Gidman, Cyril
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Cyril |
Surname | Gidman |
Gender | M |
Age | 35 |
Decorations | DFM |
Date of Death | 29-07-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of William and Mary Gidman. Husband of Florence Alice Gidman, of Newmarket. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | LM284 |
Markings | DX- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Newmarket Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot N. Grave 226A. |
Epitaph | FATHER, IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW THY SERVANT SLEEPING |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 39 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1464954 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 57 |
Trade | Wireless Operator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Sculptures, Inscribed Memeorial Stone & Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who gave their lives with 57 and 630 Squadrons 1939 - 1945 |
Location | Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre, East Kirkby, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stenciled 57 Sqn RoH in site Chapel |
Memorial Text | In proud memory of the men of No. 57 Squadron who lost their lives operating from Royal Air Force East Kirkby 1943 to 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
Born in Liverpool on June 14th 1909, son of William and Mary GIDMAN (nee PHILLIPS) of 91 Whitland Road, Liverpool. He married Florence Alice CUTHBERT in Newmarket in Q3-1940, of 3 Rose Terrace, All Saints Road, Newmarket. Gazetted for the Distinguished Flying Medal on August 18th 1944. |
Lancaster Mk I, LM284 was delivered to 57 Squadron at East Kirkby on 29th July 1944. It crashed in The Wash on a post-delivery air test crewed by a 55 Base Test Crew consisting mainly of 207 Squadron personnel. When lost this aircraft had a total of 2 hours. It was presumed lost in The Wash. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/539/14 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/539/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 30-07-1944 |
End Date | 30-07-1944 |
Takeoff Station | East Kirkby |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Air Test |
Reason for Loss | Lost over the Wash during the initial air test since the aircraft had only been delivered to the Squadron that day. Only Gidman's body was washed up- the other crew members are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial |