Panel 80. The Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede.

Over many years I have visited the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede where my father is commemorated on Panel 80. I have often wondered what the fate was of the airman commemorated directly above and below my father’s name. After a little research I came up with the following……..


Sgt. Leslie Alexander Churcher. RAFVR 1172507

Commemorated on panel 80 Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede.

The night of Saturday / Sunday 10–11 January 1942

No.408 Squadron.
Hampden I. AE286 EQ-T
Op: Wilhelmshaven

124 Aircraft took part in this raid to Wilhelmshaven; good bombing was claimed but Wilhelmshaven records this only as a small raid with light damage and six people injured. Three Wellington’s and two Hampton’s were lost.

Hampton AE286 took off at 1637 hrs from RAF Balderton and was lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Crew.
F/L. Thomas Findlay Priest RAFVR +
Sgt. Donald Couden Henderson RCAF +
Sgt. Gordon Arthur Glanville RAFVR +
Sgt. Leslie Alexander Churcher RAFVR +



Sgt. Kenneth Rosebrook Clark 1153963 RAFVR

Commemorated on panel 80 Air Forces Memorial, Runnymede.

Monday 30 March 1942.

No.1 Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit.
Wellington IC BB511
Op: Delivery Flight.

Wellington BB511 took off from Gibraltar for Malta but failed to arrive. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Crew.

P/O Gerald Featherstone RAFVR +
Sgt Robert Grisdale RAFVR +
P/O Robert William Dargavel RAFVR +
P/O Christopher Newell-Jones RAFVR +
Sgt Kenneth Rosebrook Clark RAFVR +
Sgt Charles Frank Bryant RAFVR +