Looking for info on Sgt 1317383 Ronald Barkham died 6/2/43. Comemarated Runnymead Memorial. 235 Sqn RAF. I see they had Beaufighters and were based in Scotland. Can anyone please tell me what planes from that Sqn went down on 6/2/43? Thanks. Ronalds brother, Albert, also died in 1943 in Italy. Name: BARKHAM, RONALD JOHN Initials: R J Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Sergeant Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 235 Sqdn. Age: 20 Date of Death: 06/02/1943 Service No: 1317383 Additional information: Son of William Albert and Emily Barkham, of Upper Stratton, Wiltshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 141. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Hi, All I have been able to discover is the following infomation :- Beaufighter Serial No. EL405 T/235 - missing 6/2/1943- also on board Sgt W.A. Wilkinson 1319296. I'll try to find more info. Regards Peter Clare
Thanks Peter, that's great. Cheers. Name: WILKINSON, WILLIAM ALFRED Initials: W A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Sergeant Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 235 Sqdn. Age: 21 Date of Death: 05/02/1943 Service No: 1319296 Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. J. Wilkinson, of Streatham, London. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 169. Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
A bit more info, but not much. 5-2-1943 Took off Leuchars 1400 hrs missing off the coast of Norway. Regards Peter.
I have photo of Ronald John Barkham with his squadron if interested, as for albert will have to get in touch with his sister.can you tell me your full name to see if edna can recall your family?
Owen, See attatched picture of 235 squadron.Ronald is 3rd from the left on the back row. Regards Kathryn
Thanks to Kathryn I now have a photo. Ronald is 3rd from the left on the back row. Peter as Ronald has his wings up can we assume he was the Pilot? Wilkinson would have Air-Gunner or Navigator wongs wouldn't he? Or could a Beufighter be crewed by two trained Pilots?
Owen, The Bristol Beaufighter had a crew of two, the pilot and an observer / navigator. I suppose given the evidence one could say that Barkham would have been the pilot but it would be nice to find out for sure. Wilkinson would have worn a 'N' (Navigator) brevet.
owen, yes ronald was the pilot and william was an observer.Only 1 pilot on board at thet time.going back to albert reginald , his name in fact was reginald albert,he joined the cadets on the 17th april 1941, oxford reserves and did his training in maxwell field america, it seems he lied about his age when enlisting and was under age. edna has visited The Royal Artillery Museum - Firepower and has been very useful to her.she is sending documents and photos in the post to me asap. have i got this right that there is a memorial to the lads of stratton some where in stratton?
have i got this right that there is a memorial to the lads of stratton some where in stratton? Yes Katheryn, in St Philips Church, as you go in the door there is a screen/glass door in memory of the Stratton War Dead and a small list of names. I would post a picture but when I checked my images , the file I had them in got deleted awhile back, by mistake. Oops. Luckily I posted them on this thread. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/local-war-memorials-cemeteries/11452-st-philips-upper-stratton-swindon.html
thanks for that.will be going there at weekend for photos,i live only 15 miles away.back to ron,he was flying over a german battle ship called the "Turpitz" when he was shot down. kathryn
Thanks Kathryn, This is great information. Is this also a relative of yours from Gorse Hill? CWGC :: Casualty Details BARKHAM, DOUGLAS ANTHONY Son of Robert and Edith Jane Barkham, of Gorse Hill, Swindon, Wiltshire. My Dad grew up in Pinehurst before moving to Upper Stratton and he said he remembered that name , did the Barkhams have a shop in Swindon?
So he must have been somewhere near Trondheim then, when he was lost on 6/2/43. KBismarck.com - Battleship Tirpitz 23 October 1942: Tirpitz departs Bogen and sails South to Trondheim for a refit. 11 March 1943: Leaves Trondheim and sails back to Bogen in Narvik, where she joins the Scharnhorst and the heavy cruiser Lützow.
Beaufighter T/235 actually took off at 14:05 hrs on the 5th Feb 1943 from Leuchars and were tasked with a recce flight. Credit to Ross McNeill rafcommands.com
got that wrong about address, it was edna who lived there when married.parents lived at. bradley road. upper stratton. edna remembers the nameyes i can just about remember barkhams in swindon, where the bridal shop is now,cant remember what sort though,not quite that old!only 45!yes they were related, need to look at family tree.
