A RUDDY AWFUL WASTE |
|
FLT LT ERIC LOCK DSO, DFC & BAR; THE BRIEF LIFE OF A BATTLE OF BRITAIN FIGHTER ACE |
|
Home | Synopsis | Introduction | Chapter Outline | Index | Authors | Product Information |
|
CHAPTER OUTLINE | |
1. GROWING UP IN SHREWSBURY, APRIL 1919-FEBRUARY 1939 Eric's birth and family; life on the farm and in Bayston Hill; Eric's education and pastimes, his sporting abilities, and his first brief joyride in an aircraft; a growing interest in speed: motor cars, motorcycles, and aircraft; a sweetheart; and joining the RAFVR. 2.FLYING TRAINING, FEBRUARY 1939-JUNE 1940The background of the RAFVR; Eric joins up and is sent to 28 EFTS at Meir Aerodrome; the school's infrastructure, officers, instructors, and flying training syllabus; darkening clouds over Europe; war is declared; Eric is posted to 4 ITW at Bexhill-on-Sea and 6 SFTS at Hullavington; both schools' infrastructure, officers, instructors, daily routine, and flying training syllabus; aged techniques and flying qualifications; Eric is commissioned and posted to operations. 3. POSTED TO OPERATIONS, JUNE-AUGUST 1940Eric's arrival on 41 Squadron at Catterick with three other flying school graduates; an introduction to the unit; Eric is introduced to the Spitfire for the first time; non-operational flying training; the Squadron is sent south for the first phase of the Battle of Britain, but Eric remains behind to marry his sweetheart; Squadron victories and casualties; and Eric makes his first operational sorties. 4. BATTLE OF BRITAIN ACE, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 19405. GREAT COURAGE, OCTOBER 1940 Eric's participation in the Battle of Britain; Eric claims his first victory; a chronological account of each of Eric's victories; Squadron casualties and Eric's close shaves; Eric is awarded the DFC and subsequently a Bar; Eric maintains a 100 per cent strike rate for several days, and ends the Battle of Britain with 20 confirmed victories. 6. SHOT DOWN AND WOUNDED, NOVEMBER 1940-JUNE 1941On-going defensive operations against the Luftwaffe; two more victories fall to Eric, but he is shot down and seriously wounded; rescued from his cockpit by two soldiers and transported to hospital; Eric is awarded the DSO and transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital for skin grafts; Eric is Mentioned in Dispatches, and released from hospital to attend his investiture at Buckingham Palace; recuperation and sick leave; the return of Eric's flying status, and he is posted back to operations. 7. BACK TO WORK, JUNE-JULY 1941Eric's arrival on 611 Squadron at Hornchurch and an introduction to the unit; changes in the Squadron leadership; Eric returns to operational flying in the Spitfire Mk Vb, and participates in several Circus operations; three more victories fall to him in the space of eight days; Eric's portrait is sketched by Cuthbert Orde and public relations photographs are taken by the Air Ministry; Eric becomes a founding member of the Guinea Pig Club; Eric is clearly growing tired; is too much expected of him? 8. A RUDDY AWFUL WASTE, AUGUST 1941.Eric fails to return from his first operation and his first Rhubarb in August 1941; immediate shock at his loss; an analysis of the possible causes, opinions and theories; parallels with other pilots' losses; Eric's wife's reaction, and the official condolence letter from the Palace. 9. ERIC'S LEGACY, THE YEARS SINCEEric's family's reaction to his loss; official and unofficial memorials and commemorations; 41 Squadron and the BBMF honour Eric by marking up their aircraft with EB-G to represent one of his Spitfires; Eric's sacrifice, achievements and legacy; his likely suffering from PTSD; correcting myths and inaccuracies; his talent as a pilot and his fame; why Eric is admired. |
|
APPENDICES | |
I. A CONCISE BIOGRAPHY
A concise list of key dates and events in Eric's life and flying career. II. VICTORY CLAIMSAn in-depth analysis of Eric's victory claims, correcting inaccuracies and errors, and addressing possible misunderstandings and contradictions; discussion around questionable claims; a summary with evidence for all of Eric's victories on 41 and 611 Squadron; an additional unexplained victory included in his total upon Eric's arrival on 611 Squadron; the photograph of Eric with 26 Swastikas on his Spitfire's fuselage; and a final conclusion of his total victory claims. III. THE LOCK FAMILYThe genealogy and history of the Lock family from ca 1750 to the present, with a particular emphasis on Eric's parents and siblings. IV. THE MEYERS FAMILYThe genealogy and history of Eric's wife Peggy Meyer's family from ca 1850 to the present, with a particular emphasis on Peggy and her legacy. |
|
Home | Synopsis | Introduction | Chapter Outline | Index | Authors | Product Information |
|
© Steve Brew, 2017 |