1002262 Aircraftman 1st Class John Vincent Elliot Bullough 920 Squadron

He was born 29th April 1910 at Carlisle, Cumberland. His civilian occupation was Retail Textile Buyer. His religion was Church

of England. On entering the service he was married and his wife was Constance West Mackay. They were married in Carlisle on

29th July 1935. On entry to the services he had one son: Arthur Ian born 12th August 1938. He was described as: 5 feet 11 inches

tall, with a 32 inch chest, brown hair, blue eyes, and a sallow complexion. He had two vaccination marks on his left arm.

He enlisted for service on 3rd June 1940 as an Aircraftman 2nd Class. He was initially at No. 3 R.C. which was Padgate Recruiting

Centre near Warrington Cheshire on 3rd June 1940, he was a Acting Chargehand / Balloon Operator. There he would have been kitted out.

Next he was placed in the Reserves from 4th June 1940, which means he may have been sent home to await a posting, prior to posting to

No.18 Balloon Centre at R.A.F. Bishopbriggs, Glasgow on 28th June 1940.

Here he would have undergone training in barrage balloons and was promoted to Aircraftman 1st Class on 13th August 1940, when he

was re-mustered as Balloon Rigger / Fabric Worker.

He was injured around 24th September 1940. A diary kept at the time records that he was apparently on some vessel which may have

been a ferry or some other waterborne craft. It was recorded that the vessel capsized and that he was pulled into the water with his hand

caught on the tailboard. He was pulled down but managed to escape and was rescued but was left with an injury to his right arm.

and was then sent to Duncraig Castle which was used as a hospital. It was owned by Sir Daniel and Lady Hamilton when it was requisitioned

in 1939 for use as a Royal Naval hospital for the duration of the war. It was the nearest hospital to Lochalsh.

Here is a picture of the type of ferry that was used to connect Skye with Lochalsh.

John Vincent Elliot Bullough (far right) at Naval Hospital Duncraig Castle with nurses and other patients 1940

John Vincent Elliot Bullough (2nd from left) at Naval Hospital Duncraig Castle with nurses and other patients 1940

John Vincent Elliot Bullough (far left) at Naval Hospital Duncraig Castle with other patients 1940, note mixture of R.A.F. and Navy

John Vincent Elliot Bullough (far right) at Naval Hospital Duncraig Castle with other patient 1940, wearing navy hats!!

Nursing staff at Naval Hospital Duncraig Castle with Matron in centre 1940

Patients and nursing staff at Naval Hospital Duncraig Castle 1940, it is interesting tonote the number of patients with arm injuries.

Duncraig Castle and nursing staff, 1940s.

John Vincent Elliot Bullough

He is then admitted to Princess Mary’s RAF Hospital Halton on 12th December 1940 and discharged on 21st December 1940.

Presumably this admittance to hospital for nine days was intended to determine if his injury could be further treated.

His annual review on 21st December 1940, recorded his Character as Very Good and Proficiency as: "Under Training".

During his hospitalisation he was posted or re-posted to 920 Squadron.

This unit was based at Lochalsh from 1st September 1940 to 5th October 1940 after which date the Unit moved to Londonderry.

He was awarded a grant of 13s-8d weekly in respect of disablement from 19th July 1941, this was reviewed and upgraded to a grant of 14s-6d weekly from 24th July 1941.

A diary kept by his wife indicates he met with an accident on or about 24th September 1940. Apparently he was on some vessel which could have

been a ferry, or even a drifter used to fly balloons on a waterborne site. It is said that the vessel capsized and Aircraftman Bullough was injured

as a result. One thing is certain he had an injured right arm. He was admitted to Duncraig Castle, near Plockton and then sent to Blackpool to recover.

920 Squadron was formed at Fazakerely on 24th August 1939. There were four Flights. Flight "A" was headquartered at London North Western Hotel,

Lime Street, Liverpool,"B" Flight was headquartered 2, Livingston Drive North, Liverpool, Flight "C" was headquartered at The Grange, Edge Lane,

Liverpool, and Flight "D" was headquartered at The Royal Artillery Barracks, Rose Lane, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. On 17th April 1940 the Squadron was

ordered to vacate all sites. On 19th April 1940 the Squadron began handing over the balloon sites to 921 Squadron. 920 Squadron were at No.18 Balloon

Centre, re-equipping, inoculating, transport inspection and general balloon training. On 26th April 1940 an advance party left for Port B. On 30th April 1940

the squadron set of for "Port B" by rail and road.

On 4th May 1940 the main body of airmen left No.8 Balloon Centre for 'Port B" and arrived over the next two days at "Lochalsh". They were then transported

by ferry to Skye. On 6th May 1940, men, winches and balloons were offloaded from rail and transported to Skye on a special ferry. On 7th May 1940, trailers

and tractors were brought over from the mainland to Skye. Many of the balloons were waterborne on drifters and Betsy Slater, Trade Wind, Archimedes,

Lavaters, Acquire, Dewy Rose, Easter Rose, Heather Sprig, Jessie Tait, Jeanie Hewie, Sprig of Heather were brought in to fly balloons.

On 24th September 1940 there was a Preparations For Movement Order:

"9 balloons deflated. Fl/ Lt J. Mackallan and Fl/O S.C. Roach proceeded by road for Stranraer on Movement with a party of 8 airmen. (Ref: Appendix 1)."

However the Appendix 1 document is not to be found.

What is strange about this case is that there does not appear to be a Casualty Form for this airman. I have found many other Casualty Reports for airmen

but not this one. The circumstances surrounding this incident have so far failed to be established despite a consider trawl through many sources of information.

Despite his injuries he went on to live an interesting life and had an interesting career.

If any one can shed light on this 1940 incident at Lochalsh please let me know - peter.garwood@bbrclub.org

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