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No. 9 Balloon Centre, Warrington. was home to three Balloon Barrage Squadrons:
922 Squadron with 32 balloons at Cuerdly.
923 Squadron with 32 balloons at Runcorn.
949 Squadron with 32 balloons at Crewe.
They defended a line along the Manchester Ship Canal and this covered Runcorn to Warrington.
Here is a picture of the Officers at Halston Castle, their Headquarters in January 1940.
OFFICERS OF THE No. 923 BALLOON BARRAGE SQUADRON
Back Row (left to right):
Flying Officer J. E.
La Frenais, Pilot Officer
S. S. Wheeler,
Flying Officer J.
L. Addleshaw, Pilot
Officer H. D. S.
Heaven,
Pilot Officer J.
W. Bush,
Pilot Officer
L. S. Collard,
Pilot
Officer T. L.
Vickers, Pilot
Officer D.
R. Andersen.
Front Row (left to right):
Flying Officer J.
C. Burgess, Flight-Lieutenant
R. S. Bleckly, Flight-Lieutenant
G. Sturgess,
Squadron Leader
R. B.
Dowling, (Commanding
Officer), Flight-Lieutenant J.
W. Huggins
Flight-Lieutenant M. A.
H. Bellhouse,
Flying Officer A.
Flying Officer R. F.
Armitage.
Further research on these Officers shows the following information:
All appear to have survived the war.
F/O Joseph
P/O
Samuel Stephen WHEELER (91127). 1906-1974