• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists
Operation: Hach Patrol (anti-invasion/reconnaissance)
Date: 09th October 1940 (Monday)
Unit: 235 Squadron (Coastal Command)
Type: Blenheim IV
Serial: N3530
Code: LA-S
Base: RAF Thorney Island, West Sussex.
Location: South of Thorney Island, English Channel.
Pilot: P/O. James Charles Kirkpatrick 81630 RAFVR Age ? Missing
Obs: P/O. Richard Ceredig Thomas 82731 RAFVR Age ? Killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. George Ernest Keel 751079 RAFVR Age 20. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Taking off at 16:30 hrs with 2 other Blenheims from the squadron, they were thought to have been attacked by Hptm. Otto Bertram of Stab III/JG2 and were last seen at 3,000 ft descending into cloud. The time of the loss is placed at 17:30 hrs.
The body of Sgt. Keel was washed up at Selsey Bill on the 21st October, then buried with a guard of honour from his squadron. P/O. Thomas’s body was recovered from the sea.
Above L-R: Pilot- P/O. Kirkpatrick, Air Gunner- Sgt. Keel
Burial details:P/O. James Charles Kirkpatrick. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 9. Son of Robert Closeburn and Yvonne Kirkpatrick (nee Liebreclits) of Brussles, Belgium. Despite his name he originated from Belgium.
P/O. Richard Ceredig Thomas. Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery. Sec. P. Grave 1094. Next of Kin details currently not available - are you able to assist completion of these and any other information?
Sgt. George Ernest Keel. Portsmouth (Highland Road) Cemetery. Sec. M. Row 2. Grave 4. Son of Allen George and Gertrude Agnes Keel, of Southsea, England. Grave inscription reads: "Killed In Action".
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to Josette Bens, Mr. Alain Rosseels, Johny Recour from Belgium for further information and photographs. Kirkpatrick family archives, Battle of Britain London Monument, Ross Mcneill - 'Coastal Command Losses’, Graham Warner - 'The Bristol Blenheim’, Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Further reading ‘Coastal Dawn’ written by Andrew D. Bird. Winston G. Ramsey - 'Battle of Britain Then and Now'.
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 - 2024
Last Modified: 10 March 2021, 20:10