Back in the early days of this blog I mentioned Miles Tripp’s book The Eighth Passenger (if you haven’t read it, find a copy and read it). For those of you who don’t know, Miles ‘Mike’ Tripp served as a bomb-aimer in 218 Squadron Lancasters. Tripp flew 40 operations in a crew captained by George “Dig” Klenner, RAAF from the autumn of 1944 to March 1945. The first half of the book talks candidly about his operational experiences at that time and caused something of a sensation when it was published in 1969. The second half of the book traces Tripp’s attempts to find his old crew mates and chat about their experiences.
Miles Tripp (L) with the other members of his crew pose for publicity pictures at the end of their tour of operations, 11 March 1945. This image may not be in the Public Domain since it was probably taken by a journalist in 1945. If it isn’t I claim fair use for review and educational purposes. From L-R Miles “Mike” Tripp (Bomb Aimer), Ray Parke (Flight Engineer), George Bell, (Navigator), George “Dig” Klenner (Pilot), Paul Songest (M/U Gunner), Les Walker (Wireless Op), Harry McCalla (Rear Gunner)
I may have mentioned that every so often I come across references to the former crew which gave indications of their passing. Almost by accident I saw a reference to an auction record of rear-gunner Harry McCalla’s personal effects including a copy of The Eighth Passenger signed by Tripp. At another time I happened to notice a message on an internet bulletin board which had been written by one of Dig Klenner’s descendants..
Imagine my surprise when I got an email from Fraser Gambling, who provided me with some information about Ray Parke, the Fight Engineer and the last surviving member of the Klenner crew. You can see it as a comment in the “What’s It All About?” page on this blog but to save you the trouble:
In 2014, you asked for an update on any of the crew featured in ‘The Eighth Passenger’. Ray Parke, the Flight Engineer in the George Klenner crew of 218 Squadron is still alive, very active and lives in Norwich, UK at the age of 98.Ray still has his own operations log books and those of Miles Tripp, which he received in 2000 as a result of Miles’ will.
Email from Fraser gambling – August 2023
Ray Parke in the rear of Lancaster Mark X KB889 at the IWM Duxford in March 2023.with a view of the infamous Elsan Chemical Toilet. (Photo from Fraser Gambling – used with permission.)
Amazing stuff. Fraser has emailed me again recently with a little bit more news about Ray
Ray regularly speaks to schools, community, youth and veteran support groups, to put historical recollections into a wartime context. In 2023 he was personally invited by King Charles III to reflect on his wartime experiences with him. He was awarded the Legion of Honour from the French government in 2016, followed by the Dutch Metal of Liberation from the Netherlands government in 2023.
Email from fraser gambling february 2024
Fraser sent me a couple of other links which I’m happy to relay:
99th birthday Lancaster Bomber dream for former RAF flight engineer – https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/24134088.norwich-ww2-raf-veterans-lancaster-bomber-birthday-hopes/ An article in the Norwich Evening News from February 25th about Ray, his meeting with King Charles III and the presentation of the Dutch Medal of Liberation
GOFundMe – The news article also mentions that that some students from UEA (University of East Anglia) are making a documentary about Ray, and that it is hoped to raise funds to give him a trip aboard NX611 “Just Jane” at East Kirkby, Lincolnshire. A GoFundMe page has been created for this – its address is https://www.gofundme.com/f/ww2-veteran-plane-ride.
I do hope all this comes to pass. I send my best wishes to Ray and I’m sure my late father, a fellow Norfolk man, would do likewise.