1383404 – G.D. Cumberbatch – Barbados – Sgt – Ach/W.op/A.G. – attested 31.12.40
K. 5.3.43

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

1383404 – Sergeant – Air Bomber – RAFVR – 100 Sqn

He was the eldest child and only son of Charles WIlkinson Cumberbatch and Ocatavia Ceciliy Cumberbatch née Jordan, of St. Lucy, Barbados. He was born 2nd June 1921 and baptised 34rd July 1921 as Greystone Doyle Cumberbatch at St. Lucy Parish Church. He died 5th March 1943, aged 21. Buried in Lincolnshire, England (Grave B.2 Long Bennington (St. Swithun) Churchyard).

Member or the Barbados Second Contingent

[Source: AE]

[photograph from Concise & Illustrated Military History of Barbados 1627-2007 by Major Michael Hartland]

The Barbados Second Contingent
Back row: C.P. King, J.S. Partridge, A.A. Walrond, J.L.L. Yearwood, M.R. Cuke, E.W. Barrow – Front row: G.D. Cumberbatch, A.P.C. Dunlop, H.E.S. Worme, G.A. Barrow, A.O. Weekes, B.F.H. Miller.

Subsequently killed were: Sgt. Charles Parnell King, Sgt. Arthur Adolphus Walrond, Pilot Mark Radford Cuke, Sgt. Grey Doyle Cumberbatch, Flying Officer Andrew P.C. Dunlop, Pilot Officer Bruce F.H. Miller

The First Contingent, the Harold Wright Contingent as is became known, sailed 27th July 1940 and was recruited for the forces generally. However, the Second Contingent were recruited for the RAF and departed Barbados in November 1940. The 12 men selected included Errol W. Barrow, who would survive the war, enter politics and eventually become Barbados’ first Prime Minister (1966-1976)

[Source: Barbados at War 1939-1945 by Warren Alleyne, privately published 1999, p.9]

Name: CUMBERBATCH, GREY DOYLE
Initials: G D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Air Bomber)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 100 Sqdn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 05/03/1943
Service No: 1383404
Additional information: Son of Charles Wilkinson Cumberbatch and Octavia C. Cumberbatch, of St. Michael, Barbados.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave B.2.
Cemetery: LONG BENNINGTON (ST. SWITHUN) CHURCHYARD

Lancaster ED549 Gardening Mission

T/O 18.32 from Grimsby. Crashed at 03.08 while trying to land land at Langar Airfield, Nottinghamshire on return from a Gardening sortie. This was the first mission by 100 Squadron after they had received Lancasters and their mission area was St. Nazaire (another aircraft, ED559, crashed in the target area). All but one of the crew were killed.

F/Sgt G R Avey RCAF
Sgt B T Hallett
Sgt A H Spence
Sgt G D Cumberbatch
Sgt J Robinson
Sgt D S Davies Inj
F/Sgt R S Landry RCAF

Sgt. G.D. Cumberbatch is mentioned in “Lost Bombers” –
Lancaster ED549 Information.

A part of it is as follows:
This was 100 Sqdns first Lancaster operation and, with ED559 the first Lancaster operational losses for the Sqdn. ED549 was one of two 100 Sqdn Lancasters lost on this operation. See ED559. Airborne 1832 4Mar43 from Grimsby. Crashed 0308 4Mar43 while trying to land land at Langar Airfield, Nottinghamshire on return from a Gardening sortie. Both Canadian airmen and Sgt Cumberbatch, who came from Barbados, are buried in Long Bennington (St.Swithin) Churchyard. F/S G.R.Avey RCAF KIA Sgt B.T.Hallett KIA Sgt A.H.Spence KIA Sgt G.D.Cumberbatch KIA Sgt J.Robinson KIA Sgt D.s.Davies Inj F/S R.S.Landry RCAF KIA ”

Cumberbatch Grey Doyle Sgt RAF 1383404 21
Bomb Aimer 4/5-3-43 Lancaster ED549 Minelaying

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

In 2008 the Barbados Postal Service issued a set of stamps commemorating their men who served in the Royal Air Force in WW2. More »