Operation: Shipping

Date: 11 December 1941 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 18 Squadron

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: Z7802

Code: WV-Q

Base: RAF Luqa, Malta

Location: Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Everest George Edmunds DFC. NZ/403312 RNZAF Age 26. Killed

Obs: Sgt. Sigurd Edgar Hedin DFM. 1001649 RAFVR Age 22. Killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Martin John Mills 924027 RAFVR Age ? Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Three Blenheims took off from their base at RAF Luqa in Malta on an attack on shipping in the harbour of Argostoli on the island of Kefalonia.

Z7802 Brought down, it is thought by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in the sea, all 3 bodies were recovered for burial.

Award citation:

"In November,1941, Flight Lieutenant Edmunds and Sergeant Hedin were the pilot and navigator respectively of an aircraft which carried out an attack on shipping east of Tripoli . In spite of extremely unfavourable flying conditions Flight Lieutenant Edmunds persisted in his mission and, ably assisted by Sergeant Hedin who skilfully navigated the aircraft over 200 miles of the sea to the target area finally attacked and scored hits on a large vessel and an escorting destroyer. Two days later, Flight Lieutenant Edmunds, with Sergeant Hedin as navigator, led a low flying attack on shipping in Navarini Bay. In spite of intense fire from the shore, several hits were scored on a 6,000 ton tanker which was set on fire. The skill and determination shown by Flight Lieutenant Edmunds, combined with the skilful and accurate navigation displayed by Sergeant Hedin, were largely responsible for the success achieved".

Burial details:

Originally buried at Argostoli prior to reinternment after the war.

Pilot: Fl/Lt. Everest George Edmunds DFC. Phaleron War Cemetery. Grave 7.D.20. Son of Everest Elmsdale Eglington Edmunds and Selina Gertrude Edmunds, of Seatoun, Wellington, New Zealand. A total of 227 flying hours logged.

Sgt. Sigurd Edgar Hedin DFM. Phaleron War Cemetery. Grave 21.B.6. Born on the 17th October 1919, the son of Ernst Olof and Dorothy Annie Hedin, of Romiley, Cheshire, England. Also remembered at St. Chad Church, Romiley, Stockport, Cheshire.

Left: St Chad Church memorial (courtesy Mike Berrell - used with permission)

Sgt. Martin John Mills. Phaleron War Cemetery. Grave 21.B.9. No further details - are you able to assist?

Researched by Thanos Antonelos of Greece for Aircrew Remembered - July 2018 and dedicated to the relatives of this crew 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, Sue Edmunds for photo of pilot and Dimitrios Corcodilos for grave photos, 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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