Our slim connection to 'The Great Escape'

If you have followed this blog for any length of time, both of you, you are well aware of my love for our family history, especially how WW2 effected it.
My dad served in the RAF during the war, spending part of his time with the 350 Squadron of mostly Belgian pilots.
He worked on Spitfires while serving with them.

This first image is of dad.

I don't know if love is the right word but he really made the most of his time in service and his time with the RAF.

While doing some more research today (reading wikipedia) I came across a pilot who served in his squadron at the same time as he did, and the same airfield.

We will never know if they knew each other or even met. Most ground crew were assigned to a specific plane and pilot.
But I still find it interesting.

Henri Picard was born 1916 in Etterbeek, Belguim. When Germany invade Belguim the pilot school he was attending was closed.
He left Belguim in June finally in a round-about way making England in July. He soon became a pilot officer and in Nov. of 1941 tranferred to the 350 squadron, the same month as my dad.
In April of 1942 the 350 transferred airfields and my dad went to bomber command.
In August of 42 Picard was shot down and after recovery from injuries was sent to Stalag Luft III.
In March of 1944 on the night of the 24-25 Picard was one of 76 who escaped Stalag Luft III.
On the 26th he and three others were recaptured and on the 29th they were executed by the Gestapo.

Pilot-officer Henri Picard 1916-1944

















It seems Henri had some talent as an artist also. You can find a link to a story about his art here.