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Lancaster Bomber 514 Squadron

Discussion in 'Honor, Service and Valor' started by E. Campbell, Mar 9, 2006.

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  1. Fred Wilson

    Fred Wilson "The" Rogue of Rogues

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    Fwd from: 514 Squadron RAF

    Fred, I can't get permission to post on WW2Forums and see that Alex Campbell is on there.
    Please can you ask him to drop a line to 514squadronraf at gmail dot com?
    I have been trying to contact him for a while. Many thanks, Simon Hepworth.

    http://www.514squadron.co.uk/
    https://www.facebook.com/514SquadronRaf

    Has Otto been around recently?
    Can one of the other moderators add him to the forum?
     
  2. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I dont understand why he can't post. Has he tried to register? Other newcomers don't seem to have much difficulty. Maybe you can email Jeff through this site if he can't register.
     
  3. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    If there is a problem to register he can also send me a pm
     
  4. 514 Squadron RAF

    514 Squadron RAF New Member

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    Thanks for your help folks. I don't know what gremlin was causing problems but it's sorted out now.

    I've attached a photo sent to me by the daughter of F/Lt Arnold Morrison. It was taken by F/Sgt Spinks who was, I believe, an armourer in 514 Sqn. Linda wonders if anyone recognises any of the crew.

    Regards

    Simon Hepworth
     

    Attached Files:

  5. 514 Squadron RAF

    514 Squadron RAF New Member

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    I am just finalising the operational history of 514 Sqn (extracts from which Fred Wilson has kindly posted on here). If anyone on here has any photographs they would like to see included in the book I would be delighted to hear from you.

    Of the 66 Lancasters lost from 514 Sqn there are still a few which are totally unaccounted for:

    19/2/44 DS736 A2-D F/S Hall
    19/2/44 LL681 F/L Kingwell Both these were lost without trace. Probably victim of unidentified night fighter but may have collided over North Sea.
    1/5/44 LL691 A2-D F/S Turner. Missing on night training flight, crashing off Dover. Cause not known but possibly a night fighter.
    30/7/44 LL733 JI-S F/L Chitty Disappeared on daylight op to Caen. Possibly collided with a 75 Sqn Lanc which crashed in the sea.
    7/10/44 LM735 A2-G F/S Gilchrist. Crew's bodies recovered but time and location of crash are unknown so it has not been possible to match them to night fighter claims.
    16/1/45 PB906 JI-B F/O Orr. Lost without trace.

    Any information would be appreciated. I have checked Bomber Command Losses, Nachtjagd War Diaries, lostaircraft.com and various other possible sources.

    Regards

    Simon
     
  6. Fred Wilson

    Fred Wilson "The" Rogue of Rogues

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    514 Squadron RAF likes this.
  7. E. Campbell

    E. Campbell Member

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    Earlier in this thread we mentioned that dad's Lanc was to be named the Adelphi Queen after a pub/hotel he and the crew visited in Glasgow.

    Last weekend dad found a diary he picked up at the hotel, links to the images are below.

    Apparently there was a red haired lass tending the bar that night, dad also had very red hair.

    Her inscription on the inside cover reads: "From one "Red" to another "Red" ? ? Glasgow."

    I'm not sure what the two words are above Glasgow.

    Wayne

    http://hila.webcentre.ca/514/ad1.jpg

    http://hila.webcentre.ca/514/ad2.jpg

    http://hila.webcentre.ca/514/ad3.jpg
     
  8. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    Could it be "odd spot"?
     
  9. E.A.Campbell

    E.A.Campbell WWII Veteran

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    Skipper you are a universal interpreter. That cozy little nook was indeed called the "Odd Spot". Carrying on
    in their friendly after hours Scottish fashion we were introduced to several notable entertainers. I am pretty
    sure one was Tommy Trinder? and another was the likeable Harry Lauder. We certainly learned the words to
    "I Belong to Glasky Dear old Glasky Town" during our 5 day stay there. This was welcome therapy after our
    terrible trip to Dortmund.
    Thanks Wayne for posting that brief look into some of our off duty antics.
    Cheers Alex Campbell Skipper of Lancaster A2 C
     
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  10. Fred Wilson

    Fred Wilson "The" Rogue of Rogues

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  11. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    and here is Glen Daly's Old Glasgow

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9PcpaqFOvg
     
  12. 514 Squadron RAF

    514 Squadron RAF New Member

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    Hi Alex, I messaged you about our squadron history book. Did it come through?

    Regards

    Simon Hepworth
     
  13. E. Campbell

    E. Campbell Member

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    Surprising how new events keep surfacing related to this thread.

    On his first operational flight dad was accompanied by a veteran pilot, F/S J.B. Topham, they recorded 3 fighter attacks on this trip to Le Mans, apparently Topham succesfully coached them through these attacks.
    These pages from dad's log book confirm that:

    http://hilaroad.com/RCAF/page55.jpg
    .
    http://hilaroad.com/RCAF/page56.jpg
    .
    I came across this poignant event related to J.B. Topham, item 161, in this list:
    .
    http://www.corbitts.com/docs/auctions/coins/030/docs/cat004.htm
    .
    Apparently his medals have been put up for auction. The article below has more details of his remarkable life:

    http://www.militarian.com/threads/hero-pilot%E2%80%99s-medals-under-the-hammer.2944/

    Wayne
     
  14. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    Topham's ordeal is quite a legend. it's amazing he actually survived 36 hours with a tube
     
  15. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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  16. rkline56

    rkline56 USS Oklahoma City CG5

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    Looks like a heck of a pub. Woo hoo Belhaven draught please.
     
  17. E.A.Campbell

    E.A.Campbell WWII Veteran

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    Yes I am sure that is one and the same Adelphi Hotel. It was located at the corner of Union and Argyle Streets.
    I do not know the date of the fire that destroyed it. Glad to see all the input on this thread and the new voices
    appearing. That video is great Skipper and also the tools and controls along with it.
    I try to keep up with it all but "The hurrier I go the behinder I get".
    Cheers to all Alex Campbell Skipper of Lancaster A2 C
     
  18. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    The site I found this information on says the flyer is from 1950 . so I reckon the fire would be shortly after that date. I will try to find out more about this place
     
  19. pinuche0706

    pinuche0706 recruit

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    For Commodore
    and you all (click on picture below at bottom) Freteval Forest Remembrance on 28 & 29 June 2014
    W.A. Donaldson's family from Canada and UK probably attend the reunion.

    and if you have time look at Facebook page 514 Squadron RAF where I post often
    https://www.facebook.com/514SquadronRaf

    Regards
    Roger G.
    View attachment 20729
     
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  20. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    Thanks a lot. I might go there with some of my friends. Saturday is a good day for me.
     

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