F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

The attached photo was taken on 21 February 1941 at the wedding of F/Lt Frank Brinsden, who had flown with No. 19 Sqn until late into the Battle of Britain, and then was the RAF flight commander in No. 303 (Polish) Sqn. I received the scan from Frank's son, Paul. I was able to identify the two officers on the left: they are both Poles from No. 303, F/O Wojciech Kolaczkowski (far left) and F/Lt Jerzy Jankiewicz. But who are the other three? Any clue as to their identities will be welcome.

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Hi Voytech,

Great picture!

The pilot on the far right could be Wallace Cunningham who also flew with 19 Squadron. He was awarded the DFC in August '40.

I'm not sure about the other airman.

gerry

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Thanks a lot! I think you're right, he looks like Wallace Cunningham.

Any bets on the other two, anyone?

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Can't answer but can add!!

Lovely chap.

= Tim

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Thanks for that!

Would you like to tell us more?

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

MSFU 1942

List is not complete I find recently. And I didn't include myself.

= Tim

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Now that's interesting!

But, am I right to think that Frank Brinsden was a Port Loading Officer and did not take any operational trips with the MSFU fighters?

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

I never saw Frank as Admin, but John Greenwood, now in Australia, confirms your view.

"Frank Brinsden was not “one of us”, he was administrative staff of some sort. I was in MSFU from May to Nov 1940 and do not remember him at all. Only met him over here, long after the War ~ really nice man. He went on a world trip from here some years ago and died after a heart attack at his brother’s place in New Zealand. "

Next week I have to talk to the chaps who are involved in the making of a film about MSFU. The main one (pilot) did the Colditz film.

= Tim

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

According to my data Frank Brinsden was posted to MSFU from 485 Sqn on 22 July 1941. In mid-August 1942 he was reposted to take command of 3 ADU at High Ercall. He then converted as a night fighter, ending up in German captivity in August 1943.
My main interest is the period he spent with the Polish 303 Sqn (1940-1941). Do you recall him telling any stories from his 'Polish' service?

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Sadly, no.

Chatter was geared very much to the present.

= Tim

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

And did have his dog with him while serving with MSFU (a spaniel called Rangi)?

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

A photo of the two of them earlier in the war.

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Can't be sure.

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

In my opinion, officer in the centre is S/Ldr Alexander Hess, DFC (Czech), ex CO od 310 Sqdn (part of Bader Wing during BoB).

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Thanks Jiri.
I have to admit I only know one photo of Hess (the laughing one) and I am not quite convinced it's him. Do you have a good portrait photo?

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

There´s a "Sascha" Hess portrait

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

another one. "Sascha" Hess as Major of the pre-war Czechoslovak Air Force in 1938

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

pre-war Alexander Hess - new try.

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Well it might be S/Ldr Hess - the only doubt is that I did not remember to see any photo of him from period 1940-41 wearing a RAF peak cap - he had always a side cap.

Pavel

Re: F/Lt Brinsden's wedding guests - who were they?
 

Thanks Jiri and Pavel.
I have to admit I'm still not convinced it's him in that wedding photo.
However, it is interesting to see the Polish AF pilot's wings and the badge of the Warsaw-based 1 Pulk Lotniczy (1st Air Regiment) on his chest!