Flight Lieutenant Brian Joseph Ritchie - Officer i.c EPAS RAF Jever Flying Officer Brian Ritchie Spitfire pilot 131 Squadron (County of Kent) at Blankenberghe in Belgium in December 1944. One of the Founders of RAF Jever, Officer i/c Equipment, Pay and Accounting Section (EPAS) From 5th October 1951. Brian was posted to RAF Jever as it was being built after the war. He arrived on 5th October 1951 before there were any aircraft or concrete runways at Jever. Flight 4B Course 23 at RNZAF Levin, New Zealand in October 1941.   Brian is the last one on the right in the rear row.   The following description of RNZAF Levin's role comes from the web site "Wings Over Cambridge".   "The first step for most prospective airmen pilots was to be sent a rail warrant and/or bus tickets to get them to their first training station, which for the first half of the war was usually RNZAF Station Levin, at Wereroa, just outside of Levin.   Here they underwent Initial Training."   Below are the names of those on Brian's Course at RNZAF Levin. Cadet Pilot Brian Ritchie, presumably on his initial training course at RNZAF Levin. (Note the white head band on his Forage Cap). Qualified on the Harvard on 24Apr42 at No 2 FTS at RNZAF Blenheim. Another shot of Cadet Pilot Brian Ritchie. Anyone able to recognise the location? Brian during World War 2 as a Sergeant. He joined the RNZAF from Auckland, New Zealand. Here he is a qualified Sergeant pilot - presumably some time during the war. Brian married Josephine in London in 1940. Wedding Reception with fellow pilots from the Squadron. Brian, Sergeant Pilot, 131 Squadron flying Spitfires on 15 May 1942, News clipping reporting the safe arrival of Brian and others at an "Allied port" in July 1942, presumably on his way to UK.   The report says: "AIRMEN'S SAFE ARRIVAL.   SHIP SUBJECT TO ATTACK.   Wellington, Monday.   A number of New Zealand air personnel have arrived safely at an Allied port after the ship on which they were travelling had been subjected to enemy attack.   Announcing this, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, stated that all the New Zealand personnel involved were safe and the next-of-kin had been notified.   The personnel concerned were: Pilot-Officers N. R. S. Humphreys (Wellington), J. R. R. Devereaux (Auckland), and R. A. Marshall (Auckland), and Sergeants N. R. Bluck (Otorohanga), R. H. Brickell (Auckland), J. L. Chandler (Auckland), D. G. Hannigan (Auckland), C. F. P. Hughes (Reefton|), B. S. O'Halloran (Auckland), B. J.Ritchie (Auckland), N. C. Rollett (Matamata), Shaw (Invercargill), A .F. T. ? (Auckland), C. E. B. Wood (Auckland), and B. E. Young (Auckland)". Pilots of B Flight 131 Sqn Somewhere in Scotland May 1943. L to R Rear Row: Red? from England, Bert from England, Ricky from England, Van from Holland, Brian Ritchie "Nuff Said!" and Smokey from Australia. Front Row: Les from Australia, Doone from South Africa, CO Sqn Ldr O'Meara, DFC from Ireland, Flt Lt Pickering Flight Commander from England and Earle from Australia. Absent: Paddy and Snowy. B Flight 131 Sqn "Drivers" and Ground Crews - May 1943.   Brian wrote on the back: "It takes all these boys to keep a dozen of us in the air and they do a wonderful job." Brian and friends, presumably after the war as he is in civilian clothes. Brian's Flying Logbook Summary certified by Mr Prentice, believed to be the CFI at the Auckland Flying Club, dated 27th April 1948.   He had a total of 526 hrs 15 mins in the Hawker Hind, Auster, Harvard II, Spitfire Mks I, II, VB, 12 and 14. Anson and Oxford. RAF Jever Equipment, Pay and Accounting Section - about June 1951. Flt Lt Brian Ritchie, Officer i/c EPAS is third from left in the front row. Brian's RAF Form S.9561 RAF Driving Licence issued at RAF Jever on 5Oct51 to drive all vehicles on the station up to and including the 3 ton lorry.   His was the second licence issued. Presumably issued at the same time - Brian's RAF Form 1839 Identification Card for Driving Mechanical Transport at RAF Jever.   He had to certify that he had read and understood Command Routine Order No CRO 270/51 - whatever that was! This may have been taken at RAF Jever as it looks as though Brian, in the centre, is a Flight Lieutenant and he has a moustache - about 1951.   Anyone recognise the Wing Commander?   Presumably Wing Commander Admin at the time.