The 'Introduce yourself' Thread

Hello all,

I'm researching the history of the Intercept / DF station which was located at Woodhead Hall, in Cheadle, Staffordshire.

I live in Cheadle not far away from where the base was sited (it's now completely demolished) and would be very interested in any information or leads anyone has to help. I have been a licensed radio amateur for about 35 years and take a general interest in wartime communications.

Listener

Hi Listener,

Welcome to the site and i hope you find the information you need to which i have no doubts.

You may wish to consider joining the Airfield Research Group of which the forum is administered and owned.

The cost is £25 a year to which you will receive our magazine called the Airfield Review. You may find some of the information you require in one of those.

We also arrange outings to a number of venues such as Raf Waddington, Raf Scampton to name but a few. Alot of people have enjoyed these and as a member you will be able to attend by just providing your name either in an email or say on the forum. We also have an archive that is housed at Raf Alconbury which may be of benefit at some point.

If you visit the ARG website and go to join us you will be able to do it online via paypal or by Bacs. www.airfieldresearchgroup.org
Again a very warm welcome to you.

Kind Regards,

HawkEye001

Hi Mr Linny,

Welcome to the site and i hope you find the information you need to which i have no doubts.

You may wish to consider joining the Airfield Research Group of which the forum is administered and owned.

The cost is £25 a year to which you will receive our magazine called the Airfield Review. You may find some of the information you require in one of those.

We also arrange outings to a number of venues such as Raf Waddington, Raf Scampton to name but a few. Alot of people have enjoyed these and as a member you will be able to attend by just providing your name either in an email or say on the forum. We also have an archive that is housed at Raf Alconbury which may be of benefit at some point.

If you visit the ARG website and go to join us you will be able to do it online via paypal or by Bacs. www.airfieldresearchgroup.org
Again a very warm welcome to you.

Kind Regards,

HawkEye001

Hello I am researching a friend of H E Hervey called Oliver Gregory Pike. I believe they may have known each other in the RFC in WWI and became neighbours in Leighton Buzzard after the war. H E Hervey kept owls and helped Pike to make a short silent film about the barn owl called The White Owl. This film was made about 1921/22 in Billington near Leighton Buzzard and has been restored and published by the British Film Institute on a DVD called Secrets of Nature. It is possible that H E Hervey actually appears in this film, as an irate householder being kept awake by a calling owl. Can anyone help with confirming or denying these theories? Rory Morrisey

Hi All
Just joined as i am always researching due to interest in my Fathers RAF Career
He flew Brigands in Malaya (84 Squadron) but when he came back he looked after Halfpenny Green Airport - and i mean looked after it!! - Locked the gates and shut up shop at night!
So i am here maily looking for any information about Bristol Brigands, especially any footage / pictures of them
I have just found the West Malling DVD from 1956 which has 2 1/2 minutes of flying footage (from inside the plane) at the end of it.
I would also like to find a way - and goodness knows i have tried!!!!!! - to get my father access to the Brigand Parts held at Cosford
My father is 83 years old now and not in best health but they wont let him see the last parts of the last Brigand (unless anyone here knows better!) because the hanger held is a health hazard!
So - great to be here and if anyone has anything to do with Brigands (or Halfpenny Green in the late 50's) then get in touch.
We have finally got my father to put pen to paper so his Brigand Story (this is a constantly updating piece of work) is here : www.brigandboys.org.uk

Mark

The Brigand is in the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre and they do hold occassional open days and have in the past allowed organised groups and individuals access to the viewing gallery which overlooks the hangar . I know this because I have been in there ! Why don't you send them an email request ;
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Alternitively there may be access during the airshow on the 9 June or perhaps their 'Open Cockpit' day on 21 September ? You could try their PR-press people for a special case such as your dad ; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

...or of course you may already have tried those !
Good luck anyway .

Welcome to AiX Mark.

Your Dad must have been in Malaya around 1950/51 as part of Operation Firedog anti Communist Terrorist. Although based at Tengah (Singapore) he probably flew from Butterworth at some point. I was told in my time there ten years later that Brigands used the Song Song gunnery and bombing range for Armament Practice Camp. The Brigand, like other aircraft types had problems with the gun installation (blast tubes) and was prohibited from gun firing until it was sorted out and was then cleared for ball ammunition only; no HE. Not the best thing for a ground attack fighter bomber!

Imperial War Museum has a few pics but there are plenty on the web:

www.iwm.org.uk/search/global?query=BRIGAND&x=9&y=9

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I bought this Video tape from Hendon museum in 1987. Inside the box is a small 10 page booklet about the film.

Hi All,
I am a new member and acting on behalf of my mother in law who is 93. Her late Husband Arthur Vincent Snape was a Flight Sergeant and MU Gunner in Group 5 44 Squadron based at Dunholme Lodge. The Lancaster Bomber he flew in was KM Q R5554. We have some photos of the crew and Bomber he flew in. The crew was led by Flight Lt Dobson DFC and the crew were, VINCENT,BILL,ROSS,JOHN, ARCHIE, And Flight Lt Dobson. We have a copy from the National Archives of a Combat report for this crew which was carrying the FISHPOND and was on a raid over Darmstaat. The report states that they shot down a German night fighter during the raid. I wonder if anybody know of this crew especially Vincent (Arthur) Snape.
He was later transferred to 617 squadron.

I would love to take my mother in law back to the old site, just for her to reminiccse, could anybody please give me any information on a hotel around the area and places that I could take her regarding the old 44 squadron.

As I have said I have photos of the crew, on the airoplane and sitting on piles of 500lb bombs.

Many thanks for any help that may be given, it will bring back many Memories for Hilda my mother in law.
Many Thanks

KENNY ROCK

corock;126228 wrote:

Hi All,
I am a new member and acting on behalf of my mother in law who is 93. Her late Husband Arthur Vincent Snape was a Flight Sergeant and MU Gunner in Group 5 44 Squadron based at Dunholme Lodge. The Lancaster Bomber he flew in was KM Q R5554. We have some photos of the crew and Bomber he flew in. The crew was led by Flight Lt Dobson DFC and the crew were, VINCENT,BILL,ROSS,JOHN, ARCHIE, And Flight Lt Dobson. We have a copy from the National Archives of a Combat report for this crew which was carrying the FISHPOND and was on a raid over Darmstaat. The report states that they shot down a German night fighter during the raid. I wonder if anybody know of this crew especially Vincent (Arthur) Snape.
He was later transferred to 617 squadron.

I would love to take my mother in law back to the old site, just for her to reminiccse, could anybody please give me any information on a hotel around the area and places that I could take her regarding the old 44 squadron.

As I have said I have photos of the crew, on the airoplane and sitting on piles of 500lb bombs.

Many thanks for any help that may be given, it will bring back many Memories for Hilda my mother in law.
Many Thanks

KENNY ROCK

I believe that the Dunholme lodge land owner is keen to start a Heritage room in memory of all those that served. He plans to have events soon. Maybe this would be a good time to visit. I will speak to some I know that helps at the site and come back to you.