Hello.Im trying to find out if anyone has information on my grand uncle "jimmy blanche"who served with the dam busters.I know from family memorys that he served in russia and that he died in the 60s.Can anyone help????He was a hard drinking irishman of some character im told.Thankyou

Hi Trevor

If his name was J.J Blanche - here is his history

The following Airmen (Aircrew) were posted To the Squadron during July 1944

No. Rank. Name. Category. From. w.e.f.
A.425265 W/O L.J. BIRCH A/G. 82 Sqdn. 10.07.44
1159184 F/S L.E. GOSLING Nav. 82 Sqdn. 10.07.44
1526933 F/S A.S. BATES WO/Air. 82 Sqdn. 10.07.44
575547 F/S R.C. FRYER F/Eng. 82 Sqdn. 10.07.44
1583170 F/S R.P. HAYWOOD F/Eng. 50 Sqdn. 18.07.44
1604679 F/S D.P. PEIRSON A/G. 50 Sqdn. 18.07.44
1377477 F/S J.J. BLANCHE A/G. 83 Sqdn. 22.07.44
745881 Sgt. E.A. WASS A/G. 5 LFS. 22.07.44
1378504 Sgt. A.L. SMITH A/G. 5 LFS. 22.07.44
1893581 Sgt. J.D. PHILLIPS F/Eng. 5 LFS. 22.07.44
1396234 Sgt. F.R. CHANCE A/B. 5 LFS. 22.07.44

DATE: 25.07.44
AIRCRAFT TYPE: & NUMBER: Lancaster III LM.489
CREW: DUTY:
F/L J.E.R. WILLIAMS. AS SHOWN ABOVE
F/S SOILLEUX J.
F/O R. TALBOT
F/O A.J WALKER
F/S POTTER A.E.
F/S BLAGDON A.
F/S BLANCHE J.J
TIME: UP. DOWN.
0751 1023
DETAILS OF SORTIE OR FLIGHT:
Bombing Constructional Works, WATTEN. 1 x Tallboy. 0910 hrs. 18,200ft.
No results observed.

DATE: 27.08.44
AIRCRAFT TYPE: & NUMBER: Lancaster I. DV 402 (K)
CREW: DUTY:
F/O J. CASTAGNOLA AS SHOWN ABOVE
SGT. HENDERSON S.J.
F/O F.J. GORRINGE
F/S EVANS N.
F/S EAVES A.T.
F/S BLANCHE J.J.
F/S RONALD J.K.
TIME: UP. DOWN.
1357 1831
DETAILS OF SORTIE OR FLIGHT:
Bombing, Shipping, BREST. 12 x 1000 lb. 1639. 16600’ Results of our bombs not identified due to concentration.
3 direct hits seen. Orange explosion caused by direct hit.

DATE: 11.09.44
AIRCRAFT TYPE: & NUMBER: Lancaster III. LM.492 (W)
CREW: DUTY:
LT H.C.KNILANS (USA) AS SHOWN ABOVE
F/L K.J.RYALL
CAN.F/O D.A.BELL
F/O C.G.ROGERS
F/L L.W.CURTIS
F/S BLANCHE.J.J.
AUS.F/O R.A. LEARMONTH
TIME: UP. DOWN.
1900 1338
DETAILS OF SORTIE OF FLIGHT:
Bombing "TIRPITZ", Alten Fiord. (via Russia). 1 x Tallboy. 1300 DBST. 13000ft.
Bomb bursts seen through smoke but no actual results seen.
The following Airmen N.C.O.'s were posted From the Squadron during November 1944:
No. Rank. Name. Category. Unit To. w.e.f.
1435327 Sgt D. JONES W/OP. 54 Base(N.E) 14.10.44
1575094 F/S L.W. FRANKS F/Eng. War Cas. 29.10.44
1385771 F/Sgt A.E. YOUNG W/Op. War Cas. 29.10.44
1377477 F/Sgt J.J. BLANCHE A/G. 227 Sqdn. 13.11.44
1701244 F/Sgt N.F. LAMBELL A/G. 227 Sqdn. 13.11.44
1458303 F/Sgt R.W. HUNNISETTE A/G. A.C.A.C. 28.11.44
841729 F/Sgt H. LUCK F/Eng. A.C.A.C.Brack. 28.11.44

I think thats him.Thanks very much.Remember he told my dad he was shot down twice.would this have been with another squadron?

More than likely Trevor - Have you tried to get his records?

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html

No never tried..how do i do this?

the search starts now thanks