Click for Site Directory2048680 A.C.W Margaret Rossow (Nee Usher) 919, 921 and 923 Squadron
This is a short history of her career. I would love to know if anyone recognises Margaret or indeed any of the faces in these pictures below.
If anyone can help please email me at: peter.garwood@bbrclub.org.
These are classic wartime pictures of a time when balloons were such an important part of our air defence.
She was born 26 August 1923 at Pagebank and also lived at Castletown, on enlistment her Civilian Occupation was given as : Housemaid
She was 5 feet 2 inches tall, with a 33 inch chest and Light brown hair with brown eyes. She had a fair complexion with no scars or marks.
Medical Category Grade 1.
Bridgnorth on 06 Feb 1942.
Next she was sent to No.15 Balloon Centre on 12 Feb 1942 FOR TRAINING
No. 15 Balloon Centre, was at Longbenton,
936
40 balloons
(4 waterborne)
937
32 balloons
South
(3 waterborne)
938 48 balloons Billingham
Next posted to 921 Sqdn and No. 8 Balloon Centre to 12 Jul 42
Posted
921 Sqdn, Fazakerley,
919
and 923 Sqdn,
The
to No.2
Next
came 56 Officer Training Unit, Tealing, Angus,
and Tactical Exercise Unit ,Transport Command Conversion Personnel to 09 Aug 1944
Then RAF Fairford to 28 Sep 1944, this coincides with the closing of many Balloon units and the reorganizing of them to form
a curtain across South-east England to counter the V1 flying bomb threats. Many personnel were remustered from balloons around about then.
Last
posting was to RAF Great Dunmow (Little Easton) to 6 Oct 1944 (No. 38 Group RAF, (Home to two
She was certainly working as a driver from August 1943 right up until the end of the war.
1st Good Conduct Badge awarded 6th May 1943.
105 Personnel Dispatch Centre, Wythall to 20 Aug 1945 for demobilisation.
Margaret now lives in Australia and her family would love to make contact with former comrades from WWII.
Two W.A.A.F's and a friendly corporal get a lift on the squadron bicycle, (note the flat tyres). These bikes were used to hold hayboxes
of hot food that could be taken out to the women flying the balloons. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943. Probably in
Fazakerley,
Christmas Day 1944, Anne a friend of Margaret poses for a picture on her truck.
Margaret Usher, (centre front) and group of WAAFs pose for picture. Date unknown
Margaret Usher, (centre) and group of WAAFs pose for picture. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943.
Probably in Fazakerley,
Margaret Usher, (centre) and group of WAAFs pose for picture. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943.
Probably in Fazakerley,
Margaret Usher, (right) and friend pose for picture. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943.
Probably in Fazakerley,
Margaret Usher, (right of guitar player) and group of WAAFs pose for picture. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943.
Probably in Fazakerley,
Unknown WAAF poses for picture. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943.
Probably in Fazakerley,
Unknown WAAF poses for picture. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943.
Probably in Fazakerley,
Unknown individuals pose for picture, the ties indicate they are Royal Navy Wrens.
. Taken when in 919, 921 or 923 Squadrons in 1943.
Probably in Fazakerley,
R.A.F. Sergeant and group of WAAFs pose for picture with what seems to be a U.S. Serviceman.
Note poster in background mentioning children killed. I have been unable to trace this poster but believe it was an
American one and if so must date this to 1944. Taken at Little Easton?
Margaret was retrained as a driver and spent much time driving top brass around the country.
Here are some photographs of her at Easton Lodge, Little Easton, Essex during the war .
Margaret third from left of picture at Easton Lodge, Little Easton, Essex, Does anyone know the RAF officer?
Margaret in centre of picture with the iconic view of Easton Lodge, Little Easton, Essex behind her. Easton Lodge was demolished in 1949
It
was an American Air Force Base in 1943 and 1944 which ties in with the
Americans shown in the photos, and her service record for her period at Great
Dunmow.
(This picture was at some point thought to be Bletchley Park ) Information corrected 13 SEP 2013
Margaret sitting on right of picture at Easton Lodge, Little Easton, Essex.
A group of unknowns are celebrating something at possibly Easton Lodge, Little Easton, Essex. Could be V.E. day?
Can anyone identify the RAF and US officers?
She met one Vivian James Rossow, probbaly at Great Dunmow, a Warrant Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, he flew Spitfires
with 41 Squadron and they were married in Castletown on 7th April 1945. He had a considerable career as shown at:
1. http://colston-wenck.com/getperson.php?personID=I1760&tree=colstonwenck
2. http://brew.clients.ch/PilotsR.htm
3. http://www.thesoutheastecho.co.uk/Fighter_Pilots_QR.htm
Vivian James Rossow
W/O Vivian James Rossow and Margaret on their wedding day
Vivian James Rossow centre of picture. It looks like some "banter" is taking place here!
She is now aged 89 and must have had sight, sound and experience of some of the most exciting and depressing moments in our history.
We are indebted to her family for help with this archive of pictures.