Letters

From Peter Moore

Hi Phil

Hope you are keeping well and staying clear of the dreaded disease. Just read the latest Newsletter, for which thanks. For the next edition, you might like to think about a mention that 17 April was the 50th anniversary of a squadron crew winning the Camrose Trophy in the annual STC Bombing Competition - flown in XH558. Sqn Ldr Colin Lamont was the captain and Mick Cooper was the Nav Rad. Pissed the Americans off!

Pete


From Graham Howard

Dear Sqn Ldr Leckenby,

I regret that I am one of those members mentioned in the newsletter that have failed to pay fees on a regular basis, or indeed recently. I can only apologise and make no excuse. I enclose a cheque as I would wish to be considered for continued membership.

My father-in-law, George Richard Pheby DFC flew with 44 Squadron on operations between Oct 40 and Feb 41 as a W/O air gunner in Hampdens, taking part in early war raids and mine laying operations. His pilot on many of these was Hedley Hazelden, whom I was fortunate to meet many years ago.

Unfortunately, George died in 1992 and subsequently my wife and I discovered photographs together with other relevant information that led to some further research, some of which I thought may be of interest to you.

With the exception of Hedley Hazelden and one other fellow crew member (Jim Homer), I was unable to trace other surviving members of the Squadron from that period, with the exception of Sqn Ldr Smales. Their paths crossed again briefly when they were both serving with 83 Squadron in ’42/3, although this was before George was commissioned. However, I was able to give Sqn Ldr Smales a copy of a photograph of a group, including him, taken in front of a 44 Sqn Hampden that delighted him.

Following his time with 44 Sqn and further training, he was posted to 83 Sqn at Scampton, before moving to Wyton as a Pathfinder Squadron.

From July ’42 to the end of Jan ’43, he, together with his pilot, flew many operations in their regular aircraft Lancaster R5630 and on two occasions flew R5868 (the RAF Museum Lancaster) on ops when R5630 was u/s. Upon discovering his association with this aircraft, I was able to arrange with the museum for him to visit. They kindly opened the aircraft for him to visit his old crew station and asked if they could copy his log books.

George, together with pilot John Hodgson completed their tour on the same night, although several of the regular crew were were apparently short. Tragically, R5630 was lost on the following operation, together with several of his former crew.

Having been commissioned and with a DFC awarded, in particular for a daylight raid on the submarine yards at Danzig in July ’42, he was posted to Transport Command flying all over the world in Liberator B24s. His regular pilot was a Flt Lt Prchal and he was fortunate to have avoided the Sikorsky crash in July ’43, as he was on leave in England and although Prchal did alone survive, they do not appear to have flown together again.

George was not one to be drawn on his service. I believe he was disappointed by the treatment by Government, media and historians alike of Bomber Command through the ‘50s and on into the ‘70s.

Only now do we see something of the acknowledgement of the sacrifice and respect due to all those who served through both major conflicts.

My wife and I would love to come along to a reunion and hope this may be possible before too long.

Yours sincerely,
Graham Howard

P. S. In his photo album there is the following cutting. Does it ring any bells?

“Give three cheers for 44, as they fly into the blue

We should thank them evermore for the wonderful things they do

They go to meet the foe and when the job is done

They love to flash their Hampdens in the midday sun

So give three cheers for 44, the RAF is proud of you”