ALL SLIDES NOW ADDED I have put together a photo of all 19 crews on the Dambusters Raid which shows the deaths on the raid (53), those who died later during the war (32) and those who have died post war (47) totalling 132 of 133. George Leonard "Johnny" Johnson (UK) of McCarthy crew is still living. Any comments or corrections would be most welcome. Number 1: Gibson Crew:
Any help would be appreciated on the date of death of these members of a few crews. Flight sergeant Frank Ernest Appleby (DFM) Although very thorough in my research, I have only been able to find September Qtr 1996 in Sussex. He was born in Eastbourne, Sussex. Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Rice (DFC) Only have month and year 00/11/1981 in Somerset. Flight Sergeant Ronald Batson (DFM) Only have month and year 00/11/2006 England & Wales, Death Index, 1916-2007 about Ronald Batson Name: Ronald Batson Birth Date: 5 Dec 1920 Date of Registration: Nov 2006 Age at Death: 86 Registration District: Durham Inferred County: Durham Volume: -1 Page: -1 Register Number: CD2C District and Subdistrict: 442/1C Entry number: 063 If anyone can assist I would be most appreciative. Cheers Geoff
Hi Geoff I don't know if this helps? but in the book, which I bought when I visited the Dambuster Museum - G Rice D.F.C. is listed as - crew killed in action 20 December 1943 You also mention Ronald Batson, which you have found details for.....at the back of the book there is a lovely photo of a couple of veterans and one is a Ron Barton, so i'm just wondering if this is pure coincidence or could it be the same person with a misspelling? In the meantime I'll carry on reading and see if I can find anything else out for you Suz
Thanks Geoff, I did have a browse through there the night before last. Heavy going getting though it. I will give this post a few days then bite the bullet. Cheers Geoff
Hi Suz, You are right with the Rice crew however Geoffrey Rice evaded for 6 months with the resistance and then captured and went to a PoW camp. He was released and returned to the UK on 10/05/1945. I believe Ron Batson would not talk about his War years nor would he speak to any of his former crew Thanks for the info. Cheers Geoff.
Ah...'the pennies finally dropped Geoff' and I can see what you mean now, ie. the list which I found mentioning 'crew killed in action', meant just that and not his date of death.........sorry. And there was me thinking that just for once I was able to help and give a least a little something back for all the help everyone has given me. Out of interest - the Ron Baston and Ron Barton - are these two separate guys then? because the picture in this book was taken in recent years at a commemoration ceremony which he would have attended with fellow veterans? Suz
Hi Suz, The Ron is "Batson" not Baston so probably not just a single letter error however I never say never!! I do not know much about him however from what another researcher of the Dambusters and 617sq told me, was he did not want to revisit any part of his life during that time nor would he speak with any of his former crew. With respect to Geoffrey Rice, his aircraft was hit by Flak over Belgium at 14,000 feet and disintegrated however he was thrown clear and suffered only a broken wrist. The other six crew members were killed and are buried at Gosselies Communal Cemetery in Belgium. Would be great to know where those who survived the war are all buried (I have had help with a few in the UK) but finding out where they were buried/cremated has been a most difficult task. Cheers Geoff
Geoff, I just wanted to say what a fantastic project this is of yours. A few weeks ago, I had the great good fortune to attend a public talk given by George Leonard "Johnny" Johnson. He spoke so well, and was both funny and fluent. He had the few hundred of us in the audience captivated and at the end got a (very well-deserved) standing ovation. I even managed to get a snap of him, which if I have understood how to attach photos is duly attached. Thanks again for all the research, David
Thank you David! Great photo of "Johnny", he has been a wonderful "Ambassador" for the Dambusters and the men of Bomber Command. I had wanted to do this for a while however the photos of "all crews" were not available. I have had some wonderful comments for presenting them in this context. Cheers Geoff