Andrew, John Francis
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | John Francis |
Surname | Andrew |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | MiD |
Date of Death | 09-09-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of John Thomas Andrew and Ethel Jane Andrew, of Abermule. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax VII |
Serial Number | NP681 |
Markings | OW-J |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Kerry Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Uncons. Sec. Grave 13. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 123 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1199065 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 426 (Thunderbird) |
Trade | Flight Engineer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Junction of Wilding Rd & Andrew Rd, Wallingford, Oxfordshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone with inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | In memory of Fg Off J A Wilding RCAF and Sgt J F Andrew RAFVR of 426 Sqn RCAF who stayed with their damaged Halifax, NP681, to steer it away from the village of Wallingford |
Location | Adjacent to Village Hall, Dishforth, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone with Inscribed Metal Plaque & Maple Tree |
Memorial Text | In memory of the Canadian aircrew of 425 and 426 Sqns RCAF who served at RAF Dishforth, 1942-1945 |
Location | Outside Village Hall, Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone with inscribed Slate Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of Canadian personnel who served at RAF Linton on Ouse during WW2, including 408 and 426 Sqns RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
MiD recommendation: "Sergeant Andrew was the flight engineer of a Halifax which caught fire and crashed near Wallingford, Oxford, on the 9th of September 1944. The pilot had given the order to abandon aircraft and all the crew complied with the exception of Sergeant Andrew. Undoubtedly, Sergeant Andrew, who had plenty of time to leave the aircraft, stayed with his pilot in an effort to assist him in making a safe landing. This was not effected, but through the efforts of this NCO and his pilot, the lives of many villagers and their property were saved, at the expense of their own. For his devotion to duty and commendable courage it is recommended that he be mentioned in despatches, posthumously." |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1842/18 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1842/17 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 09-09-1944 |
End Date | 09-09-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Linton-on-Ouse |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | le Havre- to bomb the garrison |
Reason for Loss | Developed a fire in the port engine which led to structural failure of the wing. Crashed SE of Wallingford, Oxfordshire |