In memory of Ted Gomersall who died 30th November 2004
Centre of Picture: Ted Gomersall (13th Oct 1944) - “that’s me in the middle – acting, unpaid O.C of the so-called ‘Communications Flight”
Ted was born in 1914 and brought up in Wakefield, moving to York in 1947 and to Bishop Wilton in 1976. He married Hilda in 1937 and had two sons, David and Andrew. Sadly, Hilda and David died in 2000 and 2003 respectively.
Ted volunteered to join the RAF in World War II and was a Navigator in Mosquitoes, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.
During this time, Ted and Hilda his wife wrote to one another every day. Hilda kept all his letters and it was through these that Ted was able to write to Nina, (Editor Janine’s mother) in her quest for information about her wartime fiancé Vic Vinnell. It is within these words that we catch a glimpse of the man as he was in 1944:
“Vic and I were close, and shortly before he and Jack went missing, on the night of the 26/27th November 1944, we had been to London together, when flying was off for some reason. He introduced me to the Wings Club (in Grosvenor Square?) and we gate-crashed some posh parties in Belgravia.
Bud George (known universally as George, the automatic pilot) and Jack Fisher were close friends – I believe they came across to the UK together after initial training in Canada (George was my pilot). I too was a Special Operator/Navigator in 192, using equipment to identify enemy radio/radar wavelengths, confusing and jamming transmissions. I would say that Vic was occupied in some such activities on the night of the 26/27th November 1944 when he went missing with Jack (pilot). I see from my Log Book that I was not flying that night, but on ops to Neuss on the following night, the 27th.
From letters to my wife, Hilda, at the time, I remember those days well …
Sunday 26.11.44 In the evening Vic and I went to the flicks and saw ‘Lifeboat’….
Monday 27.11.44 … Jack Fisher and Vic failed to return last night, and we have no news of them yet. There is a slight possibility that they managed to get down in Belgium or France. I do hope so. It’s at times like this that one realises the futility of war … but they’re probably quite ok at some airfield across the Channel.
Tuesday 28.11.44 There is still no news of Jack Fisher and Vic, and today they are officially posted as ‘Missing’. Vic was going to be married on his next Leave, and his girl, who is in the WAAF, (Nina) was trying to get posted to Foulsham. In fact, he was half expecting her coming this week … There is still hope that they put down at some obscure airfield in France. If it had been one of our larger airfields, we would have heard by now. And then, of course, they may have baled out over France or Germany. Anyhow, I hope they are both safe … George (my pilot) is very shaken about Jack Fisher … they were very good friends – rather naturally, I suppose, being the only two Canadians in the Flight at the moment …
Wednesday 29.11.44 … there is still no news of Jack and Vic, and their names have been rubbed off the crew list …
Thursday 30.11.44 … There is still no news of Jack and Vic, and it begins to Look as though they’ve bought it, reluctantly as one is to come to that conclusion …
Sunday 3.12.44 Our worst fears about Jack and Vic have been confirmed by the washing up of Jack’s cap and a sock with Vic’s name on it, on the south coast of France yesterday. It seems almost certain that they came down in the drink, but there are certain mysteries about it which will never be cleared up, I suppose …
Vic was actually talking about Nina, his fiancée, and his plans just prior to the night of the 26/27th when he disappeared with Jack, his pilot.
Photograph (above) shows Jack Fisher on the left in flying jacket and capless on 13th October 1944, before Tony Emett (shown in picture with moustache) and I skived off to Yorkshire in a Tiger Moth.’
Following the war and leaving the RAF, Ted went on to become a Customs and Excise Officer and, on retiring in 1976, he successfully studied several subjects at the Open University. He was also Vice President of York City Knights Rugby League Club. His other main interests were gardening, crosswords and various community activities in the village of Bishop Wilton.
Andrew, Ted’s surviving son, shared a close relationship with his father to the end and adds these personal memories of him in tribute:
‘I retired early and moved back to Yorkshire on 30th November 1998. My Dad died on 30th November 2004. And these six years of seeing my Dad every day were very important to me. I would have described him as my Best Friend before this time, but over this period we became particularly close, especially when dealing with the deaths of my Mum and Brother, David. Although he was fully independent up to the day he died, we had all our meals together apart from breakfast. When we went out for lunch, I tried to get him to talk about his wartime exploits and occasionally he would tell me interesting things. We visited Foulsham, where he was based for most of the war, and the RAF 100 Group Museum at Horsham St Faith. We also visited the Mosquito Museum at St Albans, usually in conjunction with a York City Knights rugby league match in London. On two occasions, I sat in a mosquito with my Dad and experienced the cramped conditions in which he and his pilot had to work.
From what I picked up, he had the rank of Flight Lieutenant and was a navigator in mosquitoes. He told me he won the Distinguished Flying Cross for his general war record, but I do know he was involved in an incident where his mosquito was shot down with very sensitive secret equipment on board. He and his pilot managed to get the plane back out of enemy territory. However, I cannot find any citation with his DFC.
He was also based in the Middle East with the RAF, but I think that this was just after the war ended.
He and I also travelled abroad a little after my Mum died, visiting Jordan, Italy (twice), Germany and central Spain. We were both particularly interested in Roman history.’
Ted, says his son, lived life to the full and will be remembered for his honesty and generosity in every part of his life.
Open University Award
Personal Note from the Janine:
Ted’s letters were both a comfort and a strength to my mother, Nina, before she died in 1996, as they were one of the few times she was able to speak with someone who had known Vic, her fiancé, personally and served with him in 192 Squadron.
Thank you, Andrew (Ted’s son) for letting us to use these words alongside your own as a tribute to him.
Photographs sent by Phil James Air Crew ‘C’ Flight
Far right: Phil James, next to him Ted Gomersall
Ground Staff ‘C’ Flight
This article is from the Summer 2006 issue of Confound and Destroy
