Scroll through each aircrew listing on Plaque two, it's 21 to 40

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 21)

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

N3763.  HA-Q 

1 / 2 OCTOBER 1942 - OP: HEARNWYK - GERMANY

T/O:1950 HRS                                                                                                            THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER 1942                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

All members of the crew, except for Sergeant Roleston, were transferred from No. 1651 Conversion Unit on 30 August 1942. Frederick Roleston had arrived on 13 August through No. 1483 T.T. & G Flight. Sergeant Griffiths completed three operations as a second pilot before starting his role as captain on 6 September. The crew carried out four additional operations before being reported missing in action. They had lasted just a month.

Stirling N3763 HA-Q Queenie was shot down by heavy flak and crashed at Sankt Hubertus in Groß Grönau, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, at 00:40 hours. All the crew who were killed were recovered from the burnt-out Stirling. They were given a full military funeral on 7 October at the Vorkwerk Cemetery.

Training Photos of three of the above crew.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 22

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

BF322.  HA-F 

5 / 6 OCTOBER 1942 - OP: AACHEN - GERMANY

T/O: 1926 HRS                                                                                                 MONDAY 5TH OCTOBER 1942                                                                                                                RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

Sergeant Hall and four of his crew were posted from No. 101 Conversion Flight on 11 September 1942. He carried out his first operation on 13 September, with Pilot Officer Geoff Corser, against Bremen. Hall joined the crew again on September 14th and 16th. His first operation as captain took place on 19 September, which was a minelaying sortie. Unfortunately, he was killed on his seventh operation.

 Sergeant Arthur Pocock was born in 1919 and was the eldest son in a family of nine, the children of Percy and Madge Pocock from Peckham, London. Before the war, he worked as a draughtsman. When war was declared, he volunteered to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) with the hope of becoming a pilot. However, his dream was thwarted due to a rheumatic heart condition. Instead, Arthur trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, attending No. 2 Signals School and No. 1 Air Gunners School. After completing his preliminary training, he was promoted to Sergeant while at No. 20 Operational Training Unit in March 1942. His first operational posting was to No. 7 Squadron, which was soon followed by a posting to No. 101 Conversion Flight. It was here crewed up with Sergeant Hall. Tragically, he was killed on his fourth operation.

Stirling BF322 HA F Freddie, soon after taking off, the crew encountered local thunderous clouds. It is presumed that the pilot lost control of the Stirling, which was reported to have crashed into boggy ground almost vertically near Barton Mills, killing all on board. Some of the bombload was finally recovered from the crash site in June 1960.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 23

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

R9190.  HA-E 

11 / 12 OCTOBER 1942 - OP: MINELAYING (GERANIUM)

T/O:1820 HRS                                                                                                                        SUNDAY  11TH OCTOBER 1942                                                                                         RAF Downham Market

The crew arrived at different times between August and September 1942. The first arrival was Sergeant White from No. 214 Squadron on 28 August. He began his operations alongside Sergeant A. Gough and crew. The Operational Record Book (ORB) indicates that Francis Hill and his crew arrived from No. 1657 Conversion Unit on 7 October; however, this must be an error, as the crew participated in a mining operation on 23 September. On 2 October, they were involved in a crash at Downham Market due to an 'uncontrolled swing' on take-off. The Stirling, W7636 HA-L, was written off, and the blame for the incident was attributed to Sergeant Hill, who reportedly did not have 'sufficient strength to correct the swing'. The crew conducted four more operations before they ultimately failed to return.

Stirling R9190 HA-E Easy was hit by flak while flying at 200 feet at 23.47hrs. Damaged, the Stirling ditched. Bomb Aimer Sergeant Joseph Curle, who was in the front turret, was either killed by flak or unable to escape the turret and drowned. Once safely ditched, all but one of the surviving crew clambered aboard the Starlings' dinghy. The ditching had been observed from both Rudkøbing and Langeland Island, and a search was immediately started. After a couple of hours of searching, the crew was located and returned to Rudkøbing. Four of the airmen were wounded and taken to the hospital in Rudkøbing. Sergeant White was reportedly uninjured and placed in the local jail. In the darkness and confusion of the ditching, Sergeant Richard had become separated from his crew, probably suffering from shock and concussion. Fortunately, two fishermen found Richards standing in the water up to his neck near the wreckage. He was lucky to have survived the freezing waters. They took him on board and sailed to Vemmenæs, where Richards was taken to the local inn. Here, he was given a hot meal and sent off to bed. In the morning, the Danish police arrived, questioned him, and took him back to Svendborg. At 13:45 hours, Air Gunner Sergeant Jimmy White was handed over to the German Wehrmacht, who took him and Air Gunner Sergeant Kenny Richards to Odense. The rest of the crew stayed at Rudkøbing hospital until they were discharged on 16 October and picked up by the Wehrmacht. The body of Joseph Curle was found at 07:00 hours on the morning of 12 October, still in the front turret. He was taken to the County Hospital of Rudkøbing. Here he was placed in a coffin, which was collected the next day by Unteroffizier Martinsen and taken to Odense Assistens Cemetery. On 14 October, he was given a full military burial. James White was repatriated in 1943 due to his injuries sustained during the war.

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

After a Crash landing, Sgt Hill, together with Observer Sgt Harkin, W/Op Sgt Hubert F.H. Frost, Air Gnr. Sgt James P.J. White and Flight Engineer. Sgt. John Gardner climbed onboard the Stirling's dinghy and started paddling away from the island, which they apparently could not see in the darkness. The crash-landing had been observed from    Rudkøbing and Langeland Island, and a search was started. After a couple of hours, the motor boat returned to Rudkøbing with the five airmen from the dinghy. Four of the airmen were wounded and taken to the hospital in Rudkøbing, and Sgt White, who was unharmed, was placed in the local jail.

Stirling R9190 HA E Easy was shot down by heavy Flak of the 3./schwere Flak-Abteilung 161 and the 1./schwere Flak-Abteilung 259.

Air Gunner. F/Sgt. Kenneth L. Richards had lost contact with his comrades during the landing. A couple of fishermen who had witnessed the landing sailed over to the wreck and found Richards standing in water to his neck. They took him on board and sailed to Vemmenæs, where Richards was taken to the local inn. Here, he was given a hot meal and sent off to bed. In the morning, the Danish police arrived, questioned him, and took him with them back to Svendborg. At 13:45 hours, Sgt White was handed over to the German Wehrmacht, who took him and Richards to Odense. The rest of the crew stayed at Rudkøbing hospital until they were discharged on 16 October and were then picked up by the Wehrmacht. The dead body of Air Bomber Sgt Joseph Curle was found at 07:00 on the morning of 12 October just in front of the wreck and taken to the County Hospital of Rudkøbing. Here he was laid in a coffin, which on the following day was picked up by the German Unteroffizier Martinsen and taken to Odense Assistens Cemetery. Here he was on 14/10-42, laid to rest together with Sgt H.S. Moore from Halifax DT520, which had crashed by Nordenberg on 1 October.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 24

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

R9184.  HA-U 

28 / 29 JULY 1942 - OP: GENOA - ITALY

T/O:1835HRS                                                                                                                  FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER 1942                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

Stirling R9184 HA-U Uncle, possibly was shot down by Hptm Karl-Hans Godbersen of E./NJG2 at 02.20hrs, who claimed to have shot down Stirling 9184  into the sea west of Schouwen. Only three crew members were ever recovered, all of whom were washed ashore. On 27 October, Stanley Price was found on the beach at Qued-Plage; he would be buried in the local cemetery. New Zealander Bowker washed ashore on 3 November 1942 and was buried the following day at Fort Mahon Cemetery. Finally, on 22 November, Frederick Hall washed ashore at Saint Marguerite-sur-Mar. He was buried in the local cemetery on 22 November 1942.  

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 25

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

R9241.  HA-L 

24 / 25 OCTOBER 1942 - OP: MILAN - ITALY

T/O: 1850 HRS                                                                                                        SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER 1942                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

Frederick Higgott RNZAF joined the squadron on 10 August 1942, after completing his Stirling conversion with 218 Conversion Flight based at RAF Marham. During the remainder of August, Frederick flew in the role of second pilot on five operations, all of which targeted German towns and cities. His final operation as a second pilot took place on 1 September 1942, when the crew, led by Sergeant Elsom, successfully bombed Saarbrücken. After being considered ready to captain a crew, he was posted to No. 1657 Squadron conversion unit to assemble his own. His first operation as captain occurred on 8 October 1942, a minelaying operation in the Nectarines Garden area. The crew completed five additional operations before the tragic crash on 24 October 1942.

Without warning, the port outer engine on the port side failed shortly after crossing the English coast. The bomb load was quickly jettisoned into the mouth of the River Stour. Eventually, the engine caught fire, and the flames spread rapidly, resulting in a loss of control. The Stirling disintegrated in mid-air, with the wreckage falling near Cattawade, 8 miles south-southwest of Ipswich. There was only one survivor.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 26

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

R9185.  HA-Y 

 6TH NOVEMBER 1942 - OP: MINELAYING (DEODAR)

T/O: 1656 HRS                                                                                                               FRIDAY 6TH NOVEMBER 1942                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

The crew was posted from No. 1651 Conversion Unit at RAF Waterbeach. At the same time, the Squadron Operations Record Book (ORB) states the date as 15 October, and the 1651 ORB records it as 18 October. During the rest of the month, Hyde completed three second pilot trips. The crew conducted their first and last operation on the night of 6 November to 7, 1942.

Citation for the Hyde MBE

Warrant Officer Hyde's aircraft crashed near St Malo in November 1942. He walked for eight days in a south-easterly direction, obtaining food and clothing from peasants. Eventually, he stole a bicycle near Rennes and made for Paris. At Fecamp, he became ill and was sheltered by a French family, but was betrayed and arrested with his hosts in December 1942. In the summer of 1943, Warrant Officer Hyde and three others, having assumed new identities, travelled to Gleiwitz on a working party. They made a daring attempt to steal an aircraft and were on board for ten minutes before being detected. The Germans treated this escapade as an act of sabotage and meted out very severe punishment. Warrant Officer Hyde was still serving his sentence when he was liberated in January 1945.

The exact cause of the loss is not known. However, the surviving crews report that they were 'shot down', but by what is unclear? The Stirling made a forced landing near the village of Landrodec, Brittany. Two crew members were killed.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 27

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

W7475.  HA-H

9 / 10 NOVEMBER 1942 - OP: HAMBURG - GERMANY

T/O: 1755 HRS                                                                                                          MONDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 1942                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

There is no aircrew photo of this crew; however, there are two portrait photos of the Bomb Aimer, Thomson, and Wireless Operator, Franklin.

Pilot Peter Frank Hickling, DFM, was born on 2 March 1914 in Nottingham. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) on 10 February 1939. After earning his wings, he was posted on 9 September 1940 to No. 10 Squadron, equipped with the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber. In June 1941, upon completing his first tour, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). This was presented by His Majesty the King during an investiture at Buckingham Palace on 26 September 1941. Throughout 1941 and 1942, he had a series of postings to No. 10 and No. 22 Operational Training Units. In September 1942, he was posted to No. 156 Squadron with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. However, his time there was brief. On 8 October 1942, he was transferred to No. 218 Squadron to assume the duties of Flight Commander and was subsequently promoted to Squadron Leader. Upon his arrival, he took over a vastly experienced and soon-to-be-screened crew that had previously been captained by New Zealander Flight Lieutenant Roy Spear RNZAF, who had recently completed his first tour. The ‘new’ crew completed three operations before embarking on the fateful operation to Hamburg. Most of the crew were on their 28^th operation.

Stirling W7475 HA-H Harry was shot down by flak at around 21:15 hours, the Stirling exploding on impact near Luneburg, Germany. Tragically, their Stirling crashed while carrying a full bomb load, and only partial remains of the crew were recovered. These remains were placed in a single coffin and laid to rest with full military honours on 13 November 1942, at the Alswede Cemetery, located 22 miles from Osnabrück, Germany.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 28

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

W7614.  HA-J 

17 / 18 DECEMBER 1942 - OP: FALLERSLEBEN - GERMANY

T/O: 1732 HRS                                                                                                    THURSDAY 17TH DECEMBER 1942                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

The exact date Robert Marshall RNZAF arrived on 218 Squadron is uncertain. He completed six-second pilot operations in September 1942, the first occurring on 10 September alongside fellow New Zealander F/O Roy Spear, RNZAF, attacking Düsseldorf. His last operation that month was on 19 September with Squadron Leader Oldroyd, which was against Munich. After this, there was a gap of over a month before he operated again. It is understood that he assembled his crew from No. 1657 Conversion Unit, and they returned to the squadron on 12 October. The crew conducted their first operation on 21 October, which was a mine-laying trip, followed ten days later by another mine-laying operation. In November, they flew five operations, including trips to Genoa and Turin, Italy. During their first operation in December 1942, the crew engaged in a brief exchange of fire with a Junkers JU88 while returning from Frankfurt. They went on to complete two more operations before being reported missing. 

Stirling W7614  HA-J JIG was illuminated by a searchlight and hit by Flak from Langenhagen airfield, crashing west of Kaltenweide, Langenhagen, Niedersachsen.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 29

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

BF403.  HA-R 

17 / 18 DECEMBER 1942 - OP: FALLERSLEBEN - GERMANY

T/O: 1802 HRS                                                                                                    THURSDAY 17TH DECEMBER 1942                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

Leonard Shepherd, RNZAF, has an uncertain arrival date on the squadron, similar to that of fellow pilot and countryman Robert Marshall, RNZAF. After gaining his wings, he arrived in the UK and, in July 1941, was posted to No. 21 Operational Training Unit, where he served as a staff pilot upon completing further training. In 1942, he was serving with No. 11 Operational Training Unit before transferring to 218 Conversion Flight at RAF Marham. In October, Leonard completed four operations with various pilots on 218 Squadron, including Australian Pilot Officer Geoff Corser, RAAF, and Flight Sergeant 'Mo' Pettit, RCAF. It is understood that he was then posted to No.1657 Conversion Unit, RAF Stradishall, to assemble his crew. Neither Leonard nor his crew conducted operations in November, but his arrival, and that of five of his crew from No. 1657 Conversion Unit, is recorded as 13 November. The bomb aimer, Alan Lavers, had previously reported for duty from No. 1483 Target Towing Gunnery Flight on the 8th. The crew's first operation took place on 9 December, involving a mine-laying operation aboard Stirling R9244 HA-W. Unfortunately, they failed to return from their second operation. Leonard Shepherd RNZAF was recovered from the sea west of Texel by a German naval vessel at 19:30hrs on 17 December. Stanley Holmes washed ashore on the island of Texel on 21 December. The rest of the crew were never recovered.

Stirling BF403 HA-R was held by searchlights and shot down by German naval flak at 19:15 hours into the sea between Den Helder and Texel.

747242 Leading Aircraftman Charles Henry Cartwright, RAF VR, age 49 (Had a heart attack while on duty 17/12/1942, he died in the Hospital on 18/12/1942).

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 30

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

N6077.  HA-V 

27 / 28 JANUARY 1943 - OP: MINELAYING (SWEET-PEAS)

T/O: 1706 HRS                                                                                                               WEDNESDAY 27TH JULY 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

Arthur Gough and his crew began their Stirling conversion with 'B' Flight at No. 1651 Conversion Unit. They arrived from No. 19 Operational Training Unit on 13 July and were deemed ready for operations, receiving a posting to No. 218 Squadron by 23 August. Arthur served as the second pilot and carried out three operations. Their first operation took place on 27 August, when he joined Squadron Leader 'Sammy' Samson for a raid on Kassel. The crew's first operation against Saarbrucken was on 19 September 1942. In October, they conducted eight operations and five in November. Interestingly, on 28 November, the Squadron Commanding Officer chose the crew for a raid on Turin, but Arthur was omitted; instead, a second pilot, Pilot Officer William Blaise Cloutier from the RCAF, took his place. Cloutier had joined the squadron on 10 November. In December, the crew conducted three operations, two of which resulted in new fatalities. On a trip to Fallersleben on 17 December, the crew was fortunate to survive. They were hit by flak over the Zuider Zee, which caused a fire in the port wing and inflicted significant damage to the bomb doors and fuselage. The crew jettisoned their bombs and managed to turn back for home. The Stirling, BF406 HA-Q, was on its first operation at the time. On the 20^th, they were hit by flak again, which on this occasion wounded the rear gunner. It would take almost two months to complete the necessary repairs. Arthur's last operation was on 20 December against Duisburg in veteran N3721 HA-P 'Peter.' Unfortunately, a month passed before their next operation, which, tragically, would turn out to be their final one.

Navigator Pilot Officer Charles Layley's grandmother was a Morris and was related to Wing Commander Morris, Charles's commanding officer at 218 Squadron. Charles's elder brother, Ronald George, was killed on operations with No.7 PFF Squadron on 14 January 1944. The sole survivor, William Jackson, wrote two books: the first about his time with 218 Squadron, followed by another during his time as a POW. The first was 'Three Stripes and Four Browning's', followed by 'Lone Survivor'. He was married at the time of his capture, and his wife was serving in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). Pilot Officer Kenneth Taylor was shot down on his second operation.

While Stirling N6077 HA-V Victor was on its return flight, it hit the top of a hill in cloud near Dassel, 13 miles ENE of Hoxter. (A strange route home). All the crew, apart from Air Gunner Sergeant William Jackson, RAF VR, were killed instantly.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 31

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

BF406.  HA-E 

3 / 4 FEBRUARY 1943 - OP: HAMBURG - GERMANY

T/O:1835 HRS                                                                                                    WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

The crew of Sergeant Leslie Dodd began their Stirling conversion in late September 1942 with No. 1651 Conversion Unit. Upon completion, they were posted to No. 218 Squadron on Christmas Eve 1942. This crew was unique because it included two American crew members. Air Gunner Howard Traver, whose parents lived on Long Island, New York. Bomb Aimer Robert Lynn, who had been 'washed-out' from pilot training with the U.S. Air Force, was from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In January 1943, Leslie Dodd undertook operations as a second pilot, which included a minelaying trip and a bombing raid on the docks at Lorient. The crew completed three operations in January 1943, starting with a raid on Lorient on the 15th, followed by two Gardening operations. Their first trip in February was against Hamburg; they did not return. Their aircraft, Stirling BF406 HA-E, had only just returned from repair due to flak damage on 17 December when flown by Arthur Gough and crew.

Stirling BF406 HA-E Easy was shot down by a Luftwaffe Night Fighter pilot, Oblt Manfred Meurer, flying in a Messerschmitt Bf110 from Venlo airfield (Also known as Traffic Port Venlo, located south-east of the Netherlands—Merurer of 3. /NJG1 had seen the Stirling and, at 2020 hours, started his relentless attack many times. At  20.41hrs north of Arnhem, Stirling BF 406 was done for and crashed with its full bombload near Deelen airfield, Gelderland, Netherlands. There were no survivors. It's said that Manfred Meurer was a Luftwaffe Ace credited with 65 aerial victories claimed in 130 missions, making him one of the top five most deadly German night fighters of the Luftwaffe. 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 32

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

BF408.  HA-T 

3 / 4 FEBRUARY 1943 - OP: HAMBURG - GERMANY

T/O: 1847 HRS                                                                                                   WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

This diverse crew came together by circumstance, but they would all ultimately perish aboard Stirling BF408 HA-T.

 Skipper Flight Lieutenant Stanley Treves was an experienced bomber pilot who had flown numerous missions. In November 1942, he completed two second pilot trips with Squadron Leader 'Sammy' Samson, one of which was to Turin, Italy. On 17 December, the majority of the crew, Treves, Yoxall, Bostock, Dixon, Hargreaves, and Foster, arrived from No. 1651 Conversion Unit. Over the coming weeks, the crew line-up would alter. On 28 December, Stanley Treves undertook his first operation as captain. His crew included Sergeants Dixon, Yoxall, Foster, Bostock, Kennington, and Hargreaves. George Kennington had already completed five operations since his arrival on 6 October, mostly serving as a 'spare gunner'. On 14 January 1943, the crew was withdrawn from a mine-laying operation at the last minute. The following night, they attacked Lorient with a replacement rear gunner, Sergeant A. Clarke, who had taken Kennington's place. The same crew operated against Lorient Docks on the 23rd. Their first and last operation in February was flown against Hamburg, and once again, the crew changed. Sergeant Kennington returned to the rear turret, while the experienced Flying Officer Bellman replaced Sergeant Dixon. George Bellman usually flew with Flying Officer James Neilson RNZAF, who went on to complete 26 operations with 218 Squadron and was awarded a DFC. Tragically, he would be killed while instructing with No. 1657 Conversion Unit in January 1944.

 On this night, the squadron would lose a third young American. Peter Clyde Astrosky would fly his first and last operation with the squadron. Born in Gillespie, Illinois, USA, in October 1914, he had gained some prior piloting experience before arriving at 218 Conversion Flight in September 1942. He followed the usual route through No. 1657 Conversion Unit before joining No. 218 Squadron on 1 January 1943. Sergeant Thomas Dixon, who luckily did not fly on that fateful operation, would join the crew of Flying Officer Neilson RNZAF, replacing George Bellman. Sadly, Thomas did not survive. He was killed on 30 May 1943, attacking Wuppertal with Flight Sergeant Willian Davis RAAF and crew.

Stirling Bf 408 HA-T Tommy was shot down by Luftwaffe Night fighter pilot Oberleutnant (Flight Lieutenant) Horst Pause of 1. /NJG1, (1st Staffel, Nachtjagdgeschwader 1 - 1st squadron Night fighter wing 1) operating from Gilze-Rijen airbase, south  Netherlands. Pause was in a Messerschmitt Bf 110 F-4, which attacked the Stirling, which had been damaged by flak.  At 20.00 hours, he made his first run with cannons blazing, knocking out the mid-upper and rear turrets and then carried out a second attack.  At 21.05 hours, Bf408 plunged in a ball of fire into the North Sea off Zoutelande, Zeeland. There were no survivors. 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 33

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

BF450.  HA-X 

28 / 29 JULY 1943 - OP: HAMBURG - GERMANY

T/O: 2322 HRS                                                                                                                        TUESDAY 28TH JULY 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

Stirling BF450 HA-X ' X-ray' was hit by the   491st Flak batteries and 492nd Flak battery, causing the Stirling to explode in a blaze of fire, almost disintegrating in mid-air over Rheinau near Mannheim at 00.18 hrs. Other reports record- At 00.45 AM, parts from an enemy aircraft (rear gun turret and tail) crashed in the grounds of Mannheim power station. A crew member was found dead next to these parts. Larger parts of the aircraft, including the engines, fell at the 416.300 km marker next to the Rhine. Other parts were found in open arable fields in Casterfeld in Mannheim-Rheinau. Neither bombs nor the rest of the crew were found, probably crashing into the Rhine. It is known that Sergeant Raymond White, Sergeant Kenneth Young, Warrant Officer II George Matthews, and Sergeant John Hearn were recovered from the wreckage and buried. Two of the crew's bodies, those of Sergeant Wade and Sergeant Stuart, were reported retrieved from the River Rhine in late April 1944; at the time of investigation, the Missing in Action report lists them as missing, not found. Sergeant Harry Werner's body was never found, and therefore, he is recorded on the Runnymede memorial.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 34

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

R9333.  HA-Y 

5 / 6 MARCH 1943 - OP: ESSEN- GERMANY

T/O: 1920 HRS                                                                                                                        FRIDAY 5TH MARCH 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Sergeant George Ratcliffe and his crew 'officially’ arrived from No.1657 Conversion Unit on 17 January 1943. However, in December 1942, George had already completed three operations with Pilot Officer Downey and crew for operational experience. George was attached to No.1657 Conversion Unit at the time, having joined from No.161 Squadron in October 1942. His actual arrival date is not recorded. It would not be until 27 January that the crew flew their first 'Freshman' trip, a mining operation aboard BF375 HA-O. The Australian navigator, Flight Sergeant Keith Heming RAAF, was the crew's most experienced member. He began operations in 1941, firstly with No.115 Squadron based at RAF Marham and then No.109 Squadron at RAF Tempsford between November 1941 and April 1942. Keith was admitted to the hospital seriously ill in March 1942 with Cellulitis and haemorrhaging to the left arm.  This put his flying on hold until he joined the crew at No.1657 Con Unit. In February 1943, the tempo of raids increased with six operations flown.  On 14 February, the crew had a sharp encounter with a night fighter claiming 'strikes' seen on the enemy aircraft. They had two brief combats five days later, but no claims were made. Promoted to Pilot Officer, George and crew's first raid of March was against Hamburg, followed just two days later by Essen, the first raid of the Battle of the Ruhr.

Stirling  R9333 was a rather unlucky aircraft. It arrived in the squadron on 31 May 1942. Still, it was quickly plagued by various mechanical issues, often referred to as 'Gremlins.’ On 9 June, it encountered a hydraulic failure and had to return early. On 27 June, the aircraft suffered significant damage from a night fighter attack, leading to over seven months of repair work. Upon its return to operations in February 1943, the troubles continued. The starboard engine failed during its first operation back. Just three days later, on 7 February, the starboard inner engine caught fire. Another engine problem arose on 13 February. It was withdrawn at the last minute due to technical issues on 26 February and again on March 1^st raids.   

Details on loss: it is believed the aircraft was shot down by Flak, crashing at Essen-Kray, the crew being initially buried at Nordfriedhof Cemetery.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 35

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. I

BF343.  HA-M 

11 / 12 MARCH 1943 - OP: STUTTGART - GERMANY

T/O: 1950 HRS                                                                                                            THURSDAY 11TH MARCH 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

The journey to No.218 Squadron for New Zealander Gerald Parkinson RNZAF was not smooth upon being awarded his wings. In June 1942, after a spell with No. 20 Operational Training Unit, a posting to No. 115 Squadron, based at RAF Marham, was proposed but then cancelled. Instead, he was posted to No. 101 Squadron, although this decision was also quickly changed to a posting at No. 12 Operational Training Unit.

In October 1942, Gerald was posted to No.1651 Conversion Unit to commence four-engine conversion training. Once complete, Gerald and his crew were posted to No.218 Squadron on 19 October. Gerald's first operation was on 23 October against Genoa with Wing Commander Owen Morris, the squadron commanding officer. The raid was nearly their undoing. North of Paris, they were attacked by a single-engine night fighter, the vigilance of the gunners saving the crew. Three days later, Gerald participated in a minelaying operation alongside Squadron Leader 'Wally' Hiles DFC. In November, the crew would conduct five raids. The last, on the 28th, against Turin, saw the crew fly home from northern Italy with a defective engine. On 2 December, the crew attacked Frankfurt, where their Stirling, BF343 HA-M, suffered damage from flak. Only two more raids were flown in December before Parkinson was detached to the Central Navigational School (CNS) at Cranage, while his entire crew was detached to No.1483 T.T.G.F at RAF Marham. In January 1943, the crew would operate just twice, both occasions against Lorient. February saw a significant increase in activity, with nine raids flown, including three more raids against the docks at Lorient. They bombed Cologne twice, and also struck Wilhelmshaven, Nuremberg, and St. Nazaire, alongside a solitary mining operation. This monthly tally was the second highest achieved by a crew in the squadron. The crew's twentieth operation took place on 9 March, targeting Munich. It would be the crew's penultimate operation before being shot down while attacking Stuttgart.   

Stirling BF343 is believed to have been shot down by flak on return from Stuttgart. Crashed at Martin Eglise, south east of Dieppe, France, killing all the crew.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 36

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. III

BK716.  HA-J 

29 / 30 MARCH 1943 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 2130 HRS                                                                                                                 MONDAY 29TH MARCH 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

On 29 March, Flying Officer Harris took off on his last operation. The crew had successfully bombed Berlin, their ninth operation and were on their way home when intercepted by Leutnant Werner Rapp of 7. /NJG 1 flying in his Messerschmitt Bf 110 G-4 with squadron code G9+CR. Rapp noted his victory in his logbook: 'Stirling, 04:49 2-4 km East-Southeast of Marken Island'. This was his second claim of the night.  The Stirling and its crew plunged into the Ijsselmeer, where they lay undisturbed until 2008. The crew of Flying Officer Harris and the recovery of the Stirling BK716 HA-J made worldwide news when the wreckage and the remains of the crew were eventually found. The wreckage was discovered in 2008, but it was not until October 2020 that it was recovered. It was due to the hard work and dedication of Johan Graas of the Aircraft Recovery Group and the Dutch Government's National Aircraft Recovery Program that it was made possible. A magnificent memorial was unveiled at a ceremony on 12 October 2021. Many distinguished guests, including Dutch Royalty, Canadian and British Ambassadors, the Mayor and Alderman, and the crew's families, attended the unveiling. 

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 37

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. III

BK702.  HA-O 

29 / 30 MARCH 1943 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 2143 HRS                                                                                                                 MONDAY 29TH MARCH 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

William Hoar RCAF was the son of English-born parents who lived in Canada. He enlisted in the RCAF in February 1941 and, a year later, arrived in England as a qualified pilot. His arrival in England was delayed due to two hospital stays in Canada after completing his training at No. 20 Operational Training Unit. William 'Bill' Hoar was posted to No.1651 on 15 December 1942. Detached to No.218 Squadron, he operated for the first time with the crew of fellow NCO, Sergeant Les Smith, to Duisburg on 20 December. It was not until 2 February 1943 that the squadron's Operational Records Book (ORB) recorded his and his crew's arrival in the squadron. Two-second' dickie’ operations were flown by William in December, both with Squadron Leader' Wally' Hiles DFC. On the 13th, Lorient Docks were attacked, and William experienced first-hand the aggressive antics of Squadron Leader Hiles DFC, who strafed a locomotive on the way home. The following night, Cologne was bombed. It was not until the 28th that the crew, comprising two Canadians, two Scots, two Englishmen, and a Welshman, undertook their first operation against St Nazaire. Unfortunately, the port inner engine exhaust failure aboard N3720 HA-J necessitated the operation's abortion.   Operations were flown on March 4^th and 5^th, the latter resulting in flak damage over Essen. It would be three weeks before the crew operated again; the target was St Nazaire. The following night, they were briefed to bomb Berlin with a full incendiary bomb load. They never returned.

 Searchlights coned Stirling BK702 and then shot down by flak at 03:42 hours. The Stirling crashed in flames near Syke, south of Bremen. The crew was initially buried at Vetchta on 1 April 1943.  

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 38

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. III

BF502.  HA-P 

8 / 9 APRIL 1943 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 2137 HRS                                                                                                                    THURSDAY 8TH APRIL 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Stirling BF502 HA-P 'Peter' Was lost without a trace.  Information compiled by Stephen C. Smith, 218 Squadron Author, regarding the RAF Service movements of   Pilot Officer Douglas Tomkins, RAF VR, shows that Douglas Tomkins enlisted in the RAF in November 1940. His early pilot training would see him posted to No. 6 SFTS, No. 17 Operational Training Unit, and No. 30 Operational Training Unit. In October 1942, he arrived at No.1657 Conversion Unit at RAF Stradishall.  On completing his Stirling conversion, he was posted to No.218 Squadron on Christmas Eve 1942. Douglas would operate twice in January in the second pilot role before the 18th, captaining his crew on a mine-laying trip to the Nectarine Garden area. The crew's original Observer/bomb aimer, Sergeant John Gallagher, who had participated in the operation of the 18th, was killed on 4 February while operating with Flight Lieutenant Treves.  Sergeant Arthur Ridge replaced him. Douglas and crew would operate on ten occasions during February. On the 7th, they suffered an engine fire soon after take-off. Douglas's action received the following comment in the ORB: 'Put up an excellent performance'. On the 25th, they suffered another engine fire, aborting the operation. March started with a raid on Berlin on the 1st, followed by Hamburg on the 3rd. On the 27^th, they had yet another engine fire, resulting in an early return. The crew's penultimate operation was against Kiel on 4 April 1943. 

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 39

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. III

BF514.  HA-X 

16 / 17 APRIL 1943 - OP: MANNHEIM - GERMANY

T/O: 2200 HRS                                                                                                                        FRIDAY 16TH APRIL 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 2.  AIRCREW No. 40

218 (Gold Coast) Squadron - Stirling Mk. III

BK596.  HA-B

20 / 21 APRIL 1943 - OP: ROSTOCK - GERMANY

T/O: 2217 HRS                                                                                                                     TUESDAY 20TH APRIL 1943                                                                                                   RAF Downham Market

Photos Via Stephen C. Smith 218 (Gold Coast ) Association

The all-RAF crew was posted to RAF Downham Market on 26 March 1943. The Captain of the crew, Sergeant Thomas Jopling, flew his first operation, a second dicky flight on 4 April, with an experienced crew of Flight Lieutenant Wilbur Turner, RCAF, on a raid against Kiel. This was followed by a mine-laying trip to the Bay of Biscay aboard Stirling BF472 HA-V with the crew of Flying Officer Frederick Fennell on 18 April 1943. Tragically, the crew's first operation would also be their last. Their target was the distant town of Rostock and the Heinkel Works. Shot down on the return flight by a night fighter flown by Lieutenant Viktor Sorko 4. /NJG 5 at 03.25 hours and crashed south of Stralsund, Germany.