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
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
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
852848 Leading Aircraftman William Boardman
SNIPPETTS FROM THE WARTIME PAPERS
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
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
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
901
Squadron - The First Seven Months of Hell
LINDA
HERVIEUX AND THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK "FORGOTTEN" AT PONTYPOOL
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
SQUADRON LEADER ARTHUR EGERTON KNIGHT 933 SQUADRON
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
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
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
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
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
Barrage
Balloon Manual by LAC Margaret Lindsey
The John Sanderson Archive1
936, 966,972,977, 986, 970 Sqdns
WILLIAM JAMES DAVIES 933 932 and 970 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
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!!!!