No. 214 (FMS) Squadron RAF - Personnel

PERSONNEL

E

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

EAGLEN, E L

Carruther_Alexander,Carnell_Basil,Eaglen_Edgar_gravestone

Sgt Edgar Louis Eaglen, 629071, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 12 March 1943, Aged 23

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 A. Eaglen and Dulcie Eaglen, of Saham Toney, Norfolk; husband of V. Eaglen, of Holme Hale, Norfolk.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 20 November 2020

EAGLETON, I L

Sgt Irvine Leonard Eagleton, 923470, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : Australian, KIA 2 April 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8979 (01-Apr-1942) BU-P

Born in Perth, Western Australia

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 9. A. 3-6.

Son of Charles Eagleton

David Moran, whose mother was half sister to Irvine, has provided us with some useful family history information. If you would like access to this document please email the website administrators. Irvine' s father, Charles, was the first administrator of the Royal Perth Hospital. Irvine's family home address was 'Waverley', Grant Street, Cottesloe, Perth. We are advised that the house still stands today. In 1938 Irvine and his brother, Vernon, were living and studying in England, staying with a relative.

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC and Doug Eagleton (nephew of Sgt Irvine Leonard Eagleton) and David Moran (relative)

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017

EARNSHAW, D

Denis Earnshaw, 631813, Royal Air Force, KIA 18 April 1941

Buried in HAVERHILL CEMETERY. Reference : Sec. U. Grave 136.

Son of Alfred and Edith Annie Earnshaw.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020

EASTMENT, R S

Sgt Richard Samuel Eastment, 524673, Observer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 11 October 1940, Aged 31

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

Buried in LANGTON MATRAVERS CHURCH CEMETERY. Reference : North part under west boundary wall.

Son of Ernest Edmund and Amelia Fanny Eastment, of Langton Matravers.

Source : Bill Stubbs and CWGC

Date record last updated : 13 February 2009

EASTON, H R

Sgt Herbert Robinson Easton, R/56846, Royal Canadian 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 61.

Source : CWGC and Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017

EBSWORTH, R W

Sgt Ronald William Ebsworth, 1257328, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 30 November 1941, Aged 35

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 42.

Son of Hubert John and Charlotte Mary Ebsworth, of Billericay, Essex.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 December 2010

EDDISON, F L H

Sqn/Ldr Frank Leslie Herbert Eddison DFC, 39377, Co-pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : Australian, KIA 9 May 1941, Aged 30

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Eddison
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 (21-Dec-1940) BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2778 (29-Nov-1940) BU-R
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1226 BU-L

Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial (Honours and Awards and Commemorative Roll)

Buried in BERGEN-OP-ZOOM WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll Grave 32. C. 2.

Son of W. H. and Marion Eddison; husband of Jill Eddison.

London Gazette Issue 34369 published on the 9 February 1937.
He was granted a short service commission as Acting Pilot Officer on probation with effect from and with seniority of the dates stated:
25th Jan. 1937.

London Gazette Issue 34457 published on the 23 November 1937
Acting Pilot Officer on probation is confirmed in the appointment and graded as Pilot Officer 16th Nov. 1937

London Gazette Issue 34996 published on the 19 November 1940.
Flying Officer promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant 3rd Sept. 1940

Awarded the DFC on 13 March 1942 (effective 9 May 1941) : Click on this link to see the entry in the London Gazette

Flt/Lt Eddison was promoted to Squadron Leader with 218 Squadron

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Summer / Autumn 2005 and Ian Hunt and Aled Leyson (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon) and Australian War Memorial and London Gazette

Date record last updated : 26 March 2021

EDDY, S J

Flt/Lt Sylvester Joseph Eddy DFC, 408643, Pilot, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian

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

Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial (Honours and Awards)

Past student of St Joseph's College Melbourne, Australia.

Awarded the DFC on 21 April 1944 : Click on this link to see the entry in the London Gazette

Source : Christopher Talbot and London Gazette and Jonathan Markley (nephew of Flt/Lt Alexander John Fowler) and Australian War Memorial

Date record last updated : 26 March 2021

EDINGTON, W S

Sgt W S Edington, Air Gunner

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

Sgt Edington was flying as part of a crew in 214 Squadron from November 1941 until January 1942.
On 19 January 1942 he was posted 99 Squadron.
On 23 February 1942 he was posted to Portreath from Waterbeach.
On 26 February 1942 he was posted from Portreath direct to Malta, en-rote to to ME fro 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 : 4 October 2009

EDWARDS, D

Dennis Edwards

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

EDWARDS, S C G

Sgt Spencer Charles George 'Charlie' Edwards, Mid Upper Gunner

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

Maybe the same person as Sgt S G Edwards

Source : Stephen Roberts and Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 2 February 2018

EDWARDS, S G

Sgt S G Edwards

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

Maybe the same person as Sgt Spencer Charles George Edwards

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

Date record last updated : 2 February 2018

EDWARDS, W B

Sgt W B Edwards, 1513213, Navigator

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EF445 BU-J

Source : Chorley

Date record last updated : 3 October 2010

EGAN, J J

FS John Joseph Egan, 415126, Royal Australian Air Force, Nationality : Australian, KIA 24 May 1943, Aged 25

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

Named on the following Memorial : Australian War Memorial Panel 121

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 3. C. 15.

Son of Joseph Michael and Annie Maria Egan, of Victoria Park, Western Australia.

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 : John Cripps and Australian War Memorial and CWGC and Geoff Swallow (Australian Researcher)

Date record last updated : 26 March 2021

EGAN, V E

Sgt Vernon Ernest Egan, 1092735, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 16 April 1942

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8951 (16-Apr-1942) BU-X

Born 22 September 1921

Born in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire UK

Named on the following Memorial : War memorial "Het Rijtven", Deurne, Netherlands

Buried in EINDHOVEN (WOENSEL) GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Plot JJ. Coll. grave 54-56.

Source : Adrian van Zantvoort and Chorley and CWGC and Ryan Treadwell (great nephew of Sgt Vernon Ernest Egan) and John Peers (relative of Sgt Vernon Ernest Egan) and Richard Schoutissen (researcher from the Netherlands)

Date record last updated : 5 October 2024

ELDER

Sgt Elder, Co-pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2708 (29-Nov-1940) BU-N

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 11 April 2009

ELDER, A G

Sgt Alexander Graeme 'Mick' Elder, 754780, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : British, KIA 13 March 1941, Aged 19

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

Born 1 April 1922

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

Son of Alexander and Drusilla Elder, of Westminster, London.

Alexander Graeme Elder went to preparatory school at Brambletye near East Grinstead in Sussex and then on to St Paul's Boys School in London. He joined the RAF and became a pilot on a Wellington with 214 Squadron.

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

Date record last updated : 8 March 2019

ELDER, W J

FS William John Elder, R/65845, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 15 January 1942, Aged 20

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1759 (15-Jan-1942) BU-L

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 103.

Born in Toronto Canada

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

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

Date record last updated : 9 March 2009

ELELMAN, M

Sgt M (Jinx) Elelman, Rear gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Leyshon
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2841 (29-Jan-1941) BU-K

He survived the war but died some years ago. His widow Mrs H Elelman was an early member of the Squadron Association.

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

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009

ELLIOT, R W G

ELLIOTT, T D

Fg/Off T D Elliott, Navigator

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

ELLIS-BROWN, R

Roy is the Pilot in the Stirling (left seat)

Ellis-Brown_Roy_2

Roy in the RAF

Ellis-Brown_Roy_3

Roy in the USAAF

Flt/Lt Roy 'E-B' Ellis-Brown DFC MiD, 61993, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : American

Born 3 July 1914

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, USA

Son of Ivor and Violet Ellis

Sheridan recognises Roy in the Squadron photograph 1942 in Photo Album 4.

"My Dad is in the first row, where the crease is under the (1942 photograph) Stirling cockpit, he is just to the right of the crease, the shorter man sitting my Dad was about 5' 10"

Roy flew in the 7th Squadron before joining 214 Squadron.

Roy received all of the following Honours DFC RAF, mentioned in despatches, Croix de Guerre, two one Palms one with Silver Star, DFC USAAF, Air Medal, other campaign medals.

Service history with RAF :
1941 #20 Op Flying Unit (Wellingtons) 7th Squadron,
7th Sqd Conversion Flight,
1651 Conversion Flight,
214 Sqd July 15, 1942, two (2) tours 56 Bombing Mission RAF

Joined USAAF 3 March 1943
310 Ferrying Squadron, Flying B24's,
Joined 25 Bomb Group, 654 Sqd flying Mosquito's Reconnaissance,
Promoted to Major and was Operations Officer.
Resigned from USAF in 1948

Roy died on 22 June 1994 aged 79

Source : Sheridan Ellis-Brown (son of Roy Ellis-Brown)

Date record last updated : 10 March 2023

ELSE, J S

Taken about 1941 in Sheffield England

Sgt Joseph Shield Else, 755881, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 14 July 1941, Aged 20

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 43.

Son of Joe and Mary Ellen Else, of Norton Lees, Derbyshire.

Beverley Ramsden writes :
Also, I have this newspaper snippet from "The Sheffield Star", dated July 26th 1941
"City Raid Hero is Now Reported Missing"
A Sheffield Airman who did heroic work when home on raids, has now been officially reported missing while taking part in air operations over Germany. He is Sergeant Wireless-Operator-Air-Gunner Jospeh Shield Else, aged 20, of 92 Balfour Road, Darnall, Sheffield. While home on leave last December he put on old clothes and went out with his brother, a member of the Sheffield A.F.S., to fight fires. Major J.W.Merryweather, then Commandant of the Sheffield A.F.S., wrote a letter to his commanding officer complimenting Else on his 'heroic behaviour'. Educated at Woodhouse Grammar School, Else worked in the research laboratories at Thomas Firth and John Brown Ltd., and was called up as a Reservist at the outbreak of war.

Source : Ian Hunt, extracted from Operations record book, PRO and CWGC and Beverley Ramsden (relative of Sgt Else)

Date record last updated : 20 October 2017

EMMS, A F M

Sgt Albert Frederick Mons Emms, 1376234, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 March 1942, Aged 27

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

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

Son of Frederick and Sarah Emms; husband of Phyllis Mary Emms, of Welling, Kent.

Source : CWGC and Hans J. Kobes, Vriezenveen (NL) and John Cripps

Date record last updated : 29 December 2009

ENGLISH, R G G

Sqn/Ldr Robert Graham Godfrey English, 39724, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I N3729 (07-Aug-1942) BU-R

Born 14 September 1917

Born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK

Son of Irwin Marcus Douglas English and Constance Vincente Taylor. Husband of Valerie Margaret Stafford Robinson. Husband of Monica Mary Barrett.

Please click on this link to see more information on Sqn/Ldr English, compiled by William Wallworth

Later OC No. 220 Squadron September to November 1944; OC RAF Schleswigland 1955-57

Robert died in 2001.

Source : 214 Squadron ORB and Richard Maddox (researcher) and William Wallworth (researcher)

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023

ENRIGHT, C T

Sgt C T Enright, A404312, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C ??Enright (22-Dec-1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) ??Smith
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8842 (09-Feb-1942) BU-?

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

He was again 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

ERBY, E H

FS Edward Hamilton Erby, 1287615, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 1 April 1942, Aged 32

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 74

Son of William Henry and Gertrude Adela Erby, of Brighton, Sussex.

Source : Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 29 December 2009

ERCOLANI, L B

Sqn/Ldr Lucian Brett Ercolani DSO DFC, Pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) X3206

See Photo Album 3 for newsclipping on Sqn/Ldr Ercolani and the loss of his Wellington.

He received his DSO for this mission.
As a result of this mission his father (of Ercol Furniture fame) presented the Squadron with a carved, wooden Squadron crest, which still exists and is put on display at the annual reunions.
5 March 1941 - Posted to 21OTU
16 May 1941 - Posted to 214 Squadron
28 January 1942 - Posted to 1483 GF
Travelled by ship to Takoradi
29 November 1942 - Ferry flight across Africa to Cairo, en-route for India. Now listed as Squadron Leader.
7 December 1942 - New Delhi India
12 December 1942 - Posted to 99 Squadron Digri India as Flight Commander
18 September 1943 - Posted to 355 Squadron Salbani

Ercolani was well known to Fg/Off Bill Esplen and his wife as both he and his wife were billeted at the same farm as them.

Lucian Brett, DSO DFC. Peacefully on 13th February 2010, aged 92 after a short illness. Dearly loved father of Jane, grandfather of Charlotte and James and great grandfather of Seba and Rosa. The Funeral Service was held at All Saints Parish Church, High Wycombe on Tuesday, 23rd February at 2.30 pm followed by a private family burial.

Source : Simon Esplen and Colin Burningham and W.R. Chorley and Ron Stilwell and obituary in local newspaper

Date record last updated : 14 March 2010

ESPLEN, W

Fg/Off William Esplen, 82979, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 8 September 1941, Aged 33

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

Buried in BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 4. A. 11.

Son of William and Lucie Esplen; husband of Kathleen Eleanor Esplen, of Kingston Hill, Surrey.

The following was kindly provided to Simon and his family by Jock Whitehouse and Godfrey Moffatt. Quote:

Esplen_William_2

F/O Bill Esplen - Stradishall

Bill Esplen was a popular and well-liked member of No 214 Squadron at Stradishall. His trade was a Wireless Operator/Air-Gunner.
In August 1941 South African Wg Cdr G L Cruickshanks DFC (ex-No.9 Squadron) took over command of 214 on the completion of W/C RB "Duck" Jordan's time as CO. The squadron was active over many targets over this period and on 7/8 September detailed 11 aircraft; part of a force of 197 aircraft including 103 Wellingtons; to attack Berlin.
Squadron Commanders were allowed to fly a limited number of "ops" and the new CO decided to make his first trip with 214 but instead of flying with a normal crew (as captain or second pilot) W/C Cruickshanks got together a "scratch" crew consisting of a number of experienced aircrew; W/C G L Cruickshanks DFC (captain) S/L W Davies (possibly second pilot) aged 44); Flt Lt Keith Falconer DFC (navigator 33); Fg Off Bill Esplen (W/op) (33); and Sgts L T Chapman (27); and A N Page (26) (air-gunners).

All with the exception of Sgt Chapman were married and you will see that few were "youngsters" - (no age was given for Wg Cdr).

The raid was claimed to be successful; although some crews failed to find Berlin. 15 aircrafts were lost including 5 Wellingtons. 214 lost only one.; 214's R1784 is reported "shot down" either by flak or night-fighters. All the six crew are buried together in the Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery.

On rare occasions an aircrew could consist of a disproportionate number of officers high ranking or otherwise; and in the RAF; the man sitting in the left-hand (pilot's) seat was the boss even if an NCO.

I am not sure which was Bill's regular crew or how many "ops" he had flown; but Keith Falconer had actually finished his tour and had no need to fly; but agreed on this one trip with his new CO. Keith was married to a "glamorous" film star and like Bill was a very popular figure. The outgoing CO (W/C Jordan) was greatly upset by the loss as Keith was always his own choice for navigator. (W/C Jordan flew regularly) and he had arranged for Keith to join him as an instructor at the OTU at Bramcote.

W/C Cruickshanks was replaced by W/C Barry McFadden DFC who himself was lost in February 1942 on operations but flying with a regular crew.

Endquote

Esplen_William_3

Above: W/Cdr Cruickshanks and Percy Picard second from the left is Gp/Cpt Harry Bufton

Esplen_William_5

The two photos above are somewhat of a mystery as to the location and the exact nature of the event. Simon, Bill's grandson explains: The small boy on the left is my father. Standing next to him with his hands on his hips is my grandfather. My grandmother recalled that this was a sports day held to mark the occasion of an officer who had recently been decorated. That officer is second from the left talking to my grandfather. Godfrey Moffatt has supplied me with a photocopy of a photo previously which related to a sports day and indeed my grandmother also had a copy of that photo. (other above) I suspect this is the same event. He advised me that one of the people in that photo was Percy "Picks" Picard of "Target for Tonight". It may be possible that in fact it was Picard in whose honour the sports day was held. In the group of four photo, Godfrey Moffatt has advised that the gentleman on the left is Picard and the person directly opposite him on the right hand side is Wing Commander Cruickshanks who in fact was captain of the plane in which my grandfather died.
Esplen_William_6

The following crew photographs are of exceptional quality as found in officially sanctioned photographs. While many of the crew are the same in both photos, none have been identified except F/O Esplen who is far right in above photo and third from left in bottom photo. Flt/Lt Keith James Falconer is third from the right on the back row in the top photograph. Note in the top photo some sort of steel structure with graphitti on it was used as the backdrop. In the photo below the group is posing in front of what appears to be an Armstrong Whitley Whitworth, such being the case this photo may not be of a 214 group. It is thought 138 squadron were stationed at Stradishall at the same time and they flew Whitleys. As per the wheel chock, the serial of this aircraft starts out K34????? Note also the men who are not suited up in both photos which is rather odd, it is also unknown why the large groups of 10 and 11 men, this can not be a single crew in 1941.
Esplen_William_8

If anyone can identify any of those in the photos, please contact Simon or the 214 Squadron website. Also see closeups of these photos in Photo album 3. Simon's grandmother had two very interesting newsclippings which can also be seen in the Photo album 3.

Source : Simon Esplen (Grandson of William Esplen) xxxsimone@russells.co.uk and CWGC and Jock Whitehouse and Godfrey Moffatt and Sam Bufton (son of Gp/Capt Bufton) and the family of Flt/Lt Keith James Falconer

Date record last updated : 30 January 2018

ETHERDEN, N G

Sgt N G Etherden, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 1 March 1943, POW number 27639

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9145 (01-Mar-1943) BU-K

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

Shot down in raid on Berlin 1 March 1943 and abandoned the aircraft. He was taken prisoner.

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

Date record last updated : 31 March 2023

ETIENNE, H T

Fg/Off Hugh Terence Etienne, 129058, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 5 March 1943, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK662 BU-K

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 124.

Son of Auguste and Rosetta Etienne, of Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter and CWGC and Chorley

Date record last updated : 5 January 2014

EVANS

Sgt Evans, Rear Gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 BU-G
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2776 (pre Sep-1940) BU-G

After completing operational training, Hargest, Evans and George Steven who had become good friends, narrowly escaped fate when they were posted to a squadron based in Newmarket - the horse racing track. The day before they arrived the squadron had lost six of their eight planes (shot down) and all six crews perished. Since there were no aircraft left the three were then posted on to 214 Sqdn at Stradishall and operations.

Sergeant Evans was rear gunner in Flying Officer John Leighton Beck's crew and in Pilot Officer Maurice Hartford's crew in 214 Squadron in the second half of 1940. When the rest of his crew was posted to Malta, he chose to remain in England although George Steven (the crew's other gunner) thought Evans was later posted to the Far East.

Source : Christopher Jary (author of "Portrait of a bomber pilot")

Date record last updated : 11 April 2009

EVANS

'Kiwi' Evans, Navigator

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

Source : Donald MacGilchrist

Date record last updated : 19 September 2008

EVANS, A

Sgt Arthur Evans, 1106238, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 July 1941, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2992 (07-Jul-1941) BU-J

Buried in AS COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 2

Son of William John and Margaret Alice Evans, of Rhyl, Flintshire.

Source : CWGC and grave photograph by Ivo Swinnen of As, Belgium

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009

EVANS, A H

Sqn/Ldr Adrian Hugh "dex" or "wigs" Evans DFC, 101510, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

Born 9 October 1916

Born in West Ham, London

Son of Charles Seddon Evans & Rose (nee Callaghan)

Flew Tiger Moth, Anson, Wellington, Liberator aircraft.

Died in 1989 aged 72

Buried in Corwall

Occasional Co-Pilot with Crew ??Leyshon

Charles Evans writes :
'I have recently come into possession of my father's flying log book.
From this I find that he served with 214 Squadron from December 1940 to September 1941. He is the Sgt Evans mentioned under your personnel
section, but with no information attached to his name. His service number was 101510. Full name Adrian Hugh Evans.

He flew his first tour of duty and completed his 30 "ops" with the squadron. His log book records several names in your personnel section, the most frequent being :-

Eddison, Hitchcock, Leyshorn, Hettrick

Looking at the number of times he flew with these other pilots he must have formed a close attachment to them all. I would be happy for my email contact to be given to any surviving relatives.

After his tour of duty, my father went to Lossiemouth to train other pilots and later in 1942 joined 160 Squadron for his second tour in the Middle East.

He finished the war as a Squadron Leader with a DFC.'

Source : Aled Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon) and Charles Evans (son of Sqn/Ldr Evans)

Date record last updated : 8 December 2017

EVANS, J J

Sgt John James Evans, 619407, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 3 August 1943

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 149.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 Jantuary 2011

EVANS, J W

Plt/Off John Wesley Evans, J/18037, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 24 May 1943, Aged 22

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 175

Son of Alfred Ethelbert Evans and Minnie Evans, of Richlea, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2003.

Date record last updated : 18 February 2008

EVANS, R F

Sgt Ronald Frank Evans, 635327, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 3 February 1943

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9165 (20-Nov-1942) BU-Y
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9197 (03-Feb-1943) BU-V

Buried in AMERSFOORT (OUD LEUSDEN) GENERAL CEMETERY. Plot 13. Row 5. Grave 81.

Source : CWGC and 214 Squadron ORB and Chorley

Date record last updated : 28 April 2023

EVERETT, A P

Sgt Andrew Paton Everett, 979937, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 15 February 1942, Aged 26

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z1081 BU-B

Buried in FLUSHING (VLISSINGEN) NORTHERN CEMETERY. Reference : Row B. Grave 22.

Son of William C. and Nellie B. Everett, of Glasgow.

He died after spending several days in a dinghy after the aircraft ditched on 12 Februray 1942.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2005 and John Jones (researcher)

Date record last updated : 10 May 2019

© Copyright No. 214 Squadron website and the families and contributors to the site.

All information, pictures and articles on this site, unless otherwise indicated, are the property and copyright of the families of the No. 214 Squadron collectively or of an individual member.

The use of any materials from this site for any commercial purpose whatsoever is strictly forbidden.

Privacy / Data Notice

This site was developed using