Bill Heron, of Welland, Ontario has a family whose members served in the Crimean War, the Boer War, the First World War and Second World War. So Bill set off to write the story of 431 RCAF (Iroquois) Squadron, with whom his brother flew while serving in the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Heron’s book is entitled A Yorkshire Squadron: History of 431 RCAF Squadron and More and deals with the years 1942 to 1945 at stations in Burn, Tholthorpe and Croft.
Much of the data was obtained from the National Archives of Canada, as well as firsthand accounts, including “personal accounts from squadron survivors.” The book contains squadron records, and a listing of the 1,383 man air crew, complete with their names, rank and service numbers.
Included are the dispositions (KIA, PoW, escaped, etc.) If airmen were killed in action, burial information and date killed are written in the book. The book was published by The General Store Publishing House in Renfrew, Ontario, Canada and is available from the author at: layman431@hotmail.com. The total print run was 250 copies, so they may not last long.
Read more about Bill Heron’s book in an article by Mark Tayti in The Tribune.
To Marjorie Born,
Sorry I have only one Skinner on the 431 Squadron listing (a pilot) but with a different service number
To Greg Medwid,
Re Sgt.D.H. Proufoot R20865/J95157 Air Gunner.
This airman was part of a crew on an operation to Wilhelmshaven October 15/1944. They were flying in a Mark III Halifax serial number MZ434 and coded SE-O, they took off from Croft at 17.21 hours since when nothing was heard from them,they failed to return from ths operation and all of the crew are reported as KIA. Sgt. Proudfoot is memorialized at the Runnymede Memorial in England on panel number 252, this was only his 2nd trip and he had logged 12.50 hours.
Do you have any information on Sgt James Stuart Wilkinson, Rear Gunner on Lancaster KB-806 piloted by James Ray Lightbown DFC.
Enquiring for his son.
Cheers,
Answered via emails
Hi-We have e-mailed before.I am asking if you have any details about a 431 Squadron airman Flying Officer John Kwiatkowski or Kwiatknowski? who later changed his name to John Curtis.John baled out of Halifax MZ658 SE-E on the 26.8.1944 in Northumberland,England.All 8 aircrew baled out and were all okay.The pilot was Reg Harrison who has just recently turned 98.
Regards,Philip [Newcastle-Upon-Tyne,north-east England]
Hello Philip,
Apologies for not answering before I keep forgetting tht this site is here and now check every so often so looking at the ORB for that date it states the following “One aircraft MZ 658 with J25206 P/O R.W. Harrison (Pilot) (Can) as captain missed the diversion base at Memburyand was forced to abandon the aircraft when short of fuel. All the members of the crew landed safely in the hills of Cumberland with only minor injuries” F/O Kwiatowski was sent to “R” Depot on 04/09/45. I had the pleasure of meeting Reg Harrison when we attended a Mess Dinner in Moose Jaw Saskatewan (home to 431 AD Squadron aka The Snowbirds) to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Squadron I beleive he lives in Saskatoon. If yoou want the operational history of F/O Kwiatowski I can provide that for you. BTW. There was an NHL hockey player with that last name and I often wondered if they were related as it is an unsual name. hope this helps a little.
Bonsoir M.Heron.
I would like to purchase a copy of your book if possible.
My father was Pilot Officer J.B.L.A.M. Content who flew in the Iroquois Sqd. His Pilot, Mr. Reg Harrison gave me a great copy of Pilgramages of Faith which gives the story of the Croft airbase.
I have pictures and souvenirs of that time and place.
I thank you for the time.
Michel Content.
Hi Michael there might be a spare copy left shortly from the latest run I will let you know. I have had a request from a Reg Harrison’s contact asking to be put in touch with you. He contacted me via Facebbok I am not sure of his connection other than he shows an interest in 431 Squadron and the Harrison crew that baled out over Cumberland England when a shortage of fuel caused the to abandon the aircraft.
Mt. Herron wondering if you have a copy of your book available on the 431st squadron. Or in particular looking for info on my Grandfather F/S Garfield Murray Sands. From what I can gather he was graduated from Wireless Operator School in Feb 1944 in Guelph then completed air gunner training in Mossbank Sask. We have photos which indicate he was a member of 431 however limited info beyond that. Any assistance would be great.
Hello,
My great uncle was F/O John Kwiatowski ,my Mother has passed down to myself his medals , from the few times I met John as an adult he was reluctant to discuss much about his time in England , I see from a previous post you have have access to some operational history information. What I am after is a picture of him in uniform in front of a Lancaster , so I can put together a memorial picture to pass along to the next generation. No NHL er to come from the Kwiatkoski’s from southeastern Manitoba.
Hello. I am looking for information on my Grandfather’s brother. His name is Michael Walter Bachinski(nickname Sambo). He was the flight engineer on the first Canadian built Lancaster Bomber. He was attached to the 431 Iroquois Squadron and to the 44th Rhodesian Squadron. He had two tours of dutym over 50 missions and was going on to his third tour when the war ended. That’s all I know. Thankyou kindly for your help.