Ventnor CH WAAF casualty 12/8/40?

[BrianC]

Hi guys

In Peter Townsend's 1972 book 'Duel of Eagles' there is reference to the bombing of Ventnor CH station on 12/8/40 (Corgi paperback pages 342/343). A quote therein implies that a WAAF plotter, known only as 'Blondie', was missing (presumed killed/injured?) following the raid.

Can anyone fully identify her? And what of her fate? Nothing recorded in CWGC records.

Thanks in advance
Take care, stay safe
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Only one listed for 1940 in CWGC date 11th April, 1940. So maybe the WAAF ' Blondie' was only injured ?

Aircraftwoman 2nd Class Dorothy Ethel CALDER (889998) 1940-04-11 United Kingdom Halton (St. Michael) Churchyard, Buckinghamshire.


FULL MILITARY HONOURS AT HALTON Miss Dorothy .Ethel Calder, who on March 11th
last enrolled as a private in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, and who died
from injuries she received in a runaway car accident at Leighton Buzzard Wednesday evening of last ...

Published: Friday 19 April 1940
Newspaper: Bucks Herald
County: Buckinghamshire, England.

[Chris Goss]

I have all of the ground crew casualties for the BofB and there were no females killed on 12 Aug 40. In fact there are no recorded casualties at Ventnor. A few more WAAF's were killed in the BofB including at Driffield 3 days later but nowhere near as many as portrayed in the film when Susannah York shouts at the SWO

[BrianC]

Thanks guys

Take care, stay safe

Brian

[paulmcmillan]

Chris is your list likely to be published anywhere ? I would like to cross reference it with the RAFCommands CWGC airman and airwoman fully accounted list (exact cause of death) with is over 98.5% fully complete for WW2 if possible thanks Paul

[Alex Smart]

Hi Paul,
The CWGC have only 9 WAAF's for 1940.
They were -
April
CALDER
MAY
CARPENTER and HEARD
JUNE
WILLIAMS
AUGUST
BUTTON AND HUDSON
OCTOBER
LAWRY
DECEMBER
PULLEN and KNIPE

[Chris Goss]

Paul-there is an intention to get it published at some stage under the title The Forgotten Few. The list contains all who were killed or wounded. PM me

[paulmcmillan]

Chris thanks PM Sent

Alex

CALDER


https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=60594

the rest are on RAF Commands with cause of death

[paulmcmillan]

Carpenter Operation

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=61213

Heard TB

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=79920

Williams RTA

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...hp?qnum=121708

Button Air Raid (RAF Biggin Hill)

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=60438

HUDSON Air Raid (RAF Driffield)

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=82911

Lawrey Air Raid (Eastbourne)

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=88882

Pullen RTA

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...hp?qnum=104229


Knipe RTA

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?qnum=87692

[paulmcmillan]

So of the 9 WAAF's 1940 - only 3 were killed as a result of enemy action and only 2 on an active RAF base - none of which was Ventnor - Does not mean anyone was not seriously injured of course Townsend may have heard she died but she was injuired