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One of the most demanding challenges faced by Bomber Command aircrew was the contrast between the hours in which they were operating and the remainder of their time. One day they would be enjoying an evening at Betty's Bar or perhaps in a pub in the relatively peaceful English countryside, the next experiencing the terror of flak, fighter attacks, and searchlights over Berlin or some other target several hours away.



Located in York, Betty's Bar became one of the airmen's favourite haunts of the many Canadians who made up No. 6 Bomber Group, based around York.

The Bar was also known as 'The Briefing Room' because airmen claimed that they could find out all they needed to know about their next operation over a drink at Betty's Bar. Nevertheless, careless talk could be dangerous -spies might be anywhere -even at Betty's.

Betty's included a huge picture mirror behind the bar and the Canadian airmen used to engrave their name on the mirror. One story tells of airmen using a waitress's engagement ring to scratch their names on the mirror.

By the end of the war, the mirror featured nearly six hundred names. Sadly, many of the young men who signed their name never returned from their operations.

Today, several sections of the mirror, which was damaged during an air raid, hang in the downstair's 'Oak Room' at Betty's as a reminder of their wartime patrons.










The Names on the Mirror at Betty's Bar



S.C.O.M. Bradwell, 1st North Riding A.T.S., Strensall Camp 1939
Flight Sergeant D.F.Allen, 408 Squadron F.M. Anderson, Penwortham, Lancashire
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand, 27.04.40 M. Ashton, 1st North Riding, Strensall, York
G.C. Baldwin, F.A.A. Squadron, S.K.U.A.S. Flight Sergeant R.G. Bell 408 Squadron
M. Bitherlang, Mayoress of Leeds, 1936 A.C. Blair, 1235688 Hutch, Holme on Spalding
W.N.C.A. Bonnally, B/A R.A.A.F. Boucard, Joseph, (Sailor) Nantes, France
G. R. Bruckshank, F.A.A. Squadron, S.K.U.A.S. D.M. Cameron, South Rhodesia
J.A. Campbell, R.C.A.F. Alberta, Canada G.W. Paul Cambe, IIIIXXXXX
Sandy Carlos Clarke, 23rd Hussars Andrew Castle, Cloumbus, Ohio U.S.A.
F. Corpland B.N.A.F. C.M.F. (Paratrooper) W. Comstock Royal Montreal Neg.17.12.33
W.M. Cooper Lord Mayor 7.1.39 G. Croot Wests Australia, R.A.A.F.
K.D. Cox 485 Squadron, New Zealand G.C. Daniel Ghent, Belgium
M. David R.A.F. 92 Maintenance Unit Paddy Joc Doolin 231 Squadron
Ray Gardener 405 Squadron Cyril H. Gibbs R.A.S.C. 26.6.40
Jack F. Gilly U.S. Army 20.12.42 S. Green Spr 20805507 49th DN/N.Yorks
G.S. Hally Palmerston Both, New Zealand, R.N.Z.A.F. D. Hanover Ontario, Canada
Raymond Hawks R.G. R.A.A.F. W.S. Hayworth R.A.F. Poclington 12.1.42
Pt. Henley H.M.S. Alynbank Bill Howard A.A.R.E. September 1939
T.W.B. Hutch Holme-on-Spalding N.C. Jackson V.C. 106 Squadron
Con Kelway Victory and B.C. B. Langley H.M.S. Express, Rsweir (****)1946
Tom Laplank R.C.A.F. Toronto, Canada Snr. C.T. Levette 11453 New Zealand, R.C.C.N.Z.F.
L.S. Lidingham Lt. R.A.A.C. W.B. Mackley Auckland, New Zealand
Andrew B. Mamedoof U.S.A. Eagle Squadron Sergeant Marmwick 143 Squadron, 3.9.43
B. Martin R.A.A.F. Australia 405373 S.L. McCullock 12731 R.C.A.F.
Bud McDonald-R.C.A.F. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada G. NewleySpr. 2081409 49th A.A.Br.R.E. Sept 12.39
C. P.L. Nicholson W.H. Nomson Peter Noble April 15th 1946
M. Optunbery August 14th 1939 J.D. Paterson Scottish Horse
Sergeant Peter T.W. Drayton, York Alfred E. PugarS.S. Northumberland 21 31.12.40
Res. G.E. Rarghchroft K.S.L.I. A.A. Redbond R.A.F. Rolls Royce Ltd.,
Sergeant Rowland 408 Squadron Rose Seth Sutherland 49th D.W. West Yorks. A.A.R.E.
Storm Tanner Pilot, R.A.A.F. S.V. Snith Tayape, New Zealand
J. Taylor A/C8 H.M.S. Rodney D.H. Peare Trent S.S.R. Regina, Canada 11.3.41
Keen Rudy 55th Parabridge 6.10.43 S.K. Shaw D2 Post Observer 1942
B. Smith 485 Squadron (New Zealand) G.P. Sutherst 2/8th Lean, Australia
C. Trevor Taafe Hastings, New Zealand, A.S.C. Tommy Thomas 231 Squadron
Terry the Wolfe 231 Squadron W.J. Wallace Valparaiso, Chile, South America
J. Wett I Parkhead, Glasgow Ray Webster S.S. Dundley




J. Abilies R.M. Arevetham John Averwell N. Ballantyne
Charles Barbein, D.C. Butch Barton 03.07.39 Geo Aubrey Barton Guy Barton
John H. Barton H.S. Bath F. Beckwith B. Beetmont
All Bellingham G.V.Berf Ray Berlsheiser A. Betty, 1948
W.F. Beverley General Carl Bin S.B. Bird R.B. Birken
K. Bloor G. R. Adam Allan Allison Pillipha Ann, 1942
N. A. Arnold, 1939 Sanib D. Arthur R.H. Aulton C.S. Awin
Richard Backwell Billy Bangwell Discip Barney G. Barries
Geo Y.W.D. Barton John Barton C. A. Basket P. Baxter
E.V. Bedford E.V. Belapour W.F. Bellerby T. Belt
Ted Benson J.H. Berrin E. Bettys Billy
Joan Binkers Derek Birdes Criss Biscomb A.C. Bloom
H.E. Bloor Bob R. Bond Goe T. Boyes
E. H. Bradley, K.D.G. G.H. Brewer F.H. Bright J. Brook
A. Basil Brown G.H. Brown L. Brown R.E. Sapper Brown
L.F. Brunt H. Buaan Derek Buder Sergeant Bullingen
B.L. Burne Frederick Bush G. Butler Al Bryson
R.H. Cair M. Carley L. Cawood J. Clark
R. Clayton R. Clough G.R. Colt Bin R. Boredgh
K. Boyes J. R. Bradley, Scarboroug W.L. Brewin Audrey Brocklebank
J. Browerken Christine C. Brown Jean Brown Meb Brown
Taffy Bruten, 231 Squadron D. Buckton J. Bucket J. Burkton
Geoff Burnley Geoffrey R. Butcher Betsy Butson Jast Byer
Camerons, 1940-1946 E.J. Canham Bob Canton Margaret Carlyle-Ball
L. Carter Chuck M.Clark T. Clarke, London
F.H. McCleary C.R.P. Cole J.T. Common W.A. McConnell
Len Cooke R.A.F. Engineer J.H. Wilson Cooper G.M. Copeland H.J. Corer
M. Could Reg. Cowling C.S. Graig Tom Cramer Switzerland
Even Cranswick Tom Creson E.J. Cunham R. M. Curray
G.W. Daniels M.B.E. R.L. Davis M.W. Day Dagwood Diving
Margaret Dodds Newcastle J.F. McDonald J. Dook Ray Doral
Ami Dougall Cyril Dowler 1941 E.S. Dudley J.W. Duggs
J. Dullan K. Dunn J.V. Dyson Val. G. D.
Bill Ear R. Edwards K. Fahy Edward Farley
G.E. Feaser Anthony Cook D. Cooper R.L. Corby
Glen Cove Mary Craig R.H. Crampton L. Cranwick
G. Crook R.A.A.F. D.C. Cunrew Lewis L. Darloys John Dirke
J. Dixon Leeds J.W. Dodworth J. Donald F.E. Donkerley
E. Doris Guy M. Dougall J.R. Drury G. Dudson Leeds
John Duke Digwood Dumping L. Dunn J. W. Dyson
Vally D. D.J. Eastham El Ellon K. Falim
Chaior Farmers Canada Margaret Naef Finnish C. Gamble A. Gautholma
D. Gibb W. Gill Aitkinson J. Gladys J. Goddard
M. Goggile F.O. Golding Leonard G. Golding J. Gordon-Rice
J. Gouterworth Peter J.S. Grant G.W.G. Gray Skelton J. Greenwood
D.T. Griffiths 1939 Nanette Greves Smith W. Gull G.R. Halton 19.1.41
W. Hardal-Spink L.O. Harrison 12.9.39 A. Harrogate Cyril Hatton
A.B.J. Hayward R. Hay**** Jack Henderson G. R. Henley
R.S. Henley Blanco Heslop J.C. Hevero P.W. Hilliard
P.Hilto D.B. Hobson 22.1.48 ? W. Holden John G. Hollis
A.E. Hopper K.D.G. E. Horsley D. Crew A. Gawthorne S. Glover
Weston George E.P. Golding F.P. Golding Rushton Jean Goldsmith
Terence Gorora R.C. Goy Gas Gray R.M. Gray
Winifred C. Gregory C. Grook Durham A.W. Guest K. Guyatt
J. Harrison Texas U.S.A. Ron Harrod 11 R.T.R. J. Hastings A.B. Hayward
J.H. Henderson G. Herbert Bertram Hesmond-Halgh Hickerley
John Hillman J. Hird D. Crew Derek Holdband R. Holderworth
K. Holman Sally Horlner D.G. Hudson E.M. Hulse
John Hutchinson G. Hutton South Combe Paul Hybon G.C.M. Ireland
R.N. Jackson A. Jalyn Jimm S. Johns
E.R. Jones Maris A. Jesting John Kaye Mark Keer
H.W. Kemp J.R. Kendall Shorty Keough U.S.A. Knight
Lambert Langton J.R. Larkin C.H.I. Larsone Peter Lawman
Brian Leckley Ulster, 1957 F. Lee R.A.F. G. Letters Barney R.G.D.E. Little
C. Lowey J.T.C. Lund Rask B.E.F. Frank Maise Johney Hughes R.A.A.F.
L. Hutchinson Pat Hybein Tangmere-Ineson R.N. Jackson
A. Jaill J.Jelfet G.C. John**** Thomas Johnson
G. Jones K.D.G. John H. Key D. Keeler John H. Kendal
J.K. Kender Derby Kipp G.A. Peter Koiley Bun Larmon
Sask Latton F.B. Leach Sunco Leeds B.E.Lee Tempjos Lenna
J. Lewis J.D. Lithouse Rose Lockwood Roy Lumba
H.M. McKey T. Maher Margery D. Margery
V. Mart L.Naim Thos. H. Neddar H. Nelson R.C.A.F.
J.T. Neolham K. Newley-Eric W.A. Newman Charles Nydd
Maggie Olso Whitley Bay H.R. Omen Dodley Osen N. Palow
J.H. Parkington B.G. Parrish Happy Pays A.B. Percy
Chris Plaston Jervis Pomley N. Puck P/O Poland P. Quinn
Len Rahaley G. Rawdin Les. H. Read Jim Revill
Allen Reynolds S.A.A.F. Tom Riley Elmer A. Rithe Jean Robertson
J. Roberts Rodgers S.A. Roe 1939 Joyce R.B. Roisey
Allen Rose 1940 Jack Rosemary Neil Tom C. Nelson
B.R. Netherfood Tom Newman B.N. Nicholson R. Norris
Chap Oleven H.R. Omar A. C. Palfreema Roy Pana
R. Parkington D. Pearce J.H. Perrin E. Pinder
J.A. Poad B.Box Bell Punch H. Rafferty R.A.A.F.
F.O. Rawlinson Reymonds Cliff Richards R.A.A.F. Jean Ritching
I. Ritson A. Robinson D.H. Robson L.Rodgers 22.6.46
Vera Rosamund Roe J. Rorum Sylvia Rose J. Rosergh F. 3Hornsea
Ronnie the Rotter G. Rommelly Bert Rusty 1942 Hash Ryan
Yvonne Scarfe S.H. Sedgewick Billy Seward 1949 John Shaw
K.B. Shepard L. Sheppard Spr. 2088050 Diana Sheridan Alan H. Simpson
Biddery Snith Eric Smith Grager Snith York 194? James E. Sneeton
N.W. Stewb Preston A.C. Story John D. Strughia Ben Stubbs
M. Suthe D.S. Sykes W.M. Taishef Jap W.H. Taylor
J.R. Thomas E. Thompson H. Thorp Pike Turner 231 Squadron
J. Underwood D. Vally N. Verity Frank E. Walker
A. Ryan Ducks, Puududel R.E. Sapper-Brown F. W. Wood 408 Squadron Frankie Yates 12th May
Scott Willy Semple R.A.F. Mug C.E. Sharp W.S. Shepherdson
L.W. Sheppard 2608TT8 J.L. Sim Montreal C.H. Smith London G. Smith Stockton
Jasa Smith W. J. Smith Fred Steward R.H. Stiles
Strathroy Mary Stuart J.D. Suride W. Taisher Brown
A.B. Taylor R.H.R. Taylor Telifr L.P. Thompson
J. Toddard T.C. Tyeson 67 Squadron G.D. Val Jack Vendles
Edward Victor 2.2.39 J. Walker E. Wallis E.M. Walton
J. Ward Bryan Watson 12.9.39 Eva Watson J. Webster 19.1.41
Roy Webster D Crew J.F. Westwood R. Whillsden A.D. White
L. Whitely H.M. Whittles Johnney Willis G. Wilkinson
S. Wilkinson 1939 L.Wilson L. Wiltshire R. Winship
L. Winn Charles Wydd Allan H. Walsh Bill Ward
J.C. Waterhouse R. Watson Percy Webb 28.4.48 R. G. Wenley
Chally Whit Kay White G.C. Whittick Biddy Williams
L.A. Willmott Roger Wilkinson J.H. Wilson Terry Wilson




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