Hi I have recently joined the WW2 forum to seek information about my father Sgt. Stanley Goodey (born in Fulham in 1916 - died in Hampstead in 2007) RAF Service Number 1253207. He was and air gunner/wireless operator with 214 squadron of Bomber Command. I was born in London in 1951. Before operations my father trained between Dec 1940 and Sep 1941 as a Wireless Operator at RAF Yatesbury in Wiltshire and at Thorney Island, Hampshire. Between Sep and Oct 1941 he trained as an Air Gunner at no. 1 Armament School Manby in Lincolnshire. Between Oct 1941 and Mar 1942 he trained at No. 23 Operational Training Unit at Pershore, Worcestershire training on Vickers Wellington bombers with a crew of 6, two pilots, a navigator and 3 Wireless Operator/Air Gunners. He then transferred to 419 Squadron Mildenhall Suffolk for 3 weeks before transferring to 115 Squadron on 26 Mar 1942 in Marham, Norfolk where he eventually crewed up with Sgt. Leonard Roy Tonkin (pilot RAAF), Alex Ballantyne (Irish rear gunner) Geoff Ransome (2nd pilot of Norwich) Charles Honychrch (from Brooklyn USA in RCAF) and G D Morton (Wireless operator). This crew converted from Wellingtons to Stirlings on 5 Apr 1942 at Waterbeach in Cambridge before transferring to 214 Squadron to fly Mark 1 Stirlings in operations over enemy territory between May and June with this crew. Some of the crew of were filmed as part of a Pathe News Gazette wartime film called ‘Take it on the Chin’ about the bombings raids over Cologne in Germany, which they took part in. This can be viewed by visiting : ON THE CHIN! - British Pathé I have a photo which includes my father along with others of the 3 squads of RAF personnel training at Manby in 1941 which others on this forum may be interested in. I would be very interested to hear from anyone who can expand my knowledge of the above establishments especially of 419 and 115 squadron as I can find no mention my fathers name in the operations books for these squadrons. I will post a second message on the POW page. Regards Richard
11-12 June 1942 214 Squadron Stirling I R9326 BU-G Op. Gardening. Took off from Stradishall at 2300 hours to lay mines in the Nectarines II region (Frisian Islands). Crashed into the sea off Memmert Island. Crew. Sgt. A R. Tonkin RAAF. pow Sgt. G H. Ransome. pow Sgt. W D. Horne. pow F/S. C L. Honeychurch RCAF. pow Sgt. G D. Morton. pow Sgt. S G. Goodey . pow F/S. L C. Beagles. pow Sgt. A. Ballentine. pow Source - RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol.3 - W R. Chorley.
Hi guys Thanks for your messages of welcome. Peter do you know anything about the mine laying areas. What area did Nectarine II cover? My father and his crew also completed another gardening mission on 18 May 1942 in the Rosemary N area wherever this might be. Best wishes Richard
Hi guys Thanks for your messages of welcome. Peter do you know anything about the mine laying areas. What area did Nectarine II cover? My father and his crew also completed another gardening mission on 18 May 1942 in the Rosemary N area wherever this might be. Best wishes Richard Hi Richard, There was a Rosemary 1, 2, 3, 4 these covered the Heligoland Bight. As I have already said Nectarines covered the Frisian Islands. I have a map which covers these areas, if you wish I can scan it and post it here. Regards Peter
Mine laying map for North West Europe. Sorry but my copy is getting a bit past it, you will probably have to enlarge it. Just out of interest and covering 18th May 1942 - mines laid by Coastal and Bomber Command between April and June 1942 - 1,316 aircraft were dispatched on mine laying duties - 2,746 mines were laid - 38 aircraft were lost.
