The Men Behind the Story
Ernest 'Sunny' Gledhill
Sunny was from Odsal, in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Before volunteering for the RAF, he was an assistant in his mother's pawnbroker's shop. He was a good-natured young man and the apple of his mother's eye. His older sister, Margaret, (my Grandmother) spent a lot of time looking after him when he was young, after their father died when Sunny was nine years old. Which left their widowed mother to build the family business and keep them fed and clothed.
Sunny with his sister Margaret and Sunny with his mother Evelyn.
On Sunny's personnel record, he is described as being 5ft 71/2" tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. He is also described as having a scar on his abdomen, (from having his appendix out), and a birth mark on his left ear. He was originally born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, on the 4th of June 1921.
Letter to Evelyn Gledhill from Squadron Leader Reid (Click to view)
Jim McGahey
Jim McGahey was the flight engineer in Sunny's original crew. Jim was from Exeter in Devon. He was a deeply religious man and before volunteering for the RAF, he was a scoutmaster and carpenter. Working on various churches and cathedrals in his area. Jim was also a talented musician, playing the piano and accordion amongst other instruments.
Jim McGahey
He surprised his whole family when he volunteered for the RAF, as they were expecting him to be a consciencous objector. His brother, Frederick, remembers the whole family being shocked, when Jim came home to Exeter on leave once, in a pair of sheepskin flight boots. Knowing that in doing so he was breaching regulations. As Frederick reminded me, the winter of 1943 - 44, was the coldest on record and apparently Jim was determined that his feet shouldn't get cold! Frederick believes that Jim was 'led astray' by another member of the crew, the Canadian, William Earle Brown, who apparently was a bit of a rascal!
Ernest Walter Haigh
Ernest Haigh was the mid-upper gunner in Sunny's original crew. Ernest was born in Walton, Liverpool on 27th August 1915 to Ernest and Florence Haigh. He was the third of four children.
On 10th February, 1936, 611 West Lancashire Squadron was formed at Hendon as a day bomber unit and moved to Speke, Liverpool, on 6th May 1936, to begin recruiting on Merseyside. Ernie, whose home was alongside Speke, enlisted on 1st August 1936. He was initially Aircrafthand on general duties.
On his personnel record, he was described as 5ft 4", with fair hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His occupation previous to joining up, was as a Bottle Hand. Ernie had always wanted to fly, so soon volunteered for flying duties as an Air Gunner on 20th August. On the 10th of April 1937 (?), he realised his ambition and became Acting Air Gunner (unpaid) and was promoted to AC1.
Ernie Haigh during his 611 Sqdn days, prior to the outbreak of war. Photo courtesy of Bernie Prescott.
On the 1st of January 1939, 611 Sqdn became a fighter squadron and received it's first Spitfires in May that year. War was rapidly approaching and on the 13th August 1939, Ernie married Josephine Agnes Putterill before joining his squadron at Duxford in Kent. On the 26th of August, he became embodied into the RAF for the duration of the hostilities. On the 3rd of September war was declared and the squadron served a period on defensive duties.
On the 30th of September 1940, Ernie and Josephine had a baby girl they called Josephine Doreen. As 611 Squadron was now equipped with fighter aircraft, there was obviously no need for Air Gunners. Ernie elected to remain with the squadron and made steady progress as a trainee Armourer. Throughout 1941 - 1943, 611 Squadron was heavily involved in the defence of Britain.
In July 1943, Ernie volunteered (knowing the dangers), for flying duties in order to become an Air Gunner again and was immediately posted to 10 Air Gunners School. At this time, Ernie's wife, Josephine was pregnant with their second child, Ernest Benjamin, who was born on 9th November 1943. Tragically, the baby died a few months later. This would account for why Ernie was missing from a couple of missions in March 1944.
Ernie completed his air crew training and was promoted to Sergeant on the 27th August 1943, before joining 12 Operational Training Unit on the 31st of August. Here, Ernie became part of Sunny's crew.
Jack Birch
Jack with his daughter at Christmas time 1943. Photo courtesy of Jean Leithall.
Jack Birch was the rear gunner in Sunny's original crew. Jack was from Chesham, in Buckinghamshire. He was married to a lady called Nan, with a baby daughter named Ann. Just before Jack went missing, he visited his nephew and niece one Sunday morning. His niece, Jean Leithall (nee Birch) remembers the visit well. Jack had apparently nearly completed a tour of 30 missions and was looking forward to ending his tour. Sadly, they never saw him again.
John Clare Gilbertson-Pritchard
John Gilbertson-Pritchard
John Gilbertson-Pritchard was the pilot in Sunny's original crew. On the 19th of April 1944, John was transferred out of 514 Squadron to a group called, 'N.E. Strength of No.33 Base'. Does anyone know what this is?
John died on Saturday the 31st of March 1945. By this time, he had been promoted to Warrant Officer and was a fighter pilot with 154 Squadron. On the day he died, John was flying Mustang KH651 and crashed into the sea two miles east of Lowestoft, Suffolk. All rescuers found was an oil slick on the surface of the water and a pair of gloves.
I am currently trying to trace John Gilbertson-Pritchard's family.
Gordon Kenneth Woodward
Gordon Woodward.
Gordon Woodward was the navigator in Sunny's original crew. In January 2006, I was contacted by Gordon's family, who had found this web site and realised that I was looking for them! Gordon's sister, Audrey, wrote this about her brother:
"He was my elder brother and since my father died from double pneumonia, when I was only three weeks old, he took his place in my life. Whilst my Father was in hospital, Gordon had developed TB and was sent to a Sanatorium to recover. Gordon never saw Father again and when he returned home he saw me for the first time, with our brother Bernard. I adored him.
From earliest times, my mother had to work very hard, especially as this was the time of the dreadful depression of 1928. My Mother fought to keep our family together and Gordon became the "man" of the house. He was very good at school and also woodwork, which was a hobby of his. Gordon made some beautiful things there, including a wall-cupboard, which I still have to this day. Unfortunately my brother had to leave school at 14, so as to be able to contribute something to motherÕs housekeeping budget. All his teachers, as well as the headmaster, respected him totally.
Gordon became an apprentice painter and decorator with Manchester City Council and after 7 years of extremely hard work, qualified for his certificate. He had to work in Warrington, where Manchester City Council had jobs available. These were extremely difficult to find and so he commuted, on a daily basis by bicycle. That was a long way and he left home at the crack of dawn each day, to get there in time, returning well after 6 pm. I remember how, on one awful day at work, he accidentally burnt his chest very badly with his acetylene blowtorch. He kept this quiet, avoiding the doctor, because he couldnÕt afford to miss a dayÕs work and it was a long time before the wound healed. His natural bravery earned him the respect of all who knew him.
My brother was highly intelligent. He bought a copy of HitlerÕs "Mein Kampf" as well as Karl MarxÕs "Das Kapital" and as he was teaching himself German, read these books in their original language. He was desperate to try and understand the German people because he was so puzzled by the sharp inconsistency of their philosophy.
Whenever we were together, my day was made! In November he would take me to ManchesterÕs Belle Vue, to see the fireworks, or to the Speedway races and I would sit on his shoulders when we walked home. He had only to hint at anything he need or wanted me to do and I obeyed him at once. My Mum and Gordon were my life!
Not long after he recovered from his burn, he was called up into the Air Force and was "over the moon" about it. He longed to fly and soon showed his aptitude to become a pilot. Gordon reminded Mum that if Auntie Polly were to die,(she was very ill), she could get him home to see his girlfriend, by sending a telegram saying "sister dead, funeral tomorrow". When this happened, he was immediately given compassionate leave and when he came home and saw me running towards him, he "blew his top"! He had forgotten all about the arrangement and believed it was I who died. The mixture of relief and sorrow about our aunt produced a turmoil of emotion. It was this telegram that prevented Gordon from joining his unit which was going to Canada for pilot training, and so he ended up as the navigator on a Lancaster bomber.
Gordon (on the left), whilst in training.
I also believe that he would not have been killed in 1944, had he become a pilot instead of a navigator. He would not have been on that aircraft at that time.
As it happened it was not actually his turn to fly on that fateful mission. He volunteered to take the place of a colleague who had Ôflu at that time and so couldnÕt go on duty! Gordon was due to go on leave so as to get married on that Saturday.
I have never ceased missing him quite dreadfully and until we found your website we had no idea that his Lancaster went down in the North Sea. We had only ever been told that Gordon was "missing"."
Click here to read a transcript of a very telling letter Gordon wrote in January 1944.
William Earle Brown
William Brown.
William Brown was the bombaimer in Sunny's original crew and from Canada. I am currently trying to trace William Brown's family.
George Henry
George is the only Airman who flew with Sunny, who survived the War. In the Public Records Office, George is listed as having flown two missions with Sunny's crew. However, according to George's flight record book, he only flew one.
George was from Fulham in London and before joining the RAF at eighteen years old, worked in a chiropodists equipment factory. George was first in 15 Squadron, where he flew seventeen operational missions in Stirlings. He then transferred to 514 Squadron in December 1943. George was a 'spare' mid-upper gunner and filled in with different crews until eventually hooking up with the crew shown below. George completed his tour of thirty missions whilst in 514 Squadron. George's nickname was Hawkeye Henry.
George with some of his crew at Waterbeach, 1944. Back row (left to right), George, Bombaimer, Flight Engineer. Front row (left to right), Pilot, Rear Gunner. The aircraft is their regular kite, Lancaster 'H' for Harry. Photo courtesy of George Henry.
George then trained air gunners for six months, before being posted to India to crew Liberators. This is where George saw out the rest of the Second World War.
I am in regular contact with George and his wife, Joan. We finally met in June 2002 at the 514 Squadron Reunion at Waterbeach. George's distinct memories of being in Bomber Command, are of the horrendous Nuremberg raid and of always being fed bacon and eggs before and after the mission!
Maurice Linden Morgan-Owen
Photo courtesy of the Morgan-Owen family.
Maurice was the pilot in Sunny's final crew and from Wandsworth in London. Maurice volunteered for the RAF on his 18th birthday. He trained to be a pilot in Canada, sending very spirited letters home to his family. Maurice was fun loving and liked a pint or two!
Maurice Morgan-Owen whilst training in Canada. Photo courtesy of the Morgan-Owen family.
In November 2002, I received an e-mail from Alex and Hazel Campbell in Canada. Alex trained with Maurice in Canada and also became a pilot in 514 Squadron. Hazel worked at the training school for the pilots and also remembers Maurice. Alex says, "Out of 59 chaps in Class 69, Hazel remembers him as a round faced and rather cheerful person. After being flight time keeper for a series of 3 classes, she transferred to pay and accounts at #5, Brantford.We have a photo of A.T.P. Class 69 which I hope to send to you. Our pilot training in Canada took place under the B.C.A.T.P.(British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). Maurice and I would arrive at #5 SFTS (Service Flying Training School) RCAF, Brantford, Ontario in Nov. 42.We endured a long and snowy Canadian winter to obtain our pilots' wings on 16th of April 1943. At one time we all had to pitch in and shovel snow to rescue a snowbound locomotive from a nearby railway."
ATP Class 69. Photo courtesy of the Morgan-Owen family. (Click on picture to see a larger version).
Alfred Douglas Tetley
Alfred was Sunny's Mid Upper Gunner in his final crew. Alfred was one of three brothers. His family owned and ran a greengrocers shop in Starbeck, an area of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Alfred has no surviving relatives. I have found out that there is a plaque commemorating only Alfred in Starbeck.
A letter from Annie Tetley to the Hayward family. (Click to view)
George Alexander Jacobson
George Jacobson. Photo courtesy of Garth Jacobson.
George was Sunny's Bombaimer in his final crew. He was from Queensland, Australia. George was born on the 25th March 1917, in Gympie, Queensland. He enlisted on the 5th April 1940, in Brisbane, Queensland and whilst training, was in 12 Operational Training Unit (OTU). George embarked for England on 7th September 1942. His next of kin was listed as Charles Jacobson who lived in Gunalda, Queensland.
I have kindly been given a number of documents relating to George. All of which are very poignant, and include a copy of an inventory of personal effects which were returned to his mother and also documentation relating to George's Ford car.
Inventory of George's posessions (Click to view)
Back row left to right - unknown Airman, F/Officer Morgan-Owen, Sgt H. Stanley Hayward, F/Officer George A. Jacobson. All three unknown Airmen are any of the following - Sgt Alfred D. Tetley, Sgt Henry Sadler, Flight Sgt Alan W. Green, and Sgt F. Barrett. Photo courtesy of the Morgan-Owen family.
Herbert Stanley Hayward
Known as Stanley or 'Bub', he was the rear gunner (or Tailend Charlie), in Sunny's final crew. Stanley was from Bishops Stortford and one of five brothers and four sisters. According to letters written by Sgt F. Barrett, Stanley had a fiancee who lived near or in Hunstanton, Norfolk, her name was Mary. Does anyone know this lady? I recently received an e-mail from one of Bub's nieces, which tells a very strange tale indeed. This is what she wrote:
"I remember as a child hearing the family talk about Uncle Bub and how my grandmother was not told of his disappearance because she had been extremely ill, near death in fact. One night she dreamed she saw Bub in the water, with his dark hair floating all around him. The next morning, she said she knew that BubÊhad been trying to tell her that something had happened and insisted on being told the truth. According to one of his 2 surviving sisters." At the time this happened, Bub's mother did not know that anything had happened to him, least of all that he had come down in the Sea....
H. Stanley 'Bub' Hayward (on right) and his brother Eric. Photo courtesy of Rick Hayward.
F. Barrett
F. Barrett (service number 1387535), was the original wireless operator with the crew Sunny joined. He wrote a number of letters to the Hayward family from Ely Hospital. He explains in the letters that he had had an accident, which meant he was being kept in hospital. Therefore, the reason why Sunny joined Morgan-Owen's crew. In his letters, he promised to visit the Haywards as soon as he was able. Apparently he kept this promise. Can anyone tell me where F. Barrett is now? I have checked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and he definitely survived the war.
Letters from F. Barrett to the Hayward family. Letter 1. Letter 2.
Henry Leo Sadler
Known as Leo, he was the Flight Engineer in Sunny's final crew. Born in Brighton on 21st October 1918, Leo had a younger brother and three sisters, two of which were WAAF's. Leo's family moved to Birmingham in 1922.
Leo joined the RAF in approximately 1936. His mother was very proud of the fact that he was trained by Rolls Royce. Somehow Leo seems to have got himself into theÊFleet Air Arm and served on the Eagle. At some time in both Crete and Ceylon. Leo's family are not sure how or why he got into Bomber Command.
In 1941, Leo got married at the Rosary Church, Saltley, Birmingham. His wife's name was Joan and she was from West Hartlepool. They had a daughter named Maureen (after one of Leo's sisters). Unfortunately the family lost touch with Joan after the war.
His nephew, Mike Donkersley, remembers him as a kindly, good humoured man.
Alan William Green
Alan was the navigator in Sunny's final crew. I am currently trying to trace his family.
