Operation: Delivery Flight

Date: 09/10th April 1941 (Wednesday/Thursday)

Unit: Middle East Delivery Flight (MEDF )3 Group

Type: Wellington Ic

Serial: W5677

Code: -

Base: RAF Methwold, Norfolk

Location: Mediterranean Sea off Apollonia, Libya

Pilot: F/Lt. John William Edward Bridger 42740 RAF Age 25. Injured PoW No ? Camp:Stalag Lust Barth Vogelsang (L1)

Pilot 2: F/O. Robert Leslie Cox 41153 RAF Age? PoW No:2677 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan and Belaria (L3/4)

Obs: Sgt. Richard James Alexander Blackstock NZ/401453 RNZAF Age 23. Injured PoW No: 32411 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf (L344)

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. John Alexander Collett 975993 RAF Age? Pow No: ? Camp: ?

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Leonard Hudson 553830 RAFVR Age? Injured Pow No: 3771 Camp: Stalag Kopernicus (355)

Air/Gnr: Sgt. Douglas Charles Bedlington Jenkins NZ/391882 RNZAF Agę 27. Pow No: 33658 Camp: Stalag Lamsdorf (L344)

Passenger: Major-General Adrian Carton de Wiart VC. C.B CMG. DSO. 160085 Army Age 61. PoW

REASON FOR LOSS:

After a refuelling stop at Luqa in Malta they headed for Abu Sueir Air Base (72 miles northeast of Cairo)

On board was the new head of the British Military mission to Yugoslavia, Major-General de Wart.

Whilst off the coast of Italian held Libya both engines suffered a catastrophic failure and the pilot was forced to ditch about a mile from the shore of Apollonia, Libya.

Some of the crew including the passenger suffered injuries but all managed to swim ashore only to br captured by the, Italians.Note some publications, including the National Archives, list the pilot as missing - believed killed. He was taken PoW.

Other details:

F/Lt. John William Edward Bridger: Born on the 01st November 1916. Enlisted on the 08th August 1939. A Pharmacist prior to service of 32 Salisbury Road, Richmond, Surrey.
Camp 78 Sulmona, Italy 08th May 1941 - 06th May 1942. Camp 35 Padula, Italy 08th May 1942 - 01st April 1943. Camp 49 Fontenela Italy 02nd April 1943 - 07th September 1943. Camp VIIb Moosburg, Germany 28th December - 14th January 1944. Stalag Luft 1 Barth, Germany 16th January 1944 - End of war.

Fl/Lt. Robert Leslie Cox - awarded his commission to P/O. on the 25th July 1939. To F/O. on the 03rd September 1939. Fl/Lt. 03rd September 1941. No further details.

W/O. Richard James Alexander Blackstock: Born on the 19th December 1918 in Eltham, Taranaki - Died 29th December 1981. Son of Harry Alexander Blackstock and Wilhelmina Blackstock (née Watkins). Husband of Sheila, died on the 09th September 2011 age 84.

Sgt. John Alexander Collett: No further details.

Sgt. Leonard Hudson: No further details.

W/O. Douglas Charles Bedlington Jenkins: Born on the 17th September 1914 in Kawhia - Died 15th February 2001 and buried in Mangonui Cemetery, Northland, New Zealand. Son of Dr. C.C Jenkins of Great South road, Manure, New Zealand.

Major-General Adrian Carton de Wiart VC. C.B CM. CNG. DSO: Born on the 05th May 1880 in Brussels, Belgium - Died on the 056th July 1963, age 83. The eldest son of Léon Constant Ghislain Carton de Wiart (1854-1915), a lawyer and magistrate, and Ernestine Wenzig (1860-1886). Husbad of Ruth “Joan Sutherland” De Wiart (née McKechnie - died 2006 age 103). Both buried in Killinardish Churchyard, County Cork, Ireland. A great deal as been published on this truly remarkable soldier.

Victoria Cross. London Gazette, 09th September 1916

Carton de Wiart received the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in combat that can be awarded to British Empire forces, in 1916. He was 36 years old, and a temporary lieutenant-colonel in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Royal Irish), British Army, attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment, commanding the 8th Battalion, when the following events took place on 2/3rd July 1916 at La Boiselle, France, as recorded in the official citation:

Capt. (temp. Lt.-Col.) Adrian Carton de Wiart, DSO. DN,GDS

'For most conspicuous bravery, coolness and determination during severe operations of a prolonged nature. It was owing in a great measure to his dauntless courage and inspiring example that a serious reverse was averted. He displayed the utmost energy and courage in forcing our attack home. After three other battalion Commanders had become casualties, he controlled their commands, and ensured that the ground won was maintained at all costs. He frequently exposed himself in the organisation of positions and of supplies, passing unflinchingly through fire barrage of the most inten'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, National Archives Kew, Dave Champion, RAF Commands Forum Ancestry UK. Wikipedia.

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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