247 (China British) Squadron

247 (CHINA BRITISH) SQUADRON
Rise from the East
247 Sqn was stationed at RAF Exeter
from 17th May 1942 to 21st September 1942.

On the 17th February 1942, it was decided due to increased enemy attacks to move “A” Flight permanently to Exeter. “A” Flight remained at Exeter under the command of Fl/Lt Shimmon and “B” Flight stayed at Predannack, Cornwall.
On the nights of 3/4 May 1942 just after midnight 20 bombers arrived over Exeter town centre (Baedeker Raids) and in 70 minutes the town was devastated. Among the many buildings destroyed was the Ackland Hotel where the sergeants of 247 sqn were billeted.
They lost practically all their possessions in the blaze and were moved into new accommodation at the George & Dragon Clyst St George run by the Lobb family. The George & Dragon Hotel seems to have played a large part in the lives of the servicemen in 247 Sqn during their time at Exeter. They were made to feel very much at home by the Lobb family. Many of the aircrew kept in touch with the family after the war.
Sqn Ldr Peter O’Brian DFC was made Commanding Officer a month after the formation of 247 Sqn on the 24th Sept 1940. He always made it his business to know every member of the squadron and to interest himself wholeheartedly in the men’s welfare. Although he flew as much as any pilot he still found time to spend long hours at his desk. He was sadly missed on his departure from the squadron. On 18th May 1942, the new CO Sqn Ldr James Mervill arrived to take over from P O’Brian. This of course warranted a party which was held at the George & Dragon. One very memorable party was given when Sous Lt Emilie Claude Helies was transferred on the 26th July 1942 to 234 sqn. He was later posted to 340 Sqn in France. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre by General de Gaulle on the 28th Oct 1942. Three days later Emile Claude Helies was dead. A Rhubarb operation was ordered over France. 340 Sqn sent up two sections of Spitfires. Lt Helies did not return.
On the 21st September 1942, 247 sqn was moved to High Ercall in Shropshire and again a big party was held at the George & Dragon. The next morning saw a very shaky formation of eight Hurricanes led by Sqn Ldr Melvill leave Exeter for High Ercall. The other pilots who were suffering from the night before, followed in a Handley Page Harrow transport aircraft.

Ailsa’s own personal copy of this well known photograph of 247 Sqn

Members of 247 Sqn sitting and standing on the steps outside the St George and Dragon Inn. If you sit on those steps today on a sunny day with a pint glass in your hand you can feel the vibes. We would like to have some photos of relatives of these men sitting in the same positions. What great shots those would be. Maybe ,sometime.

BACK ROW: Fl/Sgt Mackay, ? , Sgt S D Wallbank, Fl/Lt H L Van Zuilecom (d.10/11/1943)
FRONT ROW: Sgt A H Burton (d.18/5/1943), Sgt L H Cook, ? .

BACK ROW: ? , Sgt A Jones, Lt Emile Claude Helies (d.31/10/1942), P/O McMahon.
FRONT ROW: Fl/Lt W B Shimmons, Sgt J A Beech, Sgt S D Marlatt, Sgt D Martin
Sqn Ldr J C Mervill.

A group photo of some of the aircrew of 247 Sqn billeted at the George & Dragon
together with Ailsa Lobb and her sister Joan.
Sgt Russ Murray is the tall chap with a moustache in front of the window on the left.
Sgt R R Campbell is standing on the right of Joan Lobb. He was killed on the 15/4/1943

Helping out at harvest time on local Clyst St George farm. Fl/Off Allen Hedley Burton, Joan Clare Lobb, Ailsa Lobb and Sgt R R Campbell.

This picture shows some members of 247 Sqn having their photographs at RAF Exeter ,taken to be used if needed for escape purposes after being shot down. Seated is Sous-Lt Helies. The five standing are Fl/Sgt Wallbank, unknown, Sgt Campbell, Sgt Russ Murray and F/O A H Burton