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|
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It
was here at Tholthorpe the grim reality of this war
and what was required of them, descended upon Harry and
his crew -
"I sure wish I were home. I guess
Dad will be in the garden soon clearing weeds. I'll bet
the place will sure look swell. I’d give anything to
be home now, but there’s no sense thinking about
it."
|
|
| June 15, 1943 |
15 June 43 TOS (taken on
strength) of 434 (Bluenose) Sqn RCAF who were formed
only 2 days earlier on 13 June 43 at RAF
Tholthorpe in North Yorkshire, approximately 5
miles south of RAF Leeming, just west of a market
town called Easingwold. When 434 squadron was formed, all
squadrons put forward a few crews to provide the
nucleus for the new squadron. This is how Harry's crew ended up
in this squadron. |
| |
 Where
is Tholthorpe on the map? |
| |
Tholthorpe Yesterday & Today
- images courtesy Steve Walls - North Yorkshire |
| |
Harry's Halifax bomber - image is courtesy www.57rescue.org |
|
Excellent B&W photo of a Halifax bomber in flight |
|
Excellent colour photo of a Halifax |
| June 18, 1943 |
Start of Leave (6 days) spent with Grandparents
in Norwich |
| June 23, 1943 |
Letter to EG Hansell from Air Secretary re: NFB film |
| June 27, 1943 |
End of Leave |
| July 13, 1943 |
Letter to EG from Harry |
| |
Image of Harry's typical envelope
Reverse side of envelope |
| July 19, 1943 |
Start of Leave (7 days) spent with Grandparents
in Norwich |
| July 25, 1943 |
End of Leave |
| August 1, 1943 |
Letter to mother from Harry |
| |
Photo of a Hansell garden at home in Vulcan |
| |
Photo of his father's handiwork |
| August 4, 1943 |
Note from F/S Pedlar's
diary (Navigator)
Hectic day. Sea rescue flight in North Sea - had to
go to other station for kite - all locked - had to
break one open |
| August 7, 1943 |
Letter to EG from Harry |
| August 7, 1943 |
Letter to mother from Harry |
| August 8, 1943 |
Note from F/S Pedlar's
diary (Navigator)
Flew low over Mitchell's - all waving
Mitchells were farmers near the airbase |
| August 9, 1943 |
Letter to EG from Harry |
| August 17, 1943 |
Note from F/S Pedlar's
diary (Navigator)
Did high altitude test - got to 21,000 ft. in our own
kite |
| August 20, 1943 |
Note from F/S Pedlar's
diary (Navigator)
Raining - flight cancelled |
|
|
| |
|
Where
is Tholthorpe on the map?
Harry's Halifax bomber
Excellent B&W photo of a Halifax bomber in flight
Excellent colour photo of a Halifax
Image of Harry's typical envelope
Reverse side of envelope
Photo of a Hansell garden at home in Vulcan
Photo of his father's handiwork