Marchand, Roy Achille, 1918-1940

Person

Marchand, Roy Achille, 1918-1940

1918-1940

Marchand, Roy Achille, son of René Marchand, co. director, and Constance Jane, d. of Evan William Dean of Bromley, Kent; b. 24 Aug. 1918; adm. May 1932 (A), (B) May 1934; left July 1936; PO RAF May 1939; m. 4 May 1940 Jean Angela Cullen; killed in action over the Thames estuary 15 Sept. 1940.

Roy Achille “Dim” Marchand was born at Bromley, Kent on the 24th of August 1918 the only son of Rene Marchand, a company director, and Constance Jane (nee Dean) Marchand of 6, Hayes Road, Bromley in Kent. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Ashburnham from May 1932 and up Busby’s from May 1934 to May 1936. He went on to King’s College, London University to study Medicine but he met a Squadron Leader while on holiday in the South of France in 1938 which inspired to him to join the Royal Air Force in March 1939. He was posted to No. 30 Elementary Flying and Reserve Flying Training School based at Burnaston for pilot training before going on to No. 15 Flying Training School based at RAF Lossiemouth. He was commissioned as an Acting Pilot Officer on probation on the 27th of May 1939 and was awarded his Wings in August 1939. He was promoted to Pilot Officer on probation on the 18th of November 1939. He was then posted to No. 11 Group Pool for further training after which he was attached to No. 2 Ferry Pilot Pool at Filton in December 1939 as a reserve pilot for service in France. He was offered the opportunity to go to Canada as an instructor but declined it, preferring instead to join a fighter Squadron. In early 1940 he was posted to 73 Squadron based at Rouvres and was confirmed in his rank on the 17th March 1940.
Roy Marchand took off from Rouvre at 11.50am on the 23rd of March 1940 in a Hurricane as Blue 2 with two other aircraft from the Squadron for a patrol at 20,000 feet over the Metz area. He intercepted and attacked two Messerschmitt Bf109s over Herzig and claimed to have damaged both of them. On his return to base at 1.10pm he filed the following combat report: -
“Sir, I, Pilot Officer Marchand, have the honour to report that at 11.50 hours on 23.3.40, I took off after blue leader to intercept enemy aircraft above Metz. I lost blue leader on the way so headed for these 4 streaks. Arriving at 22,000 feet to the north of Metz I circled trying to see these enemy aircraft also blue leader and blue 3. During my circling I suddenly saw a 4 Do17s at 24,000 feet east of the Moselle. I chased after them, but was very slow in overtaking them. I eventually caught up a little on a tight turn as they changed direction turning north at the same time changing formation from wide Vic to line astern. Eventually when I was almost in range I saw two Me109’s on my port slightly behind and level with me. I immediately executed a climbing turn to the right and eventually succeeded in getting on their tails. They retained a fairly close formation and altogether I put two bursts into each of them, using deflection. Their avoiding action was medium turns to the right and left. I was about to continue the action, being still on their tails, when I noticed two more Me109’s about 500 feet above me on my tail. I broke off the attack and dived towards some cloud and flew back to the aerodrome. The action took place over Herzig.”
Roy Marchand took off at 3.40pm on the 21st of April 1940 in a Hurricane with two other aircraft from the Squadron as part of B Flight for a standing patrol over the French lines. They were flying at a height of 26,500 feet when they encountered enemy aircraft. During the engagement he attacked a Messerschmitt 110 and fired five bursts atit of between 2 and 4 seconds before it went down. He landed at 5.50pm when he claimed the enemy aircraft as having been destroyed. He filed the following combat report: -
“Sir, I have the honour to report that on the afternoon of the 21st instant at about 16.30 hrs I observed a Messerschmitt 109 falling in flames. At about 16.55 the patrol encountered 6 Me110s about 10 miles N. of Trier. The leading section turned to attack them and I singled out the rearmost Me110. He did a turn to the right and I tried a deflection shot from about 250 yards. I gave it too much for I saw the bullets going ahead of the E/A. I gave it another burst with less deflection and hit the starboard engine which immediately gave out clouds of white smoke. The E.A. straightened up and I gave him another burst on the port engine. This was hit and also gave out clouds of white smoke. The E.A. then went into a shallow dive. I closed to within 100 yards following it down giving it short bursts. During this the rear gunner took a shot at me and I saw tracer going over my starboard wing. I gave it another burst in the middle of the fuselage and the gun was silenced. As I finished all my ammunition it went into a vertical dive with the smoke still pouring from both its engines.”
On the 21st of April 1940, Roy Marchant took off in a Hurricane as one of nine aircraft from the Squadron to patrol between Konisenaoken-Bouzonville at 26,500 feet. The weather was partly cloudy. At 12.20 pm they were flying over Herzig when they sighted twelve enemy aircraft flying at 13,000 feet and they dived to attack four of them. He opened fire on one of these from a range of 200 yards firing a three second burst of fire at it from astern before engaging two more and firing two more bursts of three seconds at one of these from astern and causing black smoke to come from it. Having lost sight of the enemy aircraft and coming under anti aircraft fire from a nearby enemy airfield he dived into cloud and flew back to base
On his return to base he filed the following combat report: -
“Sir, I have the honour to report that on the 21st instant, I was in a section of a flight of 9 aircraft, patrolling Konisenaoken-Bouzonville at 26,500 feet when we engaged 12 enemy aircraft in an indefinite formation, flying north. I singled out one Me109 and gave him a burst. He turned to the right and on following him I saw another Me109 much nearer to me so attacked that one instead. At the same time I saw another Hurricane closely following an Me109 from which something came out from the cockpit and twisted round the tail. The Me109 spun out of my line of vision. After a long burst, he climbed straight up and fell on his right side as if he was doing a stall turn to the right. He spun off that and I followed him down to 10,000 feet firing all the time until I observed a continuous stream of black smoke coming from his underside. This continued and I stopped following him at 10,000 feet for I thought another enemy aircraft might be following me. After satisfying myself that there were none, I looked round for the Me109 but lost it. I was over the top of Saarlautern Aerodrome ad experienced a certain amount of indifferent anti aircraft fire. I observed another Hurricane flying south west so followed it back and landed.”
He returned to England on leave where he was married at Bromley on the 4th of May 1940 to Jean Angela (nee Cullen, later Pelham-Jones); they had a daughter, Carol.
Roy Marchand took off from Rouvres at 5.55am on the 13th of May 1940 in Hurricane Mk I L1673 TP-P with three other aircraft from the Squadron for a patrol. While flying near Reims they engaged a formation of Messerschmitt 110s and Dornier 17s. During the action he claimed to have shot down a Dornier 17 but in the attack his aircraft was hit by return fire from one of the enemy aircraft and was hit by a tracer bullet through the flesh of his left shoulder and received a wound from shattered Perspex splinters under his left eye. With his oil and glycol tanks hit he was to crash land the aircraft near the village of Betheniville at 6.30am. He was evacuated to England for treatment.
His father received the following telegram dated the 17th of May 1940: - “Sir, I am directed to inform you that your son Pilot Officer Roy Achille Marchand was slightly wounded in action on 13th of May 1940. As his injuries are not serious no further reports are expected, but should any be received you will be notified as quickly as possible.”
While on sick leave after his release from hospital, he was treated at the Royal Cornwall Infirmary for treatment for a lacerated elbow when he and his wife were involved in a car accident at Mawes Road, near Truro on the 4th of June 1940. He rejoined his Squadron at RAF Church Fenton, North Yorkshire in July 1940.
On the 5th of September 1940, 73 Squadron flew south to RAF Debden and a moved the satellite airfield at RAF Castle Camps.
The following day, the 6th of September 1940, Roy Marchant took off from RAF Castle Camps at 8.50am in a Hurricane with orders to patrol “Monkey” at 15,000 feet. He was flying in as Blue 2 in B Flight. At 9.21am they spotted 80 to 100 Messerschmitt Bf109s flying in Vic formation and circling at various heights between 15,000 and 25,000 feet
At 9.30am Blue Section attacked 9 of the enemy fighters which were circling at 22,000 feet and made a beam attack in lines astern on the enemy formation which developed into an astern attack. Roy Marchant picked out one of the enemy aircraft some 10 miles to the north east of Maidstone and fired two bursts of three seconds each at it. He saw black smoke pouring from it and followed it down to 10,000 feet by which time flames were coming from its engine and the fuselage had also caught fire. He was forced to break away from the combat when another enemy aircraft attacked his but he managed to shake it off and, running short of fuel, he landed at Penshurst near Tonbridge. On his return to Castle Camps he filed the following combat report: - “I was Blue 2 and my section sighted E/A at 9.21 flying in vic formations and in circles. No unusual markings or camouflage. I picked out three E/A which appeared to be straggling a little and I attacked one Me109 using deflection (22 degrees approx.). No enemy fire experienced. Range 200 yds. Two bursts of 3 secs. each. Clouds of black smoke almost immediately came from engine and E/A went into steep dive. I followed him down to 10,000 ft, by which time flames as well as smoke were coming from underneath the engine. I did not follow further down, in case other E/A were on my tail, but after stopping – satisfying myself thatn o other E/A were about I tried without success to find my victim. My R/T was very poor and I was not receiving and was getting short of fuel. Landed at Penshurst Landing Field. No A.A. fire seen.”
The Squadron diary recorded the following on that date: - “... P/O Marchand destroyed a 109, 10 miles N.E. of Maidstone, thus opening the Squadron’s score in that category. He landed at Penshurst having run short of petrol and rather lost his way. He got back in the evening his smiles even as large as if his wife had walked suddenly into Freddie 1. It was a tonic to see him but when he came to make out his individual combat report, the I.O. noticed that he had only claimed a “probable”. Even more pleased was he when told it obviously came into the “destroyed” class.
Roy Marchand took off from RAF Castle Camps at 5.38pm on the 11th of September 1940 as one of twelve aircraft from the Squadron with orders to rendezvous over Debden where they were to join aircraft from 17 Squadron and then to patrol over Rochford at 15,000 feet. He was flying with Blue Section as Blue 2. At 4.15pm they spotted 12 to 15 Messerschmitt Bf110s in a straggling formation flying to the east of them near Herne Bay at 10,000 feet. The Hurricanes descended a little and began circling the enemy aircraft. Roy Marchand spotted two of the Me110s flying towards Margate and attacked one of them from astern with two to three second bursts fire from a range of 300 yards closing to 100yards. He hit the port engine which gave out white smoke clouds with intermittent black clouds. This turned into a stream of black smoke and the enemy aircraft dived into cloud to evade him where it executed as series of diving turns to escape from him. He followed it three miles out to sea off Margate when he saw black smoke pouring from the middle of the enemy aircraft. He abandoned the chase five miles further on and thought it was unlikely that the Me110 made it back across the Channel.
He landed back at base at 4.55pm and filed the following combat report: -
“Enemy sighted about 1615. Saw 2 Me110s proceeding towards Margate from Sheerness. Me110s were light gray on top and greenish blue underneath, black crosses on white background. Enemy was flying straight and level, and an astern attack was delivered. E/A’s port engine was hit, and gave out white smoke in which were intermittent puffs of black smoke until ultimately the whole port engine was giving a stream of black smoke. No enemy aircraft fire was experienced. The E/A dived into cloud for evasive action, and executed steep turns. Result of combat was E/A’s port engine was giving out black smoke which the E/A was diving, and flying level and diving again. Attack was stopped about 8 miles off Margate with the E/A still going down. Last observed E/A’s height at 4,000 feet. Weather was one large patch of 8/10th cloud over Herne Bay. Sun was in the west. Took off 1540. Landed 16.55. Shellbursts assisted in intercepting enemy aircraft but burst too close to our aircraft for comfort. Fire was opened at 300 yds closing to 100yds. Bursts of 3 seconds.
Roy Marchand took off from RAF Castle Camps at 11.05am on the 15th of September 1940 in Hurricane Mk I P3865 TP-K as one of ten aircraft from A and B Flight with orders to rendezvous with 19 Squadron over Debden and then to patrol over Chelmsford at 15,000 feet. He was flying with Yellow Section.
With large numbers of enemy aircraft reported to be crossing the English coast the formation was vectored to the south of the Thames estuary to intercept them on their approach to London. At 12.05pm they spotted 12 Messerschmitt Bf109s flying at 18,000 feet with 10 more above them at 22,000 feet. The enemy aircraft were flying in a south easterly direction at 230 mph in a scattered formation over Medway near Canterbury.
The enemy aircraft were engaged over Maidstone with the Squadron pilots claiming to have destroyed 3 Me109s and to have damaged one other.
During the dog fight a fellow pilot from his Squadron saw Roy Marchand’s aircraft shot down. It crashed at Nouds Farm, Lynstead near Sittingbourne where it burned out, killing Roy Marchand. His body was taken to Sittingbourne Mortuary.
His pregnant wife was on the airfield in the dispersal area to await news of him from the returning pilots when she was told of his death by Flying Officer Michael Beytagh (acting Commanding Officer) and Pilot Officer Hoole, the Squadron Intelligence Officer.
She received the following telegram dated the 17th of September 1940: - “Deeply regret to inform you that your husband Pilot Officer Roy Achille Marchand is reported to have lost his life as the result of air operations on September 15th 1940. Letter follows. The Air Council express their profound sympathy.”
His funeral took place at St Mark’s Church, Bromley.
The Squadron diarist wrote that night: - “P/O Marchand was an excellent pilot and a charming and unassuming boy who was never ruffled by anybody or anything. We will sorely miss him.” The record for the day was closed with the words, “The Squadron feels that to some extent the death of gallant Marchand today has been avenged by the day’s good work.”
His mother wrote of him: -“He was the loveliest and most precious gift that God could bestow on any mortal on earth, and I, his mother, shall mourn him all the rest of my days.”
He is commemorated on an obelisk at Nouds Farm, Lynsted, Kent.
He is buried at Bromley Hill Cemetery Block I, Grave 230.

Pilot Officer 42070 RAF; B Flight, 73 Squadron, Royal Air Force

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Prepared for import into AtoM by Westminster School Archive staff, 2019-2020. Updated by Bethany Duck, Archives Assistant, September 2022.

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Westminster School Second World War Memorial by John C. Hamblin, 2022.