100 Squadron Association News Page - Older News Items

22nd Feb 2010 - It is with sadness and regret that we report the death of Flt Lt Laurence (‘Johnny’) Stow DFC. Laurence died following a heart attack on 24^th October 2009, and we have only just heard of his passing.

‘Johnny’ flew as a pilot with 100 Squadron from April 1943 and completing his full tour in December 1943 after the raid on Berlin during the night of ‘Black Thursday’. He completed more than a dozen operational sorties against Berlin and he was awarded the DFC. After completing his tour with ‘The Boneyard’, he went on to fly Mosquitoes as a Pathfinder pilot completing more than 20 operational sorties. I ‘interviewed’ Laurence for the 100 Squadron DVD, and a most abiding memory I have from making the DVD is of the afternoon I recorded his memories of the days he spent flying Lancasters with ‘The Boneyard’. It was such a pleasure to meet him and to listen to him recalling those distant and dangerous days. Towards the end of making the recording, I asked him to reflect on his time with 100 Squadron. He sang a short ditty that was familiar to me, and I guess to many of you, which brought tears to his eyes as he remembered his comrades who did not return from operations on subsequent nights. I was very moved, and I realised that here was a man, like many of those who flew with ‘The Ton’, who looked death in the eyes every night, and yet thought only of those who had made the ultimate sacrifice. He was a warm and generous man, and he will not be forgotten.

Dr Keith Ellis

26th Jan 2010 - Bill Harrison, a stalwart member of the Association, died on 24th January. He suffered a fall from a ladder in July 2009 and never fully recovered. Bill served with 100 Squadron at RAF Wittering in the mid 1950's during the first Canberra era as groundcrew. Bill served on the squadron from 1953 until 1958. He also attended many reunions and his friendly face and ready smile will be greatly missed. We offer our condolences to Pat and all of his family.Bill Harrison's funeral will be at Essex Crematorium in Upminster on 9th February at 13:20.

14th Jan 2010 -  It is with deep regret, that we must report the death of Flt Lt Lionel (Leo) Arthur Frederick Hughes. Leo flew as a pilot from 1944 to 1945 completing 23 operational missions, and also taking part in Operation Manna. Leo died of cancer on 11th January 2010 and his funeral will be held at Ryde, Isle of Wight on 21st January 2010. Bob Pearson, who was Leo's Tail end Charlie, provided this sad news to us on 14th January. We offer our condolences to Leo's daughter, Mrs. Barbara Billington and to all of the family.

26th of May 2009 - The 100 Squadron reunion, to be held at RAF Wyton on the 26th and 27th of June 2009, is now just ver a month away.  If you haven't yet booked and wish to attend, please do so as a matter of urgency - the deadline is two weeks from today (9th of June) if you wish to partake in the trips on the Friday afternoon, or the week prior to the reunion (Friday thr 19th of June) if you only wish to book for the evening meal.  Booking forms have been included in "The Hornet", but if anyone needs a copy of the forms, please contact the Secretary via the Website Editor by clicking here. This years auction at the reunion dinner promises some excellent items for you to bid on!!

30th March 2009 - It is with great sadness that we record the passing of Association member Eoin Ferris.  As a Sergeant Air Gunner, Eoin flew in the rear turret of Flight Sergeant Schneider's crew towards the end of the war, participating in Operation Manna and the repatriation of PoWs from the newly liberated Europe.  The Association and Squadron pass on their deepest sympathies to his son Andrew and the rest of his family.

12th March 2009 - It is with great sadness that we record the passing of current squadron member Squadron Leader Peter McNamara, known on 100 Squadron as "M Squared".  Squadron Leader McNamara was 53, and had fought a long a dignified battle with cancer.  Latterly the Officer in Charge of the Navigation Training Unit, M Squared was a popular officer on the squadron, and a capable and efficient airman.  An ex-Tornado GR4 pilot, the eulogy at his funeral at Ripon Cathederal on March the 24th was delivered by Group Captain Jones, formerly the OC RAF Valley.  100 Squadron provided a four-ship flypast, alongside a lone Tornado flying the "missing man" formation.  Both the Association and the Squadron extend their condolences to his wife Sue, and the rest of his family.