Welcome to the 305th Bomb Group website. This site is dedicated to those who served in the 305th Bomb Group throughout World War II. Here you will find remarkable stories and photographs of a group of extraordinary men.
Notice: This is not the official 305th Bomb Group Website, it is a personal website dedicated to the 305th Bomb Group and William Donald. This website is developed and maintained by Luke Betts.
Many Thanks
Copyright © 305thbombgroup.com
Designed and Maintained by Luke Betts
researching and putting together a remarkable book 'John Burn One-Zero-Five'. He was also the inspiration behind the 305th bomb group memorial situated in Chelveston which was unveiled on Saturday 26th May 2007. Billy was a devoted family man and married his wife Carole in October 1970 at Kettering Parish Church. He had two children Ian and Kirsty, and in the year of 1975 moved to Higham Ferrers. It was then that Billy became interested in the local area history, particularly what happened at the old USA base at Chelveston. He then joined the local aviation group and began excavating crash plane sites in the area (which are now displayed in the Sywell Museum). After speaking to a local author (Micheal Gibson) began researching the Chelveston group (crews, planes etc). That is how his book dream began. He fulfilled his dream in completing and publishing his book in 2005.
William "Billy" Donald
This website is also dedicated to William (Billy) Donald, who sadly passed away on Saturday 3rd May 2008. A man who cared solely of the 305th bomb group and spent over 30 years
My name is Luke Betts, I have been very interested in the 305th Bomb Group for many years. I am 17 years old and have started to put together this site to remember the men of the 305th Bomb Group but also William "Billy" Donald. I would Like to hear from anyone who was in the 305th Bomb Group or interested in that period. Please feel free to leave a comment on the website or email me at contact@305thbombgroup.com
Many Thanks
305th Bomb Group News - Updated 05/08/2010 - By Luke Betts
Well as editor and creator of the website I have decided to begin adding a news section to the home page of the website to let visitors view updates within the 305th. These will rotate throughout the year with updated information, Many thanks.
I will start by adding a tour I gave around Chelveston along with my grandfather to a young American Lady, Nicole Vincent-Roller. Nicole contacted us through the Rushden Historical Society, asking about help to show her around the airfield where her grandfather ( Roland Charles Vincent) was stationed with the 366th BS during the years of 1943 - early 1945.
We met Nicole in Rushden on Thursday 15th July 2010 where we then took her for a long tour around the local area, showing her sites which were of interest, such as the memorials, the airfield and other areas such as where the accomodation used to stand and guard posts. We also showed her both The Swan and Chequers Pub which she found most interesting.
She expland much about her grandfather and he had told her about his was years with the 305th. She also explain that much of her grandfather items had been split up over the years due to other grand children, however does hope to be able to add some more information and items to the website soon.
Once home, Nicole sent me this picture of her grandfathers crew along with some further information about him. Their plane was "Rubby the Dog," like "rubbing a dog's belly, after a dog that followed one of the crew members home and became their barrack pet. You can see positions are noted according to the men's places in the photograph, but not names (except RCV, for Roland Charles Vincent).
Nicole and I ( Luke Betts), Chequers Pub, Yelden