Percy-Pitt, Patrick George, son of Percy Pitt, composer, and Margaret, d. of G. H. Bruce of Syd­ney NSW; b. 13 July 1919; adm. May 1933 (G); left Apr. 1935; 2nd Lieut. RE (TA) Sept. 1938, transf. RA Aug. 1940 (Lieut.); accidentally killed on active service 27 July 1941.

Patrick George “Pat” Percy-Pitt was born in London on the 13th of July 1919 the only son of Percival George “Percy” Pitt, a conductor, and Ivy Margaret (nee Bruce) Pitt, a professional singer, of 19, Eton Villas, Hampstead, later of 43, Portland Court, Great Portland Street in London.
He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Grant’s from May 1933 to April 1935. He enlisted as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers in the Territorial Army and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 26th (London Electrical Engineers) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers on the 23rd of September 1938. He transferred to the Royal Artillery at the same rank on the 1st of August 1940 when his unit was transferred from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Artillery and was re-designated as a Searchlight Regiment.
On the night of the 28th of July 1941, George Percy-Pitt was riding a motor cycle near Chelmsford, Essex when he was in collision with an “unlit road obstruction”. He was taken to Clacton Hospital where he died from his injuries the following day. An inquest into the accident recorded a verdict of accidental death.
His funeral took place at 11am on the 1st of August 1941.
He is remembered on his father’s grave at Hampstead Cemetery.
He is buried at St Mary’s Church, Frinton Row B, Grave 18.

Pearson, The Hon. Francis Geoffrey, third son of Weetman, 1st Viscount Cowdray, by Annie, second daughter of Sir John Cass, Kt., of Bradford, Yorks; b. Aug. 23, 1891; adm. Sept. 28, 1905 (H); left July 1906; Trin. Hall, Camb., matric. Lent 1909; enlisted in the A.S.C. Aug. 1914; motor-cyclist despatch-rider; m. Aug. 6, 1909, Ethel, daughter of J. Lewis; killed in action at Vareddes, France, Sept. 6, 1914.

Patterson, Basil Horace, son of Horace Harvie Patterson, accountant, of Muswell Hill, and Edith Emma. d. of Charles Clement Vyle of Muswell Hill; b. 31 Oct. 1919; adm. Sept. 1933 (H); left. July 1938; a clerk in Lloyds Bank; RASC 1940 (Staff Sgt-Major), served MEF; d. 4 Sept. 1947 as the result of injuries received on active service Palestme 1943.

Basil Horace Patterson was born at Hackney, London on the 31st of October 1919 the only son of Horace Harrie Patterson, an accountant for an insurance company, and Edith Emma (nee Vyle) of “St Albans”, 7, Beechwood Avenue, Finchley in North London. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Homeboarders from September 1933 to July 1938. On leaving school he worked as a clerk for Lloyd’s Bank at the Cox’s and King’s Branch, 6, Pall Mall in London before enlisting in the Royal Army Service Corps in 1940. He served in the Middle East and was badly injured in Palestine in 1943.
His engagement to Daphne Margery Hayhow of Rosario, Argentine was announced on the 21st of July 1947.
He died from complications of his injuries.
His funeral took place on the 10th of September 1947.
He is commemorated on the Lloyds Bank 1939-1945 war memorial at 6, Pall Mall, London.
He is buried at East Finchley Crematorium Section Y4, Grave 112.

Parker, Edmund, fifth son of Thomas Parker, of Balderton Hall, Myddle, Salop, by Margaret Ann, daughter of Thomas R. Parry, of Wrexham, co. Denbigh; b. Feb. 17, 1893; adm. Sept. 26, 1907 (R); left July 1910; L/Cpl. 5th Batt. the London Rifle Brigade; went out to the western front Nov. 1914; killed in action near Ypres, Flanders, May 13, 1915; unm.

Parker, David Shirley, son of John Anthony Parker, solicitor, of Bromley, Kent, and Ethelwyn, d. of Samuel Arthur Stanger of Bromley; b. 18 Dec. 1916; adm. Sept. 1930 (R); left Dec. 1933; arti­cled to a solicitor; RAFVR 1941-3 (Flt Lieut.), 51st Bomber Sqdn; m. 20 Aug. 1941 Moira McNeill of Kildonan, I. of Arran; killed on active service 24 Sept. 1943.

David Shirley Parker was born at Bromley, Kent on the 18th of December 1916 the only son of John Anthony Parker, a solicitor, and Ethelwyn (nee Stanger) Parker of “Packwood”, 10, Homefield Road, Bromley. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from September 1930 to December 1933. He was a member of the 4th Rowing VIII in 1933. On leaving school he became an articled clerk to a firm of solicitors. He was a member of Bromley Cricket Club and was an Assistant Scout Master with the St John’s Troop, 14th Bromley Scouts. He was also a member of the local amateur dramatic group, the Quavers, appearing in several of their productions.
He attended No. 5 Air Crew Selection Board on the 3rd of July 1940 where he was selected for pilot training. He enlisted as Aircraftman 2nd Class 1255393 in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve at No. 1 Reception Centre, Uxbridge on the 6th of July 1940. Six days later he reported to Blackpool for his basic training. On the 6th of September 1940 he was posted to No. 3 Initial Training Wing at Torquay and completed his initial training on the 6th of November 1940 when he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman. He was posted to No. 3 Service Flying Training School at South Cerney where he trained on both single and twin engined aircraft. He was awarded his Wings and was promoted to Sergeant on the 14th of June 1941. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 15th of June 1941. He was then posted to No. 2 School of Air Navigation at RAF Squires Gate before being posted to No. 12 Operational Training Unit at RAF Benson on the 23rd of August 1941, but soon transferred to No. 19 Operational Training Unit at RAF Kinloss where he converted to Whitleys.
He was married on the 20th of August 1941 to Flight Officer Moira (nee McNeill) of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.
He was posted to 51 Squadron on the 19th of November 1941 where he flew on his first operation against enemy shipping in the harbour at Brest on the 17th of December.
He was promoted to Flying Officer on the 15th of June 1942.
David Parker and his crew took off from RAF Chivenor 5.24am on the 20th of June 1942 in Whitley Mk V BD191 for an anti submarine sortie and was carrying a load of depth charges and bombs. At 8.05am they received a message diverting them to search for the crew of a Wellington aircraft which had come down in the sea. The aircraft was flying at 1,000 feet towards the Scilly Isles when the port engine developed a glycol leak. The aircraft descended to 500 feet where the bomb load was jettisoned and the port engine feathered. At 100 feet the aircraft stalled and hit the water with the crew managing to board the life raft before the aircraft sank four minutes later. They were rescued two hours later and were landed at St Mary’s on the Scilly Isle at 4.30pm.
On the 24th of September 1942, David Parker and his crew were having a rest day, having been stood down from operations for the day. That morning the operations room called to request a crew to take off and to search for a dinghy which had been reported as having been seen in the Bristol Channel, between Lundy Island and Cardiff. As Parker and two of his crew were nearby when the call came in to the flight office they quickly boarded Whitley Mk V Z9425 and called for two members of the ground crew to join them. They took off from RAF Chivenor and once airborne they began searching the Channel and working their way eastwards. Having been airborne for two hours the rear gunner reported that there was a glycol leak in the port engine and that white smoke was trailing past his turret. David Parker shut down the port engine to avoid it overheating. With the aircraft flying at 1,500 feet he decided to return to base and crossed the coast between Lynton and Porlock but before they had gone much further the starboard engine began to backfire and to overheat. He told the crew that he was going to make a forced landing and seeing a field ahead he warned them to brace themselves. The aircraft crash landed at North Horridge Farm near the village of Chelfham, and one mile to the east of Chelfham viaduct with the front half of the aircraft being reduced to a tangled mass of wreckage when it crashed through a hedge and into a sunken road, killing David Parker and the two ground crewmen who had been with him in the cockpit.
The rear gunner was in the bomb bay area when the aircraft crashed and was injured but was rescued and was assisted away from the aircraft by the son of the farmer who had seen the aircraft crash. Having placed the rear gunner a safe distance from the aircraft, he returned to it to find the wireless operator crawling out of it injured, but alive. The two injured men were taken to North Devon Infirmary.
The crew was: -
Flight Lieutenant David Shirley Parker (Pilot)
Corporal Robert Victor Doak (Ground Crew, 51 Squadron)
Corporal Harry Todd (Ground Crew, 51 Squadron)
Sergeant Eric Ford Goodwin (Rear Gunner) (Injured/Survived)
Sergeant Hugh Alan Roberts (Wireless Operator) (Injured/Survived) (Killed in action 13th May 1943)
He is commemorated on the Boy Scouts Roll of Honour.
He is commemorated at Plymouth City Crematorium Panel 5.

Pardoe, George Patrick Lefroy, brother of Stephen Walter Lefroy Pardoe (qv); b. 25 June 1916; adm. May 1930 (R); left July 1934; Aeronautical Engineering Coll. Chelsea, AFRAeS 1937; Vickers (Aviation) Ltd and Follando Aircraft Co.; Fleet Air Arm 1941-4 (Lieut. (A) RNVR), served Fighter Command UK and FAA Salerno; killed on active service 25 Jan. 1944.

George Patrick Lefroy “Pat” Pardoe was born at Purley, Surrey on the 25th of June 1916 the youngest son of Stephen George Pardoe, a newspaper manager, and Mabel Gertrude (nee Lefroy) Pardoe of 36, Foxley Lane, Purley in Surrey. He was christened at St James’ Church, Riddlesdown on the 22nd of October 1916. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Rigaud’s from May 1930 to July 1934. He went on to the Aeronautical Engineering College, Chelsea and qualified AFRAc.S in 1937. He joined the staff of Vickers (Aviation) Ltd as an aeronautical technician, and later joined the Follando Aircraft Company. He was awarded a Royal Aero Club Certificate (No. 14607) at Brooklands Flying Club on the 18th of November 1936 while flying a DH Moth aircraft. He was elected as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in October 1941.
He enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1941 and was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant (A) on the 30th of July 1942. He joined 879 Naval Air Squadron on the 22nd of March 1943. He served for a time with Fighter Command before joining the Fleet Air Arm. He saw action during the landings at Salerno on board the escort carrier HMS Attacker (D02).
On the 29th of January 1944 Pat Pardoe was flying Seafire Mk IIC LR761 and was leading a formation of other aircraft on a low flying photo reconnaissance exercise when his aircraft crashed into a hillside at Glenarm near Larne in County Antrim, at 11.15am killing him.
His mother received the following telegram: - “From Admiralty. Deeply regret to inform you that your son Sub Lieutenant (A) G. P. L. Pardoe RNVR has been killed in an aircraft accident.”
He was posthumously promoted to Lieutenant (A) on the 17th of March 1944.
He is buried at Larne New Cemetery Section 10, Block F, Grave 899.

O'Sullivan, Cornelius Dion, son of Curtis Dion O'Sullivan (qv); b. 27 Apr. 1919; adm. May 1935 (A); left July 1935; Univ. of California; Lieut. USN (submarines); m. 12 May 1942 Katharine, d. of John Black of San Francisco; lost on active service in US submarine Triton (Pacific) 15 Mar 1944.

Cornelius Dion “Sully” O’Sullivan was born at San Francisco, California on the 27th of April 1919 the elder son of Colonel Curtis Dion O’Sullivan OW, United States Army, later Adjutant General of the State of California, and Helen (nee Hooper) O’Sullivan of 2717, Hearst Avenue, San Francisco. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Ashburnham from May to July 1935. He was admitted to US Naval Academy as a Midshipman Second Class on the 17th of June 1938.
He attended the University of California, Berkeley on a Lexington Scholarship in the Class of 1942, where he rowed for the University and was later appointed as Captain of Rowing. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and was a member of the orchestra.
His class had been due to graduate in February 1942 but instead graduated on the 19th of December 1941, due to the United States declaration of war on Japan on the 7th of December. He was promoted to Midshipman First Class in 1941and to Ensign on the 19th of December 1941. He was posted to the coastal and harbour defence submarine R-20 on the 31st of May 1942.
He was married at the United States Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis on the 19th of May 1942 to Kathryn (nee Black) of San Francisco.
He was later promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade and was posted to the submarine USS Triton as 2nd Navigator.
The USS Triton (SS-201), under the command of Lieutenant Commander George Kenneth Mackenzie Jr. USN, set sail from Brisbane, Australia on the 16th of February 1943 for what was to be her sixth patrol. She was to operate against enemy shipping in the area between Rabaul, the Shortlands Basin.
On the 6th of March the USS Triton attacked a Japanese convoy consisting of five merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer. During the attack she sank the cargo ship Kiriha Maru and damaged one other ship. Two nights later she attacked another enemy convoy and claimed that five of the eight torpedoes she had fired scored hits. She was unable to confirm this due to gunfire from the escorting destroyers which forced her to submerge.
On the 11th of March the USS Triton reported that she was stalking two convoys, each made up of five or more ships. She contacted the submarine USS Trigger (SS-237) which was operating in an adjacent area. She was ordered to remain to the south of the equator and to continue her pursuit. Two days later she received a warning from her base that three enemy destroyers were in the area and that they were either looking for convoys to attack or were hunting American submarines.
On the 15th of March 1943, USS Triton was off the Admiralty Islands to the north of New Guinea when she reported that she had attacked an enemy convoy and that she was under a depth charge attack by three Japanese destroyers. Nothing further was heard from the submarine, but post war Japanese records indicate that they had sunk a submarine that day in an area slightly to the north west of the USS Triton’s last reported position. One of the Japanese crews reported observing an oil slick, debris and items carrying American markings. The entire crew was lost in the attack. USS Trigger had also attacked the convoy and came under depth charge attack which eventually stopped. They reported afterwards that they heard continued depth charging some distance away which lasted about an hour.
The University of California wrote of him: - “Sully began college life at the University of California and has had little trouble standing at the top of the class. Sully climaxed four years of crew by becoming the Academy's No. 1 oarsman and captain. His unruly hair has been a problem, but he manages to divert attention with his contagious smile.”
He is commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery.