Operation: Recce

Date: 21st February 1942 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 404 Squadron (Coastal Command)

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: V5433 (Believed to be the incorrect number written on the station ORB's - but we are unable to confirm the correct code)

Code: EE-F

Base: RAF Sumburgh, Shetland Islands, Scotland.

Location: Grunay Island, Outer Skerries, Shetlands, Scotland

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. Charles Douglas Grant Brown R/67587 RCAF Age 24. Killed

Obs: Fl/Sgt. James Henry Oliver R/64236 RCAF Age 26. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Thomas William Coy 992775 RAFVR Age 21. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Returning from an operation to norway where the aircraft had been attacked and suffered some damage the crew sent an SOS Message at 08:30 hrs informing Sumburgh that their radio equipment was faulty but that were heading back. The pilot tried to land on the Island of Grunay on a small flat area but burst into flames on landing. Further inspection of the aircraft revealed that although the front half had been totally burnt out the rear fuselage was intact and showed a number of bullet holes.

We understand that a memorial exists on the Island of Grunay, erected by Jay Chrishison, nephew of F/Sgt Oliver but have been unable to locate further details.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. Charles Douglas Grant Brown. Lerwick New Cemetery. Terrace 7B. grave 2. Son of Charles Dickens Brown and Mary Rosalie Brown, husband of Kathleen Marie Brown, of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "He Gave His All For Freedom's Cause".

Fl/Sgt. James Henry Oliver. Lerwick New Cemetery. Terrace 7B. grave 4. Son of Walter and Edna Oliver, of Brantford, Ontario, Canada, husband of Edna Pearl Oliver, of Brantford, Canada. Grave inscription reads: "He Died For King And Country".

Sgt. Thomas William Coy. Neston Cemetery. Plot 5. Div B. Grave 19. Son of Thomas William and Elizabeth Coy, of Neston, Chester, England. Grave inscription reads: "Hearts That Loved You Never Forget, In Memory, Dear, You Are With Us Yet".