Operation: Weather Reconnaissance

Date: 28th February 1944 (Monday)

Unit: No. 247 Squadron (motto: 'Rise from the East')

Type: Typhoon Ib

Serial: JP730

Code: ZY-M

Base: RAF High Ercall, Shropshire

Location: English Channel

Pilot: W/O. Patrick Sidney William Daniel 1182509 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 07:10 hrs on a weather reconnaissance flight over Cherbourg, together with F/O. Kylie Sellick Aus/407744 RAAF.

W/O. Daniel reported by R/T to his wingman that he had a complete engine failure and informed F/O. Selkirk flying Typhoon MM151 that he is baling out. He was observed by his wingman landing in the Channel about 4 miles East from the island of Sark, and boarding his dinghy. F/O. Sellick stated that W/O. Daniel appeared calm and collected and his subsequent escape from the aircraft and descent were carried out very efficiently. After this I missed him in the heavy swell, but reported his position. The wind was blowing North West and there must be a good chance he has been washed ashore.

4 pilots, took off on a patrol and search for W/O. Daniels at 08:25 hrs - returning at 09:40 hrs with no sightings. At 10:25 hrs a further 4 pilots, including F/O. Kyle Sellick also left on a patrol and search again with no results, landed back at base at 11:40 hrs.

Tragically Kyle Sellick lost his life on the 01st May 1946 flying Percival Gull VH-UVA - further details here.

The body of W/O. Patrick Daniels was washed up on the 26th March 1944 near Cap Erguy, 18 miles east of St Breiuc. He was identified from a silver wrist band found on his body inscribed '1182509 PSW Daniel RAF'. He was posthumously appointed to his commission in the RAFVR as a Pilot Officer with effect from 12th January 1944, his serve number amended to 170639.

Burial details:

P/O. Patrick Sidney William Daniel. St. Brieuc Western Communal Cemetery. Plot H. Row F. Grave 5. Born in December 1921 in Marylebone, London, England. Train with 59 Operational Training Unit. Joined 247 Squadron on the 22nd August 1941. Son of Emil McCarthy Daniel and of Agnes Sidney Daniel (née Wilkins). Husband of Beatrice Doreen Daniel (née Appleby - married in 1941), of 44d Lexham Gardens, Kensington, London. Epitaph: 'When Day's Tedious Empty Clamour Dies, Then I Remember... How Should I Forget?'.

Above: the Guernsey aircrew memorial. 153 Allied Aircrew lost their lives in Bailiwick Waters. The 6m (20ft) tall Allied Aircrew Memorial made as a stainless steel sculpture features representative models of a USAAF B-17 and seven Spitfires. Written around its base are the names of the airmen known to have died off Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and many of whom have no known grave. Memorial dedicated on the 09th September 2015.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the National Archive Kew, AIR-27-1489-3/4, The Guernsey aircrew memorial, Aircrew Remembered Archives, National Archives Australia.

Pages regarding 1944 losses

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2026 Last Modified: 11 July 2023, 15:14