Davis, Leonard Frank Rogers Died
Personal Information
| Rank | F/S |
| Forename(s) | Leonard Frank Rogers |
| Surname | Davis |
| Gender | M |
| Age | 33 |
| Date of Death | 13-03-1942 |
| Next of Kin | Son of Ernest Rogers and Effie Davis. Husband of Beryl Davis (née Cross), of Rayleigh, Essex. Father of Pauline Davis, aged 4 when her father was killed. |
Aircraft Information
| Aircraft | Avro Manchester I |
| Serial Number | L7423 |
| Markings | OL-S |
Memorial Information
| Burial/Memorial Country | Netherlands |
| Burial/Memorial Place | Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Nijmegen |
| Grave Reference | 16. G. 7. |
| Epitaph | HE VOLUNTARILY CHOSE AND GAILY TROD THE PATH OF SERVICE |
IBCC Memorial Information
| Phase | 1 |
| Panel Number | 27 |
Enlistment Information
| Service Number | 755327 |
| Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Group | 5 |
| Squadron | 83 |
| Squadron Motto | Strike to defend |
| Trade | Air Bomber |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
| Location | Zeelberg, Broekhuizenvorst, Limburg Province |
| Country | the Netherlands |
| Memorial Type | Brick pillar & inscribed marble tablet |
| Memorial Text |
AVRO Manchester bommenwerper (L7423) 83e Sqd van de RAF. 13 Maart 1942 - We will remember them
Translation "Avro Manchester L7423 of 83 Sqn RAF. March 13 1942 - We will remember them" |
| Location | RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Memorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaque |
| Memorial Text | Commemorating 83 Sqn Lancaster, one of the Pathfinder Sqn's operating from RAF Wyton 1942 - 1945 |
| Location | St. Michaels's Church, Coningsby, Lincolnshire |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Memorial Type | Inscribed Wooden Plaque & 83 Sqn Badge |
| Memorial Text | This Chapel was furnished by members and friends of 83 Pathfinder Sqn and is dedicated to the memory of those airmen who lost their lives on flying operations from RAF Coningsby in WWII |
| Location | In front of the mess esplanade, Mailly-le-Camp, 10 - Aube Prefecture |
| Country | France |
| Memorial Type | Stone memorial sculpture, inscribed marble tablets and inscribed metal plaque |
| Memorial Text |
En souvenir des heros de la RAF. Qui ont participe au bombardment du camp de Mailly. Unites de la RAF engagees dans le raid sur Mailly-le-Camp, la nuit du 3 au 4 May 1944. N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617- 619-625-626-627-637
Translation "In memory of the RAF heroes who took part in the bombing of Mailly Camp. RAF units engaged in the raid on Mailly-le-Camp, the night of 3-4 May 1944. Squadrons that took part: N° 9-12-44-49-50-57 61-83-97-100-101 Special Duties Flight-103-105-106-166- 169-192-207-460 (RAAF)-463 (RAAF)-467 (RAAF)-550-576-617-619-625-626-627-637" |
Miscellaneous Information
| He went to Brentwood High School and then set up in business fixing wireless sets. He had four sisters. He was very active in St. John Ambulance and was also a church organist. He loved cricket and had a very happy home life. |
The National Archives
| Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/686/54 |
| Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/686/54 |
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Feirn J R (P/O) | Died |
| Foster P H (Sgt) | Died |
| Rose E (Sgt) | Died |
| Thompson J M (F/S) | Died |
Last Operation Information
| Start Date | 13-03-1942 |
| End Date | 14-03-1942 |
| Takeoff Station | Scampton |
| Day/Night Raid | Night (10% moon) |
| Operation | Cologne |
| Reason for Aircraft Loss | Shot down near Nijmegen, Holland |