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The Faces - & Queries Section was filling up, so we have a second page.  All queries after February 2026 will now appear in Faces - & Queries Newest  and  those before March 2026 are in Faces - & Queries Original.

There is already a new query - with a middle Eastern Cigarette box...

Member John Brown found a Movietone cinema news film showing the first Lightnings refuelling from a Victor K1.

Thanks John.

There is a link to this film (on Youtube) in our Links section.

Bill

Friend of 55 Squadron, Tony Armstrong has sent some wartime photos of the 1942 43 period, as 55 Squadron, including his father WO AG Oliver Armstrong  was flying the Martin Baltimore in North Africa.  The first three appear in the Faces and Queries section - the others in the Historical Photos section.

Please check this section, for updates on:

Flt Lt Gary West  Victor Captain 55 Squadron Funeral Arrangements

CT Tomlinson,  ex crew chief 55 Squadron

Wg Cdr T Morris  55 Sqn AEO and OC Victor K2 Standards unit.

Bill

Member Simon Cox, whose father flew on 55 Squadron during its Iraq phase between WW1 and WW2 has sent a photo of the General Service medal, also known as the King Faisal medal, which was presented to his Father, Patrick Clement Cox in the 1930s by King Faisal. He has some questions about the medal and it's recipients.

His letter, together with the photograph appears in the Faces and Queries section.

In October 1982,  Captain Eric Houston,  55 Squadron and his crew were starting to take off on Runway 24 RAF  Marham, in their Victor K2 tanker, when there was a loud pop.  This was the sound of an uncontained failure of number 4 engine, which in turn caused number 3 engine to fail. 

Pieces of engine flew around and pierced two fuel tanks, which caught fire. 

Thanks to a quick stop by Houston and Crew, they managed to evacuate just before the fire spread to the whole aircraft. Despite all efforts by the fire services, the aircraft burned out completely on the runway.  Eric is now a Member and has send a very impressive picture of the aircraft, XL232, in flames, which can be seen at the end of the Historical Photos Section.  Thank you Eric - that's what they call a "Birthday", for sure.                                               Bill

In the Faces and Queries Section, we now have the complete logbook of Flying Officer R P Sage, who flew on 55 Squadron in WW2 from 1941 to 1943 and was missing in action.

We are grateful to his nephew Member John Sage for this document.

Following is from our Member Oscar White:

Dear William,

  I would like to see any former members of 55 Sqn, especially anybody who served from 1960 onwards at HONINGTON at the Brooklands museum near Weybridge in Surrey on any Thursday unless it's raining ☔☔

They may contact me at [email protected] 

Regarding the enquiry by Philipp Froom and also that by Greg Spencer, in our Faces and Queries section about Duncan Hugh Spencer,  who survived the Blenheim collision over Italy in WW2, there is now a scanned copy of Spencer's typewritten story given to the association in 2012, in the 55 in WW2 - Diaries & Humour  section.  This includes his subsequent internment as a POW in Stalag Luft 1.

We have found the shooting-down of Alfred Wiles' aircraft in North Africa September 1941 on a page of the Operational Records Book Section. This can be seen in the Faces and Queries section following Jason Nicholson's enquiry. 

Wiles also knew and from time to time flew with Ernest Bennett  (see the next query by Simon James) as discovered by recent  contact between the two relevant Friends of 55 Squadron,  Jason Nicholson and Simon James!

The Operational Record Books are on line.  This section contains no less than the ORBs with Authorisation sheets and other appendices from the beginnings of 55 Squadron until 1946.  These items are very large pdf files, which take a while to download completely.  This is also a great source of information for those of you looking for gen on relatives etc. serving on 55 Squadron. They are not searchable - except by dint of scrolling through and reading it all. What a read, though.

The 55 in WW2 -Diaries & Humour.  This was started with written memories, poetry and wartime humour recently donated to the Aviation Heritage Centre at RAF Marham and passed to us, as were most of the ORBs, by Member Brian Martin.

Addition to the History  Section, in the form of a potted 55 Squadron history typed up by member Mark Batin and his wife Amanda, while at RAF Marham in 1986, which is a compilation of useful  information gleaned from various sources.

We have been permitted to reproduce an article written in French be M.Danner for the Saverne History Society concerning the raid in which Observer J R Fox was killed and including photos after the event. He researched the raid and his findings are borne out by the ORB. This article is in the Faces and Queries section immediately after his original query.

Bill Palmer

Mike Lawrence, who had been looking through our squadron historical photos emailed in June with a hair raising story of his first Russian Bear intercept and what he was ordered to do...

This story is now in the Tanker Stories section – although it hasn't too much to do with tanking as such...

                                                   Private Viewing of XH-648 at IWM Duxford - Monday 24.October 22

Thanks to a kind invitation from Lauren Moore, Project Manager for the renovation of XH-648 at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, the members, some with their ladies, were able to enjoy a private viewing with welcome warm coffee on a rather cold rainy day. 

There was a good mix of ex 55 Sqn engineers and aircrew, who were also able to chat to the on-hand technical staff, who had taken part in the years long renovation work since XH-648, the last remaining 2 point tanker, was pulled in from the cold...

We have been able to follow the course of this renovation thanks to the photos and reports of members who had visited Duxford. See the reports in the Projects section.

A huge thank you is due to the renovation team, who have done a magnificent job. The aircraft looked new and stood with opened bomb doors to demonstrate the forward and rear bomb bay tanks. 

The cockpit was shut but later, on the arrival of Bob Tuxford was opened to the remaining guests.

Apparently an attempt had been made to tow XH-648 outside but she hadn't moved (parking brake?)

Alistair Sutherland, ex 55 Sqn Flight Commander but later ex 57 Squadron CO, was in two minds about the decision to finish XH-648 in the 55 Squadron colours, as she had flown for both squadrons, albeit only for 11/2 years on 57.  Alistair tended towards 57 colours but put a brave face on it in the company of the majority...

A good time was had by all and now XH-648 will be on public display. She is in good company amongst some of the most famous aircraft ever flown. If you haven't seen her yet, a trip to Duxford is highly recommended.

Private shots Below L to R: The "office" with its streamlined  wind shield - Some of the ladies in a sunny interval - Side view of assembled company - On the viewing balcony - After the cockpit was opened - The famous folding undercarriage - The Marham Bull - Yarn by the bomb bay - An Australian visitor a month later - Mike Lawrence

Member Brian Martin has sent photos by Pete Biggadike of 214 Sqn of the initial rollout of XH648 - the last two point Victor tanker - now in the Projects section. She looks pretty good even without the wingtips and T tail...

A very successful re-union of the tanker personnel from 55 and 57 Squadrons of all ranks and trades was organised by Oliver Bridgeman over the Easter Weekend.  

After a first Friday evening in the bar for the "bloods", the Saturday was given over to a visit to the Heritage Centre at RAF Marham, where amongst the many other attractions there was a presentation of  the excellently researched new book Marham's Tankers by Brian Martin and Stephen Parker  and other souvenirs including bottles of Tanker Gin were on sale...

The little museum is well worth a visit,  is packed with artifacts dating from way back in RAF Marham's  history up to the present and is a credit to the volunteer staff.

In the evening we all repaired to the Dukes Head hotel in KL, where after the first drinks the noise level reached an incredible level.  Ollie was fortunately able to make himself heard and direct us to the correct bar venue and then an excellent menu was served at the many tables.

There are pictures of the event in the Member section (which is in date order - scroll down...)

And - the 55 Squadron Association banner which has recently been restored to us was proudly on display - transported there from the museum by Bob Parlett.

Most of the guests stayed at the hotel overnight and the weather was friendly throughout.

As the noise level and the photos can testify, the event was a huge success - and left everyone wondering when the next one would be...

Thanks a lot for all the effort and enthusiasm Ollie!

Member Brian Martin   (Rt above)  and member Stephen Parker  (Left) previous 55 Sqn CTs, who are engaged with the RAF Marham Air Historical Centre (AHC) have collaborated on  this book about the Tankers at RAF Marham. The stories, anecdotes and photos to make this book a success have come largely from contributions from tanker squadron members.  As the book is being published on demand, any corrections or new contributions can readily be incorporated. So if you haven't yet done so, you can still send your yarns and memories to Brian or Stephen (both on our Member list).

Below is a contact from instructor Michael Wild at 55 Sqn ATC unit near Woodford.  He is now on the Friends of 55 Squadron list in the Member section and can be contacted from there. We will include the unit on our mailing list and look forward to further news!      Bill Palmer

Hinaidi Cemetery Iraq.    Initial success for Steve Johnson

Author and Friend of 55 Squadron, Steve (Buster) Johnson, runs the Nr6 Sqn (like 55 Sqn stationed at Hinaidi between the wars) website.   He researched the military graveyard there and discovered, that the site is in urgent need of restoration.

See the Projects section, where Steve writes an update on the situation, having worked hard to convince the powers that be to get the site repaired and has some initial good news.He has also kindly provided us with a list of deceased 55 Squadron members buried at the Hinaidi site, which is posted in the In Memoriam section.

There is a link to casualties under Hinaidi in the Links section.

The Squadron Association Banner which was found by Adam Hammett has now been delivered to the Heritage Museum at RAF Marham, where it was received by ex CTs Brian Martin and Steve Parker, who were Crew Chiefs on 55 Squadron photographed here with Adam Hammett inside the museum. 
And photographed outside the Heritage Centre with Gp Cpt Alistair Sutherland, Flight Commander on 55 Squadron and later Station Commander at RAF Marham, who joined the Chiefs for a celebratory lunch.

The banner is evidently hand painted, is in superb condition and may be seen at the museum.

The Original announcement:

We have received the very good news of the discovery of a 55 Squadron Association banner by Adam Hammett, of the RAFA.

It has been agreed, that the banner will be handed to the association to be used at association functions (which we still hope to achieve at some point...) and kept for display at the RAF Marham Museum. Here is Adam's letter:

Good afternoon,

I have recently uncovered a 55 Squadron Association banner (see attached) within a loft space at a property.  It is hand painted onto a heavy duty lined fabric with wooden poles top and bottom with yellow cord for hanging purposes.  I have not measured it but guess it would be around 1m wide with a 1.5m drop.  It has the kings crown so I guess this means that dates it pre 1952 (long before 1952 with the title "55 Bomber Squadron, ed).  I would like to find out more about this item's history and ideally locate a suitable home for it.  Any assistance with groups or individuals that you believe could help me with this I would be most grateful for.

Regards,

Adam

Adam Hammett

Estates Project Manager RAFA

Member Ray Holloway, who is a volunteer guide at RAF Cranwell, informs us of the store of historical 55 Squadron items there, some of which were kept in the 55 Squadron crew room at RAF Marham during active days. 

There is also a research centre opening. In order to arrange a visit please contact new Friend of 55 Squadron, Flt Lt Mike Frankel, the OC;  [email protected]  who can arrange permission to enter the base. 

Below are some of the items presently on display. Here is a great opportunity for Members and also Friends of 55 Squadron wishing to research past members of the squadron. Many thanks to Ray and Mike for this information.

Faces & Queries section (previously Where are They Now?)  often has something new in it - sometimes people write in with a story, rather than an enquiry, which can still help people to find helpful information.  None of us are getting younger so if you can help with an enquiry or have something to add, please let us know. Thanks.

PS. Have a rummage through your old photos - I just did and was able to solve one query...

The Faces and Queries section is becoming more populated - especially from the time that 55 Squadron was in Iraq, between WW1 and WW2 - good news for for Friends of squadron members wanting to exchange information.  Recent additions: Sgt Ted Ettridge, with 55 Sqn in 1937 "Mesopotamia", Flt Sgt (WO) Albert Harrison, who was cooking at Hinaidi in those difficult days.  The Adjutant and pilot (later) Gp Capt J O W Oliver was with 55 Squadron at Hinaidi.  Air Gunner SAC Leslie Rogers was also at Hinaidi with 55 Squadron. His son in law Ben Lovegrove has an excellent website of his pictures. Details in Faces and Queries and contact via the Friends of 55 Squadron list in the Member section. Also there are quite a few people wanting information about 55 Squadron's time in North Africa and Italy - Boston and Baltimore days and the legendary Squadron Commander Cookie Leon.