Berlin Airlift
Discussion
Yes, I guess that would make sense. So likely he flew Jig Willie as part of the crew.
It's weird, but I've always found stuff like this absolutely facinating. I'm like a sponge when something like this comes up. For instance, the story of Donald Campbell has me captivated. The discovery of the Titanic and Bismarck too.
So to discover little more than a fortnight ago, I had a grandfather that came over from New Zealand to serve with the RAF through the war, and then to take part in the Berlin Airlift is mind blowing. But I suppose, a young man recently demobbed, recently married with a young daughter needs a job. And being aircrew and familiar with the aircraft, a job on the Airlift would be relatively well paid and a 'no brainer'.
It's weird, but I've always found stuff like this absolutely facinating. I'm like a sponge when something like this comes up. For instance, the story of Donald Campbell has me captivated. The discovery of the Titanic and Bismarck too.
So to discover little more than a fortnight ago, I had a grandfather that came over from New Zealand to serve with the RAF through the war, and then to take part in the Berlin Airlift is mind blowing. But I suppose, a young man recently demobbed, recently married with a young daughter needs a job. And being aircrew and familiar with the aircraft, a job on the Airlift would be relatively well paid and a 'no brainer'.
It would appear that my grandfather once in the UK, ended up at 138 Squadron flying Halifaxes on 'Carpetbagger' missions out of RAF Tempsford in Befordshire.
He flew 32 sorties dropping personnel and supplies to the resistance in France, Netherlands, Belgium, etc. It would seem also that he had crash landed before whilst on a training mission in a Halifax, but managed to 'walk away' from that one.
http://www.grahamhague.com/tempsfordhalifax9.shtml
It would appear that his squadron converted to Lancasters just before the end of the war and were transferred to Bomber Command in April 1945.
I've written to the NZ armed forces archive to see what they have, but I'm now on a mission to see if I can find a photo of my grandfather. He seems to have been quite camera shy.
He flew 32 sorties dropping personnel and supplies to the resistance in France, Netherlands, Belgium, etc. It would seem also that he had crash landed before whilst on a training mission in a Halifax, but managed to 'walk away' from that one.
http://www.grahamhague.com/tempsfordhalifax9.shtml
It would appear that his squadron converted to Lancasters just before the end of the war and were transferred to Bomber Command in April 1945.
I've written to the NZ armed forces archive to see what they have, but I'm now on a mission to see if I can find a photo of my grandfather. He seems to have been quite camera shy.
Eric Mc said:
This thread just gets better and better.
I can see a trip down that part of the world in the spring.
Well if you do, let me know, we can meet up and have a bit of a wander round and lunch perhaps? I'd love to pick your brains about Lancasters/Lancastrians/Airlifts/Airfields and anything else I can think of!I can see a trip down that part of the world in the spring.
Nothing to update really. I've written to and received acknowledgement from NZ that they will supply any war/military service records for Dornford Robertson in due course. But there's the usual backlog of several weeks.
My wife very kindly got me a framed picture of 'Jig Willie' for Christmas, which is now resplendent on the wall.
I'm planning a visit to TR in the Spring along with a visit to the grave to give it a bit of a clean up. Aside from that, still searching for my birth mother and Dornford's daughter.
My wife very kindly got me a framed picture of 'Jig Willie' for Christmas, which is now resplendent on the wall.
I'm planning a visit to TR in the Spring along with a visit to the grave to give it a bit of a clean up. Aside from that, still searching for my birth mother and Dornford's daughter.
Thanks!
Small update on my personal situation is awaiting the will of Dornford and that of his widow Joan who remarried in '55 and died in '93. But this 'sideshow' for my original quest is hugely interesting for me. I've always been fascinated by this sort of thing, and having my own 'story' is beyond belief. As soon as I get time in the Spring, I'll definitely be up around the airfield and Andover.
Small update on my personal situation is awaiting the will of Dornford and that of his widow Joan who remarried in '55 and died in '93. But this 'sideshow' for my original quest is hugely interesting for me. I've always been fascinated by this sort of thing, and having my own 'story' is beyond belief. As soon as I get time in the Spring, I'll definitely be up around the airfield and Andover.
aponting389 said:
Tyre Smoke said:
Do they do accommodation?
They do yes. I’ve just passed your info onto to clare!Thank you again for your input Alex.
Well I had a chat with 'Aunt Rosemary' last night. Unfortunately she thought this was about a Vulcan bomber that came down in the same area in 1964 not 'my' Lancastrian that came down in 1948. Lovely lady and she did say there were a lot of older members of the local community who remember the Lancastrian coming down. Apparently it was a 'bit of a mess' with bodies hanging from trees.
Bit of an update.
I wrote to the New Zealand Defence Force and obtained Dornford's records. Quite comprehensive, but sadly no photos. However, I have his dental records, medical history and a rather sad exchange of correspondence between his mother and the ministry asking for his medals, but not being entitled because as he was married his wife was his next of kin.
He was also only 135lbs and 5'5" tall. My son is 16 and bigger than that!
He also served during the war in 138 Sqn dropping agents behind the lines, which I think has already been mentioned in this thread. However, if anyone still interested can help, I'm looking for photos of F/Sgt Dornford Winstan Robertson of the RNZAF.
I also emailed Cobhams asking for any information and as yet, nothing received.
Lastly, this all came about as I was searching for my birth mother who sadly died in 2016. But if I'm honest, this has really captured my imagination and find this more interesting. Next up is perhaps contacting Dunedin in NZ to see if there are any relatives still living there. Again, if anyone can help there, I'd very much appreciate it.
I wrote to the New Zealand Defence Force and obtained Dornford's records. Quite comprehensive, but sadly no photos. However, I have his dental records, medical history and a rather sad exchange of correspondence between his mother and the ministry asking for his medals, but not being entitled because as he was married his wife was his next of kin.
He was also only 135lbs and 5'5" tall. My son is 16 and bigger than that!
He also served during the war in 138 Sqn dropping agents behind the lines, which I think has already been mentioned in this thread. However, if anyone still interested can help, I'm looking for photos of F/Sgt Dornford Winstan Robertson of the RNZAF.
I also emailed Cobhams asking for any information and as yet, nothing received.
Lastly, this all came about as I was searching for my birth mother who sadly died in 2016. But if I'm honest, this has really captured my imagination and find this more interesting. Next up is perhaps contacting Dunedin in NZ to see if there are any relatives still living there. Again, if anyone can help there, I'd very much appreciate it.
Anyway, if you were here at the start, Eric, Yellow I know you were. I traced my birth mother who sadly died in 2016, but did get in contact with my 'baby' sister who provided me with this...
Dornford 'Donnie' Robertson aged 20, Flt Sgt RNZAF
Don't think I posted it before, apologies if I have.
Edited by Tyre Smoke on Saturday 18th April 13:49
Thanks for that. I know very little about what happened that fateful night other than the navigator was following the wrong beacon and they were way off course. My grandfather and his crew were passengers.
I did take a trip to Andover one Sunday earlier this year and visited his grave. It's in quite a state and could do with a couple of days scrubbing. On the way home we went via Conholt. Literally just drove the area. I can see why the accident happened, the topography doesn't lend itself to an off course aircraft.
If you find out anything or anyone Rex, I'd love to know more. I'll definitely be in the area again. You can always message me or leave contact on here.
Thank you for taking the time to read the thread, I'm immensely proud of my grandfather.
I did take a trip to Andover one Sunday earlier this year and visited his grave. It's in quite a state and could do with a couple of days scrubbing. On the way home we went via Conholt. Literally just drove the area. I can see why the accident happened, the topography doesn't lend itself to an off course aircraft.
If you find out anything or anyone Rex, I'd love to know more. I'll definitely be in the area again. You can always message me or leave contact on here.
Thank you for taking the time to read the thread, I'm immensely proud of my grandfather.
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