Operation: Ramrod

Date: 11th November 1941 (Tuesday)

Unit: No. 607 Squadron 11 Group

Type: Hurricane IIB

Serial: BE221

Code: AF-?

Base: RAF Manston, Kent

Location: Saint-Valery-en-Caux

Pilot: P/O. Linton William Stevenson NZ/404961 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

P/O. Stevenson took off at 14.45 hrs with seven others to attack an ammunition dump and train wagons. The formation flew at low level to France with several other squadrons and found visibility so poor that some machines nearly hit cliffs, violent evasive action being required to clear them.

One squadron turned back after becoming separated in 10/10ths cloud at low level. P/O. Linton Stevenson went missing near Saint-Valery-en-Caux, shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

Also lost on this operation:

402 Squadron Hurricane IIB BE472 Flown by 29 year old, Fl/Sgt. Marshall Robert Ross Vair R/71606 RCAF hit by flak and killed.
65 Squadron Spitfire VB W3629 Flown by 25 year old, Sgt. George Desmond Morcom NZ/403470 RNZAF also understood to have been hit by flak.
234 Squadron Spitfire Vb W3934 Flown by 25 year old Sgt. Wilfred Ernest Sapsed 1253598 RAFVR.

Burial details:

P/O. Linton William Stevenson. Janval Cemetery. Section F, Row B, Grave 14. Born on the 01st May 1917 at Invercargill, the son of Frederick Howard and Elizabeth Cameron Stevenson (née Stewart), of Auckland City, New Zealand. Prior to service worked as a clerk for Dyes and Chemicals Ltd. A total of 220 flying hours logged and on his 2nd operational sortie.

Sgt. George Desmond Morcom. Janval Cemetery. Section F, Row B, Grave 10. Born on the 21st March 1921 at Christchurch, the son of George Young Morcom and Hilda Morcom (née Cossgrove), of North Beach, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. Husband of Jean Inglis Arnott Morcom (née Percy), of Christchurch. A clerk for P and T prior to service. A total of 269 flying hours logged and on his 9th operational sortie.

Fl/Sgt. Marshall Robert Ross Vair. Janval Cemetery. Section F, Row B, Grave 12. Born on the 19th April 1912 at Toronto, the son of Dr Marshall George Vair (dentist) and Lina Gamey of 109 Clendenan Avenue, Toronto, Canada.

Sgt. Wilfred Ernest Sapsed. Janval Cemetery. Section F, Row B, Grave 8. Son of Wilfred John and Florence Matilda Sapsed, of Finchley, Middlesex, England. Grave inscription: 'To Him That Overcometh, A Crown Of Life Shall Be'.

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

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