Dates: 1940s

2008.26.2

Black and white photograph of donor`s Warwick crew at RAF Tiree.

Warwick crew from 281 Squadron (Air-sea Rescue) at RAF Tiree.
L-R: (back) Sgt Bob Forbes (Wireless Operator & Air Gunner) F/O Johnny Rapp (Pilot), Sgt Pilot George (surname unknown) (2nd Pilot, Canadian Royal Air Force) Sgt Leo Crowther (W/O & A/G), (front) Ernest Haller (W/O & A/G), Pilot Officer Ces Hyde (Observer/Navigator)

k119.jpg

2008.24.1

Black and white photograph of Warrant Officer William Arthur Graham.

Warrant Officer William Arthur Graham who was killed when two Halifax aircraft collided in mid-air over Tiree airfield on 16th August 1944. William, who was twenty-one when he died, was in the Royal Australian Air Force. He was the son of William and Rose Graham of Sydney, New South Wales in Australia and husband of Mabel Graham of Preston in England. He is buried in Dalton-upon Furness cemetery.

j199.jpg

2007.122.1

Website printout about the ditching of Halifax LL510 from RAF Squadron 518 on 21 November 1944.

Website printout about the ditching of Halifax  from RAF Squadron 518 on 21 November 1944 with photographs of W/O John Bristow.

2007.122.7

Rescued airmen at Tiree pier in 1944

Photograph of rescued airmen at Tiree pier in 1944.

l195.jpg

Courtesy of Mr Geoff Pringle

On 21 November 1944, one of starboard engines of Halifax LL510 from RAF Squadron 518 caught fire shortly after takeoff from Tiree airfield on weather reconnaissance duties. The flames were so intense the skipper decided to ditch in the Atlantic rather than risk returning to base.

Despite a thirty foot swell, the aircraft was safely ditched and the nine crewmen clambered aboard the inflatable dinghy with only minor scratches. To add to their danger, the water surrounding the Halifax was a sea of petrol, in the middle of which a fuel tank was bobbing about with flames issuing from a hole.

An Air-sea Rescue aircraft from Tiree dropped a second dinghy, then HMS ‘Flanders’ arrived to pick up the very much relieved airmen. They were given hot food, dry clothes and liberal amounts of Navy rum. The photograph pictures the crew safely back on Gott Bay pier.

Black and white photograph of the rescued aircrew of Halifax at Tiree pier.

The rescued aircrew of Halifax  from RAF Squadron 518 standing at Tiree pier in November 1944. Far left: F/Sgt Ozzie Ozaist (Met Air Obs, Polish); forth from left: Flt Lt Freddy Green.