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- - Basil Dunstan HALL (RAF) (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84766)

dumdum

07-05-21 11:11 AM

Basil Dunstan HALL (RAF)

Hi

Am wondering if anyone can give me some info on this WW2 RAF gent. I worked with his son some years back and he would love to find out about his Dad.

I have a photocopied studio picture of him with a brevet wing that has "S" on it. I'm lazy right now but I'll post a copy later.

Any idea as to Squadron, service etc.? He was born in India.

May have flown on Wellingtons and been injured in a "prang" when returning from a raid. Badly injured and lost sight in one eye.

mike_vee

07-05-21 11:36 AM

Wellington HE153 near Warter Priory

Quote:

On the night of 14th / 15th February 1943 the crew of this 466 Squadron aircraft were tasked with Ops to Cologne and took off from Leconfield at 18.25hrs, they bombed the target area at 20.20hrs and made for home. On the return leg the crew were having difficulty in manipulating the fuel cocks and before they could land the fuel in the selected tanks ran low, the engines began to cut out and the aircraft lost height, it eventually struck trees in the grounds of Warter Priory just after midnight. One of the crew died and the other four sustained serious injuries

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Basil Dunstan Hall (1179843). Injured.

http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/...43/he153b.html

.

mike_vee

07-05-21 11:41 AM

The guy had some bad luck , the week before the above incident :

Wellington HE156 at Leconfield airfield.

Quote:

On 6th February 1943 the crew of this 466 Squadron aircraft were undertaking a daylight mine laying flight from the waters off Brest but were forced to return to base early as fabric began peeling from the port side of the aircraft just behind the pilot's position while they were over Oxford. The port engine had also developed an oil leak. Having taken off at 16.21hrs they landed without further damage at 18.58hrs. While not an "accident" the incident is included as a repair must have been needed. The aircraft had already been damaged in late 1942 but the aircraft survived the war. A week after this February 1943 incident the navigator and wireless operator survived a more serious accident when Wellington HE153 crashed in the grounds of Warter Priory near Pocklington.

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Basil Dunstan Hall RAFVR (1179843).

http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/...k43/he156.html

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mike_vee

07-05-21 11:58 AM

No.466 Squadron

Quote:

This squadron was formed on 15 October 1942 at RAF Driffield. It was under the control of No. 4 Group and undertook the role of a night bomber squadron.

Bombing and mine-laying operations began in January 1943 with the squadron flying Wellingtons. During September 1943 the unit converted to Halifax aircraft and flew these operationally from December for the remainder of the European war.

Records show five flights he was on , the first being on 26/01/1943.

http://466and462squadrons.com/CrewOps/HallBD.html

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grenadierguardsman

07-05-21 02:57 PM

Mike, where do these records come from ?
Andy

mike_vee

07-05-21 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grenadierguardsman (Post 548477)

Mike, where do these records come from ?
Andy

Did a quick 'Google' and found this site :

http://www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk/

Because I had included a name it took me directly to the crash page but when I then went back to my search page I noticed the same site had details of the earlier incident.

The site lists all known WW1/WW2 Aircraft accidents in Yorkshire.

Edit: I have now added links to earlier posts.

.

dumdum

07-05-21 08:33 PM

Mike

You have excelled yourself! Many, many thanks! Ian (son) will be very pleased with this.

Strangely enough, I'd picked up Hall's service number on dear old Forces War Records but couldn't go any further.

I'm sure that Ian will be just delighted with what you've found!:)

grenadierguardsman

07-05-21 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_vee (Post 548480)

Thanks.
Andy

dumdum

08-05-21 05:25 AM

Hi Mike

An update for you. Ian was just over the moon with your information (I've just got off the phone from talking to him).

He wants me to pass on his most sincere thanks and appreciation for what you have done on his behalf.:):):):):)

Funny thing is that we worked together for a fair few years and I kept on saying that I would do what I could to get him some more gen on his Dad.

All done thanks to you!:)

mike_vee

08-05-21 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumdum (Post 548580)

I'd picked up Hall's service number on dear old Forces War Records but couldn't go any further.

Glad I could be of some assistance , unfortunately the information only dealt with the latter part of his service from when 466 Squadron was formed until his injury (October 1942 - 15th February 1943). I would assume that after hospital treatment and recuperation he would have been medically discharged ?

According to what I could see on FWR (I don't have paid subscription) the record(s) they hold on him start from 1940 , so which unit(s) was he in before 466 Squadron ?

.

dumdum

08-05-21 10:50 AM

Hi Mike

Even so, Ian was ABSOLUTELY amazed with what you have found. I told him that it was you, not me, who located this.

He kindly said that it still took me to get the ball rolling!

Thanks again

PS yes, I suspect that he was given his discharge after this. The citation for the Gazette is a bit odd as it says that the RAAF pilot "was awarded the," [sic] and then misses out what "gong" he got!

I'm guessing that it was a DFC?

mike_vee

09-05-21 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumdum (Post 548667)

The citation for the Gazette is a bit odd as it says that the RAAF pilot "was awarded the," [sic] and then misses out what "gong" he got!

I'm guessing that it was a DFC?

London Gazette

Air Ministry,14th September, 1943.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: —

Distinguished Flying Cross.

Quote:

Pilot Officer William Richard MARTIN (Aus-4O4837), Royal Australian Air Force, No. 466 (R.A.A.F.) - Squadron.

dumdum

10-05-21 10:11 AM

Hi Mike

Great stuff! Dear old Ian had said that the pilot "got the VC" for getting his Dad out of the crash so that's how rumours start!!!!!

Not to give you too much of a swelled head, but I've also had a very nice message from Ian's brother in the UK thanking both you and me for your/ our efforts.

Maybe time to buy a bigger hat?:)

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