gday all.

i just signed up today and already have acquired a wealth of information for my research.i am in your debt before youve even heard of me! spidge;your links and suggestions have been most helpful.thankyou. has anyone heard of mr.harold batchelder,102squadron-1941? he was a close friend of my gr.father whose aircraft was shot down with loss of all crew over dunkirk in dec.1941. he mentioned doug jack(my gr.father) during a television documentary some years ago. it would be an honour and a privelidge to correspond with him(or anyone else with knowledge of 102 squadron). i think ive found my website.hope you like having me here as much as i like being here. regards, doug p.s, can anyone guess the type of aircraft my grandfather flew?

 

Welcome Doug and enjoy!!!!! cwgc has a Sgt. Douglas Gordon Jack. No.404248 RAAF aged 25. DoD 16/12/41. of Roadville, Queensland, is that him?

 

Welcome to WW2talk Doug. Glad you like the forum mate.

marcus

 

Welcome to the forum Doug

16 - 17 December 1941.

102 Squadron.
Whitley V. Z6973 DY-
Op. Dunkerque.

Crew.
F/S. WG. Coldwell RCAF +
Sgt. DG. Jack RAAF +
Sgt. FE. Baldock +
Sgt. GE. Thompson +
Sgt. WA. Evans RCAF +

Took off 1643 Dalton. Hit by flak and crashed in the sea. All are commemorated on the panels of the Runnymede Memorial.

Bomber Command Losses Vol 2. WR Chorley.

 

Welcome Doug and off to a flying start.

Here is his listing on the Runnymede memorial just in case you don't have it!

 

This is all I could find on him however the link does not run for me.

BBC NEWS | In Depth | VE Day 60th anniversary | WWII survivor recalls home-coming

 

Welcome to the forums Doug.

 

Welcome Doug

 

Harold Emery Batchelder, known as "Batch". He received a Distinguished Flying Medal.

"1262838 Sergeant Harold Emery ("Batch") BATCHELDER, No. 102 Squadron.
One night in May, 1942, Sergeant Batchelder was the captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Mannheim. Shortly after crossing the Dutch coast, on the outward journey, the aircraft was damaged by enemy shell-fire, but the journey was continued and the target bombed. On the return journey, one engine failed to function but height was maintained. After crossing the Dutch coast, the aircraft was attacked by an enemy fighter. Skilfully handling his damaged aircraft, Sergeant Batchelder outmanoeuvred his attacker and enabled his own gunners to deliver accurate bursts of fire. The enemy fighter was seen diving away steeply and it is believed to have been destroyed. Sergeant Batchelder then flew on to this country and made a skilful landing in difficult circumstances. Throughout, this airman displayed great skill, courage and coolness."

He was shot down in Halifax W7652 on the 16/17 June 1942 whilst still with 102 Squadron attacking Essen, and spent the rest of the war as a POW. The above DFM citation was in fact for this loss and omits to mention that it was an immediate award for his bravery in saving his crews' life by giving them time to bail out in time. They were all made POWs alongside him. The only conflict in reports is that the aircraft was in fact shot down by flak.

If he is still with us (as the info I have is a bit old) he may still be the President of the Ex-POW Association:

h.e.batchelder@amserve.net

or

Royal Air Forces Ex-POW Association

 

Welcome!!! You'll love it here.

 

51 highland:it certainly is.many thanks for your interest and warm welcome.we will talk often i hope.regards,doug

 

owen d:useful and very interesting.thankyou.also for welcome.looking forward to further discussion.i hope my name doesnt sound too silly;i chose a user name i know ill never forget.regards,doug

 

If at first you don't succeed

Thought I had better say hello, found some useful info on 52nd Lowland Division, Grandfather was with 7th Cameronians from start to finish, he never mentioned the his service, my curiosity has got the better of me. Site has great information and has me hooked.

Hope everyone is well.

 

peter clare: thankyou sir.i am deeply touched that yourself and others would do so much for me.i anticipate many emotional but happy times with people as kind as yourself.;what a beautiful poem,by the way.regards,doug.

 

spidge:merely"thankyou"seems inadequate here.youve given me more than ive been able to find on my own in 10 or so years.your dedication,knowledge and kindness are my good fortune indeed.i cant get mr.batchelers bbc interview to run either im afraid,but ive hardly started yet,i will get it somehow.i had no idea of the promininent position he holds(held?)these days,nor of his wartime experiences post-1941.i regret very much not having attempted to contact him before now.it is my greatest desire to visit runnymede one day(surrey is a long way from tuncurry),but till then,i now have something to frame and value.i often become embarrasingly emotional discussing the war(as i am now).the internet is a wonderful thing!.i am deeply grateful to you sir.doug

 

Hi Doug,

Glad I could be of help. It is only 1100 kms to Melbourne, Turn right at Manning street over Head Street and you are on your way. So when you are down give me a PM.:p

My brother had an embroidery business in Port Macquarie for about 10 years.

Cheers

Geoff

 

everyone: wow! ill remember this day! i am overwhelmed. i wish id come across this site and all you wonderful people years ago.thankyou one and all for your warm welcome and kind wishes.i hope you will forgive me if i post messages in the wrong place etc.(as i am probably doing right now!?),i dont know my way around yet and my computor skills are barely adequate at the best of times.(im more at home with a chainsaw than a keyboard!)..i am eandevouring to write a"family only"book for my children,neices and nephews so they will know of their grandfathers sacrifice and what it meant to the loved ones he left behind.i think i have found the one and only resource i will need for this undertaking.. with gratitude and warmest regards,doug