Page 4 - Basil Arthur Templeman-Rooke

A superb Lancaster pilot who completed 64 operations, taking part in some of
the most important Main Force Lancaster operations of the
Second World War.
A highly respected and inspirational leader, 576 Squadron crew’s had the
highest regard for Wing Commander Templeman-Rooke.
The Wing Commander Started his RAF service in 1941 training initially as a
raw recruit at No.1 Initial Training Wing at Scarbourgh, North Yorkshire.
After basic training at Scarbourgh and having been selected for pilot training,
Basil was posted to No. 4 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School,
RAF Brough (4EFTS) on the north bank of the River Humber near Hull.
(Now British Aerospace systems, Brough).
Continuing his basic flying training at various RAF training stations in Canada
and the UK, finally crewing up at No. 81 Operational Training Unit,
RAF Whitchurch.
Posted as a Sergeant pilot with 100 Squadron to RAF Grimsby (Waltham) in
April 1943, he completing his first tour of operations and was then screened
from further operations and rested.
The rest he received was a posting after a period of leave to
No.28 Operational training unit RAF Wymeswold near Leicester as a Pilot
Instructor, converting novice pilots to the Vickers Wellington Bomber.
On 16 January 1944 now Pilot Officer, Basil was posted to 1667 Heavy
Conversion Unit RAF Faldingworth, again as a Pilot Instructor.
In February 1944 this unit moved to RAF Sandtoft near Doncaster.
Sandtoft lived up to its name of Prangtoft with many accidents occurring.
This unit was part of No.1 Groups Lancaster Finishing School. These Heavy
Conversion Units were tasked with converting novice crew’s from the twin
engine Vickers Wellington medium bomber to the four engine heavies of
Bomber Command, the Handley Page Halifax and the Avro Lancaster.
No.1 Group squadrons operated the Avro Lancaster from the Groups North
Lincolnshire airfields.
This posting was viewed as more dangerous than taking part in operations, as
Novice crews and worn out training aircraft often resulted in many crashes
and loss of life.
Basil was posted to 576 Squadron RAF Elsham Wolds, near Scunthorpe with
the rank of Flying Officer in May 1944.
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His first operation being on 11 May to Hasselt in Belgium. The target that
night being the railway yard complex in the town.
(576 Squadron at this period were sharing the Elsham Wolds airfield with 103
Squadron, 103 being the parent Squadron from which 576 was formed.)
In October 1944 the Squadron was moved to RAF Fiskerton when
No.1 Group took over command of RAF Stations Scampton, Dunholme Lodge
and Fiskerton from No. 5 Group in a Station reorganisation by Bomber
Command HQ. These Stations including Hemswell were administered from
RAF Scampton (15 Base)
By June 1944, having been promoted to Squadron Leader, he was appointed
576 Squadron ‘A’ flight Commander.