Help with names please 2nd TAF - 3 & 4.

[nick de carteret]

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...immy2ndTAF.jpg

1. G/C. H. A. 'Jimmy' Fenton 2. W/C. 'Johnnie' Johnson 3. ? 4. ?

[SMF144]

#3 is Foss Boulton, RCAF and I have no idea about #4 other than that he's RCAF as well.

Stephen

[nick de carteret]

Originally Posted by SMF144

#3 is Foss Boulton, RCAF and I have no idea about #4 other than that he's RCAF as well.

Thanks for that... I had always assumed that this photo was taken during my uncle's (Fenton's) time with the 2nd TAF.

Identifying Boulton, dates this photo to approx March - June 1943 when Jimmy Fenton was CO Kenley Sector with 'Johnnie' Johnson as Wing Commander flying. Boulton was there during that period in command of 416 Squadron.

I am assuming that no. 4 is the other Canadian Squadron Commander at Kenley... anyone know who?

[SMF144]

Nick,

If we go with your time-line and take into account Kenley being the place, there are two possibilities W/C J.C. Fee (24 November 1942 to 17 January 1943) or W/C K.L.B. Hodson (22 January to 28 Feburary 1943) - source - RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft by Kostenuk and Griffen.

It's definitely not Hodson, that's for sure.

So, begs your original question, who is it?

Unfortunately, there's a fair amount of the unkown when it comes to RCAF S/L, W/C and Groupies.

Stephen

[nick de carteret]

Originally Posted by SMF144

If we go with your time-line and take into account Kenley being the place, there are two possibilities W/C J.C. Fee (24 November 1942 to 17 January 1943)

Thanks for your input Stephen.

In that case it can't be Fee either, as my uncle and Johnson did not arrive at Kenley to take up their commands until March 1943. Foss Boulton was shot down and captured on 13 May 1943, so we have narrowed the time scale to two months. I will check what Johnson has to say in 'Wing Leader' when I get to my office today... quite likely that he will state who his squadron commanders were in the first two months at Kenley which most likely will pinpoint #4.

[SMF144]

Nick,

I guess we have no idea where the picture was taken? I mean, the chap on the right, could have been visiting when the pciture was taken? For all I know, he could be some penguin who happened to know the others? Either way, an interesting mystery.

Stephen

[nick de carteret]

Originally Posted by SMF144

I guess we have no idea where the picture was taken? I mean, the chap on the right, could have been visiting when the pciture was taken?

Very true of course, but I do get the feeling this may have been taken at Kenley as representative of the four guys in charge of the highly successful Canadian Wing. I am almost betting that #4 will turn out to be the other squadron commander at Kenley... as the other two squadrons in the Wing were both based at Redhill (the satellite field) I believe.

[SMF144]

Being a member of the RCAF, who could that be, "Jeep" Neal?

Stephen

[nick de carteret]

Think we've got it now... P. 158. 'Wing Leader', on Johnson's arrival at Kenley.

Quote : -

" I'm Bud Malloy. Wing Commander Hodson, whose job you are taking, is off for the day and so is the Group Captain. I'll take you round and introduce you to your wild Canadians".

It was a day of low cloud and drizzle, so Malloy and I made a leisurely tour of the airfield and met THE TWO SQUADRON COMMANDERS. The lean, slightly balding SYD FORD of 403 Squadron came from Nova Scotia, already held the DFC and bar, and had established his reputation as a sound leader and an aggressive pilot. FOSS BOULTON of 416 Squadron hailed from Alberta and was an open-faced, friendly character who was a relative newcomer to the game, having spent the greater part of his flying career in Canada.

End Quote.

I think I feel confident in saying that Syd Ford is the #4 man in the photo... note the DFC and bar he is wearing and the slightly balding appearance.

Thanks for helping solve this mystery Stephen by pointing out that #3 was Boulton. Can anyone confirm that Ford is indeed our man?

[Andy Fletcher]

Leslie Sydney Ford was C/O 403 Sqn RCAF 13Aug42-21Apr43. He then became Wg Ldr of the Digby Wg until he was KIA 04Jun43

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher