HAROLD JOHN IVATTS
We cannot profess to know a great deal about Harold. I was contacted by his son & daughter-in-law in their attempt to find out more about him, and I was only able to decipher the meager information on the service record they received. Hopefully I can fill in more in the future.
Harold was born on February 12, 1917. I am not sure where exactly, but know upon enlistment he was living in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. He enlisted on May 25, 1939 into the RAF, and was posted as a Fitter/Rigger to 601 Squadron as an ACII.
In October 1941 he seems to have been posted to 222 Squadron. In 1943 he was sent to West Africa and joined 200 Squadron. In 1944 he seems to have been with 15 Squadron. Not sure on that last one as 15 Squadron was flying bombers, and not sure how typical it was to switch from fighters to bombers as a fitter/rigger.
In February 1945 he went to 19 FTS, which would explain the photographs in the cockpit of a Spitfire and the wings on his tunic.
Harold Ivatts – probably circa 1945 as he got his wings at or near the end of the war.
Harold Ivatts – he was married, but not sure if this is his wife
Fantastic photo
Another shot of Harold
Harold’s flight in front of a 601 Blenheim
Harold is fourth in sitting on the ground, just in front of another man
Harold front, center. Probably West Africa with 200 Squadron
Harold in a Spitfire, so likely 1945
Pass to enter Hendon ‘signed’ by John Peel