tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post808690211210039205..comments2022-11-14T10:36:20.805+00:00Comments on BilloTheWisp: Lancaster JB314 - EA-QBilloTheWisphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16221663524948086557noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post-82421124603261980892019-08-11T19:08:34.643+01:002019-08-11T19:08:34.643+01:00Dear Lorraine,
I am terribly sorry about the delay...Dear Lorraine,<br />I am terribly sorry about the delay in publishing your comment and replying to it, I had just about abandoned this blog and only recently restarted it. About a year after your comment.<br />It looks like Sgt McAvoy must have done his best to visit the families of all those killed on that dreadful night including yours (Walford) and mine (Rowcliffe).<br />He must have been a tremendous fellow.<br />Thank you for the book reference. I was unaware of this book and have just ordered it.<br />I have little information beyond what is here but I I will see if there is anything and try and contact you directly on your google ID<br />if I find anything worthwhile.<br />Kind Regards<br />BilloBilloTheWisphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16221663524948086557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post-88302481497494936782018-06-17T19:35:11.157+01:002018-06-17T19:35:11.157+01:00Your father visited my grandparents to explain to ...Your father visited my grandparents to explain to them what happened the night JB314 was shot down and how their son Leonard Ernest Walford, my uncle, died. His visit had a profound effect on them but they were very grateful for his kindness and it gave them answers to their questions and it brought them some peace. They were very upset by his injuries and by how much he had suffered. My sister and I were very sorry to learn of your loss but pleased to learn that your father went on to have a family. They were very brave young men who will not be forgotten.<br /><br />I found a description of how they were shot down in the book "Nuremberg: The Blackest Night in RAF History 30/31 March 1944" by Martin W. Bowman page 124. My sister and I were the first ones in our family to visit the graves of the crew in the Hanover War Cemetry in 1991.<br /><br />If you have any information and are willing to share it, my sister and I would be very grateful.<br /><br />Kind regards,<br />LorraineResearcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06625497144409771772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post-87430962953957260822013-10-10T21:35:31.880+01:002013-10-10T21:35:31.880+01:00Hi Colin,
Sadly the email must have come into an o...Hi Colin,<br />Sadly the email must have come into an old & lost email address. I thought I had transferred everything but it is not where I thought it would be. The information came from a guy called Rob Davis who is an expert on bomber command. He may still be around though it appears his site is not. Sorry I cannot help more. I'll keep an eye out for it just in case I have put it somewhere "safe" but it looks like it has gone.<br />Regards<br />Billo BilloTheWisphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16221663524948086557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post-79994053107395061312013-10-10T18:29:13.768+01:002013-10-10T18:29:13.768+01:00Hi Colin,
Interesting. I had not thought about it ...Hi Colin,<br />Interesting. I had not thought about it before but of course, the aircraft were not necessarily crewed by the same crew each time they flew. I understand your father was a navigator which was the same role David Rowcliffe fulfilled in his crew, so it is highly likely they knew each other even though David was lost so quickly. Once I had some information on JB314 regarding entry into service and No hours flown... I'll see if I can find it although it must be now 10 years since I received it in an email. If I find it I'll try sending it to you on Google+ and leave a marker here...<br />Regards<br />Billo BilloTheWisphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16221663524948086557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post-59066129805733422632013-10-10T15:45:01.534+01:002013-10-10T15:45:01.534+01:00Hi,
I read with a mixture of interest and realisat...Hi,<br />I read with a mixture of interest and realisation of the stark reality of how brave the aircrew were and how dangerous it was for them.This reality becomes more and more apparent the more I research my late Fathers RAF service history.<br />The reason I picked up your blog is that I, am as part of my research,looking in to the service history of JB 314.<br />The reason for this is that my father was the navigator in this aircraft on the 24/25 Feb 1944.<br />His pilot officer was Clark they were very fortunate to fly a successful mission on that night.<br />My Fathers name was Don Rolfe and may well have known Sgt McAvoy.<br />Kind regards and with the deepest respect Colin Rolfe <br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01776103446949998007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post-70722273779373577812012-11-22T22:42:55.836+00:002012-11-22T22:42:55.836+00:00Dear Mr McAvoy,
It fits that your father was the ...Dear Mr McAvoy,<br /><br />It fits that your father was the mid upper gunner on JB 314. <br /><br />The only reference to him and David (other than the crew records and family conversation) I have found was in "The Nuremberg Raid" by Martin Middlebrook. This book briefly mentions both David (not by name) and your father (by name).<br /><br />From Middlebrook's book and personal correspondence (I have from a German researcher), Sgt McAvoy was badly burned on his face (probably elsewhere as well - as you describe)<br /><br />I would be interested to know more.<br /><br />Believe it or not, even though they only met him once, your father was held in high regard by my family. Especially as he sought out David at the end of the war only to find that he had died from his wounds.<br /><br />If you would like to exchange what information we have please comment on this post with your email address.... I WILL NOT publish your email address but will reply to you.<br /><br />My condolences on your loss.<br /><br />Without doubt, Sgt McAvoy, along with his friends, was a very brave man. He is somebody whose memory deserves our deep respect and to whom we should all be eternally proud of.<br /> <br />Regards<br />BilloBilloTheWisphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16221663524948086557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6149751460360426536.post-79817048541962931212012-11-22T21:15:50.944+00:002012-11-22T21:15:50.944+00:00My father the late A. J. McAvoy passed away 25 Nov...My father the late A. J. McAvoy passed away 25 November 2010.<br /><br />He had extensive burns to his face also burns to his hands and feet.<br /><br />W. E. McAvoyW. McAvoynoreply@blogger.com