Operation: Dreux
Date: 14th June 1940 (Friday)
Unit: No. 226 Squadron. 76 Wing. (motto: Non sibi sed patriœ - 'For country not for self')
Type: Battle I
Serial: P2335
Code: MQ-N
Base: Faux-Villecerf, France
Location: Breux-Sur-Avre
Pilot: F/O. Kenneth Noel Rea 40260 RAF Age 27. Killed
Obs: Sgt. Frank Nixon 580437 RAF Age 21. Missing - believed killed
W/Op/Air/Gnr: Sgt. Howard Percival White 528627 RAF Age 22. Seriously injured
REASON FOR LOSS:
Part of the Advanced Air Striking Force took off from Sougé to attack enemy armour at Dreux. Thought to have been shot down by Hpt. Karl Ebbighausen of 4./JG26 at 18:30 hrs.
Sgt. Howard White survived the crash and taken to hospital. Sadly, despite treatment at Doullens hospital, he succumbed to his injuries on the 02nd August 1940.
Burial details:
F/O. Kenneth Noel Rea. Breux-Sur-Avre Communal Cemetery. Grave 3. Born on the 13th May 1913 at New Plymouth, the son of Loftus Inkerman Rea and Dorothy Marie Rea (née Denton), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Worked at Masters Wholesale Ltd prior to service.
Sgt. Frank Nixon. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 18. Son of Wilfrid and Emily Nixon, of Crewe, Cheshire, England.
Sgt. Howard Percival White. Doullens Communal Cemetery. Sec. 4. Grave 10. Son of Robert White, and of Lily White, of Paddington, London, England. Grave inscription: "Dearly Loved Son Of Robert and Lily White Of Paddington, London Never Forgotten".
Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Weekly News of New Zealand, other sources as quoted below:
