F/O William Appleby-Brown (Far Right)

S/L William Appleby-Brown DFC

S/L William Appleby-Brown DFC


From The National Archives at Kew, microfilm reference AIR 27/2097 and AIR 27/2098.
No. 608 Squadron Daily Operations Record Book

6th February 1938. Messrs Grey, Phillips passed "A" Licence Test.
7th February 1938. Messrs W.A. Brown, H P G.Grey & J S P Phillips 'gazetted' Pilot Officers - General Duties.
28/8/38. The Unit returned to Thornaby after 15 days training at Warmwell. P/O J S P Phillips awarded flying badge with effect from 16/8/38.
3/9/38 to 30/9/38. Squadron closed down for Annual Leave.
26/6/39. P/O Phillips attended NavigationCourse at Thorney Island (26/6/39 to 10/7/39). Passed with 73.5%.
26/6/39. P/O J F Lambert tried by General Court Martial of "Conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Air Force Discipline" He was found Guilty and reprimanded. Note that he goes on to fly many missions.
19/8/39. P/O Phillips and P/O Appleby-Brown forced landed at Hucknall. Tutor K6004 was extensively damaged - No injuries.
1/9/39. Squadron mobilized.
2/9/39. Flying Anson No. 5201 P/O Phillips capt and F/O (Flight Officer) Vaux.
3/9/39. War Declared. P/O Considine to HQCC for secret publications.
5/9/39. Flying Anson No 5198. P/O Phillips and P/O Appleby-Brown. Low level bombing practice at Seal Sands.
20/9/39. P/O Phillips promoted to F/O wef.
27/9/39. F/O Phillips and F/O Dingle. Photography of ICI works and various AA batteries. Conditions fairly good, bright sun but about 3/10 cloud. Light Cloud at 6000ft.
28/9/39. 21:00 to 21:45 F/Os Burge and Phillips Night Circuits and landing. Sqdrn Strength 25 Officers, 379 other ranks and 226 flying hours on this day.
8/10/39. F/O Phillips and P/O Appleby-Brown Anti submarine search.
17/10/39. F/O Phillips Night Solo.
22/10/39. F/O Phillips - Escorting Damaged destroyer.
27/10/39. Convoy Patrol did not return. Shot down by a Hurricaine in vacinity of Humber Lightship. This was a 'friendly fire' incident.
17/11/39. F/O Phillips and P/O Appleby-Brown granted 6 days pa leave.
A team was regularly flying Ansons F/O Phillips, P/O Appleby-Brown, AC Gordon, CPL Ward.
14/3/40. Sqdrn 10th Birthday.
11/4/40. 18 group signal. Terminate Commission of AP/O J F Lambert wef 11/4/40.
26/5/40. F/O Phillips left unit for Boscombe Down for course on LORENZ Blind Approaches.
15/6/40. W/Cdr Shaw, F/O Phillips, P/O Gibbs detached to Silloth on Botha conversion and instructors course.
25/6/40. They returned from Silloth to Thornaby, Enemy aircraft in the vicinity, but they do not attack.
31/7/40. To Speke for Botha Night Flying Training. 608 Sqdrn is now flying Ansons and Bothas.
24/11/40. F/Lt Phillips in command of a visit to Dyce.
17/12/40. F/Lts Appleby-Brown and Phillips posted to No 221 Sqdrn at Bincham Newton. (http://www.rafbnmp.org.uk)