1386903 – Geoffrey A. Welch – F/S – Pilot – 38 sqn – Wellington – KIA 12.01.1943

WELCH, GEOFFREY A. Initials: G A Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Sergeant (Pilot) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Unit Text: 38 Sqdn.Date of Death: 12/01/1943 Service No: 1386903 Additional information: Reported as Died on Active Service West India Circular issue May 1943 – from Bermuda. RAFCommands: Coastal Command, Wellington Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 7. E. 28.Cemetery: BENGHAZI WAR CEMETERY,LIBYA.

605785 – Hilton Charles Randolph Richardson – Bermuda – attested 5.2.44 – Sgt. Air Gunner 22.9.44

[Source: NA AIR 2/6876]

Herman Francis Grant  EDE – F/O
Service No: 33307  Service: RAF
Trade/Branch:   Pilot   263 Sqn Gladiator
Station/Unit/Ship: HMS Glorious
Command:   Fighter
Nationality: Bermuda
Awards/Decorations: DFC
Disposal:   KIA   Age  23  yrs   Date Died:    9 Jun 1940

Equipped with Gladiators and sent to Norway in April 1940 in an attempt to give air cover for British and Norwegian forces. Operations from the frozen Lake Lesjaskag ended when Luftwaffe bombers destroyed the aircraft on the ground and returned to the UK to re-equip. In May, the squadron arrived back in Norway, this time further north and flew patrols until the Allied forces were withdrawn from Narvik. They fought continuously until 7 June, claiming 26 confirmed victories. 10 Gladiator aircraft of 263 Sqn were flown on board HMS Glorious in the early hours of 8 June for transport to the UK. Shortly after 1600hrs on 8 Jun 1940, Gneisenau and Scharnhorst were sighted. “Glorious” received her first hit from Scharnhorst at 1638hrs and sank at about 1810hrs. Also sunk were HMS Ardent & HMS Acasta. Total losses of over 1500 officers & men of the RN, RM and RAF.

Buried At: Runnymede Memorial Grave/Memorial : Panel 5
Next of Kin: Son of Ernest Grant Ede and Winifred Louise Ede, of Pembroke, Bermuda.

[Sources: CWGC – www.warship.org – MOD]

Pilot Officer – POW

[Source: The Trinidad Guardian 12 Mar 1943 from The West India Committee Circular – February 1943, courtesy Jerome Lee, CMHA]