21 Brave Airmen, March 1943

[WelwynGC1]

Another 99% certain l now know is "Roy Clifford Haycock" killed on the infamous Nuremberg raid at the end of March 1944.

The one l am researching at the moment is "*******"........the only one l can find that was an A/G and fits the timescale is one (Name removed in case he is still living) who was with 78 Squadron and was shot down in December 43 and became a POW.

Camp 4B   Muhlberg-Elbe     267487. (Prisoner no.)

No way of telling if its the same one though, unless someone knows different?

I am also told that P/O Tubman survived the war and died in 2008.

Steve.

[DeeBoneham]

Steve

78 Sqn are having a reunion sometime in the near future.  I cant remember which of the forums I saw that on - think its rafcommands I am sure if you emailed the contact for that he would ask his vets for you (or go along to it).  if not rafcommands try www.ww2talk.com or www.cfww2.com for the 78 sqn reunion thread.

Dee

[WelwynGC1]

Thanks Dee, have just registered with a WW2 forum, though not one of those....have to activate it from home as l do most of my viewing at work but use my home email.
Will have a look, lots of 78 sq info.

Steve.

[DeeBoneham]

Scrimnet can probably tell you cos I bet he keeps tabs on the other forums too!
Dee

[Beevee]

Wonderful! I have just come across your photo of the 21 brave airman. Reggie Exon was a distant cousin of mine and I have been trying to find out what happened to him. Is it possible to get a better copy (without the slant).
He is buried in my local cemetery
Beevee

[WelwynGC1]

Wonderful reply Beevee.....l was hoping when l originally posted that l would one day have contact with another relative. Unfortunately l do not have a better copy of the photo.
Imagine the job l have had trying to find stuff out without knowing their initials!!
Reginald Herbert Exon was a bit easier because of the unusual surname.

The photo was taken in Canada....no. 34 Operational Training Unit which was at Pennfield Ridge New Brunswick.

Exon somehow found his way to 180 Squadron which was part of the second Tactical Air Force, supporting the invasion after D-Day. sadly he was killed at the end of June 44 when they were shot down.

1601071   Flight Sergeant  R H Exon  RAFVR

Son of Herbert George and Mary Maud Exon of Keynsham.

Sadly my Uncle was lost without trace.

Try the Pennfield Parish Military history site for a possible better photo.

And again.........thanks for posting.

[WelwynGC1]

Beevee is this any better??

Steve.

[Beevee]

Thanks Steve, I never thought I would get a picture of Reggie after all these years. The second is much better.
He was the son of my great uncle Herbert Exon who ran a dairy in Keynsham and I often worked for Herbert washing out bottles. His death affected Herbert greatly and of course when he in turn died he had no heir and the business had to be sold off. Sadly a few months after Reggie's death Herbert was the one to find the body of another airman impaled on beanpoles after a wellington crashed near Keynsham! Reggies remains were returned to his family who buried him in Keynsham Cemetery.
 I am sorry to see that uncle disappeared without trace: its a shame you cant find out where he met his end. Regards Brian

[WelwynGC1]

Great Brian, l wonder if Reggie was at the same gunnery school as my Uncle....No 9  at Mont-Joli,Quebec.

I suspect my Uncles Lancaster went down in the North Sea, but at least he played his part, albeit for only three missions. I have his service records and his medals and the fateful telegram that told the family he was missing.....all very poignant. (See my letters and telegrams thread)

My current project is to find out as much as l can about the other twenty men on the photo......difficult l know but it will keep me occupied!

Regards......

Steve.