RAF losses May 1940. An update.

Last week I held a lecture for the local historical society. One of the visitors played a role in the recovery of the remains of Blenheim L8831 a couple of years ago.

 

This is who I am searching (626227) but I am trying to find out Where he was laid to rest? Thanks in advance

 

Hello Wez
do you mean
FRYER, ARTHUR Rank: Sergeant Trade: Air Gnr. Service No: 626227 Date of Death: 28/05/1940 Age: 20 Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force 77 Sqdn. Grave Reference Coll. grave. Cemetery CAMPIGNEULLES-LES-GRANDES CHURCHYARD Additional Information:
Son of Francis James Fryer and Margaret Fryer, of Conway, Caernarvonshire. His brother David George also died on service.

Location Information
Campigneulles-les-Grandes is a village and commune almost 22 miles (35 kilometres) south of Boulogne-Sur-Mer, and about 3 miles (5 kilometres) south-west of Montreuil-sur-Mer, a town on the main road (N.1) from Boulogne to Abbeville and Paris. In the churchyard, about 15 yards north of the north-eastern corner of the church is the collective grave of five airmen from the United Kingdom.

regards
Clive

 

Dear Mr Clare
Alan Newton Trice was my mother's half brother - there are two dates for his death - do you know any more as neither 151 or 87 squadron seem to mention him in their online records for the day he was killed

 

Have you applied to obtain his service record and also a copy of the 87 Squadron ORB for the period? These will be very good starting points for researching an airman

Having had a another look at the loss I only have the following

From Fighter Command War Diaries - John Freeman

For 16 May 1940. The entry for 87 Squadron gives 2 aircraft Cat E - 1 KIA. (No name given or aircraft ID)

RAF Fighter Command Losses Vol.1 - N L. Franks

16 May 1940. The entry for 87 Squadron give two aircraft lost.

Hurricane I L1614 - F/O. A B. Angus DFC (Safe) Crash landed after combat with DO17.

Hurricane I L2000 - Sgt. N A. Trice + Shot down by Me109 west of Mons.

 

as Peter suggests apply for his records Get a copy of military service records

Photo from my collection Runnymede Panel

 

The CWGC, who are extremely fastidious with their research, say 16 May 1940: Sergeant Alan Newton Trice | War Casualty Details | CWGC. Having said that, they are human, so not infallible. What leads you to doubt their conclusion Johanna?

I have found this snippet, also for 16 May 1940.

The Battle Of France Then And Now by Peter D. Cornwell, p.294.

 

In the time that thread has been running several new primary sources have been released into the public domain.

The most important for Trice is that his Casualty file is now at The National Archives and open for public examination.

Pilot Sergeant A N Trice: missing presumed dead; shot down over Froidmont, Belgium, 19... | The National Archives

The date on the transcribed entry for AIR81 says 19th May but beware that this may be either a transcript error or the date when the body was found and proof of death was established.

Only way is to examine the file.

Ross

 

Thank you very much for showing this photo

 

Dear Peter - The orders I found show him leaving for Hendon 2000 hrs on 16th to arrive there for 0700 on 16th - so travelling back in time. My grandfather was given the date of 19th May for his death

 

Thank you very much for this information. Other documents show the 4 replacements leaving 2000 on 16th for Hendon to report there 0700 on 16th! My grandfather was given 19th May for date of death

 

Thank you very much for this snippet. There appear to be two different reports. In one they were 4 replacement pilots sent on 16th and in another there were 6 replacement planes brought from Amiens to the 87 squadron whose ferrying pilots, without specific orders, elected to stay. My grandfather was given 19th May for his date of death.

 

11th DLI War Diary;-
19th May 1940 Pilot Officer Ratford killed when parachute failed to open and buried by this battalion at Rencourt.

Kyle

 

Leading Aircraftsman Thomas Lowry, KIA aged 17, was my first cousin. Sadly, due to his home in Chiswick being destroyed by a V1 in 1944, no photograph of him appears to have survived.

 

Welcome to the forum


https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2015/165/14042603_1434394197.jpg

 

Thank you so much for admitting me.

 

The tailgunner of L6958 was reburied on 28-Sep-2022 in Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen.

Laatste rustplaats in Nijmegen voor Britse en Canadese vliegers | Nieuwsbericht | Defensie.nl

 

Does anyone know if Sgt Liddiard was named Leo? thanks Nick Liddiard

 

Dear,

On July 5, 2024, a monument will be erected in Genk (Belgium) in memory of the crew of the Blenheim P6912 that crashed on May 12, 1940. The three crew members died in the crash.

For the inauguration of the monument we are urgently looking for photos of the crew:
- Pilot Officer Claude R. Frankish of New Zealand
- Sergeant Edwin George Roberts
- Leading Aircraftman Ernest William Laurie Cooper

SERGEANT EDWIN GEORGE ROBERTS
Service Number: 563483
Royal Air Force 15 Sqdn.
Date of Death: Died 12 May 1940
Age 26 years old
Buried at Leopoldsburg War Cemetery (VII. A. 13), Belgium
Son of Edwin Frank and Florence Roberts, of Christchurch; husband of Eva Ellen Roberts.

LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN ERNEST WILLIAM LAURIE COOPER
Service Number: 539921
Royal Air Force 15 Sqdn.
Date of Death: Died 12 May 1940
Age 20 years old
Buried or commemorated at Leopoldsburg War Cemetery (VII. A. 12) Belgium.
Son of William Laurie Cooper, and of Ethel May Cooper, of Bedminster Down, Bristol.

Can you help us or do you know where we can find their photos?

Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Jan Lantmeeters
Genk-Belgium