Operation: Patrol

Date: 26th October 1940 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 229 Squadron. 11 Group (motto: 'Be bold')

Type: Hurricane I

Serial: W6669

Code: RE-?

Base: RAF Northolt, Middlesex

Location: English Channel

Pilot: F/O. Geoffrey Mervyn Simpson 41481 RAF Age 21. Missing - believed killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Takin off at 10:50 hrs as leader of 'Blue' section on patrol off the French coast. The squadron spotted enemy fighters and chased them over the coast but failed to make contact.

Returning to England a low-flying Hw59 float plane was spotted near Boulogne and Blue section attacked, forcing the He59 to land on the sea.

The three Hurricanes were then attacked by enemy fighters and came under fire from shore-based flak. Only 1 aircraft, flown by 24 year old, Sgt. Ommanney 742535 RAF managed to return to base. (see below)

Hurricane V6704 flown by Sgt. Donald Ballantine Hardy McHardy was hit but the pilot managed to force land to be captured. Received facial injuries after hitting the Gunsite. (see below for other details). F/O. Simpson was also shot down and reported as missing.

Burial details:

F/O. Geoffrey Mervyn Simpson. Runnymede Memorial. Panel 6. Born on the 22nd June 1919 in Christchurch. Educated at Christ's Collage in Christchurch. Worked as a clerk for Maling and Company - general merchants. Served in the NZ Army territorials 11th February 1936 - November 1937. Selected for short service commission on the 27th of July 1938. Embarked for England on RMS Rangitata on the 25th of August 1938 and arrived on 29th September 1938.

To RAF Ansty to train with No. 9 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School as a pilot under training on the 06th October 1938. Commissioned on the 06th October 1938. With No. 6 Flying Training School 02nd January 1939 at Little Rissington. Pilots badge awarded on the 06th May 1939. Joined 229 squadron at Digby on the 06th October 1939 and carried out 92 operational sorties. a total of 492 flying hours logged. Credited with 3 enemy aircraft destroyed, 1 shared destroyed and a further 1 damaged.

Son of Herbert Massey Simpson and Hilda Cameta Simpson (née Limbrick), of Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Others:

Sq/Ldr. Donald Ballantine Hardy McHardy 40928. Born 10th January 1918. PoW No. 17 Camp: Stalag Luft Sagan. Died in 1962, age just 44 and buried at Holy Trinity Church, Taliaris, Wales.

W/O. Rupert John Ommanney. Runnymede Memorial, Panel 72. Born on the 4th of September 1915 in Devon. Joined 229 squadron on the 17th June 1940. Son of Francis Frederick and Olive Caroline (née Owen) Ommanney. Husband of Edith. Missing on the the12th February 1942 along with three others from the squadron off Le Touquet, France.

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

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 - 2025 Last Modified: 25 July 2022, 15:41