The Centenary magazine is available as a PDF at the following link: https://goo.gl/Yzq5em
0 Comments
Sat, 16 July, Dorrington Village Hall In early 1939, 19-year-old Salopian Eric Lock joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve to fulfil his dream of flying. Within eighteen months, he found himself pitted against one of the largest air forces in the world, fighting for the survival of his homeland in a pivotal battle that, if lost, had the potential to change the course of world history. As his training was not completed until after the Dunkirk evacuations, he was not posted to his first operational unit, 41 Squadron, until late June 1940, just prior to the commencement of the Battle of Britain. Displaying a natural aptitude for aerial combat in his Spitfire, a number of spectacular victories quickly ensued and Lock became an Ace within four weeks of his first operational sortie. For a period during September 1940, he even maintained a 100 per cent strike rate: one victory for every operational sortie he had flown. In mere weeks, therefore, he rose from anonymity to become a household name and hero of the nation. He was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1940, a second in October, and a Distinguished Service Order in November. Ultimately, he claimed twenty confirmed victories during the Battle of Britain, and was the top-scoring RAF Ace of the campaign. However, it did not come without a price and Lock was seriously wounded in action in November 1940. Hit in three limbs by rounds fired from a German fighter, he spent the ensuing six months recuperating, and underwent three skin grafting operations performed by gifted plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe. Lock returned to front line operations with 611 Squadron in summer 1941, but sadly failed to return from a routine patrol to France just six weeks later. A Ruddy Awful Waste tells Eric Lock’s full story for the first time. It reveals the man behind the legend, uncovers his legacy, dispels myths, and analyses open questions. We witness his highs and his lows, we feel his joy and his pain, and we grieve with his family as they struggle to come to terms with his loss. This is the definitive account of the short life of this very brave young man, and cements his place as one of Britain’s true national heroes. The third article in this series has been made possible by a contribution from Mr John Shipman (j.m.shipman@ntlworld.com author of One of The Few featuring 41 Squadron (Flyer below)). On the week of our Squadron Centenary it is probably most appropriate to share an image of our predecessors enjoying a beer: Some members of 41 Squadron enjoying a drink of beer. Back row from left to right and standing: “Mitzi” Darling, Flg Of Gamblen (missing Hornchurch July 1940), Pilot Off Morrogh-Ryan (killed Snowden 26th July 1941), Edward “Shippy” Shipman, Pilot Off Stapleton (prisoner of war May 1940). Middle row from left to right and seated : Stevens (Adjutant) and Sqdn Ldr “Robin” Hood (CO) (missing Hornchurch September 1940). And standing leaning on a billiard que Flt Lt Webster (killed Hornchurch 5th September 1940), Front Row from left to right and seated: “Lulu” Lovell “Wally” Wallens, Ted Howitt. The articles in this series have been made possible through content shared by our members. If you wish to broadcast a picture/article or short story to our membership via this blog then please send it to the secretary email address (41sqn.association.secretary@gmail.com) and I will post it here. Please indicate if you wish to include your email for any further contact from those who may know something of the same era. |
Photo Credit:
Rich Cooper/COAP Association BlogUpdates and news direct from the Committee Archives
May 2020
Categories
All
|