Oldest Surviving Glider Pilot

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by BobH, Jan 13, 2011.

  1. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Lindsay,

    Thanks I have 17 others in my middlebrook book as well...

    Cheers
    Tom
     
  2. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    One at a time please Tom .... !

    The mystery signature shown on your thumbnail, which I believe shows the inside cover of the book, Glider Pilots at Arnhem, does match that shown on my thumbnail of the tail of a Horsa Glider.

    With the help of those that know the Glider Pilot is:-

    Stan Hann - B Squadron, Brize Norton

    I remember at the 2009 GPRA Reunion in Bournemouth when Stan signed my copy of Glider Pilots at Arnhem, we were standing next to Denzil Cooper, who remarked to Stan, ... "how the hell do you expect to be remembered with that signature" !

    I'll have a go at the other 17 for you ... I'm so very fortunate to know many Veterans' within the GPRA, all of whom, are still today, up for a challenge!

    Best wishes,
    Lindsay
     
  3. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Lindsay,

    Thanks again your a star.. Thats one more I can add to the list so for you the ones I know about...

    Bob Boyce
    Bob Readle
    Jack Bruce
    George Milburne
    Thomas Davidson
    Jim Street
    Terry F Sqn can't make out his surname
    Charles Bryce
    William Potts ???
    Les Page
    Les Frater
    Bill Higgs
    Alan Kettley
    Larry Goldthorpe
    Alex Williams

    Lindsay there is one more I can't make out so will add a photo for you

    Thanks again
    Tom
     

    Attached Files:

  4. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    Tom

    William (Bill) Potts is right.
    Terry Mooney
    Ken Mew is the one I think you can't make out.

    I can't find a Readle or anything close.

    Steve W.
     
  5. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Steve,

    I think thats my mistake could it be Bob Cheadle Glider Pilot Regiment ??? and thanks for the others..

    Cheers
    Tom
    PS Steve also have Joe Kitchener Glider Pilot Regiment
     
  6. Lofty1

    Lofty1 Senior Member

    Hi Tom.
    Is not Des Page correct, not Les, seem to remember Jack Bruce mentioning Des page,(just a typing error I expect) regards humbly, lofty
     
  7. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    You are right Lofty - the remarkable Des Page.

    Will you be at Earls Colne in March this year Lofty?

    Steve - This Glider Pilot still today gives his time freely conducting tours at The Museum of Army Flying in Middle Wallop and giving advice in the Archives to those who ask, he is of course ...

    Lt.Col. Ken Mead (Rtd)

    View attachment Lt Col (Retd) Ken Mead & Capt J F Hubble DFC.doc

    For interest the above is in the Spring 1965 edition of the magazine of the Glider Pilot Regiment, The Eagle - coincidentally found in the Archives at Middle Wallop when I was searching for Dad's Obituary Notice.
    (It should be noted that ... No citation/recommendation/record has ever come to light to substantiate the award of the DFC as shown)

    I'll hopefully be back to you Tom with some others.

    Best wishes,
    Lindsay

    P.S. I've looked again at this signature ... it could be Keith Miller and not Ken Mead ... I'll try and confirm.
     
  8. BobH

    BobH Junior Member

    Hi Lindsay,
    It will be great if you can PM me Jim's number. I visited Dad yesterday and thankfully he is improving well. The infection seems to have been cured and he looks a lot better than he has for a long time. He's not allowed to walk anywhere on his own yet but he is noticing the nurses :)
    You just can't dampen the spirits of these men.
     
  9. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    Hi Bob,

    So glad to hear that your Dad is on the road to recovery. I've sent you a PM.

    All the best,
    Lindsay
     
  10. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi All,

    Again my mistake its always good that poeple know the names.. The first time I got Veterans to sign the book was in 2004 and didn't ask their names... After that I always asked..

    Cheers
    Tom
     
  11. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    Well spotted, Lofty! How did I miss my mate Des?

    Steve W.
     
  12. GPRegt

    GPRegt Senior Member

    Yes, my mistake on Ken Mew - he was A Sdn. Now I've enlarged photo, the first name does look like Keith, but Keith Miller was post-war.

    Steve W.
     
  13. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    Bob ....

    Just checking ... did you get my PM?
    Hope your Dad's still doing well.

    Regards,
    Lindsay
     
  14. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Lindsay & Steve,

    Just looked again could be both, for sure its E sqn..

    Cheers
    Tom
     
  15. Lindsay Aspin

    Lindsay Aspin Senior Member

    Hi Tom,

    Steve was right first time ... Rev. Ken Mew DFC.

    I sent GPR Veteran, Denzil Cooper, a copy of the signature.
    Denzil looked in his August 2004 GPRA Membership List and said that the signature is almost certainly that of Ken Mew DFC.
    Denzil Cooper and Arthur Shackleton both remember Ken Mew attended the 2009 GPRA Reunion in Bournemouth, although he didn't attend the 2010 GPRA Reunion in the Midlands.

    Looks like another of your signature queries has been solved!

    Best wishes,
    Lindsay
     
  16. BobH

    BobH Junior Member

    Lindsay ...

    I rec'd PM, many thanks. I'll give Alan a ring asap. We visited Dad last night and he is still progressing. It has slowed down a bit but it is in the right direction.
    He says he is bored so that is a good sign :).
     
  17. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Lindsay,

    I have another one for you now too, can you tell me who this Glider Pilot is ?? took this last year at Oosterbeek...

    Cheers
    Tom
     

    Attached Files:

  18. mattgibbs

    mattgibbs Senior Member

    Forgive the question from a relative newcomer to the Airborne side, because my chosen specialised subject is Chaplains but when I was at the Airborne Forces Day at Colchester last year I was chatting to 3 Glider pilots. My memory is hazy on names, but Arthur Shakleton was there I am sure. I was chatting to a very gentlemanly guy, standing with Arthur who had a moustache. He said he'd joined the Army pre war as a boy soldier and volunteered for Airborne forces just as soon as the word went out. He was wearing Glider Pilots wings on his blazer and was joking with 2 of his other comrades who were in wheelchairs about being older but still standing. Great blokes!
    Trouble is I can't remember his name. Anyone got an idea? Thanks :)
    I got distracted by a chap who was telling me last time he'd chatted much to an Airborne Padre [which I was doing with a current serving one] was when he shook hands with one just after taking Pegasus Bridge.
    Regards
    Matt
     
  19. Lofty1

    Lofty1 Senior Member

    Hi all. Tom the man in your picture is S/LDR. J. PATIENT DFC.RAF (Retd) not GPR, author of Pilot ISBN 0850525446, he came to Arnhem last year with Jack Bruce. a really nice guy and possibly may rank as the oldest surviving glider pilot. I think he is a real 93. Although RAF I seem to recall a conversation, indicating he had piloted a glider, I am working on an answer to that, regards lofty
     
  20. Lofty1

    Lofty1 Senior Member

    Hi Matt I was at Airborne Forces Day, accompanying a Glider Pilot. I will check if he knows who was there, I am fairly sure we did not run into Arthur Shackelton on the day, will find out tomorrow for you , regards lofty
     

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