Hi all,
This post crosses over a few topics so am happy if moderators want to shift it to another forum.
I discovered a photo of a naval pilot named H.F. Bromwich of Sydney in the cockpit of a Martlet (looks like a Buffalo to me!). Article is from June 1941 and same pic can be found on Getty Images. Australian WWII naval aviators were very rare so I did a bit of online digging through Google, Trove and RAF/Navy Lists.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/248143072
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/ne...oto/1053863460
I am interested in any further service details regarding this man. So far it appears he is Herbert Frank Bromwich, son of a British RN officer George Herbert Bromwich (former surname Cockey) DSO and Australian mother Evelyn Mary (nee Newton). Herbert was born in 1911 probably in the UK before the family moved to Sydney around early 1912 where his father was General Manager of the Garden Island Naval shipyards. Not sure if and when the Bromwichs’ returned to the UK but is seems Herbert would have been raised in Sydney during his childhood.
Herbert was granted a commission in the RAF in 1935 and by 1937 posted to 29 Sqn RAF. According to the ORB he was in the Middle East before arrival? A year later relinquished his Short Service Commission in the RAF and appointed to the Royal Navy Air Branch. Service details can be traced through the Navy Lists - 701 Flt HMS Malaya (Aug 38), 759 Sqn (Nov 39), 800 Sqn (May 40), 759 Sqn (Sept 40), HMS Heron (Dec 42), HMS Landrail (Jul 44), HMS Pursuer (Oct 44). On 23 Jul 45 he was involved in an accident in Seafire LR877 while flying with 887 Sqn aboard HMS Implacable but am unsure when posted to the squadron. Based on this incident I assume he was involved in the British Pacific Fleet’s final assault against the Japanese islands during July and early Aug 45?
Would welcome any information about RAF/FAA service numbers, missions flown (particularly 800 Sqn, HMS Pursuer and 887 Sqn) and/or gaps to service and biographical information above. Also, if the photo was taken early/mid 1941 and is a Buffalo, which FAA unit would it be?
Thanks in advance.
Regards, Drew