433 Squadron (RCAF) 6 Group Skipton-on-Swale Archive Photos
Norma Catherine Bullough - Claudet on Halifax Mk. III MZ807-C-Charlie
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Norma Catherine Bullough-Claudet on a Halifax Bomber, Halifax Mk. III MZ807-C-Charlie, at Skipton-on Swale
See additional image of Norma Catherine Bullough-Claudet in the 433 group photo by clicking here.
Norma Catherine Bullough-Claudet enlisted at age 17.5 years with the Transport Section of the RAF and eventually was posted as an M T Driver, to Canadian Squadron, namely RCAF 433 Halifax IIIs Bomber Squadron, 6 Group, at Skipton on Swale in Yorkshire. She speaks eloquently of being there until the end of the war and experiencing the triumphs and traumas of the air crews as they reacted to the bombing raids that took place over Germany. "We got to know the Aircrews very well as we ferried them out to their planes after ops briefing before take-off, and then collected them again if and when they returned later in the night. They were always very quiet before take-off but their mood changed completely when they returned and landed, the relief of touching down on home ground released all their pent up feelings and expressive language which lasted all the way to the de-briefing hut.
We had our sad days when an aircraft didn’t return and this was particularly upsetting if the “boys” were known to us personally." To read her entire story, 'With the Canadians', click here.
Corkscrew Charlie Halifax MZ 807
Source: Bomber Command Museum, Nanton Alberta, image courtesy of Susan and Lloyd Campbell.
P/O McVeigh and crew received a new HP Halifax MZ807 in late June or July, 1944 which Flight Engineer Rob Hood painted with the name "Corkscrew Charlie" and a cartoon of McVeigh having a few drinks at the local pub.
Corkscrew Charlie was later assigned to the W.H. Cook crew and failed to return from their first op. Click here to read their story.
This replica on the left was painted by Clarence Simonsen on a skin from NA337. Mr Simonsen is famous for his Nose art. Click here to read an excellent biography of Mr. Simonsen by the Bomber Command Museum at Nanton.
Susan and Lloyd Campbell, on a recent trip to the Bomber Command Museum at Nanton, took the photo of the plaque at left which tells the Corkscrew Charlie story. at the Bomber Command Museum at Nanton, Alberta.