Philip Campbell PINKHAM, 37208,AFC, 19 Sqdn RAF: 05/09/1940, Battle of Britain

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by CL1, Sep 5, 2012.

  1. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Remembering Today

    PINKHAM, PHILIP CAMPBELL
    Rank: Squadron Leader
    Trade: Pilot
    Service No: 37208
    Date of Death: 05/09/1940
    Age: 25
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force, 19 Sqdn.
    Awards: A F C
    Grave Reference: Sec. H. Extn. Grave 4.
    Cemetery: KINGSBURY (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD
    Additional Information: Son of Lieut. Philip I. Pinkham. R.N.V.R. and Nora Pinkham. of Wembley.

    CWGC - Cemetery Details
     

    Attached Files:

  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    S/L Phillip C.Pinkham of No 19 Squadron was a career officer in the R.A.F. which he joined in 1935. He served with No 17 Squadron flying biplanes then he joined the Meteorological Flight. In the January of 1940 Pinkham took command of the Air Fighting School at St Athan, training pilots to fly Hurricane's. On the 10th of June 1940 he took over command of No 19 Squadron. In July he received the A.F.C. for his flying training work. P.C.Pinkham was shot down and killed on the 5th of September 1940 at 10:15hrs. His Spitfire I (P9422) was shot down by a Bf 109 over the Thames Estuary. His aircraft crashed at Birling in Kent.
    Pi-pilots
     
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  3. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    [​IMG]
    Casualty
    Squadron Leader (Pilot) PINKHAM, PHILIP CAMPBELL
    Service Number 37208

    Died 05/09/1940

    Aged 25

    19 Sqdn.
    Royal Air Force

    A F C

    Son of Lieut. Philip I. Pinkham. R.N.V.R. and Nora Pinkham. of Wembley.
     
  4. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    Name: Philip Irving Pinkham
    Baptism Date: 21 Mar 1889
    Baptism Place: Kensal Green St John the Evangelist, Westminster, England
    Father: Charles James Philip Pinkham
    Mother: Lydia Pinkham

    Name: Lieut Philip Pinkham
    Birth Date: 1889
    Death Date: 31 Aug 1970
    Cemetery: St. Andrew's Church
    Burial Place: Kingsbury, London Borough of Brent, Greater London

    Marriages Mar 1913
    Pinkham Philip I Campbell Willesden 3a 439
    Campbell Nora Pinkham Willesden 3a 439

    Name: Nora Pinkham
    Birth Date: 1886
    Death Date: 24 Oct 1972
    Cemetery: St. Andrew's Church
    Burial Place: Kingsbury, London Borough of Brent, Greater London


    1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
    6 Rossdale Drive, Wembley M.B., Middlesex
    NAME - DOB - OCCUPATION
    Nora Pinkham - ?? ?? ???? - Unpaid Domestic Duties (Auxilliary Nurse)
    James M Pinkham -1 May 1920 - Salesman Typewriter ? Carbon Paper
    Molly Brady (Pinkham) - 04 Jan 1924 - Not Previously Employed
    ~??? Campbell - 25 Sep 1887 - Nursery Governess

    1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
    Flat 12 Tarradrae, Willesden Lane, Willesden M.B., Middlesex
    NAME - DOB - OCCUPATION
    Phillip I Pinkham - 04 Jan 1889 - Local Government Official Heavy Worker
    Lillie Pinkham (Standish) - 12 Jan 1895 - Unpaid Domestic Duties
    Sorry, this record is officially closed.
     
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  5. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    A little more culled from a variety of snippets on the web
    1015hrs: Birling Kent. Spitfire P9432. 19 Squadron Duxford
    S/L P.C. Pinkham killed. (Shot down by Bf109 while in combat over Channel. Pilot went down with Aircraft)

    Buried at KINGSBURY (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD: Sec. H. Extn. Grave 4.

    Spitfire P9422 took off at 09:47 hrs from RAF Duxford for a patrol along the south coast of England. His aircraft was jumped by a Bf109 and shot down over the Thames Estuary at 10:15 hrs. His aircraft was believed to have come down at White Horse Woods, Birling, Kent.
    Spitfire Mk 1a P9422 First Flight 15-3-40 to No. 27 MU on 21-3-40 then to No. 7 OTU on 23-7-40 and to 19 Squadron 3-9-40. Shot down by Bf109 nr Hornchurch S/Ldr Pinkham killed. 5-9-40 Struck Off Charge.

    Fighter Squadron by Derek Palmer
    5th September 1940: Eleven Spitfires of the Squadron led by Sdn Ldr Pinkham took off at 09:47 hours to Patrol Hornchurch at 15,000ft. The enemy formation of 40 Dorniers 215’s and 40 Me 109’s were sighted over the Chatham/Ashford/Medway/Maidstone quadrilateral.
    Sqd Ldr Pinkham (Blue 1) (P9422) was seen engaging three Do215’s and is a casualty. He took charge of the Squadron on 31 May 1940 replacing Sqn Ldr G D Stephenson who had been shot down and taken POW on the 26th (N3200). Pinkham arrived from Sutton Bridge in a Hurricane.
    Sqn Ldr Pinkham gave a lecture on the merits and demerits of the cannon equipped Spitfire. It was evident that new tactics would have to be developed to cope with the disadvantages and make full use of the new armament.
    One other mention on 3 September 1940: Eight Spitfires of the Sqn were ordered to patrol between Duxford and Debden at 20,000 ft. Operating in pairs, all aircraft were fitted with two cannons except Green Leader which had eight machine guns. The Sqn was still climbing when they were warned by sector controller of the enemy approaching from the South East and later that they were over North Weald. On reaching 20,000ft they saw explosions and clouds of smoke from North Weald. There were 50/60 bombers at 20,000 ft, escorted by 100 fighters stretching from 20,000 to 25,000 ft, with a single fighter ahead of and above the whole formation. Sqn Ldr Pinkham (Blue 1) led the attack at two enemy aircraft and had fired only ten rounds from each cannon when they jammed. That same day they were informed that they were to be re-equipped with machine gun only Spitfires, this news was gratefully received by all Sqn members.


    There is also a posting hat states that a Memorial Cross marking the crash site was found covered by a gorse bush, near Gravesend.
    Phillip. C . "Tommy" Pinkham info - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums
    As his remains are buried in Middlesex, then the reports of him crashing in the Channel must be incorrect, Coming down from 10,000 ft gives a fairly large area from Hornchurch south, so Birling is a possibility, just to the south of Gravesend.

    In fact, it is almost at Detling, which was an RAF airfield in WW2, so he could have been wounded and trying to land his crippled plane there, but lost control just short.

    Philip Campbell Pinkham. 37208 FL Pilot British 19 Squadron
    Pinkham, from Wembley, was educated at Kilburn Grammar School. After leaving, he worked for an insurance company and joined the London Yeomanry, a territorial unit. In April 1935 Pinkham joined the RAF on a short service commission. He was posted to 6 Flight Training School, Netheravon, on 7 May and joined 17 Squadron at Kenley on 17 February 1936. Pinkham moved to the meteorological flight at Mildenhall on 16 August 1937.
    He was posted to 11 Group 17 in January 1938 and became an Instructor at the Air Fighting School at Sutton Bridge. Pinkham was posted to 11 Group Pool at Andover on 17 January 1939 as an Instructor. He took command 22 January 1940, as an Acting Squadron Leader. The Pool became No. 6 Operational Training Unit in March 1940 and Pinkham commanded it until 3 June, when he was given command of 19 Squadron at Duxford. He was awarded the AFC on 11 July 1940.

    (presumably for his leadership skills, identifying issues with the cannon feed etc?)

    Perhaps someone knows specifically where the Memorial Cross in White Horse Woods is?

    More details including photo and funeral report here 19 Squadron Supermarine Spitfire Mk1 P9422 Squadron Leader Philip Campbell Pinkham AFC
    and here (apologies for Name typo)
    Remembering Today 5/9/40 Squadron Leader P.C.Campbell 37208 Royal Air Force 19 Sqdn.
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2018
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  6. Jon Hayes

    Jon Hayes New Member

    S/L Pinkhams simple memorial is at the foot of the downs near Birling in Kent. It is a wooden cross that was placed at the site some years ago but has now fallen into disrepair.
    I am in the process of having another cross made and when complete will place it at the site.
     
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  7. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    thank you Jon and well done.

    please can you take a photo of it and post here

    I took the first photo of his headstone in 2010

    this is from 2016 so his headstone is still in good condition

    upload_2018-10-28_22-52-28.png
    regards
    Clive
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2018
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  8. alieneyes

    alieneyes Senior Member

  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK and Ireland, Find A Grave Index, 1300s-Current
    Name: Philip Campbell Pinkham
    Birth Date: 1915
    Death Date: 5 Sep 1940
    Cemetery: St. Andrew's Church
    Burial or Cremation Place: Kingsbury, London Borough of Brent, Greater London, England
    Has Bio?: Y
    Father: Philip Pinkham
    Mother: Nora Pinkham
    URL: https://www.findagrave.com/mem...

    England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976
    Name: Philip Campbell Pinkham
    Death Date: 5 Sep 1940
    Death Place: Battle of Britain
    31031_A100141-01722.jpg

    TD
     
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  10. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Just noticed that title of this thread is incorrect. Can it be edited in case of future searches?

    Tim
     
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  11. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    done
     
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  12. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
    6 Rossdale Drive, Wembley M.B., Middlesex
    NAME - DOB - OCCUPATION
    Nora Pinkham - ?? ??? ???? - Unpaid Domestic Duties (married)
    James M Pinkham - ?? May 1920 - Salesman, Typewriter Carbon Paper
    Molly Brady (Pinkham) - 04 Jan 1924 - Not Previously Employed
    ??? Campbell - 25 Sep 1887 - Nursery Governess
     
  13. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    1939 REGISTER TRANSCRIPTION
    Flat 12, Tarradrae, Willesden Lane, Willesden M.B., Middlesex
    NAME - DOB - OCCUPATION
    Lillie Pinkham (Standish) - 12 Jan 1895 - Unpaid Domestic Duties (divorced)
    Phillip I Pinkham - 04 Jan 1889 - Local Government Official (married)
    Sorry, this record is officially closed.
     
  14. Jon Pinkham

    Jon Pinkham New Member

    Hi everyone,

    I am the nephew of Philip Campbell Pinkham, his brother James 'Jock' Pinkham was my father.
    Thank you all for your interest in Tommy, we are currently in the process of arranging a replacement cross and memorial in Birling in Kent through the RAF(19 Sqd) Association. This is likely to happen on the 80th anniversary of his death in Sept 2020 so still sometime to go.
    I would be happy to share information regarding this with your website and especially Jon Hayes.

    Regards

    Jon
     
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  15. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    hello Jon

    please do share

    thank you

    regards
    Clive
     
  16. DaveSiggy

    DaveSiggy New Member

    Hi,
    I visited the White Horse Woods memorial today, sat for a while and drank some tea. The replacement cross is in place and I tided the general area - I walk the area regularly and often sit with "Tommy" and have a chat. My Grandfather was a Flt Lt at Brize Norton during WW2, never met him unfortunately.


    Regards,
    Dave
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. Mick Sharman

    Mick Sharman New Member

    I don’t know if this is old news but the site is fairly well known locally. the cross there is well maintained and the locals must visit it regularly I believe.
    I live in the next village, Trottiscliffe and with a friend spent a little time there on 30 June 2020 which we believe was Tommy’s birthday. We raised a beer each in his memory.
    I did contact the company that does spitfire Passenger flights to ask if they might fly over his site on his birthday and give a wing waggle or similar but unfortunately we’re in the covid restrictions do the spitfires are currently grounded, maybe next year.
    It’s been mentioned that he was hit over the Thames estuary and may have been heading for Detling which had an air strip at that time.
    When you stand at the site you can see in the near distance Kingshill, I new housing development. That was the site for Westmalling airfield and still has the old tower ( now a Costa coffee). I can’t help thinking maybe tommy was trying to get his wounded self and spitfire to that airfield. I suppose we will never know but as I cycle past Tommy’s crash site regularly, I and my friends salute him and remember his bravery.
     
  18. Neill DeVall

    Neill DeVall Member

    Mick, I have been trying to locate the memorial cross and even took a walk along the ND Way the other week but saw no sign of it. Are you able to pinpoint it on google maps and maybe post it on here or, tap out some detailed instructions of how to locate it. Would be much appreciated if you can. Thanks.
     
  19. Markyboy

    Markyboy Member

    Same please if you can pinpoint it for me. My parents are in Snodland so I will take a diversion next time I’m down there.
     
  20. Neill DeVall

    Neill DeVall Member

    Dave, I have been trying to locate the memorial cross for Tommy for a couple of weeks now, as I'd like to pay him a visit, to pay my respects but I have no idea as to the exact location. As you seem to be the or one of, the most recent visitors, are you able to pinpoint if for me (on google maps maybe) or otherwise give some detailed directions? I'd be mighty grateful if you could. Thanks in advance, Neill DeVall
     

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