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Crew 40, Pilot John Nelson Bryson Boyd – 462 Squadron RAAF

 

Crew 40 of 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Frank Taylor, Willie/Bill Evans, John/Jock Boyd, Bernie Compton, Ken Hamilton, Ken Spriggs, John/Jock Mortimer.
Photo from the William Evans Archives.

Crew 40, left to right:- 1. Fl/Eng Frank Taylor; 2. W/OP F/Sgt Willie/Bill Evans; 3. Pilot F/O John/Jock Boyd; 4. R/AG W/O Bernie Compton; 5. Bomb Aimer Ken Hamilton; 6. MU/AG Sgt Ken Spriggs; 7. Nav John/Jock Mortimer.

They were beside Halifax PN430 Z5-W "Willie", so the photo was probably taken mid/late April, or early May 1945 at Foulsham, as this aircraft was flown by this crew on their last 2 Ops.

 

 

Crew 40, 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire, and Foulsham, Norfolk.

Pilot: John Nelson Bryson BOYD (Jock)
Bomb Aimer: K E HAMILTON (Ken)
Navigator: John MORTIMER (Jock)
Flight Engineer: F C TAYLOR (Frank)
Mid-Upper Gunner: Kenneth SPRIGGS (Ken)
Rear Gunner: B COMPTON (Bernie)
Wireless Operator: William EVANS (Willie or Bill)

It must have been interesting having 2 with the name Jock, and 2 with the name Ken, in the same crew.

Links to Additional Crew Information; and Crew Ops.
Log Book and relevant documents for W/Op Evans;
March 1946 RAF Service and Release Book for W/Op Evans.

Photo snips of individual crew members were taken from original group photos at 462 Squadron, Driffield, and Foulsham (with thanks again to the original donors).

Reference sources – The National Archives of Australia (462 Squadron Operational Record Book).
* From the website http://www.ab-ix.co.uk/rfc_raf.pdf which details RFC and RAF Service Numbers, and where and from when they were allocated.

Thanks go to Michael and David EVANS, who forwarded scans of photos, log book, and various documents, and provided additional information from the Archives of the crew's Wireless Operator William EVANS (their father).

 

Pilot

Pilot John Nelson Bryson Boyd, 182590 RAFVR, 462 Squadron.
Snipped from the photo of Pilots, Foulsham, March 1945.
Original Group photo from the Australian War Memorial.

Name: John Nelson Bryson BOYD (Jock)
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 182590
Date of Birth: ......
Place of Birth: ......
Date and Place of Enlistment: After April 1941, Padgate *
Next of Kin: ..........

Date of Posting TO 462 Squadron: November 1944
Rank at Posting TO 462 Squadron: Pilot Officer
Date of Posting FROM 462 Squadron: May 1945
Rank at Posting FROM 462 Squadron: Flying Officer
Later Posting: 102 (Ceylon) Squadron, May 1945 to end October 1945

Boyd remained in the RAF after the war.
He retired from the RAF in 1966.
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Bomb Aimer

Bomb Aimer Ken E Hamilton, 1322547 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Snipped from the photo of Bomb Aimers, Foulsham, March 1945.
Original Group photo from the RAAF Museum.

Name: K E HAMILTON (Ken)
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1322547
Date of Birth: ......
Place of Birth: ......
Date and Place of Enlistment: After November 1940, Oxford *
Next of Kin: ........

Posting TO 462 Squadron: November 1944
Rank at Posting TO 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Posting FROM 462 Squadron: May 1945
Rank at Posting FROM 462 Squadron: Flight Sergeant
Later Posting: .....
Rank, date and location at Demobilisation: .....
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Navigator

Navigator John Mortimer, 1423760 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Snipped from the photo of Navigators, Foulsham, March 1945.
Original Group photo from the Aviation Heritage Museum of WA.

Name: John MORTIMER (Jock)
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1423760
Date of Birth: .....
Place of Birth: .....
Date and Place of Enlistment: After March 1941, Penarth, Wales *
Next of Kin: .....
Posting TO 462 Squadron: November 1944
Rank at Posting TO 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Posting FROM 462 Squadron: May 1945
Rank at Posting FROM 462 Squadron: Flight Sergeant
Later Posting: .....
Rank, date and location at Demobilisation: .....
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Flight Engineer

Flight Engineer Frank C Taylor, 1804309 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Snipped from the photo of Flight Engineers, Driffield, November 1944.
Original Group photo from the A A Newstead Collection.

Name: F C TAYLOR (Frank)
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1804309
Date of Birth: .....
Place of Birth: .....
Date and Place of Enlistment: After December 1941, Euston *
Next of Kin: .....
Posting TO 462 Squadron: November 1944
Rank at Posting TO 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Posting FROM 462 Squadron: Not recorded in ORB
Rank at last Op, 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Later Posting: .....
Rank, date and location at Demobilisation: .....
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Mid-Upper Gunner

Mid-Upper Gunner Kenneth Spriggs, 1869863 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Snipped from the photo of "B" Flight Gunners, Foulsham, March 1945.
Original Group photo from the M J Hibberd Collection.

Name: Kenneth SPRIGGS (Ken)
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1869863
Date of Birth: 30 April 1925
Place of Birth: .....
Date and Place of Enlistment: After May 1943, Cardington *
Next of Kin: .....
Posting TO 462 Squadron: November 1944
Rank at Posting TO 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Posting FROM 462 Squadron: Not recorded in ORB
Rank at last Op, 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Later Posting: .....
Rank, date and location at Demobilisation: .....
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Rear Gunner

Rear Gunner Bernie Compton, 1850671 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Snipped from the photo of "B" Flight Gunners, Foulsham, March 1945.
Original Group photo from the M J Hibberd Collection.

Name: B COMPTON (Bernie)
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1850671
Date of Birth: .....
Place of Birth: .....
Date and Place of Enlistment: After November 1942, Oxford *
Next of Kin: .....
Posting TO 462 Squadron: November 1944
Rank at Posting TO 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Posting FROM 462 Squadron: Not recorded in ORB
Rank at last Op, 462 Squadron: Warrant Officer (as in photo above)
Later Posting: .....
Rank, date and location at Demobilisation: .....
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Wireless Operator William Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Photo from the William Evans Archives.

Sgt or F/Sergeant William Evans, showing his "Signals" brevet. The edges of his Sergeant's stripes are just visible on his sleeve. He was a Sgt at Driffield, but had been promoted to F/Sgt by mid-January at Foulsham. In the crew photo, his rank of F/Sgt was visible on his sleeve.

Wireless Operator

Wireless Operator William Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Snipped from a photo of Wireless Operators, Foulsham, March 1945,
from the William Evans Archives.

Name: William EVANS (Willie, or Bill)
Service: Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve ?)
Service Number: 1373790
Date of Birth: 27 April 1922
Place of Birth: Scotland
Date and Place of Enlistment: 22 June 1941, Edinburgh *
Next of Kin: ........

Posting TO 462 Squadron: November 1944
Rank at Posting TO 462 Squadron: Sergeant
Posting FROM 462 Squadron: May 1945
Rank at Posting FROM 462 Squadron: Flight Sergeant
Later Postings: 102 (Ceylon) Squadron, May 1945 to end October 1945;
and 53 Squadron, February 1946
Rank at Demobilisation: Warrant Officer
Date of Demobilisation: 23 March 1946
Location of Demobilisation: 100 PDC, Uxbridge, UK

 

Signals brevet for Wireless Operator William Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Photo from the William Evans Archives.

Signal's brevet as worn by W/Op Evans. It may be seen above his jacket pocket in his photos above.

 

Warrant Officer's cloth badges of rank, for Wireless Operator William Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Photo from the William Evans Archives.

Warrant Officer cloth badges of rank, as worn by W/Op Evans, and taken from the lower section of his jacket sleeves (positioned as seen on the uniform of W/O Bernie Compton in his portrait above, right). Evans was at the rank of F/Sgt when posted FROM 462 Squadron in May 1945, but was a Warrant Officer at demobilisation in March 1946.

 

 

Commendation for Wireless Operator William Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

May 1945 – "Commendation on Completion of Operational Tour"

"For Meritorious service and good airmanship, in that a full operational tour has been completed without having been involved in any accident or ever having an unnecessary cancellation or abandonment of an operational sortie".

Recommended and signed by Wing Commander P M Paull, Officer Commanding 462 Squadron;
Recommended and signed by Group Captain C V D Willis, Officer Commanding RAF Station Foulsham;
Approved and signed by Air Commodore R A Chisholm, Air Vice Marshal & Air Officer Commanding HQ 100 Group.

 

 

National Registration Identity Card for Wireless Operator William Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

National Registration Identity Card, Number SLA 1686:005, issued to William EVANS, at demobilisation on 23 March 1946; stamped with Authorised Endorsement. His home address was Viewfield House, Mar Place, Sauchie, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.

 

 

Inside of National Registration Identity Card for Wireless Operator William Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

Inside of National Registration Identity Card, Number SLA 1686:005, Class Code 'A', issued to Williams Evans, stamped 23 March 1946, and signed by him; no changes of address.
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Additional Crew information

From the family of W/Op William Evans – the crew were all British, with Evans, Pilot Boyd, Nav Mortimer and Bomb Aimer Hamilton all from Scotland, although only Evans enlisted in Scotland. No RAF or RAFVR Service Files are available for any members of this crew, however some information has been extrapolated from W/Op Evans' documents, photos, and log book. Most of the information on Pilot Boyd was obtained from The London Gazette Archives.
If you can assist with crew details, please make contact.

June 1944 – 10 Operational Training Unit, Abingdon, Oxfordshire. From the log book of Evans, it is probable that the Boyd Crew had formed by late June 1944, during their posting to 10 OTU. Evans was flying as W/Op with a Sgt Boyd on 25th, 27th, and 30th June 1944, and was W/Op for Sgt Boyd during July and August 1944.

October 1944 – 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit, Rufforth, Yorkshire. By early October 1944, Evans was regularly flying as W/OP for P/O Boyd at 1663 HCU. If the crew had formed at 10 OTU, they would have been posted together to 1663 HCU. The Flight Engineer would have joined the crew at this posting.

November 1944 – 462 Squadron, Driffield, Yorkshire. The seven members of this crew were posted TO 462 Squadron in early November 1944, Boyd in the Officer's list (Form 540, page 29) and the other 6 in sequence in the NCO list of arrivals (Form 540, page 30).
The crew's first familiarisation flight in a Halifax III was on 01 November 1944.
The crew relocated with the Squadron in late December 1944 to Foulsham.
January 1945 to May 1945 – 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Norfolk.
Details of this Crew's Ops at Driffield and Foulsham are in a later section, as are pages from the log book of W/OP Evans.

May 1945 – F/O Boyd was posted FROM the Squadron in May 1945 (Officer's list, Form 540, page 83); and F/Sgt Evans, F/Sgt Hamilton and F/Sgt Mortimer were also all posted FROM the Squadron in May 1945 (NCO list, Form 540, page 84).
The postings FROM 462 Squadron of MU/AG Spriggs, R/AG Compton, and F/Eng Taylor, have not been located in the ORB, so their records may have been inadvertently omitted.

May 1945 – 102 Squadron. It is not known if the crew remained together after posting from 462 Squadron. However in the log book of Evans, his next posting was TO 102 (Ceylon) Squadron, with his first local flight on the 31 May 1945, with Pilot F/O Boyd. All June and July 1945 flights, and 2 of 3 flights in August 1945 were with Pilot F/O Boyd, flying in Halifax aircraft. Flights in October 1945 were also with Pilot F/O Boyd, flying in Liberator aircraft.
February 1946 – 53 Squadron. Boyd and Evans had parted ways by February 1946. During this month, Evans was flying as W/OP for Pilot F/Lt Penfold, in 53 Squadron.

Pilot John Nelson Bryson BOYD (Jock) 182590 – In the 462 Squadron ORB, Boyd was also listed on Ops with the incorrect Service Numbers 183590 and 185290, and with the initials J K and J M, but usually listed as J N, rather than J N B. (However as he was the only Boyd in the Squadron, this did not cause identification problems.)

Boyd enlisted in the RAFVR, sometime after April 1941, at Padgate, and was allocated the Service Number 1522876 (in a sequence of service numbers issued at Padgate from April 1941). Details are not yet known of his early training and postings. By June 1944, he was at the rank of Sergeant at 10 OTU.

05 August 1944 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch, Appointment to Commission, as Pilot Officer, from the rank of Sergeant, 1522876, and issued with new Officer Service Number 182590. London Gazette Number 36716, page 4432, dated Tuesday 26 September 1944 (2nd Supplement to Issue of Friday 22 September 1944).
This change in rank from Sergeant to Pilot Officer matches Pilot Boyd's details in Evans's log book for June, July, August, and October 1944.

05 February 1945 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch, confirmation of Pilot Officer, and promotion to Flying Officer, J N B BOYD, 182590. London Gazette Number 36985, page 1440, dated Friday 16 March 1945 (3rd Supplement to Issue of Tuesday 13 March 1945). This promotion may have been advised in advance, as Boyd was listed in the ORB Ops with rank of F/O from 21 January 1945 onwards.

May 1945 to end of October 1945 – 102 (Ceylon) Squadron (as extracted from Evans's Log Book).
His subsequent postings have not yet been identified, but from the following, it is clear that he remained in the RAF, with several promotions.

15 May 1947 – RAF, General Duties Branch, Appointment to Commission, as Flying Officer, extended service (four years on the active list), Service Number 182590, seniority 5 August 1945* (*retaining existing rank under war-time rules subject to provisions of A.M.O. A.897/47.). London Gazette Number 38153, page 6084, dated Tuesday 23 December 1947 (2nd Supplement to Issue of Friday 19 December 1947).

01 November 1947 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch, Granted the substantive rank of Flying Officer, 1 November 1947, with the seniority stated, 182590, seniority 5th August 1945. London Gazette Number 38169, page 144, dated Tuesday 06 January 1948 (2nd Supplement to Issue of Friday 02 January 1948).

05 February 1948 – RAF, General Duties Branch, Promotion from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant, 182590. London Gazette Number 38231, page 1744, dated Tuesday 09 March 1948 (4th Supplement to Issue of Friday 05 March 1948).

23 November 1948 – RAF, General Duties Branch, Appointment ito Commission as Flight Lieutenant (permanent), 182590. London Gazette Number 38593, page 2034, dated Tuesday 26 April 1949 (Supplement to Issue of Friday 22 April 1949).

01 October 1955 – RAF, General Duties Branch, Promotion from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader, 182590. London Gazette Number 40595, page 5477, dated Friday 30 September 1955 (Supplement to Issue of Tuesday 27 September 1955).

17 May 1956 – The Age Newspaper, Melbourne, page 1, picture shown there of (from left to right) Pilot, Squadron Leader J N B Boyd of Scotland; Navigator Flying Officer J M Love of London; and Group Captain S W Menaul, Commander of the RAF Atomic Task Force at RAAF Station, Pearce; following the explosion of an atomic "device" at Monte Bello Island the previous day (with adjacent article in the newspaper, not re-produced here due to Copyright).

01 January 1957 – Air Ministry, The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the following award:- Air Force Cross, to Squadron Leader John Nelson Bryson BOYD (182590), Royal Air Force. London Gazette Number 40960, page 36, dated Tuesday 01 January 1957 (Supplement to Issue of Friday 28 December 1956).

02 February 1957 – The Age Newspaper, Melbourne, page 1, mentions the replacement of Sqn Ldr J N B Boyd as Commander of 76 Squadron; and that Sqn Ldr Boyd flew through two atomic clouds to obtain samples for scientists during the trials in Australia; and that he was awarded the Air Force Cross in the New Year's Honours List (article not re-produced here due to Copyright).

February 1960 – Sqn Ldr J N B Boyd, AFC, Listed as a Commanding Officer of 6 Squadron RAF during February 1960 (reference from 6 Squadron RAF Association website).

04 August 1966 – RAF, General Duties Branch, Retirement, Squadron Leader J N B Boyd, AFC 182590. London Gazette Number 44077, page 8829, dated Tuesday 09 August 1966 (2nd Supplement to Issue of Friday 05 August 1966).

From the Evans family, it is thought that Boyd may have later emigrated to Australia to fly for Qantas.
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Bomb Aimer K E HAMILTON 1322547 – also listed on Ops with the incorrect Service Numbers 1322457, 13222547, and 13252547. However he was the only Hamilton in the Squadron, so this was not an identification problem.

Navigator John MORTIMER 1423760 – also listed on Ops with the incorrect Service Numbers 423760, 14237610, and 1423780 (but was the only Mortimer in the Squadron).

Flight Engineer F C TAYLOR 1804309 – also listed on Ops with the incorrect Service Numbers 1804308 and initials F O, F V and F C, and also as S E (S E Taylor was SD/W/OP so could not have filled in for F/Eng duties). There were SIX men with the surname Taylor in 462 Squadron, so this created some minor identification problems – five were RAAF – one Pilot, three W/OPs (two of whom also carried out SD/WINDOW Ops), one Navigator; but only one RAF/VR Flight Engineer, of the Boyd Crew.

Mid-Upper Gunner Kenneth SPRIGGS 1869863 – also listed on Ops with the incorrect Service Numbers 1669863 and 18691863 (but was the only Spriggs in the Squadron). Very early in this website's construction, Ken Spriggs supplied many documents via his 3rd-cousin. However at that stage, he did not want any publicity, or a web page constructed. He also identified himself and R/AG Bernie Compton in the photo of Air Gunners of "B" Flight, at Foulsham. The information received from him was of great assistance in further research. Sadly, as he was unwell at the time, I was unable to meet him during my travels in the UK during 2012.
Ken passed away peacefully at his home on 20 January 2016. He had one daughter. There is a lovely photo of him with his Funeral Notice in the Coventry Telegraph of 08 February 2016 (not re-produced here due to Copyright).

Rear Gunner B COMPTON 1850671 – also listed on Ops with the incorrect Service Numbers 1850771, 1850760 and 9850671, and also with the initial D (but was the only Compton in the Squadron).
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Wireless Operator William EVANS 1373790 – also listed on Ops with the incorrect Service Numbers 13733790, 137790, and 1373700. He was also once named W W Evans. There were 5 air crew with the surname Evans in 462 Squadron – a Pilot, a Bomb Aimer, a Navigator (all RAAF) and 2 Wireless Operators, both RAF/VR, but identification of each was possible, even with ORB errors.
The following information has been summarised from scans of his RAF Log Book, his RAF Service and Release Book, and various documents received from his family.

22 June 1941 – Enlisted in the RAF at Edinburgh, Scotland.

There is a gap in knowledge regarding Evans's training and postings between June 1941 and October 1943. This period was not listed in his Wireless Operator Log Book, and was not mentioned in any of his documents. However his family advised that after basic training, he sailed to South Africa, and from there went to Egypt for 2 years. His RAF Release Book refers to Overseas Service of "17 months and 23 days MEF", and eligibility for the Africa Star medal. But where was he posted? and what was he doing? He was not listed in the 462 Squadron ORB for the Middle East between November 1942 and February 1944, unless he was one of the unnamed ground crew. (Please make contact if you can assist.)

04 October 1943 – Night Vision test, and training commenced at 4 Radio School (4 RS), Madley, Herefordshire; flying in Dominie aircraft.
04 February 1944 – Qualified as Wireless Operator at 4 RS Madley.

12 May 1944 – Attended Wireless Operator Air Gunner (WOAG) Course held at 1 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit (1 (O) AFU), Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland; training in Proctor and Anson aircraft.
5 June 1944 – Passed Course with notation that "Extra synthetic training given"; signed by Chief Instructor E C Roberts.

June 1944 – Posted to 10 Operational Training Unit (10 OTU), Abingdon, Oxfordshire; flying in Whitley and Anson aircraft; this was probably where the Boyd crew formed.
07 July 1944 – Night Vision Training at 10 OTU.
July, August 1944 – 10 OTU; Log Book signed off 18 August 1944 at completion of training.

October 1944 – Posted to 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit (1663 HCU), Rufforth, Yorkshire; flying in Halifax V and II aircraft.

November 1944 – posted to 462 Squadron, Driffield, 4 Group, flying in Halifax III aircraft.
29 December 1944 – relocated with 462 Squadron to Foulsham, Norfolk, 100 Group.
January to May 1945 – 462 Squadron, Foulsham.

May 1945 – Log Book signed off as "1st Tour Completed".
"Commendation on Completion of Operational Tour" recommended and signed by Wing Commander P M Paull, Officer Commanding 462 Squadron; and Group Captain C V D Willis, Officer Commanding RAF Station Foulsham; and approved and signed by Air Commodore R A Chisholm, Air Vice Marshal & Air Officer Commanding HQ 100 Group. A scan of the original Commendation, and its transcription, may be seen in an earlier section, with photos of Evans.

Op of 22 Jan 1945 – Returned early. Special Equipment U/S – The Commendation for Evans at the completion of his Operational Tour, stated "without ever having an unnecessary cancellation or abandonment of an operational sortie" – so the Op of 22 January must have been classed as a "necessary" abandonment.

(Peter McCallum PAULL, DFC. 270815 RAAF;
Charles Victor Douglas WILLIS, DSO, DFC, 33354, RAF (photo near end of 462 Squadron, Foulsham page); Roderick Aeneas CHISHOLM, DSO, DFC, 90233, Auxiliary Air Force Reserve of Officers.)

May 1945 – Posted to 102 (Ceylon) Squadron, Transport Command; based at Pocklington, Yorkshire, flying in Halifax VI aircraft; May, June, July, August 1945 – flying with Pilot F/O Boyd (in September 1945, 102 Squadron relocated to RAF Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire and re-equipped with Consolidated Liberator aircraft).
October 1945 – flying at at 102 Squadron, Bassingbourn, flying in Liberator aircraft, with Pilot F/O Boyd.

February 1946 – Posted to 53 Squadron, Transport Command, flying in Liberator aircraft with pilot F/Lt Penfold.
(? 53 Squadron based at RAF Upwood, Cambridgeshire, possibly renamed from 102 Sqdn, and then disbanded on 28 February 1946 – this needs verification as internet sources vary in information.)
In this month, Evans was W/Op for a week-long flight from his UK Base via Libya, Egypt, and Iraq, to final destination India; returning via Iraq, Palestine, Libya, southern France, and thence back to UK Base. It is assumed they were transporting troops and/or ex-prisoner-of-war from India to the UK.

23 March 1946 – Demobilised from RAF, at 100 PDC (Personnel Dispersal Centre), Uxbridge, UK;
RAF Service and Release Book completed and stamped by Issuing Unit, 53 Squadron, and Paying Unit, 100 PDC;
(scan of Book in later section).
23 March 1946 – National Registration Identity Card GW237141 issued; with Number SLA 1686:005, for his home address at Viewfield House, Mar Place, Sauchie, Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland (card shown in previous section with photos).

1964 – William Evans and his family emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand, after William applied for a management position at Holeproof Mills. It is impressive that his Commendation, Log Book, Release Book, National Registration Identity Card, photos, badges and other documents have survived for over 72 years, and that they were considered important enough to take to the other side of the world. The Commendation in particular has been handled often, and now shows some wear.

2013 – William Evans died aged 91.
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Crew Ops (sourced from Squadron ORB, and Wireless Operator's Log Book, and reverse of Crew photo)

Pilot Boyd, total 26 personal Ops; his 1st Op was on 02 November 1944 as 2nd Pilot for Pilot Hickey and Crew 9, followed by a further 25 Ops with his usual crew, with some substitutions.

Bomb Aimer Hamilton 27 Ops – 25 with Boyd as B/Aimer; plus 1 each with Marchant and Ely as SD/WINDOW dispenser.
Nav Mortimer 26 Ops – 24 with Boyd as Nav: plus 1 with Smith as Nav, and 1 with Jackson as Bomb Aimer (? possible error).
W/Op Evans 24 Ops – 23 with Boyd as W/OP, plus 1 with Anderson as W/OP.
MU/AG Spriggs 25 Ops – 24 with Boyd as MU/AG, plus 1 with with Hancock as SD/WINDOW dispenser.
R/AG Compton 24 Ops – 24 with Boyd.
F/Eng Taylor 25 Ops – 24 with Boyd, plus 1 with Ridgewell as SD/WINDOW dispenser.

Substitutions in crew
Navigator – Philip Arthur KELLY x 1 (usually Nav in the Byrom crew).
Wireless Operator – Alexander Gordon TAYLOR x 1, and Leslie John POWER x 1; (A G Taylor served in many crews in the roles of W/AG, W/OP or SDW; Power was usually W/OP in the Cookson crew).
Rear Gunner – Fred SATHERLEY x 1 (usually R/AG in the Anderson Crew).
Mid-Upper Gunner – Astley GORDON x 1 (usually MU/AG in the Anderson Crew).
Flight Engineer – A A Newstead x 1 (usually F/Eng in the Anderson Crew).

Driffield – Bombing, usual crew of 7, x 9 Ops
Foulsham – Spoofs (WINDOW), crew of 8 (8th man to dispense WINDOW) x 11 Ops
Foulsham – RCM, crew of 8 (8th man to operate RCM equipment) x 3 Ops (last Op indicates WINDOW, but may be RCM)
Foulsham – RCM, crew of 9 (8th man to dispense WINDOW, and 9th to operate RCM equipment). x 2 Ops

Special Duties, WINDOW Dispenser – on 13 Ops.
James Ferguson LATIMER x 6 Ops; one Op each for F T HUTTON; Fred SATHERLEY; Harold William CALMAN; John Francis WALL; Garth FINK; Stanley Ernest TILLS; Llewellyn George EDWARDS.

Latimer was previously the Bomb Aimer for the Mitchell crew, but was left without a crew when he was substituted on 02 November 1944 and his crew failed to return from that Op; Hutton usually MU/AG for Uther crew; Satherley usually R/AG for Anderson crew; Calman usually R/AG for James crew; Edwards usually W/Op for Whatling crew; Wall and Fink and Tills were all W/OPs posted TO the Squadron for WINDOW duties.

Special Duties, Radio Counter Measures equipment operator – on 5 Ops;
Leonard James FLETCHER x 2 Ops; P SAWATZKY x 3 Ops (1 listed as WINDOW but probably RCM).

 

Ops for Crew 40, Pilot J N B Boyd, as recorded on reverse of crew photo by W/OP Evans, 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron.
Photo from the William Evans Archives.

Above is a list of Ops for Crew 40, as recorded by W/OP Evans on the reverse of the crew photo. It excludes the Pilot's 1st Op as a 2nd Pilot , so aligns with Ops 2 to 26 in the following table. Special Duties Ops were from early January 1945, at Foulsham. Black was for day flights, and red for night flights. Some target names vary from those as recorded in the ORB, with "Ruhr" covering a range of targets in that area.

The following Table lists Ops for Boyd and his usual crew. (n/a = not applicable)

Aircraft Code Numbers Z5- are thought to be correct. However, there are discrepancies within the ORB, and between the ORB and various authors. Except for 2 Ops, the Aircraft Code Numbers listed in the W/Ops log book match those listed below.
Note that additional information in italics in Comments column is from the Log Book of W/Op Evans.
Times up and down in black are day flights, and times in red are night flights.
Target "Düsseldorf x 15" means 15 aircraft tasked from 462 Squadron to the target of Düsseldorf, with Boyd's crew being one of those 15 (and so on for the other dates).
Target "Koblenz x 9 (of 12)" means this crew was one of 9 aircraft from 462 Squadron tasked to the target of Koblenz, with 3 other aircraft of this Squadron tasked to a different target.
There is some variation in the spelling of Target names in the original ORB.
Code for Op Type –
SD Special Duties; SP Spoof; W WINDOW;
B Bombing; F Flares;
TI Target Indicators; I Incendiaries;
MF Main Force; PP Protective Patrol; (for Radio Counter Measures (RCM) using RCM Special Equipment).

 

Date Op No A/c Serial Code Z5- Up Down Target Op Type Comments
02/11/1944 1 MZ??? ? 1641 2157 Düsseldorf x 15 B Boyd as 2nd Pilot for HICKEY and Crew 9; this and another crew both listed with Halifax MZ341/P, with one probably in MZ431/J
06/11/1944 2 NA619 Q 1141 1711 Gelsenkirchen x 14 B 2nd Op for Boyd, but first Op for his usual crew;
Flak moderate, through target twice, undercart down instead of bomb doors open.
18/11/1944 3 LW440 M? 1226 1746 Munster x 15 B Log book as M; other records as B or R;
Fighters active.
21/11/1944 4 NA619 Q 1729 0025 Sterkrade x 15 B Landed away at Carnaby due to bad visibility at Foulsham on return.
Medium flak, hit, landed Carnaby (log book entry dated 22 Nov)
29/11/1944 5 MZ469 N 0238 0848 Essen x 17 B Heavy flak
30/11/1944 6 MZ398 X 1633 2217 Duisburg x 16 B Heavy flak, burning seen 140 miles away from target on way home
02/12/1945 7 MZ469 N 1736 0038 Hagen x 15 B 10/10 cloud, dropped bombs using Gee and H2S
05/12/1945 8 MZ306 K 1756 0029 Soest x 14 B All returned safely
06/12/1945 9 MZ402 V 1601 2212 Osnabruck x 14 B Flak heavy, hit, damaged, a few holes
12/12/1945 10 MZ469 N 1614 2205 Essen x 11 B Predicted heavy flak, hit with slight damage, caught in s/lights, too close for comfort
[s/lights = search lights or spot lights]
29/12/1945 n/a MZ469 N 1435 1535 n/a n/a Crew in Air Party, 462 Squadron relocating from Driffield to Foulsham, flight time of 1 hour (info from Log book)
14/01/1945 11 MZ457 Y 1632 2202 Mannheim x 13 SD SP W B Substitute W/Op A G Taylor;
Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
F T Hutton;
Target Geobbles estate (sic), 2 timed run-ins over city, very heavy flak, no luck
21/01/1945 12 MZ341 P 2003 0030 Bonn x 6 SD SP W B Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
J F Latimer
22/01/1945 13 PN168 T 1713 2131 Ruhr x 11 SD SP W Returned early. Special Equipment U/S.
Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
F Satherley
Duisburg and Mainz area, early return
28/01/1945 14 MZ341 P 1714 2331 Mainz x 11 SD SP W B Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
J F Latimer

13/02/1945 15 NA148 Z 2206 0234 Ruhr x 9 SD SP W I Substitute R/AG F Satherley; substitute MU/AG A Gordon;
substitute F/Eng A A Newstead;
Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
H W Calman
20/02/1945 16 MZ341 P 2154 0435 Heilbronn x 14 SD SP W F Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
J F Latimer;
S/lights active, very heavy flak, fighters active
21/02/1945 17 MZ913 N 2013 0107 Koblenz x 9 (of 12)

SD SP W I

Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
J F Latimer

23/02/1945 18 PN168 T 1742 2151 Ruhr x 9 SD SP W B I Substitute Nav P A Kelly;
Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
J F Latimer;
Neuss and Düsseldorf

08/03/1945 19 MZ306 K 1804 2354 Dortmund x 5 SD SP W I Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
J F Latimer;
Saw bridge devastated, good hit
09/03/1945 20 MZ467 C 1733 2259 Ruhr x 7 SD SP W Log book as S (which would have been MZ308);
Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
J F Wall;
Note that the ORB records for F/Eng Taylor and WINDOW Dispenser Wall had been transposed, thus showing incorrect crew positions;
Heavy flak, hit again, is this a habit? (sic)
14/03/1945 21 PN442 H 1719 2310 Weisbaden x 8 SD SP W B I Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
G Fink
15/03/1945 22 MZ308 S 1728 0102 Munster & Hagen x 8 SD SP W TI I Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
S E Tills;
Additional 9th German-speaking member of crew to operate Special Equipment, L J Fletcher;
Heavy flak, rear turret smashed U/S
27/03/1945 23 MZ308 S 1850 2350 Bremerhaven x 9 SD SP W TI I Additional 8th member of crew to dispense WINDOW,
L G Edwards;
Additional 9th German-speaking member of crew to operate Special Equipment, P Sawatzky;
Mixed up with fighters over their drome, no action (log book entry dated 28 March), flew over enemy airfield, all lights on as we were in circuit, a/c still landing, lucky escape
14/04/1945 24 MZ308 S 1838 0240 Potsdam x 4 (of 12) SD PP MF B Protective Patrol with Main Force;
Substitute Wireless Operator F/Lt L J Power;
Additional 8th German-speaking member of crew to operate Special Equipment, L J Fletcher
16/04/1945 25 PN430 W 0001 0739 Pilsen x 1 (of 10) SD PP B Protective Patrol with Main Force; in Log book as W;
Additional 8th German-speaking member of crew to operate Special Equipment, P Sawatzky;
Main Force, Chechoslovakia (sic), uneventful
22/04/1945 26 PN430 W 2133 0154 Heligoland x 10 SD SP W (?) Listed as WINDOW Op in ORB, however this aircraft was fitted with Special Equipment, and the additional 8th German-speaking member of crew, P Sawatzky, usually operated the RCM Equipment, thus there may be an error in the ORB;
in Log book as W.
Airborne landing Spoof to Wangerooge

Photos of MZ341/P; MZ431/J: MZ913/N; PN168/T; LW440/B; MZ306/K; NA148/Z; MZ467/C are on the Halifax page.

MZ467 Z5-C was lost on the night of 16/17 April 1945, Lodder and Crew 44.
MZ469 Z5-N was lost on the night of 06/07 January 1945, Rohrlach and Crew 48.
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Log Book – Wireless Operator, William Evans

The Log Book front cover, and pages which covered entries during training, have been reduced in size to fit two views across the screen.
This also applies for later postings which occurred after Evans was posted FROM 462 Squadron, i.e. 102 Squadron and 54 Squadron.
The pages which covered 462 Squadron Ops and other flying, are slightly larger with one view across the screen.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book cover.

Above:- Front cover of Log Book.
Form 1767, Royal Air Force, Navigator's, Air Bomber's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (used by Wireless Operator / Air Gunner William Evans 1373790, who didn't get to write his name on it).

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Qualifications.

Above:- Inside front cover of Log Book;
Left – Instructions for use; Right – Certificates of Qualifications.
Evans qualified as Wireless Operator Aircrew on 04 February 1944, at 4 Radio School, Madley. On the lower edge is Night Vision 15/32 dated 04 October 1943, also at 4 RS.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 4 RS.

Above:- Log Book, 08 October to 24 December 1943, at 4 RS, Madley.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 4 RS, signed.

Above:- Log Book, at 4 RS, signed by P/O Wilson, Officer in Charge, Air Operating Section, 4 Radio School, Madley.
Total flying hours – 25h; with 16 hours 20m in Multi Engine aircraft (Oct) and 8 Hours 40m in Single Engine aircraft (Nov/Dec).
October 1943 – Dominie aircraft.
November/December 1943 – Serial numbers only, aircraft not named (identified as Proctor III – HM and DX series serial numbers*).
Training included – Receiver tuning, tuning by calibration, back tuning and fixes, logging, frequency changes, simple communication.

(* using RAF Commands website – RAF Aircraft Serial Numbers Tool)

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 1(O)AFU.

Above:- May 1944. Although the page was not marked by location, the details match those in the certificate (at right) – WOAG Course at 1(O)AFU, Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Flights – passenger in Proctor; and as W/OP in cross country flights in Ansons.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Certificate at 1(O)AFU signed.

Above:- Record of attendance at WOAG Course held at 1(O)AFU, Wigtown, from 12 May to 03 June 1944. Evans 'Passed' the course on 5 June 1944, signed by Chief Instructor FLt E C Roberts.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 10 OTU, June 1944.

Above:- Log Book, at 10 OTU, commencing flights on 23 June 1944, training as W/OP in Whitley and Anson aircraft; cross country flights, and circuits and landings; day flights, some with Pilot Sgt Boyd.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Night Vision Training  at 10 OTU, July 1944.

Above:- Certificate of Night Vision Training, Exercise No. 1 on 07 July 44, at 10 OTU, Abingdon.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 10 OTU, July 1944.

Above:- Log Book, at 10 OTU, Signature of Officer Commanding "A" Flight for June; training flights for July 1944 in Whitley and Anson aircraft; cross country, bombing, F/A (fighter affiliation), A/T (Air Tests), day and night flights, most with Pilot Sgt Boyd.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 10 OTU, July 1944, with Signature.

Above:- Log Book, at 10 OTU, July 1944, Whitley aircraft; C&L (circuits and landings) F/A (fighter affiliation); with Signature of Officer Commanding "A" Flight for July.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 10 OTU, August 1944.

Above:- Log Book, at 10 OTU Abingdon, August 1944; Whitley aircraft; mostly with Pilot Sgt Boyd; bombing, F/A (fighter affiliation); X/C (cross country), F.C.T. (abbreviation for ?); note "Flashlight" comment on 06 August, and "Bullseye" on 09 August (both night flights); Signature of Officer Commanding "A" Flight for August 1944.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 10 OTU, August 1944, with Signature.

Above:- Log Book, at 10 OTU, 18 August 1944, Signature of Officer Commanding Training Wing, RAF Station, Abingdon; indicating that Evans had completed training at 10 OTU.

 

 

At left:- 10 August – Daytime flight of 55m for F.C.T. – not in lists of common Air Force abbreviations or slang or jargon. Does it mean ...
Flying Conversion Training (i.e. in preparation for posting to a Conversion Unit for conversion to 4-engine bombers) OR
Flying Combat Training (i.e. Fight Combat Training (i.e. corkscrew to avoid combat with enemy fighters) OR
something else? ...... (Contact if you can advise the answer)

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 1663 HCU, October 1944.

Above:- Log Book, at 1663 HCU Rufforth, from 03 October 1944; Halifax V and Halifax II; 50% of flights with Pilot Sgt Boyd; C/L (circuits and landings), air to sea firing, local flights, bombing, X/C (cross country), sea search, F/A (fighter affiliation). day and night flights, with night entries now recorded in red.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, at 1663 HCU, October 1944, with Signature.

Above:- Log Book, at 1663 HCU Rufforth, for late October 1944; Halifax II; bombing, F/A (fighter affiliation), X/C 'Y" (cross country, 'Y' Course using navigation by Radar GEE and H2S – see notes on December 1944 page of Log Book); day and night flights; with Signature of Officer Commanding 'C' Flight, HCU training completed.
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Following are Log Book pages for 462 Squadron, Driffield, 4 Group, November and December 1944, Bombing only;
and 462 Squadron, Foulsham, 100 Group, January to April 1945, Special Duties (WINDOW Spoofs) and Special Duties (Radio Counter Measures).
Please refer to the table in the previous section for summary of Ops, aircraft Serial Numbers, crew member substitutions, any ORB comments, and names of 8th and 9th crew member for duties as WINDOW dispensers, or to operate Special equipment for RCM.

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Driffield, November 1944.

Above:- 462 Squadron, Driffield, November 1944; Halifax III; Pilot P/O Boyd; familiarisation and conversion (with aircraft and local conditions), X/C Y (cross country, 'Y' using navigation by Radar GEE and H2S), bombing, one cross country to Belfast; all Bombing Ops; day and night flights; note comments regarding flak, through target twice, fighters; and landing away at Carnaby at 25m past midnight, after being hit by flak (log dated as 22 November, but in ORB as night of 21 November, crew may have returned to Driffield later on the 22 November).

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Driffield, December 1944.

Above:- 462 Squadron, Driffield, Sign-off for November Summary of Flying Times, signature of F/Lt C W Jackson, as Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, 462 Squadron.
December 1944; Halifax III; Pilot P/O Boyd; night Ops, with flak and s/lights comments; daytime F/A (fighter affiliation), and blind bombing training.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Driffield, December 1944; Foulsham, January 1945.

Above:- 462 Squadron, Driffield, Log Book, December 1944; Halifax III; Pilot P/O Boyd; day flight for bombing training;
29 December 1944, in Halifax Z5-N in Air Party for permanent relocation with the Squadron from Driffield to Foulsham.
Note also the explanation comment – 'Y' Course navigation by Radar Gee and H2S;
Sign-off for December Summary of Flying Times, signature of F/Lt C W Jackson, as Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, 462 Squadron.
462 Squadron, Foulsham, Log Book, January 1945; Halifax III; day flight for bombing training; night Ops, one with early return.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Foulsham, January/February 1945.

Above:- 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Log Book, January 1945; Halifax III; Pilot F/O Boyd; night Ops, day flight air test;
29 December 1944, in Halifax Z5-N in Air Party for permanent relocation with the Squadron from Driffield to Foulsham.
Sign-off for January Summary of Flying Times, signature of F/Lt C W Jackson, as Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, 462 Squadron.
462 Squadron, Foulsham, Log Book, February 1945; Halifax III; night Ops with flak, s/lights and fighters; day flight for local flying.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Foulsham, February/March 1945.

Above:- 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Log Book, February 1945; Halifax III; Pilot F/O Boyd; night Op, day flights for air tests and air to sea firing; Sign-off for February Summary of Flying Times, signature of S/Ldr A G Swann, as Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, 462 Squadron.
462 Squadron, Foulsham, Log Book, March 1945; Halifax III; Pilot F/O Boyd; night Ops, one with heavy flak.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Foulsham, March 1945.

Above:- 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Log Book, March 1945; Halifax III; Pilot F/O Boyd; night Ops, day flights for air tests;
Sign-off for March Summary of Flying Times, signature of F/O J N B Boyd, for Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, (and Pilot of crew).

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Foulsham, April 1945.

Above:- 462 Squadron, Foulsham, Log Book, April 1945; Halifax III; Pilot F/O Boyd; night Ops, day flights for local flying and air tests;
Sign-off for April Summary of Flying Times, signature of S/Ldr A G Swann, as Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, 462 Squadron.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Foulsham, May 1945, 1st Tour Completed.

Above:- Sign-off at Foulsham, May 1945, First Tour Completed.
Signature of S/Ldr A G Swann, as Officer Commanding 'B' Flight, and W/Cdr P M Paull, Officer Commanding 462 Squadron.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, Foulsham, Ops notes.

Above:- Notes regarding various Ops undertaken at Driffield and Foulsham – these comments have been added to the relevant entry in the Crew Ops Table as shown in the previous section.
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William Evans 1373790 RAF - Log Book, 102 Squadron, June 1945.

Above:- Log Book, 102 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Pocklington, May and June 1945, Halifax VI, Pilot F/O Boyd; day flights. May was local flying; June flights were for bomb disposal; two X/C (cross country) – Montrose – Silloth; one short X/C due to Hydraulics being U/S (unserviceable); X/C (cross country) – Duncansby Head – Montrose; German flight over Antwerp, Bonn, Köln (Cologne), Düsseldorf, Essen. June Summary not signed.
(Montrose, Duncansby Head & Kinloss – Scotland; Silloth – Cumbria).

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Log Book, 102 Squadron, July 1945.

Above:- Log Book, 102 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Pocklington, July 1945, Halifax, Pilot F/O Boyd.
Day flights – 2 x German Cross country, local cross country; Air Test from base to Carnaby to Base.
Night flights – 2 x Loran cross country (Loran = long range navigational aid – British Radar). July Summary not signed.
June and July German flights were 5h 10m and 5h 50m, and at 462 Squadron were referred to as "Cook's Tours" to view bomb damage.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Log Book, 102 Squadron, August 1945.

Above:- Log Book, 102 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Pocklington, August 1945, Halifax, mostly Pilot F/O Boyd.
Day flights – Base to Melbourne (Derbyshire) to Kinloss (Scotland) as W/OP; Returned from Kinloss to Base as passenger; cross country.
August Summary not signed.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Log Book, 102 Squadron, October 1945.

Above:- Log Book, 102 Squadron, 'B' Flight, Bassingbourn, October 1945, Liberator aircraft, Pilot F/O Boyd. Day flights for familiarisation, Circuits and landings, cross country, QGH ( = ?); radio range & QGH. October Summary not signed.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Log Book, 53 Squadron, February 1946.

Above:- Log Book, 53 Squadron, 'C' Flight, February 1946, Liberator aircraft, Pilot F/Lt Penfold. Summary not signed.
Week-long flight, mostly daylight, some night flying –
from Base to Castel Benito (Tripoli, Libya)
Castel Benito to Almaza, Cairo (Egypt)
Almaza to Shiabah (?Shaibah, Iraq)
Shiabah to Mauripur (India, NW of Karachi)
Return from Mauripur to Shiabah
Shiabah to Lydda (then Palestine, now Israel)
Lydda to Caste Benito
Castel Benito to Istres (southern France)
Istres to Base.
Sharp carried out a similar flight in May 1946, with photos at Shiabah, India and southern France.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron - Log Book, aircraft.

William Evans 1373790 RAF, 462 Squadron – Log Book, aircraft in which flown.

Dominie – 4 RS, Madley
Proctor – 1 (O) AFU, Wigtown, and 4 RS, Madley
Anson – 1 (O) AFU, Wigtown; and 10 OTU, Abingdon
Whitley – 10 OTU, Abingdon
Wellington – not listed in log book
Halifax 3 (III) – 462 Squadron, Driffield and Foulsham
Halifax 6 (VI) – 102 Squadron
Tiger Moth – not listed in log book
Liberator – 102 Squadron and 53 Squadron
Lancaster – not listed in log book

Not listed – Halifax II and V at 1663 HCU, Rufforth

 

 

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RAF Service and Release Book – W/Op Evans

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Service and Release Book, cover.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

Above:- RAF Form 2520A for Airman, Warrant Officer W Evans 1373790. Class of Release – 'B'.
Age and Service Group 38 – as Evans was not yet 24 years old, this must be his Service Group Number.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Service and Release Book, pages 1/2.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

Above:- Instructions in the case of Remobilisation should it be necessary, authorising payment of 5s. to the airman, on presentation of his Identity Card, to cover cost of rail travel to Remobilisation Station, Code A. Completed and stamped by Issuing Unit, 53 Squadron, 22 March 1946; stamped by 100 PDC (Personnel Dispersal Centre), Uxbridge, 23 March 1946.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Service and Release Book, pages 3/4.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

Above:- Clearance Certificate, dated 23 March 1946, issued by Accountant Office, 100 PDC, which certified that the named airman had been cleared of all known charges in respect of deficiencies of public clothing and equipment.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Service and Release Book, pages 5/6.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

Above:- Service Particulars
Rank of Warrant Officer; Aircrew Category WOP/AIR; Overseas service 17 Months and 23 days, MEF (Middle East Force?);
Character – Very Good; Proficiency A. Skill in Aircrew Trade – Satisfactory; Proficiency B. Ability as Warrant Officer or NCO – Satisfactory;
Medals 1939/45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star;
Birth date 27 April 1922, height 66 inches; Appendectomy scar;
Recommendation "This Warrant Officer is a conscientious worker and can be relied upon to carry out his duties with efficiency. He is methodical and of a quiet disposition, and should prove a capable worker in any clerical or practical capacity."

Dated 22 March 1945, and signed by S/Ldr A L Middleton(?), Officer Commanding (presumably OC 53 Squadron, his last Service Unit).

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Service and Release Book, pages 7/8.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

Above left – Notes for completion of Service particulars (as completed on previous page);
Right – Travel Warrant, for 3rd Class Rail Travel, in the case of "Recall to Service of an Airman on Remobilisation"; to be detached only by Booking Clerk and exchanged for Ticket. Stamped at 100 PDC, Uxbridge on 23 March 1946.

 

William Evans 1373790 RAF - Service and Release Book, page 9.
Document from the William Evans Archives.

Above:- Instructions for Medical Treatment after leaving Dispersal Centre – entitlement to medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts. A medical card was to be forwarded to the named airman, advising on how to obtain free treatment, and free medicine should it be required. The Form was only to be detached by the Insurance Doctor. Information about hospital treatment was on the reverse. Stamped on 23 March 1946 at 100 PDC, Uxbridge.

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