No. 214 (FMS) Squadron RAF - Personnel

To find the person that you want either scroll down the page or select them from the ranges shown below

DACK, K P

Fg/Off Kenneth Peter Dack, 154246, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 13 September 1944, Aged 20

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 205

Son of Robert Peter and Mary Ann Allen Dack, of Southall, Middlesex.

Source : CWGC and John Cripps

Date record last updated : 7 June 2008

DADSWELL, D A

Fg/Off David Allan Dadswell, 40367, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 December 1940, Aged 26

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R2476
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2470 BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2476 (29-Nov-1940) BU-X

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 5

Son of Harold Edmund and Ruby Alice Dadswell, of Shirley, Surrey; husband of Anita Dadswell.

The following is an excerpt from the personnel entry of Sqn/Ldr Geoff Cole:
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.

Source : Personnel entry of Sqn/Ldr Geoff Cole and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2006 and Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 11 April 2009

DALE, W D

Sgt William Denis Dale, 1594366, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 21 March 1945

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

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 7. D. 2.

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

Date record last updated : 28 June 2014

DALES, J W

Sgt J W Dales, R/110805, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, Date taken POW 31 August 1943, POW number 43257

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

Imprisoned at POW camp Hospital KH - Kloster Haina Hospital, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Oflag 6B - Dosel bei Warburg, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Oflag 9B - Weilburg am der Lahn, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 357P - Thorn (Torun), Poland

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Chorley and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and http://www.rafcommands.com/airforcepows

Date record last updated : 20 June 2010

DALZIEL, W J

Lt W J Dalziel

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

DANE, M B

Sqn/Ldr Michael B 'Mike' Dane, Air Electronics Officer

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker End of 214 (1)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA932 (20-Jul-1976)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA937 (11-Jan-1977)

Squadron Leader Mike Dane was a Sgt Signaller on Whirlwinds at Manston in the early 1960's when he joined the 'Goldfish Club' after his aircraft ditched.

He had various tours in the SAR role at Manston, Valley and Cyprus and then in the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Cyprus, and had his final tour in Operations at Episcopi.

He was commissioned as an AEO and completed a tour on the Victor K1 on 214 Squadron as well as other Tanker Squadrons.

Died on 9 March 2014

Source : John Gulliver and Nightjar Newsletter August 2014 and Flt/Lt David Card and Sarah Dane (daughter) and Michael Waterson (whose father worked for Flight Refuelling Ltd)

Date record last updated : 8 March 2019

DANIEL, G C

Sgt George Cedric 'Danny' Daniel, 618264, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British, KIA 13 March 1941

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

Born in Warsop Vale Nottingham UK

Buried in GRONINGEN (ESSERVELD) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Plot RP. Row Class 2. Coll. grave 25.

George Cedric Daniel was the son of an engine wright at Markham colliery near Duckmanton. He went to Duckmanton school. He had an older brother called Sidney and a sister (who served in the WAAF as a mechanic at RAF Stradishall later on). George Cedric was a weigh clerk at the same colliery as his dad and joined RAF before the war at age 18.

He became an air gunner on a Wellington with 214 Squadron.

While in captivity, Sgt Waters wrote to Cedric's family about the crash on 9 September 1941. The letter says:

"Dear Miss M. Daniels, I have just received your letter of the ?th July and I am very sorry to confirm that Cedric died with the rest of the crew. He was killed by machinegun fire and the rest of the crew were in the plane when she hit the ground and blew up. I managed to jump just in time and broke my fall in some trees. They are buried in Holland but at what place I do not know but I hope to find out after the war. I am afraid I cannot say more at present and excuse me if this is a gruesome letter over a very nasty business. Wishing you all the best. Yours Sincerely, Douglas W. Waters."

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

Date record last updated : 8 March 2019

DARRACOTT, R L W

Fg/Off Robert Louie William Darracott, Navigator / Radio Operator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB772 (02-Nov-1944) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB799 (13-Mar-1945) BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ110 (14-Jan-1945) BU-B
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR380 (21-Jul-1944) BU-S

Fg/Off R L W Darracott - Navigator / B for special ops (was listed as part of the HB802 crew instead of FS Mackintosh, prior to the loss of this flight in March 1945.

The 214 Squadron ORB shows that Fg/Off Darracott flew 36 sorties from 21 July 1944 to 13 March 1945.

Fg/Off Robert Louie William Darracott died 8th May 2010, aged 94 years

Source : Ian Hunt and Flight Log of Flt/Lt N Rix and RAF 100 Group and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 18 April 2025

DAULBY, G

Sgt G Daulby, Wireless Operator, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 31 August 1943, POW number 222586

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

Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 4B - Muhlberg am der Elbe, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Frank Edge writes:
"I have been researching Stirling bomber EE970 for the daughter and granddaughter of one of the crew - the radio operator Sargeant George Daulby who successfully bailed out along with the rest of the crew apart from the pilot - Pilot Officer KJ Simpson who stayed in the plane and died when the plane crashed. Sadly another crew member DC Houghton died as well when his parachute failed to open. A good account of what happened was published in Canadian papers The Sunday Star Metro and The Toronto Star on 7 11 1999. The pilot's body was never recovered and he has no known grave and the family of George Daulby say this fact haunted him for the rest of his life. There is a good chance his body was pulled from the wreckage of the plane and buried but the crash site was in the Soviet sector after the war and not accessible ".

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

Date record last updated : 7 August 2010

DAVEY

Sgt Davey

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

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

Date record last updated : 24 May 2019

DAVIDSON, C H

Sgt C H Davidson, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 1 April 1942, POW number 42

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1052 (01-Apr-1942)

Imprisoned at POW camp Luft 6 - Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Luft 3 - Sagan (Zagan) and Belaria, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 357P - Thorn (Torun), Poland

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Sole survivor of this crew.

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

Date record last updated : 13 September 2009

DAVIDSON, G

Sgt G Davidson

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

DAVIE, G A

WO George Alexander Davie, 1005717, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British, KIA 11 April 1943, Aged 21

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 134.
Named on the following Memorial : Scottish National War Memorial

Son of George and Margaret J. Davie, of Langside, Glasgow.

Born in Glasgow

Source : Cheryl Garner, Great Niece of Thomas Frank Richardson and CWGC and Allison Roberts (niece)

Date record last updated : 8 December 2017

DAVIE, J H C

Fg/Off John Henry Clarence Davie, 405678, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian, KIA 26 July 1943, Aged 25

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

Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial Panel 121

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 6. C. 11.

Son of Mary Ann Davie; husband of Joan Davie, of Ashgrove, Queensland, Australia.

Source : CWGC and Ian Hunt and Geoff Swallow (Australian Researcher) and Australian War Memorial

Date record last updated : 26 March 2021

DAVIES

Plt/Off Davies

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

Is possibly Plt/Off William Davies

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

Date record last updated : 24 May 2019

DAVIES, B D

Sqn/Ldr Bevis Denton 'Bob' Davies AFC, 128846, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SERVICE CAREER OF SQUADRON LEADER BEVIS DENTON "BOB" DAVIES AFC Service No 128846

Bob Davies was born in Gravesend, Kent on 11 July 1920. He enlisted in the Territorial Army in 1938 shortly after Prime Minister Chamberlain's return from Munich after his meeting with Adolf Hitler with the message "peace in our time". From the outbreak of war in September 1939 Bob served with No 313 Company, Royal Engineers (TA Searchlights) on sites in central Kent and on the mud cliffs several miles east of Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey.

He transferred to the Royal Air Force - 17 July 1941
No 1 Aircrew Reception Centre, Regents Park. London - 17 July 1940 to 28 July 1941
No 8 Initial Training Wing, Newquay, Cornwall - 29 July 1941 to 30 September 1941
No 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Watchfield, Berks - 30 September 1941 to 20 November 1941 (DH82A Tiger Moth)
Air Crew Holding Unit, Heaton Park, Manchester - 10 December 1941 to 4 January 1942
BY SEA TO CANADA
No 3 Aircrew Holding Unit, Monckton, New Brunswick - 19 to 21 January 1942
BY TRAIN TO USA UNDER THE ARNOLD SCHEME TO TRAIN RAF PILOTS
Ground Training Unit, Turner Field, Georgia - 21 January 1942 to 22 February 1942
Primary Flying Training, Carlstrom Field, Albany, Florida - 23 February 1942 to 29 April 1942 (Boeing Stearman PT17A)
Basic Flying Training, Gunter Field, Montgomery, Alabama - 30 April 1942 to 2 July 1942 (BT13A)
Advanced Flying Training, Craig Field, Selma, Alabama - 3 July 1942 to 6 September 1942 (AT6A Harvard)
AWARDED WINGS - 5.September 1942 (Class of 42H)
RETURNED TO CANADA
No 1 Aircrew Holding Unit, Toronto - 8 to 18 September 1942
RETURNED TO USA
Flying Instructors Course, Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama - 20 September to 24 October 1942 (BT13A)
Army Air Force Basic Flying School, Shaw Field, Sumter, South Carolina (Instructing American Aviation Cadets) (BT13A) - 26 October 1942 to 24 June 1943
RETURNED CANADA
No 31 PD Holding Unit, Monckton, New Brunswick - 12 July 1943 to 2 August 1943
REURNED TO ENGLAND BY SEA VIA NEW YORK
No 1 Personnel Reception Centre, Harrogate, Yorks - 11 August 1943 to 5 September 1943
Aircrew Officers School, Sidmouth, Devon - 6 to 28 September 1943
No 6 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit, Little Rissington, Glos - 29 October 1942 to 24 October 1943 (Twin Conversion Unit) (Airspeed Oxford)
No 6 Pilot Advanced Flying Unit, Windrush, Glos - 25 October to 30 November 1943 (satellite airfield of Little Rissington)
Beam Approach Training Flight, Docking, Norfolk (no flying) - 30 November 1943 to 20 December 1943
Returned to Windrush, Glos (Airspeed Oxford) - 21 December 1943 to 17 January 1944
Was Operational Commander A Flight as recorded in P/O Bill Fosketts log - 06 December 1944
Aircrew Disciplinary School, Sheffield - 18 January 1944 to 8 February 1944
Returned to Windrush (Airspeed Oxford) - 9 February 1944 to 6 March 1944
No 19 Operational Training Unit Kinloss - 7 March 1944 to 17 May 1944 (Armstrong Whitworth Whitley)
Air Training School (escape/evasion training) Ancaster Malbis, Yorks - 25 May to 9 June 1944
1658 Heavy Conversion Unit, Ricall, Yorks - 10 June 1944 to 25 July 1944 (Handley Page Halifax Mk II)
578 Sqn Burn, Selby, Yorks No 4 Group Bomber Command - 25 July 1955 to 2 October 1944 Flew 18 day and night operations (Handley Page Halifax Mk III)
171 Sqn North Creke RCM Sqn 100 Group - 3 to 23 October 1944 (newly formed Sqn, did not fly as aircraft had not been delivered)
O\C "A" Flight No 214 (FMS) Sqn. Oulton, Norfolk. 100 Group RCM Bomber Command - 23 November 1944 to 8 August 1945 Flew 12 night ops but did not finish tour because of advent of VE Day (Fortress B17F & G)
No 17 Aircrew Holding Unit, Snaith, Yorks - 19 August 1945 to 8 September 1945
B24 Liberator Ground School, Bourn, Cambs - 9 to 30 September 1945
102(?) Sqn Bassingbourn, Cambs. Transport Command - 1 to 23 October 1945
51527 Beam Approach Training Flight, Prestwick, Scotland - 24 to 31 October 1945
102(?) Sqn Bassingbourn Transport Command (trooping to Karachi) (Liberator B24) - 1 November 1945 to 27 February 1946
53(?) Sqn, Upwood, Hunts. Transport Command - 28 February to 25 June 1946 (trooping to Karachi)
Conversion Unit, Waterbeach, Cambs Transport Command - 26 June 1946 to 19 September 1946 (Avro York C1)
242 Sqn Oakington, Cambs Transport Command, (trooping to Singapore) (Avro York C1) - 20 September 1946 to 22 November 1947
40 Sqn Abingdon Berks (Transport Command) (Avro York) - 23 November 1947 to 15 June 1949

Bob was court-martialled at Abingdon for allowing his York aircraft to collide with another York over Karachi at 1500ft.He was found guilty and given a reprimand. The other pilot, Flt Sgt Heald was also found guilty and was dismissed from the RAF. During this period Bob operated from Wunsdorf in the Berlin Airlift flying 330 round trips carrying mainly coal and dehydrated potatoes.

HQ Home Command White Waltham Berks - 20 June 1949 to 7 October 1951
Operational Conversion Unit, Dishforth, Yorks - 8 October 1951 to December 1951
2nd Tactical Air Force Communications Sqn. - 28 January 1951 to 8 January 1955

Personal pilot to Commander-in-Chief Air Marshall Sir Robert Foster (Devon, Anson, and Proctor) (Vickers Valetta C2 VIP) Bückeburg and (from 1 December 1954) Widenrath
(Valetta C2 VIP Devon and Vampire)

Transport Command Examining Unit, Dishforth, Yorks - 24 January 1955 to 24 June 1957 (Visiting Units in Cyprus, Fayad (Egypt), Aden and Singapore and the Queen's Flight at RAF Benson examining the proficiency of pilots, navigators, wireless operators and flight engineers)
No 1 Initial Officers Training School, Kirton-in-Lindsay, Lincs - 26 June 1957 to 21 July 1957 (Chipmunk and Anson)
No 1 Initial Officers Training School, South Cerney, Glos - 21 July 1957 to 24 March 1960
Air Ministry, Department of Personnel (P4C) - 2 April 1960 to 4 July 1963
4 July 1963 Retirement (aged 43) with the rank of Squadron Leader in the General Duties Branch
(with a gratuity of £2200 and a pension of £805 which was not index linked for ten years)

Davies_Bevis_Denton_2

Sqn/Ldr Bob Davies (I believe the aircraft behind Bob is coded K)

AIRCRAFT FLOWN

AIRCRAFT	SPECIFICATION
De Havilland Tiger Moth	130hp de Havilland Gipsy Major
Airspeed Oxford	370 hp Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah X
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk V	1010hp Rolls-Royce Merlin X
Handley Page Halifax Mk 11	1280hp Rolls-Royce Merlin XX
Handley Page Halifax Mk III	1800hp Bristol Hercules 100
Boeing Fortress Mk 11 (B17F)	1200hp Wright Cyclone GR-1820-97
Boeing Fortress Mk III (B17 G)	1200hp Wright Cyclone GR-1820-97
Taylorcraft Auster	130 Lycoming 0-290-3
Avro Lancaster Mk 1	1640 Rolls-Royce Merlin XXIV
Consolidated Liberator (B24)	Pratt & Witney Twin Wasp R-1820-43
Avro York C1	1620hp Rolls-Royce Merlin XXI
Percival Proctor Mk IV	219hp De Havilland Gipsy Queen II
Avro Anson	350hp Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah
De Havilland Devon C1	240hp De Havilland Gipsy Queen 70
De Havilland Chipmunk	145hp De Havilland Gipsy Major 8
Vickers Valetta C2 (VIP)	1975hp Bristol Hercules 230
Hunting Percival Pembroke C1	550hp Alvis Leonides 127
Vickers Viking KF	1690 Bristol Hercules 634
De Havilland Vampire FB5	3350 thrust De Havilland Goblin
De Havilland Vampire T11	3500 thrust De Havilland Goblin 35
Voltee BT13A	450hp Pratt & Witney Wasp R-985-1
Boeing Stearman PT17	220hp Continental R-650-5
North American AT6A (Harvard)	600hp Pratt & Witney Wasp R-1340-49

Sqn/Ldr O/C Bob Davies and crew 'A' Flight Left to Right on Tail Sgt R Tither (Wireless Op), Sgt. S Brown (Rear Gunner), Sgt. C Haywood (Top Gunner), Sgt T A Phillips (Port Side Gunner), Sgt C A Lewis (Starboard side Gunner) Standing Left to Right Sgt. R E Burn RCAF (Nav.) , W.O. G S Adamson (German Speaking Wireless Operator)

Also see CREWS and LOSSES for FORTRESS HB 815 BU-J at RAF OULTON on 3-4 MARCH 1945 where BOB DAVIES witnessed the incident

Squadron Leader Bevis Denton "Bob" Davies died in June 2007.

Address given by SQUADRON LEADER GODFREY W MOFFATT at Bob's Funeral
`Bob' Davies was born on 11th July 1920 at Gravesend where his father was a Trinity House river pilot. His father had served in the Royal Navy commanding a destroyer in World War One and a flotilla of mine sweepers in World War2. He was awarded the DSC.
Bob was actually christened `Bevis Denton' However, from a very young age Bevis Denton Davies knew his own mind and assumed the Christian name of Bob, which stuck.
He was educated at Gravesend Grammar School, `matriculated' and gained a place at the College of Aero and Auto Engineering in Sidney Street, Chelsea. Whilst there he joined a Royal Engineer TA Searchlight Battery and then in 1940 volunteered for aircrew training, Offered pilot training he accepted happily.
His flying training started in September 1941 on the Tiger Moth'. He was selected to complete his training in the United States, and travelled there by sea.
Bob was awarded his wings and commissioned on 5th September 1942. It was at this stage of his flying career that his exceptional flying skills were first recognised and he was, in today's jargon, "creamed off" to become a Qualified Flying Instructor: so after collecting his officer's uniform, he moved to California, and, then South Carolina where he spent the next 8 months, up to the summer of 1943, honing his QFI flying skills.
He returned to the UK in summer 1943. It was a frustrating time as he had to go through the whole British retraining process not joining his Squadron until July 1944.
Bob and his crew then completed 18 day and night operations on the Squadron over a period of very heavy losses for all of the RAF bomber fleet Bob was a great believer in `luck', and over this period he had his fair share:- in September 1944 a bomb dropped by a Lancaster flying above them fell through his aircraft just aft of the top gunner's position. Apart from the tail gunner losing his oxygen supply, the aircraft continued to behave normally. They set course for home, but as they approached, although losing height, they decided to try to make base - they were, after all, going on leave the next day!. Weather, in the end, forced a landing at Old Buckenham south of Norwich.
A man of independent spirit he did not have too much respect for `rules', demonstrated in an earlier episode when an unauthorised long weekend led to some days of reflection in the `bad boys' detention centre at Shedfield. He was also admonished for inadvertently wrecking his COs nearly new `runabout' aircraft.
None of this though was considered particularly important as Bob was promoted to acting Squadron Leader and posted as A flight Commander to 214 Squadron flying from Oulton. Bob's luck continued to hold. Returning on three engines from one countermeasure operation, he was given priority to land and the aircraft ahead was instructed to `go round again'. Unfortunately, this aircraft was shot down by a German night fighter intruder. A short time later, the intruder returned and shot up the de-briefing room just as Bob and one of his crew were leaving, somehow missing them. Bob remained on 214 Squadron until the end of the war, completing some 12 operations, including the Dresden raid, before VE day stopped all operational flying. He was recommended for a DFC by his Sqn and Stn Cdr, but it was refused at Group level for reasons unknown.
After the war, Bob wanted to remain flying and was offered a post as a Flight Lieutenant flying the B24 `Liberator' on a four year extension to his engagement. In September 1945 Bob was posted to the B24 Ground school and in October, joined No 102 Squadron engaged mainly in trooping flights to Karachi. Unsurprisingly it was Bob who flew the last operational Liberator sortie.
In 1946, Bob converted to the Avro `York' and joined No. 242 Squadron at Oakington flying lengthy trooping flights to Singapore. It was on this route in 1947 that he collected his Court Martial. On one trip flying down the Gulf, he caught up with another of the Squadron aircraft, and indulged a little unauthorised formation flying - which might have passed unnoticed had they not been involved in a slight collision. Both aircraft landed safely but disciplinary procedures were inevitable. Bob returned home under close arrest, and was fortunate to receive only a reprimand and loss of his B/VIP flying category from the Court Martial. He was grounded for a period working in squadron ops and then only allowed to fly freighting sorties. But In the summer of 1948, the Berlin Airlift changed everything and in some 10 months he flew 330 sorties, an average of 1 a day.
After his outstanding efforts on the airlift, he was posted to White Waltham, as the personal pilot to the CinC Home Command - Air Marshall Sir Robert Foster, flying the De Havilland `Dove/Devon'. Bob and his navigator were exceptional aviators - a necessity in the VIP role. Their skills were highly regarded by the Air Marshal despite some unusual but successful bad weather approach techniques and when he was promoted to Air Chief Marshal and posted to RAF Germany, Bob and his Navigator went with him.
Bob was to fly some famous politicians/world leaders including the German leaders, Conrad Adenauer and Willi Brandt, who always rewarded him with a case of Rhine wine. During this period he was awarded his AFC recommended by his ACM, but in his usual stubborn way insisted that if he was to be decorated, then so should his Master Navigator who was duly awarded the AFM.
In early 1955, Bob returned to the UK to join the Transport Command Examining Unit, where he qualified to examine pilots all over the world.
In 1958, he was posted to his first real ground job as a Flight Commander at the Officers Initial Training School. At this time he met Eunice and they were married in 1961. His final posting was to the Personal Department of the Air Ministry in Theobalds Road, which he stuck until the summer of 1963, when he was able to retire at age 43
Apart from flying, Bob had two other great passions in his life: one was his beloved Bull Terriers, of which he had nine consecutively over 45 years; the other was cars, particularly owning and driving large American cars. Apart from a very brief sojourn in the insurance industry, the next few years all involved driving and chauffeuring using his own and others cars until finally he became a chauffeur with the Bahrain Embassy, for whom he worked for 13 years until his final retirement in 1990 at age 70.
In retirement, Bob did a lot for Squadron Associations, in particular that of No 214 Squadron. He served on the committee from the beginning,
Bob's final years were trying; his rapidly failing eyesight meant he had to give up the pleasure of owning and driving his special cars. As his eyesight continued to deteriorate he could no longer read, and had to rely on `talking books'. Bob bore all of this with stoicism and fortitude, his dry sense of humour always to the fore.
I have briefly covered the life and deeds of a friend and fellow airman but what of the man that we and others knew; those that flew with him and entrusted their lives to him and to his decision making.
Bob was an exceptional pilot - one of the top 10% - and more importantly, a thinking but risk taking pilot - he was also lucky and brave!! He was a man of his time - taking life in his 2 hands and embracing it - this led at times to mistakes and heartache but he never lost the twinkle in his blue eyes. He had no respect for self important, self serving authority - but he nevertheless rose above some difficult times to become a highly respected senior officer in his Service.
In an RAF career spanning some 23 years, of which nearly 20 had been in the cockpit, Bob flew 30 wartime operations and 330 flights on the Berlin Airlift; in a total of 23 different aircraft types and 7315 flying hours.
He still felt that he - a survivor - had a responsibility to those who didn't finish the course and he completed a great act of pilgrimage, identifying and recording the graves of all those airmen who had died flying on our 214 Squadron. Bob to the end was a truly lucky man.

Please click on this link to see an article from the Heroes of our time website about Squadron Leader Bevis Denton "Bob" Davies

Please click on this link to see another article from the Heroes of our time website about Squadron Leader Bevis Denton "Bob" Davies

Source : Eunice Davies (Widow of S/Ldr Davies) and Mel Morris (friend of S/Ldr Davies) and Heroes of our time website

Date record last updated : 28 February 2025

DAVIES, G T

Sgt Gwynn Towyn Davies, 1314365, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 May 1943, Aged 29

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK659 (26-May-1943) BU-N

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 147

Son of Evan and Elsie M. Davies, of Gilfach Goch. Glamorgan.

After his aircraft crashed into the North Sea his body was never found.

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

Date record last updated : 31 January 2010

DAVIES, T H

LAC Thomas Hubert Davies, 1218754, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British. KIA 12 August 1945 Age 23

Buried in BARI WAR CEMETERY. 12.F.8.

Son of Fred and Mary Davies of Northfleet Kent

Source : Jock Whitehouse and CWGC

DAVIES, W

Plt/Off William Davies, 109519, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 31 May 1942, Aged 31

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

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 19. E. 7-14.

Son of Walter and Jessie Davies, of Edinburgh; husband of Ethel Marjorie Davies, of Edinburgh.

Plt/Off William Davies served with 214 at Stradishall.

Source : Emrys Jones and CWGC

Date record last updated : 14 June 2009

DAVIES, W

Sqn/Ldr William Davies, 74467, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 8 September 1941, Aged 42

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

Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 4. A. 7.

Son of William and Sarah Jane Davies, of Cardiff; husband of Sarah Lilian Davies, of Cardiff.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 October 2010

DAVIES, W J

Sgt William James Davies, 1266757, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 17 September 1942, Aged 34

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

Buried in HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 2. J. 4.

Son of James William and Henrietta Davies; husband of Beatrice Davies, of Ladywell, London.

Sgt Davies joined the RAF in 1940 His father was a member of the London Metropolitan Police Force and a native of Llangwm.

He is the brother of L.A.C. Herbert Davies who died of Typhoid Fever in 1943.

Source : Nick Davies (grandson) and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley and Owen Vaughan (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023

DAVIS, C W

WO C W Davis, R131322, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB382 (20-Apr-1944) BU-B

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 14 March 2025

DAVIS, W T

Sgt William Thomas Davis, 1384993, Air Gunner, 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 : 590/1

Son of William Thomas davis and Nellie Frances Davis of North Kensington, London, England

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

Date record last updated : 13 April 2022

DAVISON, G

Sgt George Davison, 954272, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 4 September 1942, POW number Unknown

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF330 (07-Aug-1942) BU-H
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF337 (04-Sep-1942) BU-B
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7538 (26-Jun-1942) BU-T

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Sgt Davison was injured and taken POW.

Source : Chorley and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Teunis Schuurman (researcher The Netherlands) and Richard Maddox (researcher) and The National Archives and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023

DAVISON, R W

Ron with his parents

Davison_Ron_marrying_Marjorie

Ron marrying Marjorie

FS Ronald William Davison, 1204001, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 13 October 1942, Aged 22

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

Born in West Bromwich, England

Buried in KIEL WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 1. C. 4-7.

Son of James Henry and Annie Elizabeth Davison; husband of Marjorie Davison, of Blackpool, Lancashire.

Ron was born in 1920. He married Marjorie in Spring 1942 in Blackpool, Lancashire.

Source : CWGC and Chorley and Chris Capewell (relative of Ron Davison)

Date record last updated : 4 July 2010

DAWES, E

Fg/Off E Dawes, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C N2746 (29-Nov-1940) BU-M

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 11 April 2009

DAWES, S S

FS Spencer Sidney Dawes, R/67521, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 1 April 1942, Aged 25

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9939 BU-E
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8842 (01-Apr-1942) BU-F

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 103

Son of Stanley Sydney Dawes OBE and Katherine Ellen Dawes of Bournemouth, England

Prior to the war, Spencer moved to Canada to work and then at the outbreak of War joined the RCAF and came to 214 Squadron

Source : Simon Dawes (relative of FS Dawes) and CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 December 2009

DAY

Plt/Off Day, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1251 BU-?

Transferred from 214 Squadron to 70 Squadron in Egypt on 9 December 1940.

Source : www.rafcommands.com

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020

DAY, W S

Sqn/Ldr William Selfridge 'Bill' Day DFC, Pilot, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian

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

Born 17 February 1921

Born in Nova Scotia, Canada

Son of Arthur and Mary Day of Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada .

Operational Commander A Flight as per Plt/Off Bill Foskett's log 31 May 1944.

Fortress Ops Flown = 7
(actually 'operational take-offs' Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

After enrolling in RCAF Reserve in July 1940, and attaining his wings, Plt/Off Bill Day was appointed instructor at Brandon , Manitoba until his transfer overseas in December 1942.
After additional training on heavy bombers, Fg/Off Day was posted to 90 Sqdn for operations on Stirlings Jul 1943.
Flt/Lt Day was posted from 90 Sqdn Tuddenham to 214 Sqdn Downham Market 17 Dec 1943. He was made Acting Sqn/Ldr, Flight Commander until end of his tour.
By end of July 1944, his crew had completed their operational tour with 27 sorties, 7 of which were with 214 Sqdn on B17s.

His log book records other operations by his regular crew plus "others" with 214 Squadron as:

Paris (Le Chappelle) 20 Apr 1944
Montzen 27 Apr 1944
Tours 7 May 1944
D-Day Patrol 5 Jun 1944
Revigny 12 Jul 1944
Scholven Gelsenkerchen 18 Jul 1944

Mike day writes:
"While I was growing up, Dad never talked much about the war, and his part in it. I did not know he was sworn to secrecy about his 100 Group work until late 1970s. I can say that he had the deepest respect for his crew, and most of his senior officers, especially W/C Des McGlinn whom he was particularly fond of. My understanding was Dad would drag his crew out for practice and exercises at every opportunity, but the hard work paid off, in that they all returned home safely after the war as far as I know."

Squadron Leader Day died in 1993.

Source : Ian Hunt and Bill Foskett and Mike Day (son of Sqn/Ldr Day)

Date record last updated : 20 July 2011

DE FREITAS, C L

Sgt C L De Freitas, Date taken POW 26 July 1942, POW number 2508

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

Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 344 - Lamsdorf (Lambinowice) Hospital, Germany - from 1943, was Stalag 8B
Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 8B(G) - Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it became Stalag 344
Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 8A - Gorlitz, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 9A - Ziegenhain Bz Kassle, Germany

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

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

Date record last updated : 20 January 2023

DE FREITAS, G

Sgt G de Freitas

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) N3767 (11-Jul-1942)

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 8 February 2019

DE GARIS, D G

Plt/Off Derek Gordon de Garis, Pilot, 138197, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom. KIA 03 February 1943 Age 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9197 (03-Feb-1943) BU-V

He is buried at AMERSFOORT (OUD LEUSDEN) GENERAL CEMETERY. Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 85.

Son of George Edwin and Lilian Ada de Garis, of Castel, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023

DE SILVA, D N

Sgt D N de Silva

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) N3674 (01-Aug-1942)

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 8 February 2019

DE VILLE

Sgt De Ville

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1341 (14-Jul-1941)

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 31 August 2020

DEADMAN, A H

Flt/Lt Alan H Deadman DFC, 1508455, Navigator, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

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

Born 5 October 1921

At No 26 Operational Training Unit in 1943 FO Alan Deadman crewed up with Bomb Aimer Bill Wilkinson, Pilot Bob Mackett, W/Op Gordon Lowe, Mid Upper Gunner Bruce Taggart and Tail Gunner Doug Houghton. In July 1943 Flight Engineer Stan Newton joined the crew and they all joined 214 Squadron at RAF Chedburgh the end of the month.

Alan Deadman passed away on 14 January 2015 in Harrogate North Yorkshire.

Source : Robert Mackett and Edward Smith (nephew) and Nightjar Newsletter August 2014 ad Vic Pheasant 214 Squadron Association

Date record last updated : 13 December 2016

DEAN

Plt/Off Dean

No further information available yet.

Date record last updated : 3 October 2010

DEAN, A W

Sgt Alan Walter Dean, 926810, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 9 May 1941, Aged 19

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R3208 (09-May-1941)

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 42

Son of Percy John and Ida Dean, of New Eltham, London.

Looking at his logbook (which Simon Dean is the proud possesor of!), he first flew (joined?) with 214 (B flight) on the 24 March 1941 when he was 2nd pilot to Sgt Browell on air test in Wellington R3208. Reading through the logbook this was his usual aircraft and Sgt Browell was the usual 1st pilot. 1st mission was to Rotterdam on 3rd April 1941.
For some reason, on one occasion (10 April 1941) he flew 6708 to Brest, once 1623 (12 April 1941) also to Brest and 2918 (25 April 1941) to Kiel.
He then returned to 3208 for the remainder of his career. He died on his 10th mission on 9 May 1941. The mission details are not in the logbook, but Simon seems to remember his father telling him he was flying over Hamburg and that Sgt Browell's body was found in the river there. Simon knows that Alan's body was never found, but his name is on the Runnymede Memorial.
It is very sobering to think that Alan joined the RAF in August 1940 and after 8 months of training, his operational career lasted only 6 weeks.

Source : Simon Dean (nephew) and CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Autumn 2005 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 28 December 2011

DEAN, D L

Sgt Dennis Lawrence Dean, 576664, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 September 1943, Aged 19

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF393 BU-R

Buried in HANOVER WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 12. B. 12.

Son of Thomas Henry and Vera Kathleen Dean, of Wood Green, Middlesex.

Source : CWGC and John Fowler

Date record last updated : 5 August 2009

DEAN, S F

Sgt Stanley Frederick Dean, 1445870, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 13 May 1943, Aged 27

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

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5. B. 5.

Son of Walter and Emily Maria Dean; husband of Ada Dean, of Leicester.

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 October 2010

DELISLE, R

FS Ray Delisle

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

Source : Pilot Officer William Foskett

Date record last updated : 26 May 2009

DEMPSAY, R

FS Ronald Dempsay, R/69265, Air Observer, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 13 October 1942
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BK599 BU-R

Buried in KIEL WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 1. C. 4-7.

Source : CWGC and Chorley and Chris Capewell (relative of Ron Davison)

Date record last updated : 27 February 2010

DEMPSTER, W J

Sgt W J Dempster, Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9355 (02-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9355 (08-Sep-1942) BU-D

Source : Arthur Skone and Chorley and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023

DENHAM, G A

Sgt George Alexander Denham, Air Gunner

Sgt George Alexander Denham died on 13 January 2013.

He was a 214 Squadron Air Gunner 1944/45.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter May 2013

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015

DENT, H

Harry is 2nd row up, 6th from the left.

Plt/Off Harry Dent, 109483, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 31 May 1942, Aged 23

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

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 19. E. 7-14.

Son of Maurice Arthur and Harriet Dent, of Marylebone, London.

Harry left school at 16 and worked in a stockbroker's office in the City. He disliked the job and joined British International Pictures as a trainee at Elstree Studios.

When war started in 1939 he could have remained in a reserved occupation but instead volunteered for the Royal Air Force the day after war was declared. He wanted to be a fighter pilot but was rejected on medical grounds because he had flat feet. Obviously discouraged but eager to serve, he volunteered for the Army and was commissioned into the KOSB (King's Own Scottish Borderers) an infantry regiment that marched at 160 paces to the minute (Army No. 156431). In 1941 he applied for transfer to the RAF for pilot training. He was accepted and after training was posted as a bomber pilot instead of the fighter pilot that he had always wanted to be.

It is uncertain whether Operation Millenium was Harry's first mission. SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) W7534 BU-E for further details.

Plt/Off Harry Dent served with 214 at Stradishall.

Dent_Harry_grave

Bottom Inscription
Darling Harry, We knew you were Mortal

Source : Emrys Jones and immediate family members of Harry's and CWGC

Date record last updated : 5 April 2019

DENT, H C

Sgt Harold Charles Dent, 1384029, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 15 April 1943, Aged 26

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF331 BU-H

Buried in SEPT-SAULX CHURCHYARD. Reference : Grave 3.

Son of Harold Martin Dent and of Francisca Violeta Dent (nee Saenz). of Guatemala City.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 17 December 2010

DEWAR, A S

Picture from 19 OTU RAF Kinloss Course No.7 of 30-Nov-1941 Air Gunners

Dewar_Alexander_Shaw_grave

Sgt Alexander Shaw Dewar, 931485, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 17 August 1942, Aged 25

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BF318 (16-Jul-1942)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF330 (17-Aug-1942) BU-H

Born 20 June 1917

Buried in FODDERTY OLD CHURCHYARD. Reference : Plot 7. Grave 1033.

Son of John S. M. Dewar (Solicitor) and Bessie Dewar (nee Smith), of Dingwall. They were married on 18 November 1916 in Inverness.

Attended 19 OTU RAF Kinloss Course No.7 of 30-Nov-1941 Air Gunners.

Source : CWGC and Bob Brown (nephew of Sgt Richard Kerry) and Phyllis Hannah (CWGC Eyes on hands On Campaign) and 214 Squadron ORB and Paul Markham (77 Squadron Association)

Date record last updated : 19 January 2024

DICKENSON, N L

Sgt N L 'Bud' Dickenson, Rear Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : American

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF357 (10-Mar-1943) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK659 (20-Apr-1943) BU-N
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EH699 BU-X

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

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

He later transferred to the USAAF in June 1943 and finished his tour of operations at 214 Squadron wearing an American uniform.

Source : Dave Wallace (son of Flt/Lt A Wallace)

Date record last updated : 8 August 2025

DICKS, R

Taken about 1940

Dicks_Ronald_newspaper

Derbyshire Times 4 December 1942

Dicks_Ronald_bestman_to_WE_Sanders_1934

Ronald Dicks fourth from the left in the back row was bestman at the wedding of W E Sanders in 1934

Dicks_Ronald_with_Molly_Sanders_and_others_at_Monsall_Head

Dicks_Ronald_with_Molly_Sanders_and_others_at_Monsall_Head

Ronald Dicks first from the left with Molly Sanders and others at Monsall Head

Dick_Ronald_with_another

Sgt Ronald Dicks, 1121218, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 14 September 1942, Aged 29

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)

Buried in RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 17. H. 22.

Son of Joseph and Eleanor Dicks; husband of Winifred Mary Dicks, of Westhouses, Derbyshire.

Tim Sanders writes :
'Sergeant Ronald Dicks was my Grandfathers best-man.'

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2004 and Tim Sanders and 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher) and Chorley

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023

DICKSON, D R

Flt/Lt David Rutherford Dickson, J9907, Navigator, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II HB382 (20-Apr-1944) BU-B

Born 15 November 1919

Born in Montreal

Husband of Rosaleen Dickson

A King Scout, he cycled through England and Scotland in his teens, staying at Youth Hostels, and visiting relatives. He became a student in accounts with Price Waterhouse & Co. in Montreal, studied accounting at McGill University in Montreal, and qualified in 1939 for the Intermediate Certificate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Province of Quebec and joined the firm of Price Waterhouse in Montreal. Throughout this time, David continued his interest in cycling. At a youth hostel in Northfield, Massachusetts, while bicycling in New England in 1939, he met Rosaleen Diana Leslie, a university student on holiday, who later became his wife.

In February, 1941, at the age of 21, David enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, qualified as an Air Observer (navigation, bombing and gunnery), taught Astro-Navigation with the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and was posted as Navigator to the RAF Ferry Command, taking aircraft across the ocean for use in Britain.

On October 28, 1942, in Westmount, Quebec, he and Rosaleen were married. David was then posted to England where he completed a tour of operations with the RAF as a Navigator with 214 (FMS) Bomber Squadron, attaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant. After the war David obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario. After graduation, David worked four years as an income tax assessor with the Federal Government in Ottawa.

In 1953 he moved his family to Shawville, Quebec, incorporated Pontiac Printshop Ltd., and published the weekly newspaper, THE EQUITY (founded in 1883), now owned and operated by his eldest son, Ross. In 1982, he bought Custom Printers of Renfrew Ltd, in Renfrew, Ontario, now owned and operated by his youngest son, Andrew.

David Dickson served as chairman of the Pontiac Community Hospital, founded the Pontiac County Social Planning Council, chaired the Pontiac County Ground Observers Corps, built a 16 foot Petrel sailboat, raised horses, and always maintained an insatiable curiosity about the origins of humanity on this planet. During his sixties, he took on the task, with his wife, of editing "Avenging in the Shadows," a book published in England about RAF squadron 214 in which he had served, and then co-authored "The Dickson and Leslie Family Histories," published by Custom Printers of Renfrew Ltd., Box 415 Renfrew, Ontario K7V 4A6, the research for which required considerable travel in Nova Scotia and Scotland.

He retired in 1984 and died in 1992.

Source : Rosaleen Dickson (wife of David Rutherford Dickson) http://www.flora.org/rosaleen

Date record last updated : 14 March 2025

DIDSBURY, C M

Plt/Off Colin McDougall Didsbury, NZ401259, Pilot, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 7 August 1941, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II W5450 (03-Jun-1941) BU-?
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9750 BU-?

Named on the following Memorial : Auckland War Memorial
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 63

Born in Wellington New Zealand

Son of Harold Guy and Euphemia Didsbury, of Wellington, New Zealand.

Also see record for Plt/Off Didsbury. They could be the same person.

Source : Auckland War Memorial and CWGC and Chorley and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023

DIEBEL, H M

Sgt H M Diebel, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, Date taken POW 31 August 1943, POW number 222684

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

Imprisoned at POW camp Stalag 4B - 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

DILLOW, J A

Sgt J A Dillow, 1381369, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner

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

Was part of an aircrew to be seconded to 15 OTU for 215 Squadron on 11 March 1942.

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

Source : Colin Burningham

Date record last updated : 29 May 2010

DIMOND, S S

Plt/Off Sydney Stephen Dimond, 112742, Observer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 31 May 1942, Aged 32

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

Named on the following Memorial : Roll of Honour, Metropolitan Police, New Scotland Yard

Born 27 November 1911

Born in Dartford, Kent

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 19. E. 7-14.

Son of Stephen Edward John Dimond and Phoebe Dimond

Attended Dartford Grammar School Kent.
Trained as a solicitors clerk before joining Metropolitan Police 26 September 1932, warrant number 122436, serving at City Road Police Station London.
Joined RAF Pilot Officer and during observer training at Winnipeg Air Observer School Canada won the Starratt Memorial Navigational Watch for highest marks achieved in final exam: 147 out of 150.
Sydney was also fluent in German.

He was killed during Op Millenium, the big 1000 bomber raid on Cologne Germany. His comrades were killed with him when their aircraft crashed near Monchengladbach however the reason for the crash as yet is undetermined.

"Sydney is my Great Uncle and like him I am a serving member of the Metropolitan Police "- R. Conybear

CWGC names his mother as Annie Matilda Dimond

Source : Emrys Jones and R Conybear (great nephew of Sydney Dimond)

Date record last updated : 14 June 2009

DIX, F H

WO Francis Herbert Dix MiD, 411069, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 24 February 1945, Aged 24

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK686 (29-Mar-1943) BU-C
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB805 (24-Feb-1945) BU-C
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I W7631 (23-Oct-1942) BU-G

Buried in RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 6. E. 18

Son of Herbert George Dix, M.M., and of Ethel Louisa Dix (nee Rivett), of Milford, Auckland, New Zealand.
He survived a crash of Stirling Mark I W7631 (23-Oct-1942) BU-G.

1945 was Dix's second time with 214 Squadron. He served 23 ops on 214 Squadron Stirlings in 1942, then went to No. 620 Sqn, then to No. 1657 HCU as an instructor.

His father held the Military Medal.

Source : CWGC and Ernst-Jan Jonkers (researcher) and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023

DIXON, A R

Sgt Alfred Ross Dixon, R/181570, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 3 July 1943, Aged 20

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 181.

Son of James H. and Ruby A. Dixon, of Neudorf, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Source : CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 22 August 2019

DIXON, E

Sgt Eric Dixon, 934409, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 2 April 1942, Aged 20

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

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

Son of Daniel and Evelyn Grace Dixon of South Croydon Surrey England

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 14 February 2020

DIXON, J

Sqn/Ldr Jack Dixon DFC, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) ??Dixon
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK663 (29-Mar-1943) BU-T
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF403 (27-Jul-1943) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF403 (18-Sep-1943) BU-G

October 1942 at 14 OTU Cottesmore. Jack and his crew formed here and stuck together for a long time.

3rd January 1943
Jack Dixon's log book says he finished at 14 OTU .He was assessed as an "average" pilot in his log on 5th January with 406 hours under his belt. Subsequent history reveals he was anything but "average"!

5th February 1943
Jack and crew arrive at 1651 HCU Waterbeach (5 miles north of Cambridge) to convert to Stirlings for I month.

19th February 1943
Jacks first logged flight at 1651 accompanying a Flt/Lt Cope (Instructor) flying as a second pilot on a raid to Wilhemshaven, bombing on PFF flares. This was Jack's only February flight with conversion training flights starting on 3rd March.

28th March 1943
Jack Dixon's first flight as captain - logged as a 5 hour trip.
All the crew were happy admiring the views on the way to St Nazaire to bomb submarine pens which had been lit by flares. However as they flew over La Rochelle they had their first experience of flak with shells bursting nearby , all went very quiet on the plane with no more casual conversation! Got them all thinking.

29th March 1943
Only the crews' second Stirling trip "gardening", dropping mines near Texel (an island off the Dutch coast).
On return to base, and whilst in circuit at 2000 feet over Chedburgh, they collided in the dark with another Stirling losing their port tailplane and rear gun turret.
Jack got a Green Endorsement in his log book for safely bringing the Stirling back to Terra Firma.

20th April 1943
Ops to Rostock

24th July 1943
Operation Gomorrah!

29th July 1943
Ops to Hamburg. Early days of the use of WINDOW (chaff) by the crew. F/Sgt Simpson with them as 2nd pilot. The Stirling had a much lower ceiling (13,000 feet) than the other planes on the raid (Lancs at 22,000 and Halifaxs at 18,000) who had arrived before them. On the raid Jack felt a thud whilst at the controls and when they arrived back at base an unexploded incendiary bomb was found lodged in one of the fuel tanks in the port wing! Obviously dropped from a bomber above.

27th August 1943
Ops to Nuremburg.
At 11,000 feet, with bombs gone and whilst still over their target the crew were attacked by 2 fighters. The port outer was on fire and the starboard outer feathered. Eventually the port prop fell off and they were then able to extinguish fire and restart the starboard outer.
Very low on fuel they landed at Ford.
Jack records this trip as "Shakey Do" which was probably something of an understatement, either way he was awarded an immediate DFC. Second pilot on this trip was a F/O Carl Puterborough (RCAF).

31st August 1943
Just 4 days later, interestingly and very unusually, Jack whilst on Compass Swings logs "Nervous - no time to be so during the drama of getting back", suggesting that they were feeling the pressure.

18th September 1943
Ops as ordered
Flying at 5000 feet. Compasses and all nav aids U/S except H2S downward radar. They were lost but found an enormous glow in the sky which they reckoned must be Paris. The crew headed north, found the coast and subsequently made it across the Channel making an emergency landing at Ford (again) whilst very low on fuel. The engines petered out at the end of the runway, even before they were able to get to their "pan".Now that really was low!!

6th November 1943
Special Ops
Their mission was to a marshalling yard in France.

15th May 1945
Logbook re starts with Jack still as pilot but now ranked as Squadron Leader. They were with 1653 HCU flying Lancasters with four Operational Flights shown, the last on June 1st 1945. Log shows a summary dated 2nd June 1945.

Jack stayed on as Squadron Leader at O/C D Tactical Flight of 1653 Heavy Conversion Unit (which was formed at Chedburgh in November 1943), flying as a Pilot Instructor.

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

Sqn/Ldr Dixon was an old boy of Emanuel School Battersea.

Source : John Jewsbury (son of R F Jewsbury) and Walter Rowley and Daniel Kirmatzis (Emanuel School Researcher) and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023

DOBSON, A

Plt/Off A Dobson, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ119 (02-May-1945) BU-O

Fortress Ops Flown = 1
(actually 'operational take-offs' Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc)

Source : Ian Hunt and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 23 May 2025

DOBSON, D F

Sgt Denis Frank Dobson, 539408, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 July 1942

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

Buried in WERKENDAM PROTESTANT CEMETERY. Reference : Row 8. Grave 2.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Autumn 2004 and Diane Hann (relative of Denis Dobson) and Arthur Skone and Richard Hallam (nephew of Eric Cooper)

Date record last updated : 26 July 2015

DOBSON, E

Sgt Edwin Dobson, 1442409, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 13 September 1944

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 228

Source : CWGC and John Cripps

Date record last updated : 7 June 2008

DOBSON, E

Sgt Ernest Dobson, 1590215, Air Gunner, 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

Buried in BRADFORD CREMATORIUM. Reference : Panel 1

Son of Arthur and Alice Dobson, of Allerton.

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

Date record last updated : 2 February 2010

DOBSON, L G

Sgt L G Dobson, R/71398

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) Z8900

On 7 November 1941 Sgt Dobson was posted to 214 Squadron from 21OTU.
Joined the crew of Z8900 after 15 November 1941.
On 19 January 1942 he was posted to 99 Squadron.
On 23 February 1942 he was posted from Waterbeach to Portreath.
On 26 February 1942 he was posted direct to Malta, en-route to ME for 99 Squadron in India.

Source : Colin Burningham

Date record last updated : 4 October 2009

DOCHERTY, E

Sgt Edward Docherty, 1101593, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 4 June 1942, Aged 26

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

Buried in BECKLINGEN WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 13. C. 14.

Son of John and Catherine Docherty. Husband of Anna Orr Reid Docherty

Source : Chorley and CWGC and http://aircrewremembered.com

Date record last updated : 2 June 2017

DODD, J

Sgt John Dodd, 1107057, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 24 May 1943, Aged 22

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

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 3. N. 18.

Son of John and Rose Dodd, of Greenock, Renfrewshire.

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

Source : Martin Alford, nephew of Donald Alford & CWGC

Date record last updated : 10 November 2017

DODDS, R L

Plt/Off Robert Leslie Dodds, 172519, Navigator, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 15 September 1944, Aged 23

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

Named on the following Memorial : Alnwick Duke's School

Buried in CALAIS CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, LEUBRINGHEN. Reference : 3. A. 11.

Son of Mr. and Mrs John Dodds, Police Station, Wooler

Plt/Off Robert Leslie Dodds, was a navigator aboard Fortress III, HB767, BU.A 214 Squadron when it was shot down over the coast of N France on 12th/13th September 1944. He managed to survive for several days thanks to the bravery of a French family.

Robert attended the Dukes School in Alnwick. Please follow this link in memorials above to their roll of honour site.

The following article was published on
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?11753-Details-for-these-casualties-Duke-s-School-Alnwick/page2

"R.L. DODDS is something of an enigma in that he is buried in a Canadian War Cemeterary (Calais) and the C.W.G.C. does not record his next of kin. In "Forty Years On - the DSOB casualties",it states that his father was an inspector in the Northumbria Police and presumably moving with his parents around Northumberland and Tyneside he had a number of addresses and schools. The record shows him attending schools at Wooler, Alnwick and then Lemington, Newburn. He then worked for Carse and Goodger before becoming a member of the Alnwick Gazette, the weekly newspaper. In the acknowledgements for information for the book, the London Gazette is credited as the main source for the info on Dodds. Admittedly, he does not appear on the Wooler, Alnwick or Newburn war memorials but from my research over the years I know that many of these "frequent movers" are not so recorded."

Plt/Off Dodds is listed in the London Gazette in issues 36503, 36712 & 36744.

Source : CWGC and Anthony Crouch (Nephew of Plt/Off Dodds) and John Cripps and Chorley and Simon Glancey and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017

DODDS-FORREST, J

Photo from George Watson's College, Edinburgh

Plt/Off John Dodds-Forrest, 62022, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 June 1941, Aged 27

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1609

Named on the following Memorial : George Watson College War Memorial Edinburgh
Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 32.

Born 9 August 1913

Born in Ratho, Midlothian, Scotland

Son of John and Emily Ross Forrest.

Former pupil at George Watson's College in Edinburgh and listed on the College War Memorial (see link above).

John Hamblin writes :
John Dodds Forrest was born at Ratho, Midlothian on the 9th of August 1913 the only son of John Forrest, a quarry manager, and Emily Ross Reid (nee McPhee) Forrest of "Hillfoot", Ratho Station, Midlothian. He was educated at George Watson's College where he attended the senior school from 1924 to 1929. On leaving school he decided to pursue a career in accountancy and, while serving his apprenticeship, he attended Edinburgh University where he distinguished himself as a boxer. He later entered the Civil Service as an accountant.

Following the outbreak of war, he enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as a pilot and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 10th of March 1941.

Source : CWGC and John Hamblin (researcher) and George Watson's College, Edinburgh

Date record last updated : 14 January 2022

DONALD

Plt/Off Donald

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

DONALD, D N

Fg/Off Douglas Nugent Donald, J/47071, Air Bomber, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : American, KIA 21 March 1945, Aged 23

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

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 7. D. 6.

Son of Charles D. Donald and Fanny Donald; husband of Corinne Donald, of Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.

Fg/Off Donald was a specialist operator.

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

Date record last updated : 14 July 2014

DOUGHERTY, P

Fg/Off Patrick Dougherty 1945

Fg/Off Patrick 'Doc' Dougherty, 199341, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British

Born 6 November 1923

Born in Stowmarket

Son of Michael and Lily Dougherty

Patrick Dougherty joined the RAF in 1942, at the age of 18, having previously been a member of the ATC.
He undertook flying training in the USA with 5 BFTS from 1943 to 1944 at Clewiston Florida , when he flew the Stearman and the AT6A Harvard.
Returning to England as a Sgt Pilot in June 1944, he converted to the multi-engine role on the Oxford at RAF Calveley before learning to fly the Wellington at 85 (Bomber Command) OTU RAF Husband Bosworth.
In April 1945, he converted to the B17 Flying Fortress when he served on 214 Squadron based at RAF Oulton at the end of the war in Europe .
He was commissioned and promoted to Flying Officer at this time.

Subsequently, in common with many 4-engine pilots, he moved to Transport Command where he flew the B24 Liberator with 102 Sqn from RAF Bassingbourn in a troop carrying and aeromedical role returning FEPOW from India and the DC3 Dakota with 53 Sqn from RAF Waterbeach, mainly to Berlin .
His final flight as a pilot was on 28 January 1948 in Dakota KN523 on an instrument and local flying sortie out of RAF Waterbeach.

He retired from the RAF in 1948 and went on to have a very successful career in the cable industry, with Johnson and Phillips Ltd, Enfield Standard Power Cables Ltd and was Managing Director of Greengate Cables Ltd. His final appointment was with the Overseas Development Agency in Zambia .

Patrick Dougherty died on 18 November 2009 at the age of 86.

His first wife, Valerie died in 2002. He remarried in 2005 and is survived by his second wife, Nora and his only son from his first marriage, Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty RAF Retd, a former Director-General Medical Services (RAF).

Source : AVM Simon Dougherty (Patrick's son)

Date record last updated : 31 January 2010

DOUGLAS, N

Sgt Norman Douglas, 1411154, Air Bomber, 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. B. 4.

Son of William Isaac and Catherine Douglas, of Waunarlwydd, Glamorgan.

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 October 2010

DOUGLAS, R O

FS Russell Owen Douglas, NZ421646, Rear 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 HB772 (02-Nov-1944) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB799 (13-Mar-1945) BU-K
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB802 (14-Mar-1945) BU-O
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ110 (14-Jan-1945) BU-B

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

POW camp not known.

Back in the UK on 8 April 1945.

FS Russell Owen Douglas (RNZAF) died on 10 October 2012.

Source : "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Ian Hunt and 214 Squadron ORB and Nightjar Newsletter May 2013

Date record last updated : 18 April 2025

DOWNS, H

Sgt Henry 'Harry' Downs, 616823, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 2 April 1942, Aged 24

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

Born 20 September 1918

Born in Greenwich

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 2. F. 10-18.

Sgt Downs daughter, Helen, was only 9 months old when he was killed.

Source : CWGC and Helen Stunt (daughter)

Date record last updated : 25 October 2015

DOWNS, S M

FS Stephen Maurice Downs, Air Gunner

He served with 214 Squadron during 1944 and 1945, first on Wellingtons and then on Fortresses.

Sadly he died in 2004 having suffered Alzheimers for 7 years.

Source : Jacqui King (daughter)

Date record last updated : 25 January 2015

DOWSON, D O

Sgt Derek Oswald Dowson, 975343, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 11 April 1943

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 148.

Son of Ernest John and Margaret Dowson, of Tolworth, Surrey.

Source : Cathy Horton, family of Sgt Dowson, is currently researching details of his RAF service. Cheryl Garner, Great Niece of Thomas Frank Richardson and CWGC.

Date record last updated : 30 January 2011

DOY, W W

Sqn/Ldr William W 'Bill' Doy DFC, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner

He died on 28 November 2011, aged 95.

Source : Squadron Association and RAF 100 Group

Date record last updated : 28 February 2025

DOYLE, M T

Sqn/Ldr Michael Thomas Doyle, Flight Commander, 504369, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British. KIA 19 August 1968 Age 39

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor XH646

Date of Birth 30 December 1928.

He is buried at St Faith's Crematorium, Norwich.

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

Stationed at RAF Marham. Born in Paddington, London. He had assumed his responsibilities as a flight commander on the morning of his death.

Source : Jock Whitehouse and Armed Forces Memorial

DRAKE, F C

FS Frederick Charles Drake, Special Operator

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

Source : Lorna Drake (daughter) and Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 1 January 2010

DREW, T E

Ted E Drew, Mid Upper Gunner

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

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

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

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023

DRUITT, R K

Flt/Lt R K Druitt, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force

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

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

Date record last updated : 8 March 2019

DUBNO-DUNCAN, D

AC1 David Dubno-Duncan

Tiffany Batchelor has written to say that her father was first with 214 Squadron and then moved to 620 Squadron.

Click on this link to see his logbook for 1940 to 1942

Source : Tiffany Batchelor (daughter of AC1 David Dubno-Duncan)

Date record last updated : 13 November 2021

DUFFIN, E

AC1 Eric Duffin

Died 24 December 2018, aged 94

Barry writes :
My name is Barry Hughes I am part of the RAFA Leek branch in Staffordshire, on Christmas Eve we lost our oldest member Eric Duffin 94 years old. It is our understanding that he joined the RAF in 1942 leaving in 1947. He completed his engineering training at Squires Gate and was then posted to 214 Squadron as an AC 1 . We are hoping to start the history of our members and were wondering if you had any information to help us. Eric's wife told me that he was originally working on Short Stirling's and then B17 seems to have spent time around east Anglia as I did myself from 1960 to 1969.

If anyone can help with more information about Eric, please let us know and we will pass this onto Barry.

Source : Barry Hughes RAFA Leek

Date record last updated : 29 January 2019

DUNCKLEY, R H

Plt/Off Raymond Harold Dunckley, 404344, Observer, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, KIA 27 August 1942, Aged 22

Born in New Zealand

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I N3729 (07-Aug-1942) BU-R
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9155 (27-Aug-1942) BU-Q
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9356 (22-Jul-1942)

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

Son of Harold Edward & Doris Dunckley of Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

Chorley and CWGC and Arthur Skone and 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023

DUNN, J C

Sgt John Clifford Dunn, 1310826, 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 R1789 (01-Apr-1942) BU-Q

Named on the following Memorial : Clacton on Sea Memorial
Named on the following Memorial : No. 3 Group Bomber Command Roll of Honour in the RAF Window in Ely Cathedral.

Born 29 March 1916

Born in Orsett, Essex England

Buried in DURNBACH WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 2. F. 1.

Son of John Dunn, and of Elizabeth M. Dunn, of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Sgt Dunn was to have been married just three weeks after he was killed. Best man was to have been Sgt Peter Wood.

Source : CWGC and Christine Head (niece)

Date record last updated : 20 September 2011

DUPONT, R E

Fg/Off Richard E Dupont, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Harrow (model unknown) K3645

He states about the crash :
The plane flown by Flying Officer McCarthy (K6945) appeared to get out of position in the formation when turning and came up over the top of Pilot Officer Warner's machine (K6950). I banked to the right. When I saw McCarthy's machine again it was standing on its tail in the air. Then it dived towards the earth with its engines full on and burst into flames.
Pilot Officer Warner's aircraft fell into the river Wissey after its tail fell off.

Source : Jock Whitehouse and Peter Garside (relative of AC1 Thomas Garside) and Simon Glancey (Researcher)

Date record last updated : 24 August 2018

DURMAN, P E

Sgt Peter Edward Durman, 1389300, Air Bomber, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 16 November 1944

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

Buried in BECKENHAM CREMATORIUM AND CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. L.7. Grave 19794.

Son of Frederick Durman (died 17th September 1953, age 65) and Sarah Mary Ann Durman (died 16th December 1958, age 73)

Of Bromley, London, England. No further information but we do know he was married.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003 and Kelvin Youngs http://aircrewremembered.com

Date record last updated : 9 February 2024

DUTHIE, W

Sgt William Duthie, 1349970, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 13 May 1943, Aged 20

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

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 5. A. 17.

Son of William and Georgina Duthie, of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 October 2010

DUTTON, R E

Sgt Robert Ernest Dutton, 1338700, Air Bomber, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 15 April 1943, Aged 27

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I EF331 BU-H

Buried in SEPT-SAULX CHURCHYARD. Reference : Grave 2.

Son of Ernest Samuel and Sarah Louise Dutton, of Acton, Middlesex.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 17 December 2010

DYDE, E R H

Sgt Eric R H Dyde

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

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

Date record last updated : 21 February 2016

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