RAF North Coates, Lincolnshire
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Top: Former entrance gates of RAF North Coates and display
(Displayed at the RAF East Kirkby Aviation Museum, Lincs.)
Middle: RAF North Coates Commemorative plaque at East Kirkby
Bottom: The RAF North Coates Memorial,Cleethorpes
For additional information click on 'Comments' below
posted by ritsonvaljos at 6:55 pm
7 Comments:
(1) About RAF North Coates (North Cotes) during WWII
RAF North Coates (near North Cotes village, Lincolnshire) was initially opened as a military airfield during WW1. It was later reopened during the inter-war period.
The airfield remained open until November 1990. As with some other UK wartime airfields there was a slight discrepancy in the spelling, apparently to confuse the enemy as to its exact location! The British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited the airfield in 1940. Evidently, Mr Churchill knew where all his RAF stations were located.
During the Second World War, the airfield was relatively small in comparison to some other Lincolnshire aifields. However, because of its location on the east coast of Lincolnshire, the airfield had a certain strategic importance.
After the closure of the airfield in 1990 some items to commemorate the role of the station during the war were donated to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at RAF East Kirkby. This includes the information boards about the list of wartime Commanding Officers.
Staff based at the airfield during the war came from all over the Commonwealth. The airfield's casualties included some of the Commonwealth and American airmen, whose graves can be found in the Churchyard of St Nicholas in the nearby village of North Cotes.
(2) CWGC Burials at North Cotes Churchyard, Lincolnshire
There are 31 Allied casualties of WW2 buried in St Nicholas' Churchyard, North Cotes, plus one from WW1. Additionally, there are graves of 3 German service casualties, 1 civilian casualty, plus a small number of inter-war and post-war service casualties.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission owns the plot where the graves are located and it is maintained to the same high standard as any of the Commission's cemeteries in the main areas of conflict of WW1 and WW2.
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(3) These are the WW2 CWGC service casualties in North Cotes (St Nicholas) Churchyard
[Information based on CWGC records available at North Cotes Churchyard]
1. Sub-Lieutenant (A) ROY MURRAY ANDREWS
H.M.S. Peregrine., Royal Navy
who died age 24 on 30 July 1940
Son of Ralph Raymond and Ethel Maud Andrews, of Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire; husband of Ruby Joyce Andrews.
(Grave 8)
2. Warrant Officer JEAN BEAUPRE
R/ 55398, 103 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 07 August 1942
(Grave 32)
3. Flight Sergeant DONALD BELL
754922, 86 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21 on 21 June 1941
Son of Henry and Nancie Bell, of Falkirk, Stirlingshire.
(Grave 12)
4. Sergeant GEORGE CUTHBERT BINGLEY
R/60964, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 20 on 30 July 1941
Son of Alfred and Mary Elizabeth Bingley; husband of Beryl Corrinne Bingley, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
(Grave 18)
5. Warrant Officer JOSEPH ADRIEN ARMAND LIONEL BOURASSA
R/55430, 236 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 22 on 21 September 1942
Son of Arthur and Emma Bourassa, of Trois Rivieres, Province of Quebec, Canada.
(Grave 33)
6. Pilot Officer ROLLIE ERNEST BUCKOLZ
J/4538, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 23 on 30 July 1941
Son of Dave and Anna Brodsky Buckolz; nephew of Frank K. Brodsky, of Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S.A.
(Grave 17)
7. Sergeant PERCY NOEL COWAN
404171, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 25 on 19 August 1941
Son of Percy and Dorothy Alice Phillippa Cowan, of Brighton, Victoria, Australia.
(Grave 19)
8. Pilot Officer ROLAND EDISON DANN
J/4327, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 25 on 22 January 1942
Son of Roland George William and Ellen Mary Dann, of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.
(Grave 20)
9. Flight Sergeant ROY MILTON ENNIS
R/68044, 415 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 22 on 31 July 1942
Son of Joseph and Ruth Read Ennis, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
(Grave 30)
10. In Memory of Sergeant WILLIAM JOHN THOMAS FLAGG
R/66363, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 17 February 1942
Remembered with honour NORTH COTES (ST. NICHOLAS) CHURCHYARD (Grave 2)
11. Leading Aircraftman STANLEY WALTER FRIEND
1284357, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 21 on 22 January 1942
Son of Albert Henry and Ada Lucy Elisabeth Friend, of Victoria, London.
(Grave 22)
12. Lieutenant (A) JOHN GAILLARD
H.M.S. Peregrine., Royal Navy
who died age 25 on 30 July 1940
Son of Frank and Matilda Gaillard, of Banstead, Surrey. A.M.I.Mech. E.
(Grave 9)
13. Sergeant JOHN CLIFTON GAUDET
R/80320, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 29 on 22 January 1942
Son of Frank and Clara Gaudet, of Rainy River, Ontario, Canada.
(Grave 29)
14. Flight Sergeant ARTHUR WILLIAM GOULDING
R/58347, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 26 on 17 February 1942
Son of George Casillis Goulding, and of May Beatrice Goulding, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
(Grave 1)
15. Lieutenant DENMAN GROOME
H.M.S. Peregrine., Royal Navy
who died age 27 on 30 July 1940
Son of Frederick Thompson Groome and Katie Maud Groome; stepson of Catherine Mary Groome, of Fareham, Hampshire.
(Grave 10)
16. Flight Sergeant JOHN CLARKE HARRIS
R/77587, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 29 on 17 February 1942
Son of John James Harris and Luella Harris, of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Canada.
(Grave 4)
17. Sergeant RALPH GERALD HART
647852, 22 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 22 on 18 December 1940
(Grave 13)
18. Flying Officer JOHN FREDERICK HERBERT
400799, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 22 on 27 January 1943
Son of Frederick Thomas Harvey Herbert and Florence Amelia Herbert, of Corryong, Victoria, Australia.
(Grave 35)
19. Sergeant THOMAS SNOWDON (TOT) HERON
1261351, 59 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 32 on 17 May 1942
Son of Alexander Hay Heron and Margaret Heron; husband of Doris Clara Heron, of Ilford, Essex.
(Grave 24)
20. Sergeant JOHN RICHARD HOSKINS
403587, Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 22 on 28 April 1942
Son of Harold Vincent and Gladys Muriel Hoskins, of Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia.
(Grave 27)
21 Sergeant DENNIS GEORGE HOW
742696, 22 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 23 on 18 December 1940
Son of George Alfred and May How; husband of Violet How, of Chingford, Essex.
(Grave 16)
22. Flight Sergeant JOHN HENRY LABELLE
R/74876, 415 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 31 July 1942
(Grave 31)
23. Warrant Officer Class I BUD DOUGLAS ROY McCOMB
R/60452, 415 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 31 July 1942
(Grave 29)
24. Pilot Officer GRAEME McLEAN
108803, 59 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 24 on 17 May 1942
Son of Hector Murray McLean and Mary McLean; husband of Helen Lavinia Freda McLean, of City of London.
(Grave 28)
25. Sergeant HENRY FRANCIS NEARY
798535, 59 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 19 on 28 April 1942
Son of Edward and Margaret Neary, of St. John's, Newfoundland.
(Grave 26)
26. Leading Aircraftman CLIFFORD HAROLD JAMES PAYNE
1410042, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 20 on 09 April 1943
Son of Arthur Joseph and Margaret Payne, of Stoborough, Dorsetshire.
(Grave 37)
27. Sergeant LEONARD JAMES PEACHEY
749539, 22 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died age 32 on 18 December 1940
(Grave 15)
28. Sergeant PAUL VICTOR RENAI
580978, 22 Sqdn., Royal Air Force
who died age 22 on 18 December 1940
Son of Hector Henry Archimede Renai and Susannah Jane Renai, of Khandallah, Wellington, New Zealand.
(Grave 14)
29. Flight Sergeant ISAAC RUTHERFORD
966363, 103 Sqdn., Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
who died on 07 August 1942
Son of Isaac and Johanna Rutherford; husband of Madge Marie Rutherford, of Bentley Heath, Warwickshire.
(Grave 34)
30. Pilot Officer JOSEPH ALEXANDER ST. OURS
J/7087, 59 (R.A.F.) Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force
who died age 31 on 21 April 1942
(Grave 25)
31. Sergeant RAYMOND GEORGE EDWARD WHALE
R/83609, 407 Sqdn., Royal Canadian Air Force
who died on 17 February 1942
(Grave 3)
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(4) Additional information from the CWGC records
(a) Accident on 30 July 1940:
Sub-Lieutenant (A) R.M. Andrews, Sub-Lieutenant (A) J. Gaillard and Lieutenant D. Groome - all Royal Navy, H.M.S. Peregrine, Fleet Air Arm 812 Squadron (Daedalus) were killed as the result of an air crash.
(b) Accident on 17 February 1942:
Flight Sergeant (Pilot) A.W. Goulding, Sergeant (Pilot) W.J.T. Flagg, Sergeant (Wireless Operator / Gunner) R.G.E. Whale and Flight Sergeant (Air Observer) J.C. Harris - all R.C.A.F. (407 Squadron) - were killed when their Beaufighter blew up and crashed.
(c) Non-WW2 casualties
Although outside the usual scope of this WW2 forum, as there are only a small number of other service casualties interred in the CWGC plot at North Cotes Churchyard, the details of these are listed below.
1. Leading Aircraftman D.D. ARMSTRONG, 364480, Royal Air Force
who died aged 21 on 10 July 1930
(Grave 5)
[Died as the result of a road accident near the village]
2. Chief Technician J.B. BRODERICK, H4008221, Royal Air Force
who died on 6 July 1965
(Grave 0)
3. Sergeant E.H. HANDLEY, 23897, Royal Flying Corps
who died on 20 August 1917
(Grave 6)
[First World War casualty, age unknown]
4. FRANK INNES, Royal Air Force
who died on 30 July 1936
(Grave 11)
[Killed while flying, age unknown]
5. Senior Technician J.W. KEEBLE, 4040032, Royal Air Force
who died aged 39 on 8 November 1963
(Grave 36)
[As previously mentioned above the CWGC also maintains 1 civilian grave in the churchyard].
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(5) The true cost of a World War
The North Cotes CWGC Plot is maintained by the regional office at Leamington Spa. The following summary about the country of origin of the 40 CWGC casualties in the North Cotes Churchyard is based on information kindly supplied by the Commission.
(i) WW2 Commonwealth Forces
Canada - 13
UK – 12
Australia – 3
USA – 1
New Zealand – 1
Newfoundland – 1
TOTAL = 31
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(ii) WW2 Non-Commonwealth (i.e. Axis) Forces
Germany – 2
Austria – 1
TOTAL = 3
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(iii) Non-WW2 Burials
UK Forces – 5
UK Civilian – 1
TOTAL = 6
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Comment:
It is relatively simple to see from the above statistics the global effects of a World War. Most of the CWGC casualties buried at North Cotes came from distant lands.
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(6) Dedication of the WW II RAF North Coates Memorial at Cleethorpes:
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
NORTH COATES STRIKE WING
This Memorial commemorates the men and women who served as pilots, navigators and ground personnel which formed the Royal Air Force North Coates Strike Wing during the Second World War.
From 1942 to 1945 covering the coastal regions of Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium and France.
From Bergen to the Skagerrak, the Frisian Islands, the North Sea, the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay to Bordeaux.
Operating with Bristol Beaufighter Aircraft, armed with cannon, bombs, torpedo and rockets they inflicted heavy losses and damage to shipping, denying freedom of the sea for supply purposes for the Nazi German Forces and war industry.
Over 150,000 tons of enemy shipping was destroyed.
These attacks were made by day and night, flying at very low altitude in combat conditions of very heavy German anti-aircraft fire.
120 aircraft failed to return and 241 aircrew from Great Britain, the Commonwealth and our Allies gave their lives flying with:
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
NORTH COATES STRIKE WING
(Nos. 143, 236 and 254 Squadrons)
Comment:
The aircraft and aircrew lost at RAF North Coates between 1942 and 1945 is a good indicator of the manpower and munitions losses of a World War. Many of the North Coates based aircrew who died during the war perished in the sea and have no identifiable grave. Their grave, like those of many Royal Navy and Merchant Navy seamen, is in the ocean deep.
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(7) The development of RAF North Coates to 1940
The site of what became RAF North Coates is situated close to the southern side of the Humber estuary, close to the sea bank of North Cotes Fitties. During the First World War some parts of eastern and southern Britain experienced bombing raids from German Zeppelins. Consequently, in 1916 the first North Coates camp was established in as part of the defence of the Humber and the important docks of Immingham, Grimsby and Hull.
The first squadron based at North Coates in 1916 was 33 (ND) when it was known as the Royal Flying Corps. There is one casualty buried in the CWGC plot at St Nicholas’ Churchyard, North Cotes from this time. 33 Squadron remained there until enemy raids ceased in late 1918.
During 1918 the site was enlarged and re-designated a ‘Flight Station’, becoming the home of 404 Flight, 248 Squadron. 404 Flight transferred to North Coates from Killingholme and was re-equipped with DH6’s. These were used for anti-submarine activity and convoy patrols. Towards the end of the First World War, in November 1918, several other Coastal Land Flights relocated from Killingholme, remaining there until they were disbanded in June 1919.
Between 1919 and 1927 the land reverted to agricultural use. In 1927 the Air Ministry purchased the land on behalf of the Government, initially to use for annual summer practice camps. However, with the rise of Adolph Hitler and the Nazis in Germany the camp again became part of the defence of the Humber.
The strategic importance of RAF North Coates in the ‘Spitfire summer’ of 1940 can perhaps be seen by the fact that it was one of the places visited by British Prime Minister on 7 August while visiting Lincolnshire’s coastal defences. The Imperial War Museum has photographs of Mr Churchill’s visit in its archives. The following day, 8 August 1940, the Duke of Kent – then a serving officer in the RAF also visited RAF North Coates and the Lincolnshire coastal defences.
Lincolnshire may have been a little further away from enemy-held territory than Kent or the south coast. Nevertheless, the Lincolnshire coastline was still on the front line in the Battle of Britain. RAF North Coates played its part in the home defence during this battle, one that would ultimately lead on to the final outcome of the war being one of victory for the Allies.
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(8) Acknowledgements:
The villagers of North Cotes, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, RAF East Kirkby, Lincolnshire
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Anonymous Anonymous said...
Arthur William Goulding's DFC and other medals are currently being auctioned on ebay. Sad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/CANADIAN-WORLD-WAR-2-MEDAL-GROUP-RCAF-HUDSON-PILOT-KIA-/380308908977?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588c2d6bb1
Saturday, 22 January, 2011
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