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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.
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421 squadron crest
421 Squadron Spitfire IX MK235 F/O. Robert Wilton W. Murray

Operation: Beach Patrol

Date: 13th June 1944 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 421 Squadron (motto: Bellicum Cecinere - 'They have sounded the war trumpet')

Type: Spitfire IX

Serial: MK235

Code: AU-?

Base: RAF Tangmere, Sussex

Location: 8 miles south of Tangmere, English Channel

Pilot: F/O. Robert Wilton Murray J/23038 (R/74848) RCAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Returning from a patrol the aircraft developed engine trouble he called in and informed Tangmere that his engine had cut out and that he would be baling out. The aircraft glided into the English Channel at 07.40 hrs some 8 miles south of the base at RAF Tangmere. It seems that Fl/Lt. Murray did bale out, but that his parachute caught in the tail wheel of the aircraft.

His body was recovered by Air-Sea Rescue on the 09th July 1944.

Some reports list it as colliding with NH415, but we understand that the collision that refers to is that of Spitfire IX MJ824, from 127 wing - 416 Squadron, flown by W/Cmdr. Lloyd V. Chadburn DSO bar, DFC. who was killed along with the other pilot, 23 year old Fl/Lt. Frank J. Clark from Brampton, Ontario, Canada of 421 Squadron. Both are buried in France

421 Squadron Spitfire IX (courtesy IWM)

Burial details:

F/O. Robert Wilton Murray. Brookwood Military Cemetery. Grave 52.E.9. Born on the 18th February 1920 in Nanton, Alberta. Enlisted on the 19th October 1940. Wings awarded on the 15th July 1941. At the date of his loss he had a total of 1171 flying hours logged. Son of David Gregg Murray (died 21st October 1935, age 69) and Ethe, Ellen Murray (née New - died 10th February 1935, age 55). Brother of George Cuthbert, David Gregg,John Alexander, (Listed as next of kin) Douglas Gray (serving in the RCAF with 35 'Pathfider' squadron), Ellen Ruby Janet and Ethel Euphina (died 12th November 1914, age 3). Of 2775 West 42nd Avenue, Vancouver, Canada. Epitaph: 'He That Believeth In Me, Though He Were Dead, Yet Shall He Live St. John Xi. 25'.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Linda Murray, relative of the pilot, National Archive, Kew. AIR-27- 1828-11/12. AIR-27-1816-11/12, Paradie RCAF Archives.


KTY 26-09-2925 Page updated

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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.
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