G Squadron Glider Pilot Regiment, Operation Varsity

Hi Rob,

Doing some digging in the National Archives I found Spinks in 575 Squadron, along with his crew Ashdown, Emmerson and Nash flying a Dakota on that route on 30th March. They appear to have been carrying 20 glider pilots home. You can preview the record here http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D8415113 , open the "image viewer" and look at image 22. The entry is the first one on the page. You'll notice parts of the image are obscured. If you wish to view it in full you can download a copy (costs £3.50) but you may be satisfied with only a partial view.
I think it's most unlikely your father acted as second pilot on this trip, since Spinks had his own crew.
Slightly off topic but I hope of some interest to you.
Jenny

 

Thanks Jenny, it is interesting.

The column in dad's logbook is headed 2nd pilot, pupil or passenger. Dad's entry says self, I assumed that meant he was second pilot as he had trained in heavy bombers, he must have been a passenger

Thanks again for the information Rob

 

Second pilot was anything but a passenger