Carpe Diem - 576 Squadron RAF

CREW MEMBER PROFILE
Surname:	WEST		First Name/s:	Frederick Alfred "Fred"

Service No/s:	919718 189583	Service:	RAFVR	Branch:	Air Gunner

Awards:	1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star with clasp, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal

Return

Date	Event	Aircraft Flown
SERVICE RECORDS
29 Mar 1940 29 Mar 1940	Enlisted at Uxbridge Recruiting Centre, Middlesex, as Aircraftsman Second Class (AC2), mustering as Aircrew Hand (General Duties)
30 Mar 1940 30 Mar 1940	Transferred to the Reserve
25 Jun 1940 25 Jun 1940	Called up to No.3 School of Technical Training (SoTT), Blackpool, Lancashire - tbc. 3SoTT was selected for initial training for gunners of the RAF Station Defence Force, founded on 16 Jun 1940
11 Jul 1940 11 Jul 1940	Station Defence Flight, Odiham, Hampshire
01 Aug 1940 01 Aug 1940	Re-mustered as Aircrew Hand, Ground Gunner (ACH / GG)
01 Jan 1941 01 Jan 1941	Promoted to Aircraftman First Class (AC1)
26 Jan 1941 26 Jan 1941	No.1 Ground Defence Gunners School, Ronaldsway, Isle of Man
22 Feb 1941 22 Feb 1941	Returned to Station Defence Flight, Odiham, Hampshire
01 Jul 1941 01 Jul 1941	Promoted to Leading Aircraftman
11 Aug 1941 11 Aug 1941	No.768 (Ground Defence) Squadron, Odiham, Hampshire
19 Aug 1941 19 Aug 1941	Promoted to Corporal
10 Sep 1941 10 Sep 1941	Attached to No.1 Ground Defence Gunners School, 15 (AR) Course, Ronaldsway, Isle of Man. Ceased attachment on 22 September 1941
11 Sep 1941 11 Sep 1941	Re-mustered as Gunner V
24 Sep 1941 24 Sep 1941	Returned to No.768 (Ground Defence) Squadron, Odiham, Hampshire
14 Jan 1942 14 Jan 1942	No.5 Anti-Aircraft Practice Camp (tbc), Filey (Hunmanby Moor), Yorkshire
22 Jan 1942 22 Jan 1942	Returned to No.768 (Ground Defence) Squadron, Odiham, Hampshire
01 Feb 1942 01 Feb 1942	On formation of the RAF Regiment, No.768 (Ground Defence) Squadron was renamed as No. 2768 Squadron
13 Feb 1942 13 Feb 1942	No.1 Ground Defence Gunnery School (GDGS), Ronaldsway, Isle of Man, for the Ground Gunner Instructors Course, Course completed on 11 March 1942.
12 Mar 1942 12 Mar 1942	Returned to No.2768 Squadron, Anti-Aircraft Flight, Odiham, Hampshire
20 May 1942 20 May 1942	Attended 20 AC, No.18 NCO Defence Course Unable to discover any information about this attachment; it may possibly be the Aircrew NCO's School at Whitley Bay, Northumberland, tbc. Course finished on 30 June 1942.
01 Jul 1942 01 Jul 1942	Returned to No.2768 Squadron, Anti-Aircraft Flight, Odiham, Hampshire
20 Nov 1942 20 Nov 1942	No.2768 Flight, RAF Regiment, renamed as No.4160 Anti-Aircraft Flight, RAF Regiment, Odiham, Hampshire
10 May 1943 10 May 1943	No.1 Air Crew Reception Centre (ACRC) (tbc), Lord's Cricket Ground and Regent's Park, London
29 May 1943 29 May 1943	No.14 Initial Training Wing (ITW), Bridlington, Yorkshire
23 Jun 1943 23 Jun 1943	Awarded 1st Good Conduct Badge
25 Jun 1943 25 Jun 1943	No.2 Air Gunners School (AGS), 59 (Ab-initio) Gunnery Course, Dalcross, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Re-designated as Aircraftman Second Class (AC2)
27 Jun 1943 27 Jun 1943	No.2 Air Gunners School, 59 Ab-Initio Gunnery Course, Dalcross, Inverness, Scotland.	Anson
07 Aug 1943 07 Aug 1943	Awarded Air Gunner (AG) flying badge and promoted to Sergeant, re-mustering as Air Gunner
10 Aug 1943 10 Aug 1943	No.28 Operational Training Unit (OTU), Wymeswold & Castle Donington, Leicestershire; joins the R H Field crew	Wellington
25 Oct 1943 25 Oct 1943	No.1667 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Faldingworth, Lincolnshire	Halifax
01 Dec 1943 01 Dec 1943	Attached to No.1481 (Bomber) Gunnery Flight, Binbrook, Lincolnshire	Wellington
08 Dec 1943 08 Dec 1943	Returned to No.1667 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Faldingworth, Lincolnshire	Halifax
27 Jan 1944 27 Jan 1944	No.1 Lancaster Finishing School (LFS), Hemswell, Lincolnshire	Lancaster
07 Feb 1944 07 Feb 1944	No.550 Squadron, 'A' Flight, North Killingholme, Lincolnshire Ops (2) with R H Field (1) and N S Rogers (1) crews 26 Apr 44 - Essen (Field) 27 Apr 44 - Friedrichshafen (Rogers) Field found unsuitable for heavy bombers so his crew were transferred to 576 Squadron.	Lancaster
03 May 1944 03 May 1944	No.11 Base, Lindholme, Yorkshire; administrative Base for 1 Group heavy bomber conversions
08 May 1944 08 May 1944	No.1 Lancaster Finishing School (LFS), Hemswell, Lincolnshire; joining the B A Templeman-Rooke crew	Lancaster
09 May 1944 09 May 1944	No.576 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire	Lancaster
06 Aug 1944 06 Aug 1944	Promoted to Flight Sergeant
31 Oct 1944 31 Oct 1944	576 Squadron move to Fiskerton, Lincolnshire
20 Dec 1944 20 Dec 1944	Discharged on appointment to a Commission
21 Dec 1944 21 Dec 1944	Commissioned as Pilot Officer (Plt Off) on probation (emergency) (London Gazette 06 February 1945, p747).
07 Mar 1945 07 Mar 1945	Central Gunnery School (CGS), Catfoss, Yorkshire; attending the Gunnery Leader Course
18 Apr 1945 18 Apr 1945	Qualified as Gunnery Leader, Category 'B'
19 Apr 1945 19 Apr 1945	No.576 Squadron, Fiskerton, Lincolnshire; as Gunnery Leader tbc	Lancaster
21 Jun 1945 21 Jun 1945	Promoted to Flying Officer (war substantive); London Gazette 13 Jul 45, p3614
01 Nov 1947 01 Nov 1947	Granted the substantive rank of Flying Officer with seniority of 31 December 1945; London Gazette 27 Jan 48, p654
31 Jul 1950 31 Jul 1950	Commission relinquished on account of medical fitness for the RAF and retaining the rank of Flying Officer; London Gazette 15 Aug 50, p4149

Date	Aircraft	Code	Flight Details	T/O	Land	Flt Time	Crew
576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS
10 May 1944	JA868	UL-J²	Training	1950	0025	4h35	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Night cross-country navigation exercise
11 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air test	1450	1525	0h35	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
11 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	HASSELT	2155	0200	4h05	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling Yards Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs. Master Bomber was unable to identify the target visually and instructed all aircraft to return to base with their bombs. In typical fashion, the T-Rooke crew bombed the secondary target (Louvain).
13 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air test	1135	1215	0h40	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
13 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Training	1435	1600	1h25	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Plt Off H. Jolly WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air to sea firing and fighter affiliation
14 May 1944	ND994	*UL-F²	Training	1445	1700	2h15	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Bombing and fighter affiliation. Three Army Officers were taken along as passengers/observers.
16 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air Test	1100	1215	1h15	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
19 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	ORLEANS	2150	0310	5h20	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Fleury-Les-Aubrais Marshalling Yards Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Landed Elsham Wolds (4 other Squadron aircraft were diverted).
21 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air test	1235	1345	1h10	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
21 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	DUISBERG	2155	0310	5h15	P1 Fg Off B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Built-up Area Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 204x 30lb incendiaries T-Rooke: "Bombed from 18000ft. Poor effort with cloud up to 20,000ft. No flak - quiet trip"
22 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air test	1510	1550	0h40	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test Passenger: Sqn Ldr Williams
22 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	DORTMUND	2200	0305	5h05	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie', 108x 30lb and 1170x 4lb incendiaries T-Rooke: "Bombed from 18000ft. A ‘wizard prang’ with many searchlights but no flak".
24 May 1944	JB460	UL-V²	Air Test	1300	1330	0h30	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test Rainey: "Took off and landed without ASI"
24 May 1944	JB460	UL-V²	AACHEN	2355	0455	5h00	P1 Fg Off W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: the marshalling yards at Aachen West and Rothe-Erde Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs Rainey: "Bombed at 20,000 ft" Rear gunner incorrectly listed in the ORB as Schofield.
26 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air test	1600	1700	1h00	P1 Wg Cdr G.T.B. Clayton RAF RAFO P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
27 May 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air test	1200	1235	0h35	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
27 May 1944	ND994	UL-F²	AACHEN	2330	0435	5h05	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Plt Off C. Hart FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: the marshalling yards at Aachen East and Rothe-Erde Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs 'Second dickie' for Plt Off Hart
31 May 1944	LM294	UL-G²	Air test	1500	1600	1h00	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
01 Jun 1944	LM294	*UL-G²	Air test	1430	1515	0h45	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
04 Jun 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Training	1500	1710	2h10	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S radar) cross-country navigation exercise
05 Jun 1944	LM594	UL-G²	CRISBECQ	2100	0130	4h30	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Plt Off J. Archibald RNZAF FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Coastal gun battery on the eve of D-Day Load: 18x 500lb bombs 'Second dickie' for Plt Off Archibald
08 Jun 1944	NE115	UL-B²	Air Test	1830	1915	0h45	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
10 Jun 1944	ME735	UL-R²	Air Test	1430	1510	0h40	P1 Flt Lt W.A. Rainey P2 FE Sgt J.C. Searle AB Sgt J.J. Frost NAV Flt Sgt D.J. Croxson WOp Sgt N.G. Gibbons MUG Sgt F.J. Carr RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Airframe and engine test; landed Sandtoft
11 Jun 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Training	1400	1600	2h00	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air to air firing
12 Jun 1944	LM594	UL-G²	GELSENKIRCHEN	2230	0240	4h10	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Nordstern Synthetic Oil Plant (Gelsenberg AG) Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 16x 500lb bombs T-Rooke: "Bombed from 18000ft. A quiet trip with plenty of searchlights. The first markers were well off."
14 Jun 1944	ND994	UL-F²	Air Test	1730	1745	0h15	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
25 Jun 1944	LM594	UL-G²	FLERS	0110	0445	3h35	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Plt Off R.E. Linklater RCAF FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: V1 flying bomb launch site Load: 18x 500lb bombs 'Second dickie' for Plt Off Linklater T-Rooke: "Bombed from 9,000 ft"
28 Jun 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Air Test	1730	1800	0h30	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
30 Jun 1944	LM594	UL-G²	OISEMONT/NEUVILLE AU BOIS	0600	0935	3h35	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: V1 flying bomb launch site Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs
04 Jul 1944	LM594	ul-g²	ORLEANS	2145	0355	6h10	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards Load: 18x 500lb bombs
05 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	DIJON	2055	0510	8h15	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Flt Sgt A.d.L. Greig FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards Load: 8x 1000lb and 3x 500lb bombs Landed Coningsby due to low cloud at base 'Second dickie' for Flt Sgt Greig
06 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Coningsby to Elsham Wolds	0845	0905	0h20	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Flt Sgt A.d.L. Greig FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Return from diversion
07 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	CAEN	1910	2310	4h00	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Enemy armour strongpoint and stores on the Northern outskirts of the town Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs
10 Jul 1944	LM133	UL-H²	Air Test	1000	1030	0h30	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test; landed at Sandtoft
11 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Training	1325	1535	2h10	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S radar) cross-country navigation exercise; landed Castle Donington
12 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	REVIGNY	2100	0600	9h00	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards Load: 7x 1000lb and 4x500lb bombs Due to cloud obscuring the target, the Deputy Master Bomber instructed all aircraft to return to base with their bombloads (codeword 'Lysol'). Landed at Lindholme The target marking on this raid was conducted by the No.1 Group Special Duties Flight, based at Binbrook.
13 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Lindholme to Elsham Wolds	1410	1425	0h15	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Return from diversion
15 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Elsham Wolds to Stanton Harcourt to Elsham Wolds	1130	1325	1h55	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Not known
18 Jul 1944	LM594	ul-g²	SANNERVILLE	0315	0710	3h55	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Plt Off J.A. Linklater RCAF FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Area 'H'; fortified positions occupied by enemy Panzer regiments and flown in support of the British Second Army involved in Operation GOODWOOD. Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs The main force was given a strong fighter escort for this attack 'Second dickie' for Plt Off Linklater
19 Jul 1944	PB253	UL-A²	Elsham Wolds to Bruntingthorpe to Elsham Wolds	1450	1600	1h10	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Not known
24 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	STUTTGART	2135	0545	8h10	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area Load: 1x 2000lb bomb and 12x cluster bombs, each containing 14x 30lb 'J'-type incendiaries
26 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	BOIS DES JARDINS	0055	0420	3h25	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: V1 'flying bomb' launch site Load: 18x 500lb bombs
27 Jul 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Training	1425	1715	2h50	P1 Flt Lt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West PAX Fg Off J.A. Goodwin
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S radar) cross-country navigation exercise Landed at Pershore Passenger Fg Off Goodwin (Nav)
03 Aug 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Air Test	0945	1005	0h20	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
04 Aug 1944	LM594	UL-G²	PAUILLAC	1320	2110	7h50	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Oil storage depot Load: 9x 1000lb and 3x 500lb bombs
05 Aug 1944	LM594	UL-G²	BLAYE	1410	2210	8h00	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Oil storage depot Load: 9x 1000lb and 3x 500lb bombs Flew 3 attack runs on the target Given a Mosquito and Spitfire escort Landed Worksop
06 Aug 1944	LM594	UL-G²	Worksop to Elsham Wolds	1100	1115	0h15	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Return from diversion
07 Aug 1944	LM294	UL-G²	Elsham Wolds to Waltham to Elsham Wolds	1100	1230	1h30	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Ferry flight taking Fg Off F H Watts and his crew to Waltham to collect LM133, UL-H2
10 Aug 1944	ME854	UL-D²	Elsham Wolds to Deanland	1830	2000	1h30	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West PAX Sgt R.E. Edwards
NOTES:	Purpose of flight not known Passenger Sgt R E (?) Edwards
10 Aug 1944	ME854	UL-D²	Deanland to Elsham Wolds	2210	2320	1h10	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Return flight
13 Aug 1944	LM439	UL-E²	Air Test	1825	1925	1h00	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
13 Aug 1944	ME854	UL-D²	FALAISE	0020	0355	3h35	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Enemy ground positions in the Falaise Gap Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs
23 Aug 1944	ME854	UL-D²	Air Test	1610	1710	1h00	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
25 Aug 1944	LM294	UL-G²	RUSSELSHEIM	1950	0420	8h30	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Opel factory manufacturing V1 wings and fuselages, and the built-up area Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 12x500 4lb incendiary clusters
27 Aug 1944	LM294	UL-G²	Training	1355	1610	2h15	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Flt Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S radar) cross-country navigation exercise Landed at Pershore
29 Aug 1944	NF975	UL-J²	Air Test; Elsham Wolds to Blyton to Finningley to Elsham Wolds	1415	1515	1h00	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Plt Off W.R. Ireland FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Flt Sgt S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West PAX Flt Lt V. Moss
NOTES:	Air test and cross-country Plt Off W R Ireland and Flt Lt V Moss taken as P2s
09 Sep 1944	LM227	UL-I²	Training	1430	1545	1h15	P1 Gp Capt W.C. Sheen P2 FE Sgt R.S. Porter AB Fg Off H.A.W. Rumbelow NAV Sgt E. Swift WOp Sgt W.S. Wooldridge MUG Sgt D.W. Waldron RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	High-level bombing with the Steadman crew plus West
10 Sep 1944	LM294	UL-G²	LE HAVRE	1620	2000	3h40	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Enemy strongpoint 1/2 mile SW of the Forêt de Montgeon Load: 13x1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs
11 Sep 1944	NG119	UL-U²	Elsham Wolds to Dunsfold	1100	1130	0h30	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt D.K. Cleaver AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Ferry flight taking D J Masters & crew to Dunsfold
11 Sep 1944	NG119	UL-U²	Dunsfold to Elsham Wolds	nk	nk	0h30	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt D.K. Cleaver AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West PAX Fg Off H.A.W. Rumbelow
NOTES:	Return flight from Dunsfold Passenger H A W Rumbelow
11 Sep 1944	NG119	UL-U²	Training	nk	nk	1h25	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Plt Off J.R. Stedman FE Sgt D.K. Cleaver AB NAV WOp MUG RG Flt Sgt F.A. West PAX Fg Off H.A.W. Rumbelow
NOTES:	Dunsfold to Base
13 Sep 1944	LM294	UL-G²	Training	1510	1700	1h50	P1 Gp Capt W.C. Sheen P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Circuits and landings
18 Sep 1944	LM294	UL-G²	Training	1450	1640	1h50	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	'Y' (H2S radar) cross-country navigation exercise
22 Sep 1944	LM294	UL-G²	Training	1330	1520	1h50	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Bombing at Alkborough Flats Range
27 Sep 1944	ME801	UL-C²	Elsham Wolds to Wakerley	1030	1100	0h30	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Sqn Ldr S. Slater FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Transit to Wakerley with Sqn Ldr S Slater (as P2) and crew, and to pick up LM651, UL-Z2
27 Sep 1944	LM651	UL-Z²	Wakeley to Gatwick to Elsham Wolds	1200	1355	1h55	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Transit back to Elsham Wolds via Gatwick
08 Oct 1944	LM294	UL-G²	Training	1300	1600	3h00	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Bombing at Alkborough Flats Range
14 Oct 1944	LM294	UL-G²	DUISBURG	0640	1100	4h20	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Fg Off C.A. Rhude RCAF FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: August Thyssen steelworks Load: 13x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs One of three aircraft tasked to attack the steelworks; target bombed visually 'Second dickie' for Fg Off C A Rhude, RCAF
15 Oct 1944	PD309	UL-W²	WILHELMSHAFEN	1720	2145	4h25	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Plt Off R.S. Bastick FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Built-up area and submarine works Load: 12x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs 'Second dickie' for Plt Off R S Bastick
17 Oct 1944	PA173	UL-G²	Elsham Wolds to Manston to Elsham Wolds	1215	1410	1h55	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Purpose of flight not known
22 Oct 1944		UL-G²	ESSEN	1550	2130	5h40	P1 Wg Cdr B.D. Sellick P2 Fg Off O.R. Herbert FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: built-up and industrial areas, including the Krupps works Load: 11x 1000lb and 4x500lb bombs 'Second dickie' for Fg Off O R Herbert
26 Oct 1944	LM227	UL-I²	Training	1755	1820	0h25	P1 Gp Capt W.C. Sheen P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Local flying
27 Oct 1944	LM594	UL-A²	Air Test	1210	1245	0h35	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
28 Oct 1944	PA173	UL-G²	COLOGNE	1305	1745	4h40	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 Flt Lt J.W. Acheson RCAF FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Mulheim district of the city Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 2,332 4lb incendiaries Six aircraft were tasked to attack Mulheim first, followed by the rest attacking the SW part of the city 'Second dickie' for Flt Lt J W Acheson, RCAF
31 Oct 1944	PA173	UL-G²	Elsham Wolds to Fiskerton	1600	1625	0h25	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West PAX Fg Off D.S. Richards
NOTES:	Transit to Fiskerton, as the Squadron moved to their new home The Squadron's Flight Engineer Leader, Fg Off D S Richards flew as a passenger along with two groundcrew, 217 Hewitt and 106 Skitt
03 Nov 1944	PA173	UL-G²	Air Test	1250	1305	0h15	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Air test
06 Nov 1944	PD363	UL-K²	GELSENKIRCHEN	1140	1615	4h35	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Nordstern synthetic oil plant Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie', 6x 1000lb and 6x 500lb bombs
21 Nov 1944	NN749	UL-G²	ASCHAFFENBURG	1530	2140	6h10	P1 Sqn Ldr B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt F.N. Ashton AB Plt Off S.R. Strand NAV Flt Sgt W.E. Sollis WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Sgt J. Boyd RG Flt Sgt F.A. West
NOTES:	Target: Marshalling yards Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 16x 500lb bombs
12 Dec 1944	NN749	UL-G²	ESSEN	1600	2130	5h30	P1 Sgt B.A. Templeman-Rooke P2 FE Sgt R.F.H. Wilshire AB WO A. Fisher RAAF NAV Sgt G.W. French WOp Sgt B.G. Holmes MUG Flt Sgt F.A. West RG Fg Off M.A. Frost
NOTES:	Target: Krupp munitions factory and the rail centre at 5126.5N 00701E Load: 1x 4000lb 'Cookie' and 16x 500lb bombs
15 Jan 1945	PD232	UL-O²	Training	1335	1435	1h00	P1 Fg Off G.H. Paley P2 FE Sgt R. Beales AB Flt Sgt R. Potter NAV Sgt R.P. Belshaw WOp Flt Sgt G.B. Burns MUG Sgt R. Black RG Fg Off F.A. West
NOTES:	Fighter affiliation
17 Jan 1945	ME317	UL-C²	Training	1330	1515	1h45	P1 Flt Lt H. Leyton-Brown P2 FE Sgt R.A. Hawkins AB Flt Sgt G. Paterson NAV Sgt L. Peters WOp Sgt E. Johnson MUG Sgt J.P. McMullen RG Fg Off F.A. West
NOTES:	Fighter affiliation and bombing
02 May 1945	PA176	UL-H²	ROTTERDAM	1310	1605	2h55	P1 WO F.G. Garrad P2 FE Flt Sgt A.R. Dresser AB Sgt R.J. Winters NAV Flt Sgt C. Wilson WOp Flt Sgt A. Knight MUG Sgt R. McPherson RG Plt Off F.A. West
NOTES:	Operation MANNA: the dropping of vital supplies to the starving Dutch population

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Details
Frederick Alfred West was born on 20 May 1920 in Woodmans Green, Midhurst, West Sussex, son of Alfred Oliver Douglas West and Rose-Maude Pascoe. He had three siblings; Charile (b.1925), Ivy (b.1936) and Eric (b.1939). After leaving school, Fred attended Art College and by 1939 was living in Chanctonbury, Sussex. Prior to enlistment he is recorded as being an under-forester. Following the war, Fred worked as a lighting salesman for Cresswells (location not known). At some stage he was involved in a car accident in Germany with life-changing consequences. On 18 December 1948 he married Joan Ivy Wooding in Stoke Newington, London and their two children, Carol and Diana were born in 1949 and 1950 respectively. Joan and Fred separated and were divorced in 1956. At some stage it is believed that Fred married again, to a Winifred Edith (surname not known), and at the time of his passing was living in Littlehampton, Sussex. Fred died on 20 February 1989 in Worthing, West Sussex, aged 68. West family

PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS
Details
West's Logbook 10 May to 22 May 1944 West family
West's Logbook 22 to 31 May 1944 West family
West's Logbook 01 to 30 June 1944 West family
West's Logbook 04 to 12 July 1944 West family
West's Logbook 13 to 27 July 1944 West family
West's Logbook 03 to 25 August 1944 West family
West's Logbook 27 to 29 August 1944 West family
West's Logbook 09 to 27 September 1944 West family
West's Logbook 08 to 31 October 1944 West family
West's Logbook 03 to 21 November 1944 West family
West's Logbook 12 to 17 December 1944 West family
West's Logbook 02 May 1945 West family
Frederick Alfred West as an Officer West family
Frederick West's Officer's Cap Badge West family
Frederick West's Identity Card 1949 - Front West family
Flying Officer Frederick West's Identity Card issued 16 January 1949 West family