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.
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