Ave, South Hadley Center, Mass.


     Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP

    Reprimanded in Aug-42 for 'flying at low altitude', and suspended for 1 week in Feb-43 for 'taking off in Spitfire with hood open'

    2 accidents, one his fault:

    - 12 Apr 1942, his Spitfire nosed over after taxying into an unmarked soft patch, and

    - 9 Feb 1944, when his Anson developed an engine problem and he did a precautionary landing, but then took off again even though there was a 200rpm mag. drop. Again, the engine misbehaved, so he had to do another forced landing. "It is considered that the pilot made an error of judgement in deciding to take off in the circumstances."

    "A capable and hard working pilot who makes a good officer if he watches his tongue" "His flying is good and his keenness to take on any work at any time cannot be considered anything but first rate"

    "He talks too much and too loudly and appears to have a profoundly irritant effect on many of his colleagues. He is, however, good natured and quick-witted."

    He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Manley Fairbrother, and Harry Kindberg.

    m. 1942 Ethel (Ruth) Lambton, also of the ATA and Edwin then spent September 1943 to January 1943 in the USA.

    In September 1944 Edwin, Ruth and her son Peter Lambton, age 9, sailed to the USA.

    In January, Ruth and Edwin were hauled before a disciplinary court for 'drinking during an unauthorised period in spite of a warning by a senior officer' and 'insubordination'.

    The Court was inclined Not to overlook the offences. "After considering the evidence, and after hearing verbal evidence given by Commander Whitehurst and Captain Rome the Court reached the conclusion that the charges were fully substantiated, and after reviewing the record of both these officers, who as pilots have undoubtedly done a good job, the Court nevertheless came to the conclusion that their disciplinary record throughout, as disclosed by the History Cards, has left a great deal to be desired, despite repeated warnings, and that this incident is so bad as to warrant their instant dismissal".

    Ruth and Edwin were duly dismissed on the 23rd January 1945. 


    They sailed to the USA on the 21 Feb (to Edwin's home town of Hadley, MA), had 2 more children and then moved to Nassau, Bahamas in 1950 where Eddie took a job as a pilot for Bahama Airlines.

    ATA women in Nassau 1957 

    Ann Wood-Kelly, Lettice Curtis, Ruth Ballard and Winnie Fair, in the Bahamas in 1957 (ELC)

    d. 31 Mar 1978 - Nassau


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Bambridge, Frederick Edward Arthur

    M.51 Flight Captain  Frederick Edward Arthur 'Bam' Bambridge 

     flag england

     b. 7 Mar 1897, Ealing, London

    8 Apr 1940 to 31 Mar 1943 (as pilot)

    to 30 Nov 1945 (as Flying Control Officer) 


      ata frederick bambridge BG 2 BG      

     

    Father: Arthur Leopold Bambridge (d. 1923), Mother: Anna Charlotte Caroline [Siebert]

    Ed. Marlborough

    Royal Field Artillery (6th [Duke of Edinburgh's] Wilts Regiment, Commissioned 12 Apr 1915, in France from 28 Oct 1915), RNAS (Flight Sub-Lieut from 17 Sep 1917, 2nd Lieut), RAF from 1 Apr 1918 (Lieut)

    As a Flight Sub-Lieut. in the RNAS, he was seriously wounded in March 1918. This accident, according to research done by his grand-daughter, was "whilst serving as reconnaissance scout in RNAS 2nd Squadron based at Bergues. On 22 March 1918 he and his gunner were hit by anti aircraft fire over Ostende. Bam and gunner Harry Lovelock managed to crawl out onto the wings of the DH4 biplane and witnesses described seeing plane initially diving then fluttering down like a leaf then diving again. Tragically Harry lost his grip and fell at about 1,000 feet from the ground. Bam hung on the tail until a few feet above the ground when he threw himself clear. The plane on crashing rolled over on top of him breaking his legs in several places. The true account was hushed up for the sake of gunner Harry's parents feelings."

    In March 1919 he relinquished his commission on account of "ill-health (caused by wounds)" but was permitted to retain his rank. 

    In July 1919, Flight said (presumably referring to an earlier accident): "Lieut. Bambridge, who had the distinction of losing the tail of his machine at 15,000 ft. in France, and descending on the top plane more or less successfully, was in charge of the ground operations" for an air display in Liverpool.

     

    m. Jul 1926 in Steyning, Sussex Vera Maud [Fullick]

    vera fullick bambridge Vera

    His patent No 338,495 for 'Improvements in or connected with Braking Means for Aeroplanes and the like purposes" was published in December 1930:

    ata frederick bambridge 1930 patent

    "The braking force is applied directly to the landing wheels and undercariage.... My invention admits of several modes of application and according to one embodiment a bracket or like device having slots in angular or other suitable relation is employed in co-operative relation with and at each end of the axle of the landing wheels."

    ata frederick bambridge fiona

    Address in 1940: Waimate, Gordon Rd, Whitstable


    Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP, 4bFPP

    Suspended in Jan 1941 for nine days for 'Accumulative Misdemeanours'

    Suspended for 7 days in May 1941 for 'disregard of flying regulations at 33 MU Lyneham'

    1 accident, not his fault:

    - 18 Jun 1941, the wheels of his Anson got clogged in long grass, 'which prevented the pilot obtaining sufficient height to clear an obstruction'.

    "This officer though limited in his flying activities for medical reasons has more than made up for it by his energy and organising ability in the Operations Room where he has proved himself a very great asset."

    Transferred to ground duties 31 Mar 1943.

    "Is a very conscientious officer. Unfortunately he is not good at handling his staff, and does not achieve a good team spirit."

    Or, "A first class organizer and highly efficient Chief Flying Control Officer."


    In September 1945 as the ATA was being disbanded, the Air Movements Flight held a 'Farewell Dinner'. The menu, and a 'poem' in the form of an ABC, have survived:

    ata amf farewell dinner front 1024

    ata amf farewell dinner front 1024

    ata amf farewell dinner front 1024

    People mentioned: 

    Aubrey Bower [M.758]

    Bill [Guy] Harben [M.18]

    Bragg

    Bam

    Toni Combi [M.588]

    Diana Hutchinson [W.107]

    Delia

    Fordie

    Ian Forbes

    Fitzy

    Ireen Garge

    Groupie Hill

    Georgei Hayman

    Harry Hamilton

    Jack Hollande

    Harry Harrison

    Johnny Jordan

    Joesph Smallbone

    Johnny Scarborough

    Joan

    Les Kemp

    H. C. Mason

    Mary

    Mac

    Peter

    Stan Pigott

    Tom Preston

    Paddy

    Eulalia Rodd

    Seaward

    Spratt

    Becky Sharp

    Len Thornhill

    Wendy

    Stan

     ---

    d. Dec 1966 - Elstree, Herts

    His grand-daughter Fiona kindly tells me that "Bam's mother, Caroline Charlotte Anna Siebert-Charters, was a German aristocrat. His father, Arthur Leopold Bambridge, was an artist who exhibited several times at the Royal Academy and was a Member.

    Bam's parents divorced when he and his elder sister Emily were small, in 1904. It was his mother who filed for divorce; she took Emily to Germany with her, leaving Bam with his father in England, apparently so that he did not get naturalised to being German.

    Bam went to primary school locally in Wiltshire, then later went to stay with his uncle William, who was a Professor of Music and organist for Marlborough College. Bam spent 2 years at Marlborough, although not very successful academically I was informed by their archivist.

    He joined the RFA in 1915, then RNAS. He was shot down twice in France, once whilst his passenger took aerial photos; the passenger was sadly killed, Bam was injured and thereafter always walked with a limp.

    Bam met Vera when he retrieved her Alsatian dog after it had run off in fields near Shoreham airport. When he inherited his mother's money, he and Vera lived the high life - skiing in Switzerland, Cannes for the casinos (Bam loved gambling), and were friends with the Benetti brothers (racing cars). 'Bam' worked as a stunt pilot, carpenter, admin for BOAC in a London office, and also sold sun lamps. 

    Bam and Vera had four children, Angela, Anthony, Brian and John. John became a pilot in the RAF and also flew privately. My aunt, Angela, is the last one still with us

    Bam joined up in the early days of the ATA; a friend of his from Whitstable, Herbert Mason (q.v.) was joining so he applied. At first he flew planes, then later was promoted to Flight Captain. You can see his name in the marvellous poem written at the end of the war for their final evening dinner party.

    Bam and Vera separated around 1940, and divorced after the war. Bam remained in Maidenhead (near the old White Waltham ATA base), living in a small flat,  and used to visit the old ATA base, by then an Aero Club. He also avidly read flying magazines sent to him by his sister Emily. Bam died of tuberculosis in hospital in Herts in 1966.

    He was in contact with some of his relatives during those years including his cousin Philip whose wife told me how Bam lived a very simple life - "one plate, one cup,"less washing up", he said. He was fond of her small children, he was always a gentleman, had twinkly eyes and a lively smile.

    The ATA ladies, Joy Lofthouse and Mary Ellis both told me in 2011 that Bam was a gentleman. He was often to be seen standing at the end of the runway at White Waltham, looking up into the sky." 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Banister, Eirene Rosemary (W.119)

     W.119 3rd Officer   Mrs Eirene Rosemary Banister
     flag england  b. 20 Jul 1919, Budleigh Salterton, Devon 12 Jul 1943 to 30 Sep 1945 

     eirene whittow 1939   RAeC 1939

       1940 (The Bystander)    

     

     née Whittow

    Father Richard Whittow (a Merchant and farmer), mother Eirene Frances Stewart [Tweedie] (m. 1910 in Colombo, Ceylon)

    Address in 1939: Muryn, Brockenhurst, Hants

    Sailed to the UK from Port Said with her parents in December 1938, then to the USA in June 1939

    Civil Air Guard in 1939

    prev. exp. 3 hrs on Gypsy Moth

    m. 31 Mar 1940 in Brockenhurst, Lt. Peter Charles McConnel Banister RN,  DSC (d. 19 Jul 1941 in HM submarine 'Umpire' which collided with a trawler off the Norfolk coast on its maiden voyage) (1 child, Carol b. 1941)


     Postings:  5TFPP, 12FPP (Sec), 15FPP

     Class III pilot


     m. Sep 1947 in Hants, Hugh Digorie Seccombe (2 children: Celia b. 1948, Geoffrey b. 1949)

    Moved to Guildford, Surrey and died there 1 Jun 2011


     IWM interview (from 1989) here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009672

  • Barker, Albert

     M.506 First Officer  Albert Barker 
     flag england   b. 16 Apr 1908, Shipley 6 Jun 1941 to 31 Oct 1945 

     ata albert barker 1935 1935

     ata albert barker ATA    

     

    Educated at Shipley Central School

    m. 1934 May [Jackson]; 1 child

    prev. Company Director, Valley Road Motors (Shipley) Ltd;

    RAF Jul-40 to Apr-41, AC/2 Cadet

    Address in 1941: 6 Hilton Ave, Frizinghall, Bradford


    Postings: 7FPP, 8FPP

    Off sick from 2 Dec 1942 to 23 Feb 1943, following a crash-landing in Wellington W5587 after complete failure of the port engine.

    Suspended for 1 day in Dec-43 for Loss of Ferry Pilot's Notes;

    Aug-44, reprimanded for low flying: "This pilot has not settled down at this pool, I have recommended C.O.O. to post him [back to 7FPP]. O.C. 8FPP

    "An excellent Officer who, by his good flying and behaviour, has been a real asset to the Pool."


    d. Mar 1981 - Staincliffe, N Yorks

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Barnato, Diana (W.59)

     W.59  First Officer  Diana Barnato MBE FRAeS
     flag england  b. 15 Jan 1918, Camden Town, London  2 Dec-41 to Aug-45

     diana barnato walker ATA   ATA

         

     

    Father: Capt. Joel Woolf 'Babe' Barnato (a financier, chairman of Bentley Motors and a racing driver), mother: Dorothy Maitland [Falk, divorced 1935]

    Ed. Queen's College, London

    prev. VAD nurse and with the Red Cross

    prev. exp. 10 hrs

    Address in 1941: Ridgemead, Englefield Green, Surrrey


    Postings: 15FPP

    Severely Reprimanded in May 1943 for "appearing at Windsor Races wearing trousers and side cap", and Reprimanded in Jun 1943, and demoted to 3rd Officer for 'divertion of operational aircraft"

    m. 6 May 1944 in Englefield Green, Wing-Cmdr Derrick 'Derek' Ronald Walker DFC (d. 14 Nov 1945 in a flying accident)


    Post-WWII, having gained her commercial licence she became a pilot for the Women's Junior Air Corps, giving air cadets air experience and training flights at weekends.

     

    In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Diana was one of only 7 women flying commercially: -  "Diana Barnato-Walker flies regularly for the Women's Junior Air Corps"  - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field."

    [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Monique Rendall, Jean Bird, Suzanne Ashton, Zita Irwin and Freydis Leaf]

     

    She was awarded the Jean Lennox Bird Trophy in 1963:

       0398 0272a

     Receiving the Jean Lennox Bird Trophy from Lord Brabazon, 1963 [RAeC]

     

    On 26 Aug 1963 she became the first British woman to exceed the speed of sound, and the fastest woman in the world when she attained Mach 1.65 (1262 mph) in an E.E. Lightning T.4.

    Wrote "Spreading My Wings" (1994)

    d. 28 Apr 2008

    "In later years Diana Barnato Walker took up sheep farming and was master of the Old Surrey and Burstow foxhounds for thirteen seasons, while continuing to fly for the Women's Junior Air Corps (renamed in 1964 the Girls' Venture Corps). She also became commodore of the Air Transport Auxiliary Association. She died of pneumonia on 28 April 2008 in a hospital near her sheep farm in Surrey, and was survived by her son, Barney."


     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Barrington, Edward Leslie

     M.699 *   Edward Leslie Barrington M.C., D.F.C.
    flag england b. 23 Jun 1895, Harborne, Stafford 4 Feb 1942 to 19 Oct 1943 

     

         

     

    Awarded the Military Cross 26 May1917 as a 2nd Lieut (temp Captain) in the Devon Regiment, "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He succeeded in establishing telephonic communication with the front line almost immediately the objective was reached. He set a splendid example of courage and determination."

    Later joined the RFC and RAF.

     Flt-Lt in RAF in 1924, later Sqn-Ldr


    One accident:

    - 27 Jul 1943, in Hellcat FN324; "during take-off the aircraft swung to port and sruck the marking post on a cart working out of sight over the crest of the runway"


    d. 1976 - Cheltenham, Glos

  • Bathurst, Benjamin Ludlow

     M.689 * Senior Commander 

    Hon. Benjamin Ludlow 'Ben' Bathurst

    2nd Viscount Bledisloe 

    flag england   b. 2 Oct 1899, Westbury, Wilts 1 Dec 1941 to 15 Dec 1945

     ata benjamin bathurst 19281928

      ATAM    

     

    Ed.  Eton, Magdalen College, Oxford (B.A.)

    2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in WWI.

    prev. a Barrister at Law; Squadron Leader in the RAF.

    m 1933 Joan Isobel [Krishaber]

    Postings: before Apr 43, ATA Chief Establishment Officer; from Apr 1943 Director of Services and Personnel

    "In early 1944 [6 Apr] the ATA were called in to collect a Hudson from Holmsley South in the New Forest, which had been flown in from the Middle East and had been landed, one must suppose, at the first airfield in England that came into view. The task fell to Ben Bathurst, one of the senior members of the headquarters staff, who had only recently completed his Hudson conversion course. Nobody at Holmesley South had ever seen a Hudson but eventually, the crew satisfied themselves as to the serviceability of the aircraft and made their departure.

    The runway at Holmesley South was a long one but even so, the Hudson even with full engine power refused to become airborne and the take-off ended in an adjacent field minus wheels and engines.Ben and his flight engineer were indeed lucky to escape."

    "During the next few months three Hudsons were lost in similar circumstances, in each case the crew being killed. It was at this stage that Coastal Command put in hand an investigation which showed that all four Hudsons had recently returned from the Middle East where they had been parked out in the tropical sun. The sun and heat, it was decided, had split the rubber of the wing leading-edge de-icing boots causing a breakdown of the air over the wings. After this the rubber was replaced by metal sheeting." ELC

    He also had another accident on 2 Jan 1945, when his Stinson Reliant FB669 landed at White Waltham minus an escape hatch, which must have blown off in flight, "probably due to insecure fastening."

     ata ben and joan bathurst 1946

    "The Hon. and Mrs Benjamin Bathurst" Tatler, 1946

    d. 17 Sep 1979

    see his entry in  https://en.wikipedia.org

  • Baugh, Robert Edward

     M.559 First Officer  Robert Edward Baugh 
     flag england  b. 30 Nov 1900, Birmingham 18 Jun 1941 to 15 Mar 1944 

     

         

     

    Father: Robert Baugh, [d. 1946 in Rome], Mother Fanny Dingley [ d. 1935]

    Ed. Kings Norton Secondary School, Birmingham

    m. 1930 Hilda [Thomas]; 2 children [Samuel b. 1934, Miranda b. 1943]

    RAF 1920-24, Flying Officer

    prev. a Representative for Osmond and Sons, Ltd, Grimsby (a Cattle Medicine Manufacturer)

    Address in 1941: Dorrington, Shrewsbury


    Postings: 12FPP, 5FPP, 7FPP

    He was a passenger in the crash of Anson N4929 at Scorton airfield on 18th November 1941. "The tail wheel appears to have jammed on landing and caused a swing to develop on the ground, the swing was uncontrolled and the starboard undercarriage leg appears to have collapsed resulting in the aircraft skiding to a halt with the starboard wing and aileron being listed as damaged."

    http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york41/n4929.html

    Off sick 6 Feb to 9 Mar 1942 with dental caries;

    Off sick 12 Sep to 30 Nov 1942 with concussion.

    "His progress through the School was very slow, due partly to a long period of sickness, and a tendency to lack confidence. He is of a somewhat nervous disposition... as a pilot, he is about average."

    "He is a modest man with a likeable personailty and the makings of a good officer."

    [Contract Terminated by ATA 15 Mar 1944]


    Post-WWII, he worked in Kenya (see below) and travelled back to the UK from Mombasa, alone, arriving on the 28 Nov 1958.

    Hilda had travelled back to the UK, alone, in Aug 1956.

    On 9 Dec 1959, he wrote to Diana Barnato Walker this sad little letter:

    "Dear Mrs Barnato-Walker,

    You may possibly remember me in the old A.T.A. days - but it is a long time ago. I was at St Pauls on Remembrance Sunday this year and saw you there, but did not have a chance to speak to you as I had to leave directly the service was over.

    The purpose of this letter is to ask you if you can help me to get a job in Africa where I believe you have large interests. I have been in Kenya for the last few years doing irrigation and development work and planting. Before the war I was cotton-growing in the Sudan and Egypt. In Kenya I was in a government department working in the Northern Frontier Province, but in 1958 the scheme I was engaged on was abandoned owing to the financial recession, and I became redundant. I stayed on in Kenya for some time with friends hoping to get another job but there was nothing doing; during this time I had the misfortune to have a riding accident in which I fractured my skull and broke my hip-bone, and as I could not afford to pay the hospital fees out there I had to return to this country for treatment.

    I am quite better now but have no qualifications for a job in this country, although I have tried very hard to get work I have had no luck. My money ran out some time ago and I have been (and am) living on a very small allowance from the National Assistance Board, which just pays for my cheap lodgings. I am most desperate to get work, and if you can put me on to anything I shall be more than grateful.

    Yours Sincerely, Robert E Baugh

    p.s. I am perfectly willing to do anything and go anywhere."

    Diana passed the letter on to Mr Moore, who was the ATA contact point, and added:

    "4 Jan 1960

    Dear Mr Moore,

    Here is the letter that I spoke to you on the telephone about. If you can do anything right away for him perhaps you will let me know?

    I have no contacts now in South Africa, but suggest that when you have contacted Baugh re his present position, that I send his letter on to Mr and Mrs Alan Butler - she was Lois Butler of the ATA - & see if they have any ideas, or offers of employment. For they have a considerable estate in Nairobi.

    Unfortunately they are away until mid February."

    ... And that is all I know, so far... (sorry)

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Baxter-Jones, Victor Richard

     M.585 First Officer   Victor Richard Baxter-Jones
     flag england b. 7 Jun 1918, Wells, Somerset  15 Jul 1941 to 31 Dec 1945 

     ata victor baxter jones 1936 1936

     ata victor baxter jones ICCL  ata victor baxter jones 1947 1947  

     

    Educated at Jordan Hill College School, Glasgow

    gertrude eklid 1939 Trudy's 1939 RAeC Cert photo

    m. 1940 Gertrude 'Trudy' [Eklid], 1 daughter

    RAFVR Mar-Nov 1937

    prev.  Ground Engineer for Bristol Aeroplane Co

    Address in 1941: 7 Market Hill, Calne, Wilts


    d. 31 Jan 2014, Gainesville GA

    "Mr. Baxter-Jones also became the senior concierge at Maxim's de Paris in Palm Springs, Calif. He was loved by all the hotel guests for his English appearance, accent and manners.

    When World War II ended Mr. Baxter-Jones worked for the De Havilland Aircraft Company. This career took him from England to the United States in 1957. He lived in Rockford, Ill., Plymouth, Mich., San Antonio, Texas, and Palm Springs, Calif., until moving to Georgia in 1992. He loved the friendly people and beauty of the state of Georgia especially the birds, the wildlife and the climate.

    He met the love of his life, Trudy at a flying club in England at the beginning of World War II. She had learned to fly and had made a solo flight before they married. He felt that it was too dangerous for a woman to fly during the war so she never flew again.

    Mr. Baxter-Jones wished to be cremated and his ashes returned to his birthplace, in Wells, Somerset, England. A memorial service will be performed at a later date in his beloved Wells Cathedral. 
    Mr. Baxter-Jones is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Steve McMillian, Gainesville; granddaughter and husband, Shea Jaworski, North Little Rock, Ark.; great-grandson and great-granddaughter, Vincent and Anna Jaworski; and his niece, Penelope Baxter-Jones, Hampshire, England. 

    See http://www.legacy.com/obituaries

      


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bayliss, Peter Wellburn

     M.257  First Officer Peter Wellburn Bayliss 
    flag england b. 17 Jul 1915, Wolverhampton  18 Feb 1941 to Aug-45 

     ata peter bayliss 1939 1939

         

     

    educated at Charterhouse

    an Iron Founder (Bayliss, Jones & Bayliis Ltd, Wolverhampton)

    Address in 1941: 'Woodthorne', Tettenhall, Staffs


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP, 12FPP, 14FPP

    "A good pilot of sound average ability", but he was:

    a) severely reprimanded and given 2 extra duties for 'Neglect of Duty' in Jun-43; "When detailed for night duty pilot and fire-watcher, he left the airfield on two occasions without permission" and

    b) reprimanded in Feb-44 for taxiing a Proctor so carelesslythat the port wing hit a gate post.

    He seems to have settled down later; his discipline was regarded as "satisfactory" by late 1944.


    aline johncelyne bayliss 1946

    m. Aline Johncelyne Spiers (nee Pickin), also an aviator, in 1946

    Flew Proctor II G-AKXZ in the 1949 Goodyear Race

    He took out a patent in 1956: "Improvements in or relating to vices" (not that sort of vices, silly).

    Later Director and Secretary of Brockmore-Bede Aircraft of the Brockmoor Foundry Co., Brierley Hill, W. Midlands.

    d. 14 Nov 1992 - Titley Kington, Herefordshire


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Bayly, John


     M.59 Flight Captain  John Bayly MBE 

    flag england

     b. 23 Feb 1911, Leominster  29 Apr 1940 to Aug-45 


      ata john bayly 1935    ATAM    

     

    Ed. Winchester, then BA from New College Oxford

    prev. Coldstream Guards 2nd Lieut. 1929-31

    a Timber Merchant

    Address in 1940: Amberde House, Taunton

    prev. exp. 540 hrs. Owned 2 aircraft:

    - G-ACRD, a 1934 BA Swallow 2, and

    - G-AEUX, a 1937 Miles Whitney Straight.


    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 6FPP, 7FPP, 9FPP (also seconded to AFTS, Air Ministry and RAE Farnborough)

    "An excellent ferry pilot, an admirable officer and a charming person. If his reactions to a situation are not always conventional, they are always sound and sensible."

    Feb-45: "His qualities are such that he has been appointed acting second-in-command of No. 9 Ferry Pool". 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Beaumont, Edith (W.138)

     W.138 3rd Officer  Edith 'Ditty' Beaumont 
     flag switzerland + flag germany ->flag UK  b. 24 Aug 1917, Berne, Switzerland  20 Sep-43 to Sep-45 

      ata edith beaumont

    via Michael Mackenzie

     edith beaumont 1945 RAeC 1945    

     

    Mother (Emily) and father both German.

    After Edith was born in Switzerland, she and her mother Emily moved back to Bavaria, then Emily married, in 1920, RAF Flying Officer (Later Air Commodore) Frank Beaumont (prev. RFC, PoW in WWI, 1935-38 Air Attaché, Prague, 1942-45 Director of Allied Air Co-operation and Foreign Liaison, 1945- Air Attaché, Belgrade)

    Ed. Heathfield School, Ascot

    British Nationality 1936

     prev. private secretary to the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia

     ata edith beaumont june cole 1945 

    with June Cole in 1945 (with thanks to Michael Mackenzie)

    Gave up flying in about 1947, after a leg problem.

    m. 1948 Dr. Charles Petri (divorced)

    m. 1953 James Young Mackenzie (2 sons)

    d. 1 Dec 1991

    Her son Michael kindly tells me that "Our mother told my brother that there was a fellow pilot in whom she was interested and on good terms with. One day, she went into the Mess and, while talking to somebody else, saw this man across the room and said, “Ah there is XXXX. I must go and say hello”, whereupon the person to whom she was talking said words to the effect of “But do you not know? He died in a crash.”

    "Our mother was not given to drama, indeed quite the contrary." 

      


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bebb, John Lloyd

     M.57  Junior Captain John Lloyd Bebb 

    flag wales

     b. 23 July 1901, Aberystwyth  29 Apr 1940 to Jan-42 

      

    john bebb 1932

    1932

         

     

    prev. Farming, Engineering and Aircraft Operator

    prev exp. 700hrs

    He owned:

    G-AAHE, a 1929 Avro 594 Avian IV (which competed in the King's Cup, 1931);

    G-ACFH, a 1933 Avro 640 Cadet, and G-ACPB, a 1934 Avro Cadet, which he offered to the ATA.

     

    Commended by his C.O. in June 1941 - "outstanding... always willing to start at any time of the day for any destination.  One of our best."


    curtiss hawk

    d. 30 Jan 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Curtiss Mohawk AR671 stalled attempting forced landing at Pershore Aerodrome following engine failure.

    buried Capel Madog. 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Beckton, John Anthony Harkness

     M.1009 3rd Officer  John Anthony Harkness Beckton 
     flag england  b. 16 Jul 1917, Brighton   4 Oct 1943 to 30 Jun 1945

     ata john beckton ATA

     ata john beckton MAMM MAMM    

     

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bell, Betty (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet  Betty Bell 
     flag england  b. 23 Sep 1919, Holborn, London  1 Apr 1942 to 2 May 1942

     

         

    Father: Robert Norton Bell, 55 St Albans Park, Sidney Parade, Dublin, mother: Marie [Stemple or Stempel, d. 1939]

    Ed. Westcliff High School, Essex


     [Contract Terminated by ATA - "Unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot"]


    m. 1942 in Dublin, Matthew David Buchalter(?)

    d. 7 Oct 1978 (?)


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bell, Dorothy Ritson (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet  Dorothy Ritson Bell 
     flag england b. 27 May 1920, Carlisle   8 May 1944 to 25 May 1944

     dorothy bell ata

     ATA

         

     Father: Alfred Redmayne Bell (an agriculturalist, d. 1925 in Nigeria), mother: Ruth Dorothy [Ritson]

    prev: Private secretary; WAAF

    Next of Kin: (uncle) Alan Brewis Bell

    Address in 1944: Cardrona, Wise Lane, Mill Hill London NW7


    Contract Terminated by ATA - unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot


     m. 1945 in Paddington, John T Tierney (?)

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bell, Frank William

     M.489  First Officer Frank William Bell 

    flag england

    b. 7 Jun 1903, Lincoln  10 Jun 1941 to 12 Jul 1945 

     ata frank bell 1930 1930

     ata frank bell ATA  ATAM  

     

    Educated at Gresham School, Holt then New College Oxford.

    Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, in 1929

    Father: William Thomas Bell

    prev. an engineer for Robey & Co., Lincoln and an Inspector in the Lincoln City Special Constabulary from Aug-39

    Address in 1941: Hillside, South Park, Lincoln


    Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP, 5FPP

     "A capable pilot and a good officer. With the exception of the Fulmar accident [when an undercarriage leg collapsed on landing] all his Training Pool work has been satisfactory".

     Lincolnshire Echo, 16 Sep 1942:

    "Ferry Pilot To Pay Damages

    An accident near Saxilby Bridge on June 28 was referred to at Lincoln County Court when Frank William Bell, ferry pilot, South Park, Lincoln, defended an action for damages for negligence brought by Charles Freeetone Cansdale, fitter and erector, and his wife, Olive May, Bell St, Lincoln, who were given judgment for £98 3s 10d, and costs.

    It was stated that a collision occurred just after Cansdale, who was riding a motor-cycle with his wife on the pillion, emerged from Mill Lane on to Saxilby Rd. Cansdale said that when he reached the junction of the lane and the road he stopped, looked both ways, and not seeing any traffic, went on the main road intending to turn right and go over the bridge.

    He was almost on the crown of the road when he saw Bell's car come over the peak of the bridge. He (Cansdale) drove to his correct side of the road, and was straightening up when he saw Bell's car coming over the white line to his side of the road. In an effort to avoid the car he drove so that half the cycle was on the pavement. The car hit the rear of it. His wife was injured, and he was was off work two weeks.

    Denial

    Bell said he was travelling at about 30mph. After crossing the bridge he could see the motor cycle in Mill Lane. He expected it to stop when it reached the main road, but it did not. He braked hard, and went over to his offside to give the motor cycle a much space as possible. He did not agree that part of the motor cycle was on the pavement when the impact occurred.

    P.C. Gough said there was a brake mark 69ft long caused by the car, commencing 8ft 9ins from the offside and ending close to the curb on its offside.

    Judge Lanaman said that in swerving to the offside Bell made an error of judgement, but the degree of negligence was small."


    d. Sep 1963 - Lincoln


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Belville, Rupert

     M.2*  First Officer Rupert Bellville 

    flag england

    b. 28 Dec 1904, Lubenham, Market Harborough, Leics.  1 Feb 1940 to Nov-40 


      

    ata rupert bellville 1946

    1946

         

     

    His family had made their fortune in the mustard trade.

    Ed. Eton (left in 1921)

    Height: 6ft 4½ in. Fair hair, blue eyes.

    In 1931, he was Venetia Montagu's personal pilot when they decided to tour Persia and Russia in her DH.60G Gipsy Moth G-ABFW. They left Heston on March 27th, reached Budapest on April 1, made a forced landing at Nisch, Jugoslavia, but were able to fly to Constantinople on the 13th April. 20 days later on May 2nd, "when flying from Teheran to Moscow, their machine crashed near Sabzawar, Persia, and, although the machine was burnt, they were both unhurt.”

    It only took her a couple of weeks to find another aeroplane, however; she purchased a ‘Moth‘ in Iraq, and left for Astrabad, on the Russian frontier, on May 16. They arrived in Moscow from Tashkent on June 1st, and left for Berlin on June 3rd.

    In 1934, he was described as "a very well-known air pilot, of Papillon Hall, Market Harborough, Leicestershire".

    He was fined £10, plus 3 guineas costs, in 1936 for persistently smoking on board the Imperial Airways airliner 'Heracles'. He said at the time "I shall smoke if I like, I have always done so". The Times reported that Mr Bellville had joined the Auxiliary Air Force in 1926 and had flown "all over the Continent and all over Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Persia, India, Siam and China". The court was thinking about letting him off with a warning, but were put off by what they described as his "defiant attitude".

    In late August 1937, he got himself into the Spanish Civil War (on General Franco's side) and was briefly taken prisoner by the republicans. Apparently, he had (wrongly) heard that Santander had fallen to the nationalists, so he flew himself and the head of the Gonzales Byass sherry firm there, with "a few cases of sherry for the officers of the victorious troops". When they landed at the airport, he discovered his mistake and was taken prisoner and forced to fly to Gijon, while his passenger was held as a hostage. I don't know what happened to the aeroplane... or the sherry!

    Rupert was released 10 Sep, 1937, prompting a question in the House of Commons as to "in what circumstances, on whose authority, and at what cost a British destroyer was dispatched" to rescue him.

    papillon hall advert rupert bellville

    He sold Papillon Court the following year and thereafter gave his address as "White's Club, London."

    His son Hercules ** was born in San Diego in 1939 (Rupert's then-wife was American).

     He resigned from the ATA on 19 Nov 1940.

    He gave his profession in 1946 as (trust me) "a bullfighter".

    He was declared bankrupt in 1955.

    d. 23 Jul 1962, London

    His obituary said "Rupert's death will leave a gap in many places. He had a host of friends in London, Paris, New York, Spain, and wherever else his wanderings took him and these friends were of all sections of the community.

    Rupert's tragedy was that he was born in the wrong age. He would have been an ideal companion for d'Artagnan or would have been in his element helping Francis Drake to singe the King of Spain's beard. These things being denied to him in this material age, he nevertheless contrived to find adventure in every walk of life. He fought bulls in Spain and became a brilliant air pilot in the years before the war. He also took part in the Spanish Civil War. He loved to gamble and some of his happiest hours must have been spent at backgammon tables all over the world and at the bridge table.

    There were times, perhaps, when the world became too much for him but his many friends will remember him for his cavalier qualities and his companionship. To paraphrase the words from which his great friend Ernest Hemingway took the title of a book, "... never send to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee".

    ** His son Hercules, who became a famous film director and producer, died of lung cancer on 12 Feb 2009. 

     

  • Bender, Francis Everett

     M.122 * First Officer  Francis Everett Bender 

    flag usa

     b. 1904, Lopez Sullivan Pennsylvania   c. 20 Oct 1940 to 3 Aug 1941

           

     

    Address in 1940: Union NY


    Arrived in the UK 11  Nov 1940 on the SS Duchess of Atholl, with his fellow ferry pilots Howard Charles Alsop (M.165), - Donald Lee Annibal (M.163), Robert Olyn Gragg (M.173), Dan B Jacques, Charles John Smith, Malcolm F Stewart and Roy Edwin Wimmer.

    Postings: 14FPP


    DB7 3

     d. 3 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service) in Havoc AH463 which crashed In bad visibility into hills New Cumnock Ayrshire


    ata francis bender grave findagrave.com

    buried Monkton and Prestick Cemetery

     

  • Bennett, John Leslie

     M.1049 3rd Officer  John Leslie Bennett 
     flag england b. 17 Oct 1914, Manchester  29 Jan 1944 to Sep-45 

     

    ata john bennett 1945

         

     

    prev. Sales Mgr for BO Morris, Birmingham, then a Sergeant in the RAFVR Oct-39 to Apr-41

    His grandson kindly tells me that "Your website has prompted a conversation with my Mum (his daughter) regarding my Grandfather's life in the war - She informs me that that she thinks he had wanted to be a pilot in the RAF but had not passed the necessary exams, so instead became a rear gunner/bomber in Lancasters.  

    He spoke very little of his time in the RAF, but did regale a story of almost falling out of the gunning position in the Lancaster (through the floor), and of dropping bales of propaganda leaflets over Germany - they were supposed to cut the strings to let them flutter down, but instead just through them out in hope they would land on a German's head!  

    There is then a period of time that is unaccounted for, but my mum wonders if he had had some sort of breakdown from some comments he made very late in his life about spending some time in hospital.  Then he spent 18 months in the ATA - my Mum remembers him talking about flying with the instruction manual on his knees as he flew all sorts of different planes!"

      

    ...and here are some of the photographs his grandson sent me:

    John Leslie Bennett 1944 45 ATA A Magister   John Leslie Bennett 1944 45 ATA Spitfire2

     ata John Leslie Bennett   ata John Leslie Bennett 2

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bennett, Margaret Ellen (W.45)

     W.45  First Officer Margaret Ellen 'Faith' Bennett 
     flag england

    b. 12 May 1903, London

    8 Jul 1941 to 31 Jul 1945 

     


     margaret bennett 1934  RAeC 1934

     

    ata faith bennett  MUWW

     

    faith bennett 1944  1944

     

     

    née Margaret Ellen Riddick

    Father: Harry Riddick, mother Mabel

    Ed. Selhurst High School, Croydon, Surrey

    Her elder brother, Private Stanley Charles Riddick, d. 15 Nov 1916, aged 19, in France during WWI.

     She married Hollywood film writer Charles Alfred Selwyn Bennett in 1930, and calling herself 'Faith Bennett', was an actress pre-WWII -  firstly on the London stage:

    "Faith Bennett, who will play lead in 'Recipe for Murder', a new play by Arnold Ridley, which opens at the Duke of York's Theatre on December 21" (1932)

     

    ... and then in many films, including 'Eyes of Fate', 'Hawleys of High Street' and 'The Pride of the Force' (1933), and 'Seeing Is Believing', and 'Master and Man' (both 1934)), although I've seen references to other films e.g. 'Love In The Air' and 'Atlantic Crossing'...

      "In taste, quality and packing the equal of much dearer cigarettes but not quite so large; big enough, however, to last the full 10 minutes" (1937)

     

     ... and also played the Fairy Godmother in 'Cinderella', the Drury Lane pantomime, in !934

     

    At the same time, she took up flying and passed for her 'A' Licence at Sywell Aerodrome in 1934 (which apparently included wearing 'weird and wonderful costumes' at the Novelty Dance held there in February:

     

    With her instructor, Tommy Rose  - see

    http://www.afleetingpeace.org/index.php/pioneering-women/rose-thomas

     ata_faith_bennett_sywell_1934.jpg

    (Faith and Charles, far right)

     [Charles also took lessons, but doesn't seem to have gained his certificate]

    In May 1941 she decided to 'do her bit': "Faith Bennett, actress and writer, is flying to England to ferry 'planes for the Royal Air Force [sic]. Mrs Bennett was born in London 30 years ago [sic]. Flying is her hobby. She holds both American and British licenses. ''One of my brothers died in the last war, another is in the Royal Navy, my sister is a censor at Bermuda - they are all doing their bit, and I want to do mine,' she said."

    prev. exp. 296 hrs

    Address in 1941: Falcon House, Sonning, Berks


    Postings: 1FPP, 5TFPP, 15FPP

     Off sick from 9 Dec 1941 to 6 Jan 1942 after her Hurricane crash, and 27 Oct 1943 to 13 Jan 1944 with 'concussion'

     

    Rather unfortunate: 11 accidents, 3 her fault:

    - 8 Dec 1941, she persisted too far in bad weather, stalled her Hurricane BD859 near the ground and broke the undercarriage

               [see https://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york41/bd859.html]

    - 16 Feb 1943, the port leg of her Tomahawk AH802 broke off during landing

    - 24 Feb 1943, in another Tomahawk AH845, the port undercarriage leg collapsed

    - 16 Sep 1943, forced landing in a Hurricane after the landing gear locked up

    - 10 Aug 1943, in Master I T8366, which veered off the runway and collided with a car, due to ineffective brakes

    - 1 Oct 1943, her Hudson swung off the runway on landing, because the tail wheel lock had disengaged

    - 20 Oct 1943, a taxying accident in an Anson, due to an error of judgement on her part

    - 23 Jan 1944, her Mosquito suffered a 'strained' port undercarriage leg on landing - faulty indicator light

    - 25 Apr 1944, forced landing in Seafire MB356, after the landing gear locked up

    - 30 May 1944, the port undercarriage leg of her Barracuda II BV921 collapsed on landing

    - 29 Jun 1945, she failed to control the swing when landing Mosquito XXV KB617

     

    "Extremely keen and hardworking. Seems to have regained confidence" "Her navigation is somewhat unorthodox. Technical knowlege poor"

    Class IV pilot


    m. 1946 Herbert Henry Newmark, also an ex-ATA pilot:

    herbert newmark 1938

    d. 14 Mar 1969 - London.

     Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_Bennett


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     
  • Bennett, Philippa Mary (W.1)

     W.1

     Flight Captain

     

    Philippa Mary Bennett 

    flag england

    b. 22 Nov 1919, Birmingham  26 Jun-40 to Nov-45 

      

    Philippa Bennett 1937  RAeC 1 Jun 1937 (age 17)

         

     

    Father: Capt. Philip Dennis Bennett (5th Bn, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, an architect, m. 17 Aug 1915, d. 24 Feb 1919 from influenza)

    Philippa was born 9 months after her father died.

    Mother: Doris Mary [Lowe, m. 1922 Ian Forbes Panton, he d. 1935]

    Philippa's elder brother Dennis Labron Bennett was b. 20 Nov 1917, BA (Cantab), d. 25 Oct 1942 at El Alamein

    Ed. Westonbirt School, Glos

    Address in 1937: Ash Cottage, Harlington, Hayes, Middx

    She was engaged to Francis Richard Bevan, RASC (previously a 'Mountie' with the RCMP) in May 1940.


     Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP

    Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

     

    7 accidents, 3 her fault:

    - 7 Sep 1941, in Hurricane W9124 at Hatfield, she collided with a Tiger Moth due to 'gross carelessness'

    - 20 Oct 1941, she failed to control the landing swing of Tomahawk AH808, and ground-looped (at Colerne)

    - 18 Nov 1941, a forced landing in Anson R3340 after port engine failure

    - 20 May 1942, she taxied Anson AX537 into a narrow parking space, ignoring the signal made by a member of the ground crew, and the tail hit a starter trolley

    - 9 Sep 1943, a forced landing in Halifax II BB135, after a battery exploded

    - 28 Oct 1944, another forced landing, this time in Walrus I W3008 after she lost all brake pressure

    - 8 Jun 1945, a fourth forced landing, in Barracuda II DR202 when she noticed the batteries were overheating (due to incorrect voltage adjustment).

      

    Commended for "valuable service in the air", 14 Jun 1945


     Philippa Bennett 1946  RAeC

    26 March 1946: "26-year-old Miss Philippa Bennett has been flying planes ever since she was 17. For 5 and a half years she flew with the Air Transport Auxiliary service, when she piloted all types of planes from 4-engined bombers to Spitfires. She got her B Licence in 1938. Now she is proposing to make a business out of what was her hobby and her war work; she has bought two high wing monoplanes with which she is starting her own air taxi service at Southampton Airport. She hopes to specialise in aerial photographic work.

    Photo Shows: Miss Phillippa Bennett in her taxi monoplane at Southampton Airport"

     The three aircraft Philippa eventually owned included the Foster Wikner Wicko GM1s G-AFJB and G-AGPE (the latter used for spares)

      http://www.wicko.com/wickohistory.htm

    "When Geoffrey Wickner purchased a surplus Halifax bomber with the intention of returning to Australia he sold the Wicko to Philippa Bennett who used the aircraft in her air taxi service again out of Eastleigh. During that time the machine was extensively damaged in a forced landing, caused by bad weather when it ran over the edge of a cliff, fortunately without injury to the occupants. After repair the aircraft was sold but again was registered to Philippa and Lettice Curtis who raced the aircraft at a number of events under the race number 39. The handicappers were unkind to the Wicko and her pilot and the aircraft was not too well placed at any event. "

    "Although exciting and fulfilling, it was not a financially viable enterprise"

     

    m. Jul 1947 in Winchester, Wing Commander Maurice Booth DFC (3 sons)

    "She later settled in the village of Durrington in Wiltshire where she owned and ran the village shop" - The Telegraph

     

    d. 24 May 2007 - Salisbury

     

     

  • Bergel, Hugh Charles

     M.307  Commander Hugh Charles Bergel OBE 

    flag england

     b. 19 Nov 1905, London 7 Oct 1940 to 30 Apr 1945 

     ata hugh bergel 1928    ATAM    

     

    Educated at Rugby School

    m. Priscilla M Baumer, in 1930; 2 children before joining ATA

    A "well known member of the gliding community" with his great friend Philip Wills (q.v.); in 1930 he received the Dent Cup ("in memory of Mr. David Dent, who did such good work for gliding in general"), for the year's outstanding performance, for his cross-country flight to Hornchurch, Essex, made with very little previous soaring experience.

    Here he is in 1938 with Capt. Harold Balfour, the Under-Secretary of State for Air, in a Falcon III glider:

    ata hugh bergel and harold balfour glider 1938 Flight

    prev. an advertising copywriter with WS Crauford Ltd. From 1938, Sales and Advertising Manager for Desoutter.

    Address in 1940: Stamford Brook House, London W.6

    Postings: 1FPP, 16FPP, 6FPP, 4FPP, 4aFPP, 2FPP, 9FPP

    'A keen and competent pilot, and an able and hardworking administrator.'

    From 16 Jul 1942, ran No 9 FPP Aston Down 'in an eminently satisfactory manner'.

    "He leaves ATA with an excellent record behind him." (Gerard d'Erlanger, O.C. ATA)

    Wrote "Fly and Deliver - A Ferry Pilot's Log Book" (AirLife, 1982)

    d. Jan 1986, London

    [His elder brother Jack also joined the ATA in 1941, but died the same year in a flying accident]


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Bergel, John Graham

     M.264 First Officer  John Graham 'Jack' Bergel 
    flag england   b. 1 Mar 1902, London 2 Mar 1941 to Nov-41 

     

    ata john bergel 1934

    1934

     

    ata john bergel

    ATA

       

     

    prev. a journalist for the 'London Evening News' from 1925; "no previous employment"

    His brother Hugh said: "Jack was nearly four years older than I was, so that we never overlapped at school, and were never quite as close to each other as I would have liked. All his working life had been spent on the London Evening News, which he joined as a cub reporter. By the time he left to join ATA he was, or had been, wireless correspondent, motor-racing correspondent, music critic, Rugby football correspondent, aviation correspondent and writer of the Diary. But for years his main job had been that of Dramatic Critic, and there must be some who can still recall the reviews he wrote over the initials J.G.B."

    prev exp. 160 hrs

    He originally applied in July 1940: "My brother Hugh tells me that the A.T.A. is still anxious to recruit ferry pilots. As I am despairing, after ten months, of getting into the RAF in any capacity - I've seen three [selection] boards who all lose interest when they find I'm over 30 and wear glasses - I would like to know if I am any good for your service - which sounds disrespectful, I'm afraid, but isn't meant to be."

    He added: "I'm nothing like as good a pilot, naturally, as Hugh, but I can find my way; it always was my one aeronautical talent."

    [hugh bergel 1928

    His brother Hugh had learnt to fly in 1928, and had already joined the ATA]

    However, when he turned up for a flight test in September 1940, the report was that "this applicant's standard of flying is so low that he cannot be accepted for ATA duties even on light types".

    By January 1941 the ATA had realised that it needed more pilots, even if they had to train them themselves. Accordingly, a second test was arranged for the 19th January; this time he was accepted, and duly started on the 3rd March.

    By the 7th November, when he was posted to No 6 FPP, he had satisfactorily passed training courses on Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 aircraft. Sadly, he was killed a week later.


    d. 15 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Blenheim Z6080 stalled on landing approach to Oulton. He "made his final approach too slowly, particularly having regard to the fact that it was a fully equipped Blenheim IV, with inner and outer tanks full."

    [Hugh attributed the accident to a faulty air-speed indicator reading, "caused by water in the system, which in turn was caused by aircraft having to live their lives out in the open through all weathers."]

    His mother said of him "Jack's happiest months were spent in the ATA".


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bernard, Paul

     M.----  2nd Officer Paul Bernard 
     flag france b. 21 Jun 1903, Nancy, France  28 Oct to 8 Nov 1940 

      ATA

         

     

    Father: Levy Bernard, a clothing manufacturer; Mother: Marie

    Next of Kin: (wife) Martha Bernard, 49 Avenue Lanterne, Nice, France

    2 children, Micheline c. 1931, Nicole c. 1932

    prev. Society of Industrial Construction of Aeronautics, Ministry of Defence; French Air Force 1922-39; RAF pilot (Flt-Sgt) at Odiham from 16 Jul 1940

    Address in 1940: White Hart Hotel, Odiham, Hants


     Postings: -

     "MAP Refused Employment" "Air Ministry Approval Witheld"


     Sailed from UK to Buenos Aires, Argentina in Apr 1941, then to US

     

    Paul's US Registration Card, dated 16 Feb 1942. Employer: Bennie Schwabacher of Bessemer, AL

     He, Martha Michelline and Nicole sailed to the USA in 1949

     

     d. 25 May 1978 - Neuilly-Sur-Seine, Hauts-De-Seine, France

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Berry, Nathaniel Addison

     M.499  2nd Officer Nathaniel Addison Berry 
     flag england  b. 31 Aug 1905, London  10 Jun 1941 to Mar-42 

     

    ata nathaniel berry 1930

    1930

     ata nathaniel berry ATA    

     

    prev. director and factory manager, Nathaniel Berry & Sons Ltd, piano manufacturers


    janes hampden 2

    Died in ATA Service - flying as 2nd pilot with F/O Thomas Bray (joined 1940) in Hampden X3130 which went missing 18 Mar 1942 after taking off from Kirkbride. Their bodies were later washed ashore - Nathaniel's was found on 11 Jul.

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey
  • Berry, Simpson Fernald

     M.589 3rd Officer   Simpson Fernald Berry
     flag usa b. 7 Nov 1905, Boston MA   26 May 1941 to Feb-42

     

         

     

    prev. 'Civilian Military Training Camp from Aug-Sep 1925. Rank Private' (that appears to be it)

    also, testing refrigerators and ferrying 'new small aeroplanes'


    Contract Terminated by ATA - Failure to reach required standard (3 pilot-at-fault accidents), coupled with disobedience of ATA Standing Orders by repeatedly flying above heavy cloud.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bertram, Neville Vezey

    M.652  First Officer Neville Vezey Bertram 
     flag england  b. 23 Dec 1910, Birmingham  25 Jul 1941 to Jan-42 

     

         

     

    prev. RAF 1929-34, No. 12 Bomber Squadron, R.A.F., Andover, Hants.

    declared bankrupt in 1934, then went into advertising

     m. Joan Grumbar in 1935


    [Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary reasons]


    d. 1956, London

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bertram, Peter Andreas

     M.619 First Officer  Peter Andreas Bertram Jr 

    flag usa

      b. 28 Dec 1919, Mattoon, IL 31 May 1941 to 30 Mar 1945 

      ATAM

         

     

    father: also Peter Andreas Bertram [originally from Denmark, naturalised 1922], owner and operator of the Mattoon Butter Co., d. 1965

    Ed. High School, Monmouth IL

    m. 1945 Ellen Rose [Huckleberry], 1 daughter (Linda Lee)

    prev. a ferry pilot and inspector at Piper Aircraft Corp. Lock Haven , PA

    Address in 1941: 846 4th St, Charleston, IL


    d. 24 Feb 1989 - Fort Myers, FL

    ata peter bertram grave buried Mattoon, IL

    "Peter A. Bertram Jr, moved here 17 years ago from Charleston, Ill, and he had owned and operated the Beach View Cottages on Sanibel Island. He served as Captain in the Air Transport Auxiliary of the RAF of England from 1940 to 1945 [sic]. Mr. Bertram was a  member of the Sanibel-Captiva Power Squadron, and was a former member of the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel and Motel Assoc of Lee County, and the Charleston Rotary Club of Charleston, Illinois."

    News-Press, Fort Myers FL


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  • Beverley, Charles Robertson

     M.1123 * 2nd Officer  Charles Robertson Beverley 
    flag scotland  b. 5 Mar 1899, Keith, Bannfshire, Scotland 3 Jul 1944 to 31 Mar 1945 

    RAeC 1935 [photo missing]

         

     

    prev. an Engineer

    Address in 1935: 212 Wilmslow Rd, Cheadle, Cheshire


    d. 17 Jan 1963 - Cheshire 

  • Beverley, Patricia Gladys (W.93)

     W.93  First Officer  Mrs Patricia Gladys Beverley
     flag england  b. 22 Aug 1910, Egham Surrey  29 Jul 1942 to 31 Oct 1945

     patricia beverley 1945  ATA

         

     

     nee Seemann

    Father: Norman Charles Seemann, mother Beatrice Maud [Grey, d. 1926]

    m. 1931 in Barnet, Robert Lewis Beverley, (original surname Baker, based in S. Rhodesia in 1942)

    Her brother, Norman Walter Keith Seeman, was killed age 25 in a car accident in 1934. Patricia was injured in the same accident and was "carried into court", which decided that former racing driver William Berkeley Scott was responsible for the accident due to "careless, reckless and dangerous driving."

     Address in 1942: Stone House Hotel, Hatfield


    Joined ATA originally as an MT Driver

    Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP

    Class 3 Pilot

    Reprimanded and fined 3 days salary in Feb 1943 for 'Neglect of Duty'

     

    4 accidents, 2 her fault:

    - 1 May 1943, a forced landing in a Hurricane after a hydraulic failure

    - 20 Jul 1943, while taxying 'without sufficient care', her Spitfire Vb hit a stationary Beaufighter [Severely reprimanded]

    - 29 Nov 1943, she landed her Proctor LZ651 crosswind on wet grass, disobeying airfield 'runways only' signals, skidded and hit an obstruction [Severely reprimanded and suspended without pay for three days]

    - 13 Apr 1945, a wheels-up forced landing in Mustang IV KM217 after the selector lever jammed

     


    d. 27 Feb 1948 in Miles M.65 Gemini 1a G-AJZI owned by St. Christopher Travel-Ways Ltd, which crashed at Ridge Park, Wallington shortly after take-off from Croydon airport.

    She was acting as co-pilot to Wing-Cmdr William Herbert Whetton; he and the 2 passengers were injured in the crash.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Beville, Emmitt Eugene

     M.1  First Officer Emmitt Eugene Beville 

    flag usa

      b. 10 May 1911, Lees Summit, MO  3 Oct 1940 to May-41

     ata emmitt beville ATA      

     

    Ed. Burlesan College (M.A.)

    m. M. E. , 1 son Thomas

    prev. "Aviation"

    Address in 1940: 202 Canterbury Dr, Terrill Hills, San Antonio TX


    Postings: 6FPP

    1 Accident, not his fault:

    - 6 Sep 1940, Hurricane broke tail wheel when landing - possibly a fault in the material.

    Seconded to AtFero in 20 Mar 1941

    WWII US Draft Card shows he was employed by Canadian Pacific Railway Air Service Dept on 16 April 1941

    Contract Terminated 13 May 1941 - "Deserted"


    1943-44 Joined American Export Airlines (Naval Air Transport Service) as a pilot

    1945-47, was a pilot for American Overseas Airlines and lived at 407 Bayou View, Houston TX

    m. 25 Dec 1948 Marie [Oscar] in Florida

    1951 Pilot for Pan American

    d. 8 Dec 1974 (age 63) - American Hospital of Paris, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Beville, Steven Calhoun

     M.219  First Officer Steven Calhoun Beville 

    flag usa

      b. 10 Sep 1914, Gainesville, FL

    7 Dec 1940 to 9 Dec 1941 

    [367 days]


     

    ata steve and bernadette beville findagrave.com

     

         

     

     

    ata steve beville

    m. to Bernadette [Dulin] [d. Mar 1990, Indiana]

    Address in 1940: 836 Bauer St, Hammond, Indiana

    prev. a printer, and airport operator

    Postings: 1FPP

     "This pilot is absolutely first class & one of the keenest and hardest working in the pool."

    d. 6 Jul 2000 - Indiana

    "Veteran, Pilot. Flew the infamous P51 Mustang named "The Galloping Ghost" which won many of the Cleveland Air Races and Thompson Trophy Races. Former Spokesman for Kendall Oil. Married to Bernadette Dulin Beville for 56 years."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Biggart, David Goodchild

      M.3 Flight Captain  David Goodchild Biggart 

    flag england

      b. 13 Jun 1916, W Hartlepool, Co Durham 22 Jan 1940 to Apr-42 

      

    ata david biggart 1936

    1936

         

     

    Learnt to fly in 1936 at the Witney and Oxford Aero Club

    On the 8 Mar 1941, his C.O. wrote that he was amongst those pilots who "have been outstanding in the way they have worked, and the example they have set".

    d. 1999, New Forest, Hants 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Biggs, Leonard Oliver

     M.521  First Officer Leonard Oliver Biggs 

    flag england

      b. 2 Apr 1904, London 3 Jun 1941 to 30 Sep 1945 

     ata leonard biggs 1931 1931

     ata leonard biggs MAMM MAMM    

     

    m. 1936 Molly [Child]; 1 child Penelope b. 1940

    Was in Canada from  Aug 1923 to Dec 1924

    prev. a Departmental Manager (Sales) for British Cellophane Co.

    prev. exp. 52 hrs on DH Moth, Blackburn Bluebird

    Home Guard from Jul 1940 to Apr 41, Volunteer

    Address in 1941: 22 Quantock Rd, Bridgewater, Somerset


    Postings: 7FPP, 2FPP

    Off sick (in hospital) from 11 Oct to 7 Dec 1943

    "A good officer and an average pilot. Keen and hard-working. Progress should not be hurried in view of limited experience prior to ATA."


    d. Nov 1995 - Surrey


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  • Bingham, Horace Jerome

     M.---- * First Officer  Horace Jerome 'Hory Ray' Bingham
      b. 12 May 1909,  Summer Hills, NSW 17 Aug 1940 to ?? 

       Ancestry

         

     

    Father: Horace Henry Bingham, Mother: Eileen Minnie [Dowling]

    Address in 193-36: 1683 Pacific Highway, Wahrooga

    prev. Clerk

     m. Jul 1938 in Camberwell, London, Nina Mary [Jeffereyes]


     ATA

    Postings:

     


     Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in WWII - looks like he was in a Sunderland squadron:

      Ancestry

    He sailed to South Africa on 19 Aug 1942 as a 'Civil Aviation Traffic Officer'. He gave his address as 38 Underhill Rd, E Dulwich, London SE22

     

    He flew to Honolulu, en route to California, in November 1957, on Qantas:

     

    d. 10 Jun 1980 - Poole, Dorset


    * ATA Personnel File Missing

  • Bird, Jean Lennox (W.46)

     W.46 First Officer   Jean Lennox Bird
     flag UK b. 8 Jul 1912, Hong Kong  1 Aug 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     

    jean lennox bird 1930 

    RAeC 1930

     0122 0058a 

    1952

     0122 0059a

    1952

    0341 0077a

    1952

     

    Father: Col. L G Bird DSO, OBE, of The Old Farm, Beech, nr Alton, Hants

    Ed. Manor House, Limpsfield

    WAAF ASO from 16 May 1940 to 31 Jul 1941


    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP, 4FPP, 6FPP

    Class 4+ pilot

    6 accidents, 3 her fault:

    - 15 May 1942, her Spitfire BR236 ran into an umarked soft patch when landing, and nosed over

    - 26 Jun 1942, she stalled Albacore L2174 attempting a forced landing, after the windscreen became obscured with oil

    - 18 Nov 1943, after taking off in Anson R9757, she bent down to retrieve a Form 700, inadvertently pushed forward the control column, and wrecked the undercarriage in the subsequent crash.

    - 15 Mar 1944, a spectacular-sounding crash in Hudson III T9426; on take-off, due to insufficient speed the port wing dropped and hit the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled. However, she was held 'not to blame'.

    - 17 Jul 1944, she was unable to correct the take-off swing of her Spitfire IX PL162, ran off the runway, ground-looped to avoid some workmen, and nosed over

    - 16 Apr 1945, a jeep ran into her Mosquito VI HR136 while she was taxying, and damaged the starboard undercarriage

     

    "An extremely sensible, keen and good pilot on whom one can rely... must guard against giving a wrong impression by her difficult manner" - Margot Gore, her C.O.


    Awarded her RAF 'Wings' in Sep 1952, the first of 5 women (all ex-ATA pilots) to do so when serving with the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR). The others were Benedetta Willis, Jackie Moggridge, Freydis Leaf and Joan Hughes 

     

     

    In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Jean was one of only 7 women flying commercially: -  "Jean Bird flies a Miles Aerovan on aerial survey"  - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field."

    [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Monique Rendall, Suzanne Ashton, Zita Irwin, Diana Barnato-Walker and Freydis Leaf]

     

    d.  29 Apr 1957 in the crash of Miles Aerovan 4 G-ASIF belonging to Meridian Air Maps. "... evidence was given that the aircraft had been fitted with an incorrect spare part"

    https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/28632

     

     Full biography here: Jean Bird - Wikipedia


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip files):

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  • Birkett, Trevor Bertram

     M.201  First Officer Trevor Bertram Birkett 

    flag england

      b. 13 Dec 1912, Southsea, Hants  16 Oct 1940 to Aug-45

     ata trevor birkett 1936 1936      

     

    Educated at Radley

    Address in 1940: 12 High St, Portsmouth

    prev. a Solicitor (Messrs Brutton Birkett & Walsh, 132 High St Portsmouth)


    Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP

    His Feb-45 recommendation for promotion (he was briefly a Flight Captain) calls him "an officer who sets a very high standard of discipline... during the past 12 months this officer has completed 364 hrs flying and has now flown all types of Class 5 aircraft, including Liberators.

    He has spent 20 days on Accidents Investigation and I understand his work in this respect has been outstanding."


    d. Jun 1983 - Portsmouth


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Bishop, David Arthur

     M.626  First Officer David Arthur Bishop 
     flag usa   b. 3 Mar 1911, Hilbert Wisconsin  23 Jun 1941 to 13 Sep 1943

     

    ata david bishop 1946

    1946

     

    ata david bishop 1948

    1948  (both Green Bay Press-Gazette)

       

     

    ather: Willmer Bishop (dec'd) Mother: Catherine [Martin]

    ed. West Green Bay High School (grad. 1929)

    prev. a driver on an automobile boat; a shipping clerk on a boat dock, Manager of Brown County Airport, and a commercial pilot.

    Address in 1941: 231 Allard Ave, Green Bay, Wisonsin ([Mother's address]

    "slight scar on nose"


    Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 2FPP

    Suspended for 4 days in Mar-43 following a wheels-up forced landing in Botha L6508, after he forgot to check that the fuel cocks were correctly set

    Suspended for 4 days in Jun-43 for "a breach of discipline and non-compliance with Standing Order"

    "A capable and intelligent pilot of above average ability"...

    "During the last two months [Aug-Sep 1943] his discipline has improved tremendously, and he has proved to be a most competent pilot who works hard."


    Joined the USAAF in December 1943 (as a private, having first been "listed as a delinquent" when he failed to turn up as agreed in October).

    "After serving as an instructor on B-25s, A-20s, P-38s, C-47s, AT-6s and several other types of trainers, he was sent in February 1945 to the Asia-Pacific theater as a pilot in the Air Transport Command. He served here eight months, and completed 75 flights over the Himalaya "Hump". He holds the Air Medal, Pacific Theater Ribbon with one battle star, European and American Theater ribbons, and pre-Pearl Harbor, Allied Service and Victory ribbons."

    Post-WWII, worked for the Green Bay Auto Distributors as a salesman, and was Democratic candidate for the Green Bay 'Register of Deeds' in November 1948.

    m. 1957 Anna [Sadsuske], 1 daughter.

    Moved to California in 1960 and operated an auto parts business in Oakland.

    d. 4 Mar 1965 - Contra Costa, CA 

    ata david bishop grave 

    buried http://schema.org/PostalAddress" itemprop="address">Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bishop, Frederick Arthur

      M.1042

    Cadet

    (Seconded from RAF)

    Frederick Arthur Bishop 
     flag england  b.  4 December 1915, Bristol  19 Oct 1943 to Apr-45 

     

    frederick bishop

    The Times

         

    Sir Frederick Arthur Bishop, (1915–2005), civil servant and director-general of the National Trust.

     

    Joined the Inland Revenue in 1934.

    1 Jan 1940 he married Elizabeth Finlay Stevenson (1915–1999), a fellow civil servant; they had two sons and a daughter.

    RAF from Feb 1942.

    "An ab initio pilot who immediately made steady progress and made great efforts to fly well... he can be assessed as a natural pilot of average ability"


    Oxford DNB says: "Bishop returned to the civil service in 1947, initially in the Ministry of Food. There his abilities were soon recognized; within two years he was principal private secretary to the minister, John Strachey, and to his successors Maurice Webb and Gwilym Lloyd George. He was moved to be assistant secretary to the cabinet in 1953. He was an effective manager of the cabinet's economic business, and secretary of its building committee during the government's drive to build 300,000 houses a year, led by Harold Macmillan as minister of housing. He worked closely with the powerful cabinet secretary, Sir Norman Brook, who in 1956 secured his move to 10 Downing Street to become Anthony Eden's principal private secretary. His calm efficiency won the respect, and the ear, of an increasingly embattled prime minister. Some historians believe that even under Eden his advice, and his ‘hawkish’ views on international affairs, began to acquire the influence that was to be more marked under Eden's successor Macmillan.

    Macmillan kept Bishop on when he took over as prime minister in 1957. Over the next four years Bishop played a key role in the policy process, exercising influence out of all proportion to his formal responsibilities. With a weak foreign secretary in Selwyn Lloyd, Macmillan relied heavily for advice on international affairs on his civil service private secretaries, whose primary loyalty was increasingly to him personally, treating them as a virtual ‘kitchen cabinet’ (Aldous, ‘Family affair’, 14), ‘more akin to American national security advisers than mere private secretaries’ (McNamara, 67). Working closely with his colleague Philip de Zulueta, Bishop did not hesitate to disagree with, and brief the prime minister against, the official Foreign Office line. He and de Zulueta have been described as the ‘“change agents” essential to any process of [policy] redefinition, [giving] access to ideas that had not been dulled by slow passage through the bureaucratic machine’ (Aldous, ‘Family affair’, 15). When in 1957 Macmillan wanted to ensure American collaboration in resisting communist infiltration into Syria, it was Bishop whom he sent to Washington for talks with the secretary of state, John Foster Dulles. Dulles was charmed and impressed by Bishop, declaring that there was ‘genuine, intimate and effective co-operation, stemming directly from Macmillan’ (McNamara, 100). Bishop often travelled with Macmillan, for instance to the Bermuda conference in March 1957 and to Moscow in 1959, the scene of a celebrated row between Macmillan and Nikita Khrushchov. His role and his influence were openly resented by the Foreign Office and the foreign secretary.

    Bishop became deputy secretary to the cabinet in 1959. Although in principle he should now have been impartially serving the cabinet as a whole, he remained very close to the prime minister; he has been described as acting at this time in some respects as though he were still Macmillan's principal private secretary, advising him on European matters. During the protracted debates about Britain's relations with the European Economic Community (EEC), pro-Europeans used Bishop as their direct link to the prime minister. He was appointed CB in 1960, having been made CVO in 1957.

    Bishop returned to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food in 1961. Even there he continued to be influential in international affairs, especially in relation to the EEC. One historian, Jacqueline Tratt, has described him as a leading member of the small group—including Harold Macmillan, Edward Heath, and Sir Frank Lee, permanent secretary to the Treasury—that connived to bring about a major change of policy orientation, almost surreptitiously planning and putting into action the ultimately unsuccessful first approach to the EEC in 1961. He also played a significant part in creating the National Economic Development Council. He intended this in part to rival a department he disliked, the Treasury, arguing that there was a need for ‘a more planned approach to the national economic problem … a partnership with employers and unions’ (Ringe and Rollings, 342–3). His draft terms of reference were reproduced largely verbatim when the creation of the council was announced by the chancellor of the exchequer, Selwyn Lloyd.

    After three years in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Bishop's government career seemed to be moving towards a climax when, in 1964, he was appointed permanent secretary of the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, newly created by Harold Wilson. Wilson's aim was to speed up the planning process by removing it from what some saw as the dead hand of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. Others felt that the new department, with a remit to bring forward more land for development by taxing landowners and developers, never had a chance. It was doubly unfortunate for Bishop both that his new minister, Fred Willey, was out of his depth and that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government was led by one of the most formidable civil servants of the post-war period, Dame Evelyn Sharp. She was determined that her department should lose no important responsibilities. Exploiting the access of her own minister, Richard Crossman, to Wilson, she fought ruthlessly to ensure, first, that the new ministry was given no real powers and, second, that it was wound up as soon as possible. Willey's complaints and Wilson's resentment were unavailing. Bishop, who had no illusions about either his ministry or his minister, found himself in a non-job. By June 1965 he had let it be known that he wished to resign from the civil service and Crossman was exulting in his diary, ‘He should be sent off as soon as possible. Let's get rid of him this summer’ (Crossman, 261).

    Bishop was an able and well-liked public servant who, in his most senior Whitehall post, was unlucky to be frustrated by such fierce bureaucratic and political in-fighting. He left the civil service in 1965 and took a number of part-time posts, most notably on the board of S. Pearson & Son. In 1968–9 he was a member of a group of former senior officials set up to advise Edward Heath, then leader of the opposition, on reforms to the machinery of government. The Pearson board brought him into regular contact with Patrick Gibson, a committee member (and later chairman) of the National Trust. One result was that in January 1971 Bishop took up his final full-time position, as director-general of the National Trust. He succeeded another former senior official, Sir John Winnifrith, whose name he had suggested himself.

    The National Trust, whose ethos Bishop was to describe as ‘amateurism, in the real and best sense of the word’ (Jenkins and James, 258), was trying to bring its style more into line with modern needs; it had opened its first shop in 1970, and during Bishop's tenure enlarged its professional staff and saw its membership double (to 500,000). Described by a former colleague as ‘by nature a manipulator and negotiator’ (Gaze, 235), Bishop used his Whitehall experience and contacts assiduously on behalf of the trust, in particular helping to secure valuable changes in the rules governing the tax treatment of bequests and gifts. Not all was smooth sailing, however: the 1975 annual report noted that ‘a high level of inflation will make it impossible to maintain the high standard of conservation which both members and the general public have come to expect’. When Bishop that year outlined to staff the executive committee's proposals for a 20 per cent cut in real expenditure, the need for this was hotly questioned and tempers ran high. But in general Bishop was popular, both with members of the trust's committee and with staff, for whom he obtained better salary levels and pension arrangements. His management style was described as ‘unobtrusive’, without undue intervention in matters of detail (Gaze, 244).

    Bishop (Fred to his family, but Freddie more widely) took early retirement for health reasons from the National Trust in May 1975, having been knighted in January that year, and he and his wife moved to Cornwall. He had already been a member of the BBC's general advisory council (1971–75), a director of Pearson Longman (1970–77), and chairman of the Home Grown Timber Advisory Committee (1966–73); in Cornwall he took up directorships with English China Clays Ltd (1975–86) and Lloyd's Bank (1976–86). He continued to practise his skills as an amateur painter and his gift for friendship, not only with the Gibsons and others but also with Harold Macmillan, who visited the Bishops several times and remained in close touch until his own death. In 1987 Bishop and his wife moved to Hampshire to be closer to their grandchildren. He died at his home, Manor Barn, 65 Church Road, Bramshott, Hampshire, on 2 March 2005, of an acute transformation of chronic lymphatic leukaemia. He was survived by his three children, his wife having predeceased him."

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Black, Betty Ellice (W.80)

     W.80 First Officer  Betty Ellice Black 
     flag nz  b. 1 Sep 1913, Dunedin NZ 15 Apr-42 to 30 Aug-45 

     betty black 1943 NZ Herald 1943

     ata betty black   ATAM  

     

     Father: George Black (NZ Superintendent of Dalgety & Co, d. 1937)

    Ed. St Hilda's Collegiate School, Dunedin

    prev. exp: 129 hrs 50min, on DH 60, DH82, DH94, Miles Hawk, Magister, Whitney Straight, BA Swallow, Percival Vega Gull, Avro Avian in New Zealand and Australia

    Next of Kin: (Aunt) Mrs Owen Gould, Hampton, Otago NZ

    prev. Equipment Assistant, RNZAF, 21 Apr to 24 Nov 1941

    Address in 1942: c/o New Zealand House, 415 The Strand, London

    She arrived in the UK from Aukland on the 19 Feb 1942, quoting her address as c/o Dalgety & Co., Leadenhalll St, London


    Postings: 1FPP, 15FPP, 12FPP, 6FPP

    7 accidents, only 1 her fault:

    - 19 Jun 1942, in a Hart; her approach was too slow and she made a heavy landing, damaging the engine mountings;

    - 2 Mar 1943, she landed her Hurricane and hit an unmarked dip, causing the undercarriage leg to collapse;

    - 18 Sep 1943, the cockpit cover of her Spitfire broke away during flight;

    - 11 Mar 1944, another landing accident, this time in a Typhoon when the tail wheel retracted due to a hydraulic fault;

    - 27 Sep 1944, when the starboard undercarriage collapsed in an Argus; this time a sunken drainage gulley was to blame, and

    - 12 Feb 1945, her fourth undercarrriage landing-run collapse, this time the port wheel of a Beaufighter, and

    - 11 Apr 1945, a precautionary frced landing in a Beaufighter when the port engine lost revs.

    "A cheerful, hardworking pilot" "A good ferry pilot; always ready for any job allotted to her".


    m. Feb 1946 Christopher Dalton Beaumont in Thornbury, Gloucestershire

    d. 9 Jul 1977 - Nelson, NZ 


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip files):

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  • Blackmore, Richard Henry

     M.--- *  2nd Officer Richard Henry Blackmore 
     flag england b. 21 Sep 1896, Gillingham, Kent  2 Sep to 31 Oct 1940

       1929

         

     

    Father: Richard Blackmore, Mother: Maud

    2nd Lieut Essex Regiment, RFC Corporal in WWI

    RAeC Certificate 8549 dated 9 Apr 1929, taken at De Havilland Flying School

    Address in 1929: 21 Vale Court, Mallord St, Chelsea

     prev. student of electrical engineering; butcher

    Sailed to Canada in May 1930

    Address in 1931: 2147 Sherebroke, Montreal, Canada, described as a commercial air pilot, living with wife Olive Joy (m. 1928/9, an artist)

    Olive sailed back to the UK from Canada in Sep 1931 and May 1932, Richard in Sep 1932


     Postings:

     


     Olive d. 1959 as a widow

     


    * No ATA File

  • Blackwell, Patricia Annette (W.73 *)

     W.73 *  First Officer  Mrs Patricia Annette 'Ann' Blackwell
     flag england b. 30 Mar 1913, Putney  24 Feb-42 to Dec-45 

     patricia blackwell 1939  RAeC 1939

         

     

    nee Noble

    Father: Major Bertram W Noble OBE ("Messrs. B. W. Noble. Ltd. insurance and reinsurance brokers, of London and Paris"), mother Kate Elsie [Buckland]

     

    m. 24 Oct 1935 in Knightsbridge, George Wilson Blackwell

      The Bystander

    "They met at the International Marine Insurance Conference at Montreux in September 1933"

      (George moved to Canada, then the USA in October 1945 and became an American citizen.)


    Postings: 6FPP, 4FPP

     1942 ata wedding group ann blackwell bw5500  Naomi Allen on the left, Ann 2nd right. 1942?

     

    1942 ata typhoon ann blackwell bw5400  Ann in a Typhoon [photos with thanks to Nicholas Thomas]

     

    At least 4 Accidents, 1 her fault:

    - 9 Aug 1942, a forced landing in Fairchild EV771, with a broken connecting rod

    - 7 Nov 1942, in Hurricane I L1877, forced landing with low oil pressure and high oil temperature

    - 20 Nov 1944, she failed to control a crosswind landing in Seafire III BF499, swung and damaged the port wing

    - 20 Feb 1945, the tail wheel of Proctor III DX229 collapsed during landing


    m. 1948 in Maidenhead, Hugh McLennan Kendall

     

    d. Feb 1992 - Isle of Wight

  • Blake, Thomas Howes

     M.828

     First Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

     Thomas Howes Blake
     flag england b. 16 Apr 1913, Isle of Wight 6 Jan 1943 to 15 April 1945 

     ata thomas blake RAFM

     ata thomas blake MAMM MAMM    

     

    Address in 1943: Apes Down, Calbourne Rd, Newport,  Isle of Wight

    prev. Legal Assistant, IoW Council; RAF 3 Apr 1941 - Dec 1942


    Postings: 5FPP, 2FPP


     d. Apr 1996 - Isle of Wight

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): download grey

  • Blow, Ernest Lynton

      M.768  First Officer Ernest Lynton Blow
       b. 9 Dec 1906, Dunstable  9 Sep 1942 to Dec-44 

     ata ernest blow 1936 1936

     ata ernest blow ATA    

     

    prev. F/O in  RAFVR 1939-41; Test Pilot for Airspeed

    prev. exp. 3,843 hrs;

    Owned:

    - 1930 Avro 616 Avian IVM G-ABDP

    - 1931 DH.80A Puss Moth G-ABMC

    - 1936 BA Swallow L25C Mk.2 G-AEKG

     "A keen and efficient pilot and a good officer"

    d. 2003, USA

     

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Blumenthal, Charles

     M.---- 3rd Officer  Charles Blumenthal 
    flag france    17 Feb 1942 to 19 Jul 1942

     

         

     

    One accident, his fault:

    - 31 May 1942, in Magister T9887. The aircraft swung on landing and the udercarriage collapsed. "Error of judgement on the part of the pupil pilot in attempting to land in a cross-wind, and subsequent failure to correct swing."

    Contract Terminated 19 Jul 1942

  • Bodinnar, John Kenneth

     M.150 First Officer  John Kenneth Bodinnar 

    flag england

     b. 9 Jan 1906, Bristol  14 Aug 1940 to 3 Apr 1941 

      

    ata john bodinnar

    1937

     

    ata john bodinnar 2

    ATA

       

     

    Father: Sir John Francis Bodinnar J.P., The Old Palace, Chippenham, Wilts

    [Sir John Francis Bodinnar (1880-1958) was a Company Director (of, among others, the West of England Bacon Company, Ltd) and Mayor of Calne from 1925-27. "On the site of the Old Palace stood the house in which King Alfred is traditionally said to have burnt the cakes."

    the old palace chippenham

    The Old Palace was bought by the Town Council in 1942 for new offices; it is now the Chippenham Museum.]

    Mother: Mabel Frost [Latham]. [d. 1948)

    Ed. Malvern College

    prev. "various, including fruit growing and engineering" - spent 1926-35 in Canada.

    Address in 1940: 5 Alexandra Court, Wembley Pk, Middx

    m. 1937 in Kensington, London, Sheila Frances Grace [George, d. 1979]

    Next of kin: (wife) Sheila, c/o "Branksome", Old Woking Rd, Pyrford, Surrey


     Postings: 1FPP

    Suspended for 2 days in Dec 1940 for infringement of flying regulations

    2 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 6 Feb 1941, he hit a concrete block whilst taxying a Leopard Moth, having to avoid an approaching Hart


    janes hurricane

    d. 3 Apr 1941 (age 35) (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane Z3166 flew into a ploughed field at Gorse Lane, Tarleton, Lancs, in poor visibility.

    He was held to blame for the accident, having persevered too long in bad weather. Douglas Fairweather was flying in the same area on the same day, and confirmed that the weather was so bad he had to curtail his own flight.

    He had flown 98 hrs in delivering 105 aircraft for the ATA.

    Buried in Maidenhead Cemetery, Sec. D. Row L. Grave 7

    Sheila wrote to Gerard d'Erlanger: "May I send you my very sincere thanks for your flowers and sympathetic letter on the occasion of my husband's death.

    Your kind remarks made me feel very proud of him and I am sure he would not have wished for higher commendation." 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Boilstone, John William

     M.849

    Flt-Sgt / First Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    John William 'Jack' Boilstone 
     flag england b. 28 Jun 1915, Stourbridge, Worcs 30 Jan 1943 to 9 Dec 1943 

       ATA

         

     

    Father: Joseph Pearson Boilstone, a Farmer; mother: Dorothy May [Downing]

    m. 1942 in Bromsgrove, Dorothy Margaret [Taylor, b. 1919]

    prev. a Motor Tester; RAF from 5 Jul 1941, 10 OTU, Abingdon

    prev. exp. 190 hrs on Stearman PT 17, Harvard, Vultee, Oxford, Whitley in UK and USA

    Address in 1943: Hillingdon, Highfield Crescent, Blackheath, Birmingham


     Postings: 16FPP

     "A neat and steady pilot of good average ability who takes his work seriously and has the makings of a very good ferry pilot"

    "He posseses a quick & keen personailty and his discipline has been exemplary"

    One accident, his fault:


    Beaufort

     d. 9 Dec 1943 in Beaufort II LZ146 which stalled on approach to Kirkbride, dived into the ground 1000ft west of the airfield and was destroyed. Ferry from 44 MU Edzell to 40 APU Melton Mowbray.

     

    Buried St Kenelm's Churchyard, Romsley, Worcs

     "Constantly remembered by his wife, parents and all relatives"

    FLT SGT J.W. BOILSTONE

    FIRST OFFICER A.T.A.

    LOVING MEMORIES ALWAYS

    OF MY DARLING HUSBAND

    JACK.

    WHO LOST HIS LIFE WHILE

    ON DUTY AS A FERRY PILOT

    DEC 9TH, 1943

    AGED 28 YEARS.

    OUR GARDEN OF MEMORIES

    LIVES ON 


    Dorothy later (1951) m. Alfred J Newman and d. 2008


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bonnett, Rosemary Leslie (W.155 *)

     W.155 * 3rd Officer 

    Mrs Rosemary Leslie [or Lesley] Bonnett

    flag england  b. 1 Sep 1918, Bristol  21 Feb-44 to Sep-45 

      RAeC 1945

         

     

     née Bell

     father: Percy Harrison Bell (2nd Lt in WWI, who gained an RAeC Certificate No 5298, in October 1917) , mother Adele Helene [Gellatly, a midwife, d. 1967 in S. Africa]

    Grew up in South Africa (1924 - Jan 1936)

    prev. a Secretary, typist

    m. early 1942 Flt-Lt Dorian Dick Bonnett DFC

      (39 Sqn RAF, d. 24 Oct 1942 in Lancaster I W4306, which crashed in England on return from a daylight raid on Milan)


     [ab initio trainee]

    Postings: 15FPP, 7FPP

    2 accidents, both her fault:

    - 14 Oct 1944, when taxying on wet grass and in windy conditions, her Argus I EV792 collided with marker flags

    - 9 Aug 1945, taxying in Andon I AX319, she struck a motor sweeper and the aircraft was damaged.

     

     Gained her Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate (No 20610) as part of the ATA's 'Wings' scheme on 3 Oct 1945


    m. Oct 1946 in Surrey, Flight Captain Phillip Lambert Gibbs

    ata phillip gibbs 1935  (also an ex-ATA pilot)

     

    m. 1949 in Kensington, London, Richard C Towers

     Address in 1989: Garden Farm, Tufton, Haverfordwest

    d. 25 Jan 1989

  • Boucher, Maitland Walter Sabine

     M.449 *  Commander Maitland Walter Sabine Boucher 
    flag UK b. 19 Dec 1888, Port Elizabeth SA  24 Jun 1941 to 11 Sep 1943

     

    ata maitland boucher

    Capt Boucher R.N. in 1931

      ATAM    

     

    Rear-Admiral Boucher from Jan-41

    "Admiral Boucher had been one of the pioneers of the Fleet Air Arm having obtained his RAF wings in 1925. When he joined ATA he started like any other pilot in EFTS and worked his way up through the ATA School." Lettice Curtis

    After a particularly bad landing whilst on the training course, he was 'carpeted' by his instructor Jimmy Weir. He apologised and then said "And may I say that in 20 years in the Navy, I have never had such an excellent and comprehensive ticking off."

    O.C. ATA Northern Area, 1943

    Returned to the Navy as a Commodore and was put on convoy duty; in December 1943 he commanded Convoy JW55B taking supplies to the USSR, which was the target of the German battleship Scharnhorst. Scharnhorst was intercepted and sunk by Royal Navy forces in the Battle of the North Cape.

    d. Jun 1963  - Maidenhead

     

  • Bourne, Francis Walter

     M.508 Captain   Francis Walter Bourne

    flag british india

    b. 9 Dec 1904, Faizabad, India   20 May 1941 to 30 Nov 45

     

         

    Father: Walter Kemp Bourne, mother Evelyn Frances

    Ed. Royal Naval College

    m. Barbara Frances 

    prev. Lieut. in Royal Navy 1918-28; RAF F/O; Poultry Farmer, Commercial Flying. Ambulance Driver 1941

    Address in 1941: Leighton Brow Lodge, Parkgate, Cheshire


    Postings: 16FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP

    1 accident, not his fault:

    - 12 Mar 1943, forced landing in a Wellington after port engine oil pressure dropped.

    "An experienced pilot, consistent and hard-working"

    from May 1944, 2nd-in-command, No 14 FPP (Ringway)


    d. 1 Nov 1967, Hove

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Bowhan, Francis Dawson

     M.---  2nd Officer Francis Dawson "Chief" Bowhan 

    flag usa

      b. 30 Apr 1901, Elgin, Kansas 14 Aug 1940 to 2 Oct 1940 

      ata francis bowhan ancestry      

     

    m. 1921 (divorced, remarried 1934) Charlotte [Blair]

    prev. a racing, joy-ride and test pilot

    Address in 1940: Pawhuska, Osage, Oklahoma


    ATA Contract Terminated 2 Oct 1940

    The ATA's Administration Officer wrote to him: "You called here yesterday afternoon with a Medical Certificate to the effect that you were unfit for duty and I instructed you to take it to the Chief Instructor and collect my letter, which you did not do.

    As a result of this failure to obey instructions in addition to the complaints about you referred to in my letter, the Minister of Aircraft Production has decided that you are unsuitable for the duty for which you were brought to this country"


    d. 23 Apr 1944 - Kansas City, MO

    ata francis bowhan grave

    Buried Pawhuska City Cemetery

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Bowles, Frederick George

     M----  Cadet  Frederick George Bowles
       b. 26 Mar 1912, Newcastle on Tyne  16 Sep 1942 to Dec-42 

     ata frederick bowles1938 1938

     ata frederick bowles ATA    

     

    prev. an engineering draughtsman


    janes magister

    d. 6 Dec 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Magister L8233 spun in near Letchworth, Herts 1.5m SSW of Baldock.

    Marked as a red spot on this map::

    Bowles crash site

     

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bowyer, Barbara Petronella (W.120)

     W.120  3rd Officer  Mrs Barbara Petronella Bowyer
     za-1928flag  b. 19 Sep 1917, Johannesburg SA  14 Jun 1943 to 31 Oct 1945

     

         

    nee Reid 

    Ed. Rosedean, S Africa, and Witwatersrand University

    m. Jan 1943 in Chelsea, Sub-Lt Alan James Bowyer, an artist who served with the Royal Navy throughout the war

       this is one of his many paintings, "Squally Weather in the Channel" 

     

    Address in 1943: 2 Manor Court, Hemus Court, London SW3


     Next-of kin changed from her husband to Mrs M Rivett-Carmac, Walnut Tree Cottage, 1 St Johns Rd, Wimbledon, then to (sister-in-law) Mrs Spreadbury, Battersea

    Off sick from 7 to 23 Jan 1944 with influenza

    2 accidents, neither her fault:

    - 31 Jan 1944, a forced landing in a Swordfish after loss of oil pressure

    - 20 Jun 1944, the rudder of her Argus was struck in mid-air by an Anson; in the subsequent forced landing the Argus turned over onto its back.


    She changed her name to Cripps 27 Jan 1945:

    ata_barbara_bowyer_name_change.jpg

    and then when Alan Bowyer married Gladys [Brown] in October 1946, she married Mr Cripps:

    ata derek cripps 1946

    m. Dec 1946 in Hendon, Derek Arthur Rivers Cripps, also an ex-ATA pilot

    One child, Susan, b. Jul 1947

     

    poss m.  Jul 1957 in Middlesex, Robert G Ostler

      


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip files):

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  • Boyd, Casey Thomas

     M.176  First Officer Casey Thomas Boyd 

    flag usa

     b. 3 Aug 1911, Clayton, AL  25 Oct 1940 to 24 Apr 1943 

           

     

    Father: George T Boyd, Mother: Mary Clara

    Ed. High School, Blue Springs, AL

    prev. Aviation Machinist; US Navy pilot from 1930 to 1940

    Arrived in Liverpool on 20 Nov 1940, having sailed from Montreal, with fellow ATA pilot William Gregg


    Postings: 8FPP, 2FPP, 14FPP

    Class V (4-engine) pilot

    Suspended for a week in 1941 due to "Breach of regulations relating to collection of aircraft", and

    Suspended for another day and fined $20 due to going AWOL

    4 accidents, none deemed his fault:

    - 1 Feb 1941, the wheels of his Blenheim stuck in an unmarked soft patch

    - 28 Jan 1942, on landing his Beaufort AW345 on slippery ground at Kemble, the brakes failed to grip "owing to [the] bad state of Kemble aerodrome for delivery of Beaufort aircraft"

    - 10 Apr 1942, whilst taxying his Beaufighter I X7825 at Sealand, the tail wheel fell into a small unmarked excavation

    - 14 Oct 1942, forced landing after the starboard engine of his Beaufighter VIc T5265 failed on take off, possibly due to the engine running for a long period on the ground

     

    "Continues to be a most valuable member of this Pool, both as regards his flying qualities and his conduct."


    Transferred to RAF Ferry Command

    Casey's Draft Card, dated 26 Jul 1943

    Later flew 'The Hump with CNAC - see CNAC Captian Casey T. Boyd

     

     d. 24 Nov 1970 - Clayton, Alabama


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Boyes, Edwin Arthur

     M.776 * First Officer  Edwin Arthur Boyes 
    flag england   b. 17 Feb 1908, Bramley, Leeds 15 Jul 1942 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata edwin boyes 1939 1939

     

    Address in 1939: 123 Ring Road, Farnley, Leeds

    prev. A Woollen Manufacturer

     

  • Bradbrooke, Francis Delaforce

     M.4  Captain  Francis Delaforce 'Brad' Bradbrooke

    flag england

    flag canada

     b. 14 Mar 1895, Worcestershire  11 Sep 1939 to Aug-41 

     ata f d bradbrooke 1935 1935 (Flight)  ata francis bradbrooke2Brief Glory   ATAM  

     

    Ed: Bletchley Grammar School, then Manitoba University

    1914-16 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles;

    1916-1930 1st Lieut., Canadian Machine Gun Corps;

     prev. an aviation journalist, on the staff of 'The Aeroplane'; had flown about 110 types of aeroplane

    Seconded to AtFero 20 Mar 1941


     B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 10 Aug 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Liberator AM261 crashed into Goat Fell mountain on Isle of Arran after take off from Heathfield, Ayr (22 killed - 5 crew and 17 travelling as passengers) 

    9 of the victims were Canadian, 5 British, 7 American, and one was an Australian.

    11 of the victims were pilots: Josiah James Anderson (Can), Daniel J Duggan (US), Watt Miller King (US), George Thomas Harris (US), Hoyt Ralph Judy (US), John James Roulstone (US), Harold Clifford Wesley Smith (Can), Jack Wixen (US), Capt. Ernest R. B. White (BOAC, ex-Imperial Airways), F. D. Bradbrooke, and John Evan Price (Aus).

    10 radio operators, including Albert Alexander Oliver, George Herbert Powell and Herbert David Rees from BOAC, and one Flight Engineer, Ernest George Reeves (US), also lost their lives.

    Flight said: "Canada shares with Great Britain the loss of Capt. F. D. Bradbrooke, who, although born in Worcestershire, has spent many years in Canada, where he learned to fly in 1928. Several years ago he came to this country to join the staff of The Aeroplane, of which he became assistant editor. He left that post to become editor of a little journal called The Aero Pilot. On its formation he joined the Air Transport Auxiliary and ferried aircraft from factories to service units, and finally he joined Atfero. He was a very experienced pilot"

    "To say only that aeronautical journalism had lost one of its most important figures in the Atfero accident would be very much understating the case. Capt. F. D. Bradbrooke was much more than an aeronautical journalist. He was one of those amateur pilots who had helped to make private flying in this country, and was, at the same time, an "amateur technician " of no mean importance. He had a finger in every pie remotely connected with his primary interest and hobby, and was by way of being a humorist in his own inimitable way.

    "Brad" was one of the most enthusiastic persons anyone could possibly meet, and his enthusiasm was catching. As a member of the staff of The Aeroplane he was an unstinting supporter of everything which he felt to be a "good thing," and a somewhat vitriolic opponent of anything which he felt to be useless or silly. When, for instance, the tricycle undercarriage was considered merely as a peculiar kind of throwback, " Brad " was vigorous in his praise, and I was with him when he flew the first tricycle type to appear in this country. The machine in question was a " safety-first " type, and until "Brad" started to expatiate (with his usual lack of professional "tightness"), I had been interested only in the slots and things with which the machine was fitted. It was Bradbrooke, in fact, who helped to make this country "tricycle conscious."

    And that was only one of the many ideas which he had sponsored. What was more important is that he was prepared to put his enthusiasm into vigorous practice. In the course of his investigations he would fly almost anything anywhere. And I must say that in his search for truth (of the aeronautical kind) he risked his neck in one or two very queer contraptions so that he could at least give the designer an absolutely fair opinion—in print or otherwise.

    At the beginning of this war he was one of the founders of Air Transport Auxiliary, and here again his enthusiasm was terrific. Later, when the Atlantic ferrying business started, he was one of the first to volunteer for the work, and was thereafter - until he started on the work itself - to be seen, so to speak, with a sextant in one hand and a textbook on astronomical navigation in the other. At odd moments he would hoist the sextant to his eye and compute his position—though he knew perfectly well where he was.

    When there is peace and civil flying returns we shall miss "Brad", a very great deal. All this war-flying was only for him an interlude preparatory to returning to his greatest interest - civil flying. The only kind of flying which is really worth anything in the long run. Yes, we shall certainly miss him."

    A memorial service was held each year on the anniversary of the crash at Lamlash Cemetery, Island of Arran.

    ATA's insurance policy paid out £5,000 to his widow Joan, and £2,000 each to the families of the 3 radio operators.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Bradford, Cassandra Felicity (W.41)

     W.41

     Flight Captain

     Cassandra Felicity 'Fay' Bradford MBE

    flag england

     b. 22 Sep 1915, London

    1 May-41 to Sep-45 


     cassandra bradford 1939 RAeC

         

    Address in 1941: Empshott Lodge, Liss, Hants


    Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP

     4-engine (Class 5) pilot

     

    5 accidents, 2 her fault:

    - 9 Jan 1941, when the rear cockpit cover of her Master fell off, damaging the tail;

    - 26 Jun 1942, forced landing in an Airacobra;

    - 13 Dec 1942, she failed to control the take-off swing of a Hudson;

    - 30 Apr 1943, her Spitfire's port wing touched the ground on a difficult crosswind landing, and

    - 11 Jul 1944, forced landing in an Anson.

     

    A good natural pilot" "A capable pilot who is keen and quietly confident"

    "Has proved to be a good second in command and was acting C.O. for 2 months with credit"

    m. 1941 Cmdr Peter Hugh Bragg, RAF Boscombe Down


    d. 1984

    See her biography here - Felicity Bragg – solentaviatrix (wordpress.com)


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  • Bradley, Philip Penrose

     

     M.204 First Officer  Philip Penrose Bradley 
     flag england  b. 25 Jul 1905, Nottingham  1 Jan 1941 to Oct-45 

     ata philip bradley 1928 1928

     ata philip bradley2 ATA  ata philip bradley ATA  

     

    Ed. Bradfield College, Leeds; Lausanne and Zurich Universities. B.Sc.

    a Company Director

    Sgt pilot instructor in RAF; discharge on medical grounds, Nov-40

    prev. exp. 2,398 hrs

    [Resigned Aug-43, re-instated Apr-44]

    "Reliable pilot and good officer when on duty. General behaviour off duty suspect owing to several police visits on private matters" 

    Hmmm... wonder why the police kept visiting... perhaps because he was (still) a terrible car driver...

    Nottingham Evening Post - Tuesday 16 March 1937:

    "CITY MOTORIST FINED £10

    PENALTY BY WILTSHIRE BENCH

    CAUSED TROUBLE TO POLICE

    CONDUCT DESCRIBED AS VERY SLACK

    Salisbury magistrates yesterday imposed fines amounting to £10 upon Mr. Philip Penrose Bradley, company director, giving an address in The Park, Nottingham, who surrendered to bail charged with five offences under the Road Traffic Act. When the cases were first before the Bench defendant did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. It was then discovered that he was in a nursing home, and the case was adjourned, bail being extended.

    The charges were that he drove a motor car without having in force a policy of insurance; that he failed to produce a certificate of insurance; that he drove without a licence; that he failed to produce his licence, and that he, having been prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit, failed to produce his driving licence to the Clerk of the Court prior to the hearing of the summons.

    At the hearing yesterday the Chief Constable (Mr. F. Nixon) said he was now satisfied that the defendant held a driving licence and that he had in force a policy of insurance at the time that the offence was committed, and he therefore asked that those summonses be withdrawn. This was agreed to, and defendant pleaded guilty to the remaining, summonses. Mr. Nixon said when defendant was stopped by the police he promised to produce his policy of insurance and driving licence within five days to the Nottingham Guildhall. This he failed to do. The Nottingham police made several unsuccessful efforts to interview him, and it was only few days ago that the insurance policy was produced. In January summons was sent to defendant for a speeding offence, and with it was enclosed a printed slip instructing him to send his licence to the magistrates' clerk the day before the hearing. On the day of the hearing defendant telephoned to say that he could not attend court, and that he put his licence in an envelope ready to post, but he had forgotten to send it. On January llth he was fined in that court for exceeding the speed limit, and an endorsement of his licence was ordered. He was instructed to produce his licence endorsement, but as no satisfaction could be obtained, further proceedings were instituted."

    Tamworth HeraldSaturday 13 August 1938: "A collision happened at the Bodnets cross-roads, Bonehill, on Saturday afternoon, between a motor lorry driven by Herbert Young. Prospect Street, Old Kent Road, London, S.E.I, and a motor car, the driver of which was Philip Penrose Bradley, Malvern Road, West Bridgford."

    Derby Daily Telegraph - Saturday 31 August 1940:

    "PATROL CAR INCIDENT

    Pleading "Not guilty" to driving a motor-car without due care and attention on March 11, Philip Penrose Bradley, Burnaston, was discharged. He was fined 5s. for failing to produce his driving licence and a similar amount for failing to produce his certificate of insurance. Inspector S. Bradwell said that a private car and police patrol car had to brake violently when Mr. Bradley suddenly stopped his car on the Nottingham road without warning. Mr. H. M. Clifford admitted that the only danger was caused by the speed of the patrol car."

     --------------

    His daughter tells me that "My father deserted my mother in 1946. They had been married for just a few years, and I never had the opportunity to get to know him. His visits were infrequent and, like my mother, he eventually re-married and had more children.

    During the 1960’s he served a prison sentence. He embezzled a large sum of money from 'Kennings'. He had worked for Kennings for a number of years and became a company director. It was during his term in prison that he became ill and had a stroke. He was given early release but was eventually diagnosed with lung cancer and he died in 1968 in Nottingham."

    "He came from a well known Nottingham family, they were lace manufacturers and also had leather works both in Nottingham and abroad. My mother was Philip's second wife. He married his first wife, Lilian, in the early 1930’s and they had one son, John, who sadly died from polio at the age of approx. 2 years. My mother was introduced to Philip by her older sister and they married early 1940’s.

    I do know that he had owned at least two planes of his own. The first one, I was told, was purchased with money his father had given to him to buy a factory in Holland….Philip obviously had other ideas! Unfortunately my father told numerous lies both to his family and especially to my mother. I attended his funeral in 1968 but had not seen him for several years. I believe his third and last marriage was a happy one."

    ---

    He owned:

    - a Leopard Moth,

    - a 1929 Desoutter I, G-AAPK (bought in Dec 1937),

    - a 1933 Comper Swift G-ACGL, registered to 'E Bradley' [presumably his father Ernest Frank Bradley], and

    - a 1934 Miles M.2 Hawk, G-ACOC.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Bradshaw, Stanley Orton

     M.404  2nd Officer  Stanley Orton Bradshaw

    flag england

     b. 2 Feb 1903, London 29 Apr 1941 to 31 Oct 45 

     ata stanley bradshaw 19271927

     ata stanley bradshaw ICCL    

     

    An aviation journalist (e.g. 'Flying Memories,' 1936) and a prolific and well-known artist, e.g. this from 1931:

    83609

    and this, from 1936:

    coverart 1936 Bradshaw zpsb4aeb757

    Address in 1941: Fivetrees, Wood Lane, Stanmore Middx


    Postings; 1FPP, 6FPP

    [Promoted to First Officer 29 Dec 1941, but demoted to 3rd Officer 21 June 1943 after being absent through injury following a forced landing in a Hurricane, from 27 Mar 1942 to 15 Nov 1942]

    Jan-43: "After a long rest from flying owing to his accident this pilot failed to reach the necessary standard on his Class 2 refresher. He has bnow been checked out on Class 1 and after 3 months experience in this class should be given another trial."

    By Dec-44 he had qualified for Class 2 and 3, and became "a good reliable and well behaved officer. His knowledge of the country and steady flying make him an excellent pilot."


    d. 1950. Flight, 13 Apr: "It is with deep regret that Flight records the deaths, in an air accident at Boston last Friday, of Stanley Orton Bradshaw, pilot, and editorial contributor to The Aeroplane, and of his two passengers, E. J. Riding and N. C. Stoneham. Aged 47, Mr. Bradshaw had been a pilot since 1926 and, following wartime A.T.A. experience, had over 70 types of aircraft in his logbook. In addition, he was a noted aviation writer and painter of flying scenes. He had a happy way of transmitting his intense enthusiasm for aviation, particularly private flying, to all he met. Mr. Riding, also a writer, was an authority on aero-modelling and light aircraft. The third victim, Mr. Stoneham, was a member of the Redhill Flying Club."


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  • Bramson, Mogens Louis

     M.---  First Officer Mogens Louis Bramson 

    flag denmark

     b. 28 Jun 1895, Copenhagen  2 Oct 1939 to Mar-40 


      

    ata morgens bramson 1923

    1923

         

     

    Flew with Major J.C. Savage's 'Sky Writers' at Hendon in the 1920s - borrowed an aeroplane to write a certain lady's name in the sky. She, of course, later became his wife.

    And, would you believe it, he was in charge of the 'Scandinavian Sky-Writing Expedition' in 1923-24.

    King's Cup in 1931

     

  • Brandt, Laurent Frederick Ronald

    M.694

     First Officer

    Laurent Frederick Ronald Brandt 
     flag england b. 8 Mar 1909, Widnes, Lancs 25 Nov 1941 to Nov-43 

     ata laurent brandt1938

         

     

    Ed. Leicester Technical College

    His mother's maiden name was Minnie Gertrude Willis; she was, apparently, the 7th daughter of the co-founder of the firm Freeman Hardy and Willis. On his marriage certificate, he is named 'Laurent Willis Brandt'

     

    "'ATROCIOUS ASSAULT' ON BOY OF 13 

    LEICESTER MANAGER FINED 

    BENCH SAYS THERE WAS NO EXCUSE

    What was termed by the Chairman as 'an atrocious assault' by a 23-year old Leicester man on a 13-year old boy was described  at Leicester City Police Court to-day. 

    Laurent Frederick Brandt, a manager, of Friar-lane, Leicester, was fined £5, with the alternative of 26 days' imprisonment, for an assault on Eric Weston, a schoolboy, of All Saints Road, Leicester.

    John Haylock, of Southgate, said he saw the boy pass a stationary car in Friar-Lane. "Just as the boy passed Brandt Jumped out from behind the car and kicked him," said Haylock." For ten minutes the boy did not seem to be able to stand up, and he had to be taken to the Royal Infirmary." 

    There seemed to the witness to be no reason whatever for the assault. "As I passed the car I said 'Are you letting a drop of wind out?' and then - the man jumped straight out and kicked me" declared the boy.

    Brandt pleaded guilty, and said that the boy tampered with a sidelight on the car. Brandt 'raised his foot' to the boy because he was holding tools in both hands. 

    Miss Denise Branson, of Friar-Lane Leicester, said that she saw the boy tampering with a sidelight on Brandt's car.

    "This was a most vicious and unprovoked assault" said the Chairman. "You may not take the law into your own hands even if the boy had meddled with your car. The only doubt the magistrates have is whether they should send you to prison without the option of a fine." - Leicester Evening Mail - Tuesday 1 March 1932

     

    "RECEIVING CHARGE DISMISSED

    Laurent Fredk. Ronald Brandt, 24, electrician, pleaded not guilty to receiving a silver cigarette-case and a sovereign-case, knowing them to be stolen, from James Arthur Blackburn at Great Clacton.

    Mr. Bowman, prosecuting, said Blackburn had pleaded guilty to the theft. The property was taken from the house of Mr. David Jacobs while he was on holiday. Brandt said Blackburn gave him the articles a few days after he met him. He sold the case to buy something for a friend in hospital. Brandt was found not guilty and discharged, and Blackburn was sent to Borstal institution for three years." -Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 26 May 1933

     

    "'PLANE CRASH IN FIELD

    Civil Air Guard Injured

    Mr. Laurent Frederick Ronald Brandt. aged 30, a member of the Civil Air Guard. crashed at Harmondsworth on Sunday afternoon when flying an Avro Club Cadet two-seater. Mr. Brandt. who lives at Eastcote. was detained in Hounslow Hospital suffering from broken ribs and jaw, with several teeth knocked out. The plane was almost completely wrecked. A passenger in the plane, Mr. Mervyn Basden of Slough, was taken to Windsor Hospital with facial injuries. The crash was in Mr. Philp's field opposite the Technicolor building." - Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette - Friday 28 April 1939

     

     m. 1935 Elsie Esme Florence [Fox], (separated)

    prev. a radio engineer; Assistant Tester, (Control Room) Generating Station, LPTB

    prev. exp. 150 hrs

    Applied to join the RAF in Sep 1938 but was unable to join due to "unforeseen domestic circumstances", and again in May 1940 but was unable to obtain his release from his employers.

     


    Postings: 8FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 1FPP

    Two accidents, neither his fault:

    - 8 May 1943, his Magister P2436 lost power after take-off, and he force-landed in a field without damage. He was a 2nd Officer, under training at Barton-le-Clay, at the time

    - 3 Sept 1943, another engine failure, another forced landing, this time in a Hart (still under Training) (? - listed as J Brandt)

    Appointed as an 'Approved Instructor' on 17 Apr 1943, but taken off instructional duties on 7 Sep 1943.


    beaufighter 6

    d. 25 Nov 1943 (Died in ATA Service) Beaufighter X LZ536 dived into ground out of cloud at Cronton Mapley Lancs, nr Burtonwood 8m E of Liverpool

    The accident report says, "When accepting this aircraft at a handling Pool, the pilot failed to reveal that he had not flown the type before, did not obtain and read the Handling Notes on the type, failed to obtain a meteorological forecast, and continued too far in bad weather. The aircraft spun out of cumulo-nimbus cloud, crashed, caught fire and was destroyed."

     

    Laurent had changed his next-of-kin from Esme, his wife, to his mother Minnie, but Minnie declined the offer of the £2,500 compensation from the ATA and it went instead to Esme.

    His final estate, however, was only £288 (and funerals cost about 30 guineas in 1943, so it wasn't that)

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Brasher, Ronald David Henry

     M.1105

    3rd Officer

    (Seconded from RAF)

    Ronald David Henry Brasher 
     flag england b. 3 Oct 1922, Yorkshire   20 Jun 1944 to Apr-45

     

         

     

    prev. RAF, and an Engineer's clerk

    d. 1986, Derbyshire

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bray, Thomas Charles David

     M.194  First Officer Thomas Charles David ‘Tom’ Bray 

      b. 22 Jul 1906, Sheffield, Tasmania 1 Oct 1940 to Mar-42 

      ? ATAM      

     

    Next of kin: sister, Sylvia M Bray, 2 Paterson St, Launceston, Tasmania

    Prev. exp. 420 hrs

    Tom was one of a number of Australians who came over to fly for the Yorkshire Aeroplane Club, but when all civilian flying was stopped on the outbreak of WWII in October 1939, he applied to join the ATA.

    They rejected him on the basis of his flight test, but then contacted him again the following July and asked if he would like to be reconsidered; he replied that, in the meantime, he had taken a job with the Rapide Flight of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, but would indeed like to re-apply.

    His next flight test in August 1940 assessed him as: “A pilot of limited experience, who has ability and may prove adaptable to modern aircraft, of which he has no experience.”

    Thomas then started with the ATA and worked well for about a year at Hawarden, but then resigned as the situation in the Far East deteriorated and he became worried about things at home.

    However, his C.O. ‘Wal’ Handley wrote to the ATA to say: “I do not want to lose him, as he is a good pilot”, and they agreed to release Tom in the event of hostilities arising between Japan and Australia.

    He withdrew his resignation, but died in an aircraft accident a few weeks later.


    janes hampden 2

    d. 18 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) – his Hampden X3130 went missing after taking off from Kirkbride at about 15:00, heading for Thorney Island. He and 2nd Officer Nathaniel Berry (joined 1941) were presumed lost at noon the following day when no sign had been seen of them.

    His body was eventually washed up on the shore at Southport, on the 8th June 1942. Cause of death could not be determined. He was buried at  Maidenhead Cemetery on the 13th:

     ata bray funeral 1     ata bray funeral 2

    ata bray funeral 3      ata bray funeral 4

     "Sadly Missed"

    As sometimes sadly happened, a final letter from home arrived after his death. It is dated 5 Feb 1942:

    “Thursday morning thought I could pen you a few lines while I am waiting for my fruit and vegetable to come in.

    Received money last Friday £24 18s 6d don’t know if that was right I haven’t had any letter to say how much you were sending. The last letter received from you was dated back to sometime in Aug and it arrived the first week in Dec. You said in that you would make arrangement and let me know later when and how much. Anyway thanks very much it arrived just in the nick of time. I ran myself a bit short last month paying £25 for wireless and I gave Stan £20, I had to pay £50 for vegetables for the Military for Feb. so you can guess I was just about on the rocks.

    Well Tom the war gets closer every day. This is Monday the 9th and the paper says Japs are landing in Singapore. Mum seems to worry about it she is so helpless, and there all day on her own. She seems a lot better than she was last time I wrote, but said she felt crook this morning when she got out of bed.

    Our petrol has been cut again so I don’t get out weekends at all, though we did run up to Mabel’s for a few hours yesterday. We have to black out the car lights and everything. What I can see we are going to have a cold black winter. The weather is terribly dry, and vegetables are very dear. But that is all the better for me, can always sell more when it is a good price.

    Auntie A had a long letter from Bett. She is doing canteen work three days a week, and said she hadn’t heard any more of you but would write you in a few days. Edward is away a lot at night. Your letter must be hung up somewhere. I wonder if you are getting mine this is the third time since Xmas. We received greeting and it did your mother a lot of good.

    Well Tom Rita, Dorothy and myself had a day at the Launceston Cup. Had quite a good day and it cost us 1 shilling for expenses, but it was a very poor meeting, no Melbourne horses, and very poor div’s. I wasn’t game to take my car, as they were checking up on all the cars registered for business, they are not allowed on pleasure trips, and for the first time I realised how hard it will be if I can’t get petrol.

    Stan started on his new house this morning. He has two boys at work and they are going to school at night. So he should be alright now.

    Business is going well so far, so I suppose I am lucky. There are quite a few shops closing up.

    Well Tom it is time I did a bit of work. I have a boy and girl in the shop, they are only 14 years but they do a very good job.

    That must be all for now so cheerio and heaps of love from Mum and Syl.”


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Breen, Patrick Francis

     M.---   Patrick Francis "Patty" Breen 

    flag eire

    flag usa

     b. 10 May 1905, County Kerry, Ireland  22 Aug to 12 Sep 1940 

            

     

    Naturalised American 1934

    Address in 1940: 37-20 76th St, Jackson Heights, Long Island NY


    ATA Contract Terminated - Inefficiency

    "Herewith, I forward Flight Test Reports on the five American pilots, who reported on the 22 August. From these, you will see that only two are in the class of pilot we require.

    Passed: Ortman, Phillips

    Failed: Breen, McCory, Wickford"


    d. 18 Dec 1969 - Denton, TX 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Brinjes, Dennis Gerald

     M.319 First Officer  Dennis Gerald Brinjes  

    flag england

    b. 11 Feb 1918, Hornsey, London

    21 Oct 1940 to Oct-45

    (Ground Duties from Apr-44) 


           

     

     prev. aircraft engineer

    RAF 1939-40

    Accidents Committee from Oct-44

    d. 2011, Bideford


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Broad, Jennie (W.18)

     W.18

    Second Officer

    [Training Pool Adjutant 5 Aug 42 to 27 Nov 42]

     
    Jennie Broad 

    flag UK

    za-1928flag

     b. 28 Jun 1912, Cape Town, South Africa

    30 Jul 1940 to 11 Jun 43 

      

    Lettice, Jennie, Audrey, Gaby, Pauline, near Oxford

     jennie broad 1935 RAeC 1935  W018 Broad Jennie ATA   jennie broad 1948 RAeC 1948

     

    Father: Charles Cecil Broad (a farmer and inventor, m. 1939 Daisy [Bigglestone], d. Nov 1941), mother Dorothy

    The family moved to Sussex in Jan 1922, when Jennie was 9

    Ed. Bournemouth High School

    Flight, April 1937:   "The chief attraction of the weekend was a demonstration of the Hillson Praga monoplane by Miss Jennie Broad. After she had put the machine through its paces, numerous members took the opportunity offered of going up with her in the machine."

    According to the Blue Mountains Advertiser (Katoomba, NSW), Fri 18 Nov 1949: “Miss Jennie Broad first graduated as a pilot in 1934, and to add to her experience qualified as a ground engineer. By this she helped to meet her flying instruction expenses in overhauling engines for airline companies and working as a club engineer. She had many jobs in aviation, including flying passengers to air rallies in Holland and Belgium and demonstrating and selling light aircraft. Through the experience she gained in this field, she became England's first woman test pilot."

    prev. Ground Engineer, W.A.A.F, (transport driver, then Assistant Section Officer, code and cypher).

    prev. exp. 250hrs on Whitney Straight, Miles Hawk & Falcon, DH Moth & Puss Moth, Hillson Praga, Avian in Hololand, France and Belgium as well as UK.

    Address in 1940: Hillside, Tongdean Rd, Hove, Sussex


    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP

    Class 3 pilot

    Off sick from 19 Mar to 1 Apr 1941 with 'Pyrexial Debility'; 25 Jul to 9 Aug 1941 with 'Neuralgia & septic throat'; 25 Sep to 19 Oct 1941 with 'Pharyngitis' and 9 Feb to 6 Mar 1942 with 'Psychasthenis'

    Contract terminated by ATA

    (twice, actually - firstly on 5 Mar 1942, reinstated 23 Nov 1942, then 11 Jun 1943, on Medical Grounds)

    4 accidents, 3 her fault:

    - 8 Dec 1941, her Dominie X7449 nosed over, for reasons unknown

    - 15 Dec 1942, a heavy landing in Spitfire Vc JG716 caused the port undercarriage leg to collapse

    - 27 Mar 1943, she collided with a distributor trolley being towed by a tractor [Reprimanded]

    - 21 May 1943, taking off in long grass, for some reason she thought the undercarriage of her Barracuda P9787 was "collapsing", so she selected 'Undercarriage Up'. "No fault found"

     "A keen and intelligent pilot of good average ability"


    "She then joined a welfare organisation for the Royal Air Force and after a few weeks' training in Germany went to the Middle East, where she operated clubs on R.A.F. desert stations in Egypt and Iraq.”

    After WWII, Jennie moved to Australia 'as a refugee from British bureaucracy' (reportedly saying "Australia is the only country in which to live these days"), and in 1951 joined the WRAAF as a 'Flight Officer, Administrative'.

    Jennie Broad 1951

    By then, she had made her political views perfectly clear; she didn't like that there Socialism:

    "In August 1948, I returned to England." she said. "When I had left, the country had had five years of the toughest time. They had had all the horrors of the blitz bombs, the doodlebugs and so on. But I had returned expecting to find my country free of some of the rules and directions of war. When I left the people had a tremendous hope for the future and were proud of the part their country had played. I spent two of the unhappiest months of my life there. Gone was the spring in the step of the people. They were tired and content to accept the rules that had been laid down for them. The queues were longer than ever. The people were living mainly on whale meat and fish. We got one egg every six weeks.

    I could not understand it at all. But slowly it came to me. It was in 1945 that the Socialists took over. They came with the old Labour Party understanding on the part of the people. But it was not long before Mr. Attlee had nationalised everything he could lay hands on. Taxes were on such a scale that the worker found it paid him better to stay away from work at regular intervals. A large number of girls in the Post Office admitted that they had deliberately lost a day a fortnight because it paid them better to do so.

    In 1947, we introduced the 'Engagement Order.’ In 1735 compulsory labour was abolished in England but it rested with a Labour Party to re-introduce it.

    To-day there are at least three men who are serving terms of imprisonment because they refused to accept the work that was offered to them. Refusal to take the job offered means imprisonment. You see the people are gradually again being enslaved. In England, owing to the nearness of war, we had gone further along the road to compulsion in everything and Labour was presented with an already working scheme for the carrying out of their policy. In that regard the Labour Party in Britain was in a better position than was the case in Australia. We have our identity cards. If I move from town in town I have to register and re-register. When I return to England if I go abroad I have to register again. I decided to leave.it. We had won the war but lost our freedom. Nobody is allowed to follow his own will. If he works overtime, he is summoned and fined. In Australia they had been in danger of going along the same path but they had recovered in time and realised what it meant”

    The Biz (Fairfield, NSW), Thu 15 Jun 1950:  "MEET JENNIE BROAD Fairfield residents have noticed an attractive young woman chatting with women in the shopping centre. It was Miss Jennie Broad, one of those courageous women who was a test pilot in Britain during the war. Charming and feminine, Jennie Broad has proved herself courageous during the war; and no less now is she displaying courage of a high degree.

    Knowing the pitfalls of socialism in Great Britain, and the hardships it has brought upon the people who should now be enjoying a measure of relief from wartime restrictions, Jennie Broad came to Fairfield, when she heard 'a woman was standing for Parliament to oppose Socialism'. Although Miss Broad belongs to no political party, she says that she has seen the ill-effects of Socialism on family life, and she felt it her duty to come to Fairfield, meet the family people, and warn them to shake Socialism from their backs before it is too late.' Miss Broad speaks from personal experience, and she says she will address any gathering of women who, want to know the facts about Socialism and how it affects working people."

     

    Mary Elllis wote: "I did hear that Jennie had married a Frank Roche of Bush Pilot Airways in Cairns, Australia and that in 1954 they both flew a Dragon Rapide from England to Australia. The aircraft was to be fitted out as a special flying ambulance to help those in need in the rural parts of South Australia. Frank Roche was killed the following year in a crop-spraying accident and Jennie, then a widow, moved away."

     

    d. 30 Jun 2005 on Norfolk Island, Australia

    "Jennie Broad 28 Jun 1912 to 30 Jun 2005. Pilot, Air Transport Auxiliary"

     

    Di Ennew kindly tells me that "I spent 2 years on Norfolk Island, a small Australian territory (pop.approx.1600) about 1800km east of Australia in the Pacific Ocean. We bought a house there and by strange coincidence Jennie Broad, one of your ATA pilots, was my direct neighbour.

    She was quite reclusive and in the 6 years she was my neighbour prior to her death, we did not meet nor talk, as when offered the opportunity to meet by the seller of our house, she very promptly refused the invitation. She was well known on the island for her directness and it was wonderful to read about her. I knew she had had an amazing life in the ATA and I only wish she had been able to meet my father to share their experiences of England."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Broadsmith, Joan Irwin (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet    Joan Irwin Broadsmith
     flag england  b. 23 Jul 1917, Withington Chester 24 Jun 1942 to 23 Aug 1942 

     joan broadsmith 1939  RAeC 1939

     

    joan broadsmith Empire Air Day 1939  Empire Air Day 1939

       

     

    Ed. Upper Chine School, Shanklin, IOW

    prev: Ambulance Driver in Islington Green

    prev exp: 30hrs solo

    Her father, Harry Edgar Broadsmith (d. 1959 in Australia), was one of the original directors of Saunders-Roe.

    joan broadsmith and adam karolyi

    "Adam Karolyi, right, with his girlfriend, Joan Broadsmith, in the cockpit of his plane. Adam was 21 when he died of his injuries after he crashed his plane in Sandown, just days before the Second World War started [actually G-AAAL belonging to the IOW Flying Club, on the 21 Aug, 1939]. He had planned to join the RAF."

    [G-ABBX, in the photo above, also belonged to the Isle of Wight Flying Club].

    Adam, 21, was flung from the wreckage but suffered 75 per cent burns and died in Shanklin Cottage Hospital the next day.

    "His girlfriend, Joan Broadsmith, daughter of Saunders Roe’s managing director Harry Broadsmith, was so traumatised by Adam’s death she doused herself in paraffin and set herself alight but survived. "

    See their story here:  http://www.iwcp.co.uk/

    In 1939,  "Interested in aeroplanes since she was 14, and with a Flying Officer brother in the R.A.F., Empire Air Day is bound to hold a special interest for Miss Joan Broadsmith, of Cowes, who is working at Lee Airport, Sandown, to secure her ground engineer's licence. Miss Broadsmith, who is 21, is a member of the Civil Air Guard." Portsmouth Evening News, 18 May 1939

    Address in 1942: 18 The Boulders, Binstead, Isle of Wight.


    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     

    1961, in the Court of Appeal:  "Joan Irwin Broadsmith (Spinster) v Dora Helen Mary McCubbin (Widow):

    Lord Justice Sellers: "Miss Broadsmith, the court has heard your submission and we have had the judgment of the learned judge read to us. Having given the best consideration we can to all that you have said, we see no reason to think that the learned judge was wrong. His judgment appears to us to be right and unimpeachable, and your appeal must be dismissed."

     

    d. Feb 1993, IOW

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bromley, Thomas

     M.892 2nd Officer (Seconded from RAF)  Thomas Bromley 
     flag england  b. 10 Oct 1922, Wigan  18 Mar 1943 to Apr-45 

     ata thomas bromley ATA

         

     

    prev. RAF, from Feb-1942, and an Analytical Chemist

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Brook, Clarence

     M.365 First Officer   Clarence Brook

    flag england

    b. 25 Jun 1919, Featherstone   22 Apr 1941 to Jun-42

     ata clarence brook ATA

    prev. a Clerk in West Riding Surveyors Dept., Yorks

    RAF Sep-39 to OCt-40, LAC/Sgt.


    d. 26 Jun 1942 - died in a motor accident at East Ardsley, nr Wakefield when returning home to visit his mother on weekend leave.

    Albert Ronald Humphreys (27), a laboratory assistant, of The Avenue, Ledger Lane, Outwood, near Wakefield, was charged with Clarence's manslaughter, but a plea of dangerous driving was accepted.

    At 11 o'clock at night at Ramper's Bend on the Wakefield Road at East Ardsley, Humphreys took the corner at too great a speed. The car turned over and Brook, one of the passengers, was thrown out and killed.

    The Judge imposed a fine of £5O and disqualified Humphreys from holding a driving licence for three years.

    buried in Pontefract Cemetery


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Brook, Harold Leslie

     M.---- * 2nd Officer  Harold Leslie Brook DCM
     flag england  b. 11 Oct 1897, Bradford 28 Oct 1940 to 3 May 1941 

        1933

       1934    

     

    Father: John Wilson Brook, a manufacturer; Mother: Lilian [Charlesworth]

    Sometimes used the surname 'Brooke'

    At the age of 13 he, his parents and his elder sister Violet were 'boarders' at 17 Farcliffe Terrace, Bradford; the landlady was a Mrs Florence Wood.

    "He joined the Royal Field Artillery on August 20, 1914, at the age of 16, obtained his commission soon afterwards, and, despite a couple of wounds, served five years in France and India." - Flight

     

    RAeC Certificate 11595 dated 29 Oct 1933, taken at York County Aviation Club

    Address in 1933: 6 Lancaster Park Rd, Harrogate, Yorks

     

    "Restored to his family, he remained a normal civilian until Yorkshire began to build and fly sailplanes and gliders. These occupations kept him mildly diverted until the approach of his 37th birthday. Then he began to yearn for more horse-power. The York County Aviation Club at Sherburn-in-Elmet offered a likely fulfilment of this secret ambition. So, in August, 1933, Brook placed himself in the hands of Instructor Cudemore, and after four hours' instruction became a soloist with serious designs on the MacRobertson Handicap, for which Phillips and Powis have built him the first of their Miles 'Falcons'.

    What happened between last autumn and this spring is now almost historic. Brook bought the "Puss Moth" G-ABXY (Heart's Content) in which the Mollisons had crossed the Atlantic, and, with a total of 43 hr. in his logbook, pushed off solo from Lympne to survey the route to Melbourne. That was on March 28, 1934, at 5.20 a.m.

    By noon the incident had closed. Describing it a few days later Brook said that, while flying through very dirty weather over France, he was forced down from 12,000 ft. by ice formation on the wings, and, before he knew how or why, the side of an unsuspected mountain was rushing up at him out of the murk. Guided by some uncanny sixth sense, he brought off a bloodless landing on the mountain proper. The scene of this epic of the air was Genolhac, in the Cevennes. With some local help he salvaged the "Gipsy Major," brought it back to England, and has had it installed in Heart's Content II.

    Brook's next attempt on the Australian record will not be solo. If expectations are realised, he will be accompanied by two lady passengers" - Flight

     

    -------------- The 1934 MacRobertson Race ---------

    He just scraped up the minimum 100 hrs solo flying time required to enter the 1934 England-Australia 'MacRobertson' Race, and ordered a newly-designed Miles M.3 Falcon from the Phillips and Powis factory.

    G-ACTM was the first Falcon to fly, on 12 Oct 1934.

    A month before the start of the race, however, it didn't have any seats, and was in "a very unfinished condition". Harold was not impressed by "those fools at Reading... this is not the first time they have omitted to do something".

     FA 31     31 - Falcon

    The race started on the 20 Oct 1934; he and his passenger, Miss Ella Lay, made it all the way to Australia but he was disqualified for 'arriving too late'.

    He then flew back from Australia in record time; you might like to see him talk about his record-breaking flight (on the other hand, you may have some drying paint that needs watching);

    if so, click here: 

      Record Flight From Australia - British Pathé (britishpathe.com)

    [He is described as 'an accountant - but see later...]

     

    "Last Sunday afternoon, at 3.55 p.m., the original Miles "Falcon" landed at Lympne, having flown in 7 days 19 hr. 50 min. from Darwin, North Australia, with Mr. H. L. Brook, of Harrogate, at the controls.

    The pilot thus beat the unofficial "solo" record of Mr. C. J. Melrose by 13 hr. 10 min., and the officially recognised performance of Mr. J. A. Mollison by 1 day 2 hr. 25 min. The shortest time for the Australia-England trip is still,of course, the 6 days 16 hr. 10 min. of Cathcart Jones and Waller in a "Comet".

    After leaving Darwin at 5.30 a.m. on Sunday, March 24 (Australian time), Mr. Brook's time-table was as follows:-

    Sunday night, arrived Rambang;

    Monday, Penang;

    Tuesday,Rangoon;

    Wednesday, Calcutta;

    Thursday, Karachi;

    Friday,Athens;

    Saturday, Rome;

    Sunday, Marseilles (9.25 a.m.) ;

    Lympne (3.55 p.m.).

    The Timor crossing, he told a member of the staff of Flight, was "rotten", with rain, low clouds and heavy head winds. On the trip from Penang he landed on the delta near Calcutta. Over the Sundarbans low clouds and darkness caused him to take this measure rather than to fly on, possibly missing Calcutta, and, as he put it, perhaps making a crash landing through shortage of petrol.

    Perhaps the worst section of the trip was that between Athens and Rome, particularly the portion over the channel of Corfu, where a gale was encountered.  At Brindisi Mr. Brook was advised not to proceed, but he pushed on and crossed the Apennines in a snowstorm.

    And what of the man himself? He is a thirty-eight-year-old Yorkshireman, who, despite the newspaper stories, has never been an accountant in his life.

    When he was younger he indulged in motor racing and later built a few sailplanes and gliders. Then he joined the York County Aviation Club and went solo after four hours' instruction. He next bought Mr. J. A. Mollison's "Puss Moth" Heart's Content, and set out for Australia to survey the route to Melbourne, for he had decided to enter the MacRobertson Handicap. But ice formation forced the "Puss Moth" down on a mountain side in the Cevennes. Neither Brook nor the "Major" (which, it should be remembered, had already been flown over the South Atlantic) was rendered hors de combat, however. The engine was salvaged and Brook brought it back to England, where it was installed in the first of the Miles "Falcons" which then was fitted with extra tanks for the race.

    During the event it carried a lady passenger and a large helping of appalling luck (no connection is suggested between the two facts!) Suffice it to say that the Australian trip, a large portion of which was made in easy stages, took about twenty-six days.

    During his stay "down under," Brook worked until the "Falcon" and its engine were in tip-top condition before starting his almost unheralded flight.

    Of travelling in the "Falcon" he says that, compared with flying in an ordinary aeroplane with open cockpits, it was" like travelling in a saloon car instead of on a motor cycle". The veteran "Gipsy Major" was run throughout the flight at 2,100 r.p.m." - Flight

     

    He briefly became a rather unlikely celebrity, endorsing products such as Terry's Springs:

    "H. L. BROOK writes to TERRY'S

    Dear Sirs,

    I should like to take this opportunity of congratulating you on the excellence of your springs in my Gipsy 6 Engine. In a record-breaking flight of this description the engine has to be run for long periods in extreme temperatures, and at a higher rate of revolutions than normal, and for a valve spring to break would spell disaster. I had never at any time any fear of this happening with your springs, and they are now at the end of the flight in just as good condition as they were at the start.

    Yours faithfully,

    (signed) H. L BROOK."

    -------------

    In 1935 he tried to beat the England to the Cape record in his Falcon, but had a 'mild crash' while landing after dark at Mersa Matruh, about 260 miles E.N.E. of Cairo. He was uninjured.

     

    m. 26 Mar 1936 in Harrogate, Madge Marion [Edwards]

      Yorkshire Post

     

    He then owned G-ADZO, a 1935 Percival D.3 Gull Six which competed in the King's Cup for 1936, coming 7th out of 26 piloted by Roly Falk. Amy Johnson used it to break the England-Cape Town double journey record in 1936, and Harold himself broke the Cape Town to England record the following year.

    It was scrapped in May 1938, after he made a forced landing on a sandbank in the Wash, after running out of fuel, on a flight from Skegness to Norwich:

    "Harold, (who recently acquired a garage near Snitterfield, Warwickshire) said, "Just think, one does long-distance flights and nothing happens, and then over a place like the Wash a silly thing like this occurs". Coventry Evening Telegraph - Friday 27 May 1938

    Despite Harold saying that it was insured for £1200, its resulting value of £32 19s 7d was eventually divided between the 22 Lynn fishermen who salvaged it.

     

    In 1936, he flew to Cape Town in his Hillson Praga G-ADXL (previously OK-PGC). Mercifully, there don't appear to be any interviews about this one. The aircraft was sold in South Africa and re-registered ZS-AHL, and in 1953 converted to a glider.

     14 1 (similar to this one)

     

    prev. RAF Pilot Officer, Administrative and Special Duties Branch in May-October 1940. 


     Postings:

     


    "NEWS from Southern Rhodesia reports the arrival there of Mr. Harold Leslie Brook, formerly of Lancaster Park Road, Harrogate, who became world famous in 1935 by breaking the record In a solo flight from Australia to England, and two years later broke the record created by the late Amy Johnson In a solo flight from Cape Town to England. 

    "He has settled In Southern Rhodesia with his wife and three children", states the report. "He has bought a ranch of 12,000 acres in the Midlands where, in addition to raising cattle, he plans to grow a little tobacco and quite an acreage of sorghums."

    Mr. Brook, who is 54, has been farming in South Devon for the past 10 years, and decided to settle in Southern Rhodesia because, to quote his own words, "my wife and I think our three children - there are two girls aged 12 and eight and a boy of six - will have a better future here than they would in England."

    The flight of which Mr Brook was most proud was the one he made from England to Cape Town in 1936 to demonstrate the merits of ultra-light aeroplanes. It took 16 days 4½ hours in a baby 'plane fitted with a two cylinder motor cycle engine, the retail price of which then was only £385. It was designed for short trips of from 300 to 400 miles, but he covered the 8,600 miles at an average fuel consumption of 33 miles per gallon. When referring to the breaking of records on one occasion said: " I do not think they serve any useful purpose. It is really only a question of the machine. Fast machines will continue to clip hours off records."

    Interesting to recall that he flew from London to Harrogate in 1937 with the news reels of the Coronation." Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Monday 08 September 1952

     

     d. 1965 ?


    * ATA file not seen

  • Brooke-Smith, Thomas William

     M.100 First Officer  Thomas William 'Tim' Brooke-Smith 

    flag england

     b.14 Aug 1918, Kirton, Lincs  27 May 1940 to 31 Oct 1942 

      ata thomas brooke smith 1935      

     

    Father: Thomas Edward Smith

    Ed. Bedford School; Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering

    prev. aircraft engineer - British & Continental Airways, Croydon from 1934; pilot for Air Despatch Ltd

    Address in 1940: 31 Liverpool Rd, Chester


     Postings: 8FPP

    Suspended for two days with loss of pay in Apr 1942, for "flying in bad weather against orders"

     2 accidents, one his fault:

    - 1 Mar 1942, he stalled his Beaufighter during a crosswind landing and damaged the port wing

    - 30 Apr 1942, after landing in a Boston, a tyre burst.

     

    "above average. A very capable and experienced pilot"


    later Chief test pilot for Short Bros. and Harland

    "Mr Brooke-Smith is married and has two children, Simon and Selina. His principal hobby is shooting, and he also plays golf" 1951

    d. 1991, Poole

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Brown, George Gilbert

     M.1117

     3rd Officer

    (Seconded from RAF)

    George Gilbert Brown 
     flag england  b. 9 Feb 1922, Finedon, Wellingborough, Northants  20 Jun 1944 to Apr-45 

     ata george brown ATA

         

     

    prev. RAF, and an electric loco driver

    d. Feb 2004, Coventry

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Brown, George Stanley

     M.--- *

     Captain

    Seconded from BOAC

    George Stanley Brown 
      b. 14 Apr 1898, Lincoln ? 8 Oct 1940 to 1941

     

         

     

     Possibly:

    prev. RAF from 4 Mar 1918; Imperial Airways


     Postings:

     


     

     


    * ATA File not seen

  • Brown, Grace (W.2*)

     

     W.2 * First Officer  Mrs Grace Brown 

     flag UK   za-1928flag

      b. 2 Feb 1897, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, SA  27 May 1940 to 28 Dec 1940 

      

    grace brown 1934  RAeC 1934

         

     

    nee Holmes

    Address in 1940: Woodland Rise, Seal, Sevenoaks, Kent

    Next of kin: husband, Anthony Brown MC. [d. Dec 1954. He was English, 16 years older than her, described as a 'Managing Director of a Printing Company' [Brown, Knight and Truscott], and they met in South Africa in the 1920s. He was there on business, she ran a driving school, they married and travelled together from South Africa to England in March 1926.

    They lived at 'Broomhill', Southend Rd, Beckenham, Kent, and had one son, Philip, b. 1930; he later became a commercial pilot, encouraged by Grace.]

    Grace Brown c1937

     "Mrs. Grace Brown flew for Air Dispatch (Mrs Victor Bruce's airline)".

    "Air Dispatch Ltd was founded on 9 July 1934, and in 1935 started operating weekend freight (later also passenger) services from its base at Croydon Airport to Le Touquet and Le Bourget, Paris. In April 1935, Commercial Air Hire started passenger shuttle services between Croydon and Heston airports, under the name Inner Circle Air Lines, using GAL Monospar ST-4s. In 1935, Commercial Air Hire purchased an Avro 642 Eighteen16-seat airliner (G-ACFV) for newspaper delivery contracts, and Air Dispatch shared its use for bullion-carrying, excursions, joy-riding flights and scheduled passenger services, until mid-1936. [Mildred] Bruce was co-managing director, with Eric E. Noddings, of both closely linked companies, that were merged in 1936 as Air Dispatch Ltd.  Wikipedia

     In 1935, she flew Redhill Aero Club's Puss Moth to Brussels.


    gabrielle patterson and grace brown fp r, with Gabrielle Patterson, in 1940  (Forgotten Pilots)

    She was an early recruit for the ATA in May 1940 (actually, she joined just as the evacuation of the BEF from Dunkirk was taking place) but soon had to discontinue ferrying due to "getting into a poor state of health and being unfit for flying duties" - a confidential note some two years later says that "between ourselves, a little elbow-lifting was attached to it"

    She asked for 3 months unpaid leave, on the understanding that ATA could offer to continue with her services at the end of it.

    In the event, when she started back in December, she wrecked the port undercarriage leg of an Airspeed Oxford by selecting 'Undercarriage Up' instead of 'Flaps Up' after landing, and was dismissed shortly afterwards.

    [Contract Terminated by ATA 28 Dec 1940]


    During WWII, "Mrs (Grace) Brown astonished RAF pilots when she landed at an advanced airfield in France during the German attack, carrying consignments of blood for the wounded." An Illustrated History of the RAF (BoB 50th anniversary edition) by Roy Conyers Nesbit.

    Her grand-daughter kindly tells me that "She was actually the first woman to fly to the Front, flying blood to the British Expeditionary Force as it retreated to Dunkirk.  She was one of the first six female pilots to hold the 'B' Licence (Commercial) in the U.K.  She was also a huge character:-) 

    After the war, I don't think she flew again.  She seemed to enjoy buzzing around the country lanes in the sidecar of  a motor bike, driven my by father.  When Anthony died they had huge death duties to pay so had to sell up and move to a small house, still in Sevenoaks. She died in 1956, I believe. "


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Brown, James Waldron

     M.1057

    3rd Officer

    (Seconded from RAF) 

    James Waldron Brown 
     flag england   b. 6 Aug 1918, Liverpool  23 May 1944 to Mar-45

     ata james brown ATA

         

     

    prev. a draughtsman

    RAF from May-41 to May-44


    janes anson

    d. 20 Mar 1945 (Died in ATA Service) - passenger in Anson I DJ471 (pilot Frank Hill, also killed) which collided with a Typhoon at RAF Aston Down, Glos.

    Both aircraft were approaching to land, but neither pilot could see the other; the Typhoon struck the Anson from behind and above.

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Brown, Kenneth William

     M.876  First Officer [Seconded from RAF] Kenneth William Brown 
     flag england b. 2 Jul 1920, Bulwell, Nottingham  28 Feb 1943 to Apr-45 

     

         

     

    prev. a teacher

     

      


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Browne, James Sallee

     M.530 2nd Officer   James Sallee 'Jimmy' Browne

    flag usa

     b. 27 Jan 1921, Evanston IL  22 May 1941 to Mar-42

     

     ata james sollee browne

    http://www.cnac.org/jamesbrowne01.htm

         

     

    Promoted to First Officer, 15 Feb 1942;

    Demoted to 2nd Officer, 6 Mar 1942 [Dangerous Flying and taking off on an unauthorised flight]

    "Hardworking and capable but not always reliable - now and again indulges in low or dangerous flying"

    [Contract Terminated 23 Mar 1942 by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons]


    d. c.17 Nov 1942; his China National Air Corporation C-47 went missing flying between China and India.

    In October 1945, his mother wrote to the ATA:

    "Dear Sir,

    We have today received the log book of our son, James S Browne, who was in your service '41-2 as First Officer. He was first stationed at Maidenhead and later at Ratcliffe Hall, Leicester. Perhaps you did not know him personally, or may not have been at White Waltham at the time he was in service - but, in any case, I wanted to let you know that after he returned to the States April 1942, he was engaged by the Pan American & China National Aviation Corporation to transport supplies over the 'Hump' from India to China.

    He flew a DC-3 to Calcutta shortly after his return from England and shortly after his arrival there, was made Captain of a C-47. As you may know that is the most treacherous flying in the world, and the weather conditions are very bad.

    Jim has been missing since Nov 17, 1942. and no trace of him, the plane, or the crew. Almost three years have passed and, of course, we are offered no hope from the China { } - the anxiety has been terrible. He was 21 and our only child.

    It does not help to know that millions of others are also suffering. This is our own personal sorrow.

    I shall be so very glad if you will be good enough to let us know if you happened to know Jim, or did anyone else in your station - it would be a comfort to us to hear from any of his friends. It seems so unreal to us now, that year he spent in England, so long ago - but it was only in 1941. We had not entered the war at the time and Jim did not have to go, but was anxious to try out for that job. He was so very young.

    Hoping to hear from you again, which we shall very much appreciate.

    Sincerely, 

    Harriet S Browne (Mrs Herbert S Browne)

    653 Hill Road, Winnetka, Illinois"

    The wreckage was not discovered until 2011, 13,400 feet up a mountain in China's Yunnan province.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Bruce-Porter, Michael F L

     M.53  First Officer Michael Frederick(?) L Bruce-Porter 

    flag british india

     b. 15 Dec 1912, Bombay 

     (15 Dec 1914 on RAeC Cert.)

    1 May 1940 to May-41 

      

    ata michael porter 1938

    Michael Porter, 1938

         

     

    Address in 1940: 3 Ashburn Gardens, Gloucester Rd, London SW7.

    Wife: Anne Hester Mary Layborne (nee Popham, m. 1939) lived at Carr House, Broxford, Hants, then later 22 Sefton Rd, Hook

    prev. 2nd Lieut. RNVR Sep-39 to May-40


    Postings: 3FPP 

     [Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons]


    later m. 1954 Jean L Jorgensen, in Falmouth

    Mysterious. It looks like this Michael Porter, born in Bombay in 1912 or 1914, changed his name to Bruce-Porter between 1938 and 1939. Anne Hester Bruce-Porter is listed as next of kin on his ATA form; her marriage in June 1939 was certainly to a Michael F L Bruce-Porter.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Brunskill, Eric

     M.806

    First Officer (RAF Sgt)

    [Seconded from RAF] 

    Eric Brunskill 
     flag england b. 10 Sep 1914, Spennymoor, Co. Durham 19 Nov 1942 to  23 Jan 1944

     

         

     

     In 1939, he worked for Warwickshire County Council on (honestly) "Egg Laying Trials"

    prev. RAF from 3 Mar 1941

    prev. exp. "some experience on fighter types, including Spitfires", in UK, Miami and Oklahoma, USA


    Postings:  3FPP

    3FPP from 24 Jul 1943

     "gave the impression of being casual and rather uninterested.. this may be only his manner but he should realise it is apt to give the wrong impression to others"

    "An average pilot who has tried hard and made normal progress"

    One accident, not his fault:

    - 23 Jan 1944, the accident in which John Hawkey was fatally injured and Pilot Officer Edward Vincent suffered severe burns; his Beaufighter was hit by a Mustang landing on the wrong runway at Hawarden.

    Eric was admitted to Derby Royal Infirmary and then RAF Hospital Cosford with burns to his face and hands, transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead on 19 Oct 1944 and became a  member of 'The Guinea Pig Club' - one of 649 Allied Aircrew treated there for burns injuries.

    https://www.eastgrinsteadmuseum.org.uk/

    m. 1946 in Cambridge, Muriel Maud Allgood; one son Rupert b. 1947

     

    d. 24 Nov 1983 - Derby

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bryson, Travis

     M.---  2nd Officer Travis Bryson 

    flag usa

    b. 2 Feb 1908, Gainsville TX  3 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

            

     

    Father: Walter (a builder); Mother: George B

    [Yes, his mother's name was apparently George]

    prev. Instructor for Aero Corp of California

    Address in 1940: 1019 W 102nd St, Los Angeles CA

    m. Sep 1940 Dorothy Lillian [Hayward], from Bath, in Bristol (Blimey, he was only here for a month)

    "Wanting her baby to be born an American citizen, Mrs Bryson made arrangements for her passage over, without telling her parents."

    Their daughter Christina was born in Los Angeles on 3 Mar 1943.

    In December 1942, an employee of Lockheed; by 1945 the Douglas Aircraft Co. representative assigned to Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri.

     The 3 of them travelled back to the UK in the "Queen Elizabeth" in Feb 1947 and stayed until Aug 1948.

    d. 21 Jun 1991 - Los Angeles

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Burnett, Gerard


     M.975  3rd Officer Gerard Burnett 
     flag usa  b. 3 Oct 1920, Racine, WI  31 May 1943 to 31 Oct 45

     ata gerard burnett 1945

         

     

     [ab initio]

    prev. an ATA Ground Engineer from 1942; an ab initio pupil who "took to flying easily, particularly in Class 1 and 2."


    Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP, 8FPP, 4FPP

    Certificate of Commendation "for displaying exceptional airmanship. On 15 Nov 44 he landed his aircraft in a small field after hydraulic failure had filled the cockpit and sprayed him with a large quantity of hydraulic fluid possessing powerful anaesthetic properties."

    "A keen pilot who has settled down to doing a very good job."

    2 accidents, one his fault.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Burnhill, Charles Sykes

     M.1040 3rd Officer  Charles Sykes Burnhill 
     flag england   b. 9 Nov 1921, Leeds 28 Dec 1943 to 30 Sep 1945 

     ata charles burnhill poss

    http://www.airtransportaux.com

    (so may be wrong)

         

     

    Ed. Roundhay, Leeds

    m. 1944 Helen [Whitehead]

    prev. Architectural Draughtsman for A Kershaw & Sons;

    RAF Sgt, Jun-41 to May-43

    Address in 1943: 41 Clifton Terrace, Leeds 9

    later Back Bower Farm, Gee Cross, Hyde, Cheshire


    Postings: 7FPP


    d. Jan 2010 - Leeds

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Burns, Harold

     M.434 Flight Captain  Harold Burns 
    flag england  b. 12 Jun 1913, Barnsley, Yorkshire 20 May 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata harold burns 1936 1936

      ATAM    

     

    Moved to Congleton when his father became a partner in Wadesons, later Burns Garages:

    RAeC Certificate 13805 dated 27 Mar 1936, taken at North Staffs Aero Club on Miles Hawk

    prev. a motor engineer

    Address in 1936: "Dundella", Bromley Rd, Congleton, Cheshire

     

    prev. exp. 56 hrs, including this:

     "CONGLETON PILOT'S ESCAPE.

    Disaster overtook Mr. Harold Burns, of Congleton, when making a flight from the Heir Aerodrome on Sunday in a Flying Flea which he had constructed himself, with the assistance of his father.

    He had previously flown the machine in the Congleton district, and had made several successful flights at Heir on Sunday before the crash. It is stated that the accident occurred because the pilot lost height. The machine struck the ground with great force and was wrecked, and eye-witnesses were amazed to see Burns extricate himself from the wreckage apparently not seriously injured. He appeared to be only slightly upset by his narrow escape. and remarked that it was "part of the flying game".

    The pilot's father was at the aerodrome at the time and superintended the removal of the wreckage. Burns received medical attention at the North Staffs Aero Clubhouse on the aerodrome." Crewe Chronicle - 11 Apr 1936

     

    m. 1938 Millicent [Parker]


    Postings: 5TFPP, 14FPP, 3FPP

     

    Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

     

    5 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 3 Nov 1941, Commended for a forced landing near Evesham in Master I W8734 after engine failure

    - 20 Dec 1942, he failed to correct the landing swing in Spitfire Vc ES318, ran off the runway and nosed over

    - 23 Mar 1943, the port undercarriage of his Wellington XI HE372 collapsed after landing at Middleton St. George, due to a defect,

    - 27 Mar 1943, whilst stationary on the perimeter track at Ringway, the tail of his Argus I EV795 was struck by a taxying Fulmar

    - 20 Apr 1945, after a normal landing at Ringway in Firefly II Z1870, the undercarriage collapsed due to a technical fault.

     

     "A good all-round ferry pilot with a capacity for hard work. He is thorough in his duties and can be relied upon at all times. He has ferried over 600 aircraft to date"

    "An accurate pilot who flies well, but is inclined to be somewhat careless in drill, and his reactions in an emergency are somewhat slow. 

     Totals: Single-engine types: 423 hrs, Twins: 636.30 hrs, Multi-engine: 283.25 hrs.


     

    d. 30 Jul 1983 - Congleton


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): download grey  Thanks to Alan Weeks

  • Burnside, Daphne Alice (W.116)

     

     W.116  3rd Officer Mrs Daphne Alice Burnside 
     flag england   b. 19 Mar 1918, London 6 May 1943 to 11 Sep 1944 

      ATAM

         

     

    Not in 'Forgotten Pilots'

    nee Humphrys

    Father: Major Nugent Winter Humphrys (Manchester Regiment, BEF from 14 Aug 1914, d. 1931),

    Mother: Blanche Ada de Vivefay [Wilson] (m.  Apr 1926 Sidney A Gaudion)

     

    Ed. Wycombe Abbey

    Sailed to Gibraltar with her mother in Oct 1935, was in Colombo in 1936, (Blanche sailed back to the UK in Jun 1937 and Aug 1938), sailed back to UK from Canada in Sep 1938

    prev: Civilian Driver, French Diplomatic Corps

    prev exp: 4hrs 30min in Magister, Hawk and Tiger Moth,  inc. Palestine, Egypt

    Address in 1939: Newton Abbott, Devon

    Address in 1943: (mother) 4 Lawrence Mansions, Cheyne Walk, London SW3

    m. 1940 William A H B Burnside (a wireless operator)


    [ab initio trainee]

    Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP, 15FPP

    Class I pilot

    One accident, not her fault:

    - 28 Jan 1944, her Tiger Moth nosed over while taxying, due to a Liberator in front suddenly opening up one of its engines

     

    exp in ATA:

    Magister: 102hrs 25min;

    Hart: 15hrs 20min;

    Fairchild: 67hr 50min;

    Moth: 7hrs 25min;

    Swordfish: 3hrs 15min;

    Harvard: 26hrs 20min;

    Hurricane: 5hrs 25min;

    Spitfire: 13hrs 50min;

    Auster: 3hrs 35min;

    Barracuda: 4hrs 45min;

    Fulmar: 50min;

    Master: 4hrs 10min;

    Miles Falcon: 1hr 05min;

    Mustang: 1hr 10min;

    Proctor: 1hr 25min.


    She and William lived in 'Overmead', Lingfield, Surrey [until 1946, when he married Margaret H Grady]

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Burton, James Richard

     M.704 First Officer  James Richard Burton 
     flag england  b.  26 Oct 1914, Selby Yorks 2 Dec 1941 to Aug-45 

     ata james burton 1939 1939

     ata james burton ATA  ATAM   

     

     prev. aircraft fitter for Blackburn Repairs, Yorks.

    Address in 1941: 61 Armoury Rd, Selby Yorks

    Blackburn TF Mk. IV 

    d. 30 Aug 1945 (Died in ATA Service) - Firebrand IV EK635 stalled after takeoff from RAF Brough.

    The Accidents Committee reported that the aircraft was seen to take off tail-down, and the undercarriage was retracted (thus increasing the nose-up trim); it then climbed to about 300 ft, stalled and dived to the ground.

    buried Selby Cemetery

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Bush, Francis Joseph

    M.5   Captain  Francis Joseph Bush 
    flag england    b. 26 Apr 1904, Banbury Oxfordshire    11 Sep 1939 - Nov-41 

      ata francis bush1935

      ATAM

    June 1940

       

     

     Ed. Uppingham

    prev. a Manufacturer and Company Director

    prev exp 507 hrs. Owned a 1928 DH Moth G-AAAA, then a 1931 DH Puss Moth G-ABLG (which he bought from Margaret Fairweather)

    Address in 1939: 76 High St, Watford, Herts

    By the 6 Dec 1939, when he still hadn't started flying, he wrote to the ATA, "I was wondering if my Puss Moth (which is in tip-top order) would eventually be of use in the ATA, or do you advise me to try and sell it to be shifted overseas?

    I am still at the above address [Green Park Hotel, Bournemouth] waiting for your instructions when and where to report for duty."

    [His Puss Moth was impressed 18 Feb 41, and struck off charge for spares 12 Apr 44]

    Certificate of Commendation "After a satisfactory test flight at Kinloss, F/O Bush set off on the 19th December 1940, in a Boston for Prestwick. After about 25 miles the starboard engine failed and F/O Bush feathered the airscrew. He then returned to Lossiemouth and landed there. In spite of the fact that the brakes were out of action, the landing was made without damage to the aircraft. He had never flown the type before, and the ATA at that time could not provide handling notes."

    "He has beeen outstanding in the way he has worked, and the example he has set."

    "A competent pilot and a very good officer" 

     3 accidents, 1 of them his fault.


     

    d. 23 Nov 41 (Died in ATA Service) - Liberator AL562 engine caught fire and crashed into the sea south of Burrow Head, Wigtownshire, en route Prestwick to Hawarden.

    2nd pilot, F/O EE Uhlich (USA) (q.v.) also killed.

    'Gen' Genovese (q.v.) wrote later that "the ship was one of the first Liberators in England, but... through some grim blunder on someone's part the anti-aircraft crew had not been advised of its being a new addition to the British Air Force. Elmer Ulich (sic) was shot down and killed by British anti-aircraft fire."

    The official accident report says "Insufficient evidence to establish cause but thought to be through bad weather causing aircraft to catch fire in the air."

    The ATA insurers paid his mother Edith and sister Violet £2,000.

    buried Maidenhead Cemetery


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Butler, Lois (W.3*)

     

     

     W.3 *  First Officer

    Mrs Lois Butler

     flag canada -> flag UK

    3 Nov 1897, Montreal, Canada 

    15 Feb 1940 to 31May 1945 



        RAeC 1929  KC1933 Lois Butler King's Cup 1933  Lois and Winnie at Hatfield  Lois and Winnie at Hatfield  

     

    née Reed

    the "beautiful" [so said Harald Penrose] wife of Alan Butler. (Later, the 'Flying Grandmother')

    Her first husband (Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh William Knox-Niven) having died in 1923, she married Alan Butler in 1925; together they had a daughter and a son.

    15th in the Women’s Combined Alpine Skiing at the 1936 Winter Olympics, skating for her native Canada (although she was a member of the British Team before that).


    Postings: 5FPP

     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

    Completed more than 1,000 hours, in 36 types of aircraft.

    2 accidents, neither her fault:

    - 24 Jan 1942, the wing flaps of Hurricane AG202 were damaged by water from melting snow, during a precautionary landing at Abingdon

    - 6 Aug 1942, a forced landing at Cranwell in Anson DG761, after starboard engine failure


    Post-WWII, the Butlers moved to Rhodesia and bought a tobacco farm, but eventually moved back to Studham Hall, Bedfordshire.

    She owned a 1930 DH.80A Puss Moth G-ABGX, which was sold in France in December 1934, re-registered as F-AMRX and whose registration was finally cancelled in 1936.

    d. 17 Aug 1970 in Piraeus, Attiki, Greece from a heart attack while on holiday, and is buried in Studham.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Butler

  • Butterworth, Dennis Mills

     M.1061  

    3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

     Dennis Mills Butterworth
     flag england   b. 24 Apr 1921, Manchester 27 Apr 1944 to Apr-45 

     ata dennis butterworth ATA

         

     

    prev. a Commercial Artist

    RAF May-40 - 1944

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Buxton, Kenneth Alfred

     M.----

    Captain

    [Seconded from BOAC]

     Kenneth Alfred Buxton
    flag england   b. 19 Sep 1916, London 1 Sep 1940 to  15 Jan 1942

     ata kenneth buxton 1935 1935

         

     

    Imperial Airways before WWII

    Address in 1935: Welford House, Hampstead, London


     The BOAC pilots seconded to the ATA were the mainstay of the Advanced Flying Training Unit from September 1940, but; they were all recalled to BOAC in January 1942.

    Lettice Curtis says ""with the going of the BOAC pilots the school was never the same again, and certainly a lot of fun and gaiety went out of the instructors' room when it passed into the hands of the generally older professional instructors."

    "With pilots like BOAC Captains Griffiths, Derrington Turner, Weston Taggart, Ken Buxton and last but no means least Jim Weir, there was never a dull minute."


     "since the war he has been flying on the BOAC routes to North America. He is married and has two children"

  • Calver, Maud Agnes (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet Maud Agnes 'Molly' Calver 
     flag england  b. 13 Apr 1910, Wix Essex 24 Jun-42 to 30 Jun-42 (7 days)

     molly calver 1936  RAeC, 18 Oct 1936

    (Member of London General Omnibus Co ("the Busmen's") Flying Club)

       Daily Herald, 29 Jul 1936    

     

    Father: William Calver, mother Edith Annie 

    Ed. Mistley Council School

    prev: Stewardess, Welfare Dept, London Transport

    Next of kin (mother) Annie Plummer, 47 Victor Rd, Hythe, Colchester

    prev exp: 14 hrs 

    Address in 1936: 9 Basedale Rd, Dagenham, Essex

    Address in 1942: 58 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex

    "Molly Calver pours out tea every day for the busmen at her London garage. Each time she hopes it will be the last time. She paid her subscription of sixpence a week when the London Transport Flying Club started"

    "From bus garage canteen stewardess to air ferry pilot is the wartime change by Miss Molly Calver, only woman among the 1,200 members of London Transport's Central Buses Flying Club. She'll soon be leaving her job at Dalston to become a member of Air Transport Auxiliary. "Daily Mirror - Wednesday 21 January 1942


    [Resigned]


    m. Jan 1949 Joseph T Pulham

     

       Daily Mirror 15th May 1953

    "Molly Calver seated in her aircraft before taking off at Chobham. Molly is a stewardess employed by London Transport at their Romford Garage and has worked for the London Transport Board for 20 years, but only very few of her hundreds of workmates realised that she is 'an old sweat' aeroplane pilot during World War II.

    Before the war, Molly was a pilot in the London Transport Road Services Sports Association Flying Club and, during the war years, was an Air Transport Auxiliary Pilot, ferrying all types of aircraft. "

    [Hmmm]

     

    Later Mrs Warr(?)


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cameron, Herbert Seddon

    M.300 * First Officer  Herbert Seddon 'Jock' Cameron 
    flag england b. 1909  30 Apr 1941 to 30 Sep 1944 

     

         

     

    m. 1931 in Staines, Patricia Harriet Louise [Watson]

    prev. a ground engineer at Heston Airport

     

    d. 1 May 1952 - Tripoli, Lebanon

    buried Anglo-American Cemetery, Beirut

  • Campbell, Albert Bower

     M.1085

    3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF] 

    Albert Bower Campbell 
     flag england   b. 11 Jan 1913, Alderley Edge 10 Jun 1944 to Apr-45 

     

         

     prev. RAF A/C inspector

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Campbell, Bruce

     M.260  First Officer  Bruce Campbell
     flag england   b. 9 Feb 1910, Harrow 18 Feb 1941 to May-43 

     ata bruce campbell 2

     ata bruce campbell ATA    

     

    prev. A Stockbroker

    RAF Sgt Pilot 1938 then P/O Jun 1940

    Later a test pilot with de Havilland

    "In July 1955 Bruce Campbell, a long-time friend of mine, as well as owning a boat in the south of France, had a de Havilland two-seater Hornet Moth registered G-ADNE. From his boat, then in the south of France, he asked me to fly the Hornet down to Cannes for both of us to fly home in."  Lettice Curtis


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  • Campbell, Thomas James McOran

     M.213 Flight Captain  Thomas James McOran Campbell 
     flag england  b. 15 Aug 1906, Plympton   21 Jan 1941 to Jun-42 (as pilot), then Technical Dept until Sep-44

     ata james mcoran campbell 1935 1935

         

     

    Eldest son of Rear-Admiral George McOran Campbell, C.M.G.

    Address in 1941: 'Jacques', Pipers Lane, Harpenden, Herts

    Educated at St Edwards, Oxford; BA (Eng), Cantab

    prev. 2nd Lieut, Royal Corps of Signals Aug 1926-Nov 1929, then an Aeronautical Engineer and pilot

    m. Jean Emily [Mitchell] in 1928 (d. 1976)

    (3 children before 1941)


     Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 4FPP, 4aFPP, 6FPP, 15FPP

    "A hardworking and methodical pilot, and a good officer."

    "(Jan-42) Has done very little flying as a pilot lately, as he is employed on the engineering side on Liberator training."

    "This officer's work on the collection of data for and the writing of handling notes is of a very high order. He is a very hard worker and has put in exceptionally long hours."


    In May 1955, Flight reported: "Another Bristol appointment announced last week was that of Mr. James McOran Campbell as senior technical representative in Pakistan... In pre-war years Mr. Campbell was with de Havillands and Imperial Airways, and during the war flew as an A.T.A. pilot, later becoming a Hawker production flight development engineer and test pilot. He joined the Bristol engine division in 1951."

    d. 4 May 1990 - Plymouth: a "much loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather... A very special and Christian life, greatly missed by all of us."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Canning, Ralph Vincent

     M.221  First Officer Ralph Vincent Canning 

    flag usa

      b.1 Dec 1904, San Francisco CA  9 Aug 1940 to 8 May 1941

      ata ralph canning ATA      

    Ed. High School

    m. R, 2 children

    prev. "Aviation"

    Address in 1940: 1823 2nd Ave, Sacramento CA

     ata kleaver canning du puy 1940 3 Sep 1940

    "Ken Kleaver, Ralph Canning and Fred Du Puy ["Berkeley World War Aviator", later a Lt-Col, USAAF], all from California, en route to Canada where they will serve the British Government"

    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP

    Suspended without pay for a week in Jan-41 for "General Misdemeanour" [as was his fellow 'California Prune Picker' Ken Kleaver]

    Off sick from 21 Feb 1941

    Contract Terminated 8 May 1941

    d. 1969, Texas

     

     


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  • Cant, Herbert George

     M.--- Cadet  Herbert George Cant 
       b. 21 Jun 1906, Clapham  22 Apr 1942 to 6 May 1942 

     ata herbert cant 1939 1939

         

     

     ed. Acton Council School

    m. 1929 Elsie Clarice [Reed]

    prev. an Insurance Clerk, then a Drawing Officer Manager at Phillips and Powis Aircraft, Reading

    Address in 1942: Winnersh Corner, Berkshire

    On 5 May, Herbert stalled his Magister whilst attempting to land, causing a broken propeller and other damage. This led to...

    Contract Terminated 6 May 1942 - Unsuitable

    d. Jun 1982 - Basingstoke

     

     


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  • Carpenter, Anthony

     M.457  First Officer  Anthony Carpenter

    flag england

     b. 4 Sep 1913, London 27 May 1941 to Jun-43 

     ata anthony carpenter 1936 1936

     ata anthony carpenter ATA    

     

    Educated at Caterham School

    m. 1940 Ruby Violet [Haines]

    RAeC Certificates in 1936 (in an autogiro) and 1938

    prev. A/C erection foreman, Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Ltd

    Address in 1941: 289 Alleseley Old Rd, Coventry

    Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP

    "A keen and conscientious officer, inclined to be a little slow."


    vickers wellington

    d. 21 Jun 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Wellington XIV HF136 crashed and burnt out at Hawarden. Port engine lost power immediately after takeoff, due to an electrical short-circuit which caused the port propeller to feather.


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  • Carr, Walter Raymond

     M.553 * First Officer  Walter Raymond Carr 
    flag england b. Oct 1897, Carlisle  13 May 1941 to 31 Aug 1945 

     

         

    prev. a Company Director

    Lived in Kenya during the 1920s and early 30s

    d. 20 Apr 1957 - Hampshire

  • Carragher, Francis Dean

     M.31 First Officer  Francis Dean Carragher 

    flag usa

     b. 19 Feb 1915, Greenville, Texas 8 Oct 1940 to 1 Feb 1941 

     ata francis carragher College photo

      

    1939, when a student pilot at Randolph Field, TX

       

     

    Father: Sidney Francis Carragher, (Step-father Milton M Cranston), Mother: Amy Carragher Cranston, of 100 Elmgrove Ave, Providence, RI

    Five sisters, one brother

    Ed. Rhode Island State College (BSc, 1936). President of the 'Phi Delta' student dramatic association:

     with thanks to George Cogswell

     

     

    prev. Flying Instructor at Glendale Airport; 2nd Lieut. US Air Corps 1938-40

    prev. exp. 645 hrs on Stearman PT15, Yale, Pursuit P.12, Harvard, B.18, A.17, O.46, BT.14, P.12

    Address in 1940: 2920 Ocean Drive, Manhattan Reach, CA

    "Mr. Carragher appears to be a man of considerable experience, consequently his handling of twin engine equipment is good" - Flight Test Report in Toronto, Oct 1940


    Postings: Ringway

    curtiss hawk

    d. 1 Feb 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - while performing unauthorised aerobatics at Ringway airport in Mohawk AR664 - engine failure led to a stall and spin into the ground.

    "On February 1st at about 5 p.m. I saw the Mohawk AR664 which Carragher was flying dive down to about 500 ft. and then climb vertical to about 1000 ft. then turn on its back. Just as the machine was almost flat on its back the engine ceased to fire, the machine fell off the loop, came out of the dive right side up and commenced to glide towards the aerodrome, the machine looked to travel about a mile in a glide then did one turn and a half of a spin and went down behind the trees. The flaps and wheels were not lowered." - Joseph Shoesmith, fellow ATA pilot, who was also ferrying a Mohawk from Squires Gate and had landed first.

    buried Central Cemetery, Manchester; "His Worship the Mayor of Altrincham, who knew the deceased personally during his posting at Ringway and held a very high opinion of him, attended the funeral."

    Some of the cheques written by Francis, found in his personnel file

     

    He was the first American pilot to lose his life in ATA service.

     "My own impression, borne out by reports from all quarters, indicated that whereas we may have a number of other pilots as good, and some possibly better than the late Francis Dean Carragher, there was no one of any nationality in this organisation of higher principles and greater all round merit." - F D 'Brad' Bradbrooke, ATA Chief Ferry Officer at the time, who died in ATA Service 6 months later

     


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  • Carreras, José Maria

     M.149 Flight Captain  José Maria Carreras 

    flag spain

      b. 26 Aug 1906, Barcelona, Spain 5 Aug 1940 to 30 Nov 1945 

      ata jose carreras 1939 RAeC 1939  

    ata jose carreras

    Brief Glory

       

     

    Father: Richard Carreras

    Ed. "High School, Spain"

    m. Maria Josefa [d. 2004], 2 children

    prev. a Civil Engineer and pilot in Spain

    Took his Royal Aero Club Certificate in a Tiger Moth at Luton Flying Club, on 4 May 1939.

    Travelled to the UK from New York in December 1939.

    Address in 1940: "Ardvana", 17 Ronaldsshaw Park, Ayr, Scotland


    Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP

    Certificate of Commendation: "On 22 Apr 1943, Flt-Capt Carreras was instructing on a Catalina aircraft. Through no fault of his own the aircraft crashed on to the sea and the crew were thrown into the water. F/O Gibbs lost an arm, and but for Flt-Capt Carreras's efforts would have lost his life. Flt-Capt Carreras also made the utmost efforts, but just failed, to save Flt-Engineer HFP Waldron from drowning, and helped other members of the crew to safety. He himself had experienced considerable shock and bruising."

    3 accidents, none his fault.

    "A pilot of considerable experience who sets a fine example to his fellow officers."

     "I spoke with 38-year-old Flight-Capt. Jose M Carreras, a stockily-built Spaniard from Barcelona, who has flown in various countries, and was with the Republican Army during the Spanish Civil War. He has been flying since he was 18. Capt. Carreras has ferried over 1,000 ‘kites” to all parts of the British Isles. His logbook tells an interesting story. He has flown 120 different types. over 2,000 hours, and 300,000 miles, since joining the A.T.A. in 1940." Daily Record, Oct 1945


     

     d. 20 Aug 1982 [age 75] - Epsom, Surrey

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Carter, Charles Leo

     M.842

     First Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Charles Leo Carter 
     flag england  b. 19 Jan 1915, Manchester  29 Jan 1943 to Apr-45 

     ata charles carter 1939

      ATAM    

     

    prev. Newspaper photographer, then RAF from 1939

     

     


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  • Carter, Raymond Harry

     M.1054

     First Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Raymond Harry Carter 
     flag england  b. 19 Feb 1921, Rugby  23 May 1944 to Apr-45 

     

         

     

    prev. a Travelling Salesman, then RAF 41-44 (Africa Star and Clasp)

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Castle, William Frederick Bertram

     M.683  First Officer William Frederick Bertram Castle 
     flag england  b. 13 Oct 1908, London  4 Nov 1941 to Nov-45

     ata william castle 1939

         

     

     d. 1987, Weymouth

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cathey, James Mitchell

     M.545 First Officer  James Mitchell Cathey 

     flag usa

    b. 7 May 1915, Asheville NC  20 Apr 1941 to Apr-43 

    Had a twin sister, Martha

    High School in Washington DC

    prev. Service Dept, Piper Aircraft Corp.

    Address in 1940: 131E Main St., Lock Haven, PA


    Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP

    "A good pilot. Demeanour - lacking in enthusiasm."

    He was due to return to the US in May 1942 (with fellow American pilots Jack Groover Durham (M.332), Bruce Elmer Raymond, H Stirling, Gerald Gilbert Yerdon, W Walters and Ernest Carl Ewing (M.470), but his contract was renewed at the last moment.

    Reduced in rank to 2nd Officer for 1 month from 31 Jan 43 after showing 'very bad airmanship' when flying a Typhoon; he misjudged his approach, undershot the landing and struck a gun post.


    Captain in USAAF until 1947, then with the Curry School of Aeronautics

    m. Ethel Brown of the Army Nurses Corps, 22 Sep 1948

    d.  11 Nov 1984

    Burial: Culpeper National Cemetery


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  • Chadwick, Mervyn George Checkland

     M.821  First Officer  Mervyn George [Checkland] Chadwick
       b. 18 Jun 1907, Barnes, London  13 Oct 1942 - 30 Nov 1945

     ata mervyn chadwick ATA

      ATAM    

     

    Father: Bernard George Chadwick [d. 1916 in Flanders], Mother: Millicent [Kettle]

    [Checkland was his grandmother's maiden name]

    Ed. St Lawrence College, Ramsgate

    m. 1929 in Eton, Bucks, Marjorie Joan [Crockford], 2 children

    prev. RAF 1930-32 then Oct-40 to Feb-42 (Sergeant Pilot)

    prev. exp. 1,436 hrs plus 8 hrs 45min night

    G AETU Gordon Dove via Richard Durrant

    Together with Raymond Gordon, formed Premier Aircraft Constructions Ltd in 1936, based at Maylands Aerodrome, Romford, to market the Gordon Dove, but this was unsuccessful and Mervyn was declared bankrupt in 1939.

    Address in 1942: 119 Riverview Gardens, Barnes, SW13

    Later moved to 44 Ingrave Rd, Battersea, SW11

    "slight limp left leg"


    Postings: 16FPP, 9FPP, 2FPP, 6FPP

    Suspended without pay for 2 days in Feb-43 for "breach of airmanship and breach of flying discipline"

    2 accidents, both his fault:

    - 5 Jan 1944, when his Auster III landed in a strong and gusty wind with flaps down (contrary to pilots handling notes) and tipped onto its nose;

    19 Mar 1944, when he did exactly the same thing in an Argus, except this time the wingtip was damaged - "The attention of C.O.O. is drawn."

    "A keen, hard-working and well behaved officer. He is not over-confident, but as a pilot he is not quite as good or as quick-witted as he thinks he is."

    At 2 FPP, "although he has been on the strength of this Pool for seven months, has been away for three of these due to sickness and conversion to Class 3."

    "An intelligent and careful pilot who shows great competence. A well disciplined officer who has been of great value."


    m. Oct 1946 Joan Edith [Nobbs], 3 children

    d. 3 Nov 1971 - Brent, London

    With thanks for the family and other research by Richard Durrant

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Chaffin, Emmett Kenneth

     M.568 Acting First Officer  Emmett 'Kenneth' Chaffin 
     flag usa   b. 24 Nov 1921 **, Forth Worth TX 24 Feb 1941 to Feb-42 

     

    ata kenneth chaffin

    Fort Myers News-Press Apr 41

         

     

    ** On his registration forms, Kenneth gave his date of birth as 2 Feb 1920 - thus making him 21. However, he admitted that he was only 20 when he returned to the US in 1942. Obviously, he had lied about his age in order to join the ATA!

    prev. Gulf Airways, Fort Myers, Florida (newspaper delivery by plane) 2 yrs.

    He was a member of the Fort Myers high school boxing team!

    Address in 1941: Beach Rd, Fort Myers, Florida


     Arrived in the UK 22 Apr 1941 on the SS Mercier with fellow American ferry pilots James Emor O'Halloran, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), Gilman Benedict Warne, Marvin Harrison Dunlavy (M.408), Harold Lindsey Price.

    Off sick for all of May 1941 with acute appendicitis.

    kenneth chaffin and ruth

    m. 29 Sep 41 to Ruth Alice Maud Morgan, from Abergevenny, in London (divorced 1946);

    Sailed back to the US on the SS Vibran on 20 Mar 1942 with fellow American ferry pilots James Bruce Warren, Jack Edison Jenkins, Homer Edward Anderson (M.496), Robert Leonard Hamilton, John Cleveland Davis (M.416), James Emor O'Halloran, John R Scribbens, Paul Bleecker Makepeace, Raymond Sylvester Allen, George H Robertson, Frank C Hoffman, William Raymond Cooper (M.531)


    Later, 2 years in the US Army Air Force as a Flight Officer - he force-landed in a pea patch near Brownsville, Texas in Aug 1944.

    m. Martha Blackburn in 1947

    In 1947, a pilot for C Adrianza, Venezuela; from 1949, a pilot for Delta Airlines.

    His father (also Emmett Kenneth) owned a grocery store, once had a pilot's licence, filed a patent for aircraft carburettors, became mayor of Medley, Florida in the mid-60s, and finally committed suicide by shooting himself in the head (having tried to shoot his second wife in the head just beforehand, but only grazing her temple).

    Kenneth became a police lieutenant in Medley.

    d. 11 Mar 1992 - Deland, Florida


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Chalmers, Ian Campbell

     M.205  First Officer Ian Campbell Chalmers 

    flag scotland

      b. 12 Jun 1914, Edinburgh 23 Dec 1940 to Sep-45 

     ata ian chalmers ATA      

     

    prev. P/O in RAF

    Metropolitan Police

    m. K M Chalmers

    Address in 1940: Ross on Wye, Herefordshire


    Postings: 4FPP

    "An officer who tries hard but has had some bad luck."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Chambers, Arthur Edward

     M.54 * Flight Captain  Arthur Edward Chambers

    flag england

    b. 11 Oct 1913, Lowestoft 8 Apr 1940 to 20 Aug 1945 

     ata arthur chambers 1936 1936   ATAM    

     

    prev. a motor mechanic (Science Dept.)

    Address in 1936: 16 Ellys Rd, Coventry


    Postings include 8FPP

     

     

    d. Jul 1993 - Waveney, Suffolk

     

  • Chang, Raymond Lu Yu

     M.338 *  2nd Officer Raymond Lu Yu Chang 
    flag republic of china   b. 11 Feb 1918, Peiping, China 18 Feb 1941 to 6 Oct 1941 

    ata raymond chang 1938 1938

         

     

    Learnt to fly in 1938 with A.S.T. at Hamble

    d. 14 Sep 1981 - Los Angeles

  • Chapin, Emily (W.96)

     W.96  2nd Officer Emily Chapin 
     flag usa   b. 22 Nov 1912, Twin Falls ID  12 Aug-42 to 11 Feb-44 

     ata emily chapin WASP https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org

         

     

     

    Father: Charles Hall Chapin, Advertising Manager for the White Rock Mineral Co. in NYC (d. 1960)

    Ed. Wellesley College, MA

    Next of kin: (mother) Mrs Dorothy [Traill]

    prev: File Supervisor for Standard Oil Co of New Jersey

     prev. exp. 203 hrs

    Address in 1942: 291 Rye Beach Ave, Rye, NY


    Postings: 15FPP

    She was reprimanded in April 1943 for "careless taxying resulting in accident, when the propeller of her Master II struck a marking flag.

    2 other accidents, one her fault:

    - 27 Jul 1943, forced landing in a Spitfire, which was damaged, "due to an error of judgement on the part of the pilot" (the hood blew off in flight. Presumably she was held to blame because she had failed to secure it properly);

    - 16 Nov 1943, she made a forced landing in a Swordfish which developed high oil pressure and temperature.

    ata emily chapin roberta sandoz 1943

    (2nd L) with Bobby Sandoz and 'a couple of fellow Yanks' at the Red Cross Club, 1943

    She flew 18 types of aircraft (Class 1 and 2) with the ATA.

    "A keen and hardworking pilot whose confidence appeaqrs to have been shaken by her recent (Jul-43) accident. Discipline good."


    Later a WASP, then an engineer for General Precision Laboratories and the Singer Corporation.

      

    d. 23 Jul 1978 - Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County, New York

    ata emily chapin grave

    Her wartime correspondence is in the Texas Woman's University Collection:

    https://twudigital.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p214coll2/id/3052/rec/1

     

     


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  • Chapman, Laurence Alfred

     M.867

    First Officer

    (Seconded from RAF) 

     Laurence Alfred Chapman
     flag england b. 13 Sep 1921, Upminster   19 May 1944 to Apr 1945

     ata laurence chapman 1946 1946

      ATAM    

     

     

     


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  • Chapman, Suzanne Palmer (W.154)

     W.154 3rd Officer  Suzanne Palmer Chapman 
     flag wales b. 8 Dec 1918, Swansea  21 Feb 1944 to 30 Sep 1945 

    W154 Chapman Suzanne  ATA

    suzanne chapman 1945  RAeC 1945

    Suzanne Chapman 1952 0187 0023 c.1952

     

     

    mother: [Mills]

     


    Postings: 15FPP

      ATAM

    (r) with Flt-Capt Coltman

     

    One accident, not her fault:

    - 1 Oct 1944, she ground-looped in Argus I EV809, due to a faulty port wheel casting

     

    Gained her Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate (No 20592) as part of the ATA's 'Wings' scheme on 29 Sep 1945

    Address in 1945: Fernbank, Murton, Bishopstown, Swansea, S Wales


    In 1949, she was a staff pilot at Hereford airfield.

    m. 1951 in Hereford, John H Ashton

     

    In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Suzanne was one of only 7 women flying commercially: -  "Suzanne Ashton flies an Auster 'talking aeroplane' on advertising work"  - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field."

    [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Monique Rendall, Jean Bird, Zita Irwin, Diana Barnato-Walker and Freydis Leaf]

     

    m. 1961 in Swansea, Richard John Hart

    d. 5 Feb 2011 - Swansea

     


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  • Chase, Alexander Hartman

     M.306 Flight Captain  Alexander Hartman Chase 

    flag usa

      b. 10 Nov 1908, Faribault, MN 4 Sep 1940 to Sep-45 

           

     

    Postings: 3FPP, 4FPP, 4bFPP

    He "cemented his union with this country by choosing a British wife and, being of a very modest and unobtrusive nature, arranged a Registry Office wedding without mentioning the matter to any of his friends.

    As was to be expected, every pilot at his home station, Prestwick, was soon aware of the day, the place and the time, and, when the unfortunate couple left the Registrar they were met by a solid block of 40 pilots. After being carried out and suitably feted at a nearby hotel, the bridegroom was finally escorted from the scene in a wheelbarrow." BG

    "An excellent officer in all respects."


    d. June 1, 2000 in San Luis Obispo, CA

    http://grandcentralairterminal.org


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  • Chater, Harold

     M.80 First Officer  Harold Chater 

    flag england

     b. 4 Sep 1908, Eastbourne  23 May 1940 to Jun-45 

      ata harold chater 1931      

     

    A Pilot; owned 1932 Avro 504K G-ABVC (ex F8834), known affectionately as "Screaming Annie".

    "Mr. Chater, who has become well known locally for the amount of spare time he has put in at the [Cinque Ports Flying] Club building up an Avro 504 from spare parts. He has fitted an equally aged Bristol 'Lucifer' engine." (Flight, 1933)

    He advertised it for £225 in 1936, but it appears not to have found a buyer, and its registration was finally cancelled in 1945.

    Chief Instructor at the Kent Flying Club in 1939.


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP, 9FPP, 14FPP

    "A pilot of above average ability and a capable instructor. He does, however, easily lose interest and he would do well to show greater keenness and enthusiasm." (T A Gale, Chief Flying Instructor, Jan-43)

    May-43: "This pilot, although posted here with a somewhat moderate report has not shown any of the bad qualities he was reported to possess... I find him a likeable individual."

    Address in 1944: 1 Glynde Ave, Hampden Pk, Eastbourne

    m. 1944 Susan Kathleen Speak Or Eastwood (an ATA driver at 6FPP)


    He was still interested enough in aviation in 1965 to write to 'Flight': "My wartime ferry pilot [colleague] Tom Brooke-Smith said that flying a VTOL aircraft was like coming down a ladder for the first time. I saw the Hawker Siddeley P. 1127 at Farnborough last summer and decided that this sort of aviation was here to stay.

    Having been a commercial pilot for 30 years I know that nothing annoys a customer more than unpunctuality at either end of the line. Whether you do 200 or 2,000 m.p.h. doesn't matter if he can't keep his appointment.


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  • Cheer, Leonard Massie

     M.78 First Officer  Leonard Massie Cheer 

    flag scotland

    b. 20 May 1914, Aberdeen  23 May 1940 to May-41 

            

     

    Address in 1940: Thirlmere, 12 Greenway, Anlaby Pk, Hull


    Postings: 1FPP, Prestwick

    Suspended from all duties for two days in early May 1941 for "continued unpunctuality".

    [Contract Terminated 25 May 1941 by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons]


    d. 25 Sep 1942 when a Sub-Lieut., RNVR, in Fairey Fulmar II DR636, 795A Squadron Tanga, which force-landed on hilltop in darkness 45 miles south of Tannarive, Madagascar.

     


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  • Cheer, Vernon

     M.293  First Officer Vernon Cheer 
    flag scotland b. 1 Mar 1913 or 1914, Aberdeen  4 Mar 1941 to Feb-44 

     ata vernon cheer 1936 1936

     ata vernon cheer ATA    

     

     brother of Leonard Massie Cheer (M.78)

     m. Sep 1941

    Address in 1941: 12 The Greenway, Anlaby Pk, Hull, Yorks, then

    14 Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen

    prev. a motor engineer and garage proprietor;

    Pilot Officer in the Air Defence Cadet Corps Apr-40 to Dec-40

    Also worked for Blackburn Aircraft Co. in Hull, Yorks.


    Postings: 2FPP, 4,FPP, 4aFPP

    Accident in Walrus 9 Jul 1942: when landing, a/c dropped wing, hit violently and caught fire. Pilot is held responsible.

    Jan-43: "A good officer whose flying is now quite satisfactory, but still receiving treatment after his recent accident."


    d. Jun 1973  - Holderness, Yorks.


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  • Chifney, Ronald Walter Francis

     M.991

    3rd Officer

    (Seconded from RAF) 

    Ronald Walter Francis Chifney 
     flag england b. 6 Oct 1918, London   19 May 1944 to Apr-45

     ata ronald chifney

     ata ronald chifney 2 ATA    

     

     

     


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  • Chigi, Vincent

     M.669  2nd Officer   Vincent Chigi
     flag usa b. 25 Jan 1915, Union City NJ 10 Jun 1941 to May-42 

     

         

     

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Below minimum height', (although if this refers to his stature, I'm not sure why it took them 11 months to notice). Perhaps it's a reference to his flying]

     


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  • Chirasakti, Suprabhat

     M.548 2nd Officer  Prince Suprabhat Chirasakti 
     flag thailand   b. 4 Sep 1917 or 1918, Bangkok, Siam (Thailand) 9 Jul 1941 to Sep-42 

     

    suprabhat chiraskti 1936

    1936

     

    ata suprabhat chiraskti

    ATA

       

     

     

     hurricane XII

    d. 12 Sep 1942 (Died in ATA Service) -  Hurricane XII JS346 collided with hillside in poor visibility at Ewes Les Farm nr Mosspaul Inn, between Hawick and Langholm, Dumfrieshire.

     

     


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  • Cholmondeley, Victoria Millicent (W.39)

     W.39  First Officer  Victoria Millicent Cholmondeley
     flag australia b. 5 Mar 1902, Longford, Tasmania   10 Mar 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

    victoria cholmondeley 1933  RAeC 1932

     

       

     

    Father: Richard Vernon Cholmondeley, (vigneron, Hurtle Vale Vineyard Happy Valley near Adelaide, d. 1918); mother: Hilda Georgiana [Leyland], by 1941 living in South Africa

    brothers Richard Vernon (b. 1909, 2nd Lieut, Royal Scots Fusiliers, d. 27 May 1940 in Belgium) and Charles Christopher (b. 1917); sisters Hilda Georgina (b. 1901), Lettice (b. 1911) and Caroline Ethel (b. 1913)

    Travelled to Adelaide in Jul 1906, to the UK in Jan 1920, then to New Zealand in Oct 1922, to Canada from the UK in 1928, then back to the UK in Aug 1931

    Her "large pointer dog" was stolen in Gepp's Cross, S. Australia in 1925

     

    First woman in South Australia to get a pilot's licence:

     

     1929

    via Jerome Wells

     

    Address in 1932: Leighton Hall, Welshpool, Montgomeryshire (with sister Lettice)

    prev. Farmer; "Branch of the War Office" from 3 Sep 1939

    Address in 1941: 18 Queens Gate Place Mews,. London SW7 (with brother Flt-Lt Charles Christopher Cholmondeley MBE and sister Hilda Georgina)


     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

    King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air


    Still living at 18 Queens Gate Mews, with Charles and Hilda, in 1956, but alone there in 1964 after Hilda moved to Dorset and Charles got married.

    d. 13 Jan 1986 - Hereford


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  • Chothia, Homi Nandbhoy

     M.126 First Officer  Homi Nandbhoy Chothia  

    flag british india

    b. 13 Oct 1914, Bombay 1 Aug 1940 to Nov-43 

      ata homi chotia ATA      

     

    Address: 174 Court Lane, Dulwich, London SE21

    prev. pilot with Western Airways (BOAC)

    In 1934, when he was 19, Homi had been fined 40 shillings, and ordered to pay witnesses expenses of 32s, for driving a car without due care and attention; he tried to overtake a lorry near Bank Bridge. Tarleton, and "as a result an approaching coach had run against the bridge wall to avoid a collision."

    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP

    Flight Captain from Feb-42 to Oct-43, when he was demoted to First Officer: "was party to a breach of Standing Orders C47 and C38"

    "He has had difficulty in winning the confidence of pilots under him, which has impaired his efficiency as a Flight Captain.... his record as a pilot has been exceptionally good."

    [Resigned]

    d. Dec 1982  - Bromley, Kent 


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  • Christie, Frederick William

     M.---

     3rd Officer

    (Seconded from RAF)

    Frederick William Christie 
       b. 5 Dec 1917, Aberdeen  13 Jul 1944 to Oct-45 

     ata frederick christie ATA

         

     

    The ATA Benevolent Fund reported in 1958: "On 6 Sep 1944 while flying a Miles Magister he crashed at Toddington, Herts. He was based at Thame at that time, and had taken off on a test flight from Barton. He was admitted to Luton and Dunstable Hospital, suffering from concussion, fracture of the spine, fractures of both femurs, fracture of ankle, and shock. He has a complete loss of memory concerning the accident and has never recovered his memory about the events before or after the accident.

    He was in L&D for about 6 months and the under treatment for several months as an out-patient at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. This was followed by a period in the RAF Hospital, Halton, and at Loughborough Rehabilitation Unit, finally returning to Halton. Altogether his treatment occupied nearly three years."

    "Since his return to work his health has been poor - he suffers from stomach trouble, and also has nervous symptoms and sleeplessness. Also he told me he worries about trifles which a normal person would not consider.

    He struck me as a very genuine person and not someone who was cadging."

    The Fund agreed that a sum of between £50 and £60 should be awarded "towards the cost of a holiday for Mr and Mrs Christie and the two dependent children."

     


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  • Clark, George Roger

     M.375 Flight Captain   George Roger Clark
    flag usa   b. 29 Apr 1903, Union City, Randolph County, IN 17 Mar 1941 to Apr-43 

     

         

     

    Educated at Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN

    US Air Corps from Feb-25 to Feb-28, then 'actively engaged as pilot and in aviation sales and service work. Engineer."

    Worked for Iloilo-Negros Air Express Co. in Philippines for 3 years

    Address in 1940: 5647 Fountain Ave, Hollywood, CA


    Postings: 3FPP

    Aug-41: Fined one week's salary ($50) for lighting a cigarette in a Spitfire

    "A good officer and an excellent pilot."


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  • Clark, Helen Riddell (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet    Helen Riddell Clark
     flag scotland  b. 6 Sep 1917, Selkirk  8 May 1944 to 10 Jun 1944

     helen clark ata  ATA

         

     Father: W M Clark

    Ed. Dame Alice Owen's School (then in Islington, London - now Potter's Bar, coincidentally)

    prev: Insurance Typist, Meteorologist

    Address in 1944: 428 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, Middlesex


    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     m. 1949 Philip (Greberg) Clark

    d. 1963 - Brechin

     


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  • Clark, John Taverner Wilson

     M.6 *  First Officer John Taverner Wilson Clark 

    flag england

     b. 9 Apr 1910, London  21 Sep 1939 to May-40 


      ata john clark 1938  1938

    ata john clark  ATA

       

     

    prev. civil pilot -  'B' Licence holder

    prev exp. 483 hrs on DH Moth, Puss Moth, Hornet, Leopard Moth, Tiger Moth, Tomtit, Avro 638, 640, 504N, Avian 

    m. Oct 1934 in London, Norah [Penny or Ford] (one daughter b.1934)

    Instructor's Report (Nov 1939) says "has no outstanding faults and has flown the Harvard, Battle and Blenheim very satisfactorily. He should be capable of flying all types."

    Address in 1939: 'Crossways', Lower Babington, Wirral, Cheshire

    Address in 1940: Meads, Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead, Berks (the home of his brother Paul')


    Postings: Filton, 3FPP (White Waltham)

    blackburn botha

    d. 25 May 1940 (the first pilot to die in ATA Service) - took off in Blackburn Botha L6160 from Yeadon but shortly after take-off, finding himself approaching two houses on high ground, banked steeply right and, in doing so, hit a stone boundary wall and crashed in Layton Rd, Horsforth, Yorks..

    His next-of-kin (and Executor of hs will) was his brother, Lieut. Paul Clark, RN

    buried Yeadon Cemetery, Leeds, Yorkshire

     

    The £2,000 insurance money was paid to his widow Norah in October 1940, but on 15 August 1941 she wrote to the ATA:

    "Dear Sirs,

    I am wondering whether you could advise me or help me in the following manner:

    I am left with a small daughter aged 7, and my living to earn, she will have to go to boarding school as I have no income coming in now.

    [Is there] a possiblility of my getting a small pension, if not for myself, for my little girl to help towards her education, my husband's family are in Australia and I cannot get assistance from them, could you in any way possibly put me in touch with the right source of approach to anyone who could help me in this matter.

    Thanking you in anticipation of a reply.

    Yours Faithfully

    Norah Clark (Mrs)"

     Nothing seems to have come of this, although an ATA Benevolent Fund file was opened for her (but not until July 1945).

     


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  • Clarke, Charles Sidney

     M.90 * Flight Captain  Charles Sidney Clarke 

    flag england

    b. 8 Feb 1896, Birmingham 12 Sep 1940 to 31 Jan 1945 

     ata charles clarke 1941 1941      

     

    RFC in 1917

    Address in 1941: The Close, Olton, Warwickshire

     

  • Clarke, Rodney Eyre

     M.507  First Officer Rodney Eyre Clarke 
     flag england  b. 10 Nov 1915, London 20 Jun 1941 to 23 Jul 1942 

     ata rodney clarke 1

     ata rodney clarke 2 ATA    

     

    Father: Francis Clarke

    Ed. at Berkhampsted School

    prev. RAF 1935 -1941 (F/O from 1940)

    m. 1 Jan 1940 Sibyl Faith [Ingram-Johnson, divorced; d. 1993]; 2 children John b.1940, Pamela b. 1943

    6 ft 4in tall

    Address in 1941: Old Manor House, Squires Bridge Rd, Shepperton, Middx


    Postings: 1FPP

    "A pilot of fully average ability."

    [Resigned]


    The 'Liabilities (War-time Adjustment) Act', allowed people who reckoned they were in serious financial difficulties owing to war circumstances to apply for help:

    "ORDERS OF DISCHARGE. No 6. CLARKE, Rodney Eyre, now of Ship & Bell Hotel, Horndean, Hants, previously residing at "St. Vincent," Woodland Grove, Weybridge, Surrey, and formerly residing and carrying on business at the Ship & Castle Hotel, St. Mawes, Cornwall. Now Hotel Manager, previously Air-Transport Pilot, formerly HOTEL PROPRIETOR. Date of Order of Discharge—Jan. 21, 1944"

    "M.S.A.E., F.R.S.A., A.M.I.M.I., F.Inst.D. Chairman, Continental Cars, Ltd, since 1943; General Manager, Connaught Engineering (Automobile and General Engineers), since 1949. b: November 10, 1915. London. Educ: Berkhamsted; A.E.T.C., Chelsea. Served apprenticeship in Electronics research, 1933-35; Royal Air Force commission (night-bomber Captain), 1935-40; Air Transport Auxiliary (Ferry Pilot), 1941; engaged in Motor Industry as from 1943. Club: R.A.C. Add: Connaught Engineering, Portsmouth Rd., Send, Surrey, and St. Vincent, Woodland Grove, Weybridge, Surrey. " Who's Who in the Motor Industry 1959

    d. Jun 1979 - Surrey

     

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  • Clarke, Roger Grenville

     M.911  First Officer  Roger Grenville Clarke
     flag england  b. 5 Dec 1921, Leicester  10 Apr 1943 to Oct-45 

     ata roger clarke ATA

         

     

     

     


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  • Clayton, Edna Violet (W.30)

     W.30  2nd Officer

    Edna Violet 'Sammy' Clayton

     flag england b. 26 Jul 1900, Hampstead, London  1 Mar 1941 to Feb 1942 

     sammy clayton 1936  RAeC 1936

       The Sketch, 1942    

     

    née Samuel

    Father: Barnett Samuel (a financial broker, d.1925), mother Annie Leah [Barnett] (d. 1933)

    Ed. St Paul's Girls School; Slade School of Art

    2 sisters (Amelia b. 1891, Olga Esther b. 1893, later Mrs Roys), 1 brother (Ivor Dudley b. 1894)

    m. 5 Mar 1927 in Hampstead, Harold Clayton (later Sqn-Ldr with No 40 Group, Andover)

    Address in 1936: 128 Dorset House, Gloucester Place, London NW1

    prev. 1939- Dec 1940 Section Cadet Officer, Mechanised Transport Corps

    prev. exp. 87 hrs on Tigers [sic], Hornet Moth, Puss Moth, Potez, Tanpin, Swallow in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, America, Czechoslovakia, UK

    Address in 1941: 36 Viceroy Court, Prince Albert Rd, London NW8

    ------------------

    Harold and Edna contested the will of Edna's father, Barnett Samuel, in 1941.

    Briefly, Barnett had left Edna a large legacy, but specified that she would forfeit it if she married someone "who is not of Jewish parentage and of the Jewish faith"

    "This is a case in which the testator has sought, in the words of the Master of the Rolls, to direct the lives of his children from the grave... to control his daughter Edna's choice of a husband."

    Now, Harold Clayton was an English Wesleyan, "not in any possible sense of the words a person of Jewish parentage, nor has he been at any time in any possible sense of the words a person of the Jewish faith"

    ... which sounds like an open and shut case, but No!

    In a rather Dickensian twist, their appeal was (thankfully, IMHO) upheld as (I can only quote the judgement): "It is true that, on any possible construction of the clause Mr. Clayton was disqualified. But any possible construction is not the question: the actual construction must be certain: and as it is not the Appeal succeeds."

    So there you have it. Hope that's clear.

    [On her application form for ATA, Edna gave her religion as 'Protestant']


     Postings: 5FPP


     Described herself as an 'Artist' when emigrating to Kenya in Nov 1957 (and was either widowed or divorced at the time)

    d. 13 Aug 1970 - Nairobi, Kenya

     


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  • Clennell, Geoffrey James Ian

     M.209 First Officer  Geoffrey James Ian Clennell 
    flag england   b. 29 Oct 1912, Letchworth 4 Feb 1941 to 17 Jul 1941 

     

         

     

    m. 1934 Joan Ossory [Dunlop - she was an M.T. driver with the ATA from 20 Jul 1942 to 27 Jan 1943], 3 children

    prev. RAF Sep 1932 - Sep 1938 (Pilot Officer in 1934, promoted to Flt-Lt 8 Jun 1937); apprentice to Bentley Motors

    A test pilot in 1939.

    Address in 1941: 38 Richmond Hill Rd, Birmingham


    Suspended for 2 days in April 1941 for "aerobatics"

    "First Class pilot, very keen and hard-working. Occasionally has fallen down on small points of discipline."

    Resigned to join RAF


    d. 25 Feb 1942 when a Squadron Leader with 255 Sqn, RAFVR when crash landing Beaufighter II T3023 due to engine failure on final approach to RAF Coltishall.

    P/O Harold Vincent also died of injuries sustained in the same accident. 

    buried Scottow Cemetery

    Mrs Clennell wrote to Pauline Gower in May 1943, asking for help as she was "in very straightened circumstances."

    Pauline passed it on to the RAF Benevloent Fund, who were already paying for her elder son's education (£25 per term).


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  • Close, John

     M.468 First Officer   John Close

    flag scotland

     b. 27 May 1902, Kelvin Side, Glasgow 16 May 1941 to Oct-43 

     ata john close 3 1936

     ata john close 2 ata john close  ATA  

     m. Amy Clifford Florence

    prev. a bus driver for London Transport;

    Staff Sgt, Royal Artillery Sep-36 to Sep-38;

    RAF Link Trainer Instructor Feb-40 to May-40

    Address in 1941: 5 Fairway Terrrace, Muswell Hill, London N.10


    Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP

    "A difficult man to assess - proved himself equal to one emergency and yet has made silly mistakes when everything was going right."

    "A careful pilot of average ability. His progress has been marred by a long period of sickness."

    "Slow generally and judgement rather poor, but improved later and by working hard showed great progress... somewhat underconfident."


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  • Cobb, John Rhodes

     M.824 * First Officer  John Rhodes Cobb 
        b. 2 Dec 1899, Beddington  23 Sep 1942 to 30 Sep 1945

     ata john cobb 1924 1924

         

     

    Ed,. Eton, Trinity Hall Cambridge

    prev. a Produce Broker

    Address in 1924: The Grove, Esher, Surrey

    "An English racing motorist. He was three times holder of the World Land Speed Record, in 1938, 1939 and 1947, set at Bonneville Speedway in Utah, US. He was awarded the Segrave Trophy in 1947. He was killed in 1952 whilst piloting a jet powered speedboat attempting to break the World Water Speed Record on Loch Ness water in Scotland."

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cobb_(racing_driver)

    d. 29 Sep 1952 - Loch Ness

  • Cochran-Odlum, Jacqueline (W.72)

     W.72  Flight Captain  Jacqueline 'Jackie' Cochran-Odlum
     flag usa   b. 11 May 1906  24 Jan-42 to Jul-42

     mini macr - jackie cochran

         

     

     prev. exp. approx 2,000 hrs ("These hours are reasonably accurate as my logbook was left in America") on "Fleet, Travel Air Trainer, Waco 210 Continental, Northrop Gamma, GB 750hp Cyclon, Beechcraft, Douglas DC-2, Douglas DC-3, Lockheed 12, 14 & Lodestar, and many light type aircraft."

    Jackie started her ATA Class 1 Training on 31 Mar 1942 and completed it on 1 Jun 1942, having flown Magister (8hrs 20min), Wicko (3hrs 55min), and Fairchild (8hrs 05min).

    d. 1980

    Well-known, and well-documented elsewhere:

    e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Cochran

     


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  • Cochrane, John Noble

     M.986

    3rd Officer [Seconded from RAF]

     
     John Noble Cochrane
     flag england b. 31 Jan 1923, Newcastle on Tyne  5 Oct 1943 to 15 Apr 1945 

     ata john cochrane 1947 1947

       ATAM   ATAM  

     

    Father: Wilfred Theodore Claude Cochrane, Mother: Yseult Joan

    Ed. Eton, Magdalene College Cambridge

    prev. RAF Sep-42 to Oct-43

    Address in 1943: Edenmore, Stranolar, Co. Donegal, Eire


    Postings: 8FPP

    2 accidents, 1 his fault:

    - 1 Nov 1944, he landed his Spitfire VII with the tail wheel retracted, due to a technical fault [The Mk VII was the first Spitfire with a retractable tail wheel, btw] [The accident happened at Aldergrove, so I think this must be him, although the pilot is recorded as 'T.M Cochrane'];

    - 2 Mar 1945, he seriously injured a pedestrian, naval rating A M Ducker, while taxying in a Swordfish. His attention was distracted by a motorcyclist coming towards him.


    Address in 1947: 15 Alpha Rd, Cambridge

    m. 1952 Georgiana Elizabeth Fane de Salis [4 childen]

    He was a Development Engineer with Bristol Aeroplane Co. between 1947 and 1961, and was in the Scientific Civil Service at RAF Farnborough.

     

     


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  • Coe, Euclid W

     M.643  First Officer Euclid W. 'Ed' Coe 
     flag usa   b. 18 Jun 1912, Cleveland, TN 21 Jun 1941 to 21 Jun 1942 

     

         

     

    Father: John W. Coe, mother Retta [Hagler] both dec'd

    Ed. High School, Porterville, CA

    prev. Gas and Electric Welding; Mechanic. 1940-41 US Army Civilian Flyng Instructor in Albany, GA

    prev. exp. 1800 hrs

    Address in 1941: Main St., Richland Center, WI


    Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP

    Suspended for one day and fined £5 in Dec-41 for "failing to report to police on being posted to 3FPP", and then suspended for 2 days in Apr-42 for "low flying".

    One accident:

    15 May 1942, his Spitfire broke an undercarriage leg during a forced landing following a drop in oil and brake pressure. Not his fault.

    "A steady and reliable pilot and a good officer."


     m. 1943 Mildred Kathleen [Christie] from NY [2 children]

    Post-ATA, he joined RAF Ferry Command and was stationed in Nassau and Montreal, until 1946.

    Later a test pilot for Canadair, operator of a number of flight schools, and owner of ABC Rentals in Glen Falls, NY.

    d. 15 Oct 1990 - Glen Falls, NY (Age 78)

     

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  • Colby, Louise Marie Melina (W.48*)

     W.48 *  2nd Officer  Mrs Louise Marie Melina Colby
        b. 5 Dec 1910, Montreal Canada 1 Aug 1941 to 31 Dec 1941 

     louise colby 1936  RAeC 1936

         

     

    née Morin, father Alexandre Ovide Morin

    Educated at the Institut Normal Catholique Adeline Desir, Paris

    m. Oct 1931 in Woking, Surrey, William Marcus Colby, b. 1903, a Stockbroker (partner in Walter, Walker & Co. from 1933) :

    william marcus colby 1936

    They got their RAeC Certificates at the same time [and look, they had their photos taken in the same place!]

    Address in 1941: The Tile House, East Horsley, Surrey

    However, in 1941 she gave her next of kin as her sister, Mrs D. West, 666 Kensington Gardens, London W8.

    [William was in the RAF from December 1939 to August 1945]


    Postings: 5FPP

    She had one accident: 20 Nov 1941, at White Waltham, in Hart L7213 - "Unsuccessful forced landing after engine failure due to (1) incorrect cockpit drill prior to take-off and (2) failure to make quick survey of cockpit which would have revealed that main petrol cock was off."

    She was then off sick until the 2 Dec, returned briefly but then off sick again from the 9 Dec to the 17th.

    Contract Terminated 31 Dec 1941


    d. 1995, Surrey [William d. 1991]

     

  • Cole, Claude Porter

     M.---   Claude Porter Cole 

    flag usa

     b. 16 Oct 1903, Cumberland, Westchester Co., MS  28 Oct 1940 to Oct-41

           

     

    " A good hard-working and reliable pilot"


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  • Coles, John Leslie Courtenay

     M.170 2nd Officer John Leslie Courtenay Coles

    flag england

    b. 26 Aug 1905, London  19 Nov 1940 to  27 Jul 1941

     RAeC 1934 (Photo missing)      

     

    Ed. "Douai Abbey. Russia. USA"

    prev. RAF 1921-23; Signalman in Royal Corps of Signals 1924-26; Engineer Tool Maker; "Rough Rider"; Pilot for BOAC

    prev. exp. 200hrs

    m. Ivy Maude

    Address in 1940: Kim, Powercourt Rd, Barton-on-Sea, Hants


    Postings: 2FPP, 4FPP

    Off sick from 29 Apr to 20 May 1941 with 'nervous debility', and from 12 to 27 Jul 1941 with 'cellulitis of ankle'.

    Suspended for 3 days without pay for going AWOL in Jul 1941

    "A pilot whose flying ability and sense of judgement I have no great confidence in."

    "Has carried out the duties allocated to him satisfactorily."

    Contract Terminated 27 Jul 1941 - Disciplinary Reasons


    d. 24 Mar 1984 - Barnet, London

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  • Collinge, Alexander

     M.103 First Officer  Alexander Collinge 

    flag england

     b. 2 Jun 1906, Oldham Lancs  10 Jun 1940 to Apr-41 

      ata alexander collinge 1931      

     

    A Secretary in 1931

    In October 1933, he and his wife, and Mr. Gifford Hallam, made "a successful journey to Paris and return", and in 1934 he was a close runner-up to Alan Goodfellow in the Senior Landing Competition at Woodford.

    Address in 1940: Flat 39, Parrawood Court, Didsbury, Manchester

    Postings: 1FPP

    [Resigned]


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  • Collins, Harold James Whitfield

     M.552 * Flight Captain   Harold James Whitfield Collins
    flag england   b. 4 Oct 1896, Kings Nation Worcestershire 6 May 1941 to 31 Dec 1945 

       ATAM

         

     

    Lieut., 16th Gloucestershire Regiment, RFC and RAF in WWI


    Certificate of Commendation

    "On the 10th February, 1944, First Officer Collins was ferrying a Walrus when the engine failed completely over mountainous country. He landed it undamaged on a bend of the River Devron between high banks, and managed to moor it successfully."

    One accident, his fault:

    - 10th Oct 1942, Tomahawk AH806 was being flown to Catterick on a delivery flight so the aircraft could join No.1472 A.A.C.Flight. It landed at Dishforth at 13.15hrs with its undercarriage retracted and was slightly damaged.


    d. 5 Sep 1979 - Cannock, Staffs

  • Collins, Percival John

     M.629 2nd Officer   Percival John Collins
     flag england   b. 6 Feb 1912, Woolwich, London 26 Aug 1941 to Jan-42 

     

    ata percival collins  ATA

         

     

    prev. A Civil Servant

    janes hurricane

    d. 29 Jan 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane V7001 crashed into hillside during snowstorm at Pen-y-Cae nr Ruabon

     

     


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  • Colman, Alan Rees

     M.761  3rd Officer (Acting 2nd Officer) Alan Rees Colman 
      b. 3 Jan 1901, Norwich  8 Jul 1942 to Jan-43 

     ata alan colman 1932 1932

         

     

    6ft 3in tall;  educated at Eton and Cambridge

    A Director of the family firm, J&J Colman Ltd (Colmans Mustard)

    A very keen yachtsman; member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, and 'other local clubs'.

    prev. Army Reservist 1932 to 1942 (Major). He went on active service to France with the Norfolk Yeomanry in 1939, returning with the evacuation of Dunkirk.

    prev exp. 315 hrs. He had owned 3 aircraft:

    - G-ABCD, a 1930 Avian IVM;

    - G-ACTL, a 1934 DH Leopard Moth, and

    - G-AFBC, a 1937 Percival Vega Gull.

    Ferry Pool: No. 6

    On Aug 5, 1942, he wrote to Cmdr Bathurst from 'Gastlings, Southill, Biggleswade':

    "My dear Bathurst,

    I have been expecting to turn out the guard for you at Barton this past 10 days on one of your routine inspections but have been disappointed in that so far.

    This is a job to end all jobs as far as I am concerned and have enjoyed nothing so much in years: if you can kindly arrange to forget my existence until the winter afterwards it will be A1 by me!

    I have drawn Paull for Instructor and he is first class, as are, I shd think, most of your team here."

    He transferred to the Administrative Staff from 1 Dec 1942, as Assistant to the Chief Establishment Officer - essentially, a Personnel Officer, a job for which he was expected to be "occasionally flying".

    On the 1st January 1943 he wrote this set of 'Handling Notes':

    "Prima Donnas

    I venture to put forward for your consideration the suggestion that you should cause to be promulgated amongst O.C.s and Adjutants of this Organisation some technical instruction on the above subject - either orally or in writing.

    There is no dispute that the average pilot has more than the Human Average of Prima Donna Complex embedded in his temperament, and it appears probable that, more often than not, it will also be found that this Complex is highest in the best pilots and progresses geometrically with Anno Domini.

    The Prima Donna may be defined for this purpose as one who can perform desirable - or even remarkable - feats of virtuosity over almost indefinite periods, granted only that a favourable atmosphere is maintained around her by the thoughtful provisions of four opportunities:

    1. To exhibit Personality by indulging in a few little whims.

    2. To blow off steam about Everything to a Sympathetic and Untiring Ear.

    3. To receive occasional Encouragement or Praise.

    4. Never to be criticised - or, if this must be done once in a while, then to have it so well wrapped up in the Chinese or Irish Manner that she may get the Idea without loss of 'face'.

    It is undeniably a great nuisance to have to worry about such apparent trifles, especially in wartime, but the fact remains that our job is not to remake human nature, but to try to make the absolute best of the material that happens to be available, and I have a feeling, based on all too little experience admittedly, that we may sometimes be apt, in a natural attempt to produce a well-run and well disciplined show, to pay too little attention to the delicate art of handling our Prima Donnas.

    The recent Meadway incident seems to illustrate this. The Army have an excellent and wise tradition that no superior officer should come within striking distance of a soldier who is under the influence of alcohol: I seriously suggest that for at least 24 hours after landing an aircraft, a pilot - if he has any pride at all - will be feeling so low and bloody-minded that it will be well worth his Superior Officer spending a few seconds thought before coming within verbal striking range of him.

    ... During the four months I spent in E. and AFTS I served under two or three C.O.s and several adjutants, but I do not think any one of them ever took the trouble to find out anything about me as an individual (except possibly my name and flying record) and I suspect that much the same would be true of Meadway. The latter, as it happened, was an easy going type whom you could get anything out of round the the fire over a glass of ale, but practically nothing over the Orderly Room Table or on the Mat, and armed with this knowledge I still believe that ATA might have made a useful servant out of him."

    He went on to suggest that "O.C.s and adjutants be impressed with the need for knowing their personnel more intimately than they now do, and...for future appointments the quality of being a Good Mixer be designated a sine qua non for adjutants, and a Major Qualification for O.C.s."

     Sadly, he died shortly after in a bizarre accident:

    Hurricane II

    d. Sunday 17 Jan 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - in Hurricane II KX441 which made a normal landing at Sherburn, but struck a very wet patch and nosed over onto its back.

    Alan drowned, in about 18in of water, before he could be rescued.

    His obituary in the Eastern Daily Press concludes: "Generous, capable, and with the keenest zest for life and all its interests, throwing himself with all his varied gifts into all that he undertook, he inspired those around him to give also of their best. Only those who knew him well realised the depth and sincerity of his desire to help his fellow men, and his loss to those who knew him is an irreparable one."

    He was cremated in Leeds, and his ashes were scattered from an aircraft, piloted by Douglas Fairweather, flying over Southampton Waters on the 29th January.

     


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  • Coltman, Arthur Edward Henry

     

     M.214 Flight Captain  Arthur Edward Henry Coltman 
     flag england  b. 25 May 1906, Leicester  1 Jan 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

     ata arthur coltman 1929 1929

     ata arthur coltman 1939 1939    

     

    Ed. Narborough School; Leicester Technical College

    m. 1932 Hilda [Hayward] (2 children before 1941)

    prev. Motor salesman, and then pilot for Taylorcraft Aeroplanes, Syston, Leics

    RAF Sergeant - Link trainer instructor, Jun-Dec 1940

    prev. exp. 153 hrs

    Address in 1941: 'Avion', 60 Edward Ave, Braunstone, Leicester (later 3 Derwent Ave, Streatley, Luton, Beds)


    Postings: 6FPP

    Instructor from Jan 1943

     with Suzanne Palmer Chapman (ATAM)

     

    3 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 4 Apr 1941, he landed his Hurricane on grass instead of runway as instructed

    - 24 Feb 1942, swung to port and wingtip struck the ground, after partial engine failure

    - 8 Mar 1942, port undercarriage leg of his Hampden broke adrift on landing

     

    "A willing and hard working instructor who fits his present job better than he would a ferry pilot... his patience and placid temperament has undoubtedly been of great value in assisting backward pupils through the elementary stages of their training."


     

    d. Sep 1997 - Market Harborough, Leicestershire


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  • Combi, Umberto Anthony

     M.588  First Officer Umberto 'Anthony' Combi 
     flag italy 1861 1946 -  flag UK   b. 22 Jun 1902, Poona, India 1 Jul 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata anthony combi 1932 1932

     ata anthony combi ATA  ata anthony combi 1948 1948  

     

    Father Italian; [Anthony Combi served in the Italian Army 1890-1898], Mother British

    Ed. Cathedral High School, Bombay

    m. 1939 Catherine A [Groom]

    prev. Technical Adviser, the Combi Electric Co. Ltd, Slough, Bucks

    Address in 1941: 4 Hurstfield Drive, Taplow, Bucks


    Postings: 1FPP, A.M.F.

    "A very willing and hard working pilot. During this winter [1944-5] he has shown good ability and sound judgement. Discipline very good."

    Earlier, though, he did have a number of accidents for which he was held responsible:

    - 18 Sep 1942, he taxied a Spitfire into a starting trolley;

    - 23 Nov 1942, undershot a landing in a Blenheim;

    - 8 Jan 1943, piloting an Oxford, he accidentally knocked the main switches to 'on', and a ground crew member was injured when an engine fired when being turned over by hand, and

    - 15 Feb 1943, he failed to control the swing during takeoff in a Wellington and the aircraft skidded sideways.


    d. 1980, Harrow

     


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  • Conner, Clarence Bernard

     M.593  First Officer  Clarence Bernard Conner

    flag usa

    b. 21 Aug 1908, Charleston WV  2 Jun 1941 to Jun-42 

     

         

    Address in 1941: 1109½ Bigley Ave., Charleston

    Imprisoned for 10 days in 1932 for "Violation of the National Prohibition Act"

    prev. exp. 700 hrs over 11 years


    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

    Clarence sailed back to Montreal on the 8th June 1942, with his fellow American ATA ferry pilots James 'Whit' Ansley (M.511), Kenneth Fogelberg, Russell Gates, Russell Gibson,John Morrison, Nicholas Pickard,  William Ressegger, Clay Steffee, Stewart Updike, and Keith Williams.


    d. Dec 1974 - Columbus


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  • Cook, Arthur Harry

     M.976  2nd Officer Arthur Harry Cook 
     flag england  b. 29 May 1909 in Bletchley, Bucks  14 Jun 1943 to Jun-45 

     Arthur H Cook ATA 1932

     Arthur H Cook ATA2 ATA    

     

    Educated at Bletchley Grammar.

    In 1932, worked for Beacon Brushes Ltd, Bletchley; apparently, brush-making is Bletchley's oldest large-scale industry and Beacon Brushes was formed in 1926 by 'Jack Cook and his sons'. See http://www.discovermiltonkeynes.co.uk

    Arthur's father was called Arthur John Dennis Cook, but anyway by 1943 our Arthur was 'Works Manager and Joint Managing Director' of the firm, based at Church Farm, Wavendon, Bucks. Which is near Bletchley (that's enough mentions of Bletchley).

    Competed in the King's Cup in 1934 and 1935

    Although he had over 400 hrs flying experience before WWII, presumably due to a long lay-off from flying he joined as a Pilot Cadet. However, he progressed well ["a quiet and hard-working pilot... he has worked keenly and well and his discipline has been excellent]", and was appointed 3rd Officer in September 1943, then 2nd Officer in Jan 1944. 

     

    During his ATA career he flew 29 single- and twin-engine types.

    d. 1980

     

     


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  • Cook, Ernest

     M.7  Captain  Ernest 'Bertie' Cook

    flag england

     b. 12 Jan 1915, Colchester  7 Nov 1940 to Aug-45 

     ata ernest cook ATA      

     

    prev. RAF, Pilot Officer, Aug-1931 to Jun-40

    prev. exp. 260hrs

    Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP

    Deputy C.O. of 4FFP after Apr 1942

    1942 ata birdie cook plus2 bw5700 

    right, 1942 [with thanks to Nicholas Thomas]

    Off sick after a flying accident from 22 Apr to 1st Jul 1943

    "An excellent officer, who handles all duties assigned to him in an excellent manner."


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  • Cook, Gerald Victor

     

     M.183 Commander  Gerald Victor Cook OBE 

    flag england

     b. 14 Aug 1910, Alverstoke (Gosport) Hants  19 Aug 1940 to Jul-45 

      ata gerald cook 1935    ATAM    

     

    "The second son of the late A. W. Cook, C.I.E., I.C.S., of Calcutta, and Mrs. Cook, Willstead Lodge, Lee-on-Solent"

    prev. exp. 325hrs

    prev. RAFVR from 1935-7 (invalided out due to ill health)

    and, a Tea Broker


    O.C. No 7 Ferry Pool, Sherburn, from 22 July 1941

    "He is exceptionally keen, hard-working and competent as a pilot, but there has been some risk that he judges others by his own standards and drives his pilots too hard."

    ... although Brief Glory puts it rather differently: "But from the Pool Commander - who in most cases spent as much time in the air as his most junior pilot - downwards, everyone was happy."


    d. Jun 1958  - Surrey 


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  • Cooke, John Caister

     M.793 First Officer  John Caister Cooke 
       b. 26 Jan 1908, Spalding 16 Sep 1942 to Nov-45 

     ata john cooke 1938

     ata john cooke 2 ATA    ATAM  

     

    MA Oxon

    prev. a Maths Lecturer, Raffles College Singapore;

    Flt Lt. in the Malayan Volunteer Air Force, Sep-40 to Aug-42


    Postings: 3FPP, 7FPP, 16FPP

    "A sound pilot of good average ability who made rapid progress."


    later published several aeronautical engineering papers, e.g. "Supersonic laminar boundary layers on cones, (Aeronautical Research Council. Current papers, no. 1063)" (1969)

    d. Sep 1991 - Dover, Kent

     

     


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  • Coombs, Arthur Wesley

     M.47 * First Officer  Arthur Wesley Coombs 

    flag eire

     b. 21 Feb 1912, Tipperary  8 Apr 1940 to 30 Nov 1940 

            

    Father: Major Arthur Gundry Coombs MC [d. 1937]

    prev. Pilot Officer, RAFVR & Civil Service. DPO Ministry of Mines, Reading 1937-40

    4 May 1939, The Cornishman:

    "FALSE PRETENCES AT MARAZION

    Licensees duped by specious story.

    How the licensees of the Coach and Horses Inn, Breage. and the Godolphin Hotel. Marazion, were duped by a specious story was revealed at Helston, on Thursday, when Arthur Wesley Coombs, a young man. of Limetree House, Castle Crescent, Reading, was charged with obtaining £5 and £6 by false pretences from Mr. Wilfred Hope, licensee of the Coach and Horses Inn. Breage.

    There was a further charge against the accused of obtaining from Stanley Linscott Turner, of the Godolphin Hotel, Marazion, on January 27, £5 by means of a worthless cheque, with intent to defraud.

    Mr. Eric Thomas, who prosecuted, stated that on January 18 the accused called the inn and told Mr. and Mrs. Hope he was the owner of an air circus of six 'planes flying between Reading and Edinburgh, and made other statements which led Mr. and Mrs. Hope to believe he was a person of a certain amount of substance. He stayed at the inn as a boarder from January 28 to February 2. January 23 he borrowed £5 from Mr. Hope, giving a cheque obtained from a customer, changing the name of the bank to that of Bank of Scotland. The following day Mr. Hope lent him £6, and the same procedure was followed. On January 31 the cheques were returned marked "No funds."

    Accused pleaded "Guilty," and said he expected to have sufficient money to meet the cheques. As soon as he realised he was unable to clear them he sent Mr. Hope a payment on account. Mr. Thomas confirmed that Mr. Hope had received £4 from the accused. Accused asked the Bench to take the second charge into consideration when passing sentence. Accused pleaded ''Not guilty" to having obtained food and lodgings to the value of 19s. from Mrs. Hilda Hope, wife of the licensee, and the Bench dismissed the case. The Bench fined the accused a total of £12 including costs. The Chairman (Mr. 0. Rows), said the Bench had been influenced in their decision by the fact that accused was on the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and that he would be reporting for duty on May 1. They had strained a point in not depriving him of his liberty."

    Address in 1940: 14, Castle Crescent, Reading (Mother, Ellie Maud [Wesley] Coombs)


    Postings: 3FPP

    Contract Terminated (Disciplinary Reasons)


    Post-ATA, Arthur said he "worked for the Ministry of Aircraft Production, as a test pilot then as Chief Technical Officer, from 1939 until 1946". He then claimed to have been "General Manager of an aircraft company", and to have operated his own aircraft company from Croydon and Eastleigh.

    From 1954 he was employed first as a wine salesman and then as a driving instructor.

    In 1954, he was convicted of stealing a typewriter.

    In 1955, he was sent to jail for 18 months for fraud and theft, again involving dishonoured cheques.

    During his trial, "Mr Guy Willett submitted that the accused was a man who, having been extremely successful, could not believe his luck had changed."

    d. 1979 - Portsmouth 

     

  • Cooper, Geoffrey James

     M.1073  

    3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Geoffrey James Cooper
     flag england  b. 8 Dec 1917, Worcester   10 May 1944 to Apr-45

     ata geoffrey cooper

     ata geoffrey cooper 2 ATA    

     

    prev. Advertising, and RAF for 4 years

     

     


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  • Cooper, Howard Lee

     M.512  First Officer  Howard Lee Cooper

    flag usa

     b. 12 Apr 1914, Pesotum, IL 

    [Pesotum is a village in Champaign County, Illinois, named after

    an Indian warrior in the Battle of Fort Dearborn.]

    9 May 1941 to 21 Dec 1942 

     

         

     

    Father Ira Monto Cooper; mother Anna [Knapp] b. 1880 d. 1984

    m. Jul 1938 Kathryn Louise [Tudor]; 3 children

    ["Mr and Mrs Cooper took a honeymoon trip by plane, piloted by the former, who owns and operates a private ship."]

    prev. an Airport Manager

    prev. exp. 1369 hrs

    Address in 1941: Tuscola, IL


    Postings: 1FPP, 12FPP, 4aFPP, 16FPP

    Suspended for 7 days with loss of pay in Sep-42 for low flying over Carlisle.

    "A most reliable and willing pilot"; "A good pilot and very keen"

    but

    Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons


    "Mr and Mrs Cooper celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open reception. They both farm."

    Briefly, their farm produced oil; however in 1965 the Decatur Herald said that only 2 of the 11 wells in Macon and Christian counties were still operating, and amongst them "Howard L Cooper's Long No. 2 was no longer profitable to operate. The pool in which it was located has been discovered less than 7 years."

    d. 24 May 1989, Evansville IL


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  • Cooper, William Raymond

     M.531  First Officer William Raymond Cooper 

    flag usa

     b. 6 Jun 1914, Prescott, AR  18 May 1941 to Mar-42

     

         

     

    prev. New Orleans Private Police. Service as Private Patrolman;

    National Guard - Army Sergeant

    Ground Instructor Aviator

    prev. exp. 380 hrs


    Postings: 3FPP, 15FPP


    Later flew 'The Hump' for CNAC - see CNAC Captain William Cooper

     

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  • Coopper, David John

     M.686  First Officer David John Coopper 
        b. 20 Apr 1915, Bristol 6 Jan 1942 to Nov-45 

     ata david coopper

     ata david coopper 2 ATA    

     

     

    prev. A clerk with WD & HO Wills, Bristol; RAFVR Sgt. Pilot 1937-41


    Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 8FPP

    "An extremely conscientious pilot"


    d. Apr 2000, Bristol

     


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  • Cordner, Jay Herald

     M.114 *  Flight Captain Jay Herald Cordner 

    flag usa

     b. 24 Jan 1893, Bethany Nebraska c.8 Sep 1940 to 2 Mar 1944 

     ata jay herald cordner 1936 1936      

     

    Military Service in WWI from 5 Jun 1917 to 19 Feb 1919 and 1924-27

    prev. a copper miner and farmer, then pilot; "he established and then flew an air-mail route from Kansas to Denver in the early 1920s"

     m. 1914 Judith M [Anderson], 2 children

    Address in 1930: District H, Denver, Colorado

    Shelton AG 4 Crusader

    In the mid-30s he was the pilot of the splendid "sub-stratosphere" Shelton AG-4 Crusader, which was expected to "Whiz-z-z to Paris" but the company folded in 1938 under securities fraud investigations before the Crusader could go into production.

    In 1940 they were living with her mother, and his brother-in-law's family in Pasadena, CA

    Sailed back to Montreal on the SS Tilapa on 19 Aug 1941, with fellow-pilot John Marine, on a vist to Pasadena. He said "I am sure the British will win. They have so much spirit and actual courage. Even during the height of a bomb raid, they will put on the tea pot for that 4 o'clock cup of tea."


    d. 2 Mar 1944 of natural causes at Prestwick, S Ayrshire, Scotland

    ata Jay Herald Cordner grave

    Buried Cambridge American Cemetery, England


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  • Corrie, Robert Arthur


     M.232 First Officer  Robert Arthur Corrie 

    flag england

     b. 18 Sep 1905, Maidstone 25 Sep 1940 to Dec-43 

     ata robert corrie ATA  ata robert corrie BG BG    

     

    "One-armed pilot and film actor" (Brief Glory)

    prev. exp. 300hrs (pre-war he was restricted to single-engine types, but also flew twins in the ATA).

    Postings: 1FPP

    "An excellent ferry pilot whose disability handicaps him surprisingly little.... inclined towards conceit, but this does not detract from his usefulness."


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  • Corsellis, Timothy John Manley

     M.625  2nd Officer Timothy John Manley Corsellis 
     flag england   b. 27 Jan 1921, Eltham, London 19 Aug to 10 Oct 1941 

     ata timothy corsellis  ATA

         

     

    Father: Douglas Henry Corselis, a Barrister-at-law:

      1928

    [Douglas died 1 Nov 1930 when his DH.60G Moth G-AAEI crashed and caught fire after he hit the perimeter fence on landing in fog at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware.]

    Mother: Helen Mary [ Bendall], of Gaunt Mill, Standlake, Oxford

    Ed. Winchester

    prev. RAFVR pilot AC/2, LAC 11 Jul 1940 - 14 Feb 1941, based at Carlisle and Cranfield; Assistant ARP Organiser, Wandsworth

    prev. exp. 35 hrs in Magister, Oxford

    "The reason for my discharge from the RAF was my application to be drafted to a fighter squadron in order that I might avoid the possibility of being ordered to take part in indiscriminate bombing, which I would feel bound to disobey."

    [I suppose we should point out that the RAF only allowed its most promising pilots to go for fighter training.]

    The Town Clerk for Wandsworth Borough Council (one of his 'referees') said "He is a young man of considerable mental attainment and keen interest. His education at Winchester and work here should fit him for any appointment of responsibility and I have no hesitation in saying he will be thoroughly trustworthy"

    Having checked with the Air Ministry to ensure that he was not required by the RAF or for other duties, the ATA invited him for a flight test. The resulting assessment was, "Take-off: Good; General Flying: Poor; Approach and Landing: Fair. Nervous type. 15 hrs for Class 1, Doubtful for Class 2"

    Address in 1941: 2 Montague Gardens, London W1


    By 27 September, Timothy had completed his Class 1 Technical Course, training in Ground Navigation and Morse Code, and about 25 hrs flying in Magister, Moth and Tutor. He was rated as a pilot of average ability, "but he has made good progress."

    He was then cleared to fly Class 1 (light single-engine) aircraft.

     

    janes magister

    d. 10 Oct 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - on his 3rd ferry flight, from Luton to Carlisle, Magister L8286 crashed at Warmanbie House, nr Annan, Dumfries. 

    He died instantly, from a fractured skull, and inter-cranial haemorrage.

    There was "Insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident."

    Retired Colonel Charles Spencer, the resident of Warmanbie House, said, "I was at the east side of Warmanbie House, when an RAF plane flew over the house from about north-east at a low altitude. I then saw it make a sudden violent swerve towards the north-west and dive out of sight.... In my opinion the engine did not stop prior to the crash." However, other witnesses reported that the plane had circled "a number of times" and the engine did stop before the crash.

    Fellow pilot Percy Olieff also ferried a Magister from Luton to Carlisle that day, and had spoken to Timothy en route, at Sealand. "He told me he had stopped at Worcester to refuel, and I expressed surprise at this as the endurance of the Magister is about 3 hours. S/O Corsellis seemed to be jittery and on enquiry admitted that he had had a night out. I asked him why he had not been to see the Doctor, and he replied that he did feel all right."

    His body was cremated in Oxford on 15 October 1941, and his ashes were scattered from an ATA Anson over heath land between Oxford and Kemble.

    ------------

    "November 7th 1941

    Dear Captain Kiek,

    It was good of you to let me come to White Waltham - it comforted me to know that Timothy must have been happy in that atmosphere of efficiency & inspiration & aliveness.

    I shall not forget how wonderfully patient & sympathetic you were - it was a hateful job for you to have to do but you did it perfectly and I do thank you.

    I think it had to be, with Timothy - I felt sure the moment he started flying - just as I felt sure with his father.

    I am thankful he was spared any agony.

    Yours Sincerely,

    Helen Corsellis"

    ------------

    The £2,000 insurance claim was paid to his mother Helen on 13 Apr 1942.

     

    Oxford DNB: "As with so many servicemen poets of the period, Timothy Corsellis first had his work published by the admirable Keidrich Rhys, himself serving as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. It belongs to the group of air force poets who include Henry Treece, John Pudney, and Vernon Watkins, while remaining distinctive and troubling. An edition of his collected poems has never been published. Corsellis's originality lies in his ability to reveal youthful disappointment with what was offered him. Barely grown up, and lacking his friend Weir's strong sense of cause, he wrote poetry that is a severe indictment of the grim world into which the war cast him.

    Sometimes we pray to be hardened and callous,
    But God turns a deaf ear,
    And we know hate and sorrow—intimately,
    And we do not mind dying tomorrow.
    (Corsellis, ‘Dawn after the Raid’, Poems)"

     Wikpedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Corsellis


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  • Cotter, David George Sinclair

     M.439  Flight Captain David George Sinclair Cotter MBE 

    flag england

     b. 18 May 1913, Leicester  16 May 1941 to Dec-45

     ata david cotter 1945

         

     Ed. St Paul's, London

    RAF Short Service Commission, terminated 1933 due to ill health

    Company Commander in the Home Guard May-40 to Jan-41

    prev. Aircraft Inspector for Fairey Aviation, Hayes.


    "A sound and smart officer who is a great asset to the ATA"

    He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for his part in the rescue of the crew of a returning operational Halifax III of No. 420 Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant R. A. Kalle which, having been damaged during a sortie over Normandy, overshot the runway and caught fire at White Waltham on the 30th July 1944.

    The full list of those commended was:

    - pilots David Cotter (M.439), Reginald Davidson (M.918), Marvin Dunlavy (M.408), Alan Murray (M.1053);

    - Fire Officer D Baldwin, 

    - Senior Flight Engineer Kenneth Payne, Engineer Second Officer Albert Gardner, Engineer Third Officer John Gulson, Engineer Second Officer Francis Lees, Engineer Third Officer Donald Soutter,  and

    - Mr J.J. Thompson.

    He was also awarded an MBE. The citation reads "An aircraft crashed on landing and burst into flames. Despite the fire and the bombs on board, which subsequently exploded, the crew, five of whom were seriously injured in the crash, were extricated... First Officer Cotter gave invaluable help in getting the Rear-Gunner out of his turret, which had become jammed. The man was unconscious, lying partly in the turret and partly in the rear of the fuselage. While others worked on the turret from the outside, Cotter, finding the turret could not be swung back, entered the fuselage, after forcing the normal entrance. The starboard wing was blazing fiercely and the heat was so intense that the starboard elevator burst into flames. It was then found necessary to remove the gunner’s flying equipment before those outside could extricate him safely... Cotter showed great courage without thought for his own safety."

     

    d. 2003, Surrey


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  • Cotton, Ralph Douglas

     M.9  First Officer  Ralph Douglas Cotton 
    flag england b. 15 Feb 1908, Hendon  11 Sep 1939 to Jun-41 

     

    A Bank Clerk in 1927; RAF Flying Officer 1928-30

    m. Emily Mary Rawstron in May 1938: "The many Bedford sportsmen who remember R. D. Cotton, the Old Modernian, will wish him well in his married life. Last week Mr. Cotton married Miss E. M. Rawstron, of St. Anne’s, Lancashire, at the Parish Church, Lytham St. Anne’s.

    Ralph Douglas Cotton, who is a flying and physical training instructor, played Rugby football and cricket for the Bedford Modern School about twelve years ago, and was also prominent as an athlete. In the Public Schools Championships in 1926 he won the pole-vault challenge cup at nine feet, and four years later he pole-vaulted for England.

    On leaving school Cotton’s prowess as a centre-threequarter was soon recognised by the Town Club. He played many fine games for the Blues and also for the East Midlands. On moving north he won a place in the Lancashire fifteen. He has also played for the Royal Air Force, and is at present a member of the Fylde R.U.F.C. He is a member of the Blackpool and Fylde Aero Club.

    Mr. Cotton is the only son of the late Mr. J. B. Cotton, and of Mrs Cotton, 16 St. Leonard’s Road, Marton. His wife comes of a well-known St. Anne’s family, being the third daughter of Mr. Arthur Rawstron. Alpha House, St. Andrew’s South. Mr. and Mrs. Cotton will live at Old Farm House, Little Poulton, Poulton-le-Fylde."

    [Contract Terminated by ATA 7 Jun 1941 - Disciplinary Reasons]

    Flying Instructor in Egypt post-WWII 

    Landlord of the Golden Cross Hotel, Marlbrook, near Bromsgrove in 1956 and of the Old Cock Hotel, Halifax, in 1961.

    d. Jan 1986, Bedford 


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  • Couser, Archibald Campbell

     M.967

    3rd Officer 

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Archibald Campbell Couser 
     flag scotland b. 5 Jan 1920, Falkirk  7 Sep 1943 to 17 Aug 1944 

      ATA

      Falkirk Herald    

     

    Father: Archibald Couser

    prev. Post Office Telephone Engineer; RAF (LAC)

     Address in 1944: 75 High Pleasance, Falkirk, Stirlingshire


     Postings: 5TFPP

    One accident, not his fault

    - 9 Feb 1944, his Magister was in a "slight collision in mid-air" with another Magister, denting the ends of his propeller.

     "A very keen and alert type who has, on the whole, shown average progress and ability although he is a little inclined to rush himself at times in his enthusiasm."


    janes airspeed oxford

     d. 17 Aug 1944 (age 24) as a passenger in Oxford PH235, piloted by First Officer Thomas Frank Thompson (M.841).

    Ferrying from Airspeed's factory in Portsmouth to 44 MU Edzell, Angus, Scotland; for an unknown reason (possibly hitting HT cables), the aircraft dived into the ground at about 17:30 near Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.

    The other passenger, Third Officer John Douglas Dale (M.968) was also killed.

     

    Buried 22 Aug 1944 in Camelon Cemetery, Falkirk: Sec 12 Grave 662. 

        

    "Killed on Active Service in Cheshire, Eng."

    Dearly Beloved Son of

    ARCHIBALD & LILY COUSER

    The Above

    ARCHIBALD COUSER,

    Died 28th Oct. 1947, 

    Aged 58 Years.

    Also the above

    LILY COUSER

    Died 5th Jan. 1980

    Aged 85 Years

     

    "Mr and Mrs Archibald Couser, 75 High Pleasance, Falkirk, received official intimation last week that their only son, Third Officer Archibald Campbell Couser, Air Transport Auxiliary, had been killed on active service.

    Third Officer Couser, who was 24 years of age, a native of Falkirk and a former pupil of Falkirk High School. On leaving school, he obtained employment in the telephone engineering department of Falkirk Post Office, and continued in that until he proceeded to service with the Royal Air Force in May of last year. In September last he was transferred to the Air Transport Auxiliary. Since his lamented death, his parents have received many letters offering condolences in their bereavement, including one from Sir Stafford Cripps, Minister of Aircraft Production, who wrote: “His work for the Air Transport Auxiliary was, as you know, extremely important to our war effort, and we can ill afford to lose such a valuable pilot and officer as your son had proved himself to be. His loss will be greatly felt by all his colleagues."

    Mr A. H. Brown, telephone manager of the South- West Telephone Area, also wrote expressing regret, adding that Third Officer Couser had held the respect and esteem ‘of all his colleagues in the department and that he was of an extremely zealous and industrious nature, and would undoubtedly have had a successful career in the Post Office. Sympathy from the High School was expressed in a letter from the rector, Mr A. C. Mackenzie. In civil life, Third Officer Couser’s chief interest outside of his work was music. He was an accomplished pianist, and was associated as such for some time with the Imperial Dance Band. He was also fond of swimming and skating." Falkirk Herald - Saturday 26 August 1944

     


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  • Coutanceau, Henri Rene Paul

    M.---- *

     Cadet

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Henri Rene Paul Coutanceau
       + flag UK b. 5 Aug 1921, Ganges, France c. 1 Jul 1943 to 12 Feb 1944

       1942

         

     

    Father: Dr. Jean Leon Maurice Coutanceau, a GP and regional Medical Officer for the Railway Company PLM (Paris-Lyons-Mediterranée); Mother: Madeleine Jeanne [Goiran], of  236 Royal Road, Rose Hill, Mauritius

    Ed. Royal College of Mauritius, Curepipe

    On 4 Mar 1942, Henri sailed to the UK from Mauritius to join his brother Maurice Coutanceau in the RAF, first as Radio-Observer, then as an Airfield Controller.


     Postings: IFTS

     


     m. 1945 in Westminster, Paula D (3 children)

    Post-WWII, studied in Australia to became a Medical Practitioner; lived in Heathcote St, London WC1 in 1956, and emigrated to Australia in Nov 1958

     

    d. 4 Jan 2004 - Balwyn, Victoria

    Commemorated at Templestowe Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, Victoria


    * File not seen

  • Coutanceau, Maurice Gaston Emile

     M.----

    Pilot Officer

    (Seconded from RAF) 

     Maurice Gaston Emile Coutanceau

      +

    flag UK

     b. 23 Feb 1920, Montpellier, France 20 Nov 1942 to 26 Oct 1943 

     

     3 Mar 1942

      

    as an RAF pilot 1941-2

     

    Flying an Airspeed Oxford, 1941-2

     

     

    Father: Dr. Jean Leon Maurice Coutanceau, a GP and regional Medical Officer for the Railway Company PLM (Paris-Lyons-Mediterranée); Mother: Madeleine Jeanne [Goiran], of  236 Royal Road, Rose Hill, Mauritius

    His younger brother, Henri Coutanceau, also joined the ATA, but did not progress beyond 'Cadet'.

    Ed. Royal College of Mauritius, Curepipe; Loughborough College, Shrewsbury(?)

    "He ended his studies in 1938, having been partly handicapped by asthma." - Henri Coutanceau

     

     m. Aug 1942 at St Laurence Church, Upminstrer, Essex, Pauline Doris [Weston]

    prev. exp. 115 hrs on Tiger Moth, Oxford, Whitley

    Sailed to the UK after the fall of France in 1940

    Flt-Sgt, RAF from 23 Jan 1941 to 19 Nov 1942 (Pilot Officer from 1 Sep 1943)

    Address in 1943: 19 Claremont Gardens, Upminster, Essex


    Postings:  3FPP

     

    This photo was taken by his brother Henri, only a few weeks before Maurice's death:

      Ferrying a Wellington from Broughton to Dumfries, Sep 1943

     


    Hurricane II

    d. 26 Oct 1943 (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane IIc LE262 struck hillside at Flatfell, Kinniside Cleator, Cumberland, 10 miles E of St Bees Head, in bad weather 

    buried St Laurence Church, Upminster, Essex

        

    This commemorative plaque was placed in the church on 7 Apr and

    dedicated at the parish mass on 14 May 2000"

    - Henri Coutanceau and Alfred Ellis

       

     

     "Writtle Land worker bereaved.

    Mrs Pauline Coutanceau, of Claremont Gardens, Upminster, of the Essex Women's Land Army, has received notification that her husband, Pilot-Officer Maurice Coutanceau. has been killed on active service. Pilot-Officer Coutanceau came from Mauritius early in the war to join the R.A.F and met Miss Pauline Weston, who was then in the W.L.A. at Writtle. They were married in August, 1942. The young wife continued in the W.L.A., in which she enrolled at the age of 17 in 1940. In training at the Writtle Institute she specialised in horticulture, and is employed by Mr. Lawrence Taylor, of Galleywood."Chelmsford Chronicle - 19 Nov 1943

     "Maurice had been interested in both aviation and photography since he was a small boy. Not long before he left Mauritius to join the RAF, on the 5th and the 22nd November in 1940 he had given two talks on the local Radio Station in Mauritius, one entitled 'Photography Through the Ages', and the other on
    aviation entitled 'Commercial and Test Flights'.

    There is also a plaque with Maurice's name on it in the French Protestant Church in Soho Square, London, commemorating the French Protestant (Huguenot)
    Servicemen who died in action during the Second World War." - Henri Coutanceau

     

    Pauline re-married in 1951

     

    ** with huge thanks to Maurice's niece Suzanne, who kindly shared many documents and photos of her father Henri, and her uncle Maurice.


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  • Cowan, Willard Edwin

     M.660 * First Officer   Willard Edwin Cowan
    flag canada

     b. 8 Jan 1898, Wentworth, Ontario,

    but travelled to UK in Jun 1919 as a 21 yr old student, and again in 1922.

     25 Nov 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

      ATAM

         

     

    m. 1919 Patricia Jessie [Hamilton]; 5 children (inc. Patricia b. 1919, Mary b. 1923, Lenora b. 1924)

    RAF May 1923 - 29 Nov 1927

    Portsmouth Evening News, 6 May 1925:

    "FLYING OFFICER’S AFFAIRS.

    Expensive Outfit.

    WINCHESTER BANKRUPTCY STORY.

    How a young Canadian, and Flying Oflicer, aged 27, found himself in difficulties, and eventually had recourse to money lenders, was told to the Winchester Bankruptcy Court yesterday, when Willard Edwin Cowan appeared for his public examination in bankruptcy.

    His liabilities were stated to be £420, and his assets nil, and he alleged that his difficuties were caused by illness in his family and injuries to himself by a flying accident in Irak, having caused his expenditure to exceed his pay.

    Flying Officer Cowan stated that he was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and joined the Canadian Army in December. 1910, came to England, and in June 1917 obtained a commission, and was transferred to the Royal Naval Air Force. He served in the war until December, 1919, when he received a gratuity of £150 and returned to Canada.

    For a time he was out of employment, but subsequently obtained clerical work. In September 1922 he returned to England, was for a time without employment, living on money he had saved whilst in Canada and proceeds from the sale of furniture.

    In July 1923 he joined the Royal Air Force in which he holds a commission as Flying Officer, receiving pay at the present time amounting to £450 a year. When in Irak his total pay was £55 a month, and had he continued to receive this he could have met his liabilities.

    Married in 1917, his wife had five children. He had been living beyond his means, mainly due to the illness of his wife and family, and in order to meet pressing claims has been borrowing from moneylenders and others. He had known he was insolvent since July 1924.

    Replying to the Assistant Official Receiver, debtor said that in one instance when he negotiated a loan for £30 with a moneylender he actually received £27 in cash, paying £3 commission for the introduction.

    Examining debtor on his bills, the Assistant Receiver commented the items that "four shirts. £2 12s.; hat, £3 13s. 6d.; flannel trousers, 2 guineas” seemed rather extravagant, and debtor agreed, but said that he ordered a complete outfit from the firm, who had only one price. and he was not in a position to pay cash. 'This bill was increased subsequently to £200 and he had paid £56 15s. off it. 

    Debtor intimated his willingness to set aside £5 a month from his pay, and the examination was closed, subject to the signing of the notes."


    m. 1982 Ellen E [Harris]

    d. 4 Aug 1990, Luton

  • Cowdry, Roland Harry

     M.992 2nd Officer  Roland Harry Cowdry 
     flag england b. 3 Oct 1919, London   12 Jul 1943 to 31 Oct 1945

     ata roland cowdry MAMM

         

     

     


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  • Cramer, Leonard Wright

     M.177 First Officer  Leonard Wright Cramer 

    flag usa

     b. 2 May 1906, Fulton NY 3 Aug 1940 to Oct-41 

      

    ata leonard cramer 1929 1929

    from http://jeffmichaels.org/?p=252, which has a full biography

         

     

    Father: Frank I Cramer

    Ed.: 4 yrs High School, 1 yr Cornell University

    m. 1929 Vida Pearl [Hewes, divorced, later Dolamore]

    prev. a Commercial Pilot. Manager of Oneida Airport.

    He had to swim a mile and a half after his seaplane crashed following engine failure and then an engine fire, at Onodaga Lake, Syracuse , N.Y. in Jun 1930.

    Address in 1940: Baldwinsville, NY


    Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP

    He was commended for his forced landing after an engine failure in a Short Scion on 8 Dec 1940, but blamed for another forced landing in a Fairey Battle when he continued a flight in failing light and bad weather on 5 Jan 1941.

    Seconded to Atfero 20 Mar 1941

    Contract Terminated 31 Oct 1941


    d. 8 Jan 1945 - Port of Spain, Trinidad, in Martin M-130 'China Clipper' of Pan American Airways.which crashed while landing in darkness. 10 of the 13 crew, and 13 of 17 passengers died in the accident.

     


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  • Crane, Allen Albert

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Allen Albert Crane 

    flag usa

     b. 1 Jul 1905, Redding, CA  7 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata allen crane 1940 1940      

     

    m. 1938 Clara [Gregory]

    prev. a Commercial Pilot; "he has been flying for the last 10 years as a hobby", then an Instructor in the civil aeronautics authority student programfor the last six months.

    Address in 1940: 869 N Idaho St, San Mateo CA

    ATA Contract Terminated 12 Sep 1940 - Inefficiency

    d. 2 May 1994 - San Diego CA

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Craven, George

      M.1111

     3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    George Craven 
     flag england   b. 4 Mar 1914, Keighley, Yorks 14 Jul 1944 to Apr-45 

     

         

     

    Lived at: 26 James Place, Edinburgh with wife Sadie

    prev. a worsted spinner


    Postings: 4FPP, 5FPP, 16FPP

    "His progress was slow... he showed a tendency to let things drift and not take action to remedy faults quickly."

    At 16 Ferry Pool, he spent 1 month ferrying and he carried out his duties "satisfactorily."


    d. Sep 1959  - Worth Valley, Yorks

     

     


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  • Crawford, Milford Kenneth

     M.392 2nd Officer  Milford Kenneth Crawford 
     flag usa  b. 11 Nov 1910, Kalamazoo, Michigan  20 Mar to 31 Jul 1941

       ATA

         

     

    Father: Jollie George Crawford, a Credit Manager for Peoples Outfitting Co; Mother: Marie A [Ramstain]

    Ed. Southwestern High School, Detroit; Detroit College of Law

     m. 8 Aug 1936 in Detroit, Genevieve 'Grace' R [Magalikski] (d. 2002)

    prev. Sewing Machine Dept of Sears Roebuck, Detroit

    prev. exp. 525 hrs

      Draft card, dated 16 Oct 1940

    Address in 1941: 10200 Lakepointe Ave, Detroit, Michigan


     Postings: 6FPP

     1 accident, his fault:

    - 12 Jun 1941, a heavy landing in a Hurricane after an error of judgement

     

    Contract Terminated - "Inefficiency"


     Lieut in US Navy, 19 Jul 1943 to 22 Jun 1947

    Still flying in 1948 - he and his passenger escaped unhurt after he crashed a twin-engined plane at the Municipal Airport, Jackson MI, after "both motors quit as he was circling the field"

     

    d. 29 Sep 1986 - Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan

    Buried at Mount Olivet CemeteryEastwoodKalamazoo CountyMichigan

     


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  • Cremonini, Guy Alan

     M.296  2nd Officer (Acting First Officer) Guy Alan Cremonini 
    flag england b. 6 Jul 1917, Birmingham  25 Mar 1941 to Mar-42 

     ata guy cremonini ATA

       ATAM    

     

    prev. RAFVR Jan-39 to Feb-40 (Sgt Pilot, OTC)

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Temperamentally unsuited']

    'A highly nervous pilot whose sense of judgement does not seem to be very steady. He is keen, but in the four months at [Ratcliffe] Pool he has consistently taken longer to complete jobs than other pilots.'

    Changed surname to 'Jordon' (his mother's maiden name) in 1944

    d. 1977


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  • Crews, Willie Amos

     M.---  2nd Officer  Wille Amos Crews

    flag usa

    b. 11 Feb 1912, Lawrenceburg, TN  5 May 1941 to 27 Jul 1941 

     ata willie crews ATA

         

     

    Father: Walter Brown Crews, Mother: Annie Mae

    Ed. Kerser High School

    m. 1935 in Arkansas Bertha Christine [Johnson] (an 'FAA licensed Pilot')

    prev. a commercial pilot (Delta, Finkles Bros) flying instructor and crop dusting

    Address in 1941: 1201, W Ash St., Blytheville, Arkansas


    Contract Terminated - Medical Reasons. "This pilot was found to be sufferng from syphilis, which he contracted before he left the USA, and received treatment in this country. This condition was too far developed to permit flying activities."

    "He should never have been enrolled."


    later Capt in US Air Transport Command 1942-1946

    d. 20 Mar 1974 (Age 62) - Los Angeles

     ata willie crews grave


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  • Crim, Omar William

     M.212  2nd Officer  Omar William Crim

    flag usa

     b. 4 Aug 1904, Bucyrus OH 29 Nov 1940 to 24 May 1941

     

    ata omar crim

    via Alisa Scott

         

     

    Father John Bennett Crim [d. 1932, Charleston WV], mother Mathilda (b. 1878 in Germany, family emigrated to USA in 1881)

    Ed. Public School, Charleston

    prev. Trooper, WV State Police 1929-32; motor mechanic, pilot

    m. 1934 Hazel Gaye [Roberts] [d. 1985]

    Adress in 1940: 1407½ Jackson St, Charleston WV


    Travelled from St. Johns to Liverpool on the SS 'Nova Scotia' with fellow pilots Edmund Jarrett, Kenneth Douglas, Kenneth Seeds, Robert Vinson and Edwin Whittington.

    Postings: 6FPP


    He joined a Mr. Hubert M Covert in setting up 'Flight School Inc.' an air taxi, cargo and ambulance service, at Clark Field nr. St Albans, WV, in Nov 1954.

    Crim Omar W 1978 News pg1

    d. 31 Jul 1987, Charleston WV

    Cumberland Times News - February 9, 1989, Cumberland, Maryland:

    "Scholarship Established At University
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -The West Virginia University Foundation has received nearly $80,000 from the estate of a Charleston aviator to establish a scholarship in his name.
    Omar W. Crim, a pilot with the Civil Air Patrol during World War II, died July 31, 1987, at the age of 82. He was one of the oldest active airplane pilots in West Virginia. Those eligible for assistance from the Omar W. Crim Scholarship Fund are the winners of the Spaatz Award,
    which is presented by the Civil Air Patrol of West Virginia. The highly prestigious award is named in honor of Carl Spaatz, a pioneer in aviation. Any recipient of a $3,000 per year Omar W. Crim Scholarship must attend WVU.

    Crim began flying in the late 1920s and made his first solo flight in 1933. After World War II, he returned to Charleston where he operated
    Clark Field for several years. Later, he flew charters and gave flight instruction as a pilot at Kanawha Airport (now Yeager Airport).

    Crim worked as a pilot from 1972-74 for Eagle Coal & Dock Co., Aviation Division. He then served as safety director. With his wife Hazel, now
    deceased, Crim operated a weekend sightseeing service offering flights over the Kanawha Valley.

    Under the terms of the fund, half of the yearly scholarship amount will be paid at the beginning of the academic year. The remainder will be paid at the beginning of the second semester providing the recipient maintained a 2.5 grade point average during the preceding term. The WVU Foundation is a private corporation which serves as the fund raising arm of the  University. The Foundation also is the administrative organization for those funds."

    Thanks to Alisa Scott for her research


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  • Cripps, Derek Arthur Rivers

     M.491  Flight Captain Derek Arthur Rivers Cripps 
     flag england  b. 17 Jun 1905, London   10 Jun 1941 to Nov-45

     ata derek cripps 1928 1928

     ata derek cripps ATA  ata derek cripps 1946 1946  

     

    ed. Malvern College - OTC Private 1919-22

    prev. with Turner, Adamant Engineering Co, Dallow Lane, Luton


    Postings: 1FPP, 5FPP, 6FPP, 7FPP

    In Apr-43 he was posted to AFTS as an instructor: "A hard working & keen officer who had the making of a good instructor, but unfortunately, he apparently felt the work too much of a mental strain and he made application to revert to ferrying."


    m. "Barbara Petronella Bowyer Or Reid" (also of the ATA) in Dec 1946

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Critchley, Charles Brian

     M.578  First Officer  Charles Brian Critchley
     flag england   b. 14 Apr 1917, St Annes on Sea, Lancs  19 Jun 1941 to Nov-42

     ata charles critchley ATA

         

     

    prev. Fleet Air Arm Feb-39 to Sep-40;

    A Cotton salesman for C Tattersall & Co, Manchester

    d. Mar 1943, Hatfield?

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Crossley, Fidelia Josephine (W.27)

     W.27  2nd Officer

    Fidelia Josephine 'Delia' Crossley

    Mrs Schubert

    flag england

    b. 1 Jun 1905, Altringcham Cheshire  16 Dec-40 to Jan-42 

      RAeC 1930      

     

     

    0370-0014a - Delia Crossley

    0312-0097a - Fidelia in KC

    The daughter of Sir Kenneth Irwin, 2nd Baronet Crossley, Chairman of the Crossley Car and Engineering companies in Manchester.

    In 1919, the Crossley family moved to Combermere Abbey, Whitchurch, Shropshire and her father held the offices of High Sheriff and Justice of the Peace for Cheshire. These days, although it continues in private ownership, Combermere Abbey ‘welcomes visitors in groups or on specific days by appointment’. It has been described as ‘one of the most romantic places in Europe’ .

    Gained her pilot’s licence in 1930. She only competed in the King’s Cup once - in 1931, when she was the only woman competitor to finish, a gallant 20th out of the 21 finishers (another 20 dropped out on the way, don't forget).

    August 1931 found her in Dublin; "Among the visitors was one who deserved especial mention, and that was the intrepid Miss Crossley, who put up such a fine show in the recent King's Cup race. She flew the long way round, and is now continuing to tour the country."

    In 1932, she visited India, where "we hear she has been doing a considerable amount of flying." In fact, she competed in the Viceroy Cup (India's version of the King's Cup) with 5 other English pilots and 6 from India.

    She also competed in several other races and gatherings, e.g.

    • Ladies event at Reading (May, 1931) - the other competitors were Amy Johnson, Pauline Gower, Dorothy Spicer, Gabrielle Burr (Patterson), Susan Slade, and Winifred Spooner - a historic gathering indeed.

    • London-Newcastle, August 1932, in Comper Swift G-ABUA; finished 11th of 18
    • Yorkshire Tophy Race, September 1932 (not placed);
    • Heston-Cardiff, October 1932, also in Comper Swift G-ABUA; finished 3rd of 9
    • the second 'Bienvenue Aerienne' in France (July 1934)

    0370-0005a - C Grey Delia Connie  0370-0029a - Delia and friend

    Delia with C C Grey (editor of 'The Aeroplane'), Mrs Grey, Connie Leathart and others.

    She also entered her Comper Swift in the 1932 King's Cup Race, but withdrew before the start, and seems to have retired from air racing in 1935.

    On the outbreak of WWII, Delia became an ambulance driver for the London County Council, but then applied for a job as a ferry pilot for the ATA. She started as a Second Officer on the 16th December 1940, but suffered a bout of 'corozyia' (presumably coryza, i.e. catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose) which kept her out for 6 weeks in October/November 1941, so that she didn't complete her training and start at a Ferry Pool until December 1941.

    A few weeks later, on the 11th Januuary 1942, she had an accident in a Hurricane; when landing in bad weather, she overshot and went through a hedge. She was considered to be at fault, having 'persisted too far in bad weather and had to land in conditions which were too difficult for her', and her contract was terminated a couple of weeks later.

    She married Geza O Schubert in September 1949.

    0022-0001a - G-AAKC

    Fidelia’s de Havilland D.H. 60G Gipsy Moth G-AAKC (seen here behind G-AACY) was first registered in July 1929, and she bought it from Malcolm Campbell Ltd, the Moth distributors for the UK. She eventually passed it to her father, and it was then sold in South Africa in 1937.

    Her Comper Swift was first registered in February 1932 to  J D M Gray, and she sold it to Arthur H Cook (q.v.). It ended up in Indonesia.

    d. c.1980


    ... and there's a splendid page about 'Combermere's Pioneering Aviatrix Delia Crossley' here, written by the archivist at Combermere Abbey.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Crossley, Winifred Mary (W.4)

     

     W.4

    Flight Captain

    Mrs Winifred Mary 'Winnie' Crossley

     flag england

     9 Jan 1906, St Neots.  1 Jan 1940 to 30 Nov 1945 


    RAeC 1934

         

     

    nee Harrisson

    Her father was a G.P. Dr. Ernest  Henry Harrisson and they lived at 'The Priory' and/or 'The Shrubbery', St Neots. He was famous for bringing the St Neots [Miles] quadruplets into the world in 1935.

    She had an older brother [John Ernest McRae], a  twin sister [Daphne Louisa], a younger brother George Granville, and a younger sister Muriel (b. 1912).

    Educated at Burchett House, Dorking

    m. Sep 1926 James Francis 'Frank' Crossley. In 1930 they lived in Mallowry, Riseley, N. Beds.

    They had 1 child, John James, b. 1929 (he apparently "often flew with her.") **

    ata winifred and daphne harrisson The Tatler, 1935

    prev. exp 1866 hrs on 'most single engine types; slight knowledge of twins'.

    Owned a DH Gyspy Moth I in 1935. Learnt to fly at the Norfolk and Norwich Aero Club.

    prev. performed aerobatics with CWA Scott's 'Flying for All' Aerial Circus:

    winifred crossley 1936

    Mrs. Crossley, the Display's lady aerobatic pilot, with Master Rice (whose father deals with the publicity) and the Hillson-Praga Baby monoplane.  [Flight, Apr 1936)

    3 Sep 1936: (Flying for All) "Mrs. Winifred Crossley provides one of the most amazing features of the display. She is the first woman acrobatic pilot, and although she has only been flying for two years she has reached a surprisingly high standard."

    ... then the only woman pilot for Air Publicity Ltd, Heston from 1936, towing advertising banners; for example, in July 1937 she flew over Whitehall towing a banner reading "Give All Civil Servants Pensions".

    Lived in Gamlingay, Beds from 1932-39. Represented Bedfordshire at lawn tennis.

    Address in 1940: Newhaven Court Hotel, Cromer, Norfolk


    4-engine (Class 5) pilot

    Postings: Hatfield, 5FPP, 9FPP, 6FPP, 4FPP

     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

    "General Conduct: Average. Qualities of Leadership: Not markedly good. A pleasant and amiable person who is friendly and helpful to her less experienced colleagues."

    "Has now cultivated a sense of responsibility. Very reliable pilot."

    ata winifred and joan 1940  with Joan Hughes in 1940

     

    In 1944 Norman Whitehurst wrote: "A smooth and polished pilot. She is apprehensive of poor weather to an extraordinary degree for such an experienced and good pilot. Discipline is fair and her influence, which is considerable, is not perhaps always in the best interests of the unit. She has lately shown improvement in this respect. She is at all times an amiable person of great charm and is extremely kind-hearted."

    ata winnie and peter fair ELC

    Separated from her first husband Frank; in 1943 she married Canadian airline captain Peter Cleugh Fair, later General Manager of BOAC-owned Bahamas Airways in Nassau.

    Daily Record - Thursday 09 September 1943: "FLYING ROMANCE. Mrs. WINIFRED CROSSLEY, one of Britain’s finest women fliers, is spending a golfing holiday in Ayrshire with her fiance, Captain P. C. Fair, of British Airways. Slim, dark-haired, she is the daughter of the late Dr. E H Harrison, who brought the St. Neots quads into the world. She flew milk for the quads from London daily during the first weeks of their life. Captain Fair, who has been flying for 18 years, says that his bride-to-be is a better pilot than himself. She has done 4,000 flying hours, probably far more than any other woman in the world."

    Peter Cleugh Fair (b. 18 May 1906 in Ontario) had travelled to England in 1927 and joined the RAF. He was promoted to Flying Officer in Dec 1928, was stationed at Uxbridge in 1934, and eventually was placed on the retired list at his own request in April 1937.

    Andy Pickering tells me that "Peter Fair was an Imperial Airways pilot who lost a Lockheed model 14 Super Electra in the Mediterranean on Dec 21st 1939, G-AFYU. It seems it was the first ever BOAC loss, the company having only being formed a few weeks before. There were 6 survivors from a complement of 11, Fair being injured and rescued by a French ship off Sicily after a RN search."

    In  January 1955, when 'fun-loving royal' Princess Margaret flew from London to Trinidad for an official visit, she was piloted by "Captain Peter Cleugh Fair, 48-year old Canadian who has flown the Atlantic nearly 400 times.

    peter cleugh fair 1955

    Captain Fair is one of BOAC's senior commanders and has logged more than 13,000 flying hours."

    ** Sadly, her son died in 1950: "On November 18, 1950, at Bovey Tracey. John James Crossley, only son of Mr. Frank Crossley and Mrs. Winifred Fair" Western Morning News

    Western Times - Friday 24 November 1950: "LOSS TO PARISH.—The death of Mr. John Crossley has cast a gloom over local cricketing circles. Deceased was only about 22, and had been a playing member of the Bovey Tracey Cricket Club for some years. He lived at Harbertonford. His death came with tragic suddenness. He was at Bovey Tracey on Thursday night last, and, not feeling very well, went to bed. Returning to his home, he became worse, and on Saturday was removed to Bovey hospital, where he died soon after admission. Only a fortnight ago he received the president's bat for being the best all-rounder for last season. Mr. Crossley was a nephew of Dr. John Harrison, the president of Bovey Tracey Cricket Club. There was a large attendance at the funeral service held in Bovey Tracey parish church. The Rev. G. O. C. Duxbury, M.A.. vicar, officiated. Members of the club acted as bearers."

    ATA women in Nassau 1957

    l to r Ann Wood-Kelly, Lettice Curtis, Ruth Ballard and Winnie, Nassau 1957 (ELC)

    They came back to the UK to visit Alan and Lois Butler in Studham in 1960.

    Peter died in 1961, and was buried with his mother [Sophia Meiklejohn Cleugh Fair] and brother [Howard Cleugh Fair] in Pennsylvania. 

    Winnie moved back to the UK and d. 1984 in Aylesbury, Bucks.

    [Ultimate trivia fact: Winifred's younger sister Muriel married Peter Fair's brother Alfred!] 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Crowder, Eric Noel

     M.709 2nd Officer  Eric Noel Crowder 
       b. 4 Dec 1903, Chester 20 Jan 1942 to Oct-44 

     ata eric crowder 1931 1931

    ata eric crowder   ata eric crowder 2 ATA  

     

     prev. Managing Director, RC & EN Crowder [Hardware Merchant], Seller St, Chester

    'Perfectly happy when flying up to Class 3, and in these classes he is a most useful ferry pilot."

    "I consider he has reached the limit of his ability."

    d. 1979

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cruttenden, Percy James Wulliens

     M.565 First Officer  Percy James Wulliens Cruttenden 
     flag england b. 16 Aug 1905, Bexhill on Sea   1 Jul 1941 to Aug-45

     ata percy cruttenden 1931 1931

     ata percy cruttenden  

    ata percy cruttenden 2

     ATA

     

     

    prev. a Prison Officer in Cardiff

    m. Tetdora Anna Oltmans in 1933

    When Douglas Bader crashed his Bulldog at Woodley Aerodrome, Reading, in 1931, "a man called Cruttenden got to the Bulldog first, undid the straps, somehow dragged Douglas out of the cockpit, and transferred him to an ambulance... Cruttenden stuck a large hand tightly over his leg... Douglas was convinced that Cruttenden saved his life by that action alone." The Bader Wing


    Postings: 2FPP, 6FPP

    'A competent and careful all round pilot, who has completed 4 years excellent work with No 2 Ferry Pool. As an officer, he has been deservedly popular with all ranks.'


    Prison Commission, 1961

    d. 1978, Brighton

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cummergen, Victor

     M.1112 Third Officer (Seconded from RAF)  Victor Cummergen 
     flag england b. 27 Mar 1916, North Shields   4 Jul 1944 to Apr-45

     ata victor cummergen ATA

     ata victor cummergen 1946 1946    

     

    prev. 3yrs 9months in RAF

    A Dispenser

    The RAF Selection Board in Harrogate reported that he "has good all round ability but is liable to lapses in concentration and is thus inclined to make mistakes."

    d. 23 August 2012. The Pharmaceutical Journal reported his death: "Victor Cummergen, MRPharmS, aged 96, of 1 Widecombe Close, Bedford MK40 3DR. Mr Cummergen registered in 1948 and was formerly manager of various Boots stores in the North East, London Earl’s Court and Bedford."

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cummings, Sydney Edward

    M.43* First Officer  Sydney Edward Cummings 

    flag england

      b. 14 Dec 1903, London 26 Sep 1939 to Aug-40 

      

    ata sydney cummings

    1938

         

     

    Owned 1936 Foster Wikner Wicko GM1 G-AENU

    prev exp. 161 hr solo

    prev. a construction engineer


     curtiss hawk

    d. 29 Aug 1940 (Died in ATA Service) - died from injuries received on 26th Aug; stalled when piloting Curtis Hawk AR666 which caught fire in the air. 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Cummings, William Franklin

     M.309 First Officer  William Franklin Cummings 

    flag usa

     b. 22 Oct 1904, Lela, GA 19 Sep 1940 to Jun-41 

           

     

    Address in 1940: Donalsonville, Georgia


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Roger Inman, Howard Mussey, Edward Vencill, Martin Wetzel and Constant Wilson.

    Contract Terminated by ATA 27 Jun 1941 - Disciplinary Reasons


    He  took over the guardianship of his neice, Sidney Ethel Cummings, after the death of his brother Peter Sidney Cummings and his wife, and gave her away at her wedding in 1955.

    d. 3 Sep 1991 - Brinson, Decatur GA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Cunnington, Joan (W.121)

     W.121 3rd Officer  Joan Cunnington 
     flag england b. 22 Jan 1921, London   1 Jun 1943 to 13 Sep 1944

      ATAM

         

     

    Father: John Leslie Cunnington, mother Florence Chosa [Downes]

    Ed. Loretta Convent, Colmel, Eire and Pitmans College, London

    prev: Secretary, ATA from Nov-41

    Address in 1943: "Crowland", 84 Broadwalk, Winchmore Hill, London N.21


    [Ab Initio trainee]

    Postings include: 7FPP

    One accident, her fault:

    - 7 Nov 1943, she made a heavy landing in a Swordfish II and the undercarriage collapsed

    Contract Terminated 13 Sep 1944


     d. 1977?

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Cunnison, Margaret MacDonald (W.6)

     

     

     W.6 Flight Captain 

    Margaret MacDonald Cunnison 

    Mrs Ebbage

     flag england 

     b. 29 May 1914 in Bourneville, Birmingham  1 Jan-40 to Mar-43 


      

    RAeC 1933

       Dec 1939    

     Ed. Laurel Bank School, Glasgow.

    Father: Professor James Cunnison, of 19 Montrose Gardens, Milngavie, Dumbartonshire.

    5 foot 2, eyes of, er, hazel. Veronica Inness described her as "a rather dour little Scotswoman"

    From May 1937, Chief Flying Instructor with the Strathtay Aero Club, Perth (the one in Scotland). She was only the second woman in Scotland to gain a commercial pilot’s licence, and the first to become a flying instructor. 

     Jun 1937, with quite tall members of Strathtay Aero Club

     

    "Miss Margaret Cunnison, flying instructress of Strathtay Aero Club, Perth, giving some wrinkles to a pupil"  - The Courier and Advertiser, 13 Jul 1937

     

    She married Major Geoffrey Bruce Ebbage, an ophthalmic surgeon with the RAMC, in 1941.


    She then became one of the 'First 8' women ATA pilots, joining on the 1st January 1940 as a Second Officer.

     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

    After couple of years at Hatfield, she was posted to Luton as an instructor; her report at the time said she "is a steady and reliable pilot. She works extremely hard and has proved invaluable as an instructor on light types".

    She was promoted to Flight Captain in Feb 1942, but suffered a bout of appendicitis from July to October, and then went off sick again on the 19th December 1942 and never returned to the ATA; her contract was terminated in March 1943.

    She did, indeed, only work on 'light types'; her log book shows 'Moth, Magister, Courier, Master, Oxford, Hart, Proctor, Rapide, Anson and Piper Cub'.


    d: 4 January, 2004, in Haddington, aged 89 

     

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Cunnison


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Curtis, Eleanor Lettice (W.5)

     W.5

    First Officer

    Eleanor 'Lettice' Curtis 

    flag england

    b. 1 Feb 1915, Denbury, Devon 6 Jul 1940 to 31 Nov 1945 

      

    Lettice Curtis 1937   RAeC 1937

         

     

    Father: Walter Septimus Curtis, The 'Lord of the Manor', Denbury Manor, Newton Abbott, Devon; mother, Eleanor Frances [Master]

    6 siblings, inc.  Robert M (b. 1920), and 4 sisters inc Lillias Marion, (b. 1902), Rosemary (b. 1905), Adelaide Gabrielle (b. 1909), and Evelyn (b. 1922)

    Ed. Benenden School, Cranbrook; St Hilda's College Oxford (BA Mathematics)

     prev. exp. 440 hrs on "Puss, Leopard, Tiger & wooden Moths", Swallow, Hornet, Spartan

    prev. C. L. Surveys Ltd., Southampton


      Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP, 5FPP, 1FPP

    4-engine (Class 5) pilot

     Off sick from 23 Apr to 7 May 1944 after her flying accident in the Typhoon

    4 accidents, one her fault:

    - 22 Aug 1942, brake failure when landing in a Havoc II

    - 18 Jul 1943, starboard engine failure in an Anson

    - 10 Jul 1943, she opened the throttles of her Mosquito VI too rapidly and the aircraft swung

    - 22 Apr 1944, she crashed in a Typhoon after complete engine failure when approaching to land.

     

    "Flying exceptional. Discipline greatly improved. When in her best mood her behaviour is impeccable but when in her worst, Oh Lord!"

    "Shows a tendency to disregard the interests of others"

     


    In August 1948 she set a new international women's record for the 100-kllometres closed circuit of 313.07 mph (flying a Spitfire XI owned by the United States Embassy) In the Lympne high-speed flying handicap, beating Jacqueline Cochran's 1940 record.

    Lettice Curtis in Spit 0456 0003

    wrote:

     

    - 'The Forgotten Pilots' (1985); 

    - 'Winged Odyssey' (1993)

    - 'Lettice Curtis - her autobiography' (2004)

     d. 21 Jul 2014 

     

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lettice_Curtis


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Curtis, George Henry Lawrence

     M.8  Captain  George Henry Lawrence Curtis 
    flag england b. 13 Apr 1903, London  11 Sep 1939 to Jan-42 

      ata george curtis 19321932      

     

     

    A 'Wiper Merchant' in 1932

    prev exp 440 hrs

    Ferry Records Officer from Feb-41

    Resigned 7 Jan 1942

    d. Sep 1982, Southend


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Cuthbert, William

     M.366  Flight Captain William Cuthbert MBE 

    flag england

     b. 17 Jul 1912, Belsay, Newcastle on Tyne 22 Apr 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata william cuthbert

    ata william cuthbert 2

     ATA

    prev exp 90hrs

    a Ground Engineer for Rotol Airscrews in Gloucester


    Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 9FPP

    "A pilot of outstanding ability on all types, with the added advantage of having an excellent technical background."

    O.C. No 2 FPP wrote in 1945: "I cannot speak too highly of this officer's ability as a Flight Captain and a pilot. He has been one of the mainstays of this pool since the beginning of 1942."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Cutts, Cyril Ernest

     M.269  Air Gunner, then First Officer  Cyril Ernest Cutts

    flag england

     b. 19 Apr 1910, London  23 Sep 1940 to Jun-45 

     ata cyril cutts 1936      

     

    prev. in Advertising

    prev exp. 170 hrs

    "A capable and intelligent pilot of above average ability."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Cyphus, Sylvia (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet  Sylvia Cyphus 
     flag england  b. 27 Oct 1920, Stow-on-Wold, Glos 29 Jan-44 to 22 Mar-44 

     

         

    Father: Arthur Cyphus (a farm labourer), mother Lily [Archer]

    Ed. Council School, Gt Rissington; Westwards Grammar School, Northleach (School Cert.)

    prev: from May 1939, Telephonist, GPO Cheltenham

    Address in 1944: 11 Great Rissington, nr Cheltenham, Glos


     

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     m. Oct 1963 in Cheltenham, Goldwin How(e) Edwards (d. 1992)

     d. Oct 1978 - Cheltenham


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Czyzewski, Stefan

     M.62  First Officer Stefan Czyzewski 

    flag poland

      b. 11 Jun 1899, Szarpance, Poland 11 Nov 1940 to 21 Jul 1942 

     

    ata stefan czyzewski

    ATA

         

     

    "Before 1918 I was forced to be Austrian Citizen, but my nationality was every time Polish."

    Ed. University of Vienna, Technical School

    Sergeant Pilot in the Polish Air Force Sep-1918 to Jul-1921

    A Mechanical Engineer; Chief Engineer for Avia in Warsaw from 1927.

    prev. exp 1,500 hrs on "about 70 different Polish, German, French, English and Italian types".

    Address in 1940: 19 Racecourse Rd, Ayr, Scotland


    He applied to the ATA having been rejected by the RAF, and was assessed initially as a 'capable pilot, but inclined to be heavy-handed."

    There is a handwritten note on his file: "My wife Janina Czyzewska is living in Warsaw Pulawska Street, 152 m 11. Because you could not reach her until the War is over the only one thing to do in case of my death is to put the insurance money in my Barklay [sic] bank account in Maidenhead. This is maybe not conforming to your regulations, but I can't help.

    To spare you troubles, I can only try very hardly to avoid any deadly accident what I am promising."

    He had an unfortunate experience when he unknowingly hit and killed a labourer while taking off in a Wellington at Prestwick in December 1941; he subsequently took time off suffering from a 'lack of confidence'.


    beaufighter 6

    d. 21 Jul 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter X7764 flew into Glengavel Hill, 7 miles south of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, in bad visibility. He was deemed to be to blame for the accident, having persisted too far in bad weather.

    "A good and careful pilot. The fine example he set to others made him very popular."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • d'Anacker, Mercedes (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet  Mercedes 'Baba' d'Anacker 
     flag england  b. 7 Oct 1916, Aldershot 31 Mar 1942 to 8 Apr 1942 

     Mercedes dAnacker 1936 RAeC 1936


    Mercedes dAnacker ATA ATA

       

     

    Father: Valentine Otto d'Anacker; mother Eva Mary [Savage]

      1939. "Mummy's Vauxhall & Daddy's M.G." - Ancestry

    Address in 1936: "Elvern", Hindhead, Surrey

    prev exp: 50hrs on Gypsy/Tiger Moth


    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     m. Jul 1943 in Surrey, George Walter Courtland Baker (a Canadian soldier) (2 sons)

    Moved to Toronto, Canada

      Ancestry

    d 2015 - Brampton, Ontario

     

    https://www.wardfuneralhomes.com/memorials/mercedes-baker/2017248/obit.php?&printable=true

  • d'Erlanger, Gerard John Regis Leo

    M.10  Commodore  Sir Gerard John Regis Leo d'Erlanger CBE 
    flag england b. 1 Jun 1906, Bexley, Kent  11 Sep 1939 to 31 Dec 1945 

      ata gerard derlanger 1931 1931  ata gerard dErlanger BG Brief Glory    

     

    Father: Emile Beaumont d'Erlanger (French, naturalised British in 1890)

    Ed. Eton

    m. 1928 American pianist Edythe A [Baker],

    edythe baker dErlanger 1927

    [divorced] ;

    m. 1937 Gladys F [Sammut], 3 children

    prev. a Banker, Director of British Overseas Airways

    prev. exp. 670 hrs

    Address in 1939: Lane Farm, Cherry Garden Lane, Nr Maidenhead.

    6ft 2in tall, 'scar on left side of neck'

    Postings: White Waltham

    Although he was the Creator and Commanding Officer of the ATA, d'Erlanger insisted that he (and all his station commanders) flew as often as possible. In fact, he was deemed responsible for one accident:

    - 31 Oct 1942: Typhoon Ib R7880 hit a ridge during take-off, he failed to control the resulting bounce and the propeller touched the ground.

    He flew 54 different types of aircraft during his time with the ATA; everything from a Horsa glider up to Sunderlands and a Catalina. His instructors reported him a "safe good average pilot", but said his "aerobatics were poor". However, he showed a "real appreciation of the difficulties that can be encountered on flying boats."

     CBE in 1943

    Chairman of BEA from 1947; Chairman of BOAC from 1956 - he said his aim was to make it the "most formidable and outstanding airline in the world."

    d. 15 Dec 1962 - London


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Dackers, Ernest Fraser

     M.612  First Officer Ernest Fraser Dackers 
     flag england  b. 10 Dec 1900, Wallasey 22 Jul 1941 to 29 May 1945 

     ata ernest dackers 1931 1931

     ata ernest dackers ATA    

     

    Ed. Wallasey School

    m. 1930 Alnesa M [Brookes], 2 children

    prev. a Master Tailor (Own Account) - 42 Argyll St, Birkenhead

    prev. exp. 73hrs on Avians, Gypsy and Puss Moth

    Address in 1941: "Mamore", Thornton Rd, Birkenhead, Cheshire


    Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP

    Off sick from 20 Mar to 6 May 1943 (urethritis); 3 Jul to 28 Jul and 9 Oct to 29 Oct 1943 (abdominal trouble);

    Reprimanded in Oct-42; "Absented himself from Fire Guard Duty. Also Night Duty Pilot."

    Suspended with loss of pay for 2 days in Feb-43 for "habitual lateness for duty."

    "An officer of just average ability. Has had a spell of sickness during his course which delayed his progress. His flying although safe is rough and not accurate."


    d Mar 1971 - Birkenhead

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Dale, John Douglas

     M.968

    3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    John Douglas Dale 
     flag england b.  5 Aug 1921, Templeton, Co. Durham 7 Sep 1943 to 17 Aug 1944 

       ATA

         

    Father: James Dale

    Ed. Consett Secondary School

    prev. a police constable: RAF

    Address in 1944: 10 St Marys Crescent, Blackhill, Co. Durham


     Postings: 14FPP

     "He is not a particularly polished pilot but seems quite sensible and flies the Spitfire satisfactorily."


    janes airspeed oxford

     d. 17 Aug 1944 (age 23) as a passenger in Oxford PH235, piloted by First Officer Thomas Frank Thompson (M.841).

    Ferrying from Airspeed's factory in Portsmouth to 44 MU Edzell, Angus, Scotland; for an unknown reason (possibly hitting HT Cables), the aircraft dived into the ground at about 17:30 near Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.

    The other passenger, Third Officer Archibald Campbell Couser (M.967) was also killed.

    "HOLMES CHAPEL 'PLANE CRASH

    THREE KILLED

    Three pilots of the Air Training Auxiliary (A T.A.) were killed when their 'plane crashed in a field off Knutsford-road. Holmes Chapel, last Thursday. They were Thomas Frank Thompson (23). chief pilot, of 31 Patmos-road. London ; John Douglas Dale (23). of 14. St. Mary's Crescent, Blackhill. Durham, and Archibald Campbell Couser (24), of 73, High Pleasance Falkirk. Their 'plane was seen flying low over the the village before diving suddenly to earth. The bodies were recovered from a wood thirty yards away.

    At the inquest conducted by Mr R. A. Daniel on Monday Dr. A. D. Picton said he saw the machine flying level over the village at about 500 feet. Within a second or so it went into a fairly steep dive and crashed behind some trees. His impression was that the engines cut out and that the machine then dived. Before that be thought the engines were working normally.

    Norman Forshaw, electrical engineer, Macclesfleld Road. Holmes Chapel. and Walter Caulfield, 30. Middlewich-road, Holmes Chapel. also gave evidence.

    A Captain of the A.T.A. said it was a bad crash—too bad to ascertain any technical cause. The Coroner recorded a verdict of " Accidental death" in each case.

    First Officer Moore. A.T.A., thanked the local police for their assistance. " - Winsford Chronicle - Saturday 26 August 1944

     

    Buried Old Blackhill CemeteryConsett


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip files):download greydownload grey
  • Damsz, Jerzy

     M.13   Jerzy Damsz 

    flag poland

     b. 6 Sep 1911, Lodz, Poland  5 Dec 1940 to 10 Jun 1941

     

    ata jerzy damsz

    from http://www.polishairforce.pl, which has a full biography

         

     

    Ed, Warsaw Polytechnic

    Polish Air Force (Pilot Officer) from 21 Sep 1936

    m. Zofia

    prev. Aircraft Engineer

    Address in 1940: 8 Horncliffe Rd, Blackpool, Lancs


    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP

    A "reliable and keen pilot", but he had 3 accidents in 4 months;

    4 Feb 1941 - Harvard (Partly Blamed);

    6 Mar - Hurricane (Exonerated), and

    14 May - Hector K8137 (Completely Blamed:  "He should have known that brakes on this type are not very positive in action and have exercised increased caution in consequence.")

    Transferred to 307 Sqn, RAF in July 1941.


    d. 22 June 1987 - Sopot


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Daniel, Al Fred

     M.564 Acting First Officer  Al Fred Daniel 

    flag usa

     b. 7 Sep 1920, Jackson, Mississippi 12 May 1941 to 11 May 1942 

     

    ata al fred daniel

    1942

     

    ata al fred daniel 1964

    1964 (both Jackson Clarion-Ledger)

       

    Father: Albert Frederick Daniel, mother Lizzie Mary [Bonner]

    daniel studio

    [His father was the owner of the Daniel Photographic Studio from 1907 until his death in 1935, when Lizzie took over.]

    Ed. High School, Jackson, then University of Mississippi

    prev. Mississippi National Guard until Jun-40

    A Commercial Pilot

    Address in 1941: 224 E. Amite St, Jackson, MS

    ata al fred daniel c1944

    After the ATA, Al joined the US Navy as a trainee Naval Officer, taking part in bombing raids against Japanese islands in 1944, and eventually becoming a Colonel.

    m. Feb 1943 Dinah [Brown] of Lauderdale; 2 daughters [Sandra Lynn and Dianne Brown Daniel].

    He returned to Jackson and took over his father's photographic studio; he was elected 2nd Vice President of the Professional Photographers of Mississippi in 1947.

    In 1964, Col. Daniel was described as "a manufacturer's agent", and lived at 4236 Oakridge, Jackson. 

    dianne brown daniel 1973

    His daughter Dianne Brown Daniel married in 1973. 

    He donated his collection of photographs of Jackson to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History: "After taking a break from photography to be film manager for Jackson television station WLBT (1953-1959), Secretary-Treasurer for Wilson-Geyer Co., Inc. (1960-1963), and a manufacturer's agent (1964-1966), Al Fred Daniel acquired Standard Photo ("the photographic store of Jackson since 1926," according to the Jackson city directory) and served as its president from 1967 to 1987. His wife, Madge Rosalyn "Dinah" Brown Daniel, also worked at Standard Photo from 1970 to 1987. Al Fred Daniel died December 13, 1996, and was survived by Dinah until November 14, 2004."

    You can see his photos at http://www.mdah.ms.gov/arrec/digital_archives/series/daniel


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Davey, Geoffrey Ernest Richard

     M.848   Geoffrey Ernest Richard Davey 
         

     

         

     

     Postings: 8FPP

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Davies, Joy Dorothy Lilian (W.102)

     W.102  3rd Officer Mrs Joy Dorothy Lilian 'Jane' Davies 
     flag england  b. 12 Feb 1916, Cambridge  16 Sep-42 to Mar-43

     joy pond 1938  RAeC 1938

     

    joy davey ATA ATA

       

     

    Not in 'Forgotten Pilots' or 'Brief Glory'

    née Pond

    Father: Henry William Pond, mother Dorothy Rosie [Piggott]

    Ed. County Girls School, Cambridge

    prev: Secretarial/Clerical, Marshalls of Cambridge

    prev exp: 11hrs 10min on DH Moths

    m. 1940 RAF F/O (pilot instructor) Renford Percy Davey [widowed -  Renford d. 9 May 1941, shot down by an intruder at Sibson, Leics during a night training flight]

     

    m. Apr 1942 in Swindon,

      RAeC 1938

    Derrick Stephen 'Steve' Davies (b. 6 Feb 1907, a solicitor)( 2 daughters and a son John Anthony Renford Davies)


    exp in ATA:

    Magister: 100hrs 40min;

    Hart: 11hrs 50min;

    Fairchild: 14hrs 05min;

    Tutor: 1 hr.

    [Resigned 11 Mar-43]

    Her daughter tells me: "Incidentally the reason she resigned  in 1943 was because she became pregnant - with me"


    The family moved to Egypt in 1947, and to Kenya in 1953

    d. Dec 2008

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Davis, John Cleveland

     M.416 First Officer  John Cleveland Davis 
    flag usa   b. 9 Jan 1920, E. Setauket, Long Island, NY  18 Mar 1941 to 6 Mar 1942

     

         

     

    prev. a flight instructor for the 'Spartan School of Aeronautics', which still exists:

    blackcat13The Spartan College Black Cat with the 13 signifies that “Knowledge and Skill Overcome Superstition and Luck”.

    http://www.spartan.edu


    Postings: include 8FPP

     


    d. 11 Mar 1993, Topanga, Los Angeles, California


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Davis, Mavis Agnes Kennard (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet   Mavis Agnes Kennard Davis
     flag england  b. 13 Feb 1917, Tenterden Kent 24 Jan 1944 to 24 Mar 1944

     

         

     

    Father: Leonard James  Kennard Davis (Private in Royal East Kent Regiment, d. 1 May 1944 in Italy), mother Annie Mavis

    prev: secretary, Foreign Office

    Address in 1944: Forstal House, Selling, nr Faversham, Kent


    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     

    d. 11 Aug 1977 - Chelsea

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Davison, Elsie Joy (W.---)

     W.--- 2nd Officer 

    Elsie Joy Davison 

    née Muntz, 

    flag canada

    b. 14 Mar 1910, York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada  1 Jul-40 to 8 Jul 1940 

      elsie muntz 1930 RAeC 1930   joy davidson 1933  1933    

     

    Father: Rupert Gustavus Muntz, a clerk (b. 1863 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England, m. 1906, d. 1914); Mother: Lucy Elsie [also Muntz] (d. 1955)

    m. 1933 in Chester, William Fettis 'Frank' Davison, an 'engineer (railway rolling stock)', later owner and manager of Hooton Aerodrome in Cheshire:

       RAeC 1927

     

    Co-Director, with Frank, of Utility Airways Ltd

    'B' Licence holder. Prev. Exp: 1,265 hrs

     [divorced]


     Elsie Joy Muntz, who was always known as Joy, and signed herself as ‘E. Joy Davison’, originally wrote to Pauline Gower in early December 1939:

    My Dear Pauline,
    I have just this minute got wind of the W.S.A.T.A [Women’s Section Air Transport Auxiliary], and would very much like some further details about it.
    At present I am flying for the N.A.C. with Portsmouth, Southsea and I.O.W. Aviation, based at Cardiff, but I am not particularly impressed, though the pay is reasonably good. Could you let me know how much the ATA are offering as a salary, and whether (if you know yet) there will be any chances of promotion later, or will one stay for ever as a Second Officer?
    My experience at the moment is nearly 1,300 hours, of which about 600 is on twins and about 100 night. Normal peace-time occupation is Commercial Pilot; age is 29; not married any more (since 20/11/39!) ‘B’ Licence No 2567. Types flown: Moth, Avian, Puss Moth, Fox Moth, Cadet, Swift, Desoutter, Drone, Proga, Monospar, Tiger Moth, Klemm, Airspeed Courier, Airspeed Ferry, Miles Falcon; Privately owned: Cadet; experience: British Isles only.
    My best wishes to Dorothy, if you should see her, and of course to yourself.


    By the 9th of December, however, she wrote:
    My Dear Pauline,
    Many thanks for your letter and dope enclosed, also for the further circular letter from BA detailing salary etc.
    Sorry old thing, but I fear the dough isn’t good enough, particularly considering one would be flying open cockpit stuff for a large majority of the time! Afraid I’m getting soft or old or something, but when I’ve got a job which pays about twice as well and where one earns one’s money in more or less comfort, the change offers no worthwhile attractions! Nevertheless I wish you all very well, and if any of you should happen to come to Cardiff for any reason do look me up. Of course I may be away I can give no promises!
    Let me know when you have time and things have progressed a bit further, which of our flying females you have roped in!
    Best of wishes to you, my dear, and the very best of luck to you. Awfully glad they picked you to be at the head of this thing. May it and you go far together!”

    Six months later, and things had moved on somewhat:
    “Dear Pauline,
    Herewith the dope about me. Since chatting on the phone, I’ve managed to get some extra petrol to cover the trip to Hatfield by car, so think maybe it would save time if I were to come through while the contracts going through official channels – what do you think? If you agree send me a wire, and I’ll pack up and come pronto. Point is, the posts here are awful and I didn’t get your letter till this morning so a whole day was wasted which in these times is the devil!!
    What sort of digs accommodation is there around Hatfield? Pretty crowded I reckon.
    Am looking forward to coming a lot and so glad I can be of assistance. I’ll tell you more about what’s kept me out of it since N.A.C. cracked up, when I see you!”

    Joy started on the 1st of July, 1940.

     


    Exactly one week later, unbelievably, tragically, she died in a crash.

    The accident report said that the aircraft made a ‘spiral dive’ (not a spin) at about 600-700ft. "It continued in this spiral until it hit the ground and eye-witnesses, who are experienced pilots, state that they had no reason to consider that it was out of control but, for some unknown reason, it remained in the spiral until it hit the ground."


    The pilot/instructor, Sgt l’Estrange was an exceptionally experienced instructor and was well acquainted with Master aircraft; Joy, as we have seen, was an exceptionally experienced pilot on many different types of aircraft.
    No cause was ever found for the crash. One theory was that carbon monoxide leaked into the cockpit (despite Joy’s prediction, and unlike many pre-war Miles designs, the Master had an enclosed cockpit) and rendered the two of them unconscious.

    Her many friends were aghast; Jennie Broad, who had also just joined the ATA, wrote to Pauline the very next day (9th July):
    “Dear Miss Gower,
    I would appreciate any information you are able to give me of Mrs Davison’s accident. We were old friends and if there is anything I can do please do not hesitate to let me know at once.
    I have written to Mrs Davison’s mother, but as she will probably be in Hatfield before she receives my letter, will you be so kind as to give her, or anyone else representing her, my address and ask them to get in touch with me?”

    Pauline wrote straight away to Joy’s mother:
    I should like you to know how we shall miss your daughter. She was a most kind and cheerful member of this Section, and a first class pilot. May I offer you our most sincere sympathy in your bereavement."

    Cremated at Bristol.

    Nearly a year later, on the 4th July 1941, Joy’s sister, Hope Muntz, wrote to Pauline Gower, asking her if possible to ‘write a few lines to my mother on the 8th…. If you could give any news of the ATA and of Jenny Broad & Mrs Patterson I know she would be so pleased.”


    Pauline, of course, did write, to say; “we shall be thinking of Joy and wishing she could still be with us.” 


    Postscript:

    Frank had married fellow aviator Margaret Ann Longstaffe in 1939:

      1935

    and 3 years after he was killed in a sailing accident in 1949, she became the first woman to sail solo across the Atlantic.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

     

  • Davy, Frederick Robert

     M.450  Flight Captain Frederick Robert Davy 

    flag england

     b. 30 May 1900, Great Yarmouth 13 May 1941 to 31 Dec 1945 

     ata frederick davy 1936 1936

       ATAM    

     

    Royal Flying Corps/RAF from Nov-17 to Jun-19; 'Boy and Aircraft Mechanic'

    m. 1925 Adelaide [Holmes], 2 children [Robert, b. 1929, d.2002, Pamela b. 1931, d. 1936]

    A jeweller and watchmaker (his own business: apparently, "The sign on Frederick Davy's shop in Great Yarmouth said "Watchmakers since 1700."), also an instrument maker for the Air Ministry.

    He was a witness in a rather sad case in May 1937, as reported by the Thetford & Watton Times:

    "FOUND HANGING. Yarmouth Man’s Suicide In His Home.

    A verdict of "Suicide while temporarily of unsound mind” was recorded by the Borough Coroner, at the Town Hall on Tuesday, at the inquest on Edward Gilbert Edwards (53), of 8 Caister Road, who was found hanging from a bannister in his home on Saturday.

    Frederick Robert Davy, watchmaker, of 37, Calster Road, said that at 1.40 a.m., in consequence of information he received, he went across to 8, Caister Road. 'When I got into the house', 'said witness, 'I saw the man hanging by the neck from a bannister rail; his feet were about ten or twelve feet from the ground floor. I could see that the man was dead and had been hanging for some time, and owing to this fact I telephoned the police.'"

    Address in 1941: 8, Caspard Pl, Barry, Glamorgan


    Postings: 16FPP, 15FPP, 14FPP, 4FPP, 1FPP

    "A careful pilot of average ability, has sound judgement but was inclined to be underconfident at first"... "Since promotion to Flight Captain [in September 1944] has assumed the position of Accidents Investigation Officer." 

    Off sick from 17 Dec 1942 to 1 Jan 1943 with a 'touch of pleusiry [sic]'

    King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air


    d. Mar 1979  - Norwich


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): download grey

  • Dawes, Leslie Gordon

     M.803   Leslie Gordon Dawes 
         

     

         

     

    Postings include: 8FPP

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Dawson, Lawrence Saville

     M.436 First Officer   Lawrence Saville Dawson

    flag england

      b. 13 Jan 1908, Bradford 20 May 1941 to 8 Dec 1944 

     ata lawrence dawson 1927 1927

     ata lawrence dawson ATA    

     

    Father: Sir Benjamin Dawson, 1st Baronet (d. 1966)

    Educated at Harrow

    alice hudson dawson 1931

    m. 1932 to Alice [Hudson], 1 child before 1941

    A Wool Merchant, (Joseph Dawson Cashmere Works, Bradford)

    Address in 1941: Park House, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Yorks


    Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 782 Sqn RAF

    "a safe and reliable pilot who carries out his work in a conscientious manner and has proved a useful Class 5 (4-engine) pilot to this Unit." C.O. 7FPP, Oct-44

    He wrote to the ATA on 10 Jan 1945: "I am very sorry I had to resign from ATA at my firm's request, and would like to take this opportunity of thanking you and all your officers for the help and consideration I received all over the country during the course of my duties as a ferry pilot.

    If a further emergency arises, and you require my services again, I shall be very pleased if you will let me know, in which case I would do everything possible to come back."


    The Yorkshire Post reported on him thus, in November 1955:

    "Flew too low over sports field, fined

    Prosecution witnesses at Bradford City Court yesterday claimed that a twin-engined aircraft flew over a Dudley Hill sports ground at 100 feet, frightening young children.

    To this, Lawrence Saville Dawson (47), company director, Park House, Pool-in-Wharfedale, the pilot of the plane, said: “I should have hit mill chimneys and all sorts of things at 150 feet.”

    Dawson, a war-time ferry pilot with 30 years flying experience, and director of Yeadon Aviation Ltd., was accused of flying over an “assembly of persons” at less than 1,000 feet. He was fined £5O and ordered to pay £5 costs.

    Dawson told the Court that he appreciated the folly of low flying. He had been asked to fly over the works field on their sports day and did so at about 1,000 feet."

    He owned Taylor Auster AOP5 G-ANID, which was written off after he crashed it at Stonor, Oxfordshire on 13 Feb 1958.

    Lawrence became 2nd Baronet on his father's death in 1966.

    d. 14 Aug 1974

    buried St John Churchyard, Acaster Selby


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Day, Kenneth Howard Vivian

     M.271  First Officer  Kenneth Howard Vivian Day
    flag wales   b. 27 May 1917, Newport  13 Mar 1941 to Jun-45

     

         

     

    Address in 1941: 71 Albany Rd, Cardiff

    Educated at Cardiff University

    RAF Flying Officer 1936-40


    Postings include: 8FPP

     


    m. Sheila E M Draper 1945, Betty M Davies 1957

    d. May 2001 - Chester 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • de Bunsen , Mary Berta (W.44)

     W.44  First Officer Mary Berta de Bunsen 
     flag UK b. 29 May 1910. Madrid, Spain  1 Aug 1941 to 1 Aug 1945 

     

    mary de bunsen 1934

    1934

     

    Mary de Bunsen 1941 

    ATA

       1932  

     

    Mary was born in Madrid, the daughter of Sir Maurice William Ernest de Bunsen, Bart, GCMG, GCVO, CB, the British Ambassador there.

     "Miss Mary de Bunsen, the youngest daughter of Sir Maurice and Lady de Bunsen, is making her debut this year" - The Bystander, 1928

    She had been dragged round dances and hunt balls by her parents in the hope of finding her a suitable husband - these were, of course, in short supply after the carnage of WWI. "I was far too innocent to realise... that with a lame leg [after a childhood attack of polio] and horn-rimmed glasses I stood no chance whatever". 

    She ws an aeronautical journalist, especially writing about women pilots - see http://www.afleetingpeace.org/index.php/pioneering-women?filter_tag[0]=24

    When WWII broke out, she joined the London Auxiliary Fire Service as a driver, and then, on the 1 May 1941, the London Auxiliary Ambulance Service.

    "In May 1940 Air transport Auxiliary tested my flying and turned me down, for I was very rusty and the standard for women was still high. But it was a bitter moment, for those of us who were accepted that day had the dewy, sparkling look of souls reborn"

    Wrote "Gliding with the Germans" in 1940

    Address in 1941: Redwode, Chiddingford, Surrey


    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP, 16FPP, 7FPP

    "Wears spectacles. Slight Limp"

     Class 4+ Pilot

    9 accidents, 

    - 2 Jan 1942, an error of judgement in Hurricane L1975, but she was not held responsible as she had "never passed through T.P."

    - 2 May 1942, a wheels-up landing in Spitfire P7623 after the selector lever jammed

    - 2 Sep 1942, her Spitfire EP825 nosed over after she taxied into an unmarked soft patch

    - 9 Sep 1942, a poor landing in Spitfire Vb (Tropical) ER266 damaged one undercarriage leg

    - Nov 1942, the undercarriage of her Spitfire Vc ES111 collapsed on landing, due to a fault

    - 26 Dec 1942, yet another Spitfire (MB327) undercarriage collapse; this time she was held to blame as she had failed to control the swing in a crosswind landing

    - 5 Oct 1944, a forced landing in Avenger II JZ427 after the engine cut intermittently

    - 21 Dec 1944, the starboard engine of her Hudson I P5419 caught fire when starting

    - 20 Apr 1945, a forced landing in Anson I PH693 after suffering low oil pressure and high engine temperature

     

    "This pilot has been a great asset to the Pool, (7FPP), both as regards to her flying and also in respect of social activities. She voluntarily undertoook the duties of Mess Secretary, and has been tireless in her efforts to make a success of everything she has undertaken"

     


    She wrote the excellent "Mount up with Wings" in 1960, about her life, her time in the ATA, and her life-saving heart surgery.

    d. 1982 - Weymouth, Dorset.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • de Greeuw, Berno Geoffrey

     M.----  Cadet  Berno Geoffrey de Greeuw
       b. 2 May 1912, New York NY  25 Oct 1943 to 6 Apr 1944 

     

         

     

    Father: William Johanns (Dutch)

    Ed. Surrey House Prep. School, Maidenhead College

    Address in 1943: Grandleigh Hotel, Inverness Terrace Bayswater London W2

    Next of kin: (Mother): Mrs Amy de Greeuw, 68 Welldon Crescent, Harrow Middx

    prev. LAC in RCAF 16 Oct 1940 - 26 Aug 1941; Canadian Firefighters Aug-42 to Sep-43

    prev. a Parachutist

    m. Helen Grace [Lackey] (divorced 1944) wife resident in Toronto


    Sailed to Liverpool from Canada on 17 Nov 1943


     m. 1949 Eileen H [Jarvis] in London (divorced 1960)

    Moved to Boca Raton FL in May 1949

    m. 1969 Joan [Kennewick] in Bay Head Ocean, NJ

    m. 1988 Joan Beverley [Hutton] in Okeecobee, FL (divorced 1997)

    d. 12 Jan 2000 - New York 

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • de Neve, Aimee (W.168)

      W.168 3rd Officer  Mrs Aimee (or Aime) de Neve 
      b. 19 Aug 1919 Gampola, Ceylon  8 May 1944 to 30 Sep 1945 

     aimee de neve 1945   RAeC 1945

         

    The Final 7 Women Pilots - Betty Keith-Jopp (W.167), Sue Alexander (W.163), Joan Arthur (W.166), Ruth Russell (W.165), Annette Mahon (W.164), Aimee de Neve (W.168), Katharine Stanley Smith (W.162)

       

     

    nee Aime Gholdstein Jonklaas

    Father: Ernest Gholdstein Jonklaas, a proctor of Gampola, Mother: Amelia Beatrice Cecile 'May' [Daniel], from Sutton, Surrey

    Two brothers, Ernest and Cecil; one sister, Evelyn Ninette

    [Ernest attended Brasenose College, Oxford, played tennis at Wimbledon and represented Oxford University in a tournament in Newport, USA in 1925. He m. Alice Cox, from Woodmere, Long Island, USA in 1926]

    Ed. convent in South India

    She and her mother visited the UK in 1925, and Aimee moved to the UK c.1935

    Address in 1939: Hendon, London NW, described as a 'Commercial and Secretarial Student'

    prev: WAAF

    m. Oct 1940 in Marylebone, Rev. Tom Ryder, from New Chapel, Horwich, Lancs

    m. 25 Sep 1943 in London, F/O Gilles Peter Cornelia de Neve  322 (Dutch) Sqn, RAFVR (d. 16 Jan 1944 in Spitfire Vb AD428 in a training accident nr Hawkinge, Kent)


    Ab initio pilot:

    In 'WAAF with Wings', by Yvonne Eveleigh, Aimee described moving on to the Harvard as "Very exciting! The Harvard felt so powerful after all the light aircraft and Marks (her instructor) liked to give me quite frightening shocks to make sure I was awake!"... "My first Spitfire flight was unbelievable! This beautiful aircraft was actually all mine for a brief time. I was rather worried when I had to do several circuits, as a RAF aircraft had done a belly landing, and I had all the red flares, etc. thrown at me".

    Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP

     

    Gained her Royal Aero Club Certificate No 20545 on 11 Sep 1945, as part of the 'ATA Wings' Scheme.


    Address in 1945: 56 S. Molton St, London W1

    m. Oct 1945 iin London, Jan Mowinckel Helen, a Norwegian naval officer from Bergen (three children, Teeny, Erik and Jan Ernest, b. 1946, 1949 and 1953)

     

    m. 1996 in London, Mark G  Williams, whom she met in Sri Lanka

    Lived in Brighton, Sussex

     

    d. Jul 2000 - Spain

    Her ashes were interred in 'an English village' on 20 Jul 2000

    "Man, woman or child, Aimee made time for them, and if she met a person for the first time her enthusiasm for life left a stranger breathless. Intelligence, bounding energy, beauty and charm were Aime."

    see http://www.sundaytimes.lk/000820/plus5.html

  • Deane-Drummond, Marigold (W.114)

     W.114  2nd Officer Marigold Deane-Drummond 
     flag england b. 13 Aug 1919, Upton-on-Severn, Worcs 1 May 1943 to May 1945 

     marigold drummond 1939  RAeC 1939

         

     

    Father: Col. John 'Jack' Drummond Deane-Drummond DSO, OBE, MC, Mother: Marie Lily Anne [de Cuadra, b. 1883 in Madrid]

     Address in 1939: The Old Vicarage, Little Barrington, Oxford

    [Her elder brother Anthony also learnt to fly in 1939, and wrote, in his 1992 autobiography 'Arrows of Fortune': "My mother had to divorce my father in 1926... This was not the end of my father's amorous adventures and, at the time I was married in 1944, my wife had the dubious distinction of having no less than three living mothers-in-law"

      RAeC 1939

    He escaped from German captivity three times in WWII:  - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Deane-Drummond]


    m. 15 Apr 1944 in Cirencester, George Rowland MBE,  of the Royal Corps of Signals


    In Jul 1949, the Western Daily Press reported that "The heavy rain on Saturday played havoc with the final day's programme of the R.A.F. Week on Durdham Down, but it did not prevent Vampires of 501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron from carrying out their fly-past. When they returned to Filton. however, the pilots discovered that, due to the high speed at which they had been flying, the rain had washed the crests and identification markings off the aircraft.

    Other sufferers from the weather conditions were the five W. R. A. F. V. R. pilots, from No. 8 Reserve Flying School at Woodley, Reading, who were scheduled to fly formation over the exhibition 2.30 p.m. During the morning a squall  hit their airfield, damaged some of the aircraft and delayed their take-off. Ten minutes after their arrival Filton, however, the five Tiger Moths were airborne again, flying over Southmead towards .the Downs cloudburst, and at 2.30 exactly led by Miss Vera Strodl, they flew over the exhibition site. The other four pilots were Mrs Fay Bragg, Mrs Marigold Rowland, Miss Sheila Van Damm *, and Mrs Ann Kendall. All of them were, at one time A.T.A. pilots. "

     

     [* Sheila van Damm, motor rally driver in the 1950s, and sometime owner of the Windmill Theatre, wasn't an ATA pilot:

    She only learnt to fly in 1947]

     

    m. Jan 1955 in Chelsea, John M Saville

     

    d. 1 May 2003 - Warwickshire

     

  • Deems, William Francis

     M.620 First Officer  William Francis Deems 
     flag usa  b. 1 May 1916, Easton, Maine  7 Jul 1941 to 6 Jul 1942  

     ata william deems ATA

         

     

    Original surname Stevens; Deems by adoption

    Father Dr. Oren Manfred Deems [An Ear Nose and Throat specialist, living at 20 Maple St., Springfield, Mass.] Mother Winifred [Purdy], deceased

    Ed. at Westminster School, Simsbury, Conn. and University of Pennsylvania, PA

    m. 1939 Mary Lou or Marjory L [Ameluxen, b. 1919, later Marsh], 1 son Oren Louis b. 1939

    prev. a Flying Instructor for Barnes Air Services, Westfield, Mass.

    Address in 1941: 122 Pleasantview Ave., Longmeadow, Mass.


    Postings: 1FPP, 3FPPP, 16FPP

    Suspended for 14 days in Mar-42 for Neglect of Duty prejudicial to the interests of ATA - "flying F/O Anderson... which was 130 off course" [Not sure what happened, or if this was Opal or Homer Anderson].

    Off sick from 16 May to 5 Jun 1942 with acute tonsillitis;

    Either "A fair pilot but a bad officer" (Stan Ogden, OC 3FPP) or "has worked hard and given every satisfaction whilst on my strength" (OC 16FPP)

     Sailed from Cardiff to New York on the 28 Jul 1942 with fellow ATA pilot Ralph Jacobson.


    Married Edith [Richardson] in 1975 but they are listed as defaulters on a mortgage in Burlington, Vermont in 1977, and they then divorced.

     d. 18 Nov 2008, Manatee, FL 

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Delacour De Labilliere, Francis Cyril

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Francis Cyril Delacour De Labilliere 
     flag scotland  b. 8 Mar 1900, Perth, Scotland 15 May to 7 Nov 1940 

       1938

       1947    

     

    Father: Rev. Charles Edgar Delacour de Labilliere, Mother: Evelyn Georgina [Harington] of Langatoch Vicarage, Monmouth (later moved to Heatherlands, Bingham Ave, Lilliput, Dorset)

     RAeC Certicate 16356, 20 Sep 1938 at Portsmouth Aero Club

    prev. a book-keeper; Assistant Flying Instructor to the Barnstaple and N Devon Flying Club; RAF Link Trainer Instructor

    prev. exp. 363 hrs


     Postings: ---

    2 accidents, both his fault:

    - 29 Jun 1940, he persisted too far in bad weather and got lost in a Tiger Moth

    - 3 Nov 1940, damaged his Puss Moth after landing in a field

     

     Contract Terminated - "Disciplinary reasons, in respect of both his flying competence and also his conduct both on and off duty"

    "We cannot possibly recommend you to consider his application [to BOAC]"


    Temporary Sub-Lieut then Lieut, RNVR from 28 Feb 1941 - 1945

     

    Address in 1947: The Mount, Studland, Dorset

    Royal Aero Club Certificate 22595, 14 Apr 1947

     

     d. 29 Aug 1952 - Southern Rhodesia


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

  • Derbyshire, Gerald Wilfred Pearson

     M.60 * First Officer  Gerald Wilfred Pearson Derbyshire

    flag england

     31 Mar 1913, Surrey 1 May 1940 to 17 Mar 1944

      ATAM      

     

    m. 1934 in London, Ida F [Sharman]

    m. 1942 in Eton, Bucks, Imogen D [Duncan]

    prev. Pilot Officer in RAF Reserve Mar-34 to Apr-35;

    RAF Apr-35 to Jul-38.

    Accident Report: 

    On 10 Feb 1938 the pilot of Hector K9723 was on a night flying exercise when he became lost in bad weather whilst flying over the East Coast, he force-landed the aircraft in a ploughed field near Filey whereupon the aircraft overturned. It is not known whether there were any injuries sustained. The investigation reported: "The pilot...found difficulty in stowing the Verey pistol and as a result lost direction".

    Pilot - P/O Gerald Wilfred Pearson Derbyshire RAF. Probably uninjured.


    d. Jan 1970 - Devon


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Dew, Stanley Anthony

    M.431 *  First Officer  Stanley Anthony Dew
    flag england  b. 29 April 1910, London   7 May 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

     ata stanley dew 1935 1935

       ATAM    

     

    prev. a tobacconist

    Address in 1935: 7 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE 22

  • Dickinson, Vincent Neville

     M.--- *  2nd Officer Vincent Neville Dickinson
     flag england b. 15 Apr 1899,  Wolverhampton, Staffs   5 Jun to 5 Jul 1940

     

         

     

     Father: Frank Dickinson, a Merchant, Mother: Sarah Jane [Bayley]

    2nd-Lieut, RFC, RAF in WW1; Pilot Officer, RAF from 20 Nov 1923

    He was one of two pilots who inaugurated the Belfast to Liverpool Daily Air Service in April 1924 (the other was Alan Cobham), He started out at 05:30am in his D.H. 50, but the weather was so bad he could get no further than Southport Sands.

    m. 18 Nov 1923 in Richmond-upon-Thames, Marjorie Winifred [Lloyd-Still] (1 daughter, Katheen b. 1926)

    Elected a Member of the Royal Aero Club in June 1925

    Formed Aero Hire Ltd in 1927, based in Birmingham, to "establish, maintain and work lines of aeroplanes, seaplanes and taxi-planes and aerial conveyances, etc." (later co-owned, with L W van Oppen,)

    Competed in the King's Cup in 1929, flying G-EBTH, a DH.60X Moth. He was forced to retire at Blackpool.

    prev. Hon. Secretary and Chief Instructor, Hertfordshire Flying Club, St Albans in 1932

    He owned G-EBZZ, a 1928 DH60 X Moth, which crashed at Stansted Abbots 23 Jun 1934

     One reported accident:

    - 14 Mar 1939, flying G-AEDD, a 1936 Avro 504N belonging to Publicity Planes Ltd; he hit a fence and crashed at Calderfields Farm, Walsall, after engine failure.

    Address in 1939: 'Muree', Queen's Rd, Sandown, Isle of Wight


     Postings: ---

     


     Post-ATA, a Sub-Lieut in the Royal Navy from 15 Jul 1940

    Address in 1962: 10 Oakwood Rd, Rayleigh, Essex

    d. 3 Sep 192 - London

     


    * ATA Personnel file missing

  • Dixon, Hubert James

     M.736  Acting 2nd Officer Hubert James Dixon 
       b. 26 May 1914, Northernden, Cheshire  17 Mar 1942 to 28 Nov 1942

     ata hubert dixon 1938 1938

     ata hubert dixon ATA

     

    1942 caricature by 'Pat Rooney'

    via George Cogswell

     
     

     

    prev. an aero engineer, for Ford Aero Engines (Rolls Royce) in Eccles, Lancs.

    prev. exp. 97 hrs

    Address in 1938: 'Moliere', Wythenshawe Rd, Northernden

    Address in 1942: 'Manilla', Nansen Rd, Gatley, Cheshire

    Hubert originally applied to the ATA in February 1941, but they replied that they weren't allowed to take pilots of military age unless they had been turned down by the RAF.

    He replied that he had indeed offered his services to the RAF, twice, but they had refused him because he was in a strictly reserved occupation. The ATA replied, somewhat archly, that as he seemed now to able to obtain his release, he should go back to the RAF and ask them again...

    After another session with the RAF (who still said they couldn't take him), he then talked to the Ministry of Labour and the National Service Controller in Manchester. Who agreed that, if he could find a job of even greater national importance than his current one, they might be able to secure his release.

    Finally, the RAF had a chance to turn him down properly, which they duly did because the vision on his left eye was not up to their standards. Hubert said "In my own personal opinion I can see perfectly."

    Anyway, by December 1941 the ATA was prepared to offer him a job, and he was eventually taken on as a Pilot Cadet. His instructors (Margaret Ebbage, Harry Woods and Eugene Prentice) assessed him as 'an average pilot' with 'an average amount of common sense.'

    After training, he was seconded to 6FPP at Ratcliffe on 27 Nov 1942. He died the next day in an unlucky accident.


    220px Boulton Paul Defiant Mk I in flight

    d. 28 Nov 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Defiant I N3319 which stalled and crashed at Wood Lane, Timperley, nr Ringway, while he was attempting a forced landing after an engine problem.

    The aircraft ended upside down and on fire with Hubert, already dead, trapped in the cockpit. Harry Warburton, (an ex-RFC pilot) who owned the adjoining nurseries, was the first to arrive on the scene, "followed by many others", who righted the aircraft and carried the body away. Mr Warburton said later that he "was only 12 feet away when the petrol tank exploded."

    The Coroner praised the rescuers: "I should like to congratulate Warburton and the others on the very prompt way they responded... they recovered the body as little burned as was possible... it was very commendable. I trust those who were injured will soon be well again."

     

    He was buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery, Cheshire, near Bill Elliott and Earl Renicker (q.q.v.)

     ATA Memorial Herbert Dixon

    "Always thoughtful and kind, a beautiful memory left behind. Mother, Raymond & Dora

    with thanks to Barbara Grayson

     

    The ATA's Flying Establishment Officer visited his widow Elsie and her two children in January 1943. Elsie had in fact moved out a few months before Hubert died, and was living with her parents in "rather a humble dwelling, in a poor quarter of Manchester."... "I gathered the impression that Mrs Elsie Dixon was rather young and irresponsible, so I decided to call on the deceased's parents, to obtain what information I could."

    Annie (Mrs Dixon senior) agreed, and went as far as to say that "whatever money was given as a lump sum to Mrs Elsie Dixon would be squandered." Annie also showed him a letter from her son dated 12th May 1942, in which he had written "About the insurance - I have had it made payable to you (Annie Dixon 23 Nansen Rd Gatley). If anything should happen I want £800 to go to Elsie and £800 for Michael and the other baby [Martin, who was born 13 September 1942] to be divided equally when they are 21. The other £400 is for you - don't say you don't want it."

    And so that is what they did.

      


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Dlugaszewski, Klemens Franciszek

     M.11 * Flight Captain  Klemens Franciszek 'Double Whisky' Dlugaszewski MBE

    flag_poland

    b. 23 Nov 1899  21 Jun 1940 to 31 Dec 1945 

      double whisky BG  dw  dw_elc ELC   ATAM

     

    prev. Polish Army and Air Force; from 1925, one of the first five pilots of LOT.

    In September 1939, he flew LOT's Lockheed Electra SP-BNF from Finland, bringing Alexandra, the wife of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, and their daughters Wanda and Jadwiga.

    Klemens and Jadwiga both joined the ATA.

    Post-WWII, rejoined LOT. 

    d 3 July 1985 and is buried at the Powązki Cemetery, Warsaw.

     

  • Dorrell, Alan Blair

     M.727  First Officer Alan Blair Dorrell 
     flag england b. 8 May 1910, Worcester   5 Mar 1942 to 1 Dec 1943

       1939

     ata_alan_dorrell.jpg  ATA  ata_alan_dorrell_2.jpg  

     

    Father: John Dorrell, Kylemore, Avenue Rd, Malvern, Worcs.

    Ed. Bromsgrove School. Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.

    "French - moderate", having lived in Paris for 6 months

    prev. Director and Secretary of the family drapery firm in Worcester; also Hon. Sec. of the Worcestershire Flying School

    RAF Oct 1939- Sep 1940, LAC Air Observer

    prev. exp. 20hrs on DH Moth

    Address in 1942: Link Elm, Malvern Rd, Worcester


    Originally joined ATA in 1941 as an Assistant Accountant, at £400 a year:

      Alan's original ATA Identity Card

     [He said he wsn't concerned about the salary]

     Postings: 3FPP, 1FPP, 2FPP

     To begin with, he was trained by Joan Hughes. "A very slow starter but made steady progress and reached a satisfactory standard. He has worked hard and his discipline has been good."

    3 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 16 Jun 1942, his Hart swung violently after landing, due to a technical defect

    - 21 Jul 1942, he "over-estimated his ability in adverse conditions" in landing a Gladiator, a type with which he was unfamilar, and it swung


     

    d. 1 Dec 1943 in Spitfire VIII JG546 which crashed nr Byron Hall Farm, Stag Lane, Lowton, nr. Warrington, Lancs.

    He was flying from Brize Norton to 18MU Dumfries. He dived out of low cloud but over-corrected, the tail struck the ground and the aircraft disintegrated. He was deemed to be at fault, having "persisted too far in a local patch of bad weather."

    His CO, Leonard Leaver, reported: "On being handed his chit by the Operations Officer in the morning, his remark was "Thank you very much indeed, this is just the sort of job I like". On the way to Brize Norton in the Anson, First Officer Coopper states that Dorrell was extremely bright and cheerful, and said to him, "This Spitfire job is the nicest job I have had given me this month."

    Buried in Maidenhead Cemetery, Section D No 15W; his pall bearers were ATA First Officers KWD Jones, H Freemantle, P Cruttenden, FH Rooke, MB Steynor and J Joss ("or another")

    He left £7,265 11s 5d.

    Also commemorated on the Bromsgrove School WW2 Memorial, and Malvern WWII Memorial.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Douglas, Ann Courtenay (W.26)

     

     W.26  First Officer

    Ann Courtenay Douglas MBE OBE

    flag england

     b. 20 May 1917, Paddington, London  1 Dec 1940 - 19 Aug 1942 

     

    ann edmonds 1934  RAeC 1934

     

    Ann Welch 0257 0004  In 1959, at an RAeC 'do'

     

     

     

     née Edmonds

    Father: Major Courtenay Harold Wish Edmonds (a railway engineer; RN and Royal Engineers in WWI, Royal Engineers in WWII, d. 1953), mother [Austin] (m. 1914 in Exeter) of Wish House, Bickley, Kent 

    Ed. Stratford House School, Bickley, Kent

    prev. Instructor, Dunstable Gliding Club; Founding Member of Surrey Gliding Club

    prev. exp 185 hrs on 'standard light types'

     

    m. 1939 Flt-Lt (later Wing-Cmdr) A 'Graham' Douglas (3 daughters, marriage dissolved 1948)

    Address in 1940: Staplehurst Farm, Salfords, Redhill, Surrey

     


     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP

    Two accidents, neither her fault:

    - 23 Dec 1940, one wheel of her Queen Bee (the optionally-unmanned aircraft based on the Tiger Moth) sunk into a concealed hole, damaging the propeller

    - 11 Mar 1941, another Queen Bee, an accident due to engine failure

     

    Contract Suspended 19 Aug 1942, when she became pregnant


    "After the war, in 1946, Ann restarted the Surrey Gliding Club at RAF Kenley, initially with five members – but no aircraft. Almost all the country’s gliders had been requisitioned by the RAF and had been broken up or rotten away in unsuitable storage conditions during the war.

    Their first glider, a Weihe, was an ex-German requisition. In 1947 the club relocated to nearby Redhill airfield – it wouldn’t return to Kenley until 1985 as the Surrey Hills Gliding Club which still flies from the airfield.

    Ann worked hard to re-establish the British Gliding Association, resigning as its vice chairman in 1976. She managed the British Team at the World Gliding Championships between 1948 and 1968. She presided over the formation of the British Hang-Gliding Association in 1974 and was president of the British Microlight Association. She was also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and in 1997 was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation.

    Awarded an MBE and OBE for services to gliding, Ann Welch was an amazing all-rounder. A mother of three girls, she was a pilot, an instructor, a flying competition organiser, national administrator, author, painter, skier and one of Kenley’s famous faces."https://www.kenleyrevival.org/content/history/local-lives/ann-welch-aviatrix-extraordinaire

     

     m. 1953 in Surrey,

       1947

    Patrick Palles 'Lorne' Elphinstone Welch (who played a major part in designing the famous two-seater glider secretly constructed in the attic of Colditz Castle PoW Camp. d. 1998):

     

     © RAeC [0517-0226]

    Receiving the Royal Aero Club Silver Medal [from Lord Brabazon], for her service to the advancement of gliding, 26 Mar 1959

     

    Wrote her autobiography, 'Happy to Fly' in 1983

     

    d. 5 Dec 2002 - "the world's best-known glider pilot"

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Welch


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Douglas, Kenneth Richard

     M.217 First Officer  Kenneth Richard Douglas 

    flag usa

      b. 15 Feb 1904, Latrobe WV 25 Nov 1940 to Nov-41 

           

     

    son of John Lawrence and Elizabeth Douglas; m. to Viola May

    Address in 1940: 410½ Fayette St, Charleston, WV

    prev. 1 yr Air Force Mechanic, 5 yrs C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corps) Transportation pilot


    Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP

    "A keen and competent pilot... rather reluctant in taking conversion course when offered but I think this was due to several minor illnesses. Discipline v. good."


    d. 21 Feb 1968 - Flushing, Belmont County, Ohio


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Drabble, Arthur Irving

     M.458 First Officer  Arthur Irving Drabble 

    flag england

    b. 16 Feb 1901, Conisbrough, Yorks  20 May 1941 to 28 Apr 1945 

     ata arthur drabble 1933 1933

     ata arthur drabble ATA    

     

    Educated at Mexborough Secondary School

    m. 1923 Phyliss [Akester]

    Corporal in Home Guard 'B' Co, Hatfield, Sep-40 to Mar-41

    A "Manufacturing Confectioner"

    Address in 1941: North Cliffe House, North Cliffe Rd, Conisbrough, Nr Doncaster


    Postings: 2FPP, 3, FPP, 14FPP

    "A steady and conscientious pilot who has worked well. He is a little inclined to be forgetful at times."

    "A very slow starter [on the Class 5 conversion course] due partially to complete lack of experience on 4+ aircraft and the fact that he was inclined to be somewhat nonchalant towards the whole course, showing little interest. After realising the high responsibility he was accepting he showed considerable improvement."


    d. 1958  - Don Valley, Yorks

    "A confectionery business was established in Conisbrough by Jos Drabble and brother-in-law John Maxfield during 1890. But after a while the two men parted company and established their own confectionery businesses. John’s firm was short-lived and a number of his staff joined Jos’s venture which by 1924 was a limited company.

    Jos’s son, Arthur, succeeded his father and he was also well-known in motorcycling circles. He was in the first four in the 1924 Isle of Man TT Races and was a keen flyer. On Sunday afternoons during the 1930s he was frequently seen performing ‘loop-the-loops’ and other spectacular tricks in his aeroplane over Conisbrough.

    In 1938 Drabble’s warehouse caught fire and residents said that this led to the road being covered in melted chocolate. Arthur Drabble died in 1958 and was succeeded in the business by daughter, Doreen. The company ceased trading after she retired in 1981."


    http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/lifestyle/down-memory-lane-with-peter-tuffrey-conisbrough-traders-1-5476918

    Evidence of his motor-cycling career comes from the 'Sheffield Independent' in 1923: "MOTORISTS' OFFENCES In the West Riding Police Court on Saturday, William S. Flower, dentist, and Arthur Drabble, confectioner, Conisborough, were fined £7 each for riding motor-cycles in a manner dangerous to the public on the Great North Road. The police evidence was that defendants were travelling at 60 miles per hour."


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    download grey

  • Drabble, John Edmund Layard

     M.292  First Officer John Edmund Layard Drabble 
     flag england  b. 14 Mar 1901, Twickenham  27 Feb 1941 to Apr-42 

     

    ata john drabble in 1932

    1st on left, with other members of 40 Bomber Sqn, Upper Heyford, 1932 (Flight)

         

     

    Royal Navy from 1914 to 1919 (Sub Lieut.)

    Victory Medal

    RAF 1919 to 1932 (Flight Lieut.)

    m. (One child before 1941)

    a Civil Pilot

    prev. exp. approx 3,000hrs

    "Lost right foot and ankle - artificial foot" [Possibly in the accident to Avro 504K J732, of 39 Sqn, Spittlegate which spun in during aerobatics on 2 Feb 1923; F/O Cyril Chambers (24) killed, F/O John Edmund Layard Drabble injured. The inquiry found that the accident was due to an error of judgement on the part of Flying Officer Drabble.]

    June 1932: "FLIGHT LIEUTENANT FINED. John Edmund Layard Drabble, Flight Lieutenant. 49 Squadron, Upper Heyford, Bicester, did not appear to answer a charge of using a motor car with no Road Fund licence at Waddesdon on Tuesday, April 26th. but sent a telephone message explaining that was on duty until noon. P.S. Snelling deposed that in High Street, Waddesdon, he noticed that defendant’s Road Fund licence expired on March 24th. Defendant said, " I forgot all about it."

    Director of Aircraft Equipment Ltd from Jan 1936, presumably based on his patent for 'increasing the field of vision in aircraft", filed the same year.

    Address in 1941: 1 Lanark Rd, Maida Vale, London


    Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP

    "A pilot of considerable experience... a capable pilot who is working hard and well." but...

    [Contract Terminated 10 Apr 1942 by ATA  - Disciplinary Reasons]



     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Drumm, Austin Marcus

     M.414  First Officer Austin Marcus Drumm 
    flag usa   b. 14 Jan 1915, Union City, Michigan 17 Mar 1941 to 9 Dec 1941 

     

         

     

    father Earl Drumm (dec'd), Mary Eta Parkman

    m. 1939 to Benita 'Bonnie' Vieve [McCarthy] [d. 2 Jun 2008]

    prev. exp. 5yrs as a flight instructor in Virgina Air Service, Gordonsville

    Address in 1941: 503 Carleton Ave, Charlottesville, Virginia


    Postings: 6FPP

    "A good pilot who has done all work allocated to him in a satisfactory manner", but:

    Contract Terminated by ATA - Disciplinary Reasons


    Later a pilot in the US Army Air Transport Command, and then a Colonel in the USAAF.

    In 1944, he and his crew bailed out of a B-24 near Georgetown, British Guiana and spent about 2 weeks in 'the roughest jungles in South America'. One of the pilots sent to look for him was James Ansley (M.511), who had travelled to the UK with him in 1941.

    In 1946, Drumm "picked up a copy of the Southeastern Airport News and read that Ansley was running Page Field for Lee County. After an exchange of telegrams he flew over to Page Field in his PT-17 for a happy reunion with his old flying partner."

    After WWII, the family lived in Utah and North Carolina while Austin completed his education, then moved to Lexington, Virginia, where from 1963 he was Professor of history at Virginia Military Institute.

    d. 8 Jan, 1997 - Barboursville, Virginia

    buried Weedsport, Cayuga County, New York


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Drzewiecki, Jerzy

     M.263 First Officer  Jerzy Drzewiecki MBE 
    flag poland b. 7 Aug 1902, Warsaw Poland  25 Feb 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     

    drzewiecki

    http://rwd-dwl.net/

     ata jerzy drzewiecki MAMM Manx Aviation & Military Museum    

     Educated at Warsaw University of Technology 

    An Aircraft Designer - one of the three founders (with fellow students Stanisław Rogalski and Stanisław Wigura) of RWD, which was a Polish aircraft construction bureau active between 1925 and 1939.

    In 1933, Rogalski, Drzewiecki and Wędrychowski founded the company Doświadczalne Warsztaty Lotnicze (DWL, Experimental Aeronautical Works) in Warsaw, which became a manufacturer of further RWD aircraft. 

    He fled the German-Soviet occupation of Poland in September 1939 and found work as a draughtsman at Westland Aircraft from Feb 1940, but was frustrated that they would not allow him to do "creative work."

    prev. exp: over 1500 hrs in about 60 land and seaplanes

    Address in 1941: 4 West Park, Yeovil, Somerset


    Postings: 2FPP, 6FPP, 9FPP, 14FPP

    Off sick from 24 Nov 1941 to 19 Jan 42 following a forced landing in a Beaufort after both engines failed.

    "A most reliable and experienced pilot. Discipline excellent."

     

      Getting his MBE from the Parlaimentary Secretary to the MAP, 21 Feb 1945


    Post-WWII, after working for Bristol Aircraft for a while (and again getting frustrated by what he saw as a lack of opportunity) he emigrated to Canada in Dec 1947.

    d. 15 May 1990 - Ottawa


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Duckett, Reginald Wilfred

     M.109  First Officer  Reginald Wilfred Duckett

    flag england

      b. 30 Jun 1907, Porstmouth 1 Nov 1940 to Jun-45 

     ata reginald duckett 1937    ATAM    

     

    Address in 1940: 25 Parkside Drive, Cheltenham Reach, Gloucester

    prev. RAF Instructor, Estate Agent, Surveyor


    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 6FPP, 14FPP, 16FPP

    He had an exciting time in a Warwick in June 1943. The undercarriage failed to lock down due to an uncoupled pipe; he and the passengers reconnected the pipe and replaced the hydraulic fluid with "a mixture of ethanol and urine" and pumped the undercarriage down by hand. They were all commended for their efforts.

    ... and then 10 months later, in April 1944, the same problem occurred in a Barracuda - a hydraulic connection came adrift. This time, as there were no passengers with the necessary, he made a successful forced landing.

    "A keen and willing worker who, after a slow beginning, reached average ability. A pilot who knows his own limitations and has no special faults."


    Rejoined the RAF post-WWII; Pilot Officer in the Aircraft Control Branch from Nov 1950.

    d. Jun 1976  - Hampshire


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ducler des Rauches, J Phillippe

     M.1065 *

    3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

     J Phillippe Ducler des Rauches
    flag british mauritius b. 26 Apr 1914, British Mauritius  26 May 1944 to 15 Apr 1945

     

         

     

    Father: Philippe Ducler des Rauches


    m. 12 Feb 1947 Marise Sauzier

    F.C.C.S; Gen. Se. Mauritius Sugar Producers' Assoc.; Sec. Mauritius Ch. Of Com. And Mauritius Ch. Of Brokers 1946-53;

    Mem. Maurtitius Labour Advisory Brd., Vice-Chair. Maurtitius Employers Federation

  • Duigan, James Evelyn Brian

     M.157  First Officer James Evelyn Brian Duigan 

    flag nz

      b. 5 May 1918, Auckland NZ 27 Sep 1940 to Feb-42 

     ata james duigan ATA      

     

    One of 3 sons of Sir John Evelyn Duigan, Chief of the General Staff of the New Zealand Military Forces from 1937 to 1941

    Ed. NZ University (B.A. NZ), R.N. College

    prev. Dept of Internal Affairs, NZ Gov't

    Pilot Officer RNZAF then RAF Sep-38 to Sep-40


    Postings: 1FPP

    He was blamed for a wheels-up forced landing in a Hurricane in Dec-40; "Pilot should not have taken off when he knew weather conditions were bad and is entirely responsible."

    However, by 1942 his discipline had "improved beyond all knowledge, and he is a first class asset to the Pool."

    [Contract Terminated by Mutual Consent]


    d. 17 Jun 1945 on a delivery flight in Canada

    buried Metis Beach (United Church) Cemetery, Quebec, Canada


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Duncan, Pamela Mary Dauvergne (W.50)

     

     W.50  First Officer

    Pamela Mary Dauvergne Duncan

      flag wales

    b. 10 Jan 1917, Radyr, Wales  15 Aug 1941 to Aug 1945 

      

    pamela duncan 1935  RAeC 1935

         

     

    Father: Norman Duncan

    2 sisters, Betty and Angela

    Address in 1942: Wardes, Otham, nr Maidstone, Kent


    Postings include: 5FPP, 12FPP

       1942

    2 accidents, neither her fault:

    - 15 Mar 1942, during the crash of Fairchild HM178 in which Graham Lever, Bridget Hilland Betty Sayer (qqv) were killed, Pamela was thrown from the aircraft and suffered burns

    - 20 Dec 1942, a forced landing in Lysander L4755 following engine failure

     

    m. 1942 in Maidstone, Kent, Captain Spencer Alexander Gollan ("the second son of the late Mr Spencer H Gollan, the famous all-round New Zealand sportsman", d. 1986)


    later worked for Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) in North West Europe, 1945

    IWM interview in 1987 - see https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009817

     

    d. 6 Jan 2000 - Chichester

     

  • Dunlavy, Marvin Harrison

     M.408 First Officer   Marvin Harrison 'Alabam' Dunlavy Jr
     flag usa   b. 14 Oct 1916, New Orleans 27 Feb 1941 to 10 Apr 1945 

     ata marvin dunlavy

     ata marvin dunlavy 2 ATA    

     

    Marvin was one of a team of 6 pilots, in 3 aeroplanes, who made an attempt on the world endurance flight record (which stood at 22.5 hrs), in Sarasota, Florida in April 1940. However, he had to land after just over 6 hrs in the air, as they were getting low on fuel and efforts to refuel them in the air had failed.

    Address in 1941: 1913 3rd Ave, Bessemer, Alabama.


    Brief Glory says he had "black curly hair, rolling eyes, a broken nose and an accent you could cut with a knife. A disconcerting habit he had of rolling his head from side to side was due to an early boxing accident."

    When asked about his opinion of England, he said "Gee, that's a terrible country! I can't think why they don't cut all their balloon cables and let the god-damn country sink to the bottom of the sea."

    He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for his part in the rescue of the crew of a returning operational Halifax III of No. 420 Squadron, piloted by Flt Lt R. A. Kalle which, having been damaged during a sortie over Normandy, overshot the runway and caught fire at White Waltham on the 30th July 1944.

    The full list of those commended was:

    - pilots David Cotter (M.439), Reginald Davidson (M.918), Marvin Dunlavy (M.408), Alan Murray (M.1053);

    - Fire Officer D Baldwin, 

    - Senior Flight Engineer Kenneth Payne, Engineer Second Officer Albert Gardner, Engineer Third Officer John Gulson, Engineer Second Officer Francis Lees, Engineer Third Officer Donald Soutter,  and

    - Mr J.J. Thompson.


    d. 17 Oct 2003, California.

    The East Bay Times, Oct. 26, 2003: "When he returned from the war, M.H. opened Bessemer's first Airport, teaching and sharing his love of flying with many local residents. He was married for forty-five years to the love of his life, Carolyn Masingil and had two daughters, Marilyn and Anne. He went on to become a Captain with Capitol Airways. He later owned a boat rental and resort at Lakeport, California, continuing to fly and maintaining his flight instructors license into his seventies.

    He was fortunate enough to return to Bessemer and Clarksville, Tennessee to visit family and friends for his eighty-seventh birthday. Graveside service was held at Cedar Hills Cemetery in Bessemer on Monday, October 20th at 11 AM.

    M.H. is survived by his daughters, Marilyn Dunlavy (Todd) Plum of Martinez, California, Anne Dunlavy of Napa, California, brother, Louis "Eddie" Dunlavy of Bessemer, granddaughter Elizabeth (Lisa) Karen Dunlavy and great-grandson Phillip Harrison Wierson, both of Bogart, Georgia."

    His son Marvin Harrison Dunlavy III, (by his first wife Jane Bell Crosby), was killed in 1969 when the truck he was driving went off the road nr Yanceyville, N.C.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Dunlop, Maureen Adela Chase (W.81)

     W.81 First Officer   Maureen Adele/Adel/Adela Chase Dunlop
    flag UK -     b. 26 Oct 1920, Quimes, Buenos Aires  15 Apr 1942 to 30 Nov 1945

     maureen dunlop 19452  RAeC 1945

      Yes, that picture, 1944  ATAM   

     

    Father: Eric Chase Dunlop, an Estate Manager; Mother Jessimin May [Williams]

    Ed. 'privately'


    Postings: 6FPP, 15FPP

    Class 3 pilot

    2 accidents, neither her fault:

    - 21 May 1943, the starboard wing of her Seafire brushed the ground during take-off, due to rough ground and failure of the throttle friction device

    - 10 Jan 1944, the starboard gun inspection panel of her Hurricane partially detached in flight.

     


    m. 1955 "retired Romanian diplomat" Serban (Şerban) Victor de Popp

    Moved to Diss, Norfolk, UK, breeding Arab horses

    d 29 May 2012 - Norfolk

     

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_Dunlop_de_Popp

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Durham, Jack Groover

     M.332  First Officer Jack Groover Durham 
    flag usa   b. 2 Nov 1919, Fort Payne AL 1 Feb 1941 to May-42 

     ata jack durham ATA

         

     

    Educated at Birmingham High School

    prev. a pilot, instructor and crop dusting with Dawn Crop Dusting Corp., Leland, Miss.

    Address in 1941 (grandparents): 5326 Court P, Birmingham, Alabama

    'My family is Democratic'


    "This pilot has developed into a very fine influence in the Pool by reason of his keenness and good sense of discipline. He is also a first class pilot."


    d. 19 Apr 1943 when a Captain with RAF Transport Command, in Baltimore FA330 which was lost en-route Dorval, Quebec to Natal, Brazil (or possibly en-route from Natal to the Middle East). Also killed were F/O John Dickson Grant (RCAF) and Radio Operator Harold Alfred Picher.

    No known grave. Commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Dutton, Hon. Charles

     M.138 First Officer  Hon. Charles Dutton 

    flag england

     b. 13 May 1911, Burford Oxon  23 Jul 1940 to Nov-45 

      ata charles dutton 1933 1933      

     

    George Dutton's brother

    Physical Defects: No right arm [the result of a congenital defect, not amputation]

    Next of kin: Father, Lt-Col James Huntly Sherborne, 6th Baron Sherborne, Sherborne Park, Cheltenham, Glos.

    Ed. at Stowe

    He worked in the Finance Department of the Hospital Savings Association, and was  a Temporary Assistant, Ministry of Economic Warfare, Apr-40 to Jun-40

    Postings: 1FPP, 9FPP, 12FPP

    He got a Certificate of Commendation, in 1942: "On the 29th April, F/O C Dutton (a one-armed pilot) was ferrying a Spitfire from Lyneham to Biggin Hill. When he had got about a mile beyond Kenley he experienced complete engine failure due to a broken connecting rod. He succeeded in lowering his undercarriage and flaps and in landing his aircraft at Kenley (runway aerodrome) in a high wind without further damage."

    "This officer has been flying consistently well and keenly... a most likeable person whose discipline is good."

    Lettice Curtis described him as 'a particularly English pilot'; "One day, in an honest effort to excuse something which American instructor Charles Smith had said or done, he said to all and sundry 'Remember he's just an American'."

    m. Joan Molesworth Jenkinson, also an ATA pilot, in 1943:

     ata joan and charles dutton HB

    Despite his disability, Charles ferried 541 Spitfires, 14 Mustangs, 232 Typhoons, 4 Fireflies and 47 Tempests during his time with the ATA.

    He duly became 7th Baron Sherborne in 1949, on the death of his father. He then farmed in Gloucestershire and was a member of Gloucestershire County Council for some years.

    d. 25 Dec 1983 


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  • Dutton, Hon. George Edward

     M.124 Flight Captain  The Hon. George Edward Dutton 

    flag scotland

    flag england

    b. 23 Sep 1912, Beauly  2 Jul 1940 to Dec-45 

      

    ata george dutton 1929

    A student in 1929

     ata george dutton ATA  ata george dutton MAMM MAMM  

     

     * King's Commendation for valuable service in the air

     

    Charles' brother (see below)

    Next of kin: Father, Lt-Col James Huntly Sherborne, 6th Baron Sherborne, Sherborne Park, Cheltenham, Glos.

    Ed. at Stowe

    prev. Foreign Office (Communications) Aug-39 to Jul-40

    prev. exp. 250 hrs

    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP, 15FPP

    "A pilot of exceptional ability, and a successful Flight Captain, inasmuch as his high qualities as a pilot set a good example to others. His quiet disposition and lack of natural aptitude for leadership prevent him from being an outstanding Flight Captain as well as an outstanding pilot."

    m. Joan Doreen East 1945;  Pauline Stewart Robinson 1959

    d. 21 July 1981, Hereford 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Eayrs, Arthur Frank

     M.380 * 2nd Officer  Arthur 'Frank' Eayrs 
      flag england  b. 2 Aug 1893, Manton, Rutland  13 May to 18 Sep 1941 

       1930

       1941    

     

     pre. a motor engineer; garage proprietor (Scott and Eayrs Limited, High Street and Melton Rd, Oakham)

    m. 1925 in Uppingham, Rutland, Mabel E [Taylor]

    RAeC Certificate 9050, taken at Nottingham Aero Club in 1930. His instructors were Keith Kendle Brown, then Reginald Lee Bateman up to September 1929, and then Ronald Thomas Shepherd.

    Address in 1930: 2 Parkfield Rd, Oakham, Rutland

     

    (r) at Tollerton; G-ACST in the background.

    [G-ACST was a 1934 DH.60G III Moth Major based at Tollerton, which was sold in 1937 to Singapore, became VR-SBA in the Malayan VAF and was destroyed in 1941] 


     

     

    This document confirms the end of Frank's ATA service on 18th September 1941; he received 3 months pay (£71 5s) in lieu of notice.

    A note in his logbook says "approx 480 hrs in Hart, Audax, Gladiator, Swordfish, Anson, Oxford, Whitney Straight, Leopard Moth, Miles Magister, Tiger Moth etc." but this probably includes his pre-ATA hours.

    "The information in our family was that his ATA flying had been cut short by a medical problem, possibly related to blood pressure."


    "After the war he came back to flying.  He owned an Auster G-AHAH, and a Miles Whitney Straight G-AEUZ between 28 Feb 1948 and 15 Aug 1949"

     

    d. 9 Jul 1965 - Rutland

    His grandson kindly sent me the photos and information.

     * - ATA File Missing
  • Echallier, Claudius Philippe

     M.356 First Officer  Claudius Philippe Echallier 
    flag france  b. 24 May 1911, Saint-Lager, France  6 Mar 1941 to Jun-44 

     

    ata claudius echallier

    ATA

    ata claudius echallier 2   ATAM  

     

    prev a test pilot; arrived in the UK in June 1940, and worked at the RAF Repair Depot at Burton Wood.

    prev exp. 500 hrs

    He was in demand as a 'very highly skilled engineer'- The Container Engineering Co. Ltd of Maidenhead even asked if he could be transferred to them, in March 1942.

    Although his initial flying reports were fine ("A good pilot, very careful and of good average ability"), in June 1943 he failed the conversion course for Class 5 (4-engine) aircraft (Stirling): "This pilot proved temperamental and erratic and his flying generally was disappointing... especially taxying which was much too fast and careless!" Charles Tutt, who was on the same course, said that, if he had been the instructor, he "would have failed him two hours earlier".

     He continued to do good work on single- and twin-engine aircraft, however, and eventually amassed 1,135 hrs in the ATA.


    beaufighter 6

    d. 8 Jun 1944 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter NV235 flew into hillside in poor visibility near Mull of Galloway, Scotland.

    ata royston staniford

    23-year-old Senior Flight Engineer Royston Edwin Staniford also died in the crash.

    After the funeral, his wife Lucienne returned to Scarborough but two days later was taken ill and subsequently had a miscarriage. She returned to France in late 1944.

    He is commemorated in Saint-Lager:

    800px 69218 Saint Lager MM4


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Edgar, William Silver

     

     M.272 First Officer  William Silver Edgar 
     flag usa b. 7 Oct 1906, Waco TX  2 Jan 1941 to 2 Apr 1942 

     ata william edgar ATA

      from "Fighting Men of Texas" (1948)    

     

    'Silver' came from his mother Estelle's maiden name

    Educated at Baylor University, Waco

    2nd Lieut., Army Air Corps 1932-35, stationed at Ft Crockett, Galveston, TX

    Awarded his 'wings' at Kelly Field, Texas in 1933

    Author of "Wings across the World", a syndicated newspaper column

    Also a pilot, rancher, and with some 'banking experience'

    prev. exp: about 900hrs

    Address in 1941: 1305 Jefferson Ave, Waco, Texas


    Postings: 4FPP

    His initial ATA test described him as "a rather nervous type, but general flying fair."

     ata william edgar id card

    "An excellent officer. A keen and reliable pilot."

    He had a nasty forced landing on the 2 Mar 1942, in Airspeed Oxford L4597 following an engine failure. "He crash-landed on the ice of Loch Laidon but returned to the burning aircraft and saved the Log Books and his kit. The ice broke under him before he reached the shore and he was completely immersed. He then walked nine miles before he found a barn for shelter."

    [During 1978 the two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engines from L4597 were recovered by the Scotland West Aircraft Investigation Group using a raft. Subsequently the engines were restored by staff at Rolls Royce’s Hillington site. At least one of them was subsequently put on display at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.]

    He put in a request for a replacement cap, but before this could be actioned died in another accident:

     Spitfire VB 92 Sqn top view c1941

    d. 2 Apr 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Spitfire BM358 crashed at Chapel of Garioch, 20 miles NW of Dyce, (or possibly at nearby Boghead, about 4 miles southwest of Inverurie) on a flight from Castle Bromwich to Kinloss.

    The very next day, a telegram arrived from home:

    "DEAR SILVER LOVE YOU DEARLY WISH HERE EASTER PICTURES RECEIVED NO BON CHOCOLATES SOON - MOTHER DAD"

    Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, and commemorated at Baylor University: "William Silver Edgar lights up Fountain Mall every day and Robert Warren illuminates the courtyard by the Carroll Science Hall. These two men, along with 123 other Baylor men and women, made the supreme sacrifice in World War II. Now they stand as the honor guard at Baylor in the form of red granite light posts."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Edison, James Arlington

    M.153 *

    First Officer James Arlington 'Eddie' Edison 

    flag usa

     b. 29 Aug 1898, Kansas   

    13 Aug 1940 to 23 Sep 1941


     ata james edison 1943 1943      

    "He has been flying since he was 18".

    prev a a stunt-man and crop-duster. 

    1933-4 instructor to 60 Chinese pilots of the army of General Chang Kai-shek

     m. to Mary E (d. 1986)


    [arrived in Manchester 5 Sep 1940]

    [Transferred to AtFero, probably in Mar 1941]

    "His name was scratched from the crew list for a ferry flight to Montreal, so that he could return to London to renew his papers.The bomber flew into the side of a mountain, and all 22 of the crew were killed and the ship completely destroyed." [This was Liberator AM261, on the 10th August 1941. See also F D Bradbrooke (joined 1939) and George Thomas Harris]

    "Lt. Edison helped to bury this group of fellow fliers, immediately after which he received an assignment to leave for another trip. On this day, one hour before take-off, and while en route to the airdrome, there was an air raid and while the taxi in which he was riding was waiting, there was an automobile accident that resulted in two broken ribs for the lieutenant, sending him to the hospital instead.

    Before getting away, however, he saw the ship in which he was supposed to leave run off the runway, catch fire and all 22 of the fine American pilots which made up the crew were burned to death.  [This was Liberator AM260, on the 14th August 1941. To be precise, 12 pilots [9 of them American], 8 radio operators, 1 flight engineer and 1 civilian were killed. See also Elbert Anding, Philip Lee, Buster Trimble and Martin Wetzel,]

    He says he made his next journey with fingers crossed - but safely."


    Later joined the US Navy and was Chief Aviation Pilot at Stanford Naval Air Station, FL, in 1943.

    d. 28 Apr 1945 in PV-3 (ex-RAF Lockheed Ventura) which crashed after hitting trees shortly after take-off from NAS Lake City, FL.

     

  • Edney-Hayter, Frederick Charles

     M.280 * 2nd Officer  Frederick Charles Edney-Hayter 
     flag england  b. 22 Jul 1899, Whitchurch, Hants 25 Mar to 25 Jun 1941 

     

         

     

    Father: Thomas Augustine Edney Hayter JP, a farmer; Mother: Emma Harriet 

    Ed. Sherburn School

     RFC, RAF Jul 1917- Aug 1919 (Temp 2nd Lieut., 16 Sqn, Uxbridge)

     

    Emigrated to Canada, 1922 - Lands Dept, Canada Parks and Recreation (CPR):

    "Do you intend to remain permanently in Canada: Yes!"

     

    However, he was back in the UK by 1930, and back in the RAF;

    m. 1930 in Reading, Hylda Muriel [Bradford]

    "Flying Officer Frederick Edney-Hayter of the 7th Squadron RAF, Worthy Down, Winchester, Hants, and his bride flew by air taxi from Reading Aerodrome after their wedding at Sonning Church. The bridegroom is a well-known pilot with a distinguished air record."

     Four photographs (by Bassano, taken in 1931) are in the National Archives.

     By early 1935, however, he was in a spot of bother:

     "A LENIENT VlEW.—Frederick Chas. Edney-Hayter, a well-spoken man of 40, giving the address of a hotel at Southampton, pleaded guilty at Eastleigh Petty Sessions on Monday to a charge of obtaining £2 10s, by false pretences from Alfred Edward Knight, at Netley, on December 4. The prosecutor cashed a cheque for accused for the amount which was returned from the bank marked "No account." Accused had been in no previous trouble. He had an excellent War record.

    Accused asked for an outstanding offence at Southampton to be taken into consideration. This was for incurring a debt of liability, by false pretences, from Alexander Cornish-Trestmil, of Southampton.—Supt. Pragnell said accused had now obtained a job. He was sincerely sorry and had promised to pull himself together. —ln view of this statement the Bench decided to take a lenient view, and bound the prisoner over for two years. He was placed under probation for that period. " I hope you will repay those you have defrauded," said the Chairman of the Bench (Col. E. F. Hall).—Accused: I will, sir. " Hampshire Telegraph - 18 Jan 1935

     

    He resigned from the RAF 14 Mar 1935. His new job turned out to be as a commercial air pilot based at Chilworth Aerodrome, but this did not always go very well, either; on the 24 Feb 1936 he crashed G-ACKD, a DH84 Dragon owned by the Ethiopian Government and operated within Ethiopia on behalf of the Red Cross. He and his passenger were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

    And then this:

    "SMUGGLING BY AIR. 106 boxes of Cigars, 12 bottles of rare brandy.

    Capt. Frederick Charles Edney Hayter, air pilot, of Highbury. Whitchurch, Hants, was one of three defendants at Folkestone Police Court. on Thursday, charged with smuggling cigars and brandy.

     There were 10 offences alleged against Hayter and some of these were in respect of breaches of the Air Navigation Consolidation Order.

     In a statement. Hayter admitted bringing cigars in a machine from Belgium and hiding them from a Customs officer. but declared that he had had no financial gain from the venture. He was fined £100 with £25 costs, or three months' imprisonment. His solicitor said he did not possess a farthing. " Hampshire Advertiser - 19 December 1936

     

    The following year, 1937:

    "An air pilot, Frederick Charles Hayter, described as of Highbury Whitchurch, Hants, was referred to by the police as " a slippery customer " at Reading to-day, when be was fined £7 10s. for using a motor-car without an insurance policy, and £5 for aiding and abetting another man in using the car without Road Fund licence. Supt. Osborne said that Hayter was involved in a traffic accident in Reading in October, and the owner of the car, a man named Chandler, was fined in December for permitting the car to be used uninsured and unlicensed. Hayter did not appear when summoned on that occasion, probably because he was in custody in connection with smuggling offences in Folkestone. He was sent to prison, but afterwards paid his fine through writing his life story in a certain paper, and released. "In my opinion, he Is a slippery customer."

    He understood that Hayter had lost his job as an air pilot as a result of the smuggling offences.

    In imposing the fine, to be paid forthwith, the Chairman, Mr. A. G. West, said that the alternative would be a month on each summons, the sentences to run consecutively. "Gloucester Citizen - 1 Feb 1937

     Address in 1939: HM Prison, Winchester. 

     


     Postings: 

     


     He enlisted as AC2 in the RAFVR on 4 Jul 1941.

     d. 2 Dec 1985 - The Old Manor Hospital, Salisbury, Wilts


    * File not seen

  • Edwards, Sylvia Isabel (W.131*)

     W.131 *  2nd Officer Mrs Sylvia Isabel Edwards 
     flag england b. 6 May 1919, London  9 Aug-43 to Sep-45 

     sylvia freshwater 1945   RAeC 1945

         

     

    née Namias

    Father: Lea Namias, a textile merchant, mother Hilda

    m. 1939 in London, Flt-Lt David Harold Edwards(from Vancouver BC, of 144 Sqn, Bomber Command, RAF. d. 21 Jul 1940 when his Hampden was hit by flak and ditched in the North Sea during a minelaying operation against the Tirpitz and Von Scheer)

    Address in 1939: 27 Woodfield Ave, Streatham

     prev. an ambulance driver for the LCC


    ab initio trainee

    Address in Oct 1945: 1 Hugo House, Sloane St., London SW1

    exp: 185.15 hrs as ferry pilot

     Gained her RAeC 'A' Certificate No 20611 as part of the ATA 'Wings' scheme on 3 Oct 1945


    m. 1945 in Westminster, Flt-Lt Richard Anson Freshwater, who had been a PoW in Stalag Luft III / Milag-Marlag Nord-Oflag L from 28 Aug 1942 after his Beaufighter was shot down

    They moved to 9 Pasture Lane, Hathern, Loughborough, Leics, where Sylvia was the Unit Commander for the Junior Air Corps formed in 1955:

     

    "Air-minded girls rolled up at the YWCA, Loughborough, last night to enrol in the newly-formed Junior Air Corps. The first recruit, Miss Ivy Whelden, signs on the dotted line for unit commander Mrs Sylvia Freshwater"

     

    but they later emigrated to New Zealand, living at 51 Toroa St, Aukland.

  • Egginton, Roy Leonard

     M.749  First Officer Roy Leonard Egginton 
     flag england b. 2 Nov 1921, Coventry  20 May 1942 to 9 Jun 1944 

      ATA

      ATAM    

     Father: Sidney Lawrence Egginton, Little Heath Post Office, Coventry; mother, Florence [Bolton]

    Ed. King Henry VIII School, Coventry

    prev. a sub-Post Master; RAF LAC from 22 Feb 1941 to 15 Sep 1941

    prev. exp. 37 hrs

    Address in 1942: Rose-Mary, Coventry Rd, Fillongley, Coventry

    He was fined 7s 6d in June 1939 for ignoring a 'Halt' sign while riding his bicycle (!)


     Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, No 782 Sqn RAF (Donibristle), 3FPP

     The Air Ministry reported: "After 18 hrs dual and 12 hrs 30 min solo general standard below that required. Extremely slow thinking and has also found great difficulty in mastering the fundamentals of navigation"...

    ... but his 'reference' from Pilot Officer T C Sumner MSc. said "I found him most capable and can say without hesitation that in many respects he was quite brilliant... he was awarded the 'Holt Memorial' Medal for Service and Leadership"

    His instructor perhaps summed it up: "Egginton is a likeable chap, thoroughly trustworthy and keen to fly"  but "In war time there are limits to the amount of time we can give to a slow pupil"

     6 accidents, only one definitely his fault:

    - 23 Aug 1942, a loose stone flew up while taxying and chipped the propeller

    - 2 Feb 1943, he landed a Hurricane with gear retracted; the gear operation was faulty

    - 29 Jul 1943, an error of judgement while landing a Martlet led to an uncontrolled swing

    - 9 Nov 1943, forced landing in a Warwick after engine failure

    - 14 Jan 1944, his Swordfish collided with a van while taxying, due to "insufficient care on part of the van driver"


     d. 9 Jun 1944 in Avenger II JZ560, which disappeared on a flight from Hawarden to Hawkinge, Kent. It was assumed that he had flown too far and crashed into the English Channel as neither he nor the aircraft were spotted after takeoff, or ever found.

    The ATA (who continued paying his salary) even contacted the Red Cross to find out if he had accidentally flown to France and been taken prisoner, but nothing had been reported and he was finally presumed dead after 9 months, although it took until 1 Jul 1946 for probate to be finalised.

     

     Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

     

    When Coventry Cathedral was rebuilt in 1953, he was also remembered there:

    "SIX COMMEMORATED

    The Lady Chapel window, situated over the Lady Chapel altar, portrays the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has been given by parents, relatives and friends in memory of six young men of St. Paul's Guild who gave their lives in the Second World War.

    Their names—Kenneth Aspell. Geoffrey Burrows. Anthony Crabb. Howard Checkley. Roy Egginton. and Edward Savage - are inscribed in the window. "

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Ellam, Frederick

     M.12   Commander Frederick 'Joe' Ellam Jnr 
    flag england  b. 15 Aug 1895, Bexley  11 Sep 1939 to Nov-41 

      

    ata frederick ellam 1917 

    1917

      ATAM    

     

    RFC (17th London Regiment) and RAF Reserve 1914 to 1933

    prev Director of Ellams Duplicator Co.

    Transferred to MAP, November 1941

    d. Sep 1973, Eastbourne 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

     

  • Elliott, William Johnston

     M.343  First Officer William Johnston 'Bill' Elliott 
     flag usa  b. 18 Apr 1917, Chambersburg Pennsylvania 17 Feb 1941 to Feb-42 

     ata william elliott

         

     

    prev. a flight instructor, charter and barnstorming pilot

    prev exp. 786 hrs, mostly on Lockheed 10a

    Bill worked for the Stanley Company as a shipping clerk from 1935 to '36, then was a general electrical contractor ('house and motor wiring - small repairs') until he became a flight instructor at his local airport (Sunset Airport, Chambersburg PA)


    ata william elliott ID Card

    He had a one-year contract with the ATA, which they wanted to extend - his CO wrote: "First Officers Fitzgerald, Elliott and Hoover. All three excellent pilots and are some of the best types of Americans that I have seen over here. I think everything possible should be done to get these pilots to renew their contracts."

    Bill replied that he had decided to return to the US "after February 16th [1942] as soon as the details of my transportation can be arranged", but sadly before this happened he died in an accident.

     

    d. 8 Feb 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Anson W1793 crashed into the side of a hill in bad visibility 3 miles N of Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. The accident committee concluded that he flew into snow-covered ground "in conditions which would cause confusion between ground and cloud".

    He and Earl Renicker (q.v.) were buried at Altrincham Bowden and Hale Cemetery, Cheshire, near Hubert Dixon (q.v.)

     ata william elliott funeral 1  ata william elliott funeral 2

     

    "Senior officers were present, with American members of the ATA. RAF men bore the two coffins, which were covered with flags, the Stars and Stripes of America. Air Transport Auxiliary pilots followed the coffin. An RAF Chaplain officiated, and the vicar of Timperley, the Rev. Dr Lindare, assisted." - Manchester Evening News, via George Cogswell

      via George Cogswell

     

    He was "an exceptionally careful and steady pilot and his general behaviour was excellent."

    His parents Gernard and Louise wrote "He studied hard and to be a good pilot was his whole ambition. Sorry as we are that he had to give his life so soon in this his chosen occupation, we are proud that he was a member of your organisation."

    ATA Memorial Bill Elliott 

    with thanks to Barbara Grayson


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ellis, Arthur Godfrey

     M.274  First Officer  Arthur Godfrey Ellis
    flag england  b. 23 Feb 1913, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent  26 Feb 1941 to Nov-44 

     ata arthur ellis 1934 1934

     ata arthur ellis ATA    

     

    Educated at North Staffordshire Technical College;

    Bronze Medal in Pottery

    Works Manager for Colclough China Ltd, Regent Works, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

    m. (1 child before 1941)

    Address in 1941: 227 Stone Rd, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

    prev. a member of the Civil Air Guard

    Missing index finger on right hand, and bad scar

    prev. exp. 153 hrs 


    Postings: 2FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 12FPP

    "A willing, keen and reliable pilot, a good officer with a keen sense of discipline", but was given a severe reprimand in Dec-43 for taxying a Beaufighter without sufficient care and colliding with a Blenheim. Both pilots were held equally to blame.


    Filed a number of patents post-WWII, e.g. in 1948, "a chuck for holding articles of clay, glass, plastics or other materials, in manufacture or finishing operations", and 1952: "Apparatus for shaping clayware."

    [Colclough China Ltd became part of the Royal Doulton Group in the early 1970's; production ceased in 1996.]

    d. Nov 2003 - Stoke On Trent


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Ellis, Harry Alfred

     M.139 Flight Captain  Harry Alfred Ellis 

    flag england

      b. 8 Dec 1908, Mitcham Surrey 29 Jul 1940 to Dec-45 

      ata harry ellis 1934 1934      

     

    Address in 1940: 214 Pullman Court, Streatham, S.W.2

    prev exp. 300 hrs

    A Commercial Traveller in 1934

    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

    Early days at White Waltham, Anson taxi pilots - Ronnie Malcolm, Douglas Fairweather (M104), Jim Kempster and Harry Ellis (M139)

    Brief Glory

    " A first cass ferry pilot... albeit one who does not always take too kindly to regulations."

    "He is still inclined to be somewhat controversial."

     d. May 1989 - Slough 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Erickson, John Burge

     M.469 First Officer   John Burge Erickson

    flag usa

      b. 26 Jul 1906, Oklahoma City, OK  9 Jun 1941 to May-42

     ata john erickson ATA

         

     

    prev. an airplane mechanic from 1935, and a Flight Instructor at Oklahoma Air College

    prev. exp. 3,500hrs

    Address in 1941: 220 S Lake St, Ponca City, OK

    m. to Dorothy Louise [Young], 1 child


    Postings: AFTS, as Instructor

    "A natural pilot" - ATA's Chief Instructor T.G.L. Gale said: "It was because I had the highest opinion of his character that I selected him for instructional duties... his work has been excellent and highly successful and has deservedly earned him the praise of his superiors and the gratitude of his pupils."


    blenheim hendon

    d. 9 May 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Blenheim I K7086. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft's tail was broken in a collision with another Blenheim (L8439, piloted by First Officer Richard S Pavey (M.445)) which had also just taken off, and it dived into the ground and caught fire.

    Trainee Pilot Thomas Walton, a director of Burnley Aircraft Products Ltd, was also killed. F/O Pavey survived with a fractured shoulder, spinal injuries, shock and burns.

     ata john erickson funeral     

    Buried at Maidenhead Cemetery - Sec. D. Row K.K. Grave 21.

     

    His brother Glenn had sent him this photo of himself, wife Ruby and their child outside their house in California in April 1942:

    glenn erickson and family 1942


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Estes, Willard Noel

     

     M.322  First Officer Willard Noel Estes 
     flag usa   b. 15 Jan 1911, Monett, Missouri 15 Jan to 26 Jun 1941 

     ata willard estes  ATA

       c.1932    

     

    Father, Willard Albert Estes, of 11077 De Foe St, Pacoima, CA

    Ed. Will Mayfield College, Marble Hill, Missouri 

    prev. Flying Instructor, US Army 1930-34 (Fort Francis, Laramie, Wyoming in 1930, a football player for the Army)

    prev. exp. 1,050 hrs during 12 years civilian flying

      Draft card, 16 Oct 1940

    Adress in 1941: 154 West 170th St, Hazel Crest, Illinois


    Postings: 1FPP

      

    Spitfire VB 92 Sqn top view c1941

    d. 26 June 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - overshot while landing at Biggin Hill in Spitfire Vb P8538, tried to take off but hit top storey of airmen's barrack block.

    "He has done a fine job for us and his loss will be greatly felt"

     

    Buried St Mary Cray Cemetery, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London, England


    Postscript:


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Eveleigh, Yvonne Margaret (W.156)

     W.156 3rd Officer  Mrs Yvonne Margaret 'Peggy' Eveleigh 
     flag england  b. 18 Aug 1917, London 21 Feb-44 to Sep-45 

    W157 Eveleigh Yvonne  ATA

     yvonne eveleigh 1945  RAeC 1945    

     

    née Lucas

    Father: Lieut. Albert James Lucas, R.F.C., (killed whilst flying in France in May 1917), mother Violet Cordelia [Chauncy] (m. 1932 Douglas G Shrubshall)

     

    m.1939 in Surrey, Derek Ernest Eveleigh, who d. 22 Apr 1940 in the crash of BOAC's Lockheed 14 G-AFKD at Binn Uird, near Loch Lomond, Dunbarton, en route from Perth to Heston


     Postings: 5TFP, 2FPP

    exp. in ATA: 178.35 hrs

     3 accidents, one her fault:

    - 14 Feb 1945, the starboard tyre of her Spitfire IX MA639 burst while taxying, and the aircraft swung off the perimeter track and nosed over

    - 20 Aug 1945, a forced landing in Oxford II T1258 after engine vibration caused by a bent propeller tip

    - 3 Sep 1945, she failed to control the landing swing of Spitfire III SP196, damaging the starboard wing tip

     

    Gained her RAeC 'A' Certificate No 20527 as part of the ATA 'Wings' scheme on 31 Aug 1945

     Address in 1945: King's Arms, Tedburn St Mary, nr Exeter, Devon


     

    m. Oct 1946 in Aylesbury, Roger G Grace

    m. Oct 1952 in Westminster, Maj. Charles E Kaiser

    m. Edouard Stamfer

    All three post-war marriages ended in divorce.

     

    Wrote 'WAAF with Wings' in 1992:

    "A very good book published in 1992 by Y M Lucas (Peggy) called ’WAAF with Wings’ tells the story of the ATA with contributions from the girls themselves. In it Peggy describes delivering a repaired Martinet to St Eval for target towing and collecting a damaged Spitfire from there to deliver to a Maintenance Unit.

    Peggy Lucas continued flying and at age 84 qualified as a helicopter pilot!

     1993

    Frankie Horsburgh, a Canadian, located 16 out of the 17 [ex-WAAF ATA pilots] for their first reunion."

    http://www.olivehouserock.co.uk/link/144/index_files/Page549.htm

     

    d. 8 Jan 2008 - buried St Nicholas Church in Remenham, Berkshire.

    She reverted to 'Eveleigh' as her surname:

     

    see http://www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/war/stfrideswide/lucas.html


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Everard-Steenkamp, Rosamund King (W.141)

     W.141  First Officer Mrs Rosamund King Everard-Steenkamp 
     za-1928flag  b. 20 or 22 Jul 1907, Carolina, SA 7 Feb-44 to 31 Oct 1945 

     

     

       ATAM   ATAM  

     

    née Everard

    father: Charles Joseph Everard, mother Amy Bertha [King] of Bonnefoi, E Transvaal, S Africa

    Ed. Ecole Normale de Musique, Paris; St George's co-Ed School; Witwatersrand Technical College School of Aeronautics

    S.A.W.A.A.F. Aug 1940 - Jan 1942

    prev. exp: 2,000 hrs

    "She was elected a 'beauty queen' in a South African competition just before the war"

    prev. Instructor for WTC School of Aeronautics, Johannesburg

    m. 1940 Nicolaas Fourie Steenkamp  (d. 1 Dec 1942 of fever, in Durban)


     Postings: 6FPP

    2 accidents, neither her fault:

    - 30 Mar 1944, when the engine of her Magister backfired and the propeller kicked back, injuring the engineer's hand

    - 31 Dec 1944, she had to leave the perimiter track to avoid an oncoming aircraft in her Spitfire IX, and the aircraft tipped onto its nose.

     

    "She has worked hard and been most willing to accept instruction... This lady is an asset to the Unit"


    The first woman in Britain to fly a jet aircraft (3 Aug 1945 at Molesworth, in Meteor III EE313)

    d. Mar 1946 in Spitfire XIV NH695 which crashed at Button Oak, Pound Green, near Upper Arley, Worcs, after engine failure.

    She had continued ferrying after leaving the ATA, for 1FPP RAF.

     

     Her Logbook is in the South African Air Force Museum, Swartkop.

     

     Buried Maidenhead Cemetery:

     "Great-hearted Greatly loved. Death hath no more dominion over her"

     

    "Rosamund painted landscapes and still life in oils. Her style of painting was unconventional, spontaneous and exuberant and her work reflects her attraction to decorative patterns and design. Her use of colour was strong, defined and controlled by definite rhythmic outlines. She was not as prolific as the other painters in her family. Her work formed part of the Everard Group exhibitions of 1931 and 1935 and featured in the retrospective exhibitions held at the Tatham Art Gallery in 1982 and the Standard Bank sponsored exhibition of 2000 entitled 'The Everard Phenomenon'.


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Ewing, Ernest Carl

     M.470  First Officer  Ernest Carl Ewing 

    flag usa

    b. 15 Jan 1914, Savannah in Chatham, GA 3 May 1941 to 2 May 1942 

     

         

     Address in 1941: (mother) 607 15th Ave E, Cordele, GA

    Ed. Georgia Military College

    prev. A Banker; Flight Instructor; US Army Sep-28 to Aug-40, 2nd Lieut.

    'Flying since 1928'


    Postings: 3FPP

    Either "a good and capable pilot", or "This pilot gossips and grumbles too much about things of which he knows nothing; a troublemaker."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Ewing, Norman Brock

     M.520  First Officer  Norman Brock Ewing

    flag scotland

     b. 13 Apr 1904, Glasgow   4 Jun 1941 to 31 Oct 1945

     ata norman ewing 19371937

     ata norman ewing ATA    

     

    Father: John Mitchell Ewing

    Ed. Hutcheson Boys School

    Next of kin: (Sister) Miss Nora Ewing

    prev. a Garage Proprietor (Torrance Garage, East Kilbride, Glasgow)

    prev. exp. 142 hrs on DH Moth Minor, Gipsy III, Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth, Leopard Moth, Moth Major

    Home Address in 1941: St. Helier, Norwood Drive, Whitecraigs, Giffnock, Renfreshire


    Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 4bFPP, 10FPP, 3FPP

    "A dependable pilot of average ability and a willing worker."

     

    King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air


    d. 1973, Suva, Fiji


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): download grey

  • Fairbrother, Manley William

     M.604  First Officer  Manley William 'Lee' Fairbrother
     flag usa  b. 23 Aug 1911, Grand Rapids, MI 10 Jun 1941 to 10 Jun 1942 

     ata manley fairbrother ATA

         

     

     father Leo James Fairbrother, a building contractor, mother Anna [Kennedy]

    ed. Martin School, Grand Rapids

    m. [1] 1931 Dortha Ann [Johnson], 1 child; [2]  c.1947 Anna May [Gillis]; [3] 1981 Grace L [Laterza]

    prev. 1927-30 Corporal in Michigan National Guard, 1931-36 Fireman 2nd Class in US Naval Reserve.

    A 'pilot parachute jumper'

    prev. exp. 550hrs certified, 600hrs uncertified in (his own aircraft) J.5 Travelair NC89M, Avian Sport

    Address in 1941: R.R. 3, Grand Rapids, MI


    Postings: 2FPP

    "A good pilot, keen and conscientious"

    Off for a month after an accident in a Hurricane on 6 Dec 1941 - following partial engine failure, he overshot his selected field for a forced landing and hit a tree.

    He sailed back to the US on the 11 Jun 1942 with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Eddie Grundstrom, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg.


    He came 4th in the 1947 Thompson Trophy at the Cleveland Air Races [the race was won by Steve Beville, another former ATA pilot]. He thereby won $500 -  he bought the  P-51 for $5,500.

    Battle Creek Enquirer, Oct 1948: "FINED FOR 'BUZZING' Manley W. Fairbrother, of Minneapolis, a prominent racing pilot, paid a fine of $100 and costs in municipal court yesterday after he pleaded guilty to 'buzzing' near the home of his parents in Grand Rapids while returning from the Cleveland Air Races September 12."  [He qualified in 9th position for the 1948 Thompson Trophy, flying at 351.593 mph in his 'stripped-down P-51', but after 12 laps his engine stalled and he had to pull out.]

    d. 28 Jan 1994

    Buried 

    His obituary says: "He came to Florida in 1971 from Star Prairie, Wis. He was an airline pilot for 24 years with Northwest Airlines in Minneapolis, a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II, and a member of the Retired Airline Pilots Association. Survivors include his wife Grace 'Jo'; two daughters, Nora Bercaw, Naples, Fla, and Patricia Hollowell, Spring Hill."

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fairey, Richard

     M.186 First Officer  Richard 'Dick' Fairey 

    flag england

      b. 21 Nov 1916, Iver Bucks 26 Aug 1940 to Dec-41 

     ata richard fairey 1935      

     

    Son of Sir Charles Richard Fairey MBE, the aircraft designer and industrialist. He joined his father's firm in the jig and tool office in 1936, then transferred to the design office.

    Educated at Harrow and Cambridge

    Address in 1940: Sutherland Grange, Oakley Green, Windsor

    Special Characteristics: "High blood pressure, must not fly high"


    A "very good pilot, good worker" but he suffered ill-health for most of 1941: 4 Jan to 11 Jun, ischio-rectal abcess; 22 Jun to 5 Jul, multiple minor injuries, and 18 Sep to 25 Nov, injury to back and knee.

    He resigned from the ATA in December 1941.


    Shortly afterwards, on the 24 Jan 1942, on his way to the USA to visit his father, his ship (the Norwegian vessel Ringstad) was torpedoed and he spent six days in a open boat. As a result of frostbite and exposure, both his legs were amputated below the knee.

    "At 15.25 hours on 24 Jan 1942 the Ringstad (Master Jacob K. Knudstad), straggling from convoy ON-55 due to several days of stormy weather, was hit on the starboard side in the foreship by one torpedo from U-333 about 85 miles southeast of Cape Race. All on board abandoned ship in three lifeboats and were questioned by the U-boat that surfaced after the ship sank after 20 minutes by the bow. The Germans offered water and food to the survivors and told them the direction of the nearest land before leaving the area after wishing them good luck.

    The lifeboats were separated in the stormy and cold weather. Two lifeboats containing 27 crew members and three passengers were never seen again. Only the motor boat of the master that was completely covered in ice was spotted after five days by an aircraft that escorted a convoy and sent USS Swanson (DD 443) to rescue the master and eleven other survivors in it. The exhausted men were landed at Reykjavik on 5 February."

    [In case you ever look up the Times' obituary, you will find that they mistakenly thought that Dick was torpedoed in 1941 on his way to join the Atlantic Ferry Organisation. However, Dick, as his personnel file confirms, was ill for most of 1941, and was not seconded to Atfero. The Times reporter may have thought that Dick was on the SS Nerissa, which was indeed torpedoed in 1941, but she was bringing American ATA pilots to Britain - 11 of the 13 pilots on board were killed. Dick also said in April 1942 that he had been on a Norwegian ship which was torpedoed.]

    After WWII Richard rejoined Fairey and became a Director and later Vice-Chairman. He also became "an outstanding private pilot", and flew for the company all over the world.

    He  was also a keen follower of powerboats; the 'Fairey Huntress' class of marine motor cruisers was his idea, apparently. He entered his Huntress in the 1960 Miami - Nassau race but this blew up and sank, the crew escaping unharmed. d. 27 Jul 1960 - Villa Benefiat, Cannes, "as a result of physical disabilities which followed injuries he received in the Second World War."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Fairley, Charles Harry

     M.883 * First Officer   Charles Harry Fairley
    flag canada  b. 16 Oct 1923  9 Mar 1943 to 30 Jun 1945 

      ATAM

         

     

     m. Jun 1945 Betty K [Abbott]

    Sailed back to Montreal with Betty on the "Manchester Trader", 8 Jul 1945.

    d. 8 Dec 1985, San Luis Obispo, CA

  • Fairman, Albert Edward

     M.1084

    3rd Officer

    [prev. RAF Flying Officer, 146431] 

    Albert Edward "Roy" Fairman 
     flag england b. 9 Nov 1921, London  30 May 1944 to 15 Feb 1945 

       ATA

         

    Father: Albert Francis Bessemer Fairman, mother Lily Mildred [Ketley]

    Ed. Sir Walter and St John's School, Battersea, London


    m. Apr 1942 Grace [Varney]

     prev. RAF Flying Officer in Bomber Command from 21 May 1940 to 29 May 1944, based at Abingdon

    Awarded the 1939-43 Star for at least 60 days of service in an operational unit, including at least one operational sortie

    Injured by enemy action [flak injury to foot] and was released from the RAF on medical grounds.

    prev. exp. 550 hrs on DH Moth, Proctor, Anson, Oxford, Hampden, Hereford, Manchester, Lancaster, Whitley

     Address in 1944: 32 Middleton Sq, London EC1


     Postings: 5TFPP, 6FPP, 14FPP

      Albert's Flight Authorization card, 16 Aug 1944

    "A pilot of average ability, but very overconfident, combined with a happy-go-lucky kind of temperament. Capable of carrying out some very useful work, but may require curbing as regards weather, and needs firm handling generally"

    "It may be that in view of his past experience in the RAF he has disliked the idea of having to pass through Training Pool with some far less experienced, and those who were ab initio."

    He was only cleared for Class I and II (single-engine) aircraft, but it was intended that he should later also deliver Class III and IV (twin-engine) aircraft.


     

    d. 15 Feb 1945 from injuries received in the crash of Mustang IV KH838 at Wrightington near Wigan, on a ferry flight from Lockheeds Renfrew to Rootes Meir.

    "The aircraft was seen to complete a roll to the left, and commence a second roll. During the second roll the pilot was thrown out of the cockpit... After the crash the shoulder straps of the cockpit harness were found broken."

     

      At the crash site in 2010, including Albert's two younger sisters 

     See http://laituk.org/P-51KH838.htm,  and

    https://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/projects/north-american-mustang-kh838-wrightington/,

    which describe the excavation of the crash site.

    They speculate that "... the reported manoeuvres... have been identified by experienced pilots as being consistent with an incapacitated pilot unable to maintain control of an aircraft or perhaps trying to hold the aircraft steady with one hand whilst trying to open the canopy to bail out? "

     

    Buried Greenwich Cemetery

      "F/Lieut" appears to be a mistake

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fairweather, Douglas Keith

      M.104 Flight Captain  Douglas Keith Fairweather 
    flag scotland b. 25 Oct 1890, Glasgow  11 Sep 1939 [* 11 Jun 1940 as pilot] to Apr-44 


      

    ata douglas fairweather 1928 

    1928

         

     

      (Mother Margaret, née Eureka)

    Educated in Glasgow and Berlin; FCIPA, MIESS.

    Chief Petty Officer in the RNVR, 1915-19

    prev. Assistant Air Attache in the Hague

    A Chartered Patent Agent - Cruikshank and Fairweather, 86, St Vincent St, Glasgow, with offices in London and Manchester.

    prev exp. 1456 hrs. Owned Leopard Moth G-ACXH

    * When Douglas took his test at CFS Upavon on 25 September 1939, he was graded 'D' [Douglas was rather overweight...] and therefore 'unsuitable for ferry work'. His contract with ATA was therefore cancelled on the 1st November, and it took them until the following June to set up their Air Movements Flight and re-start his ATA career as its first C.O..

    Douglas wrote to the ATA on 3 Jun 1940: "I think I am due you a line to thank you for keeping the Chester job open until Thursday on my account. The job which you offered is not only tempting but would prove to be more pleasurable than any other now in sight, particularly in view of the possibility that I might not be grounded completely.

    If the worst happens, I propose to train down to about 15 stone, so as to fit the RAF harness and go back to try my luck with Squadron Ldr. Cox at Upavaon. I have only to drop a pound a day to be ready for Cox in August, or for the Derby in 1945."


    Early days at White Waltham, Anson taxi pilots - Ronny Malcolm (M140), Douglas Fairweather (M104), Jim Kempster and Harry Ellis (M139)  (Brief Glory)

    He was off sick for 4 months in 1941 and had to have an orchidectomy; when he was recovering, Gerard d'Erlanger (Head of ATA) wrote to him: "It was nice to hear from you and I am glad that the surgeon is satisfied with your progress. Perhaps he has made a new man of you which will be cause for rejoicing all round".

    Took command of 4b Ferry Pool, Prestwick, from November 1941 to August 1942.

    "An excellent pilot and a most hard working officer who has never spared himself in the slightest. He has served me with absolute loyalty. He has a strong, somewhat excitable, character and a good heart. He has great influence, particularly with the American pilots whom he handles well. He is quite unorthodox and generally seems to get his results in a somewhat disorderly manner."

    Not everyone appreciated Douglas' sense of humour; his C.O. MWS Boucher reported on 19 May 1942: "I have today reprimanded Capt Fairweather for 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the ATA' despite his good qualities... I have been influenced by numerous instances of petty indiscipline which although small in themselves cannot be permitted to accumulate unchecked by official censure. I have handed to Capt Fairweather a list of his typical shortcomings and discussed the matter with him in detail."


    janes anson

    d. 3 Apr 1944 (Died in ATA Service) - Anson N4895 lost in Irish Sea on ambulance flight White Waltham to Prestwick to pick up patient (with Nurse Kershaw). His body was washed up on the west coast of Scotland on the 22nd April.

    "I was most distressed to learn that Douglas Fairweather was missing... He was such a great personality that his loss will seem a personal tragedy to many - as it does to me. I will of course write to his wife [Margie Fairweather q.v., who herself died a few weeks later]. How sad that he never saw the long awaited baby. My sincerest sympathy in the loss of such an old associate, such a fine pilot, and such a lovable character." Jack Keeling.


     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Fairweather, Margaret (W.7)

     

     

     W.7

    Flight Captain

    Mrs Margaret 'Margie' Fairweather 

     née Runciman; Mrs King-Farlow

    flag england

    23 Sep 1901, Newcastle-on-Tyne 1 Jan-40 to Aug-44 


      Margaret King-Farlow 1937 RAeC 1931      

     

    4-engine (Class 5) pilot

    Mrs King-Farlow from 1925 to 1936;

    Mrs Fairweather from 1938.

    The eldest daughter of Lord Walter and Lady Hilda Runciman.

    Her brother Walter (co-Director, with Connie Leathart (q.v.), of Cramlington Aircraft, First Director-General of BOAC, Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, OBE, etc, etc) became the 2nd Viscount Runciman of Doxford, and her sister Katherine ('Kitty') was adjutant for the Women's Section of the ATA from March 1941.

    I sometimes feel that Margie gets a bad press; she was, apparently, quiet and rather withdrawn, (nicknamed 'Mrs Cold Front') and, in photos, always seems to have that far-away look in her (green, btw) eyes. But, her ability, and her devotion to duty and to her friends, were never in doubt.

    She got her RAeC certificate in 1937. In fact, she acquired her first aeroplane from her brother Walter; a 1931-reg D.H. Puss Moth G-ABLG, which he had flown in two King's Cup races.

    She had married Roderick Nettleton King-Farlow in July 1925. Their daughter Ann was born in 1931, but they divorced in 1936, and she then married Douglas Keith Fairweather in March 1938. He was a businessman from Glasgow, and her complete opposite - outgoing, irreverent, and very eccentric. 

    Margie then sold her aeroplane, and she and Douglas re-registered his Puss Moth G-ABYP in their joint names. Later they also bought a Leopard Moth, G-ACXH.

    She had a horrible experience in 1939 when her friend, Dr. Elizabeth Cook, was killed by walking into the propeller of the aeroplane Margaret was about to pilot; they were going to fly to Paris for a holiday, and the plane was standing with the engine ticking over.

    Margie Fairweather FAI Cert FAI 1939

    So, prior to WWII she was one of the most experienced women pilots in the country, with 1,050 hours of civilian flying, and (from late 1937) was an instructor with the Scottish Flying Club. She had flown Miles Whitney Straights, D.H. Moths, Puss Moths, Tiger Moths, Fox Moths, Leopard Moths, Hornet Moths, Dart Kitten, Taylor Cub, Potez, and Percival Vega Gull, in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, France Switzerland and Austria.

    mini - margaret fairweather

    Not surprisingly then, she was one of the 'First Eight' Women ATA pilots at Hatfield, starting in January 1940. Her training went well: "The handling characteristics of the Service trainer were entirely novel to Mrs. Fairweather, but having once mastered the take-off, she had no further difficulty, and is now able to fly both Master and Oxford satisfactorily. Her cockpit drill is excellent'"

    Douglas also joined the ATA as a pilot. He was devoted to Margie; as Lettice Curtis says in Forgotten Pilots: he was once heard to say, "I love Margie, better than any dog I  ever had," and then more thoughtfully, "or even a pig or a cat."

    douglas fairweather ata [For more about Douglas, I can recommend 'Brief Glory - the Story of the ATA']

    On the 3rd March 1941 she was one of the four women especially praised by Pauline Gower: "The following pilots during the past year have been outstanding from the point of view of hard work and have set an example to others:- Mrs M Wilberforce [exceptional devotion to duty], Miss M Cunnison [great devotion to duty], Hon Mrs M Fairweather [has shown great devotion to duty, and worked hard and conscientiously as a taxi pilot], and Miss J Hughes [has shown devotion to duty]."

    [Mona Friedlander, Rosemary Rees, Lois Butler, Gabrielle Patterson and Winifred Crossley also get a mention [they have 'worked hard and conscientiously'], and Pauline added that "had Miss Amy Johnson still been with us [she had died on the 5th January], her name would have been particularly mentioned".]

     In May 1941 Margie requested extra leave:

    "Dear Commander Whitehurst,

    As you know I have a daughter of twelve years of age. She is at boarding school during the term time, but for half of the period of each holidays I am responsible for her care. With the assistance of my family I have managed up to now fairly well without interfering with my work, but I now, owing to reasons of health and occupation I can no longer count on this help and paid help is almost impossible to come by.

    In these circumstances I am writing to enquire whether ATA would consider granting me an extra week's leave in the summer, and a fortnight's extra leave at both Xmas and Easter, it being understood that any leave so granted would be without pay."

    The request was granted, and Margie and Douglas took Ann for a holiday in a small farmhouse in Western Scotland [where they acquired a baby goat, which Douglas later took with him on at least one ferry flight.]

    She and Douglas were both posted to Prestwick (4b Ferry Pool, Northern Area) in November 1941.

    On the 14th December, she wrote to Pauline Gower:


    "Sunday,

    Dear Pauline,

    I was hampered in talking to you the other day by the crowd around the telephone, amongst which were persons about whom I wanted to speak.

    I am not sure we can make good use of the lady in question at this moment. We need a second ground person in this office but he or she must, as well as doing adjutant duties, be a good shorthand typist. Unless we combine the jobs there isn't sufficient to do. The lady's counterpart is doing 'ops' just now with only moderate success. It would be a pity to get her up here if that falls through. She is too 'choosy' for our mixed bag of aeroplanes to come only as a pilot. I am sorry we raised her hopes so high. Perhaps in a week or two the matter might be reconsidered if you have no other plans in view for her.

    I have at last caught a Wellington for myself. I flew it with great pleasure from Prestwick to Sherburne today and am now here on my way back with a Hurricane. I found it very like a big Anson, & I can see no reason why any of the normally hefty of us should find them too heavy. It was tough today & at slow speeds as when coming in to land you have to heave and push but forewarned there is no difficulty. I wonder who of the others have had one and what they think.

    We have had a tragedy already in no. 4b FPP. A charming American called Wiley who was posted to us left Speke on Wednesday afternoon & has not been heard of since. It is strange (or perhaps just a matter of psychology) how it always seems to be the nice ones that go and the toughs who remain.

    Living in the … hotel as we are doing amongst all the over-night ATA one gets a bit of a … about humanity. I was almost pleased to see Mary H[unter], & Veronica [Volkersz] yesterday by contrast! Douglas is in his element entertaining his visiting pilots; clearly our post war job must be public house proprietors with Douglas as 'mine host'.

    Please make Kitty write to me again soon. I loved getting your letters. When are you coming to inspect me? I wish you would.

    I would love to have a talk. Are you likely to be at W[hite] W[altham] without warning if I cadge an aeroplane to that point?

    with love, Margie."


    She was promoted to Flight Captain in February 1942, in charge of the Women's Flight at Prestwick. Her Commanding Officer said that she was a "very reliable and steady ferry pilot... she has been a very real help to me." Shortly after that, she had her spat with Irene Arckless (q.v.)

     She also had an 'incident' on the 24th March 1943 - flying a Halifax (she was one of only 11 women cleared for 4-engine aircraft), the bolts securing an engine cowling broke away and fouled a propeller. Luckily, she was uninjured.

    However, she was in big trouble in May 1943 - some Flight Captain or other (I can't make out the signature) wrote to Pauline:

    "It is observed that F/Capt Mrs Fairweather is not complying with Standing Orders re. her hair. Also, this pilot still persists in wearing grey coloured stockings, whereas black is the order. Will you please be good enough to point out to this pilot that the Commanding Officer's Instructions in regard to 'Dress Regulations' must be complied with."

    There is a scribbled note "Is anything ever done?", but, indeed, no sign of anything else happening...

     And then, on the 14th September 1943, (so, when Margie was nearly 42), and rather out of the blue , came this:

    "Flight Captain Mrs Fairweather is pregnant and I recommend that her contract is terminated with three months' pay in lieu of notice."

    [The ATA policy was that women who became pregnant would have their contracts terminated, to give them 3 months salary. However, Pauline soon discovered that Margie was "not interested in the financial aspect, but would rather have her contract suspended" and added,"I think we might well meet her wishes in this case."]

    So, her contract was suspended, and she duly returned back to work on the 15th June 1944. By then, sadly, Douglas was dead; he and ATA Nurse Kathleen Kershaw had crashed in the Irish Sea, on a mercy flight to Prestwick. Douglas and Margie's daughter Elizabeth was born a few days after his death.

    And then Margie herself died in another crash soon after, on the 4th August 1944. It happened on a communications flight in Percival Proctor III LZ801; the engine 'faded out', she force-landed in a field near Wrexham, but hadn't seen a ditch at the end of it. The aircraft went nose first into the ditch.

    percival proctor

    She, and her sister Kitty suffering from severe fractures to her right leg, were taken to Chester Royal Infirmary. Margie had serious head injuries; the third person on board, Lewis Kendrick, had minor abrasions. Margie died at 11 p.m., without regaining consciousness.

    The technical investigation showed that the vent pipe of the port fuel tank was completely blocked by a film of dope, causing the tank to collapse. "In these circumstances the petrol gauge is likely to have indicated that the tank still contained fuel, when in fact it was dry."

    Blame was heaped on everyone involved in ensuring the aircraft had been fit to fly: The Chief Engineer, and the Engineers in Charge at White Waltham, for failing to ensure that it had been serviced properly;  the Officer-in-Charge Air Movements Bay; the Engineering Inspector, for failing to ensure that the fitters were competent, and the two fitters who failed to notice the blocked vent.

    The report recommended that procedures were changed, and Proctors modified, to prevent it happening again.

    The cause of death was 'extensive skull fracture'; I've not come across any reference to Margie's spectacles shattering and contributing to her death, although this has been suggested recently.

    She is buried, together with Douglas, in Dunure Cemetery, South Ayrshire. Near Prestwick.

    Fairweather Grave Dunure http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/


    28th August 1944

    Dear Mr d'Erlanger,

    You will I hope forgive me for being slow to thank you for your kind letter & for what you say of Margaret's work, and I would like especially to thank you for all the kindness and consideration shown to my daughter Ruth & for all the arrangements made for the funeral which we could not have wished otherwise. I would be grateful if you could also pass on our thanks to whoever in the RAF was responsible for allowing her to lie in that little war cemetery beside Douglas. We very greatly valued the kindness that prompted that decision.

    I am afraid it will be a long time before Kitty is up & about, but we are glad to have no real anxiety about her.

    Hilda Runciman


    Margie's loss was "a great blow to ATA, for she was not only one of our best women pilots, but in her modest and enthusiastic manner set an almost unequalled example of unselfish devotion to duty."


    Oxford DNB : "Fairweather [née Runciman], Margaret (1901–1944), airwoman, was born at West Denton Hall, near Newcastle upon Tyne, on 23 September 1901, the second in a family of two sons and three daughters of Walter Runciman, first Viscount Runciman (1870–1949), and his wife, Hilda Stevenson (1869–1956) [see Runciman, Hilda]. Margie, as she was always known, was educated initially at home together with her younger brother Steven (later Sir Steven Runciman) by a governess who taught them Greek and Latin at an early age. She then attended a number of educational institutions including The Mount, a Quaker school in York, and Notting Hill high school, from where she went to Girton College, Cambridge. After a year she dropped out of Girton to study singing in Paris, though she never performed professionally. She married Roderick Sydney Nettleton King-Farlow (1900–1988), the son of Sir Sydney Charles Nettleton King-Farlow, at St Margaret's, Westminster, on 15 July 1925. A daughter was born in 1931. The marriage ended in divorce in 1936.

    In the autumn of 1936 Margie learned to fly at Newcastle Aero Club and was issued with her aviator's certificate (licence no. 14687) by the Royal Aero Club on 13 January 1937. She was planning to fly solo to Australia but changed her mind when she met a fellow pilot, Douglas Keith Fairweather (1891–1944), son of Sir Walter Fairweather. They were married on 28 March 1938. In that year Lord Runciman was sent on the ill-fated mission to Prague to mediate between the German and Czech governments. Fairweather flew out herself to visit him. During a European tour that same year she and Douglas, under the guise of tourists, photographed unrecorded German airfields. She also sent back letters to her brother Steven which seemingly contained only trivial domestic details. On her return, however, she decoded these to recover intelligence data.

    With the threat of war looming, in October 1938 the Civil Air Guard scheme was inaugurated to provide subsidized training of pilots through the civil flying clubs. As experienced pilots, Margie and her husband became instructors at Renfrew. Douglas Fairweather was one of the first to sign contracts with the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) for service with the AirTransportAuxiliary (ATA) in September 1939.

    Many women, qualified flying instructors with considerable flying experience, volunteered to serve with the ATA. However, the pilots enrolled by BOAC under the ATA scheme were employed in RAF ferry pilots' pools and the RAF would not agree to the employment of women in their ferry pools. This problem was solved in December 1939 when Pauline Gower (who became commandant of the women's ATA) was informed that a small pool of eight women based at Hatfield could be formed to ferry Tiger Moths to stored reserves.

    With over 1000 flying hours, Margaret Fairweather was one of that select band who signed contracts with the ATA on 1 January 1940. This departure from tradition caused a furore in a world in which professional women were still a novelty. Press and newsreel gave full publicity to the event and the so-called ‘ATA girls’ were under constant scrutiny. However, ferrying Tiger Moths from Hatfield to storage reserves, some as far away as Kinloss, Perth, and Lossiemouth, and returning by overnight train, often with no sleeper in midwinter, was not the glamorous occupation some imagined. In July 1941 ATA women pilots were cleared to fly operational aircraft and Margaret Fairweather was one of the first four chosen to do practice landings in a Hurricane. These four carried a burden of responsibility as the future of all women pilots in the ATA depended on them.

    Meanwhile Douglas Fairweather was joint commanding officer at Prestwick. In 1942 he was posted to no. 1 ferry pool, White Waltham, to take charge of the air movements flight. Margie was then posted to join him. For the rest of her time there she was engaged in communication duties and it was on one such assignment that she met her death—the only one not to survive among the original eight who served from the very beginning.

    Gradually more operational types of plane were being flown by women and the progression was made from single engine to twin aircraft to advanced twin, and eventually eleven women pilots were qualified to fly four-engined aircraft. Fairweather was one of the eleven. She was considered by her fellow pilots to be one of the most intelligent and able, though rather quiet and self-effacing. In fact, according to her daughter, her nickname was Mrs Cold Front.

    On 3 April 1944 Douglas Fairweather volunteered to go to Prestwick to collect an ambulance case requiring special treatment. In appalling weather, somewhere over the Irish Sea, the Anson came down and both he and the nurse travelling with him were lost. Margie gave birth to their daughter Elizabeth a few days later. Margie returned to flying only to be killed herself four months later. She was piloting a Proctor to Scotland on 4 August 1944 with two passengers on board when the engine failed near Malpas, Cheshire. All three were taken to Chester Royal Infirmary where Fairweather died soon afterwards. Her passengers were her sister, the Hon. Kitty Farrer, adjutant of the ATA, and Louis Kendrick of the Ministry of Aircraft Production. They recovered, escaping with injuries. Douglas Fairweather's body was washed up on the Ayrshire coast. Margaret Fairweather and he were both buried in the small churchyard of Dunure, Ayrshire." 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Falkiner, Lucy Agnes Vera (W.38)

     W.38  Flight Captain

    Hon. Mrs Lucy Agnes Vera Falkiner 

    flag england  b. 1 Jan 1905, Stanford  1 Apr 1941 to 31 Dec 1945

      1935

    (by Bassano)

      lucy_falkiner_1938.jpg RAeC 1938    

     

    née Verney Cave

    Father: Adrian Verney Verney-Cave, Lord Braye, Mother: Ethel Mary [Bouverie-Pusey], of Stanford Hall, Swinford, Rugby

    Ed. Convent, St Leonards on Sea

     1929

    "The Hon Lucy Verney Cave as Miss Neville in Goldsmith's comedy 'She Stoops to Conquer' performed by Girl Guides in the Church Hall in Lutterworth. They gave a very entertaining performance of thes delightful old play"

     with her brother, the Hon. Thomas Adrian, at the 'Lincoln Stuff Ball' in 1930

    [one of many many balls, dances, society weddings, etc, etc that she attended]

     

    m. 1935 in Bosworth, Lucien Leslie Falkiner "of the 43rd Light Infantry... both families are well-known in the Midlands and they are slightly related"

     Ancestry

     Capt. Falkiner d. 30 May 1940 in France

     

    prev: WAAF from 23 Nov 1940; Assistant Section Officer, based at Wittering, Northants

    prev exp: 14 hrs on Avro Cadet, Tiger Moth, Hornet Moth

     


     Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP, 9FPP, 1FPP

    Off sick from 6 Oct 1942 to 30 Mar 1943 with 'nervous overstrain'

    7 accidents, 2 her fault:

    - 29 Mar 1942, flying Master I N7552, she found it difficult to select 'Flaps Up' and accidentally released the hood

    - 14 Apr 1942, she couldn't get the flaps or undercarriage to lock down in a Hurricane

    - 7 Jul 1942, the propeller of her Master I N7482 was discovered to be bent after she parked it, cause unknown

    - 4 Jul 1943, she landed Master II EM329 with complete engine failure, due to the servicing cock under the port fuel tank being turned off

    - 14 Jul 1943, she failed to control the landing swing of Hudson III FH373 and damaged the port wing

    - 10 Nov 1943, the hood blew off her Spitfire VIII JG379 on take-off when she tried to close it, damaging the tailplane

     - 15 Jun 1945, forced landing in Mosquito XXX MV527 after a serious oil leak in the port engine

     

    "A good, very steady and extremely careful pilot, who has an excellent influence on the junior pilots"


    d. Mar 1980 - Cirencester

      


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

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  • Farnell, Diane Elaine (W.19)

     W.19 2nd Officer 

    Mrs Diane Elaine Farnell 

    flag england

      b. 27 Mar 1899, Hampstead, London 16 Sep-40 to 25 Mar 1942 

     diane farnell 1935 RAeC 1935  ata diane farnell ATA    

     

     née Schlesinger

    Father: Cesar Schlesinger, from "a region of Germany which is now part of Poland"

    Ed. Roedean

    changed name by deed poll (to name of step-father George Herbert, who brought her up from 1904) New

    m. 1922 in Chelsea, Ronald H Boswell, a Publisher (Messrs John Lane, Bodley Head)

    She and Ronald travelled to Argentina together in 1927, and to South Africa the following year.

    She listed her profession as "Author"; she had published books called 'Posterity - A Novel' in 1926, and 'Bull among China' in 1928.

    m. 1929 in Paddington, Robin George Westbury Farnell (of Farnell Carbons Ltd, Plumstead, London SE. The son of the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford. His first wife Dorothy [Coode] d. 1926)

    3 children (David (Boswell) b. 1923, Martin (Boswell) b. 1926, Michael (Farnell) b. 1928)

    Address in 1935-1940: Idleigh Court, Meopham, Kent

    In 1940 she said she lost contact with her father "about 15 years ago - now dead" [Cesar "spent the last 20 years of his life equally shared 6 months at a time between South Africa and the UK"]


    ata diane farnell uniform

    3 accidents, 2 her fault:

    - 22 Feb 1941, when she misjudged an approach in her Puss Moth;

    - 11 Dec 1941, her Wicko nosed over after misuse of brakes while landing

    - 22 Feb 1942, the engine of her Magister backfired when the airscrew was being swung.

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]

     Images via Nicholas Farnell


     d. 14 Apr 1995 - Sedbury, Tidenham, Glos


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Farquhar, Marjorie June (W.159)

     W.159  3rd Officer Miss Marjorie 'June' Farquhar 
     flag england b. 28 Jul 1921, London  21 Feb-44 to Sep-45 

     marjorie farquhar 1945  RAeC 1945

       (r) with Edith Beaumont    

     

    Rather: Capt. Arthur Farquhar, of Town Farm, Aldbury, nr Tring, Herts

    Ed. "Private and Finishing Schools", Francis Holland (London) and Chateau Mont Choisi, Lausanne

      With the Hertfordshire Hunt in 1940

    prev: VAD,; from Oct 1941 WAAF


    (c) with Edith Beaumont and Lettice Curtis

     

    One accident: 

    - 26 Aug 1944, she was commended for a forced landing in Magister L8054 after engine failure

     

    Gained her RAeC 'A' Certificate No 20491 as part of the ATA 'Wings' scheme on 3 Aug 1945

     Address in 1945: 49 Milverton Rd, London NW1


     Mrs Cole from 1946, as reported by the Bucks Herald on 14 June;

    "MARRIAGE OF MAJOR C. B. COLE AND MISS M. J. FARQUHAR

    The wedding took place between Major Charles Brian Cole and Miss Marjorie June Farquhar at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Aldbury, on Friday.

    The bride, younger daughter of Captain and Mrs Farquhar, of Town Farm, Aldbury, was given away by her father. The reception was held at “Hawkwell”, a Tring residence owned by the bride’s parents, and which is at present largely occupied by farm workers of the H.W.A.C. About 275 guests were present, and refreshments were served under a marquee, set up on the lawns of the house, the sunshine on the day making possible the use of the lovely garden. After the cake was cut, the health of the bride and groom was proposed by Mr. E. J. Gilbert, an old friend of the family. The best man, Capt. Michael Charlesworth, R.A., answered the bridegroom’s toast on behalf of the bridesmaids.

    Major and Mrs. Brian Cole later left by car for Marlow, where they spent the week end at the hotel where they first privately celebrated their engagement, five-and-a-half years ago.

    On returning from their honeymoon, they will live in London, at least until the bridegroom leaves the War Office, where he is at present employed.

    During the war the bride was in the W.A.A.F., doing radar work, but, later, became one of the twelve out of five thousand successful volunteer applicants for A.T.A. [I wonder where they got that from?]

    As a ferry pilot she flew all types of fighter and torpedo planes all over the British Isles. Her father and mother, both Canadians, liked and stayed in England after the Great War, in which Capt. Farquhar served in the R.F.C. They first came to Ivinghoe 18 years ago for weekend riding, and it was then that Capt. Farquhar became known as the 'fairy godfather' for the pennies he distributed to the children who presented themselves with clean faces. He came to live in Aldbury about 10 years ago.

    The bridegroom, third son of the late Mr. Charles Phillips Cole and Mrs. Cole, of Tring, was studying architecture with his father at the Berkhamsted office of Messrs, W. Brown and Co. when war broke out. He was then embodied with the Hertfordshire Regiment, and in 1941 he went to India, where, after attending Staff College, he served on the staff of an Indian Beach Group. He was mentioned in despatches, and at the cessation of hostilities with Japan was a Lt.-Col. on the Q. Staff of the 14th Army.

    It will be remembered that in April, 1945, the elder sister of the bride was married at Tring to the oldest brother of the bridegroom, Mr. Richard Cole."

     

    At an ATA Reunion c.2011

    d. 13 Sep 2017

    Her son kindly tells me that  "Whilst serving in the WAAF she was engaged then on secret work with radar, directing allied aircraft to targets deep in Germany. She always chuckled about leaving the WAAF to join the ATA. Apparently the only reason to be allowed to opt out was due to pregnancy, but my mother managed to wangle it (without pregnancy!) to join the ATA. I think her father's contacts helped pull strings, as he had been a Royal Naval Air Service Captain in the Great War.

     I have been looking at her Pilot Log Book, and give a summary of her flying service below. For the record it was signed off by EP Lane, Flt?Captain and Adjutant of No 1 Ferry Pool ATA.

    Summary of Aircraft Flown between 28.3.44 to 21.9.45

    Total hours 343.55

    Aircraft

    Dual

    Pilot

    Magister

    32.20

    72.05

    Tiger Moth

    1.40

    25.00

    Proctor

    26.20

    29.40

    Harvard

    11.15

    18.55

    Fairchild

    4.50

    75.45

    Spitfire

     

    14.35

    Swordfish

     

    5.30

    Firefly

     

    8.05

    Martinet

     

    2.45

    Master

     

    1.10

    Seafire

     

    .55

    Hurricane

     

    .30

    Barracuda

     

    3.00

    Tempest

     

    .55

    Auster

     

    9.40

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Farquharson, Roderick Ayscough Fraser

     M.--- First Officer  Roderick Ayscough Fraser Farquharson 

    flag UK

     b. 26 Aug 1908, Peradeniya, Ceylon  20 Sep 1939 to 4 May 1940 


      ata roderick farquharson 1929      

     

    A descendant of Henry VII

    prev. A Tea Planter

    m. 1936 in Liverpool, Joan Staveley [Boumphrey], 2 children (Gail b. 1946 and Gordon b. 1949)

    Joan also gained a pilot's certificate in Ceylon, in 1939:

     

    Owned G-ADJN, a 1935 BA Swallow 2, which he wrote off in an accident at Lympne in September 1940.

    His younger brother, George Evelyn Farquharson, married Joan Ursula Newnham 'Jill' Rees, who was later an MT Driver in the ATA, in 1940.


    Postings:

     


    Left the ATA to join the RAF - Pilot Officer from 6 May 1940, Flying Officer from 6 May 1941.

    AFC in January 1944 (when he was a Flt-Lt with No 46 Maintenance Unit, RAFVR)

    A Squadron Leader by 1946, when he and J.P. Obeysekara both flew Austers from the UK to Ceylon.

    Emigrated to Rhodesia in 1958

    d. 25 Oct 1984 - Hillcrest, Natal, South Africa

     

  • Farr, Virginia (W.65)

     W.65  First Officer Virginia 'Ginny' or 'Ginna' Farr 
     flag usa    b. 15 Nov 1918, Groton MA 10 Feb-42 to 5 Jun-45 

     Virginia Farr

     ata virginia farr 1942  ata virginia farr 1942  

     

     Ed. Chatham Hall High School, VA

    prev: Flight Instructor (Bennett Airport, NJ)

    prev. exp. 300 hrs

    She made a five-month tour of Europe with two friends between March and August 1939, and said afterwards that "in travelling through Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Holland [she] noticed that the residents 'scoff' at threats of war, go about their business as usual and believe themselves in no imminent danger."

     Address in 1942: 572 Prospect Ave, West Orange, NJ (grandmother's house)

     She met Eleanor Roosevelt in October 1942, who complimented her on her "trim appearance."

    Off sick from 7 Oct to 3 Nov 1942 with influenza

    Suspended for 1 day in July 1943 for turning and taxying down the runway in use.

    vivien jeffery 1939 Vivien Jeffery in 1939

    In 1979. "Virginia and her English friend and partner Vivien Jeffery, the [former ATA] Operations Officer, live on a ranch in California and raise cattle, Siberian Huskies and Welsh Corgis."

    d. 1988

    buried  Essex County, NJ

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Faunthorpe, Diana (W.157)

     W.157  3rd Officer Diana Faunthorpe 
     flag england b. 2 Mar 1920, Beaminster, Dorset  21 Feb-44 to Sep-45 

     in 1944

         

     

    Mother: Alice Overton [Wills], Father Bertram Platt Faunthorp (d. 1949)

    Ed,. Prior's Field School, Guildford; in 1935 she was a member of the choir, the lacrosse team ("Faunthorpe is a useful member of the team as she can play defence or attack, but must try to gain more speed") and the tennis team, and competed in the high jump and the hurdle race.

    Address in 1938: Greystones, Enton Green, Godalming, Surrey

    Sailed, with her mother, to Montevideo, Uruguay in Aug-Dec 1938

    prev. a WAAF plotter, RAF Fighter Command


     "Of the fifteen different aircraft types she ferried for the ATA (the Spitfire was her favourite) she received instruction on only four." The Times, 2010


    Address in 1947: Bramshott Cottage, Wilmer Lane, Liphook, Surrey

    Sailed to Kenya in September 1947, intending to settle there and giving her profession as a 'Child's Nurse'.

    She then met and married Henry James Hamilton 'Jim' Home, a psychoanalyst based in the Sudan, and they returned to the UK together in 1950. (Marriage dissolved), 3 children [1 son, Jennifer, and Jessica].

    Retired to Totners, Devon where she "painted and learnt glass engraving".

    d. 27 Mar 2010 (age 90)

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fellows, George Bruce Stewart

     M.368 *  First Officer George Bruce Stewart Fellows 
    flag UK    b. 24 Aug 1909, Mysore India 12 Apr 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

    ata george fellows 1932 1932 

      ATAM    

     

    prev. an engineer

     


    d. 15 Jul 1979 - Torremolinos, Spain

    ata george fellows grave "Hail to the blithe spirit"

    buried Cementerio Inglés de Málaga

  • Fenwick, Joyce Ann (W.152)

     W.152 3rd Officer  Joyce Ann Fenwick 
     flag england b. 3 Mar 1918, Southampton 21 Feb 1944 to Apr 1945 

     W152 Fenwick Joyce  ATA

       WwW    

     

     Mother: [Donald], from Edinburgh

    Prev. WAAF from Jun 1942, stationed at RAF Ailton


    Ab initio pilot

    Postings: 7FPP

    m. Sep 1944 John de Winton 'Johnnie' Tharp, also of the ATA.

    ata john de winton tharp 1945

    "Flying Romance

    There was a wedding in Old Bosham Church on Tuesday, which was the culmination of a war time flying romance, when Third Officer John Tharp, of the A.T.A., married Cadet Joyce Fenwick, also of the A.T.A. They are both pilots and ferry aircraft.

    John Tharp is the second son of Mr. Charles Tharp, the well-known portrait painter, who has made his home in Old Bosham since the war, and whose beautiful picutres, portraits and landscapes are hanging in the Anchor Inn. Charles Tharp was at The Slade School of Art with Sir William Orpen and Augustus John, and has had many pictures hung in the Royal Academy. 

    John Tharp was in the First Parachute Battalion formed in the early days of the war, but injured his back doing a jump, and was invalided out. Later he joined the A.T.A. 

    The bride was given away by Third Officer John Gilbert, A.T.A. pilot, and her sister Marjorie Fenwick, was bridesmaid. The best man was Hugh Stewart, B.B.C. producer. The Rev. A. L. Chatficld officiated. Mrs. Turvey. the bridegroom’s sister, made the wedding cake, and decorated the church with the help of Third Officer (Mrs.) Bannister, another A.T.A. pilot. A delicious tea for 30 people was provided by Mrs. Leather at The Grange. Mr. Graham Tharp, who is a film producer for M.o.I., did a lot of work as M.C., and Mrs. Diana Britton did “billeting officer,” finding bed and accommodation for numerous guests, not an easy thing to do these days. After spending a night in Bosham, the happy couple left for the Scilly Isles to spend their honeymoon. " - Chichester Observer - Saturday 16 September 1944

     2 accidents, one her fault:

    - 2 Dec 1944, a heavy landing in Spitfire V X4280, breaking the port undercarriage and wing

    - 24 Feb 1945, her Argus I EV803 was hit whilst taxying, by Ida van Zenten in Argus FK337

     

     "She left ATA in April 1945, owing to a rather unexpected pregnancy that was only discovered when she went to the sick bay complaining of nausea" - WAAF with Wings


    They moved to Kenya, but John appears to have died in an air accident in Tanganyika, 20 Jul 1951 - see Accident Avro Anson Mk I VP-KHT, 20 Jul 1951 (aviation-safety.net)

     Joyce and her daughter Gilian Carol, aged 8, sailed from Mozambique back to the UK in September 1954 to visit her mother in Edinburgh, then returned to Kenya, where they lived until they returned to the UK in 1962 before going to Fiji. 

     

    m. c.1956 Maj. Kenneth Spicer Few (a lawyer who had been a PoW of the Japanese after the fall of Singapore, from Feb 1942 to 2 Sep 1945) (d. 1975)

    They, together with daughter Sara (b. 21 Jun 1957), sailed to the UK from Kenya in Feb 1959, and back in Jun 1959, for four months. He is listed as a "Resident Magistrate"

     

    d. 20 Dec 1973 - Cambridge

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.jpg):download grey

  • Ferguson, Alexander Dickie

     M.455  First Officer Alexander Dickie Ferguson 

    flag scotland

      b.3 Nov 1912, Glasgow  1 May 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

     

         

     

    Educated at Fettes College, Cranwell College

    RAF Pilot Officer Sep-31 to Apr-34, 111(F) Sqn RAF Hornchurch flying Siskins and Bulldogs

    m. 1943 Denise Germaine [Dartnall] in Maidenhead

    an Instructor in Air Navigation, for Air Schools Ltd.

    Address in 1941: 26 Weymouth Mews, Weymouth St., London N1


    Postings: 6FPP, 3FPP, 4aFPP, 4FPP 5FPP, and AFTS as instructor

    "An excellent officer and reliable pilot", but developed "a rather worrying disposition and would probably overcome this if he mixed more with his collleagues."


    d. 3 Apr 1986 - Bournemouth, Hants

    "Elder son of the late Professor and Mrs A R Ferguson of Cairo and Edinburgh and father of Christopher." The Times [actually Christian A J Ferguson, b. 1947]


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Ferguson, Irene Joy (W.113)

     W.113 2nd Officer   Irene Joy Ferguson
     flag NI  b. 30 Oct 1915, Lurgan, Co. Armargh 1 May-43 to Oct-45 

     

    irene ferguson 1939  RAeC 1939

     

    W113 Ferguson Irene  ATA

       

     

     prev: Electrical Showroom Attendant, then a Technical Civil Servant in the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP)

    Address in 1943: Langham House, 89 Hide Rd, Harrow



     Postings include: 7FPP, 15FPP

    2 accidents, neither her fault:

    - 3 Nov 1943, forced landing after engine failure in Swordfish NE862,

    - 12 Dec 1944, another forced landing, in Argus I LV804 after loss of elevator control

     


    Mr Jonathan Ferguson from 1958

    The Times, Saturday, Jan 11, 1958:

    "FERGUSON - The register containing particulars of the birth of Irene Joy Ferguson, of Holden Rd, London, N.12, has been corrected to read 'male' instead of 'female' and 'Jonathan' instead of 'Irene Joy'. (Signed) Jonathan Ferguson."

    and on Jan 13:

    "Change of sex by woman pilot

    Ministry Employee

    Miss Irene Joy Ferguson, a wartime ferry pilot now employed by the Ministry of Supply, stated at the weekend that she had undergone a change of sex and would in future be known as Jonathan Ferguson. The register containing particulars of birth have been amended.

    Mr. Ferguson, of Holden Rd, North Finchley, Middlesex, is aged 40. He joined the Ministry of Supply in 1941 and is a chief experimental officer employed on aircraft research and development. It is understood that the alteration to the birth certificate will not affect his employment in the Ministry.

    From May 1943 to October 1945 he - as a woman - was a ferry pilot in the Air Transport Auxiliary and held a commission for five years after the war in the W.R.A.F.V.R. (flying list).

    Mr Ferguson flew about 1,000 hours as a ferry pilot and after the war became - still as a woman - adviser to the air section of the Girl Guides Association."

    31 May 1974  - Bracknell, Berks

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Ffrench, Patrick


     M.630  First Officer Patrick Ffrench 
     flag england   b. 2 Mar 1907, London  6 Aug 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

     ata patrick ffrench 1938 1938

       ATAM    

     

    Father Nicholas George Ffrench

    Ed. Surbiton Grammar School. Cert. AIB (Banking)

    m. 1930 Esther [Jones], 1 son John b. 1935

    prev. a Bank Cashier, then Home Guard private Jul-40 to Aug-41

    Address in 1941: "Chelsey", Weston Green Rd, Thames Ditton


    Postings: 5FPP, 16FPP, RNAS Arbroath (Jun-Jul 1943), 1FPP, 9FPP, 2FPP, 7FPP, 3FPP

    He had a spectacular accident on 31 May 1943; his Hudson III "swung first to port and violently to starboard during take-off and just after leaving ground, port wing dropped. The aircraft cartwheeled and was destroyed." He was held to blame but, luckily, uninjured.

     "A well-behaved, smart and conscientious officer and a safe, average pilot. Had very little experience prior to joining ATA and is rather retiring and a trifle under-confident."

    "A keen and hard-working pilot. He has made good progress throughout"


    d. Apr 2003 - Surrey

     


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  • Fields, Herbert Roy

     M.--- First Officer  Herbert Roy Fields 
    flag england b. 26 Jul 1901, Hull  11 Sep 1939 to Aug-40 

      

    ata herbert fields 

    1929

     ata herbert fields 2 1936

      ATAM

    Jun 1940

     

     

    a Garage Proprietor in Hull in 1929;

    a Company Director in Dunswell E Yorks in 1936


    miles master bw

    d. 4 Aug 1940 (Died in ATA Service) - Miles Master flew into hill in fog and crashed at Burnhead Tweedsmuir Peebles

    Buried Maidenhead Cemetery:

     "To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die"


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Firby, Geoffrey Maurice

     M.557  First Officer Geoffrey Maurice Firby 
     flag england  b. 21 Sep 1910, Bradford  10 Jun 1941 to 5 Feb 1944 

     ata geoffrey firby 1938 1938

     ata geoffrey firby ATA    

     

    Father: George Firby, Mother Annie

    Ed. Bradford Moor, Ansons Secondary School

    m. 3 Jan 1944 Doris [Watmough] S.R.N.

    prev. a Haulage Contractor (Own business)

    prev. exp. 57 hrs on Gipsy Moth

    Address in 1941: 4 Dundas St., Bradford


    Postings: 7FPP, 6FPP

    Jan-42: Suspended without pay for 7 days and promotion deferred for 3 months for being "AWOL at Christmas 1941 & submitting a false report."

    "A hard working and safe pilot, but who is inclined to be irresponsible."


    janes anson

    d. 5 Feb 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Avro Anson W4945 which disintegrated in the air, crashed between Newsham Hall and Walkers Farm, Winston, Darlington and was destroyed.

    "Investigations showed that the starboard aileron was struck in flight by a fast moving metal object such as the propeller of another aircraft. This caused dislocation of aileron hinges & subsequent disintegration of the starboard wing. In this connection two Spitfires were observed manoeuvering around the Anson just before the crash. One was reported to have descended and circled the wreckage after the crash."

    See also http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/aircraft/yorkshire/york43/fr172.html

    Buried at Undercliffe Cemetery, Bradford

    He had only been married 33 days and hadn't informed the ATA, which meant that the insurance money of £2,000 was paid to his nominated next-of-kin, his mother Annie. She agreed to pass on £675 to his widow Doris, who also inherited Geoffrey's estate of £201.

    A daughter Christine was born in March 1944 but died shortly afterwards.

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fish, Eleanor Dorothy (W.122)

     W.122  3rd Officer  Eleanor Dorothy 'Beanie' Fish
     flag england   b. 15 Oct 1917, Nottingham 1 Jun 1943 to 30 Sep 1945 

     dorothy fish ATA

     

    ata eleanor fish ATA

       

     

    Father: George Fish (a Master Butler); mother: Dorothy

    Ed. Nottingham High School and RIBA, London

    prev: Architect (Eberlin and Derbyshire Architects), then architectural assistant for the ATA from Jan 1942

    Address in 1943: 14 Vivian Ave, Nottingham


    Ab initio trainee

    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP, 12FPP, 6FPP

    2 accidents, 1 her fault:

    - 2 Dec 1944, a forced landing in Argus I FK345 after engine failure

    - 12 Dec 1944, flying Spitfire IX TA780, she was reprimanded when she "persisted in landing well up the runway, knowing there was another aircraft in front of her. She collided with this other aircraft and was held to blame by the Accidents Committee"


    m. Sep 1945 in Nottingham, 3rd Officer (Flt-Eng) Bernard K Wadsworth, also of the ATA

     ata dorothy wadsworth 2019 2019

     

    d. 21 Dec 2020, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fisher, Everitt

     M.--- 2nd Officer  Everitt Fisher 

    flag usa

     b. 15 Jan 1899, New Jersey  3 Aug 1940 to 12 Sep 1940 

      ata everitt fisher 1931      

     

    Volunteered in 1916, a year before America entered WWI, to go to France as an ambulance driver and stretcher bearer:

    "He worked his way across the Atlantic, paid all his expenses for uniforms, had trouble wioth the customs officials in France, but finally got to the front lines where he remained until an exploding shell at Verdun caused hime to return to the United States." Tampa Bay Times, 2 Aug 1931

    In 1931, Chief Instructor for the St. Petersburg Aeronautic Association, Florida. 

     

  • Fisher, John Charles

     M.347 First Officer  John Charles Fisher 
    flag england  b. 6 May 1918, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs  30 Mar 1941 to Mar-42 

     

    ata john fisher

    ATA

         

     

    a Sergeant Pilot in the RAFVR from Apr-39 to Jan-41; exp. 120 hrs. He was discharged - "unable to complete course following a night crash."

    prev. an insurance agent

    He proved himself a "quiet, steady and conscientious officer", but had a couple of accidents during his short ATA career; on 25 October 1941 he taxied a Swordfish "carelessly" into a parked Piper Cub, and the following January he suffered head injuries in a forced landing in a Mohawk after engine failure.

    His third accident, sadly, proved fatal.

    janes airspeed oxford

    d. 15 Mar 1942 (Died in ATA Service) - Oxford X7190 crashed into ground 300' above sea level nr Wigtown. He was deemed to be 'at fault' as he persisted too far in bad weather, "of which the forecast he received gave him warning."

     The wreckage was not discovered for 3 days, and the sketch map below shows its location:

    ata john fisher crash site

    He was buried in Newcastle-under-Lyme Cemetery. His parents took some flowers to his grave in September 1943 and were sorry to see a wooden cross had been put there by the ATA, despite his parents having erected a stone memorial the previous November. The wooden cross was later removed.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fisk, Thomas Maxwell

     M.947 2nd Officer  Thomas Maxwell Fisk 
      b. 9 Jun 1919, Sydney, Australia 18 May 1943 to 25 Jun 1944 

       ATA

       Australian War Memorial    

     Father: Sir Ernest Thomas Fisk FRSA. 16 Beaconsfield Terrace, Lindfield, Sydney, Australia [Director General of Economic Development, and a former Secretary to the Economic Cabinet, in Australia] - see https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fisk-sir-ernest-thomas-6177

    Ed. Geelong, Australia

    prev. a University Student, then an Engineer Officer on board SS "Queen Mary" [Jan-Jun 1942] then SS "Queen Elizabeth"

    prev. exp. 10hrs on Gipsy Moth - failed RAF entrance due to his eyesight


    Postings: 5TFPP, 4FPP, 1FPP, 83 GSU (Seconded for 1 week)

     In October 1943, he and fellow Australian pilot Ian Llewellyn asked for, and were given, permission to wear 'Australia' on their uniforms. "We have lived in Australia all our lives and arrived in this country early this year."

     


     

    d. 25 Jun 1944  in Mustang III FB348 which crashed near Petworth, W. Sussex. "...the pilot was executing violent manoevres near the ground, probably resulting in a high speed stall. The aircraft then spun to the left and crashed."

    Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium; his ashes were scattered from DH Rapide X7417 over White Waltham Airfield on 8 July 1944. Ian Llewellyn and Flt-Sgt Pollard flew as passengers, with Capt. Herbert Mason as the pilot.

      


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey 

  • Fitzgerald, Derek Lionel William

     M.397 * First Officer   Derek Lionel William Fitzgerald
    flag england b. 21 Jun 1918, South Stoneham, Hants  6 May 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

      ATAM

         

     


    Postings include: 1FPP, 8FPP, 16FPP

     

    3 accidents, 2 his fault:

    - 24 Apr 1942,  he forgot to lower his undercarriage in Hurricane BP517 after being baulked on his original approach

    - 26 Sep 1942, he taxied Hurricane IIb JS303 into a petrol tanker, breaking the propeller

    - 26 Nov 1942, he failed to control the take-off swing in Wellington X HE388 and hit an obstruction, due to being directed to the wrong runway.

     


    m. 1946 in Maidenhead, Jessie H [Wilson]

     

    d. 1996, Winchester, Hants


    * File not seen

  • Fitzgerald, Jack

     M.298 First Officer   Jack Fitzgerald
     flag usa b. 10 Jul 1915, Bagwell TX  23 Jan 1941 to Jan-42 

     ata jack fitzgerald AR

      ATAM    

     

    Educated at Paris Junior College then Texas Technology College.

    prev. An airline pilot for Braniff, and 18 months at Odena Flying School at Odessa, Dalton, Texas

    prev. exp. 800hrs


    Postings: 6FPP, 15FPP

    Oct-41: "A most capable pilot, who now seems to have settled down and is doing a good job of work."


    In 1971 the Abilene Reporter said, "Jack, the fifth son of the six 'Flying Fitzgeralds', was being honored by American Air lines in Los Angeles for his 25 years with American. Jack like [his brother] Glenn attended Texas Tech and learned to fly at an early age. He was a pilot for American Air lines [sic] by the time he was 20. During the war he served in the airlines military operation for the Air Transport Command in India. He also flew supplies from San Francisco during the Tokyo Airlift.

    Jack lives in Los Altos, Calif., with his wife Betty and four children. Betty is a former airline stewardess. Today he is based in New York, from where he flies 747s."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Fletcher, Silas Harwood Cash

     M.---- *  First Officer Silas Harwood Cash Fletcher 
     flag england  b. 14 Feb 1915, Mansfield, Notts 22 Oct 1940 to 31 Mar 1941

     

         

     

     Father: John Harwood Cash Fletcher (2nd Lieut., Nottinghamsire and Derbyshire Regiment, d. 1 Jul 1916); 

       IWM

    Mother: Alice Maud [Fisher, later Field]

     prev. a chauffeur for "Mr. Butlin in Skegness", Commercial Traveller (Radio and Elecrical); Sergeant Pilot, RAFVR

    Address in 1939: 39 Millicent Rd, West Bridgford, Nottingham


     Postings:

     'Invalided from the service'


     m. 7 Oct 1944 in Nottingham, Moyra Angela [O'Mullane]

    m. 1958 Susan Mary [Ashford]

     Harwood Fletcher Ltd, "Britain's largest distibutor of domestic appliance spare parts to the electrical wholesale industry", was based in Nottingham in the 1980s

     

     d. 11 Dec 1989 - Waltham-on-Thames, Surrey, leaving £546,640


    * ATA file not seen

  • Fogelberg, Kenneth Walter

     M.556 First Officer  Kenneth Walter Fogelberg 

    flag usa

     b. 25 Nov 1914, Chicago IL  22 May 1941 to 21 May 1942

     

         

     

    Father: Wilfred Fogelberg (Swedish, naturalised American); Mother Ida Olsen

    Had a sister, Ella M Johnson

    Ed. Lake View High School, Chicago (4 yr Diploma)

    m. 1941 Jeslyn Margaretha [Stark, d. 2013]; 3 children post 1941

    Jeslyn Stark in 1940 Jeslyn in 1940

    prev. own laundry business, and aviation charter work.

    prev. exp 740 hrs

    Address in 1941: 922 Gordon Terrace, Chicago, IL

    [His brother-in-law Elwood Walmsley was in the ATA from Feb-41 to Jan-42; he was married to Jeslyn's sister Laverne.]


    Postings: 1FPP

    Offf sick from 30 Sep to 14 Nov 1941 with 'post trauma debility', after he stalled and undershot a landing in a Hurricane.

    "A keen and hard-working pilot. Flying ability above average."

    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.


    From 1956  he ran a store selling "childrens wear, toys, and juvenile furniture" in the Eden's Plaza Shopping Center, Wilmette, Chicago.  

     d. Apr 1967 - Chicago

    buried Mount Olive Cemetery


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  • Fontes, Luis Goncelvis

     M.--- First Officer  Luis Goncelvis Fontes 

    flag england

     b. 20 Dec 1912, London  1 May 1940 to Oct-40 

      

    ata luis fontes 1938

    1938

       ATAM    

     

    Father Brazilian, mother English

    Racing driver [1935 Le Mans winner] and sometime jailbird [spent 3 years in jail - convicted of manslaughter having killed a motorcyclist in a car accident whilst drunk]. Operated a speedboat firm in Torquay.

    Owned:

    1935 Miles Hawk Speed Six G-ADGP G-ADGP Miles Hawk Speed Six Luis Fontes 3

    and

    1938 B A Eagle 2 G-AFKH G AFKH Tommy Rose 0129 0039

    luis and ruth fontes

    with his sister Ruth, King's Cup 1935


     janes wellington

    d. 12 Oct 1940 (Died in ATA Service) - while circling to land at Llandow, his Wellington R1156 struck a telegraph pole in Llysworney during a second circuit and crashed into a bank.

    Buried Mapledurham, Oxfordshire

    King's Cup in 1935, 1938 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Forbes, Dorothy Joyce (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet   Dorothy Joyce Forbes
     flag scotland  b. 15 Nov 1915, Dundee  1 May to 29 Jul 1943

     

         

     

    Father: Henry Nelmes Forbes, mother: Elsie Kathleen [Smith]

    prev: Welfare Supervisor for British Industrial Plastics

    prev exp: 3hrs

    Address in 1939: 369 Hagley Rd, Edgebaston, Birmingham


    1 Accident:

    - 29 Jun 1943, a forced landing after engine failure in a Magister

     

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     

     d. 22 Mar 1967 - Edinburgh


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Forbes, Ian Archibald

     M.664 First Officer  Ian Archibald Forbes 
     flag england +flag usa  b. 29 Nov 1919, Oxted, Surrey 30 Sep 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata ian forbes 1937 1937

     ata ian forbes ATA    

     

    Father: James Grant Forbes II (d. 1955) Mother: Margaret [Winthrop] (both American)

    Margaret was a descendant of John Winthrop, one of the leading figures in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1630s,

    His mother inherited €100,000 from her aunt Ida Means Mason, who died in 1928 in Boston, Mass., and then €75,000 "and personal effects" from another aunt, Ida's sister Miss Ellen F Mason, who died in 1929 in Newport, RI. The remainder of Ellen's €5,000,000 went into a charitable trust, the money to be distributed within 21 years of the death of the last of Margaret's children. His father James Grant Forbes was named Trustee of a fund of €300,000 (€150,000 each from Ida and Ellen) for his children's education "and comfortable support".

    Ed. Eton, Trinity College Cambridge

    5ft 11in, brown hair

    Address in 1937: Little Plumyard, Seven Hills Rd, Cobham, Surrey

    prev. in 1939 a Student of Music (changed his mind) Economics in Kensington

    He traveled to the USA in June 1939 on the 'Queen Mary' and was listed as an American "by virtue of his father's citizenship."

    Address in 1941: (Mother's address) 43 Swan Court, Manor St, Chelsea, London

     m. Oct 1941 Phoebe V Thomas in Marylebone, Middlesex

     Off sick from 21 Feb to 21 Mar 1943 

    1 accident, not his fault:

    - 4 Aug 1944, during the take-off run in a Hudson at White Waltham, the port tyre burst. He "completed the take-off, noticed that the tyre was apparently loose and wobbling, and therefore decided to execute a belly landing."

    Address in 1947: Friary Lodge, Old Windsor, Berks

     His mother Margaret died in 1970 aged 91, at her home in St Briac, France, leaving 11 children (including his sister Rosemary, the mother of John Forbes Kerry (68th US Secretary of State and Democratic Nominee for President, 2004) and Mme Alain Lalonde), 30 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

    John F Kerry visited the Forbes' family estate at Les Essarts, near St-Briac-sur-Mer, on several occasions:

    "In his youth, Kerry joined the family gatherings while his father, a U.S. diplomat, was posted in Europe. Young Kerry also attended a Swiss boarding school and brought a touch of America to this corner of northwestern France.

    "He introduced us to games like capture the flag. We still play something called kick the can," said [John's cousin] Brice Lalonde, who at 58 is two years Kerry's junior.

    Walking along a beach where Kerry and his cousins once played, Lalonde talked about their summers of swimming, cycling and tennis.

    "We would take boats and go to islands and have a picnic. We'd go shrimping and have them cooked up in the kitchen," he said.

    It was in Saint Briac, or nearby, that Kerry's parents met, when his father, Richard Kerry, was traveling in Europe before World War II.

    During the war, the Nazis occupied Les Essarts and then destroyed it when they left. A family reunion was held last summer [2003] to mark the 50th anniversary of the home's reconstruction, but Kerry didn't attend.

    Kerry told The New Yorker magazine that seeing the aftermath of the war in Europe kindled his interest in politics.

    "My very first memory — I was 3 years old — is holding my mother's hand and she was crying... as we walked through the broken glass and rubble of her childhood house in France, which the Germans had used as a headquarters and then bombed and burned as they left," Kerry was quoted as saying." - Fox News, 29 Mar 2004

    Ian Forbes lived at the rebuilt Les Essarts in 2004.

     d. 2015

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Ford, Suzanne (W.76)

     W.76  First Officer Suzanne 'Sue' Ford 
     flag usa   b. 2 Apr 1915, Morristown NJ  14 Apr-42 to Oct-45

     

    W076 Ford Suzanne 

    ATA

         

     

     

    nee Humphreys

    Father: Landon Humphreys

    Ed. Somerset Hills School, Far Hills NJ, and Westover School, Connecticut

    At Westover, she was a member of the basketball, field hockey, track and high jumping teams and "is an excellent rifle shot. She is an expert horsewoman and has followed the Essex Fox Hounds regularly."

    Learnt to fly in 1931 and entered the National Air Pageant in 1933, and All American Air Races in Jan 1934

    m. 1936 Frederick Ward Ford from Morristown (divorced c.1947)

    ata suzanne humphreys marriage 1936

    "Smiling happily, Mr and Mrs Frederick Ward Ford march down the aisle of the chapel of Somerset Hills School"

    prev. exp. 400 hrs

    Address in 1942: 2 East 8th St, New York

    Travelled to Bristol from Halifax, NS on the SS Tetela with Grace Stevenson, Virginia Garst and Hazel Raines, arriving 11 May 1942.

    m. 1948 Peter Rafael de Florez

    Later headed her family's pharmaceutical business (The Humphreys Medicine Company, founded by her great-grandfather in 1853) in New York.

     ata suzanne de florez 1957

    d. 25 Jul 2001 - Nyack, Rockland, NY

     The company still exists, as Humphreys Pharamacal, headquartered in Connecticut - see https://www.humphreysusa.com/

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Foreman, Clyde Cecil

     M.482  First Officer Clyde Cecil Foreman 
    flag usa  b. 6 Jul 1911, Nowata OK  6 Apr 1941 to Apr-43 

     

         

     

    Address in 1941: 6340 Community Drive, Houston, TX

    prev. a private in the National Guard 165 Field Artillery, 1927-30, then charter work for the oil business - Air Activities Inc., based in Houston


    Postings: 1FPP, 14FPP

    After losing all his things on the SS Nerissa, the ATA bought him a new set, at a total cost of £89 7s 6d. It included a pipe and a watch (Second Hand):

    ata clyde foreman nerissa list (click to enlarge)

    "A good, keen and hardworking pilot who has carried out all his work most satisfactorily."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Forster, George William

     M.172  Flight Captain  George William Forster 

    flag england

    b. 26 Nov 1912, Deptford London  19 Nov 1940 to Dec-45

      ATAM      

     

    Address in 1940: 19 Ford View Rd, Stowmarket, Suffolk

    prev. RAF Sgt Pilot May-31 to Jun-40, then Pilot Officer to 30 Sep 40


    Postings: 1FPP, 3FPP

    "Exceedingly keen as a pilot and takes his duties as a Flight Captain seriously."


    d.  Apr 2002 - Greenwich, London


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Fossett, Ian Stewart

     M.407  Flight Captain Ian Stewart Fossett 

    flag england

     b. 14 May 1917, Wolverhampton 13 May 1941 to 31 Jul 1945 

     ata ian fossett 1939 1939

     ata ian fossett ATA    

     prev. a draughtsman for Bristol Aeroplane Co

    RAFVR L/AC from Sep-39 to Oct-40

    prev. exp. 52hrs

    Address in 1941: (father) Outwood, Almondsbury, Bristol

    Later: Rosemary, Imber Pk Rd, Esher, Surrey


    Postings: 16FPP, 5(T)FP, CTO

    Reprimanded in Mar-43 for a taxying accident in which his Dominie struck Pilot Officer Reinke and knocked him over, although both were held responsible.

    "This officer at all times carries out his duties and responsibilities in a very satisfactory manner."

    King's Commendation for valuable service in the air


    m. 1952 Kathleen M Kromhout Or Fraser in St Albans

    The ‘quiet and reserved’ executive aircraft sales manager of Hawker Siddeley.

    d. 27 Apr 2001 - Sootfield Green, nr Hitchin, Herts


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  • Francis, Francis

     M.318  Commander  Francis 'Frankie' Francis

    flag england

     b. 28 May 1906, London 

    18 Oct 1940 to 11 Nov 1944

     [1,485 days]


     ata frankie francis 1929 1929  

    ata frankie francis elc

    Off-duty at White Waltham [ELC]

      ATAM  

     

    Educated at Rugby and Sandhurst

    m. , 2 children

    prev. a Lieutenant in the Horse Guards, 1926-29, and a 'Director of Companies'

    Address in 1940: The Pavilion, Datchet, Bucks

    Next of Kin: Wife, c/o City Bank Farmers Trust, 22 William St, New York


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP

    On the 17th Feb 1944, he jumped out of a perfectly good Beaufort; "On encountering bad weather the pilot turned on a reciprocal course but lost sight of the ground. He then ran into severe icing conditions... he climbed over the cloud, proceeded to the vicinity of Hawarden, and when an engine started to fail through lack of petrol, headed his aircraft out to sea and abandoned it by parachute."

    "Unfortunately", as he later recounted in 'Brief Glory', "my baling out (a somewhat difficult operation) upset the trim of the aircraft, which proceeded to fly in circles round me as I descended, to my great embarrassment. However, it got on to the straight course and later plunged into the [Irish] sea as I had hoped."

    Although he was held to blame for the incident, "the measures subsequently taken by the pilot showed commendable presence of mind."

    Officer Commanding 1FPP from May-44

    [Released by mutual consent]


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Freshfield, Edwin Hanson

     

     M.236 First Officer  Edwin Hanson Freshfield 
     flag england   b. 16 May 1909, Buckland, Surrey 8 Jan 1941 to 18 May 1942 

     ata edwin freshfield 1929

         

     

    ed. Lancing College, Trinity College Cambridge M.A.

    prev. an Air Traffic Controller, attached to HQ Fighter Command Bentley Priory, 1937-date

    Order of St John

    'Slight limp left leg'

    prev. exp. 1450 hrs; owned a 1928 D.H. Moth G-EBZE from 1930 to 1932, and had flown in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His instructor at Brooklands was George Lowdell.

    His flying may have been curtailed after this incident on the 23 Mar 1932: "Animals at the Whipsnade Zoo rushed about an excited state and there was danger with elephants carrying children when an aeroplane flew low overhead, it was stated at Luton, where a summons against Edwin Freshfield, a Cambridge undergraduate, the pilot of the machine, was dismissed on payment of costs."

    Address in 1941: Glovers Farm, Reigate, Surrey

    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP (part time)

    "Keen pilot, but owing to part-time duties this officer is not seen very much."

    [Services Discontinued] 

    d. 18 Feb 1985 - Lewes, Sussex


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Friedlander, Mona Renee Vera Ernesta (W.8)

     

     

     W.8 First Officer 

    Mona Renee Vera Ernesta Friedlander 

    Mrs Forward

    flag england

     b. 2 June 1914, London  1 Jan 1940 to 24 Feb 1943 


      Mona Friedlander 1936 RAeC 1936 - Brooklands   ATA

       1939

    Bassano

     

     

    Father: Ernest Friedlander (German, naturalised 1909 - "founder and chairman of the well-known banking firm of Singer and Friedlander"). Mother: Vera(na)

    Educated 'abroad', (Vienna, Switzerland, Germany) and at the Royal School of Arts and the LSE in London (Commerce Examinations).

    5 foot 5 inches tall; hair and eyes: dark brown. Religion: Hebrew (sic). 

    Ken Waller taught her to fly

    Her uncle, V. Mansfield, was a Colonel in the British Army in WWI.

     prev. pilot for Air Taxis, Croydon, giving "5 bob joy rides"

    Mona was in the squad for the British Women's Ice Hockey teams who faced France in 1934 and 1935, but Britain lost the first and only drew the second. She was a defender, playing for her club the London Lambs; against France "probably the fastest skater on either side, and certainly the strongest".

      Playing for the 'Wembley Lionesses' in 1937 - Daily Mirror

     

    In 1938, "Airwoman Mona Friedlander, who played left-back for England. was the most dashing player on the ice. Dressed in a short black split skirt and a blue and white jersey —the England uniform—she was all over the ice, leaving a trail of devastation in her wake. Her enthusiasm led her into trouble. She was sent off twice, but made up for it by scoring two of England's goals."

     

    From 1st March 1939 to the end of November, she worked as an Army Cooperation pilot, flying in front of anti-aircraft batteries to help them with the aiming and ranging of guns and searchlights. The Sketch said "We take our hat off to Miss Mona Friedlander - for being an attractive night-flying target that no-one should miss"


    ata mona friedlander 1940 ata margot gore pn 1940

    She was then one of the 'First 8' women pilots of the ATA, joining on 1st January 1940 as a Second Officer. At the time, she had 600 hours experience, on 'most light types'.

    Postings: Hatfield, 5FPP

    She married Major Alan Forward, M.C. in June 1941; by then, she had had 3 accidents:

    - 4 Oct 1940, she failed to get the undercarriage of Oxford V3325 down and locked before landing;

    - 25 Mar 1941, she had a forced landing in Lysander P1727 when the engine failed, and

    - 29 Apr 1941, another forced landing Hawker Hind 4643, during which she collided with a cow in the field, which ended up costing the ATA £150.

    She was exonerated in all 3 accidents.

     

    Her report says "First Officer Forward is a good pilot and a hard worker. She has been unfortunate in the matter of accidents but cannot be held responsible for those she has had. On one isolated occasion she showed bad airmanship - this has not been repeated" but added (rather strangely in view of her ice hockey-playing career before the war), "Physical endurance rather below average."

    She was promoted to First Officer in May 1942, but in September hit a parked Anson when taxying a Hudson, then in October suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning in a Typhoon, remained off sick until February 1943 and then resigned.

    During her ATA career, Mona flew 32 types of aircraft up to 'Class 4' (Advanced Twin Engined), including 20hrs on Wellingtons and 10 hrs on Mosquitos. 


    post-ATA, Censor for the Ministry of Information

    Moved to Egypt. Flew one of a flight of 8 Fairchilds down to Johannesberg for £50.

    d. 24 Dec 1993 - Yeovil

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Friedlander

    IWM interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009073


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Frost, Margaret Olive (W.110)

     W.110  3rd Officer Margaret Olive 'Maggie' Frost 
     flag england  b. 26 Nov 1920, Kingston by Sea, Sussex 25 Nov 1942 to 30 Sep 1945 

     margaret frost 1942 ATA

      ATAM    

     

    Father:  Ernest Isaac Frost, a country parson; Mother, Olive Jessie [Thornton] 

    (First solo 1 Aug 1939)

    Address in 1942: The Rectory, Fulborough, Sussex

    prev: from May 1941 WRNS, HMS Forward


     Postings: 15FPP

     Off sick from 21 Dec 1943 to 8 Mar 1944 due to an appendectomy

    One accident, not her fault:

    - 5 Aug 1945, three propeller blades of her Barracuda III RJ492 were found to be chipped, reason unknown


     

    Maggie (far left) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010

     

     d. 4th August 2014 - Aberystwyth

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Frost


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fryer, Noel

     M.780  First Officer  Noel Fryer
       b. 25 Dec 1912, Newcastle on Tyne  22 Jul 1942 to 31 Oct 1945

     ata noel fryer MAMM MAMM

         

     

      


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fuller-Hall, Rosemary Lilian (W.63)

     W.63  First Officer  Rosemary Lilian Fuller-Hall
     flag england  b. 25 Jun 1919, Hampton Middx   2 Dec-41 to Jan-44

     

    rosemary fuller-hall 1939 

    RAeC 1939

     

    rosemary fuller-hall ata 

    ATA

     

    rosemary fuller-hall ata2 

    ATA

     

     

    -- Not in 'Forgotten Pilots' or 'Brief Glory' --

    Daughter of Charles Fuller-Hall.

    prev exp: 30hrs

    5' 7", slight build, fair hair, blue eyes 

    Got her RAeC certificate in 1939, became a stenographer (which I think is a sort of shorthand typist, but I could be wrong) for the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of Canada, and then was in the A.T.S. from September 1938 to February 1939.

    She is mostly interesting for the number of accidents she had :-)

    Here is the story of the ups ladder and downs snake of her ATA career :-

    - 3 May 1942: Completed Class 1 Training.  ladderPromoted to 3rd Officer (from Cadet)

    - 23 Aug 1942: Completed Class 2 Training. ladderPromoted to 2nd Officer

    - 6 Dec 1942: snake Accident to Master I N8057 at Hullavington. "Whilst taxying, the a/c skidded off perimiter track into ditch due to the pilot taxying without sufficient care on muddy surface. Pilot IS held responsible."

     - 12 Dec 1942: snake Accident to Fairchild EV774 at Hamble. "A/C overshot on landing and collided with fence due to gross error of judgement on part of pilot. Pilot is held responsible."

    - 18 Dec 1942: snakeDemoted to 3rd Offficer.

    - 21 Dec 1942: Back to School. "A good average pilot whose flying is quite satisfactory. Her recent accidents have apparently little or no connection with her flying skill, but seem to be purely a question of carelessness. " [That's all right, then].

    - 1 Feb 1943:  ladderPromoted to 2nd Officer (again).

    - 15 Mar 1943: snakeAccident to Mustang I. "Tail wheel punctured & tyre fell off on take off. Pilot is not responsible for accident." [phew].

    - 20 Apr 1943: Completed Class 3 Training. "A hard working pilot of average ability whose flying is quite sound but she must pay very particular attention to her airmanship."

    - 30 Apr 1943:  snake Accident to Barracuda P9740. "After landing undercarriage retracted. Pilot selected U/C up instead of flaps. Pilot is to blame.

    - 7 May 1943: snake Suspended 3 days with total loss of pay and warned that "another accident, for which she is held responsible, will mean termination of contract."

    - 13 Aug 1943: ladderPromoted to 1st Officer. "A keen pilot and a well-behaved officer. Her accidents are entirely due to lack of concentration."

    - 30 Sep 1943: Class 4 Training Completed. "Somewhat forgetful with cockpit drill which gives the impression of overconfidence. She should be given ample Class 4 ferrying before being considered for 4+. Average Ability."

    In Dec 1943, she married Mr Peter Pennington-Legh and resigned from the ATA.

    Total Hours ferrying: 459 hrs 15min.

    She later moved to Australia, and died there in 1984.

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Fulton, Dale Rigney

     M.574  First Officer Dale Rigney Fulton 

    flag usa

    b. 9 May 1921, Pierson Station, IL  9 May 1941 to 8 May 1942 

     

    ata dale fulton 1941

    Decatur Daily Review, 1941

         

     Father William B. Fulton, a farmer; mother Rosa B [Rigney] [d. 1969]

    prev. "Flying for Pleasure"

    prev. exp. 300hrs


    Postings: 16FPP

    "A good average pilot": "An enthusiastic pilot, steady in temperament."


    ata dale fulton 1946 Decatur Herald, 1 September 1946

    d. 11 Oct 2017, Decatur IL

    His obituary in the Decatur Herald and Review reads: "

    ata dale fulton from obituary

    Dale R Fulton, 96, of Pierson Station, IL passed away at 8:20 a.m. at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur, IL.

    At age 17 Dale's parents got him his first airplane which led to a long carreer of flying. He ferried planes from factories to fighter fields in England during the war. In 1942 he signed on with Transcontinental and Western Air, which became TWA.The company had a contract with the government to fly transport planes and they needed pilots. His mother received a draft notice, but he was already serving in the Air Transport Command. In 1946 Dale won the first place trophy at the Soho National Air Races in Cleveland, OH, his average speed was 352 mph.

    Dale went to work as an international pilot for TWA after World War II. While working he flew around the world on a monthly basis for many years. He also served as a test pilot and did engineering for TWA at their Kansas City hub. At the time of his retirement in 1981, Dale was #2 on the seniority list at TWA.

    Dale returned to the family farm full time in 1981 and continued to plant and harvest the crop yearly until retiring in late 2014.. He was on the board of directors at the State Bank of Hammond from 1981 until his passing. Dale was a very generous man who would do anything to help anyone. He loved animals and would feed any stray that came along." 

    http://www.hilligossshraderfh.com/obituary/dale-fulton


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  • Furey, Dorothy Rita (W.71)

     W.71 First Officer   Dorothy Rita Furey
     flag usa   b. 17 Dec 1918, New Orleans, LA 10 Feb-42 to 7 Jun-44 

     ATA Dorothy Furey Bragg RAFM RAFM

    Portrait by Beverley Tosh

     

    via Adam Hewitt

       

     

    Her father was a banana importer who lost everything in the Wall Street crash of 1929.

    Ed. 1yr Lousiana State University

    prev. Flight Instructor

    Address in 1942: 1424 Philip St, New Orleans, LA

    "The southern beauty packed a scarlet ballgown with her flying gear and set off for England where she put both to good use. She met and married a Canadian airman and was widowed - all in quick succession" RAF Museum

    Mrs Bragg - her husband, Pilot Officer Richard Edward Bragg, was killed 13 May 1943 hen his Halifax JB924 was shot down by a nght-fighter near the village of Wijnaldum, North Netherlands, killing 7 of the 8 crew (the 8th became a PoW). Richard and Dorothy had married in Nottinghamshire in June 1942.

    [Actually, it appears that Richard was British, born in Nuthall, Nottinghamshire, and Dorothy met him on the boat from Canada.].(My thanks to Mark Alexander-Holmes for pointing this out.)


    ata Rosemary Rees Dorothy Furey Jackie Sorour 

    Dorothy (centre) with Jackie Sorour and Rosemary Rees with Spitfire IX, August 1942 - with thanks to Adam Hewitt

    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP

    5 accidents, 3 her fault:

    - 24 Jun 1942, she taxied her Tiger Moth into another aircraft;

    - 11 Sep 1942, she had to land her Hurricane with the undercarriage up after the selector lever stuck;

    - 20 Dec 1942, she hit another stationary aircraft (a Spitfire Vc, being piloted by Mary Wilkins), while taxying, also in a Spitfire;

    - 29 Jan 1943, she discovered her Spitfire's port flap had been damged by "surface water" after landing on a grass airfield (not her fault), and

    - 27 Mar 1943, "Pilot adopted line of take-off which caused her to strike a fence, which was invisible to her from her starting point, but of which she was aware."

    Her instructor Marcus Hale described her as  "a complex character, difficult to assess fairly in writing. She obviously is a capable pilot and at times appears to be really keen, but in everything else but the actual flying from A to B she is completely undisciplined and in some ways sheerly indolent."

    "She proved a difficult pupil as she is inclined to be self willed and showed a bored attitude to the whole affair."

    Later on, "A capable pilot whose discipline whilst on ferrying duties has improved."

    Sailed to New York from Greenock in 1943, arriving 28th July, with fellow ATA pilots Virginia Farr, Ann Watson Wood, Grace Stevenson, John Yingst, Lionel Kay and Mary (Zerbel) Hooper. She then returned as supernumerary co-pilot in  Mitchell FV967, 15-21 Sep 1943.

     Off sick from 29 Dec 1943


    m. 1946 David, Earl Beatty RN, son of Admiral Beatty of WWI Jutland fame, and thus became Countess Beatty. He was  "a good soldier but a poor politician, a man of short temper and a chronic husband", she said later.

    While married to David, Dorothy had a long-standing affair with Anthony Eden, the future Prime Minister of Britain. 

    m. 1954 Abram Hewitt, a millionaire American horse breeder (d. 1987)

    She moved to Lexington, Kentucky, then in 1993 to Paris, Virginia.

     

    m. 1998 in Warren, VA, (aged 80), Kent Miller (aged 58)

      1992

    Her son Adam tells me that she called Kent her "Boy Toy, or as she put it, “My ticket to stay out of a nursing home.”

     

     ata dorothy furey 2000 Times 2000 (The Times)

    d. 9 Nov 2006 - Winchester, VA

    Her son Adam told me: "It’s interesting to read the comments of her supervisor, Marcus Hale, which I had never seen before, describing her as a complex and difficult person. She came from a gothically dysfunctional family in New Orleans and I believe she was probably bipolar all her life - undiagnosed - for that goes with what we always saw, she was either slumped in a chair somewhere completely disinterested or a roaring ball of energy, going off on a whim to places like Uzbekistan or Indonesia in her 80s!"

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Furkert, Edith Elizabeth Marie (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet  Mrs Edith Elizabeth 'Marie' Furkert
     flag nz  b. 20 Dec 1913, Wellington, NZ 30 Aug-43 to 26 Jan-44 

     

    marie furkert ATA  ATA

         

     

    née Power-Collins

    Father: Joseph

    ED. Wellington East Girls College

     NZ 'A' Licence 1933

     Aukland Museum

     

    m. 1935 Sqn Ldr Bruce R Furkert, RNZAD

    prev: Office Assistant in the Air Dept, Wellington NZ

    Address in 1943: 25 Coram St, London WC1


      [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     

    later Mrs Rogers

    d. 12 Aug 1987

    Buried Feilding CemeteryManawatu DistrictManawatū-WhanganuiNew Zealand


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gale, Thomas George Lamb

     M.56 Commander   Thomas George Lamb Gale OBE

    flag england

      b. 11 Nov 1910, Stoke Hammond, Bucks 19 Nov 1940 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata thomas gale 1945 RAeC 1945      

     

    Ed. at Berkhampstead School

    RAF [originally an appentice at Cranwell, eventually Sqn Ldr] 1927-1940; winner of the Sir Charles Wakefield Scholarship in 1930; Indian General Service Medal

    Married 1935 Helen [Cragg], 2 children

    Address in 1940: The Cottage, Wicks Lane, Shurlock, nr Reading


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP, AFTS

     Officer Commanding, ATA's Advanced Flying Training School (AFTS) from Aug-42

    "The AFTS has given excellent results for which the credit goes to Cmdr Gale. As an individual, if he were to unbend occasionally, he might get even better results from his staff and pupils." G d'Erlanger

     

    d. Dec 1956 - Colchester, Essex 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Gallery, Daniel Vincent

     M.266    Daniel Vincent Gallery Jr
     flag usa   b. 10 Jul 1901, Chicago IL  19 Feb 1941 to 9 Apr 1941

     ata david gallery ATA

         

     

    Father: Daniel; mother Mary [Onahan, d. Jan 1941]

    Ed. US Naval Academy

    m. 1920 Vera [Dunn] (3 children)

    prev. US Navy from 1917 to present

    Address in 1941: 2023 North Danville St, Arlington, VA


    Postings: Training Pool

    "Likely to be only for a few months"

    Wikipedia says "In 1941, while the U.S. was still neutral, he was assigned as the Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Great Britain. While in Britain, he earned his flight pay by ferrying Supermarine Spitfires from the factory to Royal Air Force aerodromes. He liked to claim that he was the only U.S. Navy aviator who flew Spitfires during the Battle of Britain [sic - looks like he was a bit late for that], but they were unarmed."

    Flew from Lisbon to New York in Pan Am Clipper NC-18603 on 9 Apr 1941.


    Later a Rear-Admiral; "During World War II, while Captain in command of the U.S.S. Guadalcanal in June 1944, he captured the German submarine U-505 off Cape Blanco, French West Africa. This was the first boarding and capture at sea of an enemy naval vessel since 1815. He also wrote 8 books on US Navy life in the 1940s to 1960s."

    ata david gallery grave findagrave.com

    d. 16 Jan 1977 - Bethesda, MD


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Garlow, Lee Leslie

     M.659 First Officer  Lee Leslie Garlow 
     flag usa  b. 4 Oct 1908, Pittsburg PA  8 Aug 1941 to Dec-41 

     

    ata lee garlow

    ATA

         

     

    Adopted son of Leonard L Garlow, Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Attended Tucson University in 1934-5 and was a member of the Sigma Chi social fraternity.

    Next of kin given as: "Mrs Spencer Kennelly, 677 S Bronson, Los Angeles"

    prev. Arizona and Michigan Flying Schools, then from 1930 a commercial pilot.

    prev. exp. 1419 hrs.


    Posted to 8FPP on 13 December, but got lost on one of his first ferry flights (22 December) and force-landed in Eire. See www.ww2irishaviation.com

    Joseph 'Gen' Genovese (q.v.) described him as a "tall, handsome, curly-headed fellow with a trim black mustache, who, before coming to England, had made several pictures in Hollywood", although this (as is not unusual with Mr Genovese) may be a slight exaggeration; Lee only seems to have appeared as an extra in the 1938 musical, “Start Cheering”.

    'Gen' also says that Lee had "brought the playboy spirit with him from the States, where he had been a rich man's son, a sportsman flier .. but Lee had changed after flying for the ATA for a few months. He was more serious and seemed to take a sincere pride in the work he was doing. He told me once that flying for England was the first real job he had ever had and the first honest responsibility he had ever felt."

    His instructors rated him as a "man of excellent character... a good pilot but overconfident."


     Hudson 4

    d. 26 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hudson III AE489 flew into ground nr Blacklaw Farm, 4 mi N of  Stewarton, Ayrshire, 15mi NE of Prestwick, in thick fog.

    2nd Officer David Marks (q.v.) also killed.

    It appears that Lee had taken the Hudson without proper authorisation, having altered his own paperwork (which was for a Wellington).

    Buried Monkton and Prestwick Cemetery, Prestwick, but later moved to the Cambridge American Cemetery.

    After his death, his friend Mrs Kennelly claimed to have Power of Attorney for Lee's affairs, and asked for all his belongings "including his wings if possible" to be sent to her, but to "keep such clothes of useful [sic] to others in England."

    However, it then emerged that Lee had only been informally adopted by Leonard Garlow and his wife Martha Snyder. Leonard had pre-deceased Lee, but Martha, along with Mrs Kennelly and his natural mother, Elizabeth Squires (formerly Baker) all made a claim to Lee's estate.

    His estate (including the £2,000 insurance money) was sent to the American Consulate and it took until 1946 for them to decide that all three women should be joint beneficiaries.

    With thanks to Dennis Burke for his research

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Garrett, Ruby Dwight

     M.237 *  3rd Officer Ruby Dwight Garrett Jr 

    flag usa

      b. 5 Jan 1916, Kansas City, MO 18 Mar 1941 to 2 Dec 1941 

     ata ruby garrett 1933 1933      

     

    Father: Col. Ruby D Garrett Snr, [a lawyer, Kansas City Councilman and WWI veteran, d. 1968], Mother Alma M

    Ed. University of Kansas City

    m. 24 Dec 1940 Carolyn [Stockwell] in Jackson, MO

    In 1939, "Although he has been swimming one mile a day in a local pool, Ruby D. Garrett Jr., son of a Kansas City councilman, has thirty-one pounds to lose yet before the air corps will accept him as a Randolph Field recruit. In two months, he has lost thirty-seven pounds, and now weighs 211 pounds."

    "'I'll soon be getting down to bone" he said.

    Address in 1940: Flying Cadet Detachment at Randolph Field, TX, then Parks Air College, St. Clair. IL


    Postings: 6FPP


    One accident:

    21 Nov 1941, he overshot his landing on the only (short) runway available; the brakes were inefficient on wet ground, and he hit a barbed wire fence at the end of the runway.


     After ATA, sailed back to the USA on 19 Dec 1941 with fellow ATA pilots W Hanks, F P Skillen, P Lowman, J R Holloway, G C Shreve, S C Neville, G R Heintz, and Franklyn Rule Mershon.

    A pilot for TWA from 1942.

    In 1969, "At the not particularly advanced age of 53, Ruby Garrett tired of seeing the world from 30,000 feet or so — Paris, Rome, London, Hong Kong, Saigon, etc. And so he began hauling things (including boats) at zero altitude, over highways to meet people.

    Ruby is a solidly built, balding, blue-eyed extrovert who has put in 27 years as a pilot with TWA, most recently as a captain on international flights. He presently is on medical leave from TWA and plans to retire next March."

    d. 22 Dec 1990 - Clinton, van Buren, AK

    [... and don't let anybody tell you that Ruby D Garrett was a woman ferry pilot!]


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Garrett, Sheila (W.151)

     W.151

    3rd Officer 

    Sheila A Garrett 
     flag usa - flag UK  b. 18 Nov 1916, Marionville, Missouri, USA   3 Apr-44 to Jun-45

     ATA Sheila Garrett  ATA

         

     a.k.a. Sheila Browning

    Father: Albert Alvin Garrett

    Next of Kin: Lt. Mrs. Lee G Morse (sister, aka Lynn Browning); 8500 Holloway Dr, Hollywood, CA

    sheila browning 1935 Far right, representing "Missouri" in 1935

    She appears as an uncredited extra in the 1936 movie "The Great Ziegfield" (This appears to be her only pre-WWII acting job; however, her sister Lynn Browning was signed to Warner Bros. and appeared in 11 movies between 1932 and 1940, until her career was cut short by a car accident).

    m. 28 Jun 1936 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Harry [a.k.a. Henry] Frederick Wilcoxon, an English Actor born in Dominica, BWI, [he was 30, she was 19]

    henry and sheila wilcoxon 1936 1936

    She and Henry travelled together from the UK to the USA in May 1937 on the "Queen Mary", and here they are shortly aftwerwards, "christening the old swimming hole at his Malibu Mountain Ranch [in California, and called 'Seven Oaks']":

    henry and sheila wilcoxon may 1937 The Los Angeles Times

     

    "The former Sheila Garrett, now Mrs Henry Wilcoxon, looked so good to a sheik of the Ageyli tribe that he tried to buy her from the British actor. The sheik offered 10 Pounds British, gold, three she-camels, a quantity of grain, a jewelled dagger, a prayer rug from the palace of the Emir at Mecca, and several hareem girls."

    "Sheila and Harry Wilcoxon tossed an outdoor gala at Sevenoaks Ranch. They hired a blimp to fly over and drop favors with numbered ribbons and raced a flock of pigeons back to town. Guests with ribbon numbers corresponding to the winning pigeons got prizes."

    They were divorced on 1 Jul 1937 - "An interlocutory divorce decree was granted today to Mrs Sheila Wilcoxon, known in films as Sheila Garrett. She testified that Wilcoxon always left her at home when visiting his ranch and was rude to her. Her sister, Lynn Browning, corroborated her evidence."

    So in June 1938 she sailed back from Quebec to the UK, alone, and stayed there until October 1938, returning to the USA once more on the "Queen Mary".

     Next, we find her living in France at the outbreak of WWII, and sailing back to the USA on 19 Sep 1939. In the 1940 US Census she is listed as a "Model - Dresses", renting a house in E 54th St, NYC.

    And somehow, between 1940 and 1944, she managed to learn how to fly, having apparently shown no interest in it before then. Her ATA file says she had been a "flying instructress" and to have served in "War Training Service US Navy".

    She then travelled from New York to Liverpool, arriving on the 10 Mar 1944 to join the ATA.

    Address in Apr 1944: 12-13 Montague St, London WC1


     She was taken on as a pilot cadet, and promoted to 3rd Officer on 12 Aug 1944.


    After the ATA, Sheila travelled back to the USA from Liverpool on 3-16 July 1945.

    m. 3 Mar 1946 George Alfred Moszkowski (b. 1894 in Warsaw) in Habana, Cuba

    "Sheila Garrett was a very close friend of my mother’s. After the war she had a long-term on and off relationship with author Robert Ruark (Something of Value). She used to come and stay with us at our home in Mexico City for long periods, sometimes with and sometimes without Robert.

    On one occasion she arrived by taxi in the middle of the night, having totally destroyed her beautiful white Chrysler 300 by hitting a rock (at about 100mph, according to her) somewhere on the highway driving down from the US. I believe the rock survived!

     My mother used to stay at her flat in London on her visits. I knew her very well; she was very tall [actually, 5ft 8in, but described as 'tall build'] and absolutely gorgeous!"

    In the 60s, she lived in Long Valley, NJ, but also had:

    Greycoat Gardens ...a flat at 7 Greycoat Gardens, London SW1

     She appeared in 7 episodes of a TV series called "Bonsoir" in 1962, as "herself".

    "Towards the end of her life she lived in San Pedro near Marbella, Spain and married Bill Vanderveldt who had been a boyfriend decades before and had never really fallen out of love with her - they were blissfully happy together in Spain until Sheila sadly predeceased Bill. We visited on numerous occasions, including one trip when Sheila and my mother (both in their 60s) drove Sheila’s unairconditioned right hand drive Mini Countryman from Andalusia to San Sebastian to catch the ferry to the U.K.

    All the memories I have of Sheila are extremely happy ones. As our American cousins would perhaps say, she was “quite a gal!"

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Garrod, Francis Roland Peter

     M.638 * First Officer   Francis Roland 'Peter' Garrod
    flag england b. 1920, Croydon ?   28 Aug 1941 to 31 Oct 1945

      ATAM

      ATAM    

     


    m. 1945 in Kensington, London, Rosamond Z [Goddard]

    Peter (far right) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010

     

    d. 23 Jun 2016

     

    Interviewed here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009727

  • Garst, Virginia Louise (W.78)

     W.78  3rd Officer Virginia Louise Garst 
     flag usa  b. 28 Nov 1918, New York  14 Apr-42 to 24 Nov-42

     ata virginia garst CB CB

         

      

    Father: Frederick Raymond Garst, mother Bessie Jean [Unk]

    Next of Kin: Mrs E A Reedy, Kansas City (mother)

    Ed: St Mary's Academy, Leavenworth, Kansas City, then Sarachon-Hooley Secretarial School 1936-7

    Learnt to fly at Joe Jacobson Flying School, Kansas City

    prev. Flight Instructor

    prev exp: 513 hrs (186 hrs  as instructor)

    Address in 1942: 3344 Gillham Rd, Kansas City MI, then 307 Natchez Building, New Orleans, LA

    Four women from the Kansas City Chapter of the 99s Organisation of Women Fliers applied to join the ATA - Virginia, Mrs Marie Page, 38, Leah Sheppard, 31, and Mrs Helen Hayworth, 39.

    Travelled to Bristol from Halifax, NS on the SS Tetela with Sue Ford, Grace Stevenson and Hazel Raines, arriving 11 May 1942.


    Off sick from 13 Aug to 31 Oct 1942 with appendicitis, and then from 8 to 22 Nov with the "after-effects" - her medical report says "it was noted that this pilot's entire attitude to flying had changed, so much so that I hesitate to recommend the continuance of her service."

    Contract Terminated  - Medical Grounds


    m. Walter V Bottjer

    Moved to Texas c.1959

    d. 19 Dec 1968 - El Paso, TX [Mastosis Carcinoma]

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gasser, Ernest Edward

     M.540  First Officer Ernest Edward Gasser 

     flag usa

     b. 16 Feb 1910, Peoria IL.

    Parents both Swiss.

    28 Apr 1941 to Dec-41 

     

         

     Studied Engineering and Accountancy in College, then in the US Marine Corps (Radio & Comms) 1931-35

    Started flying at Washington Airport on Fleet in 1936, then 1939 on Taylor Cubs and Aeronca. Bought his own Aeronca Chief, took a commercial pilot's license and an instructor's course in Rockville.

    A corporal in the Washington DC Special Police, as a radio operator.

    prev exp  445hrs on Aeronca, Fleet, Wco, Stinson, Fairchild, Cub.

    Address in 1941: 4848 Western Ave, Chevy Chase, MD


    Trained on Magister, Hawk, DH Moth and Avro Tutor; completed his training on Harvard and Hurricane in Aug 1941

     Hurricane II 

    d. 7 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - in Hurricane IIb Z5663; became lost in snowstorm and nose-dived into ground in Wyre Forest, nr the Button Oak Inn, 5mi NW of Bewdley, Worcestershire.

     the button oak inn The Button Oak Inn, 2015

     

     ata gasser funeral ATA

    Buried in All Saints Church, Wribbenhall on the 10th December. The pall bearers were Sergeant Pilots Jeffery (Canada), Munro (Canada), Brown (USA), Terry (USA), Isfield (Canada) and Wilson (USA).

    Chief Mourners were F/O Jack Terry, F/O Anthony Storey, and Miss Stamford. The many wreaths included one from Mrs Jane Spence, "the only American-born resident in Bewdley."

    His wife Mrytle wrote "Numbers of my husband's friends, both officers and fellow-pilots, have written to me. Will you please give them my sincere thanks? I'm glad he made so many friends, and I appreciate their sympathy."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Gates, Russell F.

     M.607  First Officer Russell F. Gates 

    flag usa

      b. 17 Oct 1910, Kansas City MO 31 May 1941 to 30 May 1942 

     ata russelll gates ATA

         

     

    Father: Ford Gates, mother Essie [Martin]

    Ed. Grammar School, Lake Forest IL

    prev. private flying for 8 years. Trucking Business.

    Address in 1941: R.F.D. Route 2, La Grange, IL

    m.  and she lived at 4 Park Avenue, Prestwick then 26 St Augustine Avenue, Croydon


    Postings: 4aFPP, 6FPP

    Off sick from 12 Dec 41 to 5 Mar 42 with appendicitis.

    "An officer who could never be relied upon to do much, owing to a great amount of sickness he had during the period of his attachment to this Pool."

    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Russell Gibson, Keith Williams, Kenneth Fogelberg, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.


    US Military 1943-46

    d. 3 Oct 1998 - Sarasota, Florida


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Gemmill, Henry Clay Joseph

     M.---  First Officer Henry Clay Joseph Gemmill 

    flag usa

     b. 3 Jul 1909, Indianapolis IN  12 Sep 1940 to 23 Dec 1940 

           

     

    Ed. Fishburn Military Prep School, Virginia Military Institute, Purdue University, Indianan State University.

    m. Marjorie R



    Address in 1941: 2707 N Haskee, Dallas TX. Employed by the Dallas Aviation School at Love Field.

    Later Regional Manager for Loral Electronics.

    d. 29 Oct 1967, Dayton OH

    "He flew with the RAF Cayton Wright Committee before joining the US Navy [in June 1942] from which he retired as a Lt-Commander."

     

  • Genovese, Joseph

     M.631  First Officer Joseph 'Gen' Genovese 
     flag usa  b. 6 Jan 1911, New York 24 Jul 1941 to 23 Jul 1942 

     

    ata joseph genovese cnac

    with China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) flying 'The Hump' between India and China, 1942-3

    http://cnac.org/genovese01.htm

         

     

    Ed. New York University (B.S. in Commerce)

    married

    prev. a commercial pilot, and aircraft production engineer. USA Air Corps Flying Cadet from Sep-38 to Apr-39,

    Address in 1941: 4144 Pacific Highway, San Diego CA

    Address of mother (Anna): 68 Aberdeen St., Brooklyn, NY


    Postings: 16FPP, 6FPP, 1FPP

    He was suspended without pay 3 times in his year with the ATA:

    - 15 Feb 42, for 3 days, for 'conduct and neglect prejudicious to the interest of A.T.A.';

    - 26 Apr 42, for 2 days for Low Flying, and

    - 7 Jul 42, for 7 days for Shooting up Ratcliffe.

    And also had one accident, when he force-landed his Airacobra after a complete engine failure. Not his fault.

    His C.O. reckoned him a "willing and able pilot, somewhat self-opinionated in character", but a later report describes him as "a very capable pilot but unreliable both as an officer and in the air."

    He says he was offered a new contract but declined it, because "I was eternally maddened by that rule against instrument flying. They should have been teaching it to their pilots instead of forbidding them to do it; had they done so many lives might have been saved."


    After ATA and then CNAC, he joined Republic as a test pilot. In March 1944, he was the pilot of a Thunderbolt which suffered engine failure: "Miss Marjorie McCutcheon was treated for bruises when a plane crashed into her home. The plane glided downward on a line toward the McCutcheon home, shearing 3 powerline poles before crashing into the kitchen. Capt Genovese was bruised and one knee was injured."

    Wrote 'We Flew Without Guns', 1945 (having apparently promoted himself to 'Flight Captain'):

    We Flew Without Guns Ad front

    d. 10 Apr 2010

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • George, Peter Macdonald

     M.493 First Officer  Peter Macdonald George 

    flag england

    b. 22 Dec 1920, Hammersmith London   7 May 1941 to 30 Nov 1945

     ata peter george 1946 1946

         

     

    Ed. at Perse School, Cambridge

    father: Robert Evelyn George

    m. Jun 1943 Wendy M [Tadgell]; 3 children b. 1944, 1947, 1949

    prev. a Master Tailor

    RAF Sgt. from Mar-39 to Jan-41 "Unable to fly satisfactorily at night"

    prev. exp. 182 hrs

    Address in 1941: 68 Panton St, Cambridge ["Telephone No 3943 during day, not Thursday afternoon or Sundays (shop)"]


    Postings: 1FPP, 12FPP, 4aFPP, 6FPP, 7FPP

    Seconded to RNAS Lee-on-Solent Aug-Sep 1944

    "This officer was very slow at the beginning but is progressing slowly."

    "Flying of average standard. Slowness was due to sickness and domestic worries."

    "A likeable officer whose discipline is good. A capable pilot although somewhat underconfident."


    Peter (3rd from right) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010

     

    d. 10 Feb 2012 - Dry Drayton, Cambridgeshire

    "Former WWII ATA Pilot. Died peacefully at home, on Friday, 10th February, 2012, aged 91 years. Beloved husband of the late Wendy and very much loved and admired by all his family. Funeral service at the West Chapel, Cambridge City Crematorium, CB3 0JJ on Friday, 9th March at 2.15pm. Family flowers only, but your kind donation in Peter's memory to Maidenhead Heritage Trust may be forwarded." Cambridge News

    'The proportion of women fatalities was lower than the proportion of men.  The late Peter George said simply that “the women were more reliable.  They didn’t do the same damn fool things as the men did.” '  http://maidenheadheritage.org.uk


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Gerrard, Robert

     M.599  First Officer  Robert Gerrard
     flag england   b. 9 Apr 1900, Surbiton on Thames 1 Jul 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata robert gerrard ATA

         

     

    British by naturalisation of father (Arend Jartams was Dutch)

    Ed. Lindisfarne College, Essex

    m. 1928 Winifred [Culshaw]

    prev. private in RAMC, 1915; RFC Cadet, 1917, 2nd Lt. in RAF, 1919;

    an aircraft fitter for A.S.T., Hamble

    prev. exp. on Bristol Fighter, R.E.8, SE5, Martinsyde, Dolphin (!)

    Address in 1941: c/o Etheridge, Bank St, Bishops Waltham, Hants


    Postings: 15FPP, 7FPP, 6FPP, 4aFPP, 4FPP

    "An excellent officer and capable pilot who gets on with the job in a quiet and efficient manner."


    d. 1963 - Tiverton, Devon

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gething, Margaret Helen (W.94*)

     W.94 *   First Officer Mrs Margaret Helen 'Mardi' Gething 
     flag australia b. 20 Dec 1920, Melbourne, Australia  12 Aug 1942 to Sep 1944 

     margaret gepp 1939  RAeC 1939

     ata mardi gething 1945 1945    

     

     née Gepp

    Father: Sir Herbert William Gepp, "mining metallurgist and manager, public servant, industrialist and publicist"; mother Jessie Powell [Hilliard]

    m.  May 1940 in Toronto, Flt-Lt Richard Gething


    Postings: 15FPP

    3 accidents, none her fault:

    - 12 Dec 1942, forced landing in Avro Tutor K3276 following engine failure

    - 30 May 1943, her Argus EV785, was hit by Spitfire VII R7211 being taxied by Mary Wilkins, damaging the Argus' propeller and the Spitfire's wingtip. "The pilot's [Wilkins] judgement was probably impaired by the effects of an accident two days earlier. She should have been medically examined before flying again and O.C. 15FPP is therefore held responsible"

    - 15 Aug 1944, a forced landing in Swordfish III HS553 after a petrol leak into the cockpit.

     

    She sailed back to Australia in November 1944 on SS 'Nestor'


     "She returned to Australia, and in early 1945 joined the crew of Lancaster bomber "G for George" as public relations officer for its tour of Australia to raise money for the Third Victory Loan Appeal.

    In the 1940s, Mardi also worked briefly for The Age as a society reporter.

    When Richard returned to the Air Ministry in late 1945, Mardi joined him to resume life together in a small village south of London. Their two children were born in 1947 and 1949. Mardi continued her flying career as a member of the RAF Volunteer Reserve until Richard was posted for two years to Singapore.

    Later the family was stationed in Northern Ireland, then in Scotland, before Richard (now an Air Commodore) worked a final stint at the Air Ministry in London.

    In 1959, the family returned to Australia, settling at Red Cliffs, near Mildura. Here Mardi's and Richard's interests turned from powered aircraft to gliders. They became enthusiastic members of the Sunraysia Gliding Club, joined during school holidays by their children, who became solo pilots soon after their 15th birthdays.

    Mardi, a keen member of the Australian Women Pilots Association (AWPA), became the first female licensed gliding instructor in Australia, and for a time held the women's altitude record for a glider flight (13,000 feet). Mardi and Richard both became nationally accredited gliding instructors and taught new club level instructors around Australia.

    In 1966 they moved to the Gepp family property at Kangaroo Ground near Melbourne, from where they continued their Australia-wide gliding activities. In retirement, they travelled widely around Australia and overseas, visiting wartime and service friends and colleagues. They also took the opportunity to drop into any gliding centres on their route.

    When Richard died in 2004, their wonderful partnership in aviation had lasted more than 64 years.."

    Mardi Gething's obituary written by her daughter Mary-Jane Gething and published in The Age newspaper on Aug 11, 2005

    https://www.spitfireassociation.com/

     


    d. 16 Jul 2005 - Templestowe, Victoria, Australia

  • Gibbons, Anthony Bridgeman

     M.370 * First Officer   Anthony Bridgeman Gibbons
    flag england   b. 3 Jul 1899, Wolverhampton  15 Apr 1941 to 23 Feb 1944 

     ata anthony gibbons 1928 1928

         

     

    prev. an 'Assistant Manager'

    Address in 1928: Penn Hall, Penn, Staffs

  • Gibbs, John Wright

     M.413  First Officer John Wright Gibbs 

    flag scotland

     b. 28 Mar 1915, Queensferry, W. Lothian, Scotland 4 May 1941 to 21 Apr 1944 (as pilot) 

     ata john gibbs ATA

     ata john gibbs 1946 1946    

     

    prev. a salesman (Gents Tailors), and a Ground Instructor for Marshall's Flying School, Cambridge

    m. , one child before 1941

    RAFVR Sgt in General Duties Branch, Apr-39 to Aug-40, exp. 70 hrs solo

    Address in 1941: 34 Elfloda Rd, Cambridge


    Postings: 4FPP, 4aFPP, 1FPP, 10FPP

    He had 4 'at fault' accidents:

    - 30 Jun 1941: overshot on landing in Fairey Battle P6668;

    - 24 Oct 1941: his Hurricane BE341 collided with a Blenheim in bad visibility [suspended for 3 days without pay for landing late and in bad weather];

    - 22 Mar 1942: failed to control landing swing in Spitfire Vb BL775, swung off runway and nosed over, and

    - 11 Jun 1942: failed to control swing (again), but at least there were extenuating circumstances in that he was making a single-engine forced landing in Beaufort W6498 at the time.

    He was then injured as a passenger in yet another 'landing swing' accident on 22 Apr 1943; "Consolidated Catalina FP321 swung on landing after a training flight and sank. The accident on Cumbrae involved Captain Ernest Cook, Flight Captain Jose Carreras from Spain, and Flying Officer Gibbs, who all survived the accident, but sadly, the body of Flight Engineer Harold Frank Peter Waldron was never found. Flight Captain Jose Maria Carreras, who was a former Spanish Civil War pilot, was instructing on the seaplane when through no fault of his own, the aircraft crashed." 

    http://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/13750810.70th_anniversary_of_Catalina_crash

    "Mr J.W Gibbs, for many years afterwards Air Safety Officer for BEA, was a co-pilot when the plane crashed. 

    “Gibbie, as he was known by everyone, found himself swimming in the water with the wing floating close by with one of the crew sitting on it. When he put up his arms to grab the wing he found, for the first time that his right arm had been taken off at the shoulder as he was flung from the plane.”

    https://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/13752788.truth-emerges-over-cumbrae-catalina-tragedy/

     

    "A good officer whose flying was entirely satisfactory."

    Transferred to Admin (Air Accidents Investigation Officer)  Apr-44 [at a salary of £525 a year.]

     Off sick from 29 Nov 1944 to 13 Apr 1945 - "Reporting to Canadian Hospital"

    When he returned to flying, "This pilot flew the Moth and Argus well and is perfectly safe on those types. These two aircraft are at the moment the limit of his ability due to his physical handicap."

    "Occupational Ability: Average. Very good but inclined to be erratic."

    "General Remarks: With growing experience his judgement is improving. At first he was inclined to be a little emotional and prejudiced in his judgement, and to be argumentative, but he is settling down."

    ATA contract terminated Jan-46.


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  • Gibbs, Philip Lambert

     M.479 * Flight Captain  Philip Lambert Gibbs 
    flag england  b. 16 Nov 1913, Staines, Middx 6 Jun 1941 to 31 DEc 1945 

     ata phillip gibbs 1935 1935

         

     

    m. 1936 in Worthing, Eileen F [Wylie], a hairdresser

    prev. a Motor Salesman; in 1939, an aircraft rigger and fitter

    Address in 1935: Lairnsmore, Leighton Ave, Worthing


    m. 1946 in Surrey, Rosemary Bonnett (also of the ATA)

    d. 1980 - Swindon, Wilts

  • Gibson, Alfred Russell

     M.609  First Officer

    Russell Alfred 

    [sometimes known as 'Alfred Russell'

    'Gibby' Gibson

     

    flag usa

      b. 12 Nov 1920, Massillon, OH  

    1 Jun 1941 to 31 May 1942

    and

    8 Sep 1942 to 31 Aug 1943


     

         

     

    Father: Russell Ulyssus Gibson, a carpenter; mother Marion Bole Gibson [originally English?]

    Ed. High School in Bexley, OH

    prev. a Flight Instructor with Miller Flying School, Columbus OH

    Address in 1941: 2708 Allegheny Ave, Columbus OH


    Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP

    "This pilot's flying is neat and safe. He appears keen and willing to learn from experience."

    "Apt to be overconfident."

    He travelled back to Montreal on 18 Jun 1942 with his fellow American ferry pilots James Ansley, Clay Steffee, John Morrison, Stuart Updike, Ken Fogelberg, Keith Williams, Russell Gates, Nicholas Pickard, William Ressegger, and Clarence Conner.

     After his second ATA contract, he sailed back from Scotland to New York on the 5 Aug 1943.


    CNAC November 1943 - 1947 flying 'The Hump' between India and China. See CNAC Captian A. Russell Gibson

    In 1948, he and his brother-in-law John F. ['Johnny'] Shoemaker established a transport business called 'Air Carriers Ltd'. in Hong Kong, using a C-46.

    d. 11 Apr 2001 - California

    His wife Jackie wrote to CNAC in 2009: "Thank you for your letter regarding my husband, "Gibby" Gibson and about CNAC. I found it interesting and will be happy to talk to you more about him. He joined the ATA in England before America was involved in WW II and joined CNAC after the start of the War. I have some data about CNAC which he left in 1947 after 199 trips over the hump. He flew with them as Capt. and left with 3,057 hrs. of flying C47, C-46 and DC-4s. We met in Rangoon in 1949 and married in 1950 so that was after his years with CNAC. He retired from JAL in 1980, where he was flying 747's and as you already know he died in 2001 here in California."


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  • Gill, Ernest Maurice

     

      M.210  First Officer Ernest Maurice Gill 
    flag england  b. 4 Aug 1905, Caterham, Surrey 15 Jan 1941 to 24 Mar 1943 

     ata ernest gill 19311931

         

     

    ed,. Lancing College O.T.C. 1919-23

    m. Cherry, 1 child

    prev. a trooper in the Calcutta Light Horse, 1927-29; then a Technical Representative in Africa for the Stanton Iron Works of Nottingham.

    Address in 1941: The Garden Flat, The Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire


    Postings: 2FPP, 15FPP, 6FPP, 9FPP

    "A very hard worker. His cheerful willingness to undertake any job is a great asset in this Pool. Rather over-zealous in command owing to lack of experience."

    In Nov-42, "Failure to immobilise his motor-car in Montpellier-walk led to Ernest Maurice Gill, a ferry pilot, of 6, The Park, Cheltenham, being fined £2."

    [Resigned 27 Dec 1942, after his third 'at-fault' accident, but he stayed on until 24 Mar 1943]


     

     

     


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  • Gill, Kenneth Carlyle

     M.200 Captain  Kenneth Carlyle Gill
     flag england b. 28 Aug 1915, Southgate, London  1 Jan 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     

         

     

    [Possibly related, a Captain Kenneth Carlyle Gill, M.C. RAF, was accidentally killed while flying on 22 Oct 1918. He was 26 years of age, and was married in April 1917 to Miss Louie Gwendolen Cullen. daughter of Mr. W. H. Cullen, of Leatherhead. ]

    Mother: [Brown]

    Ed. Royal Masonic School, Bushey, Herts

    m. Jul 1937 in Holderness, Yorks, Dorothy [Turner]

    prev. apprentice for De Havilland; Flt-Lt RAF 14 Sep 1934- 20 Nov 1940 (SSC, 1AACU based in Egypt)

    Retired from RAF due to ill-health

    prev. exp 747 hrs on Henley, Battle, Magister, Gordon, Wallace, Hart, Wellington, Harrow, Anson, Heyford, Valencia

    Address in 1941: 25 Oxford Rd, St Annes, Lancs

    Adress in 1945: The Moorings, Cawood, nr Selby, Yorks


     Postings: 4FPP, 14FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 7FPP (as Second-in-Command)

     Class 5 (4-engine) pilot

     

     3 accidents, one his fault:

    - 21 Feb 1941, unknown at-fault incident in Magister N3851

    - 4 Jun 1941, the tail strut of his Wellington R1773 failed due to a structural fault

    - 20 Jul 1941, his Beaufighter T3331 struck an unmarked obstacle whilst taxying

     

    "Thorough, loyal, conscientious worker. A first class pilot, and an officer who commands the respect of those junior"


     

     d. 29 Oct 2005 - Market Harborough, Rutland

    Buried Kibworth Villages New Cemetery, Kibworth Beauchamp, Harborough District, Leicestershire

      In loving memory of
    DOROTHY GILL
    died 29th july 1999
    aged 83
    and
    KENNETH CARLYLE
    GILL
    died 29th october 2005
    aged 90
    together at rest

     

     


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  • Gingiss, Aleck Jack

     M.655  First Officer  Aleck Jack 'Al' Gingiss
     flag usa   b. 9 Aug 1915, St. Paul MN 16 Jul 1941 to 15 Jul 1942 

     

    ata al gingiss cnac

    with China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) flying 'The Hump' between India and China, 1942-3

    http://cnac.org/gingiss01.htm

         

     

    Ed. Hibbard High School, Chicago

    Address in 1941: 2100 Lincoln Park W, Chicago IL

    Next of kin: (Mother) Betty Gingiss

    prev. "Pilot. Salesman. Treasurer. [of what?]"

     prev. exp. 1500hrs


    Postings: 1FPP

    Off sick from 22 Mar to 25 Apr with appendicitis.

    "A pilot of fully average ability. Has carried out his duties satisfactorily."

    'Gen' Genovese says Al was "addicted to horseplay", because "you can't fly constantly under the most difficult conditions without having some kind of relief... so, a lot of us took our relief in the air - in horseplay."

    One such incident was when Al, Genovese and Steve Beville [q.v.], on a delivery flight in December 1941, discovered that their 3 Hurricanes had loaded guns, so they used them to do some duck-shooting; taking aim at the royal ducks in the grounds of Windsor Castle. "Actually you don't hit many ducks... the accuracy required when drawing a bead on a slow-moving mallard through the gun-sights on a Hurricane doing 250 mph is enough to make it a truly competitive proposition."

    Unfortunately, Al flew straight into a flock of ducks, which cracked his windscreen, broke his propeller, and, when he jettisoned the hood it crashed into the vertical tail fin.

    He made a good forced landing. "The story he told the Accident Committe was far more interesting", says Genovese; "He was flying extremely low due to bad weather, and, in accordance with international law, he flew on the right side of the tracks. Becuse he couldn't see clearly, he ran smack into a flight of ducks."

    "The fault was entirely on the part of the ducks," Gingiss concluded in relating his story. "They were flying on the wrong side of the tracks."

    He got away with it. The official report simply says "Landed on rough part of runway & nosed over. Pilot forced to make glide approach in difficult wind conditions as he had flown into flight of bird."

    The following month, Al and Gen were delivering a couple of Beaufighters to Scotland. Again, Al made the "happy discovery" that his guns were loaded. "He fired a couple of bursts under my tail by way of telling me what he had found. I promptly investigated and found mine in the same condition."

    They looked around for something to shoot up, and discovered some mines just off-shore. They exploded 9 mines between them in 20 minutes, then completed their deliveries.

    The Air Ministry "raised particular hell about that little incident - in a dignified way, of course. All ATA pilots (especially "American pilots") were "warned and advised against such conduct, on pain of permanent suspension."

     "I have a sneaking suspicion they're talking about us", Al said.


    d. Jan 21, 2006, "devoted husband of Carmel (nee Becker), loving father of Nancy, Steven and Anthony Gingiss, dear brother of the late Bill, Ben, Birdie Rosenthal and Mitzi Bessman, cherished grandfather of Frances, Gabrielle and Abby Gingiss, fond uncle of many nieces and nephews, dear brother-in-law of Veronica Gingiss."

    Obituary here

     


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  • Glass, Mabel (W.9)

     

     W.9  First Officer Mabel Glass 

    flag NI

    b. 1 Apr 1913, Whitehead, NI  8 Jul 1940 to 17 Apr 1944 

      

    mabel glass 1934

    RAeC 1934

     ata mabel glass 2 ATA    

     

    Father Harry M. Glass, 9, Whitehall, London SW1. 

    Educated 'privately'.

    A well-known pre-war racing aviator; prev. exp. 523 hrs on Avro Cadet, D.H. Moth, and B.A. Eagle, in "Egypt, Italy, France, Hungary, Germany, and the North African Coast."

     mabel and sheila glasswith george 1938  mabel and sheila glass 1938

    Mabel, her sister Sheila and their pet tortoise, at the Tynwald Air Race in 1938 (they were disqualified for making a wrong turn at the start.)

    And their pet tortoise's name was George.

    Owned 1931 D.H. 60G Moth G-ABOE, then 1934 B.A. Eagle G-ACPU.

    prev. a WAAF, A/C/W 2 from 22 Sep 1939

    Address in 1940: 'Arnlui', Cranley Rd, Guildford

     She answered the question on her ATA application form "Are you prepared to serve?" with "Very much so!"


    Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP, 5FPP, 16FPP, 12FPP

     "F/O Glass is a very good pilot and exceptionally keen. She has worked hard and conscientously but is inclined to lack imagination when flying. Her tendency to push through very bad weather has now been checked."

    "A very keen strong pilot. No work is too much for her."

    However, she was reprimanded twice for taxying without due care; once when her Anson hit a parked Spitfire after skidding on a wet runway, and then when her Hudson ground-looped and sustained damage to its port rudder, flap and aileron. On the second occasion she was docked 3 days pay. 


    Post-WWII, Mabel, Sheila and their mother settled in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa.

     c.1953, holding the President's Cup of the Zululand Flying Club

    National Library of Australia

     

    Mabel continued to compete in aviation races until her death.

    d. 4th Nov 1967 - Westville, Durban, South Africa.

     


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  • Gleave, Sydney

     M.152 First Officer  Sydney 'Syd' Gleave 

    flag england

     b. 31 Jan 1905, Boaley, Macclesfield   8 Aug 1940 to 2 Mar 1942

      ata sydney gleave 1932 1932      

     

    m. 1931 Dora [Clarke, divorced 1943], but gave his sister, Lucy Isobel Gleave, as next-of-kin in 1940

    Ran his own motorcycle business: "Gleave Motors", and developed his own 'Syd Gleave Special' motorcycle. With this he competed in races from 1928-35.

    sydgleave

    See http://reddevilmotors.blogspot.co.uk

    Syd owned 1930 Avro 616 Sports Avian G-AAYU, which had flown in the 1930 King's Cup Race piloted by Jack Cantrill. He bought it in February 1936, flew it in the 1936 London to Isle of Man Race (coming fifth out of 20 starters) and the Manx Air Derby (coming 13th), but he wrote it off at Cheltenham later that year:

    "PILOT'S DRAMATIC TALE

    The wreckage of an aeroplane perched on top of a Cotswold hillside field to-day remained as evidence of the dramatic and almost miraculous escape of two airmen from death. The pilot, Mr. Sid Cleave, of Macclesfield, well-known T.T. rider and survivor of a remarkable racing crash a year ago, is today out and about, showing litte sign of the experience.

    His passenger, Mr. Geoffrey Males Holt, of Manchester, is in Cheltenham General Hospital with a compound fracture of the right ankle and injuries to the head. 

    Mr. Gleave last evening told the "Echo" his dramatic story of the crash during the fog which enveloped parts of the Cotsvvolds as he and his friend were flying from Bournemouth to Macclesfield. "The visibility was nil," he said, "and as we were flying down a valley a bank of clouds came down in front of us. Although we attempted to turn we went into it, and the wing tip hit the top of the hill."

    Mr. Gleave has recently recovered from a terrible accident while riding in the T. T. last year. He was thrown when travelling at about 110 miles hour. He was hurtled along the road and finished up by crashing into wall. It was found that he had no fewer than 44 bone breakages."

    Fleet Air Arm 1938-40

    In 1939 he was one of two golfers who played five games of golf within 24 hours on courses in Scotland, Ireland, England, the Isle of Man and Wales, for a £100 bet.  He and professional golfer Ernest Smith flew 1,000 miles, walked thirty miles, and "went hungry". They started at 3.30 a m., by the light of road lamps, at Prestwick, Ayr, and then flew to games in Newtonwards, Ulster; Castletown, Isle of Man; Blackpool, and Hawarden, North Wales. "A condition of the wager was that Smith should average under eighty over the five courses. He won with an average of seventy two."

    Address in 1940: 388 Buxton Rd, Macclesfield

    Postings: White Waltham, Ratcliffe, Ringway

     [Contract Terminated 2 Mar 1942] "in order that you may undertake the post of Test Pilot with AV Roe & Co. Ltd."

     syydney greave in a lancaster

    As 2nd pilot in a Lancaster with Bill Thorn and Roy Chadwick in 1942 (Flight)

    d. 11 Sep 1944 in Lancaster III PB579; one of every 10th aircraft that was checked to its terminal velocity dive speed of 375mph to verify control effectiveness and ease of recovery. During the dive the fuel jettison pipes tore off, hit the tailplane and stripped the elevator skin. The aircraft dived vertically into the ground at Alderley Edge, three miles south of Woodford. This was the only fatal accident involving a Lancaster out of the 3,958 tested at Woodford.

    "To assist in the identification of two men who lost their lives in an aeroplane crash near a Midlands town on September 11th, pieces of clothing, a tie and a pen-knife, were produced at the inquest at Wilmslow (Cheshire) to-day. The men were identified as Sydney Gleave, 39, test pilot for Messrs. A. V. Roe and Co., Ltd., and a former racing motor cyclist, and Harry Lewis Barnes, 41, a flight engineer, of Wilmslow.

    Charles Stewart Riseley, member of the Observer Corps, who plotted the plane, said it was flying about for half an hour, and the first indication he had of anything being abnormal was when he saw it in a power dive. It came out of the sun with engines running, and dived almost vertically at a speed of between 500 and 600 miles an hour."

    GLEAVE Sydney

    Sydney, his parents, and 3 of his 4 sisters are commemorated together

    http://www.militaryimages.net


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  • Glover, John Ludlow

     M.900 First Officer  John Ludlow Glover 
      b. 4 Jul 1915, Kamloops, B.C., Canada 

     2 Jan 1943 to 1 Apr 1944

    8 May 1944 to 12 Aug 1944


       ATA

         

     Father: Frank Ludlow Glover (d. 1963)

    Ed. University of British Columbia (Mechanical Engineering)

    m. (divorced 1944)

    Next of kin: (mother) Violet Kathleen Isabelle Glover (d. 1950)

    prev. RCAF Sep 1935 to Oct 1939, then RAF Ferry Command (Sgt. Pilot/Navigator)

    Address in 1943: (parents) 2392 W.41st Ave, Vancouver. B.C.

     


     Postings: 5TFPP, 4FPP, No. 4 OTU Alness

    Instructor's Report Jun 1943: "This pilot has a higher opinion of his capabilities and knowledge than is warranted. However, if he puts himself to it, he can do very well."

     

    Because of a mix-up when he signed his original contract for the ATA, John was being paid American rates, rather than those available to Canadian citizens.

    So, in late 1943, towards the end of his first contract, the ATA offered him (and Helen Harrison) an extension on what were called 'Dominion Contracts' rather than those offered to American pilots. However, John said that he "could not afford to accept the terms of a Domininion Agreement owing to commitments at home, including the education of his brother."

    By this time, he was one of very few ATA pilots cleared to ferry aircraft from Class VI (flying-boats), and his record since joining ATA being "very satisfactory... he seems to be a very quiet and desirable type of pilot.", they eventually offered him an extension of his existing contract to 31 Mar 1944, with a subsequent Dominion Contract for 11 months, "which he must sign, or go.".

    He went. "F/O Glover has decided that he is not prepared to sign a Dominion Contract", and sailed from Scotland on the 10th April in SS Queen Elizabeth, arriving in New York on the 16th..

    By the 23 April, however, he had discovered that there were no pilot jobs in N. America for him, and cabled:

    HAVE RECONSIDERED DOMINION CONTRACT AM WILLING TO RETURN IF YOU REQUIRE MY SERVICES and then a few days later

    I REALIZE MY MISTAKE IN REJECTING YOUR OFFER TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR ATA STOP I HOPE MY REQUEST TO RETURN WILL BE CONSIDERED

    He re-started with the ATA on 8 May.

     

     4 accidents, 2 not his fault:

    - 10 Sep 1943, the port wing tip float of Sunderland III DD833 collapsed while it was being towed. "probably due to inexperience of pilot and towing crew"

    - 24 Dec 1943, he force-landed a Catalina IV after starboard engine failure

    - 28 Feb 1944, the port engine of his Anson caught fire in the air and he managed to extinguish the flames (despite, apparently, using the "incorrect method") and landed without damage.


     

    d. 12 Aug 1944, in Barracuda II MD805 on a ferry flight from Wroughton via Kirkbride to Prestwick. He appears to have lost control in performing steep turns around a Tiger Moth, and crashed in a field one mile SW of Annan, Dumfriesshire.

      


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  • Godwin, William Lionel

     M.432 First Officer  William Lionel Godwin 

    flag england

     b. 15 Jan 1914, Newport Monmouthshire  16 May 1941 to 30 Apr 1944

     ata william godwin 1939 1939

     ata william godwin ATA    

     Ed. The College, Weston Super Mare

    Next of kin: (mother) Mary Selina Godwin

    prev. Sergeant in RAF Class F Reserve Aug-36 to Sep-39 [Ser. No. 700650],

    then an accountant for Somerset County Council, Taunton

    prev. exp. 109 hrs on Hart, Tiger Moth, Swallow and Oxford.

    Address in 1941: 15 Wilton Gardens, Weston Super Mare, Somerset

    William originally applied in August 1940; "I have seen it stated in Flight that you are urgently in need of more pilots in A.T.A. and I have felt moved to write to you. On May 20th this year I was suspended from the RAF as being unlikely to to make a good service pilot because (a) I get air-sickness in violent manoevres (aerobatics etc), (b) ears give some trouble during rapid descents and I am ny nature rather cautious.... If you want an interview, I should be able to come to London this week as I am on leave. However, if you think this is all rather bats - please say so, - gently, in the enclosed envelope."

     ATA did not think it entirely bats, but it took them until the following April to give him a flying test ("Flies and lands well. Is not flustered in an emergency, though he reacts rather slowly", and follow up his references ("I have much pleasure in testifying to the personal character of Mr W L Godwin, a member of the permanent accounting staff of this Council.") and offer him a position as a ferry pilot.

    Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP, 8FPP

     "A keen pilot of average ability, slow to adapt himself and should consequently be progressed gradually on to subsequent types." "A quiet and likeable officer."

    m. Mar 1942 WAAF Corporal Sylvia Mary [Earwicker] from the Dental Centre, School of Technical Training, RAF Henlow, Beds.


    220px-613 Squadron Mosquito FB.VI at RAF Lasham June 1944

    d. 30 Apr 1944 (Died in ATA Service), in Mosquito MT192, which crashed 2 miles S of Litchfield: "At about 8,000 ft, the A/C turned to port and then dived. At about 200 ft. the machine flattened out, hit the ground and was totally destroyed. Insufficient evidence to determine the cause of the accident but available evidence indicates that the pilot was not responsible."

    His C.O., Norman Whitehurst, said "I have always regarded him as one of my most reliable and progressive pilots. He was a man of splendid character, whose discipline was of the highest order, and had he survived would undoubtedly have reached a much higher rank in this organisation. His flying was exceptional, and in this respect he set a first class example to his colleagues." 


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  • Golding, Percy Cecil

     M.314 First Officer  Percy Cecil Golding 
     flag england   b. 3 Dec 1911, Plymouth

    1 Mar 1941 to 31 Dec 1945

    [1,766 days]

     

     ata percy golding

     ata percy golding 2 ATA    

     

    "Second finger right hand malformed"

    Ed. at Devonport College, Plymouth

    m. 1939 Adelaide B [Stephenson]

    prev. an 'Official' in Sun Life Assurance Society, and 1 year in 'a Banking Firm'

    RAF Sergeant Pilot from 17 Sep 1939 to 21 Jan 1941

    Address in 1941: 37 Bemberley Avenue, then 114 Hurst Grove, Bedford

    Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP

    He was absent for 4 months in 1944 due to a motor accident, and suspended for 7 days without pay in Sep-45 for 'Low Flying'.

    "A keen pilot who I think is apt to underestimate his own ability", or "Had some difficulty at the commencement of training apparently due to the fact that he considered the Halifax an easy proposition."

    One of the very last batch of pilots to leave the ATA at the end of WWII.

    After leaving the ATA he lived at 53 Philpotts Avenue, Bedford, and became a civil pilot.

    G AHFI http://www.cbfsim.co.uk

    d. 15 Mar 1949 at Gatow Aerodrome, during the Berlin Airlift (26 Jun 1948 – 30 Sep 1949).

    He was the pilot of Skyways Avro York G-AHFI, which lost control while approaching Gatow; the port wing dropped and the aircraft dived into the ground. Two other Skyways staff - co-pilot Henry Thomas Newman and Radio Operator Peter James Edwards - also died.

    henry thomas newman 1946 Henry Thomas Newman in 1946, aged 22


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  • Golege-Steel, Donald Henry Arthur

     M.102  Flight Captain Donald Henry Arthur Golege-Steel 

    flag england

     b. 9 Nov 1909, London  14 May 1940 to 20 May 1943 

        ATAM      

     

    m. 1933 Eloise [Edwards, divorced], 1939 Constance [Nye, 1 daughter b. 1940], 1965 Barboro [Norgaard or Lind]

    prev. RAF 1929-32, [dismissed after a court martial], then a pilot for Birkett Air Services

    prev exp. 3900 hrs


    Postings: 1FPP

    At first, "an excellent pilot, but not one to put himself to excessive discomfort in the execution of his duties.", but eventually "he performed the duties of Flight Captain with distinction and has show exemplary aptitude for the organisational side of the organisation. An influential and respected member of the pool."


    Post-WWII, a pilot for Scandinavian Airlines; in 1948, in New York, he refused to take a load of (dead) deer; "No soap", he (allegedly) said, "They smell too bad. It would keep the passengers awake. Take them off."

    Pittsburgh Post Gazette Mon Jan 5 1948

    OK, this is the only other photo I could find of him. That's him on the left, explaining the controls to Governer Youngdahl of Minnesota before flying them from New York to Copenhagen in 1948.

    d. 21 Dec 1983 - Hurley, Maidenhead


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  • Gonsalves, Francis Stanislaus

     M.--- * First Officer Francis Stanislaus 'Tad' Gonsalves DSO, DFC
     flag UK b. 7 May 1915, Georgetown, British Guiana  27 May to 18 Jun 1940

      1934

         

     

    Father: Manoel Gonsalves da Silva, Mother: Helena [Ferreira]

    3 sisters, 3 brothers; the family sailed to the UK in July 1919, when Francis was 4.

     

     

    RAeC Certificate,12403, dated 16 Oct 1934, at London Aeroplane Club

    Address in 1934: 25 Holmstall Ave, Burnt Oak, London

    prev. Ground Engineer


     Postings: ---

     


    Pilot Officer, RAF, from 25 Sep 1940; F/O from 25 Sep 1942; Sqn Ldr from 6 Jan 1945

    DFC

    DSO in 1945:

    "This officer has operated with considerable success with bomber and fighter aircraft. On one occasion, while patrolling an enemy airfield, he attacked two Messerschmitt no's, destroyed one and damaged the other. In September, 1944, he was detailed to attack a certain objective. On reaching the target the port engine failed Height was rapidly lost but Squadron Leader Gonsalves refused to abandon his aircraft. When his height was only 1,000 feet he restarted the port engine and found that it was working sufficiently well to allow him to maintain height. In this condition he crossed the North Sea and executed a successful landing with only sufficient oil remaining for a few minutes flying. Squadron Leader Gonsalves displayed great skill and devotion to duty. " - London Gazette No. 36799, Dated 1944-11-17"

     Wing Cmdr, 1946

    m. 9 Oct 1948 in Seaford, East Sussex, Elizabeth [Simpson] (d. 1954)

     

    "Plane skims children's playground

    WHILE two airmen struggled to avoid crashing in Dukes' Meadows Chiswick W.. last night, children below swarmed on slides and swings and four men played bowls.

    The plane, a two-engined [Airspeed] Consul, returning to Croydon from Southport. Lancs, had run out petrol. The radio-operator, Eric Astle of Shirley, Southampton, said afterwards: 'The pilot. Francis Gonsalves, had get down quick. He looked for a piece of open ground. We skimmed across allotments and crashed through railings. He did magnificent job to save lives'. The airmen were not seriously injured" - Daily Herald - 16 July 1949

    Following this incident, he was prosecuted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for failing to ensure the plane had sufficient fuel. He pleaded guilty, and was fined £30 plus 5 guineas costs.

     

    m. Jul 1954 in Chelsea, London, Jean M [Love]

     

    Emigrated to Canada in 1957

    Address in 1972: Cranmore Rd, Victoria BC. He is listed as a "Manager, Car Rental" and Jean as a Teacher

     

     d. 18 Jan 1954 - Victoria, BC, Canada

    Buried Royal Oak Burial Park CemeteryVictoria, BC, Canada


    * Personnel File Missing

  • Goodman, Daphne (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet  Daphne Goodman 
     flag england   b. 1 Mar 1922, Surbiton 27 Aug 1943 to 13 Nov 1943 

      possibly this is her, in 1948

         

     

    Father: W N Goodman

    Ed. Bedales School, Petersfield, Hants

    prev: Civil Servant, Ordnance Survey from Sep 1942

    Address in 1953: 4 Brook Gardens, Kingston Hill, Surrey


    ab initio trainee

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     m. Jul 1949 in Surrey, Peter Derrick Newington, a TV film maker (1 son, 1 daughter, marriage dissolved)

    d. c. 2010, in Abbey Rd, London

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Goodwin, Lawrence Frederick

     M.591  First Officer Lawrence Frederick Goodwin 
     flag england   b. 16 Nov 1912, London 9 Jul 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata lawrence goodwin 1937 1937

     ata lawrence goodwin ATA    

     

    Father Frederick Charles Goodwin

    Ed. Portsmouth Grammar School

    m. 1937 Rebecca 'Betty' [Brilleslyper]

    prev. a Company Director, then The Admiralty, Deptford [Royal Naval Motor Transport]

    prev. exp. 49 hrs

    Address in 1941: 295 Lewisham High St, London SE13


    Postings: 16FPP, 7FPP, 1FPP

    To begin with, "Works well up to his ability, inclined to nervousness and over cautiousness." but improved later and successfully completed Class V (4-engine) training in 1944.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Goodwin, Una Julia (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet  Una Julia Goodwin
     flag usa   b. 24 Dec 1902, Virgie AR 10 Jun-42 to 2 Sep-42 

     ata una goodwin CB CB

         

     

    Father: John Porter Godwin, from Cordell OK

    ed. 4 yrs High School, 2 yrs Dramatic Art at Dallas Academy

    Learnt to fly in 1929 in Oklahoma; "I am confident my future is in aviation and am willing to give up almost anything to get ahead in it", she said.

    prev: clerk; secretary of the Oklahoma section of the 99 Club of women pilots launched in 1929 by Amelia Earhart; barnstorming and aerobatics displays

    2nd woman in Oklahoma to get a transport pilot rating, in 1937

    prev. exp 380hrs

     Next of kin: (sister) Mrs Marcia O Mills, 216 Congress Ave, San Antonio TX

    Address in 1940: 3350 16th SNW, Washington DC (previously 1929-1941, 902 E Dr, Oklahoma City)

    Arrived from Nova Scotia on the 29 June 1942 with fellow ATA women pilots Peggy Lennox and Mary Zerbel; on joining the ATA, Una said she was anxious to rejoin her friend, Grace Stevenson.

    One accident:

    27 Aug 1942, when her foot slipped off the rudder when landing a Hart, causing a ground loop

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot]

    Returned to the USA to find that she was over the age limit for WASP training, and so joined the Womens Army Corps in April 1944 as a Private and was stationed in Florida as a Link Trainer, until being demobbed in Sep 1945.

    ata una goodwin 1944             ata una goodwin 1944 2

    In 1944 she said "Personally I have no post-war plans for flying. I'll fly for entertainment, but like many other trained women pilots, I'll take a back seat in the paying flying positions to make way for the men."

     Moved to San Antonio in 1976

    ata una goodwin grave Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

    d. 4 Mar 1978 - San Antonio, Texas

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gore, Margaret Wyndham (W.10)

     W.10

    Commander 

    4-engine (Class 5) pilot

    Margaret Wyndham 'Margot' Gore MBE, Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) 

    flag england

      b. 24 Jan 1913 in Worthing, W. Sussex. 25 Jun 1940 to 30 Nov 1945 

         RAeC 1938   ATA Margot Gore BG  

     

    Father: William Wyndham Gore, a mining engineer; mother: Martha [Lord]

    Ed. Bedford High School (but mainly grew up in Ireland, until 1929).

    Having made her first solo flight in Nov 1938 at Romford Flying Club, she was one of the Assistant Instructors there by the following September, along with Gabrielle Patterson (whose husband Pat also covered the 'theory' side of things) and Joan Hughes

    prev. Secretary, British Reinforced Concrete, then at Smithfield Market


    Postings: Hatfield, 15FPP, 1FPP

    On the outbreak of WWII, she was one of the second batch of women pilots for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), starting on the 25 June 1940 as 'W.10' - the 10th woman pilot. She was consistently praised, both for her flying and her organisational ability: "First Officer Gore is a very steady and reliable pilot and has undertaken responsibilities in the office which she has carried out well."

    Eventually, she was promoted to be Officer Commanding, No 15 Ferry Pool of women pilots at Hamble - one of only two women to achieve the rank of 'Commander', the other being Marion Wilberforce.

    ATA 15FPP15 FPP pilots, between flights.

    She was also one of the 11 women cleared to fly 4-engined aircraft, which she did so from May 1943 - "A keen and confident pilot of above average ability", but once she took over as OC Hamble, she cut down her flying hours considerably, prompting the Head of the ATA (Gerard d'Erlanger) to write "In her capacity of Commanding Officer, No 15 Ferry Pool, Commander Gore runs her Pool in an eminently satisfactory manner. However, I am very surprised that she has only done some 5 hours flying in seven months on ferry types. There may be some reason for this of which I am unaware, but if not she must make every effort to put in time."

    And finally, she was one of only 6 women to get a medal for her service in the ATA - an MBE in 1946.

    [The other MBEs were Felicity Bragg, Pauline Gower, Joan Hughes, Roy (Mary) Sharpe and Rosemary Rees, although Phillippa Bennett, Victoria Cholmondley and Elisabeth May got 'Commendations'.]


    Margot and Joan 1947 Margot and Joan in 1947 (The Times)

    In 1947, she signed on as 'Recruit No. 1' for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Flying) List, designed to train pilots for non-operational duties in emergencies. Joan Nayler, another ATA Woman pilot, was No. 2.

    She then became Managing Director of the West London Aero Club.

     

    In 1948, she was called by the prosecution at the court martial of her elder brother, Colonel Thomas Gerard Gore DSO, OBE, on charges which alleged that he had received money from a Mr Newman, knowing it came from the sale of stolen arms.

    Margot testified that "her brother had never been very good at business affairs or, anything that demanded a high degree of intellectual effort." [Ouch]

     Colonel Gore was sentenced to be cashiered and serve two years imprisonment. Major-General James D Dennlson, Director of Ordnance Services at the time of the Invasion of Normandy, told the Court that he had referred him as "a problem child," but said that Colonel Gore was a first-class leader in war-time."

     

    In 1952, aged 39, she passed out as Gold Medallist (of course) at the British School of Osteopathy and later practised as an osteopath, eventually becoming (of course) its Chairman.

    In retirement Margot was "an enthusiastic golfer".

    I bet she was good at that, too...

     

    d. 28 Aug 1993 - Sue Ryder Home, Nettlebed, Oxfordshire.

     

    This is her memorial in Maidenhead Cemetery:

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    IWM interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009075

     

  • Gosiewski, Antoni Henryk

     M.670 2nd Officer Antoni Henryk Gosiewski 
     flag poland b. 17 Jan 1900, Warsaw  30 Sep 1941 to 19 Dec 1941 

     ata antoni gosiewski ATA

     ata antoni gosiewski 2 ATA    

     

    [Antoni Gosiewski lost nearly everything that mattered to him - his country, his wife, his two sons, his career and a large part of his reputation, in two brutal years of war.

    Eventually, he only had one thing left to give]

     

    Father: Feliks Gosiewski (dec'd), mother Biernacka Julyanna. One brother (Juljusz) and one sister Eugenia still in Poland with their mother.

    Diploma of Engineering

    prev. Engine Designer. Polish Air Force from 1923 Lt-Col (equiv. Wing Commander)

    Lived in France from Sep 1939 - 26 June 1940; then Pilot Officer in RAF

    prev. exp. 1,050 hrs on PZL.11, Anson

    [[pzl 11

    The PZL.11, having briefly been considered the most advanced fighter aircraft of its kind in the world during the early 30s, was outclassed by such fighters as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 at the onset of the war.]

    Awarded the Polish Virtutu Military (Polish Cross), ZKZ, SKZ, and MZW medals.

     

    Address in 1941: c/o Mrs M Allam, Academy House, Rothesay, Bute

    [Officer Concentration Station Rothesay (Polish language: Stacja Zborna Oficerów Rothesay) was a military centre of Polish Armed Forces in the West. Created on August 14, 1940 (Order Nr. L.dz. 1977/I.tjn.40), as Officer Camp Nr. 23, it was located in Rothesay, ButeScotland.

    Officers of the Polish Army, who were sent to the camp, were billeted in several local hotels, such as „Craigmor”, „Craignetham Private Hotel”, „Madras”, „Glenearu”, „Ardyn”, „Struan”, „Bute Arms”, „Esplanade”, „Grand Marine”, „Royal” and „Victoria”. With the permission of Commander-in-chief of Polish Army and British authorities, families of officers were allowed to join them. The relatives of the officers were treated as foreign subjects, and since the Isle of Bute was located in a protected zone, special permission was required to enter the town of Rothesay.

    On August 28, 1940, all officers began compulsory English courses, and on September 10, the camp was renamed into Officer Camp Nr. 2 Rothesay. - Wikipedia]

     

    His application to ATA, dated 9 Sep 1941, concludes: "I want to work for the war effort. I desire to be useful as a pilot, because I have the knowledge, the flying experience (over 1,000 hrs) and the certainty of my hand."

    However, one of his 'referees' rather threw a spanner into the works:

     I can give you the following information:

     1.  (Gosiewski) has been dismissed from the [Air] Force as a result of a sentence of a Court Martial in Britain, which found him guilty of the charge of embezzlement committed in Poland.  

    2. Up till the last year in Poland [he] was a pilot and has had good training, though his occupation did not allow him to fly the most modern types of aircraft. He is a good and able technician.

    In my opinion Gosiewski should not be appointed for responsible duties permitting access to secret information; he could, however, be engaged in simple executive work.

     

    ... . but a further letter from Major Wladyslaw Zaberowski, Bureau of Staff, Polish General Headquarters, gave a totally different impression:

     

     Answering your question in matters of Lt-Col Antoni Gosiewski Grad. Eng. I declare as follows:

    I did not know Lt-Col A Gosiewski until February of this year, when Authorities concerned ordered me to defend his case before the Polish Court Martial in London.

    Lt-Col Gosiewski was accused of having appropriated for his private purposes, unlegally, various small amounts of monies (totalling less then £80), which were put at his disposal for the "Representation Fund" of the Polish School of Air Force Officers, which was under his command before outbreak of the war.

    I pursued the legal proceedings in this matter with an utmost care, and considering all the facts shown thereby, I came to the conclusion, I am thoroughly convinced a right one, that Lt-Col Gosiewski could not and has not done things he was accused of. Therefore I wrote and signed a Memorandum opposing the verdict, and destined for the General who is responsible for approving such verdicts here. I have to mention that against verdicts of our Court Martials no appeal to a higher court is provided, during the war.

    Officers under whose orders Lt-Col Gosiewski has been on duty told the court that their opinion is entirely in favour of his character and behaviour. Their opinion is shared by numerous other Polish Air Force officers, now in service in this country who have heard about the bad luck of Lt-Col Gosiewski in this case.

    I have to stress that facts alleged to Lt-Col Gosiewski should have occurred before the war between 1937 and 1939, in Poland, but there nobody has put it forward against him. It was in this country that two of his subalterns accused him, in circumstances where any counter proofs by evidence of witnesses and by documents left behind in Poland has not been feasible.

    The Court Martial has based the verdict on the evidence given by these two former subalterns, but giving a supplementary explanation of the verdict stated that, admitting the fact of an unlegal appropriation, this deed has not been committed under influence of mean motives, and therefore the verdict does not include the privation of the accused nor of his high Military Order, the "Virtuti Militari", nor of his Academie degree of M.A.

    ...There exists the possiblility of applying for a revision of this legal proceeding, when new proofs and new witnesses will be available. This will be done, and I am sure that after our return to Poland this verdict will be cancelled.

    After having examined this matter in the Polish Military Intelligence Branch I may state that also their opinion is entirely in favour of Lt-Col Gosiewski.

     

    So the ATA gave him a 15-minute flight test in a Tiger Moth, which was satisfactory; "An experienced pilot, heavy on controls but suitable for Class 2 at once."

     ---------------------------------------------------------

    On his application form, he gave his next of kin as: "(wife) Umerska Jadwiga [Lis], with the Polish Committee in Lisbon",

    and said they had "2 children"

     

    Sadly, by the time he started with the ATA three weeks later, his wife Jadwiga (b. 30 May 1908) and their two sons Krzystof (age 6) and Michal, age 10, had died when the ship in which they were travelling was torpedoed.

    300px Avoceta steam liner SS Avoceta

    "Avoceta left Liverpool on 19 August 1941 and safely reached Gibraltar on 4 September. From there, she made her usual round trip to Lisbon and back. In Lisbon she embarked dozens of refugees from German-occupied Europe: UK subjects who had escaped the fall of France and had been denied leave to remain by the authorities in neutral Spain and Portugal. Most were women and children, some of them of French or Spanish origin, several following their husbands to the UK.

    Avoceta was one of 25 merchant ships that formed Convoy HG 73, which left Gibraltar on 17 September bound for Liverpool.

    On the night of 25–26 September U-203 fired a spread of four torpedoes from their port side. One hit Avoceta close to her engine room. Admiral Creighton was on Avoceta's bridge, and later recalled that when hit "she staggered like a stumbling horse".

     Avoceta sank by the stern, and her bows quickly rose to such an angle that her lifeboats could not be lowered.

    123 people from Avoceta were lost. The dead included 43 crew, nine Navy staff, four DEMS gunners and 67 civilian passengers, including 32 women and 20 children, four of which were under one year old." SS Avoceta - Wikipedia

     


    Postings: Training Pool

    "An ex Polish Air Force Officer. A most likeable personality, very keen and anxious to produce results... will require help with his English"

    2 accidents

    - 12 Dec 1941, his Tiger Moth T7610 was caught by a gust of wind after landing and tipped onto its nose, breaking the propeller


    d. 19 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) in Master W8479 which flew into Arrant Haw hill, 2.5 m N of Sedbergh, Yorks.

    The ferry originally started 17 Dec from Reading (Phillips & Powis factory) to 46 MU Lossiemouth, although he stayed at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire on the 17th and 18th Dec due to bad weather. 

    The wreck was discovered by a shepherd on the 24 Dec, completely smashed and burnt. The weather had been misty all week. There were no witnesses.

    "Insufficient evidence to establish cause but it appears that he persisted too far into bad weather"

    It was his 3rd ferry flight, having previously flown 37hrs 10min in training on Magister, Battle, Harvard, Hurricane and Oxford.

    The body was temporarily moved to the Games Pavilion at Sedbergh School.

    Buried Maidenhead Cemetery, Section D No 18KK

     Antoni Gosiewski Gravestone 2014       

    With thanks to John Webster

    "If anything Gosiewski displayed an over anxiety to produce results... as a result of his keenness he was on one occasion grounded because of his desire to take off in too bad weather conditions."

    His cousin asked for his effects to be sent to him or Dr Vedrevczak, because "they are very valuable to me as concerning the family name, and also to his friends. Because even after his death we want the name of this valuable man and officer to be without any shadows."

    He left a will, in Polish, naming two executors; one an officer serving in the RAF (Flt-Lt (Dr.) Marvan Vedrzevczak), and the Polish Legation in London. The will could not be proved during the war, so his £2,000 insurance (and £9 19 5d balance of salary) was invested in 1949/51 war bonds and passed on to his executors in 1947.

    See also the photos of the crash site at  https://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk


    PostScript:

    In November 2021 I wrote to the Clerk of the Parish Council in Sedbergh (now in Cumbria):

    "I am researching the ferry pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) in WW2, and recently discovered the personnel file of a Polish pilot, Antoni Gosiewski, who crashed near Sedbergh just before Christmas 1941.  His story is a tragic one and he has no known memorial, just his grave in Maidenhead.  

    Several ATA casualties do have memorial plaques near where they died, though, and I wondered if it would be possible for you to consider erecting one near his crash site."
     
    Funded by the Parish Council and the Royal British Legion, the plaque was finally unveiled in September 2023:
     
      click to enlarge
    via Janey Hassam
     
    "Following several months of work, support and assistance gathering relevant information - I am delighted to confirm that the panel is now
    in place in memory of Antoni and his family. It has been very well received, with many not aware of Antoni's full story - including the tragic loss of his wife and children earlier in the same year.  I am advised that there is still a small bare patch on Arant Haw where the plane crashed- and I am told that someone leaves a
    remembrance cross there each year. Others have told me they often walk to the site, and reflect, when visiting the area."
     

      


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

  • Gough, Joyce (W.149)

     W.149  3rd Officer Joyce 'Joy' Gough 
     flag england b. 14 Feb 1923, Cirencester, Glos 28 Dec 1943 to 30 Sep 1945 

     joy gough ATA  ATA

         

     

    [see also Yvonne Wheatley, her elder sister, also an ATA pilot]


    Father: Arthur Victor Gough, a professional footballer turned hairdresser, mother Doris Irene Alexandra (Herbert]

    Ed. Stratton School, Cirencester Grammar School

    prev: Cashier, Lloyds Bank, Cirencester

    Address in 1943: Galba Villas, Prospect Place, Cirencester


    Postings: 5TFPP, 15FPP, 12FPP, 7FPP

    Ab initio Trainee

     One accident: 

    - 3 Feb 1945, forced landing after she discovered that the hood of her Spitfire Vb EP661 had "been blown away", reason unknown

     Class III pilot

     Gained her Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate (No 20586) as part of the ATA's 'Wings' scheme on 29 Sep 1945


    m. 1945 in London, F/O Jiri HartmanDFCformerly Cmdr, 'A' Flight, 310 (Czech) Sqn, RAF

    Joy and Jiri moved to Prague, but had to flee back to the UK in 1948 after the coup d'etat.

     

    m.  Jun 1971 in Warwickshire, Charles James Lofthouse, who had been an RAF Lancaster pilot and PoW in WWII (d. 2002)

    She became a Special Needs Teacher

     

    Joy (2nd from right) at the unveiling of the ATA Memorial in Hamble-le-Rice, 2010

    d. 15 Nov  2017

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    interviewed here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009633

  • Gould, Gilbert Christopher

     M.881 First Officer Gilbert Christopher Gould 
     flag england  b. 13 Jun 1906, South Godstone

    6 Aug 1941 to 8 Feb 1945


      ATA 1941

      ATA 1944    

    Father: Gilbert, mother: Grace Mildred

    Ed. Reigate Grammar School; Goldsmith College, University of London

    m. Aug 1931 Esme Maud [Knight, "a well known teacher and vocalist"], 2 children Mary and John b. 1932 and 1937

     prev. a schoolmaster in Surrey. RAFO F/O, 1929-1939

    prev. exp 80 hrs on DH Moth and 9J, Avro Cadet & 626. One of the founder members of the Surrey Gliding Club at Redhill.

    Address in 1941: 'Tanglehedge', Limes Estate, Felbridge, East Grinstead, W. Sussex

    Following Lord Londonderry's radio appeal for pilots in March 1941, he applied to the ATA and was given a 15-minute flight test on 7 June; "Good, except for approach and landing".


     Postings: 12FPP, 1FPP

    Having started as a Pilot Cadet in August 1941, his flying contract was terminated on the 24 Feb 1942 because "an attempt to convert him to Class 2 has revealed that he is unlikely to become a service type pilot", and he was moved into ATA's Accidents Committe, as Joint Secretary (with Gerald Merton), and promoted to Third Officer.

    In July 1942 he was 'called up' to the RAF and duly reported for attestation, but the RAF then granted him secondment, back to the ATA, initially until 1 Feb 1943. Further extension might be possible, they said, but only if he was to be employed as a ferry pilot.

    He was duly reinstated as a ferry pilot in February 1943, (they described him as "not a very brilliant pilot", but all agreed that he was doing invaluable work for the Accidents Committee) and began negotiations with the RAF to keep him. Eventually, in August 1943, the RAF agreed to extend his secondment whilst he was employed on the Accidents Committee.

     He was off sick from 19 Oct to 11 Nov 1943 with "Anxiety State and Depression", and was taken off flying duties again and promoted to First Officer.

    His C.O. by this time was the aforementioned Gerald Merton, who reported in Feb 1944 that "He is very keen on his investigational work and does it well. I have had difficulty with him in the past because of his unwillingness to accept and carry out orders from me, and his inclination to be evasive... Recently however, his attitude has been more helpful. A normal increase in salary seems justified."

     Towards the end of 1944 however, accidents by then being less frequent with the run-down of ATA, he agreed to return to flying duties, and performed as a "most useful taxi pilot" for 1FPP.

     


     fairchild argus

    d. 8 Feb 1945, in Fairchild Argus HM188, which hit a survey pylon in bad weather and poor visibility, and crashed in Nor Wood, near Leatherhead, Surrey during a ferry flight from White Waltham to Gatwick (Southern Aircraft Co.).

    He was held to blame for the accident, having persisted too far into bad weather.

     

    Cremated at Golders Green Crematorium, Barnet, London

     

     "He took a keen interest in local affairs. He was Hon. Secretary to the Parochial Parish Council." - Crawley and District Observer

     

    "He is not dead, he doth but sleep" ..this knowledge will help me to carry on to fit his children to take their place in the better world we hope to build. .. I am proud that I was privileged to be his wife.

    Yours Sincerely, Esme Gould"


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gover, Thomas Edward

     M.944 *

    3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Thomas Edward Gover 
    flag england b. 6 Sep 1922, Taunton ?  14 Jul 1943 to 30 Apr 1945 

     

         

     

    d. 17 Mar 2010 ?

  • Govett, Vincent George

     M.448 First Officer  Vincent George Govett 
     flag england   b. 1910, Islington, London 12 Jul 1941 to Sep-41 

     

    ata vincent govett

    ATA

         

     

    RAF from 1931; 33 Sqn Bicester from 1932, 503 Sqn Waddington from 1934 then the Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, Biggin Hill from 1936.

    May 1932: "GRANTHAM AIRMAN FINED Vincent George Govett. of No. 3 Flying School, R.A.F., Grantham, was fined 5s at Lincoln Police Court to-day for not having a red rear light on his motor-cycle and 5s for failing to illuminate his identification plate in Lincoln High-street on May 7."

    Flt-Lt in RAF Reserve; BOAC, Bristol


    beaufighter 6

    d. 8 Sep 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Beaufighter X7640 crashed 3 miles SW of Capel Curig, Snowdonia

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gower, Pauline Mary de Peauly (W.25)

     

     

     W.25 Senior Commander 

    Pauline Mary de Peauly Gower MBE 

    Mrs Fahie

    flag england b. 22 Jul 1910, Tunbridge Wells  1 Dec-39 to Oct-45 

      RAeC 1930  pauline gower 1940 ATA    

     

    ata pauline gower 1940

    5 feet 5 in height, in case you wondered.

    "In England you can count on one hand the women who are making a living directly from flying. Probably foremost among them are the two girl flyers, Pauline Gower and Dorothy Spicer, who work in partnership at joy-riding. Miss Gower is the pilot and Miss Spicer the mechanic."

    Amy Mollison, writing in 1934

    "Pauline Gower, one of the few women who has already achieved a successful commercial flying career, did joyriding last year in 185 different towns with a travelling air circus."

    Mary Bertha de Bunsen

    She was fined £222 in 1933, having taxied her Spartan into a stationary Moth at Cardiff while giving joy-rides in an air pageant (although she reckoned it had definitely moved since she checked where it was). Three years later, she was taken to hospital suffering from concussion and 'lacerations of the scalp' after she... collided with another aeroplane on the ground, this time at Coventry airport.

    She owned:

    a 1929 Simmonds Spartan, G-AAGO, (the one which she wrote off in the taxying accident in Cardiff in August 1933), and then

    a 1931 Spartan Three Seater, G-ABKK, the one which she wrote off in the taxying accident at Coventry in May 1936.

    During her air-taxi career, she was reckoned to have piloted more than 33,000 passengers.

    In 1937 she, Amy Johnson and Dorothy Spicer invited "all women pilots interested in the idea of a central meeting-place for women aviators in London" to write to them, but I don't think it ever happened.


     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

     

    Founder and first Commandant of the Women's Section of the Air Transport Auxiliary in 1940; from 1943, a board member of BOAC. She had a narrow escape in August 1943 when 'Fortuna', an old Imperial Airways airliner, with her and 7 other BOAC officers aboard, made a forced landing near Shannon and was written off.

     ATA Silver Salver HoM

    Silver salver presented to Pauline on her wedding day on 2 June 1945, signed by over 90 of the women ATA pilots.  (Lois Butler signed twice, though)     Click to enlarge.


    Married Wing Commander William Cusack Fahie in June 1945, but died of a heart attack in March 1947 giving birth to twin boys, one of whom, Michael, later published 'A Harvest of Memories' about her.


    Pauline Gower and Dorothy Spicer - In Memory

    claudia parsons

    by Claudia Parsons

     from "The Woman Engineer", Spring 1948

    It is grimly ironical that Mrs Fahie, M.B.E., and Mrs Richard Pearse, better known as Pauline Gower and Dorothy Spicer, after the risks of their early youth and of the war, should meet death, the one through the age-old hazard of child-birth, the other as a passenger in an air liner flying to South America. It is also grimly tragic that these partners who risked, endured and enjoyed so much together should die within a year of each other. Though neither got further than the middle thirties they filled the brief interval between attaining majority and leaving life with a record of hard work, pioneering experience and fine achievement that was as gallant as it was short lived.

    Yet in using that word 'gallant' one hesitates, not questioning its truth but out of consideration for the two who achieved this record, whose aim was never more than to pursue a private ambition and to do it well. The word 'gallant' would have been held by them in derision.

    I feel honoured to write the appreciation of these two fellow members of The Women's Engineering Society, whose careers I always followed with particular interest since first meeting them on a tour of the Ford works at Dagenham, organised by the W.E.S. Mere babes they then seemed, the one very round of face the other with fairest hair, and it was only in the course of this visit that I learnt their names and remembered having read that Sir Robert Gower, M.P., had given his daughter an aeroplane as a twenty-first birthday present and that now, with Dorothy Spicer as her ground engineer, she was using the plane to give people joy-rides and for aerial taxi service.

    In the following years as I watched these two soar ever higher, in the metaphorical rather than the literal sense, I used to ponder this parental gesture which, so early as 1931, might have seemed to many to be rash and courting trouble, and reflected how often really enterprising acts were well rewarded and that here was one that had laid the foundation stone of two successful careers. In this I was not altogether accurate; this was the coping rather than the foundation stone. The gesture was indeed the greatest assistance but in no means were Pauline or Dorothy ever financed or given much moral support in their early ambition, which at first was viewed as a joke by their contemporaries. Like Madame Curie, and others of set purpose, before embarking on their careers they had to find the money with which to train, and in this interest Dorothy spent a year in a London store and Pauline gave violin lessons and lectures at schools. This was while still in their teens and before joining forces, in their twenties, at Stag Lane aerodrome where they decided to go into partnership. Already therefore, in 1931, in spite of opposition and setback, Pauline had her A and B Flying Licences and Dorothy had an A Pilot's Licence and Engineer's Licence, and one rather gathers, reading the pages of Women with Wings - the book the two of them later published - that the hand of Sir Robert Gower was forced rather then held out eagerly with the gift of a two-seater Spartan plane. The gift was advanced only in the face of the inevitable, and as a safety measure, Pauline so often coming home late for meals with harrowing tales of forced landings with hired machines. (The forced landings were not always the fault of the machine.)

    Indeed, in those early days of gaining experience, Pauline on a cross-country flight often came down to ask the way; there were narrow margins between forced landings and the petrol running dry; there was the occasion of flying the Channel at 250 feet and of making a forced landing at Brussels and finding it was Liege. Yes, there were many harrowing moments whose memory later made thri blood run cold, but there was also the exuberance and confidence of youth and a very decided will to conquer. It was perhaps typical that in her night flying test for the B Pilot's Licence, after two hours in the air, cut off from the earth by a ground fog that had formed, Pauline, determined not to become panic-stricken, suddenly remembered an old friend - her mouth organ - on which she played 'Show me the way to go home'. And she was shown.

    If these two started with a light-hearted attitude towards flying, their subsequent experiences in joy-riding, in joining up with Air Pageants and Air Circuses and in working in all weathers and cvonditions, gave them a far higher sense of respinsibility. They formed themselves into a Limited Liability Company - Air Trips, Ltd. - and worked for two seasons from a field near Hunstanton where they themselves camped beside their plane in a caravan. B~y the time she had carried 3,000 passengers Pauline was foremost among women air pilots in skill and reliability and had added to her A and B Licences a Navigator's Licence and a G.P.O. Wireless Operator's Certificate. Meanwhile Dorothy had had wide experience of servicing machines and in the winter, during enforced flying activity, had studied for her Engineer's Licences, the first woman ever to attain the A, B, C and D Engineering Licences. Pauline often stressed how much the safety of herself and her passengers depended on Dorothy's efficient care of the machine; her praise was equally divided between Dorothy's engineering ability and, on those long periods of camping, her excellent cooking.

    It is scarcely necessary to to remind fellow members of the later achievements of these two pioneers. With such experience behind them it is not surprising that they gave valuable service to their country both during the war and in the years preceeding it when they played a leading part in making the public air-minded. Members of the WES will remember papers read by each of them at the September Conference in 1937. In 1938 Dorothy joined the staff of the Air Registration Board and added to her qualifications a No 1 Glider's (Engineering) Licence. Later in this year, and with Pauline as her bridesmaid, she was married to Squadron Leader Richard Pearse who, when the war broke out, was in the RAF Coastal Command. Just before the war Patricia Mary was born and later Dorothy took up war work with the Ministry of Aircraft Production on research in connection with engines in flight. With her husband posted to her Flight, she had the unique opprtunity of working in war-time together with her husband. It was after the war, in December, 1946, and retired from their war activities, that Wing Commander and Mrs Pearse lost their lives in the air liner that crashed near Rio de Janeiro. Their daughter Patricia survives them.

    In the meantime Pauline, who in 1938, had obtained an Air Ministry's Instructor's Licence, had been appointed to serve on the Committee investigating the position of civil aviation in this country, and later was made District Commissioner for the London area of the Civil Air Guard. Of her activities in building up the Women's branch of the A.T.A., members of the WES heard her oqn account when, in 1946, she gave us an interesting talk on this subject, accompanied now by her husband, Wing Commander Fahie, RAFVR, to whom she was married in 1945.

    When invited to be Commandant of the women pilots in the A.T.A., Pauline stipulated that she must have a free hand in order to do this, a condition for which, interestingly, another great woman pioneer stipulated when asked to take over the hospital service in the Crimea. The fine achievement of the women serving in the A.T.A., their record, and the fact that some of them were finally ferrying heavy four-engined bombers, is a proof of how well Pauline used her powers. In 1943 she was appointed a member of the board of the British Overseas Airways Corporation. Pauline died on March 2nd, 1947, her twin sons surviving her.

    That is the record of what they did; a bleak summary of achievements is unavailing, however, unless some mention is also made of what they were. Impressive as their qualifications, achievbements and later honours might be, it was the human side that interested most people, it was their pleasant unaffected charm that everyone noticed. One can pay no higher tribute to Dorothy than to recall Pauline's description of her, referring to their partnership, as one whose 'business' reliability proved always as unfailing as her friendship. There is also the tribute paid by Amy Johnson, who was their friend of long standing and who finally worked under Pauline for the A.T.A. In the foreword she wrote for Women with Wings she refers to staying at Pauline's home at Tunbridge Wells and listening to her and Dorothy singing to the banjulele, and winds up: "I played the part of spectator, admiring the utterly unspoiled character of two girls who have done more than their bit in making aviation history."

    They owed their leading position in the field of aviation to hard work and often severe discomfort; they never set out on record-breaking or otherwise spectacular flights; they did what they did because they enjoyed it and it was the thing they had chosen and wanted to master. There was no intention of ending life swiftly and heroically; they had every hope of seeing this precarious century to its final chapter and Pauline in her book prophesied a time when she and Dorothy would be old ladies still flying an antiquated machine and the passengers in a rocket would lean out and say, "Look at those old girls in that pre-historic bus!" Alas, this is no longer a possibility but to what extent air transport has been influenced by the two who will never be old ladies, and whose memory will always be associated with youth, is impossible to measure.


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  • Goza, Clarence Edward

     M.242  First Officer Clarence Edward 'Speedy' Goza 

    flag usa

      b. 28 Mar 1910. Buda Texas 30 Aug 1940 to 29 Aug 1941 

           

     

    Ed. at Texas University, Mechanical Engineering

    Next of kin in 1940: Mother, Mrs M. L. Roberts, Box 545 Rt 5, Houston, Texas

    m. Mar 1941 Kathleen Irene [Bewshear] and lived at 418 Wells Rd, Bristol 4, UK


    Sailed to the UK from Montreal with fellow pilots Alexander Chase, Clyde Gray (M.244), Robert Perlick, Philo Pringle, Albert Robbins, and Gilbert Tobin.

    Postings: White Waltham, Whitchurch

    "Good pilot, prefers single-engine types; not too progressive, but vastly improved."

    After a couple of forced landings early on, he had a lucky escape in Jun-41 when his Blenheim, flying in bad weather, hit a tree.

    Sailed back to Montreal with fellow pilots Hubert Timmermans, Gilbert Tobin, Irving Nelson and Lewis Hunter.


    d. 1 Aug 1947 from burns he suffered in the crash of a crop-dusting aircraft near Spartanburg, S.C. His plane, belonging to Roberts Dusting Co. of Fort Pierce, Florida, stalled after take-off and crashed on the farm of William Mitchell where he was dusting cotton.

    ata clarence goza grave

    Inman Cemetery, Inman, Spartanburg County, South Carolina


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  • Gragg, Robert Olyn

     M.173 First Officer  Robert Olyn Gragg 

    flag usa

     b. 18 Jun 1914, Montgomery Alabama 18 Oct 1940 to 23 April 1943 

           

    ed. University of Alabama '2 yrs Aeronautical Engineering'

    4yrs aircraft maintenance work, 8 yrs private flying. 622hrs

    married

    Address in 1940: 702 Narman Bridge Rd, Montgomery, Alabama

    Arrived in the UK 11  Nov 1940 on the SS Duchess of Atholl

    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Charles Smith, Dan Jacques, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    Postings: 1FPP, 2FPP

    His contract was terminated 17 Oct 1941 and he sailed to Montreal with fellow US airmen Donald Annibal, Roy Wimmer, George Wood, Robert Vinson, Claude Cole (all ATA) and Louis Brosmer; however, his contract was renewed 26 Jan 1942.

    "An efficient and reliable pilot. V. keen. Discipline v. good both on and off duty."

    Moved to Montreal, Canada, with his wife sometime before 1945.

    Director of Flight Operations for Atlantic Southeast Airlines in 1972.

    d. 21 Oct 2004 - Crossville, TN


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  • Graham, Charles John

     M460 * First Officer  Charles John 'Kipper' Graham 
    flag england  b. 28 Mar 1899, London  10 Jun 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata charles graham 1925 1925

     ata charles graham BG    

     

    prev. a Master Mariner

    Address in 1925: Lensbury, Teddington, Middx


    Postings: 8FPP

    ata charles graham certificate

  • Grant, Beatrice Glanley (W.64)

     W.64  First Officer Beatrice Glanley 'Betty' Grant  
     flag UK  b. 21 Jul 1913, Calcutta, India 16 Dec 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     

    beatrice grant 1936 RAeC

     

    W064 Grant Beatrice FANY 1940

       

     

    Father: Walter Neil Cardiner Grant, an East India Merchant, mother  [Tindall]

    Stepmother: (from 1923) Beatrice Blanche [Glanley]

     "of 12 Hyde Park Place, W.2 and The Thatches, Angmering-on-Sea, Sussex (late of Calcutta)."


    Postings include: 1FPP

     

    2 accidents, 1 her fault:

    - 16 Nov 1942, she landed Hurricane II HW861 in poor visiblity, the aircraft swung off the runway and tipped onto its nose

    - 13 Jan 1943, the flaps and brakes failed to work in Spitfire IIc MB258 when landing, and the aircraft overshot.

     

    m 28 Jun 1943 Norman Lambert Hayman also of the ATA, [a reception was held afterwards at Claridge's] but they appear to have separated sometime before 1947.


    "Between 90 and 100 Cheshire Women's Junior Air Corps Cadets were taken up for 20 minute flights in the £1,600 Argus bought by the Corps last year.

    Mrs Betty Hayman, of Lonton, 34-year old ex-ferry pilot, who flew Spitfires during the war, wore a navy costume, wedgees, and silk stockings to fly the Argus" - Manchester Evening News, May 1948

     

    In September 1949, she and her stepmother Beatrice sailed to South Africa, apparently intending to settle there, but they returned in July 1950.

    m. Mar 1964 John Edward .A. d'Aguilar

     Lived at Dungate Manor, Reigate Heath

    d. 25 Jan 1990 - Reigate, Surrey

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Grant, Malcolm Goss

     M.357  First Officer Malcolm Goss Grant 
    flag england   b. 17 Dec 1914, Croydon

    21 Mar 1941 to 28 Aug 1942

    [525 days]


     ata malcolm grant 1937 1937

     ata malcolm grant ATA    

     

    Educated at Eastbourne College

    m. Marie [Plumpton], 17 Feb 1939 in Cullompton, Devon. After the wedding they departed in a Leopard Moth from Exeter Airport and were back in Croydon by 3:30, "subsequently going on to the beautiful little cottage at Newdigate, Surrey, which the bridegroom's father has given them as a residence."

    prev. a draper (Grant Bros Ltd, Croydon) then a Link Trainer instructor in Carlisle, Dec-39 to 1941.

    Member of Redhill Flying Club from 1936. Prev. exp. 75 hrs. They reported that his flying was "consistently steady and reliable." He first applied to the ATA in Dec 1940, but his flying hours were below the standard required at the time. However, things changed within 3 months and he was accepted for training.

    Address in 1941: Gotwick Farm, Orlton Lane, Rusper, Sussex


     DB7 3

    d. 28 Aug 1942 (Died in ATA Service) in Douglas Havoc Z2299, which dived into the ground at Abington Pigotts near Bassingbourn, Cambs, whilst attempting to land following port engine failure. the accident report blamed a "loss of control on turn towards dead engine in course of circuit at low altitude and with insufficient air speed."

    His wife wrote to the ATA afterwards, asking whether they had discovered the whereabouts of his stop watch, silver cigarette case and gold lighter, and key case: "I am only fussing about such things as I would so like to have them for his son - who is only five weeks old - and so, will not remember him at all."

    "My great consolation is the fact that he loved every moment of his job, and although you must have many pilots with more experience, you can have few so keen - and for this reason the past eighteen months have been particularly happy."


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  • Gray, Clyde Erskine

     M.244 First Officer   Clyde Erskine Gray

    flag usa

    b. 29 Dec 1907, St Louis MI 

    30 Aug 1940 to 25 Jun 1941

    [299 days]


           

     

    "Mr and Mrs H[arry] R[ichmond] Gray are receiving congratulations upon the arrival of a little son, born Dec. 29. The little fellow is the first grandchild in both families and has been names Clyde Erskine Gray after his paternal grandfather" - St Louis Post-Dispatch

    The family moved to South Shore Drive, Chicago and in May 1908 it was reported that: "Mrs Clyde Erskine, Mrs Gray's mother, is visiting them."

    Educated; Grammar School, Military School, Jr. College

    Engaged to  Winifred Alaine [Stanz] in 1929 but may not have married (see below)

    m. Elsie Mary [Green] Dec 1940 in Bristol

    Address in 1941: Box 1001, Beverley Hills, California

    Elsie's address: 11 Burnside Gardens, Prestwick

    prev. an Aerial Photographer


    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP

    Not sure why his contract was cut short after 299 days - his only accidents (the latter not his fault) were in November and December 1940.

    He sailed back to the USA on 26 April 1941, without Elsie.


    d. Jan. 9, 1965 - Los Angeles County, California, USA

    His son, Stephen Bennett Bishop,"known to his friends and family as Steve, died on April 17, 2014, after a short illness. He was born in Milwaukee, WI on February 26, 1931, to Winifred Alaine Stanz and Clyde Erskine Gray. He was adopted by Herbert Bennett Bishop at the age of three and was raised in the Los Angeles area for most of his childhood."


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  • Greaves, John Milne

     M.485 3rd Officer  John Milne Greaves 
    flag england    b. 15 Jan 1909, Oldham 3 Jun 1941 to  30 Jul 1942

    ata john greaves 1931 1931

    ata john greaves 1939 1939    

     

    prev. in 1931 a Publicity Manager, 1939 an Insurance Broker

    Address in 1939: 6 Langdale Ave, Oldham


    Postings:

    Off sick from 19 Aug 1941 to 22 Apr 1942 after an aircraft crash ( see James o'Halloran)

     

     

     

    miles master

    d. 30 Jul 1942 (Died in ATA Service) Miles Master M7958 engine cut on take-off, stalled avoiding trees and overturned at White Waltham. Instructor Norman Haymanwas also slightly injured.


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  • Green, Alfred Edward

     M.487  2nd Officer Alfred Edward Green 

    flag england

      b. 8 Feb 1916, Warwick 3 Jun 1941 to Dec-41 

     

    ata alfred green 1937

    1937

     

    ata alfred green

    ATA

       

     

    married, one son

    Owned 1936 BAC Drone 23 G-AEJS

    prev. a Cabinet Maker;

    alfred e green letterhead

    He originally applied to the RAF but was rejected, due to "(a) eyesight not up to required standard, (b) feet, in respect of fallen arches". Also, because they noted that there was "no service Trade in the RAF in respect of cabinet-making."

    He was also rejected at first (in 1940) by the ATA as his flying test was not up to standard, and became a Fitter and Technical Records Assistant for Air Service Training Ltd in Coventry. By 1941, however, the ATA was less picky and he was finally accepted.

    He was assessed as "average, with no special faults but his limited experience demands constant supervision." 


     janes hurricane

    d. 9 Dec 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Hurricane BM955 dived into ground nr Cockerham Rd, Lancaster in bad weather.

    see http://laituk.org/Hurricane%20BM955.htm

    buried Old Milverton Churchyard, Warwick

    18th Aug 1945: "I have to inform you that my daughter Mrs Joan Constance Green passed away on the 12 May last year after a long illness, she is buried in the same grave as her husband Alfred, they leave a son age 7 years. Yours Faithfully W C Kimberley"


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  • Greene, Godfrey Albert Chichester

     M.421  First Officer Godfrey Albert Chichester Greene 

    flag UK - flag eire

    b. 25 Sep 1911, Dublin   22 Apr 1941 to 30 Jun 1945

     ata godfrey greene 1935 1935

    Ed. G.C.S. Dublin, National School Kildare St.

    prev. RAFVR 16 Jan 1939 to 18 Sep 1940, Sergeant Pilot under training

    prev. a 'Ladies Court Hairdresser' in Paris, then a technical assistant at Plessey in Ilford

    m. Jun-42 Madeline Clare [Grigsby] in Maidenhead [d. 2009, Wallasey]

    Address in 1941: Littlewick House, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead


    Postings: 6FPP, 16FPP, 14FPP, 1FPP

    Had 5 accidents in 1942, 4 of which were his fault; he managed to damage a Walrus [failed to control swing], a Hurricane [forgot to lower undercarriage], 2 Masters [hard landing collapsed undercarriage, and hit a post whilst taxying] and a Spitfire [undercarriage leg failed to lock down, that one was not his fault].

    Contract Terminated in Apr-42 but re-instated; "This pilot has been given a second chance, a further course of training in the School... He has not given entire satisfaction. As a pilot he appears now to be average but his reports indicate that he requires driving."

    "General flying poor, take-off and approaches below standard", but "A keen and willing pilot within his limited capabilities."

     Also damaged 2 more Spitfires in 1943, but neither was his fault.


    d. Jul 1995 - Wallasey, Merseyside


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Greenhalgh, James Donald

     M.77 Flight Captain  James Donald Greenhalgh 

    flag england

     b. 27 May 1913, Rochdale Lancs  17 May 1940 to Jun-45 

      ata james greenhalgh 1936   ATAM    

     

    prev. pilot with Birkett Air Services

    prev. exp. 1053 hrs

    Address in 1940: 9 Heather Bank, Higher Bebington, Wirral, Cheshire with wife Flora [later changed next-of-kin to his mother E.H. Greenhalgh]


    Postings: 3FPP

    General Conduct "Good, with occasional minor lapses which are probably due to domestic difficulties." Leadership qualities: "Could do better if he tried harder."

    "a good Flight Leader and his discipline has been excellent."


    d. Apr 1996 - Honiton, Devon

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Gregg, William Eugene

     M.175 First Officer  William Eugene Gregg 

    flag usa

    b. 18 Feb 1915, Sunbury Ohio   13 Nov 1940 to 12 Nov 1941

           

     

    Graduate of the Ryan School of Aeronautics; worked for Butler Airphotos (Aerial Survey).

    prev. exp 1,000hrs

    Married

    Address in 1940: 1651 Milford Ave, Columbus, Ohio


    Postings: 2FPP

    "Has done a good year's work. Efficient and keen pilot. Discipline good."


    d. 1999


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Grenside, Philip James

     M.105  First Officer Philip James 'Jimmie' Grenside 

     flag england

     b. 6 Dec 1907, Paignton, Devon  8 Apr 1940 to 30 Nov 1945 


      ata philip grenside 1935 1935  ata philip grenside JC ATA    

     

    ed. at 'Public School'

    ata philip grenside and madge 1934

    m. 1934 Ellen Marjorie 'Madge' [Watson, LRAM], the daughter of the bloke that designed the Royal Yacht 'Brittania'. Children: George b. 1934 d. 2002, Hazel b. 1937, Lois and Tulip b. 1940

    prev. a Flying Instructor

    Address in 1940: 'Vril', Ramsden Rd, Godalming, Surrey (Madge's house)

    Postings: White Waltham, 6FPP, 1FPP, 2FPP, 1FPP

    Off sick from 2 Feb to 1 Jul 1943 with a fractured ankle

    After a slow start ("Not very confident in bad weather conditions. Not one of my hardest workers, suggest you keep an eye on him in this respect"), he made steady improvement and became "a sound and hardworking ferry pilot. He flies well and is unduly modest about his ability which is greater than he thinks."

    He did confess he "hated the sight of aeroplanes" for a while, after an accident in June 1940.

    d. 8 Jul 1961 - Godalming, Surrey 


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  • Griffin, John Hook

     M.----  Part-Time Pilot  Lieut-Commander John Hook Griffin USN
     flag usa  b. 3 May 1904, Charleston, SC 2 Mar 1941 to 6 May 1941 

     

         

     

    m. 29 Dec 1934, Elizabeth Marsden [Smith, d. 1988], 2 children

    US Naval Aviator #3592 (1930)  

    prev. exp. 3,000 hrs

     From 1940, attached to Scouting Squadron 2 (USS Lexington)


     Part Time Pilot


    Address from 1944: 195 Hanover St., Annapolis, MD (his father's house)

    Appointed as Senior Naval Member of the joint U.S. Defense Board in 1951.

     In 1973, he withheld $74.83 in taxes due to Anne Arundel County, Maryland due to what he called an "unfair tax differential."

     ata john h griffin 1980 1980 - still fighting the county over tax

    d. 12 May 1998 (age 94) - Annapolis, MD 


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    download grey

  • Griffith, Peter Robert

     M.396 First Officer  Peter Robert Griffith 
    flag england   b. 28 Jun 1920, Northampton 4 April 1941 to 31 Dec 1945 

      ATAM

         

     

    Ed. Northampton Town and County School

    m.

    prev. a Leather Traveller

    RAF from Apr-39 to 29 Nov 1940 (Sgt Pilot)

    Address in 1941: 44 Union St, Montrose, Scotland (Father's address 53 Holly Rd, Northampton)


     

     

     


     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Grigsby, Earl Clinton

     M.411  First Officer Earl Clinton Grigsby 
    flag usa   b. 27 Mar 1918, Nr Roy, Washington

    26 Mar 1941 to 24 Feb 1942

    [335 days


     

    ata earl grigsby 1941

    San Bernadino County Sun, 1941

     

    ata earl grigsby 1942

    and 1942

       

     

    Educated at San Bernadino High School, CA

    Address in 1941: 1382 Vine St, Highland, CA

    A Commercial pilot, flying since 1936, Tri City Airport, San Bernadino

     from the 'San Bernadino County Sun':

    "First Word Received from E.C. Grigsby, Highland Flier

    Earl C. Grigsby, Highland youth who at 22 years of age is already a veteran flier, is now a member of the royal air force, engaged in defending London from Nazi air raids.

    The youth is believed to be the only San Bernadino county flier in the R.A.F. He is the son of [ClintonTherman] Grigsby, widely known Highland resident, who is foreman of the Highland Fruit Growers' packing house.

    According to a censored letter written by Earl to his father, the Highland youth said he was now 'flying over London' and that he 'had one of the best flying jobs to be had'.

    As far as is known, Earl flew across the Atlantic Ocean as a ferry pilot, under contract with the Canadian government.

    Earl became interested in aviation when only 16 years old and made a rapid advancement in his chosen field. He received his first training at the Shandlin Hills and the Tri-city airport.

    He then went to Long Beach to further his training under government instruction. At Long Beach he was advanced 50 hours of flying requirements because of his flying record and experience.

    Earl received his 'wings' two months ago at Long Beach and left almost immediately for Montreal, Canada, expecting to be an instructor for the Canadian government in one of their air schools. There again he advanced rapidly and was given an overseas contract.

    Mr Grigsby recently received the first letter from his son since Earl left the United States.

    The letter required three weeks to reach Highland from the aerodrome near Maidenhead, Berkshire, where Earl is stationed. The youth could tell little of his experiences in England because of censorship. He said he is studying to be a trans-atlantic pilot.

    Although a native of Washington, Earl has lived in Highland the greater part of his life. His home is at 1381 Vine street. He attended Highland elementary school and was graduated from the San Bernadino High School."

    [

    media 18232 www.americanairmuseum.com

    "Another Highland youth now in service in England is Grigsby's chum, Keith Alexander, also of 1382 Vine street, who is a first officer in the American Eagle Squadron, stationed near London."

     ]

    Transferred to Atfero, Feb 42.

     3 Apr 1942: "He has greatly enjoyed his work overseas, but has little to say of his war experiences. Earl also visited his mother, Mrs. Margie Grisby of Harlem Springs.

    Young Grisgby left tonight to drive back to Montreal to resume his flying, and expects from now on to become a transatlantic pilot."

    From 1970, ran G&E Flying Service, which was renamed J Kreuger and E Grigsby (Redlands Air Academy) in 1975, located at 1745 Sessums Dr., Redlands CA.

     redlands air academy 1976[Please note that this coupon is no longer valid :-} ]

    d. 4 Apr 2001 - Highland, San Bernardino, CA


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Grinling, Joan Mary (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet  Joan Mary Grinling
     flag england  b. 23 Sep 1917, Grantham Lincs  8 May 1944 to 10 Jun 1944

     

         

     

    Father: Col. Edward Johns Grinling DSO, MC, TD, mother Helen Marie [Cafferata]

    Address in 1944: Fairfields, Grantham, Lincs

    prev. ATS, WAAF


    [ab initio]

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     m. Apr 1948 in London, Brian Lester Howell

     

    d. Jul 1972 - Colchester

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Gripton, Muriel Joan (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet  Muriel Joan Gripton
     flag england  b. 6 Jul 1921, West Bromwich  27 Mar-43 to 7 May-43

     

         

     

     prev: Telephonist/Receptionist, West Brom & District General Hospital

    prev exp: 20min

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'unsuitable']


    m. 1945 in W Bromwich, Frederick E C P Underhill

     

    d. 24 Dec 2007, Worthing, W Sussex

    "Suddenly but peacefully in Worthing Hospital on December 24, 2007, aged 86 years.

    Adored Mother to Wendy and David, and loving Nannie to Tess and Rory. "


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Grisdale, John


     M.451  First Officer  John Grisdale

    flag england

     b. 29 Jan 1900, Oldham Lancs 6 May 1941 to 3 Mar 1944 

     ata john grisdale ATA

         

     

    Ed. Technical School. Oldham [Diploma in Textiles]

    Chartered Institute of Secretaries

    prev. RFC, RAF Nov 1917 to Apr 1919 2nd Lieut.

    m. 1930 Dora [Hewitt], 2 children Margaret b. 1933, John b. 1935

    prev. a Yarn Salesman for Park Mill, Royton, Lancs

    prev. exp. 200 hrs

     Address in 1941: 442 Burnley Lane, Chadderton, nr Oldham


    Postings: 3FPP, 14FPP

     "A slow and rather erratic pilot but proved safe and of average ability"... "A very good officer to whom nothing is a trouble."

    Off sick from 27 Jan 1944 to 1 Mar 1944 with 'flying fatigue'.

    Contract Terminated by ATA 3 Mar 1944


     d. Jun 1951 - Manchester


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Grundstrom, Edwin Allan

     M.586 First Officer  Edwin Allan 'Eddie' Grundstrom 

    flag usa

     b. 2 Nov 1915, Springfield, MA  5 Jun 1941 to 7 Oct 1942 

     ata edwin grundstrom ATA

         

     

    His father, Maurice, who was a toolmaker, was a Swedish naturalised American.

    Ed. Springfield Trade School

    prev. a draftsman, commercial artist and aerial photographer for United American Bosch, Inc.

    "Flying privately since 1936. Been in aviation since 1929. Experienced in flying for photography and survey work." Learnt to fly at Alsop Flying Service, Springfield. Approx 780 hrs total.

    Address in 1941: 81 Savoy Ave, Springfield MA (parents)


    Postings: 6FPP, 8FPP

    He did well; "a capable pilot who has worked hard", but he was suspended and fined 2 days pay ($14) in Dec-41 as he "brought a Priority One machine into Ratcliffe when it was well out of his correct course and he had no excuse for doing so."

    His original contract expired on the 10 Jun 1942, and he sailed to the US the next day with fellow US pilots Marshall Milton, William Byrd Lee Milton, Manley Fairbrother, Alexander Wilson, Eddie Ballard, and Harry Kindberg.

    However, the following month he applied for, and received, another contract, which ran from the 28 Aug 1942.

    d. 7 Dec 1942: on the 6 Dec at 6:30pm he fell from the staircase of the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast from the fourth floor to the ground floor.

    Former Grand Central Hotel Belfast geograph.org.uk 628907

    "He carried out the boyish prank of sliding down the banisters and I regret that on this occasion he overbalanced and fell down the well of the staircase." [In case you're wondering, Edwin was considered to be a man of very temperate habits - a non-smoker and "practically a non-drinker".]

    He was taken to the 5th General US Hospital, Musgrave Park, Belfast, apparently suffering from concussion. By 6pm the following evening (7 Oct) a medical bulletin stated that he was expected to be absent from duty for "three or four weeks"; however, he died later that evening from intracerebral hemorrhage.

    His friend Marshall Miton officiated at the funeral on the 12th October. Edwin was initially buried in the American Section of the Belfast City Cemetery, but later re-interred in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial.

    ata edwin grundstrom grave

    Which just left the issue of whether the £2,000 insurance would be paid. Apparently, Edwin had always made a practice of sliding down the banisters and had been repeatedly warned of this; one or two of his fellow pilots "ridiculed the whole question of the claim being submitted."

    Things dragged on until December, when the underwriters decided they would give him the benefit of the doubt and pay the compensation. There was a clause in the agreement which excluded death of the Insured "deliberately caused by exposing himself to exceptional danger", but they reckoned that there was not enough evidence for this.

    In a final sad footnote, a letter arrived from his friend Arthur (Lee) Bacon after Edwin's death. It reads:

    "Hello Eddie (old boy)

    Well bud I sure was glad to hear from you. As far as being slow on letters I guess we're both about the same.

    You asked me to tell you the news (well there isn't any) so there. I'll just tell you anything, all right? Your brother Harry was home on leave from the Navy for a couple of weeks and does he look good (well fed). He said he likes it alot. Oh yes Harry Herman and some of the boys staged a daylight air raid with flour bags (Sept 20th about 2pm). More fun, I guess that is the most excitement in days, weeks. Al and the rest of the fellows are going to take their test sometime this mo.

    You asked me to give you my views of Frances well... I shouldn't even try, because you know all the luck I have with my girl-friends don't you. Don't you?

    I will say this tho, if Frances likes you (just for you) and not for the money you have etc etc --, she would make one beautiful wife. (oboy oboy). In fact I think I'll be your ice man, milkman or something so I can call on her when you're not around.

    As I told you before tho, nobody can make up your mind for you, if you like her and you want her, the only thing I would tell you to do is go get her.

    By the way I'm sure glad to hear that you're flying the big ones now. The only thing that makes me mad is that I'm not there so I can fly with you.

    Also can you give Ed B my congrats (I heard he was married). (poor boy).

    This letter has taken me an hour to write so I'll stop now.

    Boy do I wish you were home. The old town's quite dead without you so hurry back.

    Love and kisses, Arthur

    p.s. Emma and I aren't doing to bad, we still have our ups and downs just like anybody else you know up and down (oboy)"


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  • Guest, Harry

     M.614  First Officer  Harry Guest
     flag england  b. 15 Jan 1904, London  16 Jul 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     ata harry guest 1935 1935

     ata harry guest ATA    

     

    Ed. at East Ham Technical School

    prev. an Electrical Engineer for Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd., North Woolwich

    prev. exp 63 hrs on Gypsy Moth

    Address in 1941: 60 Holland Rd, East Ham London E6


    Postings: 6FPP, 5FPP, 3FPP

    Suspended for 1 day with loss of pay in Jul-42 for Loss of Ferry Pilots' Handling Notes.

    "A conscientious and hard-working pilot whose progress has been somewhat slow due to his limited experience prior to joining ATA."... "He would do well to pay more attention to his personal appearance."

    ata parnell guest walton stringer elliott

    Harry, 2nd left (Brief Glory)


    d. Mar 1978 - Dartford, Kent 

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Guild, Henry Rochester

     M.---- 2nd Officer  Henry Rochester 'Harry' Guild 
     flag england b. 21 Feb 1906, Gosforth Park, Newcastle-on-Tyne  20 Aug to 22 Sep 1940 

       1934

         

     

     Father: Alexander Guild, a hotel owner (d. 16 Mar 1914), Mother: Anne [Stoker] (d. 1923)

    RAeC Certificate 12273 dated 8 Sep 1934, taken at Portsmouth Aero Club

    prev. Fleet Air Arm (Temp Sub-Lieut RNVR from Nov 1939); Electrical Engineer

    Travelled to the US in May 1927 to visit a friend, Mr S M Hostler (presumably Sidney M Hostler, the supervisor interviewer for Los Angeles); returned April 1928

    Address in 1940: 97 Vctoria Rd North, Southsea, Hants


     Postings: ---

     


    Travelled back to the USA in Oct 1948 (in SS Queen Elizabeth) and applied for naturalization in 1951:

    "Harry Guild, 5909 Canyon Cove Drive, Hollywood, CA - a Lighting Engineer"

    Naturalization was granted in 1954

     

    d. 3 Dec 1966 - Los Angeles

     

     Forest Lawn Memorial Park,Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

  • Guinness, (Miss) (W.37*)

     W.37 *  2nd Officer "Miss Guinness" 
        1 Mar-41 

     

         

     

    4th April 1941:

    "Second Officers Pitman and Guinness attended for confirmation of appointment flight test on the 30th March, 1941 and both were successful.

    Miss Guinness is considered above average for the amount of experience she has had."

    Veronica Innes (who started on the same day, mentions her (and the conformation of appointment flight test) but simply says she "unfortunately, failed to make the grade and retired early from the scene."

     

    [... but so far, no more details of the mysterious Miss Guinness have emerged]

     

    [Grania Guinness, who joined the WAAF in May 1942, told me that she was never in the ATA]

     

     

  • Guthrie, Sylvia Mary (W.142)

     W.142  3rd Officer Sylvia 'Mary' Guthrie 
     flag england  b. 9 Jun 1921, Thornton Heath Surrey 18 Oct 1943 to 30 Sep 1945 

    sylvia guthrie ATA  ATA

       ATAM

     

       

     

    Father d. 1925 having been gassed in WWI

    Stepfather Mr Grapel, d. 1944

    One sister; brother James died in WWII

    Ed. Montrose College, Cliftonville; RADA

    prev: Blind School Hospital, Leatherhead; Mobile VAD (voluntary Aid Detachment) nurse, attached to various RAF Hospitals, from Feb 1941 to Jul 1943 (where she worked with Monique Agazarian, and played tennis with Dan Maskell)

    Applied after seeing an advertisement, interviewed at White Waltham.

     


     ab initio pilot cadet [because "I thought it would be glamorous"]

     Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP

    3rd Officer from 11 Aug 1944 - Class 3 pilot

     One accident, not her fault:

    - 31 May 1945, the hood blew off her Spitfire XVI TD134 and damaged the fin and rudder

     

     Gained her RAeC 'A' Certificate No 20588 as part of the ATA 'Wings' scheme on 29 Sep 1945, and later a Commercial 'B' Licence:

    sylvia guthrie 1945  RAeC 1945


    Address in 1945:17 Basil Mansions, Basil St, London SW3

     ata mary guthrie 1946

    From January 1946, 'Star Girl No. 1', Britain's first post-war air hostess, for British South American Airlines: (see also Rita Baines, who was 'Star Girl No. 2).

    Her first BSAA flight was in a Lancastrian from the newly-opened 'Heath Row Airport' with ex-Pathfinder chief Don Bennett, the MD of BSAA, on board.

     Flew Spitfires and Hurricanes for Skyways to the Portuguese Air Force, until she crashed a Spitfire

     

    m. Jan 1952 in Kensington, Cyril John Cunningham

    daughter Deborah b. 1955?

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    IWM interview (1987) here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009976

  • Haggas, James William

     M.1108 * 3rd Officer [Seconded from RAF]  James William Haggas
     flag england  b. 14 Dec 1916, Bakworth Yorks  30 Jun 1944 to 15 Apr 1945 

     ata james haggas 1949 1949

         

     

    An Engineer

    Address in 1949: 1 Poplars Ave, Hatfield, Herts

  • Hale, Marcus Samuel

     M.405  Commander Marcus Samuel 'Mark' Hale OBE 

    flag england

     b. 20 Jan 1900, Manchester

    but grew up in London; went to school in Fulham and Putney.

    15 May 1941 to Sep-45 

     

    ata marcus hale

    RAeC 1945

      via Marcus J Hale    

     prev exp 'over 500 hrs' on D.H.9a - he joined the RFC as a cadet in Nov 1917. However, his time in the RAF was short; he moved to 137 Squadron in June 1918, and graduated with good marks in October 1918, but he was moved to the unemployed list in May 1919.

     After a year out, he was given a short service commission in July 1920, but this did not go well:

    - He was reprimanded for 'failing to take proper precautions...of secret despatches' in October 1920;

    - He went 'absent without leave' from the 5th to the 11th December 1920. (Actually, on the 20th he married Gertrude Maude Mickle at Lambeth Registry Office), and was again reprimanded;

    - Finally, he was court-martialled for 'disobeying a lawful command given by a senior officer' and was dismissed His Majesty's service in May 1921.

    He then married Dorothy Mary () and they lived in Sevenoaks, Kent. He worked in the leisure industry, then when WWII came along, in the Hurricane Repairs Section of Gloster Aircraft Co.

    Marc Joan 1942 pvw

    Joan and Mark 1942

    He met Joan Durham Witherby (q.v.) when she joined the ATA in 1942, and they had a son together in November 1945, who remembers his mother telling him that "she was still flying missions with the ATA whilst pregnant".

    During his time in the ATA, he flew 35 different types of aircraft. He was initially assessed as an "above average pilot who, although somewhat out of flying practice proved himself a safe and steady pilot, possessing good judgement."

    In Feb 1943 he was appointed as Officer Commanding, No 5 FPP, then O.C. the Training Pool from Aug-43, and finally O.C. No 1 FPP from Nov-44. He performed his duties in "an eminently satisfactory manner" and also managed to do a fair number of ferry flights himself, including a few on Halifaxes.

    Marc S 1945

    Mark in 1945

    In 1946 he was one of the 13 members of the ATA to receive the OBE for his services during WWII. 

    Apparently, he referred to his OBE, as for Other Bugger’s Efforts.

    d. Sep 1981, Chichester


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  • Hall, Edgar Bernard Harold

     M.369  First Officer  Edgar Bernard Harold Hall
    flag england  b. 23 Mar 1908, Woolwich 

    1 Apr 1941 to 24 Apr 1943

      [753 days]


    ata edgar hall 1939 1939

    ata edgar hall 2 ATA    

     

    m. 1935 Philis Margarete [Hills], one child

    prev. exp. 135hrs

    prev a Chief Link Trainer Instructor, and aircraft inspector for A.S.T.

    Address in 1941: 5 Gambia St, Swindon

    "Although he appears keen enough in his flying, he is unable to control his weakness in financial matters, and through worry of this, his flying is of poor quality"

    Demoted to 3rd Officer for 3 months in 1942 for landing in poor weather conditions and then leaving the aerodrome before close of flying, without waiting to see if the weather improved. 

    Jan-43: "Hall came here with somewhat poor reports, but to date has done his job conscientiously and safely and has behaved himself as an officer."

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - 'Financial Instability']

    In 1949, he was fined £40 for bad airmanship: "Edgar Bernard Harold Hall, of Homefield House, Old Coulsdon, Surrey, was fined a total of £40 with three guineas costs at Croydon yesterday.

    Hall was found guilty of making a circuit of the Croydon Aerodrome while not clear of the manoeuvring area; endangering life and property by diving under another aircraft which was engaged landing on or about July 4; and failing to obtain such authorisation of movement as was necessary for the protection of aerodrome traffic on August 13.

    He pleaded guilty to piloting a plane on August 13 while not in possession of a licence. He was fined £10 on each of the four summonses. 

    Captain T. J. Gunn, chief pilot of an airways company at Croydon, told the court that when he was preparing to land a Proctor at Croydon, a Tiger Moth flew straight at him for a few seconds and then dived under him. It landed in front of him and he turned away. Hall denied Captain Gunn's allegations, and said, " I am an experienced pilot and a qualified instructor of 40 years of age and have got beyond things like that."

    d 1982 - Lewes, E Sussex


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hall, Jesse Hugh

     M.252 First Officer  Jesse Hugh Hall 

    flag usa

     b. 5 Dec 1903, Orange Springs, Florida 

    5 Dec 1940 to 29 Sep 1941 

     [298 days]


           

     

    Education: 2 yrs High School

    prev. a Flying Instructor

    Address in 1940: E 4th Ave and 29th St, Hialeah, Florida

    Next of Kin: his sister Mrs Roy Milton, who lived at 32 Baceller, Lynn, Mass., USA


    Postings: 14FPP


    d. c.1966


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Halliday, James Smith

     M.251  Flight Captain  James Smith Halliday MBE
     flag scotland  b. 22 Jun 1908, Rothesay, Bute, Scotland

    15 Feb 1941 to 12 Jan 1945

    [1,427 days]

     

     ata james halliday 1938 1938

         

     

    Ed. Morrison's Academy, Crieff

    m. 1937 Dorothy Henderson [Shaw], 1 daughter

    prev. exp. 102 hrs

    prev. a Garage Proprietor; Observer Corps Sep-39 to Jan-41

    Address in 1941: Firwood, Newton Mearns, Scotland


    Postings: 4FPP, 6FPP, 4a FPP, AFTS (as instructor), 16FPP

    "A very capable officer and reliable pilot who shows great keenness at all times."


    d. 13 Apr 1974 - Glasgow


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hallowell-Carew, Roy Phillip

     M.42 First Officer  Roy Phillip Hallowell-Carew

    flag england

    b. 27 Dec 1911, Kensington, London  13 Apr 1940 to 11 May 1942 

      ata roy carew  ata roy carew2 ATA    

     

    Ed. Senior College of Preceptors

    m. Ivy Ellen

    RAF 1932-37 (Flt-Lt)

    Address in 1940: Cedarcroft, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon


    Postings: 2FPP, 1FPP, AFTS as Instructor, 16FPP

    "Good multi-engine pilot, though inclined to be nervous, particularly in bad weather."

    "Not over stable financially."

    Reprimanded for disobedience of Standing Orders on 3 Apr 1942

    [Contract Terminated by ATA 11 May 1942 - Disciplinary Reasons]


    Died in a flying accident, 23 July 1942 when a Test Pilot for MAP. His Spitfire V W3958 of 1 CRU (Civilian Repair Unit) at Cowley crashed at Cumnor Hill, 3.5 miles West South West of Oxford.

    Buried Epsom Cemetery. 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hamilton, Robert Leonard

     M.424 First Officer   Robert Leonard Hamilton, Jr
    flag usa  b. 12 Jan 1906, Baltimore, MD

    17 Mar 1941 to 17 Jun 1942

     [457 days]


     

         

     

    Ed. at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and University of Baltimore

    prev. Managed a Country Club

    Address in 1941: Elkridge Club, Baltimore - see www.elkridgeclub.org


    Postings: 6FPP

    "A good pilot... an excellent officer and works hard"


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hampson, John Edward

     M.---  2nd Officer  John Edward 'Jack' Hampson
     flag usa  b.20 Sep 1907, Fillmore, CA 10 Jun 1941 to 9 Aug 1941 

     ata john hampson ATA

         

     

    Father: JamesThomas, mother Jennie [Finnerty]

    Ed. Notre Dame College, Indiana

    m. Lola Mae [Welch] (Divorced, 2 daughters Jacqueline Mae b. 1929 and Marguerite A b. 1932)

    prev. 1st Lieut. US Marine Aviation 1927-29, Flight Leader, RCAF Air Observer School at Prince Albert, Sask.

    prev. exp. 4500hrs

    Learnt to fly in 1932 at Los Angeles Municipal Airport, passing his test for a Federal private license in October 1932.

    However, two months later he was arrested when he flew his "fast monoplane" across the border from Baja Callifornia, after a tip-off. They found 130 gallons of illegal Mexican alcohol hidden in the fuselage...

    He got 30 days in jail, five years probation and he was told to "be kind to his paralyzed mother and bedfast father, and to live on the ranch at Fillmore, given to him by his father, and to remain at home with his wife and child[ren]."

    Address in 1941: 673 West St., Upland CA


    Contract Terminated 9 Aug 1941 - he "consistently absented himself from duty for long periods without leave and his conduct was unsatisfactory."

    "His obstinacy and impatience are regretted as he should quickly have made a most useful and competent ferry pilot."


    Joined the Fleet Air Arm on 6 Oct 1941 and was a pilot in 772 Squadron FAA [HMS Landrail (RN Air Station, Machrihanish, Argyllshire)]

    In Jan 1944, a "John E Hampson, Montalvo truck driver, was arrested on suspicion of violation of the selective service act."

     d. 25 Jan 1983 - Los Angeles

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hampton, William

      M.15  Flight Captain William Hampton MBE 

     flag england

    b. 9 Apr 1909, London  20 Sep 1939 to Nov-45 


      

    ata william hampton 1933

    1933

         

     

    Chauffeur-Mechanic in Fulham in 1933

    d. 1968?

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Handley, Walter Leslie

     M.16  Junior Captain Walter Leslie 'Wal' Handley 
     flag england b. 5 Apr 1902, Birmingham  11 Sep 1939 to Nov-41 

      

    ata walter handley

    1930

     

    ata walter handley 2 

    ATA

       

     

     Well-known motorcycle racer pre-WWII


    airacobra4

    d. 15 Nov 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Airacobra AH598 caught fire in the air shortly after take-off from 12 M.U. and crashed nr Fingland, Cumbria.

    "Major fire occurred in engine. A/C stalled and crashed. Cause of fire cannot be established but two possibilities:

    1. Engine was over-boosted and over-revved on takeoff

    2. A/C may have been run up with mixture control in full rich."

    'Gen' Genovese was of the opinion that Wal's accident in the Airacobra was due to the fact that American aircraft would allow the pilot to over-rev and over-boost the engine, unlike British-built aircraft which restricted the power to what the engine could take. 

     

    A memorial to Walter has recently been erected near where he crashed in his Airacobra after taking off from Kirkbride:

    ata walter handley memorial


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hanks, William Lawrence

     M.238  First Officer William Lawrence Hanks 

    flag usa

    b. 27 Sep 1919, Montgomery Alabama   3 Dec 1940 to 2 Dec 1941

           

     

    Father Joseph Perry Hanks (d. 1939), Mother Minnie Belle Dowling (d. 1966)

    prev. a Commercial Pilot

    Address in 1940: 1042 Sorolla Ave, Coral Gables, Florida


    d. 2 Nov 1967 - Ypsilanti, Washtenaw, Michigan


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hansen, Harald Julius

     M.336 * Captain  Harald Julius Hansen 

    flag denmark

     b. 17 June 1892, Bloustrød, Denmark  c.14 Feb 1941 to 24 Jul 1941 


            

     

    Father: Hans Christian Valdemar Hansen; Mother: Hanne Petrea [Sindt]

    m. 27 Apr 1913 in Skt. Matthæus, København, Denmark, Ingeborg Sofie [Pedersen] (4 children)

     

    prev. Danish Army 1913-1918, army pilot 1918; Corporal from 26 Jun 1913, Sergeant from 3 Oct 1914;

     

    from 1921, commercial pilot for Det danske Luftfartsselskab (Danish Airlines);

    The first Danish Airlines pilot to fly more than a million kilometres for the company, in 1937. Two years after he passes 1 ½ million kilometres.

    On 8 Apr 1940, he happened to fly Fw 200A-02 OY-DAM "Dania", due to the intended pilot celebrating his birthday, to London on the eve of the German invasion of Denmark. The plane was taken over by the Secretary of State for Air and re-registered as G-AGAY.

    British Airways (BOAC) from May 1940

     


    Postings: 2FPP (Whitchurch)

    janes anson

    d. 24 Jul 1941 (Died in ATA Service) Anson I R9761 hit by a Blenheim as it was making an emergency landing, at RAF Brize Norton on 22 Jul 1941. Died 2 days later in Radcliffe Hospital Oxford.

    His body was repatriated to Denmark. 

     

    "He was a linguist of some note, speaking French, German, English and Norwegian fluently.

    He will be much missed in Bristol, where he has lived for over a year and made many friends. During the serious air raids in the district he went out in the thick of the attacks and worked with rescue squads. Even that did not satisfy him; for on days following raids he went out to the damaged areas and worked like a Trojan in helping to clear away debris.

    Captain Hansen's wife and four children are in Denmark" - Western Daily Press, 26 Jul 1941


     * Ata File not seen

     

  • Harben, Guy Wilfrid

      M.18 Flight Captain  Guy Wilfrid 'Bill' Harben MBE 
     flag england b. 17 Jul 1906, Richmond, Yorks  11 Sep 1939 to Oct-45 


      

    ata guy harben 

    1931

      ATAM

       

     

    Ed. Charterhouse; FRGS

    prev. Director of a greyhound track in Brighton; Director of Marlow aerodrome; Director of a tourist bureau.


    A "most efficient and hard working pilot, with a keen sense of duty"

    ata francis white whitehurst dlugazewski mollison harben feb 1942

    Far right, with Frankie Francis, Frank White, Doc Whitehurst, Klemens Dlugaszewski, Jim Mollison in Feb-42.

    On sick leave for 5 weeks in Mar-Apr 1941 after crashing a Hurricane in bad weather.


    d. Sep 1982, Wycombe Bucks


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hardy, Stanley Hobson

     M.19*  First Officer Stanley Hobson Hardy 

    flag england

     b. 20 Feb 1906, Atherstone  23 Sep 1939 to Jan-41 


      

    ata stanley hardy 1938

    1938

         

     

    A 'Director' in Birmingham in 1938

    d. Mar 1973, Poole 

     

  • Harlé, Maurice Amédée

     M.430 *  Flight Captain  Maurice Amédée Harlé 
     flag france   b. 26 Dec 1899, La Fere, Aisne, France 22 Apr 1941 to 24 Jul 1945 

     ata maurice harle HB

     ata maurice harle 1945 1945    

     

     


     

    Certificate of Commendation, 1943: "On the 28th December 1943, immediately after take-off, First Officer M. Harlé's port engine partially failed. He retracted the undercarriage and managed to gain a safe height, circuited the airfield, lowered the undercariage, feathered the propeller and executed a single engine landing without damage."


     

     

     

  • Harmer, Reginald Harry

     M.261 * First Officer  Reginald Harry Harmer 
     flag england b. 16 Oct 1897, Bristol, Gloucestershire  26 Feb 1941 to 30 Sep 1945

     

         

     

    Father: Harry Harmer, Mother: Mary Elizabeth [Sheppard]

    prev. Lieut., RFC, RAF from 16 Jan 1918 to 7 Aug 1919 (wounded 19 Apr 1918, resigned 1919 due to ill-health) then RAFVR from 10 Jun 1940

     

    m. 1933 in Amersham, Doreen Gwenffrurdd Mary [Armstrong or Melhuish]

    Sentenced to 3 months in prison, and banned for driving for 5 years, in October 1934; "There were four summonses against him: driving a car in a dangerous manner; driving without due care and attention; driving whilst disqualified, and having no third party insurance certificate. He pleaded guilty to all the summonses except the one for dangerous driving. "

     

    prev. "Cost Accountant and Organizer, also Printing & Advertising Agent"

    Address in 1940: Edgehill, Dalkeith Rd, Harpenden, Herts


     Postings include: 2FPP, 9FPP, 4FPP

     

    5 accidents, none his fault:

    - 2 Jul 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire Vb P8759 following complete engine failure (broken con rod) immediately after take-off at Charmey Down

    - 14 Jul 1942, another forced landing, this time in Beaufighter VI V8356 at High Ercall, after a faulty gauge indicated low oil pressure

    - 1 Mar 1943, the starboard undercarriage leg of his Spitfire Vc EE862 failed to lower but the port leg refused to retract, so he made a forced landing at Hullavington, whereupon the port leg collapsed

    - 29 Apr 1943, forced landing at Cardiff in Anson N4875 after port engine failure

    - 10 May 1945, whilst he was taxying Halifax LW363 at Prestwick, Engineer James Mitchell walked into the propeller of No. 4 engine and was fatally injured.

     


     

     

    d. 16 Mar 1976

    Buried Canterbury City Cemetery, Kent

     


    * File not seen

  • Harris, Albert William

     M.477  First Officer  Albert William Harris 

    flag england

     b. 26 Jan 1904, Winkleigh, Devon 29 May 1941 to 30 Sep 1944 

     ata albert harris 1935 1935

     ata albert harris ATA    

     

    Ed. at Chulmleigh School

    m. 1927 Ann Alford [Boundy]

    prev. a Coal Merchant (own business); RAF Sgt. Aug-40 to Jan-41

    Address in 1941: Elmsleigh, Wembworthy, Chulmleigh, Devon


    Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP, 7FPP


    d.  5 Oct 1982 - Wembworthy, Devon


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  • Harris, George Thomas

     M.227 First Officer George Thomas Harris 

    flag usa

     b. 27 Dec 1905, Lawrence, Kansas  7 Aug 1940 to 1 Dec 1940  

      

    ata george harris

     Iola Register,14 Aug  1941

         

     

    m. Margurite

    prev. Kansas National Guard

    Address in 1940: 714 N.N. St., Lawrence, Kansas (father)

    Contract Terminated 1 Dec 1940 - Transferred to Atlantic Ferry Organisation [AtFero]


    B 24 Liberator RAF Bomber

    d. 10 Aug 1941 - Liberator AM261 crashed into Goat Fell mountain on Isle of Arran after take-off from Heathfield Ayr (22 killed - 5 crew and 17 travelling as passengers). Victims included F D Bradbrooke (q.v.)

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Harrison, Helen Marcelle (W.75)

     W.75  First Officer Helen Marcelle Harrison 
     flag canada  b. 7 Dec 1909, Vancouver, B.C., Canada 1 May-42 to 22 Mar-44 

     

    helen barnes 1934

    RAeC 1934

     

    W075 Harrison Helen 

    ATA

     

    ata helen harrison 

    ATA

     

     

     

    nee Testemale

    Father : Albert Jules Testemale, Mother: Gertrude Helen Marie [Harrison], a midwife, d.1958

    Ed. in England and Belgium

    Lived at The Hostry, Llantilio Crossenny, Abagavenny from 1910-1926

    m 1927 Robert W Barnes in Steyning, Sussex [divorced, 3 sons Robert, Peter and David]

    prev. Flying Instructor

    Learnt to fly in 1933 at the Sussex Aero Club, when living at Coombe Dingle, Queens Park Rd, Caterham, Surrey

     She owned 3 aeroplanes in England before WWII, all based at Shoreham;

    - G-ACMH, a 1933 Miles Hawk (sold to Denmark in Sep 1934),

    - G-ACGB, a 1933 DH Fox Moth (sold to India in Mar 1935), and

    - G-ACWW, a 1934 Miles Hawk Major (sold to Leslie Hiscock in 1939). She entered this in the London to Cardiff Race in October 1934, piloted by J Sale.

    She then changed her name by deed poll to Harrison in Apr 1935, and announced it in The Times: "I HELEN MARCELLE HARRISON, of 33, Heathurst Road. Sanderstead. Surrey, hereby give notice that I have RENOUNCED and ABANDONED the NAME of HELEN MARCELLE BARNES. and that I have assumed and intend henceforth on all occasions whatsoever and at all times to SIGN and USE and to be called and known by the name of HELEN MARCELLE HARRISON in lieu of and in substitution for my former name of HELEN MARCELLE BARNES. And I also give notice that such change of name is formally declared and evidenced by a Deed Poll under my hand and seal, dated the 20th day of April. 1935"

    Sailed from England to South Africa in Dec 1935 

     m. Louis Botha de Waal (divorced 1939)

     Sailed back to England from Cape Town in Feb 1938, then to New York in Apr 1939. When there, she stayed with her mother, Gertrude, at 5102 Evelyn Byrd Rd, Richmond, VA.

     In July 1939, the Star-Phoenix of Saskatoon, said "Flying around Hamilton these days is a young Vancouver-born woman whose exciting aviation career has taken her over most of South Africa, Great Britain and the United States."

    "The Vancouver aviatrix has spent most of her time over the past six years in the air. She said she found flying cost money, so she turned instructor and taught at the Pretoria and other flying schools throughout South Africa. She holds five aviation licenses, including English 'A' and 'B' commercial, a South African 'B' licence and both United States and Canadian commercial licenses."

    She flew on a Trans-Canada Airlines Lodestar from Toronto to New York on 3rd March 1942 for her interview with Jackie Cochran. She then sailed to the UK with Evelyn Hyam to join the ATA, arriving 25 May 1942.

    While with the ATA, she sailed to New York on 21 Jul 1943, and returned as supernumerary co-pilot in Mitchell FR185, 19-24 Sep 1943.

    Address in 1942: 680 Oriole Parkway, Toronto

    Sailed to New York on the Queen Mary, 31 Mar 1944.

     In 1949, she was living with her parents in Curtis St, Lochdale, B.C.

    m. 1969 Donald M Bristol, and thereafter was known as Harrison-Bristol

    In 1973, named to the Order of Icarus and in 1974, Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame: "The career dedication of her flying skills to instruct an almost entirely male population of students, despite adversity, has substantially benefited Canadian aviation."

    d. 27 Apr 1995 - Blaine, WA

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Harvey, Montague Charles

     M.159 * First Officer  Montague Charles Harvey 
     flag england b. 14 Oct 1910, Lymington, Hampshire ? 16 Oct 1940 to 4 Aug 1942 

     

         

     

    Possibly:

    Father: Alfred Thomas Harvey, Mother: Florence [Cass]

    The family emigrated to Canada in Jun 1911

     m. 28 Jul 1933 in Dundas, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada, Roberta Hope [Bruce]

    Address in 1939: 57 Norfolk House Rd, Wandsworth, London

    prev. Sales Manager


     Postings:

     


    Lived in Hampshire in 1948, but moved back to Canada in 1951 with wife Marjorie

    d. 20 Aug 1975 - Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada

     


    * ATA File not yet seen

  • Hawkey, John Walter

     M.886

    Pilot Officer

    [Seconded from RAF] 

    John Walter Hawkey 
      b. 2 Jun 1920,  Parkhill, Ontario, Canada  19 Mar 1943 to 24 Jan 1944

      

    ATA

     

    https://www.veterans.gc.ca/

     

    https://www.veterans.gc.ca/

     

     

    Father: Joseph John Hawkey (d. 1921)

    Next of kin: (mother) Mrs Beatrice Belknap [Hill] Dixon, Ailsa Craig, Ontario, Canada

     prev. exp. 265 hrs on Harvard, Fleet, Master, Spitfire

     prev. RCAF, RAF

    Enlisted in Toronto in 1941, received his 'wings' 12 Jan 1942 from St Hubert, Quebec and was posted to England.

    "Has had a lot of posting and little flying so browned off"


     Postings: 5TFPP, 3FPP

    5TFPP: "He is regularly ferrying Hurricanes, Masters and similar types. It will not be long before he is flying Spitfires. His general character is good... a well-disciplined NCO [he was a Flt-Sgt at the time]"

    When with 3FPP, he stayed in accommodation at 5 Waltham Place, Cliveden Rd, Chester (Mrs B J Kelly)

    30 Nov 1943: "This pilot requires hospital treatment and is unfit for flying. He will be admitted to Preston Military Hospital tomorrow."

    He reported back on the 9 Dec 1943, but died a few weeks later in an accident:


     beaufighter 6

    d. 24 Jan 1944 in Mostyn Hall Military Hospital nr Chester, following an accident the day before in Beaufighter X NE474, piloted by First Officer (RAF Sgt.) Eric Brunskill, which was hit by Mustang AG597 landing on the wrong runway at Hawarden. Pilot Officer E Vincent, RCAF, was also a passenger and suffered severe burns.

    Buried Blacon, Chester, Sec. A. Grave 1073

    After his death, his landlady Mrs Kelly went every week to put fresh flowers on the grave, and to keep it tidy.

     

    Also commemorated on his mother's grave at Mars Hill CemeteryMcGillivrayMiddlesex CountyOntarioCanada

     

    "Beatrice (Hawkey) Dixon 1886-1975

    P/O John W. Hawkey RCAF 1920-1944 Killed on Active Service at Cheshire, Eng."

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hawthorn, Leslie Dickinson

     M.184  First Officer Leslie Dickinson Hawthorn 

    flag england

     b. 30 Dec 1902, Mexborough, Yorks  

    2 Sep 1940 to 20 Nov 1942

    [809 days]


     ata leslie hawthorn 1936 1936  jmh leslie 52 250

    with son Mike, 1952

    see https://www.mike-hawthorn.org.uk/images.php

       

     

    Ed. Mexborough Secondary School

    m. 1926 Winifred Mary [Symonds] [d. 1989],  son John b. 1929 d. 1959 **

    prev. a Motor Engineer - T.T. [Tourist Trophy] Garage, Farnham

    Address in 1940: 'Merridale', Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey

    Owned a 1928 Avro Avian III G-EBWK until 1938: "PRIVATELY Owned Avro-Avian 2-seater, dual J. control. 12 months C. of A.; approximately 150 hours since rebuilt by Avro's; £150 or near offer.—Hawthorn, T.T. Garage, Farnham."


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP

    "A hard working pilot but is a nervous type and requires regular flying and good weather".

    Contract Terminated 21 Nov 1942 - Disciplinary Reasons; "Work as a pilot was satisfactory but behaviour as an officer was poor. Continually giving trouble on establishment questions and considers his own opinion of greater force than official orders."


     d.  8 Jun 1954 - Godalming, Surrey "LESLIE HAWTHORN, father of Mike Hawthorn, the racing motorist, died in Haslemere Hospital last night from Injuries received in a crash at Hindhead, Surrey, on Monday night. He was driving to his home in Farnham when his car was Involved in a collision with another private car and turned over three times, Mr. Hawthorn received severe head injuries The driver of the other car was uninjured but a woman passenger in it was taken to hospital. Mr, Hawthorn was unconscious lor more than 12 hours before he died. His wife was his bedside throughout the day. Police confirmed that telegrams had been sent to Italy informing Mike Hawthorn of his father’s accident, but they did not know whether or not he had received them."

    220px Mike Hawthorn

    ** from Wikipedia: "John Michael 'Mike' Hawthorn (10 April 1929 – 22 January 1959) was a British racing driver. He became the United Kingdom's first Formula One World Champion driver in 1958, whereupon he announced his retirement, having been profoundly affected by the death of his teammate and friend Peter Collins two months earlier in the 1958 German Grand Prix. Hawthorn also won the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, but was haunted by his involvement in the disastrous crash that marred the race. Hawthorn died in a road accident six months after retiring; he was suffering from a terminal illness at the time."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hay, Cecil

     M.763  First Officer Cecil Hay 
     flag wales   b. 7 Apr 1905, Pontypool 24 Jun 1942 to 30 Sep 1945 

     ata cecil hay MAMM MAMM

         

     

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hayes, Eric Gerald

     M.17*  Captain Eric Gerald Hayes 

    flag england

     b. 11 Jan 1900, Hoolebank, Chester  6 Nov 1939 to Nov-40 


      

    eric hayes 1916

    1916 (Flight)

     

    ata eric hayes

    ATA

       

     

    RNAS, RAF 1916 to 1919 then Officer in Shropshire Yeomany to 1929.

    Resident Ardoch, Braco, Perthshire in 1916

    Owned a 1927 DH.60 Moth, G-EBQW, then a 1934 Stinson SR-5 Reliant, G-ACSV

    Flight, June 23 1927: "Captain Eric Hayes has G-EBQW. He landed at Stag Lane one afternoon lately with his left arm in a sling, and he explained quite seriously that as he had dislocated his shoulder bone in a motorcycle accident, flying was now the only way he could get about the country."

     ATA Contract Terminated 25 Nov 1940

    d. Mar 1959, Scilly Isles 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hayman, Norman Lambert

     M.475  Flight Captain  Norman Lambert Hayman

    flag england

      b. 8 May 1916, Cranleigh, Surrey 4 Jun 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

    ata norman hayman 1945 RAeC 1945      

     

    Father: Gordon Victor Hayman

    Educated at Cranleigh School

    prev. Lieut. in RNVR Feb-39 to Feb-41

    Next of Kin: (mother) Winifred Agnes Hayman, Caryll House, Okehurst, Cranleigh

    m. 1943  Beatrice Glanley 'Betty' Grant also of the ATA, although they appear to have separated sometime before 1947.


    Postings: 6FPP, AFTS (as Instructor), 1FPP, 7FPP

    Demoted to First Officer in Mar 1943 for flying a Halifax without authority; he ferried it "without full uniform, money, travel vouchers, identity card or correct kit" and then had to stay overnight at an RAF station.

    "A most willing, conscientious and sound pilot who has flown a great numbers of hours for this Unit."

     Posted to Air Movements Flight in Mar 1944 - "it is felt that, due to his overkeeness, he would be more suited to the Air Movements Flight... as it would leave him more to his own initiative." "His manner is courteous and pleasant."


     

    Post-WWII, Norman entered the 1947 Manx Air Races and Rally, flying G-AHIZ, a Beechcraft Traveller belongning to Sidney Rubin of Hindhead.

    He also took a round-trip by ship to Madeira in January 1949, giving his occupation as a 'Company Director' and his address the Royal Aero Club, Pall Mall.

    [In September 1949, his wife Betty and her mother sailed to South Africa, apparently intending to settle there, but they returned in July 1950.]

    d. 3 Jul 1951 - Cranleigh

    Probate £8,624 18s 2d for "Norman Lambert otherwise George Norman Hayman"


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  • Hayter, Frederick Roy Eaton

     M.----  Pilot Cadet Frederick Roy Eaton Hayter 
     flag england  b. 18 Jul 1919, Christchurch, Hants 26 Jul to 22 Oct 1943 

       1949

         

     

    Father: Montague William Hayter, a Water Bailiff; Mother: Minnie [Clark]

    Ed. Broadlands School, Christchurch, Hants

     prev. GPO; Signalman, Royal Corps of Signals 15 Jan 1940 to 30 Mar 1941

    prev. exp. 2.55 hrs on DH Moth

    Address in 1943: Royal Fishery House, Christchurch


     Postings: ---

     


     RAeC Certificate 25483 dated 10 Jan 1949, taken at West London Aero Club

    m. 1959 in Christchurch, Bettina L [Hibbert]

     d. 15 Jul 2002 - Bournemouth


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hayward, David Russell

     M.839 First Officer  David Russell Hayward 
      b. 7 Jun 1920, Adelaide, Australia  9 Dec 1942 to 21 Apr 1945 

       ATA

         

    Father: Edwyn Walton 'Jim' Hayward CBE, OBE, a director of John Martin's department stores  [d. 1933], mother Eileen Frances [Russell, originally a New Zealander]

    -  see https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/hayward-edwyn-walton-jim-15383

    Moved to the UK when 5 years old [but wrote 'Australian' on his application form]

    Ed. Harrow

    m. 1941 in London, Peggy Alice Georgina [Farmer]

     prev. RNVR; Fleet Air Arm 27 May 1940 - 4 Sep 1942 Temp. Sub-Lieut (Air) on HMSs Furious, Argus, and Eagle

    prev. exp. 200hrs in Tiger Moth, Magister, Battle, Gladiator, Master, Proctor, Swordfish, Albacore, Skua, Roc, Fulmar, Hurricane

    Address in 1942: c/o H L Farmer, Esq., 31 Eresby House, Rutland Gate, London SW7

    Discharged as unfit for First Line flying - he was "consistently ill at sea"


     Postings: 9FPP, 1FPP

     Two accidents, one his fault:

    - 15 Dec 1943, he undershot the runway during a forced landing in Walrus HD916 after engine failure and/or bad weather; he sustained head injuries and concussion, and spent 3 weeks in hospital at East Grinstead.


     fairchild argus

    d. 21 Apr 1945 in Fairchild Argus II HB595, which crashed 3/4 m west of RAF Lasham.

    He had arranged to sleep in the aircraft, which needed to be at White Waltham early the next morning, after attending a function in the RAF Mess. He may have lost track of time though, as he took off at 03:30, failed to fully open the starboard fuel cock, and crashed.

     

     

    Buried Maidenhead - 21W Section D

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hayward, William Arthur

     M.420  First Officer  William Arthur Hayward

    flag england

     b. 15 or 16 Apr 1907, Surbiton, Surrey  18 Apr 1941 to 15 Jun 1942


     ata william hayward 1937 1937

     prev. a chauffeur, then an aircraft fitter for Hawker at Brooklands

    Address in 1941: Ivy Cottage, St Mary's Rd, Oatlands Park, Weybridge


    Postings: 6FPP, 16FPP

    Off sick with gastro-enteritis from Dec-41 to Jan-42, then Apr-42 to May-42

    "Has not made much progress lately, probably due to indifferent health."

    Contract Teminated 15 Jun 42


    d. Mar 1976 - Newport, Gwent, Wales

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Hazeldine, Edward Louis

     M.418  First Officer  Edward Louis Hazeldine

    flag UK

      b. 19 May 1911, Paris  16 Apr 1941 to 20 Sep 1944


     ata edward hazeldine 1937 1937  ata edward hazeldine ATA


    father William Augustus Hazeldine, mother French. Living in France at the outbreak of WWII

    6ft 4¼in tall; 'scar on left of throat'

    Ed. Cheltenham College

    prev. Clerk, Private Secretary to Produce Merchants

    prev. exp. 50hrs single engined in France

    Address in 1941: Greenways, Hillside, New Barnet, Herts

    Next of kin his brother, F. W. Hazeldine, later (1941) changed to his wife Mary G [Smith]


    Postings: 15FPP, 6FPP

     'A steady pilot and an excellent officer. His keenness and sense of discipline are excellent... was quick to adapt to the Stirling."

    Contracted tuberculosis of the lungs ('Koch's disease') in Jul 1943 and appears not to have flown after that.


    Address in 1948: 188 Chiltern Court, Baker St., London

    m. 1978 Cecilia Mary H [Jones] (d. 2000)

    d. Jul 1984 - Chichester, Sussex

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Hazledine, Alliston Temple Clough

    M.20*   First Officer Alliston Temple Clough Hazledine 

    flag england

      b. 14 Apr 1907, Bedford 27 Sep 1939 to Feb-41 


      

    ata alliston hazledine 1939

    1939

         

     

    RAF 1928-32

    A 'Conservative Agent' in Tavistock in 1939

    later a Lt-Cmdr, RNR

    d. Jun 1978, Exeter


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Head, Anthony Graham

      M.21 Captain  Anthony 'Graham' Head 
    flag england b. 14 Sep 1909, Hove Sussex  11 Sep 1939 to Nov-45 


      

    ata graham head 1930

     1930

     

    susan slade ATA

    with Susan Slade

       
         

     

    prev pilot for Brooklands Aviation Ltd, and Flying Instructor in Civil Air Guard


    In Jan-41 he was demoted to Second Officer for 6 months, for "Seriously unbecoming conduct at the Grosvenor Hotel, Chelsea, London", but by May they reported that "his discipline was poor but has improved greatly of late", and by 1944 he was "an excellent pilot with a most cheerful manner. His long term as a civilian instructor is of great value to Training Pool and he has proved himself fully capable of taking entire charge of the Pool."


    Post-WWII, Marcus Hale's son tells me that "I knew him as a child, one of my father’s good flying mates. I often accompanied my father and Graham Head down to the local flying club at Sandown, Isle of Wight, and waited while they got plastered on G&T’s before going flying or flying through a fence, from laughing too much. The good old days.

    Graham was somewhat of a genius with aeronautics and made tiny paper planes with paper and paper clips, which, in a windless room he could get to do all sorts of aeronautical manoeuvres before landing back in his hand. I remember him doing this at the Air Club, back at Seaview and later in Bognor Regis."
     

    d. Sep 1980, Hove 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Heering, Erwin E Theodore

     M.209 *  Captain Erwin E Theodore Heering 

    flag usa

     b. 28 Jun 1918, Hartley Iowa Aug 1940 then Jan-41 - 30 Nov 1945 

      

    ata erwin heering 1946 1946

    Presenting 2 pints of blood, which Empire Airlines flew free of charge from one New York hospital to another.

    Star-Gazette, New York

         

     

    m. Magdalena L [Dockter]

    Originally applied for the ATA in Aug 1940 but was rejected

     Postings: 10FPP (Commanding Officer, 1943-44)

    Pilot for Empire Airlines in 1946; Vice-President of Consolidated Air Transit, Inc in 1947; Operations Controller for World Airways in 1982

    ata ed heering with ELC in 1975 with Lettice Curtis in 1975 (ELC)

    ata erwin heering

    d. 2 Jun 2007, Hayward CA

     

  • Heising, Horace Crowell

     M.110 *  First Officer Horace Crowell Heising 

    flag usa

     b. 13 Feb 1902, Minneapolis, Minnesota 10 Aug 1940 to 13 Jan 1941

      

    ata horace heising 

    St Louis Post-Despatch

         

     

    Ed. at South Pasadena High School, CA

    Took his US Commercial Pilots Licence in St Louis, MO, in 1928

    prev. pilot for Chicago & Southern Air Lines

     prev. exp. 7000hrs

    He and Harold Phillips were reported "killed in combat with Nazi attackers over London" and/or "killed when his Spitfire crashed into a barrage balloon" in October 1940, but by mid-December his sister told the newspapers that she had received a letter from him, dated November 1.

    In November he also wrote to Bruce Braun, the VP of Chicago&Southern in November 1940: "I guess you blokes (pipe the lime) think I've shot my wad. Well, Chief, you never can tell how far a frog will jump by looking at him.

    Things here are what I would call nice going, never a dull moment. Believe me, Bruce, I take my hat off to these Englishmen. The bull dog is most certainly symbolic of them. Their spirit and courage will triumph no matter if the war lasts a hundred years."

    He went back to New Orleans to visit his family in February 1941, and "refute in person the reports of his death."


    Transferred to AtFero February 1941

    In 1947, described as a "transient", he was reported to be "in the [Sacramento] city jail facing charges of passing fictitious checks in three downtown department stores."

    d. 9 Dec 1950  

     

  • Helliwell, Wilfred James Walker

     M.326 2nd Officer  Wilfred James Walker Helliwell 
     flag UK b. 20 Sep 1912, Whitbank, Transvaal, South Africa  1 Apr to 27 July 1941 

     

         

     

    Resident in the UK from 1919.

    Father: Colonel James Wilfred Helliwell, RE (m. 1916 in Harrogate to Annie Beatrice Pratt),

    Ed. Market Rasen, Lincs; B(Sc) Chemistry and Physics

     Address in 1933: 57 Chelsham Rd, London SW4

    His father died in 1934. "Col. James Wilfred Helliwell (52) of 97 Lowther Road, Bournemouth, a native of Cragg Vale, Mytholmroyd, Yorks, who worked in a cotton mill as a lad and was later employed in the railway locomotive sheds of the L. and Y. Railway Co., and who rose from a ranker to Colonel during the South African War, afterwards holding high executive posts in the railway service of South Africa and of India" left £10,050 in his will.

    Wilfred disputed his father's will, which (superceding a previous will) left everything to Wilfred's stepmother Annie; he said that he was training to be a surgeon, but "as a result of being left without means, he had been unable to complete his medical studies." The judge was sympathetic, but ruled that the will was valid.

    Wilfred accepted a one-off payment of £1,000, (with a promise not to enter his stepmother's house again) but lost it in a business in which he had invested.

     

    prev. RAF Short Service Commission from Apr 1936 (Acting P/O, Resigned); Laboratory Assistant, Woolwich Royal Arsenal Apr 1937 - Feb 1938; Analytical Chemist, Guy's Hospital, London

     

    "FORGED SAVINGS BANK BOOKS Wilfred James Walker Helliwell (27), male nurse, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey yesterday to obtaining money by means of forged Savings Bank books. He was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. The police alleged that Helliwell had obtained money from post offices at Brighton, Bournemouth, King’s Lynn, Wisbech, Coventry, Spalding and London. " Birmingham Daily Post - 8 February 1939

     Addresss in 1939: HM Prison Newport, IoW

     

     m. 1940 in Lewisham, London, Gladys H A Cooper

    Address in 1941: 138a Marine Parade, Brighton


     Postings: 6FPP

     



     m. 1951 in Brighton, Margaret J [Falconer]

    Address in 1978: Barcroft St 174 Cleethorpes, Described as a 'retired wages clerk'

     d. 10 Mar 1978 - Cleethorpes, Lincs.


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Helmy, Dorothy Frances

     W.---  Cadet Dorothy Frances Helmy 
     flag england b. 31 Oct 1910, Padstow, Cornwall  2 Dec 1941 to 12 Jun 1942 

      1939

         

     

     nee: Arkell

     Father: Herbert Arkell, Mother: Marie Louise

    Royal Aero Club Certificate No. 16399, 16 Oct 1938 (Airwork School of Flying, Heston) (photo missing)

    Address in 1938: "Courtfield", Courthouse Rd S, Maidenhead

    prev. Bookkeeper, Secretary; A R P

     

    m. 1940 in Maidenhead Saleh Helmy (b. 1905 in Cairo, Egypt)

      Royal Aero Club Certificate No. 18315, 24 Sep 1938 (Airwork School of Flying, Heston)

     

    Saleh designed the Helmy Aerogypt  at Heston Aerodrome in 1938. It was a low-wing cantilever monoplane initially powered by three 22 hp (16 kW) Douglas Sprite engines, with an upward hinged roof that acted as a landing flap. Registered G-AFFG, it first flew in 1939. 

     ... and this is presumably Dorothy and Saleh with the Aerogypt I (she was registered as the owner)

    It was based at White Waltham Airfield from 1943, but written off in 1946 and spent its remaining days as a hen coop:

     in 1960 ('Flight')


     


     d. 5 Mar 1993 - West Wittering, Sussex

  • Henderson, Ralph Harold

     M.22 * Flight Captain  Ralph Harold 'Snagger' Henderson MBE

    flag england

      b. 15 Jan 1894, Loughborough Junction 8 Apr 1940 to 31 Dec 1945 

     ata ralph henderson 1934 1934  ata ralph henderson BG    

     

    prev. a motor and marine engineer

    Address in 1934: 22 Clifford Ave, London SW14


    Certificate of Commendation, 1940: "On the 7th October, 1940, FLt-Capt Henderson made a successful landing without damage in a Wellington aircraft in spite of the fact that the elevator control had broken off causing him partially to lose control, and that at the time the wind was strong and gusty"

    From 1941 until Dec-42, Chief Test Pilot in ATA's Technical Department, responsible for producing many of the early 'Pilots Handling Notes'.

    Certificate of Commendation, 1943: "On the 10th April, 1943, Flt-Capt Henderson was instructing on a Halifax aircraft. During the course of approach the up lock control handle of the undercarriage port leg broke off leaving the leg locked up. Flt-Capt Henderson thereafter displayed great initiative and ingenuity. With the only tool available - a crash axe - he chopped away the back of the rest bunk and made a hole through the fuselage wall, thereby laying bare the broken pull rod. The broken piece of the rod was then unscrewed from the tee handle by nipping it in the hinge of the armour-plate door. He then screwed the handle back on to the remaining threads of the pull rod and was enabled thereby to lower the undercarrige by the normal manually operated emergency system. The aircraft was then landed without damage, thereby saving a valuable aircraft and preventing possible injury to his crew."

    He celebrated his fifty-first birthday (15 Jan 1945) by beginning the task of delivering a Spitfire from Hawkinge in Kent to the French Air Force Wing at Luxeil. "When the pilots arrived to collect them [12 Spitfires] the landscape was covered in snow, the temperature was well below zero and a biting east wind blew in heavy gusts." BG


     d. 15 Jul 1947 - Logrono, nr Bilbao, Spain, in an air crash.

    "Hull Businessman die in Plane Crash

    Mr Meyndert S. Kamphuys, managing director of British Cocoa Mills, Ltd, Hull, and his brother, Mr Henry S Kamphuys, were both killed when a plane in which they were flying to Africa on business crashed in the Lumbreras Mountains in Northern Spain. Also killed was the pilot, Ralph Harold Henderson, well known in London flying circles. The plane had been privately chartered." - Hull Daily Mail

     

  • Hennings, Sophie Evelyn Veisa Mara (W.150)

     W.150 3rd Officer  [Adi] Sophie Evelyn Veisa Mara 'Beausie' Hennings 
     flag UK   b. 16 May 1915, Navabatu, Vanua Balavu Fiji 29 Nov-43 to Feb-45 

     Sadly, no photo... this is the best I can do; a picture of her younger sister Mara marrying Roderick Miller in 1952:

       

     

    Father: Gustav Mara Hennings (b. Dec 1868 in Lakeba Island, Fij, d. 17 Apr 1955 at his plantation home on Naitauba Island)

      1955 - Pacific Island Weekly

      

    [Naitauba Island is the red dot, Lakeba Island is where 'Tubou' is, to the SSE]

     [Fiji became a British colony in 1874, so had a Governor from then on; Sophie was related to the last King of Fiji, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, because her great-grandfather (Ratu Kamisese Mara Tuimacilai Kapaiwa) was his cousin (and was executed by him in 1859 :-))

     Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau in 1883

     Mother: Elizabeth [Vogel], (m. 1912),

    [Sophie had two sisters, plus a half-brother born to Gustav's 'partner', Palu Miller]

     

    "[Sophie's grandfather] William Hennings and his brothers established the cotton industry in Fiji... scarcely an island exists in northern Lau which has not belonged to or has been connected with the Hennings family at one time." - Pacific Island Weekly

     

    Sophie and sister Elizabeth travelled on the SS 'Mariposa' in 1936, described as 'Half Caste Fijian German'.

    [The Hennings brothers were from Germany, so Sophie presumably qualified as British due to Fiji being a British Colony.]

     

    prev: M.T. Driver for ATA


    Postings include: 5TFPP, 15FPP

    Ab initio Trainee

     2 accidents:

    - 5 Oct 1944, she made a heavy landing in Spitfire V R7205, the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed and the aircraft ground-looped

    - 24 Mar 1945, a tyre burst on her Argus II HB632 on landing, and the aircraft veered off the runway

     


    m.  Oct 1951 in London, Cyril Montague 'Penny' Pennington-Richards, a film director

     

    d. Jun 1991 - Chichester, W Sussex


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Heppell, Rhoda Elinor (W.61)

     W.61 3rd Officer   Rhoda Elinor Heppell
     flag england  b. 1 Feb 1920, Newcastle-on-Tyne  16 Dec 1941 to 31 Jul 1942

    rhoda heppell 1939  RAeC 23 May 1939

    rhoda heppell ATA ATS

       

     

     Father: Sqn-Ldr Philip Forsythe Heppell, with the British Air Staff in Washington DC; mother Dorothy Elizabeth [Fryer]

    Her father was a WWI RFC pilot and one of the founders of Newcastle Aero Club, "where he taught his children to fly as soon as they left school."

    [Her brother, Philip Whaley Ellis Heppell, also became a Squadron Leader in WWII; the three of them were known as the 'Flying Heppells']

     

    Ed. St Helens, Abingdon, and Berne

    prev: 1939-41 Driver, ATS

    Address in 1941: Keston. Matthew Bank, Newcastle-on-Tyne


     

    m. 1942? Roy? Croft

     

    [A very frustrating clip from the Newcastle Journal and North Mail, 21 Jun 1943!]

     

    m. 17 Aug 1943 in Newcastle, Stephen 'Geoffrey or Jeffrey' Fairburn


     

    Later a Pilot Officer in the Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR)

      Newcastle Journal

    She was still flying in 1974 - she said then that "Light aircraft haven't changed that much since I started. At the time it wasn't the done thing for a woman to do, but I suppose it was inevitable I would fly."

     d. 1 Nov 2001 - Newcastle-on-Tyne


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Herringshaw, Stanley Richard

     M.403  First Officer  Stanley Richard Herringshaw
    flag england b. 2 Mar 1905, Erith, Kent 

    6 Apr 1941 to 23 Jan 1944

    [1,002 days] 


     ata stanley herringshaw ATA

         

     

     

    ed. at Elborow and Rugby

    m. 1936 Myra Helen [Small], 3 children

    RAFO from 1928 to 1941; Studied Engineering at Imperial College London, then an Aeronautical Draughtsman for Fairey & Co.

    prev. exp. 188 hrs in 'Hart, Audax, DH87, DH Tiger Moth, Miles Hawk, Blackburn B2'

    Address in 1941: 12 St Mary's Walk, Hayes, Middx. Later moved to "Ashfield", Milmer Rd, Burnham, Bucks.

    Originally applied to ATA in Aug-1940 but withdrew owing to 'circumstances beyond my control', and re-applied in Mar-41.


    Postings: 1FPP

    "A keen, hardworking pilot who is progressing well, and developing into a first rate ferry pilot. Discipline Good." [Frankie Francis] He was offered a place as an instructor but turned it down as he wanted to continue ferrying, and felt he did not have the right temperament to be an instructor.


    Beaufort I

    d. 23 Jan 1944 [Died in ATA Service] in Beaufort N1001 which crashed at Chobham, Surrey, after a fire in the port engine caused by a 'seizure of a wrist pin'.

    Buried Maidenhead (Section D No, 16W)

     

    ata stanley cooke

    Third Officer [Flight Engineer] Stanley Edwin Cooke also died. 


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    Stanley Cooke: download grey

     

  • Hicks, Eric Perrin

     M.359 * First Officer  Eric Perrin Hicks 
     flag england  b. 28 Jun 1891, Sheffield  4 Mar 1941 to 17 May 1945 

     ata eric hicks 1915 1915

       ATAM    

     

    prev. a Flight Sub-Lieut., R.N., then a physician


     

    Commended for "valuable service in the air", 14 Jun 1945


     ata eric hicks 1946 1946

    Address in 1946: Mylor Bridge, Falmouth, Cornwall

  • Hill, Bridget Grace Marian Ledger (W.49*)

     W.49 *  3rd Officer Bridget Grace Marian Ledger Hill 
     flag england b. 7 May 1914, Camberley  15 Aug-41 to Mar-42 

     

    bridget hill 1939 

    RAeC 1939

         

     

     Prev. Exp: 78 hrs solo

    bridget hill signature

    Bridget's father was Major-General Walter Pitts Hendy Hill and they lived in Amesbury, Wilts.

    She earned her RAeC Certificate in Feb 1939 in Wiltshire. That September, within a fortnight of war being declared, she wrote to Marion Wilberforce;

    "I am writing to know if you have any sort of flying job to offer me. I had almost completed my instructor's course, during which I did some blind flying - this was interrupted by the outbreak of war. I do hope you can find some use for me, as I adore flying and have spent everything on my training as an instructor."

    And, to back her up, her instructor wrote "I hereby certify that Miss Bridget Hill has carried out 108 hours flying, of which 78 have been solo. During her training as a pilot she has shown very good progress, and as a cross-country pilot I would place her as above average.
    She has learned quickly and has displayed remarkable common sense in the matter of estimating the weather in the interests of safety.
    While flying here she started an instructor's course and, although this was not completed, she gave evidence of ability as an instructor."

    ATA Bridget Hill

    She was actually a bit too early: "I regret to inform you that we are not considering employing lady pilots in the ATA at the moment. In any case the minimum solo flying experience requred is 250 hours. We are filing your letter, however, and if in the future the position should change we would get in touch with you."

    They didn't, of course, get in touch with her, so in May 1940 she wrote again, and was offered a test.

    This, as she admitted later, was a disaster: "I am more than aware what a mess I made of my test, but I think the strongest nerves could hardly help being affected by waiting from 10 to 5 with so much at stake!"

    However, by December of 1940, she was brave enough to write to Pauline Gower, again; "There has been so much in the newspapers of the expansion of the ATA, that I have decided to risk bothering you again by writing to know if there is any hope for me."

    This time they wrote back to say No (again) - and you still need at least 150 hours.

    Most people would probably have given up by now, but Bridget was made of sterner stuff. She took a job driving a mobile canteen but, here she is again, on the 10 Mar 1941: "I am answering the appeal made on the wireless this evening by Lord Londonderry to members of the Civil Air Guard and holders of 'A' licences.... I am hoping that there is some chance of my being able to be of service."

    At last, they relented, and offered her another test on the 2 April 1941. She was grateful, excited, and a bit apprehensive; "One is bound to be a bit rusty not having flown for so long..."

    Her test was with Margaret Cunnison, and this time it went OK - "quite good, but would need some further training".

    Even then, there was another couple of months' wait until, finally, she got the call: "Please report 15 July for 15 Aug."

    She was delighted.

    Kitty Farrer, the ATA Adjutant, filled in a little essential background knowledge: "She tells me she is a Baha'i, but would be satisfied with any form of christian burial!"

    After 4 months at Hatfield, she was posted to Hamble, then Training Pool. Her flying instruction went well. "She is shaping very well indeed. An intelligent, hard-working pilot. Expected to do well." She completed 23hrs on Tiger Moth, 4hrs 45min on Magister.

    She was seconded to No 15 Ferry Pool (Hamble) on the 19th Jan 1942, and made 75 ferry flights, totaling 129.35 hrs, in the following few weeks. She flew Tiger Moths, Puss Moths and a Wicko.

    ATA Bridget Hill 2


    Sadly, however, she was killed at 12.20pm on the 15 Mar 1942 when flying as a passenger in Fairchild Argus HM178, which stalled and crashed onto a bungalow when returning to land at White Waltham after bad weather.

    fairchild argus

    Yorkshire Evening Post, 17 Mar 1942: "AIRWOMEN KILLED Ferry Pilots' 'Plane Hit Bungalow. The Ministry of Aircraft Production announces that Flying Officer Graham Lever, Third Officer Bridget Hill, and Third Officer Bessie Sayers lost their lives in a flying accident on Sunday. The accident occurred in the course of their duties with the Air Transport Auxiliary. The 'plane crashed on to a bungalow. A fourth passenger in the machine, also a woman A.T.A. officer, was injured. Twenty-six people were injured when they rushed to the house to extricate the passengers in the 'plane. It is believed that the petrol tank in the machine exploded. The injured woman passenger was Third Officer P. D. Duncan."

    THROWN CLEAR At the inquest, which was adjourned until April 14. the Coroner stated that Miss Duncan, who was in hospital, had had "an extraordinary escape." It is understood that she was thrown clear of the house as the 'plane crashed, and escaped with cuts and bruises. Among the injured were children who were in the street. The petrol tank exploded some time after the crash, owing, it is believed, to contact with a fire in the kitchen. A man named Croft, living in an adjoining bungalow, was blown through a window into the street and badly hurt but a child in the front room of the bungalow was rescued almost uninjured. "

    She is buried in Britford Cemetery.

    [Her older brother, Brigadier Stanley James Ledger 'Speedy' Hill, DSO**, MC, was a World War II Commander who joined the British Airborne Forces at an early stage, fought in North Africa and went on to play a vital role in the D-Day landings and the crossing of the Rhine:

    see Stanley James L Hill | ParaData

    "My Dear Miss Gower, I must write and tell you once again how happy in, and proud of, her Corps Bridget was. It was all one great adventure for her, and her purpose in life was to make it a success... The man who stood next to me at her graveside would have been her husband and it is so sad to think that they were deprived of that great happiness."

    "I wouldn't have had my darling in any other service... it was a wonderful life and she was so supremely happy."

  • Hill, Frank

     M.734  First Officer Frank Hill 
     flag england  b. 14 Oct 1912, Great Yarmouth  31 Mar 1942 to 20 Mar 1945

       1935 RAeC

       ATA    ATA  

    Father: Frank Powell Hill, mother Edith Caroline [Brewer]

    Ed. Bishops Stortford College

    prev.  Confectioner, Cake Maker and Caterer

    prev. exp. 86 hrs in Gipsy and Cirrus Moth, Hornet Moth

    In 1933, as a result of a motorcycle accident, his left leg was amputated between the knee and ankle... "as I learnt to fly in 1935 you will see that all my flying has been done with this disability"

    m. 1938 Marjorie Muriel [Clogg]

    He spent 1939 and 1940 as a volunteer in the Finnish-Russian War

    Address in 1942: Blue House, Warren Lane, Hopton, Gt Yarmouth


     Postings: 7FPP, 3FPP, 6FPP, 9FPP

     Reprimanded in Jul 1944 for "Taxying with insufficent care"

     "Although of a quiet nature, he seemed very keen to do his job and this he carried out in a satisfactory manner... safe and conscientious"

    "A most reliable and cheerful officer who has become the mainstay of the Pool (9FPP)"

     

    6 accidents, only one his fault:

    17 Mar 1943, forced landing in Henley L3244 due to progressive engine failure

    5 Jun 1944, the port tyre of his Typhoon JR205 burst, he swung of the runway and ground-looped, and the undercarriage collapsed

    10 Jul 1944, the incident which led to his reprimand - he taxied Hurricane IV LF451 into an (unmarked) heap of gravel and cement bags. Flying Control was jointly held to blame

    13 Oct 1944, a forced landing in Vengeance RB539 after the port escape panel blew off in flight

    7 Feb 1945, another forced landing, in Typhoon Ib RB476, after a leak covered the windscreen with oil


    janes anson

    d. 20 Mar 1945 (Died in ATA Service) - in Anson I DJ471 (passenger James Waldron Brown, also killed) which collided with Typhoon JP433 at RAF Aston Down, Glos.

    Both aircraft were approaching to land, but neither pilot could see the other, and the Typhoon struck the Anson from behind and above.

      

    Buried Hopton St Margaret Churchyard, Gt Yarmouth

     

    "My great burden has been eased by the glowing tributes paid to my husband" Marjorie M Hill

     

    The £2,500 insurance was paid to Marjorie on 30 April 1945.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hill, Milton Bailey

     M.606 First Officer   Milton Bailey Hill
     flag usa  b. 23 Feb 1907, Quanah, TX 10 Jun 1941 to 9 Apr 1945 

     

    ata milton hill

    http://airtransportauxiliary.co.uk

         

     

    Father: Austin Herbert Hill

    Ed. High School, Oklahoma City

    m. [1] V  ; [2] 1966 Lena M Jackson Hembling

    prev. Charter and Dusting Flying, Aerial Advertising, Instructing, Barnstorming.

    Address in 1941: Route 1, Comstock Park, Kent, MI


    Postings: 2FPP, 9FPP, 

    Certificate of Commendation, 1943: "Whilst ferrying a Wellington VI from Lynehm to Shawbury on the 3rd April 1943, he experienced complete failure of both engines. He was at a height of approximately 1,400ft and was nearing the Malvern Hills. After losing considerable height he resuscitated the starboard engine but he was unable to get any response from the port engine which he put into coarse pitch and feathered the propeller. F/O Hill made for the nearest airfield which was Defford and succeeded in landing on the runway there with flaps and wheels down without further damage. The Wellington VI will hardly fly on one engine."

    The engine failures were due to incorrect setting of tank cocks within the wing.

    "An extremely hard-working and expert pilot, whose willingness and good discipline make him an excellent officer."

    Sailed from Scotland to New York on 26 Apr 1945


     d. Nov 1985 - Cumberland, Harlan, KY

    "His wife, Lena, survives."

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hill, Peter Brockwin

     M.1155 *

    3rd Officer 

     [Seconded from RAF]

     Peter Brockwin Hill
     flag england  b. 20 Jun 1919, Hampstead, London NW  5 Sep 1944 to 15 Apr 1945 

     ata peter hill 1938 1938

         

     

    prev. an aero engine fitter

    Address in 1938: 'Crosby', 25 The Newlands, Wallington, Surrey

  • Hills, Oswald Marchant

     M.216 * Commander   Oswald Marchant Hills

    flag england

     b. 10 Sep 1896, Stafford  7 Oct 1940 to 1 Sep 1944 

     ata oswald hills 1930 1930    ATAM    

     

    prev. a Company Director

    Address in 1930: 2 Shirehall Park, Hendon London NW4

     

  • Hincks, George William John

     M.931 * 2nd Officer  George William John Hincks
     flag england  b. 31 May 1913, Preston  5 Jul 1943 to 30 Jun 1945 

     ata george hincks 1939 1939

         

     

    prev. Engineer

    Address in 1939: "Trevoak", Oakley Woods, Benson, Oxon.

  • Hoar, Jill Elizabeth (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet  Jill Elizabeth Hoar 
     flag england b. 20 Jan 1922, London  24 Jan 1944 to 22 Jun 1944 

     

         

     

    Father: George Henry Hoar, Mother: Margaret [Harper]

    Ed. Welsh Girls School, Ashford, Middx and Dunelm College, Tankerton, Kent

    prev: Hotel Receptionist; Clerk for Fairey Aviation Ltd; Aircraft Fitter with ATA

    Address in 1944: Ellington Cottage, Ellington Rd, Taplow, Berks


     Ab initio pilot

     

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]


     m. 1947 in Kensington, London, Peter Alan Coles

     

    d. 31 Mar 2006 - Bracknell, Berks


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hoffman, Harold Lee

     M.---  2nd Officer  Harold Lee Hoffman

    flag usa

     b. 9 Apr 1906, St Louis, MO 24 May 1941 to 5 Aug 1941 

     ata harold hoffman ATA

         

     

    Fther: Benjamin Lee Hoffman, Mother: Marie Elizabeth [Curns]

    Ed. Tilden Tech., Chicago IL

    m. Amelia (or Emelia) Veronica [Belloumini, d. 2001]

    prev. Instructor, barnstorming, ferrying, passenger hops, [and a laundry driver for the Nordic Laundry Company and others].

    prev. exp. 420 hrs

     Address in 1941: 831 Sunnyside Ave, Chicago


    Flying under training: 4.05hrs

    Contract Terminated - "Unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot"; "Deemed to be erroneously or injudiciously enrolled in Montreal" 


    Post-WWII, joined cargo carrier Airlift International based in Miami FL.

    d. 10 Oct 1970 (age 64) while co-pilot of a C-130 N9248R which crashed attempting to land in bad weather at McGuire AFB near Fort Dix NJ.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

    download grey

  • Hoffmann, Frank Charles

     M.587 First Officer  Frank Charles Hoffmann Jr 
     flag usa  b. 29 Jul 1912, Valley Stream, Long Island, NY  13 Jun 1941 to 19 Mar 1942 

     

    ata frank hoffman 1930 poss1930

    (?) Brooklyn Daily Eagle

         

     

    Father Frank, a retired shoe manufacturer [who originally trained for the priesthood], mother Florence [Fabian]

    Ed. at Willston Academy, MA (Business School Diploma)

    m. 1935 Mary Elizabeth [Finch], 2 sons

    pre. commercial flying, stunt flying with 'Lucky Harris and his Airshow'

    Address in 1941: 432 Rugby Rd, Brooklyn, NY


    Postings: 16FPP, 4aFPP

     "His flying is quite satisfactory but his general conduct could still be improved."

     [Resigned]


    In 1965, he was running Hoffman Custom Flight Service in Billings, Montana, and he and three others were apppointed 'Local Senior Pilots' by the FAA in 1969:

    ata frank hoffman et al 1969

    Frank on the left.

    d. Jan 1988, Billings

    His obituary in the Billings Gazette reads: "Frank was among the first Army Air Corps flight instructors. He also served in the Royal Air Force in Great Britain. He was a test pilot for Glen L. Martin Inc. and Edo Aircraft before managing the Jacksonville Municipal Airport for seven years. In 1954 and 1955, he was part owner of Alamo Airways in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    He moved to Billings and worked for Lynch Flying Service, then opened Hoffmann Customer Flight Service. In 1960 he brought the first helicopters to Billings. He retired from aviation in 1972 when he closed Sky Harbor Enterprises Inc."

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Holcomb, George Washington

     M.----  First Officer George Washington Holcomb 

    flag usa

      b. 1 Jun 1909, Georgia 12 Dec 1940 to Mar-41 

     

    ata george holcomb

    ATA

         

     

    Electrical Engineering Diploma

    prev. Asst Manager in retail seed business

    prev. exp. 800 hrs


    miles master bw

    d. 27 Mar 1941 (Died in ATA Service) - Miles Master T8822 flew into a hill in bad visibility

    buried Whitehaven, Cumbria


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Holcombe, Ralph Lyman

     M.---  2nd Officer Ralph Lyman Holcombe 
     flag usa   b. 29 Oct 1910, Jesse, OK 6 July 1941 to 14 Nov 1941 

     ata ralph holcombe ATA

         

     

    Father: Riley Lee Holcombe, a wholesale seed merchant

    Ed. John Muir Technical High School, Pasadena CA, East Central State Teachers College

    Next of Kin: Mother: Grace [Stewart], 830 E 14th St, Ada, OK

    m. Inez Smith (Divorced, 1 child)

    prev. Pilot for Newton B. Badgett Flying School, Shreveport Louisiana. Flying Instructor to US Air Corps in Stamford TX, May-41 to Jun-41


    Of sick from 20 Aug to 14 Nov 1941 with 'septic mouth'


    Post-ATA, a test pilot for Douglas, Boeing, Bechtel-Cone and Consolidated, and the inventor of a series of pilot training methods and aids that included "the famous buzz bonnet"  used by the US Navy.

    In 1948 his 6-year old daughter Judy was paralyzed after being run over by a truck and subsequently died.

    In 1953 his father suffered a stroke which affected his right side; Ralph designed and built a 'walker', made from airframe tube. The invention was taken up by Walk-A-Gain Walkers Inc, of Ada, and "found a market all over the world."

    The following year, describing himself as a "human engineer", he invented a machine which taught people to dance; it was described as looking like "a cross between a helicopter and a maypole."

    ata ralph holcombe 1954 

    Ralph, with a real dancing instructor and the robot helper being fastened to her feet.

    In 1962 he said he had "well over 12,500 hrs of ferrying, testing, executive flying, instruction work, bush flying, airline work and USAAF."

     d. 1986 - Oklahoma City

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hollande, Jacques Andre

     M.262 * First Officer  Jacques Andre Hollande 
     flag france   22 Mar 1941 to 15 Aug 1945 

     

         

     

    "Typical of the adventures experienced by some of the foreign pilots prior to their ultimate deployment with ATA were those of Jacques Hollande. This Paris timber exporter was unmolested by the Germans for three months after the Occupation, but then decided to escape from France. He went to Vichy and, after calling daily for weeks at the passport office and producing letter after letter from Government officials to the effect that he was unable to carry on his business without keeping in touch with his Morocco agents, he at last obtained an exit permit, and travelled from Port Vendres to Oran by the mail boat. From here he made his way to Rabat and claimed that he had business at the international port of Tangier.

    For days he pestered the authorities to obtain from them the necessary visa to pass him through the Spanish zone, and in the end prevailed upon an official to place his papers among those to be signed by the Control Officer on the latter's return from dinner one evening.The meal must have been a satisfactory one as the documents were signed withour comment and he got to Tangier.

    Here he met an official in the British Consulate, with a view to being allowed to join the Free French forces in England. In the end he obtained a passage to Gibraltar, and from there, under the protection of Britain, eventually arrived at Liverpool. Within a day or two he heard for the first time of the ATA and, remembering that he had a hundred or so flying hours behind him, came to White Waltham. Here he had a flight test, was accepted, and at the age of 42 commenced his new career as a ferry pilot.

    Four years later he ferried one of the fiirst Ansons from White Waltham to Paris, and has since been able to resume his life in his native country." Brief Glory

  • Holley, James Henry

     M.---- 2nd Officer  James Henry Holley 
    flag canada   b.1899 or 1900  22 Apr 1941 to 23 Aug 1941

     [Possibly emigrated to Canada aged 11 in 1912]

    RFC in WWI; an instructor at Manston, Kent

    He "taught Sir Alan Cobham to fly":

    ata james holley and alan cobham 

    Sir Alan Cobham, famous British Airman, was taught to fly by a Winnipeg man, James Holley - The Winnipeg Tribune, 17 Jan 1927

     They met again during Sir Alan arrived in Winnipeg en route to the Pacific Coast and had a chat about 'the good old days'.

    m. 1921 Anna [Sparling] in Winnipeg

    Owned a 1927 DH Moth, G-CAIL, which later became part of Western Canada Airways' fleet. He also acquired G-CANO, a 1928 Avro Avian III, from WCA.

    He was involved in an aeroplane and car tour from Saint Paul to Winnipeg tour in 1928:

    "The delegation, led by Captain J. H. Holley, air pilot for the Western Canada Airways corporation, made arrangements for the international goodwill tour, the Canadians pledging their support and co-operation and offering the hospitality of Winnipeg during the first of the Crookston group.

    Captain Holley, considered one of the best pilots in Canada, declared he would fly down to take part in the Crookston air derby and would be accompanied by at least one other ship from his company."

    https://www.reshapingthetornadobelt.com/background/grand-forks-aviation-history/stp-ywg-air-tour-1928

     In 1930, he was Sales Manager of the Detroit Aircraft Co. He flew a Lockheed Vega to break the commercial speed record at Felts Field; Washngton; "he expects to exceed a speed of 185 miles per hour."



    Sailed back to Montreal on 5 October 1941 with fellow ATA pilots Clark Trumbull, Constant Wilson, William Englander, John Sleeper, Walter Lewis, Vernon Meyer, Marvin Tuxhorn, Herbert Termaine, Willie Crews and Leland Lloyd

  • Holloway, Joseph Benjamin

     M.270  First Officer

    Joseph Benjamin 'J. B.' Holloway

     

    flag usa

     b. 27 Jun 1909, Columbus, Georgia

    12 Dec 1940 to 11 Dec 1941

    [364 days]

     

           

     

    Ed. High School in Georgia and Florida

    m. with 2 children

    prev. 6 yrs Marines, 9mo Aviation Corps, USMCRA

    a Pilot Mechanic

    Address in 1940: 2780 NW North River Dr, Miami, Florida (Mother, Mrs Tom Taylor)


     Postings: 2FPP

     He was commended for a successful forced landing in a Westland Whirlwind in Jul-41


     

    In 2004 Florence Mueller wrote: "He was in ATC before the war started and was in for the duration. He was married to my sister Esther in Miami in the late 1930's. They were divorced after the war. J.B. was killed in a plane crash in the mid 50's, flying hops from Miami to the Caribbean islands. I have a silver cigarette case with a map of the hump area with tiny gems in the cities where he stopped. It was my sister's who is deceased.

    See http://cnac.org/index.html


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hoover, Raymond O

     M.345  First Officer  Raymond O Hoover Jr
     flag usa b. 17 Feb 1917, Chambersburg, PA 

    17 Feb 1941 to 3 Mar 1942

    [379 days]

     

       ATAM

         

     

    Educated at Chambersburg High School - a classmate of Bill Elliott (M.343):

    wjelliott science club cashs 1934 1

    Bill Elliott and Raymond Hoover in the Science Club, front row, in 1934

    https://micheleepps.wordpress.com

    His parents ran a turkey farm.

    prev. a Flight Instructor for Mahon Flying Service

    Address in 1941: (Mother) Route 2, Chambersburg, PA


    Postings: 1FPP, 6FPP

    "An excellent pilot who gets through all the work given him quietly and efficiently."


    After leaving the ATA, Raymond joined RAF Transport Command, "serving in the Caribbean."

    m. Judith in Maryland in Feb 1948 (Divorced 1958).

    1,500 of his family's turkeys were killed when a poultry barn was hit by lightning in 1959.

    According to the above website, "Raymond Hoover apparently survived the war. His obituary tells us he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for a little over a year piloting planes between Canada and England."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hordern, Hugh Cecil Shubra

     M.----  Cadet Hugh Cecil Shubra Hordern
     flag_england.jpg b. 26 Mar 1906, Shortlands, Kent  29 Jan 1943 to 7 Apr 1943

     

     

    Father:  Anthony Shubra Hordern (b. 1879, d. 1934 in Jersey), mother: Edith [Campbell].

    His grandfather, Anthony Horden III,  "left Sydney for Western Australia, where he made his mark as an entrepreneur, founding the Albany–Beverley "Great Southern" railway and developing much of the surrounding land. He died aboard the steamer R.M.S. Carthage on the Red Sea while returning to Australia after several years conducting his business affairs from London. A memorial to him was erected at the top of York Street, Albany. He was nominated by A. J. H. Saw, the Chancellor of the University of Western Australia, as one of the fifteen greats in the development of the State."

    His elder brother was Anthony Arthur Shubra Hordern.

    His younger brother, Basil Colin Shubra (1910–1969) was a "prominent bank shareholder"

    "Shubra Hall, Croydon, is the oldest building on the campus of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney, and was the home of Anthony Hordern III." - Wikipedia

    6ft 2in tall; "scar centre of forehead"

    Ed. Malvern College 1920-23

    m. 2 Jun 1928 in Kensington, London, Vera Elizabeth Bryer (Divorced)

    In 1928, he filed a patent in France, with his brother Anthony and Bernard John Lynes, for an "Improved device controlled by means of a coin and by hand for the recording and delivery of phonograph records of various types, or for the reproduction of such records"

    He became engaged to Miss Marian 'Betty' Seton (or Secombe) in 1936, but  I can find no record of the marriage taking place.

     - The Sydney Morning Herald, 15 Jun 1936

    prev. a Stock Jobber; RAFVR 31 Jan 1940 - 27 Jun 1942 (Flt-Lt, 214 Sqn)

    prev. exp. 740 hrs on "Henley, Hart, Demon, Phoenix, Wellington, Harrow, Percival Q.6"

    Address in 1943: 8 Wimbledon Close, London SW19


     [Resigned]


     d. 12 Dec 1944 - Stockbury, Kent, in a car accident

    ata_hugh_hordern_memorial.jpg  

     He left £895 2s 3d, which went to his mother.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Horsey, Herbert John

     M.49 *

    Captain 

    [Seconded from BOAC]

    Herbert John 'Horse' Horsey
    flag england    b. 26 Nov 1899, Cheshunt, Herts   1 Jan 1940 to 6 Jan 1941 

     Imperial Airways HJ Horsey      

     

    RNAS and RAF in WWI, then joined Supermarine, followed by British Marine Co. as a flying-boat captain on the route from Southampton to Guernsey. When BMC became part of the newly-formed Imperial Airways in 1924, he was one of their 16 founder-pilots.

    In June 1927, he created a new record for big passenger aeroplanes, by flying from London to Cologne in one hundred and sixty minutes, at an average speed of 130 miles an hour.

    Address in 1932: 138 King's Hall Rd, Beckenham, Kent

    Postings: 2FPP


    curtiss hawk

    d. 6 Jan 1941 (Died in ATA Service) after he hit cables and crashed on 2 January,  2.5 miles NW of Wroughton ferrying Curtiss Mohawk IV AR658.

    G.P. Olley wrote in his obituary: "An atmosphere of gloom settled over the war-time base of British Overseas Airways Corporation when the tragic news came through that Captain H. J. Horsey ('Horse' to his friends, and that meant every one) had died suddenly from the injuries he had received in an accident some days before."

    Gordon reported that, a few days before, "poor old 'Horse' was concerned that he had broken his clean record - up to then, he had never had a major crash, or harmed a hair of the head of a single passenger."

    Herbert is buried in Hatfield Heath, Essex.

  • Hosking, Raymond Rufus

     M.503 First Officer  Raymond Rufus Hosking 
     flag england   b. 28 Dec 1903, Kettering 6 Jun 1941 to 30 Sep 1945 

     ata raymond hosking 1939 1939

     ata raymond hosking ATA

    ata raymond hosking MAMM

    Manx Aviation & Military Museum

     
     

     

    Parents: William Stanley Hosking, Sophy Seymour Richards

    Ed. at Kettering Grammar School

    m. 1933 Rhoda A [Barden]; 1 son b. 1938

    prev. Branch Manager for Marks and Spencer Ltd

    prev. exp 53 hrs on Hornet Moth, Tiger Moth, Magister, Anson

    Address in 1941: 42 Round Hill Cose, West Garth Rd, Exeter


    Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 2FPP

    Sep-45: "This pilot has had consistently good reports since he joined this unit in 1942. Considering the small flying experience with which he joined the ATA, the fact that he finishes his service by being one of our most skilled All-Class pilots, is greatly to his credit. His unfailing cheerfulness and good discipline have always been most marked." O.C. No 2 FPP


    d. 18 Jun 1992 - Tavistock, Devon

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hotham, Jocelyn Mary Emma (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet   Hon. Jocelyne Mary Emma Hotham
     flag england  b. 18 Apr 1908, London  15 Apr 1942 to 8 Jun 1942

     jocelyn hotham 1936  RAeC 1936

         

     

    Father: Lord Frederick William Hotham (6th Baron Hotham of South Dalton, d. 1923), mother Eliza Benita [Sanders] of Dalton Hall, nr Beverley

    Had an elder sister, The Hon. Sylvia [m. 1924 Ralph Assheton]

    Ed. Abbotts Hill, Hemel Hempstead

    She and Honor Pitman (also later of the ATA) were amongst the bridesmaids to a Miss Beau Lawson-Johnston in 1927.

     

    "WOMAN FLIER AT PERIVALE

    The most interesting woman I met this week was the Hon. Jocelyn Hotham, daughter of the late Lord Hotham—the young woman who learnt to fly by a mistake.

    I met her out at Perivale this week at a meeting of the Perivale Women's Fellowship. She is a slim brunette, with a passion for flying. This is how she took up aviation. "I was lunching with a young woman about a year ago, and during our conversation she quite startled me when she told me that she had taken up flying. And so, not wishing to be outdone by her," Miss Hotham laughingly added, " I set off for Heston at once and told the instructor there that I wanted to learn to fly. We set off in a bi-plane, and I confess I was rather scared. As we soared up to the clouds I felt that I was in a strange land and in a dream, and the world below looked like a huge patchwork quilt.

    "Then came my three-hour solo flight, and this was a most depressing time, as up in the clouds you know that if you do anything wrong you will be killed. I managed to come through all right. and in ten days gained my pilot's licence. "Flying, in m opinion. is the most marvellous feeling in the world. One leaves all one's cares in the clouds and you feel that the whole world lies at your feet. You feel that you have done something which man wanted to do ages past.

    "I get lots of fun out of flying." Miss Hotham told me. "and later on would like to attempt the more serious, sphere of aerial ambulance work, which I am 'very keen on." "Flying," she added, Is no more dangerous than other things. There is one accident to every 25,000 flights, and two-thirds of these are due to stupidity and breaking of air regulations, and a third due to engine failure over bad country."

    Though, to most of the Perivale mothers present, an aeroplane was something they had viewed only at a distance, in the succeeding lantern lecture they showed a very keen interest and bombarded Miss Hotham with a barrage of questions. "West Middlesex Gazette - Saturday 28 November 1936

     

    prev: Commandant of Transport, Chelsea, Sep 1938- May 1940; ARP

    The work of the Chelsea ARP featured in July 1939 in The Bystander - Jocelyne is shown (r, l) in these images

       

     

    prev exp: 22hrs 35min on Avro Cadet

    Address in 1942: Red Syke, Twiston, Clitheroe, Lancs


     

     


    In 1948, "The 'Malkin Tower Repertory Company', who presented " Pendle Witches of 1948" written by Miss Jocelyne Hotham, included Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Assheton. Mr. N. Assheton. Miss Jocelyne Hotham. Miss Bridget Assheton. Miss Ann Yorke and Mr. J. E. E. Yorke. " - Clitheroe Advertiser & Times

     

    She sold the Red Syke herd of Ayrshire dairy cattle, in 1954: "Miss Hotham Is giving up dairy farming to concentrate stock rearing and poultry keeping at Red Syke. The Ayrshire herd was established in 1944. There was keen competition for the 43 head of cattle, all of which were sold. Top price was 110 guineas."

     

    d. May 1997 - York 

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Houston, William Branston

     M.---

    Captain

    [Seconded from BOAC]

    William Branston Houston 
     flag eire b. 28 Mar 1909, Galway  1 Sep 1940 to 15 Jan 1942

       "Clearing the hurdles in fine style" in 1930

         

     

    "nephew of the late Sir Thomas Houston, the noted bacteriologist"

    Ed. St. Andrew's College, Dublin, and the Methodist College, Belfast.

    "He studied medicine for two years at Queen's University, Belfast, but decided to fly and In 1937 he joined Imperial Airways as a second officer"

    "He began flying on European routes with the Heracles class and the Scylla and Syrinx. He later flew in Frobishers and Ensigns."

    m. 1937 in Flintshire, Claire E [Beatty]


    The BOAC pilots seconded to the ATA were the mainstay of the Advanced Flying Training Unit from September 1940, but they were all recalled to BOAC in January 1942.

    Lettice Curtis says "with the going of the BOAC pilots the school was never the same again, and certainly a lot of fun and gaiety went out of the instructors' room when it passed into the hands of the generally older professional instructors."

    "With pilots like BOAC Captains Griffiths, Derrington Turner, Weston Taggart, Ken Buxton and last but no means least Jim Weir, there was never a dull minute."


    He returned to BOAC in 1941 and flew Liberators and Dakotas to North Africa. In 1944 he went to Cairo in charge of the Corporation's training unit there. After 1946 he occupied a number of operational posts and in 1951 he became manager of the Hermes and Yorks fleet.

      Belfast Telegraph, 1953

    He was nominated as manager of the Britannia fleet in 1953, then Training Manager from 1957.

  • Howden, June Constance (W.147)

     W.147  3rd Officer June Constance 'Judy' Howden 
     flag nz   b. 2 Jul 1918, Pukekohe NZ 6 Dec 1943 to 12 Aug 1945 

     

    june howden haddenham  www.haddenhamairfieldhistory.co.uk

      AWMM    

     

    Father: Dr C E Howden, of The Hill, Aukland, Waiuku, NZ

    prev. RNZAF, WAAF until 7 Sep 1943, stationed at Woodbourne, Blenheim, NZ

    She sailed on  the 'Australia Star' from Wellington via New York to Liverpool, arriving 27 Nov 1943


     Postings: 5FPP, 12FPP, 15FPP

     


    m. Robert William 'Bob' Gummer. a pilot who served with the RNZAF in the Pacific during WWII, later a topdressing pilot.

     

     d. 9 Jun 2007

    "She and Bob farmed in the King Country before retiring to Tutukaka near Whangarei in 1974.

    Of her time at war, Mrs Gummer later wrote: "I felt I was doing something worthwhile with what skills I had and I did something I could never do in peacetime. 
    "I once dreamed of flying around England in a Tiger Moth but never dreamed I'd get to do it in a Spitfire."

    June Gummer is survived by her husband Bob, a son and twin daughters." - New Zealand Herald


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Howitt, James Francis

     M.423 First Officer   James Francis Howitt
    flag canada   b. 20 Apr 1914, Guelph, Ontario 9 Apr 1941 to 31 Dec 1941 

    ata james howitt ATA

     

    http://www.lifenews.ca

       

     

    Next of kin: Father, John J Howitt, 407 Water St, Guelph.

    A former employee of a dairy firm, who used his savings to get to England. 

    A 'non permanent gunner' in 1938 with 43rd B.T.Y., R.C.A.

    P/O with 242 Sqn RAF, Jun-39 to Dec-40 - the first all-Canadian squadron of the RAF.

    In September 1940, according to The Ottawa Journal, he "cracked up and was sent to hospital. Doctors told him he couldn't fly a fighter plane again. He heard he was being sent back to Canada.

    'I didn't want that', Howitt said. 'Any kind of flying is better than none at all, so I volunteered for the ATA and was accepted.' " 

    Address in 1941: Marbrock, Smedley St, W Matlock, Derby


    Postings: 14FPP

    Off sick from 14 Dec 41 to 28 Dec with 'nervous apprehension', perhaps brought on by the 2 forced landings he had (a Spitfire in August, and an Anson in October, both due to engine failure).

    [Contract Terminated 31 Dec 1941)


    d. November 2, 2002, Guelph


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Howlison, James

     M.594 First Officer  James Howlison 
     flag england   b. 29 Jul 1903, Stockport 10 Jun 1941 to 28 Mar 1945 

     ata james howlison 1931 1931

     ata james howlison ATA    

     

    Ed. St Cuthberts College, Worksop

    m. 1929 Constance T [Willson], 1933 Dorothy Mary [Thompson], 2 children

    prev. Managing Director of Howson Gloves Ltd, Lancashire Hill, Stockport

    Address in 1941: Tree Tops, 1 Valley Rd, Bramhall, Cheshire


    Postings: 6FPP, 7FPP, 14FPP

    "A well-behaved and conscientious officer, and a safe average pilot. Had very little experience prior to joining ATA"

    Passed Class V (Halifax) training Mar-43

    Mar-45: "He has done very well throughout his ATA career, but the strain of nearly four years ferrying has proved too much for him, and he has been advised to resign."

    Contract Terminated 28 Mar 1945


    d. 1964 - Bucklow, Cheshire

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hrynakowska, Maria (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet Maria Hrynakowska 
     flag russia -> flag poland  b. 22 Jul 1909, Smila Russia  18 Aug-43 to 9 Dec-43

     

         

     

    prev: Polish ATS

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hudson, Evelyn (W.82)

     W.82 First Officer   Evelyn Hudson

     flag england

    -> flag usa

      b. 7 Aug 1908, Sunderland UK 10 Jun-42 to Aug-43 

     ata evelyn hudson 1937 1937

     W082 Hudson Evelyn

    ata evelyn hudson 2

    ATA

     

     

    Father: Frank Hudson (he was a butcher), Mother: Margaret

    Her family moved to Alberta, Canada in March 1911 (when she was 2 years and 7 months old)

    Ed. Strathcona High School, Alberta; McTavish College, Edmonton, Canada

    City and provincial diving champion 1925, 27, 29

    Naturalized American 25 Feb 1938 ('Declaration of Intention' 27 Dec 1934)

    5ft 5in, brown hair, grey eyes

    prev. Flight Instructor

    prev. exp 1,000 hrs

    Learnt to fly in Hawaii in 1930 and then spent 3 years there as co-director of a flying school in Honolulu that "averaged 150 Japanese, Hawaian and American pupils a year",.Her elder sister Winifred, who went with her, became aviation editor of the Star-Bulletin, Honolulu.

    She "achieved international fame as a transcontinental flier and was the only Canadian girl to conduct her own flying school", then moved to Burbank to work (as a secretary) for Lockheed. She also continued as an instructor, for the Grand Central Flying School in Glendale.

    Here she is in 1937, getting ready for an attempt on the world solo endurance record for light planes in her Aeronca C-3:

    ata evelyn hudson endurance flight 1937

    "She will refuel by snatching 5-gallon cans of gasoline from a speeding motor car with a fishline-and-hook arrangement" - Los Angeles Times

    She stayed aloft for 19 hrs 57 min, breaking Laura Ingall's previous mark of 18 hrs 23 min, cutting the flight short because her refuelling equipment was damaged. However, she then repeated the exercise the following September after the record had been raised by Norman Doerr to 24hrs; this time she stayed up for 33hrs 9min, only coming down because of high winds..

    From 1940, she taught flying to Pasadena junior college students (one of only 3 women instructors), under a C.A.A. scheme. "I just talked myself into it", she said.

    Address in 1942: 1334 W. 54th St, Glendale, CA

    Parents' address in 1942: 1848 Argyle Ave, W Vancouver, B.C. Canada

    Sailed from Nova Scotia to Belfast to join the ATA, arriving  28 Jun 1942 with fellow pilots Edith Stearns and Catharine van Doozer.


    Off sick from 17 Mar 1943 after a flying accident - she and Fay Bragg were both injured (Fay only slightly) when they were passengers in a Wellington II, piloted by Elisabeth May, which suffered port engine failure immediately after take-off and crash-landed straight ahead, at RAF Wickenby near Lincoln.

    She then sailed back to New York on the 21 Aug 1943, with Opal Anderson, Margaret Lennox, Roberta Sandoz Leveaux, and Catharine van Doozer.

    m. 1943 Mario W Richards


    see also her story at https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk

     

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hughes, Joan Lily Amelia (W.11)

     

     W.11  Flight Captain Joan Lily Amelia Hughes MBE

    flag england

     b. 28 April 1918, Woodford, Essex 1 Jan 1940 to 31 Dec 1945 


      

      1935 - London Aeroplane Club

      ATA    

     

    Father: Arthur Edward Hughes, a braid manufacturer,, mother: Lily Amelia [Lekeup] of Acreage, Harlow Common, Harlow, Essex

    Educated 'privately'. 5 foot 2, build: slight, eyes: hazel.

     

    "Miss Joan Hughes, who will be sixteen in April, is working hard to become an efficient aviator" - The Sketch, Mar 1934

    "Miss Joan Hughes, a schoolgirl, says her ambition is to run an air-taxi service in partnership with her brother" - Leeds Mercury, 4 Apr 1934

     

    She celebrated her 17th birthday by qualifying for her RAeC Certificate, making her, at the time, the youngest flyer in Great Britain.

    She became an instructor with Chigwell Flying Club, then joined the Civil Air Guard at Romford in 1938.

    prev. exp. 620 hrs (at the time, the women needed 600 hrs to join ATA)


    Postings: 5FPP, AFTS, EFTS, 1FPP, 6FPP, 15FPP

    4-engine (Class 5) pilot

    Margaret, Mona and Joan in January 1940

    The youngest of the 'First Eight' women ATA members who joined on the 1st January 1940, she mostly continued as an instructor, eventually at the Advanced Flying Training School at White Waltham. She did, however, ferry many types of aircraft, including Hurricane, Spitfire, Lysander, Typhoon, Mosquito, York, Fortress, Lancaster, Halifax, Liberator and Stirling.

     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

    She had 4 mishaps (one deemed to be her fault); 

    - 12 Dec 1940, her Oxford skidded on loose ice on the runway

    - 22 Aug 1941, a forced landing in Hurricane N2588 when the undercarriage jammed

    - 4 Jun 1942, a landing accident when she was instructing Jocelyne Hotham in Hart K6486, which swung and tipped onto a wing,

    - 22 Dec 1944, another forced landing in a Stirling III, LJ506. This was due to "[Port Outer] No 12 cylinder induction elbow blowing off")

     

    One of the iconic images of the ATA - Joan, dwarfed by a Stirling (Brief Glory)

    Her flying was always highly praised: "First Officer Hughes is an exceptionally good and level-headed pilot. She has worked extremely hard and conscientiously... a capable pilot on the Stirling; of above average ability, who, in spite of her small stature, handled the aircraft in a most satisfactory manner. She is to be complimented on such an excellent performance."

    One small criticism, however: "her technical knowledge is a long way behind her flying ability & she should spend more time in study of this branch."


    After WWII Joan moved to the West London Aero Club in White Waltham, then the British Airways Flying Club at Booker.

    She coached Kenneth More for his role as Douglas Bader in the film 'Reach for the Sky' (1956).

    She was awarded her RAF 'Wings' in June 1954, the last of 5 women (all ex-ATA pilots) to do so when serving with the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR). The others were Jean Bird, Jackie Moggridge, Freydis Leaf and Benedetta Willis. 

     In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Joan was one of ".. only seven [women ATA pilots] are now flying commercially... Five-foot-nothing Joan Hughes, one of the few ATA girls who did the Class 5 conversion, subsequently ferrying four-engine bombers and instructing on Harvards and Hudsons, is chief flying instructor of the West London Aero Club at White Waltham"

    She concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field."

     

    n 1961 she was awarded the Jean Lennox Bird Trophy; she had trained more than 50 pilots during the year.

     MUWW

    In 1965 she flew a replica of a 1909 Santos-Dumont Demoiselle in the film "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines", and then a replica in simulated dog-fights for the film "The Blue Max". She later visited the US where she appeared on a television quiz show as a mystery guest.

    Miss Hughes was one of the display pilots at the Shuttleworth Trust during the 1960s: "These aircraft are wonderfully removed from scientific aircraft. Everything depends on the pilot's skill, so you feel more personally involved. Apart from that you are open to the weather".

    Bob Brion tells me that "Joan was my instructor at White Waltham in 1955 flying Tiger Moths... [She] treated me as an equal in what was a different world in the 50s. I have always had the greatest respect for her and her accomplishments.

    A great lady."

    She retired in 1985 with 11,800 hours in her logbook, 10,000 of which were as instructor, and "devoted herself to tennis, music and country walks".

    She died age 74, on the 16 August 1993 in Taunton, Somerset.

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    IWM interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80008455

     

  • Humphrey, William Charles Lyndon

     M.791 2nd Officer  William Charles Lyndon 'John' Humphrey
     flag eire b. 31 Jul 1917, Dublin  8 Jul 1942 to 20 Aug 1943 

       ATA

         

     

    Father: William E Humphrey, mother Harriet V

    Ed. Gresham School, Holt; Jesus College, Cambridge

    prev.  RAF 1940-41 AC2 pilot under training; Sep 1941 Royal Navy

    Address in 1942: Holton Hall, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin


     

    d. 20 Aug 1943 in Spitfire VIII JF844. The aircraft dived out of cloud into the ground at Luckley Farm, nr. Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire, and was destroyed. "The pilot was probably flying too near the cloud base and inadvertently entered a patch of low cloud, thereafter losing control of the aircraft."

    Buried Whitechurch CemeteryCounty DublinIreland


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hunter, Lewis Warren

     M.14 First Officer  Lewis Warren Hunter 

    flag usa

     b. 20 Jan 1907, San Francisco, CA  26 September 1940 to 6 Jun 1941 

     ata lewis hunter  ata lewis hunter 2 ATA    

     

     Father: Lewis Clarence Hunter, Box 192, Ross, Marin Co. CA

    Ed. Stanford University

    m. 1931 Suzanne Gerdine; 2 children; divorced

    US Army Corps Feb 1930 - Jun 32; May 36 - Jan 38

    prev. Instructor for the Chinese National Government

    prev. exp 3,700 hrs


    San Anselo Herald, September 1940: "LEWIS WARREN HUNTER TO AID BRITISH GOVERNMENT

    Hunter is a good looking specimen of American manhood. He came down the broad steps of the attractive family home loaded with luggage and greeted reporters and cameramen with "Hi fellows, you're almost too late. Ask me what you want to know while I pile these things in the car... Hate to rush, but the plane leaves in an hour..."

    Off sick from 1 Jan 1941 to 17 Mar 1941 after he made a bad landing in Oxford P9040, "injuring himself and causing considerable damage to the aircraft"

    One further accident in Apr 1941, when "he persisted in flying in bad weather"

    "This man had an extremely bad record with ATA. He was continually getting into difficulties financially and left many unpaid debts in this country, amounting to about £200."

    [His file contains many letters from his creditors after he left, asking whetther the ATA could perhaps pay them (which they politely declined to do), including one from a car dealer called Edwin V Price, who said "I can ill afford to lose this amount after befriending him over a sticky patch".]

    "His private affairs interfered seriously with his usefulness as a ferry pilot and his excessive indulgence in alcohol finally made him unfit to continue his duties,"

    Contract Teminated 6 Jun 1941


    Sailed back to Montreal with fellow pilots Hubert Timmermans, Gilbert Tobin, Irving Nelson and Clarence Goza.

    Trans-Canada Airlines' agent later reported that "he went to Ottawa in an effort to join the Royal Canadian Air Force, but was not accepted in view of your adverse report. We last saw him about October 13th when he said that he had obtained a position as Instructor at an aviation school operated by Quebec Airways at or near Quebec City."

    "On December 1st we learned from the newspapers that he had died suddenly in Montreal, and our inquiries at the Coroner's Court brought forth the information that he had been picked up by the radio police on November 29th in a state of collapse, and had died in hospital the following day. The Coroner's verdict was that his death was due to natural causes [pneumonia], but I surmise that his habits had a good deal to do with his untimely end."

    d. 30 Nov 1941 [age 34]


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hunter, Mary Josephine (W.34)

     W.34  First Officer

    Mary Josephine Hunter

    nee Corbett-Lowe

     flag england   b. 17 Dec 1913, Bromborough, Cheshire 1 Mar-41 to 6 May 43 

     mary corbett-lowe 1939RAeC 1939

         

     

    Father: William Sidney Corbett-Lowe

    Ed. Howells School, Denbigh

    prev. a Teacher of Dancing

    5ft 10in tall, hazel eyes

    Mary told Veronica Volkersz that that her husky voice was "due not to gin but to faulty vocal cords."

    m. 30 Mar 1940 David Ronald Hunter, son of the Reverend and Mrs Hunter, of Childwall Vicarage, Liverpool

    ata mary hunter wedding

    Address in 1941: 30 Bidston Rd, Oxton, Cheshire


    Postings: 5FPP, 15FPP

     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

    4 accidents, 2 her fault:

    - 17 Dec 1941, she stalled her Hurricane when attempting a cross-wind landing and damaged a wing;

    - 3 Oct 1942, she failed to control the take-off swing of a Tomahawk I and "swung violently";

    - 2 Sep 1942, made a normal landing in a Tomahawk II but an undercarrriage leg collapsed, due to a technical problem, and

    - 29 Jan 1943, her Spitfire IX was hit by a tractor while she was stationary.

    "A keen and hard-working pilot" and  "An excellent pilot and a most useful member of the Ferry Pool". (Marion Wilberforce)

    [Contract Terminated by ATA - 3 months notice due to pregnancy - David b. Oct 1943]


    d. 2010


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Hunter, Trevor (W.62*)

     W. 62 *  First Officer  Trevor Balfour Hunter
     flag nz  b. 25 Jan 1915, Whanganui, NZ  20 Nov-41 to Jul-45

     trevor hunter 1945  NZ Evening Post 1945

      ATAM    

     

    Father: Douglas Horatio Dale Hunter, mother Alice Elsie

    "She was named Trevor as her mother was sure that the baby would be a boy" (Oh... OK...)

    Began flying lessons at the Whanganui Aero Club when she was 16, and gained her pilot's 'A' licence the following year. In December 1933, she was a passenger when E F 'Teddie' Harvie made a record flight from one end of New Zealand to the other in a day.

     

     Teddy Harvie and family  (Alexander Turnbull Library, WA-06347-F)

     


     Postings: 6FPP

    6 accidents, only 1 her fault:

    - 26 Nov 1942, the starboard wing of her Hurricane II KW721 hit a marker beacon when she misjudged the landing approach

    - 13 Jan 1943, a forced landing in Defiant TT1 DR978 following a burst brake pipe

    - 21 Jan 1943, her Spitfire IIa P7889 veered off the perimeter track and nosed over, due to loss of brake pressure

    - 9 Apr 1943, the hood of her Lysander II N1213 blew off after take-off, due to a technical defect

    - 16 Jun 1943, another forced landing, this time in Argus EV806, due to petrol starvation caused by a blocked filler cap vent

    - 12 Oct 1944, a third forced landing, after the undercarriage of Mosquito XIII HK380 failed to lock 'up'

     


    m. 1950 James Colway, a journalist, and also a pilot

    Later, a teacher of ballet, tap and ballroom dancing - "I fly if I have enough money left over, but my dance teaching definitely comes first"

     

     "On 3 December 1983 a re-enactment of the 1933 flight was staged by Harvie’s nephew, Don Haggitt. Harvie and Trevor Colway (née Hunter) were in Invercargill to greet him. Both had enjoyed careers in aviation: Hunter was one of five New Zealand women to serve in the Air Transport Auxiliary in Britain during the Second World War, while Harvie was chief air accident investigator from 1968 to 1977." - https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-flight-from-kaitaia-to-bluff

     

    d. 8 May 2002 - Whanganui

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Hunter

    Interview here: https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35828591

     

  • Hurley, John Denis

     M.772 First Officer John Denis Hurley
     flag eire  b. 3 May 1913, Dublin 17 Jul 1942 to 18 Dec 1943 

       ATA

         

     Father: Denis Hurley (a retired police superintendent), mother Elizabeth Mary [Madigan]

    Ed. Christian Brothers School, Dublin

     prev. RAFVR 25 Nov 1940 - 19 Jan 1942 (LAC Cadet Pilot) at Reading

    prev. exp. 93 hrs on BA Swallow, Tiger Moth, Magister

    Address in 1942: 30 Clondarf Rd, Dublin / 75 Cambridge St, Victoria, London SW1


    March 1942: "Last November I made an unsuccessful attempt to join your organisation as a pilot. If you will be good enough to read on I think I can now show some reason to suppose I could measure up to your medical exam now, if you give me another chance."

    John explained that he had recently been rushed to Charing Cross Hospital for an operation on a perforated duodenal ulcer. "I had been a stomach sufferer, on and off, for many years... now that that is all over, I feel pretty good, and without the accompanying pain."

    They did give him a second chance, (obviously), and he passed both the medical and the flying test.

    Postings: 8FPP, 16FPP

    "Good type of Irishman" (!)

    "A steady and reliable pilot whose flying is methodical and his drill good. A good officer."

     2 accidents, one his fault:

    - 24 Feb 1943, he taxied his Argus FK347 into a "small brick structure - "7ft x 5ft x 3ft" and damaged the wing


     janes hampden 2

    d. 18 Dec 1943, when ferrying Hampden AD736 from Aldergrove to Hawarden. He approached the landing at Hawarden "rather low" and the port engine failed. The aircraft, turned, rolled over and crashed inverted. "Insufficient evidence to determine responsibility."

     Buried Mt Jerome Cemetery, Harold's Cross, Dublin

    In Loving Memory  John Denis Hurley  30 Clondarf Road  Died 18th December 1943

    Also My dear Husband  Denis John Hurley

    Died... June 1956  Aged 79 Years


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Huxley, Desmond Roy

     M.147 Flight Captain  Desmond Roy Huxley 

    flag england

    b. 21 Oct 1911, London  26 Jul 1940 to 18 Jan 1944 

      ata desmond huxley 1935 1935  ata desmond huxley ata ATA  

    ata desmond huxley ancestry

    https://www.ancestry.co.uk 

     

    Ed. Bedford College

    m. Violet Irene Agnes [Morton]

    prev. a wine merchant; pilot for Air Dispatch Ltd.;

    Sgt Pilot RAFVR (Nov-36 to Jul-40)

    prev. exp. 730 hrs on DH 60, 80, 82, 85 and Stinson

    Address in 1940: New House Farm, Balcombe, Sussex


    Postings: 3FPP, 6FPP, 4aFPP, 14FPP, 4FPP, 7FPP, 2FPP, 16FPP

    4 accidents, 1 his fault (Jul-43, in a Blenheim, when he selected 'undercarriage up' instead of 'flaps up' after landing.)

    "His excellent work as an experienced pilot has been of great value to this Pool. Due to lack of discipline in small matters, however, he has failed to become correspondingly useful in his capacity of Flight Captain."

    Certificate of Commendation for "displaying exceptional initiative in giving assistance to the survivor of an a/c crashed in mountainous country on 7 Aug 1942."

    [Desmond was ferrying a Defiant from Lossiemouth to Edzell when he noticed a pall of smoke which turned out to be a crashed Wellington on fire. He dropped cigarettes, matches and a map to the sole survivor, with a note telling him that he would report the crash, and then flew in the direction of the nearest road to show the way. The survivor stated that it was "mainly through this assistance that he was able to find his way."]

    Resigned 8 Nov (effective 19 Oct 1943), giving 3 months notice.


    He died 2 months after leaving the ATA;

    d. 18 Mar 1944 - Oakmere, Northwich, Cheshire

    "BALCOMBE. SAD NEWS. We regret to state that news was received Saturday that Desmond Roy Huxley, elder son ol Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Huxley, of Little Strudgates, had been killed. At the outbreak of war he joined the Auxiliary Transport Association, and held the rank of Captain [sic]. Latterly he had been a test pilot for an aviation company. He was educated at Ardingly and Bedford Colleges. Prior to the war he was in business as a wholesale wine merchant in London, and was a Liveryman of the Vintners Company. A married man, he leaves a widow and a five-year-old son." Mid Sussex Times


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Hyam, Evelyn Constance (W.---)

     W.---

    Cadet -> Operations Officer 

     Evelyn [Gertrude or Constance] [Hyam or Higham]
     flag usa + flag UK b. 25 May 1914, Boston MA  8 Jul-42 to 24 Feb-43 

     

    ata evelyn hyam

    ATA

         

     

    [Although I'm afraid I can't tell you very much about Evelyn, I found out quite a lot about her family!

    The story starts in 1878, when a 16 year old Jewish boy, Albert Titlebaum, arrived in Boston, MA, from Russia with his sister (and presumably their parents). He became a naturalised American in 1885, and in 1893 married another Russian Jewish emigree, Fannie, (formerly Miss Touvim or Touwim). He then set up, with J. Charles Touwim and Louis Smolensky, a clothing store, which obviously prospered.

    During this time, which Wikipedia describes as "an era of religious separatism and anti-Semitism", Albert and Fannie were prominent among Boston's Jewish community that founded Beth Israel Hospital, specifically aimed at immigrants who only spoke Yiddish and kept a kosher diet. That hospital is now part of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the official hospital of the Red Sox.

    Albert was also first president of the Hebrew Ladies Home for the Aged, which started in 1903 with 17 inmates which by 1927 had grown to 180; he was a President and/or Director of the Corporation Tifereth Israel, the Hebrew Free Loan Association, and the Bnoth Israel Sheltering Home.

    Albert and Fannie Titlebaum had three daughters; Harriett (b. 1895, who later m. Max Ulim or Wlim), Esther (b. 1897) and Miriam Ruth (b. 1900, who later m. Harold Burroughs).

    Their middle daughter, Esther, then became pregnant at the age of 16. She rapidly married (we presume) the father, Henry George Eisenstaht, on 11 February 1914, and our Evelyn was born just over 3 months later. Her recorded name was Evelyn Gertrude Eisenstaht.

    Her mother Esther moved to New York to study medicine at Tufts University and became Dr. Esther Tuttle - it looks like this was an anglicization of her surname, not a marriage. She married Nathaniel Charles Greene (born in England to  Russian parents) in 1928 and they had a son James Robert in 1930.

    Meanwhile, in 1930, 15-year-old Evelyn was still living with her grandparents and her aunt Miriam, and specified her grandfather (whom she called Albert Tuttle on her ATA application form) as her father. She also started to call herself "Evelyn Constance Tuttle." ]

    Evelyn went to Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN and then Columbia University, NYC

    She married, on the 12 Feb 1935 in New York, Frederick Benjamin 'Fred' Hyam (sometimes spelt Higham), a British accountant b. 1908 in Bombay, India, "connected with a coal and cement firm" [Later a Captain in the Royal Artillery]

    Fred and Evelyn sailed to the UK straight after the marriage and settled in London.

    Her mother Esther became quite a well-known physician in New York, and lived at 1111 Park Ave (near Central Park), NYC.

    Evelyn sailed back to the US on 4 Nov 1939 to stay with Esther - and to take flying lessons, it seems, because 2 years later she said her flying experience was "51hrs on Cubs, 60 and 65, and Fairchild KR17".

    Evelyn then sailed back from Canada to the UK with Helen Harrrison, arriving 25 May 1942, giving her address as 6, Pall Mall, London SW1 and her next of kin as her husband Fred. [As Helen Harrison was recruited by Jackie Cochran, I have therefore assumed that Evelyn was too. But it may have been a coincidence...]


     Postings: 12FPP

    [Contract Terminated by ATA 30 Sep 1942 - Unlikely to become an efficient ferry pilot]

    Subsequently offered a job as an ATA Operations Officer, commencing 10 October 1942, at £225 per annum, payable monthly... but for some unknown reason she left after 4 months.


    Her grandfather Albert Titlebaum and her stepfather Nathaniel Greene both died in 1946.

    Evelyn flew BOAC to New York to visit her mother in November 1948, just at the time when Esther was being indicted for defrauding the US Government of $19,606.66 in unpaid taxes for the years 1942-44. Esther denied the charge, and it looks as though she made an arrangement with the IRS as the case doesn't seem to have ever come to court.

    In 1961, Esther was present when her son, James Robert Greene, married Janet Jordan, and here they are at the Belle Meade Mansion and Country Club in Nashville, TN:

    esther tuttle james greene and janet jordan 1961 Esther, Jim and Janet

     Esther died in 1969.

    Evelyn d. 19 Jul 1971 - Brighton

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Imes, George Earl

     M.438  Flight Captain George Earl 'Red' Imes 
     flag usa   b. 24 Nov 1903, Anadarko, OK

    23 Jan 1941 to 30 Sep 1945

    [1,711 days]

     

     ata george imes ATA

         

     

    Father: George W  Imes (dec'd), a farmer. Mother: Mrs Jennie [Porter] McCullough

     m. 1934 Mary Louise [Morgan] [divorced 1940]. 1 son, Albert Earl. b. 1936

    prev. owned a crop dusting business, commercial pilot.

    prev. exp. 4,017 hrs

    Address in 1941: Belle Glade, Florida


    Postings: 1FPP, 4FPP, AFTS. Seconded to Stradishall (1943) and Marston Moor (1944, 1945)

     "A most steady, reliable and hard working officer and instructor. A popular pilot who does all work given him well and gets on well with both pupils and fellow instructors."

    "A pilot of exceptional ability."


    George remarried. In Apr 1954 their 9-day old son Allan Nelson Imes died in a local Belle Glade hospital.

    d. 30 Dec 1980, Palm Beach Florida.


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Imiela, Marian Konrad

     M.222 * Pilot  Marian Konrad Imiela 
       b. 8 Dec 1907, Strzemieszyce, Poland 8 Jan 1941 to 26 Feb 1942 

       https://listakrzystka.pl/en/imiela-marian-konrad/

         

     

     m. Janine

    prev. Deputy Commander, Polish 152nd Fighter Escadrille in 1939; fought in France with 'DAT Chateauroux' Squadron; RAF Flt-Lt


     Postings:

     


    Address in 1949: Rosemary Cottage, Lessingham, Lincs

    He and Janine travelled to Buenos Aires, Argentina on 28 May 1949 and took up residency there

     

      Petition for US Naturalization, 1968 (Granted 20 Jan 1976)

     

    d. 28 Mar 1981 - San Francisco, CA


    * File not seen

  • Impey, Maisie Evelyn Montgomery (W.---)

     W.---  Cadet  Maisie Evelyn Montgomery Impey
     flag england  b. 4 Oct 1914, London 1 Nov 1943 to 2 May 1944 

     maisie impey 1939  RAeC 1939

     

    maisie impey ata  ATA

       

     

    Father: Percy Michael Elijah Impey, mother: Kathleen

    Ed. Malvern Girls College; Ville la Belle Neuchateau, Switzerland

    prev: FANY, volunteer ambulance driver attached to Polish Forces in Scotland, from 10 May 1941

    prev exp: 6hrs in Gypsy Moth

    Address in 1943: Wray House, Spur Hill, Parkstone, Dorset


    [Resigned]


     m. Oct 1945 in Dorset, Jan M I Wroblewski (who appears to have emigrated to the USA in 1950)

     

    "Dogs stop help for sick woman

    A DOZEN ferocious and hungry dogs kept a doctor from reaching their desperately-ill mistress. Two of the dogs guarded her bed. The others — which included Alsatians and a large Labrador — were in the hallway and other rooms. The doctor was called to elderly Mrs. Maisie Wroblewska's cottage in Higher Shaftesbury lane, Blandford, Dorset, after she had not been seen for several days. He called the police and RSPCA.

    A policeman forced a bedroom window and one of the two dogs was caught in a special loop on a pole. A vet leaned through the window and gave it a knock-out injection. Then a policeman climbed into the bedroom and caught the other dog. It was also drugged. Mrs. Wroblewska was carried out through the bedroom window and taken to hospital. Later the other dogs were caught and drugged. Last night, Mrs. Wroblewska was transferred to Dorset County Hospital's intensive care unit. She has pneumonia." - Daily Mirror, 24 Dec 1970

     d. Apr 2003 - Dorset


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Inman, Rodger

     M.118 *  2nd Officer Rodger 'Rolley' Inman 

    flag usa

      b. 25 Jan 1902, Oskaloosa, Iowa 25 Sep 1940 to 26 Oct 1940 

           

     

    Father: William Riley Inman, Mother Ora B [Fowler]

    Next of kin: (mother) Ora Inman, 511W First St, Coffeyville, Kansas

    At age 17, a machinist in Worth, Iowa

    "Rodger is one of the two famous flying brothers of Coffeyville, Kansas. He and his brother Arthur operate the Inman Brothers Flying Circus, A third brother, Don, the youngest, was killed in 1935 in a Florida air crash."

     ata inman flying circus 1930s

    Margie Inman, Leona Inman, Melvin Hart, Rolley Inman, Art Inman, Carl Hall, Merle Smith


    Arrived in the UK on the 'Duchess of Atholl' 5 Oct 1940, with fellow pilots Howard Mussey, William Cummings, Edward Vencill, Martin Wetzel and Constant Wilson.

    Went back to the USA on the 'Duchess of Richmond' 1 Nov 1940


    Joned US Air Transport Command, North Atlantic Wing

    d. 19 Jun 1944 - Millinocket, Maine in a C-54 Skymaster crash enroute England to Washington.

     

  • Innes, Veronica May (W.35)

     W.35 Flight Captain 

    Veronica May Innes

     flag england  b. 20 Apr 1917, Cambridge 1 Mar 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     

      1942  veronica_innes_1940.jpg  

     

    Father: Maj. George Victor d'A Innes (Royal Scots Fusiliers), mother Mary Beatrice [Benyon]

    Grew up in India from age 6, (educated: "privately")

    RAeC Cert 17,266 (16 Feb 1939); she learnt to fly at Brooklands 

    prev. Civil Air Guard, 15 months as a driver for the London (Auxiliary) Ambulance Volunteer Service

    prev. exp. 70 hrs

    Address in 1939: Queensmead Lodge, King's Road, Windsor, Berks


    Postings: 15FPP, 2FPP, 3FPP

     "Sunday tea-dance" in December 1941

     1942 caricature by 'Sammy' Clayton

     

     8 accidents, 3 her fault

    - 8 May 1941, in Tiger Moth T6116, she taxied off the runway which was in "bad condition"

    - 27 Jan 1942, her Hurricane AG137 nosed over after a poor landing

    - 25 Sep 1942, she had a fire in the port carburettor of her Wellington III BK257 after stopping engines

    - 12 Feb 1943, taxying "without due care" in Spitfire Vb AD386, her wing hit the side of a low loader trailer

    - 21 Jan 1944, the tail wheel of her Seafire IIc MB217 was damaged while taxying

    - 13 Mar 1944, the port tyre of her Anson N9920 burst while taxying

    - 12 Jul 1944, taxying in Argus II NB604, she ran into a pile of chocks

    - 27 Jul 1944, a forced landing in an Anson after failure of the port engine.

     

    She was considered a 'careful, steady' pilot: "An extremely reliable and intelligent pilot whose influence in the [ferry] pool is good. Has progressed well."

    She was, however, reckoned to be 'too diffident in manner to really possess any great qualities of leadership. It is her sense of responsibility and interest in the job that makes her a useful Flight Captain".

      The Tatler

    m. Dec 1942 Flt. Lt. Gerard Volkersz of the Royal Netherlands Naval Air Service (divorced 1947)

     

    ATA experience: 1,200 hrs on 60 types - including...

      Aberdeen Press and Journal - 17 Jan 1946

    ... being the first woman to deliver a Meteor, (EE386) on 15 Sep 1945


    Post-WWII, a Pilot Officer in the short-lived (1 Feb 1949 - 1954) Women's Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR), but was not awarded her 'wings' - she later wrote "four [actually five] of the girls qualified, but by that time I was working hard with an Army Co-operation Unit, and had neither the leisure, nor, for that matter, the inclination to follow suit"

    Mardi Gething, Patricia Kendall and Vera Strodl were also appointed as Pilot Officers in the WRAFVR at the same time (June 1950)

     

      Veronica with Sqn-Ldr D R Turley-George DFC - The Tatler, 12 Jul 1950

    "A summer cocktail party at Biggin Hill Air Station which, favoured by brilliant weather, was greatly appreciated by the 250 guests" 

     

    She and Freydis Leaf  flew RAF-surplus Tempests to Pakistan, for Mayfair Air Services. She was not taken on when the contract transferred to another company, despite all the other (male) pilots being offered a job, then in 1951 (having gained her commercial pilot's licence, joined Monique Agazarian (also ex-ATA) at Island Air Services.

    wrote "The Sky and I" (W.H.Allen 1956); "Her experiences make interesting reading for all who have their heads in the skies"

     

    In 1956, "Members of No. 3618 Fighter Control Unit returned to headquarters in The Goffs on Saturday from 15 days’ annual training at the Royal Air Force station, Sandwich. Adding to the interest this year has been the fact that one the pilots was Mrs Veronica Volkersz. A wartime member of the Air Transport Auxiliary, she has over 3,000 flying hours in her log book and has piloted 60 different types of aircraft." - Eastbourne Gazette - 29 Aug 1956

     

    d. 13 Dec 2000 - Cambridge

    IWM interview here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009149

    Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Volkersz


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

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  • Iredale, Edward Dyson

     M.433 2nd Officer  Edward Dyson Iredale 

    flag england

     b. 6 Mar 1902, Elland Yorks  14 May 1941 to 25 Sep 1944

     ata edward iredale 1939 1939

     ata edward iredale ATA     

     

    Father: William. Mother: Hannah

    ed. Elland Grammar School; Leeds University

    m. 1926 Hilda May [Berry], a teacher from Halifax [d. Dec 1942]. 1 daughter Mary C. b. 1931

    Next of kin: Originally his wife, then Miss C. Iredale, c/o St.Winifred's School, Llanfairfechan, N. Wales

    prev. a woollen and drapery merchant; representative of J. C. Sudders, 16 Monument St, EC3

    RAF Sergeant from Feb-40 to 3 Apr 1941 (Link Trainer Instructor, based in Cambridge)

    prev. exp. 217hrs on Tiger Moth, Stinson Reliant, BA Swallow, Taylor Cub, Monospar

    Address in 1941: c/o Granville House, Chestnut Ave, Hampton-on-Thames


    Postings: 6FPP, 2FPP

    Absent sick from 10 Mar 1942 to 25 Jun 1942 after he force-landed a Spitfire following engine failure.

    "His flying has been good, and his conduct excellent"

    "His flying progress since his sick leave has been slow."


     d. Mar 1975 - Westminster


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):

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  • Iredale, Norman

     M.636 * First Officer   Norman Iredale
     flag england  b. 1 Sep 1899, Golcar nr Huddersfield   12 Aug 1941 to 31 Aug 1945

     ata norman iredale 1918 1918

         

     

    prev. Sergeant, RAF

    Address in 1918: 16 Wood St, Longwood, Huddersfield

  • Irwin, Arthur Cecil

     M.372 *  Flight Captain Arthur Cecil Irwin 
     flag england  b. 11 Sep 1899, Friern Barnet, Middlesex  10 Apr 1941 to 4 May 1945

     

         

     Father: Alexander Staples Irwin, a Railway Registrar (b. in Co. Tyrone, Dungannon, d. 1912); Mother: Lilliaan Edith [Howse, d. 1945]

    5 brothers, 2 sisters

     

    m. 1 Jun 1924 in Barnet, Kathleen Nancy [Swindell] (d. 1978)

    prev. RFC, RAF 12 Sep 1917 - 1919; Bank Manager (Director of the National Provincial Bank)

    Address in 1939: 19 Bramber Rd, Friern Barnet, N.12


     Postings: 6FPP, 1FPP

     

      7 accidents, 5 his fault:

    - 29 Oct 1941, a wheels-up landing in Spitfire P8202 after the undercarriage failed to lower

     - 5 Dec 1941, he overshot the landing in Spitfire BL255 in poor visibility after persisting too far in bad weather

    - 5 Dec 1942, he taxied too fast in high winds, in Spitfire Vc ES288, and the aircraft nosed over

    - 6 Aug 1944, he failed to control the take-off swing in Stirling IV EF435 and the port undercarriage collapsed

    - 2 Sep 1944, he landed Halifax VII NP772 in a crosswind and heavy rain, drifted off the runway and failed to stop before hitting a Lancaster with his wingtip

    - 18 Mar 1945, his Spitfire IX NH197 struck a tree stump whilst taxying, due to defective brakes

    - 7 Apr 1945, he overshot the landing in Tempest II MW757, and overturned after running into some barbed wire.

      

     

    King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air


     

     d. 13 Jan 1987 - Woking, Surrey


    * File not seen

  • Irwin, Zita Kathleen (W.54)

     W.54  First Officer Mrs Zita Kathleen Irwin 
     flag england

    b. 30 Aug, 1907, Westminster, London

    15 Aug 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     

    zita irwin 1939  RAeC Mar 1939

     

    ata zita irwin HB  HB

       

     

    According to birth and marriage records, 'Zita' was actually born Elsie Kathleen Heysham in Westminster, England on 30 Aug 1907 but, for some reason, she changed her name and gave her place of birth as 'Lucerne, Switzerland'. 

    Father: Frederick Fernandez Nancy Heysham, mother: Ada Beatrice

     

    prev: Bridge Hostess [whatever that is] at Grockford's Club

    m. 1937 in London, Wilfred Adams Irvin (d. 1961)

     

    prev exp: 30hrs 50min (55 hrs with dual) on Gypsy and Tiger Moths, and Moth Minor

    Address in 1941: 45c Sloan Sq, London SW1


     Postings: 5TFPP, 12FPP, 9FPP

    Off sick from 6 Jul to 2 Aug 1942 after her flying accident in a Hurricane, and 6 Feb to 10 Mar 1943 with influenza

     

    7 accidents, 4 her fault:

    - 31-Jan-42, in Tiger Moth BB800 which turned onto its back when taking off from a snow-covered surface. 'Poor airmanship' blamed.

    - 05-Jul-42, a forced landing in Hurricane I L1945 after she 'used the fuel tanks incorrectly'

    - 06-Dec-42, she overshot the landing in Spitfire IIa P7628, hit a fence and the aircraft tipped onto its nose

    - 30-Sep-43,  while taxying, the port wing of her Wellington III DF571 struck the propeller of a parked Thunderbolt. Not her fault.

    - 03-Jan-45, forced landing in Typhoon Ib EK169 after an engine problem

    - 13-Apr-45, the tail wheel of her Mosquito RF763 retracted after a normal landing, due to incorrect adjustment of the lock

    - 16-Apr-45, she failed to control the take-off swing of her Mosquito VI TA385, and the starboard undercarriage collapsed

     


    Zita carried on flying after WWII; she was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Womens' RAF Volunteer Reserve (WRAFVR) in 1949, and became the personal pilot of Vivian van Damm, the owner of the Windmill Theatre.

    She flew a Proctor in the 1950, 1951 and 1952 International Challenge Trophy Air Races from Hurn Airport, near Bournemouth, to Herne Bay:

    "The Windmill owner-producer-manager Vivian Van Damm will be able to see for himself how his plane Windmill Girl,"' a Proctor V piloted by Mrs. Zita Irwin, is faring at the half-way mark in the International Challenge Trophy Air Race on Saturday, September 16, as the course will take the aircraft within a few yards of his seaside home at Angmering. 

    Zita Irwin, the Windmill's own pilot, will be accompanied during the race by a television newsreel cameraman who will record a pilot's eye-view of the race."

    Zita Irwin 1951  

     

    Zita piloting G-AIET 'Windmill Girl', [which later became EI-AMV, damaged beyond repair 1963]

     

    In 1956, Veronica Volkersz wrote that Zita was one of only 7 women flying commercially: -  "Zita Irwin pilots the Windmill Theatre's Rapide"  - and concluded that "The tragedy is that for women, commercial aviation is now - except, possibly, in Russia - a closed field."

    [The others were Jackie Moggridge, Monique Rendall, Jean Bird, Suzanne Ashton, Diana Barnato-Walker and Freydis Leaf]

    see https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/newsreel--car-engined-plane-wins-air-race/zhx4nrd

     

    Richard Hoblyn tells me that "I knew her through my father & grandfather years ago. She worked for Hoblyn & King after the war and was probably the first ever female stockbroker (although not a Member); I still have her dealing books. Raymond Baxter met her when she piloted one of the air races.

     My father was an executor of her estate and when she died circa 1975 I helped clear her flat in Sloane Street. I was gifted a German war medal for this which Zita took from the burnt out Reistag in 1945.

    A remarkable woman. Her connections were extraordinary and she was highly regarded at Hoblyn & King especially by my grandfather."

     

     d. 19 May 1979, London


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jackson, Reginald John Richard

     M.777 First Officer  Reginald John Richard Jackson 
     flag england  b. 1 Nov 1908, Cheltenham, Glos. 8 Jul 1942 to 23 May 1945 

      1939 [RAeC]

       ATA    

     Father: Richard William Jackson [a retired builder], mother, Mary Elizabeth [Turbyfield]

    Ed. Cheltenham Central School

     m. 1930 Elsie May [Martin], 1 son

    prev. Transport Contractor (own business); RAFVR Sgt, 2 Jun to 10 Dec 1941

    prev. exp. 17 hrs on DH Moth

    Address in 1942: 54 Eldon Rd, Cheltenham


     Postings: 4FPP, 3FPP

    "A keen pilot of average ability who completed by flying the Hurricane very well. "Inclined to be careless at times... a good navigator"

    In Jun 1944, he requested a transfer to 9FPP (Aston Down), to be near his wife, who had been suffering from poor health and was unable to get any domestic help, but this doesn't seem to have happened.

    Reprimanded in March 1945 for Loss of Ferry Pilot's Notes

     

    Three accidents, two definitely not his fault:

    2 Dec 1943, he was initially blamed for overshooting a landing in Defiant TT.1 AA493. However, it was subsequently discovered that the approach speed published in the ATA Pilot's Notes was incorrect if the turret had been removed, so he was exonerated, and the figure amended.

    - 7 Aug 1944, during a take-off from Crosby, the navigator's escape hatch of his Beaufort I JM546 detached and damaged a propeller 


     

    d. 23 May 1945 in Tempest V NV666 which disappeared during a flight from Hawarden to Kirkbride.

    By the 3 Jun 1945 no further news had been received, so they presumed that he had crashed into the Solway Firth, or the Irish Sea.

     

     On the 6 June, his wife Elsie wrote to the ATA: "Of course I have realized for some time that there was no hope of the safe return of my husband. Naturally it was a deadful shock to my son and me, and I have been quite ill over it...I must admit that I will find this rather difficult financially... I have had many offers of loans from relatives, but daren't accept them until I know what position I shall be in with regard to re-payment"

     The ATA continued to pay Reginald's salary [£370 a year] until presumption of death was formally established, and eventually paid the £2,500 insurance to Elsie on the 21 Jan 1946.

     "my husband was very proud of being a member of ATA and loved his work"

     

    Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial 

     and on Cheltenham's War Memorial:

       

    with thanks to Reg's grandson, David, who also tells me: " My grandmother did not talk about him much (it was old and tragic news to her), and neither did my father (I suspect that he did not know his father well as he was sent to boarding school when young and may not have seen a lot of him)... I found out quite by accident that he is commemorated in Cheltenham when visiting (I was born in England but have lived for most of my life in Canada). I did not know the memorial was there, walked past it quite by luck and was astounded to see his name as I had no idea it was there." 

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jacobson, Ralph Gilson

     M.650 Acting First Officer   Ralph Gilson Jacobson
     flag usa   b. 13 Dec 1915, Dawson County, Nebraska 18 Jul 1940 to 20 Jul 1941 

     

         

     

    Father: Hans Keith Jacobson, mother Inez [Gilson] (both American, dec'd)

    Ed. University of Nebraska, George Washington University, Congressional School of Aeronautics.

    Next of kin: (brother) James L Jacobson, 3925 Pa. Ave SE, Washington DC

    prev. Economics Researcher, US Dept of Agriculture; Flight Instructor

    prev, exp. 475 hrs

    m. Jean [Clancy], 2 children

    Address in 1940: 4831 Langdrum Lane, Chevy Chase, MD


     Postings: 1FPP

    Suspended for 7 days in Apr-42 for dangerous flying in doubtful weather conditions.

    One accident, his fault:

    - 24 Jun 1942, he taxied his Master II into a ditch.

    His training report was encouraging - "A capable and keen pilot", but subsequently his Pool CO (Frankie Francis) said he "has so far failed to show sufficient competence and ability as a ferry pilot to be considered as an asset to ATA. In spite of OC Training Pool's comments I have considerable doubts as to his keenness."

    Perhaps he didn't like winter in the UK; later Frankie said he had "shown greater ability and keenness during the summer months."

    Sailed back to the US from Cardiff on the 28 July 1942 with William Deems.


    d. 23 Nov 1970 (age 54) - Camden, NJ

     

     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jacques, Dan Belton

     M.162 *  First Officer Dan Belton Jacques 

    flag usa

      b. 29 Sep 1915, Memphis, TN 17 Oct 1940 to 25 Feb 1941 

     ata dan jacques 1962 1962      

     

    Father: George Dennis Jacques (French national), mother Neva Ella [Willis] (American)

    Ed. Drew's, California University, Boeing School of Aeronautics

    prev. California National Guard, 1931-33; United Airlines, Pilot and Operations.

    Here is a glimpse of him in June 1940, 4th from the right, when he was co-pilot for a one day state-wide tour of Oregon to celebrate the Salem Centennial:

    ata dan jacques 1940

    m. 1940 Marian Ruth [Steffa], 2 children inc Douglas Brian b. Jun 1941

    Address in 1940: 237 Castillian Way, San Mateo, CA


    Sailed to Liverpool to join the ATA, arriving 11 Nov 1940, with fellow American pilots Howard Alsop, Donald Annibal, Francis Bender, Robert Gragg, Charles Smith, Malcolm Stewart and Roy Wimmer.

    Postings: 1FPP

    Transferred to RAF Ferry Command


    m. 1953 Patricia J Paulbach

    In 1960, Chief Pilot for Atchison Clements, Inc. of Wichita. "He has flown 120 different types of planes for 18,000 hrs since 1928." 

    "As an RAF pilot in 1940, he flew such VIPs as British Ambassador Lord Halifax and Air Marshall Billy Bishop of Canada."

    d. Dec 1980 - Boise ID


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Jaggar, Ralph


     M.502 Flight Captain  Ralph Jaggar 

    flag england

     b. 3 Jun 1912, Cleckheaton, Yorks  6 Jun 1941 to 31 Oct 1945

     ata ralph jaggar 1935 1935

         

     

    father: Jesse Jaggar

    Ed. at Heckmondwike Grammar School

    m. 1935 Kathleen [Lesch] [d. 1972], 1 son b. 1936

    m. 1973 Susan [Fudge]

     prev. Director and Sales Manager, Turf Motors (Morris House) Ltd, Bradford

    6ft 2½ in. 

    Address in 1941: 8 Fernhill Dr, Victoria Park, Sultaine, Shipley, Yorks.

    His garage was the sponsor, and himself the 'expert pilot' as the prize of a guess-the-height competition in 1939 in connection with the showing at the Bradford Odeon of 'Men With Wings', which is about the Lafayette Squadron of WWI: 

    "The competition, for which there is no entrance fee, consists of estimating the height at which a certain aerial picture of Bradford, photographed from a 'plane over the Odeon, was taken. Each leaflet, which can be obtained this week from the Odeon and from Turf Motors, is made of two sections, one giving a reproduction of the photo, the original of which stands in the cinema foyer, and the other containing the entrance form. For your information, the height was not more than 5.000 feet and not less than 1,000 feet. "


    Postings: 4FPP, 6FPP, 7,FPP, 14FPP

    "A steady and intelligent pilot."

    "Handled the Halifax very well in difficult cross wind conditions."

    "Set a high standard of discipline and is a good example to all those around him."

     

    King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air


    May 1954: "Two well-known local businessmen have had a most successful week-end. though a tiring one. in the National Morecambe Motor Car Rally, which is sponsored the Lancashire Automobile Club They are popular Rotary Club President. Mr. Edward Hirst and Mr. Ralph Jaggar. Mr. Jaggar. who is managing director of Turf Motors, Is also the main local distributor for M.G. and he was the driver while Mr. Hirst acted as navigator They finished eighth (without handicap) in the whole of the Rally, in which 221 cars were competing, and they also won the prize for the Leeds Starting Contest (the most meritorious performance irrespective of group or class at the Leeds starting control." Shipley Times and Express

    d. Nov 1987 - Bradford


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):  download grey

  • James, Alfred Francis Phillip

     M.802 *

     3rd Officer

    [Seconded from RAF]

    Alfred Francis Phillip James 
    flag australia    b. 21 Apr 1918, Queenstown, Tasmania c. 1 Dec 1942 to c. 15 Apr 1945 

     ata alfred james 1945 1945

      ATAM    

     

     Address in 1945: Baliol College, Oxford

  • James, Lucie Margaret (W.---)

     W.--- Cadet   Lucie Margaret James
     flag england b. 1 Jan 1917, London   29 Apr-42 to 22 May-42

     

         

     

    prev: Flt Sgt, WAAF

    prev exp: (claimed) 200hrs/40hrs solo

    [Contract Terminated by ATA]

  • James, Richard Carl

     M.355 * First Officer  Richard Carl James 
    flag usa   b. 6 Oct 1915, Pittsburgh, PA 6 Mar 1941 to 5 Mar 1942 

        1941

     ata richard james 1942  1942  ata_richard_james.jpg  

     

    Father: Carl Henry; Mother Buleh C

    Ed. Carnegie Institute of Technology

    prev. a "Core Maker" for Westinghouse Airbrake Co., Wilmerding, PA

    Address in 1940: 640 Summerlea St, Pittsburgh


    m. Jul 1941 in Maidenhead, Kathleen 'Kit' [Bennett, from Maidenhead, b.1920 d. 2010] (2 children)

    Delivered 236 aircraft for the ATA, then joined the US Navy on 3 Jul 1942 as a ferry pilot: "I've done my bit to help England, and now that we're in the war, I'll do my bit for my own country."


    USNMC WWII Service until 5 Dec 1945

    d. 12 Sep 2019 - Greenwood, SC

    "Richard was a career Naval Aviator for 27 years, serving in Morocco, England, Japan, Iceland and various duty stations within the United States. He retired as a Commander in 1969 and settled in New Bern, North Carolina, where he and Kit resided for 40 years.

    His love of flying continued into retirement and he enjoyed participating in various "Fly-Ins" across the U.S., often attending in an aircraft he built himself. He maintained a lifelong interest in world affairs and current events.

    After retiring from the Navy he developed his own daily exercise routine and dedicated himself to a healthy lifestyle, living to be almost 104 years old. Upon the death of his beloved wife of 69 years in 2010, Richard moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina to be near his daughter, Anne, and her family.

    Richard is survived by his daughter Anne Landis (Jim); two grandchildren, Kate Doran (Jeff) of Savannah, Georgia; James Landis Jr. (Aimee Smith) of Mexico City, Mexico; and three great grandchildren, Thomas, Penelope, and Vivienne." 

    See https://www.legacy.com

  • James, Richard Farrer

     M.207 * Flight Captain   Richard Farrer James

    flag england

     b. 28 Jan 1893, Gresford  21 Nov 1940 to 28 Feb 1943 

     ata richard james 1937 1937      

     prev. a Director

    Address in 1937: 49 City Rd, Chester

  • James, William Leslie

     M.558 * 3rd Officer   William Leslie James
     flag england   b. 14 Nov 1906, Bozeat, Northants 10 Jun 1941 to 1 Aug 1942 

     ata william james 1937 RAeC 1937

         

     

    Father: William Arthur James, mother Rebecca [Rainbow]

    prev. an engineer

    "William Leslie James (19), engineer. Newhay Farm, Yardley Hastings. was summoned for driving a motor car without an efficient silencer on the Wellingborough Road, on August 9. Defendant did not appear. but wrote denying an offence and offering to give a demonstration. P.C. Eales said defendant told him he took the silencer off the machine a month after he bought it. James was fined £1." - Northampton Chronicle and Echo - 25 Aug 1926

    Address in 1937:  'Avalon', Stow Longa, Kimbolton, Hunts [He built the house himself]

    m. 1937 in Huntingdon, Irene Constance [Mash] [4 daughters: Irene b. 1938, Freda b. 1942, Denise b. 1945, Jennifer b. 1947]


       In ATA uniform, with Irene

     


    d. 23 May 1953

     His grandson Sean [who also kindly supplied the photos] tells me that "He ran an aircraft maintenance and engineering company (his job pre-war was an Aircraft Engineer) in Kimbolton until his untimely demise in 1953 when an oil drum he was welding exploded, killing him instantly.

    He owned his own Tiger Moth, which was last noted to be at Sywell (I do not know what happened to it) and was famous locally for his “daredevil” flying antics, including flying the Tiger Moth through a Dutch Barn on his father's farm."

  • Jameson, Donald Alexander

     M.823 * First Officer   Donald Alexander Jameson
     flag england   b. 30 Mar 1910, Redhill, Surrey c. 1 Jul 1941 to 24 Apr 1943

     ata donald jameson 1939 1939

         

     

    prev. a stockbroker

    Address in 1939: Doran Court, Redhill, Surrey

    m. Oct 1940 in Surrey, Beatrice Joan [Allen]


     Postings: 1FPP

    3 accidents:

    - 2 Nov 1941, the propeller of his Spitfire AA969 was damaged, due to pilot "taxying across a strong wind without a man on the tailplane"

    - 11 Nov 1941, damaged his Hurricane RE467 when he retracted the undercarriage before being properly clear of the ground

    Mustang III 19 Sqn RAF in flight 1944

    d. 24 Apr 1943 (Died in ATA Service) Mustang AG471 blew up and crashed 1m SW of Bottisham, Cambs, on a ferry flight from 12MU Kirkbride to Bottisham

     

     

    Buried Christ Church, Shamley Green, Surrey

  • Jarrett, Edmund Thornton

     M.321  First Officer Edmund Thornton Jarrett 

    flag usa

     b. 28 Apr 1914, Charleston WV  29 Nov 1940 to 17 Mar 1943 

           

     

    His father William Wesley Jarrett,  was an ex Fire Chief; mother Katherine Belle Biane

    Ed. at Charleston High School, Charleston Business College

    prev. a commercial pilot

    Address in 1940: (parents) 825B Indiana Ave, W Virginia


    Travelled from St. Johns to Liverpool on the SS 'Nova Scotia' with fellow pilots Omar William Crim, Kenneth Douglas, Kenneth Seeds, Robert Vinson and Edwin Whittington.

    Postings: 4FPP, 1FPP, 4aFPP

    [Original contract expired 28 Nov 1941; re-instated 27 Feb 1942]

    "A sound pilot who will not attempt to overstep his capabilities. A good officer and reliable pilot."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Jaugsch, Leon Hubert

     M.313  First Officer  Leon Hubert Jaugsch
     flag poland   b. 30 Dec 1914, Torun, Poland 17 Apr 1943 to 31 Oct 1945 

       France, 1940 with thanks to Andrzej Schmidt

         

     

    Father: Artur Jaugsch (dec'd), mother: Stanisława [Dolatowska]

    Ed. High School, Torun, Poland

    prev Polish Air Force (2nd-Lieut) from 1 Sep 1936. Fled Poland 18 Sep 1939. Interned in Rumania from 18 Sep to 7 Oct 1939, then resident in the UK from 12 July 1940.

    RAF (306 Sqn) from 12 Jul 1940 to 27 Mar 1943, based at Northolt.

    An article written in 1977 by P/O William R 'Bill' Dunn of 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF describes an encounter with Leon: "On 6 Jul 1941, I saw a Hurricane from No 306 (Polish) Squadron beating up an Me109E that refused to go down. I gave the Polish pilot a hand with a couple of good bursts from about fifty yards and, with heavy black smoke pouring from it, the Me 109 rolled over, headed for the deck, and went in just west of Mardyck [nr Dunkirk, France]. The Polish pilot, P'O Leon Jaugsch, and I shared this victory. Jaugsch now lives in Los Alamitos, Calif., and we correspond regularly." - via Andrzej Schmidt

    prev exp 550 hrs in Poland, France and England.


    Postings: 5TFFP, 16FPP, 8FPP, 3FPP

    Two accidents, both his fault:

    - 14 Jun 1944, in Spitfire IX MK913, he mistook a 'dummy' road for the start of the runway, and damaged a wing whilst landing.

    - 30 Mar 1945, he bailed out of a perfectly good Mosquito - a Mk VI, RF847 - when he thought his starboard engine was on fire. Subsequent technical examinations of the wreckage found nothing wrong, so they thought he must have mistaken either static electricity or exhaust flames for an engine fire.

     ata leon jaugsch  1945

     He was demoted to Third Officer in March 1945 for 6 months, when he "deliberately flew above cloud on a ferry flight from Edzell to White Waltham. As a result the pilot became lost and found himself over unknown country... which proved to be France."

    "He has shown exceptional keenness and willingness throughout his training"... "A good officer but is inclined to be a little excitable. Discipline - excellent"

    m. 6 Dec 1944 in Carlisle, Florence E I [Mundy] Daniels

     


    Moved to the USA after WWII. Naturalised 1963:

    d. 8 April 1984 - Orange Co., CA, USA

     


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jefferys, Charles Aidan Vernon

     M. ----

    Warrant Officer / First Officer

     [Seconded from RAF, Ser. No. 968927] 

    Charles Aidan Vernon Jefferys 
      b. 30 Aug 1910, Tetbury, Glos.  15 Dec 1942 to 10 Mar 1944 

     ata charles jefferys ATA

         

     

    Ed. St Pauls School

    m. Dec 1934  Mary Gertrude [Burton]  in Stroud, Glos.

    prev. an 'Engineering Representative'

    prev. exp. 394 hrs plus 1.45 hrs night on Tiger Moth, Magister, Lysander, Oxford, Blenheim, and Wellington.

    Address in 1942: The Woodlands, Malpas, Newport, Mon.

    Seconded due to a) lack of night flying experience, and b) being of a 'highly nervous type'.

    Postings: 16FPP

     "A keen and sensible type of N.C.O. who should prove a useful ferry pilot. He was somewhat slow in emergency but he possesses good air-sense and is unlikely to come to grief."

    " A very nice type whose flying is unfortunately not too good. He is under-confident and does not use his head but tries very hard."


    vickers wellington

    d. 10 Mar 1944 (Died in ATA Service) in Wellington II W5385 which after an excessive take-off run, rose slowly and then struck trees 1/4 mile N
    NW of Aldergrove aerodrome en-route Vickers Armstrong Shawbury.

    Technical examination showed the elevator trimmers and trimmer control to be in the 'fully nose-down' position. "Evidence also showed that the pilot did not do the preliminary cockpit check in the normal fashion, since he took over the aircraft with engines running and did not run them up. The pilot appears to be to blame for this accident."

    Buried Stroud. 

     ata charles jefferys grave  findagrave.com

    "Always in the thoughts of wife Mary and son Peter."

    In April 1944, Mary wrote to the Under-Secretary of state for Air, the Rt Hon Harold Balfour, to ask for his help: "As you know it was always understood that Peter should follow on at his father's school St. Paul's and he should be starting this coming winter as a boarder. Public Schools as you know are somewhat heavy on the pocket consequently it is imperative that I leave no stone unturned to improve my pension."

    She reckoned that, due to Charles having being seconded from the RAF as an NCO, her pension would only amount about 2 guineas a week. He was unfortunately not eligible for the ATA death insurance payment of £2,000.

    Peter did start at St Paul's, but by September 1945 Mary wrote again to say that she found her RAF pension "quite inadequate to cover his expenses and tuition."

    Could the ATA, therefore please help them to emigrate to the USA? She wanted Peter to finish High School, and then Harvard "at my fiance's expense". Perhaps they could allow her 'free or reduced passage by way of practical appreciation of my husband's services and death?"

    They said, well, no, or to put it another way: "It does seem that there is no justification and no argument that we could put forward in any way that will enable us to assist her in her request." Perhaps her fiance could stump up a bit extra?...

    Anyway, Mary married Irvin B Miller in Sep 1946 in Newport, and sailed to New York in July 1947, stating that she was intending to stay in the USA.

     

     


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jenkins, Jack Edison

     M.376  First Officer Jack Edison Jenkins 
    flag usa  b. 9 Jul 1914, Venice CA  4 Mar 1941 to 5 Mar 1942 

      ATAM

         

     

    Ed. University of California

    next of kin: (Father) William Ernest Jenkins, [who was "Welsh-American") Hotel Lankershim, 7th Broadway, Los Angeles. Mother Ambie McMican

     m. Dec 1936 to actress Doris [Dudley], doris dudley jenkins

    [IMDB: Doris Dudley was born on July 7, 1917 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for The Moon and Sixpence (1942), The Secret Fury (1950) and A Woman Rebels (1936). She died on August 14, 1985 in Greenville, Texas, USA.]

    1 child  Jack Dudley 'Butch' Jenkins jackie butch jenkins b: 29 Aug 1937 in Los Angeles

    [IMDB: He was an actor, known for National Velvet (1944), The Human Comedy (1943) and Boys' Ranch (1946). He was married to Gloria. He died on August 14, 2001 in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.]

    prev. restaurant trade, US Navy aviation cadet Jan-40 to Feb-41

    Address in 1941: 1132 So. Roxbury Drive, Los Angeles CA


    Postings: 2FPP, 8FPP

     Off sick with appendicitis from 17 Jun 1941 to 31 Jul 1941

    Fined 14 days pay in May-41 for "shooting up Henley"

    "A very capable pilot and an excellent officer in every way"


    d. 16 Dec 1989


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jenkins, John William

     M.225  First Officer John William Jenkins 

    flag canada

      b. 13 Jn 1910, Toronto 23 Sep 1940 to Sep-41 

           

     

    son of Thomas Jenkins

    Address in 1940: 59 Ashes Rd, Causeway Green, Langley, Birmingham

    Moved to 106 Winona Dr, Toronto after leaving ATA

    prev. a commercial pilot, then Volunteer pilot in Finnish Air Force, Feb - Mar 1940

    prev. exp. 560hrs

    "Has proved himself a most reliable, keen and hardworking pilot. Unfortunately, he became nervous and worried about his flying and is in need of an extended leave."


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Jenkinson, Joan (W.33)

     W.33  First Officer

     Mrs Joan Molesworth Jenkinson

    flag england  b. 7 Aug 1908, Sevenoaks, Kent 1 Mar 1941 to 30 Nov 1945 

     

    joan jenkinson 1933

    RAeC 1933

     

    joan jenkinson 1935

    RAeC 1935

     

    ata joan dutton HB

    HB

     

     

    5' 9". Fair hair, blue eyes.

    née Dunn

    Father: Sir James Dunn, a Canadian banker. "Sir James and Lady Dunn own a ranch in Canada. It is a 12,000 acre estate near Bathurst, New Brunswick, near the spot where Sir James was born."

    "Miss Joan Dunn is the sister of Miss Kathleen 'Kit' Dunn. They are among London's most beautiful debutantes" The Scotsman, 17 Mar 1928

     

    m. Jun 1928 Hubert John Duggan - "Mr Duggan is resigning a commission in the Life Guards to enter politics in the Conservative Party"

    They divorced in 1930, after Joan admitted adultery with John Jenkinson.  There was one child, of which Hubert was granted custody.

     

    m. 1930 in Easthampstead, Berks, John Anthony Jenkinson (suicide, 1935)

    31 October 1935: "WORRY DRIVES MAN TO NEEDLESS SUICIDE Dramatic evidence was given Mrs. Joan Jenkinson, the youngest daughter of Sir James Dunn, the Canadian financier, at the inquest at Hammersmith to-day on her husband, Mr. John Anthony Jenkinson, who was found shot in his Chelsea home on Tuesday. A verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind" was returned. Mrs. Jenkinson told the coroner that her husband was 29 years of age, and a sugar merchant. His general health had not been very good of late, and he had been in a nursing home for little while. He had been depressed owing to financial troubles. She had been away, and when she returned home on Tuesday she found a letter on the table in her husband's handwriting addressed to her. She had lunch with him afterwards, but returned about 4:40pm to find him dead."

    "I do die with the most beautiful thoughts of you." This was a phrase in a letter left to his wife by John Anthony Jenkinson, aged 29, who shot himself at his flat in Tite-street, Chelsea. S.W. A verdict of suicide while of unsound mind was recorded"

    prev. a Cadet Officer with the Mechanised Transport Corps, May to Jul 1940

    Address in 1940: 1, Wilton House, London SW1


    Postings: 1FPP, 5TFPP, 9FPP, 15FPP

    Off sick from 7 Apr to 26 Jun, then 74 Jul to 29 Sep 1941 with 'sciatic neuritis'

    3 accidents, none her fault:

    - 13 Oct 1942, a forced landing in Spitfire I L1021, following partial engine failure (she was commended)

    - 20 Feb 1944, the tailwheel of her Spitfire retracted after landing, due to a hydraulic fault

    - 5 Jul 1944, the engine of her Spitfire cut out during takeoff; she retracted the undercarriage and managed to miss the far hedge

     

    Her C.O. at 9 FPP, Hugh Bergel, thought her "a most conscientious, industrious and reliable ferry pilot. Her unassuming but charming personality are both an asset and a good influence in the Pool."

    m. 1943, Hon. Charles Dutton, also of the ATA


    d. 1982


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • Jenner, Zoe Elise (W.133)

     W.133  3rd Officer Zoe Elise Jenner 
     flag england   b. 10 Jul 1922, Ealing  6 Sep 1943 to 30 Sep 1945

     zoe jenner 1945  RAeC 1945

         

     

    Father: Ronald Vivian Jenner (1894-1970), Mother: Winifred May Louisa Powe (1893-1963)

    Ed. St Michael's, Bognor Regis

    Address in 1939: Davenport Rd, Bognor Regis

    prev: MTC Company Cadet Officer from 28 Oct 1939

     

    "An interesting cricket match was held this club last Saturday, Women v. Men, and attracted a good audience. The men were handicapped by batting left handed and catching with only one hand.

    I found it difficult at a distance to distinguish some of these lissome ladies from the men, as both wore white trousers and shirts and had short hair. I don't know much about cricket, but I did learn that in bowling the women at the start gave the men some advantage with " wides," but MISS PALMER and MISS ZOE JENNER soon put a stop to that. I am afraid the men won easily in spite of their handicap but it was an amusing afternoon which was all that mattered. " - Bognor Regis Observer - Saturday 24 August 1940

     

     Address in 1943: Paddy's Land, Beach Estate, Felpham, Sussex


    ab initio trainee

    Postings: 15FPP

     1 accident:

    - 11 Jul 1945, when taxying her Defiant I DR966, it weathercocked, the starboard wheel "fell into a trench" and the aircraft nosed over. Partial brake failure was suspected.

     

    engaged to a Mr. Thompson in 1944, but does not seem to have married him.

    Gained her Royal Aero Club Pilot's Certificate (No 20646) as part of the ATA's 'Wings' scheme on 12 Oct 1945


     

    d. 15 Aug 2013 (age 91) - Bosham, Chichester, West Sussex 


    Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

  • John, Geoffrey Hugh

     M.196 First Offficer  Geoffrey Hugh John 

    flag england

     b. 11 Aug 1912, Dudley 

    16 Sep 1940 to 28 Apr 1945

     [1,685 days]


           

     

    Father: Ivor Bertram John

    Ed. Bristol University, [Zoology]

    Prev. RAF Link Trainer Instructor at EFTS, P/O in RAF 151(F) Sqn, North Weald from May 37 to Jan 39 (Resigned)

    m. 1938 Evelyn Mary [Congdon]

    Address in 1940: 165 Markfield Lane, Ratby, nr. Leicester


    Postings: 1FPP, 4, FPP, 14FPP, 6FPP, 8FPP, 3FPP, 10FPP

    Jun 42: "This officer does the work that is given to him but doesn't show great keenness and is rather slow. His behaviour as an officer leaves something to be desired... he is unlikely to suffer from overwork."

    Nov 42: "His finances have been shaky but this trouble has been tackled firmly and an improvement should result."

    May 44: "A keen hard working pilot who has shown good judgement and a high degree of adaptability."

    Reprimanded and fined one day's pay for going AWOL, in early Dec 44


    d. Sep 1982 - Chichester, West Sussex


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

     

  • Johns, James Emrys Gwynne

     M.570 First Officer James Emrys Gwynne Johns 

    flag wales

    b. 2 Dec 1909, Llandovery, Wales 

    1 Nov 1940 [15 Apr 1941 as pilot] to 30 Nov 1945

    [1.855 days]

     

     ata james johns 1939 1939  ata gwynne johns BG BG    

     

     

    Father: James (a Stud Groom); mother Elizabeth

    prev. a Builders Merchant's Representative, then

    RAF Sergeant, Link Trainer Instructor 7 Sep 1939 - 28 May 1940, and

    Air Ministry, Parachute Instructor 1 Jul - Nov 1940.

    prev exp. 56 hrs on Gypsy Moth, Tiger Moth, BA Swallow, Magister

    Known as 'Gwynne Johns', a famous parachutist before and after WWII.

    ata gwynne johns endorses fitilin

    The Age (Melbourn) 1938: "An English scout named Gwynne Johns, who risked his life thirteen years ago to save a child from being run over by a motor car and was awarded the Silver Cross for gallantry by the Chief Scout, Lord Baden-Powell, now thinks nothing of risking his life as a hobby by making record-breaking parachute jumps. Gwynne Johns at the age of 12 was a patrol leader in the 1st Llandovery troop, and became famous In the county as being the first scout in Carmarthenshire to earn a gallantry award. Now, at the age of 25, he Is known as the young Aberyswyth parachutist, who has recently created a world record by making a delayed drop from 18,000 feet in the dark over Salisbury Plain.
     
    Parachute jumping is Johns's risky hobby. Actually he Is a salesman in
    tho Bournemouth district. He has fulfilled his ambition by creating a new
    world record jump. He already holds a world record for a daylight delayed drop by falling 18,000 feet before releasing his parachute. It was on this occasion, twelve months ago, he jumped 22,400 feet.He Is the first parachutist to attempt a delayed drop by night, and scouts everywhere congratulate him on his achievement."
     

    Address in 1940: Landsdowne, Bournemouth, Hants.

    Postings: 2FPP, 1FPP, 16 FPP 8FPP, 3FPP

    "A good officer and a keen and willing worker. Of a somewhat nervous disposition and appears to be easily influenced by unhappy conditions - given some supervision, however, is a perfectly safe pilot."

    "Is inclined to be untidy in his dress."

    1942x ata gwynne johns bw5800 1 "Right oh, fair comment"

     1942 [with thanks to Nicholas Thomas]

    Flight, 21 Aug 1947: "Mr. Gwynne Johns, who holds the record for a delayed parachute drop at night, took off in a Tiger Moth to make his 53rd jump, and his first since 1939. During the war Mr. Gwynne Johns flew 1,500 solo hours in the A.T.A. on 67 different types including six four engined aircraft. He made a very well-timed jump into the centre of the airfield having delayed the opening of his parachute until after he had turned two somersaults."

    ata gwynne johns 1947

    d. 17 Aug 1963, Bournemouth


     Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file):download grey

    download grey

     

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