The Airmen's Stories - W/Cdr. J A Vick

James Anderson Vick was born in Kings Norton on 8th August 1908. He went to The Leys School, Cambridge but after one term there his health broke down and he was sent to Cedara College, Natal. After leaving school he stayed in South Africa, farming and riding.

On return to England Vick went into engineering. He joined 607 Squadron, AAF, probably in late 1932, and obtained his ‘A’ Licence in the summer of 1933.

The squadron had been formed at Usworth on 17th March 1930 and did not receive its first aircraft until October 1932, a Gypsy Moth. This was followed by two Avro 504ks, then Wapitis and later Hawker Demons in September 1936. Vick was the second man to join 607 Squadron for pilot training.

He gained his wings and was commissioned in early September 1933. He was called to full-time service on 24th August 1939.

The squadron was ordered to France on 15th November and Vick flew to Merville from Croydon on the 16th, in an Ensign, in charge of the ground party. The squadron was withdrawn on 20th May 1940 and the remnants re-assembled at Croydon on the 22nd.

He was posted to 609 Squadron at Drem. En route to join 609 Vick was involved in a serious car accident and badly injured. He never did take up his posting to 609. Fit again, he rejoined 607 at Croydon on 24th May 1940.

607 Squadron moved north to its original base at Usworth on 5th June 1940 and Vick was appointed to command. On 15th September he probably destroyed a Do17. Later in the month he failed his eye test and was taken off flying. He was posted to HQ 14 Group on 11th October 1940 for Air Staff (Ops) duties and arrived to take them up on the 12th.

In early 1942 Vick was posted from 14 Group and released from the RAF, to take up an appointment with Imperial Airways on the organisation and administrative side, to take part in the formation of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, for post-war operations. He remained with BOAC and its successor British Airways until his retirement in 1977.

Vick died on 11th May 2000 in Reading, Berkshire.