ETIENNE – Hugh Terrence

1392533 – H.T. Etienne – Leeward & Windward Islands – attested 19.6.41 – P/O – Pilot
129058 – F/O – commissioned 1.9.42 – Missing believed killed – D.P. 5.3.43

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876 – Nominal Roll of Coloured Candidates, October 1944]

129058 – Flying Officer
Service No: 129058  Service: RAFVR
Trade/Branch:   Pilot    DOB:
Squadron(s): 214 (F.M.S.) Sqn
Station/Unit/Ship: Chedburgh
Group: 3     Command:   Bomber
Nationality: St Lucia
Disposal:   KIA   Age  21  yrs   Date Died:    5 Mar 1943
Aircraft 1: Stirling Mk3 BK662 BU-K

According to Chorley the aircraft took off at 19.35 hrs from their base at Chedburgh, Suffolk on a raid to Essen. They were shot down by flak and crashed into the sea west of Ijmuiden, Holland at 22.10 on 5 March 1943. All the crew were killed. Only the body of William Hedley Trotter was found. Chorley also notes that this aircraft was 214 Sqn’s first Mk III Stirling loss. (Previously they’d been using / losing Stirling I’s). The crew comprised of : Sgt Harry William Baldock (Pilot), Sgt Peter Roy Kimber, F/O Hugh Terence Etienne, Sgt William Taylor, Sgt William Hedley Trotter (Air Gunner), Sgt Ernest Albert Wright, F/S Alphe Baptiste Amirault (RCAF); (Source : Richard Trotter nephew of William Hedley Trotter, Ian Hunt and Nightjar Newsletter)

Buried At: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial : Panel 124.
Next of Kin: Son of Auguste and Rosetta Etienne, of Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies.

He was a Civil Servant in St Lucia but left home in 1940 to join the RAF

[Source(s): Trinidad Guardian 20 Mar 1943; CWGC; 214 (FMS) Sqn Association]

Rembembered on St. Lucia website

Possibly the crew of BF478. Sgt Ronald V. Street is shown on front right. This is from the collection of the sister of Ronald. Are you able to recognise and place names to any of the other crew? Mr. Ben Eustice feels that the West Indian chap, right, back row is F/O. Hugh Terence Etienne 129058 RAFVR – he was later ‘missing’ on an operation 5th March 1943. Flying with 214 Squadron Stirling BK662 BU-K on a raid to Essen when they were hit by flak, crashing into the North Sea. (courtesy Nicky Davenort) – See more at: http://aircrewremembered.com/evans-john.html

2 additions to “ETIENNE – Hugh Terrence”

  1. Kelvin T. Youngs adds:

    One of your followers recently contacted us regarding a photograph on one of our loss pages. He feels that he could well be F/O. Hugh Etienne. If you would like a copy of that I would be happy to share it with you. Page: http://aircrewremembered.com/evans-john.html

    Hope this helps
    Kelvin

    May 28th, 2014 at 11:25 pm
  2. Terrence Etienne adds:

    Mr. Ben Eustice is absolutely correct the gentleman, right back row, is my uncle F/O. Hugh Terence Etienne 129058 RAFVR. I sent a copy of the picture to my aunt and uncle, his brother and sister, in St. Lucia and they have confirmed that he is the one.

    June 15th, 2015 at 2:02 am

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