In Memoriam - Those Air Force Pilots/Crews who died on this day in WW2.

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by spidge, Nov 20, 2009.

  1. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    DUNSTAN, Bruce Paul
    Number 1256932
    Rank Sergeant Pilot
    Nationality Australian in RAFVR (joined up in the UK)
    Born Chelsea, Victoria, Australia, 11 September 1920
    Arrived 16 January 1942
    Departed 12 February 1942
    Notes Returned early with engine trouble from action against German warships Gneisenau, Prinz Eugen and Scharnhorst in Channel, but failed to arrive; failed to return (missing, presumed dead) over Channel, exact fate unknown, 12 February 1942, aged 21; son of Horace J. & Helene J. Dunstan of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex; remembered on Panel 82 of the Runnymede Memorial
     
  2. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    In Memory of
    Sergeant BRIAN BARKLEY SMITH

    400296, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 22
    on 12 February 1942
    Son of Mr. and Mrs C. B. Smith, of East Malvem, Victoria, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL



    400296 Sergeant SMITH, Brian Barkley
    Source :
    AWM 237 (65) NAA : A705, 163/162/286) (Digitised )
    Commonwealth War Graves records
    Aircraft Type: Beaufighter
    Serial number: T 4889
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: ATTD 143 SQN RAF
    Summary:
    Beaufighter R4889 was reported missing on 12th February 1942, which in transit from
    RAF Portreath, UK, to the Middle East. T4889 reached the vicinity of Malta when it was
    last seen heading out to sea from Filfola Island (south of Malta) pursued by two ME109
    fighters. T4889 was not seen or heard of again and it was assumed that it was attacked
    and shot down by the enemy fighters. Extensive searches were made both by aircraft and
    high speed launch, but no trace could be found of the missing aircraft or its occupants.
    It was presumed that the aircraft and crew were ‘Lost at Sea’
    Crew :
    RAAF 400296 Sgt B B Smith Captain (Pilot)
    RAF Sgt H K Sprason, (Wireless Operator/Observer)
    RAF Wg Cdr Maffitt, J F (Passenger)
    The names of Sgt’s Smith and Sprason are commemorated on the Memorial to the
    Missing, Runymede, Surrey, UK. There is no record at Commonwealth War Graves of
    Wg Cdr Maffitt.
     
  3. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Do not have any info on these two Australians deaths.

    W.E.Perrin RAF
    Flight Lieutenant WALTER EDWIN PERRIN

    84646, 455 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 33
    on 12 February 1942
    Son of Rowland Arthur and Mary May Perrin, of Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. B.Sc. (Melbourne).
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    J.S.Pullen RAF
    Sergeant JOHN STANDEFORD PULLEN

    920723, 114 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 32
    on 12 February 1942
    Son of John Edward and Lilian May Pullen, of Mount Barker, Western Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
     
  4. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    DUNSTAN, Bruce Paul
    Number 1256932
    Rank Sergeant Pilot
    Nationality Australian in RAFVR (joined up in the UK)
    Born Chelsea, Victoria, Australia, 11 September 1920
    Arrived 16 January 1942
    Departed 12 February 1942
    Notes Returned early with engine trouble from action against German warships Gneisenau, Prinz Eugen and Scharnhorst in Channel, but failed to arrive; failed to return (missing, presumed dead) over Channel, exact fate unknown, 12 February 1942, aged 21; son of Horace J. & Helene J. Dunstan of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex; remembered on Panel 82 of the Runnymede Memorial

    Thanks for the info Pieter.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  5. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    W.E.Perrin RAF
    Flight Lieutenant WALTER EDWIN PERRIN

    84646, 455 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 33
    on 12 February 1942
    Son of Rowland Arthur and Mary May Perrin, of Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. B.Sc. (Melbourne).
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    Hampden P1156 (455 Squadron)
    12 February 1942
    Operation: Fuller (Channel Dash)

    Flight Lieutenant Walter Edwin Perrin RAAF
    Pilot Officer Alexander Richard Abbott RNZAF
    Sergeant Ralph Edward Tomlinson
    Flying Officer Edward Graham de Twenebroke Symons

    Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/L Perrin was an Australian serving in the RAF.
     
  6. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    920723, 114 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 32
    on 12 February 1942
    Son of John Edward and Lilian May Pullen, of Mount Barker, Western Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    Bristol Blenheim T1922
    12 February 1942
    Operation: Fuller (Channel Dash)

    Pilot Officer Robert Elmer Drysdale RCAF
    Sergeant Arthur Stanley Maynard
    Sergeant John Standeford Pullen RAAF

    Take off at 14:10 from RAF West Raynham. Would have crashed in the North Sea at Kijkduin (The Hague). P/O Drysdale washed ashore at Westkapelle on 15 July. He is buried at the Vlissingen (Flushing) General Cemetery. Maynard's body washed ashore on 17 July at Hook of Holland. Pullen's body has not been found.
     
  7. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    Name: DRYSDALE, ROBERT ELMER
    Initials: R E
    Nationality: Canadian
    Rank: Pilot Officer (Pilot)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force
    Unit Text: 114 (R.A.F.) Sqdn
    Age: 21
    Date of Death: 12/02/1942
    Service No: J/5792
    Additional information: Son of Alexander and Mary Blanche Drysdale, of Perth, Ontario, Canada.
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Row C. Grave 4.
    Cemetery: FLUSHING (VLISSINGEN) NORTHERN CEMETERY

    [​IMG]
    Picture: Marijn Ooms
     
    stolpi likes this.
  8. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Thanks for that info Pieter.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  9. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    Name: MAYNARD, ARTHUR STANLEY
    Initials: A S
    Nationality: United Kingdom
    Rank: Sergeant (Obs.)
    Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    Unit Text: 114 Sqdn.
    Date of Death: 12/02/1942
    Service No: 1065233
    Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
    Grave/Memorial Reference: Row F. Grave 25.
    Cemetery: HOOK OF HOLLAND GENERAL CEMETERY

    [​IMG]
     
  10. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Source :
    AWM Roll of Honour, NAA : A705, 163/55/90 Commonwealth War Graves records.
    Aircraft Type : Hudson
    Serial number : A16-49
    Radio Call Sign :
    Unit : 8 SQN (FAR EAST)
    Summary :
    Hudson A16-49 left Kota Bharu, Malaya, about 1415 hours on the 14th February 1941,
    for instrument flying training. The aircraft was last seen over Kualasemarnk at 0720
    hours flying north. The flight was scheduled to finish at 1530 hours. The aircraft was
    reported overdue and extensive but unsuccessful searches were carried out.
    The aircraft crashed between the Islands of Perhentian and Great Redang, Malaya, on 14th
    February 1941.Four Malayans said an aircraft had crashed into the sea on the afternoon
    of 14th February. Certain portions of the aircraft were retrieved and returned to Kota
    Bharu A Court of Inquiry found that the cause of the accident was due to the aircraft
    stalling and subsequently spinning into the sea and that the occupants were missing and
    were presumed lost.
    The aircraft had crashed into the sea approx 3 miles north west of Pulau Redang off the
    North East coast of Malaya into 20 fathams of water. The recovery of the anti-icing tank
    from the Hudson was consistent with the aircraft striking the water with considerable
    force. .
    Crew :
    RAAF 1466 Flt Lt Barnes, P R B Captain (Pilot)
    RAAF 672 FO Ryan K F (Pilot)
    RAAF 406380 Sgt A J A Butler, (Air Gunner)
    RAAF 3650 Cpl A R Campbell, (
    RAAF 3658 Cpl R S Rose (
    All the missing crew have no known grave, and their names are commemorated on the
    Singapore Memorial, Singapore.

    columns 411 and 412.JPG

    In Memory of
    Flight Lieutenant PETER ROBERT BLACKMORE BARNES

    1466, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 22
    on 14 February 1941
    Son of Percy Collier and Elizabeth Barnes, of Marryatville, South Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    SINGAPORE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Flying Officer KEVIN FRANCIS RYAN

    672, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 23
    on 14 February 1941
    Son of John Joseph and Johanna Agnes Ryan, of Sunshine, Victoria, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    SINGAPORE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Sergeant ALFRED JOHN ARCHIBALD BUTLER

    400380, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 22
    on 14 February 1941
    Son of Alfred Butler, and of Jessie Florence Butler, of Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    SINGAPORE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Corporal ARTHUR RUSSELL CAMPBELL

    3650, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 26
    on 14 February 1941
    Son of Arthur Charles and Lilian Campbell; husband of Ethel Mavis Campbell, of Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    SINGAPORE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Corporal RONALD STANLEY ROSE

    3668, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 20
    on 14 February 1941
    Son of Stanley and Dorothea Rose, of Maroubra, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    SINGAPORE MEMORIAL
     
  11. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    In Memory of
    Sergeant HAROLD KEEGAN ALLEN

    404760, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 23
    on 14 February 1942
    Son of Allan James Allen, and of Catherine Eva Allen, of North Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

    columns 421 and 422 (2 of 2).JPG

    Allen_HK.jpg Laverton, Vic. May 1941. Portrait of 404760 Sergeant (Sgt) Harold Keegan Allen, No. 1 Squadron RAAF. Sgt Allen was killed in a flying battle over Sumatra on 14 February 1942. Note he has headphones around his neck. The original photograph is inscribed `Yours Wooley'. (Donor A. Cowie) Permalink: Australian War Memorial - P02739.004
     
  12. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    In Memory of
    Sergeant FRANK BLUNDEN REID

    402137, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 26
    on 15 February 1942
    Son of Donald Edwin and Cecelia Mary Reid, of Artarmon, New: South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETERY

    Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery 2.jpg

    Sergeant Frank Blunden Reid, service number 402137, is buried at Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt. Plot 17, row E, grave number 7. Age 26. Son of Donald Edwin and Cecilia Mary Reid, of Artarmon, New South Wales, Australia.

    On 15/2/42 at 1322 Frank Reid in Curtiss Kittyhawk I AK605 with Tommy Briggs in AK594 took off from Gambut to intercept four 109s bombing a road nearby; they were both shot down by Leutnant Hans-Joachim Marseille waiting up-sun. Briggs baled out at 200 feet and survived wounded; Frank Reid's aircraftwas hit and dived steeply into a ridge.
     

    Attached Files:

  13. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    RAF Australians - Wing Commander NORMAN GEORGE MULHOLLAND (DFC)

    Fantastic full size photos attached.

    In Memory of
    Wing Commander NORMAN GEORGE MULHOLLAND
    D F C

    34098, 458 (R.A.A.F.) Sqdn., Royal Air Force
    who died age 34
    on 16 February 1942
    Son of Fredrick Hannam Mulholland, and of Clarice Estelle Mulholland, of Helensburgh, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY




    Born in Sydney in 1908, Wing Commander Mulholland was educated at Brisbane Grammar. He trained at Point Cook and joined Imperial Airways in 1937, becoming a first officer.

    Quote:
    SHOT DOWN ON WAY TO Middle East

    "Wing Commander Mulholland"

    LONDON, Tuesday, AAP

    Wing Commander N. G. Mulholland, DFC, RAF, of Sydney, who was posted missing last month, is reported lo have been shot down over the Mediterranean while leading his squadron to the Middle East. He was seen going down, but colleagues thought he alighted reasonably well. He may be a prisoner of war.

    Wing Commander Mulholland was awarded the DFC in January, 1941, for outstanding bravery in several runs in the face of heavy AA fire over Kiel Harbour. Between August, 1940, and January 1941 he was involved in 24 major operations of 141 hours' flying time. After being seriously injured in a plane crash he was successfully treated by a plastic surgeon. He spent his convalescence in Canada, and on his return to England in September was appointed to command the second all-Australian bomber squadron then being formed.'

    He was well known on all British airlines to the Continent.

    He was also on the Alexandria and Karachi routes.
    Quote:
    Wing Commander Norman Mulholland, DFC, formerly of the RAAF, who was successfully treated by a plastic surgeon after he had been seriously injured in a plane crash In December and has just returned from Canada, where he went as part of his convalescence, has been given command of the second all-Australian Bomber Squadron now being formed.

    He said today-"I am naturally delighted that we shall have our own squadron. It is the fulfilment of one of my cherished ambitions to have an all-Australian squadron."
    Quote:
    KING TALKS TO AUSTRALIAN

    Bomber Station

    LONDON

    Squadron-Leader N. G. Mulholland, an Australian attached to the R.A.F., walked into the intelligence room of his unit at midnight to make the customary report concerning the raid he had just carried out on Cologne.

    To his surprise he found the King standing beside Air-Marshal Sir Richard Pierse, chief of the Bomber Command. The King had spent most of the night at the station, having, unknown to the crews, watched their heavily laden machines take off for Germany.

    It was the King who carried out the usual rigid questioning.

    "Were you able to drop bombs on your target?" he asked. "Yes, sir," was the reply. "The weather was not good; we'd nine-tenths cloud, but I managed to pick up a bend of the river, which gave me the direction, and I made two runs over the target before unloading our bombs on the railway marshalling yards."

    The King asked: "Was there much noise, much opposition?" Squadron - Leader Mulholland answered: "Well, sir, 'Jerry" was still playing 'foxy.'. There were no searchlights and no gun fire until I dropped my bombs. Then 14 or 15 lights came on, making a cone of light in the sky. Then they chucked up everything they had to the apex of the cone."

    History:
    34098
    Wing Commander Norman George Mulholland, DFC
    Date of birth 1908-06-18
    Other units 1933-08-15 Short Service Commission in General Duties Branch, RAF.
    Date promoted 1933-08-15 Pilot officer.
    Other units 1933-10-04 No 101 Squadron.
    Date promoted 1935-04-15 Flying officer.
    Other units 1935-11-25 No 48 Squadron.
    Other units 1937-06-15 Transferred to Reserve (Class A).
    Other units 1939-09-25 Mobilised and sent to RAF Station Benson.
    Date promoted 1939-09-28 Acting squadron leader.
    Other units 1939-09-29 No 148 Squadron.
    Other units 1940-04-04 No 15 Operational Training Unit.
    Date promoted 1940-06-01 Temporary squadron leader.
    Other units 1940-06-07 No 20 Operational Training Unit.
    Other units 1940-08-09 No 115 Squadron.
    Other units 1941-01-24 Commanding Officer No 3 Group Training Flight, RAF Station Stradishall.
    Date promoted 1941-02-24 Acting wing commander.
    Other units 1941-06-24 RAF Station Moreton-in-Marsh.
    Date promoted 1941-07-21 Squadron leader (war substantive).
    Other units 1941-09-01 Commanding Officer No 458 Squadron.
    Other 1942-02-15 Listed as missing.
    Date of death 1942-02-16
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    LONDON, Tuesday, AAP

    Wing Commander N. G. Mulholland, DFC, RAF, of Sydney, who was posted missing last month, is reported lo have been shot down over the Mediterranean while leading his squadron to the Middle East. He was seen going down, but colleagues thought he alighted reasonably well. He may be a prisoner of war.

    Details of the above loss......

    16 February 1942

    458 Squadron RAAF
    Wellington IC DV539
    Op. Relocation Flight

    The aircraft took off from Stanton Harcourt for Luqa, shot down 45km from Malta by Ju88s. F/O. Willis-Richards, the Squadron Gunnery Officer was rescued by an Italian destroyer. W/C. Mulholland and Sgt. Anstee are buried in Catania War Cemetery. the others are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

    Crew.

    W/C. N G. Mulholland +
    Sgt. A R. Wills RAAF +
    F/L. L A. Brain +
    Sgt. E. Anstee +
    Sgt. J E. Andrews +
    F/O. Willis-Richards pow

    'RAF Bomber Losses In The Middle East And Mediterranean' D. Gunby / P. Temple
     
  15. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Seems W/C Mulholland had done quite a lot in a short time.
     
  16. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Source:
    NAA : A705, 163/93/426.
    Aircraft Type: Hudson
    Serial number: AM 663
    Radio call sign:
    Unit: 500 Sqn RAF
    Summary:
    Hudson AM 663 of 500 (County of Kent) Sqn RAF, took off at 0700 hours on 17
    February 1942, from RAF Station, Binham, Norfolk, UK, to carry out an anti-shipping
    patrol off the Dutch coast. No communication was received from the aircraft, but an IFF
    plot which may have been AM 663 returning was seen to fade out approx 30 miles off the
    coast from Cromer (Norfolk) at 0957 hours.
    Crew:
    RAAF 400290 PO Pollock, P.R., Pilot.
    RAAF 402635 Sgt J.B.Brady, Observer.
    RAF Sgt D.W.Hewitt, Wireless Operator.
    RAF Flt Sgt Webb,G.F. Air Gunner.
    With no trace of the missing aircraft or crew being found following post war enquiries
    and investigations, it was recorded in 1949 that the crew had lost their lives at sea and
    they would be commemorated on a Memorial to those deceased members who have no
    known grave.

    In Memory of
    Flying Officer PHILIP ROWLAND POLLOCK

    400290, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 25
    on 17 February 1942
    Son of Alfred William and Elizabeth Georgina Pollock, of Canterbury, Victoria, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Sergeant JOHN BERNARD BRADY

    402635, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 21
    on 17 February 1942
    Son of John Francis and Eileen Susan Brady, of Rose Bay, New South Wales, Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Sergeant DAVID HEWITT

    751261, 500 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 21
    on 17 February 1942
    Son of William and Wilhelmina Hewitt, of Belfast.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL


    In Memory of
    Flight Sergeant GEORGE FRANCIS WEBB

    812243, 500 Sqdn., Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
    who died age 25
    on 17 February 1942
    Son of Charles and Alma Margaret Webb, of Maidstone, Kent; husband of Iris Kathleen Webb, of Maidstone.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
     
  17. Pieter F

    Pieter F Very Senior Member

    In memory of Pilot Officer Moses Schwarz

    Halifax MZ799
    Operation: Gardening
    Date 14-15 February 1945

    MZ799 was one of two 78 Sqdn Halifaxes lost on this night on two separate operations. See: MZ791. Airborne 1802 14Feb45 from Breighton to lay mines in the Kadet Channel. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. This was an experienced crew. All had flown in excess of thirty operations. P/O Rice was an ex-Halton Apprentice. F/L R.S.Cumming KIA P/O J.S.Rice KIA P/O J.S.Thompson KIA P/O S.A.W.Tressider KIA F/S E.P.Yates KIA F/S I.Williams KIA P/O M.Schwarz RCAF KIA

    [​IMG]
     
  18. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    In Memory of
    Sergeant ROBERT GORDON TYLER

    408892, Royal Australian Air Force
    who died age 21
    on 18 February 1943
    Son of James Gordon Tyler and Helen Ramsay Tyler, of North Ballarat, Victoria.
    Remembered with honour
    NORTHERN TERRITORY MEMORIAL

    DSCF0804.JPG

    From:
    B-25D Mitchell Serial Number N5-144

    B-25D Mitchell Serial Number N5-144 NEIAF
    18 Squadron

    Pilot 2/Lt B. J. Grummels, NEIAF (MIA)
    Co-Pilot C M Fisscher, NEIAF (WIA)
    Radio Cpl Van Der Weert, NEIAF 93888 (WIA)
    Mechanic Sgt Hoek, NEIAF 94966 (WIA)
    W/AG F/Sgt Ronald Stuart Horridge, RAAF 404990 (WIA)
    W/AG Sgt Robert Gordon Tyler, RAAF 408892 (MIA)
    MIA February 18, 1943
    Aircraft History
    USAAF Serial Number 41-29717. NEIAF Serial Number N5-144.
    Mission History
    One of six 18 Squadron B-25s taking part in an operational mission over Dili. At approximately 1045 the formation was intercepted by five Zeros with action lasting until 1130 when N5-144 force landed in the Timor Sea approximately 140 miles south of Dili.
    During the attack this aircraft received direct hits which killed the pilot, put the starboard engine out of action and damaged the tail. It is also probable that Sgt Tyler was killed during the attack as when he was ordered to proceed from the nose of the aircraft to the navigator's cabin in the centre of the aircraft he did not reply.
    At approximately 0100 hours on the morning of February 19, the four surviving crew members were rescued by an Australian destroyer and conveyed to Darwin.
    Memorials
    Sgt Tyler is listed on the Northern Territory Memorial as having "No Known Grave".
     
  19. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    EVANS, ANDREW HAROLD SARGENT Sergeant 741895 3 (C) OTU 19/02/1941 24 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve UK Sec. 80. Grave 220. COCKBURNSPATH PARISH CHURCHYARD UK BERWICKSHIRE

    In Memory of
    Sergeant ANDREW HAROLD SARGENT EVANS

    741895, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 24
    on 19 February 1941
    Son of Harold Easton Evans and Mary Helen Evans, of Adelaide, South Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    COCKBURNSPATH PARISH CHURCHYARD



    Cockburnspath Parish Churchyard 741895 Evans_AHS.jpg

    Cockburnspath Parish Churchyard2 .jpg

    An Australian Born in South Australia 1917

    Sgt Evans was in Beaufort L 9829 of 3 (C) OTU which crashed on fire in Devon, on 18 February 1941. He died the following day.

    Anybody have any idea why he would have been buried at Cockburnspath?

    The mother seems to have written his epitaph so they family may have had an association with that village.

    I am unable to find any further information on him.


    Probate of his Will:

    Andrew Harold Sargent Evans, of 153 Crawley Green Road, Luton Bedfordshire died 19th February 1941 at North Devon Infirmary, Barnstable Devonshire. Administration (with Will) Llandudno 4th October 1941 to Mary Helen Evans - Widow. Effects £306 16s.10d

    Here is the one Aussie grave (RAF, probably enlisted pre-WW2 by his RAF number) in this village church graveyard. There are two CWGC airforce plots only 10-15 miles away (Dirleton and Haddington) where anyone found in the sea would have been taken. My guess is that he was buried here at the request of relatives - although, given the isolated location in the graveyard, possibly not relatives who were still living in the village.
     

    Attached Files:

    Pieter F likes this.
  20. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Do not have details on this lads death!

    L.E.Mears RAF
    Sergeant LAWRENCE ERNEST MEARS

    1607727, 78 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
    who died age 20
    on 20 February 1944
    Son of William James Mears, and of Josephine Ida Mears, of Mosman Park, Western Australia.
    Remembered with honour
    RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

    panel  234 middle.JPG
     

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