Many of the original members of 298 squadron brought their experience towing gliders to Sicily with 295, many more would join over the next 18 months from all walks of life. .
Meet some of the men who served at Tarrant Rushton
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Wing Commander GH 'Buster' Briggs DFC
From Eton college straight into the Coldstream guards, a Dunkirk survivor and, most importantly for this story, a pre-war glider pilot. Nicknamed after a 1920’s cartoon character who was always getting into a scrape this story takes in the Sicily Normandy and Arnhem landings, plus some fascinating turns with borrowed fighter planes.
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Squadron Leader Frank Cleaver DSO DFC
Frank Cleaver was among the first Royal Air Force pilots in Army Co-operation command at Andover and Netheravon, He would tow gliders from England to North Africa for the Sicily landings where his courage gained him a DSO. One of the first to arrive at Tarrant Rushton, he was shot down over France and Holland - but survived.
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Leading Aircraftman W Pickett
Clearly something of a character on camp, W Pickett produced many of the well known images from aerial reconnaissance andoperaional missions brought back to Tarrant. He would also capture many of the static images of life on camp during the hectic 18 months it was a key glider training and operations airfield.
Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.
