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LtCdr JB Edmundson
After re-reading "Aircraft Carrier" by Winton I decided to look for a pilot who might form a basis for "Skipper". James Edmundson came to mind because he is always quoted when the BPF is written about. Can anyone tell me about his career prior to joining his first squadron (899?). I have found that a Midshipman JB Edmundson served 1940-41/2 on the battlecruiser Repulse, the destroyer Arrow and the battleship Nelson however in Navy Blue Fighter Pilot it is stated he served in minesweepers.
If he was with (and commanded) 899 Squadron it may be he served at Sicily and Salerno where 899 suffered serious losses to deck-landing accidents. The intimation in the above article being that he was given a shore posting as an instructor because of "twitch".
He claimed at least one kill as a pilot with 1836 squadron in October 1944, but I wonder if he should be credited with a second in 12 April 1945? He states that his flight caught a Zeke and send him into the sea.
regards
Keith
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