Help please! Forenames required!

[Brian]

Hi guys

Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to find the forenames of the following Blenheim aircrew who participated in Greece/Crete 1940/41. Any help would be appreciated.

Sgt J. Richmond DFM 211 Sqn AG
Sgt A.F. Wiles DFM 14 Sqn Ob

P/O J.K. Wilson 203 Sqn pilot
P/O H.R. Edge 11 Sqn Ob
P/O D.S. Kirkman 30 Sqn AG
P/O J. Robinson 45 Sqn pilot
P/O S.F. Champion 45 Sqn pilot

Lt D. Thorne SAAF 45 Sqn pilot (wounded)

Sgt S.D. Whiles 11 Sqn Ob
Sgt C.R. Forster 84 Sqn AG POW
Sgt L. Williams 11 Sqn pilot POW
Sgt V.F. McPherson 113 Sqn pilot
Sgt S.B. Whiteley 45 Sqn AG
Sgt H.G. Langrish 45 Sqn AG Evader
Sgt R.B. Bale 14 Sqn pilot
Sgt A.F. Crosby 45 Sqn AG
Sgt J. Rigby 45 Sqn AG
Sgt Page 14 Sqn AG b/o survivor (desert)

A lot of names, I appreciate, but any info will be helpful.

Thanks
Brian

[udf_00]

http://www.grewelthorpe.org.uk/Famil...ichmond-family

RICHMOND, JACK. [Born 1920]
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Sergeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
Unit Text: 211 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 25/01/1942
Service No: 550946
Awards: D F M
Additional information: Son of Frederick and Doreen Edna Richmond, of West Bowling, Yorkshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Column 250.
Memorial: ALAMEIN MEMORIAL.

http://www.211squadron.org/gallantry_awards.html

Richmond J Sergeant 550946

Distinguished Flying Medal
Air Ministry AIR 2/8896
“This senior NCO has taken part in 58 raids which have included Libya, Greece and Palestine since 1938. He was the Commanding Officer’s Observer for quite a while. He is an exceptionally keen man and a brilliant Bomb Aimer and Navigator. He has been in No 211 Squadron for 3 years 10 months and has always shown the greatest determination and courage. He is a very determined type.”

London Gazette 25 July 1941
“For gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations”.

[udf_00]

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu.../1810/page.pdf
28 Mar 1941
512003 Sergeant Alfred Frederick WILES—No. 55 Squadron.

[Brian]

Many thanks UDF

16 to go!

Cheers
Brian

[Martin Gleeson]

Brian,

Here are two more;
Sgt. Clifford Rider Forster 538524
Sgt. Leonard Williams 745357.

Courtesy of the WO 392/8 Air Force POW file and AIR 78.
If the service numbers are not to be found in the ORBs, then the Appendices - if extant - might list same.

If you can provide the earliest dates that the Pilot Officers appear with their respective units it should be easy to obtain their first names and service numbers.

Regards,

Martin.

[udf_00]

WHILES, STANLEY DENNIS
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1816606/

[afcbsimon]

Hi Brian,

Here are a few more for you.

P/O S F Champion - Samuel Francis 67033
SGT V F McPherson - Victor Frank 580201
P/O H R Edge - Henry Roy AFC 44756 (see below from Air Force Association of Canada)

EDGE, F/L Henry Roy (RAF 44756) - Air Force Cross - No.33 Elementary Flying Training School, Caron, Saskatchewan - Awarded 1 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 113/44 dated 21 January 1944. At No.32 EFTS at time of award.

This officer has shown great competence and keenness as Flying Instructor and Flight Commander, and outstanding executive ability as Squadron Commander. His example has enhanced respect for the service to which he belongs. He has completed a total of 3,020 flying hours, of which 2,170 hours have been flown on instructing, 390 hours within the last six months.

Regards,
Simon

[paulmcmillan]

P/O J.K. Wilson 203 Sqn pilot

Probably John Kennedy WILSON (60301) later AFC

[Brian]

Hi guys

What a wonderful response - many thanks indeed>

Just 7 to go:

P/O J. Robinson
Lt D. Thorne SAAF

Sgt H.G. Langrish
Sgt R.B. Bale
Sgt A.F. Crosby
Sgt J. Rigby
Sgt ?? Page (14Sqn)


Can anyone advise me where I can locate reports of aircrew who had baled out of the desert in the period under review (circa May 1941)?

Several trekked days in the desert before they were found. Where am I likely to find these at the National Archives?

Cheers
Brian