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PERSONNEL

C

To find the person that you want either scroll down the page or select them from the ranges shown below
Surname :
CAIN, R CAMERON CAMERON, A L CAMERON, B G CAMERON, J G CAMPBELL, A CAMPBELL, R G CANDY, C CANN, G CAPEL, D J CARD, D R CARDINAL, B P CARLYON, P W M CARNELL, B CARR, A CARR, L CARR, R B CARROTT, R J CARRUTHERS, A CARTER CARTER, E J CARTER, E W CARTER, G R CARTER, H M CARTER, J W CARTER, J W CARTLAND, K H CARTMELL, R J CARTWRIGHT, R G CARTY, A CASE, W R CASELY, N L CASH, G H J CASSAN, J D CATCH, H CATTELL, J C CATTLE, A E H CAULFIELD, G J J
CHADWICK, P M CHALK, D CHALLIS, E CHALMERS, J C CHANDLER, J N T CHAPMAN CHAPMAN CHAPMAN CHAPMAN, F CHAPMAN, K H CHAPMAN, L T CHAPPELL, A CHARLTON, J CHATFIELD, R A CHESTER, S C CHILD, R C CHILVERS, H CHISHOLM, J E CHISLETT, R C CHRISTIE, E CHRISTSEN, W I CHURCH, B CHURCH, B H
CLARIDGE, H G CLARK, H A CLARK, P CLARKE, C CLARKE, C CLARKE, D K CLARKE, H W CLARKE, P CLARKE, R D F CLARKE, W CLARKSON, R H W CLEMENT, E CLEMENTS, J S CLEMENTS, W L CLIFTON-MOGGS, W S CLOUGH, W J CLUTTERBUCK, A
COATES, B P COATES, R L COLDICOTT, T COLE COLE, W G COLEHAN, R A COLEMAN, A COLLETT, R T J COLLINGS, H L COLLINS, J W COLLINS, M R COLMER, W L COLQUHOUN CONNEARN, D J CONNELLY, F CONNLEY CONNOLLY, R COOKE COOKE, T C S COOLING, C D COOMBES, P COOMBS, J F COOPER COOPER, D F COOPER, E H COOPER, H J COOPER, M C COOPER, N COOPER, R COOPER, W G COPLEY, L CORCORAN, T K CORK, K J CORKE, J R CORKILL CORLETT, E M COTTEE, K COTTERALL COTTERELL, R COTTERELL, W H COTTON COTTON, G A D COWAN, A COX, G V COX, R COX, R J COX, S
CRAIG, J CRAIG, W N CRAIGIE-HALKETT, L M CRAINSWICK CRAMPTON, G CRANSWICK, A P CRAWLEY, R F CREAGH, A G CREED, E W C CRESSWELL, J D CRICHTON, M I CRIDGE, A V G CRITCHLEY, H CROFTS, W CROFTS, W R CRONALL CROOKS, W CROSBIE, M CROWE, E J CROWSLEY, W J V CRUICKSHANK, G CRUIKSHANK, G CRUICKSHANKS, G L CRUISE, R S CRYER, J E
CULLEY CUNNANE, T CUNNINGHAM, W J CUNYNGHAME, W B S CURLE, G T CURTIS, C D CURTIS, P J CUSWORTH, J P CUTHBERT, G CUTTANCE, J L
CAIN, R

Sgt Ronald Cain, 638553, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 8 January 1941, Aged 20

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2956 BU-?

Buried in BOLTON (HEATON) CEMETERY. Reference : Div. 2. Sec. G.2. Nonconformist. Grave 30.

Son of Edward and Lily Cain, of Bolton.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 15 June 2018


CAMERON

Fg/Off Cameron

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ114 (08-Apr-1945) BU-B

8 April 1945 - Mentioned on Battle Orders FO Cameron & crew

Source : Battle orders

Date record last updated : 9 March 2009


CAMERON, A L

Cameron_Angus_L

FS Angus L Cameron, Wireless Operator, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian.

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB803 (06-Oct-1944) BU-L
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB819 (14-Feb-1945) BU-U

Visited the Stainier family in 1956.

Angus is still alive in 2014 aged 90.

Source : Ian Hunt and Lt/Col Jean-Marie Stainier (son of Marc Stainier) and Angus Cameron and Nightjar Newsletter August 2014

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


CAMERON, B G

Fg/Off Bruce G Cameron, Pilot

Fortress Ops flown = 10
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 28 May 2008


CAMERON, J G

Sgt Jack G Cameron, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, Date taken POW 13 October 1942, POW number 42710

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BK599 BU-R

Imprisoned at POW camp Barth, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Reserve Lazerett No 1249, Stalag IXC, Obermassfeld hospital

Born 2 May 1920

Born in Toronto, Canada

Husband of Gladys Cameron. Father of Donna Sharpe and Leslie Cameron

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Jack enlisted in the RCAF on 26 November 1940 at Toronto.
He trained at :
No 2 Manning Depot, Brandon;
Guard Duty, Jericho Beach, BC.;
No 2 Wireless School, Calgary;
No 1 CTS, Trenton;
No 3 B&G, MacDonald, Man. where he received his Air Gunner wing on 24 November 1941.
Jack was posted overseas to No 3 PRC, Bournemouth, England and received further training at No 1 AAS, Manby;
No 22 OTU, Wellesbourne, Oakington.

"I did three trips on the 1000 bomber raids from OTU in 1C Wellington's and the third could have been fatal.
After we bombed the target on our way home, we were told to fly over the sea at 1000 feet. One engine died and the 1C Wimpy was forced to ditch. The pilot made a good landing on the sea and we all got out of the aircraft. I released the dinghy from its position in the tail section. We all swam and climbed into the dinghy and spent 112 hours on the North Sea. We were spotted by a Wellington aircraft doing a square search for one of their own squadron."

"After OTU, we were posted to 214 Squadron on Stirlings.
On our 3rd trip, 13 October 1942 to Kiel in BK599 BU-R, we were coned by searchlights and a night fighter finished us off. The whole front of the aircraft was ablaze, no intercom or hydraulics. I had been hit in the foot, to what extent, I didn't know and with the aircraft on fire, I hit the silk. (parachuted out of the aircraft)."
The aircraft came down at Felde, in the garden of a estate, by the "Westensee" Jack was taken POW.
Jack was demobbed at Toronto on 1 November 1945. and worked at the Canadian Bank of Commerce.

http://www.torontoaircrew.com/AirGunner/Cameron/cameron.html

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Chorley and http://www.torontoaircrew.com/AirGunner/Cameron/cameron.html

Date record last updated : 27 February 2010


CAMPBELL, A

Plt/Off A Campbell, A402636, Pilot

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

Posted to 214 Squadron from 21 OTU on 31 August 1941.
He was flying as part of a crew in 214 Squadron from November 1941 till January 1942.
He was then posted to 99 Squadron on 19 January 1942.
On 23 February 1942 he went from Waterbeach to Portreath.
On 26 February 1942 he went from Portreath direct to Malta, en-rote for 99 Squadron in India, being seconded to 215 Squadron, on arrival, until rejoining 99 Squadron in Oct 1942 until at least 1943.

Source : Colin Burningham and W.R.Chorley

Date record last updated : 29 May 2010


CAMPBELL, R G

Plt/Off Ross G Campbell DFC, Pilot, Nationality : Canadian

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BK593 (28-Nov-1942) BU-L

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

Source : Chorley and Ross Humphries

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


CANDY, C

Fg/Off Christopher Candy AFM, Air Electronics Officer, 4230039, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom. KIA 11 September 1959 Age 22.

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Valiant B Mark I XD869

Date of Birth 27 January 1937 in Clifton, Bristol.

Stationed at RAF Marham.

He is buried in MARHAM CEMETERY. RAF Grave 12.

Named on the following Memorials :
Armed Forces Memorial
Rolls of Honour, Church of St Clement Danes, London

Source : Jock Whitehouse and Armed Forces Memorial


CANN, G

Cann_George

George Cann, Flight Engineer

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

Source : Donald MacGilchrist

Date record last updated : 20 September 2008


CAPEL, D J

Sgt D J Capel

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7840 BU-?

On 11 October 1940 the aircraft crashed and he was seriously injured and was one of only two survivors of the crash.

Source : Bill Stubbs

Date record last updated : 13 February 2009


CARD, D R

Card_David

Card_David_AAR_course_1969
AAR Course Marham 1969

Card_David_OCU_Marham_10_Dec_1973
OCU course 10 December 1973

Flt/Lt David Royston Card, F4233460, Navigator / Plotter, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

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 XA927 (21-Dec-1976)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA937 (11-Jan-1977)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA937 (07-Jan-1977)

Born 23 January 1948

Born in Ipswich

Son of Ivor and Violet Card

Source : Flt/Lt David Card

Date record last updated : 14 September 2018


CARDINAL, B P

Plt/Off Barry Phillip Cardinal, J/7197, Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 7 June 1942, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I N3761 BU-E
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9317 (03-Jun-1942)

Buried in TERSCHELLING (WEST-TERSCHELLING) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 41.

Son of Louis Arthur and Dorothy Margaret Cardinal, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Plt/Off Cardinal, air gunner on N3761 had been posted to No 214 Squadron on 20 May 1942, from No 410 (Fighter squadron). Details retrieved from the National Archives in Ottawa by Kate Brettell

Source : Kate Brettell (niece of Flt/Lt Turtle). Kate has retrieved information from the National Archives Canada, The PRO in England and CWGC and Stevin Oudshoorn

Date record last updated : 22 June 2014


CARLYON, P W M

Sqn/Ldr Paul Winstanley Manners Carlyon DFC, 42672, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 15 January 1943, Aged 31

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7637 BU-W

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 118.

Son of Algernon Francis Manners Carlyon and Marion Carlyon. Born in Canada.

According to Chorley Sqn/Ldr Carlyon was a Canadian serving in the Royal Air Force.

Source : CWGC and Chorley and Ron Carr

Date record last updated : 10 January 2016


CARNELL, B

Carruther_Alexander,Carnell_Basil,Eaglen_Edgar_gravestone

FS Basil Carnell, 798585, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 12 March 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF469 (11-Mar-1943) BU-M

Buried in CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE EAST COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. I. Coll. Grave 1591.

Son of Harry and Eva Carnell; husband of Paula Carnell, of Newton Abbott, Devon.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 20 November 2020


CARR, A

WO Arthur Carr, Flight Engineer

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

Husband of Joyce Carr

Arthur flew on James Morrison's crew on the Fortress in 1944/45

Source : Nightjar Newsletter August 2014

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


CARR, L

Sgt Lawrence Carr, 1121598, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 15 January 1943, Aged 28

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7577 (07-Aug-1942) BU-P
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7637 BU-W

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 144.

Son of Henry Carr, and of Mary Annie Carr, of Dipton, Co. Durham.

Laurence Carr writes:
From reading the ORBs, I know that he flew with Ronald Florence a couple of times.

Source : CWGC and Ron Carr (brother) and Chorley and Laurence Carr (descendant) and 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


CARR, R B

Sqn/Ldr R B Carr, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8951 (01-Apr-1942) BU-X

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 29 March 2015


CARROTT, R J

Sgt Robert James Carrott, 1816917, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 February 1945, Aged 20

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB796 (09-Feb-1945) BU-T

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 274

Son of Harold and Florence Ellen Carrott, of Great Glen, Leicestershire.

Source : CWGC and Geoff Swallow (Australian researcher) and Chorley

Date record last updated : 2 February 2010


CARRUTHERS, A

Carruthers_Alexander
Carruther_Alexander,Carnell_Basil,Eaglen_Edgar_gravestone

Plt/Off Alexander 'Alex' Carruthers, J16064, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : American, KIA 12 March 1943, Aged 28

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF469 (11-Mar-1943) BU-M

Named on the following Memorial : Canadian Books of Remembrance WW2 page 144
Named on the following Memorial : Memorial in Pittston, Pennsylvania, USA

Born 13 May 1914
Born in Hamilton, Scotland

Buried in CHALONS-EN-CHAMPAGNE EAST COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. I. Coll. grave 1591.

Son of James D. Carruthers and Agnes D. Carruthers, of Tonawanda, New York, U.S.A.

Honours received:

GRVI MEMORIAL CROSS
1939-45 STAR
AIR CREW EUROPE STAR
CANADIAN VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL
CLASP TO THE CVSM
WAR MEDAL 1939-45

James Carruthers wrote:
"My Uncle Alex was a very interesting man. Born in Scotland, he came to the USA in 1922 on the boat with my grandmother and 2 other siblings. They settled in Pennsylvania where there was work in the coal mines. He was a miner; he rode motorcycles; he was a boxer (even boxed one time in Madison Square Garden in New York); built his own airplane and taught himself how to fly (he was a "barnstormer" in the day). He tried to join the US Army Air Corps but was denied entrance because of education standards. He then found out about the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. He went to Canada and joined the RCAF. He earned his wings and was shipped to England where he became part of the 214 Squadron and a Pilot for the Stirling Bomber.
I learned all of this from family stories and friends of his in my hometown in Pennsylvania when I was young. I regret that I never met him but his spirit always stayed with me."

Source : Jim Carruthers (nephew) and CWGC and Veteran Affairs Canada and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 20 November 2020


CARTER

FS Carter, Special Operator, 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


CARTER, E J

Flt/Lt Edward James Carter DFC, 70770, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 6 June 1944

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 200

Flt/Lt Edward James Carter was with 214 Squadron circa 1940.
As Wg/Cdr E.J. Carter assumed command of 97 Squadron in January 1944 transferring in from 82 OTU. He was killed on D Day June 6th 1944.

Source : David Layne, CWGC

Date record last updated : 6 January 2010


CARTER, E W

Fg/Off E W Carter, Pilot

Fortress Ops flown = 1
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 28 May 2008


CARTER, G R

Carter_Gordon_Rolfe

Flt/Lt Gordon Rolfe 'Lofty' or 'Nick' Carter (Aircrew Europe Star (France and Germany clasp)), 1851397, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

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

Born 13 September 1924

Born in Buckinghamshire, England

Son of Harold and Nellie Carter

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.

Served with 214 during 1944 and was a Flight Engineer mainly crewing with Tom Bayliss as his Pilot. He completed 39 'ops' including half ops and returns.
Demobbed in 1945, rejoined 1948 and served with Transport Command (Yorks and Hastings) and Bomber Command (Lincolns) until 1957. At Farnborough 1957 to 1963 with ETPS and other Units flying a variety of types. Transport again 1963 to 1966 (Hastings at Colerne) then Pershore with the RRE until 1969. Short stints at Farnborough and Lyneham before retiring in 1971. Total Flying hours at career end 5465

He retired in 1971 still yearning for piston engine types but none were left in any numbers! (Shackleton excluded).

Gordon died 15th August 2007 in Cheltenham. He was 82.

Buried in Bredon, Gloucestershire

Aircraft flown B-17F (Mark II) BU- 'A', 'L', 'M', 'N', 'O', 'P', 'S', 'W', 'X'.
B-17G (Mark III) BU- 'B', 'C', 'G', 'J', 'O', 'Q', 'R', 'S', 'T', 'U'.

Total Operational Hours 173
Total operational Sorties 39
Total 'ops' 22
Total 'half ops' 17
First 'op' 26th April 1944
Final 'op' 30th November 1944

His son, Tony Carter has his Flying Log Book which covers his Father's wartime service with 214 (he did not complete 'ops' with any other unit in WW2). The website administrators also have a copy of his Flying Log Book

ALSO SEE the article "THE FLYING FORTRESS", written by Gordon and his son Tony

Source : Gerhard Heilig and Tony Carter (Gordon's son) and Flying Log Books

Date record last updated : 13 October 2008


CARTER, H M

Carter_Hilton_MacKay_grave

Plt/Off Hilton MacKay Carter, J/94203, Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 21 March 1945, Aged 22

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB785 (21-Mar-1945) BU-A

Born in Canada

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 7. D. 5.

Son of Hilton P. M. Carter and Doris M. Carter, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.

CWGC lists him as Pilot Officer

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003 and Chris Edwards from Garmisch

Date record last updated : 28 June 2014


CARTER, J W

John William 'Jack' 'Red' Carter

Husband of Dorothy.

John met Dorothy in Ottawa and married in 1947.

This maybe the same person as Fg/Off J W Carter

Source : Susan Bailey (daughter)

Date record last updated : 2 February 2018


CARTER, J W

Fg/Off J W Carter, J37715, Royal Canadian Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ125 BU-J

This maybe the same person as John William Carter

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

Date record last updated : 2 February 2018


CARTLAND, K H

Sgt K H Cartland

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7626 (05-Oct-1942) BU-J

Fortunately Sgt Cartland was not injured when W7626 (05-Oct-1942) crashed.

Source : Chorley and www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


CARTMELL, R J

Cartmell_Robert_Joseph_wedding
His wedding day 26 August 1941 just a month before he went overseas

Cartmell_Robert_Joseph_newspaper

Cartmell_Robert_Joseph_memorial
Thorold War Memorial, Ontario, Canada

Plt/Off Robert Joseph 'Bobby' Cartmell, J/15883, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 14 September 1942, Aged 24

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) N3674 (01-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9152 (11-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9166 (14-Sep-1942) BU-H
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7610 (07-Aug-1942)

Named on the following Memorial : Thorold War Memorial, Ontario, Canada

Born 21 April 1918
Born in St Catherines, Ontario, Canada

Buried in SAGE WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 14. B. 12.

Son of Joseph Cartmell and Mary Crittenden. Husband of Jean Elizabeth MacDonald, married 26 August 1941

His personal papers say that his Service number is R75965 yet CWGC and VAC Canada Remembers both quote his service number as J/15883.

Cartmell_Robert_Joseph_newspaper_2
Tim Lundell writes that this inspirational story also led up to Penny's (Tim's wife) decision that Bobby's personal effects and posthumous medals would be more appropriately donated to the WWII museum at Bobby's home town, Thorold, Ontario. So she made the journey in person on Remembrance Day in 2012, and was greeted like royalty by the local officials and veterans.

Source : Tim Lundell and Penelope O'Neill (family members) and Cathy Kerr (2nd Cousin of Robert Cartmell) and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2004 and 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher) and Chorley

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


CARTWRIGHT, R G

Sgt R G Cartwright, Date taken POW 26 July 1942, POW number 25026

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7560 BU-C

Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - from 1943, was previously Stalag 8B
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it became Stalag 344

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

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

Date record last updated : 20 January 2023


CARTY, A

Carty_Albert_form1

Carty_Albert_form2

Sgt Albert Carty, 648723, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 11 October 1940, POW number 291

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

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

Born 10 March 1922

Born in Salford, Manchester, England

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

It is not known how Sgt Albert Carty was taken POW as the aircraft he was flying in returned safely to base.

Click on this link to see other information about Sgt Albert Carty that is recorded on the RAF Commands website

See the crew entry for L7859 (10-Oct-1940) more details.

Zoe Evans and the website administrators would be please to hear from anyone who can help explain how Sgt Albert Carty was taken POW.

Source : Zoe Evans (Granddaughter of Sgt Albert Carty) and RAF Commands website and The National Archives and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 14 January 2022


CASE, W R

Sgt W R Case, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, Date taken POW 31 August 1943, POW number 222579

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE970 BU-B

Imprisoned at POW camp Muhlberg am der Elbe, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Ian Hunt and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Chorley and Geoff Swallows (Australian Researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 January 2010


CASELY, N L

Plt/Off Norman Lewis Casely 116071

Flew a full tour as Navigator with 214 Squadron at Stradishall from the 26 april 1940 to the 17 July 1941. He is known to have flown in Wellington L4326 BU-K which was later lost. Plt/Off Casely was killed in a flying accident while on pilot training. Family contact: Steve Casely (Nephew) 01626 351490 Newton Abbot.


CASH, G H J

Sgt George Henry Joseph Cash, 1334740, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 4 April 1943, Aged 21

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 George William Cash, and of Lucy Edith Cash, of Southbourne, Hampshire.

Source : CWGC and Nils Hempel of Kiel Germany

Date record last updated : 24 March 2009


CASSAN, J D

Cassan_John_Douglas

Cassan_John_Douglas_girlfriend_Renee
John was due to become engaged to his girlfriend, Renee, above upon his return but sadly this was never to be. In 2006 Renee was still alive and well and living in Canada.
November 2009. We have just been advised that Renee, died in Canada on 24th October 2009.

Plt/Off John Douglas 'Johnny' Cassan, 172119, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 June 1944, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress (model unknown) ??Cassan
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR382 BU-B

Named on the following Memorial : Clevedon Civic website
Named on the following Memorial : St Andrew's Church Clevedon

Born 21 June 1923

Born in Clevedon, Somerset

Buried in UDEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5.B.5

Son of Arthur William Marshall and Ida Francis Cassan

Cassan joined 214 on 7 January 1944 and flew 2 ops on Short Stirlings before the squadron converted onto Fortresses. (No ops were flown by the squadron during this conversion period, mid-January to mid-April 1944). Cassan then flew 5 ops on their 'new' Fortresses, from 26 April 1944, but was shot down and killed on 21 June 1944.

Tragically John was killed in the crash of Fortress BU.B the day after his 21st birthday. Although he would never know, exactly two weeks after his death, the nephew of his comrade and friend Sgt Sydney Bryant, would be born and named after him. By some twist of destiny, this namesake "John Cripps", some 60 years later would author the story of BU-B and thereby ensure that the sacrifice of John Douglas Cassan would never be forgotten. John was originally buried as "Unknown Airman" .

In June 1945, survivor Sgt Tom Sparks sent a letter to John's mother which confirms that John stayed at the controls of the aircraft because, quote "One of the boys up front was badly injured" (likely Navigator Flt/Sgt George Orr). It also appears his Fortress survived one attack but a second knocked out the inner starboard engine rendering the aircraft's controls useless. By some fluke, or pilot skill, John managed to pull the nose of the aircraft up from its head long dive just long enough for the crew, that could, to bale out. (The Sparks letter is currently in the possession of John's brother)

Fortress Ops flown = 5
(* Actually 'operational take-offs'. Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Cassan_John_Douglas_Renee_letter
This letter was sent to John Cripps regarding Plt/Off Cassan's girlfriend Renee

Source : The Cassan family, formerly of Clevedon Somerset and Ian Hunt and John Cripps (nephew of Sgt Sydney Bryant) and CWGC

Date record last updated : 7 November 2009


CATCH, H

Plt/Off Henry Catch, 142892, Navigator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 13 May 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF381 BU-P2

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5. A. 18.

Son of Henry and Rebecca Catch, of Wood Green, Middlesex.

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 and Mike Plummer, Cousin (ex 61 and 100 Squadrons)

Date record last updated : 29 October 2010


CATTELL, J C

Sgt James Clark Cattell, 40932, Observer, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 9 April 1941, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2542 (09-Apr-1941)

Buried in KIEL WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 2. B. 8.

Son of Frank Cattell and of Madeline Cattell (nee Clark), of Wellington City, New Zealand.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter and Nils Hemple and Aled Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon)

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009


CATTLE, A E H

Cattle_Aubrey_Edward_Henderson

Flt/Lt Aubrey Edward Henderson Cattle, 117960, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 13 May 1944, Aged 27

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7847 (10-Sep-1940 - 16-Oct-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) L7847 (08-Sep-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 (10-Oct-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2841 (29-Nov-1940) BU-K

Buried in SOUTHEND ON SEA (LEIGH ON SEA) CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. T Grave 70

His death is recorded on Free BMD at Melton Mowbray Record 7a Page 312

Source : Ian Hunt and Sheila Scott Byrne (daughter of Wg/Cdr Peter Doig Scott) and CWGC and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 18 February 2021


CAULFIELD, G J J

Sgt Gordon John Joseph Caulfield, 1895558, 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 Gordon Creswell Caulfield and Margaret Caulfield, of Hillfields, Coventry.

Is listed on Battle Orders for 22 August 1944

Source : George Mackie and CWGC

Date record last updated : 28 July 2008


CHADWICK, P M

Flt/Lt Peter Morgan Chadwick, 1316146, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

Born 27 January 1922

Born in Abergavenny, Wales

Son of William Morgan and Gwynneth Chadwick

His son, Stephen, has his log books and it looks like he was with 214 Squadron August and September 1945.

Notes from log book:

- Summary of Flying Assessments 17/11/45, after 109:15 hrs Day and 12:15 Night, 'above average'

- Aircraft flown Liberator VIII, A,F, J, H,O , K,C,R,E, P,L,Q,Z

- Other pilots mentioned Fg/Off Brownie, Fg/Off Davidson, EP Landon, Fg/Off Barry, Sqn/Ldr Wilson, Fg/Off Marris

Peter Chadwick is mentioned in the London Gazette at https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35813/supplement/5340/data.pdf

To see movements of Peter Chadwick please click on this link

Source : Stephen Chadwick (son) and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 31 August 2017


CHALK, D

Chalk_Donald

Donald Chalk, 1895298, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

Born 13 October 1922

Born in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

Donald did his Air Gunner Training at Stormy Down from 11 March 1944 to 29 April 1944 flying in Ansons.

Chalk_Donald_Air_Gunners_School_Squad_36_12_March_1944
Donald is 2nd in from the right on the front row.

He then joined 1659 HCU from 29 April 1944 to 7 May 1944.

In his proficiency assessment it states " Above average. A very good operational gunner".

Chalk_Donald_Flying_kit

Finally he joined 214 Squadron on 7 May 1944. "I arrived and was sent away at once on leave".

He flew with Fg/Off Bettles from July 1944, flying 10 missions.
He then flew with Fg/Off Scott from October 1944, flying 28 missions.
Next he joined WO Price in February 1945, flying 9 missions.
Finally he joined Flt/Lt Farringdon in April 1945, flying 12 missions.

To see Donald Chalk's personal log please click here.

John Farby has his logbook.

Chalk_Donald_and_unknown
Chalk_Donald_and_Crew
Donald is on the left in both photographs and the rest of the crew are unknown. Can anyone please name the other four gentlemen?

Sadly Donald died on 11 October 1989 aged 67.

Source : John Farby and Mrs Chalk (wife) and Arthur Booth (nephew)

Date record last updated : 23 January 2010


CHALLIS, E

Plt/Off Edward Challis, 140914, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 27 March 1943, Aged 22.

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF453 BU-L

Buried in HANOVER WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 10. B. 9-12.

Son of Vincent and Clara Challis, of Stocksbridge, Yorkshire

On 28 February - 1 March 1943 Stirling R9242 BU-O, raid on St Nazaire where fires were reported visible from 90 miles away. He was a Sgt on this flight.

On 5 - 6 March 1943 Stirling R9186 BU-F (or T?), raid on Krupps works, Essen. Jettisoned bombs after being caught in searchlights for 2 minutes, 5 miles SE of Soesterberg. Heavy flak shell burst nearby and aircraft unable to maintain height. Operation abandoned. He was a Sgt on this flight.

On 27 -28 March 1943 Stirling BF453 BU-L, raid on Berlin. Failed to return. Reported crashed at Finkenwerder on the south bank of the Elbe approximately 5 miles SW of Hamburg and killed.

Sources : Richard Challis (great Nephew) and Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020


CHALMERS, J C

Sgt J C Chalmers, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9163 BU-C

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004

Date record last updated : 7 July 2009


CHANDLER, J N T

Sgt John Noel Thomas Chandler, 1313346, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 30 July 1943, Aged 20

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

Buried in SAGE WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 7.B.3

Son of Joseph Thomas Line Chandler and Dora Irene Cordelia Chandler, of Greenford, Middlesex.

His body was recovered off the Friesian Islands.

Source : Marilyn Morris (niece of Sgt Chandler), Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 April 2011


CHAPMAN

Sgt Chapman

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

Is possibly Leonard T Chapman

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

Date record last updated : 24 May 2019


CHAPMAN

Sgt Chapman

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2819 (19-Dec-1940)

19 December 1940. Training Flight.

Source : 214 Squadron Summary of events

Date record last updated : 19 February 2021


CHAPMAN

Sgt Chapman

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2800 (23-Nov-1940) BU-P
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R1046 (15-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (12-Oct-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (13-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (14-Oct-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (16-Oct-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (20-Oct-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R3233 (05-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2708 (01-Nov-1940) BU-N

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 18 February 2022


CHAPMAN, F

Sgt F Chapman

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


CHAPMAN, K H

Chapman_Kenneth_Herbert

FS Kenneth Herbert 'Ken' Chapman, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 23 August 1943, POW number Unknown

Born 9 December 1921

Born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (11-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (19-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (22-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (23-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (24-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (25-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (29-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (24-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (27-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF574 (25-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK717 (11-Apr-1943) BU-U
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE902 (14-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF358 (14-Apr-1943) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF358 (16-Apr-1943) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (12-Aug-1943) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (16-Aug-1943) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (23-Aug-1943) BU-G

Buried in Banham Norfolk (Cremated)

Son of Eleanor and Edgar Chapman

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Severely injured and had a leg amputated following the loss of EH895 (23-Aug-1943)

He was a member of the caterpillar club.

Died 3 November 2016 aged 94.

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton Brock and Chorley and Gillian Noble-Cooper and 214 Squadron ORB and Zoe Playle (Granddaughter)

Date record last updated : 19 January 2024


CHAPMAN, L T

Sgt Leonard Tyne Chapman, 929858, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 8 September 1941, Aged 27

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1784 BU-?

Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 4. A. 9.

Son of James and Alice K. Chapman.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 October 2010


CHAPPELL, A

Allan Chappell DFC, Navigator

Allan Chappell did 30 tours with 214 Squadron from 1943.

Source : Peter Chappell

Date record last updated : 27 February 2011


CHARLTON, J

Joe Charlton

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


CHATFIELD, R A

Sgt Ronald Arthur Chatfield, 647420, Royal Air Force, KIA 8 April 1941

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1380 BU-?

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 41.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


CHESTER, S C

Sgt Stanley Charles Chester, 742972, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 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 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 Charles Harper Chester and Esther Chester, of West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire.

After the loss of T2471 the mother of Sergeant Stanley Chester, kept in touch with the crew's families in the hope that any news received could be quickly shared.
A letter from the Officer Commanding 214 Squadron to Mr Chester, Stanley's father, in July 1941 states:

"I feel sure you will understand that it is almost impossible to know what definitely happened in such cases, but it seems certain that your son's aircraft was engaged, probably over Holland, and most likely by enemy aircraft."

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

Date record last updated : 22 August 2010


CHILD, R C

Sgt Roy Craven Child, 968999, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 May 1943, Aged 25

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF478 BU-G

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 145

Son of J. W. Edward and Beatrice Mary Child; husband of Irene Joan Child.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2003.

Date record last updated : 18 February 2008


CHILVERS, H

Chilvers_Harry
OTU 19 graduation picture

Sgt Harry Chilvers, 1112050, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British, KIA 2 April 1942, Aged 26

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1156 (01-Apr-1942)

Named on the following Memorial : Fenham St James and St Basil Church ROH
Named on the following Memorial : Newcastle-upon-Tyne Rutherford College BOR

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 2. F. 5.

Son of Harry Norton Chilvers and Mary Ellen Chilvers, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Source : CWGC and Chorley's "Bomber Command Losses" 1942 volume and Mike Smith (great nephew of W R West) and Simon Glancey

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


CHISHOLM, J E

Sgt J E Chisholm, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 31 August 1943, POW number 222675

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE970 BU-B

Imprisoned at POW camp Muhlberg am der Elbe, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Ian Hunt and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Chorley and Geoff Swallows (Australian Researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 January 2010


CHISLETT, R C

FS Raymond Colin Chislett, 1384670, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 1 September 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF401 BU-Y

Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 5. D. 34-37.

Son of Francis Colin and Olga Lilian Chislett, of Betchworth, Surrey.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 2 February 2010


CHRISTIE, E

Eric Christie

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


CHRISTSEN, W I

Christsen_Walter_Irvine_grave

Sgt Walter Irvine Christsen, Navigator, 404277, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian, KIA 26 March 1942, Aged 22

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1143 BU-G

Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial Panel 120

Buried in VRIEZENVEEN GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 1-6.

Son of Walter Irvine Hans and Isabel Christsen, of Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia.

Source : CWGC and Hans J. Kobes, Vriezenveen (NL) and John Cripps and Australian War Memorial and Geoff Swallow (Australian Researcher) and Jan Nieuwenhuis (World War II Allied Aircraft Crashes in The Netherlands and North Sea)

Date record last updated : 26 March 2021


CHURCH, B

WO Bill Church, Waist Gunner

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

Was one of only 2 survivors when HB815 crashed on 4 March 1945.

Please see the following link to the BBC website WORLD WAR 2 - PEOPLE'S WAR, which tells the story of the crash of HB815 and the fate of it's crew members 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 FLYING OPERATIONS for previous activities and OULTON AIRBASE for the loss of HB815

Source : Nightjar Newsletter and BBC website WORLD WAR 2 - PEOPLE'S WAR and BBC website "A bomber's story" by Bill Knight

Date record last updated : 13 July 2010


CHURCH, B H

Church_Bernard_Henry

Plt/Off Bernard Henry Church, 148123, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British, KIA 26 June 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK767 BU-L

Buried in AALTEN (BERKENHOVE) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 591/1

Son of Albion and Blance Church of Crouch End London England

Source : Chorley and CWGC and Peter Rhebergen from Aalten, The Netherlands

Date record last updated : 13 April 2022


CLARIDGE, H G

Claridge_Harold_George

Sgt Harrold George Claridge, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9163 BU-C

Born 19 August 1921

Died 6 March 1994

Buried in Ringmer in East Sussex England

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Philip Baldock (researcher)

Date record last updated : 20 October 2017


CLARK, H A

Sgt Henry Alan Clark, 1093765, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 4 July 1943, Aged 22

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE882 BU-J

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 145.

Son of John William and Elizabeth Clark, of Newlands, Keswick, Cumberland.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 22 August 2019


CLARK, P

Sgt Pat Clark, Waist Gunner, Royal Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB819 (02-Apr-1945) BU-U

Source : F A Wilkes

Date record last updated : 16 January 2014


CLARKE, C

Clarice Clarke, WAAF, Nationality : British

Wife of Colin Clarke

Clarice was a WAAF MT Driver with 214 Squadron at both RAF Stradishall and RAF Chedburgh in 1941 to 1943 and then moved to 620 Squadron, which was formed from C Flight of 214 in June 1943.
She met her future husband, Colin (who died in 1993) who was ground crew whilst they were both serving on 214.
Clarice drove the usual MT vehicles, but was also detailed to drive ambulances, and she drove Dinty Moore to hospital after his crash near Chedburgh. The photograph on page 7 of the Nightjar Newsletter May 2013 shows Clarice with Dinty, the Canadian Stirling Pilot, and Margaret Robson who was an RAF Medical Orderly, who nursed him on the way to hospital, when they met up again at Chedburgh nearly 70 years later.

Clarice was a life-long supporter of RAFA and she attended our 2009 Memorial Dedication at Alrewas, where she wore her WAAF tartan skirt - "I am not going to miss this event" she said.

Clarice was a delightful Welsh lady whom it was a privilege to know. She died on 22 January 2013

Source : Nightjar Newsletter

Date record last updated : 8 May 2020


CLARKE, C

Colin Clarke, Ground Crew

Colin Clarke was Ground Crew and served with 214 Squadron until he transferred to 620 Squadron which was formed from C Flight of 214 in June 1943.

He was married to Clarice Watkins (Clarke)

Both he and his wife were avid supporters of the numerous reunion meetings over many years.

Died in January 2003.

Source : Robert Clarke (son of Colin Clarke)

Date record last updated : 12 July 2024


CLARKE, D K

Clarke_Denis_K_RAF_Eastleigh_Kenya
Taken at RAF Eatleigh in Kenya

Sgt Denis K 'Nobby' Clarke, 3510956, Air Signaller/Gunner

Joined the RAF in 1952

Left the RAF on 19 February 1960.

Died in April 2004.

Stephen Roberts writes :
"I have in my possession a WW2 C-type flying helmet and H-type mask. The oxygen tube has 214 Squadron marked on one end and 856 Sgt D.K.Clarke on the other. I was wondering if you have any information on this man?"

Simon D K Clarke writes :
I realise the enquiry by Stephen Roberts above was made nine years ago, but thought it worth responding with some basic details about my father's RAF Service, as follows:
Sergeant Denis 'Nobby' K Clarke, 3510956, Air Signaller/Gunner
My father, 3510956 Sergeant Denis 'Nobby' K Clarke, joined the Royal Air Force in 1952 and was an Air Signaller/Gunner by trade. He served in the following Squadrons:He served in the following Squadrons:
Number 214 Squadron (Lincoln) RAF Upwood May 1953-Dec 1954 (detached to Shallufa and RAF Eastleigh, Kenya (01 Jul 54 -24 Oct 54)
Number 203 and 210 Squadron (Neptune) RAF Topcliffe
Number 228 Squadron (Shackleton) RAF St Mawgan
Number 116 Squadron (Varsity) RAF Watton then Tangmere
115 Squadron (Varsity) RAF Tangmere

Please note that Stephen commented above that the oxygen hose had, '...856 Sgt D.K.Clarke...' marked at one end, but my father's 'last 3' were '956', so he may have made a small mistake; I suspect the text was faded.
As an aside, I do remember seeing the items mentioned by Stephen, or identical equipment, when I was between 5 qand 10 years old. There was also a greatcoat, two berets, tropical trousers/shirt/jacket/socks, and a kitbag, which were all donated to the RAF Tangmere Museum in 2013.

Please click on this link to see other pictures relating to Sgt Clarke

This is a picture of the helmet and mask referred to above :
Clarke_Denis_K_mask

Source : Stephen Roberts and Simon D. K. Clarke (son of Sgt Denis K Clarke)

Date record last updated : 8 February 2019


CLARKE, H W

Sgt Henry Walter 'Nobby' Clarke, 1896292, Rear Gunner

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

He was a volunteer at the age of 17, this was in late 1942. He wanted to be a pilot but was too short so he became a tail gunner.

Source : Ian Hunt and Nic Clarke (son of Sgt Henry Walter Clarke)

Date record last updated : 1 January 2010


CLARKE, P

Sgt P Clarke, Flight Engineer

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

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 1 January 2010


CLARKE, R D F

Sgt R D F Clarke, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2893

Was the only uninjured survivor of the crash on 30 November 1942.

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

Date record last updated : 8 January 2021


CLARKE, W

Clarke_William

Sqn/Ldr William 'Bill' Clarke MiD, 70132, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 3 February 1943, Aged 32

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9191 (28-Nov-1942) BU-O
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9282 (03-Feb-1943) BU-Q

Named on the following Memorial : Boldre Church, Hampshire (west doors)
Named on the following Memorial : Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire
Named on the following Memorial : Cheltenham College memorial
Named on the following Memorial : No. 3 Group Bomber Command Roll of Honour in the RAF Window in Ely Cathedral.
Named on the following Memorial : RAF Chedburgh Book of Remembrance in All Saints Church, Chedburgh
Named on the following Memorial : RAF Chedburgh memorial
Named on the following Memorial : St John's College Oxford memorial

Born 31 May 1910

Born in Liverpool

Buried in BENSCHOP GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Collective Grave

Son of George Alfred and Tallulah Clarke; husband of Winefride Mary Clarke, of New Milton, Hampshire.

This is the story of a man whose pre-war working life became dedicated to the development and production of a high-quality British machine, his ambition being to help create, not only a world-beater, but something whose ownership might be the dream of any red-blooded young man. Sadly, William (Bill) Clarke was unable to see the fruition of that dream, losing his life as a Stirling captain on No.214 Squadron, but his influence and enthusiasm lived on post-war in the superb range of magnificent Vincent motor-cycles, true icons many of which remain lovingly owned and used to this day.

His pre-war career centred mainly on his passion for the world of racing motorcycles.

Bill had a very comfortable start in life as the eldest son of Capt. George Alfred Eskine and his wife Tallulah. The family business of Clarke's of Cork, Dublin and Liverpool was a wealthy and respected member of the tobacco industry, originating in Ireland but later moving to England. His father was a major shareholder in WD and HO Wills and his mother was from a wealthy American tobacco family.

After Oxford University, Bill met Phil Irving an Australian engine designer who invited Bill to join his team at Vincent's, a fledgling motor-cycle company based at Stevenage. Initially Bill commuted to and from the family home in Hampshire but before long took up residence at the 'Coach and Horses' in Stevenage. Phil Irving recalled that apart from Bill's love of actually riding powerful motor-cycles he was never happier than when busy in the workshop taking on any job thrown at him however demanding or dirty: Consequently he had a total understanding of the machines which he rode, helped to develop and ultimately to produce. Bill also possessed the ability to get on with people and it was not unknown for a disgruntled customer to be handed over to Bill who would escort him to the 'local' for a couple of hours and return him in a far more receptive mood!

When Vincent's came close to folding in 1929 due to severe cash flow problems Bill quickly saw a solution and successfully persuaded his father to put up enough cash to save the situation. Hence Capt. Clarke became Company Director and Bill, a Director but the company survived and continued with the production and development of the company's range of machines enabling the name of Vincent to become one of the most famous and respected stables of the time, so much so that in July 2005 the Royal Mail produced a 42p postage stamp featuring the 1949 Vincent 'Black Shadow' (fastest standard motorcycle).

Clarke_William_Royal_Mail_Stamp

Bill was always deeply involved in production testing and although forbidden by his family to actually race, his love of power and competition enabled him to compete in many trials.
Phil Irving recalling Bill's activities "He rode in every reliability trial that he could especially long distance Motor Cycling Club (MCC) and the Scottish and International Six-Day events. He regularly won premier awards and once or twice even won triple gold medals in MCC events. In spite of his own family imposed ban on racing, in 1938 and 1939 Bill rode at Brooklands on his own Vincent 'Rapide' A (nicknamed 'the Snarling Beast) and at the T.T and Ulster Grand Prix he acted as the Vincent Racing Team Manger, all undertaken whilst extensively testing all Vincent products.

Clarke_William_A_Rapide

At this time Bill lived with his wife Winifride and family in a lovely house at Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds and was the proud owner of a classic Jaguar saloon.

Clarke_William_and_wife_at_home_with_Jaguar

Due to his higher age on the outbreak of war, Bill could probably have used his engineering skills and experience in a variety of ground roles but as we know, he loved flying and wished to fly operationally.

Bill's keenness to fly first surfaced when at Oxford where he joined the University Air Squadron. In 1929 he was commissioned in the Reserve of Air Force Officers Class AA 11 and in 1938 after promotion and a 5-year extension, he was granted a Commission as a Flying Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. By 1940 he was a Flight Lieutenant, and by 1942, a Temporary Squadron Leader.

After a lengthy spell of instruction on twin-engined aircraft, Flt/Lt William Clarke, 32 years old and a pre-war flier (Oxford University Air Squadron) like many other instructors, finally succeeded in getting released from training duties to head for the real war. For Bill this meant leaving RAF Little Rissington for a Stirling Conversion Course followed, in November 1942, with a posting to No.214 Squadron which, for the last few weeks, had been operating Stirlings from a "miserable and muddy" RAF Chedburgh.

On 13th November 1942 Flt/Lt W Clarke was promoted to Squadron Leader and commenced settling in to the reality of life on a bomber squadron, which would inevitably include a taste of "ops". On 28 November 1942 Bill flew as "second dickie" to the experienced Ted Youseman in Stirling R9191 on the long haul to attack the Fiat works in Turin, and witnessed visual identification, PFF flares, runs over the target, a successful attack and, after a six-hour flight, a safe return.
Bill would have known that the squadron had already lost several aircraft and crews, but this time he would sense the gloomy atmosphere when a crew failed to return - on this occasion that of Flt Sgt Gatland. Bill was "on" again next night, again to Turin, but flying with FO Williamson, another experienced captain and this time in W7621 which, due to severe icing conditions, failed to maintain altitude.

Loss of the ASI, plus throttle and exactor problems, forced an early return after the bomb load had been jettisoned; further "sharp end" experience for Bill. On 14 January 1943 Bill captained his own aircraft for the first time successfully "gardening" in Deodars - the mouth of the Gironde river. This operation was his first in R9282 (BU-Q).

In 1945 Sqn/Ldr William Clarke was Mentioned in Dispatches for his decision to stay with his stricken aircraft in order that his crew may escape knowing full well that he would be unable to get out. Whilst this award may be recognised it may be thought that a much higher honour for such an act of courage (witnessed) would have been in order.

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling R9282 for full details of his heroic actions.

Clarke_William_Lost

Soon after the war two airmen, a Flight Sergeant and a Sergeant, called at the Vincent-HRD factory and met with a senior manager whom they thought might be interested to know that they were in the aeroplane which Sqn/Ldr Bill Clarke was flying when they were shot down. They recounted the details of their traumatic escape from the burning aircraft made possible, they said, by their pilot almost certainly sacrificing his life by staying at the controls to give them chance to bale out when even then they were at a dangerously low altitude. The manager said later: "These men were naturally very high in their praise for this gallant officer but that sort of action was in keeping with what one would expected from such a magnificent chap".

Source : Mike Clarke (son of William Clarke) and Brian Walker of Nottingham and Jon van Vliet of Lopiq, Holland and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletters Spring 2004 and Spring & Summer 2008 and 'The Vincent-HRD Story' by Roy Harper

Date record last updated : 29 October 2010


CLARKSON, D

Clarkson_Dick

Plt/Off Richard Herbert William 'Dick' Clarkson DFC and Bar, 68160, Navigator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9979 (Autumn-1941) BU-O

Flt/Lt Richard Clarkson also served with 57 Squadron and 692 Squadron. He received his award while with 692 Squadron.

Source : Ian Hunt and records of Fg/Off Venner and William Braisher and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 28 August 2023


CLEMENT, E

Flt/Lt Edward Clement DFC

He had first flown with 214 Squadron before transferring with the 4 remaining survivors of his crew to 7 Squadron Pathfinder Force. They were tragically killed on 18/11/43 on their last op of a double tour, their 45th.
Ted and the rest of the crew, as they were when they joined 214 on the 19/11/42 were Sgt Andy Harding AC Pilot Sgt Edward Clement EJ Navigator Sgt Walsh TJP Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner Sgt Parker FAG Flight Engineer P/O Hough J Air Bomber Sgt Jack Stammers J Air Gunner Sgt Herb Harris HA Air Gunner
By the 28th the crew had still not flown as Andy Harding had to do Second dickey trips but as the raid to the fiat works at Turin was so important it was decided to disperse the crew where needed. This is why Jack Stammers from London, and Herb Harris from Canada were allocated to Flight Sgt Gatlands crew, as his two gunners had both been injured on a previous operation. Jack Stammers , and Sgt Short the Flight Engineer died in the crash at Couvron-et-Aumencourt with Herb Harris dying of injuries five days later. Squadron Leader Penna of course was the one that got away
The two gunners were replaced in Sgt Hardings Crew by the two injured gunners from Sgt Gatlands crew. They were an American named Jimmy C. Parker (but known as Gerry) and a Welshman Sgt E.J. Rosling They were to go on and complete 18 operations with Ted and the crew which completed their 30 ops of their tour and then were screened, whilst the remaining five went to Oakington, 7 Squadron, and the Pathfinders.

Source & Research : Dave Herbert


CLEMENTS, J S

Clements_John_Sinclair_and_Richard_Harry_Clements
Richard Harry Clements (left) and John Sinclair Clements (right) when they were both studying In the USA before John became a RAF bomber pilot

Fg/Off John Sinclair Clements, 124440, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 July 1943, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK686 (26-Jul-1943) BU-C

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 6. C. 14.

Son of Harry and Sophie Victoria Clements, of Marylebone, London.

Henry Bruhl writes :
My wife's grandmother and (Richard and John) Clements' grandmother were sisters. Richard and John and sister stayed in Arlington, Virginia with family in the early war years. The family was associated with the Stelton Colony, New Jersey, US, and Whiteway Colony, Gloucestershire.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiteway_Colony

Source : CWGC and Ian Hunt and Henry Bruhl (relative)

Date record last updated : 10 November 2017


CLEMENTS, W L

Sgt W L Clements, Date taken POW 24 July 1943, POW number 83657

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

Imprisoned at POW camp Muhlberg am der Elbe, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Chorley

Date record last updated : 22 August 2019


CLIFTON-MOGGS, W S

Sgt W S Clifton-Moggs, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, Date taken POW 23 May 1943, POW number 1236

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF528

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

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

Date record last updated : 28 January 2008


CLOUGH, W J

Cpl W J 'Wilf' Clough, Armourer

Corporal Clough served on 214 during 1944/45.

He died in 2014.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter August 2014

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


CLUTTERBUCK, A

SAC Anthony Clutterbuck, Airframe Fitter

Anthony was stationed at RAF Marham from 1957 to 1961 as an airframe fitter when the aircraft were first refitted as tankers. He worked on Wing Commander Beetham's aircraft and was positioned to Malta for his record run with XD858 . He also worked on XD869 which was later lost with all crew, including a friend of his, Chief Technician Sewell.

Source : Anthony Clutterbuck

Date record last updated : 6 August 2008


COATES, B P

Coates_Basil_Peyton

Coates_Basil_Peyton_2
Both photographs taken in 1944

Fg/Off Basil Peyton 'Bas' Coates, 424973, Navigator, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB803 (06-Oct-1944) BU-L
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB819 (14-Feb-1945) BU-U

Born 10 August 1920

Born in Dublin, Ireland

Husband of Elsie Jean Powell, father of Alan.

Basil also flew some sorties in a Mosquito fighter-bomber, survived the war, and later became part of a military team sent to document what had happened in the concentration camps in Germany and Poland.

He was born in Dublin in 1920, and moved with his parents to Australia at the age of 10.

He is listed on Ancestry.com as arriving at the port of Sydney, New South Wales.

Basil enlisted for the RAAF in Sydney, Australia. His next of kin was listed as Elsie Coates. Basil & Elsie Jean (nee Powell) got married in 1943.

After his wartime service, when he was posted to England for the RAAF, he went back to Australia and became a school-teacher. He had one son, Alan.

Basil is listed on the Australian Electoral Register for New South Wales in 1943 in the district of Calare and also in New South Wales in 1949, this time in the district of New England.

Basil retired happily in 1980, and died at the age of 84 in Sydney in 2004.

Source : Ian Hunt and Angus Cameron and Caroline Wyatt (granddaughter) and John McCall (son of Keith McCall)

Date record last updated : 15 March 2019


COATES, R L

Fg/Off R L 'Dick' Coates, Pilot

Fortress Ops Flown = 18
(actually 'operational take-offs' Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 28 May 2008


COLDICOTT, T

Tom Coldicott

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

Source : Nightjar Newsletter May 2013

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


COLE

Sgt Cole

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

Source : Chorley

Date record last updated : 27 November 2009


COLE, W G

Sqn/Ldr William Geoffrey Cole DFC, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Cole (05-Nov-1940)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (13-Nov-1940) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (15-Nov-1940) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (17-Nov-1940) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (19-Nov-1940) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (23-Nov-1940) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (29-Nov-1940) BU-D
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2709 (07-Dec-1940) BU-D

Born about 1920.
Eighteen year old Geoff Cole joined the RAFVR at Derby in 1938. He joined 214 Squadron as a sergeant pilot in July 1940 and flew a first tour of over thirty operations.
On 7 December 1940 his crew and two others were despatched half an hour ahead of the main force to act as pathfinders by locating and marking the target, Dusseldorf, with incendiaries. The weather was atrocious and Geoff Cole's aircraft lost both engines, falling several thousand feet before he was able to start them again.
The other two 'pathfinder' aircraft, captained by **Flight Lieutenant Harris** and Flying Officer Dadswell, were both lost.
Flight Lieutenant Keith Falconer the Navigation Officer often flew in Geoff Cole's crew. Sadly, Falconer (awarded the DFC in July 1941) was killed on a Berlin raid flying with 214 Squadron's CO, Wing Commander Cruickshank.
Cole, however, survived his tour and another, on Lancasters, with 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds in 1943. After 54 operations, his DFC was gazetted in September 1943. He survived the war to become a BOAC Captain, married and lives in Cambridge.

** This is undoubtedly Wilfred Arthur Harris, being researched by Tim Jackson, England.

Source : Ian Hunt and various others and 214 Squadon ORB

Date record last updated : 18 November 2022


COLEHAN, R A

FS Robert Arthur Colehan, 632891, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British, KIA 27 August 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9155 (27-Aug-1942) BU-Q

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

Source : Chorley and CWGC and Arthur Skone

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


COLEMAN, A

FS A Coleman

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9289 BU-O

Source : Roy Tebbutt (Carpetbagger Aviation Museum, Harrington, UK)

Date record last updated : 3 August 2008


COLLETT, R T J

WO/II Russell Thomas Joshua Collett, R/77329, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 20 September 1942, Aged 28

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) R9152 (7-Aug-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9356 (20-Sep-1942) BU-U

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 6. J. 4.

Son of Stanley Collett and of Minnie Collett (nee Pascoe); husband of Aurore E. Collett (nee Ferrier), of Ste. Marguerite Station, Province of Quebec, Canada.

Source : Chorley and CWGC and 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


COLLINGS, H L

FS H L Collings

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ125 BU-J

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

Date record last updated : 15 December 2017


COLLINS, J W

Fg/Off John Wyndham Collins, 40495, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 28 February 1945, Aged 30, Date taken POW 9 December 1940, POW number Unknown

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I R1246 BU-H

Son of Oswald Bertram and Mary Sophia Collins of Overton Hampshire UK

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Fg/Off Collins is recorded as baling out from his aircraft when it hit a barrage balloon cable on 9 December 1940 while flying between R.A.F Stradishall and 70 Squadron based in the Middle East.

He was eventually repatriated but then died in service on 28 February 1945.

Source : www.rafcommands.com and CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020


COLLINS, M R

Sgt Maxwell Ritchie Collins, R/74592, Royal Canadian Air Force, KIA 14 July 1941, Aged 35

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1614 (14-Jul-1941) BU-H

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 61.

Son of Harold V. and Hilda C. Collins, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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

Date record last updated : 29 October 2010


COLMER, W L

Plt/Off William Leonard Colmer, 42473, Pilot, Royal Air Force, KIA 13 December 1939, Aged 25

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I R2699 BU-

Buried in FELTWELL (ST. NICHOLAS) CHURCHYARD

Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Colmer, of Slough, Buckinghamshire.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter and CWGC and John Jones (Researcher) and Jock Whitehouse

Date record last updated : 5 April 2019


COLQUHOUN

Flt/Lt Colquhoun, 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


CONNEARN, D J

Sgt D J Connearn, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 3 February 1943, POW number 27512

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

Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - from 1943, was previously Stalag 8B
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it became Stalag 344

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Spring 2008 and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 13 July 2009


CONNELLY, F

WO Frank Connelly, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

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

Source : John Scantleton (son of Flt/Lt V L Scantleton)

Date record last updated : 4 August 2009


CONNLEY

WO Connley

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

WO Connley was an additional crew member for the flight on 2 June 1944

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

Date record last updated : 20 July 2011


CONNOLLY, R

Roger Connolly, Mid Upper Gunner

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

Roger flew with at least 2 pilots in 214 Squadron: Sgt (became Pilot Officer) J D Cassan, and Flg/Off K J Bettles.
Fortunately he was not flying with Cassan on 21 June 1944 when Cassan and his crew were shot down. Of the 9 crewmen that night 5 were killed, 3 taken POW and 1 evaded. The chap who had superceded Roger in the plane was one of those who lived but was taken PoW. Roger was flying with Flg/Off K J Bettles who joined the squadron in early July 1944.

Sadly we have been advised that Roger passed away on 10 August 2014.

Source : Donald MacGilchrist and Paul Allen (Grandson of Roger Connolly) and Ian Hunt and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2015

Date record last updated : 26 July 2015


COOKE

Lt Cooke

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


COOKE, T C S

Cooke_Thomas_Charles_Seymour

Cooke_Thomas_Charles_Seymour_cards

Cooke_Thomas_Charles_Seymour_medals

Cooke_Thomas_Charles_Seymour_telegram
This telegram was sent when he was with 138 Squadron. Although the plane crashed, Sqn/Ldr survived

Sqn/Ldr Thomas Charles Seymour Cooke DFC AFC DFM, 103506, Pilot

Norman Franks and Simon Muggleton have written a book about Sqn/Ldr Cooke. It is called FLYING AMONG HEROES. Click on the name to see a description in the Gift Shop.

Sqn/Ldr Cooke is mentioned in the London Gazette on several pages as follows :
Issue 35273 date 12/9/41
Issue 35699 date 8/9/42
Issue 35841 date 29/12/42 AFC awarded
Issue 36051 date 8/6/43 DFC awarded
Issue 36059 date 15/6/43
Issue 38554 date 8/3/49
Issue 39640 date 5/9/52 Retirement by his request on 19/7/52
Some of these are listed as 214 Squadron some say no squadron, just his service number.

Source : London Gazette and Simon Muggleton and Chorley

Date record last updated : 17 November 2017


COOLING, C D

Plt/Off Charles David Cooling, J/15853, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 26 November 1941, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II Z8373

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 59

Son of Charles A. and Beulah M. Cooling, of Dawsonville, Restigouche-Madawaska, New Brunswick, Canada.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2005 and CWGC

Date record last updated : 10 August 2009


COOMBES, P

Pete Coombes, Aircraft Electrician

Pete Coombes writes :
I was posted to 214 Sqn at RAF Marham in Apr 1974, my first posting out of training. An aircraft electrician, I served with the Sqn until late 75 when I was posted to 100 Sqn Marham. Apart from two Germany tours I spent the remainder of my RAF career at Marham finally leaving in 2004 whilst on 39 (1) PRU Sqn. I continue to work at Marham in the test equipment section.

Source : Pete Coombes

Date record last updated : 3 November 2017


COOMBS, J F

WO/I John Frederick Coombs, NZ 401201, Rear Gunner, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, Date taken POW 9 December 1940, POW number 424

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I R1246 BU-H

Imprisoned at POW camp Barth, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Beninia?, Poland
Imprisoned at POW camp Dulag Luft (Oberursel), Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Not in "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock, which has extensive POW records.

WO Coombs is recorded as baling out from his aircraft when it hit a barrage balloon cable on 9 December 1940 while flying between R.A.F Stradishall and 70 Squadron based in the Middle East.

On John's POW notes there are these comments: "No special interogation" and " escapes, NO CHANCE".

Source : Air Force POW's website and Andy Buckley and www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020


COOPER

Sgt Cooper

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

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 31 August 2020


COOPER, D F

Sgt David Frederick Cooper, 1109722, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 29 September 1941, POW number 9699

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

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

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


COOPER, E H

Cooper_Eric_Harold

Cooper_Eric_Harold_grave_new

Cooper_Eric_Harold_2

Cooper_Eric_Harold_and_friends
Eric with friends. Can anyone name the others?

Cooper_Eric_Harold_resistance_rescuer
Dutch resistance worker who removed Eric Cooper from the crashed plane

Cooper_Eric_Harold_Letter_1
Letter written by Eric page 1

Cooper_Eric_Harold_Letter_2
Letter written by Eric pages 2 and 3

Cooper_Eric_Harold_Letter_3
Envelope of letter written by Eric

Cooper_Eric_Harold_medals
From left to right - 1939-1945 Star, Aircrew Europe Star, War medal 1939-1945

Sgt Eric Harold Cooper, 1223659, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 July 1942, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9355 (07-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9355 (09-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9356 (22-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7567 (24-Jul-1942) BU-S

Born 14 August 1920

Born in Southwell

Buried in WERKENDAM PROTESTANT CEMETERY. Reference : Row 8. Grave 3.

Son of Henry and Julia Cooper, of East Stoke, Nottinghamshire.

Please visit the following website which has much more information :
www.stalag-viiib.com/node/801

Please click on the following link for further information :
Sgt Eric Cooper and 214 Squadron July 1942

Source : Richard Hallam (nephew of Sgt Eric Cooper) and John Hallam and Eric Hallam and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Autumn 2004 and Arthur Skone

Date record last updated : 26 July 2015


COOPER, H J

Sgt Harold James Cooper, 932086, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 November 1941, Aged 20

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II Z8373

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 41

Son of Ernest Sidney and Selina Dorothy Cooper, of Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2005 and CWGC

Date record last updated : 10 August 2009


COOPER, M C

Sgt Maurice Charles Cooper, Navigator, Date taken POW 23 August 1943, POW number 222583

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (11-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (19-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (22-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (23-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (24-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (25-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (29-Jun-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (24-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF562 (27-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BF574 (25-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK717 (11-Apr-1943) BU-U
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE902 (14-Jul-1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF358 (14-Apr-1943) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF358 (16-Apr-1943) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (12-Aug-1943) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (16-Aug-1943) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (23-Aug-1943) BU-G

Imprisoned at POW camp Muhlberg am der Elbe, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Trained at
No 4 AGS Morpeth
1483 B&G Flight Marham
1651 Conversion Flight
Waterbeach 26 OTU

Was also recorded as Mid Upper Gunner

His initials were transposed with Elliott on a few ORB records.

He was reported as missing in the Staffordshire Advertiser of Saturday 28th August 1943: The entry read :
AIRMAN MISSING
News has been received that Sergt. Navigator Maurice Charles Cooper (20), Manor Road [Uttoxeter], is missing from air operations. He has been in the R.A.F. two years, and has made many trips over enemy and enemy-occupied territory.

Died 17 October 2014 aged 93

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton Brock and Chorley and Gillian Noble-Cooper and 214 Squadron ORB and Simon Glancy

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023


COOPER, N

Cooper_Norman

WO Norman Cooper, 916151, Special Operator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 March 1945, Aged 29

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress III KJ112 BU-P

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 269

Son of Edmund William and Elizabeth Leanora Cooper, of Farnborough, Kent; husband of Doreen Alma Cooper, of Orpington, Kent.

Source : Chorley and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003 and Catherine Stewart (relative of WO James McFarlane)

Date record last updated : 27 July 2010


COOPER, R

Sgt R Cooper, Rear Gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB767 BU-A

Sgt Cooper is described as having escaped by some, however Graham Filleul reports that Sgt Cooper was in the rear gunner's position ("tail end charlie") and was shot up to the surface of the water upon impact and was taken prisoner by the Germans in Calais until he was liberated. Sgt Cooper is not listed as a POW in "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock.

Source : John Cripps and Graham Filleul (son of Flt Lt Philip Filleul)

Date record last updated : 7 June 2008


COOPER, W G

Cooper_William_George

Fg/Off William George Cooper, 115186, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 30 March 1943, Aged 29

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

Born 28 August 1913
Born in Edgbaston, Birmingham

Buried in SHIRLEY (ST. JAMES) CHURCHYARD, SOLIHULL. Reference : Row 22. Grave 18D.

Son of William (Thomas) Bailey Cooper and Kate Cooper, husband of Esther Cooper, of Branston. Lincolnshire.

30 March 1943 Bill was the only fatality when Stirling EF362, which had returned early from operations to Berlin due to severe icing, collided over Chedburgh with Stirling BK663 and crashed near Oldham, 17 miles E of Cambridge. First sortie of his second tour of duty.

Outside of the RAF he was a rep for the Pirrelli tyre company. He also played cricket for Lincoln Lindum CC.

Source : Ian Hunt and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and CWGC and Joyce Birch (cousin of WG Cooper) and Jeremy Kearns (son of Robert Kearns)

Date record last updated : 21 February 2016


COPLEY, L

Copley_Leonard
Copley_Leonard_grave

FS Leonard Copley, 638850, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, KIA 11 April 1943, Aged 23

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

Buried in ROYAN ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY. Reference : Plot K. Row 3. Grave 2.

Son of John William and Ada Copley; husband of Dorothy Copley, of Stanley, Yorkshire.

Source : Cheryl Garner, Great Niece of Thomas Frank Richardson and CWGC. Photographs provided by David Briggs and Allison Roberts (niece of WO George Alexander Davie)

Date record last updated : 3 November 2017


CORCORAN, T K

Sgt T K Corcoran

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9145 (07-Aug-1942) BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7584 (06-Aug-1942) BU-D

Source : 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


CORK, K J

Sgt Kenneth James Cork, 1331079, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 13 August 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF390 BU-A

Buried in LA BUSSIERE-SUR-OUCHE COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 3-4.

Son of James F. Cork and Florence Cork, of Norwich, Norfolk; husband of Elsie Maud Cork, of Norwich.

Source : CWGC, Nightjar Newsletter Summer / Autumn 2003 and J. Michael Townsend, Chairman of the RAFA French Riviera Branch.

Date record last updated : 18 February 2008


CORKE, J R

Corke_John_R

Fg/Off John Reginald Corke, 139596, Pilot, Nationality : United Kingdom

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

Son of Rev Arthur Reginald and Mrs Jay Corke

Fortress Ops Flown = 35
(actually 'operational take-offs' Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Previously flew Stirlings with 214

Foskett_William_and_Corke_John_R
Plt/Off Bill Foskett far left, Fg/Off John Corke far right. The crew was affectionately nicknamed Corke'screw. The above photo was taken under the outside port engine of Fortress BU-A (ABLE). In the top picture Fg/Off J Corke is at the controls of BU-A.

John Reginald Corke was born in 1919 He had a sister called Dorothy.

There is a record of John returning from New York landing at Plymouth on the 17th March 1950 and lived at 77 Cecil Street, Norwich. The ship was the Ile De France.

John married Mary Strauss who was born in Harbin, China in 1923. She died on the 3rd March 1996. They had a daughter whose name is not known.

John was still a Pilot Officer number 139596 having seniority since 22 Jan 1948. He had 8 years active service and 4 years reserve. The London Gazette listed him on Tuesday, 18 July 1950 as Flying Officer short service.

John sadly was killed in an air accident on the 27th June 1951. The crash site was ½ mile west of Wilby, near Eye, Suffolk. He was flying an Avro Athena T2 VR 569 for the Aircraft Instrument Experimental Unit in Martlesham Heath. Also killed was Sergeant James Walsh. The aircraft broke up (wings folded up) in a spiral dive after loss of control in cloud. The plane was G-ALWA registered 19th Dec 1949.

He was 32 at the time of his death.

Source : Ian Hunt and Bill Foskett and Tony Cooper and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 6 December 2011


CORKILL

Fg/Off 'Corky' Corkill, Rear Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB819 (02-Apr-1945) BU-U

Source : F A Wilkes

Date record last updated : 16 January 2014


CORLETT, E M

FS Edmund Murray Corlett, 412207, Pilot, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 21 November 1942, Aged 33

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

Buried in HAVERHILL CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. U. Grave 245.

Son of Murray and Rubina Corlett, of Tokomaru, Wellington, New Zealand.

As the pilot, Corlett managed to keep the aircraft Stirling Mark I W7584 (21-Nov-1942) BU-D up long enough for his crew to bale out before being killed when the aircraft crashed.

Previously he had been injured on Stirling Mark I W7631 (23-Oct-1942) BU-G, when returning to base. They they ran out of fuel and crashed.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar newsletter Spring 2004 and Jonathan Shipley (grandson of Ralph Reginald Shipley) and Chorley and 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher) www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


COTTERALL

Sgt Cotterall

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) L7869 (14-Feb-1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 (09-Jan-1941) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1447 (12-Mar-1941) BU-A
Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 18 November 2022


COTTEE, K

K Cottee

K Cottee died on 27 October 2012

Source : Nightjar Newsletter May 2013

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


COTTERELL, R

Ronnie Cotterell

Jeffrey Shepherd writes :
My father was in 214 Squadron. His name was Dennis George Shepherd I'm sure he wasn't warrant officer and he had a friend in the same squadron name Ronnie Cotterell

Source : Jeffrey Shepherd (son of Dennis George Shepherd)

Date record last updated : 17 September 2019


COTTERELL, W H

Sgt W H Cotterell

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BF318 (28-Nov-1942)

Initials are hard to read on ORB

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 29 December 2008


COTTON

Sgt Cotton

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2819 (14-Feb-1941)

Possibly Godfrey Allenby Douglas Cotton??

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 19 February 2021


COTTON, G A D

Sgt Godfrey Allenby Douglas Cotton, 945560, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 June 1941, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1609
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II W5450 (03-Jun-1941) BU-?

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 41.

Son of Josiah and Fannie Cotton, of Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

Sgt Cotton had survived a crash-landing earlier in the month (June 1941) on return from Berlin.

Source : CWGC and Richard Maddox (researcher) and Chorley and www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


COWAN, A

Sgt Andrew Cowan, 1077677, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 1 September 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF401 BU-Y

Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 5. D. 34-37.

Son of Robert Edward and Leila Cowan, of Pocklington, Yorkshire.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 2 February 2010


COX, G V

Sgt George V Cox, Flight Engineer

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB793 (28-Jan-1945) BU-S
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB820 (14-Feb-1945) BU-P
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ107 (21-Feb-1945) BU-N
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ110 (01-Feb-1945) BU-B

George crewed on Stirling and Fortress aircraft. He joined Ken Wyver's crew in January 1945, replacing Frank Waldron.

He died on 19 July 2011, aged 87.

Source : Squadron Association and John McCall (son of Keith McCall) and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 17 April 2020


COX, R

Fg/Off R Cox, A82125, Royal Australian Air Force

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


COX, R J

Sgt R J Cox, Rear Gunner, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 16 September 1942, POW number 27105

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

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

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


COX, S

Cox_Samuel

Sgt Samuel Cox, 869313, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force), Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 15 April 1942, Aged 33

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

Born 14 October 1909

Born in Sheffield, England

Buried in HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 3. E. 19.

Son of Samuel and Phoebe Cox, of Gleadless, Sheffield; husband of Edith Cox, of Gleadless.

Source : Norman Cox (son) and Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 17 April 2010


CRAIG, J

Fg/Off James Craig, 187089, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 November 1945

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Liberator (model unknown) KL587

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland

Buried in SUDA BAY WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 16. C. 13.

Son of James Craig and of Annie Craig, of Edinburgh.

Source : CWGC and Jock Whitehouse

Date record last updated : 5 September 2010


CRAIG, W N

FS William Neilson Craig, 996848, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 June 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I DJ973 BU-A

Buried in WALLASEY (RAKE LANE) CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. 19.C. Grave 365.

Source : Neil Leveratt nephew of Sgt Brothers and Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 20 August 2009


CRAIGIE-HALKETT, L M

Fg/Off Lionel Montague Craigie-Halkett, 39066, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 30 August 1940

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2559

Buried in ZELHEM (HALLE) PROTESTANT CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave.

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

Date record last updated : 31 December 2014


CRAINSWICK

Plt/Off Crainswick, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1249 BU-?

Transferred from 214 Squadron to 70 Squadron in Egypt on 9 December 1940Imprisoned at POW camp

Source : www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020


CRAMPTON, G

Crampton_Gordon

Crampton_Gordon_and_Johnson_Marshall_Angus
Plt/Off Gordon Crampton and Flt/Lt Marshall Johnson London, Ontario
(Note the picture in the background, Gordon had this commissioned with a plaque and gave it to Marshall as a gift. A few years later the print was stolen during a break-in.

Plt/Off Gordon Crampton, Pilot, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 14 July 1941, POW number 1632

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2802 (Date unknown) BU-A
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II R1613 (14-Jul-1941) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II R1613 (Date unknown) BU-G

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

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

OPERATIONS

2 - 3/6/1941. Wellington R1613 to Dusseldorf. Crampton plus crew of:- Ercolani, Waite, Instone, Jones, Taylor
7 - 8/6/41. R1613 to Brest (Target - ships in docks?). Crew as above. Landed at Hinton
11 - 12/6/41. N2802 to ? (Dusseldorf?). Crew: Crampton, (another-) Taylor, Waite, Instone, Jones and Taylor.
12 - 13/6/41. N2802 to ? (Boulogne?). Crew as above.
21 - 22/6/41. W5452 to ? (Cologne?). Crew: Crampton, Jenkins, Kent, Instone, Jones, Taylor.
24-25/6/41. N2800 to ? (Dusseldorf?). Crew as above.
27 - 28/6/41. R1613 to ? (Bremen?). Crew as above.
2 - 3/7/41. R1613 to Bremen. Crew as above.
4 - 5/7/41. W5452 to ? (2nd) Taylor instead of Kent in crew. Landed Boscombe Down with engine trouble.
7 - 8/7/41. R1613 to ? Kent in crew again.
9 - 10/7/41. R1613 to ? Greenaway not Taylor at No.6 in crew list.
14 - 15/7/41. R1613 to ? (Bremen?). Failed to return. (Marsh Johnston not Taylor at No.6 in crew list).

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Chorley and Ian Hunt and Peter Waite (son of Flt/Lt J H Waite)

Date record last updated : 8 March 2019


CRANSWICK, A P

Sqn/Ldr Alec Panton Cranswick DSO DFC, 42696, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 5 July 1944, Aged 24

Buried in CLICHY NORTHERN CEMETERY. Reference : Plot 16. Row 13. Grave 16.

Son of Philip Cranswick and of May Cranswick (nee Panton), of Oxford; husband of Doris Cranswick, of Oxford.

From the magazine "Oranges and Lemons" there is an article headed "Squadron Leader Alec Cranswick, DSC, DFC", which focuses on a crash-landing that this No 214 Squadron pilot made on a dummy airfield at Crostwick in Norfolk, which was one of the 60-plus 'Q' sites operating in that winter of 1940.

The article poses the question: "What happened to the then Pilot Officer Alec Cranswick, who seems to have been the only individual named in the public domain as having survived such a traumatic occasion?"

In fact Cranswick completed 29 operational missions with No 214 Squadron, a further 32 with No 148 Squadron and a short spell with No 419 Squadron before joining No 35 Squadron in Path Finder Force at the end of January 1943, losing his life target-marking for Main Force bombers when on his 107th operational mission.

Cranswick's biographer, Michael Cumming, is quoted in the Oranges & Lemons article as describing that total of 107 as "an astonishing achievement and a figure which has been neither challenged nor queried as being the most missions flown by any RAF bomber pilot in WW2".

Should you wish to do so, Michael Cumming is contactable through Frank Lin via this website. See the Gift Shop for details of Squadron Leader Cranswick's biography.

Source : CWGC and Frank Lin and Springtime 2009, No 26 issue of Oranges & Lemons, the bulletin of the Friends of St Clement Danes and Michael Cumming, biographer

Date record last updated : 27 February 2011


CRAWLEY, R F

Sgt R F Crawley, Mid Upper Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 3 February 1943, POW number 27504

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

Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - from 1943, was previously Stalag 8B
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it became Stalag 344

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Nightjar Newsletters Spring 2004 and Spring 2008 and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock

Date record last updated : 13 July 2009


CREAGH, A G

Plt/Off A G Creagh

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH895 (16-Aug-1943) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7577 (07-Aug-1942) BU-P

Source : 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023


CREED, E W C

Creed_Eric_William_Cuthbert_grave

Plt/Off Eric William Cuthbert Creed, 400581, Pilot, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian, KIA 26 March 1942, Aged 22

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1143 BU-G

Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial Panel 120

Buried in VRIEZENVEEN GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 1-6.

Son of Willie Herbert and Edith Gwennie Creed, of Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.

Nicola Douet writes :
An Australian relative of mine, First Pilot Eric Creed, was shot down in a Wellington bomber over Holland on 26th March 1942. I have letters sent by a local Dutch family to Eric's family. The Dutch family looked after Eric's grave and they were sent food parcels from Australia.
I have attached scanned copies of this correspondence which includes an account of the funeral arrangements for the 6 occupants of the Wellington.

Click on this link to see the scanned copies referred to above. It also includes a key to the pages.

Source : CWGC and Hans J. Kobes, Vriezenveen (NL) and John Cripps and Geoff Swallow (Australian Researcher) and Australian War Memorial and Nicola Douet (relative of Plt/Off Eric William Cuthbert Creed)

Date record last updated : 10 September 2022


CRESSWELL, J D

Sgt J D Cresswell

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF331 (03-Mar-1943) BU-H

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 5 December 2021


CRICHTON, M I

Fg/Off Ian Crichton, Navigator, Royal Air Force, Date taken POW 31 August 1943, POW number 1636

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

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

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

After the attack on EE959 Ian remembered that the pilot, Frank Lee, did not have his parachute and went back to give him this. Therefore most of the crew had baled out earlier, nearer the city and this delay seems to have been crucial to his survival. Ian baled out of the aircraft and floated down towards a river (or so he thought) and prepared to land in water. He landed heavily on the Autobahn. He spent a further two days hiding in hedges and ditches before deciding he could go no further. He had two broken ankles.
After the war Ian went back to Academic life and was a Professor at Reading University. He lived in Mortimer. Adrian Lee heard that he was known as 'Grandad' in the crew as he was in his late 20's!
Ian died in 2006.

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

Date record last updated : 27 November 2009


CRIDGE, A V G

Sgt Alfred Victor Gordon Cridge, 412867, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 3 March 1943, Aged 22

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF329 BU-C

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 199

Son of Alfred and Amelia Cridge, of Paeroa, Auckland, New Zealand.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 21 June 2011


CRITCHLEY, H

Sgt Harry 'Tich' Critchley, 1110584, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 29 September 1941, POW number 9698

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-?

Born 25 November 1915
Born in Warrington, England

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

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Nicola Jones, Ian Hunt and 214 Squadron ORB names him as Sgt Critchley. Clutton-Brock and Chorley name him as Antehley.

Source : Nicola Jones (daughter of Sgt Leslie Hancock) and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Chorley and John Jones (Researcher) and Ian Hunt and Chorley and 214 Squadron ORB and www.rafcommands.com and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


CROFTS, W

Crofts_William

Flt/Lt William 'Bill' Crofts

Bill Crofts flew with Aubrey Cattle and Peter Doig Scott

"When I first arrived at Chedburgh in September of 1943, the Signals Leader was named Flt.Lt Bill Crofts, a big man I remember clearly". (Murray Peden)

"There is only one I spent any time with, that was Bill Crofts, the reason I remember him was he had a gramaphone and a lot of Glen Miller records. He used to play them in his room and we were invited to listen to them, this we did when we had time". (George Stevens)

Source : Sheila Byrne (Daughter of Peter Doig Scott)

Date record last updated : 20 September 2011


CROFTS, W R

Sgt William R Crofts

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II W5450 (03-Jun-1941) BU-?

Source : Richard Maddox (researcher) and Chorley

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


CRONALL

Fg/Off Cronall

Was occasionally part of the crew of Fg/Off E Woodley

Source : Emily Ward (Great niece of Fg/Off Ernest Woodley)

Date record last updated : 28 August 2008


CROOKS, W

William 'Bill' Crooks, Ground Crew

William was based at Stradishall. He passed away in 1994.

Source : Daz Smith (grandson)

Date record last updated : 30 April 2011


CROSBIE, M

Flt/Lt M 'Bing' Crosbie, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB780 (06-Nov-1944) BU-C
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ125 BU-J

Fortress Ops Flown = 31
(actually 'operational take-offs' Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Promoted to Temp FS 9 July 1944
Promoted to Plt/Off 14 September 1944
First Op 19 October 1944
Promoted to Acting Fg/Off 1 January 1945
Posted to N/E strength Oulton 3 February 1945
Promoted to Fg/Off 14 March 1945
Promoted to Acting Flt/Lt 15 March 1945
Last Op 2 May 1945

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 10 August 2009


CROWE, E J

Sgt Edward James Crowe, 1206970, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 July 1943, Aged 24

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

Buried in HAMBURG CEMETERY. Reference : 10A. O. 5.

Son of Andrew Howes Crowe and Gertrude Eliza Crowe; husband of Ethel Maud Crowe, of Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 22 August 2019


CROWSLEY, W J V

Crowsley_William_John_Vincent

Sgt William John Vincent 'Jack' Crowsley, 986890, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 August 1941, Aged 33

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9750 BU-?

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 42

Born 21 September 1907

Born in Chorlton, Lancashire

Son of James William and Mary Elizabeth Crowsley.

Known as 'Jack' he learnt to fly and got his wings at Barton aerodrome, not far from Old Trafford MUFC.

A Certificate of Competency No. 12451 was issued in London 24 June 1937 for 'all types of land planes' (not valid for flying public transport or aerial work flying machines). Jack's address was given as 450 Stretford Road, Old Trafford, Manchester. His license was renewed 8 June 1938 and 3 July 1939 for periods 24 June 38-23 June 39 to 7 July 1940 respectively.

Crowsley_William_John_Vincent_certificate

His Certificate of Competency, and several of his aerial and road maps are now held with other Crowsley family memorabilia in Australia. Photos exist showing Jack by a Miles Hawk Moth at Yapton Aero Club, a DH87B Hornet Moth at Ramsgate, and possibly a Hurricane.

It is understood that he was sent to Saskatchewan in Canada to train as a bomber pilot.

Note
Prior to 1939 the British Government had approached Commonwealth countries with regard to the training of airmen for service in the Royal Air Force in the event of war breaking out in Europe. At the 1937 Imperial Conference Canada agreed to train British aircrew in Canada.

John W Gillbanks (nephew) advised that Jack was a Compositor/Pilot Sergeant No. 986890 and was in a Wellington bomber lost in a raid over Mannheim 7 August 1941. Jack was in the 'Pathfinder Squadron' and would have been first on the scene. Apparently this was his first active mission. The last communication received was when he radioed 'mission accomplished, returning to base'. Further enquiries to the Air Ministry after the war revealed nothing further about him or other members of the crew, which might suggest that the plane crashed in the sea.

A letter from the Air Ministry, Kingsway WC2, dated 22 April 1942, addressed to Miss K Crowsley, 8 Elmswood Avenue, Moss Side, Manchester 14, reads :-
"Madam, I am commanded by the Air Council to state that in the view of the lapse of time and the absence of any further news regarding your brother 986890 Sergeant W.J.V. Crowsley since the date on which he was reported missing, they must regretfully conclude that he has lost his life, and his death has now been presumed, for official purposes, to have occurred on the 7th August 1941.
The Council desire me to express their sincere sympathy with you in the anxiety which you have suffered and in your bereavement.
I am, Madam, Your obedient Servant, (signed) PG Richards"

Source : John Crowsley (relative of WJV Crowsley) and CWGC

Date record last updated : 10 October 2009


CRUICKSHANK, G

Fg/Off Gavin Cruickshank, 412868, Air Gunner, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand

Fg/Off Cruickshank enlisted in the RNZAF on 1 July 1940 as an Air Gunner.
He proceeded to Canada where he completed his preliminary training at No 6 Bombing and Gunnery School, RCAF Station, Mountain View, Ontario Canada.
On 13 May 1942 he arrived in England. His training was completed on 22 September 1942, when he was posted to 214 Squadron.
Fg/Off Cruickshank completed one tour of operations, his total flying time being 390 hours.
Later he was employed as an instructor at No 12 OTU, Chipping Warden, England.
He returned to New Zealand for duty on 18 January 1944.

Source : Heather Cruickshank (daughter-in-law)

Date record last updated : 30 July 2011


CRUIKSHANK, G

Sgt G Cruikshank

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7631 (23-Oct-1942) BU-G

He survived the crash of Stirling Mark I W7631 (23-Oct-1942) BU-G.

Source : Chorley and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023


CRUICKSHANKS, G L

Wg/Cdr Grahame Lawrence Cruickshanks DFC, 34191, Pilot, Royal Air Force, KIA 8 September 1941

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1784 BU-?

Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 4. A. 1.

Son of Alexander Craighead Cruickshanks and Agnes Cruickshanks; husband of Phyllis (Billie) Cruickshanks, of Durban, Natal, South Africa.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 October 2010


CRUISE, R S

Cruise_Richard_Sweet_grave

Sgt Richard Sweet Cruise, 523187, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 31 May 1942, Aged 26

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7534 BU-E

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 14 F. 7-14.

Born 14 September 1915

Born in Newtownards, Donaghadee, Down, Northern Ireland

Son of William John and Elizabeth Cruise, of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Sgt Richard Cruise served with 214 Squadron at Stradishall.

Rachel Doughty says that her Grandfather who died on the RMS Lancastria on 17-Jun-1940 was mentored by Sgt Cruise.

Click on this link to see Sgt Cruise's service record.

Click on this link to see a biography of Sgt Cruise.

Source : Emrys Jones and CWGC and Rachel Doughty (connection to Sgt Cruise)

Date record last updated : 12 July 2024


CRYER, J E

Flt/Lt Jaques Edward 'Ted' Cryer, Wireless Operator, 141282, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom. KIA 15 March 1945 Age 23

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

He is buried at CHOLOY WAR CEMETERY. 2. C. 5.

Son of James Edwin and Jessie Cryer; husband of Betty Cryer, of Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Spring 2003 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


CULLEY

Flt/Lt Culley, Air Gunner

Flight Lieutenant Culley flew as a very senior gunner with 214 Squadron with various crews, including Pilot Officer Jack Wetherly's, in 1940 and 1941. (N2802 BU-A).
In mid-March 1941 he flew with Pilot Officer Ian Lawson to Malta, where he operated with 148 Squadron in the Middle East. Ian Lawson remembered his extraordinary reluctance to be rested from operations

Source : Christopher Jary, Author - Portrait Of A Bomber Pilot.

Date record last updated : 11 April 2009


CUNNANE, T

Tony Cunnane, Pilot

Tony has also written several other articles about his career and these can be read in the Nightjar Newsletter Summer 2014

Source : Tony Cunnane and Nightjar Newsletter 2014

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015


CUNNINGHAM, W J

Cunningham_Wilfred_James

Fg/Off Wilfred James Cunningham, 149252, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 March 1945, Aged 24

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress III KJ112 BU-P

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 266

Son of William Frederick and Alexandrina Cunningham; husband of Edith Joan Cunningham, of Nottingham.

Source : Chorley and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003 and Catherine Stewart (relative of WO James McFarlane)

Date record last updated : 27 July 2010


CUNYNGHAME, W B S

Plt/Off Wilfred Bertram Stuart Cunynghame, 41560, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 30 August 1940, Aged 22

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2559

Buried in ZELHEM (HALLE) PROTESTANT CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave.

Son of Major Stuart Cunynghame and Dorothy Cunynghame, of Swindon, Witshire

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

Date record last updated : 31 December 2014


CURLE, G T

Sgt G T Curle, Navigator

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

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

Date record last updated : 25 September 2020


CURTIS, C D

Sgt Charles Dennis Curtis, 549252, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 3 August 1943, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF409 BU-V

Buried in BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 27. J. 3.

Son of Walter and Florence M. Curtis, of Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 11 February 2008


CURTIS, P J

Sgt P J Curtis, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 25 August 1944, POW number 697

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB763 (25-Aug-1944) BU-T

Imprisoned at POW camp Bankau (Bakow), Poland

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


CUSWORTH, J P

Sgt John Philip Cusworth, 745758, Pilot, 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)

Named on the following Memorial : Whitley Bay Cenotaph
Named on the following Memorial : Whitley Bay Grammar School

Buried in KIEL WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Joint grave 3. A. 8.

Son of John George and Lilian Maud Cusworth, of Whitley Bay, Northumberland.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter and Simon Glancey

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017


CUTHBERT, G

Sgt George Cuthbert

Richard Cuthbert writes (edited) :
My Uncle served in 214 Squadron in the early part of 1941. A key to this discovery was an entry about his pilot H O Paterson. Thanks to your website I am now in contact with his daughter and also managed to piece together what happened to my uncle when he was transferred to Egypt with 38 squadron shortly afterwards. I have managed to track down the names of his other crew members in Egypt who most likely also came from 214. Unfortunately none of these names appear as entries on your site, but I wondered if there was any way that more could be find out about them.

Can anybody help with any further information.

Source : Richard Cuthbert (nephew of Sgt George Cuthbert)

Date record last updated : 30 November 2018


CUTTANCE, J L

FS J L Cuttance, Mid Upper Gunner, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, 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 8 May 1945

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

Date record last updated : 20 November 2020



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