Herb Oliver - Interested in 460 Squadron RAAF

Subject:      Re: 460 Squadron RAAF
Date:               Fri, 19 Jun 1998 13:22:02 +1000
From:             Herb Oliver <memho@peg.apc.org>

Whilst browsing I came across the Web Page for 460 Squadron in March, 1998 - just before we left for the UK and Europe. I saw the article on Stan Hodge DCM, copied it and sent details to Stan. He didn't know of its existence and telephoned me in great excitement.

I also sent details to Bill Robinson DFC, an old friend who was a former Town Clerk of Toowoomba - he still resides there. His Rear gunner Lloyd Cronk currently lives in Crow's Nest , Queensland and I have constant communication with him and his wife Shirley.

Another professional colleague was Harold Jopling, former Town Clerk of Wingacaribee, in NSW.

Whilst in England we visited Binbrook, on two occasions - regretfully the Marquess of Granby pub is closed and was being turned into housing units - we took photos of the old pub, the now disused airfield, and the monument. The workmen at the pub were interested in my enquiries and looked carefully for the signatures, on the old ceiling , which had been replaced with a false ceiling - alas we couldn't find any trace of the signatures of the Pilots who had completed 30 bombing missions.

I obtained a momento from the pub and as soon as we get up to Bundaberg I will present them to Stan - an old family friend.

We have just arrived back in Australia and I wanted to let you know of our discoveries.

Subject:    Photographs - Binbrook, Lincolnshire UK
Date:             Mon, 29 Jun 1998 23:10:06 +1000
From:           Herb Oliver <memho@peg.apc.org>

I posted some photographs to you today, which Mary and I took at Binbrook, together with a letter giving info thereon.

The Memorial is not sited in front of St Mary's Church, as mentioned in the 460 Squadron Web Page, it is located on the high side of the road leading into Binbrook from Market Resen. We couldn't get into the Church to see the Roll of Honour, as mentioned on the Memorial - the door was locked - it is often stated "that the Church's door is always open" however when that assertion was made - the problem of vandalism etc had not reared its ugly head !!

It was three days before Anzac Day 1998 when we were in Binbrook - Anzac Day is always remembered by our family as my Dad served in the 25th Battalion, AIF, at Gallipoli, later on the Somme, France and after being badly wounded spent the rest of the War in a POW Camp in Germany. Whilst we were in Germany, after visiting Binbrook we were able to visit the place where he was a POW.

	The 460 Squadron Memorial situated on the hill above the old Marquis of Granby Pub, on the opposite side of the road to the pub - it looks towards the airfield. The road leading to the airfield turns off just below the memorial. The surrounds are well kept and as you can see the flowers in spring give a nice touch to the memorial. Standing beside the memorial is Herb Oliver.
	The Marquis of Granby Pub - now in the process of being turned into housing flats. The integrity of the exterior will be retained. On the left is Herb Oliver and the other person is one of the workmen, covered in black soot, who was helping to carry out the renovations.
	This is a view of an area outside one of the hangars with perhaps some of the original quonsat igloos in the background.
	Another shot of the above quonsat igloos. In the photo is Herb Oliver who is facing one of the big hangars.
	Mary Oliver is standing in front of a couple of hangars. The airfield is away to the right of the picture. The runways appear to be still useable.

Subject:      Re: RAAF Aircraft Crashes in Australia during World War 11
Date:               Tue, 11 May 1999 21:07:50 +1000
From:             Herb Oliver <memho@peg.apc.org>

Congratulations on your appointment as an associate member of the 460 Squadron Association.

Regarding the service aircraft crashes during training in World War 11- When I was a student at the Booyal Central State School, near Childers Q., circa 1943/44, an RAAF aircraft crashed just off the Bruce Highway on the Gin Gin side of Booyal at night - the pilot parachuted out and knocked on the door of a farmhouse, to be greeted by the farmer with a loaded double barrel shotgun - the farmer thought he was capturing a Japanese Airman.

I am not sure of the aircraft type - it may have been an Avro Anson from Bundaberg Airfield.

What happened to the other Web-page on 460, with all the crews names and missions etc?

I need your help

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