AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
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.
Check our Research databases: Database List

.

We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the Helpdesk.

FAA Crest
27th January 1945 747 Squadron Barracuda II LS954 Sub/Lt. (A) Pearce

Operation: Training

Date: 27th January 1945 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 747 Squadron. Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm

Type: Barracuda II

Serial: LS954

Code: -

Base: Ronaldsway, Isle of Man. HMS Urley

Location: Irish Sea - see map

Pilot: Sub/Lt. (A) Arthur Leslie Pearce RNZNVR Age 21. Missing - believed killed

Nav: Sub/Lt. (A) Herbert William Wakely RNVR Age 19. Missing - believed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: P/O. (A) Terence Neville Woodhead FAA/FX. 95670 RN Age 21. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking part on a Homing exercise when LS954 was seen turning sharply at 1500 ft. at 10:55 hrs. Seconds later seen to dive steeply into the sea 5 miles off Ronaldsway.

Another Barracuda who witnessed the crash circled the area but saw only debris, oil and an inflated 'M' dingy on the surface.

Burial details:

Sub/Lt. (A) Arthur Leslie Pearce. New Zealand Naval Memorial, Devonport, Auckland. Panel 9. Born on the 06 February 1923 at Christchurch. Worked as a postman for Postal and Telecommunications in Christchurch. Enlisted at Rongotai on the 27th April 1942. Transferred to the RN/FAA on the 16th March 1943 as aircrew under training. Trained in Canada. Joined 747 squadron on the 16th December 1944. Son of William Percival and Daisy Elizabeth Pearce (née Watkins), of Avonside, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Sub/Lt. (A) Herbert William Wakely. Lee-On-Solent Memorial. Bay 6, Panel 6. Son of William Henry and Amy Doris Wakely, of Bristol, England.

P/O. (A) Terence Neville Woodhead. Lee-On-Solent Memorial. Bay 6, Panel 1. Son of Wilson and Alice Woodhead, of Heaton Chapel, Stockport, England.

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to Jenifer Lemaire and to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, AWMM, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:

KTY 30-03-2021

Pages of Outstanding Interest
History Airborne Forces •  Soviet Night Witches •  Bomber Command Memories •  Abbreviations •  Gardening Codenames
CWGC: Your Relative's Grave Explained •  USA Flygirls •  Axis Awards Descriptions •  'Lack Of Moral Fibre'
Concept of Colonial Discrimination  •  Unauthorised First Long Range Mustang Attack
RAAF Bomb Aimer Evades with Maquis •  SOE Heroine Nancy Wake •  Fane: Motor Racing PRU Legend
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 MWO 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', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, 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.
Click any image to enlarge it

Click to add your info via ticket on Helpdesk •Click to let us know via ticket on Helpdesk• Click to explore the entire site
If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.

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: 30 March 2021, 20:56

Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to be informed of changes to this page. Create account for first monitor only, thereafter very fast. Click to close without creating monitor