Can anybody expand on the happenings on 29 June 1944, at HMS Raven, Southampton? I have tried several Google and Bing searches and have not come up with anything. I am looking at the circumstances of the death of Arthur Richard Austen Eastwood: Rank: Leading Air Fitter Trade: E Service No: FX87847 Date of Death: 29/06/1944 Age: 33 Regiment/Service: Royal Navy, H.M.S. Raven Awards: Mentioned in Despatches Grave Reference Sec. A.A. (Uncons. New). Grave 12. Cemetery CHRISTCHURCH CEMETERY Additional Information: King's Commendation for Brave Conduct. Son of Frederick and Mary Eastwood, husband of Dorothy May Eastwood, of Kenley, Surrey. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Mark
HMS Blackwood, Mourne, Sickle, Elba Landings killed and died, also other RN casualties June 1944 Raven, Eastleigh Naval Air Station EASTWOOD, Arthur R A, Leading Air Fitter (E), FAA/FX 87847, killed HOLROYD, Basil E, Air Fitter (A), FAA/FX 79649, killed NORRIS, William, Air Fitter (A), FAA/FX 98192, killed SMITH, Robert H, Air Fitter (A), FAA/FX 109554, DOWS (with thanks to Larry Hayward, Air Britain Historians (30 Aug 2011) - "these four men were actually killed at Christchurch, Hants, which was at the time used as an out station/satellite to HMS Raven, and a home for the Naval Air Radio Installation Unit. They were the duty crew for the station crash tender and were killed when attending the crash of a USAAF P-47D from the 405th FG, which crashed on take off in to a bungalow. Sadly a bomb on the aircraft exploded just after they arrived to help. I understand they all received a posthumous Mention in Dispatches.") PS - is his King's Commendation for Brave Conduct recorded as his Mentioned in Despatches?? ie he received the King's Commendation which entitles the addition of the MiD emblem to the appropriate service medal
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 20 FEBRUARY, 1945 For undaunted courage and devotion to duty in firefighting when an aircraft crashed and burst into flames: Commendation (Posthumous) Air Fitter (A) William Norris, FAA/FX.98192 Air Fitter (A) Basil Edward Holroyd, FAA/FX.79649 Air Fitter (A) Robert Henry Smith, FAA/FX.109554 Leading Air Fitter (E) Arthur Richard Austen Eastwood, FAA/FX.87847 Commendation Leading Air Fitter (E) Walter Gore, FAA/FX.99820
