Welcome to the Balloon Barrage Reunion Club

 For all enquiries relating to this site please contact

 Peter Garwood: NEW NUMBER as of 21st April 2022  (01600-712164) / MOBILE 07412-869027 

or email me at pgarwood@globalnet.co.uk

Click on the Barrage Balloon or click on the text underlined to navigate the site

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  History of No. 924 Balloon Barrage Squadron (East Lancashire) March 1938 to June 1940

History of No. 924 Balloon Barrage Squadron (East Lancashire) June 1940 to December 1942

History of No. 924-930 Balloon Barrage Squadron (East Lancashire) January 1943 to November 1944

  2089738 Leading Aircraftwoman Rosina Alice May Cuming

Flight Sergeant (Temporary Warrant Officer) 512168 James Charles Christopher Cook

Flying Officer 136647 Ernest Keeley

   No. 980 Balloon Barrage Squadron Moves from Abadan to Egypt

BBRC - All about us and our history and how to join. UPDATED APRIL 2022

   Aerial Bodies2022 by Lily Ford

  The Gas Cylinder Rodeo

Fallen Heroes of World War II- In Proud and Honoured Memory

  Arthur Goldsmith Airman 1st Class, 2nd Balloon Squadron (part of the 7th Balloon Wing).

2271 Section Officer Zena Beatrice Taylor

  884128 Aircraftwoman 2nd Class Gladys Wendy Bradwell 941 Balloon Squadron

  The Three Page Girls, Site 74, No.937 Squadron

2018720 Aircraftwoman 1st Class Dorothy Winifred Oliver

476938 Aircraftwoman 1st Class Marion Jean Hind

Cable Strike!

  852848 Leading Aircraftman William Boardman

   SNIPPETTS FROM THE WARTIME PAPERS

  A Balloon Saboteur Gets Jail

  Q-ships and Zeppelins

  Balloon Squadrons Play Cricket During the War

Peter    One of the Forgotten Few

  938 Squadron Becomes the First English Squadron to Down a German Bomber

William Henry Laurie Was Almost Charged with Treachery and Shot

Walter Mitty Surfaces in No.914 Squadron at Northfield Birmingham

The First Fatalities from a Barrage Balloon Cable

     St. Andrews Church Chelsea

  The First Woman to Die on Active Service in the Second World War

  Balloon Cable Tragedy in Sussex

Freak Accident with Barrage Balloon Causes Car to Take Off!

   Mary Pratt Crushed by Barrage Balloon 1942

   Youngest Member of a Balloon Crew

  British Man Sent Secrets of Balloon Barrage to Germany

  How My Sister Won The War by Alan Rimmer

  NEW!! Investigation of Death on Active Service of 630150 Aircraftman 1st Class Nathaniel McGrady 

         949 Balloon Squadron at Crewe.

  Rev. George Kendall O.B.E. Chaplain to No.910 Balloon Squadron

Flying Officer Reginald Barrable

NEW!!  Cinefilm Taken by 1123713 Flying Officer Reginald Barrable from 1930 to 1970

Obituary for Alan Keith Rimmer Member No. 402

Obituary 2017049 Leading Aircraftwoman Mary Molly Alice Elizabeth Russell

  NEW!!  Henrik Melder and No.990 Squadron Sri Lanka (Formerly Ceylon)

  NEW!!  1155948 Leading Aircraftman Frederick Taylor

NEW!! Acting Squadron Officer Diana Mary BARTON OBE

   NEW!! Formation of a Balloon Depot at Kidbrooke

  NEW!! 1164531 Aircraftman 2nd Class Sidney Frank Garraway

   NEW!! Auxiliary Territorial Services in World War Two

  Derek Webb, 1927 -2020,  President of the Ballooon Barrage Reunion Club  

  2031348 Leading Aircraftwoman Eleanor J. Bostock (Nee Howard)

 2019493 Leading Aircraftwoman Irene Lucy Whiteside

513948  Warrant Officer Henry Higgins

  1279034 Leading Aircraftman George Mayo Lewis

   Leading Aircraftman Eric Neville

   Auxiliary Territorial Services in World War Two

Roll of Honour - Fallen Comrades of Balloon Command  

  2080759 Leading Aircraftwoman Kathleen Elsie Cooper

NEW!!  990 Barrage Balloon Squadron during WWII.

134025 Leading Aircraftwoman Celia Mary Morris

   The Very First Women's Auxiliary Air Force Balloon Barrage Operators

  1002262 Aircraftman 1st Class John Vincent Elliot Bullough 920 Squadron

  The First Fatal Casualty in Balloon Command September 2nd, 1939.

 852019 Leading Aircraftman William Aitken Osborne B.E.M., 917 Barrage Balloon Squadron

  Operation Crossbow

  Some Obscure Balloon Units

  Defence of Trains by Barrage Balloons

   The Story of 74294 Squadron Leader James Martin Warner Parts 1 to 6

   Wing Commander Ralph Risk M.C.& Bar

   2033198 Leading Aircraftwoman Annie Jane Gutsell

   647867 Aircraftman 2nd Class Ronald George Lees

   2072102 Leading Aircraft Woman Irene Hampson (Nee Barlow)

    Julian The Tank Bank At Monmouth 1918

    Monmouth Flag Repaired and Returned to Monmouth Museum

 Pucklechurch, Bristol No.11 Balloon Centre.

983 Squadron - Balloon Barrages in Malta

  929 Squadron Deal with a Breakaway Balloon

  Arming Balloon Barrage Personnel in 1940.

  2029931  Aircraftwoman 1st Class Doreen Marjorie Barron 

  892229   Leading Aircraftwoman Margaret Callaghan

Obituary 2020766 Leading Aircraftwoman Hazel Winifred Barrow (Nee Walker)

921 Squadron and the Seaforth Balloon Barrage Cylinder Fire 1941

POLICY REGARDING RESTORATION OF STATIC BALLOON BARRAGES AUGUST 1944.

Damage by Barrage Balloons and the War Damage Commission

Location of the first 69 Barrage Balloon Squadrons across Britain in 1940

The Parachute Regiment and Barrage Balloons

 1465905 Leading Aircraftman Ralph John MOSS  961 Barrage Balloon Squadron

  For the Duration L.A.C. D.J. Roberts story of his wartime exploits in Barry, London and Norfolk during WWII

  No.1 Balloon Centre, Surbiton Group Photo ( Officers ) 1941

  OBITUARY 2027787 Corporal Eileen Emily Hollidge

  Damage by Barrage Balloons and the War Damage Commission

  Collisions With Balloon Cables and Squeakers

Lieutenant Commander William Compton Taylor D.S.C. and the Mobile Balloon Barrage

Getting Service Records From The RAF for Ex-RAF Personnel 

Getting Your Medals for Your or Your Family  

  The Historical Background to the Manufacture and Distribution of the Campaign Medals for WWII. 

  841773 Leading Aircraftman George Herbert Bennett

844139 Leading Aircraftman Alexander Alfred James Dangar

 FLYING BOMB HUMOUR  

 901 Squadron - The First Seven Months of Hell

LINDA HERVIEUX AND THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK "FORGOTTEN" AT PONTYPOOL 

 ALFRED IVES 910 SQUADRON

519203 SERGEANT WILLIAM TRURAN

  840931 CORPORAL HENRY SYDENHAM RAF

  No 1 Balloon Centre Balloon Command RAF Kidbrooke 1938-1945 Squadrons 901, 902 and 903

The Unveiling and Dedication of the Memorial to Balloon Command at The National Memorial Aboretum

THE PASSING OF OUR PRESIDENT OF THE BBRC MRS PHYLLIS WOOD

My Mark VIII Balloon still images

Video clips of my Mark VIII Balloon

   Wing Commander Richard Harold Berryman

  Flight Lieutenant Clifford Basil North

  The Number of Barrage Balloons Flown By Balloon Command During The War

Consumption of High Pressure Hydrogen Cylinders by Balloon Command During the War

  126645 LAC Sidney Southern 965 Squadron

My Mark VI Balloon

SQUADRON LEADER ARTHUR EGERTON KNIGHT 933 SQUADRON

983657 L.A.C. ARCHIBALD McNAB 

Linda Hervieux and her new book "Forgotten" about an African-American Balloon Unit on D-day.

Join the Airship Heritage Trust if you enjoy finding out about "Lighter Than Air" matters.

Wanted: Barrage Balloon or any items associated with Barrage Balloons.

 No 1 Balloon Centre Balloon Command RAF Kidbrooke 1938-1945 Squadrons 901, 902 and 903

  URGENT!! TIME LIMITED EVENT  RAF Church of St Clement Danes to dedicate the Roll of Honour for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force

The Making of The One Show's Women's Barrage Balloon Squadron's

441880 Sergeant Dora Guyll (nee Barnes)

Eileen Younghusband and One Woman's War

Urgent!!!!    Save Cardington Airfield

Balwnau Amddiffyn - Barrage Balloons at Pembroke Dock in WWII

100483 Wing Commander Henry Rapoport Rollin M.B., B.Ch., D.P.M.

The Work of Ken Kelly and Eddie Smith in Restoring two Balloon Winch Vehicles to Their Original Condition

958322 LAC John PERKINS 902 and 972 Squadrons 

The Vintage Flight Wild Balloon Winch at 621 Volunteer Gliding Squadron Hullavington

Barrage Balloon Winch found and now on display at Wings Museum

Ex-Balloon Operators Meet up for their Annual Dinner 2012.

Barrage Balloon Sites in Sheffield

923 Squadron based at Runcorn

1940 Status - Equipment and Location of Balloon Squadrons between 31st July 1940 and 31st August 1940 

Elasticated Cord used inside barrage balloons

Hilda Mudd's Story of Being a Barrage Balloon Operator in WWII

1069212 LAC GEORGE (Judd) BIRCHALL *UPDATED AUGUST 2016

Tragic Loss of Life at 933 Barrage Balloon Squadron at Gosport 12th August 1940  

856676  LAC  Raymond George MUMFORD 935 Sqdn Royal Aux Air Force  

2048680 A.C.W Margaret Rossow (Nee Usher) 919, 921 and 923 Squadron

PERSONAL HISTORY of STANLEY A. ROSS  902 Squadron   840928  

Balloon Barrage Vessel A Y Alessie a short history  

Barrage Balloon Vessels an Introduction  

Cardington 2 Ton Mobile Crane

History of Polish Balloon flight serving with the R.A.F. in Great Britain in WWII  

Bomb Disposal and the British Casualties of WW2 by Chris Ransted

858206 Leading Aircraftman John Ronald Buckley, 925 and 974 Squadron  

Squadron Leader John Alexander KENT DFC , AFC.  

BATTLE ORDERS-BALLOON BARRAGES AND SQUADRONS ABROAD

541698 AC1 Robert Murton 951 Squadron

Post World War One Development of Balloon Barrages  

If Only They Had Employed a Balloon Barrage  

Free Balloon Operations in World War Two  

PERSONAL HISTORY of STANLEY A. ROSS  902 Squadron   840928  

HENRY LESLIE STUART LAKE 924 SQUADRON

CENTRAL TRADE AND TEST BOARD (CTTB) QUESTIONS FOR BALLOON OPERATORS

PUCKLECHURCH SHEDS FINAL

Ropework and Knots used by Barrage Balloon Operators

Barrage Balloon Cable Collisions with Aircraft in WWII

Memories of a Barrage Balloon Operator written by Jean Shepherd who died 13th February 1997

747552 Corporal Norman Bertie Austin JAMES

WAAFS involved at RAF Chigwell in making and servicing Barrage Balloons

Barrage Balloons around Barry Area in WWII

Flight Sergeant Richard Marrable

864902 Corporal Cyril Russell Holman 934 Squadron

354025 WO1 Francis Frew DUNLOP M.B.E.

548125 L.A.C. Charles David Parry 905, 971, 983, 932/3, 998 Sqdn

 Alex Hinks 912 Squadron in France 1940

New Book Announcement: Stitching for Victory by Suzanne Griffiths  

  853747 LAC Leonard Ashcroft Bancroft Archive 919 Sqdn 

 Herbert Johnson 1894- 1957 and RAF Aldwyth Train

113547 Flying Officer Douglas GOODWIN

966 Flying Officer Dorothy Mabel Murray Stanley-Turner WRAFRO

1076099 LAC Tom Fraser 908, 910, 929, 948 Sqdn

647872 Corporal Wilfred Gordon Allen 914 Sqdn

The Frank Orriss Archive 909 Sqdn

1105416 Sergeant Daniel Currie “Jock” Hamilton 975 & 980 Squadrons

966 Squadron Claims first German Bomber at Newport Wales 13th September 1940 Updated February 2011

Wing Commander John Sylvester "Jack" Wheelwright DSC

Pilot Officer George Hutchinson 966 Squadron

Cpl 542358 Thomas Scott 965 Sqdn

Richard Jefferson Walters a USA citizen who helped advise on Balloon Barrages prior to WWII

Abbey Mills Pumping Station

Corporal 5309321 Samuel William Fowler 952 Squadron

Flight Sergeant 872366 William Andrew Burn 978 Sqdn

Balloon Cable Cutting Device for Aircraft

LAC J203547 John William Hufton

Champion Balloon Team September 1943 South Wales and The West

The Archive of Warrant Officer Frederick Quinn

Doodling at Duxford: a Day out with the V1 Flying Bombs

The Outrageous Scandal of Mr Jack TAGG a British War Hero

George Baker Story and 952 Squadron  (FEB 08)

Annual General meeting at The Union Jack Club 20th September 2007

Dorothy (Doff) Hunt, LACW 2027976, 904/5 Squadron E Flight.Photo Archive

DORIS COX 901 / 932 / 933 Squadrons

HENRY BENJAMIN BANKS.901 Squadron.....Can you help Felicia Riley??

Lilian Doreen Dack (nee Taylor) and Vera Fox

  FRANK VERNEY ARCHIVE (FEB 08)

LAC (Purser) Percy BUSH (APR 05)

2050224  Cpl Margaret Amy Jackson (Bidstrup, formerly Rhodes ) (JUN 03)

  Charles Richard John "Tiger" Hawkins AFC

  Edna Joyce  MANN meets the Queen

Joe Riley 919/ 942 and 943 Squadron

 Leading Airaftman Edgar Charles "Taff" Garwood 980 Squadron

  2059399 LACW Kathleen Ellen WOOLEY DOB 10/12/1920 919. 921,919/923 Sqdns

Eric Williams 909 Squadron East Ham, March 1939 - August 1941

  Pictures of our AGM 2005

Barrage Balloon Manual by LAC Margaret Lindsey

Harry Quittenden 965 Squadron

The John Sanderson Archive1 936, 966,972,977, 986, 970 Sqdns

The John Sanderson Archive2

The John Sanderson Archive3

The John Sanderson Archive4

WILLIAM JAMES DAVIES 933 932 and 970 Squadron

John Leeson, 901 Squadron

Henry Maurice Rowland 916 and 952 Squadrons

  Click to see a painting by Grace Kingston of a Barrage Balloon

Balloon Command -Development of Balloon Command in the first and second world wars

A Typical Balloon Crew  - Staffing and typical routine 

Roof Over Britain -published in 1943 as a public information booklet.

 Aubrey Irving Moore 11155265 and Balloon Painting by Peter Wilson.

                                                            950, 911,929. 909/10,994, 960, 945/7 Squadrons

Theory of Barrage Balloons - Discusses the Principle of Barrage Balloon Flight and Function

The MK VII Series I Kite Balloon - Its construction and make up -The basic parts

Former Comrades -  LAC Purser Bush, Squadrons 901, 948, 982 and 966.

                                           Edgar Garwood and Stanley Jay 980 Squadron

                                           Edna Joyce Mann 904/5 Squadron John Leslie Pickett 906 / 978 Squadron

                                           LAC Joe Riley 919.923.943 Squadron

Contacts - Who is who at the BBRC  

Can You Help? - A list of queries raised by members and the public about Balloon Barrage Operatives

Articles about Barrage Balloons by David Wintle

Article on Balloon Winches by David Wintle

History of Balloons in Warfare - the earliest uses of balloons in warfare.

Links - Some great links to further information on Barrage Balloons

Reunion Pictures  - Pictures of past reunions and attending members

Temp Cpl  Leonard Winston  COOPER 905 Squadron

For Sale  - Articles for sale by the BBRC

Hull's Own Air Force Station by Len Bacon

Photo Gallery   

Photo Gallery1  

Minutes of BBRC AGM 2004

Hanna Reitsch - A German WWII test pilot who has been called "The Century’s Greatest Pilot"

The Orkney Balloon Barrage in WWII By Ginny Schroder

 Balloon Squadron Composition and Orders

Duke of Edinburgh Meets Barrage Balloon Club Members to Celebrate 80th Anniversary of the RAF

Sqdn/L Robert Wallis Beresford 978 Squadron India

Barrage Balloon Oil or Water Manometer

Click Here to Find Out about Barrage Balloon Cables

An extract of a story by John Waddington-Feather on Barrage Balloons and their WWII experiences

Senator Joe Kennedy Meets Barrage Balloon Crew in London 1940

WWII Valentine Card with "Balloon Barrage"

Big Bertha from World war II gets new role in the anti-terrorist war in Cyprus inn 1956

Pencil Sketch of Barrage Balloons over Cardington

Books on Barrage Balloons and Balloon use in the Wars

Pictures of 978 Squadron including Leslie Pickett and Ron Cozens

Pictures of 965 Squadron in Ternauzern 1944-45 including Joe Cheneler

 

 The first woman to Command a Balloon Unit In London

Balloon Research at Experimentation Site Pawlett by Rex Haggett 2006

Tom Flack Interview and Photographs and The Balloon Hangar at Pawlett, Somerset.

Ronald Bullimore Archive from 910 Squadron

John Baker Archive Main Page including 902 Squadron

 

BBRCLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 9TH SEPTEMBER 2015 AT THE RED LION, BASINGSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE RG21 7LX. TEL 01256 328 525. COME AND JOIN US FOR OUR 70TH MEETING!!!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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