Born: 28th December 1919 - Died: 8th December 1981

Terry was a Leading Aircraftman – a member of the highly valued RAF Ground Crew in WW2

Their ‘Latin’ motto was ‘Ubendum Wemendum’

The Pilots’ response to this insult was to describe Ground Crew as ‘All flap and no fly’.

Terry was born on the 28th December 1919, in St Johns Wood, London. He attended technical school, and in 1935 went on a school trip to Germany. He visited Berlin, Goslar, Koln, Potsdam and Werningerode.

One of two that he made as his Apprentice Piece.

After leaving school, Terry became an apprentice fitter at Perivale Motors, Greenford. He enlisted in the RAF on the 31st May 1940, and worked as an aircraft fitter (engines) throughout the war.

He married Joan Greensitt on the 06th June 1942, and their son Christopher was born on the 15th November 1944.

After the war Terry went back to Perivale Motors, where he worked for 15 years. He moved to The National Insurance and Guarantee Corporation, working as an insurance assessor.

Terry died on the evening of 8th December 1981, following a massive heart attack. He and Joan had had a delightful day, visiting travel agents and planning their first foreign holiday together.

Joan later moved to Cornwall to be near to Chris. She died of an aneurism on the 14th August 2003.

Above: Some of Terry’s RAF friends - guests at his wedding - George, Frank Farr, Peter Williams (Cousin and best man) Terry and Pete Lashly

Best friend:

Sargent Peter Alec Lashly was a Flight Engineer/Air Gunner, who was killed in action on the 10th September 1942, just three months after this picture was taken. He was aged 22, serving with 61 Squadron.

Peter was a crew member of Lancaster, W4111, which took off at 20:20hrs from RAF Syerston. Their mission was to bomb Dusseldorf, although the aircraft appears to have been shot down near Cologne, some 50 km away. This early in the war it was not uncommon for aircraft to bomb the wrong city, especially as most raids were by this time carried out at night.

The crew contained just two RAF airmen; the pilot (Malcolm Davies), and Peter Lashly. The other crew members were all from the Royal Canadian Air Force. It is striking how young these airmen were; the pilot was just 19 years old. Further details: 61 Squadron Lancaster W4111.

Postings:

31 May 1940 - 29 June 1940 No 1 Recruiting Centre, RAF Uxbridge

29 June 1940 - 15 November 1940 1 Wing School of Technical Training, RAF Halton

15 November 1940 - 9 March 1943 30 MU - RAF Sealand

9 March 1943 - 23 June 1943 24 MU - RAF Ternhill

23 June 1943 - 15 September 1943 30 MU – RAF Sealand

15 September 1943 - 12 January 1944 7 School of Technical Training - Inniswood

12 January 1944 - 16 April 1944 24 MU - RAF Ternhill

16 April 1944 - 29 April 1944 24 MU – De Havilland, London Colney

29 April 1944 - 23 July 1945 24 MU - RAF Ternhill

23 July 1945 - 10 September 1945 382 MU - RAF Syerston

10 September - 20 December 1945 RAF Finningley

20 December 1945 - 22 March 1945 17 OTU - Silverstone

22 March 1945 - 17 May 1946 1 RAF Uxbridge Dispersal centre

Page prepared by his son, Christopher and sent to Aircrew Remembered in January 2018