All are welcome to join members of the East Kent RAF Aircrew Association and the Maltby family at David Maltby’s grave in St Andrew’s Church, Wickhambreaux, Kent, at 11.30am on Tuesday 14 September 2010. This annual event, commemorating the lives of all of David’s crew, takes place on the anniversary of their last operational flight. This year, we hope to be joined for the first time by members of the families of Sgt William Hatton and Flt Sgt Victor Hill, members of David’s crew, whose bodies were never recovered after their aircraft crashed into the North Sea.
Dambusters Blog 
I have recently had my interest in the Dambusters revived when I saw an episode of Antiques roadshow The Paul Brickhill book was valued at £750-£1000. I was astounded as I have a signed copy which was owned by Brian Goodale[Concave].All major signatures are in this including Barnes Wallace`s on his photo.As a result I went to” Flog It” as it was in Herne Bay. I thought the programme would be a good way to convey the story of how I came to have this book. Coincedently the book will be going to Auction in Canterbury on the very day the memorial service is taking place. The sale of the book has led me to research and thus I found the site. I wondered if anyone would have an interest in the book?
I wondered if the comment I posted 30/8/10 had reached you? It was concerning a Dambuster Concave, the Paul Brickhill book and the Folg It programme.
Hello Charles,
Hope you are well. My apologies for not beig able to make it today. Getting from Sheffiedl to teh heart of Kent has proved difficult due to work commitments. I will, of course, pause at 11:30 today in memory of David (and of course his crew).
Keep in touch
Regards
Tony
I am very interested in the book that my father (Concave Goodale) had stolen in Northern Ireland when he was staying in a Public House. He lent it to the landlord who then said he had mislaid it. My father went back many times for the book but the answer was always that he could not find it.
I don’t suppose that much can be done about it now but it makes me angry that someone has profited from my father’s kindness.
Any further details of the books whereabouts would be gratefully received.
Regards
Simon Goodale, son of Brian Goodale
Hello Simon.
I was researching the internet the other day regarding 617 Sqn crews when I found the aticlcle regarding your late fathers signed book. You will not remember me but I used to come round to your house and play. At the time I lived in the village of Bardwell (School Lane) Suffolk. I dont know whether you remember the Palfreys house that you lived in.
I spent 30 years in the Suffolk Constabulary before retiring in 1998. It was just this article that made me sit back and read it again and again. No doubt the lady that sold the book on ‘Flogit’ had a story in her mind or had been drip fed a story over many years and in the end it became to her a reality.
Obviously the landlord realised the importance of the signed book of your fathers and spirited it away. Contrary to beliefs things are not spirited away by the Faries. In my 30 years experience as a police officer items. are wilfully witheld.
Even her story doesnt hold water. Its just a damned shame you were not able to intercept the book prior to its sale and claim what was oviously and rightly belonging to your late father.
Like most of these things its sentimental value to the family. Plus the historical side in which the Dambusters of 617 Sqn raid played a big part.
The very sad thing is you do not have in your possession the signed book but one would hope whoever has it will cherris it for it historical value.
My very best wishes
Brian Clarke
Brian,
Thank you for your interest. How do you think I stand from a legal point of view? The reason I ask is that while I do want the book back, my major concern is getting the BBC to issue a statement giving my side of the story. The press complaints commission have done this but the BBC and Ofcom have refused – Ofcom stating that they will not take action because my father died too many years before the Flog It program was broadcast!
Thanks,
Simon.
Hi Simon. Nice to hear from you and thank you for replying. Well, now from the legal point of the criminal law side. (Theft) The definition of theft is the “Appropriation of property with the intention of permanantly depriving the other of it” So its knowingly. With the years that have passed that would be inpossible to prove especially as the ladies father has no doubt passed away. The lady who sold it on “Flogit” may or may not have known at the time re the retention of the book by her father for whatever reason but again trying to get a case against her would be impossible. The passing years being a major problem plus you would have to have a confession from her that she knew it was stolen. If that was the case you would be able to prosecute her for knowingly handling which carries a more serious punishment in law.
That would be utopia and I doubt she would ever admit to that. This lady seems to have her story fixed whether told by her father or not so again she will not change that. To her thats reality.
You seem to have done as much as you can with the press complaints commission who have upheld your complaint but again getting the BBC to do act and as they have already refused will be an uphill task.
We know only too well about it with the latest revalation from a celebrity no longer with us but was using the BBC for many for his years to hide his criminal activities. Again the denial from the Corperation but the weight of complaints and evidence from outside persons overtook them.
For many years the BBC have been a law unto themselves and have more or less become the Untouchables.
You and I do not stand a great deal of a chance against such a large organisation
There is obviously action you could take on the civil law side. Sadly
that would be a costly exercise for you and in the end not achieve anything with the BBC to either clear your fathers name or get his cherished book back.
Not sure if you have already taken advice but hope what I have said will be of help to you.
All my best wishes
Brian
Hello Simon,
I’ve just watched that episode of Flog it on iplayer, and it is such a pity that you didn’t have the opportunity to either claim it back or at least bid for it. How I found this site was that I had found it almost unbelievable that one of the Dam Busters had left all their belongings in a Public House because they couldn’t afford to pay their bill. It touched me that the country had turned its back on someone like your father, but having read your message, perhaps there is a little bit of fantasy in her story.
The book sold, it’s probably in the hands of a collector now, but at least you have your memories of your father (who seemed to have died at a very early age).
If it was my father I would certainly be contacting Flog It and demanding that they at least aired your side of the story… right of reply and all that.
Kind Regards
Mario
Hello Mario,
Thanks for your comments, I tried to look for the program on iplayer but could not find it.
I have been in touch with Flog It and the comapany who published the many local newspapers who ran the storey, none of whom did any research to see if the storey was true. Hpefully I will get them to publish an appology to clear my fathers name.
Regards,
Simon.
Brian `Concave` Goodale was my uncle and boyhood hero. I clearly remember the book, he lent it to me to read when ill in bed shortly after it was published.
I am shocked that anyone should even suggest that Brian would leave a bill unpaid, and want to tell such a story in the media without checking the facts. This has caused considerable distress to my aunt, Brian`s widow, cousin Simon, and the rest the family.
It is a massive shame that the previously good name of a real war hero should be sullied in his way.
Edward Long
I have read the above E-mails re your fathers book. I served under your’e Dad in Luneburg, Germany 1957-58 before the disbandment of 266 signals unit. My Wife and I baby sat for you and your’e brother nicholas many times when your’e Mother and Father attended Garrison Functions and was also his driver when required. We lived on ALMA Barracks like your’e parents in the presence of what was then the Highland Light Infantry. I now live in Ipswich and would welcome any contact/
.
Just read this thread. I was with 615 Signals Unit also at Luneburg 1954-5 though we had the Cameron Highlanders and East Lancs for company. I had a photo of Brian Goodale taken on a NATO exercise to Belgium when we were at Cologne but sadly have mislaid it. Small world.