R.A.F Henlow St Andrew - Roll of Honour

RAF Personnel Commemorated in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church
Compiled and copyright © 2002 Colin Mackenzie

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Cpl. FRANK LAWRENCE
Killed in a Flying Accident
December 3rd, 1921

Aircraftsman - died Sunday 19 March 1922 - details unknown. Two memorial plaques and a brass plate in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Plaque 1

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Aircraftsman STUART J.N.
Died at Henlow

March 19th 1922

Plaque 2

Aircraftsman
JAMES N. STUART
Died at Henlow
on the
Nineteenth day of March 1922

Brass plate on timber panel

Aircraftsman
Stuart J.N.
Died at Henlow
Nov. 26th 1926

Flight Sergeant - died Saturday 19 May 1923 - details not known. Two memorial plaques and a brass plate in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Plaque 1

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Flight Sergeant DIXON J.G.
Died at Henlow
May 13th (?) 1923

Plaue 2

Flight Sergt.
JOHN GEORGE DIXON
Died
19th May 1923

Inscribed brass plate on timber panel

Flight Sergeant
Dixon J.G.
Died at Henlow
May 19th 1923

Flying Officer - died Tuesday 3 July 1923 - details not known. Two memorial plaques in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Plaque 1

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Flying Officer G. SQUIRES AF
July 3rd 1923

Plaque 2

In Memory of
Flying Officer
GEORGE J. SQUIRES AFC.
Died
3rd July 1923

Flying Officer - died Tuesday 3 July 1923 - details not known. Two memorial plaques and a brass plate in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Plaque 1

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Flying Officer G.P. ABBOTT
Died at Henlow
November 26th 1923
A member of Captain Scott’s
last Antartic Expedition

Plaue 2

In Memory of
Flying Officer
GEORGE P. ABBOTT
Died
26th November 1923
A member of Captain Scott’s last Antartic Expedition.

Inscribed brass plate on timber panel

Flying Officer
Abbott G.P.
Died at Henlow
Nov.26th 1923

All killed when Vickers Vimy F9184 of IAAD and Avro 504K H5035 (of unknown Unit), collided and crashed, Wednesday 10 April 1926. The Operations Record Book notes ... "Fatal crash of Vickers Vimy and Avro in collision, in which F/O Scott, F/O Lacey, AC Young, AC Germaine & AC Simmonds were burnt to death. The Avro piloted by F/O Scott flew into the underside of the Vimy which was testing parachutes". Memorial plaque and brass plates in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Plaque

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Flying Officer LACEY C. AFC
Flying Officer SCOTT W.
330689 LAC GERMAINE R.R.
361781 LAC YOUNG B.H.
328869 AC1 SIMMONDS J.W.
Killed in an air collision
April 10th 1926

Inscribed brass plates on timber panel

Flying Officer
Scott W.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow 10.4.1926

Aircraftsman
Simmonds J.W.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow 10.4.1926

Flying Officer
Lacey C.V. AFC
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow 10.4.1926

Aircraftsman Germaine R.R.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow 10.4.1926

Aircraftsman Young B.A.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow 10.4.1926

Corporal - Killed in a parachute descent Wednesday 9 March 1927 - details not known. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Cpl. EAST A.
Killed in a parachute descent
March 9th 1927

Leading Aircraftsman 315800, Royal Air Force formerly J47351, Royal Navy. Died while balloon jumping, which is basically using a helium balloon to bounce along like as if Superman was jumping like a rabbit, Friday 11 March 1927. Born 9 April 1900 in Limehouse, London. Religious denomination Church of England. Enlisted aged 18 years for 12 years, joined the Navy 4 November 1915, Royal Naval Air Service 1 September 1916 and the Royal Air Force 1 April 1918. Civil occupation Aeroplane Builder. Son of Capt. Arthur Dobbs (deceased 1910), his mother married Frank Cecil Callow but she tragically died soon after leaving Frank Callow as his guardian, of 1 Fullers Avenue, Woodland Green, Essex. He was 5 feet 5¼ inches in height, chest 30½ inches, brown hair, blue eyes, fresh complexion. In the 1901 census he was aged 11 months, born Limehouse, Middlesex, resident with his parents, Arthur W and Emily Dobbs, and with his grandparents, Charles G and Dorcas Holleby, at 14, Church Row, Limehouse, Stepney, London & Middlesex. In the 1911 census he was aged 10, born Limehouse, London E., a school boarder, residet The Bryn, Monkhams Drure, Woodford, London & Essex. In the 1921 census he was aged 21 years 3 months, born Limehouse, London, Middlesex, an Aircraftman 1st Class, Rigger Airship, Royal Air Force at Royal Airship Works, Cardington, near Bedford, resident 24, Spring Rd, Kempston, Bedford. Memorial plaque and brass plate in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Extract from Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser - Wednesday 23 March 1927, page 1:

"Death By Misadventure."

"Death by misadventure*' wa« the verdict returned on Tuesday on Ernest Arthur Dobbs, the parachutist, who was electrocuted on some power wires while balloon jumping.

Extract from Western Daily Press - Saturday 19 March 1927, page 9:

M.P.'s Balloon-Jumping Questions.

Col. TJay, M.P., is to ask the Secretary of State for Air if he will state whether any action has been taken by his department relative Ihe circumstances in which Leading Aircraftsman Ernest Arthur Dobbs met his death; whether the balloon manufacturers have admitted any liability as to being in their service on the day .question, and whether the Minister is satisfied that adequate precautions were taken the balloon-jumping trials.

Extract from Essex Newsman - Saturday 19 March 1927, page 3:

AIRMAN'S TRAGIC DEATH
WHILE BALLOON JUMPING

OLD BANCROFTIAN AND INVENTOR

Leading-Aircraftsman Ernest Arthur Dobbs, who was killed at Sky Lane Aerodrome, Hendon, on March 11, while giving the first exhibition of balloon-jumping seen in this country, was an Essex man. The trials were being carried out by Messrs. C. G. Spence and Sons, and Dobbs was given special leave absence from his aerodrome at Henlow to carry out the tests. He was descending from one of his “jumps,” after having successfully negotiated a tree, when he came into contact with “live” electric overhead cables running from the Metropolitan Electric Supply Station. Spectators state that he grasped one of the cables with his hands in an endeavour to steady his landing. There was immediately a vivid blue flash, and Dobbs fell to the ground. Members the staff ran quickly to his aid, but he was dead. The flesh on his arms where he had evidently caught the wires was badly charred, and clothing singed. Had he struck the wires with his feet, which were encased In rubber boots, the tragedy might have been averted.

The deceased airman was the elder son of the late Capt. Arthur Dobbs, of the Mercantile Marine, who was killed in 1910 in an accident at Port Elizabeth. Later the widow married Mr. Frank Callow, a well-known business man in Walthamstow, but died four months afterwards, leaving two sons, of whom Mr. Callow became the guardian. Airman Dobbs was educated at Bancroft's School, Woodford Wells. On leaving school he started in the motor business, and then joined the Navy, later transferring to the R.N.A.S. For part of the war he was engaged in bombing submarines in the North Sea. He afterwards became a member of the crew of the R.38, and only missed that ship's fatal trip through being appointed to other duty. He was tremendously keen on his work, and of an inventive mind, and brought out a safety release for parachutes from the pilot's seat. He also invented a collapsible boat for six people, which could be folded up and carried under the arm. He did not know the meaning of the word fear, and held the world's records for diving with a parachute from the greatest height. He was a well-built man, six feet in height, and exceedingly popular.

The inquest was held Edgware on Tuesday.

John Smith, balloon rigger, said that about five o'clock Dobbs expressed a wish to have a cross-country flight without the trail rope. Instead of having the trail rope 150 ft. long he had a small coil of rope of about 50 ft., which was within easy reach of his hand. Dobbs made a series of leaps, varying from 10 ft. to 20 ft., and went over various obstacles. Once he landed among the topmost branches of a tree. “saw him attempt to jump over the wires,” said Smith. “The balloon rose in this jump well over the wires, but his feet appeared to touch them. He got entangled. and made an effort with his feet to get a fresh impetus to get over the wires. He apparently failed, and tried to do so with his hands. There were three flashes. On the third flash the trail rope attached to Dobbs burned and fell down. We managed to pull him down with the balloon attached to him.” Smith declared that Dobbs was strongly advised not to take the last jump.

Philip Minter, another balloon rigger, said he warned Dobbs about the wires, remarking that they might be live wires. Capt. Blacker cautioned him about the wires also.

Capt. Cecil Barry Blacker, of the Cavalry Club, Piccadilly, who said he was present as a spectator, and had jumped earlier in the day, added that he heard Minter warn Dobbs to look out for the wires. The witness, who was following Dobbs, said, “For God's sake don't jump.”

The Coroner : Why?— Because I thought they looked live. Dobbs said, “I don't care. I am going to chance it.” I was actually a yard or two behind when he went over. As he got into the wire I had just about caught him up, and I should think I was right underneath.

Hugh Gregory, superintendent engineer of the North Metropolitan Electric Supply Co.. said that the line carried 11,000 volts. Contact would be formed by touching two wires.

The Coroner found that Dobbs became entangled with the live electric wires and was electrocuted, and recorded a verdict of “Death by misadventure.“

The funeral was at Chingford Mount Cemetery yesterday with full military honours.

Plaque

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
315008
LAC E.A. DOBBS AFM
Killed in a flying accident
March 11th 1927

Inscribed brass plate on timber panel

Aircraftsman
Dobbs E.A. AFM
Killed in a flying accident at Hendon
11.3.1927

Flight Lieutenant - Killed in a flying accident, Wednesday 22 March 1928. HAD Operations Record Book notes:
"22/3/28 F/L Jezzard crashed flying Avro 8581 with LAC Hooper as passenger, two miles S of camp. Hit telegraph wires on main road to station at 1215 hours.
27/3/28 Service funeral of F/L Jezzard at Henlow Cemetery."

Henlow (St Mary) Churchyard

Flight Lieutenant F JEZZARD, MBE
Royal Air Force
22nd March 1928 Age 36
"In memory
Killed in a flying accident"

Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Flt.Lt. F. JEZZARD MBE.
Killed in a flying accident
March 22nd 1928

also inscribed brass plates on timber panel:

Flight Lieutenant
Jezzard MBE
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow
22.3.1928

Flight Lieutenant - killed when Avro 504N of 23(F) Sqdn., crashed nr. Clifton Lodge nr. Henlow, Beds, Sunday 1 July 1928. Accident happened about 6.30pm.

Henlow (St Mary) Churchyard.

Flight Lieutenant H C CALVEY
Royal Air Force
1st July 1928 Age 31
"Greatly loved and remembered"

Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
3720
Flt.Sgt. W.C. HOLLIER
Killed in a flying accident
July 1st 1928

also inscribed brass plate on timber panel:

Flight Lieutenant
Calvey H.C.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow
1.7.1928

also inscribed brass plate on timber panel:

Flight Sergeant
Hollier W.C.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow
1.7.1928

Corporal - died Monday 3 December 1928 - details not known. Inscribed brass plate on timber panel in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Corporal
LAWRENCE F.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow 3.12.1928

Aircraftman 1st Class - Killed in a flying accident Friday 3 May 1929 - details not known.

Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
366351 AC1 MASON RF
Killed in a flying accident
May 3rd 1929

also inscribed brass plate on timber panel:

Aircraftsman
Mason R.F.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow
3.5.1929

Flying Officer - killed when Bristol Fighter J8454 (Mk III) of HAD, dived in inverted after becoming lost, near Clifton, nr. Henlow, Tuesday 3 December 1929

Henlow (St Mary) Churchyard
(non-RAF headstone)

In loving memory of my son
Flying Officer HAROLD VERNON FORBES
Killed on Dec. 3rd 1929 Aged 24 years
"Abide with me";
and of his mother
VIOLET CAROLINE FORBES BROWN
Died June 12th 1960
"Reunited".

Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Flying Officer H.V. FORBES
Killed in a flying accident at /Clifton 3.12.29 Age 24 yrs.

also inscribed brass plate on timber panel:

Flying Officer
Forbes H.V.
Killed in a flying accident
at Clifton
3.12.1929

Flight Lieutenant - killed when Avro 504N of IAD, crashed Sunday 30 November 1930. HAD ORB notes : "30/11/30 15.00hrs F/Lt D W Gibbon flying Avro K1041 from Worthydown to Henlow crashed in Pinner Park and was killed." however another source states the crash occurred in Parrier Park, Bedfordshire. "4/12/30 Funeral of F/Lt Gibbon at Pinner."

Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

To The Glory of God
and Sacred to the Memory
of
Flt. Lt. D.W. GIBBON
Killed in a flying accident
November 30th 1930

also inscribed brass plate on timber panel:

Flight Lieutenant
Gibbon D.W.
Killed in a flying accident
at Henlow
30.11.1930

Flight Lieutenant - died 5 November 1938 - details not known. Inscribed brass plate on timber memorial panel in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church:

Flight Lieutenant
PYNE G.
Station Adjutant Henlow
Died at Arlesey 5.11.938

Pilot Officer 4231512, RAF Leeming - killed when Jet Provost (T3) s/n XN642 of 3FTS was abandoned after engine failure on take-off, crashing 2m north of RAF Leeming, Yorkshire. The instructor, Flight Lieutenant Bill Gambold escaped, but his student, Pilot Officer Adrian Keith MacKlen, aged 19, did not, Wednesday 20 February 1963. Aged 19. Born 4 June 1943. Buried in Minster Cemetery, Birchington, Ramsgate, Kent. Grave 419. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

Pilot Officer A.K. MACKLEN
Killed in a flying accident
RAF Leeming
Feb.20 63

Flight Lieutenant 1920654 - died Thursday 25th January 1979. Aged 46. Born 10 May 1932. Creamted and commemorated in Luton Crematorium. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant
RONALD WOOD
Died
25th January 1979

Flight Lieutenant 4072910 - died Sunday 6 July 1980. Aged 49. Born 2 December 1930. Cremated and commemorated in Bedford Crematorium. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

In Memory of
Flight Lieutenant
DAVID P. MILES
Died
6th July 1980

Senior Aircraftman L8184247, Royal Air Force - died Saturday 14 March 1981. Aged 18. Born 24 February 1963. Cremated and commemorated in Halifax City Crematorium. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

In Memory of
Senior Aircraftman
GLYNN T. CLIFFORD
Died in Cyprus
14 March 1981

Group Captain - died in 1992 - details not known. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

In Loving Memory of
Group Captain
HAROLD AUGUSTUS LAX
1914-1992
They shall mount up with wings as eagles.

Airman (?) - died Sunday 1 November 1992. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

In Proud and Loving Memory
SIMON DAVID HUNT
Loaned by God on 8th Nov. 1974
Recalled by him on 1st Nov. 1992
"Earth will be poorer without his smile."

Senior Aircraftman N4282696 - died instantly when a rhombic aerial mast collapsed while he was at the top of the mast installing guy wires for the new aerial Tuesday 21 October 1971 while he was a member of an RAF Henlow fitting party on detachment to RAF Masirah. Aged 23. Born 8 June 1948. Memorial plaque in RAF Henlow (St Andrew) Church.

In Memory of
Senior Aircraftman
KENNETH SHAKESPEARE
Died in Masirah
21 October 97