Name: CUKE, MARK RADFORD
Initials: M R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age: 23
Date of Death: 17/11/1941
Service No: 1383433
Additional information: Son of the Hon. H. Archibald Cuke, M.L.C., and Isabella M. Cuke, of St. Michael, Barbados. Diploma, Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Block J. Grave 40.
Cemetery: KEMPSTON CEMETERY

Aircraft and Aircrew Casualty Information Archive for Bedfordshire

Quote:
CUKE, Sgt. (Pilot) MARK RADFORD, 1383433. RAFVR. 17th November 1941. Age 23. Son of the Hon. H. Archibald Cuke, MLC., and Isabella M Cuke, of St Michael, Barbados. Diploma Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture. Killed when Blenheim L1353 (Mk I) of 51 OTU (Cranfield) lost height after a night take-off from Cranfield and struck a tree at Salford, Beds. 23.40hrs; dark night.

His observer/navigator 811075 Sgt. (Obs/W Op) John James Green, RAF (Aux AF), 24, of Crosby, Liverpool is buried at Liverpool, Anfield) Cemetery.

[Source: www.WW2chat.com]

[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]

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