Operation: Circus 256
Date: 26th January 1943 (Tuesday)
Unit: No. 64 Squadron (11 Group)
Type: Spitfire IX
Serial: BS278
Code: SH-?
Base: RAF Fairlop, Essex
Location: 7 KM North west Watten, France
Pilot: Sgt. Godfrey Alan McKoy NZ/414651 RNZAF Age 22. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off from RAF Fairlop in Essex at 11:45 hrs and climbed with his squadron to 23,000 ft.
Whilst over St. Omerr the formation split up to deal with aircraft at that height and others at 10,000 ft. During aeriel combat with the lower height Spitfire BS278 was shot down at 12:45, killing Sgt. Godfrey McKoy
Burial details:
Sgt. Godfrey Alan McKoy. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 8. Row A. Grave 5. Son of Charles Lawrence Herbert McKoy, and of Ethel May McKoy (née Allan), of Auckland City, New Zealand. He had some 310 flying hours logged and on his 11th operational sortie.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Errol Martin - “For Your Tomorrow Vol’s 1-3” for his detailed information on the loss, Auckland Cenotaph and Weekly News. Other sources as quoted below:
