CROFTON, ROBERT DENIS Rank: Flight Lieutenant Service No: 70149 Date of Death: 12/07/1942 Age: 35 Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Panel Reference: Panel 65. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Maj. R. B. Crofton, R.A.O.C., and Helena C. Crofton, of Bath, Somerset. B.Sc. (Lond.). Casualty Details
Robert Denis Crofton Birth: 1 Mar 1907 - London, England Death: 12 Jul 1942 England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976 Name: Robert Denis Crofton Father's name: R B Crofton Death Date: Jul 1942 TD
Fl/Lt Crofton was a pre-war pilot. He is commemorated as a former student of the Imperial Service College. He was gazetted Pilot Officer with effect from 30 June 1928, and he's mentioned in Flight as Flying Officer, transferring on 30 June 1936 from Class C to Class AA (whatever that means - sounds like the Reserve, but I really don't know). I found the reference below in Alan Storr's admirable "Missing With No Known Grave": Hudson F413 Of Royal Air Force Ferry Command Summary: Hudson F413 of RAF Ferry Command took off on a ferry flight at 2210 hours on 12 July 1942 from Gander, Canada, for the UK. The last contact with F413 was at 2312 hours on 12 July when it was over the sea. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after that and F413 failed to reach its destination. Crew: RAF Flt Lt Crofton, R D (Pilot) RCAF Sgt Wylie, R E (2nd Pilot) RAAF 401345 Sgt Brabender, E D (Wireless Operator Air Gunner) In 1949 it was recorded that the missing crew had lost their lives at sea. Cheers, Pat.
