Surviving BoB Pilots-Do you personally know any?

Great obit!

 

Just heard on rafcommands that Cyril Bamberger has passed away. RIP

No obit yet:

Rabbitsqn - Cyril Bamberger signature on Hammer Blow

 

RIP indeed. One of "my" Malta hereos.

http://www.spitfiresite.com/blog/

 

Hawkeye Lee

http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/1837-s-l-k-n-t-hawkeye-lee-rip.html#post11807

 

I had the honour to sit next to Wg Cdr John Freeborn DFC* at an ACA dinner at RAF Woodvale. A very interesting man who flew more hours during the Battle than many (if any); few (if any) shot down more German aircraft during the Battle. He was in command of a Spitfire Wg in Italy at an early age; one of the youngest (if not the youngest) wartime wg cdr Spitfire pilot. It was a delight to have him on my station.

Roxy

 

Group Captain Richard Cummins Haine, DFC, 600 Squadron, Kent, Blenheims.

http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/3609-g-c-dicky-haine-rip.html#post21470

 

Air Commodore Peter Brothers, CBE, DSO, DFC, 32 Squadron, Kent, Hurricanes.

Just heard on another forum that Peter has passed away. RIP

 

http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/4481-w-c-peter-dunning-white-rip.html#post27278

 

Our next-door neighbour in the UK was a Czech who escaped to Britain and flew Spitfires in the BoB..... I also had the honour once of conversing with Jim "Jerko" Gray, one of the American RAF pilots in 71 Eagle Squadron. I have a book on the squadron that he personalised for me, too. A character........

 

Another Visit

Friends,

I find myself going back to the UK on business in March. I could not do so without visiting my BoB friend. As usual, I am looking forward to talking and drinking with him again.

Last year we "retired" to his local for a "few" only to have the landlord declare to all and sundry in the bar upon our arrival to - "look out, our celebrity BoB pilot is here. Clear the window seat" - his usual, of course!

Regards,

Baxta

 

My Visit to Bob Pilot

Friends,

Just an update on my visit to my friend, a BoB pilot, in the UK. He is 97 years old!

He has been hospitalised for the last month, having lost the use of both legs and the sight in his right eye!

Nevertheless, he recognised me immediately and displayed a wonderful sense of humor about his current conditon. His attitude toward his current poor health is remarkable indeed! When I left him in the hospital, I was in very good heart - his cheeriness warmed me greatly!

As you can tell, I was very glad that I took the time to talk with him again!

May I have many more such opportunities!

Regards to all,

Baxta

 

BoB Memorial

Friends,

Was just sorting my latest images and thought that a few of the BoB Memorial in London, might be appropriate.

For those interested, I just had to see the Memorial and find my Bob Pilot's name on the Honour Roll. From a number of perspectives, he is an interesting man - both a France and Bob Pilot and one of about 110 remaining (Feb 2009).

Regards to all,

Baxta

 

Would love to know more about him, Baxta.

 

http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/4766-w-c-george-melville-jackson-rip.html#post29395

 

http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/5264-w-c-ken-mackenzie-rip.html#post33219

 

http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/5642-s-l-john-pattison-dso-dfc-ldh-rip.html#post35748

 

Antipodean Andy,

I feel I can tell you some information now. My friend was Alan Kellow - a pilot from 213 Squadron who joined the RAF in 1938. He joined 213 squadron in the following year. I bought a 1957 MG A sports car from him in 1985, when I was working in Devon, UK. I still have the car. Our families subsquently became very good friends for the time we lived in the UK (1985 to 1987). I only found out he was a BoB pilot on the very last occasion I saw him in 1987 - when I took him and his wife out to dinner. The owner of the restaurant immediately recognised the 'crappy' tie he was wearing as a pre war 213 squadron tie - having been a RAF pilot (post war) himself! The dinner was free!

He also owned and raced a 1925 Type 35 Bugatti and an XK120 light weight Le Mans! I did manage to get a few images of him and the Bugatti at Prescott and Brighton speed trials to take with me back to Australia - from his own photo albums. His name (and the car) do feature in many Presott race programmes that I have managed to find for the late 1950s!

When I went to look at (and subsequently buy) the MG, he asked if I would like to "do 150 mph in his turbo charged BMW - on the road outside his house" I respectfully declined - he was about 71 at the time!

He remained quite a character to the end. He died on 28 Jan this year.

A good humored and very friendly man. As he told me in 2008, he was not comfortable with all the fuss of being a BoB pilot!

I have posted an image of him (in 2008) in one of my albums.

Baxta

 

Rest in Peace

Raymond Alan Kellow


As at November 21 2009 there were 119 remaining aircrew.

 

This guys sounds like he might have been fun to be around.... I suppose having survived the war he occasionally had the need for speed. Baxta you are a lucky guy having contact with him.. I am hoping to see some 90+ year olds at the 75 Sqn Reunion at the end of the month (if Ihave been a good girl that is!!!!).

Dee

 

Yeas he sound slike quite a character to have flown in such conditions and survive is remarakable.
Sorry for your loss.