Group Captain Edward DAVIS, Station Commander, RAF Detling

[Andy Saunders]

According to CWGC Gp Capt Edward Peverell Meggs DAVIS AFC AM is commemorated on Panel 289 at Runnymede. He was evidently killed in the attack on Detling airfield of 13 August 1940. However, he appears only in the Addenda list of the printed CWGC Registers for Runnymede.

Can anyone throw light on this puzzle? It seems unlikely (though possible) that Gp Capt Davis could not be found after the attack. Is it possible he has a private grave somewhere and that like others in that Addenda list the CWGC simply do not know the grave location?

[Chris Goss]

Andy: RAF Cas Cards say he was killed as opposed to missing but that is all I can add

[Ex Shack]

Hi Andy
Davis' death is registered in the 3rd Qtr of 1940 at Hollingbourne,Kent, which I believe would be right for a death at Detling. It is possible, as you hint, that no recognisable remains were found but that he was known to have died from a combination of failure to respond to the equivalent of a roll-call and the knowledge that he was present from witnesses, hence "killed" and not "Missing". If there is a mass grave for such victims of the Air Raid he may well be there but I would have thought that his name would have been recorded along with the others who might be believed to be in such a grave
Regards
Dick

[rafcommands]

Hi Andy,

IIRC he was in the Ops Block when it took a direct hit. A concrete shard entering his head.

So either a private grave or one where the marker has been lost over the years.

Regards Ross

[paulmcmillan]

The Times of 19th August 1940 annouces that his burial service was at St. Simon's Church, Milner Street, Chelsea, 2pm 20th August

The church records may identify if he was buried or cremated

http://www.stsimonzelotes.com/

The National Archives have soem records - Births and Marriages for this church - But I note NOT the burials