Number 1 British Flying Training School Museum - No. 1 BFTS

Happy New Year!

After being shot down over enemy territory, one might think that a pilot wouldn’t be that unlucky again but Basil Proddow, Course 3, lived to tell the story. In February 1944, Basil was flying a Typhoon and was shot down near the Loire River in France. A farmer and his family sheltered him then moved him to a nearby town where he hid in a small brewery for six months. When American troops retook the town in August 1944, he returned to England for a short time, then rejoined his unit in Holland. He was shot down a second time in February 1945 and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner near the Dutch-German border. After the war, he emigrated to Canada where he died of a brain tumor at the age of 44.

Merry Christmas!

LOVE AIRPLANES? An assortment of T-shirts from past airshows and other events (various sizes and styles) are on sale for $5 each at the museum. The museum is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. Come visit us and shop. Admission is free.

Terrell will be the "place to be" on April 8, 2024 for the Total Solar Eclipse. If you haven't already reserved your RV Parking Spot for this once in a lifetime event go to:
https://www.terrelleclipservparking.com/
This benefits the Number 1 British Flying Training School Museum - No. 1 BFTS and Association of Breezy Hill Park

MONDAY MEMORIES - In September 1941, the first hangar was completed which included the control tower, a raised wooden and glass enclosure atop metal legs. Access was gained via an outside ladder. Some cadets found reasons to be near the hangar when the female air traffic controllers whose uniforms included skirts, shirts and ties climbed into position to begin work. In 1943 access to the tower was upgraded with the ladder enclosed in the tower.

December 7, 1941, declared by then US President Franklin D. Roosevelt as “a date which will live in infamy” is remembered as the date Japan attacked the US Navy’s installation at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands, resulting in America’s entrance into World War II. The early morning, surprise attack resulted in eight battleships damaged (four were sunk), three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship and one mine layer destroyed. More than 2, 403 Americans were killed and 1,178 wounded.
The beginning of the war brought changes to the British Flying Training School in Terrell. Now, with America involved in the war, the cadets were allowed to wear their uniforms in to town, a guard was posted at the front gate and the previously easy access to the base was restricted. Course II was well underway and a report on Course I graduates reported that “a very satisfactory standard of flying has been achieved” by the Texas graduates. (Photo courtesy of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection)

Tom Killebrew, author of The Royal Air Force in Texas will be featured on the MacArthur Memorial Podcast, available on most podcasting services after December 1 from the (Douglas) MacArthur Museum in Norfolk, VA. Author of the definitive books on the training of British pilots in the US before and during World War II, Mr. Killebrew told the story of the No. 1 British Flying Training School in Terrell during the interview. BFTS Executive Director Patrick Hotard made arrangements for the interview as a part of increasing BFTS Museum’s relationships with other museum. The MacArthur Memorial Museum in downtown Norfolk focuses on the career of General Douglas MacArthur. For more information visit http://www.macarthurmemorial.org/

Lots of storytelling took place as cadets shared their exploits, experiences and horror stories over soft drinks in the canteen or while waiting their turn to fly. Some of these are preserved in a booklet called Terrell Tales, published by the BFTS Associations, and available for sale in the museum’s shop. Edited by A.J. “Bert” Allam and Henry C. Madgewick, Sr., the booklet is the source of many of the Monday Memories.

Coastal resort evacuated as cliff fall reveals suspected bomb

A new, mini-exhibit is now on view in Gallery Three of the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum that documents the career of former RAF Cadet Jeffery Gerald Heard, thanks to the generosity of his daughter, Jenny Covey of Litchfield, Staffordshire, Great Britain. The exhibit, which was organized and assembled by BFTS volunteer George Couzens will be on display through April 2024.

“We are always excited to learn of the careers of the BFTS cadets who took some of their flight training in Terrell,” explained executive director Patrick Hotard. “Mr. Heard was in Course 25, one of the last classes to complete training before the war ended on September 2, 1945.”

Mr. Heard grew up in Buckhurst Hill, Essex and joined the RAF in September 1941, though his service was deferred while he completed his education. His active duty began in November 1943 and he was posted to several bases prior to being sent to Terrell in January 1945. He was commissioned as Pilot Office on August 26, 1945 in Terrell and returned home. He was promoted to Flying Officer in 1946 and served at a variety of bases in England until his discharge in 1947.

After earning two bachelor of science degrees, with honors, in electrical and mechanical engineering from Queen’s University in Belfast, he began working with English Electric Company becoming chief designer for large generators used throughout the world.

Mr. Heard and his wife, Sheelah, who also graduated from Queen’s University but with a chemistry degree, became world travelers, first on a motorcycle throughout much of Europe and later with their three children. In retirement, he became an avid vegetable gardener, repairer of small appliances and volunteered at Trinity Church, Stafford. He returned to his love of flying as a member of the gliding club at Seighford where was recognized for having completed a 300 km solo flight. Mr. Heard passed way in 2016 and was survived by his wife, children and five grandchildren.

Yesterday’s Remembrance Day drew more than 100 participants to the Oakland Memorial Park ceremony and, afterward, to the museum for tea. We were honored to have the Canadian Consul General Susan Harper as a special guest. Mayor Rick Carmona read a proclamation from the City recounting the school’s history and the reason for the ceremony. Squadron Leader Guy Harvey represented the Royal Air Force. The Reverend Ian G. Hyde offered prayers and a brief homily. Aerobatic pilot Carl Guest joined Mike Hardin in a flyover of the ceremony. Thanks to many generous donations of goodies, the refreshment table was well stocked with refreshments.

Visitors to the second annual Brit Bash enjoyed the museum’s informational booth and beer tent which featured Old Speckled Hen and Sam Smith’s Oatmeal Stout. A variety of food and merchandise vendors lined the streets where a kid’s market was also featured.We were honored to have His Majesty’s Consul General Richard Hyde visit from Houston to take part in the festivities, welcomed by Board Chairman Bill Huthmacher, along with Terrell Mayor Rick Carmona.

Armistice Day 2023.

33 Bandsmen from The Pipes and Drums of The London Scottish on parade at The Cenotaph this morning.

Now that is an impressive sight and sound.

"We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields."
Angel of Victory.
Installed in 1921, this bronze sculpture by Montreal artist Coeur de Lion MacCarthy is one of three identical sculptures installed in Canada. Commissioned by the Canadian Pacific Railway to mark the more than 1,100 CPR employees who perished during World War I, the statues were placed near CPR landmarks. Vancouver’s sits outside of Waterfront Station.

'We had to confuse the German bombers' Pamela Galloway was involved in the Battle of the Beams as both the RAF and Luftwaffe tried to confuse enemy aircraft and direct them off-target.