No. 214 (FMS) Squadron RAF - Personnel

PERSONNEL

J

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

Surname :

JACK, J G

Sgt J G Jack, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 1 March 1943, POW number 27645

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9145 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

Date record last updated : 10 January 2016

JACKSON, A T B

Sgt A T B Jackson, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Nationality : New Zealand, Date taken POW 26 July 1942, POW number 25092

Imprisoned at POW camp Beninia?, Poland
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - from 1943, was previously Stalag 8B
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it became Stalag 344
SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

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

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020

JACKSON, G W

Sgt George William Jackson, 930818, Observer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 2 April 1942, Aged 20

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C Z8979 BU-P

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

Son of Stanley Jackson, and of Daisy Elizabeth Jackson, of Willesden, Middlesex.

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 23 August 2009

JACKSON, J M S

Fg/Off John Malcolm Shand Jackson, 171668, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 6 November 1944, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB788 (6 November 1944) BU-B

Buried in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. Grave 22. A. 8-12.

Son of Albert Peter and Muriel Emily Jackson, of Newbury, Berkshire.

During the period from April 1944 to May 1945 John flew 29 Fortress missions. (Actually "operational take-offs". Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc.)

Previously he flew Stirlings with 214 Squadron.

Source : CWGC and Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 30 November 2018

JACOB, R J

Sgt Richard John 'Jake' Jacob, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB819 (2 April 1945) BU-U

Jake volunteered for the RAF aged 18 and was accepted for air crew. He first flew in 1944 on Ansons while training. He passed out as a Sergeant and was posted to 214 Squadron flying as a gunner on Fortress aircraft, on decoy raids over the continent. Half of the crew were from Canada. He started as a waist gunner then flew as a rear gunner.
When asked what it was like to fly over enemy territory in wartime Jake said " We were scared but we did it". While at RAF Foulsham in Norfolk Jake met and fell in love with a motor transport driver named Gwe. They were married in St mary's Rickmansworth just after the end of the war. In those days clothes were rationed and a wedding dress was hard to come by, but as Gwen worked at MGM she was able to get married in a dress worn by Margaret Lockwood in "The Wicked Lady".After being demobbed he got a job as a clerk with Penman Jones solicitors and was offered articles. He qualified six years later and after a while he was offered a partnership. Eventually he became one of the four senior partners. He retired in 1988. He was appointed Chairman of the South Eastern Legal Aid area and sat as Deputy Registrar at the local County Court.

Source : F A Wilkes

Date record last updated : 16 January 2014

JACQUES, D H M

FS Douglas Harold Morton Jacques, R/76606, Wireless Operator / Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, KIA 15 April 1942, Aged 20

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

Buried in HEVERLEE WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Joint grave 3. E. 17-18.

Source : Chorley and CWGC and Alain Rosseels (Researcher from Belgium)

Date record last updated : 14 September 2018

JAFFE, H L

Hyman Louis Jaffe

Debbie Midda writes :
I have just confirmed story from my grandmother about one of her brothers who died over France in 1919. His name was Hyman Louis Jaffe and was killed with three others flying over France in 1919.

Source : Deborah Midda relation

Date record last updated : 7 June 2018

JAMES, D E

Fg/Off D E James

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK653 BU-A

Fg/Off James evaded capture when Stirling BK653 BU-A, crashed in the village of Bonneuil les Eaux, Northern France on 16 April 1943

Source : Julien Saguez, French Researcher and Chorley

Date record last updated : 30 July 2011

JAMES, R A

Sgt R A James

Was an occasional replacement for crew members of HB774 BU-G

Source : David Wright (son of Flt/Lt George Wright)

Date record last updated : 4 August 2009

JAMES, R A

Sgt Ronald Arthur 'Jimmy' James, 195159, Mid Upper Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR388 (2 June 1944) BU-H

Born 3 December 1923

Born in Northampton, England

Son of Arthur and Alice James of Northampton. Husband of Winifred.

Ronald joined the RAF in 1942 and completed two tours of operations, firstly with No.90 Squadron as a mid upper gunner on Stirling Bombers in the crew of Bill Day, DFC. He then moved to No. 214 Squadron in 1944 where he flew on B-17 Flying Fortresses as part of 100 Group special countermeasures operations.

At the end of the war he was posted to the Dutch East Indies where he helped with the release of prisoners of war and internees held by the Japanese in the prison camps of Java. After this he left the RAF and returned to Northampton, working in the commercial side of engineering and owning a transport motel. He then fulfilled his lifelong ambition of owning a bookshop which he ran with his son Steve.

He was a keen amateur historian and much of his retirement was spent writing.

He collected a great deal of information about the squadron with the help of Flt/Lt David Rurherford-Dickson, whose wife, Rosaleen organised the material including many photographs into a book that was named 'Avenging in the Shadows',published in 1989, with Ron 'Jimmy' James listed as the author.

Ronald also wrote several other books which he was not able to publish before his death. Fortunately his daughter, Elizabeth, published these for him in 2013 and they are now available from Amazon. One book entitled 'I Was One of the Brylcreem Boys' (isbn 9781481089593) is an autobiography of his experiences in the RAF and it refers to the time he spent in No. 214 Squadron. The other titles are 'Mercy Mission to Java' (isbn 9781481895477) and 'Winged Words' (isbn 9781482579796).

He died on 9 April 1995.

Source : Elizabeth James Ingham (daughter of Ronald), Rosaleen Dickson wife of Flt/Lt David Rutherford-Dickson and Mike Day (son of Sqn/Ldr Day)

Date record last updated : 22 June 2014

JAMES, R G

Sgt Raymond Godfrey James, 1652915, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 September 1943

Buried in HANOVER WAR CEMETERY. Reference : Coll. grave 10. D. 5-8.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 15 May 2020

JAMES, T W

Sgt Thomas Webley James, 541997, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 12 May 1941, Aged 24

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1462 BU-?

Born in Cardiff, Wales

Buried in HAMBURG CEMETERY. Reference : Joint grave 5A. F. 4-5.

Son of Evan Rhys James and Lily Maud James, of Gabalfa, Cardiff.

Source : Andrew Lindsay (nephew) and Christopher Jary - Author and Ian Hunt and CWGC

Date record last updated : 27 February 2010

JAMES, W H

Sgt William Henry James, 972478, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 December 1940

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R2476

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 15

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2006 and CWGC

Date record last updated : 11 April 2009

JARVIS, B

Bob Jarvis

Flew with WO Edwin Barnett.

Alan Barnett writes :
I believe Bob Jarvis & his family (wife & 3 or 4 daughters) later emigrated to Australia upon retiring from the RAF.

Source : Alan Barnett (son of WO Edwin Barnett)

Date record last updated : 30 October 2018

JEFFCOCK, R

F/WO Reginald Jeffcock DFM, Nationality : United Kingdom

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

Born 3 April 1923

Born in Sheffield England

Jeffcock_Reginald_2

Reginald inspecting a Lancaster at RAF Coningsby 1985Reginald Jeffcock served with distinction during the Second World War in the RAF. He completed 48 operations over enemy territory, including 21 missions to heavily defended Berlin, flying as a bomb-aimer in Lancaster bombers in 49 Squadron, 15 Group and, following a period as a bombing instructor, as a radar counter measures operator in B17 Flying Fortresses on special operations with 214 Squadron, 100 Group.
For his dedicated service he was presented with the Distinguished Flying Medal, on the morning of VE Day, by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

After the war he married and made a successful career as a sales engineer working for several Sheffield and national-based companies.

Jeff was a keen and gifted artist, capable of fine works in water-colour, oils and pastels and was a founder-member of the Buxton Arts Society.

A tireless worker for local causes he was, for several years a Parish councillor for Chapel-en-le-Frith, was a founder-member of the Chapel-en-le-Frith Amenity Society and served on the Carnival Committee for many years

He died on 14 January 1995, aged 71, at Chapel-en-Frith, Derbyshire. He was a resident in Chapel since 1981 and was survived by his wife Jessie, sons Timothy, Andrew and Steven and granddaughter Emma.

His brother, Donald, sadly died in 2004.

See more at:http://www.raf-air-bomber.com

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 22 June 2014

JEFFERY, S R

Sqn/Ldr Jeffery is on the left

Jeffrey_S_L_medals

Sqn/Ldr Jeffery's medals

Jeffrey_S_L_and_crew

Sqn/Ldr Jeffery and crew

Sqn/Ldr S R 'Roly' Jeffery

Sqn/Ldr S R Jeffery of 214 lost his parents at a young age and attended boarding school as a result of this.

He was recognised to have good academic skills and was selected for a boy apprenticeship at RAF Halton.

Once again his academic ability was recognised, and he was selected for Officer training and Pilot training. Whilst training he had elocution lessons. Once an officer he was assigned a batman.

Among the early aircraft he flew were biplanes Sopwith Camel and The Tiger Moth.

In 1935 he flew biplanes patrolling the river Nile during the Abyssinian conflict with mounted guns.

By the late 1930's he had qualified as a Pilot, qualified navigator, and trainer pilot.

Throughout his flying career he flew many different aircraft including many Bomber aircraft including Wellington, Lancaster, Blenheim, Stirling and the B29 Flying Fortress loaned by the USAF.

As a Pilot on 2nd Op of Plt/Off Bill Foskett per his log of 25 November 1943, Bill amusingly remembers Sqn/Ldr Jeffery as being a chain smoker who smoked steadily for 6hrs of an 8hr Op.

Having completed 30 Bombing raids to Germany he was then grounded and spent the remainder of the war training pilots in flight and navigation.

After WW2 "Roly" as he was affectionately known by his colleagues worked in air freight for Skyways and for Flight Refuelling LTD where he was a true pioneer of flight refuelling, in a converted Lancaster.

He is also noted in the book, A Thousand Shall Fall by Murray Peden

Source : Peter Jeffery (son) and Bill Foskett

Date record last updated : 10 January 2016

JENKINS

Fg/Off Jenkins, Co-pilot

Occasional Co-Pilot with Crew ??Leyshon

He was killed when he was the pilot of his own crew.

(This could possibly be the same person as Fg/Off RMP Jenkyns)

Source : Aled Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon)

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009

JENKINS

Sgt Jenkins

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) N3769 (25 June 1942)

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 8 February 2019

JENKINS, A N

Sgt A N Jenkins, R/70070, Observer

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

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

JENKINS, E B D

Plt/Off Edward Bertram Douglas Jenkins, 748696, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 28 December 1940

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C L7849

Buried in LUTON CHURCH BURIAL GROUND. Reference : Sec. 3. Row O. Grave 29.

William Frank Newbury writes :
Ted Jenkins' mother and my grandmother were neighbours and very good friends, the loss of Ted was hard for all family and friends. I was eight years old then and can remember seeing the Union flag draped coffin being brought into All Saints Church in Luton for the funeral. I also think that Ted, at the time, was engaged to Mary. This picture of Ted comes from a family collection, I hope this picture will add to the 214 Squadron archive and be seen by many on the website.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Winter / Spring 2006 and William Frank Newbury

Date record last updated : 10 November 2017

JENKINS, J C

Plt/Off John Charles Jenkins, 64315, Pilot, Royal Air Force, Nationality : British, KIA 15 July 1941, Aged 20

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II R1613 BU-G

Buried in RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 17.C.25

Son of David John & Gwendoline Jekins of Llanwenog, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Pilot Office Jenkins was originally buried in Evangelical Cemetery near where the aircraft crashed. His remains were removed to Rheinberg War Cemetery in 1945.

Source : Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 9 January 2017

JENKYNS, R M P

Fg/Off Reginald Maurice Peter Jenkyns, 76584, Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 7 July 1941, Aged 25

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C T2992 (7 July 1941) BU-J

Buried in AS COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Reference : Grave 5

Son of Reginald Richard and Julia Gladys Jenkyns, of Swaythling, Southampton.

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

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009

JENNINGS

FS Jennings, Port Waist Gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II ??Ingham BU-

Source : John Ritchie, son of Sgt J Ritchie

Date record last updated : 9 June 2009

JENNINGS, B R

Sgt Brian Roland Jennings, 1215579, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 12 March 1943, Aged 19

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

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

Son of Roland Bingham Jennings and Florence Amelia Jennings, of Hall Green, Birmingham.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2004 and Chorley

Date record last updated : 20 November 2020

JENNINGS, D R

Photograph taken approximately 1989

WO/II Douglas Reid Jennings DFC, R153179, Air Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, Date taken POW 21 June 1944, POW number Unknown

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark II SR382 BU-B

Named on the following Memorial : RAF Evaders Society (Canadian branch) Nominal Roll

Born 17 March 1922

Born in Middle Musquodoboit, Canada

Buried in RIVERSIDE CEMETERY, ELMSVALE, CANADA

Son of Austin Erle Jennings and Isabelle Marion (Reid) Jennings, Husband of Betty June Blakeny and Enid Wood

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

WO/II Jennings was the only crew member from Fortress BU.B to bail out and evade capture. Taken originally to a German run hospital with shrapnel in his leg he managed to escape later disguised as a policeman with the help of the Dutch Resistance and return to the UK. He was later awarded the DFC which was Gazetted November 1944. In later years he became a Minister in the Canadian Church.

Home in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia; home there. Enlisted in Halifax, 31 March 1942. Trained at No.5 ITS (graduated 10 October 1942), No.1 BGS (graduated 23 December 1942) and No.1 AOS (graduated 5 February 1943).

In air operations Warrant Officer Jennings has displayed courage, endurance and devotion to duty of the highest order.

Jennings_Douglas_Reid_3

Picture of Doug in his later years, reunited with Mientje Manders, one of the Dutch resistance fighters that had helped him escape the Germans. Photo is from a book titled "The Evaders" true stories of downed airmen and their helpers in world war 2. Published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson of Montreal Canada. Authors Emmerson Lavender and Norman Sheffe.

Obituary : JENNINGS, Reverend Douglas R. DFC - 80, passed away suddenly at home in Melville Gardens, Halifax, the evening of November 24, 2002. . Following a challenging childhood helping take care of his mother and younger sister during the Great Depression in Cleveland, Ohio, Doug enlisted with the RCAF and served overseas during the Second World War as a warrant officer with RAF's Bomber Command covert operations. He was before being shot down and wounded over occupied Holland, escaping custody and returning to Allied lines with the help of the Dutch and Belgian undergrounds, thus earning his Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), which he modestly referred to as the EGO (Everybody Got One). After the war, he studied at Dalhousie University and Pine Hill Divinity Hall before being ordained at St. Matthew's United Church, Halifax and moving to Maitland, to serve for a couple of years as Minister at the United Church there. Doug moved his ministry to India for 17 years with his late wife, Betty and their four children; as an evangelist, director of a vocational/residential school, then an agricultural advisor. He returned to Canada in the early 1970s to serve United Church of Canada congregations in Bayfield, N.B., Amherst, N.S. and Peticodiac, N.B. before retiring to live in Truro with his second wife, Enid (Wood) Jennings, where they operated the Lonely Planet Guide internationally-rated Blue House Inn for a number of years before retiring once more to Halifax. Doug loved theology, motorcycles, cars, keeping up with current events, tennis, photography and his extended family of kin and old and new friends. Doug will always be remembered by those who knew him as striving against the traces of conformity, standing up for his beliefs, loving a good conversation and having the soft touch for the underdog that enabled him to befriend the downtrodden and kings with the same frank interest. He was predeceased by his mother and father; sister, Mary (Kaulback); wife, Betty June (Blakney). He is mourned by his wife, Enid; sons, David, Halifax; Andrew, Shediac, N.B.; Christopher, Vancouver, B.C.; daughter, Rebecca, Perth, Australia, as well as by grandchildren, Aine, Ariadne, Eli, Austin and Walker. Also surviving are stepsons, Leslie Wood, Charlottetown; David Wood, Amherst; stepdaughters, Margaret Wood, Halifax; June Julian, Porters Lake. Memorial donations may be made to the United Church World Missions and Service Fund or to The Salvation Army. Visiting 7-9 p.m. today, funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, November 28, both in Riverside United Church, Elmsvale, Rev. Marjory Cornelius officiating. Interment in Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Arimathea Funeral Co-op, Upper Musquodoboit. Condolences : Andrewxxx@computing-resources.com

Source : Andrew Jennings (son) and John Cripps (nephew of Sgt Sydney Bryant) and Obituary and Nightjar Newsletter Spring 2003

Date record last updated : 30 October 2020

JENNINGS, G J E

FS Geoffrey James Edward Jennings DFM, 1394514, Rear Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, Date taken POW 24 February 1945, POW number Unknown

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB805 BU-C

Born 1 May 1923

Born in Hatfield, Herts, England

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Flt/Lt Leslie Fowler and FS Jennings were the only ones to survive the crash. Fowler was wounded and taken to a hospital by the Germans. He died on 15 March 1945 and was buried in Zuidlaren General Cemetery. Jennings spent the rest of the war in POW camps. No POW number listed. No POW camps listed.

Also served with 76 Squadron, where he was awarded DFM, reported in London Gazette 30 June 1944.

Geoffrey died in 1987 in Hatfield, Herts, England

Source : Jackie Jennings (daughter) and Ian Hunt and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton Brock and London Gazette and Ernst-Jan Jonkers (researcher)

Date record last updated : 6 October 2019

JERRARD, J E

Sgt John Edward Jerrard, 961532, Observer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 29 August 1941, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1604 BU-?

Buried in FLUSHING (VLISSINGEN) NORTHERN CEMETERY. Reference : Row B Grave 5

Son of Gordon Charles and Ida Louisa Terrard, of Walthamstow, Essex.

Source : Chorley and CWGC

Date record last updated : 5 January 2014

JEWSBURY, R F

Fg/Off R F 'Bob' Jewsbury, Bomb Aimer

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) ??Dixon
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III BK663 (29 March 1943)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) EF403 (18 September 1943) BU-G

Served with 214 Squadron from March 1943 as a bomb aimer on Stirlings, completing a full tour of ops.

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

John Jewsbury (son of R F Jewsbury) has written a history of his father and the ??Dixon crew. Click here to read the document :R F (Bob) Jewsbury his RAF time

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

Date record last updated : 10 July 2009

JOHN-BIGGS, W

Sgt W John-Biggs, Air Gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I R9355 (2 July 1942)

Source : Arthur Skone

Date record last updated : 22 June 2014

JOHNSON, F

Sqn/Ldr Fielding Johnson

Johnson who was with "A Fight" 214 was the oldest rear gunner in the service 40/41. He was a London MP. and also served as a Navigator gunner in the 14/18 RFC.

Source : William Walker, UK

JOHNSON, G E

Sgt George Eric Johnson, 1124496, Navigator, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 3 February 1943, Aged 21

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

Named on the following Memorial :Darlington War Memorial Hospital BOR
Named on the following Memorial : No. 3 Group Bomber Command Roll of Honour in the RAF Window in Ely Cathedral.
Named on the following Memorial : RAF Chedburgh Book of Remembrance in All Saints Church, Chedburgh
Named on the following Memorial : RAF Chedburgh Memorial

Buried in BENSCHOP GENERAL CEMETERY. Reference : Collective Grave

Son of Lawrence George and Hilda Mary Johnson, of Darlington, Co. Durham.

Source : CWGC and Nightjar Newsletters Spring 2004 and Spring 2008 and Simon Glancey

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017

JOHNSON, L A

WO Leonard Alfred Johnson DFC, R78489, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : American

Born in St Paul, Minnesota, USA

Born in 1914. He was a newsman in Minnesota.
Enlisted in Toronto, 24 October 1941. Trained at No.1 ITS, No.7 EFTS, and No.2 SFTS.

One night in July 1942, Warrant Officer Johnson and Sergeants Agg and McGowen were captain and air gunners respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack Saarbrucken. Before the target was reached the aircraft was engaged by a Messerschmitt 110. Sergeants Agg and McGowen met several attacks with resolute fire and succeeded in destroying the attacker. The skillful airmanship of Warrant Officer Johnson contributed materially to this success.

On another occasion in August 1942, this aircrew were detailed to attack Nuremberg. On the outward flight, whilst still a considerable distance from the target, their aircraft was intercepted by an enemy fighter. Skilful maneuvering by Warrant Officer Johnson enabled his gunners to deliver their fire from a favourable position and destroy the attacker. Despite damage sustained to his aircraft,
Warrant Officer Johnson continued his mission, located his target and bombed it. These airmen have displayed praiseworthy determination to achieve their purposes.

DFC Award effective 8 September 1942 as per London Gazette dated 29 September 1942 and AFRO 1653/42 dated 16 October 1942.

Source :http://www.airforce.ca/wwii/ALPHA-JO.html and Kate Brettell

Date record last updated : 29 December 2008

JOHNSON, M A

Excerpt from Operations Record Book

Flt/Lt Marshall Angus Johnson, R68074 and J96444, Rear Gunner, Royal Canadian Air Force, Nationality : Canadian, Date taken POW 14 July 1941, POW number 39260

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II R1613 BU-G

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

Born 1 January 1921

Born in St Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Only son of Mr & Mrs Angus Johnson

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Member of the Elgin Regiment prior to enlisting in the RAF. Graduated from the Fingal Bombing and Gunnery school on Mar 15 1941. Promoted P/O 9th May 1944 authority AFHQ-M7258, Promoted F/O 1st November 1944 authority AFHQ- . Received his commission from the RCAF 1st of May, 1944., promoted Temporary Flying Officer effective 1st November, 1944

Marsh left for home via the L L Louis Pasteur June 1 - 7, 1945

Friends : Martin Marty Platz, Bill Haslam (pow), Bill Donnely

Marsh arrived at 214 Squadron, threw his kit on his bunk, climbed into a Wellington for his first Op and never came back, he spent the entire rest of the war in a German prison camp. As a result, having few friends or shared experiences (other than his pilot) he went the entire rest of his life feeling like an outsider to the Squadron. Hardly surprising considering he was four years imprisoned and mere days on the squadron. He of course was not alone and this is why so many turned to the POW Associations, it was with other POW's they felt a bond and it was all they had. How fitting it is then that after so many decades has passed that Marsh would come to be founder of the 214 Squadron web site.

14 July 1941. While at 10,000 feet over the city of Bremen in Germany, BU-G was attacked by a german fighter aircraft who came from above and to the side. According to pilot Crampton, Marsh who was rear gunner at the time, calmly announced over the intercom, as if he were talking about the weather, "down the phones, we are under attack" and promptly sent up a hail of gun fire to meet his attacker. The German fighter raked the forward section of BU-G killing their second pilot Jenkins and the aircraft immediately exploded in flames. The rest of the crew managed to bale out safely with only minor injuries but Sgt Kent's chute caught and tangled on the tail of the flaming aircraft and he was pulled down with it to his death. All of the surviving members were captured by the germans, two of whom were sent to a german hospital and the rest off to prison camp where they spent the rest of the war.

He died on 23 September 2003

Kevin Krawford writes :

"It is with heavy heart I regret to inform everyone that Flt/Lt Marshall Johnson (Marsh) passed away this morning September 23, 2003

Marsh has been very ill for some time but you never let go of hope even down to the final hour. In the worst, I naively consoled myself thinking that 'knowing this day was coming' would ease the hurt and that horrible emptiness when the day finally came. It does not in the slightest. To Marsh's wife Shirley, one of the most wonderful ladies I know, and to their children Anne & Howard, and to Leonard and the grandchildren I would like to extend my deepest sympathy. I feel helpless knowing there is nothing I can do or say.

Marsh's loss hits hard personally, but there is always a feeling of great sadness when I learn of the loss of any of our veterans. Not only for them and their family, but also for the memories that are lost for eternity. Those that made it home are the trustees of the memories of friends and comrades who 'did not' and it is often a great subconscious burden they carry. Only now, are many of us awakening to the fact that these memories are the last hope and a priceless gift to someone, somewhere, searching for information on their lost loved one. Marsh saw this clearly, and helped me to understand that this gift is exchanged both ways, and that "both" part company with forever lighter hearts.

In talking with Marsh over drinks one day, the conversation turned to these difficulties facing the many thousands of people who are desperately searching for information on a family member lost during the war. Marsh wryly appreciated the fact that those who made it home were getting fewer every day and that the few memories and information left to capture would soon be gone forever. We both wondered, and confessed our own guilt, at the human nature that causes us to leave these things until it is to late. (A sentiment I know, which has been echoed by many of you.) He thought there should be some means for veterans like himself to record and pool their memories, for the benefit of those families who lost a family member. It was this comment which inspired and sparked the idea for a web site and many long months later the FMS 214 Squadron site was born.

Sadly, Marsh was never to see his idea and dream become reality as his health and vision deteriorated rapidly while I was immersed in building it. In fact, he has never so much as seen the site, let alone to share in the great joy I have had in meeting the many families who have written in. It saddens me beyond words he was cheated out of sharing in this. Marsh never finished his own profile despite my constant nagging, "why would anyone want to read about me he'd ask?" Like many other veterans, he never felt his contribution was important, it was always the other guy who should get the spotlight and the credit. However, he continued to help as best he could and he would but shake his head in disbelief when I told him of all the letters and help with the project that was pouring in from all over the world. Like any other veteran he was deeply moved and grateful to know, there really are so many people who "still remember" and "still care".

On behalf of Marsh, my sincerest thanks to all of you for getting involved with the project and making it a success. We can all take tremendous pride in the fact the site has already brought together scores of the 214 Squadron families from around the world, most for the first time, and has reunited veterans who have not spoke in over half a century. Numerous children and grandchildren desperately searching for any information on the father or grandfather they never knew have found help or in the least, hope. I owe Marsh profoundly for my being able to play a small part in this. This site is his legacy, It is a great gift to us all but no less do we owe 'all' the veterans found here within it's pages.

Johnson_Marshall_Angus_2

SITE FOUNDER
Flt/Lt MARSHALL A JOHNSON

Marsh hated this picture and wished I would put up a special favorite of his, wearing his Officers cap. However, I steadfastly refused to take this one down until he finished his profile in the personnel section. Of course he never did finish it, but It was great fun antagonizing him at every opportunity by drawing his attention to the fact that people from all over the world were seeing his dreaded picture. Not one to be a sore loser, his daughter Anne brought over the other picture, which you see on the opening page to this site.

You win Marsh, I tip my hat (pun intended) to the more stubborn of the two of us. I knew I would lose anyway, Age and Treachery always overcomes Youth and Skill. I miss you.

GOODBYE MY DEAR FRIEND"

Click here to read Marsh's Scrapbook

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

Date record last updated : 9 January 2017

JOHNSON-BIGGS, W A

Flt/Lt W A 'Johnny' Johnson-Biggs DFC, Rear Gunner

Johnny, with his wife, was a regular attender at Reunions until 2004 when age and ill health prevented him from coming.
His story, "How I became an air gunner" was published in the Winter/Spring 2006 edition of the Nightjar.
He joined the RAF in 1935 and trained as a medical orderly in the rank of ACl and ended the war as a Flt/Lt. with a DFC . He flew a total of 67 ops as a rear gunner (a few as mid-upper) with 214 on Stirlings and 15, 97 and 619 Squadrons on Lancasters. He was also credited with shooting down two night fighters. He was awarded the DFC on June 30th. 1944.

Johnny died on February 14th. 2007 aged 96

At his funeral service on March 1st 2007 Norman Storey, a 214 Squadron Association member and a fellow air gunner read out a tribute to Johnny and said he was a very courageous man in both war and peace and always cheerful whatever adversity befell him.
At the beginning and end of the funeral service an organist played "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines" and during part of the service the "Dambusters March" was played.

Source : Nightjar Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2007

Date record last updated : 7 November 2009

JOHNSTON, C K

FS C K Johnston DFM, Rear Gunner

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BK600

Not listed on Squadron ORB for BK600 but listed on log book?

Source : George Johnston (son)

Date record last updated : 3 October 2010

JONES

Sgt Jones, Co-pilot

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2708 BU-N
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) T2992 BU-J

Source : Ian Hunt

JONES, A E

Sgt A E Jones, 949607, Waist Gunner, Date taken POW 29 September 1941, POW number 18329

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ119 BU-O
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9884 BU-?

Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it became Stalag 344
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany - dates unknown

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 1 January 2010

JONES, A M

Fg/Off Allan Milton Jones DFM, 1256275, Mid Upper Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 February 1945

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB805 BU-C

Buried in RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 6.E.21

Was also with 115 Squadron where he received the DFM recorded in the London Gazette on 15 June 1943.

Source : CWGC and Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 7 December 2008

JONES, A N

Sgt A N Jones, 949607, Date taken POW 29 September 1941, POW number 18329

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C X9884 BU-?

Imprisoned at POW camp Heydekrug (Silute), Lithuania
Imprisoned at POW camp Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Germany - until 1943 when it became Stalag 344
Imprisoned at POW camp Sagan (Zagan) & Belaria, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany - dates unknown

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

Source : Nicola Jones (daughter of Sgt Leslie Hancock) and "Footprints on the sands of time" by Oliver Clutton-Brock and Chorley

Date record last updated : 1 January 2010

JONES, D S

AC2 David Stephen Jones, 1071392, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, KIA 15 March 1941, Aged 29

Buried in LAMPETER (ST. PETER) CHURCHYARD. Reference : North of church.

Son of Stephen and Elizabeth Jones, of Lampeter; husband of Marjorie Gwendoline Jones, of Corwen, Merionethshire.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 30 September 2020

JONES, E H

Flt/Lt Eric H 'Taffy' Jones

He was the pilot for one Fortress flight between April 1944 to May 1945 (actual operational take-offs. Does not disregard aborted ops, early returns etc.)

Source : Ian Hunt

Date record last updated : 7 December 2018

JONES, G T

Sgt Godfrey Tegid Jones, 947989, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 25 June 1941, Aged 23

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1609

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 46.

Son of Godfrey Jones, and of Jane Ellen Jones, of Llysfaen, Caernarvonshire.

Source : CWGC

Date record last updated : 12 October 2011

JONES, H E

FS H E Jones, Waist Gunner, Nationality : British, Date taken POW 14 July 1941, POW number 39271

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark II R1613 BU-G

Imprisoned at POW camp Bad Sulza / Muhlhausen, Germany
Imprisoned at POW camp Thorn (Torun), Poland OR Oerbke (Fallingbostel), Germany - dates unknown

SEE PRISONERS OF WAR

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

Date record last updated : 9 January 2017

JONES, J H

Sgt J H Jones

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling (model unknown) BF318 (16 July 1942)

Source : Bob Brown (nephew of Sgt Richard Kerry)

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017

JONES, R A D

Sgt Robert Alan Derek Jones, 1811322, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 22 March 1945, Aged 20

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 275

Son of Eric George and Matilda Emily Jones, of East Dulwich, London.

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

Date record last updated : 27 July 2010

JONES, S L

FS Stanley Llewellyn Jones, 1256275, Waist Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 February 1945

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III HB805 BU-C

Buried in RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY. Reference : 6.E.21

Source : CWGC and Ian Hunt and KJ Jones (relative)

Date record last updated : 7 December 2008

JONES, T

Sgt T Jones, Co-pilot

Occasional Co-Pilot with Crew ??Leyshon

He was killed when he was the pilot of his own crew.

Source : Aled Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon)

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009

JONES, T

Sgt Thomas Jones, 1622196, Air Gunner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 24 June 1943, Aged 33

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark III EE883 BU-T

Buried atNOORDWIJK GENERAL CEMETERY. Plot 6. Joint grave 2.

Son of Robert and Elizabeth Jones, of Penrhos, Caernarvonshire.

Source : Ian Hunt and CWGC

JONES, W H

Sgt William Henry Jones, 571733, Flight Engineer, Royal Air Force, KIA 17 August 1942, Aged 21

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Stirling Mark I BF330 BU-H

Named on the following Memorial :Durham Johnstone School

Buried in MANBY (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD. Reference : Grave 9.

Son of Alfred Benjamin and Jane Ann Jones, of Langley Moor, Co. Durham.

Source : CWGC and Simon Glancey

Date record last updated : 1 December 2017

JORDAN

Wg/Cdr Jordan, Co-pilot

Occasional Co-Pilot with Crew ??Leyshon

Commanding Officer of 214 Squadron. He retired as Air Chiel Marshall

Source : Aled Leyshon (grandson of Mervyn Leyshon)

Date record last updated : 2 October 2009

JORDAN, J

Sgt James Jordan, Observer

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) N2802 (7 September 1941) BU-A
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington Mark I C R1342 (9 July 1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R3233 (14 July 1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R3233 (17 July 1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R3233 (20 July 1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R3233 (23 July 1941)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Wellington (model unknown) R3233 (25 July 1941)

Source : Lynn Mortimer (daughter of Flt/Lt John Valentine Swan) and 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 28 February 2020

JUBB, B M

Sgt Brian McMahon Jubb, 1315154, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Nationality : United Kingdom, KIA 26 May 1943, Aged 21

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

Named on the following Memorial : RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL Panel 155

Son of Edwin Charles Jubb, C.B., O.B.E., and Emily Herbert Jubb, of Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire.

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

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

Date record last updated : 31 January 2010

JUDGE, S

Sgt S Judge

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Flying Fortress Mark III KJ110 (1 February 1945) BU-B

Source : 214 Squadron ORB

Date record last updated : 17 April 2020

JUKES

Flt/Lt 'Bert' Jukes, Navigator / Plotter

SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker ??Barrell (July 1969)
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA936
SEE CREWS AND LOSSES for Victor Mark I - 3 point tanker XA937 (11 January 1977)

Bertie's wife, Mary, died in May 2012.

Source : Tom Robson and Squadron Association and Nightjar Newlsletter May 2013 and Flt/Lt David Card

Date record last updated : 14 September 2018

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