Heligoland 39
Remembrance - Reconciliation - Commemoration
Heligoland39 News Blog
Text & Photographs by Patricia Ruff (Education Champion Volunteer H39 Project)
Introducing the Heligoland39 Blog
Our book Daylight to Darkness focuses on the human story of the men who flew in The Battle of Heligoland Bight.
A baptism of fire: Wellingtons from three squadrons took off between 09.00 and 09.45, when the battle drew to a close four hours later, twelve Wellingtons had not returned, and 57 lives had been lost. It is hard to imagine what those young men were thinking as they set off, just seven days before Christmas, in the line of duty.
To try and further his insight, and connect with others who have an interest in keeping the narrative alive, Jack Waterfall has made it his mission to visit all the locations where aircraft ditched or were lost that day. I am Jack’s sister and in my role of ‘wingman’ will share our journey.
This blog is a record of the unfolding story, post publication of Daylight to Darkness, as we go on our travels.
10 January 2024
Meeting Fred Sinclair’s youngest son Tony - Jack and Tony finally meet face to face after Tony initially got in touch through our website. Meeting over lunch Tony shared his family archive and accounts of his father Fred Sinclair, Skipper of the trawler Erillus. They talked about the part Fred played in the rescue of four of the five crewmen of IX Squadron aircraft Wellington N2983, which ditched in the North Sea off the Cromer Knoll.
Tony Sinclair receiving copy of book from Jack Waterfall
11 January 2024
Jack and I visited IBCC Lincoln to catch up with Heather Hughes who is Professor of Cultural Heritage Studies/Head, IBCC Digital Archive/Co-Lead, University Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy.
Heather Hughes & Jack Waterfall
We were joined by Nicky van der Drift OBE, CEO of IBCC, to discuss the possibility of hosting a Memorial Service for the 85th Anniversary of The Battle of Heligoland Bight on 18 December 2024. So pleased this is now in the diary!
Jack gifted copies of Daylight to Darkness to the centre, sharing the research undertaken by Caroline Kesseler and Doug Aylward.
They successfully traced so many families gaining insight into the lives of the young men who flew in the Battle of Heligoland Bight.
March 2024
Our travels took us to the East Coast to find out more about the role of the trawler men. We were in touch with Sheila Coates from The Carnegie Heritage Centre in Hull whom we had met previously. She shared her extensive knowledge including that of the naval trawler Erillus and the part it played in the rescue of four of the crew of Wellington N2983.
4 March 2024
The Ryder Club, Hull, East Yorkshire - having made contact with Mike Bamforth, Secretary of the Royal Naval Association (RNA), to present the association with a copy of Daylight to Darkness, Jack, Heather (Professor Heather Hughes) and I joined members of the RNA. We shared stories and heard more about Hull and in particular Hessle, pre and post war. Hull suffered severe destruction through bombing. It is reported as many as 95% of its buildings were damaged or destroyed. The fact that Hull was the most severely damaged British city or town during the Second World War (much of which is documented) made our afternoon even more emotionally charged.
19 March 2024
North Coates Flying Club, Lincolnshire
We had a warm welcome at North Coates Flying Club spending time with Brian Stafford, North Coates Archivist and other members of the club, to talk about the history of RAF North Coates. Their museum collection holds much information. A great insight into how Lincolnshire, with so much flat land, became a prime bomber county as airfields across Lincolnshire came into operation.
Brian Stafford presented with book by Jack Waterfall
Today the club hangar and grass strip are the only assets left of the original RAF Station. Most of the land has reverted to agricultural use and solid runways have been broken-up.
The story of 1939 unfolds as IX Squadron Wellington N2871 had sustained considerable damage during the battle and Flying Officer MacRae had to make a forced landing at 17.30 hours with all crew surviving.
Thanks to Brian, Jack and I were fortunate to secure a flight in a Cessna with pilot Charlie Patter, to follow the flight path of Wellington N2871 as it returned towards the Humber Estuary. As Jack reported, ‘it was so surreal to be in the same airspace as those 1939 Wellingtons’.
Jack Waterfall signs a book for pilot Charlie Patter
The story of the four survivors of Wellington N2983 is vivid and provides insight into the swift action of the crew and the part Skipper Fred Sinclair on the trawler Erillus played in picking them up and transporting them via the Humber Estuary to Hull.
What must they have felt making it to dry land that evening? As we took to the sky we got a good sense of the expanse of sea and coastline flying across the Humber and over Spurn Point, along to Withernsea and its Lighthouse known as Dock Tower, but we were flying on a sunny day in March and could only begin to imagine the difference between daylight and darkness.
14 June 2024
I was delighted to meet up again with Maureen M Dickson who I met in May at The Writing The Air War and Lincolnshire Conference hosted by IBCC in Lincoln.
Maureen is author of Pilots and Soldiers of The Caribbean-Fighting Men of the Caribbean. Maureen who came to Britain with her family, from Guyana (South America), when she was four, knew little about the part her father and others played in WW11. It wasn’t until her father, in old age, spoke candidly about his experiences, that his story and the story of other pilots and soldiers were fully told. Maureen’s book captures personal stories of those who were not conscripted but felt compelled to leave their homes in the Caribbean and join ‘The Mother Country’ in their fight against the enemy in both WW1 and WW11.
This and other stories I discovered, at the conference, brought another dimension to the air war and particularly those involved in Bomber Command. I learnt men of all backgrounds from the Caribbean turned up to listen to lectures about the war effort and those with a good education were enrolled as pilots often flying Spitfires. Maureen writes at length about the process of recruiting for WW11 and the subsequent experiences from individuals who wanted to share their stories and receive recognition for the part they played.
Maureen is such a positive force and continues to share these stories with a wide audience including hosting workshops with students and pupils in schools, across the country, to tell the story of the Pilots and Soldiers of the Caribbean inspiring everyone to be the leader they want to be.
Maureen and I were reunited with Professor Andrew Jackson Head of Research at Bishop Grosseteste University to catch up after the conference. Maureen presents us both with a signed copy of her book.
You can contact Maureen via email and visit her website to find out more.
Email: dixsonmedia@yahoo.com
28 June 2024
An inspirational first visit to Coventry Cathedral for Jack and I, photographed here with Emma Griffiths. Emma Griffiths is Head of Reconciliation and Education Honorary Canon at Coventry Cathedral.
The purpose of our visit was to understand how and why, after several days of bombing and destruction Coventry responded in the way it did with the cathedral becoming a centre of reconciliation. The story of forgiveness: from destruction towards peace can be found on their website https://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk
Jack and I were truly inspired by our visit as we reflected on the 3 R’s Remembrance, Recognition and Reconciliation and how these concepts were depicted through amazing works of art and symbolism in and around the cathedral. We learnt too about the growing network of The International Cross of Nails Schools (ICONS) - around the world, which recognised the opportunity for introducing principles of peace, forgiveness, conflict transformation and reconciliation into their school communities.
Reconciliation
We continue to reflect on these as we champion education and begin work on the 85th Remembrance Service for the Battle of Heligoland Bight on Wednesday 18 December 2024 at International Bomber Command Lincoln.
Cross of Nails
The charred cross was created after the cathedral was bombed during the Coventry Blitz of WW11. The air raid on Coventry on the night of 14 November 1940 was the single most concentrated attack on a British city in WW11. Codenamed ‘Moonlight Sonata’ the raid lasted 11 hours and involved nearly 500 Luftwaffe bombers, gathered from airfields all over occupied Europe.
10 September 2024
(Morning)
As part of my preparation for the school based project I am working on, I returned to The Carnegie Heritage Centre in Hull, to meet Sheila Coates a volunteer researcher. I had asked Sheila to support me in finding out more about the role of the trawler-men in the war years. Sheila had collated a great deal of information on the part played by trawler-men in both WW1 and WW2. This is an aspect of the war years I had no knowledge of but was curious to find out more about, as I share the story of the rescue of the crew of Wellington N2983.
The Erillus - Courtesy Port of Lowestoft Research Society
The Erillus was a smaller Grimsby based trawler, which came to the rescue of the crew of Wellington N2983 after it ditched in the North Sea off the East Coast of England. The Erillus took less than 15 minutes to reach the stricken aircraft by which time the four survivors of the five man crew had managed to deploy the aircraft’s emergency dinghy for them to scramble into. This is believed to be the first time that an RAF emergency dinghy had been used in an operational mission.
The Carnegie Heritage Centre was buzzing with activity as a dozen or more volunteer researchers were busy following up on lines of enquiry. Everyone is so passionate about gathering and preserving the history of Hull and the impact the war years had on the city. Visit the website to find out more: carnegiehull.org.uk
My mission was also to present a copy of Daylight to Darkness to be lodged at the centre for public access. Chair and Trustee Liz Shepherd was delighted to accept a copy.
Access arrangements:
The Carnegie Heritage Centre
342 Anlaby Road
Hull
HU3 6JA
01482 561216
email: info@carnegiehull.co.uk
Research Library: freely available within the library
Open House: Tuesday and Friday - 9.30am until 2.30pm
10 September 2024
(Afternoon)
I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln to meet up again with Professor Andrew Jackson, Executive Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange and Professor of Local, Regional and Landscape History. We were joined by Dr Derwin Gregory, Associate Professor of Conflict Archaeology, Programme Leader, Archaeology, Military History, and Heritage.
Bishop Grosseteste University will be lodging two copies of Daylight to Darkness one for public access via the university library and a second for student studies.
A full list of educational establishments and other organisations lodging copies of Daylight to Darkness for access will be published on this website. This will be a growing list as we collate confirmed access arrangements from each location. Daylight to Darkness reflects 7 years of research to find out about the crews who took part in The Battle of Heligoland Bight. The meticulous research by Doug Aylward and Caroline Kesseler is an amazing feat and has been very well received.
Professor Andrew Jackson photographed earlier in the year with Maureen Dickson author of Pilots and Soldiers of the Caribbean: Fighting Men of the Caribbean. Maureen’s book provides another viewpoint and dimension to the writings of the war years and is very much a human story. Maureen was pleased to accept a copy of Daylight to Darkness.
11 September 2024
Jack Waterfall (Heligoland39 Project Leader) and I visited the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) to catch up with Nicky van der Drift OBE. Nicky is the CEO of the IBCC. Our main focus was the continuing preparation for the Heligoland Battle 85th Remembrance Service to be held at IBCC on Wednesday 18 December 2024 when a memorial stone will be unveiled. Jack and I met IBCC Volunteer Brian Downing who designs the stones which are placed on the Ribbon of Remembrance.
The Ribbon of Remembrance is made up of memorial stones laid out, side by side along the path which leads to the Memorial Spire and Wall of Names which provide the main focal point of the IBCC.
Jack has been busy producing the Heligoland39 Poppy marker and rivet in preparation for them be placed alongside the names of those who fought in the Battle of Heligoland Bight. We were grateful for assistance from Brian.
Visit the website to find out more about the IBCC: internationalbcc.co.uk
Brian Downing & Jack Waterfall placing Heligoland39 Poppy marker.
30 September 2024
It was great to pop in to Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln today to present Dr Derwin Gregory with a second copy of ‘Daylight to Darkness’. We confirmed where the copies would be lodged and the access arrangements. I am delighted to report both copies will be lodged in the university library for lending and reference.
Dr Gregory who leads the BA (Hons) Military History course confirmed the reference copy will be linked to two modules on the degree course, the first year module on ‘ethics of war’ and the third year module on ‘the air war.’ He said, ‘It was important for those studying military history to understand it is more than learning about weapons and battles but there are people behind what is being studied and statistics have a face.’
The seven years of research undertaken by Doug Aylward, Caroline Kesseler and Jack Waterfall is an incredible achievement and example of how the human story behind a significant event can be told. As such, Daylight to Darkness a significant record of the human story behind the first named air battle of WW11, the Battle of Heligoland Bight 1939.
Bishop Grosseteste University - Book access arrangements:
2 copies are lodged at the university library: (lending copy, research copy)BGU Library 01522 583790
2 October 2024
A very productive morning meeting with the Learning Team at International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC). The meeting with Leah Deen (Learning Officer Lead) and Janine Smithson (Learning Officer and STEM Ambassador) was a great opportunity to learn more about the education offer they provide for schools. An educational visit to IBCC is a brilliant experience to enhance the curriculum and engage children in the story of Bomber Command.
My visit also enabled me to update Leah and Janine on the WW11 curriculum enrichment planned next term at St Peter at Gowts Church of England Primary School, Lincoln. Emily Mayer (Headteacher) and her team have engaged in Heligoland39 Project over recent months and identified the opportunity to provide a local context for enrichment by using evidence to investigate the story of one of the RAF crews.
Emma Bradley (Y6 class-teacher) will be showcasing some of the work undertaken by the children as part of the service including a display at The 85th Anniversary Memorial Service, on Wednesday 18 December at IBCC.
We very much look forward to sharing this more widely including access to resources through our website.
Congratulations too to Leah and Janine for being nominated for the School Travel Awards as Education Team of the Year!
29 October 2024
Championing Education - I was delighted that Jack Waterfall (Heligoland 39 Project Leader) created the opportunity for Emily Mayer, Headteacher at St Peter at Gowts Church of England Primary School to visit North Coates Flying Club. Emily has embraced the opportunity to get involved in the Heligoland 39 Project and said:
‘At St Peter at Gowts we are extremely passionate about enhancing our curriculum offer through local heritage. After discussions regarding the Heligoland39 project, we knew this would be a fabulous opportunity for our children to gain first hand local knowledge. The passion and enthusiasm of Trish and her colleagues has been infectious, and we have consequently built this project, along with the concept of remembrance, recognition and reconciliation, into our Y6 curriculum. We are very excited for future events linked to this project and highly value the learning that our children will gain through understanding the past.’
The school have chosen to enhance their history curriculum by including The Battle of Heligoland Bight, the first named air battle of WW11, as part of their studies of WW11. The school has decided to focus on the story of the Crew of Wellington N2983 which ditched in the North Sea just off North Coates.
Emily and Sheila Coates (Research Volunteer from The Carnegie Heritage Centre in Hull) took to the air and followed the flight path of N2983. Sheila was a ‘fount of knowledge’ explaining the role of the trawlers during WW11 and the story of the trawler Erillus, as well as the changes, due to bombing, in the Hull landscape.
Emily Mayer
Sheila Coates
Jack Waterfall presents Emily Mayer with a print from an original painting by Des Brophy commissioned by Jack to depict the ditching of Wellington N2983. Emily is seen here with Jack Waterfall and Charles Patter the pilot.
