November 2009 - Brussels Air Museum Foundation

gather and over which there is a flypast. Some of those have been members
of 362 nd Fighter
Group who went on to A12 to accept four 2nd TAF Mitchells [and an Ansonn ‘taxi’ to HB] in
early August, 1944. Among them has been “Mogin” of the Maulers. The Palmer’s retirement
bungalow
is nearby, at the end
of the field
behind the memorial. There Alan has a fascinating
collection
of related items; maps, letters, photographs and other documents. I was honoured, on
your behalf, to spend hours of their time looking through some of
the material. I could have
easily spent a week. They sent a four-part account
to the internet BBC – People’s War
collection, under Medway archives.
They tell the story in considerablee detail of what
happened
there which made possible the fact that sheep may safely graze. The
black rectangles
on the wall name those who fell while serving in Egerton.
Canadiann members may be interested to know
that Johnny Johnson [High scoring English ‘ace’]
also flew
from Headcorn leading
the Canadian Spitfires.
“Following command of No. 610, in March 1943 Johnson was posted to lead the Canadian
Fighter Wing [421 & 403 Sqns] at Kenley. Before long, Syd Ford, commanding No
403
Squadron, laid a pair
of blue Canadian shoulder flashes on Johnson'ss desk. "The
boys would
like
you to wear these," said Ford. "After all, we're a Canadian Wing and we've got to convert
you.
Better start now." [Telegraph Obituary]
Alan has a photograph of J.J. wearing the Canadian shoulder flash; unusual for a man born near
Loughboirough. “Toddy”,!
Johnson’ s wingman and his wife
were billeted with Alan’s family.
Treasured teens.
Detail of photo at left, showing
Johnson’s ‘Canada’ flash.
‘Norm’ Follow, J.E. Johnson, ‘Dagwood’ Philip
Taken Aug ’43 opposite
airfield entrance, at rear of their
HQ in Week’s farm...in serious contemplation, which we
assume was about which village pub to use!
Alan & Sheila Palmer kindly sent us a copy of the photo. Many thanks to them.
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