James Asser, MP for West Ham and Beckton, has joined the campaign to commemorate the brave pilots and navigators of the Photographic Reconnaissance Units (PRU), who served during the Second World War.
The PRU was formed on the 24th of September 1939 and throughout the Second World War it operated highly dangerous, clandestine photographic reconnaissance operations over all theatres of operation, and captured more than 26 million images of enemy operations and installations during the war. The purpose of the PRU was to provide up-to-date intelligence to strategically plan the Allied actions in the war. Flying Spitfires and Mosquitos, the intelligence it gathered was used by all the armed forces, giving same day intelligence on enemy activity.
Due to the clandestine nature of their operations – they flew solo operations, unarmed and unarmoured – the death rate was nearly fifty percent. However, despite having one of the lowest survival rates of the war – life expectancy in the PRU was around two and a half months – there is no national memorial to the PRU.
The ‘Spitfire AA810 Project’ has therefore led the campaign to establish such a memorial in central London.
There were six among those who served, and died, in the PRU who were born in West Ham and Beckton:
George Borrett, Ronald Kemp-Lewis, Alan McLaren, John Phypers, Arnold Rumsey, and Anthony Sams.
The names and short biographies of these men have been included in the hope that more information and possibly descendants may be found. If there is anyone related to George Borrett, Ronald Kemp-Lewis, Alan McLaren, John Phypers, Arnold Rumsey, or Anthony Sams, or if anyone know someone who served in the PRU during the war, please go the Spitfire AA810 Project website (www.spitfireaa810.co.uk).
George Borrett
Flying Officer George Leonard Borrett was born in West Ham on the 15th June 1920. He later moved to Redbridge, and by the outbreak of war he was a clerk in a shipping agents.
He joined up in 1939 but little is known of his wartime career other than he served with the wartime Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons.
He survived the war and passed away in Epsom in August 2007.
Ronald Kemp-Lewis
Flight Lieutenant Ronald Hugh Kemp-Lewis was born in West Ham but other than knowing that he served in the RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons, little is known of either his service or personal life.
Alan McLaren
Flight Sergeant Alan McLaren was born in West Ham, the son of Ernest and Lily McLaren.
He trained as a Spitfire pilot, serving with 683 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron based in the Mediterranean.
On the 18th August 1944 he failed to return from a sortie to photograph Udine, Italy, 23-year-old Alan McLaren remains missing to this day.
John Phypers
AC1 John Phyphers of West Ham served with 541 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
He was sadly badly troubled by the ongoing stress of war, and he took his own life on the base on the 16th June 1943 aged 39.
Arnold Rumsey
Flight Lieutenant Arnold Arthur Rumsey was born in West Ham but little is known of his personal life pre-war.
He joined the RAF and served in a Hudson crew in the Photographic Development Unit. On the 26th October 1940 his crew departed Heston on a photography mission over the Scheldt Estuary.
Approaching the area, it was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed into the Scheldt off Vlissingen (Flushing).
The pilot of the aircraft drowned; however Rumsey and three other crewmen managed to escape the wreckage and were taken Prisoners of War.
It is assumed he survived the war, but little else is known about Rumsey.
Anthony Sams
Warrant Officer Anthony William Sams was born on the 25th June 1923 in West Ham.
He joined up in December 1941 but we know little of his wartime career other than he served with the wartime Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons. He survived the war and passed away in Hornchurch in December 2001.
Supporting the campaign for a national memorial, James Asser MP said:
“I am happy to support the campaign to commemorate those who served in the Photographic Reconnaissance Units during the Second World War. This includes 6 local men: George Borrett, Ronald Kemp-Lewis, Alan McLaren, John Phypers, Arnold Rumsey, and Anthony Sams, who served admirably under exceptionally difficult conditions.
I hope that descendants can be traced or more information found to ensure that these men are remembered for their work and sacrifice.
I look forward to working with the Spitfire AA810 Project to establish this memorial to commemorate the PRU.”
