Operation: Ferry Flight

Date: 2nd February 1944 (Wednesday)

Unit No: 174 (Mauritius) Squadron (motto: 'Attack'), 121 Airfield, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Type: Typhoon IB

Serial: JP658

Code: XP:?

Base: RAF Westhampnett, Sussex

Location: East of Brighton

Pilot: Plt Off. Joseph Rene Roland ‘Rowley’ Boyer J18960 RCAF Age 27. Killed

Above: Plt Off. Joseph Rene Roland ‘Rowley’ Boyer

REASON FOR LOSS:

Flight history

First: On Thursday, 12th February 1942 at 17 Advanced Flying Unit (17 AFU) at RAF Watton, Norfolk, which was a satellite airfield of RAF Bodney.  The following was R79196 Sgt. Boyer’s statement of a flying accident, in which he suffered a slight head injury: 

• ”I took off with Plt Off Edgard William Fidgerald Wall in Miles Master DK867 to receive dual instruction.  When approaching to land the fifth time, I was in control of the aircraft and preparing to make a glide approach.  As I flattened out, I saw another aircraft between the engine and the starboard wing.  As I was about to apply the throttle, Plt Off. Wall took over the controls.
• We struck the other aircraft, our starboard wing hitting the canopy of the other. We shot upwards and came down on the nose and starboard wing.  I immediately looked round and saw Plt Off. Wall leaning forward in an unconscious state.  I was not aware of being hurt myself until I saw the blood on my jacket.’

The other aircraft also a Master with two crew, Sgt. H. Mayoh and Sgt. Geoffrey Stanton Lloyd in DK868 were both uninjured.

• Sgt. Geoffrey Stanton Lloyd 411972 RNZAF.  He was born on the 8th March 1919 in Liverpool, England.  He moved with his parents to New Zealand as a young boy. Enlisted on the 23rd March 1942.  Wings awarded on the 6th September 1941 and promoted to Sgt. on the 8th October 1941.  Embarked for United Kingdom on the 17th November.  Posted to No. 17 Advanced Flying Unit (AFU) early February 1942.  Following that course he joined 55 Operational Training Unit (OTU) on the 28th April.  After serving briefly with 3 Sqn he was posted to 32 Sqn and proceeded overseas end of April, 1942.

Above: Sgt. Geoffrey Stanton Lloyd

• On the 26th December 1943 Flt Sgt. Lloyd was flying in Hurricane IC HW486 over Maison Blanche, Algiers, when a collision occurred with a Dakota at 11:45 hrs when the Dakota was coming into land.  He was buried in the El Calia Cemetery, Maison Carree, Algiers, afterwards being re-interred in the British Cemetery, Dely, Ibraham, Algiers. Grave 3.C.11.  Son of Victor Stanton and Elsie Maud (née Molroy) Lloyd, of 5A Grass Street, Oriental Parade, Oriental Bay, Wellington, New Zealand.

Second: On Thursday 30th July 1942 174 (Mauritius) squadron took part in a 'Ramrod' operation to St. Omer.  Seven (7) aircraft took off at 11:30 hrs.  A terrible day for the Allied Fighter Command losing twenty three (23) aircraft with three (3) of these from the squadron:

• Hurricane IIB BP768 XP:? - Flown by Sgt. Ellis Ronald Charman 400859 RAAF. Baled out 2 to 3 miles SE of Audruicq.  He evaded capture and returned to the UK on the 6th October 1943;

• On Friday 27th April 1942, Sgt. Charman survived with slight injuries a crash landing in Hurricane IIb BE549 following 'Circus 142' operation but his aircraft suffered Cat B damage and was Struck off Charge.  Born on the 28th July 1918 in 23 Mont View, Malvern, Victoria, Australia.  Passed away on the 1st March 1969, age just 51, remembered at the Victorian Garden of Remembrance, Springvale, City, Victoria, Australia.

• Hurricane IIE BE684 XP:? – Flown by Sgt William Young Dennison R82271 RCAF.  Forced landing with his Hurricane tipping up on its nose west of St. Omer. Stalag 8B, PoW No. 25129; 

• Hurricane IIE BE552 XP:? – Flown by Sgt. Joseph Rene Roland Boyer R79196 RCAF.  Ditched in the English Channel but managed to climb into his dingy and rescued by Air Sea Rescue but not until 15:30 hrs on the following day.

Final Flight: On Wednesday 2nd February 1944 he was killed whilst still with 174 Sqn.  A Court of Inquiry was convened to determine the cause of the loss of Typhoon IB JP658 and Plt Off. Boyer.

Statement taken from Fg Off. J.M. Bolsover: 

• ‘Plt Off. Boyer and I took off from Eastchurch shortly after 14:00 hrs. 2.2.44. to ferry two aircraft to Westhampnett, with myself flying No. 2.  We agreed to R.T. silence and to turn back should weather appear too bad.  After flying approximately 15 minutes or more, we encountered fog and cloud down to deck level and I lost Plt Off. Boyer.  I turned back and landed at Eastchurch.  Route forecast was obtained at 11:00 hrs. weather reported to be clearing.  At time of turning back, I was at 300 feet indicated. Flying Control at Eastchurch gave permission to take off. At time of turning back (about 14:40 hrs.) visibility was 200 yards, cloud base 200 feet.  I missed a hill by a few feet and decided to turn back.'

The conclusions reached by the Inquiry determined that :

• The aircraft seemed to approach from a southerly direction turning starboard in a valley. The aircraft was heading die west when it crashed into Red Hill approximately 50 feet from its summit.  The weather conditions were very severe, low cloud covering the tops of the hills. The visibility was very poor in the valleys owing to mist. It was not raining at the tie of the accident. The a/c was serviceable.  Judging from the position of the aircraft when it struck the hillside, it appeared that the pilot was letting down though the cloud.  The Brighton fire Brigade was called at 14:49 hrs. 02.02.1944 from the Brighton golf house at 15:05 a self-propelled  motor pump arrived at the scene of the accident and the N.F.S. Personnel found the aircraft burning furiously with ammunition exploding.  One hundred and fifty gallons of water was used, but by that time the aircraft was almost burnt out.  The N.F.S. personnel smothered the wreckage with earth.  The engine and airframe were buried in the ground to a depth of six to eight feet, and the remainder of the fuselage telescoped.  The pilot was wearing his parachute, no attempt was made to use it.

• It was the opinion of the Inquiry members that the main cause of the accident was due to adverse weather conditions.  Furthermore, they could find no evidence to attribute negligence on the part the pilot.
• It was, however, recommended that pilots flying the Typhoon should obtain more experience of cloud flying under favourable conditions.

174 (Mauritius) Squadron, RAF Lydd - August 1943:

Top Row: Flt Sgt. Henry S. Brown, Fg Off. Frank E. Wheeler, Flt Sgt. Ronald V. Smith, Flt Sgt. Ernes. Boucher, Fg Off. John F. Cobbett,  Fg Off. Ian Mallet, WO. William D. Burton.

Standing: Fg Off. Harry V. Markby, Fg Off. Eric Little, WO1. ‘Rowley’ Boyer, WO. Kenneth O. Mitchell, Fg Off. William D. C. Montgomery, Flt Lt. Stan Minall, Sqn Ldr. William W. McConnell, Flt Lt. Frederick A. Grantham, Fg Off. Allan R. Black, Flt Lt. Bridges, Plt Off. Claude D. O'Callaghan, Plt Off. Walter C. Vatcher, WO. James H. Wetere. 

Burial details:

Above: Brookwood Military Cemetery (Courtesy of the CWGC)

Plt Off. Joseph Rene Roland Boyer. Brookwood Military Cemetery, Grave 44.D 3.  Grave Inscription: 'JE SUIS FIERE DE TOI ET DANS MON COEUR TU VIS TOUJOURS. TA FEMME QUI T'AIME. PAT' (translation; I AM PROUD OF YOU AND IN MY HEART YOU STILL LIVE.  YOUR WIFE WHO LOVES YOU. PAT).  Born on the 30th January 1917 in Montreal, Canada.  Son of Eusebe Euze (died 1962, age 67) and Evangeline Boyer (née Cormier-died 1958, age 69), of Ile Perrot, brother of Jean Louis and Marie Rollande Vaudreuil Co., Province of Quebec, Canada.  Husband of Mary Lende Patricia Boyer (married on the 29th November 1941) of Ile Perrot, Quebec, Canada.

• He enlisted on the 26th February 1941 and was posted under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) to Quebec on the 5th March 1941.  Posted in January 1942 to the United Kingdom where he joined 56 Operational Training Unit (OTU).  Joined 174 squadron in May 1942. 

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the families of the pilots with thanks to the National Archives Kew, AI-27-1109-3/4, AIR-27-1108-9/10. RAF Command Forum. Typhoon Project. Bomber Command Canada.  Julian Proddow. New Zealand Cenotaph, Errol Martyn and his publications: 'For Your Tomorrow'. (Aug 2025). Reviewed and updated by Aircrew Remembered with corrections and added links (Sep 2026)

Other sources as listed below: