162252 Pilot Officer Keith Albert Bayliss, 208 Sqdn RAF: 06/06/1944, Italy

I purchased the medals to P.O. Bayliss a while back, and I figured now would be a great time to research them a little further. As I mentioned in my introduction post I traditionally research British and Commonwealth soldiers from the First World War, so this is a little outside of my wheelhouse.

I do have some preliminary information to go from, but ideally I am looking for a picture of Bayliss, as well as a representative image of a plane from his Squadron so I can get his medals framed up and kept together. I'd like to thank Neil Meadows at the 208 Association who provided a fantastic jump off point with his information.

Bayliss was shot down in Italy on 6th June 1944 while being a support pilot for Tactical Recon. near Reiti, crashing near Viterbo. I found a German source (Fred Trendle, Point Blank) identifying the unit that shot him down as being the 3rd Light Flak Regiment 717:

"208. Sqn. (RAF) / Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb / # ER863 / Abschuss durch Flak - 3./leichte Flak-Abteilung 717 (v) / Absturz nahe Viterbo (Region Lazio) - Italien / Pilot Officer Keith Albert Bayliss / Gefallen"

He was flying in ER863, a Spitfire Vb. ER863 formerly served with the French (Group de Chass II/7) before being returned to British ownership with 208 Sqn.

Bayliss was mentioned in Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork's history of the 208 Squadron - 'Forever Vigilant' - which names him in the following excerpt:

"Rome fell on 5 June. The squadron flew many Tac R sorties along the major withdrawal routes, finding targets for the fighter-bombers, which formed a 'cab-rank' waiting to be called in to attack. Although the Germans were now on the move, their anti-aircraft defences remained a threat and the squadron lost another pilot on the 6th. Pilot Officer K.A. Bayliss was weaving for Bezencenet but he failed to return."

I have an image of his Spitfire while in French ownership and was hoping to find one of his aircraft, or at least a similar representation. Neil Meadows provided me with one photograph, but I was wondering if anyone had any other potential sources?


Source: Spifire Aces of North Africa and Italy - Andrew Thomas (1953)

 

PILOT OFFICER KEITH ALBERT BAYLISS
Service Number: 162252
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

208 Sqdn.

Date of Death
Died 06 June 1944

Age 23 years old

Buried or commemorated at
CASSINO WAR CEMETERY
III. D. 10.

Italy

• Country of Service United Kingdom
• Additional Info Son of Albert Henry and Lorna Bayliss, of Thorpe Hesley, Yorkshire.
• Personal Inscription TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE
• Pilot Officer Keith Albert Bayliss (unknown-1944)...
  
  

 

Sans Changer's original thread was: Introduction (5 years late)

That includes his FMP entry.

His CWGC record: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2608141/keith-albert-bayliss/

Neither his name or number have appeared here before.

There are a small number of threads id'd online with: "208 squadron" + "raf" site: ww2talk.com and changed to "208 squadron" + "royal air force" site: ww2talk.com fewer threads id'd (some may be duplicates). Just "208 squadron" site: ww2talk.com didn't add any.

 

I've spent the last few days trying to dig a little deeper and unfortunately have not found anything more. Would it be worth contacting the RAF museum by chance?

 

Hi Keith was my uncle my mums half brother. I’d love to know what medals you have. I just found this site will let Mum know and see if she has anything to share back.

 

Welcome to the forum
Sans Changer has not been on the forum for a number of months. I have sent them a message ti alert them of your interest

 

Hi Cheryl,

Great to make a contact - I have his War Medal, '39-'45 Star, Italy Star, Africa Star and his medal entitlement slip. Send me a PM with your email and I can provide some photographs.

 

[QUOTE="Sans Changer, post: 1121259, member: 82970

Hi that’s amazing I’m not sure how to private message you? Mum has photos of Keith for you so when I see her will get. Maybe this box is private? If I don’t see this message on site I will send you my details