No.11 Flying Training School 1939 RAF Shawbury photo

F/O. K. J. McDonald 39097 DFC, OBE.
(Kenneth John) Staff at time of photo (Navigation Duties).
13.07.1937 P/O.
13.03.1939 F/O.
03.09.1940 Flt/Lt.
01.12.1941 Sqn/Ldr.
01.07.1945 Wg/Cmdr.
01.01.1956 Gp/Cpt.

01.11.1937 posted to No.2 FTS, Brize Norton.
03.05.1938 posted to No.11 FTS, Shawbury.
19.08.1939 seconded for service with the Government of Canada.
14.05.1943 awarded the DFC with No.78 Squadron.
01.01.1953 awarded OBE.
12.11.1957 Retired at own request.

 

F/Lt.(Acting) J. N. W. Farmer 37316 DFC, MiD(×3).
(James Nigel Watts) Staff at time of photo.
30.09.1935 A.P.O.
06.08.1936 P/O.
06.03.1938 F/O.
06.03.1940 Flt/Lt.
01.06.1941 Sqn/Ldr.
01.06.1942 Wg/Cdr. (temp).
25.02.1946 Wg/Cdr.
01.01.1954 Gp/Cpt.

30.09.1935 joined the RAF on a short service commission.
19.10.1935 posted to 5 FTS, Sealand.
28.06.1936 posted to 57 Squadron, RAF Netheravon.
26.07.1937 posted to No.11 Flying Training School. RAF Shawbury.
01.10.1938 posted to RAF Upwood on the SHQ Staff.
04.01.1939 QFI, No.11 Flying Training School, RAF Shawbury.
15.07.1940 posted to 302 Squadron at Leconfield from 14 FTS? as Chief Flying Instructor.
07.03.1941 awarded the DFC.
04.1941 posted to 610 Squadron, Westhampnett as a Flight Commander.
xx xx xxxx Staff Officer, HQ No 81 Group.
15.10.1941 CFI, No 58 OTU.
28.12.1941 Staff, Training Wing, No 57 OTU.
02.06.1943 MiD.
xx xx1943 Air Staff, HQ No 91 Group.
14.01.1944 MiD.
14.06.1945 MiD.
25.08.1945 Station Commander?
06.09.1948 Air Staff, HQ Reserve Command.
29.12.1953 Officer Commanding, RAF Acklington.
05.03.1956 Deputy Director, Directorate of Operational Training.
1959 - 1960 Deputy Commandant, ATC.
06.02.1960 retired as a Group Captain, retaining the rank of Air Commodore.

 

F/O. S. C. Bastin 36097
(Samuel Charles) Staff at time of photo.
The undermentioned airman pilots are granted permanent commissions as Pilot Officers on probation with effect from and
with seniority of 5th May 1937.
364481 Sergeant Samuel Charles BASTIN.
05.05.1937 P/O.
05.11.1938 F/O.
03.09.1940 Flt/Lt.
01.12.1941 Sqn/Ldr. (temp).
01.10.1946 Wg/Cmdr.

10.11.1937 posted to No.11 FTS, RAF Wittering.
At some point took advanced Navigation course.
30.04.1956 Retirement Wing Commander S. C. BASTIN (36097).

 

F/Sgt. J. R. Law 327385
(James Robert) D. 17.01.1941. Staff at time of photo.
26.06.1940 the undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities as Pilot Officers on probation. Warrant Officer. (Seniority 20th June 1940.)
327385 James Robert LAW (44223).

1927 awarded ‘Special Distinction’ on completion of a course of ab initio flying training at No. 4 Flying Training School.
09.01.1941 As P/O. or F/O. and a pilot instructor he was seriously injured when he struck a tree taking off in Oxford R6296 of 11 FTS, Shawbury. The aircraft had been force landed in a field at Bredenbury, Leominster by a pupil a few days previously and Law (an instructor pilot at the unit) was called to fly the aircraft back to the unit.
17.01.1941 He died of his wounds in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. R.I.P.

 

F/Sgt. T. W. Newbould 365291 AFC
(Thomas Wilton) Staff at time of photo.
The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities as Pilot Officers on probation 21st June 1940.
(Seniority 9th May 1940.)
365291 Thomas Wilton NEWBOULD (81008).
In the Gazette of 16th July 1940. Notifications concerning the undermentioned Flight Sergeants should have appeared under
the heading " ROYAL AIR FORCE " instead of " ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE " and their personal numbers as Pilot Officers on probation are as now stated:- 365291 Thomas Wilton NEWBOULD (44262).
09.05.1940 P/O.
09.05.1941 F/O.
09.05.1942 Flt/Lt.
01.07.1949 Sqn/Ldr.

30.09.1941 awarded the AFC.
08.12.1947 transferred to the
Aircraft Control Branch.
19.11.1958 retirement Squadron Leader T. W. NEWBOULD, A.F.C. (44262), retaining the rank of Wing Commander.

 

Sgt. A. H. Deacon 521323
(Albert Henry) Staff at time of photo.
01.05.1942 To be Pit. Offs. on prob. (emergency): — W/O. 521323 Albert Henry DEACON (49756).
01.11.1943 F/O.
01.05.1944 Flt/Lt.

He joined the RAF in July 1935 as an Aircrafthand.
17.08.1935 posted to 2 Squadron at Manston.
01.11.1935 moved to the Home Aircraft Depot, Henlow.
07.07.1936 posted to 101 Squadron at Bicester.
01.05.1937 moved to 90 Squadron, also at Bicester.
12.10.1937 posted to No.2 AAS North Coates.
15.01.1938 posted to 12 E&RFTS Ayr, (he had earlier applied for pilot training and was selected) making his first flight in a DH82 two days later.
21.04.1938 moved on to No.10 FTS, Ternhill. After completing the course he was posted to CFS Upavon for a flying instructors course.
29.12.1938 posted to No.11 FTS, Shawbury and began instructing on the Initial Training Squadron.
07.11.1939 he moved to the Advanced Training Squadron.
27.01.1940 he was posted away to 11 Group Fighter Pool, St. Athan.
12.03.1940 posted to 85 Squadron in France.
13.05.1940 he destroyed an Me109.
14.05.1940 he destroyed a Do17 and probably a He111.
16.05.1940 he destroyed an Me109.
19.05.1940 he destroyed 2 Me109's.
20.05.1940 the squadron was withdrawn to Debden.
17.08.1940 posted to 111 Squadron, Croydon.
18.08.1940 he claimed the destruction of a Ju88. He also claimed the destruction of a low-flying Do17 as it was bombing Kenley. This aircraft was credited as destroyed by the ground defences.
After this engagement Deacon was fired on by the aerodrome defences as he was coming in to land at Croydon. Wounded in the legs, he baled out from 200 feet. He was admitted to hospital and then posted to RAF Kenley as non-effective sick. He did not rejoin 111 Squadron until 3rd October 1940 at Drem. He was not allowed to fly until the 26th. Deacon was posted away from 111 for overseas service on 9th December 1940 and later flew on to the aircraft carrier HMS Furious at Liverpool in Hurricane V7798. On 9th January 1941 Deacon flew off at Takoradi on the Gold Coast. On the 10th, in Hurricane V7770, he and five other pilots took off for the Middle East, led by a Blenheim. Deacon's aircraft had a fuel pump fault and he took off late from Khartoum and flew the last three stages to Abu Sueir alone. On the 29th six Hurricanes flew from Tobruk to Ta Kali, Malta, Deacon in V7771. He joined 261 Squadron there.
11.04.1941 He destroyed an Me109 and damaged two others.
13.04.1941 he shot down an Me109, which crashed into the sea. On return to Ta Kali he was driven off by ground fire. He later returned to Ta Kali where his undercarriage collapsed on landing. Deacon was injured.
Combat report from his log book :-
"whilst patrolling at 10,000 feet we were attacked from above and behind by approximately 20 fighters, in two formations. I had just taken over as X-ray leader, the leaders R.T. being unserviceable. I called out a warning and attacked one of the enemy aircraft from quarter, breaking away I attacked a second from quarter again. No results were observed. A third I attacked from astern and he went in to a vertical dive in to the sea. Whilst watching him I was attacked from astern. A bullet smashed my windscreen and the cockpit was full of smoke. I thought I was on fire and decided to land at Ta Kali, but the ground defences opened up on me and I turned back and landed at Hal Kar. After running about 50yds my undercarriage collapsed".
05.05.1941 taken off operational flying.
01.07.1941 posted to 102 MU in Egypt.
22.02.1942 posted to 23 Air School, Waterkloof, South Africa, as an instructor. He did not leave South Africa until late December 1945. He stayed in the RAF on an extended commission.
Forfeiture of seniority.
Flight Lieutenant A. H. DEACON (49756) takes rank and precedence (with effect from 29th Oct.1946) as if his appointment as Flight Lieutenant date 1st Nov. 1944.
01.06.1948 Commission resigned:-
Flight Lieutenant A. H DEACON (49756).

 

F/Sgt. Hunter 365984
(Robin Frank) 44260 Staff at time of photo.
01.06.1940 P/O on Probation.
14.06.1941 P/O.
14.06.1941 F/O. seniority from 09.06.1941.
18.09.1942 Flt/Lt.

07.02.1936 No.60(B) Sqn. Kohat, India.
The Squadron comprising twelve aircraft (Wapitis), and accompamied by two Valentias, commenced a Long-Distance exercise to Singapore and back. (Among) The personnel engaged on this flight were:
"C" Flight
Flight Lieutenant L. W. Cannon with LAC Ashmore.
Flying Officer J. Y. Humphreys with LAC Cronin.
Flying Officer A. O. D. Cox with Cpl Wood
Sergeant Pilot R. F. Hunter with Sergeant Pilot Holloway.
1939 He was at No.11 FTS, RAF Shawbury.
18.09.1942 transferred to Aircraft Control Branch.
28.05.1943 Commended for Valuable Services in the Air when at No.34 Service Flying Training School, Medicine Hat, Alberta.
'In the last six years this officer has been a Flying Instructor and has 3,807 flying hours to his credit, of which 356 hours were completed during the past six months. He is an extremely conscientious and hard-working Flight Commander and sets an excellent example to those who work with him. Flight Lieutenant Hunter has efficiently and conscientiously performed all the duties assigned to him and at all times has displayed outstanding devotion to duty. His conscientiousness and self-sacrifice have resulted in a large output of trained aircrew.'
17.12.1953 permanent commission in Aircraft Control Branch.
01.07.1963 moved to retired list.

 

Harry Deacon is my Grandad: I have his logbooks and medals, but never seen this photo before! Could I be cheeky and ask if there is any way I could get a proper scan/copy from you?

(also curious/frustrated as to why my reply won't post under his photo!)

 

What a story! Thanks for rescuing the photo Chris. Sgt Albert Henry "Harry" Deacon was my Grandad. I'd love to get a copy of it if/when you get around to it...

 

Hi Grandson of Harry,
Thanks for your posts. I have pm'ed you. The replies on this site (like most forums) are on a time line so any post will appear at the bottom of the last page. If you were able to insert messages anywhere then things would get pretty messy.
Kind regards.
Chris

 

Superb work Chris and Ross both.

Remarkable there should be a future VC among these men.

But wouldn't it be wonderful to know whose photograph this was originally and how it made its way to the car boot sale where Chris discovered it.

 

Thank you Tomkil.
It would be great to find out but I think it is unlikely. The chap I bought it from did house clearances from Kent and Sussex all the way up to Norfolk and Lincolnshire, and had no recollection of where it came from. If anyone has seen this photo before then please let us know.
Cheers.
Chris

 

Sgt. A. C. Graham 562131 DFC
(Albert Charles) 45041 Staff at time of photo.
04.12.1940 P/O.
04.12.1941 F/O.
04.12.1942 Flt/Lt.

1939 at No.11 FTS, RAF Shawbury.
09.10.1943 Leuchars, "F/Lt A. C. Graham and F/Sgt T. Osborn set off to cover the targets at Danzig and Gdynia which had just been bombed by the U.S.A.F. Obtained good pictures, unfortunately partially obscured by smoke, of the targets, and of Fortresses returning. Arrived at Benson at 18.35 hours via Coltishall."
"Mosquito LR429, F/Lt A.C. Graham & F/Sgt T. Osborn, Time Up 12.00 Time Down 17.20, Photos of Gdynia and Danzig. A/c landed at Coltishall at 1720 taking off again at 1800 arriving at Benson 1835. Job 952"
22.08.1944 awarded the DFC when at No. 540 Squadron, RAF Benson.
30.12.1945 Retirement Flight Lieutenant A. C. GRAHAM (45041).
28.03.1952 Appointment to commission (class CC). As Flight Lieutenants, Albert Charles GRAHAM, D.F.C. (45041).
10.03.1955 Commission relinquished (class CC) on cessation of duty, Flt/Lt. A. C. Graham DFC.

 

Sgt. A. V. Bone 562456
(Alexander Victor) D. 16/17.04.1943.
Staff at time of photo.
21.02.1942 P/O. 48898
01.10.1942 F/O.

1939 Was at No.11 FTS, RAF Shawbury.
16.04.1943 As F/O. took off from RAF Fiskerton as pilot of Lancaster ED427 (EA-O) of 49 Sqn. on a combat mission to the Skoda armament works. It was their 2nd mission. Crashed near Laumersheim, south-west of Frankfurt. Germany with the loss of all crew. R.I.P.

 

F/Sgt. C. E. Ashdown 335423 AFC
(Cyril Edward) Staff at time of photo.
The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities as Pilot Officers on probation on the dates stated:—
01.04.1940 Fl/Sgt. 335423
Cyril Edward ASHDOWN (43163).
01.12.1940 P/O. on probation Cyril Edward ASHDOWN (43163) is promoted to the war substantive rank of F/O. on probation.
F/O. (prob.) C. E. ASHDOWN, A.F.C.
(43163), is confmd. in appt. 01.04.1941, and to be Flt/Lt. (war sub.), 01.12.1941.

He joined the RAF at 16 in February 1920 as a boy mechanic at Cranwell. After being posted to No 5 FTS he made his first flight in 1924. After moving to the Armament and Gunnery School he was posted to Iraq in Jan 1927 to join No 2 Squadron at Hinaidi. In March he moved to Aden with his squadron and in 1928 took part in a series of bombing sorties at Kataba and Dhali, Taiz, Mafalis, Yerim and Dhali Fort. He returned to England in 1930.
1939 he was on the staff at No.11 FTS, RAF Shawbury.
mid 1940 was posted to the RAAF in New South Wales with the Empire Air Training Scheme. He was awarded the AFC in July 1942.
06.07.1942 Canberra Times "His Excellency the Governor General (Lord Gowrie) at Admiralty House, Sydney, on Saturday morning made the following presentations:
Air Force Cross to: Flight Lieutenant Cyril Edward Ashdown, R.A.F."
Ashdown was also involved with the RAAF Accident Investigation team.
16.01.1946 Retirement Flight Lieutenant (war subs.) retaining the rank of Squadron Leader C. E. ASHDOWN. A.F.C. (43163).

 

F/Sgt. L. E. Speer 362162 AFC
(Lionel Edward) D. 29.11.1944
21.06.1940. The undermentioned are granted commissions for the duration of hostilities as Pilot Officers on probation, Flight Sergeant 362162 Lionel Edward SPEER (Seniority 09.05.1940.) 43927.
16.04.1941 F/O.
16.04.1942 Flt/Lt.

1939 He was on the staff at No.11 FTS, RAF Shawbury.
11.10.1940 The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards to the under- mentioned officers and airmen. Air Force Cross. Pilot Officer Lionel Edward SPEER (43927).
29.11.1944 'Dagger' Speer, wearing his helmet ran into the propellor of taxiing Spitfire EP491 of Sgt (Pilot u/t) Roman Knobelsdorf - PAF 704908, 61 OTU, Wheaton Aston, Staffordshire. R.I.P.

 

Hi,
so everyone in the photo now has their own post with individual photo. I will go back to the start and do some editing. I will try to get professional photos taken of each individual and some of the whole group.
I was thinking of possibly donating it to RAF Shawbury if they are at all interested, or is there a better option (IWM?). Any ideas/ opinions?
Cheers.
Chris