Operation: Dusseldorf, Germany
Date: 7th/8th December 1940 (Saturday/Sunday)
Unit: 9 Squadron
Type: Wellington IC
Serial: R3220
Code: WS:L
Base: RAF Honington, Suffolk
Location: Stene on the Southern outskirts of Ostend
Pilot: Flt.Lt. Desmond Geoffrey Stanley. 33336. RAF. Age 23. Killed
2nd Pilot: Sgt. Robert Coates Parker. 754182. RAFVR. Age? Killed
Obs: Sgt. John James Coulsham Nanson. 759229. RAFVR. Age? Killed
WOp: Sgt. Anthony Arthur Rogers. 965303. RAFVR. Age 26. Killed
Air Gnr: Sgt. Joseph Alan Grocott. 581509. RAF. Age 20. Killed
Air Gnr: Sgt. William Humphrey Pontin. 967876. RAFVR. Age 20. Killed
Above: Flt.Lt. Desmond G. Stanley (Courtesy of Rev. A.P.Stanley)
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Wellington IC type aircraft. Dusseldorf after a bombing raid
REASON FOR LOSS:
Wellington R3220 took off from RAF Honington at 17.00hrs for an operation on Dusseldorf. 69 aircraft took off that day most going to Dusseldorf with a total of 5 aircraft lost. Twelve aircraft from 9 Squadron were involved in this operation with Wellington R3220 failing to return.
The aircraft was hit by flak and crashed near Ostend. The following day nine aircraft from 9 Squadron carried out a search for the aircraft over the North Sea but without success
Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Burial details:
Flt.Lt. Desmond Geoffrey Stanley. Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot 9. Row 4. Joint Grave 8-9. Son of the Very Revd. Charles Geoffrey Nason Stanley, B. A. and Eileen Stanley of Lismore Deanery, Co. Waterford, Irish Republic.
Desmond Geoffrey Stanley was posted to No. 9 Squadron on the 21st Oct 1940 from No. 15 OTU (Operational Training Unit) Born on the 23 September 1917 in Waterford. Educated at Bishop Foy School he and entered Cranwell in 1936 and was assigned to C Squadron. Stanley is remembered on the Waterford Roll of Honour
Sgt. Robert Coates Parker. Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot 9. Row 4. Grave 4. No further information on next of kin
Sgt. John James Coulsham Nanson. Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot 9. Row 4. Joint Grave 8-9. Son of James and Isabella Dixson (née Armstrong) Nanson from Sunderland, Durham, England.
Sgt. Anthony Arthur Rogers. Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot 9. Row 4. Grave 5. Son of Samuel and Edith Jane Rogers of Manchester.
At the time of his death Anthony's address was 33 Deramere Street, Manchester
Sgt. Joseph Alan Grocott. Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot 9. Row 4. Grave 7. Son of Joseph and Grace Constant Grocott of Waltham Abbey, Essex
Sgt. William Humphrey Pontin. Oostende New Communal Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Plot 9. Row 4. Grave 6. Son of William H. and Doris W. Pontin of Pontnewydd, Monmouthshire.
William Humphrey Pontin is remembered on the Pontnewydd War Memorial
Researched by Kate Tame Aircrew Remembered and for all the relatives and friends of the crew. Thanks to Rev. A.P.Stanley for the image of Flt.Lt. Stanley and for updating the aircraft code. (Oct 2020).
RS 26.10.2020 - Addition of image for Flt.Lt. Stanley and update to narrative.
KT - Original research and upload
RS 26.10.2020 - Addition of image for Flt.Lt. Stanley and update to narrative.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 26 October 2020, 07:09