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

[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

[SMF144]

Andy,

Bang on! After checking my references - The RCAF Overseas The First Four Years and Canadian Wing Commanders - the mystery man is is indeed Syd Ford.

I am not familiar with Syd so he never crossed my mind. From what I remember, Syd and Johnson were good friends.

Stephen

[nick de carteret]

Thanks guys... really pleased to have put this one to bed.

Nick.