P/O Herbert James Lempriere Hallowes – Part 2

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I had someone commented this morning.

Hello Ann, a lot of time has passed since you posted on this site. But I am conducting research in preparation for a book that would concern your father and his wartime experiences. I would very much like to make contact if possible. Perhaps you could reply on this site if you are open to hearing more? I hope to hear from you.

Hallowes

Herbert James Lempriere “Jim” Hallowes was born in Lambeth, London in April 1912, he joined the in January 1929 at Halton. In 1934 he applied for pilot training and after completing his training he was posted to 43 Squadron in April 1936. During the Battle of Britain he was credited with a number of enemy aircraft as destroyed or damaged. He was awarded the DFM for service with 43 Squadron (Gazetted on 6th September), the citation reads.. “In June 1940, Sgt Hallowes was attacking an enemy aircraft over Northern France, when he was himself attacked. His engine being disabled, he proceeded to glide back to friendly territory but was again attacked when about to abandon his aircraft by parachute. He dropped back into his seat and as the enemy aircraft passed he delivered such an effective burst of fire as to destroy his opponent. He then made a successful parachute landing.” He was injured in the incident and spent a short period in hospital but returned to 43 Squadron when recovered.

He was also awarded the Bar to the DFM for service with 43 Squadron during the Battle of Britain (Gazetted on 6th September 1940), the citation reads..”Since the commencement of hostilities this airman has personally destroyed twenty-one enemy aircraft. He has set a fine example of bravery and resolute bearing on many occasions.”

He received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 29th November 1940 (with seniority backdated to 18th September 1940). After a brief spell with 96 Squadron in December 1940 he returned to 43 Squadron. He was posted to 122 Squadron in 1942 and later commanded 222 and 165 Squadrons later that year and awarded the DFC (Gazetted on 19th January 1943), the citation reads.. “S/Ldr Hallowes is an outstanding and relentless fighter. He has destroyed 19 and damaged other enemy aircraft. His high skill and unswerving devotion to duty have set an example in keeping with the highest traditions of the RAF.” Before the end of the War he commanded 504 Squadron and survived the War. He remained in the RAF and transferred to the Secretarial Branch until he retired in July 1956 having risen to S/Ldr (retaining the rank of W/Co). Jim Hallowes died in October 1987.

Source

James Edward Mortimer

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Six years ago I had received a comment on this blog which has very little posts.

I have never followed up on it since that was the last time I had ever heard from the person who wrote it.

 

Good morning Pierre,

Thanks a lot for the full identities (thumbs up to John Engelsted )!!!! By the way, Sergeants James Edward Mortimer and McDonald are New Zealanders. You can see the silver fern pin quite well on the pocket, below the wings.

Here are some details about James Edward Mortimer from http://www.rafcommands.com :

Identity : James Edward Mortimer.
Birthdate : July 12th, 1916.
Birthplace : Auckland.
Citizenship : New Zealander.
Function : fighter pilot.
Rank ( last one ) : Flight Lieutenant.
Number : NZ412259.
Award(s) : Distinguished Flying Cross.

James Mortimer joined the R.N.Z.A.F. on April 13th, 1941. When he came to Great Britain, James first flew with No. 122 ” City of Bombay ” Squadron ( R.A.F., Spitfire ). Then, he was posted to No. 126 ” Persian Gulf ” Squadron ( R.A.F., Spitfire ). He was wounded on October 15th, 1942. Back to Albion, James was posted to No. 485 ” New Zealand ” Squadron ( R.A.F., Spitfire, R.N.Z.A.F. pilots ). He was shot down over the Somme Estuary, in France, on October 3rd, 1943.

With the assistance of the Resistance, James evaded capture for 11 months, and returning to Great Britain on September 8th, 1944.

Flight Lieutenant James Mortimer D.F.C. left the R.N.Z.A.F. on June 26th, 1945.

Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross ( June 1st, 1945 ) :

485 Squadron, R.N.Z.A.F. ( Spitfire ).

Flight Lieutenant Mortimer has completed a large number of successful operational sorties. During the Battle of Malta he destroyed three enemy aircraft and by his courage and fine example materially contributed to the defeat of the enemy. In May 1943, Flight Lieutenant Mortimer commenced a second tour of operational duty and in October 1943, while flying on a patrol over France, two Fw 190’s attacked his aircraft. In the ensuing engagement he probably destroyed one of the attackers and damaged the other, but his own aircraft was so badly damaged that it was forced down on to the sea. The aircraft sank immediately but Flight Lieutenant Mortimer managed to free himself and inflate his dinghy. The dinghy went ashore on enemy occupied territory.

This officer evaded capture for nearly a year when he was able to return to this country. Throughout this harassing experience he displayed great resolution and unfailing courage in the face of great odds.

Member of the ” Goldfish ” and ” Late Arrivals ” clubs, James Mortimer died in Helensville ( New Zealand ) on December 16th, 1997.

P/O Léopold « Coco » Collignon (Belgian)

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First pilot, in the first row on the left.

122 squadron 1942

Collection Georges Nadon via Nadon family

More about Coco… (source here)

‘Coco ‘ Collignon Léopold C. (RAF n° 116288)

Knight Cross in the order of the Crown with Palm, Gold Medal in the Order of Leopold II, Order of the Crown with Golden Palms, Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm and Bronze Lion,
Evader Cross, War Medal 1939-45, 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, …
(André Bar Collection)

Born on 11 December 1910 at Liège. 1930 Class Milician, enlisted on 22/11/1929. Voluntary engagement for two years in the Aéronautique Militaire on 31 March 1930 and admitted to the 62 promotion. Caporal aviateur on 30 September 1930. Posted to 2 Rgt Aé on 27 July 1931. Promoted Sergeant aviateur on 31 July 1931. Re-engagement for one year on 18 April 1932. 1° Sergeant aviateur on 31 July 1932. Re-engagement for one year on 18 April 1934. Admited into the active corps of NCO and posted to 1 Rgt Aé, 25 October 1935. Takes his oath on 1 February 1936. Promoted Adjudant aviateur on 26 September 1936 and posted to the Flying School. Evacuated to Morocco with his unit and returned to Belgium after the capitulation of France. Escaped to Great Britain via France in August 1941 where he arrived on 12 October 1941. Enlisted in VR of the RAF, 20 January 1942. Send for training and attended following units: 1 RAF Depot (21/01/42), 9 SFTS (23/02/42), 52 OTU (10/03/42). Posted to 122 Sqn on 12 June 1942, and arrived to 350 Sqn, 2 September 1942. Promoted F/O on 1 October 1942 and posted to 64 Sqn on 14 March 1943. F/Lt on 21 January 1944, he was rested and send to the Central Gunnery School on 19 April 1944. A posting to the BIG (Belgian Inspectorate General) saw him arriving on 6 June 1944. He became the 6th CO of  350 on 23 October 1944. On 24 December 1944, S/Ldr Collignon flying a mission in the region of  Houffalize-Malmedy, was hit by flak, reached the friendly lines and baled out at low altitude, breaking his leg badly. He was evacuated to a Hospital in England on 25 December 1944 and saw no further operational actions during the War. Joined the Belgian Air Force after the War. Retired as Lt-Colonel. Died on 11 September 1995.

(Information kindly provided by André Bar)   

P/O Herbert James Lempriere Hallowes

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Hallowes

Herbert James Lempriere “Jim” Hallowes was born in Lambeth, London in April 1912, he joined the in January 1929 at Halton. In 1934 he applied for pilot training and after completing his training he was posted to 43 Squadron in April 1936. During the Battle of Britain he was credited with a number of enemy aircraft as destroyed or damaged. He was awarded the DFM for service with 43 Squadron (Gazetted on 6th September), the citation reads.. “In June 1940, Sgt Hallowes was attacking an enemy aircraft over Northern France, when he was himself attacked. His engine being disabled, he proceeded to glide back to friendly territory but was again attacked when about to abandon his aircraft by parachute. He dropped back into his seat and as the enemy aircraft passed he delivered such an effective burst of fire as to destroy his opponent. He then made a successful parachute landing.” He was injured in the incident and spent a short period in hospital but returned to 43 Squadron when recovered.

He was also awarded the Bar to the DFM for service with 43 Squadron during the Battle of Britain (Gazetted on 6th September 1940), the citation reads..”Since the commencement of hostilities this airman has personally destroyed twenty-one enemy aircraft. He has set a fine example of bravery and resolute bearing on many occasions.”

He received his commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 29th November 1940 (with seniority backdated to 18th September 1940). After a brief spell with 96 Squadron in December 1940 he returned to 43 Squadron. He was posted to 122 Squadron in 1942 and later commanded 222 and 165 Squadrons later that year and awarded the DFC (Gazetted on 19th January 1943), the citation reads.. “S/Ldr Hallowes is an outstanding and relentless fighter. He has destroyed 19 and damaged other enemy aircraft. His high skill and unswerving devotion to duty have set an example in keeping with the highest traditions of the RAF.” Before the end of the War he commanded 504 Squadron and survived the War. He remained in the RAF and transferred to the Secretarial Branch until he retired in July 1956 having risen to S/Ldr (retaining the rank of W/Co). Jim Hallowes died in October 1987.

 

Source

Hornchurch 1942 Revisited

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Girlfriends and beer…
That’s what started it all in 1942.

Pilote de Spitfire - Spitfire Pilot

About the list given by Mehdi Schneyders

No. 122 « City of Bombay » Squadron

Hornchurch, May 1942

First row ( standing ), left to right :

  • P/O Léopold « Coco » Collignon ( Belgian ).
  • P/O J.E. Wilkin ( Belgian ).
  • F/O Browlie, Medical Officer.
  • Sgt Barrett.
  • P/O Giddings.
  • F/Lt Patrick Peter Colum « Paddy » Barthropp ( Irish ).
  • P/O William Thomas Edward « Bill » Rolls ( British ).
  • F/O Howard Lucy.
  • S/Ldr Léon Prévot, Commanding Officer ( Belgian ).
  • Sir S. Reed.
  • F/Lt Griffith.
  • F/O Fage or Page.
  • F/Lt Herbert James Lempriere « Darkie » Hallowes ( British ).
  • Sgt Morrison.
  • Sgt Mortimer.
  • Sgt McDonald.

Second row ( on the Spitfire ), left to right :

  • P/O Fowler.
  • Sgt Park.
  • P/O ?
  • P/O Priest.
  • Sgt Dunsmore.
  • P/O José Muller ( Belgian ).
  • P/O John Lawrence Crisp ( British ).
  • P/O Raymond « Van » Van de Poel ( Belgian ).
  • P/O Bland.
  • Sgt Hubbard.
  • P/O Durkin.

John Engelsted commented and he…

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May 1942 – Hornchurch

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122 squadron 1942

Collection Georges Nadon

No. 122 « City of Bombay » Squadron

Hornchurch, May 1942

First row ( standing ), left to right :

 P/O Léopold « Coco » Collignon ( Belgian ).
 P/O J.E. Wilkin ( Belgian ).
 F/O Browlie, Medical Officer.
 Sgt Barrett.
 P/O Giddings.
 F/Lt Patrick Peter Colum « Paddy » Barthropp ( Irish ).
 P/O William Thomas Edward « Bill » Rolls ( British ).
 F/O Howard Lucy.
 S/Ldr Léon Prévot, Commanding Officer ( Belgian ).
 Sir S. Reed.
 F/Lt Griffith.
 F/O Fage or Page.
 F/Lt Herbert James Lempriere « Darkie » Hallowes ( British ).
 Sgt Morrison.
 Sgt Mortimer.
 Sgt McDonald.

Second row ( on the Spitfire ), left to right :

 P/O Fowler.
 Sgt Park.
 P/O ?
 P/O Priest.
 Sgt Dunsmore.
 P/O José Muller ( Belgian ).
 P/O John Lawrence Crisp ( British ).
 P/O Raymond « Van » Van de Poel ( Belgian ).
 P/O Bland.
 Sgt Hubbard.
 P/O Durkin.

List is from Mehdi Schneyders