Operation: SOE Supply Drop (1)

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. Killed

Nav: Fg Off. John Herbert Hood 133781 RAFVR Age 30. Killed

Bomb Aimer: Fg Off. Thomas Johnston Adamson DFM 146346 RAFVR Age 34. Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Edward James Atkinson 1134951 RAFVR Age 33. Killed

Air Gnr: Sgt. James Davies 1655746 RAFVR Age 21. Killed

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.

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.

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.”

(1) SOE - Special Operations executive, an operation drop of supplies to the resistance, dropping agents etc.

Burial details:

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.).

Sgt. Edward James 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. NoK 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)

Further sources as quoted below.