Bates, Fred
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Fred |
Surname | Bates |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 31-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Frederick and Annie Bates, of Blackpool. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | LK517 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Blackpool (Carleton) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. F. Grave 370. |
Epitaph | GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 7 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1622071 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 1654 HCU |
Trade | Wireless Operator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 31-05-1944 |
End Date | 31-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Wigsley |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Cross-country exercise |
Reason for Loss | Broke up in cloud and crashed 1650 at West Thickley Farm between Midridge and Shildon, 2 miles W of Aycliffe Durham. It was considered that the tail assembly had been put under excessive strain and this led to the eventual structural failure. |