Wanted: Photo of Crew, or individuals,
and information about them.

If you can help, please make contact.

KENNY and Crew based in Fayid and LG237, Egypt
September 1942 to December 1942

Pilot: John Henry KENNY 67700 (previously 1187932) RAFVR
Nav/Observer: Robert George Albert BURGESS 403601 RNZAF
Wireless Operator: R H STROUTS R.58172 (later J.17254) RCAF
Flight Engineer: Thomas William LEMM 566092 (later 52821) RAF
Mid-Gunner: Rolf Leganger BUGGE 106153 (prev 927836) RAFVR
Tail Gunner: Five gunners, flying 1 or 2 or 3 Ops with this crew

2nd Pilot: E F BRAMLEY RAFVR
Various substitutions of the usual crew members
Additional Crew Information; including "A Nav's Story" and his photos;
Crew Ops

Nav/Obs BURGESS has been identified (by son Martyn) in a photo of 462 Squadron personnel and aircraft, Fayid, 1942, which may be seen on the KOFOED Crew page. An enlarged version of the original photo, without the aircraft, is on the 462 Squadron, Middle East page. (Photo courtesy Mark Sewell). This photo most likely also includes other members of the KENNY crew, as yet unidentified.

Information sources: 462 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB) for October, November, December 1942 from the National Archives of Australia (NAA); ORB for September 1942 from TNA, UK; 10 Sqdn ORB July to September 1942; London Gazette, Air Force Lists; CWGC; Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph; Martyn Burgess.
Reference was also made to "To See the Dawn Again", and "The Handley Page Halifax" (details of both books in Acknowledgements).

Terminology in the 462 Squadron ORB for 1942, differs from later usage e.g. Observer / Navigator; Mid Gunner / Mid-Upper Gunner; Tail Gunner / Rear Gunner.

 

Pilot

Name: John Henry KENNY
Service: RAFVR
Service Number: 67700 (previously 1187932)
Date and place of Birth: .....
Date and place of Enlistment: .....
Marital Status: .....
Next of Kin: .....
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Navigator/Observer

Name: Robert George Albert BURGESS (Shorty)
Service: Royal New Zealand Air Force
Service Number: 403601
Date and place of Birth: .....
Date and place of Enlistment: .....
Marital Status: .....
Next of Kin: .....
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Wireless Operator

Name: R H STROUTS
Service: Royal Canadian Air Force
Service Number: R.58172 (later J.17254)
Date and place of Birth: .....
Date and place of Enlistment: .....
Marital Status: .....
Next of Kin: .....
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Flight Engineer

Name: Thomas William LEMM
Service: Royal Air Force
Service Number: 566092 (later 52821)
Date and place of Birth: .....
Date and place of Enlistment: .....
Marital Status: .....
Next of Kin: .....
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Mid Gunner

Name: Rolf Leganger BUGGE
Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service Number: 106153 (previously 927836)
Date and place of Birth: .....
Date and place of Enlistment: .....
Marital Status: .....
Next of Kin: .....
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Tail Gunner

When this crew was previously at 10 Squadron during July/August 1942, their usual Tail Gunner was Sgt Ernest Reginald MOUNSEY; then various Tail Gunners for September 1942.
MOUNSEY's name does not appear in the 462 Squadron ORB from September to December 1942.
From the Air Force Lists July 1944, July 1945, and London Gazette:-
Warrant Officer Ernest Reginald MOUNSEY RAFVR 641115, DFC in 626 Squadron, 30 June 1944 (London Gazette 36589, 30 June 1944, page 3090)
W/O MOUNSEY 641115, Commissioned to Pilot Officer 54688, effective 01 April 1944 (London Gazette 36549, 06 June 1944, page 2691)
P/O E. R. MOUNSEY 54688 promoted to Flying Officer, effective 01 October 1944 (London Gazette 36766, 27 Oct 1944, page 4913)

See Substitutions below for various other Tail Gunners

 

Second Pilot

Name: Enos Frederick BRAMLEY
Service: RAFVR
Service Number: 1252138

Recorded as Sgt E F BRAMLEY in 462 Squadron ORB, September 1942 to November 1942
Four Ops with Kenny Crew; one Op with GOLDSTON crew; one Op with WYATT Crew with return by ferry flight after a forced landing;
total 6 Ops at 462 Squadron

02 August 1942, "Sgt BRAMLEY" arrived at 10 Squadron, Aqir, for "second pilot duties". Initials E F for some Ops, 10 Squadron ORB.

Flight Sergeant Enos Frederick BRAMLEY 1252138, RAFVR, KIA 09 July 1943, 73 Squadron; Panel 7, Column 1, on the Malta Memorial, Malta; son of Thomas and Jessie Victoria Bramley, of Charlton, London.
Malta Memorial – "OVER THESE AND NEIGHBOURING LANDS AND SEAS THE AIRMEN WHOSE NAMES ARE RECORDED HERE FELL IN RAID OR SORTIE AND HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE"
(For info on 73 Squadron – a fighter squadron, then in Middle East and north Africa – refer to www.historyofwar.org or similar internet sites)

If you can assist with photo and/or further information – please make Contact
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Crew Substitutions
All ex-10 Squadron, except for DUNCANSON and CROFT
See Crew Ops in later section, for dates and Op details.

Observer
1 Op – F/Sgt Reginald JENKYN 1258444 (later 137331; DFC and bar)
1 Op – F/Sgt R W McBURNEY R.78831 RCAF

Flight Engineer
1 Op – Sgt Robert Hay DUNCANSON 612090 (later 52798), ex-76 Squadron (later KIA, 78 Squadron)
1 Op – Sgt S OAKFORD 523504 RAF

Mid-Gunner
1 Op – F/Sgt James Leslie O'MAY 968109 (later 161282) RAFVR

Tail Gunner
1 Op – Sgt J HALLAS 1019157 RAFVR?
2 Ops – F/Sgt G J HAYES (no other details)
2 Ops – F/Sgt F FALKOSKI R.70610 (later J.16094) RCAF
2 Ops – F/Sgt James Leslie O'MAY (as above)
3 Ops - Sgt Henry RYCROFT 1303455 RAFVR (later 175678)

Tail Gunner – Ferry flight only (13 Oct 1942)
F/Lt John Dawes CROFT 75689 RAFVR (ex-76 Squadron), later DFC

Ground Crew – Ferry flight only (13 Oct 1942)
Sgt Robert RUSTON 543587 RAF(?) NCO in charge of Ground Crew (KIA 462 Squadron; Bombing Up, 20 Nov 1943; Memorials Mid/East)

Ferry Flight only – passengers for return flight – WYATT Crew collected from a previous forced landing in W7755-A, at LG89, on night of 12 October 1942
Pilot Sgt Francis James Lyle WYATT 1377121 RAFVR (later DFM, and 134493)
Obs F/Sgt R W McBURNEY (as above)
Wireless Operator Sgt J A STEWART (R.71417 RCAF)
F/Eng Sgt Geoffrey Arthur GOSNEY 568331 RAF (later 54247)
Mid-Gunner Sgt R G NAIRNE R.95165 RCAF (later J.18872)
Tail Gunner F/Sgt R A MIDWINTER (no other details)
2nd Pilot Sgt E F BRAMLEY (see details at left)
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Additional Crew information – No RAF/RAFVR or RNZAF or RCAF Service Files were available for members this Crew. Reference sources were listed at the start of this web page.

Only Officers were listed in the ORB Form 540 Postings TO and FROM 462 Squadron (but not consistently).
NCOs and lower ranks were not included in Postings, and details in the Form 541 Operations were brief, so that correct identification can be a problem. Inaccuracies were frequent (initials, spelling of surname, and Service Numbers). Attempts have been made to correctly identify personnel by also referring to ORBs for 10 Squadron and 76 Squadron; CWGC for possible later death; Air Force Lists and London Gazette for Gallantry Awards, Commissions, and promotions. If you believe identification is incorrect, please make contact with correct information, listing your source. Thank you in advance.

The new 462 Squadron, Middle East, was formed in on the 5th or 6th of September 1942, made up of personnel from 10 Squadron, 76 Squadron, and non-operational Service Squadrons 227 and 454. The new 462 Squadron was initially stationed at Fayid, in the Canal Zone of Egypt.

The Crew's prior training details, and number of Ops at 10 Squadron or prior postings, has not been researched.

July, August, September 1942 – KENNY and Crew, operational duties, 10 Squadron, Middle East Command

On or about 5/6 September 1942 – Pilot KENNY and Crew were posted to 462 Squadron, Middle East Command.
10 September 1942 - KENNY and Crew's first Op at 462 Squadron, flying from Fayid.

September to 10 December 1942 – Operational duties at 462 Squadron, Fayid and LG237, Egypt, 205 Group, Middle East Command.
The crew may also have participated in Air Tests, and/or local flying, but names were not recorded in the ORB for these duties.

10 December 1942 – KENNY and Crew posted from 462 Squadron as "operationally tour expired".
Later postings after departure from 462 Squadron have not been researched.

The various 'substitute' crew members will be described with their usual crews (in crew pages yet to be created).

Pilot: John Henry KENNY 67700 (previously 1187932) RAFVR, later DFC and Bar; KIA at a later posting

Completed 9 Ops at 462 Squadron; potential Op 10 abandoned; one ferry flight.

01 June 1941- RAFVR, General Duties Branch; Commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer;
London Gazette 35203, 27 June 1941, page 3687;
Leading Aircraftman 1187932 John Henry KENNY (67700)

01 June 1942 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch; Pilot Officers promoted to the rank of Flying Officer
London Gazette 35699, 11 September 1942, page 3965;
J H KENNY (67700)

11 June 1943 – Award of Distinguished Flying Cross
London Gazette 36051, 11 June 1943, page 2679
Acting Flight Lieutenant John Henry KENNY (67700) RAFVR

01 June 1943 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch; Flying Officers promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant
London Gazette 36122, 06 August 1943, page 3537
J H KENNY, DFC (67700)

06 August 1944 – Award of Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
London Gazette 36745, 13 October 1944, page 4691
John Henry KENNY, DFC (67700) RAFVR, 139 Squadron (since deceased). With effect from 6th August 1944.

KIA at a later posting – CWGC information
Pilot Flight Lieutenant John Henry KENNY 67700, DFC and Bar, 139 Squadron, RAFVR;
Death 07 August 1944, aged 30;
Grave 178, Section K. 3, Southampton (Hollybrook) Cemetery
Son of George Frederick Ernest and Frances Charlotte KENNY, of Eastbourne, Sussex, UK
Inscription on headstone, below a Cross:-
"DEARLY LOVED ONLY SON
OF GEORGE AND FRANCES KENNY.
GOD'S GIFT, REMEMBRANCE"

Details of his Crash landing in a Mosquito Bomber at RAF Upwood on return from an Op, and the death of KENNY and his Nav, are detailed on the "Aircrew Remembered" site, with headstone photos.

Nav/Observer: Robert George Albert BURGESS 403601 RNZAF – see next section

Wireless Operator: R H STROUTS R.58172 (later Commissioned J.17254) RCAF

Completed 10 Ops at 462 Squadron; 9 with Pilot KENNY and 1 with Pilot ALLEN; potential Op 11 abandoned; one ferry flight.

Commission, and later promotions were not located in the London Gazette.

Mentioned in Despatches – King's orders for publications of names of personnel who had been mentioned in despatches (page 88); London Gazette 37407, 01 January 1946, page 126
Royal Canadian Air Force
Flight Lieutenant R H STROUTS (Can/J.17254)

Flight Engineer: Thomas William LEMM 566092 RAF – all initials for LEMM in the 462 Squadron ORB were recorded as J W, but J W LEMM was not located in the Air Force Lists, London Gazette or CWGC. The AF List (January 1944) included the name of T W LEMM with Flight Engineers, so is (currently) believed to be the correct person.

Completed 9 Ops at 462 Squadron; 7 with Pilot KENNY and 2 with Pilot MURRAY; potential Op 10 abandoned; one ferry flight.

14 July 1943 – RAF, General Duties Branch; Commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer;
London Gazette 36178, 21 September 1943, page 4177;
Sergeant 566092 Thomas William LEMM (52821)

14 January 1944 – RAF, General Duties Branch; Pilot Officers promoted to the rank of Flying Officer
London Gazette 36330, 14 January 1944, page 311;
T W LEMM, (52821)

14 November 1944 – Award of Distinguished Flying Cross
London Gazette 36793, 14 November 1944, page 5206
Acting Flight Lieutenant Thomas William LEMM (52821) RAF, 158 Squadron

14 July 1945 – RAF, General Duties Branch; Flying Officers promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant
London Gazette 37226, 17 August 1945, page 4175
T W LEMM, DFC (52821)

Mid Gunner: Rolf Leganger BUGGE 106153 RAFVR (previously 927836)

Completed 9 Ops at 462 Squadron; 8 with Pilot KENNY and 1 with Pilot CLARKE; potential Op 10 abandoned.

06 September 1941 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch; Commissioned to the rank of Pilot Officer;
London Gazette 35319, 21 October 1941, page 6114;
Leading Aircraftman 927836 Rolf Leganger BUGGE (106153)

06 September 1942 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch; Pilot Officers promoted to the rank of Flying Officer
London Gazette 35747, 16 October 1942, page 4489;
R L BUGGE (106153)

06 September 1943 – RAFVR, General Duties Branch; Flying Officers promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant
London Gazette 36165, 10 September 1943, page 4018
R L BUGGE (106153)
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Robert George Albert BURGESS (Shorty) 403601 RNZAF – presented herewith is "A Navigator's Story" written by his son Martyn BURGESS, and included here with Martyn's permission (words, format and photos unchanged). Copyright is retained by Martyn. Following the story are 2 sets of historic photos, included here for interest, however more information is being sought regarding when, where, and who are in the photos. Comments from this site, are included in italics after each section.

According to the 462 Squadron ORB, BURGESS completed 8 Ops at 462 Squadron; 7 with Pilot KENNY, and 1 with Pilot WYATT; an Op with Pilot GIBBONS was abandoned, as was potential Op 10 with KENNY; one ferry flight.

Fairey Battle aircraft, during training in Canada?

Merger of 10/227 Squadron and 76/454 Squadron, to form 462 Squadron, occurred on 5/6 September 1942. See also notes after Crew Ops regarding use of Halifax W7716-B or W1151-B on 10 November 1942.

The crashed Halifax with letter code 'Z' appears to be W1176-Z which crash-landed 5 miles north west of Fayid aerodrome, shortly after take-off on an Op to Tobruk on 29 September 1942 – Pilot MURRAY and Crew. A different photo of the crashed W1176-Z was published in "The Handley Page Halifax" (page 77, Author K A Merrick – see Acknowledgements) – that photo was taken from the left rear, looking towards the front of the aircraft, with what appear to be the same 2 vehicles, and personnel milling around. First news to reach Fayid, was brought by the pilot/captain, F/Lt MURRAY, who walked from the wreck to the Watch Office to report the incident – ref ORB, Form 540.)

Above left – Halifax W7755-A (serial number visible at magnification), was flown by this crew on their first 3 Ops ar 462 Squadron, all from Fayid – see Ops Table in next section. It was also involved in this crew's ferry flight, to collect the WYATT crew who had landed away in W7755-A.

Corrections or information may be sent via this Tribute site – Contact – and will be forwarded to Martyn.

BURGESS embarked from New Zealand in the Troop Ship "Awatea" en route to Canada for training as an Observer. A stop at Honolulu in November 1940, is recorded with the 2 photos above – Hula dancers; and the Aircraft Carrier "Saratoga".

Photos from the Desert which need more research to identify who, when and where - either 10 Squadron or 462 Squadron.
Clockwise from top right, excluding photos presented in the Navigator's Story –
1. Five men beside Halifax (no letter code or serial number visible) with fire – possibly Fl/Lt KENNY standing at left, with stripes on shoulders; man squatting on right, also Fl/Lt stripes on shoulder and AG brevet – possibly F/Lt BUGGE (if so – dated after 10 October 1942)
2. Unidentified airman beside damaged tailplane of German aircraft
3. Loading bombs into Halifax Z – probably W1176-Z (crashed on 29 September 1942 – MURRAY)
4. Three men in front of truck – Officer in centre may be Pilot KENNY?
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Crew Ops at 462 Squadron, Fayid, Egypt, and Landing Ground 237 (LG237), Egypt –

Transcribed from the 462 Squadron Operational Record Book (ORB), September, October, November 1942, Forms 541, Detail of Work Carried Out; and Forms 540 Summary of Events. Some of the pages are badly faded, or were very poor quality carbon copies (some 1942 originals had been created using very worn carbon paper), so some words are almost illegible. My apologies for any transcriptions errors.

As an already experienced Pilot from 10 Squadron, KENNY did not carry out any Ops at 462 Squadron as a 2nd Pilot.
Pilot KENNY and his usual crew completed 9 Ops, with a second Pilot BRAMLEY on 4 of those Ops.
Potential Op 10 was abandoned after 17 minutes.
The crew also carried out one ferry flight to collect another crew.

Times in red are Night Ops.

Substitutes for the usual crew, are included in Comments.
DNTO – Did not take off

Halifax W7755-A – 3 Ops
W7702-L – 3 Ops
W1151-B – 2 Ops
W7758-N and DT497-E – 1 Op each
W7716-B – 1 Ferry Flight (dual controls)

For the Op on 10 November 1942, the Observer's Log Book records the aircraft as Halifax W7716-B, and also that they crash- landed at base on return.

However according to the ORB, Form 54, Halifax W7716-B (with dual controls) had been transferred to No. 2 METS (Middle East Training School) at Aqir, Palestine, on 21 October 1942 (by Pilot BICKERDIKE and Crew, along with 5 Ground-staff as passengers.
W7716 had arrived in the Middle East with 10 Squadron in July 1942, but with a different letter code.

W1151 had also arrived in the Middle East with 10 Squadron in July 1942 (with a different letter code). It was first recorded on Ops for 462 Squadron on 02 November 1942, with new code B, and was still in use by 462 Squadron up to April 1943.
This seems to be a simple recording error of the serial number in the log book – this crew had flown at different times in both aircraft, each with the letter code B.

The crash was not recorded in the ORB Forms 540 or 541. For that Op on 10 November, one crew failed to return – Pilot Squadron Leader GOLDSTON and crew, (previously 10 Squadron, OC "A" Flight). Concern over that crew being "Missing" may have over-ridden any worry over a safely returned crew having a crash landing back at base.
W1151-B was back in use on Ops on 23 November 1942, so damage must not have been serious.
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to Squadron Crews Middle East