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vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
A huge 
Old Wizard
2nd Lieutenant
John Surtees, World Champion on two and four wheels died today, before my era as a spectator but a true gent and giant of motor sport.
John Surtees, former F1 and motorcycle world champion, dies aged 83
John Surtees, former F1 and motorcycle world champion, dies aged 83
Old Wizard
2nd Lieutenant
Squadron Leader Dennis Barry
Squadron Leader Dennis Barry, who has died aged 95, was one of the first RAF pilots to convert to the Meteor jet fighter before flying against the V-1 flying bomb and on operations over Germany in the final weeks of the Second World War.
An experienced flight commander on No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, Barry led offensive patrols over northern France in the build up to D-Day. Shortly after providing support for the Allied landings in their Spitfires in June 1944, the pilots left for Farnborough to convert to the Meteor.
After two flights in a training aircraft, the pilots clustered around the cockpit of the Meteor, were shown the instruments, briefed on the drills and the flying characteristics and then told to take off on their first familiarisation sorties. After five flights, they were deemed "qualified on jets".
more: PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News
Squadron Leader Dennis Barry, who has died aged 95, was one of the first RAF pilots to convert to the Meteor jet fighter before flying against the V-1 flying bomb and on operations over Germany in the final weeks of the Second World War.
An experienced flight commander on No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, Barry led offensive patrols over northern France in the build up to D-Day. Shortly after providing support for the Allied landings in their Spitfires in June 1944, the pilots left for Farnborough to convert to the Meteor.
After two flights in a training aircraft, the pilots clustered around the cockpit of the Meteor, were shown the instruments, briefed on the drills and the flying characteristics and then told to take off on their first familiarisation sorties. After five flights, they were deemed "qualified on jets".
more: PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News
Kai Stemm
Airman 1st Class
IntrestingSquadron Leader Dennis Barry
Squadron Leader Dennis Barry, who has died aged 95, was one of the first RAF pilots to convert to the Meteor jet fighter before flying against the V-1 flying bomb and on operations over Germany in the final weeks of the Second World War.
An experienced flight commander on No 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron, Barry led offensive patrols over northern France in the build up to D-Day. Shortly after providing support for the Allied landings in their Spitfires in June 1944, the pilots left for Farnborough to convert to the Meteor.
After two flights in a training aircraft, the pilots clustered around the cockpit of the Meteor, were shown the instruments, briefed on the drills and the flying characteristics and then told to take off on their first familiarisation sorties. After five flights, they were deemed "qualified on jets".
more: PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News
Old Wizard
2nd Lieutenant
fubar57
General
Group Captain Joe Dalley
John Dalley, known as 'Joe' was born on 7 April 1920 at Silwood Park, a private residence—the Manor House of Sunninghill. His Father was the Head Gardner and Mother the Housekeeper. He was educated at the village school in Sunningdale; an all-round sportsman. He excelled at English and Mathematics, and at the age of 16 won a scholarship to Oxford. However, his parents being considered ill-placed to support him through university, he was pointed in the direction of the Civil Service. At the age of 17 he entered the Post Office and was reported in the London Gazette (6239) of 8 October 1937 to have qualified as a Mail Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. He did well and by 1939 was appointed Assistant Post Master at Maidenhead, where he met his future wife, Marjorie, who was working locally as a Master Printer in the Newspaper print works.
On the outbreak of WW2, he volunteered to join up but was refused because he was in a protected employment "essential to the war effort"! However, by late 1940 he was able to join as a trainee pilot. Not at university he could not be commissioned, and was sent for flying training in the rank of aircraftsman. He was went to Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Canada; qualified as a Fighter pilot, gaining his wings after 8 hours and being promoted to Sgt. He was posted to 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RAF at Hornchurch, Essex in June 1941 as a Spitfire pilot.
In February 1942, the Air Ministry trawled for combat experienced pilots to undertake Photographic Reconnaissance (PR) training at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. Joe was snapped up and posted to 1 PRU enroute to the Mediterranean. In May 1942, flying a new Spitfire Mk IV PR, promoted to Flt Sgt, he took off for Malta, flying at high altitude over neutral Spain and into Gibraltar. He refuelled and flew to Luqa, with an accompanying signal for the AOC that he join 69 Squadron PR Flight.
Joe joined 69 Squadron PR Flight and began 8 months of intensive photographic duties. He flew almost every day, often for sorties of several hours, establishing the air ORBAT within 450 miles of Malta. The secondary task was maintaining the Italian Naval ORBAT in the same area. Thirdly he searched for resupply convoys and escorts supporting the Africa Korps under Rommel, eastwards to Greece and westwards to Sicily, northwards to Bari, Messina, Naples, Palermo and Taranto, Finally, providing intelligence to defend Allied resupply convoys to Malta. During these months he lost one third of his bodyweight. The bombing of Malta was at its most intense and times were bleak for everyone, especially the local population. He returned to the UK in late December, having earned his DFM and a Commission.
He was medically downgraded, having contracted 'the bends' in Malta, and he took over a PR training role. Once fully fit, and with the intervention of the AOCinC, he was posted to 1 Squadron RAF in the South of England, to continue his war over Europe, including D Day, the 'Battle of the Bulge', Op MARKET GARDEN and on into Belgium and Germany. He was awarded his Légion d'honneur for his services to France from D Day onwards. On cessation of the War he was granted a permanent Commission in the General Duties Branch. He qualified as a jet pilot and went on to obtain his Master Pilots authorisation, becoming a future test pilot with Vickers at Weybridge.
By 1949 he was seconded to the RCAF, serving on Prince Edward Island, and then attending the Canadian Staff College in Toronto, before joining a Squadron at St Hubert, Quebec. He returned to the UK in 1953 and was posted to RAF Coltishall to command 141 Night Fighter Squadron, flying Venoms. His career followed a glittering path, with command of the Guided Weapons Trials Unit at RAF Valley, from which he was appointed an OBE. Postings to NATO HQ, in Paris at the time, attendance at JSSC Latimer, becoming CO of RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire in 1964 followed. Further tours included MOD, RAF Bentley Priory, Shape and LIVE OAK. Throughout his career he continued flying on a weekly basis.
Joe married Marjorie at St Michael's and All Angels Church in Sunninghill in 1945; together they had 27 changes of residence, living latterly in Maidenhead and finally Wokingham. He had two sons, Michael and Timothy. There are five grandchildren, Christal, Sarah, Julian, James and Kimberley. There are 7 great grandchildren.
Joe completed a full career in the RAF, leaving in 1975 to rejoin the Civil Service. On retirement he and Marjorie moved to Wokingham, where his wife predeceased in 2013. He passed away on 3 February 2017. He led a full life - a challenging life; and one of fond memories of Malta through which he maintained a strong bond via the George Cross Island Association.
John Dalley, known as 'Joe' was born on 7 April 1920 at Silwood Park, a private residence—the Manor House of Sunninghill. His Father was the Head Gardner and Mother the Housekeeper. He was educated at the village school in Sunningdale; an all-round sportsman. He excelled at English and Mathematics, and at the age of 16 won a scholarship to Oxford. However, his parents being considered ill-placed to support him through university, he was pointed in the direction of the Civil Service. At the age of 17 he entered the Post Office and was reported in the London Gazette (6239) of 8 October 1937 to have qualified as a Mail Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. He did well and by 1939 was appointed Assistant Post Master at Maidenhead, where he met his future wife, Marjorie, who was working locally as a Master Printer in the Newspaper print works.
On the outbreak of WW2, he volunteered to join up but was refused because he was in a protected employment "essential to the war effort"! However, by late 1940 he was able to join as a trainee pilot. Not at university he could not be commissioned, and was sent for flying training in the rank of aircraftsman. He was went to Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Canada; qualified as a Fighter pilot, gaining his wings after 8 hours and being promoted to Sgt. He was posted to 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron RAF at Hornchurch, Essex in June 1941 as a Spitfire pilot.
In February 1942, the Air Ministry trawled for combat experienced pilots to undertake Photographic Reconnaissance (PR) training at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire. Joe was snapped up and posted to 1 PRU enroute to the Mediterranean. In May 1942, flying a new Spitfire Mk IV PR, promoted to Flt Sgt, he took off for Malta, flying at high altitude over neutral Spain and into Gibraltar. He refuelled and flew to Luqa, with an accompanying signal for the AOC that he join 69 Squadron PR Flight.
Joe joined 69 Squadron PR Flight and began 8 months of intensive photographic duties. He flew almost every day, often for sorties of several hours, establishing the air ORBAT within 450 miles of Malta. The secondary task was maintaining the Italian Naval ORBAT in the same area. Thirdly he searched for resupply convoys and escorts supporting the Africa Korps under Rommel, eastwards to Greece and westwards to Sicily, northwards to Bari, Messina, Naples, Palermo and Taranto, Finally, providing intelligence to defend Allied resupply convoys to Malta. During these months he lost one third of his bodyweight. The bombing of Malta was at its most intense and times were bleak for everyone, especially the local population. He returned to the UK in late December, having earned his DFM and a Commission.
He was medically downgraded, having contracted 'the bends' in Malta, and he took over a PR training role. Once fully fit, and with the intervention of the AOCinC, he was posted to 1 Squadron RAF in the South of England, to continue his war over Europe, including D Day, the 'Battle of the Bulge', Op MARKET GARDEN and on into Belgium and Germany. He was awarded his Légion d'honneur for his services to France from D Day onwards. On cessation of the War he was granted a permanent Commission in the General Duties Branch. He qualified as a jet pilot and went on to obtain his Master Pilots authorisation, becoming a future test pilot with Vickers at Weybridge.
By 1949 he was seconded to the RCAF, serving on Prince Edward Island, and then attending the Canadian Staff College in Toronto, before joining a Squadron at St Hubert, Quebec. He returned to the UK in 1953 and was posted to RAF Coltishall to command 141 Night Fighter Squadron, flying Venoms. His career followed a glittering path, with command of the Guided Weapons Trials Unit at RAF Valley, from which he was appointed an OBE. Postings to NATO HQ, in Paris at the time, attendance at JSSC Latimer, becoming CO of RAF Binbrook in Lincolnshire in 1964 followed. Further tours included MOD, RAF Bentley Priory, Shape and LIVE OAK. Throughout his career he continued flying on a weekly basis.
Joe married Marjorie at St Michael's and All Angels Church in Sunninghill in 1945; together they had 27 changes of residence, living latterly in Maidenhead and finally Wokingham. He had two sons, Michael and Timothy. There are five grandchildren, Christal, Sarah, Julian, James and Kimberley. There are 7 great grandchildren.
Joe completed a full career in the RAF, leaving in 1975 to rejoin the Civil Service. On retirement he and Marjorie moved to Wokingham, where his wife predeceased in 2013. He passed away on 3 February 2017. He led a full life - a challenging life; and one of fond memories of Malta through which he maintained a strong bond via the George Cross Island Association.
fubar57
General
Old Wizard
2nd Lieutenant
Wing Commander Gerald Lane
A decorated Perth aviator who was in the thick of the action during the Second World War has died shortly after celebrating his 101st birthday.
Wing Commander Gerald A Lane OBE DFC was the first pilot of the war to bomb Germany in a four-engined aircraft.
From rising through the ranks of the RAF as Britain battled for its survival, to a distinguished post-war career, Mr Lane had a strong urge to take to the skies from an early age.
Born in Somerset, he left school aged 16 and after a short time in an "uninteresting job" in London he decided to pursue his dream along with friend, Glyn Harries. "In 1936 I decided that flying was for me and told Glyn that I was planning to join the RAF. He said 'I am coming with you'," recounted Mr Lane in 2016. They passed the medicals and interviews and Mr Lane went for training at Prestwick before being posted to No 166 Bomber Squadron at Leconfield, Yorkshire. In 1939 he married Boyce Smythe, with his friend Glyn as best man.
Following the outbreak of war, Mr Lane was stationed at various bases but was soon to hear shocking news about his good friend.
"It was about this time I learned that Glyn had been shot down and was missing," he said.
Mr Lane was later posted, with other experienced pilots, to No 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse, which was being equipped with the new four-engine bomber, the Halifax, and he had the "privilege" of being the first pilot to bomb Germany in a four-engined aircraft.
Promoted to squadron leader, he was posted to Wellesbourne station which took part in 1,000 bomber raids. Later, he became wing commander and his next posting was to command 75 NZ Squadron at Newmarket.
From there he joined the Joint Staff in Washington, USA, where his duties included assisting in the planning of the proposed British bombing of Japan. In 1947, after flying thousands of troops home, he decided to leave the RAF and was taken on as an executive with Lancashire Aircraft Corporation near Blackburn.
Then in 1951 he was appointed assistant secretary to the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association for Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine.
He came to Perth in 1967 after restructuring of the Territorial Army and lived in Woodside.
Mr Lane and his wife lost their son Andrew in the 1990s, while Boyce died in 1999.
He is survived by daughter-in-law Laura, his two grandchildren and his four great-grand-children.
source: The Courier
A decorated Perth aviator who was in the thick of the action during the Second World War has died shortly after celebrating his 101st birthday.
Wing Commander Gerald A Lane OBE DFC was the first pilot of the war to bomb Germany in a four-engined aircraft.
From rising through the ranks of the RAF as Britain battled for its survival, to a distinguished post-war career, Mr Lane had a strong urge to take to the skies from an early age.
Born in Somerset, he left school aged 16 and after a short time in an "uninteresting job" in London he decided to pursue his dream along with friend, Glyn Harries. "In 1936 I decided that flying was for me and told Glyn that I was planning to join the RAF. He said 'I am coming with you'," recounted Mr Lane in 2016. They passed the medicals and interviews and Mr Lane went for training at Prestwick before being posted to No 166 Bomber Squadron at Leconfield, Yorkshire. In 1939 he married Boyce Smythe, with his friend Glyn as best man.
Following the outbreak of war, Mr Lane was stationed at various bases but was soon to hear shocking news about his good friend.
"It was about this time I learned that Glyn had been shot down and was missing," he said.
Mr Lane was later posted, with other experienced pilots, to No 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse, which was being equipped with the new four-engine bomber, the Halifax, and he had the "privilege" of being the first pilot to bomb Germany in a four-engined aircraft.
Promoted to squadron leader, he was posted to Wellesbourne station which took part in 1,000 bomber raids. Later, he became wing commander and his next posting was to command 75 NZ Squadron at Newmarket.
From there he joined the Joint Staff in Washington, USA, where his duties included assisting in the planning of the proposed British bombing of Japan. In 1947, after flying thousands of troops home, he decided to leave the RAF and was taken on as an executive with Lancashire Aircraft Corporation near Blackburn.
Then in 1951 he was appointed assistant secretary to the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association for Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine.
He came to Perth in 1967 after restructuring of the Territorial Army and lived in Woodside.
Mr Lane and his wife lost their son Andrew in the 1990s, while Boyce died in 1999.
He is survived by daughter-in-law Laura, his two grandchildren and his four great-grand-children.
source: The Courier