One of the most demanding challenges faced by Bomber Command aircrew was the contrast between the hours in which they were operating and the remainder of their time. One day they would be enjoying an evening at Betty's Bar or perhaps in a pub in the relatively peaceful English countryside, the next experiencing the terror of flak, fighter attacks, and searchlights over Berlin or some other target several hours away. |
Located in York, Betty's Bar became one of the airmen's favourite haunts of the many Canadians who made up No. 6 Bomber Group, based around York. The Bar was also known as 'The Briefing Room' because airmen claimed that they could find out all they needed to know about their next operation over a drink at Betty's Bar. Nevertheless, careless talk could be dangerous -spies might be anywhere -even at Betty's. Betty's included a huge picture mirror behind the bar and the Canadian airmen used to engrave their name on the mirror. One story tells of airmen using a waitress's engagement ring to scratch their names on the mirror. By the end of the war, the mirror featured nearly six hundred names. Sadly, many of the young men who signed their name never returned from their operations. Today, several sections of the mirror, which was damaged during an air raid, hang in the downstair's 'Oak Room' at Betty's as a reminder of their wartime patrons. |
Flight Sergeant D.F.Allen, 408 Squadron | F.M. Anderson, Penwortham, Lancashire |
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand, 27.04.40 | M. Ashton, 1st North Riding, Strensall, York |
G.C. Baldwin, F.A.A. Squadron, S.K.U.A.S. | Flight Sergeant R.G. Bell 408 Squadron |
M. Bitherlang, Mayoress of Leeds, 1936 | A.C. Blair, 1235688 Hutch, Holme on Spalding |
W.N.C.A. Bonnally, B/A R.A.A.F. | Boucard, Joseph, (Sailor) Nantes, France |
G. R. Bruckshank, F.A.A. Squadron, S.K.U.A.S. | D.M. Cameron, South Rhodesia |
J.A. Campbell, R.C.A.F. Alberta, Canada | G.W. Paul Cambe, IIIIXXXXX |
Sandy Carlos Clarke, 23rd Hussars | Andrew Castle, Cloumbus, Ohio U.S.A. |
F. Corpland B.N.A.F. C.M.F. (Paratrooper) | W. Comstock Royal Montreal Neg.17.12.33 |
W.M. Cooper Lord Mayor 7.1.39 | G. Croot Wests Australia, R.A.A.F. |
K.D. Cox 485 Squadron, New Zealand | G.C. Daniel Ghent, Belgium |
M. David R.A.F. 92 Maintenance Unit | Paddy Joc Doolin 231 Squadron |
Ray Gardener 405 Squadron | Cyril H. Gibbs R.A.S.C. 26.6.40 |
Jack F. Gilly U.S. Army 20.12.42 | S. Green Spr 20805507 49th DN/N.Yorks |
G.S. Hally Palmerston Both, New Zealand, R.N.Z.A.F. | D. Hanover Ontario, Canada |
Raymond Hawks R.G. R.A.A.F. | W.S. Hayworth R.A.F. Poclington 12.1.42 |
Pt. Henley H.M.S. Alynbank | Bill Howard A.A.R.E. September 1939 |
T.W.B. Hutch Holme-on-Spalding | N.C. Jackson V.C. 106 Squadron |
Con Kelway Victory and B.C. | B. Langley H.M.S. Express, Rsweir (****)1946 |
Tom Laplank R.C.A.F. Toronto, Canada | Snr. C.T. Levette 11453 New Zealand, R.C.C.N.Z.F. |
L.S. Lidingham Lt. R.A.A.C. | W.B. Mackley Auckland, New Zealand |
Andrew B. Mamedoof U.S.A. Eagle Squadron | Sergeant Marmwick 143 Squadron, 3.9.43 |
B. Martin R.A.A.F. Australia 405373 | S.L. McCullock 12731 R.C.A.F. |
Bud McDonald-R.C.A.F. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | G. NewleySpr. 2081409 49th A.A.Br.R.E. Sept 12.39 |
C. P.L. Nicholson W.H. Nomson | Peter Noble April 15th 1946 |
M. Optunbery August 14th 1939 | J.D. Paterson Scottish Horse |
Sergeant Peter T.W. Drayton, York | Alfred E. PugarS.S. Northumberland 21 31.12.40 |
Res. G.E. Rarghchroft K.S.L.I. | A.A. Redbond R.A.F. Rolls Royce Ltd., |
Sergeant Rowland 408 Squadron | Rose Seth Sutherland 49th D.W. West Yorks. A.A.R.E. |
Storm Tanner Pilot, R.A.A.F. | S.V. Snith Tayape, New Zealand |
J. Taylor A/C8 H.M.S. Rodney | D.H. Peare Trent S.S.R. Regina, Canada 11.3.41 |
Keen Rudy 55th Parabridge 6.10.43 | S.K. Shaw D2 Post Observer 1942 |
B. Smith 485 Squadron (New Zealand) | G.P. Sutherst 2/8th Lean, Australia |
C. Trevor Taafe Hastings, New Zealand, A.S.C. | Tommy Thomas 231 Squadron |
Terry the Wolfe 231 Squadron | W.J. Wallace Valparaiso, Chile, South America |
J. Wett I Parkhead, Glasgow | Ray Webster S.S. Dundley |
J. Abilies | R.M. Arevetham | John Averwell | N. Ballantyne |
Charles Barbein, D.C. | Butch Barton 03.07.39 | Geo Aubrey Barton | Guy Barton |
John H. Barton | H.S. Bath | F. Beckwith | B. Beetmont |
All Bellingham | G.V.Berf | Ray Berlsheiser | A. Betty, 1948 |
W.F. Beverley | General Carl Bin | S.B. Bird | R.B. Birken |
K. Bloor | G. R. Adam | Allan Allison | Pillipha Ann, 1942 |
N. A. Arnold, 1939 | Sanib D. Arthur | R.H. Aulton | C.S. Awin |
Richard Backwell | Billy Bangwell | Discip Barney | G. Barries |
Geo Y.W.D. Barton | John Barton | C. A. Basket | P. Baxter |
E.V. Bedford | E.V. Belapour | W.F. Bellerby | T. Belt |
Ted Benson | J.H. Berrin | E. Bettys | Billy |
Joan Binkers | Derek Birdes | Criss Biscomb | A.C. Bloom |
H.E. Bloor | Bob | R. Bond | Goe T. Boyes |
E. H. Bradley, K.D.G. | G.H. Brewer | F.H. Bright | J. Brook |
A. Basil Brown | G.H. Brown | L. Brown | R.E. Sapper Brown |
L.F. Brunt | H. Buaan | Derek Buder | Sergeant Bullingen |
B.L. Burne | Frederick Bush | G. Butler | Al Bryson |
R.H. Cair | M. Carley | L. Cawood | J. Clark |
R. Clayton | R. Clough | G.R. Colt | Bin R. Boredgh |
K. Boyes | J. R. Bradley, Scarboroug | W.L. Brewin | Audrey Brocklebank |
J. Browerken | Christine C. Brown | Jean Brown | Meb Brown |
Taffy Bruten, 231 Squadron | D. Buckton | J. Bucket | J. Burkton |
Geoff Burnley | Geoffrey R. Butcher | Betsy Butson | Jast Byer |
Camerons, 1940-1946 | E.J. Canham | Bob Canton | Margaret Carlyle-Ball |
L. Carter | Chuck | M.Clark | T. Clarke, London |
F.H. McCleary | C.R.P. Cole | J.T. Common | W.A. McConnell |
Len Cooke R.A.F. Engineer | J.H. Wilson Cooper | G.M. Copeland | H.J. Corer |
M. Could | Reg. Cowling | C.S. Graig | Tom Cramer Switzerland |
Even Cranswick | Tom Creson | E.J. Cunham | R. M. Curray |
G.W. Daniels M.B.E. | R.L. Davis | M.W. Day | Dagwood Diving |
Margaret Dodds Newcastle | J.F. McDonald | J. Dook | Ray Doral |
Ami Dougall | Cyril Dowler 1941 | E.S. Dudley | J.W. Duggs |
J. Dullan | K. Dunn | J.V. Dyson | Val. G. D. |
Bill Ear | R. Edwards | K. Fahy | Edward Farley |
G.E. Feaser | Anthony Cook | D. Cooper | R.L. Corby |
Glen Cove | Mary Craig | R.H. Crampton | L. Cranwick |
G. Crook R.A.A.F. | D.C. Cunrew | Lewis L. Darloys | John Dirke |
J. Dixon Leeds | J.W. Dodworth | J. Donald | F.E. Donkerley |
E. Doris | Guy M. Dougall | J.R. Drury | G. Dudson Leeds |
John Duke | Digwood Dumping | L. Dunn | J. W. Dyson |
Vally D. | D.J. Eastham | El Ellon | K. Falim |
Chaior Farmers Canada | Margaret Naef Finnish | C. Gamble | A. Gautholma |
D. Gibb | W. Gill Aitkinson | J. Gladys | J. Goddard |
M. Goggile | F.O. Golding | Leonard G. Golding | J. Gordon-Rice |
J. Gouterworth | Peter J.S. Grant | G.W.G. Gray Skelton | J. Greenwood |
D.T. Griffiths 1939 | Nanette Greves Smith | W. Gull | G.R. Halton 19.1.41 |
W. Hardal-Spink | L.O. Harrison 12.9.39 | A. Harrogate | Cyril Hatton |
A.B.J. Hayward | R. Hay**** | Jack Henderson | G. R. Henley |
R.S. Henley | Blanco Heslop | J.C. Hevero | P.W. Hilliard |
P.Hilto | D.B. Hobson 22.1.48 ? | W. Holden | John G. Hollis |
A.E. Hopper K.D.G. | E. Horsley D. Crew | A. Gawthorne | S. Glover |
Weston George | E.P. Golding | F.P. Golding Rushton | Jean Goldsmith |
Terence Gorora | R.C. Goy | Gas Gray | R.M. Gray |
Winifred C. Gregory | C. Grook Durham | A.W. Guest | K. Guyatt |
J. Harrison Texas U.S.A. | Ron Harrod 11 R.T.R. | J. Hastings | A.B. Hayward |
J.H. Henderson | G. Herbert | Bertram Hesmond-Halgh | Hickerley |
John Hillman | J. Hird D. Crew | Derek Holdband | R. Holderworth |
K. Holman | Sally Horlner | D.G. Hudson | E.M. Hulse |
John Hutchinson | G. Hutton South Combe | Paul Hybon | G.C.M. Ireland |
R.N. Jackson | A. Jalyn | Jimm | S. Johns |
E.R. Jones | Maris A. Jesting | John Kaye | Mark Keer |
H.W. Kemp | J.R. Kendall | Shorty Keough U.S.A. | Knight |
Lambert Langton | J.R. Larkin | C.H.I. Larsone | Peter Lawman |
Brian Leckley Ulster, 1957 | F. Lee R.A.F. | G. Letters Barney | R.G.D.E. Little |
C. Lowey | J.T.C. Lund Rask B.E.F. | Frank Maise | Johney Hughes R.A.A.F. |
L. Hutchinson | Pat Hybein | Tangmere-Ineson | R.N. Jackson |
A. Jaill | J.Jelfet | G.C. John**** | Thomas Johnson |
G. Jones K.D.G. | John H. Key | D. Keeler | John H. Kendal |
J.K. Kender Derby | Kipp | G.A. Peter Koiley | Bun Larmon |
Sask Latton | F.B. Leach Sunco Leeds | B.E.Lee | Tempjos Lenna |
J. Lewis | J.D. Lithouse | Rose Lockwood | Roy Lumba |
H.M. McKey | T. Maher | Margery | D. Margery |
V. Mart | L.Naim | Thos. H. Neddar | H. Nelson R.C.A.F. |
J.T. Neolham | K. Newley-Eric | W.A. Newman | Charles Nydd |
Maggie Olso Whitley Bay | H.R. Omen | Dodley Osen | N. Palow |
J.H. Parkington | B.G. Parrish | Happy Pays | A.B. Percy |
Chris Plaston | Jervis Pomley | N. Puck P/O Poland | P. Quinn |
Len Rahaley | G. Rawdin | Les. H. Read | Jim Revill |
Allen Reynolds S.A.A.F. | Tom Riley | Elmer A. Rithe | Jean Robertson |
J. Roberts | Rodgers | S.A. Roe 1939 | Joyce R.B. Roisey |
Allen Rose 1940 | Jack Rosemary | Neil | Tom C. Nelson |
B.R. Netherfood | Tom Newman | B.N. Nicholson | R. Norris |
Chap Oleven | H.R. Omar | A. C. Palfreema | Roy Pana |
R. Parkington | D. Pearce | J.H. Perrin | E. Pinder |
J.A. Poad | B.Box | Bell Punch | H. Rafferty R.A.A.F. |
F.O. Rawlinson | Reymonds | Cliff Richards R.A.A.F. | Jean Ritching |
I. Ritson | A. Robinson | D.H. Robson | L.Rodgers 22.6.46 |
Vera Rosamund Roe | J. Rorum | Sylvia Rose | J. Rosergh F. 3Hornsea |
Ronnie the Rotter | G. Rommelly | Bert Rusty 1942 | Hash Ryan |
Yvonne Scarfe | S.H. Sedgewick | Billy Seward 1949 | John Shaw |
K.B. Shepard | L. Sheppard Spr. 2088050 | Diana Sheridan | Alan H. Simpson |
Biddery Snith | Eric Smith | Grager Snith York 194? | James E. Sneeton |
N.W. Stewb Preston | A.C. Story | John D. Strughia | Ben Stubbs |
M. Suthe | D.S. Sykes | W.M. Taishef Jap | W.H. Taylor |
J.R. Thomas | E. Thompson | H. Thorp | Pike Turner 231 Squadron |
J. Underwood | D. Vally | N. Verity | Frank E. Walker |
A. Ryan Ducks, Puududel | R.E. Sapper-Brown | F. W. Wood 408 Squadron | Frankie Yates 12th May |
Scott | Willy Semple R.A.F. Mug | C.E. Sharp | W.S. Shepherdson |
L.W. Sheppard 2608TT8 | J.L. Sim Montreal | C.H. Smith London | G. Smith Stockton |
Jasa Smith | W. J. Smith | Fred Steward | R.H. Stiles |
Strathroy | Mary Stuart | J.D. Suride | W. Taisher Brown |
A.B. Taylor | R.H.R. Taylor | Telifr | L.P. Thompson |
J. Toddard | T.C. Tyeson 67 Squadron | G.D. Val | Jack Vendles |
Edward Victor 2.2.39 | J. Walker | E. Wallis | E.M. Walton |
J. Ward | Bryan Watson 12.9.39 | Eva Watson | J. Webster 19.1.41 |
Roy Webster D Crew | J.F. Westwood | R. Whillsden | A.D. White |
L. Whitely | H.M. Whittles | Johnney Willis | G. Wilkinson |
S. Wilkinson 1939 | L.Wilson | L. Wiltshire | R. Winship |
L. Winn | Charles Wydd | Allan H. Walsh | Bill Ward |
J.C. Waterhouse | R. Watson | Percy Webb 28.4.48 | R. G. Wenley |
Chally Whit | Kay White | G.C. Whittick | Biddy Williams |
L.A. Willmott | Roger Wilkinson | J.H. Wilson | Terry Wilson |