Squadron Leader Gurneu Maurice Patrick

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by vermesch, Dec 6, 2017.

  1. vermesch

    vermesch Member

    I'm looking for a picture of Squadron Leader Maurice P. Gurney, RAFVR 73838, age 46, 28/05/1940, buried in the Malo-les-Bains Communal Cemetery,. Aboard SS Abukir from Ostend, Belgium to U.K. and torpedoed near lightship 'Noordhinder'. His body have drifted to the french shore ( malo-les-bains beach) the 10/09/1940

    Thanks for your help
     
  2. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    He's mentioned in this newspaper, but doesn't look like there's a photograph
    Published: Monday 17 June 1940
    Newspaper: Birmingham Daily Post
     
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  3. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    UK, Royal Air Force Airmen Records, 1918-1940
    Name: Maurice Patrick Gurney
    Gender: Male
    Age: 24
    Birth Date: 1894
    Birth Place: Westminster, London, England
    Service Date: 9 Feb 1918
    Service Number: 319053
    Father: J. Gurney
    Next of Kin: J. Gurney
    Relation to Airman: Father

    There may be a photo in his service records if you apply for them - Request records of deceased service personnel - GOV.UK - I found one of my father in his
    Cant find one on Ancestry

    TD
     
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  4. harkness

    harkness Well-Known Member

    Seems to have spent some time abroad. He sailed from Port Harcourt, Nigeria to Liverpool, arriving 26 Jun 1933, occupation Secretary.

    Marriages Mar 1934
    Gurney Maurice P Barthels Westminster 1a 876
    Barthels Gertrude H Gurney Westminster 1a 876

    Gertrud Helene Barthels was born 10 Jul 1896 in Dresden,

    Gurney_prob01.jpg
     
  5. KevinBattle

    KevinBattle Senior Member

    Seems to have had a somewhat meteoric career in the RAF..........?
    GHQ Liaison Regiment: A Nominal Roll with Short Biographies
    Sqdn Ldr M P Gurney. Service No: 73838). Maurice Patrick Gurney was norn on 12 June 1893. Maurice Patrick Gurney was the son of Jason and Marion Gurney. Maurice Gurney served in WW1. Grauate of Cambridge University. Joined the RAFVR as part of the No 3 Air Ministry Military and Air Mission and was in France in 1940 when the Germans invaded. Married to Gertrude Helene Gurney. Died 28th May 1940.

    Commissioned as a Pilot Officer on probation on 28 August 1939. (London Gazette 19 Sept 1939)
    OFFICERS SERVING ON THE ACTIVE LIST OF THE R.A.F. Administrative and Special Duties Branch
    Flying Officers — contd. 1939 Gurney, Maurice Patrick(B.A.F.F.iJ.)
    and another sad footnote:
    Civilian GURNEY, MARION WILHELMINA Died 20/06/1944. Aged 83
    of 42 West End Lane. Daughter of the late Patrick Adie, of Isleworth; widow of Jason Gurney. Died at 42 West End Lane.
    Reporting authority HAMPSTEAD, METROPOLITAN BOROUGH.
    A few months later aerial bombardment intensified again when the V1 flying bombs entered service. Hampstead borough took 10 hits from V1s. Hampstead Town Hall was a vital observation point to track the V1s, and wardens would follow the bombs right to the point of impact – even if that was just yards from where they sat. The first flying bomb hit a West End Lane house used as a hostel for refugees. Three houses (Nos 40, 42 and 44) were completely destroyed but the damage extended across five roads. Rescue efforts lasted two days and although 17 people died, a woman was found alive 48 hours after the bomb exploded. (One death recorded 23 June, and another on 35th). The site was used to build Sydney Boyd Court in 1953, the large council estate that hugs the curve of West End Lane between Acol Road and Woodchurch Road.

    Possible reason for advanced promotion is that he appears to have served in WW1

    No photo though
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2017

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