A MEMORIAL TO THE FEW - RAF BOLT HEAD 1939 - 1945

MALBOROUGH PARISH CHURCH

The hand-written Memorial in Malborough Parish Church commemorating men of the RAF who came from all over the world to defend our country and who gave their lives for us. Only 17 names but their exploits, and those of their comrades who lived, have become part of our history.

© Richard J. Brine

Air Commodore Reginald Pyne, of the RAF, 10 Squadron Staff Officer. Son of William and Harriet Pyne; husband of Agnes Kathleen Pyne of Ford, Chippenham, Wilts. Born in Reading in the June Quarter of 1899. Died 17 May 1944 aged 45.

To read more about 41 Squadron in the Second World War, visit

http://brew.clients.ch/RAF41Sqdn.htm

He was shot down by flak in Typhoon MN524 during an attack on St. Malo Harbour, France. Alton Ryan held the 1939-45 Star, the Atlantic Star; the War Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp. Operational Wings were awarded to him posthumously 28 May 1947.

Like Alton Ryan, he was shot down by flak in his Typhoon during an attack on St. Malo Harbour, France.

Flying officer John Alfred Hodgson of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, 263 Squadron. Son of Fred and Amy Hodgson of Rippon, Yorks. Born in Yorkshire in 1919. Died 7 July 1944 aged 25. Commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

310 (Czech) Squadron was formed at Duxford 10 July 1940 - the official starting date of the Battle of Britain - and was entirely composed of Czech Air Force crews who had escaped from France via Poland. 86 of the pilots went into action immediately and through their skill and daring, played a significant role in that Battle. In May 1942, Exeter Airport became the Squadron's base station with a detachment being sent to Bolt Head to work alongside Coastal Command.

No 313 Squadron was formed at Catterick 10 May 1941 as the third Czech fighter squadron, equipped with Spitfires. A detachment of this Squadron arrived at Bolt Head on 10 June 1942 and remained there for about a year.

401 (RCAF) Squadron was based at Middle Wallop from 21 June 1940 and played a key role in the Battle of Britain. It was deployed from various Devon airfields in the struggle to defend the Western Approaches.

During the early years of the war, the RAF flew "Rhubarb"* operations daily as a ploy to distract the  Luftwaffe from more important operations by forcing them to get their planes off the ground and take part in one-to-one combat. The British used Spitfires for these missions but in 1942 the Germans produced a superior plane - the Focke-Wulf FW190 A-3 - so far ahead of our technology that in April that year, we lost no fewer than 113 planes in a single month! Somehow, we retained belief in the tactic and on 29 July 1943, Jock Campbell was killed leading a section on yet another Rhubarb mission. He was shot down and killed at Vieux-Marche, some 13 kilometres south of Lannion.

(So-called from an old  stage direction to a background crowd - everyone to say "rhubarb" in different tones, pitches and speeds to create atmosphere.)

610 Squadron was stationed at Bolt Head 26th June 1943 to 19 Dec 1943 then 16th May 1944 to 24th May 1944. When Edward Barff was killed, the function of 610 Squadron was to patrol convoys in the Channel and carry out air/sea rescues.

610 Squadron was stationed at Bolt Head 26th June 1943 to 19 Dec 1943 then 16th May 1944 to 24th May 1944. 

From 610 Squadron's Log Book:

"4 Nov 43: Today the squadron suffered a tragic blow in the loss, in an ASR Patrol, of Flying Officer Paul Evrard, a Belgian pilot who had been with the Squadron for some considerable time. He was flying Spitfire BM 427 when it is thought that he was blinded by the sun on a turn and his port wingtip struck the water and he disappeared. Although our aircraft searched the spot, nothing more was seen of Flying Officer Evrard. His quiet unassuming manner made him many friends and his loss was a great blow to the Squadron". 

The son of an artist, Ronnie joined the RAF in 1939 while still a student.  In 1942 he was awarded the DFC. followed a few weeks later by the award of a BAR. This is the citation for the award of the Bar to his DFC which was published in the London Gazette 21 July 1942 when he was with 249 Squadron:

"In April 1942, this officer displayed great courage and determination as leader of a section which intercepted 8 Junkers 87s escorted by fighters. In the ensuing engagement, Flying Officer West destroyed 1 and probably destroyed another of the enemy's  bombers. When returning to base, he sighted a Junkers 88 and, although he had expended his ammunition, he attacked this aircraft head on and forced it to jettison its bombs. In June 1942, Flying Officer West shot down a Junkers 88; he was immediately attacked by a fighter but skilfully evading it, he flew to the assistance of one of his fellow pilots who was being attacked by another fighter. Flying officer West destroyed this attacker. Whilst returning to bas, he observed one of our pilots afloat in his dinghy whereupon he passed information as to the position. Flying officer West then flew on and made a safe landing at base. This officer has destroyed at least 7 enemy aircraft."

For his cool courage and many acts of bravery, Robert Gouby was awarded the Legion d'Honneur, the Croix de Guerre (8 mentions), the DFC, and was Mentioned in Despatches.