Bagguley, Robert Beck

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Personal Information

Rank S/L
Forename(s) Robert Beck
Surname Bagguley
Gender M
Age 29
Decorations DFC
Date of Death 09-03-1943
Next of Kin Son of Robert Nicholson Bagguley and Mary Ellen Bagguley. Husband of Brenda Bagguley, of Herne Bay, Kent.
BAGGULEY RB

Aircraft Information

Aircraft de Havilland Mosquito IV
Serial Number DZ469
Markings XD-J

Memorial Information

Burial/Memorial Country United Kingdom
Burial/Memorial Place Runnymede Memorial
Grave Reference Panel 118.
Epitaph

IBCC Memorial Information

Phase 2
Panel Number 125

Enlistment Information

Service Number 44775
Service Royal Air Force
Group 2
Squadron 139 (Jamaica)
Trade Pilot
Country of Origin United Kingdom

Miscellaneous Information

Was awarded his DFC for an accurate daylight attack on a Norwegian molybdenum mine on 3rd March 1943.
Joint DFC Citation, London Gazette, 23rd March 1943: "In March 1943, these officers were members of aircraft crews detailed to attack the Molybdenum1 Plant at Knaben, Norway. Such a task, necessitating a flight over mountainous terrain covered by a blanket of snow which obscured all prominent features, demanded the highest degree of leadership and skill. At various points the formation had to fly through deep ravines and contend with most treacherous air currents. Despite this the correct target, hidden away in the mountains, was located and subjected to a telling attack from a low level. The success achieved reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of these officers whose high courage and faultless work were worthy of the highest praise".

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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The National Archives

Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/960/16
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/960/15

Fellow Servicemen

Hayden C K (F/L)

Last Operation Information

Start Date 09-03-1943
End Date 09-03-1943
Takeoff Station Marham
Day/Night Raid Day
Operation le Mans to attack the Renault factory- direct hits scored
Reason for Loss Shot down by a night-fighter flown by Lt. Karl von der Lieres und Wilkau of 3./JG27, 45 km North of Bayeux at 19:26.

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Casualty Pack

IBCC is delighted to introduce a unique facility to link the Losses Database to the relevant RAF Casualty Pack on the National Archives website. This project is the result of on-going collaboration between IBCC, the MOD Records Office and National Archives, Kew. This document describes what Casualty Packs are, when they were created, the process of making them available to the public and then goes on to describe the process by which you can view the contents of the packs. Casualty Packs (CPs) were created by the RAF whenever there was serious injury or loss of life associated with operational activity within the RAF. This includes operational flying losses, enemy action due to air raids, road accidents either on station or even off-station if they involved RAF vehicles. Deaths due to natural causes in service or accidents that did not involve RAF vehicles did not generally give rise to a CP.

CPs were originally given a unique reference number by the RAF. Each begins with the letter ‘P’ and is followed by six digits, then an oblique (forward slash) and the finally the year in which the incident took place- for example P396154/42.

The CPs are in the process of being made available to the general public as they are passed from the MOD Records Office, Portsmouth to National Archives, Kew. This process requires some rework to the files which is very time consuming, so the process of making them all available to National Archives will take several years. They are being made available in increasing date order.

Once CPs arrive at National Archives they are assigned a unique AIR81 number, so each CP has both a P-number and an AIR81 number. Both are searchable on the National Archives website under ‘Search the catalogue’ and both are included on the IBCC website.

The AIR81 reference on the IBCC website is a link to the file on the National Archives website. When you click on it, the relevant page will open in a new tab on your browser.

There is currently no plan to digitise AIR81 files, partly because they are fragile and partly because the information they contain can at times be sensitive, even harrowing, since they may contain exhumation reports and even photographs of corpses. Family members wishing to read the AIR81 files relating to their ancestors are advised to exercise caution and be guided by National Archives warnings where appropriate.

There are two means for accessing AIR81 files- to attend in person or to order a copy by post.

To attend in person, the attendee should first create a Reader’s Ticket. This can be done online by following this link: https://secure.nationalarchives.gov.uk/login/yourdetails. Then click on the AIR81 reference on the IBCC website and click Order in Advance. Enter your Reader’s Ticket number and state the date on which you intend to visit. National Archives will have the file ready for you when you arrive, saving you time. When you visit Kew, you must quote the Reader’s Ticket number and take along two forms of ID- one bearing your signature and one bearing your address. When you view the files, you are permitted to take photographs of each page, should you wish.

Alternatively, if you wish to order a copy by post, please be aware that there is a charge for this service based on the number of pages in the file. Click on the AIR81 reference on the IBCC website and then click Request a Copy. There is an £8.40 charge for National Archives staff to access the file and give you a quotation for the copying service. The process takes around 24 days to complete and can be expensive.

IBCC wishes to thank the staff at the MOD Records Office and National Archives for their engagement and assistance in making this facility available to our website users.