Bickerdike, Herbert Frank
Personal Information
Rank | S/L |
Forename(s) | Herbert Frank |
Surname | Bickerdike |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | DFC |
Date of Death | 20-12-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Clifford and Hilda Bickerdike, of Ipswich, Suffolk. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax V |
Serial Number | LL125 |
Markings | KN-K |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Hotton War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Joint grave V. E. 4-5. |
Epitaph | HE DIED FOR FREEDOM. ALWAYS REMEMBERED BY MUM, DAD AND DENYS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 130 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 64287 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 4 |
Squadron | 77 |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Chaussee de Liege 65, Marche-en-Famenne (Fronville), Luxembourg Province ( * No Public Access - Belgian MoD Military Training Area *) |
Country | Belgium |
Memorial Type | Wooden Cross, metal crucifix, memorial stone and stencilled metal plaque |
Memorial Text | Ici le 20 decembre 1943, un Halifax anglaise s’est ecrase Il y eut 5 tues et 2 rescapes. Passant, souviens-toi! |
Location | Holy Trinity Church, Elvington, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stained Glass Window & Roll of Honour |
Memorial Text | Memorial windows and Roll of Honour for 77 Sqn. R.A.F. |
Location | Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Marble Column with Metal Sculpture and Plaques |
Memorial Text | Memorial to 77 Sqn. R.A.F. City of Lancaster's own |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/656/43 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/656/42 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 20-12-1943 |
End Date | 21-12-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Elvington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (39% moon) |
Operation | Frankfurt. 650 aircraft, 41 losses (6.3%). The German controllers were able to accurately plot the route as soon as the main force left the English coast and were therefore able to deploy night-fighters at many points along its route. A diversionary raid on Mannheim failed to draw off many fighters until the main raid was over. The target was mainly cloud covered whereas the forecast had predicted clear conditions. Marking did not, therefore, go to plan. The Germans used both decoy fires and also decoy target indicator. By a twist of good fortune, considerable creepback resulted in the bombing coming back over the city. Many public and municipal buildings were hit including many schools. 23000 people were bombed out of their homes. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed at Fronville, Belgium |