Help with RAF Casualty's / RAF Service numbers

26 November 1942

72 OTU
Blenheim V BA528

Crashed in attempted forced-landing 17 miles north east of Eldoret (destroyed by fire) P/O. F. Kaegi (Pilot) injured. F/S. V. Swale (Observer) killed. Sgt. G. Dowling RAAF (Wop/Ag) injured.

Hi Peter,

I have a George Edward Dowling killed later in 1944. Any chance of finding more details on him? Full name, RAAF number? I am wondering if this is the same person.

DOWLING, GEORGE EDWARD Flight Sergeant 429881 463sq 5/07/1944 20 Royal Australian Air Force Australian ELLECOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY France Seine-Maritime

Cheers

Geoff

 

Hi Peter,

I have a George Edward Dowling killed later in 1944. Any chance of finding more details on him? Full name, RAAF number? I am wondering if this is the same person.

DOWLING, GEORGE EDWARD Flight Sergeant 429881 463sq 5/07/1944 20 Royal Australian Air Force Australian ELLECOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY France Seine-Maritime

Cheers

Geoff

Four RAAF chaps on this one Geoff.....

4-5 July 1944

463 Squadron
Lancaster I HK536 JO-H
Op. St.Leu

F/O. A K. Carter RAAF +
Sgt. B J. Watts +
F/S. R H. Norman +
Sgt. A C. Brown +
F/S. T F. Maher RAAF +
F/S. G R. Whimpey RAAF +
F/S. G E. Dowling RAAF +

Took off 2321 hrs Waddington to attack flying bomb sites at St-Leu-d' Esserent. Crashed at Ellecourt (Seine-Maritime) 4 km NNW from Aumale. All are buried in Ellecourt Communal cemetery.

BCL Vol.5 - W R. Chorley

F/S. G E. Dowling RAAF is listed in Vol.9 of BCL. Roll of Honour......429881 DOWLING George Edward. Lost 05/07/1944, 463 Squadron

Hope this is a help

Regards
Peter

 

I am wondering if this is the same person.

No, they're not.

406437 Geoffrey Gavin Dowling was discharged from the RAAF 20 September 1944 following the 1942 Blenheim crash.

Both his A705 and A9301 have been digitized at the NAA.

 

No, they're not.

406437 Geoffrey Gavin Dowling was discharged from the RAAF 20 September 1944 following the 1942 Blenheim crash.

Both his A705 and A9301 have been digitized at the NAA.

Thanks Alien Eyes.

I couldn't correlate it with his (George Edward Dowling) casualty report in the ROH as it comes up with a 463sq PDF of Chorley details, not the normal casualty report.

Peter,

Thanks for the extra details.

I do not have the headstone photos from Ellecourt as yet.

These seven lads (like quite a few others) are the only burials in this village cemetery.

F/O. A K. Carter RAAF + was from Bullaburra, New South Wales
Sgt. B J. Watts + was from Port Talbot, Glamorgan
F/S. R H. Norman + was from Eltham, London
Sgt. A C. Brown + was from Colchester, Essex
F/S. T F. Maher RAAF + was from Maroubra, New South Wales
F/S. G R. Whimpey RAAF + was from Heidelberg West, Victoria (Australia)
F/S. G E. Dowling RAAF + was from Port Hughes, South Australia

Flight Sergeant Whimpy, was from the suburb next to where I was born and the War Repatriation Hospital is located.

Please see new thread re the night of 4/5th of July 1944
Untitled Document
Objective: Saint Leu D'Esserent.



This has gone from a query on one RAAF name to finding a very detailed report on many squadron losses for that night.




Cheers

Geoff

 

Once again, I need to enlist the help of the RAF Experts of the forum, as I am trying to find the cicumstances of the death of one of Widnes Casulaties.

Pilot Officer REGINALD FIFOOT
172714, 62 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 32, on 15 April 1944
Son of Thomas Henry and Annie Fifoot; husband of Hannah Fifoot, of Widnes, Lancashire.Remembered with honour
SINGAPORE MEMORIAL

It is possible that the crew consisted of the following

001 , FIFOOT, R, 172714, 62 SQDN, 15/04/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
002 , HOUSTON, WF, 637005, 62 SQDN, 15/04/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE
003 , SCULLY, G, 1456856,62 SQDN, 15/04/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE
004 , SMITH, CG, 1322739, 62 SQDN, 15/04/1944, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE

 

Hi Phil, I have the following.......

On 15 April 1944 Dakota III FL569 of 62 Squadron crashed on a hillside (Mowdock, Burma) after the pilot lost control of the aircraft while attempting to drop supplies in very turbulent conditions

Fatalities.

F/S. William Frederick Houston (Pilot)
P/O. Reginald Fifoot
Sgt. Gordon Scully
F/S. Colin Graham Smith

Two other none RAF crew also died.

Hope this is a help

Regards
Peter

 

Hi Phil, I have the following.......

On 15 April 1944 Dakota III FL569 of 62 Squadron crashed on a hillside (Mowdock, Burma) after the pilot lost control of the aircraft while attempting to drop supplies in very turbulent conditions

Fatalities.

F/S. William Frederick Houston (Pilot)
P/O. Reginald Fifoot
Sgt. Gordon Scully
F/S. Colin Graham Smith
Two other none RAF crew also died.

Regards
Peter

Peter, it's a great help

Phil

 

I have updated this thread, having now received the info on another one of the casualties

ALAN DOUGLAS EDMONDSON, Flight Sergeant, 1108616, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 13 March 1943
The Times Monday 7th Feb 1944: Previously reported missing, now presumed killed on active service.
Listed as serving with 134 MU Anti Locust Flight.
Widnes Weekly News 7th May 1943 - Reference to fact that missing since 13th February 1943.
Body later discovered (date unknown) and buried in Basra Cemetery.
Killed aboard Vickers Vincent K6349 of 134 MU when lost 13-3-1943
ALFRED ERNEST HARTLES, Leading Aircraftman, 1358487, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 22 October 1944
Buried in Brussels Town Cemetery
Widnes Weekly News 3rd Nov 1944 - Listed as accidently Killed, details unknown at present
Listed as serving with 2809 unit RAF Regt, thought to be No 2809 (LAA) Sqn RAF Regiment
ERNEST JACKSON, Sergeant, 540958, Royal Air Force, Died 14 April 1943
The Times, Saturday, Jun 12, 1943: Previously reported missing, now presumed killed on active service.
The Times, Wednesday, Jun 16, 1943: Died on Active Service
Buried at Nairobi war Cemetery
CHARLES EDWARD LEADBETTER, Leading Aircraftman, 856046, 979 Balloon Sqdn., Royal Air Force, Died 20 June 1943
The Times, Wednesday, Aug 25, 1943: Died on Active Service
Buried at Ranchi War Cemetery
Listed as dying in Hospital in India
DENIS WILKINSON, Leading Aircraftman, 1437738, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 28 September 1942
Death registered at Bridgend, Glamorganshire - Info found through Death Cert. Died at RAF Athan of ilness
GERALD HARPER, Aircraftman 2nd Class, 1481465, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 10 February 1942
Death registered in District of Amounderness, Lancashire
Died at the Emergency Hospial Wittingham of Circulatory failure, Prostatic congestion and Meningococcal meningitis.

 

I have managed to identify the period of enlistment for the majority of my Widnes casualties, but cant be sure on the following, so I would appreciate any help from any of the RAF experts.

SHELDRAKE, FRANCIS JAMES, Flying Officer, 122848, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
MURPHY, JAMES GERARD (JIM), Leading Aircraftman, 855865, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force), 919/23 Balloon
GLASSBROOK, GERALD, Sergeant (Air Gnr.), 649748, Royal Air Force, 61 Sqdn.
LEADBETTER, CHARLES EDWARD, Leading Aircraftman, 856046, Royal Air Force, 979 Balloon Squadron
MAINWARING, JACK, Sergeant, 572972, Royal Air Force, 218 (Gold Coast) Sqdn.
Service Number indicates enlistment 1938, but information received suggests enlistment after start of war - Further Research Required
WAREING, EDMUND GEORGE HANSON, Flying Officer, 57561, Royal Air Force, 139 Squadron
Service Number indicates enlistment between Oct 42 and Oct 45 - Received Commision Oct 1945 - Further research required
ATHERTON, THOMAS, Pilot Officer (Pilot), 43763, Royal Air Force, 22 Squadron
Enlisted prior to 1934 and served as an Aircraft apprentice at RAF Halton (18th Entry). - Commisioned Probationary Pilot Officer 1st April 1940
BROWN, HAROLD STERLING, Flight Sergeant, 553965, Royal Air Force, 202 Squadron
Enlisted Approx march 1939 and initially served as an Aircraftsman, prior to promotion to flight Sgt
BURTON, ALBERT CYRIL, Pilot Officer, 89634, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 612 Squadron
Enlisted march 1940 - Received Pilots Officers Commision 29th December 1940.
CHESHIRE, WILLIAM JOHN, Sergeant, 652219, Royal Air Force, 138 Squadron
Enlisted shortly before outbreak of war in 1939 - Father awarded M.M. in WW1
FIFOOT, REGINALD, Pilot Officer, 172714, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 62 Squadron
Enlisted September 1940 - Received Pilot Officers Commision 2nd January 1944
HALLOWELL, JOSEPH GORDON, Flying Officer, 154684, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 626 Squadron
Enlisted 1942 - Received Probationary Commision as Pilot Officer 10th December 1943, which was confirmed on the 10th June 1944 as W/S Flying Officer
HOUGH, WILLIAM JOHN, Flying Officer, 135510, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron
Enlisted Late 1940 - Commisions as Probationary Pilot Officer 4th December 1942 and as Probationary Flying Officer 4th June 1943
JACKSON, ERIC, Pilot Officer, 44194, Royal Air Force
Enlisted pre-war, and was a serving Apprentice at RAF Cranwell in August 1939 when he won the coveted Hyde Thomson Prize - Commisioned as Perm 21st July 1940
JACKSON, ERNEST, Sergeant, 540958, Royal Air Force
Enlisted mid 1937 - Served at RAF Eastleigh, Kenya
HARDING, WALTER CECIL, Sergeant, 580426, Royal Air Force, 50 Squadron
Enlisted November 1938, qualifying as an observer after 18 months training, taking part in the initial raids of WW2
MARTINDALE, THOMAS ARTHUR, Aircraftman 1st Class, 856147, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
Enlisted pre-war in late 1938 / early 1939
Died in 47th Military Hospital Singapore from beriberi after being a Japanese POW for thre years
RICE, JOHN SUMMERFIELD, Pilot Officer, 55924, Royal Air Force, 78 Squadron
Applied for RAF apenticeship in August 1941 - Accepted into 43rd Entry at RAF Halton - Graduated in Summer 1943 - Commisioned 16th Aug 1944
ROGERS, JOSEPH, Flight Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.), 614388, Royal Air Force, 44 Squadron
Enlisted May 1938 - Promoted to Flight Sgt in 1942
SNAPE, LEONARD VICTOR, Sergeant, 618375, Royal Air Force
Enlisted approx July / Aug 1938
WILKINSON, WILLIAM GASTON JULES, Sergeant (W. Op./Air), 546143, Royal Air Force, 59 Squadron
Enlisted approx Oct /Nov 1937

 

Hi Phil,

Checking the CD RAF Overseas War Deaths 1939-47 :-

EDMONDSON Unit 134 MU Anti Locust Flight !
HARTLES Unit 2809 RAF Regt
E. JACKSON Unit RAF Eastleigh

Mark

 

Hi Phil,

Checking the CD RAF Overseas War Deaths 1939-47 :-

EDMONDSON Unit 134 MU Anti Locust Flight !
HARTLES Unit 2809 RAF Regt
E. JACKSON Unit RAF Eastleigh

Mark


Thanks Mark, gives me something else to go on

P

 

Phil,

Enlistment dates - pre war pretty accurate for regulars. Wartime dates more difficult :-

Martindale 856147 (857462 16.3.39)
Brown 553965 (553739 2.39)
Cheshire 649748 (649800 6.39)
Harding 580426 (580406 11.38)
Jackson 540958 (540785 5.37)
Mainwaring 572972 (573076 1938)
Rogers 614388 (614421 6.38)
Snape 618375 (618934 8.38)
Wilkinson 546143 (546185 11.37)

A.C Burton 89634/NCO 962172 9-39
R. Fifoot 172714/NCO 1068987 (1060657 22.7.40)
J.G Hallowell 154684/NCO 1623908 (1623591 1942)
W.J Hough 135510/NCO 1032904 (1025840 10.8.40)
T Atherton 43763/ NCO 562401 -1.1928
E Jackson 44194 Commissioned 21.7.40 Direct commission ?
J. S Rice 55924/ NCO 578481 (576930 8.39)
E.G.H Wareing 57561/ NCO 2206394 (2203275 10.11.42)

With the officers number I used the London Gazette online searching WW2 with their numbers which then showed their NCO numbers !

Mark

 

Mark,

Please can you tell me where to get hold of the CD - RAF Overseas War Deaths 1939-47 - you mention? It sounds like a most useful tool.

TIA

Jonny

 

Jonny,

S&N Genealogy Supplies - Software, UK Census and Data CDs
Second World War - Overseas Deaths in the Army, Navy, R.A.F and Indian Services £ 29.95

It shows the Name, Rank, Service Number or Rating, Unit or Branch, Year of Death with reference to original document (where available). These records can help you trace what unit or branch your ancestors served in and provide you with their service number. They are provided in alphabetical order as greyscale and black and white images of the original GRO microfiche.

• Digitally enhanced images of the original text
• Bookmarked alphabetically
• Fully printable

A very useful tool !

Mark

 

Mark,

Very many thanks for the info. I have ordered the CD.

Rgds

Jonny

 

ALAN DOUGLAS EDMONDSON, Flight Sergeant, 1108616, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 13 March 1943
The Times Monday 7th Feb 1944: Previously reported missing, now presumed killed on active service.
Listed as serving with 134 MU Anti Locust Flight.
Widnes Weekly News 7th May 1943 - Reference to fact that missing since 13th February 1943.
Body later discovered (date unknown) and buried in Basra Cemetery.
Possibly killed aboard Vickers Vincent K6349 of 134 MU when lost 13-3-1943

Do any of our RAF experts have any information on the loss of Vickers K6349

The other RAF Casualties, I have still to identify cause of death for are as follows.

ALFRED ERNEST HARTLES, Leading Aircraftman, 1358487, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 22 October 1944
Buried in Brussels Town Cemetery
Widnes Weekly News 3rd Nov 1944 - Listed as accidently Killed, details unknown at present
Listed as serving with 2809 unit RAF Regt, thought to be No 2809 (LAA) Sqn RAF Regiment
ERNEST JACKSON, Sergeant, 540958, Royal Air Force, Died 14 April 1943
Enlisted Mid 1937 as a Pre-War Flyer
The Times, Saturday, Jun 12, 1943: Previously reported missing, now presumed killed on active service.
The Times, Wednesday, Jun 16, 1943: Died on Active Service
Buried at Nairobi war Cemetery
Served at RAF Eastleigh.
CHARLES EDWARD LEADBETTER, Leading Aircraftman, 856046, 979 Balloon Sqdn., Royal Air Force, Died 20 June 1943
The Times, Wednesday, Aug 25, 1943: Died on Active Service
Buried at Ranchi War Cemetery
Listed as dying in Hospital in India

 

ALAN DOUGLAS EDMONDSON, Flight Sergeant, 1108616, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 13 March 1943
The Times Monday 7th Feb 1944: Previously reported missing, now presumed killed on active service.
Listed as serving with 134 MU Anti Locust Flight.
Widnes Weekly News 7th May 1943 - Reference to fact that missing since 13th February 1943.
Body later discovered (date unknown) and buried in Basra Cemetery.
Killed aboard Vickers Vincent K6349 of 134 MU when lost 13-3-1943

Do any of our RAF experts have any information on the loss of Vickers K6349


http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=printer_format&om=8898&forum=DCForumID6

The Anti-Locus Flight (Persia) was formed on the 1st of February 1943 at Ahwaz, Persia. Ahwaz is built on the banks of the Karun River in the middle of the Persian province of Khuzestan. The Anti-Locust Flight was administered by No. 215 (General Reconnaissance) Group. On the 10th of April 1943, the unit relocated to Bandar Abbas. It took up new quarters at Kermanashah on the 12th of May 1943. The next stop was Tehran effective the 3rd of September 1943. The final location in Persia was Jask. The unit arrived there on the 19th of March 1944. It was the unit's last posting in Persia prior to moving to Eastleigh, Kenya on the 31st of March 1944. The unit was redesignated Anti-Locust Flight (Middle East) on the 4th of April 1944.

 

http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=printer_format&om=8898&forum=DCForumID6

Thanks Alieneyes

 

With the help of Mark's I have updated the details on the thread, but am still searching for further details of the cause of Death / crashes of the following casualties and details of enlistment

CASUALTIES
ALAN DOUGLAS EDMONDSON, Flight Sergeant, 1108616, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 13 March 1943
The Times Monday 7th Feb 1944: Previously reported missing, now presumed killed on active service.
Listed as serving with 134 MU Anti Locust Flight.
Widnes Weekly News 7th May 1943 - Reference to fact that missing since 13th February 1943.
Body later discovered (date unknown) and buried in Basra Cemetery.
Possibly killed aboard Vickers Vincent K6349 of 134 MU when lost 13-3-1943

ALFRED ERNEST HARTLES, Leading Aircraftman, 1358487, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 22 October 1944
Buried in Brussels Town Cemetery
Widnes Weekly News 3rd Nov 1944 - Listed as accidently Killed, details unknown at present
Listed as serving with 2809 unit RAF Regt, thought to be No 2809 (LAA) Sqn RAF Regiment

ERNEST JACKSON, Sergeant, 540958, Royal Air Force, Died 14 April 1943
Enlisted Mid 1937 as a Pre-War Flyer
The Times, Saturday, Jun 12, 1943: Previously reported missing, now presumed killed on active service.
The Times, Wednesday, Jun 16, 1943: Died on Active Service
Buried at Nairobi war Cemetery, served at RAF Eastleigh.

CHARLES EDWARD LEADBETTER, Leading Aircraftman, 856046, 979 Balloon Sqdn., Royal Air Force, Died 20 June 1943
The Times, Wednesday, Aug 25, 1943: Died on Active Service
Buried at Ranchi War Cemetery, Listed as dying in Hospital in India

and the following is proving to be a real enigma


FRANCIS JAMES SHELDRAKE, Flying Officer, 122848, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Died 21 April 1946
Daily Mirror April 25th 1946
40,000-1 But Glider Expert was killed
then Chief instructor F.W. Sheldrake, 40 left his home at Widnes, lancs to take part in Air training Corps gliding training he told his father “Your safer up there than on the road”
He was killed in the first fatal crash during the centre’s 40,000 launchings and at yesterdays inquest the C.O. of the glider school said: Your safer up there than on the road
Verdict: Acidental death

MAINWARING, JACK, Sergeant, 572972, Royal Air Force, 218 (Gold Coast) Sqdn. Died 2nd July 1942
Killed onboard Stirling N-7318 when it was lost on operations.

SERVICE NUMBERS / ENLISTMENT DATES
SHELDRAKE, FRANCIS JAMES, Flying Officer, 122848, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
MURPHY, JAMES GERARD (JIM), Leading Aircraftman, 855865, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force), 919/23 Balloon
LEADBETTER, CHARLES EDWARD, Leading Aircraftman, 856046, Royal Air Force, 979 Balloon Squadron
MAINWARING, JACK, Sergeant, 572972, Royal Air Force, 218 (Gold Coast) Sqdn.
Service Number indicates enlistment 1938, but information received suggests enlistment after start of war - Further Research Required
WAREING, EDMUND GEORGE HANSON, Flying Officer, 57561, Royal Air Force, 139 Squadron
Service Number indicates enlistment between Oct 42 and Oct 45 - Received Commision Oct 1945 - Further research required
GLASSBROOK, GERALD, Sergeant (Air Gnr.), 649748, Royal Air Force, 61 Sqdn.
Enlisted June 1939 prior to the start of the War

 

MAINWARING, JACK, Sergeant, 572972, Royal Air Force, 218 (Gold Coast) Sqdn. Died 2nd July 1942
Possibly onboard Stirling N-7318 when it was lost on operations.

Details of the above loss

2-3 July 1942

218 Squadron
Stirling I N3718 HA-C
Op. Bremen

The aircraft took off from Marham at 2325 hrs and was last heard on w/t transmitting SOS, this message being timed at 0028 hrs. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Crew
F/O. G G. Jeary +
Sgt. J. Mainwaring +
F/S. R J. Anderson RCAF +
F/S. R E. Pithers +
Sgt. W. McD Watson +
F/S. R F. Noton RCAF
F/S. H E. Magladry +

Details from 'Bomber Command Losses' Vol.3 - W R. Chorley