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WW2 Aircrew Remembrance, Rushden (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).

27/07/2026

Mission: Not known.

Date: 26 July 1944

Unit:: 367th FG, 393rd FS, 9th U.S.A.A.F.

Type: Lockheed P-38J.

Serial: 44-23650'

Coded: 8L-

Location: Ibsley (Station No. 347, Hampshire, England).

PILOT: 1st Lt. Albert B Cooksey. 0-756502. U.S.A.A.F. Killed.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Lt. Cooksey was killed as a result of a mid-air collision, after taking off on a mission on July 26th 1944. His aircraft collided with P-38J. 42-68044 flown by Lt. Robert M Brandt. A 3rd P-38J 42-68186 flown by Lt. Robert R Green was also hit by the debris and lost a gearbox and propeller. Lt. Green maintained control of his aircraft and managed to make a single engine at Stoney Cross. Both other pilots safe.

Images;

1st Lt. Albert B Cooksey with his P-38 (Brownless/Croft).

367th FG Memorial at Ibsley, Hampshire, England. (Net).

BURIAL DETAILS:

1st Lt. Albert B Cooksey. 0-756502, is buried in The Golden Gate National Cemetery, Bruno, California, U.S.A. (Net).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless & Mike Croft in 1995, page updated August 2014 and 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).

14/04/2026

Mission: Circus 193, France.

Date: 20 June 1942

Unit: No.118 Squadron R.A.F.

Type: Supermarine Spitfire Vb

Serial No. AR455

Coded: NK-K

Location: France. Exact location unknown?

Pilot: Adjutant. Robert-Noël Nioloux 30.297 - Captured.

Note: A print of his Spitfire AR455 serial NK – K ( From ECPAD) is published page 47 of “ Croix de Lorraine’ sur Dieppe by Yves Morieult, Aéro-Editions International, 2002 Robert-Noël Nioloux, 30.297, missing in action.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Presumed shot down by German fighter from JG 2 or JG 26.
Appears pilot made a forced landing?

Image;

Spitfire Vb AR455 lies in a French field (via ECPAD).

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with thanks to ECPAD. Updated 2026.

14/04/2026

Mission: Nuremberg, Germany.

Date: 30/31st March 1944

Unit: No. 578 Squadron.

Type: Halifax III

Serial: LK797 (Excalibur)

Coded: LK-E

Location: Ryhope Village Colliery, Co. Durham

Pilot: F/O Cyril Joe Barton V.C. 168669 R.A.F.V.R. Age 22. Killed.

Fl/Eng: Sgt Maurice E. Trousdale D.F.M. - Injured.

Nav: Sgt Leonard Lambert - P.O.W No: 3459 Camps L6/357.

W/Op/Air/Gnr: P/O Jack Kay - P.O.W No: 4147 Camp L1.

Air/Bmr: F/O G. G. Grate - P.O.W. No: 4137 Camp L1.

Air/Gnr: Sgt H. C. H. D. Wood D.F.M. - Injured.

Air/Gnr: Sgt Fred Bryce D.F.M. - Injured.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 22:14 from RAF Burn, to attack the city of Nuremburg. Part of a massive force of 795 aircraft - 572 Lancaster's, 214 Halifax's and 9 Mosquitoes. The most disastrous night of the war for Bomber Command with the loss of 95 bombers. Halifax LK797 which the crew had named "Excalibur" was some 70 miles short of the target when attacked by a Junkers Ju 88. The first burst of fire from the enemy made the intercommunication system useless. One engine was damaged when a Messerschmitt Me 410 joined in the fight. The bomber’s machine guns were out of action and the gunners were unable to return the fire. The fighters continued to attack the aircraft as it approached the target area and, in the confusion caused by the failure of the communications system at the height of the battle, a signal was misinterpreted and the navigator, air bomber and wireless operator baled out of the aircraft.

F/O Barton faced a situation of dire peril. His aircraft was damaged, his navigational team had gone and he could not communicate with the remainder of the crew. If he continued his mission he would be at the mercy of hostile fighters when silhouetted against the fires in the target area and if he survived he would have to make a 4 1/2 hours journey home on three engines across heavily-defended territory. Determined to press home his attack at all costs, he flew on and, reaching the target, released the bombs himself. As F/O Barton turned for home the propeller of the damaged engine, which was vibrating badly, flew off. It was also discovered that two of the petrol tanks had suffered damage and were leaking. F/O Barton held to his course and, without navigational aids and in spite of strong head winds, successfully avoided the most dangerous defence areas on his route. Eventually he crossed the English coast only 90 miles north of his base. By this time the petrol supply was nearly exhausted. Before a suitable landing place could be found, the port engine stopped and the aircraft was now too low to be abandoned successfully. F/O Barton therefore ordered the three remaining members of his crew to take up their crash positions, behind the main spar. Then, with only one engine working, he made a gallant attempt to land clear of the houses over which he was flying. On the decent despite strenuous efforts F/O Barton was unable to avoid an end of a row of cottages, one was demolished and the other slightly damaged. The Halifax crashed into the yard of Ryhope Colliery, on impact the rear fuselage broke off and landed in a deep railway cutting with the three crewmen inside. F/O Barton died of his injuries, but as a result of his selfless actions, the three crewmen survived. Tragically a local minor, George Dodds Heads aged 58 was killed on his way to work hit by flying debris. In gallantly completing his last mission in the face of almost impossible odds, F/O Cyril Joe Barton displayed unsurpassed courage and devotion to duty. On 27th June 1944 he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. He was the only Halifax pilot so honoured.

Images;

F/O Cyril Joe Barton VC. (Harrison/MRB Archive).

F/O Barton’s crew: left standing, Sgt. Kay, wireless operator; F/O Crate, bomb aimer; F/O Barton, pilot, Sgt. Lambert, navigator; and Sgt. Trousdale, flight engineer. At the front are Sgt. Bryce, rear gunner, and Sgt. Wood, mid-upper gunner. (Harrison/MRB Archive).

The wreckage of LK797 "Excalibur" in the yard of Ryhope Colliery. (Harrison/MRB Archive).

Burial Details:

F/O Cyril Joe Barton VC. Kingston-Upon-Thames Cemetery. Class C. (Cons,) Grave 6700. (Harrison/MRB Archive).

Son of Frederick J. Barton and Ethel Barton, of New Malden.

Researched by Mike Harrison and compiled by Melvin Brownless, updated 2026.

WW2 Aircrew Remembrance

20/08/2026

06/08/2026

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

27/07/2026

01/05/2026

01/05/2026

23/04/2026

14/04/2026

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