I have updated a post written in May 2018 with a comment made by Stephen Nickerson. I have the wrong caption with this photo.
The group photo that you have as listed as being at Kenley, April 1943 is incorrect. That photo was taken after the Dieppe Raid. The Spitfire in the photo is a Mk.V not Mk.IX which the 403 was flying in April 1943. Also F/L George Hill is sitting to the right of S/L Ford in that photo. Hill left the 403 in November 1942 to serve in the North Africa.
I believe this photo was taken on the same day in August 1942 after the Dieppe raid when the squadron moved back to Catterick by just looking at the trees in the back.
Revisiting the Past – Sergeant Robert Brookes’ Collection
Bob Brookes, Gibby, and Roy
403 Squadron Chaplain
Most probably at Kenley, Surrey – April 1943
403 Squadron Chaplain
Most probably at Kenley, Surrey – April 1943
Unknown ground crew
George Aitken
Most probably at St. Thomas, Ontario – circa summer 1941
Unknown ground crew
St. Thomas, Ontario – August 22, 1941
Names for group photo St. Thomas, Ontario – August 22, 1941
Village in France
RCAF 439 “Westmount” Squadron at ALG B9, Creully, France
RCAF 439 “Westmount” Squadron at ALG B9, Creully, France
More on Advanced Landing Ground Creully
https://www.ete44.fr/temps-de-guerre/actions-de-guerre/108-ete-44-aerodrome-de-campagne-b9-a-creully
Jerry Spencer and Jim Day
403 Squadron group photo – this photo was taken after the Dieppe Raid.
Bob Brookes is in top row, number 2
Pete Marley and Jim Day
Whet, Pete, Hammie, Jim
George Aitken
403 Squadron group photo photo was taken after the Dieppe Raid.
More about 403 Squadron at Kenley
http://www.kenleyrevival.org/content/history/archive/faces-of-kenley/the-canadians-at-kenley
Kenley, Surrey – April 1943 – Bob Brookes is furthest to upper right.
North Weald – 1942
Bob Brookes when he enlisted – Toronto, 1941.
403 Squadron group photo at Kenley, Surrey – April 1943
Villers Bocage
Amiens
“A rigger at work – Brooksie”
Spitfire Mk Vb
History:
6MU 7-9-41
403 Squadron 12-9-41
FAAC 10-2-43 Scottish Aviation
165 S 1-7-43
501 S 19-7-43
504 S 15-12-43
129 S 26-1-44
278 S 17-6-44
SOC 15-5-45
“A rigger at work – Brooksie”
Bob Brookes, second row, second person.
Elmer – Catterick, Summer 1942
Gibson, Roger, and I – Catterick, Summer 1942
19 April 1942
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown – maybe George Aitken sitting on the right.
Unknown
