Operation: Training
Date: 26th April 1942 (Sunday)
Unit: No. 58 Operational Training Unit
Type: Spitfire Ia
Serial: P9555
Code: -
Base: RAF Grangemouth, Scotland
Location: Airdrie, Scotland
Pilot: F/O. 'Billy' Bernard William John Peathyjohns 68158 RAFVR Age 19. Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
During a training flight collided with another Spitfire flown by 23 year old, P/O. Raymond Archibald Watts 65530 RAFVR.
P/O. Watts managed to nurse his aircraft back to Grangemouth, but sadly F/O. Peathyjohns was killed.
58 Operational Training Unit, Grangemouth, Scotland, Course 19-2:
Front row: F/O. Jan Blaszczyk P-0560 (kia 03;12/1943), P/O. Tomasz Jerzy Jan Legowski P-1800 / 781898 (died 26/11/2011), F/O. Stanisław Grzegorz Kon P-1366 (died 29/11/1984), F/O. Bernard William John Peathyjohns 68158, F/O. Raymond Archibald Watts 65530, P/O. Short, P/O. Rowlands.
Rear row: Sgt. Allen, Sgt. Armstrong, Sgt. Tushingham, Sgt. Jan Józef Zimek 780963 (died 04/12/1986), Sgt. Tadeusz Stanisław Turek P-2217 / 793595 (died 16/01/1993), Sgt. Tadeusz Siemienczuk 783163 (kia 17/04/1942), Sgt. Tomasz Szymonski P-0607 (kia 18/05/1943, Sgt. Bruce.
P/O. Raymond Archibald Watts survived the war, retired on the 19th October 1973 as an Air Commodore holding the CBE and AFC. Passed away on the 20th April 1994 age 75. During his service he flew with 19 Squadron, Flight Commander of 130 Squadron, Commanding Officer 548 Squadron, Commanding Officer 219 Squadron, Test pilot at RAE Farnborough, finally finishing as Director of Flying (Research and Development), MoD.
Note: His name is misspelt on various publications as Peathy-Johns and Peathyjones.
Burial details:
F/O. Bernard William John Peathyjohns. Hither Green Cemetery. Section F. Grave 189. Son of William James Peatheyjohns and Eileen Marie Peathyjohns, of Eltham, London, England. His family grave has the inscription: 'He Gave His Life For His Country'.
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) Squadron and the Grangemouth Spitfire Memorial Trust who provided me with so much information and assistance during my visit.
KTY 27.11.2019
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember
them. - Laurence
Binyon
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