Recent content by mikeh117

Thanks for your reply. Since I made this original post I have learned a great deal about my grandfather, 885 and 1844 Squadrons. I have been in touch with the archivist at the FAA museum and even visited there, where I was pleased to find a photo of 885 Squadron on display. Unfortunately I’ve...

I’ve been going through my late grandmothers photo albums and found two photos of what I believe is a Grumman Hellcat piloted by my grandfather W. Guy Batham RNVR of FAA 885 Squadron. These will have been taken while HMS Ruler was in the Clyde before she sailed to Sydney. Can anyone help me with...

This photo is in George Boyd's book 'Boyd's War' with the caption: 'Seafires of 885 Squadron over Strangford Lough, Co. Down'. I believe it was taken in the weeks following D-Day when the squadron was reformed at the RAF station in Ballyhalbert, Northern Ireland. They underwent training for...

Thanks for the reply. The information about the invasion stripes on the wings is very helpful as it explains why there are 13 men in the photo and not the 14 listed in 885 as Sub-Lieutenant Tony Hastings Bassett was killed on 6 June 1944. I suspect the photo was taken in Northern Ireland where...

My grandfather W.G.Batham (Guy) was a FAA pilot in 1943-45. He was in 885 Squadron where he was a spotter flying Seafire III’s on D-Day before he went to the Pacific on HMS Ruler and joined 1844 Squadron on HMS Indomitable flying Gumman Hellcats. Incredibly he never felt it necessary to tell any...