Operation: Operation Jubilee

Date: 19th August 1942 (Wednesday)

Unit No: 226 Squadron (motto: Non sibi sed patriœ - 'For country not for self'), 2 Group

Type: Boston III

Serial: AL710

Code: MQ:Z

Base: RAF Swanton Morley, Norfolk

Location: Gatwick, Surrey

Pilot: Plt Off. Wilfred Ronald Gellatly 40563 RNZAF Age 21. Safe (1)

Obs: Fg Off. Frederick John 'Johnnie' Starkie 118630 RAFVR Age? Injured (2)

WOp/Air Gnr: Plt Off. Laurence John Braithewaite Waters 411111 RNZAF Age 21. KiA

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 10:15 hrs. from RAF Thruxton, Hampshire (on detachment) with 3 others to lay a smoke screen in support of the Dieppe operation.

The operation was a disaster within ten hours, of the 6,086 men who landed, 3,623 had been killed, wounded or became prisoners of war. The Luftwaffe made a maximum effort against the landing as the RAF had expected but the RAF lost 106 aircraft (at least 32 to anti-aircraft fire or accidents), against 48 German losses. The Royal Navy lost 33 landing craft and a destroyer.

Whilst over the target area they were hit by Flak killing Plt Off. Waters and wounding Fg Off. Starkie.

Plt Off. Gellatly managed to return to England and carried out a crash landing at Gatwick. The Boston was struck off charge. Plt Off. waters was buried at Horley on the 22nd August 1942.

The other 226 Squadron aircraft taking part this day:

Boston III Z2264 MQ:F Flown by Sgt. R. Parsons, hit by flak but managed to crash land ar RAF Middle Wallop. All crew safe.

Boston III AL680 MQ:L Flown by Fg Off. Robert Alan Marks 87018 PoW No: 658 Stalag Luft 3 - his other two also PoW.

Boston III AL704 MQ:W Flown by Flt Lt. Robert Aubrey Yates-Earl DFC 40163 hit by Flak but managed to return. Aircraft later struck off charge on the 29th October 1942. All crew safe.

Boston III AL730 MQ:P Flown by Plt Off. Robert James Corrigan J15537 RCAF killed with one other crew member, one taken PoW.

(1) Plt Off. Wilfred Ronald Gellatly survived the war, later receiving the OBE and AFC as well as MiD. He was born at Dunedin on the 17th December 1920. Completed at least 75 sorties with various units including 266, 293 and 487 Squadron. After the war trained on helicopters and eventually became chief test pilot for Westland. Died in Somerset, England, in August 1983 age just 62.

(2) After he recovered from his injuries Fg Off. Starkie is posted to 487 Sqn, RNZAF and was awarded the DFC. He is featured in a report on 487 Sqn Ventura II AE916.

Burial details:

Plt Off. Laurence John Braithewaite Waters. Horley (St. Bartholomew) New Churchyard. Block A. Row N. Grave 2. Born on the 5th February 1921 at Blenheim. Son of Laurence David and Amy Waters (née Braithewaite), of Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand.

Worked as a truck driver for Marlborough Transport prior to enlisting. Enlisted on the 15th November 1941 at Levin. Awarded air gunners wings and promoted to sergeant on the 13th October 1941. Joined 226 squadron from 17 OTU in July 1942. 127 flying hours logged an on his first operational sortie.

His brother Fg Off. Cyril Melrose Waters 72250 RNZAF was to also lose his life on the 23rd March 1952. Killed in Mosquito NZ2331 along with his navigator Sgt. John Raymond Campbell 72314 RNZAF whilst serving with 75 Squadron RNZAF. The father of Cyril witnessed the accident.

Researched by Kelvin Youngs (Webmaster) and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand (Feb 2021). Thanks to Sally Crook for the correction for the information about Fg Off. Starkie. (Feb 2024).

Other sources as quoted below:

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