Names of ex-BSAA staff


During our long research for 'Fly With The Stars' we met many former BSAA staff, and in doing so we were told of many more. We also discovered many documents which referred to names of staff which we hadn't been aware of from other sources. As the research progressed, we decided to add all the names we came across to a list. Some of these people are well known to us, whereas others may have been a name we found on an old document, and we therefore have no idea of their role within the airline. Whilst this list is just a fraction of the staff employed by the airline, it currently extends to over 450 names and is reproduced below for interest. If any former BSAA staff read this and find that they (or a friend/relative who worked for the airline) are missing from the list, please let us know at info@flywiththestars.co.uk and we'll be happy to add them. Please scroll down the page to see some photos of BSAA staff.

Captain R. C. 'Cliff' Alabaster Mr. Alexander Captain G. M. 'Dickie' Allcock Captain Jimmy Andrew J. Gus Angers Fred Appleby Cynthia Arpthorp Captain Maurice R. Aries Mr. Ashdown Mr. Ashendon Jack Atkins Albert T. Axten Sue Bailey Rita P. Baines (see Colby) Anne Barker-Mill Harry Bartholomew Graham Bartter Nita Barwell-Harrison Terry Barzilay (see White) Dora Barzilay Mr. F. Beard Richard E. Beddoes (Dick) Ted Belbin Mr. Bellamy Ed Bellamy C. A. F. 'Crystal' Bendall Air Vice-Marshal Donald C. T. Bennett Jack Berry Jack Betts John Bingham Tony Birch L. E. Bishop J. N. Blows Charles Bodimeade John Booth Air Commodore Herbert G. Brackley David Brackley Lyn Bradley Una Bradley Eve Branson (née Huntley-Flindt) Miss Margaret Bray Mr. Bray Jean Brennan (née Macfarlane) John C. Brennan Captain David Brice Jim Britton Angus H. Brooks Denis Brown Don L. Brown E. R. 'Ted' Brown E. S. Brown Maria Teresa del Socorro Browne Judy Bruce-Lockhart Danny Buckland Mr. Budd Frank W. Bunker Ken Bunker Arthur 'Tosh' Burridge Miss A. Butler Arthur Butler Jock Butterworth Jack Cacutt Thomas A. 'Tommy' Cairns Miss Calvert Miss Erica Calverwell Alec Campbell Barbara Campbell (née Hammond) Tom Campbell Andy Carlisle Robert W. Chandler Mr. Chapman S. P. Chapman J. J. Charlebois Donald S. Checklin Diana Chester-Masters Thomas M. 'Tommy' Clark Mrs. Celia M. Clark (née Hepworth) Mr. Clarke V. A. M. L. ‘Lynn’ Clayton Captain Stephen B. Cliff John Coatalen F. S. G. 'Syd' Codling Captain David Colby Rita P. Colby (née Baines) Derek Cole Mr. R. W. Coleman Terence Conner Norman H. Cook Captain Reginald J. Cook Alec Cooper Dickie Cooper Fred Cooper Robert J. ‘Paddy’ Cormican May Cox Captain D. A. Cracknell Thomes S. H. Croft Dick Cromie Captain John N. S. Cumming Mary Cunningham (née Guthrie) T. Cupit Mr. Curry Paul R. Dane Aubrey T. Dare F. Dauncey A. G. Davies David Davies Nadia Davies (née Smart) Fred Davis Derek H. Davison David A. R. Day (Roy) Murray Deloford Mr Denman Trevor L. de Nett Mr. R. C. de Wilde Charles Diacond Mr. Dick Roland Dismore Brian Duffey Captain Peter Duffey Bill Dyer Jack Eade Eddie Eade Captain Godfrey Earnshaw Howard Easton Mrs. Eckett 'Elsan' Eddy Eddie Edsell Bill Edwards Arthur Egerton Cyril Ellison Marquis of Ely Eric Emberson Mr. Emberton Richard Enser E. G. Escott Miss Iris M. Evans J. B. Evans Paddy Evans Vere D. ‘Doug’ Evans P. Falconer Bert Farrow Geoff C. Fearon David Ferguson Captain E. D. 'Wyn' Fieldson Priscilla Fieldson (née Vinyals) Ray Finucane P. Fitzherbert Captain Bill Flower R. E. 'Dick' Flower Mrs. Joan Forbes (née Thompson) John Ford Kathleen 'Pat' Ford (née Gubbins) Captain Jimmy Fordham Ron Forrester Bill Forsyth Frank Foulds James Fraser Ken French Charles Gallagher David Gallanders Jack Galvin Nadine Garland (née Snelling) Joyce Garrett Eric Gaston Denis J. Gaynor Johnny Ginone Mr. Glenny J. Goodwin William Gordon Captain G. L. 'Ted' Gosling William A. Gould Captain Albert C. Graham H. Graham Hugh Grant-Dalton Arthur Grant-Jones George D. Green Barbara Griffin Captain R. F. ‘Frank’ Griffin Peter Griffin Peter Griggs Kathleen 'Pat' Gubbins (see Ford) Eileen Gummer Pat Gummer Eileen Gunnell (née Beales) Mary Guthrie (see Cunningham) Poppy Hagerston Jack Haines W. H. Hall Barbara Hammond (see Campbell) Will 'Hawk' Hancock Dennis B. Harmer Mr. Tom Harmer Barbara Harper Wilf Harrison Phil Hart-Lovelace Ron Hartley Thomas J. Harvey Jack Hasell Colin Hawkins Mr Hawthorne Sylvia Haynes Keith Hayward Leslie Head Mrs. E. D. Herrington R. Hewitt Joy Hickey Mr. Hing Tony Hiscock Les Holland Mr. Hooper Jock Horne Leonard Hough Reg Howell Mr. Hughes Ray Hull Eve Huntley-Flindt (see Branson) H. D. S. Ison Captain Archie S. Jackson Joe Jacobs Douglas Jarvis Zoë Jenner Joanne Jennings-Bramley Bill Jewitt Alan Johnson Dudley Johnson Keith Johnstone John Jones Sid Josling Mr. Keagh Mike Kelly L. E. Keemar Mr. James W. Kenny Mr. Keogh Robert D. Ker Ruth ‘Helen’ Kerly Philip P. Kerrigan Mr. A. G. Key Bert Key Mr. Kilpatrick Mr. Kimber Captain King Glen Kingston Captain E. T. Kippenberger Ruth Kirby Mr. Kirkus Mrs. June Knight (née Maddock) Bill Koster		Bill Lamb Pete Lane Stuart Langston Reg Langtry Ernest Sidney Larkin (Sid) Eric Larsonnier Andy Laughland S. S. Law Margaret M. Lawrence (née Owens) Miss Leach John Leakey Arthur Ledger J. Lee Cecil 'Butch' Light Captain H. ‘Lincoln’ Lee Geoff Liggins James B. Linton Edward J. Lisle Glyn Lloyd Mr. Loughland Ken Loveless Michael Lovell H. D. Lowrie H. Loxdale Mr. Lucas A. S. Lucking Joan K. Lywood Jean Macfarlane (see Brennan) Robin Macilwaine Captain Donald Macintosh Mr. Macphee Miss June Maddock (see Knight) Edna M. 'Peggy' Mannakee (see Palmer) Ruth March Leslie Marks Miss S. D. Marrs Fred Mayhew Jim McAuley A. C. J. McCormack R. McCormack Radio Superintendent J. A. McGillivray Captain Brian W. McMillan Captain John C. McPhee Thomas S. Middleton Dr. Miller Arthur Milner George ‘Basil’ Milsom Dennis Milson W. H. 'Bill' Minns D. Mitchell Miss Montegriffo Alex 'Scotty' More Mr. A. Morley B. Morley Herbert Morris Jean A. Mortleman Dick Moules K. Mountney Miss Judith B. Moxon Tony Nelson R. C. Nelson Marjory Neville (née Tong) Des Neville H. S. B. ‘Sheila’ Nicholls George Nixon Reginald H. Ottaway (Reg) Don M. O'Sullivan Margaret M. Owens (see Lawrence) Don Palmer Edna M. 'Peggy' Palmer (née Mannakee) Mr Parry Mr. Parry-Jones Miss Peggy Parsons Bernard Patrick Philip Patrick Alf Pearce Dennis Peck John Penning Bob Petty Paddy Phelan Walter Phillips Graham Phipps Carl Pitu G. E. Pole Mr. P. M. Polhill Alan Ponsford Daphne Pope Mr. B. G. Porter Cecile E. R. Power Frank Price Paddy Pryor R. Quigley Wing Commander R. J. Ralph Eric Rampling Jack Randell Captain W. J. ‘Jeff’ Rees Gordon Rees Ken Rees Gordon C. Rettie Bob Rice Miss Beryl J. Riley Joan Roberts (née Saunders) Willy C. Robertson James P. Robeson Captain Ernest E. Rodley E. 'Bunny' Rolandi John Romeril Wing Commander J. C. Rose Colin R. Ross Margaret Rowntree Jock Roxbrough Ted Royall Andy Ruthven Bob Sale Group Captain Charles F. Sarsby P. A. Satchwell Joan Saunders (see Roberts) Ted Sawkins Margaret Scott Mr. Scott Mr. Scroggs Geoff Seaton Fred Secker R. Sermon V. D. J. Shapley Mr. Sharp (Radio Officer) S. R. (or S. C.) Sharp (Overhaul Superintendent) Bill Shepherd Derek Shorter John Silver Dan Skillman Mr. H. Skinner E. D. Slater Captain Peter Sleight Nadia Smart (see Davies) Mr. Smiley Mr. L. P. Smith Reg Smith Philip A. Smoker Captain John H. Smurthwaite Ted Snare Nadine Snelling (see Garland) Alex Soutar Egerton 'Pancho' Spanton Mr. Stacey Steve Stephens Sir John Stephenson Mr. E. F. Stevens Jimmy Stevens Tessa Stevens P. Stockdale Basil J. 'Johnny' Stone William G. Stonehouse Captain Gordon Store Jaime E. Storey Jean Storey (née Fowler) Don Stott C. W. Storm-Clark Bill Strange Captain Frank Taylor G. Taylor Mr. Thomas Mrs. Joan C. Thompson (see Forbes) Henry R. Thompson (Harry) Stanley C. Thorpe George Tilley Marjory Tong (see Neville) Sybil Tortensee Chris Trainer Miss Gwyneth Traylor Mr. Trendell Robert ‘Bob’ Tuck George Turner J. R. Tyas Paul Vaillant Captain Des Verteuil Priscilla Vinyals (see Fieldson) M. G. Wade Captain Derek M. Walbourn Johnny Walker R. Walker Mr. Wallace Captain Frank Walton Patrick Wann Tony Wardle Mike J. Warner Jimmy Warwick Wing Commander Trevor G. Waymouth Captain Walter Wellwood Hilary Watson Lennie Watson (née Will) 'Dennis' Wheatley Captain Johnny Wheatley Terry White (née Barzilay) Peter Whitfield 'Dick' Whittington Fred Whitworth R. W. F. 'Dick' Wightman Peter Wilby Raymond E. Wilby Doug Wilkins Mr. Wilkinson Lennie Will (see Watson) Tony Willey Mr. Willis Paul H. M. Wingate-Dane Captain Geoffrey H. Womersley Jimmy Woodill Jean Wood Arthur Woodman 'Timber' Woods Alfred H. Woolcott Frank Woolley Pete Worrall Captain John Wright 'Wilbur' Wright Jim Zealey


On September 25th 1949 members of the BSAA Cricket Club and their wives had an outing to Brighton. The photo below was taken that day.


My father, Reg Ottaway, is second from right with my mother Muriel alongside him. As far as we know, the man on the extreme right is Mr Kilpatrick and his wife Peggy is third from left. If anyone can put names to other faces in this photo, please contact us - info@flywiththestars.co.uk



The photograph above was taken in 1948 during a visit by BSAA staff to the KBB factory in Basingstoke. The visit was arranged by the S.L.A.E. and consisted mainly of instrument technicians.



From left to right, Ron Forrester, Richard 'Dick' Beddoes and Stan Allen in front of Tudor IV 'Star Leopard'.



Ron Forrester (left) and an unknown colleague in front of Tudor IVB G-AGRF 'Elizabeth of England', with the BSAA Avro IX G-AIKM 'Star Visitant' in the background.



A group of BSAA Instrument Engineers in front of Tudor IV 'Star Panther' at Heathrow in 1949. Dick Beddoes is in the white coat on the left of the group at the front, Colin Ross is the left of the two men in the doorway and Ted Snare, the Instrument Shop Chargehand is in the centre of the front row. No other names are known.
Many thanks to Colin Ross for the information.

		A copy of a newspaper cutting from either The Eastbourne Herald or The Eastbourne Chronicle in 1944, sent to me by Barry McAleenan, describing the award of a Bar to Hugh Grant-Dalton's DFC. Having joined the RAFVR in 1939, Hugh Grant-Dalton served as a pilot with 100 squadron before joining BSAA (as either a First or Second Officer) on August 30th 1948, aged just 27. It is not known how his career progressed subsequently. Many thanks to Barry McAleenan for the cutting and the additional information




Jean Brennan (née Macfarlane) and her husband John Brennan. Jean was a Stargirl and John was a Radio Engineer. He spent some time working in Buenos Aires, and was at Ministro Pistarini Airport, now named 'Ezeiza', when the first airliner landed there (Avro York G-AHFF on November 7th 1949).


		Another photo of Jean Macfarlane, this time from a publicity brochure dating from 1949. Many thanks to John Brennan for this photo and the two above


I was fortunate to be sent some photographs recently of BSAA crews posing formally by their Lancastrian and then letting their hair down! If you can tell me any of their names, I'd be very pleased to hear from you (info@flywiththestars.co.uk).




		Pauline Copeland (neé Larkin) sent me this newspaper cutting from the Buenos Aires Herald, dated 12th June 1946, showing her arrival in Buenos Aires with her mother. Her father, Sid Larkin was BSAA Station Engineer at Morón Airport from 1946 to 1948 after which he joined BOAC and took part in the Berlin Airlift. In 1949 Sid was posted to Nassau by BOAC and later joined Bahamas Airways. He died in Nassau in 1983. Many thanks to Pauline Copeland for all the scanned photos and the information.

Below are some wonderfully atmospheric photos sent to me by Pauline of her father Sid and his colleagues, taken in Buenos Aires.



Sid Larkin is seen here working on 'Star Leader' (G-AHEW), the first Avro York in service with BSAA, at Morón Airport on June 28th 1946. This aircraft was written off less than three months later, on September 7th 1946 in an accident at Bathurst.

	Sid and a colleague on the steps of a Lancastrian at Morón Airport, Buenos Aires



Some officials standing near the rear door of a BSAA Lancastrian, but who are they?



This is a curious photo as it appears that the tail of the Avro York is jacked up. If anyone can tell me the identities of the people in this group, please get in touch.




I was recently contacted by Patrick Lemmon, who very kindly sent me these superb photographs of ex-BSAA Stargirl June Knight (née Maddock). June flew on Yorks and Lancastrians, including the trans-Andean routes into Santiago and had many interesting stories to tell about her time with the airline.



If anyone knows the identity of the Stargirl with June above, please let me know ( info@flywithstars.co.uk ).

The group photograph below is a puzzle. The cards the girls are holding say "The Air Ball" and the collecting tins appear to be labelled "The Air League of the British Empire" but does anyone know anything about this event, such as where and when it was held and the reason for the different insignia on the hats? Could it have been a joint BSAA/BOAC/BEA event? If anyone can put names to the faces I would love to hear from you and will update the caption accordingly.





A more recent photo of June Knight, standing with her friend Patrick Lemmon in front of a Jaguar at RAF Coltishall in the summer of 2005.




In June 1986, a reunion was held for all former BSAA Stargirls. It was well attended and here are a few photos from the event. If you recognise any of the ladies in either photo, please let me know! (Photos courtesy of John Brennan) (Thanks to Patrick Lemmon, Tim Palmer and Nicholas George for the caption information)

		The lady on the left of the photo above is Peggy Palmer and on the right is June Knight.

In the photo below, June Knight is seated third from the left in the back row, Peggy Palmer is standing in the centre at the back and Joy Hickey is second from right in the front row wearing the tartan blouse. The lady on the right of the bottom row is believed to be Sybil Tortensee.



The following set of photographs were very kindly sent to me by David Milner on behalf of his mother Joan. Those of you who have read 'Fly With the Stars' will remember the serious accident which occurred to Avro York 'Star Venture' on January 5th 1949 at Caravelas, Brazil. Joan's husband Arthur (David's father) was the Radio Officer on that fateful flight and fortunately escaped the accident unscathed. As you can see, there was very little left of the aircraft after the accident and ensuing fire which sadly claimed the lives of three passengers. When Arthur realised the aircraft was about to hit the trees, he laid down flat on the cockpit floor. He was momentarily knocked unconscious in the impact and when he came round he found his seat had a tree branch through it! He realised then that he was lucky to be alive.

In the photos below, Radio Officer Arthur Milner is on the left and it is believed the gentleman with him is the First Officer, William Robertson. Robertson, assisted by Milner and Captain Graham, managed to save the lives of many passengers by helping them out of the burning wreckage. The remains of the tail of the York can be seen in the left-hand photo and one of the Merlin engines in the right-hand photo.


		Here the crew are seen relaxing in their hotel a day or two after the accident. From left to right - Stargirl Margaret Owens, Radio Officer Arthur Milner, Captain Albert Graham, First Officer William Robertson, Stargirl Jean Mortleman.

Stargirl Jean Mortleman types up the individual statements from each of the crew members regarding the details of the accident.


			Posing with the local wildlife!

Below is the telegram Joan Milner received from British South American Airways bringing her the news of the accident.


Ian Cairns sent me this photo of his parent's wedding reception, held at Elliman Drill Hall in Slough. His father, Thomas Arthur 'Tommy' Cairns married Olive Celia Blackwell on July 7th 1951. Tommy worked for Hawker Aircraft as an airframe engineer and then served in the Fleet Air Arm during the war, before joining BSAA at Langley in 1948, moving on to BOAC in the merger and eventually retiring from British Airways in 1981. Sadly he passed away in 2000. The best man on his wedding day (on the left of the photo below) was Pete Lane, another BSAA employee. See http://www.flywiththestars.co.uk/Pictures/Miscellaneous/Other%20docs/otherdocs.htm for an image of Tommy's British South American Airways (Langley) security pass.


If any visitors to this site have any old photographs of BSAA staff and wouldn't mind lending them to me, or scanning them for me, I would be delighted to hear from you at ian@flywiththestars.co.uk so they can be included here. Ian Ottaway