Operation: Rhubarb
Date: 11th June 1941 (Wednesday)
Unit: No. 258 Squadron (11 Group)
Type: Hurricane IIb
Serial: Z3269 (Presentation aircraft - Conqueror)
Code: ZT-E
Base: RAF Redhill, Surrey
Location: Strait of Dover, north of Calais, France
Pilot: F/O. Wilfred Thomas Everist NZ/39909 RNZAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 12:50 hrs from RAF Redhill in Surrey with 5 others from the Squadron on a low level patrol (‘Rhubarb’) over France.
Whilst operating in 3 sections of two aircraft it is understood that he was shot down by Me109’s fighters from JG26 and crashed into the Strait of Dover off Calais. Neither the body of the pilot or the aircraft were ever recovered.
21 year old, F/O. Victor Breton de la Parelle NZ/36211 RNZAF was also attacked flying Hurricane IIb Z3170 and wounded but managed to return, safe. (Amazing that just a few days earlier, on the 21st May he was attacked and wounded but he returned safe on that occasion as well) Survived the war and retired as a Sq/Ldr in 1958. Passed away in Cambridge, England on the 11th June 1983.
Burial details:
F/O. Wilfred Thomas Everist. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 63. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Everist of Christchurch, New Zealand. A total of 333 flying hours logged and on his 49th operational sortie.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks Errol Martyn and his research into New Zealand aircrew lost. Also to Auckland Cenotaph and Weekly News of New Zealand. Other sources as quoted below:
