Malvern College Second World War Casualties

Statue of St George which is inscribed 'To Our Brothers', and memorial in the Ante-Chapel.

The following is a list with biographies of the 249 people who attended Malvern College and died due to the Second World War. There is also a corresponding page commemorating the 459 casualties in the First World War.

The fallen are commemorated at Malvern with the statue of St. George, which is inscribed 'To Our Brothers', and the names themselves are written on a marble memorial in the Ante-Chapel.
After the Phoney war had ended, there was not a month from May 1940 to May 1945, that an Old Malvernian did not lose their life, though unlike the First World War there were not major spikes in losses on a particular day or month.
5 were killed in the Battle of Dunkirk at the end of May 1940, and 4 during the Battle of Britain between July and October 1940.
3 OMs lost their lives during the Blitz between September 1940 and May 1941.
21 lost their lives in the Western Desert Campaign between June 1940 to February 1943 with 5 buried at El Alamein War Cemetery and 6 commemorated at the Alamein Memorial.
4 were killed during the Allied invasion of Sicily between July and August 1943, and 5 at the Battle of Monte Cassino between January and May 1944 with 8 commemorated at the Cassino Memorial And Cemetery.
8 were killed after the D-Day landings during Operation Overlord between June and August 1944, and 2 in Operation Market Garden in September 1944.
In South-East Asia, 2 were killed during the Japanese-Thai occupation of Malaya between Dec 1941 and Jan 1942, 4 were killed during the Japanese occupation of Singapore in February 1942, and 7 were killed during the Burma Campaign between 1942 and 1945.
Most (97) OMs served in the R.A.F. with many in Bomber Command. 22 are commemorated at Runnymede Memorial as they have no known grave.
14 served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, 5 in the Royal Navy, 31 in the Royal Artillery, and 4 in the Royal Tank Regiment, with the remainder disbursed among 75 other units.

George Chesterton in the Remembrance Day Service of 2009, having described the lives and loss of five of his friends, reflected:
'Some of these brave men have no known grave, but we must remember them, along with all the tens of thousands of others, who gave their lives for their homelands and their friends. It is thanks to them that all of us sit in this Chapel, from a wide variety of countries and backgrounds and are able to sit together in security and friendship.'

The information below is based on 'The Malvern College Register, Second Supplement, 1949' edited for the Malvernian Society by F. W. Roberts, the 'The Malvernian' school magazine, and 'Malvern College: A 150th Anniversary Portrait' by Roy Allen.
Further information was also obtained from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, the Unit War Diaries held at the National Archives in Kew, and various online commemorative websites whose links have been provided.

Below is a map showing the locations of the 126 cemeteries where Old Malvernians are buried or commemorated in. The markers are coloured yellow for one casualty, orange for between 2 and 4, and red for 5 or more. The name of the cemetery and number of casualties can be seen by hovering over the marker, and the list of names seen by clicking on the marker. Their full biographies can be seen by clicking on 'Further Info'.

The records can be filtered and/or sorted by surname, house, age, regiment, date, place etc by clicking on the appropriate drop down box and then the 'Search' button below the map.

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Records

P/O. Reginald Adcock
House: 7, 1924 - 1930. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 07 December 1941 aged 30. Missing, presumed killed in action.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 31

Son of Cecil Philip and Violet Marianne Adcock, of Redhill, Surrey.
Mod Lan VI. Hansell French (3) and German (2). Chance Prize (2). School Prefect. Head of House. Football XI.
St John's College, Cambridge.
Husband of Penelope Adcock.

61 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew Hampden medium bombers and took part in the first bombing raid on Berlin (25/26 August 1940). It converted in July 1941 to Manchesters.

His aircraft, L7494, had taken off at 17.42 from Woolfox Lodge. It was part of a force of 19 aircraft consisting of Manchesters, Wellingtons and Hampdens tasked to attack Boulogne. It was the only aircraft lost. The Avro Manchester aircraft exploded and crashed, cause not recorded, into the sea off Boulogne.
Details of final flight

F/O. James Peter Henry Balston
House: 3, 1927 - 1931. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 27 March 1940 aged 27 in North Sea. Killed in a flying accident.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 5.

Son of Francis William and Ellen Catherine Balston, of Maidstone, Kent.
Math. VI.
Trinity College, Cambridge. B.A. (3rd Cl. Mech. Sci Trip.) 1934.
In business.
Husband of Penelope Balston.

500 Sqdn. Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
The squadron was part of RAF Coastal Command flying Anson Mk.Is in general reconnaissance.

'From school he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, and later into business in Kent. While at Cambridge he joined the Air Force Reserve and later the Auxiliary Air Force, and so had been flying for about seven years, when he was killed in an accident over the North Sea in April, 1940. In 1934, he stroked the First Trinity "A" Crew, which won the Visitors' Challenge Cup at Henley; he was also interested in ocean racing and took part in many sailing competitions. "No one who knew Peter Balston at all well could have helped loving him, for behind his perpetual high spirits and apparent levity it was easy to see the man of strong purpose, high integrity and great kindliness. A number of letters which I have seen testify to this and to his popularity with all those who worked at Springfield Mills, Maidstone. His was a gay, gallant and most attractive nature." (R.B.P.)' (Malvernian, July 1940).

NB: He is mentioned as being in 500 squadron at CWGC but there is no mention of a Balston in the 500 squadron operational war diaries for March 1940.

P/O. Robert Francis Bennett
House: 8, 1935 - 1937. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 07 September 1941 aged 20. Killed in action.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 31.

Son of Maj. Robert H. E. Bennett, M.C., and Dorothy M. Bennett, of 77 Kensington Gardens, Kensington, London.
Bus V. House Prefect.

226 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Bomber sqdn)
The squadron used Douglas Havoc, Douglas Boston and North American Mitchell medium bombers, whilst carrying out attacks on German ports and anti-shipping strikes.

On the 7th September 1941, P/O Bennett was acting as Observer in plane Z.7312 along with F/L Haggitt and P/O Ramsay (A/G), along with six other planes led by S/Ldr MacClancy.
They were Up at 11.30 for an attack on a convoy about 4 miles west of The Hague consisting of a heavily laden merchant vessel escorted by three flak ships.
1 flakship of 800 tons was seen to blow up and the merchant vessel enveloped in smoke.
P/O Bennett was reported as missing along with the rest of his crew.
Flight record: AIR-27_1406_38

F/O. Anthony Alexander Talbot Bulloch
House: 9, 1930 - 1934. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 24 April 1940 aged 23. Killed in action with Coastal Command.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 5.

Son of John Lytle Bulloch and Agnes Marion Evelyn Bulloch, of Craigavad, Co. Down, and Hill Croft, Holywood, Co. Down.
Army V.
Cranwell.

224 Sqdn. Royal Air Force
The squadron used Lockheed Hudsons which was a light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft.

Extract from Operations Record Book:
11th April 1940, 15:15 to 20:15
Hudson N.7305
F/O Bullock, P/O Davis, Cpl Silk, AC Fisher
A/S Patrol Track D from Wick
At 17:20 hrs off Bergen Fjord saw NV Theseus with Swedish colours on funnel and Nazi flag on stern. Flag was hauled down as a/c approached. A/c dropped a stick of three 250lb bombs which missed by 40ft, and then front-gunned the decks. During this attack at 17:35 a D018 was sighted and attacked. During the engagement several bursts were seen to enter the e/a killing the rear gunner. The W/Op of our a/c was hit in the right forearm but continued his duties for the remainder of the patrol.

On the 24th April at 05:00 he took off from Leuchars in Scotland on Hudson N.7283 with a crew of P/O Harmston, LAC Hallam and LAC Lane, but failed to return.
Operations: AIR-27_1385_7
Operations detail: AIR-27_1385_8

F/O. Alan Bulmer
House: 6, 1933 - 1937. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 11 November 1940 aged 21 in Germany. Missing after a bombing raid.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 5.

Son of William Edward and Dorothy Bulmer, of Starcross, Archer Rd., Penarth, Glamorgan.
School Prefect. Cricket XI. Football XI. Boxing Colours 1935-37 (Capt.). Rackets Vest. Gym Colours. Anderson Medal. Cadet Officer in O.T.C.
Brasenose College, Oxford.

49 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew Hampden bombers and carried out the attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal on 12 August 1940.

'On leaving School he went up to B.N.C., Oxford, and made his mark in Rugby Football, playing many times for the University and with every likelihood of getting his "blue" if the war had not come.
Alan Bulmer had an engaging personality and his sensible and cheery outlook will be long remembered by his many friends. He was outstanding intellectually and athletically, and was a great asset to his School in every way. If he had been spared, he would most certainly have made his mark in the world. His family has our deep-felt sympathy in their great bereavement. H.D.E.E.' (Malvernian, Jul 1941).

He was the Pilot in Hampden X.3021 which took off at 23:14 on the 10th November 1940, and was then reported as 'Missing'.
Squadron Operations: AIR-27_480_26

P/O. Illtyd Thomas Holden Carson
House: 6, 1932 - 1938. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 13 August 1940 in Channel Isles. Missing after a bombing raid.
Battle: Battle of Britain: July – October 1940. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 7

Son of H.Carson, M.B., 31 St Mary's Rd., Harborne, Birmingham.
Math VI. Senior Chapel Prefect. Sixth Form. XXII Football. President Athletics. Cadet-Officer in O.T.C.
Sidney Sussex, Cambridge.

114 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew Blenheim bombers. Its airfield at Vraux was attacked on May 11th 1940 with six of the squadron's Blenheims destroyed, and the rest damaged. During the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940, it attacked concentrations of barges in the German-held channel ports and Luftwaffe airfields by night.

'Danny Carson was one of the soundest and most loyal members of the School, which may be justly proud of him. He had an abundance of enthusiasm, pluck, and determination to succeed. Though not naturally clever or athletic he reached a high standard of general efficiency by steady perseverance, and his example was an inspiration and an encouragement to many who knew him. He will be greatly missed and very sincere sympathy is felt for his family. H.D.E.E.' (Malvernian, Jul 1941).

He took off from Oulton at 08:20 on the 13th August 1940 to attack the aerodrome at Jersey but failed to return.
Squadron operations: AIR-27_882_11_Carson

P/O. Richard Douglas Carvill
House: 9, 1934 - 1938. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 17 June 1941 in France. Reported Missing.
Battle: . Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 41

Son of D. Carvill, White House, Great North Way, Hendon, NW4.
Mod. Lan. VI. Football XI.

56 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew Hurricanes, and was involved in covering the retreat to Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, and in 1941 escorted bombers raiding targets in German-occupied France.

'Reported Missing from attack on an objective in France in June 1941, when he was known to have been compelled to bale out, is now officially presumed to have lost his life.' (Malvernian, March 1942)

While returning from operations over Northern France, Sgt Carvill, reported that his aircraft (Hurricane IIB Z.3329) was damaged after a big air battle with Me 109s and that he was baling out at approx 19.30 on 17/6/41. Extract from German Totenliste, No 50, states that Sgt Carvill crashed on 17/6/41 and was killed near Wimereux in Sea with part of his uniform, but no body, being found.
Missing record: AIR_81_7393

Sgt Kenneth Edward Corrie
House: 9, 1933 - 1936. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 23 June 1941 . Missing, presumed killed in action.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 41.

Son of Thomas Edgar and Frances Campbell Corrie, of Heathway, Chobham, Woking, Surrey.
Class VI.

53 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew the Bristol Blenheim light bomber undertaking anti-submarine and anti-shipping operations. He died just before the Blenheims were replaced by the Lockheed Hudson in July 1941 .

'23/6/41
A/c 'S' on convoy escort duties failed to return to base - Crew P/O Bolten, Sgts Corrie and Kircher.'
Squadron diary, AIR-27_504_11
AIR-27_504_12

He was flying a Blenheim Mark Four V.5647.
The aircraft was ordered for escort duties at 09.00 hours on 23 June 1941, and was reported at 13.00 hours to have crashed in flames in the sea.
Missing Record

F/O. Paul Nelson Dobie
House: Day, 1937 - 1940. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 21 October 1942 aged 20. Missing, presumed killed in action.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 66.

Son of George Nelson Dobie, and Katherine Ivy Dobie, of Half Way, Foley Terrace, Malvern, Worcestershire.
Bus. V.

1 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew Hurricanes in the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. The squadron then carried out night intruder patrols until July 1942, when it was re-equipped with the Hawker Typhoon fighter-bomber and relocated to RAF Acklington, Northumberland where it reverted to daytime operations.

P/O. Reginald Albert Lloyd Du Vivier
House: 5, 1928 - 1933. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 30 March 1941 aged 26. Missing, presumed killed in action.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 32.

Son of James E. and Carolina Du Vivier, 2 Rue Pycke, Courtrai, Belgium.
Hist. VI. House Prefect. Football XI.
In business.
Husband of Beryl Mary Du Vivier.
229 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Sgt. William Paston Liddon Purnell-Edwards
House: Sch, 1939 - 1940. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 15 October 1944 aged 19 in Germany. Killed in bombing raid.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 236.

Son of John Purnell Purnell-Edwards and of Gwladis Ruth Purnell-Edwards (nee Liddon), of Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

186 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
On 5 October 1944, the squadron was reformed as a Bomber Command Lancaster unit, based at Tuddenham, and William Purnell-Edwards seems to have been killed on one of its first bombing raids.

F/Lt. Robert Winton Arnold Gibbs
House: 9, 1927 - 1931. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 13 July 1943 aged 30 in Italy. Missing in raid on Turin.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 119

Son of Robert and Ruby Lydia Gibbs, of Petra, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
Football XL.
Bank Clerk.

467 Sqdn. Royal Air Force
The squadron flew Avro Lancaster heavy bombers and formed part of No. 5 Group, RAF Bomber Command. It flew its first operation on 2 January 1943, laying mines off the French coast near Furze. It then conducted raids on Germany, France, Norway, Czechoslovakia, and Italy.

13th July 1943. This was a dark and dismal 13th for the squadron, for we lost 3 valuable crew, namely F/L Gibbs, F/O Mitchell and F/Sgt Chapman. F/L Gibbs was acting as Flight Commander at the time on the raid to Turin.

July 1943 Ops, AIR-27_1930_13
July 1943 Ops Detail AIR-27_1930_14

P/O. Mirza Mehdy Khan
House: Sch, 1933 - 1934. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 02 February 1942 aged 20. Missing, presumed killed.
Battle: . Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 70.

Son of the Hon. Mr. Justice Mirza A.A. Khan, and of Gertrude Harriet Mirza Khan, of Headington, Oxford and Alexandra House, Ballard Estate, Bombay.
Foundation Scholar St Pauls School, London.
Manson Scholar, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

86 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Coastal Command. Captain of a Beaufort Torpedo Bomber.

He was the P/O of a Beaufort II 'A' AW.253, with crew members of Sgt Denham, Sgt, McLaty, and Sgt Turnbull. He took off at 16:54 from St Eval in Cornwall on the 2nd February 1942 for a Strike with two other aircraft in his squadron, 'G' and 'Q'. A/C G/86 flew in formation with 'A' and 'Q'. In position 4558 (STE/06/2/2 and PL/G8/2/2) a tanker estimated 5000 tons escorted by 2 armed trawlers was sighted approx 4 miles ahead on Westerly course at 3 knots. A/C continued formation for 30 secs then broke and attacked. A/C 'G' released torpedo from 70 ft, 900 yards from target and took avoiding action from Red Flak, all ships having opened up just prior to attack. A/C 'Q' was observed by rear gunner to fall into sea in flames. 'A' was last seen on Northerly course far ahead of 'G' flying normally.
A/C 'G' landed at base at 18.55.
A/C 'A' and 'Q' failed to return and crew are missing.
86 Squadron operation records, Feb 1942: AIR-27-708-20
Detailed records: AIR-27-708-21

He does not seem to appear in operations for the previous two months, so it could have been his first mission.

S/Ldr. Wilfred Earle Nixon
House: 4, 1929 - 1934. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 05 August 1944 . Killed in flying accident.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 201.

Son of W. E. N., Arden, Coldharbour Lane, Bushey, Herts.
Math. VI. Milward Math. Prize. Math. Essay. Warrington Exhibn. Scholar.
St John's College, Cambridge.

P/O. John Alfred Parry
House: Sch, 1929 - 1933. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 09 April 1941 . Missing, presumed killed in action.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 34.

Son of Alfred Henry Parry and of Beatrice Elizabeth Parry (nee Fairbairn), Parasia P.O., Central Provinces, India.
Sci. V.
In business (Anglo-Iranian Oil Co.).
Husband of Margery Cunningham Parry (nee Work), of Ashtead, Surrey.

254 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The unit operated Bristol Blenheims, and in 1941 introduced torpedos and primarily operated in an anti-shipping role.

'The aircraft, F.B. Blenheim N.3609 with Pilot Officer J.A. Parry as pilot, took off from RAF Sumburgh, Shetlands, on a Day Patrol at 12.45 on the 9th April 1941 to gain experience with another aircraft Blenheim V.5736 in carrying out a reconnaissance of the Norwegian coast. The two aircraft after completing the reconnaissance, set course for base and were about four miles from the Norwegian Coast when three Me 110s appeared, closing rapidly from astern. Both aircraft took evasive action; Blenheim N.3609 passed the other and disappeared into cloud, Blenheim V.5736 also resorted to cloud cover. When Blenheim V.5736 appeared a few minutes later, there was no aircraft visible, so continued on course to base. At 15.35 hours, approximately 50 miles from base, Blenheim V.5736 heard Blenheim N.3609 calling base. Blenheim V.5736 landed at 16.00 hours.
When Blenheim N.3609 was two hours overdue, five Blenheims were despatched on organised parallel search for approximately 90 miles along track between base and point of leaving Norwegian coast. Speedboat from Lerwick co-operated. Nothing was sighted.
The crew of the missing aircraft was P/O J.A. Parry - Pilot, P/O C.G. Gibson - Observer, Sgt R.K. West - W/Op/A.G.'
Missing report: Air 81/5780

April 1941 Operations AIR-27_1514_25

S/Ldr. George Vivian Perry
House: 9, 1919 - 1923. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 27 May 1940 . Missing, presumed killed in action.
Battle: Battle of Dunkirk. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 4.

Son of G. H. Pearson-Perry (O.M.), Portland Ho., Pedmore, Stourbridge.
Head of House. School Prefect.
Engineer M.I.M.E. Director of Mobberly & Derry.
Lieut. 7th Bn. Worcestershire Regt.

605 Sqdn.Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
Fighter squadron with Hawker Hurricanes.

'Humorous, high-spirited but essentially level-headed, George Perry threw himself with energy into all that he undertook. At school his most outstanding talent was his marksmanship. He had long been interested in Flying and several years before the War was a Flight-Lieutenant in the Auxiliary Air Force. He was the son of G. H. Pearson-Perry (§.87) and was married to Ruth, third daughter of Charles Toppin. ' (Malvernian, Mar 1941).

Combat report:
'S/Ldr Perry, 605 Squadron, 22.5.40
As ‘B’ Flight Leader after losing contact with ‘A’ Flight at 1200 hours owing to cloud, and patrolling S.W. of Arras for 10 minutes, I turned to engage a small formation of doubtful aircraft. I lost sight of them until B.3 forged ahead pointing the way. The Section followed up on his attack but ‘glycol’ was seen to be coming from his machine as he broke away. The two HE:111s then separated and the starboard one was shot down finally by Green Section while Cooper-Slipper and myself engaged the port E/A. Two of the crew escaped by parachute and the enemy aircraft crashed after my final burst of fire. It has sustained previous damage to the tail unit and I think the starboard engine. Ammunition being expended and the flight split up all aircraft was ordered to return to base. I encountered 4 ME.109 on my return but evaded them in cloud and pancaked at 13.15 hours.'

Operation Records:
Hawkinge. 27th May 1940, Red 1 (S/Ldr Perry flying Hurricane P.3423) took off at 14:35, and followed by Red Section attacked 3 Dorniers. After encounter, ammunition mainly expended and on breakaway encountered 15 Messerschmitt 109s five miles S.W. Dunkirk. Six aircraft returned to base 15.55. S/Ldr Perry, F/O Danielson missing.

Combat report at National Archives AIR-50_169_114
May 1940 Ops AIR-27_2088_9
Detail AIR-27_2088_10

P/O. Frank Stanley Potter
House: 5, 1930 - 1934. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 04 February 1943 aged 26. Missing, presumed killed in action.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 133.

Son of Horace Lionel Potter, and of Florence Jane Potter, of Penn, Oatlands Chase, Weybridge, Surrey.
Bus V.
Clerk in N. Y. K. Line.

Wireless Operator.
115 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

His squadron, in August 1941, undertook the initial Service trials of Gee, the first of the great radar navigational and bombing aids. (Gee was developed on the grounds of Malvern College as Malvern relocated to Blenheim Palace and then Harrow during the war). As a result of its subsequent report on these trials Gee was put into large-scale production for RAF Bomber Command.
Lancaster bombers replaced the Wellingtons in March 1943.

Capt. Robert Hugh Malcolm Sandeman
House: Sch, 1921 - 1924. Regiment: att. R.A.F.
Died: 12 November 1942 aged 34. Missing, presumed killed in action.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 288.

Son of Maj. Malcolm J. Sandeman, and of Helen M. Sandeman, of 8 Wear Bay Cres., Folkestone.
Stock Exchange 1934.
Royal Air Force Ferry Command.
He brought U.S. aircraft across from Bermuda.

F/Lt. William Henry Cromwell Warner
House: Sch, 1932 - 1937. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 16 August 1940 in Channel. Shot down over the Channel.
Battle: Battle of Britain: July – October 1940. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 5.

Son of L. A. P. Warner, Yew Tree, Poplar Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead.
School Prefect. Swimming Colours (1935-37). Sergt. In Corps.

610 Sqdn. Royal Air Force (Auxiliary Air Force)
The squadron flew Spitfires, and was based at RAF Biggin Hill, taking part in the Battle of Britain, and being one of the units that bore the brunt of German attacks.

'He was in the R.A.F. Reserve as qualified pilot before the War and was called up at once. He took part in the first heavy week's fighting in the Channel off Dover and was shot down over the sea on August 16th. On the previous day his squadron, under his leadership, had destroyed ten of the enemy in the morning and three in the afternoon. Naturally modest and with an unfailing spirit of cheerfulness, his steadiness and equanimity made him as popular with his Squadron as in his House at Malvern. (F.S.P.) ' (Malvernian, Dec 1940).

Combat report:
Date: 27.5.40. Time: 19:05. Flight A. Sqdn: 610. South of Dunkirk
One HE 111 was attacked by three aircraft and when I attacked it, it was pouring out smoke from both engines. I gave a short burst of about 2 seconds, and had to break away owing to the e/a going too slowly. He used no evasive tactics. After that we were attacked by ME 110’s and we broke up and selected our own targets. I attacked one formation and then saw one on my own tail. I turned and got a deflection shot in at another and broke away. Another came on my tail and followed me down to about 15,000 feet when I got away in the smoke which was coming from Dunkerque and returned to base. My a/c was hit twice once at the root end of the airscrew and once through the tip of the port main–plane.

Date: 29.5.40. Time: 17:30. Flight A. Sqdn: 610. South of Dunkirk. Aircraft: Spitfire
I attacked 1 ME 109 near Dunkirk and gave it about an eight second burst. This aircraft seemed to dive very steeply and a plume of smoke came from it. The aircraft may possibly have been damaged. I broke off that engagement and attacked another and finished my remaining ammunition. I then set course for base. Half way over the channel, an E.A. Me 109 attacked me twice and shot a hole in my petrol tank at the bottom and another in the radiator. I force landed the aircraft N.E. of Dover.
After the first attack on my return journey, I climbed into a cloud, and the E.A. must have followed me, as when I came out he delivered another attack and shot my glycol radiator. On landing I inspected the aircraft and found sixteen holes, three of which I presumed to be cannon. The control wires of the starboard aileron had also been cut in two.

Squadron Operations:
15th August 1940. Biggin Hill.
8 aircraft ordered to intercept E/A approaching Biggin Hill about 10 miles to the S.E. They met about 25 D.O.215s escorted by many M.E.109s. The bombers flying at 14,000ft and the fighters at 16,000ft. F/Lt Warner, flying Spitfire Z. R.6808, attacked a M.E.109, gave it 3 long burst, smoke came from the fuselage & it dived down vertically.

16th August 1940. Red, Blue, Green & Yellow sections took off from Hawkinge to intercept raid in Dungeness. They encountered 50 J.U.88s escorted by 12 M.E.109s at 25,000 ft. Enemy casualties: Probable 1 M.E.109. Damaged 1 JU88, 1 ME109. Our Casualties: 1 Pilot missing (F/Lt Warner - Spitfire Z. R.6808).

Combat reports

Landing accident with Hurricane in 1939

Aug 1940 Squadron Ops AIR-27_2106_17
Aug 1940 Squadron Ops Detail AIR-27_2106_18

S/Ldr. Michael Litchfield Watson
House: 4, 1932 - 1935. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 11 June 1941 aged 23 in Middle East. Missing in air operations.
Battle: Western Desert Campaign: June 1940 – February 1943. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 28.

Son of George Herbert (O.M. No 6. 1896) and Constance Gifford Watson, of Briar Cottage, Blackwell, Darlington, Co. Durham.
Army VI. House Prefect. L.-Corporal in O.T.C.
Cranwell.
Husband of Mary Watson, of Farnborough, Hampshire.

82 Sqdn. Royal Air Force
The squadron flew Blenheim light bombers with anti-shipping missions over the North Sea, including sinking a U-boat in March 1940.
On 17 May 1940, it suffered very heavy losses with 11 out of 12 Blenheims shot down by Messerschmitt 109s over Belgium.
From early 1941, the squadron played a prominent part in No. 2 Group's offensive against shipping in the English Channel and North Sea.
A detachment was sent to Malta in May 1941, with the rest of the Squadron following in June. It flew against enemy shipping and ports through into July, but extremely heavy losses lead to it being withdrawn, back to the UK at the end of the month.

'From Malvern he went on to Cranwell and his promotion was rapid for he was a Pilot Officer before he was 21 and a Squadron Leader at 23.' (Malvernian, Jul 1941).

On the 6th May 1941, S/Ldr Watson discovered 2 ships North of Borkum and attacked a 2000 ton tanker.
On the 8th May 1941, 9 aircraft carried out a night raid on the docks at Bremerhaven. S/Ldr Watson saw two of his bombs bursting throwing up debris. His aircraft was hit in the port wing by flak.
On the 11th June 1941, Squadron Leader M L Watson, Pilot Officer N C Alers-Hankey, Sergeant K Poole: missing believed killed; aircraft failed to return from operational flight, Blenheim K6426, 82 Squadron.


May 1941 Operations AIR-27-681-38
June 1941 Operations AIR-27-681-39
Missing report: AIR 81/6839

F/Lt. Hubert John Wilkinson
House: 5, 1932 - 1937. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 02 May 1944 aged 24. Killed in flying accident.
Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 204.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Wilkinson, The Hurst, Mottingham, SE9.
Husband of Denise Ludlow Wilkinson, of Farnborough, Kent.

Sgt John Leslie Wilson
House: 1, 1932 - 1936. Regiment: R.A.F.
Died: 26 February 1943 aged 24 in Germany. Killed in bombing raid over Cologne.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Runnymede Memorial Panel 170.

Son of John and Eveline Maud Wilson, of Richmond Ho., Elms Rd., Leicester.
Mod. Lan. V.

102 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew Handley Page Halifax heavy bombers.

He was an Observer and killed in a bombing raid over Cologne.

Feb 1943 Ops AIR-27_809_3
Feb 1943 Ops Detail AIR-27_809_4


No of records: 22. View all 249 records     First World War


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