Jean Batten CBE ‘Garbo of the Skies’ at Poole ...by Harry
In the process of compiling my pdf for PFBC’s Archive,
I am very hopeful that somebody will be able to provide
the residential address for Jean’s influential mother Ellen
who had moved here & was joined by Jean during WW2.
Jean worked in Inspection of the machine guns produced
on the Waterloo site for about a year or more in 1942/3
~ where today this is currently Siemens by Sopers Lane.
Previously, in 1934 Jean had flown solo from England to
Australia in 14 days 22 hrs, in her 3rd attempt at beating
by over 4 days that record set in 1930 by Amy Johnson...
It is known that Jean was inspired by the famous aviator
Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, an Australian national hero
who made the first trans-Pacific flight from the USA to
Australia in 1928 + the first transcontinental flight there.
[Also trans-Pacific eastwards, and Australia to London.]
Apparently, she attended the Diner given in his honour,
after which she was taken for a flight, then learned to fly !
However, Jean had grown up with her love for aviation
from the time when she moved to Auckland as a young
child, especially for the Flying Boats, including those of
Walsh Bros Flying School training pilots at Mission Bay.
Jean Batten &
her G-ADPR
Pictured alongside her
Percival D.3 Gull Six,
which was ‘impressed’
by the RAF, though her
offer to train new pilots
was sadly declined…!
Did Jean’s interest in
Flying Boats influence
the choice of Poole as
a WW2 seaside home ?
The time of Jean and her mother in UK was blighted by
Press interference & speculation about Jean’s romances.
This caused them to leave their Berkshire home & move
around, until Parkstone became their abode during WW2.
After her stint at the ROF which apparently she enjoyed,
Jean was next recruited to raise money for the war effort
~ before once again seeking greater anonymity postwar !
Today she is regarded as a great national hero out in NZ
+ should be recognised as part of Poole’s Great History.
Sponsorship from a Company, or from an Individual is welcome for PFBC’s Office
Thanks to research on the ROF Creekmoor by David Warhurst
backed by info. from historical authorities out in New Zealand,
it has been confirmed that during WW2 the wonderful aviator
Jean Batten lived & worked in Poole, travelling to + fro to the
Royal Ordnance Factory No18 by train from Parkstone Station.
Ken Sanson
Trustees of PFBC
Harry Alexander
with various
Bertie Bowman
Invitees
to Meetings
Aimée Alexander
mostly
convened
on
Babs Plumbridge
a
monthly-basis
*Also now with* Stephen Macey
… and with support from Brian Galpin, Terry Mobley and David Seymour
Commodore:
V Commodore:
Flight Officers:
Flag Officers:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hon. Comm, Air: David Mauleverer
Patron: Lady Nadine Cobham
Hon. President: Jeremy Waters
Hon. Vice Pres: Leslie Dawson, June Topham, Adrian Borrill,
Douglas Cook OBE, Colin Cruddas, Norman Hull,
Mike Phipp, Vic Pitcher, Colin Pomeroy & John Witcomb
also including
Ian Andrews (who Represents our HLMs)
~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~
i/c Friends: Bertie Bowman
and
Coordinator: Thelma Cooper
The 75th. Anniversary Year of the Empire C-Class which PFBC
Launched at the RMYC on 6th. October continues during 2012.
To mark this there is a special Celebratory Booklet Empire Air
published by PFBC, with limited nos. available at £10 (+ p&p).
So please email Aimee asap to ensure that you will have a copy
aimee@pooleflyingboats.com
There is a Companion to Empire Air (which enjoys great reviews)
this is at the printer’s, so both
booklets can be ordered together
with just one minimal charge for
p&p. This title is Cats Aweigh
which also highlights references
to Poole in telling the history of
significant FBs of Consolidated
AC (or under licence), especially
Guba; the Catalinas viz those at
Poole - inc. a set of BOAC Cats
which next served on the Double
Sunrise Route; Cats of the RAAF
where some featured for civil air
postwar; + also Capt. P.G Taylor.
ALL CONTACTS PLEASE
Poole Flying Boats Celebration
For the attention of:- - - - - - - Parkstone Library Buildings
1 Britannia Road Parkstone
Poole Dorset BH14 8AZ
and please mark clearly
who you are contacting…
This now includes PFBC’s
Stephen Macey who’s joined
the ranks of our Trustees in
the realm of public relations
and various other capacities
Poole Flying Boats Celebration
Charity No. 1123274
PFBC
THE
PICK
A
BACK
PAIR
©
PFBC Friends Newsletter: Spring 2012
www.pooleflyingboats.com ( THE PICK A BACK PAIR in colour )
The Friends of PFBC, with the Trustees of the Charity thank
everyone who have supported us in 2011, and now send our
collective v. best wishes for this year, together with a special
welcome to those who recently joined our growing numbers.
And please be aware that we look forward to receiving your
news & views about we what do, inc. our aims + objectives.
At present we are conducting reviews about various matters,
especially our Revenue Streams to support growth of PFBC.
The Friends are also planning initiatives to raise more funds
as we are all now greatly benefitting from the Office facilities:
These have developed since its inception to match potential !
In particular, the Friends Library Collection is being well-used
and it prospected that this should have a regular opening slot
if a Friend is happy to take this responsibility for just a 2-hour
session one morning-a-week, 10am~12: So please Volunteer !
There is an excellent, wide-range of titles for loan /reference.
Rental + outgoings for the Office are approx £1,500 per year
and PFBC would be delighted if a Business, or an Individual
will be prepared to cover this by way of sponsorship /donation:
In return the Office could carry a Name dedicated accordingly
if this is desired by the organisation /person willing to help us.
For membership of Friends… and renewals contact Bertie Bowman.
For bookings of tickets for PFBC Celebrations contact Ken Sanson,
and all other general enquiries - PFBC’s Office new reg’d. address.
At this point, it is relevant to mention that Princecroft Willis
whose Logo is on our Website, give vital support by covering
Accountancy costs: Thanks to Messrs. Aldridge & Smuland.
Also, that we are grateful to John Butterworth of FJB Hotels
for continued support, in providing a room for our meetings !
PFBC Email: info@pooleflyingboats.com
PFBC Website: www.pooleflyingboats.com
Please read on for details of our Spotlight on Hamworthy and
Special Anniversaries which are variously being Celebrated...
PFBC Friends’ Spotlight on Hamworthy throughout 2012 !
Following PFBC’s successful sojourn at Hamworthy’s Library
in the 2nd. week in November, our spotlight is now focussed !
This commences in 2012 with a very special occasion & venue
in the excellent modern Community Room which is adjacent…
The Dragon Route opened by Hythe Class G-AGHW Hamilton
for Flying Boats only lasted a few years, but was a significant
achievement for postwar Britain in a period of tough austerity.
Those who were lucky enough to travel this, remember it with
great affection, which included ten fascinating stops en route:~
Singapore being the junction with the
Remember to now famous Kangaroo Route to Australia.
BOOK YOUR
TICKET(S) for
Celebrity Chef’s
Demonstration
Just before the Flying Boats relocated
to Southampton + BOAC’s Berth 50,
the DR was extended from Hong Kong
to the Allies’ Base of Iwakuni in Japan.
With the flight of G-AGHW from Poole
history was in making, also there was
another v. significant parallel storyline
Your Chinese Meal with one of the pilots being BOAC’s
there is alternatively Capt. John Lobley, who when on 210
Squadron based at RAF Hamworthy in
a Vegetarian Option: 1943, as Squadron Leader, took over
please order asap
Command of the station from 5th. July.
followed by
Clearly State your
Choice and Address
Likewise the formation of RAAF Flying Boat Squadron 461
occurred in the middle of WW2 - initially under the aegis of
RAAF 10 Squadron stationed at RAF Mountbatten, Plymouth.
Thereafter popularly becoming known as The Anzac Squadron
due the official date of 25th. April: 461 lasted just three years.
The impetus for 461 & for RAF Hamworthy was increasing
significance of RAF Coastal Command and Biscay Patrols !
Discussion & argument concerned congested Poole Harbour.
Sir Philip Joubert de la Ferte who headed Coastal Command
knew the area well, esp. as he had a home near Canford Cliffs.
[From time-to-time a Pilot would puzzle about how he knew
of a less than perfect approach on landing; with reprimand!]
After land was requisitioned along Lake Shore, building work
took place so that the rudiments of an RAF Poole appeared in
August, and was renamed within a week as RAF Hamworthy,
as RAF Transport Command complained about that selection !
A forward party arrived, and the base was ready by September,
but even in this transition period Sunderland T9113 was lost...
461 They Shall Not Pass Unseen
RAF Hamworthy from 31st. Aug. 1942
or
210 Yn Y Nwyfre Yn Hedfan ~
Hovering in the Heavens
At Salterns HQ
RAF Hamworthy from 31st. Mar. 1943
up until the end of that year
When he had transferred from the RAF,
BOAC was grateful to have recruited
a charismatic and experienced Captain
with valuable local knowledge of Poole.
Please note: So far Research has been
unable to locate a ‘Station Badge’ for
RAF Hamworthy in use during this era
Post To: PFBC
@ Parkstone Library
No.1 Britannia Road
Ashley Cross
Poole BH14 8AZ
After his distinguished flying career, in
retirement John was held in esteem by
fellow members /yachties at the RMYC,
as were various of his Poole Comrades.
* with SAE for Receipt
Below: G-AGHW previously OQZC under the
aegis of RAF Transport Command with BOAC
With just the Slipway, the Hardstanding Area and a Marquee
various buildings around the Lake Estate were requisitioned
for Station Units as offices, a mess, storage and arms bunkers.
Then also a guard house and a control tower were developed,
with a NAAFI, field tents & a field kitchen for the personnel.
The Station HQs were at Salterns & more offices in Parkstone;
with Officers’ Quarters at Harbour Court, and their Mess at
Harbour Heights Hotel; + Sick Bay at Folly Cottage, Lilliput !
Please make cheques
payable to ‘PFBC’
Poole Flying Boats
Celebration
Also, with the Chinese New Year of The Dragon coordinating As OQZC riding out a Poole Harbour gale when moored off Salterns
with the 65th. Anniversary Year of the inauguration of BOAC
Poole’s Dragon Route by Flying Boat to Hong Kong (1946-48),
it is certainly an opportunity not to be missed for Celebration !
So it is the Friends’ intention to enjoy our memorable evening
in the focal point of Hamworthy, and to reach out to Hamside
Residents who are rightly proud of their Flying Boat History...
The construction of RAF Hamworthy was conceived in 1942
at some point yet to be fully determined (subject to research).
The Squadron Badges & Mottos:
and bring your own
bottle /drink
orange juice /squash
available
2012 as the 70th. Anniversary year of RAF Hamworthy
and soon T9085 with 11 crew failed to return to Hamworthy.
The difficult conditions experienced by 461 had improved a
little by the time that 210 Squadron arrived as the replacement.
However, service was still v. fraught with dangers for Patrols
- viz the loss of FP232/P with all 10 aircrew on 13/14th. June,
and FP287/E after training on 24th. Aug. when 8 were killed.
PFBC will tell this History in full, & acknowledge those lost.