Anthony Garwyth St. John - KIA 30 Oct 1944 - RNZAF

[Leendert]

On 31 October 1944 a Walrus and a Spitfire of No. 276 ASR Squadron (Bruges-St. Croix, B-65) are scrambled to investigate an object floating 2 miles N. of position C6909, which translates as off Nieuwpoort/Nieuport, Belgium.
A dinghy is sighted with one occupant and a H.S.L. is directed to it. Occupant (New Zealand, Typhoon pilot) found to be dead due to exposure.
So far the ORB.

Is it safe to assume that the New Zealander was Fl Lt A.G. St. John of RAF No. 627 Squadron who with F/O LaVerne J. Dick (RCAF) was lost off Walcheren in Mosquito DZ640 the day before, on 30 October 1944?
F/O Dick is commemorated at Runnymede, while Flt Lt St. John is buried at Ostend.

No Typhoon or other NZ loss known off Belgian or SW Neth. coast on 30 or 31 october 1944.

Thanks for info,

Leendert