Operation: Patrol

Date: 7th June 1940 (Friday)

Unit: No. 43 Squadron

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: L1931

Location: Puisenval, France.

Pilot: F/O. John Dudley Edmonds 39971 RAF Age 21. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

A horrific day for the Royal Air Force, and in particular for 43 squadron who lost no less than 7 aircraft on this day with 2 pilots killed, 2 wounded and the remaining 3 surviving uninjured.

F/O. Edmonds was shot down by Bf109's East of Dieppe and crashed at Puisenval, France at 11.00 hrs. It is thought that Lt. Tiedmann of 2./JG3 shot him down.

Members of the MREU identified the remains of the pilot in 1947. In 2004 a team led by Andy Saunders and Simon Parry attempted a recovery of the aircraft.

Due to the heavy chalk composition of the soil very little was recovered, The propeller hub of the Hurricane was presented by the team to the local Mayor of Puisenval. We are unable to locate a memorial to date where this was to be placed. We would of course appreciate any update on this?

Above: F/O. Edmonds - anyone wishing to use this photo are requested to contact us as the relative who kindly supplied it to us, Nigel Mills wishes to be consulted.

Above and grave photograph: St. Valery-en-Caux Franco-British cemetery as taken by our own Kate Tame during her visit in 2012. We would be happy to forward high quality images of the grave and the cemetery to any relative free of charge.

F/O. John Dudley Edmonds. St. Valery-en-Caux Franco-British cemetery. Grave A.23. Son of Louis Adolphus and Charlotte Louisa Edmonds, of Thames Ditton, Surrey, England.

His brother, F/O. Grosvenor Louis Edmonds was also killed later the same year. Flying with 613 Squadron his aircraft crashed on the 13th September 1940, during landing and burst into flames. A.C. Coop and L.A.C. Farley ran to his assistance and despite immediate danger from the fire and exploding ammunition, released the legs of the pilot and managed to remove him from the aircraft. Sadly, 41565, 23 year old F/O. Edmonds died later of his injuries. (see credits)

Researched for relatives of the pilot. With thanks to the following for further information supplied, Nigel Mills - nephew of the pilot who contacted us in May 2016 with his photo, Aviation Archaeology, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses' Vol. 1, Peter Cornwell - 'Battle of France Then and Now'.

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