Hughes, Donald John
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | Donald John |
Surname | Hughes |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Date of Death | 18-03-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of John William and Constance Louie Hughes, of Thundersley, Essex. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | NG352 |
Markings | EA-J |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 1. K. 18. |
Epitaph | HE WENT DOWN TO THE RIVER AND THE TRUMPETS SOUNDED FOR HIM ON THE OTHER SIDE |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 52 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1873494 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 49 |
Squadron Motto | Cave canem (Beware of the dog) |
Trade | Wireless Operator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Fiskerton Airfield (Disused) Reepham Rd, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stones with inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | RAF Fiskerton. This stone and tree are sited on the airfield in memory of those who served here during World War II |
Location | The National Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Memorial |
Memorial Text | In memory of those who served on 49 Squadron 1916-1965 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/483A/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/483A/5 |
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.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-03-1945 |
End Date | 17-03-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Fulbeck |
Day/Night Raid | Night (12% moon) |
Operation | Würzburg |
Reason for Loss | Caught fire after being attacked by a night-fighter. The order to bale out was given and all but Sgt A Finnerty complied. Sgt Hughes fell into the hands of the SS and was executed by Joseph Axt, who was later executed for his war crimes. |