W.E.Gore

[Bruce Lander]

Hi everyone,
I am a new member with 40+ years of researching into WW2 Air combat.

I have been interested for some time in W.E.Gore who flew initially with 607 Sq in France with some success before being shot down and wounded. According to "Men Of The Battle Of Britain" he joined 54 Sq at Hornchurch in August after his recovery and then rejoined 607 in September before sadly being KIA. No accounts of 54 Sq mention him at all and it would seem unlikely that he would have in fact been posted to them (as an experienced Hurricane pilot to a Spitfire unit !). I wonder if in fact it was 504 Sq he joined rather than 54 Sq, can anyone help ?

Bruce Lander

[Brian]

Hi Bruce - fancy meeting you here!

Cheers
Brian

[RossGmann]

Re your inquiry 31 October 2005

The following Websites and information may be of interest

www.the-battle-of-britain.co.uk/pilots/Gl-pilots.htm
F/L W.E.Gore was in France with No 607 Squadron, flying Hurricane's. W.E.Gore lead a section which intercepted and shot down three He 111's over France during May and was awarded a D.F.C. on the 31st of May 1940. F/L W.E.Gore joined No 54 Squadron on the 6th of August but stayed with them for only a month he then returned to No 607 Squadron. He was shot down by an Bf 109 over Selsey and crashed his Hurricane I (P3108) into the Channel and was recorded as M.I.A. on the 28th of September 1940 at 15:00hrs, aged 25.

May have been shot down by
Werner "Vati" Mölders www.luftwaffe.cz/molders.html Entry 56
Molders made a claim for a Spitfire at 1500hrs on 28/09/1940
Location near Littlestone


Kind regards


Ross

[northeagle]

Hi Bruce,
Will Gore joined was one of the originals in 607 Squadron, having joined it in early 1934. He fought with 607 throughout the battle of France until he suffered burns, May 12, 1940. He then spent a period in hospital before joining 54 Squadron August 6. He remained there until he returned to 607 Squadron c September 8 when the squadron moved to Tangmere. He was KIA September 28 along with fellow 607 Squadron pilot, Flt Lt Maurice M. (Milne) Irving. I have attached a pic of Gore taken in 1939.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

[Bruce Lander]

hi
Thanks guys - I already had this information but I still am not convinced he was with 54 Sq - has anyone seen their ORB which would prove this ?

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[BillG+4]

Bruce,
There's no reason why a Hurricane pilot should not have been posted to a
Spitfire squadron. You may recall that Douglas Bader was posted to 242 Squadron as its C.O. flying Hurricanes even though he had flown Spitfires previously.

[northeagle]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lander

hi
Thanks guys - I already had this information but I still am not convinced he was with 54 Sq - has anyone seen their ORB which would prove this ?

Cheers

Bruce Lander

Hi Bruce,
My fault there I looked at my old information. I have had a look at the 607 Squadron ORB and Will Gore returned to 607 Squadron June 22, 1940. There are no other entries stating that he left 607 ie August 6, nor his return c early September. 607 Squadron were on detachment at Catterick during early August, while 54 Squadron were there so, may have been a bit of a mix up. As far as I know Wynn's book is the only one that mentions Gore on 54 Squadron. I am working on a history of 607 Squadron so thanks for pulling my chain: disgusting me overlooking that.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

[HARD_Sarge]

this web site shows him belonging to 54 squadron, and again states he spent about a month there and then returned to 607

http://www.the-battle-of-britain.co....rons/54sqn.htm

sorry didn't see that Ross's link also goes to this site

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Guys
thanks again for the input - I think Robert is correct assuming the Catterick connection - I think someone as go ahead as Gore would have left a mark on 54 had he flown in action with it.I think the BoB site took its info from Ken Wynn's book.
Thanks again everyone
Bruce Lander