Plt Off Donald Gillespie Mercer was the son of Hugh and Marion Mercer and the husband of Jane Agnes Mercer. He died on 26 Feb 1943 whilst flying a Spitfire MkIX EN472 for No 122 Sqn and is commemorated at Longueness (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. He was, apparently, shot down over the Channel by a FW190. Can anyone provide detail? Thanks in anticipation, Roxy
more here.... https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19430311&id=vTRAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TVkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1866,3789195&hl=en Probably was a victim of a Fw190 which outclassed all the earlier Marks of Spitfires. Possibly had uprated armament which caught Donald by surprise. 122 lost another aircraft that day, Mk IX BS546 with P/O Crowley CROWLEY, DONALD FRANCIS. Rank: Sergeant. Trade: Pilot. Service No: 1238489. Date of Death: 26/02/1943. Age: 20. Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 122 Sqdn. Grave Reference: Plot 8. Row A. Grave 2. Cemetery: LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY. Additional Information: Son of Leonard Francis and Louisa Crowley, of Charlton, nr. Pershore, Worcs. MERCER, DONALD GILLESPIE. Rank: Pilot Officer. Trade: Pilot. Service No: 130463. Date of Death: 26/02/1943. Age: 24. Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 122 Sqdn. Awards F C Grave Reference: Plot 8. Row A. Grave 3. Cemetery: LONGUENESSE (ST. OMER) SOUVENIR CEMETERY. Additional Information: Son of Hugh and Marion Mercer; husband of Jane Agnes Mercer. Try Googling on both aircraft serial and Names, you might find more and possibly someone has the 122 Sqdn ORB records that might have better details. He seems to have specialised in hunting torpedo boats and could have been "bounced" by patrolling Fw190's looking for just such a target. http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205126998 EN472 only flew for first time on 8th Feb '43 so virtually brand new... http://www.worldnavalships.com/directory/squadronprofile.php?SquadronID=123
Franks in RAF Fighter Command losses Vol.2 gives for this loss as follows 26 February 1943 122 Squadron Spitfire IX EN472 OP. Circus to St.Omer Engaged by FW.190s of JG26. F/L. D G. Mercer DFC. + On the same op, 122 Squadron also lost Sgt. G F. Crowley in Spitfire IX BS546 to the same cause.
Kevin/Peter, Thanks. I knew that I could rely on the forum. I've googled a bit with limited success. I suspected JG26; I'll see if I can find anything else. Thanks again! Roxy