Flt Sgt Alan Swann (Flight Engineer, 617 Squadron)
Submitted by Nick Heap
Sgt Malcolm Macrae (Flight Engineer, 103 Squadron)
My late father was flying (on what he thought was the last ‘op’ of his Tour) to Stuttgart on 28/29 July 1944. Although the aircraft had a minor fault and they could have turned back, the crew decided to ‘press on’. Around three hours later, they were attacked by a night-fighter, over eastern (occupied) France,…
Flt Sgt James (Jimmy) Quaggin DFM (Wireless Operator, 578 Squadron)
Submitted by Vicky Lyth
F/O Thomas Hugh Collin (Navigator, 617 & 630 squadron)
My late father, Thomas Collin was a navigator in 630 and 617 squadron. He flew on his first op to Bourg Leopold on 15 May 1944 and later told me that he was so terrified that he went to the medical Officer to try to get off ops even if it meant being termed “lacking…
Flt Sgt Jack Folkard DFM (Wireless Operator, 166 Squadron)
Submitted by Jane Folkard
Flt Sgt Ken Bryant (Rear Gunner, 115 & 214 Squadron)
My father Walter Kenneth Bryant (Ken Bryant) was born in 1918, died age 80; against the odds he survived 49 operational missions. He was a rear gunner and flew with 115 Squadron in Wellingtons, his pilot was Canadian, P/O Bill Berry, and with 214 Squadron, piloted by Squadron Leader Bray and also with Flight Officer…
Sgt John Davis (Flight Engineer, 61 Squadron)
My father John Davis flew with 61 as a flight engineer. His Lancaster was the destroyed in February 1943 . Three years ago my family were invited to a memorial ceremony in Holland where I met people who actually saw the plane destroyed. Evidently a bomb detonated on board setting off the whole bomb load.…
Sgt Dennis Gordon Holyoak (Wireless Operator, 630 Squadron)
On several visits to East Kirkby during 2015/2016, my friend and I had various strange co-incidences happen. These led me on the trail of a young wireless operator named Dennis Gordon Holyoak from 630 squadron. Sadly during my research, I discovered that he had lost his life at the age of 21, when the entire…
Plt Off Rupert Thomas William Harwood (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, 619 Squadron)
Our lovely Dad, P/O Rupert T.W. Harwood, was killed with all Crew on his 31st sortie on 18/19th July 1944. Dad was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner with 619 Squadron. It was so lovely when he came home on leave, sometimes for 24 hrs, or 48 hrs, and occasionally for 7 days. Sometimes he would come…
Flt Sgt Alexander Ross Sutherland (Wireless Operator)
Alexander Ross Sutherland served in the RAF through World War 2. He joined Bomber Command in 1944. He was a Wireless Operator and once had to take over from an injured Rear Gunner . Alex lived to attend the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in June 2013.In 2013 Alex received his Bomber Command Clasp…