Any idea? Sgt. L G Batt

Update 8 April 2023

Typo corrected. (instructor)

Updated 20 October 2022 with a comment seen in the comment section at the end…

The Type B headgear had been around since 1936 and was being replaced in the middle of the war, around 1943, with a more comfortable Type C Flying Helmet.

The original post

Someone commented a few minutes ago…

My neighbour does house clearances. He has come across a Type A flying helmet, that I believe was only issued in Malta. It has the name LG Batt written inside with W/O. I’m guessing this belonged to Leslie Gordon Batt who was a 238 Squadron pilot during The Battle of Britain. It would appear he refuelled in Malta in May 1941 en route to the Western Dessert. I’m guessing that’s where he picked up the helmet.

Would anyone have any other info/images?

Ken Smith

More Leslie Gordon Batt, if it’s him here …

http://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Batt.htm

The Airmen’s Stories – Sgt. L G Batt

Leslie Gordon Batt was born on 27th November 1916 and educated at Bablake School and Coventry Technical College. He was an engineering apprentice at Daimlers when he joined the RAFVR in April 1938 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He did his weekend flying at 9E&RFTS Ansty.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he was posted to 6 FTS Little Rissington and joined 253 Squadron at Kenley on 17th May 1940. He moved to 238 Squadron on the 21st.

On 21st July Batt shared a Do17, on 8th August he claimed a Me109 and five days later he made a forced-landing at Eartham in Hurricane P2989 after an attack by a Me109 south of the Isle of Wight.

Batt went to Egypt with 238 in May 1941 and remained with the squadron until December. In January 1942 he had his first long leave since May 1940, in Cairo, and in February he joined the Aircraft Delivery Unit there.

In August 1942 Batt was posted away and returned to the UK in November. He went to 55 OTU Annan as an instructor in early December 1942 and was commissioned from Warrant Officer in March 1943.

A return to operations came on 11th August 1943 when Batt was posted to 198 Squadron, flying Typhoons from Martlesham Heath.

He went for a course to 7 FIS Upavon on 24th November after which he was posted to 3 FTS Lulsgate on 29th June 1940 as an instructor of the instructors, remaining there until his release in 1945 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He then rejoined the RAFVR and served with them until 1959.

Batt’s portrait was made by Cuthbert Orde.

Batt died on 4th February 2004.

Request – Searching for information on City of Hereford – Update

New update on 27 August 2022

The search for the “City of Hereford” has been successful, but it appears that it is not the item that I have in my posession !! The height and location of the crew door are totally different — see the attached. We have had a win, but also have to start again !!

Just another challenge !!

Thanks for your help 🙂

 

Dave

Click below…

Dak-door differences

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From Ralph…

Hi David,

Have you seen the following newspaper reference to the « City of Hereford »:

Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), Friday 19 July 1946, page 5

« LEAVES SKYWAYS FOR CARAVAN HIGHROADS

Here is the City of Hereford, a veteran Dakota flown more than half a million miles by pilots of 300 Wing R.A.A.F. Transport Command during the New Guinea campaigns now being made into a luxury Caravan.

During her active service she carried wounded, paratroops, infantry, food, guns, ammunition, trucks, bridging equipment, and the hundred and one things that made possible the victories in New Guinea. Her next trip will be behind a light car owned by Mr. Max Muller, of the Grange, as a family caravan with every convenience.

Some months ago Mr. Muller obtained the City of Hereford’s fuselage from a friend who purchased the plane from Disposals. Now it lies in Mr. Muller’s backyard in three sections. The forward section, including the pilots’ control cabin, has been transformed into a roomy caravan. There is 100 square feet of floor space in the section.

Mr. Muller, a city business man, builds the caravan in his spare time. When completed it will weigh about half a ton. Fittings will include: A double bed, 2 single beds, table and four chairs, sink, ice chest, and two wardrobes.

The single beds are for Mr. Muller’s two young children, and will be fitted one above the other. The double bed will fold into a settee during the daytime. »

End of comment

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I have been contacted by a reader who has this request.

Hi Pierre

I now own the forward section of a Dakota that I understand is this aircraft, but no other info — manufacture, etc. The RAF had about 150 Dakota aircraft serve in the Australia/Pacific region from 1944. Some aircraft had similar nose art, « City of York », City of Cardiff ». From my research of unit histories I have not been able to locate any reference to the « City of Hereford ». There were several crashed in the region, but not details of the name were given.

When I took on the ownership of the forward section of the Dakota aircraft I was advised that it was from the “City of Hereford”.

It is understood that the aircraft was with 300 Wing (238 or 243 SQN) and operated in the Australia/Pacific area. During operations in Australia (1944-46) Dakota aircraft operated from Camden Airfield, near Sydney. The nose art on the aircraft, “City of Hereford”, would possibly due to a number of the aircrew being from that city/area. There were a number of  RAF aircraft accidents from 1944-46 but I have not been able to confirm that this aircraft was one of them !

The nose section was stored in Ipswich, Queensland, for some time then donated to the Queensland Air Museum.  It suffered some damage in a storm and has now become a project of mine to convert it into a caravan/camper.

Not a square inch of paint is on the exterior.  The reason that I am seeking the “City of Hereford” is that when the Queensland Air Museum staff took possession of it about 40 years ago that was the name provided.  I understand that the intent of the original owner was to make it into a caravan.  Perhaps he stripped the paint off ?? I have not been able to locate the original owner — still trying.  I have attached images of nose art on some RAF aircraft.

I look forward to having some info located.

Thanks for your interest in my project.

David

Photos and images sent by David…

Request – Searching for information on City of Hereford

I have been contacted by a reader who has this request.

Hi Pierre

I now own the forward section of a Dakota that I understand is this aircraft, but no other info — manufacture, etc. The RAF had about 150 Dakota aircraft serve in the Australia/Pacific region from 1944. Some aircraft had similar nose art, « City of York », City of Cardiff ». From my research of unit histories I have not been able to locate any reference to the « City of Hereford ». There were several crashed in the region, but not details of the name were given.

When I took on the ownership of the forward section of the Dakota aircraft I was advised that it was from the “City of Hereford”.

It is understood that the aircraft was with 300 Wing (238 or 243 SQN) and operated in the Australia/Pacific area. During operations in Australia (1944-46) Dakota aircraft operated from Camden Airfield, near Sydney. The nose art on the aircraft, “City of Hereford”, would possibly due to a number of the aircrew being from that city/area. There were a number of  RAF aircraft accidents from 1944-46 but I have not been able to confirm that this aircraft was one of them !

The nose section was stored in Ipswich, Queensland, for some time then donated to the Queensland Air Museum.  It suffered some damage in a storm and has now become a project of mine to convert it into a caravan/camper.

Not a square inch of paint is on the exterior.  The reason that I am seeking the “City of Hereford” is that when the Queensland Air Museum staff took possession of it about 40 years ago that was the name provided.  I understand that the intent of the original owner was to make it into a caravan.  Perhaps he stripped the paint off ?? I have not been able to locate the original owner — still trying.  I have attached images of nose art on some RAF aircraft.

I look forward to having some info located.

Thanks for your interest in my project.

David

Photos and images sent by David…

Request – Searching for information on R.C. Bailey DFC

I have been contacted by a reader who has this request.

Greetings,

I am the owner of the 576 Squadron Digital Archive and researching one of our pilots, R C Bailey DFC, who, having completed his tour on 576, joined 238 Sqn at Merryfield.

On 17 Feb 45 he was the co-pilot of Dakota KN251 which crashed just after take-off in Castle Benito, Libya, on a planned trip to Lydda, following starboard engine trouble and the aircraft being overloaded. It went through the wire at the end of the runway and caught fire.

Flt Lt Rose was captain and Bailey was flying as P2. Injuries to pilots and crew not known.

I am in possession of his logbook, kindly loaned by his son.

If anyone can provide any further information or photos, I would be most grateful and will pass them on to his son.

Many thanks

Matt Wood

More about him here:

https://www.northlincsweb.net/576Sqn/html/r_c_bailey_and_crew_576_sqn.html

Finding the Few – More from Cyril Thomas McAll and friends

This research had started with a comment from David.

My father Cyril Thomas McAll flew with 238 Squadron from Nov 1st 1942 to Jan 28th 1943. Thanks to this blog I have just read the account from the book « Spirit of the Blue: Peter Ayerst » where on Nov 4th Peter Ayerst is shot down. My father was on that flight and his log book describes the heavy flak and the 109s etc who shot down three Hurricanes that day – F. Lt. Ayerst, F/O Hay and Sgt Bletchford. Hay obviously also survived as he signs my fathers log a few days later, as does Ayerst.

I have many photographs but almost none have labels so difficult to know which are from this period as he also flew with 1411 (Met) and 94 Squadron.

David sent me this…

David added this…

I attach a photo of a group of five in which he is in the back row, second from the left (or at least it is a picture with a label on the back, ‘dad’s friends 1942’ and we are pretty sure that is him). As 238 was his first squadron after training – apart from a few days with 243 Wing immediately before – this must be with 238 squadron. I can imagine that I recognise a couple of the others from your ‘sitting on a plane’ image but you know them best so I’ll be interested what you think. He left 238 squadron on January 28th 1943 so would just have missed being in that one as it is February 1943.

The Few…

Gil Gillis in the red circle

David is adding this photo where some pilots were seen with most probably ground crew affectionately called erks.

Finding the Few – Cyril Thomas McAll and friends

This research has started with a comment from David

My father Cyril Thomas McAll flew with 238 Squadron from Nov 1st 1942 to Jan 28th 1943. Thanks to this blog I have just read the account from the book « Spirit of the Blue: Peter Ayerst » where on Nov 4th Peter Ayerst is shot down. My father was on that flight and his log book describes the heavy flak and the 109s etc who shot down three Hurricanes that day – F. Lt. Ayerst, F/O Hay and Sgt Bletchford. Hay obviously also survived as he signs my fathers log a few days later, as does Ayerst.

I have many photographs but almost none have labels so difficult to know which are from this period as he also flew with 1411 (Met) and 94 Squadron.

 

 David sent me this…

David added this…

I attach a photo of a group of five in which he is in the back row, second from the left (or at least it is a picture with a label on the back, ‘dad’s friends 1942’ and we are pretty sure that is him). As 238 was his first squadron after training – apart from a few days with 243 Wing immediately before – this must be with 238 squadron. I can imagine that I recognise a couple of the others from your ‘sitting on a plane’ image but you know them best so I’ll be interested what you think. He left 238 squadron on January 28th 1943 so would just have missed being in that one as it is February 1943.

The Few…

Gil Gillis in the red circle

Finding the Few – Cyril Thomas McAll

Comment from David

My father Cyril Thomas McAll flew with 238 Squadron from Nov 1st 1942 to Jan 28th 1943. Thanks to this blog I have just read the account from the book « Spirit of the Blue: Peter Ayerst » where on Nov 4th Peter Ayerst is shot down. My father was on that flight and his log book describes the heavy flak and the 109s etc who shot down three Hurricanes that day – F. Lt. Ayerst, F/O Hay and Sgt Bletchford. Hay obviously also survived as he signs my father’s log a few days later, as does Ayerst.

I have many photographs, but almost none have labels so difficult to know which are from this period as he also flew with 1411 (Met) and 94 Squadron.

As a starter…

Complete transcription will be added later.

 

 

 

Finding the Few – Flight Sergeant Smith

From the Estate of Hugh Furse

Flight Sergeant Smith was a pilot from Swansea.

He was featured in R. Emrys Jones’ album.

He is also here.

Collection Gil Gillis

Source Pilot Officer Nichols

Sgt Smith

Breaking News!

A comment just in this morning from New Zealand…

My father was with 238 squadron and seeing Bob’s logbook in all it’s glory I decided to fish out my dad’s one and sure enough the entries are all there to compare…

My dad is Flight Sergeant Hall from New Zealand, and they flew many hours together…

Did Bob take photos of his time in Burma?

Kind regards,

Richard Hall

To be continued…

About Peter Leonard Bateman-Jones

Updated 5 September 2020

A comment…

No this is wrong Peter Bateman-Jones survived their war dying in 2005. I remember him well. Currently am sitting to his younger brother (my father).

Note: The information I had came from a reader. This original post is below.

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A comment I should have remembered I had posted a long time ago.

From Wilma Hamilton…

August 5, 2015

Dear Pierre,

Your information re Peter Bateman-Jones is correct. My father was leading aircraftman  David Hamilton in the 164 British Argentine Squadron. He had such a high regard for him. Hard to think that they were young men in their early twenties! My father died in 1994 and I cherish all his stories. Peter Bateman Jones had been on a sortie into Germany and crash landed in Holland and did not survive the crash landing. My dad was another wonderful man.

Wilma Hamilton.