Squadron Personnel who Failed to Return

The lists on this page are of those servicemen who failed to return from an operation. Sadly the marjoity of these will have been men who lost their lives on active service, but some will have survived. In addition to those on who died ca. 85 members of No. 550 Squadron took to their parachutes over the continent. The great majority of these became Prisoners of War but a small number evaded capture and were helped back to England.

The extended version of the lists includes further information about each servicemen such as service number and grave number/location information and links to other sources where available.

Definitions of the abbreviations used are available: here.

Roll of Honour

The men who lost their lives on active service are listed in the Roll of Honour (or Roll of Honour (extended version)).

Survivors: Prisioners of War

The following were captured following the loss of their aircraft.

Rank	Initials (First Name)	Last Name	Medals	Service	Service Number	Other Information	Date FTR	Aircraft	Other Details
F/O	A (Alec)	Abrams	-	RCAF	R.159941	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS on 28.7.44 Interned in Camp L3. PoW No.8493 Commissioned service number J87651 Crew photo in one of Patrick Otter's "Maximum Effort" books	14 Oct 1944	NG133	A Abrams
F/O	S R (Stephen Roy)	Angill	-	RAF	1614540	Injured. (Also Service Number 162344?)	21/22 Feb 1945	NN715	S R Angill
F/O	S C (Stanley Christmas)	Beeson	-	RAF	175515	First live op as 2nd pilot to S/L Nicholas LL134, 3rd June 1944 Interned in Camp L1. PoW No.5275	28 Aug 1944	PA991	S C Beeson
W/Cdr	B (Bryan)	Bell	-	RAF	37375	Commanding Officer: 18 Sep 44 - 22 Feb 45 (Missing). Moved to No.1 Group Aircrew pool w.e.f. 24/12/43 Then posted back to 550 Sqdn as CO on the loss of W/Cdr Sisley First President of Northumbria Branch of the Aircrew Association. Died 1985	22 Feb 1945	NN715	B Bell
Sgt	D B (Dennis Bertin)	Boyce	-	RAF	3034274	Injured.	21/22 Feb 1945	NN715	D B Boyce
Sgt	G E (George Edward)	Brown	-	RAF	1013549	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up May have transferred in from 103 Squadron (where the W/O Miller crew seems to have been posted sometime around the middle of September 1943) Reported missing w.e.f. 20/2/1944 Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1596	19/20 February 1944	LM461	G E Brown
Sgt	J C (John Christopher)	Cartwright	-	RAF	1587409	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 10/1/44 Interned in Camps L6/357. PoW No.1268	30/31 January 1944	ND396	J C Cartwright
F/O	A J (Arthur Lawrence)	Coldwell	-	RCAF	J.40002	Confined in Hospital due to injuries until Liberation. No PoW No. A J listed in ORB but name of Arthur Lawrence obtained (TBC)	7/8 Jan 1945	NG363	A J Coldwell
Sgt	A C (Anthony Constantine)	Crilley	-	RAF	545827	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1. L.F.S. w.e.f. 27/2/44 Ordered to bale out (PoW) Posted to W.C.A.D (N.E) on being reported missing on 4.5.44	3 May 1944		A C Crilley
F/Sgt	J A (John Andrew)	Cromie	-	RAAF	A.410635	Posted to 550 Sqdn (25/11/43) on Sqdn start-up from 100 Sqdn Interned in Camp 4B, PoW No.267499 Believed blown clear of the exploding Lancaster as he could not recall bailing out.	2/3 Dec. 1943	LM301	J A Cromie
Sgt	R B (Roy Barton)	Cumberlidge	-	RAF	633728	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base 14.6.44 Interned in Camp L7, PoW No.509	28/29 Jul 1944	NE164	R B Cumberlidge
Sgt	D P	Dingle	-	RAF	1604425	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight w.e.f 25.11.43 Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.2129	25/26 Feb. 1944	ED942	D P Dingle
Sgt	J E (James Edmund)	Donnan	-	RAF	1260412	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight w.e.f 25.11.43 Interned in Camp 4B, PoW No.269835	1/2 Jan 1944	DV189	J E Donnan
Sgt	J R	Drury	-	RAF	1817357	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base 14.6.44 Interned in Camp L7, PoW No.513	28/29 Jul 1944	NE164	J R Drury
F/Sgt	P H (Paul)	Evans	-	RCAF	R.149303	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight w.e.f 25.11.43 Was blown out of the exploding bomber. PoW No.269842	1/2 Jan 1944	DV189	P H Evans
Sgt	D V H	Evans	-	RAF	1395184	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up May have transferred in from 103 Squadron (where the W/O Miller crew seems to have been posted sometime around the middle of September 1943) Reported missing w.e.f. 20/2/1944 Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1891	19/20 February 1944	LM461	D V H Evans
Sgt	D F (Donald Francis)	Fadden	-	RAF	1802535	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight w.e.f 25.11.43 Detained for interrogation in Dulag Luft, no PoW No.	1/2 Jan 1944	DV189	D F Fadden
F/Sgt	L F (Leslie)	Figg	-	RAF	1692400	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 153 Sqdn w.e.f 8.11.44 Posted to R.C.A.D w.e.f 24.2.45 Inj 23/24 Feb. 1945	23/24 Feb. 1945	LM273	L F Figg
Sgt	A	Finnigan	-	RAF		Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f. 17.2.45 Inj. 7/8 Mar. 1945. Confined in hospital due injuries until repatriation to UK 3 Apr 1945. Returned to squadron 7th Apr 1945	7/8 Mar 1945	ME503	A Finnigan
Sgt	W C	Frost	-	RAF	1576570	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 10/1/44 Interned in Camps L6/357. PoW No.1056	30/31 January 1944	ND396	W C Frost
Sgt	C V	Gale	-	RAF	1608358	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 10/1/44 Interned interned in Camps L6/357 PoW No.1057	30/31 January 1944	ND396	C V Gale
Sgt	R L (Raymond Leslie)	Gibbs	-	RAF	1436189	Injured.	21/22 Feb 1945	NN715	R L Gibbs
Sgt	R (Rodney)	Gray	-	RAF	1892763	Injured.	21/22 Feb 1945	NN715	R Gray
F/O	D H	Grundy	-	RCAF	J.88124	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 153 Sqdn w.e.f 8.11.44 Posted to R.C.A.D w.e.f 24.2.45 Inj. 23/24 Feb. 1945 On more than one operation (15th Dec, 7th Jan, 14th Jan, 16th Jan, 1st Feb, all in LM273 "O", listed as J.L. Grundy According to 166 Sqdn web-page P/O D H Grundy (J88124) posted into 166 Sqdn - 25.9.1944, posted to 153 Sqdn. - 7.10.1944	23/24 Feb. 1945	LM273	D H Grundy
Sgt	W C (Charlie)	Gundry	-	RAF	1654359	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight w.e.f 25.11.43 No PoW no.		DV189	W C Gundry
F/Sgt	J P	Harrison	-	RAF	1233248	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con Unit w.e.f. 10/2/44 First live op as 2nd pilot to W/O Miller, LM461 19 Feb 44. Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.1734	19/20 February 1944	LM461	J P Harrison
Sgt	K J R	Hewlett	-	RAF		Interned in Camp L7, PoW No.783	28 Aug 1944	PA991	K J R Hewlett
Sgt	D J (Douglas James)	Hicks	-	RCAF	R.285802	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 POW Inj. A book published in 2020 includes photographs of Douglas Hicks in 1945-1966. Died 16 August 2014 aged 89	7/8 Mar 1945		D J Hicks
Sgt	G	Hunter	-	RAF	1337657	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 10/1/44 Interned in Camps L6/L4, PoW No.1629	30/31 January 1944	ND396	G Hunter
Sgt	D	Hunter	-	RAF	1479638	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base 14.6.44 Interned in Camp L7, PoW No.518	28/29 Jul 1944	NE164	D Hunter
Sgt	P H	Hurst	-	RAF	1092315	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up May have transferred in from 103 Squadron (where the W/O Miller crew seems to have been posted sometime around the middle of September 1943) Reported missing w.e.f. 20/2/1944 Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.2113	19/20 February 1944	LM461	P H Hurst
Sgt	J	Jackson	-	RAF	2206208	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 24.5.44	16/17 June 1944	LL747	J Jackson
F/Sgt	D S	Jeffrey	-	RAF	1339840	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.3447	30/31 Mar 1944	LM425	D S Jeffrey
Sgt	J S	Jenkins	-	RAF	1324768	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 24.5.44 Initially evaded capture until captured in Antwerp 27Jul44 and interned in Camp L7, PoW No.593	16/17 June 1944	LL747	J S Jenkins
Sgt	S A	Keirle	-	RAF	1335551	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Interned in Camp L7, PoW No.119, after a period of hospitalisation	30/31 Mar 1944	LM425	S A Keirle
Sgt	G P	Kelleher	-	RAF	1836271	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 POW Inj. Died 25 August 1973 aged 48	7/8 Mar 1945		G P Kelleher
W/O	E W	King	-	RCAF	1860932	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 153 Sqdn w.e.f 8.11.44 Posted to R.C.A.D w.e.f 24.2.45 Inj. 23/24 Feb. 1945 (broken ankle)	23/24 Feb. 1945	LM273	E W King
Sgt	R H	Laney	-	RAF	1853772	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f 28.2.45 Confined in Hospital due injuries, until Liberation.	15/16 Mar 1945	NG287	R H Laney
F/L	R J (Robert)	Liefooghe	-	RAF	131067	Belgian national b. Arques (FR) 26.6.1920, d. Sutton Colfield (U.K.) 5.7.1988 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 170 Sqdn w.e.f. 8.11.44 Survived crash. Interned in Camp 5A The web-link given claims to be a photo of a fragment of F/L Liefooghe Lancaster	17 Mar 1945	NG336	R J Liefooghe
P/O	J W	Lowe	-	RCAF	J.23125	Posted to 550 Sqdn (w.e.f. 25/11/43) on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Interned in Camp L1, PoW No.1598	26/27 Nov. 1943	LM379	J W Lowe
S/L	K	MacAleavey	DFC	RAF	117149	Flight Commander A Flight: 20 Jul 44 - 28 Aug 44 (Missing) Interned in Camp L1 PoW No.5294	28 Aug. 1944	PA991	K MacAleavey
Sgt	F M	Main	-	RAF	1672385	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f 15.10.44 Confined in Hospital due injuries (broken leg)	7/8 Mar 1945	PA995	F M Main
Sgt	J	Matthews	-	RAF	1518211	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 24.5.44	16/17 June 1944	LL747	J Matthews
P/O	J L	McKeown	-	RCAF		Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Interned in Camp L3, PoW No.3374	14/15 Jan 1944	DV306	J L McKeown
W/O	R C (Roy)	McLauchlan	-	RCAF	R.192560	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 153 Sqdn w.e.f 8.11.44 Posted to R.C.A.D w.e.f 24.2.45 Inj. 23/24 Feb. 1945 (shot in right lung by 30calibre bullet)	23/24 Feb. 1945	LM273	R C McLauchlan
Sgt	E J	Morgan	-	RAF	1835337	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 24.5.44	16/17 June 1944	LL747	E J Morgan
F/Sgt	F	Neal	-	RAF		Interned in Camp L7, PoW No.797	28 Aug 1944	PA991	F Neal
F/O	G J (Gordon James)	Nicol	-	RCAF	J.41228	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 POW Inj. A book published in 2020 includes numerous photographs of Gordon Nicol. Died 6 June 1986 aged 63	7/8 Mar 1945		G J Nicol
F/O	G H (Geoffrey Howard)	Packham	-	RAF	161076	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 24.5.44 2nd pilot to S/L Smith, 5 June 44 Died October 2017 (an obituary was published in The Daily Telegraph, 10/11/2017)	16/17 June 1944	LL747	G H Packham
Sgt	S (Stanley)	Pelham	-	RAF	2210760	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 625 Sqdn w.e.f. 8/11/44 Confined in Hospital due injuries Originally listed on the Roll of Honour. However, although he was shot down, he survived the war and went on to marry, have 2 sons, 2 grandsons and 4 granddaughters (2 after his death). He died on 30th July 1987.	7/8 Mar 1945	PA995	S Pelham
Sgt	C C C	Pettit	-	RAF	1800865	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 24.5.44	16/17 June 1944	LL747	C C C Pettit
Sgt	H C	Petty	-	RAF	1075957	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con Unit w.e.f. 10/2/44 Posted to No. 11 Base for re-crewing w.e.f. 22/2/44 (as member of "headless crew" following loss of pilot F/Sgt J P Harrison) Posted back to 550 Sqdn March FTR (PoW) - Interned in Camp L1, PoW No.3651	15/16 Mar 1944	LL852	H C Petty
F/O	G	Pickavance	-	RCAF	J.22587	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 10/1/44 Interned in Camps 9C/L3, PoW No.1812.	30/31 January 1944	ND396	G Pickavance
Sgt	J J (Jack)	Sawkins	-	RAF	1171762	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight w.e.f 25.11.43 PoW No.269877	1/2 Jan 1944	DV189	J J Sawkins
Sgt	L I	Smith	-	RAF	1529676	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 10/1/44 Interned in Camps L6/L4, PoW No.1262	30/31 January 1944	ND396	L I Smith
Sgt	M B (Maurice Braham)	Smith	-	RAF	1710408	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 101 Sqdn 1.12.44 Confined in Hospital due injuries. Escaped late March and returned to unit, 11 Apr 45.	7/8 Mar 1945	PA995	M B Smith
Sgt	P W	Smith	-	RAF	1197286	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight (but does not appear to transfer in with any specific crew) Confined in Hospital due injuries. No PoW No	26/27 Nov. 1943	LM379	P W Smith
Sgt	R F	Stevens	-	RAF		Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f. 17.2.45 Inj. 7/8 Mar. 1945 Confined in hospital due injuries until repatriation to UK 3 Apr 1945 Returned to squadron 7th Apr 1945	7/8 Mar 1945	ME503	R F Stevens
Sgt	S (Stanley)	Sykes	-	RAF	1803081	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up (25/11/43) from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Interned in Camp 4B, PoW No.270085 (possibly 270885). Died 2000	21/22 Jan 1944	EE107	S Sykes
Sgt	W G	Upton	-	RAF	961931	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.3451	30/31 Mar 1944	LM425	W G Upton
Sgt	T W	Vittle	-	RAF	1852658	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f. 10/1/44 Interned in Camp L1. No PoW No	30/31 January 1944	ND396	T W Vittle
F/O	R	Warren	-	RAF	137893	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Bailed out over Germany. Interned in Camp L3, PoW No.3399	30/31 Jan 1944	DV305	R Warren
Sgt	S J	Webb	-	RAF	1896964	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f 15.10.44 Confined in Hospital due injuries	7/8 Mar 1945	PA995	S J Webb
Sgt	R E	White	-	RAF	568466	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up May have transferred in from 103 Squadron (where the W/O Miller crew seems to have been posted sometime around the middle of September 1943) Reported missing w.e.f. 20/2/1944 Interned in Camps L6/357, PoW No.2101	19/20 February 1944	LM461	R E White
Sgt	F A	Willson	-	RAF	1612607	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. Hemswell on 24.5.44	16/17 June 1944	LL747	F A Willson
Sgt	K D (Kenneth Douglas)	Winstanley	-	RAF	634829	F/O Adams Crew posted from 11 base w.e.f. 27/09/1944. Interned in Stalag Luft 1. No PoW No. Was usually the MU/AG, but had swapped places with F/O Renton to be R/AG on this flight. Father-in-law of Torin Douglas (BBC)	5/6 Jan 1945	NG331	K D Winstanley
Sgt	D	Yardley	-	RAF	1583633	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS Hemswell on 25.4.44 Injured in the crash.	27/28 May 1944	JA712	D Yardley
F/O	E	Yaternick	-	RCAF	J.25760	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1. L.F.S. w.e.f. 27/2/44 Ordered to bale out (PoW) Posted to W.C.A.D (N.E) on being reported missing on 4.5.44	3 May 1944		E Yaternick
F/Sgt	D J (David Johnston)	Yemen	-	RCAF	R.206017	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 Inj. Incorrectly included in original Roll of Honour as KIA. SURVIVED Phforzeim on NF998 - SOURCE F/O D.J.Hicks RCAF See also the reports on the investigations into the loss of Harris crew in ME428 in the RCAF Archives, Ottawa Married 21 May 1945 (Douglas Hicks best man) A book published in 2020 includes photographs of David Yemen in the years 1945-1985. Died 30 May 1986 aged 71	7/8 Mar 1945		D J Yemen

Service Representation

The breakdown of servicemen across the participating Air Forces is:

Royal Air Force	55
Royal Australian Air Force	1
Royal Canadian Air Force	13
Royal New Zealand Air Force	0
TOTAL	69

Survivers: Evaded Capture

The following either evaded capture or, in one or two cases, were captured and then escaped.

Rank	Initials (First Name)	Last Name	Medals	Service	Service Number	Other Information	Date FTR	Aircraft	Other Details
Sgt	G B C (Guy Claud)	Capon	-	RAF	1874898	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f 28.2.45 Confined in Hospital due injuries, but succeeded in escaping.	15/16 Mar 1945	NG287	G B C Capon
P/O	W (William ("Bill"))	Dinney		RCAF	J.22061	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1662 Con. Unit w.e.f 12/01/44 Evd: 28/29 Jul 1944 flying with H Jones crew NE164 Noted in the ORB entry for 28/29 Jul 44 as "... who has for several weeks been acting as the Squadron Navigation Leader".	28/29 Jul 1944	NE164	W Dinney
F/O	R (Roy)	Kay	-	RAF	53358	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS Hemswell on 27.5.44 Evaded capture Aided by local Dutch people to return to England. Post-war Roy Kay worked for Barclay's bank and later he had a grocery store, living in the Kingston-upon-Thames area. He died in March 2009	16/17 June 1944	ME840	R Kay
Sgt	E J (Eli Joseph)	Molnar	-	RCAF	R.168366	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS Hemswell on 25.4.44 Evaded capture	27/28 May 1944	JA712	E J Molnar
Sgt	J G (John Goffin (Jack))	Pearce	-	RAF	1163899	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1. L.F.S. w.e.f. 27/2/44 Ordered to bale out (evaded captured and made his escape back to the UK via Gibraltar) Posted to W.C.A.D (N.E) on being reported missing on 4.5.44 12th July entry ORB records Sgt Pearce had returned to the UK After his return Sgt Pearce was posted to 228 Squadron at RAF Pembroke Dock flying Sunderlands. Demobbed in January 1946. b. 19/04/1914,d. 03/08/1992.	3 May 1944		J G Pearce

Service Representation

The breakdown of servicemen across the participating Air Forces is:

Royal Air Force	3
Royal Australian Air Force	0
Royal Canadian Air Force	2
Royal New Zealand Air Force	0
TOTAL	5

Survivers: Injured

The following survived crashes with injuries.

Rank	Initials (First Name)	Last Name	Medals	Service	Service Number	Other Information	Date FTR	Aircraft	Other Details
Sgt	C E G (Cyril Ernest George)	Bream		RAF	1871428	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f 05/04/45 Admitted to Pomigliano hospital 6th Oct 45 with serious injuries (one leg nearly severed at the thigh) when RF136 crashed on an Operation Dodge flight.	6th Oct. 1945	RF136	C E G Bream
F/Sgt	C W	Graham		RAF	1567576	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 71 Base w.e.f 05/04/45	6th Oct. 1945	RF136	C W Graham
P/O	H S	Vaughan	-	RAF	175077	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 16/06/44 According to W/O Porter flight log flew as 2nd pilot to W/Cdr Connolly 11 Jul 44 (returning to base with engine trouble), 3 days before W/Cdr Connolly FTR. Also flew with W/Cdr Sisley 1 month before he too FTR. LM229 Orleans 4 Jul 1944 crashed on take-off (all survived,Vaughan injured). Various ORB entries: HE, ES or R Vaughan(??)	4 Jul 1944		H S Vaughan

Service Representation

The breakdown of servicemen across the participating Air Forces is:

Royal Air Force	3
Royal Australian Air Force	0
Royal Canadian Air Force	0
Royal New Zealand Air Force	0
TOTAL	3

Survivers: Survived Crashes

The following survived crashes.

Rank	Initials (First Name)	Last Name	Medals	Service	Service Number	Other Information	Date FTR	Aircraft	Other Details
F/Sgt	W G (Bill)	Anderson	-	RAF	1522859	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. w.e.f 24.11.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from W.C.A.D 8.3.45 11/44 - 11/45	1/2 Feb 1945	RA502	W G Anderson
Sgt	W (William)	Aspinall	-	RAF	638124	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. on 5.6.44 Member of a headless crew from 19/07/44 (when pilot F/O Clark killed); survived aircraft loss (baled out Seething) Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 11 Base for re-crewing w.e.f 5.8.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f. 2.10.44 Posted to A.C.A.C w.e.f 26.02.45	18/19 July 1944	DV279	W Aspinall
F/O	F W (Frederick William)	Bennett	-	RAF	134689	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Survived emergency landing 30/31 Jan 1944 Posted to No. 11 Base on 12.6.44 No more information about F/O Bennett until October 1944, when he transfers from the General Duties branch of the R.A.F. to the Admin and Special Duties branch on 14/10/44 as reported in The London Gazette of 21/11/44 Died June 2017	30/31 Jan 1944	DV305	F W Bennett
Sgt	P E (Paul Edward)	Binder	-	RAF	1198527	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. on 5.6.44 Member of a headless crew from 19/07/44 (when pilot F/O Clark killed); survived aircraft loss (baled out Seething) Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 11 Base for re-crewing w.e.f 5.8.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f. 2.10.44 6/44 - 2/45 (in two crews H.A.T. Clark and L.O. Williams	18/19 July 1944	DV279	P E Binder
Sgt	I V (Ivor Victor)	Browse	-	RAF	1812005	LL850 was wrecked but no crew injuries	7 July 1944	LL850	I V Browse
F/O	W K (William Kenneth)	Campbell	-	RAAF	A.429447	Aircraft lost 18/19 March 1945. Gathered up by units of US X12th Corps, spent several exciting days advancing with these forces into Germany.	18/19 March 1945	ME548	W K Campbell
F/Sgt	S G (Sidney George)	Card	-	RAF	1271977	LL850 was wrecked but no crew injuries	7 July 1944	LL850	S G Card
F/Sgt	V B (Vincent Bernard)	Cassapi	-	RAF	1389507	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. w.e.f 24.11.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from W.C.A.D 8.3.45	1/2 Feb 1945	RA502	V B Cassapi
P/O	L C	Davies	-	RAF	162813	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 16/06/44 Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C. Brackla on 31.10.44	4 July 1944		L C Davies
Sgt	F E (Frederick Edward)	Drawbridge	-	RAF	1897969	Posted to 550 Sqdn from 1654 CU w.e.f 13/03/45 NG132 crashed 17 Mar 1945 - was the only survivor Died January 1992, aged 69	17 Mar 1945	NG132	F E Drawbridge
Sgt	T	Elliott	-	RAF	646851	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 16/06/44 Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C. Brackla on 31.10.44	4 July 1944		T Elliott
F/Sgt	T (Thomas)	Fairclough		RAF	1077120	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1667 Con. Unit w.e.f. 6.8.44 Not transferred in with a crew, rather he appears as a single transfer ORB notes on 13.3.45 1077120 W/O Fairclough "Missing from 103 Sqdn"[Ed: lost on a mining operation over the Kattegat (source Patrick Otter). The only man from 550 Squadron ever lost on a mining operation.] (W/O Fairclough) Posted from 550 Sqdn to 1668 CU w.e.f. 4.5.45 16 flights with F/O Hussey crew 2 flights with F/O Doward crew	13 Mar 194		T Fairclough
F/Sgt	F G	Ferguson	-	RAAF	A.419893	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS on 16.7.44 26 Aug 1944 W5005 (Nan), ditched in Humber - no injuries Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C Brackla, w.e.f 2-1-45	26 Aug 1944	W5005	F G Ferguson
Sgt	H C	Gilbert	-	RAF	1320715	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Survived emergency landing 30/31 Jan 1944 Posted to R.A.F. Eastchurch 27/5/44	30/31 Jan 1944	DV305	H C Gilbert
Sgt	R F J (Ronald Frederick John)	Gorman	-	RAF	1893597	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 Aircraft lost 18/19 March 1945. Gathered up by units of US X12th Corps, spent several exciting days advancing with these forces into Germany.	18/19 March 1945	ME548	R F J Gorman
Sgt	R H	Hoggard	-	RAF		LL850 was wrecked but no crew injuries	7 July 1944	LL850	R H Hoggard
P/O	R (Richard)	Hopman	UNUSED	RAAF	A.35127	F/Sgt later P/O Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS on 16.7.44 First operational flight: flew as 2nd Pilot with F/O Shaw 1 Aug 1944 2nd pilot to G/C McIntyre, DV200 (8 Aug 1944) 26 Aug 1944 W5005 (Nan), ditched in Humber - no injuries Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 27 O.T.U , w.e.f 25-1-45	26 Aug 1944	W5005	R Hopman
F/Sgt	G W	James	-	RCAF	R.169607	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. on 5.6.44 Member of a headless crew from 19/07/44 (when pilot F/O Clark killed); survived aircraft loss (baled out Seething) Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 11 Base for re-crewing w.e.f 5.8.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f. 2.10.44	18/19 July 1944	DV279	G W James
F/Sgt	A (Alan)	Jarnell	-	RAF	2218984	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. w.e.f 24.11.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from W.C.A.D 8.3.45 Posted to No. 13 Base N/E Sick 28.4.45 Posted to No. 7 A.C.H.U 17-7-45	1/2 Feb 1945	RA502	A Jarnell
Sgt	W E	Johnson	-	RAF	1819790	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. on 5.6.44 Member of a headless crew from 19/07/44 (when pilot F/O Clark killed); survived aircraft loss (baled out Seething) Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 11 Base for re-crewing w.e.f 5.8.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f. 2.10.44	18/19 July 1944	DV279	W E Johnson
F/O	A W L (Aubrey)	Lohrey	-	RNZAF	NZ.426051	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. w.e.f 24.11.44 First live op as 2nd pilot to F/O G W Bell PD221, 4 Dec 1944 Posted to 550 Sqdn from W.C.A.D 8.3.45	1/2 Feb 1945	RA502	A W L Lohrey
Sgt	D L (David Lesley)	Marks	-	RAF	1709204	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. on 5.6.44 Member of a headless crew from 19/07/44 (when pilot F/O Clark killed); survived aircraft loss (baled out Seething) Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 11 Base for re-crewing w.e.f 5.8.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f. 2.10.44 Posted to A.C.A.C w.e.f 26.02.45	18/19 July 1944	DV279	D L Marks
F/Sgt	G R	Martin	-	RAF		Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS on 16.7.44 26 Aug 1944 W5005 (Nan), ditched in Humber - no injuries	26 Aug 1944	W5005	G R Martin
F/Sgt	R E	McKenzie	-	RAAF	A.432851	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS on 16.7.44 26 Aug 1944 W5005 (Nan), ditched in Humber - no injuries Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C Catterick w.e.f. 19-3-45	26 Aug 1944	W5005	R E McKenzie
Sgt	R W	Metcalfe	-	RAF	628002	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 16/06/44 Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C. Brackla on 31.10.44	4 July 1944		R W Metcalfe
Sgt	A J	Miles	-	RAF		Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 Aircraft lost 18/19 March 1945. Gathered up by units of US X12th Corps, spent several exciting days advancing with these forces into Germany.	18/19 March 1945	ME548	A J Miles
F/Sgt	D (Denis)	Porter	-	RAF	1559393	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 16/06/44 From Glasgow. Flew with P/O Vaughan. Survived to become a teacher and deputy Headmaster in Glasgow	4 July 1944		D Porter
Sgt	L D	Purser	-	RAF	1880009	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 16/06/44 Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C. Brackla on 31.10.44	4 July 1944		L D Purser
F/Sgt	W E	Reed	-	RAF	1399233	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. on 5.6.44 Member of a headless crew from 19/07/44 (when pilot F/O Clark killed); survived aircraft loss (baled out Seething) Posted from 550 Sqdn to No. 11 Base for re-crewing w.e.f 5.8.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from 11 Base w.e.f. 2.10.44 Posted to A.C.A.C w.e.f 26.02.45	18/19 July 1944	DV279	W E Reed
WO2	E	Salte	-	RCAF	R.166019	LL850 was wrecked but no crew injuries	7 July 1944	LL850	E Salte
F/Sgt	J K	Sharpe	-	RAAF	A.437167	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS on 16.7.44 26 Aug 1944 W5005 (Nan), ditched in Humber - no injuries Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C Brackla, w.e.f 11-1-45	26 Aug 1944	W5005	J K Sharpe
F/Sgt	R E (Robert (Bob))	Sloan	-	RAAF	A.434659	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS on 16.7.44 26 Aug 1944 W5005 (Nan), ditched in Humber - no injuries Posted from 550 Sqdn to A.C.A.C Brackla, w.e.f 2-1-45 One of the founding members of 550 Squadron and North Killingholme Association.	26 Aug 1944	W5005	R E Sloan
Sgt	R C (Ronal Charles)	Smith	-	RAF	1877794	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 Aircraft lost 18/19 March 1945. Gathered up by units of US X12th Corps, spent several exciting days advancing with these forces into Germany.	18/19 March 1945	ME548	R C Smith
Sgt	D A	Stanley	-	RAF		LL850 was wrecked but no crew injuries	7 July 1944	LL850	D A Stanley
P/O	S B	Taylor	-	RAF		Initially F/Sgt Taylor, later P/O First Live op as 2nd pilot to P/O Bouchard, ND425, 22 Api 1944 LL850 was wrecked but no crew injuries	7 Jul 1944	LL850	S B Taylor
Sgt	A W E (Albert William Edward)	Walters	-	RAF	649296	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 LFS w.e.f 3.6.44 26 Aug 1944 W5005 (Nan), ditched in Humber - no injuries Posted to A.C.A.C. Brackla w.e.f. 6.10.44	26 Aug 1944	W5005	A W E Walters
Sgt	W J	Watson	-	RCAF	R.212254	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 11 Base w.e.f 16/06/44	4 July 1944		W J Watson
F/Sgt	E C (Eddie)	Westhorpe	-	RAF	1803960	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 1 L.F.S. w.e.f 24.11.44 Posted to 550 Sqdn from W.C.A.D 8.3.45 Posted to 13 Base N/E w.e.f. 1.3.45	1/2 Feb 1945	RA502	E C Westhorpe
Sgt	A (Alexander)	Wilson	-	RAF	1569521	Posted to 550 Sqdn from No. 71 Base w.e.f. 8-1-45 Aircraft lost 18/19 March 1945. Gathered up by units of US X12th Corps, spent several exciting days advancing with these forces into Germany.	18/19 March 1945	ME548	A Wilson
Sgt	P W (Percy William)	Wise	-	RAF	1808389	Posted to 550 Sqdn on squadron start-up from 100 Sqdn "C" Flight Survived emergency landing 30/31 Jan 1944 Posted to R.A.F. Eastchurch 27.5.44 Died 13 May 2016	30/31 Jan 1944	DV305	P W Wise
Sgt	R L	Wood	-	RAF		LL850 was wrecked but no crew injuries	7 July 1944	LL850	R L Wood

Service Representation

The breakdown of servicemen across the participating Air Forces is:

Royal Air Force	31
Royal Australian Air Force	6
Royal Canadian Air Force	3
Royal New Zealand Air Force	1
TOTAL	41

The details were last updated: 21 November 2024

Note

Return to the top of the page.