74 Squadron Fred Eley killed July 31st 1940

[Tapper]

Sgt Fred Eley of 74 Squadron was shot down and killed on July 31st 1940.
It appears he was killed whilst climbing to attack over Folkestone and he crashed just off shore in Folkestone harbour.

I have several questions:

Was this the first combat mission for Sgt Eley. I can find no pictures of him with 74 Squadron even though they were well photographed, and no details of combats he was involved in other than the one he died on?

I have found pictures of his Spitfire being pulled from Folkestone harbour in the book " Harvest of Messerschmitts". Does any part of his spitfire survive in private collections or in any museum?

Thanks

[Leendert]

Tapper,

Although I don't have the answers to your questions, this little article may be of interest as well: http://blogs.chesterchronicle.co.uk/...derick-wi.html

Regards,

Leendert

[Peter Clare]

There is a photograph of Sgt Frederick William Eley on page 126 of 'Men of the Battle of Britain' - Wynn. If you would like a scanned copy please pm me with your email address and I'll sent it on to you.

Regards
Peter

[BlenheimBuff]

As per the previous response.... no answers to your specific questions, however a photo of Sgt Eley also appears in 'The Battle of Britain, Then and Now', together with details of his burial at St.Margaret's Church, Wrenbury, Cheshire.

Other details provided in the book (which you are probably already aware of):

Sgt Eley's Spitfire P9398 lost, claimed by Hptmn. Tietzen 4/JG51.

Spitfire P9379, Pilot Officer H.R.Gunn also of 74 Squadron, shot down and killed in the same engagement. Claimed by Oblt. Foezoe 4/JG51.

Regards,

Ian

[Tapper]

Thanks for the answers and help.

I do have the Men of the Battle of Britain and its a great read, but I am still at a loss as to Sgt Eleys short operational service.

What I really want to know is if this was his first combat mission, I have looked through every publication i can lay my hands on, including RAF fighter claims for 1940 where most Battle of Britain Pilots get a mention even in a shared kill or at least "having a squirt" at something.

Sgt Eley is only mentioned on the day he dies ?

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,
"SaluteTo One Of The Few" by Simon StJohn Beer - the story of F/O Peter StJohn (Pen & Sword 2009) notes pp130 that StJohn flew with Eley in a Magister on 7/5/40 and 8/5/40 and on pp168 &169 notes his death remarking that StJohn had flown many times with him !

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[BlenheimBuff]

Just a thought, but have you tried getting hold of a copy of the Squadron ORB for the first half of 1940?

The squadron still has an active Association with a website www.74squadron.org.uk , the Secretary Bob Cossey can be contacted on secretary@74squadron.org.uk , perhaps he could help to fill in some of the blanks.

Whilst on the subject of the 74 Squadron ORB for this period, I did happen across another aviation forum thread that quoted passages from it, so there are definitely copies of it out there. Unfortunately my e-mail to the individual concerned hasn't ellicited a response thus far.

Regards,

Ian