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855815 Corporal Thomas Reginald Dykes, No.922 Balloon Barrage Squadron

He was born 3rd February 1903 in Warrington, Lancashire, In 1910 he was at St. Anne’s School, Dannet Street, Warrington,

In the 1911 census he is age 8, living in a four roomed property, with his parents, William, age 34 and Sarah, age 36,  at 1 Dannett Street, 

Warrington.  His father is working as a School Caretaker. He has one brother William age 11.

 

855815 Corporal Thomas Reginald Dykes with Winch Vehicle- far Right.

Prior to the war he attested into No.922 Balloon Barrage Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, on 28th February 1939. The Air ministry gave instructions 

for the Squadron to be formed in January 1939 by the West Lancashire Territorial Army and the Air Force Association. A Headquarters was 

established at the Od Brewery Buildings, King Street, Warrington. On 17th January 1939 Major Richard Arthur Tattersall Cave-Mathieson, late 6th 

Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers was appointed Commanding Officer with the rank of Squadron Leader and the Adjutant was Flight Lieutenant A. M. 

Butt.

 

                          

855815 Corporal Thomas Reginald Dykes with Winch Vehicle- far Left.

 

 

Wednesday 18 January 1939
Newspaper:
Liverpool Echo

LIEUT.-COMMANDER NEILL Engineer, Lieut.-Commander O. S. Neill, R.N. (Ret.), has been selected as commanding officer. Flight-Lieutenant H. G. 

Henley has been appointed adjutant. Warrington Centre Headquarters of the No. 8 Centre, which consists of two squadrons of balloons, has 

temporarily been established at King Street, Warrington, and Major R. A. T. Cave-Mathieson, who is well-known in Liverpool business circles, has 

been appointed to the command. His adjutant is Flight-Lieutenant A. M. Butt. Recruiting for the squadrons of both balloon centres begins 

immediately, and applications for enlistment —for the time being by letter only—may be made to the headquarters of either centre in Liverpool 

and Warrington After January 30, when the organisation of the centres will be able to deal adequately with full recruiting, personal applications 

will received at the two headquarters. The official age limits are twenty-five to fifty. Each squadron has an establishment of 500 men, so that 

1,500 men will be required for Liverpool and 1,000 for the Warrington-Widnes area. Each squadron will be equipped with forty-five balloons, a 

total of 135 to surround Liverpool, and ninety to cover circle drawn round Warrington and Widnes. Building The Centres Already work has begun 

on building stations for the balloon centres, where the bulk of the actual practical training in handling the balloons will be carried out. Liverpool’s 

balloon station is sited some miles east of the city in the country, and Warrington’s station is also being built some miles from the town. Both 

stations are expected to be completed at an early date. Preliminary training of the first party of recruits will be started within the next week or 

so, and the first batch of officers already selected will be sent almost immediately for courses at Cardington. The preliminary lectures will be 

given at the Paradise Street headquarters and the Warrington headquarters. As in all other Territorial Army and Auxiliary Air Force units, the men 

will receive travelling allowances for their attendances drills, but, in addition, those who volunteer for these balloon squadrons will receive pay 

for each hour of training as well as the ordinary bounty. Commander’s Career Lieut.-Commander Neill, who was educated at Liverpool College, 

had a distinguished career in the R.N.A.S. He was awarded the D. 5.0., the D.F.C., and was one of the first to receive the Air Force Cross. His 

experience embraced planes, balloons and airships, and he holds pilot’s tickets for all three. His first pilot’s certificate is No. 68, an indication of 

the early date in the history of the Fleet air service at which he obtained it. He was the first man to land an airship on the deck of a warship, 

achieving the feat on the deck of a destroyer at Milford Haven in 1918. Commander Neill is engineer and manager of Messrs. Campbell and 

Isherwood, electrical engineers, of Bootle and Liverpool. Major Cave-Mathieson served during the war with the 6th Battalion the Lancashire 

Fusiliers, and remained with the unit when it was re-formed on the reorganisation of the Territorial Army after the war. He was second in 

command when was transferred to the reserve of officers last year. His home is at Lydiate, and he is well known in Liverpool business circles.

 

The Widnes Weekly News and District Reporter reported on 20th January 1939.

 BALLOON BARRAGE Warrington The West Lancashire TA has established offices for a balloon barrage unit and the No 8 centre which to ring 

Warrington and Widnes will have offices in King Street, Warrington. It will have two squadrons of balloons and as each squadron has an 

establishment of 500 men, 1,000 will required for the Warrington – Widnes area. Each squadron will be equipped with 45 balloons, a total of 135 

to surround Liverpool and 90 drawn Warrington and Widnes.

On 25th January 1939, Flying Officer Frederick Charles Stubbs (90566) was appointed to the Squadron and Acting Pilot Officer Richard Brabazon 

Dowling (90605) was appointed slightly later.

Thursday 26 January 1939
Newspaper:
Liverpool Echo

On 26th January the Liverpool Echo’s writer “Observer” wrote an update on the Civil Air Guard And Balloon Barrage Response To Government 

Schemes

It has been week of important Air Ministry announcements which have contained some reassurance concerning past efforts, and have painted a 

bright enough picture for the future. There has been the official expression of satisfaction at the progress made in the C.A.G. venture, and there 

has been the announcement of the immediate activities in Balloon Barrage work. I am rather afraid the official report on C.A.G. work must have 

aroused not a few ironic chuckles. The fact that more than 5,550 members of the Civil Air Guard have passed their medical examination and have 

been enrolled; that 3,500 are learning to fly; and that 1,380 members possess “A” licences is certainly some reason for satisfaction in official 

quarters. But one cannot help thinking what results might have been achieved had the Government assistance to the Light Aero Clubs been more 

concrete, and less “in the air.” If the Government had shown such enthusiasm for the scheme that they had made, for instance, a grant of aircraft 

to the clubs instead of a promised subsidy for each C.A.G. member when he was successful in taking his licence, I venture to think that the present 

statistics of progress would have been doubled at least.

MERSEYSIDE EXAMPLE

Merseyside presents an example of the situation as clearly as can be obtained in any part of the country. . . and it is a situation that I have often 

discussed in these notes. When the C.A.G scheme was first mooted, the Liverpool and District Aero Club was inundated with applications of more 

than 2,400 Since then, the club’s fleet has been augmented, and two more instructors have been engaged. Yet there are still 1,600 or so of those 

original applicants who have yet to make personal contact with C.A.G. activities. But the club has done its best, there are now over 400 Cags 

actually enrolled; seven Air Guards have taken their licence; there are about forty on the fringe of qualifying for their licence; and more than 200 

are taking actual flying training. Considering the weather, the number of planes available, and the number of instructors, further progress than 

this could not have been achieved.

WAITING FOR SUBSIDY

To advance C.A.G. work clubs have had to spend existing capital, and have had to wait for their subsidy reward until Air Guards have successfully 

taken training. What club could possibly consider buying several new planes under such circumstances. Still, in noting their satisfaction at the 

progress made since the formation of the guard four months ago, the authorities announce that negotiations are taking place for increased training 

facilities in the neighbourhoods of Liverpool and Shrewsbury, and that agreement in principle has been reached with the Air Ministry to give flying 

experience to specially-selected members of the guard in aircraft of Service type. It does seem that those 1,600 of Merseyside's unenrolled can 

take heart. Incidentally, one of Merseyside’s seven Air Guards who are now awaiting the granting of the A ” licence is Miss M. Corbet Lowe. She 

has carried out her training at Hooton.

THE BALLOON BARRAGE.

 From the point of view of enrolment, Liverpool’s Balloon Barrage scheme appears to be achieving the same success as did the C.A.G. project. 

Already hundreds of applications have been received since the official announcement of the scheme on Wednesday last. Indeed on the first day no 

fewer than 500 applications were received by the staff of the commanding officer Lieut-Commander O. S. Neill, R.N. (Ret) and his adjutant, 

Flight-Lieutenant H. G. Henley, at their headquarters at 29 Paradise Street, Liverpool. There are very busy days ahead at 29 Paradise Street. 

Machinery is already well advanced for the formation of the squadrons for Liverpool. Already the authorities have been prompted to pursue the 

idea of making each Flight distinctly representative, as a result of the type of applications received.

 

INQUIRIES FOR COMMISSIONS

They think it would be ideal to have “A Cotton Flight”,. “A Shipping Flight”, “A Shop Assistants Flight”, “A Banking and Insurance Flight”, a flight 

that finds its personnel from one special branch of business or trade There is much to be said in favour of such an arrangement. and it would at 

least provide a satisfactory answer to the problem of the excessive enquiries regarding commissioned rank.

Under the very system of formation of this Balloon Barrage, commissioned ranks must necessarily be limited, but applicants would forget their 

disappointment in the limitation if they knew they were in the ranks alongside business colleagues and friends. One remembers the remarkable 

camaraderie of the Pals Battalions. I am assured that it is the endeavour of the authorities to equip all enlisted ranks with uniforms at the earliest 

possible moment, and it is intended that technical lectures shall be held very soon. Practical training will be carried out chiefly at week-ends as in 

the Auxiliary Air Force Squadron at Speke, it is suggested there shall be two or three hours per week, with eight hours every third week-end, this 

latter training being split over Saturday and Sunday The scheme for the Warrington balloon barrage is progressing just as satisfactorily.

 

On 30th January the Liverpool Evening Post reported that the first balloons were soon to be delivered to the No.922 Squadron.

BARRAGE BALLOONS TO BE DELIVERED SOON Warrington and Widnes (No.992) Balloon Barrage Unit expects to take delivery of the first of 90 kite 

balloons early next month. This was revealed by Major R. A. T. Cave-Mathieson, Officer Commanding the No.992 Unit, when he addressed 

members of Warrington British Legion branch last night. He also stated that training of recruits would begin at Warrington next week. After briefly 

explaining the barrage scheme. Major Cave-Mathie&on said that Air Vice-Marshal Boyd, Air Officer Commanding the Balloon Barrages, told him last 

week, in London, that he hoped as many members of British Legion branches as possible would enrol in the two Lancashire Units, Warrington and 

Widnes, and Liverpool.

 The first attestations began on 1st February 1939.

Major R.A.T. Cave-Mathieson left on 12th February 1939 to attend a 7-day Instructional Course at Cardington. This course was also attended by 

Flying Officer F.C. Stubbs on 19th February and Acting Pilot Officer R.B. Dowling attended the course on 25th February.

The problem for the officers was that the Balloon Barrage concept was not well understood and by attending Cardington they began to get a firm 

idea of what was going to be expected of them and the men.

A recruiting campaign was begun for Warrington, Widnes, Wigan, St. Helens and Leigh areas. Information meeting were held across the area to 

drive up recruitment.

On 15th February 1939 the Lord Mayor of Manchester visited the Dunlop Balloon factory to see the technique that would enable the mass 

production of urgently needed barrage balloons.

The Runcorn Weekly News reported (with a few technical errors) on 17th February 1939;

WIDNES DEFENCE BALLOON BARRAGE APPEAL

One Crew Signed On

At the conclusion of a meeting of Widnes ex-servicemen held at the Widnes Ex-servicemen's Club on Friday, the Mayor (Councillor Ernest Hesketh) 

who presided, announced that as a result of the appeal made by Major R. A. T. Cave-Mathieson, in connection with the balloon barrage for 

Warrington and Widnes, that one balloon crew of ten men, had signed for service at that meeting, with possibly more to follow, to make up the 

first complete Widnes Flight of 104 men. At the outset, Mr. W. Pocock, D.C.M., took charge, and the meeting stood in silence as a solemn act of 

remembrance of those who had not returned. Mr. Pocock extended a welcome to the Mayor, and to Major Cave-Mathieson. The Mayor said they did 

not want another war, but as ex-servicemen, they would do all in their power for the protection of humanity in Widnes. The major was anxious to 

form an all Widnes flight of 104 men, and he hoped to be able to tell him: "Well you have got your Widnes flight; would you like another Widnes 

flight?" Major Cave-Mathieson said he was tremendously impressed with their Mayor, who on a previous occasion treated him like an 

ex-serviceman. The barrage was Warrington, Widnes, and the areas, and he had decided to appeal first to the British Legion men who had done 

their bit previously. The strength would have to be about eight hundred, and he would like to appeal for 300 Widnes recruits. The system was 

done by a new type of balloon, run from small motors, with engines at the and rear. The balloons ran on wire hawsers up to certain heights, and 

anything running into them would immediately fall. There would be in the area some of the balloons, and it was advantageous if the balloons were 

in charge of local men. The training for the job was interesting. It would commence with knotting and splicing rope and steel hawsers, and would 

continue with training in how to drive a winch, and how to repair balloon fabric, look after filling meters and the like. That training would be 

taken in the winter, and the annual training would not take place under canvas but in huts. Men would be paid for both the drills and the training 

that they undertook, together with travelling expenses. Everyone joining came under the National Service Register and they would only be too 

pleased to get the fellows in. They had opportunities of promotion to N.C.O. ranks, and they were also entitled to gain promotion to a 

commission, from the ranks. Pilot Officer Dowling, in support, said that their potential enemy was watching them all the time. The quicker they 

got into it, the less trouble they would have. Numerous questions were asked, and the Major promised support to a suggestion that the annual 

training should be varied from the dates given to Territorial training, so as to cause no further inconvenience to works. At the conclusion of the 

meeting, Mr. Pocock extended thanks to the Mayor and the speaker, both of whom replied.

On 24 February 1939 the Liverpool Evening Express was highlighting the lack of reality that was being expressed by the public in response to 

request for people to get involved in National Service.

NATIONAL SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

In spite of the activities of an energetic National Service Committee, people in Warrington are not volunteering for Air Raid Precautions work, and 

other branches of National Service, as well as could be desired. According to Mr. H. Fielder, secretary to the committee, applications are coming 

in for National Service at the rate of about 20 a day. All applicants are not suitable for enrolment, and the total requirements of the Borough are 

still a long way from being satisfied. The total required for A.R.P. services is 3,462, and enrolments number 1,759, leaving a total shortage of 

1,703. In the various sections the figures are:

Air Raid Wardens; Number of Enrolments 801; shortage 411.

First Aid: Enrolments shortage 667.

Rescue Parties and Decontamination Squads: Enrolments 186; shortage 183.

Report centres and messengers: Enrolments 45; shortage 101.

Auxiliary firemen; Enrolments 176; shortage 128.

Motor - drivers: Enrolments shortage 44.

Other Personnel: Enrolments 20, shortage 180.

Since the National Service Scheme came into operation applications received have been as follows:

A.R.P.—9O men; 37 women.

Hospital Auxiliaries.—Two men.

Evacuation Squad.—One woman.

Police.—50 men.

Fire Services.—4l men; one woman.

Red Cross.—Two men; six women.

St. John Ambulance. Seven men; four women.

Territorials.—Nine men. 

Balloon Barrage.—179 men.

Women’s Voluntary Services. —One woman.

Most of these applicants are included in the previous figures for A.R.P. work.

   

On 24th February 1939 Pilot Officer Thomas Franklin Garside (90597). was appointed to the Squadron along with Flying Officer  John Stewart 

Gourlay M.B., Ch.B., L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S., (90853) as Medical Officer.

 On the 27th February all three officers were back from Cardington and Sergeant W. J. Richardson was posted in from R.A.F. Chigwell as Technical 

N.C.O. Several Regular R.A.F. Balloon Operators began arriving to help with the training of Balloon operators. Press and Cinema campaigns began 

rousing interest among local men.

The first training balloon arrived and the men could begin Basic instruction in balloon theiry and balloon handling. An additional joining building to 

the headquarters was provided and the balloon could be air inflated for the men to practice on. Wire and rope splicing was taught but much 

training was handicapped by a general shortage of equipment.

Thomas enlisted on 28th February 1939.

On 8th March 1939 the very first uniforms were issued, up to that point the men had been drilled in a variety of clothing from boiler suits to suits 

with bowler hats. This had taken place evenings and weekends. Squadron Leader E. P Hardman D.F.C. was appointed Adjutant on the 12th March.

The Squadron strength by the 25th March 1939 stood at 250 airmen.

On April 8th a practical demonstration of a barrage balloon flying was held at Voctoria Park. The actual demonstration was carried out by a well 

practiced Balloon Crew who were touring Britain demonstrating the balloon. The first public parade of the Squadron took place when 120 

uniformed airmen marched from Headquarters, King Street to Victoria Park to witness the demonstration. Local dignitaries were invited to see the 

balloon and were later entertained to tea by Squadron Leader Cave-Mathieson and other officers of No.922 Squadron.

Flying Officer T.F. Garside was sent on a  course of instruction at Cardington from April 17th to April 22nd.

On 20th April 1939 the Liverpool Evening Express gave an update on the Balloon Barrage progress.

WARRINGTON BALLOON BARRAGE RECRUITS

No.922, Balloon Barrage Squadron, A.A.F., which is stationed at Warrington, has recruited up to its full establishment of nine officers and 436 

other ranks. A second squadron, number 923, is being formed in the balloon barrage centre, which covers Warrington and Widnes, and nine 

officers and 100 men have been recruited towards the establishment. The Hon. Julian Hawke, son of Baron Towton, a well-known Cheshire 

sportsman and a member of the Cheshire county golf team and the Hillites Golf Club, has joined the centre. Mr. G. Sturgess, a Warrington solicitor, 

has been appointed to command the first flight in No. 923 Squadron.

 Flight Lieutenant Ernest Graham Morris was appointed Adjutant on 27th April 1939. On 4th May 1939, 300 airmen of No.922 Squadron along with 

100 airmen of No.923 Squadron (Recently formed) had a recruiting march through Warrington.

The salute being taken by the Mayor (Councillor Harry Fairclough) from the Town Hall Steps.

On 17th May 1939 the Liverpool Daily Post ran an avert stating that in the event of war the government was not going to provide State Insurance 

and that “The Property Owners' War Risks Mutual Society, Ltd”;

was :

1. The only Society that has in time of peace, established a substantial invested fund for property owners in the event of war.

2. The only Society whose risks are spread throughout Great Britain with less than one-third registrations in London area.

3. The only Society supported National Trade Organisations.

4. The annual rate is 1/- per £100, but to bring second year subscribers into line with those of the first year, 2/- paid this year, thereafter 1/-, so 

that in the event of their property being damaged they receive equal compensation to the extent of the fund, and the full benefit distribution (if 

hostilities occur) when the fund is terminated in 1947.

5. Many new societies have recently formed and adopted similar schemes. It will, however, lie obvious to practical-minded property owners that 

any society now forming without share capital or outside funds would have very little chance of creating a substantial fund if hostilities break out 

during the next year or so.

6. It has been reported in the Press that the inventor of the Balloon Barrage in 1917 and wartime controller of London's Air Defence, has publicly 

expressed the opinion that our air defences in London are now admirably organised, and that to-day's Balloon Barrage immense advance on his own 

system, which, by the end of the war, had virtually stopped air raids on London. further states "Enemy bombs may fall freely over much of 

England, but not in London."

On 17th May 1939 Acting Pilot Officer Richard Brabazon Dowling (90605) was transferred to No.923 Balloon Barrage Squadron as commanding 

officer.

More Acting Pilot Officers were rapidly appointed to No.922 Squadron through the month of May.

May 20th Charles Legh Shuldham Cornwall-Legh (90837)

May 21st Miles Brooking (90881) and The Honourable Julian Stanhope Theodore (90885).

May 24th Norman Bennet Thomson (90935)

May 25th Robert Godfrey (90880)

May 30th James Herbert Lonsdale Musker (76900)

May 31st Frederick Richard Terras (90864).

These were sent on various courses of instruction at Cardington between July 17th to August 5th.

On 31st May 1939 the Liverpool Echo printed a letter from William T. Edwards, 72 Durning Road, Liverpool, regarding his experience at trying to 

enlist in the balloon barrage.

THE EX-SOLDIER

 I read with interest the report referring to the little use made of ex-soldiers in connection with defence (this by the British Legion). I also had an 

unhappy experience in this direction. I am an ex-soldier, four and half years’ war service, and when I read about the formation of the balloon 

barrage I thought I was on velvet. I was one of the first to apply to Paradise Street, and after some weeks received the necessary attestation form 

and was asked to parade at the depot on a certain night, all of which I did. Now this is the point—l am 52 years of age, but, I venture to suggest, 

more active and certainly as physically fit as men very much younger. Now, in filling the form, in my enthusiasm and keenness to do my bit, I 

“borrowed” two years, which made me just 50. Everything went swimmingly until I was inspected and analysed by a very charming officer. 

Imagine my surprise when he instructed me (when needed) to produce my birth certificate. That, of course, tore it.” However, I played my war 

service, enthusiasm, keenness, and physical and mental fitness, all to no purpose. I was refused “ without thanks.”

Determined to serve in something disciplined, which I think is natural for an old soldier, I was directed to the National Defence companies as the 

only branch where I might be used. I reported to the Liverpool Scottish barracks, and after stating desire was asked to parade in a week to give 

name. Note that name could be taken at the time. However, the climax was reached when I was informed that after I had been enrolled I should 

hear no more, except in the event of war. No occasional drill to regain lost touch and camaraderie, no suggestion of camp; in fact, no active part 

among “the boys” at all. In other words, in view of the different methods of defence, altered drills and instruction, the “old soldier” would be 

expected to pick it all up when war was declared.

The men were trained despite the limitations of the restricted quarters in King Street, Warrington.  As their skills improved they were moved to 

No.9 Balloon Centre. Houghton Green in the first week of August.

 

Equipment and Stores were now arriving regularly, When the international crisis became a reality the Squadron was called out as part of the Home 

Defences on 25th August. The establishment then was 13 officers and 382 Airmen.

On July 7th R .J. S. Martin appointed Acting Pilot Officer.

On 18th July 1939 the Liverpool Evening Express gave an update on recruitment for the local Balloon Barrage Squadrons.

WARRINGTON BALLOON BARRAGE TRAINING

The two squadrons of No. 9 Balloon Centre at Warrington began their outdoor practical training last night at the new headquarters at Haughton 

Green, near Warrington, which they have occupied during the week-end. The squadrons have now been equipped at the new headquarters with 

balloons and motor winches, and the training will now be practised in the actual methods of Balloon defence. The preliminary work has been done 

at temporary headquarters at Warrington. Fewer than 100 recruits are needed to bring the centre to full strength. No. 922 Squadron needs only 17 

men complete its establishment, while No. 923 Squadron is short of 65 men.

On August 17th Corporal Leading Aircraftman Venn was posted from R.A.F. Station Hucknall to take charge of the Orderly Room.

On August 20th Jessop Martin Spencer Hogg (91125) appointed Acting Pilot Officer.

On 23rd August the Air Ministry ordered the Squadron to issue Form 1455B – notice to join to all men.

On August 24th John Hurst Hayes (91126) appointed Acting Pilot Officer and  Captain John Terry Chorlton M.C., (91096) was appointed Flight 

Lieutenant.

Thomas was given the rank of Aircraft Chargehand and was embodied for war service on 24th August 1939.

On 25thAugust Air Ministry ordered the Squadron to issue Form 1455D- notice of calling out.

On the afternoon of 25th August War Sites were occupied under the command of Flight Lieutenant R.B. Dowling.

By 22.00 hours, Sites 1,2, 9 and 10 were occupied.

By 22.45 hours, Sites 3,and 4 were occupied.

The notices of calling out resulted in 377 Airmen being embodied by 30th August 1939. However 14 men were sent home due to failing their 

medicals. The notice of calling out was not responded to by 5 absentee Airmen.

On 27th August all Sites were ordered to prepare to inflate their balloons at 13.00 hours and for the balloons to be let up to 100 feet.

On 28th August 1939 Sites 16 and 15 were occupied and balloons were let up to 100 feet at 20.40 hours and 13.00 hours respectively.

On 30th August 1939 Sites 17 and 18 were occupied and balloons were let up to 100 feet at 20.00 hours on both sites.

The Kite Balloons on each site were as follows;- Site 1, LZ 734, Site 2 LZ824, Site 3, LZ736, Site 4, LZ825, Site 9, LZ609, Site 10, LZ735, Site 15, 

LZ803, Site 16, LZ806, Site 17, LZ792, Site 18, LZ793.

The crew accommodation was a bit fragmented utilising empty buildings, canteens, and even tents. None of this was ideal but the weather was 

fine and that helped.

The Flight arrangements were temporarily set up as:

“A” Flight under Acting Pilot Officers C.L.S. Cornwall-Legh and J.H. Musker.

Sites 16, 17 and 18,

Headquartered at the Widnes Foundry Offices, Lugsdale Road, Widnes.

“B” Flight under Flying Officer T.C. Stubbs, Acting Pilot Officers M. Brooking, R. S. Godfrey, and F.R. Terras.

Sites 1, 2, 9 and 10.

Headquartered at McKechnie Brothers Offices, Ditton Road, Widnes.

“C” Flight under Pilot Officer T.F. Garside,  Acting Pilot Officer N.B. Thomson, and J.S.T. Hawke,

Sites 3, 4,and 16.

Headquartered at Runcorn Football Club Offices.

 

No.992 Balloon Barrage Squadron remained at Houghton Green with Flight Lieutenant J.T. Chorlton, Acting Pilot Officers J.M.S. Hogg and J.H. 

Hayes. All Operations were under the control of Flight Lieutenant R. B. Dowling, commanding officer of No.923 Squadron.

Acting Pilot Officer R.J.S. Martin was attached to the Centre as Administrative Officer.

Routine Balloon flying began on 1st September 1939 at Cuerdley with balloons being flown at Operational Height. On the evening of 2nd 

September 1939 the first lightning strike on a balloon from No. 922 Squadron occurred. Luckily no personnel were injured.

At 11.15 hours on the 3rd September 1939 the Squadron informed all personnel that there was now a State of War existing between Britain and 

Germany. Life was not going to be easy for the next 5 ½ years.

On 23rd October 1939 Thomas was given the trade of a Driver/Petrol but under training to be a Balloon operator.

On 12th December 1939 he was made up to Aircraftman 1st Class.

At his annual review on 31st December 1939 he was listed as having a Trade of Driver Petrol/ Balloon Operator, his rank was given as Aircraftman 

1st Class. His proficiency was given as Under Training.

On 8th July 1940 he was given the rank Corporal / Leading Aircraftman and the trade of Balloon Operator after achieving 80.7% in his examination.

On 4th August 1940 he was made up to a Acting Corporal -unpaid.

On 2nd October 1940 he was made up to temporary Corporal.

At his annual review on 31st December 1940 he was listed as having a Trade of Driver Petrol/ Balloon Operator, his rank was given as Aircraftman 

1st Class. His Proficiency and Character were redacted.

At his annual review on 31st December 1941 he was listed as having a Trade of Balloon Operator/ Driver, his rank was given as Corporal 

/Aircraftman 1st Class. His Proficiency and Character were redacted.

On 20th March 1942 he was sent to No.1 Balloon Training Unit at Cardington and returned to his Squadron on 11th April 1942, presumably this was 

for a course of instruction.

He was then Attached to No. 8 Balloon Centre from 15TH November 1942 and returned to his newly combined No.922/923 Squadron on 22nd 

November April 1942, presumably this was for a course of instruction.

At his annual review on 31st December 1942 he was listed as having a Trade of Balloon Operator/ Driver, his rank was given as Corporal 

/Aircraftman 1st Class. His Proficiency and Character were redacted.

On 14th April 1943 he was posted to No. 954 Squadron at Weybridge but before this can happen he has some incident on 10th April 1944 that has 

been redacted.

At his annual review on 31st December 1943 he was listed as having a Trade of Balloon Operator, his rank was given as Corporal /Aircraftman 1st 

Class. His Proficiency and Character were redacted.

As a result he is next Attached to No. 958 Squadron on 12th July 1944 and is then posted back to No. 954 Squadron on 13th July 1944. However on 

the same day he is reposted back to No. 958 Squadron this suggests he was not needed by No. 954 Squadron at that time.

No.958 Squadron had been based at Swansea but after D-Day on 16th June 1944 all balloons were deflated and packed up and along with all other 

necessary equipment taken by road to Otford, Kent to set up a balloon defence against the Vi-Flying bombs.

On the 18th July 1944 at 00.30 hours an allied aircraft crashed in the barrage area and a Pilot was killed. At 07.00 hours a Flying Bomb hit a 

balloon cable on Site 4 and crashed some 400 yards from the site.

On the 20th July 1944 two Flying Bombs struck cables flown by No.958 Squadron and crashed.

On 28th July 1944 three Flying Bombs were brought down by balloon cables.

On the 30th July 1944 a Flying Bomb was brought down by a balloon cable.

On the 31stJuly 1944 a Flying Bomb was brought down by a balloon cable.

During the month of July 1944 No.958 Squadron was credited with 15 kills of a Flying Bomb.

At his annual review on 31st December 1944 he was listed as having a Trade of Balloon Operator, his rank was given as Corporal /Aircraftman 1st 

Class. His Proficiency and Character were redacted.

On 26th February 1945 he was posted to No. 12.  Operational Training Unit, Chipping Warden.

On 3rd July 1945 he was posted to R.A.F. Wyton.

On 31st July 1945 he was posted to No.101 Personnel Despatch Centre, Kirkham for demobilisation and release from Service.

 

               

                                 Civvy Street at Thames Board Mills, Warrington.                          Thomas Reginald Dykes

 

                If you or your family served with him, or served in No.922 Balloon Barrage Squadron, please contact me

                at pgarwood@globalnet.co.uk

 

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