Hi there everyone. My name is Helen. I am the niece of Joe 'Mac' Thompson, gunner in Lancasters with Bomber Command from signing up at 18 yrs old in 1943 onwards. I am hoping for advice on how to trace his former crew members and families. I have their names (below) but that's all. I am attempting to write a book about Mac's time with the RAF since I have in my possession the entire collection of correspondence between Joe and his mother (my nan) from '43 until he tragically died from cancer at age 22, shortly after the war. His crew were in 218 Gold Coast Squadron, and one of the Bombers they flew was NF956. They ditched on their first operation, but went on to serve many more. Any help would be very gratefully received. Crew:- Captn - Harry Warwick (sometimes listed as C Warwick) Nav - F/O A (Alec?) Stott WOP - Sgt A Naisbitt Air Bomber - F/O William Perry M U Gunner - Sgt Joseph Thompson (my 'Mac') Rear Gunner - Sgt Ivor Turley Flt Engineer - Sgt T (Thomas?) Waring Joe's letters are being serialised here if anyone has an interest
Welcome Helen. Sounds like you have a great project on the go, all the best with your searching and the book. There are many here whose love and focus is the Air Force side of things, some will be along shortly I am sure to help out the best they can. Wayne
Lovely Lou, an RAF Lancaster with 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron. The Brits also connected their naming system with the ship's call letter - L (seen at the nose) for Lovely Lou. Pictures are F/L Harry Warwick, DFC and crew at RAF Chedburgh in 1945. From Fighting For Love - Nose art - the ultimate expression of affection > les Ailes d’Époque du Canada Hello Helen Wondered if you'd seen this picture before and if your 'Mac" was in it. Not exactly what you were looking for but a surprise to find in the searching. Cheers Mark
This is the exact photo which I have of the crew. Mac is the tall handsome brute on the far left. I am desperate to get hold of the official 218 Squadron photograph - does anyone know how I might find a copy?
I am desperate to get hold of the official 218 Squadron photograph - does anyone know how I might find a copy? Hello Helen, I see that amongst the many places online you have been looking for information that you came across the RAF38Gp site. Steve "Smudger" Smith is the 218 Sqn Association historian and would be the one who could assist. And you're in luck as his email address is posted on this link from their forum: Short Stirling & RAF Bomber Command Forum • View topic - New Email address He will also have the No. 218 Sqn Operations Record Books and will be able to give you the names and, most importantly, service numbers of this crew. Please post those service numbers here when you receive them. It will open some further doors for you. Regards, Dave
