Trafford

Commemorated on the family gravestone in Sale Cemetery - H.1540.

407 Maritime Patrol Squadron History.  The Formation of 407 (MP) Squadron.
During World War II, on 8 May 1941, 407 squadron was formed at Thorney
Island, Hampshire, England. Originally a strike squadron under Coastal
Command, its pilots trained to seek out and bomb enemy shipping, which they
did with remarkable skill. The squadron was first equipped with the
Blenheim MK IV light bomber, which was used for a short period of six to
seven weeks, and later took on the Lockheed Hudson. During a period of 19
months the squadron destroyed an estimated 500,000 tonnes of enemy
shipping. It was during this period of history that 407 Squadron earned its
nickname, the Demons, due to its tenacity to carry out attacks.

The war with Germany raged on. The Allies were in desperate need of a
strong air power. Several squadrons were created; Canada was given series
400 for its squadrons to avoid confusion with RAF units. 407 Squadron
arrived at North Coates, Lincolnshire on 9 July 1941 with Lockheed Hudsons;
from here they worked their way into the history books. The Squadron had
some of its best success at this base, sinking 150,000 tons of Axis
shipping. They struck the shipping at minimum altitude, making for highly
dangerous operations. 407 Squadron's first action came on 7 September 1941.
The mission involved searching for a lost Whitley and attacking an enemy
mortar vessel. The Squadron quickly became experts at their jobs under the
guidance of the unit’s CO, Wing Commander Styles. In February 1942, 407
Squadron left North Coates. In a decisive and strategic role change, 407
Squadron was converted from a bombing unit to an anti-submarine unit,
flying the Wellington out of RAF Station Bircham Newton.