The RAF in Suffolk

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
The RAF in Suffolk -> RAF Martlesham Heath -> RAF Personalities you have met
Post Info
TOPIC: RAF Personalities you have met
tarkey


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 193
Date:
RAF Personalities you have met
Permalink  

Squadron Leader Tommy Broom DFCxx

 

About 15 years ago I spent some of my working time in Lowestoft and one day looked in at a SmallArtGallery. I was immediately taken with a print of a Mosquito and purchased it. When I arrived home and examined it the caption stated that the Mossie was the personal aircraft of Ivor Broom (pilot) and Tommy Broom (navigator) and that they had flown over 50 missions together. They were known as the Flying Brooms but were not related. The Mosquito carried nose art of a pair of crossed witches brooms.

In 2002 whilst helping out at the Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum, grand opening day I was fortunate to meet Ivor Broom ( by now Sir Ivor and also a Vice President of the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society ) who was part of the opening proceedings. He signed my picture and I was well pleased. I didnt know of the fate of Tommy Broom or even if he had survived the War.

In August of 2009 on an aviation forum someone mentioned an open day at the MosquitoMuseum and the fact that Winkle Brown was doing a signing along with 20 others. I was amazed to see Tommy Brooms name on the list. Neither I nor Tommy were eventually able to attend. I wrote to him asking if I could go and see him and he replied yes and would I like to meet the Author of a book written about him by Tom Parry Evans.

!9th November, accompanied by my wife I went down to Portishead near Bristol some 215 miles and had lunch with them both and had the picture and book signed.

 

What a chap.96 years old with 3 DFCs. Shot down in Belgium and made his way to Gibraltar via an evasion line. At one point because of a mix up he had to take a train carrying no papers and finished up sitting opposite 2 Gestapo Officers who spoke to him. Knowing no German he grunted and lucky enough they got up and left. He flew over 80 missions of which 50 or so was with Ivor Broom. He mentions in the book his frequent visits to The Samson and Hercules Club in Norwich. He also mentions the fact that he smoked St Bruno and drinks real ale, which he still does today. We had lunch at a lovely Inn called the windmill on the banks of the Severn Estuary and yes it sold Real ale and served beer battered Haddock

 

 

 

 

 

see also   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-533394/The-dramatic-wartime-exploits-apparently-modest-account-clerk-discovered---pint-ale.html

 

It was a day I will never forget and it made me feel very humble.



-- Edited by tarkey on Saturday 21st of November 2009 10:53:14 AM

__________________
John Cooper


Administrator

Status: Offline
Posts: 6693
Date:
Permalink  

Congratulations in reaching your goal Tarkey, he obviously left a great impression upon you



__________________
tarkey


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 193
Date:
Permalink  


RAF legend Squadron Leader Tommy Broom DFCxx

I was informed this morning of the sad death of Toomy Broom, Squadron Leader with 3 DFCs. He was the navigator half of the Flying Brooms, Sir Ivor Broom being the Pilot. together they completed 58 operational flights in their Mosquito bearing the Crossed Witches Broom nose art.
My wife and me spent a wonderful afternoon with him and Tom Parry Evans author of his Biography, in Portishead near bristol last November. Tommy was 96 years old and very active. He drank Real Ale and smoked St Bruno.

see  http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/RAF-daredevil-hero-character/article-2180461-detail/article.html

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Elite-airman-proved-bravery-time/article-2180437-detail/article.html

from the Bristol newspaper last week

and below a photograph my wife took of me with them, Tommy is the one holding the pint and Tom Parry Evans is on the right. Tommy had just signed a painting of their Mosquito. I had already obtained a signature from the Late Sir Ivor Broom when he opened the Control Tower Museum at Martlesham



There will be a full orgituary in the Daily Telegraph next week


God Bless you Tommy, you will always be remembered

-- Edited by tarkey on Thursday 27th of May 2010 10:22:52 AM

-- Edited by tarkey on Thursday 27th of May 2010 10:24:23 AM

__________________
John Cooper


Administrator

Status: Offline
Posts: 6693
Date:
Permalink  

RIP Tommy, I was only reading some of your exploits a few days ago, you will be missed by many cry.gif

__________________
tarkey


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 193
Date:
Permalink  

This appaered in the Times

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7143450.ece

__________________
1 2  >  Last»  | Page of 2  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
The RAF in Suffolk -> RAF Martlesham Heath -> RAF Personalities you have met


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard