Operation: Anti-Shipping Patrol

Date: 15th July 1942 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 48 Squadron (motto: Forte et fidele - 'By strength and faithfulness') Coastal Command - 18 Group)

Type: Hudson IIIA

Serial: FH378

Code: OY-M

Base: RAF Wick, Scotland

Location: Trondheim Fjord

Pilot: Sq/Ldr. Varley Allen Pedersen 41458 RAF Age 28. Killed

Obs: Fl/Sgt. George Dogue R/69391 RCAF Age 21. Missing - believed killed (Some publications list him as Fl/Sgt. Drogue)

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Thomas Bruce Langoulant Aus/406531 RAAF Age 22. Missing - believed killed

W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Roy Allen Willis Aus/406543 RAAF Age 23. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Taking off at 11:50 hrs on an anti-shipping patrol off the Norwegian coast.

Understood to have been attacked by two enemy fighters, and understood to have been shot down by the Luftwaffe ace Paul Schalk at 15:22 hrs. It is also believed that the Hudson managed to shoot down one of the two Me109f's.

(Weeken Magazine pdf)

The body of the Hudson pilot, Sq/Ldr Pederesen was the only member of the crew to have a grave as his body was washed up near Kya Lighthouse10 days later on the 25th July - the remainder of the crew have 'no known graves' and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

Burial details:

Sq/Ldr. Varley Allen Pedersen. Trondheim Cemetery (Stavne) Grave A IV British. B.7. Born on the 28th October 1913 at Manunui. Worked as a workshop foreman for Tidd Engineering Company Ltd prior to service. Obtained his 'A' licence with Walkato Aero Club on the 01st June 1937 flying 15 plus hours prior to the RAF. Selected for RAF short service commission on the 27th July 1938 and embarked for England on the 25th August 1938 on the liner Rangitata and arriving on the 29th August 1938. Trained further at No. 9 Elementary Reserve Flying Training School on the 06th October 1938. Pilots badge awarded on the 15th April 1939 and joined 222 Squadron flying the Anson and Hudson. Flew a Hudson on a special mission to Malta, via Jersey and Algeria and returning 18-21st June 1940.After flying with various squadron as an instructor joined 48 squadron on the 22nd April 1942. Son of James and Annie Eileen Letitia Pedersen (née Martin later Phelan), of Herne Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. When his body was recovered he was initially buried at the Saetervolden Churchyard at Sör Froya. This very experienced and valued pilot had 1602 flying hours logged and on his 126th operation.

Fl/Sgt. George Dogue. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 103. Born on the 02nd March 1920 Understood to be from Porcupine, Ontario, Canada. No next of kin details - are you able to assist?

Sgt. Thomas Bruce Langoulant. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 112. Born on the 19th March 1920, at Busseltown W.A . Enlisted 06th February 1941 at Perth.The son of Isaac Louis Stevenson (died 22nd December 1960, age 71) and Harriett Alice Langoulant née Stevenson - died 1977, age 72), of South Belmont, Western Australia.

Sgt. Roy Allen Willis. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 113. Born on the 08th May 1919 at Fremantle W.A. Enlisted on the 06th January 1941 at Perth. The son of John and Ruby Evelyn Willis, of East Fremantle, Western Australia.

Details sent by Ian Martyn of Medals Reunited, New Zealand and submitted to Aircrew Remembered - March 2018. Page dedicated to the relatives of this crew. Also to Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum.

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