Sgt Frederick Eley 745667 74 Squadron 1940

[Jon]

I am trying to trace some details about Sgt Fred Eley who flew with 74 Squadron during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and was shot down and killed on 31st July by Hauptmann Horst Tietzen of 5./ JG 51.

Sgt Eley appears to have joined the squadron February 15th 1940 more than five months before his death but i can find no record of his name in any publications, other than the engagement on the 31st July. I have yet to also see any potos of him too !

The only details i have, i have taken from Men of the Battle of Britain.

Can you help ?

Thanks.

[Geoff Kennell]

Jon,

On P336 of 'The Battle of Britain, then & now' there is a photo of Eley's grave (with the church in the background), and a photo of the stained glass window in said church with his name on.

There is also a head & shoulders photo of an RAF pilot, which I'm assuming is Eley, though it doesn't actually say it's him.

'Harvest of Messerschmitts' (by Dennis Knight, pub by Frederick Warne) has on pages 85 & 86 some information regarding the recovery of the wreckage of Eley's Spitfire from Folkestone Harbour, and a photo of the recovery of his body.

I'm sure Peter Cornwell will be able to add to this.

Geoff.

[Jon]

Thanks Geoff.
It is strange that even in the few squadron photos i have seen of 74 Squadron during the battle he does not appear.
I will get the Harvest of Messershmitts book and thanks again for your help.
Jon