The Kipper Patrol

Location : Cleveland Spotter Watch Member : No

THE vital role Thornaby-based airmen played in the defence of the United Kingdom has been finally recorded thanks to a history teacher. Louise Wilkinson, head of history at Grangefield School, Stockton, has had her book, The Kipper Patrol, published. It is the first time the stories of the members of 608 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force and Thornaby Aerodrome have been recorded in a book. Louise researched the history of the squadron and aerodrome for her MPhil course at the University of Teesside. She then followed the advice of the veterans she interviewed to publish a book. It is now available to buy online. Affectionately known as The Kipper Patrol, the squadron was formed in 1930, as part of Coastal Command, and were involved in protecting shipping convoys, looking for submarines, and defending supply routes. The book tells the story of the airmen and how the Second World War changed their lives as they ceased to be part-timers and became full-time members of the RAF. Louise said: "I interviewed lots of men who served in the squadron. They were men who worked in the community in places like ICI and gave up a night a week and weekends. "They existed from 1930 to 1939 when they were embedded with the RAF. It was broken up in 1944."

The Kipper Patrol

Cheers
Colin