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28 February 2011
From D Preston
RAF "Y" Section - Wick
Just some more information for your site "Wings Over Wick" My Uncle Mr Harry Varley
now in his 90th year spent almost the entire duration of the war at
Wick as a radio operator - he was not attached to the "flying boys" at
the aerodrome, but in a little hut set away from the main RAF Depot -
it was here he says he spent time eavesdropping on the enemy. The
section was called "Y" section and I think I am right in saying this
was a very secret affair that even today he feels that he should not be
talking about it.
I have not seen any
information as to this section of the RAF at Wick but if anybody has
any recollections of this or pictures perhaps. It would be good for me
to show him on my next visit to him. I do have some pictures of him in
uniform with the special insignia on his arm relating to his section
and I can send them to you if they are of interest.
I can also tell you that
even now at 90 years old - he has not forgotten the Morse code that he
learned at Bletchley Park nor indeed his love of Caithness which
he has visited many times over the years.
The radio shack was a wooden hut affair and there would be around 30
operators working on a three shift system. The whole setup was at FOSS
HEAD FARM - he recalls several radio aerials there and has fond
memories of the farmer that owned the land - he says he was a perfect
gentleman.
Kind Regards D Preston (Morecambe)
prestondavid872[AT]gmail.com
12
February 2010
From Joe Daly
jnrc1@optusnet.com.au
Good afternoon Bill,
I am trying to gather as much information together as I can on my late
Uncle, Flt Sgt M J Daly (RAAF), a pilot who lost his life along with his
entire crew of 4 in Wick. I am aware he is buried in the War Graves
Section of one of the Wick Cemeteries.
I did notice that the
Caithness Field Club has some research with regard to what remains of the
military installations from WWII are in the Caithness area and I will try
to get in contact with them unless you can forward this email on to them
as their email contact details do not appear on their web page.
The very unfortunate
accident was as follows:
On 27 May 1942 after a
routine patrol near the fjords of Norway, my uncle and his RAF crew from
86 Sqn Wick, were returning home in bad weather.
After returning from
patrol, and over home soil, the aircraft, Beaufort AW345 collided with the
225 foot Tannach Chain Home Radar Station tower. The collision removed a
wing and 50 feet of the tower taking the life of all the crew.
I am trying to gather as
much information together as possible. I am looking for any remnants,
records or photographs of RAF Wick and the Tannach Chain Home Radar
Station and any reports from the radar crew or the RAF. I am also trying
to trace any local news paper reports of the accident, as it was an
unusual occurrence for both Wick and 86 Sqn.
As no-one from my family
have ever visited the grave site, any information on this tragedy would be
priceless to my family. I do intend to travel to Wick in the not
too-distant future to pay our family’s well overdue respects.
Very kind regards,
Joseph Daly
22 Bethlehem Tce
Yeppoon, Queensland, 4703
Australia
22
November 06
From Alfred Catling -
alfredcatling@yahoo.com
Subject: Sergeant Robert William Catling
On the 8th March 1941 he took off
from Wick airfeild with three other crew in a Hudson T9334. Sometime later
the plane came down. My uncle and another man were drowned and the other
two were picked up by a patrol boat. Can you offer any help in finding
more information about this and anything that will tell me about how the
airmen lived at that time.
It would be wonderful if anyone is alive to remember anything.
Sergeant Catling was my uncle, probably known
as Bobby or Bob. The other crew members, serving in 269 squadron, were
sergeants N Child, W Dodds and Deacon, who was lost with my uncle. The
patrol boat was 'Northern Chief'.
9 April 04
Is British Helmet connected To Wick Asks American Collector
I am a collector of military antiques. I have a British helmet dated
1941 which has the number "1" and the word "WICK" painted on its front. I
am wondering if this helmet is related to the Wick RAF airbase. Did
aircrews or ground personnel paint "WICK" on their helmets in this way?
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Jeffrey P. Magut
Trumbull, Connecticut, U.S.A.
jpmesquire@aol.com
4 February 2004
I am looking for
information about my father Robert Dickie who was with 269 Squadron at
Abbotsinch at the start of the war. I know he was at Sumburgh, Iceland,
Pembroke and eventually Castle Archdale in N.Ireland where he died in 1945
just before the end of the war. I was just one year old so never knew him
and it would be great to find someone who did. I know 269 went to Wick,
but I do not know if he was with them. Any information from any ex 269
squadron who knew him would be great. He was a sergeant when he died so in
'39/'40 he would probably have been no more than a corporal.
Many Thanks,
Robert Dickie email Transportraining@aol.com
10 December 03
Ross Wellington Akey (J/19916) 519
squadron
My name is Wesley Spafford I live in
Picton, Ontario, Canada. I am wondering if you could please post this
message for me on the request page on your website ? I am looking for
anyone who might have known my great uncle Ross Wellington Akey(J/19916)
who was part of the 519 squadron and lost his life October 10, 1944 when
his crew had engine trouble (Hudson III L/519) and the went down position
60o41’N 01o30’W, about 8 miles from Scatsta.
No.519 Squadron was formed at Wick on 15 August 1943,and disbanded on May
31 1946.
The info I have on My great Uncle's Last Flight is -
Hudson V9195, coded L, took off from RAF Skitten at 14:03 hrs on the 10th
October 1944 tasked with a Recipie sortie, it’s mission was to head due
north from RAF Wick/Skitten to about 69N then to return on course due
south.
At 23:00 hrs an engine cut, the aircraft lost height and was ditched 15
miles north west of Yell, Shetland, in position 60 41N 01 30W.
The crew was:
F/O T N McNulty RCAF
F/O R W Akey RCAF
Lt W S Helms USAAF
P/O J Blair RCAF
If anyone has any information on RW Akey please email Wesley Spalford
computethis@sympatico.ca
16 November 03
Coastal Command Hudson lost over
Åndalsnes, Norway
The search for a name of an umarked grave in Norway. does anyone
have any information on this RAF man who died on a mission. Check
the web site and let them have any suggestions
31 March 03
Hudson P5132 269 Squadron - From Tina Watters
These are photos of my uncle Jack Sharvin and other crew members of
Husdon p5132,of 269 Squadron RAF, Coastal Command, Wick.
5 February 03
From Andrew Dawson
Regarding Fl. Lt David Walker 608 Squadron
I am writing a book about the Oxford University and Norfolk cricketer Flt.
Lt. David Walker who was stationed at RAF during January and February of
1942. He was killed off the coast of Norway when flying with 608 Squadron.
If you have any memories of this man, pls. e mail me.
crandaw@btinternet.com
many thanks
Andrew Dawson |