612 Squadron Coastal Command

Hi Ross,

Thanks for the information about J. A. Cockin, much appreciated.

Regards
Julie

 

Hi I am new to this forum and am hoping for some help. I am currently researching my friends family tree and she has a grandfather who was killed whilst in 612 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He died on 30th October 1943 aged 31 and was named William Frederick Ellis. He is mentioned on the CWGC website. I'd like to know if there is anything online etc about the sqaudron at this time.

Any help appreciated

Sarah

 

Hello - I am writing a history of 612 Sqn during it's WW2 years. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has any documentation, diary extracts, stories, photos from this period.

Thanks very much in advance
Elliott

 

Hello Elliot and welcome

What is your interest in writing the book?
perhaps you could share the basics of what you currently have to save forum members doubling up.
A few links below for your interest


http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/53404-raf-volunteer-reserve-612-squadron/


http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/612_wwII.html


regards
Clive

 

So true Tom. In fact it was a 10 Squadron RAAF Sunderland which rescued my dad and his crew from the Bay in Oct 1941. The Sunderland scared off a JU88, made a perfect landing, picked up dad's crew and got the hell out of there. Returning safely to Pembroke Dock. The RAAF pilot was Flt Lt Burrage.

 

Hi Tom & Sid,

Do you have any detail for Flt Lt Burrage? Initials or name as I am unable to place him from the Australian Nominal Roll.

There were only five named Burrage in the RAAF.

(2) Whose rank were Leading Aircraftman.

(1) A Sergeant killed with 211sqn RAF in a Flying Battle over Sumatra and listed on the Singapore Memorial.

(1) A Aircraftwoman

And Wing Commander (During the War) Reginald Bruce Burrage DFC who went on to the rank of Air Commodore and retired from the RAAF in 1959.

The only information that points to him being the man in question is he flew Sunderlands, then went to the South Pacific flying Catalina's and he survived the war.

Also a May 1943 Newspaper clipping.


Cheers

Geoff

 

Hi Geoff,
I know little about the man, only what I've found online at the Austrailian War Graves site (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/042260/) and a couple of snippets from my Dad.

I believe that Flt Lt Burrage, I mention, later became the Commodore as he was R.B. Burrage.

My father recounted to me how he landed the Sunderland on the water as if it were on a runway! As this man made several sea borne rescues, he was clearly as skilled pilot. He was also a genuinely nice bloke, according to my Dad; but of course, he's an Aussie!

Here is a picture, staged a couple of days after the event for Australian press, of my Dad (2nd left), his crew and the Sunderland crew (Flt Lt Burrage, 3rd right) https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/SUK15097/
And here with skipper of Dad's Whitley (P.O. Limbrey) https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/SUK10486/
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/SUK10486/

You'll see that he is mostly mentioned as R.B. Burrage of Melbourne Vic.

All the best
Sean

 

Thanks for the detail Sean.

I did not get a chance to look at the AWM photos of 10sqn RAAF, so you have saved me some time.

I am usually tied up with my project of collecting Headstone and Memorial photos in 70 countries of the 11,400 Australians who died during the war however I do have an interest in those who were lucky enough survive the war.

10sqd RAAF were in Britain when the war started and still there when it ended. The only Australian Squadron to do so.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Hi Geoff, I didn't know that about 10Sqn, thanks. If you need photo's from cemeteries in Surrey, UK, let me know and I'll be happy to try and oblige. It would be an honour.
Sean

 

Hi Sean,

Thank you for the offer.

I do have all 2,922 in the UK of which 1,555 lads are in Surrey with Runnymede representing 1,464 of those.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Ok Geoff, no problem.
That really is a sad amount of loss without a known grave. The poor souls. What a waste.
Good luck with your endeavours.
Sean

 

Hi Clive

Thanks for your message. I am an aviation historian and over the years have developed quite an interest in 612sqn. It's a pity there is currently no squadron history. I have access to the official squadron records, but am looking for any information on the more personal side of the squadron - stories, anecdotes, photographs etc. these things would be really useful.

With all best wishes

Elliott

 

I am researching RAF Chivenor where 612 was based for quite a while and have quite a few things from 612 squadron

 

Extract from 'The RAF In The Maritime War' Vol.2. - 21 May 1941.
612 Squadron is mentioned.