During the Second World War, 453 Squadron knew two identities. The first served in the Far East flying outclassed Brewster Buffalos until it was disbanded in March 1942. The second was formed as a Spitfire squadron in June 1942. It operated within RAF Fighter Command and is the primary focus of this website.
The squadron flew convoy patrols, standing patrols to counter Luftwaffe tip and run raids, low-level “rhubarb” missions, escorted bombers and flew fighter sweeps over Occupied France.
In 1944 they joined the 2nd Tactical Air Force in preparation for the invasion of Europe. On D-Day they were one of the few Australian units to operate as the invasion took place. They were over the beaches and above the fields littered with parachutes and broken gliders. Providing cover from daybreak till dusk as the allies stormed mainland Europe.
They soon moved to mainland France, operating out of dusty “Advanced landing grounds” carved into the Normandy countryside. They followed the Allied advance until late September when they were withdrawn to the UK. From RAF Mastlake, the squadron took up it’s final role, hunting down and dive bombing the Nazi’s latest V2 rockets which were estimated to have taken over 9000 civilian lives.
If you’re reading this, hello, my name is Michael. I’m fortunate enough to say that I am the grandson of Jim “Fergie” Ferguson.
Like many veterans, Fergie didn’t speak about the war to his family for a long time. When I first asked him about the war in my childhood innocence, he began to open up and it became something we bonded over. Over the years we recorded parts of his story, always with the intention of creating a website. Like anyone who has tried to capture memories like these, you always have pangs of regret for not asking more questions. But as Mum reminds me each time I bring it up, I’m lucky to have asked and recorded what I did.
I left the story alone after Fergie passed away in 09, it wasn’t the same. Adam Lunney released a book during the COVID lockdowns called “We Together” which included a list Fergie had created as a POW of “100 good and bad intentions for after liberation day”. Among the list of things Fergie yearned to do as a POW were numerous things that I could still do, even under lockdown. It was a grounding moment which ignited the passion to start on the story again.
12.Go for walks on clear nights. Wanted to go for one to-night.
43.Listen to radio. Any programme will do
92.Write more letters not only home but to other people. Appreciate letters I receive far more than I usually did.
If you’re reading this, hello, my name is Michael. I’m fortunate enough to say that I am the grandson of Jim “Fergie” Ferguson.
Like many veterans, Fergie didn’t speak about the war to his family for a long time. When I first asked him about the war in my childhood innocence, he began to open up and it became something we bonded over. Over the years we recorded parts of his story. Like anyone who has tried to capture memories like these, you always have pangs of regret for not asking more questions. But as Mum reminds me each time I bring it up, I’m lucky to have asked and recorded what I did.
I left the story alone after Fergie passed away in 09, it wasn’t the same. Adam Lunney released a book during the COVID lockdowns called “We Together” which included a list Fergie had created as a POW of “100 good and bad intentions for after liberation day”. Among the list of things Fergie yearned to do as a POW were numerous things that I could still do, even under lockdown. It was a grounding moment which ignited the passion to start on the story again.
I’ve reached out to the squadron families I could find and have been lucky enough to have made some genuine friendships. Several families have been kind enough to give me access to some of the pilots personal diaries written during the war and recollections recorded after the war. With this and the wealth of information being made available through various national archives, I’ve been able to write some of the stories behind the squadron, which I’ve made available on this website.
The men that made up 453 Squadron are often described in writing only by their initials and last names. T.A. Swift is a pilot listed as one of the first contingent of pilots to join 453 Squadron. But the man behind the initials was Tommy Swift to his friends. Their mate who let fly with a pillow in the Sgt’s mess, which went careening through the beer glasses on the bar before finally knocking into someone's arm which sprayed the beer he was holding over one of the Flight Sergeants.
While many of the stories are lost, I try to preserve them wherever I find them. I start stories with a pilot's full name and their nickname, but thereafter refer to them by their nickname to give life and character to the man that 453 Squadron considered family.
The ultimate goal of this website is to make sure that who those who young men were, what they achieved and what they sacrificed is not forgotten.
I'd like to thank everyone who has helped along the journey that led to this website.
To mum for giving me this passion for historical research, which I used to complain about so much growing up. Who has provided support with research help and encouragement.
To the squadron families with whom I've been in contact with and who have trusted me after a brief conversation about the squadron. The families I have visited and who have visited me. Thank you for the encouragement, the laughs, the great conversations, the friendships we've formed and most importantly, trusting me with the memories we hold so dear.
To my enduring partner, who has supported and encouraged me through this journey. Who was dragged halfway across the world to stand in a random Norman farmer's field with a geo-referenced Google map overlay as I excitedly pointed to the ground exclaiming: "This is exactly where the landing strip crossed over at A.L.G B11!"
To my friends who have helped to proofread my now trademarked half edited/half not sentences.
To all of the above and the many I have missed,
Thank you.
The current plans to progress this website are:
453 Squadron was reactivated by the RAAF in 2011 as an air traffic control unit. The use of 453 Squadron in the name of this historic website has been sought and endorsed by the Air Force Brand.
© Michael Ferguson-Kang