Operation: Circus 256

Date: 26th January 1943 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 64 Squadron (11 Group)

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: BS278

Code: SH-?

Base: RAF Fairlop, Essex

Location: 7 KM North west Watten, France

Pilot: Sgt. Godfrey Alan McKoy NZ/414651 RNZAF Age 22. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off from RAF Fairlop in Essex at 11:45 hrs and climbed with his squadron to 23,000 ft.

Whilst over St. Omerr the formation split up to deal with aircraft at that height and others at 10,000 ft. During aeriel combat with the lower height Spitfire BS278 was shot down at 12:45, killing Sgt. Godfrey McKoy

Burial details:

Sgt. Godfrey Alan McKoy. Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery (St. Omer). Plot 8. Row A. Grave 5. Son of Charles Lawrence Herbert McKoy, and of Ethel May McKoy (née Allan), of Auckland City, New Zealand. He had some 310 flying hours logged and on his 11th operational sortie.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Errol Martin - “For Your Tomorrow Vol’s 1-3” for his detailed information on the loss, Auckland Cenotaph and Weekly News. Other sources as quoted below:

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