Operation: Patrol

Date: 27th December 1942 (Sunday)

Unit: No. 233 Squadron (Coastal Command)

Type: Hudson IIIA

Serial: FH426

Code: Not known

Base: Tafaraoui, Algeria on detachment from Gibraltar

Location: Mediterranean Sea off Santa Pola, Alicante, Spain

Pilot: Sgt. John Stewart Greaves 1027013 RAFVR Age 22. Missing - believed killed

Obs: Sgt. Edward Brown 914755 RAFVR Age ? Missing - believed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Edward Victor Evans 1377543 RAFVR Age 21. Killed

Air/Gnr: Sgt. John Joseph Griffin 798715 RAFVR Age ? Missing - believed killed

---

The son of the Air Gunner would appreciate any further information on this loss - contact us and your details will be forwarded.

---

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 06:45 hrs on what is understood to have been on an anti-submarine patrol east of Gibraltar, although we have not been able to confirm this.

Some reports state that it was hit from the guns of U-73 submarine, other reports that it was hit by marine anti-aircraft fire.

Above: Prior to its total loss, 59 Squadron had delivery of the aircraft when on the 06th August it was hit by anti-aircraft fire but managed to return to base for repairs. After repair it was transferred to 233 Squadron.

Above: In 1990 a small fishing boat 'Hermanos Ruso Antón' based in Santa Polo hooked its nets on the aircraft and recovered some parts including one of the Browning machine guns. At a later date one of the engines was also recovered and is now on display in the Aviation Museum of Madrid.Burial details:

Sgt. John Stewart Greaves. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 84. No further details - are you able to assist?

Obs: Sgt. Edward Brown. Malta Memorial. Panel 3. Column 2. No further details - are you able to assist?

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Edward Victor Evans. Minturno War Cemetery. Grave V.K.16. Son of Walter Daniel James Evans and Naomi Elizabeth Evans, of Walthamstow, Essex, England. Grave inscription reads: "Gone From Our Home. Your Brave Dead You Have Done, Rest In Peace".

Air/Gnr: Sgt. John Joseph Griffin. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 98. Understood to be from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. No further details - are you able to assist?

Right: Panel 98 - Sgt. Griffin (courtesy Andrea Ruddick)

Researched for David J Bright, son of Sgt. Griffin and dedicated to relatives of the crew with thanks to sources as quoted below.