James E Linehan, MIA 1942 Wellington X3757

The ScotlandsPeople website does sometimes have transcription issues! Was she alive at the time of the marriage - it will say deceased in parenthesis if not? I have found loads of certificates where folks have got the names of their parents incorrect - well, you can't put Mum and Dad!

I'm happy to look up if required, it's cheaper than paying for the actual certificate! Although, I get my credits from the local library, so I will have to wait a wee while.

Roxy

 

Roxy I think we seem to be at cross purposes. Surely Naylor's mother would have been alive at the date of her marriage & of Naylor's birth (although she could have died in childbirth, but the CWGC gives both parents names so one presumes she was still alive when Naylor died)?? The certificate I have is Naylor's birth certificate.

 

Working with the Missing Airman Foundation, we've now discovered more about Graham Lakeman's family:

His parents were Sidney Harry and Florence (Hawkes). They married on the 11th May 1916 in the Parish Church of Saint Jude in the County of Plymouth. Sidney Harry was 24 years old at that time and his rank and profession Engine Room Artificer RN aboard the M.H.S. Redpole. His father was carpenter. Florence lived at 6, Grenville Road, Plymouth. Her father was a printer.

From Ancestry.Com:
Sidney Harry Lakeman, date of birth 5 December 1891. Died in the third quarter of 1973. Age 82, registration district Exeter
Florence Lakeman, born about 1890. Died in the third quarter of 1961. Age 71, registration district Cornwall.
Graham Lakeman, born in the first quarter 1920. Registration district Plymouth.

As we're trying to work out why a family who came from Plymouth were based up in Greenock, I wondered, now that I know Mr Lakeman senior was on MHS Redpole, perhaps the Redpole was stationed up in Greenock at that point & the family moved up there to be near him. Is there a way of finding out where MHS Redpole was stationed?

Thanks

 

I'm going through the details yet again, taking into account the new details from the Operational Report as haven't had a chance to properly dissect it yet.

In the casualty section it shows the 5 missing planes for that night, one being a Manchester. Below that bit is a section called In the Sea it also mentions a Manchester from the same squadron.

Does this refer to the same plane do you think, or is it a different one? It mentions that the pilot was rescued, but as far as I know, no one from the 'other' Manchester survived.


EDIT: 28 July 2011. Found information on the internet this morning that there was one survivor from Manchester L7427, who later died as a POW: Pilot:P/O 62324 Peter Anthony Lovegrove 22 RAFVR PoW, died in captivity 12Nov42.

EDIT: I also found a survivor from X 3467 that crashed near Barssel: Hubert Brook As I lay in the nose readying my bomb sights for the run into Hamburg, I heard the front gunner call the skipper over the intercom: "Starboard engine's on fire!"

The port engine caught fire a moment later after I had jettisoned our bomb load and gave the pilot a course for home. At first we thought the extinguishers had stopped the fires and we would make it at least to the North Sea, hopefully to the Frisian Islands, but both engines burst into flames again. I estimated we were close to the Dutch border when the skipper ordered us to bale out just after 1 AM.

In what seemed like no time, I quickly attached my parachute harness, exited the rapidly descending Wellington's escape hatch and plunged into the darkness of the night sky. I pulled the rip cord open and had the satisfaction to see the white canopy emergence over my head, breaking my descent to the ground. Only one thought was in my mind now:
"Let me land on the right side of the border. Let me land in Holland, not Germany!"


This crosses another plane off the search list.

 

The report lists known losses from all operations that day/night.

No.83 Sqn had a Manchester lost on the Op to Hamburg - L7427.

They also had an aircraft lost on a Nickel Op (leaflet dropping) op to Paris - R5837.

It was the Nickel aircraft that had the pilot picked up 15 hours after the crash.

Regards
Ross

 

Many thanks Ross, that clarifies things a lot

 

Would a Wellington Mk 2 differ much in silhouette or shape from a Mk3? Would any differences be instantly noticeable, under heavy fire and extreme duress? Would there be the possibility of misindentification of Mk type?

this could be the critical piece of info in confirming exactly which site might be my uncle's

 

Also does any one know who the Squadron leader for 57 Sqdn was that night and what plane he flew?

Thanks

 

I've now received the Service Records for Sgt Ronald Geoffrey Richards, so at least we now have a date & place of birth for him:

Sgt Ronald Geoffrey Richards

Service Number: 1113440

Date and place of Birth: 14 May 1922, Wakefield Yorkshire

Service:
Enlisted: 21 March 1940
Discharged: 8/4/1942 LIA

Promotions, Reclassifications and Reversions:
Authority C Form Description Date of Effect
AC2 21/8/40
9/8/41 LAC 3/5/41
17/9/41 AC2 17/6/41
10(?)/41 LAC 28/7/41
20/40 (?) Sgt 29/8/41

Movements
Date Unit Reason Date confirming arrival
21/8/40 3 RC Padgate
23/9/40 Yeadon K 12/8/40
4/1/41 1RW (Reserve wing) H 4/41
8/2/41 7ITW (Initial Training Wing) H 2/8/41
3/5/41 50 Group Pool H 12/4/41
8/7/41 Sim Lockings (?) DD 8/7/41 (Difficult to read this)
26(8)/7/41 9 AGS H 8/41
7/9/41 23 OTU 12/7/41
8/9/41 11 OTU 18/( )/41 Can't read month
6/11/61 57 Sdqn
( )/42 1 RAF Depot NE Missing 8/4/42
5/43 Presumed dead 8/4/42
8/4/42 Killed in Action

 

Douwe Drijver (Missing Airmen Foundation) has now received more information regarding the Lakemans.

Graham Lakeman was born on 21/2/1920 at 3 Gifford Place, Mutley, Plymouth, to Sidney Harry and Florence Lakeman (Hawkes).

Florence Lakeman, Sgt Lakeman's mother died on 30th November 1961 in Stratton, Hospital, Stratton, aged 71 years. They lived at 15 or 16 Clinton Close, Bude.

Sidney Harry Lakeman (born 5/12/1891 in Aveton Gifford, Devon) died on 22/11/1973 in the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Exeter. He had married again after Florence died and his widow was Muriel May Lakeman. His rank was Warrant Officer (RN) Retired. They lived at 4 Dorset Ave, Exeter.

The 1901 Census:

Person: LAKEMAN, Sidney H
Address: Aveton Gifford, Aveton Gifford

Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth
Year Occupation 
Disability Where Born

LAKEMAN, Savington Head Married M 40 1861 Carpenter Aveton Gifford
Devonshire
LAKEMAN, Elizabeth M Wife Married F 41 1860 Willand
Somersetshire
LAKEMAN, Ethel Amie Daughter Single F 16 1885 Telegraphist Aveton Gifford
Devonshire
LAKEMAN, Harold S Son M 14 1887 Carpenter Aveton Gifford
Devonshire
LAKEMAN, Ernest G Son M 11 1890 Aveton Gifford
Devonshire
LAKEMAN, Sidney H Son M 9 1892 Aveton Gifford
Devonshire
LAKEMAN, Ellen W Daughter F 7 1894 Aveton Gifford
Devonshire
LAKEMAN, Gladys M Daughter F 4 1897 Aveton Gifford
Devonshire
LAKEMAN, Vera Irene Daughter F 0 (3 MOS) 1901 Aveton Gifford
Devonshire

RG number:
RG13 Piece:
2083 Folio:
14 Page:
20

Registration District:
Kingsbridge Sub District:
Modbury Enumeration District:
1 Ecclesiastical Parish:
Aveton Gifford St Andrew

Civil Parish:
Aveton Gifford Municipal Borough: Address:
Aveton Gifford, Aveton Gifford County:
Devonshire

 

I've now received the service records for Sgt Naylor:


Sgt Norman Joseph Naylor

Service Number: 916232

Date and place of Birth: 16 January 1916, Limekilns, Dunfermline

Service:
Enlisted: 26 February 1940
Discharged: 8/4/1942 KIA

Promotions, Reclassifications and Reversions:
Authority C Form Description Date of Effect
AC2 26/2/40
19/5/41 LAC 10/8/41
20/4/41 T/Sgt 30/8/41


Movements
Date Unit from Unit to Reason Date of movement Date confirming arrival
Uxbridge 26/2/40
57/40 No 1 RC Uxbridge No 7 RC 2/3/40 5/7/40
78/40 No 7 RC Stn Feltwell HH 29/3/40 51/40
2 Wg 3 E&WS H 9/8/40 2/40
2 Sg (?) School H 16/11/40 23/6/40
3 COTU 15/1/40 11/41
2 Sg (?) School 25/6/41 77/41
5 B&GS NHW 8/8/41
11 OTU 30/8/41 20/4/41
CPL
122/41 57 Squadron 6/11/41
26/42 Admiral(?) Hospital, Ely 13/3/42
District Hospital, Ely 26/2/42 (?)/42
CPL
440/42 1 RAF Depot NE missing 8/4/42
5/43 Presumed Dead 8/4/42
Killed in Action 8/4/42

E&WS = Electrical Wireless School
COTU = Coastal Operational Training Unit
B&GS = Bombing and Gunnery School
OTU = Operational Training Unit

Sg = not sure of I've read this correctly & can't find anything in the list of abbreviations the RAF sent with the file.

And so we gradually learn more about these brave young men

 

Hi time at No.3 (C)OTU does not correspond to a particular course. The closest to his posting date was No.5 Anson/Blenheim and No.5 Beaufort Course commenced on 27/04/41 and finished on 22/06/41. Two months was the normal period at OTU.

Looking at his postings before and after I suggest that this was a admin/holding posting as an office wallah until his signal course had space at No.2 Signals School at Yatesbury (this was No.2 E&WS prior to 16/08/40).

No.3 E&WS was Compton Bassett and trained ground operators)
Regards
Ross

 

Ah does Sg means Signals then? Couldn't work it out as there's nothing on the abbreviation sheet they sent.

 

Yes,

Joined the RAF and had some basic training as on ground signal equipment.

Either waiting for course or most likely applied/assessed as suitable for aircrew training as WOp/AG and sent to No.2 Signal School for airborne training on the Dominies and Proctor.

Then to gunnery training at No.5 B&GS at Jurby IOM on Blenheim, Anson and Hampden amongst other types.

Promoted to Sgt Aircrew on completion and posted to No.11 OTU for night bomber training.

Regards
Ross

 

I received an email from and had a conversation with a member of Sgt Lakeman's family yesterday . Hurrah!! Finally got the right family.

Will post more when I know more

Only 2 more families to go

 

I have received more information from my contact in the Lakeman family and it seems that the military, runs in the family.

As well as Sidney Harry, Sgt Lakeman's father, being in the Royal Navy (and being with HMS Beaufort at some point) there was a John Lakeman in 1838 who served for 21 years.

Terry Lakeman (my contact)'s father was Ernest Kenneth Lakeman (Ken) and he was a D Day veteran. He was in the Royal Signals between 1940 & 46, landing on Juno beach with the Canadians and also in Palestine after the war.

Ken Lakeman's father was Ernest George, who was Sidney Harry's brother.

Terry's brother Geoffrey has 3 sons Sean, Sam & Seth Lakeman, the well known Folk Singers.

Are you still with me, as I found it all very confusing, but very interesting

So it seems Sgt Lakeman came from very clever and renowned stock.

Terry is meeting with some other family members soon and hopefully I will receive more information and maybe even a photo of Sgt Lakeman.

What is more interesting is that Terry didn't know about Graham Lakeman, so he's learnt from me about him. Terry is a researcher and has access to museums etc in Devon, as well as some very interesting archive material and photos of the whole area, so I'm hoping we'll strike lucky

 

I had some fantastic news last night. I had a call from Terry Lakeman, whose father Ken was the son of Ernest G, one of Sidney Harry's (Graham's father) brothers and who sent the previous info and photos. Quite by chance (he went bird watching and met a lady who knew his father and invited him in for tea, they got talking and it was her that told him this lady is still alive) he has managed to track down, and talk to a lady called Rita, who is the last surviving child of Harold S Lakeman, Sidney and Ernest's other brother and is the last person alive from that era.

She is about 88 years old and although she seems very chirpy and her memory is good Terry didn't think she looked too well. Her husband died last year so she is now on her own and was very pleased to see Terry.

Terry has taken lots of notes of their conversation and will be typing it up for me as soon as he can. She met Graham and has his obituary as well as a photo of him when he was around 17 years old. Terry is planning to revisit her soon to ask her more questions and I'm going to ask him if I can come with him. It will be great to meet some of Sgt Lakeman's family.

 

On Wednesday I drove down to Devon to meet Terry Lakeman and Reta. We visited for about 2 hours with Reta and she is an amazing lady. She could remember so much from that period and was able to answer all the questions we had.

Reta was 16 when war broke out and about 17/18 when Graham went missing. She could remember how upset their family were. She described Graham as a lovely boy who had a fantastic sense of humour. In fact she said all the Lakemans had a fantastic sense of humour. He apparently went to Plymouth College which is a very good private college. He was also very interested in forestry.

She was very interested and a little emotional to see the letter from her uncle Sidney Lakeman to my grandfather. I also showed her the photos of his name on the Runnymede Memorial which she didn't know about and was able to tell her about the Bomber Command Memorial which she hadn't heard of. I was able to tell her that I had added a commemoration on behalf of all the crew, which she was very pleased with, and told her about working with Douwe from the missing Airmen Foundation and how it was likely we would erect a plaque in Holland at some point and that Graham wouldn't be forgotten, which she was very happy with.

She and Terry also talked about other information about other Lakeman family members and Reta was able to identify people and places in some old photos that Terry had. I think she found the whole experience rather emotional.

She has kindly given me permission to post a picture of Graham, as well as one of herself.

Reta joined the ATS when she was 19 and was stationed in the Devon area. When the occupation of the Channel Islands ended she had to drive to Plymouth Station to pick up 2 very important people, General Wolf and one other, who had been in charge of the occupation. She had to drive them to the place where they were being held over night, before being moved on the next morning. What she and Terry would be interested to know is, where did they go after that and what else happened to them.

 

Forgot to add that we think we have identified my uncle's colleague in this photo. We think its Graham Lakeman (L) and my uncle (R).

 

I can now definitely confirm that the chap on the left in the above photo IS Sgt Graham Lakeman, with my uncle F/S James Linehan on the right

The Lakeman's are very impressed and please with the information I have found:

"Hope you are well and thank you for the recent e-mails. I am still amazed at what you have achieved in your research. I visited Reta recently with a Xmas card and "little present" and she was reflecting on her memories of Graham. We had a few little tears, but she has asked that I pass on a big thank you. We both feel, even after all these years, their sacrifices were not in vain and thanks to your efforts more and more people are being made aware of their story. They will not be forgotten.
.....
PS I've absolutely confirmed that the photo you have of the two young airman are definately Graham Lakeman (the smaller of the two men) and James Linehan. It's fantastic to know not just that they knew each other, but they were obviously good friends."

Makes me feel warm & tingly all over.

In the New Year I plan to spend much more time looking for the Naylor & Richards families, as I haven't done much in the last couple of months. Who knows, next Christmas I will have hopefully found them both and then we can concentrate of working towards a Memorial for the crew of Wellington X3757