Walrus serial number?

[Brian]

Hi guys

A Walrus (RAF or RN?) was shot down by a Bf109 on 30 September 1943 between Leros and Kos (Aegean).

Both pilot Flt Lt Frank Rashleigh DFC and his navigator Sgt Cliff Platt were killed (no gunner?).

I believe this aircraft had flown from Cyprus to Leros, before its fateful flight to Kos.

I can't find a serial number or unit. Can anyone help, please?

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

F/Lt Frank Rashleigh is mentioned in connection with 202 Squadron.

A local tribute here: http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/wsc/docs...lties%203.html

Regards,

Leendert

[Chris Goss]

Cas Cards do not help. No serial, Rashleigh (pilot) was HQ RAF ME whilst Platt was 23 or 25 PTC. Both missing off Leros 1330 hrs. No other casualties on the card

[paulmcmillan]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Cas Cards do not help. No serial, Rashleigh (pilot) was HQ RAF ME whilst Platt was 23 or 25 PTC. Both missing off Leros 1330 hrs. No other casualties on the card

Overseas War Deaths has Sgt Clifford Platt #1199632 as 23 PTC

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Possibly 701 Sqn RN.
700 sqn redesignated 701 sqn 1st Oct 42 at Beirut.
said to have used 6 Walrus a/c in the ASP role under control of 201 Gp RAF.
A detachment in Oct 42 to Latakia (235 wg RAF) on asp North between Cyprus and the Turkish Coast.Transfered back to RAF after disbanding on 15th Aug 43.

Back tracking,
7 Walrues based at Aboukir under the control of MEAF's201 (Naval Co-operation) Group flew patrols from Alexandria. From March 42 1 a/c was sent forward into the desert where it remained while the 6 others (half equipt with ASR) left Aboukir for Beirut becoming 700 Levant Sqn. Redesignated as 701 Sqn in August 42, operating between Egypt and the Turkish Coast until 15th Aug 43.

Walrus a/c I found in "FAA a/c 1939-45".that were " 701 Sqn Beirut " that may be worth checking out their history and their later RAF service .
L2249
P5669
W2706
W2708
W2709
W2710
W2760
W2767
W2788
W2789
W3011
W3012
W3013
W3014
W3016
W3017
W3089

W2760 is of note On Ferry flt crashed in sea off St. Jean, Syria found Cat Z 3.6.42, 4 bullet holes , all crew dead. Could this be the one you seek but wrong date ?

A lot more than 6 walruses !
Good luck
Alex

[Col Bruggy]

Crew of Walrus W2760 ?

3 June, 1942.

FAA, 700 Sqn, Grebe (Dekheila), Air crash

BAZZARD, Frank H, Ty/Sub Lieutenant (A) RNVR, Killed
GREET, Lionel E, Air Artificer 3c, FAA/FX 75064, Killed
JOLLIFFE, Kenneth M, Lieutenant, RM, Killed

http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1942-06JUN.htm

Col.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
I also came accross the following.
W3047 - MkII - Engine failed on take off, nose dipped, a/c abandoned, sank off Dunnet Head,Caithness, Cat E 8.6.43 ( F/Sgt. Richmond RAF & F/Sgt. Platt RAF picked up by dinghy from "Royal") - per ORB, no serial given . Casualty card has F/Sgt C G Abel RAF OK & W/O F A McIntosh RAF injured.
Looks like the names and paperwork may have been mixed up if Richmond & Platt are replaced by Rashleigh & Platt and which were "picked up" ( could have meant that bodies were picked up) by dinghy from "Royal" and was she in the Med at the time and that the walrus serial was not recorded ?
Alex

Further to the earlier posts, I have the following information:

Flt Lt Rashleigh was serving with HQ RAF Middle East. He was directed to join Flt Lt Balfour as his second-in-command of a special unit established to ascertain the possibilities of Aboukir, Castellorosso, Cos and Leros being used as bases for transport and mail services between Egypt and the Dodecanese Islands. Flt Lt Balfour has arrived at Leros on 24th September 1943 to ascertain the possibility of using Italian floatplanes that were reported as being stationed there. He subsequently discovered that Flt Lt Rashleigh's aircraft, a Naval Walrus on loan specifically for this mission, had been attacked and shot down by enemy Me109s on 30th September. The aircraft came down approximately five miles south east of Leros. No trace of the aircraft or crew was ever found. Flt Lt Rashleigh was flying with 1199632 Sgt Clifford Platt, his navigator, and carrying a passenger, Major Landon Royal Engineers.

The above is an extract from a letter I received from the Air Historical Branch in March 2003. Frank Rashleigh was my grandfather.