578 Squadron ; squadron history books and references

The definitive reference work on 578 is the book 'Based At Burn' which was self published by Hugh Cawdron in March 1995 to coincide with the annual squadron reunion and service at Selby Abbey . Priced at £27-50 but no ISBN reference . The book was updated and expanded to become 'Based At Burn II' in May 2001 but I do not recall the price and again , no ISBN reference . I suspect that these were limited editions and I count myself lucky to have both editions but you do occasionally see them for sale in second hand aviation book lists .

Hugh Cawdron was a great supporter of the 578 Squadron Association because of his close connection with his boyhood friend and hero Wing Commander David Wilkerson DSO , DFC , founder and first commanding officer of 578 Squadron , based at Burn . He was also responsible for at least three memorials to 578 crews as well as a memorial plaque in the Burn village Methodist Chapel and also Selby Abbey . He also completed and published a 578 Roll Of Honour which was in two parts , Part One :Loss Of Life and Part Two : Loss Of Aircraft but I have never seen a copy of this available second hand .

The first history of 578 '578 Squadron Operations 1944-45' was another privately published book , A4 loose leaf plastic clip binding , by Charles William Adams which is undated and again no ISBN reference number . Warrant Officer Chuck Adams DFM flew with 578 although I don't know his trade but I'm pretty sure that I bought the last copy off him when I met him at the Farnsfield memorial dedication in 1994 !

The 578 Squadron Association have a strong membership and an excellent website with evertyhing you could ever want to know about being 'Based At Burn' ;
www.578squadron.org.uk/home.html and as ever is the case these days , on Facebook too ; www.facebook.com/groups/578SqnBurnAssociation/ .