Reginald Smith 50 Sqn Hampden 27Dec41

[David Layne]

This picture taken on 21-2-41 at snowy Cottesmore is of 14 OTU personnel in course No. 24 from 14-2-41 to 20-6-41.

Back row left to right: – Pullen, Layne, Jackson, Matthews, Smith, Wrigley, Mossop, Voysey, Thomson, Welford.

Third row left to right: – Dundas, Britt, Barley, Lord, Nicholl, Bradley, Mitchell, Norris, Matthews.

The second row left to right: – Ringwood, Bartlett, Tate, Grahame, Brister, King, Peace, Bousfield, Busley, Murray.

Front row left to right: – Scott, Watt, Walters, White, Meddon, Morris.

Notes:

Back row left to right. Edward Pullen became a Wing Commander, killed in action 20 December 1943 when serving with 50 Squadron. My father (Layne) completed a tour with 50 Squadron and a tour with 97 Squadron and survived the war. Welford went to 50 Squadron and survived the war. I believe the airman back row, third from left is Israel Jacobovitch who served under the name of Jackson. He was lost 9 days after joining 50 Squadron in Hampden AE 226. On Jackson’s left (our right) is A/G John Matthews of 144 Squadron. He survived the war.

The third row, the extreme left-hand side is Sgt Bruce Dundas (Lord Dundas of Orkney). Killed 24/02/1942 144 Squadron. Lord Dundas Of Orkney was shot down by a member of the German nobility, Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld. http://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=692. On the same row George Hosford Bradley was killed 28/8/1941 when his 14 OTU aircraft exploded in mid-flight when on a cross country.

Second row, Bousfield, third from right was lost with his crew consisting of Sgt. E R. Bousfield, Sgt. J E S. Burke, F/S. J H. Tittley, and AC1.H L. Reed on 19th July 1941. 50 Squadron moved from Lindholme to Swinderby and the squadron departed Lindholme in formation. Shortly after takeoff Hampden AD 897 rolled onto it’s back and flew inverted for a few seconds before diving into the ground killing Sgt. Bousfield and crew.

I know nothing of the others in the photograph and would welcome any information about them.