[paulmcmillan]

P/O Charles Francis Ambrose #42583


Ambrose joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his ab intio course on July 10 1939, as pupil pilot. He completed his training and was posted to 12 Group Pool, Aston Down on February 23 1940.
He convened to Hurricanes and joined 46 Squadron at Digby on April 1. Ambrose served in Norway with 46 in late May/early June and was evacuated by the Royal Navy on June 8.

P/O James Reginald Bryan "Jim" Meaker #42514

Meaker was born in Kinsale, Co Cork on January 19 1919. He joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his ab initio course on June 26 1939, as a pupil pilot at 6 E&RFTS, Sywell. Meaker went to No 1 RAF Depot, Uxbridge on August 19, for a short disciplinary course, after which he moved to 12 FTS, Grantham on September 2 1939. On February 24 1940 Meaker was posted to 12 Group Pool, Aston Down, to convert to Hurricanes. He joined 46 Squadron at Digby on March 31

After a short spell on flying duties at 27 MU from April 26 1940, Meaker went to 263 Squadron at Scapa Flow on May 4. The squadron Gladiators were loaded on to the carrier HMS Furious, which sailed for Norway on May 14. Meaker did not go to Norway but remained at Turnhouse awaiting posting instructions. He joined 249 Squadron soon after May 18.


OK so why do I mention Meaker, who was KIA 27th September 1940

Well, I am making a study of RAF Bail Out Incidents up to beginning May 1940 and one mystery is the two names P/O C F Ambrose and P/O J R B Meaker sometime around later Feb early March 1940. I believe they are linked as they are consecutive names on my list

I believe they were in a collision together as this reference below mentions


Chichester Observer - Saturday 06 April 1940
Page 1

CHICHESTER PILOT BALES OUT
PARACHUTE DESCENT
Pilot-Officer J.R.B Meaker of "The Cottage," West Dean, home on leave, had an exciting story to tell.
"I was flying along in formation," he told an Observer reporter, " when I suddenly found that I was
flying without a tail. The plane behind had bumped into me.
I immediately bailed out.
The parachute I was wearing was not my own and was too large for me, so I had
some trouble in finding the ring. They were anxious moments. When it did open
I found myself descending upside down, but by touching my feet with my head,
I was able to straighten out and land safely."
Pilot Officer MEAKER was formerly on the staff of the Observer and left to join the R.A.F.
He is none the worse for his experience.


Half the problem in solving this mystery is when they would have served together. I am guessing they followed a similar path: maybe 6 E&RFTS; or 12 FTS, and then 12 Group Pool and 46 Sqn, the service numbers 42583 and 42514 are not far apart

I assume there paths crossed maybe from FTS Onwards

Btw I believe Ambrose log book from April 1940 is in the RAF Museum and may hold the clue to Norway or the collision, but as it believe it only starts from April 1940 maybe replacement for one lost in Norway? - I have not seen it

Paul