Trinidadians in the RAF

[Kyt]

Name: ALEXANDER, KENNETH JOSEPH
Initials: K J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Obs.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 156 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 07/07/1942
Service No: 1382705
Additional information: Son of Matthias and Louisa Alexander, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 62. Row C. Grave 4.
Cemetery: LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY

Name: ALFRED, JOSEPH MCKENZIE
Initials: J M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 75 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 26/02/1945
Service No: 1810280
Additional information: Son of Bertha Alfred, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 15516.
Cemetery: CAMBRIDGE CITY CEMETERY

Name: BRITTO, RAYMOND
Initials: R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 25
Date of Death: 02/01/1943
Service No: 1803978
Additional information: Son of Santiaga Roberts, of Maraval Village, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 5. R.C. Row FFF. Grave 15.
Cemetery: CIRENCESTER CEMETERY

Name: BRYDEN, RICHARD ARTHUR
Initials: R A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 19
Date of Death: 04/05/1942
Service No: 119712
Additional information: Son of Capt. W. F. Bryden, M.C., and Flossie Bryden, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. R. Grave 36.
Cemetery: ANNAN CEMETERY

Name: CHARLES, HILTON DAVID
Initials: H D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 228 Sqdn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 27/04/1945
Service No: 1810279
Additional information: Son of Albert Joseph and Mary Charles, of St. Joseph, Trinidad, West Indies.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 270.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Name: CIPRIANI, THOMAS MICHAEL
Initials: T M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 126 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 22/11/1944
Service No: 154714
Additional information: Son of Michael and Daisy Cipriani, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. A. 15.
Cemetery: SCHOONSELHOF CEMETERY

Name: FRASER, ALEXANDER DALGETY (SANDY)
Initials: A D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 268 Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 27/05/1944
Service No: 135490
Additional information: Son of Dickson and Annie C. Fraser, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Compt. T. Sq. 56. Grave 3.
Cemetery: FORFAR CEMETERY

Name: GILKES, LESLIE FRANCIS
Initials: L F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 9 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 03/08/1943
Service No: 1810281
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Octavia Gilkes, of Siparia, Trinidad, West Indies.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 150.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Name: GRAHAM, AMBROSE ALEXANDER
Initials: A A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Warrant Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 24
Date of Death: 12/09/1944
Service No: 1391860
Additional information: Son of Ambrose Nathaniel and Francisca Graham, of Bpasso Piedpa, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. D. Grave 7A.
Cemetery: HUCKNALL CEMETERY

Name: HYDE, JAMES JOSEPH
Initials: J J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Warrant Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 132 Sqdn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 25/09/1944
Service No: 1391841
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Millicent Hyde, of San Juan, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 17. A. 7.
Cemetery: JONKERBOS WAR CEMETERY

Name: JOSEPH, COLLINS ALWYN
Initials: C A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 130 Sqdn.
Age: 28
Date of Death: 31/12/1944
Service No: 182350
Additional information: Son of Elmie Joseph, of San Fernando, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. B. 8.
Cemetery: HOTTON WAR CEMETERY

Name: KENNY, GERALD PATRICK
Initials: G P
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 195 Sqdn.
Age: 37
Date of Death: 02/11/1944
Service No: 1835809
Additional information: Son of Dr. Thomas Bernard Kenny, M.D., and Cecile Kenny, of Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XV. B. 7.
Cemetery: GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY

Name: KERNAHAN, KENNETH IAN
Initials: K I
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 12 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 28/05/1944
Service No: 172462
Additional information: Son of Harold Joseph Kernahan, and of Gladys Eugenie Kernahan, of Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 211.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Name: LOOKYAN, ULRIC LESLIE
Initials: U L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 21
Date of Death: 14/01/1944
Service No: 136422
Additional information: Son of Joseph and Maud A. Lookyan, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. C. Row J. Grave 4.
Cemetery: HARROGATE (STONEFALL) CEMETERY

Name: McBRIDE, JAMES MCALLISTER
Initials: J M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 161 Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 17/12/1943
Service No: 113888
Additional information: Son of Donald and Jean W. McBride, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Square 115. C. of E. Plot. Grave 24.
Cemetery: CHICHESTER CEMETERY

Name: MERRY, DAVID
Initials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 21
Date of Death: 04/05/1944
Service No: 135135
Additional information: Son of the Venerable Francis Lee Merry, B.A. and Mary Graham Merry, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Lot 7. Block F.
Cemetery: RED DEER CEMETERY

Name: NUNEZ, GEORGE ALBERT
Initials: G A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Pilot Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 9 Sqdn.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 01/05/1943
Service No: 146436
Additional information: Son of Albert and Georgiana Nunez; husband of Olive Adella Nunez, of St. Joseph, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 132.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Name: PHILIPPS, ROBIN GORDON
Initials: R G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 183 Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 28/01/1944
Service No: 1397461
Additional information: Son of Henry Browne Philipps and Marie Irene Philipps, of Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 221.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Name: RAWLINS, KENRICK WYVILLE
Initials: K W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 139 Sqdn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 13/08/1943
Service No: 134366
Additional information: Son of Charles and Mary Rawlins, of Princes Town, Trinidad, West Indies.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 129.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Name: ROTHER, LOUIS ANTHONY
Initials: L A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 29
Date of Death: 25/10/1943
Service No: 1399303
Additional information: Son of Carl Robert and Emperatriz Rother, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 1240.
Cemetery: LOSSIEMOUTH BURIAL GROUND

Name: SMALL, CHARLES WALTER RANDOLPH
Initials: C W R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 20
Date of Death: 01/10/1944
Service No: 605558
Additional information: Son of Charles and Constance Small, of Cocorite, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Block B. Lot 16a.
Cemetery: ARVIDA PROTESTANT CEMETERY

Name: URICH, GEORGE DAVE
Initials: G D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 18 Sqdn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 16/05/1944
Service No: 132304
Additional information: Son of Herman Paul and Kathleen Elaine Urich, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave III. K. 17-18.
Cemetery: CASSINO WAR CEMETERY

Name: WILSON, JOHN DALTON
Initials: J D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 208 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 03/07/1943
Service No: 120659
Additional information: Son of John Wolseley Wilson and Gwladys Wilson, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. B. 9.
Cemetery: BEIRUT WAR CEMETERY

[Ulric Cross DFC DSO]

Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DSO, DFC (Trinidad & Tobago)
139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command
Squadron Leader Ulric Cross was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944 for his gallantry during the Second World War. While serving as a Pilot Officer with 139 (Jamaica) Squadron, he participated in bombing attacks across occupied Europe. In 1945 he was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in recognition of his ‘fine example of keenness and devotion to duty’ and 'exceptional navigational ability'.


The following article contains some information regarding other West Indian Airmen:

The Black Hornet
UK war novel character inspired by Ulric Cross

[This article, written by David Brewster and published in the Trinidad Express on January 25th 2004, relates to the distinguished war veteran pilot on whom Ken based the character 'Charles Ford' in Hornet Flight.]

Ulric Cross bombed the Germans 20 times in Berlin during World War II. He also survived 80 sorties as a fearless member of the Royal Air Force (RAF), landing seven times minus wheels, in a wooden, twin-engine Mosquito aircraft.

There were 252 Trinidadians in the RAF during the war, 50 of whom died. Cross, a black squadron leader, attained the highest rank. He was decorated with the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) and DSO (Distinguished Service Order). How could any member of the RAF have forgotten him, his tunic emblazoned with the Golden Eagle emblem, his badge of rank on his lapels, he wonders.

Cross, now an 86-year-old retired High Court Judge, recently found himself under attack yet again. But this time, it was over his inclusion as a character called Charles Ford, in the prologue of a wartime novel Hornet Flight, written by Britain's best-selling author Ken Follet. It's a tale of danger, passion, escape and espionage by Follet, a master storyteller.

The author was inspired to include Cross in his book after hearing from one of his friends all about the Trinidadian's operational flights. That friend was Cross's daughter. But Follet was severely criticised over the Ford character that was inspired by Cross.

Alan Frampton, claimed to have been a pilot in the RAF between 1942 and 1946 and to have been stationed in the United Kingdom, dashed off an angry letter to Follet from Zimbabwe. Frampton, whose letter was dated October 20 last year, described the inclusion of the Ford character as a "sop" to black people who may read Hornet Flight. A sop is something given to pacify or bribe.

In his letter to Follet, Frampton said he became infuriated after reading a few pages of Hornet Flight and came upon the character Ford, the Black Squadron Leader, who at the time had 15-plus missions to his credit. He said he threw down the book in disgust.

"For the life of me," he wrote Follet, "I cannot recall ever encountering a black airman of any rank whatsoever during the whole of my service, which included Bomber Command. This may have been pure coincidence of course but, in England 60 years ago, blacks were few and far between amongst the population and race was not an issue, unlike today with its attendant racial tensions and extreme sensitivity amounting almost to paranoia."

Frampton jumped even further, arguing that while Hornet Flight was a work of fiction, he believed that characters should have some degree of credibility to be acceptable by readers. "In my book, Charles (Ford) is not a credible character and I suspect he was introduced as a 'sop' to black people who may read your book. He certainly aroused my indignation, remembering as I do, the real heroes of that period in our history, who were not black."

Frampton ended his letter as follows. "I regard myself as a realist but certainly not an apologist for my race. I have read several of your books and enjoyed them. This one I threw down in disgust."

Follet's reply on November 19, 2003, was concise: "I'm afraid you're mistaken. The character Charles (Ford) was inspired by the father of a friend of mine, a Trinidadian who flew 80 sorties as a navigator in the Second World War and reached the rank of squadron leader. He says there were 252 Trinidadians in the RAF, most of them officers. He was the highest ranked during the war, although after the war a few reached the rank of wing commander. He received the DFC and DSO."

Follet concluded by saying: "With true-life heroes as he, there's no need for a 'sop' to black people, really, is there?"

Cross received copies of both letters from his daughter, along with a copy of Hornet Flight. With his war experiences behind him, Cross is not one who ruffles easily. Although Cross reiterated that he was not annoyed or shocked over the claims from a fellow member of the RAF, he said he just could not understand how Frampton did not know about him and the other black members of the RAF.

"He must be living in a strange world," Cross remarked.

Vividly recalling the names of Caribbean men who served in the RAF in World War II, Cross recalled that the names were included in a war memorial three years ago in London, near Buckingham Palace.

"I am old enough to have a certain amount of tolerance. People believe what they need to believe. For some reason Frampton needs to believe that. When you know what you have done, what people think is irrelevant," Cross said.

Cross talked at length about other Trinidadians who had served in the RAF, like Peter Bynoe, Fitz Belle, Winston Recile, Gilbert Hubah, and the ill-fated Kenrick Rawlins.

"Rawlins and I were in the same class at St Mary's. We studied Greek together, we joined the RAF together. We went to different navigational schools, but ended up in the same 139 Squadron, but he was shot down in his seventh operation." (my bold)
He also recalled the names of several other West Indians – Julian Marryshow (Grenada), Vince Buntin, Dudley Thompson and Michael Manley, the former Jamaica Prime Minister. (my bold)
"How could he (Frampton) not know?" repeated Cross, a faraway look in his eyes.

By David Brewster. Reprinted from the Trinidad Express, Sunday, January 25th 2004

To read the original article and see a photo of Ulric Cross, please see
Trinidad News, Trinidad Newspaper, Trinidad Sports, Trinidad politics, Trinidad and Tobago, Tobago News, Trinidad classifieds, Trinidad TV, Sports, Business

To read another illustrated article from the Trinidad Express, by Julien Neaves on Sunday, November 12th 2006, please see
Trinidad News, Trinidad Newspaper, Trinidad Sports, Trinidad politics, Trinidad and Tobago, Tobago News, Trinidad classifieds, Trinidad TV, Sports, Business

[liverpool annie]

Originally Posted by Ulric Cross DFC DSO

Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DSO, DFC (Trinidad & Tobago)
139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command
Squadron Leader Ulric Cross was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944 for his gallantry during the Second World War. While serving as a Pilot Officer with 139 (Jamaica) Squadron, he participated in bombing attacks across occupied Europe. In 1945 he was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in recognition of his ‘fine example of keenness and devotion to duty’ and 'exceptional navigational ability'.


The following article contains some information regarding other West Indian Airmen:

Sounds like a very special man !

We Were There - Photo of Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DFC, DSO. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command

[liverpool annie]

Originally Posted by liverpool annie

Sounds like a very special man !

We Were There - Photo of Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DFC, DSO. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command

I found these two flyers on your list K !

Ulric Leslie LOOKYAN

Look-Yan was killed in Hurricane Z3076 of 59 OTU which crashed at Roseden, 4m SE of Wooler, Northumberland.

F/O Cipriani T M 126 Sqdn

Spitfire LF.IX serial MH474 coded 5J-X took off 21-11-1944 for a sweep from Bradwell Bay but suffered engine failure and landed at B.79 Woensdrecht, Holland. Took off from B.79 22-11-1944 and again suffered engine problems, unfortunately crashed near Antwerpen (still looking for the exact location)

<CENTER><img src= "http://www.rafcommands.com/rafcommandsbanner.gif"><BR>

[Ulric Cross DFC DSO]

Originally Posted by liverpool annie

Sounds like a very special man !

We Were There - Photo of Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DFC, DSO. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command

Thank you. He is indeed special, and extremely likable.

Thank you for posting the picture, that was taken a few years ago. There is another of him in uniform, as a young man, outside the family home in Port of Spain. Unfortunately I don't have the IT skills to post it.

We Were There - Photo of Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DFC, DSO. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command

[Kyt]

Thanks for posting the Follet article. It amazes me when some people still don't acknowledge the contributions of some countries.

One day I would love to compile a full list of all West Indians who served as aircrew but source material is scarce.

[Ulric Cross DFC DSO]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Thanks for posting the Follet article. It amazes me when some people still don't acknowledge the contributions of some countries.

One day I would love to compile a full list of all West Indians who served as aircrew but source material is scarce.

Might be able to help, but could take some time.

Meanwhile some readers might find this interesting:

WORLD WAR II AIRMAN

ULRIC CROSS RECALLS

'THE DAY I ALMOST DIED'

By Sean Douglas

Express

November 15, 1999

Page 11

In World War Two, some 250 Trinidadians served in the British Royal Air Force (RAF), of whom 52 were killed in action, their names now displayed on a memorial at Chaguaramas.

Among the servicemen marking yesterday's Remembrance Day was former Justice Ulric Cross, who flew on 80 bombing missions to Germany and occupied France during World War II.

Cross, a former Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, joined the RAF in 1941 as a navigator in Bomber Command, flying in a very fast, small, plyboard, two-man bomber, the Mosquito.

"We did a lot of low-level daylight bombing. We flew at just 50 feet instead of the normal 25,000 feet. We dropped four 500-pound bombs. You flew in to your target at 50 feet and as you approached it you went up to 1,200 feet. You then did a shallow dive onto the target and released your bombs. The bomb had an 11-second delay, so you shot up to avoid the bomb blast. We went over in formation and we bombed in formation, but we came back independently. I did eight such missions," he recalled.

Cross, said that although the mosquito's speed initially allowed it to escape German flak (anti-aircraft fire), the Germans soon twigged and started shooting down a lot of pilots.

"It became very expensive," he lamented, mourning the death of a former St Mary's College schoolmate Kenrick Rawlins, shot down on his seventh mission.

When it was later discovered that 80 percent of bombs dropped missed their targets, the RAF established a Pathfinder Force to guide the bombers. Cross joined that select group.

He explained: "We dropped flares over the target and bombers coming after us would then bomb our flares. There were about a dozen Pathfinders followed by hundreds of bombers. Sometimes when we dropped our flares the Germans would then drop decoy markers 50 miles away. To combat that we were told to drop our bombs at a particular time, with just a ten-second leeway either side. Punctuality was essential to the job.

"I did 80 operational flights over Germany, including 21 to Berlin. We never had guns; we depended (for our safety) on accurate navigation and speed."

Cross was asked whether he was afraid during combat.

"You can't be trained not to be afraid but trained to conquer fear. It comes from a belief that what you're doing is right and is worthwhile," he replied.

He added that as navigator he was so busy during typical five-hour mission to Berlin that he didn't have time to be afraid.

"All your flight you are busy, busy, busy. The pilot has more time to be afraid than you do. But when the flak starts coming at you and you are 'coned' in a searchlight...(you feel fear). But your job is to get to the target on time and that is what you are preoccupied with.

"The big danger was fighters. Coned in a searchlight they can see you miles away. If you can't get out of the light you watch out for fighters. I was once coned for 15 minutes going to Berlin. The searchlights light up the whole sky. You can't see yourself lit up but you can see other aircraft in cones. They all look silver whatever their actual colour. It's amazing. They really stand out. You can be seen for miles around by fighters and flak. My plane was hit by flak many times."

Cross recalled his worst experience - nearly dying in a crash-landing after enemy flak destroyed one of his plane's two engines.

"We flew home over the whole of Germany on one engine at just 7,000 feet at a reduced speed. It was very dangerous because of fighters. At one stage my pilot told me we might have to bail out. He said 'Put on your parachute.' I didn't like the idea and we stuck with the plane. We couldn't make it back to our RAF base at Witton. I had to work out a course to the nearest other RAF base, Swanton Morley, also in East Anglia.

"When we eventually came in to land, the RAF base wasn't expecting us and we couldn't tell them because we had to maintain radio silence otherwise the Germans would have pinpointed us. There was no flare path on the runway. Instead of circling, we went straight in. We overshot and landed halfway along the runway. We went over the end of the runway and through a hedge.

"We plunged down into a disused quarry. My pilot said 'Ulric this is it.'

I said 'Yes Jack.' We thought we were going to die. We were both rather cool about it. Fortunately, the landing speed of the Mosquito was not fast, especially with just one engine. We both hit our heads very badly. But we survived."

Smiling, Cross said he escaped unscathed from his wartime experiences his only injury being a bad knee suffered when playing football in the snow at Eastbourne in 1941.

Celebrating 82 years, he is in fine health and is planning to attend a reunion of his 139 "Jamaica" Pathfinder Squadron in London next year.

He proudly displayed a model Mosquito specially crafted for him by the manufacturers, the de Havilland Corporation, at the request of his son-in-law, British peer Lord Hollick. Presented to him as a birthday gift, it was inscribed, "In celebration of 80 glorious years ad 80 glorious missions."

The Royal Air Force - History Section

The Royal Air Force - History Section

[Ulric Cross DFC DSO]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Thanks for posting the Follet article. It amazes me when some people still don't acknowledge the contributions of some countries.

I recently read the prologue to Follet's book , Hornet Flight, which the article speaks of. Follet alludes to the race problem and the attitude of the Rhodesian pilots, he refers to them as Africans. Probably ruffled a few feathers.

By the way, how do I get my flag to wave (no naughtiness intended)?

[CXX]

Name: ALEXANDER, KENNETH JOSEPH
Initials: K J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Obs.)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 156 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 07/07/1942
Service No: 1382705
Additional information: Son of Matthias and Louisa Alexander, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 62. Row C. Grave 4.
Cemetery: LORIENT (KERENTRECH) COMMUNAL CEMETERY


Alexander was lost on the following raid.....

6/7 July 1942

156 Squadron.
Wellington III X3345
Op. Gardening.

The aircraft took off from Alconbury at 2359 hrs to lay mines in French waters off Lorient and crashed in the target area.

[CXX]

Name: ALFRED, JOSEPH MCKENZIE
Initials: J M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 75 Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 26/02/1945
Service No: 1810280
Additional information: Son of Bertha Alfred, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 15516.
Cemetery: CAMBRIDGE CITY CEMETERY


F/S. Alfred was lost on the following raid

26 February 1945.

75 Squadron.
Lancaster I ME450 AA-W
Op. Dortmund

The aircraft took off from Mepal at 1052 hrs to carry out a raid on the Hoesch benzol-oil production facility. On return crashed near Chatteris, Cambridgeshire.