Operation: SOE, France

Date: 28th/29th April 1944 (Friday/Saturday)

Unit No: 149 (East India) Sqn, 3 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Stirling III

Serial: EF238

Code: OJ: H

Base: RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk

Location: RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk

Pilot: Plt Off. Ian Campbell Macarthur DFC 173336 RAFVR Age 26. Safe (1)

Flt Eng: Sgt. Peter Winward 1815662 RAFVR Age 19. Safe (2)

Nav: Flt Sgt. A.W. Braine 1586624 RAFVR Age? Safe

Bomb Aimer: Plt Off. William Alexander ‘Bill’ Marjerrison J21721 RCAF Age 22. Safe (3)

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. George Lewis Kerr 1312727 RAFVR Age 23. Safe (4)

Air Gnr (Mid Upper): Plt Off. C.W. Stone 53591 RAF Age? Safe

Air Gnr (Rear): Sgt. Cyril William Pain 612846 RAF Age 23. Safe (5)

REASON FOR LOSS:

On the night of the 28th/29th April 1944 149 (East India) Sqn were detailed to support 38 Group SOE operations over France. EF238 was one of twenty-six (26) Stirlings and ten (10) Halifaxes on operations this night. One Stirling returned early but the remainder of the aircraft successfully completed their drops.

EF238 was hit by Flak and upon returning to base and crash-landed at 04:40 hrs due to damaged undercarriage. The aircraft was Cat. E and was a written-off. No injuries were reported for the crew in fact this crew flew again on the night of the 29th/30th April on another SOE operation.

(1) 1374425 Flt Sgt. Macarthur was appointed to a Commission and promoted to Plt Off. on the 1st March 1944 (London Gazette 25th April 1944). On the 1st September 1944 his promotion to Plt Off. was confirmed and he was promoted to Fg Off. (London Gazette 12th September 1944).

Fg Off. Macarthur was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) whilst with 149 Sqn (London Gazette 15th September 1944).

Ian Campbell Macarthur was born on the 14th March 1918 in Govan, Glasgow. Ian passed away on the 14th July 1994 in Inverness.

(2) Flt Sgt. Winward was appointed to a Commission and promoted to 195473 Plt Off. on the 7th March 1945 (London Gazette 27th April 1945). On the 7th September 1945 his promotion to Plt Off. was confirmed and he was promoted to Fg Off. (London Gazette 2nd October 1945).

Peter Winward was born on the 5th July 1924 in Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. Peter passed away on the 9th March 1916 in Grange-over-Sands, Lancashire.

(3) Note: For some unknown reason the Squadron Operations Record Book (ORB) lists Plt Off. Marjerrison’s initials as S.G.

Above: p. 267 of the LEGION – Saskatchewan Command – Military Recognition Service Book Volume XIV (Courtesy of Heidi Marjerrison)

(4) Flt Sgt. Kerr was appointed to a Commission and promoted to 183124 Plt Off. on the 11th August 1944 (London Gazette 22nd September 1944). On the 11th February 1945 his promotion to Plt Off. was confirmed and he was promoted to Fg Off. (London Gazette 20th March 1945).

George Lewis Kerr was born on the 14th February 1921 in Foyers, Inverness, Scotland. George passed away on the 31st October 2001 in Somerset, England.

(5) Flt Sgt. Pain was appointed to a Commission and promoted to 54936 Plt Off. on the 4th May 1944 (London Gazette 28th July 1944).

Records show that a Cyril W. Pain was born on the 30th November 1920 in London. No further information found.

Burial Details:

None – All appeared to have survived the war.

Researched by Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to the crew and their families with thanks to Heidi Marjerrison for the information about her great uncle, William Alexander ‘Bill’ Marjerrison (Nov 2025)

Other sources listed below:

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