Mitchell, Francis Beaumont
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Francis Beaumont |
Surname | Mitchell |
Gender | M |
Age | |
Decorations | BEM |
Date of Death | 27-09-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of Henry Charles and Winifride Ellen Mitchell, of Barnet. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V |
Serial Number | BD376 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Bells Hill Burial Ground |
Grave Reference | Row C.1. Grave 96. |
Epitaph | SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF OUR DEAR FRANCIS. SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY ON HIM. R.I.P. |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 74 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1255790 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 91 |
Squadron | 10 OTU |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Old airfield site, Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaques |
Memorial Text | In memory of those killed on Ops from RAF Stanton Harcourt |
Miscellaneous Information
BEM citation: 1255790 Sergeant Francis Beaumont MITCHELL. Sergeant Mitchell was the wireless operator air gunner of an aircraft which, whilst engaged on a navigation flight, crashed into a hill side in sparsely populated mountain country. The pilot was killed and the remainder of the crew seriously injured. Sergeant Mitchell, though suffering from serious and painful injuries, crawled on his hands and knees for a distance of 2 to 3 miles, over treacherous country side and during thick fog in order to obtain assistance. The time taken was about 3 hours. As a result of this airman's courage and devotion to duty, the rescue of the other members of the crew was made possible by nightfall. There is no doubt that, but for his action, they would have succumbed to their injuries. (London Gazette – 6 January 1942) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 26-09-1942 |
End Date | 27-09-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Stanton Harcourt |
Day/Night Raid | Night (94% moon) |
Operation | Training |
Reason for Loss | Crashed 0045Hrs whilst in landing pattern, burst into flames on impact. |