No. 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron
Royal Air Force
PERSONNEL
B
The information on this page has been obtained
from many sources. The idea is to gather any and all information on each
individual member of 214 Squadron and record it here. Eventually, as enough
information is received for each individual, a separate section will be set up
for them with photos, memories and their personal story. If you served with the
squadron, or know someone who was with the squadron, please contact me (remove the xxx to
send an email) and help build this memorial / tribute to the squadron.
NOTE : To see the information for each individual, find their name in the HONOUR ROLL in the left column and if the name is underlined click on it. If the name is not underlined, then no further details are available yet.
Flt/Lt Edward Donald
Baker DFC, J/5060, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian,
KIA 1 April 1942, Aged 23
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9939 BU-E
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8842 BU-?
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 99
Born 23 October 1918
Born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Son of Albert E. And Irene Baker, (Schurman) of Charlottetown, Prince Edward
Island, Canada.
His home was in Charlottetown.
He enlisted in Moncton, New Brunswick on 19 July 1940.
Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 3 November 1940), No.3 EFTS (graduated 18 January
1941) and No.8 SFTS (graduated 4 May 1941). Commissioned April 1941.
DFC Award effective 30 March 1942 as per London Gazette dated 16 March 1943
and AFRO 616/43 dated 9 April 1943. Award presented to next-of-kin, March
1944.
NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/8755 has original recommendation dated 30
March 1942 when he had flown 21 sorties (119 hours 53 minutes):
11 September 1941 Berlin
29 September 1941 Stettin
3 October 1941 Antwerp (docks)
21 October 1941 Bremen
23 October 1941 Kiel (port)
31 October 1941 Bremen
3 November 1941 Brest (docks)
7 November 1941 Berlin
9 November 1941 Dunkirk (docks)
26 November 1941 Emden
30 November 1941 Hamburg
18 December 1941 Brest (docks)
11 January 1942 Brest (battle cruisers)
17 January 1942 Bremen
26 January 1942 Brest (docks)
28 January 1942 Munster
12 February 1942 Scharnhorst and Gneisenau (in North Sea)
17 February 1942 Essen
25 February 1942 Kiel (port)
25 March 1942 ssen
28 March 1942 Lubeck
"This officer has spent six months in this squadron. He came here on
9th September 1941 and has now taken part in 21operations involving a total
of 119.53 hours. On every occasion he has displayed a great enthusiasm in
carrying out operations against the enemy and has pressed home his attacks
with great determination and courage. As second in command of "A"
Flight he has proved himself an able organizer."
NEWSCLIPPING
"Flight Lieut. Baker Reported Missing"
For several months he was the only Canadian in a Royal Air Force squadron
but was recently transferred to a Royal Canadian Air Force Unit. It was while
engaged in air operations with the latter that he failed to return to base."...
NEWSCLIPPING
London - March 15 1943- (C.P. Cable)
"The RAF today announced the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
to three Canadian officers, acting Sqdn. Ldr. William Anderson, Deceased,
of Winnipeg; Acting Flt-Lt. Edward Baker, deceased, of Charlottetown, PEI,
and FO Herbert Lindsay Coons of Ontario. Baker, 25, completed numerous sorties,
inclulding attacks on Berlin, Stettin, Kiel, Brest, Hamburt and Libeck, and
his citation said "he at all times displayed
enthusiasm for operations and pressed home his attacks with vigor."
THE LAST FLIGHT
With undoubtedly a lot of good natured practical jokes and wisecracks this
1 April 1942, April Fool’s day , a year to the month after receiving his commission,
F/L Edward Baker lifted off the runway at Stradishall piloting Wellington
IC Z8842 on what was to be his last flight. Indeed it would be for all the
crew. It was 20:19 Hrs and they were off to bomb the railway yards in Hanau
(Operation Limeshoot) with 13 other aircraft. They
would never be heard from again. Of the 14 aircraft which set out that day,
only 7 would return. It is believed that Z8842 was brought down by flack and
crashed into the sea off the Dutch coast. Only two bodies were ever recovered,
the rest of the crew has no known grave.
Due to the location of the two bodies found, and other discrepancies, there
is sufficient cause to question where the plane actually crashed. The family
has always believed this to be the North Sea.
The following story and personal background on Ed was written by his Niece
Cathy Cook.
Ed Baker was born in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, on October 23, 1918,
the youngest of three children of Albert and Irene (Schurman) Baker. When
Ed was four years old the family moved to Charlottetown.
Ed was a mischievous and adventurous boy and was loved by all who knew him.
In the summer of 2002, I was introduced by someone I knew, to his younger
brother, now in his mid 70s. When I was introduced as Florence's daughter
he asked me, "did you know Eddy?" I answered that I had been born
after his death. Fifty-one years after Ed's death, it brought tears and an
almost heartbroken look to this man's eyes as he tried to explain to me how
special Ed was and how much he's missed to this day. This man was some eight
years younger than Ed and Uncle Ed was more likely a friend of this man's
two older brothers, who were his own age. When I think about my own experiences,
little brothers of friends were "pests". How many teenagers would
pay enough attention to a friend's little brother that he would mean so much?
This adds to, and tends to confirm the impression of Uncle Ed that I grew
up with, of a kind and generous boy and young man.
In his youth, Ed spent much time in the summers at the farms of his Grandmother
and his Aunt. He always said he like to visit his Grandmother, "because
she cuts the pie in four". His Mother was a wonderful cook, but still
- the pies were cut in six at home.
Another family story often told by Ed's Mother was that when he was young
he was caught jumping from ice flow to ice flow in Charlottetown Harbour in
the early spring, when the harbour ice was breaking up. She told him in no
uncertain terms, that it was dangerous and he was not to do it again. Ed promised,
but it became just too much for him and one day he came home wet and cold.
His mother admonished him for breaking the rules. His response - that he was
tempted to join the other boys on the ice, but knew he'd been told not to
and, "so I said, `Get thee behind me Satan', and he did - and he pushed
me".
After he completed high school, Ed, with his brother Earle ran a service station
in Charlottetown. Both served in World War II, Ed in the Air Force and elder
brother, Earle, in the Canadian Army.
In July of 1940 Ed enlisted in the RCAF. He received his wings in a graduation
ceremony on April 21, 1941 and he went Overseas in June of that year. Once
in England, he was assigned to the RAF and remained with the RAF until his
death. His last posting was to the 214 Squadron, "A" Flight, at
RAF Stradishall.
Ed loved the Air Force and flying, and he was proud to serve. We know that
he was an excellent pilot. That is evidenced by the recommendation for his
DFC. His parents received the telegram informing them that he was missing
in action on Easter Sunday 1942, just as they were leaving the house to attend
Easter Service at their church.
Although we, his two nephews and one niece, were all born after his death,
his memory was kept alive for us through our Grandmother, who was very proud
of her youngest son.
While growing up, I spent two months each summer with my Grandmother. After
the initial greetings to family, there was always a trip to the attic to the
green wooden box my older brother, Edward, had shown me. The box contained
an Air Force Uniform. I put on Uncle Ed's cap and then carefully put it back
where I had found it. I was a little afraid that I shouldn't be looking in
the box. I remember many times my Grandmother opening the small boxes she
kept in a cabinet in her dining room, and showing me Ed's Distinguished Flying
Cross and her own Mother's Cross and then she'd tell me about him. When I
was nine years old, Grandma handed me Ed's Air Force issue New Testament.
She told me that if I could memorize the whole of Chapter 14 of the Gospel
of John, I could have it to keep in memory of Uncle Ed. That summer I worked
very hard at memorizing and the treasure was mine before I returned home in
September. Now on November 11th I take it to the Service at the Cenotaph,
and on the Sunday prior, I carry it to our Church Service. It's always in
my hand for the time of "Silence" in remembrance. My brother Ed
was the only family member of our generation in the Canadian Forces. He, as
it should be, was given Uncle Ed's DFC and my Grandmother's Mother's Cross
and while he was serving at a Canadian Air Force Base he had them mounted
and framed.
In, I think the 1960's, a young boy in England wrote to Charlottetown for
information on the City for a project he was doing at school. At the bottom
of his letter, his teacher wrote a note, asking if he could be put in touch
with any living relatives of Edward Donald Baker, DFC. Earle was given the
information and took it to his Mother. She wrote to the teacher. It turned
out that he was at Stradishall and had been Ed's batman. He wrote a bit about
their time at Stradishall and sent her some pictures of the base. That was
a very moving and emotional time for my Grandmother, who very much appreciated
the contact and letter although there was sadness as well. I've always considered
this man's contact a very kind and thoughtful gesture.
My Mother, Ed's sister Florence, never did get over the death of her younger
brother. They were very close. She could talk about him as a child and a youth,
but could not bring herself to discuss much about his time in the Air Force,
except to say how proud she was of him. Until the end of her life, she couldn't
face the November 11th, Remembrance Day services. She was unable to bring
herself to go to the cenotaph, or to watch the service from Ottawa on television.
The memories for her were just too shattering. I do remember one Cenotaph
Service she did attend. I was the Colour Bearer for my Girl Guide Unit and
I begged her to go. In the years after that, I went on my own because I realized
how hard it was for her to attend. Her November 11th was a private time of
mourning.
All we who are left can do is to honour those who served and those who died
for our freedom and thank them for their service and sacrifice...........
We can't ever forget them.
~~~~~ Cathy Cook~~~~~
LOG BOOK ENTRIES
#3 EFTS (elementary flying training school) London Ont. 7 November 1940 to
6 January 1941
Training on a single engine Fleet Canuck
25:50 hrs Dual 23:55 hrs Pilot 5:00 hrs Night ( Instrument)
#8 Service Flying Training School 2 February 1941 to 17 April 1941
Training on twin eng. Avro Anson
47:15 hrs Dual 44:10 hrs Solo 10:00 Night (Instr)
30.VI. 41 Night vision test B'MOUTH above average (very handy, all RAF Bombing
was at night)
#23 O.T.U. (Operational Training Unit) Pershore Worc.
Training on Wellington 4 August 1941 to 28 August 1941
Grand Total hrs 199:35
No. 214 Squadron Stradishall 11 September 1941 to 1 April 1942
Qual. As 1st Pilot Day 28 August 1941 Qual. As 1st Pilot Night 9 November
1941
Ed
flew aircraft X9939 most of his time with 214, but other aircraft he flew
were:
DV509, H9752, R1505, R1759, T2850, X9660, X9744, X9758, X9890, X9939, Z1139,
Z1158, Z8373, Z8858, Z8943, Z8953, Z8970.
His final flight was on Z8842.
Other names noted in the log are Flt/Lt Hilton, Plt/Off Watson, Plt/Off Barford,
Sgt Masters, Sgt Page, Sgt Norton, Sgt Stevens & Sgt Lancaster.
Flt/Lt
Edward Baker's log and other documents are in the care of Edward Saunders
LAC RCN
Source
: CWGC and Cathy Cook (niece) and Log Book and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 December 2009
FS
Wilfred Barham, 755880, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 June 1942, Aged 24
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I N3761 BU-E
Buried in TERSCHELLING
(WEST-TERSCHELLING) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 42.
Son of George and Gertrude Barham. of Barnsley, Yorkshire; husband of Doris
Barham, of Smithies, Barnsley.
FS Barham had done one tour on Wellingtons before joining a new Stirling
crew.
Wilfred Barham's widow is still alive but does not wish to talk to any one.
Source : Kate
Brettell (niece of Flt/Lt Turtle). Kate has retrieved information from the
National Archives Canada, The PRO in England and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 December 2010
Sgt
H Barnes, Date taken POW 9 May 1941, POW number Not known
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1447 BU-?
Imprisoned at POW camp Not Known
SEE
PRISONERS OF WAR
Source
: Wim de Meester of The Netherlands and Chorley and 'Footprints on the sands
of time' by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 30 July 2011
Sgt Hubert William John Barr, 759105, Wireless Operator,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 12 May
1941
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2802 BU-A
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1462 BU-?
Buried in HAMBURG CEMETERY. Reference : 5A. F. 2.
Hubert Barr joined 214 Squadron in November 1940 and flew as wireless operator
in Pilot Officer Jack Wetherly's crew.
When Wetherly completed his tour, the crew was taken over by Pilot Officer
John Topliss.
Source : Christopher Jary - Author and Ian Hunt and CWGC
Date record last updated : 10 October 2009
FS Rodney Claude Bartlett, 1850398, Flight Engineer, Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 6 November
1944, Aged 26
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB788 (6 November 1944) BU-B
Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 13. D. 7.
Son of Claude and May Bartlett, of Basingstoke, Hampshire; husband of Joan
M. Bartlett, of Basingstoke.
Source : CWGC and Chas Chambers (family connection) and Matt Baars
Date record last updated : 16 May 2009
The picture above was taken
the day he got his commission. He was 18.
Fg/Off Charles Edward 'Lofty'
'Ted' Baumfield,
Bomb Aimer, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB817 BU-G
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) KJ101 BU-H
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) KJ114 BU-B
Jennifer Baumfield, Charles daughter writes:
"My father received the highest marks of any New Zealander that went
through the training schools in Canada during the war, which is, I assume,
why he was selected for this Squadron. After hostilities ceased his Squadron
Leader selected him as the Navigator for a special flight to take the bigwigs
of 100 group to Norway for the peace signing there. He got to visit Grove,
Denmark, the main German night-fighter base and control centre for northern
Europe and was able to watch the operation of a raid from the German side
(Dummy raids were run from England covered by 100 Group Squadrons and this
enabled those at Grove to see the effects of their counter-measures).
The nickname Lofty came about as he was only 5' 3" but following the
RAF he was known as "Ted".
Only Chalky and Alan are still alive. (2005)
(Both confirmed still alive 2009 Carol Edwards Site administrator-spoke
to Alan Mercer 21 February 2009) I met all the others, except for "Olly",
who was killed in a crash just after the war. As the Special Operator, Olly
kept apart from the rest of the crew so they did not know him well.
My father was asked repeatedly to stay on in the RAF, but wanted to return
home to New Zealand, having left his home at 17. He turned 21 the day the
troopship left for New Zealand."
A REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE
In one of lifes little coincidences, the day after Jennifer had contacted
me from New Zeland regarding her father (in fact the very next email I recieved
to the site) I also received a letter from Kevin Green in Calgary Canada.
Kevin had purchased a box of papers on Ebay, within which was a letter from
a chap named Fg/Off Baumfield written to a young lady in Canada during the
war. Out of curiosity, or perhaps destiny, he decided to see if he could
track down the writer Fg/Off Baumfield and his search ultimately led him
to the 214 Squadron web site. Unbelievably, Fg/Off Baumfield was none other
than Jennifer's father!!! What forces were at work to bring two total strangers
from the absolute opposite ends of the earth together at precisely the same
moment in time and precisely the same place. Sometimes truth is stranger
than fiction. After an absence of sixty years the letter has now found its
way back home.
Special thanks to Kevin Green for the wisdom to know this would be a treasure
to the family, and for his thoughtfullness "against ridiculous odds"
to try and search them out.
Dated Sun, 28 October 1945
The letter can also be read in Photo Album 4
Source : Jennifer Baumfield
(daughter) and Ian Hunt and Kevin Green
Date record last updated : 22 February 2009
Wg/Cdr John Leighton Beck DFC & Bar MiD
Wg/Cdr John Leighton Beck
DFC & Bar MiD,
Pilot
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 (pre September 1940)
BU-G
Born in Chiswick, London
Born in 1912.
Educated at Ardingly, John Leighton Beck joined the RAF on a short service
commission in 1936. After pre-war service in Egypt, he returned to England
and was posted to 214 Squadron in February 1940. Here he flew his first
tour. In November 1940, he was the first member of 214 Squadron to be awarded
the DFC. The King visited Stradishall and held an investiture there, at
which Beck received his award.
A spell at Bomber Command HQ was followed by a posting to a Liberator squadron
in the Middle East, where he was mentioned in Despatches for his part in
bombing Rommel's ports. After Alamein, the squadron moved on to Bengal,
from where they bombed Japaness airfields, supply dumps and troop concentrations
in Burma. At the end of this tour John Beck was awarded a Bar to his DFC
and posted to a series of staff jobs with General Slim and Lord Mountbatten.
Demobilised in 1946, he joined his family printing business in Leeds before
moving to Jersey, where he established a firm of estate agents. His Wellington
aircraft was G-BU which was featured on a Jersey stamp in 2000.
Married since 1939, he and his wife had two daughters. He died in January
2003, aged 90
His obituary can be found here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1419067/Wing-Commander-John-Beck.html
Source : George Coates
(grandson) and Christopher Jary, Author - Portrait Of A Bomber Pilot
Date record last updated : 16 May 2009
Sgt Robert L Bennett, 1826290 A/G Served at Oulton flying Stirlings and
Flying Fortress aircraft. His main pilot on operations was F/O Haynes.
Trained at No.2 AGS Dalcross
14/10/43-10/12/43
214 Squadron
24/1/44-7/5/45
Wellington serials of aircraft flown:
3594 617 1603 483
617 826 3566 221 479 554 978 151 587 492 254 266 242 786 113
Pilots: PO Williams F O Armstrong PO McGubbin FL Lewis
FL Lowe FS Wood
Stirling serials of aircraft flown: S111
Pilots: FO Mason FO Jackson FL Ashley PO Eccles
Fortress serials of aircraft flown:
SR376 379 380 378 383 HB803
774 793 803 796 780 787 788 779 785 782 801 802 378 818 816 817 819 SR388
HJ110 KJ114 104 107 793 111 101
Pilots: FL Haynes FO Woods FO Scholes
Sgt R.L. Bennett
Unidentified crew, possibly
Sgt Bennett front row far left.
Note: Robert's log book
is intact and held by his son Bob.
Source: Bob Bennett,
Norwich (son of Robert senior)
Sgt
Victor Lawrence Bagley, 754080, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
KIA 13 March 1941, Aged 21
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C N2746 BU-M
Buried in GRONINGEN
(ESSERVELD) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Plot RP. Row Class 2. Coll.
grave 26.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith Bagley; husband of Jeanette Lilian Bagley.
Source : Stevin
Oudshoorn. See Stevin's website for further information on all aircraft
lost over the Netherlands. www.basher82.nl
Date record last updated : 9 October 2010
FS
Arthur Bowers, 1452264, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
KIA 11 April 1943
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BK612 BU-Z
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 35.
Source : Cheryl
Garner, Great Niece of Thomas Frank Richardson and CWGC.
Date record last updated : 30 January 2011
FS
Norman James 'Jack' Bradley DFM, 1587915, Waist Gunner, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 15 March 1945,
POW number None
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB779 BU-K
Born 12 November 1924
Born in Cornwood, Devon
SEE
PRISONERS OF WAR
DFM awarded 17 October 1944 while with 166 Squadron.
Norman was a rear gunner on the following 2 crews with 166 Squadron:
Avro Lancaster BI ME647(AS-J),
Avro Lancaster BIII ND628 (AS-Y),
While with 214 Squadron on 14 March 1945 he and the rest of the crew of HB779
had to bale out of the aircraft over Germany. He was kept in Buhl prison before
being transferred by foot into Luftwaffe custody on 17 March 1945. Upon reaching
Huchenfeld he was locked into the boiler room of the Neuen Schule (New School)
along with 6 others of his crew. A crowd of civilians demanded access to the
7 men, demanding revenge , and dragged them outside. Bradley and 2 other men
escaped to be recaptured. Four others were taken to the cemetery and shot.
Vinall and Bradley took the opportunity to hide between a wall and a car,
escaping using the shadows.
Norman Bradley explains,
"I heard two screams of pain. Vinall moved forward and I followed him.
The last I heard of Vinall was him shouting at me to follow him. I shouted
back that he was going the wrong way, towards the shootings then I heard nothing
more. I ran across some fences and wire netting and escaped across a field
into the woods. There were about six shots fired when Vinall shouted to me
for the last time.
Later, while I was crossing the wire fence I heard shots from automatic weapons,
several bursts. I was later captured about 22 miles the other side of Pforzheim.
The day after I was captured 2 of my guards told me that 2 members of my crew
had been shot."
A year later, in June 1946, Tom Tate and Norman Bradley returned to Germany
as witnesses in the war crimes trials against 22 men and youths who had taken
part in the killings.
His death was reported in the Winter / Spring 2008 Nightjar newsletter.
Source : Norman
Bradley & Carol & John Edwards (family connection to Sidney Matthews)
and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and
Nightjar Newsletter and various news articles and Matthew Boucher (grandson
of Norman).
Date record last updated : 30 April 2011
Sgt
Jesse Clemence Brakeman, R/68117, Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force,
Nationality : Canadian, KIA 3 September 1941, Aged 21
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1717 BU-Z?
Buried in DUNKIRK
TOWN CEMETERY. Reference : Plot 2 Row 2 Grave 20.
Son of Jesse Clair Brakeman, and of Rose Adele Brakeman, of Sarnia, Ontario,
Canada.
Source : Captain
Glen McKay Retd (Canadian Armed Forces), (nephew of FS James Patrick McKay)
and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 December 2010
Flt/Lt J V Brigham, RAFVR
138944. Navigator.
Flt/Lt Brigham passed away in 2000.
(no other info yet)
SOURCE: Anthony Hennessy
Melbourne, Australia XXXantncet@alphalink.com.au
WO Keith Mortimer Bright, 426496, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality
: Australian, KIA 6 November 1944, Aged 21
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB788 (6 November 1944) BU-B
Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial Panel 119
Born 11 April 1923
Born in London England
Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 13. D. 5.
Son of Frank Mortimer Bright and Ivy Kathleen Bright, of Coorparoo, Queensland,
Australia.
Enlisted in Brisbane Australia
Source
: CWGC and Chas Chambers and Matt Baars and John Cripps and National Archives
of Australia and Geoff Swallow (Australian Researcher)
Date record last updated : 14 February 2010
Sgt John Broderick, 1254086, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 4 April 1943, Aged 22
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7621 BU-G
Buried in KIEL WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5. B. 13.
THE MYSTERY: Sgt Broderick was found on the little island Amrum in the North
Sea, all other crew member are missing. The Dobersdorfer See is an inland
lake not connected to the North Sea so it is a mystery how his body came
to be found on Amrum. If you study the maps, the only possible explanation
is that he baled out of the aircraft and made his way overland to the North
Sea. This theory does not explain how he came to be drowned in the sea.
Nils Hempel.
Source : CWGC and Nils
Hempel of Kiel Germany
Date record last updated : 24 March 2009
Sgt
Harold Wignell 'Boyk' Brook, 581316, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom, KIA 23 November 1940, Aged 25
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (17 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (5 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (7 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2470 (28 October 1940) BU-K
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2471 BU-?
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (25 October 1940)
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 12
Born in Melton Mowbray Leicestershire England
Son of Edgar and Annie Brook, of Stanton by Dale, Derbyshire.
Sgt Brook is on the left of the photo in the forefront with a cigarette
in his hand. Can anyone name the other two gentleman? Photograph provided
by Hilary Sharman (relative of Sgt Brook)
Harold was born in 1915.
Harold was my father's (Tom Kenneth) brother. I was 3 when Harold was killed
but remember Grandma ( his mother Annie ) listening to the radio for news
of Harold's war and eventually wearing the RAF wings in memory of him.
Source : Ian
Hunt and W R Chorley's book 'RAF Bomber Command Losses 1939-1940' and CWGC
and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2006 and Hilary Sharman (relative of Sgt
Brook) and Richard Williams (joint author of Sway at War 1914-1945) and
Mike Brook (nephew of Harold)
Date record last updated : 30 January 2011
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1789 BU-?
Buried in DURNBACH
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 2. F. 2.
Source : Ian
Hunt and CWGC and Diana Beach, niece of Sidney Burtwell
Date record last updated : 27 February 2011
Royal Artillery
CLICK ON NAME
Cpt Harold M Butterworth
RA, 179318 of Inverness Scotland, oldest of two brothers and predeceased
by one sister, was born in Manchester England, as was his father, but grew
up in Indian Head Saskatchewan Canada. It is said his father spoke with
a very heavy Canadian accent even though he had lived for many years in
Inverness where he had gone to recover after getting wounded in 1916 with
the 10th Infantry Division in France. The honour and sense of duty must
run deep in the Butterworth blood, as Harold, "like his father before
him", rose to the call of duty himself when once again the world went
to war. Prior to enlisting, Harold was a popular, fun loving scholar with
a bright future after school in one of Inverness's top legal companies.
" On the 10thof April
1942 at 22.50 , Wellington Mark 1c Bomber No. HB856, piloted by P/O
John Murray left Stradishall Royal Air Force base destined for the German
city of Essen in the heavily defended industrial Ruhr Valley. Captain Harold
Butterworth, a 20 year old from Inverness Scotland and a Royal Artillery
regiment officer attached to the R.A.F, was onboard as a rear air turret
gunner and observer. Intelligence had predicted clear weather over
the whole bombing run and as with the 3 previous night sorties that week,
the planes of his 214 Squadron should return in the early hours of the next
morning. The weather forecast had not been correct however and once over
Germany the formations broke up in the heavy cloud and encountered concentrated
and accurate anti-aircraft fire.
Hb856 did not return, and
was later reported by German authorities that all crew had perished. All
are buried in the Reichswald Forest Memorial Site in Germany. Harold is
laid to rest in Plot 19 Row F Grave no. 3. Harold now lives on in the memory
of his nephews Alan in Margate, Neil in Cape Town and his niece Fiona in
Johannesburg.
Pilot Officer James Walter
Murray
Sgt D Smith
Sgt Fred Bonser
Sgt Cyril Walter Penny
Flight Sgt. Harry Alyn
Neal (RCAF)
Cpt Harold M.Butterworth
(R.A.)
Alan Butterworth: My Uncle Captain Harold Butterworth
was killed on 11/4/1942 out of Sradishall while serving with 214 Squadron
on attachment from the Royal Artillery. He was with A.O.P. as a rear gunner.
He was the third R.A. officer to be killed that month and after that no
more R.A. officers were sent on this duty. Does anybody out there know anything
about him? I am the surviving nephew in South Africa and an article is appearing
in the Inverness Courier next week on as much as I could learn.
xxxxbutterworth@telkomsa.net
+27 393171026
IF you have any information
on Cpt Butterworth, Please contact Alan at the Phone # or Email listed
above. (REMOVE THE XXXX SPAM PROTECTION FROM THE EMAIL ADDRESS )
Please take a moment and
read Alan's story on his search for his Uncle Harry. A moving tribute, that
few could put it into words more poignantly. (click on Harold's name above
to visit)
Sgt J Burchell, Sgt Burchell's crew as recorded on their
first 5 ops entries listed in the ORB seem to give the crew as:-
F/Lt
J W Lucas
F/Lt
W H Taylor
F/O
N W Manners
F/Sgt
R Jeffcock
W/O
S C Hopkins
Sgt
W C Heley (spelt Healey in the first entry but Heley in the next four)
F/Sgt
J Parkinson
Sgt
C W Pearson
Sgt
J Burchell
This crew seems to be listed
consistently in this order in the ORB, although it doesn't give their individual
crew functions. HOWEVER, the tenth crew member (possibly the jamming equipment
Special Operator?) changed a bit over the first 5 ops.
-
Firstly it was Sgt J S Reid (1st op);
-
then F/O W E Gronau RCAF (2nd op);
-
then Sgt C Kerr (next 3 ops).
It may be that this was
how the crew settled down to be (ie with Kerr).
SOURCE & RESEARCH:
Ian Hunt
Sgt Geoffrey Charles Bunning, 932988, Wireless Operator
/ Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom,
KIA 31 May 1942
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7534 BU-E
Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 19.
E. 7-14.
Son of Charles Henry Bunning and his wife Ethel Maud Bunning
Geoffrey's parents farmed at Faulkeners House Farm, Walton Highway near Wisbech.
He was one of two brothers and a sister and he was educated at Norfolk High
School which was on Norfolk Road, Wisbech. In 1939 Geoffrey started a career
as a journalist with the Wisbech Advertiser and the Ely & Wisbech Advertiser.
He then moved into Wisbech to live with his aunt and her two children, Doris
and John Rilett at 39 Colville Road. Geoffrey and John became close friends
and this research has been conducted as a result of a conversation with my
father-in-law, John Rilett, in 2001. (Emrys Jones)
In early 1941 Geoffrey volunteered for service with the RAF as a pilot. He
was not accepted as such, so instead he volunteered his services as a wireless
operator/air gunner, training at RAF Yatesbury.
Taken at RAF Yatesbury on 20 February 1941. Geoffrey is third from right.
Following completion of his training, Geoffrey served with 214 at Stradishall
as a Sgt wireless operator/air gunner.
FOOTNOTE: From Emrys :
"On Sunday 25th January 2004, I visited the Reichswald Forest with a
friend, Ian Coyne, and laid a wreath on Geoffrey's grave on behalf of the
family. It was a very special moment, perhaps made more so when a local Dutch
family on their regular Sunday walk asked about our pilgrimage. They paid
tribute to those who gave their lives to liberate Europe and promised to visit
the graves of W7534 on future visits to the Cemetery."
Laid on behalf of John Rilett
in proud and loving memory of his cousin
Sgt Geoffrey Charles Bunning RAFVR
Aged 21 years, Killed in action
30-31 May 1942
During Operation Millenium
Source : Emrys Jones
(relative of Sgt Bunning) and CWGC
Date record last updated : 14 June 2009
Flt/Lt
Charles 'Charlie' Brown
Flt/Lt Charles 'Charlie'
Brown, Rear Gunner
Flt/Lt Charles Brown 'Charlie', He served from around 1942/3 to 1945 on
214 Squadron in Norfolk, finally ending up (in '45 at St Athans.) Sadly
Charlie passed away in 2003, and is fondly referred to by his nephew Tim
as a remarkable and lovely man. Charlie was a gunner, a 'tail end' Charlie!
"It is not difficult to imagine the good natured jokes that Charlie
would have had to put up with from the other boys over this".
Although Charlie would not talk of his service much, Tim recalls some of
the stories that were relayed to him over the years...........................
Shot up after a raid, they bailed out into the channel off Dover. He was
very cross because he lost his favourite lighter. Shot up again, the rear
turret had filled with fuel, presumably up to his knees. He prayed he would
not see a fighter because firing off a round would probably ignite the lot.
After another raid on the way home, a squadron a/c not well versed in the
art of recognition, kept firing at them. Sufficed to say, that on arriving
back at base, a scuffle ensued. I presume, that as Squadron boxing champ,
he won his fight!
Again, on arrival home, while 'making safe', his harness caught in the firing
mechanism and a round was discharged into the tarmac. Apparently, procedures
were changed to prevent a repetition. To combat the cold, a heated suit
was trailed. It didn't work very well, heating the body to boiling point
down one side, and freezing off the other side. He flew Lancs and I believe
possibly the Fortress as well?
After the war he became a councillor for the Conservatives at Wirksworth
Derbyshire, President of the Well Dressing Society, and a senior Freemason.
Flt/Lt Charles Brown, aside from his wife, a son and daughter and his nephew
Tim, is also survived by his sister.
Source : Tim Broxton,
RAF retd. Family of Flt/Lt Brown, Contact xxtimbroxton@tiscali.co.uk
Date record last updated : 14 June 2009
Sgt
John Arthur Brown, 1303478, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, KIA 13 May 1943, Aged 20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF381 BU-P2
Buried in REICHSWALD
FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5. B. 3.
Son of Frederick and Amelia Brown, of Acomb, York.
Source : Ian
Hunt and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Named on the following Memorial : MALTA
MEMORIAL Panel 18, Column 1.
Son of William A. and Minnie E. Beard, of Gillingham, Kent.
Source
: CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Sgt Sydney Herbert Bryant, 1851276, Flight Engineer, Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 June 1944,
Aged 20
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB773
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) SR377 BU-M
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR382 BU-B
Named on the following Memorial : Gostrey Meadows, Farnham, Surrey
Named on the following Memorial : Parents grave
Born in Rowledge, Farnham, Surrey
Buried in UDEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5.B.3
Youngest son of Arthur William and Elsie May Bryant, of Farnham, Surrey.
Qualified as a Flight Engineer November 1943 and teamed with John Cassan.
Became co-pilot when 214 was re-equipped with American built B17 Flying Fortresses
in late January 1944. During the first six months of that year John was instructing
him to become a full pilot.
His death must have been hard on Sydney's parents, as his brother was also
in the RAF, flying Hawker Typhoons for 198 Squadron.
Syd's nephew John recalls that Syd had a steady girlfriend by the name of
Dorothy Palmer, (known as Doff). Perhaps they may have got married, don't
really know. Although Syd was "missing" at the time she attended
my christening and as I grew up I always referred to her as Aunty Doff. She
died about twenty years ago. Perhaps more oddly are the dates that Syd's parents
died, given the fact he was killed on the 22nd June 1944. His father was taken
seriously ill on the 22nd June 1952 and died six days later. His mother after
a short illness suddenly died on the 23rd June 1977. (Beware the Ides of June
as I used to tell my mother). Syd had one brother Aurthur, and one sister.
(John Cripp's mother) When Aurthur destroyed the lock gates at Veere in Western
Holland, his brother in law (John's Father) who was with the Royal Engineers,
was one of the ones who had to help re-build them several weeks later. As
John put it, "nothing like keeping the business in the family - "you
blow it up and I'll repair it".
See also the 198 Squadron website http://www.198squadronraf.co.uk for more information on Sydney's
brother Aurthur who flew Typhoon fighter aircraft for the Squadron. The 214
being a bomber squadron, this site gives a perspective from the Fighter Squadron
point of view. Although they both worked toward a common cause there was a
world of difference in their day to day lives and activities.
Sidney's Air Training Corps Cadets Manual and his Fying Log Book have been
presented to the Imperial War Museum in London.
Source : John Cripps (Sydney's nephew) and CWGC
Date record last updated : 17 November 2008
Sgt Kenneth
Reginald Burton DFM
Sgt Kenneth Reginald
Burton DFM, 1385331, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality
: United Kingdom, KIA 4 April 1943, Aged 20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7621 BU-G
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 144
Son of Arthur Cooksey Burton and Rachel Burton; husband of Cecilia Margaret
Burton, of Kensington, London.
London Gazette 35966 2 April 1943
DFM awarded
One night in March, 1943, this airman was the pilot of an aircraft detailed
to attack Stuttgart.
On the outward flight, one engine in the bomber failed. The target was still
150 miles distant but Sergeant Burton continued his flight and
eventually bombed his target from a low level. On the return flight, Sergeant
Burton was unable to maintain height above 3,000 feet and there was the
possibility of the petrol becoming exhausted, but he finally succeeded in
flying the aircraft back to base. By his perseverance and skill this airman
was undoubtedly responsible for the safe return of the aircraft and its
crew.
Source : CWGC and Nils
Hempel of Kiel Germany
Date record last updated : 24 March 2009
Sgt William James
Bushell, 13101132 Age 29,
Son of William James & Ellen Bushell, of West Brompton, London
On 27 august 1942 three
hundred and six aircraft were sent by Bomber Command to attack mainly the
aircraft factories at the German city of Kassel situated some forty miles
to the north east of the `Dams' which had been attacked in May 1942 by the
`Dambusters'. The Command lost thirty-one aircraft, 10.1% of the force sent.
One squadron, No 142, lost five of its fifteen Wellingtons taking part in
the raid. It is believed that the German Night-Fighter Controllers were
`spot on' in assessing just where the target was, hence the heavy casualties.
There was very little cloud
cover over Kassel and it was well illuminated by the Pathfinders. Widespread
damage was caused, particularly in the south west of the city, with over
seventy large fires being started and severe damage being done to all three
of the Henschel aircraft factories.
214 Squadron sent twelve
aircraft on this raid, including Stirling Mark 1 R9155 Q - BU which
took off from Stradishall at 2029 hours. On this occasion Pilot Officer
Dunckley took the place of the regular navigator Sergeant S.Newcombe. Pilot
Officer R.H.Dunckley was a New Zealander and Sergeant R.R. Gray was a Canadian.
The others were British.
FLYING
OFFICER A.R.SKONE
PILOT
SERGEANT
J.
KING FLIGHT
ENGINEER
PILOT
OFFICER R.H.
DUNCKLEY NAVIGATOR
SERGEANT
A.C.
LYLE AIR
GUNNER/BOMB AIMER
FLIGHT
SERGEANT R.A.COLEHAN WIRELESS
OPERATOR
SERGEANT
R.R.GRAY
AIR
GUNNER
SERGEANT
W.J.BUSHELL
AIR GUNNER
Nothing was heard of them
again. It has been established that they were one of the twenty-five bombers
shot down by Luftwaffe fighters out of a total loss of thirty-one. They
had bombed their target and were on the way back when, shot down by a night
fighter, crashed at Issum ten miles to the north west of Moers with no survivors.
They were all buried temporarily, in the local cemetery.
Six of the crew of Stirling
Mark 1 R9155 Q-BU who died on Thursday 27 August 1942 were buried in Collective
Grave 28. H. 8-13: Bushell is buried in adjacent Grave 28. H. 7:
SOURCE & RESEARCH:
ARTHUR SKONE
See also 'A PEACEFULL VIEW'
Sgt Fred Bonser, wireless operator / gunner, (23) 992516. Son
of Fred and Hestor Bonner of Birmingham and husband of Madge Evelyn Bonser,
Alum Rock Birmingham.On the 10th of April 1942 at 22.50 , Wellington Mark
1c Bomber No. HB856, piloted by P/O John Murray left Stradishall Royal Air
Force base destined for the German city of Essen in the heavily defended
industrial Ruhr Valley. Sgt Fred Bonser was on board as Wireless operator,
Gunner. Intelligence had predicted clear weather over the whole bombing
run and as with the 3 previous night sorties that week, the planes of his
214 Squadron should return in the early hours of the next morning. The weather
forecast had not been correct however and once over Germany the formations
broke up in the heavy cloud and encountered concentrated and accurate anti-aircraft
fire.
Hb856 did not return, and
was later reported by German authorities that all crew had perished. All
are buried in the Reichswald Forest Memorial Site in Germany.
Researched by Alan Butterworth
of South Africa, nephew of Cpt H.M. Butterworth.
SEE Cpt Harold Butterworth
page for further info .
FS Ted Bonner
FS Ted Bonner, Wireless Operator
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB785 (Corke) BU-A
Source : Pilot Officer
William Foskett
Date record last updated : 23 May 2009
Plt/Off Berry
Staff Training pilot, Stradishall, flew crews under training.
Date record last updated
: 14 June 2009
FS Eric Norman Bird, 1386978, Air Bomber, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 July 1943, Aged 20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK686 BU-C
Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 6. C. 17.
Son of Frederic Arthur and Dorothy Maud Bird, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Source : CWGC and Ian
Hunt
Date record last updated : 8 August 2009
Sgt Robert Charles Bishop, 653306, Wireless Operator / Air
Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 23 November 1940,
Aged 21
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (17 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (5 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (7 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2470 (28 October 1940) BU-K
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2471 BU-?
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (25 October 1940)
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 12
Son of Albert Philip and Emmie Bishop, of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
Sgt R C Bishop was a cousin of Sgt T G Lewis,
another 214 Squadron member.
Sgt Bishop was an ex Haverfordwest
Grammer school pupil and had taken part in many operational flights over Germany.
He volunteered for the Air Force before the outbreak of war. He had 2 brothers
who were serving in the South African Rifles and the R.A.P.C., one gave up
a banking appointment in Nairobi to volunteer for service.
Also related to R. Bishop KIA in WW1, T. Lewis KIA WW2 (also a member of 214
Squadron) and Charles H.B. Lewis killed in Italy in 1943.
If you require further information about relatives of Sgt Bishop you can contact
Owen Vaughan via the Squadron adminstrators.
Source : Ian Hunt
and W R Chorley's book 'RAF Bomber Command Losses 1939-1940' and CWGC and
Richard Williams (joint author of Sway at War 1914-1945) and Nightjar Newsletter
Spring 2006 and Owen Vaughan (researcher)
Date record last updated : 30 July 2011
Sgt
Lionel Black, 948150, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 3 September 1941,
Aged 21
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1717 BU-Z?
Buried in DUNKIRK
TOWN CEMETERY. Reference : Plot 2 Row 2 Grave 23.
Son of Harry and Charlotte Emma Black, of Hoylake, Cheshire.
Source : Captain
Glen McKay Retd (Canadian Armed Forces), (nephew of FS James Patrick McKay)
and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 December 2010
Wg/Cdr D F Balsdon, RAF C Flight commander. Jimmy Balsdon, nicknamed
God by his men, commanded 'A' Flight of 214 Squadron in the latter part
of 1940, being succeeded by Squadron Leader Jimmy Sharp. By December
1941 he was commanding 97 Squadron, then equipped with the under-powered
Avro Manchester. On 18 December, returning from a daylight attack
on Gneisenau in the port of Brest, Balsdon's aircraft, a Halifax, which
had been damaged by anti-aircraft fire over the target, crashed on landing
at Coningsby and the whole crew were killed. (The incident is described
in Guy Gibson's Enemy Coast Ahead.) Balsdon is buried in Scotland.
NOTE: Separate sources
show W/C Balsdon as commanding A flight or C flight.
SOURCE & RESEARCH:
Christopher Jary - Author, Sheila Bryne
Plt/Off Joseph Harold Andrew Baker
Plt/Off
Joseph Harold Andrew Baker, 69491, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 1 April 1942, Aged 21
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9979 BU-O
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9979 (Autumn 1941) BU-O
Buried in DURNBACH
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 2. B. 19-21.
Son of Joseph and Katherine Mabel Baker, of Ellesmere, Shropshire.
Source
: Ian Hunt and records of Fg/Off Venner and Chorley and CWGC
Date record last updated : 16 June 2010
FS Fred Barber, Flight Engineer
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB785 (Corke) BU-A
Plt/Off Bill Foskett recalls: "Our flight engineer was FS Fred Barber.
He was a very genuine Londoner the salt of the earth. He was an extremely
efficient man who knew his job inside out, and expected everyone on the
ground crew to be likewise. They certainly" popped to" when he
was about, he was really meticulous. Anyway; on the flight test prior to
the Gelsenkirchen Op on 21 June 1944 as we got off the bus the ground crew
were hovering,and one of them was heard to say " watch it lads; here
comes Ali Barber and the 40 clangers" I've not heard from him since
we finished our tour, but the last thing he mentioned to me was that he
was going to set up an estate agency in south London. I wonder if he ever
did?"
Source : Pilot Officer
William Foskett
Date record last updated : 23 May 2009
Plt/Off
Harold Broadbent, 143698, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA
13 May 1943, Aged 29
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF381 BU-P2
Buried in REICHSWALD
FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5. B. 2.
Son of Mark and Gertrude Broadbent, of Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire.
From notes from the squadron's ops record book, Plt/Off (then still shown
as Sgt) Broadbent (and thus presumably Plt/Off Catch within the crew) had
only flown one op before this one: a 'gardening' (mine-laying) trip to the
area 'Nectarines I' off the Frisian Islands on the night of 5-6 May 1943 where
they laid 5 mines from 1,000 ft at location 5335N / 0517E at 00.16, but had
to bring one mine home as it had 'hung up' (failed to release).
Source : Ian Hunt
and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Plt/Off
Victor Kingsley Brown,
60071, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 14 July 1941, Aged
25
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1614 BU-H
Buried in BERGEN-OP-ZOOM
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 28. A. 6.
Son of William Kingsley Brown and Victoria Olive Brown; nephew of Mabel
L. Thomas, of Rustington, Sussex.
Source : Ian
Hunt, extracted from Operations record book, PRO and CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Sgt Kenneth Ronald Buckle (Flight Engineer),1686318,
Nationality : United Kingdom. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. KIA 11/08/1943
Son of George Eric and Gertrude Mary Buckle, of Hyde Park, Leeds.
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling BF516 PX-E
Buried at LEEDS (LAWNS WOOD) CEMETERY. Sec. V. Grave 257.
Source : Mrs Shirley Whitlock neice of one of the crew, Ian Hunt and CWGC.
Sgt Horace Sydney 'Chic'
Barker
Sgt Horace Sydney 'Chic' Barker, 646994, Flight Engineer,
Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 June 1942, Aged 23
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I DJ973 BU-A
Born in 50 Medcalf Road, Enfield Lock, UK
Buried in ENFIELD (HERTFORD ROAD) CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. C. Cons.
Grave 5882.
Son of Alfred George and Lydia Barker, of Enfield.
Source
: Neil Leveratt nephew of Sgt Brothers and Ian Hunt and CWGC and Charlie
Barker (great-nephew)
Date record last updated : 7 November 2009
Sgt Peter Grenville Brothers, 1250057, Wireless Operator
/ Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom,
KIA 25 June 1942, Aged 22
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I DJ973 BU-A
Buried in HAVERHILL
CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. U. Grave 244
Son of John Archibald and Lydia Mary Brothers, of Lee, London.
Source
: Neil Leveratt nephew of Sgt Brothers and Ian Hunt and CWGC
Date record last updated : 22 August 2010
FS Eddy Hester Brown, R/83258, Air Gunner, Royal Canadian
Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 25 June 1942, Aged 20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I DJ973 BU-A
Buried in HAVERHILL
CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. U. Grave 194.
Son of J. M. L. Brown and Ada Brown, of Big Spring, Texas, U.S.A.
Source
: Neil Leveratt nephew of Sgt Brothers and Ian Hunt and CWGC
Date record last updated : 20 August 2009
FS Black, Starboard Waist Gunner
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II ??Ingham BU-
Source
: John Ritchie, son of Sgt J Ritchie
Date record last updated : 8 June 2009
FS Brookes, Rear Gunner, Nationality : New Zealand
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II ??Ingham BU-
Source
: John Ritchie, son of Sgt J Ritchie
Date record last updated : 8 June 2009
Sgt
B Burgess, Port Waist Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United
Kingdom, Date taken POW 14 March 1945, POW number NK
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB802 BU-O
SEE
PRISONERS OF WAR
POW camp not known
Back in the UK on 26 April 1945
Source : 'Footprints
on the sands of time' by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Ian Hunt and ORB
Date record last updated : 20 September 2011
Sgt Alex Ballentine, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force,
Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 11 June 1942, POW number 304
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9326 BU-G
Imprisoned at POW camp Beninia?, Poland
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
The crew of R9326 were filmed as part of a Pathe News Gazette wartime film
called ‘Take it on the Chin’ about the bombings raids over Germany,
which they took part in. This can be viewed by visiting : http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=22954
Source : Ian Tonkin and "Footprints on the sands of time"
by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 3 October 2008
FS L C Beagles, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom,
Date taken POW 11 June 1942, POW number 306
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9326 BU-G
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany
- dates unknown
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
The crew of R9326 were filmed as part of a Pathe News Gazette wartime film
called ‘Take it on the Chin’ about the bombings raids over Germany,
which they took part in. This can be viewed by visiting : http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=22954
Source : Ian Tonkin and "Footprints on the sands of time"
by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Len Lane (nephew of FS L C Beagles)
Date record last updated : 17 December 2010
Plt/Off R T Bowen, Navigator
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C ??Enright (22 December 1941)
Was part of the first aircrew to be seconded to 215 Squadron on 22 December
1941.
See Photo album 4 "The exodus of the 214 to the 215".
Source : Colin Burningham
Date record last updated : 16 June 2009
Sgt Anthony John Browne, 643058, Air Gunner, Royal Air
Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 6 January 1942
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C ??Enright (22 December 1941)
Buried in NEWMARKET CEMETERY. Reference : Plot P. Grave 448.
Was part of the first aircrew to be seconded to 215 Squadron on 22 December
1941.
On 6 January 1942, he was killed in an accident to Wellington L7863 of 3 Group
Training Flight at Newmarket while seconded to 215 Squadron.
See Photo album 4 "The exodus of the 214 to the 215".
Source : Colin Burningham and CWGC
Date record last updated : 16 June 2010
FS L E Baxter, R/56098
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Lewendon
Was part of an aircrew to be seconded to 15OTU for 215 Squadron on 09 March
1942.
See Photo album 4 "The exodus of the 214 to the 215".
Source
: Colin Burningham
Date record last updated : 29 May 2010
Sgt
B G Brown, R/49849, Air Gunner
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Smith
Was part of an aircrew to be seconded to 15OTU for 215 Squadron on 11 March
1942.
See Photo album 4 "The exodus of the 214 to the 215".
Source
: Colin Burningham
Date record last updated : 29 May 2010
Flt/Lt Norman Maxwell Boffee DFM
Flt/Lt Norman Maxwell Boffee DFC
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7847 (11 & 12 August
1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7847 (15 Aug, 17 Aug, 19
Aug, 24 Aug, 5 Sep 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2994 (5 August 1940)
On the 25 March 1940 he was posted to 214 Squadron and it appears from his
log book that he was there until 7 September 1940. He then went on to serve
with 75 Squadron.
He was awarded the DFC in 1940 flying Wellington`s with 75 Squadron for
a bombing mission over Munich. He went on to serve in India and North Africa.
On 1 July 1943 he was promoted to Wing Commander. From his log book it appears
that he flew a total of 27 aircraft, starting with an Avro Tutor and finishing
with Meteors in 1957 at St Athan when he retired.
He passed away on the 25th August 1987 at the age of 76.
Source
: Mark G Boffee (Son) and Sheila Scott Byrne (daughter of Wg/Cdr Peter Doig
Scott)
Date record last updated : 10 July 2011
Sgt
Harry William Baldock, 657240, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United
Kingdom, KIA 5 March 1943, Aged 23
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK662 BU-K
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 141
Son of James E. and Elsie Baldock, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire; husband of
Anne Baldock.
Source : Nightjar
Newsletter and CWGC
Date record last updated : 9 October 2010
Sgt K N Butler, Mid-upper
gunner?.
SEE CREWS AND
LOSSES for Fortress KJ119 BU-O
Source : Ian Hunt.
Sgt George Henry Bainbridge, 581078, Navigator / Observer,
Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 30 August 1940, Aged 29
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2559
Born 25 February 1911
Buried in ZELHEM (HALLE) PROTESTANT CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave.
Son of Henry and Barbara Bainbridge, of Carlton, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.
Husband of Ethel Wright
He joined the forces when he was young, originally serving with the Royal
Navy. After a few years he was obliged to switch to the Royal Air Force when
he turned out to be colour blind. This was apparently not a problem with the
RAF; either that or he managed to conceal the fact.
On 21 July 1936 he married Ethel Wright and on 30 May 1937 their son Brian
was born. The young couple were not to enjoy their newfound parenthood for
long; Ethel died three weeks after giving birth, aged just 26.
It was not easy for George to combine the care for Brian with serving in the
Air Force. A befriended couple, Auntie Nell and Uncle Jack French helped out
and often took care of the little boy.
Source : Bennie Eenink (researcher in the Netherlands) and CWGC
and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2006
Date record last updated : 23 June 2009
Sgt G Booth, Wireless Operator.
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling R9194 BU-N
Date taken POW 29 November 1942.
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : Capitaine Herve Savary (French Gendarmerie Officer) and
Nightjar Newsletter.
P/O P Butler, Navigator.
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling R9194 BU-N
Date taken POW 29 November 1942.
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : Capitaine Herve Savary (French Gendarmerie Officer) and
Nightjar Newsletter.
FS Harry 'Barny' Barnfield, 1059973, Navigator, Royal Air
Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 4 March 1945, Aged
24
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB815 (4 March 1945) BU-J
Buried in SALFORD (AGECROFT) CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. 28. Grave 52.
Son of Edward and Mary Barnfield, of Salford.
Please see the following link to the BBC website WORLD WAR 2 - PEOPLE'S WAR,
which tells the story of the death of FS Harry Barnfield and his comrades
whilst returning to their airbase at Oulton when they were apparently shot
down by a German fighter whilst preparing to land.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/19/a1073819.shtml
See the chapter named OULTON AIRBASE
He had suffered with frostbite 6 months before.
Source : Nightjar Newsletter and CWGC and BBC website WORLD WAR
2 - PEOPLE'S WAR
Date record last updated : 5 August 2009
Fg/Off Harry Bennett DFC, 190245, Pilot, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 4 March 1945, Aged
24
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB815 (4 March 1945) BU-J
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB815 (7 February 1945)
BU-J
Buried in ISLINGTON CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM. Reference : Sec. Z. Block
28. Grave 21989.
Son of Harry and Chrissy Ivy Bennett, of Islington, London.
Please see the following link to the BBC website WORLD WAR 2 - PEOPLE'S
WAR, which tells the story of the death of Flying Officer Harry Bennett
and his comrades whilst returning to their airbase at Oulton when they were
apparently shot down by a German fighter whilst preparing to land.
Bennett had a girlfriend and they were getting engaged. She was a nurse
at the sick quarters but she wasn’t on duty that night. During the next
few days she enquired where Bennett was. No one was game enough to tell
her but she looked in the morgue and saw his body amongst the large number
in there.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/19/a1073819.shtml
See the chapter named OULTON AIRBASE
Fortress
Ops flown = 17
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early
returns etc)
Source : Nightjar Newsletter and CWGC and BBC website WORLD WAR
2 - PEOPLE'S WAR and Ian Hunt and BBC website "A bomber's story"
by Bill Knight
Date record last updated : 5 August 2009
Sgt Leslie Ernest Billington, 2205644, Flight Engineer,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 4 March
1945, Aged 20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB815 (4 March 1945) BU-J
Buried in BLICKLING (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD. Reference : Grave 685.
Son of George Alfred and Doris Billington, of Wythenshawe, Manchester.
Please see the following link to the BBC website WORLD WAR 2 - PEOPLE'S
WAR, which tells the story of the death of Sgt Billington and his comrades
whilst returning to their airbase at Oulton when they were apparently shot
down by a German fighter whilst preparing to land.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/19/a1073819.shtml
See the chapter named OULTON AIRBASE
Source
: Nightjar Newsletter and CWGC and BBC website WORLD WAR 2 - PEOPLE'S WAR
and Photograph of grave supplied by Peter Clarke.
Date record last updated : 5 August 2008
FS William Briddon, 1817057, Wireless Operator / Air
Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom,
KIA 4 March 1945, Aged 27
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB815 (4 March 1945) BU-J
Buried in SOUTH WINGFIELD (ALL SAINTS) CHURCHYARD
Son of William and Ellen Briddon, of South Wingfield
Please see the following link to the BBC website WORLD WAR 2 - PEOPLE'S
WAR, which tells the story of the death of FS Briddon and his comrades whilst
returning to their airbase at Oulton when they were apparently shot down
by a German fighter whilst preparing to land.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/19/a1073819.shtml
See the chapter named OULTON AIRBASE
Source : Nightjar Newsletter and CWGC and BBC website WORLD WAR
2 - PEOPLE'S WAR and Dan Foster (relative of FS William Briddon)
Date record last updated : 27 February 2011
FS William Herbert Browell
FS William Herbert Browell, 754853, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 May 1941, Aged 25
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (01 January 1941) BU-R
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (19 December 1940) BU-R
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (25 February 1941) BU-R
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (29 January 1941) BU-R
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (9 May 1941)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2542 (09 January 1941) BU-J
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2841 (15 January 1941) BU-K
Buried in BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 26. D. 8.
Son of William Herbert and Isabel Browell, of Blaydon-on-Tyne, Co. Durham.
Simon Dean recalls that his father told him they were flying over Hamburg
and that Sgt Browell's body was found in the river there. Simon knows that
the rest of the crew were never found, but their names are on the Runnymede
Memorial.
Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC and Simon Dean (nephew of Sgt Alan Dean) and Nightjar
Newsletter Autumn 2005 and Chorley
Date record last updated : 6 December 2011
Sgt Albert Samuel Biffin, 1313932, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 3 August 1943, Aged 21
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF409 BU-V
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 142.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samual Charles Biffin, of St. Denys, Hampshire.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 11 February 2008
Sgt
Arthur Buckley, 614046, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United
Kingdom, KIA 20 June 1942, Aged 23
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I N3762 BU-C
Buried in OMMEN GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 6
Son of Arthur and Annie Buckley of Huddersfield
Source : CWGC, Chorley, Ian Hunt and Anthony Dickinson (Great nephew)
Date record last updated : 6 August 2008
Sgt J H Bailey, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW
20 June 1942, POW number 303
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I N3762 BU-C
Imprisoned at POW camp Beninia?, Poland
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : Chorley, Ian Hunt & "Footprints in the sands
of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 17 February 2008
WO L R Burgin, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW
20 June 1942, POW number 312
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I N3762 BU-C
Imprisoned at POW camp Beninia?, Poland
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : Chorley, Ian Hunt & "Footprints in the sands
of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 17 February 2008
Sgt Peter Richard Keith Burley
Sgt Peter Richard Keith Burley, 1152213, Pilot, Royal Air
Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 12 May 1941, Aged
20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1462 BU-?
Buried in HAMBURG CEMETERY. Reference : 5A. F. 3.
Son of Richard Sandford Burley and Hilda Elsie Burley, of Ewell, Surrey. British
(Junior) and Public Schools Steeplechase Champion and Record Holder, 1939.
Source : Christopher Jary - Author and Ian Hunt and CWGC
Date record last updated : 13 February 2008
Sgt A T Boosma
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF362 BU-N
Sgt Boosma was injured in the crash of EF362 on 30 March 1943
Source : Ian Hunt and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Joyce
Birch (cousin of WG Cooper)
Date record last updated : 12 August 2009
FS Charles Roberts William
Braithwaite
FS Charles Roberts William Braithwaite, 1812034,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 March
1945
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress III KJ112 BU-P
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 270
Please see the entry for FS
James McFarlane for a letter sent by the family of FS Charles Roberts
William Braithwaite.
Source : Chorley and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003 and
Catherine Stewart (relative of WO James McFarlane)
Date record last updated : 27 July 2010
WO Donald Oliver Bradburn, 1590843, Flight Engineer, Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 November
1945
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Liberator (model unknown) KL587
Buried in SUDA BAY WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 16. C. 15.
He also served with 34 Squadron and the South African Airforce.
Source
: Steve Levi (nephew) and CWGC and Peter Walker and Jock Whitehouse
Date record last updated : 5 September 2010
Fred Bailey
Named on a photograph of 214 Squadron members at Brackla, January 1945 - see
Album 4
Brackla near Nairn in Invernesshire. It was the hutted camp of ACAC, Air Crew
Allocation Centre, a clearing house for tour expired aircrew. In spite of
heavy losses, far more had survived than could be used for further flying
duties and it was quite a problem finding suitable niches for all.
Source : Gerhard Heilig
Date record last updated : 7 March 2008
Sgt E J Barrett, Waist Gunner
Was an occasional replacement for crew members of HB774.
Is listed on Battle Orders for 22 August 1944.
Is also listed on returning operational aircrew on 31 August 1944
Source : David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright) and George
Mackie
Date record last updated : 4 August 2009
FS John 'Johnny' Bates, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB774 BU-G
Is listed on Battle Orders for 22 August 1944.
Is also listed on returning operational aircrew on 31 August 1944
Transferred to 238 Squadron in February 1945, along with Flt Lt Wright and
P/O Fred Mullenger, serving in the Far East and then Australia.
Source : David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright) and George
Mackie
Date record last updated : 28 July 2008
Sgt Stan E C Bayliss, Special Wireless Operator
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB774 BU-G
Husband of Rona Bayliss
He was a Special Wireless Operator because he spoke German.
Is listed on Battle Orders for 22 August 1944.
Catherine Sommer writes (July 2009): "Roland Williams and his wife Elsie
regularly attended the Squadron reunions, and greatly enjoyed meeting their
old friends there. Elsie Williams, now aged 93, continued to attend until
a couple of years ago, together with Stan and Rona Bayliss, but has been unable
to do so any more since Stan's death three years ago."
Source : David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright) and Marham
News February 1977 and George Mackie and Catherine Sommer (daughter of Roland
Williams)
Date record last updated : 4 August 2008
Fg/Off H Blythe
Was an occasional replacement for crew members of HB774 BU-G
Source : David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright)
Date record last updated : 4 August 2009
FS A E Brown
Was an occasional replacement for crew members of HB774 BU-G
Source : David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright)
Date record last updated : 4 August 2009
Flt/Lt Tom Bayliss, Pilot
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Bayliss
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB773
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) SR377 BU-M
Fortress Ops flown = 39
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early
returns etc)
Source : Ian Hunt and Tony Carter (Son of Gordon Carter) and John
Cripps (nephew of Sydney H Bryant)
Date record last updated : 14 October 2008
Flt/Lt
G J 'Jimmy' Beardsall, Pilot
Fortress Ops flown = 2
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early
returns etc)
Source : Ian Hunt
Date record last updated : 28 May 2008
Sqn/Ldr Kenneth J 'Beetlejuice'
Bettles DFC
Sqn/Ldr Kenneth J 'Beetlejuice' Bettles
DFC, 133994 / 237644, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality
: United Kingdom
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB774 BU-G
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB780 (13 September 1944) BU-C
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB780 (9 September 1944) BU-C
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB787 (12 August 1944) BU-J
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB788 (12 September 1944) BU-B
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB793 (17 September 1944) BU-S
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) SR378 (12 July 1944) BU-D
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) SR383 BU-F / BU-X
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) SR388 (7 July 1944) BU-H
Born 30 October 1920
Born in St Marylebone, London
Son of Frederick George Bettles and Gertrude Bult
His service
record was as follows :
| Date | Unit |
| 09 October 1942 | 75 Squadron (Wellingtons and then Stirlings) |
| 21 April 1943 | 1483 Flt |
| 24 April 1943 | Mildenhall |
| 26 January 1944 | 161 Squadron (Hudsons) |
| 11 March 1944 | 149 Squadron (Stirlings?) |
| 07 April 1944 | 214 Squadron (B-17 Flying Fortress) |
| 04 October 1944 | 1582 CU and then 1332 HCU |
| 14 March 1945 | 3 Flying Instructor School |
| 01 June 1945 | 158 Squadron |
| 06 June 1945 | 1332 HCU |
| 07 June 1945 | 232 Squadron |
| 02 November 1945 | Lyneham |
| 14 March 1946 | HQ Transport Command |
| 05 May 1946 | 9 Personnel Dispersal Unit |
| 09 May 1946 | 232 Squadron |
| 21 May 1946 | 1 Personnel Dispersal Unit |
| 29 May 1946 | Transport Command |
| 22 July 1946 | 104 Personnel Dispersal Unit |
| 24 July 1946 | Released |
| 05 January 1947 | Uxbridge |
| 13 January 1947 | HQ Transport Command |
| 14 February 1947 | HQ 4 Squadron |
| 10 March 1947 | Transport ICU (Avro York Aircraft) |
| 17 June 1947 | Dishforth |
| 01 December 1947 | 40 Squadron |
| 21 September 1949 | 31 Squadron (Anson survey) |
| 21 November 1949 | Abingdon |
| 08 January 1951 | Transferred to Reserve |
| 21 May 1955 | Relinquished commission on enrolment in the RCAF |
Chorley reports that his service number suggests he joined as a trainee volunteer reserve pilot in the Spring of 1937 However he does not list the service number.
Interestingly, there is a fundamental inconsistency concerning Bettles service number - 237664. He maintains that he had only one throughout his service with the RAF although there is a Gazette record for Flt/Lt KJ Bettles - correct name rank and Squadron but seemingly wrong service number. 133994
Kenneth's son, Keith Bettles writes:
"Apparently he had trained as an 'Air Observer' in 1939 - early 1940 (deemed unsuitable) and transferred to the RASC.
Then from there to the RAF as an A II cook in September 1940! Promoted to LAC in August 1941 and qualified as a Sergeant Pilot in February 1942.
There are no details of his initial flying training which I believe was near Stoke-on-Trent nor of his conversion to (then) 'heavies' at Cranfield.
While with 214 Squadron in 1944 he flew 11 Fortress operations between 7 July 1944 and 17 September 1944.
I'm sure that there are more stories than the list conveys. I know that in his time at Tempsford with 161 Sqn he flew Hudsons into occupied France which left him with nightmares for the rest of his life.
Kenneth flew DC-4 Skymasters ferrying military VIPs to-and-from Sydney, Australia and also from Hendon in the Berlin Airlift.
He moved to Canada in 1955 & joined the RCAF flying search & rescue ex Winnipeg, Manitoba."
His DFC details are:
Air Ministry, 16th January, 1945.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards: -
Flight Lieutenants Kenneth John BETTLES (133994), R.A.F.V.R., 214 Sqn.
Sadly Kenneth passed away on 23rd July 2011 at a veteran's home in Royal Oak, Victoria, BC, Canada just 3 months short of his 91st birthday. His ashes were scattered at sea.
Source : Ian Hunt and Flt/Lt Donald MacGilchrist and Keith Bettles (son of Kenneth)
Date record last updated : 30 December 2011
Wg/Cdr Robert L Bowes DFC, 70072, Pilot
Fortress Ops flown = 2
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early
returns etc)
It was Murray Peden, as instructor, who "checked out" Robert on
the Fortresses.
His first operation with 214 Squadron was on 16 April 1945.
His last operation with 214 Squadron was on 2 May 1945.
Source : Ian Hunt and Roger Mills
Date record last updated : 13 September 2009
Sqn/Ldr Jeff Bray DFC, Pilot
Fortress Ops flown = 26
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early
returns etc)
Previously flew Stirlings with 214
Squadron Leader Jeff Bray died on 7 December 2008 at the age of 90.
Source : Ian Hunt and Nightjar Newsletter April 2009
Date record last updated : 5 August 2009
Sgt George Henry Benson, 989053, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 13 September 1944, Aged 23
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB767 BU-A
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 225
Son of William and Laura Benson, of Spennymoor, Co. Durham.
Source : CWGC and John Cripps
Date record last updated : 7 June 2008
Sgt Thomas Hornby Billington, 1044838, Royal Air Force
Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 13 September 1944, Aged
22
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB767 BU-A
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 225
Son of Leonard and Alice Kelsall Billington, of Garstang, Lancashire.
Source : CWGC and Jennifer Bottomley (niece of Sgt T H Billington)
Date record last updated : 13 February 2008
Sgt Ronnie Birkby, 1549729, Wireless Operator / Air
Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA
13 September 1944, Aged 22
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB767 BU-A
Buried in CALAIS SOUTHERN CEMETERY. Reference : Plot R. Grave 8.
Son of James and Ann Birkby, of Elland, Yorkshire.
Source : CWGC and John Cripps
Date record last updated : 7 June 2008
FS P Barkess, Mid Upper Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality
: United Kingdom, Date taken POW 25 August 1944, POW number 52666
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB763 BU-T
Imprisoned at POW camp Bad Sulza / Muhlhausen, Germany
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
Is listed on Battle Orders for 22 August 1944.
Was taken POW whilst on a mission to Russelsheim.
Source : George Mackie and "Footprints on the sands of time"
by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 28 July 2008
FS George Boag DFM, 1554282, Waist Gunner, Royal Air
Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 August 1944,
Aged 23
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB763 (25 August 1944) BU-T
Buried in HOTTON WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave IX. C. 4-6.
Son of Joseph Boag and of Elizabeth Boag (nee McGovern), of Dundee; husband
of Mary Ellen Boag, of Dundee.
Is listed on Battle Orders for 22 August 1944.
FS Boag had flown his first tour with
49 Squadron and details of his award had appeared in the London Gazette on
15 February 1944.
Source : George Mackie and CWGC and Chorley
Date record last updated : 30 December 2011
Flt/Lt Terry Bliss, Captain
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA936
Source : Tom Robson
Date record last updated : 23 January 2010
Flt/Lt Bill Bowen, Navigator / Radio Operator
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Victor K Mark I XH588
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA937
Attended the 62 Victor Mk1 Course. See
photo album 4 for photograph taken 24 November 1965.
Source : Tom Robson and John Brown
Date record last updated : 17 April 2010
Sgt Richard Brown, 944326, Wireless Operator / Air
Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA
9 April 1941, Aged 22
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2542 (9 April 1941)
Buried in KIEL WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 3. A. 7.
Son of Richard and Isabella Brown, of Upton, Pontefract, Yorkshire.
Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter and Nils Hemple and Aled
Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon)
Date record last updated : 2 October 2009
Flt/Lt Paul Byram, Navigator / Radio Operator
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA936
Source : Tom Robson
Date record last updated : 23 January 2010
Fg/Off Barrett, Navigator
Was part of Fg/Off Woodley's main crew.
Source : Emily Ward (Great niece of Fg/Off Ernest Woodley)
Date record last updated : 28 August 2008
FS Brown
Was part of the main crew of Flg/Off E Woodley.
Source : Emily Ward (Great niece of Fg/Off Ernest Woodley)
Date record last updated : 28 August 2008
WO
Burn
Was occasionally part of the crew of Flg/Off E Woodley.
Source : Emily Ward (Great niece of Fg/Off Ernest Woodley)
Date record last updated : 28 August 2008
FS K William 'Bill' Bailey, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force,
Nationality : British
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Peden
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) SR381 BU-F
Source
: Michael Phillips (son of Jack Phillips) and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003
and Return of operational Aircrew at 16:00hrs on 31 August 1944
Date record last updated : 31 October 2008
Sgt H J Bidmead
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BK600
Source : Squadron ORB
Date record last updated : 29 December 2008
Sgt H J Bourgeois
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BF318 (20 December 1942)
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9186 (15 December 1942)
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9186 (8 December 1942)
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7631
Source : Squadron ORB
Date record last updated : 29 December 2008
Sgt A H Bradley, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality
: New Zealand
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7584 BU-D
Managed to bail out of Stirling Mk1 W754 BU-D before it crashed.
Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004
Date record last updated : 13 February 2009
Sgt H Brookfield, Royal Air Force, Nationality :
United Kingdom
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7584 BU-D
Managed to bail out of Stirling Mk1 W754 BU-D before it crashed.
Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004
Date record last updated : 13 February 2009
Sgt Francis Thomas Buckingham, 758023, Co-pilot, Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 December
1940
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R2476
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2476 (29 November 1940) BU-X
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 12
Source : Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2006 and CWGC and
Ian Hunt
Date record last updated : 11 April 2009
FS Blake, Waist Gunner
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II ??Van Den Bok (December 1944)
BU-C
Source : Roger Mills (son of John Tudor Mills)
Date record last updated : 16 May 2009
Sgt Robert John Bennett, 908791, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 May 1941, Aged 20
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (9 May 1941)
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 39
Son of John Gardner Bennett and Fanny Bennett, of Kessingland Beach, Suffolk.
Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Autumn 2005 and Chorley
Date record last updated : 6 December 2011
Sgt Alfred Bulley, Port Waist Gunner
No information known.
Date record last updated : 14 June 2009
Harrold Bennett, Wireless Operator
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) ??Dixon
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK663 (29 March 1943)
There is more information on the crew record for Stirling ??Dixon.
Source : John Jewsbury (son of R F Jewsbury)
Date record last updated : 7 July 2009
Sgt
Harry Leister Burt, 411789, Rear Gunner, Royal New Zealand Air Force,
Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 29 March 1943, Aged 25
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for
Stirling (model unknown) ??Dixon
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK663 (29 March 1943)
Buried in HAVERHILL
CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. U. Grave 196.
Son of Harry and Bertha Burt.
There is more information on the crew record for Stirling ??Dixon.
Source : John Jewsbury (son of R F Jewsbury) and CWGC
Date record last updated : 7 July 2009
WO T W Burke, Wireless Operator, Royal Australian Air Force,
Nationality : Australian, Date taken POW 3 February 1943, POW number None
listed
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9282 BU-Q
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it
became Stalag 344
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
On first op. Repatriated February 1945
On the 26th September 1945, Warrant Officer T. W. BURKE put on record his
thoughts on the shooting down of the No. 214 Squadron Stirling Bomber aircraft
Piloted by Squadron Leader Bill Clarke on the night of 3rd /4th February 1943.
The report was to the Air Officer Commanding Royal Australian Air force, Overseas
Headquarters. The report is given in full as follows (retyped due to the poor
quality of the original):
To: A.O.C. R.A.A.F. O'SEAS Hqs.
From: W/O BURKE. T.W.
Date: 26th February. 1945.
On the night of 3rd/4th February 1943 the Stirling Bomber Q for Queenie with
Sqd-Ldr. W. Clarke as Captain, departed from R.A.F. station Chedburgh Su.
(214 F.M.S. Sqn.) approx 1900 hours for an operational mission to Hamburg.
On reaching the Dutch coast bad weather was experienced and on the V2-hourly
broadcast from Group the a/c was asked for a weather report. It was given
and an R received. Approximately one hour before reaching the target the cockpit
lighting and instruments, with the exception of the A.S.I., became u/s and
Sqd-Ldr. Clarke without the use of his artificial horizon, carried on the
mission.
We arrived 2mins. ahead of our E.T.A. and as the captain turned the a/c the
P.F.F. force was seen and the flare was seen to drop directly in front of
our a/c. The bomb load of incendiaries was released with the exception of
the port wing bomb-bay, which the engineer was unable to open electrically
or manually.
On our course home and on the outskirts of the target, a flak burst hit the
fuselage forward of the rear turret but no serious damage was sustained. When
a/c was approx. 15 mins from the Dutch coast, thick cumulus cloud lay ahead
of our course, and it was necessary to gain 800/1000 ft. altitude to clear
the cloud, the Captain started to climb to approx 21,000 ft. while the a/c
was climbing the m/u gunner and r/gunner only started losing their supply
of oxygen without being conscious of it. (Previous hit by flak may have contributed
to this failure.)
At this moment an enemy a/c J.U.88 attacked from astern and with its first
burst, shot one engine u/s. The r/g then reported e/f but was presumably killed
immediately afterwards as no reply was received from him on the i/c.
At this same time, the m/u gunner aroused and fired two bursts. The e/f second
burst made another engine u/s and set fire to the incendiaries in the port
wing bomb bay. The third engine cut, I presume, to a petrol leakage.
At an early stage in the combat the Captain had the presence of mind to turn
180° and fly inland, avoiding the sea and giving his crew an opportunity to
bale out over land. With the order to "bail out" the Engineer, Bombardier
and Navigator were unable to abandon a/c due to cannon fire directly below
the a/c and as we were in a steady dive with one motor running, valuable height
was lost.
As I left the wireless operator's position Sqd-Ldr. Clarke's words were "I'm
sorry chaps, I couldn't do better than this". After e/f finally broke
away, the Engineer baled out, then the Bombardier. As I reached the front
escape hatch the Captain was still at the controls and the Navigator on the
right hand side of the hatch.
I was in the air a very short time an when the parachute opened I saw the
a/c hit the ground and a sheet of flame rise up and then fade. A week later
I was told by a German Interrogating Officer that they were able to identify
the remains of the bodies in the wreckage.
As I am alive today due only to Sqn-Ldr Clarke's bravery and unshakable courage
to his duty, I submit this statement to you Sir, for your recommendation and
approval. Further information on Sqn-Ldr. W. Clarke's outstanding behaviour
can be obtained from the undermentioned members of the crew, who are prisoners
of war in Germany:
Sgt. J.T. Lawson R.A.F. Bombardier.
Sgt. D. Connlarn. R.A.F. Engineer.
Sgt. R. Crawley. R.A.F. M/U Gunner.
I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant
Abbreviations used: R.A.A.F. = Royal Australian Air Force. 214 F.M.S. Sqn.
= No 214, Federated Malay States, Squadron. Sqd-Ldr. = Squadron Leader. A/c
= aircraft. E.T.A. Estimated Time of Arrival. P.F.F. = Path Finder Force.
m/u. = mid-upper. r/g. = rear gunner. i/c. = inter- comm(unication). E/f.
= enemy fighter. R Roger, the term for message received and understood.
Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Spring 2008 and "Footprints
on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 13 July 2009
Sgt G A Barrow, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW
17 September 1942, POW number 27173
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9350 BU-T
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - from 1943, was previously
Stalag 8B
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it
became Stalag 344
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver
Clutton-Brock and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley
Date record last updated : 30 April 2011
Wg/Cdr John Richard Brown
FRAeS
Wg/Cdr John Richard Brown FRAeS, 4232145J, Pilot, Royal
Air Force, Nationality : British
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Victor K Mark I XH588
Born 12 January 1945
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Son of Charles & Joyce Brown. Husband of Joan Brown.
Attended the 62 Victor Mk1 Course. See
photo album 4 for photograph taken 24 November 1965.
Posted from 57 Squadron, Marham, on 1 September 1966 to the newly reformed
214 Sqn until 1968.
Further tours at Marham:
1975 to 1979 (OC 232 OCU) and 1955-87 (Flt Cdr STANEVAL 55 Squadron).
OC 1 Group and 38 Group STANEVAL February 1992 to June 1995.
Source : John Brown
Date record last updated : 17 April 2010
WO
Leslie Les Bostock, 1521003, Bomb Aimer, Nationality : British
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Austin BU-O
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Wynne
Born 24 July 1923
Born in Buxton, Derbyshire
He flew the following aircraft during his career: Tiger Moth, Anson, Bolingbroke,
Wellington, Stirling, B17 Fortress, Lancaster.
Source : Leslie Bostock
Date record last updated : 27 October 2009
Sgt Alfred 'Alf' Butler, Port Waist Gunner
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Austin BU-O
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Wynne
Source : Leslie Bostock
Date record last updated : 27 October 2009
Sgt Robert Gordon Burnett, 1053569, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 August 1941
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9750 BU-?
Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 40
Son of Robert Edward and Elizabeth Burnett, of Liverpool.
Source : Chorley and CWGC
Date record last updated : 10 October 2009
Sgt Maurice Butler, 985083, Flight Engineer, Royal
Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 1 September
1943, Aged 24
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE959 BU-E
Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 5.
F. 24-29.
Son of Harry Watlin Butler and Mary Butler; husband of Margaret Butler, of
Lincoln.
The body of Sgt Butler was found nearly 7km from the wreckage at Caputh, 6km
SW of Potsdam Germany.
Source : Adrian Lee (son of Frank Lee) Chorley and CWGC
Date record last updated : 27 November 2009
Sqn/Ldr
John Merlin Brown, J5317, Navigator / Observer, Royal Canadian Air Force,
Nationality : Canadian
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8858 BU-B
Was with 214 Squadron until 3 May 1942 when he transferred to 156 Squadron
before moving to Transport Command with the RCAF and 435 Squadron.
Source : Malcolm Brown (son)
Date record last updated : 29 December 2009
Sgt J I Burbridge, 958282, Date taken POW 29 September
1941, POW number 18331
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for
Wellington Mark I C X9884 BU-?
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it
became Stalag 344
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany
- dates unknown
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR
From Knebworth, Hertfordshire, UK
Nicola Jones names him as Sgt Burbage
Source
: Nicola Jones (daughter of Sgt Leslie Hancock) and 'Footprints on the sands
of time' by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Chorley
Date record last updated : 30 December 2009
Sgt
Ronald Sydney Blake, 1220818, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality
: United Kingdom, KIA 26 May 1943, Aged 32
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK659 BU-N
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 142
Son of Sydney Alfred and Florence Mary Blake, of Exeter.
After his aircraft crashed into the North Sea his body was never found.
Source : CWGC
and Geoff Swallow (Australian researcher) and Chorley
Date record last updated : 31 January 2010
Sgt
William Taylor Banner, 2221107, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 February 1945, Aged 37
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB796 (09 February 1945) BU-T
Buried in SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD
CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. C. Grave 10289.
Son of Thomas and Ruth Elizabeth Banner, of Sutton-in-Ashfield; husband
of Martha Alice Banner.
Source : CWGC
and Geoff Swallow (Australian researcher) and Chorley
Date record last updated : 2 February 2010
WO
Lionel John Bennett, 42287, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality
: New Zealand, KIA 9 February 1945, Aged 25
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB796 (09 February 1945) BU-T
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 285
Son of John William Bennett and of Minnie Bennett (nee Carpenter), of Whangarei,
Auckland, New Zealand.
Source : CWGC
and Geoff Swallow (Australian researcher) and Chorley
Date record last updated : 2 February 2010
FS
Peter George Buckland, 1337316, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality
: United Kingdom, KIA 9 February 1945
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB796 (09 February 1945) BU-T
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 270
Source : CWGC
and Geoff Swallow (Australian researcher) and Chorley
Date record last updated : 2 February 2010
Sgt William Bunyan, 1118147, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 February 1945, Aged 35
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB796 (09 February 1945) BU-T
Buried in BOLTON
(ASTLEY BRIDGE) CEMETERY. Reference : Div. L.B. Sec. L. Nonconformist.
Grave 88.
Son of John Thomas Bunyan and Jane Bunyan, of Bolton; husband of Mary Ann
Bunyan, of Eagley Bank, Bolton.
Source : CWGC
and Geoff Swallow (Australian researcher) and Chorley
Date record last updated : 2 February 2010
Sgt
Buckley
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9322 (1 June 1942)
This could quite possibly be Sgt Arthur Buckley KIA 20 June 1942 with Stirling
N3762 BU-C
Source : Don
MacDonald
Date record last updated : 19 March 2010
Sgt
Burley
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9322 (1 June 1942)
Source : Don
MacDonald
Date record last updated : 19 March 2010
LAC
Alfred Broyden Birch, 1675037, Leading Aircraftman, Royal Air Force,
Nationality : United Kingdom
Born 6 February 1905
Born in Manchester UK
Son of Robert Birch
Alfred Broyden Birch served with 1653 at Stradishall and Chedburgh.
He died on 26 December 1983 aged 77.
Source : Graham
Birch (son)
Date record last updated : 10 July 2010
Peter
Biggadike, Crew Chief
He was a crew chief on 214 from 1972 until it disbanded in 1977.
He has his own website http://www.users.waitrose.com/~g8jan/
Source : Peter
Biggadike
Date record last updated : 22 August 2010
Sgt
R L Bouttell, 1892607, Mid Upper Gunner
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF445 BU-J
Source : Chorley
Date
record last updated : 3 October 2010
Ken
J Bolton
No further information available yet.
Date record last
updated : 3 October 2010
FS
Raymond Gerard Brasnett, R/86619, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal
Canadian Air Force, KIA 15 October 1942
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9146 BU-S
Buried
in UDEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 4. B. 10-12.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 9 October 2010
Plt/Off
Alan Hedges Barford, 102076, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Buried in WANDSWORTH
(STREATHAM) CEMETERY. Reference : Block G. Grave 329.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Plt/Off Richard Watt Belshaw DFM
Plt/Off Richard Watt Belshaw DFM,
147743, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 25 July 1943, Aged
21
Buried in BECKLINGEN
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 20. A. 9.
Son of David and Mary Belshaw, of Dalmuir, Dunbartonshire.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Plt/Off Thomas Best, J/7030, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, KIA 2 April
1942, Aged 23
Buried in RHEINBERG
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 1. D. 2.
Son of Jeremiah and Ann Best; husband of Thelma Elizabeth Best, of Woodstock,
Ontario, Canada.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
AC1
Ivy Craig Haining Black, 1550173, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
KIA 24 June 1941, Aged 23
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 39.
Buried in MOSUL
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 1. D. 10.
Son of James and Margaret Black, of Dunscore, Dumfrieshire.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Sgt
William Barnes, 1266491, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
KIA 25 July 1943, Aged 34
Buried in BECKLINGEN
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 20. A. 13.
Son of Rufus and Sarah Barnes; husband of Marjorie Eileen Barnes, of Ruislip
Manor, Middlesex.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Sgt
Kenneth Judson Barton, R/64730, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality
: Canadian, KIA 24 June 1941
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1609
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 60.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 12 October 2011
Sgt
Reginald Sydney Bayly, 1393907, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer
Reserve, KIA 22 September 1943
Buried in HANOVER
WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 1. D. 9.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Sgt
John Charles Eric Black, 955681, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 June 1941, Aged 23
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1609
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 39.
Son of John Black and Kathleen Alice Black (nee Levy), of Stratford-on-Avon,
Warwickshire.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 12 October 2011
Flt/Lt
Charles Milne Brodie, J/24393, Royal Canadian Air Force, KIA 3 January
1945
Named on the following Memorial : SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Column 455.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 October 2010
Sgt
John Robert Boland, 1054956, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,
KIA 30 November 1941, Aged 24
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8953 BU-?
Buried in TEXEL
(DEN BURG) CEMETERY. Reference : Plot K. Row 4. Grave 75.
Son of John William and Mary Jane Boland, of Norton, Stockton-on-Tees, Co.
Durham; husband of Rita Frances Boland.
Source : CWGC
Date record last updated : 29 December 2010
Sqn/Ldr Eric Frank 'Jim' Bonner
Ercolani is in the centre of the picture pointing
at the map and Eric Bonner is 2nd from the right
Eric Bonner in Singapore
Sqn/Ldr Eric Frank 'Jim' Bonner, 68723, Rear Gunner,
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom
Born 23 April 1919
Born in Beckenham, Kent
Son of Charles and Ann Bonner
Eric's short service commission as Pilot Officer was terminated at the outbreak
of World war 2, so he joined up as a Volunteer Reserve and started as rear-gunner.
He ended up as Squadron Leader in the service. After the war, he was then
transferred to Singapore on Mountbatten's staff.
Sadly he died at the age of 46 in 1965.
Entries found in the London Gazette:
Issue 35217
Granted commission for the duration of hostlities as Pilot Officer on probation
27 May 1941
Issue 35643
Pilot Officer on probation confirmed in appointments and to be Flying Officer
(war subs) 27 May 1942
Issue 36059
Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant (war subs) 27 May 1943
Issue 39158
Flight Lieutenant retaining rank 7 November 1950
Issue 40636
Commission relinquished 7 November 1955
Source : Sandy
Edwards (daughter of E F Bonner) and London gazette
Date record last updated : 8 August 2011
Sgt
Charles Bernard Brown, 411576, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United
Kingdom, KIA 30 July 1943
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF407 BU-A
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Panel 143
Son of Charles Bernard and Annie May Brown, of Blackpool, Lancashire.
Source : Chorley
& CWGC
Date record last updated : 30 April 2011
Flt/Lt
Beck
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2800 (3 January 1941)
Source : Sheila
Scott Byrne (daughter of Wg/Cdr Peter Doig Scott)
Date record last updated : 10 July 2011
Sgt
Alan M Brown,
Pilot
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7847 (10 Sep - 16 Oct 1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R1046 (5 November and
7 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (28 October 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2542 (20 October 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2562 (1 November 1940)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2562 (10 October 1940)
"Sgt. Alan Brown was the son of Sam Brown, the
famous Avro test-pilot who flew the early Lancasters". (Geoff Cole)
Source : Sheila Scott Byrne (daughter of Wg/Cdr Peter Doig Scott)
Date record last updated : 20 September 2011
Plt/Off
Don Beaton, Air Bomber, Nationality : Nyasaland (Malawi)
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) SR388 (2 June 1944)
BU-H
Source : Mike
Day (son of Sqn/Ldr Day)
Date record last updated : 31 August 2011
FS
A H E Bamsey, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 27 September
1943, POW number 583
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF402 BU-E
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel),
Germany - dates unknown
SEE
PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : 'Footprints
on the sands of time' by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 8 August 2011
Sgt
R G Bentley, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 27 September
1943, POW number 269828
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF402 BU-E
Imprisoned at POW camp Muhlberg am der Elbe, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
SEE
PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : 'Footprints
on the sands of time' by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 8 August 2011
FS
C Brown, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 27 September 1943,
POW number 598
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF402 BU-E
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel),
Germany - dates unknown
SEE
PRISONERS OF WAR
Source : 'Footprints
on the sands of time' by Oliver Clutton-Brock
Date record last updated : 8 August 2011
Sgt
Cecil 'Bill' Brown, 1892486, Waist Gunner
SEE
CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ103 BU-M
Sgt Cecil Brown served with 214 Squadron from 25 June 1944 to 16 January
1945 at Oulton. He flew with several pilots. His Pilot in the main was a
Fg/Off Hill, although other Pilots were Fg/Off Scholes; Kingdom; Stewart;
Scott; Morrison: Jackson; Scantleton; Wg/Cdr McGlinn; and WO Archibald.
The final entry in his log book was for the flight on KJ 103.
Source : Chorley
and Peter Brown (son)
Date record last updated : 31 August 2011
Flt/Lt
Boyd
SEE CREWS
AND LOSSES for Valiant (model unknown) XD812
Source : Judi
Wright (daughter of Flt/Lt David Wright)
Date record last updated : 28 December 2011
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