415 Squadron Association
The above photo shows five of the original Crews of 415 Squadron Albacore Flight. Navigators are located in the first row and pilots in the second. The photo was taken in October 1943 at Manston Kent. The five crews are numbered from left to right.
415 Squadron Crews – Albacore Era – 1943 - 1944
Swordfish - The Story of 415 Squadron - recalls that in September 1943 part of the Squadron began conversion training on Fairey Albacores. Six crews were sent to RAF Manston to commence training with 841 Squadron, which was a land based Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Unit. 841 Squadron’s aircraft assets, which included +12 Albacores and 3 Fairey Swordfish, were transferred to 415 Squadron in November 1943. This left 415 Squadron as the only Allied operational unit flying bi-planes. In April 1944, the Albacore Flight was moved to Thorney Island and the number of aircraft was increased to twenty. A comprehensive article on this era of the Squadron has been written by Mr. Andrew Thomas.
Crews consisted of two personnel, a pilot and navigator. Information, including crew photos, has been gathered through multiple sources. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the reporting of 415 Squadron Albacore crews. Any errors or omissions that may be found in the information listed below are not intentional. The 415 Squadron Association would be pleased to receive any input, including additional crew photos, which would enhance the accuracy of this record.
ARMSTRONG
Pilot F/Lt R. Armstrong (RAF)
Navigator F/O H.R.D.S. Cuddon (RAF)
BOWERS
Pilot F/Sgt W.C. Bowers (RAF)
Navigator P/O D.J.G. McKenzie (AUS)
BRASNETT
Pilot F/O W.G. Brasnett DFC
Navigator F/O T.H. Parnell DFC (RAF)
F/Sgt R. Lynes (RAF)
BROUGHTON
Pilot F/O F.W. Broughton
Navigator P/O J.M. Dawkins
BROWN
Pilot F/O R.E. Brown (RAF)
Navigator P/O L.W. Fostitt (RAF)
F/Sgt H.A. Hufford (RAF)
CAMPBELL
Pilot F/L J.D.W. Campbell
Navigator F/O J.E Lundy
CHADWICK
Pilot F/O N. Chadwick
Navigator W/O A.N. Bernel
COWAN – KIA 20 January 1944
Pilot S/Ldr E.W. Cowan
Navigator F/O D.T. Wood (RAFVR)
DAVIS
Pilot S/Ldr J.T.J. Davis DFC
Navigator F/O H.J. Thompson DFC
EADIE
Pilot F/O C.M. Eadie
Navigator Lt H. Pincknes (US)
EMMOTT
Pilot W/O R.H. Emmott (RAF)
Navigator W/O D.M Meek (RAF)
FRYER
Pilot F/O A. Fryer (RAF)
Navigator F/Sgt K.W.W. Bradley (RAF)
GADZOS
Pilot P/O W. Gadzos
Navigator W/O A.W.T. Joyce
F/Sgt K.E. Ashworth (RAF)
GATES
Pilot P/O R.C. Gates
Navigator Lt V.T. Rice (US)
GORDON
Pilot S/Ldr R.A. Gordon
Navigator F/O C.W. Collins (RAF)
P/O G.T. MacKenzie DFM
F/O J.F. Nowell (RAF)
GRAYSTON
Pilot F/Sgt V.S. Grayston (RAF)
Navigator P/O J.P. Rollefson
GUY
Pilot F/O B. Guy (RAF)
Navigator F/O A.J. Bridge (RAF)
HILDEBRANDT
Pilot P/O A.F. Hildebrandt
Navigator P/O W.E. MacCausland
KEILLOR
Pilot S/Ldr H.G. Keillor DFC
Navigator F/O C.A. Wondolowski (DFC)
MACKIE – Killed 9 April 1944
Pilot F/O P.D. Mackie (RAF)
Navigator F/O F. McFarland (RAFVR)
passengers also killed:
AM2 A.L. Thomas (RAFVR) (U/T Nav)
F/L L.G. Loft (RAFVR) (Flying Control)
McNEIL-WATSON
Pilot P/O D.B. McNeil-Watson (RAF)
Navigator P/O W. Tyler (RAF)
MENNIE
Pilot F/O O.H. Mennie
Navigator W/O R.A. Leach
PERRY
Pilot F/O R.A. Perry DFM (RAF)
Navigator P/O J.G. Jobe
PILKINGTON
Pilot F/L W.G. Pilkington
Navigator F/L R.S. Arrand (RAF)
PILKINGTON
F/O W.G. Pilkington
F/O R.S. Arrand (RAF)
RABBETS
Pilot F/O A.J. Rabbets (RAF)
Navigator F/O C. Grant (RAF)
REYNOLDS
Pilot F/Sgt E.J. Reynolds (RAF)
Navigator P/O J.T. Steele (NZ)
RIVERS
Pilot F/O L.W.F. Rivers (RAF)
Navigator F/O A.F.G. Hughes (Died of wounds 24 Mar 1943)
Navigator F/O A.W. Griffiths (RAF)
ROSS
Pilot F/L E.S.M. Ross (RAF)
Navigator F/Sgt J. Hyans (RAF)
SCANTLEBURY
Pilot F/Sgt W.J. Scantlebury (RAF)
Navigator F/O R.A. Moulton (AUS)
SENECAL
Pilot F/O J.H.A. Senecal
Navigator F/O T.R. Burtch (RAF)
THOMSON
Pilot F/O D.C. Thomson DFC
Navigator F/O A.H. Bartlett DFC