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PERSONNEL

B

To find the person that you want either scroll down the page or select them from the ranges shown below
Surname :
BAGLEY, V L BAILEY, F BAILEY, J H BAILEY, K W BAIN, C H BAINBRIDGE, G H BAINES, H BAKER, E D BAKER, J H A BALDOCK, H W BALDWIN BALLENTINE, A BALSDON, D F BAMSEY, A H E BANNER, W T BARBER, B BARBER, F BARBOUR BARFORD, A H BARHAM, W BARKER, H S BARKESS, P BARLOW, S BARNES, W BARNETT, E A BARNFIELD, H BARR BARR, H W J BARRACLOUGH, D BARRELL, G BARRETT BARRETT, D B BARRETT, E J BARROW, G A BARTLETT, R C BARTON, K J BATCHELOR, T A BATES, J BAUMFIELD, C E BAXTER, C E BAXTER, L E BAYLISS, S E C BAYLISS, T J BAYLY, R S
BEAGLES, L C BEARD, H BEARDSALL, G J BEATON, D BECK BECK, J L BEETHAM, M J BEEVOR, A BELLINGHAM BELSHAW, R W BENNETT, H BENNETT, H G BENNETT, H W BENNETT, L J BENNETT, R J BENNETT, R L BENNETT, W G BENSON, G H BENTLEY, R G BERRY BEST, T BETTLES, K J
BIDMEAD, H J BIFFIN, A S BIGGADIKE, P BILLINGTON, L E BILLINGTON, T H BINCKES, R BINGE BINNINGTON, A W BIRCH, A B BIRCH, R B BIRD, E N BIRKBY, R BISHOP, R C BISHOP, R O
BLACK BLACK, I C H BLACK, J C E BLACK, L BLAKE BLAKE, R S BLISS, T BLYTH, H BLYTHE, H
BOAG, G BOFFEE, N M BOLAND, J R BOLTON, K J BONES, G F BONNER BONNER, E F BONNER, T BONNET, P A F BONSER, F BOOSMA, A T BOOTH, G J BOSTOCK, L BOURGEOIS, H J BOUTTELL, R L BOWEN, B BOWEN, R T BOWERS, A BOWES, R L BOYD BOYD BOYD, H R BOYLE, D A
BRADBURN, D O BRADLEY, A H BRADLEY, N J BRAIN BRAITHWAITE, C R W BRAKEMAN, J C BRASNETT, R G BRAY, J BRENNAN, T BRIDDON, W BRIGHAM, J V BRIGHT, K M BRISBANE, A D BROADBENT, H BROADFIELD, B BROCKLEY BRODERICK, J BRODIE, C M BROOK, H W BROOKE, A W BROOKES BROOKFIELD, H BROTHERS, P G BROWELL, W H BROWN BROWN BROWN, A E BROWN, A M BROWN, B G BROWN, C BROWN, C BROWN, C BROWN, C A BROWN, C B BROWN, E H BROWN, J A BROWN, J A BROWN, J M BROWN, J M BROWN, J R BROWN, P E BROWN, R BROWN, V K BROWNE, A J BRYANT, K BRYANT, S H
BUCKINGHAM, F T BUCKLAND, P G BUCKLE, K R BUCKLEY, A BUFTON, H E BULLEY, A BUNNING, G C BUNYAN, W BURBRIDGE, J I BURCHALL, J BURCHELL, J BURGENER, C BURGESS, B BURGIN, L R BURKE, T W BURLEY BURLEY, P R K BURN BURNETT, F T A BURNETT, R G BURNS, J C BURNS, L R S BURT, H L BURTON, K R BURTWELL, S BUSHELL, W J BUTLER BUTLER, A BUTLER, K N BUTLER, M BUTLER, P M W BUTTERWORTH, H M
BYRAM, P
BAGLEY, V L

Bagley_Victor_L

Bagley_Victor_L_grave

Sgt Victor Lawrence 'Vic' Bagley, 754080, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 13 March 1941, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C N2746 (13-Mar-1941) 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 Adams

He married Jeanette on 30 November 1940 at St Pauld Church Cheltenham.

Source : Stevin Oudshoorn and CWGC and Chorley and Simon Chadwick (great nephew) and Ian Waters (son of Sgt Douglas Wilmott Waters)

Date record last updated : 8 March 2019


BAILEY, F

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


BAILEY, J H

Sgt J H Bailey, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 19 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 and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020


BAILEY, K W

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 Mark II 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


BAIN, C H

Sgt Claude Horace Bain, 401220, Air Gunner, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 30 November 1940, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2893

Named on the following Memorial : Auckland Cenotaph Record
Named on the following Memorial : New Zealand War Graves Project

Born 22 September 1917

Born in Hamilton, New Zealand

Buried in HAVERHILL CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. U Grave 132

Son of David Robert and Louise Bain

Was one of two people that died on 30 November 1940.

Source : Jock Whitehouse (214 Squadron Historian) and CWGC

Date record last updated : 8 January 2021


BAINBRIDGE, G H

Bainbridge_George_Henry

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, as did his grandparents.

Source : Bennie Eenink (researcher in the Netherlands) and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2006 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 31 December 2014


BAINES, H

Baines_Harold

Baines_Harold_German_note_card
This is his German note card

Baines_Harold_Bluenose_model_ship_2_August_1942
Model ship ‘Bluenose’ made by WO Harold Baines which won 2nd prize at the NCO Arts and Crafts Exhibition at Stalag Luft 3 at Sagan on 2 August 1942. Photograph taken by a German Officer

Baines_Harold_Sagan_firepool
WO Bristow with his steam boat in the firepool at Stalag Luft 3 at Sagan. WO Harold Baines is the third person squatting on the right of the photograph.

Baines_Harold_flyleaf_of_handle_with_care
Flyleaf of "Handle with Care" signed by R Anderson and D Westmacott

Baines_Harold_Written_list_of_camps
Written list of camps imprisoned in

Baines_Harold_Stalag_Luft_VI_roll_call
Listed on the ‘nominal roll call’ for Stalag Luft VI ((Heydekrug)

WO Harold 'Harry' Baines, 942396, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 9 May 1941, POW number 0003

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1447 BU-A
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1447 (12-Mar-1941) BU-A

Imprisoned at POW camp Dulag Luft (Oberursel), Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany
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 Lodz (Litzmannstadt) Poland (100km SW of Warsaw)
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland - dates unknown
Imprisoned at POW camp Wolfsberg / Spittal am der Drau, Austria

Born 24 March 1921

Born in Darlington, County Durham

Son of William Bartle Baines and Maud Baines

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Surname of Sgt Harold Baines is shown incorrectly as Barnes in Chorley and "Footprints on the sands of time"' by Oliver Clutton-Brock.

See crew page for extract from 214 Squadron ORB

John Baines writes :
A much treasured possession in our family is a thin blue coloured book of POW cartoons called "Handle with Care" compiled by R.Anderson and D. Westmacott. What makes it so special is the annotated fly-leaf penned by my father, Harry Baines and signed by the authors. It shows his progress through eight German POW camps after his capture in Holland in May 1941. Verification for this odyssey has come in the form of documentation made by Luftwaffe prisoner administrators. Three note cards have been recently acquired from the National Archive at Kew, London.
Harry Baines was 18 years old when he volunteered to join the RAF in November 1939 and he was selected for aircrew training and mustered as a wireless operator-air gunner in early 1940. After training at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland he was posted to 214 Squadron operating out of RAF Stradishall. From February 1940 to May 1941 he made 16 operational sorties including a raid on the Italian city of Turin. All was to change on the night of 9th/10th May 1941. Here he was to be a part of a 146 bomber stream which was to attack the twin cities of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen. RAF Stradishall was to contribute 7 aircraft from their flight group. On the raid, only two bombers were lost, a Wellington from 214 Squadron and a Whitley. My father was a crew member of that Wellington Bomber.
The Wellington Bomber was in fact C R1447, call sign BU-"A" for "Apple". My father recalled that the aircraft they would normally fly in was BU-"G" for "George" but that night the aircraft was found to be unserviceable. As the other six bombers took off, they quickly decided to switched to the spare aircraft BU-"A" which took off half an hour late. "A’' for "Apple" was not a popular choice for the crew since it was considered something of a jinx aircraft and not serviced to the same standard as the other aircraft. My father told me that they eventually arrived over the target at 12,000 feet some 30 minutes after the mainstream, dropped their bombs and then started back for base. Somewhere over the Dutch border their troubles began. He told me he was sitting in the front gun turret trying to puzzle out the red glow on the horizon. In fact it was Hull burning after it suffered a large bombing raid that night. Suddenly, he recounted, there were two bangs caused by the starboard engine back-firing. Looking back he could see the engine was on fire. The pilot noticed that the engine pressure in the starboard engine had fallen, so he sent the second pilot to pump more oil into it to try to avoid a seize-up, and that seemed temporarily to ease the situation. The oil pressure crept up, the fire died down, and the engine seemed to be pulling a lot better. The stricken aircraft carried on for a little while and then suddenly the engine burst into flames which grew quickly into a big blaze. He thinks that what had happened was that an oil pipe had been fractured and the oil ignited on a piece of red-hot engine. He couldn’t say what caused the initial explosions; whether they had been hit by flak or a night fighter or whether the engine had seized up; a jinxed aircraft! As the aircraft limped along they started to progressively lose altitude from 12,000 feet since the pilot couldn’t feather the starboard engine. He ordered the crew to jettison everything that wasn’t bolted down but still the aircraft continued to descend. With the Dutch coast slowly coming up ahead, the pilot asked if they wanted to ditch in the North Sea or bail out. To a man the crew opted for bailing out. All six members of the crew made it out successfully with my father going first. His joke at the time was that crew members stamped on his fingers to make him let go. Their bail-out altitude was now down to 1,800 feet with the pilot only just getting out in time. My father said he landed on a peninsula of the Dutch Scheldt estuary about 2 o’clock in the morning. The Dutch authorities reported the bomber crashed close to Woensdrecht. Within hours all the crew had been rounded up either by German troops or the Dutch police. They were taken by truck to a holding cell in Amsterdam for the first day.
As with nearly all captured aircrew he was then taken to Dulag Luft for interrogation before being separated from the officers. He was then moved to Stalag XVIIIA near Wolfsburg, Austria where he was given his POW Identity tag number 0003. After a short stay at Wolfsburg he was then sent to Litzmannstadt in Poland on 10th June 1941. He records that he was in a cattle-wagon with many other fellow airmen for 6 1/2 days. Again, after only a short time, he was moved to the purpose built Stalag VIIIB at Lamsdorf in Upper Silesia. For the first time he got a letter from home as his status changed from MIA to POW. My father’s fifth camp was Stalag Luft III at Sagan. Here he was resident for 12 months. In addition to helping scrounge pieces for a secret camp radio he started a hobby that he was to continue with when he eventually returned to civilian life, constructing model ships. In several postcards home he mentions his model called "Bluenose" and how it won 2nd prize with it. Unbelievably, a German officer photographed it as part of an NCO Arts and Crafts Exhibition at Stalag Luft 3 in August 1942. Another avid ship builder was W.O. Bristow who built a steamboat that was sailed on the fire ponds in the camp. A montage of two German photographs shows Bristow with his steamboat in the pond being watched by spectators and enthusiasts from the pool edge. My father is the third person squatting on the right of the photograph with his model one of the three yachts in the water.
His sixth camp was Stalag Luft VI at Heydekrug in Lithuania where he was transferred in June 1943. Again he helped with secret radio building as well as continuing with boat building; this time one that was four foot long and four foot high! What was he thinking? However these idyllic times didn’t last too long as the Russian’s began their westward assault on the German lines. In August 1944, my father, along with thousands more, began a most harrowing journey as they were moved back to the west. This is one part of the war I could never get him to talk about! Eventually he arrived at Stalag 357 Follingsbostel, near Bremen after a brief stop at Stalag 357, Thorn, in Poland. According to Google searches, conditions at Follingsbostel deteriorated quickly as winter of 1944 set in. With instructions from Hitler concerning ‘preparations for the defense of the Reich’ and the notion of human shields, my father became involved in one of several notorious ‘long marches'. He was probably luckier than many in that he was marched out of Follingsbostel on 6th April 1945 with the redoubtable Dixie Deans as camp leader. Using a written diary recorded by Warrant Officer A.B.Frisby (published by BBC WW2 People’s War) and anecdotal evidence from my father, it is possible to trace his march towards the Lautenburg Bridge across the Elbe River. In the first few days they marched east from the camp towards Bleckmar. However, the line of march changed to a northerly direction when the German commandant realized they would be intercepted by advancing allied troops. Accordingly, at a place called Marmbostel the POW columns turned due north. Overnight stops were made at Hozingen, Gravenhof and Raven. (Two pictures in the 214 Squadron website show the columns wending their way along various back roads). However, in a village called Raven, my father, along with two compatriots slipped the column and hid until they were over-run by the 11th "Black Bull" Armoured Division. He was repatriated home in early May 1945.
I said to my father one day, thinking he would have lamented his lost youth in various POW camps with "weren’t you unlucky". "Not so" he replied. "I was incredibly lucky. I survived. All those other men in the squadron I flew with were dead within months". "No son, I was bloody lucky". After the war he joined the BBC as a technical assistant at the Skelton World Transmitting Station in Cumberland and raised three children.

WO Harold Baines died on 17th October 1999 in Carlisle Infirmary, Cumberland aged 78 and was cremated.

Source : Wim de Meester of The Netherlands and Chorley and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and John Baines (Son of WO Harold Baines) and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 18 November 2020


BAKER, E D

Edward Donald Baker

Baker_Edward_Donald_medals

Baker_Edward_Donald_service_record

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 (01-Apr-1942) BU-F

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 Kathy 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 Silver 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 Silver 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.

~~~~~ Kathy 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

The website admnistrators also have a digital copy of each page of his log book

Source : CWGC and Kathy Cook (niece) and Log Book and Edward Saunders and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 20 October 2017


BAKER, J H A

Baker_J_H_A

Plt/Off Joseph Harold Andrews 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 (01-Apr-1942) 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 : 20 October 2017


BALDOCK, H W

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 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 5 January 2014


BALDWIN

FS 'Jock' Baldwin, Bomb Aimer

Born in Scotland?

He was a regular crew member with Flight Lieutenant William Jack Humphries.

He replaced Sgt Norman Ventham when he died.

Source : Ross Humphries

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


BALLENTINE, A

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

Born in Belfast

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 : 30 October 2020


BALSDON, D F

Wg/Cdr D F Balsdon, Pilot

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

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 : Christopher Jay - author and Sheila Byrne and Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 4 December 2018


BAMSEY, A H E

Bamsey_A_H_E.

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 - dates unknown

Born 15 March 1923

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Died 26 August 2002

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Paul Bamsey (son)

Date record last updated : 14 July 2014


BANNER, W T

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-Feb-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


BARBER, B

Barber_Bob

Sgt Bob Barber MM, Air Gunner / Observer

Source : David Hearn (Great nephew of Lt Reginald Binckes) and Royal Flying Corps Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

Date record last updated : 9 August 2024


BARBER, F

Barber_Fred

FS Fred Barber, Flight Engineer

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III 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


BARBOUR

Cpl Barbour, Gunlayer

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for O/400 D5401 (11-Jun-1918)

Source : David Hearn (Great nephew of Lt Reginald Binckes)

Date record last updated : 9 December 2022


BARFORD, A H

Plt/Off Alan Hedges Barford, 102076, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 29 November 1941

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9752 BU-?

Buried in WANDSWORTH (STREATHAM) CEMETERY. Reference : Block G. Grave 329.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020


BARHAM, W

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.

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 : 22 June 2014


BARKER, H S

Barker_Horace_newspaperclipping

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


BARKESS, P

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 Mark III HB763 (25-Aug-1944) 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


BARLOW, S

Sgt S Barlow

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB801 (17-Apr-1945) BU-T

Source : ORB and Richard Heath (grandson of Sgt Harold James Heath)

Date record last updated : 2 February 2018


BARNES, W

Sgt William Barnes, 1266491, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 July 1943, Aged 34

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE902 (25-Jul-1943) BU-P

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 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 22 August 2019


BARNETT, E A

WO Edwin Arnold 'Barney' Barnett, Chief Technician

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Valiant (model unknown) XD858 (Date unknown)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Valiant B Mark I XD869 (Date unknown)

Born on 7 July 1918

Died on 3 February 1998

Alan Barnett writes :
My name is Alan Barnett, son of Edwin "Barney" Barnett formerly of 214 Squadron, RAF Marham.

My father was a Chief Tech/Master Tech at RAF Marham, Norfolk, UK, during the early 1960's. To my knowledge, he served on two aircraft: XD858 & XD869, both Vickers Valiants.

XD869 crashed immediately after take-off on rural land behind Narborough/Swaffham, Norfolk, UK.

The aircraft was fully-fueled & taking part in a "Lone Ranger" operation to Nairobi, Kenya. All of the crew were killed, including Chief Tech. Robert "Bob" Sewell.

Mr Sewell was a close friend of my father. My father was deeply affected at the time of the crash owing to the fact that he was originally scheduled to accompany that flight as Chief Tech. Bob Sewell offered to take his place on what was known as a "pineapple flight" since my father was suffering from a heavy bout of 'flu & was unable to fly.

My father eventually retired from the RAF with the rank of Warrant Officer.

I have no idea if any of his former comrades are still alive. I recall two names: "Eric Trigg" & "Bob Jarvis". I believe Bob Jarvis & his family (wife & 3 or 4 daughters) later emigrated to Australia upon retiring from the RAF.

I do know that he crewed on the non-stop in-flight refueling trip from the UK (RAF Scampton?) to Sydney, Australia. I believe this trip consisted of Valiant tankers refueling a Vulcan.

If you can provide me with any information regarding my father's RAF service in 214 Squadron, or if anyone recalls him, I would be most grateful to hear from you.

I currently reside in New Zealand & thus have no physical access to RAF bases/records.

Alan Barnett has written some memories of his father WO Edwin Arnold Barnett. Please click on this link to read them.

Source : Alan Barnett (son of WO Edwin Barnett)

Date record last updated : 2 November 2018


BARNFIELD, H

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 (04-Mar-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


BARR

Sgt Barr

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1447 (27-Mar-1941) BU-A
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R3233 (23-Mar-1941)

Could be the same person as Sgt H W J Barr.

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 18 November 2022


BARR, H W J

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


BARRACLOUGH, D

Flt/Lt David Barraclough, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker End of 214 (2)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA937 (11-Jan-1977)

Source : Flt/Lt David Card

Date record last updated : 14 September 2018


BARRELL, G

Geoff Barrell, Captain / Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker ??Barrell (Jul-1969)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA937 (10-Oct-1966)

Geoff joined 214 Squadron in 1966. He has written an article about is career in an article called 'Ready to Fly' in the Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2013

His last flight with his final crew for 214 Squadron was in July 1969.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter May 2013

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


BARRETT

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


BARRETT, D B

Barrett_David_Brian_funeral
This shows the Order of Service for the Military Funeral of Flt/Lt David Brian Barrett.

Flt/Lt David Brian Barrett, 4232110, Royal Air Force

Born 5 January 1946

Flt/Lt David Brian Barrett was stationed at RAF Marham.

He is named on the Armed Forces Roll of Honour.

Died on 11 September 1976, aged 30.

Buried in Gayton Road Cemetery, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. Reference : Grave Section N, Grave Number 166

Source : Gordon Whitfield

Date record last updated : 5 October 2024


BARRETT, E J

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


BARROW, G A

Sgt Gordon Archibald Barrow, Mid Upper Gunner, Nationality : Barbados, Date taken POW 16 September 1942, POW number 27173

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9350 (07-Aug-1942) BU-T
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9350 (17-Sep-1942) 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

Twelve Barbados men made up the Second Barbados Contingent of Volunteers for the Armed Forces. They were recruited for the Royal Air Force. They left Barbados for England in November 1940 to fight against Germany. One pilot was Errol Walton Barrow, (cousin of Gordon Archibald Barrow) later the first Prime Minister of Barbados.

Please click on this link to see a picture of the Second Barbados Contingent

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley and Graham Melton (Nephew of Sgt George Bullimore Melton) and Peter Burton and 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


BARTLETT, R C

Bartlett_Rodney_Claude

Bartlett_Rodney_Claude_2

Bartlett_Rodney_Claude_3

Bartlett_Rodney_Claude_telegram

Bartlett_Rodney_Claude_letter_from_king

Bartlett_Rodney_Claude_scroll

Bartlett_Rodney_Claude_picture

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 III HB788 (06-Nov-1944) BU-B

Named on the following Memorial : Basingstoke War Memorial

Born 22 February 1919

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.

Colin and Heather Lewis has been in touch with the website co-ordinators in November 2021.
Colin was born in May 1944, just a few months before his father's death.
They have a picture and document that they will kindly donate to the Heritage Museum at RAF Marham.

Source : CWGC and Chas Chambers (family connection) and Matt Baars and Colin Lewis (son of FS Rodney Claude Bartlett)

Date record last updated : 13 November 2021


BARTON, K J

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


BATCHELOR, T A

Batchelor_Thomas_Alexander

Batchelor_Thomas_Alexander_grave

Maj Thomas Alexander Batchelor DFC AFC, Royal Air Force, KIA 22 April 1919, Aged 32

Born 24 April 1886

Born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England.

Son of Captain Thomas Batchelor of the King’s Own Regiment. Husband of Una Batchelor, of 30, Hampstead Rd., Preston Park, Brighton

Buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Penton Mewsey, Test Valley Borough, Hampshire, England

Joined 214 Squadron in April 1918.

Major Batchelor was killed in action when posted to No.2 School of Navigation and Bombing on 22 April 1919.

Click on this link to see details of where he is buried.

Click on this link to see a document produced by David Hearn about Major Batchelor.

Source : David Hearn (Great nephew of Lt Reginald Binckes)

Date record last updated : 10 November 2024


BATES, J

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 Plt/Off Fred Mullenger, serving in the Far East and then Australia.

Sadly John passed away in August 2015, aged 94.

Source : David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright) and George Mackie and Nightjar Newsletter August 2014

Date record last updated : 13 December 2016


BAUMFIELD, C E

Baumfield_Charles_Edward
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 Mark III HB817 BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ101 BU-H
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ114 (02-May-1945) 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.

Photo_Album_4_Letter_1
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


BAXTER, C E

Charles E Baxter, Wireless Operator, Royal New Zealand Air Force

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

Source : Jonathan Markley (nephew of Flt/Lt Alexander John Fowler)

Date record last updated : 24 November 2017


BAXTER, L E

FS L E Baxter, R/56098

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

Was part of an aircrew to be seconded to 15 OTU for 215 Squadron on 09 March 1942.

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

Source : Colin Burningham

Date record last updated : 29 May 2010


BAYLISS, S E C

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


BAYLISS, T J

Flt/Lt Tom J Bayliss, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Bayliss
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB773
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II 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


BAYLY, R S

Sgt Reginald Sydney Bayly, 1393907, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 22 September 1943

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9258 BU-W

Buried in HANOVER WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 1. D. 9.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 13 August 2017


BEAGLES, L C

Beagles_L_C

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 - 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


BEARD, H

FS Harold Beard, 1398508, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 5 November 1945, Aged 22

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


BEARDSALL, G J

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


BEATON, D

Beaton_Don

Plt/Off Don Beaton, Air Bomber, Nationality : Nyasaland (Malawi)

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR388 (02-Jun-1944) BU-H

Source : Mike Day (son of Sqn/Ldr Day)

Date record last updated : 31 August 2011


BECK

Flt/Lt Beck

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2800 (03-Jan-1941) BU-P

Source : Sheila Scott Byrne (daughter of Wg/Cdr Peter Doig Scott)

Date record last updated : 10 July 2011


BECK, J L

Beck_John_Leighton

Wg/Cdr John Leighton Beck DFC & Bar MiD, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 (pre Sep-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


BEETHAM, M J

MRAF Sir Michael James Beetham DFC, AFC, GCB, CBE, DL, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Valiant (model unknown) XD858

Born on 17 May 1923 in London, England

Died on 24 October 2015

Commands held :

Chief of the Air Staff
Second Tactical Air Force
RAF Staff College
RAF Khormaksar
No 214 Squadron

Battles / Wars :

World War 2
Battle of Berlin
Aden Emergency
Falklands War

As a young man he witnessed the Battle of Britain and this prompted him to join the Royal Air Force in May 1941. He had an illustrious Royal Air Force career from 1941 to 1982.

On 1 January 1958 Beetham was promoted to Wing Commander and then took up the post of of Officer Commanding No 214 Squadron. In July 1959 he captained the first aircraft, a Valiant bomber, to fly non-stop from the United Kingdon to Cape Town South Africa. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the 1960 New Years Honours.

His career with the RAF continued on and his full career history can be seen on WIKIPEDIA

Sir Michael Beetham was one of only four people holding his Service's most senior rank and excluding Prince Phillip's honorary rank, he has the longest time in rank, making him the senior Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

Sir Michael Beetham was President of the No 214 Squadron Association.

See the GIFT SHOP page for information for his book."Stay the Distance: The Life and Times of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham."

Source : Wikipedia

Date record last updated : 30 October 2018


BEEVOR, A

Beevor_Arthur
Most likely taken in the mid 1940's

Flt/Lt Arthur Beevor DFC, 149963, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK659 (14-May-1943) BU-N

Born 4 October 1922
Born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK

Son of William Henry and Annie Beevor

In October 1943 Arthur was awarded DFC which cited :
"Pilot Officer Beevor is a first class captain. He has undertaken many sorties and his keen and determined efforts to ensure success have been highly commendable. On more than one occasion his aircraft has been attacked by enemy fighters but Pilot Officer Beevor has shown great skill in frustrating them. This officer has displayed great devotion to duty."

Flt/Lt Beevor was mentioned twice in the London Gazette :
Supplement to LG number 37178 dated 21 September 1943 Page 4180
Supplement to LG number 40516 dated 17 June 1955 Page 3586

The site administrators have found numerous flights with 214 Squadron between May and September 1943.

Flt/Lt Beevor died aged 67.

Alan Beevor writes :
"My father never really settled after the war. I think today he may well be diagnosed with PTSD but the 1940s were different times.
He was in and out of the RAF during the 1940s and 1950s, as well as a pilot during the Berlin Airlift in 1948. He also had a period when he worked for BOAC with a view to becoming a commercial air captain, but it never worked out.
After my parents divorced in in 1958, when I was 8 years old, I never saw my father again.

He joined the squadron on 1st May 1943.

If my counting is correct he flew 27 sorties from May until September, his final one being on 27/28 September.

He was posted to 10 OTU Abingdon on 14th October 1943 where he was involved in training night bomber crews."

Source : Alan Beevor (son of Flt/Lt Arthur Beevor DFC) and 214 Squadron ORB and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 25 September 2020


BELLINGHAM

Sqn/Ldr Bellingham, Pilot

Flew with Flt/Lt Charles Herbert Halford.

Source : Ed Halford (son of Fg/Off Charles Herbert Halford)

Date record last updated : 17 January 2020


BELSHAW, R W

Plt/Off Richard Watt Belshaw DFM, 147743, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 July 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE902 (25-Jul-1943) BU-P

Buried in BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 20. A. 9.

Son of David and Mary Belshaw, of Dalmuir, Dunbartonshire.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 22 August 2019


BENNETT, H

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 (04-Mar-1945) BU-J
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB815 (07-Feb-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

London Gazette published 23 February 1945, Supplement 83957 Page 1122
Harry Bennett 933832 (190245) on 18 December 1944 appointment to commission of Pilot Officer on probation (emergency).

London Gazette published 23 March 1945, Supplement 36997 Page 1596
Harry Bennett 190245 RAFVR 214 Squadron awarded DFC.

Fortress Ops flown = 17
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Harry is also mentioned on the following website: https://essexandsuffolkinsurancesocietywarmemorial.wordpress.com/home/names-on-essex-and-suffolk-dedication-tablet/

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 and London Gazette and Heather Johnson

Date record last updated : 31 August 2017


BENNETT, H G

Bennett_Horace_Gordon

Bennett_Horace_Gordon_OTU_course
OTU training course

Sqn/Ldr Horace Gordon 'Benny' Bennett DFC & Bar DFM & Pathfinder Medal, 51601, Navigator, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) EF337 (17-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) N3767 (11-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) N3769 (25-Jun-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) N3769 (29-Jun-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9152 (16-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7569 (19-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7575 (12-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7610 (11-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7610 (01-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7610 (26-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7610 (28-Jul-1942)

Born in London

Died about 1994

Joined the RAF on 3 September 1935

Posted to 214 Squadron in May 1942 (at Stradishall flying Stirlings)

On 27 August 1942 volunteered for Pathfinders and was posted to 7 Squadron Oakington.

15 April 1943 Founder member of Pathfinder navigational training unit Upwood.

Click on this link to see a summary of the career of Sqn/Ldr Bennett

Adam Morris writes :

Benny’s first recorded 7 Sqd operation with Stickell, was 27 August 1942 to Kassel. Stickell was P/O at that time.

Benny flew 52 operations with 7 squadron in all. Of those 29 with Stickell and a further 22 with Tubby Baker. One with WC DR Donaldson.

He was operational with 635 from November 1944 and flew 10 operations.

I believe he flew 82 ops in all during war time, but I cannot find records of the missing 20 ops.

Please click on this link to see other photographs related to Sqn/Ldr Horace Gordon Bennett

London Gazette entries as follows :

Promotion to Flight Sergeant on 16 January 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36009/supplement/2100

Promotion to Flight Lieutenant (war subs) on 6 September 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36165/supplement/4015

Promotion to Acting Flight Lieutenant on 8 December 1944 with 7 Squadron
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36831/supplement/5635

Promotion to Squadron Leader on 6 March 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37007/supplement/1723

This is a list of the operations flow by Sqn/Ldr Horace Gordon 'Benny' Bennett DFC & Bar DFM with 214 Squadron :

Date Stirling aircraft Mission Time Up Time Down
01-Jun-1942 N3769 Cologne 23:25hrs 01:10hrs
02-Jun-1942 N3769 Easen 23:25hrs 03:25hrs
04-Jun-1942 N3769 Bremen 23:45hrs 03:15hrs
07-Jun-1942 N3759 Emden 23:00hrs 04:25hrs
18-Jun-1942 N3766 St Nazaire 23:00hrs 05:25hrs
18-Jun-1942 N3769 Gardening Nectarine III 23:10hrs 03:15hrs
21-Jun-1942 R9323 Emden 23:35hrs 03:25hrs
26-Jun-1942 N3769 Bremen 00:05hrs 05:35hrs
28-Jun-1942 N3769 Bremen 23:50hrs 05:20hrs
30-Jun-1942 N3769 Bremen 23:40hrs 04:50hrs
12-Jul-1942 N3767 Gardening Rosemary 21:35hrs 03:50hrs
20-Jul-1942 W7569 Vegesack 23:33hrs 05:43hrs
26-Jul-1942 W7610 Duisburg 00:25hrs 04:00hrs
27-Jul-1942 W7610 Hamburg 23:00hrs 04:30hrs
29-Jul-1942 W7610 Hamburg 23:30hrs 05:45hrs
01-Aug-1942 W7610 Dussledorf 01:05hrs 05:05hrs
10-Aug-1942 W7610 Osnabruck 00:15hrs 04:35hrs
12-Aug-1942 W7610 Mainz 22:55hrs 03:55hrs
13-Aug-1942 W7575 Mainz 22:45hrs 05:10hrs
16-Aug-1942 R9152 Dussledorf 01:06hrs 04:36hrs
18-Aug-1942 BF337 Osnabruck 21:25hrs 02:20hrs


Source : Adam Morris (Nephew of Sqn/Ldr Horace Gordon Bennett) and London Gazette and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 21 September 2023


BENNETT, H W

Harrold Bennett, Wireless Operator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) ??Dixon
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK663 (29-Mar-1943) BU-T
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF403 (27-Jul-1943) BU-G

There is more information on the crew record for Stirling ??Dixon.

Source : John Jewsbury (son of R F Jewsbury) and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023


BENNETT, L J

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-Feb-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


BENNETT, R J

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 (09-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


BENNETT, R L

Bennett_Robert_L

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

Bennett_Robert_L_2

Sgt R.L. Bennett

Bennett_Robert_L_3
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)


BENNETT, W G

FS W G Bennett

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ107 (21-Feb-1945) BU-N

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 17 April 2020


BENSON, G H

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
Named on the following Memorial : Spennymoor Cenotaph

Son of William and Laura Benson, of Spennymoor, Co. Durham.

Source : CWGC and John Cripps and Simon Glancey

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


BENTLEY, R G

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


BERRY

Plt/Off Berry

Staff Training pilot, Stradishall, flew crews under training.

Date record last updated : 14 June 2009


BEST, T

Best_Thomas

Best_Thomas_2
Picture from 19 OTU RAF Kinloss Course No.31 of 04-Nov-1941 Pilots

Plt/Off Thomas Best, J/7030, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 2 April 1942, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8805 (01-Apr-1942) BU-H

Buried in RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 1. D. 2.

Son of Jeremiah and Ann Best; husband of Thelma Elizabeth Best, of Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.

Attended 19 OTU RAF Kinloss Course No.31 of 04-Nov-1941 Pilots.

Source : CWGC and Ian Hunt and Paul Markham (77 Squadron Association)

Date record last updated : 19 January 2024


BETTLES, K J

Bettles_Ken

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 Mark III HB780 (13-Sep-1944) BU-C
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB780 (09-Sep-1944) BU-C
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB787 (12-Aug-1944) BU-J
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB788 (12-Sep-1944) BU-B
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB793 (17-Sep-1944) BU-S
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR378 (12-Jul-1944) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR383 (24-Jul-1944) BU-F / BU-X
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR388 (07-Jul-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 Squadron

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


BIDMEAD, H J

Bidmead_Harold_John_plaque
The brass plaque above hangs in Chedburgh Church

Flt/Lt Harold John Bidmead DFC, Flight Engineer

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BK600
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7584 (07-Aug-1942) BU-D

The plaque above says that he was with 214 Squadron from 1942 to 1943 and that he founded the No 214 Squadron Association, but unfortunately the date is not readable. It also says that he played the organ in Chedburgh Church.

Born in 1918

Died in 1989

Source : 214 Squadron ORB and Janet Whitham (researcher) and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


BIFFIN, A S

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


BIGGADIKE, P

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


BILLINGTON, L E

Billington_Leslie_Ernest_grave

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 (04-Mar-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


BILLINGTON, T H

Billington_Thomas_Hornby

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


BINCKES, R

Binckes_Reginald

Lt Reginald Binckes, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 21 July 1918, Aged 25

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for O/400 C9646
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for O/400 D5401 (12-Jun-1918)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for O/400 D5401 (13-Jun-1918)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for O/400 D5401 (15-Jun-1918)

Born 19 December 1892

Buried in Buried in LES BARAQUES MILITARY CEMETERY. Reference : IV. C. 2.

Son of Charlotte E. Binckes, of 7, Fairfield Rd., Crouch End, London, and the late Walter Binckes.

David Hearn writes :
My great uncle Reginald Binckes was with No 214 Squadron for five weeks in June and July 1918 before he died in a crash at St Inglevert in July 1918. Reginald Binckes and D.R. Tullis were catapulted 30 feet from the cockpit. Reginal Binckes broke his back and Tullis walked away without a scratch. Reginald Binckes died later.

Click on this link to see a history of Lt Reginald Binckes written by David Hearn.

Click on this link to see an article about Lt Reginald Binckes written by David Hearn reproduced in part from the Cross and Cockade Journal Vol 54 No 1 Spring 2023 with the kind permission of the Cross and Cockade Society (The Great War Aviation Society).

Source : CWGC and Jock Whitehouse and David Hearn (Great nephew of Lt Reginald Binckes) and Cross and Cockade Society (The Great War Aviation Society)

Date record last updated : 15 May 2023


BINGE

Sgt Binge

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2918 (14-Jul-1941)

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 31 August 2020


BINNINGTON, A W

Flt/Lt A W Binnington, Navigator / Plotter

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker End of 214 (1)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA932 (20-Jul-1976)

Source : Flt/Lt David Card and Michael Waterson (whose father worked for Flight Refuelling Ltd)

Date record last updated : 8 March 2019


BIRCH, A B

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


BIRCH, R B

Sgt R B Birch

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE899 (24-Jul-1943)

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023


BIRD, E N

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 (26-Jul-1943) 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


BIRKBY, R

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


BISHOP, R C

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-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (05-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (07-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2470 (28-Oct-1940) BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2471 BU-?
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (25-Oct-1940)

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 12

Son of Albert Philip and Emmie Bishop, of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

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 Robert Bishop was Thomas George Lewis, his cousin, who was 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.

This may be the same person as Sgt R O Bishop.

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 : 14 January 2021


BISHOP, R O

Sgt R O Bishop

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C L7859 (10-Oct-1940)

This may be the same person as Sgt Robert Charles Bishop.

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 14 January 2022


BLACK

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


BLACK, I C H

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


BLACK, J C E

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


BLACK, L

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


BLAKE

FS Blake, Waist Gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II ??Van Den Bok (Dec-1944) BU-C

Source : Roger Mills (son of John Tudor Mills)

Date record last updated : 16 May 2009


BLAKE, R S

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 (26-May-1943) 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


BLISS, T

Bliss_Terry

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


BLYTH, H

Fg/Off Harry Blyth, Navigator, Royal Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Bray

Source : Graeme Walsh (Friend of Fg/Off John Lyall)

Date record last updated : 31 August 2018


BLYTHE, H

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


BOAG, G

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-Aug-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 and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 30 December 2011


BOFFEE, N M

Boffee_Norman_Maxwell

Flt/Lt Norman Maxwell Boffee DFC

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7847 (11-Aug-1940 and 12-Aug-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7847 (15-Aug, 17-Aug, 19-Aug, 24-Aug, 05-Sep-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2994 (05-Aug-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


BOLAND, J R

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-?

Named on the following Memorial : Stockton-on-Tees Ian Ramsay School

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 and Simon Glancey

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


BOLTON, K J

Ken J Bolton

Was a crew member as part of Alan Brown & Perter Doig Scott's crew.

Source : Guy Hudson

Date record last updated : 26 July 2015


BONES, G F

Bones_George_F

Bones_George_F_service
Service record

ARM1 George Frank Bones, 221224

Born 3 September 1898

Born in Croyden Surrey

David Bones writes about his Grandfather :
He died in the 50's before I was born and I really know little of his history. His name is George F Bones and his service number was 221224. I have his old RAF service tag. From what I can make out, his rank was 'Armourers crew 1st Class'. It looks like he started out in 14 sqn RNAS before transferring to the RAF.

Click on this link to see more of his service record

David Bones has provided an album of photographs that were his Grandfather's they are shown in Album 4.

Source : David Bones (grandson)

Date record last updated : 13 November 2017


BONNER

Plt/Off Bonner

Was a regular crew member with Gp/Capt John Aidan Field

Source : Richard Field (son of Gp/Capt John Aidan Field)

Date record last updated : 24 May 2019


BONNER, E F

Bonner_Eric_Frank

Bonner_Eric_Frank_as_part_of_Ercolani_crew
Ercolani is in the centre of the picture pointing at the map and Eric Bonner is 2nd from the right

Bonner_Eric_Frank_Singapore
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


BONNER, T

Bonner_Ted

FS Ted Bonner, Wireless Operator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB785 (Corke) BU-A

Source : Pilot Officer William Foskett

Date record last updated : 23 May 2009


BONNET, P A F

Sgt Peter A F Bonnet, 1334831

Nigel Bonnet writes :
I am looking through my late fathers flying log book.
It shows that he joined 214 sqdn in October 1943 having originally joined the RAF in June 1942.
He flew in The Stirling and later in The Fortress, most of the time with F/sgt Rawlin.
I think the RAF spelled his name incorrect using 2 tt`s, the correct spelling being Peter A.F. Bonnet.

Source : Nigel Bonnet (son)

Date record last updated : 26 October 2018


BONSER, F

Sgt Fred Bonser, 992516, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 11 April 1942, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C HF856 BU-?

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 19. F. 6.

Son of Fred and Hester Bonser, of Birmingham; husband of Madge Evelin Bonser, of Alum Rock, Birmingham.

Source : Alan Butterworth (nephew of Cpt Butterworth) and Ian Hunt and Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 March 2015


BOOSMA, A T

Sgt Albert T Boosma, Wireless Operator

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) and Jeremy Kearns (son of Robert Kearns)

Date record last updated : 21 February 2016


BOOTH, G J

Sgt G J 'General' Booth, Wireless Operator, Date taken POW 28 November 1942, POW number 914

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling R9194 BU-N

Imprisoned at POW camp Barth, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Beninia?, Poland
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Capitaine Herve Savary (French Gendarmerie Officer) and Nightjar Newsletter and Arthur Gatland and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020


BOSTOCK, L

Bostock_Les
Bostock_Leslie_2

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


BOURGEOIS, H J

Sgt H J Bourgeois

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BF318 (20-Dec-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9186 (15-Dec-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9186 (08-Dec-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7631

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 29 December 2008


BOUTTELL, R L

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


BOWEN, B

Bowen_BillBowen_Bill_2

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


BOWEN, R T

Plt/Off R T Bowen, Navigator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C ??Enright (22-Dec-1941)

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

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

Source : Colin Burningham

Date record last updated : 16 June 2009


BOWERS, A

FS Arthur Bowers, 1452264, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 11 April 1943

Bowers_Arthur_Wedding
FS Arthur Bowers with his wife Jean Smith

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BK612 BU-Z

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 35.

Husband of Jean Smith

Source : Cheryl Garner, Great Niece of Thomas Frank Richardson and CWGC and Tony Lofthouse (family friend)

Date record last updated : 26 June 2020


BOWES, R L

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.

Flew with Flt/Lt Charles Herbert Halford on 19 July 1945.

Source : Ian Hunt and Roger Mills and Ed Halford (son of Fg/Off Charles Herbert Halford)

Date record last updated : 17 January 2020


BOYD

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


BOYD

Sgt Boyd

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2802 (07-Sep-1941) BU-A

Source : Lynn Mortimer (daughter of Flt/Lt John Valentine Swan)

Date record last updated : 28 February 2020


BOYD, H R

Sgt H R Boyd, Royal Canadian Air Force, Date taken POW 12 October 1941, POW number 24402

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9762 (12-Oct-1941) BU-?

Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Teschen (Cieszyn), Poland
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland - dates unknown

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Chorley and 214 Squadron ORB and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020


BOYLE, D A

Gp/Capt D A Boyle, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9758 BU-G

Gp/Cpt Boyle was Stradishall's Station Commander.

Source : Ian Hunt and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 29 March 2015


BRADBURN, D O

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


BRADLEY, A H

Sgt A H Bradley, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK686 (29-Mar-1943) BU-C
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7584 (21-Nov-1942) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7631 (23-Oct-1942) BU-G

Managed to bail out of Stirling Mark I W7584 BU-D before it crashed.

He also survived a crash on Stirling Mark I W7631 BU-G on 23 October 1942.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley and 214 Squadron ORB and www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


BRADLEY, N J

Bradley_Norman

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 Unknown

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB799 (14-Mar-1945) 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 HB799 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.

Please click on this link to see a document produced by the Squadron Association regarding this crew and the reconciliation between former enemies

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 : 13 January 2023


BRAIN

Fg/Off Brain, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1250 BU-?

Was transferred from 214 Squadron to 70 Squadron in Egypt on 9 December 1940. The aircraft never arrived and were recorded as missing.

Source : www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020


BRAITHWAITE, C R W

Braithwaite_Charles_Roberts_William

Braithwaite_Charles_Roberts_William_with_crew
Braithwaite and crew while stationed with 514 Squadron at Waterbeach 1943 to 1944.
Crew is as follows:
Fg/Off HC Heaney DFC standing left
Plt/Off A Bilborough DFC standing 2nd
FS LL Stanforth Kneeling left
WO GW Metcalfe DFC Kneeling right
F/S CRW Braithwaite standing right (also with 214 Squadron)
Sgt WT Barber and FS RM Rogers at 2nd and 4th standing positions

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) and Kevin Stacey (nephew) and Roger Guernon (514 Squadron)

Date record last updated : 8 May 2020


BRAKEMAN, J C

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


BRASNETT, R G

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 (15-Oct-1942) BU-S

Buried in UDEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 4. B. 10-12.

Source : CWGC and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


BRAY, J

Sqn/Ldr Jeff Bray DFC, Pilot, Royal Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Bray

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 Newsletters April 2009 and August 2014 and Graeme Walsh (Friend of Fg/Off John Lyall)

Date record last updated : 31 August 2018


BRENNAN, T

Sgt T Brennan, Date taken POW 27 September 1943, POW number 595

Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland - dates unknown

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020


BRIDDON, W

Briddon_William_grave

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 (04-Mar-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


BRIGHAM, J V

Brigham_John_Victor

Fg/Off John Victor 'Jack' Brigham DFM, 1389442, Navigator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE899 (24-Jul-1943)

Born 13 August 1920

Born in Plumstead, South East London, England

Son of Ethel Kate and John Henry Brigham

Please click on this link to see other photographs related to Fg/Off John Victor Brigham.

Flew with WO C Gallop Pilot RAFVR 214 Squadron

Service career was as follows :
Qualified as Astro Navigator 02 02 1943 from No 1 (0) AFU at Wigtown. Course no 49 Air
Observers AFU Course - verified as Average+ Works very hard - keen
Trained on Ansons to achieve this from 23 Oct 1942 - 02 Feb 1943

07 Mar 1943 - 09 Apr 1943
No 11 OTU on Wellingtons (still training)

15 May 1943 - 30 May 1943
1657 Conversion Unit Stradishall to Stirlings

05 Jun 1943 -15 Sep 1943
Posted to 214 Squadron Chedburgh ‘B’ Flight
First ‘Operation’ to Krefeld 21 Jun 1943

16 Sep 1943
Attached to 161 Squadron (Moonlight) Tempsford Special Operations
This was code for dropping Secret agents weapons supplies etc to France and Yugoslavia into a field! Exceptional navigations skills required obviously!

20 Oct 1943
Attached 214 Squadron - special duties - no details - top secret

5 Nov 1943
Attached to Tempsford Special Operations - again - no details

14 Dec 1943 - 05 Jan 1944
Attached 214 Squadron Downham Market

10 Jan 1944 - 15 Dec 1944
1657 Conv HCU Stradishall - possibly as an instructor but probably more ‘secret’ work

2 Jan 1945 Ricall 1658 Conv HCU
Conversion to Halifax 111

5 Feb 1945
Posted to 199 Squadron North Creake - there until VE Day

At the end of the war Jack was sent to Germany to try to help out with sorting out the chaos. Finally back in 1946

Susan Hennessy writes :
After the war he settled down with his wife Elizabeth and son Christopher. I (his daughter) was born just after WW2 and was very proud of his achievements.

Award of DFM, noted in the London Gazette https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36480/supplement/1838

Flt/Lt Brigham passed away in 2000.

Source : Anthony Hennessy Melbourne, Australia XXXantncet@alphalink.com.au and Susan Hennessy (daughter of Flt/Off Brigham) and London Gazette and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023


BRIGHT, K M

Bright_Keith_Mortimer_grave

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 III HB788 (06-Nov-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)and Australian War Memorial

Date record last updated : 26 March 2021


BRISBANE, A D

Sgt A D Brisbane, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2893

Was injured in the crash of 30 November 1940

Source : www.rafcommands.com/forum and National Archives AIR 81/4416

Date record last updated : 8 January 2021


BROADBENT, H

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


BROADFIELD, B

Sgt Bill Broadfield, Navigator, Nationality : United Kingdom

He was a regular crew member with Flt/Lt William Jack Humphries.

Source : Ross Humphries

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


BROCKLEY

Sgt Brockley

Was a regular crew member with Gp/Capt John Aidan Field

Source : Richard Field (son of Gp/Capt John Aidan Field)

Date record last updated : 24 May 2019


BRODERICK, J

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 (04-Apr-1943) 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


BRODIE, C M

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


BROOK, H W

Brook_Harold_Wignell

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-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (05-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (07-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2470 (28-Oct-1940) BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2471 BU-?
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (25-Oct-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.

Brook_Harold_Wignell_group
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.

Mike Brook wrote:
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


BROOKE, A W

Sgt A W Brooke

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C L7859 (10-Oct-1940)

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 14 January 2022


BROOKES

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


BROOKFIELD, H

Sgt H Brookfield, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK686 (29-Mar-1943) BU-C
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7584 (21-Nov-1942) BU-D

Managed to bail out of Stirling Mark I W7584 BU-D before it crashed.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley and 214 Squadron ORB and www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


BROTHERS, P G

Brothers_Peter_Grenville

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


BROWELL, W H

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-Jan-1941) BU-R
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (19-Dec-1940) BU-R
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (25-Feb-1941) BU-R
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (29-Jan-1941) BU-R
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (09-May-1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2542 (09-Jan-1941) BU-J
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2841 (15-Jan-1941) BU-K

Named on the following Memorial : Blaydon Statue

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 and Simon Glancey

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


BROWN

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


BROWN

Sgt Brown

Was a regular crew member with Gp/Capt John Aidan Field

Source : Richard Field (son of Gp/Capt John Aidan Field)

Date record last updated : 24 May 2019


BROWN, A E

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


BROWN, A M

Brown_Alan_M

Sgt Alan M Brown, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7847 (10-Sep-1940 - 16-Oct-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R1046 (05-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R1046 (07-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (28-Oct-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2542 (20-Oct-1940) BU-J
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2562 (01-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2562 (10-Oct-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) and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 18 February 2021


BROWN, B G

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 15 OTU for 215 Squadron on 11 March 1942.

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

Source : Colin Burningham

Date record last updated : 29 May 2010


BROWN, C

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


BROWN, C

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 - dates unknown

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 8 August 2011


BROWN, C

Brown_Cecil

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


BROWN, C A

Charles Albert Brown, 1894044

Timothy Broxton writes :
Following some research at the National Archives by his daughter, Charles Albert Brown ser no 1894044 VR is shown as crew on Fortress 111 ‘H’ KJ101 operating 2nd /3rd May window patrol over Kiel.
Charles was formerly enlisted in April 1943 and trained through 81ITW and 84OTW.

Waiting for further information.

Source : Timothy Broxton

Date record last updated : 31 August 2018


BROWN, C B

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 and CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 April 2011


BROWN, E H

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


BROWN, J A

Brown_John_Allin
John Allin Brown wings graduation solo

Sqn/Ldr John Allin Brown, 689215, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : Dual UK / USA

Born 15 April 1947

Born in Kettering, Northants, England

Son of Roy Sancton Brown and Nancy Brown (Shellard)

John's parents both served during World War 2, Roy as a RAF Sergeant and Nancy as a WAAF.

John joined 214 Squadron as a copilot in July 1969 after training with Flt/Lt G W (Moff; he’d be mortified if he had written ‘Godfrey’) Moffatt’s crew.

He was assigned to Flt/Lt John Longhurst’s crew after initial training on 214.

Intermediate Copilot Course in September 1970.

Crewed with OC 214 Wg Cdr Tucker toward the end of his tour.

Last flight as copilot in October 1971 prior to retraining as captain.

232 OCU October 1971 to February 1972, rejoining 214 as a captain.

His first overseas trip as a captain (Near East Lone Ranger to Cyprus) was with a crew all named ‘John’ -- Defty, Keable, Foot and Barford. Cockpit communication issues arose!

Became a supervisory captain (allowing co-pilots to fly in the left hand seat).

Continued with 214 until January 1975 when he joined the first operational course on the Victor K2.

Broader aviation experience:

Joined RAF in September 1963 as a Locking Apprentice
To No 1 Initial Training School, RAF South Cerney August 1966
Primary Flying Squadron (Chipmunks) December 1966
No 3 Flying Training School, RAF Leeming (Jet Provost) March 1967
No 5 Flying Training School, RAF Oakington (Varsity) April 1968
Dominie Sqn, RAF Stradishall (Dominie) October 1968
Victor 1 training March 1969
Victor K2 training, RAF Marham January 1975
Empire Test Pilot School, A&AEE Boscombe Down January 1978
B Squadron, A&AEE December 1978

Retired from the RAF April 1985

Emigrated to the USA

National Test Pilot School, Mojave California August 1985
Northwest Airlines, Eagan Minnesota November 1988
The Boeing Company, Everett Washington September 1996 to date

Source : John Allin Brown

Date record last updated : 31 December 2014


BROWN, J A

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


BROWN, J M

Brown_John_Merlin

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


BROWN, J M

WO James McDade Brown, 945996, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 3 June 1942, POW number 26998

Born 22 February 1919

Born in Greenock, Scotland

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7537 BU-H

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

The National Archives Catalogue Entry for WO James McDade Brown can be seen here

Source : Chorley and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and http://aircrewremembered.com and Richard Maddox (researcher) and The National Archives

Date record last updated : 3 February 2023


BROWN, J R

Brown_John_Richard

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 and 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 Squadron 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


BROWN, P E

SAC Peter E Brown, 4047596, Engine Mechanic

SAC Brown was posted to 214 from ASF (Aircraft Servicing Flight) at RAF Upwood. He had just become an engine mechanic. The reason the Squadron needed extra engine mechanics was that during detachment they would have to carry out the ‘primary star’ inspections on the aircraft rather than, as at Upwood, where ASF did them. This was around June 1951, and he just had time to settle in before the Squadron was preparing for its detachment to Shallufa on a two month tour called operation SUNRAY. On the 1st July 1951 seven aircraft left Upwood bound for Shallufa, but most of the ground crew had left earlier by a civil airliner, a DC3 .

Shared a tent with David Haylett and John Wright while out in Shallufa, Egypt in 1951. They have since met up together several times. At one meeting they met at Duxford, where SAC Brown is the B17G "Sally B’s" Chief Engineer. He was getting the aircraft ready for the film Memphis Belle, when they met up, which was nearly fifty years after they shared a tent.

He has written an article called '214 Squadron on Detachment at Shallufa (Egypt)' in the Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2013

Source : Nightjar Newsletter May 2013

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


BROWN, R

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 (09-Apr-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


BROWN, V K

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 (14-Jul-1941) 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


BROWNE, A J

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-Dec-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 214 Squadron to 215 Squadron".

Source : Colin Burningham and CWGC

Date record last updated : 16 June 2010


BRYANT, K

Fg/Off Ken Bryant, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Bray

Source : Graeme Walsh (Friend of Fg/Off John Lyall)

Date record last updated : 31 August 2018


BRYANT, S H

Bryant_Sydney_H

Bryant_Sydney_H_grave

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 Mark III HB773
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II 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. 214 Squadron 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


BUCKINGHAM, F T

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-Nov-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


BUCKLAND, P G

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-Feb-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


BUCKLE, K R

Sgt Kenneth Ronald Buckle, 1686318, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 11 August 1943, Aged 19

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

Date record last updated : 19 July 2019


BUCKLEY, A

Buckley_Arthur

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
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9322 (01-Jun-1942) BU-C

Buried in OMMEN GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 6

Son of Arthur and Annie Buckley of Huddersfield

Source : CWGC and Chorley and Ian Hunt and Anthony Dickinson (Great nephew) and Stevin Oudshoorn and Don MacDonald

Date record last updated : 22 June 2014


BUFTON, H E

Bufton_Harry_Emyln

Gp/Capt Harry Emyln 'Hal' Bufton DSO OBE DFC AFC, 33223, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

Died 9 September 1972 aged 56.

Buried in Vancouver B.C. Canada

Flew in the following aircraft :
Tutor, Magister, Hawker, Harrow, Avro Anson, Wellington, Harvard, Beaufighter, Short Stirling, Whitley, Lancaster bomber, Mosquito, Spitfire, Dove, B25, T33, Vampire, Pembroke, etc

Flew with :
Simmons, Pickard, Phillips, Sellick, Bryson, Sharp, Constantine, Irving, Swales, Sanderson, Glencross, Ritchie, Cruickshank, etc

Other members different squadron's are numerous but his navigator at 109 Squadron Pathfinder Force was usually F/L Ifould. Their plane was often Mosquito Dk 331 but flew other Mosquito's as well.

Started RAF college at Cranwell in September 1935.
From there to 214 Squadron at Scampton in December 1936. From there to 214 Squadron at Feltwell in April 1937. Remained at Feltwell until September 1939.
From there to B.A.T. & D.U. at Boscombe Down in September 1939 and then to the W.I.D.U. also at Boscombe Down.
Also spent short time from 1 June 1940 to 19 June 1940 with 214 Squadron at Stradishall.
20 June 1940 to 4 October 1940 he was at Boscombe Down with the Wireless Intelligence Development Unit WIDU.

On 21 June 1940 Harry Bufton and his radio operator found the Knickenbein beam that the German’s were using to bomb the English targets in 1940. It was a just a theory of a 27 year old physicist from Cambridge University. His name was RV Jones. Most did not believe him but Winston Churchill did and he ordered the RAF to look for the beam if there was any chance it existed. In any case RV Jones thought the beam was there and this was proved true. The cross hairs the night the beam was found was the Rolls Royce Merlin engine factory in Derby, an obvious target because the Merlin engines powered the RAF fighters. The German’s were about to get the engine plant. Immediate action was taken to stop it and Mr Jones was found to be correct. An Important find.

From October 1940 he was with 109 Squadron Pathfinder Force at Boscombe Down.

From August 1941 to January 1942 he was with 9 Squadron at Honington.

On 27 September 1941 whilewith 9 Squadron, he flew a raid to Cologne in a Wellington bomber. (Wellington 1C W5703). On return home plane began to experience serious engine trouble via flak. The decision was made in Northern France that it was not likely that the Wellington bomber would be able to cross the English channel for home. He made quick decision to bail out of plane in Northern France before water came. This began a six (6) month journey back to England with the help of the French underground (Roland Lepers) down the O'Leary line. There was 6 crew in total on the plane, 3 were captured and sent to POW camps (Sgt Stickles, Sgt Murray, Sgt Wright) and 3 (S/L Bufton, Sgt Crampton, Sgt Read) escaped through France, Spain, over the Pyrenees and on to Gibraltar and home. Harry was reported at first to be missing and then to be killed in action. His wife and his parents were advised of such and his personal belongings were returned to his father in Wales. Needless to say all were happy when a telegram was received 5 months later from Air Ministry that he was safe and coming home.

From mid 1942 to 109 Squadron Stradishall and then to Pathfinder Force 109 squadron at Wyton and Marham until March 1944. Then posted to RAF Bourn until the end of the war.

At Boscombe Down he and 3 other pilots were doing special flying flying down the German beams. These beam flying tests led directly to the development of the target finding system called "Oboe" that was used by the PFF Mosquitos. This system was used by the PFF to direct the bombers to the target. The system was first used on Dec 21, 1942 when Harry Bufton and his navigator S/L Ifould and 5 other Mosquito crews attacked a power plant in Lutterade Holland. The attack was successful but further refinements to the system were made. On March 5/6 1943 he piloted one of the five Oboe Mosquitoes Pathfinders to mark perfectly the Krupps factory and yards at Essen using Oboe. The raid was a big success and in the words of Air Commander "Bomber" Harris: "This raid was the precise moment when Bomber Command's main offensive began; the moment of the first major attack on an objective in Germany by means of Oboe." This particular raid, over 500 aircraft, opened up what the historians call the "battle of the Ruhr".

After war various postings including posting to Washington D.C. as RAF Air Attache (Dec 1951 to Oct 1954) Also served as Queen Elizabeth II's Air ADC 1959 to 1961. Retired in 1961/1962, age 45 years, from RAF and soon after immigrated to Vancouver B.C. Canada.

In all Sam believes he completed 3 tours of operations. This was considered a lot of raids. The bombing raids are all written in red ink in his pilots log book.

In early 1941 Harry Bufton's brother, John, was killed on a trip to Cologne.

Source : Sam Bufton (son of Gp/Capt Bufton)

Date record last updated : 31 August 2018


BULLEY, A

Sgt Alfred Bulley, Port Waist Gunner

No information known.

Date record last updated : 14 June 2009


BUNNING, G C

Bunning_Geoffrey

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.

Bunning_Geoffrey_2
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."

Bunning_Geoffrey_grave
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


BUNYAN, W

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-Feb-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


BURBRIDGE, J I

Sgt Jarvis Isted Burbridge, 958282, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 6 October 1941, POW number 18331

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1789 (11-Sep-1941) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9884 (29-Sep-1941) 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 - dates unknown

Born 10 December 1918

Born in London, England

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 and 214 Squadron ORB and www.rafcommands.com and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


BURCHALL, J

Sgt J Burchall

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB820 (14-Feb-1945) BU-P

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 17 April 2020


BURCHELL, J

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:-
Flt/Lt J W Lucas
Flt/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


BURGENER, C

Lt C Burgener

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for O/400 Unknown 1918

Source : David Hearn (Great nephew of Lt Reginald Binckes) and Royal Flying Corps Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

Date record last updated : 9 August 2024


BURGESS, B

Sgt B Burgess, Port Waist Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 14 March 1945, POW number Unknown

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB802 BU-O

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Back in the UK on 26 April 1945

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Ian Hunt and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 20 September 2011


BURGIN, L R

WO L R Burgin, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 19 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 and Ian Hunt and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020


BURKE, T W

WO T W Burke, Wireless Operator, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian, Date taken POW 3 February 1943, POW number Unknown

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9282 (03-Feb-1943) 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


BURLEY

Sgt Burley

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9322 (01-Jun-1942) BU-C

Source : Don MacDonald

Date record last updated : 19 March 2010


BURLEY, P R K

Burley_Peter_Richard_Keith

Burley_Peter_Richard_Keith_2

Burley_Peter_Richard_Keith_3
Peter Burley is second from the left and Gordon Donald Begg is on the right taken outside 6 Bournemouth Road, London SW19

Burley_Peter_Richard_Keith_card

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.

Adam Begg writes :
My late fathers best schoolboy friend Sgt PRK Burley who dad never forgot and who both were in the same running club. In the third photo Peter Burley is second from the left and my father Gordon Donald Begg is on the right taken outside 6 Bournemouth Road, my dad's home. My dad served for 27 years in the army and always remembered his friend Peters birthday.

Source : Christopher Jary - Author and Ian Hunt and CWGC and Adam Begg (connection to Sgt Burley)

Date record last updated : 17 May 2019


BURN

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


BURNETT, F T A

Fg/Off F T A Burnett

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB803 (15-Mar-1945) BU-L

Source : Chorley

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


BURNETT, R G

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


BURNS, J C

Flt/Lt J C Burns

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (12-Aug-1943) BU-G

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023


BURNS, L R S

Sgt L R S Burns

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF445 (05-Feb-1943) BU-H
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF331 (03-Mar-1943) BU-H
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF331 (04-Apr-1943) BU-H
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9145 (16-Feb-1943) BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9145 (19-Feb-1943) BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9186 (01-Mar-1943) BU-F
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9186 (07-Feb-1943) BU-F
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9358 (13-Feb-1943) BU-A
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9358 (14-Feb-1943) BU-A

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 5 December 2021


BURT, H L

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-Mar-1943) BU-T

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


BURTON, K R

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 (04-Apr-1943) 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 and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 24 March 2009


BURTWELL, S

Burtwell_Sydney

Burtwell_Sydney_grave

Sgt Sydney Burtwell DFM, 1172870, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 2 April 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1789 (01-Apr-1942) BU-Q

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 2. F. 2.

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC and Diana Beach (niece of Sidney Burtwell) and Christine Head (neice of John Dunn)

Date record last updated : 4 March 2012


BUSHELL, W J

Sgt William James Bushell, 1310132, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British, KIA 27 August 1942, Aged 29

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9155 (27-Aug-1942) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9317 (03-Jun-1942)

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 28. H. 8-13.

Son of William James & Ellen Bushell, of West Brompton, London

Source : Arthur Skone and Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


BUTLER

LAC 'Bob' Butler, Engine Fitter

Bob was an LAC engine fitter from 1943/45.

He died on 16 July 2012, aged 88.

Source : Squadron Association

Date record last updated : 27 September 2013


BUTLER, A

Butler_Alfred

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


BUTLER, K N

Sgt K N Butler, Mid-upper gunner?

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Fortress KJ119 BU-O

Source : Ian Hunt


BUTLER, M

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


BUTLER, P M W

Plt/Off Patrick M W Butler, Navigator, Date taken POW 28 November 1942, POW number 42899

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling R9194 BU-N

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

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Thomas Butler (son of Plt/Off Pat M W Butler) writes :
My father, P M W Butler, was on this flight (R9194) in November 1942, which was shot down over NE France. He was the plane's navigator.
He parachuted to ground, landing in a field near Laon and breaking both ankles. He therefore had to be hospitalised and handed over to the the German authorities, subsequently transferred to Stalag Luft III, where he was a POW until the end of the war. The French farmers who found him would otherwise have tried to find him find a way of escaping capture.
He survived the march across Germany in the winter of 1944/5 and arrived back home on VE Day 1945. He had to break into the house because my mother had taken me and my brother to London, from Woking, to join the celebrations at Buckingham Palace. He lived to the age of 87.

Source : Capitaine Herve Savary (French Gendarmerie Officer) and Nightjar Newsletter and Arthur Gatland and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Thomas Butler (son of Plt/Off Pat M W Butler)

Date record last updated : 18 February 2022


BUTTERWORTH, H M

Butterworth_Harold_M_grave_2

Cpt Harold MacRae Butterworth, 179138, Rear Gunner, Royal Artillery, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 11 April 1942, Aged 20

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C HF856 BU-?

Born in Manchester, England

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 19.F.3

Son of Harold McAvoy Butterworth and Margaret E. Macrae Butterworth, of Inverness.

Captain Harold Butterworth of Inverness Scotland was the oldest of two brothers, Douglas being the younger brother and was predeceased by one sister, Opel. He 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.

Alan Butterworth from South Africa writes: "My Uncle Captain Harold Butterworth was killed while serving with 214 Squadron on attachment from the Royal Artillery. He was with A.O.P. as a rear gunner/observer. He was the third Royal Artillery officer to be killed that month and after that no more officers were sent on this duty. Harold now lives on in the memory of his niece and nephews, Fiona, Alan and Neil."

If you have any further information on Captain Butterworh please contact Alan at XXXbutterworth@telkomsa.net (please remove the XXX spam protection from the email address).

Please Please click here to read Alan's search to find his Uncle Harry.

Source : Alan Butterworth (nephew of Cpt Butterworth) and Ian Hunt and Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 28 March 2015


BYRAM, P

Byram_Paul

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



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