247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hello all,

I'm wondering if anybody can help me in my continuing quest to find out the career of my grandfather F/L M F Edwards 133358. ?

After reading his logbooks and the squadron ORBs , it has come to light that he served with 247 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. The squadron was part of 10 Group and equipped with Gloster Gladiators.

At this time of the war he was a Sergent pilot, so appearing as Sgt Edwards.

Would anybody know if any photographs or stories survive from this period of 247s history ? , or if there maybe any information of my grandfather?

Many thanks
James

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Sgt. Edwards joined 247 Squadron on 2 September 1940, according to the list of Battle of Britain aircrew in Francis K. Mason's book "Battle Over Britain." They were based at Plymouth, Roborough at the time. The airport is still there but closed recently when its main civil user withdrew services.

There's some basic information on the squadron here: http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/bobno247sqn.cfm

Their Operations Record Book for the period is at the National Archives in Kew as file AIR 27/1487. If it follows the usual format, the ORB should tell you which pilots flew each day and in which individual aircraft.

It's also worth having a look at the excellent Håkans aviation page - Biplane Fighter Aces from the Second World War site, which has a page about 247 and lot of information about the Gladiator.

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hi Nick,

Thank you very much for the help that you have given me. I have had a look at the Gladiator page which is a good read full of interesting facts, and the RAF page with the brief history of 247.

I'm going to try and get my hands on a copy of Battle Over Britain.

Your page is to very interesting.

Best wishes
James

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hi,
Have you seen this book :-

Marchant, David John. Rise from the East: The story of No.247 (China British) Squadron Royal Air Force, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1996. ISBN 0-85130-244-0.

Cheers

Bruce Lander

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hi Bruce ,

No I have not seen this book , I shall have a hunt for this aswell, thank you very much for letting me know about it. It will be good to have a read.

Best wishes

James

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

"Rise from the East": http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Se...+from+the+East

Battle Over Britain: http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Se...e+Over+Britain

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hello Nick,

Thanks for the links for both of the books, that's great really great, il grab a copy of both.

Many thanks
James

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hi James

If you would like a copy of DIVER! DIVER! DIVER! I can do you a signed copy for £10 plus postage.

Cheers
Brian

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hi Brian ,

That would be great thank you , it will be good to see my grandfather mentioned in their.

Best wishes
James

Re: 247 Squadron pilot during the Battle of Britain
 

Hi James

My e-mail address is: briancullauthor@fsmail.net

Let me have your postal address via above and I will mail a copy.

Please note that I will be away during the first week of April, so let me know asap so that I can mail it tomorrow (Thursday) or on Saturday.

Cheers
Brian