F/O Thomas Callaghan, RAF

I've started up some family research again.

I've scanned quite a few images and pages from his logbook.

They can be found here: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/library/WW2%20Grandpa

Please let me know if you can access them!

I will be posting them individually to this thread - with descriptions of what I know, or questions on their content.

Enjoy for now!

 

I will start things off with the Bombers Prayer.

 

The only crew picture that also includes the names on the back.
Clearly the 'me' is my Grandfather.

I apologize for the size. Its posting them in their original size and not thumbnailed.

EDIT: I get the "You are not allowed to use that image extension on this community." when trying to post the Direct Photobucket Link all of a sudden. Not sure why - they are JPEGs. Will provide the links instead.

Crew: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/9_zps6km8reg4.jpg.html
Names: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/9A_zpsvanwbyvj.jpg.html

I would love to find out more about the Pilot. My father has told me that my Granddad always said that he 'owed his life to the pilot'. Can anyone point me in the right direction?


These next few come from a scrapbook of his I found. The leather scrapbook has drawing of a Native American on the front and at first glance I thought it was one of mine from when I was 8 years old and went to The Four Corners/States. I am not sure when exactly all of the pictures were taken, but a good portion seem to have been while in Canada visiting family with some clearly back in the UK. There are pictures of Niagra falls and Toronto etc. The images I am including speak for themselves, though again I am unsure of the Dates. You can view the rest in the Album, though it did not let me organize it.

I am curious as to what city we may be looking at in the Aerial Shots. I am assuming somewhere in Canada/USA or the UK (as opposed to in combat).

Inside Cover: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/ScrapInCover_zpsbmshyq48.jpg.html
Training Facility (I believe): http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Scrap3_zpsgopv8lqx.jpg.html
Undefeated: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Scrap2_zpsw2gs83us.jpg.html
Aerial: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Scrap4_zpsvskzx6aw.jpg.html
Aerial 2: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Scrap1_zpsqfkr6u0n.jpg.html
Some sort of Parade: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Scrap5_zpsadmhp5dz.jpg.html
Brother Eddie: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Scrap6_zpsi3wtxdfl.jpg.html

This last one, with the Priest, is with his oldest brother Eddie (who died the day after sending my granddad a letter speaking of his improved health etc from a massive heart attack, I believe in the 50's or 60's.) Eddie was a Missionary in Rhodesia and had been sent back to the UK to recover and get healthier. He died in the arms of my Great Uncle Paul, who is about 8 years younger than my Granddad, and whom I met a few years ago in Liverpool for the very first time. He told me a great story about a bomb that landed in a courtyard - to this day he does not recall how he climbed over an 8ft fence to get out of the area, nor how fast he ran to do so!

 

I believe these next two are of the same person. Along with the caption on the back of one. I believe it references my dad (the 'your' part).

Officer 1: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/6A_zpsrfbaakhd.jpg.html
Officer 2: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/6_zpsn4lnrpd2.jpg.html
Caption: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/6B_zpsyd4fnthw.jpg.html

This next one is, I believe my Grandads Third Cousin. The caption on the back speaks of his death, though with not much information.

Pilot: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/3_zpseg4tpfbe.jpg.html
Caption: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/3A_zpsqonaaljx.jpg.html

If I recall, I was able to look this up several years ago. If I am correct, his bomber fell out of the air and crashed on the runway after doing some dummy bombing runs. A serviceman on the ground was awarded a medal for trying to rescue the crew as the plane went up in flames, suffering burns to both hands and arms but all lives were lost. I will have to try and find such information once more to confirm.

 

Just letting you Boffins out there know that my next post(s) will be ones more than likely seeking information - on the operations mainly or what certain 'things' mean. I am not the best at deciphering my Granddads writing so some one more accustomed to the handwriting of old may be able to offer some insights that I myself have been unable to garner!

 

Great photos, Musso. Thanks for sharing them.

 

Alright. Time for the good stuff.

With this one, the left hand side of the page - are the 'crossed' out parts the ones that happened? IE did he become anoxic? Or are they the equivalent of circling what happened?

On the right hand side of the page - are the 'error' pretty standard from the war? There is another page where it lists two results of bombing tests - the first lists him as 'above average' while the second lists him as 'average' - I am assuming that relates to his 'precision'?

Logbook 6: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Log6_zps136fery6.jpg.html

The following four entries are all the operations he ran. Does anyone know what the letter under the Lancaster type stands for? It seems varied enough that it could represent different aircraft but I would assume him and his crew would have stuck with the same aircraft to get familiar with how it handled etc?

I am also looking for information on Granden Lodge - it appears returning from one mission they had to land there. Mechanical issue? Flak damage? I am not sure where to begin looking.

I am also interested in learning more about the actual Operations - the numbers, the results, etc.
Logbook 7: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Log7_zpsgjs6ouss.jpg.html
Logbook 8: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Log8_zpsvpzgqwal.jpg.html
Logbook 9: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Log9_zpsskyxfewv.jpg.html
Logbook 10: http://s243.photobucket.com/user/panzerpenguin/media/WW2%20Grandpa/Log10_zpsj8dpqci0.jpg.html

 

Gransden Lodge
http://www.controltowers.co.uk/G/Gransden_Lodge.htm