AOP (Air Observation Post) Squadron Casualties

Name: WHITCOMBE, DAVID HEPEL
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 661 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 20/07/1944
Service No: 233898
Additional information: Son of Lt.-Col. Leslie Clarence Whitcombe and Florence Whitcombe, of Bridstow, Ross-on-Wye.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sec. M. Grave 211.
Cemetery: SALISBURY (LONDON ROAD) CEMETERY

Headstone photo from Findagrave.



From the war diary of 661 AOP Sqdn.

Crashed in a cornfield near Penshurst in Kent.

 

Name: BELL, THOMAS HAMILTON
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 661 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 23/10/1945
Service No: 14563493
Additional information: Son of Gilbert Rae Bell and Alison Lyall Hamilton Bell, of East Fortune, East Lothian, Scotland.
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. G. 13.
Cemetery: GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY



From the war diary of 661 AOP Sqdn.

Killed in a Motor Cycle Accident whilst heading for A Flts disbandment area. Died 8 days before the unit's disbandment.

 

Name: McCORRY, CHARLES
Rank: Captain
Service No: 179866
Date of Death: 22/09/1944
Age: 26
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit: attd. 658 A.O.P. Sqdn. Royal Air Force
Grave Reference: 3. G. 7.
Cemetery: UDEN WAR CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of Charles and Monica McCorry, of Larkhall, Lanarkshire. B.Sc. (Glasgow).

(Photo from PieterF)



Name: HAZELL, PETER
Rank: Major
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Unit Text: attd. H.Q. Airborne Troops.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 22/09/1944
Service No: 117191
Awards: M C, Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: B.A. (Cantab.). Son of Ralph Carey Hazell and Ethel Anna Hazell; husband of Yda Christine Hazell, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. G. 6.
Cemetery: UDEN WAR CEMETERY

(Photo from PieterF)



The citation of the above Gentleman.



From the war diary of 658 AOP Sqdn.

Capt McCorry takes off with a passenger to Bourg Leopold. They never arrived.



On the 26th, the men were found and identified. Both were buried at the crash site.

 

Name: LITTLE, LEICESTER
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 662 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 29
Date of Death: 19/06/1944
Service No: 70733
Additional information: Son of Arthur and Mary Jane Little; husband of Verna Elizabeth Little, of Sunderland, Co. Durham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: XIV. F. 24.
Cemetery: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY



From the war diary of 662 AOP Sqdn.

Capt Little's plane went missing on the 18th June after being shot down. He was found on the 27th June. The squadron's first casualty.

 

The first of three 662 AOP pilots killed in just over a week.

Name: McKINSTRY, CHARLES RICHARD BERESFORD
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 2 A.A. Regt.
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 662 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 24/08/1944
Service No: 95162
Additional information: Son of Maj. Arthur Douglas McKinstry and Mary Caroline Laura McKinstry, of Limuru, Kenya.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Row 1. Grave 39.
Cemetery: LES GONARDS CEMETERY, VERSAILLES

From the war diary of 662 Sqdn.

Capt McKinstrey failed to return on the 25th August and his plane was found on the 30th.

 

Name: MOHUN, GEORGE WILSON
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 662 A.O.P. Sqdn
Age: 23
Date of Death: 26/08/1944
Service No: 217157
Additional information: Son of Norman Henry and Winifred M. P. Mohun, of Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. F. 4.
Cemetery: ST. DESIR WAR CEMETERY

From Findagrave



From the war diary of 662 AOP Sqdn.

Capt Mohun is attacked by 3 FW-190's and killed.

 

Name: PINKNEY, DAVID EDRIDGE
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 662 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 01/09/1944
Service No: 78421
Additional information: Son of David Renny Pinkney and Daisy Pinkney, of Sunderland, Co. Durham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 2. Row G. Grave 1.
Cemetery: WARLOY-BAILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

From International War Graves



From Findagrave



From the war diary of 662 AOP Sqdn.

Capt Pinkney was ambushed and killed whilst recce'ing for another landing field.

 

It's quite amazing to to see how flimsy the Auster flown by the AOP pilots really is. I think those guys must have been mad to even get in one.

(Photo from the Aviation Museum website)

 

Name: HEARD, PETER IAN DOUGLAS
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 659 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 27/06/1944
Service No: 85531
Additional information: Son of R. D. and Beryl N. E. Heard, of Bridgend, Glamorgan. Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. A. 15.
Cemetery: BROUAY WAR CEMETERY

From Findagrave



From the war diary of 659 AOP Sqdn. Capt Heard shot down by ME-109's.

 

-"-

 

CWGC replied today (10 May 2011) and would not accept the copy of either the war diary page or the ROH I sent them as evidence that Capt Pugh was serving with 652 AOP.

The next step will be to obtain a copy of the officers return for both 51 Heavy Regt and 652 AOP Sqdn for June 1944 to see what is shown.

As a result of agreeing to further investigate the matter, Capt Pugh is now offically recorded by CWGC as having served with 652 AOP at the time of his death.

"E-mail received from CWGC dated 17 July 2011.

Further to my e-mail of 13th June 2011, I am pleased to inform you that our records department have concluded their investigation and we have agreed to amend our records for the casualty shown below.

We have added the secondary unit AOP squadron. Please see the information that we now hold"

Captain PUGH, ERIC VINCENT
Unit: 51 Heavy Regt.
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 652 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Service No: 126219
Age: 32
Date of Death: 10 June 1944
Commemoration: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY
France
XI. F. 7.
Additional Information: Son of Vincent and Margaret Pugh; husband of Yvonne Jessie Pugh, of Worcester."

 

Name: McCORRY, CHARLES
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 658 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 22/09/1944
Service No: 179866
Additional information: Son of Charles and Monica McCorry, of Larkhall, Lanarkshire. B.Sc. (Glasgow).
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. G. 7.
Cemetery: UDEN WAR CEMETERY

From Findagrave



The underlined detail is not shown on the CWGC database. An e-mail with evidence in the form of the Officers Field return plus the war diary entries below were sent as evidence on 22 May 2011.From the war diary of 658 AOP Sqdn.

Capt McCorry takes off with a passenger to Bourg Leopold. They never arrived.



On the 26th, the bodies were found and identified. Both were buried at the crash site.



Capt McCorry is now recorded by CWGC as having served with 658 AOP Sqdn at the time of his death.

"E-mail received from CWGC dated 17 July 2011.

Further to my e-mail of 13th June 2011, I am pleased to inform you that our records department have concluded their investigation and we have agreed to amend our records for the casualty shown below.

We have added the secondary unit AOP squadron. Please see the information that we now hold."

Captain McCORRY, CHARLES
Regiment: Royal Artillery
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 658 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Service No: 179866
Age: 26
Date of Death: 22 September 1944
Commemoration: UDEN WAR CEMETERY
Netherlands
3. G. 7.
Additional Information: Son of Charles and Monica McCorry, of Larkhall, Lanarkshire. B.Sc. (Glasgow)."

 

Name: PINKNEY, DAVID EDRIDGE
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 662 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 01/09/1944
Service No: 78421
Additional information: Son of David Renny Pinkney and Daisy Pinkney, of Sunderland, Co. Durham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Plot 2. Row G. Grave 1.
Cemetery: WARLOY-BAILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

From the war diary of 662 AOP Sqdn.

Capt Pinkney was ambushed and killed whilst recce'ing for another landing field.

 

I was at Jonkerbos last week and spotted this one. I think you already have him?

 

Thanks Paul. You can never have too many.

I was at Jonkerbos last week and spotted this one. I think you already have him?

 

Are there any in Italy you want?

 

Are there any in Italy you want?

22 in Italy Paul. Too many. (Did a search on Findagrave on 9/9/2011) and found 1.

Name: STANDFIELD, JOHN TALMAN Initials: J T Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 655 A.O.P Sqdn., Age: 24 Date of Death: 25/02/1944 Service No: 184034 Additional information: Son of George Frederick and Elsie G. L. Standfield; husband of Betty Eaton Standfield, of Bramshott, Hampshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: V. B. 1. Cemetery: BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO

Name: AITCHISON, GEORGE MICHAEL HOUGH Initials: G M H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 655 A.O.P. Sqdn., Age: 24 Date of Death: 19/05/1944 Service No: 149699 Additional information: Son of George and Marjorie Aitchison, of Ambleside, Westmorland. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: XV. C. 11. Cemetery: BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO

Name: DICK, ANTHONY GERALD Initials: A G Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 655 A.O.P. Sqdn., Age: 24 Date of Death: 29/02/1944 Service No: 101344 Additional information: Son of Dr. Robert James Dick, M.D. and Hilda Margaret Haden Dick. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: XXII. C. 12. Cemetery: BEACH HEAD WAR CEMETERY, ANZIO

Name: BAILEY, GEORGE EDWARD Initials: G E Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Bombardier Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 657 A.O.P. Sqdn., Age: 21 Date of Death: 10/06/1944 Service No: 1155381 Additional information: Son of William Edward and Nellie Maud Bailey, of Sidcup, Kent. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III, D, 20. Cemetery: BOLSENA WAR CEMETERY

Name: MORETON, DENIS WALTER Initials: D W Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 657 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 14/06/1944 Service No: 14277238 Additional information: Son of Walter and Doris Moreton, of Balsall Heath, Birmingham. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III, C, 20. Cemetery: BOLSENA WAR CEMETERY

Name: FARRER, ROBERT MICHAEL Initials: R M Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 654 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 25 Date of Death: 23/09/1944 Service No: 121286 Awards: D F C Additional information: Son of Robert Noel and Maude Radford Farrer, of Alwoodley, Yorkshire; husband of Dorothy Carmen Farrer. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2. Memorial: CASSINO MEMORIAL

Name: JACKSON, FREDERICK MAYES Initials: F M Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 654 A.O.P. Sqdn. Date of Death: 15/08/1943 Service No: 134767 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 2. Memorial: CASSINO MEMORIAL

Name: BUCHAN, JOHN Initials: J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 657 A.O.P. Sqdn., Age: 27 Date of Death: 12/04/1944 Service No: 198276 Additional information: Son of John and Mary Neilson Buchan, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire; husband of May Sarah Eliza Buchan, of Laurieston, Falkirk. B.L. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. C. 12. Cemetery: CASSINO WAR CEMETERY

Name: MACKLEY, PETER DEREK Initials: P D Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Major Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 655 A.O.P. Sqdn. Date of Death: 11/12/1944 Service No: 124024 Awards: D F C Additional information: The Cross of Valour (Poland). Son of Leopold Anderson Mackley and Constance Ada Mackley. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. G. 7. Cemetery: FLORENCE WAR CEMETERY

Name: BRADSHAW, GEORGE THOMAS Initials: G T Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Leading Aircraftman Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 657 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 32 Date of Death: 17/06/1944 Service No: 1286121 Additional information: Son of Walter and Anne Bradshaw; husband of Cecilia Ellen Bradshaw, of New Cross, London. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. M. 16. Cemetery: NAPLES WAR CEMETERY
　
Name: JOB, MICHAEL ISDELL BLYTH Initials: M I B Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 655 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 04/11/1943 Service No: 204137 Additional information: Son of Conway Blyth Job and Muriel Keith Wynn Job, of Wimbledon, Surrey. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. N. 18. Cemetery: NAPLES WAR CEMETERY

Name: COWAN, ALAN ARCHIBALD Initials: A A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 657 A.O.P. Date of Death: 17/06/1944 Service No: 74250 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I, B, 18. Cemetery: ORVIETO WAR CEMETERY
　
Name: LE BRETON, FRANK Initials: F Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 654 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 34 Date of Death: 18/04/1945 Service No: 217264 Awards: A F C Additional information: Son of Cpl. Frank Le Breton, M.M., Canadian Field Artillery (killed in action in France, 9th April, 1917), and Isobel Le Breton, of Liverpool. P.A.S.I. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. D. 14. Cemetery: RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY

Name: DURRELL, LEONARD SIDNEY Initials: L S Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 651 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 32 Date of Death: 02/01/1944 Service No: 5777723 Additional information: Son of Arthur John and Charlotte Durrell, of Norwich; husband of Lily Durrell. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: XV. C. 20. Cemetery: SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY

Name: GARRARD, JOHN VANHOUSE Initials: J V Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 655 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 24 Date of Death: 10/01/1944 Service No: 140226 Additional information: Son of Stanley Mitchell Garrard and Dorothy Margaret Garrard, of Elstead, Surrey. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. D. 2. Cemetery: SALERNO WAR CEMETERY

Name: MacPHEE, GEOFFREY JAMES Initials: G J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. A.O.P. Training Flt., Age: 24 Date of Death: 18/10/1944 Service No: 145581 Additional information: Son of John and Maimee MacPhee, of Wallington, Surrey. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VI. F. 10. Cemetery: SALERNO WAR CEMETERY

Name: NEWMAN, PETER RAWDON Initials: P R Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 654 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 23 Date of Death: 16/09/1943 Service No: 95160 Additional information: Son of Charles H. A. and Gertrude Clare Newman, of Litton Cheney, Dorsetshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. D. 11. Cemetery: SALERNO WAR CEMETERY

Name: JACK, RODERICK STUART Initials: R S Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Leading Aircraftman Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 654 A.O.P. Sqdn Age: 22 Date of Death: 16/10/1946 Service No: 1820436 Additional information: Son of Robert and I. Jack, of Urray, Ross and Cromarty; husband of Joan Jack. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. G. 6. Cemetery: UDINE WAR CEMETERY
　
Name: JARVIS Initials: A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Gunner Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 654 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 25 Date of Death: 13/08/1945 Service No: 4453788 Additional information: Son of George and Rebecca Jarvis, of Easington Colliery, Co. Durham. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. C. 1. Cemetery: UDINE WAR CEMETERY

Name: ROE, GEORGE HENRY Initials: G H Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 651 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 33 Date of Death: 12/05/1945 Service No: 1079407 Additional information: Son of George Roe and Ethel Esther Roe (nee Walker); husband of Margaret Roe (nee Downing), of Morden, Surrey. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. D. 1. Cemetery: UDINE WAR CEMETERY

Name: TUNGATT, DOUGLAS JAMES Initials: D J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Bombardier Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 651 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 26 Date of Death: 12/05/1945 Service No: 2050594 Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tungatt; husband of Ann Alice Tungatt. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: II. D. 3. Cemetery: UDINE WAR CEMETERY

Name: WOODMAN, ROWLAND HENRY CORN Initials: R H C Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 654 A.O.P. Sqdn. Age: 25 Date of Death: 07/05/1946 Service No: 200485 Additional information: Son of George Robert and Edith Mary Woodman, of Bushey Heath, Hertfordshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: I. B. 8. Cemetery: UDINE WAR CEMETERY
　

 

Photo from the Project of 1° Institute “ M. BARTOLO “ Pachino (Sicily)


Name: BARHAM, ROGER FOSTER
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 657 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 35
Date of Death: 25/05/1944
Service No: 129271
Additional information: Son of Francis Edward Foster Barham and Janet Mary Barham, of Hampstead, London.
Grave/Memorial Reference: II. J. 8.
Cemetery: CASSINO WAR CEMETERY

 

From Findagrave

Name: WARD, BARRY DARLASTON
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 651 A.O.P. Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 15/01/1944
Service No: 185814
Additional information: Son of Maj. Clifford Walsham Ward, M.C. and Elsie Ward; husband of Cynthia Betty Ward, of Waltham Abbey, Essex.
Grave/Memorial Reference: X. E. 24.
Cemetery: SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY

 

Name: BUCHAN, JOHN Initials: J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Captain Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery Secondary Regiment: Royal Air Force Secondary Unit Text: attd. 657 A.O.P. Sqdn., Age: 27 Date of Death: 12/04/1944 Service No: 198276 Additional information: Son of John and Mary Neilson Buchan, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire; husband of May Sarah Eliza Buchan, of Laurieston, Falkirk. B.L. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. C. 12. Cemetery: CASSINO WAR CEMETERY