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1207501
Leading Aircraftman Horace William Eaton
He was born 11th August 1907 at Barton in The Clay, Bedford, Bedfordshire the son of Ernest William Eaton and Emily Eaton. In the 1911 census he is age 3 living in a 2 roomed house at Manor Road, Barton in The Clay, with his parents Ernest age 32, a Traction Engine Driver and Emily age 35. He has one older sister, Gladys Vera Emily, age 5, and one younger brother, Ernest Henry, age 1. His parents had been married seven years and had had three children, all of whom were alive. All the family were born in Barton in The Clay.
In the 1921 census he was living with his widowed mother in a 4
roomed house at Red Cottages, Higham Gobion,
Bedfordshire, England. He has one new younger sister, Ivy Miriam, age 9. Horace
and his brother Ernest were at school. His elder sister Gladys was a single
woman, age 16, and working as a Core Maker in the Brass Foundry owned by George
Kents, Engineering Works, Biscot Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. His mother gave her
occupation as Home Duties.
On 2nd January
1932 he married Spinster Geraldine Edna Pratt, age 20, at Amptill, Bedfordshire.
In 1939 Horace was living
at Wheelhouse Cottage, Ampthill with his wife Geraldine. He was working as a
Council Roadman and Geraldine had no listed occupation.
He enlisted at Cardington
on 15th October 1940 at No.2 Recruit Centre, Cardington. He was 5
feet 9 inches tall with a 34 inch chest, Fair hair, Blue eyes and a Fresh
complexion. He was an Aircrafthand / Balloon Operator. He was sent to the
Reserve on the 15th October 1940 with a rank of Aircraftman 2nd
Class.
On 25th
November 1940 he was sent to No.9 Recruit Centre, Blackpool.
On 3rd January
1941 he was sent to a Home posting at No. 9 Balloon Centre, Houghton
Green, Warrington.
On 13th
January 1941 he was remustered as a Fabric Worker / Balloon Operator.
On 13th February 1941 he was given a Headquarters Holding
posting to No 922 Barrage Balloon Squadron, West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron,
Warrington / Curerdley. He was not part of the establishment of the Squadron but
was supernumerary and was a Reserve for Headquarters.
On 31st December 1941 he had an annual review and was
graded as having a “Very Good” character and a Balloon Rigger/ Fabric Worker
under training as a Balloon Operator.
On 1st January 1942 his rank was Aircraftman 1st Class.
On 12th
February 1942 he was remustered as a Balloon Operator.
On 11th August 1942 he was posted to the combined
squadrons Nos. 922/923.
On 28th December 1942 he was posted to No. 955 Balloon
Barrage Squadron, Weston-Super-Mare as a Field posting.
On 29th June 1943 he was posted to No. 1 Balloon Training
Unit, Cardington.
On 31st October 1943 he was posted to No. 995 Balloon
Barrage Squadron, which was now Non-Operational at Titchfield, Hampshire.
On 23rd
November 1943 he was awarded a Good Conduct Badge (a stripe on sleeve)
On 15 December 1943 he was attached to Cardington.
On 26th December 1943 he was posted back to parent No.
995 Squadron, , Brighton.
On 29th December 1943 he was attached to No. 6 Balloon
Centre, Wythall.
On 31st December 1943 he had an annual review and was
graded as having a “Very Good” character and a trade of Balloon Operator
with “Satisfactory “ proficiency.
On 1st January 1944 he was posted back to parent No. 995
Squadron, Brighton.
On 1st January 1944 he was posted to No. 6 Balloon Centre,
Wythall.
On 1st February 1944 he was posted to No. 104 ‘P’
(Port) Balloon Flight was formed in February 1944, under the command of Flight
Lieutenant W.C.R. Hendry and trained in the U.K. for its role as a Port Balloon
Flight to be deployed with the 2nd Tactical Air Force.
(in February 1944, No. 3 R.A.F. Beach Unit became part of 2nd
Tactical Air Force. No. 55 R.A.F. Beach Balloon Unit was attached to 106 Beach
Section.)
On 1st April 1944 his rank was leading Aircraftman.
On 9th May he was posted to 106 “P” (Port) Flight so
missed being sent to Normandy but the Flight was held in Reserve in England.
(104 ‘P’ Flight moved with No. 991 Beach Balloon Squadron from
Birmingham to Leigh on Sea, Essex on 10th May 1944 and, still
together, the two units moved to No. 12 Balloon Centre at Titchfield, Hampshire
on 21st May. No. 991 Beach Balloon Squadron left Titchfield on the
1st June and would make their landing in Normandy on 10th June.)
(No.3 R.A.F .Beach Balloon Unit was formed on 21st August 1943 at
R.A.F. Station West Kirby No. 106 “P” (Port) Flight was part of this Beach
Balloon Unit.)
On 24th May Petrol Oil and lubricants and Explosives
Sections of No. 105 Beach Flight and No. 106 Beach Flight ended their attachment
to R.A.F. Station Groombridge and rejoined No. 3 Beach Squadron at Old Sarum on
24th May. At the same time, the M.T. Sections of the two Flights also returned
having ended their attachment to the Air Wing of the Combined Training Centre at
Dundonald.
On 21st June 1944 he was posted to No. 6 Balloon Centre.
On 30th June 1944 he was posted back to 106 “P”
(Port) Flight, in Reserve.
On 19th July 1944 he was posted to Transportation Section
of No. 106 “P” (Port) Flight.
On 13th July 1944 he was posted to No. 106 “P” (Port) Flight.
On 30th July 1944 he was posted to No.6 Balloon Centre.
On 3rd September 1944 he was given a War Services Pay
Increment for 3 years’ service.
On 24th September he was posted to No.3 Balloon Centre.
On 20th November 1944 he was posted to No. 5004 (Airfield
Construction) Squadron.
On 25th November 1944 he was given a War Services Pay
Increment for 4 years service.
On 31st December 1944 he had an annual review and was
graded as having a “Very Good” character and a trade of Balloon Operator
with “Satisfactory “ proficiency.
On 19th March 1945 he was Group 2 Balloon Operator under
training as Works Hand.
On 2nd April 1945 he was at Wythal as Group V.
On 11th November 1945 he was posted to No. 5351 Wing (Airfield
Construction) Squadron.
On 17th October 1945 he was posted to No. 102 Personnel
Dispersal Centre, Cardington.
On 12th December 1945 he was released Class “A”.
He was discharged to the Reserve with effect from the date of
attaining the age of 45 years.
He passed away 26th February 1964 at Luton, Bedfordshire.
If anyone served with him or has more information please contact me pgarwood@globalnet.co.uk