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WW2 Aircrew Remembrance, Rushden (2026)

13/09/2026

Mission: Dresden, Germany.

Date: 13/14 February 1945

Unit: No.103 Squadron.

Type: Avro Lancaster III

Serial No. LM 682

Coded: PM-O

Location: Winterkasten, 12 km ENE of Bensheim, Germany.

Pilot-Pilot Officer Dugald Geoffrey Rimmington R.A.A.F. aged 21.
Son of Dugald Cameron and Bertha Lucy Elizabeth Rimmington of Alphington, Victoria, Australia.

Flight Engineer-Sergeant George Turner R.A.F.V.R. aged 19.
Son of Joseph and Hannah Turner of Oldham, Lancashire.

Navigator-Sergeant George Ross Gilfillan R.A.F.V.R.

Air Bomber-Flight Sergeant Edward Voster Staples R.A.F.V.R.

Wireless Operator- Sergeant Albert Pettman R.A.F.V.R. aged 20.
Son of Albert and Lilian Pettman of Sandwich, Kent.

Sergeant Albert Harry Pettman was born in Woodnesborough, Kent on the 23rd of January 1925 to Albert and Lillian Pettman of “Eureka”, The Butts, Sandwich, Kent. He had one brother, Jack. Albert worked with his father, a baker, and after joining the local ATC, enlisted in the RAFVR in May 1943.His parents, having waited for five months for confirmation from the Air Ministry of Albert’s death, both died within a year of receiving the news.

Air Gunner-Sergeant William Henry Swan R.A.F.V.R aged 19.
Son of Henry and Alice Amelia Swan of Mill End, Rickmansworth, Herts.

Rear Gunner-Sergeant Frank Alfred Rushworth RAFVR aged 19.
Son of Alfred Charles and Elizabeth Mary Rushworth of Southwark, London.

REASON FOR LOSS:

After take off at 21:40 hours from base at Elsham Wolds, on an op to Dresden, as part of Operation Thunderclap, Lancaster LM 682 crashed at Winterkasten, some 12 km ENE of Bensheim, killing all the crew

All of the crew rest in the War Cemetery at Durnbach, Germany.

Images;

Sergeant Albert Pettman on right, with pal.

Sergeant Albert Pettman on right with friends.

Portrait image of Albert Pettman in uniform.

Letter to the father of Albert Pettman of Notification of sons death.

Original grave marker for this crew. (All photo credits to Richard Pettman).

The ill-fated flight engineer, George Turner. (Find a Grave).

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, Durnbach, Germany. (Find a Grave).

This crew all rest in Durnbach Cemetery. (Find a Grave).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to “Find a Grave”, Richard Pettman, the National Archive, Kew, London. (Updated 2026).

11/09/2026

Mission: Bomber Support, Stettin, Germany.

Date: 8-9 February 1945

Unit: No. 192 Squadron RAF.

Type: Handley Page Halifax III

Serial No. MZ342

Coded: DT-B

Location: Crashed into the North Sea.

Pilot: Flight Sergeant. Brian Leonard Butler 429992 RNZAF aged 21.
Son of Joseph and Mary (nee Fabish) Butler of Huirangi, Waitara, Taranaki, New Zealand.

Flt/Eng: Sergeant. Kenneth George Cheshire, 1591797, RAFVR aged 19.
Son of Edith D Cheshire of Whitley Bay, Northumberland.

Nav: Flying Officer. David Percy Maeers Finnigan 176001 RAFVR aged 23.
Son of Stanley and Mabel Annie Finnigan and brother of Colin, Norman and Barbara Finnigan of Southgate, Middlesex.

B/A: Flight Sergeant. Douglas William Webb 1187233 RAFVR aged 29 - Killed.
Son of William Maurice and Ethel Louise Webb of Bristol and husband of Marguerite Conibear Webb of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Flight Sergeant Webb’s body was found drifted ashore at Haurvig on the Danish North Sea coast on the 21st of February 1946 and buried at Esjberg.

W/Op: Sergeant. Robert Dixon Mitcheson 1592400 RAFVR aged 20.
Son of Robert Dixon and Amelia Mitcheson of Newsham, Northumberland.

Specialist Op: Flying Officer. Noel Burrows 51119 RAF aged 29.
Son of Thomas and Margaret Burrows and husband of Mary Burrows of Pontllanfraith, Monmouthshire.

MUG: Sergeant. Evan Albert Ernest Tucker 1852712 RAFVR aged 19.
Son of Edgar Evan and Dorothy (nee Truscott) Tucker of Bethel, Cornwall.

R/Gnr: Sergeant. Brian Frederick Woods 1881002 RAFVR aged 20 - Killed.
Son of Charles Oliver and Violet Georgia Woods of Penge, Kent.
Sergeant Woods’s body was found, having drifted ashore at a locality on the Danish North Sea coast named Strandlen 24 on Aaberg Forstrad on the 21st of August 1945.
He was buried on the 24th of August at Husby Cemetery.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Halifax III MZ 342 DT-B left Foulsham at 19:41 hours on a Bombing Support mission to Stettin. On the homebound journey at 2,000 feet it was involved in a mid-air collision in heavy cloud with Lancaster I PD376 of No. 625 squadron, flown by P/O D. E. Chalkley. The accident occurred circa 01:20 in position 5617 N 0748 E and though the Lancaster was to escape any serious damage the Halifax crashed into the sea. Six crew including F/O Burrows, the specialist operator, have no known graves and are commemorated on the Runnymede memorial. whilst F/S Webb is buried in Esbjerg (Fourfelt) Cemetery, with Sergeant Woods resting next to Able Seaman Gordon Henry Smith of HMS Pintail, and an unknown soldier in Husby Churchyard.

Images;

No. 192 Squadron ORB (Operational Record Book) detailing the loss. (NA).

Flight Sergeant Butler. (Peter Kivell and the Butler Family website for information and photos).

Flying Officer Finnigan. (Peter and David Finnigan for the information and photos).

Sergeant Tucker. (John and Margaret Clarke for the information and photos).

Sgt. Brian Frederick Wood.

The last resting places for Douglas Webb and Brian woods, RIP. (Find a Grave).

Researched by: Lindra Ibrom for the A.R. Society. Compiled by Melvin Brownless (Former founding member of Aircrew Remembrance Society), with thanks to the National Archive, Kew, London, Peter Kivell and the Butler family, Peter & David Finnigan and John & Margaret Clarke, not forgetting "Find a Grave". (Updated 2026).

09/09/2026

Mission: Kiel, Germany.

Date: 21-22 April 1945

Unit: No. 163 Squadron.

Type: D H Mosquito XXV

Serial No: KB529

Coded: NK-W

Location: Target Area Kiel, Germany.

Pilot: Squadron Leader William George Baker 51161 R.A.F. - Captured.

Navigator: Flying Officer. Austin Arthur Hawthorne J/40463 R.C.A.F. Age 22 - Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took-off from Wyton at 21:37 hours. Presumed crashed in the target area, it is also assumed that S/L Baker survived as no burial details
have been found.

NOTE: Report submitted by S/L. William George Baker during post war interrogation:

"When our aircraft was hit, the nose and starboard wing were blown off and I was knocked out. When I regained consciousness, F/O. Hawthorne was not in the aircraft, so I baled out. I was captured four days later, and the German interrogator informed me that the body of F/O. Hawthorne, had been found near Kiel. F/O. Hawthorne was lying in the nose compartment of the aircraft when we were hit. The German Major at Dulag Luft 33 is the only source of information I have ever had concerning F/O. Hawthorne. My own conclusions are that F/O. Hawthorne was killed when the aircraft was hit. He was not wearing his parachute at the time".

Images;

De-Havilland Mosquito XXV KB529. (Payne).

Extract from the No. 163 Sqdn ORB (Operational Record Book) detailing the mission & loss. (NA).

Flying Officer. Austin Arthur Hawthorne J/40463 R.C.A.F. (Find a Grave).

Burial detail: Flying Officer, Austin Arthur Hawthorne J/40463 KIEL WAR CEMETERY. Plot 1. Row F. Grave 19. (Find a Grave).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to Mr. Payne, (Aylesbury), the National Archive, Kew, London and "Find a Grave". (Updated 2026).

20/08/2026

Mission: Non - Operational Flight.

Date: 3 August 1943

Unit: No. 401 Squadron R.C.A.F.

Type: Supermarine Spitfire Vb

Serial: BL339

Coded: Not known.

Base: R.A.F. Redhill, Surrey, England.

Location: Underhill Farm, Buckland, Surrey, England.

Pilot: Flying Officer. Ralph Balkwill Delbridge. J/9490 R.C.A.F. Age. 22 – Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft was flying at 500 feet low level when it suddenly dived into the ground and crashed. Sadly the pilot was killed instantly.

History of Spitfire Mk.Vb (BL339).

Built by Vickers Armstrong at Castle Bromwich. Contract No. B981687/39.

Third order for 1000 Spitfires, 23rd October 1940.

Built as a Mk. Vb October / November 1941.

Serial range between BL231 - BM653.

Armament: Two 20mm Hispano Cannons and Four .303 Browning Machine Guns.

Delivered to No. 8 M.U. on the 15th November 1941.

To No. 74 Squadron 23rd November 1941.

To No. 232 Squadron 8th April 1942.

To A.S.T.MR. (Air Service Training, Marwell) 9th June 1942.

To No. 332 Squadron 20th August 1942.

To No. 431 Squadron 21st November 1942.

To No. 412 Squadron 3rd February 1943.

F.A.A.C. (Flying Accident Category AC) Cat: AC Repair is beyond the unit capacity (May be repaired on site by another unit or contractor).

GROS 4165 (Repaired on site, Station 4165) 25th May 1943.

To No. 401 Squadron 1st June 1943.

3rd August 1943 D.I.G. (Dived into the ground) Underhill Farm, Buckland, Surrey, Category E. (Cat: E Aircraft is a write-off).

Flying Officer Ralph Balkwill Delbridge, J/9490 R.C.A.F. Killed.

Images;

Ralph pictured as a civilian before joining the R.C.A.F. (Hodgins).

Redhill aerodrome is very close to the crash site area. (Net).

F/O Ralph Delbridge. (Brownless).

Burial details:

Flying Officer Ralph Balkwill Delbridge J/9490 R.C.A.F. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 45. C. 5. Son of Franklin J. Delbridge and Eva Delbridge of Exeter, Ontario, Canada. (Find a Grave).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless and David King. January 2014. (Updated 2026 with thanks to Kathleen Hodgins and “Find a Grave”).

06/08/2026

Training: Night circuits and landings.

Date: 8 December 1942

Time: 00:05 hours.

Unit: No. 21 (O.T.U.) Operational Training Unit.

Type: Vickers Armstrong Wellington IC

Serial No: DV425

Base: Moreton -in-Marsh.

Location: High Furze, Tidmington, 1 mile W of Burmington, Warwickshire, England.

Pilot: Sgt Vincent Thomas Drew. 1219728 Age. 28 - Killed.

W/Op/A/Gnr: Sgt Cyril Edward Raggett. 1332125 Age. 20 - Killed.

Sgt Laurie Arthur McGuire. 412070 (R.A.A.F.) Age. 23 - Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft took off from its base at Moreton-in-Marsh for night circuits and landings. While so engaged it began to rain quite heavily and the crew were advised to hold off until the storm had passed. Unfortunately, control of the aircraft was lost and the bomber came down four miles downwind of the flare path at 00:05 hours, hitting the high ground at High Furze, which lies approximately two miles SSW of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. Sadly all three crew members perished in the crash.

Images;

Low level flying Wellington IC (IWM).

The ill fated Sgt McGuire. (M Croft).

A view looking out from the crash site at High Furze pictured 2003 (Brownless).

“Biggles” busy detecting the field. (Brownless).

Harness Anchorage label found on the surface at crash site (Brownless).

Remove only for jettison label (Brownless).

Bomb Sight label (King).

Relics from this aircraft in the Mike Croft Collection. (Croft).

Burial details:

Sgt Drew lies in the Walsall (Ryecroft) Cemetery. Sec 14. Grave.317 Son of George and Sarah Jane Drew, of Walsall; husband of Elsie Drew, of Great Barr, Birmingham. (Find a Grave).

Sgt Raggett rests in Hoo, St. Werburgh Churchyard. Son of Cecil Edward and Clara Blanche Raggett, of Hoo. (Find a Grave).

Sgt McGuire was buried locally at Moreton-in-Marsh New Cemetery. Sec.K Grave.32 Son of Albert John and Eliza McGuire, of Kingstown New South Wales, Australia. (Find a Grave).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless and Mike Croft, David King, with thanks to the IWM Lambeth, and “Find a Grave” February 2014. (Updated 2026).

31/07/2026

Mission: Rhubarb over enemy coast, France.

Date: 9th April 1941

Unit: No. 64 Squadron R.A.F. (Hornchurch).

Type: Supermarine Spitfire IIa

Serial No: P7784

Coded: Y

Location: Mardyck, France.

Pilot: Pilot Officer. John Hampton Rowden. R.A.F.V.R (83249) – Killed. Born 1913 Watlington, South Oxfordshire District, Oxfordshire, England.

REASON FOR LOSS:

During this mission P/O Rowden claimed a probable before being shot down by German fighter ace Hauptmann. Josef Fözö of II./JG51.

Burial detail:
Dunkirk, Departement du Nord, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.
Plot 2 Row 1 Grave 44.

Images;

John Hampton Rowden. (via Martin Carrack).

Extract from Squadron ORB (NA) detailing the loss of "Little John" (P/O Rowden).

Spitfire IIa P7784 pictured by the German forces shortly after the fatal crash landing.

Memorial page dedicated to John Hampton Rowden.

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to the National Archive (Kew), Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Martin Carrack. 2021.

31/07/2026

Mission: Fighter Sweep.

Date: 17 July 1941

Unit: No. 54 Squadron R.A.F.

Type: Supermarine Spitfire Va

Serial No: W3216

Coded: KL-

Location: Hawkinge, Kent, England.

Pilot: Sgt. Francis Mackay Laing. R.N.Z.A.F. 401392. Age 29 - Killed.
Son of James Storer Laing and of Helen May Laing (nee Anderson), of Karori, Wellington, New Zealand.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Crashed near Hawkinge, Kent on return from fighter sweep.

Burial Details: Hornchurch Cemetery, Sec. A. Grave 1358.

Images;

Sgt. Francis Mackay Laing. R.N.Z.A.F. 401392. Age 29 - Killed. (Net).

Spitfire W3216 was the Maidenhead and District (Spitfire Fund) presentation aircraft. (Croft).

The cheque for £5,500 as given to the Spitfire Fund of Lord Beaverbrook. (Croft).

"Maidenhead Spitfire" plaque. (Croft).

The last resting place of Sgt. Francis Mackay Laing at Hornchurch Cemetery, Sec. A. Grave 1358. (Find a Grave).

Researched by Mike Croft and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to the National Archive, Kew, London and "Find a Grave". (Updated 2026).

01/05/2026

Mission: Duisburg, Germany.

Date: 12/13 May 1943

Time: 02:25 hours.

Unit: No. 431 Squadron (R.C.A.F.).

Type: Vickers Wellington Mk. X

Serial: HE440

Code: SE-Y

Base: R.A.F. Burn, Yorkshire England.

Location: Huppel, Netherlands, (Holland).

Pilot: Sergeant George Wood R.A.F.V.R. Age 23. Killed.

Nav: Sgt Edward Leo Gummer 1379214 R.A.F.V.R. Age 20. Killed.

Air/Bmr: Sgt. Innis Edward Mobley. 1575533 R.A.F.V.R. Age 21. Killed.

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Thomas Smith R.A.F.V.R. Age 26 Killed.

W/Op: Sgt Andrew Cresswell. R.A.F.V.R. Age 23 Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 23:32 and joined 571 other aircraft heading for Duisburg. Approximately four hours later, just short of the Dutch/German border HE440 was attacked and shot down by a Messerschmitt Me 110 flown by Oblt. Manfred Meurer of 3./NJG1. HE 440 caught fire and crashed in a wood at Huppel, near the Dutch town of Winterswijk at 02.25 on 13th May 1943. Sgt. Mobley managed to bale out of the aircraft but was too low for his parachute to deploy. His body was found some distance from the crash site.

Sgt. Innis Edward Mobley was a pupil of Moseley Grammar School from 1933 to 1938.

This was the 24th of Oblt. Manfred Meurer’s 65 confirmed kills before he died on 24th January 1944 in a mid-air collision with a Lancaster. He had been awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves.

Images;

Two clandestine images taken at the crash site of HE440 by Dutch Patriots, with great risk to them and their families. (Rhebergen).

Sgt. Innis Edward Mobley. (Townsend).

The last resting place Winterswijk Cemetery, Netherlands. (Townsend).

Innis rests with his comrades. (Townsend).

Burial details: All are buried at Winterswijk Cemetery, Netherlands.

Name: WOOD, GEORGE ROBERT YORSTON
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot).
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force No. 431 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 23.
Date of Death: 13/05/1943.
Service No: 658403

Additional information: Son of William Mitchell Wood and Lena Lydia Wood, of North Shields, Northumberland; husband of Olive Wood, of North Shields.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 27. Cemetery: WINTERSWIJK CEMETERY.

Name: GUMMER, EDWARD LEO
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Rank: Sergeant (Nav.).
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 431 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 13/05/1943
Service No: 1379214

Additional information: Son of Edward Joseph and Mary Ellen Gummer, of Accrington, Lancashire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 26. Cemetery: WINTERSWIJK CEMETERY.

Name: MOBLEY, INNIS EDWARD
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Rank: Sergeant (Bomb Aimer)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force No. 431 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 13/05/1943
Service No: 1575533

Additional information: Son of Arthur P. and Norah E. Mobley, of Yardley Wood, Birmingham.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 28. Cemetery: WINTERSWIJK CEMETERY.

Name: CRESSWELL, ANDREW
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr).
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 431 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 13/05/1943
Service No: 1210978

Additional information: Son of Andrew and Elsie May Cresswell, of Wolverhampton.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 24. Cemetery: WINTERSWIJK CEMETERY.

Name: SMITH, THOMAS HAIG
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr).
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 431 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 13/05/1943
Service No: 993817

Additional information: Son of Thomas and Lily Smith; nephew of Elizabeth Bromilow, of Leigh, Lancashire.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 25. Cemetery: WINTERSWIJK CEMETERY.

Researched by Peter Rhebergen, Netherlands and Keith Townsend, historian of Moseley School war memorial records. Compiled by Melvin Brownless 2026.

01/05/2026

Mission: Dusseldorf, Germany.

Date: 10/11 September 1942

Unit: No. 83 (Pathfinder) Squadron R.A.F.

Type: Avro Lancaster I

Serial No. W4104

Coded: OL-A

Location: Neuss, Germany.

Base: Wyton.

Flying Officer. John Gordon McDonald D.F.C. J/5059 R.C.A.F. Age.25 - Killed. Son of Norman Donald and Ida Louina McDonald, of Islington, Ontario, Canada.

Sergeant. Albert George Cook 1293852 R.A.F.V.R. Age.21 - Killed. Son of George Henry and Annie Louisa Cook, of Wealdstone, Harrow, Middlesex.

Flying Officer. Harris Lewington Mazengarb 402667 R.A.A.F. Age.22 - Killed. Son of Reginald Muller Mazengarb and Alice Winifred Mazengarb, of Cammeray, New South Wales. Australia.

Sergeant. Philipp William Samwell 1195426 R.A.F.V.R. Age.21 - Killed. Son of William and Josephine Samwell, of Northampton.

Flt Sergeant. Donald John Calderwood R/68128 R.C.A.F. Age.? - Killed.

Sergeant. Graham George Millard 1179058 R.A.F.V.R. Age.? - Killed.

Flt Sergeant. Harry Raeburn Watson R/98140 R.C.A.F Age.? - Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

This aircraft took off from Wyton at 20.36 carrying 1 x 2000, 1 x 1900, 32 flares, 4 red flares and 4 green flares. The aircraft and crew failed to return from mission, their Lancaster crashed at Neuss due to reasons unknown. Funerals of the deceased took place in the Nordfriedhof at Dusseldorf.
Since been re-interred at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

Images;

Crash site of F/O McDonald's Lancaster I W4104 at Neuss, Germany. (MRB Archive).

Believed to be the body of Sergeant. Albert George Cook. Face respectively covered. (MRB Archive).

F/O John Gordon McDonald D.F.C. (MacDonald/MRB Archive).

F/O McDonald holding niece Patricia with nephew Ian. (MacDonald/MRB Archive).

F/O John McDonald in the back yard of his parents home. (MacDonald/MRB Archive).

Norman McDonald posthumously receiving his sons D.F.C. from the Governor General in Ottawa, Canada. (MacDonald/MRB Archive).

F/Sgt Calderwood. (MRB Archive).

Service record of F/O Mazengarb. (MRB Archive).

Burial details:

Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. F/O McDonald: 11. E. 1. Sgt Cook: 11. E. 3. F/O Mazengarb: 11. D. 9. Sgt Samwell: 11. D. 10.
F/Sgt Calderwood: 11. D. 7. Sgt Millard: 11. D. 11. F/Sgt Watson: 11. D. 8. (Find a Grave).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with special thanks to the MacDonald family and the fabulous Bomber Command Losses by W. R. Chorley. (2026).

23/04/2026

Mission: Transfer Flight.

Date: 30 October 1940

Time: 01:00 Hours.

Unit: No. 115 Squadron R.A.F.

Type: Vickers Wellington Mk 1c

Serial No: T2613

Coded: KO -?

Base: R.A.F. Marham, Norfolk. T/O 24:00 hours.

Location: Iver, Buckinghamshire, England.

Crew:

Pilot: P/O Alexander John Roberts Pate, Service No 79171 - DFC Killed.

Pilot 2: Sgt Walter Vincent Jaggs, Service No: 745515 Killed.

Observer: Sgt William Ernest Elliott, Service No: 755784 Killed.

Radio Op: Sgt Edward Fisher, Service No: 618704 Killed.

AG: Sgt Kenneth Raymond Draper, Service No: 751327 Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Non operational transit flight to Malta. Crashed 01:00 hours. after flying into the London balloon barrage near Iver, Buckinghamshire.
Source: RAF Bomber Command Losses Vol.1 - W R. Chorley.
ORB. 30/10/1940. (NA).
1300. P/O. A. J. R. PATE, GD, killed on 30/10/40, as result of flying accident, ran into balloon cable at IVER, Nr. Bucks, and crashed, all crew were killed.

Images;

P/O A. J. R. PATE. (Croft).

Sgt William Ernest Elliott. (Croft).

Page from No. 115 Squadron ORB. (NA).

Burial Details:

Pilot Officer. Alexander John Roberts Pate. Birth 28 Jun 1918 Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
Death 30 Oct 1940 (aged 22). Burial Wolvercote Cemetery Oxford, City of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. Plot C1/213.(Find a Grave).

Pilot Officer (Pilot). Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 115 Sqdn. Service No: 79171. Awards: D F C. Son of John Roberts Pate and Mary Henderson Pate.
Although born in Glasgow, the family seems to have settled in England, as Alexander attended The Dragon School in Oxford. He first attended their Junior School, before going on to the “Big School” in January 1927.
Alexander, together with his brother, left the school in March 1929, and both went on the King’s College on the Isle of Man. He then returned to Oxford in December 1932 to go to Magdalen College School.
After finishing his school he joined Lloyds Bank in 1936, working in Burford. He joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1938.
Before the war he played Rugger for the Nomads, Hockey for Oxford County, and Cricket for Oxford C.C.
At the outbreak of war he was a Sergeant-Pilot, and he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 31st May 1940.
Alexander flew with 115 Squadron, which was equipped with Vickers Wellington bombers.
After having flowing on several operations, on the night of the 29th October 1940, Alexander took off with his crew on a non-operational transit flight to Malta.
At about 1am their aircraft crashed after flying into the London balloon barrage near Iver, Buckinghamshire. All five crew-members were lost in the crash.
Alexander Pate was buried in the family plot in Wolvercote Cemetery. His Wing-Commander wrote of him:

“He was a splendid officer and a fine pilot, and in the Station Commander's and my own opinion probably the most promising junior officer in the Station. We had particularly noticed how, in the face of opposition and adverse conditions, he courageously and persistently carried on according to orders, when he would have been justified in turning back. His quiet and cheerful manner and charming personality had endeared him to all ranks. He leaves a gap in the Squadron and in the Station that cannot be filled.”
After his death, Alexander was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty in ex*****on of operations.

Sgt. Walter Vincent Jaggs. Birth Jan 1919 Service No: 745515 London Borough of Croydon, Greater London.
Death 30 Oct 1940 (aged 21) Iver, South Bucks District, Buckinghamshire, England.
Burial Brookwood Military Cemetery Brookwood, Woking Borough, Surrey, England. (Find a Grave). Plot 20. A. 7. - Sergeant - Pilot - Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 115 Sqdn. (Find a Grave).
Son of Walter Frederick and Mabel Eileen Jaggs nee Vincent of Sutton, Surrey. Husband of Mabel Gladys Grace Jaggs nee Steel of 15, Bramley Road, Sutton, Surrey, England.

Sgt William Ernest Elliott. Birth 23 Oct 1919 Stafford, 755784.
Death 30 Oct 1940 (aged 21) Iver, South Bucks District, Buckinghamshire, England.
Burial Carisbrooke Cemetery Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight Unitary Authority, Isle of Wight, England
Plot F 15 (Family Headstone), sadly damaged. (Find a Grave).
Prior to the war, William Elliott worked for William H. Croucher, a grocer and baker in Newport, and was assistant scoutmaster for the Castlehold Boy Scout troop.

Sgt Edward Fisher. Birth unknown 618704 Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner Royal Air Force
Death 30 Oct 1940
Burial Hemsworth Cemetery Hemsworth, Metropolitan Borough of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. (Find a Grave).
Sgt Kenneth Raymond Draper Birth unknown Service No: 751327 Age: 21
Death 30 Oct 1940 Burial Hillingdon and Uxbridge Cemetery Hillingdon, London Borough of Hillingdon, Greater London, Plot Row N.D. Grave 23. (Find a Grave).
Son of Leonard and Ethel May Draper; nephew of Mr. F. C. Verity of Islington, London.

Researched by Mike Coft and compiled by Mike & Melvin Brownless with thanks to “Find a Grave” and the National Archive, Kew, London. (2026).

WW2 Aircrew Remembrance

13/09/2026

11/09/2026

09/09/2026

20/08/2026

06/08/2026

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

01/05/2026

01/05/2026

23/04/2026

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