Operation: Escort

Date: 30th June 1943 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 131 Squadron

Type: Spitfire Vc

Serial: AB504

Code: NX-?

Base: RAF Exeter, Devon

Location: English Channel

Pilot: Fl/Sgt. John Lincoln Chandler NZ/415407 RNZAF Age 22. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 09:45 hrs. with another from the Squadron on escort duty to a convoy south Plymouth.

After about an hour into the sortie whilst flying at about 800 ft. P/O. Chandler called his No. 2 stating that he was having trouble with his engine. Said that he was climbing and to send out a 'Mayday' signal. Moments later the aircraft ditched about a mile south off Eddystone Lighthouse. Despite a search nothing was found of the aircraft or the pilot.

On the 29th June 1942 P/O. Chandler was on board the 12,435 tons SS Waiwara from Auckland bound for London. At 06:10 hours the unescorted ship was torpedoed by a U-Boat some 400 miles north-northwest of the Azores. 8 were lost but 97 survived, picked up by a Norwegian ship and landed in Now York.

Burial details:

Fl/Sgt. John Lincoln Chandler. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 18. Son of Edward Fred Chandler, and of Evelyn Marguerite Chandler, of Tapu, Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 349 flying hours logged. His brother, P/O. Edward Fred Chandler also lost, believed killed - a pilot with 485 Squadron. Further details can be found here.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, 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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