AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Allied Forces

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.
Check our Research databases: Database List
.
We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.
208 crest
15th June 1941 208 Squadron Hurricane I N2626 F/O. Holdsworth

Operation: reconnaissance

Date: 208 Squadron (motto: 'Vigilant') Palestine and Transjordan Comman

Unit: No. 15th June 1941 (Sunday)

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: N2626

Code: RG-?

Base: Gaza, Palestine

Location: Meraajoun, Southern Lebanon

Pilot: F/O. Cedric West Holdsworth 40913 RAF Age 25. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 15:45 hrs on a repeat reconnaissance undertaken earlier in the day over Quatana - Kissque - Damascus area searching for another that failed to return. Flying Hurricane I Z4628 21 year old F/O. Keith Macrostie that was hit by Allied anti-aircraft fire and forced landed.

After refuelling at Rosh Pinna took off again at 16:50 to continue the reconnaissance.

Whilst over the aircraft it seems that he was trying to drop a message when he suffered the same fate!

He forced landed his Hurricane and according to 'Dust Clouds in the Middle East' written by Christopher Shores, age pilot was shot dead whilst climbing out of Z4628 by French colonial troops.

Burial and personal details:

F/O. Cedric West Holdsworth. Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. Grave J.43. Born on the 16th April 1916 at Wellington. Worked as a collection clerk for Wilberfoss and Harden accountants prior to service. Selected for a short service commission with the RAFin April 1938. Embarked for England on the 07th April 1938. Pilots badge awarded on the 20th March 1939. Joined 208 squadron in Egypt on the 05th September 1939 flying the Lysander and Hurricane. Son of Frank and Winifred Jessie Holdsworth (née West), of Kelburn, Wellington City, New Zealand. A total of 516 flying hours logged and on his 25th operational sortie.

F/O. Keith Ernest Macrostie 41192 RAF. Damascus Commonwealth War Cemetery. Grave J.10. Promoted to P/O. on the 25th July 1939 and then F/O. on the 03rd September 1940. Son of W/Cdr. Reginald David Gorrie Macrostie MBE, MiD. and Eleanor Irene May Macrostie (née Williamson). Grave inscription: 'When Day Is Done And Shadows Fall We Think Of You'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot 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, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 07-04-2021

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
Acknowledgements
Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and Captain François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Andrew Mielnik: Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Polish graves: https://niebieskaeskadra.pl/, PoW Museum Żagań, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it

 Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

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: 07 April 2021, 12:49

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor