No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force

No 97 Squadron formed at Waddington on the 1st of December 1917. They moved to Netheravon in March 1918 and converted to Handley Page O/400 heavy bombers. They proceeded to France in August 1918 as part of the Independent Force employed in strategic bombing. After the Armistive the Squadron relocated to India, but was re-numbered No. 60 squadron and 97 Squadron was officially disbanded on 1 April 1920.
No. 97 was re-formed in September 1935 as a night-bomber squadron at Catfoss. In June 1938 it ceased to be an operational squadron and became part of an air observers' school. In March 1939 it moved to RAF Abingdon and became a No. 4 Group pool squadron in the No. 6 (Training) Group.
Airfields No. 97 Squadron RAF flew from:

RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire until 17th Sep 1939
RAF Abingdon, Berkshire from 17th Sep 1939 to 8th Apr 1940 (became No. 10 OTU)

RAF Driffield Yorkshire. Reformed 1st May 1940 to 20th May 1940 (disbanded)

RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. Reformed 25th Feb 1941 to 10th Mar 1941
RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire. from 10th Mar 1941 to 2nd Mar 1942
RAF Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. from 2nd Mar 1942 to 18th Apr 1943
RAF Bourn, Cambridgeshire from 18th Apr 1943 to 18th Apr 1944
RAF Coningsby from 18th Apr 1944.

6th April 1940 Squadrons redesignated as OTU

1st May 1940 New bomber squadron formed

20th May 1940 Squadron disbanded

25th February 1941 New Bomber Squadron formed

15th March 1941 Moved for training

8th April 1941 First bombing mission

10th April 1941 Attack on Brest docks

13th April 1941 Aircraft grounded

6th May 1941 Back on Operations

10th May 1941 Aircraft Lost

12th May 1941 Airfield bombed

15th May 1941 Aircraft Lost

17th May 1941 Aircraft grounded

21st June 1941 Operations resumed

26th June 1941 Aircraft Lost

1st July 1941 Manchester bombers grounded

2nd Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost

6th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost

7th Jul 1941 Aircraft Lost

27th July 1941 New aircraft received

7th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

12th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

16th Aug 1941 Aircraft Lost

25th August 1941 Aircraft transferred

13th September 1941 Crashes on exercise

28th Sep 1941 Aircraft Lost

20th October 1941 Aircraft Lost

8th November 1941 Fatalities

18th December 1941 Attack on the Scharnhorst

18th Dec 1941 Aircraft Lost

8th Jan 1942 97 Squadron Manchester lost

9th January 1942 Attack on Brest

14th January 1942 Lancaster delivered

1st March 1942 New operational base

20th March 1942 First Lancaster ops

31st March 1942 Second Attack on the Tirpitz

17th Apr 1942 Daylight Raid

23rd April 1942 Detachment

25th April 1942 Raid on Heinkel works

27th April 1942 Third Attack on the Tirpitz

28th April 1942 Fourth Attack on the Tirpitz

28th April 1942 Fourth Attack on the Tirpitz

30th April 1942 Accident on test flight

1st May 1942 Detachment returns

6th May 1942 Crash landing

30th May 1942 Crewman killed

2nd June 1942 Lancaster lost

9th June 1942 Lancaster missing

28th June 1942 Raid on Focke Wulf factory

12th July 1942 Submarine works bombed

13th July 1942 Aircrew lost

26th July 1942 Lancaster lost

18th August 1942 Training flight crash

24th August 1942 Raid on frankfurt

27th August 1942 Lancaster lost

29th August 1942 Lancaster lost

1st September 1942 Lancaster lost

4th September 1942 Attack on Bremen

18th September 1942 Lost on minelaying sortie

5th October 1942 Storms

17th October 1942 Lancaster missing

17th October 1942 Operation Robinson

22nd October 1942 Arrester Gear tested

30th October 1942 Accident on training flight

8th November 1942 Strong defences

13th November 1942 Killed on training flight

7th December 1942 Training crash

17th December 1942 Two Lancasters lost

20th December 1942 Aircraft missing

21st December 1942 Fighter attack

28th December 1942 Ground crewman killed

9th January 1943 Lancaster lost

18 January 1943 Attack on Berlin

28th Jan 1943 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

30th January 1943 Lancaster lost

1st March 1943 Lancaster missing

12th March 1943 Lancaster missing

28th March 1943 Lancaster missing

30th March 1943 Crash at Woodhall Spa

17th April 1943 Squadron reassigned

4th May 1943 Crash landing

23rd May 1943 Pathfinders

12th June 1943 Lancaster missing

20th June 1943 Attack on radio factory

22nd June 1943 Lancaster missing

23rd June 1943 Attack on Spezia

24th June 1943 Lancaster lost

28th June 1943 Lancaster lost

3rd July 1943 Attack on Cologne

8th July 1943 Lancasters damaged and lost

24th July 1943 Trial of 'window'

28th July 1943 Two Lancasters missing

10th August 1943 Two Lancasters missing

17th August 1943 Peenemunde Raid

23rd August 1943 Raid on Berlin

27th August 1943 Two Lancasters missing

31st August 1943 Lancaster lost

3rd September 1943 Rear gunner killed

18th September 1943 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

24th Sep 1943 97 Squadron Lancasters lost

4th October 1943 Lancaster lost

8th October 1943 Lancaster missing

20th October 1943 Lancaster lost

18th November 1943 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

23rd Nov 1943 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

24th November 1943 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

25th November 1943 Lancaster lost

3rd Dec 1943 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

4th December 1943 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

17th December 1943 Black Thursday

24th December 1943 Lancasters lost

1st January 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster missing

2nd January 1944 FW190 fighter shot down

5th January 1944 Two 97 Squadron Lancasters lost

15th January 1944 Two Lancasters lost

20th January 1944 20th January 1944

21st January 1944 97 Squadron aircrew news

29th Jan 1944 Aircraft Lost

30th January 1944 Two Lancasters of 97 Squadron lost

15th February 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

21st February 1944 Crashed at RAF Bourn

24th February 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster missing

14th March 1944 Ground Crew honoured

18th March 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster missing

20th March 1944 Flight transferred to new squadron

22nd March 1944 Two Lancasters of 97 Squadron lost

25th March 1944 Night of the Strong Winds

25th March 1944 Two 97 Squadrons aircraft lost

30th Mar 1944 Aircraft Lost

30th March 1944 Two Lancasters lost

18th April 1944 Relocated

20th April 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

25th Apr 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

3rd May 1944 Lancaster lost

9th May 1944 New target marking method deployed successfuly

10th May 1944 Lancasters lost

21st May 1944 Lancaster lost in collision

5th Jun 1944 Aircraft Lost

6th Jun 1944 Lancaster Lost

9th June 1944 Etampes bombed

21st June 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

23rd June 1944 Mid-air collision

24th June 1944 Prouville bombed

20th July 1944 Pathfinder aircraft lost

30th July 1944 Pathfinder missing

6th August 1944 Lancaster lost

15th August 1944 Lancaster ditched

16th August 1944 Lancaster lost on minelaying mission

25th August 1944 Lancaster missing

26th August 1944 Lancaster missing

11th September 1944 Lancaster lost

12th Sep 1944 97 Squadron Lancaster lost

23rd September 1944 Aircraft Lost

10th November 1944 Aircraft Lost on training flight

21st December 1944 Lancaster missing

25th Dec 1944 Frost

26th Dec 1944 Fog

7th February 1945 Lancaster missing

15th August 1945 Tiger Force

5th October 1945

If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.

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Those known to have served with
No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

Ace J. H. . Sgt.
Ace J. H. . Sgt.
Aherne J. B. . F/Sgt.
Alexander W. E. . Sgt.
Allen S J. Sgt (d.27th June 1942)
Annett MiD. H. C. . F/O
Arney H. J. . W/O
Arnold A. . F/O
Arnold A. . F/O
Ashpole G. J. . Sgt.
Ashpole G. J. . Sgt.
Atkins R. C.C. . F/O
Baker H. A.B. . F/L
Baker R. C.W. . W/O
Baldwin L. S. . F/Sgt.
Balsdon D. F. . W/C
Barker DFM. K. S.H. . F/O
Barlow L. . F/Sgt.
Bean H. . F/L
Bell J. . Sgt.
Bell R. R. . F/Sgt.
Benbow DFM. James. W/O
Bendix DFC. J. L. . F/O
Bird DFC. G. O.L. . F/L
Bischlager H. . Sgt.
Black DFC. T. W. . F/O
Botsford K. C.J. . F/Sgt.
Bray R. T. . Sgt.
Bray W. T. . F/Sgt.
Bronson C. R. . Sgt.
Brooker DFC. Harry Francis. F/Lt.
Brown W. A. . P/O
Bryan-Smith DFC, MiD. M. . S/L
Bryan-Smith DFC, MiD. M. . S/L
Bryans W. S. . W/O
Buchan E. . Sgt.
Bucknell G. C. . F/O
Bull L. J. . F/Sgt.
Burbridge DFC Frank Peter. F/Lt. (d.22nd November 1943)
Burgess R. H. . Sgt.
Burnell A. W.A. . P/O
Burt DFC. E. C. . F/L
Campbell DFM. James Munro. Fl/Sgt.
Cannon P. G. . F/Sgt.
Carlton DFC. A. E. . F/L
Carlyle DFM. S. . P/O
Carter DFC. E. J. . W/C
Carter R. D. . F/O
Carter R. D. . F/O
Chalmers DFM. D. . F/Sgt.
Chambers DFC. A.. F/L
Chapman DFC. J. R. . W/O
Chappell H. D. . F/Sgt.
Cheatle R. H. . F/Sgt.
Clement C. . F/Sgt.
Clinch J. J.. Flt.Sgt
Clinch DFM. J. J.. F/Sgt.
Conley DFC. R. J. . F/L
Coombs A. J.R. . P/O
Coster J. S. . F/Sgt.
Cottman J. D. . F/O
Cowan DFM. J. E. . F/Sgt.
Cowen W. J. . F/O
Coxhead F. E. . Sgt.
Crawford J. M. . W/O
Cremins T. D. . F/Sgt.
Cremins Thomas David. Flt.Sgt. (d.21st December 1944)
Cross J. W. . Sgt.
Cumming John. Sgt. (d.30th July 1943)
Currie MiD. H. . Sgt.
Daitz L. B. . F/Sgt.
Datta Ramesh Chandra. F/O. (d.9th July 1943)
Davies R. G. . F/Sgt.
Devine E. J.. Sgt. (d.21st Jan 1944)
Dexter A. R. . Sgt.
Dickin R. C. . Sgt.
Diggle L. . F/Sgt.
Drawbridge H. . F/O
Dudley DFM. R.. F/Sgt. (d.21st Jan 1944)
Duffy M. H. . Sgt.
Dunae A. . W/O
Dunbar John Alexander. F/Sgt. (d.30th July 1943)
Dunning DFM. G. E. . P/O
Dunning DFM. G. E. . P/O
Durn M. . F/Sgt.
Dyke G. C. . F/Sgt.
Eastwood J. . F/Sgt.
Eaton W. . F/O
Edwards H. W.J. . F/L
Edwards S. A. . P/O
Elkington J. . F/Sgt.
Ellsmere R. O. . F/O
Eustace DFC. F. E. . F/O
Evans Des .
Evans Des.
Evans Des.
Evensen J. E.H. . Sgt.
Fairbairn J. . F/Sgt.
Farish J. . P/O
Farmer L. D. . Sgt.
Farrell J. McF. . F/Sgt.
Fell G. G. . Sgt.
Fentiman Douglas Charles. (d.30th July 1943)
Fentiman Douglas Charles. Sgt. (d.30th July 1943)
Few J. . Sgt.
Fletcher J. D. . F/L
Fraser D. A. . F/Sgt.
Friend A. W.. F/O (d.27th Jun 1942)
Frost K. . F/O
Gibson J. L. . Sgt.
Gibson T. H. . W/O
Giddings B. W. . P/O
Girling C. J. . P/O
Glasby DFC H. . P/O
Golding Richard. Sgt. (d.4th July 1943)
Grant H. . F/Sgt.
Grant Leslie Kenneth Alexander. F/O (d.17th December 1943)
Gray William Forbes. Sgt. (d.4th Sep 1942)
Hadlington J. D. . F/Sgt.
Hall Eric . Cpl.
Hammond George Noel. F/O (d.30th July 1943)
Hannah DFC. W. . F/O
Hannigan W. P. . Sgt.
Harrison L. L. . Sgt.
Harvey DFM. D. E.D . P/O
Harvey M. C. . F/Sgt.
Hawkes F. S. . F/O
Hayward E E. Sgt (d.27th June 1942)
Heap R. . F/Sgt.
Heinish R. . Sgt.
Higgs DFC. R. M. . S/L
Hill G. J. . F/Sgt.
Hill H. T. . F/O
Hines B. J. . F/L
Hobbs E. J. . F/Sgt.
Holt F. . Sgt.
Howells G. E.W. . F/O
Hudson DFM. P. . F/Sgt.
Hughes L. F. . F/Sgt.
Hunt N. F. . Sgt.
Hunt W. J. . F/L
Hutt K. J. . F/Sgt.
Hutton E. C. . Sgt.
Imison G. P. . Sgt.
James R. A.V. .
Jardine W. B. . F/O
Jespersen F. V. . F/O
Johnson DFC. G. S. . F/L
Johnson M. A. . Sgt.
Johnson M. A. . Sgt.
Jones DFM. C. A. . W/O
Jones DFM. L. W. . Sgt.
Jones DFC. L. C. . F/L
Kendall G. H. . P/O
Kendall George Herbert. P/O. (d.21st December 1944)
Kent H. M. . Sgt.
Kerr F. Y.D. . Sgt.
Keys N. R. . F/Sgt.
Knight J. B. . F/Sgt.
Kolar C. C. . Sgt.
Kynoch DFC John Henry . P/O.
Lambert A. L. . W/O
Leatherland DFC. D. . S/L
Lennie D. S. . Sgt.
Lennox DFM. L. A. . F/Sgt.
Lopez R. H. . F/O
MacAllister R. . F/Sgt.
Maclean I. H. . F/O
Madge J. G. . W/O
Magnus K. B. . Sgt.
Manley W. J. . F/Sgt.
Manners F. W. . Sgt.
Mannion K. . F/Sgt.
Marks Douglas James. F/Sgt. (d.30th July 1943)
Marrable A. J. . F/Sgt.
Marsh P. A.. F/Sgt. (d.21st Jan 1944)
Martin F. E. . Sgt.
Martin F. . Sgt. (d.21st Jan 1944)
Mathews BEM Sidney John. Cpl.
Mayhew L. C.G. . F/Sgt.
McAllister J. . Sgt.
McCleod DFC. L. A.J. . S/L
McCormack R. . F/Sgt.
McCurdy T. N. . F/O
McCutcheon W. R. . P/O
McDonald Daniel. Sgt. (d.30th July 1943)
McGill J. A.D. . F/O
McGreggor C. W. . LT
McKenzie C. K. . Sgt.
Mckenzie F E. Sgt (d.27th June 1942)
McLaren DFM. P. V. . Sgt.
McMillin J. P.. F/O
McQuillan M. R. . F/L
Mills DFC L. A.J. . F/O
Mitchell DFM. J. S. . F/Sgt.
Molyneux A. J. . F/Sgt.
Mooney Dennis .
Moore H. J. . W/O
Morgan A. A. . P/O
Morgan S. B. . Sgt.
Moroney D. . Sgt.
Muckhart DFC. G. . W/O
Munro DFC James Francis. F/Lt. (d.22nd November 1943)
Munster C. A. . Sgt.
Munton G. C. . Sgt.
Murray A. G. . P/O
Nash MID Reginald Morris.
Negus J. . F/O
Newton DFM. A. J. . P/O
Newton J.. Sgt.
Nicoll N. Sgt (d.27th June 1942)
Noble W. G. . P/O
Norton A. J. . F/O
Nutt P. N. . Sgt.
Oldfield L. A. . Sgt.
Oldham DFM. J. W. . F/O
Olive J. P. . Sgt.
Oliver G. A.O. . F/Sgt.
Owen T. R.G. . F/Sgt.
Paige J. W. . F/O
Palmer C. W. . F/Sgt.
Parker Horace. AC.
Parkes DSO. S. M.P. . S/L
Parsley W. A.. WO2 (d.21st Jan 1944 )
Partos DFM. D. G. . W/O
Patience W. R. . Sgt.
Peace E. H. . F/Sgt.
Pedersen K. . Sgt.
Penberthey C. P. . Sgt.
Pendrill DFM. G.E. A. . F/Sgt.
Perkins E. J.L. . F/L
Peters C. E.T . F/O
Petschel V. E. . F/Sgt.
Phillips J. J. . Sgt.
Pickering G. H.J. . P/O
Piper P. M. . Sgt.
Porter DFC. E. L. . W/C
Price DFC. C. P.D. . F/L
Pyatt R. G. . Sgt.
Rainsford A. . F/Sgt.
Ray J. . F/L
Redwood A. F.G. . Sgt.
Reiger H. W. . F/L
Reynolds G. E.J. . F/O
Rimmer D. F. . Sgt.
Roberts DFM. F. D. . P/O
Roberts DFC. F. J.. F/L (d.21st Jan 1944)
Rodwell B. H. . P/O
Rogerson DFC. J. I. . F/L
Rowlands A. R. . Sgt.
Rumney J. . F/Sgt.
Runnacles J. S. . F/L
Ryder D. H. . Sgt.
Saunders G. M. . Sgt.
Seale W. J. . F/Sgt.
Sharpe DFM. G. S. . W/O
Sherman S. G.C. . F/O
Shield J. . Sgt.
Shrybman H. Flt Sgt (d.27th June 1942)
Sinclair J. McD. . Sgt.
Sinclair W. R. . F/O
Skingley DFC. J. . F/L
Smalley R. C. . F/L
Smith A. C. . Sgt.
Smith DFC. J. B. . F/L
Smith DFC. L. H. . W/O
Stanley DFM. C. . F/Sgt.
Stauber N. H. . F/Sgt.
Stern M. . P/O
Stewart H. . Sgt.
Stewart Robert. Sgt. (d.17th Dec 1943)
Stokes N. G. . P/O
Strowger J. . Sgt.
Tait H. . Sgt.
Taylor DFC. O. P.E. . F/L
Twomey DFM. T. M. . Sgt.
Twomey DFM. Terence Michael. Sgt. (d.17th Aug 1944)
Underhill C. R. . F/L
Unwin Peter Henry. Sgt. (d.30th July 1943)
Unwin Ronald. Sgt. (d.2nd March 1943)
VanRaalte H. S. . F/L
Vere-Hodge H. M.J. . P/O
Walker W. . F/O
Watson DFM. F. R. . W/O
Waugh K. R. . F/L
Waugh Kenneth Robert. F/Lt. (d.25th Apr 1944)
Webb W. B. . W/O
Weir J C. Plt Off (d.27th June 1942)
Welham L. C. . F/Sgt.
Wells J. D. . F/Sgt.
Westgate Robert John. PO. (d.11th July 1942)
Westgate Robert John . P/O. (d.11th July 1942)
Weston A. . F/L
Weston N. J. . Sgt.
Wickens R. C. . F/O
Williams D. G. . P/O
Williams P. . F/Sgt.
Williams DFC. V. G. . F/O
Williams W. H..
Worley L. . Sgt.
Worswick DFC. John Alan. P/O. (d.2nd Jun 1942)
Worthington R. M.C. . Sgt.
Worton J. S. . Sgt.
Would DFC&bar. John. A/F/Lt.
Wright G. H. . F/O
Wright J. . Sgt.
Wright R. A. . F/L
Wright R. W. . F/O
Young DFM. G.. F/Sgt. (d.21st Jan 1944)

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List

Records of No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force from other sources.

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Want to know more about No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force?

There are:2160 items tagged No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force available in our Library

These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.

Sgt F E Mckenzie 97 Sqd (d.27th June 1942)

While researching the family name I came across an entry for F/O A W Friend of 97 Sqdn which took me to your 97 Sqdn site.
F/O Friend's name and those of his crew are missing from your list of squadron members. The aircraft either crashed or was shot down in Norway as F/O Friend is buried in Bergen cemetary.
The following was culled from 97 Sqdn associations website.
27th June 1942 *Ten aircraft detailed to attack Bremen. None of the aircraft were able to identify target and all bombed on TR, results believed to be good, although 10/10ths cloud. F/O Friend (Rhodesian) and crew failed to return – no news received after take off.
F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.E.Hayward, F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.C.Weir, Sgt F.E.McKenzie. Missing from this operation.

David Friend

Add to this record.

Plt Off J C Weir 97 Sqd (d.27th June 1942)

While researching the family name I came across an entry for F/O A W Friend of 97 Sqdn which took me to your 97 Sqdn site.
F/O Friend's name and those of his crew are missing from your list of squadron members. The aircraft either crashed or was shot down in Norway as F/O Friend is buried in Bergen cemetary.
The following was culled from 97 Sqdn associations website.
27th June 1942 *Ten aircraft detailed to attack Bremen. None of the aircraft were able to identify target and all bombed on TR, results believed to be good, although 10/10ths cloud. F/O Friend (Rhodesian) and crew failed to return – no news received after take off.
F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.E.Hayward, F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.C.Weir, Sgt F.E.McKenzie. Missing from this operation.

David Friend

Add to this record.

Sgt S J Allen 97 Sqd (d.27th June 1942)

While researching the family name I came across an entry for F/O A W Friend of 97 Sqdn which took me to your 97 Sqdn site.
F/O Friend's name and those of his crew are missing from your list of squadron members. The aircraft either crashed or was shot down in Norway as F/O Friend is buried in Bergen cemetary.
The following was culled from 97 Sqdn associations website.
27th June 1942 *Ten aircraft detailed to attack Bremen. None of the aircraft were able to identify target and all bombed on TR, results believed to be good, although 10/10ths cloud. F/O Friend (Rhodesian) and crew failed to return – no news received after take off.
F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.E.Hayward, F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.C.Weir, Sgt F.E.McKenzie. Missing from this operation.

David Friend

Add to this record.

Sgt N Nicoll 97 Sqd (d.27th June 1942)

While researching the family name I came across an entry for F/O A W Friend of 97 Sqdn which took me to your 97 Sqdn site.
F/O Friend's name and those of his crew are missing from your list of squadron members. The aircraft either crashed or was shot down in Norway as F/O Friend is buried in Bergen cemetary.
The following was culled from 97 Sqdn associations website.
27th June 1942 *Ten aircraft detailed to attack Bremen. None of the aircraft were able to identify target and all bombed on TR, results believed to be good, although 10/10ths cloud. F/O Friend (Rhodesian) and crew failed to return – no news received after take off.
F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.E.Hayward, F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.C.Weir, Sgt F.E.McKenzie. Missing from this operation.

David Friend

Add to this record.

Flt Sgt H Shrybman 97 Sqd (d.27th June 1942)

While researching the family name I came across an entry for F/O A W Friend of 97 Sqdn which took me to your 97 Sqdn site.
F/O Friend's name and those of his crew are missing from your list of squadron members. The aircraft either crashed or was shot down in Norway as F/O Friend is buried in Bergen cemetary.
The following was culled from 97 Sqdn associations website.
27th June 1942 *Ten aircraft detailed to attack Bremen. None of the aircraft were able to identify target and all bombed on TR, results believed to be good, although 10/10ths cloud. F/O Friend (Rhodesian) and crew failed to return – no news received after take off.
F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.E.Hayward, F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.C.Weir, Sgt F.E.McKenzie. Missing from this operation.

David Friend

Add to this record.

Sgt E E Hayward 97 Sqd (d.27th June 1942)

While researching the family name I came across an entry for F/O A W Friend of 97 Sqdn which took me to your 97 Sqdn site.
F/O Friend's name and those of his crew are missing from your list of squadron members. The aircraft either crashed or was shot down in Norway as F/O Friend is buried in Bergen cemetary.
The following was culled from 97 Sqdn associations website.
27th June 1942 *Ten aircraft detailed to attack Bremen. None of the aircraft were able to identify target and all bombed on TR, results believed to be good, although 10/10ths cloud. F/O Friend (Rhodesian) and crew failed to return – no news received after take off.
F/O A.W.Friend, Sgt E.E.Hayward, F/S H.Shrybman, Sgts N.Nicoll, S.J.Allen, P/O J.C.Weir, Sgt F.E.McKenzie. Missing from this operation.

David Friend

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PO. Robert John "Jackie" Westgate 97th Sqd. Squadron (d.11th July 1942)

My Uncle Jackie, RCAF Pilot Officer Robert John Westgate, tailgunner served with RAF Woodhall Spa and was killed in action July 11, 1942. I have a great deal of information about him from my Mom, his sister. He came from a very small town named East Angus, Quebec, in the Eastern Townships southeast of Montreal. He was one of six children of my grandparents and one of four sons. He also had two sisters, my Mom and her sister Carolyn. For a boy from a small town, signing up for the air force was an adventure, a chance to see the world and help the Allied Forces win the war.
He did all of his training first in Canada and further courses once he arrived in Lincolnshire. He was first stationed at Bourne and then his Squadron moved to RAF Woodhall Spa. He and his buddy, Nicky Nickerson, lived with a Mrs. Dowes on the street behind the centre of town where the memorial is. He used to play tennis on his days off and go to the Kinema theatre as well as the Petwood Hotel.
My Mom knows a lot about his flying experiences as he wrote many letters home to his brother, my Mom and his parents. I am primarily interested in finding out (for my Mom) what other things the boys would have done between ops. Would they have gone on day trips to other towns or did they have to stay close to the base in case they were needed? I would assume they did. The night Jackie was killed, he was not supposed to have been on that plane. He subbed for another crew member who was not able to go that night. Not sure of the exact reasons. Nonetheless, he jumped at the chance as that mission was a daring daylight raid over the port of Danzig, Poland. The idea was to avoid the searchlights from the UBoats below by flying low under the cloud cover and surprise them as they were used to the Lancs flying under the cover of darkness. It was a very dangerous mission and unfortunately, my Uncle's Lanc and another Lanc were caught by the flak and crashed in a forest south of the port. His plane was found two years later and he and his crew were buried in the Malbork Commonwealth Cemetery.
I am interested in making contact with the families of two of the crew members, Englishmen Eslick and Forsyth.

Lynn Berry

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Douglas Charles Fentiman 97 Squadron (d.30th July 1943)

My uncle, Douglas Charles Fentiman, was in the RAF during WW2. I believe he flew for the 97 Squadron.
He was possibly in a Pathfinder role but I am not sure. He could have flown out of Bourn but again I don't know this.
Would anyone have any information on him or remember him? He had only been married one year when he was killed on the 30th of July 1943.

Barry Fentiman

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P/O. John Henry Kynoch DFC 83 Squadron

Effects of Welwick Collision with Balloon Cable

John Kynoch DFC served with 83 and 97 Squadrons, Royal Air Force.

Peter Cannings

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AC. Horace Parker 97 Squadron

Horace Parker served at RAF Coningsby with 97 Squadron. He always liked to recall King George VI's visit to Coningsby and his inspection of the squadron. Noticing that one airman's top tunic button had become undone, the King wanted to impose a 7 day sanction on the Airman but struggled to get the words out properly, struggling with the seven, solving this by eventually doubling it to 14 days.

Mike Parker

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The Wartime Memories Project
- No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War -

No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force

Logbooks

Those known to have served with
No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

Announcements

Want to know more about No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force?

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Links

The Wartime Memories Project - No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War -

No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force

Logbooks

Those known to have served with No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Forceduring the Second World War 1939-1945.

The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

Announcements

Want to know more about No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force?

Recomended Reading.

Links

The Wartime Memories Project
- No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force during the Second World War -

Those known to have served with
No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron Royal Air Force
during the Second World War 1939-1945.