Trafford

Joined the Metro-vicker's Company as a Junior Clerk in May 1940 and
employed in the Cost Department.    Joined the RAF in October 1941 and was
commissioned as a Pilot Officer.   Reported missing, believed killed, when
his aircraft crashed whilst returning from a raid over Germany in December
1943.

Flying with 57 Sqn, they took off at 16.25hrs from R.A.F. East Kirkby,
Lincolnshire, in a Lancaster Mk.III, No. JB373 DX-N on a bombing operation
over Berlin.   They were last heard of on their W/T stating that they were
homebound.  They subsequently ditched in the North Sea and are all
commemorated at Runnymede.

Air/27 - Pilotted by Pilot Officer John Hinde, the a/c carried 2 x 1,000 lb
medium case bombs - 1 x 500 lb MC bomb - 600 x 4 lb incendiary bombs and 48
x 30 lb incendiary bombs.   17 a/c were detailed, there was 10/10 cloud
over Berlin, but PFF markers were well concentrated and they bombed the
eastern part of the City which was severely damaged inflicting heavy
casualties.

One crew member - Flt. Sgt. Charles Hurley (later W/O) was rescued by
Minesweeper "Typhoon" having been spotted by an a/c from 106 Sqn.  He was
eventually killed on another raid on the 22nd June 1944.