Museum Visit

We are sad to announce the death of Nick Berryman (Snr), who passed away on Friday June 6th. Nick was an active and effective member of the Tangmere Museum, serving it in various capacities over 22 years, culminating in two periods as Chairman, the first between 1991 and 1996 and then again between 1999 and 2001.
He trained as a pilot during WW2 and, amongst other types, flew Spitfires, Defiants, Hurricanes and Walruses on operations. You can learn more about his flying career from his book 'In the Nick of Time' which is on sale in the Museum shop.

"In the Nick of Time"
From the Woodfield Publishing website:
An entertaining account of the experiences of an RAF Air Sea Rescue pilot with 276 Squadron in WW2

Nick Berryman's tales of his World War II exploits as a pilot are a welcome insight into the life-saving activities Air Sea Rescue squadrons of the wartime RAF.

"Posted to Warmwell near Dorchester I thought 257 Squadron Typhoons would be awaiting me, but I was wrong. A rapid welcome from Wing Commander Douglas, the Station Commander, saw me in a WAAF-driven Jeep heading for the South East corner of the all-grass airfield.

"What do 276 Squadron do?" I asked the WAAF.

She gave a naughty grin as she replied.

"Fornicate. The same as 263 and 257 – if they get the chance – Sir."

I had not long to wait for the real answer. In front of the hangar, bearing a 276 squadron noticeboard, stood three Boulton & Paul Defiants and two Supermarine amphibian Walruses.

‘Hell,’ I thought, ‘What’s all this?’

I had arrived at ‘A’ Flight, No.276 Air Sea Rescue Squadron."

Thus began Nick Berryman’s Second World War service with an ASR Squadron. Flying in a variety of aircraft, Nick and his colleagues searched the seas for downed aviators in a race against time, often putting their own lives at risk to affect a rescue. Thanks to the brave efforts of such squadrons, many lives were saved.

Nick’s tales of his Air Sea Rescue escapades are intermingled with many entertaining episodes from his personal life, including humorous descriptions of his early romantic fumblings and boisterous off-duty activities with his RAF comrades, many of whom were splendidly colourful characters tragically destined to be killed in action later in the war.

Recounted in an easy-going style that is always enjoyable to read, this affable autobiographical account perfectly recaptures the unique atmosphere of this singular period in the history of the RAF.