Operation: Circus

Date: 13th January 1943 (Wednesday)

Unit: 401 Squadron (RCAF) The Rams

Type: Spitfire Vb

Serial: EN130

Code: YO-?

Base: RAF Catterick

Location: RAF Catterick

Pilot: F/O. Hugh Constant Godefroy J/3701 RCAF Age 24. Safe

We are extremely grateful to François Dutil (438 Squadron Archivist) for supplying photographs and information to Aircrew Remembered in October 2017. All photographs shown within this page are available to relatives at a higher resolution (as are most of those named within this page) - courtesy of François.

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a circus in the early morning when engaged by Me109. The pilot managed to return to base - Spitfire suffered category B damage - repaired but destroyed in a collision later on the 04th January 1944.

Above L-R: F/O. Hugh Godefroy with P/O. Jack Ferguson, F/O. Hugh Godefroy, F/O. Hugh Godefroy with F/O. John Weir.

Later on the 26th June 1943 Sq/Ldr. Godefroy DFC. whilst serving with 403 Squadron was involved in a collision with F/O. Bowen. He managed to return to base in his Spitfire IX MA467 with no injuries. F/O. Bowen baled out of his Spitfire MA564 breaking his left arm but safe.

F/O. John Weir C/1650 RCAF Shot down on the 08th November 1941 - flying Spitfire 'Liphamola' Vb AB922. On an escort to Calais in the morning and wounded. PoW No: 715 Camp: Stalag Wegschelde (9B) Lost on the same operation and killed 20 year old, Sgt. Robert Walters Gardner R/78091 RCAF from Ontario, Canada. Buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

26 year old, P/O. Jack Kenneth Ferguson J/15276 RCAF flying Spitfire IX BS159 YO-F, on the 17th August 1942, hit by enemy fighters over the channel - neither the aircraft or the body of the pilot were recovered - he is commemorated on the Runnymede and Ottawa Memorial.

L-R: P/O. John Randolph Patton, Sq/Ldr. Douglas, Sgt. Jim Flander, P/O. Gerald Bickle Whitney, P/O. Hugh Merritt, Sgt. Slim Cosburn, Fl/Sgt. James Whitham, Sgt. Alec Blakely, Sgt. Jerry Denancrede, P/O. Hugh Godefroy, P/O. Ormston. Front: Sgt. Don Morrison, Sgt. Chuck Pope, Sgt. Frank Duff.

Wing Commander Hugh Constant Godefroy, DSO, DFC, Bar, Croix de Guerre, died April 3, 2002, in South Carolina, USA. Served with 401 RCAF Squadron from shortly after the Battle of Britain and later was C/O. of 403 Squadron.

In 1983 he published the book of his time in the RACF "Lucky Thirteen". ISBN-13: 978-0920002193 - 276 pages written in English, available here.

Burial details:

None - survived the war.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Francois Dutil, other sources as quoted below. We must bring your attention to the work completed by Joe on his "Flying For Your Life" Website who has a lot more information on this pilot and indeed many others.

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