Ayers, Richard Butcher
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Richard Butcher |
Surname | Ayers |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 28-07-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Richard Louis Ayers and Nettie Ayers (née Ford), of Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IC |
Serial Number | X9696 |
Markings | XN-Z |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Kiel War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 5. C. 14-15. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 4 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/79088 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 91 |
Squadron | 22 OTU |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United States of America |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Peter's Church, Wellesbourne Mountford, Warwickshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | A dedication to the men and women who were killed while serving with 22 OTU during World War 2 |
Miscellaneous Information
Richard was born on 18 May 1917 at Fredonia, New York. Both parents were born in New York. He attended Lincoln School, Erie, Pennsylvania 1924-1931 (Grade School) Academy High School , Erie 1932-1935. (Academic) Case School, Cleveland, Ohio 1936-1938. (Engineering course) Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, 1938-1941 (Academic course). Richard enjoyed football, riflery, and wrestling and was an expert In rifle and pistol shooting. He was in the R.O.T.C. Army at Norwich Uni, 1938-1941 where he was a Corporal in the Cavalry, and was also a member of the C.P.T.P (Civilian Pilot Training Programme). Between 1935-1936 he had taken time out to work as a Shipping clerk at Ludlum Steel Plant in Dunkirk, New York, before returning to college. At some point he had also worked for a car servicing firm , Kitchens Tire Service in Erie, Pennsylvania. |
He enlisted at Montreal on 4 February 1941, while the US was still neutral (and in so doing risked his citizenship). Richard arrived at 3PRC on 19 December 1941, 1512 BATE 29 January 1942, 3(P) AFU 8 February 1942 and 22 OTU on 24 March 1942. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-07-1942 |
End Date | 29-07-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Wellesbourne Mountford |
Day/Night Raid | Night (98% moon) |
Operation | Hamburg |
Reason for Loss | One of two Wellingtons sent by 22 OTU. Both were recalled but neither responded. Both were lost |