I was very young when I first learned about my Uncle Jimmy and remember studying his log book, written in a very neat hand, but far too complex for a nine year old to decipher. He had been a Wireless Operator in Bomber Command and had lost his life after a terrible accident on a training flight, following many previous missions. To me he was a Hero.

 

 

Soon after, I decided to go to his grave to pay my respects, so set off on my bicycle with two loyal friends in convoy. On arrival at the churchyard, we were searching for his grave but were promptly told to go away by the Rector, who no doubt thought that we were up to mischief. Undeterred, I have returned many times since with no further misunderstandings.

 

Over the years, I have wondered about Uncle Jimmy and his life in the RAF. Unfortunately, my father cannot remember very much as he was quite young and all he knew was that his older brother was ‘down south’. As everyone knows, to a Northerner, that means

anywhere south of Birmingham!

 

The years went by and last December it was my mother and father’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary. I asked could I have some photographs, the older the better, to frame and display at the Celebration Party. Mum produced an old-looking box and on sifting through the contents, I found pictures of Uncle Jimmy. Written on the back of one in that same handwriting that I had last seen fifty years ago, were the names of the crew of Fortress BU-N of 214 Squadron:-

 

 

Gerhard is 2nd from the right - standing on the back row, Uncle Jimmy is 2nd from left, John Gilpin is in the middle (again, both standing)

 

Navigator:Ken Hovers, W/Op (Air) Waist Gunner: Self, Waist Gunner: Jackie Hewitt,  Top Gunner: ‘Paddy’ Gilpin

Rear Gunner: Alf Read, Flight Engineer: Bill Howard, Special W/Op: Gerhard (Harry) Heilig

Pilot: Jake Walters, 2nd Navigator & Air Bomber: Tommy Thomas

 

It was such an exciting moment! Maybe now I could begin to find out about Uncle Jimmy and hopefully contact someone who had known him. I presumed the gentlemen not named must be ground crew.

 

We were relative strangers to the internet, so I wrote a letter for publication in a favourite magazine: ‘Best of British’; asking if anyone remembered my Uncle. A welcome response gave me contact details for Jock Whitehouse, historian of 214 Squadron Association, who has helped me enormously in my search. When I read out the names of the crew, he said that he had known most of them and that two still came to the Reunions – John Gilpin and Gerhard Heilig. Jock kindly suggested that I could attend the July Reunion in Derby where I could meet these two gentlemen. I had a further call from Peter Walker, Secretary of 214 Squadron Association, who was so informative and helpful also.

 

The next day, I had a message on the answer phone from John Gilpin, Uncle Jimmy’s old pal, and it was an emotional moment listening to his message. I nervously returned John’s call and we were soon chatting away like old friends, and he cheerfully told me some of his memories of their time together. I was ‘over the moon’ and could never explain just how much this all meant to me.

 

I joined the 214 Squadron Association and Peter Walker helped me with my application for Uncle Jimmy’s Service Record from RAF Cranwell. Our places were booked at the Reunion, but we were disappointed to hear that John and Gwen Gilpin were not able to attend. On hearing this, my husband Ian (who luckily is as keen as I am) said ‘We will just have to go to Ireland to meet them!’ I was so pleased, those were my thoughts also, the trip was planned.

 

On arrival in Derby for the Reunion, we wandered into the bar and I spotted the first of my heroes – Gerhard Heilig, having seen his picture on the internet. I immediately rushed over to introduce myself, as I was so eager to talk to him. Gerhard was so charming and polite and all four of us had a great conversation over lunch together. We had been worrying that we were not really entitled to be there, never having served in the Squadron, but everyone was so warm and welcoming at the AGM and Dinner, we had a wonderful time. In his presentation, Gerhard kindly said that we were welcome as part of the Association.

 

Peter Witts told us all about the 100 Group Association Reunion and kindly asked his son Leonard to organise an application form to be sent to us. The following day, we attended the Memorial Service at the National Arboretum where I laid a wreath, specially made to honour the memory of Uncle Jimmy and all the men of 214 Squadron. It had been a very memorable weekend.

 

Less than a week later, we flew to Belfast to meet John Gilpin and his wife Gwen. I was so excited to be meeting yet another hero, especially as John had been close friends with my Uncle. Any nervousness on our part was swept aside by the welcome that we received. John told us that in recent years he had written to Uncle Jimmy’s last known address, asking if anyone had any knowledge of his family, but never received a reply. Unfortunately, none of my relatives had lived there for over 30 years. Then, out of the blue, Peter Walker had called him to say that I was trying to contact anyone who knew his old pal!

 

Our weekend with John and Gwen was wonderful. They took us to some beautiful places and showered us with kindness and hospitality. We found it very hard to tear ourselves away and they are both very special and dear to us.

 

We have discovered so much about Uncle Jimmy and our thanks go to Jock Whitehouse (historian of 214 Squadron Association), Peter Walker (Secretary), and especially dear John Gilpin for all the tales of their escapades when not flying! We were so glad that Uncle Jimmy’s life was not just about fear and danger but more importantly was about friendship, loyalty and most of all fun. These fine gentlemen that we have met say that they would not have missed those times for anything. They deny that they were brave, saying that they were just ‘doing a job’. In our eyes, as in millions of others, they are the true heroes in this world.

 

It is a privilege to now be a part of the 100 Group Association and we are eagerly awaiting the Reunion next May. To meet up with the gentlemen of 214 Squadron and the other members will be an honour.

 

 

Jimmy Hollingworth (left), Wireless Operator, 214

 

By Linda Fraser

 

 

This article is from the Winter 2010 issue of Confound and Destroy