RAE test pilots 1940

[BrianC]

Hi guys

I would appreciate details regarding the following RAE test pilots, circa 1940:

Wg Cdr W.E. Purdin
Wg Cdr J.W. Homer

Sqn Ldr C.C. McMullin
Sqn Ldr A.N. Combe
Sqn Ldr H.J. Wilson (correction)
Sqn Ldr H.C.D. Hayter
Sqn Ldr G.E. Watt


Flg Off J.R. Tobin
Flg Off F. Gomersall
Flg Off J.E. Pebody
Flg Off H.A. Marsh

Plt Off R.J. Falk
Plt Off A.O.F. Moffet


ALL IDENTITIES NOW ESTABLISHED! Many thanks, guys

Cheers
Stay safe
Brian

[niallc]

Brian

Here's a start on a few of your men:

Moffet: Alan Ormerod Moffet (40736). Posted from 263 Sqn to RAE Experimental section wef 22/7/40. (KIFA 21.07.1945 in Meteor EE291)

Tobin: James Richard TOBIN (39909). Posted from 263 Sqn to RAE Experimental section wef 22/7/40.

Gomersall: Frank GOMERSALL (36123).

Falk: Roland John FALK ( 77978) (Roly Falk flew the prototype Vulcan on its first flight in August '52)

HTH Niall

[RSwank]

Purdin: possibly Group Captain William Edmund Purdin (08061), (1899-1973).

Some background on him here which mentions an RAE connection:

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/a...8-a54100e417fa

Note name given on above link is William "Edward" Purdin, but some Gazette links such as here:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...ent/9/data.pdf
show "Edmund".

[Chris Goss]

Sqn Ldr L D Wilson DFC AFC who later commanded 102 Sqn

[AUS_RAAF]

Hi Brian,

Colin Campbell McMullen 32118, an Australian in the RAF
Biographical details here
http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/McMullen.htm
Not sure if the 201 Sqn listing is correct - in June of 1934 McMullen was posted to 203 Sqn RAF at Basrah, Iraq and left in Mar 35.

McMullen studied Veterinary Science at Sydney University and was also a Rugby player with University and Drummoyne Clubs. Along with another Australian W.J. Hickey (32035) they resigned from the Citizen Air Force in Nov 1931 and I think both attended 3 FTS at Grantham from the 17th. I have a note they were posted to 1 Sqn RAF prior to 43 Sqn RAF (17 Mar 32) but have not checked.

Regards, Drew

[BrianC]

Many thanks, guys

I've now amended the list to include identification of some, and will keep my fingers crossed for the others.

Cheers
Keep safe
Brian

[Hurri600]

Hi Brian

S/LDR. A.N. COMBE. AFC. 26258. (Later G/C)

Iain

[Col Bruggy]

Brian,

F/Lt Jack Ethelbert PEBODY AFC, RAF (36105). Lost aboard the S.S."Napier Star", on 18 December, 1940. Torpedoed by U-100, south of Iceland, en route to New Zealand. Pebody's wife, Rosina, resided at Farnborough.

https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/723.html

https://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contr...Simms/3601.htm

See also:
War Prizes An illustrated survey of German, Italian and Japanese aircraft brought to Allied countries during and after the Second World War.
Butler,Phil
Earl Shilton:Midland Counties Publications,1994.
pp.12-13 & 15.

Col.

[BrianC]

Hi guys

Many thanks for the latest, Iain and Col.

Just four left to identify:

Wg Cdr Homer
Sqn Ldr Hayter
Sqn Ldr Watt
Flg Off Marsh

Cheers
Stay safe
Brian

[RSwank]

Homer was John Wood Homer (26056). He was killed in India in a plane crash on 18 July 1944.

In December, 1940 he was posted from RAE to take command of 93 Squadron, which was trying to use the Pandora aerial mine to bring down German bombers at night.

This link : https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8384427

goes to the page where Homer take command of 93 squadron. You can see enough in the preview page that you don't need to download anything.

Basically the line reads that on December 2, 1940 (2/12/40) Wing Commander J. W. Homer posted from S.D.L. Royal Aircraft Establishment , Farnborough to command No. 420 Flight. (420 Flight was the precursor of 93 squadron.)


http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/93_wwII.html

The Pandora concept: http://airwargreatbritain.blogspot.c...ial-mines.html