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Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
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541 Squadron Crest
21.03.1945 No. 541 Squadron Spitfire PR.XIX RM635 ES-Y Fl/Lt. Adlam

Operation: Transit

Date: 21st March 1945 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 541 Squadron. 106 Group (motto: 'Alone Above All')

Type: Spitfire PR.XIX

Serial: RM635

Code: ES-Y

Base: RAF Benson, Oxfordshire

Location: East Grinstead, Sussex

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Frank Percival Adlam NZ/424403 RNZAF Age 29. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

After carrying out a photographic reconnaissance operation over North Western Germany the pilot landed at Melsbrook in Belgium to refuel.

Owing to failing light decided to remain overnight. The following morning took off for RAF Benson.

For reasons unexplained he crashed at location shown at 09:30 hrs and lost his life.

Burial details:

Fl/Lt. Frank Percival Adlam. Brookwood Cemetery. Grave 2. AA. 4. Born on the 28th December 19125 at Taranaki, the son of Ernest Albert and Jessie Adlam (née Preston), of Stratford, Taranaki, New Zealand and husband of Phyllis Mary Adlam (née Bell), of Midhirst, Taranaki. Prior to service worked as a farmer on his fathers sheep farm. A total of 892 flying hours logged and having completed 14 operational sorties.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 23.10.2015

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Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
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