Des Evans and Dennis Mooney both worked out on a 97 Squadron dispersal at Coningsby and were responsible for maintaining and repairing 'U' Uncle.
One of our Pilots was Wing Commander Edward Porter DFC & Bar who was killed with his crew in Lancaster NE167 on August 17th 1944 over Stettin. He had, I believe, come back off leave early and flew 'Y' Yankee on this night with another crew who had no Pilot.
W/Cdr Porter took off from Coningsby in 'Y' Yankee with a crew of eight at 21:21 and set course for Stettin bay for a gardening (minelaying) sortie. The last that was heard of this aircraft was a wireless transmission at 01:33 stating that the Lancaster was on fire near the target area and was being abandoned. W/Cdr Porter now rests in the Poznan Old Garrison Cemetery in Poland with three of the crew, one other rests on the Danish Island of Bornholm and the remaining three have no known graves and are commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.
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Amongst the ground crew guys I remember was a Brummie called Bob Morton, (Airframes) and his close friend Jock Gilmore. I believe after the War Jock stayed on in Boston, married a local girl and I do believe he was Goalkeeper for Boston United around the 1960s. How many of you remember the Gliderdrome in Boston where you could hire Roller Skates? How many remember the Indian Queen Pub which was owned by Johnny Cuthbert a famus Boxer before WW2. Dennis Mooney and I bought a pair of Skates each. Dennis being the gutsy one suggested we could skate out to the dispersal where our Lanc was. We were pulled up by the Station Warrant Officer,W/O Wells. He was a tall well built man with a Moustache. He asked what were we doing on Skates? Dennis said there was nothing in Kings rules and regulations to say we couldn't so we got away with it. | ||||||||||||||||||
Des & Dennis circa 1942 |
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I remember in front of the NAAFI there used to be a Air Raid shelter. In the middle of the night a Car belonging to one Officer was parked on the top of it mysteriously. Anyone out there amongst the ground crew with memories--lets hear from you. I still have one or two more which I'll keep for now Des Evans |
Dedicated to Heather Birch
