PLAQUE 7

Scroll through each aircrew listing on Plaque Seven, it 121 to 140

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 121

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

PB401.  F2-A

12 SEPTEMBER 1944 - OP: SCHOLVEN-BUER - GERMANY

T/O: 1136HRS                                                                                                           SATURDAY 12TH  SEPTEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
571071 Pilot Flight Sergeant William Thomas (Billie) Harley RAF 23 KIA
1676417 Navigator Sergeant Thomas James Crabtree RAF VR 20 KIA
1324836 Bomber Aimer Flight Sergeant Ronald Alfred James Brimicombe RAF VR 21 KIA
1488561 Wireless Operator/ A/G Sergeant Richard Henry Fenson RAF VR 22 KIA
J90393 Air Gunner Pilot Officer Roy Sidney Holland RCAF 21 KIA
J90394 Air Gunner Pilot Officer Thomas Alban Hennessy RCAF 20 KIA
162433 Flight Engineer Sergeant Ernest Leslie Smith RAF VR 22 KIA

Left Portrait  Canadian registration photo of Air Gunner Pilot Officer Roy Sidney Holland RCAF. 

 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 122

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB359.  6T-T

13 / 14 SEPTEMBER 1944 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 1136HRS                                                                                                    WEDNESDAY  13TH  SEPTEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
61470 Pilot Squadron Leader Charles Rene Barrett DFC RAF VR 31 KIA
168808 Navigator Flying Officer Edward Sydney Fogden RAF VR 26 KIA

KB359 6T-T 'Tommy' was held by a bank of searchlights on the western sector of Berlin's defence. Searchlights played a crucial role in Berlin's anti-aircraft defences during World War II, particularly against nighttime Allied bomber raids. These searchlights, controlled by radar, were used to track the bombers, illuminating their targets for anti-aircraft guns and night fighters, and even to dazzle the bomber crews.  The blue searchlight beam indicated a target lock among the white light searchlights. Squadron Leader Charles Barrett DFC RAFVR was blinded by the mass of light that lit up his aircraft in the night sky like a moth in one's car headlights. This allowed Night Fighter Lt Karl Mitterdorfer of the 10./JG 300, who was in his Messerschmitt 109 G / AS, to get a fix on the mosquito, make his attack, shooting the aircraft in flames, crashing at 2315 hours  (north west of Nauen, Germany.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 123

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB239.  6T-G

15 / 16 SEPTEMBER 1944 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 2345HRS                                                                                                                  FRIDAY  13TH  SEPTEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
J11053 Pilot Flight Sergeant Bert Howard Smith RCAF 22 KIA
1338509 Navigator Sergeant Leonard Frederick Pegg RAF VR 29 KIA

F/Lt Smith Enlisted 30 June 1941;   Trained at Brandon, Regina,  Virden, Canada. Graduated from  Uplands with his commission. Flying instructor at Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Promoted to Flying  Officer in  October 1942. Deployed overseas in 1943,  attached to the RAF Bomber Command as a flying instructor and promoted to Flight       Lieutenant in June 1944, August 1944 served with 608 (North Riding) Squadron No.8 Group Path Finder Force.

KB239 6T 'G' George crashed at Rangsdorf, north west of Zossen, Germany.

 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 124

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

ND453.  F2-D

6 OCTOBER 1944 - OP: SCHOLVEN-BUER - GERMANY

T/O: 1503HRS                                                                                                                           FRIDAY 6TH  OCTOBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
174525 Pilot Flying Officer George Alexander Thorne RAF VR 32 Safe
1523289 Navigator 1 Flying Officer Grahame Nowlan Rose RAF VR 32 Safe
152515 Navigator 2 Flying Officer Brris Bressloff RAF VR 22 Safe
1292967 Bomber Aimer Warrant Officer Reginald Michael Hoey Keary RAF VR 23 Safe
1324859 Wireless Operator/ A/G Sergeant James Douglas Crabtree RAF VR 26 KIA
182416 Air Gunner Sergeant Neil McCallum Scott RAF VR 22 Safe
1468525 Air Gunner Sergeant Thomas James Albert Raymont RAF VR 31 Safe
1684560 Flight Engineer Sergeant John Henry Parker RAF VR 21 Safe

FLYING OFFICER GEORGE ALEXANDER THORNE & CREW

Top Left 1567159 F/S Gilbert Ernest Patterson (Wireless Operator)  Right 1292967 Warrant Officer Reginald M.H. Keary Photos Via Boris Bressloff. Note: Above Alex Thorne's original crew at 19 O.T.U. Scott,  Raymont, Crabtree and Rose, then Bressloff. They were joined soon after by Parker and Keary. Following the sad loss of Wireless Operator Sgt.  The crew tried out several Wireless Operators until they found Flight Sergeant Ernie Patterson, who became the ideal replacement for Jim Crabtree of the RAFVR. Eventually becoming a crew of eight, they pressed on to become one of the top Pathfinder Master Bomber aircrews. 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 125

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB261.  6T-D

9 / 10  OCTOBER 1944 - OP: WILHELMSHAVEN - GERMANY

T/O: 1803HRS                                                                                                                      MONDAY 9TH  OCTOBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
68776 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Reginald George Gardner RAF VR 31 KIA
145171 Navigator Flying Officer Oswald Cuthbert Sweetman DFM RAF VR 27 KIA

Left Navigator Flying Officer  Ozzy Sweetman DFM  and Pilot,  Flying Officer Reginald Gardner RAFVR, WAAF Corporal Margaret  Smith of De Haviland and far right, 'B' Flight Commander,  Pilot ,  Flight Lieutenant  Gilbert leigh Scott DFC , RCAF of 608 (North Riding Squadron) 

Portrait Photo of Navigator/ Observer Flying Officer Ozzy Sweetman RAFVR.  Sweetman was before joining 608 (North Riding ) Squadron complete a tour of duty with 104 Squadron in the middle east theatre for 7 months.  Citation for DFM.

Sweetman, Oswald Cuthbert. 1255783, Sergeant , 104 squadron. L.G. 5/2/1943. Sorties 33, Flying hours 221.40. Navigator. Air2/8933: Sergeant Sweetman has completed a tour of operational duty with 104 Squadron lasting over 6 months during which time he has operated against the enemy 33 times and flown 221.40 hours. A  Navigator of outstanding skill, his courage under fire has inspired all who have flown with him and results he has got have been an example to the other Navigators in the squadron which has materially raised the standard of bombing in the unit. Flying during the intensive operations during our last withdrawal, he showed outstanding skill and determination in seeking out the enemy in the battle area and bombing his transport concentrations with an accuracy which resulted in fires in many cases. The complete set of operations over a wide variety of targets can be summed up as completely satisfactory. 1st December, 1942. Sadly his 104 Squadron Record in the27 Files doe not record each aircrew , the adjutant only listing each Pilot and aircraft and not a full crew.                                       Sweetman, married Jessie (nee James) of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, father to Jacqueline, born 1943.

Pilot , Flying Officer Reginald George Gardner, nothing is know about Gardner's RAFVR service history!

What is known from his Grave records, Gardner was from Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent , he married his childhood sweetheart Nancy . Gardner had logged 1227 hours, including 42 days and 110 night hours on Mosquitoes.  there are currently no photos of Reginald Gardner!

Barry Blunt in his book 608 Squadron records, " During the attack over Wilhelmshaven, Germany the searchlights operated ineffectively beneath the cloud and some predicted flak was aimed at several aircraft but general the response was limited.  The cloud made it impossible to assess the accuracy of the bombing. Returning crews straggled back to base from 21.04 hours onwards, Mosquito KB261 'D' Dog, flown by Flight Lieutenant Reginald George Gardner, and flying Officer Oswald Cuthbert Sweetman  DFM, a new  crew on the squadron crashed near base.  At 2115 hours Gardner approached the funnels too low from a height of 1,000ft and he lost control, the aircraft slipped into the ground as it turned towards the runway.  KB261 'D' Dog  crashed near the airfield at Wimbotsham and on impact the aircraft immediately caught fire and exploded killing the crew. The Pilot next into land was Flight Lieutenant Bert Dunford and Sergeant Reed in Mosquito KB265 'F' Freddie, only a minute behind them. Bert in his report comments- "Sadly on my return, I had to land through the smoke of the proceeding aircraft which had crashed short of the runway 'B', Wimbotsham sector".  

 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 126

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB348.  6T-P

11 / 12  OCTOBER 1944 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 0136 HRS                                                                                                              THURSDAY 12TH  OCTOBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
1172402 Pilot Flying Officer Stanley Warren Reeder RAF VR 23 KIA
442325 Navigator Flight Sergeant Robert John Bolton RAAF 19 KIA

                      608 (North Riding) Squadron Mosquito KB348.  6T 'P' Peter standing in readiness for another Milk run to the Big City, Berlin, 11 October 1944.                                     Photo via Barry Blunt Collection.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 127

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB364.  6T-P

6 / 7  NOVEMBER 1944 - OP: GELSENKIRCHEN - GERMANY

T/O: 1743 HRS                                                                                                           MONDAY 6TH NOVEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
185130 Pilot Pilot Officer James McLean RAF VR 26 KIA
1604944 Navigator Sergeant Mervyn Lambert Tansley RAF VR 21 KIA

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 128

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB360.  6T-H

10 / 11  NOVEMBER 1944 - OP: HANNOVER - GERMANY

T/O: 2205 HRS                                                                                                                    FRIDAY 10TH NOVEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
J5122 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Stuart Douglas Webb RCAF 23 KIA
1670594 Navigator Flying Officer John (Ian) Campbell RAF VR 20 Safe (Injured)
(164121)

Portrait Photos of Pilot, Flight Lieutenant Stuart Douglas Webb RCAF and his Navigator Flying Officer John (Ian) Campbell RAFVR 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 129

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB235.  6T-A

6 / 7  DECEMBER 1944 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 1847.30 HRS                                                                                                   WEDNESDAY 6TH DECEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
141774 Pilot Flying Officer Graeme Robert Weir RAF VR 25 KIA
170251 Navigator Flying Officer John Edward Ceil Hardy RAF VR 32 KIA

Above photo of Graeme Weir as a trainee pilot. Right Mosquitos at RAF Downham Market Taking off for another Milk Run for the Big City Berlin, Germany. 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 130

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

ND703.  F2-F

6 / 7  DECEMBER 1944 - OP: LEUNA-MERSEBURG - GERMANY

T/O: 1720 HRS                                                                                                   WEDNESDAY 6TH DECEMBER  1944                                                                                                RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
151490 Pilot Flying Officer William Edgar Hearn RAF VR 23 KIA
187254 Navigator Pilot Officer John Warder Jordan RAF VR 23 KIA
J35107 Bomber Aimer Flying Officer Kenneth Donald Wallingford RCAF 21 KIA
1812678 Wireless Operator/ A/G Sergeant Horace Ernest Medlock RAF VR 20 KIA
1798236 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant Robert Lyons RAF VR 21 PoW
1550199 Air Gunner Sergeant John McNab RAF VR 22 PoW
1897586 Flight Engineer Sergeant Fred Foster RAF VR 36 KIA

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 131

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

PB453.  F2-S

12 / 13  DECEMBER 1944 - OP: ESSEN - GERMANY

T/O: 1651 HRS                                                                                                                TUESDAY 12TH DECEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
108854 Pilot Fligh Lieutenant Norman Henry Shaw RAF VR 32 KIA
J41997 Navigator Flying Officer Bruce Alexander Parker RCAF 20 KIA
165181 Bomber Aimer Flying Officer Frank Raymond Elson RAF VR 24 KIA
1681937 Wireless Operator/ A/G Flight Sergeant Norman Daniels RAF VR 24 KIA
1815156 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant Thomas Bown RAF VR 30 KIA
553785 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant Murray William McCallum RAF 22 KIA
1893672 Flight Engineer Flight Sergeant Geffrey Alan Longland RAF VR 19 KIA

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 132

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

ND524.  F2-F

24  DECEMBER 1944 - OP: DUSSELDORF - GERMANY

T/O: 1231 HRS                                                                                                                  SUNDAY 24TH DECEMBER  1944                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
51345 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Albert Warnforth Walker (MiD) RAF 29 KIA
421932 Navigator 1 Pilot Officer Donald Richard Patterson DFC RAAF 21 KIA
423824 Navigator 2 Pilot Officer Alexander Donald Morrison DFC RAAF 23 KIA
154512 Bomber Aimer Flying Officer Harry Samuel Davis RAF VR 22 KIA
136499 Wireless Operator/ A/G Flying Officer Arthur Hobhouse Hebblethwaite DFC RAF VR 23 KIA
1674567 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant Clifford Shaw DFM RAF VR N/A KIA
1869216 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant Edwin Womble RAF VR 32 PoW
174693 Flight Engineer Flying Officer Arthur Charles Everitt DFM RAF VR 31 KIA

Left a Portrait Photo of 625 Squadron Pilot, Flight Lieutenant Albert Warnforth Walker (M.i.D) RAFVR

 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 133

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

PB564.  F2-H

5 / 6  JANUARY 1945 - OP: HANNOVER - GERMANY

T/O: 1658 HRS                                                                                                                          FRIDAY 5TH  JANUARY   1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
48827 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Ivor Brian (Misty) Hayes DFC RAF 26 PoW
412691 2nd Pilot Flight Lieutenant James Alexander Hendry DFC (NZ) RAF 27 PoW
151153 Navigator 1 Flight Lieutenant William Mungo Douglas DFC RAF VR 21 EVD
182373 Bomber Aimer Flight Lieutenant James Nesbit Steel DFC RAF VR 23 PoW
1431279 Wireless Operator/ A/G Warrant Officer Reginald Barton Warner DFC RAF VR 22 PoW
1604689 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant John William Emms DFM RAF VR 22 PoW
1869599 Air Gunner Warrant Officer Arthur Digby Clayton DFC RAF VR 20 EVD
1522487 Flight Engineer Flight Sergeant Arthur Richard Hall DFM RAF VR 33 PoW

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 134

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

PB228.  F2-N

6 / 7 JANUARY 1945 - OP: HANAU - GERMANY

T/O: 1550 HRS                                                                                                                SATURDAY  6TH  JANUARY   1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
422909 Pilot Flight Lieutenant James Anthony Rowlands DFC & AFC RAAF 22 PoW
188715 Navigator 1 Pilot Officer Colin Downie Mackenzie RAF VR 21 KIA
39301 Navigator 2 Flight Lieutenant Ivan Thomas Yanovich RNZAF 24 KIA
153740 Bomber Aimer Flight Lieutenant Herward Robert Sindall RAF VR 21 KIA
423676 Wireless Operator/ A/G Flying Officer James Richard Donald RAAF 22 KIA
161812 Air Gunner Flying Officer Charles Frederick Jelley DFC RAF VR 21 KIA
1595362 Air Gunner Sergeant Renison Whybrow RAF VR 24 KIA
1683935 Flight Engineer Flight Sergeant William Roland Hill RAF VR 21 KIA

Photo left F/L. James Rowland in 1945 at RAF Downham Market after receiving his Pathfinder Badge. Photo right. Sir James Rowland CBE, DFC, AFC, in later life.

Rowland's PoW report stated: "After bombing, I was about to turn the Lancaster onto a new course, when almost immediately a vision of a four-engine aircraft appeared head-on and slightly on the port bow, and there was a tremendous crash. Upon looking around, the port wing was observed to be torn off, as was the rear half of the fuselage, including the empennage. The collision height was 17,000 feet. I gave the order to abandon, but the intercom was dead. Likewise, the call light did not function, and hence there was no acknowledgement. I think the collision likely killed the two gunners and that the others escaped unhurt. The flight Engineer went forward to the escape hatch, followed by the navigator, Flight Lieutenant Sindall, and Pilot Officer Donald.

I'm pretty certain five people left the aircraft; I exited through the escape hatch in the roof of the aircraft. I did not see the others on the ground, I  evaded   searches and walked through a forest for three days, but was captured the next day.

After WWII, Rowland re-joined the RAAF in 1947 and served once more, from 1975 to 1979. Rowland served as the Chief of Air Staff and later became Governor of New South Wales from 1981 to 1988.

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 135

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

PB173.  F2-C

7 / 8 JANUARY 1945 - OP: MUNICH - GERMANY

T/O: 1902 HRS                                                                                                                      SUNDAY  7TH  JANUARY   1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
427294 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Robert Mayo Clarke DFC RAAF 23 KIA
185214 Navigator Pilot Officer William Thomas Pethard RAF VR 21 KIA
410980 Bomber Aimer Pilot Officer Geoffrey Kenneth Hendy RAAF 22 KIA
1621552 Wireless Operator/ A/G Flight Sergeant Charles Denis Mountain RAF VR 22 KIA
1566050 Air Gunner Sergeant James Hendry Watson RAF VR 21 KIA
185673 Air Gunner Pilot Officer Alexander Anderson Wiggins RAF VR 24 KIA
1592154 Flight Engineer Flight Sergeant Thomas Robertshaw RAF VR 33 KIA

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 136

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. III

PB287.  F2-T

14 / 15  FEBRUARY 1945 - OP: CHEMNITZ- GERMANY

T/O: 1727 HRS                                                                                                       WEDNESDAY  14TH FEBRUARY  1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
178046 Pilot Flight Lieutenant John Duncan Forbes Cowden DFC RAF VR 23 KIA
178567 Navigator 1 Flying Officer John Richards Charles Donohue DFC RAF VR 21 KIA
104534 Navigator 2 Squadron Leader Robert Anthony Boddington DFC & Bar RAF VR 29 KIA
145700 Bomber Aimer Flight Lieutenant James Fraser Craik DFC RAF VR 25 KIA
1079870 Wireless Operator/ A/G Flight Sergeant Harry Botterill DFM RAF VR 22 KIA
81393 Air Gunner Flight Lieutenant James Stuart Davidson RAF VR 43 KIA
646271 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant John Thomas McQuillan DFM RAF VR 23 KIA
169640 Flight Engineer Flying Officer Walter Gabbott DFM RAF VR 26 KIA

Left Portrait Flight Lieutenant John Duncan Forbes Cowden DFC RAFVR.

Pilot John Duncan Forbes Cowden, RAFVR, DFC, started operational training with the No. 1663 conversion training unit, flying the Halifax Bomber. Cowden was successfully transferred with his crew to No. 158 Squadron, stationed at RAF Lissette, where they flew Mk III Halifax Bombers from 15 April 1944.

There, he would start his operational tour of duty as a Sergeant Pilot. With his then-crew of Donohue, Campbell, Fernis Knox, and Baxton, all at the rank of Sergeant, Cowden and his crew racked up many operations. By the end of April 1944, Cowden was promoted to Flight Sergeant after proving himself on his Second Dixie sortie to Düsseldorf as a second pilot with Flight Leader Squadron Leader Weller.

From the get-go, Cowden was accepted into the squadron because of his infectious way of making others laugh. Those above him in rank understood his attention to detail.   

 

From April to August 1944, he completed 37 operational sorties, was promoted several times to the rank of Flying Officer, and was awarded the DFC medal on 6 October 1944. His Citation is below.

One night in August 1944, this officer captained a 158 Squadron Halifax Bomber aircraft ('K' King MZ373)   detailed to attack Brunswick, Germany.

Shortly after crossing the enemy coast, an enemy fighter was encountered. The enemy aircraft closed in, firing its guns, and the bomber was struck. Cannon shells pierced the tailplane, fuselage and central plane. A petrol tank was punctured, and other damage was sustained. However, Flying Officer Cowden manoeuvred skilfully, and his gunners finally drove off the attacker. He afterwards went to the target and executed his attack. This officer displayed fine leadership, great skill and courage throughout this spirited sortie.

When Cowden transferred from 4 Group to 8 Group Pathfinders, he moved with just his Navigator, Flying Officer John Richard Charles Donohue, RAFVR. The rest of his crew, named above, did not fancy joining the Pathfinders, which was odd. They would rather take a chance and stay with the squadron until they complete their tour of duty. 

 

Cowden and Donohue fitted in well with No. 635 Squadron. As mentioned above, they arrived without an aircrew and began searching for a Flight Engineer, two Air Gunners, a Wireless operator, and a Bomb Aimer.

The squadron's C.O. W/Cmdr. 'Tubby' Baker was impressed with the pair's determination within 158 Squadron and would ensure that Cowden got his new aircrew. 

Baker, true to his word, delivered. Cowden was detailed on the first PFF Op, 12 October 1944, CO. True to his word, Baker assigned various Airmen, giving Cowden the chance he deserved with a sortie to attack Fort Fredrick Hendrik batteries–Breskens–Holland.  His aircrew: Nav, P/O. Donohue,   Nav 2 F/Lt. Craik,  Section Leader (Bombing) S/Ldr Hawes, Signals  F/Sgt. Botterill, Gunner F/Sgt. McQuillan, Flight Engineer F/O. Gabbott & Observer F/Lt. Charlie Whittaker. The operation of Backer Up was Successful.  Cowden would go on to fly  21 Operations with the 635 Squadron.

 

Air Gunner F/Sgt. John Thomas McQuillan DFM: "After being interrogated for a long while at Dulag Luft, I was taken to  Nuremberg with a party of 120 officers & men of the Allied Forces. We were transported in Goods wagons on a passenger train. During an air raid and staffing, we were kept in the wagons whilst the other train occupants ran for cover. 8 Allied airmen were killed and many wounded; the date was about 31 February 1945."

 

 

 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 137

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB350.  6T-B

23 / 24  FEBRUARY 1945 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 1816 HRS                                                                                                                     FRIDAY  23RD FEBRUARY  1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
102594 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Robert Aubrey Alexander Doherty DFC RAF VR 27 KIA
164872 Navigator Flying Officer Leonard Moore RAF VR 21 KIA

Four Mosquito Bombers of 608 (North Riding ) Squadron prepare for the operation to the Big City, Berlin, Germany. Photo via Doherty Family collection. 

               Flight Lieutenant Robert 'Bob' Doherty DFC RAFVR

 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 138

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB273.  6T-E

28 FEBRUARY/ 1  MARCH 1945 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 1828 HRS                                                                                                       WEDNESDAY  28TH FEBRUARY  1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
175963 Pilot Flying Officer Harry Walter Tyrell (NL) RAF VR 31 PoW
1607765 Navigator Flight Sergeant Hanus Jiri Erben (CZ) DFM RAF VR 24 PoW

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 139

608 (NORTH RIDING) Squadron L.N.S.F. - MOSQUITO Mk. BXX

KB197  6T-A

5 / 6  MARCH 1945 - OP: BERLIN - GERMANY

T/O: 1823 HRS                                                                                                                           MONDAY  5TH MARCH  1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
414311 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Malcom Hamilton Murray MacLean DFC RAAF 27 KIA
1673062 Navigator Sergeant Richard Todd RAF VR 19 KIA

Left a portrait photo of  Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Hamilton Murray Maclean RAAF, DFC.

 

RAF DOWNHAM MARKET AIRFIELD CAIRN MEMORIAL (PLAQUE 7.  AIRCREW No. 140

635 Squadron P.F.F. - Lancaster Mk. I

PB921.  F2-N

5 / 6 MARCH 1945 - OP: CHEMNITZ- GERMANY

T/O: 1721 HRS                                                                                                                   MONDAY  5TH FEBRUARY  1945                                                                                          RAF Downham Market

Service No Duty Rank Name Origin Age Outcome
404326 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Keith Aicheson Beattie DFC RNZAF 22 PoW
164722 Navigator Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Usher DFC RAF VR 21 KIA
164720 Bomber Aimer Flight Lieutenant David Lotan Venning DFC RAF VR 23 KIA
J27927 Wireless Operator/ A/G Flying Officer Robert Samuel Goddard RCAF 22 KIA
2220970 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant George William Hatton DFM RAF VR 22 KIA
1001091 Air Gunner Flight Sergeant David Doig Adam DFM RAF VR 22 KIA
1416530 Flight Engineer Flight Sergeant Gwilyn Williams DFM RAF VR 21 KIA

Flight Sergeant Gwilym Williams  DFM RAFVR  from Pontardawe,

a town located in the lower Swansea valley of Wales.