Horton S. Rathbone

Name : Horton S. Rathbone

Rank : Flight Sergeant

Ser. No. : 1097283

Dates at Cranage : Aug 1942

I was originally contacted by Jeremy Moores, son of Mr Rathbone, who was researching his fathers service history.

E-mail 1

02 - 06 - 2011

My father was posted to C.N.S. Cranage on 31/ 08/ 42 after training at 2 [ P] A.F.U., Brize Norton and before going on to the O.T.U. at Tilstock.

His name was Horton S. Rathbone and [he] was then a Flight Sergeant Pilot, service number 1097283. He went on to fly operationally with 103 squadron and was shot down over Frankfurt on 20/21 Dec. 1943 becoming a P.O.W. If anyone has any further info or photos of Cranage from Sept/ Oct 1942 I would be most grateful.

Many thanks,

Jeremy

E-mail 2

03 - 06 - 2011

My father was a local boy, being born in Wharton as was my mother and I. He died in 1977 when I was 25.

I have done a fair amount of research on his R.A.F. career having obtained his record of service. He was shot down on his 9th operation with 103 squadron [Lancaster Bombers], 5 of which were to Berlin although on two of these the crew had to make early returns due to technical problems. He was promoted to Warrant Officer while a P.O.W. in Stalag IVb then re-enlisted in the regular RAF in 1947 until 1950 when his rank appears to be Temporary Pilot 1.

During this time his movements show him at Pershore, Manston, Bushy Park, Abingdon and various other airfields. It is in this period that I am having great difficulty in discovering what he was doing e.g. the aircraft he was flying etc.

I will be very interested in any other info or photos of Cranage that you post.

Best wishes,

Jeremy