RAF 524 Squadron

What I'll do is email you a copy of my mothers letters , then you might like to reread post #16 and let me know what conclusions you come to.

Regards
Papillon

 

Could I be sent those as well?

many thanks
daveaholt at mac.com

 

I'll email you the letters

Papillon

 

Hello

I wonder if anyone has any information about the flight of an RAF squadron plane on which Flight Lieutenant Donald Grisdale was killed on Feb 14, 1945? His Service number was 135526

Stephen Lewis

email stephen.lewis@thewildpeak.com

 

Hello all,

My Dad was a member of 524 Sqn as a WOP/AG flying out of RAF Bircham Newton.
F/O LCR Wayt ("Larry")

One of the last log-book entries was this one 7th/8th Oct 1944

 

Is this a thumbnail from the Squadron logbook? Can you share other pages? My father was flying with a crew piloted by Schofield.

 

Hello 524welly,
I'm so sorry I have not replied, but in the past two years I have had very sad time, having lost my darling wife of 51 years marriage and my youngest daughter has had cancer too (but still with us). I was completely distraught, and went deep and silent.

Last Message
Ref my last post with an image, it was a scan of my Dad's (RIP) actual Aircrew Log book.
I have some page from the F540 Sqn History, but the image I posted was not from the F540.

I hope this photo that I've scanned comes through OK. Maybe somebody will recognise a face or two ?
I've no idea where in England it was taken, but I'm betting it was 524 Sqn somewhere !

Kindest wishes

CC Skipper

 

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Hello Ynis,

I have been researching for you (my Dad was ex-524 Sqn AG/S) and I have found this in the ORB (F540).
Before showing this my I wish your brave uncle and all others killed Rest In Peace forever.

QUOTE

Ref: Add Additional Information to a Person record in The Wartime Memories Project Archive -

I have the record from the actual F540 (Ops Record Book) that tells the very sad story of the loss of your Great-Uncle Sgt Joseph Robinson (RIP) and other fellow members of his crew on the night of the 25th February 1945. Both pilots survived.
My father (RIP) served with 524 Sqn (AirGunner/Signaler) so they may well have know each other.
Here is the copy 'lifted' from the ORB I bought from the The National Archives whilst I was researching my father's time with the squadron.
--------------------------------
AIR27/1997
Wellington "B" HF203
Crew F/L E.F Davis, F/O B.A.Taylor, F/S W.R. Riddle, Sgt W. Andrews, Sgt S.W. Argent, Sgt J.A. Robinson, Sgt D.R. Lewis
Duty; Box Patrol 'R' Times: Up 18.34 Down -
Details of Sortie or Flight:
On patrol 19.25 posn. 5217N 0403E at 20.00 contact made of 7 u/v, ppsn 5159N 0400E, later identified by visual sighting as 7 auxliaries at 20.32
now moved in closer to coast at 5505N 0352E. At 22.30, a/c course 030T, a"ball of fire" was sighted some distance off the port bow, which the Captain thinks may have A/612, this burned on the water for some minutes.
At 22.48 visual sighting made of six E/Boats position 5222N 0408E which were attacked at 23.30, posn 5215N 0330E, co. 245/35 kts, bombs were seen to stradle last two E/Bs, and one direct hit on rearmost, on which was seen a bright flash followed by a cloud of black smoke. M/g fire was also employed by rear gunner from 500 ft, light flak was experienced during attack. a second attack was made at 00.04 , without results being observed, as "B" was hit by light flak on bombing run, causing port engine to catch fire which spread to the fuselage. The rudder controls were shot away and hits obtained on the rear turret. Aircraft was "ditched", after position was passed to "Cherrybag" by VHF. Captain and 2nd pilot were picked up from dinghy by HSL at approx. 08.00
Missing were:- Sgt Lewis, F/S Riddle, Sgt Andrews, Sgt Robinson, Sgt Argent.
===============================
It is so sad to read about that fateful flight, and I am sorry to relay the details. May they all Rest in Peace, forever.
Kind wishes and respect
Bryn

 

=========

Hi Stephen,
I have several references about this from the 524 ORB where F/L Grisdale (RIP) is mentioned. See the first sortie on this page from the ORB.


Should you wish more I would be pleased to help.

CC Skipper

 

-------------------
This excerpt from the ACTUAL 524 Sqn ORB will/should eradicate the apparent confusion about the sad loss of this crew (RIP chaps).


My father served with 524 Sqn as a WOP/AG and I have a CD copy of his whole time on the Squadron from, "The National Archives".
I can confirm I have read every word of every page with the greatest of care.

The "normal" number on a Wellington crew on OPS was SEVEN, I say again SEVEN - there was not one sortie I can find with just 5 crew on board, apart from the missing member being 'sick' and grounded. My father was one such member, and his crew flew with one less until a replaced could be found.

I wish to add my sincere condolences to all good people who lost a relative during their time on 524 Sqn. May they all RIP forever more.

Coastal Command Skipper

 

=================
Hello again 524Welly,

I have found 30 instances in the Squadron ORB with the pilot (Captain) called Schofield.
He had a very lucky time with the Sqn. and his crew, and deserved being "Commissioned".

Here is the first instance when he "arrived" after being posted to 524 on the 26 July 1944.
I'm sorry I do not know the name of your father. Hopefully he is among the crew noted with W/O J.W. Schofield.

After his time on 524 he was "posted" out to 5 OTU RAF Turnberry (where the famous golf course is now ! ). See the second ORB entry below this one.

Your father's "skipper" was posted out on the 1st Jan 1945 as recorded in the ORB.



Here's the "Posting OUT" - as a Pilot Officer now.