Date: 21st April 1943
Unit: No. 21 Squadron
Type: Ventura II
Serial: AE913
Coded: YH-?
Location: Abbeville
Pilot: F/O. Gerald Lambert Hicks 104530 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 32, Killed
Co/pilot: Fl/Sgt. Frederick James Bowles 1163245 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 26, Killed
Air/Gnr: Sgt. Frank Taylor 1017135 R.A.F.V.R. Age; 29, Killed
Air/Gnr: Fl/Sgt. Ronald Watson 652631 R.A.F. Age; 22, Killed
REASON FOR LOSS:
Took off at 10.58 hrs from Oulton to bomb the marshalling yards at Abbeville. Along with 2 other Ventura's from 21 squadron shot down by Luftwaffe fighters after leaving the target area. All 12 crews killed. Shot down at 12.15 hrs. Three of this crew survived a ditching earlier on in this month. (see 05-04-1943 Hicks)
Burial Details:
Gerald Lambert Hicks Abbeville Communal Cemetery. Plot 6, Row A, Grave 4.
Son of Thomas Edwin and Mildred, of Epsom, Surrey; husband of June Hicks.
Frederick James Bowles Abbeville Communal Cemetery. Plot 6, Row A, Grave 1.
Son of Frank and Lilian, husband of Winifred Bowles, of East Dulwich, London.
Frank Taylor Abbeville Communal Cemetery. Plot 6, Row A, Grave 3.
Son of Mark Reed Taylor and Emily Taylor, of Hull
Ronald Watson Abbeville Communal Cemetery. Plot 6, Row A, Grave 2.
Son of James Thomas and Florence Edith, of Wandsworth, London; husband of Violet Mary, of Wandsworth Common.
With thanks to the following: Bill Chorley - "Bomber Command Losses Vol 3", Theo Boiten - "German Nightfighter War Diaries Vol 2", Martin Middlebrook "Bomber Command War Diaries". The C.W.G.C.
