Enlisted at the Combined Recruiting Centre, Euston, London as Aircraftman Second Class (AC2) and mustering as Aircrew Hand/ Wireless Operator (Air); (ACH/Wop Air).

Placed on the Reserve List, pending call-up.

Called up at No.3 Recruits Centre, Padgate, Warrington, Cheshire.

Remustered as Aircrew Hand under training to be Fitter Mechanic (Engineers); ACH U/T FME. Promoted to Aircraftman First Class (AC1).

No.18 Recruits Centre, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, Yorkshire.

No.4 School of Technical Training (SoTT), 60 (Flight Engineer) Course, St Athan, Glamorgan, Wales, for preliminary Flight Engineer training.

Remustered as Fitter Mechanic (Engineer); (FME).

No.1 School pf Technical Training (SoTT), Halton, Buckinghamshire.

Remustered as Fitter Grade 2 (Engineering); (F II E).

Remustered as Fitter Grade 2 (Engineering (1); (F II E 1) and returned to rank of AC2.

No.100 Squadron, Waltham, Grimsby, Lincolnshire (presumably a holding post pending further training.

No.11 School of Technical Training (SoTT), Melksham, Wiltshire.

Awarded Flight Engineer's Flying Badge, re-mustered as Flight Engineer (FE), and promoted to Sergeant.

No.11 Base, Lindholme, Yorkshire; administrative Base for No.1 Group heavy bomber conversions.

No.1662 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Blyton, Lincolnshire. Here he joined the K D Corkhill crew.

Lancaster

No.101 Squadron, Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire. Here he completed 33 Operations, 31 with the K D Corkhill crew, and one each with R I Alexander (OC 101 Sqn), and B N Dickenson.
Ops:
02 Dec 43 - Berlin
20 Dec 43 - Frankfurt
23 Dec 43 - Berlin
29 Dec 43 - Berlin
01 Jan 44 - Berlin
02 Jan 44 - Berlin
20 Jan 44 - Berlin
27 Jan 44 - Berlin
30 Jan 44 - Berlin
15 Feb 44 - Berlin
19 Feb 44 - Leipzig
20 Feb 44 - Stuttgart
24 Feb 44 - Schweinfurt
25 Feb 44 - Augsburg; abortive; starboard inner engine and port engine-driven generator failed
15 Mar 44 - Stuttgart
18 Mar 44 - Frankfurt
22 Mar 44 - Frankfurt
24 Mar 44 - Berlin
26 Mar 44 - Essen
30 Mar 44 - Nuremburg
10 Apr 44 - Aulnoye
18 Apr 44 - Rouen
20 Apr 44 - Essen; Alexander crew
26 Apr 44 - Essen; Dickenson crew
30 Apr 44 - Maintenon
01 May 44 - Lyon
11 May 44 - Hasselt; Master Bomber abandoned the attack overhead the target
19 May 44 - Orleans
21 May 44 - Duisburg
22 May 44 - Brunswick
24 May 44 - Aachen
31 May 44 - Trappes; crew 'screened' from operations

Lancaster

Promoted to Flight Sergeant

Discharged on appointment to a Commission

No.1656 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Lindholme, Yorkshire, as instructor

Attached to the Aircrew Officers School, 12 Course, Credenhill, Hereford

Returned to No.1656 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Lindholme, Yorkshire

No.1668 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Bottesford, Leicestershire, as an instructor

Lancaster

Distinguished Flying Cross promulgated in the London Gazette 17 Oct 44, p4750. Although no citation has been found, it is believed it was awarded for completing 'multiple operations against the enemy' whilst serving with No.101 Squadron

Promoted to Flying Officer (war substantive) (London Gazette 15 Jan 45, p461)

Course at Air Crew Refresher School (location not known)

Returned to No.1668 Heavy Conversion Unit (HCU), Bottesford, Leicestershire

Lancaster

No.71 Base, Lindholme Yorkshire, administrative Base for heavy bomber conversions, now part of No.7 Group

No.576 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire, joining the G Mortimer crew (Operations listed below)

Lancaster

No.50 Squadron, Sturgate, Lincolnshire
Ops not known

Lancaster

No.17 Air Crew Holding Unit (ACHU), Snaith, Lincolnshire

Promoted to Flight Lieutenant (war substantive) (London Gazette 05 Jul 46, p3447)

No.1332 (Transport) Heavy Conversion Unit (THCU) (tbc), 26 (Flight Engineer) Course, Dishforth, Yorkshire

Possibly Liberator / York / Stirling / Halifax tbc

No.30 Air Crew Holding Unit (ACHU), Full Sutton, Yorkshire

Central Signals Establishment, Watton, Norfolk

Re-classified as Flying Officer with seniority from 13 June 1945

RAF Station Cardington, Bedfordshire as supernumerary administrator under training

RAF Station Sutton-on-Hull, Yorkshire, as Senior Administration Officer (S Admin. O)

No.1 Recruiting Centre, Yatesbury, Somerset; as supernumerary

RAF Station Wilmslow, Cheshire; administration officer

Promoted to Flight Lieutenant on a short-service commission (London Gazette, 06 Apr 48, p2207)

General Service Training School, Credenhill, Hereford; administration

School of Training Organisation & Method, 76B Course, Cosford, Shropshire

Returned to General Service Training School, Credenhill, Hereford

No.101 Personnel Disposal Centre (PDC), Kirkham, Lancashire, for Class A release from the Service

Released from the Service

Last day of Service

Made Flight Lieutenant (temporary) (two years on the active list) (seniority 03 September 1948) (London Gazette 14 Feb 50, p768)

Headquarters No.1 Group, Bawtry Hall, Bawtry, Yorkshire

No.50 Squadron, Waddington, Lincolnshire

Lincoln

Attached to No.57 Squadron, Tengah, Singapore, for anti-bandit operations in Malaya. Ops not known.

Lincoln

Returned to No.50 Squadron, Waddington, Lincolnshire

Lincoln

No.9 Squadron, Waddington, Lincolnshire

Lincoln

RAF Station Binbrook, Lincolnshire as supernumerary

No.3 School of Recruit Training, Padgate, Warrington, Cheshire; as General Duties Flight Commander and Wing Adjutant

Temporary commission relinquished, retaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant (London Gazette 18 Nov 52, p6076)

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Cole family

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