Bright, Henry George
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Henry George |
Surname | Bright |
Gender | M |
Age | 24 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 26-09-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Henry Meddes Bright and Selina Minnie Bright. Husband of Constance May Bright (née Glasgow), of Christchurch. Father of Henry Bright (born April 1944). |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IC |
Serial Number | T2884 |
Markings | OP-L |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Christchurch Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. L. (Uncons. New). Grave 15. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 12 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1609673 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 92 |
Squadron | 11 OTU |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Henry was born in Sunderland, County Durham, on August 29, 1919, but by the age of 10 was living with his parents in Portsmouth, where his father was a driller in Portsmouth Dockyard. He had two younger brothers (Stanley and Leslie), both born in Portsmouth. Henry left school at age 14 and went to work at the Co-Op, which was the dominant retailer in Portsmouth. It was while at the Co-Op that he met his Constance Glasgow who would later become his wife. They married on 11 September 1942 at Christchurch Priory. Henry endeavored to correct his lack of schooling by taking night courses, which allowed him to pass the entrance test for the Hampshire Police force, but later was not sufficient to pass the RAF pilot exam. Henry Bright Jr. (Harry) was born seven months after his father's death. He married Diana Gilbert and they have two children, Suzanne and Jason. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 26-09-1943 |
End Date | 26-09-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Westcott |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training |
Reason for Loss | Starboard engine failed and for a while the pilot could maintain altitude, but after further damage occurred the order to abandon was issued. Sgt. Bright was unable to bail out when ordered and his body was found in the wreckage at Castle Bytham, near Grantham, Lincolnshire. |