Sgt David Laming

Sgt David Laming, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK659 (20 April 1943) BU-N
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH699 BU-X

Served with 214 from 28 February 1943 to 29 July 1943. The crew were based at Chedburgh, Suffolk flying Stirlings.

See Stories and Tall Tales ("N" for nuts section) for a story written by F/Lt Wallace about one of the crews Ops over Germany when their Stirling was shot up by another Stirling injuring the pilot Geoff Shattock.

Source : Dave Wallace, son of Flt/Lt A. Wallace

Date record last updated : 30 April 2011

Sgt Fred C 'Freddy' Langhorn

Sgt Fred C 'Freddy' Langhorn, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

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

Alan Mercer has contributed some reminiscences and a photo of Sgts White and Langhorn with 'their' B-17 in a book about 100 Group which came out about a year ago: "Even When The Sparrows Are Walking" by Laurie Brettingham.

Sgt "Chalky" White and Sgt Freddy Langhorn in front of their aircraft BU-G, Spring 1945.

Source : Alan Mercer and Ian Hunt and Jennifer Baumfield

Date record last updated : 22 February 2009

AVM Ian Douglas Napier Lawson CB, CBE, DFC & Bar, AE

AVM Ian Douglas Napier Lawson CB, CBE, DFC & Bar, AE, 86354, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2802 BU-A

Born in London, England

Husband of Flight Officer Bunty Nash of the WAAF Y Service

Born in 1917.

Ian Lawson was educated at Brondesbury College and the Regent Street Polytechnic. While employed in the design office of the de Havilland Aircraft Company he enlisted in the RAFVR in 1938 and, at the outbreak of war, had 40 flying hours in his logbook.

London Gazette Issue 34986 published 5 November 1940:
Made Sergeant from 22 September 1940.

He and his crew joined 214 Squadron from 11 OTU Bassingbourne in November 1940 when they were taken over by Pilot Officer Jack Wetherly, who had just qualified as captain.

In 1941 Ian qualified as Captain.

London Gazette Issue 35350 published 18 November 1941:
Became Pilot Officer (on probation) from 22 September 1941

After twelve operations with 214 Squadron he was posted to Malta. Of the three aircraft that set out from Stradishall, his was the only one to arrive safely.

In the Middle East he completed another 43 operations with 148 Squadron, attacking Tripoli, Benghazi and targets in Greece, Crete, Sicily and Yugoslavia.

London Gazette Issue 35439 published 27 January 1942:
Awarded DFC while with 148 Squadron.

After a spell at 205 Group he returned to operations in September 1942 as a Flight Commander with 70 Squadron. Here he flew another 26 operations in support of Montgomery's victory at Alamein and subsequent advance.

London Gazette Issue 35755 published 20 October 1942:
Promoted to Flying Officer from 22 September 1942.

London Gazette Issue 36027 published 21 May 1943:
Bar to DFC awarded while with 70 Squadron.

He returned to England in 1943 to fly a Pathfinder operation to see what lessons could be applied to the Mediterranean theatre. This, his 82nd operation, was his last; it was also his only one not flown in a Wellington.

London Gazette Issue 36329 published 11 January 1944:
Promoted to Acting Squadron Leader.

London Gazette Issue 36732 published 3 October 1944:
Promoted to Squadron Leader from 1 April 1944.

London Gazette Issue 36963 published 27 February 1945:
Promoted to Wing Commander from 26 January 1945.

He married Bunty Nash in June1945. They had a daughter and a son.

London Gazette Issue 37300 published 5 October 1945:
Became Group Captain.

By October 1945 he was one of the youngest Group Captains in the RAF, serving on the staff at HQ Mediterranean Allied Forces. He was mentioned three times in Despatches and awarded the US Legion of Merit and the Air Efficiency Award.

London Gazette Issue 38131 published 21 November 1947:
Relinquished the war substantive rank of Wing Commander from 1 November 1947 and became Squadron Leader.

Given a regular commission, Ian reverted to Squadron Leader rank and attended the RAF Staff College. In the post-war RAF he flew Dakotas, Lancasters, Meteors, Vampires, Hunters, Canberras and the Comet and steadily climbed the ladder of promotion.

London Gazette Issue 39586 published 27 June 1952:
Promoted to Wing Commander.

London Gazette Issue 41433 published 1 July 1958:
Became Group Captain from 1 July 1958.

He commanded RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, served in Aden as an Air Commodore and finally was appointed as Commandant of Cranwell. He was especially proud to return to Cranwell as Commandant as he had left it in 1940 as a sergeant pilot.

He was awarded the CBE in 1961 and the CB in 1965.

On retirement from the RAF he joined the British Aircraft Corporation, where he was thrilled to play a part in the Concorde project.

A quiet, taciturn airman in the Stuffy Dowding mould, Ian lawson's joy in flying and kindly interest in the young, coupled with a resolute refusal to do anything he thought was wrong, made him a formidable senior officer, popular with his subordinates, and held in awe by his superiors.

Ian died in February 1988 aged 80. RAF Lyneham provided a guard and a fly-past for his funeral at Lacock, Wiltshire.

Source : Christopher Jary, Author - Portrait Of A Bomber Pilot and London Gazette (various issues)

Date record last updated : 16 May 2009

FS Alan MacNeiley Laughland

FS Alan MacNeiley Laughland (R103284) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.214 Squadron - Award effective 3 June 1943 as per London Gazette dated 11 June 1943 and AFRO 1294/43 dated 9 July 1943. Born in Guelph, Ontario, 1922; home there; enlisted Hamilton, 5 June 1941. Trained at No.3 ITS (graduated 19 October 1941), No.22 EFTS (graduated 21 December 1941), and No.1 BGS (graduated 2 February 1942). Later commissioned. Killed in action with No.617 Squadron (Lancaster ED735), 17 November 1943; no known grave; name on Runnymede Memorial. Medal presented (to whom not stated on DHist card), 12 December 1944.

Flight Sergeant Laughland has served as mid-upper gunner for a considerable period. He has completed numerous sorties against enemy targets, including Essen, Genoa, Turin and Hamburg. On several occasions he has skillfully fought off the attack if night fighters, four of which he damaged. In August 1942 the aircraft in which he was flying was attacked by four enemy fighters. Flight Sergeant Laughland fired at the first and set it on fire; the second broke off the attack after being hit. Throughout his operational career this airman has invariably displayed high courage and determination.

FS Raoul Trichon 'Tom' Lyall

FS Raoul Trichon 'Tom' Lyall, Wireless Operator, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 24 May 1944, POW number 36

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR384 BU-A

Imprisoned at POW camp Bankau (Bakow), Poland

Born 23 May 1923

Born in Salt Ash, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

In July 1944 the RAAF received a telegram from International Red Cross Committee (IRCC) quoting German information stating May 25 FS Lyall captured, Raoul Trichon `Tom' Lyall.
After being liberated Raoul returned to Australia but sadly has since passed away.

Source : Ryan Dudley (nephew of Allan Hockley) and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Roz Glenn (daughter-in-law of FS Thomas Glenn)

Date record last updated : 28 February 2010

John Lyall

John Lyall, Australia WOp/Ag

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

John was a radio operator/air gunner and he and his crew specialised in countermeasures RI (radio interference). They carried a German speaking radio operator (who I think was Canadian) and a transmitter system tuned in to the German frequencies. A part of their job was to countermand the German radio controllers' orders. This apparently caused much confusion amongst the German pilots and often resulted in them being sent to the wrong position to intercept the bomber streams.

Contact: Friend of John's Graeme Walsh XXXgraeheat@yahoo.com.au>

FS J M Lyall

FS J M Lyall, RCAF, Shot down in raid on Berlin 01/03/1943 and taken prisoner.

Crew were:

F/S J.M. Lyall prisoner RCAF

Sgt N.G. Etherden prisoner RAF

F/O B.F.R Hotson killed RNZAF

Sgt D.B Scoble prisoner RNZAF

Sgt R.H Thom prisoner RNZAF

Sgt J.G Jack prisoner RAF

Sgt J.G Powell prisoner RAF

Sgt Cyril Lyle

Sgt Cyril Lyle, 1379354 Age 22, Son of Percy & Mary Lyle, of Pimlico, 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:

SOURCE & RESEARCH: ARTHUR SKONE

See also 'A PEACEFULL VIEW'

Sgt Enoch 'Nick' Lovatt

Sgt Enoch 'Nick' Lovatt, Rear Gunner, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 24 May 1944, POW number 35

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR384 BU-A

Imprisoned at POW camp Bankau (Bakow), Poland

Born in South Shields, County Durham, England

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Sgt Lovatt was born in 1924.

He died in 1957 in South Shields, County Durham aged 33 years.

Source : Ryan Dudley (nephew of Allan Hockley) and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 28 February 2010

Flt/Lt James William Lucas DFC

Flt/Lt James William Lucas DFC, 125538, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB819 (Date unknown) BU-U

Named on the following Memorial : Blickling Hall Scroll
Named on the following Memorial : Memorial Wall Elvington Museum

Born 15 July 1918
Born in Southend on Sea, Essex

Son of William Lucas, mother's name unknown

Enlisted on 4 November 1940.
After Basic Training he was sent to Toronto Canada in June 1941.
Moved to Tuscaloosa , Primary Training Centre, USA.
Trained on STEARMAN AIRCRAFT.
Further Training at Gunter Field Alabama, Selma Craig Field and Eglin Air Field Florida.
Authorized To Wear Flying Badge on 6 February 1942.
Started training to become an instructor February 1942. He then commenced training pilots at Gunter Field from March 1942 to October 1942.
Returned to England October 1942 and commenced training for Bomber Command.
BAT Course 38 at Little Rissington Gloucester on OXFORDS
24 OTU Honeybourne on WHITLEY
10 OTU Detachment St Eval on WHITLEY
Whilst training he completed 6 operational sweeps of the the Atlantic, flying WHITLEY on April 26th, May 2nd /5th/9th/14th/17th 1943.

To 1663 Conversion Unit Ruffort June 1943, trained on HALIFAX Bombers.

Transferred to 78 Squadron Breighton Yorkshire and was operational from July 1943.

03 July 1943 COLOGNE
09 July 1943 GELSENKIRCHEN
13 July 1943 AACHEN
15 July 1943 MONTBELIARD
24 July 1943 HAMBURG & ESSEN
27 July 1943 HAMBURG
29 July 1943 HAMBURG
30 July 1943 REMCHEID
02 August 1943 HAMBURG
22 August 1943 LEVERKUSEN
23 August 1943 BERLIN
27 August 1943 NUREMBURG
30 August 1943 MUNCHEN GLADBACH
31 August 1943 BERLIN
27 September 1843 HANOVER
03 October 1943 KESSEL

Flt/Lt Lucas left 78 Squadron in October 1943.

Sleap 81 O T U November 1943.
93 Group Screen Pilots School RAF Station Church Broughton Derbyshire.
Trainer RAF Seighford 30 O T U flying WELLINGTONS February 1944

Promotion to Flt/Lt from Flg/Off published in the London Gazette 22 February 1944 Issue number: 36396

July 1944 to October 1944 flying HURRICANES (location not shown in log book).

He then transferred to Oulton 1699 Unit flying FORTRESS B17G in December 1944 and was operational from February 1945.

03 February 1945 WIESBADAN
04 February 1945 GELSENKIRCHEN
08 February 1945 STUTTGART
13 February 1945 BOLHEN
20 February 1945 HEILBRONN
21 February 1945 KREFELD
02 March 1945 BREMEN
05 March 1945 MANKEIM
07 March 1945 DESSEN
13 March 1945 GELSENKIRCHEN & HERNE
14 March 1945 WIESBADEN
16 March 1945 FRANKFURT
18 March 1945 DESSAU
20 March 1945 HAMBURG
22 March 1945 KREFELD
08 April 1945 HAMBURG
10 April 1945 DESSAU
16 April 1945 SCHWANDORF
18 April 1945 KOMOCAM

Flt/Lt Lucas left Oulton in July 1945

DFC awarded and published in the London Gazette Issue 37324 published on the 23 October 1945.

Wymeswold 108 O T U July 1945 to January 1946
Nutts Corner Northern Ireland

Date of release 15 March 1946
Last day of service 26 May 1946
Commission relinqueshed 01 July 1959

Flt/Lt Lucas died on 4 January 2001 aged 82. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at Sandwell Crematorium Garden of Rest, West Midlands.

There will be a memorial dedicated to his achievements to be unveiled in November 2010 in his home town War Remembrance garden, Wednesbury, West Midlands.

Source : Stephen James Lucas (son) and Flt/Lt Lucas's logbook

Date record last updated : 4 July 2009

Sgt Robert Francis 'Bob' Lloyd-Davies

Sgt Robert Francis 'Bob' Lloyd-Davies, Wireless Operator, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 24 May 1944, POW number 34

See CREWS AND LOSSES for Fortress II SR384 BU-A

Imprisoned at POW camp Bankau (Bakow), Poland

Born in Chester, England

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Ryan Dudley (cousin twice removed of Allan Hockley) and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Roz Glenn (daughter-in-law of FS Thomas Glenn)

Date record last updated : 29 May 2010

Sgt Eric Makham Lee

Sgt Eric Makham Lee, 1132944, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 17 April 1943, Aged 22

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BK653

Buried in POIX-DE-PICARDIE CHURCHYARD. Reference : Row E. Grave 12.

Son of Sydney and Annie Wilson Lee, of Stockport, Cheshire; husband of Irene Lee, of Heaton Norris, Stockport.

Source : Julien Saguez, French Researcher and Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 July 2011

Fg/Off Peter Harold Liddle

Fg/Off Peter Harold Liddle, 129581, Navigator, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 May 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III MZ261 BU-T

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 3. D. 17.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Liddle, of Cape Town, South Africa.

On the 23 May 1943 at 23.15, Stirling MZ261 coded BU-T lifted off from Chedburgh, in Suffolk on the nights operations. The target for the night was a bombing raid on Dortmond which included several other 214 squadron aircraft. This was destined to be their last flight. It is unknown exactly what happened, possibly flak or a nightfighter, but Stirling MZ261 crashed at Unna about 15km ENE of Dortmund. Initially the crew were buried here but they were later taken re-interred in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

Source : Martin Alford, nephew of Donald Alford & CWGC.

Date record last updated : 18 February 2008

Fg/Off W J Lovell-Smith

Fg/Off W J Lovell-Smith, Air Bomber, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, 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 8 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 Gundon Dalton Loveridge

Sgt Gilbert Dalton Loveridge, 1388965, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Nationality : United Kingdom. KIA 3 August 1943 aged 21.

See CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling III EF409 BU-V

Named on RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL. Panel 157

Son of Gilbert Harold and Emily Loveridge, of Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Source : Norman Loveridge ( brother) and Roy Walsham (neighbour of Norman Loveridge) and CWGC.

Date record last updated : 24 March 2008

WO John R Lee

WO John R Lee, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 25 August 1944, POW number 5291

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB763 BU-T

Imprisoned at POW camp Barth, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Flew 18 actual operational 'take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops,early returns etc.

Is listed on Battle Orders for 22 August 1944.

Was taken POW whilst on a mission to Russelsheim.

An account in Ian Mackersey’s "Into the Silk" describes the amazing survival story of John Lee, a 214 Squadron pilot, who survived a long fall despite the fact that his parachute never fully deployed. This happened on an August 25, 1944 mission to bomb the Opel car factory in Russelheim.

Source : George Mackie and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Ian Hunt and Jim Hamilton and Ian MacKersey

Date record last updated : 28 July 2008

Sgt W E Lewendon

Sgt W E Lewendon, 1288221, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Lewendon

On 9 March 1942 he was part of an aircrew that reported for duty with 215 Squadron at 150TU Harwell.

See Photo album 4 "The exodus of the 214 to the 215".

Source : Colin Burningham

Date record last updated : 29 May 2010

Plt/Off C Logan

Plt/Off C Logan, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner.

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C ??Enright (22 December 1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Smith

Was part of the first aircrew to be seconded to 215 Squadron on 22 December 1941.

He was again 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 : 16 June 2010

FS C V C Lacey

FS C V C Lacey, Wireless Operator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Fortress Mark II KJ119 BU-O

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 1 January 2010

Plt/Off J Lingwood

Plt/Off J Lingwood, KIA 6 November 1939.

See CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington MK1 L4345

Source : Nightjar Newsletter.

Sgt J M Lando

Sgt J M Lando , Flight Engineer.

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB803 BU-L
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) HB819 BU-U

Source : Ian Hunt

Wg/Cdr Loughnan

Wg/Cdr Loughnan, Co-pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 BU-R

Source : Ian Hunt

FS W A Leslie

FS W A Leslie, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 23 May 1943, POW number 1252

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF528

Imprisoned at POW camp Barth, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany - dates unknown

Source : Dave Pointer (grandson of Sgt WS Clifton-Moggs) and "Footprints in the sand of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 28 January 2008

Sgt Albert Livesey

Sgt Albert Livesey, 970744, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 12 May 1941, Aged 19

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 : Joint grave 5A. F. 4-5.

Son of William and Jennie Livesey, of Darwen, Lancashire.

Albert Livesey joined 214 Squadron as a very young man in November 1940. He flew as front gunner 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 - Portrait Of A Bomber Pilot and Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 10 October 2009

Sgt C R Logan

Sgt C R Logan

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF362 BU-N

Sgt Logan 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

Sgt F T Lovegrove

Sgt F T Lovegrove

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF362 BU-N

Source : Ian Hunt and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Joyce Birch (cousin of WG Cooper)

Date record last updated : 12 August 2009

Sgt Gordon Lowe

Sgt Gordon Lowe, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) ??Mackett

Source : Robert Mackett

Date record last updated : 8 March 2008

Fg/Off Archibald Havill Leitch

Fg/Off Archibald Havill Leitch, J/44328, Navigator, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 16 November 1944, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB787 (16 November 1944) BU-J

Buried in BROOKWOOD MILITARY CEMETERY. Reference : 51. A. 10.

Son of Archibald Kenneth and Mary Josephine Leitch, of Vancouver British Columbia, Canada.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003

Date record last updated : 28 June 2008

Sgt Fulton James 'Jim' Logan

Sgt Fulton James 'Jim' Logan, Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian

Ron Belanger (his son in law) has his original Flying Log Book (for Aircrew other than Pilot). Although he cannot interpret all of the entires there appear to be some interesting flights. It contains entries from both 214 Squadron Sculthorpe and 214 Squadron Oulton. His duties were both as ball gunner and beam gunner. The entries are from May 1943 (Gunnery Course) to December 1944 and include 30 OPs 35 Sorties. Some entries include: Ops Saarbrucken Oct 5/44; Ops Nurnberg Oct 19/44; Danish Coast; Ops Cologne & Frankfurt Oct 27/444 etc. Some of the pilots are shown as F/L Puterbough, F/L Morrison and F/O Hill.

Source : Ron Belanger (son in law)

Date record last updated : 5 May 2008

Plt/Off Geoffrey George Liles

Plt/Off Geoffrey George Liles, 128506, Pilot

Flew 30 actual "operational take-offs". This does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc.

Geoff was also an instructor at No.29 EFTS, RAF Clyffe Pypard.

Source : Ian Hunt and Douglas Reed

Date record last updated : 3 August 2008

WO Lawrence

WO Lawrence

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

Flt/Lt Lucas

Flt/Lt Lucas, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ107 (8 April 1945) BU-N

8 April 1945 - Mentioned on Battle Orders

Date record last updated : 28 August 2008

FS A E 'Bert' Lester

FS A E 'Bert' Lester, Mid Upper Gunner, 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 Longdon

Sgt Longdon

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) Z8900
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) Z8900 (15 November 1941)

Source : Colin Burningham and W.R.Chorley

Date record last updated : 4 October 2009

Sgt A W Lane

Sgt A W Lane

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BF318 (20 December 1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BF318 (28 November 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 J A Lawson

Sgt J A Lawson

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 Arthur Lionel Lax

Sgt Arthur Lionel Lax, 741541, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 15 January 1942, Aged 25

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R1759 BU-L

Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 87.

Son of Augustus Frederick Harry and Ethel Lax, of Hornsea, Yorkshire.

After his aircraft crashed into the North Sea off Whitby Yorkshire, his body was never recovered.

Source : CWGC and Richard Allenby - www.yorkshire-aircraft.co.uk

Date record last updated : 9 March 2009

Sgt Edward Cooper Lee

Sgt Edward Cooper Lee, 969132, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 December 1940, Aged 28

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R2476

Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 16

Son of William George Lee, and of Selina Ellen Lee, of Great Malvern, Worcestershire.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2006 and CWGC

Date record last updated : 11April 2009

Plt/Off Lodge

Plt/Off Lodge, Co-pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7859 (29 November 1940) BU-C

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 7 April 2009

Sgt J A Lawson

Sgt J A Lawson, Bomb Aimer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 3 February 1943, POW number 27509

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9282 BU-Q

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 : 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

Sqn/Ldr Mervyn 'Taff' Leyshon AFC MiD

Sqn/Ldr Mervyn 'Taff' Leyshon AFC MiD, Non Comm 970070 Comm 103502, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Eddison
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Leyshon

Born 22 January 1919

Born in Pencoed, South Wales

Son of Robert Leyshon and Gwladys Leyshon (Evans)

Mervyn’s first crew at No. 11 Operational Training Unit
(OTU) Bassingbourne was Sgt C Hitchcock, Sgt J Cattell, Sgt R Brown, Sgt D G Rowland and Sgt D T McHardy.
Mervyn left Bassingbourne ahead of the rest of the crew to 214 Squadron, Stradishall for operational experience and the rest of the crew were to follow on.
Unfortunately they flew with a Sgt Pilot Cusworth on a raid to Kiel, before moving on, and were shot down over target - all were killed.
See Crew of Wellington T2542 (9 April 1941)

Mervyn then flew his 2nd pilot raids with Flt/Lt Eddison and crew. When Eddison was promoted to Squadron Leader Mervyn was to take over the crew and aircraft on their return from a raid on Hamburg.
See Crew ?? Eddison.

Mervyn was replaced bt Pilot Officer Norman Kirkaldie RNZAF as 2nd pilot. Unfortunately the aircraft was shot down over Holland by a night fighter - all were killed.
See Crew of Wellington R1226.

Mervyn then took over the crew of Sgt Smiles after they had survived a crash on 29 January 1941.
See Crew of Wellington T2841.

Mervyn celebrated his 90th birthday in January 2009. He is still in contact with many of the families of the men he flew with.

Source : Aled Leyshon (grandson)

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009

WO Stephen Austin Levenson

WO Stephen Austin Levenson, 745292, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 17 September 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9350 BU-T

Buried in HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 2. J. 2.

Son of Alexander Levenson and of Agnes Levenson (nee Fretwell); husband of Margaret Macallum Levenson (nee Melville), of Taynuilt, Argyllshire.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 30 April 2011

Flt/Lt Longden

Flt/Lt Longden

Attended the 62 Victor Mk1 Course. See photo album 4 for photograph taken 24 November 1965.

Source : John Brown

Date record last updated : 4 August 2009

Fg/Off Abe Levine

Fg/Off Abe Levine, Special Operator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Austin BU-O

September 2009 - Abe Levine is still alive and living in Montreal. Leslie Bostock and Abe are still in touch.

Source : Leslie Bostock

Date record last updated : 27 October 2009

FS Charlie 'Chas' Lewis

FS Charlie 'Chas' Lewis, Starboard Waist Gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Austin BU-O
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Wynne

September 2009 - Leslie Bostock thinks he is still alive but they have no contact with each other.

Source : Leslie Bostock

Date record last updated : 27 October 2009

Sgt Lawrence Leake

Sgt Lawrence Leake, 1699563, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 14 May 1943, Aged 19

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9242 BU-O

Named on the following Memorial : Runnymede Memorial Panel 156

Son of Rees Kenyon Leake and Sarah Harness Leake, of Hemsworth, Pontefract, Yorkshire.

Source : Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 10 October 2009

Sgt J Lancaster

Sgt J Lancaster, Co-pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9939 BU-E

Source : Chorley

Date record last updated : 27 November 2009

Flt/Lt Frank Lee

Flt/Lt Frank Lee, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 31 August 1943, POW number 2372

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE959 BU-E

Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany

Born 30 September 1921

Buried in ISLE OF WIGHT CREMATORIUM

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Frank left Lucton public school and went straight into the RAF. He went to Canada for training.
His return was apparently on one of the 'Queens'. He said that some of the card schools held thereon got a bit rough!
He had been married for only a few months when he flew his last mission.

After the attack on EE959 Frank levelled the aircraft out and engaged autopilot and left the aircraft with his parachute not correctly clipped on, but still descended safely and he ended up in a tree, hanging upside down. His cursing alerted the people in whose orchard he had landed and they came out with a ladder and helped him down. They treated him well and gave him some of their hoarded real coffee.
They alerted the Burgomaster of their 'guest' and he and a policeman collected Frank and handed him over to the Luffwaffe, which probably kept him safe.
He was asked to identify his crew and was shocked to find that he was identifying bodies. It seems they had landed alive, but...!

Frank was then moved to Sagan where he spent the rest of the war.

After repatriation, Frank joined the Police Force in Portsmouth, (two of his brothers were in the Police Force) but did not enjoy the job. He then trained as a Teacher, starting at Ascot Heath Primary, went on to be a Headmaster at Priestwood C P School in Bracknell, moved to Sussex University as a Lecturer in Education and then became Director of Education for the Isle of Wight.
During his education years he was an Instructor with the ATC, until age and eyesight tests precluded this.
He retired from his position as Director of Education and as far as Adrian (his son) knows, he still lives in the Isle of Wight. Adrian last met his father in 1979 and unfortunately has no contact now.
Can anyone help with making contact between the two?

Frank's obituary was reported in the Isle of Wight County Times, as follows:

"LEE (Frank). Died on19 February 2011, aged 89 years. Much loved by wife Pam, son John, grandchildren Esme, Isaac and Otto and the wider family. WW2 Bomber pilot (214
Squadron.); Stalag Luft 3 and Long March participant.
Countless ATC members received Air Experience (Chipmunks) from him and he relished his lifelong association with the RAF.
Professionally Headteacher, Senior Lecturer and Asst. County Education Officer. A
celebration of Frank's life was held on 9 March 2011 at the Isle of Wight Crematorium."

Source : Adrian Lee (son of Frank Lee) and Chorley and 'Footprints on the sands of time' by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 20 July 2011

Plt/Off Lawrence Malcolm Leech

Plt/Off Lawrence Malcolm Leech, J/5490, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 16 April 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) Z8951 BU-X

Buried in EINDHOVEN (WOENSEL) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Plot JJ. Grave 51.

Son of Sidney Charles and Clara Leech, of McAdam, New Brunswick, Canada.

Source : Adrian van Zantvoort and Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 1 January 2010

Sgt Denys Littlewood

Sgt Denys Littlewood, 1670565, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 May 1943, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK659 BU-N

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 157

Son of John Thomas Littlewood and Gertrude Littlewood, of Sheffield.

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

FS Reginald Marcus Lawrence

FS Reginald Marcus Lawrence, R/60620, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 15 April 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1148 BU-?

Named on the following Memorial : Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Buried in HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 3. E. 14.

Commemorated on Page 89 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance in the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.

Source : Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 28 February 2010

FS William George Lewis

FS William George Lewis, 967100, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, KIA 14 July 1941

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1614 BU-H

Buried in MYNYDD BACH CONGREGATIONAL CHAPELYARD. Reference : Row C. Grave 25.

R1614 was presumed lost over the North Sea. The body of FS Lewis was washed onto English beaches.

Source : Ian Hunt, extracted from Operations record book, PRO and CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 October 2010

Fg/Off Lewis

Fg/Off Lewis

No further information available yet.

Date record last updated : 3 October 2010

Sgt R Lewis

Sgt R Lewis

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9319 BU-S

Date record last updated : 3 October 2010

Sgt Herbert Leon Loveday

Sgt Herbert Leon Loveday, 1378203, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 30 November 1941, Aged 24

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8953 BU-?

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 47.

Son of Herbert and Katherine Loveday; husband of Marjorie Rose Loveday, of Stanmore, Middlesex.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 December 2010

Sgt Thomas George Lewis

Sgt Thomas George Lewis, 1653157, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 30 July 1943, Aged 19

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF407 BU-A

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL, Panel 156

Son of William George and Florence Harriet Lewis, of Penarth, Glamorgan.

Sgt Lewis's parents had lived at 31 Dew Street, Haverford West, Wales but later believed post war moved to Penarth.
Thomas G. Lewis joined the RAF as Flight Engineer in August 1942.

In his family he had lost his Uncle R. Bishop who was killed during W.W.1, his cousin R.C. Bishop, (also a member of 214 Squadron) KIA 23 Nov 1940, and another cousin L/Cpl C.H.B. Lewis in Italy in 1943.

Source : Chorley and CWGC and Owen Vaughan (researcher)

Date record last updated : 30 July 2011

Sgt D V Lewis

Sgt D V Lewis

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ103 BU-M

Source : Chorley

Date record last updated : 31 August 2011

Sgt B J Lunn

Sgt B J Lunn

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ103 BU-M

Source : Chorley

Date record last updated : 31 August 2011

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