|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bill Lucas | Sqn Ldr W E Bill Lucas DFC Born in 1917, Bill Lucas volunteered for aircrew early in 1940 and after training as a fighter pilot he became, due to the high demand, a bomber pilot and joined 9 Squadron (Wellingtons) in August 1941. After 14 missions over Germany Bill converted to Stirlings and completed a further 26 operations, this time with 15 Squadron at Wyton. After two years instructing at 19 OTU Kinloss he was selected to join Pathfinder Force in October 1944 to fly Mosquitoes with 162 Squadron at Bourn, Cambridgeshire, where he remained until war end to complete 41 more missions making 81 in total. Bill attained the rank of Squadron Leader and was awarded the DFC and a Mention in Despatches. The most memorable of his missions must be the first 1000 bomber raid on Cologne on May 30 1942, as this seems to have struck a lasting memory in the minds of the general public. After the war Bill pursued a career in the insurance industry and also began to pick up the pieces of a serious athletic activity with the Belgrave Harriers which resulted in selection for the 5000 metres at the Olympic Games at Wembley in 1948, but at the age of 32 he was not in his own words 'very successful'. Bill says his greatest regret was missing the games in Helsinki in 1940 and the cancelled games in 1944. 'These should have been the best athletic years of my life.' |
|
|
| Text for the above items : |
The Night Shift by Philip West. The Short Stirling was the RAFs first four-engined bomber to enter service and it served throughout WWII in many roles including bomber, minelayer, troop carrier and glider-tug. The lack of power produced by its engines severely limited the loads carried by Stirlings. On long-range trips such as Italy, even with a greatly reduced bomb load the aircraft could barely clear the Alps. Despite very large losses due to its operational limitations, those that flew this big, agile aircraft, came to respect and look upon it with it with affection. |
Pathfinder Force by Philip West. Passing low over Norwich Cathedral on this wintry evening, Pathfinder Mosquitoes begin to transit east from their bases on yet another dangerous night-time mission over enemy territory. They will take the lead on this bombing mission and their role is to identify and mark pre-planned targets with flares, enabling the main force of Lancaster and Halifax aircraft to drop their bombs as accurately as possible. The Pathfinders were elite squadrons in RAF Bomber Command. Like all aircrew, these brave men took the fight to the enemy night after night until victory was achieved. |
|
Contact Details |
|
Sign Up To Our Newsletter!
This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com
|
|
|
