Carpe Diem - 576 Squadron RAF

PERSONAL INFORMATION

PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS

CREW MEMBER PROFILE

SERVICE RECORDS

576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS

PERSONAL INFORMATION

PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS

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Date	Event	Aircraft Flown
SERVICE RECORDS
04 Jun 1944 04 Jun 1944	Set Rank from Flight Record
01 Nov 1944 01 Nov 1944	No.12 Operational Training Unit (12 OTU), Chipping Warden, Gloucestershire Here he would have joined the W J C Hood crew, which comprised: Pilot: W J C Hood Air Bomber: R G Ashford Navigator: E A J Taylor Wireless Operator: R A Lisk Air Gunners: J W Farrow & W E Culshaw Precise date of joining tbc	Wellington
05 Jan 1945 05 Jan 1945	No.1660 Heavy Conversion Unit (1660 HCU), Course 3A, Swinderby, Lincolnshire	Lancaster
27 Mar 1945 27 Mar 1945	No.576 Squadron, 'A' Flight, Fiskerton, Lincolnshire	Lancaster
01 Sep 1945 01 Sep 1945	Promoted to Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt). Date TBC
16 Sep 1945 16 Sep 1945	No.50 Sqn, Sturgate, Lincolnshire Ops (?): W J C Hood crew 21-27 Sep 45 – Base-Pomigliano-Glatton-Base; Op DODGE 02-04 Oct 45 – Base-Bari-St Mawgan-Base; Op DODGE	Lancaster
19 Nov 1945 19 Nov 1945	16 Ferry Unit, Dunkeswell, Devon (Lancaster) with Hood crew - This unit was engaged in preparing and despatching a wide variety of British military aircraft to units in the Middle East.	Lancaster
16 Feb 1946 16 Feb 1946	Embarked UK
28 Feb 1946 28 Feb 1946	22 Personnel Transit Centre (PTC), Almaza, Egypt
05 Mar 1946 05 Mar 1946	70 Squadron. Fayid, Egypt	Lancaster
24 Aug 1946 24 Aug 1946	70 Squadron, Kabrit, Egypt	Lancaster
21 Sep 1946 21 Sep 1946	70 Squadron, Abu Sueir, Egypt	Lancaster
28 Sep 1946 28 Sep 1946	70 Squadron, Shallufa, Egypt	Lancaster

Date	Aircraft	Code	Flight Details	T/O	Land	Flt Time	Crew
576 Squadron FLYING RECORDS
04 Jun 1944	ME492	UL-J	Training	nk	nk	7h15	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Night 'Y' (H2S) cross-country navigation exercise over France
28 Mar 1945	NX576	UL-K²	Training	1215	1755	5h40	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Loaded cross-country navigation exercise with high-level bombing at a range
03 Apr 1945	RE127	UL-L²	Training	1135	1350	2h15	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	High-level bombing at a range, fighter affiliation, and air-to-sea firing
04 Apr 1945	LM294	UL-P²	Air Test	1300	1410	1h10	P1 W.J.C. Hood P2 FE C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV E.A.J. Taylor WOp R.A. Lisk MUG J.W. Farrow RG W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Air test
13 Apr 1945	NX562	UL-F	Training	1415	1810	3h55	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Low-level cross-country navigation exercise, high-level bombing at a range, and air-to-sea firing
18 Apr 1945	LM227	UL-I	HELIGOLAND	1005	1450	4h45	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Target: Naval base, submarine repair yards, airfield & built-up area Load: 12x 1000lb and 4x 500lb bombs
20 Apr 1945	RE127	UL-L	Training	1430	1505	0h35	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Sack dropping in practice for Operation MANNA; dropped at 300 ft
22 Apr 1945	RE127	UL-L	BREMEN	1525	2045	5h20	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt W.E. Culshaw RG Sgt J.W. Farrow
NOTES:	Target: The Focke-Wulf aircraft factory and enemy troop concentrations. Flown in support of the British XXX Corps who were attacking the city. Load: 1x 4000lb, 6x 1000lb, and 8x 500lb bombs The Master Bomber abandoned the attack due to low cloud cover over target and instructed crews to bring bombs back. The less experienced crews jettisoned their bombloads.
23 Apr 1945	ME492	UL-J	Training	1535	1830	2h55	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Low-level cross-country navigation exercise with bombing on a range
24 Apr 1945	LM594	UL-A	Air Test	1930	1945	0h15	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Flight Test
25 Apr 1945	RE127	UL-L	BERCHTESGADEN	0530	1335	8h05	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt W.E. Culshaw RG Sgt J.W. Farrow
NOTES:	Target: Hitler’s ‘Eagle’s Nest’ complex & SS barracks Load: 1x 4000lb, 4x 1000lb, and 1x 500lb bombs
29 Apr 1945	RF200	UL-D	VALKENBURG (LEIDEN) AIRFIELD	1145	1440	2h55	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt W.E. Culshaw RG Sgt J.W. Farrow
NOTES:	Operation MANNA. Dropping food for the starving Dutch population. Load: All aircraft: 4 blocks
30 Apr 1945	RF200	UL-D	DELFT (THE HAGUE) AIRFIELD	1505	1810	3h05	P1 Plt Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt W.E. Culshaw RG Sgt J.W. Farrow
NOTES:	Operation MANNA. Dropping food for the starving Dutch population. Load: 4 blocks
01 May 1945	RF200	UL-D	ROTTERDAM	1505	1825	3h20	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Operation MANNA. Dropping food for the starving Dutch population. Load: All aircraft: 4 blocks
03 May 1945	RF200	UL-D	VALKENBURG (LEIDEN) AIRFIELD	1025	1320	2h55	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt R.A. Farrell RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Operation MANNA. Dropping food for the starving Dutch population. Load: All aircraft: 4 blocks
05 May 1945	RF200	UL-D	ROTTERDAM	0640	0945	3h05	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Operation MANNA. Dropping food for the starving Dutch population. Load: All aircraft: 4 blocks
07 May 1945	RA562	UL-B	ROTTERDAM	1215	1555	3h40	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Operation MANNA. Dropping food for the starving Dutch population. Load: All aircraft: 4 blocks
11 May 1945	NF976	UL-Z	Training	nk	nk	0h55	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Circuits and landings
03 Jun 1945	RF200	UL-D	Positioning Flight	nk	nk	0h25	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Positioning flight to North Luffenham, following the W A A Woodruff crew in their LM584, UL-A
03 Jun 1945	RF200	UL-D	Positioning Flight	nk	nk	0h20	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	North Luffenham to Base, carrying the W A A Woodruff crew as passengers
06 Jun 1945	NX576	UL-K	Training	nk	nk	0h30	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Fighter affiliation
07 Jun 1945	SW276	UL-G	Training	nk	nk	2h25	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Sgt J.W. Farrow RG Sgt W.E. Culshaw
NOTES:	Air-to-sea firing, high-level bombing, and fighter affiliation
22 Aug 1945	NX576	UL-K	FISKERTON – POMIGLIANO	0735	nk	nk	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Flt Sgt G.T.E. Lynn MUG Sgt W.E. Culshaw RG
NOTES:	Operation DODGE These DODGE sorties comprised Pilot, Engineer, Air Bomber, Nav, WOp and a gunner in the mid-upper turret. The crews below are listed in that order.
24 Aug 1945	NX576	UL-K	POMIGLIANO – GLATTON	nk	nk	nk	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Flt Sgt G.T.E. Lynn MUG Sgt W.E. Culshaw RG
NOTES:	DODGE These DODGE sorties comprised Pilot, Engineer, Air Bomber, Nav, WOp and a gunner in the mid-upper turret. The crews below are listed in that order.
24 Aug 1945	NX576	UL-K	GLATTON – FISKERTON	nk	1820	nk	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Flt Sgt G.T.E. Lynn MUG Sgt W.E. Culshaw RG
NOTES:	Operation DODGE These DODGE sorties comprised Pilot, Engineer, Air Bomber, Nav, WOp and a gunner in the mid-upper turret. The crews below are listed in that order.
09 Sep 1945	RF200	UL-D	FISKERTON – POMIGLIANO	0755	nk	nk	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Flt Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Flt Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Flt Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Flt Sgt J.W. Farrow RG
NOTES:	Operation DODGE These DODGE sorties comprised Pilot, Engineer, Air Bomber, Nav, WOp and a gunner in the mid-upper turret. The crews below are listed in that order.
12 Sep 1945	RF200	UL-D	POMIGLIANO – GLATTON	nk	nk	nk	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Flt Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Flt Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Flt Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Flt Sgt J.W. Farrow RG
NOTES:	12 Sep 1945 Operation DODGE These DODGE sorties comprised Pilot, Engineer, Air Bomber, Nav, WOp and a gunner in the mid-upper turret. The crews below are listed in that order.
12 Sep 1945	RF200	UL-D	GLATTON - FISKERTON	nk	1655	nk	P1 Fg Off W.J.C. Hood P2 FE Flt Sgt C.F. Lea AB Flt Sgt R.G. Ashford NAV Flt Sgt E.A.J. Taylor WOp Flt Sgt R.A. Lisk MUG Flt Sgt J.W. Farrow RG
NOTES:	Operation DODGE These DODGE sorties comprised Pilot, Engineer, Air Bomber, Nav, WOp and a gunner in the mid-upper turret. The crews below are listed in that order.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Personal Records Restricted - not available to the public

Personal Records Restricted - not available to the public

PHOTOS & DOCUMENTS
Personal Documents Restricted - not available to the public

Personal Documents Restricted - not available to the public

CREW MEMBER PROFILE

ASHFORD

First Name/s:

Robert Geoffrey "Bob"

Service No/s:

1625102

Air Bomber