All, Wondering if anyone might be able to help me pad out some info on F/O Andrew (Andy) Harley who was an RAF glider pilot on Op Varsity. I'm trying to piece something together for someone who served with him and sadly the passage of time and misplacing of documents has left some blanks. What I know thus far is: Name and Rank: F/O Andrew Harley. Unit: "A" Squadron GPR. Departed: RAF Rivenhall, Op Varsity. The only extra bit of info I have is that he is seen briefly in a film shot of 570 Squadron at Rivenhall and that his glider had the name "Jenny/Jennie" painted across the front loading door which was his sweethearts name. We're trying to determine the usual basic facts, i.e, chalk number, load, tug aircraft, target LZ, etc. and maybe pad it out from there. Oh and the usual faint hope his glider may have been captured in a film/picture somewhere. His name is listed in Alan Cooper's "Wot! No Engines?" but apart from that, I've drawn a blank. Any leads appreciated.
Have you tried speaking with Peter Capon at the Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop? 01264 784421 The MAF also have a Database covering entries made in the magazine of the Glider Pilot Regiment, The Eagle. From the below serial lift chart taken from Stephen L. Wright's book, The Last Drop - Operation Varsity - GPR 'A' Squadron left from Rivehall x Tug Aircraft RAF 295 and 570 Squadrons. Chalk Nos., Manifest loads and LZs' are also listed. Hope this helps and good luck. Lindsay
Thanks Lindsay, I've actually got a copy of said book on it's way in the post so I'll dig into it then when it finally arrives. Last I checked MAF usually charges £25 for an enquiry to check their database but I'll see if I can bride Peter with a document trade
HighTow, Among others I found a Sylvia, a Cynthia and an "Obstinate Virgin", but no Jenny as yet. Keith put up three airlanding docs containing general info on Operation Varsity in this thread (Post 197): http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/28023-12th-battalion-the-devonshire-regiment/page-7#entry648658 I can't imagine this is new for the GPR types, a memory of OP Varsity by RAF Pilot Tony Wadley who also flew with A Squadron: http://wadley.us/wiki/Tony_Wadley Not much help otherwise ... regards. Edit: a better link to the Wadley account.
