Operation: Convoy Escort

Date: 18th December 1942 (Friday)

Unit: No. 227 Squadron. Coastal Command. 245 Wing. 205 Group

Type: Beaufighter VIC

Serial: X8133

Code: M

Base: RAF Ta Kali, Malta

Location: 150 miles south East of Delimara, Malta

Pilot: Sgt. Ford John Franklin NZ/412219 RNZAF Age 20. Missing - believed killed

Obs: P/O. Colin Campbell MacColl 134513 RAFVR Age 24. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

The 2 crew were serving with 46 squadron but attached to 227 as the squadron were without aircraft at this time.

Taking off at 08:10 hrs with three others to escort a shipping convoy heading for Malta.

During the flight they were vectored onto four S.82's of the Italian airforce, which they engaged. W/O. G.M.C. Thomas with P/O. N.J. Lewis shot down one at 11:42 hrs.

X8133 was hit and seen to go down trailing smoke crashing into the sea at 11:35 hrs. One of the crew was seen to climb into a dingy and paddle towards the downed S.82 the crew were huddled on a wing. However he was pushed away by the Italians. Both of the crew were classed as missing - believed killed and remembered on the Malta Memorial.

The Italian crew of four were rescued as well as the six passengers were rescued by floatplane from 614 Squadriglia.

Burial and personal details:

Sgt. Ford John Franklin. Malta Memorial. Panel 5, Column 2. Also remembered on his parents grave at Wharerangi Lawn Cemetery in Napier. Born on the 07th October 1922 at Dannevirke. Worked as a clerical clerk for Public Service Commissioners Office at Napier. Enlisted at Levin on the 12th April 1941. Initial training with No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 25th May 1941. Embarked for Canada on the 22nd July 1941. Further pilot training with No. 4 Service Flying Training School on the 21st August 1941. Pilots badge awarded and promoted to sergeant on the 02nd January 1942.

Embarked for England on the 23rd January 1942. Attached to No. 2 Operational Training Unit on the 26th May 1942 flying the Beaufighter.Embarked for Nigeria on the 24th August 1942 then by air to Egypt via Sudan arriving 22nd September 1942. Then by air to Malta on the 12th October 1942. Finally attached to 227 squadron on the 14th October 1942. Son of Albert (died 07th November 1961, age 66) and Winifred Emily Franklin (died 21st March 1969 age 74), of Bay View, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. A total of 258 flying hours logged and on his 15th operational sortie. Credited with 2 enemy aircraft destroyed with 1 more damaged.

P/O. Colin Campbell MacColl. Malta Memorial. Panel 3, Column 1. Also remembered on parents grave at Duror Cemetery, Ballachulish. Son of Donal (died 03rd September 1959, age 77) and Catherine (nee Campbell - died 25th July 1966, age 80) MacColl, of 7 Talbot Road, Ballachulish, Argyllshire and husband of Ruby Phillips Parker MacColl, of Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland. Credited with 2 enemy aircraft destroyed with 1 more damaged.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Denise Gore for grave photo, 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 - 2025 Last Modified: 23 October 2021, 11:13