Blenheim 57 Sqn L9249 March 15, 1940

[paulmcmillan]

Can anyone ID the "Sgt G Park" who baled out of this aircraft on this date, the other crew were killed

F/O William Ward Adam 39838
AC1 Frederick John Mantle 621138 (WOp./Air Gnr.)

Many thanks

Paul

[Martin Gleeson]

Paul,
.
Where did you find the 'G' ? I cannot find a 'G. Park' anywhere in 57 Squadron records.
.
A nominal roll of the unit in September 1939 for the move to France is contained in the 57 Squadron Appendices (AIR 27/541). There is only one 'Park' , although he is not listed in the Air Party. He is 580553 A/Sgt. A.J. Park. I cannot quite make out his trade but it seems to be 'A.O.' (Air Observer) and he is listed directly below what looks like two other spare aircrew.
.
I can only find him further on in the DROs for February and March 1940, only a few times and as 'Sgt. Park'. As the F.541s are missing for May and June 1940 it is not possible to be sure he flew operationally but he probably did. 'Sgt. Park', as an observer, flew operationally at least once during July 1940. On 12 November 1940 he and his crew were posted to 13 OTU from 57 Squadron. The same three crew appear to have been posted together from 13 OTU to 82 Squadrom on 23 September 1941. The pilot (P/O Richardson) is thus shown in the 82 Squadron Appendices, although not the NCOs. Sadly on their second mission with 82 Squadron on 21 October 1941 all three were lost in their Blenheim when it was shot down into the North sea. 580553 F/Sgt. Alec John Park was the Observer.
.
So I am almost sure your 'Sgt. G. Park' is the above. If anyone can add any details or corrections that would be very helpful.
.
Regards,
.
Martin Gleeson.

[paulmcmillan]

Martin

I must double add a "thank you thank you"

I don't now where I got 'G Park' will check my references later however, you have solved another mystery and one which comes "full circle".

In my 1940 Irvin Bale Out List I have just 'A J Park 1940' no other details, Rank Country etc just that. I thought it might be a civilian, and when I saw reference to 'L9249 57 Sqn Blenheim shot down' March 15, 1940 with 'G' Park I did not put 2 and 2 together! - I now know that my 'G' Park and 'A J Park' are one and the same - and you have probably solved one of my last 'hard' mysteries if I don't even have a rank then working out who' A J Park' would be would be very difficult


Thanks again

Paul

[paulmcmillan]

Crew details for 57 Sqn L9249 March 15, 1940 now confirmed

F/O William Ward Adam #39838 (Pilt) Killed
AC1 Frederick John Mantle #621138 (WOp./Air Gnr.) killed

Sgt Alec John Park slightly injured #580553 baled out - Initials and surname on 1940 Irvin Parachute List

PS Found reference to 'G' Park is BoFtaN Page 150 - which needs updating

PPS I had tentatively ID A J Park as Flight Sergeant Alec John Park Park from notes below, but good to get confirmation via two separate sources

"Long Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal Flight Feb 27th 1941 - Flight Sergeant Alec John Park #580553 killed 21/10/1941 aged 21c - 82 Sqn. Flt Sgt Park was in a Blenheim on an anti-shipping mission. Two Blenheims of 82 Squadron were shot down by Me109s whilst they were on an anti-shipping raid. Park was in V5634 UX-A. Also lost were P/O James Harold Richardson and F/Sgt G Haines. The other aircraft lost was Blenheim V6146 flown by P/O B Barber (RAAF), P/O H Pibus (RCAF) and Sgt E Paine"



Paul