Frederick Edsall CLARKE Jr.

Fred Jr. joined the Calgary Flying Club and learned to fly in 1938, and then joined the RCAF where during World War II he served as a volunteer pilot initially with 400 and then with 414 Army Co-operation Squadron, flying the P-40 Tomahawk and the Mustang Mark I. As an Army Co-operation Squadron, their purpose was to supply Allied Army Intelligence with photo reconnaissance, intelligence and undertake ground attacks where necessary.

Freddy Clarke at Croydon [Photo courtesy Christopher Clarke]

On his second sortie of the day, Fred Jr. was shot down at Dieppe on 19th August 1942, crash-landed in the English Channel and was saved by a Canadian soldier who swam over to his aircraft, pulled him unconscious from the cockpit, and swam him back to the landing craft that had just left the beach at the end of the Dieppe Raid. Fred Jr.’s fractured skull eventually led to him blacking out while flying, and in May 1943 his Commanding Officer grounded him for the rest of the war. Freddie became 414 Squadron’s Operations Liaison Officer and stayed with 414 Squadron during campaigns in Holland and Belgium. Freddie passed away in Calgary in May 2005.

For further information see: 414 Squadron and the Dieppe raid.

[Source: Bajan Things; follow link for an interview with Fred Clarke and his wing-man Hollis Hills]

SEIGLIE – Miguel ‘Mike’ Enciso

Miguel 'Mike' Enciso SeiglieEncisoSeiglieAircraft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miguel ‘Mike’ Enciso Seiglie, better known as The Lord, received four medals (see below) and a personal honor from King George VI for participating in sinking the German cruiser Admiral Scheer in the port of Kiel, on the night of 9 April 1945.

In August 1942 Enciso departed from Cuba for Toronto and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, where he graduated as a pilot. In January 1944 he arrived in Liverpool, England, receiving the rank of First Lieutenant with the RAF. He flew a Lancaster BX (built by Victory Aircraft in Ontario) in No. 1 Bomb Group and flew  missions over Berlin, Nuremberg, Kassel, Manheim and objectives in the Baltic Sea.

On 14 March, a Messerschmitt hit Enciso’s airplane 16 times. In his book ‘9050 Horas’ former Cuban Air Force General Del Pino relates the story of Enciso: ‘The bombers flew in close formation to defend ourselves better … seconds later I felt the rattle of my gunner Mark’s machine gun. I recognized him immediately because he had the habit of firing in short bursts at intervals. He was not one to pull the trigger and not let loose, but was a professional with incredible equanimity.
The bomber flying to my right in the formation was hit by another Messerschmitt in one of the engines of the left wing. As we felt the explosion we saw one of the propellors come away from the engine and spin off. There was no doubt that this was the end of the aircraft. However, you always hope that the crew can bail out and survive as POW’s. We were close enough to see the Pilot and Copilot get up from their seats to leave the bomber, but the left wing broke off and the plane began to rotate uncontrollably along its longitudinal axis. Moments later another explosion disintegrated the plane completely. No one was spared.
Events unfolded rapidly and you do not have the time to coordinate well what you do. I flet a blow to the tail of our plane and I thought it might have been some fragment of the other bomber that had exploded. Mark called on the intercom and told me we were hit and that a piece of aluminum tail had embedded in our left side. I no longer heard the characteristic rattle of his firing, so I worried more about that. He said he was bleeding a lot an felt very weak.
We had already left the combat zone. The enemy fighters had withdrawn, but it was still a little more than an hour flight. I was constantly calling until I stopped listening about ten minutes before reaching the airfield. When we landed, Mark was dead, had bled to death.
But that was not the worst day, although we lost Mark. A week later, when we bombarded German troops near the city of Kasselnos we were attacked by Focke-Wulf Fw 190’s.
This time we did not lose anyone, but the impacts of cannonfire ripped all right landing gear and we had to make an emergency landing upon arrival at the airport. But this time my Tail Gunner shot down one of the German fighters.’

The account of the sinking of Admiral Scheer on April 9, 1945 as told by Mike Seiglie and published in the same book ‘9050 Horas’ by General Del Pino: ‘We flew over the port of Kiel about 60 km north of Hamburg when we surprised a German naval grouping. The entire squadron went on the attack of the enemy ships. An infernal Flak barrier stood between us and the enemy… Derek, my Bomb Aimer, told me with astonishing calmness he would indicate the direction to launch the bombs …! “Four degrees to the right, one more degree, another degree, there, there, I have released the bombs… We hit it! We hit it!” he shouted euphoric.We saw several bombs explode on the German cruiser and a blaze lit up the whole sky. A couple of days later we heard we had sunk the cruiser Admiral Scheer. We continued on to Hamburg where we also surprised and attacked the submarines that were moored at the docks.’

[Courtesy Mehdi Schneyders, translation Hans Klootwijk]

On the night of 9 April 1945, a general RAF bombing raid by over 300 aircraft struck the harbor in Kiel. Admiral Scheer was hit by five Tallboy bombs and capsized.

[Source: wikipedia]

Medals and commendations: The British medal for Enlisted General Service (1939-1945), The medal Liberation of Germany, The French medal Star ‘for conspicuous value and service’ defending that nation, and the Voluntary Service medal from the Royal Canadian Armed Forces. Also he received a personal co-decoration from the King of England, King George VI, for single-handedly sinking a German battleship and thanking him for being a foreigner who risked his life fighting for Great Britain.

[Source: www.elgrancapitan.org]

LIND – Raymond

There is an Acting Flt. Lt. Raymond Lind in 1945 mentioned on Forces War Records website, but it is uncertain if this is the same person.

[Source: Caribbean Roll of Honour]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I notice from your website that there is an uncertainty about Ray Lind. I can confirm that he was indeed in the RAF during World War II, that he joined the RAF in 1942 from his home in Belize, British Honduras.

He was with 199 (Bomber Support) Squadron in 1944 . . .  mentioned in a book on the war-time squadron where Bomber Command launched an attack on Konigsbery and Settin on 29 August Ray Lind, pilot of Stirling aircraft LJ595 EX-N, section 1, part of a ‘windows’ diversionary raid. Also mentioned in October ’44 during the ‘Second Battle of the Rhur” again on a Diversionary Raid, dropping “Windows” around Brussels and continuing on to west of Frankfurt; return to their base at North Creake, Norfolk.

Ray rose from Flight Sergent, Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant. He was awarded the DFC on 17th July, 1946. His service number I think is: 170076.

He died in Birchington, Kent on 10th July, 2017 age 99 years. (born 13-1-18)

[Source: pjpopple@gmail.com]

Attached photos:

Ray posed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official Photo

Ray2 CREW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray with his aircrew

 

Ray & Duke1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray with Duke of Edinburgh (out in south east Asia possibly Malaya)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIZUL-KARIM

(1811281) – P/O Fizul-Karim – British Guiana – commissioned 16.6.44 – Ach/P.N.B. – attested 5.11.42

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 – Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]

[Source: Caribbeanmuslims.com]

 

Subsequently Flight Lieutenant (164766)

PINKS – Clifton Norman Rhys

605630 – C.N.R. Pinks – Br. Honduras – attested 31.7.43 – P/O Wireless Operator/Air Gunner #2 RC 5.12.44 – UK 18.12.44
165819 – P/O – commissioned 14.7.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

Flt. Lt. Clifton Norman Rhys Pinks (1923-2014)

Clifton Pinks was born in British Honduras (now Belize) on 6 February 1923. After leaving St. John’s College, he worked in the Civil Service.

In 1941, he volunteered to train as an officer in the Royal Air Force, based in Canada, and came to England in 1943 as a Signalman Air Gunner. After the war, he went to Aberdeen University to study medicine and was involved in top level athletics. The press alluded to Clifton as the ‘Dark Flash’.

He rejoined the Royal Air Force in 1950 and was involved in 1961 with experimental flying with V bombers – Victors, Valiants and Vulcans – at Farnborough. Also in 1961, he went back to Belize on the first plane with medical relief after Hurricane Hattie.

On retirement from the RAF in 1978, he became a courier for the Ministry of Defence, where he remained until 1988.  Between 1988 and 2000, Clifton represented Belize at Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League functions, meeting Nelson Mandela, Her Majesty the Queen, H.R.H. Prince Philip and others, as well as carrying the flag for Belize at the Royal Albert Hall for the Remembrance Service.

Clifton Pinks passed away on September 7, 2014, leaving his wife Margaret [whom he met at the Mecca Dance Hall in Manchester in September, 1945], five children, ten grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

During his life he had experience of extensive worldwide travel. His many achievements included being a Royal Air Force Welterweight Boxing Champion, Royal Air Force 100 yards and 220 years and Hop Skip and Jump Champion and Scottish Universities 100 yards and 220 yards Champion. He was also a basketball referee and Secretary for English and Royal Air Force Basketball Associations.

[Information taken from the order of service at the funeral of Flt. Lt. Pinks.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clifton Pinks and his wife-to-be Margaret Mary Tivey

PEREIRA – Charles Vernon

Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 139 Sqn, 105 Sqn – Mosquito – Born 1913

[Source: CMHA]

Flt. Lt. Charles Vernon Pereira DFC and Bar
Service number: 1372391 on enlistment  /  106233 after commission

[Courtesy AD]

My dad was on the Jena Raid and his faithful “N for Nuts” lost an engine just before the target. He also witnessed the two aircraft to his side collide and roll down the hillside in a ball of flames. The BBC made a recording of that raid and broadcast it on “Target for tonight”.
He returned safely (460 miles) on one engine at low level in spite of a narrow escape flying slap over a German airfield with FW 190s in the circuit; for some reason they did not intercept him (his mother’s constant prayers no doubt)!
The previous Operation was a high level night attack on Berlin which according to his log book was “a good trip”.
Jena was his last Op’ with 139 and he was posted to 105 Squadron with the Assessment of Ability as a pilot as “Exceptional”.
I know that the RAF did not give that assessment easily.

Brother of Roderick Neville Pereira.

[Source: Peter Pereira]

C. Vernon Pereira and his navigator “Taffy” G.H. Gilbert of Cardiff, before the raid on Jena and afterwards getting out of the aircraft.

[Photo’s copyright Imperial War Museum]

Letter GH Gilbert aka Taffy 1

Letter GH Gilbert aka Taffy 2

Letter by G.H. Gilbert a.k.a. ‘Taffy’, Mr. Pereira’s navigator, describing his time with the RAF during WW2. More details about this letter in the 3rd comment below. (Click on images to enlarge)

[Courtesy Mr. Richard Batley]

FARFAN – Esmond Knox

1800007 – Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 12 Sqn, 1 Group – Lancaster

ATS 6th Class, Piarco; Base Wickenby, 30 missions; DFC

[Source: CMHA/AD]

Obituary

EK Farfan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the memory of CAPT. Esmond Knox FARFAN

Captain Esmond Farfan passed away today March 10 2022 at the age of 99

800007 – Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 12 Sqn, 1 Group – Lancaster I think he flew from RAF Wickenby Linconshire U.K.

ATS 6th Class, Piarco; Base Wickenby, 30 missions; DFC

Esmond Farfan de los Godos was born in Trinidad on 11 Oct 1922.
In 1943 four close friends from the British West indies (Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago) arrived at Operational Training Unit (OTU). They included John Marks, Ormond Pollard, Esmond Farfan and Martin Knowles – a good band of Brothers. They progressed in their training at HCU (Heavy Bomber Conversion) and hence were posted to 1 Group, two to 625 and two to 12 squadron. Ormond Pollord lost his life during the Vierzon raid, (12 squadron Lancaster 111 JB462 PH-S), Martin Knowles died in a crash during that same raid (Lancaster ND975). Farfan and Marks were destined to survive the war.

Alain Charpentier relates, “In 2005 I drove Farfan to the grave of Ormond, to the crash site and the grave of Martin, must say it was very emotional. He wrote his memoirs some time after, do not now if it was published. He had a good memory of all he did during the war and after, telling me some good stories. The Poignant thing is that just the day before Vierzon, he played cards with Ormond, playing some money for fun. Ormond was put on board for Vierzon and Esmond not….They tell that they would finish after the Ops, a French Target, a piece of cake. At the morning of 1st July 44, Esmond knew that Ormond and another crew of 12 Squadron had got the chop…. The cards never played again.”

Captain Farfan became a veteran of World War II who flew 30 missions, lancaster Bombers over Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Esmond has published (in Trinidad) a fine book entitled “Five years in World War II”. It is based on his diaries and logbooks and describes his experiences during the war. It is based on his diaries and logbooks and describes his experiences during the war. Many of the Trinidad volunteers are mentioned and their exploits and many photos add to the pleasure of the read. The book is 540 pages recommended for any Caribbean War historian.

Esmond Farfan returned to Trinidad at the end of the war. He had served as Captain of a mighty Lancaster bomber over the shrapnel-filled sky of Berlin. He had seen the fires of Stuttgart and Darmstadt, and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. Esmond was to become BWIA’s third local pilot and served the airline for 33 years.

Lancaster ND441 PH-Z, 19th/20th February 1944 2337-0258.
During the night 15th/15th March 1944, F/L A.J. COOK was the captain, Sgt Esmond FARFAN as second pilot, W/O P.G. MOUCHET (nav), W/O B. SALT (W/T), W/O R. TIMPERLEY (B/A), Sgt K.L. SUMMERSCALE (F/E), Sgt J.E. McINNES (M/U) and F/Sgt R.F. BAILEY (R/G), Lancaster ND752 PH-D, 1840-0300, Stuttgart.

Capt. Farfan joined the national airline, BWIA, on October 4, 1946, to fly Lockheed Lodestars; his elder brother Ferdinand Jr had joined the year before. Ferdinand Junior Farfan was the airline’s first Trinidadian captain.

As the Trinidadian pilots came home, some found jobs with the airline, as did many navigators, engineers and mechanics. This was the core from which the ‘esprit de corps’ came. These young men and women set the tone for generations to come. “They gave to BWIA a unique sense of class'” as one retiree told me. “We started off first class from the very beginning.” BWIA looked at the Lockheed 14. These planes were really retired bombers, and served well in the interim. But it was the Lodestars and Vickers Vikings that became the real first fleet. BWIA had by then moved into the old fleet air arm facilities, occupying the four western hangars at Piarco, and was ready to face ‘modern times’.

Esmond was to become BWIA’s third local pilot and served the airline for 33 years. The Farfan brothers made history for BWIA in 1955 when they piloted our first Viscount aircraft. Ferdinand Farfan was captain with Esmond as co-pilot on the flight from London which arrived in Trinidad via Prestwick, Iceland, Greenland, Gander, New York and Bermuda. Captain EK as he was known, was the first to fly Boeing 707s with BWIA in 1968, became one of the company’s senior training captains for many years, and was made B-707 Fleet Manager in 1968.

In an interview with NewsDay newspaper with ANGELA PIDDUCK January 10 2010, “Capt. E.K.Farfan spoke of one in-flight “incident” which has stayed with him – losing an engine on a Viking aircraft on a Jamaica to Miami flight. “We managed to get to a landing field at Homestead in Miami on the other engine. When the passengers came off, they said ‘but we lost an engine.’ I said yes. They were sitting in the back so could not see what was happening.”

He retired in 1978 at the end of the now infamous BWIA strike when the entire pilot body was fired for taking illegal strike action during Carnival 1978; and says Captain EK, “I enjoyed flying until the strike when I left.”

In addition to his job as a pilot, Esmond Farfan can also be counted among this country’s business leaders. He has paid a critical role in the success of the business founded by his father, Fernand Theodore Farfan six decades ago — FT Farfan and Sons. Esmond founded Sun Island Aviation which operated out of the offices of F.T. Farfan and sons in port of Spain. Esmond Farfan was the CEO of the family business.

Embassies often recommended foreign corporations to contact F.T. Farfan and sons with regard to Aviation affairs. Schreiner Air services of Holland approached Esmond with an operating partnership to bid against Bristow Helicopters. Schreiner Air services operated a Cessna 421B based at the LAC Piarco hanger.

[Courtesy: Duncan Richardson and Nicholas Devaux]

De VERTEUIL – Noel Joseph

Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – Spitfire/Mustang

Volunteer ETS, trained at Piarco 5th Course. Died 1981

[Source: CMHA]

1397459 – Noel Joseph de Verteuil – Trinidad – Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – Spitfire/Mustang

[Courtesy AD]

RICHARDSON – William Stanley Augustus (Ricky)

1800665 – W.S. Richardson – Jamaica – attested 29.12.41 – Ach/Pilot
P/O

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 – Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]

Flight Lieutenant

[Source: CG]

1800665 / 178936 – William Stanley Augustus Richardson – Jamaica – Navigator – Flight Lieutenant

Ricky Richardson joined the RAF in 1941 after seeing an advertisement in a Jamaican newspaper.  He arrived in Britain in November of that year.  Qualifying as a navigator, he began operational flights in late 1943.  He took part in bombing raids that sunk the German battleship Lutzow and on Hitler’s Eagle Nest retreat at Berchtesgaden, in Bavaria.  For more of Ricky’s story, see his obituary at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/14byKY33Kc1CFC8b52rzRcj/flt-lt-william-stanley-ricky-richardson

Commissioned Pilot Officer July, 1944  (see London Gazette supplement: 36674, 25 August 1944)

[Courtesy AD]

Flt. Lt. William Stanley (Ricky) Richardson (cropped)

HUBAH – Charles Gilbert

Flight Lieutenant – Pilot -168 Sqn – Mustang

Mustangs in low level PR role. Didn’t stay long in any squadron. Married a canadian WAAF. Brother Clarence in Civil defence. Died 1950 in accident

[Source: CMHA, CG]

Mentioned by Ulric Cross

1397460 – Charles Gilbert HUBAH – Trinidad – Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 168 Sqn – Mustang

[Courtesy AD]

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