All were lost in 1941.
Eric's sister Joan was killed in 1943 whilst attempting to rescue civilians after a Stirling crashed on take off.
Posted to Cardington for issue of uniform gas mask etc,
Babbicombe, Devon for FFI medical and injections, then to Torquay August/September 1940 for drill,
navigation, radio and armoury training.
September 1940 Elementary Flying Training School,Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton, flying DeHavilland Tiger Moths.
Harold went solo after 9 hours.
During this time it snowed making navigation and keeping warm in an open cockpit, rather difficult.
Harold was billeted in the home of Barratts the shoe people, where he first tasted champagne.
Service Flying Training School Hallavingon Aerodrome near Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Harold trained with 4 army officers for army co-operation and 6 RAF regular sergeants.
The pressure was really on for aircrews.
Here he flew Miles Masters before progressing onto Hurricanes, then obtained his wings ‘over the counter’,
no bull or parades here.
He did his first night flying in a Masters from an auxiliary airfield near Cirencester.
Fuselage packing cases served as huts. After one circuit, his instructor,
F/Lt AB Jones jumped out. Once airborne and away from the paraffin flares, no lights, no horizon.
Harold found this terrifying.
They were warned that the enemy were in the area and the flares would be extinguished if they came too close.
Operational Flying Training School 1941 Harwarden Aerodrome, near Chester. A peacetime aerodrome, but so close to Speke on the other side of the Dee, that landing circuits overlapped.
Wrexham, flying Spitfires
Brand new airfield but incomplete when Harold moved in. One hectic day 8 spitfires were on their noses. They lost one pilot and Spitfire due to a glycol leak on takeoff, then 2 Spitfires flying in formation flew into the side of a mountain in cloud. Both pilots were lost.
Joined 122 Squadron at Accrington, near Newcastle, flying Spitfires.
Harold joined Auxillary Squadron 603 City of Edinburgh, flying Spitfire V’s for London Defence at Hornchurch.
He arrived at the same time as Allan Otto, a Canadian. The two were to become good friends, a friendship which after the war would include their families, although under tragic circumstances.
Allan Otto in 1941.
Harold and Alan Otto, both non drinkers, spent their leave together travelling to London via Fairlop Station
and staying at the Bennett household in Plumstead.
HB Photograph – Just Back, wobbly knees
Spitfire VA W3502 HB – Wolds & Buckrose
This aircraft was used by Harry Broadhurst CO of Hornchurch – hence HB.
603 were so short of machines Harold had the privilege of flying this spitfire with his personal initials.
Harold crashed landed it 2 weeks later after running out of fuel.
He managed to cross the channel after a hectic raid escorting Blenheims to Lille Power Station.
12 November 1941 603 posted to Fairlop.
17 Nov 1941 Spitfire VA R7226 Channel Patrol. Two aircraft took off for a patrol but had to be abandoned. Heavy rain squalls and gale force winds in the Channel. Further sections were also abandoned owing to the weather worsening. Airborne 11.45hrs - Landed 12.00hrs.
22nd Nov 1941 Spitfire VA W3118 Convoy Patrol. Weather improved. Airborne 12.00hrs. - Landed 13.20hrs.
23 Nov 1941 Spitfire VA P8786 Patrol. Four aircraft took off in heavy rain for a dawn patrol. Weather worsened greatly. Three aircraft landed at Manston one at Hornchurch. Airborne 08.50hrs.-Landed 09.25hrs.
8 Dec 1941 Spitfire VA R7333
Patrol followed by escort duties.
Fine day, cold, crisp, sunny and very clear.
One of the unhappiest days
in the squadrons history. (Quoted from squadron records).
A convoy patrol took place from dawn until 10.50hrs.
At 10.30hrs. however a conference took place for 603 Sqdn. to form part of the cover and escort to Hurricane bombers to attack targets at HESDEN, 25mls. south of Le TOUQUET.
603 made rendezvous over Hornchurch at 11.05hrs.
603 Sqdn. and the rest of the escort crossed the coast at Dungeness.
At 11.30hrs, 603 Sqdn. as middle cover at 18.000ft. became detached over Le.TOUQUET and was heavily attacked by ME109Bs and FW190s.
(This was the first meeting with FWs by No.603).
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