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No: 44 Squadron
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No: 44 Squadron
No.44 Squadron was a bomber squadron and was re-formed at Wyton in March 1937. They flew Hampdens. In September 1941, the squadron's title was altered to No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron in recognition of that country's generous donations to the war effort, about a quarter of the squadron's personnel were Rhodesian. Early in 1942 No.44 became the first squadron to convert completely to Lancasters. The Squadron disbanded on 21 December 1982
Airfields No: 44 Squadron flew from.
- Waddington, Lincolnshire. 1939 to 31st May 1943
- Dunholme, Lodge Lincolnshire. 1st May 1943 to 30th Sep 1944
- Spilsby, Lincolnshire. 30th Sep 1944 to 21st July 1945
- Mepal, Cambridgeshire. from 21st July 1945
List of those who served with No: 44 Squadron during The Second World War
- Sgt William Bennett navigator Read his Story.
- Sgt. John Coults rear gunner Read his Story.
- Gordon Craig Read his Story.
- P/O John la Forrest bomb aimer Read his Story.
- Flt Lt Merrik Heath pilot Read his Story.
- Sgt Ron Parkinson w/op Read his Story.
- Sgt Paddy Pyper mid upper gunner Read his Story.
- Flt Sgt John Rawson Read his Story.
- Sgt A. Smith flight eng. Read his Story.
Sgt. John Coults rear gunner 44 Sqd.
My Dad,John Coults who passed away in 2006, was in 44 Rhodesia Squadron. He flew in R for Robert PB417 and completed 32 Operations. The first two were pamphlet drops in France, the other 30 were combat missions between 19/07/44 and 6/11/44. Dad then transfered to Liberators based in India.
The crew were:
They were based at RAF Spilsby from 5-10-44 to 6-11-44 (at least).
- Flt Lt Merrik Heath (Rhodesian), PILOT - tragically killed in a civilian Lancastrian during the Berlin Airlift (22/11/1948) at Chute, near Andover.
- P.O John La Forrest (Australian) BOMB AIMER
- Sgt A Smith (Irish - Northern Ireland) FLIGHT ENGINEER
- Sgt Bill Bennett (Scottish), NAVIGATOR
- Sgt Ron Parkinson (English), WIRELESS OPERATOR
- Sgt Paddy Pyper (Irish, Northen Ireland) MID UPPER GUNNER
- Sgt John Coutts (Scottish), REAR GUNNER
Dad is back row, 2nd from the left
Flt Lt Merrik Heath pilot 44 Sqd.
Flt Lt Merrik Heath was the pilot of R for Robert PB417 flying with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby. He was tragically killed in a civilian Lancastrian during the Berlin Airlift (22/11/1948) at Chute, near Andover.
P/O John la Forrest bomb aimer 44 Sqd.
P.O John La Forrest, an Australian, a bomb aimer in the Merrick Heath's crew flying R for Robert PB417 with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby.
Sgt A. Smith flight eng. 44 Sqd.
Sgt A Smith was the Flight Engineer with Merrick Heath's crew, flying R for Robert PB417 with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby.
Sgt William Bennett navigator 44 Sqd.
Sgt Bill Bennett was the navigator with Merrick Heath's crew, flying R for Robert PB417 with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby.
Sgt Ron Parkinson w/op 44 Sqd.
Sgt Ron Parkinson was the Wireless Operator with Merrick Heath's crew, flying R for Robert PB417 with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby.
Sgt Paddy Pyper mid upper gunner 44 Sqd.
Sgt Paddy Pyper was the Mid Upper Gunner with Merrick Heath's crew, flying R for Robert PB417 with 44 Rhodesia Squadron based at RAF Splisby.
Gordon Craig 44 Sqd.
My father, Gordon Craig was moved to Stalag VIIIB from Stalag Luft III after being caught up in various escape attempts. He had been shot down in Lancaster C-Charlie from 44 Squadron, RAF on the night of 6th October, 1942, during a raid on Osnabrück. He remained at VIIB until being force-marched on what became known as the Death March.
I have a collection of letters between him and my mother, Mary Craig, written during his time as a POW, together with his prison camp and Death March diary and various artifacts, such as a polished tin 'mirror' he made to keep up his appearance (and thus his spirits) while he was there. He also wrote notes for a couple of talks he gave; apparently people with various types of civilian or technical expertise were encouraged to give talks to groups of inmates. He was involved with some of the shows they put on as well.
My dad was a Stockton boy, he grew up in Durham Road and first flew as a auxiliary from Middleton St George. My Mum was a Norton girl from Birkley Road; she worked in the torpedo labs at the ICI during the war and often did Fire-watch Duty at night.
My Dad and Mum died within a year of each other in the mid 1980s and are much missed. Despite the privations and sometimes horrors of my dad's wartime experiences, he always said in later years that he felt 'more alive' during the war and that life often seemed duller afterwards. On the whole, he spoke quite freely of events at Stalag VIIB, although he did refer to it as a much more 'serious' place that was grimmer and more prison-like than Stalag Luft III had been. His sense of humour certainly helped, he described a few situations that I would have been hard-pressed to find amusing had they happened to me!
My compliments to you on the site, it's beautifully put together and a real mine of information.
Flt Sgt John Rawson 44 Squadron
Flt Sgt John Rawson was shot down on the 2/3rd September 1941 on a mission to Frankfurt, he was the only crew member to survive. He was held prisoner in eastern Poland and spent some time in Auschwitz, a punishment for repeated escape attempts he arrived back in this country in late 1945 or early 1946 weighing only 7st. He left the RAF and joined the colonial service and worked in Nigeria for 11years. He later went on to work for Burmah oil. He sadly passed away on in June 2009 age 87. He was my uncle and Ii am proud to have known him
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