United Kingdom. An RAF Flying Log Book and Photographs to W.G Petch, 1936 – 1939

United Kingdom. A Pre War Flying Log Book belonging to W.G Petch, measures 140mm (w) x 208mm (l), containing approximately 40 pages with detailed information regarding the aircraft, pilots, flight time, locations and remark, detailed list of landing locations on the last page, cover worn, spine intact, very fine condition.

Accompanied to four original reconnaissance photographs of locations including Ismael, Zurrah, and RAF Station in Kohat, India, all in good condition and a handwritten letter from Petch regarding his service, dated January 5, 1983, fine condition.

Footnote: W. G Petch joined the RAF in January of 1930. In 1931, he arrived at RAF Cranwell as the 23rd entry to train as a Wireless Operator Mechanic and did so for three years. In April of 1936, he was a part of the 60 (B) Squadron, serving in Kohat, India. During the interwar period, this squadron was involved in many North West Frontier conflicts, mainly flying Airco DH.9A and Westland Wapiti general purpose aircrafts.

In May 1938, Petch was serving the 208 (AC) Squadron in Heliopolis, Egypt. By February 1939, he was stationed to the RAF Station Pembrock Dock in South Wales. During this time, he carried out numerous North Sea patrols from Scotland to Norway. At this time hew as a sergeant in his trade as a wireless and electrical mechanic. In July 1939, he was serving with the 201 (GR) Squadron. At the outbreak of war, detachments from the No.210 Squadron were sent to Invergordon and Sullom Voe.

In 1941, Petch was stationed to Wig Bay, serving as a warrant officer, responsible for organizing the radio and the electrical side of the new base. Following the completion of the base set up, he was moved to Faeroe Islands and stationed on a boat called the Lady of Manu. Throughout his time here, he maintained the small radio and radar outposts all of the islands. In 1942, he was stationed to Tain, where he worked in the Staff Headquarters and began instruction classes of WAAF in wireless operations. Shortly afterwards, he was the senior ranking officer at Thornaby Station and began the removal of all the troops back to Scotland. Petch was then posted to the Hebrides to RAF Stornaway, where he joined the Halifax squadron and stayed until demobilization in 1945.

He was awarded the India General Service Medal (1908-1935 medal with North West Frontier 1935 clasp and the 1936-1939 medal with North West Frontier 1936-1937, North West Frontier 1937-39), the Defence Medal, and 1939-45 War Medal for his actions prior and during the war.

Petch’s total flying time contained in his logbook is 659.5 hours. The aircrafts include: Wapiti, Audax, Lysander, and Sunderland. Entries Include: Supply Dropping, Camera Obscura, Dive Bombing, Naval Exercises, Photography, Formation Practice, Convoy Duty etc. Landing locations include: India, Burma, Malay States, Singapore, Egypt, British Isles, etc.