Showing 914 results

Davies, Kenneth Frederick, son of Frederick Albert Davies of Beaconsfield, and Ellen Florence, d. of Alfred George Phillips of Devonport; b. 16 Dec. 1918; adm. Sept. 1932 (R); left Dec. 1936; RAF in WW2 (Corpl Armourer); lost in HM Minelayer Welshman (Med.) 1 Feb. 1943.

Kenneth Frederick Davies was born at Acton, Middlesex on the 16th of December 1918 the son of Frederick Albert Davies, secretary to a public company, and Ellen Florence (nee Phillips) Davies of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire. He was christened at St Martin’s Church, West Acton on the 21st of June 1919. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1932 to December 1936. On leaving school he worked as an Assistant Transport Superintendant and lodged at 9, Nevern Square, Kensington in London.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he trained as an armourer and rose to the rank of Corporal.
In January 1943, Kenneth Davies boarded the cruiser minelayer HMS Welshman (M84) , under the command of Captain William Howard Dennis Friedberger DSO RN, which was transporting men and stores from Malta to Tobruk. At 5.45pm on the 1st of February 1943, HMS Welshman was struck by two torpedoes from of a spread of four which had been fired by the U Boat U-617, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Albrecht Brandt. The main deck area flooded and she capsized and sank two hours later with the loss of 163 of her passengers and crew. Several of the casualties were caused by exploding depth charges as she sank. 118 survivors were picked up after five hours in the water by the destroyers HMS Tetcott and HMS Belvoir and were taken to Alexandria. A further 6 survivors were rescued by small craft which had sailed out from Tobruk.
He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial Panel 9, Column 2.

Cumberland, Bentinck Howard, son of Walter Bertie Cumberland, GPO engineer, of Hendon, and Edith Howard, d. of Edmund Rawles of Hampstead; b. 6 Sept. 1917; adm. Apr. 1931 (R); left July 1936; The Loyal Regt 1940-3 (Capt.); killed in action (N. Africa) 30 Apr. 1943.

Bentinck Howard “Benty” Cumberland was born at Hampstead, London on the 6th of September 1917 the only son of Walter Bertie Cumberland, an engineer for the General Post Office, and Edith Howard (nee Rawles) Cumberland of 26, Shirehall Lane, Hendon in Middlesex. He was christened at St Mark’s Church, Marylebone on the 20th of October 1917. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from April 1931 to July 1936. He was a member of the 1st Rowing VIII in 1935 and 1936 where he rowed at No. 6. On leaving school he was articled to a firm of chartered accountants. He was elected as a member of the London Rowing Club in 1936.
He attended the 163rd Officer Cadet Training Unit (Artists Rifles) before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) on the 3rd of August 1940 where he was later appointed as Battalion Transport Officer.
On the 29th of April 1943 the 1st Battalion, The Loyal Regiment was near Djebel Rhaouas in Tunisia where they had been involved in heavy fighting the previous day and were preparing to renew their attack. At 6am that morning 14 enemy tanks passed through the Gabgab gap towards the Battalion but soon came under British artillery fire and withdrew at 8am. Later than morning B Company was ordered to join C Company to reinforce 117 Metre Hill where enemy tanks had been seen. At 1.30pm 20 enemy tanks managed to infiltrate a gap in the British positions and established themselves on a nearby ridge where they dominated the approaches to 117 Metre Hill. As soon as this move had been completed a further 20 enemy tanks, supported by infantry, advanced through the Gabgab Gap and headed towards The Loyals’ positions on 117 Metre Hill. C Company called down artillery fire on the enemy force but this did not deter them and they continued to advance. At 2.30pm, tanks of the 145th Royal Tank Regiment began moving forward to attack the enemy tanks but they lost six of their number in a short space of time and so they took up static positions some two miles from 117 Metre Hill where they fired in support of the infantry but this was largely ineffective.
The German force closed and overran the The Loyals’ Support Company on the western side of the hill, and destroyed most of the Battalion’s transport. The Battalion had also lost all of its anti tank guns. Having suffered very heavy casualties, the survivors formed into small groups on the perimeter of their position while the German tanks dug in where they were and continued firing on the British positions for the rest of the day. Just before dawn, rations were brought up to the forward British troops and it was at this time that Bentinck Cumberland was killed by mortar fire.
At dawn on the 30th of April 1943, the Germans began withdrawing through the Gabgab Gap and new anti tank guns were brought forward to defend the gap should they return.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at the London Rowing Club.
He is buried at Massicault War Cemetery Plot V, Row M Grave 3.

Burke, Ian Campbell, brother of Edmund Seymour Burke (q.v.); b. Aug. 14, 1917; adm. Sept. 22, 1931 (R); left April 1935; Pilot Officer, R.A.F.V.R. Jan. 5, 1941; killed in action 20 Sept. 1941.

Ian Campbell Burke was born at 89, Lower Sagget Street, Dublin on the 14th of August 1917 the younger son of Edmund Burke Edmund “Edo” Burke, a company director, and Sylvia Jayne (nee Hardy) Burke of Glenridge Hotel, Virginia Water in Surrey in Surrey and of the Granby Court Hotel, 88/89, Queen’s Gate, Brompton in London. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from the 22nd of September 1931 to April 1935.
On leaving school he was articled to a firm of Chartered Accountants and later worked as a tea salesroom assistant. He achieved a Royal Aero Club Certificate (No. 19921) at the Horton Kirby Flying Club on the 28th of August 1939, while flying a DH Moth, Gypsy Mk I. On the outbreak of war he was a member of the Civil Air Guard.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he rose to the rank of Leading Aircraftman before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 11th of January 1941, with seniority from the 5th of January 1941.
On the night of the 19th/20th of September 1941, Bomber Command dispatched 70 aircraft, most of which were Wellingtons, for an operation on Stettin. 60 aircraft reached and bombed the target but most crews had trouble locating the industrial targets allocated to them.
Ian Burke and his crew took off from RAF Binbrook before landing at RAF Mildenhall to refuel, from where they took off again at 10.58pm on the 19th of September 1941 in Wellington Mk II W5384 QT- for the operation. During the outward flight the port engine failed and the aircraft aborted its mission. It continued flying using only its starboard engine for most of the return flight. When its remaining engine also failed the aircraft was forced to ditch in the sea some eight miles to the east of Orford Ness, Suffolk at 3am. Five of the crew failed to get to the dinghy and were lost with only one of the crew being rescued.
The crew was: -
Pilot Officer Ian Campbell Burke (Pilot)
Sergeant Alexander Carstairs (Navigator)
Sergeant John Graham Jones (Wireless Operator)
Sergeant Trevor Gordon Lister (2nd Pilot)
Sergeant David John Mackintosh (Air Gunner)
Sergeant T.J. Rayment (Rear Gunner) (Injured)
Theirs was one of two aircraft which were lost during the raid.
The only survivor, Sergeant Rayment, later related that the port engine had failed two hours into the flight and before the aircraft had reached the target. The pilot turned the aircraft around and jettisoned the bomb load over enemy territory before flying for home at between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. While close to the Suffolk coast the starboard engine suddenly failed and a “good” landing was made on the sea. All of the crew were standing by to evacuate the aircraft and it not known why the remaining members of the crew did not survive. Sergeant Rayment was rescued and taken to the Naval Sick Bay at Ipswich where he was treated for exposure. It is thought that the port engine failed due to a leak in its coolant system but the failure of the starboard engine remains unexplained.
The body of John Jones was washed ashore on the 29th of September and was taken to the mortuary at RAF Martlesham where it was discovered that he had been killed by bullet wounds to the head and neck.
His brother, Sub Lieutenant (A) Edmund Seymour Burke RNVR OW, 800 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm was killed in action on the 30th of July 1941.
He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial Panel 31.

Burke, Edmund Seymour, son of Edmund Burke, of Kingston Hill, Surrey; b. 11 Aug. 1916; adm. Sept. 22, 1931 (R); left July 1935; Pembroke Coll. Oxon., matric. Michaelmas 1935; Sub-Lieut. (A) R.N.V.R.; killed in action 30 Jul. 1941.

Edmund Seymour Burke was born at Rathdown, Ireland on the 11th of August 1916 the elder son of Edmund “Edo” Burke, a company director, and Sylvia Jayne (nee Hardy) Burke of the Glenridge Hotel, Virginia Water in Surrey and of the Granby Court Hotel, 88/89, Queen’s Gate, Brompton in London. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1931 to July 1935. He played the part of Jane West in the Rigaud’s House Play of “The Fourth Wall” in 1934. He matriculated for Pembroke College, Oxford on the 15th of October 1935.
On leaving university he worked as an assistant tea buyer. He appeared as an extra in “A Yank at Oxford”, released on the 18th of February 1938 and was credited for his role as the First Officer in the play “The Infinite Shoeblack”, which was released in 1939.
He was enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve where he trained as a pilot and was later commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant (A). He was posted to 800 Naval Air Squadron based on board the aircraft carrier HMS Furious.
On the 30th of July 1941, the Royal Navy launched Operation EF, an attack on enemy merchant shipping in the Norwegian port of Kirkenes and on the Finnish port of Liinakhamari in Petsamo. The aircraft on board the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious would attack the Norwegian port while those on board HMS Furious would attack the port at Petsamo. The operation was intended to catch the enemy by surprise but the fleet was spotted by a German aircraft and their presence was relayed back to the two ports. When the formation arrived over Petsamo little shipping was present in the port. Instead the aircraft attacked the harbour installations, hitting jetties, a warehouse and an oil tank, which was set on fire. They met enemy fighter opposition and heavy anti aircraft fire in the target area.
Edmund Burke and his Observer, Leading Airman Arthur James Beardsley, took off from HMS Furious in Fulmar Mk II N4029 one of six aircraft from the Squadron which were to form the fighter escort for the operation on Petsamo. On its way to the target the aircraft was flying over the Barents Sea when it suffered an engine failure and was forced to crash land on to the sea. The two men were seen to swim clear of the aircraft and pull themselves into their life raft. HMS Furious was unable to pick the two men up due to the presence of enemy aircraft and submarines in the area.
Theirs was one of sixteen aircraft which were lost during the two operations.
His father received the following telegram: - “From Admiralty. Deeply regret to inform you that your son Sub Lieutenant (A) E.S. Burke is reported missing on active service.”
In 2017 a Russian journalist contacted the British Consulate in Moscow to say the he had found two graves marked “two unknown English airmen” on the Rybachy Peninsular in Northern Russia. It was discovered that the two bodies had been found in their dingy by nomadic travellers who had buried them on the beach. It is believed that they had died from hypothermia. Their bodies were exhumed, identified and reburied at their present resting place in July 2017 with an honour guard made up of British and Russian servicemen.
His brother, Pilot Officer Ian Campbell Burke OW, 142 Squadron, Royal Air Force, was killed in action on the 20th of September 1941.
He is buried at Vaida Bay Military Cemetery Grave 5.

Bright, Vernon Maxwell, son of Arthur Sydney Bright, HM Inspector of Schools; b. 9 Apr. 1916; adm. Sept. 1929 (R); left July 1932; RAF 1938-42 (Sqdn Ldr); m. 12 Oct. 1940 Monica, d. of A. P. Richards; killed on active service 24 Sept. 1942.

Vernon Maxwell Bright was born at Kenilworth, Warwickshire on the 9th of April 1916 the younger son of Arthur Sydney Bright, HM Inspector of Schools, and Jessie Elizabeth France (nee Carter) Bright of Graybrook Castle Road, Kenilworth, later of 14, Grove Terrace, St Pancras in London. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1929 to July 1932.
He was granted a short service commission as an Acting Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force on the 29th of October 1938 and was confirmed in his rank on the 29th of August 1939. He was posted to 229 Squadron based at RAF Digby on the 6th of October 1939 where the Squadron was being reformed following the outbreak of war.
Vernon Bright took off in a Hurricane on the 29th May 1940 as Yellow 3 in A Flight for a patrol over the evacuation beaches at Dunkirk. While flying over Dunkirk at 9,000 feet at 5.10pm the Squadron encountered 45 Messerschmitt Bf109s which attacked them. He attacked one of them at a height of 6,000 feet, firing some 200 rounds from a range of 100 yards and claimed the enemy aircraft as having been destroyed. He was attacked by other enemy aircraft and his Hurricane was damaged but he managed to return safely to base. On his return he filed the following combat report: -
“At 1715 hours approx. Enemy attacked one wave of 25 from starboard ahead, second wave of about 20 from starboard astern. At 6,000’ I fired two bursts of short length into one Me109 inside which I was turning and he appeared to fall away. On completing the turn I could only see a dark puddle. One other Me109 dived straight past me into the sea. I was then chased at first by a section of three and later by only one enemy a/c for some considerable time, until I had eluded him. By then I had lost contact and returned to base, with two bullets in the port wing.”
On the 31st of May 1940 Vernon Bright took off in a Hurricane as part of A Flight for a patrol over Dunkirk. At 5.13pm the formation spotted 25 Messerschmitt 110s and a Ju 87 some three miles off Furnes at a height of 4,000 feet. He engaged one of the Me110s and fired a number of long bursts at it from a range of 150 yards which exhausted his ammunition. On his return to base he filed the following combat report: - “Anti aircraft fire located enemy fighters at 1715 hours between Dunkirk and Furnes. A Ju 87 was sighted at 1,000 feet soon after doing low dive attacks on a cargo ship. I chased this one but the ship or our own planes hit him since he burst into flames and hit the sea. I then found two Me110s turning for me as I climbed. The first one turned away and was shot down; the second one and myself circled for a long time until I got a quarter attack from above when he appeared to fall out of control. I did not see him hit the sea. The first one hit the sea near the Ju87. I then made for cloud and home as my ammunition was exhausted.”
He was promoted to Flying officer on the 3rd of September 1940. On the 9th of September 1940 229 Squadron received orders to move from their base at RAF Wittering and to continue operations from RAF Northolt to better protect the London area.
Vernon Bright took off from RAF Northolt at 3.20pm on the 11th of September 1940 in Hurricane Mk I P3710 RE-H as Red 2 with eleven other aircraft from the Squadron for a patrol over Biggin Hill. At 4pm they were flying at 20,000 feet near Reigate when they engaged a formation of 30 Heinkel 111s, 20 Messerschmitt Bf110s and their fighter escort of 40 Messerschmitt Bf109s. During the ensuing dog fight he destroyed a Heinkel 111. Pilot Officer Ravenhill from the Squadron was forced to bail out of his aircraft and Flight Rimmer suffered facial injuries when his windscreen was shattered by machine gun fire. On his return to base at 4.35pm he wrote the following combat report: -
“I was No. 2 Red section when enemy formation of HE111s with ME110’s behind and Me109s above and behind; Section attacked in line astern, making beam attacks on starboard side. I fired a burst of 5 seconds from 300 yds, closing to 100 yds. An Me110 attacked the CO who was leading, and a second Me110 came across my bow, firing from rear gun. I fired at him, turned right and down with a Me110 on my tail and shook him off. I then circled round one of our men who was descending by parachute until he was safe. Then I noticed a Hurricane in a steep dive with a He111 beneath him and I executed a vertical quarter diving attack on the He111 with a 3 second burst. The other Hurricane then made a dead beam attack. After breaking away I returned and carried out No. 1 attack from astern and E/A went down. I broke away and two minutes later saw E/A in flames on the ground just S.E. of Redhill between two railway lines, probably at Outwood. E/A flew straight and level throughout.”
Vernon Bright took off from RAF Northolt at 2pm on the 15th of September 1940 in Hurricane Mk I P3710 RE-H with eleven other aircraft from the Squadron for a base patrol. At 2.35pm he engaged a Heinkel 111 at 20,000 feet over south east London with another aircraft from No. 1 Canadian Squadron. He was credited with a one third share of the victory. On his return to base at 3.10pm he filed the following combat report: -
“After making beam attack on formation of 30 HE111’s at 20,000 ft I dived in an astern attack on a lone HE111 below me. After 5 second burst from 250 yds closing to 30 yds, I saw starboard engine stop. I broke away and finished off my ammunition in a quarter attack by which time about half a dozen Hurricanes and Spitfires had joined the fight. I went on doing dummy attacks and saw his port engine stopped by another fighter, before he crash landed on West Malling Aerodrome. This machine had three vertical pink stripes on the rudder. “
The enemy aircraft was Heinkel IIIH-I (2771) AI+AN of 5/KG53. During its forced landing at West Malling Obergefreiter E. Sailler and Gefreiter H. Lange were killed with Unteroffizier O. Zilling, Feldwebel R. Lichtenhagen and Feldwebel K. Behrendt being taken prisoner.
Vernon Bright took off from RAF Northolt at 2.55pm on the 27th of September 1940 as Red 2 in A Flight in Hurricane Mk I P3710 RE-H with eleven other aircraft from the Squadron for an the interception of an incoming raid on London by enemy bombers. They were accompanied by No. 1 Canadian Squadron. At 3.15pm they encountered an enemy formation flying at 16,000 feet over south east London and during the ensuing engagement he destroyed a Junkers 88 and shared in the destruction of a Heinkel 111 as well as probably destroying a Messerschmitt Bf109. During the engagement, Flight Lieutenant Reginald Frank Rimmer, flying Hurricane Mk I V6782 was shot down and killed while Flight Lieutenant William Alexander Smith was forced to crash land at Lingfield following damage to his aircraft during combat.
On his return to base at 4.05pm he filed the following combat report: -
“I was red 2 in Hurricane REH. We attacked the main enemy formation – 15 He111 bombers near London, and I went for one. He which was about 800 ft below me and a quarter of a mile behind the others. It had glycol coming from starboard engine. I gave him a two to three second burst from 300 yds closing to 50 yds from astern, followed by another two second burst. His port engine burst into flames – one man baled out and the aircraft dived steeply and crashed with an explosion in some trees by a house on the outskirts of London. (Croydon?). I returned to the main formation, and a Spitfire came down followed by a Me109. I turned to his port beam with three second burst from 150-100 yds. He went down on his back with brown and white smoke pouring from the engine about 10 miles south east of the first crash. I caught up with the remains of the bomber formation near the coast, consisting of three bombers, with twelve of our fighters attacking. I picked out a Ju88 which was attacked by one Hurricane and one Spitfire. I made two attacks from 150 – 50 yds from astern – pieces broke off and came past me, also oil from the engine. The Hurricane and Spitfire continued attacking then I made a final attack, and he crashed into the sea about 15 miles out from Bexhill. 2,580 rounds fired.”
The Junkers 88 was A-1 (7112 of 5/KG77. The enemy crew of Hauptman G. Zetsche, Feldwebel W. Mahl, Gefreiter A Burkhardt and Obergefreiter A Kuhn were all killed when the aircraft hit the sea.
Vernon Bright took off from RAF Northolt at 8.10am on the 29th of September 1940 for a weather test. While flying at 16,000 feet near Maidenhead at 8.50am he spotted a Dornier 215 aircraft flying below him at 9,000 feet. He attacked it, setting its port wing on fire and claimed it as probably destroyed. On his return to base at 9.10am he wrote the following combat report: -
“I left Northolt on a weather test at 0810 hours and after climbing to 16,000 ft near Luton when I was vectored north west from base. There was 10/10 cloud at 6,000 ft and I sighted a Do215 at 9,000 ft, when I was at 11,000 ft. I began with a quarter attack out of the sun, giving a 5 second burst from 300 to 200 yds. E/A went down to cloud level, and did S turns into the sun just above cloud. I stalked him just in cloud and opened fire from astern at 250 yds with another 5 second burst. Accurate tracer fire from the rear gunner forced me to take evasive action, but I renewed the attack until all my ammunition had gone. The rear gunner ceased firing – the port engine and wing were in flames and the starboard engine was covered in brownish black smoke. E/A fell into cloud apparently out of control in Maidenhead district. 2,640 rounds fired.”
Vernon Bright took off from RAF Northolt at 9.30am on the 15th of October 1940 as Yellow 3 in Hurricane Mk I P3710 RE-H with four other aircraft from the Squadron for a patrol. At 10am he was flying over Canterbury at 20,000 feet when he engaged a Messerschmitt Bf109 and damaged it. On his return to base at 10.50am he filed the following combat report: -
“I was Yellow 3 in Hurricane REH. After the first contact with the enemy I was behind seven other Hurricanes when two groups of Me109s came by and I made a climbing turn to attack the last one on the port side of second formation. Delivering a stern quarter attack from 250 yds for two seconds I noticed glycol followed by dirty brown smoke pour from the engine, and a piece break off the port wing. The Me109 went into a steep right hand turn and a warning shout over the R/T caused me to break off. 160 rounds of ammunition fired.”
Vernon Bright took off from RAF Northolt at 10.45am on the 12th of December 1940 at White 1 in Hurricane Mk I P3710 RE-H with five other aircraft from his Squadron for a patrol. He was flying at 19,000 feet over the Maidstone area at 11.50am when he attacked and shared in the destruction of a Messerschmitt Bf109. On his return to base he wrote the following combat report: -
“I was White 1, weaving, and saw a Hurricane on the tail of an E/A and bits falling from the E/A as the Hurricane fired. The Hurricane was one of the first two to go into the attack. I followed, and when the Hurricane broke away I fired two short bursts at the E/A from about 250 yards. I then lost the E/A which was climbing into the sun. I picked up another travelling south well below me and dived down on it. I fired a 4 second burst from astern at about 150 yards followed by several further bursts. I saw large pieces of the E/A fall away belonging apparently to the tail unit. The E/A turned over on its back, the hood fell off, and the pilot baled out. 1,440 rounds fired.”
The enemy aircraft was Messerschmitt Bf109E E-4 W.Nr 3708 of 7./JG26 and was flown by Unteroffizier Rufolf Lindemann who was wounded and taken prisoner. His aircraft was destroyed when it crashed at 12.10pm at Abbey Farm near Leeds Castle in Kent.
He was credited with a half share of the victory with Pilot Officer Ron Bary, also of 229 Squadron.
He was married in London on the 12th of October 1940 to Monica Alin Theodosia (nee Richards) of Regent’s Court, London; they had a daughter, Sandra Frances Monica born on the 26th of September 1942.
In March 1941 he was posted to No. 55 Operational Training Unit at RAF Aston Down as an instructor. He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on the 3rd of September 1941 and was later promoted to Squadron Leader.
On the 24th of September 1942, Vernon Bright and Leading Aircraftman Robert Francis Brown took off from RAF Boscombe Down in Beaufighter Mk VIC EL329 “G” to undertake rocket (8 x 3.5 inch) projectile trials over the Compton Ranges. They were unable to complete the trial and as they flew over Bulford Camp they rocked their wings to indicate to those on the ground that they were returning to Boscombe Down due to low oil pressure. The aircraft was seen to head in the general direction of the airfield but was then seen to roll and dive into the camp parade ground at Bulford where crashed, killing both men.
An inquiry into the accident concluded that: - “Low oil pressure had caused the tests to be aborted but on the flight back to Boscombe Down No.5 cylinder seized causing the aircraft to swing and roll into the ground at low altitude”.
He is commemorated at Southampton Crematorium Panel 1.

Brackenbury, Christopher Charles (known at school as Christopher Charles Klein), son of Adrian Bernard Klein MBE, artist and inventor, of St John's Wood, and Angela Edith, d. of Admiral John William Brackenburv CB CMG RN; b. 2 Apr. 1917; adm. Jan. 1931 (R); left July 1934; RAFVR 1940-1 (PO); m. 1940 Rosemary, d. of Frank Struben of Pretoria, S. Africa; killed on active service May 1941.

Christopher Charles Buzz Klein was born at Hampstead, London on the 2nd of April 1917 the only son of Major Adrian Bernard Leopold Klein (later Cornwall-Clyne) MBE, FRPS, artist and inventor, and Angela Edith (nee Brackenbury later Cornwall-Clyne) Klein of 32, The Pryors, East Heath Road, Hampstead in London. He was educated at Westminster School, where he was known by the last name of Klein and was up Rigaud’s from January 1931 to July 1934. He later changed his surname to that of his mother’s maiden name.
He was married at Chelsea in 1940 to Rosemary Patricia (nee Struben).
On the outbreak of war he enlisted as an Aircraftman 2nd Class in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and rose to the rank of Leading Aircraftman where he trained as a pilot and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 23rd of November 1940, with seniority from the 14th of November 1940.
He was posted to No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School as a flying instructor.
On the 16th of May 1941, Christopher Brackenbury and his student, Leading Aircraftman Ronald Henry Morgan, took off in Tiger Moth Mk II T5712 for a training exercise. At the time he had accumulated a total of 353.25 solo flying hours of which 274.20 were on Tiger Moth aircraft.
During the flight the aircraft struck a balloon cable at Clifford Bridge Road near Walsgrave near Coventry and crashed into a field, killing both men.
His wife received the following letter dated the 20th of May 1941: - “Madam, I am commanded by the Air Council to express to you their great regret on learning that your husband, Pilot Officer Christopher Charles Brackenbury, Royal Air Force, lost his life as the result of an aircraft accident on 16th May, 1941.”
An inquiry into the accident concluded: - “No previous difficulties with the Coventry balloon barrage, the nearest site of which is three miles. The position of all balloons affecting this unit is well known to flying personnel who have continual reference to the situation. Error of judgement or mental preoccupation on part of pilot who was instructing at the time”
He is buried at St James’ Church, Anstey.

Bonas, Peter David, son of Lionel and Sheila Bonas of Maida Vale; b. 22 Nov. 1914; adm. Sept. 1928 (R); left July 1931; worked in the film industry; RN 1940-2 (AB), discharged for ill-health May 1942; d. 1 Sept. 1945 of disabilities contracted on active service.

Peter David Bonas was born at Paddington, London on the 22nd of November 1914 the only son of Lionel Maurice Bonas, a film representative, and Sheila (nee Spero) Bonas of 16, Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale in London. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1928 to July 1931. He was a member of the 2nd Football XI in 1930 and of 1st Football XI in 1930 and 1931 where he played at left back. The Elizabethan wrote the following on his 1930/1931 season: - “He has played so often for the Eleven that he deserves a mention. His main fault lies in his slowness of foot, but he is young and should be much faster next year. He has a good tackle when he is in time with it, and kicks well.” On leaving school he went to work in the film industry for the United Arts Film Corporation. He was married at Plymouth in 1941 to Hilda May Hope (nee Dunstone) of North Wembley.
He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1940 but was invalided out of the service in May 1942 due to ill health from an illness which he had contracted while on active service.
He is commemorated at Golders Green Crematorium Panel 1.

Boggon, Michael Gordon, son of Nicholas Gordon Boggon of Hampstead, and Ruth, d. of John Henry Morgan of Northfield, Birmingham; b. 19 Mar. 1922; adm. Jan. 1936 (R); left July 1939; RAFVR 1941-2 (FO); m. 20 Dec. 1941 Yvonne Patricia, d. of Maj. Raymond Hartmann; killed in action Apr. 1942.

Michael Gordon “Mike” Boggon was born at Richmond, Surrey on the 19th of March 1922 the eldest son of Nicholas Gordon Boggon, a company director, and Ruth (nee Morgan) Boggon of “Linkwood”, Radlett in Hertfordshire, later of 11, Constable Close, Hendon in Middlesex. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from January 1936 to July 1939.
He was married at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London on the 20th of December 1941 to Yvonne Marion Patricia (nee Hartman) of Grovesnor Square, London.
He enlisted in the Royal Air force Volunteer Reserve where trained as a pilot and rose to the rank of Leading Aircraftman before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 10th of April 1941. He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 10th of April 1942.
Michael Boggon and his crew took off from RAF North Coates at 12.20pm on the 21st of April 1942 in Hudson Mk V AM782 TR-O with other aircraft from the Squadron for a special training flight over the North Sea, codenamed “Exercise Strike”. The aircraft was carrying four 250lb general purpose bombs. At 2.05pm a message was received from Michael Boggon’s aircraft that it was under attack by enemy aircraft. His aircraft had been attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf110 flown by Oberleutnant Helmut Woltersdorf of 7./NJG 1 (on attachment from II./NJG 2) and was shot down into the sea to the west, northwest of Texel Island with the loss of the entire crew. Theirs was one of an eventual twenty four victories for Helmut Woltersdorf before he was killed in action on the 2nd of June 1942.
The crew was: -
Sergeant Nathaniel White RAAF (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant John Edgar Howell (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Squadron Leader John St. John Thomson (16 Group attached to 59 Squadron)
Pilot Officer Joseph Alexander St Ours RCAF (Observer)
Flying Officer Michael Gordon Boggon (Pilot)
When the aircraft failed to return to base an aircraft from 59 Squadron and others from 53 Squadron took off to search for it. At 5.07pm they spotted an enemy Junkers 88 some 80 miles off the Lincolnshire coast and saw it again at 5.29pm. That evening, a German radio broadcast reported that one of their aircraft had attacked and shot down a Coastal Command aircraft and that its crew had dropped a dinghy to the RAF crew who had ditched in the sea.
Michael Boggon’s body was washed ashore at Hensby Gap, near Caistor-on-Sea, Lincolnshire on the 28th of April and that of Joseph St Ours was recovered from the sea at Hemsby near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on the 29th of April.
His wife received the following telegram dated the 29th of April 1942: - “Deeply regret to inform you that further information received states that your husband Pilot Officer Michael Gordon Boggon previously reported missing is now reported to have lost his life as the result of air operations on 21st April 1942. The Air Council express their profound sympathy, Letter confirming this telegram follows. His father is being informed.”
His cremation took place on the 4th of May 1942 and his ashes were scattered four days later.
He is commemorated at the Norwich and Norfolk Crematorium

Michael Gordon “Mike” Boggon was born at Richmond, Surrey on the 19th of March 1922 the eldest son of Nicholas Gordon Boggon, a company director, and Ruth (nee Morgan) Boggon of “Linkwood”, Radlett in Hertfordshire, later of 11, Constable Close, Hendon in Middlesex. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from January 1936 to July 1939.
He was married at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, London on the 20th of December 1941 to Yvonne Marion Patricia (nee Hartman) of Grovesnor Square, London.
He enlisted in the Royal Air force Volunteer Reserve where trained as a pilot and rose to the rank of Leading Aircraftman before being commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 10th of April 1941. He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 10th of April 1942.
Michael Boggon and his crew took off from RAF North Coates at 12.20pm on the 21st of April 1942 in Hudson Mk V AM782 TR-O with other aircraft from the Squadron for a special training flight over the North Sea, codenamed “Exercise Strike”. The aircraft was carrying four 250lb general purpose bombs. At 2.05pm a message was received from Michael Boggon’s aircraft that it was under attack by enemy aircraft. His aircraft had been attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf110 flown by Oberleutnant Helmut Woltersdorf of 7./NJG 1 (on attachment from II./NJG 2) and was shot down into the sea to the west, northwest of Texel Island with the loss of the entire crew. Theirs was one of an eventual twenty four victories for Helmut Woltersdorf before he was killed in action on the 2nd of June 1942.
The crew was: -
Sergeant Nathaniel White RAAF (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant John Edgar Howell (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Squadron Leader John St. John Thomson (16 Group attached to 59 Squadron)
Pilot Officer Joseph Alexander St Ours RCAF (Observer)
Flying Officer Michael Gordon Boggon (Pilot)
When the aircraft failed to return to base an aircraft from 59 Squadron and others from 53 Squadron took off to search for it. At 5.07pm they spotted an enemy Junkers 88 some 80 miles off the Lincolnshire coast and saw it again at 5.29pm. That evening, a German radio broadcast reported that one of their aircraft had attacked and shot down a Coastal Command aircraft and that its crew had dropped a dinghy to the RAF crew who had ditched in the sea.
Michael Boggon’s body was washed ashore at Hensby Gap, near Caistor-on-Sea, Lincolnshire on the 28th of April and that of Joseph St Ours was recovered from the sea at Hemsby near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on the 29th of April.
His wife received the following telegram dated the 29th of April 1942: - “Deeply regret to inform you that further information received states that your husband Pilot Officer Michael Gordon Boggon previously reported missing is now reported to have lost his life as the result of air operations on 21st April 1942. The Air Council express their profound sympathy, Letter confirming this telegram follows. His father is being informed.”
His cremation took place on the 4th of May 1942 and his ashes were scattered four days later.
He is commemorated at the Norwich and Norfolk Crematorium.

Baker-Cresswell, Gilfrid Edward, son of Henry Gilfrid Baker-Cresswell AMICE, GPO engineer, and Vera Mabel, d. of Edward Foote Ward of Salhouse Hall, Norfolk, and niece of Gerald Charles Fanshawe (qv); b. 15 July 1914; adm. Sept. 1927 (R); left Apr. 1932; Trin. Coll. Camb., matric. 1932, BA 1935; RMA Woolwich 1935-7; RE 1937-42 (Maj.); m. 27 Sept. 1938 Anne Sylvia, d. of Sir John Charrington, coal merchant, of Crockham Hill, Kent; killed in action (Middle East) Oct. 1942; despatches (posthumous) June 1943.

Gilfrid Edward Baker-Cresswell was born at Edinburgh on the 15th of July 1914 the elder son of Henry Gilfred Baker-Cresswell AMICE, an engineer for the General Post Office, and Vera Mabel (nee Ward) Baker-Cresswell of Salthouse Hall, Norfolk, later of The Post House, Ellingham, Chathill in Northumberland. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1927 to April 1932 He won a O.W.W. Masonic Lodge Prize for Science (practical) in 1930. He was a member of the Officer Training Corps and was promoted to Lance Corporal in September 1930. He won the Long Distance Race at Putney in 1931 and the Long Distance Race on the 8th of March 1932 and won a number of other cups for running during his time at the school.
On leaving school he attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich from where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on the 30th of August 1934. He was admitted as a pensioner at Trinity College, Cambridge on the 1st of October 1934 where he read engineering and graduated with a BA in 1936. He was promoted to Lieutenant on the 30th of August 1937 and to Captain on the 30th of August 1942.
He was married on the 27th of September 1938 to Anne Sylvia (nee Charrington) of Broad Oak End, Hertford. They had two children, Sally and Gilfred John, born on the 12th of December 1939. Shortly after he was married he was posted to Mauritius for garrison duty.
He was Mentioned in Despatches: - “In recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East during the period 1st May 1942 to 22nd October 1942”, which was announced by the War Office on the 24th of June 1943.
He is commemorated on a stone plaque in St Maurice’s Church, Ellingham and on the war memorial at Ellingham. He is also commemorated on the memorial at Trinity College, Cambridge.
He is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery Plot XI, Row E, Grave 1.

Abbott, James Alexander, son of Albert Abbott CBE, Chief Inspector Technological branch, Board of Education, and Nancy, d. of Edwin Hargreaves of Chorley, Lancs; b. 25 April, 1909; adm. Sept. 1922 (R); left July 1927; Ch. Ch. Oxf., matric. 1927, BA 1931; adm. a solicitor Dec. 1934; practised in London and Burton-on-Trent; RAFVR (FO Oct. J 942), invalided Nov. 1943; m. 15 Sept. 1939 Eleanor Dorothy, d. of Ernest Hastings Nicolls of Stevenage, Herts; d. 20 May 1944 of illness contracted on active service in North Africa.

James Alexander Abbott was born at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire on the 25th of April 1909 the only son of Albert Abbott CBE MA, Chief Inspector for the Technological Branch of the Board of Education, and Nancy (nee Hargreaves) Abbott of 130, Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, later of Catwell, Williton in Somerset. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1922 to July 1927. He matriculated for Christ Church, Oxford in 1927 where he achieved a BA in 1931. He qualified as a solicitor in December 1934 and worked at Burton-on-Trent and in London, where he lived with his sister at 3, Templars Rise, Golders Green in Middlesex.
He was married at Hitchin, Hertfordshire on the 15th of September 1939 to Eleanor Dorothy (nee Nicolls) of Stevenage, Hertfordshire and the couple lived at Ivy House, Ickleton, Saffron Walden in Essex. They had a son, Roger, born on the 15th of June 1940.
He was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer on probation in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on the 17th of October 1941 and was confirmed in his rank on the 17th of December 1941. He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 1st of October 1942.
He served in North Africa and later returned to England where he resigned his commission on the grounds of ill health on the 24th of November 1943.
He died at Cambridge from an illness he had contracted while on overseas service.
He is commemorated on the war memorial at Christ Church, Oxford.
He is buried at St George’s Church, Sampford Brett.