Flight Lieutenant Michael 'Mickey' Marriott was the senior equipment officer for Hornet Squadron in Piece of Cake.
When Rex assumed command of the squadron at RAF Kingsmere, Mattiott explained that replacement requisition forms were being sent to RAF Kinsmead, in Lancashire, which prevented the squadron from acquiring replacement spare parts for the aircraft, prompting Rex to lead a 'raid' on a spares depot located 30 miles from the airfield.
While the pilots attended a grand dinner at the Layayette, shortly after arriving in France , Marriott joined Kellaway and Skull for a modest meal in a small restaurant, followed by a stroll, which took them to the Layafette, where a robust rendition of the squadron song could be heard coming from the dining room.[2]
The following month, Marriott questioned Cattermole about the latter's claim about troble with the engine in his aircraft.[3]
Towards the end of the year, Marriot oversaw the temporary attachment of smoke flares to the aircraft for display purposes. He later gained permission ro produce larger wheel chocks for the aircraft.[4]
During the winter of 1939/1940, Marriott and the ground staff struggled with keeping the airfield suitable for flying.
Like many others, he was no longer assigned to Hornet Squadron during their service in North Africa during 1942.[5]
Notes[]
- ↑ The novel states Marriott is 30 years old at the start of Piece of Cake.
Sources[]
- ↑ Robinson, Derek. Piece of Cake. 1983. Page 633
- ↑ Piece of Cake September 1939
- ↑ Piece of Cake October 1939
- ↑ Piece of Cake November 1939
- ↑ A Good Clean Fight