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Sunday, 10 July 2005
Fl./Lt. Dennis G. Hornsey, D.F.C.
Topic: Poetry and Poets
The late Dennis Hornsey was a World War II pilot serving with No. 76 Squadron flying a Handley Page Halifax Bomber. The crew named their aeroplane Excelsior and had a clenched fist with one finger pointing upwards painted on her side. On the night of 3rd/4th of November 1943, the aeroplane failed to return from an operational flight to bomb Dusseldorf. It had been shot down by a night fighter and crashed at Opgrimbie in Belgium. All seven crew bailed out but six of them were eventually captured and sent to prisoner of war camps. Dennis Hornsey was the only one to successfully evade through Belgium, France, over the Pyrenees and into Spain helped and guided by numerous brave members of the Underground Organisations. He returned to London from Gibraltar on the 11th December 1943.

After the war ended, Dennis Hornsey published his story, and recounted what happened to each of his crew, in a little book called: "The Pilot Walked Home". It is now out of print and very difficult to obtain so I was extremely lucky to find a copy. It is dedicated to the Underground Organisations of Belgium, France and Spain, and those of the R.A.F. who never came back. I was very touched by this poem included at the end of Chapter One of his book. I felt it was appropriate for this special day commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the end of the war.
      What Think You, Airman?
          by Dennis Hornsey

What think you, airman, when you fly,
So proudly there in heaven's sky?
Do you exult in your great might,
As you go onward through the night?
I think of death beneath my wings,
And of the dire load my bomber brings;
My spirit flinches from the thought
That of this carnage may come naught.
I pray that soon the day will come
When man will offer man his hand,
And peace prevail throughout the land.
I face up to my moment's task
And three things alone of God I ask—
Please help my flesh to stand the strain;
Protect us, Lord, this once again;
And if this cannot be your plan,
Give me the strength to be a man.

Extract from The Pilot Walked Home by Dennis Hornsey. Paperback published by Collins (White Circle) Clear-Type Press: London and Glasgow 1946
I do not know if Dennis Hornsey's widow is still living but if any members of his family read this, I hope they will forgive me for publishing his poem here.

Posted by Noviomagus at 12:28 BST Post Comment | View Comments (14) | Permalink

Saturday, 10 September 2005 - 13:29 BST

Name: Karen Porter

I was so pleased to read this on the internet. My grandmothers brother was one of the pilots in this book and I have been trying for years to find a copy without success. I am pleased to hear there are others out there that enjoyed this book. I have never read it myself but I remember my grandmother having the chapter about her brother.

Sunday, 11 September 2005 - 01:15 BST

Name: Tessa

It is very interesting indeed, especially to historians of Escape and Evasion stories. If I spot a copy for sale anywhere, I will let you know.

Sunday, 19 February 2006 - 20:20 GMT

Name: Guy Potter

i am denis hornsey's grand son my mum is his 1st daughter from his second maridge im 14 and he would be 90 if he were still alive. my mum has just reprinted the books and has 200 copies if you would like one email me.

guy

Saturday, 24 May 2008 - 14:09 BST

Name: "Terri Laverick"

Hi my father was the rear gunner on this flight, and I have been trying to get hold of the book for years.  I eventually got the library to order a copy from the British library.  It helped me to understand what the crew went through at that time.  My father Ron Stokes died in 1992

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 - 02:39 BST

Name: "Marie Muhl (nee Woodman)"

My grandmother's (Irene Violet Stokes) brother, Ron Stokes, was the rear gunner. We must be related!

I grew up knowing the story of Uncle Ron and met him and Auntie Dot when I was younger at family gatherings.

My Auntie (Dad's sister) has a copy of the book and photos of him which she lent to my daughter for a school project on family War Heroes.

Friday, 29 October 2010 - 17:31 BST

Name: "Chloe Marsh"

I am 14 and I am Dennis's great great great neice. I just found out about him by reading Bomber Command, after being told he was a pilot in WW2.I am interested in getting hold of his book for the family. Apparently he has a publication in Australia called ''The Pilot Walked Home''. (My grandad is Robert Hornsey)

Sunday, 14 August 2011 - 13:27 BST

Name: "Suzette Cook (nee Stokes)"

Hello, is this still Guy?      I have recently come across this website whilst looking for copies of "The Pilot Walked Home". My Father was Ron Stokes, rear gunner. We have one well read and passed around copy but thought it would be good to have  one in good condition as a present for my Mother.                I know it is 5years since you wrote on this site but wondered if there are any new cpoies left.         Hope to hear from you.

          Suzette

Sunday, 14 August 2011 - 14:40 BST

Name: "Suzette Cook "

 Hello Marie, long time no see! Do you remember myself and Lyn? Aunty Dot's and Uncle Ron's daughters.   How you liking N.Z.? My daughter, Rhian, is living on North Island in Hawera.

 Don't know if you will ever read or ever recieve this but it was a surprise to see us all on here. A family affair!

                         Will see if can get address from Margaret                                               Suzette

Saturday, 17 September 2011 - 01:41 BST

Name: "Mark R. Gunnard"

My uncle is  George Geneikis, in the book, Dennis and George meet in chapter 8.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, 30 July 2012 - 19:59 BST

Name: "anonymous"

 

Dear,

excuse me for my "bad English", because I'm flemisch but living in the vicinity Hornsey crashed. I did/do research about airplanes crashed in the East of Belgium. I also contacted in the past many people who helped escape airman. This was many years ago. I have lot of information en now will put all these together in a wesite. A lot of work!

In my reports I held also the name of Dennis Hornsey. I was in contact with his first helper, Eugène THIERY. He told me a lot of him and others who were helped by his escape-line (also Geneikis). He also told my about the book Dennis wrote but I never could find it. But on this way I found your blog.

If someone can help me on more information from Hornsey or Geneikis, it should be very welcome! 

Monday, 30 July 2012 - 20:00 BST

Name: "Rudy Kenis"

 

Dear, 

excuse me for my "bad English", because I'm flemisch but living in the vicinity Hornsey crashed. I did/do research about airplanes crashed in the East of Belgium. I also contacted in the past many people who helped escape airman. This was many years ago. I have lot of information en now will put all these together in a wesite. A lot of work!

In my reports I held also the name of Dennis Hornsey. I was in contact with his first helper, Eugène THIERY. He told me a lot of him and others who were helped by his escape-line (also Geneikis). He also told my about the book Dennis wrote but I never could find it. But on this way I found your blog.

If someone can help me on more information from Hornsey or Geneikis, it should be very welcome! 

Sunday, 9 September 2012 - 18:28 BST

Name: "Richard Pressland"

I write on behalf of 88 yr old Dennis Brewer who serviced Fl Lt Hornsby's aircarft during the war and who had an autographed copy oif his book which, alas, he lent to someone and it is now lost. Are you able to supply a copy or help in any way please?

 

Richard Pressland,, 1 St Andrews Wal;k, Tredunnock, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP1`5 1LZ Tel. 01633 0450615

Sunday, 20 January 2013 - 21:49 GMT

Name: "Sally Potter"

     

My name is Sally Potter nee Hornsey. I am Denis Hornsey’s 3rd daughter and republished his book 6 years ago . I have a limited number available with donations being made to the Bomber Command Memorial Appeal. I am sorry that there has been no response to my  son’s  offer in 2006. I have only recently discovered this site through the help of a local radio station. They were interested in my father’s story which led to further research.

 

To Chloe Marsh -  I think we must be 4th cousins or thereabouts! Your Grandfather Robert is my first cousin he is the son of my Uncle Leonard my father’s brother! I am very happy to send you a personal copy of The Pilot Walked Home . Please contact me on my e-mail below.

 

To Mark R. Gunnard – Your Uncle and my Father were good companions in the last stages of their escape. Although my father died when I was 11 his wonderful legacy lives on through his book. Please contact me for a copy of this amazing experience .No charge!

To Rudy Kenis – if it helps I have some reprinted copies of my father’s book The Pilot Walked Home available for sale with donations to the Bomber Command Memorial Appeal- please contact me if interested.

To Richard Pressland – Happy to send Dennis Brewer a reprinted copy of my father’s book.

My email is – thepotters@btinternet.com

Thursday, 23 October 2014 - 10:59 BST

Name: "F"

Dear Family and friends of the Halifax LK932 Crew.

My name is Filip Doms and living in Belgium. I’m searching for info and especially photos of the crew for a book about the lifelines that will be published in 2016. One of the man who helped Dennis Hornsey was partisan Frans Storms a personal friend who sadly past away January 2013.

Frans was also involved in helping George Gineikis, a photo in uniform and crew is welcome.

Any Info is more than welcome, my email – filipdoms@skynet.be

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