Newsletter of the Haskell Family Society, Vol 4 # 1, Page 3
[son of John and Elza Ellen (Short) Haskell]In 1915 their son John, born 28 May 1875 in Ringwood, married Mary Agnes Jane Sims, daughter of Joseph and Agnes Sims of Verwood. The couple had two children at Verwood: son, Walter Ralph Haskell, born 21 May 1915, and daughter, Maud Eliza Ellen Haskell, born 6 April 1917.
Newsletter of the Haskell Family Society, Vol 1, # 2, Tribute to A Haskell Hero
Walter Ralph Haskell enlisted in the Royal Air Force in July 27, 1932. He started as Apprentice Clerk and advanced to Aircraftman First Class on July 24, 1934. On March 13, 1935 he joined No. 13 Squadron and served a year in Iraq. He reported to No. 7 Flying Training School On April 4, 1938. In August he was promoted to Corporal and in October was remustered as an RAF Pilot with rank of sergeant.
During the war, he was on flying duty from 1939-1941 with the 49th Squadron based at Manston. In November 1940 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, recognizing his part in 34 operations against enemy targets.
On December 16, 1941 he was serving as Acting Squadron Leader. After additional advance training he was promoted Wing Commander on July 28, 1943 and posted to No. 57 Squadron, stationed at Scampton, Lincolnshire. After several missions in July and August, 1943, On August 17, he set out on a major bombing raid consisting of 600 British Bombers, unfortunately, the plane commandeered by Walter Ralph Haskell was never heard of again.