Some called it a rest

Some called it a rest – After a regulated deal of hours and/or sorties, depending upon the theatre of fighting, a fighter pilot had to stand down. This usually meant that he had to instruct at an operational training unit for several months. So, I was sent to No. 57 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Hawarden in North Wales.

(At about the same time as I left, 610 moved north to rebuild. After about a month at Hawarden, I flew over to visit “B” Flight. I was very disappointed as the complement had changed completely. I never went back.)

This was the complement of Squadrons 610 and 616 at Westhampnett in the spring of 1941. The complement of experienced pilots decreased rapidly during the next few months.

Back row, left to right – Bill Wright(1), Laurie Philpotts(2), Dixie Davis(3), Bob Bowen(4), Joe Doley(5), Richie Richardson(6), Pete Wright(8), Bill McWatt(9), Happy Merriman(11), Bill Raine(13).

Middle row, seated, left to right – Stoopie Stoop(4), Tony Graze(5), Bill Ballard(7), George Mains(9).

Front row, seated, left to right – Crowley Milling(1), Francis-Knight(2), Squadron Leader Holden(3), Wing Commander Bader(4), Group Captain Woodall(5), Squadron Leader Cunningham(6).

Clipping from the London Daily Mirror referring to Happy Merriman in one of the skirmishes on the day that he shot down a total of five ME- 109’s. As I recall, Hap wouldn’t read the resume because he said that it would be bad luck. He must have read it when we weren’t looking though, because he went-for-a-burton not long after.

Clipping from the London Daily Mirror showing Bart Bartholomew on the bridge of a destroyer. As fighter aircraft patrolled the ship convoys through the Straight of Dover, somebody suggested that fighter pilots should, upon occasion, sail in the surface escort vessels in order to appreciate the lot of the Navy during the run through the Strait. Ronnie Scoot and I were to have our turn, but we missed the bloody destroyer at Portsmouth. Nevertheless, we had a great holiday at Portsmouth and Environs. We borrowed a copy of a report, re the co-operation trip, from a friend who had already made the trip, and who had reported on such, and we formatted our report from our friend’s.