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Operation: SOE Supply Drop
Date: 3rd/4th March 1944
Unit No: 570 Squadron
Type: Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle II
Serial: V1641
Base: RAF Hurn
Location: Châteaudun, France
Pilot: Fg Off. Christopher James Elmer 151933 RAFVR Age 22. KiA
Nav: Fg Off. John Herbert Hood 133781 RAFVR Age 30. KiA
Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. Thomas Johnston Adamson DFM 146346 RAFVR Age 34. KiA
WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Edward James 'Ted' Atkinson 1134951 RAFVR Age 33. KiA
Air Gnr: Sgt. James Davies 1655746 RAFVR Age 21. KiA
REASON FOR LOSS:
Albemarle V1641 took off from RAF Hurn at 21:12 hrs on the 3rd March 1944, the aircraft was one of a mixed tasking of Albemarles and Stirlings engaged in SOE work.
SOE - Special Operations executive, an operation drop of supplies to the resistance, dropping agents etc.
Lost over France on a supply dropping mission to the French Resistance, shot down near Chateaudun. No night fighter claims for this, possible hit by anti-aircraft fire.
Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle, Fg Off. Thomas Johnston Adamson DFM
Above: Sgt. 'Ted’ Atkinson standing 3rd from the left in a group of what appears to a newly qualified Wireless Operators also known as "Sparks". (Courtesy of Richard Atkinson)
Details of DFM to Thomas J. Adamson while serving with 78 Squadron. Source: DFM Register for WW2 - Ian Tavender:
London Gazette 11/6/43 Sorties 25 Flying Hours 173.23 Air Bomber AIR2/8955
"This Air Bomber has now completed 25 operational sorties, some of which have been over the most heavily defended areas of Germany. He has at all times shown great pluck and invariably guided his captain over the target with determination. Strongly recommended for the DFM."
Remarks by Station Commander:
“This NCO is now screened from further operational work during his present tour having carried out 25 sorties. As bomb aimer, he has shown qualities of pluck and skill. The opinion of his Squadron Commander is endorsed.”
Burial details:
Above: Orleans Main Cemetery
Above left to right: Grave markers for Fg Off. Elmer, Fg Off Hood and Fg Off Adamson DFM (Courtesy of Richard Atkinson)
Fg Off. Christopher James Elmer. Orleans Main Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 19. Grave Inscription: "VERY DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF MABEL ROSE ELMER OF LONDON, ENGLAND". Son of Ernest Alfred and Minnie Catherine Elmer, husband of Mabel Rose Elmer, of Chiswick, Middlesex, England.
Fg Off. John Herbert Hood. Orleans Main Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 18. Son of Alexander Frederick George and Annie Louise Hood, of Acton, Middlesex, England.
Fg Off. Thomas Johnston Adamson DFM. Orleans Main Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 20. Grave Inscription: "TO LIVE IN HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE". Son of William Murdoch Adamson, M.P., and Jennie Laurel Adamson, MP. Husband of Minnie Lydia Adamson, of Forest Hill, London, England. B.Sc. (Ecoms.).
Above left to right: Grave markers for Sgt. Atkinson, Sgt. Davies (Courtesy of Richard Atkinson)
Sgt. Edward James 'Ted' Atkinson. Orleans Main Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 21. Born on the 31st January 1911 in Rotherhithe, London. Son of John James and Lilian May (née Harris) Atkinson of Rotherhithe, London. Husband to Alice Emily (née Carter) Atkinson of Limpsfield, Surrey, England.
Sgt. James Davies. Orleans Main Cemetery. Plot 2. Row A. Grave 23. Next of Kin details currently not available - are you able to assist completion of these and any other information?
Page constructed for relatives of Fg Off. Thomas Johnston Adamson Mr. Mark Briant. Thanks to Richard Atkinson for the names of the parents of Sgt. Atkinson and for his photograph (Apr 2022). Thanks again to Richard Atkinson, a nephew of Sgt. Ted Atkinson, for the grave maker images (Oct 2023).
Further sources as quoted below.
RS 16.10.2023 - Addition of grave marker photographs.
Original upload information unknown
RS 06.04.2022 - Next of Kin details for Sgt. Atkinson updated and photograph added
RS 16.10.2023 - Addition of grave marker photographs.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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Last Modified: 16 October 2023, 05:16