Heligoland 39
Remembrance - Reconciliation - Commemoration
149 Squadron - RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk, UK
RAF Mildenhall was established in the 1930s as part of the airfield expansion programme. It opened in October 1934 and is known by locals as Beck Row after the nearby village. It had a concrete runway surface. 99 Squadron were the initial residents equipped with the Handley Page Heyford which was a biplane. One flight then became 38 Squadron the following year and they were also equipped with the Fairey Hendon night-bombers which was the first all-metal low-wing monoplane to enter service. In 1935 the airfield hosted 350 RAF aircraft for the Silver Jubilee Review by King George V, which served to demonstrate RAF air power to visiting German military. At this time the majority of the aircraft were biplanes.
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In April 1937 149 Squadron was re-formed from B-flight of 99 Squadron. It had originally been formed in 1918 but disbanded in 1919. A fourth unit, 211 Squadron was formed later in the year but departed the base by that September. By January 1939 149 Squadron were equipped with the more advanced Vickers Wellington. 149 Squadron remained at RAF Mildenhall until April 1942.
149 Squadron Wellington Aircraft and Aircrew that took part in The Battle of Heligoland Bight 18th December 1939
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Note: There was a 6th crew member in aircraft N2943 - LAC Greig
We are in contact with family members of the following 149 Squadron crew members:
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Sgt Austin, P/O R.E.C.J. Beeny, F/O Briden, P/O W.S.F.Brown, AC1 Coalter, P/O Cruickshank, AC1 Doxsey, AC2 Foster, AC2 Francis, Sgt Hammond,
S/Ldr Harris, AC2 Hoey, W/C Kellett, F/Sgt Kelly, Sgt D.J. Kirkness,
AC2 Leighton, Sgt Parker, LAC Prior, Sgt Richardson, F/O A.F. Riddlesworth,
Lt/Cdr Rotherham (RN), LAC Sinton, F/O J.H.C. Speirs, AC1 P.J. Warren.
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We would still like to make contact with family members of the following 149 Squadron crew members:
Sgt R. Ballantyne, LAC Bingham, LAC A.A. Brown, F/O H.L. McL. Bulloch,
F/Lt Duguid, AC2 W.J. Ellis, AC1 H. Gillott, AC2 A.G. Gouldson,
AC2 J. Graydon, LAC W. Greig, AC2 D.H. Grove, Sgt Hough (RN),
P/O H.A. Innes, Sgt R.T. Johns, P/O F.N. Lines, Sgt McLeod,
AC1 J.J. Mullineaux, Sgt J.C. Murdoch, Sgt R.E. Osbourne, AC2 T.E. Smith,
F/O F.W.S. Turner, AC2 G. Watson, Sgt H.J. Wheller, AC2 Williams,
Sgt F.A. Woodcock
Wellington N2980
Also known as 'R' for Robert and 'The Loch Ness Wellington'
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