Visit from Top Brass-would anyone recognise the airfield?

Ive been having a think, I wonder if weve all made the assumption that because Harris is there that its definetley a bomber base? Early in the war Harris did serve I believe on a mission to the USA, was this picture taken either before he went or after he returned and whilst he wasnt serving in bomber command. Incidentally Ive just noticed that the person conducting the band in an LAC, so that makes me think that its somewhere with a voluntary band . And another thought The Duke of Gloucester had a country estate in Northamptonshire, not far from Wittering. Coulod it be Wittering???

I don't think that it's Harris - the second picture is conclusive for me. I suspect it's A/C Oxland who was AOC 1 Grp. from 11/40 to 2/43. As Air Commodore he was Director of Personal Services at the Air Ministry before that.

Having had a look at the pictures again I think you could be right. And if its is AIr Commodore Oxland in his post of director of personnel services then it could be anywhere in the UK!

I note you say " personnel services" - I'd have thought that to be correct but my source book - The Bomber Command Handbook by Jonathan Falconer does say "personal". How good is a source............!

papabravo;47991 wrote:

I suspect it's A/C Oxland who was AOC 1 Grp. from 11/40 to 2/43.

HQ I Group was at Hucknall from Jun 1940-Jul 1941. ( Source )

His photo (and 'personal services') is on this page

A Google search on DPS (Director of Personal / Personnel Services) seems roughly split. Anyone got an Air Force List ?

Graham

So it could be Hucknall(must admit I thought Bawtry was always HQ 1 group), and I thought the title "personal services" was wrong, it sounds a little bit kinky!!!!

According to a search on TNA, the Army certainly only had a Directorate of Personal Services, the Air Ministry possibly had both !

The Admiralty - Creation of the Directorate of Personal Services, combining the duties of the Manning Department and the Naval Personnel Committee.

Confusing or just errors in records .

Graham

canberra;48048 wrote:

So it could be Hucknall(must admit I thought Bawtry was always HQ 1 group), and I thought the title "personal services" was wrong, it sounds a little bit kinky!!!!

Has a search in Flight archives in the RAF Appointments. you can track the incumbents of the post Director of PERSONAL services; always a 1 star. Director General of Personnel was a 2 star post and held a place on the Air Council.

Anyone remember the film "personal services" about the Madame played by Julie Walters? Thats why I find the title strange.

Yes I also remember some great adventures in Heros Square in Limassol !!!! Got dragged onto the stage at one she had a whip and a Keo bottle but may be the 1 star were responsible for different personal services, haircuts shaving nail styling maybe ??

TED