Operation: Patrol
Date: 18/19th April 1945 (Wednesday/Thursday)
Unit: No. 219 Squadron
Type: Mosquito NF.30
Serial: NT380
Base: Gilze/Rijen, Holland
Location: South west of Hamburg
Pilot: F/O. Ronald Leicester Young 178786 RAFVR Age ? Killed
Nav: F/O. N.G. Fazan RAFVR Survived.
REASON FOR LOSS:
On patrol in the Scheldt estuary area, although the allies controlled Antwerp and most of the river area the estuary was still occupied by German forces in fortified positions to the west and north, preventing any allied shipping to the port.
The Mosquito was badly damaged by flak during the attack and the navigator F/O. Fazan managed to bale out unhurt. The Pilot "Scampy" Young remained in the aircraft until it crashed at 01:30 hrs. south west of Hamburg.
He was engaged at the time to a Greta Towler who was never told of the burial location of "Scampy" until the year 2000!
Burial details:
F/O. Ronald Leicester Young. Hannover War Cemetery Grave 10.B.4. No further details although we do know he was from the Swaffham area of Norfolk, England.
Researched and dedicated to Greta Towler and relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the following: David Turner Narborough History Society, Norfolk, other sources as quoted below.
