185 Malta Squadron - searching for info on pilots who flew May 8th, 1943

[theramin]

Hello, I would be looking for information on the pilots named below who flew a search and rescue mission May 8th, 1943 off Malta who searched for a Beaufighter in distress flown by my great uncle Frederick A Duquette (I have done some related posts in the past on 12 oclock high).

My goal would be to possibly gain transcripts of the crews flight logs should they still exist in a family collection that would give exact details of what they saw that day. I have had some success in finding pilot Maffre but would look for any other details on the other pilots who flew that evening. Even their nationality would be of help.

I own the excellent book 185 The Malta Squadron by Anthony Rogers.

If you wish to view some research on my uncles crash in progress feel free to download the following file:

http://www.4shared.com/document/a1Pm...ENTS_OF_0.html

Any help is appreciated. Cheers, Jamie aka theramin

AIR27/1140 185 Squadron Operational Record Book


Form 540

HAL FAR 8/5/43 18.05 – 19.40

4 aircraft led by F/O L.W. Mckee were airborne to escort a Beaufighter in distress,
the crew of which baled out and were seen to fall into the sea. Our aircraft
searched over the area, but no trace of the crew could be seen and until relieved
searched over area without success.

Form 541

8th May 1943

Spitfire ES288 F/O L.W. McKee Escort 18.05 19.40

BR194 F/O E.A. Ireland

JR404 F/O R.C. Schumann

BR529 F/S J.N. Maffre (CANADIAN - CONFIRMED)

[BruceMk11]

Hi Jamie,

You could try the index of 'Spitfires over Sicily' by Brian Cull; many-but not all-of the pilots are identified by nationality. I can confirm they weren't RAAF.

Cheers, Bruce

[theramin]

Hello Bruce I sure appreciate the tip! Would you be interested in my sending you a larger list of pilots in 272 beaufighter squadron I am trying to identify

thanks jamie

[BruceMk11]

Hi Jamie,

If you post the list here, other forum users and I should be able to help.

Cheers, Bruce

[theramin]

Thanks Bruce. Attached is an excel spreadsheet of persons of interest who had contact with my great uncle based on his letters, squadron reports, etc. If you or anyone can shed some light on anyone kindly contact me so that I may further my research. Cheers, Jamie

[BruceMk11]

Hi Jamie,

Here's a start:

Sgt AJ Clayton, RAAF (No405171), 229 Sqn

S/L BEG White, RAF (No41510), CO 229 Sqn; KIA 5/7/43. See 'Those Other Eagles'.

Are you sure of the initials for F/O EA Ireland? There was a F/L EG Ireland,
RCAF, on 411 Sqn in 1944; he also has an entry in 'Those Other Eagles' although there's no mention of service on 185 Sqn.

Cheers, Bruce

[theramin]

Hi Bruce thank you for the info - very helpful!

This is the tricky bit. Do you have any idea where AJ Clayton or family would reside in Australia? I was able to get info on sgt bromhead (including log book scan from may 8/43) from the australian war museum. Indeed I will try to contact them to see if they have anything on Clayton. However if you might point me in the right direction in your country I would be most grateful.

The spelling on Ireland seemed right - it's from the squadron reports. i will also double check my copy of '185 the malta squadron'.

Thank you ever so much, Jamie

Originally Posted by BruceMk11

Hi Jamie,

Here's a start:

Sgt AJ Clayton, RAAF (No405171), 229 Sqn

S/L BEG White, RAF (No41510), CO 229 Sqn; KIA 5/7/43. See 'Those Other Eagles'.

Are you sure of the initials for F/O EA Ireland? There was a F/L EG Ireland,
RCAF, on 411 Sqn in 1944; he also has an entry in 'Those Other Eagles' although there's no mention of service on 185 Sqn.

Cheers, Bruce

[BruceMk11]

This is AJ Clayton's entry at the WW2 Aussie Nominal Roll:

www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1043483

From memory, his records can be viewed online at the National Archives site.

Cheers, Bruce

[AUS_RAAF]

Jamie

A little more from the Australian perspective regarding your list of names……

Can confirm Sandery as
272 Sqn - ML Sandery (Nav) Aus.407975

and Waters was likely to be, although not confirmed
272 Sqn - MG Waters (Nav) Aus.404222

Both their National Archive files remain undigitised, however, AWM service cards indicate they finished service with two RAAF transport squadrons – 34 & 38 Sqns respectively.

Regards, Drew H

PS: Any RAAF in the training group photo at Brize Norton would probably have darker uniforms than RAF.

[theramin]

Dear Drew H,

Thank you for the Australian connection on Sandery and Waters It seems that the Malta squadron had many pilots from the colonies (so to speak) i.e. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Rhodesia at that stage of the War. Some of the photos I have may have them present. By the way I have included a download link below if you want to have a go at the Brize Norton early 1942 class photo:

http://www.4shared.com/photo/7-1Lti9...lightscho.html

Have started to view A.J. Clayton's service record. I heard back from the Australian War Memorial society and they have confirmed that no logbook exists from A.J. Clayton. I got lucky with sgt broadhead and they provided me with a one page scan (one of the only ones that were left) from May 8th, 1943 with extra search details. My only chance is to search out family/descendents of Clayton and other pilots who may have the logbook in their possession. And so continues to quest...

Cheers for for all your help mates! Jamie