Lt (A) – RN FAA – Observer – 851 Sqn – Avenger – KIA at 25 on 14 April 1944

Joined RNVR FAA as an Observer in 1942. Posted to 815 Sqn on 6 Apr 1943 equipped with Swordfish and Albacore’s – operating off the Egyptian coast. Then joined 851 Sqn on disbandment of 815 Sqn, equipped with Grumman Avengers. On 14 Feb 1944 embarked HMS SHAHand disembarked at RNAS Katukurunda, Ceylon to commence work up ops. He was killed in a flying accident on 14 Apr 1944 – Son of Sir Henry Albert Alcazar, K.C., and of Lady Alcazar (nee Stone), of Port of Spain, Trinidad.

[Source: CMHA]

Sub Lt (A) – Aircrew – HMS Grebe – KIA at 21 on 12 Febrary 1941

Educated QRC; possibly trained at Piarco HMS Goshawk; Killed on active service on 12 Feb 1942 while serving with RNAS “Dhakeila” Egypt. Died on a crash on Malta – Son of Alexander Taylor McDonald and Mabel McDonald; husband of Irene Rosemary McDonald, of St. Pancras, London.

[Source: CMHA]

Sub Lt (A) – RN FAA – Pilot – 807 Sqn – Fairey Fulmar – KIA at 23 on 25 July 1944

Educated QRC, DOB 12 Jan 1918; Joined 807 Sqn FAA Fairey Fulmar fighters on 21 Nov 1940. Attached fighter catapult ship “Pegasus; embarked HMS Ark Royal early April 1941. KIA while on convoy escort duties Gibralter to Malta. Force H. Body never recovered –  Son of Frederick Geddes Grant and Ada Maud Grant, of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies. B.Com. (Lond.).

[Source: CMHA]

120659 – Flying Officer – Pilot – 208 Sqn – Hurricane – KIA at 22 on 3 July 1943

Flew during the battle of El Alamein. At 1025hrs on 3 Jul 1943, his a/c crashed near El Jiye, a village 15 miles south-west of Beirut. Killed instantly. Was flying as wingman to his squadron leader when he had an engine failure. a/c crashlanded down the slope of hill. Son of John Wolseley Wilson and Gwladys Wilson, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.

[Source: CMHA]

Name: WILSON, JOHN DALTON
Initials: J D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flying Officer
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 208 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 03/07/1943
Service No: 120659
Additional information: Son of John Wolseley Wilson and Gwladys Wilson, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 3. B. 9.
Cemetery: BEIRUT WAR CEMETERY

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

106029 – Squadron Leader – Pilot – RCAF – Boston – KIA on 9 April 1943

Volunteer Trinidad ETS, trained at Piarco 1st Course; flight commander 418 Sqn. Boston Intruder W8325 took off from RAF Ford at 2200hrs on 9 Apr 1943 for an operational sortie over the Melun-Bretigny area and failed to RTB. Later established that the Boston collided in mid-air with a german twin enginned night fighter. The Two aircraft crashed near St Andre airfield, Chapigny la Futelage, Eure, France. Both crews perished. DFC

[Source CMHA]

132304 – Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 18 Sqn – Boston – KIA at 26 on 16 May 1944

Educated QRC; volunteer Trinidad ETS, trained at Piarco. Boston bomber No Wxx94 of 18 Sqn was reported missing at 2030hrs on 16 May 1944 whilst on armed reconnaisance south of Rome. Entire crew were killed. Son of Herman Paul and Kathleen Elaine Urich, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.

[Source: CMHA]

Name: URICH, GEORGE DAVE
Initials: G D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 18 Sqdn.
Age: 26
Date of Death: 16/05/1944
Service No: 132304
Additional information: Son of Herman Paul and Kathleen Elaine Urich, of Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Coll. grave III. K. 17-18.
Cemetery: CASSINO WAR CEMETERY

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

87347 – Pilot Officer – Navigator/Bomb aimer – 53 Sqn – Blenheim – KIA at 22 on 3 June 1943

Educated at QRC; Blenheim T2398 of 53 Sqn, piloted by PO Nicholson failed to return from an operational mission on 7 April 1941. The last known contact was made at 2200hrs on 7 April 1941 near Lundy Island. Bodies never recovered. Son of Stanley and Ellen Stone; husband of Edith Joan Stone.

[Source: CMHA]

605558 – Sergeant – Pilot – Hurricane – KIA at 20 on 1 October 1944

Killed while flying a Hurricane X in a flying accident at 1845hrs on 1 Oct 44, one mile west of St Joseph, D’Alma, Quebec, Canada. Son of Charles and Constance Small, of Cocorite, Trinidad.

[Source: CMHA]

Name: SMALL, CHARLES WALTER RANDOLPH
Initials: C W R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 20
Date of Death: 01/10/1944
Service No: 605558
Additional information: Son of Charles and Constance Small, of Cocorite, Trinidad.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Block B. Lot 16a.
Cemetery: ARVIDA PROTESTANT CEMETERY

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

605558 – C.W.R. Small – Trinidad – attested 7.4.43 – Sgt.
Drowned in crash 1.10.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

177651 – Flying Officer – Pilot – 517 Sqn – Halifax N24…- KIA at 23 on 2 October 1945

Halifax, piloted by Skinner, took off at 2335hrs on 1 Oct 1945 on an operational meteorological sortie. A/C failed to return. Probably ditched in the sea. Body never recovered. Son of Robert and Millicent Skinner; husband of Daphne Gwendoline Skinner, of Newbury, Berkshire.

[Source: CMHA]

136419 – Squadron Leader – Pilot – 181 Sqn – Typhoon – KIA

Volunteer Trinidad, trained at Piarco ETS. Shot down several times; was CO 181 Sqn, Typhoons. Killed at 1210hrs on 27 Dec 44 when his aircraft collided with another aircraft (Canadian pilot) while both were engaged in attacking ground targets during the Battle for Bastogne, in the area of St Vith. Both pilots were killed. Son of Walter Mayow Burgoyne Short, and of Clare Mary Short, of Paddington, London. Awarded DFC

[Source: CMHA]

605470 – W.H.B. Short – Trinidad – attested 28.7.42 – P/O Pilot UK 26.1.43
136419 – A/S/L – F/L (w) – DFC 24.11.44 – commissioned 4.12.42 – missing, believed killed 27.12.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

Click the link for an Archive Report with more details about Squadron Leader Walter Short DFC on Aircrew Remembered.

[Courtesy Ralph Snape]