Operation: Antwerp, Belgium

Date: 22nd January 1941 (Wednesday)

Unit No. 139 (Jamaica) Squadron (motto: Si placet necamus - 'We destroy at will'), 2 Group, Bomber Command

Type: Blenheim IV

Serial: T2435

Code: XD:?

Base: RAF Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk

Location: Oulton, Suffolk

Pilot: Flt Lt. Guy Jerrold Menzies DFC 41604 RAF Age 20. Killed (1)

Obs: Sgt. Edwin James Bonney 580480 RAF Age 27. Killed

WOp/Air Gnr: Sgt. Roy Tribick 625678 RAF Age 21. Killed

Note: A Jamaican newspaper started a fund to buy bombers for Britain and in recognition of money raised to buy Blenheims it was decided to link Jamaica with a squadron of the Royal Air Force, hence the 'Jamaica' tag given to the squadron.

REASON FOR LOSS:

Took off at 10:20 hrs. but on approaching the Suffolk coast on return was hit by friendly naval coastal defence anti-aircraft fire.

Shortly afterwards, at 12:29 hrs, the tail broke away and T2435 dived into a field 250 yards from the police house at Oulton, (see map). All three crew died, the pilot being buried at Catton.

The Blenheim had failed to make recognition signals, but it was thought doubtful if the pilot had sighted the coast at the time because of poor weather conditions and was therefore unaware of the need to do so.

(1) Guy Jerrold Menzies worked as a clerical clerk for NZR prior to service. Left for UK on the 22nd September 1938 on the MS Rangitane. Selected for RAF short service commission in 1938. Trained at No. 6 Elementary Flying Training School joining on the 31st October 1938 then to No. 7 Flying Training School on the 28th January 1939.

Above: MS Rangitane 16,700 tons was sunk by the Germans on the 27th November 1940. It was the largest passenger liners to be sunk during World War II. 16 people were killed with 296 survivors were taken prisoner. Due to the number of prisoners the Germans released those of none military age on the island of Emirau off New Guinea, the others sent to PoW camps after landing at Bordeaux.

Pilots Wings awarded and posted to 90 squadron on the 19th September 1939. To 101 squadron on the 20th November 1939. Finally to 139 squadron on 28th March 1940.

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was awarded to Fg Off. Menzies whilst with 139 Sqn and promulgated in the London Gazette on the 17th January 1941.

A total of 369 flying hours logged and completed numerous operational sorties.

Burial details:

Flt Lt. Guy Jerrold Menzies DFC. Old Catton Churchyard (St. Margaret). Grave inscription: 'OF CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND'. Born 5th November 1920 at Christchurch. Son of Charles and Blanche Grove (née Grady - died 29th August 1968) Menzies of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Sgt. Edwin James Bonney. Bromley Cemetery (Plaistow). Sec. P. Grave 7. Grave inscription: 'ALWAYS NEAR'. Born on the 10th October 1913 in Bermondsey, London. Son of James Samuel and Annie Elizabeth (née Cole) Bonney of Bickley. Husband to Bessie Bertha (née Palmer) Bonney of Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, England.

Sgt. Roy Tribick. Crewe Cemetery. Sec. B. Grave 1005. Born on the 22nd January 1941 in Crewe, Cheshire. Son of Herbert James and Ada (née Bruckshaw) Tribick of Crewe, Cheshire, England.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”,Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand (Oct 2021). Thanks to Antonio McDonald for the correction to the Service for Flt Lt. Menzies DFC. Other updates by Aircrew Remembered (May 2025).

Other sources listed below:

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