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No.235 Sqn RAF |
Name : No.235 Sqn RAF Founded : August 1918 Disbanded : 10th July 1945 Country : UK Fate : Disbanded 10th July 1945 More Details : Jaculamur humi - We strike them to the ground |
Known Service Details : | |||||||
Pilot or Aircrew | Rank | Start of Service | End of Service | Known Dates | Aircraft | Airframes | Notes |
unknown | unknown | 14th February 1941 | |||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Flight Lieutenant | unknown | 11th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Flight Lieutenant | December 1944 | 5th April 1945 | |||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | 17th August 1940 | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 9th October 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
24th February 1940 | 14th May 1940 | ||||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Sergeant | unknown | unknown | |||||
Sergeant | unknown | 18th July 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 11th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 11th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 9th October 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 18th July 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 11th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
unknown | unknown | ||||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 11th September 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
December 1944 | 5th April 1945 | ||||||
Pilot Officer | unknown | 24th August 1940 | Killed in Action | ||||
Sergeant | unknown | 24th August 1940 | Killed in Action |
Pilots and Aircrew for : No.235 Sqn RAF | |||||||||||||
A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | |||||||||||||
Name | Info | ||||||||||||
Aslett, A. T. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Aslett, A. T. R. | Aslett, A. T. R. | ||||||||||||
Beer, C. S. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Beer, C. S. F.
| Beer, C. S. F. Killed September 10th 1940 | ||||||||||||
Blow, K. L. O. Click the name above to see a profile of Blow, K. L. O.
| Blow, K. L. O. Killed December 10th 1943 | ||||||||||||
Burns, Owen V Click the name above to see a profile of Burns, Owen V
| Burns, Owen V Flight Lieutenant Owen V Burns was born in Birkenhead on 20th November 1915. He flew throughout the Battle of Britain. His Squadron, 235, based at Bircham Newton in Norfolk, was equipped with Mark IV Bristol Blenheims, which had four guns under the nose and two in the mid-upper turret, which he operated. The squadron was attached to Fighter Command to replace its losses in the Battle for France, but because Blenheims lacked the speed of single-engined fighters, squadron duties were mainly aerodrome protection and fighter escort to aircraft crossing the Channel. On 14th February 1941 his Blenheim was caught in an enemy raid while returning from a night patrol over the North Sea. The aircraft crashed on landing as the flare path had been extinguished. The observer was killed and the pilot spent a year in hospital, but Owen escaped with a broken collar bone. Owen Burns went onto join 279 Sqn on Hudsons carrying out Air Sea Rescues. In January 1945 he was appointed Gunnery Officer for 19 Group, Plymouth and a month later he became PA to AOC, AVM CBS Spackman. He left the RAF in March 1948. Owen Burns died on 30th June 2015 aged 99. | ||||||||||||
Cain, A. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Cain, A. R.
| Cain, A. R. Killed June 15th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Carr, W. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Carr, W. J.
| Carr, W. J. Killed August 26th 1942 | ||||||||||||
Chamberlain, J. T. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Chamberlain, J. T. R. | Chamberlain, J. T. R. | ||||||||||||
Chamberlin, Joseph P R Click the name above to see a profile of Chamberlin, Joseph P R | Chamberlin, Joseph P R Joining the RAFVR in June 1939 he was then called up at the Outbreak of war. He flew Blenheims with No.235 Sqn during the Battle of Britain before being seriously injured in a crash and spending eight months in hospital. | ||||||||||||
Chrystall, C. Click the name above to see a profile of Chrystall, C. | Chrystall, C. | ||||||||||||
Clarke, R. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Clarke, R. N.
| Clarke, R. N. Possibly killed March 4th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Coggins, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Coggins, J.
| Coggins, J. Missing December 16th 1940** | ||||||||||||
Cooper, D. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Cooper, D. C. | Cooper, D. C. | ||||||||||||
Copeland, N. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Copeland, N. D. | Copeland, N. D. | ||||||||||||
Corbin, Harold Click the name above to see a profile of Corbin, Harold | Corbin, Harold Harold Corbin joined the RAF in November 1940 and was sent to the United States to train as a pilot. On completion he returned to England as a Sergeant and after several positions was posted to 235 Squadron at RAF Portreath flying operations on Beaufighters. He completed many missions attacking various ports and enemy shipping on the French coast and in the Bay of Biscay. In 1944 he converted onto Mosquitos and joined 248 Squadron at RAF Banff, part of the Banff Strike Wing. The Banff Wing was to become immortalised for undertaking some of the most dangerous and concentrated attacks on German surface vessels and U-boats in the North Sea and on the Norwegian coastline. He was awarded the CGM in August 1944, and was given a full commission in December 1944. He had flown as co-pilot / observer with Maurice Webb from 1943 until the end of the war.
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Crawford, H. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Crawford, H. H.
| Crawford, H. H. Killed February 6th 1942 | ||||||||||||
Curtis, Des Click the name above to see a profile of Curtis, Des | Curtis, Des Originally a Wireless Operator / Gunner with No.235 Sqn on Beaufighters before converting to Mosquitos as a Navigator. He helped form 618 Sqn for ops against the Tirpitz, and then had success against U-boat pens om the French coast. In September 1944 he joined 248 Sqn Banff Strike Wing in Scotland. | ||||||||||||
Davis, A. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Davis, A. S. | Davis, A. S. No other details available. | ||||||||||||
Davison, J. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Davison, J. T. | Davison, J. T. | ||||||||||||
Dawson, T. Click the name above to see a profile of Dawson, T. | Dawson, T. | ||||||||||||
Dee, O. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Dee, O. J.
| Dee, O. J. Killed May 28th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Demoulin, R. J. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Demoulin, R. J. G.
| Demoulin, R. J. G. Killed April 6th 1944 | ||||||||||||
Dulwich, W. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Dulwich, W. H.
| Dulwich, W. H. Killed August 2nd 1941** | ||||||||||||
Dunn, I. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Dunn, I. L. | Dunn, I. L. | ||||||||||||
Evans, C. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Evans, C. R.
| Evans, C. R. Missing March 23rd 1941** | ||||||||||||
Everitt, A. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Everitt, A. D. | Everitt, A. D. | ||||||||||||
Farthing, J. Click the name above to see a profile of Farthing, J. | Farthing, J. | ||||||||||||
Feather, J. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Feather, J. L.
| Feather, J. L. Killed in action September 18th 1940 | ||||||||||||
Fenton, J. O. Click the name above to see a profile of Fenton, J. O.
| Fenton, J. O. Killed May 28th 1941** | ||||||||||||
Fletcher, A W Click the name above to see a profile of Fletcher, A W | Fletcher, A W On 28th July 1941, he flew Beaufighter T3317 of No.272 Sqn on an attack on Borizo airfied, Sicily, claiming four SM79 aircraft and two CR42s. | ||||||||||||
Flood, F. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Flood, F. W.
| Flood, F. W. Flight Lieutenant F.W.Flood an Australian of No 235 Squadron on the 11th of September 1940 was flying escort to Fairey Albacores in a Blenheim IV-f (L9396). The Fairey Albacores from the Fleet Air Arm were on a raid on Calais and the Blenheim IV-f (L9396) flown by F/Lt F.W.Flood came under fire and was shot down. F/Lt F.W.Flood and his crew were killed. | ||||||||||||
Goddard, William . Bernard Click the name above to see a profile of Goddard, William . Bernard
| Goddard, William . Bernard William Bernard Goddard was born in Portsmouth in 1914. He joined the RAF on 27th August 1929 as an Aircraft Apprentice and passed out on 19th August 1932. He later applied for pilot training and was selected. Granted a permanent commission in February 1938, he was posted to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Martlesham Heath. On 2nd June 1940 Goddard joined 235 Squadron. On 18th November, whilst on an escort operation, he engaged two He115's. He was severely wounded in one foot by return fire, eventually losing three toes. He pressed home his attack and although suffering from loss of blood he got his Blenheim and crew safely back to base. Goddard was awarded the DFC (gazetted 6th December 1940). On the 15th June 1941, Blenheim IV V5452 LA-N was on an anti-shipping sortie off Norway when it was shot down by a fighter. F/Sgt. H Smith and Sgt. AR Cain were also lost. Cain's body was washed up in Sweden and he is buried in Kviberg Cemetery, Gothenburg. | ||||||||||||
Gonay, H. A. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Gonay, H. A. C.
| Gonay, H. A. C. Killed June 14th 1944 | ||||||||||||
Gordon, S. Click the name above to see a profile of Gordon, S.
| Gordon, S. Killed May 28th 1941** | ||||||||||||
Gould, G. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Gould, G. L. | Gould, G. L. | ||||||||||||
Graves, E. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Graves, E. A.
| Graves, E. A. Killed August 30th 1940 | ||||||||||||
Green, A. W. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Green, A. W. V.
| Green, A. W. V. Missing September 11th 1940** | ||||||||||||
Gridley, R. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Gridley, R. V.
| Gridley, R. V. Missing January 13th 1942** | ||||||||||||
Hall, P. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Hall, P. F. | Hall, P. F. | ||||||||||||
Harington, Ray Click the name above to see a profile of Harington, Ray | Harington, Ray Ray joined the RAF in 1941, completing his training in South Africa. In January 1944 he was posted to 603 Squadron flying Beaufighters in North Africa. Here he teamed up with navigator, Warrant Officer A.E. ‘Bert’ Winwood, and from where they launched attacks across the Mediterranean into Crete, Greece and the Aegean Islands against shipping, harbour installations and enemy aircraft with much success. In December 1944 they were posted to 235 Squadron Coastal Command, part of the Banff Strike Wing, converting to Mosquitos. In April 1945 they were shot down following a strike in the Kattegat, but avoided capture and with the help of the Danish resistance made it home, where they continued to fly again from Banff.
Ray Harrington during a signing session in March 2010. Report from the Squadron Operational Record Book from the day his Mosquito was forced to belly-land in Denmark : 5th April 1945 : The Banff Strike Wing led by W/Cdr A H Simmonds DFC was airborne between 1410-1421 hrs. It comprised 13 RP aircraft of 235 Sqdn, 11 RP of 143 Sqdn, 10 RP of 248 Sqdn also 2 fighter aircraft of 333 (Capr Wenger leading) 2 of 143 Sqdn and 1 of 235 Sqdn. The Wing made R/V over Peterhead with 12 Mustangs and S/C on a Rover patrol into the KATTEGAT. T/235 returned early with failure engineer and V/235 also returned early escorting a Mustang in distress. The Danish coast was crossed in good weather 6/10 cloud at 2,500ft with vis. 15-20mls. Near ANHOLT 3 convoys were sighted. The first consisted of 1 E/V plus 5 small M/Vs on a southerly course. The second convoy of 1 M/V of approx. 1500 tons and 2 E/Vs was on a northerly course and the third of 4 small coasters in line astern was on an easterly course. An attack was made on the first of these convoys. This comprised : (A) 1 M/V of 1200-1500 tons 3 island type. (B) 1 Small escort vessel. (C) 1 Coaster of 1000 tons. (D) 1 M/V of 1500-2000 tons, 3 island type. (E) 1 M/V of 800-1000 tons. (F) 1 M/V of 1000-1500 tons. M/V (A) was seen to be attacked by U/235. M/V (B) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (C) was attacked by 4 aircraft with RP and cannon, (D) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (E) was attacked by 3 aircraft with RP and cannon, and (F) by 7 aircraft with RP and cannon and wet and dry hits were observed on all ships. M/V (E) was seen to blow up and M/V (D) was burning furiously and seemed to be listing. (C) and (F) were both smoking heavily and down by the stern. (A) and (B) were both left smoking. 2 aircraft of 235 Sqn attacked the third vessel in line of the third convoy with RP and cannon. A large explosion was seen followed by flares and a column of smoke. U/235 (P/O Arthars and F/S Richardson) was seen to collide with the mast of a ship during the attack and broke up and dived into the sea. E/333 (Capt Wenger and Sgt Hansen) failed to return but the crew have since repatriated from Sweden. 1 aircraft believed F/235 (Harrington and Winwood) with a glycol leak was seen to make a belly landing in a field position 56 48N 08 21E. The last aircraft mentioned in the report is that of Bert Winwood and Ray Harrington. During signatures sessions, Bert Winwood also provided us with the photgraphs of the two men lost when their aircraft collided with the mast of a ship during the raid. Below are the photos of P/O Laurie Arthars and F/S Geg Richardson. P/O Laurie Arthars F/S Geg Richardson | ||||||||||||
Hebron, G. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Hebron, G. S. | Hebron, G. S. | ||||||||||||
Heimes, Leopold Click the name above to see a profile of Heimes, Leopold
| Heimes, Leopold Already in the Belgian Air Force, he moved to 235 Sqn Coastal Command as an Air Gunner on Blenheims during the Battle of Britain before becoming a pilot, flying Spitfires and Catalinas with 350 Sqn before converting to 76 Sqn on Dakotas in India. Heimes stayed in the RAF until September 1951 having been gazetted as a Master Pilot. Sadly, Leopold Heimes died in 2009. | ||||||||||||
Hillman, R. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Hillman, R. W.
| Hillman, R. W. Killed April 6th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Hobbs, S. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Hobbs, S. J.
| Hobbs, S. J. Sergeant S.J.Hobbs of No 235 Squadron was on night patrol on August 17th 1940 in a Blenheim I (N3540). His aeroplane overshot on landing at Thorney Island and crashed. It was written off but all the crew (T.A.Maslen & H.W.Ficketts) including Hobbs were uninjured. | ||||||||||||
Howe, D. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Howe, D. C. | Howe, D. C. | ||||||||||||
Hubbard, B. F. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Hubbard, B. F. R.
| Hubbard, B. F. R. Killed November 9th 1940** | ||||||||||||
Javaux, L. L. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Javaux, L. L. G.
| Javaux, L. L. G. Killed October 18th 1943 | ||||||||||||
Johnson, R. K. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Johnson, R. K. H.
| Johnson, R. K. H. Killed January 31st 1945** | ||||||||||||
Keard, J. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Keard, J. A.
| Keard, J. A. Killed May 4th 1944 | ||||||||||||
Keel, G. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Keel, G. E.
| Keel, G. E. Sergeant G.E.Keel of No 235 Squadron was shot down over the Channel and killed along with the pilot P/O J.C.Kirkpatrick and crew Pilot Officer R.C.Thomas on the 9th of October 1940. They were flying aerodrome protection duty South of Thorny Island in a Blenheim IVf (N3530). | ||||||||||||
Kent, R. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Kent, R. D. | Kent, R. D. | ||||||||||||
Kirkpatrick, J. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Kirkpatrick, J. C.
| Kirkpatrick, J. C. Missing October 9th 1940 | ||||||||||||
Laughlin, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Laughlin, J. H. | Laughlin, J. H. | ||||||||||||
Lawrence, J. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Lawrence, J. T. | Lawrence, J. T. | ||||||||||||
Le Jeune, O. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Le Jeune, O. G. | Le Jeune, O. G. | ||||||||||||
Little, A. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Little, A. G. | Little, A. G. | ||||||||||||
Lusty, Kenneth R Click the name above to see a profile of Lusty, Kenneth R
| Lusty, Kenneth R Kenneth Lusty joined the RAF as an Airman u/t Air Gunner on 4th September 1939. After call-up, he did his basic training at Padgate and then went to RAF Aldergrove on 30th December for a gunnery course. On 24th February 1940 Lusty joined 235 Squadron. As a Coastal Command Squadron, the need for WOp/AGs in the crews meant that Lusty was posted away on 14th May to 25 Squadron at North Weald. He served with the squadron throughout the Battle of Britain. Lusty retrained as a Radio Observer, was commissioned in May 1941 and on 16th July he joined 1453 Flight, newly-formed at Wittering and equipped with Turbinlite Havocs. On 1st August 1942 Lusty was rested. He returned to operations on 2nd April 1943, joining 410 (RCAF) Squadron at Drem operating Beaufighters. Lusty's pilot was posted to 406 (RCAF) Squadron at Predannack on 25th August and they went together but when the squadron became all-Canadian Lusty went to 264 Squadron at Fairwood Common on 9th October 1943. After completing his tour Lusty was sent to the Staff College on 5th July 1944. He was posted to 132 Squadron at Vavuyina, Ceylon on 28th November 1944 as Adjutant. He moved to BHQ Colombo on 23rd June 1945 as Senior Admin Officer. Lusty returned to the UK and was released from the RAF on 21st January 1946 as a Squadron Leader. He died on 18th September 2009. | ||||||||||||
Macleod, G. S. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Macleod, G. S. M.
| Macleod, G. S. M. Killed March 23rd 1941** | ||||||||||||
Maconochie, A. R. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Maconochie, A. R. D. | Maconochie, A. R. D. | ||||||||||||
Marshall, T. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Marshall, T. B. | Marshall, T. B. | ||||||||||||
Martin, A.W. Click the name above to see a profile of Martin, A.W. | Martin, A.W. | ||||||||||||
Maslen, T. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Maslen, T. A.
| Maslen, T. A. Killed October 25th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Mason, W. Click the name above to see a profile of Mason, W.
| Mason, W. Killed February 15th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Mccarthy, J. P. Click the name above to see a profile of Mccarthy, J. P. | Mccarthy, J. P. | ||||||||||||
Mccarthy, T. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Mccarthy, T. F.
| Mccarthy, T. F. Missing October 6th 1942** | ||||||||||||
Mcmahon, J. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Mcmahon, J. R. | Mcmahon, J. R. | ||||||||||||
Merrett, J. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Merrett, J. C. | Merrett, J. C. | ||||||||||||
Michiels, A. C. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Michiels, A. C. A.
| Michiels, A. C. A. Killed July 16th 1944 | ||||||||||||
Middlemiss, W. Click the name above to see a profile of Middlemiss, W. | Middlemiss, W. | ||||||||||||
Naish, K. E. Click the name above to see a profile of Naish, K. E. | Naish, K. E. | ||||||||||||
Naughtin, H. T. Click the name above to see a profile of Naughtin, H. T.
| Naughtin, H. T. Missing May 28th 1941** | ||||||||||||
Nelson, D. Click the name above to see a profile of Nelson, D. | Nelson, D. | ||||||||||||
Newham, E. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Newham, E. A. | Newham, E. A. | ||||||||||||
Newport, D. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Newport, D. V. | Newport, D. V. (Service details unknown) | ||||||||||||
Oaks, T. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Oaks, T. W. | Oaks, T. W. | ||||||||||||
Owen, H. Click the name above to see a profile of Owen, H. | Owen, H. | ||||||||||||
Owen, W. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Owen, W. G. | Owen, W. G. | ||||||||||||
Paisey, F. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Paisey, F. G. | Paisey, F. G. | ||||||||||||
Parsons, J. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Parsons, J. G. | Parsons, J. G. | ||||||||||||
Patterson, R. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Patterson, R. L.
| Patterson, R. L. Missing July 18th 1940** | ||||||||||||
Pavitt, H. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Pavitt, H. J. | Pavitt, H. J. | ||||||||||||
Peacock, R. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Peacock, R. J.
| Peacock, R. J. Killed February 5th 1943 | ||||||||||||
Peebles, W. Click the name above to see a profile of Peebles, W.
| Peebles, W. Killed May 7th 1941** | ||||||||||||
Preater, S. G. Click the name above to see a profile of Preater, S. G. | Preater, S. G. | ||||||||||||
Priestley, J. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Priestley, J. S.
| Priestley, J. S. Killed August 30th 1940 | ||||||||||||
Prosser, P.R. Click the name above to see a profile of Prosser, P.R.
| Prosser, P.R. Missing December 6th 1940** | ||||||||||||
Quelch, B. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Quelch, B. H. | Quelch, B. H. Sergeant Basil H.Quelch was with No 235 Squadron during the Battle of Britain flying Blenheim's. He was later promoted to Flight Lieutenant. Following the war he became a marketing director for a brewery. | ||||||||||||
Ramsay, J. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Ramsay, J. S.
| Ramsay, J. S. Killed April 27th 1941** | ||||||||||||
Ream, C. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Ream, C. A. | Ream, C. A. | ||||||||||||
Reece, L. H. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Reece, L. H. M.
| Reece, L. H. M. Sergeant L.H.M.Reece of No 235 Squadron pilot R.L.Patterson and R.Y.Tucker failed to return from a convoy patrol in a Blenheim IV (N3541) on July 18th 1940. | ||||||||||||
Richards, W. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Richards, W. C.
| Richards, W. C. Killed August 11th 1941** | ||||||||||||
Ricketts, H. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Ricketts, H. W.
| Ricketts, H. W. Killed March 31st 1945 | ||||||||||||
Ricks, L. P. V. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Ricks, L. P. V. J. | Ricks, L. P. V. J. | ||||||||||||
Sadler, N. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Sadler, N. A.
| Sadler, N. A. Missing December 16th 1940** | ||||||||||||
Sharp, B. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Sharp, B. R.
| Sharp, B. R. Sergeant B.R.Sharp of No 235 Squadron was flying escort to Fairey Albacores on September 11th 1940 in a Blenheim IV-f (L9396). The Fairey Albacores from the Fleet Air Arm were on a raid on Calais at 17:30hrs and the Blenheim IV-f (L9396) flown by F/Lt F.W.Flood was shot down, killing all crew in the process. | ||||||||||||
Shorrocks, N. B. Click the name above to see a profile of Shorrocks, N. B.
| Shorrocks, N. B. Pilot Officer N.B.Shorrocks of No 235 Squadron was flying escort to Fairey Albacores on September 11th 1940 in a Blenheim IV-f (L9396) flown by Flight Lieutenant F.W.Flood. The Fairey Albacores from the Fleet Air Arm were on a raid on Calais and the Blenheim IV-f (L9396) was shot down, killing all crew in the process. | ||||||||||||
Smith, N. H. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Smith, N. H. J. | Smith, N. H. J. | ||||||||||||
Sobey, E. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Sobey, E. A.
| Sobey, E. A. Killed November 9th 1940 | ||||||||||||
Southorn, G. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Southorn, G. A. | Southorn, G. A. | ||||||||||||
Spires, J. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Spires, J. H. | Spires, J. H. | ||||||||||||
Stanger, N. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Stanger, N. M.
| Stanger, N. M. Killed February 14th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Steele, R. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Steele, R. M. | Steele, R. M. | ||||||||||||
Stickney, P. A. M. Click the name above to see a profile of Stickney, P. A. M. | Stickney, P. A. M. | ||||||||||||
Stretch, R. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Stretch, R. R. | Stretch, R. R. | ||||||||||||
Sutton, H. R. Click the name above to see a profile of Sutton, H. R. | Sutton, H. R. | ||||||||||||
Tatnell, R. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Tatnell, R. F.
| Tatnell, R. F. Killed May 18th 1941 | ||||||||||||
Taylor, R. Click the name above to see a profile of Taylor, R. | Taylor, R. | ||||||||||||
Thomas, R. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Thomas, R. C.
| Thomas, R. C. Pilot Officer R.C.Thomas of No 235 Squadron was shot down over the Channel and killed along with the pilot J.C.Kirkpatrick and gunner Sergeant G.E.Keel on October 9th 1940. They were flying aerodrome protection duty South of Thorny Island in a Blenheim IVf (N3530). | ||||||||||||
Touch, D. F. Click the name above to see a profile of Touch, D. F. | Touch, D. F. | ||||||||||||
Tucker, R. Y. Click the name above to see a profile of Tucker, R. Y.
| Tucker, R. Y. Sergeant R.Y.Tucker of No 235 Squadron, the pilot R.L.Patterson and L.H.M.Reece failed to return from a convoy patrol in a Blenheim IV (N3541) on July 18th 1940. | ||||||||||||
Unett, J. W. Click the name above to see a profile of Unett, J. W.
| Unett, J. W. Killed December 27th 1940 | ||||||||||||
Venesoen, Francois August Click the name above to see a profile of Venesoen, Francois August
| Venesoen, Francois August Francois August Venesoen DFC, a pilot from Belgium, who flew Spitfire with No.235 Sqn RAF, No.350 Sqn RAF, died on this day 6th June 1944 François Venesoen was born on 19th October 1920 and as he grew up he developed a longing to become a fighter pilot, so in the late 1930's he enlisted into the Belgian Air Force (Aéronautique Militaire). However his dreams were shattered in May 1939 when he failed pilot training, but despite this setback he re-mustered to become an air-gunner. François was sent to Nivelles aerodrome to a squadron within III Groupe of the 2e Regiment d' Aéronautique to fly in obsolete Fairy Fox two-seat biplane fighters. After Belgium was defeated Venesoen boards on June 23thd the HMS Ettrick in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and manages to escape across the English Channel, arriving in England on the same day, where he immediately sought to enlist in the Royal Air Force. It was not until 27th August that François was posted to serve as an NCO air-gunner with the Bristol Blenheim MkIVF's of No.235 Squadron based at Bircham Newton in Norfolk. The Squadron usually had the task which consisted mainly of convoy protection patrols and reconnaissance missions over the North Sea with occasional forays to attack the French Channel ports. The squadron suffered comparatively light losses of 6 aircraft on operations from July to October of 1940, and with claims for at least 12 Luftwaffe aircraft, achieved what could be considered a good return! Sadly however most of the crews No.235 Squadron lost went missing, but François survived the Battle of Britain as one of the Belgians to have proudly served amongst the ranks of 'The Few'. He applied for pilot training whilst with No.272 Squadron, which had reformed in November 1940 at RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland for shipping escort duties. He began his ab-initio pilot training with No.13 Service Flying Training School, and on successfully completing his elementary flying moved to No.5 Flying Training School at RAF Sealand near Chester on 9th July 1941, where he was soon granted a Commission. In October Pilot Officer Venesoen at long last realised his dream, for he gained his 'wings' and went to No.61 Operational Training Unit at Heston in Middlesex, to convert onto the Spitfire. On 18th December he joined the newly formed No.350 (Belgian) Squadron flying Spitfire MkIIA's at RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey for operational defensive duties and convoy escorts over the Irish Sea. In April 1942 the squadron moved to Southern England to join the Debden Fighter Wing for the hazardous task of fighter sweeps over occupied Northern France. To test the German defences and to lift the spirits, plans were put together for an amphibious attack on the heavily defended port of Dieppe under the codename of Operation Jubilee. The day of the attack on 19th August proved costly for the Allies with heavy casualties both on the beaches and in the air, with RAF Fighter Command losing around 100 aircraft whilst covering the assault. Valuable future lessons were learned from the ill-fated operation, but Venesoen achieved success for himself that day when he claimed the destruction of 2 Focke-Wulf Fw190's - his first personal victories over the Luftwaffe. During the squadrons fourth sortie of the day François had a wingtip on his Spitfire shot away, but he returned safely. His next success came on 16th November when he shared in the destruction of a Junkers Ju52 over St.Aubin airfield in France during a Rhubarb sortie. In March 1943 No.350 Squadron moved north, but François remained in the frontline with a posting to No.610 Squadron and soon would claim another victory on 29th March when shot down a Fw190 off the coast near to Brighton. On 24th September, 1943, François Venesoen achieved his last credited victory when he shared in the shooting down of a Messerschmitt Bf110 at Cap St-Mathieu near Caen in Normandy. Prior to the Normandy invasion, Venesoen went back to his countrymen of No.350 Squadron to conduct offensive missions with the Second Tactical Air Force, in readiness for the invasion of Mainland Europe. On 6th June at 04:35 hours, François took off for an early morning patrol over the Normandy beachhead. south west of Friston F/Lt Venesoen had bale out of Spitfire Mk.Vb EN950 owing to an internal glycol leak. His parachute opened alright and he was last seen by his Number 2 (F/O L. Siroux) alighting on the rough sea and struggling in the water, trying to inflate his dinghy. After F/O Siroux had pulled up to lead 3 launches to the spot, no trace of F/Lt Venesoen could be found". He is now commemorated on Panel 203 of the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede. He also got a memorial plaque on the 'Ereperk' in Evere with the notification 'disparu' (missing). Killed on June 6th 1944 after his Spitfire Mk.Vb EN950 of No.350 Sqn suffered a glycol leak and he baled out . His name is on the Runnymede Memorial. | ||||||||||||
Wakefield, H. K. Click the name above to see a profile of Wakefield, H. K. | Wakefield, H. K. | ||||||||||||
Wallis, D. S. Click the name above to see a profile of Wallis, D. S.
| Wallis, D. S. Killed February 22nd 1941** | ||||||||||||
Watts, R. D. H. Click the name above to see a profile of Watts, R. D. H.
| Watts, R. D. H. Sergeant R.D.H.Watts of No 235 Squadron was flying escort to Fairey Albacores on the 11th of September 1940. The Fairey Albacores from the Fleet Air Arm were on a raid on Calais and the Blenheim IV-f (L9396) flown by Pilot Officer Wickings-Smith was shot down. P.C.Wickings-Smith and the crew all died on the mission ( A.W.V.Green). | ||||||||||||
Webb, Maurice Click the name above to see a profile of Webb, Maurice | Webb, Maurice Maurice joined the RAF in 1942, and trained as an observer/ wireless operator/ gunner. In October 1943 he was posted to 235 Squadron based at RAF Portreath, flying Beaufighters attacking shipping and harbour installations. In 1944 he converted to Mosquitos, and joined 248 Squadron, moving on to serve with the Banff Strike Wing until March 1945. He was awarded the DFM in August 1944, and then spent time flying in a RAF Walrus on Air Sea Rescue operations. He had flown with Harold Corbin as his co-pilot / observer from 1943 until the end of the war.
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Wedlock, G. V. Click the name above to see a profile of Wedlock, G. V. | Wedlock, G. V. | ||||||||||||
Westcott, W. H. J. Click the name above to see a profile of Westcott, W. H. J. | Westcott, W. H. J. | ||||||||||||
Westlake, R. D. Click the name above to see a profile of Westlake, R. D. | Westlake, R. D. | ||||||||||||
White, R. Click the name above to see a profile of White, R. | White, R. | ||||||||||||
Wickings-Smith, P. C. Click the name above to see a profile of Wickings-Smith, P. C.
| Wickings-Smith, P. C. Pilot Officer P.C.Wickings-Smith of No 235 Squadron was flying escort to Fairey Albacores on September 11th 1940. The Fairey Albacores from the Fleet Air Arm were on a raid on Calais and the Blenheim IV-f (L9396) flown by Wickings-Smith was shot down. P.C.Wickings-Smith the Blenheim crew all died on the mission (A.W.V.Green & R.D.H.Watts). | ||||||||||||
Wilson, W. Click the name above to see a profile of Wilson, W. | Wilson, W. | ||||||||||||
Winwood, Bert Click the name above to see a profile of Winwood, Bert
| Winwood, Bert WO A.E. 'Bert' Winwood was a Navigator on Mosquitoes and Beaufighters, flew only with pilot Ray Harrington attached to 603 sqn in the Greek Campaign. Bert did his Navigator training in Canada and in January 1944 was posted to 603 Squadron on Beaufighters, based at Gambut, near Tobruk. From here they launched attacks right across the Mediterranean into Crete, Greece and the Aegean Islands against shipping, harbour installations and enemy aircraft with much success. In December 1944 he was posted to 235 Squadron at RAF Banff flying as navigator on Mosquito's flying in the Banff Strike Wing. In April 1945 he was shot down when returning from a strike in the Kattegat, he and his pilot Ray Harrington avoided capture, and with the help of the Danish resistance made it home to England. After a short rest he continued to fly again from RAF Banff, he left the RAF in 1946.
Bert Winwood during a signing session in March 2010. Report from the Squadron Operational Record Book from the day his Mosquito was forced to belly-land in Denmark : 5th April 1945 : The Banff Strike Wing led by W/Cdr A H Simmonds DFC was airborne between 1410-1421 hrs. It comprised 13 RP aircraft of 235 Sqdn, 11 RP of 143 Sqdn, 10 RP of 248 Sqdn also 2 fighter aircraft of 333 (Capr Wenger leading) 2 of 143 Sqdn and 1 of 235 Sqdn. The Wing made R/V over Peterhead with 12 Mustangs and S/C on a Rover patrol into the KATTEGAT. T/235 returned early with failure engineer and V/235 also returned early escorting a Mustang in distress. The Danish coast was crossed in good weather 6/10 cloud at 2,500ft with vis. 15-20mls. Near ANHOLT 3 convoys were sighted. The first consisted of 1 E/V plus 5 small M/Vs on a southerly course. The second convoy of 1 M/V of approx. 1500 tons and 2 E/Vs was on a northerly course and the third of 4 small coasters in line astern was on an easterly course. An attack was made on the first of these convoys. This comprised : (A) 1 M/V of 1200-1500 tons 3 island type. (B) 1 Small escort vessel. (C) 1 Coaster of 1000 tons. (D) 1 M/V of 1500-2000 tons, 3 island type. (E) 1 M/V of 800-1000 tons. (F) 1 M/V of 1000-1500 tons. M/V (A) was seen to be attacked by U/235. M/V (B) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (C) was attacked by 4 aircraft with RP and cannon, (D) was attacked by 6 aircraft with RP and cannon, (E) was attacked by 3 aircraft with RP and cannon, and (F) by 7 aircraft with RP and cannon and wet and dry hits were observed on all ships. M/V (E) was seen to blow up and M/V (D) was burning furiously and seemed to be listing. (C) and (F) were both smoking heavily and down by the stern. (A) and (B) were both left smoking. 2 aircraft of 235 Sqn attacked the third vessel in line of the third convoy with RP and cannon. A large explosion was seen followed by flares and a column of smoke. U/235 (P/O Arthars and F/S Richardson) was seen to collide with the mast of a ship during the attack and broke up and dived into the sea. E/333 (Capt Wenger and Sgt Hansen) failed to return but the crew have since repatriated from Sweden. 1 aircraft believed F/235 (Harrington and Winwood) with a glycol leak was seen to make a belly landing in a field position 56 48N 08 21E. The last aircraft mentioned in the report is that of Bert Winwood and Ray Harrington. During signatures sessions, Bert Winwood also provided us with the photgraphs of the two men lost when their aircraft collided with the mast of a ship during the raid. Below are the photos of P/O Laurie Arthars and F/S Geg Richardson. P/O Laurie Arthars F/S Geg Richardson | ||||||||||||
Woodger, D. N. Click the name above to see a profile of Woodger, D. N.
| Woodger, D. N. Pilot Officer D.N.Woodger of No 235 Squadron and his gunner D.L.Wright were shot down and killed in error by a Hurricane of No 1 R.C.A.F. Squadron on August 24th 1940. Their Blenheim IV (T1804) crashed at Bracklesham Bay. | ||||||||||||
Wordsworth, D. K. A. Click the name above to see a profile of Wordsworth, D. K. A.
| Wordsworth, D. K. A. Killed October 30th 1941** | ||||||||||||
Wright, D. L. Click the name above to see a profile of Wright, D. L.
| Wright, D. L. Sergeant D.L.Wright of No 235 Squadron and his pilot D.N.Woodger were shot down and killed in error by a Hurricane of No 1 R.C.A.F. Squadron on August 24th 1940. Their Blenheim IV (T1804) crashed at Bracklesham Bay. |
Known Individual Aircraft of No.235 Sqn RAF : | ||||||||
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Aircraft for : No.235 Sqn RAF | ||
A list of all aircraft associated with No.235 Sqn RAF. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | ||
Aircraft | Info | |
Beaufighter
Manufacturer : Bristol Production Began : 1940 Number Built : 5564 | Beaufighter BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER The Bristol Beaufighter was a Torpedo Bomber and had a crew of two. with a maximum speed of 330mph and a ceiling of 29,000 feet. maximum normal range of 1500 miles but could be extended to 1750 miles. The Bristol Beaufighter carried four 20mm cannon in the belly of the aircraft and upto six .303in browning machine guns in the wings. it could also carry eight 3 -inch rockets, 1605 lb torpedo or a bomb load of 1,000 lb. The Bristol Beaufighter first flew in July 1939 and with some modifications entered service with the Royal Air Force in July 1940. In the winter of 1940 - 1941 the Beaufighter was used as a night fighter. and in March 1941 the aircraft was used at Coastal Command as a long range strike aircraft. and in 1941, the Beaufighter arrived in North Africa and used as a forward ground attack aircraft. The Bristol Beaufighter was used also in India, Burma and Australia. A total of 5,564 Beaufighters were built until production in Britain finished in 1945, but a further 364 were built in Australia for the Australian Air Force | |
Blenheim
Manufacturer : Bristol Production Began : 1935 Retired : 1956 Number Built : 4422 | Blenheim The Bristol Blenheim, the most plentiful aircraft in the RAFs inventory when WWII began, was designed by Frank Barnwell, and when first flown in 1936 was unique with its all metal monoplane design incorporating a retractable undercarriage, wing flaps, metal props, and supercharged engines. A typical bomb load for a Blenheim was 1,000 pounds. In the early stages of the war Blenheims were used on many daylight bombing missions. On the day that war was declared on Germany, a Blenheim piloted by Flying Officer Andrew McPherson was the first British aircraft to cross the German coast and the following morning 15 Blenheims from three squadrons set off on one of the first bombing missions The Blenheim units operated throughout the battle, often taking heavy casualties, although they were never accorded the publicity of the fighter squadrons. The Blenheim units raided German occupied airfields throughout July to December 1940, both during daylight hours and at night. Although most of these raids were unproductive, there were some successes; on 1 August five out of 12 Blenheims sent to attack Haamstede and Evere (Brussels) were able to bomb, destroying or heavily damaging three Bf 109s of II./JG 27 and apparently killing a Staffelkapitän identified as Hauptmann Albrecht von Ankum-Frank. Two other 109s were claimed by Blenheim gunners. Another successful raid on Haamstede was made by a single Blenheim on 7 August which destroyed one 109 of 4./JG 54, heavily damaged another and caused lighter damage to four more. There were also some missions which produced an almost 100% casualty rate amongst the Blenheims. One such operation was mounted on 13 August 1940 against a Luftwaffe airfield near Aalborg in north-western Denmark by 12 aircraft of 82 Squadron. One Blenheim returned early (the pilot was later charged and due to appear before a court martial, but was killed on another operation); the other 11, which reached Denmark, were shot down, five by flak and six by Bf 109s. Blenheim-equipped units had been formed to carry out long-range strategic reconnaissance missions over Germany and German-occupied territories, as well as bombing operations. In this role, the Blenheims once again proved to be too slow and vulnerable against Luftwaffe fighters and they took constant casualties While great heroism was displayed by the air crews, tremendous losses were sustained during these missions. The Blenhiem was easy pickings at altitude for German Bf-109 fighters who quickly learned to attack from below. To protect the vulnerable bellies of the Blenheims many missions were shifted to low altitude, but this increased the aircrafts exposure to anti-aircraft fire. In the German night-bombing raid on London on 18 June 1940, Blenheims accounted for five German bombers, thus proving that they were better-suited for night fighting. In July, No. 600 Squadron, by then based at RAF Manston, had some of its Mk IFs equipped with AI Mk III radar. With this radar equipment, a Blenheim from the Fighter Interception Unit (FIU) at RAF Ford achieved the first success on the night of 2–3 July 1940, accounting for a Dornier Do 17 bomber. More successes came, and before long the Blenheim proved itself invaluable as a night fighter. One Blenheim pilot, Squadron Leader Arthur Scarf, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for an attack on Singora, Thailand, on 9 December 1941. Another bomber of No. 60 Squadron RAF was credited with shooting down Lt Col Tateo Katō's Nakajima Ki-43 fighter and badly damaging two others in a single engagement on 22 May 1942, over the Bay of Bengal. Katō's death was a severe blow to the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. | |
Mosquito
Manufacturer : De Havilland Production Began : 1940 Retired : 1955 Number Built : 7781 | Mosquito Used as a night fighter, fighter bomber, bomber and Photo-reconnaissance, with a crew of two, Maximum speed was 425 mph, at 30,300 feet, 380mph at 17,000ft. and a ceiling of 36,000feet, maximum range 3,500 miles. the Mosquito was armed with four 20mm Hospano cannon in belly and four .303 inch browning machine guns in nose. Coastal strike aircraft had eight 3-inch Rockets under the wings, and one 57mm shell gun in belly. The Mossie at it was known made its first flight on 25th November 1940, and the mosquito made its first operational flight for the Royal Air Force as a reconnaissance unit based at Benson. In early 1942, a modified version (mark II) operated as a night fighter with 157 and 23 squadron's. In April 1943 the first De Haviland Mosquito saw service in the Far east and in 1944 The Mosquito was used at Coastal Command in its strike wings. Bomber Commands offensive against Germany saw many Mosquitos, used as photo Reconnaissance aircraft, Fighter Escorts, and Path Finders. The Mosquito stayed in service with the Royal Air Force until 1955. and a total of 7781 mosquito's were built. |
No.235 Sqn RAF Artwork |
Prowler's Return by Ivan Berryman. | Clipped Signature - Ray Harrington. | Clipped Signature - Bert Winwood. |
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