102 (Ceylon) Squadron
Tentate et perficite (Attempt and Achieve)
Sergeant Edward M. Cooke - 961779
R.A.F.V.R. - Topcliffe - 102 Squadron - 'A' Flight - Frankfurt et al - Dalton - Orders is Orders - Sentanced to Life
R.A.F. Topcliffe - 1941
102 an 77 Squadrons were stationed at Topcliffe, aircrew were not allowed to live on camp but were billeted at Skellfield House (a private girls school,minus the girls) ,here is a picture of the West wing where the Officers lived,the N.C.O.'s were in the East wing.
In the foreground is an open air swimming pool which was empty,the boys would like to swim but were told that as the circulating pump wouldn't work we were out of luck.
I told them that if they would find the tools I would repair it.
The next day when we came in there was a set of tools so my buddy Alec Jaggers gave me a hand and we stripped and cleaned it and got the pump to run, got a gang of the fellows to clean out the pool and the next day it was full, filled from the River Swale which ran alongside the North side of the house.
Alex Jaggers on the left, Ed Cooke to the right.
Ed Cooke and Junior Braybrook ready to go swimming in Skelfield house pool during the summer of 1941.
