Sometimes new photographs are donated by relatives or friends of the flyer concerned. On other occasions researchers are kind enough to share with us pictures they have unearthed. We work closely with the website of the Battle of Britain London Monument and photographs pass between the two organisations. Old books, jumble sales, car boot sales and the internet are all possible sources.
We take account of the law of copyright, which is more complicated than is sometimes supposed. We may, on occasions, inadvertently breach a copyright, though no complaint has ever been received.
Any photograph of somebody in the database is welcome. The ideal is an image from the Battle of Britain. Failing that we prefer pictures taken during the Second World War or its prelude or aftermath. The subject in uniform rather than civilian clothes is preferable. If no photograph is available, an artist’s representation is the next best thing.
The latest addition to our collection is photographs of Sergeant (in the Battle) K L O Blow, who earned the Clasp as an observer in Blenheims of No 235 Squadron. They came from someone who knows the family and we are delighted to have them.
Ken Blow would be killed in 1943 when a No 487 Squadron Mosquito was shot down by flak and hit a tree when forced-landing at Den Ham, the Netherlands. Blow, who had been awarded the DFC, and his pilot, Flight Sergeant T Marr, are buried in the local cemetery.
If you have photographs of the Few, please do make contact. We would welcome them to the collection, whether or not we already have illustrations of the man or men concerned.
Geoff Simpson FRHistS
